The console used to create one of the most influential and venerated studio recordings of the rock era is going up for auction. The EMI TG12345 MK IV recording console was installed in Abbey Road's Studio 2 from 1971 to 1983, and was used by artists including Kate Bush, the Cure, and three Beatles (Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr) making solo albums.

Most famously, though, the console was used by Pink Floyd to record Dark Side of the Moon, the 1973 LP that's widely considered the peak of prog rock and was voted the fifth-greatest album of all time by The Current's listeners. The engineer with his hands on the board for the Dark Side sessions was Alan Parsons, a legend in his own right.

The console was purchased by producer Mike Hedges when Abbey Road replaced it with newer equipment, and Hedges is now selling the console in New York in March 27 as part of a rock memorabilia auction. It's expected to fetch nearly a million dollars. (Rolling Stone)

SXSW to amend controversial artist contract

The organizers of SXSW say that for future years, they'll change the language in their artist contract. The contract has been the center of controversy this year since the band Told Slant canceled their appearance in protest of the contract — specifically, the fact that the contract specifies immigration authorities will be notified if the festival decides to cancel an artist's performance.

In a statement, SXSW now says it will be "reviewing and amending" the contract for future years, reiterating that the festival "opposes discrimination of any kind, and has taken a public stand against President Trump’s travel ban and proposed legislation like SB6 in Texas. We have and will continue to support human rights for all. In this political climate, especially as it relates to immigration, we recognize the heightened importance of standing together against injustice." (Rolling Stone)

Remembering two music notables

Producer Leon Ware has died of prostate cancer at age 77. Ware was best-known for his work with Marvin Gaye on the 1976 album I Want You; he also worked with artists including Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Ware's productions helped define the "quiet storm" R&B subgenre: a silky sound that was a staple of '70s and '80s radio, influencing neo-soul artists like D'Angelo and Erykah Badu. (New York Times)

Singer-songwriter Tommy Page has died, reportedly in a suicide, at age 46. He's best-known for his single "I'll Be Your Everything," a number-one hit in 1990 — co-written with two members of New Kids on the Block. Page later held a number of important behind-the-scenes jobs in the music industry, including stints as publisher of Billboard magazine, as an A&R executive at Warner Bros./Reprise Records, and as the head of artist relationships at Pandora. (Billboard)

Future makes chart history

The Future is here — and here again. The hip-hop artist has made chart history by becoming the first artist ever to have two different albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200 in back-to-back weeks. Last week, Future's self-titled album debuted at number one, and this week he released another new album (HNDRXX) to bump himself out of the top slot.

The last time any artist replaced their own chart-topping album with another was in 1968, when Simon and Garfunkel had back-to-back number ones with Bookends and The Graduate soundtrack. In their case, though, the albums rose to number one — rather than making their chart debut there, as with Future's new albums. (Billboard)

Congratulations — officially — to Adele

At the Grammys, Adele fans were surprised to hear the singer thank her husband: she's been in a relationship with her partner Simon Konecki for six years, but the two weren't known to be married. Speaking onstage in Brisbane, Australia, Adele has now officially confirmed it: she and Konecki are married. Before singing "Someone Like You," Adele talked about the breakup that inspired the song and said, "Obviously, I can't go through with those feelings because I'm married now." (Billboard)