And when you name an album “Dookie,” clearly you’re not taking yourselves too seriously.
But here we are — 30 years after Green Day released its blockbuster breakthrough on Feb. 1, 1994 — and the Cali trio of singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool is still punking us.
But three decades after the group’s major-label debut “Dookie” — featuring the now-classic rock hits “Longview,” “Basket Case” and, biggest of all, “When I Come Around” — wrestled rock from grunge’s grasp in the mid-’90s, Green Day is still, against the odds, very much “around.”
And when they performed “Basket Case” near the end of their SiriusXM concert — airing Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on their own damn Green Day Radio channel — for an exclusive audience at New York’s Irving Plaza on Thursday night, it was as if they were all 51 going on 21 again.
Green Day’s Tré Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt are still rocking with “Saviors,” their best album in years. Emmie America
Taking place 30 years after Green Day first played the Manhattan club — before they hit their usual stadiums on tour his summer — the pogo-propelling party was ostensibly an album-release show a couple hours before “Saviors,” their 14th studio LP, was released on Friday.
And it says a lot about their follow-up to 2020’s lukewarmly received “Father of All Motherf—kers” that new tracks such as “Look Ma, No Brains,” “Dilemma” and “One Eyed Bastard” — killer singles all — were not just pee-break filler until you could get to forever faves such as “American Idiot,” “Holiday” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
You could just feel that Green Day knew it had some good stuff on what is easily the band’s best album since 2009’s chart-topping, Grammy-winning “21st Century Breakdown.” They tore into the new tunes with the swag, stomp and perfected snarl of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers that they are.
Billie Joe Armstrong and Green Day rocked both classics and new “Saviors” songs at Sirius XM’s Irving Plaza show. Getty Images for SiriusXMBillie Joe Armstrong and Green Day performed at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. FilmMagic
The new LP reunites the trio with producer Rob Cavallo, who also helmed “Dookie” 1995’s “Insomniac” and 1997’s “Nimrod,” which spawned their biggest hit in “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”
And it was Cavallo who was behind the boards for 2004’s “American Idiot” — perhaps Green Day’s greatest triumph. Not only did that ambitious concept album score them their first No. 1 LP on the Billboard 200, but it inspired a freaking Broadway musical in 2010.
Now ain’t that some dookie.
Green Day performed in the NYC subway on Wednesday with Jimmy Fallon as part of their “Tonight Show” appearance. Youtube/@jimmyfallon
And as we launch into a presidential election year fraught with foreboding, Green Day nails the spiked uncertainty on “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” the politically charged opener of “Saviors.”
But perhaps the album’s biggest statement comes in the punk-pop perfection of “Bobby Sox,” on which the bisexual Armstrong casually shifts from “Do you wanna be my girlfriend?” to “Do you wanna be my boyfriend?” in a way that would have been hard to imagine 30 years ago.
As if Green Day needed to do any more to save rock ’n’ roll — just when it needed it — on “Saviors,” they went ahead and made queer punks cool.
Taylor Swift does more than drop Easter eggs after the re-release of her albums. The musician also sends flowers to Kelly Clarkson — after every single “Taylor’s Version” album drops.
“You know what’s so funny? She just sent me flowers,” she told E! News. “She’s so nice. She did. She was like, ‘Every time I release something’—’cause she just did 1989. I got that really cute cardigan, too.”
In 2019, Clarkson suggested via X (then formerly known as Twitter) that the “Midnights” singer should re-record her work. At the time, Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings LLC acquired her former label Big Machine Label Group and obtained the rights to the masters for her first six studio albums.
Despite the advice, the “Kelly Clarkson Show” host insists Swift probably would have come up with that idea on her own too.
Kelly Clarkson performs live on NBC’s ‘Today’ show at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC on September 22, 2023.GC ImagesTaylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 9, 2023.APTaylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. AP
“I love how kind she is though,” Clarkson continued. “She’s a very smart businesswoman. So, she would have thought of that. But it just sucks when you see artists that you admire and you respect really wanting something and it’s special to them. You know if they’re going to find a loophole, you find a loophole. And she did it and literally is, like, the best-selling artist I feel like of all-time now.”
“She’s known for being such an incredible songwriter and the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives and that’s her life. So, you should have the option of owning that,” she concluded.
Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson attends the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009.WireImage
Swift, meanwhile, is currently back on tour. After a brief break, she picked back up the Eras Tour concert in Argentina on Thursday night. However, it appears her new rumored beau, Travis Kelce, was not in attendance.
An insider close to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, told Page Six Wednesday that the athlete was traveling to see the pop star perform over the weekend. However, they didn’t specify which show he planned to attend.
Last month, Clarkson actually joked about Swift and Kelce’s romance, saying that the NFL panning to Swift at his games made it feel like she was watching a “Housewives” episode instead of football.
“It is hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people [like me] who like watching sports,” she said at the time. “It’s like you’re watching gossip things. What about the [game] play?”
Astley reportedly claims Gravy did not get permission to use or impersonate his voice. Getty Images for dick clark prod
Astley reportedly claims Gravy did not get permission to use or impersonate his voice. Getty Images
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According to TMZ, Astley, 56, claims 26-year-old Gravy (real name: Matthew Raymond Hauri) ripped off his vocals from his most popular song — which was released in 1987 — by using an impersonated version of his voice.
Astley — who is also suing the vocal impersonator, Nick Seeley — reportedly claims Gravy and his producers “conspired to include a deliberate and nearly indistinguishable imitation of … Astley’s voice throughout the song,” which dropped in June 2022.
Seeley, Dwilly and EDM A-lister Dillon Francis are listed as producers on “Betty (Get Money);” however, it’s unclear whether the latter two have been named as defendants.
Though Gravy did license the instrumental part of Astley’s song, the English singer-songwriter claims he did not give the rapper or anyone on his team permission to use or impersonate his voice, per TMZ.
Astley’s suit reportedly argues that Gravy admitted to playing with fire with regard to impersonating the ’80s musician, pointing to an August 2022 interview with Billboard.
“My boy Nick, who does a lot of sample replays and recreating original samples, we basically remade the whole song,” the SoundCloud sensation told the publication of getting Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” sample cleared.
Astley is reportedly seeking millions of dollars from Gravy. Getty Images
Astley is reportedly seeking millions of dollars from Gravy. Getty Images
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“Had a different singer and instruments, but it was all really close because it makes it easier legally.”
According to TMZ, Astley claims the experience has ruined any future opportunities for him to collaborate with other artists, and he is seeking millions of dollars from Gravy.
“Never Gonna Give You Up” was released in 1987 and went on to become Astley’s most popular song.
Gravy — who made headlines last year for being in a suspected “PR relationship” with TikToker Addison Rae’s mom — had “no comment” when contacted by Page Six.
Founding Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor is suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer, his bandmates revealed during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction speech on Saturday night
Taylor, 61, was unable to attend the band’s induction ceremony on Saturday night but frontman Simon Le Bon read a letter Taylor had written, in which he revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer four years ago.
“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course, we are no different,” Taylor wrote in his letter. “So I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have, and this exceptional accolade.”
The British rocker said he has been receiving excellent treatment, but had recently suffered a “setback.” He acknowledged that although his condition is “not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure.”
From left to right, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Simon Le Bon and Andy Taylor during their speech at 37th Annual Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.Getty Images for The Rock and Ro
“Despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries,” the letter read. “However, none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.”
The induction ceremony was intended to be a reunion for Duran Duran, which Taylor was a member of from 1980 to 1986 and again from 2001 to 2006. He played guitar on the band’s first three albums, which included the hit songs “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.”
“We’ve had a privileged life, we were a bit naughty but really nice, a bit shirty but very well dressed, a bit full of ourselves because we had a lot to give, but as I’ve said many times, when you feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity mixed with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of fans, well what could possibly go wrong?” Taylor reflected in his letter.
He said he was “massively disappointed” that he could not be there with his bandmates — Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Le Bon — and said he had even bought a new guitar to play for the occasion. Taylor is not related to John or Roger.
Taylor recently had a setback with his cancer and is not expected to tour with the band in the near future.Redferns
“I’m so very proud of these four brothers; I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award,” the letter read. “I often doubted the day would come. I’m sure as hell glad I’m around to see the day.”
Also inducted to the Hall of Fame on Saturday were Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Eminem, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon.
Thirteen years after Taylor Swift’s “Dear John” famously bashed John Mayer after their breakup, the pop superstar appears to be at it again on “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” — one of seven more tunes on a surprise “3 a.m. Edition” of her new “Midnights” album that dropped at 3 a.m., of course, on Friday morning.
“Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first/And I damn sure never would’ve never danced with the devil,” sings Swift, who was just 19 when she was dating Mayer, 13 years her senior.
And she makes it pretty obvious that the slightly spooky song is about Mayer when she drops a big clue about her age: “At 19, and the God’s honest truth is that the pain was heaven/And now that I’m grown, I’m scared of ghosts.”
In 2009, John Mayer and Taylor Swift were making beautiful music together at the Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden.WireImage
Swift is clearly not in a forgiving mood about how Mayer “tried to erase” their romance.
“I regret you all the time/I can’t let this go/I fight with you in my sleep/The wound won’t close,” she sings.
The army of Swifties — as the singer’s legions of fans are known — were all for this latest round of Mayer bashing on Twitter.
“john mayer was sleeping peacefully but was awoken at 3am with a chill down his spine,” tweeted one Swiftie.
Taylor Swift released seven more songs on a surprise “3 a.m. Edition” of her new album “Midnights.”
Another fan posted a pic of a man sleeping peacefully on clouds accompanied by the tweet: “how I sleep knowing John Mayer is about to pay for his crimes yet again.”
Yet another tweet put it bluntly: “She ended John Mayer.”
But “Midnights” also finds Swift reflecting on her current romance with actor Joe Alwyn, her beau of six years.
On the electro-infused opener “Lavender Haze,” she addresses rumors of their engagement: “All they keep asking me/Is if I’m gonna be your bride/The only kinda girl they see/Is a one night or a wife.”
Taylor Swift’s new song “Sweet Nothing” seems to be about her longtime romance with actor Joe Alwyn.TheImageDirect.com
Elsewhere, the gentle, graceful “Sweet Nothing” — which was co-written by Alwyn under his pseudonym William Bowery — appears to give an intimate peek into a relationship that provides sweet solace from the fame grind for Swift: “I find myself running home to your sweet nothings/Outside, they’re push and shoving/You’re in the kitchen humming/All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing.”
But Swift has revenge on her mind on “Karma,” which seems to be another dig at Scooter Braun, with whom the singer battled over her masters before beginning to re-record her albums: “My pennies made your crown/Trick me once/Trick me twice/Don’t you know that cash ain’t the only price?/It’s coming back around.”
When it comes to living legends, there is no one that stands quite as tall and rockets to the forefront of our hearts and minds quite like as Elton John.
The iconic singer has brought brilliant talent and artistry to the globe for decades and continues to do so with his farewell tour and new music. The rocketman has had a whirlwind life, ruling his domain of the world like an emperor.
He’s even been able to rally fellow pop stars like Britney Spears back to the world of music with their newest release “Hold Me Closer.”
So what makes him such a powerhouse? Was he meant to become one of the greatest musicians of all time? What lies ahead for his legacy? Join me as we dive into his stars because I’m a pop culture astrologer and I can see it all.
Elton John is a fiery Aries Sun.FilmMagic
Elton John’s birth chart shows he was always meant to be a prolific muse
Elton John was born on March 25, 1947. This makes him a fiery AriesSun with a grounded Taurus Moon. His birth time hasn’t been confirmed anywhere online, so until I have the honor of crossing paths with him someday (I can only hope, getat me!), we’ll instead focus on what we do, in fact, know. When it comes to elemental energy, John is heavily composed of Fire and Air. This should come as no surprise because he is tremendously passionate and charismatic as well as a profound communicator. These traits tend to appear when someone has a lot of these elemental energies.
When it comes to astrological aspects that run through his chart, there are a few different themes. First and most importantly, John is a revolutionary. Several planetary interactions emphasize this repeatedly. First, his Mars, the planet of drive, links to Uranus, the planet of the future. This makes him original, eccentric and a strong nonconformist. He is visionary and energetic in outlook, unafraid to be rebellious and go against the status quo in the pursuit of his goals.
Elton John has a grounded Taurus Moon.Getty Images
He is a courageous, pioneering free spirit whose mission in life is to bring new ideas into being. His Neptune, the planet of imagination, is united with his Midheaven, bringing him tremendous success in a musical and artistic career. Uranus also dances with his Midheaven, too, making him a uniquely gifted individual, with both ambition and unconventional attitudes that have always held the power to change society at large. His Mercury, the planet of communication, is also united with Mars, bringing him an agile and aggressive mind, with an unending will to speak, connect and succeed.
The next major theme is that John is practically a divine channel of the muses. In a sense, this is because his birth chart heavily emphasizes his creative expression. I also can understand his indulgent and hedonistic past, too, because of how this overlays his chart, too. He’s extravagant and magnificent and is a creature of passion and pleasure. His Sun, ruling his life force, is opposite Neptune, amplifying his visionary magic tremendously. His Sun also spins with Jupiter, the planet of fortune and expansion, empowering him with divine luck, wealth and a larger than life personality.
Elton John mesmerizes the public.Sygma via Getty Images
No matter where he has gone, luck was always sure to follow. His Venus, the planet of art, prances with Jupiter, bringing him a regal and graceful energy and brilliance in creativity. Venus links to Uranus and his Midheaven, too, further empowering him with groundbreaking abilities to shock the globe. Last, as should come as no surprise, John was built for groundbreaking success.
Many planetary alignments speak of him as a leader. His Jupiter spins with Saturn, making him an excellent manager with the ambition and natural power to be honored and respected. He was meant to work within society at large. His Sun links to Pluto, bringing him a strong desire to be recognized and admired, and with his Sun also smiling upon Saturn, he has always possessed the concentration, focus and determination to put absolutely everything he has into his goals and accomplishments.
Elton John is a true icon.Getty Images
What are predictions for Elton John?
So what lies ahead for Mr. Elton John? Let’s take a peek! First and foremost, he is in an extremely important period of his life where wealth is going to be a key theme—and amassing even more. This is because Pluto and Saturn are drawing emphasis here. I would not be shocked to see him also utilizing his wealth in the coming decade to truly invest in social causes he truly believes in. He’s also drumming up plenty of inspiration in 2022 and will again beginning the summer of 2023—which will last until May 2024.
This is because Jupiter will sparkle and spin, casting hymns and love songs from his heart and mind. While I do think retirement is something that is on the docket, particularly because of the eclipses that are beginning to appear in 2023 and 2024, I still think he will always in a sense “be creating.” It’s moreso a lifestyle for him rather than just trying to capitalize on his sense of wealth—it’s actually more about the joy of doing so and the legacy of inspiration he is leaving behind. Towards the end of the decade, though, when Saturn moves into Aries over his Sun, he will feel a weakening.
This begins in 2026 till the end of the 2020s. This period of time will test him, but also give him an opportunity to reflect on the beauty he has built. I sure hope one day I get to sit with him over a meal and listen to his visionary perception of the world. You heard it here first.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured in “Access Hollywood,” E! Entertainment, NBC & ABC television, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Hulu, Bustle, Elite Daily, Marie Claire and more. He is known for his cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives and prominent influencers. His work harnesses the power of the stars in regards to entertainment lifestyle and trends affecting people worldwide. For more information, visit KyleThomasAstrology.com.
The Bridgewater, Connecticut, estate of the late ’50s and ’60s hit songwriter Lee Pockriss — of “Catch a Falling Star,” “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” and “Johnny Angel” fame — has hit the market for $3 million.
The charming property at 137 Skyline Bridge Road spans 10 acres surrounded by woods — and it includes a pool.
At 2,873 square feet, the three-bedroom, 3½-bathroom home, built in 1940, features a large formal living room that flows into a dining space, a sunroom, a sunken home office and a large den.
The main bedroom also comes with a balcony overlooking the pool and the surrounding rolling lawn.
The estate begins with a gated drive that leads to two separate paths — one goes to the front of the house and the other leads to a detached three-car garage.
Pockriss passed away in 2011. His widow, Sonja, is selling the estate.
The widow of Pockriss has listed the spread for sale.Michael BowmanIt’s located in the town of Bridgewater.Michael BowmanTouches include wood details, such as in this beamed vaulted ceiling.Michael BowmanA cozy living area.Michael BowmanThere’s aptly enough space for a grand piano.Michael BowmanThe charming wood touches extend into this dining space.Michael BowmanLarge windows let in copious light.Michael BowmanMake a splash in the property’s serene pool.Michael Bowman
The late musician wasn’t the only creative inspired by these surroundings. The property was formerly owned by animal portraitist and children’s book illustrator Marguerite Kirmse. Before that, by sculptor and actress Jenifer Heyward, daughter of Dorothy and DuBose Heyward, the couple behind “Porgy and Bess” — the book and play with music by the Gershwin brothers including classic songs like “Rhapsody in Blue.”
The listing broker is Michael Caporizzo, of William Pitt Julia B Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.
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