A quarter century ago, Dave Alvin of LA roots punkers The Blasters made the transition from loud rocker to contemplative singer-songwriter, when he put out his panoramic solo masterpiece The King of California. Now, he celebrates with a 25th anniversary reissue that features a previously unreleased instrumental, a Merle Haggard cover and a lyric video for the title track that's chocked full of Golden State scenery. An emerging K-Pop scandal in South Korea has Psy ("Gangham Style") answering

Ambient music legend and legendary producer Brian Eno honored with a namesake asteroid a day after he received a Stephen Hawking Medal at Starmus, a science and music festival. And to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Eno will reissue his atmospheric masterpiece Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks next month. Phoenix pays Instagram tribute to late fellow French artist Phillipe Zdar of the beloved electronic duo Cassius. And Leslie Feist readies new podcast Pleasure Studies, which

Pacific Northwest alt rockin' trio Sleater Kinney, who have been kickin' out blistering jams since the mid 90's, have announced the title to their new album, produced by St. Vincent. The Center Won't Hold mixes political and personal themes and features signature Sleater Kinney melodies with an enhanced sonic palette, thanks to trademark Annie Clark rhythmic keyboards. Ken Burn's sprawling September mini-series Country Music , explores the genre from the lens of the last century. The artists

Thin Lizzy's late great frontman Phil Lynott became one of Ireland's most iconic and loved musicians, thanks, not only to his talents and prowess as a vocalist and bassist in a popular, hard rockin' band of the 1970's, but to his mother Philomena's efforts to keep his memory alive. She successfully campaigned to have a statue made in her son's honor. It was erected in 2005. Philomena Lynott has died at the age of 88 after a long battle with cancer. New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio honored

On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox plan to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Disco Demolition Night, when a local DJ led a disco record-destroying evening of mayhem at what was then known as Comiskey Park. But many felt the attack on the genre was racist and homophobic, as many of the creators and fans of disco were black, Latino and gay. Before his passing, Dr. John completed his final album despite being in frail health the past year. It features country covers and guests like Willie Nelson,

Greg Kurstin and Inara George of quirky indie duo The Bird & The Bee are putting out a Van Halen tribute in early August that focuses on the David Lee Roth era. They're also launching a tour that features an LA stop where Dave Grohl will play Alex Van Halen. Trying to beat hackers at their own game, Radiohead have released eighteen hours-worth of OK Computer sessions, some of which leaked online recently. In honor of their late frontman Scott Hutchison, who took his own life, surviving

Valerie Star is a makeup artist from Florida and the inspiration behind the worldwide hit "Valerie" by Mark Ronson and featuring one of the most inspired vocal performances by the late Amy Winehouse. The original version was by Liverpool band The Zutons, whose frontman Dave McCabe met and dated Star after a gig in Florida. Elvis Costello will be recognized as an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to music. And 58-year-old Flaming Lips singer and visual artist Wayne Coyne has

New Orleans's trumpeter Kermit Ruffins says the Second Line for Dr John kicks off today at 4pm in front of his Mother in Law Lounge in Treme. The cosmically-designed, voodoo-channeling, language-inventing, psychedelic, boogie-woogie, jazz, funk, rock, and r&b legend, and Crescent City music ambassador Malcolm Mac Rebennack passed away from a heart attack yesterday at the age of 77. Electronic dance duo Sylvan Esso sues Ticketfly and parent company Eventbrite for allegedly appropriating an

Saying he feels, "mentally insecure" after a recent back surgery, Beach Boys mastermind and one of pop's most brilliant composers Brian Wilson has postponed his Pet Sounds and Greatest Hits Tour. Wilson says he will work with his doctors and family to get the treatment he needs and hopefully be back on the road soon. Elton John's chief hit lyricist Bernie Taupin is opening a new visual art exhibit in LA tomorrow. And Jack White and Jack Black finally meet!

Artists for, perhaps, the most coveted gig in the world, opening for the Rolling Stones on their forthcoming U.S. tour which starts June 21 in Chicago, have been announced. They include St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Gary Clark JR., The Revivalists, Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real, and in New Orleans, hometown heroes Ivan Neville & Dumstaphunk have the honor. If you have truly had enough of the viral sensation song "Baby Shark," sorry to say it's going to become the subject of a