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Back to the Beginning one year later: Participating artists reflect on historic concert

July 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the Back to the Beginning concert, which took place July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England. A stacked lineup of hard rock and metal bands led up to the final live performance from the original Black Sabbath lineup and Ozzy Osbourne, who died on July 22, 2025.

Several of the participating artists spoke with ABC Audio about their Back to the Beginning experience.

Tool’s Maynard James Keenan: “In the beginning was Black Sabbath, and then everything else fits neatly below when it comes to metal. They were it. So, it was an honor.”

Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell: “Just the fact that that was able to happen and [Ozzy] was able to have that moment, we were invited to be a part of it, and celebrate the man and the band, I mean, it’s one of the most important things that I was ever included in, and well deserved, as well.”

Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale: “Everyone was having the same conversations, like, ‘Oh, we can’t believe we’re here,’ but also, we wouldn’t be the rockers that we are today without these guys, without Ozzy and without Black Sabbath. So just to get to be a part of that was just, we’re so grateful, what a tremendous honor.”

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor: “When we got to go into ‘Supernaut,’ I was just, like, ‘Oh man, this is, this is, like, the biggest moment of your life right now happening.’ But I just was pretty taken by the outpouring of love and respect and community. It was all for Ozzy, it was all for Sabbath, all for those guys.”

Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe: “A show like that will never happen again, for me, ever. It was a magic thing to be a part of, I’m very grateful.”

Chicago’s Lee Loughnane on ‘A Capitol Fourth’: ‘It’s gonna be quite the celebration’

July 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Chicago will help honor America’s 250th anniversary with a performance on A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration, taking place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building.

This isn’t the first time Chicago has performed on the annual special, and founding member Lee Loughnane tells ABC there’s no other show quite like it.

“We get to play before hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in one fell swoop,” he says. “How many years would you have to be on the road to reach that many people?”

He adds they feel “honored and privileged” to take part in the celebration, noting this year is particularly special because “250 years as a country only happens one time.”

Chicago will play three songs on A Capitol Fourth, including “Saturday in the Park.” Loughnane says that will be particularly of note because this year “July Fourth is on a Saturday.” They’ll also play “Feeling Stronger Every Day” and “25 or 6 to 4,” with the latter performed against a backdrop of fireworks.

“It’s gonna be quite the celebration,” he says.

Loughnane adds that he hopes Americans take away an important message from the festivities.

“We’ve had ups and downs for 250 years and what we still have to this day is freedom,” he says. “And we are the freest country in the world. That’s a legacy to really be proud of.”

The performance comes not long after the June death of the band’s founding member Walter Parazaider. Remembering his bandmate, Loughnane says they “had some great times together.”

He says that after all those years touring together “you either get along or get out, and obviously we did not get out. … I will miss Walt.”

A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, airs July 3 at 8 p.m. ET on on public TV stations nationwide.

‘Is God Is’ makes the cut for ‘Variety”s list of the best movies of 2026 so far

July 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Nearly two months after its premiere, Is God Is has earned a spot on Variety‘s list of the best movies of the year so far.

The film is the screen adaptation of director Aleshea Harris’ play of the same name. Speaking to ABC Audio, Aleshea described the transition from a play to film as a “learning curve.”

“I’m a theater person. I had barely been on a set. So I needed to understand the rules of writing for the screen, which are different. And I needed think about the tools that I had as a filmmaker that I didn’t have on the stage that could work in my favor,” she said. “So it was a lot about thinking about images differently, thinking about how much language was necessary.”

The film stars Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as twin sisters Anaia and Racine, who set out on a revenge mission against their father after he tried to kill them and their mother in a fire, leaving them with severe burn scars. The cast also includes Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown.

Aleshea said collaborating with them was her “favorite aspect of working on the movie.”

“They were so kind and they believed in me and trusted me as a first-time filmmaker,” she said. “There was also from them a protective energy. I could tell that they wanted me to win. They wanted the movie to win, and it was such a delight on set to get to work with them.”

In its review, Variety praises Kara and Mallori for “holding their own against” against the supporting cast. It notes, “[T]hey’re the year’s most electric double act so far.”

Of Aleshea, the publication adds that she “is conversant in the languages of both ruthless exploitation cinema and radical feminist theatre, with filmmaking brio to match. Whatever she makes next, here’s hoping more attention is paid.”

Lola Tung joins Gracie Abrams in A24 film ‘Please’

July 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Lola Tung is the latest to join the cast of the upcoming A24 film Please.

The Summer I Turned Pretty actress will appear in the new movie from Babygirl and Bodies Bodies Bodies filmmaker Halina Reijn.

Tung confirmed her casting in an Instagram Story on Wednesday. She will act alongside the previously announced star Gracie Abrams in Abrams’ first-ever professional acting role.

Also starring in the film are Tom Burke, Connor Storrie and David Jonsson.

While Please‘s story details are remaining under wraps, it will be written, directed and produced by Reijn. David Hinojosa will also produce in what will be his third collaboration with Reijn.

This is also the third collaboration between A24 and Reijn, which previously released both the slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies and the Nicole Kidman-starring erotic thriller Babygirl. The studio also acquired her debut film, Instinct.

A Perfect Circle’s ’Thirteenth Step’ to be reissued as part of Definitive Sound Series

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

A Perfect Circle’s 2003 sophomore album, Thirteenth Step, is being reissued as part of Interscope-Capitol Records’ Definitive Sound Series.

The Definitive Sound Series, or DSS, uses a “state-of-the-art” process called One Step. According to a press release, it “reveals the album’s expansive soundscapes, layered instrumentation, and dynamic range with exceptional clarity, depth, and presence.”

“Special care has been taken to faithfully preserve the original sound with exceptional clarity and depth, capturing the recording’s nuances at every step to create the definitive sound recording,” the press release reads. “The One-Step process is highly regarded among audiophiles and collectors for its unparalleled sound fidelity and represents the pinnacle of vinyl manufacturing and the listening experience.”

The DSS edition of Thirteenth Step will be released on Aug. 28. It marks the second APC album to receive the DSS treatment, along with their 2000 debut, Mer de Noms.

The most recent A Perfect Circle album is 2018’s Eat the Elephant. They put out a new single called “Starless” in May.

Mario, Eric Bellinger added to Usher and Chris Brown’s R&B tour

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Mario has officially joined the lineup for Usher and Chris Brown’s R&B tour.

He announced the news Wednesday on Instagram, sharing a tour poster featuring a photo of himself with all the remaining tour dates.

The announcement comes days after Mario made a surprise appearance on the tour’s opening night in Denver on Friday.

“1 NIGHT wasn’t enough! My bro @chrisbrownofficial said we running it up the whole tour! LET’s GOOOOOOOOO!” Mario captioned the post. “The only thing better than touring wit R&B goats is that I’ll be able to meet fans at my MEET AND GREETS!”

“WHAT CITY WILL I MEET YOU IN ? Let me know in the comments!!!” he continued. “S/o @usher & @ericbellinger @djfresh man the stage on [fire emoji] every night!”

During his appearance Friday at the Empower Field at Mile High, Mario performed a medley of hits, including “Let Me Love You,” “Just a Friend” and “Crying Out for Me.”

Following the performance, he wrote on Instagram, “SURPRISE DENVER. Honored to share the stage with my fellow R&B legends tonight!! My dawg @chrisbrownofficial the realest, thank you for having me. the culture is more ALIVE than ever!!”

He posted the message with a video capturing behind-the-scenes moments and highlights from his performance.

The R&B tour, which now also features Eric Bellinger on all dates, continues with back-to-back shows in Detroit on Thursday and Friday.

Autographed Paul McCartney book found at charity shop auctioned off

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

A donated copy of Paul McCartney’s 1976 book In His Own Words turned out to be a lucky find for a charity shop in the U.K.

The BBC reports that the manager of the Oxfam shop in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, found the book in a larger collection of donated memorabilia from the ’70s. Turns out the book was actually an autographed copy, and when the shop put it up for auction it sold for over $1,000.

“The book had actually been sitting on a shelf for a few months alongside lots of other 1970s memorabilia,” shop manager Joan Randle said. “I’d been planning to use some of the items in a fun window display, so it wasn’t something we’d paid particular attention to at first.”

After finally going through the items she discovered the autographed book, noting, “I could hardly believe it … it was one of the best moments of my 10 years working in the shop.”

Now the money raised is going to good use, including a recently launched campaign to help those affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

“This is a fantastic example of how a single donation can make a real difference,” said a representative for the humanitarian organization Oxfam. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donates to Oxfam.”

Released in August 1976, Paul McCartney: In His Own Words featured interviews with the Beatles legend, as well as photographs of the rock star.

Woman rescued after surviving 1,500-foot drop during Mt. Shasta climb

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(CALIFORNIA) — U.S. Forest Service Rangers rescued a woman over the weekend who was climbing Mt. Shasta in California and fell over 1,500 feet in the snow.

The unidentified 31-year-old woman was part of a group of three novice climbers who were ascending the Left of Heart variation of the Avalanche Gulch route on Mount Shasta on Sunday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Around noon that day, the rangers got a call about the woman falling approximately 1,500 vertical feet before coming to rest on the mountain, according to the Forest Service.

Weather conditions prevented a helicopter rescue so three rangers ascended on foot, the Forest Service said.

They were assisted by one member of the climbing party who had descended to help carry rescue equipment, according to the Forest Service. Another climber who happened to be in the area also stopped to assist the injured climber and remained with the group throughout the rescue, the Forest Service said.

The woman who fell was found safe and in good spirits with a suspected fractured right ankle and other injuries, according to the Forest Service.

The civilian and Forest Service rescuers secured the woman in a SKED rescue litter and lowered her to Lake Helen before a California Highway Patrol helicopter transported her to a hospital, the Forest Service said.

“This incident serves as an important reminder that Mount Shasta is a high-altitude mountaineering environment, not a hike. Even experienced climbers can encounter rapidly changing weather, steep snow and ice, rockfall, and hazardous fall conditions,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.

Venezuela earthquakes latest: Nearly 50,000 unaccounted for as death toll climbs

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(VENEZUELA) — Nearly 50,000 people remain unaccounted for in the wake of Venezuela’s powerful earthquakes as the death toll continues to climb, officials said.

At least 2,295 people have died and another 11,267 were injured from the pair of earthquakes that struck on June 24, knocking down buildings and sending residents racing into the street, Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said Wednesday.

Rodriguez said 26,403 people have been impacted, including those who lost homes or saw serious damage to their homes.

One week in, rescue efforts are ongoing.

The International Rescue Committee said children are among the nearly 50,000 people still missing and searchers are combing through the rubble with bare hands trying to find survivors.

The IRC also noted that Venezuela’s water system has failed in some areas, leaving many survivors without guaranteed access to safe drinking water.

Click here for information on how to help the victims.

Mary J. Blige, NE-YO to perform in Times Square for Fourth of July countdown

July 1, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Singers Mary J. Blige and NE-YO will headline a celebration in Times Square on Friday to count down to the Fourth of July and America’s 250th anniversary.

The music stars, along with Brad Paisley, will perform at the Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show hosted by Jim Gaffigan on July 3, according to America250, the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the celebration of America’s 250th year.

The show is scheduled to take place at One Times Square in New York City and will stream live at America250.org starting at 9 p.m. ET on July 3, according to the organization.

In other Mary J. news, she’s been spending time in Vegas, where her My Life, My Story residency takes place at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Her next show is July 10.

NE-YO, who has recently been releasing country-inspired music, will also perform that day, when his Nights Like This Tour with Akon makes a stop in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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