The Beat

‘Hanging On The Telephone’ Songwriter Jack Lee Dead at 71

Jack Lee, a member of The Nerves and best known for his song ‘Hanging On The Telephone’, covered by Blondie, has died at age 71.

Tagged as: 70s, Blondie, Hanging On The Telephone, Jack Lee, Paul Collins, power pop, rock, The Beat, The Nerves, USA

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Ranking Roger of The Beat has died at age 56

by Paul Cashmere

The Beat’s vocalist Ranking Roger has died at the age of 56.

Tagged as: 70s, 80s, Big Audio Dynamite, Ranking Roger, ska, Sting, The Beat, The Police, UK

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R.I.P. Saxa From The Beat 1938-2017

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Saxa, the Jamaican saxophonist who was a member of the British band The Beat (known in the U.S. as The English Beat), died on Wednesday at the age of 77.

Tagged as: 80s, Saxa, ska, The Beat, UK

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The Selecter and The Beat Set For 2018 Au and NZ Dates

by Paul Cashmere

UK ska bands The Beat and The Selecter have teamed for an Australian tour in January 2018. The confusion is in working out which one is which.

Tagged as: 70s, 80s, ska, The Beat, The Selecter, UK

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A Whole Lotta Bluesfest Sideshows Announced

by Paul Cashmere

Bluesfest acts The Gipsy Kings, David Gray, Jimmy Cliff, Jake Shimabukuro, Michael Franti, The Beat, Mavis Staples and Angelique Kidjo will perform sideshows around Australia.

Tagged as: bluesfest, David Gray, Gipsy Kings, Jake Shimabukuro, Jimmy Cliff, Mavis Staples, Michael Franti, The Beat

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The Wailers Announce Intimate New South Wales Run After Bluesfest Cancellation

The Wailers will bring their 50 Years Of Positive Vibrations Tour to New South Wales this April, reshaping their Australian plans after the Bluesfest fallout

3 days ago

The Pogues and Sublime Tours To Proceed After Bluesfest Collapse

The Pogues will press ahead with their long-awaited Australian tour, celebrating the landmark album Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, with a new Brisbane show added as live music regroups in the wake of the Bluesfest fallout.

4 days ago

Bluesfest Touring Update Sees Wave Of Cancellations As Industry Fallout Deepens

The latest Bluesfest Touring update confirms multiple cancellations, with several international acts withdrawing Australian sideshows as the impact of the Bluesfest collapse continues to unfold.

4 days ago

Counting Crows Add Brisbane Show To Complete Sweets! Tour Following Bluesfest Disruption

Counting Crows expand their 2026 Australian run with a new Brisbane date, reinforcing that their Live Nation tour remains unaffected by the Bluesfest cancellation

5 days ago

The Living End To Play Hotel Brunswick After Bluesfest Cancellation

The Living End step in with a last minute headline show at Hotel Brunswick, giving fans a live fix over the Easter weekend after Bluesfest was called off.

5 days ago

Bluesfest Touring Artists Left In Limbo As Festival Collapse Creates Confusion Across Australian Dates

The fallout from the collapse of Bluesfest has left multiple international artists, including Erykah Badu and The Black Crowes, facing uncertainty over their Australian touring plans, with conflicting ticketing information emerging nationwide.

6 days ago

Bluesfest Crisis Deepens As Touring Sideshows Remain In Limbo

The fallout from Bluesfest continues to escalate, with Bluesfest and Bluesfest Touring now facing mounting uncertainty around sideshows, refunds and industry trust

March 17, 2026