Dickey Betts, the guitar-wielding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away at 80. Reflecting on his iconic hits, Betts shared insights into the creation of songs like "Revival," "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed," "Blue Sky," "Jessica," and "Ramblin' Man." He discussed his songwriting process, influences, and the evolution of these classic tracks, shedding light on the band's musical journey and his personal experiences.
Musician Jeff Tweedy expressed his dislike for Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You," suggesting she should have stopped after "Jolene," during a visit to The Late Show. Tweedy's criticism drew a surprised reaction from the audience and host Stephen Colbert, who joked about Tweedy hating Dolly Parton. The musician also voiced disapproval of other hit songs in his new book, including those by Joni Mitchell and the Allman Brothers Band, prompting Colbert to humorously acknowledge Tweedy's boldness.
Madonna's Celebration Tour, a tribute to her 40-year career, features over two dozen hits performed over a span of more than two hours. The setlist includes classics like "Like a Prayer," "Vogue," and "Ray of Light," as well as rarely performed songs such as "Justify My Love" and "Everybody." The tour, which began in December and runs until April, will take Madonna and her 24 performers across North America and Mexico City.
Paul Simon says some of his Simon & Garfunkel songs feel "dated" and he no longer sings them, but others have held up over the years. He recently saw one of his songs in a crossword puzzle, which made him feel good. Simon displays some of his iconic guitars in an interview, including the one he used on his latest recording.
On what would have been Prince's 65th birthday, several musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, David Gilmour, Chris Cornell, and Patti Smith paid tribute to the late musician by covering some of his most iconic songs. The covers included Springsteen's emotional rendition of "Purple Rain," Cornell's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U," and Foo Fighters' take on "Darling Nikki." David Gilmour also paid tribute by incorporating phrases from "Purple Rain" into his guitar solo on "Comfortably Numb."
Willie Nelson, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, has been elected as a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From covering rock and pop classics to collaborating with non-country acts both live and on record, here are 10 of the mercurial master’s best rock-influenced performances, including covers of Beatles and Leonard Cohen songs, collaborations with Sinead O'Connor and B.B. King, and original songs like "Gravedigger" and "Dry Lightning."
The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress has added 25 recordings to its esteemed list, including iconic songs like Madonna's "Like a Virgin," Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The list covers a range of genres and time periods, reflecting the nation's diverse culture. The "Super Mario Bros." theme is among the list, which may reflect the recent movie adaptation's success. The National Registry preserves the nation's history through recorded sound and welcomes public input on future additions.
