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Music News: Paul Simon remembers former wife Carrie Fisher

Paul Simon performs in 1980, a time when he was in a relationship with Carrie Fisher
Paul Simon performs in 1980, a time when he was in a relationship with Carrie FisherKeystone/Getty Images

by Jay Gabler

December 29, 2016

Paul Simon has memorialized Carrie Fisher, to whom he was married from 1983 to 1984. "Yesterday was a horrible day," wrote Simon on Twitter, the day after Fisher's death. "Carrie was a special, wonderful girl. It's too soon." (Billboard)

In a 2012 interview, Fisher told the New York Times about her brief marriage to Simon. "We had a good time together when we did," she said. "We had a similar sense of humor, and our fights were sometimes hilarious."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ425RKCqco

Kennedy Center Honors release videos

CBS has posted several videos from this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Among the clips: Bonnie Raitt, Andra Day, and Elle King paying tribute to honoree Mavis Staples. (Rolling Stone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwCg-6WMh9Q

Today's inauguration update

It's looking like Donald Trump’s inaugural lineup might be set with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jackie Evancho, and those among the Radio City Rockettes who choose to join the presidential kickline. "This is not Woodstock," says Trump advisor Boris Epshteyn. "It's not Summer Jam. It's not a concert. It's not about celebrities. As Donald Trump tweeted himself, it's about the people. That's what we're concentrated on."

Epshteyn went on to praise Evancho and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as representing "the American people." (Rolling Stone)

Today's Pearl Jam generosity news

Pearl Jam have donated $70,000 to defray the medical bills of a man who helped save Eddie Vedder after a boating accident 15 years ago — an incident that inspired the song "Future Days." Now, Keith Baxter is recovering from his own boating accident involving — a rusty anchor and a bone infection. The Pearl Jam donation doubles funds raised by other victims of the same boating accident that almost killed Vedder. (Consequence of Sound)

First Ghost Ship lawsuits filed

Families of two victims of the fire that claimed 36 lives at the Oakland warehouse venue Ghost Ship "have filed lawsuits against the building's owner Chor Nar Siu Ng, Ghost Ship proprietor Derick 'Ion' Almena and those responsible for promoting and hosting the performance, including Los Angeles label 100% silk and performer Golden Donna," reports Rolling Stone.

Ariana Grande speaks out against sexism

Ariana Grande is speaking out against sexism and disrespect, in several Twitter messages inspired by an encounter at which a fan of her boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, referred to her in an objectifying manner. "Expressing sexuality in art is not an invitation for disrespect," tweeted the pop star. "Just like wearing a short skirt is not asking for assault." (Rolling Stone)

Facebook to crack down on copyrighted music

Responding to concerns that it's been illegally hosting copyrighted content without the rights owners' permission or compensation, Facebook says it's developing a YouTube-style ID system to search its network for copyrighted music. The social network is in the preliminary stages of discussions with major labels to license their content legally. (Billboard)

Margo Price responds to Grammy exclusion

Many observers were surprised when Margo Price didn't land any Grammy nominations this year. Price, though, is taking it in stride. "I've been training for this kind of disappointment my whole life," she told Rolling Stone, adding that a nomination "would have been cool, but there are so many other things to be upset about in this world. This is nothing compared to Election Day."

T-Pain recreates Smiths video

The Smiths’ video for "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" (1987) has been recreated by AutoTune guru T-Pain as a video for his new song "Whatever I Want," a collaboration with Classixx. In the new video, fans of Morrissey join T-Pain on a bicycle ride through L.A. (i-D)