Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 26, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Jack White bans phones from his upcoming tour

The White Stripes mainman has sent out a statement to venues advising fans that shows on the tour will be “phone-free,” with “no photos, video or audio recording devices allowed"  – Drew Salisbury, Spin

Final interview with Mark E Smith: 'I can clear a pub when I want to'

The Fall frontman, who died this week aged 60, remained combative and funny to the last. Here is his final Guardian interview, from autumn 2017 – Daniel Dylan Wray, The Guardian

Elton John announces his retirement from touring after 50 years

It isn’t effective immediately: He’s heading out on a three-year, 300-gig “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour that will begin Sept. 8 in Allentown, Penn. and wrap up back in the U.S. some time in 2021 – Chris Willman, Variety

Toronto musicians to watch in 2018: composer edition

From Indigenous reclamation to David Bowie obfuscation, these six artists are building new worlds of sound – Laura Stanley, NOW

“Classically Smiths” shows in turmoil as Mike Joyce pulls out

Joyce states "without Andy [Rourke], an integral part of why I agreed to take part, I have come to this difficult decision.” This places the reunion of the famed English band The Smiths in peril –Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork

Bandmates, family attend funeral of Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan

The Irish singer was found dead in a London hotel room on Jan. 16 at the age of 46 – Toronto Star

Lynyrd Skynyrd announce farewell tour starting May 4

The Southern rock standard-bearers will leave the road behind after more than 40 years – Canadian Press

Rush: a band who sparked the teenage imagination like few others

As they declare themselves retired, the prog rockers can look back on a majestic career that charted an affecting, un-rock star like path into the heart of pop culture –  Michael Hann, The Guardian

'Rock of Ages' will try to bring its big hair and Bon Jovi back to L.A.

A producer of the Broadway musical hit is hoping to launch an L.A. production – Jessica Gelt, LA Times

Fyre Festival attendees worry about repeat scams from a New York-based company

Those who experienced the event disaster that was last year’s Fyre Festival are concerned after receiving extravagant event invites via email from NYC VIP Access  – BizBash.com

Petunia on X, the Alvins, and the “ugliest bitterest coldest dreary place” he’s ever seen

The Vancouver roots-rocker reflects on his fave LA musicians – Allan MacInnis, Georgia Straight

MasterCard highlights local singer in campaign

Rising roots music star William Prince has been included in a credit-card company’s advertising campaign that focuses on musicians who’ve risen above bias or disabilities – Erin Lebar, Winnipeg Free Press

The multifaceted Jeremiah McDade straddles musical worlds

"I don't know that there is one type of music that I like playing the most. Maybe it's even the diversity of doing a big band gig one night, and a traditional Celtic show the next – that's what keeps it enjoyable” – Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal

To the horror of metal fans everywhere, Slayer makes a major announcement

Heavy metal is about to lose one of its biggest and most influential acts, as the band states its 2018 tour will be the last –  Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight