LOS ANGELES (AP) — Leonard Cohen, the baritone-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter who seamlessly blended spirituality and sexuality in songs like “Hallelujah,” ”Suzanne” and “Bird on a Wire,” has died at age 82, his son said Thursday. “My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles,” Adam Cohen said in a statement. “He was writing … Continue reading
WAKA TSUNODA, Associated Press “No Man’s Land” (Grand Central Publishing), by David Baldacci David Baldacci’s typical action thriller often features a character in dire emotional straits. This gives the novel dramatic depth and intensity, making it an unforgettable read. It has a strong element of science fiction, is action-packed and thought-provoking. His latest, “No Man’s … Continue reading
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Leon Russell, who performed, sang and produced some of rock ‘n’ roll’s top records, has died. He was 74. Russell’s wife, Jan Bridges, said in a statement that her husband died in his sleep Sunday at their Nashville home. She said Russell had heart bypass surgery in July and had been … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amy Schumer has more to say about her “Formation” video that shows her singing and dancing to the Beyonce song alongside Goldie Hawn, Wanda Sykes and Joan Cusack. Schumer says in an essay published late Thursday that the video it is not a parody but a tribute approved by Beyonce and … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the 2016 presidential campaign (all times EDT): 9 p.m. Hillary Clinton is turning to singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to help rally voters in Florida. The Democrat is appearing at a packed outdoor concert with the performers on a rain-soaked night in Miami. It’s part of a series … Continue reading
Associated Press “The Whistler” (Doubleday), by John Grisham John Grisham’s latest novel, “The Whistler,” involves the rich and powerful and abuse of the justice system. The Florida Board on Judicial Conduct investigates accusations involving judicial misconduct. Judges need to be impartial, but if that appears not to be the case, then a team from the … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Veronica Roth wants the tour for her sci-fi/fantasy novel “Carve the Mark” to be a little like the book itself, a “sojourn” defined by “exploration and curiosity.” “(W)ith each stop on the tour, my intention is to learn about the cities I’m traveling to,” the Chicago-based author best known for her … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s 1:30 a.m. and Lady Gaga is on the brink of tears. The pop star’s new album has been out for 90 minutes and she just celebrated by wrapping up two performances: first inside the New York City bar she used to sing as an unsigned teenager, and then on top … Continue reading
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (AP) — A backup dancer from New Jersey who has performed with Beyonce, Rihanna and Missy Elliott was found Tuesday after she went missing on Saturday, police said. North Bergen police Officer Alex Vazquez said Tuesday that Shirlene Quigley had been found and her family was en route to see her at … Continue reading
The Associated Press Ciara is expecting her first child with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, three months after the couple tied the knot. Both stars announced the pregnancy by sharing the same photo on Instagram on Tuesday night. Ciara, who turned 31 Tuesday, says she is “excited to Finally share one of the Greatest Gifts … Continue reading
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kenny Chesney will receive the Pinnacle Award during the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards, joining Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only recipients. The award, created in 2005, recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence through performances and record sales and the highest degree of recognition. Over his … Continue reading
“All the Little Liars” (Minotaur), by Charlaine Harris Long before her Sookie Stackhouse series, Charlaine Harris was best known for her lively tales about small-town librarian Aurora Teagarden. Her latest novel, “All the Little Liars,” marks Harris’ return to Aurora, last seen in 2003’s “Poppy Done to Death.” The energetic, highly entertaining novel is like … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s a boy for music producer DJ Khaled and his fiancée Nicole Tuck, who welcomed their first child into the world early Sunday morning. Khaled chronicled the birth in a series of snapchats showing the inside of the delivery room where he can be heard telling the doctor that “it’s go … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — The late rapper Tupac Shakur and Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam are among the first-time nominees on the ballot for induction next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nine of the 19 acts nominated are on the ballot for the first time, with Shakur and Pearl Jam in their … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is now dining in digital. On Monday, Eric Carle’s picture book classic made its debut in electronic format, Penguin Young Readers told The Associated Press. The new edition includes an audio recording of Carle reading the narrative. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” first published in 1969, has sold … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — There’ll be no early retirement for star singer Phil Collins. The 65-year-old former Genesis frontman Monday announced plans for gigs next summer in London, Paris and Cologne. The tour will be called: “Not Dead Yet, Live.” He officially retired in 2002, but that didn’t last. He last toured in 2007. Collins told … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Drake has nabbed 12 nominations for the 2016 Soul Train Awards. Nominations for the rapper-singer, who canceled three shows this week due to an ankle injury, include video, album/mixtape and song of the year. Beyoncé follows Drake with eight nominations, while Rihanna, Kanye West, Adele, Chance the Rapper, Bryson Tiller and … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Drake earned a record-breaking 13 American Music Awards nominations on Monday thanks to his latest album, “Views,” shattering Michael’s Jackson’s mark of 11 nominations in a single year from 1984 when the King of Pop had “Thriller.” Rihanna got seven nominations and Adele and Justin Bieber tied with five each. Beyonce … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) â Grammy-winning R&B singer Anthony Hamilton has sung the national anthem in the past. Don’t ask him to sing it in the near future. Hamilton’s frustration with “The Star-Spangled Banner” is shared by some other black Americans, who feel like the tune sung before major U.S. events is not the best representation … Continue reading
CLEVELAND (AP) — Toni Braxton says she has been released from a Cleveland hospital after being admitted for complications with her battle against lupus for the second time in a month. The hospitalization forced her scheduled Saturday show in Cleveland to be cancelled. In announcing the hospitalization, a message on the singer’s Twitter account said, … Continue reading
The Associated Press Demi Lovato has announced that she’s “taking a break from music and the spotlight” in the wake of criticism of her comments about Taylor Swift in a magazine interview. In a recent interview with Glamour Magazine, Lovato suggested Swift could do more for feminism “if they’re going to claim that as part … Continue reading
Katy Perry would like to remind voters it doesn’t matter what you wear when you vote. In a video for Funny or Die, the singer shows up at the polls on Election Day with disheveled hair and wearing star spangled pajamas. She says in the clip that she “briefly scanned the Constitution and nowhere does it … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A pair of clips teasing Mary J. Blige’s interview with Hillary Clinton on her upcoming Apple Music show “The 411” isn’t winning over social media users. The teaser featuring the R&B singer crooning Bruce Springsteen’s “American Skin (41 Shots)” before clasping hands with Clinton was instantly mocked online after it was released … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — The animated classic “The Lion King” will be the latest Disney film to get a live-action remake. Disney announced Wednesday that Jon Favreau, who helmed the box-office hit “Jungle Book” remake, will direct the new “Lion King.” He’s also at work on a “Jungle Book” sequel. The circle of life now … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Black history officially has a new, prominent place in America’s story. With hugs, tears and the ringing of church bells, the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened its doors Saturday to help this nation understand, reconcile and celebrate African-Americans’ often-ignored contributions toward making this country what it … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 