Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81. California state prison officials said he died Saturday of natural causes at a hospital. ...

Phil Spector's death resurrects mixed reaction from skeptics

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Spector was viewed as a man with two distinct personas: The late music producer was regarded as a rock ‘n’ roll genius who elevated the genre with his “Wall of Sound” style in the 1960s and created hits for several big names from the Beatles to Tina...

Phil Spector, the revolutionary music producer convicted of murdering an actress, has died at 81.

The Latest: Springsteen, Miranda set for inaugural gala

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's impeachment, President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration and the fallout from the Jan. 6 attack of the Capitol by pro-Trump loyalists (all times local): 9:05 a.m. Actor-playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda and rockers Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are...

Stars return to inauguration, with J.Lo, Gaga set to perform

The A-list is back. How A-list? Try Lady Gaga and J. Lo. Inauguration officials announced on Thursday that the glittery duo would appear in person on Jan. 20, with Gaga singing the national anthem as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, and Jennifer Lopez giving a...

Trump's Mar-a-Lago warned over coronavirus mask violations

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club's failure to enforce a local mask ordinance at its New Year's Eve bash has resulted in a warning but no fine or other punishment. Palm Beach County sent a letter to the club's manager, Bernd Lembcke, on Wednesday telling him that future...

Tom Hanks heads TV special celebrating Biden's inauguration

NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute primetime TV special celebrating the inauguration of Joe Biden as president of the United States, with performances by Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato and Ant Clemons. “I was left speechless when I was asked to perform! ” Lovato...

Review: Healy returns with somber and exciting 'Tungsten'

Healy, “Tungsten” (Braintrust/RCA) “Don’t call it a comeback,” sings Memphis-based rapper and singer Healy on his second album. “I call it a second wind. Good to be back in my element.” Whatever it is, it's welcome. This eclectic artist returns with just over 30...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 17-23

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 17-23 Jan. 17: Actor Betty White is 99. Actor James Earl Jones is 90. Talk show host Maury Povich is 82. Singer Chris Montez is 79. Singer William Hart of The Delfonics is 76. Actor Joanna David (“Downton Abbey”) is 74. Actor Jane Elliott (“General...

Review: Steve Earle pays moving tribute to his son's talent

Steve Earle & the Dukes, “J.T." (New West) Steve Earle has recorded tribute albums before, to songwriting mentors Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. But this one is different. Maybe that's because he started recording it just months after his son, Justin Townes Earle, died alone in his Nashville...