Tim Burgess

Plenty of artists have been donating money to various organisations, and plenty more have been taking part in virtual concert series as we all do our best to navigate the uncertain, isolating waters of the coronavirus pandemic. But many musicians are also taking it upon themselves to help people in other unusual ways.

MEGADETH performing in Milan, 2020 / Photo Credit: Pacific Press/SIPA USA/PA Images

1. Megadeth, Taylor Hawkins, Laura Marling and more offer music lessons

Continue reading: Six Unexpected Things Musicians Are Doing To Help While Quarantined

The Charlatans have launched a new interactive app to celebrate their career.

The 'One To Another' hitmakers have teamed up with developers Modern English for the unique project 'The Tune Map' - styled after the London underground branding - following the release of new single 'Over Again'.

The initiative will give fans the chance to go back over the band's back catalogue, including specially-curated Spotify playlists and new video footage of the group - made up of Tim Burgess, Mark Collins, Martin Blunt and Tony Roger - talking about some of their earlier tracks.

Continue reading: The Charlatans Launch Interactive Tune Map

Tim Burgess says it was an ''honour'' collaborating with Paul Weller on 'Spinning Out'.

The lead vocalist of the British indie band 'The Charlatans' has joined forces with a number of artists on the new album 'Different Days', including Johnny Marr and 'New Order's STEPHEN MORRIS and Gillian Gilbert, but he has admitted working with the 58-year-old musician was an ''honour''.

Speaking to NME, the 49 year old said: ''It was great to work to Paul's method and pace.

Continue reading: Tim Burgess Says Collaborating With Paul Weller Was An 'honour'

Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes has died aged 44 after undergoing several operations for a brain tumour.

He suffered a seizure on tour with the band in 2010 and had been receiving treatment, even working on new material with the band over the summer. He died in hospital on Tuesday morning (August 13, 2013) with his family beside him.

Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumour after the seizure during a show in North America. He briefly stopped breathing and was helped by a doctor attending the show in Philadelphia before being taken to a hospital for emergency treatment. The rest of the tour was cancelled and Brookes was flown back to the UK for treatment.

Continue reading: Charlatans Drummer Jon Brookes, 44, Dies As Tributes Flood In

Terry Callier has passed away at the age of 67. The soul and jazz singer is probably best known for the song 'You Goin' Miss Your Candyman' and with a career than spanned six decades, found renewed interest in his work after his collaborations with artists such as Beth Orton and Massive Attack. Caliier died last night (Sunday, October 28, 2012), after suffering from a long illness, according to The Guardian.

Callier was born in 1945, in Chicago, where he counted Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler amongst his childhood friends. In 1962, he auditioned at the legendary Chess Records and recorded his debut single, 'Look At Me Now.' Six years later, he released his debut album, The New Folk Sound Of Terry Callier. His career slowed between his 1978 album Turn You To Love and the 1990s, when he stopped making music professionally and instead became a computer programmer at the University of Chicago. As a new generation of artists share their love for Callier's music in the 1990s, there was a resurgence of interest in Callier's songwriting. 

One of those artists, the British songwriter Beth Orton, paid tribute to Callier, who recorded with him in 1997. She has paid tribute on her Twitter page, to her former collaborator, saying "This was one of the best nights of my life. Such a privilege and joy- RIP dear Terry Callier," with a link to the YouTube video (below) of her performing live. A host of other artists and DJs have also paid tribute to Callier, including Gilles Peterson and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans.

Continue reading: Cult Soul Hero Terry Callier Dies, Aged 67, Beth Orton Pays Tribute

Tributes to Andy Williams have been led today by fellow crooner Tony Christie. Andy Williams has died, aged 84, following a year-long battle against bladder cancer. He was best known for his rendition of the song ‘Moon River’ but had many other hits, including ‘Raindrops Are Falling on My Head’ and ‘Music To Watch Girls By.’ Tony Christie told BBC News that Williams was “up there with Sinatra, Bennett,” referring to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. “I enjoyed a chat with him backstage at the Royal Albert Hall some years ago,” Christie added, “and he was a lovely man, very gentle…he was a pleasure to have met.”

Williams’ influence spread far and wide; many of the songs that he recorded and performed have become staples in the musical upbringings of several generations. The composer Don Black, who wrote ‘Born Free’ (another classic Williams track) said that he was the “ultimate professional… He was a great guy, he was very professional but didn't take himself too seriously. That type of performer doesn't exist anymore. It's gradually becoming the end of an era.”

It’s not just Williams’ contemporaries that have been paying tribute to the late singer though; Tim Burgess, the singer of The Charlatans, said “Andy Williams was a real smooth guy, that's for sure. Rest in peace, Andy.” The Radio One DJ Zoe Ball also posted a touching message on her Twitter page, to say “what a chap. May his star always shine bright.”