Music News

Music & Culture

Singer And Co-Founder Of Labelle, Sarah Dash, Dies At Age 76

6:04am September 22, 2021

Sarah Dash, the co-founder of the female singing group Labelle, best known for their 1974 hit "Lady Marmalade," died Monday. Patti LaBelle announced her longtime friend's death on social media.

V (from left), Suga and Jin of BTS at the launch of the U.N. General Assembly's 76th session on Monday. The popular boy band from South Korea sang (in a video performance viewed online by more than 1 million) and spoke.

BTS Spoke At The UNGA. And That's Not The Only Surprise At The U.N. Event

5:53pm September 21, 2021

by Joanne Lu

The appearance of the popular boy band from South Korea is one of many unexpected moments at the U.N. General Assembly — everything from a U.N. TikTok to a groundbreaking food summit.

Sarah Dash performs at A Tribute To Aretha Franklin at City Winery in 2018 in New York City.

Music & Culture

Sarah Dash, Singer And Co-Founder Of Labelle, Dies At Age 76

9:57am September 21, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

Sarah Dash is best remembered as the singer and co-founder of the all-female singing group Labelle, best known for their 1974 hit "Lady Marmalade."

Colette Maze, now 107, began playing the piano at age 5 and defied the social conventions of her day to embrace it as a profession rather than as a pastime. Her son first arranged for her performances to be recorded when she was in her 90s. She has just r

This French Pianist Has Been Playing For 102 Years And Just Released A New Album

3:31pm September 20, 2021

by Eleanor Beardsley

Colette Maze, now 107, began playing the piano at age 5. She defied the social conventions of her era to embrace music as a profession rather than as a pastime. She has just released her sixth album.

"Noah's Violin", a giant floating violin by Venetian sculptor Livio De Marchi, journeyed through Venice's Grand Canal on Saturday. De Marchi, who has sent many wooden works into the water, came up with the idea during last year's pandemic lockdown.

Watch A Massive Violin Transport Musicians Down Venice's Grand Canal

1:47pm September 20, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

The wooden vessel is called "Noah's Violin." As it floated through Venice's Grand Canal on Saturday, members of the string quartet on board serenaded viewers with their own (real) instruments.

Music & Culture

25 Years After Its Release, Examining The Legacy Of 'Buena Vista Social Club'

6:52am September 20, 2021

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to music journalist Judy Cantor-Navas about Cuban music's impact on the Buena Vista Social Club. The group's popular album came out 25 years ago this month.

Reba McEntire appears at the Country Music Association Awards in 2019. The singer was rescued from a building in Oklahoma this week after a staircase collapsed.

Reba McEntire Is Rescued By Emergency Workers After A Staircase Collapsed

5:09pm September 16, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

McEntire and members of her team were checking out a historical building in Atoka, Okla. They got trapped inside after its staircase collapsed and had to be rescued.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino And Tiny Desk Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

11:45am September 16, 2021

Alt.Latino, NPR's show about Latin Alternative music and Latino arts and culture, is taking over NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

John Prine on the cover of his 1971 debut album.

Music & Culture

Join NPR Music's Listening Party For John Prine's Debut Album

11:04am September 16, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

John Prine's self-titled album came out 50 years ago. Bonnie Raitt, Jim Rooney, Fiona Prine and Jody Whelan guest in an online listening party with host Ann Powers on Sept. 23.

Music & Culture

With The New Album 'Dawn,' Yebba Sheds Old Beliefs

6:22am September 16, 2021

by Sam Sanders

Singer-songwriter Yebba is out with her debut album, Dawn, named after her late mom. She describes the emotional toll she suffered making the album.