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Today’s Music News: Four Seasons songwriter Bob Crewe dies at 83

by Staff

September 15, 2014

Bob Crewe, a writer and producer who was a force behind many hit songs—notably for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons—died on Thursday, of a brain injury, at the age of 83. Crewe wrote or co-wrote songs including "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Rag Doll," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," and the Labelle hit "Lady Marmalade." As a producer or writer, he was involved in all the Four Seasons' hits. In recent years, Crewe's behind-the-scenes influence became well-known through the Four Seasons musical and movie Jersey Boys. (Billboard)

In recent days, the music world also lost Tom Skeeter, owner of L.A.'s iconic Sound City Studios; and jazz pianist Joe Sample.

On Saturday night, the Replacements played their first Minnesota show in 23 years. Read more about the historic occasion in Andrea Swensson's review, with photos by Nate Ryan; and in Jay Gabler's personal essay about the show. Among the national coverage was a rave review in Billboard, with writer Caryn Rose calling it "a phenomenal outing for the band" and "an absolutely stellar performance from start to finish."

Among the songs the 'Mats played at Midway—and on The Tonight Show last week—was "Alex Chilton," a tribute to the frontman of Big Star. The only Big Star concert to be professionally filmed—a 1994 show on their own home turf of Memphis, Tennessee—will be released on DVD and digital video, accompanied by audio of the show on CD and vinyl. Live in Memphis will be out on Nov. 4. (Consequence of Sound)

The marriage of Neil Young and Pegi Young may be ending, but the Bridge School they founded in Hillsborough, California—for children with speech and physical impairments—lives on. The lineup for the annual high-profile benefit concert for the school has just been announced: the event, which will take place on Oct. 25 and 26 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, will feature performances by Pearl JamSoundgarden, and Tom Jones. (Billboard)

On what would have been her 31st birthday, a life-size bronze statue of Amy Winehouse has been unveiled in Camden Town, London. "It's a day of incredibly mixed emotions," said the singer's father Mitch Winehouse. "They don't put statues up for people who are with us anymore so it reinforces the fact that physically she's gone but spiritually she'll never leave us." (Rolling Stone)

Jack White released a swanky new video for Lazaretto single "Would You Fight For My Love?"

Even though half a billion iTunes users scored U2's Songs of Innocence at zero cost, the band's coffers are benefiting from sales of their back catalog, which skyrocketed in the wake of the surprise album release. 24 U2 albums (including compilations) have reached the iTunes top 200 sales chart in the U.S., and greatest-hits collection U218 reached the iTunes top ten in 46 countries. (Rolling Stone)

Facebook-clumsy grandparents keep tagging Grandmaster Flash in their status updates. (Billboard)

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.