Music Features : NPR

Rickie Lee Jones On The Pirates Who Inspired 'Pirates' And Returning To New Orleans

Rickie Lee Jones performs on Saturday Night Live in 1982, the year after she released her second album, Pirates. NBC/Getty Images hide caption

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NBC/Getty Images

Rickie Lee Jones On The Pirates Who Inspired 'Pirates' And Returning To New Orleans

July 26, 2017 • The second album by Rickie Lee Jones was released in 1981, following a breakup and the response to Jones' Grammy-winning debut, and gets its name and its concept from a band of local drug smugglers.

Venezuelan President Repurposes 'Despacito' Ahead Of Sunday Vote

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, holding up a small copy of the country's constitution, during a press conference on June 22, 2017. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan President Repurposes 'Despacito' Ahead Of Sunday Vote

July 25, 2017 • Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro repurposed the worldwide hit, which the song's creators have condemned.

Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dead At 41

Chester Bennington, a lead singer for Linkin Park and former member of Stone Temple Pilots, performing in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2015. Jeff Hahne/Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dead At 41

July 20, 2017 • One of the lead singers of the band Linkin Park, which found great success in the early 2000s, died Thursday in Los Angeles.

The KLF's Greatest Protégés Didn't Really Know What Was Going On

Members of Edelweiss and "entourage" at New York's Unique Studios, 1986 — Top row, from left: Walter Werzowa (Edelweiss), Dennis (recording engineer), singer Mercedes Hall; Bottom row, from left: rappers Cooly C and Raf, Martin Biedermeier; Seated: Matthias Schwerer (Edelweiss) Courtesy of Walter Werzowa hide caption

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Courtesy of Walter Werzowa

The Record

The KLF's Greatest Protégés Didn't Really Know What Was Going On

July 20, 2017 • The KLF — Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty — were, and remain, unparalleled masters of both music and manipulation. The Austrians they inspired, however, are... a different story.

In Tegan And Sara's 'The Con,' A Decade Of Influence

Sara and Tegan Quin as they appeared in The Con's liner illustrations by Emy Storey. The 2007 album marked a critical turning point for the sisters and a touchstone for like-minded artists to follow. Emy Storey/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Emy Storey/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

In Tegan And Sara's 'The Con,' A Decade Of Influence

July 18, 2017 • Tegan and Sara's touchstone album is turning 10. To celebrate, we asked 14 artists — one for each song — to explain how hearing The Con changed their lives, music and senses of self.

Remembering Pierre Henry, A Composer Who Made The Everyday Extraordinary

The late composer Pierre Henry, in a 2008 photograph taken in a Paris studio. Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

The Record

Remembering Pierre Henry, A Composer Who Made The Everyday Extraordinary

July 8, 2017 • The vanguard French artist — whose influence has touched everything from the Mean Girls soundtrack to the Futurama theme — has died at age 89.

Remembering Pierre Henry, A Composer Who Made The Everyday Extraordinary

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Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, left, with Recording Industry Association of America chairman and CEO Cary Sherman, accepting a platinum certification plaque for 4:44. Jeff Kravitz/Courtesy of RIAA hide caption

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Jeff Kravitz/Courtesy of RIAA

The Record

Let's Unpack Jay-Z's '4:44'

July 5, 2017 • It was a busy weekend on the internet, full of Beyoncé apologies, platinum record sales, GLAAD endorsements and Prince grievances.

Joe Scarborough Still Wants To Make 'Trump: The Musical'

Joe Scarborough plays The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on February 21, 2017. CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images hide caption

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CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images

The Record

Joe Scarborough Still Wants To Make 'Trump: The Musical'

July 4, 2017 • The Morning Joe host plans to release new music every month over the next two years.

Gary DeCarlo, Singer Of 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,' Dies At 75

Singer and songwriter Gary DeCarlo in 2014 in Parsippany, N.J. DeCarlo died Wednesday at age 75. Bobby Bank/WireImage hide caption

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Bobby Bank/WireImage

The Record

Gary DeCarlo, Singer Of 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,' Dies At 75

June 30, 2017 • Long unacknowledged as the voice behind the indelible stadium anthem, the singer and co-writer died on Wednesday at age 75.

Geri Allen, Pianist, Composer And Educator, Dies At 60

Geri Allen at the Village Vanguard in 2011. John Rogers for WBGO and NPR/JohnRogersNYC.com hide caption

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John Rogers for WBGO and NPR/JohnRogersNYC.com

The Record

Geri Allen, Pianist, Composer And Educator, Dies At 60

WBGO

June 27, 2017 • The jazz pianist defied classification while steadfastly affirming her roots in the hard-bop tradition of her native Detroit. She died Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Geri Allen, Pianist, Composer And Educator, Dies At 60

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Let's Eat Grandma: Defying Commas And Expectations

Let's Eat Grandma arrived last year fully formed — now they're looking beyond their beginnings. Francesca Allen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Francesca Allen/Courtesy of the artist