He’s got a “Way”: Street named after Billy Joel in Oyster Bay, Long Island

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

In his song “The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” Billy Joel sang about coming “from a town known as Oyster Bay, Long Island.” On October 19, that town named a street after him.

WABC-TV reports that The Piano Man received a key to the Town of Oyster Bay and was on hand for the unveiling of Billy Joel Way, with the street located in front of his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles. Billy grew up in Hicksville, a hamlet within the town.

During the ceremony, Billy was serenaded by a band made up of kids from the local grade school. He also met with a group of veterans.

“It’s a beautiful day, just a little overwhelming,” Billy told reporters. “I just never figured on this when I was living here.” Calling the experience surreal, he noted, “Who could’ve predicted this? My mom would’ve been thrilled.”

But when asked what it was like for him to see the street sign for the first time, he said he didn’t know, because the sun was shining in his eyes.

As WABC notes, Billy’s charity The Joel Foundation recently donated funds to erect a memorial in honor of the baymen who work in Oyster Bay Harbor. Long Island’s baymen inspired Billy’s hit “The Downeaster ‘Alexa.‘” The foundation also announced the continuation of its long-term investment in Long Island High School for the Arts.

Billy Joel & Sting to co-headline San Diego’s Petco Park

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Billy Joel and Sting have announced another co-headlining date. The two Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will team up to play San Diego’s Petco Park on Saturday, April 13.

A Citi ticket presale kicks off Monday, October 23, at 10 a.m. local time, with the general onsale set for Friday, October 27, at 10 a.m. local time.

This is the second co-headlining date Billy and Sting have announced. Their first is happening February 24 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. It will mark the first time the rock star friends have headlined a concert together.

But this isn’t the first time Billy has shared a stage at a stadium show. He has toured with Elton John several times and is currently doing co-headlining shows with Stevie Nicks. The two artists next play Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 10.

Jeezy speaks out on divorce for first time: “Decision … comes with a heavy heart”

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Jeezy, rapper and ex-husband of Jeannie Mai, is speaking out for the first time since he filed for divorce from the TV host.

“The decision to end this chapter in my life was not made impulsively and comes with a heavy heart,” Jeezy wrote in a statement. “Despite this, my love and respect for Jeannie remains and the time we spent together holds a cherished place in my heart.”

The New York Times bestselling author said that the focus now is on their daughter, Monaco — “the best gift from our relationship.”

“I am committed to assuring she feels the love and stability she deserves,” Jeezy wrote.

He ended his note saying, “During this period, I kindly request that you respect our family’s privacy as we focus on healing.”

The rapper’s public address comes a little over two months since he filed for divorce from Jeannie after two years of marriage.

It also comes a week after Jeannie appeared on Sherri for her first interview addressing the divorce, telling the host that amid the separation, Monaco is “my North Star.”

“And I can definitely tell you that I don’t know if I would handle this the same way without her,” Jeannie said.

Football team FC Barcelona to add Rolling Stones logo to their kit for upcoming El Clásico

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Soccer fans, or football fans to the rest of the world, are about to see a familiar rock logo on the pitch.

The Rolling Stones are teaming with FC Barcelona and Spotify to help promote their new album Hackney Diamonds, which drops Friday, October 20. They’ve just announced a special edition Rolling Stones kit that features the band’s tongue and lips logo on the jersey.

FC Barcelona players will wear the jersey when they play Real Madrid October 28 at the El Clásico match. The women’s team, Barca Femení, will also wear the shirt at their F League match against Sevilla on November 5.

“We are huge football fans and we are grateful that Spotify has brought our tongue and lips logo to the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate the release of the Stones’ new album, Hackney Diamonds,” the band shares. “We will cheer on the players who will be on the field as well as the fans around the world who will tune in to this iconic match.”

Some lucky fans will be able to get their hands on these unique jerseys. Two exclusive editions will go on sale October 23: One is limited to 1,899 units and another, consisting of just 22 shirts, features the signatures of the starting players on the men and women’s teams.

This isn’t the first sports-related promotion The Stones are doing for Hackney Diamonds. The band has teamed with Major League Baseball for limited-edition white vinyl versions of the new album, which feature pocket jackets with custom art tailored to each of the 30 MLB baseball teams.

Madonna addresses Israel/Hamas war: “We cannot lose our humanity”

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Onstage at her Celebration Tour stop October 17 in London, Madonna spoke out about the Israel/Hamas war and reminded her fans of the power people have to change the world.

The Queen of Pop also posted her speech on Instagram, calling the war heartbreaking and saying that she wants to vomit when she sees the atrocities that have been perpetuated against young people.

“What the f*** is going on in the world? How can human beings be so cruel to one another? It’s just getting worse. It frightens me,” she said. Paraphrasing the writer James Baldwin, she continued, “The children of the world belong to all of us, each and every one of them. I don’t care where they’re from, what their headdress is, what the color of their skin is, what their religion is – the children belong to us. And we are responsible for them.”

Madonna got emotional when she spoke about a 6-year-old boy in Chicago who was killed because he was Muslim. “We have to remember we are human beings here. We cannot lose our humanity,” she said. “Our hearts can be broken but our spirit cannot. No one can break our spirit.”

“You might look at what’s going on in the world and say, ‘What the f***? What can I do, I’m just one person, I’m helpless.’ No, you are not,” she continued. “Each and every one of you have the power and ability to turn light on in the world.”

“If we turn enough light on, if we light enough candles, the collective consciousness of generosity and unity will change,” she concluded. “No politicians, no laws, no sanctions, no land given or taken. We, with our consciousness, can change the … world.”

Eric Church, Keith Urban + Jake Owen to headline Country Fest 2024

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Country Fest has announced its star-studded 2024 lineup.

Dubbed “the country’s largest party in a hayfield,” the three-day festival will take place June 27 to June 29 in Cadott, Wisconsin, with headliners Jake Owen, Keith Urban and Eric Church.

Other acts on the performance bill include Scotty McCreery, Hailey Whitters, Chayce Beckham, Ashley McBryde, Conner Smith, Morgan Evans and Dalton Dover.

For the full lineup and tickets, visit countryfest.com.

Find out what ‘Billboard’ thinks are the top 10 Best Pop Songs of All Time

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

In honor of the 65th anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the publication started posting a list of the 500 Best Pop Songs of All Time, based on staff picks.

The qualifications were that the song had to have hit the Hot 100 at some point and that it had to fit Billboard’s definition of what a “pop” song is: “catchy, tight, rousing, emotional, immaculately crafted, instantly memorable.”

After posting the first 400, the publication has now unveiled the top 100, including the top 10. Here they are, along with Billboard’s comments:

1. Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” — “Not only understands and exemplifies” pop music’s favorite topics — love, sex, dancing and music — but “also features the greatest possible singer to deliver it.”

2. ABBA, “Dancing Queen” — “a soaring Swedish anthem that encapsulates the freedom, liberation and possibility of the dancefloor.”

3. The Temptations, “My Girl” — An “exceptionally graceful ballad,” “immediately recognizable,” “classy, but not the least bit stodgy or old-fashioned.”

4. Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way” — “It’s all silly, it’s all epic, and it’s all so of its time that the whole thing has become strangely timeless, understood by few but beloved by all.”

5. Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone” — “The 21st century’s greatest contribution to the pop canon so far.”

6. Madonna, “Like a Prayer” — “The Queen of Pop’s crown jewel.”

7. Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean” — “A significant cultural touchstone.”

8. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe” — “pure bubblegum pop goodness.”

9. 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre, “California Love” — A “hook-filled hip hop party-starter.”

10. The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” — “A force the likes of which pop had never encountered before, forever changing music, culture and hairstyles on both sides of the Atlantic.”

U2 announce 2024 ‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere’ dates

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

U2 has decided to stick around Las Vegas a little while longer.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are extending their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere residency at The Venetian Resort into 2024, adding 11 new dates. Starting Friday, January 26, the new run includes two shows during Super Bowl weekend — Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 — and comes to a close Sunday, February 18.

As with the original dates, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. will be sitting out the shows as Bram van den Berg fills in behind the drumkit.

There will be a U2 fan club presale kicking off Thursday, October 19, at 10 a.m. PT, with the general onsale happening Wednesday, October 25, at 11 a.m. PT.

U2 opened U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere Friday, September 29, to rave reviews. The band played their entire 1991 album, Achtung Baby, along with classics like “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You,” “Elevation” and “Beautiful Day.”

U2’s next Sphere show is happening Friday, October 20. A complete list of dates can be found at U2.com.

Lady A shares BTS clip of “Love You Back”

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Ever wondered how Lady A’s harmonies blend together so effortlessly? Well, you’re in luck.

The group’s Dave Haywood is taking fans behind the scenes and sharing how all three members’ vocals came together for their latest release, “Love You Back.”

“Here’s how we arranged some of our vocals on ‘Love You Back.’ Check this out,” Dave shares in the opening of the Instagram Reel. Hillary Scott‘s isolated lead vocal from the second verse is then played before Charles Kelley and Dave’s respective vocals arrive.

Throughout the video, fans get to hear what appears to be a stripped-down, sparsely produced version of their song.

“A memory can’t get you outside of your mama’s house/ Midnight rain on a Chevy hood/ A memory can’t hold you in a Sarasota sunrise/ Even though you wish it would/ All it’s gonna do is make you lose sleep at night/ Wake up and leave you in the past/ You can love a memory, but a memory/ Can’t love you back,” Hillary, Charles and Dave sing in the piano-led chorus.

Check out the full BTS clip on Lady A’s Instagram.

To see Lady A on their ongoing Request Line Tour, visit the group’s website.

Paul McCartney plays “She’s A Woman” for the first time in almost 20 years

October 19, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Paul McCartney kicked off the latest leg of his Got Back tour Wednesday, October 18, in Adelaide, Australia, treating the crowd to a song he hasn’t played in almost 20 years.

According to setlist.fm, early in the show, McCartney performed The Beatles track “She’s A Woman” for the first time since 2004. The tune was the B-side to the 1964 single “I Feel Fine.”

The rest of McCartney’s set was filled with fan favorites, including Beatles classics like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “Blackbird,” “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude.” He also performed “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” for the first time on this tour and “I’ve Got A Feeling,” in a virtual duet with late bandmate John Lennon.

The show additionally featured The Quarrymen tune “In Spite of All The Danger,” several Wings hits, including “Let ‘Em In,” “Jet,” “Live and Let Die” and “Band on the Run,” and a few McCartney solo songs, like “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Come On To Me” and “My Valentine.”

Next up, McCartney’s Got Back tour hits Melbourne, Australia, October 21. A complete list of dates can be found at paulmccartney.com.

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