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Rod Stewart's bizarre Ed Sheeran call out

<p>Rod Stewart has called out Ed Sheeran in a bizarre rant, saying he doesn't think the pop singer's music will stand the test of time. </p> <p>In a recent interview, the 79-year-old rocker was discussing what musicians would continue to be popular with the younger generations, although the interview quickly went awry when he couldn't remember the name of who he was thinking about. </p> <p>“You mean like ‘Maggie May’? Songs that will be played in 50 years?” Stewart said in response to the question. “I like whatshisname. Oh f**king great, Rod. Well done,” said the rocker, unable to remember the name of the star he was thinking of. </p> <p>“He’s British, really talented and his songs will be around,” he continued. </p> <p>When the interviewer suggested that Sheeran was the person whose name he forgot, Stewart was quick to hit back by proclaiming himself to not being a fan of the singer-songwriter. </p> <p>“No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger bollocks. Jesus,” moaned Stewart.</p> <p>Ultimately, Stewart was thinking of another British singer: George Ezra.</p> <p>“Yes! I think he writes really tremendous songs,” he said of Ezra. “He’ll be around for quite a while.”</p> <p>Stewart's comments come after he admitted he wanted to move in a different direction with his music from now on. </p> <p>During an interview on<em> BBC Breakfast</em>, Stewart responded to a statement that host Charlie Stayt made, saying that “rock stars are performing into incredible ages now.”</p> <p>Stewart reacted and said, “I am actually stopping.”</p> <p>“I’m not retiring but I want to move on,” Stewart noted. “I had great success with The Great American Songbook … and I’ve just done a swing album with Jools Holland, which is going to come out next year, so I want to go in that direction.”</p> <p>“I just want to leave all the rock ‘n’ roll stuff behind, for a while, maybe.”</p> <p>“Everything has to come to an end sooner or later,” Stewart declared.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Music

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Meryl Streep hits the red carpet with her four children

<p>Meryl Streep has made a rare red carpet appearance with all four of her grown up children. </p> <p>The Hollywood legend was dressed in a chic black dress, exuding endless class at the annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Sunday night. </p> <p>The event serves as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ marquee annual fundraiser, raising vital funds to support museum exhibitions, education initiatives and public programming, while also quickly become one of Hollywood’s starriest nights.</p> <p>As Meryl graced the red carpet, she was joined by her four children who she shares with estranged husband Don Gummer. </p> <p>Streep was joined by her son Henry Wolfe and his wife Tamryn Storm Hawker, her daughter Grace Gummer and her husband Mark Ronson, and her other two daughters Mamie Gummer and Louisa Jacobson. </p> <p>Her children were in attendance to celebrate their mother, who was being honoured with the Icon Award during the ceremony. </p> <p>Streep's estranged husband Don was not present at the event, as the pair announced their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/meryl-streep-s-shocking-relationship-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separation</a> in October.</p> <p>“Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than six years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart,” the Golden Globe winner’s spokesman told <em>Page Six</em> at the time.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Better Homes and Gardens star announces exit after 20 years

<p>After 20 years of sharing his quick and easy recipes on <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em>, Ed Halmagyi - or as viewers know him, Fast Ed - is leaving the show</p> <p>Ed will step away from the show in two weeks to focus on a personal business venture, with his final appearance airing on Friday December 1. </p> <p>“I got closer and closer to marking 20 years of Better Homes and I thought about what I want to do in the next 10 years,” he told <em>7News</em>. </p> <p>“I’ve been incredibly lucky over the course of the last 20 years to be able to tell some really cool stories about some really amazing people.”</p> <p>“I have been honoured to get the chance to tell stories to people who love food every week and be part of this amazing show that is part of Australia’s fabric.</p> <p>“I will certainly miss being a part of Australia’s Friday nights and working alongside my Better Homes family.”</p> <p>Ed also said that agrees with his friends who have told him that his role on the show is the "best job in the world." </p> <p>“It’s pretty darned incredible,” he told the publication. </p> <p>“I’ve worked with the most incredible places, with the most incredible team.</p> <p>“I’ve had the best time, and will be forever grateful to Joh, my fellow presenters, the Better Homes team behind the scenes and to everyone who watches our show each and every night.”</p> <p>Prior to starring in the show, Ed was running a restaurant in Sydney, and was recruited after he impressed the producers with his upbeat personality when they filmed a Sydney Weekender there. </p> <p>“Twenty years ago, after what I considered an unremarkable Sydney Weekender appearance, I was asked to do a screen test,” he recalled. </p> <p>Ed never thought he would get a career in media, and it all worked out for him in the end. </p> <p>“To be honest, I never felt more ridiculous in my life than I did on that day, but I just kind of decided to be me, and…..what the hell.</p> <p>“That I’m still doing it 20 years later is equal parts fantastic and bizarre.”</p> <p>Although Ed's replacement on the show is yet to be announced, the one piece of advice that he has for them is this: “Be you and start out with the absolute most sincere respect for your audience.”</p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

TV

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"Magical": Ed Sheeran crashes wedding after cancelled Vegas concert

<p>Ed Sheeran, the man of the hour, recently pulled off a surprise move that left a wedding chapel feeling less little and a lot more magical. After recently being forced to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/ed-sheeran-fans-left-devastated-moments-before-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scrap his Las Vegas gig</a> due to some venue woes, he stumbled upon a teeny spot he couldn't resist: The Little White Wedding Chapel.</p> <p>In a moment that's now etched in matrimonial history, Sheeran couldn't resist the urge to crash Jordan and Carter Lindenfield's intimate wedding ceremony. And boy, oh boy, was it a surprise!</p> <p>The couple were just about to say their "I dos" when up popped Ed Sheeran like a musical jack-in-the-box. Strolling in with an acoustic guitar and a gang of backup singers, ready to serenade the lovebirds with his upcoming single, "Magical", the jaw-dropping, starstruck expressions from the bride and groom said it all.</p> <p>After Sheeran finished crooning his heart out for the tearful duo, they sealed the deal with a kiss and the all-important certificate-signing ritual. But here's the kicker: Sheeran himself became an official witness to their nuptials, sheepishly admitting: "This is the first time I've been a witness."</p> <p>As if the entire affair wasn't surreal enough, Ed took to Instagram to immortalise the moment, captioning it with the understatement of the century: "Crashed a wedding, this is Magical."</p> <p>The fans, always ready to hop on the Sheeran bandwagon, couldn't contain their excitement in the comments section. Some were so swept away by the thought of Ed showing up at their own weddings that they contemplated tying the knot, fiancé or not.</p> <p>"I never wanted to get married, but if this could happen, I might reconsider," one fan playfully quipped. Another enthusiastic soul chimed in, "You can crash my wedding too! No date set, and I'm still looking for the fiancé, but hey, baby steps."</p> <p>This isn't the first time Sheeran has indulged in his wedding-crashing whims. In 2015, he made headlines by gatecrashing a wedding ceremony in Sydney, courtesy of a local radio station. They had organised the dream wedding for a couple who had faced some serious hardships, so Sheeran decided to sprinkle some stardust on their special day.</p> <p>Fast forward to the present, and Ed's spontaneous wedding performances are still going strong. This latest magical moment came hot on the heels of his Las Vegas concert cancellation. He had to break the news to fans just an hour before showtime. But he then went on to assure everyone that the safety of his fans was his top priority. "I really am gutted," he confessed, but promised that the rescheduled show on October 28 would be nothing short of spectacular.</p>

Music

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Ed Sheeran fans left devastated moments before show

<p>Ed Sheeran has been forced to abruptly cancel his show in Las Vegas, just hours before it was set to begin. </p> <p>The British singer-songwriter, who is coming to the end of his Mathematics World Tour, broke the news to devastated fans on Sunday, saying he was "so sorry" for the last minute cancellation. </p> <p>Sheeran wrote on Instagram, “I can’t believe I’m typing this but there’s been some challenges encountered during the load in of our Vegas show."</p> <p>He continued, “It’s impossible to go forward with the show. I’m so sorry. I know everyone has travelled in for this and I wish I could change it."</p> <p>“The gig will be postponed to Saturday October 28th and all purchased tickets will be valid for that date. I’m so, so sorry x.”</p> <p>Fans were quick to express their disappointment, with many saying they had travelled to attend the show and weren't able to come back for the postponed gig. </p> <p>One fan wrote, “I can’t believe we travelled all the way to Vegas 10 hours to see Ed Sheeran for him to cancel less than an hour before the show."</p> <p>“My poor husband a disabled vet along with so many people standing waiting on 103 degree heat to be turned away!!! I can’t come back in October, and no refund!!”</p> <p>Many demanded an explanation as to how the gig could be cancelled at such short notice, to which Ed took to Instagram again in the hours after the cancellation to shed some light on the issue. </p> <p>According to his statement on Instagram, the show was cancelled over safety concerns when two tall towers, used to hold up the stage and lighting equipment, had become unstable. </p> <p>Despite best efforts to restabilise the structures, the issue then travelled to the safety of the floor, which was set to hold 65,000 concertgoers, and the whole show had to be cancelled. </p> <p>Adding to the explanation, Sheeran wrote,  "I really am gutted, this was very much out of my control but I do take full responsibility for everyone that was put out from the cancellation. Of course refunds are available at point of purchase, and there is a rescheduled show October the 28th if people still want to come, I promise it will be special."</p> <p>"We really thought the show was going to happen up until the very last moment but it just couldn’t for safety reasons. Sorry again to everyone affected, and hopefully see you in October x".</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Hilarious moment Dr Chris Brown got punked at the Logies

<p dir="ltr">Dr Chris Brown revealed the moment he got punked by an imposter at last year’s Logies.</p> <p dir="ltr">The beloved celebrity vet told the hosts of <em>Triple M’s Mick & MG in the Morning </em>that the prank left him red-faced and wary of whether he’ll be allowed back onto the event’s red carpet this year, despite being the co-host.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t think I’ll be allowed back onto the red carpet after last year’s Logies,” he said, and joked that he was shocked the incident didn’t get out into the public.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brown recalled that he had just arrived at the event and was minding his business when he started getting “strange looks” from a bunch of people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So I’m on the red carpet and I’m getting a lot of sideways glances and not the kind you want,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then about sort of half an hour into it I reckon about 20 people have given me strange looks … just looking disapprovingly in my direction.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The vet was confused as to why people were giving him strange looks until <em>Gardening Australia’s</em> Costa Georgiadis approached him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Costa comes up with his phone and goes, ‘Hey, look, we’re mates but I thought this was a little unnecessary’,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Someone had changed their phone name, which you can do, to Dr Chris Brown (Bondi Vet), and was air dropping topless photos of me, shots of me emerging from the surf, paparazzi photos, air dropping them to random people on the red carpet,” Brown laughed.</p> <p dir="ltr">To the amusement of the radio hosts, Brown added: “I, to this day, have no idea how many people received a topless photo from me, apparently, on the red carpet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Brown is set to co-host this year’s Logies red carpet alongside Sonia Kruger on July 30.</p> <p><em>Image: News.com.au</em></p>

TV

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Robert Irwin makes red carpet debut with girlfriend

<p dir="ltr">Robert Irwin looked crazy in love as he made his red carpet debut with his new girlfriend Rorie Buckley.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 19-year-old conservationist and Buckley could not keep their eyes off each other as they posed for the cameras outside Sydney’s International Convention Centre, ahead of the <em>Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning</em> premiere.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple looked stunning in their colour-coordinated outfits, with Irwin looking dapper in a black suit as he wrapped his arms around Buckley, who is the niece of late Aussie actor Heath Ledger.</p> <p dir="ltr">Buckley, 18, charmed the crowd with her bright smile and looked chic in a black long-sleeve dress with a cutout at the midsection.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a few pictures Irwin could be seen looking proudly at his girlfriend and eliciting a few giggles as they shared private jokes together.</p> <p dir="ltr">The glamorous event also saw the <em>Mission Impossible</em> stars Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell rock the red carpet for the franchise’s seventh instalment.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is the first time Irwin and Buckley have walked the red carpet together after first being spotted cuddling on a Queensland beach late last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair are currently dating long distance with Buckley based in Perth and Irwin in Queensland.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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John Goodman flaunts impressive 90kg weight loss

<p>John Goodman has stepped out on the red carpet for his TV show, showing off his incredible 90kg weight loss. </p> <p>The 70-year-old Hollywood legend attended the premiere of the third season of <em>The Righteous Gemstones</em> at the 62nd Monte-Carlo TV festival, showing off the impressive results of his health and fitness overhaul.</p> <p>The actor looked pleased with his results as he walked the red carpet in a fitted suit jacket and beige trousers ahead of the festival, where he was also serving as jury president.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/06/goodman-weight-embed.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Goodman previously explained that he realised he needed to make changes after tipping the scales at his heaviest weight of 178kg.</p> <p>The <em>Roseanne</em> star kickstarted his wellness journey in 2007, after he quit drinking and hired a personal trainer to help him reach his health goals. </p> <p>He went on to commit to a “Mediterranean-style eating plan”, which focuses on nutrient-rich whole foods and grains and has an emphasis on fresh produce and olive oil, and began exercising six days a week.</p> <p>His fitness plan includes an elliptical bicycle and treadmill and a daily step count of 10,000-12,000 steps.</p> <p>While on his dedicated health mission, he has been candid about the ups and downs of making a major lifestyle overhaul.</p> <p>In 2010, he told <em>People</em> magazine, “It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your a**e and figure out what you’re going to eat next.” </p> <p>“I wanted to live life better.”</p> <p>“I just got tired, sick and tired of looking at myself. You’re shaving in the mirror and you don’t want to look at yourself. It gets dangerous.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Body

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Adorable reason behind Chris Hemsworth’s red carpet cheat notes

<p>Chris Hemsworth has been married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky for almost 13 years, and while she speaks fluent English, Hemsworth is yet to master her native tongue.</p> <p>On June 8, he was at the premiere of his Netflix film Extraction 2 and was caught with some Spanish words scrawled on the palm of his hand.</p> <p>The 39-year-old was then photographed with what appeared to be a cheat sheet, which he personally found hilarious.</p> <p>“After years of coming to Spain and being asked ‘has my Spanish improved’ I can safely say it’s in the palm of my hand,” he wrote on Instagram alongside the photo.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The actor revealed what was written on his hand during a guest appearance on local TV program El Hormiguero (Spanish for The Anthill).</p> <p>In the interview, Hemsworth also shared that his three children with Pataky - daughter India, 10, and twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 9 - find it funny that he doesn’t speak nor understand the language.</p> <p>“I try, but I can’t. My children laugh at me when I try to have a conversation with them in Spanish,” he admitted.</p> <p>“Sh*t, f**k, what happened? … I know that, that’s what my wife yells at me. The more she gets angry, the more she speaks Spanish.”</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Today</em> in 2017, Pataky said she had pretty much given up on teaching Hemsworth her native language, focusing on teaching their children instead.</p> <p>“He promised me, he said, ‘I’ll be speaking Spanish in two months.’ There we go, we have been together for six years,” Pataky – who speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Romanian - told <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>“That’s important, that’s what my mum did to me, talked in Romanian. I start to speak in English, I’m like, ‘I don’t express myself great.’ I got used to making an effort to speak to [the kids] in Spanish.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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Inspiration, influence and theft: what the Ed Sheeran case can tell us about 70 years of pop music

<p>a US court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/04/ed-sheeran-verdict-not-liable-copyright-lawsuit-marvin-gaye">ruled in favour of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran</a>, agreeing his song <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> did not breach musical copyright. </p> <p>The high-profile court case, brought by the estate of soul singer Marvin Gaye, claimed Sheeran’s song was too similar to Gaye’s song <em>Let’s Get It On</em>.</p> <p>On the stand, Sheeran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/28/ed-sheeran-sings-in-court-as-part-of-marvin-gaye-copyright-case">defended his songwriting process</a>, stating: “I draw inspiration from a lot from things in my life and family.”</p> <p>Sheeran’s case brought up some difficult questions around what we understand as inspiration and influence, and what we may hear as theft.</p> <p>Musical copyright cases are part of songwriting history. Radiohead’s <em>Creep</em> was found to be <a href="https://entertainment.time.com/2013/08/22/11-suspiciously-sound-alike-songs/slide/the-hollies-the-air-that-i-breathe-1974-vs-radiohead-creep-1992/">too similar</a> to the Hollies’ <em>The Air That I Breathe</em>, and in 2018, Lana Del Rey’s <em>Get Free</em> <a href="https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/lana-del-rey-claims-lawsuit-with-radiohead-is-over-watch-1202736177/">was found to plagiarise Creep</a>. </p> <p>Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars altered the credits to <em>Uptown Funk</em> to <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lawsuit-bmg-uptown-funk-royalties-gap-band-heirs-1234660379/">acknowledge the similarity</a> to The Gap Band’s <em>Oops Upside Your Head</em>. </p> <p>Here in Australia, the flute solo in Men at Work’s <em>Down Under</em>, which quoted the melody of folk song <em>Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree</em>, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jul/06/men-at-work-down-under">ruled as plagiarism</a>.</p> <p>In this case against Sheeran, the song’s chord progression was at the heart of the claim. The prosecution argued Sheeran’s chord progression was too similar to the chord progression of Gaye’s.</p> <p>But can we copyright a chord progression if it is used extensively in other pop songs? </p> <p>Gaye’s song uses four chords that gradually move upward (I-iii-IV-V). These same chords can be heard in the Beach Boys’ <em>I Can Hear Music</em>, the Seekers’ <em>Georgy Girl</em>, the Beatles’ <em>I Feel Fine</em>, in the Motown tune <em>This Old Heart of Mine</em> by the Isley Brothers, Elvis Presley’s <em>Suspicious Minds</em>, Cher’s <em>Believe</em> and ABBA’s <em>Knowing Me Knowing You</em>, among many others. </p> <p>This chord progression and many others are part of the songwriting toolkit of rock and pop and have been heard continuously over the past 70 years. </p> <h2>The 12 bar blues</h2> <p>A chord progression is the main instrumental part you hear in most pop music, usually played by a guitar, piano or synth. </p> <p>One of the oldest chord progressions in pop is the 12-bar blues – a looping pattern of three chords that is very identifiable. </p> <p>As the name suggests, this set of chords stems from early blues and was a way for musicians to easily play together and improvise. A version of this progression can be heard in Muddy Waters’ I<em>’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man</em> or John Lee Hooker’s <em>Boom Boom</em>. </p> <p>You can also hear this progression in a number of other pop songs – listen to verses of Queen’s <em>I Want to Break Free</em> and <em>Kiss</em> by Prince – both use the same chord progression, but sound very different to each other. </p> <p>More recently, Lizzo’s <em>Better in Colour</em> uses the 12-bar blues in a way that makes an old formula fresh.</p> <h2>The ‘doo-wop’ progression</h2> <p>The “doo-wop” progression has appeared in pop music for close to 80 years, and is named because most doo-wop songs feature this chord progression – it was an essential part of its sound. </p> <p>You can hear it in 1950s hits such as the Penguins’ <em>Earth Angel</em> and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers’ <em>Why Do Fools Fall in Love?</em>.</p> <p>The strength of these chords means they are used in pop music of all kinds, including ELO’s <em>Telephone Line</em>, <em>Don’t Dream it’s Over</em> by Crowded House, Destiny’s Child’s <em>Say My Name</em>, <em>Blank Space</em> by Taylor Swift, and <em>Flowers</em> by Miley Cyrus. </p> <p>Despite its consistent use, these chords still cross genres and eras, and still catch our ears. </p> <p>Comedy act Axis of Awesome use a similar progression in their video for 4 Chords, where they cleverly play almost 50 different songs with a variation on these four simple chords.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oOlDewpCfZQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h2>The I-IV-V (the ‘one, four, five’)</h2> <p>Perhaps the most common chord progressions in rock and pop are those that use the I, IV and V chords in various combinations.</p> <p>They’re usually the first three chords you learn on an instrument and open up thousands of songs to play – from the rock and roll of <em>Summertime Blues</em> by Eddie Cochran, the garage rock of <em>Wild Thing</em> by the Troggs, the bubblegum of Hanson’s <em>Mmmbop</em> and the indie rock of Coldplay’s <em>Yellow</em>, to the modern pop of <em>bad guy</em> by Billie Eilish and <em>good 4 u</em> by Olivia Rodrigo.</p> <h2>Going forward</h2> <p>Rock, pop, blues, doo wop and other musical genres can often be defined by their use of repeated chord progressions. These chord progressions are part of a songwriter’s toolkit in a similar way to how an artist may use different paint brushes. </p> <p>As Sheeran’s lawyer Ilene Farkas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/04/ed-sheeran-verdict-not-liable-copyright-lawsuit-marvin-gaye">noted</a>, chord progressions are, "the letters of the alphabet of music […] these are basic musical building blocks that songwriters now and forever must be free to use."</p> <p>It is how these “building blocks” are used, and in what combinations, that gives us a great variety of pop songs over many decades. The true craft of great pop music is to take these formulas and turn them into something unique (while simultaneously making it sound easy).</p> <p>The ruling in Sheeran’s case supports the rights of musical artists to continue to use these progressions as part of a songwriter’s toolkit, and to build from the artists who came before them. It also acknowledges that influence and inspiration from previous works are part of the construction of the pop music we love.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/inspiration-influence-and-theft-what-the-ed-sheeran-case-can-tell-us-about-70-years-of-pop-music-204747" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

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Decision reached over Ed Sheeran's copyright trial

<p>Ed Sheeran has emerged victorious from a lengthy legal battle that claimed he "ripped off" another popular song. </p> <p>Sheeran, 32, was being sued over his 2014 single <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> by Structured Asset Sales, who claim that Sheeran's hit took elements directly from Marvin Gaye's <em>Let's Get It On</em>.</p> <p>On Thursday, the court ruled that the British singer-songwriter did not plagiarise the song, with the jury of three men and four women only taking three hours to reach a decision.</p> <p>Sheeran stood up and hugged his team after jurors ruled that he “independently” created his song, as he stopped outside the courtroom to thank those who supported him through the legal battle. </p> <p>The pop star added he was “unbelievably frustrated that baseless claims like this” even make it to court.</p> <p>“I’m just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy. I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake,” he said outside the court.</p> <p>Sheeran revealed he missed his grandmother’s funeral in Ireland as he sat through the “bogus” and “dangerous” lawsuit that claimed he stole key elements for his hit song.</p> <p>“These cords are common building blocks which were used to create music long before <em>Let’s Get it On</em> was written. Will be used to make music long after we are all gone,” Sheeran said.</p> <p>“They are a songwriter’s alphabet. Our toolkit. And should be there for all of us to use. No one owns them. Or the way they are played. In the same way nobody owns the colour blue.”</p> <p>Ed's victory comes after he declared that if he had lost the case, he would've <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/i-m-done-why-ed-sheeran-is-threatening-to-quit-music" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quit</a> the music industry all together. </p> <p>Outside the court room on Monday when the court proceedings were still in progress, he expressed his exasperation over the case, and made a bold statement about the future of his career. </p> <p>"If that happens, I'm done, I'm stopping," Sheeran said, according to reports from <a title="People" href="https://people.com/music/ed-sheeran-done-if-he-loses-lets-get-it-on-copyright-lawsuit/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">People</a>.</p> <p>"I find it to be really insulting," Sheeran added. "I work really hard to be where I'm at."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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"I'm done": Why Ed Sheeran is threatening to quit music

<p>Ed Sheehan has made a bold statement about the future of his career, while fighting an "insulting" court case. </p> <p>The British singer-songwriter is currently embroiled in a copyright case which has seen him take the stand in a New York City courtroom to defend his music. </p> <p>Sheeran, 32, is being sued over his 2014 single <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> by Structured Asset Sales, who claim that Sheeran's hit took elements directly from Marvin Gaye's <em>Let's Get It On</em>.</p> <p>On Monday morning local time, Sheeran took to the stand for a second time, expressing his exasperation over the case, and saying he will quit music if he loses the case. </p> <p>"If that happens, I'm done, I'm stopping," Sheeran said, per <a title="People" href="https://people.com/music/ed-sheeran-done-if-he-loses-lets-get-it-on-copyright-lawsuit/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">People</a>, on the stand when his lawyer, Ilene Farkas, asked him what he would do if the court found <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> to be too similar to Gaye's <em>Let's Get It On.</em></p> <p>"I find it to be really insulting," Sheeran added. "I work really hard to be where I'm at."</p> <p>Sheeran didn't clarify his comments once court has adjourned, leaving many fans concerned over the future of his career. </p> <p>Structured Asset Sales launched the lawsuit against Sheeran in 2018 after purchasing a third of the shares of <em>Let's Get It On</em> from the family of the song's co-writer, Ed Townsend.</p> <p>During the courtroom proceedings, Sheeran was also cross-examined in court by the plaintiff's lawyer, Robert Frank – which prompted the award-winning singer to complain.</p> <p>"You're trying to diminish my success," Sheeran told Frank on the stand in response to his line of questioning. "<em>Thinking Out Loud</em> was my first Grammy."</p> <p>"It was pretty devastating and pretty frightening because it's something we did not do," <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> co-writer Amy Wage said on the stand about the copyright allegations.</p> <p>Sheeran also referenced the plaintiff's musicologist Alexander Stewart's testimony from last week, which saw Stewart argue <em>Thinking Out Loud</em> and <em>Let's Get It On</em> were "very, very similar".</p> <p>"I think what he's doing is criminal here," Sheeran said of Stewart's testimony. "I don't know why he's allowed to be an expert."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Stars lead the Met Gala carpet in stunning black and white

<p dir="ltr">Often dubbed the “Super Bowl of fashion”, the annual Met Gala has once again showcased the best that high fashion has to offer. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Met Gala serves as the annual fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, and gives the whos-who of Hollywood the chance to experiment with their wildest fashion choices. </p> <p dir="ltr">This year, the annual affair celebrated the exhibition “<a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/karl-lagerfeld-a-line-of-beauty-will-be-the-metropolitan-museum-of-arts-spring-2023-costume-institute-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty</a>,” which honours the legacy of the late designer who died in February 2019. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lagerfeld helmed fashion houses such as Chanel, Fendi, and his own eponymous line, and raised funds for The Met’s Costume Institute while having an immeasurable impact on the fashion industry. </p> <p dir="ltr">As a result of this year’s theme, the stars largely turned out in various designs of black and white, which was a class colour combination that became Lagerfeld’s signature. </p> <p dir="ltr">Some looks on the star-studded carpet included Lagerfeld’s staples such as Chanel tweed, pearl embellishments, seemingly conflicting texture and endless, endless tulle. </p> <p dir="ltr">Celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close, Hugh Jackman, Pedro Pascal, Naomi Campbell, Jessica Chastain, Salma Hayek, and many many more graced the carpet, posing up a storm and showing off their intricately designed looks. </p> <p dir="ltr">One of the more unusual looks on the carpet came from actor and musician Jared Leto, who ran with his own unique interpretation of the theme and arrived dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat Choupette, which translates to “sweetie” in French. </p> <p dir="ltr">While many of the celebrities in attendance interpreted the theme in their own ways, there is no doubt that the Hollywood A-listers who were lucky enough to be invited know how to make an entrance. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>All image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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“Make up your own mind”: Ed Sheeran slams music critics

<p dir="ltr">Ed Sheeran has made a bold declaration that professional music critics are not needed in this day and age. </p> <p dir="ltr">The British singer-songwriter was speaking with <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ed-sheeran-interview-jay-z-sword-hot-sauce-bruno-mars-1234704439/">Rolling Stone</a> about the shift to streaming and music in the digital age, when he suggested that critics are obsolete given how accessible music is these days.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Why do you need to read a review?” he questioned. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Listen to it. It’s freely available! Make up your own mind. I would never read an album review and go, ‘I’m not gonna listen to that now.’”</p> <p dir="ltr">Sheeran’s controversial comments were met with mixed reactions, with some fans pointing out that critics have a much more varied role. </p> <p dir="ltr">One music fan said, “Ok, except music critics aren’t just there for ppl to decide what to listen to?? Taking a deeper look at music thru a deeper critical lense [sic], both positive and negative, is a celebration of music as a whole if anything.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another added, “I don’t even think that critics are meant to sway the general public these days. It’s just a way for journalists to create discourse about music.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Elsewhere in the interview, Sheeran also shared his opinion on dividing music into genres, “I think it’s not being bogged down by what you started off as.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think there’s two genres. It’s good and bad. And I don’t think kids believe in genres anymore, either. Now it’s just playlists and kids are like, well, I like this song by this artist, and I like this song by that artist. And it might be a Skrillex song next to a Doja Cat song next to a Kendrick Lamar song.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Ed Sheeran shoots for the stars with daughter’s name reveal

<p dir="ltr">When Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn announced the birth of their second child in May 2022, they kept things simple. </p> <p dir="ltr">In a post to social media, Sheeran shared a picture of socks on a crochet blanket, with a caption reading “Want to let you all know we’ve had another beautiful baby girl. We are both so in love with her, and over the moon to be a family of 4”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple shared no ‘face reveal’ - opting to keep their children far removed from the public eye - and did not share their youngest daughter’s name with Sheeran’s 42.8m followers. </p> <p dir="ltr">But in a March interview with <em>Rolling Stone</em>, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter took everyone by surprise, opening up about his family life, and revealing the out-of-this-world moniker bestowed upon their youngest, Jupiter. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Me and Cherry were talking earlier about how it’s so lovely,” he told the publication, opening up about the little things in life that he and his family cherish the most. “We had an entire day. We did nothing but this. It’s so nice and wholesome having family on tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">“On the last tour, I’d party till 7 am, sleep till 4 pm, get up, and do the gig. But I was like, 26. It’s very different.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jupiter’s birth, and establishing their new “lovely” life, were no easy feats for the couple. In February 2022 - a month that was already proving determined to knock Sheeran down - when Cherry was six months along in her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with a tumour. Surgery was required, but couldn’t be performed until she had given birth. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Sheeran wrote in a post outlining plans for his album <em>Subtract</em>, “Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth. My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s nothing you can do about it,” he confessed to <em>Rolling Stone</em>. “You feel so powerless.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of his interview, Sheeran toyed with a chain bracelet - one gifted to him by his wife, with their daughters’ name engraved. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It felt symbolic,” he said of the swap to the silver from the rubber bands that had previously adorned his wrist, “to take off those bracelets and put on one for my family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After the slew of tragedies to hit Sheeran in such a short span of time, it was Cherry who realised that he was in need of professional help, leading to the singer seeking out a therapist. </p> <p dir="ltr">“No one really talks about their feelings where I come from,” he said. “People think it’s weird getting a therapist in England … I think it’s very helpful to be able to speak with someone and just vent and not feel guilty about venting. Obviously, like, I’ve lived a very privileged life. So my friends would always look at me like, ‘Oh, it’s not that bad.’ ”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The help isn’t a button that is pressed, where you’re automatically okay,” he added. “It is something that will always be there and just has to be managed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And as Sheeran himself <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/writing-songs-is-my-therapy-ed-sheeran-reveals-further-heartbreak">wrote in his <em>Subtract</em> post</a>, “Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings … in just over a week I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"I felt like I was drowning": Ed Sheeran breaks down

<p>Ed Sheeran has spared no emotion in a new docuseries covering a very turbulent time in his life.</p> <p>In the first trailer for Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All, the singer can be heard laughing about how when he was first approached about the documentary, he assumed it would cover his time in the studio working on his new album.</p> <p>To Sheeran’s surprise, the four-part Disney+ series is set to capture the hardships in the British star’s life as his wife, Cherry Seaborn, battled with a tumour while pregnant with the pair’s second child and just as he lost one of his closest friends, Jamal Edwards.</p> <p>The clip includes a montage of moments featuring an emotional Sheeran, 32, breaking down on stage and in private as he deals with the turmoiltuous time he’s been faced with.</p> <p>"I've never seen him cry on stage," his wife admitted in a clip.</p> <p>"He hasn't had time to process and be at peace with his thoughts."</p> <p>Sheeran, who is the father to daughters, Lyra, 2, and Jupiter, 10 months, is also heard saying how his wife changed his life.</p> <p>"Everything in my life sort of got so much better when Cherry came into it," he says.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/writing-songs-is-my-therapy-ed-sheeran-reveals-further-heartbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sheeran first opened up about these two private, painful events in a social media post</a>, revealing how they influenced his upcoming album, Subtract.</p> <p>"At the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art," Sheeran wrote.</p> <p>"Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings. I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out.</p> <p>"And in just over a week, I replaced a decade's worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts.</p> <p>"Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth.</p> <p>"My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety.</p> <p>"I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”</p> <p>Sheeran also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tragedy-strikes-ed-sheeran-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffered the loss of his close friend and co-worker's 16-year-old son in early 2023.</a></p> <p><em>Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All </em>will be released on Disney+ on May 3 2023.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Disney+</em></p>

TV

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Ed Sheeran, Russell Crowe, and Snoop Dogg: "Australia is the place to be!"

<p>Snoop Dogg has thrown an unexpected gathering for the rich and famous while celebrating backstage on the Melbourne leg of his Australian tour. </p> <p>The 51-year-old rapper took to Instagram to immortalise the moment, and to offer his fans a glimpse at what really went on when the show left the stage at Rod Laver Arena. </p> <p>Snoop’s picture sees him sat in front of a table, drink in hand, with a famous face on either side of him - English singer songwriter Ed Sheeran, who is also touring Australia, and actor Russell Crowe. Snoop gave the latter guest a nod with his caption, asking his fans “R U NOT ENTERTAINED?!?” </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYPWD2yfon/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYPWD2yfon/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While a gift bag obscured most of what was on the table between them, many eagle-eyed fans were quick to note the various spirit bottles and rolled cigarettes, but for most, the delight at seeing the trio together was all that mattered. </p> <p>“There is so much perfection in this photo,” gushed one fan, “this is a trio we didn’t know we needed!” </p> <p>“UK, US and New Zealand in the same room!” wrote another. </p> <p>“I wanna become famous so I can be in a room where I turn my head and see Snoop Dogg, Ed Sheeran and Russel Crowe sitting on the same couch,” mused one, “seems like it would be an interesting place to be.”</p> <p>As well as the post to his feed, Snoop shared two videos of the gathering to his stories, in which he can be seen ‘welcoming’ Sheeran to his label, Death Row, and fastening a gold chain around the singer’s neck. Sheeran is sporting the very same necklace in Snoop’s photo. </p> <p>Sheeran later took to Instagram himself to share a photo with the rapper, assuring fans he’d “had a very good time at the party”. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZ-UwwB5yM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZ-UwwB5yM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And while some fans were thoroughly entertained with the sight and state of the two partygoers, others had a new business venture in mind for the pair, following on from Sheeran’s ‘welcome’ to the label. </p> <p>“It’s impossible not to have a good time when your hanging with Snoop,” one declared, before requesting a “new collab for the people please”.</p> <p>“Ed we need this collab,” came the agreement of one dedicated fan account. </p> <p>“This collab would be legendary,” agreed another. </p> <p>And, as one fan summed it up for everyone, “Australia is the place to be atm [at the moment]!”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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"We’re all f***ed if that happens": 60 Minutes' stunning f-bombshell

<p><em>60 Minutes</em> reporter Tom Steinfort spoke for Australians all across the nation when he swore at Treasurer Jim Chalmers in an interview on interest rates.</p> <p>The exchange transpired as homeowners brace for a 10th consecutive rate rise, with the move expected to produce the highest interest rates Australians have seen in the past decade. </p> <p>“Do you see similarities between now and what happened in the early ‘90s?” Steinfort asked the treasurer, referencing a difficult period of recession for Australia.</p> <p>“There’s absolutely no chance that interest rates will get to the level that they were at in the early 1990s. I wanna make that clear,” Chalmers responded. </p> <p>And while the treasurer had wasted no time in giving his answer, it wasn’t enough to stop Steinfort from scoffing, “yeah, well, we’re all f***ed if that happens.”</p> <p>In January 1990, interest rates peaked - or hit rock bottom - at a record high of 17.5 per cent. </p> <p>And now, the RBA is set to deliver more bad news - passing on another 0.25 per cent interest rate rise - with homeowners already feeling their wallet strings tightening when faced with the disparity between house prices and annual wages. </p> <p>Australia’s inflation rate of 7.8 per cent marks the highest level since the early 1990s and is over twice that of the RBA’s 2-3 per cent inflation target - one they adopted in 1993. - the RBA took on its inflation target in 1993.</p> <p>Experts fear that further interest rate hikes will see Australia face its first recession since 1991, a concern that Steinfort clearly shares. </p> <p>Elsewhere in the interview, Steinfort wanted to know if Chalmers believed Australians had seen the worst of the inflation crisis, asking, “do you think we’ve hit the inflation peak?” </p> <p>“That’s our expectation, yeah,” Chalmers said. “We think that’s most likely, uh, that inflation peaked at Christmas time and has started to moderate. But we won’t know until we get that next set of data.”</p> <p>“You think we might be through the worst of it?” Steinfort pressed. </p> <p>“Well, I think inflation is starting to come off,” Chalmers responded, before adding that despite his optimism, Australians shouldn’t expect for things to get easier overnight, “but even as it moderates we can’t be complacent about it, because it’s still going to be a challenge in ‘23, just like it was in ‘22.” </p> <p>“You paint a picture that we’ve turned a bit of a corner and that there are better times ahead, but the people we’re speaking to - I mean, even when I look at my home mortgage bill - we’re not feeling it,” a sceptical Steinfort pointed out. </p> <p>To which a smiling Chalmers answered, “yeah, I understand, and I think that certainly the prime minister understands, and that the government understands, that people are under real pressure now. </p> <p>“We’re doing what we can to deal with it within the constraints of a responsible budget.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers believes we’ve already seen the worst of Australia’s inflation problem. However he says 2023 will still be a challenging time for many families.</p> <p>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/60Mins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#60Mins</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/9Now?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9Now</a> <a href="https://t.co/4G5tZZO3fU">pic.twitter.com/4G5tZZO3fU</a></p> <p>— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1632322412959215617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: 60 Minutes</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"Writing songs is my therapy": Ed Sheeran reveals further heartbreak

<p>In the wake of the tragic news of the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tragedy-strikes-ed-sheeran-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heartbreaking loss</a> suffered by his co-writer and touring partner, Ed Sheeran has taken to Instagram to share his struggle following a series of life-changing events – and how this has altered the course of his new album, Subtract.</p> <p>The singer shared how he “spiralled” into depression last year after his wife, Cherry, was diagnosed with a tumour during her second pregnancy, which couldn’t be treated until after she gave birth.</p> <p>The star explained that he was "trying to sculpt the perfect acoustic album" for almost a decade, when the series of events changed everything.</p> <p>“Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings. I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out.</p> <p>“And in just over a week, I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts," he captioned.</p> <p>“Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth.</p> <p>“My best friend Jamal [Edwards], a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety.</p> <p>“I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air".</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpPY7qyI6XB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpPY7qyI6XB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The four-time Grammy award winner shared that this album was a "trapdoor" into his soul, and a way for him to make sense of everything he's been through.</p> <p>Sheeran announced the birth of his second daughter, Jupiter, in May of last year.</p> <p>Subtract will be released on the 5th of May 2023, through Asylum/Atlantic.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Tragedy strikes Ed Sheeran tour

<p>Ed Sheeran’s touring partner and co-writer has suffered a major loss with the news of his teenage son’s sudden death.</p> <p>Ben Kweller, who opened for Sheeran on his 2019 tour, revealed his 16-year-old son, Dorian, was killed overnight.</p> <p>"There's no way that I can be typing this but I am….," Kweller began in a heartbreaking <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNSgQ5uXzd/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute shared on Instagram</a>. "Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend. Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know.”</p> <p>Kweller did not share any more information about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, instead, he wrote about the short but brilliant life the 16-year-old aspiring musician lived.</p> <p>"We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth. Please keep his spirit alive with your memories and the music he made: @reallyzev," the proud dad shared.</p> <p>"Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking. Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!! His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW.”</p> <p>In the post, the grieving father also shared his last text message exchange with his son.</p> <p>"We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds. Lizzy, Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages. 💔”</p> <p>Sheeran, who is currently touring Australia, counts Kweller as one of his good friends. In 2018, when the musician married his childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn in a secret ceremony, Kweller was one of the few invited and also performed at their wedding ceremony. Kweller also co-wrote Sheeran’s hit song <em>Collide</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

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