“I took the one lesson and left and never went back. I got to learn how to play guitar by myself”: Joan Jett on defying stereotypes and teaching herself guitar by playing along to Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath records

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

(Image credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for FIREAID) Joan Jett may now be known as the Godmother of Punk. However, it was thanks to her chutzpah that the Runaways co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and I Love Rock ’n’ Roll hitmaker got to play electric guitar in the first place – especially afterContinue Reading

“It was like, ‘Congratulations, you just bought Leo Fender’s company. Now you gotta learn how to make guitars’”: The origins of Ernie Ball Music Man – and how it all started with a bass

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

(Image credit: Ernie Ball Music Man) Ernie Ball Music Man is honoring the 50th anniversary of its gold-standard bass, the StingRay, with an equally golden model. Consequently, it’s got Sterling Ball, son of Ernie, reflecting on the iconic instrument’s – and the company’s – origins. It’s a celebratory bass fitContinue Reading

Primary Wave Nears Deal to Acquire Kobalt, Which Would Create a $7B Indie Music Powerhouse

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

Trending on Billboard Primary Wave is in the advanced stages of putting together a deal to acquire Kobalt Music Group, the gigantic independent music publishing administration company, which would create a powerhouse independent music company with over $7 billion in assets, Billboard estimates.  Primary Wave’s portfolio, which includes stakes inContinue Reading

‘SNL’ Star Tells Connor Storrie That ‘Heated Rivalry’ Is Just Like Her Relationship With Mumford & Sons

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

“We just met,” Marcus Mumford whispers to Storrie after Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman’s claim. Connor Storrie, Mumford & Sons and Sarah Sherman in ‘SNL’ promos NBC/YouTube Trending on Billboard A lot of people have been watching Heated Rivalry as escapist entertainment, but for Saturday Night Live castmember SarahContinue Reading

Music Industry Moves: Suno Names Former Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota Chief Commercial Officer

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

Empire Publishing, the publishing division of the independent powerhouse music company of the same name, has entered a new agreement with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Shaboozey, who is also on the Empire label. His track record of course includes the RIAA-Diamond certified hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and the gold album “WhereContinue Reading

Kid Rock Predicts God Will ‘Cut Down’ Journalists for Reporting (Accurately) That He’s Charging Up to $5,000 for Tour Tickets

By:
On:
In: Music & Entertainment

Kid Rock wasn’t kidding around when sang a song about finding Jesus to conclude the recent Turning Point USA alternative halftime show. He got religious again on social media Friday, although this time the musician was speaking about divine judgment — which he suggested God may enact on journalists whoContinue Reading