Random Music News for Thursday, July 9, 2015

Donkey Kong first showed up on this day in 1981. It featured a character named Mario, of course.

1. Interesting theory: You know why Britain loved the Beatles so much? Because they sang about the weather.
2. Who has (had) the most iconic hairstyles in music?
3. Car dashboards: technological boon or driving menace?
4. The “no sex” video is causing something of a stir.
5. The weird, subversive fiction of hip hop. This is a good read.
6. Why films about musicians leave so much out.
7. How tiny, tiny music royalties can really add up.
8. Taylor Swift’s 1989 is the fastest-selling album in ten years.
9. Disaster in Haiti has spawned a unique music scene.
10. Interesting stat: 95% of music fans don’t pay for music streaming.
11. But college students say they’d be willing to pay.
12. Another stat: iTunes downloads are below 2008 levels.
13. Here’s why you don’t go out for donuts with Ariana Grande.
14. Some never-before-heard James Brown masters are up for sale.
15. Is your Apple Watch giving you a rash?
16. Here’s some insight into the equity deal Sony has with Spotify.
17. Peter Gabriel is working on a new album.
18. A former member of The Eagles is not well and apparently suicidal.
19. Interesting: music for masterpiece paintings.