LONDON (AP) — Sting and his wife Trudie Styler are putting some of their extensive modern art collection — and a piano — up for sale. The auction at Christie’s in London will include drawings and prints by Gustav Klimt and Rene Magritte, Pablo Picasso’s lithograph “Le Corsage a Carreaux (“The Checkered Blouse”) and Henri … Continue reading
MILAN (AP) — Ed Sheeran is host, nominee and performer as the music and fashion industries continue their affair in Italy’s fashion capital for the MTV Europe Music Awards. Pharrell Williams is the opening performer at Sunday night’s award ceremony, followed by Ellie Goulding and James Bay, among others. Williams and Sheeran will be vying … Continue reading
ATLANTA (AP) — T.I. has always found a way to have success, even when it wasn’t about his own music. He’s done a reality show with his wife and kids, appeared on blockbuster pop collaborations and endless rap features, and of course had huge success with controversial protege Iggy Azalea — all of which has … Continue reading
“MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson” (Scribner), by Steve Knopper Steve Knopper begins his superb biography of Michael Jackson with an anecdote about a protest against school integration in Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Indiana, in 1927, more than three decades before the singer was born. Then he fast-forwards to 1995, when the self-proclaimed King of … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in more than 50 years, a musical band based in Cuba is set to perform at the White House. The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club is on the lineup for a White House reception Thursday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the 25th anniversary of the White … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Malcolm-Jamal Warner poured his real-life experiences — both in and out of love — into his latest album, “Selfless.” “You start to look at life a little differently when you get to your mid-40s,” Warner, 45, said in a recent interview. “I’m at a place where I’ve kind of taken a … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — For generations, teenage boys got their first look at a naked woman from Playboy, often from a copy swiped from Dad’s sock drawer or filched from a newsstand. These days, however, you can see far more explicit stuff on your phone than anything Hugh Hefner probably imagined when he launched his … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A copyright infringement trial over Jay Z’s hit song “Big Pimpin’ ” opened Tuesday with an attorney for heirs of an Egyptian composer accusing the rapper of misusing music from a popular 1950s love ballad. Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, listened as a lawyer for the heirs of … Continue reading
BANGKOK (AP) — Madonna has added a second show in Bangkok for her “Rebel Heart” world tour after the first concert sold out in under an hour, organizers said Wednesday. Thai media had hyped Madonna’s first-ever show in the Thai capital as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” that would “make history” in Thailand. Tickets for the Feb. … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Lopez is taking on hosting duties at next month’s American Music Awards. Producers say Lopez will host and perform at the Nov. 22 show, to air live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. This will be her first time hosting an awards show. Dick clark productions said … Continue reading
Quincy Jones will be feted at an all-star jazz salute in Los Angeles honoring his humanitarian work including benefit recordings for African famine relief and victims of Superstorm Sandy. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz announced Wednesday that Jones will be presented its Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award at a gala concert on Nov. 15 at … Continue reading
PATERSON, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say rapper Fetty Wap has been injured in a motorcycle crash in his northern New Jersey hometown. Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said the 25-year-old Wap was being treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries after his motorcycle collided with a car Saturday afternoon. Wap’s injuries are not considered life-threatening. … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Activision is widening the scope of e-sports competition for “Call of Duty” players. The publisher of the hugely popular military shooter franchise is expanding its e-sports program next year from an annual tournament to year-round international leagues, as well as increasing the prize pool from $1 million to $3 million. The … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — One of the country’s top writers about race, Ta-Nehisi Coates, has signed up with Marvel Comics for a Black Panther series. Coates, whose open letter to his son “Between the World and Me” is a best-seller and National Book Award nominee, is collaborating with artist Brian Stelfreeze on a storyline about … Continue reading
Joe Ely, “Panhandle Rambler” (Rack ‘Em Records) “Panhandle Rambler” is set in West Texas, where train and radio stations stir the imagination, and a traffic light is worthy of note. Amarillo native Joe Ely brings the region to life like few other songwriters can, and this 12-tune set ranks with the best work of his … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 