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Music News: Afghan Whigs guitarist Dave Rosser dies at 50

Dave Rosser of the Afghan Whigs performing live at The Current in 2014.
Dave Rosser of the Afghan Whigs performing live at The Current in 2014.Leah Garaas/MPR

by Jay Gabler

June 28, 2017

Guitarist Dave Rosser of the Afghan Whigs has died of colon cancer at age 50. "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our friend, brother and inspiration," wrote the band on Facebook. The band first shared the news of Rosser's illness last year, holding a pair of benefit concerts to defray his medical expenses.

The Afghan Whigs originally formed in 1986, breaking up in 2001. Rosser wasn't a part of the original lineup, but he played in two bands with frontman Greg Dulli, and became part of the Afghan Whigs' new lineup in 2014, after the band reformed. Rosser played on both of the band's reunion albums.

Over the course of his career, Rosser also played with other artists including Ani DiFranco. He was with the Afghan Whigs when they visited The Current for an in-studio performance in 2014. (Rolling Stone)

The music world is also remembering singer-songwriter Gary DeCarlo, who has died of lung cancer at age 75. DeCarlo was best known as frontman of the band Steam and co-writer of their 1969 number one hit "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." The song found a lasting legacy as a sports anthem — it remains a popular pick for baseball teams to play when a visiting team changes pitchers — and recently made news when the chorus was used by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to warn their Republican colleagues that passing the Affordable Care Act could cost them reelection. (Rolling Stone)

Black Sabbath slate screening of final concert film

If you wanted to see Black Sabbath’s final concert but couldn't make it to Birmingham this past February, you're in luck: The End of the End, a concert film documenting the show, will be screened at movie theaters worldwide as a one-time event on Sept. 28. Minnesota fans can see the film at the Lagoon Cinema in Minneapolis, the Marcus Oakdale Cinema, the Marcus Shakopee Cinema, or Marcus Rochester. (Rolling Stone)

New Hamilton Mixtape video highlights immigrants' contributions

A new music video spotlights the pointed lyrics of the song "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)" from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton Mixtape. K'naan, Snow Tha Product, Riz MC, and Residente perform on the track. The video, notes the New York Times, "is replete with stark political imagery and not-so subtle messaging targeting President Trump’s rhetoric on immigration."

Lupita Nyong'o stars in new JAY-Z trailer

Actor Lupita Nyong'o stars in a new trailer for JAY-Z’s forthcoming album 4:44. Nyong'o is among the actors featured in a film that will accompany the album, in the style of Beyoncé Lemonade. 4:44 comes out June 30, exclusively on Tidal. (Pitchfork)

Iggy Pop stars in PETA video

Iggy Pop stars in a new video for PETA. "Be the person your dog thinks you are," suggests the video, which features the punk icon and his pooch in both live-action and cartoon formats. The video is soundtracked by the Nick Cave song "Breathless." (Billboard)