Random music news for Monday, June 24, 2019

Off to Winnipeg tonight to prepare for a TEDx presentation I have to give on Wednesday. Maybe I’ll see you there. Now, some music news for June 24, 2019.

1. RIP legendary manager Elliott Roberts. He steered the careers of everyone from Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to The Cars. He was 76.
2. Metallica donated £40,000 to a Manchester charity that helps the homeless.
3. How the Rickenbacker 12-string guitar was invented.
4. There can’t be a lot of gramophone repairmen left. This guy seems to be doing well, though. (Via Tom)
5. This probably wasn’t what Amazon had in mind for Alexa.
6. Ever use the streaming-ripping site Convert2MP3? It’s been shut down by the recording industry.
7. Dave Grohl really loves his mom. See?
8. And Alice Cooper really loves his wife. See?
9. Remember the poster for the movie The Bodyguard? Kevin Costner wasn’t carrying Whitney Houston. See?
10. The documentary on Bill Wyman, the quiet bass player of The Rolling Stones, is hitting theatres.
11. Samuel L. Jackson’s next acting gig will be playing funkmaster George Clinton.
12. Streaming music’s next big frontier? Classical music.
13. Fun: Songs that were banned by the BBC over the years. (Via Alex)
14. Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy is selling this house.
15. Madonna is playing smaller venues on this upcoming tour. Here’s why.
16. Singing seals. Neat.
17. Do NOT make fun of Brian May’s grey hair. Here’s why.
18. Bono was hanging out with the Obama clan in the French Riviera.