Music

This Morning In New Music May 17, 2010

by Ciaran Thompson

Ronnie James Dio, who fronted such bands as Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell and Dio, died yesterday after a long battle with stomach cancer. “Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away,” said a post on his official website written by his wife and tour manager, Wendy Dio. “Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.” He was 67. [Exclaim]

Bjork and Ennio Morricone have both won Sweden’s Polar Music Prize. Founded in 1989 the prize honors exceptional achievements that transcend music genres and is said to be the country’s “Nobel prize of music.” They’ll both be given their awards by King Carl XVI Gustaf at a gala ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on August 31. Bjork has released six studio albums including 1993’s Debut while Morricone has scored such films as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and The Untouchables.  [BBC]

And Liam Gallagher says he’s “too good looking” to be in the Beatles movie project he recently unveiled at Cannes Film Festival. Gallagher and his production company, In 1 are producing a biopic based on Richard DiLello’s EMI memoir The Longest Cocktail Party. Gallagher claims he will not be pursuing anything further in film once this project is over. [NME]