Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.
* Indy Week is reporting that Etix founder Travis Janovich is trying to buy the Triangle area's Hopscotch Music Festival. If the sale goes through, current festival director Greg Lowenhagen would remain in that position. New owners will bring a bit of insurance at the festival will continue and that promotion can be further reaching.
* A$SAP Mob founder A$AP Yams was found dead at age 26 over the weekend. Details of his death have not been made public. Yams, born Steven Rodriguez, is credited with helping the A$AP Mob secure their record contract along with guiding the careers of A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg.
* The Grateful Dead have announced plans for three 50th anniversary shows to take place in Chicago on July 3-5. The four living original members — Bob Weir, 67; Phil Lesh, 74; Mickey Hart, 71; Bill Kreutzmann, 68 — will be joined by Trey Anastasio of Phish, keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.
* Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson has announced at the band has officially broken up. This comes one year after the band played its final show. The band has had two lengthy hiatuses in its history and Robinson said the final straw relates to money.