The New York Times - Louder: Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020)

an appraisal

Eddie Van Halen, the Shredder Supreme

The guitarist, who died this week at 65, gleefully reinvented the rules of being a guitar hero — then bent them again and again.

By Jon Pareles

playlist

Eddie Van Halen’s 12 Essential Songs

His guitar solos stunned and inspired, but the musician, who died of cancer, was also a gifted songwriter, producer and keyboard player.

By Rob Tannenbaum

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett: Eddie Van Halen ‘Blew Open Everyone’s Minds’

The guitarist remembers the multitalented musician, who died this week at 65.

By Ben Sisario

the playlist

Jeff Tweedy’s Homesick Tune, and 11 More New Songs

Hear tracks by Palberta, Anderson .Paak, Chai and others.

By Jon Pareles, Giovanni Russonello and Lindsay Zoladz

Luke Combs’s Country Stardom and the Remaking of the Bro

The Nashville singer and songwriter learned from the genre’s past and carved his own path.

critic’s pick

‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’ Review: Rapper’s Delight

Radha Blank’s film is an intimate, epic reckoning with age, ambition and everything else.

By A.O. Scott

Led Zeppelin Wins Long ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Copyright Case

The U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not hear the case, leaving in place an appeals court ruling that the band did not copy part of a 1968 song by Spirit.

By Ben Sisario

Tory Lanez Charged With Assault in Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion

The Canadian artist is accused of wounding the singer by firing at her feet after an argument last summer.

By Joe Coscarelli

MacArthur Foundation Announces 21 ‘Genius’ Grant Winners

The writer N. K. Jemisin and the playwright Larissa FastHorse are among the fellows recognized for their “exceptional creativity” with a no-strings-attached grant of $625,000.

By Julia Jacobs

Morgan Wallen Loses ‘S.N.L.’ Music Spot for Violating Virus Rules

The country musician was seen in videos on social media mingling in groups without wearing a mask and kissing fans.

By Dave Itzkoff

the charts

Machine Gun Kelly Leads a Shake-Up at the Top of the Billboard Chart

The pop-punk album “Tickets to My Downfall” debuted at No. 1, followed by LPs from SuperM and Joji.

By Ben Sisario

Taylor Swift, leaning further into politics, endorses Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

By Matt Stevens

Johnny Nash, Who Sang ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ Dies at 80

After only modest success as a romantic crooner, he played a key role in bringing reggae to a wider audience.

By Steven Kurutz

those we’ve lost

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Indian Singer With Huge Repertory, Dies at 74

Known as S.P.B., he sang in a number of languages and was known for his film work. He died of complications of Covid-19.

By Priya Arora