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1 week ago | 
flipboard.com | Matt Friedlander
NowSecretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides shut down a State Department office on Wednesday that tracks and counters global disinformation from foreign actors, including the governments of China, Russia and Iran, U.S. officials said. The closing of the office, the Counter Foreign Information …
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Today (April 14) marks the 80th birthday of one of the all-time great hard-rock guitarists, Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore first enjoyed international fame as the co-founder of the legendary British rock band Deep Purple. He then enjoyed further success when he launched a second popular hard-rock group, Rainbow, in the mid-1970s. In 1968, Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple with keyboardist Jon Lord, drummer Ian Paice, singer Rod Evans, and bassist Nick Simper.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Stevie Nicks has added a series of new North American concerts to her 2025 tour schedule. The longtime Fleetwood Mac singer and solo star already had four confirmed joint shows with Billy Joel lined up this year, and she now has announced nine new headlining dates taking place in August and October.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Elton John and Brandi Carlile have been making the rounds promoting Who Believes in Angels?, sharing in multiple interviews how much they love their new collaborative album. Their fans apparently feel the same way, as the album has topped the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart. This marks the 10th time that one of Elton’s albums has reached No. 1 on the tally, while it’s Brandi’s first U.K. cart-topper.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Heart brought its 2025 Royal Flush Tour to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 12, delivering an inspired set celebrating the band’s 50-year career. Before the show began, longtime Heart photographer Criss Cain hit the stage to address the audience.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and his band undoubtedly changed a lot of musicians’ and music fans’ lives with their many complex and enduring prog-rock songs. Not surprisingly, Lifeson has his own list of tunes that had a major impact on his life and his love of music. The 71-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer recently visited the Canadian radio station CBC Music to chat about his post-Rush band Envy of None’s just-released second album, Stygian Wavz.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
On April 11, 1970, fifty-five years ago, The Beatles’ classic ballad “Let It Be” became the band’s next-to-last single to top the Billboard Hot 100. The song, which also was the title track of the Fab Four’s final studio album, was written and sung by Paul McCartney, although bandmate John Lennon received a co-writing credit. “Let It Be” knocked Simon & Garfunkel’s enduring tune “Bridge over Troubled Water” from No. 1 on the Hot 100.
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1 week ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
Neil Young recently added two shows to his 2025 performance schedule. The first is a solo benefit gig for a private school located near his hometown in Ontario, Canada, while the second is a concert with his current backing band The Chrome Hearts at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The first show will take place on May 23 on the Northcote Campus of Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Canada.
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2 weeks ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
A new box set focusing on the creation of late influential British singer/songwriter Nick Drake’s 1969 debut album, Five Leaves Left, is due out this summer. The Making of Five Leaves Left will be released on July 25. It will be available as a four-CD set, four-LP vinyl package, and digitally. The collection, which is authorized by Drake’s estate, features rare demo recordings, studio outtakes, and previously unheard songs. It also includes a new mix of the original album.
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2 weeks ago | 
americansongwriter.com | Matt Friedlander
John Fogerty recently announced plans to celebrate his 80th birthday at a special May 28 concert in New York City. Now, the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman’s social media pages have posted a message reaching out to fans asking them to submit their own birthday wishes to Fogerty to mark the milestone. A special webpage has been launched where fans can submit videos messages. The online note reads, “We’re celebrating on May 28th and we want you to be part of it.
