Drummer Kenny Malone, a prolific session player who played on songs for Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and many others, has died. He was 83.
Malone’s friend and former bandmate Dave Pomeroy said he died Thursday (Aug. 26) after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Malone is credited on hundreds of records made in Nashville, including albums like Parton’s Jolene, and Jennings’ Dreaming My Dreams. He was known in particular for his hand-drumming technique. Among the other artists Malone played with were Dobie Gray, Ronnie Milsap and Crystal Gayle.
“He expanded the vocabulary of Nashville drumming, and was always an innovator who invented his own unique style of hand drumming, often combining sticks and brushes with hand percussion to create a unique sound and feel that left lots of space for other instruments and the vocals,” Pomeroy said in a statement.
Malone, from Denver, enlisted in the Navy and served 14 years, playing as a musician in the U.S. Navy Band. He came to Nashville in 1970 and started working with famed Nashville producer “Cowboy” Jack Clement and soon became one of the most utilized drummers and percussionists in town.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said he worked on records by Bobby Bare, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Dottie West and Don Williams.
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Paloma Mami is Certified Gold
Chilean singer Paloma Mami achieved an exciting milestone this week with her debut studio album, Sueños de Dali, named one of Billboard’s best Latin albums of 2021 (so far). Released on March 18, Paloma Mami’s set was certified Gold by the RIAA this week, making her the “first Latin female artist and first Chilean artist to achieve Gold certification for a debut album with no features in the United States,” according to a statement. “Thank you to everyone who was a part of this project,” she expressed on social media. “And to everyone who simply appreciates my art and vision. I challenged myself and I achieved it.”
Celebrating a Radio Career
The Museum of Broadcast Communications unveiled its eight inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame for 2021, including Cuban radio personality Javier Romero. With over 30 years of experience in the media industry, Romeo is currently the music format on-air personality for Univision Radion in Miami. The 2021 Radio Hall of Fame inductees will be honored in person at the induction ceremony on Oct. 28 at Chicago’s Wintrust Grand Banking Hall. For more information, visit here.
Daddy Yankee’s New Milestone
This week, reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee surpassed more than 1 billion streams on Spotify with his 2019 Snow-assisted hit “Con Calma.” According to a press statement, Yankee is the “only Latin artist to tally over 1 billion Spotify streams on three tracks,” following “Despacito” with Luis Fonsi and “Despacito (Remix)” featuring Justin Bieber. “Con Calma,” which is an energetic, bilingual remake of Snow’s 1992 hit “Informer,” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart dated May 4, 2019, where it reigned for 14 consecutive weeks.
Von Uckermann’s Uplifting Song
Mexican singer-songwriter Christopher von Uckermann released his new single this week dubbed “Heal Together.” Produced by Juan Galeano (Diamante Eléctrico) and co-penned by Christopher with Pére George, the English pop track sends an empowering message about mental health amid these challenging times. Per the former RBD star in a statement, “Heal Together” brings hope to humanity through the feeling that united we are more powerful. Listen to the track below.
Eladio Carrion’s Concert
Rising trap star Eladio Carrion played three sold-out shows at Puerto Rico’s newest venue Coca-Cola Music Hall this past weekend, where he performed hits such as “Mi Error,” “Paz Mental,” and “Tata.” Produced by Noah Assad Presents and Move Concerts, Carrion was not alone at his shows, having special guests such as Bad Bunny, Mora, Jon and Cazzu, to name a few. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Thank you for so much love,” Carrion expressed in an Instagram post.
Eric Clapton doesn’t seem to be backing down from his stance against COVID-19 policies.
On Friday (Aug. 27), the 76-year-old legendary musician — who previously said he refuses to play live shows that require attendees to prove they’ve been vaccinated — dropped the politically-charged new song “This Has Gotta Stop.”
“This has gotta stop, enough is enough/ I can’t take this BS any longer/ It’s gone far enough, you wanna claim my soul/ You’ll have to come and break down this door,” he sings in the opening lines of the bluesy track.
In the accompanying animated music video, faceless figures gather in protest holding signs emblazoned with such messages as “Liberty,” “Enough is Enough” and “Stop.” Elsewhere, the clip features socially charged references to the over consumption of media and concerns about climate change.
In July, Clapton stated that he won’t grace “any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.” The iconic guitarist also feared he would “never play again” following health issues after both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Clapton seems to reference his past issues with the COVID-19 vaccine in other lyrics from “This Has Gotta Stop,” which was produced by his his longtime producing partner Simon Climie.
“I knew that something was going on wrong/ When you started laying down the law/ I can’t move my hands, I break out in sweat/ I wanna cry, I can’t take it anymore,” the musician sings.
Last year, Clapton also made his thoughts about COVID-19 loud and clear with his anti-lockdown track “Stand and Deliver” with Van Morrison.
“Do you wanna be a free man/ Or do you wanna be a slave?/ Do you wanna wear these chains/ Until you’re lying in the grave?” the duo sing on the track. “Stand and deliver/ You let them put the fear on you.”
Watch the video for Clapton’s “This Has Gotta Stop” below.
Kim Kardashian is giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her stunning wedding dress from Kanye West’s Donda album listening event in Chicago.
On Thursday (Aug. 26), the reality TV star and entrepreneur made an unexpected appearance at the third mass listening party for West’s still-unreleased Donda project, strutting onto Chicago’s Soldier Field in the beautiful bridal gown she wore at the former couple’s 2014 wedding in Italy.
Kardashian, who filed for divorce from the rapper and fashion mogul earlier this year, took to social media early Saturday to share gallery of photos from the Windy City listening event, including a backstage snapshot of herself sitting alongside Ye in the head-turning white dress from Balenciaga’s Haute Couture collection.
In a second photo, Kardashian is seen from afar donning the gown as she dramatically recreates her nuptials in front of thousands at Soldier Field. The final image is a candid shot of West and Kardashian, both clad in black leather, hanging out in the venue’s locker room with their 5-year-old son, Saint.
West’s Donda listening party in his hometown of Chicago was filled with other surprises and strange scenes, including bizarre onstage appearances by DaBaby and Marilyn Manson. The “Rockstar” rapper has been under fire for making homophobic and misogynistic comments at a Miami festival in July, while the shock-rocker has been accused of sexually assaulting and emotionally abusing multiple women. At one point in the show, West also set himself on fire.
While Yeezy fans have clamored online over the superstar collaborations he’s cooked up with Jay-Z, The Weeknd and Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, and more, Donda — his 10th album — has not been given an official release date. The project was slated to arrive after both previous listening events, but never materialized on streaming services.
See photos of Kardashian’s wedding dress at Chicago’s Donda listening event below.
Romanticism is the essence of Los Bukis’ songs, so it was no surprise that their over two-hour set would be an ode to love. “Those who still believe in love, raise your hand,” the group instructed a roaring Los Angeles crowd that waited more than 25 years to see the Mexican superstar ensemble back together onstage. “Tonight, let’s sing to love.”
And so they did in a sing along with their fans that kicked off their comeback tour, aptly titled Una Historia Contada (A History in Song), at L.A.’s newly-opened SoFi Stadium on Friday (Aug. 27). Los Bukis, who became the first Latin band to sell out the 70,000-seat stadium, wasted no time after jumping onstage 45 minutes past their 8 p.m. start time (they made up for time singing past 11 p.m.) singing back-to-back classics that have not only soundtracked our parents’ generation, but now ours too.
“What a joy, hermanitos (little brothers),” said lead singer and songwriter Marco Antonio Solís, who, like his bandmates, wore a red outfit styled with a black bedazzled bomber jacket with the Los Bukis logo printed on the back. “Imagine not playing with them for 25 years. I’m thankful to God for making this happen. All of our hearts beat as one today.”
The last time Los Bukis played in L.A. was in 1995 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of 60,000 fans. To make up for lost time, they sang standout hits such as “Quiéreme,” “Necesito Una Compañera,” “Como Fui a Enamorarme De Ti,” “Tu Carcel” and “Acepto Mi Derrota.”
“What a beautiful reunion with my bandmates and with you all,” Solís said. Los Bukis — who have sent 32 entries onto Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs, starting with 1987’s No. 9-peaking “Este Adiós” — return to SoFi Stadium on Saturday (Aug. 28) and will continue their tour in Chicago; San Antonio; Oakland, Calif.; and Arlington, Texas.
Here are five best moments from Los Bukis’ first sold-out show at SoFi Stadium from their Una Historia Contada tour.
A family affair
From the parking lot to inside the venue, everywhere you looked there was a family taking a selfie as they waited for Los Bukis to perform. One family of four (mom and dad, plus their two daughters) drove down from the San Luis Obispo, Calif. area, a three-hour drive on a good day with no traffic, for the “unmissable” concert. “Initially it was just my parents who were coming to the concert, but then we got FOMO and decided to take the trip with them,” the eldest daughter says. That’s the magic of Los Bukis, their ability to bring multigenerational families together. The best part was watching those families enjoy the concert together and dance to whatever song was next, at times locked in each other’s arms.
Our dream set list
Ahead of the concert, Billboard got a sneak peek of the set list, which included songs such as “Tus Mentiras” and “Y Ahora Te Vas.” But even with that first look, we weren’t prepared for the emotional rollercoaster. Los Bukis kicked off with “Mi Fantasia” to warm up the crowd that was already on their feet after greeting the band — comprising brothers Roberto and José Guadarrama, Marco’s younger brother, José Javier Solís, Pedro Sánchez and Eusebio Cortéz. Fans never got to sit back again as the hits kept coming. From cumbias to rancheras and, of course, breakup ballads, Los Bukis serenaded them with “El Celoso,” “Tu Ingratitud,” “Viva El Amor,” “Morenita,” “Me Volví A Acordar De Ti,” “Este Adiós” and “Yo Te Necesito.”
Father and daughter moment
It was also a family affair for Solís, who shared a sweet moment with daughter Beatriz Adriana Solís. “We’re going to a sing a song that was inspired by a person that actually happens to be here tonight,” he said, looking out to find Beatriz among the crowd. “I wrote this for you and I’m so happy you are here.” He went on to sing “Chiquilla Bonita,” a love letter to a little girl that’s inspired nothing but love.
A blast from the past
As if taking fans down memory lanes via lyrics wasn’t enough, Los Bukis’ epic old music videos were projected on a giant screen with a side-to-side frame that gave us a “then and now” effect. “Wow, that seems like forever ago,” some fans would whisper. While others acknowledged that Solís hasn’t aged much. “He looks exactly the same … still handsome,” they added.
Why it wasn’t the first time Los Bukis’ music was played at SoFi Stadium
Toward the end of the show, Solís shared something he had heard from staff at SoFi Stadium. While Los Bukis had never played at SoFi Stadium before, he said it wasn’t the first time their music was being played at the venue. “I heard that most of the construction workers who helped build the stadium were from Mexico or Central America, and that they’d play our music while working. So, sending you all a big hug.” But this time around, their music wouldn’t be coming from a radio. It would be live, Los Bukis together after 25 years, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.