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Music News: Depeche Mode release 'Heroes' cover for song's 40th anniversary

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode sings 'Heroes.'
Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode sings 'Heroes.'YouTube

by Jay Gabler

September 25, 2017

Saturday was the 40th anniversary of the release of David Bowie’s classic song "Heroes." To mark the occasion, Depeche Mode released a video of their recent cover of the song. The musical performance was recorded at a session in New York City's High Line park, and the video was shot in a studio with director Tim Saccenti.

"'Heroes' is the most special song to me at the moment," said Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan in a statement. "Bowie is the one artist who I've stuck with since I was in my early teens." (Rolling Stone)

Musicians respond to Kaepernick criticism

This weekend, the talk of the nation was President Donald Trump’s criticism of National Football League players, notably Colin Kaepernick, who protest racial injustice by declining to stand for the National Anthem. Musicians were among those responding to Trump's comments. Musicians including Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Eddie Vedder, and Dave Matthews took a knee — in the manner of Kaepernick — during concerts.

"Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America," said Wonder at the Global Citizen Fest in Central Park. "But not just one knee, I'm taking both knees. Both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe." (Rolling Stone)

Kaepernick is currently unsigned, and many suspect that NFL teams are keeping their distance from him because of his protests. Hip-hop star J. Cole is now calling on his fans to boycott the entire league until there's an investigation of whether Kaepernick has been unfairly treated. (Rolling Stone)

Remembering Johnny Sandlin

Producer and musician Johnny Sandlin has died of cancer at age 72. Sandlin is best-known for working closely with the Allman Brothers Band in various roles as an engineer and producer on the band's best-known albums, including At Fillmore East and Eat a Peach. (New York Times)

Frank Zappa hologram heading out on tour

Legendary iconoclast Frank Zappa could be coming to a town near you — in hologram form. His son Ahmet Zappa says that dear ol' dad, in hologram form, will "be going back out on tour playing his most well-known music as well as some rare and unheard material." Dates for the tour, fittingly titled Frank Zappa — Back on the Road, will be announced next year. "The shows will also incorporate several of the avant-garde rocker's esteemed collaborators, including Steve Vai, Ian Underwood, Adrian Belew, and Arthur Barrow," reports Billboard.

Beyoncé defends against infringement charge

In legal filings, Beyoncé says she was within her rights to use brief snippets of the voice of the late rapper and social media personality Messy Mya in her song "Formation." Mya's estate has sued, claiming infringement; Beyoncé says she had a license permitting her to use the clips, and adds the clips weren't properly copyrighted anyway. (Rolling Stone)