Bill Withers, soulful singer of ‘Lean On Me’ and other hits, has died at 81
The three-time Grammy Award winner withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s.
Music
New Orleans jazz great Ellis Marsalis Jr. dead of COVID-related illness
Because the pianist opted to stay in New Orleans for most of his career, his reputation was limited until his sons Wynton and Branford became famous.
Singer-songwriter John Prine in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms
A message posted on Prine’s Twitter page Sunday said the “Angel from Montgomery” singer has been hospitalized since Thursday and his condition worsened on Saturday.
Crossover country superstar Kenny Rogers dies at 81
He died at home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, representative Keith Hagan told The Associated Press. He was under hospice care and died of natural causes, Hagan said.
New Alaska tunes: Listen to these artists while you’re stuck at home
New music from Sundog, Emily Anderson, Termination Dust and Hannah Yoter among others.
Concerts are canceled, so Coldplay, John Legend and Keith Urban are playing right in your living rooms
Artists are taking to social media to share their songs while everyone’s locked up in their homes.
Anchorage jazz musicians launch series to showcase original compositions
John Damberg, Rick Zelinsky and Mark Manners will perform a house concert featuring new jazz compositions Friday March 14.
On their own: Houser, Marvel cut paths without courting commercial country
Country artists Randy Houser and Kendell Marvel will perform in Wasilla Feb. 27, at the Jim Beam Jam in Anchorage on Feb. 28 and in Fairbanks Feb. 29.
Shoot Dangs’ debut album release promises foot-stomping and tomfoolery
The Anchorage “bluecrass” band’s debut album features its signature galloping banjo and frenzied, punk-style ukulele.
5 important questions from the riveting Lopez-Shakira Super Bowl halftime show
What will the reaction be to the U.S. and Puerto Rican flag moment? And, what was with the rope?
Veracruz by way of LA: Las Cafeteras blends Son Jarocho music with American pop
The Chicano band, playing in Anchorage Friday, is known for its eclectic blend of folk and spoken word using, traditional Son Jarocho instruments like the tarima, requinto and the quijada (a donkey jawbone).
Anchorage Folk Fest has everything from Cajun to country blues and bluegrass
Blues musicians Jontavious Willis and Jack Broadbent and Cajun group Feufollet will headline over the course of two weekends. Here’s the schedule of workshops, performances and more.
Neil Peart, drummer for influential rock band Rush, dead at 67
A representative for Neil Peart said in a statement Friday that Peart died at his home Tuesday in Santa Monica.
From alt-rock to outlaw country, Aaron Lewis shares struggles amid success
Lewis, who plays Anchorage this week, started out with the alternative rock group Staind. He’s since scored a number of country hits.
Drake takes fashion cue from Iditarod legend Lance Mackey in new music video
In the video for “War," Drake wears a Lance Mackey-edition Canada Goose parka. “I couldn’t help but to get kind of a kick out of it,” said the four-time Iditarod champ.
Dan Bern performs in Alaska for the first time since injuring hand in snowblower accident
The singer-songwriter took to the piano to write songs for his recently released album after a 2018 accident shredded the tips of some of the fingers of his left hand.
Fairbanks band The Avery Wolves brings psychobilly rock, harrowing musical stunts to Anchorage
Infused with campiness, psychobilly band The Avery Wolves put on a show that’s as much a visual spectacle as a musical one. They’ll play Van’s Dive Bar Friday, Dec. 13.
New acts rule as Lizzo, Lil Nas, Billie Eilish lead Grammy nominations
The Grammys are screaming “Cuz I Love You” to Lizzo: The breakthrough singer-rapper scored a whopping eight nominations, including bids for the top four awards, making her the show’s top-nominated act.
Country group Elvis Monroe reunites for Anchorage show
The duo has been a favorite at the annual Backyard Country BBQ and Northern Lights Country Series — they wrote their radio hit “Backyard Family Barbeque” in an Anchorage hotel room — and now Elvis Monroe is bringing a full band back.