Music

Billie Joe Armstrong (left) and Mike Dirnt of Green Day play the Reading Festival. Green Day and five other acts will join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year.

2015 Rock Hall Of Fame Class Includes Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Green Day

8:49am December 16, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The Smiths and N.W.A. were left off of the list of inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Hall voters opted for acts such as Bill Withers and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

D'Angelo has just released his first album in 15 years, Black Messiah.

Music & Culture

Hear The First New D'Angelo Album In 15 Years

11:47am December 15, 2014

by Lars Gotrich

Just like that, Black Messiah exists. For lovers of R&B and soul — for lovers of music that transcends in general — the album's arrival is unreal. You can listen to it right now.

Music & Culture

LISTEN: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs

6:40pm December 13, 2014

by NPR Staff

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is expected to announce its latest group of inductees this coming week. As usual, many legends will be snubbed.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Malawi Mouse Boys: Hunting Mice And Singing In Harmony

2:21pm December 13, 2014

by Betto Arcos

When record producer Ian Brennan met the Malawi Mouse Boys, they were selling mice as roadside snacks and singing together in church. Now, they've released two albums and toured the U.S.

Queue Listen Now

Alynda Lee Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff.

Music & Culture

The Political Folk Song Of The Year

10:52am December 12, 2014

by Ann Powers

A brand new video for Hurray for the Riff Raff's "The Body Electric," which questions the long history of the murder ballad and gender-based violence, brings the song's activism to searing life.

Music & Culture

Three Jazz Box Sets For Stocking Stuffers

2:21pm December 11, 2014

Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three box sets featuring memorable pianists.

Queue Listen Now

The Russian pop group Televizor has criticized Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Here, frontman Mikhail Borzykin performs at a 2011 show in St. Petersburg. At some concerts he sings, "Putin is a fascist," a reference to the Russian president, shown on the

Russian Pop Stars Pay A Price For Speaking Out On Ukraine

8:44am December 11, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

Russian performers who have criticized the country's role in Ukraine have been denounced on TV programs and had concert dates abruptly canceled.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Trent Reznor: 'I'm Not The Same Person I Was 20 Years Ago'

10:09am December 10, 2014

by NPR Staff

The Nine Inch Nails frontman announced several years ago that it was time to let his band "disappear for a while." The hiatus ends this week with Hesitation Marks.

Queue Listen Now

John Coltrane during the recording of A Love Supreme in December 1964.

Music & Culture

50 Years Of John Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme'

6:29pm December 09, 2014

by Arun Rath

Half a century ago, the saxophonist and his band stepped into the studio to lay down the tracks of what would become his most important statement: The "love supreme" in the title refers to God's love.

Queue Listen Now

Joni Mitchell, pictured here in 1970, wrote the song "Carey" while living in Matala, Crete.

Music & Culture

Just Who Is That 'Mean Old Daddy'?

10:49am December 09, 2014

by NPR Staff

Cary Raditz, 68, gives his side of the story behind Joni Mitchell's 1972 song about him.

Queue Listen Now