Dolly Parton, one of the most celebrated entertainers in music history, died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday at 80 after a brief battle with cancer. A spokesperson did not provide more details, but Parton was reportedly admitted into a hospital on Friday for kidney and autoimmune issues. Born January 14, 1946, in a one-room Tennessee cabin as the fourth of twelve children, Parton rose from poverty to score 26 number-one hits. She sold over 100 million records and wrote thousands of songs in her career, including timeless classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton earned a total of 11 Grammys and remained active until the end, developing a Nashville hotel, museum, truck stop, and a new coffee line called Cup Of Ambition. Beyond music, she founded the Imagination Library book program and donated millions to a variety of charitable causes.
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world. Reba McEntire wrote on Facebook, “There will never ever be another you,” while Carole King called Parton “an exemplary human being,” and Kacey Musgraves wrote, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.” Paul McCartney called Parton a “magnificent star,” while Oprah said she “brought the light” and Elton John dubbed her a “giant of an artist” who was “irreplaceable.” Taylor Swift said “she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person” and Mick Jagger called her a “wonderful songwriter and singer” who “brought so many people together.” President Trump ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff for a week. Source URL
The surviving members of Soundgarden will perform at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks’ home opener on September 9th at Lumen Field. Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless will front the band, while Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready joins as additional guitarist. McCready will also perform the National Anthem before kickoff. The game launches the 2026-2027 NFL season, pitting the defending champion Seahawks against the New England Patriots — the team Seattle defeated in last season’s Super Bowl. It marks the band’s first performance since their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in November 2025. Members Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil, and Ben Shepherd are also working on a new album featuring pre-recorded vocals from the late Chris Cornell. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Source
Jefferson Starship has unveiled a new single, “Jetpack,” recorded at Sausalito’s 2200 Studios — formerly the Record Plant, where the band tracked classic albums. The energetic rock track, inspired by the late Paul Kantner’s sci-fi vision, was co-written by guitarist Jude Gold and vocalist Cathy Richardson. “I was craving a fast, upbeat, hard rocking song that paid respects to the whole Paul Kantner sci-fi vibe,” Gold explained. Former bassist Pete Sears also appears on the track. The band has been performing the song while touring alongside Deep Purple and Kansas this summer. A new album is expected in 2027. The current lineup includes founding member David Freiberg, drummer Donny Baldwin, Richardson, Gold, and keyboardist Chris Smith. Their “Runaway Again” tour continues through March 2027. Source
Bachman-Turner Overdrive has announced more than two dozen U.S. dates for their 2027 No Speed Limit Tour. It marks the band’s first shows since stepping off the road in fall 2025. The tour kicks off January 7 in Orlando and wraps March 20 in Carlton, Minnesota, hitting cities including San Antonio, Tucson, Nashville, and Des Moines along the way. “I’m thankful to all the rockers who keep on rockin’ and inspire me,” said Randy Bachman in a press release. The current lineup includes Bachman, his son Tal Bachman on guitar, daughter-in-law KoKo Bachman on drums, Lance Lapointe on bass, and Brent Knudsen on guitar. Bachman recently completed a 35-date Guess Who reunion tour with Burton Cummings, their first together in 23 years. Source
A major reissue of Amy Winehouse’s landmark album Back to Black is set for release on October 23, marking its 20th anniversary. The package includes the original album, B-sides, demos, bonus tracks, and a live 2007 concert recording. It will be available as triple-CD and clear triple-LP sets, plus a “zoetrope” LP and an Amazon-exclusive CD. Producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi contributed new liner notes and previously unseen photos. “It’s crazy that six songs made in a fit of furious musical infatuation would matter so deeply to so many people 20 years later,” Ronson said. Originally released in October 2006, the album eventually went 15-times platinum. Source