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Lionel Richie loves to be in the spotlight, and just days after a hospital scare rattled his fans, the music icon made a triumphant return to the stage for his fans. 

The 77-year-old music icon took over the stage on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh for his first concert since the hospitalization as per TribLive. The show, held at PPG Paints Arena, was part of his "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour alongside Earth, Wind & Fire. From his playful banter to crooning his biggest hits, Richie made it clear he was fully back.

A Lighthearted Return to The Stage

The Grammy winner made no effort to gloss over the scare. "I had you worried there for a minute, huh?" he asked the crowd.  "You have no idea what I have been through in the last 24 hours, listening to my friends tell me their advice on what I should be doing."

By his own admission, he'd waved off everyone telling him to stay home and rest, and the fans in Pittsburgh reaped the rewards. The American Idol judge moved through beloved tracks, including Hello and Running with the Night, then dipped into his Commodores catalog with Easy and Three Times a Lady from his years leading the band.

The good humor stuck around all night. Diving into the 1977 Commodores favorite "Brick House," Richie ribbed the audience, "I have the best seat in the house. I see everything. And that was absolutely the nastiest dancing I've ever seen in my life. If the grandchildren and the children could see Mom and Dad in this condition...", as per Tribune Live.

Inside the Onstage Scare That Cut His Set Short View this post on Instagram

His return to stage came on the heels of a scare that unfolded on the very first night of the tour.  Richie cut things short at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, after admitting to the crowd that he felt "dizzy" and "strange." He was rushed to a hospital soon after, as per a June 25 TMZ report.

Video from that evening showed him performing "Dancing on the Ceiling" from a seated position, a first for the track. "What I have learned about my years of being in the business. When you are feeling dizzy, sit your [Expletive] down. And when you are feeling strange about yourself, sit your [Expletive] down!" he told the audience, as per WSVN. 

He added with a laugh, "Now, I want you to know, that's the first time in the history of 'Dancing on the Ceiling' I've done it sitting down. That's a bad sign, y'all."

He returned to the piano once more for "Three Times a Lady" before slipping into an early intermission. Not long after, saxophonist Dino Soldo had to intervene and tell the crowd that Richie was done for the night.

His manager, John Paris, shared an update shortly after, telling the Minnesota Star Tribune that Richie was just "a little dehydrated." 

As a precaution, the tour pushed back his next two dates, Friday, June 26 in Chicago and Saturday, June 27 in Columbus, Ohio. "Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows," Live Nation said in a official statement, noting that he and Earth, Wind & Fire would take the stage again Tuesday, June 30 in Pittsburgh.

"Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes fans who have tickets for these two shows. Rescheduled dates will be announced soon."

The music legend is back on his feet, back in his element, and clearly nowhere near done!

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Sure, round watches have their place, but a rectangular watch is an elegant staple that will never go out of style. This style of watch looks so classic, and you can wear it with anything in your closet. Fortunately, we found the perfect one on ShopHQ that looks just like a luxury watch for hundreds less. Even better, the Invicta Women's 25mm Celestial Quartz Rectangle Bracelet Watch is just $43 at ShopHQ until July 2 as part of the retailer’s flash sale. All Invicta watches and jewelry are 15% off until midnight.

Invicta Women's 25mm Celestial Quartz Rectangle Bracelet Watch, $43 (was $395) at ShopHQ

Courtesy of ShopHQ

The watch’s rectangular case and stunning gold-link bracelet make it look like it came straight from an antique shop. We’re obsessed with its rose gold colorway, but it is actually available in five more that you can wear all summer too: gold, silver/blue, gold/green, rose/pink, and silver/black. The silver/purple and silver/beige colorways are already sold out, so don’t wait to grab one if you’re eyeing this watch. 

Take an extra 15% off all Invicta Watches & Jewelry through July 2nd

The dial colors vary depending on which you choose, but the minimalist layout is the same for all. Each dial has Roman numerals at each hour and slender hands that track the time down to the second. In addition to the numerous color choices, another bonus is that it’s a petite watch. 

Related: Invicta's Sleek and Classic Watch Looks So High End, and It's Now 85% Off

Its stainless steel bracelet case is just 25 millimeters, so it will be relatively lightweight and easy to wear every day. In addition, the 16-millimeter bracelet fits wrist sizes up to 8.

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Summer is here, and you need a chic watch fit for the season that you can wear every day. This sleek, vintage-inspired Invicta Celestial watch is that accessory. Grab one for yourself or as a gift for a loved one while it’s just $43 before the promo ends July 2. 

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It's not every day you see a mosh pit full of concert-goers dancing to Taylor Swift's music, but The Offspring managed to make it happen.

Last week, the iconic '90s band, known for hit songs like "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)," "Why Don't You Get a Job?" and "The Kids Aren't Alright," took the stage at Hellfest in France. However, in addition to playing their classics, the rock group blew fans away with a cover of Swift's beloved 2008 song, "Love Story." They didn't stop there, though. The band, led by singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland, proceeded to incite the "biggest mosh pit to a Taylor Swift song ever.”

“We’re going to have the biggest mosh pit to a Taylor Swift song ever,” Holland told the crowd, NME reported. “You guys are going to help us, we’re going to make history tonight.”

Caught on video, the band knocked it out of the park. Watch the attendees having the time of their lives in the pit below:

View this post on Instagram

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Holland Returned to His Alma Mater to Give a Commencement Speech

Last month, Holland took a quick break from touring to return to his alma mater, the University of Southern California Dornsife, to deliver the commencement speech. Holland, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 1988, a master’s degree in molecular biology in 1990, and a PhD in molecular biology in 2017, spoke of straddling both his musical and academic passions.

“My story has had both a musical side and a scientific side,” Holland said in the speech. “I had these two great loves, how would I decide? Well, as foolish as it sounds, I decided to pursue both. I believe that there’s an intersection between art and science. And that even in our scientific field we draw upon our creativity.”

How Did Bryan 'Dexter' Holland Get His Nickname?

Thanks to his prolific academic background, Holland planned to be a physician. His love of academics earned him the nickname “Poindexter.” When he started to hit the stage as a musician, it was shortened to Dexter.

Related: What Taylor Swift Song Are You, Based on Birth Date

Happy birthday to July babies! This month brings us two distinct July birth flowers: the tall, colorful larkspur and the elegant water lily. These blooms represent midsummer's beauty and carry interesting symbolism and history.

Parade spoke to two floral experts to get the inside scoop on the July birth month flowers, as well as how to best care for them.

Whether your own birthday falls in this month and you want to learn more about the meaning behind your designated flowers, or you have loved ones you want to celebrate, you'll find plenty of fascinating and helpful information here. (Plus, we have some gorgeous inspiration for July birth flower tattoos!)

Related: Independence Day, Hot Dog Day, Ice Cream Month and More! Here Are the July Holidays and Observances

What Is the July Birth Flower?

Hannah Bonham Blackwell, founder and Lead Creative Director at Southside Blooms explains July's floral pairing: "July has two birth flowers: larkspur and water lilies."

These blooms capture the essence of the season. Blackwell notes, "Both larkspur and water lilies reflect July's bright, sunny, happy days and can bring a touch of wild nature into your home."

What Does the Larkspur Symbolize?

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Larkspur is rich in symbolism. Carmela de Castro, owner of Orchid Republic Floral Boutique, describes its significance: "As a summer flower, it represents lightness, pure fun and a desire for laughter. But, generally, they represent strong bonds of love, affection and dedication."

The color of larkspur can change its meaning.

"For instance, white larkspurs symbolize pure happiness, while pink larkspurs represent fickleness and purple larkspurs are associated with first love," De Castro explains.

"Larkspur is the perfect birthday flower gift because they symbolize joy, love and affection," Blackwell adds. "Some say these flowers can also represent carefree levity, bravery or protection."

Related: 25 Types of Pink Flowers To Brighten Up Your Garden

Larkspur in History

The name "Larkspur" has an interesting origin. Blackwell shares, "The name 'Larkspur' comes from the Tudor era (between 1845 and 1603). The Tudors, a ruling family in England, reportedly decided the flower looked like a lark's spur."

Larkspur has played various roles throughout history.

"The flower became popular in English gardens in the mid-1500s in large part due to superstition that it could keep ghosts and evil spirits away," Blackwell continues. "Throughout the centuries, it's also been used to make dye."

De Castro adds some historical uses: "In the early days, Native Americans used its blue and indigo petals to create blue dye, while European settlers used the ground-up flowers as ink."

She also mentions a mythological connection: "It's most well-known for its connection to the Battle of Troy. According to Greek mythology, Ajax became enraged after the armor of the fallen Achilles was awarded to Ulysses instead of him. He threw himself on his sword, and larkspurs bloomed on the ground where Ajax's blood was spilled."

Related: 28 Different Types of Gorgeous Orchids for Your Home or Garden

How To Care for Larkspur

To keep larkspur fresh, Blackwell advises: "Cut larkspur last five to seven days in a vase. You'll want to change the water daily and give the stems a tiny diagonal trim each time. Avoid putting your vase in direct sunlight."

She also warns, "It's very important to keep larkspur away from fruit bowls. Ripening fruits release ethylene, which can cause your cut flowers to wilt before their time. Larkspur is especially sensitive to ethylene."

"Place them in a clean vase with cool but not cold water," De Castro adds. "Warm water can encourage bacterial growth, while cold water can be harder for the stems to absorb."

She continues, "Although larkspurs need at least six hours of sunlight daily while growing, once cut, they need to be kept away from direct sunlight—this helps them stay hydrated and prevents wilting."

Related: The Month of May Has 2 Birth Flowers To Choose From—Here's What They Symbolize

What Does the Water Lily Symbolize?

iStock

The water lily, July's second birth flower, has its own symbolism.

"If you want to celebrate someone's birthday who has made a major life change in the past year, the water lily may be the perfect flower to gift," Blackwell says. "That's because it symbolizes rebirth and renewal and can also represent spiritual awakening."

De Castro elaborates, "It has become a powerful symbol in many religions—it's closely tied to resurrection and rebirth. Because water lilies rise from murky water with beautiful blooms, they can also represent achieving spiritual enlightenment. This is especially true in Buddhism and Hinduism."

Related: 25 Gorgeous Flowers and Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

Water Lilies in History

Water lilies have a long history. Blackwell notes, "Ancient Egyptians used water lilies in religious ceremonies. They believed the flowers had calming psychoactive influences. There is a lot of myth behind them across cultures and religions."

"Water lilies have been around since the age of dinosaurs. [Their] imagery appears on Mayan stelae, murals and hieroglyphs, even in places where they wouldn't naturally grow," De Castro adds. "Some Native American tales depict the water lily as a fallen star, forever transformed into a beautiful flower upon touching the water."

This particular flower has also inspired artists. "The water lily has inspired countless artists," De Castro mentions. "Claude Monet was fond of them and had built his own water lily ponds; his famous water lily paintings have become some of the most iconic images of impressionism."

Related: 16 Different Types of Edible Flowers You Can Add to Your Garden

How To Care for Water Lilies

"These are typically outdoor plants but you can still have the smaller varieties indoors," De Castro says. "Use a wide, shallow container to allow for leaf spread."

She emphasizes light and temperature needs:

"Water lilies still need significant sunlight indoors. Aim for at least 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily through a south-facing window. The tropical varieties need water temperatures above 70°F (21°C) to thrive. Consider an aquarium heater to regulate water temperature. Hardy varieties can tolerate room temperature (around 68°F, 20°C)."

For cut water lilies, Blackwell explains, "Water lilies aren't often used as a cut flower and need to be harvested at just the right time to give optimal vase life. Their funky, thick stems can add a really cool visual element so make them a part of the design with a nice clear glass vase."

"Keep them cool and well hydrated, after all, water is in their name!" she adds.

Related: What Is the April Birth Flower? Celebrate April Birthdays With This Fabulous Bloom

July Birth Flower Tattoo IdeasLarkspur @ma.ra.tattoo

#floraltattoo #tattoo #colortattoo #tattooprocess #tattooatlanta #tattoofeminina #smalltattoo #daintytattoos #tattooforgirls #larkspurtattoo

♬ original sound - Maria @blackpear_ink

Larkspur for Jasmin on her birthday 🎂 Done by single needle 🪡 . . . . . #larkspurtattoo #floraltattoo #flowertattoo #birthflowertattoo #armtattoo #singelneedletattoo #linetattoo #niagarafalls #niagarafallsartist #niagarafallstattoo #niagara #niagaratattoo #girlstattoo #girlwhotattoo #femaletattooartist #spiritualtattoo #finelinetattoo #tattooinspiration #blacktattoo #lineworktattoo #torontotattoo #minimalisttattoo #daintytattoo

♬ original sound - blackpear _ink Water Lily @bellaroseart__

Custom tattoos #tattoos #tattoodesign #waterlily

♬ original sound - Bella - Tattoo Artist @iconiktattoos

Loved doing this lil july piece🫶🏻 #fyp #foryou #tattoo #tattootok #julybirthmonth #julytattoo #tattooinspiration #viralvideo #sarasotaflorida #waterlily #waterlilytattoo #fypシ #finelinetattoo #floraltattoo #femaletattooartist #femininetattoo

♬ idyll - jonjthan @christinaphungtattoos

Water lily 🪷 Got to tattoo this pretty lil' thing for my recent giveaway winner! It was her very first tattoo and needless to say, she'll be coming back for more! Thank you Rochelle for your trust. I can't wait to add on to this! 🤍 #finelinetattoo #minimaltattoo #aesthetictattoo #finelinetattooartist #tattooinspo #tattoo #tattoos #tattooart #tattooartist #tattooideas #tattoodesigns #lasvegastattoos #lasvegastattooartist #vegastattoos #tattoostyle #floraltattoo #floraldesign

♬ The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette) - ODESZA

Related: What Is the March Birth Flower? Celebrate March Birthdays With This Beautiful Bloom

Sources

• Hannah Bonham Blackwell, founder and Lead Creative Director at Southside Blooms.
• Carmela de Castro, owner of Orchid Republic Floral Boutique.

Small towns are known for their close-knit communities, but they’re also known for their dark and twisted secrets. Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox brings just that and so much more.

After the success of Party of Liars, readers are certainly excited about Cox’s sophomore novel. For many, just the idea of small-town disappearances and pageants is all they need to know to delve straight into the novel. And there’s no doubt that the darkly beautiful cover also pulls readers in.

Pretty Dead Things is coming out on July 7, 2026, and is mostly set in 2025, but there are elements that give us a glimpse of events 25 years earlier. In 2000, Isabelle Whitmore vanished from Sherman Ranch in Anhalt, Texas. Despite the searches for her, she was never found. There were no traces of anything that could have happened to her, and it’s a dark story that the entire town has been shrouded in since.

Now, it’s 2025, and The Lone Star Princess Pageant is about to begin. In previous years, this pageant has gone without a hitch. This year is different. Not only is the competition stiffer than ever, but Ingrid Whitmore has returned.

Ingrid hadn’t been seen since her sister’s disappearance, but her mom is ill, and she needs to be home. This just happens to coincide with the construction crew getting ready to dig up the Sherman Ranch, and that could mean a body is discovered.

Pretty Dead Things is told across multiple POVs, covering both the adults who were just teenagers when Izzy disappeared and the children of those adults, as they prepare for the pageant. Secrets are about to come out, and old demons are coming out of the woodwork. With resentments reaching their boiling point, there’s no telling what could happen, except that there’s going to be at least one death!

Parade has an exclusive excerpt from Pretty Dead Things, picking up with the fourth chapter told from Ingrid’s perspective as she returns home. Don’t worry; it doesn’t give too much of the plot away, but the thrilling ending is certainly going to give you goosebumps.

Chapter Four 

Ingrid 

Five Days Before the Pageant 

Show up for the big things. That’s what my husband, Joel, always says. And it says a lot about where things stand with us that he isn’t here with me now. 

You can forget to text people back, cancel on happy hour, even blow off a birthday party every once in a while. But you show up for the big things—weddings, funerals, the births of babies. Because these are linchpin moments in a person’s life, moments when their identity shifts, when they become a new version of themselves, forever changed. And when you love someone, you show up to witness the change, to meet the new version so you can keep moving forward with them. 

So that’s what I’m doing. I’m showing up. I’m coming back home  to Anhalt, Texas. 

When my plane landed, I had another text from Dad, asking  one last time if I needed him to pick me up at the airport. But I’d  already reserved a rental car, the exact same make and model that  I own back in Colorado, because I don’t like driving a car I don’t  know. 

The drive from the Austin airport to Anhalt—about an hour west, along the Blanco River where the hills start to rise—is almost unrecognizable from the one I used to make years ago, after I first left home. Back then, the city fell away right after the airport—no  Tesla factory, no Amazon facility, no cookie-cutter subdivisions yet.  Just fields, mesquite, and sky. But every time I visit, the city has expanded, bleeding into the nearby towns—Buda, Kyle, even Dripping  Springs—encroaching closer to our little rural community. As I pull into town, I pass under a banner for the fiftieth annual lone star princess pageant, strung between Herman Smith’s boot shop and a new Aveda hair salon where Timeless Treasures used to be.  Back then, Mom dragged us there every Saturday, always on the hunt for something pretty to clutter up her already cluttered display cabinets. That’s where, on a whim, she bought me my first film camera, a 35mm Canon AE-1, which I used all through high school to snap photos of Izzy and me and all our friends. 

The Dairy Queen is gone now too, where in the parking lot out back, Jimmy Marino tried to get to second base. Y’all might look the same, but you’re cuter than your sister, he had said as his hand slid up my shirt. It was exactly what I wanted him to think, but not what I wanted him to say. It’s a drive-through smoothie place now,  touting acai bowls and fresh-pressed juices. They’ve repurposed the old DQ sign—the shape of something that once was, with something new plastered on top. 

I hate coming back home. I hate seeing the things that have  changed. And, probably even more, I hate the things that have stayed  the same. Everything’s a trigger, memories come like buckshot, little  pellets of remembering that burrow deep beneath my skin. 

So I’ve found excuses to avoid it these last few years, and before that, my trips have always been short. A few days for Christmas or a cousin’s wedding. In and out. 

And up until now, I’ve always had Joel by my side, a layer of protection, a separation between the person I was when I lived here and the person I am now. 

Mom has kept me up to date on the town’s changes. But it’s still odd to see. The woods have been dug up away from the narrow roads, streets widened, construction cones warning of the town’s hollowing. 

And, of course, there’s the new housing development. They sold the Sherman land, Mom had said one day on the phone. Oh? I’d said. 

They’re going to put a bunch of new houses there. They started digging. And before either of us could express what exactly that might mean, she told me about the newly painted benches at the library, and we didn’t say anything more about the Sherman land. We didn’t say Izzy’s name. But she was there anyway, like she always is, the oxidized layers of an antique mirror splotching the surface of our lives. 

I pass the developer’s signpost, announcing, sherman ranch.  build on your own lot! riverfront property available. I  can’t help but look over as I nudge through traffic that didn’t used  to be here when I was a kid. Trees have been swept away, wild earth leveled into neat, flat parcels. A few houses stand in various stages of completion. 

The construction vehicles tear the earth apart just outside my window, beeping, rolling, digging, tracks grinding over dry dirt. I  watch as an excavator jerks, like an animal being shoved forward against its will, before its metal teeth muscle down, audibly straining as the ground breaks and gives way. Its neck lifts, its mouth full. The long yellow arm spins and releases a bucketful of soil and chunks of limestone, white as bone. It gnaws into the earth again.  And again. And it groans. It gnaws at me—the sound—all those gears crunching, all that unearthing. 

I jump at the sound of a horn. I’ve missed the light turning green, and the rusty pickup behind me is annoyed. I look in the rearview to wave an apology and lock eyes with the driver. 

It’s him. It’s been twenty-five years, he’s let his hair get long and  scraggly, he’s grown a beard, but I would recognize Ben Sherman anywhere.

And he recognizes me. 

I know that for sure, because he’s looking at me now like he’s seeing a ghost. 

I stare back, certain I’m looking at a killer.

Pretty Dead Things will be published on July 7, 2026, and is a thriller perfect for the summer.

With a string of hits and millions of fans around the world, one rock star’s fame didn’t always land at home the way it did with the rest of the world. That changed when one of her favorite musicians covered one of his songs, and she saw his work in a whole new light.

Jon Bon Joviwas on top of the world in the early 1990s, after almost a decade in the spotlight. By then, Bon Jovi had become one of the defining rock bands of the era, packing arenas and dominating radio with a string of massive hits.

However, none of that mattered to his wife and high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley. Fame and success didn’t carry much weight at home, where life was kept refreshingly grounded despite his global superstardom.

In fact, Hurley was so unimpressed by Bon Jovi's success, that it barely registered in their day-to-day life. That was until a favorite alternative rock artist gave one of his songs a new life with an unexpected cover.

Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, ”She’s very independent. Very independent. Her musical tastes are very alternative, and she thinks radio and MTV are bull."

He added, "Couldn’t care less! Her favorite is Elvis Costello. When Elvis covered my song ‘Bad Medicine,’ she was impressed. I was impressed!”

Bon Jovi and Hurley were married on April 29, 1989, in a quiet Las Vegas ceremony. The wedding was kept low-key and came as a surprise to many fans at the time.

Despite his growing fame, life at home stayed relatively normal, with little interest placed on his celebrity status. That balance would remain a defining part of their relationship as his career continued to soar.

"If you think I was ever gonna jeopardize anything for believing the narcissist in me was real? What a stupid thing to do. What kind of excess does a man need that's gonna fuel that fire. It is just not worth it. Not worth it," he told Good Morning America.

The couple maintains a New Jersey residence as well as a home in Florida. They are parents to four children: Stephanie, Jesse, Jake, and Romeo and grandparents of two.

Related: 2000 Rock Anthem, Which Revived a Legendary Band’s Career, Marks Massive Streaming Milestone

John Dutton originally had a very different fate in the Yellowstoneuniverse.

Series co-creator Taylor Sheridan revealed how Kevin Costner's character was originally meant to exit the hit Paramount Network drama during the Sunday, June 28, episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, revealing that the Dutton family patriarch had a much earlier departure initially planned for him.

"Kevin was only supposed to be in the first three seasons," Sheridan revealed. "That was in his contract. In my mind, that's when his youngest son takes over, and then we have to watch [them] lose that ranch, or not lose the ranch, whatever the case is going to be."

And while Costner was "ready to go" by the end of Season 3, Sheridan said the network was "scared" not to have the Academy Award-winning actor on the show.

"He had other things he wanted to do, but he stayed on for another two seasons, and that was just because the show was such [a] behemoth," Sheridan explained. "It was such a huge hit that the notion of giving up a hit before it had run out of juice to squeeze is very foreign to a network."

He continued, "There was even pressure from some of the cable companies wanting to put it in their deals, that they were going to get an X number of seasons of Yellowstone to re-up what this cable company is. That's the power of a really big hit show."

Ultimately, Costner hit a point where he said, "I gotta do my own thing," Sheridan recalled. "We had originally conceived it together that it was three seasons, and then the baton is handed. I thought it wouldn't have been better for the show because we had tried to tread water for a bit there. I think it was pretty evident."

After Costner confirmed in 2024 that he would be exiting Yellowstone to pursue his own film project, Horizon: An American Saga, John Dutton was killed off in the opening moments of the Season 5 midseason premiere.

Costner's exit was surrounded by reports of scheduling and production conflicts, and Sheridan previously told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that he was "disappointed" in Costner’s decision to leave, as it "truncates the closure of his character."

In 1984, John “Cougar” Mellencamp was at the height of his fame with his album Uh-Huh. The Indiana-born heartland rocker had a hit with the song “Pink Houses,” which climbed the charts to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Feb. 11, 1984.

Featuring a laid-back guitar riff, harmonica, and a chorus that proclaimed, “Ain’t that America, you and me/Ain’t that America, home of the free,” the song appeared to be a patriotic look at the U.S.A. at first listen.

But "Pink Houses” actually made The Hollywood Reporter’s list of  “America’s Most Patriotic (and Unpatriotic) Musical Offerings”—with an emphasis on “unpatriotic.” That’s because Mellencamp meant the song to be a look at the broken American dream.

Speaking with Rolling Stonein 2013, Mellencamp revealed he was inspired to write the future hit when he was driving down Interstate 65 and saw a Black man sitting outside of a pink house watching the cars go by.

“I thought, ‘Wow, is this what life can lead to? Watching the f---ing cars go by on the interstate?' Then I imagined he wasn't isolated, but he was happy. So I went with that positive route when I wrote this song."

Still, the rocker admitted the song was often misunderstood.

“This one has been misconstrued over the years because of the chorus – it sounds very rah-rah,” Mellencamp noted. “But it's really an anti-American song. The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in.”

While “Pink Houses” features three verses, with the final stanza about working to pay the bills, Mellencamp once told American Songwriter he sometimes felt there were “holes” in the song.

“I’ll hear a song I wrote many years ago called ‘Pink Houses’ on the radio, and I’ll think, ‘Man, I wish I would have spent a little more time on the last verse,'" he admitted. “I never really view my songs as done. I just think they’re abandoned. You think, ‘Okay, well, I’m in the studio now, and now it’s time to think about what the guitar player is going to do, and what the bass player is going to do, and what the drummer’s going to do.’ So once you get to that point, the song is pretty much abandoned.”

Related: 1983 Classic Rock Hit, Inspired by a Motorcycle Trip, Remains an Anthem for the Open Road 43 Years Later

Collaborations in rock music really run the gamut. Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" hit No. 1 in 1981 and makes regular returns to pop culture via films and TV shows, while Lou Reed's collaboration with Metallica on Lulu is considered one of the most polarizing collaborations of all time. And then there are the ones we never expected, but delight us all the same.

That seems to be the reception for The Rolling Stones' recent collaboration with The Cure's Robert Smith for their newest album, Foreign Tongues, set to be released on July 10. After all, the two rock behemoths have left their mark on the music industry for decades, and in a way, it only seems natural. However, Smith recently revealed that he certainly never had it on his bingo card.

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Related: 1981 The Rolling Stones Stadium Anthem Originally Started Life as a Reggae Track

How the Collaboration Came to Be

During a recent interview on the official Stones podcast, Speaking in Tongues, NME reported that Smith admitted he wasn't expecting anything to come from his meeting with the famous producer Andrew Watt, who was working on the Stones' upcoming album.

“Andrew Watt and I have kind of exchanged online conversations and phone conversations over the last few years, but we’d never met up,” he recalled. “Every time he’d wash up in London with some big cheese or other, either I wasn’t around, or it just didn’t seem the right time to hang out.”

Watt convinced Smith to come out for a beer while the Stones were recording at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick.

“He said that they’d pretty much done all the tracking and Mick was just left to pick up some vocal stuff,” Smith went on to detail. “He told me the day before, ‘Mick might still be around,’ and I was like, 'You know, that’s OK.'”

Still, Smith was hesitant to intrude on the session.

“I know what it’s like being in the studio, particularly when you’re singing,” he empathized. “The last thing you want is guests. It sounds a bit miserable, but the dynamic and the atmosphere is kind of a really crucial part of what you’re trying to get done. And the worst thing in the world is people bursting in, having a party when you’re trying to do something. So I said I’d wait in the bar until they’d be done.”

But apparently, Jagger was "happy" to have Smith come around and witness the studio magic for himself.

“So I went down, and I walked into the control room and through the glass, there was Mick Jagger singing, which was not what I was expecting at all.”

And that's when the ultimate "right place, right time" event happened. Smith admitted he was getting a bit liberal with the song's suggestions after imbibing, but it worked out in his favor.

“And then out of nowhere [Jagger] said, ‘Do you fancy doing something on the album?’ And I was like, 'Whoa, hang on!' And he said, ‘Oh, play a bit of guitar…’ And I was like, 'Well… I wasn’t really prepared for it.'”

“And so I, much to everyone’s astonishment, said, 'No, no thanks, I can’t do that.' I went up there expecting just to get drunk, really. And I wasn’t expecting to play on a Rolling Stones album.”

Jagger eventually went home, and Smith still found himself at the studio. “And then time elapsed, and I said to Andrew, 'Oh, come on then. Let’s plug a guitar in, and I’ll have a go at some of the songs,'” he revealed. “So I just started playing and, yeah, one thing led to another.”

Related: 1983 British Rock Icon, Who Once Refused to Chase Fame, Now Decides Who Gets the Spotlight

What to Expect From 'Foreign Tongues'

The latest album, Foreign Tongues, promises to be an amalgamation of their decades of playing music together. Aside from Smith, there are several other notable collaborations and important details:

• The band's late drummer, Charlie Watts, will be featured on the album, making it all the more special in light of his death in 2021.
• Steve Winwood plays keys and organ throughout the album, most prominently on their single "Jealous Lover." Anya Taylor-Joy actually ended up starring in the cinematic music video for it.
• Paul McCartneyalso makes a distinguished appearance on the album.
• Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is also featured on the album.
• The Stones also threw in a cover of the Amy Winehouse classic, “You Know I’m No Good.”

While older bands making a major comeback aren't unprecedented, doing so with talent and grace is a thing of beauty. I'll be marking my calendar and counting down the days until July 10.

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It’s not every day that a $215 Walmart cabinet gets compared to a designer piece that costs $2,600, but Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful Drew Rattan 4-Door Buffet Sideboard makes a pretty convincing case. It’s available in two colors: black and warm honey. The black version has a moody, slightly gothic look that makes it feel more elevated than a typical storage cabinet, and the warm honey version offers the same shape and texture with a lighter, more natural feel.

The sideboard measures 70 inches wide, 18.5 inches deep, and 34.25 inches high, making it a great option for a dining room, entryway, living room, or hallway. The four-door design opens to spacious cabinets with adjustable shelves, and it has built-in cable cutaways for managing cords, which is especially helpful if you want to use it as a media console.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Rattan 4-Door Buffet Sideboard, $215 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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At $215, this sideboard is especially well-priced compared to many similar budget-friendly storage cabinets, and it looks much closer to a designer piece than most options in the same range. The arched rattan mesh doors, long 70-inch shape, and hardware give it an uncanny resemblance to a designer cabinet that costs around $2,600, but the Walmart version still has the practical details you’d want for everyday storage, plus a touch-up pen if needed.

One reviewer said the sideboard has a “high-end look” and is “undeniably stunning,” adding, “If you want a designer-inspired piece on a budget, this is an excellent choice.” Another shopper described it as “beautiful” and “very sturdy,” while another wrote, “This piece is absolutely gorgeous! It has a ton of room for storage.”

The black finish is the better choice if you want the sideboard to feel moodier and more expensive-looking, while the warm honey finish gives the same rattan detail a lighter look. It’s also versatile enough to use beyond a dining room. It can hold extra linens, dishes, games, electronics, or anything else you want tucked away, which makes it just as practical in a living room or entryway as it is near a dining table.

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• Beautiful Barrymore Teddy Accent Chair, $168 (was $211) at Walmart
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Related: Drew Barrymore's 'Luxurious' 2-Piece Curved Dining Chairs Set Adds Timeless Style to Any Table

The Beautiful Drew Rattan 4-Door Buffet Sideboard offers the look of a piece that could cost far more, but the four cabinets, adjustable shelves, and cable cutaways make it super practical for everyday use, too. At $215, this is a must-see find for anyone who wants more storage without settling for something that looks basic. Snag yours now while it’s still in stock at Walmart.

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It’s time to add a little more magic to your life, as Spotify and Pottermore Publishing have combined to bring an offer listeners cannot miss. All seven Harry Potter books are heading to Spotify Premium, so you can listen to them with the hours you get available each month.

It’s not just the seven Harry Potter books either. You can now also listen to The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages.

For now, it’s only the English-language versions of the audiobooks. Across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Europe, the version narrated by Stephen Fry will be available, and you’re looking for the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. If you prefer Jim Dale’s narration, that will be available for those across North America, and you’re looking for the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. They’re both the same story!

You can also still purchase the audiobooks if you’d like! When you listen to purchased books, the hours aren’t counted against your Premium available listening hours. When you download the Harry Potter books with your Premium subscription, you get around 15 hours per month — and Spotify can change that depending on your usage. Additional hours are available to purchase.

Courtesy of Spotify

As for the other magical universe books, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is narrated by Jude Law, Norma Dumezweni, and Bonnie Wright, among others. Eddie Redmayne narrates the first Fantastic Beasts book, and Andrew Lincoln takes on the narrating duties for the book that’s all about the fantastic sport of Quidditch.

Of course, if you still need more to immerse yourself in the Wizarding World, all the Harry Potter movie soundtracks are available through Spotify. You can listen to as much or as little of them as you like each month with your subscriptions.

This is the first time that the books, set within the Wizarding World by J.K. Rowling, have been available as part of Spotify Premium.

The full-cast narrations of the Harry Potter series remain exclusive to Audible.

Nancy Lee Grahn has portrayed Alexis Davis on General Hospital since 1996. The 70-year-old icon recently spoke about her experience acting on daytime television for 40 years during the “Soapy” podcast, pointing out one major problem she has with the way many people speak about soaps.

“I don't like when people go, ‘This is a training ground. It's a great training ground for actors,'” Grahn said in the June 30 episode, as reported by PEOPLE. “It's a f---ing war zone, man. You better know what you're doing because you won't last.”

Related: David Foster’s Daughter, 45, Defends His Age-Gap Relationship With Katharine McPhee, 42

Rebecca Budig, one of the cohosts of the podcast, who stars on The Bold and the Beautiful, agreed with the statement. “You're not training there,” she said. “Train outside, then come in, and if you're actually prepped and prepared, you can do it.”

Grahn added, “The repetition of doing it every day does make you a better actor, and so in that regard, it is great training. But training ground? No, no, no, no.”

Grahn also revealed that she recently signed on for a few more years of General Hospital. “I just re-signed my contract — another three years, and I’m so grateful for this part of my life,” she said. “It’s such a great job.”

Related: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Stars Filmed Their On-Screen Breakup Only Weeks After Their Real Breakup

Grahn concluded by saying more people should be watching soaps “right now more than ever because it's familiar, it's consistent, it's dependable, it's harmless.”

Grahn won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on General Hospital and was nominated 11 times overall. Some of her other credits include Babylon 5, Little House on the Prairie, Knight Rider, and Santa Barbara.

“I thought, ‘I'd have to have Murphy Brown's part to have a better part than I had on Santa Barbara,'” she stated, calling her time there “a very special growth time.” While working on the series, she earned another Daytime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Julia Wainwright Capwell.

The “Soapy” podcast, which releases new episodes every Tuesday, delves into behind-the-scenes-secrets and insider stories about soap operas from actors, writers, and producers. It is hosted by Budig and Greg Rikaart, from Days of Our Lives.

Anne Hathaway is already showcasing her chic maternity style!

The 43-year-old actress, who announced she was expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman less than two weeks ago, highlighted her growing baby bump in a fiery red outfit as she stepped out to kick off the press tour for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey this week.

Hathaway kept it stylish as she was photographed in New York City on Tuesday, June 30, sporting a bright red jumpsuit by Ashlyn New York that showed off her belly with a low waistline. She accessorized the look with a simple gold necklace and red strappy heels.

Anne Hathaway is seen in Financial District on June 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Aeon/GC Images)

The Mother Mary actress, who is also mom to sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, 6, with Shulman, announced on June 19 that she was pregnant with her third child.

Hathaway shared her big baby news on Instagram, sharing a video in which she dropped her arms to reveal her growing bump, clad in a white flowing dress, while "Baby I'm Yours" by Barbara Lewis played. The Verity actress then smiled, hugged her belly, and exited the video. "x Baby, I’m yours x," she simply captioned the post.

The proud mother previously spoke about how much she loves being a mom to her two boys during an interview with PEOPLE in April.

"I just feel very lucky," she told the outlet at the time. "I know that not everybody who wants to be a parent gets to be. I’m just blown away by how fortunate I am. It went really well for me twice, and that’s really lucky." 

Asked about her favorite part of being a mom, Devil Wears Prada star answered, "Being a mom is just this beautiful ongoing poem that I get to live inside of."

Melissa Gilbert is mourning the death of her Little House on the Prairie costar, Michael Landon, 35 years after his death.

On Wednesday, July 1, Gilbert, 62, took to Instagram with a carousel of photos of herself and her former onscreen dad, who died at 54 in 1991, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Landon played Charles "Pa" Ingalls in the original historical drama series in addition to directing, producing, and writing for the show. Meanwhile, Gilbert was cast as his daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, when she was just 9. LHOTP aired for nine seasons from 1974 to 1983.

"Thirty-five years ago today, the world lost a creative powerhouse. Michael Landon was one of the most successful actor-writer-director-producers in the history of television," Gilbert began her message. "Every show he was a part of ran for years. His TV shows remain a part of many people’s lives to this very day."

She continued, "But more than that Mike was my friend, collaborator and mentor. I’ve always felt like the luckiest girls in the world because he chose me to be his 'Halfpint.' Working with him was more than formative. I learned most of what I know about our industry from him. I learned so much more too."

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Related: Melissa Gilbert’s Age Gap With Dean Butler in Little House on the Prairie: A Closer Look

Gilbert explained how Landon "loved his family fiercely," recalling how her family and his would vacation together.

The When Calls the Heart actress admitted, "I can’t begin to tell you how many times over the last 35 years, I’ve thought, 'What would Mike do?' I miss him. I miss his giggle. I miss his warmth. Mostly I miss the fact that he is not with us these days to make more of his art for all of us. We sure could use a dose of his perspective on things."

To conclude her update, Gilbert sent a message to Landon's children, writing, "I’m sending so much love to @michaellandonjr1@shawnalandon@thechrislandon and the entire Landon family today. Boy, I loved your dad…and I love you all so much."

The Little House on the Prairie reboot series premieres on July 9 on Netflix.

Next: Melissa Gilbert Issues Urgent Plea After Daveigh Chase’s Cause of Death Is Revealed

Country-rock star Post Malone has been announced as the headlining performer for America's Salute 250, a one-night concert celebrating America's 250th anniversary while honoring U.S. veterans, active-duty military members and their families.

The announcement was shared by Country Wire on Instagram, confirming that Post Malone and country-rock singer-songwriter HARDY will take the stage on Thursday at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The event is presented by Breakaway and combines live music with patriotic tributes and support for veterans.

According to the announcement, the concert will partner with CreatiVets, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans heal through music and the arts. Thousands of complimentary tickets have also been provided to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families.

Post Malone performs at the T-Mobile Mane Stage during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2026 in Indio, California.

Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Stagecoach

The event will serve as both a celebration of America's upcoming 250th birthday and a fundraiser supporting veterans. In addition to CreatiVets, the event also supports the Easy Day Foundation, which assists veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life.

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Doors at Historic Crew Stadium will open at 5 p.m., with general admission tickets available for purchase. Veterans, active-duty service members and their families can also receive complimentary tickets by registering through VetTix.

Throughout the evening, attendees can expect several patriotic moments, including a veteran-led performance of the National Anthem, tributes recognizing military service and a Fourth of July fireworks display.

The concert also arrives just days before Post Malone celebrates his birthday on Saturday, making the holiday weekend appearance especially fitting.

America's Salute 250 adds another major appearance to Post Malone's growing country music career.

After blending hip-hop, pop, rock and country throughout his career, Malone found major success in country music with "I Had Some Help," featuring Morgan Wallen. The song spent six consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and helped introduce his country album "F-1 Trillion."

The Grammy-nominated artist is currently working on his seventh studio album, The Eternal Buzz, a 40-track double album expected later this year.

Outside of music, Malone recently made headlines during his North American tour when he dedicated a Toronto concert to the late singer-songwriter Oliver Tree following the artist's death in a helicopter crash in Brazil.

"I feel like tonight will be, for me, a celebration of the life of an absolutely beautiful, beautiful man," Malone told the audience before adding:

More recently, Malone also surprised fans during a stop in Milwaukee, where he visited a local tabletop gaming store to purchase Magic: The Gathering accessories. Store employees described him as friendly and down-to-earth during the visit.

Born Austin Richard Post, the singer has become one of the best-selling music artists in the U.S., with a career spanning multiple genres. His catalog includes chart-topping hits such as "Rockstar," "Circles," "Sunflower," "Congratulations" and "I Had Some Help."

Related: Grammys Announce Post Malone Update for Ozzy Osbourne Tribute

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett have spent 75 years together, but the couple says their lasting marriage was shaped by more than a traditional Hollywood love story.

The Boy Meets World actor and Bartlett met at Northwestern University in the late 1940s, marrying on June 30, 1951. The couple planned to mark the momentous occasion with their sons and grandchildren, with Bartlett explaining to Entertainment Weekly that a celebration at home seemed appropriate. "It's very hard to move him around in a big restaurant or something to party. That's tough for him," she said about her husband.

Daniels posted on Instagram a message to his bride: "Happy 75th Anniversary to my wife Bonnie. It doesn’t even seem that long it just seems like this is my life. And it’s with each other. How lucky am I?"

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As Daniels, 99, and Bartlett, 97, mark a lifetime together, they revealed earlier in 2026 that they had an open marriage shortly after they walked down the aisle. "I guess it was a little bit of an open marriage at first, but that was very painful," Bartlett shared with Fox News Digital. "That didn't work well. And it was a time when people were doing that. It was at a time in New York when there was a lot of sex and a lot of people doing all kinds of things, you know – very free. But I don't know if there was a lack of commitment a little bit, and that's not good."

She explained to Daily Mail that "there have been times, yeah, both of us, on both sides. We never got unhinged, but our lives did go in different directions occasionally."

Bartlett, who won an Emmy for her role as Ellen Craig on St. Elsewhere, said, "There was never any discussion as to what we were going to do. It was non-spoken. Bill and I never sit down and make rules. We never sit down and talk about these things. We just don't. We just live our lives. And if he's away for a year, he's away for a year."

But after all the years together, Daniels insisted there is no one else he'd take this journey with. "I wouldn't be with anyone else in my life than this woman sitting next to me," he said.

Danny Glover says he still has “A lot to learn.” The 79-year-old movie star recently sat down with Today’sLester Holt, opening up about his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. 

While Glover is now coming forward to share his health news, the actor was diagnosed with the progressive degenerative neurological disease several years ago and, as he tells Holt, “I could live with it in a sense.”

Memory loss, eventually leading to dementia, is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s that Holt addresses early on in the interviews, asking Glover, “Do you fear losing your memories? Is that hard?”

Glover replies,  “I’m sure. As it advances, things are going to be different and changing.”

Why is Danny Glover sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis now?

According to Holt, Glover and his family believe that coming forward now and sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis could remove the stigma surrounding the disease and help others. Glover’s daughter, Mandisa Glover, explained, “We all get old. It happens. That’s what I think is important, you know, that he tells his story. He has ownership of his life.” She added, “That’s really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself?”

Mandisa also addressed the secrecy surrounding the issue and why Glover and his family are now talking openly about it to the public: “It’s important because people ask questions sometimes, and I don’t want to be a dishonest person and say, ‘Oh yeah, everything is all right. It’s all great.’”

Glover has a storied career that spans over four decades. While he started acting on the stage, he quickly transitioned onto the big screen in the 1970’s with films like Escape from Alcatraz. The actor has appeared in over 200 films, including Places in the Heart, Witness,The Color Purple,Angels in the Outfield, and Dreamgirls.

Even though he gained fame early on, his role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon franchise catapulted him to superstardom.

Along with acting, Glover is also a producer and political activist. He started his own production company, Louverture Films, in 2005 with writer/producer Joselyn Barnes, to focus on historically and socially relevant projects. Glover shared in the recent interview, “I think art becomes a reframe, a way of looking at that, you know?” 

He also spoke candidly with Holt about the roots of his activism, “Justice is our collective responsibility,” adding, “One thing I learned from my parents most of my life is the capacity of people to change through their own. They become the architect of change.” 

What’s next for Glover? Even though he didn't get into specifics, it’s clear that he’s enjoying time with his family. The actor’s youngest brother, Martin Glover, told Lester, “He took me under his wing, and I love him to death…And I’m here to help him, now.”

In a move sure to spark a reaction, Sony announced this morning that, beginning in January 2028, no new games will be available on physical discs, opting instead for a digital-only approach.

In a post on the PlayStation.com blog, Sid Shuman, Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, explained that consumer preferences in the broader entertainment industry have shifted away from physical discs, making it a natural progression for the company.

Shuman went on to explain, “This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.”

Last week, Sony showed the downside of purchasing digital content through its store: users who purchased Studio Canal content were informed that, beginning September 1, 2026, their licensing agreement will expire, and over 500 movies they purchased from the store will be removed from their library and no longer accessible.

Shuman added that the company will continue to “prioritize our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games,” while providing access to digital downloads at both the PlayStation Store and via physical retailers.

The executive reminded fans that Sony is committed to “delivering a world-class gaming experience” to fans and thanked them for their “continued support.”

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While Sony’s move may shock gamers, it was made easier by the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI by Rockstar Games, which controversially announced a digital-only release this winter.

In January of 2025, Sony Japan’s recording media department announced the discontinuation of Blu-Ray disc production, simply stating, “there will be no successor models.” As the company was already moving consumers towards a digital-only approach back then, today's announcement only solidified that.

For now, and until January of 2028, gamers can continue to purchase their favorite titles in physical formats if they are manufactured that way. But it is expected that many studios will follow Rockstar's lead and release their content digitally sooner rather than later.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe and want to track down the absolute best cocktail on the continent, you can officially bypass the usual reservation lines in London and Paris. The very first edition of Europe’s 50 Best Bars ranking has just been unveiled, and the number-one crown belongs to an incredibly imaginative spot in Greece:Line in Athens.

For travelers who love a great drinks scene, this win cements Athens as a massive global cocktail capital. What makes Line so fascinating is that it doesn’t look or act like a traditional, buttoned-up hotel lounge. The bar is housed inside a spectacular former art gallery in the Kato Petralona neighborhood, featuring soaring industrial ceilings and a completely boundary-pushing approach to what goes into your glass.

Related: This Landmark Was Just Ranked 'Most Loved in the World'—and It's Not the Eiffel Tower

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Created by acclaimed bartenders Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis, the venue functions more like a mad-scientist fermentation lab than a standard bar. They actually produce their own fruit wines, craft beers and artisan sourdough right on-site.

Instead of throwing away standard bar waste, they follow a strict circular system, upcycling every single ingredient byproduct back into their cocktails and small plates.

Related: This Beach in Texas Was Just Ranked No. 1 For Its Soft Sand, Turquoise Water and Gulf Coast Breezes

The absolute standout on the menu is their signature lineup of house-made fruit wines, which they affectionately call "Why-ins." They balance heavy, experimental creativity with highly drinkable, familiar flavors, shifting effortlessly from a sunny daytime coffee and wine hangout to a high-energy evening destination.

While Athens managed to completely dominate the top spots—with another local favorite, The Barin Front of the Bar, taking the number-two slot globally—the new ranking proves that the continental drinking scene is expanding wildly beyond the usual suspects.

London still holds the title of the region's overall cocktail capital with seven total bars on the list, led by the legendary Connaught Bar at number ten and a brilliant new Japanese-influenced opening called Waltz.

But the real joy for travelers looking at this new list is seeing just how diverse European nightlife has become. Beyond Greece and the UK, you can find top-tier, award-winning sips at Sips in Barcelona, which took number three, Norway’s Himkok in Oslo at number four, and Bar Nouveau in Paris rounding out the top five.

Whether you’re hunting down avant-garde freezing techniques at Panda & Sons in Edinburgh or low-waste sustainable seasonal drinks at De Vie in Paris, the newly launched list is an incredible cheat-sheet for anyone looking to map out their next European vacation through its most unforgettable bars.

Related: The 'Sicilian Summer' Trend Is Huge—But These 4 Greek Islands Are Half the Price

Victor Willis, member of the '70s group The Village People, has died, according to his wife, Karen Huff Willis.

"It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS," Karen-Huff Willis said in a statement posted on Facebook. "Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026 as a result of a short, but aggressive illness." He was 74 years old.

President Donald Trump had a fondness for The Village People, and often used their hit song, "YMCA" at his rallies—and he even has his own dance moves to go along with the song.

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Trump released a statement about Willis' death shortly after the news broke.

"He was a great and happy guy who loved that I used his groups song, YMCA at my rallies," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "It became a 'monster' hit again, 30 years after its original launch. "

"Many singers and groups wanted to get on board at the Rallies after all of the Rally Attendance Records were set - the crowds were, and are, enormous - but Victor and the group was there for us right from the beginning," Trump continued, adding, "They loved the action, and we loved them and their great and uplifting song. We will think of Victor every time 'YMCA' is played, like today, and all throughout this July Fourth Birthday week. My condolences to his wonderful family and group, Victor Willis will be sorely missed, God Bless Him!!!"

In 2024, Willis released a statement on Facebook defending Trump's decision to use the song.

"Since 2020, I’ve received over a thousand complaints about President Elect Trump’s use of Y.M.C.A. With that many complaints, I decided to ask the President Elect to stop using Y.M.C.A. because his use had become a nuisance to me," Willis wrote at the time.

"However, the use continued because the Trump campaign knew they had obtained a political use license from BMI and absent that license being terminated, they had every right to continue using Y.M.C.A. And they did. In fact, I started noticing numerous artists withdrawing the President Elect’s use of their material. But by the time I said to my wife one day, hey, 'Trump' seems to genuinely like Y.M.C.A. and he’s having a lot of fun with it," he added.

Willis also credited Trump with causing the song to trend again, which had financial benefits for the group.

In January 2025, Willis performed the song at President Trump's pre-inauguration rally.

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