2 h. ago From Street Fighter to Final Fantasy: Yoko Shimomura, the composer who put the classical in gaming’s classics

With a four-decade career beginning at Capcom in the 8-bit era, Shimomura is one of the most acclaimed names in gaming. She recalls her early struggles – and explains why her beloved classical music fits best with RPGsAlfred Hitchcock, David Attenborough, Harold Pinter, Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott, Hideo Kojima – these are just a few of the recipients of the Bafta fellowship, the highest honour the academy can bestow. Japanese composer Yoko Shimomura is the latest to receive the accolade; one of only 17 women and four Japanese people to have done so. She is also the first video-game composer to be recognised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the first composer recognised at all since John Barry in 2005.It is with good reason that the academy has honoured her. Shimomura is an icon. You’ll know her music from Street Fighter, Final Fantasy, Super Mario, Kingdom Hearts, Legend of Mana, Streets of Rage and more than 70 other games she has contributed original comp...

Sport

3 h. ago Mötley Crüe recruit Dolly Parton for new version of Home Sweet Home

The rock legends have joined forces with none other than country music icon Dolly on a 40th anniversary version of the power ballad originally released on the 1985 album Theatre of Pain, and again in 1991 for the Decade of Decadence 81-91 compilation album.

Politics

5 h. ago Music legend's very unexpected £2million apartment with stunning views of Empire State building

The ultra-chic 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits is in New York's famed East Village

Economics

6 h. ago Cavin Yarbrough dead: Grammy nominated star dies as heartbroken wife pays tribute

A music legend from the 1980s has died at the age of 72 after complications from heart disease, his wife has confirmed in a heartbreaking tribute

Events

6 h. ago Grammy nominated music legend dies after health issues as wife pays sad tribute

Cavin Yarbrough, one half of the iconic R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, has died at the age of 72, his heartbroken wife and music partner Alisa Peoples has confirmed

Events

4 d. ago Mariah Carey, 56, wows in tiny, plunging playsuit as she makes her way to Capital's Summertime Ball

The music legend, 56, was spotted leaving her London hotel this afternoon dressed in a figure-hugging playsuit that showed off her famous curves perfectly.

Politics

7 d. ago ‘He stole a piece of our souls’: Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men

Tait posted on Instagram days ago that for 20 years he lived a ‘double life’ but is working on ‘repentance and healing’The Christian music legend Michael Tait, whose hit song God’s Not Dead became an anthem for Donald Trump’s Maga movement, has been accused of sexually assaulting three men, two who believed they were drugged by the rock star in the early 2000s, according to a months-long Guardian investigation. Four other men have alleged that Tait, a founding member of DC Talk and later a frontman for the Newsboys, engaged in inappropriate behavior such as unwatched touching and sexual advances.The Guardian is publishing these allegations days after Tait posted an extraordinary confession on his Instagram account, admitting that for 20 years he had been “leading a double life”, abusing alcohol and cocaine, “and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way”, according to his statement. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago We hunted Glastonbury ghosts in 'occult capital' with horny monks and 'death doorway'

EXCLUSIVE: It’s the scene of the world’s most famous music festival – but Glastonbury, Somerset, is home to more than rock legends. Join our spine-chilling tour of the town with more spectres than you can shake a tambourine at...

Events

7 d. ago Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson hailed as a 'true giant' by music legends

Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Bob Dylan were among the famous faces paying tribute to Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson following his death at the age of 82

Politics

8 d. ago Joan Baez shares the pointer she would have given Timothée Chalamet for playing Bob Dylan

Folk music legend said she felt Chalamet’s depiction of Dylan was ‘too squeaky clean’

Politics

9 d. ago Outlander star Sophie Skelton's stunning London apartment that comes complete with adorable pooch

Sophie Skelton plays Brianna MacKenzie in the hit Starz show

Politics

1 week ago ‘I’m closer to the end than the beginning’: British soul legend Omar on EastEnders, Stevie Wonder and his industry battles

He’s worked with the cream of US neo-soul and is seen as a national treasure by his peers – so why is Omar underrated? From hits to label struggles, he revisits the highs and lowsOmar’s fans are united in believing that he’s a genius that should have been a superstar. “The undisputed architect of what we now know as neo-soul”, goes one YouTube comment, acknowledging that the British musician’s albums predate the genre’s US benchmarks such as D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar and Erykah Badu’s Baduizm. Another: “Really don’t know why Omar didn’t go on to be big worldwide.” And then: “D’Angelo was the closest they [America] had to someone of Omar’s calibre and even he pales in comparison from a wholly musical standpoint.”“That’s dangerous talk!”, the musician laughs when I relay the last quote back to him. But 40 years into his career, he’s proud of his musical legacy. “When I started out at 14, I said I wanted to make music that, as soon as you hear the first four bars, you know it’s me,” he sa...

Events

1 week ago Sly Stone death: Funk and soul legend of ‘Dance to the Music’ fame dies aged 82

Sly and the Family Stone rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s

Events

1 week ago Billy Joel says 'I'm not dying' after cancelling tour due to brain condition

The music legend's Murrayfield Stadium gig was due to take place on June 6, but was cancelled along with the rest of Joel's tour due to his health.

Events

1 week ago Rod Stewart 'devastated' to cancel shows ahead of Glastonbury legends slot

The music legend has cancelled several shows in the run-up to to his tea-time set at Glastonbury.

Events

1 week ago Glastonbury headliner Sir Rod Stewart 'devastated' as he cancels more gigs due to illness

Sir Rod Stewart has been forced to cancel a number of upcoming US shows as he continues to recover from the flu. The music legend is still expected to perform at Glastonbury later this month

Events

1 week ago Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney reunite in Liverpool! Music legends greet students outside the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney reunited in Liverpool on Friday for a special visit to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). 

Society

2 w. ago Lanarkshire group teams up with Dolly Parton's charity to give kids free books

Soul of the Junction SCIO teamed up with the music legend's Imagination Library.

Politics

2 w. ago Music legend hit with flu and ordered to rest by doctor weeks ahead of Glastonbury set

The 80-year-old music legend caused concern after he was placed on vocal rest

Events

2 w. ago Pete Tong on life as a legendary DJ: How the music star went from playing £100 sets in Kent villages to taking over the Royal Albert Hall

The veteran DJ, who over the years has become one of the biggest names in dance music started out by playing village halls in Kent and earning just £100 a set.

Economics