Latest news with #TheBeachBoys
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
The echoes of Ozzy Osbourne will outlast the chaos
Black Sabbath's music endures, with Ozzy's voice still roaring against war, religion and conformity. Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, died on 22 July 2025 at the age of 76, Pictures: AFP If there was anybody who should have lived fast and died young – and left a goodlooking corpse, as the saying goes – it was Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne. He used to call himself a 'raging alcoholic and a raging addict' and once described his 'heavy metal music' as something 'to get a brain seizure by'. Yet, despite the years of partying, performing, snorting and boozing, Ozzy managed to make it to the ripe old age of 76. And he was, he would admit, anything but good looking at the end, more like wizened and rambling. ALSO READ: RIP Ozzy Osbourne: Black Sabbath frontman dies just weeks after farewell gig to fans Like many geriatric rockers – we're looking at you, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – Ozzy lived to perform, playing his final show, Back to the Beginning, alongside the original line-up of Black Sabbath, in Birmingham on 5 July this year. He and Black Sabbath will, however, be remembered not for his behaviour but for their deep, sometimes disturbing songs, which railed at conventional society, taking telling swipes at both religion and war. Ozzy was never one to 'go gentle into that good night' as his fellow boozer, tormented Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, had warned against. The noise he made in life will echo long after it. NOW READ: RIP Brian Wilson: Tributes pour in for The Beach Boys surf-rock poet
RTÉ News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Behind the music - Neighbours star Alan Fletcher
Neighbours star and musician Alan Fletcher plays The Sugar Club, Dublin on 12 August, The Spirit Store, Dundalk on 13 August, and the Black Box, Belfast on 14 August. We asked him the BIG questions . . . Alan played Dr Karl Kennedy for thirty years on the long-running Australia soap drama Neighbours. In 2020, he transitioned from rock to a solo career in Americana, Alt-Country, and Folk music. Teaming up with producers Lachlan Bryan and Damian Cafarella (Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes), he released the EP Dispatches and the album The Point. Commenting on his upcoming tour, he says, "My 2025 tour of the UK and Ireland is my most ambitious and far reaching. Last year's tour sold out and, for the first time, I had a real sense that people came to hear the music not to just meet my alter-ego Dr Karl. "I got that sense from seeing people singing my lyrics back to me and from incredible support for my recorded music. I suspect this tour is going to be a RIPPER and I cannot wait to share my new music with Brit and Irish fans everywhere." Alan's recent releases are the singles Tell 'Em, a Country Music duet with his partner of 35 years and bandmate, Jennifer Hansen, and Back To School. I can be a bit grumpy, but I am generally very happy. And I am a little bit lazy in the mornings. How would you describe your music? I would describe it as a blend of whimsical, love songs and songs about my life that are ballads, mixed in with some rambunctious, funny songs that are about how much I love lager and sleeping in and so forth. So, it's quite eclectic. Who are your musical inspirations? Primarily the great Americana artists like John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, of course, The Highwaymen, outlaw country music, Willie Nelson, that sort of thing. They are massive inspirations to me. Jason Isbell and his more contemporary sets. But also, I go all the way back to Elvis Costello, I would say he was my major musical influence, because he crosses over every field of music, to even country. What was the first gig you ever went to? The very first gig I went to was Led Zeppelin at Subiaco Football Ground in Perth, West Australia. It was incredible. I still rank it in my top five concerts of all time. What was the first record you ever bought? Elenore by The Turtles. Big hit. Surfer Dan was on the flip side. And the first LP I ever bought was Canned Heat's Cookbook. What's your favourite song right now? I was reminded of this the other day and I can't get it out of my head because I just watched a documentary about The Beach Boys. And my favourite song is God Only Knows by The Beach Boys at this stage. I'm singing it to myself all the time. Favourite lyric of all time? I know this is really corny but pick any lyric out of Imagine. I just think that John Lennon got that song so right. It's pitch perfect. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Well, it could be Imagine, but Ed Sheeran's got some songs that I think you could listen to forever. But if I was going to listen to it for the rest of my life, I think it would have to be something uplifting, something that would keep me going like Honey Pie from The White Album, The Beatles. "Honey pie, you're driving me crazy." My website and @alanfletcher on socials. Alan Corr
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: How Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson changed music
Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of The Beach Boys, has left behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a career spanning six decades. While news of his death on June 11 aged 82 was not unexpected – Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year and entered a conservatorship after the loss of his wife, Melinda – his death marks the end of a long and extraordinary chapter in musical history. Formed in the early 1960s in Hawthorne California, The Beach Boys were built on a foundation of family and community: brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. Growing up, the Wilson family's Californian household was a turbulent place; their father, Murry Wilson, was strict and at times violent. Music was the one way in which the family could connect. During these early years Brian discovered the sounds that would shape his musical identity: Gershwin, doo wop groups, early rock'n'roll, and, a particular favourite, the vocal group the Four Freshmen, whose tight-harmony singing style Wilson studied meticulously. It was an unexpected combination of influences for a pop band. Even from The Beach Boys' earliest recordings – the surf, the cars, the girls – the stirrings of the complexity and musical adventurousness Wilson is known for is audible. Listen to the unexpected structure of The Lonely Sea (1962), the complex chords of The Warmth of the Sun (1963), or the subtle modulation in Don't Worry Baby (1964). These early innovations hinted at a growing creativity that would continue to evolve over the rest of the 1960s, and beyond. In later years, Brian Wilson often appeared publicly as a fragile figure, but what stands out most in his story is resilience. His ability to produce such an expansive and diverse catalogue of work while navigating difficult family relationships, intense record label pressures, misdiagnosed and mistreated mental health conditions, addiction and much more, is extraordinary. Wilson not only survived, but continued to create music. He eventually did something few Beach Boys' fans would have imagined – he returned to the stage. Wilson's unexpected return to the stage during the Pet Sounds and SMiLE tours in the early 2000s began a revival interest in The Beach Boys, and a critical reconsideration of their musical legacy. This continues with a consistent release of books, documentaries, movies and podcasts about Wilson and the legacy of The Beach Boys' music. I grew up near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Their early songs about an endless summer had a particular resonance to my hometown, even if, like Brian Wilson, I only admired the beach from afar. I chose to study The Beach Boys' music for my PhD thesis and spent the next few years charting the course of their musical development from their early days in the garage to creating Pet Sounds — widely regarded as one of the greatest records ever made — just five years later. I was fascinated by how a band could create such a groundbreaking volume of work and progress so quickly from the delightful, yet wobbly Surfin' to the complex arrangements of God Only Knows. To understand their music, I spent years listening to Beach Boys' tracking sessions, take after take, to hear how their songs were so cleverly and delicately put together. What struck me just as powerfully as the music itself was the sound of Brian Wilson's voice in those recordings. Listening to Wilson leading hours of tracking sessions was to hear an artist at the top of their game – decisive, confident, funny, collaborative and deeply driven to make music that would express the magic he heard in his mind, and connect with an audience. One of the more unexpected discoveries in my analysis of The Beach Boys' music came from their lyrics. Using a word frequency tool to examine all 117 songs in my study, I found that the most common word was 'now'. In many cases, it appears in a conversational sense – "Well, she got her Daddy's car, and she cruised through the hamburger stand now"– but on a broader level, it perfectly encapsulates what Brian Wilson's music offered so many listeners. He created an endless present: a world where the sun could always be shining, where you could feel young forever, and you could visit that world any time you needed to. In 2010, I had the remarkable experience of meeting Brian Wilson in his dressing room before his performance at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. He was funny and kind. He sat at a small keyboard, taught me a harmony and for a moment, we sang Love and Mercy together. It was one of the most magical moments of my life. It is also one of Wilson's most enduring sentiments: 'love and mercy, that's what we need tonight'. Farewell and thank you, Brian. Surf's up. ■Jadey O'Regan is a senior lecturer in contemporary music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.
Associated Press
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
NEW 'FUN FUN FUN' CHEF APRONS HONOR BRIAN WILSON'S APPEARANCE ON ROCK & ROLL KITCHEN®
NEW 'FUN FUN FUN' APRONS HONOR BEACH BOY BRIAN WILSON'S 'ROCK & ROLL KITCHEN' APPEARANCE 'I had a wonderful time.'— Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, July 17, 2025 / / -- The Rock & Roll Kitchen® today announced the release of its first limited-edition leather chef apron, starting with 'FUN FUN FUN' — a tribute to Beach Boy Brian Wilson and his virtually unknown appearance on an episode of the unique cooking/music show, The Rock & Roll Kitchen®. Created by The Rock & Roll Chef® (Marty Larkin, a professional chef, musician and creative director), the apron has far more meaning than just some nice merchandise; its backstory involves not only Brian, but also world-class musicians, creative differences, and Brian likely defying his controversial therapist (Eugene Landy) to film the show. BRIAN'S EPISODE ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN Originally launched as a fast, irreverent Los Angeles public access show, The Rock & Roll Kitchen attracted industry attention quickly. Within months of its humble debut, an All-Star Band and video crew was assembled by an early guest: Pink Floyd sax player Scott Page. The amazing house band included legendary hit makers like Lee Sklar (bass), Jim Keltner (drums), Tower of Power horns, Mike Finnigan (keys & vocals), and Lawrence Juber (guitar). Ginger Baker of Cream even popped in to make English pancakes. But the biggest surprise was Wilson, whose organization initially passed on the invite to appear. Chef Larkin believes a contentious pre-show meeting with Wilson's controversial therapist (Eugene Landy) was the reason. 'Landy and I didn't exactly hit it off,' recalls Larkin. 'It turns out all the other Beach Boys had issues with him too. Brian #1 (as I called him) was also at the meeting, but barely — that was the version of him that was shut down, guarded, robotic. I was told soon after that Brian was a no-go for the show. I have no doubt Landy squashed it.' Somehow, everything changed. 'I don't know if it was the concept, the killer band, or maybe even me — it's obvious during our interview Brian liked me,' says Larkin. 'So I'm thinking Brian defied his therapist — and he did indeed fire him a few months later. So Brian #2 was the one who filmed with us — sweet, funny, accessible.' And the recipe he made? 'Surfer Chicken.' 'FUN FUN FUN' CHEF APRON AS TRIBUTE Despite production chaos — no script, no rehearsals, no shot list, all 'run and gun/improv,' a director with no cooking show experience — some footage survives, including Wilson's interview. Brian played 'Super Girl,' noodled around with some Gershwin, and did a full band number called 'Spirit Of Rock & Roll.' 'The producers and I were so far apart, they actually had the moxy to say my interview with Brian was no good?!' Larkin laughs. 'That was the last straw — trying to tell me something I knew was great, wasn't? But after I posted it online years later, everyone agreed with me: it was a terrific interview.' See the interview here: Larkin: 'The 'FUN FUN FUN' aprons honor that day, and more. I now see this as one of the world's greatest musicians giving me and my show his blessing by agreeing to film with us. When you add in the other amazing players who have been asking about doing this again, that's a great feeling.' And that was only the beginning. The 100% top grain chef aprons kick off a new line of handcrafted leather chef aprons inspired by rock legends Larkin has PERSONALLY worked for or with. Other designs include: • 'Sweet Child O' Mine' – honoring Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses) • 'Sunshine of Your Love' – a tribute to Ginger Baker (Cream) • • 'The Last In Line' – inspired by Ronnie James Dio • 'The Flame' – dedicated to Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) • 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' – a nod to Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard) The 'FUN FUN FUN' apron is available now at and soon on the upcoming Rock & Roll Kitchen® App, which will also feature video, audio, a podcast, behind-the-scenes content, and recipes from the intersection of food and music. AFTER THE SHOW 'There's a joke in the industry,' says Larkin. 'It goes: I've done so many pilots, I feel like a flight attendant — hah. Like most pilots, mine never went anywhere, but the name and format are very strong, so I expanded things.' Larkin now owns four intellectual properties on the brand (USPTO registered trademarks); he's appeared in national spots (Kraft Foods); multiple appearances on local & national TV (WGN, etc.); created the award-winning Totally Chipotle® Foods; designed a pumpkin carving kit for X-Acto; and worked with more rock legends like Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses), and John Panozzo (Styx). He's done live presentations of the show (Taste Of Chicago, Ribfest, Summerfest, National Restaurant Show), and more. WHAT'S COOKING NEXT Larkin and company have been producing additional line extensions of his two brands, including: • The Rock & Roll Kitchen® App – exclusive video, audio, recipes, merch, and more • Rock & Roll Kitchen® Cooking/Music Academy – blending culinary and musical arts • The Rock & Roll Kitchen® Live – tailored for theater and casino presentations • The Rock & Roll Kitchen® Nashville – a multimedia live and film venue with production space, café/bar, and gift shop For interviews, licensing, merchandise, investment or booking inquiries: 📧 [email protected] 🌐 📞 773.769.7086 Socials: @rocknrollkitchen, @rockandrollkitchen, @rocknrollchef Marty Larkin, The Rock & Roll Chef®️ The Rock & Roll KItchen®️ +1 773-769-7086 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
RTÉ News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Watch: Remembering Live Aid 40 years on
On this day in 1985, around 1.9 billion people tuned in across the world to watch Live Aid. Two concerts were organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia - one in London's Wembley Stadium and another in Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. Queen, David Bowie, George Michael, Elton John, Madonna and The Beach Boys were among the artists who graced the stages 40 years ago on 13 July. To mark its anniversary, we asked people in Dublin city centre to share their memories of Live Aid. Watch the video to hear what they had to say.
