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Music News: George Harrison's birthday to be celebrated with vinyl box set, turntable

George Harrison box set and turntable
George Harrison box set and turntablecourtesy George Harrison estate

by Jay Gabler

January 17, 2017

To celebrate what would have been George Harrison’s 74th birthday on Feb. 25, his family has announced a new vinyl box set. George Harrison: The Vinyl Collection will be released on Feb. 24, including all 12 of the former Beatle’s studio albums and Live in Japan. You can even listen to the set on your very own George Harrison turntable from Pro-Ject Audio, and complete your birthday collection with a newly annotated edition of Harrison's autobiography. (Spin)

Remembering two music notables

Synth-funk pioneer William Onyeabor has died peacefully in his sleep, after a short illness, at age 70. The Nigerian musician built a cult following with nine self-produced albums, although he remained reclusive and enigmatic, refusing to speak about himself and his music in interviews. In recent years, a documentary film and reissues on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label helped introduce a new generation to Onyeabor's music. (The Guardian)

Bassist Steve Wright has died of a heart attack. Wright was a cofounder of the Greg Kihn Band, cowriting songs including "Jeopardy" (a #2 hit in 1983) and "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write Em)," a top 20 hit in 1981. "Steve was the driving force behind the band and always kept it fresh and new," wrote Kihn in a tribute. "We had many adventures over the years and lived our lives to the fullest."

Details emerge about BPM Festival shooting

The BPM Festival — an electronic dance music event — will not be returning to Mexico's Playa del Carmen, after a weekend shooting outside one of the festival's venues claimed five lives. Eyewitnesses say that multiple gunmen were involved in the attack, which authorities believe may have been related to the country's illegal drug trade.

Today's inauguration news

Soul legend Sam Moore has agreed to replace Jennifer Holliday on the lineup for Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration. Moore, most famous as half of Sam and Dave, says he sees a sort of kindred spirit in Trump. "He's got a big mouth, like me. Whether you agree with him or not, he's going to say what's on his mind." Broadway star Holliday backed out of the event after realizing how deeply her participation was disappointing many of her gay fans. (Washington Post)

Meanwhile, Fiona Apple has shared a new chant written specially for the Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21. The refrain: "We don't want your tiny hands/ Anywhere near our underpants." (Pitchfork)

Tupac biopic slates date

A new Tupac Shakur biopic has a release date. All Eyez On Me will open in theaters on June 16, which would have been the rapper's 46th birthday. Demetrius Shipp Jr. will play Shakur, while Jamal Woolard will reprise his role from the Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious. (Pitchfork)

New seats for Target Center

The renovation of Target Center is adding $9 million to $12 million worth of additional improvements, with the funds provided by the Timberwolves and the Lynx. "The funds will be directed towards new seats, railings for the lower bowl seating area, a better and more robust wi-fi platform than originally planned, additional digital signage in the arena bowl and a new skyway off the back side of the arena," according to a press release. The renovation, now ongoing, is scheduled to be complete by this fall.

Set your own speed

The streaming service Tidal has introduced a new feature that will be familiar to audiobook listeners: you can edit the length and speed of tracks you save to your playlists. (Pitchfork)

Jesse Hughes issued restraining order

Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal) has reportedly been issued a restraining order commanding him to stay at least 100 yards away from his former friend Andrew Julian Vega. According to TMZ (via Pitchfork), Vega reported that Hughes made death threats against him.

Oh, Mann!

Aimee Mann has announced her first solo studio album in five years. Mental Illness, being released March 31, includes contributions from her Both bandmate Ted Leo. (Pitchfork)