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  • This Day in Rock History: November 17

    Nov. 17 is a day to remember for many legendary musicians and their fans, including Bob Dylan, The Eagles, and John Lennon. Join us as we uncover the most important events that took place on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Two rock giants celebrate milestones on this day, 41 years apart:

    • 1966: The Beach Boys achieved their first U.K. No. 1 single with their most famous song, “Good Vibrations.” It had been released the month before and became a huge international hit, also reaching No. 1 in the U.S. a few weeks later.
    • 2007: The Eagles reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for the first time in over a decade with their comeback record Long Road Out of Eden, their first studio album since 1979. It was the band’s first-ever double album, and they spent six years creating it.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 17 is also an anniversary for a few iconic albums from some of the biggest names in music history:

    • 1970: Elton John recorded his live album, 11-17-70, as he performed during a radio broadcast at New York City’s A&R Recording studios. The recording was initially meant to be a one-off radio broadcast on WABC-FM, but its bootleg popularity encouraged the record label to put it out as a live album.
    • 1971: Bob Dylan released his second greatest hits compilation, Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II, via Columbia Records. It included some of his more recent hits, plus some previously unreleased material.
    • 1980: John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, released their fifth collaborative album, Double Fantasy, through Geffen Records. The album featured songs from both artists and was Lennon’s final recording during his lifetime, as he passed away only three weeks later.

    Given the huge names featured on our list, it’s fair to say that Nov. 17 is a big day for rock fans. Come back tomorrow to discover all the notable things that happened on that day in rock history.

    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Grammys 2026 Nominations: The Biggest Snubs and Surprises

    Listen here. The 2026 Grammy nominations were announced Friday morning, marking honors for artists such as Lady Gaga—who surpassed her own nomination record this year by getting seven, including album of the year. Super Bowl 2026 halftime performer Bad Bunny did well, scoring six of his own; so did last year’s headliner, Kendrick Lamar, who scooped up nine. Sabrina Carpenter is standing tall with a half-dozen nods, including for album, record, and song of the year—all three of the night’s biggest awards.

    Sure, it’s an honor just to be nominated. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have strong opinions about those nominations, right?

    Vanity Fair’s staff of cultural experts erupted with opinions while taking in the nods this morning: There was jubilation for Addison Rae’s best new artist nod, and a raised eyebrow at the total exclusion of Lorde from the list. There was also confusion: what exactly is the difference between a contemporary country album and a traditional country album? And while we love Doechii’s “Anxiety,” doesn’t that song feel like it’s been around for tens of years—how is it still eligible for Grammys?

    No, we’re not inviting you into our Slack channel—members only! But below, find the VF staff’s hot (and correct) takes on the biggest snubs and surprises of the 2026 Grammy nominations.

    SNUB: Lorde Gets Shut Out

    Lorde is hardly a Grammy virgin, having won two awards for her debut song “Royals”. Since then, she’s had a complicated relationship with the Recording Academy. Her second album, Melodrama, was nominated for album of the year, but she was not asked to perform solo come Grammy night. Fans noticed, and that decision was swept up in the online discourse about how the Recording Academy treats female artists. Since then, Lorde has struggled to get recognition from the group. Her most recent album, Virgin, was seen as a return to form—and while it didn’t produce major hits like “Royals,” it felt in the same vein as Melodrama, an album with a loyal and dedicated fanbase that went on to become very influential in pop music. Sadly, Grammy voters weren’t feeling it for Lorde. She didn’t receive one nomination this morning, not even in the smaller categories. —John Ross

    SURPRISE: Addison Rae Is in for Best New Artist

    “Fame is a Gun,” and Addison Rae has it pointed at the best new artist category. Rae fell on, and then off, every prediction list for this award—but when the announcement was finally made, she clinched the nomination as pop music fans rejoiced. Though her album, Addison, was widely praised by critics, many thought the Grammy voters wouldn’t understand her brand of pop, and the many nods she makes to artists like Lana Del Rey and Britney Spears. Her origin story as a TikTok star, also didn’t help. But it turns out voters liked what she was doing. During the voting period, Rae happened to be on tour; she delivered solid live performances on The Tonight Show and at the Grammy museum, which could have put her over the top. Now please put your headphones on, and listen to one of the best pop albums of the year if you haven’t already. —JR

    SNUB: Elton John & Brandi Carlile’s “Who Believes in Angels?” in Album of the Year

    An album that was made in a factory for Grammy voters was surprisingly snubbed this morning—proof, perhaps, that as the Recording Academy expands its membership, some of these typical shoo-ins are going by the wayside. Elton John has never won album of the year, despite being nominated for the category three times, and the sentiment that he was owed another chance is why many expected his album with Brandi Carlile to be nominated. But this was a very crowded year in music, and unfortunately for Elton, the album never really took off. —JR

    SNUB: “DAISIES” Was Not “Clocking” to Voters

    Despite originating what Alex Warren deniers would call the song of the summer with “Daisies,” Justin Bieber got little love in the Grammys’ big three categories. His surprise R&B album SWAG came on the heels of Bieber’s infamous “standing on business” paparazzi video, offering prodigious instrumentation and an ode to the Rhode lip-gloss-carrier iPhone case—the makings of a great album. And though it was evidently great enough for album of the year, Bieber was blanked in record and song of the year. Maybe that snub is attributable to the subsequent release of his spotty (and shockingly long) SWAG II—evidence that sequels sometimes make things worse. —Abigail Sylvor Greenberg

    SURPRISE: Harlequin Squeaks into Best Traditional Pop Album

    Though it’s no surprise that Mayhem received its flowers on Grammy nomination day, I was a little worried that Gaga’s other most recent album would be left in the shadows of its highly panned companion film, Joker: Folie á Deux. The vocal performances on Harlequin are truly some of Gaga’s best work—including “Happy Mistake,” which I believe is one of her best songs to date. Now to rewatch her performance of “Happy Mistake” on Jimmy Kimmel to celebrate. —Brandon Leung

    SNUB: Jade in Best New Artist

    As a Mixer, I have been standing by this woman for 13 years—but the lack of recognition from this side of the pond has not gotten any easier to stomach. X Factor and Little Mix alum Jade Thirwall had one of the most impressive debuts I’ve seen in years: “Angel of My Dreams” is ambitious and unique.“Fantasy,” “Plastic Box,” “Midnight Cowboy,” “Self Sabotage,” “Lip Service”—the girl didn’t let us breathe! I have a huge respect for artists who fearlessly surrender themselves to their creativity and vision, and Jade is just that. Too bad the Grammys didn’t agree —BL

    SURPRISE: KATSEYE Gets a “Gnarly” Best New Artist Nod

    Demon hunters aren’t the only rising stars in the K-pop space. KATSEYE, the K-pop girl group whose formation was captured on the Netflix reality competition series Pop Star Academy, scored a surprise nomination for best new artist this year. Last summer, the world watched as Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel, and Sophia Laforteza survived a rigorous multi-year audition process before being hand-selected to form the world’s first global K-Pop group. Since their debut, KATSEYE has been steadily rising, with a viral dance for their first single “Touch” taking TikTok by storm and Gap shrewdly hiring the diverse girl group to pose for a jean ad shortly after Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle debacle. The momentum was clear when KATSEYE pulled off an unexpected win for Push Performance of the Year (whatever that is) at the VMAs in 2025. Still, a best new artist Grammy nod didn’t seem like a sure bet, given their humble reality television beginnings and the fact that other fresh-faced solo pop acts like Olivia Dean and Addison Rae seemed to dominate the discourse this year. But through a combination of talent, hard work, and certified bops, KATSEYE was able to convince the music industry to take them seriously. That’s “Gnarly.” — Chris Murphy

    SURPRISE: PinkPantheress Breaks Through

    Once, it was just her and her permanently shouldered purse against the world. Now PinkPantheress has finally scored her first-ever Grammy nominations: Illegal is up for best dance pop recording, and her mixtape Fancy That was nominated for best dance/electronic album. It’s a huge day for both her and Stateside addicts—her track, now remixed with Zara Larsson (also a long overdue nomination this round), lands just as both artists are catching a fresh lease on U.S. recognition and TikTok obsession. DJ Joe, The Dare to PinkPanthress’s Charli XCX—or maybe the tartan-clad Ryan Evans to her Sharpay, whatever your prerogative—also deserves credit for the Fancy That era that makes her latest work impossible to ignore. (Somehow, best new artist still passed her by—but we’ll take a win when we get one.) —Wengel Gemu

    SNUB: A Big X for BigXThaPlug

    In a lineage of outlaw country artists that includes Lil Nas X (2020), Jelly Roll (2024), and Shaboozey (2025), the Academy seemed primed to recognize yet another crossover country act this year: BigXThaPlug, the Texas rapper whose 2025 album I Hope You’re Happy won hearts, minds, and a place on the Billboard country charts. Indeed, the newly created best contemporary country album prize (which I’m inclined to nickname the Cowboy Carter Memorial Award) seemed designed with BigX in mind. But perhaps BigX proved a bridge too far for the Nashville voting block, because he didn’t make it onto the list. BigX also appeared on many best new artist prediction lists—but a roster of TikTok hitmakers (Olivia Dean, Lola Young) left no room for music’s favorite hip hop upstart turned Ella Langley collaborator. In fact, there was no room at all for rap or country in best new artist this year, and a total shutout of country in the show’s main prizes The Shaboozification of pop is over, it seems—at least for Grammy voters. —ASG

    SNUB: Best New Artist Nominations Run Out For Role Model

    Over the course of the last year, Role Model has convinced everyone from Charli xcx and Olivia Rodrigo to Natalie Portman and Kate Hudson to join him onstage while performing his viral, joy-infused hit, “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out.” But the extremely online singer/songwriter, whose name is actually Tucker Pillsbury, couldn’t charm his way into the highly sought after best new artist category this year. My guess is that the Recording Academy favored new kid on the rock block Sombr in place of Pillsbury’s more folk inspired pop-rock. Which is a huge bummer, considering Pillsbury—who released his first EP in 2017—really came into his own with his heartfelt breakup album Kansas Anymore, after making the risky leap from Soundcloud rapper to the mainstream. Don’t cry for Role Model: He has a role in Lena Dunham‘s upcoming rom-com, and a focus firmly on his next album. As he told Vanity Fair last year on the eve of his album release, “I’m happy with the music I’ve made and where my career is at. I feel like this is my happy ending—finally.” That said, I will be keeping an eye on Pillsbury’s cheeky “enemies list” on Instagram—because the Recording Academy might have just earned itself a spot on it. —Daniela Tijerina

    SNUB: No Flipping Nominations for Benson Boone

    The ubiquity of a pop song does not always translate into a Grammy nomination, much to my surprise, specifically with the case of Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical.” We, as a people, have been inundated with this record on almost every platform possible, from Midwestern GRWMs and spoofs on TikTok to Spotify’s suspicious habit of repeatedly queuing this song after Radiohead. Because of this virtual inescapability, I had assumed Boone’s song would be nominated for either song or record of the year. I am happy to be wrong, though I fear the era of “moonbeam ice cream” is not yet over: there is still a chance that the Recording Academy could wheel out Benson Boone for a surprise performance at the Grammys, where he backflips continuously to this song. My guess is that I was not the only one for whom this ice cream flavor has run dry. —Wisdom Iheanyichukwu

    SURPRISE: What Does “Traditional” and “Contemporary” Country Even Mean?

    Over the last few years, country music’s long-running war between cowboys and city slickers reached new levels of intensity, as Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan became megastars while Beyoncé and Post Malone entered the genre. This divide led to some upsets during awards ceremonies, and even Beyoncé was memorably surprised when she took home the country trophy last year. For the 2026 Grammys, a new split between “traditional country” and “contemporary country” was meant to address some hurt feelings—but though they may have made sense in theory, the biggest surprise is that these new categories are incredibly arbitrary in practice.

    Wallen and Bryan both declined to submit their most recent albums for Grammy eligibility, and no further pop stars made an entry into the genre. So the divide is mainly one of vibes. Willie Nelson and his son Lukas Nelson are both on the traditional side. So is their friend and acolyte Margo Price. Considering their attitudes towards major-label Nashville, that all makes sense. Kelsea Ballerini and Eric Church wound up in a logical place on the contemporary side, too. But it’s hard to see how Tyler Childers is considered contemporary when similarly twangy artists Zach Top and Charley Crockett are not. And every Miranda Lambert album focuses on blowing up the binary between traditional and pop country, so either outcome wouldn’t feel quite right for her. In the end, there’s not a bad album in this bunch—even Jelly Roll’s occasionally baffling country-rap extravaganza Beautifully Broken is worth a listen—so I suppose I can be satisfied knowing that there will be two big country moments on stage during this February’s show. —Erin Vanderhoof

    SURPRISE: Knocking on EGOT’s Door

    How about that: Timothée Chalamet just earned his first Grammy nomination for the music of A Complete Unknown. The actor’s rise to the Grammys has been fated ever since that viral “Statistics” video where he first showcased his musical prowess. As a big fan of Bob Dylan, I was very excited for the Dylan Disease (no one calls it that) to take over a new generation thanks to Chalamet’s amazing portrayal of him in the film. Now I implore the Recording Academy, on behalf of all fans of Muad’Dib, to do what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has failed to do and make sure Chalamet does not go home empty-handed that night. When Vogue recently asked if Chalamet would ever return to television, he responded with a simple “No.” That said, an EGOT could still be in his future if Emmy voters agree to revisit his 2012 stint in Homeland and reward him with a retroactive award. (They do that, right?) —WI

    Wengel Gemu, Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Brandon Leung, Chris Murphy, John Ross, Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Daniela Tijerina, Erin Vanderhoof, Kase Wickman

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 4

    Nov. 4 gave rock fans plenty to celebrate throughout the years. It’s the anniversary of Pink Floyd’s first-ever performance in North America and the date when a 20-year-old Bob Dylan made his Carnegie Hall debut. Keep reading to learn more about these and other major events that happened on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Many huge artists celebrate major milestones on Nov. 4, including the Eagles and Elton John. The following are some of the most notable:

    • 1961: Bob Dylan made his Carnegie Hall debut in the smaller Carnegie Chapter Hall. His 22-song set included both covers and originals and was attended by only 56 people, but it’s considered a major milestone for the legendary singer and poet.
    • 1989: Elton John reached a sensational milestone, with “Sacrifice” becoming his 50th entry on the U.K. singles charts. Although it debuted modestly at No. 55, it eventually became a No. 1 single.
    • 1991: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced that seven acts would be inducted the following January. The seven legendary acts were Jimi Hendrix, the Yardbirds, Johnny Cash, the Isley Brothers, Sam & Dave, Bobby (Blue) Bland, and Booker T. & the M.G.’s.
    • 2007: The Eagles’ first studio album in 28 years, Long Road out of Eden, became their first to reach No. 1 on the U.K. album charts. It also reached the top spot in the U.S. and earned Platinum status in both countries, as well as several others.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 4 is also the anniversary of some iconic performances and albums. A couple of them include the following:

    • 1967: Pink Floyd performed their first-ever show on American soil at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. It was the first show of their first U.S. tour, which was cut short due to Syd Barrett’s deteriorating mental health.
    • 1970: David Bowie released his third studio album, The Man Who Sold the World, in the U.S. It was his first collaboration with guitarist Mick Ronson, which gave the album a more blues-rock sound than Bowie’s previous works.

    With names such as Bob Dylan, the Eagles, Elton John, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd celebrating important career moments, it’s safe to say that Nov. 4 is a big day for rock fans and artists. Make sure to visit this page again tomorrow to discover all the major events that took place on that day in rock history.

    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 3

    This day in rock history features important career moments for giants such as Elton John and David Bowie, plus a few huge album and single releases. Keep reading to learn more about these and all other relevant moments that happened in the rock world on Nov. 3.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    These are some of the most memorable milestone moments of the day:

    • 1957: Jerry Lee Lewis’ signature song, “Great Balls of Fire,” hit U.S. radios on this day. It went on to sell more than five million copies globally, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
    • 1973: David Bowie’s seventh studio album, Pinups, reached the No. 1 spot on the U.K. charts. It spent five weeks at the top and 39 weeks on the charts in total.

    Cultural Milestones

    Rock’s stories and characters are a huge part of its charm. These are some of the most important rock culture moments that happened on Nov. 3:

    • 1972: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Carly Simon and James Taylor got married in Simon’s New York City apartment, after having met a year before. The marriage lasted 11 years, and they have two children together.
    • 1977: Elton John announced he was temporarily retiring from touring during a concert at the Wembley Empire Hall in London. He also took a break from his long-time collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin, but they resumed it with 1983’s Too Low For Zero album.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 3 is also the anniversary of some iconic concerts and album releases. Some of them include the following:

    • 1991: The free Laughter, Love and Music concert was held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in honor of concert promoter Bill Graham, who had passed away in a helicopter accident a week before. It was attended by an estimated 300,000 people and featured a star-studded lineup that included Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, John Fogerty, and The Grateful Dead.
    • 1992: Bon Jovi released their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith, via Mercury Records. It reached double Platinum status in the U.S., helped by hits such as “Keep the Faith,” “Bed of Roses,” and “In These Arms.”

    These are some of the biggest moments in rock that happened on Nov. 3, with legendary performers such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Bon Jovi enjoying milestone moments. Come back tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Rock Hall Ceremony to Go Live on Disney+ With Big-Name Stars

    For the first time, music fans can watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame show live. The 40th annual event will stream on Disney+ from LA’s Peacock Theater on Nov. 8. Stars like Elton John, Iggy Pop, Olivia Rodrigo, Missy Elliott, Questlove, Flea, and Doja Cat will take the stage.

    ABC plans a highlight show on Jan. 1, 2026. Viewers who miss the broadcast can catch it on Hulu starting the next day. The 2025 class brings fresh blood to the Hall. Bad Company, Maná, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes will join the ranks. Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will also earn spots for their musical impact. An all-star cast will honor these music giants. The surviving members of Bad Company said they were excited about their upcoming induction. It was mostly driven by fan efforts, and Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, and Simon Kirke will participate.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, John Sykes, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation leader, said, “Each year the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony brings together the most influential artists in music today to honor their heroes who have inspired their music and careers.”

    Producer Thom Bell and studio wizards Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye will win Musical Excellence Awards. Music exec Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Starting on October 31, visitors to the Cleveland Museum can see fresh exhibits. Treasures include Cyndi Lauper’s original “Time After Time” lyrics, The White Stripes’ “Icky Thump” outfits, and Andre 3000’s wild “Hey Ya” costume.

    Laura Adkins

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  • This Day in Rock History: October 5

    Oct. 5 is a day of iconic firsts in rock music history. It’s when The Beatles released their first-ever single, AC/DC played their first show with Bon Scott, and a bunch of legendary albums were released. Read about all that and more on today’s recap of major events in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    Huge bands, such as The Who and AC/DC, have milestones to celebrate on this day. These are:

    • 1974: AC/DC played their first concert with new lead singer Bon Scott at the Masonic Hall in Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia. Scott replaced Dave Evans, who was their initial singer, and the show marked the beginning of the band’s classic era, which lasted until Scott’s untimely death in 1980.
    • 1999: Roger Daltrey announced that The Who were reuniting for a Las Vegas show on Oct. 29, after breaking up 16 years earlier. It was a major milestone in the band’s career, as it led them to reunite and release new material, even after the passing of John Entwistle, who was their bassist, in 2002.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Few calendar dates have seen so many major album and single releases as Oct. 5. These are some of them:

    • 1962: The Beatles released their first-ever recording together, the “Love Me Do” single. It initially reached No. 17 on the U.K. charts, which was impressive given that the band from Liverpool was relatively unknown at the time.
    • 1970: Led Zeppelin released their third studio album, Led Zeppelin III, in the United States via Atlantic Records. It signaled a slight shift toward a more folksy acoustic sound, without neglecting the band’s blues-based roots.
    • 1973: Elton John released his seventh studio album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, on DJM Records. It was recorded at the Château d’Hérouville in France and included several hit singles, including “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle in the Wind,” and the title track.
    • 1979: The Police released their second studio album, Reggatta de Blanc, via A&M Records. It included songs such as “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon,” and it popularized the band’s unique fusion of rock, reggae, pop, and new wave.

    Oct. 5 is an important day for legends such as The Beatles, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin, along with their legions of fans. Check out this page tomorrow to discover what happened on that day in rock history.

    Dan Teodorescu

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  • 34 wedding songs to add to your playlist, from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé

    Planning a wedding is hard enough – so let us help you with your wedding songs playlist.

    As family, friends, work colleagues and others from all corners, flavours and stages of your life flood onto one dancefloor at once wedding reception, it can feel overwhelming to come up with a refined idea of what songs absolutely do or don’t need to play.

    You want a mix of romance, fun and nostalgia – and GLAMOUR has got you covered.

    From soundtrack classics to disco legends here are our top 34 suggestions for the best wedding songs to add to your playlist.

    Lover by Taylor Swift

    This Tay track is completely interwoven with wedding references. Though she wrote it during her previous relationship with Joe Alwyn, it still rings true as a gorgeous testament to the magic of getting married to this day, whoever it might have originally been written about. Plus, it’s a waltz. An extra romantic factor.

    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé

    Because every single lady at a wedding reception should have a song dedicated to them.

    At Last by Etta James

    Arguably one of the most romantic, swoonworthy tunes of all time from the world’s most incredible voice. It tells a story of finally finding the one for you, so what better time to belt it out than on your wedding day?

    (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

    The Dirty Dancing classic track is a must for wedding receptions, whether or not you choose to recreate that lift on the dancefloor.

    Shut Up And Dance by Walk the Moon

    A 2014 anthem that will get even the most shy wedding guest in the mood for dancing. The band’s lead singer, Nicholas Petricca, was inspired to write the song about the night he met his girlfriend on an LA dancer when she invited him to dance. Cute.

    You Make My Dreams by Daryl Hall & John Oates

    We love this 1980s classic, made famous amongst Millennial pop culture with its use in 500 Days Of Summer when protagonist Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) breaks out into a solo dance routine in the street after sleeping with Summer (Zooey Deschanel) for the first time.

    Dancing Queen by Abba

    There’s no better song to scream along to on a wedding reception dancefloor with your best friends, distant relatives, whoever is around!

    Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

    Van Morrison’s iconic track centred around the magic of first love is an essential for a wedding reception playlist centred around the charm of romance.

    The Best by Tina Turner

    Even if you haven’t seen Dan Levy’s iconic scene lip syncing along to this track in Schitt’s Creek, it still remains one of the best singalong songs about love and devotion of all time. Scream along to it with your friends, family and all other loved ones.

    Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

    An ultimate, showstopping performance from Lady Gaga in this one – is anyone still crying from A Star Is Born? Whether you want to re-enact the Ally and Jackson Maine dynamic with your other half or just let out all the emotions of the day by screeching “I’M OFF THE DEEP END” on the dancefloor, both are your prerogative.

    I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston

    We all want to dance with somebody who loves us – especially at a wedding. Grab anybody who looks game and bust a move to one of Whitney’s very very best.

    Wonderwall by Oasis

    Love it or hate it, it’s not a UK wedding reception without a Britpop singalong. Perhaps one to schedule for the end of the night, when you all feel like joining hands and wailing at the ceiling before the lights inevitably come on: “I said maybeeeeeeeee”.

    I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

    Epic epic epic. The unforgettable soundtrack to 1998’s Armageddon and a must-listen on so many wedding dancefloors. And let’s face it, your wedding night should have a more romantic ending than that movie!

    Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

    One of our favourite duets of all time – Dolly Parton is an angel sent from Heaven and can do no wrong in our eyes, especially when it comes to cultivating the ultimate wedding song playlist. Islands In The Stream is a gem, whether you fancy a little slow dance or to shout the lyrics at each other from across the dancefloor.

    You’re Still The One by Shania Twain

    Shania’s first top 10 hit is an ultimate for any romantic occasion, in our opinion. While I Feel Like A Woman is your go-to for empowerment, You’re Still The One is the perfect encapsulation of what true love feels like.

    Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

    It’s not just for celebratory times in football stadiums, this one. Reportedly written for Neil Diamond’s second wife Marcia (Caroline, just sounded better, apparently), it’s all about the good times when you’re together. Perfection.

    Crazy In Love by Beyoncé ft Jay-Z

    What better way to see in your big day than a dancing to this infectious track from one of the most iconic couples of all time? Take a leaf out of Bonnie and Clyde’s book and wiggle that booty after a few wines, it’ll feel so good.

    Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

    It’s no wedding songs playlist without Marvin Gaye, we can’t lie. The Motown legend certainly knows how to create the romance, and his duet with Tammi Terre is one for the ages.

    Best Of My Love by The Emotions

    A true 1970s tune that never gets old. It’s groovy, catchy and all about giving everything you can to the person you love. All the things you want when you’re dancing the night away post-ceremony.

    Marry You by Bruno Mars

    Whether you’re a die-hard Bruno Mars fan or not, you can’t deny this one is one for the wedding songs playlist. It’s got a good beat, sweet lyrics and church bells play as part of the melody – it’s a no brainer.

    (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher by Jackie Wilson

    Hip shaking central, here. If you can’t drag the most reluctant of wedding guest dancers onto the dancefloor during the trumpet solo towards the end, we don’t know what to tell you.

    Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder

    While Stevie reportedly wrote this legendary track for his daughter Aisha Morris, it pretty much works for the bride or any other lady you love in your life, really.

    Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

    Arguably a classic choice for a first dance. A schmoozy, bittersweet, tears-in-your-eyes kind of track. Slow dance, slow kiss, slow everything to this song – you’ll remember it forever.

    This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole

    A great dancealong – and not just because it was expertly placed in the A Cinderella Story soundtrack back in the Noughties. What better track to play on a day celebrating everlasting love, after all?

    Let’s Stay Together by Al Green

    Charley Ross

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  • Houston Concert Watch 8/27: The Weeknd, Shinedown and More

    It would certainly be an accurate statement – really more of an understatement – to say that Axl Rose is not universally beloved. Whether it was making fans wait for hours before beginning Guns N’ Roses concerts in the ‘90s to going through bandmates like Kleenex later in his career, it is fair to say that the red-haired rocker has not made many friends over the years.

    The latest reason not to like Rose involves (allegedly) his holding on to a master tape of an all-star recording session. According to drummer Zak Starkey (recently formerly of The Who, but that’s another rock and roll pissing match entirely), Rose refuses to return the master tape of a song that was intended to be part of an album which would raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

    Slash, Duff McKagan, Elton John and Ringo Starr all contributed to a cover of T. Rex’s “Children of the Revolution,” and Rose was supposed to record a vocal track to finish the production. However (again, according to Starkey), Rose has procrastinated and failed to record his part and return the master tapes for over a year, allegedly costing the Teenage Cancer Trust over $2 million dollars.

    Starkey posted on Instagram that the album-in-limbo includes contributions from “more than one Beatle, a Smith, a Pretender, an Ashcroft, an Iggy and many more.” He added that he hopes the charity album can be released “without greedy bean counting majors wanting 75 percent (I won’t say which label, but fuck me, this is for sick kids).” Starkey also appealed directly to Rose, posting, “C’mon, bro…”

    Ticket Alert

    Combine the influences of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Hank Jr. and the like, let it simmer for a while in deep East Texas and what do you get? You get Whiskey Myers, a band that manages to straddle the fence between rock and country without compromising its balls. There are still a few tickets available for the band’s show on Saturday, September 27, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, but don’t wait around too long.

    Austin’s Band of Heathens made a name for itself playing at Antone’s and the clubs on 6th street, quickly becoming one of the foremost exponents of the Americana music form. The Heathens will begin their 20th anniversary celebration with a show at the Heights Theater on Saturday, November 22. The band promises a two-set evening, so it will be all Heathens all the time.

    Is there anyone funkier than George Clinton? No. The answer is no. To paraphrase the Bard, “Funk, thy name is Clinton.” The mastermind behind Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk and the Brides of Funkenstein will tear the roof off the mothersucker on Friday, November 28, at the House of Blues. Get your tickets now if you want the funk and / or gotta have the funk.

    Concerts This Week

    Shinedown’s “Dance, Kid, Dance” tour will make a stop at Toyota Center tonight, with Bush and Morgan Wade opening. Not content with garden variety merch like t-shirts, caps and hoodies, Shinedown has introduced a signature line of hot sauces, each named after one of the band’s songs: Symptom Chipotle Garlic Sauce, Devour Pineapple Jerk Sauce and Attention Attention Mango Habanero Sauce.

    George Thorogood has never wandered far from his formula of loud guitars, salacious vocals and a Bo Diddley beat, but who can blame him? If it ain’t broke, as they say. You can catch Mr. Bad to the Bone tonight at the House of Blues.

    Whether performing as a solo artist, a member of Matchbox 20 or Carlos Santana’s sidekick, Rob Thomas has been a hit machine for well over two decades. When his “All Night Days” tour hits the Smart Financial Centre on Saturday, fans will have a number of up-close-and-personal VIP options to choose from, including a premium package featuring a photo op with Thomas, the chance to watch a few songs from the wings and an autographed guitar.

    The biggest concerts in town this week are The Weeknd’s two shows at NRG Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. As the record holder for most Spotify streams at over one billion for his song “Blinding Lights,” it’s no wonder he can fill up a stadium two nights in a row. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: So what’s the deal with leaving an “e” out of Weeknd? There are several theories surrounding the singer’s professional name, but the most likely explanation is that the spelling was chosen so as to avoid any legal difficulties with a Canadian band known as The Weekend.

    For those unfamiliar with Steel Panther, the band might best be described as an American little brother to Spinal Tap. The Panther of Steel skewers just about every heavy metal cliché that exists, but it is done with love, so the ribbing never comes off as nasty. But their song lyrics? Now those are nasty. Get ready to throw those devil horns and sing along with “Boomerang Poontang,” “Always Gonna Be a Ho” and “Bukkake Tears” when the band plays Warehouse Live Midtown on Sunday.

    Tom Richards

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  • Sir Elton John’s sons worry about his death: ‘They know how old I am’

    Sir Elton John’s sons worry about his death: ‘They know how old I am’

    Sir Elton John has reflected on his mortality as he revealed that his sons worry about his death. 

    In a preview from his new documentary titled Elton John: Never Too Late, the 77-year-old spoke about his later life, saying: “I don’t know how much time I have left.”

    © PA
    The documentary will stream on Disney+ from December 13

    The film will look back on the I’m Still Standing singer’s career, directed by Elton’s husband David Furnish, and RJ Cutler. 

    According to PA, footage from the documentary shows the star opening up about life and death.”I wonder what is going to happen to all of this stuff when I finish? This is the latter time of my life. I don’t know how much time I have left.

    “And you think about that more when you get to my age. You think about life and death. You think: Well, I just want to be where I want to be now.

    “I don’t have to work after this tour. I will be working doing records and putting radio shows together, and doing other things, but travelling takes so much out of you.

    He continued: “It is very tiring. I am used to it and I am a veteran at it… but this is where you start to think about mortality.”

    Elton John and his two sons watching football© Instagram
    Elton is very proud of his sons

    The Rocket Man hitmaker continued: “I wonder what is going to happen to all of this stuff when I finish? This is the latter time of my life. I don’t know how much time I have left.

    Elton revealed that his children Zach and Elijah, “think about his mortality.” He said: “They worry about my mortality because they know how old I am.”

    Elton shares his two sons with his husband David, 61. The couple tied the knot in 2014, before welcoming their eldest  Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John via surrogate in 2010.

    Elton John and David Furnish attend the screening of "Rocket Man" during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019© Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic
    Elton John David Furnish began dating in 1993

    The pair announced the arrival of their second son, Elijah Joseph Daniel-Furnish, in 2013, using the same surrogate they’d used to welcome Zachary.

    Earlier this week, Elton made a rare comment about his sons, as he revealed his life “changed for the better” since welcoming Elijah and Zachary. 

    In an interview with attitude, the pop legend said: “Having the children changed everything for the better because now it’s all about them. It’s all about their welfare and their future and it’s not about me and it’s not about him.”

    He continued: “We’re very comfortable in our relationship. We get better and better and better, but it’s the children that just really inspire us and it’s the most wonderful time of my life at the moment, and that’s pretty amazing.”

    Sophie Bates

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  • Here’s every musician with a beef or lawsuit against Donald Trump

    Here’s every musician with a beef or lawsuit against Donald Trump

    There’s a lengthy list of musicians who have taken issue with Donald Trump over his presidential campaigns using their songs — and it only continues to grow. Dozens of artists and bands, from ABBA and Elton John to Rihanna and Paul McCartney, have publicly condemned Donald Trump since 2015 for playing their songs at his events and rallies…

    Benjamin Leatherman

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  • Elton John Faces Health Challenge, Limited Vision After Infection – 247 News Around The World

    Elton John Faces Health Challenge, Limited Vision After Infection – 247 News Around The World

    • Elton John faces a health challenge with “limited vision” following a severe eye infection.
    • His recovery process is slow, but he remains optimistic about his healing.
    • He is grateful for the support from his family and medical team.
    • Despite the health setback, John plans to attend the premiere of his documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival.
    • He has retired from touring to focus on family life.

    Elton John has recently shared a significant health update with his fans, revealing that he is recovering from a severe eye infection that has left him with “only limited vision” in one eye.

    The legendary musician, who is 77 years old, took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the support he has received during this challenging time.

    Elton John, recovering from a severe eye infection, sharing updates about his health and expressing gratitude for support | Image Source: USA Today

    He mentioned that his recovery process is slow and will take some time before his sight fully returns. This health scare has prompted an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities alike.

    Quick Facts

    Detail

    Information

    Name

    Elton John

    Age

    77

    Recent

    Health

    Issue

    Severe eye infection

    Family

    Husband: David Furnish; Sons: Zachary (13), Elijah (11)

    Career

    Highlights

    Iconic musician with over 50 years in the industry

    Retirement

    Announced retirement from touring

    Upcoming

    Project

    Documentary: “Elton John: Never Too Late”

    Also Read: Fatman Scoop Tragically Passes Away During Live Performance

    Health Scare Details

    Elton John disclosed that he has been battling a severe eye infection throughout the summer. He described the situation as challenging, stating,

    “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”

    His statement reflects the seriousness of the infection, which has significantly impacted his daily life and activities.

    The singer expressed his appreciation for the excellent medical team that has been caring for him, as well as his family, including his husband David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah. John emphasized the importance of their support during this difficult period, stating that he has been quietly recuperating at home and feels positive about the progress he has made thus far.

    Community Support

    Following his announcement, Elton John received an overwhelming amount of support from fans and fellow celebrities. Many took to social media to send their well wishes and positive messages. Notable figures like Sandra Lee and Donatella Versace expressed their love and encouragement, highlighting the close-knit community surrounding the iconic musician. This outpouring of support underscores the impact Elton John has had on both his fans and peers throughout his illustrious career.

    Upcoming Projects

    Despite his health challenges, Elton John is expected to attend the premiere of his documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” at the Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary is set to premiere on Disney+ in December and will delve into his remarkable career spanning over five decades. It will feature a new song and recount significant moments from his life, including his struggles with addiction and personal challenges.

    Future Plans

    Elton John has announced his retirement from touring, having completed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. He plans to focus on spending quality time with his family and enjoying his personal life. This decision comes after a long and successful career in music, during which he has touched the lives of millions. Despite his ongoing health issues, John remains optimistic about his future and the time he will spend with his loved ones.

    FAQs

    Q. What health issue is Elton John currently facing?

    Elton John is dealing with limited vision due to a severe eye infection he had over the summer. His recovery is slow, and it will take time for his eyesight to improve.

    Q. What are Elton John’s plans after retiring from touring?

    Elton John plans to spend more time with his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah, following his retirement. He aims to enjoy his personal life despite ongoing health challenges.

    Also Read: Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Died at 33 After Horrific Attack by Boyfriend

    Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by 247 News Around The World

    247 News Around The World

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  • Sam Tompkins Is The Next Big Thing

    Sam Tompkins Is The Next Big Thing

    These days, the inception of many careers starts on social media. At first, there was YouTube, now there’s TikTok. This video-based social media platform is where Sam Tompkins began posting clips of himself singing covers of popular songs. While many aren’t successful, Sam Tompkins had a different story to tell.

    His story truly starts with his cover of Bruno Mars’ “Talking To The Moon,” which sent viewers into a frenzy over Tompkins’ captivating voice. From there, he collaborated with JNR CHOI to create a viral remix of the song…which would become the soundtrack for
    millions of TikTok’s by users everywhere.

    He’s a mega-viral singer who has already proven that he’s not letting this moment end. Sure, there’s always the question of “what’s next,” but Tompkins seems to have the formula figured out. His vocal ability has gotten him here for a reason, and fans quickly recognized that his relatable lyrics and hard-hitting choruses are replay-worthy.

    But it’s not just the fans who love Tompkins…who has received recognition from superstars like Elton John, Bebe Rexha, and Justin Bieber. There’s something special woven into his silky smooth vocals that makes Sam Tompkins an obvious choice for the next star in the music industry.

    His debut album,
    hi, my name is insecure, which was released on July 26, is a step inside Tompkins’ soul. While many artists play it safe during the first submissions, it’s clear that Sam had a different approach…and we’re lucky he did.

    The album itself is stunning: an aesthetically pleasing, sonically dynamic masterpiece that showcases his depth as an artist. A ballad-heavy, introspective piece of work with tracks like “lose it all”, which was another hit among listeners and fans. Each song is riddled with emotion and ladened with instrumental backing that just contributes to the well-rounded tracks.

    You can listen to hi, my name is insecure here:

    He’s one of the most exciting artists out there, and he deserves all the success he’s receiving…and while he may make it look easy, we know it certainly is not.

    We spoke with Sam Tompkins about his debut album, touring with The Kid LAROI, and much more! Check it out below:

    Congratulations on your debut album, hi, my name is insecure! As your first official album, what was it like to create a full body of work?
    Creating an album is difficult in hindsight as I’m sure you can imagine, but actually (at least for me), it felt really natural. I loved the writing process and recording and figuring it all out step by step. it was chaos and it was tricky at times, but it just felt right.


    What is the main message behind your album? How does it represent you as an artist?

    I guess the main message would be a problem shared is a problem halved. that’s kinda my mantra as a person and artist to be honest. Be vulnerable and you will find the challenges you’re faced with don’t feel as scary. Saying “hi my name is insecure” straight off the bat as the title for my introduction to the world as an artist just felt like the right thing to do. I am insecure and i will not be ashamed of that anymore. it’s natural… we all feel it.


    While the album title is a bit self-explanatory, what does it mean to you? How did it feel right when making the single and the album?

    I always compare it to
    8 Mile. That rap battle at the end where Eminem’s character basically just insults himself for the first verse using all of the negative things he knew his opponent was gonna use against him basically rendering the other guy useless. When i say i’m insecure and own that, i am essentially taking control and power over the situation.

    You just went on tour with The Kid LAROI…what was your favorite part about touring live? Will we see a solo Sam Tompkins tour soon?

    It was amazing. Honestly, my favourite part was seeing one of my favourite artists doing his thing in the flesh. Yes! I am supporting Myles Smith across America in September and then doing my own tour in Europe and the uk in November!


    Your “Talking To The Moon” cover went viral on TikTok. Can you tell us a little about that experience?

    Honestly, it was just such a whirlwind. I was just bored one night and decided to make the video and it just changed my life in so many ways. Kinda crazy to experience that level of vitality, but it’s something I’m super proud of.


    What are three words you’d use to describe this album?

    “Honest”, “Raw”, “Rollercoaster”

    Jai Phillips

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  • Olivia Culpo Goes Bridezilla Over Wedding Dress Scandal

    Olivia Culpo Goes Bridezilla Over Wedding Dress Scandal

    Oh, Olivia Culpo. How I wanted to pore over your wedding content in the deepest of green envy. You had it all: the hot football player husband, the equally It-Girl sisters, the star attendees. You could’ve had a
    Sofia Richie moment, and instead we’re here.

    On June 29, 2024, Miss Universe and model
    Olivia Culpo and star running back for the San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey invited their A-List friends to Watch Hill, Rhode Island for what was supposed to be the most spectacular wedding of the year.

    As pictures slowly leaked – and with
    Vogue onsite for full access – the Culpo-McCaffrey union had potential to be the Pinterest wedding of your dreams. Everyone wanted to see the bride. Olivia Culpo has become a true style icon for her throngs of followers – regularly posting TikToks getting ready for McCaffrey’s games throwing on “cool girl” outfits.

    So when her army of umbrellas fell and the world saw her first wedding dress…everyone was left with the same reaction:
    that’s it???!!!

    Surely, this must’ve been a ruse. No way would
    the Olivia Culpo be dressed in a full-coverage, long-sleeve, high-neck Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown. No, there had to be something else and the public wasn’t allowed to take a glimpse yet.

    But, actually, that dress
    was chosen by Culpo as the dress of her dreams. And although she had three dresses in total (yes, all equally tacky or underwhelming for different reasons), social media full-on exploded. And Culpo and McCaffrey have made things exponentially worse.

    The Problem With Olivia Culpo’s Wedding Dress

    @gowneyedgirl From Miss Universe to Miss Pick Me, Olivia Culpo is earning her crown 👑 (Photos from Vogue Weddings via Jose Villa) #bride #bridal #weddingdress #wedding #oliviaculpo #bridalgown #bridalstylist #vogue #voguewedding #bridaltiktok #weddingtiktok #dolcegabbana ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design

    Well, there isn’t just one issue at hand. The first is the dress itself: are we serious? Dolce & Gabbana is
    not the luxury brand I’d turn to for modern conservatism.

    First and foremost,
    Dolce & Gabbana isn’t exactly free of controversy. If you want the people to take you seriously, maybe don’t choose the brand that Elton John called to be canceled in 2015 for making comments against gay parenting.

    It’s the middle of summer. If I’m getting married on the East Coast at the end of June, I’m going to be in something strapless. You bet your bottom dollar I’m showing a bit of clavicle. Because it’s
    hot and I don’t want to be miserable.

    But for Culpo, that was the whole point. And misery loves company it seems. You see, Olivia Culpo defended the dress by saying she didn’t want to “exude sex in any way, shape, or form.” She believes your wedding dress should be “serious” enough to match your “commitment.”

    “When I think about Christian and what he loves and the moments that he thinks that I’m most beautiful, it’s absolutely in something like this: timeless, covered, and elegant.

    And isn’t there something so
    Handmaid’s Tale about wanting to be covered for your husband? I genuinely thought we were past this point in life. But hey, back to the 1950s we go!

    Even more ironic is that, for the reception, Culpo changes into (essentially) a bodysuit with a mesh bubble wrapped around her waist. When stylist Kennedy Bingham made a viral TikTok response to Culpo’s fashion choices, Culpo got angry. And so did McCaffrey.

    @voguemagazine *Adds #OliviaCulpo’s wedding after-party mini to our moodboard.* Head to vogue.com to see all of her custom #dolcegabbana ♬ original sound – Vogue

    From Culpo: “Wow what an absolutely evil person you are. I hope no one ever tears you apart in this way because it’s extremely hurtful. I love this dress and it was everything I wanted and more.”

    From McCaffrey: “What an evil thing to post online. I hope you can find joy and peace in the world, the way my beautiful wife does.”

    I think “evil” may be two public figures name-calling a content creator for speaking the truth about the public’s opinion…but hey! Who am I to judge?
    (I say seething with judgment.)

    The Drama Continues

    But Kennedy Bingham ruffled one too many feathers for Culpo and her court, it seems. Not only does Culpo berate Bingham for her evil acts, but she goes on to say that millions of people wear Dolce…she’s not the only one!

    And while that may be a redeeming quality for Dolce in Culpo’s eyes, Bingham was quick to point out otherwise:

    “They are not just a designer to you, they are a coworker … I’m also not saying YOU’RE anything. I’m saying that your actions allude to a certain mindset that you aren’t doing anything to contradict.”

    And one more solid point that Bingham presents Culpo’s emphasis on her natural makeup look. Yes, she makes the brave move of skipping out on mascara (but is wearing a full set of lashes) and ditches the lip liner (a dose of filler will do instead) for a more “natural” look.

    I will hold for stifled laughter and eye rolls. Yes, the former Miss Universe who is no stranger to Botox and filler wanted you to focus on
    natural beauty. And look, I’m not saying she’s ugly by any means or needs any further work done…but when you’re preaching natural beauty and realness, please save it.

    If you want Botox, get Botox. If you want to wear a parka to your wedding in the middle of the summer, do it. If you want to wear a full beat to your wedding, do it. If you want to wear a bikini, wear a bikini.

    But
    don’t sell false beauty standards and harp on conserving your sexuality for your groom and then make it our problem when people disagree.

    Jai Phillips

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  • 14 awful songs and albums celebrating anniversaries in 2024

    14 awful songs and albums celebrating anniversaries in 2024

    It has been written that “history belongs to the victors.” This saying has often been attributed to Winston Churchill, but it actually goes back to the 19th century and has been used in multiple contexts since. No matter who said it, though, the message is pretty darn astute…

    Tom Reardon

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  • Elton John Earns EGOT Status With Emmy For Farewell Concert Film

    Elton John Earns EGOT Status With Emmy For Farewell Concert Film

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  • From Mapplethorpe to Versace, Elton John Set to Auction Artwork and Memorabilia in February

    From Mapplethorpe to Versace, Elton John Set to Auction Artwork and Memorabilia in February

    The beginning of the year is when many people seek out a fresh start, with abstinence, health, and minimalism high on many resolution lists. Sir Elton John is no exception to that calendar-related urge to make like Marie Kondo and purge, as he’s recently cleaned out his entire Atlanta penthouse, and will be selling its contents—costumes, artworks, dishes, and glasses (of course)—to bidders next month.

    It’s a collection amassed since 1991, when the singer first bought his duplex apartment in Atlanta, Georgia’s 40-story Park Place on Peachtree skyscraper. “I’ve lived here for 30 years, and I’ve loved every single minute,” John told an Atlanta crowd last fall, as he wound up his final tour before retirement. “So I will take you with me in my heart, in my soul, and I’ll never forget you.”

    Now the icon has returned home to England, telling Vanity Fair that his preferred home henceforth would be his Adrian Cooper-Grigg and Andrew Protheroe-designed Queen Anne near the village of Old Windsor. In November, the icon sold the 13,000-square-foot Georgia residence for $7.225 million after just a few weeks on the market, a price 45 percent above its $5 million ask, Architectural Digest reports.

    But what do you do with all the stuff inside that home? John has lived in his Windsor mansion since 1974, so it’s safe to assume that it’s already jam-packed with possessions. And the glitz-meets-modern Atlanta space had an arguably different vibe than the country mansion he shares with husband David Furnish and sons  Zachary (age 13) and Elijah (age 11). “My apartment in Atlanta was like my man cave full of things that I loved, mementos from everywhere in the world, things that gave me inspiration every day,” John said. 

    The best solution, the 76-year-old musician decided, would be to sell off the lot of it, so that’s what he did. Starting on February 9, the New York location of famed auction house Christie’s will display items from the Goodbye Peachtree Road collection, as it’s now known. Fans of the artist can view John’s possessions during operating hours at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, Christie’s confirms.

    The items will be auctioned off starting on February 21, and are expected to generate $10 million, The New York Times reports. The broad-ranging list of items up for sale will include John’s living-room piano, a Yamaha grand with an estimated worth of $50,000; a pair of silver platform boots valued at as much as $10,000; prescription sunglasses from 1973 expected to go for $3,000; and a full Versace table service (the “Medusa Red” pattern, as one might expect) valued at $6,000.

    There’s also John’s Atlanta art collection, which includes photos from modern masters of the art, as well as works by Damien Hirst, Julian Schnabel, and Banksy. 

    John hasn’t publicly commented on the auction, allowing Furnish to do most of the talking. That’s because, Furnish tells the NYT, “Elton hates parting with things. It is a very emotional decision.”

    But like any spouse married to an, ahem, collector, Furnish has had to be firm. “You have to reach a stage where you can’t just continue to accumulate,” he says of the decision to sell off the 900 or so items in next month’s auction. “There’s very much a little piece of Elton’s soul in every single item. Buyers of these pieces are going home with something that has, without question, inspired Elton in his artistic journey.”

    Eve Batey

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  • Is Christmas Music Bad For Your Mental Health

    Is Christmas Music Bad For Your Mental Health

    It seems immediately after Halloween, holiday music premiers in every store, lobby and across music platforms. Some people grumble and complain it starts too early, other hum along and have a smile.  But is Christmas music bad for your mental health? While nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would describe their stress levels during the traditional holiday season between November and January as “moderate,” around two in five (41%) said their stress increases during this time compared with other points in the year.

    RELATED: Easy Holiday Whiskey Cocktails

    Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey likely have no intention of causing you harm, but repetitive holiday music can actually have a psychological effect on your body. For many, there is a time when holiday songs inspire happiness and spark nostalgia, but there is a point with some when it just becomes too much.

    Photo by Kira auf der Heide via Unsplash

    With the onslaught, the brain becomes oversaturated, triggering a negative response.  If you’re already worried about money, work, or seeing family during the holidays, the constant inundation of cheerful tuns may reinforce stress. Multiple studies have shown people feel like they have less time, more responsibilities, and higher expectations during the season, all contributing to holiday stress.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    Clinical psychologist Linda Blair shared Christmas music can be mentally draining.  People working in the shops [have to tune out] Christmas music, because if they don’t, it really does stop you from being able to focus on anything else. You’re simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what you’re hearing.

    So, how do you win the war on Christmas music? Try to vary your playlist, because sticking to only holiday tunes produces mental fatigue, making our brains foggy and unable to think. .

    Amy Hansen

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  • $500 million entertainment centre touted for Sydney’s CBD – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    $500 million entertainment centre touted for Sydney’s CBD – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    The Sydney CBD desperately needs a new indoor entertainment arena and the NSW Government has been urged to conduct a feasibility study to identify public land where it can be built.

    Developers believe up to $500 million of private capital could be invested at no cost to the taxpayer if public land were released with the covered stadium returning to public control once a long lease had expired.

    Plans are already being drawn up for a 10,000 seat indoor stadium at the Entertainment Quarter but are reliant on the current 23-year lease being extended to make the investment worthwhile.

    Tony Shepherd, chairman of the Entertainment Quarter, said discussions with the NSW government were ongoing to extend the lease and clear the way for $2 billion of investment in the old Easter Show site.

    “Part of that development includes a new multipurpose, fully enclosed arena which we think is something Sydney really needs close to the city centre,” he said.

    The $500 million arena would be able to accommodate professional basketball matches, boxing contests and mid-sized concert performances.

    Sydney only has Qudos Bank Arena at Homebush and nothing to rival Melbourne Arena and Rod Laver Arena in the centre of Melbourne. Potential sites for a new arena include the Bays Precinct and land seized from the Moore Park golf course.

    Tom Forrest, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce, said private investors could be encouraged to build an arena on government land and called for the NSW Government to…

    MMP News Author

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  • Missy Elliott Electrifies, Jimmy Page Surprises, Bernie Taupin Calls Out the Elephant in the Room: Essential Moments From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Show

    Missy Elliott Electrifies, Jimmy Page Surprises, Bernie Taupin Calls Out the Elephant in the Room: Essential Moments From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Show

    Four hours and 22 minutes is a long time to be doing anything except sleeping, even watching a state-of-the-art Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards show that included Willie Nelson, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Page, Stevie Nicks and many more.

    Yet it’s a testament to the almost superhuman talent and vision of Missy Elliott that as the show hit the four-hour mark, she had the entire audience out of their seats for a visually and musically explosive medley of her greatest hits — including “Get Ur Freak On,” “The Rain” and the closer, “Lose Control” — as she rocked the stage in an all-gold glitter suit accompanied by rappers, a DJ, approximately 30 lithely limbed dancers and an eye-popping video presentation that spanned the entire width of the Barclays Center floor. This will come as no surprise to anyone who’s been lucky enough to see a performance from the first female rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it’s something we see far too infrequently these days. She even noted that the evening was the first time her mother had seen her perform live, “Because I didn’t want her to see me talking about bitches and a one-minute man.”

    But before you skip to the end of the show, which was livestreamed on Disney+ for the first time and is available for playback now, see below for the other essential moments. Serious music fans will probably want to watch the whole thing — we’re skipping over performances from Sheryl Crow (with Nicks, Olivia Rodrigo and Peter Frampton), Chaka Khan (including a surreal duet with Sia), tributes to pioneering hip-hop DJ Kool Herc, Zelig-like musician Al Kooper and “Soul Train” founder Don Cornelius and more — but for those without four hours and 22 minutes to spare, dig in for a guide below.

    Carrie Underwood’s Revelatory George Michael Cover

    The late George Michael was inducted by Andrew Ridgely, his childhood friend and former bandmate in Wham!, who few people recognized at first due to his long-since-receded hairline. A trio of performances followed, with Miguel starting with a strong “Careless Whisper” (accompanied by the E Street Band’s Jake Clemons on sax), a mediocre “Faith” from Adam Levine, and finally, a stunning version of “One More Try” from Carrie Underwood, who brought the house down with an emotional, soaring performance that makes you wonder why she doesn’t sing songs like that all the time. The tribute video also featured some hilarious quotes from Michael particularly when he said the two records he first owned as a child were by the Supremes and Tom Jones, noting that his music was somewhere between the two.

    New Edition Create a Spinners Tribute Band for the Ages

    Anyone who grew up near an FM radio in America during the 1970s heard tons of R&B, and one of the most prominent groups were the Spinners. For a medley of three of their biggest hits, New Edition were clad in black slacks and matching velour maroon jackets, and had their synchronized dance steps down. Hearing Bobby Brown wail on “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” was a totally unexpected but resonant moment.

    Johnny Gill, Michael Bivens, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe and Bobby Brown of New Edition (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
    FilmMagic

    St. Vincent Bravely Runs Up That Hill

    In another unexpected pairing, Kate Bush — who skipped the ceremony but posted a touching note of thanks — was inducted by Outkast’s Big Boi, who joked, “I feel like the White House Press Secretary for Kate Bush.” After speaking of his lifelong fandom and saying “I’m the kid in ‘Stranger Things’” (a nod to the show that brought the decades-old song to new levels of popularity), he said, “What I love about Kate’s music is that you never know what you’re going to hear next.” The tribute video was fascinating, combining clips of Bush with testimonials from Peter Gabriel, and especially Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, who essentially discovered her when she was a teenager and recalled going to her house, meeting her family and then she played him “forty or fifty songs.” St. Vincent then showed just how difficult those songs are to sing, turning in a solid, brave and relatively low-key take on “Running Up That Hill” in which she wisely didn’t try to mimic Bush’s intensity.

    Willie Nelson Gets a Hilarious Introduction From Dave Matthews and Performs With Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow

    There is probably no living songwriter with a catalog that can match Willie Nelson’s, and not many past ones either. Now 90, as Dave Matthews noted in his introduction, he wrote his first song in 1940, saw his “Crazy” recorded by Patsy Cline in 1961, and has released 72 albums. Somehow, he has made it all this way while being a marijuana smoker of magnitude. “The first time I met Willie,” Matthews recalled, “I got so high I forgot how to breathe. And then we got more high, and then we got even more high, and then Willie said, ‘Is everybody high?’” Nelson took the stage and played three songs, accompanied by Chris Stapleton (on “Whiskey River”), Sheryl Crow (“On Crazy”) and “On the Road Again” with both and Matthews — his voice was a little unsteady and he played seated, but he gave a very gracious thank-you speech and peeled off two solos on his legendary battered nylon-string guitar.

    Willie Nelson receives his statuette from Dave Matthews (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
    FilmMagic

    A Surprise Performance From Jimmy Page

    Link Wray, who died in 2005, was such a foundational pioneer of rock and roll guitar that most guitarists these days don’t know who he was. Yet the video that aired featured everyone from Jimmy Page and Iggy Pop to Jeff Beck and Robbie Robertson paying worshipful homage, and the audience rocked to their feet when, just after he’d appeared in the video inducting Wray, Page suddenly appeared on stage, brandishing his legendary Gibson double-neck guitar, and played a slinky, reverent version of Wray’s “Rumble,” a song you know even if you think you don’t.  

    Bernie Taupin Addresses the Elephant in the Room

    Elton John reeled off an oft-told story about his lyricist and “best friend of 65 years,” but the tale was no less fresh as he marveled at their progression between his first album and second — “How did we take that leap in such a short time?” — and noted that although they didn’t really have an argument during their peak years, “He was often disgusted with my behavior.” And yet he also noted that they recently completed an album that “is going to surprise the shit out of you.”

    During Taupin’s acceptance speech, some three hours into the show, the moment finally came: He said how honored he was to be sharing the honor with so many “articulate” (air quotes) women and Black artists — the evening’s only direct reference to Rolling Stone and Hall of Fame founder Jann Wenner’s recent tasteless comments that got him ejected from the Hall’s board.

    Robbie Robertson Gets a Generation-Spanning Tribute From Elton John, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow and Brittany Howard

    The Hall digs deep for its “In Memoriam” segment, honoring many relatively little-known bandmembers in addition to superstars. And in a year when a sobering number of great musicians died, it seemed inappropriate to honor just one — until the segment closed with a photo of the Band’s Robbie Robertson and the house band kicked into the group’s 1968 classic “The Weight.” Four generations of singers — Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton and Brittany Howard — each took a verse and then joined together for the song’s concluding fifth verse, showing in stunning fashion just how foundational the Band and that song were for all of them.

    Even in Their Absence, Rage Against the Machine Raged

    Since they first parted ways in 2000, Rage Against the Machine have never been there when you needed them. They sat out the George W. Bush years, reunited for tours during the Obama administration, and were a couple of dates into a long-overdue reunion tour last summer when singer Zack de la Rocha injured his knee and the tour was postponed indefinitely. Yet the group’s explosive influence was vividly detailed in the electrifying tribute video, in Ice-T’s introductory speech — “I think Rage has the greatest rock lyric of all time: ‘Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me’” — and guitarist Tom Morello’s acceptance speech. Always an inspired speaker, he noted that the often-feuding bandmembers have “differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted,” but paid tribute not only to them but also the “fifth member of the band” — the group’s fans — and noted that the presidents of Chile and Finland “have all spent time in our mosh pits.” 

    His speech gained momentum as he continued, “Can music change the world? The whole fucking aim is to change the world!” and finished by exhorting people to make a difference in whatever way they can, by activism or forming a band or simply following their conscience instead of orders. “It’s time to change the world, brothers and sisters,” he concluded, “or at the very least stir up a shitload of trouble.”

    As fans exited the venue after a very long night, they saw the following words grafitti’d on a boarded-up window across Flatbush Avenue: “THANK YOU RATM.”

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  • How much Taylor Swift mania can we take? Just wait — there’s still a long way to go – National | Globalnews.ca

    How much Taylor Swift mania can we take? Just wait — there’s still a long way to go – National | Globalnews.ca

    Every generation or so, a major artist enters what’s called their imperial phase, a period of their career where they can’t seem to do anything wrong. Everything aligns perfectly and it seems that the universe now revolves around that act. Right now that artist is Taylor Swift.

    This kind of mania is not entirely new. We saw similar imperial phases with The Rolling Stones (1972, 1980, 1989), Led Zeppelin (1971-75), Elton John (1971-1975), Michael Jackson (1983-1992), Madonna (1986-1992), U2 (1987-1992 and also perhaps during the 360 Tour of 2009-11), and both Backstreet Boys and NSYNC (1996-2001). Billy Joel remarked, “The only thing I can compare it to is the phenomenon of Beatlemania [in the 60s].”

    The reasons for Swift’s turn at the very top of pop culture are complex. She’s a top-flight songwriter and performer. As the defacto CEO of her empire, she’s been brilliant, carefully crafting and protecting her image, overseeing all the marketing, planning the Eras Tour, and making some savvy business decisions when it comes to issuing new music, charitable initiatives, and dropping just the right amount of benevolence at exactly the right time. Taylor has set all kinds of chart records with her albums (more Number One albums in the Billboard Top 200 than any other woman, someone who’s had four albums in the Top 10 at the same time, etc.) It’s estimated that the nightly box office on this tour is as much as US$14 million.

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    According to the New York Times, the overall economic benefits to North America will be about US$4.6 billion: tickets, merch, airfare, hotel, parking, restaurants, drinks, even nail salons for fans who want to look sharp for the show. That’s about the same economic impact as the Olympic Games had on Beijing in 2008.

    It all makes for great media coverage that encompasses everything from woman power to the spin-off economic benefits being generated by this tour (hotels for Toronto are pretty much already sold out for her visit in November 2024). Here’s a quote from Dan Eastwood of online research company QuestionPro: “If Taylor Swift were an economy, she’d be bigger than 50 countries; if she was a corporation, her Net Promoter Score would make her the fourth most admired brand, and her loyalty numbers mimic those of subjects to a royal crown.”

    So yeah, she’s big. And popular. And powerful. But let’s break this down a bit.

    The current Tay-Tay mania can be partly attributed to the lack of a centre in popular culture. The internet has fractured everything, meaning that there’s very little we all know about and agree upon — at least compared to the old days. In the absence of any true competition, an event like Taylor Swift creates a gravity well on the order of a supermassive black hole, sucking everything in and demanding more and more attention. It’s like the Barbie movie: a global cultural juggernaut but less pink.

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    And because everyone seems to be talking about Taylor, fear of missing out becomes a real thing. Even casual fans- — and even non-fans — are caught up in the confusing excitement. “What’s going on here? What am I missing? Everyone else is getting involved, so shouldn’t I?” No one wants to be left out, hence the ever-growing interest and coverage. It’s like a hurricane caught over some freakishly hot Atlantic water. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger, obliterating everything in its path.

    Which brings me to this: Have you noticed how there’s been very little negative coverage of the Eras Tour? Yes, there have been stories about convoluted Ticketmaster ticket-purchasing procedures, servers melting down, fans who were sold “obstructed view/listen only” seats, hotels and parking lots charging usurious prices (it cost US$120 to park at a surface lot for the shows in Seattle), and minor logistical hiccups, but have you seen anyone anywhere in the media criticize Tay-Tay? Why not?

    Easy. No one wants to incur the wrath of Swifties, Taylor’s formidable and intensely loyal and often combative fanbase. Only the BTS Army and Beyoncé’s BeyHive come close in strength and numbers. And woe be to those who mess with Taylor because that brings millions of Swifties to the battlefield. Even the New York Times took note of this.

    If you’re publicly identified as an Enemy of Taylor — or even someone who just doesn’t pay Swift the proper respect — prepare for a social media attack of nuclear proportions up to and including doxing and death threats. One writer critical of the Eras Tour was sent anti-gay slurs and a campaign was launched to have that person fired from their job as a reporter. And has Taylor said anything about this stan behaviour? No. Yet there’s been little note made of that in the media. With no one saying anything bad — even if it may be deserved — it’s nothing but sunshine and chocolates and dancing unicorns.

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    Swift has also been able to both dodge criticism and go on the offensive when she’s felt wronged — very successfully, too. That includes everything from the issues surrounding the master tapes of her original albums to writing songs about bad real-life boyfriends. There are at least 31 of those. Nothing is ever her fault it seems. Her fans will back her up on that, too.

    Look, the Eras Tour is definitely special, the likes of which we won’t see for a long, long time. It delivers great value for fans: three hours, over 40 songs, and a ton of high-end production.

    By the time the 146 shows wrap up late next year — five continents, all stadium gigs, by the way; no mere arenas for Taylor — the total gross is projected to be beyond US$1.4 billion, eclipsing Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. That brought in US$939 million during its 328-show run that extended from the fall of 2018 to this past summer. The average box office gross was a mere US$2.85 million. When the lights finally go out after the sixth Rogers Centre show in Toronto in November 2024, the Eras Tour will likely have been seen by more than nine million people. That’ll handily beat Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour, which played in front of 8.7 million people. But it took two years and 255 shows to accomplish that.

    Barring any illness, scandal, extinction-level asteroid strike, or mass coronal ejection that will wipe out the world’s electrical infrastructure, Taylor mania is going to be with us for at least another year. And if you’re in Toronto and you’re not going to any of the shows, I’d make plans to get out between Nov. 14 and Nov. 23, 2024. It’s going to be impossible.

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    Meanwhile, everyone will continue to want a piece of Tay-Tay. To commemorate the end of the U.S. leg of the tour, Starbucks created a 122-track playlist called “Starbucks Lovers” (note the reference to some misheard lyrics in the song Blank Space) that’s running in stores across the U.S.

    If that’s not enough, there are Swift-inspired coffee drinks that will probably push back the return of pumpkin spice latte by a few weeks. That won’t sit well with some people. They’d just better not complain because, you know, Swifties.

    &copy 2023 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

    Alan Cross

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