Music

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Recording Industry Association of America is honoring Utah's aggressive campaign to stop music piracy.

LOS ANGELES -- Etta James' performance of the enduring classic "At Last" was the embodiment of refined soul: Angelic-sounding strings harkened the arrival of her passionate yet measured vocals as she sang tenderly about a love finally realized after a long and patient wait.

In real life, little about James was as genteel as that song. The platinum blonde's first hit was a saucy R&B number about sex, and she was known as a hell-raiser who had tempestuous relationships with her family, her men and the music industry. Then she spent years battling a drug addiction that she admitted sapped away at her great talents.

The 73-year-old died at Riverside Community Hospital, with her husband and sons at her side, De Leon said.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ben Utecht played college football in his hometown for the Minnesota Gophers, caught touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in the NFL and won a Super Bowl championship. He understands what it's like to perform on a big stage.

Now he's getting a taste of it in a more literal sense.

BOUNTIFUL -- University of Utah emeritus music professor Lewis Phelps and friends will present four free Thursday lectures on "America's Vernacular Songs" at the Golden Years Senior Activity Center in Bountiful, 726 S. 100 East.

NEW YORK -- Welcome to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Guns N' Roses.

The seminal rock band of the late 1980s and early '90s, best known for hits like "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "November Rain," leads the 2012 class of inductees announced on Wednesday. Also making the cut is the hip-hop trio Beastie Boys; rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers; the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro; Donovan; and influential British rock group The Small Faces/The Faces, which included Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.

OGDEN -- When he was in the fourth grade, Landon Weeks wanted to take piano lessons. A private piano teacher decided to give him a three-month trial.

Because Landon has only three fingers on each hand and no elbows that bend, his teacher knew it might pose a challenge, but she was willing to take the risk.

"She was a concert pianist until a tragic accident left her with the ability to just use two of her fingers on one arm," said Lanette Weeks, Landon's mother.