BILL WITHERS

A parolee who murdered 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant, has been sentenced to 190 years in a California prison.

A 30-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to the murder of philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album of rootsy rock from John Mellencamp, the return of puppet friends from “Fraggle Rock” and a virtual Sundance Film Festival where all the selections can be streamed.

Music legend Tina Turner and rap icon Jay-Z are among the Class of 2021 performers to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Oct. 30. “This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture. Turner was previously inducted in 1991 as part of the duo Ike and Tina Turner, for seminal works such as “Proud Mary” and “River Deep-Mountain High.” The 2021 induction recognizes Tina Turner’s solo career, forged after her divorce from Ike Turner and insistence on keeping her stage name. Singer-songwriter Carole King, performer-producer Todd Rundgren, rock band Foo Fighters and all-woman pop-rock band The Go-Gos round out the Class of 2021 inductees. Hall and Judith Isacoff)The post Tina Turner, Jay-Z Among Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2021 Inductees appeared first on Zenger News.

Lee Cowan reports:"Sometimes, in our lives,we all have pain,we all have sorrow..."Pain and sorrow – the calling cards of 2020. We lost those who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., too: Reverends C.T. In whatever genre, country or pop, the bourbon-smooth voice of Kenny Rogers brought us ballads about gamblers, and lost souls searching for love. ["Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Lovely Spam Spam"]. To all of them, we say thank you and offer a fond "hail and farewell."

The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.