Red Hot Chili Peppers have premiered a new song called “Eddie,” a track off their upcoming album, Return of the Dream Canteen.
The track, which is available now via digital outlets, is a tribute to late Van Halen icon Eddie Van Halen, who died in October 2020.
“Sometimes we don’t realize how deeply affected and connected we are to artists until the day they die,” says frontman Anthony Kiedis. “Eddie Van Halen was a one of a kind. The day after his death [bassist] Flea came into rehearsal with an emotional bassline. [Guitarist] John [Frusciante], [drummer] Chad [Smith] and I started playing along and pretty soon with all our hearts, a song in his honor effortlessly unfolded.”
“It felt good to be sad and care so much about a person who had given so much to our lives,” Kiedis adds. “Although the song doesn’t speak to Eddie by name, it talks about his early days on the Sunset Strip and the rock n roll tapestry that Van Halen painted on our minds. In the end, our song asks that you not remember Eddie for dying but for living his wildest dream.”
Return of the Dream Canteen, which also features the single “Tippa My Tongue,” will be released October 14. It’s the second Chili Peppers album of 2022 following April’s Unlimited Love.
If you wondered why Elton John has been invited to perform on the White House’s South Lawn today, September 23, it may be because President Joe Biden has a special connection to the Rocket Man.
USA Today reports that as a young, single dad, Biden would drive his sons Hunter and Beau to school, and their ritual was to sing Elton’s number-one hit “Crocodile Rock” as loudly as possible. In 2015, when Beau was dying of brain cancer, Biden sat at Beau’s bedside and sang “Crocodile Rock” to him.
“Beau didn’t open his eyes, but I could see through my own tears that he was smiling,” the president wrote in his book Promise Me Dad.
As previously reported, Elton will perform at today’s event, “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” which is a collaboration with A+E Networks and The History Channel. It will not only honor Elton and celebrate “the unifying and healing power of music,” but it’ll also pay tribute to what the White House calls “everyday history-makers,” like teachers, nurses, frontline workers and mental health advocates.
It’s not clear whether Elton will perform “Crocodile Rock” at the event, though he has been playing it on his Farewell Tour. He previously said that it’s the song he can’t wait to finally say goodbye to when the tour ends.
Less than two weeks ago, another of Biden’s favorite musicians, James Taylor, performed at the White House to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act.
In other “Crocodile Rock” news, the song will also appear on the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, in theaters October 7.
(NEW YORK) — With inflation and higher prices across industries, many people are closely examining how to save or make their dollars stretch further. Fashion isn’t exempt from the conversation, and part of the reason why there’s been an ongoing uprise within the secondhand shopping market.
From thrift stores to online consignment shops, these accessible destinations are giving shoppers a chance to breathe new life into pre-owned items, save money and attain a more eco-friendly wardrobe.
During a time when there are so many fast fashion retailers mass-producing high volumes of clothing, everyone from influencers to shopping enthusiasts are opening up to the idea of slow fashion through secondhand shopping as well as other methods.
“It helps slow down the carbon footprint in the fashion industry,” fashion content creator and owner of @ThriftNTell Iesha Gilchrist told ABC News’ Good Morning America. “I’m not sure if there is a way to completely stop it, however, if I know that I’m choosing to check the thrift store first over those popular fast fashion websites then I’m one less person adding to crowded landfills.”
Dallas-based fashion and beauty influencer Stephanie Taylor Jackson also explained to GMA that another key benefit is the endless amount of unique vintage pieces you can find while secondhand shopping.
“It’s always so special finding something that no one else has right now,” she said.
She added, “You’re doing your part to help the environment. Rather than something being thrown away, destroyed or even just sitting on a shelf unused, I view secondhand shopping as giving beautiful pieces a new life.”
Toward the end of last year, she was able to snag a pre-loved Chanel purse from online luxury fashion resale website Fashionphile.
Tips for secondhand shopping, according to experts
If you are brand new to the idea of secondhand shopping and not sure where to start, you aren’t alone. If you’re a newbie, Gilchrist recommends not to go in with high expectations and shop around at multiple stores.
“If you find one staple piece in a thrift store then you won,” she said. “Thrifting is all about building a sustainable dream wardrobe while still adding a few trendy pieces here and there.”
Taylor also added that another key factor is to always look for reputable sites and retailers who can guarantee authenticity.
Brand director at major online consignment and thrift store thredUP, Madeline Cronin Aaronson, pointed out to GMA how easy it can be to get swept away by really fun, unique pieces. Her tip for making the best decision: “My rule of thumb is to think of at least three items I have in my closet that will go with the secondhand item. That way I know it’s a worthwhile addition to my wardrobe. Worst case, if you thrift an item that ends up not working, you can always resell it and put it back into the circular economy for someone else to try.”
In addition to the advice mentioned above, CEO and founder of pre-owned luxury consignment shop Dora Maar Lauren T. Wilson told GMA other key factors include knowing your style as well as knowing your measurements.
“Make sure to know your bust, waist and hip size,” she said. “Every designer is different so platforms such as Dora Maar make sure to put the measurements on our clothing descriptions to assist our consumers in knowing if it’s the right size for them.”
What’s real and what’s not?
When it comes to secondhand shopping, specifically for luxury items, it can sometimes be difficult to decipher between what’s authentic and what’s not.
Gilchrist suggests that the best thing to do is to research and do lots of examining of the product.
“Pay very close attention to the stitching and the lining. I personally can tell when something is cheaply made especially if it’s fake leather,” she said. “Most dupes or knock-offs have something off about them whether it be the color of the thread, the zipper, the inside lining or the logo font — don’t get me wrong there are some great knockoffs out there that can fool you but researching your favorite designer brands is always my best advice before purchasing.”
If the platform you are buying from doesn’t have its own authentication process, a few trusted websites that can assist include Authenticate First, Real Authentication and Zekos Authentication.
What are some downsides of shopping from thrift and consignment shops?
Taylor advises shoppers to definitely be very aware of the condition of the item you are purchasing — especially for anything bought online.
“Use the grading scale many sites have and ask for additional photos when possible,” she said.”
On top of thoroughly reviewing the condition, Gilchrist warns to confirm that you aren’t bringing back any “unwanted guests” such as bugs, rodents, germs, etc. with you home from a thrift store.
She added, “Make sure you are thoroughly shaking and checking each garment you pick up and try to stay away from stained clothing especially if you can’t make out where the stain came from.”
The bottom line
“In a world of fast fashion, secondhand shopping presents a rare opportunity to extend the life of a piece, whether it be a Chanel bag or Carolina Herrera dress,” said Wilson. “Those pieces took time and true craftsmanship to create. To be a fashion lover and give that piece a new life is a wonderful thing. I also firmly believe that buying secondhand is more gratifying — you’re searching and scouting, and more times than not you find a piece that speaks to you and has a unique flair to it not found anywhere else.”
Best online shops for pre-loved consignment shopping, according to experts:
Brosnan in “Black Adam” – Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan is sharing his thoughts on who should be next up to play the secret agent.
“Who should do it? I don’t care,” said Brosnan, who portrayed the charming, martini-drinking 007 for four films from 1995-2002, in a GQ interview published Thursday.
“It’ll be interesting to see who they get, who the man shall be,” he continued. “Whoever he be, I wish him well.”
Daniel Craig took over the super spy duties after Brosnan’s reign, completing a total of five films with his final installment being 2021’s No Time to Die.
After passing the torch, Brosnan admittedly hasn’t kept up with the franchise, revealing he’s only seen two of Craig’s films. “I saw the last one and I saw Skyfall. I love Skyfall,” he said. “I’m not too sure about the last one,” he said.
“Daniel always gives of his heart. Very courageous, very strong. But…” Brosnan added, without finishing his thought.
Brosnan will be seen onscreen next month as the psychic Dr. Fate opposite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Black Adam.
(NEW YORK) — After a slow start to hurricane season, a Category 2 hurricane may make landfall in Florida next week.
The storm, currently known as Tropical Depression 9, is set to move into the warm waters of the Western Caribbean this weekend and is expected to strengthen to a hurricane by Monday morning.
Models forecast it to hit Florida’s west coast during the middle of next week. But details on strength, track and timing could still change.
This would become the fifth hurricane of the season and would be named either Hermine or Ian.
September is the peak month for hurricanes. The season lasts until Nov. 30.
(NEW YORK) — A hurricane warning is in effect in Bermuda as Fiona, now a Category 3 hurricane, pummels the island with intense winds Friday morning.
About 70% of Bermuda is waking up without power, according to the local power company.
Conditions on the island will improve later in the morning and tropical storm conditions will be gone by the afternoon.
Next, Fiona takes aim at Canada.
Fiona will make landfall in Nova Scotia Saturday morning bringing strong, gusty winds to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for eastern Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland’s west coast. Significant storm surge is expected.
The biggest impact in the United States will be high winds gusting up to 55 mph in Maine on Saturday and an increased threat of rip currents, with 10 feet waves, along the East Coast.
ABC News’ Chris Donato, Riley Winch and Max Golembo contributed to this report.
(NOTE LANGUAGE) Taylor Swift‘s “Midnights Mayhem with Me” series on TikTok continued on Thursday night, with the star revealing yet another song title on her upcoming album Midnights.
As with her previous song title reveal, “Mastermind,” Taylor — this time accompanied by her cat Meredith — used a gold bingo ball cage to mix up ping pong balls, each of which represents one of the 13 tracks on the album.
Track eight was the number she pulled out; she then picked up a giant red toy telephone — with the receiver held upside down — and announced that the song is called “Vigilante S***.”
As Billboard notes, this is the first time Taylor’s ever used a curse word in a song title, though she has used profanity in songs before — for example, the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” contains the F-word.
Midnights, which Taylor has described as “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life,” drops October 21.
Apple TV+ has given a straight-to-series order for project that would reunite Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan with Better Call Saul actress Rhea Seehorn, who will star in the untitled series. Details are being kept under wraps, but a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter indicates that, unlike his previous two shows, the new one won’t be an antihero story. “After 15 years, I figured it was time to take a break from writing antiheroes, and who’s more heroic than the brilliant Rhea Seehorn?” Gilligan says in part. “It’s long past time she had her own show, and I feel lucky to get to work on it with her”…
Ammonite and Little Women‘s Saoirse Ronan has been tapped to star in Blitz, filmmaker Steve McQueen‘s World War II epic for Apple TV+, according to Variety. The movie follows “a group of Londoners during the aerial bombing of the British capital during the war, according to the outlet, which also reports McQueen is writing, directing and producing the film. Blitz is set to begin filming later this year. Ronan can currently be seen in the comedy whodunnit film See How They Run, alongside Sam Rockwell…
Netflix’s hit teen show Heartstopper has begun production on season two, with four new cast members boarding the series, according to Deadline. The LGBTQ-themed series follows the love story between two British teens — the shy, nerdy Charlie Spring, played by newcomer Joe Locke, and the popular rugby player Nick Nelson, played by Kit Connor. New additions include Jack Barton as Nick’s brother, Nima Taleghani as a teacher at Nick and Charlie’s grammar school, Leila Khan, a student from the Higgs Girls school attended by Nick and Charlie’s friends Elle, Tara and Darcy — played respectively by Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown and Kizzy Edgell — and Bradley Riches as James McEwan, a new character on the show…
Nia Long‘s fiancé and Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka has issued an apology after allegedly having an affair with a female staffer.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” he said in a statement to ESPN.
Udoka, who was suspended from his duties as head coach for the 2022-23 season, added, “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
The Boston Celtics suspended the NBA coach “for violations of team policies,” they said in a statement. “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date.”
Dancing wasn’t the only thing that broke out at Monday’s Dancing with the Stars season 31 premiere: at least four cases of COVID-19 were reported among the show’s crew following its debut on Disney+.
A DWTS spokesperson told Deadline that all four crew members work in “completely different departments that do not have in-person contact with each other, based on our pod system.”
“Contact tracing was immediately conducted,” the spokesperson continued. “All close contacts were notified and put on an increased testing cadence” and that “no close contact of the four positive production employees has since tested positive.”
The spokesperson adds that the “entire set has been disinfected as an extra precaution,” and the majority of the show’s employees — which totals more than 300 — were asked to work from home.”
Earlier reports put the number of positive cases at more than a dozen, but the spokesperson claims that number was incorrect.
The show was cleared by the Department of Public Health to continue production “based on our strict safety protocols,” the spokesperson added.
Dancing with the Stars returns next Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+
