Cheryl's Art And Music Guide

The 2026 list of   Rock and Roll Hall of Fame   nominees has been unveiled. There are seventeen, and some have previously been considered. They are  Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Sade, Mariah Carey, Joy   Division/New Order , and the  Black Crowes . Phil Collins  is among the first-time contenders. That's as a solo artist since he was inducted in 2010 as a member of  Genesis . The others who have been cited for the first time are  Wu-Tang Clan ,  Lauryn Hill, Luther Vandross, Shakira, Jeff Buckley, Melissa Etheridge, Pink, New Edition , and  INXS . To vote, fans are invited to visit  https://rockhall.com .

Neil Sedaka   died yesterday after a brief hospital stay. His high school girlfriend,  Carole King , was inspired by him, as was  Boy George. Micky Dolenz  said he was that rare songwriter ''who could do it all,'' while  Darlene Love  and  Pat Boone  wrote that their colleague's music would last forever.  In addition to his own material, Sedaka composed hits for other entertainers such as  Connie Francis  ( Stupid Cupid ) and  Captain  &  Tennille  ( Love Will Keep Us Together ).  Dave Davies , who was shocked to learn about the piano player, offered condolences to the family. This includes Neil's wife  Leba . They were married in 1962. Just three days before his passing, Sedaka teased the upcoming streaming debut (in April) of his 1976 album,  Steppin' Out .  Visit  https://neilsedaka.com  for more about the singer.

Adam Hook   has been producing paintings and illustrations of the natural world for a long time. He told the  Art and Music Guide : ''I have a passion for and desire that these beautiful creatures and their environment should be better protected.'' One of his recent projects is called  Whale: The Illustrated Biography .  ''Although I have never seen a whale, I would clearly like to, and hope I captured their character.'' The well-known blue, killer, sperm, and humpback are in the book, as are their smaller and more elusive cousins. Here's a sample: https://press.princeton.edu/ books/hardcover/9780691273211/ whale?srsltid=AfmBOorZnnIHF- A1nLXK6_mHpzRFLiQQ7u6e5g0Bbp- f9THyHuuwVYOF . Wyland  is another artist who is fascinated by sea life. That includes turtles and sharks. He recently made a lucite sculpture of a humpback whale, aiming to showcase the animal's power and grace. He also has a line of apparel, and much of his work is sold for a good ca...

A new documentary about   Gregg Allman   is to be released this summer.  It is produced by  Michael Lehman , who used to manage names like  Run DMC, Phil Ramone , and his good friend Gregg. Director  James Keach  previously worked on documentaries about  Glen Campbell, David Crosby,  and  Linda Ronstadt , as well as the  Academy Award -winning biopic,  Walk the Line , about  Johnny Cash  and  June Carter Cash . James says he felt a personal connection to his subject, who lost his father and brother Duane , and learned to deal with personal demons. Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul  draws on previously unseen interviews and rare performance footage to explore Allman's musical legacy and personal journey.   Visit  https://greggallman.com   for the full press release.

Alice Cooper, Collective Soul, Judas Priest, James Taylor , and Daughtry are some of the performers who have signed guitars for an auction which will benefit other musicians. Julien's Gibson Gives online auction kicks off at 10 a.m. PT on the fifth of March. Proceeds also will aid the FirstBank Amphitheater Music Education Program . This supports music education for students in Williamson County Schools in Tennessee.  You can r egister to bid at  JuliensAuctions.com . Gibson , by the way, is celebrating 100-years-of-flat-tops-with- the-return-of-three-classic- acoustics , available at authorized dealers worldwide, at Gibson Garage locations, and through the company's website . 

What's the most anticipated book of 2026? According to the   New York Times , it's  The Rolling Stones-The Biography  by   Bob Spitz . Bob discusses the rise of  Mick Jagger  and  Keith Richards , as well as the decline of founder  Brian Jones . He also delves into the real story behind the group's first encounter with  Muddy Waters . And no, the bluesman wasn't mopping floors at  Chess Records  when the Stones showed up.     The author told the  Art and Music Guide  that he interviewed about 250 people. This included colleagues, relatives, and band members.  Bob, who has previously written about the  Beatles  and  Led Zeppelin , used to be a manager for  Elton John  (''from  Goodbye   Yellow Brick Road  and  Caribou  through  Rock of the Westies '') and  Bruce Springsteen , with whom he occasionally played music.  Bob's new book will be o...