@MRuggieriUSAT profile picture
Melissa Ruggieri @MRuggieriUSAT

Melissa Ruggieri keeps vampire hours to cover music for @USATODAY. She also remembers when MTV was awesome.

Joined October 2009
  • Tweets 36,328
  • Following 5,633
  • Followers 9,159
14,464 Photos and videos
Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
The Minnesota Star Tribune
@StarTribune
Apr 21
The front page of the Star Tribune on April 22, 2016, following the passing of Prince.
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Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
Jon Bream@jonbream
Apr 13
.@maytegarcia plans big party on 10th anniversary of passing of ex-husband @prince in Hollywood with Sheila E, St Paul Peterson, Taylor Dayne and more. Mayte explains in ⁦@StarTribune⁩ interview. ⁦@StribGoingOut⁩ startribune.com/mayte-garcia…

Prince’s first ex-wife plans big party on anniversary of his death

Mayte Garcia wants to continue his philanthropy with a Hollywood benefit.

startribune.com
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Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
Jon Bream@jonbream
Apr 10
Review: Despite illness, @ladygaga wows with maximalist spectacle @GrandCasArena in her fiance's hometown of St. Paul. She called it Mayhem Ball. I'd call it A Nightmare at the Opera or Monster Mashup, & it was pretty fabulous. Read @StarTribune review. startribune.com/lady-gaga-mi…

Review: Despite illness, Lady Gaga wows with maximalist spectacle in St. Paul

It was a special night in her fiancé’s home state.

startribune.com
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Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
Jon Bream@jonbream
Apr 1
On @prince Purple Rain, @tmorello and @nilslofgren soar with ⁦@springsteen⁩ & E Street Band in Prince’s hometown arena ⁦@TargetCenterMN⁩
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U2 dropped a surprise EP today, fittingly titled "Days of Ash" on Ash Wednesday. The band still has plenty to say. usatoday.com/story/entertain… #U2 #DaysofAsh

U2 surprise drops 'Days of Ash' EP to 'confront these maddening times'

U2's surprise EP "Days of Ash" enforces the band's commitment to social justice. Here's what to know about their new music.

usatoday.com
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Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
Vital Vegas
@VitalVegas
3 Nov 2025
Anything you can do to help is appreciated, even if it’s just a retweet.
The Animal Foundation@animalfndlv
3 Nov 2025
We're caring for 662 animals right now — and you can make a huge impact even if you can’t adopt or foster. • Donate treats, toys & supplies: amzn.to/4gfYrs1 • Drop off used towels & blankets • Give once or monthly: bit.ly/4nxlu5f Thank you!
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Melissa Ruggieri retweeted
USA TODAY
@USATODAY
9 Aug 2025
Sting and @DiRealShaggy have formed a Grammy-winning musical bond. Ahead of their One Fine Day festival, the duo chats about their friendship and their show prep with USA TODAY's @MRuggieriUSAT. #EntertainThis
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If you couldn't get to #LasVegas for @U2 at @SphereVegas, the "V-U2" immersive concert film is a worthy substitute, mostly because it feels as if the band is in front of you. Here's some insight from the Edge about how the whole stunning thing works. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

U2's Sphere concert film is staggeringly lifelike. We talk to the Edge about its creation

U2's 40 concerts at the Sphere in Las Vegas were undoubtedly awe-inspiring. So is their "V-U2" concert film at the venue. We take you inside.

usatoday.com
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Had a really wonderful chat with #AlexVanHalen. His new book, "Brothers," is a true love letter to his brother Ed (learned that he was always called "Ed" or "Edward" - never "Eddie"). Amazing drummer, really cool guy. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Alex Van Halen gets candid about brother's health struggles, tension with David Lee Roth

Alex Van Halen's book, "Brothers," is a love letter to his guitar hero sibling, Ed. The legendary drummer talks to us about his ongoing grief.

usatoday.com
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.@StevieWonder had a couple of special guests escort him onstage @CFGBankArena in Baltimore Tuesday. #BarackObama #steviewonder
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If sonic precision is your thing, you might want to check out the fantastic final tour from @JeffLynnesELO. My review of the D.C. stop: usatoday.com/story/entertain…
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The #Eagles opened their @SphereVegas residency Friday with two hours of hits, alluring video and pristine sound. Review: usatoday.com/story/entertain… #LasVegas

The Eagles deploy pristine sound, dazzling visuals at Vegas Sphere kickoff concert: Review

The Eagles are the latest veteran act to play the Sphere in Las Vegas. We take you inside opening night of their residency.

usatoday.com
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Some more awesomeness at @SphereVegas. The kickoff of the @the_eagles residency. #Eagles
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Even if you think you know the history of @davemasonband , you'll probably still learn something from his new memoir, "Only You Know & I Know." We recently talked about some of the revelations in the book. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Dave Mason, the 'Forrest Gump of rock,' shares tales of Traffic, Beatles in memoir

Dave Mason is renowned for his years in Traffic, but his memoir also explores his work with Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac and other greats.

usatoday.com
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In a couple of weeks, @springsteen will be 75. As evidenced during his D.C. show last weekend, neither he nor the mighty E Street Band are getting off the stage any time soon. And lucky us. #springsteen usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band still rock, quake and shake after 50 years

Bruce Springsteen will soon turn 75 and his E Street Band is 50, but the combination is still potent, as demonstrated at their Washington concert.

usatoday.com
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Love to hear the great news that @officialheart has rescheduled its tour for next year following @annwilson 's recent cancer diagnosis. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Heart reschedules tour following Ann Wilson's cancer treatment. 'The best is yet to come!'

Heart has rescheduled its tour to 2025 following Ann Wilson's cancer treatment. "The best is yet to come!," Wilson said.

usatoday.com
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Some interesting stuff coming from the @bep. The group's @iamwill told us about the new AI member they will debut at their 2025 #LasVegas residency, which kicks off in February and was inspired by #TaylorSwiftTheErasTour. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Black Eyed Peas to debut AI member inspired by 'empress' Taylor Swift at Vegas residency

The Black Eyed Peas will debut a Vegas residency in 2025 with a new AI member and inspiration from Taylor Swift's Eras tour.

usatoday.com
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.@MissyElliott has the tour of the summer with her euphoric production and this is why: usatoday.com/story/entertain… #OutOfThisWorldTour #MissyElliott

Missy Elliott has the most euphoric tour of the summer and this is why

Missy Elliott enlisted pals Timbaland, Busta Rhymes and Ciara for her first headlining tour. What she's created is the tour of the summer.

usatoday.com
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I've seen some great shows this summer, but this @MissyElliott production is spectacular. #missyelliott #OutOfThisWorldTour @CapitalOneArena
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It isn't just @DefLeppard and @JourneyOfficial reminding us this summer that rock isn't dead (usatoday.com/story/entertain…). The U.S. tour kickoff of the Saviors Tour with @GreenDay, @SmashingPumpkin, @Rancid and @thelindalindas offered another wallop. usatoday.com/story/entertain…

Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller romp through five hours of rock sing-alongs

The trifecta of Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band is enticing for a reason - there aren't many stalwart rockers left. Go see them now.

usatoday.com
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