Random Music News for Wednesday, June 10, 2015

On this day in 1977, the groundbreaking Apple II went on sale.

1. Speaking of Apple, did you notice that during Monday’s Apple Music presentation they shone a spotlight on an artist that doesn’t really exist.
2. I wish this Sex Pistols Mastercard was real. I’d have one in my wallet.
3. Wait: There IS going to be a Sex Pistols Mastercard? Seriously?
4. Say hello to Yemen’s first female rapper.
5. Are we slowly returning to the days of musical activism and protest songs?
6. If you hate product placement in music videos, read this.
7. How music helps you fight infections.
8. Did you know that One Direction’s former lawyer is competing in the Women’s World Cup?
9. Shut up, Beyonce.
10. Drake celebrated a night out with a $20,000 bottle of booze.
11. Band member sues sexual assault accuser for defamation.
12. Meanwhile, an Australian man has been charged over the assault of a transgender musician.
13. Jada Pinkett Smith reveals her relationship with Tupac.
14. Iggy Azalea is having a very, very bad week.
15. A new documentary on Daft Punk will feature Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.
16. Did Beethoven have African roots? Does his music reveal that?
17. Band leader James Last has died at 66. At my first radio job, I had to play a lot of his stuff, including “The Seduction.”