Today in Music News 4.7.17

Every weekday we take a look at what's happening in music news. Check out the headlines for today, here!

Nashville has officially set an annual Merle Haggard Day yesterday (in honor of his would-be 80th birthday), and to help celebrate the first holiday was Keith Richards and Billy Gibbons. Richards had a longtime friendship with Haggard, and ZZ Top's Gibbons helped play along to a rendition of “Workin’ Man Blues”.
Record Store Day hits the nation on April 22nd, and to help celebrate Elton John is releasing an expanded double-LP of 11-17-70. This is the first time the live album has been put on vinyl.
The Beatles are going all out for the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The expanded edition of the album that will contain extra tracks “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane” is coming out on May 26th, and in addition to the new album, The Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool is planning on celebrating the 50th anniversary along with them for three whole weeks. They are having 13 different events for each 13 tracks on the album.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra‘s founder and leader Paul O’Neill has passed away at the age of 61. The announcement was made over the band’s social media page, explaining that O’Neill passed from “chronic illness”. TSO has released six albums and an EP since their start back in 1996.