"'It appears Spotify has returned to attacking the very songwriters who make its business possible,' said David Israelite, the NMPA’s president and CEO [...] 'Spotify’s attempt to radically reduce songwriter payments by reclassifying their music service as an audiobook bundle is a cynical, and potentially unlawful, move [...] We will not stand for their perversion of the settlement we agreed upon in 2022.'"
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson has been placed under a court-ordered conservatorship as a result of his dementia. Rolling Stone reports that his publicist/manager and business manager will be in charge of his personal and medical affairs, and that his children will be consulted on all major healthcare decisions. [Story may be paywalled]
The legendary musician, producer, audio engineer and writer Steve Albini died yesterday. Here's a tribute to him from Rolling Stone in which Rob Sheffield recalls his famous poker sessions at All Tomorrow's Parties festivals (Albini was a two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner).
"If you casually popped into the room, to eavesdrop or merely loiter, maybe pretend you were making up your mind, he had a business-like way of transfixing you with his eyes and asking 'Are you in?' in a tone that made it clear 'nope, just watching you make other people look like fools' was not going to cut it. That was always his approach to music as well. He always knew how to clear a room. Requiescat, Steve Albini. You and your noise will be missed." [Story may be paywalled]
Rapper Macklemore has released a song supporting the campus protests, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and saying he won't vote for Joe Biden in the fall. Salon has more details on "Hind's Hall," a name that pays tribute to the Columbia protestors and Hind Rajab, a six-year-old killed by the Israeli military.
The Electric Light Orchestra's Richard Tandy has died at age 76. His bandmate, Jeff Lynne, announced the news on Facebook, saying, “He was a remarkable musician & friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.” Here's more from Stereogum.
Grammy-winning producer, Michael Cuscuna, the co-founder of Mosaic Records, has died at age 75. A historian and archivist, he produced hundreds of jazz reissues and studio sessions and won his Grammys for producing box sets of Nat King Cole, Miles Davis and Billie Holiday. Here's more from the Hollywood Reporter.
Dickey Betts, co-founding guitarist of the Allman Brothers Band, has died at the age of 80 as a result of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Here's Rolling Stone's tribute to him [story may be paywalled].
Chris Cross, the Ultravox bass guitarist who co-wrote "Vienna," has died at age 71. His bandmate, Midge Ure, announced the death on Instagram. Here's more from the NME.
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Eric Carmen, the singer/songwriter of "All By Myself" and "Hungry Eyes," and frontman of 1970s band Raspberries, died over the weekend at age 74. Pitchfork takes a look at his life and career.