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Music News: Sam Smith wins Oscar for Best Original Song

by Staff

February 28, 2016

At Sunday night's Academy Awards, Sam Smith — along with cowriter Jimmy Napes — won the Oscar for Best Original Song, for "Writing's On the Wall" from Spectre. Smith dedicated his award "to the LGBT community all around the world. I stand here tonight as a proud gay man, and I hope we can all stand together as equals one day."

Goodbye to two unforgettable figures

Elvis Presley’s former doctor George C. Nichopoulos has died at age 88. Infamous for prescribing addictive drugs to Presley during the final years of the music legend's life, Nichopoulos beat a criminal indictment for overprescribing drugs to Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other clients; but in 1995, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners suspended his license. After Presley's death the controversial physician became a pop culture icon, inspiring the Simpsons quack "Dr. Nick." (New York Times)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_w_n-8w3IQ

Singer Lennie Baker has died at age 69. Baker is best-known as a member of Sha Na Na, singing lead on the group's hit version of "Blue Moon." Baker also sang the song in the film Grease. (New York Times)

Music insiders face accusations of sexual misconduct

Singer/songwriter Larkin Grimm has accused Michael Gira, frontman of Swans, of raping her in 2008 — when she was recording an album for Gira's label. Gira acknowledges the encounter, but calls it "a consensual romantic moment that fortunately was not consummated." In response, Grimm said she was "far too intoxicated" to give consent for what occurred between the two. (Pitchfork)

Music publicist Heathcliff Berru, speaking with Brooklyn Magazine in his first interview since several women accused him of sexual misconduct, said "I’m in detox and treatment right now; I’ve surrendered everything. I look back, and I can’t help but obsess over it. I look at the things I did, I have to say this: My behavior was wildly inappropriate, hurtful, and terrible. But I have never raped or drugged anyone. I can’t accept that." (Pitchfork)

Today's Beatles news

A record that's believed to be the first pressing ever made by the Beatles is hitting the auction block next month. The 10-inch pressing of "Till There Was You" and "Hello Little Girl" — hand-inscribed by manager Brian Epstein and credited to "Paul McCartney and the Beatles" — has been called a "holy grail" of Beatles memorabilia and is expected to fetch upwards of $13,000. (Rolling Stone)

Yoko Ono has been released from a New York hospital where she was admitted on Friday with a flu. Sean Lennon, Ono's son with John Lennon, says his mother, 83, is now "home and running about as usual." (Billboard)

Today's Kanye news

Despite the fact that his new album The Life of Pablo is only semi-releasedKanye West has announced the title of his next record. West says that the next album, "titled Turbo Grafx 16 as of now," will be out this summer. (Billboard)

Lily pad karaoke

In a clip from Tuesday's Muppets season finale, Jack White hops in a car with Kermit the Frog (who drives) and the two sing along to the White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl." Watch the clip at Pitchfork.

Aaron's endorsement (come get it)

Though an endorsement from New Jersey governor Chris Christie made bigger headlines, presidential candidate Donald Trump picked up another co-sign this weekend: Trump has the vote of Aaron Carter, the former teen star says. (Billboard)

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