The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke dies aged 59, Johnny Marr leads tributes May 19, 2023 The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke has died aged 59, his former bandmate Johnny Marr has said. A post on Marr’s Twitter account said on Friday morning: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful [...]
Rich list: Richard Branson and Rishi Sunak see fortunes shrink – but who are the wealthiest Brits now? May 19, 2023 The billionaire Hinduja family have topped the Sunday Times Rich List for the second year in a row as their fortune jumped by more than £6 billion. Gopi Hinduja and his family, which is behind the Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group, were named as Britain’s richest just days after Mr Hinduja’s brother Sri died. For the [...]
Yeezy win? Adidas to sell trainers from axed Kanye deal – and donate proceeds to charity May 12, 2023 Adidas plans to sell trainers from its axed partnership with the US rapper Kanye West and donate some of the money to charity. The German sportswear giant announced it was ending production of Yeezy branded products with “immediate effect” at the end of October after West made antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews. [...]
Meet the man who quit the City to reinvent the film industry, one documentary at a time May 9, 2023 City banker Julian Bird set up Lorton Entertainment to show that investing in films could be profitable, and documentaries on Diego Maradona, Oasis and Wayne Rooney have proven him spectacularly right. “I’m not really a massive film fan,” says City banker-turned-unlikely movie mogul Julian Bird. It’s perhaps a surprising statement from someone who has been [...]
Pulp bassist Paul Mackey dies aged 56 as Jarvis Cocker’s band to play shows in 2023 March 2, 2023 Steve Mackey, the bass guitarist of Britpop band Pulp, has died aged 56. The group, who formed in Sheffield in 1978 and were known for their hits including Common People and Disco 2000, announced on their Instagram page that the musician died on Thursday. Alongside a photo of Mackey climbing in the Andes, the band [...]
Harry Styles’ Grammys outfit wasn’t radical: Bowie did it better 50 years ago February 9, 2023 If you have an ounce of sense or taste, you will look at the red carpet for the Grammys, if at all, the same way that less enlightened 18th century thrill-seekers paid to be shown round the Bethlem Royal Hospital. Those you observe are to be pitied, to be sure, but you are viscerally aware [...]
Beyonce is most decorated artist of all time with 32nd Grammy, as Adele, Sam Smith and Harry Styles scoop major gongs February 6, 2023 Beyonce has become the most decorated Grammy artist of all time, collecting her 32nd trophy at this year’s ceremony. The pop superstar, 41, made history as she won the best dance/electronic music album award for her house music-sampling album Renaissance. This took her one higher than the previous record, held by Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti, [...]
David Crosby dead at 81: Heartfelt tributes to legendary US musician who founded The Byrds January 19, 2023 US musician David Crosby, who co-founded two influential rock bands during his career, has died at the age of 81. The singer-songwriter rose to fame in LA-based folk-rock group The Byrds, who he joined in 1964 and collaborated on chart-topping hits including a cover of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man and Turn! Turn! Turn!. Shortly [...]
Brits switch to social media for music as concerts go meta, says Brit Awards sponsor Mastercard January 16, 2023 Younger Brits are more likely to get their music recommendations from social media with TikTok and Instagram the most popular platforms. According to a new report by Mastercard 56 per cent of those aged 16-24 found their favourite music online. The report by the Brits Awards sponsor claims social media is overtaking physical concerts and [...]
Lisa Marie Presley, singer and only child of Elvis, dies aged 54 January 13, 2023 Lisa Marie Presley, US singer and only child of Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 54, her family has confirmed. In a statement, the Presley family said they were “shocked and devastated” by the news, which was announced on Thursday. The US singer-songwriter was “rushed” for medical treatment earlier the same day, though [...]