Country songwriter Jay Henry Weisz has been tapped to write the music and lyrics for James Bond: The Musical, a new show based on Ian Fleming‘s iconic character. The James Bond musical is scheduled to open in 2017 or 2018, either on Broadway or in Las Vegas. (Playbill) Producer Jerry Weintraub has died of a heart attack at age 77. Though…

The parties were unforgettable and the recordings will live on in infamy, but for now those memories, photos, and albums will be all that remains of the North Loop studio and party loft known as the Sound Gallery. After a decade of hosting bands, art exhibits, experimental theater performances, fashion shows, benefits, and pop-up parties, the…

Wildfires in Canada have affected air quality in Minnesota as plumes of smoke hung over much of the state on Monday. Conditions have improved today, but for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that include the word "smoke" in the title or lyrics? Send us your requests.

Wee Willie Walker: If Nothing Ever Changes The man recorded for legendary label Goldwax Records in the latter ‘60s and is still going strong. Wee Willie Walker, who has been bringing genuine Memphis soul to Minneapolis since 1960, still has his top-notch style and flare on If Nothing Ever Changes. He’ll be at the Minnesota…

It’s a sizable task to explain the pleasantly overwhelming experience of Milwaukee’s Summerfest to an audience who possibly has never been, and—realistically—may not plan to, especially in the midst of such a festival-heavy era in music. How does it stack up to Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella, or the myriad of music festivals dotting your calendar each year?…

'The Stripper' is a No. 1 hit; Led Zeppelin formed; Springsteen went to No. 1 in the album charts with 'Born in the USA'; Prince had his first No. 1 single; and Ringo Starr turns 75 -- the Beatles drummer was born in Liverpool Today in Music History.

On Tuesday, July 7, the Duluth and Minneapolis locations of the Electric Fetus will be celebrating Ringo Starr’s 75th birthday. Though the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee won’t be here in Minnesota (yet), that certainly won’t stop Minnesota from celebrating in his honor. The Fetus is offering 20% off all Ringo and Beatles music and merchandise, rings,…

The Dead Weather—the hard-rocking band featuring Jack White and Alison Mosshart—announced that they will release a third album, Dodge & Burn, in September. A specific date has not yet been revealed. Four tracks from the album have already been released, though not necessarily in the same versions that will appear on the album. (Billboard) After a five-hour set…

Morrissey is coming to the Fitzgerald Theater on July 13. Jim McGuinn shares his fascination with this month's pick for The Current's Rock and Roll Book Club: Morrissey's autobiography.

Veruca Salt embrace a throwback sound with obvious joy on 'Ghost Notes,' their first album in nearly a decade and the first by the band's original members since 1997. Listen to 'Ghost Notes' before it releases this Friday, July 10, on the first universal release date for recorded music.