Page 49 – 105.7 WDNY

Iconic record executive Clive Davis dies at 94

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Clive Davis, the record executive known as “the man with the golden ears,” has died of age-related illness, according to his family. He was 94.

Davis either discovered, signed or guided the careers of artists including Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Patti Smith and Whitney Houston.

A statement from Davis’ family read, “To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.”

“To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”

A lawyer by trade, New York City-born Davis joined Columbia Records as assistant counsel in 1960. He was made president of the label by 1967 and helped to bring it into the rock era, signing acts such as Joplin’s band Big Brother and the Holding Company; Santana; Blood, Sweat & Tears; and Pink Floyd.

After being fired from Columbia in 1973, he started his own labels, Arista Records and J Records, and worked for BMG and Sony Music Entertainment. Over that time, he helped revive the careers of Dionne Warwick, Santana, the Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart and Aretha Franklin; gave Barry Manilow his first #1 with “Mandy”; identified Whitney Houston as a future star and signed her at age 19; and released Alicia Keys’ 2001 Grammy-winning debut album, Songs in A Minor.

Other acts Davis worked with over the years included Barbra Streisand, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Simon, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny G, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Kinks, Annie Lennox, Toni Braxton, Luther Vandross, Maroon 5 and Usher.

Davis also worked closely with American Idol in the show’s early years, heading the label that released the music of winners and finalists such as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Ruben Studdard and Jordin Sparks.

Davis’ annual star-studded pre-Grammy parties became legendary and often served as a launching pad for the artist he was focusing on at the time. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 as a non-performer.

His 2013 autobiography, The Soundtrack of My Life, was a New York Times bestseller. The 2017 documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, is currently available on Netflix.

Davis, who at age 80 revealed that he was bisexual, is survived by three sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as his partner. His two marriages ended in divorce.

Rod Stewart given oxygen as he struggled through concert

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After canceling several shows earlier in June due to laryngitis, Rod Stewart returned to the stage on Friday night, but didn’t appear 100% healthy.

TMZ obtained video of Rod struggling through his concert in Salt Lake City, Utah. The video shows Stewart performing “Young Turks” while leaning on musical instruments and the side of the stage in order to stay upright. At the end of the song he motions toward someone behind stage, who brings out an oxygen tank for him to breathe into.

“The show must go on,” Stewart says as he returns to the stage, noting he “nearly f****** fainted.” He then asks the audience if they’d mind if he sat down for the next song.

Stewart recently postponed shows in San Diego and Morrison, Colorado, after coming down with laryngitis. After the Colorado postponement a statement revealed doctors had diagnosed him with “inflammation and strain of the vocal folds.”

Stewart’s next show is June 27 in Lisbon, Portugal. A complete list of tour dates can be found at RodStewart.com.

Tesla allegedly in driver-assist mode crashes into Texas house, woman killed: Investigators

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Editor’s note: This story has been updated for clarity.

(KATY, Texas) — A driver in a Tesla vehicle that was allegedly in driver-assist mode crashed into a Texas house Friday night, killing a woman who was inside the home, investigators said.

Michael Butler was traveling in his Tesla Model 3 around 8 p.m. local time in Katy, Texas, and was operating the vehicle “with an automated driving assistance system,” the Harris County Sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Butler allegedly failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway and struck the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Butler’s Tesla entered through the brick residence, at a high rate of speed, and struck M. Avila who was inside the residence,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Avila was airlifted to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators said Butler, who was injured, showed no signs of intoxication and he was cooperating with officers. Attorney information for the driver wasn’t immediately available.

The investigation is ongoing and as of Saturday afternoon there were no charges.

Heat stress is intensifying worldwide, scientists say

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — The number of people who experience heat stress around the world every year has increased exponentially in the last several decades due to climate change, according to new research.

One billion more people are currently facing at least one day of “extreme heat stress” annually compared to the 1970s, according to a study published Monday in Nature Climate Change.

Heat stress is defined as the net heat load on an individual and can be influenced by temperature, humidity, wind and radiation, according to the paper. Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health and asthma, according to the World Health Organization.

“Heat is a leading cause of weather-related mortality at the global scale,” Rebecca Emerton, senior scientist for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, in Reading, U.K., and lead author of the paper, told ABC News.

Researchers quantified the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), a thermal stress index, essentially a feels-like temperature that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation and how the human body reacts to the environment, Emerton said.

The scientists analyzed a global dataset of human heat stress from 1950 to 2024 to determine that the hottest days of the year looked like in decades past, especially in the 1970s, when the global feels-like trends started to rise, Emerton said. They then compared those figures to maximum UTCI values that are being seen today.

They found that the 10 warmest nights of each year have warmed faster than the 10 warmest days — by about a global average rate of .58 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the paper.

Extreme feels-like temperatures are also more frequent on every continent, the new research shows. Subtropical regions, including southern North America, southern Europe and northern and southern Africa, now experience up to 50 additional days annually with “strong to extreme heat stress,” defined by researchers as a UTCI greater than or equal to 89.6 degrees and 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.

Exposure to at least one day of extreme heat stress has risen from 16% to 22% of the global population, equivalent to about one billion people, according to the paper.

As a result, global heat stress is increasing in frequency, severity and duration — both during the day and at night, the researchers found.

Nighttime heat is especially significant for health, because if the temperatures remain high overnight, the human body doesn’t have as much of an opportunity to recover from the heat of the day, Emerton noted.

Extreme heat stress, now occurs 2.5 times more often in Europe and South America, twice as often in North America and 1.8, 1.7 and 1.2 times more often in Africa, Oceania and Asia, respectively, according to the paper.

The increased instances of heat stress experienced by modern populations is a direct result of climate change, Emerton noted.

While empirical evidence shows that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense, the changes experienced by people around the world — including how the heat impacts them both during the day and at night — has not yet been well-studied, the researchers said.

Action plans for heat health, as well as early-warning systems, urban cooling interventions and the integration of heat stress metrics in climate risk assessments, will be necessary to protect populations from increased heat stress, according to the paper.

“We hope this helps people across the world understand the changes that are happening, and we hope that information can support decision-making on how to plan and adapt for the future,” Emerton said.

Official statement on Oliver Tree’s death posted: ‘Your legacy will live on forever’

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

An official statement on the death of Oliver Tree has been posted to the “Life Goes On” artist’s social media.

As previously reported, Tree died June 14 in a helicopter crash in Brazil. He was 32.

“Your legacy will live on forever,” the post reads. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shown love, support and has done incredible tributes for Oliver. The constant love, support and positivity is helping the family, friends and collaborators make it through these extremely difficult times.”

The post notes that Tree is now “back in California where he can finally rest” and that a foundation called Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant for Baby Geniuses will be established in his memory.

“This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will,” the post reads. “We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish.”

Indeed, Tree spoke about his idea for the foundation in an interview on the Zach Sang Show, which was published in April. In the interview, which was widely shared following Tree’s death, Tree noted that the purpose of the foundation wasn’t to fund music education, but rather the “actual physical making of art.”

“You’re allowed to physically hire people to help produce stuff,” Tree explained. “You’re allowed to rent gear and equipment to make things. You’re allowed to use the budget to physically produce stuff.”

The social media statement concludes, “Love you all so much, Oliver would be so proud of every one of his supporters, friends and family. Peace be with Oliver.”

Selena Gomez, Timothée Chalamet to star in animated feature ‘Not Alone’

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet are teaming up with Illumination, the people who brought you the Minions films, for a new animated feature.

The movie, called Not Alone, was announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. According to studio information distributed to multiple media outlets, Chalamet will play Joe, an introverted rocket mechanic. Gomez will play Fran, an astro-botanist who’s created the first rocket powered by plant-based fuel. Things get complicated when three aliens on the run from the law hide out in Joe’s house, where they plot to return home using Fran’s rocket.

The voice cast also includes Allison Janney, Lamorne Morris and Brett Goldstein. The movie hits theaters in April 2027.

This isn’t the first time Gomez and Chalamet have worked together: They both appeared in the movie A Rainy Day in New York, which was released in 2020.

While Chalamet will be making his animated film debut, Gomez has voiced multiple characters in animated films, including the Hotel Transylvania series. Her most recent film role was the Oscar-winning movie Emilia Pérez.

Chalamet, last seen in 2025’s Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme, will appear in Dune: Part Three later this year.

Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet to star in animated feature ‘Not Alone’

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet are teaming up with Illumination, the people who brought you the Minions films, for a new animated feature.

The voice cast also includes Allison Janney, Lamorne Morris and Brett Goldstein. The movie hits theaters in April 2027.

This isn’t the first time Gomez and Chalamet have worked together: They both appeared in the movie A Rainy Day in New York, which was released in 2020.

Chalamet, last seen in 2025’s Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme, will appear in Dune: Part Three later this year.

Olympian David Hearn arrested at Reflecting Pool says ‘I did not damage’ anything

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn told ABC News that police arrested him on Friday after he touched a piece of blue coating that was partially detached from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Hearn said he went on a bike ride on Friday afternoon and stopped by the Reflecting Pool as a “curious, concerned citizen”. Given his background in materials science, Hearn says he was interested to see the situation for himself after reading about reports of algae in the water and paint peeling off.

“I saw a piece of this loose end of this blue coating … I reached out and touched the end of that piece that was loose but still attached to the bottom,” Hearn told ABC News. “I was able to reach out and touch the edge of that that was still attached at the bottom and handled it a little bit.”

Hearn, who represented the U.S. in canoeing, said he was able to feel and bend the coating a bit.

“I did not remove, I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” Hearn said.

“The condition of that part and all other parts of the Reflecting Pool were in the same condition after I walked away as they were before I walked up to it.”

Hearn said as he was touching the material, a National Park Service employee told him to stop touching it. He said he then walked back to his bike where National Guardsmen told him that the Park Police wanted to talk to him.

“I had no idea I was about to be arrested,” Hearn said. “They didn’t say they were charging me, but they did start to handcuff me. They did not ever read me my rights. They did not allow me any phone calls for the ensuing five hours, and they did not detail the charges that were going to be leveled against me.”

The National Park Service has not replied to a request from ABC News about Hearn’s arrest or any others.

Hearn is set to appear in court on July 9.

Hearn said he was “fully cooperative” the whole time, did not resist and was held for five hours before being released Friday night.

Asked whether he is worried about what will happen to him next, Hearn said: “I am concerned. I’m very wary of our current government; I’m a single citizen being singled out in this way by my government. It’s not fair, and it’s not right.”

The Reflecting Pool has been plagued with algae and peeling paint in the days since the Trump administration completed a $14.65 million renovation. Visitors have been flocking to the pool over the weekend and some have taken to social media with photos and videos showing the algae and peeling paint.

President Donald Trump claims, without evidence, that the damage was committed by vandals, saying Saturday in a lengthy post on his social media platform that the pool would need to be partially drained to repair the peeling lining.

Trump said multiple people had been arrested for vandalism and blamed the condition of the pool on someone pouring “corrosive and destructive chemicals” into the pool and that “They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete.”

An administration official said on Sunday that as of Saturday night, five individuals had been arrested for vandalism, and five others had been issued citations.

The official added that 14 police reports had also been filed for alleged vandalism, including the alleged crime Trump described.

Hearn said he has “a lot of support.”

“I have several very respectable law firms who are offering to provide pro bono counsel, and we will be vigorously defending against these charges,” he said.

No ‘Ordinary’ accomplishment: Alex Warren bests Miley Cyrus’ chart record

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

It’s an “Ordinary” world and we just live in it.

Alex Warren’s smash hit has just set a new record: It’s spent a combined total of 107 weeks at #1 on Billboard‘s various charts. The previous record of 106 weeks was set by “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus.

This means that “Ordinary” has been #1 for multiple weeks on multiple charts. For example, it’s racked 34 weeks and counting at #1 on Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart, and was on top for 30 weeks on Adult Pop Airplay. On Pop Airplay, it was #1 for 16 weeks. And on the Radio Songs chart, which includes all radio formats, it was #1 for 27 weeks.

“Ordinary” and “Flowers” are the only two songs ever to spend triple-digit weeks at #1. The next-longest reign is 87 weeks, held by The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” “Despacito” is next with 74 weeks, followed by “Blurred Lines” with 72 weeks.

In other Alex Warren news, he spent Father’s Day mourning his late dad, who died of kidney cancer when Alex was nine. He posted a photo of the two of them together and wrote, “Dad, you taught me everything I know today except how to live without you. You may be gone from this world but you’re still everywhere in mine.”

“In everything I do you’re there. Whenever I cry you’re in my tears, whenever I laugh it’s your voice I hear. At every show I still look for you in the crowd. I love you.”

Both of Alex’s parents are deceased, a fact he frequently references in his music and while onstage.

On This Day, June 22, 1990: Billy Joel became the first rock star to headline Yankee Stadium

June 22, 2026 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, June 22, 1990…

Billy Joel became the first rock act to headline Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

The show was night one of a two-night stand at the baseball stadium, part of Joel’s Storm Front tour.

According to setlist.fm, Joel, who is from Long Island, New York, performed tracks from Storm Front, as well as classics like “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “My Life,” “An Innocent Man,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Uptown Girl,” “It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me,” “Only the Good Die Young” and “Big Shot.”

The set also included a performance of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Shout,” by the Isley Brothers, who put together the first-ever concert at the stadium, an ensemble R&B show that happened in 1969.

Joel ended the evening with “New York State of Mind” and “Piano Man.”

Joel released a video album and CD of the concerts in September of 1990.

+ More