Author: Monday Ada

America’s Oldest Band Brings Free Summer Concerts to Denver Parks, Celebrating a Century of Music

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Headline: America’s Oldest Band Brings Free Summer Concerts to Denver Parks, Celebrating a Century of Music…read more… The oldest continuously operating band in the United States, the Denver Municipal Band, is making headlines again this summer—not just for its impressive 160-year legacy, but for the joy it’s spreading across Denver through a series of free concerts in public parks. As one of the city’s most cherished cultural institutions, the band is offering residents and visitors alike a chance to experience live music under the Colorado sky, with performances that span classical, jazz, pop, patriotic favorites, and more. Founded…

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Dave Stewart Revisits a Lifetime of Bob Dylan Songs on Reflective New Tribute Album

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Dave Stewart Revisits a Lifetime of Bob Dylan Songs on Reflective New Tribute Album…read more… Dave Stewart, best known as one-half of the iconic pop duo Eurythmics, has never shied away from experimentation. Over the decades, the British musician has explored rock, pop, electronic, blues, and even orchestral music. But with his latest project — a heartfelt tribute album titled Dylan Reimagined — Stewart turns his attention to the legendary Bob Dylan, offering a reinterpretation of the Nobel laureate’s timeless songwriting through his own deeply personal lens. The 14-track album, released under Stewart’s own Bay Street Records, features…

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Suede Take Fans Behind the Scenes of New Single ‘Dancing With The Europeans’: “It’s About Connecting in a Disconnected World”

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Suede Take Fans Behind the Scenes of New Single ‘Dancing With The Europeans’: “It’s About Connecting in a Disconnected World…see more… British alt-rock legends Suede have once again stepped into the cultural spotlight with the release of their electrifying new single, “Dancing With The Europeans.” Known for their ability to blend glam-rock grandeur with lyrical introspection, the band offers fans not only a track brimming with sonic ambition but also a reflection of today’s fractured emotional landscape. In an exclusive behind-the-scenes look, Suede frontman Brett Anderson opened up about the inspiration behind the track, its production, and how…

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— American Musical Satirist Tom Lehrer Dies at 97, Celebrated for His Witty, Provocative Songs Tom Lehrer, the sharp-witted mathematician-turned-musical satirist whose darkly comedic songs skewered everything from politics to pollution with biting precision, has died at the age of 97, according to U.S. media reports confirmed on Tuesday. Lehrer passed away peacefully at his California residence, closing a chapter on one of America’s most idiosyncratic artistic voices of the 20th century. Best known for his piano-driven songs delivered in a crisp, ironic tone, Lehrer captured the anxieties and absurdities of postwar America with gleeful irreverence. Though his active career in entertainment was relatively brief, Lehrer’s influence continues to resonate with satirists, comedians, and musicians alike. Born on April 9, 1928, in New York City, Thomas Andrew Lehrer was a child prodigy who entered Harvard University at age 15 to study mathematics. While pursuing an academic career, he began writing parody songs and performing them for friends and classmates. His natural flair for wordplay and subversive humor quickly garnered a cult following. His debut album, Songs by Tom Lehrer, self-released in 1953, was recorded for just $15 and sold by mail order. Despite its low-budget origins, it circulated widely among college students and intellectual circles. Songs like “The Old Dope Peddler,” “Be Prepared,” and “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park” showcased his signature blend of innocent melodies and morbidly satirical lyrics. Lehrer’s style stood in contrast to the earnest folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. Where Bob Dylan or Pete Seeger delivered political commentary with urgency and hope, Lehrer embraced cynicism, using humor as both scalpel and shield. In songs like “So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III),” he lampooned Cold War militarism, while “Pollution” offered a jaunty guide to environmental degradation in urban America. Despite—or perhaps because of—his controversial subjects, Lehrer gained national attention. In 1960, he briefly took a hiatus from music to return to academia but came roaring back in 1965 when he was invited to write songs for the satirical television show That Was the Week That Was (TW3) on NBC. These performances brought Lehrer’s work to a wider audience, tackling topics such as racism, nuclear proliferation, and Vatican policy with razor-sharp wit. Among his best-known songs from this period is “The Vatican Rag,” a cheerful sing-along that satirized reforms in the Catholic Church. Another, “National Brotherhood Week,” highlighted the hypocrisy of performative tolerance in American race relations. Lehrer’s ability to tackle heavy issues with levity helped define a new form of musical political satire that paved the way for later artists such as “Weird Al” Yankovic, Randy Newman, and even contemporary late-night show satire. Yet by the late 1960s, Lehrer had largely stepped back from public performance. He often remarked that real-world events had become so absurd that satire was becoming obsolete. “Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,” Lehrer once quipped. He turned his attention back to teaching, spending much of the next three decades as a mathematics and musical theater professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. While he occasionally made brief appearances or authorized reissues of his recordings, he steadfastly declined to return to professional entertainment. His withdrawal only heightened his mystique. In a rare public gesture, Lehrer stunned fans in 2020 when he announced he was placing all of his lyrics and recordings into the public domain. “I am hereby granting everyone permission to use my songs for whatever they want,” he stated on his website. “No rights reserved.” It was a fittingly radical act for someone who had spent his career lampooning authority and questioning societal norms. Throughout his life, Lehrer remained a deeply private person. He never married and seldom granted interviews in his later years. Nevertheless, his impact was quietly monumental. His clever rhymes, advanced vocabulary, and deft piano skills inspired generations of artists across disciplines. Stephen Sondheim once praised Lehrer as “a rare combination of musician and satirist whose songs remain as trenchant today as they were half a century ago.” News of Lehrer’s passing triggered a wave of tributes across social media, with comedians, musicians, academics, and fans expressing gratitude for the body of work he left behind. “Tom Lehrer proved you could be smart, funny, and fearless—and set it all to music,” tweeted Lin-Manuel Miranda. “He was an American original.” The Smithsonian Institution, which has archived several of Lehrer’s recordings and manuscripts, called him “a towering figure in the history of American satire, whose songs remain relevant, pointed, and hilariously uncomfortable to this day.” While Lehrer may have receded from the spotlight decades ago, his songs have continued to appear in classrooms, comedy routines, and YouTube videos, their themes often as applicable now as they were when he first wrote them. In an era of escalating political polarization, environmental crises, and culture wars, Lehrer’s voice—a mix of scholarly intellect and irreverent jest—seems eerily prescient. Even as he shied away from public life, Lehrer understood the longevity of his work. “If, after hearing my songs, just one human being is inspired to say something nasty to a friend,” he once said, “or perhaps to strike a loved one, it will all have been worthwhile.” Tom Lehrer is survived by his devoted fans, a growing archive of recordings that remain freely available online, and a legacy that testifies to the enduring power of satire in holding a mirror to society. His piano may be silent now, but the laughter—and the truths he uncovered—live on. —

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— American Musical Satirist Tom Lehrer Dies at 97, Celebrated for His Witty, Provocative Songs…read more… Tom Lehrer, the sharp-witted mathematician-turned-musical satirist whose darkly comedic songs skewered everything from politics to pollution with biting precision, has died at the age of 97, according to U.S. media reports confirmed on Tuesday. Lehrer passed away peacefully at his California residence, closing a chapter on one of America’s most idiosyncratic artistic voices of the 20th century. Best known for his piano-driven songs delivered in a crisp, ironic tone, Lehrer captured the anxieties and absurdities of postwar America with gleeful irreverence. Though…

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Mariah Carey Says Ex-Husband Tommy Mottola ‘Shot Down’ Early R&B Vision: ‘He Didn’t Want Me Making That Music’

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Mariah Carey Says Ex-Husband Tommy Mottola ‘Shot Down’ Early R&B Vision: ‘He Didn’t Want Me Making That Music’….see more… In a revealing new interview, music icon Mariah Carey opened up about the early struggles she faced trying to express her authentic musical identity, claiming that her ex-husband and former Sony Music executive Tommy Mottola discouraged her from embracing R&B during the beginning of her career. Speaking candidly during a segment aired Tuesday on The Mixdown, Carey reflected on how her earliest efforts to record and release R&B-influenced tracks were rejected or dismissed by Mottola, who was then both…

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Busta Rhymes to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: ‘Everything Is Divine Timing’

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Busta Rhymes to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: ‘Everything Is Divine Timing’…read more… In a career-defining moment that blends recognition, legacy, and spiritual reflection, hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes is set to receive his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The announcement was made this week by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, confirming that the rapper, known for his explosive energy, lightning-speed flow, and genre-defining presence, will be honored with one of entertainment’s most prestigious accolades. The news arrives as Busta Rhymes, born Trevor George Smith Jr., continues to ride a wave of renewed respect…

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Blackhawks Ink Goalie Arvid Soderblom to Two-Year Contract Extension

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Blackhawks Ink Goalie Arvid Soderblom to Two-Year Contract Extension…read more… The Chicago Blackhawks announced Saturday that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Arvid Soderblom on a two-year contract extension, ensuring the young Swedish netminder will remain part of their rebuilding efforts through the 2026-27 NHL season. The deal, which carries an annual cap hit of $1.15 million, reflects the organization’s continued belief in Soderblom’s potential despite his recent on-ice struggles. The 24-year-old goalie is coming off a difficult 2024-25 season, but the Blackhawks front office remains confident that his development trajectory remains on course. “Arvid is…

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Emil Hemming Eyes Spot Among ‘Finnish Mafia’ as He Joins Dallas Stars’ NHL Ranks

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Headline: Emil Hemming Eyes Spot Among ‘Finnish Mafia’ as He Joins Dallas Stars’ NHL Ranks… read more… Emil Hemming, one of Finland’s most promising young hockey talents, is setting his sights on becoming the newest member of the Dallas Stars’ unofficial but storied “Finnish Mafia.” The 18-year-old forward, who was selected by the Stars as the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, joins a growing lineage of Finnish players who have left their mark on the franchise — and he is eager to add his own name to that legacy. The term “Finnish Mafia” is used…

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Steve Aoki Welcomes First Child With Wife Sasha: ‘We’re So in Love With Him Already

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Steve Aoki Welcomes First Child With Wife Sasha: ‘We’re So in Love With Him Already’…see more… In a joyful announcement that has warmed the hearts of fans around the world, internationally renowned DJ and producer Steve Aoki revealed he has welcomed his first child with wife Sasha Aoki. The couple shared the exciting news via Instagram on Saturday, posting a heartwarming photo of their newborn son swaddled in a soft white blanket, surrounded by flowers and a beaming pair of proud parents. Aoki, 47, known for his electrifying performances, cake-throwing stage antics, and collaborations with artists across genres—from BTS…

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Gwyneth Paltrow Becomes ‘Temporary Spokesperson’ for Astronomer Amid Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal

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Gwyneth Paltrow Becomes ‘Temporary Spokesperson’ for Astronomer Amid Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal…read more… In a surprising turn of events following a viral moment at a Coldplay concert, Oscar-winning actress and wellness mogul Gwyneth Paltrow has officially joined forces with the up-and-coming fashion brand Astronomer as a “temporary spokesperson.” The collaboration, confirmed on Friday by both Paltrow’s team and Astronomer, arrives on the heels of the so-called “Kiss Cam Scandal” that erupted earlier this week when footage emerged of Paltrow sharing a brief, unexpected embrace with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, during the band’s encore at London’s O2 Arena.…

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