After topping the charts in this native Britain, Elton John’s “Cold Heart” — his collaboration with Dua Lipa and Australia’s Pnau — has now hit number one in Australia, and it’s earned him yet another chart record.
As Billboard notes, Elton is now, at 74 years and seven months, the oldest person ever to top the official Australian singles chart. The previous record-holder was Paul McCartney, who was 72 when he hit number one with the 2015 song “FourFiveSeconds,” a collaboration with Rihanna and Kanye West.
“Cold Heart” is also Elton’s first number-one in Australia since 1997’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight”/”Candle in the Wind 1997.” He’s had three there overall. Meanwhile, it’s Dua’s first Australian number one, and the first for Pnau as well.
“Cold Heart” is from Elton’s album The Lockdown Sessions, which features collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and other artists.
So, The Beatles are the greatest band of all time, right? Not if you ask Paul McCartney.
Sir Paul himself feels that The Everly Brothers deserve the honor.
British newspaper the Daily Mail reports that, according to a passage in his new book The Lyrics, the former Beatle says he and band mate John Lennon were plenty inspired by the pioneering American rock ‘n’ roll duo.
“The biggest influence on John and me was The Everly Brothers. To this day, I just think they’re the greatest,” McCartney expressed. “And they were different.”
“You’d heard barbershop quartets, you’d heard [British pop trio] the Beverley Sisters — three girls — you’d all heard that. But just two guys, two good-looking guys? So we idolized them. We wanted to be them,” he remarked.
The Everly Brothers, comprised of brothers Don and Phil Everly, are credited for pioneering the country-rock genre. The duo also experimented with infusing pop elements into their music, which include the hit singles “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” and many more. Other artists influenced by the duo included Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees and The Hollies.
Don passed away in August of this year. He was predeceased by Phil, who died on January 3, 2014.
AMC+ has announced they’ve picked up Jodie Turner-Smith‘s highly anticipated psychological thriller, Anne Boleyn.
On Monday, AMC+ shared that the new three-part original series, starring Turner-Smith in the titular role, will premiere its first episode in the U.S. on Thursday, December 9. The remaining two episodes will be released on consecutive Thursdays. As previously reported, Anne Boleyn follows the final months of Boleyn’s life from her perspective as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter. It will also show her determination to be seen as an equal in a patriarchal society and her ultimate demise by execution. Anne Boleyn, also starring Paapa Essiedu as Anne’s brother, George Boleyn, first aired in the U.K. back in May.
In other news, Regina Hall is teaming up with Robert De Niro for a remake of the 1988 classic action comedy film Midnight Run. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hall is set to star in the forthcoming film, with De Niro attached to produce. The original film starred De Niro as a bounty hunter tasked with tracking down a former mob accountant, played by the late Charles Grodin. Together the two traveled cross-country trying to evade both the FBI and the mob. Plot details, as well as additional casting, have not been revealed.
Finally, SNL alum Kenan Thompson has been tapped to host the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. As previously reported, the ceremony will air simultaneously on NBC and E! on Dec. 7 at 9 p.m ET.
Wendy Williams is giving her fans a much-needed update on her ongoing health battle.
In a statement issued on Monday, Williams said she’s ready to go back to her duties as host “as soon as” the doctors give her the green light.
“HOW YOU DOIN’? I MISS YOU ALL! As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic,” Williams’ statement reads. “I’m making progress but it’s just one of those things that’s taking longer than we expected.”
She continues, “I’m a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready. I want to thank all of my staff and our guest hosts for stepping up and stepping in while I can’t be there.”
Williams then thanks her show’s production company, Debmar-Mercury, and the local affiliates “for being so understanding and supportive” while she recovers. She also thanks her “fans,” whom she says “are everything.”
“I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love!,” Williams writes, before adding that she’s “doing everything… to get back to work.”
“But right now Wendy has to focus on Wendy. I love you for watching,” she adds.
As previously reported, Williams has been absent from her show since it was originally expected to return on September 20 for the start of the 13th season. Her return was delayed due to ongoing health issues, which included testing positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Since then, numerous guest hosts have filled in for her, including Sherri Shepherd, Leah Remini, Michael Rapaport and Jerry Springer.
Camila Cabello will soon be looking for a new place to live: She’s selling her Los Angeles home for nearly $4 million, the Dirt website reports.
Camila bought the place in the Hollywood Hills in 2019 for just over $3 million. It’s the same home where she and boyfriend Shawn Mendes were in residence back in March when someone broke in, stole the keys to Shawn’s Mercedes G Wagon and made off with it. The vehicle was later recovered.
As a result of the theft, the 3,500-square-foot residence now features a state-of-the-art security system, as well as a pool, outdoor fireplace and kitchen, two-car garage, fireplaces, spa-like bathroom and recording studio.
As for where Camila will go next, she and Shawn were reportedly house-hunting in her native Miami last year.
In other Camila news, she showed off her new tattoo on Instagram: It’s a coil of braided sweet grass on the nape of her neck. The singer got the ink in honor of the non-fiction 2013 bookBraiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which Camila says “changed my life.”
“After I read it, I knew I’d never look at the earth and all of it’s inhabitants the same,” Camila gushed on Instagram. “It taught me about reciprocity, about the gift and wisdom in Mother Nature, and that when we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves,” she wrote, adding a quote from the book: “All flourishing is mutual.”
Travis Scott performs at the 2021 Astroworld festival; Rick Kern/Getty Images
Travis Scott announced Monday he will pay all funeral costs for those who died during the Astroworld festival last Friday in Houston, Texas.
The “Highest in the Room” rapper, who organized and headlined the event, is also providing free one-on-one online therapy for those in need. BetterHelp, in conjunction with Travis, is offering free counseling sessions with a licensed therapist for those who sign up on its website.
The National Alliance on Mental Health, NAMI, has also established a hotline, available Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. This hotline can be reached at 1-844-CJ NAMI 1, 844-256-2641.
As the investigation continues into the fatal incident, Houston Police Chief Troy Finnertweeted Monday, “We are asking for everyone to be considerate of the grieving families during this incredibly difficult time. Please continue to lift them up in prayer.”
As previously reported, Scott will issue full refunds for attendees who bought tickets to the event. Festival performer Roddy Rich also announced he is donating his “net compensation to the families of this incident.”
Scott was scheduled to headline this weekend’s Day N Vegas Festival, but he has cancelled his performance.
In statements on social media, Scott said he was “absolutely devastated” by what happened and is “working closely with everybody to get to the bottom of this.”
Eight people died and hundreds were injured when the crowd of 50,000 rushed the stage during Scott’s performance. Two concertgoers have already filed lawsuits in the festival’s aftermath as of early Monday.
(WASHINGTON) — The nation’s top law enforcement officials announced on Monday the seizure of approximately $6 million in ransom payments and new criminal charges against a Ukrainian national and Russian national alleged to have deployed the REvil ransomware that infected more than 1,000 companies and public organizations around the globe this summer.
Yaroslav Vasinskyi, a Ukrainian national arrested last month in Poland, and Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national who remains at large, face charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Vasinskyi was charged in connection with his alleged role in carrying out the devastating July 4 ransomware attack against the software firm Kaseya, which in turn affected hundreds of companies within the U.S.
Together, the U.S. Treasury Department said the two men “are part of a cybercriminal group that has engaged in ransomware activities and received more than $200 million in ransom payments paid in Bitcoin and Monero.” It is announcing sanctions against the two men as well.
Charging documents unsealed Monday morning also accuse Vainskyi of conducting approximately 2,500 ransomware attacks and demanding approximately $767 million in ransom, $2.3 million of which was eventually paid.
There is no lawyer listed for Vasinskyi or Polyanin.
“Our message today is clear: The United States, together with our allies, will do everything in our power to identify the perpetrators of ransomware attacks, to bring them to justice and to recover the funds they have stolen from the American people,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco lauded Kaseya for calling the FBI and Department of Justice and asking for help in finding the alleged criminals.
“As we’ve shown time and time again, we’re still going to pursue them, disrupt them and hold them accountable,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
Garland said REvil ransomware has been deployed on approximately 175,000 computers worldwide with at least $200 million paid in ransom.
REvil was also behind the May attack on meat supplier JBS, which paid $11 million in ransom to unlock its systems.
The State Department is is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps identify or locate the leaders of the cybercriminal group known as REvil or Sodinokibi.
The U.S. is also offering up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of any individual involved in a REvil ransomware attack.
In June, the Justice Department announced it had successfully seized millions of dollars in cryptocurrency Colonial Pipeline paid to the cyber criminal group DarkSide following the attack that led the pipeline to briefly shut down its operations.
ABC News’ Connor Finnegan contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — As first lady Jill Biden prepared to kick off a vaccination campaign for kids ages 5-11 on Monday, over the weekend “Sesame Street” mainstay Big Bird tweeted he received his first dose, encouraging children across the country to do the same.
“I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” the eight-foot-two canary yellow Muppet wrote on Twitter Saturday.
I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy.
Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!
President Joe Biden responded to the tweet, writing “Good on ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe.”
The social media announcement sparked conservative backlash, including from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, accusing Big Bird of being used to for “government propaganda.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5-11 last week, expanding eligibility to 28 million more Americans.
The tweet from the TV favorite, who is said to be always 6 years old, is part of the administration’s big push to get kids vaccinated against COVID-19 following the Food and Drug Administration’s full authorization of the shot for kids as young as 5 years old. The first lady will visit an elementary school with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Monday to promote the pediatric vaccinations.
Big Bird’s announcement came the same day as the icon participated in a CNN town hall alongside his “Sesame Street” neighbors Elmo and Rosita called “The ABCs of Covid Vaccines,” where they answered kids’ questions about the vaccine with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and anchor Erica Hill.
Cruz has received the COVID-19 vaccine himself but says he is against vaccine mandates. The Texas senator continued to criticize Big Bird’s announcement on Twitter.
In response to ABC News’ request for comment, Cruz’s office pointed to previous tweets from the senator encouraging parents to make their own decision regarding their children’s health.
This is not the first time the “Sesame Street” character has weighed in on vaccines for children. After Cruz accused the administration of using Big Bird to spread “propaganda,” a 1972 “Sesame Street” clip showing Big Bird lining up for the measles vaccine began gaining traction online.
Newsmax host Steve Cortes joined Cruz in attacking Big Bird, calling the tweet “evil.”
Others came to the Sesame Street character’s defense. Former President Donald Trump’s niece and one of his frequent critics, Mary Trump, defended Big Bird and pointed out Cruz’s vaccination status.
Big Bird is kind, compassionate, empathetic, loving, adored, and vaccinated. Ted Cruz is . . . vaccinated.
With Led Zeppelin celebrating the 50th anniversary today of the release of its classic 1971 untitled studio album, better known as Led Zeppelin IV, comes news that the record has just been certified 24 times Platinum by the RIAA for notching 24 million equivalent album unit sales in the U.S.
This moves Led Zeppelin IV into a tie with The Beatles‘ White Album for the fifth-best-selling album ever in the States.
The only albums ahead of Zeppelin IV are the Eagles‘ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, at 38-times platinum; Michael Jackson‘s Thriller, at 34-times platinum; the Eagles’ Hotel California, at 26-times platinum; and AC/DC‘s Back in Black, at 25-times platinum.
Led Zeppelin recorded most of Led Zeppelin IV‘s basic tracks while staying at a country house called Headley Grange in Hampshire, England, using The Rolling Stones‘ mobile studio.
Led Zeppelin IV featured several of the band’s best-known tunes, including perhaps their most famous song of all, the epic rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.”
Robert Plant recalls that he was at Headley Grange when he began writing the lyrics for “Stairway to Heaven.”
“I was sitting next to Jimmy [Page] in front of the fire…He’d written this chord sequence and was playing it to me,” Plant remembers. “I was holding a pencil and paper and suddenly my hand is writing the words ‘There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold…’ I sat there, looked at the words and almost leaped out from my seat. Looking back, I suppose I sat down at the right moment.”
Late drummer John Bonham said around the time of Led Zeppelin IV‘s release that he felt it was the best album the band had made up till that time.
Fortune Feimster was about to embark on a new stage in her stand-up career in 2020, when the COVID pandemic hit.
The former co-star of Chelsea Lately explains, “It was jarring because I had just finished my Netflix special, Sweet and Salty. It had just come out. We put up a whole new tour. We had, like six months of shows sell out immediately. It was this huge like celebratory feeling of like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m making this big jump to theaters, and going from like being so busy’ to — nothing.”
She laughs, “You certainly don’t realize what a workaholic you are — especially in my case — you know, until I had to stop…And once I…I stopped being antsy and I let myself just chill, those ideas and jokes just started coming to me like in a way that I haven’t experienced in so long. I wrote a whole new hour in a couple of months.”
ABC Audio wondered if she’s finding her line of work tougher in the days of cancel culture. However, she steers away from social commentary in her stand-up. “I want to make people laugh, my stuff is very silly. I want people to leave my show feeling better than when they got there,” she replies.
And one thing that’s got Fortune feeling pretty good lately is the relationship that blossomed between her Chelsea Lately co-stars Chelsea Handler and comic Jo Koi. “[I]nstead of her yelling at him now she’s kissing on him, so, times you know…it’s come full circle. They just had to tease each other all these years to finally start smooching,” Fortune says with a laugh.
