Crosby, Stills & Nash‘s music can be streamed on Spotify again, five months after the legendary folk-rock trio requested their labels pull all their collective recordings off the streaming service. The move was made in solidarity with Neil Young over alleged COVID-19 misinformation hosted by Spotify.
CSN’s music returned to Spotify on Saturday, July 2; A source tells Billboard that David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash will be donating money brought in from the streams to charities focused on the COVID-19 crisis for at least one month.
In January, Young insisted that his music be removed from Spotify over alleged COVID-19 misinformation that was featured during the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which is hosted by the streaming service.
On February 2, CSN posted a joint Instagram statement that read, “We support Neil and we agree with him that there is dangerous disinformation being aired on Spotify’s Joe Rogan podcast. While we always value alternate points of view, knowingly spreading disinformation during this global pandemic has deadly consequences. Until real action is taken to show that a concern for humanity must be balanced with commerce, we don’t want our music — or the music we made together — to be on the same platform.”
In late January, Young had sent a letter to Spotify that basically gave them an ultimatum between keeping his music or continuing to host Rogan’s podcast, and the service ended up removing his music rather than cutting ties with the podcaster.
Meanwhile, Rogan responded to Young’s decision in late January, posting a video in which he denied he was “trying to promote misinformation.”
After Young exited Spotify, the company announced that it would be adding content advisories before podcasts that discuss COVID-19.
Critics were not feeling Katy Perry‘s Independence Day post.
On Monday, July 4, the pop star published a tweet sharing her point of view in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which led to many states outlawing abortions almost immediately.
“‘Baby you’re a firework’ is a 10 but women in the US have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh,” Katy wrote, referencing her 2010 song.
While the tweet conveys an abortion rights stance, Katy is facing criticism because she previously publicly supported billionaire Rick Caruso‘s run for Mayor of Los Angeles. The issue? Caruso is viewed as someone who holds an anti-abortion stance, despite his current campaign which touts that he is in favor of abortion rights.
In the past, Caruso reportedly donated nearly a million dollars to lawmakers who say they oppose abortion, including former presidential candidate John Kasich and Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy. In May, he was called out by Planned Parenthood for supporting “some of the strongest enemies [of] reproductive rights in the country.”
The responses under Katy’s July 4th tweet were flooded with people calling her out for supporting Caruso.
“You supported an anti-abortion mayoral candidate in the last 30 days,” one social media user responded, reposting the “Firework” singer’s June 4 tweet showing support of Caruso.
Another tweeted, “Girl you endorsed Rick Caruso maybe sit this one out.”
“Hey remember literally a month ago when you tweeted out support for a dude that has donated millions of dollars to forced birth politicians?” yet another commented.
(CHICAGO) — Authorities believe Monday’s mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, had been planned for weeks, and they say more than 70 rounds were fired from the gunman’s high-powered rifle, which was similar to an AR-15.
The 21-year-old suspect, Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, is accused of opening fire from a roof of a business, which he accessed from a fire escape ladder, police said.
Six people were killed and over 30 were injured in the suburban Chicago shooting.
Police said Crimo wore women’s clothing during the shooting to apparently allow him to hide his facial tattoos and blend in with the crowd to flee.
“Following the attack Crimo exited the roof, he dropped his rifle and he blended in with the crowd and he escaped,” police said Tuesday. “He walked to his mother’s home who lived in the area and he blended right in with everybody else.”
It appears Crimo bought the high-powered rifle legally in Illinois, police said.
No motive is known, police said. When asked by reporters if the gunman targeted anyone specifically, police said the “shooting appears to be completely random.”
Crimo is answering questions from investigators and has made statements taking responsibility for the attack, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Crimo — who was apprehended Monday evening after an hours-long manhunt — is believed to be linked to social media posts that discuss or depict acts of violence, including shooting people, a law enforcement source briefed on the case told ABC News.
Online posts include a video showing what appears to be a portion of the same parade route where the shooting took place.
In a video posted over a year ago to his YouTube page, Crimo is shown in what appears to be a depiction of the aftermath of a school shooting.
Crimo had been living with his uncle, Paul Crimo, but the two barely interacted beyond exchanging hellos, Paul Crimo told ABC News.
Paul Crimo said he last spoke to his nephew the evening before the shooting and said he was shocked to learn about his alleged involvement.
He described his nephew as quiet and respectful and said the 21-year-old never mentioned firearms.
The mass shooting broke out when Highland Park’s parade was about three-quarters of the way through Monday morning, authorities said.
Revelers fled in panic, leaving behind empty strollers, overturned chairs and half-eaten sandwiches.
When the gunfire erupted, parade-goer Zoe Nicole Pawelczak grabbed her dad and started running through the sea of people.
“I saw multiple people slaughtered,” she told ABC News.
“Everybody is crying. We ended up making it behind a corner and we hid behind a dumpster. This man was there with his two very young children and he had put them in the dumpster for safety,” she said.
Pawelczak said the man wanted to leave to find his other son, and asked her to watch the two children in the dumpster.
“So I watched his kids for him,” she said. “They were like, ‘What’s going on?’ And I was like, ‘It’s just fireworks, it’s OK,’ just trying to keep them calm.”
Dr. David Baum was watching his grandson, daughter and son-in-law march in the parade when the gunfire began.
“Bodies were horribly, horribly, horribly injured from, you know, guns and bullets that were made for war — not for parades,” Baum said of some of the victims.
“The paramedics went quickly and assessed the damages — saw bodies that were blown apart and put a blanket over them quickly. And then went on to try and help other people,” he told ABC News. “These are injuries that nobody should have to see.”
Five people — all adults — died at the scene and a sixth adult died at a hospital, officials said.
Crimo was at large for hours after the shooting. After police released an image of Crimo and his car Monday evening, he was spotted driving and led police on a brief pursuit, authorities said.
He was stopped at U.S. Highway 41 and Westleigh Road in Lake Forest, Illinois, where he surrendered, according to police.
A second weapon, also purchased legally by Crimo, was found in the car, police said.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he “surged Federal law enforcement to assist in the urgent search for the shooter.”
“Members of the community should follow guidance from leadership on the ground, and I will monitor closely as we learn more about those whose lives have been lost and pray for those who are in the hospital with grievous injuries,” Biden said.
He noted that he recently signed into law the most significant gun control legislation in decades, adding, “But there is much more work to do, and I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement, “On what should be a celebratory day with family and friends, we are grieving the lives that were taken in another act of senseless gun violence.”
“More should be done to address gun violence in our country,” she said. “President Biden recently signed into law the first major bipartisan gun reform legislation in almost 30 years — and we will continue fighting to end this senseless violence.”
An impassioned Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, “It is devastating that a celebration of America was ripped apart by our uniquely American plague. A day dedicated to freedom has put into stark relief the one freedom we as a nation refuse to uphold: the freedom of our fellow citizens to live without the daily fear of gun violence.”
“I’m furious that yet more innocent lives were taken by gun violence. I’m furious that their loved ones are forever broken by what took place today. I’m furious that children and their families have been traumatized,” he said. “While we celebrate the Fourth of July just once a year, mass shootings have become our weekly — yes, weekly — American tradition. There are going to be people who say that today is not the day that now is not the time, to talk about guns. I’m telling you there is no better day and no better time than right here and right now.”
“Our founders carried muskets, not assault weapons. And I don’t think a single one of them would have said that you have a Constitutional right to an assault weapon with a high-capacity magazine — or that that is more important than the right of the people who attended this parade today to live,” the governor said.
Representatives of the gun reform group March For Our Lives, founded by survivors of the 2018 high school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, said in a statement, “Just three weeks ago, young people organized a March For Our Lives in Highland Park, along with communities across the country.”
“We are grieving for the horrific loss of life in Highland Park, and the carnage brought on by a high-powered rifle,” they said. “We wish eternal peace for those who were murdered, and we will fight like hell for the living.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is among the leaders reacting to the nation’s latest mass shooting, tweeting, “Not even a parade on the Fourth of July celebrating our nation’s independence is immune from our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Tomorrow, I will sign seven sweeping commonsense gun safety bills into law. We cannot wait.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that the U.S. must “address the epidemic of targeted gun violence, including the development and implementation of new community-based models of prevention and intervention.”
“The Department of Homeland Security will redouble its work in this critical area and help lead the effort to prevent violence,” he vowed.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News’ Josh Margolin, Pierre Thomas, Aaron Katersky, Alex Perez, Jack Date, Will Steakin, Jeff Cook, Will McDuffie and Caroline Guthrie contributed to this report.
Those enjoying a night out at a dive bar in Manchester, England got the surprise of their life — an impromptu Olivia Rodrigo concert.
It should be noted that the legal drinking age in the U.K. is 18, so the 19-year-old singer had no problem getting into the Bunny Jackson pub. A fan snagged footage of the unexpected moment, which begins with Olivia taking the stage and declaring, “You guys, I am dead sober” and that a member of her team “is making me do this.”
The Grammy winner then launches into a cover of Natalie Imbruglia‘s 1997 hit “Torn,” to which the crowd sings along. She serenades patrons, leaning over the protective barrier several times to sing with her fans.
The drummer of a different band that had been performing at the dive bar shared alternative footage on Twitter and jokingly wrote, “Why yes Olivia Rodrigo, of course you can turn up at Bunny Jacksons on a bloody Sunday evening and play a song for a laugh before our 3rd set.”
When Olivia’s fans asked for clarification, he added, “mate, it was wild. They just showed up after playing the arena and her TM asked to jump on between our sets! They were all very lovely.”
While the band member claimed he didn’t jam with Olivia because “her band was there,” he noted he “just leant my stuff out” for them to use.
Olivia is wrapping up her sold-out SOUR world tour this week, with the final two stops taking place July 6 and July 7 at the Eventim Apollo in London.
WNBA star Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden seeking assistance with her detainment in Russia and asking him not to forget about her.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner said, according to the letter obtained by ABC News.
“I realize you are dealing with so much,” she continued. “But please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”
On Feb. 17, the 31-year-old star was detained at a Russian airport after being accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country.
“It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate [the Fourth of July] because freedom means something completely different to me this year,” she wrote.
Griner appeared in person in a courtroom in Khimki, a suburb of Moscow, on the first day of her trial last Friday. Her detention was extended to Dec. 20.
Speaking to Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts in May, Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, called for the Biden administration to act. “I just keep hearing that he has the power. She’s a political pawn,” she said. “So, if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”
“I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore,” Griner said in the letter. “I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has released his debut solo single, “London Bridge.”
“When I lived in London things just started happening when I was near London Bridge, going over London Bridge on the bus, or on the tube going underneath London Bridge,” Rowntree explains. “I would just notice events occurring, or have life changing thoughts, make decisions and it was slightly unsettling. I had to confront my London Bridge demons.”
You can listen to “London Bridge” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.
“London Bridge” is the first preview of an upcoming solo “body of work” from Rowntree, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
While “London Bridge” marks Rowntree’s first official solo outing, he’s pursued many interests outside of Blur, including U.K. politics. In 2017, he was elected to Norfolk County Council as a member of the Labour Party, a position he held until 2021.
Meanwhile, Rowntree’s Blur bandmate Damon Albarn just released a new solo album last November and has also been busy with his band Gorillaz. Blur’s most recent album is 2015’s The Magic Whip.
Metallica has issued a statement commenting on the use of “Master of Puppets” in the new-premiered second volume of Stranger Things season four.
The ’80s thrash classic provides the soundtrack for a significant scene involving the Dungeons and Dragons-loving character Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn. The character had already earned cred with the metal community thanks to the Dio patch he wears on the back of his denim jacket.
In an Instagram post Tuesday, Metallica writes, “The way [StrangerThings creators] The Duffer Brothers have incorporated music into Stranger Things has always been next level, so we were beyond psyched for them to not only include ‘Master of Puppets’ in the show, but to have such a pivotal scene built around it.”
“We were all stoked to see the final result and when we did we were totally blown away,” the metal legends add. “It’s so extremely well done, so much so, that some folks were able to guess the song just by seeing a few seconds of Joseph Quinn’s hands in the trailer!! How crazy cool is that?”
The post concludes, “It’s an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show.”
Metallica’s comments echo the sentiments of Kate Bush, who issued several public statements amid the resurgence of her song “Running Up That Hill,” which was used in the first volume of season four. The renewed interest in the track was so massive that the normally press-shy Bush even gave a rare interview.
Both “Master of Puppets” and “Running Up That Hill” are featured on the Stranger Things 4 soundtrack, which is out now via digital outlets.
Viral trends might seem a little peculiar to those technically too old to be a part of them, but enjoying things ironically is a key element to the TikTok generation.
And a new trend helped propel Minions: The Rise of Gru to a July 4 box office record.
Even before the social media platform was a thing, Gen Y used Instagram to meme Shrek — and with it, Smashmouth‘s “All Star” — back into the public consciousness, and now Gen Z has set its sights on Minions.
To that end, droves of mostly male teens, who are technically out of the kids movie’s demographic, have been showing up to theaters all over the world.
Wearing business attire in tribute to the series’ supervillian Gru, voiced by Steve Carrell, the Gentleminions, as they’ve dubbed themselves, have been posting their en masse movements into movie houses, where they watch with synchronized tented fingers — again, a la Gru.
Some bring bananas, the little yellow critters’ favorite snack.
Hey, we said it’s peculiar — but it’s still more wholesome than the Tide Pod challenge.
After millions and millions of viral views, some movie chains have had enough. They’re banning the suited teens from theaters after some acted rowdy — and yes, some bananas were thrown.
A theater chain in the U.K. even complained about “massive” financial losses from having to refund other patrons’ tickets because of the Gentleminions’ ungentlemanly behavior.
That said, Universal Pictures couldn’t be more pleased. “to everyone showing up to @Minions in suits: we see you and we love you,” the studio tweeted. To boot, the movie’s official account also posted a montage of the Gentleminions to — where else — TikTok.
Luke Combs is making an impression on the charts with his new album, Growin’ Up.
The singer’s third studio album has debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 following its June 24 release, marking the highest debut for a country album so far this year. It also serves as the highest debut of the week. The 12-track project sold 74,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
Growin’ Up is the North Carolina native’s fourth consecutive album to reach the top five on the all-genre chart. His wildly successful sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2019, while both his debut album, This One’s For You, and EP The Prequel both hit #4 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
On the country charts, the current single off Growin’ Up, “The Kind of Love We Make,” is climbing up the top 20. Luke recently acquired his 14th #1 hit with the previously released “Doin’ This,” which served as the lead single off his new album.
Prior to releasing his 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience, Justin Timberlake made a documentary to accompany its release — but it never saw the light of day. Now, the film’s director is suing Justin.
Deadline reports the suit was brought on by music video mogul John Urbano, who claims he and Justin locked in a profit-sharing plan before cameras began rolling. He alleges the Grammy winner initiated the agreement and paid him $20,000 to begin.
The director said the video was finished, and upon showing the final product to the “Mirrors” singer, Justin was moved to “tears.” After dropping his third studio album, however, Justin’s interest in releasing the documentary “faded” following the album’s resounding success.
Urbano notes that he lost out on making $2.5 million because the documentary was shelved.
“Instead of fulfilling his obligations to the joint venture, Mr. Timberlake has failed to take any steps to promote, market, and sell the Making of The 20/20 Experience,” the lawsuit states. “Mr. Timberlake has increasingly distanced himself from the project and his partner — often using a network of agents, managers, and handlers to interface with Mr. Urbano.”
Aside from monetary damages, Urbano demands Justin fork over the rights to the Making of the 20/20 Experience movie.
Justin nor his agency have responded to Deadline’s request for comment at this time, nor have they issued a statement on the lawsuit.
The 20/20 Experience was released in 2013 as a follow-up to his 2010 work, 12″ Masters – The Essential Mixes.
His third studio album earned him several nods at the 2014 Grammy Awards — winning Best Music Video for “Suit & Tie” and Best R&B Song for “Pusher Love Girl.”
