Stevie Wonder Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Beyoncé has revealed Stevie Wonder played harmonica on her ‘Jolene’ cover.The singer appeared at the iHeartRadio Awards on Monday (April 1) to accept the Innovator Award, where she thanked the musician during her speech, after he had presented the award to her himself.“Thank you so much Stevie, I love you. I love you and I honor you.

Beyoncé is making history, landing at the top of the music charts after launching Cowboy Carter, her first country music album.

“We’re your Dreamgirls!”

made a controversial speech at the 2024 Grammys — while accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award with eldest daughter Blue Ivy, 12, by daddy’s side — in which he called out the Recording Academy for wife Beyoncé’s failure to win the most prestigious of prizes: Album of the Year.This, despite Mrs.

MC5 manager John Sinclair has died, aged 82.His representative, Matt Lee, confirmed the late poet and political activist’s passing this morning (April 2) at Detroit Receiving Hospital following congestive heart failure, reports The Detroit News.Sinclair was an influential activist who was best known for his fight toward legalising marijuana in the US and for his role in MC5. The Davison native was also a champion of civil rights and co-founder of the radical anti-racist group the White Panther Party.The late activist also helped launch Iggy Pop And The Stooges.

Billie Eilish, Robert Smith, Stevie Wonder and Nicki Minaj are just a handful of artists who have signed an open letter warning against the “predatory” use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music.Yesterday (April 2), non-profit organization Artist Rights Alliance issued an open letter titled ‘Stop devaluing music’ about the rise of AI in music, signed by over 200 prominent names in the music industry. Read the full letter here.Through the letter, the artist-run nonprofit organization asks that developers, technology companies, and platforms and digital music services “pledge that they will not develop or deploy AI music-generation technology, content, or tools that undermine or replace the human artistry of songwriters and artists or deny us fair compensation for our work.”The letter states: “Make no mistake: we believe that, when used responsibly, AI has enormous potential to advance human creativity and in a manner that enables the development and growth of new and exciting experiences for music fans everywhere.”“Unfortunately, some platforms and developers are employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders.

s latest album, . From infectious bops to poignant ballads, each track boasted a unique country twist, taking listeners on a diverse musical odyssey across its 27-song roster.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Kacey Musgraves, Camila Cabello and more than 200 other artists have joined with the Artist Rights Alliance non-profit – an artist-led education and advocacy organization – to issue an open letter supported by more than 200 artists calling on “AI developers, technology companies, platforms, and digital music services to cease the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists.” A full list of signatories appears below. While AI-related threats such as deepfakes and voice cloning continue to attract significant (and legal) scrutiny, the letter also highlights two related trends: the use of musical works by AI developers without permission to train and produce AI “copycats,” and the use of AI “sound” to dilute royalty obligations.

new album “Cowboy Carter” — and one of them is none other than music legend Stevie Wonder.After accepting the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles Monday night, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer gushed over the 25-time Grammy winner who handed her the gong.“Now, Beyoncé is once again changing music and culture,” Wonder said of her latest record. “And when she’s not changing music, she’s changing the world, fighting the good fight.”As the mom of three accepted the award, she thanked the “I Wish” hitmaker for “making a way for all of us.”“And thank you for playing the harmonica on ‘Jolene,’” she added.“Tonight, you called me an innovator and for that, I’m very grateful,” the 32-time Grammy winner said.

Beyoncé made an appearance at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards to accept the Innovator Award, which was presented to her by Stevie Wonder.

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer Production and songwriter credits for Beyoncé’s new album “Cowboy Carter” hit streaming services this past weekend, but she’s got a few more surprises in store when it comes to the musicians who played on the record. While accepting the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Tuesday (April 1), Beyoncé revealed that Stevie Wonder played harmonica on her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” a reimagining of the 1973 classic.

Beyoncé is a winner!

Beyoncé‘s entry album into the country music genre, Cowboy Carter, was released on March 29, and it’s already shattering records on streaming platforms.

Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA will headline this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Taylor Swift’s blockbuster concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, finally arrives on Disney+ this week, but what time will it be available?During the film’s cinematic run in late 2023, it earned over $250million at the box office, making it comfortably the highest-grossing concert film of all time.News of its impending arrival on Disney+ was confirmed last month, with the streaming service saying that the version on offer will be the ‘Taylor’s Version’ cut of the film, which includes the performance of ‘Cardigan’, as well as four acoustic songs that were removed from the theatrical edit.Check out the latest trailer for the new version of the film:In a four star review, NME wrote about the film: “It’s a staggering feat. In the space of one seamless performance, Swift is at turns a playfully eccentric artist, a country star and a genuine pop icon… Of course, as The Eras Tour proves time and again, Taylor Swift can do pretty much whatever she wants.”Swift announced at last month’s Grammy Awards that she is set to release a new album, titled ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, on April 19.The record will mark her 11th studio album.

Diego Ramos Bechara editor Grammy-nominated R&B group New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame on March 16 when the awards return for its 55th installment — with Queen Latifah set to host. Recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award shows, the ceremony aims to “uplift values” that inspire equality, justice and progressive change while highlighting artists “committed” to those values, says the NAACP.

Thania Garcia Raphael Saadiq has signed with Tyler Childs at Forward Artist Management, the management company announced Monday. The Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated producer and singer-songwriter is a member of the American soul/R&B band, Tony! Toni! Toné!, with whom he recently went on tour for the first time in 25 years. Saadiq co-wrote and produced both of Beyoncé’s latest country singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the latter of which is currently the No.

According to a report, Taylor Swift, 34, can now boast an illustrious ancestor — Emily Dickinson.The “Shake It Off” singer and the 19th-century American poet are sixth cousins three times removed, genealogy company Ancestry told “Today.”“Swift and Dickinson both descend from a 17th-century English immigrant (Swift’s ninth great-grandfather and Dickinson’s sixth great-grandfather who was an early settler of Windsor, Connecticut),” Ancestry said.“Taylor Swift’s ancestors remained in Connecticut for six generations until her part of the family eventually settled in northwestern Pennsylvania, where they married into the Swift family line.”Dickinson, who died in 1886, penned nearly 1,800 poems during her lifetime. With 243 songs, written and co-written, under her belt as of November 2023, Swift is catching up.The timing of the family revelation couldn’t be better.

Billy Joel has reflected on the 1985 recording sessions for the charity single ‘We Are The World’, and an interesting exchange between Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan.Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, Joel spoke fondly about the ‘We Are The World’ recording sessions and how he got involved in the project. According to the musician, he was already scheduled to be in Los Angeles that week for the Grammys and other commitments and thought to himself: “‘What the hell, this could be fun.”However, Joel – and the other musicians involved in the charity single – had no idea what they were recording for. “I’m standing next to Cyndi Lauper.

has arrived at the . But you may be saying to yourself, haven't we seen this film before? (And we did like the ending.)That's because Swift showed up draped in diamonds and a red lip like she just walked off the set of the “Look What You Made Me Do” .

“We Are the World,” the historic 1985 charity single — where even Bob Dylan was intimidated by the star-studded session.Surrounded by everyone from Ray Charles, Diana Ross and Paul Simon to Tina Turner, Willie Nelson and Billy Joel, the Bard was clearly out of sorts — and out of his element.But it took one particular legend to help another one find his solo mojo.“The secret agent to help him get comfortable was Stevie Wonder,” says David Breskin — one of two journalists invited by producer Quincy Jones to cover the momentous occasion — in the documentary. “Stevie is an insanely great mimic,” continues Breskin, explaining how the R&B master used his special talents to help the folk god: “Stevie sang it ventriloquially in Dylan’s voice.”It’s a dead-on impression that impresses even Dylan, who — in the only time the room is cleared to give one artist his space — finally nails his part.Such is the spirit of unity that — against all odds and egos — pulled together the recording of “We Are the World” on Jan.

“We Are the World” was a once-in-a-generation meeting of musical giants when it was recorded Jan. 28, 1985 — and released two months later on March 7 — to benefit African famine relief.Anyone who was anyone in music at that moment — a who’s who of legends, including everyone from Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Bob Dylan to Billy Joel, Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen — showed up to support the cause.Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and ’80s hitmaker Michael Omartian, the single sold a whopping 20 million copies.

The genius behind the smash hits Rasputin and Daddy Cool has sadly passed away at 82 years old after a health struggle. German singer and music producer Frank Farian, responsible for some big tunes from 70s disco group Boney M, died peacefully in his home in Miami, Florida. In recent years he had been facing mounting health problems.

“I didn’t really know much about the making of the song,” admits The Greatest Night in Pop director Bao Nguyen of 1985’s star-studded Ethiopian famine relief hit “We Are the World.” “You just make these assumptions about how things are made because it just happens. But when you think now of 46 great artists getting together to make that, it would be really impossible for that to happen now.”

The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters and Neil Young and Crazy Horse are among a litany of huge names announced for this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.Also at the top of the bill are The Killers, Vampire Weekend, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Chris Stapleton, Hozier and Jon Batiste.The festival, which takes place over two weekends between April 25 and May 5 at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, goes out of its way to celebrate the rich musical heritage of the city.Jazz Fest 2024 Music Lineup!GA Weekend Passes and VIP Packages on sale now!Full Music Lineup and Purchase tickets at https://t.co/dApNCrvPYZ. pic.twitter.com/Ba5Q8QDwNG— New Orleans JazzFest (@jazzfest) January 18, 2024Representing the city’s cultural legacy are names such as Irma Thomas, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Dixie Cups, Big Freedia, Trombone Shorty and Cyril Neville.Also set to feature at the festival are The Beach Boys, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bonnie Raitt, Queen Latifah, Greta Van Fleet and Heart.Tickets for both weekends of the festival and all VIP packages can be found here.In November, the Stones confirmed details of a huge US tour for 2024, opening with a show in Houston on April 28, and continuing for 15 more dates going into the summer, wrapping up in Santa Clara, California on July 17.

Encore Musicians, Ed Sheeran‘s 2017 single ‘Perfect’ was the most popular track to be played on couples’ special days across the nation over the past 12 months.It was found that 16 per cent of newlyweds in the UK this year had the ‘÷’ (‘Divide’) track play as they enjoyed their first dance.Encore Musicians – which describes itself as “the UK’s largest and fastest musician bookings platform” – used a base of more than 3,000 events to conduct the study, per Clash.Coming in at second and third place were John Legend‘s ‘All Of Me’ (2013) and Elvis Presley‘s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ (1961), respectively.Sheeran made another appearance on the list, with his 2014 ballad ‘Thinking Out Loud’ occupying fourth place. Jason Mraz’s ‘I’m Yours’ (2008) claimed fifth place ahead of Adele‘s ‘Make You Feel My Love’ (2008) at Number Six.Also making it into the top 10 were tracks by Earth, Wind & Fire, Etta James, Bruno Mars and Stevie Wonder (via Express).The top 10 most popular songs for first dances at UK weddings in 2023 were as follows:1) Ed Sheeran – ‘Perfect’2) John Legend – ‘All Of Me’3) Elvis Presley – ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’4) Ed Sheeran – ‘Thinking Out Loud’5) Jason Mraz – ‘I’m Yours’6) Adele – ‘Make You Feel My Love’7) Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘September’8) Etta James – ‘At Last’9) Bruno Mars – ‘Marry You’10) Stevie Wonder – ‘Isn’t She Lovely’Recently, Ed Sheeran was named as Spotify’s fifth most-streamed act in the UK of 2023.

Over the last couple of years, we’ve been treated to several George Michael-focused features; from the posthumous Michael co-directed George Michael: Freedom Uncut to this year’s Netflix Wham! documentary. Here’s another chronicle of the pop icon from director Simon Napier-Bell who manages to peel away the gloss and offer a different angle.George Michael: Portrait of an Artist starts at the beginning: the Wham! years, where two school friends met and formed what would become one of the biggest bands of their time.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” — Brenda Lee’s 1958 evergreen — finally made it to No. 1 after 65 years this week. Another little yuletide ditty that you might have heard of — Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” — is right behind her at No.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music If there is a bible for the music industry, it’s Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” Since the first edition came out more than 30 years ago, it has guided countless musicians and executives, and has prevented many of them from making decisions they’d later regret. Considering the deep detail Passman gets into about contracts, royalties and other complicated business arrangements, his tone is remarkably conversational, and he makes sure readers don’t miss the important stuff: The section on business managers begins with him saying “Listen to me!!!” in italics with several exclamation marks.

Tom Hanks has revealed that he’s a big fan of Cher, especially her performance in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (also known as Mamma Mia 2).While on the Graham Norton Show this past weekend with Julia Roberts, Timothée Chalamet and Cher in attendance, the group of stars spoke about being a fan of Cher. When asked by Norton if she listens to her own music, Cher replied: “I’m not a big Cher fan. Usually I like the songs that weren’t hits.” Norton followed up by asking if she watches any of her films, to which she said simply: “No.”Tom Hanks chimed in, saying “You’re missing out.