Louder: A spinal stroke, and one rocker’s fight to walk onstage again

Plus: Cher, Jesse Ed Davis, Sean Combs and more

View in browser|nytimes.com November 23, 2024 By Caryn Ganz "In the New York rock world," John Leland writes, "Jesse Malin has been a fixture for so long that it is hard to imagine the scene without him." Last May, Malin organized a dinner party as a tribute to a bandmate; halfway through, he experienced terrible pain in his hips and back. He was having a spinal stroke. Doctors didn't know what caused it, or if he'd walk again. After months of treatment at a clinic in Buenos Aires that offered stem cell treatments for spinal traumas, he returned to New York, where he plans to stand onstage next month at a pair of benefit concerts featuring friends (Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, the Hold Steady, J Mascis, Fred Armisen and more) that will help pay his medical bills. John followed him over the last few months for a stirring profile. In the latest in Sean Combs, the embattled music mogul is still awaiting a judge's decision whether he will be released on bail until his May trial. And Julia Jacobs and Joe Coscarelli brought us a fascinating story about a man who loudly proclaimed he had videos showing sexual encounters involving Combs and a variety of celebrities — and then was subpoenaed to testify in front of a grand jury. Also this week: Kendrick Lamar released a surprise album; the CMAs re-embraced Morgan Wallen; Marcus J. Moore profiled Ganavya, a vocalist, composer and bandleader who gathered a who's who in jazz and experimental music for her latest LP; Bob Mehr wrote about the guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, a host of rock heroes' secret weapon, whose life and death were largely a mystery; and the magazine's Interview is with the K-pop star Rosé. Graham Dickie/The New York Times A Stroke Paralyzed Jesse Malin. Next Month, He'll Stand Onstage Again. The New York rock stalwart suffered a rare spinal stroke at a dinner party last year. His journey back to music has been filled with painful challenges and hope. By John Leland PLAYLIST & POPCAST YouTube The Playlist Jack Harlow Expands His Romantic Options, and 7 More New Songs Hear tracks by Horsegirl, Tyla, Amber Mark and others. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz Oliver Contreras for The New York Times Popcast How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump's Second Term? His first term was marked by backlash and protest. But the president-elect has found new streams of embrace and approval. 55 MIN LISTEN THE AMPLIFIER NEWSLETTER A Playlist That's as Cool as Kim Deal Hear tracks from her first solo album, the Breeders, Pixies and more. By Lindsay Zoladz A Bizarre Love Triangle Playlist Sabrina Carpenter, Loretta Lynn and SZA sing about all the points on a love triangle. By Lindsay Zoladz FEATURES Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Jesse Ed Davis Was Rock Heroes' Secret Weapon. And a Mystery. The Native American guitarist graced records by Bob Dylan and John Lennon, but fell to addiction in 1988. A new book and exhibit are telling his story. By Bob Mehr Adama Jalloh for The New York Times The Singer Whose Work Feels Like Prayer On her new LP, "Daughter of a Temple," Ganavya is the central vocalist, composer and community builder for 30 artists who constitute a who's who in jazz and experimental music. By Marcus J. Moore Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images Cher Can, and Does, Turn Back Time In the first volume of her memoir (which she hasn't read), she explores her difficult childhood, her fraught marriage to Sonny Bono and how she found her voice. By Elisabeth Egan Nintendo The Man Behind the Legendary Donkey Kong Country Soundtracks David Wise turbocharged the Super Nintendo for scores inspired by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Prokofiev, Duran Duran and more. By Darryn King SEAN COMBS Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images How a Tale of Sean Combs Sex Tapes Landed One Man in Court Courtney Burgess, a one-time music industry bit player, said he had videos showing encounters involving celebrities. Prosecutors recently subpoenaed him. By Julia Jacobs and Joe Coscarelli Sean Combs Will Remain Jailed Until Judge Rules on Third Bail Request A federal judge is still weighing the music mogul's arguments that he should be freed while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. By Ben Sisario and Julia Jacobs Sean Combs's Lawyers Argue That Seizure of Notes From Jail Was Unjust Lawyers for the music mogul objected at a hearing to prosecutors viewing handwritten materials from their client's cell after a sweep of the Brooklyn jail where he is being held. By Ben Sisario and Julia Jacobs Prosecutors Accuse Sean Combs of Trying to Contact Witnesses From Jail The government said the music mogul had been attempting to obstruct federal prosecutors by instructing others to make three-way calls and securing help from other inmates. By Julia Jacobs THE MAGAZINE The Interview K-Pop Trained Rosé to Be 'a Perfect Girl.' Now She's Trying to Be Herself. The Blackpink star strikes out on her own, away from the system that turned her into a global phenomenon. 35 MIN LISTEN NEWS Kendrick Lamar Releases a Surprise Album, 'GNX' The rapper's sixth studio album follows the success of a pair of tracks this year that were sparked by a war of words with Drake. By Ben Sisario Morgan Wallen Wins CMA's Entertainer of the Year Award The singer, who is among the most popular artists in music, won country's top prize in absentia, three years after being rebuked by the genre's gatekeepers. By Derrick Bryson Taylor Park Avenue Armory Will Host Yoko Ono's 'Wish Tree' and Jamie xx The Armory's upcoming season also includes the world premiere of "DOOM," a new work from the Golden Lion winner Anne Imhof. By Annie Aguiar Funeral Held for Liam Payne in England The One Direction singer died at 31 last month after a fall from a balcony. By Victor Mather OBITUARIES Vic Flick, Guitarist Who Plucked the James Bond Theme, Dies at 87 A busy session musician, he also recorded music for the Beatles' film "A Hard Day's Night" and contributed to several hit songs. By Emmett Lindner Shel Talmy, Who Produced the Who and the Kinks, Dies at 87 Though he was American, he helped define the sound of the British Invasion after settling in London in the early 1960s. By Alex Williams Alice Brock, Restaurant Owner Made Famous by a Song, Dies at 83 Arlo Guthrie's antiwar staple "Alice's Restaurant" was inspired by a Thanksgiving Day visit to her diner in western Massachusetts. By Clay Risen Peter Sinfield, Poetic Lyricist for Prog Rock's King Crimson, Dies at 80 His swirls of imagery helped define progressive rock in the 1970s. He later turned his focus to pop acts like Celine Dion. By Alex Williams Two Bee Gees Drummers Die Within Four Days Colin "Smiley" Petersen, 78, was the group's original drummer, and Dennis Bryon, 76, played during the band's disco heyday. By Sara Ruberg THEATER & ART Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick 'Swept Away' Review: Lost at Sea, How Far Would You Sink? A dark musical about a shipwreck and its aftermath, with songs by the Avett Brothers, anchors on Broadway. By Jesse Green Ashley Garrett Theater Reviews In 'Music City' and 'Babe,' Existential Battles of the Heart and Soul Bedlam's country music show is a rollicking good time. But the New Group's production of "Babe," starring Marisa Tomei, is a frustrating one-act lacking cohesion. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Foreign Body Productions Art Review They Taught A.I. to Sing, and It Was Beautiful Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst are presenting their first large-scale solo museum show. It sounds gorgeous, even if its visual elements are lacking. By Emily LaBarge STYLES, METRO & TRAVEL unbuttoned In Praise of Adele and the Long Black Dress As the artist brings her Las Vegas residency to an end, she leaves behind a major fashion legacy. Just call her Madame A. By Vanessa Friedman The Priest, the Power Broker and the Pop Star Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello is in hot water with his diocese. Prosecutors are looking into his dealings with the New York City mayor's top adviser. It all started with Sabrina Carpenter. By Katherine Rosman 5 Favorite Places Kacey Musgraves's Nashville The country singer and songwriter, up for five Grammy Awards this year, including best country album, recommends spots in her adopted home. By Celeste Moure Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters and subscribe to The Amplifier here. Need help? 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