American singer-songwriter of rock, soul and blues
A collection of obituaries and reflections from major outlets highlight the career of a legendary record executive who shaped artists from Janis Joplin to Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen. The pieces emphasize his instinct for pairing talent with mainstream appeal, and note Patti Smith’s counterpoint approach. The coverage spans the Independent, New York Times, Guardian and Scotsman, among others, with portraits of his long influence.
Music industry titan Clive Davis has died at his Manhattan home, after recent hospitalization for respiratory issues. He built CBS, Arista and J Records into powerhouses, signing Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin, among others. Reactions from peers and artists highlight his eye for talent and lasting influence on popular music.
A slate of veteran rock performances delivers raw presence and genre-spanning set-pieces. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts fuse old hits with newer material, while critics note a fearless stage presence that underscores the enduring pull of classic punk energy.
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died in a hospital in Portugal after an illness. She rose to fame with Total Eclipse of the Heart in 1983 and later hits such as Holding Out for a Hero. She had been hospitalized for emergency intestinal surgery in Faro and was in an induced coma earlier this year; her family confirmed the death.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
Arlene Smith, who formed the Chantels and led the group to early fame with the hit “Maybe,” has died aged 84. Her work helped popularize girl groups in 1950s rock ’n’ roll, and she later taught music in New York City after leaving the group.
Reviewers spotlight two fringe pieces: Silham Ennajjary’s Sab’r (Krump) and Les Echos de la Rue, plus Still Life’s VR-infused piece Flesh at ZOO Southside, exploring patience, trauma and human connection through street and non-verbal theatre.