News

Cecil Womack, brother of Bobby Womack and one half of Womack and Womack, has died aged 65. Womack passed away on February 1 in Africa. Bobby Womack confirmed his death earlier today (February 7). In his later years, Womack was known as Zekuumba Zekkariyas after embracing his African heritage and finding family ties to the Zekkariyas tribe. He was best known for Womack And Womack's 1988 hit single "Teardrops", which he recorded with his second wife, Linda Cooke, the daughter of soul singer Sam Cooke.

The first track Jack White has recorded with Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haynes has been revealed online. Scroll down to hear it. As revealed earlier this week, the pair worked on three songs, set to be released as a single on White's Third Man Records. The single features new songs 'You Don't Have To Be Smart' and 'Horse Named George', as well as a cover of hardcore band Adrenalin OD's 'Paul's Not Home' which you can hear below.

Elton John is the latest big name guest confirmed to appear on the new Queens Of The Stone Age album.

David Bowie's long-term guitarist Earl Slick has hinted that Bowie may tour after all. Speaking to Spinner, Slick said "It's kind of like doing the record [The Next Day]. I wouldn't be surprised if he toured and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't tour... I know I would like a tour to happen!" Producer Tony Visconti previously told NME that live shows were unlikely, saying, "He’s fairly adamant he’s never gonna perform live again… One of the guys would say, 'Boy, how are we gonna do all this live?' and David said, 'We’re not'. He made a point of saying that all the time."

Kraftwerk opened their eight-night residency at Tate Modern on Wednesday by playing in full their fourth album, Autobahn. Kraftwerk played a two-hour set that also included most of their best loved numbers. Those lucky enough to secure tickets for Kraftwerk’s first night in the London art museum’s imposing Turbine Hall were each given a cushion, a crib sheet on the band and a pair of 3D spectacles. However, virtually the whole audience stood to appreciate Kraftwerk’s impressive visuals, displayed on a massive screen behind.

Sony has announced that it will stop making its MiniDisc players in March 2013. The Japanese electronics giant will cease production of the MiniDisc player next month, but it has said it will continue making the actual MiniDiscs, The Telegraph reports. The news marks the end for the audio system, which was launched by Sony in 1992 as a high-quality digital alternative to the much lower-quality tape cassette.

David Bowie's Aladdin Sane will be remastered and reissued to mark its 40th anniversary this year. Bowie's sixth album, Aladdin Sane was originally released in April 1973. The album was originally co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and recorded at Trident Studios in London and RCA Studios in New York. It would be the last album that the line-up of Mick Ronson (guitar, piano, backing vocals), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey (drums) would appear on and the first to feature pianist Mike Garson.

Morrissey has postponed more shows in the US due to illness. The singer said that he wanted to restart his tour in Las Vegas on February 9, however, this show has now been pulled, as has his February 10 date in Phoenix. Rescheduled dates are expected to be announced in the coming days. Morrissey recently spoke out following his recent health troubles, which saw him hospitalised at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Reg Presley has died at the age of 71. Presley died at his home in Andover, Hampshire – the town of his birth – from cancer yesterday (February 4), in the company of his family. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2012 during a tour of Germany, and is reported to have had a number of strokes before the diagnosis, according to messages posted by music publicist and close friend Keith Altham.

Jack White has collaborated with Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes on three songs, set to be released as a single on White's Third Man Records. The single features new songs "You Don't Have To Be Smart" and "Horse Named George", as well as a cover of hardcore band Adrenalin OD's 'Paul's Not Home'. Scroll down to listen to an excerpt from the track.