A fire destroyed the Georgia Theatre. The theater, best-known for hosting the seeds of the Athens, Ga. music scene that birthed, among others, R.E.M. and the B-52s, was gutted this morning. R.E.M. still had a heavy interest in the 600-seat theater, hosting album release parties there. In a statement, they wished owner Wilmont Greene best of luck in rebuilding the landmark. source
She died of complications from surgery. She leaves a legacy. Taylor may be the most notable female postwar blues figure, as well as a Chicago icon. While she didn’t actually play an instrument, her booming voice is a super killer instrument that commands your attention. Her most well-known song, 1965’s “Wang Dang Doodle,” sold a million copies and went to #4 on the R&B charts. Over forty years after that high point, she’s remained a massive influence on both mainstream rock and traditional blues. source