ZZ Top has released an updated live version of their enduring 1981 song “Tube Snake Boogie” as an advance digital track from their upcoming album, Raw, which is due out on July 22.
As previously reported, Raw was recorded in conjunction with the famed blues-rock trio’s 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band from Texas and is being released as a tribute to longtime bassist Dusty Hill, who died in July 2021 at age 72.
For the movie, ZZ Top’s classic lineup of Hill, singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard played an intimate set of songs from their back catalog at historic Gruene Hall, known as “the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas,” which was filmed and recorded. That “raw” performance serves as the basis for the new album.
“Tube Snake Boogie” originally appeared on ZZ Top’s 1981 studio album El Loco and reached #4 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It has gone on to become a classic-rock radio staple.
Hill described “Tube Snake Boogie” as the ultimate “party song,” while Gibbons credited Beard’s drumming as the tune’s driving force, noting, “It really revolves around Frank’s opening, which is kind of surf-meets-jungle.”
You can check out a video of ZZ Top performing “Tube Snake Boogie” at Gruene Hall at the band’s YouTube channel.
Raw, which was produced by Gibbons, can be preordered now and will be available as a 180-gram vinyl LP, on CD and via digital formats.
Prior to the album’s release, ZZ Top will kick off a lengthy U.S. trek, dubbed the Raw Whisky Tour, on May 27 in San Diego.
Here’s the full track list of Raw:
“Brown Sugar”
“Just Got Paid”
“Heard It on the X”
“La Grange”
“Tush”
“Thunderbird”
“I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”
“Legs”
“Gimme All Your Lovin'”
“Blue Jean Blues”
“Certified Blues”
“Tube Snake Boogie”
(WASHINGTON) — U.S. officials are still working out details for the first flight to import baby formula, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Friday, as parents continue to struggle to find supply amid the nationwide shortage.
The White House announced “Operation Fly Formula” on Thursday as an effort to transport baby formula from abroad that meets U.S. health and safety standards. The first shipment — said to be the equivalent of up to 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles — will come from Nestlé S.A. in Zurich, Switzerland and arrive in Plainfield, Indiana.
“I don’t have a specific update for you in terms of exactly what carrier it’s going to be and exactly what time and date but obviously this isn’t classified information and as soon as we have it properly sourced and all the details worked out, we’ll get that to you,” Kirby said during a press briefing.
Kirby added he doesn’t think it’s “going to be very long” before the flight is actually in the air. “We’re talking days at most,” he said.
The mission will likely use chartered commercial aircraft arranged by U.S. Transportation Command, but military “gray tail” planes could also be used if it is deemed to be the most efficient solution.
Nestlé told ABC News the first shipment will include 132 pallets of Nestlé Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior, as well as 114 pallets of Gerber Good Start Extensive HA — all of which are hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow’s milk protein allergies, one of the most common food allergies in babies.
The administration has been under intense scrutiny for its response to the crisis, which had been building for months.
In another effort to diffuse the situation, President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to prioritize ingredients needed for formula production. The 1950 law — first used to build up arms supplies following North Korea’s invasion of South Korea — compels suppliers to provide needed raw materials to formula manufacturers ahead of other customers ordering those goods.
But administration officials on Thursday struggled to say exactly how the Defense Production Act will help in this scenario, sidestepping questions on what raw ingredients formula companies need that they’ve said they’re not able to get.
The out-of-stock percentages have worsened for formula products, according to the data racking firm Datasembly. For the week ending May 15, nearly 45% of products were unavailable in stores across the U.S.
Coronavirus-related supply chain issues plagued the industry but a recall and plant closure from Abbott — one of the nation’s top manufacturers — exacerbated the shortage.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf was grilled by lawmakers during a hearing Thursday on the agency’s handling of Abbott. Inspection reports and a whistleblower document suggest the FDA became aware of potential problems at the Abbott plant last fall.
Califf told lawmakers the Abbott plant is on track to reopen within two weeks. Once the facility is reopened, the company has said it would take an additional six to eight weeks before product is back on the shelves.
“We know many parents and caregivers are feeling frustrated,” Califf said. “This crisis has shown us the impact of having a single manufacturer cease production for a brief period, and unless we strengthen the resilience of our supply chain, we could be one natural disaster or quality mishap or cyber attack from being here again.”
ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report.
Sarah Jessica Parker celebrated 25 years of marriage with fellow actor Matthew Broderick Thursday with a sweet Instagram post.
The Sex and the City alum, 57, shared a black and white photo of the two embracing, as well as a picture of their wedding invitation, dated May 19, 1997.
“Evening Attire. Silver baby. 25 years. And counting. X, your wife,” she wrote in the caption.
The post garnered love from celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow, Molly Shannon, Amy Sedaris and Ali Wentworth, who commented, “Oh that is BIG!!! Happy Anniversary! Sending so much love!”
Parker’s best friend and Bravo host Andy Cohen commented on the image, as well.
“What a couple,” Cohen wrote.
Parker’s And Just Like That… and Sex and the City co-star Kristin Davis also chimed in, writing, “Happy Anniversary to you two unique people who have made beautiful union.”
Parker and Broderick, 60, are currently starring together on Broadway in the play Plaza Suite, which follows three couples — all played by Parker and Broderick — confronting a series of comedic obstacles inside New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel.
The couple share three children together: 19-year-old son James and 12-year-old twin daughters Marion and Tabitha.
(NEW YORK) — Another child in the U.S. has died in connection with the mysterious cases of severe hepatitis that have been occurring among children around the country and the globe, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Friday.
Investigators learned of the additional death on Thursday, Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases for the CDC, told reporters during a phone briefing.
Officials had previously reported that the deaths of five other children were under investigation in connection to the disease.
“Unfortunately, the illness in many of these patients is severe … and the extent of the injury to the liver can be quite extensive. And so, this is clearly a severe disease that we’re taking very carefully for that reason, and the proportion of these, despite treatment, do unfortunately die,” said Dr. Umesh Parashar, chief of the viral gastroenteritis branch at the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases.
As reported earlier this week, the CDC is now investigating at least 180 cases of severe hepatitis with unknown cause among children across 36 states and territories — an increase from the 109 cases that were reported earlier this month. Fifteen of the 180 children who are connected to the investigation in the U.S. have required a transplant, officials said Friday. At this time, there is no epidemiological link between the cases.
The “vast majority” of these cases are retrospective, as far back as October 2021, officials said, while only 7% of cases have been over the past two weeks.
“I know we’re all eager for information, especially regarding what’s causing these illnesses in young children. We continue to work with clinicians and our state and local public health partners to gather more detailed data, but I want to caution that it does take time to assess the evidence,” Butler explained.
“This is an evolving situation and an ongoing investigation, but it’s important to note that severe hepatitis and children remain rare,” Butler said.
Investigators continue to work to identify whether the outbreak represents a true increase in the number of severe hepatitis cases in children, or whether an existing pattern has now been uncovered, thanks to improvement in detection of these cases.
“While rare, children do sometimes get serious hepatitis, and it’s not uncommon … for the cause to be unknown,” Butler added.
There is no evidence to suggest, so far, he said, that the word “spike” is appropriate to describe the current emergence of cases.
“The question of whether or not this is something that has been ongoing for even longer, and we’re just recognizing that now I think is a very reasonable one. So, I think ultimately, really all we can say for sure at this point in time is we’re not seeing a dramatic increase in the number of cases,” Butler said
The “leading hypothesis” remains adenovirus, with evidence “accumulating” that it may have a role, though that exact role continues to be investigated. Also, under consideration is whether a prior infection of COVID-19 is playing a role, as well as the impact of mitigation measures, as many children have not been exposed to viruses in recent years due to quarantines, and thus, there may be a “catch-up” factor, Butler added.
There are numerous other lines of investigation into whether there could be a further connection with COVID-19, or other co-factors, officials reported.
Butler reiterated that any connection to COVID-19 vaccines seems “really unlikely to be playing a direct role,” particularly given that most of these children are too young to receive the vaccine.
The CDC continues to encourage parents to be on the lookout for the symptoms of hepatitis, such as vomiting, dark urine, light colored stool and yellowing of the skin, and to contact their child’s pediatrician if they are at all concerned.
(NEW YORK) — New York City health officials are investigating a possible case of monkeypox as they reported more infections across the globe.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a press release Thursday that the patient is being cared for at NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue in midtown Manhattan.
Officials say they will conduct preliminary tests and if the patient is positive, the sample will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.
“The Department’s epidemiologists will follow up with any individual who may have been in contact with the patient while infectious,” the release said.
It’s unclear what symptoms the patient is experiencing and what their age, sex and ethnicity are.
The news comes as the CDC sent out a health alert Friday warning doctors and local health departments to be on the lookout for patients who may have symptoms of monkeypox and report those cases to the CDC.
The CDC reiterated that the “risk to the public appears low.”
Monkeypox is a very rare disease typically not found outside of countries in central and western Africa.
However, several cases have been detected around the world since a patient in the United Kingdom tested positive on May 7 following travel to Nigeria.
The World Health Organization confirmed Friday there are approximately 130 confirmed or suspected monkeypox cases in nations where the disease is not endemic.
Of those cases, about 80 were confirmed — including one case in an adult male in Massachusetts — and 50 suspected.
The agency said it is working with those countries to provide guidance, and more cases are likely to be reported.
Humans can contract monkeypox from infected animals, such as through a bite or scratch, but it can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal’s skin, blood or feces, or indirect contact through contaminated surfaces. Humans can also be infected when hunting wild animals or preparing bush meat for consumption.
The disease can also spread from person-to-person via large respiratory droplets in the air, through skin lesions, bodily fluids, or contact with contaminated material.
#Monkeypox has so far been reported from 11 countries that normally don’t have the disease. WHO is working with these countries & others to expand surveillance, and provide guidance.
There are about 80 confirmed cases, and 50 pending investigations. More likely to be reported. pic.twitter.com/YQ3pVJVNVQ
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 20, 2022
The WHO said tips for preventing infection include isolating if you have symptoms, avoiding contact with anyone who has symptoms, wearing a mask if you come into contact with an infected individual, and thoroughly cleaning hands and surfaces.
Monkeypox is not commonly reported among Americans and detected cases have been among people who traveled to countries where the virus is endemic.
In 2003, 47 confirmed and probable cases were reported among six U.S. states, the first human cases reported outside of Africa
All the infections occurred after coming into contact with pet prairie dogs, which became infected “after being housed near imported small mammals from Ghana,” the CDC stated.
In July 2021, a case was confirmed in a Texas resident who had recently returned from Nigeria and in November 2021, another case was found in a Maryland resident who had also traveled to Nigeria.
ABC News’ Sony Salzman contributed to this report.
The trailer for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which debuted on Tuesday, scored 78 million views in the first 24 hours it appeared online.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, that’s the second-most views for a Marvel Studios small-screen project since 2021’s TheFalcon and The Winter Soldier Super Bowl trailer.
The series stars Emmy-winning Orphan Black veteran Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters, who longs to be “a normal, anonymous lawyer,” but whose life is turned upside down when she gets a blood transfusion from her cousin, Mark Ruffalo‘s Bruce Banner.
His gamma irradiated blood ends up allowing Walters to Hulk out as well.
The series also stars returning The Incredible Hulk baddie Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ Benedict Wong. It debuts August 17 on Disney+.
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
The latest edition of U.K. newspaper The Sunday Times‘ annual Rich List has just been unveiled and, as usual, Paul McCartney is ranked among the wealthiest musicians in his homeland and Ireland.
The former Beatles legend — whose wealth includes the fortune of his wife, American trucking heiress Nancy Shevell — remains at the top of the tally, with a net worth of about $1.1 billion. That’s an increase of about $56 million from the couple’s 2021 total.
In second place for a second straight year are Irish rock greats U2 with a collective net worth of $780 million. Elton John remains in fourth place with about $493 million.
Making the biggest jump in the top-10 rankings is ex-Police frontman Sting, who moves from a tie for ninth place in 2021 into the #5 spot, with about $400 million.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is #6 on the tally with $397 million, while his bandmate and songwriting partner Keith Richards is #7 with $378 million.
At #8 are late Beatles guitarist George Harrison‘s widow and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, with a net worth of $368 million, while ex-Fab Four drummer Ringo Starr follows at #9 with $356 million.
Other veteran artists further down on the list include Queen guitarist Brian May at #12, Rod Stewart at #13, ex-Pink Floyd singer/bassist Roger Waters at #14, Queen drummer Roger Taylor at #16, Eric Clapton at #17 and 1960s pop idol Tom Jones at #19. Late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts‘ widow, Shirley, and their family are #20 on the tally.
Fantasia Taylor, formerly Barrino, will take a moment away from filming duties on the upcoming movie musical The Color Purple to deliver a keynote address at The Women’s Expo in Atlanta this weekend. She and husband Kendall Taylor will engage in “honest” conversation about their marriage journey — the highs, lows and everything in between. It’s a discussion that began with their “Taylor Talks” social media show and expanded into a book, No Crowns in The Castle. ABC Audio caught up with the loving couple to chat about the book and all of the vulnerable storytelling within it.
“[On] our first date, transparency was the appetizer,” the couple joked as they delved into their love’s origin story dating back to 2015. They didn’t waste time chatting about favorite music or vacation spots, they instead got straight to the important issues, citing the fact they somehow “knew” they were each other’s perfect match. “We put the things out on the table … that most people have to find out and uncover,” Kendall said.
Opening up about the baggage they each carried — and graciously accepted of one another — was an easy part of the book-writing process, they say. Especially for Fantasia, who, as someone often in the limelight for her past struggles, tries to always be open and honest.
“When I was on Idol I was very transparent … they would sometimes pull me to the side and say, ‘You may not want to say this or say that,'” she said. Those who’ve followed Fantasia know she didn’t take that advice. She says without transparency, her past wouldn’t have led to her future.
More of Fantasia and Kendall’s educational yet blissful love story can be found in No Crowns in the Castle, available now.
Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins had “tough news to share” on Friday: He announced that he’s been diagnosed with ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
With his ZBB bandmates by his side, John delivered his news in a video message, describing some of his symptoms and telling fans that, so far, the progression of the disease has been very gradual.
“Over the past several years, I’ve noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands,” he said. “After careful analysis by some of the country’s top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS. Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe that they will continue to be slow progressing going forward.”
He added, “God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come.”
An additional video message that John posted solo describes ALS as a “degenerative neuromuscular disease that has no cure,” also explaining that “[t]ypically, research shows a 3-5 year lifespan after diagnosis, but the slow progression stands to reason that I will be around longer than that.”
He also shared his family’s Hop on a Cure Foundation, which raises funds for research to find a cure for the disease.
Frontman Zac Brown spoke of the band’s work with the foundation in their video message. “The technology and research surrounding ALS treatments has been advancing, but we still don’t have a cure. Thanks so much for your prayers and support in helping us cure ALS,” he said.
The video ends with info on how to help the cause via the Hop on a Cure Foundation. To donate, text “Hop” to 345-345.
George Miller, the visionary director behind the Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road, is back at it with another madcap movie adventure.
The trailer to Miller’s latest, called Three Thousand Years of Longing, has Idris Elba playing a djinn — that is, a genie — who comes to be in the service of Tilda Swinton‘s bookish, self-described “solitary creature” Alithea.
“I have a question,” she asks him. “What does one do with three wishes?”
“You’ll see,” he replies.
What follows is a trippy visual tour of the heart’s desires, from apparent orgies to fantastic battlefields, melting spiders and a mandolin — a mix that perfectly fits the trailer’s promotional copy stating the movie hails “from the genius mind of George Miller.”
