BOYNEXTDOOR
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Peter Wolf has been thinking about writing a book “for a long time.” But making a new solo album is what really prompted the former J. Geils Band frontman to get serious about it.
Wolf is “about 80 percent” finished with the album, which will be his first since 2016’s A Cure For Loneliness. “It occurred to me that my solo recordings, a lot of them went unnoticed, and I realized that if I put this out with the way things are these days, it can turn to vapor quite easily and be another lost solo effort,” Wolf — who’s just published Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses (Little, Brown) — tells Billboard. “So I thought, ‘Well, maybe now is the time to write that book I’ve been talking about for decades.’ I think if the book connects with people it would even put the wind beneath my wings to finish the record and put it out.”
Wolf also received a meaningful push from writer Peter Guralnick, best known for his acclaimed biographies of Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. “He read some of the things I was writing,” Wolf recalls, “and he said, ‘Y’know, Pete, you better finally do this book ’cause a lot of the people you’re gonna want to have read it might not be with us at the pace you’re going.’ That was a profound statement for me.”
While it tracks from Wolf’s childhood to the relatively present day, Waiting on the Moon is not a standard, linear memoir. Rather, it’s a collection of stories — and a fascinating, good-humored one at that — as the New York-born Wolf regales readers with his Forrest Gump-like life of encounters with the famous, starting with a chapter titled “I Slept With Marilyn Monroe,” in which Monroe literally fell asleep on a 10-year-old Wolf while both attended a screening of the Jules Dassin film He Who Must Die at a local movie theater. (Not to worry; Monroe was with then-husband Arthur Miller and Wolf’s parents were on his other side.)
From there it’s off to the races as Wolf recounts his interactions and relationships with blues heroes such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker (sometimes in his Boston apartment) as well as Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, the Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Harry Nilsson, Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin and more. He crosses paths with music biz luminaries such as Ahmet Ertegun, Bhaskar Menon, Jon Landau and Dee Anthony, gets on the wrong side of Alfred Hitchcock by declining an offer of an alcoholic drink and finds himself being courted for a part in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong, Andy Warhol, onetime roommate David Lynch, Julia Child and Tennessee Williams are also among Wolf’s encounters in the pages.
“My goal was to make a book of short stories, treat each chapter like its own short story,” explains Wolf, who was an art student and radio DJ in Boston as well as a musician — first with the Hallucinations, then with the J. Geils Band starting in 1967. He fronted the latter to multi-platinum worldwide fame with Freeze-Frame in 1981, which topped the Billboard 200 in 1982 and produced the six-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Centerfold” that same year. After being asked to leave the group in 1983, Wolf kicked off a solo career with 1984’s Lights Out (its title track hit No. 12 on the Hot 100). “There was no timeline. I wasn’t concerned, in a way, about the beginning, middle and end; each story has its own beginning, middle and end. And I didn’t want this to be a kiss-and-tell book; I just wanted to write about these incredible people that I had the privilege to meet and to get to know to certain degrees and capture that.”
Wolf adds that “the two subjects I didn’t want to write about was my marriage to Faye Dunaway and the J. Geils Band,” but both are there — particularly the former, whom Wolf has been loath to discuss in this kind of detail during and after their marriage from 1974-79. “Faye was this very determined, talented person and we loved each other,” Wolf says. “I was just trying to bring her, and our relationship, somewhat to life and all the adventures we shared in it. I didn’t talk about it (before) because I would talk about my music, talk about the records, and all the other stuff was kind of private. But I was writing about the adventures in my life, and certainly she and I shared many of them. I was very surprised how quickly the stories came out.
“Of course there’s regrets; one has regrets and wishes they could do things differently, and I think I’ve expressed that in all the chapters. Some were silly, stupidities that I’ve made, and I don’t try to disguise those. It all flowed through naturally once I got into the crux of it.”
‘Waiting on the Moon’
The J. Geils Band, meanwhile, is treated as a through-line in the book until a later chapter in which Wolf writes about explicitly about how it came apart at the peak of its career.
“It was a great shock to me, and it was a sea change for me,” says Wolf, who was part of Geils reunion tours from 1999-2015. The book also includes a vivid retelling of him being beaten up in a London pub while on his way to the band’s performance at the 1989 Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands. “I tried to write honestly about it, my experience of it all and how I felt. I was committed to the band; it was my life, and even with my marriage to Faye our careers always came first. In other chapters you can see how hard I tried working to keep the band relevant and moving ahead, so of course when things did fall apart it was a very painful thing for me. What I didn’t add in the book that I was asked to leave the band in 1968 because they felt my vocal abilities were holding back the band.”
Wolf has recorded an audio version of Waiting On the Moon and has a handful of author appearances planned this month, starting Tuesday (March 11) at the Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge, Mass., and including stops in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Philadelphia and Connecticut. He did, however, cancel a planned March 21 stop at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. “due to the egregious firing of staff by the new administration.”
Wolf is also planning to get to work on the album, working with “the same cast of characters” who helped with his last few albums. “I think it’s got some really memorable songs, and I took a long time in putting it together,” he says, adding that he foresees a return to performing as well. “Yeah, that’s what I do. But the book really required a sabbatical. It’s like making a really good record that you’ve got to hunker down and commit to.” A reissue of the J. Geils Band’s 1972 concert album “Live” Full House is also slated for this year, according to Wolf.
Also on the future docket may be an induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which has eluded the J. Geils Band over the course of five nominations between 2005-2018. Wolf has inducted Jackie Wilson and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band at previous ceremonies, and while he notes that “it’s a situation I have no control over” he makes it clear that it’s something he’d like to see happen, eventually.
“Yes, it would be a nice honor,” Wolf says. “I do feel the Geils Band contributed a lot in the AOR period of rock n’ roll. Not unlike the Stones we introduced a lot of people to (artists) like the Contours and Otis Rush and Muddy Waters and doo-wop… yet the Geils band has been looked over. I think we worked very hard for 17 and a half years, and I think we made some kind of contribution. But, to quote a Johnny Mathis song, ‘it’s not for me to say.’”
Wolf’s author appearance schedule for Waiting On the Moon includes:
Tuesday, March 11th: Harvard Bookstore at the First Parrish Church, Cambridge, MA
Wednesday, March 12th: The Strand, New York, NY
Thursday, March 13th: Bookends Bookstore, Ridgewood, NJ
Tuesday, March 18th: Writers on a New England Stage at The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH
Thursday, March 27th: Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, April 8th: RJ Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
New Orleans rapper Boosie Badazz has accepted a plea deal in his federal gun possession case, telling fans via social media that he’s “tired of fighting.”
Boosie (Torence Hatch) announced the plea agreement on Monday (Aug. 4), more than two years after he was first charged with illegal gun ownership in San Diego. The case was briefly dismissed in 2024, but federal prosecutors later refiled the charges.
“JUST ACCEPTED A PLEA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON MY GUN CASE,” Boosie posted on X. “I THOUGHT THIS CASE WAS OVER N I WAS GOING TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE BUT ‘GOD DONT MAKE MISTAKES’ N IM TIRED OF FIGHTING!!”
“TALKED TO MY FAMILY N THIS IS THE RIGHT DECISION,” continued Boosie, adding the “100” emoji. “TO ALL MY FANS ACROSS THE WORLD SAY A PRAYER FOR YA BOY N GO GET THE NEW ALBUM.”
The rapper ended his X post with the prayer emoji and the hashtag “#wordsofarealone,” referring to his 13-song album Words of a Real One that dropped on Friday (Aug. 1).
A Monday entry on Boosie’s court docket confirmed that a plea agreement has, in fact, been reached in the case, with a hearing scheduled for Aug. 26. Terms of the deal, including what exactly Boosie will plead guilty to, have not yet been made public.
Boosie was first charged in June 2023 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities spotted the rapper with a handgun tucked into his waistband in an Instagram video — a crime, prosecutors alleged, because Boosie was previously convicted on drug charges back in 2011.
A federal judge dismissed the case in July 2024 due to evolving Second Amendment precedent around whether nonviolent felons can be charged with this type of gun possession. But prosecutors refiled the case with some changes later that same month, and it was proceeding apace before the plea agreement was reached.
Boosie is currently out on a $100,000 bond.
Metro Boomin is trying to bring the feeling back.
The St. Louis producer, who made his name in Atlanta, dropped his mixtape A Futuristic Summa where he bridged the gap between the Atlanta rap scene of the early to mid-2000s and the new generation. The tape features stellar appearances from more veteran acts like Young Dro and Waka Flaka Flame, while also showcasing newcomers like BunnaB.
Metro took to X and essentially released the project’s mission statement in a series of tweets. He started things off by posting a video of a digital billboard and said he put together the tape “for us not them.”
He then went on to post things like: “A lot of y’all get no bi—es and it shows.”
“If yo homeboy never had to hold you up in the teen party while u was getting twerked on then you might wanna sit this one out.”
“If you never went out and competed with ya boys on who would get the most numbers then you might wanna sit this one out.”
“If you never had to write a number down period then you might wanna sit this one out.”
“If you started listening to rap music in 2017 then you might wanna sit this one out.”
“If you never intentionally wore your clothes with the tags still on then you might wanna sit this one out.”
He then ended his series of tweets by saying rap music needs to embrace and lean into regionality more often. “Its time for music to get back regional,” he tweeted. “Social media got everybody tryna do the same thing. Let’s get back to actual culture and regional identity.”
He later added, “This is Avengers: Endgame level for the city. An Atlanta love letter,” when a fan commended him for thinking of putting the roster of artists involved together.
Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa features guest appearances by J Money, Travis Porter, Young Dro, Gucci Mane, Roscoe Dash, Quavo, Breskii, YK NIECE, Skooly, Shad Da God, Meany, Imcfli, BunnaB, Jose Guapo, Rocko, 2 Chainz, Yung Booke, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Future and Yung L.A., and is hosted by DJ Spinz.
What do we expect from a K-pop concert? For six-member boy band BOYNEXTDOOR (SUNGHO, RIWOO, JAEHYUN, TAESAN, LEEHAN and WOONHAK), their first tour “KNOCK ON Vol.1” was a coming-of-age story told onstage.
Kicking off at Incheon’s Inspire Arena on Dec. 14–15, 2024, the tour swept through six cities in Japan, then Singapore, Manila, Taipei, Jakarta, Hong Kong and returning to Tokyo, finally wrapping up with a three-night encore at KSPO DOME in Seoul on July 25–27, 2025.
Despite debuting only in May 2023, BOYNEXTDOOR has quickly built a global fanbase, especially among teens and 20-somethings in Korea. Their first tour featured 21 tracks, pulling from four EPs, a soundtrack appearance, and the fan-dedicated song “400 Years.” Though the initial shows drew praise for solid vocals and performance etiquette, some fans expressed reservations about the overall production.
As leader JAEHYUN shared during the second night of their Incheon concert, “Since it was our first concert, we tried to stay close to the original versions to clearly express the group’s identity.” And while the intent was understandable, performing without any concert-specific arrangements — relying solely on the original choreography and the abilities of members just two years into their debut — felt like a tall order for a venue the size of Inspire Arena, which holds up to 15,000 people. Adding to the challenge was the timing: December is one of the busiest months in K-pop, filled with domestic and international awards shows and year-end specials. BOYNEXTDOOR had already proven themselves on those kinds of high-profile stages, and the group’s consistent pride in their live vocals had only heightened expectations.
Still, the fact that fans could share in such a significant moment — the group’s very first solo concert — was meaningful in itself. When ONEDOORs lit up the venue with light sticks and phone flashlights and sang in unison, “So let’s go see the stars,” the stage glowed like a falling starlight, and the members, overcome with emotion, stood teary-eyed, visibly moved. It was the kind of symbolic moment destined to replay itself throughout their career. After the final show ended, the members went live together, sharing their heartfelt reflections and gratitude with fans.
BOYNEXTDOOR
Courtesy Photo
Between the Korea launch and the encore finale, the group’s momentum only grew stronger. On Jan. 6, they released digital single “I LOVE YOU Today,” a breezy band-pop track that became a chart-topper in Korea. Then came “I Feel Good,” the title track of their fourth EP <No Genre> (May 13), which swept music shows, earning their first “quadruple crown.”
BOYNEXTDOOR
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Instead of sticking to the usual encore formula — a few new songs, a reshuffled VCR, minor tweaks — “KNOCK ON Vol.1 Final” blew the door open from the first second. The show opened with “Nice Guy,” which originally closed their main set. Notably, this version was identical to the one they performed at the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards, complete with synchronized dance breaks and the signature chant: “Who’s there? BOYNEXTDOOR!”
“As WOONHAK said on the first night, ‘There was some regret at first. We waited for this encore show to show everything we’ve got.’” True to his words, the show looked nothing like the Incheon leg — not in setlist, stage design, or wardrobe. Utilizing the KSPO DOME’s relatively low ceiling and wide viewing angles, the backdrop LEDs were fully reconfigured to match each song’s tone. Groovy, retro-tinged openers like “Nice Guy,” “Serenade” and the ‘60s-inspired soul pop track “123-78” were paired with romantic white ensembles and soft-toned visuals, while brighter, bouncier tracks like “Back for More” and “One and Only” leaned into a street-style aesthetic with urban-inspired graphics and costumes. The transitions between sections also stood out for their creative flow: during “Fadeaway,” a dance crew filled the stage as the members exited, sustaining energy without a pause. Elsewhere, the group incorporated sound elements from past album trailers to bridge segments seamlessly. One of the most striking examples came just before “But Sometimes,” the title track of their debut EP (‘WHY..’). RIWOO choreographed a new dance break using the EP’s teaser sound, and all six members joined in — a perfectly-timed detonation of energy before launching into the original track.
Just like their encore concert in Tokyo where the group split into two units — JAEHYUN, LEEHAN, and WOONHAK covered Creepy Nuts’ viral hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” while SUNGHO, RIWOO, and TAESAN performed Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Ao to Natsu (Blue and Summer)” — the Seoul shows also featured special unit stages. This time, they brought to life cover clips that had gone viral on YouTube earlier in March. SUNGHO, RIWOO, and JAEHYUN delivered a charismatic performance of Primary’s “See Through,” while TAESAN, LEEHAN, and WOONHAK earned cheers with their emotive rendition of DAY6’s “Congratulations.”
But above all, it was the introduction of a live band that elevated the encore experience to an entirely new sonic level. Starting from the transition between “Step by Step” and “Amnesia,” the band’s presence became impossible to ignore — amplifying the energy, rhythm, and impact of BOYNEXTDOOR’s music. It felt natural to lead into “I Feel Good,” a track with distinctly rock-oriented textures, but what followed next offered a surprise: a hard cut into “Parental Advisory,” one of the group’s most intense hip-hop tracks. The contrast between genres — yet seamless flow — created a sense of sonic exhilaration that rippled through the crowd.
A particularly moving stretch came with the progression from the tender ballad “Crying” into “Dear. My Darling,” which began with SUNGHO’s solo guitar intro. The emotional buildup peaked with “Pebble,” originally led by a simple guitar riff, but now expanded through the band’s full-bodied arrangement. Even after the members had exited the stage, the musicians continued to play — with the electric guitar and keys holding the atmosphere for nearly a full minute. These same band members would later accompany BOYNEXTDOOR to the Lollapalooza stage.
The official set came to a close with “Earth, Winds & Fire,” the title track from their second EP (‘HOW?’). Poignantly, it was also the very first song that opened their debut concert — completing the arc with perfect symmetry. During the encore segment, most of the members left the main stage and roamed through the arena aisles, connecting directly with fans in both lower and upper sections. All three nights were packed with extended sets, reaching the “encore of encores” each time. The magic of “So let’s go see the stars” returned in full. On the final night, when “Earth, Winds & Fire” made a surprise reappearance during the second encore, WOONHAK shouted, “Put your phones away — let’s really go wild!” And astonishingly, most of the crowd obliged, jumping and dancing with their hands in the air. The final setlist of “KNOCK ON Vol.1 Final” totaled an impressive 27 songs.
BOYNEXTDOOR
Courtesy Photo
“We are six people who love music, and we’re grateful to sing here tonight for ONEDOOR. Thank you. This has been BOYNEXTDOOR.” With JAEHYUN’s closing words, the curtain fell — but the echoes of the music, the raw emotions, and the candid reflections each member had shared lingered in the air.
So back to the original question: What should we expect from a K-pop concert? In a system where most idols begin their training and careers as teenagers, fans often become the closest witnesses to someone’s growth — watching from the very beginning as these artists find their voice, their confidence, and their place in the world. When you’ve shared in someone’s most vulnerable, formative years, there’s little choice but to keep cheering them on. What began seven months ago as a question — a possibility — has since turned into something certain. And the encore concert made it clear just how much collective effort this team poured into delivering that certainty. BOYNEXTDOOR proved their growth, their sincerity, and their purpose. In a concert — the most intimate and immediate moment in an artist’s journey — they succeeded in showing everything fans had come to see, with nothing left behind.
BOYNEXTDOOR
Courtesy Photo
On Saturday, local time, BOYNEXTDOOR took the stage at the Lollapalooza Aftershow — just ahead of their main set — and once again showed how effortlessly they enjoy performing. On Sunday, they presented a full hourlong set on the Lollapalooza Chicago stage. It marked the first time the group delivered a fully realized concert experience in North America. What new fragments of youth will these six boys next door gather in this unfamiliar land, in the middle of summer? One thing is certain: Those glittering pieces won’t belong to BOYNEXTDOOR alone — they’ll linger in the memories of every person who was there to see it.
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