Des O’Driscoll has the complete list of what you should watch on your couch this week.

Here’s your latest arts and entertainment round-up with Des O’Driscoll.

His first book was a biography of Duran Duran, but Neil Gaiman quickly moved into the comic book world and from there to a successful multi-media career in fantasy and sci fi.

Noel Baker samples the laid-back atmosphere in Skibbereen’s luxury haunt for visiting celebrities. Even Luke Skywalker has been a guest...

*****

With a sprinkling of Stardust, David Bowie became one of the best-selling and widely loved singers of all time. Eleanor Bley Griffiths recalls a man who followed his own path to success.  

David Bowie has taken on many forms, from the androgynous dresser to disco dancer to juxtaposing jazzer. He influenced many but had many influence him in style, concepts and sounds, writes Stephen Dorney.

John Muldoon becomes the first player to make 200 appearances in the Guinness Pro12 when he leads Connacht against Cardiff at Arms Park this evening (7.05pm).

MAURICE SEEZER is a songwriter, film music composer and founding committee member of the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival.

Ringo Starr will join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight with fellow Beatle Paul McCartney doing the honours of introducing him at the ceremony in the US.

Described as a ‘regular cat’ — even ‘a soulful cat’ , Van Morrison is not one for interviews, so it was a coup for Clive Davis to land an interview with the media-phobic Maestro , exclusively for the Irish Examiner.

WHAT this book demands from a reader is a willingness to accept that the best writer in America could write almost nothing but record reviews.

I’d be lost without music. My taste in music is wide and ever-expanding. 

Jack Bruce, the composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, died today of liver disease, aged 71.

And the nominees are …

The original line-up of The Smiths could take to the stage again after they were listed as one of 15 possible new members of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Celebs cover The Beach Boy classis 'God Only Knows'

Bono and Rihanna had front-row seats as his wife’s ethical fashion range Edun unveiled its spring collection at New York Fashion Week.

Conor Lovett is performing a work by a contemporary American playwright for his new show, writes Colette Sheridan.

MUSIC NEWS: Neil Young has already found a replacement bassist for Billy Talbot after the Crazy Horse founding member suffered a "mild stroke".

Joan Wasser, who records as Joan As Policewoman, is going her own way with a new, groovy, soulful sound, says Ed Power.

Ed Hamell has been hiding in plain sight. "I haven’t released an album in six years. But I’ve been on YouTube. I decided that I would write a song every day for a year and put it online."

In 2008 evidence uncovered by an Irish law student led to the release of a man who had served 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Now Niamh Gunn has a new mission — to create a National Wellbeing Centre for Ireland in the stunning surrounds of Liss Ard estate.

Suzanne Vega

Her massive 1987 hit brought her almost instant fame, but Suzanne Vega couldn’t reconcile her success with the dark subject matter of ‘Luca’, says Ed Power.

The shocking death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from a suspected drugs overdose has highlighted a growing epidemic of heroin use across the US, officials have warned.

Arctic Monkeys lead the field for this year’s NME Awards with eight nominations.

THIS is a story of how you can recover after your worst nightmare. It’s the story of a mother whose three children died. Madonna Badger, 49, was an art director, for people like Calvin Klein, and owned a successful company in New York.

HE WAS one of the great statesman of the latter half of the 20th century. But Nelson Mandela was also a hugely significant cultural figure.

Bruce Springsteen: New album will be released on January 10.

MUSIC NEWS:

CONFIRMING the endurance of naff, Cliff Richard’s 100th album is released on Nov 8, just weeks after the death of Lou Reed, 71.

Lou Bega has been sent hundreds of condolences by people confusing him with Lou Reed.

Lou Reed died of liver disease.

Tributes poured in from the world of showbusiness for Lou Reed, the US musician and frontman of rock band Velvet Underground, who died aged 71 on Sunday.

Lou Reed, the punk-poet of rock who influenced generations of musicians with the Velvet Underground and who remained a vital solo artist for decades, died yesterday at the age of 71.

The renowned musician, best known for his work as guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Velvet Underground, passed away at the age of 71, six months after undergoing a liver transplant in May.

Forever burned into my memory from the New York Jets game this past Sunday will be my good friend Rob Gallo leaning back at an almost impossible angle, silent joy gripping his face, his eyes wide, his happiness complete.

Facing more music.

MUSIC NEWS: Cillian Murphy has made his directorial debut with a music video for Manchester band Money.

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