This week was a bummer: two major blows to pop- and alt-rock in Weezer and The Academy Is…’s headlines, more reports surrounding Amy Winehouse’s death, and a disappointing announcement from Adele. Dang! But it wasn’t all bad news on the music front this week…
Ex-Weezer Bassist Mikey Welsh Found Dead at 40
Mikey Welsh, former painter and Weezer bassist, was found dead in a Chicago hotel room on Saturday. According to reports, Welsh was found unconscious and not breathing by hotel staff after he failed to check out of his room. Welsh played with Weezer from 1998 to 2001 before leaving the band due to a nervous breakdown. The cause of death is unknown.
The Academy Is… Breaks Up
The Academy Is… announced their breakup on Saturday with a message on their official website. They told fans, “After nine years and three albums, The Academy Is… have decided to go our separate ways…We celebrate the experiences of our past, as we welcome what lies ahead.” The band assures fans that they can expect future solo projects from each member, and frontman William Beckett added on his personal blog that “instead of trying to patch the holes we’re left with, my heart tells me it’s time to move on with the next chapter in our lives.”
Adele Cancels Entire U.S. Tour
Adele announced the cancellation of her entire U.S. tour last Tuesday. According to label reps, the “Rolling in the Deep” singer suffered a hemorrhage in her vocal cord and needs to take adequate time to fully recover before hitting the road for performances. In a heartfelt message on her official website, Adele asked fans to “please have faith in me that this is the only thing I can do to make sure I can always sing and always make music for you to the best of my ability.”
Mitch Winehouse Announces Amy Memoir
Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch has been the focus of many headlines since the songstress’s death in July. The latest? He intends to write a tell-all memoir about his daughter that he says will help with his “personal recovery.” HarperCollins has allegedly purchased the rights to Amy, My Daughter, which will raise funds for Mitch’s Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Billboard Names Taylor Swift Woman of the Year
Billboard has chosen country cutie Taylor Swift to receive its Woman of the Year Award at the 2011 Billboard Women in Music event on December 2 in New York City. Swift has been a top-selling artist over the past 12 months, adding to her résumé of four Grammys and many other chart records. Up next for Swift: six 2011 CMA Awards nominations and a CD/DVD release of last summer’s Speak Now World Tour due out in November.
The Black Keys Announce New Album
It’s official: the Black Keys’ forthcoming album El Camino will hit stores on December 6, just in time for the winter holidays. But no artist in 2011 would announce an album release with a simple newsletter or blog post, and the Black Keys are no exception. They teamed up with HBO’s Mr. Show‘s Bob Odenkirk to produce a viral clip advertising a van. The video has some additional information on the car, including a phone number where fans can hear a voicemail of drummer Patrick Carney describing the van specs and a link to preorder the actual album.
Beyoncé Announces February Due Date
Beyoncé’s bey-bey is on the way-way! She spilled the deets to Australia’s Channel 7 Sunday Night Show, saying that she and Jay-Z are expecting their first child in February 2012. She added, “It already has changed my life…God has blessed me with the biggest gift any human being can have.”
Got a juicy music news tip? Email me at nlossing@buquad.com!
2 Comments on “Newsic Music October 3rd-10th: Weezer, The Academy Is…, The Black Keys”