U2: Bono is frightened by a lot of what he sees in America these days
Bono is frightened by a lot of what he sees in America these days.
At U2’s Experience + Innocence tour opener Wednesday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he told the crowd, "It’s getting dangerous out there in America, and I’m not just talking about the weather." Using a megaphone decorated in the stars and stripes, he stood in front of a video screen projecting KKK rallies and other provocative images and slogans.
The whole thing set the song "American Soul," which they performed in front of a huge transparent American flag, while Bono spoke of "praying for the safety of the American dream."
MORE BIG 95 MUSIC NEWS: Monday, May 7th
PAUL McCARTNEY: Honored again by the Queen
20 years after being knighted, Paul McCartney returned to Buckingham Palace today (Friday) for another honor from Queen Elizabeth.
Sir Paul was made a Companion of Honour. This is an even rarer award -- only 65 people are invested with it at any given time.
After the Queen draped the medallion around his neck, McCartney said, "I see this as a huge honor for me and my family, and I think of how proud my Liverpool mum and dad would have been to see this."
This is McCartney's third royal honor. Along with his fellow Beatles, he received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in June 1965. (BBC)
LIONEL RICHIE: Jokes about Idol
Lionel Richie poked fun at his job on American Idol during Thursday's performance in New Orleans.
On stage at Jazz Fest, Lionel joked, "I would never in my life go through what they go through. [The contestants] come on stage with nothing and give us everything."
He later performed "We Are the World" as a tribute to Michael Jackson and capped his set with "All Night Long (All Night)." But since the crowd singing along nearly drowned him out, he joked, "You think you came to hear me sing" and suggested fans all shake hands with one another. (Billboard)
Rick Springfield still gets excited about acting. The '80s hit-maker and soap opera star tells the Connecticut Post, "If the writing is really good -- and there is a lot of great writing now on TV -- it’s an incredible high to work on roles. I cannot be me for a while and I get a lot of freedom and peace from that, plus it’s a creative process that I also enjoy."
Steven Tyler did some recording in Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama last week ahead of Aerosmith’s performance at JazzFest in New Orleans on Saturday. He writes on Facebook, “Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, the Stones, Little Richard…they all made some beautiful music and it all went down in legendary Muscle Shoals. You’re a small town with a big heart. Thank you for making us feel welcome. Nothing but love for you.”
Part-time Queen singer Adam Lambert will be on Live With Kelly and Ryan Monday.
The Lonely One, a debut album by Ashley Campbell, will be out next Friday (May 11th). The youngest daughter of the late Glen Campbell accompanied him on his acclaimed Goodbye Tour and recorded the song the song “Remembering” as a tribute to him in 2015.