At Rolling Stones’ LA show, Mick Jagger shades Paul McCartney over McCartney’s “blues cover band” diss

At Rolling Stones’ LA show, Mick Jagger shades Paul McCartney over McCartney’s “blues cover band” diss
At Rolling Stones’ LA show, Mick Jagger shades Paul McCartney over McCartney’s “blues cover band” diss
Rich Fury/Getty Images

During a recent interview with The New Yorker, Paul McCartney took a dig at The Rolling Stones when asked whether he thought The Beatles were a better band than their British Invasion counterparts, and apparently Mick Jagger was paying attention.

As previously reported, McCartney commented to The New Yorker, “I’m not sure I should say it, but they’re a blues cover band, that’s sort of what the Stones are…I think [The Beatles’] net was cast a bit wider than theirs.”

Keeping that in mind, footage has emerged from The Rolling Stones’ Los Angeles-area concert Thursday night at SoFi Stadium that shows Jagger playfully making reference to McCartney’s insult while chatting with the audience between songs.

In the clip from the show, shared by The Daily Mail‘s website, Jagger listed some of the celebrities who were in the audience, including Megan Fox, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lady Gaga. He then joked, “Paul McCartney is here. He’s gonna join us in a blues cover later on.”

McCartney made similar comments about The Beatles being better and more diverse than The Rolling Stones in an April 2020 radio interview, while also declaring that he loved The Stones.

Jagger was asked about McCartney’s 2020 comments that same month while chatting with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, and he called Sir Paul a “sweetheart” and that insisted that there was “obviously no competition” between their two bands.

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Crazy Little Singalong: Star-studded ‘Queen Family Singalong’ special to air on ABC in November

Crazy Little Singalong: Star-studded ‘Queen Family Singalong’ special to air on ABC in November
Crazy Little Singalong: Star-studded ‘Queen Family Singalong’ special to air on ABC in November
ABC

In honor of its 50th anniversary, Queen will be celebrated on the fourth and latest installment of ABC’s Singalong franchise, which will air November 4 at 8 p.m.

Hosted by Emmy-winning actor and singer Darren Criss, The Queen Family Singalong will feature various well-known music artists and other celebs performing hits by the iconic British band, including Adam Lambert, who currently serves as Queen’s frontman.

Lambert will be singing “The Show Must Go On” on the special. Other stars who will be performing on the special include Fall Out Boy, former Alice Cooper guitarist Orianthi, country singer Jimmie Allen, Miss Piggy, singer and reality star JoJo Siwa, OneRepublic and vocal group Pentatonix.

Previous installments of ABC’s Singalong specials have focused on Disney music, so perhaps it’s not surprising that the Queen-themed show also will feature the casts of the Broadway productions of Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin, who’ll team up to perform a group rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

Here’s a list of confirmed performances on the special, with more to be announced soon:

Adam Lambert –- “The Show Must Go On”
Derek Hough featuring Alexander Jean -– “Another One Bites the Dust”
Fall Out Boy -– “Under Pressure”
Jimmie Allen featuring Miss Piggy -– “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
JoJo Siwa and Orianthi -– “We Will Rock You”
OneRepublic -– “We Are the Champions”
Pentatonix –- “Somebody to Love”
The casts of Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin — “Don’t Stop Me Now”

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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The Rolling Stones add November 23 show in Florida that will close out US tour

The Rolling Stones add November 23 show in Florida that will close out US tour
The Rolling Stones add November 23 show in Florida that will close out US tour
Credit: J.Rose

The Rolling Stones are giving fans an extra chance to see them perform on their current No Filter Tour of the U.S. The band has just announced a November 23 concert at the Hard Rock Live venue at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, which will be the final show of the trek.

According to a press statement, the Hard Rock Live concert will be the most intimate performance The Stones have given in more than a decade. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Monday, October 18, at 10 a.m. ET, and will be available at MyHRL.com.

“[W]e are honored to have the privilege of hosting perhaps the most iconic rock band of all-time on the final date of their North American tour,” says Hard Rock International executive Keith Sheldon. “With what will be by far the most intimate performance on the No Filter Tour, we know this will be an incredibly special evening at our 6,500 seat Hard Rock Live venue.”

The Rolling Stones next concert will take place Sunday, October 17, in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, the second of two shows the band has scheduled at the venue.

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Watch season 2 trailer for ‘Power Book II: Ghost’; Watch trailer for Kevin Durant’s ‘Swagger’; and more

Watch season 2 trailer for ‘Power Book II: Ghost’; Watch trailer for Kevin Durant’s ‘Swagger’; and more
Watch season 2 trailer for ‘Power Book II: Ghost’; Watch trailer for Kevin Durant’s ‘Swagger’; and more
Courtesy of Starz

Starz has released an epic first trailer to the second season of their hit crime-drama Power Book II: Ghost.

The new promo teases Michael Rainey Jr.‘s original Power character, Tariq, and his deeper dive into the world of crime following the events of season one. As previously reported, Power alum Larenz Tate has been upped to a series-regular role for the second season of the Power spinoff. He joins Mary J. Blige, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Woody McClain and others, who will also return. Season two of Power Book II: Ghost premieres November 21 on Starz.

In other news, Kevin Durant‘s Apple TV+ series, Swagger, has dropped its first trailer. Inspired by Durant’s childhood experiences playing basketball in Washington, D.C., the series follows the young athletes, families and coaches as they “walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, and opportunism and corruption.” Swagger stars O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill, Quvenzhané Wallis, Tristan Mack Wilds, Jason Rivera and others. The series hits Apple TV+ on Friday, October 29.

Finally, John Boyega has teamed up with Converse for The Create Next Film Project, a new initiative that will help nurture the next generation of Black filmmakers. As part of the project, Boyega will work with five London filmmakers, who will receive funding to create a five-minute short film, as well as be supported through mentoring from Boyega and a team of creatives. The program’s design is to help “highlight issues people of color face working in the industry.” Boyega shared the news on his Instagram with the message, “The next generation deserves a proper shot ! Let’s do this.”

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“Glow”: Chris Stapleton teams with Kelly Clarkson for a festive new duet

“Glow”: Chris Stapleton teams with Kelly Clarkson for a festive new duet
“Glow”: Chris Stapleton teams with Kelly Clarkson for a festive new duet
Atlantic Records

Kelly Clarkson’s holiday project, When Christmas Comes Around, arrived on Friday, and the track list boasts some impressive collaborators. Among them is Chris Stapleton, who lends his voice to one particularly soulful song, “Glow.”

Kelly and Chris trade verses on the song, a love ballad about the one special person who’s missing from an otherwise perfect Christmas.

“Nothin’ has changed, I still wish you could be / Wrapped up in my arms, spendin’ Christmas with me,” the pair harmonize in the chorus. “When it gets cold is when I notice the most / With all the lights on the trees, even Christmas can’t compete with your glow…”

This is the first time Kelly’s ever teamed with Chris, but the pop star’s no stranger to country collaborations in general. In fact, “Under the Mistletoe” — her duet with Brett Eldredge — is a bonus track on When Christmas Comes Around.

Kelly also snagged a number-one country hit back in 2011, thanks to her duet with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

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Hear a snippet of Rob Thomas’ holiday duet with Ingrid Michaelson

Hear a snippet of Rob Thomas’ holiday duet with Ingrid Michaelson
Hear a snippet of Rob Thomas’ holiday duet with Ingrid Michaelson
Atlantic Records

Rob Thomas‘ holiday album Something About Christmas Time is out next week, but you don’t have to wait to hear a preview of one of the duets that’s featured on the project.

Ingrid Michaelson joins Rob for a version of “Christmas Time,” a 1985 holiday tune by Bryan Adams, a snippet of which is posted right now on Ingrid’s Instagram Story.  The album’s title is taken from the lyrics of the song.  The project also includes collaborations with Bebe Winans and country star Brad Paisley, as well as an updated version of “A New York Christmas,” which Rob originally put out in 2003.

Ingrid also has her own holiday release: a deluxe version of her 2018 album Songs for the Season, due November 5.  That project includes collaborations with, among others, Jason Mraz and actress/singer Zooey Deschanel.

Here’s the track listing for Something About Christmas Time:

“Save Some Christmas for Me”
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
“Christmas Time” (Ft. Ingrid Michaelson)
“That Spirit of Christmas” (Ft. Bebe Winans)
“Small Town Christmas”
“New Year’s Day”
“Santa Don’t Come Here Anymore” (Ft. Brad Paisley)
“I Believe In Santa Claus” (Ft. Abby Anderson)
“A New York Christmas ‘21”
“Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas (Samy’s Song)”

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‘The Velvet Underground’ is a documentary as unique as the band itself

‘The Velvet Underground’ is a documentary as unique as the band itself
‘The Velvet Underground’ is a documentary as unique as the band itself
Courtesy of Apple TV+

It’s The Velvet Underground as you’ve never seen them before.  A new documentary from acclaimed indie-film director Todd Haynes about the hugely influential rock group debuts today on Apple TV+. 

Haynes tells ABC Audio that the film, like the band itself, is different from other rock documentaries.

“This band…and the whole culture from which the band arose, is kind of an invitation to look at what this whole experimental attitude,” he explains. “And not just in terms of music making…but in the sort of the language that was being swapped from medium to medium.”

Titled simply The Velvet Underground, the documentary features new interviews with surviving members John Cale and Maureen Tucker, as well as other people associated with the band. There are also archival conversations with the late artist Andy Warhol, who managed and helped promote the group during its early years. What you won’t see in this film is the typical archival material, because it doesn’t exist.

“There is no live concert footage…no promotional record label material, there aren’t interviews of them at the time on film,” notes Haynes. “What you see is what’s in the film, which is films from Andy Warhol, where they were kind of part of an art project.”

The doc offers an inside look at the group and its classic lineup — the late Lou Reed on lead vocals and guitar, Cale on bass and viola, Tucker on drums and the late Sterling Morrison on lead guitar — as well as their life inside Warhol’s studio, The Factory.

“They were making art all day long…because Andy was a taskmaster…And then they’d go out partying all night,” adds Haynes. “And you’d go to a party and then you’d go wake up the next morning, do some more speed, and start making art again…it was a…ludicrously pleasurable time.”

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Neil Young and Crazy Horse unveil full details of new album, ‘Barn;’ deluxe version to include making-of film

Neil Young and Crazy Horse unveil full details of new album, ‘Barn;’ deluxe version to include making-of film
Neil Young and Crazy Horse unveil full details of new album, ‘Barn;’ deluxe version to include making-of film
Reprise Records

Neil Young and Crazy Horse have revealed complete official details about their recently announced forthcoming studio album, Barn, which will be released on December 10.

According to a press release, the 10-track collection was recorded “this summer under a full moon, in a restored off-grid 19th century barn high up in the Rockies,” and features “stunning love songs, reflective ballads and powerhouse rockers.”

You can check out the album’s first track, “Song of the Seasons,” now at NeilYoungArchives.com and Young’s YouTube channel. The song is a lilting folk-rock tune showcasing Young’s acoustic guitar and harmonica playing, as well as Crazy Horse multi-instrumentalist Nils Lofgren‘s accordion talents.

Barn will be released on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital formats. A deluxe box set version of the album also will be available featuring a CD, a vinyl LP and a Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray will feature a film directed by Neil’s wife, actress Daryl Hannah, offering a look at the making of Barn. The Blu-ray also will be available as a standalone release.

Vinyl versions of Barn purchased at The Greedy Hand Store at Young’s website and at independent record shops will come with six behind-the-scenes photos. The pics also will be included in the box set.

All versions of Barn bought via The Greedy Hand Store will come with a free hi-res digital download of the album.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Song of the Seasons”
“Heading West”
“Change Ain’t Never Gonna”
“Canerican”
“Shape of You”
“They Might Be Lost”
“Human Race”
“Tumblin’ Thru the Years”
“Welcome Back”
“Don’t Forget Love”

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Judas Priest’s Rob Halford reveals private cancer battle: “I got through”

Judas Priest’s Rob Halford reveals private cancer battle: “I got through”
Judas Priest’s Rob Halford reveals private cancer battle: “I got through”
Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had my little cancer battle a year ago, which I got through and that’s in remission now, thank God,” Halford tells Consequence.

“That happened while we were all locked down, so things happen for a reason as far as time sequence of events,” he adds. “I have nothing but gratitude to be at this point in my life, still doing what I love the most.”

As Consequence reports, Halford goes into more detail about his private fight with cancer in the newly released paperback edition of his 2020 book, Confess.

In an added chapter to the book, Halford writes that he underwent surgery to treat prostate cancer in July 2020. When the cancer returned earlier this year, Halford started radiation therapy, and was cleared by doctors in June. His appendix was also removed after it grew a tumor.

“It’s been a draining year, I can’t deny it, but I’m delighted to have come through it,” the book reads.

Meanwhile, Halford’s Priest band mate Richie Faulkner just went through his own scary health ordeal when his aorta ruptured during a performance at September’s Louder than Life festival. He’s currently recovering after undergoing over 10 hours of emergency heart surgery.

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Peaceful protest planned to support Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water Festival locale stance

Peaceful protest planned to support Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water Festival locale stance
Peaceful protest planned to support Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water Festival locale stance
Pharrell at Something in the Water in April, 2019; Brian Ach/Getty Images for Something in the Water

As Pharrell Williams considers pulling his Something in the Water Festival from his native Virginia Beach following the fatal police shooting of a family member, fans are planning a peaceful protest to show support for him.

The all-star festival was scheduled for April 22-24, 2022, however the 13-time Grammy winner may move the event to another city because his cousin, Donovon Lynch, was shot and killed by a Virginia Beach police officer on March 26, 2021. Following his death, Pharrell called for a federal investigation.

Xiomara-Rosa Fernandez, who administers a Something in the Water Facebook page, told Norfolk ABC affiliate WVEC-TV that a sit-in will take place on Saturday, November 6 at the Virginia Beach waterfront.

“We sit down at the beach, where the stage was, the main stage,” Fernandez says. She added that she expects fans to attend from other cities.

As previously reported, Pharrell wrote a letter last week in response to city manager Patrick Duhaney, who had written to Pharrell saying he wanted to discuss having the event return.

Pharrell wrote that the goal of the festival was “to ease racial tension, to unify the region, bring about economic development opportunities, and broaden the horizons of the local business community. We achieved those things!”

“I wish the same energy I’ve felt from Virginia Beach leadership upon losing the festival would have been similarly channeled following the loss of my relative’s life,” Williams continued.

The Something in the Water festival debuted in 2019, featuring Travis Scott, Janelle Monae, SZA, Migos, Lil Uzi Vert and many more. In 2019, 25,000 tickets to the music festival sold out in 21 minutes, and the total economic impact was over $24 million. The event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

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