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“That’s so cool”: Elton John’s delighted that ultra-hip streetwear brand put his face on a skateboard

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Sure, you can buy a $50 Elton John concert t-shirt if you go see his Farewell Tour, but if you’ve got deeper pockets and more upscale taste, a new collection is launching Friday that features Elton’s mug plastered across some high-end streetwear.

Palace, the London-based skateboard and clothing brand worn by the likes of Justin Bieber, Rihanna and The Weeknd, is bringing out a capsule Elton John collection called “The Bitch Is Back,” after Elton’s hit of the same name.

It features short- and long-sleeved tees decorated with iconic photos of Elton at the height of his career in the ’70s, with a focus on images from his legendary show at Dodgers Stadium in 1975. “An extraordinary time in my career, a very happy time in my life,” Elton says in a video in which he shows off the new merchandise.

There’s also a sweater, two tracksuits and a rug with one of the Dodgers Stadium images on it.

The pièce de résistance, though, is the custom skateboard deck featuring an image of Elton in his Dodgers Stadium outfit, with the word “Palace” written across his chest, rather than “Dodgers.”

All the items will become available online Friday at 11 a.m. ET, and in the Palace stores in New York and Los Angeles at 11 a.m. local time.

“It’s so cool to have your face on a skateboard; I never thought that would happen,” Elton says in the video. “That’s so cool!”

The website Hypebeast quotes Elton as saying of the collection, “It really captures the essence of youth and freedom from my time on the road in the ’70’s. I’ve never been a skateboarder but that’s not going to stop me wearing the lot!”

Kelsea Ballerini co-hosting the CMT Music Awards with actor Anthony Mackie

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kelsea Ballerini is returning to her co-hosting gig at the CMT Music Awards for 2022. Billboard reports that she’s sharing the stage this year with actor Anthony Mackie.

Last year, Kelsea co-hosted the CMT Awards with Kane Brown, in what was her first time as a host on the show. Kane’s not returning this year, but Anthony — known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — is stepping in to fill his shoes.

Though he isn’t technically in the country world, Anthony has a little bit of history with the CMT Awards. Last year, he presented the final award of the night, Video of the Year, which went to Carrie Underwood and John Legend’s “Hallelujah.”

The 2022 CMT Music Awards will take place on April 11. For the first time, it’s airing on CBS, live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Nominees for the fan-voted awards show will be revealed on March 16.

Billy Joel biopic ‘Piano Man’ gets the green light, but none of his music will be used

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A Billy Joel biopic has just been green-lit, but, unfortunately, it seems that none of the Piano Man’s legendary hits will be included in the project.

Variety reports that the movie, called Piano Man, will focus on Billy’s early years, starting with when he was discovered at age 16 by his first manager, Irwin Mazur. The film will follow Billy as he performs in various bands in the ’60s, through to 1972, when a live recording of his song “Captain Jack” went viral on East Coast radio and led to him to sign a deal with Columbia Records.

However, a rep for Billy says that because the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer isn’t involved in the project, no rights to his music, life story, name or likeness will be granted.

So how will the movie be made? Variety reports that the studio has acquired the life rights of Mazur, who managed Billy from 1965 to 1972. Mazur will be an executive producer and Variety quotes him as saying the film will depict “the real-life events I witnessed first-hand.”

Adam Ripp, whose dad Artie Ripp signed Billy to his first solo recording deal and produced his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, will also executive-produce the movie, in addition to writing and directing it.

In a statement, Adam says, “Billy Joel has been a part of my life since my father signed him to his record label when I was 4 years old…it’s been a dream of mine as a filmmaker to explore and celebrate the untold story of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man.”

In 2019, Billy told Billboard that if a biopic is ever made of his life, “I just hope they don’t get a short, fat, ugly guy to play me.”

BTS makes their grand return to performing after period of res

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

BTS is rested up after their well-deserved holiday break and made their grand return to performing on Thursday.

Rolling Stone reports the Grammy nominees kicked off their three-day Permission to Dance on Stage show, which is taking place at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. Thursday’s performance marked the first time in two years BTS performed in their home country. Their last live show was in October 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic derailing their plans of future performances.

Because of ongoing COVID-19-related restrictions, the 70,000-seat venue limited the crowd to just 15,000 fans. In addition, masks were mandatory at the event and fans were discouraged from screaming, cheering and singing along with BTS.

The septet dove into their biggest hits for their first show, performing “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “DNA,” “Burning Up (Fire),” “On” and “Permission to Dance.”

International fans can catch BTS’ concert on March 12 at their local cinema, thanks to the BTS Permission to Dance on Stage — Seoul: Live Viewing streaming event. The concert will simultaneously premiere in theaters in over 60 countries on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Unfortunately, U.S. fans will be unable to nab tickets to BTS’ upcoming Las Vegas shows this April, as pre-ticket sales gobbled up every available seat for all four nights.

Live events aside, BTS is gearing up for their next era in music. Their label, Big Hit, confirmed the group is working on a new album but did not disclose a release date.

Florence + the Machine reveals ‘Dance Fever’ release date; listen to new song ”My Love” now

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Florence + the Machine‘s new album Dance Fever officially has a release date.

The fifth studio effort from the “Dog Days Are Over” outfit will arrive May 13. Frontwoman Florence Welch previously described the record as a “fairytale in 14 songs.”

While we don’t know the title of every one of those 14 songs, we do know three: the previously released tracks “King” and “Heaven Is Here,” as well as a just-released tune called “My Love,” which is available now via digital outlets.

Dance Fever is the follow-up to 2018’s High as Hope, which features the single “Hunger.” In between, Florence released a new song called “Call Me Cruella” in 2021 for the Disney film Cruella.

The Black Keys premiere new song “Wild Child” off upcoming ’Dropout Boogie’ album

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Now we know where the name for The Black Keys‘ Dropout Boogie tour comes from.

As promised, the “Lonely Boy” rockers premiered a new single called “Wild Child” overnight. But that wasn’t all: they also announced a new album, titled Dropout Boogie.

The follow-up to 2021’s blues covers compilation Delta Kream will arrive May 13. Dropout Boogie will be the first original Keys record since 2019’s “Let’s Rock”.

You can listen to the rambunctious “Wild Child” now via digital outlets. Its accompanying video will premiere today at 11 a.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the Dropout Boogie tour will launch July 9 in Las Vegas. Band of Horses will provide support.

Jussie Smollett to be sentenced in Chicago court on Thursday

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Actor Jussie Smollett is scheduled to return to court in Chicago today to learn if a judge will order him to serve prison time after he was convicted for lying to police and staging an attack.

In January 2019, Smollett reported to police that he was the victim of a hate crime, alleging that two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him and tried to wrap a noose around his neck in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the former Empire actor faces up to three years in prison for each of the five felony counts of disorderly conduct that he was convicted of last year. Part of the December trial included the testimony of two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who told jurors Smollett paid them $3,500 to carry out the attack, with a promise of an additional $500 later.

Because he doesn’t have an extensive criminal history and the conviction is for a low-level nonviolent crime, court observers do not think that Smollett will serve any prison time.

In February, Judge James Linn ruled that news cameras will be allowed in the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building for sentencing.

Lionel Richie saluted by Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, Luke Bryan at Gershwin Prize ceremony

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It’s going to air on PBS on May 17, but USA Today has a preview of what you can expect from Lionel Richie‘s tribute concert celebrating his Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which took place Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

The tribute concert opened with Gloria Estefan performing Lionel’s song “Dancing on the Ceiling,” which brought Lionel to his feet. Country superstar Chris Stapleton sang “Say You, Say Me,” and Lionel’s fellow American Idol judge Luke Bryan sang “Lady,” the hit Lionel wrote for Kenny Rogers.

Luke told Lionel, “You fill my life with so much happiness,” and noted to the crowd, “He’s the most creative interpreter of a love song. You didn’t put him in a category; he was just the world’s music.”

Other highlights included Boyz II Men performing The Commodores’ hit “Easy,” Andra Day singing “Hello,” Yolanda Adams doing The Commodores’ “Jesus Is Love,” Miguel performing “You Are,” and Lionel himself closing the show with “All Night Long.”

“Love is the only answer to everything we’re doing,” Lionel told the crowd.

The Gershwin Prize recognizes an artist’s lifetime achievement in music. Past recipients include Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney and Gloria and her husband, Emilio Estefan.

Inflation rose in February to 40-year high

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Inflation spiked again last month, increasing 0.8 percent in February after rising 0.6 percent in January, the latest figures released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor show.

Compared to February of last year, the Consumer Price Index, which measures the change in prices customers pay for goods and services, is up 7.9%, marking a four-decade high.

The Labor Department said the biggest price hikes were for gasoline, shelter and food.

HBO Max orders ‘The Batman’ spinoff, ’The Penguin’ starring Colin Farrell

March 10, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Move over Batman, it’s The Penguin’s time to shine.

HBO Max announced Tuesday that they’ve officially given a straight-to-series order to The Penguin, a limited series based on the Dark Knight’s nemesis.

According to the streamer, “The DC drama expands upon the world filmmaker Matt Reeves has created for Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman and centers on the character played by [Colin] Farrell in the film.”

“The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot,” Farrell said. “I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem.”

Reeves adds, “Colin exploded off the screen as the Penguin in The Batman, and having the chance to thoroughly explore the inner life of that character on HBO Max is an absolute thrill. Dylan and I are so excited to work with Lauren in continuing Oz’s story as he grabs violently for power in Gotham.”

The news comes after the successful March 4 release of Reeves’ The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson. The film, which also stars Zoë Kravitz, grossed $258 million globally in its first weekend in theaters.

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