AM Prep-Music
Published Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 | 11:19 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 | 12:05 a.m.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Singer Frankie Beverly of Maze has died at the age of 77, according to his family. They did not give details on his death. Beverly and Maze were known for songs like “Joy and Pain,” “Love is the Key” and “Before I Let Go.” Beverly performed his last concert in Philadelphia in July after announcing he was retiring. Beverly said in a 1994 Associated Press interview that Marvin Gaye suggested he change the name of the band, which originally was called Raw Soul, because Gaye hated that name. Beverly said original member Roame came up with the name Maze, and people seemed to like it.
NEW YORK (AP) – Dawn Richard of Danity Kane is suing Sean “Diddy” Combs for what she says is years psychological and physical abuse. Richard is suing for unspecified damages and millions of dollars of income she claims was denied. Richard says in her lawsuit she saw Combs repeatedly abuse his girlfriend, singer Cassie. Richard says Combs entered her changing room and grabbed her bare buttocks and chest area on numerous occasions. Her lawsuit also says he withheld her earnings, stole her copyrighted works and threw phones, laptops and studio equipment across the room or at people. Combs’ representatives say in a statement Combs is “shocked and disappointed” by Richard’s lawsuit. His reps say if her experience was so bad, she would not have worked with Combs so long, including being on “The Love Album” last year.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A spokesperson for the General Services Administration says the website Vote.gov received 338,000 visitors as of yesterday because of Taylor Swift. The spokesperson says the visitors were referred to the site from the link that Swift provided when she posted her endorsement of Kamala Harris. The website refers visitors to their state election websites for information about voting in their state and registration information.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Jon Bon Jovi literally talked a woman off the ledge yesterday. The Nashville Tennessean reports Bon Jovi was filming a video on a pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River that stayed open to the public during the shoot. Video that was posted to YouTube but later removed showed Bon Jovi and a video production assistant talking to a woman standing on a ledge and helping her over the railing to safety. Bon Jovi gave her a hug. A representative says Bon Jovi will not comment on the incident.
NEW YORK (AP) – Justin Timberlake is expected to appear in person tomorrow for a court hearing in Sag Harbor, New York, to change his plea in his drunk driving case. Prosecutors say Timberlake will enter a new plea, but the did not give details. A person with knowledge of the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly about the case tells The Associated Press that Timberlake will plead guilty to a less serious offense than the original charge of driving while intoxicated. Timberlake’s lawyer, Edward Burke, declined comment. Timberlake had pleaded not guilty to the original charge and had his license suspended. Police say Timberlake ran a stop sign and smelled of alcohol when they pulled him over in June. Police say Timberlake told them he had had one martini.
NEW YORK (AP) - “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone won video of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards last night in New York, as well as artist of the year. She thanked her “boyfriend, Travis,” because “everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.” She also urged fans over 18 to register to vote, but she did not discuss her endorsement of Kamala Harris for president. Chappell Roan won best new artist and dedicated her award to “all the drag artists” who inspire her and “to queer and trans people who run pop.” Sabrina Carpenter, who won song of the year for “Espresso,” thanked her cats and dogs who were at home watching.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – You might get mesmerized watching Iron Maiden’s 40th anniversary vinyl edition of the “Powerslave” album on your turntable. It features zoetrope art, which means the images of band mascot Eddie and explosions appear to move as the LP goes around. The anniversary vinyl version comes out Nov. 15.