music

St. Louis' Prince Ea Emerging From The Hip-Hop Underground

Adam Allington — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:30:00 +0000

St. Louis rapper Richard Williams, aka “Prince Ea” discovered hip-hop through the big beats and big egos of his east coast idols—artists such as Biggie Smalls, Mace, and Puff Daddy.

Over the past several years Prince has been making waves developing his own brand of hard-hitting, socially conscious lyrics, often about subjects as varied as Charles Darwin, colonialism, politics or brain chemistry.

For The Record: 2012 A 'Good Year' For Music On Vinyl

Maria Altman — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Vinyl records are making a comeback.

As of October, Nielsen Soundscan reported sales of vinyl records up more than 16 percent over last year.

Joe Schwab, owner of Euclid Records has sold LPs for 30 years, and the store’s record label, Euclid Records...Records, releases artists on 45s.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Maria Altman spoke with Schwab about what he’s seen at his own store and why he thinks records are coming around again.

St. Louis-Born 'Rescue Me' Singer Fontella Bass Dies

The Associated Press and St. Louis Public Radio — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:12:39 +0000

Fontella Bass, a St. Louis-born soul singer who hit the top of the R&B charts with "Rescue Me" in 1965, has died.

The singer's daughter, Neuka Mitchell, says Bass died at a St. Louis hospice Wednesday night of complications from a heart attack suffered three weeks ago. She was 72. Bass had also suffered several strokes since 2005.

Andy Williams, 'Moon River' Crooner, Dies In Branson

Mark Memmott — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:00:01 +0000

Singer Andy Williams, best known for his rendition of Moon River, his Christmas TV specials and his long-running show in Branson, Mo., has died.

He was 84.

Williams' publicist, Paul Shefrin, says in a statement sent to reporters that the singer "passed away last night (Tuesday) at home in Branson, Mo, following a year long battle with bladder cancer. ...

Mike Keneally - Happy Accidents

Mike Schrand — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:54:36 +0000

Composer/guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Mike Keneally has had some good luck in his musical career, which has led to some admirable creative endeavors. He's currently on tour for his most recent album, and will stop in St. Louis Sept. 8 for a show at The Gramophone.

Mike Schrand talked to Keneally about his childhood, working with Frank Zappa and Andy Partridge and other happy accidents.