Husker Du drummer/singer Grant Hart has passed away at the age of 56. NPR reports that he was suffering from complications from liver cancer and hepatitis. Hart was a founding member of the influential rock trio and co-songwriter with singer/guitarist Bob Mould. The band broke up in 1988 due to Mould’s increasing control over the group and Hart’s drug use. Hart carried on as a solo performer for years and with the band Nova Mob. Mould wrote an essay about his friend and bandmate on Facebook, saying, “Grant Hart was a gifted visual artist, a wonderful story teller, and a frighteningly talented musician. Everyone touched by his spirit will always remember. Godspeed, Grant. I miss you. Be with the angels.”

Selena Gomez revealed on Instagram that she recently received a kidney transplant from her friend Francia Raisa. Gomez learned earlier this year that she needed a new kidney due to diagnosis with Lupus, which she revealed in 2015. In her post, Gomez said, “I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health.” She added, “there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.”

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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R.E.M. will release a deluxe 25th anniversary edition of their multi-platinum 1992 album Automatic for the People this fall. The four-disc deluxe edition includes a collection of demos and unreleased tracks, a live album recorded at the 40 Watt Club in Athens and a Blu-Ray with two different mixes of the album as well as all the videos. It will also be available as a two-disc set, on vinyl, digitally and streaming. The Automatic for the People anniversary edition arrives on November 10.