Linda Perry claims Green Day cancelled plans for her to produce their American Idiot follow-up after fan criticism emerged. The 4 Non Blondes frontwoman and hit producer told NME she cleared six months from her schedule after Billie Joe Armstrong asked her to work on their next album. Perry said they met for three hours before Courtney Love publicly revealed the collaboration. “Suddenly they started getting backlash from their fans, upset they were ‘bringing in Linda Perry, who produced Pink and Christina Aguilera,'” Perry explained. She said the band then stopped returning her calls, forcing her to lose scheduled work. “All because Billie-Joe’s a little pussy and got all this backlash from his fans,” Perry stated. Green Day’s management denied the claims at the time, but Perry believes the rejection happened because she was “a woman” who had “written pop songs.” Story URL
Dick Parry, the saxophonist behind iconic solos on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, died Friday at age 83. Parry created unforgettable parts on signature songs including “Money,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” and “Us and Them” throughout his decades-long collaboration with lifelong friend David Gilmour. “Since I was seventeen, I have played in bands with Dick on saxophone, including Pink Floyd,” Gilmour wrote on Instagram. “His feel and tone make his saxophone playing unmistakable, a signature of enormous beauty that is known to millions.” The Suffolk-born musician toured with Pink Floyd from 1973 to 1977 and appeared on 1994’s The Division Bell album. He also performed at the band’s 2005 Live 8 reunion show and Gilmour’s 2006 solo tour, famously using two saxophones on stage to switch between baritone and tenor sounds during performances. Story URL
Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo publicly came out as gay Saturday in an emotional Instagram post, ending months of speculation about his personal life. “I am a proudly gay man,” the 33-year-old singer wrote, explaining he has been “unpacking and reckoning with” his sexuality for some time. Shomo, whose band scored two number one albums on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart, revealed he spent a decade “burying feelings with alcohol” before confronting his identity. His wife Fleur responded supportively on Instagram, confirming their nearly 14-year marriage has ended. “Our story was a good one. And now it is done,” she wrote, expressing continued love and support for Shomo’s wellbeing. The metalcore musician said his upcoming album Pure Ecstasy, releasing August 28th, represents his commitment to authentic self-expression without compromise. Story URL
Jack Osbourne addressed fan criticism over plans to create an AI-powered Ozzy Osbourne avatar during a livestream on his YouTube channel, describing the project as “tasteful” and powered by “high-level technology.” He said he discussed the idea with his father before Ozzy’s death last year, adding, “I know he would be into this.” The interactive avatar, which will appear on life-sized touchscreens across the US and UK this summer, will allow fans to converse with the digital Prince of Darkness. (Story URL)
Rapper Rob Base passed away May 22nd at age 59 following a private cancer fight, surrounded by family members. The hip-hop artist, born Robert Ginyard on May 18, 1967, gained fame as half of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. Their 1988 hit “It Takes Two” reached number three on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and became a cultural phenomenon, later sampled by artists including Snoop Dogg and Black Eyed Peas. The duo’s debut album peaked at number four on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. “Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world,” stated his social media account. Base met E-Z Rock in fifth grade in Harlem, forming their partnership after seeing local group Crash Crew’s success. E-Z Rock died in 2014 from diabetes complications. Recently, Base toured with the “I Love the 90’s” series. Story URL