Latest news with #musicLegends
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
There's a P. Ramlee tribute concert happening this September and here's why it's worth considering
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — A tribute concert for the late Malaysian icon Tan Sri P. Ramlee is set to take place this September 20, featuring some of the country's top performers and maestros. The Konsert Legasi P. Ramlee, which will be held at the Mega Star Arena Kuala Lumpur in Sungei Wang Plaza, promises an immersive experience that blends classic, contemporary, and pop elements into a theatrical, cinematic, and emotionally resonant performance. The concert will feature four renowned local music maestros — composers and music directors Datuk Mokhzani Ismail, Datuk Ramli MS, and Helen Yap, along with acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Veerapen, who will conduct a 60-piece orchestra during the show. There will also be performances by a dynamic lineup of legendary and contemporary artists, including Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Datuk Zainal Abidin, Ella, Mimi Fly, Nadeera, and Liza Hanim. Audiences can expect over 30 timeless P. Ramlee songs, reinterpreted through a mix of medleys, duets, and solo performances. Some songs will retain their original arrangements, while others will feature modern musical stylings that stay true to their essence. Additionally, the concert will feature special appearances by three celebrated P. Ramlee tribute performers — P. Radhi, Danie Hasbullah, and Musly Ramlee. Konsert Legasi P. Ramlee is organised by TanahAir Films Sdn Bhd, founded by prominent media figure Datuk Khairul Anwar Salleh and well-known actor-director Adlin Aman Ramlie. The concert is part of their 'Projek Perdana P. Ramlee', an ambitious multi-platform initiative designed to honour the artistic brilliance and cultural legacy of P. Ramlee and his contemporaries. Khairul said the concert marks the second phase of the Projek Perdana P. Ramlee initiative, which began with the launch of their Legasi Podcast in September 2024. 'This concert is more than just entertainment. It is a bridge between generations, a revival of timeless artistic values, and a heartfelt tribute to one of the greatest cultural figures in our nation's history,' said Khairul. Adlin added that the concert is not only a nostalgic homage, but also a bold reinvention: 'This will be an unforgettable evening that transports audiences back to the golden era of Malay music — reimagined through the lens of four brilliant musical minds. 'It will revive the spirit of P. Ramlee not only in melody, but through every scene, every moment, and every emotional beat,' said Adlin. Although ticket prices have yet to be announced, tickets for Konsert Legasi P. Ramlee will go on sale next Friday, June 27, via
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Remembering Sly Stone and Brian Wilson
It happened this past week ... we learned of the passing of two giants of popular music: Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys; and Sly Stone, frontman of Sly and the Family Stone. Musician Sly Stone, of Sly and the Family Stone, performs at the Woodstock Festival on August 17, 1969 in Bethel, New York. MichaelSly Stone Born Sylvester Stewart in 1943, he became "Sly" when a classmate misspelled his first name on the chalkboard. A gifted musician, by four he was singing on stage. He made his first recording at 9, and was working as a DJ when he formed a band in 1966. Just a year later, "Dance to the Music" launched Sly and the Family Stone – the first major group to include Black and White men and women – into super-stardom. Sly and the Family Stone perform "Dance to the Music": A string of hits followed in quick succession, including "Everyday People," "Family Affair," and "Hot Fun in the Summertime." But by the end of the 1970s, drug addiction and mental health issues had taken their toll. The band broke up, and Stone faded from the spotlight. The band reunited in 2006 when they were honored at the Grammy Awards. It would be the last major performance by a man whose style, social conscience, and revolutionary sound forever changed the course of pop music. Sly Stone died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 82. "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly and the Family Stone: The Beach Boys (from left, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, and David Marks) pose for a portrait with a surfboard in August 1962 in Los Angeles. MichaelBrian Wilson Then, on Wednesday, we learned of the passing of another musical genius, with an altogether different sound. Brian Wilson was born in California in 1942. In his teens, he (along with brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine) started a band. Around that time Dennis started surfing, and as Brian told "Sunday Morning's" Anthony Mason in 2015, the rest, is history. "Mike and I started writing surf songs," he said. "But I never surfed, and he never surfed, either." "Did you feel the need to surf for any reason?" Mason asked. "No. I never tried it." "Surfin' USA," by the Beach Boys: But the Beach Boys' sonic palette of surf, sun, cars, and endless summers made them an indelible part of America's pop culture. Widely considered one of rock's greatest songwriters, Brian Wilson was 82. Brian Wilson/Tony Asher's "God Only Knows," from the Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds": Story produced by Liza Monasebian. Editor: Chad Cardin.
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
The sweetest sounds: Remembering Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the music of innocence
When Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys died on Thursday (June 11) at the age of 82, his family announced the sad news in a brief Instagram post, omitting where, when, or how he passed away. They asked for privacy. But Wilson's genius was never a secret — certainly not to the baby boomers who grew up with his music. As his contemporary, former Beatle Paul McCartney, said: 'The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, God Only Knows . Thank you, Brian.' Yes, to recall one of his most beloved songs, God Only Knows what the future holds. But Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys will live on — as long as there are boomers, vinyl records, and Spotify playlists. And later generations should listen, too. Their music is all there, streaming on YouTube and Spotify. The Beach Boys' shimmering harmonies still thrill the most jaded souls and set even the most reluctant feet tapping. Their voices — rising and falling, with Brian Wilson's falsetto floating above —evoke visions of surf, sea, and breeze. It was called surf music, inspired by the waves and beaches of California. Ironically, Wilson himself never surfed. He once said, 'I tried it once and got conked on the head with the board.' But he drew inspiration from the carefree spirit and adrenaline of that world, translating it into irresistible rhythms and haunting melodies. You don't have to surf to be swept away by his sublime harmonies. The sweetest music The Beatles may have been the greatest band. But the Beach Boys made the sweetest music. Wilson's genius didn't emerge in isolation. He rose to fame in the early 1960s, in the youthful, optimistic era of President John Kennedy. Matching the mood of the times, a new sound emerged on American airwaves — first as rousing guitar instrumentals, then through the songs of Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys. It was a sound that married the raw energy of rock and roll with the dreamy cadences of doo-wop. The Beach Boys shared the lush studio sensibilities of producer Phil Spector, whose famous 'Wall of Sound' shaped hits for the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike and Tina Turner. But the Beach Boys were in a category of their own — inimitable in their harmonies and melodies. They were talented musicians, but they owed their signature sound to the genius of their principal songwriter and, eventually, producer: Brian Wilson. Their songs evoke a pop era that now feels almost impossibly innocent. The Beach Boys sang about surfing, fast cars, teenage romance, heartache, and fun — a wholesome young world that still echoes in their music. When the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, Wilson said: 'I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good.' He succeeded brilliantly. Early days Growing up on rock and roll and doo-wop, Brian formed a band with his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Dennis had started surfing and suggested they write a song about it. That became Surfin' . They initially called themselves the Pendletones, after a type of flannel shirt popular with surfers, but the small local label that released their song changed the name to the Beach Boys. It stuck. See also Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Though Wilson never surfed, he vividly conjured that world in exuberant songs like Surfin' Safari and Surfin' USA , and tender ballads like Surfer Girl and Surfer Moon . His songwriting expanded beyond the surf to the full spectrum of teenage life — fast cars, parties, heartbreaks, and dreams. Little Deuce Coupe and 409 celebrated cars, while Fun, Fun, Fun and Don't Worry Baby were about cars and girls. Help Me, Rhonda and Do You Wanna Dance chased romance, and The Warmth of the Sun gave voice to sorrow. Even their bounciest tracks hinted at deeper currents. Beneath the cheerful harmonies were melodies that sometimes meandered into melancholy, like autumn leaves drifting on a breeze. As Wilson's artistry matured, the music became more complex. Nowhere is that more evident than in Pet Sounds , the landmark 1966 album widely regarded as the Beach Boys' greatest work. Pet Sounds Pet Sounds didn't initially match the commercial success of earlier albums like Surfin' USA or All Summer Long , but it has since been acclaimed as a masterpiece. 'It was Pet Sounds that blew me out of the water,' McCartney once said. 'I figure no one is educated musically 'til they've heard that album.' While the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is often ranked the greatest pop album of all time, Pet Sounds is usually second. Among its standout tracks: God Only Knows , often considered the Beach Boys' best; the wistful Wouldn't It Be Nice , about a teenager yearning for adult freedoms; the tender You Still Believe in Me , about falling short of a lover's expectations; and the heartbreaking Caroline, No , a lament for lost love and innocence. The melancholy is offset by the lover's rapture in Good Vibrations, where lush, buzzy instrumentation is complemented by tremulous harmonies. A personal favourite is Sloop John B , a Caribbean folk song transformed by the Beach Boys into a plaintive ballad with haunting harmonies. Wilson's creative genius was shadowed by personal pain. He endured an abusive father, a domineering therapist, and lifelong mental health struggles. In early 2024, after the death of his wife Melinda, Wilson's representatives said he had been diagnosed with dementia. His life after the early highs of the 1960s was uneven, marked by long silences and occasional comebacks. But nothing can erase his place in pop music history as one of its finest innovators. Even Bob Dylan, the Nobel Prize-winning bard of modern songwriting, paid him tribute. 'That ear,' Dylan once said admiringly. 'I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian.' Carl and Dennis Wilson passed away years ago. Now, only Mike Love and Al Jardine remain from the original Beach Boys. In 2012, the Beach Boys performed in Singapore during their 50th anniversary tour. A local newspaper noted some off-key moments and forgotten lyrics, but the fans didn't mind. They were there to honour legends. After all, you don't question the gods of harmony. Featured image from Wikimedia Commons (for illustration purposes only)
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rarely Seen Heavy Metal Icon Has Exciting News For Fans
The world of rock was never the same after Black Sabbath. The four lads from Birmingham—, , Geezer Butler and Bill Ward— solidified the sound we call heavy metal with their self-titled debut album. But for decades, one question remained: who was the "witch" on the cover of Black Sabbath? With long, dark hair and a flowing black coat, the unnamed, intimidating figure stood amongst the weeds, casting her spell. For decades, no one knew that this woman was model Louisa Livingstone. And now, heavy metal maniacs have an opportunity to secure a rare artifact: her autograph. The former model and actress announced that she will raffle off her autograph and a personalized letter to fund a cat rescue project. "Many Black Sabbath fans have asked me online for my autograph, and to this day, nobody has one - for a variety of reasons! But I have now decided, at this epic time with Black Sabbath doing their last ever gig, to raffle my autograph," wrote Livingstone. Raffle tickets cost £1 (or USD 1.35) each, and fans can make multiple purchases to increase their chances of winning. The drawing takes place on July 20, two weeks after Black Sabbath's final show ever. Livingstone hopes to raise funds to purchase property for her cat haven. "I am aware it may sound rather optimistic, but there are literally millions of Black Sabbath fans around the world, and if just a small proportion bought a raffle ticket costing very little, it could be life-changing for my cat rescue efforts," she added. Livingstone's identity as the witch on Black Sabbath stayed a mystery until Rolling Stoneconfirmed it in 2020. "I had no idea I was so popular until after the…interview and article when fans sent me photos of their tattoos bearing my image," she wrote. Louisa says she hasn't made any money off her likeness and "haven't been in a position to sign any autographs anywhere at all." "However, if you feel moved to buy raffle tickets," she wrote, "you will be helping the 'witch on the Black Sabbath cover' to do a lot more for cats that need help and looking after."Rarely Seen Heavy Metal Icon Has Exciting News For Fans first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025
The National
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Review: Guns N' Roses play Human Being live for first time in tribute to Axl Rose's late idol
There are only two acts I can remember who came on stage precisely at the advertised 8pm start time – Selena Gomez and Guns N' Roses. That the latter was once one of the most notoriously tardy bands in the history of rock n' roll is not lost on me. But that's a testament to what Guns N' Roses have become in 2025. Their misbehaviour may be the stuff of legend, and feuds may have kept the core members – Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan – apart for more than two decades, but it's been about 10 years since they made amends. This is not a victory lap or a quick cash grab – this is a band built to last for decades to come. And it makes sense that they would follow in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Elton John and Paul McCartney and potentially play into their eighties. This has always been a band built on those influences – which made them an anachronism even when they debuted in 1985. At that time, their power as a unit was so mighty that they nearly single-handedly pushed mainstream hard rock back to the 70s – the decade when classic rock came to its own – for better and for worse. And now, with each core member either in or approaching their sixties, they're one of the few bands keeping classic rock alive in 2025. Not all the band's 70s heroes are still on stage, of course. In February, the music world lost David Johansen, the front man of the proto-punk pioneers New York Dolls. Johansen's famed on-stage swagger was one of the key influences on Rose, which he has been vocal about since GNR's early days. Most famously, the band paid tribute to the Dolls on their 1993 album The Spaghetti Incident?, covering their 1974 deep cut, Human Being. But for decades, the band never played their New York Dolls cover live. That made it particularly moving when Guns N' Roses played Human Being live on stage in Abu Dhabi for the first time in their history. Rose noted the debut with a smile, along with a tribute to his late hero. It's rare the band has looked this happy and healthy. Rose no longer sports the long hair and bandana, and looks and sounds noticeably better than he did when the band reformed in 2016, which allows him and his cohorts to breeze through a more than three-hour show at Etihad Arena – hitting all the right notes. Slash, on the other hand, remains ageless – his style has never changed, nor has his immaculate and virtuoso playing style. And most importantly, their camaraderie is palpable, with no signs of discord between them. The band, accompanied by their capable new drummer Isaac Carpenter, who joined the band in March, toured through all their beloved hits, starting with Welcome to the Jungle and ending with Paradise City, as they often do. Sweet Child o' Mine, and their covers of Bob Dylan's Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Wings' Live and Let Die were joyously performed. They even reached for some deep cuts, performing Attitude and Reckless Life for the first time on their current tour, and Used To Love Her for the first time since 2018. While the energy of the crowd may not have matched their 2017 show at Dubai's Autism Rocks Arena, which had 30,000 thrilled fans comes to see the reunited line-up for the first time – that is to be expected. This is the band's fifth time in the UAE, after all – and second time in Etihad Arena so far this decade. But their return is welcome, nonetheless, and marks perhaps their best performance yet. If this is the Guns N' Roses we're going to get for the next few decades, the UAE will welcome them back gladly each time.
