Kathryn Crosby, Actor and Widow of Bing Crosby, Dies at 90

Kathryn Crosby, who appeared in such movies as The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Anatomy of a Murder, and Operation Mad Ball before marrying famed singer and Oscar-winning actor Bing Crosby, has died. She was 90.

She died of natural causes Friday (Sept. 20) night at her home in the Northern California city of Hillsborough, a family spokesperson said Saturday.

Appearing under her stage name of Kathryn Grant, she appeared opposite Tony Curtis in Mister Cory in 1957 and Victor Mature in The Big Circus in 1959. She made five movies with film noir director Phil Karlson, including Tight Spot and The Phenix City Story, both in 1955.

Her other leading men included Jack Lemmon in Operation Mad Ball, James Darren in The Brothers Rico, and James Stewart in Anatomy of a Murder, directed by Otto Preminger.

Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff on Nov. 25, 1933, in West Columbia, Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in fine arts. She came to Hollywood and began her movie career in 1953.

She met Bing Crosby while doing interviews for a column she wrote about Hollywood for her hometown newspaper. They were married in 1957, when she was 23 and he was 54.

She curtailed her acting career after the wedding, although she appeared often with Crosby and their three children on his Christmas television specials and in Minute Maid orange juice commercials. She became a registered nurse in 1963.

In the 1970s, she hosted a morning talk show on KPIX-TV in Northern California.

After Crosby’s death at age 74 in 1977, from a heart attack after golfing in Spain, she appeared in stage productions of Same Time, Next Year and Charley’s Aunt. She co-starred with John Davidson and Andrea McArdle in the 1996 Broadway revival of State Fair.

For 16 years ending in 2001, she hosted the Crosby National golf tournament in Bermuda Run, North Carolina.

She is survived by children Harry, Mary, an actor best known for the TV show Dallas, and Nathaniel, a successful amateur golfer. She was married to Maurice Sullivan for 10 years before he was killed in a 2010 car accident that seriously injured Crosby.

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Questlove Announced as Director of New Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary

Questlove has revealed that he will direct an upcoming documentary about Earth, Wind & Fire.

The Roots drummer, whose also been working on a Sly Stone doc, fittingly made the announcement on Saturday (Sept. 21) through his Instagram account, noting that the EWF project is slated for 2025 and will be the “definitive story” of the iconic R&B band.

“The story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts,” Questlove wrote alongside a teaser clip. “Having been baptized in the afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly I’ve learned about and rediscovered myself in the process.”

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning filmmaker added, “I’m so excited to be directing a documentary preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle. This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery. This is Earth, Wind & Fire.”

Questlove’s Earth, Wind & Fire doc will also include exclusive access to the group’s archives of visual, audio and written material, along with the approval of the estate of Maurice White and the band, according to a press release (per The Hollywood Reporter).

Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson said in a joint statement, “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”

With classics including “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” “Reasons” and “September,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have topped Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart eight times, earned seven top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and sold more than 90 million albums around the globe.

Questlove took home an Oscar for best documentary feature in 2022 for Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which he directed and executive produced.

See Questlove’s announcement on Instagram below.

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Metallica Makes Fans Dance to Norteño Classic ‘La Chona’ at Mexico City Concert: Watch

Metallica gave its first concert in Mexico City in seven years on Friday (Sept. 20), and the band’s bassist, Robert Trujillo, took the opportunity to pay tribute to his Mexican roots by performing a peculiar song: “La Chona,” by famous corrido group Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

“This is a great party,” Trujillo said in Spanish to the 65,000 people who packed the GNP Seguros Stadium, according to figures from promoter Ocesa. “It is an honor to be here with all of you, with the spirit of 72 Seasons. Kirk [Hammett] and I are going to play something for all of you. We are very nervous, so if you know this song, please help us by singing it.”

Immediately, they started playing the first chords of the classic by Los Tucanes de Tijuana, included in their 1995 album, Me Robaste El Corazón, which has transcended several generations in Mexico and the U.S.

The long hair of Metallica’s fans swung to the northern rhythm, while Trujillo and Hammett, Metallica’s guitarist, swayed to the surprise and applause of much of the audience. The bassist, who on several occasions during the night wore a traditional mariachi hat, took charge of the vocals.

The moment was quickly trending on social media, where users celebrated the rock band’s gesture to its Mexican fans. “La Chona is national heritage and Metallica knows it,” wrote user @virian_avaa on her X account. “The most surreal thing, Metallica playing La Chona,” added user @Amackdiel. Both posted videos of the moment.

Metallica is giving four performances in Mexico City as part of its M72 World Tour, in support of their 2023 album 72 Seasons. The next shows at the GNP Seguros Stadium are scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 22), and Sept. 27 and 29.

Metallica’s history with Mexico began three decades ago with the tour of their Black Album (1991), which included five dates at the Palacio de los Deportes in 1993. Since then, the band has maintained a very close relationship with the country, where they recorded their live DVD Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria (2009), which portrays three spectacular nights at the Foro Sol (today GNP Seguros Stadium) in June 2009.

Metallica’s production team filmed the entire show on Friday and, according to the Mexican newspaper Reforma, next week it will make special shots at tourist spots such as Teotihuacán, the Historic Center, Chapultepec, Coyoacán, and San Ángel.

Watch Trujillo and Hammett play “La Chona” below.

Billboard Latin Music Week is returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with confirmed superstars including Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

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Paramore’s Hayley Williams Speaks Out Against Donald Trump at iHeartRadio Music Festival

Hayley Williams didn’t hold back her feelings about Donald Trump at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival.

On Friday (Sept. 20), the Paramore singer took a moment during the rock band’s performance of “Big Man, Little Integrity” as Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena to make it crystal clear how she feels about the Republican presidential nominee, who is running against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

“Project 2025 is Donald Trump’s playbook for controlling and punishing women, poor people, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community,” Williams said while looking into a camera that was livestreaming the event on Hulu. “It is time for all Americans to band together and finally defeat the Trump agenda. And the only way to do that is by confronting him at the polls. Do you want to live in the dictatorship? Well, show up and vote.”

This isn’t the first time Williams has spoken out against Republican politicians over anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Last year, the “Ain’t It Fun” singer lashed out against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a performance at the Adjacent Music Festival in Atlantic City, N.J.

“If you vote for Ron DeSantis, you’re f—ing dead to me. Is that comfortable enough for anyone?” she told the crowd.

Earlier this year, Paramore also declined a Tennessee resolution honoring the group for its Grammy win after the state’s lawmakers blocked a similar resolution honoring Allison Russell.

“This week, Rep. Justin Jones put forth resolutions to honor my band, Paramore and another local-to-Nashville artist, Allison Russell, on our recent Grammy wins (as far as I can tell these resolutions have no legal weight to them. They’re like a big high five or when the whole restaurant joins in to sing you “Happy Birthday”),” Williams told The Tennesseean. “House Republicans only let the measure that acknowledged Paramore’s win pass. They blocked Allison’s.”

The Paramore singer added, “The blatant racism of our state leadership is embarrassing and cruel. Myself, as well as Paramore, will continue to encourage young people to show up to vote with equality in mind.”

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Becky G Opens Greenspace in Elementary School & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Becky G’s Greenspace

The Vita Coco Company teamed up with Mexican-American star Becky G to build a new greenspace at her elementary school in Inglewood, Calif. The newly-opened space at Oak Street Elementary School, is an initiative of the company’s social impact program, the Vita Coco Project, which focuses on empowering communities, according to a press release.

“Growing up, my Inglewood community shaped who I am today,” the “Mamiii” singer said in a statement. “Partnering with Vita Coco to reimagine a space where students can learn and play means everything to me. We wanted each element to be intentional, reflecting my own experience in middle school and addressing the needs and dreams of the community.”

“As a parent, I understand the desire to want the best for our kids. And one of the most overlooked resources is a child’s right to play — outside, in fresh air, climbing trees, and getting dirt under their fingernails,” added Mike Kirban, co-founder and executive chairman of The Vita Coco Company. “This project is more than just a greenspace; it’s about ensuring that every kid and their families — regardless of socioeconomic status, identity, or background — has the right to a safe and enriching environment. Let kids be kids so they can grow their curiosity about the natural world and how it works.”

More Stars Added to Latin Music Week

The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week is just around the corner, and ahead of its arrival, Billboard unveiled a new group of artists who have officially joined the already star-studded lineup. These additions include Feid, Grupo Frontera, Álvaro Díaz, Debi Nova, Jasiel Núñez, Junior H, La Joaqui, Luck Ra, Mario Bautista, Nacho, Saiko and Tito Double P. Additionally, soccer stars Leo Campana (Inter Miami CF) and Igor Lichnovsky (Club América) have also joined the weeklong event taking place Oct. 14-18 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, tickets for Billboard Latin Music Week are available for purchase here.

Latin Music Week 2024 Lineup

A Pitbull Residence

Pitbull is set to debut his new musical residency in Las Vegas on Nov. 8 at the Fontainebleau, Billboard Español exclusively announced on Friday (Sept. 20).

The Cuban-American hit-maker will take the stage at the BleauLive Theater with his “Pitbull: Vegas After Dark the Residency” — a series of eight weekend concerts between the end of this year and the beginning of the next. The dates are Nov. 8-9, Jan. 24-25, and March 7, 8, 14 and 15. Tickets go on presale on Tuesday (Sept. 24) and to the general public the next day at 12 p.m. ET on the Fontainebleau website.

Juan Gabriel’s Special Screening in Mexico

Juan Gabriel’s Mis 40 en Bellas Artes is set to be projected at a free event organized by Mexico City’s Secretary of Culture at the Zócalo on Sunday (Sept. 22) at 7 p.m. local time. The screening will take place there after the cancellation of a second showing at the Cineteca Nacional that was originally scheduled for Sept.14. “The city government, committed to cultural access, is offering the country’s most important plaza and stage so that more people can enjoy this memorable concert in a festive and family-friendly environment to continue the patriotic celebrations,” announced the Secretary of Culture in a statement.

Mis 40 en Bellas Artes is an iconic Juan Gabriel concert performed in 2013 in celebration of his four decades in music, accompanied by the International Orchestra of the Arts and its choir. There, he sang some of this greatest hits, including “Caray,” “He Venido a Pedirte Perdón,” “Querida,” “La Diferencia,” “Me Nace del Corazón,” “¿Por Qué Me Haces Llorar?,” “Abrázame Muy Fuerte,” and “Así Fue.”

Ángela Aguilar’s Fashion Exhibit in Houston

To celebrate 10 years in music, Ángela Aguilar has launched an exhibit at the Mexican Consulate in Houston, which has arranged a special area for visitors to see a collection titled “Ángela Aguilar: 10 Years Singing and Dressing Mexico.”

According to a press statement, the exhibition is free and open to the public indefinitely, from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (local time). It includes 25 outfits, including the one she wore in the “Solamente Una Vez” music video, a song included in her Latin Grammy-nominated album, Bolero.

Also on display is the Mexican flag-inspired dress she wore while on her family’s Jaripeo Sin Fronteras Tour, as well as the princess cut dress that she donned to meet Queen Sofia of Spain.

Billboard Latin Music Week is returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with confirmed superstars including Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit Billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

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Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ Turns 20: All the Songs Ranked

It’s fair to say that a trio of potty-mouthed Californian punks with tracks named “Geek Stink Breath,” “Platypus (I Hate You)” and “Dominated Love Slave” in their back catalog wouldn’t have been the prime candidates to record an era-defining blockbuster famous for holding truth to power.

But Green Day did just that when they unleashed American Idiot onto the unsuspecting public in the lead-up to the 2004 presidential election. The trio’s seventh LP might not have unseated George W. Bush from the White House, but it did top the Billboard 200 in its first week of release, spawn four Billboard Hot 100 singles and go on to sell 23 million copies worldwide. And it provided some substance to the punk-pop revival which practically celebrated the art of getting stuck in arrested development.

In addition to raging against the machine, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool also added their own distinctive spin to the rock opera with a relatively loose, and often incomprehensible, narrative about a suburban antihero “raised on a diet of soda and Ritalin.” Inspired by similarly ambitious epics from the likes of The Who and David Bowie, American Idiot was later adapted for the Broadway stage, adding several Tony nominations to the album’s already crowded list of accolades.

“It really made me feel like I can spread my wings,” Armstrong later told Billboard about its colossal success. “It proved to me that, if you have the guts to do it, then you can make it happen. When you have a hunch that it’s time to make a big statement, musically, and it gets acknowledged, it’s the best feeling ever.”

Twenty years after this big statement first made the 43rd POTUS’ ears burn (it came out Sept. 21, 2004), here’s a ranking of American Idiot’s 13 tracks ranked from worst to best.

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Eagles’ Classic Catalog Is More Vivid Than Ever at Night 1 of Las Vegas Sphere Residency: 6 Best Moments

For more than 50 years, the Eagles have been painting vivid pictures with their music, from the dark desert highway of “Hotel California” to the billion stars all around of “Peaceful Easy Feeling” to the cold, cold city of “Life in the Fast Lane.” On Friday night (Sept. 20), those images came to intense life at Las Vegas’ Sphere, where the technology of 2024 finally caught up to the band’s enduring artistry and created a technicolor display worthy of their classic, illustrative songs from the 1970s and beyond.

The California country-rock group – formed by Don Henley and the late Glenn Frey in 1971 – could have never imagined this future for itself because this kind of game-changing venue simply didn’t exist in their heyday. The first night of the Eagles’ five-month Sphere residency proved there’s something particularly enchanting about pairing songs that have this deep of a history with a brand-new medium to experience them. Many of the fans in the building for opening night might have checked out a stop of The Long Goodbye Tour over the past year-plus, but even though the setlist wasn’t too far off (with some notable swaps – more on that below), this show was worlds apart from any Eagles concert before it. The group still boasts the pristine harmonies, tight guitar licks, and overall passion that belies their veteran status; it’s just that now you can also take a literal trip into a spooky forest for the otherworldly “Witchy Woman,” so it’s not just the unnerving production setting the macabre mood.

The band – made up of Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Glenn’s son Deacon Frey, as well as a team of longtime touring musicians – was never overpowered by the Sphere’s floor-to-ceiling visuals because the 20-song set made up exclusively of hits always held its own against the immersive spectacle. Seeing the Eagles catalog backed by this dazzling display only enhanced just how timeless and impactful these songs are.

Below, find Billboard’s best moments from Eagles’ opening night at Sphere.

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Michaela DePrince, Beloved Ballerina Who Has Worked With Beyoncé, Dies at 29

Michaela DePrince, a powerful ballerina who appeared on Dancing With the Stars and in Beyoncé’s Lemonade film, has died. She was 29 years old. A cause of death was not revealed.

The devastating news was announced by her family via the dancer’s social media pages. “With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond,” a statement on DePrince’s Instagram signed by “Team MDP “reads.

DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995. She grew up in an orphanage, where she was mistreated for her vitiligo. However, in 1999, she and a girl named Mia were adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince in New Jersey.

DePrince enrolled in ballet school in Philadelphia and was one of six primary subjects in the 2011 documentary First Position. She appeared on an episode of Dancing With the Stars and went on to join the Dutch National Ballet’s junior company. She was also the second soloist for the Boston Ballet. 

Notably, DePrince appeared in the “Freedom” visual on Beyoncé’s Lemonade film that accompanied by her 2016 album of the same name. She also starred in the 2021 ballet film Coppelia.

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Kim Porter Tell-All Book Becomes an Amazon Bestseller Amid Diddy’s Legal Troubles

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An alleged Kim Porter memoir, comprised of reported diary entries, has landed on Amazon amid Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest. Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side… was released on the retail site on Sept. 6, around a week before Combs was indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

According to Daily Mail, the 60-page book was published by Chris Todd, a Los Angeles producer who alleges that the book contains details Porter saved on a flash drive and gave to friends prior to her sudden death almost six years ago. Todd released the unauthorized memoir under the name “Jamal T. Millwood,” per Daily Mail. He’s listed as co-writer along with Porter.

The book is currently No. 1 on Amazon’s bestsellers list in the category of Western U.S. Biographies.

Todd provided no evidence to prove disturbing allegations in the book, which includes multiple claims of physical abuse.

“I was lucky enough to meet someone that purported to have Kim Porter’s flash drive,” he told the media outlet. “I know the celebrity source pretty well. I know how close they were to Kim and Diddy, and all the people in the hip-hop community. This was supposedly for Kim Porter from the grave, to come forward and tell her story.”

Todd added, “This is a dangerous situation, and I didn’t want to claim ownership of Kim’s words. But now I’m willing to come forward because of the recent arrest of Sean Combs. Now [that] the federal government has finally acted, I feel safer to come forward.”

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Federal authorities arrested Combs in New York City on Monday. The next day, authorities released a 14-page indictment stating in part, “For decades, Sean Combs … abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”

The 54-year-old rap mogul, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was twice denied bail and currently remains at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His release date is listed as unknown.  

As previously reported, Combs has been placed on suicide watch as a procedural measure for high-profile inmates. In a statement to Billboard, Combs’ spokesperson noted, “Mr. Combs is strong, healthy and focused on his defense. He is committed to fighting this case and has full confidence in both his legal team and the truth.”

Porter, a mother of four who shared three children with Combs — son Christian and twin daughters Jessie and D’Lilah – and an elder son, Quincy, with R&B singer Al B. Sure, died from pneumonia in November 2018.

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Luke Combs’ ‘Twister’ Track ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’ Spins to No. 1 on Country Airplay Chart

Luke Combs notches his 18th Billboard Country Airplay chart-topper as “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” surges three spots to No. 1 on the list dated Sept. 28. The song increased by 12% to 30.2 million audience impressions Sept. 13-19, according to Luminate.

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Combs authored the single with Jessi Alexander and Jonathan Singleton, and produced it with Singleton and Chip Matthews. It’s from the soundtrack Twisters: The Album, which arrived at its No. 3 high on Top Country Albums in August.

(OK, get this: Oklahoma appears in the title of a Country Airplay No. 1 for the first time. The state was previously best represented when Vince Gill and Reba McEntire’s “Oklahoma Swing” hit No. 13 in 1990.)

Combs crowns Country Airplay after Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” on which he’s featured, hit No. 2 and his own “Where the Wild Things Are” reached No. 3, both in February. Combs last led with his version of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 pop hit “Fast Car,” for five frames starting in July 2023.

The Asheville, N.C., native rattled off a career-opening-record 14 consecutive Country Airplay No. 1s. His 18 leaders dating to his first, “Hurricane,” in May 2017, mark the most among all artists in that span; Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen follow with 14 each. Combs also boasts the most weeks at No. 1 – 52, or a full year – in that stretch, ahead of Wallen’s 43.

Jelly Roll’s Sixth Top 10

Also on Country Airplay, and speaking of opening runs at the format, Jelly Roll adds his sixth total and consecutive top 10 as “I Am Not Okay” pushes 11-10 (20.2 million, up 19%).

A week earlier, Dustin Lynch’s “Chevrolet,” featuring Jelly Roll, became the latter’s fifth Country Airplay No. 1, dating to his first, “Son of a Sinner” in January 2023, the chart’s longest active streak of leaders. (Jelly Roll broke through on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where he logged five entries in 2011-16.)

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