Tag: music

Ozzy Osbourne Teams Up with Chimps to Create Abstract Art for Charity

Ozzy Osbourne is unleashing his inner artist and teaming up with actual chimpanzees for a unique charity auction that’s as wild as it sounds. The five-piece art collection, created in collaboration with rescued apes, is raising money for Save the Chimps, a sanctuary in Florida that provides lifelong care to hundreds of apes rescued from laboratories, roadside attractions, and wildlife trafficking.

And yes, you read that correctly: Ozzy Osbourne + chimpanzees + paintbrushes = real, purchasable artwork.

Ozzy said the project is deeply personal. “I paint because it gives me peace of mind,” he explained. “But I don’t sell my paintings. I’ve made an exception with these collaborations as it raises money for Save the Chimps.”

Each of the five works features a background painted by Ozzy himself, with the chimps adding the final strokes of flair. The results? Surprisingly vibrant and, honestly, kind of punk rock.

Each piece is signed and named after an Ozzy song or album—titles like “Paranoid” and “Blizzard of Oz” make an appearance—which gives collectors a little slice of rock history with their primate-powered art.

The auction runs until March 17th, and as of last check, bids were averaging around £2,500 (just under $3,400 USD).

(And in case you’re wondering, the artsy chimps are named Kramer, Sable, Sophie, and Janice.)

If that’s not enough Ozzy news for one day, he also dropped details about his next memoir. Titled “Last Rites“, the book is set for release on October 7th. It promises to dive into his storied career and his decades-long struggle with health issues.

Here Are 10 Major Artists Who Said “No Thanks” to Live Aid 40 Years Ago

It’s been four decades since Live Aid rocked the world stage, raising millions for famine relief in Ethiopia and pulling off one of the biggest musical events in history. But while over 75 acts jumped in to be part of the moment – including Queen, U2, and Madonna – a few big-name artists were notably absent.

As we hit the 40th anniversary this Sunday, here’s a look back at 10 huge stars who turned down Live Aid and why they passed on what many call the most iconic concert of all time.

1. Michael Jackson
The King of Pop chose studio over stadium. According to his agent, MJ was deep into a new project and didn’t want to abandon his team mid-creation. Makes sense – he was in his peak perfectionist era.

2. Prince
Prince technically participated, but in very Prince fashion, he opted out of the live performance and sent in a pre-recorded video instead. Still mysterious. Still very Prince.

3. Bruce Springsteen
The Boss was recovering from his marathon Born in the U.S.A. tour and on his honeymoon with his first wife. He said no to Live Aid—but yes to love. He did donate tour equipment, so he wasn’t completely out of the loop.

4. Rod Stewart
Rod’s absence wasn’t actually his decision. His manager allegedly demanded guaranteed prime-time news coverage – and didn’t bother telling Rod about it. Awkward.

5. Pink Floyd
No Floyd reunion here. Roger Waters refused to perform with the rest of the band. He did, however, show up backstage to support the cause.

6. Stevie Wonder
Initially on board, Stevie changed his mind when he saw how overwhelmingly white the lineup was. According to reports, he refused to be the “token Black [person]” on the bill.

7. Culture Club
Boy George later admitted his substance abuse at the time kept the band from playing. The real kicker? He was one of the people who originally pitched the idea of Live Aid.

8. Def Leppard
The timing couldn’t have been worse – drummer Rick Allen had just lost his left arm in a car crash. Understandably, the band had to sit this one out.

9. Eurythmics
No show from Annie Lennox, who was sidelined with throat nodules. Ouch.

10. Huey Lewis and the News
They pulled out due to concerns about transparency – specifically how the money raised would actually be used. A fair question, honestly.

Led Zeppelin’s Live Aid Set Is the Musical Footage That Shall Not Be Named

If you’re planning to relive the magic of Live Aid this weekend, don’t expect to see Led Zeppelin anywhere in the mix. As the 40th anniversary of the historic 1985 concert rolls around this Sunday, there will LIKELY be one very notable no-show . . . because they want it that way.

The official Live Aid YouTube channel is celebrating the milestone with over 10 hours of classic performances, and CNN is dropping a four-part documentary titled “Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World” at 9:00 p.m. Sunday.

But if you were hoping to see that infamous Zeppelin set, you’ll probably be out of luck.

Led Zeppelin’s three-song reunion performance at Live Aid, which brought together Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones for the first time since drummer John Bonham’s death, has long been considered a trainwreck by fans and the band alike. The group has refused to allow any official footage of the set to be included in Live Aid retrospectives, box sets, or documentaries ever since.

Why so bad? Well, for starters, they had less than two hours to rehearse. One of their fill-in drummers that day was Phil Collins (yes, that Phil Collins), who had just flown in from another Live Aid stage in London.

According to Jimmy Page, Collins struggled to sync up during the opening of “Rock and Roll”. And to be fair, even Phil admits it wasn’t his finest hour. In interviews, he’s said he felt like a “spare part” on stage, and would’ve walked off if he could’ve.

The performance lives on in grainy bootlegs floating around online, but you won’t find it in the official archives. Zeppelin’s stance has been firm: they want that chapter closed and buried.

So while you’ll still get Queen’s legendary set, U2’s breakout moment, and Bowie’s eyeliner in HD glory, the Led Zeppelin reunion will remain the awkward family photo everyone agreed not to frame.

The Fyre Festival Brand Is Now on eBay—And Yes, People Are Actually Bidding

Remember Fyre Festival? The luxury music festival that famously imploded in 2017 with FEMA tents, cheese sandwiches, and no bands in sight? Well, it’s back—in the form of an eBay listing.

Disgraced festival founder Billy McFarland, who served nearly four years in prison for fraud after the original event went up in flames (metaphorically), is now trying to offload what’s left of the Fyre brand. The intellectual property, trademarks, logos, and basically the entire flaming mess is up for auction to the highest bidder.

McFarland claimed earlier this year that he had a seven-figure deal to sell the Fyre brand. That deal, much like the festival itself, fell apart. So now he’s taken to eBay in hopes someone else will buy into the idea of turning Fyre into a media empire.

In a video posted to Instagram, McFarland pitches the brand as an “attention engine,” suggesting its name recognition could be used to launch new festivals, livestream events, merch collabs, or media ventures. It’s quite a pitch—especially considering how things went the first time.

Surprisingly, there’s real interest.

As of Tuesday night, there were 99 bids on the listing, with the price hovering around $200,000. That may not be the high-roller payday McFarland was hoping for, but the auction still has nearly a week left, and the Fyre name, despite (or because of) its infamy, still draws eyeballs.

McFarland has said before that he’s committed to rebuilding his image and repaying the $26 million he owes in restitution. He tried to drum up attention with promises of a “Fyre Festival II,” which was supposed to happen this year, but that idea fizzled out, too. So this latest move feels like one last Hail Mary—or maybe just a very on-brand fire sale.

Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, and Drake Define Apple Music’s First 10 Years

It’s official: “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran isn’t just catchy – it’s historic. As Apple Music celebrates its 10th anniversary, the streaming giant has revealed its all-time Top 500 Most-Streamed Songs, and Ed’s 2017 hit takes the crown as the most-played track on the platform.

If you’re wondering what the soundtrack of the past decade sounds like, it’s a whole lot of Sheeran, Drake, and The Weeknd. The list reads like a greatest hits playlist from the 2010s through today.

Drake is the undisputed heavyweight though, with a whopping 27 songs on the list. Taylor Swift follows with 14, but interestingly her highest ranking song is “Cruel Summer” at #57.  

Other notable takeaways:  “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the OLDEST song on the chart at #156.  Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is the only holiday song on the list at #100.

Here are the Top 20 Most-Streamed Songs on Apple Music:

  1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
  2. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
  3. “God’s Plan” – Drake
  4. “Sunflower” – Post Malone & Swae Lee
  5. “Rockstar” – Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
  6. “One Dance” – Drake ft. Wizkid & Kyla
  7. “Sicko Mode” – Travis Scott
  8. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
  9. “No Guidance” – Chris Brown ft. Drake
  10. “Bad Guy“ – Billie Eilish
  11. “Closer” – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
  12. “Starboy” – The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk
  13. “Goosebumps” – Travis Scott
  14. “Stay” – The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
  15. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
  16. “Dance Monkey” – Tones and I
  17. “Freestyle” – Lil Baby
  18. “The Box” – Roddy Ricch
  19. “7 Rings” – Ariana Grande
  20. “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi

The full list of 500 tracks offers a time capsule of the streaming era—full of hits you probably still have stuck in your head. Want to see if your go-to songs made the cut? You can check out the complete chart here.

15 Must-Have Tracks for Your 4th of July Playlist

You absolutely need a July 4th playlist that hits all the right notes—whether you’re BBQing, setting off sparklers, or just soaking in the freedom vibes. Here’s a lineup of patriotic, nostalgic, and just plain fun songs to keep the red, white, and blue energy flowing:

  1. “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Whitney Houston
    You have to start with the national anthem. Whitney’s version? Absolute chills.
  2. “My Shot” – Cast of Hamilton
    Because what’s more American than the musical that turned founding fathers into hip-hop legends?
  3. “Firework” – Katy Perry
    Fireworks, empowerment, singalongs—it checks every Independence Day box.
  4. “Living in America” – James Brown
    Loud, funky, and proud. Just like your uncle with the fireworks permit.
  5. “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” – John Mellencamp
    A foot-stomping tribute to American rock ‘n’ roll roots.
  6. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel
    It’s chaotic. It’s historical. It’s strangely perfect for a holiday built on revolution.
  7. “Born on the Bayou” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
    Add some swampy southern grit to your summer playlist.
  8. “America the Beautiful” – Ray Charles
    It doesn’t get more soulful than Ray’s version. Pure, goosebump-inducing gold.
  9. “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen
    Freedom in four and a half minutes. Roll the windows down and blast it.
  10. “America” – Simon & Garfunkel
    A more reflective, folky moment in case you want to feel all the feelings.
  11. “American Pie” – Don McLean
    Long, classic, and ideal for singing along with a beer in one hand and a sparkler in the other.
  12. “American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    A sunshine-soaked anthem for every girl-next-door (and her convertible).
  13. “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé
    Yeehaw meets Yoncé. Even more perfect if you’re celebrating with BBQ and bourbon.
  14. “Surfin’ U.S.A.” – The Beach Boys
    Summer, surfboards, and a whole lotta California dreamin’.
  15. “Kids in America” – Kim Wilde
    A new wave classic that’s retro, upbeat, and a little rebellious—just like the holiday itself.

An Oddly Specific List of the Best 10th Albums

Rolling Stone just dropped what might be the most oddly specific music list ever: The 50 Best 10th Albums of All Time. Not debut albums. Not greatest hits. Specifically, the tenth full-length album in an artist’s discography. And somehow, it kind of works?

Here’s the top 10 from their wildly niche but weirdly compelling countdown:

  1. “Exile on Main Street” – The Rolling Stones (1972)
  2. “Wildflowers” – Tom Petty (1994)
  3. “The White Album” – The Beatles (1968)
  4. “Station to Station” – David Bowie (1976)
  5. “Rust Never Sleeps” – Neil Young (1979)
  6. “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” – Aretha Franklin (1967)
  7. “A Portrait of Merle Haggard” – Merle Haggard (1969)
  8. “One Nation Under a Groove” – Funkadelic (1978)
  9. “Animals” – Pink Floyd (1977)
  10. “Fleetwood Mac” – Fleetwood Mac (1975)

Yep, The White Album is technically The Beatles’ 10th, and Exile on Main Street leads the pack with its gritty, chaotic brilliance. Meanwhile, Tom Petty’s Wildflowers might be the most emotionally gut-punching album on the list — and possibly the most slept-on 10th album of all time until now.

It’s a surprisingly strong lineup when you think about it. By the time artists hit their 10th record, they’ve usually either fallen off completely or hit a stride so confident they’re making magic on autopilot. This list leans heavily on the latter.

So, what’s the best eleventh album of all time? Don’t give them ideas. Actually, do — this was kinda fun.

Hot Enough For Ya? Here Are the “Hottest” Rock Songs

If you’ve stepped outside recently and immediately regretted it, you’re not alone—it’s officially scorching. And while most of us are just trying not to melt, the crew over at UltimateClassicRock.com decided to crank up the heat even more with their list of the 30 Hottest Rock Songs of All Time.

Whether it’s songs about fire, sun-drenched summers, or just plain sweaty vibes, the list leans hard into the heatwave theme. And yes, it starts with a literal fire:

Here’s the top 15 “hot” rock tracks according to the list:

  1. “Fire” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)
  2. “Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful (1966)
  3. “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash (1963)
  4. “Burning Down the House” – Talking Heads (1983)
  5. “Heat Wave” – Martha and the Vandellas (1963)
  6. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly and the Family Stone (1969)
  7. “Great Balls of Fire” – Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)
  8. “Light My Fire” – The Doors (1967)
  9. “On Fire” – Van Halen (1978)
  10. “Hot Blooded” – Foreigner (1978)
  11. “Burnin’ For You” – Blue Öyster Cult (1981)
  12. “Red Hot” – Mötley Crüe (1983)
  13. “The Heat Is On” – Glenn Frey (1984)
  14. (tie) “Fire” – Bruce Springsteen (1986)
  15. (tie) “Hang Fire” – The Rolling Stones (1981)

It’s basically a playlist that would spontaneously combust if you played it in your car right now. And yes, the list is a clever blend of literal fire references and steamy summer classics, with a few unexpected throwbacks sprinkled in. (Looking at you, Mötley Crüe.)

With temperatures soaring across the country, people are likely cranking their AC and their speakers. Search terms like hot rock songs, fire playlist, and songs for a heatwave are probably trending alongside “how to not die in a heat dome.”

And hey, at least now you’ve got a soundtrack for sweating it out.

Check out the full list on UltimateClassicRock.com

Bad Classic Rock Covers You Probably Forgot (or Tried To)

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of hearing a classic rock cover that was so bad it felt like a personal attack, you’re not alone. Music fans have strong opinions, and “Ultimate Classic Rock” put together a list of cringe-worthy renditions that many would rather forget. Think “American Pie” by Madonna or U2’s version of “Fortunate Son.”

Let’s just say, some of these tracks have aged about as well as unrefrigerated potato salad.

  1. “Dancing in the Street” – Mick Jagger & David Bowie
    It’s iconic, but not necessarily in a good way. Equal parts campy and chaotic, this one still haunts YouTube comment sections.
  2. “Fortunate Son” – U2
    U2’s take on the Creedence Clearwater Revival protest anthem left fans wondering if irony died in the studio that day.
  3. “What’s Going On” – Cyndi Lauper
    Cyndi took a socially conscious Motown classic and gave it… whatever this was.
  4. “Faith” – Limp Bizkit
    George Michael meets Fred Durst. Need we say more?
  5. “American Pie” – Madonna
    She trimmed the song and added electronic beats. America still hasn’t forgiven her.
  6. “My Generation” – Hilary Duff
    When the Who said “Hope I die before I get old,” they probably didn’t imagine it sounding like Disney Channel.
  7. “Imagine” – Avril Lavigne
    A cover so safe it somehow manages to miss the emotional core entirely.
  8. “One Way or Another” – One Direction
    Teen pop energy meets punky Blondie attitude. One of those things got lost in translation.
  9. “I Love Rock ’N Roll” – Britney Spears
    Featured in her movie “Crossroads”, this version came with a pop sheen that left the grit behind.
  10. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” – Paris Hilton
    No, Paris. Just… no.
  11. “Purple Haze” – The Cure
    Their sample-heavy, synth-drenched version of Hendrix’s classic felt more like a remix than a tribute.
  12. “Behind Blue Eyes” – Limp Bizkit
    Featuring a Speak & Spell bridge, it managed to alienate both Who fans and nu-metal fans.
  13. “Big Yellow Taxi” – Counting Crows
    A lifeless take on Joni Mitchell’s environmental anthem that critics called cloyingly commercial.
  14. “Anarchy in the U.K.” – Mötley Crüe
    The glam metal treatment stripped away the Sex Pistols’ sneering edge and punk attitude.
  15. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” – Sugar Ray
    A too-smooth cover of Joe Jackson’s acerbic original, with none of the bite.
  16. “About a Girl” – Puddle of Mudd
    A live performance so off-key, it went viral for all the wrong reasons.
  17. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – Celine Dion & Anastacia
    Bombastic vocals and dance-pop flair tried to overpower AC/DC—and failed spectacularly.
  18. “Toys in the Attic” – R.E.M.
    Folk-rock meets hard rock, and neither comes out looking good.
  19. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Take That
    A bubblegum boy band tackling Nirvana’s anti-mainstream anthem. You can imagine how that went.
  20. “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Ugly Kid Joe
    Ironically a hit for them, but many felt their grungy take on the soft-rock ballad missed the emotional mark.
  21. “Papa Don’t Preach” – Kelly Osbourne
    Riding the coattails of reality TV, Kelly’s version lacked Madonna’s conviction—and energy.
  22. “Rocky Mountain Way” – Godsmack
    They gave Joe Walsh’s groove a heavy-metal makeover. It didn’t stick.
  23. “The Sound of Silence” – Disturbed
    Some loved it, some loathed it—but many felt it bulldozed the delicate poetry of the Simon & Garfunkel original.
  24. “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” – Nickelback feat. Kid Rock
    This cover ditched Elton John’s glam swagger for blaring guitars and a whole lot of testosterone.
  25. “Burning Down the House” – The Used
    Talking Heads’ funky, eccentric vibe got lost in an emo-punk blender.

If you’re brave enough, you can check out the full 35-entry list at UltimateClassicRock.com. Just maybe keep the volume low—and don’t say we didn’t warn you.

And if you’ve never seen the silent music video for “Dancing in the Street”… you’re welcome.

Masked Bands Are Having a Moment

Masked bands are having a serious moment right now. Both Ghost and Sleep Token released albums in 2025 that debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200—an impressive feat for any artist, let alone two groups that never show their faces. So, are masked bands suddenly the next big thing? Not exactly. They’ve been around for decades. But it’s safe to say the trend is catching a fresh second wind.

📸 @thebandghost / Instagram
📸 @sleep_token / Instagram

The whole idea of costumed, anonymous musicians isn’t new.

Theatrical rock acts like Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown helped invent the playbook back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. KISS cemented it with their iconic face paint and pyrotechnics. Then came GWAR in the ‘80s, turning shock-rock into a full-blown sci-fi-horror cosplay event. Slipknot and Mushroomhead followed in the ’90s, bringing a more aggressive, nu-metal twist to the concept.

And let’s not forget the weirdly compelling one-man enigma known as Buckethead—a guy who wore a blank white mask and a KFC bucket while shredding guitar solos for Guns N’ Roses in the early 2000s. Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit fame also made a name for himself with bizarre, theatrical stage looks that changed with nearly every tour.

Ghost launched in 2010, fronted by the ever-morphing Papa Emeritus and a band of Nameless Ghouls. What started as an underground metal act quickly ballooned into a Grammy-winning powerhouse. Fast-forward to now, and you’ve got Sleep Token bringing emotional metal ballads, layered vocals, and mysterious lore into the mix—complete with masks and zero interviews.

Enter: Nova Machina.

The buzzy new band going viral on TikTok claims to be sending music and messages from the year 2192. They’re masked, mysterious, and perfectly designed for internet intrigue. Whether they’re prophets from the future or just really good marketers, they’re the latest to ride the masked-wave to digital stardom.

Masked bands aren’t new, but they are very now. In an age where everyone’s oversharing, there’s something oddly refreshing—and kind of thrilling—about a little mystery behind the mic.

@novamachinatransmissions

#NovaMachinaStory #ViktorRavenSpeaks #RockIsRisen #TransmissionFromTheFuture #ResistEchelonVire #TheTruth #TikTokSeries #Storytime #HybridRebellion #MusicIsResistance #UndergroundMusic #AIWarning #FightTheFuture

♬ original sound – Nova Machina
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