Artists Kelly Rowland and Goapele, actors Tichina Arnold, Keith Robinson and Tasha Smith and talk show personality Tavis Smiley were among the celebs spotted enjoying a double dose of generational soul at Maxwell’s Hollywood Bowl: Fireworks Finale concert Saturday evening (Sept. 9). The sold-out show, featuring opening act SiR, was the second in Maxwell’s three-night stint at the Bowl.

Wearing a red suit with a double-breasted jacket adorned with sparkling jewels on one shoulder down to its sleeve, and an ear-to-ear smile, Maxwell told the audience, “Thank you for selling out this night, it’s nuts! I’m getting a little less nervous up here. The alcohol is kicking in. But thank you for 27 years.”

Starting the proceedings with one of his signature gems, “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” — accented by a sexy two-step that had the ladies screaming — Maxwell continued to smoothly transport the audience back down a memory lane of hits and fan faves. The setlist included “Dancewitme,” “Fortunate,” “Off,” “Fistful of Tears,” “Lake by the Ocean,” a searing cover of the 1977 Heatwave hit “Always and Forever,” encore closer “Whenever Wherever Whatever” and “Stop the World.” The latter was accented by a churchy organ solo and a cheeky ad-lib, “I’ma tear that ass up tonight,” that sparked cheers and applause.

But three songs in particular garnered rapturous sing-alongs — and further underscored Maxwell’s still-supple tenor and hypnotizing falsetto: “Bad Habits,” “Pretty Wings” and his 1996 hallmark “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder).” Referencing the string of “oohs” in the latter song’s intro (“What do you know about the ‘oohs’?”), the Grammy winner soon had the audience matching him “ooh” for “ooh” before shifting into full sing-along mode. At one point, just before a dazzling display of fireworks erupted above the Bowl’s shell, an emotional Maxwell said, “This song is as old as some of you in the house tonight.” 

Maxwell’s simpatico opening act was SiR. Strolling onstage to enthusiastic yells, the Inglewood, Calif., native kept the audience engaged from start to finish with his soulful tenor that carries a pleasing hint of roughness. Sharing relatable stories about love and life, SiR (who possesses sinuous dance moves of his own) kicked off with “John Redcorn” and then followed with selections from a catalog that includes three studio albums, the most recent being 2019’s Chasing Summer. Among the other crowd-pleasers: “Nothing Even Matters,” “Ooh Nah Nah,” his latest single “Satisfaction,” “Hair Down” and “D’Evils.” Assisting on background vocals: SiR’s mother, Jackie Gouche-Farris, whom he introduced and thanked onstage, and whose backup credits include Michael Jackson and Anita Baker.

Maxwell wraps his three-night Hollywood Bowl run Sunday night (Sept. 10) with opening act Raveena. The series commenced on Friday (Sept. 8) with Pink Sweat$. Maxwell’s upcoming performance slate includes a four-night stand (Oct. 11-14) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Charlie Robison, the Texas singer-songwriter whose rootsy anthems made the country charts until he was forced to retire after complications from a medical procedure left him unable to sing, died on Sunday. He was 59.

Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, according to a family representative.

Robison launched his music career in the late 1980s, playing in local Austin bands like Two Hoots and a Holler before forming his own Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his solo debut, Bandera, named for the Texas Hill Country town where his family has had a ranch for generations.

When he was approached by Sony in 1998, Robison signed with its Lucky Dog imprint, which was devoted to rawer country. His 2001 album Step Right Up, which peaked at No. 27 on the Top Country Albums chart, produced the top 40 country song “I Want You Bad.” The single reached No. 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat. “Therefore, with a very heavy heart I am officially retiring from the stage and studio,” he wrote on Facebook.

Robison served as a judge for one year on USA Network’s Nashville Star, a reality TV show in which contestants lived together while competing for a country music recording contract.

He is survived by his wife, Kristen Robison, and four children and stepchildren. He had three children with his first wife, Emily Strayer, a founding member of the superstar country band The Chicks. They divorced in 2008.

Memorial services are pending.

Jane Slagsvol, Jimmy Buffett‘s wife, shared a letter on Saturday (Sept. 9) filled with gratitude for those who surrounded the pair and showed support throughout Buffett’s illness and career. The “Margaritaville” singer/songwriter died at age 76 at his home in Sag Harbor on Long Island, New York, on Sept. 1 from skin cancer.

“Jimmy was love,” she wrote in tribute to her late husband. “Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh.”

Slagsvol’s note was published on Buffett’s official website, along with two personal photos of the couple, who married in 1977 and shared three children together.

“As Jimmy said a few months ago, ‘Growing old is not for sissies.’ These last few years have been unimaginably challenging for Jimmy and me, and we’re definitely not sissies. One thing we both knew and experienced, through every difficult moment, was the feeling of being buoyed up by all the people in our lives. Everywhere we went, at arenas, at events, and even in the hospitals, we were surrounded by love. There is a whole world of people I want to thank for the incredible kindness you showed us,” she wrote.

“Since those early days and all through the decades, Jimmy’s fans became a big, boisterous family,” said Slagsvol. “Thank you for creating the world’s most joyful community. The smile that Jimmy beamed at you from the stage was sparked by your spirit. I think that’s why he loved performing so much. He was so grateful to the community you built around him. Your sympathy and support inspire and comfort me and my family.”

Renowned for his wildly enthusiastic fans, known as “Parrotheads,” Buffett had 13 Billboard Hot 100 charting singles, including seven top 40 hits and one top 10, and 40 entries on the Billboard 200 albums chart throughout his career.

“To the teams of doctors, nurses, hospice workers, and caregivers, your compassion was overwhelming in the best possible way,” Slagsvol wrote of the care received by Buffett, who battled Merkel cell skin cancer for four years. “Jimmy listened to everything you said and followed your every order. You gave him hope, even at the most hopeless moments. Thank you for your tenacity in seeking the best solutions at each stage of his illness. You were honest, brave, and empathic; you showed us such dignity and goodness. I could not have asked for a better team of professionals.”

She went on to thank the people who’ve worked with Buffett — “We know that we’ve surrounded ourselves with the best, most honorable, most generous people, and we know how fortunate we have been for all these years,” the letter read — and the pair’s “gracious, generous and kind” friends. “Jimmy brightened telling you stories over long dinners as the cicadas sang,” she recalled. “He loved occupying his place at the head of the table, looking at the people he cherished. You created a microclimate of affection that surrounded us like the sun. It gave us hope; it felt like a celebration even when things were grim.” Slagsvol also expressed her love for her family.

“One of the last songs Jimmy recorded was ‘Bubbles Up.’ He sings, ‘Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough. Bubbles up.’ Jimmy knew he was loved. Right until the end, he looked for the light,” she wrote.

“Bubbles Up” is on Buffett’s posthumous album, Equal Strain on All Parts, which will be released on Nov. 3.

Read “A Message From Jane” in its entirety on Buffett’s website here.