Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi 

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

News

Nancy Pelosi, Newly Appointed House Speaker, Welcomes Musicians To Ceremony

Facebook Twitter Email
Today marks beginning of Pelosi’s second term as House speaker
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 3, 2019 - 4:39 pm

Newly elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been sworn in at the Capitol on the opening day of the 116th Congress, marking the beginning of her second term as House speaker.

GRAMMY-winning musical legend and Pelosi's longtime friend Tony Bennett and the Grateful Dead's GRAMMY-winning drummer Mickey Hart were among her guests, along with family members, at the ceremony on Jan. 3.

Pelosi, who beat Republican nominee Kevin McCarthy, is so far the only woman to have been elected House speaker. Her first term was from 2007–2011.

Bennett, who reportedly serenaded Pelosi the night before the ceremony at an exclusive dinner at the Italian Embassy, and Hart took to Twitter to show support for Pelosi, with Bennett tweeting a picture of himself at the Capitol. Hart, meanwhile, retweeted Pelosi with "Proud of our democracy and diversity today."

The new class of Congress includes a record number of women, 127 in total, and is one of the most diverse in its history.

GRAMMY Advocacy In Action: The Music Modernization Act & Beyond

Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart

Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart

Photo: Peter Simon/Getty Images

News

Grateful Dead's 'Aoxomoxoa' Reissue Has Remixes Plus 1969 Live Recordings

Facebook Twitter Email
50th anniversary reissue of the breakthrough third album shows their signature psychedelic style's beginnings
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 29, 2019 - 12:21 pm

Aoxomoxoa is the title of the Grateful Dead's 1969 album — a palindrome, it is pronounced the same way backwards as reading the usual way, left to right. That was "far-out" 50 years ago, and on the album's 50th anniversary the Grateful Dead and Rhino Records will reissue Aoxomoxoa including remastered versions of both the album's 1969 mix and 1971 remix by Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, as well as 1969 live performances of the songs at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.

The album was a creative breakthrough, as the band broke from label guidance, explored acoustic-only arrangements and self-production, and also welcomed lyricist Robert Hunter. Hunter and Garcia composed all the songs on the album and were joined by Phil Lesh in creating Aoxomoxoa's first track "St. Stephen." 

A limited edition of 10,000 vinyl 12" picture discs will be released in addition to the 2-CD set. Both versions are now available for pre-order online.

Dead & Company continue to tour with Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir as well as GRAMMY winner John Mayer. Their latest run of dates begins May 31.

Bob Weir Holds Court At GRAMMY U SoundChecks: "The Passion Is Up To You"

GRAMMYs

Dolores O'Riordan

Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/WireImage

News

The Cranberries Announce Eighth And Final Album, 'In The End'

Facebook Twitter Email
The Irish alt-rock band, who lost lead singer Dolores O'Riordan last year, also unveiled a new single titled "All Over Now"
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 15, 2019 - 4:02 pm

Band members of Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries have announced that they will release their eighth and final album In The End on April 26 via BGM.

"In honour of our dear friend and bandmate, Dolores, we present to you the final album from The Cranberries, ‘In The End,’" the band tweeted.

The announcement comes one year after the death of powerful lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, who died suddenly while in London for a recording session on Jan. 15, 2018. She was 46.

The band also released a single titled "All Over Now" from the upcoming album. The song "blends rock, alternative and catchy almost pop-sounding melodies to deliver a classic Cranberries sound," the band said on their website.

The BBC reported in Sept. that O'Riordan's cause of death was a "tragic accident" due to excessive drinking. She was found submerged in the bath of her hotel room.

For 30 years, the Cranberries blended alternative rock with pop to create a melodic sound that could be both hard and sweet. Hits like "Zombie" and "Dreams" captured the band's ability to shift their sound. The final album, which has 11 tracks and was produced by Stephen Street, is a "fitting and powerful closure," the band said.

"I can't think of a more fitting way to commemorate the first anniversary of Dolores' passing and to celebrate her life than to announce to the world the release of her final album with the band," O'Riordan's mother, Eileen O'Riordan, said on the band's album announcement. 

Coachella 2019 Lineup Revealed With Extended YouTube Live-Stream Partnership

GRAMMYs

Bikini Kill

Photo: Steve Eichner/WireImage

News

Legendary Riot Grrrl Band Bikini Kill Reunite, Announce Tour

Facebook Twitter Email
The "Rebel Girl" band will play all-ages shows in Los Angeles in New York City and a 16+ show in Brooklyn, N.Y. in the spring
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 15, 2019 - 12:24 pm

Bikini Kill, the legendary politically outspoken feminist '90s punk band that launched the Riot Grrrl movement, have reunited and announced a tour.

The "Rebel Girl" band, who inspired women to express themselves via music and DIY culture, will play all-ages shows in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as a 16+ show in Brooklyn, N.Y. that will begin in the spring.

"Bikini Kill are thrilled to announce they will be regrouping to play shows in NY and LA this spring," the band said on their website. "They will perform with their iconic line-up of Kathleen Hanna on vocals, Tobi Vail on drums, and Kathi Wilcox on bass -- along with guitarist Erica Dawn Lyle."

The group formed in 1990 and were based in Olympia, Wash. and Washington, D.C. Before their break-up in 1997, they recorded and released a demo, two EPs, two LPs and three singles. They toured the U.S., Japan, Europe and Australia.  

Frontwoman Hanna went on to form band Le Tigre and a solo career as Julie Ruin. The Punk Singer documentary is based on her activism and musical career and shows the singer's life and battle with Lyme disease.

Tickets for all three shows will go on sale on Friday, Jan. 18. Both NYC shows will be on sale at 9 A.M. PT / 12 P.M. ET, while the L.A. show will go on sale at 10 A.M. PT / 1 P.M. ET. For more info, visit the band's website.

Coachella Announces "Every One" Initiative To Fight Harassment And Assault
 

Mike Garson

Mike Garson 

Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images

News

A Bowie Celebration Announces Tour Dates

Facebook Twitter Email
A Bowie Celebration will tour cities in Europe in Jan. and early Feb., before hitting U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Houston and New York City
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 14, 2019 - 4:50 pm

David Bowie's backing bands are heading out on tour to continue the GRAMMY winner's legacy for the third year in a row.

A Bowie Celebration will tour cities in Europe in Jan. and early Feb., before hitting U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Houston and New York City until March. 

The tour is formed by Bowie's "longest-leading and most frequent band member" Mike Garson, guitarist Earl Sick, bassist Carmine Rojas, multi-instrumentalist Mark Plati, guitarist Charlie Sexton and vocalists Bernard Fowler and Corey Glover, according to Rolling Stone.

The magazine reports that the band has been joined by several guest vocalists in the past, including Perry Farrell and Evan Rachel Wood, and plays hits like "Rebel Rebel" and "Ziggy Stardust."

"One way or another, David is continuously there with us,” Garson said in a statement. “He’s on stage each night, in the audience and always in the very essence of each song. We do these shows for the fans who’ve loved David and his music, and for those who are new to his music-they’re about to get hooked. Through this process of the celebration of his music, we do these shows for David who is a constant presence in our minds, hearts and soul."

For more information on the tour see here.

Quincy Jones To Receive Special Achievement Honor From The African-American Film Critics Association