Music News

Composer Mark Adamo has made his mark turning classic books, including Little Women and the Greek drama Lysistrata, into operas. His latest, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, covers more sensitive territory, examining the titular figure's relationship to Jesus — outside the canonical Bible.

Fifty years ago, Dylan's career was just taking off when he heard the news that the civil rights activist had been killed. "Only a Pawn in Their Game," his response to Evers' assassination, highlights the victimization of poor whites and blacks alike.

Filmmaker Morgan Neville's new documentary chronicles backup singers who have supported some of the biggest acts in music history, from Ike and Tina Turner to The Rolling Stones and sung some of pop music's catchiest hooks.

Vadym Kholodenko, 26, of Ukraine, takes home the $50,000 purse, plus three years of professional management. But, he says, the rankings don't mean that much. It's interesting for the audience, Kholodenko says, but in life it's "not so important."

The folk music icon's relationship with his home state has always been complicated. To many in Oklahoma, Guthrie's progressive political views didn't fit with a strong conservative streak during the Cold War period. His reputation there is now closer to full restoration as Tulsa opens his archives.

In 2011, police detained Ai Weiwei for 81 days. Now, he's released a song that's turned the experience into a heavy metal protest song, along with a dystopian nightmare video. The lyrics are explicit and angry. Ai says his music is for the many political prisoners who remain jailed.

Raised on the South Side, Manzarek brought Chicago sound to L.A.'s beaches with the trailblazing band. He died Monday at age 74.

In the 1980s, he was Robi Rosa, the lead singer of Menudo at the boy band's peak of popularity. Rosa went on to write hits for bandmate Ricky Martin and develop a solo career. When Rosa was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, some of the biggest names in Latin music assembled to support him.

Three heavily hyped new bands have little in common, except being led by women. How important is that?

Some of the most iconic images of New Orleans musicians have come from its annual Jazz & Heritage festival — thanks to the scores of photographers who crowd the apron of the stage, vying for the best shots. Eve Troeh, of member station WWNO, tagged along with one of them this year.