News

Jim McCrary, a former staff photographer for A&M Records who shot hundreds of album covers during his career, has died at the age of 72. McCrary shot the iconic, cat-featuring image for Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry, as well as over 300 other album covers, including for the debut album from the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Carpenters debut album, Offering/Ticket To Ride and Joe Cocker's live album, Mad Dogs And Englishmen.

The Who's Roger Daltrey has confirmed that organisers of the London 2012 Olympics asked whether drummer Keith Moon – who died in 1978 – would be able to take part in this summer's celebrations. In an interview on US TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the frontman joked that the band's management had responded to the invitation by suggesting they try contacting the deceased rocker themselves by holding a séance.

Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell has revealed that the band's new album will "be out in probably October". Speaking to Rolling Stone, Cornell claimed the album will be mastered imminently. "I would say September but I'm just guessing October. We're pretty much done with everything." The album will be the Seattle group's first album since 1996's Down On The Upside. They recently released their first new track in 15 years, "Live To Rise", on the soundtrack for the film, Avengers Assemble.

Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon has paid tribute to Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch and said he was a "great rapper and lyricist". The bassist has shared her memories of Yauch, who passed away on Friday (May 4) after a three-year battle with cancer, with NME and hailed the rapper's lyrics. She said: "He told me once that he really liked the lyrics to 'Bull In The Heather'. It surprised me that he had even listened to it. It meant a lot to me that he went out of his way to tell me that, coming from such a great rapper and lyricist."

Beastie Boys co-founder Adam Yauch died aged 47 yesterday (May 4).

Tenacious D's Jack Black says he's saddened by a lack of great rock bands today.

Ambient Icelandic rockers Sigur Ros have revealed their love for commercial pop music.

Bat For Lashes has announced her first UK show for over a year.

The Prodigy's mainman Liam Howlett has spoken about his plans for the band's new album.

Mick Jagger is to host and perform at the series finale of American comedy sketch show, Saturday Night Live. According to Deadline, Jagger will host the episode, which airs on May 19. This will be Jagger's first time hosting the long-running series, but his third appearance as a performer. Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones co-hosted and performed, as well as appearing in a handful of sketches, in 1978. Jagger again appeared on the programme in 2001. The Rolling Stones are currently celebrating their 50th anniversary.