Music

The “beautiful” singer Linda Ronstadt called out of her league

• Ronstadt felt out of her depth singing opera with Plácido Domingo.
• She nevertheless treasured performing part of *La Bohème* with him.
• The collaboration reflected her appetite for musical experimentation.

The article recalls Linda Ronstadt’s self-critical view of singing alongside Plácido Domingo, one of opera’s leading tenors. Although she valued the experience of performing part of *La Bohème* with him, she said she knew she was “over [her] head” because she was not a trained opera singer; the…

The singers Bruce Springsteen wanted to run away from: “I wasn’t gonna let that happen”

• Springsteen rejected the isolating celebrity of Elvis and Michael Jackson.
• He wanted to retain an ordinary, accessible life.
• His less commercial albums supported that grounded image.

Bruce Springsteen said he deliberately avoided the extreme fame experienced by Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, describing its pressure and isolation as painful. The article argues that preserving an ordinary, grounded life mattered to Springsteen’s credibility as a songwriter who often portrayed working-class American experiences. Springsteen said he…

SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s JOHN DOLMAYAN: ‘Every Show We Play Is Always Special For Us, Cause There’s So Few Of Them’

• Dolmayan says rare System Of A Down shows feel special due to limited touring
• Warsaw stadium shows drew around 50,000 fans, up from 15-20,000 previously
• Band hasn't released a full album since 2005, still touring stadiums worldwide

SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan has discussed the band's summer 2026 European stadium tour in a new interview with Strefa Music Art, reflecting on the rarity of their shows and how dramatically venue sizes have grown since the band's earlier visits to Europe. The comments highlight…

A Punk Rock Legend and Heavy Metal Icon Just Joined Forces for an Epic David Bowie Cover at Comic-Con, of All Places

• Billie Joe Armstrong's cover band The Coverups performed at Comic-Con with Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, delivering David Bowie renditions
• Armstrong honoured late L7 bassist Jennifer Finch, who died from aggressive brain cancer at 59, with a Nirvana tribute earlier in the week

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong brought Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson on stage during a surprise performance at San Diego's Hard Rock Hotel, held during Comic-Con, for a joint cover of David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes." The unexpected pairing delighted the crowd and highlighted an unusual crossover…

Dhani Harrison and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich unveil new band Dragonflies with hypnotic single ‘Slower’

• Dhani Harrison and Nigel Godrich launch new band Dragonflies
• Debut album out 18 September via Dark Horse Records/BMG
• First single "Slower" paired with psychedelic animated video

Dhani Harrison and longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich have announced a new musical project, Dragonflies, releasing their self-titled debut album on 18 September via Dark Horse Records/BMG, the label founded by Harrison's father George Harrison. The pairing brings together Godrich's celebrated production career, which includes every Radiohead album…

Born 83 Years Ago Today in England, One of Rock Music’s Most Iconic Frontmen Is Still Going Strong

• Mick Jagger turns 83 today; co-founded The Rolling Stones in 1962 with Keith Richards
• The band released their 27th studio album, Foreign Tongues, in July 2026
• 250+ million records sold globally; inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989

Mick Jagger, co-founder and lead singer of the Rolling Stones, turned 83 on 26 July, marking another milestone in a career spanning more than six decades. Born in Dartford, Kent, in 1943, Jagger defied his family's expectations to pursue music, drawing on American blues influences before forming one…

Charli xcx shares B-side companion tracks for new album

• Charli xcx released B-side companion tracks for 'Music, Fashion, Film'
• Available only as a £4.99 iTunes download, not on streaming
• She said she "begrudgingly" shared them after fan requests

Charli xcx has released a collection of B-sides to accompany her album 'Music, Fashion, Film', pairing an extra track with each song on the record. The release came shortly after the album's launch, which drew considerable international attention, including a 9/10 review from Clash magazine praising its "unsettling…

3 Soft Rock Songs That Defined Summer for Millions of Americans in 1979

This piece from American Songwriter revisits three soft rock tracks that helped shape the sound of summer 1979 in the United States, part of an ongoing "list" series celebrating songs from decades past. It is a nostalgic retrospective rather than a hard news story, aimed at readers who…

“Like going to war”: How Steely Dan’s lowest moment led to their defining 1973 record

• Difficult touring shaped Steely Dan’s second album.
• Countdown to Ecstasy became a defining 1973 record.
• The album reflected cynicism about fame and music industry life.

Steely Dan’s 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy emerged after the band’s difficult early experience touring to support its debut, Can’t Buy a Thrill. The article portrays the record as a response to that pressure: Walter Becker and Donald Fagen channelled exhaustion, distrust of the music business and the…