In Memoriam: Legendary Actor "Patrick Stewart" Dies Aged 86

 

 

The Yorkshire-born Shakespearean actor who became a global star as Jean-Luc Picard and Charles Xavier died at his home in Los Angeles, his family said.

Patrick Stewart, the British actor who spent decades in classical theatre before becoming one of the best-known faces in science fiction as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died at the age of 86, his family said on Thursday 

He died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles after "a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia", his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, said. The statement said he had been surrounded by family and friends, music, prayer, tears and laughter, and spoke of an enduring reminder of his invincible grace. 

Stewart was born in 1940 in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. He spoke publicly about growing up with a father who was violent towards his mother, and later supported the domestic-violence charity Refuge. He trained as an actor and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s, where he spent much of the next two decades on stage.

His career took a huge changed in 1987 when Robert Justman, a producer of Star Trek: The Next Generation, saw him reading Shakespeare at a lecture at UCLA and brought him in to audition, against the doubts of the franchise's creator, Gene Roddenberry. Stewart won the part of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, expecting the series to last a single season. It ran for seven seasons and was followed by four films. Picard, a captain who preferred diplomacy to force, made Stewart a star well beyond the theatre; he returned to the role in the series Star Trek: Picard from 2020 to 2023.

Then from 2000 he also played Charles Xavier, the telepathic founder of the X-Men, in Bryan Singer’s X-Men and its sequels, up to James Mangold’s Logan in 2017. Stewart said he admired both Picard and Xavier for their morality, kindness and compassion, 

Stewart never left the theatre. He played Macbeth, toured his one-man version of A Christmas Carol, and appeared with his close friend Ian McKellen in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot in London and on Broadway. He was knighted in 2010 and published his memoir, Making It So, in 2023. 

He is survived by his wife, the singer Sunny Ozell, and his two children, Daniel and Sophie.

In Memoriam: The Berlin-Born Actress "Elke Sommers" Dies Aged 86

 

 

The Berlin-born actress who became one of the few German stars of 1960s Hollywood died in Los Angeles, three months after her husband. Sommer who became one of the few German stars of 1960s Hollywood, has died aged 85. She died of heart failure at her home in Los Angeles, the German newspaper Bild reported, citing close friends. She was days away from her 86th birthday 

Her death came three months after that of her husband, the German hotelier Wolf Walther, who died of cancer in the summer. 

Born as Elke Schletz in Berlin in 1940, the daughter of a Protestant pastor, and was evacuated with her family to Bavaria during the war. She grew up in Erlangen and trained as an interpreter, but in 1958, on holiday in Italy, she was crowned Miss Viareggio and spotted by the director Vittorio De Sica, then a string of Italian comedies followed.

Her gift for languages took her into English-language films. Her Hollywood breakthrough came in 1963 as Paul Newman's lover in The Prize, for which she shared the Golden Globe for most promising newcomer. A year later she played a maid suspected of a string of murders opposite Peter Sellers in A Shot in the Dark, the sequel to The Pink Panther

She went on to star alongside giants actors at the time such as James Garner and Dick Van Dyke in "The Art of Love" and Bob Hope in "Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!," made two cult horror films with the Italian director Mario Bava, and appeared in the 1974 Agatha Christie adaptation And Then There Were None and the British comedy Carry On Behind. In all she made about 100 film and television appearances, and also worked as a singer, stage actor and painter, she used to signing her paintings E. Schwartz.

In the mid-1980s she became embroiled in a long-running feud with Zsa Zsa Gabor after they appeared together on the TV show Circus of the Stars; Sommer was eventually awarded $3.3m in damages for defamation. 

Her first marriage, to the US writer Joe Hyams, ended in divorce. She and Wolf Walther, together since 1989, married in Franconia in 1993; she had no children. The couple divided their time for years between the village of Marloffstein near Erlangen and Los Angeles. Her parents are buried in Marloffstein, where she is also wanted and is going to be laid to rest

New Music: Wings Of Love

            

Erasure have released the official video for ‘Wings of Love’, the first single from their upcoming twentieth studio album, “Radio!! Radio!!”, due out on March 12, 2027, via Mute. On ‘Wings of Love’, the duo revisit the synthpop language that shaped their early work, giving it a more reflective perspective. The production stays lean, with the melody carrying much of the song's weight as Bell sings about love, time and the lasting significance of the people who remain close to us. Concept on the video has been created by Victoria Topping Artist and Wobblylobster Studio, who turns the album artwork into a three-minute animated science-fiction story. Its narrative follows a familiar storytelling tradition while exploring an idea that has long captured the imagination of science fiction: the possibility that machines and robots might have dreams of their own. The result gives the visual identity of “Radio!! Radio!!” a life beyond the album cover.

New Music: The Place We Call Mars

           

Squeeze has shared a music video for 'the single "The Place We Call Mars", the latest track to be taken from their critically acclaimed album "Trixies." Considered one of the rare tracks of Trixies, 'The Place We Call Mars' is a vivid crime-scene vignette, another example of the extraordinary storytelling instincts that Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook were already developing when they first wrote the songs for the album as teenagers. It is a song whose journey stretches back more than half a century. Trixies was conceived in 1974, when Difford was 19 and Tilbrook just 16, at the very beginning of one of British music's most enduring songwriting partnerships. Set in and around a fictional nightclub, its cast of characters and interlocking stories were imagined years before Squeeze would make their first record. The black and white video has been Directed by Oska Zaky and Connie Virdie.

New Music: Borrowed Time

           

Julian Lennon has shared a cool and captivating video for his new single "Borrowed Love" the first cut from his upcoming new EP due late 2026, the video is based on a concept by Lennon featuring visuals by artist Caitly Grabenstein, the piece stands by incorporating over 100 collage artwork by the artist over a ten year period, the song is soft and nive with a message about the current times, many people around the world feeling this way. 

New Music: Lake Ontario

           

The legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams has just released his protest song and video about President Trump's bid to rename the Great Lake. deriding the Trump administration for its stupid effort to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America", the single comes off his forthcoming new album "How's It Goin" out November 6, this albums is Adams musical love letter to Canada, a series of odes to people, place and stories that have defined his homeland.

New Music: Where Will You Go?

            

W. H. Lung, has shared new single "Where Will You Go?," the track arrives ahead of the UK Band's biggest ever headline show in their hometown of Manchester, at Albert Hall on November 20th. The band had this to say on the single and reveal there are no solid plans to continue the group afterwards: "Where Will You Go?," our new single, is released today. This song is a reflection on the band's journey and a celebration of our time together over the last ten years. If the song feels like a goodbye it's because our ten year anniversary gig at The Albert Hall on 20th November is the last in the diary, and we don’t know when or whether we’ll be back.We hadn’t planned to write any more new material this year but when we made that decision the song and its lyrics came very quickly. Where Will You Go? is about the band, the band’s history and all the hope and ambition that attended our formation. It moves through the places we’ve lived and toured, from Leeds to Todmorden and from the US to Europe, and arrives at our uncertain future like a homecoming.

Rocktrospectiva: The Mixed "Dreamtime" Turns 40

Released on 27 October 1986 "Dreamtime" was the 9th., studio album by the Stranglers, the title track was inspired by a belief of the Indigenous peoples of Australia called Dreamtime. The album spawned the singles "Nice In Nice", "Always The Sun", "Big In America" & "Shakin' Like A Leaf."

The single "Always the Sun" peaked at No. 30 in the UK Singles Chart. Dreamtime itself reached No. 16 in the UK Albums Chart, the lowest charting studio album during Hugh Cornwell's recording tenure with the band (1977–90).

The album was produced by Mike Kemp and the band itself. It is often viewed as an inconsistent record, though it contains enough pleasant moments to make it an enjoyable listen. In a sense, it functions as a mini concept album: Cornwell’s vision was to explore an ancient culture—specifically, the Aboriginal concept of the "Dreamtime," the idea that life was merely a dream before existence itself began. 

Furthermore, this period saw Cornwell’s transformation from a rough-edged, unpleasant character into a sensitive gentleman in every sense of the word—a shift that left some long-time fans feeling uncertain. Nevertheless, the album yielded some strong tracks, such as "Always the Sun"—a polished, high-quality song that arguably deserved greater chart success. Another overlooked gem was "You'll Always Reap What You Sow," where country-inflected guitar work opened up new sonic horizons for the band. "Dreamtime" was another excellent track, distinguished by the inclusion of a xylophone and pleasing backing vocals.  

Other tracks on the album, such as "Was It You?", touched upon paranoia—placing the blame for everything on politicians—with percussion that lends the song an air of uncertainty and loss. "Ghost Train" picks up the pace, supporting surreal lyrics about ghosts reenacting life—a concept somewhat related to certain Indigenous beliefs. Then there was the single "Nice In Nice," a distinctly pop-oriented track inspired by the band’s arrest by French police for inciting disorder. "Big In America"—another single who had a small rotation on MTV—dealed with the idea of ​​"making it big" in the world’s wealthiest and most powerful nation. "Shakin' Like A Leaf" featured a powerful vocal performance and a thick bassline, though it ultimately failed to perform well on the charts. "Mayan Skies" a song that explored the Mayan culture, evoking vivid colors and a strong psychedelic feel, with Dave Greenfield’s keyboards providing the perfect finishing touch. Finally, "Too Precious" was a long, confusing track; despite its musical richness, the melodies feel odd, making it one of the album’s weaker moments. 

Critics were mixed despite the album was a solid effort from The Stranglers—they brought a greater sense of diversity to a scene still deeply entrenched in the punk rock of the late 70s. While it may not be their strongest release, it remains a worthy addition to any collection of the band’s work. Some reviews said that the Stranglers are "a prime example of a band that has streamlined their sound and still retained much of their bite as well as their signature. Others in contrary felt dissapointed about the record despite some good songs the rest was forgettable.

Dreamtime Track List:

1. Always The Sun

2. Dreamtime

3. Was It You?

4. You'll Always Reap What You Sow?

5. Ghost Train

6. Nice In Nice

7. Big In America

8. Shakin' Like A Leaf

9. Mayan Skies

10. Too Precious

Rocktrospectiva: XTC's Finest Masterpiece "Skylarking" Turns 40

 

Released on 27 October 1986, "Skylarking" was the 8th., studio album by the English rock band XTC. Produced by US musician Todd Rundgren, under a loose concept album about a nonspecific cycle, such as a day, a year, the seasons, or a life. The title refered to a type of bird (skylark), as well as the Royal Navy term "skylarking", which means "fooling around". It became one of XTC's best-known albums and is often regarded as one of their finest albums. The album spawned the singles "Grass", "Dear God" & The Melting Place."

Like XTC's Dukes of Stratosphear side project, Skylarking was heavily influenced by the psychedelic music of the 1960s. Most of the album was recorded at Rundgren's Utopia Sound Studio in Woodstock, New York, with some work undertaken in San Francisco at the Tubes' studio; Tubes drummer Prairie Prince also drummed on the album. Rundgren played a large role in the album's sound design and drum programming, providing the band with orchestral arrangements and an assortment of equipment. However, the sessions were fraught with tension, especially between Rundgren and bandleader Andy Partridge, and numerous disagreements arose over drum patterns, song selections, and other details.

 

Upon release, Skylarking was met with indifference in the UK, peaking in the album charts at number 90, while both of its lead singles "Grass" (backed with "Dear God") and "The Meeting Place" peaked at number 100. In the US, "Dear God" became a college radio hit, causing US distributor Geffen Records to recall and repress Skylarking with the track included, and propelling the album to number 70. Following the song's growth in popularity, it was the subject of controversy in the country, inspiring many angry phone calls to radio stations and at least one bomb threat. "Dear God" proved to be the most successful, receiving heavy rotation on MTV and earning a nomination for Best Direction, Concept, and Innovation at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).   

The album’s themes revolve around the cycles of life. It features fourteen tracks of refined, timeless pop, incorporating orchestral arrangements, a horn section, and keyboards, alongside the standard guitar, bass, and drums. The result is a highly sophisticated pop record that set them apart from everything else. Partridge and Moulding handled the songwriting, recording 20 tracks that were eventually whittled down to the 14 that made the final cut. 

 

Among the tracks initially left off was "Dear God"—which, as previously mentioned, ended up as a B-side to the single "Grass." It proved to be so popular—arguably even more so than "Grass" itself—that, in the end, it was "Mermaid Smiled" that was left off the album instead. "Dear God" tackles the act of questioning God, as well as the reasons for suffering in the world and the apparent lack of divine intervention. The song was very well-received, though it also sparked controversy in the United States; one religious fanatic even threatened to blow up a radio station with a bazooka if they continued to play it—yet this did nothing to hinder the song's success. 

 

The album's style can be broken down into several facets: there is a psychedelic phase—evident in tracks like "Big Day," "The Meeting Place," and "Earn Enough for Us"—that draws heavily from the style of The Beatles circa 1967. Other tracks, such as "Sacrificial Bonfire," are more refined and feature orchestral arrangements; some, like "Grass," are deeply sensitive; while others—such as "Season Cycle" or "That’s Really Super, Supergirl" (which could easily have served as a single)—are more melodic and catchy. 

 

The album stands as a fine example of sonic perfection that has endured over the years; it continues to captivate and impress, which is why it has seen several reissues. Following the correction of an audio error, a revised version—on both LP and CD, featuring the original cover art—was released around 2016. The album performed well and earned critical respect—a reputation that has only grown over time, regardless of shifting trends and musical styles. 

 

Skylarking Track List:  

 

1. Summer's Cauldron

2. Grass

3. The Meeting Place

4. That's Really Super, Super Girl

5. Ballet For Rainy Day

6. 1000 Umbrellas

7. Season Cycle

8. Earn ENough For Us

9. Big day

10. Another Satellite

11. Mermaid Smiled

12. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul

13. Dying

14. Sacrificial Bonfire

15. Dear God

The Reissue: Reveal 25th., Anniversary

R.E.M.'s 2001 album "Reveal" will be reissued in November for its 25th anniversary. The band’s 12th studio album spawned two hits in the UK, including the top 10 single "Imitation of Life" and "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)". 

Despite both singles offering demos, alternate versions of album tracks, live cuts and non-album B-sides (2JN, Yellow River, 165 Hillcrest) none of these are included on any format of the anniversary reissue, with bonus audio content reserved solely for The Black Sessions Revealed, a 2001 concert recorded for Radio France.

The formats are 2CD+blu-ray and 2LP vinyl of The Black Sessions Revealed. The album is also available on vinyl although availability seems limited (at least for now). The official R.E.M. store also has exclusive coloured vinyl versions of both. There is no word on remastering, which suggests the album hasn’t been remastered.

The 2CD+blu-ray edition features the album on CD 1, The Black Sessions Revealed on CD 2 and a blu-ray which includes the album in 5.1 Surround and hi-res stereo. Presumably these are the same mixes that were put out 21 years ago on the CD+DVD-A reissue.

Ignoring non-album material from singles already marks this reissue out as imperfect, but not bothering to embrace modern immersive audio and just trotting out a 21-year old 5.1 mix (admittedly, a good mix) does not cut the mustard. It’s not the end of the world as we know it, but it’s disappointing.

Reveal will be released on 20 November 2026 via Concord.

Reveal 25th., Anniversary 2CD+Blu-Ray Track List: 

CD 1: Reveal:

 

1. The Lifting

2. I’ve Been High

3. All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star)

4. She Just Wants To Be

5. Disappear

6. Saturn Return

7. Beat A Drum

8. Imitation Of Life

9. Summer Turns To High

10. Chorus And The Ring

11. I’ll Take The Rain

12. Beachball

 

CD 2: The Black Sessions Revealed

 

Recording made by RADIO FRANCE for The Black Sessions –7 May 2001

 

1. Imitation Of Life

2. The Great Beyond

3. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?

4. All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star)

5. Daysleeper

6. I’ve Been High

7. Electrolite

8. The Lifting

9. At My Most Beautiful

10. I’ll Take The Rain

11. The One I Love

12. She Just Wants To Be

13. Walk Unafraid

14. Losing My Religion

15. Man On The Moon

16. So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)

17. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

 

CD 3: Blu-ray

 

1. Hi-Resolution Audio

2. 5.1 Surround Sound

3. Imitation Of Life (music video)

4. All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star) (music video)

5. I’ll Take The Rain (music video)

6. Reveal EPK