First things first: Happy Record Store Day! While many of you surely have a big day of record hunting, in-store watching and general musical celebration ahead of you, we've collected the week's top stories to help fill in any blanks from the last week. So come check out just some of the news stories that graced our headlines this week.
Unfortunately, this week's top story is also the most tragic. Following word that he was in the final stages of cancer, Band legend Levon Helm passed away this week at the age of 71. In a tribute to the fallen hero, we've dug into Helm's past for an extensive look at his life's many ups and downs. To read the lengthy and informative piece, head here.
Sadly, Helm wasn't the only music icon to pass on this week, as legendary television host and producer Dick Clark died at the age of 82.
It was also a rough week for some Canadian bands. Memoryhouse had a pile of their gear stolen while out on tour, and the now-defunct Alexisonfire had a trailer full of their equipment stolen. Plus, metal label War on Music had its Winnipeg headquarters go up in flames in a devastating fire.
For something more uplifting, Ontario's Hillside Festival announced its 2012 lineup and so too did Toronto's NXNE, which will be bringing out the Flaming Lips, Raekwon and Ghostface, Death Grips, Of Montreal and a whole lots more. We also learned that Guided By Voices have yet another new album on the way, Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner is scoring a new John Cusack film, and Montreal and Toronto were named two of North America's most trend-setting music cities in a new study.
Also, if you're up for a bit of ridiculousness, Girls' Christopher Owens blasted the new HBO series Girls over taking the same name as his band.
And last but not least, if you're wondering which Record Store Day exclusives you would be wise to pick up this year, check out our guide here.
Unfortunately, this week's top story is also the most tragic. Following word that he was in the final stages of cancer, Band legend Levon Helm passed away this week at the age of 71. In a tribute to the fallen hero, we've dug into Helm's past for an extensive look at his life's many ups and downs. To read the lengthy and informative piece, head here.
Sadly, Helm wasn't the only music icon to pass on this week, as legendary television host and producer Dick Clark died at the age of 82.
It was also a rough week for some Canadian bands. Memoryhouse had a pile of their gear stolen while out on tour, and the now-defunct Alexisonfire had a trailer full of their equipment stolen. Plus, metal label War on Music had its Winnipeg headquarters go up in flames in a devastating fire.
For something more uplifting, Ontario's Hillside Festival announced its 2012 lineup and so too did Toronto's NXNE, which will be bringing out the Flaming Lips, Raekwon and Ghostface, Death Grips, Of Montreal and a whole lots more. We also learned that Guided By Voices have yet another new album on the way, Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner is scoring a new John Cusack film, and Montreal and Toronto were named two of North America's most trend-setting music cities in a new study.
Also, if you're up for a bit of ridiculousness, Girls' Christopher Owens blasted the new HBO series Girls over taking the same name as his band.
And last but not least, if you're wondering which Record Store Day exclusives you would be wise to pick up this year, check out our guide here.
