Paul Stanley speaks onstage during the 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in New York City Thursday.
Simmons and Stanley were inducted into the prestigious organization, with their music celebrated with performances of “Rock and Roll All Nite” from Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, and “Shout It Out Loud” from Corgan and Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik.
Only Stanley attended the ceremony, revealing that Simmons had to miss it due to a family emergency.
On the red carpet, Stanley told ABC Audio that the honor stacks up pretty high in the list of accolades he’s received throughout his career.
“Songwriting has always been the motivation,” he said. “So to be surrounded by the people who inspired me and to have this night of acknowledgement, it’s tough to beat it.”
Other performers inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night were Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Taylor Swift.
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’ (Geffen Records)
Now we know what Olivia Rodrigo was filming in New York City with all those ballet dancers.
Along with her new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, Olivia has dropped the video for one of the album’s tracks, “stupid song.” The chorus goes, “I want you more than any stupid song could ever say.” As she sings the song, she wanders through the streets of Manhattan, followed by New York City Ballet’s Tiler Peck, and other dancers from the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, dancing in pink tutus and pointe shoes.
In the clip Olivia also plays piano in a bodega, frolics in a park with the dancers and stands enraptured under a sprinkler. The song’s lyrics also echo the “I’m unraveled” chorus of “the cure.” In “stupid song,” she sings, “I’m a thread on your shirt/ That is coming undone.”
Liv writes in an Instagram message about the album, “I love this album so much. The record is a time capsule of a relationship in all of its highs and lows. It’s my attempt at capturing love from both sides of the coin. The hope and the disappointment. The insanity and the clarity. The entanglement and the unraveling.”
After thanking her musical collaborators, producer Dan Nigro and her label, she went on to thank her fans: “It sounds corny but I truly feel so lucky that I get to share in this journey with you all. The idea of someone listening to these songs and letting them into their world is the most wonderful thing I can think of. Here’s to hoping!”
Olivia’s The Unraveled Tour starts Sept. 25 in Hartford, Connecticut.
John Fogerty performs onstage during the 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, and rocker John Fogerty were celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in New York City Thursday.
Simmons and Stanley were inducted into the prestigious organization, with their music celebrated with performances of “Rock and Roll All Nite” from Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, and “Shout It Out Loud” from Corgan and Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik.
Only Stanley attended the ceremony, revealing that Simmons had to miss it due to a family emergency.
On the red carpet, Stanley told ABC Audio that the honor stacks up pretty high in the list of accolades he’s received throughout his career.
“Songwriting has always been the motivation,” he said. “So to be surrounded by the people who inspired me and to have this night of acknowledgement, it’s tough to beat it.”
Fogerty, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, received the Johnny Mercer Award, the organization’s highest honor.
Steve Miller honored Fogerty during the ceremony, calling him “Americana at its finest.” In his speech, Fogerty talked about his decadeslong fight to regain ownership of his catalog, which he did in 2023, noting it was because he “outlived all those sons of b******!”
Fogerty also performed for the audience, playing a bit of “Oh Susannah” — having noted in his speech it was the first song he’d ever heard — along with hits “Proud Mary,” “Have You Ever Seen Rain” and “The Old Man Down the Road.”
Speaking to ABC Audio on the red carpet, Fogerty said of the recognition, “To be honored in a very high level for what you do among all other songwriters that you love, you know, it just felt really great.”
Other performers inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night were Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Taylor Swift.
‘One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2’ album artwork. (Nuclear Blast)
Marilyn Manson has announced a new album called One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2.
The shock rocker’s 13th studio effort is due out Aug. 14 and is the follow-up to 2024’s One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1. Lead single “Exit Wound” is out now alongside a video, which you can watch streaming on YouTube.
“I am proud to give you the second chapter of One Assassination Under God,” Manson writes in a Facebook post. “This completes my story.”
“I used each stone that was thrown at me to sharpen my edges,” the post continues. “I outgrew purgatory and carved these songs into the skin of the world. As you listen I hope it forms a scar that you cannot forget.”
One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 marked Manson’s first album since his ex fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, accused him of abuse in 2021. Several other women came forward with allegations against Manson, and he’s currently facing a lawsuit filed by his former assistant Ashley Walters.
Manson has denied all allegations, and an investigation into him was dropped by the Los Angeles County district attorney in 2025.
Manson will launch a U.S. tour alongside Rob Zombie in August. He’s playing a pair of LA shows in the fall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1996 album, Antichrist Superstar.
Here’s the One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 track list:
“Unalive” “Don’t Answer the Door” “Front Toward Enemy” “All the Vilest Things” “None of the Suns” “Lucifer’s Teardrop” “The Arsonist” “Exit Wound” “Enantiomorph”
If you are affected by abuse and needing support, or know someone who is, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You can also chat online at thehotline.org or online.rainn.org, respectively.
Taylor Swift and Steven Spielberg pose backstage during the 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (L. Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
Steven Spielberg’s new movie, Disclosure Day, opened at midnight Thursday, but at that time he was busy inducting Taylor Swift into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City.
Spielberg’s speech during the annual gala was preceded by sombr performing her songs “Cardigan” and “Dear John.” Inside the ballroom, Taylor sat with fiancé Travis Kelce, her mother, Andrea Swift, Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, and Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw.
In his speech, Spielberg noted that Taylor is the youngest female songwriter to ever be inducted into the Hall, and said that her “place in our culture” rivals the likes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Carole King, James Taylor and Stevie Nicks.
“I love making movies,” he concluded. “But I don’t think I will ever fill stadiums of multigenerational fans who want to recite the dialogue from Indiana Jones. So thank you, Taylor, for the gift of your stories and for insisting on being an authentic voice in a world where the line between real and fake is increasingly blurred. You are our mirror ball.”
When Taylor took the stage, she noted that in her entire 23-year career, “Songwriting was the easiest thing I ever did.” She said, “I think what I mean is that it was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it. I had to be taught how to entertain the crowd and learn choreography and be less annoying. … But songwriting for me, it’s pretty much the only thing I ever just naturally did.”
She concluded her speech by addressing the Hall of Fame organization: “I wanna thank the voters for celebrating and honoring the best and truest parts of my life. I’ll be forever grateful.”
Also inducted Thursday night was Alanis Morrissette, who performed acoustic versions of her songs “Mary Jane” and “You Oughta Know.” She was inducted by Brandi Carlile, who performed Alanis’ song “Uninvited.”
Another inductee was Kenny Loggins. He was ushered in by Gavin DeGraw, who performed Kenny’s hit “Danny’s Song” and joined him for “Celebrate Me Home.” And Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik helped induct KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, teaming up with The Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan to perform their hit “Shout It Out Loud.”
Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey Distillery and Museum will open June 25 in downtown Nashville, just days before his June 27 touring finale at Nissan Stadium.
Located at 121 3rd Ave. South, the museum will focus on “The Music, The Stories, The Legacy” and follow Alan on his journey from Newman, Georgia, to try to share his paper sack full of songs with the world.
“For over four decades, Alan has had an amazing career where his music has told stories of his life, creating the foundation of the legacy that we’re excited to share with his fans,” his longtime manager Debbie Doebler says. “We’re proud to be creating a new way for Alan and his music to be part of all that Nashville offers to residents and visitors alike, day-in and day-out.”
The distillery will trace his whiskey from “barrel to bottle” and showcase how it’s blended, proofed, bottled and labeled on site.
AJ’s Good Time Bar remains on nearby Lower Broadway, with the four-story honky-tonk preparing to celebrate a decade of business in 2026.
Phil Collins, Van Morrison and the members of Queen — Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and the late Freddie Mercury — were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at a gala in New York City.
Little Richard was also inducted, and Jimmy Webb was awarded the Johnny Mercer Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s highest honor.
Among the night’s performances, Queen teamed with up Wynonna to perform “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” The band also performed “We Will Rock You,” with May on lead vocals.
Both Collins and Van Morrison would later receive the Johnny Mercer Award as well — Collins in 2010 and Van Morrison in 2015.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 2026 class was inducted on Thursday. This year’s performer inductees included Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Taylor Swift and Kenny Loggins. John Fogerty, who was inducted into the SHOF in 2005, received the Johnny Mercer Award.
‘Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’ 25th anniversary reissue artwork. (Geffen Records)
Blink-182 has released a deluxe reissue of their 2001 album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, in honor of its 25th anniversary.
Those who picked up Take Off Your Pants and Jacket when it first released a quarter-century ago may remember that it was available in three configurations, each corresponding to one of the images on the cover artwork — the red airplane, the yellow pants or the green jacket. Each edition included its own set of bonus tracks.
The 25th anniversary Take Off Your Pants and Jacket edition marks the first time all those bonus tracks have been collected in a single package. It also marks the songs’ streaming debut. The reissue is out now via digital outlets and is available now to preorder on vinyl.
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, which was released on June 12, 2001, marked the fourth blink-182 album and the follow-up to their massive 1999 breakout effort, Enema of the State. It spawned the singles “First Date,” “The Rock Show” and “Stay Together for the Kids,” and became the first blink album to hit #1 on the Billboard 200.
The “You’re So Vain” singer/songwriter is set to release the new album, Comes in Waves, on Aug. 14. The record is Simon’s first album of original music since 2008.
Fans are getting their first taste of her new music with the release of the album’s opening track “Howl,” which she co-wrote with songwriter David Spencer.
“‘Howl’ lives in that space between betrayal and forgiveness, where anger has to be voiced before it can be released,” says Simon. “It’s about letting the frustration out so it doesn’t sit and simmer. The song begins in anger, but it moves toward forgiveness, and speaks to any situation where trust has been broken.”
Simon wrote and recorded much of Comes in Waves at her home in Martha’s Vineyard. It features contributions from his son, Ben Taylor, and her daughter, Sally Taylor, whose dad is singer James Taylor.
Simon’s last album of new material was 2008’s This Kind of Love. In 2009, she released Never Been Gone, featuring acoustic versions of her previous material.
“Howl” “Maybe I Never Loved You” “Peaches” “Love Has No Ending” “Mother Of Pearl” “Slowly” “Four In The Morning” “The More I Look For You” “Love The Way I Do” “The Father Daughter Dance” “Share the End” “Do It Anyway”
Keith Urban didn’t set out to make an oldies cover album as the follow-up to 2024’s High.
But once he fixed his sights on a new spot to make music, it seemed out of his hands.
“I have a yacht rock playlist and I found myself walking around, you know, singing a lot of these songs,” the Aussie superstar explains. “And I bought a studio and kinda just to break the studio in for fun, we thought we’d do one or two yacht rock songs. And I never intended to release them or do anything with them. It was just a fun way to break in my recording studio.”
“And slowly over the course of months of touring, every time I was off the road, we’d record a couple more and then a couple more and before I knew it, we were starting to make a record,” he continues. “It wasn’t a strategy, let’s put it that way. The record just took on a life of its own.”
The 11-song Flow State covers the time period from 1972 to 1981, bridging the gap between Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” and Bread’s “Guitar Man” to “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers.
Yacht rock legend Michael McDonald guests on the one original, “We Go Back,” with Little Big Town adding their harmonies to “Magnet and Steel” and John Mayer joining “Guitar Man.”
