djfrosty

17 Apr 2025

Zak Starkey Breaks Silence on Firing From The Who: ‘Surprised and Saddened’

Zak Starkey has spoken out about his apparent firing from The Who after a nearly 30-year run, saying in a statement that he was shocked to hear that, according to reports, singer Roger Daltrey had taken issue with his playing at a recent Royal Albert Hall show in London.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“I’m very proud of my near 30 years with The Who,” Starkey said in a statement on Wednesday (April 16) according to People. “Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ [Moon] has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me.”

The veteran session and live drummer and son of former Beatles timekeeper Ringo Starr and his first wife Maureen Starkey noted that he suffered a “serious medical emergency” in January when he was treated for blood clots in his right calf. “This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.”

Trending on Billboard

In a statement to The Guardian earlier this week, a spokesperson for the group said: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”

The shows in question took place on March 18 and 20 in benefit of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that singer Roger Daltrey has long been a patron of. According to Metro, Daltrey — who recently revealed that he is losing his hearing and eyesight — appeared to get frustrated about Starkey’s playing and stopped several songs mid-performance after saying he was having trouble hearing the band over Starkey’s drums.

During the band’s first-ever run through the show-ending Who’s Next track “The Song Is Over,” Daltrey reportedly told the audience, “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”

In his statement, Starkey expressed shock that “anyone” would find fault with his playing that night. “After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?” Starkey said in seeming reference to the Metro report. “I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. 29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”

Starkey, who first began playing with the Who in 1996 when they got back together for a reunion tour on which they played their 1973 double album Quadrophenia in its entirety, seemed to predict his sacking in an Instagram post on Saturday, in which he said he thought Daltrey, 81, was “unhappy” with him.

“HEARD TODAY FROM INSIDE SOURCE WITHIN WHOSE HORSES NOSE THAT TOGER DAKTREY LEAD SINGER AND PRINCIPAL SONGWRITER OF THE GROUP UNHAPPY WITH ZAK THE DRUMMER’S PERFORMANCE AT THE ALBERT HALL A FEW WEEKS AGO,” he wrote alongside a pic of him sitting next to a smiling Daltrey. “IS BRINGING FORMAL CHARGES OF OVERPLAYING AND IS LITERALLY GOING TO ZAK THE DRUMMER AND BRING ON A RESERVE FROM ‘THE BURWASH CARWASH SKIFFLE ‘N’ TICKLE GLEE CLUB HARMONY WITHOUT EMPATHY ALLSTARS’ THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY WHOSE LONG TIME MANAGER WILLYA YOUWONTYOUKNOW.”

Starkey got his start behind the kit when the Who’s original drummer and close family friend, Keith Moon, gave him a drum set for his eighth birthday. In addition to his longtime gig with the band, he has also played with Oasis, Johnny Marr, Paul Weller and Graham Coxon and also performs with the new supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, which features Happy Mondays/Black Grape members Shaun Ryder and Bez and Andy Bell of Oasis and Ride.

17 Apr 2025

Brad Paisley to Headline NFL Draft Concert Series

Brad Paisley is set to headline the NFL Draft Concert Series presented by Bud Light on April 26, closing out three days of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Paisley will perform at the Draft Theater near Lambeau Field, offering a free concert to conclude Round 7 of the NFL Draft.

“There’s nothing like football to bring people together, and the NFL Draft is where it all begins,”
Paisley said in a statement. “As a lifelong fan, I can’t wait to help close out an unforgettable weekend—with a little music and one heck of a party.”

The 2025 NFL Draft will air live April 24-26, with coverage on the NFL Network, NFL+, the NFL Channel, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Desportes. The concert series will also feature a drone show on April 25, following rounds 2-3 of the draft, featuring a display of over 500 drones flying in choreographed formations above Lambeau Field, to honor the history of the draft and the legacy of the Packers football field.

Trending on Billboard

Other performers who have helped bring music to the NFL Draft in past years include Kings of Leon, Marshmello, Ice Cube and Fall Out Boy.

“We’re excited to welcome one of country music’s biggest stars to the Draft,” Tim Tubito, NFL senior
director of global event presentation & entertainment, said in a statement. “Brad understands how football brings people together. His performance is our way of saying thank you to the fans, the prospects, and the city of Green Bay—and the perfect way to close out an unforgettable weekend.”

Beyond headlining a show for the NFL Draft, Paisley will launch his headlining Truck Still Works World Tour on May 21.

17 Apr 2025

Lil Nas X Gives Update After Face Paralysis Hospitalization: ‘I Can Give a Genuine Smile, So That’s Good!’

Lil Nas X says he is on the mend after being hospitalized earlier this week with partial facial paralysis. Sparking fan concern with video from his hospital bed in which the right side of his face appeared to be frozen, the “Hotbox” MC provided an update on Tuesday (April 15) via an Instagram Story in which he said “I’ve been chewing a lot so I can get this muscle stronger,” pointing to the right side of his mug while wearing a pink shower cap.

“It’s much better, it’s much better,” he assured viewers, adding, “my eye still has to play catch-up. But like, but like I can give a genuine smile, so that’s good. I’m still winkin’ at mothaf–kers, but…. yeah.” To date, Lil Nas has not provided any additional information on what caused the condition or what his prognosis is for a full recovery.

Trending on Billboard

And while the medical issue appeared to throw him off his game a bit, in the next slide he posted a snap of a palm tree and the moon shining on the surf at night, with the caption: “Can’t s–t ruin dreamboy summer. ITS TIMEEE” to the strains of his recent Pharrell-esque pop funk jam “Hotbox.”

The original video detailing the facial freeze found Lil Nas, 26, in his hospital gown laughing at the medical issue, saying “And when I smile? This is me doing a full smile right now by the way,” pointing out that the left side of his mouth was open as the right side sat immobile. “It’s like, what the f–k? I can’t even laugh right, bro. What the f–k?”

That video was captioned, “Soooo lost control of the right side of my face ?,” with the MC displaying a chipper attitude about the unexpected health issue. In a follow-up Story he provided a close-up video of his face, panning from one side to the other and explaining, “We normal over here, we get crazy over here!,” with the caption, “I’m so cooked [two crying laughing emoji].” In another slide he assured fans, “Guys I am OK!! Stop being sad for me! Shake ur ass for me instead!,” with the final slide offering yet another assurance that things are going to be fine and a photo of the rapper promising, “Imma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.”

No additional information was available at press time about what caused the paralysis and a spokesperson for Lil Nas had not returned a request for comment.

Fans are awaiting word on a release date for Lil Nas’ Dreamboy LP, the follow-up to his 2021 debut full-length album Montero. Last month he released the 8-track Days Before Dreamboy EP that pulled together his recent run of singles.

17 Apr 2025

Haim Announce Two Intimate Los Angeles Shows ‘Next Week’

Haim are coming home. The Los Angeles sister trio announced two surprise hometown shows happening next week on April 23 and 24 — their first live performances in nearly two years.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“This is for everyone who’s been there since day one.. we love you guys. take me back. los angeles see you next week,” the band wrote in the caption. Fans can RSVP for access to the shows at The Bellwether by submitting their phone number via a link shared on the band’s official Instagram.

The pop-rock group — made up of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim — are in full momentum mode this year. After a relatively quiet stretch following the success of their critically acclaimed 2020 album Women in Music Pt. III, Haim have recently re-emerged with two new singles and a growing list of major festival appearances locked in for 2025. That includes New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Japan’s Fuji Rock, and both Barcelona and Porto editions of Primavera Sound.

Trending on Billboard

It comes following a recent tease via TikTok, where the group hinted it was time “to play some Haim shows”. Earlier this month, the trio previewed another song from their upcoming fourth album in a clip that showed the siblings a stoop as lead singer Danielle lip synchs along over the marching drum-like beat.

While the group only provided a 12-second preview of the song, the lyrics are in keeping with the theme of the untitled album’s first single, “Relationships,” which delved into the hot-cold nature of affairs of the heart.

The band’s previous record debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and earned them two Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

Haim’s most recent tour wrapped in 2023, and they’ve since kept a relatively low profile — aside from individual projects and appearances, including Alana Haim’s continued breakout in film and Danielle Haim’s production work.

Fans interested in attending can sign up via the RSVP link in Haim’s Instagram bio.

16 Apr 2025

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg’s Cause of Death Revealed

Almost two months on from the death of actress Michelle Trachtenberg, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has revealed the cause of her passing.

According to People, a spokesperson from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on Wednesday (April 16) that the actress’s passing was ruled as natural, resulting from complications of diabetes mellitus.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“The amended determination was made following review of toxicology testing results,” the spokesperson said, noting that a “toxicology testing can be done without autopsy.”

Trending on Billboard

Trachtenberg died on Feb. 26 at the age of 39, with New York City emergency services responding to an emergency call where they discovered the actress “unconscious and unresponsive.”

Though her death was not treated as suspicious, Trachtenberg’s family declined an autopsy on grounds related to their Jewish faith, with her death therefore expected to be officially ruled as “undetermined.” However, the review of the toxicology results has ultimately provided a form of closure for those close to the actress.

A New York native, Trachtenberg began acting as a child, receiving her breakthrough role by starring in the film Harriet the Spy in 1996, released when she was just 10. By then, she had also made multiple appearances on ABC’s All My Children — working with Sarah Michelle Gellar. That connection led to Trachtenberg joining Gellar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 through its 2003 finale.

In 2001, the series’ sixth season featured one of its most innovative and revered episodes, the musical Once More, with Feeling. While most of the show’s stars had their singing talents showcased prominently, Trachtenberg – a trained ballet dancer – requested her dancing skills be the main focus for her appearance. Her vocal talents weren’t entirely absent, however, opening the episode’s coda, “Where Do We Go From Here?,” singing the opening title line a cappella.

The 23-song Once More, with Feeling soundtrack was subsequently released (on Mutant Enemy/Twentieth Century Fox/Rounder Records). Mirroring the show’s trademark witty dialog (one lyric features singing-averse Alyson Hannigan admitting, “I think this line’s mostly filler”), the set slayed Billboard’s charts, most notably debuting at its No. 3 best on the Soundtracks chart — a year after the episode aired. It also hit the Billboard 200 and Independent Albums charts.

To date, the album has drawn more than 23 million streams in the U.S., according to Luminate.

Trachtenberg’s presence in the world of music also extended beyond the world of Buffy, with the actress also appearing in music videos for acts such as Trapt and Ringside, and Fall Out Boy’s “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100.

16 Apr 2025

Daryl Hannah Claims Neil Young’s Citizenship Process Was Hindered by ‘Every Trick in the Book’

Actress Daryl Hannah has spoken about the issues faced by husband Neil Young in his journey to becoming an American citizen, claiming “every trick in the book” was used to delay the process.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Hannah, who has been married to Young since 2018, made the claims in a new interview with the BBC, alleging that the process was delayed purposefully. “They tried […] every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed,” Hannah explained. “It’s ridiculous [because] he’s been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s.”

Indeed, Young was born in Toronto in 1945 but relocated to the U.S. in 1966. In a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, Young admitted that he had lived in the country illegally until he obtained a green card in 1970.

Trending on Billboard

In November 2019, Young discussed some of the delays his citizenship application had faced, noting that a policy update from earlier that same year meant that his previous use of marijuana had not seen him meet the standard for “good moral character.”

“When I recently applied for American citizenship, I passed the test,” Young wrote at the time. “It was a conversation where I was asked many questions. I answered them truthfully and passed. Recently however, I have been told that I must do another test, due to my use of marijuana and how some people who smoke it have exhibited a problem.”

Ultimately, Young was granted U.S. citizenship in January 2020, though he would later relocate to Canada that same year.

Recently, Young’s criticism of the U.S. government has seen him share fears that he may be blacklisted from a return to the U.S. based upon the “latest actions of our US government.” 

 “When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,” Young wrote on his website on April 1. “If I come back from Europe and am barred, can’t play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me.”

“If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom?” he added. “I love America and its people and its music and its culture.”

Despite these comments, Hannah noted that she doesn’t share the same fear that Young might be detained at the border, largely due to his status as a U.S. citizen. 

“They’ve been detaining people who have green cards or visas – which is hideous and horrifying – but they have not, so far, been refusing to let American citizens back in the country, so I don’t think that’s going to happen,” she stated.

16 Apr 2025

Tracy Chapman’s Debut Album Hits Top 10 on Billboard’s Album Sales Chart After Vinyl Reissue

Tracy Chapman’s 1988 self-titled debut album comes charging back onto Billboard’s album charts (dated April 19), following its vinyl reissue on April 4. The Billboard 200 chart-topper and Grammy Award-winning effort had been out-of-print on vinyl in the United States since at least the early 1990s.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

In the week ending April 10 in the U.S., Tracy Chapman sold 14,000 copies across all configurations, with about 13,500 on vinyl.

On the Top Album Sales chart, which launched in 1991, the set reenters at a new peak of No. 4. It also debuts on Vinyl Albums (No. 2) and Indie Store Album Sales (No. 3); and reenters Americana/Folk Albums (No. 4), Top Rock Albums (No. 10), Top Rock & Alternative Albums (No. 11, new peak), Catalog Albums (No. 12) and the Billboard 200 (No. 51). On the latter chart, the set – which spent a week atop the list in 1988 – reaches its highest position since 1989.

Trending on Billboard

Tracy Chapman yielded three Billboard Hot 100-charting songs in 1988: the Grammy-winning “Fast Car” (No. 6), “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” (No. 75) and “Baby Can I Hold You” (No. 48).

The new vinyl reissue was prepared for release by Chapman and the album’s original producer, David Kershenbaum and sourced from an analogue master. It was released as a widely-available 180 gram black vinyl edition, along with three retailer-exclusive color variants (opaque deep red for Walmart, transparent orange for indie stores, and opaque orange for Urban Outfitters).

Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units.

Chapman’s album is one of seven debuts or reentries in the top 10 on the latest Top Album Sales chart, which is led by the debuting Preacher’s Daughter from Ethel Cain at No. 1. It’s her first No. 1 and chart entry. The 2022 album was released on vinyl for the first time on April 4, and in total, the set sold 37,000 copies for the week – nearly all from vinyl purchases.

Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s Who Believes in Angels? enters at No. 2 with 36,500 sold; ZEROBASEONE’s Blue Paradise starts at No. 3 with nearly 20,500 and Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine rounds out the top five, falling 1-5 with 10,500 (down 83%).

Black Country, New Road’s Forever Howlong debuts at No. 6 (nearly 9,000), Djo’s The Crux starts at No. 7 (8,000), xikers’ House of Tricky: Spur bows at No. 8 (nearly 8,000), Sabrina Carpenter’s former leader Short n’ Sweet slips 6-9 (a little over 7,500; down 16%) and Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping GNX falls 5-10 (about 7,500; down 19%).

16 Apr 2025

Josh Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation Donates $1.25 Million Toward Arts Education Programs

The Find Your Light Foundation (FYLF), founded by Josh Groban, announced that in its most recent grant cycle it awarded more than $1.25 million to 189 nonprofit organizations in 33 states which will provide arts education to more than 300,000 K-12 youth.

In addition to its regular grant-making, FYLF also made special grants to The Last Repair Shop Fund and the Music Rising National Disaster Relief Fund to support their efforts to restore music programs and support music students and their teachers who were impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

The full list of grantees includes organizations working with youth in theater, dance, music, visual art, and literacy. Grants are selected through a competitive review process. Funding comes from foundation supporters.

Trending on Billboard

Groban, 44, established FYLF in 2011. Its goal is to help enrich the lives of young people through arts, education and cultural awareness.

“These grantees reflect the incredible work being done by teaching artists and educators everywhere to inspire students to explore their creative talents and dreams – especially in neighborhoods and cities where arts funding doesn’t always reach those students with the greatest need,” Groban said in a statement. “I owe my career to incredible teachers who unlocked the door to arts and creativity for me and I’m proud to pay that forward through the work of the board and team at this special foundation.”

FYLF Foundation executive director Jeffrey Dollinger added: “This year’s pool of grant recipients [was] selected from the largest number of applications for support that we’ve ever received.”

The Find Your Light Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that each child has the opportunity to experience a quality arts education. It does this through direct support of arts programs combined with education, advocacy, and outreach. For more information on the foundation and its work, visit www.fylf.org.

In addition to his philanthropic work, Groban is also a celebrated performer, with five Grammy nominations, two Tony nods and two Primetime Emmy nods.

16 Apr 2025

MusiCares’ Third Annual ‘The Day That Music Cares’ Initiative Set for April 25

On April 25, MusiCares will host The Day That Music Cares, an annual worldwide day of service. Now in its third year, the initiative invites everyone in the music community — both people who work in music and music fans — to give back in ways that feel meaningful to them. Last year, more than 2,500 people participated, according to MusiCares, which says the day “is about showing up for your local community and reconnecting through acts of service.”    

This initiative was first inspired by the 2023 advisory from then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, which named loneliness and isolation a public health crisis.

MusiCares has created a site which provides more information, including a sign-up form, suggestions for service (including virtual service opportunities, such as writing letters to seniors), and even a sample draft of a “time-off request” to send to your boss seeking to take the day off for a day of service.

Trending on Billboard

The site also has some FAQ that shed light on the initiative. Some highlights:

What if I can’t volunteer on April 25, but I can the next day or another time that week?

That works! While April 25 is The Day That Music Cares, participating on a different day during that week still counts and every act of service makes a difference.

Do I have to do something music-related?

No, on The Day That Music Cares, you are encouraged to volunteer for any cause that is close to your heart.

What if I can’t find a volunteer opportunity that takes place in my area on the website?

You don’t have to choose a volunteer activity from the website to take part in The Day That Music Cares — any act of service counts!

16 Apr 2025

Gypsy Rose Blanchard ‘So Close to Being Perfect’ on Cardi B’s ‘Toot It Up’ TikTok Dance — Until the End

Who knew Gypsy Rose Blanchard was a Cardi B fan?

The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard subject took to TikTok this week to share a “Toot It Up” dance video — set to Pardison Fontaine and Cardi’s February single “Toot It Up” — admirably tackling the viral choreography, including dribbling an invisible basketball between her legs to Cardi’s lyric “If you a ball player, I’m tryna recruit that a–.” It was all going pretty well until the end, when Blanchard dropped it low into a squat… and promptly tumbled backward offscreen.

“It was so close to being perfect. My quirkiness never fails me,” she wrote in the TikTok caption alongside a laugh-crying emoji.

In 2015, Gypsy Rose was arrested alongside her then-boyfriend and subsequently convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Gypsy Rose’s life story — about the physical, mental and medical abuse she endured at the hands of her mom — was turned into an eight-episode Hulu series in 2019 called The Act, with Joey King earning an Emmy nomination for playing Gypsy Rose and Patricia Arquette winning an Emmy for portraying Dee Dee.

Trending on Billboard

Gypsy Rose served eight years of her 10-year prison sentence before her December 2023 release. Last year, Lifetime aired two separate Gypsy Rose shows: the documentary series The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the post-prison reality series Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up. Season 2 of Life After Lock Up premiered last month.

One commenter on Gypsy Rose’s “Toot It Up” dance wrote, “I’m telling my kids this was JLO,” to which Blanchard replied: “Best compliment of my life.”

Watch Gypsy Rose accept the “Toot It Up” dance challenge on TikTok or below: