Biden's Pick To Lead State Department Has A Wonk Rock Band

Antony Blinken, President-elect Biden's choice for secretary of state, has much diplomatic experience. He also has a band called Ablinken. He has two original songs on Spotify.

Music News

January 19, 2021

12-Year-Old Trumpeter From Georgia Will Play In Virtual Inauguration Parade

For 100 straight days, Jason Zgonc played his trumpet outside Emory Decatur Hospital near Atlanta to cheer up exhausted health care workers, who were caring for COVID-19 patients.
January 19, 2021

Foo Fighters Are Among Musicians Participating In Inaugural Festivities

Many musicians will perform in a celebration of Joe Biden's inauguration, including the Foo Fighters. Band leader Dave Grohl explains how he got involved, and how he picked the song they
January 18, 2021

Trump Pardons Steve Bannon, Lil Wayne In Final Clemency Flurry

Enlarge this image Steve Bannon leaves federal court, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, after pleading not guilty to charges that he defrauded donors
January 16, 2021

Phil Spector, Legendary Record Producer And Convicted Murderer, Has Died At 81

Enlarge this image Phil Spector, in the studio in an undated photo. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide captiontoggle caption Michael Ochs
January 14, 2021

Sylvain Sylvain, New York Dolls Guitarist, Dies At 69

Enlarge this image Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls, shown here performing in 2007, has died at the age of 69.
January 14, 2021

Multiple Men With The Same Name Form Paul O'Sullivan Band

Paul O'Sullivan of Baltimore was perusing social media, and friending people who shared his name. Some were musicians like him. They've formed The Paul O'Sullivan Band and released their first single.
Jan 13, 2021

Lady Gaga, J-Lo To Headline Biden Inauguration

Enlarge this image Jennifer Lopez, as well as Lady Gaga, will perform at the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden next week.
Jan 13, 2021

Bill Proposes Dolly Parton Statue On Tenn. Capitol Grounds

State Rep. John Mark Windle introduced the bill in Nashville. He said Dolly Parton is the "perfect example" of the "kind, compassionate nature of…
Jan 13, 2021

'Artists, Weirdos, Hellriders And Homies:' Thrasher Magazine Turns 40

Enlarge this image Courtesy of Thrasher Magaine Courtesy of Thrasher Magaine Playboy.
Jan 12, 2021

After Missing Last Year, 2021 Kennedy Center Honors Are Announced

Enlarge this image Clockwise from upper left: Debbie Allen, Garth Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, Joan Baez and Midori Goto. Uarian Langerston,
Jan 11, 2021

2021 Music Preview: 'Little Oblivions,' Collapsed In Sunbeams'

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Jan 10, 2021

NPR's Classical Music Editor Previews 2 Albums You'll Want To Hear

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Jan 10, 2021

Car Concerts Offer Choirs A Way To Rehearse And Perform

Enlarge this image Tim Schantz conducts Luminous Voices' first car concert, on Oct. 4, 2020. Kenton Smith hide captiontoggle caption Kenton
Jan 07, 2021

Tracy Chapman Wins Lawsuit Against Nicki Minaj

Enlarge this image Singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, performing in Carhaix-Plouguer, France in 2006. Andre Durand/AFP via Getty Images hide…
Jan 07, 2021

With 2021 Off To A Rocky Start, There's At Least New Music To Listen To

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Jan 07, 2021

Investment Firm Buys Rights To Neil Young's Music Catalog

Hipgnosis Songs Fund announced it has acquired a 50% interest in Neil Young's catalogue of 1,180 songs. Hipgnosis also has made deals with producer…
Jan 05, 2021

A Preview Of New Music To Start Off 2021

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Jan 04, 2021

2021 Grammy Awards Postponed Due To Coronavirus Concerns

Enlarge this image The 2021 Grammy Awards ceremony is being postponed, due to coronavirus concerns. Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images hide
Jan 04, 2021

Lil Nas X Says Children Are His Core Audience Right Now, And That's OK

Enlarge this image Lil Nas X, the Grammy-winner behind "Old Town Road," has written and released his first children's book, C Is
Jan 04, 2021

2021 Music Recommendations: 'Heaux Tales,' 'Demidevil'

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Jan 03, 2021

U.K. Man Gets Carried Away While Watching Celine Dion TV Concert

Thomas Dodd was enjoying the show with a few drinks. A couple days later, some unexpected mail arrived. He doesn't remember the details, but he…
Jan 03, 2021

3 Grammy Contenders Share Outrage At All-White Category, Decline Nominations

Enlarge this image Justin Lansing (left) and Joe Mailander (right) of The Okee Dokee Brothers have declined their 2021 Grammy Award nomination
Dec 31, 2020

Bluegrass Band Sister Sadie Embodies Tradition, But Bends It Too

Enlarge this image Dale Ann Bradley (left), Tina Adair, Gena Britt Tew and Deanie Richardson (center) of the bluegrass band Sister Sadie
Dec 30, 2020

MF DOOM, Intricate And Enigmatic Rapper And Producer, Dead At 49

Enlarge this image MF DOOM, who always performed behind his signature mask, told NPR in in 2003, "The music first, then everything
Dec 30, 2020

Pianist Claude Bolling, Creator Of Popular Jazz/Classical Suites, Has Died

Enlarge this image A shot of jazz pianist Claude Bolling and friends, taken on a beach in Cannes, France in 1969.
Dec 28, 2020

Tony Rice Was My Guitar Hero

Enlarge this image Tony Rice performs on stage during Bonnaroo 2009 in Manchester, Tenn.. Jason Merritt/TERM/FilmMagic hide captiontoggle caption…
Dec 28, 2020

'Brother Robert' Reveals True Story Of Growing Up With Blues Legend Robert Johnson

Enlarge this image Annye Anderson — stepsister of Robert Johnson — published her memoir Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson in
Dec 28, 2020

Members Of The Band Kiss Urge Eveyone To Mask Up

Singer Gene Simmons posted a photo of the band en route to Dubai for a livestream concert. Not in their usual devilish face paint, they were wearing…
Dec 28, 2020

Jazz Musicians Discover New Possibilities Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Jazz musicians often rely on the energy they take from a live audience. So when live performances were shut down because of the pandemic, they had to…
Dec 27, 2020

'Morning Edition Song Project' Will Continue Into 2021

Morning Edition co-hosts Rachel Martin and David Greene discuss the Morning Edition Song Project, in which musicians write songs about the news of…
Dec 26, 2020

Tony Rice, A Giant Of The Acoustic Guitar, Dead At 69

Enlarge this image Tony Rice performing in 2000. Stephen A. Ide/Getty Images hide captiontoggle caption Stephen A. Ide/Getty Images
Dec 25, 2020

Frank Sinatra And Jack Kerouac Performed At This Denver Bar. Now It's Closing

Like many music venues, Denver's legendary El Chapultepec is closing. But the 87-year-old institution is closing not only because of the pandemic but…
Dec 25, 2020

This Denver Bar Once Welcomed Frank Sinatra And Jack Kerouac. Now It's Closed

The legendary El Chapultepec has closed after 87 years in business — not only because of the pandemic, but also because Denver has changed.
Dec 24, 2020

'Rompan Todo' Explores A Turbulent History Of Latin America Through Rock Music

Enlarge this image Sergio Arau (center) poses with fellow Botellita de Jerez bandmates. They were one of the most influential groups in
Dec 24, 2020

In 'Soul,' Jon Batiste's Music Helps Bring Pixar's First Black Lead To Life

In Soul, Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Musician Jon Batiste wrote original music and
Dec 23, 2020

Playboi Carti Finally Drops Second Album, 'Whole Lotta Red'

Enlarge this image Playboi Carti released Whole Lotta Red, the long-anticipated follow up to 2018's Die Lit. Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty

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