Seal marks 30th anniversary by launching multiple-date North American tour

Seal marks 30th anniversary by launching multiple-date North American tour
Seal marks 30th anniversary by launching multiple-date North American tour
Courtesy Live Nation

Seal is celebrating a milestone in his career the best way he knows how — by launching a massive tour.

The legendary singer is celebrating more than 30 years in the business and announced a North American tour that kicks off this spring. The 30th Anniversary Tour starts April 25 at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix and will run for six weeks.

Seal, along with special guests The Buggles, will hit cities such as Austin, Charlotte, Minneapolis, New York City, Toronto and Los Angeles. The trek will take its final bow on June 12 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington.

Seal says he was inspired to launch this 25-date trek to mark the 30th anniversary of his self-titled debut album, which was released in 1991, and the follow-up eponymous album, Seal II, which arrived three years later. The albums featured the hits “Future Love Paradise,” “Crazy,” “Don’t Cry,” and of course his triple-Grammy-winning song, “Kiss From A Rose.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27, at 10 a.m. local venue time, but fans can also access a special presale a day earlier on Live Nation. Seal has updated his website to include ticket sales information and his complete tour itinerary.

The announcement comes a day after Seal performed his beloved hit “Kiss From A Rose” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the deluxe edition of his debut album. He released it on four-CD and two-LP formats, which included an unreleased 13-track concert performance and never-before-seen photos.

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Derek Chauvin asks judge to throw out murder convictions in George Floyd’s death

Derek Chauvin asks judge to throw out murder convictions in George Floyd’s death
Derek Chauvin asks judge to throw out murder convictions in George Floyd’s death
Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

(MINNEAPOLIS) — Derek Chauvin’s attorney is set to argue Minnesota should throw out his state murder conviction in the death of George Floyd in a Wednesday hearing.

The former Minneapolis police officer was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in June 2021 after he was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin was found guilty of pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes, resulting in Floyd’s death in May 2020. The death triggered a wave of protests against police misconduct and a racial reckoning nationwide.

Chauvin’s attorney, William F. Mohrman, will argue that pretrial publicity “was more extensive than in any trial ever in Minnesota,” and that publicity, ongoing civil unrest, alleged exclusion of evidence and “misconduct” from the prosecution led to an unfair trial, according to court documents.

Mohrman cites the local death of Daunte Wright, a Black man killed by police while Chauvin’s trial was pending; Minneapolis’ $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family; and the exclusion of evidence concerning Floyd’s past arrest as laying the foundation for an unfavorable trial outcome.

Mohrman is also questioning whether Chauvin’s third-degree murder should be overturned “because this charge allowed the state to introduce evidence of Chauvin’s ‘depraved mind’ which is irrelevant to unintentional second degree murder.”

The appellant brief, filed last year, requests the state “either reverse his conviction, reverse and remand for a new trial in a new venue or remand for re-sentencing.”

Chauvin was also sentenced to 21 years in prison on federal civil rights charges after pleading guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights and using unreasonable and excessive force, even after he was aware Floyd had lost consciousness and a pulse.

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A$AP Rocky pays homage to artists who passed in new song “Same Problems”

A$AP Rocky pays homage to artists who passed in new song “Same Problems”
A$AP Rocky pays homage to artists who passed in new song “Same Problems”
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Amazon Music

A$AP Rocky has a released a new song in honor of the many artists who have passed on.

Same Problems,” now available on streaming platforms, sees the rapper reflecting on the consistent deaths and the effect they’ve had on him.

“N****s dyin’ every other night, “N****s cryin’, that’s a part of life,” he raps on the song. “Lyin’ to my face, tryna say that it’s all good, No, I’m not alright.”

“Same Problems” comes nearly a month after Rocky previewed the new track during his Amazon Music Live performance.

“You gotta know that we the highest statistic of losing people. No other genre loses rock stars, pop singers and country artists,” he said while introducing to the song. “Hip-hoppers, we get killed and shot every day. Overdoses, all types of unfortunate events. So this next song is dedicated to everybody we lost and anybody who ever lost somebody.”

Rocky then performed the track as photos of DMXDrakeo the RulerJuice WRLDKing VonPnB RockTakeoffPop Smoke and other fallen soldiers were displayed on the screen.

“Same Problems” is expected to appear on Rocky’s upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb. Its release falls on the eight-year death anniversary of Rocky’s friend A$AP Yams, who was 26 when he died of an accidental drug overdose.

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Madonna covers ‘Vanity Fair’ France, Spain and Italy: “This is a good time for me”

Madonna covers ‘Vanity Fair’ France, Spain and Italy: “This is a good time for me”
Madonna covers ‘Vanity Fair’ France, Spain and Italy: “This is a good time for me”
Photo credit: LUIGI & IANGO

Madonna has just announced a 40th anniversary world tour and recently sat for an exclusive interview with the FrenchSpanish and Italian issues of Vanity Fair. She also participated in an extravagant photo/video project inspired by religious imagery.

The visual project features the Queen of Pop wearing designs by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier, styled by B. Åkerlund and photographed by Luigi & Iango

In the accompanying interview, she tells Vanity Fair about her upcoming tour and biopic, noting, “I’m very excited about the challenges that come my way. I’m about to create another [live] show, and I’ve been working for several years on the screenplay about my life.”

She adds, “This is a good time for me — I’m gathering ideas, getting inspired, hanging out with creative people, watching films, seeing art, listening to music. I seek inspiration wherever I go.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Madonna says what makes her happy is “the time I spend with my children … seeing them happy, watching their development, discovering their passions.” While she notes that being a mother and an artist is “the hardest thing,” she adds, “Whoever you are, having children and raising them is a work of art.”

Asked what makes her fall in love, she says, “The feeling of affinity with someone. When you feel like you speak the same language, see the world the same way. I always fall in love with personalities who are creative, or at least express their creativity in some way.”

And asked what advice she’d give to the Madonna who moved to New York City 40 years ago with no money, she says, “That girl was broke, and hungry. I would tell her to face reality and cook for herself!”

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Dolly’s ready to rock with McCartney, Cher, Stevie & more

Dolly’s ready to rock with McCartney, Cher, Stevie & more
Dolly’s ready to rock with McCartney, Cher, Stevie & more
Miller Mobley/NBC

Dolly Parton is spilling the T on her upcoming rock album. 

The record, which she’s working on now, will include appearances from rock royalty like Paul McCartneyJohn Fogerty, ex-Journey frontman Steve Perry and Steven Tyler, the legend herself confirms. 

As far as song selection, Dolly reveals she’s recorded Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” and the Rolling Stones‘ “Satisfaction.” When asked if Mick Jagger will join her, Dolly promises, “I’m doing my best to try to get him on it.” In the meantime, she’s laid down vocals with Pink and Brandi Carlile.

The “Jolene” hitmaker also just finished recording with Stevie Nicks and dropped another bombshell regarding Cher, disclosing, “We’ve been trying to get the right thing together.”

The revelations came during Dolly’s appearance on ABC’s The View this week as she promotes the new additions to her Duncan Hines line of baking mixes. 

While we don’t know when Dolly’s rock record will arrive, she’s hinted several times it’s coming this year. The icon announced her intention as her way of earning her recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which she initially didn’t believe she deserved. 

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Randy Newman postpones UK & European tour for second time to recover from surgery

Randy Newman postpones UK & European tour for second time to recover from surgery
Randy Newman postpones UK & European tour for second time to recover from surgery
Lester Cohen/WireImage

Randy Newman is once again postponing his United Kingdom and European tour. Last March Randy pushed the tour to 2023 in order to recover from surgery to repair a broken neck, but now he’s pushing the dates again in order to continue his recovery. 

“Unfortunately, due to ongoing recovery from his most recent surgery, Randy Newman is unable to safely travel or perform; therefore his European tour must be postponed,” read a post on social media. “His medical team is currently unable to determine when he will be ready, and they will continue to work on his healing and monitor his progress so he can return to doing what he loves: playing music for his fans.”

Randy’s An Evening with Randy Newman tour was initially supposed to kick off in Dublin, Ireland, in March 2022. The new dates were supposed to start next month.

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Pink, Stevie Nicks and more confirmed to be singing on Dolly Parton’s ‘Rock Star’ album

Pink, Stevie Nicks and more confirmed to be singing on Dolly Parton’s ‘Rock Star’ album
Pink, Stevie Nicks and more confirmed to be singing on Dolly Parton’s ‘Rock Star’ album
evin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Dolly Parton is known for being a country music goddess, but she’s dipping her toes into the world of rock ‘n’ roll with a little help from her friends Pink and Stevie Nicks.

During an appearance on The View, Dolly said she wanted to make a rock album to help her feel her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction was legitimate. “I didn’t feel like that I had earned it … If I’m gonna be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to do something to earn it,” she said.

Dolly revealed the album will include some covers of classic rock songs, like the Rolling Stones‘ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven.”

While Dolly is aiming for pal Mick Jagger to help her on “Satisfaction,” the legendary singer disclosed, “I think Pink and Brandi Carlile are going to be singing on that particular song with me.” That duo helped induct Dolly by performing her song “Coat of Many Colors.”

Dolly also revealed she and Nicks “just finished our song last night,” but didn’t say what they performed together.

Other people assisting Dolly on her rock album include Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, former Journey singer Steve Perry, Paul McCartney and possibly Cher. Dolly said she would only invite the icon if she could find the right song.

“We’ve been trying to get the right thing together … That’s gonna be a big thrill,” she teased.

Dolly was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Heavy snowstorm slams Denver, takes aim on Plains, Midwest, Northeast

Heavy snowstorm slams Denver, takes aim on Plains, Midwest, Northeast
Heavy snowstorm slams Denver, takes aim on Plains, Midwest, Northeast
Daniela Simona Temneanu / EyeEm/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) — A rare, mid-January heavy snowstorm is slamming Denver Wednesday morning.

Denver reported 4.8 inches of snow at midnight local time and the snowfall is ongoing for the Wednesday morning commute. Another 1 to 6 inches is expected through the day.

Heavy snow is moving through Nebraska Wednesday morning where a whopping 6 to 18 inches of snow is expected through the day. With blowing snow and snowfall rates reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour, roads are expected to be extremely dangerous.

Snow will continue later in the day into Iowa, where 6 to 12 inches is expected.

This snow will continue into Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The storm is expected to reach Green Bay early Thursday morning.

On Thursday, snow is expected in upstate New York as well as much of New England, including Boston.

Snow flurries and scattered snow showers will continue on Friday in the Northeast. Six to 12 inches are expected in upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

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“I was practically killed”: Kristin Chenoweth says hair extensions saved her life after 2012 ‘Good Wife’ injury

“I was practically killed”: Kristin Chenoweth says hair extensions saved her life after 2012 ‘Good Wife’ injury
“I was practically killed”: Kristin Chenoweth says hair extensions saved her life after 2012 ‘Good Wife’ injury
Bravo/Charles Sykes

On an installment of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live this week, stage and screen star Kristen Chenoweth expressed regret about an on-set accident in 2012 that she says almost killed her.

As detailed in her new book, I’m No Philosopher, but I Got Thoughts, a piece of lighting equipment on the set of CBS’ The Good Wife fell on the actress, leaving her with “long-standing injuries.”

Chenoweth recalled, “I heard, like, a flagpole sound. I literally heard, ‘We’re losing the light.’ I heard, ‘Action.’ And I woke up at Bellevue [Hospital]. It hit me in the face and it threw me into a curb. Seven-inch skull fracture, hairline [fracture], and teeth and ribs,” she explained.

The actress left the show due to her injuries.

WWHL host Andy Cohen expressed he was “amazed” Chenoweth didn’t sue CBS after the incident.

She regretted not doing so. “I didn’t do it out of fear & anxiety, so don’t ever let fear ruin your life,” she told the audience. ” She continued, “I wished I had listened to my dad…We’re not the suing family, but when you’re practically killed…” she said before trailing off.

Chenoweth explained, “I’m telling my story…and I really don’t care if CBS never hires me again. They knew I was hurt really badly, but they exploited the power they held over a person like me.”

Incidentally, the Tony winner said a bit of fashion became her savior. “My hair extensions, you know, made the hairline fracture go together,” she explained. “My doctor said, ‘What are these metal things?’ And I said, ‘They’re hair extensions.’ And he said, ‘They saved your life,'” she recalled, joking to the audience, “So, anyone who wants to get hair extensions should, for your health.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Fall Out Boy announces new album, ‘So Much (for) Stardust’; listen to “Love from the Other Side”

Fall Out Boy announces new album, ‘So Much (for) Stardust’; listen to “Love from the Other Side”
Fall Out Boy announces new album, ‘So Much (for) Stardust’; listen to “Love from the Other Side”
Fueled By Ramen/Elektra

Fall Out Boy has announced a new album called So Much (for) Stardust.

The eighth studio effort from the “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” outfit will arrive March 24.

“Technology has made it really easy to make records much more quickly these days. There’s nothing wrong with that, and that spontaneity can be exciting,” says vocalist Patrick Stump. “But we wanted to get back to the way we used to work. We wanted to make a record that was really lovingly crafted and deliberate and patiently guided — like someone cooked you a delicate meal. I’m not a very proud guy, but I’m pretty proud of this record.”

Your first preview of Stardust is the previously teased single “Love from the Other Side,” which is available now via digital outlets. The track is also accompanied by a video that features, among other things, Pete Wentz in old-age makeup. You can watch that streaming now on YouTube.

Fall Out Boy is celebrating the album news and single premiere with a performance of “Love from the Other Side” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wednesday, airing at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on ABC.

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