Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the Minnesotan production duo behind Janet Jackson‘s new album Unbreakable, surprised Jackson by joining her onstage Friday night in Inglewood, California. They were on hand to congratulate Jackson (and themselves) on the news that Unbreakable debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making it Jackson’s seventh chart-topping album. (Billboard) Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead revealed…

Elvis Costello paired his new memoir with a two-disc "soundtrack album" that includes some of his greatest hits as well as rarities, an early recording, and two previously unreleased songs, and you could win an autographed copy with The Current's Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink Grand Prize Giveaway.

When theatrical British rock band The Darkness come to the Varsity Theater tomorrow night, the audience will include the parents of the local baby who stars on the cover of the band’s new album, Last of Our Kind. “My husband, John, is a HUGE fan of The Darkness,” writes Colee Bean, an MPR member who lives with her…

Minnesota native Dan Wilson is renowned for his songwriting, but he is also an accomplished visual artist, specializing in calligraphy and ink drawing. Wilson's songs and visual art come alive at a show at Mia on Friday, Oct. 16; he tells The Current's Mac Wilson (no relation) all about it.

North London rockers Wolf Alice were recently at First Ave, touring in support of their debut album, 'My Love is Cool'. And while they were in town, Theo Ellis and Ellie Rowsell stopped by The Current to take over the airwaves on Theft of the Dial.

As Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band prepare for a show tonight in Minneapolis, we're wondering: For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what tracks by supergroups do you want to hear? Send us your requests.

Cube Critic Euan Kerr joins Jill Riley and Sean McPherson to talk about a biopic about Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs. The film, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Danny Boyle, stars Michael Fassbender as the title character, plus Seth Rogen, Kate Winslet and Jeff Daniels.

Little Richard made his first recordings for RCA; Sam Cooke's greatest hit was released; Grace Slick joined the Jefferson Airplane; CCR called it quits; the legendary CBGB closed its doors; and Bob Mould was born in Malone, N.Y., 55 years ago Today in Music History.

Our friend and colleague David Campbell has resigned from his job as host of the Local Show and Radio Free Current, and decided to move on and explore other opportunities. His resignation is effective immediately.

Patti Smith was at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois to talk about her new memoir when a fan named Noreen Bender walked up and handed Smith several items that had been stolen 36 years ago—possibly when a truck containing some of Smith’s touring equipment was stolen in Chicago in 1979. Bender said a friend gave her…