Film director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, Steve Jobs) says that he was developing a musical about David Bowie — until Bowie declined to allow the use of his music. In other Bowie news, you can now hear a two-minute excerpt from Bowie's new song: "Blackstar," the title track of his forthcoming album; the song will run under the credits of the forthcoming British TV show The Last Panthers. (Pitchfork)

The music world is remembering New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint, who died on Tuesday at the age of 77. Read Jim McGuinn's tribute to this musical genius.

Further details have emerged about the untimely death of Nick Cave's son Arthur Cave, who fell to his death in July. The death has been ruled accidental, and testimony indicates that LSD use was a factor in the tragedy. (Billboard)

Loretta Lynn has announced her first studio album in over ten years, a follow-up to 2004's Jack White collaboration Van Lear Rose. Full Circle, due out March 4, will include material ranging from classic folk songs to updated versions of past hits. (Rolling Stone)

Them have shared an early demo of one of their best-known songs, "Gloria." The Van-Morrison-led band will release a box set, The Complete Them 1964-1967, on Dec. 4. Hear the track on Rolling Stone.

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford is feeling glum about Steven Tyler's decision to work on a solo album rather than tour with his longtime band. "We kind of feel a little bit abandoned by him. I guess he seems to think his solo career is going to go great guns, and he doesn't seem to realize that — in my opinion — his fans around the globe want to see him in the context of Aerosmith and don't really care for whatever he thinks he's gonna do." While that may be true of Aerosmith fans, country fans have warmed quite nicely to the first single from Tyler's country-leaning solo album, schedule for release next year; "Love Is Your Name" made the Top 20 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. (Billboard)

The Cure have announced a 27-date U.S. tour that begins May 11 in New Orleans. A June 10 Chicago stop will be the closest the Cure come to Minnesota this time around. (Pitchfork)

All charges of sexual abuse against British folk musician Roy Harper have been dropped. Charges involving young girls in the 1970s and 1980s were first pursued in 2013, and Harper was cleared of most charges in February of this year. Authorities have now dropped the remaining charges, saying that "based on the strength of the evidence there is no longer a realistic prospect of a conviction." Harper, 74, says he's going to resume his musical career where it left off before his legal battle. (Rolling Stone)

The concert film American Saturday Night: Live from the Grand Ole Opry will mark the big-screen debut of the Nashville institution. No release date has yet been set for the film—which features performances by the likes of Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton — but a new trailer gives a sense of what it will be like. (Rolling Stone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3rwDDsVi4

He's a singer, he's a pilot, he's a fencing champ — and now, he's an author. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has announced that he'll publish a memoir in fall 2017. "It seems an appropriate time to do this as I will have plenty of time on tour next year to work on a book," said Dickinson. "I am sure flying the 747 out round the world on tour will add to the tale with some unusual scenarios!" (NME)