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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Tom Morello and Indonesia’s Electric Cadillac Added To Bluesfest

Tom Morello is a late announcement for Bluesfest 2025 and Indonesia’s Electric Cadillac have also been added to the festival.

February 4, 2025

Chaka Khan, Toto, Christopher Cross Added To Bluesfest

Chaka Khan will return to Australia in 2025 for Bluesfest, just 18 months after she performed for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

January 15, 2025

Bluesfest Adds Missy Higgins and George Thorogood for 2025

Bluesfest has added more artists to the 2025 line-up Missy Higgins and George Thorogood joining the line-up.

December 11, 2024

Kasey Chambers, Iwaki Ausitorium, Melbourne 2014

Bluesfest Adds Kasey Chambers, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire and Hilltop Hoods

Bluesfest has added another 18 acts including Kasey Chambers, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire and Hilltop Hoods.

September 11, 2024

Gary Clarke Jr, Photo By Ros O'Gorman, Noise11, photo

Crowded House, Gary Clark Jr Amongst First 20 Bluesfest Acts For 2025 Revealed

The first 20 acts for the final Bluesfest have been announced with Crowded House, Vance Joy, Gary Clark Jr and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram on the bill.

August 21, 2024