The surviving members of Nirvana — drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Novoselic and touring guitarist Pat Smear — reunited during Thursday’s FireAid benefit concert raising money for Los Angeles fire relief efforts.
The surprise set, which had not been announced ahead of time, featured performances of the songs “Breed,” “School,” “Territorial Pissings” and “All Apologies.” Each was fronted by a different guest vocalist in place of the late Kurt Cobain: St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s daughter, Violet, respectively.
Grohl, Novoselic and Smear have reunited several times over the years since Cobain’s death in 1994, most notably when Nirvana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. That set also featured vocals by St. Vincent, Gordon and Jett, as well as Lorde.
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, Paul McCartney, who headlined the halftime show in 2005,has shared his thoughts on what he calls American football, and it turns out he’s a fan.
In a new Q&A on his website, the rocker was asked how he first got into watching the sport, and it seems his wife Linda is responsible.
“Well, being married to Linda meant I was in America quite a bit. We spent a lot of time there with her family and American Football was always on the television,” he explains. “I would watch it with everyone but not really know what was going on!”
McCartney says he didn’t understand the game until Linda clued him in to keep his eye on the quarterback, telling him, “All the action comes from him.”
“So, once I had that clue, I found it much easier to follow,” he says.
“I watched a lot of it and grew to really like it, because it’s quite a complicated and strategic game – and obviously very athletic,” Sir Paul says, joking, “In Britain we used to laugh at it, saying, ‘They wear all those pads and protective gear. We don’t, we’ve got rugby, a proper sport!'”
“But I got over all that, and found I really liked it,” he adds. “So yeah, I’m a big fan of football, American-style.”
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The Rolling Stones have paid tribute to singer Marianne Faithfull, who passed away Thursday at the age of 78.
Frontman Mick Jagger, who was in a romantic relationship with Faithfull from 1966 to 1970, shared several photos of the singer/actress on Instagram, including a couple of shots of them while they were together.
“I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was so much part of my life for so long,” Mick wrote. “She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”
Keith Richards shared a photo of him and Faithfull toasting with a champagne glass and teacup, writing, “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I am so sad and will miss her!!” Ronnie Woodsalso shared a photo of them together, with the caption, “Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her xx”
Faithfull’s first U.S. hit was “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Jagger, Richards and Stones manager AndrewLoog Oldham, who actually discovered Faithfull at a party in 1964. The tune later became a top 10 hit for the Stones. Faithfull, often considered one of Jagger’s muses, claimed to have inspired such Stones songs as “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Wild Horses.”
Also paying tribute to Faithfull is Metallica, who thanked her for her contribution to their song, “The Memory Remains,” from their 1997 album Reload.
“Thank you, Marianne…For the good times For your kindness For the great stories For your fearlessness,” they wrote on Facebook. They also thanked her for her “incredible and unique contribution to our music, and for always being so willing to join us in performing it…and partake in the ensuing shenanigans! Rest in Peace.”
The 50th anniversary of NBC’s Saturday NightLive is being celebrated with a all-star concert in New York City.
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, will take place Feb. 14 at Radio City Music Hall, with the announcement noting it “will bring together legendary Saturday NightLive hall-of-famers and surprise special guests.”
Artists confirmed for the concert include Bonnie Raitt, Talking Heads’ David Byrne, The B-52s, and DEVO, along with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile, Backstreet Boys, Brittany Howard, Bad Bunny,Arcade Fire,Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn and The Roots, with more performers expected to be announced.
And folks will be able to enjoy the concert at home. It will stream live on Peacock, starting at 8 p.m. It will also screen in select IMAX theaters at Regal Cinemas in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and Florida.
Singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen will be the subject of a new auction, happening in February.
Julien’s’ Auctions will host Celebrating Leonard Cohen: The Collections of Aviva Layton, Anjani Thomas & More, featuring over 150 items belonging to the “Hallelujah” singer/songwriter. It’s described as “the largest group of privately held collections of the legendary poet, singer and songwriter’s archival material and personal effects ever to come to auction.”
Items on the auction block include never before seen manuscripts, unpublished poetry, vintage photographs, and letters, as well as personal effects, including Cohen’s black “magic writing” Greek fisherman cap, a green Apica notebook, dated January 21, 2007, with handwritten notes, poems, and lyric drafts, the key to his house in Hydra Greece, religious mementos and more.
There’s even locket that features a lock of Cohen’s actual hair inside. It’s estimated to sell for between $400 and $600.
The auction will take place Feb. 28 online and at Julien’s Studios in Los Angeles. Information about the auction and registration can be found at juliensauctions.com.
British actress and singer Marianne Faithfull, known for her association with The Rolling Stones, passed away Thursday at the age of 78, her rep confirmed to ABC Audio.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” read the statement. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”
Faithfull was discovered by Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham at a party in 1964, and she had her first U.S. hit with “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Loog Oldham, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards that was later a top 10 hit for the Stones. Faithfull released her self-titled debut album in 1965, which was a commercial success, peaking at #12 in the U.S.
Faithfull and Jagger were in a romantic relationship from 1966 to 1970, and she has often been considered one of Jagger’s muses. She reportedly inspired “Sympathy for the Devil” and she also claimed to have inspired “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Wild Horses.”
During the ’60s and ’70s, Faithfull battled substance abuse issues that, along with a severe case of laryngitis, changed her voice, giving it a permanently raspy sound. After years away from recording, she had a comeback in 1979 with the release of her seventh studio album, Broken English. The critically acclaimed album earned Faithfull a Grammy for best female rock vocal performance.
She released her most recent album, She Walks In Beauty, in 2021, which she began recording following a serious battle with COVID-19.
Faithfull also had a longstanding acting career, appearing in movies, TV and on stage. Her resume includes such films as 1968’s The Girl on a Motorcycle and 1969’s Hamlet. She infamously played God in two episodes of the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, and she recently lent her distinctive voice to a character in the 2021 film Dune.
The Who has added some more shows to their 2025 schedule.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are set to headline two concerts in Italy this summer: July 20 in Padua and July 22 in Milan.
With the new additions, The Who now have four shows on the books. They previously announced they’ll headline two Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, March 27 and March 30.
Tickets for the Italy shows go on sale Wednesday at 12 p.m.
So far The Who hasn’t announced any plans to tour the U.S. this year.
In addition to the four Who shows, frontman Roger Daltrey is set to kick off a U.K. solo tour on April 20 in Brighton, England. The Alive and Kicking…And Having Fun tour promises “Who hits, rarities, solo hits and stories.”
And he just added a new show to the trek, happening Aug. 1 on the grounds of Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex.
Patti Smith is setting the record straight about her health after she reportedly collapsed onstage during a show in Brazil.
Reports on social media claimed that during her concert in São Paulo with the Soundwalk Collective,Patti fell backward, was unconscious and was taken out in a wheelchair. Video shows her later returning to the stage in a wheelchair to perform.
But Patti says in a post on social media that the reports of the incident are being overblown.
“This is letting everyone know that I am fine. A grossly exaggerated account is being spread by the press and social media,” the 78-year-old writes on Instagram. “I had some post migraine dizziness. Had a small incident, left the stage, and returned 10 minutes later and talked to the people, told them I was fine and sang them Wing and Because the night.”
She adds, “I was checked out by an excellent Doctor and was absolutely fine. Please do not accept any other story. With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention. Thank you everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine.”
Smith is supposed to perform in São Paulo again on Thursday.
Roger Waters is revisiting his updated take on Pink Floyd’s classic album The Dark Side of the Moon.
The rocker just announced he’s releasing a super deluxe edition of 2023’s The Dark Side of the Moon Redux on March 14, featuring the album on gold vinyl, CD and Blu-ray, with Dolby Atmos audio. The set will also include a live version of the album, recorded at his two shows at the London Palladium on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, 2023.
Also in the set is Waters’ track-by-track video commentary, along with 4-by-10-inch vinyl singles for “Money,” “Time,” “Speak To Me/Breathe” and “Us and Them.” Plus, there will be a 40-page commemorative book and select orders made through Waters’ official store will include a print signed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.
“All that is gone, all that’s to come? Looking back or looking forward, Dark Side of the Moon offers you choice,” says Waters. “The choice is yours. Darkness or the Light.”
Waters released The Dark Side of the Moon Redux in October 2023 to coincide with the original album’s 50th anniversary. It features reworkings of all the tracks on the original album.
The Beatles gave their final public performance on Apple Records’ rooftop in London. The band, who was joined by guest keyboardist Billy Preston, did nine takes of five songs — “Get Back,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” “I’ve Got A Feeling,” “One After 909” and “Dig A Pony.” The police pulled the plug after 42 minutes.
The concert took place while The Beatles were recording what would become their album Let It Be. It was released May 8, 1970, almost a month after the band’s breakup.
Footage from the concert was used in the 1970 documentary Let It Be. A remastered version of the doc debuted on Disney+ in 2024.
In 2021, the entire rooftop performance was featured in the eight-hour Disney+ docuseries The Beatles: Get Back, directed by Peter Jackson. The full rooftop concert was then released to streaming services as a standalone album, Get Back – The Rooftop Performance, in January 2022.
The Beatles: Get Back went on to win five Emmys, including best limited documentary series.
