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Today’s Music News: Holly Woodlawn, actress and ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ inspiration, dies at 69

by Staff

December 07, 2015

Holly Woodlawn has died of cancer at age 69. A pioneer as a transgender actress, Woodlawn was a member of Andy Warhol's Factory and was immortalized in song in the opening verse of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side": Holly came from Miami F-L-A / Hitchhiked her way across the U.S.A. / Plucked her eyebrows on the way / Shaved her legs and then he was a she / She says, "Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side." (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday night, Eagles of Death Metal joined U2 on stage in Paris for a performance of Patti Smith's "People Have the Power." “They were robbed of their stage, so we would like to offer them ours,” said Bono, introducing the band. After their joint performance, U2 left the stage for Eagles of Death Metal along to perform their song "I Love You All the Time." (New York Times)

A 2008 cover of Radiohead's "Creep," performed by Prince at Coachella, is once again available online — this time, seemingly, with Prince's okay. (Slate)

Singer/songwriter Carole King, classical conductor Seiji Ozawa, and Broadway legend Rita Moreno were among the cultural icons honored Sunday night at the Kennedy Center Honors. King's songs were paid tribute in performances by James TaylorJanelle MonaeSara Bareilles, and Aretha Franklin — who performed "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," a King song that became one of Franklin's signature anthems. The Eagles were also scheduled to be honored, but had to postpone their appearance due to Glenn Frey's health problems. The ceremony will be broadcast Dec. 29 on CBS. (Billboard)

TuneCore — a distributor of digital music — has experienced a security breach that has compromised some of its customers' personal information. TuneCore says that, in the wake of the hack, it is working with federal authorities and a cybersecurity firm. The TuneCore attack is the biggest music-industry hack since a ReverbNation vendor was compromised in Jan. 2014. (Billboard)

With Rush's 40th anniversary tour wrapped up, Neil Peart has confirmed that he now considers himself retired. He says his daughter has been introducing him as a "retired drummer." (Billboard)

A man shared a song he wrote for his crush, at age 14, with the Mortified Podcast. His reward? It was performed by CHVRCHES. (Pitchfork) Hear their performance at the 25-minute-mark below.

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The show Letters Live has prevailed upon Thom Yorke to share his letter to Santa Claus. Yorke has modest requests: love, understanding, peace, and reading glasses. (NME)

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have announced the name of their newborn son: Saint West. (BuzzFeed)

Another music notable will be getting a visit from the stork: Ronnie Wood and his wife Sallie Humphreys are expecting twins. Wood currently has four children and eight grandchildren. (Billboard)

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