In the introduction to a new exhibition of his landscapes opening Saturday at London’s Halcyon Gallery, the recent Nobel laureate says, “The idea was to create pictures that would not be misinterpreted or misunderstood by me or anybody else.” In 1974 I played the first of many shows with the Band—maybe in eight years. We were in a hockey arena in Chicago. There were maybe 18,000 people there. The Band […]
“Isn’t that something…?” Bob Dylan isn’t exactly making a big deal out of being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. But at least the 1960s trailblazer is finally acknowledging his becoming the first musician to be granted admission to the world’s most elite literary club. When I ask him about his reaction to hearing the news a fortnight ago that he is to follow in the footsteps of George Bernard […]
Lady Gaga has a lot of traits that would make her right at home in the midst of a massive Los Angeles traffic jam. She has a propensity for profanity, a love of laying on the horn and a barely functional understanding of how a motor vehicle works. But perhaps most importantly, she knows that if you’re going to sing her songs while in traffic, you better be belting to […]
The "multiplatinum pop visionaries" will get the honor in London in November. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will honor Duran Duran with its Golden Note Award at the 2016 ASCAP Awards in London next month. Calling the band "multiplatinum pop visionaries," ASCAP lauded it for having written "four decades of hits." Singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor will get […]
The honor is presented to artists "who have made truly exceptional contributions to the music industry." Sting has been tapped to receive the American Music Award of Merit at the 2016 American Music Awards. The composer, singer, actor, author, and activist also will perform a medley of songs, including "I Can't Stop Thinking About You," the first single off his new album, 57th & 9th, as well as some of his […]
Bob Dylan's website takes down acknowledgment that he is a Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan recently added Nobel Prize laureate to his list of accomplishments — but fans of the famously elusive singer-songwriter wouldn't know it by looking at his official website. BobDylan.com has quietly scrubbed the one mention of him as the "winner of the Nobel Prize in literature" in "the lyrics" section of the site following his […]
For the first time in his career, Garth Brooks has made his music available to stream online. The country star signed a deal with Amazon Music, Amazon’s newly launched on-demand streaming service. Available albums include The Ultimate Hits and Double Live, as well as his new single, “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance.” According to Amazon, more of Brooks’ music, including his new album Gunslinger and his holiday album with […]
When news broke that Bob Dylan had been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, thousands of enthusiasts lined up to pay kudos and to thank the Swedish Academy for acknowledging his genius. So far, Dylan himself isn’t one of them. Nearly a week after the announcement, the artist, who just finished two consecutive weekends performing as part of the Desert Trip music festival, has yet to acknowledge the honor, Sara Danius, permanent secretary […]
The announcement of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame‘s class of 2017 gives us another chance to evaluate the relative merits of these acts – but also the state of the institution itself. Is there a larger message to be learned from this year’s list? Does the Hall of Fame, even at this late date, still have the ability to surprise? Putting aside the annual gnashing of […]
