R.I.P. Scott Asheton of the Stooges, Gary Burger of the Monks
The world lost two proto-punk icons this week. Scott Asheton, founding member and drummer for the Stooges, passed away on March 15 after suffering a heart attack. He was 64. Stooges frontman Iggy Pop penned a touching tribute to Asheton for Rolling Stone, read it here.
Additionally, Gary Burger, singer and guitarist for quintessential garage rock band The Monks, passed at age 72 on March 14. In addition to his music career, Burger was also a politician, serving as mayor of Turtle River, Minn., the location of his death.
NFL claims M.I.A. owes them $16.6 million over middle finger at Super Bowl
During the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show, M.I.A. briefly gestured with her middle finger to the camera during her performance with Madonna. In the months following, the National Football League attempted to fine the singer/rapper $1.5 million for "flagrant disregard for the values that form the cornerstone of the NFL brand." Now, the NFL has bumped that figure to $16.6 million, a fee that equates to the extraordinary cost of advertising during the Super Bowl. The artist responded that "the continued pursuit of this proceeding is transparently an exercise by NFL intended solely to bully and make an example of Respondents for daring to challenge NFL." [via Pitchfork]
Kate Bush announces first live shows in 35 years
Iconic British singer Kate Bush has announced a string of tour dates, her first full live performances since 1979. Apparently, the announcement caused the 55-year old musician's website, www.katebush.com, to crash. The tour will include 15 dates in total, all at the London Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London. [via The Telegraph]
