AC/DC‘s “Thunderstruck” video has officially struck one billion views on YouTube.
The clip is the first AC/DC video to reach the milestone. It’s also one of the few ’90s videos to hit the one billion views marks, along with Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Metallica‘s “Nothing Else Matters,” Guns N’ Roses‘ “November Rain,” The Cranberries‘ “Zombie,” 4 Non Blondes‘ “What’s Up,” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You.
The “Thunderstuck” video, which was uploaded to YouTube in November 2012, captures a live performance of the song, which was the lead single from AC/DC’s 1990 album The Razors Edge. It memorably features a unique, close-up angle of Angus Young‘s guitar playing.
“Our video for Thunderstruck just passed a billion views on YouTube,” AC/DC tweeted in response to the news. “Thank you fans!”
AC/DC released their latest album, Power Up, last November. It reunites the surviving members of the band’s classic Back in Black lineup, and is dedicated to their late guitarist, Malcolm Young.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Duane Allman, the co-founder and masterful slide-guitar player of The Allman Brothers Band.
Allman was killed in a motorcycle crash in Macon, Georgia, a few months after the group released its classic live album At Fillmore East. He was 27.
At the time of his passing, Duane had established himself as one of rock’s most highly regarded guitarists. Prior to The Allman Brothers Band’s formation, Duane played with his brother Gregg in a number of groups, including The Allman Joys and The Hour Glass, the latter of which released two studio albums.
In 1968, Duane began working as a session musician at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and went on to perform on recordings by artists including Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Wilson Pickett, Otis Rush, Percy Sledge, Boz Scaggs and Delaney & Bonnie.
The Allman Brothers Band were formed in 1969 and released their self-titled debut album that year. Combining rock, blues and jazz, the group quickly became known for their captivating concerts, which included extended jams that showcased the guitar interplay between Duane and Dickey Betts.
The band’s second album, Idlewild South, was released in September 1970 and broke into Billboard 200’s top 40. That year, Duane also contributed slide guitar to the only studio album by Eric Clapton‘s short-lived band Derek & the Dominos, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
The Allman Brothers’ breakthrough album was At Fillmore East, which was released in July 1971 and reached #13 on the Billboard 200. It’s widely considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time.
Duane also is featured on most of The Allmans’ hit 1972 album Eat a Peach, which was released about four months after his passing.
YeardleySmith has not only been the iconic voice of Lisa Simpson since The Simpsons began more than 32 seasons ago, but she’s also the producer and co-host of her hit podcast, Small Town Dicks.
The true-crime series is co-hosted by two anonymous identical twin detectives Dave and Dan — the latter of whom is married to Smith — and investigates big crimes that happen in small towns. Smith tells ABC Audio the series is a fun transition from Simpsons.
“I mean, it’s it sort of couldn’t be more opposite,” she says, before switching to Lisa’s voice, “‘Lisa Simpson is, even when she’s having a bad day, she finds the silver lining in the dark cloud.'” Whereas “Small Town Dicks is murder and mayhem, and what’s the worst possible thing a person could do to another person?”
Smith adds, “People ask me, ‘why do you think people are obsessed with true crime, and particularly women?’ I think it’s multifold, obviously, but I do think that people like the good guys to win,” she says.
“And even as we have this really relevant conversation about policing in America, at the end of the day, if somebody is breaking into your house who you’re going to call right, you’re going to call 9-1-1.”
The Simpsons just ran its annual pre-Halloween “Treehouse of Horror” episode, which Smith says the cast likes as much as the fans do. “[Y]ou get to go even further, and you get to parody some of your favorite stories, favorite shows, genres, whatever it is for us as the actors, it’s so fun,” she explains.
Smith even spilled some tea. “We actually just recorded the next ‘Treehouse of Horror’ already because they’re so labor-intensive for the writers and the animators. There is a…a fantastic parody of Westworld where Lisa becomes Bart and basically like takes on his bratty, bratty, and Bart becomes the goody two shoes and the world is falling apart. So, yeah, it’s pretty good.”
(WASHINGTON) — The Biden administration on Friday said it would make another attempt to end the “Remain in Mexico” protocols, a Trump administration initiative that forced tens of thousands of asylum seekers back into Mexican border towns to await their court dates in the U.S.
The administration has been under pressure from immigrant advocacy groups to end the policy but has met with legal roadblocks.
In a briefing before the announcement, Department of Homeland Security officials told reporters they had reassessed the policy, also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas once again determined it was appropriate to end it despite acknowledging its impact in reducing unauthorized migration. One official pointed out that multiple factors can drive migration, but based on the department’s own assessment, the protocols had been effective in deterring border crossing attempts.
“In looking at the data from 2019, there is a fairly clear reduction in encounters at the land border starting around the time that the MPP was implemented across the entire border,” one DHS official said. “That said, you know, correlation is not necessarily causation.”
However, the officials said the humanitarian consequences outweigh the potential benefits of reduced illegal entries. Humanitarian organizations have documented high rates of murder, kidnapping and extortion on top of squalid conditions facing those subjected to “Remain in Mexico.”
A new policy memo to DHS officials dives deeper into the decision-making process by considering potential costs to states as well as potential improvements that could be made to MPP. However, the officials maintained that certain issues with returning migrants back across an international boundary will persist. Immigrant advocacy organizations have been principally concerned with the lack of access to legal services for migrants who are sent back.
“Once individuals are returned across an international border, there’s limited opportunities for the United States to be able to affect their safety and security once they’re in the control of another sovereign nation,” one DHS official said.
The acknowledgment of MPP’s deterrence capabilities is a significant concession for the Biden administration. For months, Republicans have condemned the administration for repealing “Remain in Mexico,” citing the decision as a driving force behind the record number of arrests at the border.
Biden suspended “Remain in Mexico” on his first day in office and Secretary Mayorkas attempted to officially end it in June. A federal judge ordered the Biden administration to reinstate the protocols last August in response to a legal challenge by the state of Texas and Missouri. The Justice Department continues to fight the order and hopes an appellate court will reverse it or remand the decision back to the district court.
Embedded in the district court’s order to reinstate was a suggestion that the administration needs to be capable of either detaining every migrant who attempts an illegal entry or subject them to “Remain in Mexico.” MPP was implemented by the Trump administration in 2019 and, as DHS officials point out, Congress has never provided enough funds to detain every unauthorized migrant.
Much of the administration’s ability continue the practice relies on cooperation from the Mexican government, which was initially opposed to the idea, but has since considered conditions under which it could be reinstated. Talks with Mexican officials are ongoing, DHS officials said.
Depending on whether the Mexican government will agree, the Biden administration is on track to reinstate “Remain in Mexico” by mid-November. Oral arguments are scheduled in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 2.
Drake is bringing together twelve of the top battle rappers for a special competition that will be livestreamed on Saturday. He has teamed with the Ultimate Rap League to host Drake’s Til Death Do Us Part.
“I really put this event together because so much time we spend debating in sport, in competition, what would happen if this person had to go up against this person,” Drizzy said in a promo video.
“A lot of the time our debates stem from our dream matchups, and this event, fortunately for us in battle rap, is that exact debate coming to life,” Drake continues. “These are battles that are fueled by rivalry, hate, a true chance to silence all the talking and definitely set up moments that will rewrite legacy and rewrite history for some people.”
The event continues Drake’s month-long birthday celebration, and marks the Ultimate Rap League’s 12th anniversary.
“Drake isn’t just a casual battle rap fan and has been a supporter behind the URL movement for years,” Ultimate Rap League CEO Troy Mitchell says in a statement. “Over the last 20 months, he’s helped our brand grow by facilitating our partnership with Caffeine, which allows us to stream our premium content for free to our fanbase.”
“Drake’s Til Death Do Us Part is not just a birthday celebration for our friend,” Mitchell continues. “It is a shifting of the culture and is going to be the biggest event ever witnessed in battle rap history, bigger even than Summer Madness 2.”
Drake’s Til Death Do Us Part airs live on URL’s Caffeine channel on Saturday, October 30th at 6 p.m. EDT/3 p.m. PDT and will stream exclusively on URL’s app,
Jake Owen, Ronnie Dunn and Texas-based singer Jake Worthington take the wheel on “Jonesin’,” the newest release off of the Hardy-curated Hixtape Vol. 2.
The track — which Florida Georgia Line band mate Brian Kelley co-wrote with Nashville hitmakers Ernest K. Smith and Corey Crowder — is a feel-good ode to a couple of the titans of the country genre.
“Well, I’m jonesin’ for some Jones / I’m hankerin’ for some Hank / And I’mma two-step across the dance floor / With a little lightning in my drink,” the trio sing in the chorus. “And I’m out here for a good time / Yeah, I’m trying to find some love / Gonna keep this tractor rolling / ‘Til they kick me out the country club…”
Of course, those lyrics are clever tips of the hat to songs from the Possum himself, George Jones, with another honorable mention for another country great, Hank Williams.
“Jonesin’” is the latest release off of Hixtape Vol. 2, which drops in full this December. A collaborations project also featuring the likes of Jon Pardi, Jimmie Allen, Dierks Bentley and many more, the Hixtape is a follow-up to Hardy’s 2019 duets project, Hixtape Vol 1.
Speaking of Hardy, he’s got plans to make his late-night TV debut next month. He’ll make a stop on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he’ll perform his current single, “Give Heaven Some Hell.” That spot is set for November 8, just a few days after the 2021 CMA Awards, where Hardy’s nominated for New Artist of the Year.
The lawsuit between Bad Wolves and the band’s former frontman, Tommy Vext, has been settled, Billboard reports.
Vext, who fronted Bad Wolves for their first two albums, parted ways with the group earlier this year in January. In July, Vext filed a lawsuit against Allen Kovac, the CEO of Bad Wolves’ record label, Better Noise Music, alleging that Kovac had orchestrated his exit from the band due to his political views, including his support for former President Donald Trump and his stance against the Black Lives Matter movement. Vext also alleged that Kovac used racial slurs in conversations with him.
Bad Wolves and Better Noise then countered with their own lawsuit, saying Vext infringed upon copyright in using his former band’s name to promote his own solo tour.
Now, in a joint statement to Billboard, the parties declare that they’ve “collectively resolved their disputes.”
“This is a settlement with no winners and no losers; it’s beneficial to everyone in order to move on and bury the hatchet,” the statement reads. “This is a new beginning and a bright future for all those concerned.”
It continues, “We’re all excited to get back to what’s important, and that’s the music. Bad Wolves and Tommy wish each other the best going forward, and ask that their fans respect this decision.”
The result comes at a fitting time, since Bad Wolves’ new album, Dear Monsters, is out today. The record is the group’s first with new lead singer Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz.
The earnest track finds frontman Jacoby Shaddix singing, “I’m dying to believe/That we’re more alike than we think/That we’re all the same underneath.” You can listen to it now via digital outlets.
“Dying to Believe” follows the recently released tunes “Kill the Noise” and “Swerve,” featuring FEVER 333‘s Jason Aalon Butler and rapper Sueco. All three are set to appear on the next Papa Roach album, due out in 2022.
Papa Roach’s most recent record is 2019’s Who Do You Trust?
(WASHINGTON) — Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans serving on the House Jan. 6 select committee, and one of the most vocal critics of the GOP’s embrace of former President Donald Trump and the “big lie,” announced on Friday he is not running for reelection to Congress next term.
In referencing his first campaign, Kinzinger made the announcement in a nearly five-minute video to supporters and posted to social media.
“I also remember during that campaign saying that if I ever thought it was time to move on from Congress I would, and that time is now, but let me be clear, my passion for this country has only grown. My desire to make a difference is bigger than it’s ever been. My disappointment in the leaders that don’t lead is huge. The battlefield must be broader and the truth needs to reach the American people across the whole country,” he said.
“I cannot focus on both a re-election to Congress and a broader fight nationwide,” he said.
Gemma Chan is no stranger to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although she’s set to star in the upcoming Eternals movie, she first joined the MCU almost three years ago as the blue-skinned villain Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel.
Minn-Erva met her demise toward the end of the 2019 film, thus allowing Chan to take on the mantle of Sersi in Eternals, a hero who is almost the complete opposite of Minn-Erva.
“To be honest, I was as surprised as anyone else. I was not expected to be back,” the 38-year-old told ScreenRant about returning to the MCU. “I obviously jumped at the chance…And you know what? This time I don’t have to be painted blue, so I didn’t have to do the 2:30am or 3am call times to be four hours sprayed with body paint. So, that was good.”
Eternals, directed by Chloé Zhao and also starring Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Kit Harrington, arrives in theaters on November 5.
Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
