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Russell Simmons Reflects Upon Michael Jackson's Significance

Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons, who as a co-founder of Def Jam Records is well versed on world-changing musical movements, reflects upon the passing of Michael Jackson at age 50 and the cultural significance of the King of Pop. "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero," Simmons tells Spinner. "Courageous, unique and ...

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Michael Jackson Dead at 50

Michael Jackson, who made his initial mark in the pop world as the precocious lead singer of Jackson 5, only to reach unprecedented creative and commercial heights as the pre-eminent solo performer of the late 20th century, has died in a Los Angeles hospital. Reports say that the self-styled King of Pop went into cardiac arrest in his L.A. home and ...

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Flamin' Groovies Reunite at New Orleans' Ponderosa Stomp

Among the resurrected bluesmen, rockabilly cats, garage rockers and soul shouters at the eighth annual Ponderosa Stomp were various "Littles," including Little Willie Littlefield, Little Joe Washington, Lil' Buck Sinegal -- not to mention Long John Hunter and Lazy Lester. Though each of these acts that held court at the festival (held April 28 and ...

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Four Tops Honored With Lifetime Achievement Grammy

The Four Tops have been bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 51st Grammy Awards. Sole surviving original member Abdul "Duke" Fakir accepted the accolade on behalf of the linchpin Motown group, adding one more plaudit to a long string of career highlights, including a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1990. As Four Tops lead singer ...

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Buffalo Springfield Drummer Dewey Martin Dies at 68

Dewey Martin, a first-rate drummer who supplied the attack behind the songs of Stephen Stills and Neil Young in Buffalo Springfield, was found dead over the weekend at his home in Van Nuys, Calif. of unknown causes. It's believed he passed away on Jan. 31. He was 68. Martin, who was born in Canada as Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff, started off his ...

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British Singer-Songwriter John Martyn Dies at 60

John Martyn, a mainstay of the British folk boom of the late '60s and early '70s, has died in Ireland at age 60. The cause of his death is undisclosed. Martyn recently had health problems most likely related to his history of alcoholism and drug abuse, and was wheelchair-bound after a recent leg amputation. Throughout his four-decade career, the ...

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Rock Almanac: January 15, 2009

On This Date in 1967: On an appearance of 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' the Rolling Stones agree to sing the title lyric of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' as 'Let's Spend Some Time Together' in order to appease the program's host. The Almanac Advises for January 15: "Being a good businessperson entails sometimes making changes to your product in order ...

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