Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* Robert Plant made a surprise appearance during Jack White's set at Lollapalooza Argentina. The Led Zeppelin singer helped White out for a cover of Zep's "The Lemon Song."

* A.J. Pero, drummer for the band Twisted Sister, died at age 55. It appears as though he had a massive heart attack on Friday.

* Tom DeLonge has offered a bit more insight into his split with Blink-182, stating that when he said, "I'm out," he only meant out of the proposed deal, not out of the band. DeLonge wasn't able to focus on Blink-182 because he's got a few other projects in the works.

* Nicki Minaj will peform her only scheduled Carolinas concert at PNC Music Pavilion on Aug. 4.

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* The day after the Oscars, not everyone is talking about the awards that were handed out. Catching a lot of buzz this morning is Lady Gaga's tribute to Sound of Music. There are plenty of people saying, "Who knew she could sing?!?" after that. We always knew she could sing, but her over-the-top antics usually overshadowed her voice. Maybe we should thank Tony Bennett for calming her down a bit?

Lady Gaga - The Hills Are Alive (Sound of Music... by uploader1473

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* Even if you watched the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special last night, you and just about everyone else (myself included) missed the after party which apparently went until 4 a.m. and featured jam sessions involving Paul McCartney, Prince, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, HAIM and plenty of others.

* Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp are forming a supergroup of sorts called Hollywood Vampires. The band's debut gig will be at Rock in Rio in September.

* Jack White responds to all the attention that his alleged guacamole recipe has received and blames journalists who look for click bait.

* Father John Misty released a new album, I Love You, Honeybear, last week, but it's the bonus single he released online that has everyone talking. Check out his sparse cover of Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box":

* Tremont Music Hall announced "The Fest on Tremont" taking place on March 29. The lineup includes: DJ Complete, Deniro Farrar, Flagship, Serfs, Justin Aswell, Well$, It Looks Sad, The Business People, Hectorina and a whole bunch more.

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* While many people are saying that Missy Elliott stole the halftime show at last night's Super Bowl, there is apparently an entire generation who has no idea who she is. Just as some people claim Kanye West is going to help Paul McCartney be discovered, so too are people giving future credit to Katy Perry for any of Elliott's success.

* Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, was found unresponsive in a bathtub over the weekend. Rumors are swirling that she has very little brain activity at the moment.

* Kanye West doesn't appear to be a big fan of Waffle House.

* Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell had an epic lip sync battle after the Super Bowl:

* The first show of the 2015 concert season at the Uptown Amphitheatre has been announced. Needtobreathe will perform on May 9 with Drew Holcomb, Ben Rector and Colony House. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Feb. 6.

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* Indy Week is reporting that Etix founder Travis Janovich is trying to buy the Triangle area's Hopscotch Music Festival. If the sale goes through, current festival director Greg Lowenhagen would remain in that position. New owners will bring a bit of insurance at the festival will continue and that promotion can be further reaching.

* A$SAP Mob founder A$AP Yams was found dead at age 26 over the weekend. Details of his death have not been made public. Yams, born Steven Rodriguez, is credited with helping the A$AP Mob secure their record contract along with guiding the careers of A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg.

* The Grateful Dead have announced plans for three 50th anniversary shows to take place in Chicago on July 3-5. The four living original members — Bob Weir, 67; Phil Lesh, 74; Mickey Hart, 71; Bill Kreutzmann, 68 — will be joined by Trey Anastasio of Phish, keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.

* Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson has announced at the band has officially broken up. This comes one year after the band played its final show. The band has had two lengthy hiatuses in its history and Robinson said the final straw relates to money.

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* N.E.R.D. released its first single in four years — "Squeeze Me," recorded for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. N.E.R.D. is made up of Pharrell and the Neptunes. The band's last album was Nothing, released in 2010.

* Singer Joe Cocker, 70, died of lung cancer on Dec. 22. Known for his gritty voice and energetic style of performing, Cocker turned the Beatles "With a Little Help From My Friends" into a soulful masterpiece.

* Little Jimmy Dickens, 94, a Grand Ole Opry member since 1948, has been hospitalized in critical condition. He was admitted with an undisclosed illness on Christmas. He last performed at the Opry as part of his 94th birthday celebration on Dec. 20.

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* There's a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 30 featuring Bono, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Rita Ora, Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Bastille and more. Money raised goes to fight Ebola. The original charity single was recorded in 1984.

* Chinese singer Rong "Rollin" Wang released a bizarre video for her song "Chick Chick," that looks to be capitalizing on the success of Ylvis' "What Does the Fox Say?" and Psy's "Gangnam Style."

* Sinead O'Connor, in a lengthy interview with the UK's Daily Mail, wasn't a fan of U2 forcing their album on people, referring to it as being something "almost terrorist."

Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.

* Robert Plant reportedly turned down an offer of $300 million to tour with Led Zeppelin. Virgin Atlantic billionaire Richard Branson proposed a 35-show schedule in three cities — London, Berlin and New Jersey — that would have paid each band member that same amount. Plant has repeatedly said that he has no interest in touring with the band.

* Jason Aldean has removed his latest album from Spotify, following the lead of Taylor Swift. Old Boots, New Dirt was streamed by more than 3 million Spotify users between its release on Oct. 7 and its removal.

* One Direction was the big winner at the MTV European Music Awards on Sunday night, taking home five statues. The show, which was hosted by Nicki Minaj, took place in Glasgow, Scotland.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED:
* Kissmas Concert 2014 featuring Jessie J, Nick Jonas and Bebe Rexha on Dec. 9 at the Fillmore.
* Jessica Lea Mayfield and David Mayfield at the Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 10.
* Glen Hansard at the Knight Theater on Feb. 9.
* Echosmith at the Visulite Theatre on Feb. 25.