DAVID BOWIE - OBIT
Singer David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of his era, has died of cancer at the age of 69.
A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully, surrounded by his family" after an "18-month battle with cancer".
Tributes have been paid from around the world to the "extraordinary artist" whose last album was released days ago.
Sir Paul McCartney described him as a "great star" who "played a very strong part in British musical history".
Bowie's son Duncan Jones, who directed Bafta-winning film Moon, wrote on Twitter: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."
(BBC NEWS)
CANADIAN RESPONSE TO BOWIE'S PASSING
Canadian celebrities including the Weeknd, Will Arnett, Chantal Kreviazuk and former astronaut Chris Hadfield have posted tributes to David Bowie on social media.
Singer-songwriter Kreviazuk posted a photo of Bowie on Instagram and wrote she felt the ``tragic and permanent impact of death'' when she head the news.
Others quoted song lyrics, like Toronto-born comedian and actor Will Arnett, who picked Bowie's 1971 track ``Quicksand.''
A more straightforward tribute came from singer the Weeknd _ who posted a simple ``Rest in peace'' message.
Hadfield, who became a viral sensation in 2013 for his acoustic rendition of Bowie's ``Space Oddity,'' tapped into the star's intergalactic persona.
He wrote: ``Your brilliance inspired us all. Goodbye Starman.''
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TROY SHONDELL - OBIT
The man who sang ``This Time (We're Really Breaking Up)'' has died. A family friend says Troy Shondell died Thursday of complications related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases at a nursing facility in Picayune, Mississippi. He was 76.
Shondell hit number 6 with ``This Time'' in 1961 but never had another top 40 hit. However, his lasting influence may be his name.
Tommy James named his band The Shondells after him, and The Ides of March were originally called The Shondels -- with one ``L'' -- but changed it after hearing about James' band.
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RED SIMPSON - OBIT
One of the architects of the Bakersfield sound who created songs for truckers has died. Billboard reports Red Simpson suffered a heart attack while on tour in the Pacific Northwest last month, then fell ill again and died on Friday. He was 81. Simpson had a number-four country hit with ``I'm A Truck'' in 1971. His follow-up singles included ``Country Western Truck Drivin' Singer,'' ''Awful Lot to Learn about Truck Drivin',`` ''Truck Driver's Heaven`` and ''The Flying Saucer Man and The Truck Driver.`` Merle Haggard writes on his Facebook page Simpson played a huge part in the Bakersfield sound and was a dear friend.
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OTIS CLAY - OBIT
One of the big players in the Chicago blues scene has died. Otis Clay died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday at the age of 73, according to his daughter. Clay's best-known song is ``Trying To Live My Life Without You'' from 1972, which Bob Seger later turned into a hit. Clay first released a string of gospel-tinged soul records in the 1960s. He never stopped recording and touring and he was nominated for two awards at the Blues Music Awards in May. Clay was also an active player in charity projects in Chicago.
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NATALIE COLE - FUNERAL - TODAY
Natalie Cole's funeral is set for today in Los Angeles. A Cole family representative says Chaka Khan will sing at the service at West Angeles Church of God in Christ, where Cole was once a member. Cole will be buried next to her parents, sister and brother at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in nearby Glendale, California.
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DAN AUERBACH - ``MAKING A MURDERER''
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys is so into the Netflix documentary series ``Making a Murderer'' he wrote a song about it. Auerbach has posted the song ``Lake Superior'' to the website of his other band, The Arcs. ``Making A Murderer'' is about the Wisconsin legal trials of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, who were convicted of killing a woman. The series suggests authorities planted evidence, but those involved in the case say the series omits crucial facts. Auerbach says the series is moving and disturbing, regardless of how you feel about the men. Auerbach says The Arcs put together the song in just a day and a half. Proceeds from the sale of the song will go to the Innocence Project, which uses DNA evidence to exonerate prisoners.
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A TRIBE CALLED QUEST- 25 YEARS
If you enjoyed the 25th anniversary release of A Tribe Called Quest's album ``People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm,'' be prepared for other 25th anniversary editions.
Q-Tip says they're planning similar treatments for ``The Low End Theory,'' ''Beats, Rhymes and Life`` and ''Midnight Marauders.`` But what about a 25th anniversary tour? It depends who you ask. Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White are all for it. Q-Tip says everyone makes it look like he's the one who's not open to a tour but he just doesn't know.
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ELTON JOHN - ``WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY''
Elton John will debut his new song in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle on ``The Wonderful World of Disney:
Disneyland 60.'' He will sing ``Wonderful Crazy Night'' and ``Circle of Life'' during the ABC special on February 21st.
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``ADELE: LIVE FROM LONDON'' - BBC AMERICA
Adele's ``Live from London'' special will air in the U-S on Valentine's Day. She'll perform hits from ``25''
and her earlier albums on the show, which will air on B-B-C America.
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CHARLES KELLEY - SOLO RECORD - BABY
Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum has two major events happening at the same time. His first solo record, ``The Driver,'' will come out February 5th, and his first child is due around the same time. Kelley says it's either great timing or poor timing. He says you can't predict when a baby will arrive, but he's so excited. Even though he's well-known for his work with Lady A, Kelley feels he's kind of a new artist and has to introduce himself.
One thing that has been a tough adjustment is playing to crowds that are not in the thousands. Kelley says Lady A never played many small clubs because they opened for bigger acts like Martina McBride and Tim McGraw, then they had enough hits to play amphitheatres and arenas on their own.
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(The Associated Press)