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Bandleader Les Brown died of lung cancer this week at the age of 88. For almost 70 years, Les Brown and His Band of Renown entertained US troops and music fans worldwide. In 1940, with a 17-year-old Doris Day on vocals, Brown recorded Sentimental Journey -- the biggest hit of 1945. Brown later joined Bob Hope's weekly radio show and then made the transition to television with him. Host Lisa Simeone has this appreciation.

NPR's Richard Knox spent a year with Phil Simmons and his family to chronicle his long struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease -- and to report on how an extraordinarily dedicated group of friends banded together to help take care of Simmons. He died last weekend at his home in the New Hampshire woods. For All Things Considered, NPR's Richard Knox reflects on Simmons' life.

Fountains of Wayne is the New York City-based power-pop band anchored by the singer-songwriter duo of Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger. Schlesinger is best known as the author of the title theme to Tom Hanks' 1996 rock 'n' roll movie That Thing You Do!

Among the nominees for best new artist at this Sunday's Grammy Awards are Tex-Mex artists Los Lonely Boys, the Los Angeles band Maroon 5, young British soul singer Joss Stone, producer-turned-rapper Kanye West and the hot country artist Gretchen Wilson. Michele Norris talks with music critic Tom Moon about the category.

Grateful Dead fans can once again easily download their favorite concert recordings. The band initially asked the Web site to stop the practice, but backed down after fans' outrage. Commentator Jake Halpern wonders if he is the only fan who is disappointed by the news.

The new album from the Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots contains verses from the perspective of a child soldier in Sierra Leone, a campus shooter in America, and those in the grip of addictions. Rising Down may be the group's best album.

Part alt-country, part indie-rock, the band Delta Spirit burst onto the stage this year with its debut album Ode to Sunshine. The album is packed with serious messages set to pop riffs, thrown together with everything but the kitchen sink, including the occasional percussive trash can lid.

The Australian singer-composer and his band The Bad Seeds are best known for his angry, twisted ballad-like lyrics. Their most recent albums were last year's Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! and Live at the Royal Albert Hall.

Watch Jim James and his band perform songs from The Waterfall live during a special First Listen Live concert from Mack Sennett Studios in Los Angeles, presented by KCRW.

Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the rock band Weezer, has released a solo set of at-home demos called Alone and Alone II.