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Cream’s song “Sunshine of Your Love” continues to be celebrated as one of the most recognizable songs of the classic rock era, with its influence enduring nearly six decades after its release.

The 1967 track has remained a timeless anthem in rock history, with Amazon Music including it on its 100 Greatest Classic Rock Songs playlist, further cementing the iconic British supergroup’s legacy.

While fellow legendary artists and bands like Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun” earned the top spots on the curated playlist, Cream’s song landed at No. 63, making it one of the best classic rock tracks of all time.

Written by supergroup members Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Pete Brown, the song was featured on their second studio album, Disraeli Gears, in 1967.

Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of British rock supergroup Cream in 1966.

Ivan Keeman/Redferns

Despite its slow-burn success, “Sunshine of Your Love” achieved massive commercial and critical acclaim after debuting at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 before eventually peaking at No. 5.

This not only made it Cream’s highest-charting song but also the band’s first and only gold-selling single in the United States.

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Besides the song’s massive popularity and success, “Sunshine of Your Love” has an interesting rock history tied to one of music’s legends, Jimi Hendrix.

Clapton mentioned in a previous interview that the signature repeating bass riff was inspired by Hendrix’s performance after Bruce saw him play at London’s Saville Theatre.

“After the gig, he came up with the riff. It was strictly a dedication to Jimi,” the frontman told Rolling Stone, as cited by Louder, with Bruce recalling the moment saying, “Pete [lyricist Pete Brown] and I had been working all night trying to come up with some songs. I just picked up my double bass and looked out the window and the sun was coming up. And I just started playing the riff of “Sunshine Of Your Love.”

Adding to the song’s distinctive sound, Clapton’s solo made “Sunshine Of Your Love” more memorable.

He utilized his famous ‘woman tone” a thick, vocal-like guitar sound similar to a female singing voice that eventually became his signature sound.

Decades later, Cream’s song is still making its presence felt in rock music.

Related: Bon Jovi Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 39 Years After No. 1 Hit

Linda Ronstadt needed a little more energy on her 1977 album Simple Dreams. Most of the songs were ballads, so she and producer Peter Asher added Buddy Holly’s “It’s So Easy” to pick up the pace. Ronstadt later called it an “afterthought,” but the song went on to become a No. 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

By the time Simple Dreams came around, Ronstadt and Asher had their approach down. They knew how to pick songs that played to her strengths while still letting her stretch vocally. 

A big part of that was finding strong material from talented songwriters and letting Ronstadt make it her own. Simple Dreams featured songs by J.D. Souther, Eric Kaz and Warren Zevon, along with several covers that added even more variety to the album. 

Ronstadt also made room for her country influences, recording the traditional songs “Old Paint” and “I Never Will Marry.” For the album’s better-known covers, she took on The Rolling Stones’ “Tumbling Dice” and Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou.” 

She also returned to Buddy Holly. Ronstadt had already found success with Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day” on her previous album, Hasten Down the Wind, so “It’s So Easy” was a natural choice when her record needed something with a little more bounce. 

Holly and producer Norman Petty wrote “It’s So Easy,” which Holly recorded with The Crickets in 1958. While the song didn’t chart when it was released, it gained a second life as a rock ’n’ roll standard after Holly’s death the following year.

That Texarkana sound baked into the original was right in Ronstadt’s wheelhouse, too. As the “Queen of Country Rock,” she had grown up listening to those influences and knew how to bring them into her version.

“It’s Texarkana,” the songstress once said. “It’s that area of the country (Texas/Arkansas). I grew up listening to that. It’s kind of country, it’s kind of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s kind of blues. It’s a little bit of all those things.”

Ronstadt’s take clearly resonated with listeners. “It’s So Easy” reached No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in December 1977 and spent 18 weeks on the chart. Her version was also sharing the Top 5 with another Simple Dreams hit, “Blue Bayou,” which peaked at No. 3. 

Related: 1967 Rock Song, Written by ‘Greatest Guitarist of All Time,’ Is Still Adored 59 Years Later

There’s no question that John Prine was one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and one of the qualities that set him apart was his remarkable ability to write from the perspective of different characters that were, seemingly, nothing like him. One standout example, of course, is “Angel From Montgomery,” sung from the perspective of a middle-aged woman (though Prine himself was just a young man when he wrote the song).

Originally released on Prine’s self-titled 1971 album, “Angel From Montgomery” went on to inspire a staggering number of covers, with Bonnie Raitt‘s 1974 version becoming the most famous of all (though it was Prine’s rendition that went on to be ranked among Rolling Stone‘s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” at #351).

As the late Prine explained in an interview with BLUERAILROAD, the idea for “Angel From Montgomery” came from a suggestion made by his friend, Eddie Holstein.

“Eddie said, ‘Why don’t we write a song together?'” Prine recalled. “And I said, ‘Jeez, I’ve never written with anybody. But I guess we could try.'”

“So we went over to his apartment, and I said, ‘What do you want to write about?'” Prince continued. “And he said, ‘I really like that song you wrote about old people [‘Hello in There’], let’s write another song about old people.'”

At first, Prine was reluctant, as he felt he “said everything he wanted to say” in “Hello in There.”

“So I thought for awhile and said, ‘How ’bout a song about a middle-aged woman who feels older than she is.’ And Eddie goes, ‘Naw.'”

Prine went on to say that the idea “stuck” with him, and he started writing “Angel From Montgomery” that night, with the words “I am an old woman named after my mother.”

“I had this really vivid picture of this woman standing over the dishwater with soap in her hands, and just walking away from it all,” Prine explained. “So I just kept that whole idea image in mind when I was writing the song and I just let it pour out of that character’s heart.”

“I didn’t realize all this at the time, but if you come up with a strong enough character, you can get a really vivid insight into the character that you’ve invented,” he continued.

“You let the character write the song. You just dictate from then on. You stick to it, and whatever the character is saying, you have to figure out how to keep that in the song. You know? That’s how I do it. I almost go into a trance. Once I’ve got an outline, a sketch in my mind, of who the person was, then I figure I’d better let them speak for themselves. Rather than me saying, ‘Hey, so here’s a middle-aged woman. She feels she’s much older.’ It wouldn’t have been nearly as effective.”

Raitt wasn’t the first (or only) musician to cover “Angel From Montgomery.” (John Denver and Carly Simon are just two other examples.) But Raitt’s cover of the song, recorded when she was 25 years old and released on her 1974 album Streetlights, became the definitive version.

“I think that ‘Angel From Montgomery’ probably has meant more to my fans and my body of work than any other song, and it will historically be considered one of the most important ones I’ve ever recorded,” Raitt said in a 2000 interview with Performing Songwriter magazine.

“It’s just such a tender way of expressing that sentiment of longing — like ‘Hello in There’ — without being maudlin or obvious,” Raitt added. “It has all the different shadings of love and regret and longing. It’s a perfect expression from another wonderful genius.”

Related: 1960 No. 1 Hit, Written by 17-Year-Old Carole King, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’

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With fall fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start transitioning your closet for breezier temperatures. Staple layering pieces, like classic long-sleeve shirts and oversized sweaters, are ideal for navigating weather that fluctuates between cool and hot in a matter of hours. If you’ve been looking for closet staples to wear alone or underneath sweaters and jackets, Walmart’s latest fashion find is for you. 

The bestselling Sunbs Crewneck Long-Sleeve Shirt is now on sale for up to 50% off, knocking its $20 price down to as low as $10. Though the black option is available at the lowest price, you can also shop it in nine other styles — including pink, gray, khaki, brown, white, and camo print — at varying discounts. 

Sunbs Crewneck Long-Sleeve Shirt, $10 (was $20) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Available in sizes small to 3XL, the classic top has a flattering crewneck, long sleeves, and an oversized fit that’s comfortable enough to wear all day long. It’s crafted from a polyester, rayon, and spandex blend that’s lightweight, breathable, and soft against the skin, offering a gentle stretch that moves with you through all your everyday activities. 

The cute shirt is easy to style for a variety of occasions. Pair it with biker shorts and sneakers while working out, don it with leggings or sweats for at-home lounging, or wear it with jeans and sandals for daily errands. You can also wear it on its own or layer it over a tank or tee during cooler temperatures. 

The bestselling top has earned plenty of praise from Walmart shoppers, with over 200 five-star ratings. Multiple reviewers praised its “soft” and “stretchy” feel, with one buyer highlighting the “super airy” fabric. Another said it offers a “comfy, relaxed look” that’s perfect for layering, noting that they plan to order more colors. 

Shop More Deals

• Uvn Short Sleeve V-Neck Blouse, $11 (was $21) at Walmart
• Fantaslook 3/4 Sleeve with Buttons Top, $14 (was $23) at Walmart
• Rosvigor Women’s Top, $13 (was $22) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s ‘Chic’ and ‘Comfy’ $10 Strappy Sandals Are Perfect for Transitioning From Summer to Fall

With its lightweight design, an ultra-affordable price tag, and plenty of color options to choose from, this stylish long-sleeve crewneck shirt is a worthy addition to any fall wardrobe. Don’t hesitate to grab one (or more!) for as low as $10 before this deal ends at Walmart. 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Influencer Madeleine “Maddie” White and her husband, DJ Andrew Fedyk, are searching for answers after their 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Dunkin, died just days after being placed in a training program.

Fedyk said the couple, who recently welcomed a baby, enrolled their two dogs in an approximately four-week board-and-train program with Smart Dogs Training in Los Angeles. According to Fedyk, they paid $10,000 after researching the business and meeting with the owner several times.

But only two days after dropping the dogs off, the couple learned Dunkin had died. “We received a call within 48 hours that dunkin was supposedly taken to the park during an extreme heat wave,” Fedyk shared in an Instagram post on Wednesday, August 26. “[He] ‘showed signs of heat exhaustion’ in the car, and had passed away by the time they arrived at a boarding facility we were not informed they were ever being transferred to.” 

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Fedyk alleged Dunkin was not taken to a veterinarian during the incident. The couple planned to have an autopsy performed to determine his cause of death.

White has also been sharing details with her followers, claiming the trainer involved was Jeff Todd, and that AirTags worn by both dogs were disconnected while they were supposedly at a dog park. She also noted the vet Dunkin was dropped off at after his death would not update her or reveal his condition when he was brought in.

A screenshot of @madeleinecwhite’s Instagram account on August 27.

Fedyk claimed in another Instagram video the following day that he and White have now spoken with seven other families whose dogs allegedly died under unexplained circumstances while in Smart Dogs Training’s care. “It is now something a lot more serious than just simple negligence,” Fedyk alleged. White also shared screenshots from others who had similar situations.

The DJ asked anyone with previous experience with Todd or the training business to contact the couple as they seek more information. “We’re here to talk and we want to help get this resolved and get justice for our dogs,” he said.

Smart Dogs Training has not responded to Parade’s request for comment at this time.

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Dolly Parton leaves behind a rich legacy of music and film, but she was also an avid reader who read around 50 books a year and championed fighting childhood illiteracy through her Imagination Library. Dolly’s love of reading was inspired by her father being unable to read. Knowing he never really got to achieve all that he could, Dolly Parton was a dedicated reader and book lover who helped fight illiteracy. In a 2019 interview with the Today Show’s Jenna Bush Hager, Dolly was asked to name her favorite books. At the top of her list was Sara Gruen’s epic historical fiction novel Water for Elephants.

What Is Water for Elephants About? @todayshow

In 2019, Dolly Parton told Jenna Bush Hager that she cherished her title as “The Book Lady,” giving millions of books to children through her Imagination Library. The Imagination Library mails free books to children from birth until they begin school, and was inspired by Parton’s father, who could not read or write. “I wanted to do something so my dad could be proud to help me with. Daddy got to live long enough to hear the kids call me The Book Lady. And he was as proud of that as me being a star. And that meant so much to him. And so I felt like I brought honor to my dad through that.”

♬ original sound – TODAY Show

Published in 2006, Water for Elephants follows Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary student whose life is upended after the deaths of his parents. With no family and nowhere to turn, he joins a traveling circus, taking on the responsibility of caring for its animals. There, he immerses himself in circus life and falls in love with the show’s star performer, who is already married to the circus’ volatile boss. The story blends romance, adventure and the spectacle of a traveling circus, but it also tackles themes of finding a new life when the one you expected disappears.

It’s easy to see why Water for Elephants struck a chord with Dolly Parton, who often gravitated toward books about people facing difficult circumstances and finding the strength to keep going. The book’s themes of renewal, creating a family of performers and finding possibility in an unexpected life feel very much in keeping with the values Dolly championed throughout her own life.

Related: 2009 Novel Rejected by 60 Literary Agents Named Goodreads’ Best Book for Book Clubs

Dolly Parton’s Love of Reading @reesesbookclub

Our Book Lady forever 🤍 In 1995, Dolly Parton founded the @ImaginationLibrary in honor of her dad, who never learned to read or write. The organization has since worked with partners to mail over 300 million free monthly books to kids from birth to age 5. “Of all the things I’ve done in my life — and it’s been a lot because I’ve been around a long time — this is one of the most precious things and the proudest I’ve been of any program I’ve ever been involved in, working with these kids,” Dolly said in her 2020 documentary The Library That Dolly Built. Thank you, Dolly, for helping millions discover the power stories hold 📚

♬ original sound – ReesesBookClub

Throughout her career, Dolly Parton talked about dreaming big and created a new life despite childhood limitations, themes that all resonate in Water for Elephants. Dolly may not have joined the circus, but she created families of her co-stars and colleagues and used the constraints of her own father’s education to inspire her to create a life even bigger than her own dreams.

Related: Lily Tomlin Reacts to the Death of Her Beloved ‘9 to 5’ Costar Dolly Parton

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In 1980, Christopher Cross was a newcomer enjoying the kind of debut most musicians could only dream about when an unlikely single took him all the way to the top.

“Sailing” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of Aug. 24, 1980, spending one week at the summit. It became Cross’ first No. 1 hit after his debut single, “Ride Like the Wind,” featuring Michael McDonald on backing vocals, had peaked at No. 2 earlier that year. Cross would eventually score a second No. 1 with 1981’s “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).”

But “Sailing” didn’t just rule the charts 46 years ago. Decades later, it received an honor that seems almost tailor-made for the song.

In 2007, VH1 named “Sailing” the No. 1 song on its list of the 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs, placing it ahead of Styx’s “Babe,” Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” and Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now.” “Sailing” was also named to Amazon Music’s 100 Greatest Soft Rock Songs of All Time playlist.

The distinction is particularly fitting now that “Sailing” is widely regarded as one of the defining examples of yacht rock, though Cross himself has said he and his contemporaries originally knew the style by a different name.

“We both have become part of that ‘West Coast’ sound, now known as Yacht Rock,” Cross wrote in 2013 for HuffPost while discussing Hall & Oates and the genre’s unexpected resurgence. He added that yacht rock had become “such a cult fascination” around the world.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of “Sailing’s” journey to No. 1 is that it wasn’t necessarily supposed to make that journey at all.

Cross’ self-titled debut album had already produced “Ride Like the Wind,” which spent four weeks at No. 2. According to music historian Fred Bronson’s “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” the label initially favored “I Really Don’t Know Anymore” as the follow-up.

But there was a complication. Like “Ride Like the Wind,” the song featured McDonald on backing vocals, and Cross’ management was concerned about depending on two consecutive singles featuring the Doobie Brothers singer.

So another song was selected: “Sailing.” It proved to be quite a second choice.

“Sailing” went to No. 1, and Cross later acknowledged during his Grammy acceptance speech that the song was his favorite on the album and hadn’t originally been intended as a single.

The recording itself also contained a happy accident. Cross has recalled that the song’s orchestral opening resulted from the wrong button being pushed during recording. It had been intended to begin with the acoustic guitar before the accidental opening became part of the finished record.

“Sailing” was technologically unusual for 1980, too. Recorded using the 3M Digital Recording System, it became one of the first digitally recorded songs to make the charts.

The technology behind “Sailing” may have been cutting-edge, but the inspiration for it went back to Cross’ adolescence.

Cross has said the song was inspired by an older high school friend named Al Glasscock, who would take him sailing when Cross was a teenager. Glasscock became something of a surrogate older brother during an emotionally difficult period in Cross’ life, and their trips gave the future singer a way to escape the pressures he was experiencing.

The two eventually lost touch, but nearly three decades later, The Howard Stern Show reunited them in 1995. Cross confirmed that those long-ago sailing trips had inspired the song and later sent Glasscock a copy of his platinum record.

Related: The Greatest Guitar Solo You Can’t Hear Is Hidden in a 1980 Classic

By the time Cross was writing songs of his own, he’d already spent years performing. He began on drums as a seventh grader, later switched his focus to guitar and eventually played in bands around Texas before Warner Bros. signed Cross as a solo artist.

If reaching No. 1 was the high point of “Sailing’s” summer, what happened several months later turned Cross’ debut into music history.

The scale of Cross’ overnight success was so extraordinary that it nearly became the story itself. “The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll” noted that the five Grammys Cross won for his debut ultimately attracted more attention than the music that earned them, an unusual predicament for an artist who had seemingly arrived fully formed.

At the 1981 Grammy Awards, Cross became the first artist ever to sweep all four General Field categories in a single night: Album of the Year for Christopher Cross, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Sailing,” and Best New Artist. “Sailing” also won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), giving Cross five Grammys that night.

No artist managed the same four-category sweep again for 39 years, until Billie Eilish accomplished it at the 2020 Grammys.

Cross’ debut ultimately produced four Top 20 hits: “Ride Like the Wind,” “Sailing,” “Never Be the Same” and “Say You’ll Be Mine.” The album went on to be certified five-times platinum in the United States.

The sudden success wasn’t something Cross took for granted. Speaking about his career at the time, he reflected on how quickly everything had changed.

“When I’m old I’d like to be able to say all this happened because my music was good,” Cross said in Bronson’s book.

Forty-six years after “Sailing” reached No. 1, the song’s journey hasn’t ended. It has gone from an unlikely single to a chart-topper, a three-time Grammy winner and, eventually, VH1’s pick for the No. 1 soft rock song of all time.

For a song about getting away from it all on the water, “Sailing” has traveled remarkably far.

Related: 1980 Olivia Newton-John Hit, Written for a Box Office Bomb, Became a Four-Week No. 1

Dolly Parton fans are still finding their footing in a world without her. Everywhere you look, the loss feels immense. For those who can’t stop replaying her music, there’s now another way to hold onto her: two of her most beloved films are heading back to theaters.

Theater chains across the country are bringing two of her best-known films, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, back for special tribute screenings this week, just days after her death.

Parton died Tuesday, August 25, at 80, following a brief battle with cancer, her representative confirmed to People, a few hours after her family first announced the news.

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AMC will lead the charge with tribute screenings starting Friday, August 28, and running through Wednesday, September 2, spanning about 200 theaters nationwide.

Each location will offer two matinee showings daily, one per film, all priced under AMC’s Fan Faves tier. Fans can find showtimes and tickets through the AMC app or theater chain’s website.

Regal is joining in as well, though its screenings are limited to Tennessee, Parton’s home state. Tickets run $9.25 each, with every dollar going toward Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital through the Regal Foundation.

Harkins Theatres is keeping its run brief, screening both films only on August 29 and 30. Tickets there cost just $6, with proceeds also benefiting the Imagination Library.

What Is ‘Steel Magnolias’ About?

Released in 1989, Steel Magnolias follows a close-knit group of women in a small Louisiana town as they support each other through life’s highs and lows. Parton stars as Truvy, a local beauty parlor owner, alongside Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah. 

Directed by Herbert Ross and based on Robert Harling‘s 1987 play, the film earned Roberts a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination and grossed $86.4 million domestically, according to Deadline.

What Is ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ About? Best Little Whorehouse In Texas – Nashville Premiere

(Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images)

In this 1982 film, Parton plays Miss Mona, the owner of a Texas brothel targeted by a television personality’s moral crusade, played by Dom DeLuise. The role earned Parton a Golden Globe nomination. The film, also starring Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning and Jim Nabors, was directed by Colin Higgins and grossed close to $70 million domestically, according to Taste of Country.

While best known for her decades-spanning music career and philanthropy, Parton made a lasting, if smaller, mark in Hollywood. She earned two Original Song Oscar nominations, for “9 to 5,” from the 1981 film of the same name and “Travelin’ Thru,” from 2006’s Transamerica.

Be wary of what gets searched when looking up Ted Nugent’s “Cat Scratch Fever,” which wasn’t only the title of his charting track, but also of a very rare disease.

After the rock band the Amboy Dukes dissolved, Nugent embarked on a solo career in the mid 1970s. He released two albums before Cat Scratch Fever in 1977 that would include one of his signature and most well-known tracks of his career. “Cat Scratch Fever” became known for its impressive guitar riff and was even once ranked among the best hard rock songs of all time.

The song’s popularity led the song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 30 and had similar success in Canada. Beyond its sounds, it’s safe to say that “Cat Scratch Fever” gained fame for another reason.

“I had seen a medical journal back in 1975, I opened it up and at the top, it said, ‘cat scratch fever.’ I’d never heard of that before. What’s that? So later on, that lick was cataloged in my memory bank. I went, ‘Cat Scratch Fever!’ and I had fun with the lyrics,” he explained to Ultimate Classic Rock.

“Cat Scratch Fever” is a real medical disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While very rare, it’s a bacterial infection that occurs from a cat scratch or bite. The animal is first infected by the bacteria (B. henselae) from flea bites. In humans, the symptoms include a rash or bumps on the skin, swollen lymph nodes, and a fever. The disease is reportedly harmless and can go away in a few weeks or months.

Nugent’s track alluded to the disease with lyrics like “I got it from some kitty next door,” and “I got it bad scratch fever. Cat Scratch Fever.” The track quickly rose to popularity, especially its guitar riff among other guitarists over the years. Nugent told Professor of Rock that “it’s what every guitar player wants to do.”

According to reports, the heavy 3-tone minor-key riff came about while Nugent was backstage in his dressing room. His producer at the time heard him play the riff, with Nugent reportedly saying it would become a hit.

“Cat Scratch Fever”‘s infectious riff would end up being covered by hit rock bands like Pantera for their Detroit Rock City soundtrack. Their version peaked at No. 40 on the Mainstream Rock chart, but it would end up being criticized by Nugent for being “exceedingly white.” Motörhead covered the track in 1992, as did bands like Fudge Tunnel and Epic Party Band.

Related: 1978 Soft Rock Hit, Sung by Moody Blues Singer Justin Hayward, Is Still a Beloved Ballad 48 Years Later

The investigation into the death of Hayden Panettiere continues as federal agents visited her home with a search warrant.

According to a new report from Us Weekly, an eyewitness inside Panettiere’s West Hollywood complex saw six federal agents enter the actress’s home on Tuesday, August 25.

The beloved Ice Princess actress was found unresponsive inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.

An initial autopsy found “no signs of trauma” or foul play, but the investigation remains ongoing.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Sloan Ellis, the lawyer for Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson—who was present at the time of her death, told Us Weekly. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the news of his daughter’s passing in a statement to ABC News.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Hayden was 36 years old at the time of her death.

Paul McCartney is no stranger to being on top. But even now, more than six decades after The Beatles scored their very first No. 1 with “Please Please Me” in the U.K., the man is still a chart giant.

His latest triumph comes in the form of a music film titled Paul McCartney: Man on the Run. Directed by Morgan Neville, the documentary, which chronicles the former Beatle’s musical journey after leaving the “most important rock band of all time,” is currently sitting at the top of Rotten Tomatoes’ Best New Movies of 2026.

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Following its successful film-festival run, the documentary received a two-day worldwide theatrical release beginning Feb. 19 before arriving on Prime Video Feb. 27. Picking up in the aftermath of The Beatles’ breakup, the film focuses on McCartney’s turbulent and transformative next chapter, specifically his emotional healing from the band’s breakup, his retreat to Scotland, and the rise of his new band, Wings.

“Man on the Run is more about the man than it is about his creative process,” NPR wrote in its review. “But his music runs all through the documentary, and it all adds up to an impressive, inspirational second act.”

“In Morgan Neville’s intimate and insightful musical doc, Paul McCartney finds his musical wings without the Beatles, but with wife Linda riding shotgun and teaching him about hard-to-reach places in the heart,” renowned fil critic Peter Trevers wrote.

“So this is really a movie for hard-core McCartney (or Wings) fans who want to see all of the rare archival footage—or, conversely, for curious newbies who want a fast-paced introduction to one of the most talented songwriters of all time,” The New York Times shared.

The film boasts a perfect 100% from critics. In comparison, audiences have given it a solid 83%, with raves for the film’s archival footage, Linda McCartney’s photography, and interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, and Paul himself.

“I don’t normally spend a lot of time looking back, but I was flattered when Morgan said he was interested in this period,” McCartney shared on his website about the film. “The first bit of Wings was quite hard work and not very rewarding, but eventually we got some songs under our belts that were hits. Morgan got me to think about stuff I hadn’t thought about for a long time. He was asking all the right questions, and I was happy to be transported back.”

Following The Beatles’ breakup in 1970, McCartney fell into a period of depression and heavy drinking before eventually launching his hugely successful solo and band career with Wings. He topped the charts with major hits like “Band on the Run,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Silly Love Songs.”

The legendary singer-songwriter continues to climb the charts to this day—on and off the screen. His latest music hit, “Days We Left Behind,” from his spring 2026 album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, peaked at No. 17 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Downloads and No. 18 on its Official Singles Sales charts.

Its parent album reached No. 1 on the Official Albums Chart, giving McCartney his 24th U.K. No. 1 and extending his streak as the most successful act in Official Chart history. The only way is up with this guy.

Related: ’70s Rock Legend Returns to the Stage After More Than a Year With  ‘A Great Night Out’ Tour

Fans of Jim Henson’s Muppets who grew up on The Muppet Show, various TV specials, and films starring the beloved characters, are joining Kermit and company in mourning the passing of three legendary members of their rainbow connection. Earlier this week, the world lost its living saint Dolly Parton, the larger-than-life Tim Curry, and the comedic charm of Jaye P. Morgan.

The last three posts on The Muppets’ official Instagram are beautiful eulogies to their friendship with greats who have a deep legacy in Muppet history.

Tim Curry’s 1996 performance in Muppet Treasure Island as Long John Silver stands up there with The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Frank-N-Furter and Hexxus in FernGully as one of his most iconic roles. The actor’s chemistry with the Muppets, and yes, with Miss Piggy, made him an all-time co-star and such a formative part of so many childhoods that were first introduced to Curry in all his pirate glory.

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Here’s how The Muppets remembered their crew mate: “Few humans have earned the title of honorary Muppet more than the legendary Tim Curry. As a performer, he was unparalleled – witty, charming, unnerving, and deeply funny.” the Instagram post read,
“We will always consider it one of our greatest treasures to have been part of Long John Silver’s crew. Thank you for everything, Tim.”

Related: Your Dolly Parton Song, Based on Birth Month

While Dolly Parton surprisingly never appeared on The Muppet Show, the Muppets actually were recurring guests on her variety show, Dolly!, in skits and musical moments during the 80’s. Who can forget the playful diva-offs between Miss Piggy and Dolly? We surely won’t. Then there’s one of the greatest moments in television history where Muppets creator Jim Henson got to share the stage with Parton as Kermit for a performance of “Everyday People”. Parton would continue to collaborate with Kermit and company, becoming an honorary muppet in 1986, and would share a special performance of “Islands in the Stream” in 2012 with her friends. A moment that was recently homaged on The Muppet Show special, where Sabrina Carpenter sang the song in a sketch with Kermit and Miss Piggy.

On Instagram, The Muppets wrote: “There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton. She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. She filled the world with light, and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”

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And lastly, today, the Muppets remembered one of their early collaborators and friends, Jaye P. Morgan. The singer and comedy show guest whose personality matched the Muppets’ chaos in her memorable appearances. On her passing they shared, “Working with the great Jaye P. Morgan on The Muppet Show was a joy. She was an explosive performer who worked her magic on our stage, and we’re so glad to have known her. We’ll miss you, Jaye.”

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It’s such a lovely touch in having these public figures we have grown up with remembered by The Muppets. It’s so heartwarming to see them pay tribute to those who they have teamed up with to share their rainbow connection alongside, and who will forever shine in its colors.

To solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you’ll be exploring remote-controlled household items, messy bodily mishaps, self-help books, lottery games, animated movie characters, Girl Scout groups, promises, Italian phrases, shipping companies and visual wordplay, among other things.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Friday, August 28, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, August 28, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Household items that come with remotes — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

4 Across: String of saliva — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

6 Across: Self-help book genre — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”

7 Across: Powerball or Mega Millions — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

8 Across: Emoji voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart in “The Emoji Movie” — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Group of Girl Scouts — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”

2 Down: Promise that one will — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

3 Down: ___ voce (under ones’s breath) — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

4 Down: Big name in shipping logistics — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”

5 Down: Shape formed by the O’s in this puzzle — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, August 28, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Household items that come with remotes — TVS

4 Across: String of saliva — DROOL

6 Across: Self-help book genre — HOWTO

7 Across: Powerball or Mega Millions — LOTTO

8 Across: Emoji voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart in “The Emoji Movie” — POOP

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Group of Girl Scouts — TROOP

2 Down: Promise that one will — VOWTO

3 Down: ___ voce (under ones’s breath) — SOTTO

4 Down: Big name in shipping logistics — DHL

5 Down: Shape formed by the O’s in this puzzle — LOOP

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Thursday, August 27, 2026

If you want to hear why Jimi Hendrix became known as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, “Purple Haze” is a pretty good place to start. Released in 1967, the song gave rock one of its most recognizable guitar riffs and showed just how far Hendrix was willing to push the instrument.

The track came together quickly after producer Chas Chandler heard Hendrix working on a new guitar riff in December 1966. 

“I heard him playing it at the flat and was knocked out,” Chandler later recalled. He encouraged Hendrix to keep working on it, telling him, “That’s the next single!”

According to Chandler, Hendrix wrote the rest of the song in a dressing room at a London club before a performance. The Jimi Hendrix Experience began recording it a few weeks later at De Lane Lea Studios in London. The basic track was reportedly recorded in about four hours. 

Drummer Mitch Mitchell recalled Hendrix showing him and bassist Noel Redding the riff and chords in the studio.  After the initial recording, Chandler and Hendrix kept experimenting with the sound and adding new elements. 

“With ‘Purple Haze’, Hendrix and I were striving for a sound and just kept going back in [to the studio], two hours at a time, trying to achieve it. It wasn’t like we were there for days on end,” Chandler recalled. 

“We recorded it, and then Hendrix and I would be sitting at home saying, ‘Let’s try that.’ Then we would go in for an hour or two. That’s how it was in those days. However long it took to record one specific idea, that’s how long we would book. We kept going in and out.” 

While the guitar work is what first catches your ear, the lyrics are a little harder to pin down. Over the years, Hendrix gave a few different accounts of where “Purple Haze” came from. 

He said the song began with a dream about walking underwater, later describing it as a journey through a mythical land. At another point, he said it was inspired by a woman who had put a voodoo spell on him. 

Still, fans have long heard “Purple Haze” as a nod to psychedelics. Hendrix never said that was what the song meant, and Chandler maintained that the rock legend wasn’t taking psychedelics when he wrote it.

The song gave music fans another mystery to debate with one of rock’s most famous misheard lyrics.

Hendrix sings, “‘Scuse me while I kiss the sky,” but many listeners heard it as “‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy.” The misunderstanding became so well known that Gavin Edwards used the phrase as the title of his 1995 book about misheard lyrics. 

Hendrix even played along with it during some live performances, changing the line to “‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy” and pointing toward Redding or Mitchell. 

“Purple Haze” only reached No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its influence stretched far beyond its chart performance. Are You Experienced reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and has sold more than 5 million copies in the U.S. 

The song’s reputation has only grown over the years. Rolling Stone ranked “Purple Haze” No. 2 on its “100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time” list and included it on its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list. The magazine also ranked Hendrix No. 1 on its “Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. “Purple Haze” was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

That impact is still easy to see in the reaction to Hendrix’s live performances. A video of the Experience performing “Purple Haze” at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4, 1970, has racked up more than 37 million views on Hendrix’s official YouTube channel.

“If he ain’t your favorite guitarist, he’s your favorite guitarist’s favorite guitarist. FACT,” one viewer wrote.

Another commented, “People don’t understand this is the man who started it ALL. He completely took the electric guitar and reinvented it.”

“Razor sharp technique and a razor sharp sound. The greatest guitarist of all time,” a third fan wrote. Someone else summed up the performance by saying, “Purple Haze kicks more a** than ’80s metal.”

“His control of feedback is actually insane, he summons it like magic,” another viewer added.

Related: 1971 Pop Song, Written for a Coca-Cola Commercial, Became a Global Hit 55 Years Ago

Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of adults in the United States, and your cholesterol levels play a big role in your heart health.

For many people, especially those who didn’t hit the genetic jackpot, a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, quality sleep and managing stress may not be enough for their cardiovascular health and to control their cholesterol. If you’re one of those individuals, you’re not alone, and there’s help out there. Your doctor or cardiologist may prescribe a statin to help lower your “bad” cholesterol levels, and they’ve long been proven to be safe and effective for most patients who need them.

That said, there are some lifestyle adjustments you may want to make if you’re taking a statin. That includes potentially changing up your diet and whatever supplements you may be taking to stay healthy, because there are some that do more harm than good. In fact, there is one specific vitamin supplement that you’ll want to avoid if you’re taking a statin, because not only will it not improve your heart health, but it may interact poorly with your cholesterol medication and potentially even cause organ damage.

Find out what supplement cardiologists are urging you to stop taking if you’re taking cholesterol medications and why.

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What Supplement Should You Avoid if You’re on a Statin?

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is the one supplement you’ll want to skip if you’re taking a statin for your cholesterol levels. And here’s the thing—we absolutely get why you’d want to try using it, because niacin can lower triglycerides and is often used to control blood lipids. However, if you’re using a statin, niacin won’t improve anything, and cardiologists typically only recommend prescription niacin for patients who can’t take statins.

“Routine niacin supplementation is not recommended in people taking statins,” board-certified cardiologist Dr. Kevin S. Shah, MD, FACC, FHFSA, board-certified cardiologist, tells Parade. “Earlier studies suggested niacin could improve cholesterol numbers, but large clinical trials found that adding niacin to statin therapy did not meaningfully reduce heart attacks or strokes for most patients.”

Related: Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Ignoring This Important Cholesterol Number

“Taking niacin supplements (especially higher doses of more than one gram per day) while on statins poses a serious risk of muscle injury (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis) and liver toxicity,” adds board-certified cardiologist Dr. David Rhee, MD. “We’ve known this for the past decade, and the data consistently shows that adding niacin to statin therapy provides no additional cardiac benefit.”

“Niacin can also lead to side effects such as flushing,” Dr. Shah adds.

(We should note that the flushing of the skin that sometimes comes with niacin intake isn’t actually harmful, but many people can find it annoying!)

Related: This Popular Drink Could Be Clogging Your Arteries, a Cardiologist Warns

Can You Safely Consume This Nutrient at All if You’re Taking a Statin for Cholesterol?

While taking niacin supplements isn’t advised for people on some cholesterol drugs, it doesn’t mean you have to avoid niacin entirely—just get it from your food instead of a caplet.

“Most people should simply get niacin through a healthy, balanced diet, since it is naturally found in foods,” Dr. Shah advises. “Prescription-strength niacin should only be used when there is a specific medical indication and under close medical supervision, particularly for patients already taking a statin.”

Dr. Rhee agrees. “Ditch the niacin supplements and keep things simple,” he says. “The amount of niacin in food is insignificant and poses no risk.”

Bananas, eggs, lean beef, chicken, legumes (especially black beans, chickpeas, edamame, kidney beans, lentils, peas and peanuts), liver, salmon and tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts) are all healthy, safe sources of niacin that won’t interact your meds.

Up Next:

Related: The Supplement Cardiologists Say Is a Waste of Money for Heart Health

Sources

• Dr. David Rhee, MD, Manhattan Cardiology in New York City and contributor to LabFinder.
• Dr. Kevin S. Shah, MD, FACC, FHFSA, board-certified cardiologist and program director of Heart Failure Outreach at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif.

KATSEYE is pulling out of their upcoming performance after Megan Skiendiel sprained her ankle while at rehearsal.

The girl group announced on Thursday, Aug. 27, that they will no longer attend the Daisy Chain Fields festival. KATSEYE shared that Skiendiel was seen by doctors after the injury and was told to stay off her ankle so it could heal for the group’s upcoming tour.

“We’re so incredibly sorry to share that we are unable to perform at Daisy Chain Fields this Saturday. Megan sprained her ankle yesterday during tour rehearsal and after being evaluated by doctors, she has been advised to stay off it and allow it to properly heal so we can be ready for our upcoming tour,” KATSEYE World wrote in a statement.

The group added that they are disappointed to not be able to attend Olivia Rodrigo‘s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields. The all-female festival was “founded on the belief that joy, community, and creativity can inspire meaningful change,” according to its website.

“We know how much our fans were looking forward to seeing us, and it breaks our hearts to disappoint anyone who made plans to be there,” KATSEYE’s statement continued. “We were especially excited for Daisy Chain Fields because it’s not just about music, but the greater mission of joy and community.”

Skiendiel also released a personal message, sharing how disappointed she is to pull out of the festival.

“I’m heartbroken to miss Daisy Chain Fields, especially because of everything this festival stands for,” she wrote on her Instagram story.

Daisy Chain Fields confirmed the lineup change in an Instagram post. They captioned it, “KATSEYE member Megan is recovering from a sprained ankle, and the group will no longer be able to perform this weekend. We are wishing Megan a smooth and speedy recovery!” and added Devon Again to the schedule.

Daisy Chain Fields will kick off on Aug. 29 at Great Park in Irvine, California.

Keeping a home organized is often less about buying one giant storage system and more about finding a place for all the little things. Pens, chargers, makeup, batteries, craft supplies, skincare, medicine, pet accessories, and random household items can quickly end up scattered across counters and stuffed into messy drawers.

That is why clear, compact storage is so useful. When you can see what you have, it becomes easier to find what you need and avoid buying duplicates. Small drawers are especially helpful in tight spaces where large bins or bulky cabinets simply do not fit.

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Nook and Company Small All-Purpose Drawer, $8.99 at Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby’s Small All-Purpose Drawer is a practical organizational find for getting those everyday extras under control. The drawer has a clear plastic construction, so you can see the contents without pulling it open or rummaging through a stack of containers. Its slim design makes it ideal for closets, shelves, desks, bathroom cabinets and under-bed storage areas.

The drawer can also be stacked, which gives you the freedom to build a custom storage system as your needs change. Use one for a small category of items, or stack several together for a larger setup. Since the clear front allows you to see inside, it is easy to keep everything visible and accessible.

One especially helpful detail is that the surface can be labeled and relabeled using a dry-erase marker. That means you can mark the drawer for chargers, nail supplies, tea, stickers or pet treats, then wipe it clean if you decide to change what is stored inside.

Related: Anthropologie’s New 10-Piece Marble Kitchen Find Is a Beautiful Addition to Any Counter

The larger version of Hobby Lobby’s All-Purpose Drawer measures 5.38 inches high by 9.88 inches wide by 13.75 inches deep when closed, while the drawer extends to 26.13 inches deep when opened. It is made of BPA-free plastic and is designed to slide in and out easily. The Small version is best for narrower storage needs, but shoppers should check the product page for its exact dimensions before deciding where to place it.

There are plenty of ways to use a drawer like this around the home. Keep one in the bathroom for extra toiletries, add one to a craft area for paintbrushes or stickers, use it in a desk setup for supplies, or place it in a pantry for snack packets and tea bags. It also works well in a dorm room, where every inch of storage matters.

If you are looking for a straightforward way to bring more order to a small area, this clear all-purpose drawer is a useful place to start. It is simple, stackable, easy to label and adaptable enough to work in nearly every room.

Related: Shoppers Say Costco’s Durable 6-Tier Storage Rack Is ‘Exactly What I Needed’

To Hallmark or not to Hallmark? That is the question—but the answer is obvious! Hallmark Channel’s next Fall Into Love movie turns to the Bard for its romantic inspiration. Some of my favorite modern movies and television episodes inspired by William Shakespeare include She’s the Man, 10 Things I Hate About You, Kiss Me, Kate and Moonlighting’s classic “Atomic Shakespeare” episode.

Hallmark now takes a page from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with Much About Love, starring Ashley Williams—who also serves as an executive producer—and Niall Matter. The movie reunites the pair after they previously starred together in 2020’s Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater.

Read on for everything to know about Much About Love, and don’t miss Parade’s exclusive sneak peek!

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What is Hallmark’s Much About Love about?

A TV director (Williams) returns to her theater roots for a Shakespeare festival and runs into an old flame (Matter), rekindling a merry war of wits in this modern retelling of “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Where was Much About Love filmed?

Much About Love was filmed on location in London, Ontario, Canada and surrounding areas.

Who’s in the cast of Much About Love? Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams as Bea

Williams has starred in several Hallmark Channel movies, including the Sister Swap movies opposite her real-life sister, Kimberly Williams-Paisley. She came up with the idea for Hallmark Media’s “Make Her Mark” initiative, an on-the-job mentoring program where aspiring female filmmakers shadow more experienced directors and producers on the production of a Hallmark movie, with the intention that they will direct their own Hallmark film in the near future. The first recipient was Signed, Sealed, Delivered‘s Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe.

Related: Allison Sweeney and Ashley Williams Team-Up for To Barcelona, With Love

Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Niall Matter as Benny

Matter is a regular at Hallmark Channel and a well-adored fan favorite. The Eureka actor previously starred in the Aurora Teagarden mystery movies and the Finding Father Christmas trilogy of movies opposite When Calls the Heart‘s Erin Krakow. He previously headlined the series, Primeval: New World which also starred Hallmark alums, Sarah Canning, Geoff Gustafson, Miranda Frigon and Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe. He most recently appeared in the Providence Falls trilogy on Hallmark Channel.

Related: A Man From the 18th Century Finds Himself in 2022 in Hallmark Mystery’s Rip in Time

When does Much About Love premiere?

Much About Love premieres on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and can be streamed the next day on Hallmark+.

Does Parade have a sneak peek of Much About Love?

Yes! Check out this Parade exclusive sneak peek of Much About Love below:

PARADE Exclusive – Much About Love (Sneak Peek) (0:51) Check out images from Much About Love

Take a look at some select images from Much About Love in the gallery below.

Much About LoveHallmark Media

Niall Matter, Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Lindura Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Lindura Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Cody Ray Thompson Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams, Gabriel Burrafato, Jennifer Dale Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Lindura, Johnathan Sousa, Moni Ogunsuyi Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Gabriel Burrafato, Jennifer Dale Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Lindura, Moni Ogunsuyi, Johnathan Sousa, Cody Ray Thompson Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Niall Matter, Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Niall Matter, Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams, Cody Ray Thompson, Paul Braunstein, Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Moni Ogunsuyi, Ashley Williams, Paul Braunstein Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Johnathan Sousa, Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Oliver Martier

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Ashley Williams Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

Niall Matter Credit: ©2026 Hallmark Media

Hallmark Media

A love song doesn’t have to be all sweet and saccharine. It can be dark, seductive, and crushingly heavy like Type O Negative’s “Love You to Death,” which Revolver readers just ranked as the No. 1 greatest metal love song of all time.

“There really can’t be another No. 1, can there?” the magazine wrote. “When it comes to love and metal, Peter Steele is the guy, and while there’re plenty of lustful goth-metal gems in Type O’s catalog, it would be wrong if ‘Love You to Death’ didn’t take the top spot here.”

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Released in August 1996, “Love You to Death” appeared on the band’s fourth studio album, October Rust. The song itself—a Gothic love song with vampiric seduction and devotion—is widely regarded as one of frontman Steele’s signature compositions.

“The first thing Peter played us was ‘Love You to Death,’” drummer Johnny Kelly said of the album’s origins. “I thought it was brilliant from the get-go. He didn’t have all the lyrics, but he had the vocal melody line, and he was humming as he played. We all went, ‘Well, if this is what the rest of the record is like, we’re gonna be fine.’”

“At once gloomy and glistening, the music sets a carnal mood that Steele leans all the way into, issuing such devotional poeticisms as, ‘I beg to serve, your wish is my law / Now close those eyes and let me love you to death,’” the magazine wrote.

In a nod to Pink Floyd, he turned a lyric from the prog-rock legends’ “Comfortably Numb” that says, “Your lips move, but I can’t hear what you’re saying,” into, “Her hips move, and I can feel what they’re saying, swaying.”

“I’ve always been very sensitive,” Steele said in an Aquarian “lost interview” published in May 2010, speaking about his reputation as an “incurable romantic.” “That’s always contrasted greatly with my physical appearance. Sometimes people are taken aback by the contrast, which I find pleasing. Someone big is expected to act a certain way. But when I act nice, I’ve become a good actor (insert sarcasm), people are impressed.”

Formed in 1989, the Brooklyn metal band started as a metal-punk outfit, making their record debut with 1991’s Slow, Deep and Hard.

According to Songfacts, their sound softened a touch with their 1993 album Blood Kisses, a commercial hit that achieved platinum certification, with its tracks “Christian Woman” and “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” becoming staples of the band’s catalog.

Their third album, October Rust, leaned even harder into sensuality, with “Love You to Death” becoming one of Type O Negative’s signature tracks. Unfortunately, their success was short-lived. The group permanently disbanded in 2010, following the death of Steele, who passed away on April 14, 2010, at age 48.

These days, however, band members Kelly and Kenny Hickey continue to keep the band’s and Steele’s legacies alive. They are reportedly working on a live album, a full-length concert recording they hope to get out later this year.

In 2020, Kelly told Billboard he still missed Stelle but felt his bandmate remained part of the conversation, adding, “His name always comes up. I’m glad that I’m still connected to him in that way, but 10 years ago, I never would have thought that people would remember Type O Negative.”

Related: 2000 Song, Featuring a Tool Legend, Voted Greatest Heavy Metal Duet of All Time

Tributes to Dolly Parton have poured in since her death, with celebrities across the country celebrating her talent, humor, and remarkable kindness. But when Katy Perry took the stage to share her own remembrance, one part of her tribute quickly drew a very different response.

The “Roar” singer is facing backlash after an onstage tribute to Parton struck some fans as flippant before turning heartfelt. Perry, 41, addressed the crowd at the National Fair of San Luis Potosí in Mexico after Parton died at 80 on Tuesday, August 25. The pop star praised the country legend’s talent and kindness, but her opening comment about Parton’s body overshadowed the rest of the tribute for some fans.

What Did Katy Perry Say About Dolly Parton? @pagesix

Katy Perry paid tribute to Dolly Parton at her most recent concert 💕🎶

♬ original sound – Page Six

“She had both big boobs, big brains, and a big voice in one body,” Perry said on stage, per the TikTok video shared by Page Six. “And on top of that, the biggest thing that she did was that she was constantly kind. She was kind to everyone.”

Several viewers felt Perry’s opening description was inappropriate for a memorial tribute.

“That’s the way to honor her? Start off by saying big boobs, big brain & big voice? 💀 Very ignorant. This did not feel genuine at all,” one person wrote. “dolly been that combo her whole life and katy announcing it on stage is so unnecessary,” wrote another.

Another asked, “Why not say she had a big heart! That was who she really was.” An additional commenter wrote, “It’s so performative.”

One viewer also referenced Perry’s Blue Origin flight, writing, “And she never had to pretend to be an astronaut for us to like her.”

What Did Katy Perry Say After Dolly Parton’s Death? View this post on Instagram

Perry shared a longer tribute on Instagram with photos and videos from their time together. She wrote that her heart sank when she learned of Parton’s death and recalled the singer as joyful, funny, and generous.

“Dolly was glam, funny, and kind as [Expletive]. Her star will forever shine bright, and I bet you she’s already remodeling them pearly gates with rhinestones. We will always love you, Dolly,” Perry wrote.

At a Los Angeles concert film premiere one day later, Perry described Parton as a light and praised the example she set: “She was an earth angel. I think her legacy is one to follow and look up to forever, and I think it’s just going to continue to expand. I think everyone should emulate her. She’s the bar.”

Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an emotional statement on Instagram on Tuesday, August 25.

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Her representatives later told People that she died following a brief battle with cancer. The type of cancer was not disclosed.