Music News

Music & Culture

Listener Composes A Hard Rockin' Version Of 'Morning Edition' Theme

5:03am June 30, 2016

James Gardner of Lacey, Washington, says for his take on the Morning Edition theme, he started with surf rock as his base and added ingredients from punk and metal.

Relatives comfort Mujjudid Sabri (front, center), son of Pakistani singer Amjad Sabri, who was killed Wednesday in an attack by gunmen in Karachi.

Music & Culture

Why Was A Prominent Muslim Musician Gunned Down In Pakistan?

8:00am June 26, 2016

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Singer Amjad Sabri — part of one of South Asia's most famous artistic families — was killed Wednesday in Karachi. The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kip Winger's new classical album is called Conversations With Nijinsky.

Music & Culture

Kip Winger Explores His Classical Side

6:36pm June 25, 2016

by Maureen McCollum

You might remember the hair band Winger and its MTV hit "Seventeen." The band's namesake, bassist Kip Winger, has another side: classical composer.

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Musician Ryan Leslie says his SuperPhone app lets him manage conversations with fans from his phone.

Music & Culture

How A New Texting Service Connects A Music Artist With His Fans

6:25pm June 25, 2016

by Justina Vasquez

Ryan Leslie developed an app that lets him manage conversations with fans and colleagues from his phone. He says the engagement tool gives artists a stronger hand in the business of their music.

Frank Zappa being interviewed on British television in 1973.

Music & Culture

Zappa On Zappa: 'Eat That Question' Tells A Contrarian's Story In His Own Words

6:32pm June 24, 2016

by Tom Cole

The new documentary, compiled from a deep archive of interviews, focuses on Frank Zappa's serious side — as a composer keen on exploring ugliness and difficulty.

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Bernie Worrell performs at the Black Rock Coalition Presents: All The Woo In The World â An All-Star Celebration benefit concert on April 4 in New York City. The concert was raising money for Worrell's medical costs.

Music & Culture

Bernie Worrell, 'Wizard Of Woo,' Dies At 72

5:12pm June 24, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The influential keyboardist and composer had been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. Worrell was a key member of Parliament-Funkadelic and played with the Talking Heads.

Ralph Stanley at the Stagecoach Country Music Festivalin 2012.

Music & Culture

Bluegrass Pioneer Ralph Stanley Dies At 89

8:33am June 24, 2016

by Paul Brown

Stanley was one of the early leaders of bluegrass music, and enjoyed an unexpectedly broad following after he sang "O, Death" in the film O, Brother, Where Art Thou.

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Music & Culture

Bluegrass Hall Of Famer Ralph Stanley Dies At 89

8:09am June 24, 2016

by Paul Brown

Together with his brother Carter, the Stanley Brothers created a smooth duet sound but it was Ralph's a capella rendition of "O Death" that took his name and voice beyond the bluegrass audience.

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Music & Culture

Real Roadies Find New Showtime Series Unrealistic

5:15am June 24, 2016

by Eric Deggans

Cameron Crowe's new show Roadies chronicles the backstage world of rock-n-roll, focusing on roadies. The long-awaited show, a comedic drama, premieres Sunday on Showtime.

Percussionist Pedrito Marinez Plays Live On 'Morning Edition'

5:02am June 23, 2016

Steve Inskeep talks to Cuban-born Pedrito Martinez about his life and we hear some songs. Also, we hear from the Bartel family — some plan to vote for Donald Trump and others for Hillary Clinton.