Wartime Sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn, has become the oldest singer to score a UK top 40 album, beating her own record.

The 103-year-old star’s greatest hits collection, titled 100, had only recently re-entered the charts at number 30.

Dame Vera became the first centenarian to chart when it was first released in 2017, where it reached number three.

The upsurge in popularity for the album coincided with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of World War Two in Europe.

“Forces’ Sweetheart”, Dame Vera, called that for her entertaining the troops during World War II, also sent a message that while people may be forced to live apart during the lockdown, “hope remains even in the most difficult of times”.

Dame Vera Lynn’s record-breaking achievement follows that of Captain Tom Moore, who became the oldest person to reach No.1 in the singles charts last month.

Pioneer rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Little Richard has died at the age of 87.

The singer, who was born in Georgia, Alabama, as Richard Wayne Penniman, was one of the four original ‘founder members’ of rock ‘n’ roll music - along with Chuck Berry
Fats Domino and Chubby Checker and his hits include; ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ - which originally made the UK charts in 1958 – ‘Tuti-Fruiti’, ‘Send Me Some Lovin’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ before being one of the stars who would influence a fledgling The Beatles.

With his suggestive lyrics and blood-pumping piano riffs a ‘staple diet; throughout his career, the four ‘pioneers’ would influence the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, before this ‘new’ musical genre would become ‘real music’ a global entity.

As his success soared to dizzy heights, Little Richard, fuelled by his influence of the church, when, in 1957, he publicly announced that he was quitting rock ‘n’ roll to devote his life to the ministry. He would then start to record gospel songs.

His first gospel album: ‘God Is Real’, was released in 1959. But, a year later, he returned to rock ‘n’ roll – performing live and recording from then on.

His importance into the music’s development would never be questioned.

He was among the group of into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science in 1993 and an honour from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, who presented him with its prestigious Pioneer Award, a year later.

A deeply religious music icon, having suffered life-threatening illnesses, especially throughout more recent decades, he attributed his life (and staying alive) to a higher power when he said: “Jesus always had something or me.

“He always brought me through”.

He was 87.

A host of stars, including Chaka Khan, John Legend and Snoop Dogg have paid tribute to soul and R&B star Betty Wright.

The Grammy-winning star, whose hits include; ‘Clear Up Woman’, which was released when she was 18-years-old, in 1971, ‘Where Is The Love’, ‘No Pain, No Gain’ and ‘Tonight Is The Night’, had been facing a long battle against cancer.

A powerful and soulful vocalist, she was one of the first singers to use the “whistle register”, which was later utilised by the likes of Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande.

In the 1980’s she became the first Black female artist to have a gold record on her own label when she released her single; ‘Mother With’.

Modern-day soul legend, Mary J. Blige, sampled her 1971 track ‘Clean Up Woman’ on her hit ‘Real Love’.

She was a vocal coach for fellow award-winning soul diva, Beyoncé Knowles, as well as singing backing vocals herself for Mowtown legend, Stevie Wonder and Talking Heads’ David Byrne.

As a writer and producer, she also created a line of hits for internationally-renowned artists including Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and Britain’s own soulful songbird, Joss Stone.

Paying tribute to her auntie on Twitter, her niece posted; ‘My auntie was a legend… R.I.P. Betty Wright.’

She was 66.

Highly acclaimed UK rapper, Ty, has died after contracting coronavirus.

The Nigerian-born Mercury-nominated star was known for his witty, mature style that owed much to the old-school US rappers, as opposed to the now established grime-influenced street sounds of today’s British urban music.

Broadcaster, Jasmine Dotiwala confirmed the news of his death on social media in a tribute to the star.

Alongside a picture of the pair alongside the likes of actor/director Noel Clarke and DJ/Producer Naughty Boy she wrote; ‘It breaks my heart to have to share this. I had been waiting for @tymusic to recover before using this pic of our crew celebrating him.

‘It’s now a tribute photo on a devastating day. We are all in shock and trying to process this news. Ty was our boy our whole lives. RIEP.’

She added: ‘He always had any live music audience eating out of his hands but @tymusic was always a UK hip hop pioneer who supported new, young musicians.

‘A community activist who spoke up for communities all around him, he was a neuclius of talent and love and the culture loved him.’

In 2004, his second album, ‘Upwards’, was nominated for the much-respected Mercury Prize – where he was up against the late Amy Winehouse, The Streets and the eventual winners, Franz Ferdinand.

A.K.A. Ben Chijioke, his death was mourned by fellow stars including Roots Man and Ghets.

He was 47.

Hollywood star, Tom Cruise, is working with NASA in making plans to shoot the first action movie in space.

He has partnered with NASA and Space founder, Elon Musk, to take the venture to the International Space Station.

It was shortly after a report claimed that the actor was looking to take his next movie to space that NASA director, Jim Bridenstine, confirmed the news on Twitter, stating: “NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA’s ambitious plans a reality.

Musk replied: “Should be a lot of fun!”

It is said that the movie is set to be the next instalment in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise.

Singing sensation, Millie Small, has died after suffering a stroke.

The Jamaican-born star was most famous for her hit single ‘My Boy Lollypop’ which reached No.2 in both the UK and US pop charts in 1964. And, it was her country’s first ever million-selling hit.

It remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all times, with well over seven million record sales.

Chris Blackwood, the founder of Island Records, announced her passing and said that she will always remember her as “a sweet person…really special”.

He (Blackwood) brought Millie to the UK in 1963 before producing her childlike voice on the hit single. Chris said: “The single became a hit pretty soon and pretty much everywhere in the world.

“I went with her around the world because all of the territories wanted her there to do TV shows and the likes.

“She was so sweet, with a sweet personality. She was a very special person”.

‘My Boy Lollipop’ also featured in the 2012 London Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.
Millie was 73.