Taking Names: Foo Fighters bow out for now after 18 years together

After 18 years, seven albums and 10 Grammys, the Foo Fighters are taking a break.

Guitarist and lead singer Dave Grohl wrote a letter to fans confirming speculation that sprang up after he told a Central Park audience on Saturday at the Global Citizens Festival that he wasn’t sure when the group would be playing again.

“Without making a big deal out of it, we don’t have any shows after this. This is it, man,” he said before the group launched into “Learn to Fly.” “Honestly, I don’t know when we’re going to do it again.”

After their set, the band held hands and took a bow before walking off stage. Mr. Grohl reappeared to play with headliner Neil Young on the final song, “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Mr. Grohl’s letter does not call the situation a breakup, but he made no promises for future material.

Enlarge Photo

The grand piano Stevie Wonder used as a student will be on ... more >

Thurber humor prize goes to Calvin Trillin

A collection of humorist Calvin Trillin’s writings called “Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff” has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

The award is named for humorist James Thurber, who was known for the short stories and cartoons he contributed to The New Yorker magazine. The first was presented in 1997.

Mr. Trillin, 76, has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1963. He is the author of 20 books, including the best-selling “About Alice” and “Obliviously on He Sails.”

Runners-up for the prize announced in New York on Monday were Patricia Marx’s novel “Starting From Happy” and Nate DiMeo’s fictional “Pawnee,” based on the setting of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” for which Mr. DiMeo is a staff writer.

The winner receives $5,000.

Stevie Wonder student piano loaned to Kentucky museum

A piano used by Stevie Wonder when he was a student in Michigan has been loaned to the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Ky., and will be on display starting next week.

The 1922 Steinway grand piano was long used by students at the Michigan School for the Blind, where Mr. Wonder, a child prodigy, studied in the mid-1960s. Mr. Wonder signed with Motown at the age of 11 and went on to become a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Museum spokeswoman Roberta Williams told the Courier-Journal in Louisville that the piano will be on loan indefinitely. It goes on display starting Oct. 11.

Story Continues →