Harris Dickinson on possibly playing John Lennon: ‘It would be splendid’

Harris Dickinson on possibly playing John Lennon: ‘It would be splendid’
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Babygirl star Harris Dickinson is once again talking about the possibility of playing John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ upcoming biopics on The Beatles, although it sounds like he really doesn’t want to.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dickinson reportedly groaned when he thought the interviewer was about to ask about the Lennon role and said, “Don’t ask me about that,” although the journalist writes that he was actually going to ask Dickinson if he was going to be on the YouTube series Hot Ones.

But during a follow-up interview, Dickinson did eventually offer up a few words on the possibility of playing Lennon, although he still didn’t confirm or deny he has the role.

“Okay, my comment is that I think it would be a brilliant opportunity to play John Lennon, and to work with Sam and everyone else mentioned,” he said. “Yeah, I don’t know. It would be splendid.”

Dickinson previously commented about playing Lennon back in December, telling Variety, “It would be amazing to do that. I think the idea of Sam teaming up to do something like that would be incredibly exciting. Obviously, John Lennon is a very complex role, a pretty formidable force to try to do. It would be cool.”

Mendes’ Beatles project was announced back in February, with the director revealing he planned to make four separate films, one for each member of the group — Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.

Previous reports have claimed that Paul Mescal will be playing McCartney, Barry Keoghan has been cast as Ringo and Joseph Quinn will be playing Harrison, although so far there’s been no official word on casting.

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FireAid concerts: Who said yes first, who got turned down and why ‘surprise moments’ are planned

FireAid concerts: Who said yes first, who got turned down and why ‘surprise moments’ are planned
Live Nation/AEG Presents/Azoff Company/LA Clippers

The star-studded FireAid concerts, taking place Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, will feature 27 artists, including Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. But there were so many others who wanted in that you can expect some unannounced performances.

Famed music manager Irving Azoff, who’s one of the producers of the event, tells Billboard the show is already running 5 1/2 hours. “After it was already on sale and [artists] are all set, then other [artists] called,” he explains.

“[We said], ‘It’s too late to add you to the bill and we don’t have a slot, but how would you like to go do XYZ with such and such an artist?'” he adds. “I think there’s a good half dozen really surprise moments.”

Azoff tells The Wall Street Journal the concert was announced 48 hours after he came up with the idea. His first call was to the Eagles, who weren’t available, but who kicked in a $2.5 million donation. The first artist who officially confirmed was Stewart, who said he’d charter a plane for himself and his band.

Nicks was next to confirm and plans to perform a song “with relevant lyrics that she’d never recorded or released before,” according to the Wall Street Journal.

But Azoff told the Journal he turned one superstar down because he wanted artists who had an LA connection. “My friend and client Jon Bon Jovi said, ‘I’m on the next plane.’ And I said, ‘Jon, stay in New Jersey. There’ll be a tragedy there, and we’ll come there,’” he joked.

You can watch FireAid on multiple platforms, including Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, and TikTok and YouTube.

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John Fogerty, Smokey Robinson, among this year’s American Music Honors recipients

John Fogerty, Smokey Robinson, among this year’s American Music Honors recipients
Steve Jennings/Getty Images

John Fogerty and Smokey Robinson will be honored at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music’s third annual American Music Honors.

This year’s other honorees include Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Emmylou Harris and Joe Ely, with Springsteen and E Street Band members Steven Van Zandt, Patti Scialfa and Nils Lofgren confirmed as presenters.

The awards are handed out each year to artists “who have demonstrated artistic excellence, creative integrity, and a longstanding commitment to the value of music in our national consciousness.”

The third annual American Music Honors will take place April 26 at the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, the home of the Bruce Springsteen Archives.

Van Zandt’s band Disciples of Soul will act as house band for the night, with Brian Williams hosting the evening.

The American Music Honors launched in 2023, with Van Zandt, Darlene LoveSam & Dave‘s Sam Moore and Steve Earle honored. Last year’s honorees included John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Dion DiMucci and Mavis Staples.

The event is open to the public, with tickets going on sale March 25.

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Five bestselling Fleetwood Mac albums coming in new box set, ‘1975-1987’

Five bestselling Fleetwood Mac albums coming in new box set, ‘1975-1987’
Rhino

From 1975 to 1987, Fleetwood Mac was one of the biggest bands in the world, and now the albums the group released during that time period have been collected in a new box set.

Coming March 28, Fleetwood Mac 1975-1987 will be available as six LPs on crystal-clear vinyl or five CDs. The box set includes the band’s self-titled 1975 release, 1977’s world-beating Rumours, 1979’s Tusk, 1982’s Mirage and 1987’s Tango In the Night. An exclusive, limited-edition version available only via Rhino.com adds a 12-inch crystal-clear vinyl single of “Silver Springs” and “Go Your Own Way.” You can preorder the box now.

1975’s Fleetwood Mac album introduced new members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, and gave us the hits “Rihannon,” “Say You Love Me” and “Landslide.” Rumours, of course, is one of the bestselling albums of all time, with classics like “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams.” Its follow-up, the more experimental double album Tusk, included the hits “Sara” and the title track.

1982’s Mirage features “Gypsy” and “Hold Me,” while 1987’s Tango In the Night became the second-biggest Fleetwood Mac album ever, after Rumours, thanks to “Everywhere,” “Big Love” and “Little Lies.”

After Tango In the Night, there were multiple lineup changes, but Fleetwood Mac continued to release albums on and off through 2003’s Say You Will, their final studio LP.

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On This Day, Jan. 29, 2010: Neil Young is honored as MusiCares Person of the Year

On This Day, Jan. 29, 2010: Neil Young is honored as MusiCares Person of the Year

On This Day, Jan. 29, 2010…

Neil Young was honored by the Recording Academy as the MusiCares Person of the Year, at the organization’s 20th anniversary gala.

Young was celebrated at the gala for his philanthropic work, with a star-studded lineup performing Young tunes. Artists who performed that evening included Crosby, Stills & Nash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Leon Russell, Ben Harper and John Fogerty.

Proceeds from the gala benefited MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charity arm, which provides critical health and welfare services to the music community.

The 2025 MusiCares Person of the Year is the Grateful Dead and they’ll be celebrated at a gala happening Jan. 31 in Los Angeles.

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Ringo Starr talks reuniting with Paul McCartney and more on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Ringo Starr talks reuniting with Paul McCartney and more on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Disney/Randy Holmes

Ringo Starr made a surprise appearance at Paul McCartney’s concert at London’s O2 Arena in December, where they played “Helter Skelter” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise).” And while it was a surprise for the audience, the reunion wasn’t exactly a spur of the moment thing.

“It was so surprising he asked me a month ago,” Ringo joked during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday, before noting, “It’s always still great to play with him.”

“And you know what’s also great, the audience love it,” Ringo added. “They just love to see the two of us together. They still love it.”

Kimmel also asked Ringo to clear up some of the stories that have circulated about him over the years, and some of the answers were surprising.

The rocker confirmed that he’s never eaten pizza or curry, noting, “I’m allergic to several items, and pizza, you don’t know what they’re putting in it half the time or the curry.” 

Ringo also shared that he learned how to knit when he was in the hospital at age 13, but added that during that time a lady came in one day and gave him a drum, explaining, “from that, I only ever wanted to be a drummer.”

As for the other rumors, Ringo wouldn’t confirm he owns and operates a yellow submarine, admitted he was once in a gang and confirmed that the first time he ever smoked weed was with Bob Dylan, sharing that he “loved” the experience.

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Portraits of Debbie Harry, David Bowie raising money for California fire relief efforts

Portraits of Debbie Harry, David Bowie raising money for California fire relief efforts
PA Images via Getty Images

Photos of Debbie Harry, David Bowie and Grace Jones are currently up for auction, with the money raised going to help musicians affected by the California wildfires.

The portraits, all shot by photographer Greg Gorman, are part of an auction put on by Giorgio’s Discotheque in Los Angeles, with proceeds from the sale benefiting MusiCares’ fire relief efforts.

The Harry photo is a framed black-and-white portrait of the Blondie frontwoman in sunglasses from 1994. The starting price for the photo is $3,500, although the listing says it has a retail value of $12,500.

The Bowie shot, from 1984, features the rocker with a guitar and has a retail value of $22,500, while Jones is also wearing sunglasses in her photo, which is from 1987. It has a retail value of $12,500.

The auction is set to run until Friday at 1 a.m. PT. More info can be found at givebutter.com.

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Billie Joe Armstrong’s The Coverups playing LA fire relief concert

Billie Joe Armstrong’s The Coverups playing LA fire relief concert
ABC/Rick Rowell

Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong is playing a Los Angeles fire relief concert with his side project The Coverups.

The show takes place Friday at LA’s Troubadour venue. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT.

Proceeds will benefit the Altadena Girls and Altadena Boys organizations.

The day before the Troubadour concert, Armstrong is performing with Green Day at the giant FireAid benefit, taking place Thursday across two venues: the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. That lineup also includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Dave Matthews and The Black Crowes.

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Black Sabbath members to receive Freedom of Birmingham honor

Black Sabbath members to receive Freedom of Birmingham honor
Disney/Eric McCandless

The members of Black Sabbath are being honored by their home city of Birmingham.

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a recommendation that Sabbath founding members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward be given the Freedom of Birmingham honor.

The City Freeman title is being given to the band “in deep appreciation and recognition of their unique and distinguished contribution to the field of music and their service to the city.”

“I’m honored and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation,” Ozzy shared when it was first announced they were in consideration for the honor. “I started with nothing but a dream, which I shared with Tony, Geezer and Bill. We never gave up on that dream … Birmingham Forever!”

“I’m over the moon! What a great honor to be a City Freeman,” Iommi added. “I’m aware that very few are given out. It ties us to the rich history of our hometown Birmingham, and that’s fantastic. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition.”

Butler shared that it’s a “great honor to be awarded a City Freeman by my hometown, the great City of Birmingham,” while Ward added, “Thank you, Lord Mayor and Birmingham City Council. For our legendary fans, a solemn bow. Long live Black Sabbath.”

There’s no word on when Black Sabbath will receive their commendation, but it is expected to happen within the next 12 months.

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Def Leppard shares behind-the-tour video from first show of 2025

Def Leppard shares behind-the-tour video from first show of 2025
Don Arnold/WireImage

Def Leppard is giving fans a backstage look at their recent concert at Feria Estatal De León in León, Mexico.

The band shared their first behind-the-tour video of 2025, highlighting the Jan. 18 concert, which they played without guitarist Vivian Campbell, who’s recovering from a bone marrow transplant to treat his cancer.

“Vivian is recuperating from cancer surgery,” frontman Joe Elliott says in the clip. “He’s doing very well but he’s in a bubble. He’s not allowed to travel.”

Phil Collen‘s guitar tech John Zocco filled in for Viv, with Elliott calling him a “phenomenal player.” He adds, “We have every confidence that it will go swimmingly until our boy Vivian is back on the stage with us.”

Rick Savage adds, “Viv we miss you, we love you and we wish you could be with us.”

In footage from the concert, Elliott tells the audience that they’re celebrating the 45th anniversary of their debut album, On Through The Night. The band follows that by performing one of the singles from the album, “Wasted.”

Elliott later shares that the León concert actually took place 45 years to the day that Def Leppard kicked off their On Through The Night tour, which was their first-ever headlining tour.

Def Leppard has several more dates on the books for 2025, with shows confirmed through August. Their next show is happening May 15 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A complete list of dates can be found at defleppard.com.

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