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Music News: ‘Little Red Corvette’ inspiration comes forward

by Staff

August 11, 2016

The woman who inspired Prince’s classic song "Little Red Corvette" has come forward to tell her story. Mi-Ling Stone Poole tells City Pages she decided to open up about her relationship with Prince after David "T.C." Ellis, a rapper who performed with Prince's New Power Generation, said he'd asked Prince to confirm whether Stone Poole inspired "Little Red Corvette," and Prince said she had indeed.

Stone Poole, who says she's writing a book about her story, dated Prince for a short time starting in 1979. She said that at first, she wasn't happy when she was told that the song was about her — and she recognized many details in the song, she says, as being true to their relationship — but that the song grew on her. "It's a great song," Stone Poole now acknowledges.

Obama drops summer playlists

President Barack Obama has shared a pair of summer playlists — one for the daytime and one for the nighttime. Among his go-to summer jams are tracks by Leon BridgesCourtney BarnettJanelle MonáePrinceGary Clark Jr.D'AngeloChance the Rapper, and Janet Jackson. (Billboard)

Jack White announces acoustic compilation, shares unreleased White Stripes track

Jack White has announced a new release: Acoustic Recordings, 1998-2016 is "a 26-track compilation that features album tracks, B-sides, and alternate takes of songs by the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, as well as selections from White’s solo catalog," notes Pitchfork. The previously unreleased White Stripes song "City Lights," the first commercially released new White Stripes song in eight years, is out now. The entire compilation will be released on Sept. 9.

Green Day announce new album

Green Day have announced a new album: Revolution Radio is due out Oct. 7. It's "a collection of songs about the chaotic state of America in 2016," notes Rolling Stone. A single, "Bang Bang," is out now.

Rihanna to receive Video Vanguard Award

Rihanna will receive this year's MTV Video Vanguard Award at the Video Music Awards on Aug. 28. The award, given each year to a pathbreaking video artist, has previously gone to artists including Michael JacksonMadonnaBeyoncé, and Kanye West. (MTV News)

Mike Mills goes classical

Mike Mills, best-known as the bassist for R.E.M., is collaborating with his childhood friend Robert McDuffie on a "Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra." Mills composed the piece, which features McDuffie on violin. (Aspen Times)

Natalie Maines blasts country radio

Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks has criticized country radio — which widely dropped the Dixie Chicks from playlists after Maines criticized then-president George W. Bush in 2003 — for being hypocritical in giving air time to supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump even after he made controversial comments that were interpreted by some as encouraging violence against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. (Billboard)

Flogging Molly fans disappointed after rainout followed by unannounced show

Minneapolis fans of Flogging Molly are upset after a scheduled Cabooze Outdoor Plaza show was rained out on Wednesday night. Many fans waited through the rain to see if the show would go on, then went home when it was officially called a rainout — only to learn that the band had spontaneously played an indoor set for those fans who stuck around in the bar. "The impromptu set that was performed by Flogging Molly inside the club was of their own doing and was in no way planned," said the venue in response to ticket-buyers who were upset at not having been informed. (Star Tribune)

Adele fan invited onstage, turns out to be star in her own right

An Adele fan spontaneously invited onstage by the superstar turns out to be a star in her own right — a 2012 Grammy nominee for best contemporary Christian song. Adele didn't realize she'd invited a pro onstage as Jamie Grace impressed a Los Angeles audience with her vocal chops; the two singers duetted on "Remedy" and "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You." (Billboard)

Frank Ocean alert system deployed

When will the new Frank Ocean album finally drop? Shehzeb Khan, a student at the University of California — Davis, has designed a website where fans can sign up to be instantly texted when the album is finally released. (Billboard)

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