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26 Oct 2023

The Beatles’ Final Song ‘Now and Then’ Is Coming Soon

It’s been more than six decades since The Beatles started their iconic journey as a band with their debut UK single “Love Me Do” — and now, in 2023, the surviving members are releasing the group’s final song together.

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“Now and Then” will arrive on Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT from Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe, and it marks the last song written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Starr finished the song together, more than 40 years after its inception.

The double A-side single also includes a sweet full-circle moment, as its paired with “Love Me Do,” featuring the original cover art shot by Ed Ruscha. Both songs have been mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos.

Last Beatles song

Courtesy Photo

Additionally, a 12-minute Now and Then — The Last Beatles Song documentary film will arrive on Nov. 1. The Oliver Murray-writen doc will tell the story behind the track and will feature exclusive footage and commentary from McCartney, Starr and Harrison, as well as Sean Ono Lennon Get Back director and Peter Jackson. Watch the trailer below.

“Now and Then” begins in the late 1970s, when John recorded a demo with vocals and piano at his home in New York’s Dakota Building. In 1994, his wife, Yoko Ono Lennon, gave the recording to Paul, George and Ringo, along with John’s demos for “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.” In 2022, Paul and Ringo set out to complete “Now and Then.” In addition to John’s vocal, the song includes electric and acoustic guitar recorded in 1995 by Harrison; Starr’s new drum part; and bass, guitar and piano from McCartney, who also added a slide guitar solo inspired by George.

“It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out,” Starr said of the process in a press statement, with McCartney adding, “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”

And that’s not all: On Nov. 10, The Beatles’ 1962-1966 (The Red Album) and 1967-1970 (The Blue Album) collections will be released in 2023 Edition packages by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Both collections’ track lists have been expanded, with all the songs mixed in stereo and Dolby Atmos and new 4CD and 180-gram 6LP vinyl collections that pair Red and Blue in slipcased sets. The UK single version of “Love Me Do” now kicks off 1962-1966 (2023 Edition) and “Now and Then” is featured on 1967-1970 (2023 Edition) to complete the career-spanning collections.

Preorder and pre-save 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 (2023 Editions) here.

Last Beatles song

Courtesy Photo

26 Oct 2023

Black Hollywood Pays Homage To Richard Roundtree aka “Shaft”

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Lobby Card For 'Shaft'

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The passing of the iconic actor Richard Roundtree, best known as the Black action hero Shaft, has elicited numerous tributes from the best of Black Hollywood online.

On Tuesday night (October 24), Richard Roundtree, the beloved actor best known for playing the cultural-defining detective John Shaft in Gordon Parks’ Shaft passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.

Before taking on the role that he would come to be identified with, Roundtree was an established model and an equestrian athlete. After starring as Shaft in two more movies and a short-lived television series after the blockbuster debut in 1973, the New Rochelle, New York native would go on to have a robust career in film and TV with memorable roles on Netflix’s Family Reunion and Cherish The Day on OWN.

As news of his passing spread, many notable figures from Black Hollywood offered up their tributes and reminiscences of Roundtree online. These included those who worked with him such as Samuel L. Jackson, who would take up the mantle of John Shaft in two movies with Roundtree also starring. “Richard Roundtree, The Prototype, The Best To Ever Do It!! SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be His Creation!!,” he wrote in a post on Instagram which featured him, Roundtree, and Jessie T. Usher in the 2019 sequel. He would later add another tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Actress and author Gabrielle Union also honored the actor who played her father on the hit BET series Being Mary Jane. “Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream. Getting to hang with him & our Being Mary Jane family was always a good ass time with the best stories & laughs,” Union wrote in her X post. “He was ALWAYS the coolest man in the room with the BEST vibes & ppl would literally run over to come see him. He was simply the best & we all loved him.”

We’ve collected some of the tributes below in honor of Richard Roundtree, including those from the family of the late music legend Isaac Hayes.

1. Samuel L. Jackson

2. Gabrielle Union

3. Issac Hayes

The account for the late legend posted a photo of the two, with the caption: “The Hayes family would like to share our sadness with the loss of Richard Roundtree, a true icon. His legendary role as SHAFT, transcended the screen, defining an era. Rest in power, Richard.”

4. Sheryl Lee Ralph

The Emmy Award-winning actress wrote: “When I was a teenager I used to dream about growing up to meet Richard Roundtree. I did and what a wonderful human being.”

5. Carl Weathers

Veteran actor Carl Weathers offered his condolences to Roundtree.

6. Rachel True

The actress best known for her roles in Half Baked and The Craft spoke about working with Roundtree early in her career.

8. Cheo Hodari Coker

The writer and creator of the Luke Cage Netflix series expressed his sadness at the loss of Roundtree.

9. Pam Grier

The legendary actress offered up a farewell to her friend.

26 Oct 2023

Sam Smith Encouraging Fans in Melbourne to Dress Up For ‘Unholyhalloween’ Show

What better way to celebrate Halloween than dressing up in your most “Unholy” outfit? On Thursday morning (Oct. 26) Sam Smith posted a video encouraging Australian fans to do their unholy worst for their Oct. 31 gig at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

“I’m so excited for Melbourne show because it’s Halloween and we’re gonna have an incredible time and if you want, and if you can, I would love it if you could dress up for Halloween,” Smith said in a video plea in which the singer sported a twirly mustache. “I’d love to see costumes. I’d love you guys to get unholy with us on Halloween. It would be amazing.”

The singer also challenged fans to get in on the #Unholyhalloween TikTok challenge, in which they lip synch along to “Unholy” — the Smith/Kim Petras single that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 a year ago this month — and then show off their spooky costumes.

Smith recently teamed up with pal Charli XCX for their first-ever collab single “In the City,” a bouncy dance pop track dedicated to finding your tribe on nights out at clubs. Produced by ILYA, A. G. Cook, Omer Fedi, George Daniel and Charli XCX, the track is a celebration of the chaotic beauty of making new friends at gay clubs around the world according to a statement released with the track.

“The song is about finding the people you truly love and connect with through wild nights out and partying in magical places,” Charli wrote. “It’s about feeling accepted, the magnificence of being welcomed into queer spaces and those once in a lifetime people you get to meet when you’re there.”

See Smith’s Halloween message and some of the “Unholy” challenge videos below.

26 Oct 2023

Kim Kardashian Joked She Was Once Asked to Join Spice Girls, So Geri Halliwell-Horner Gave Her an Honorary Spice Name

Kim Kardashian has conquered the worlds of TV and fashion, so why not pop music? During the latest episode of The Kardashians, the de facto lead singer of the No. 1 reality TV supergroup revealed that she’d once dressed up as a member of the Spice Girls for a school talent show.

She was, “Victoria. I was Posh, duh,” Kardashian said of which Spice Girl she transformed into. Kim then dropped a bombshell and said that Melanie “Mel C” Chisholm even asked if the SKIMS founder might want to sub for former group member Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham when the group next hit the road.

“Sporty Spice wrote a book and signed it inside and she sent it to me saying that they’re going on tour and they need a Posh and would I be the Posh?” Kardashian said on the episode, noting that she was “sure” Mel “was joking. But like, when I was in high school, would I ever have thought that this was, like, a thing? I’m just, like, a girl from high school that loved the Spice Girls and now they’re asking me?”

Well, Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell-Horner was asked about Kim’s Spice dreams in an E! News interview this week and she had high praise for the reality TV star, as well as a possible Spice name. “She deserves something really good,” Halliwell-Horner said. “She deserves something like Inner Strength Spice. I think she’s Smart Spice. She’s smart. It’s brilliant that you’re beautiful from the outside, but also she’s beautiful with a book in her back pocket. I love that. We can be all things. Good for her!”

While the Spice Girls don’t have any upcoming shows, Halliwell-Horner had high praise for the possible Replacement Spice — who captioned a 2020 group photo with sisters Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie and Kendall “Spice Girls” — calling Kardashian “amazing,” as well as “a very, very good role model. She’s smart. She’s really been inspiring the way she’s turned that business around and also for women to celebrate your curves. I really like that about her.” 

26 Oct 2023

Hipgnosis Investors Vote for Change, Reject Partial Catalog Sale to Blackstone

Investors in Hipgnosis Songs Fund on Thursday overwhelmingly demanded a new board make structural changes to the troubled music rights company in ways that don’t include selling off part of its 65,000-song catalog, which includes compositions by Neil Young, Shakira and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

At the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in London, a majority of investors voted no on a resolution “to continue running the fund in its current form”–what’s known as a continuation vote — and they rejected a plan to sell a package of 29 song catalogs to Hipgnosis’ Blackstone-backed sister fund, according to the fund.

The ‘no’ vote signals unequivocal shareholder anger with the company founded by Merck Mercuriadis, and it kicks off a 6-month countdown for the board to come up with a plan “for the reconstruction, reorganisation, or winding-up of the company,” possibly “liquidating all or part of the company’s existing porfolio of investments,” according to the board’s statement.

“While shareholders have not supported our proposed transaction or the continuation vote, it is clear that they share our belief in the inherent quality and potential of these assets,” Sylvia Coleman, senior independent director of Hipgnosis Songs Fund said in an emailed statement. “Directors are now expediting the appointment of a new chair who will drive the strategic review we have already announced, with a clear focus on delivering improved shareholder value.”

Investors voted against the re-election of Hipgnosis Songs Fund board Chair Andrew Sutch at the meeting, speeding up the timetable for his departure. Sutch had already announced he would step down before the company’s next annual general meeting in 2024. On Wednesday, the day before the company’s annual meeting, fund directors Andrew Wilkinson and Paul Burger resigned, and last week, the board embarked on a strategic review into the company’s management team.

“Shareholders have spoken and sent a clear message that the status quo is unacceptable and that a total reset is required,” Tom Treanor, the head of research at Asset Value Investors, which owns a roughly 5% stake in the fund, said in an email. “We look forward to a refreshed board working closely with shareholders to turn the company around.”

Mercuriadis, the former manager of Elton John and Guns N’ Roses, will continue as Hipgnosis Songs Fund’s investment advisor. Mercuriadis founded Hipgnosis in 2017 and took it public on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in July 2018.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund’s share price rose 1.2% to 75.90 British pence ($0.92) at 11:20 in London.

26 Oct 2023

Lady Gaga Joins U2 on Stage at Las Vegas’ Sphere

The stars aligned at Las Vegas’ Sphere on Wednesday night (Oct. 25), as Lady Gaga joined U2 on stage for what turned out to be a mini set.

Dressed in a dark leather jacket, black tights and shades, Mother Monster was introduced to stage by Bono as “the most audacious, vivacious woman in any room she’s ever in,” Variety reports.

Sphere is no ordinary room. It’s a $2.3 billion, next-generation entertainment medium, with floor-to-ceiling graphics, thanks to nearly-580,000 square feet of fully programmable LED paneling — the largest screen of its type in the world. The images that have filtered back from U2’s residency are nothing short of mindbending.

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Gaga came to play, and she dueted on “Shallow,” her Oscar-winning, Billboard Hot 100-leading number from A Star is Born, braced by two U2 classics, Rattle and Hum track “All I Want Is You” and the Joshua Tree hit “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

It’s not the first time Gaga and U2 have come together to make sweet music.

Back in 2015, Gaga joined U2 at Madison Square Garden for a rendition of “Ordinary Love,” the rock band’s contribution to the soundtrack for the 2013 Nelson Mandela biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. On that occasion, the pop singer dueted with Bono and played piano.

Gaga is making something of a habit of teaming up with legendary rock bands from the British Isles. Last week, Gaga took the mic during the encore of the Rolling Stones’ intimate show at New York City’s the Racket, for a performance of “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” the collaborative track lifted from the British band’s 26th album released in America, Hackney Diamonds. With a little help from Gaga, Hackney Diamonds led the midweek U.K. albums chart by a country mile, by outselling the rest of the top 10 combined.

Bono & Co. wrap up their 25-concert U2:UV Achtung Baby Live run in December.

26 Oct 2023

Louis Tomlinson Talks ‘Rough’ Treatment From Fans

As a member of One Direction and solo artist, Louis Tomlinson has seen more tears and wailing than a veteran midwife. Sometimes, that hysteria shifts into overdrive, with gripping, shirt-ripping and knocks to the body.

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The British pop singer is used to wearing bruises as badges, the result of close encounters with overeager fans, he tells Australia’s commercial radio network Nova.

Leaning into the pit, “it’s by far my favorite part of the show,” he shares with Nova host Smallzy. “The minute you walk out to stage you feel that adrenaline. But literally the closer you get to the crowd, the more of that adrenaline you feel and by the end of the show, yeah I get down in the pit and just kind of immerse myself. And that feeling is absolutely amazing.”

There’s a line, he admits. And it’s sometimes crossed. “I kind of like getting in there and it feeling a little bit rough. I like that. That’s part of it. When they start ripping the clothes off me, it gets a little bit on top, you know? But yeah, is what it is.”

Zooming in from a rainy Berlin, one stop on his current European tour, Tomlinson reveals he’s “got a fat bruise on the back of the arm from the from the other night,” all because “some girl got me in the grip.”

Tomlinson also discusses his star turn in the feature-length documentary, All of Those Voices, which dropped on Paramount + earlier this month. There’s times in the life of a pop star “when it’s been incredibly liberating and times when it’s been tough as well. I’m hoping it gives an honest portrayal of that,” he explains. Was anything cut from the final edit? “Maybe some bad banter or shit jokes,” he quips.

The former 1D star also answers a smattering of fan questions — does he read DMs from randoms (occasionally), will there be a live album or new rock version of “Back to You” (no comment, but he does hint at something in the works), and the song he’s most proud of (“Saturdays.” There’s “something about it live, it feels special”).

Tomlinson’s tour reaches home soil next month for a run of U.K. and Ireland arena shows, in support of Faith In The Future, his second solo album.

Faith In The Future debuted at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart last November, for his first solo leader and fifth including his work as a member of One Direction. In the United States, Faith In The Future debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales, and at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200, his highest-charting set yet on both tallies.

26 Oct 2023

Global Music Collections Revenue Up 28% to Record $11.4B in 2022 

Global music rights revenue collections reached €10.83 billion ($11.4 billion) in 2022, according to CISAC, the trade organization of collective management societies. That’s a new record that reflects growth of 28% over 2021, as live concert revenue continues to recover from the pandemic and digital income keeps growing.

Income from concerts — the royalties collected from the public performance of songs being played live — was up 185.7% based on a sample of 100 societies, since different organizations account for that revenue differently. And since these numbers are from 2022, when the concert business still hadn’t fully recovered, next year’s numbers will be better still.  

The real change is in digital, though, which is now worth €4.08 billion ($4.3 billion), up 33.5% from 2021 and almost double its value from 2019. It now accounts for 37.7% of collections revenue — marking the first time it has been the biggest category — and is likely to be the main engine of growth for years to come. The TV and radio category, traditionally the largest source of revenue, is now No. 2 behind digital with $3.55 billion.

The CISAC Global Collections Report tracks money taken in by collective management organizations for authors’ rights — composers and publishers in the music business, plus audiovisual creators, writers and more. (Neighboring rights revenue for recordings is not included.) More than 90% of the money comes from song rights — specifically, the funds that flow through societies rather than through direct deals.

By any measure, the growth in the CISAC report is remarkable — a record both for the revenue collected and year-on-year growth. And while some of that reflects the unprecedented disappearance and return of the live business, digital growth has been, and will continue to be, steady.

“This is a remarkable return to growth as our whole sector fully recovers from the disastrous three-year pandemic,” said CISAC director general Gadi Oron in the announcement of the results. “While live and public performance have bounced back strongly, the recovery is driven most of all by digital which has now become creators’ largest source of income.”  

Much of this growth reflects the changing role of collecting societies in the streaming era. Rather than just represent and license rights in the market in which they operate, societies also compete online. The biggest of the societies — PRS, SACEM and others — now license online rights from writers in most countries.  

The growth is worldwide, too. All of the top ten music markets increased collections revenue, with an average growth rate of more than 25%. The biggest market is the United States with €2.616 billion ($2.759) and 30.5% growth; then France, with €1.325 billion ($1.398 billion) and more than 39% growth. Rounding out the top 10 are the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Australia, Canada, Spain and Korea.

25 Oct 2023

‘The Masked Singer’: ‘Teen Wolf’ Star Unmasked on ‘Harry Potter’ Special

There’s a chill in the air, leaves litter the ground, and houses up and down on your street are decked out with ghouls, goblins and all manner of grim tidings.

Yes, Halloween is fast approaching, and The Masked Singer didn’t waste the opportunity to jump on board.

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The latest episode on Wednesday night (Oct. 25) had a Harry Potter theme, a neat tie-in with the annual celebration of all things spooky.

Taking the stage was Tiki, singing “Magic” by Pilot; Sea Queen performed “Love Potion No. 9” by the Searchers; Husky hit “Super Freak” by the late Rick James; and Hawk swooped in with “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” by The Police.

The two celebrities with the lowest number of votes would enter the knockout. Step on up Hawk and Tiki, as they went head-to-head on Lady Gaga’s “Monster.”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=-L1EDSKNnAE&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

After winning the battle of the birds last week, pipping Royal Hen, Hawk finally had his feathers clipped.

Under the fancy costume was Tyler Posey, the Teen Wolf actor and musician. It’s not Posey’s first time rocking out; he has worked with Maryland punk-pop band All Time Low’s Jack Barakat, performed with State Champs, and made a film with Tom DeLonge, guitarist and vocalist with Blink-182.

“Every performance you brought it, you got the crowd hyped up you electrified us,” enthused judge Robin Thicke, after the mask came off.

So why enter the circus that is The Masked Singer? “I love performing,” Posey explained, “and I just wanted to have a chance to do this. I’m also a little competitive. I’m a little hurt. But it’s OK. The Hawk forgives.” Forgives and forgets, apparently. “Nah, I’m just happy to be here,” he continued.

Posey as Hawk follows the exit door after Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and Demi Lovato as Anonymouse as season 10’s unmasked celebrities.

Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy return as judges for the latest season, Fox’s kooky series which airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

25 Oct 2023

Mattel Releases ‘Ted Lasso’ Barbie Dolls: Here’s Where You Can Buy Them Online

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Move over Mojo Dojo Ken, there’s a new Barbie in town. Mattel released collectible dolls inspired by Ted Lasso on Tuesday (Oct. 24).

If you’re a fan of the Apple TV+ show, starring Jason Sudeikis, you might get a kick out of Mattel’s new collection. The Ted Lasso Barbie is dressed in the character’s signature blue tracksuit with AFC Richmond logo detailing and a working zipper. The doll comes complete with aviator sunglasses, a whistle and a soccer ball.

The commemorative packaging recreates AFC Richmond’s locker room –- there’s even a “BELIEVE” sign and Nate’s homemade suggestion box.

The Barbie x Ted Lasso collection includes two other dolls made in the likeness of characters Rebecca Welton, played by Hannah Waddingham, and Keeley Jones, played by Juno Temple.

Like the characters on the show, the Rebecca Welton doll is dressed like a “soccer boss” in a pale pink shirt, black wide leg pants and a pink bag while the Keeley Jones Barbie goes glam up in a hot pink dress, pink purse and fur stole.

The Emmy-winning comedy series, developed by Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Bill Lawrence and Joe Kelly, premiered during the pandemic in 2020 and helped launch Apple TV+. The show, about an inexperienced American football coach hired to manage a British team, ended in May after three seasons.

The Barbie x Ted Lasso collection is the latest Mattel collectible for fans to buy along with the Little People’s Collector’s Set ($25.99). The Ted Lasso doll is sold out at Mattel but the others are still in stock. You can also find the dolls at Amazon (prices may vary) and on eBay.

Purchase below.