Classic Hits

Pink Floyd continues to celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, and has just shared a new video looking back at the groundbreaking tour in support of the album.

The clip looks at the first-ever use of their large circular screen at the back of the stage, and their surround sound system. It features commentary from Roger Waters, as well as Aubrey Powell of album cover design company Hipgnosis, and Ian Emes, who did the animation for the “Time” sequence for the Dark Side tour. 

There’s also an interview with Jill Furmanovsky, who shot the majority of the photos on the tour. Those photos are included in the new book Pink Floyd — The Dark Side of the Moon: 50th Anniversary, which is included in the 50th anniversary box set, available now.

“Floyd were unique at the time, they were breaking all these boundaries technically. It was a totally immersive experience,” she shares. “It was a really good time for the band. Everyone was in their prime. They seemed to be enjoying all of it.”

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As previously reported, Duran Duran’s John Taylor recently revealed at the Unforgettable Evening fundraiser for cancer research that original guitarist Andy Taylor is going to be on their next album, and now the band is sharing a few more details about the project.

In a post on Instagram, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers confirm that “a special new music project is in the works, set for release later this year.” They add, “The new recordings will feature extended Duran Duran family and friends, old and new, including our former band mate Andy Taylor, who will join us on guitar on a few tracks.”

In the meantime, Duran Duran is set to hit the road in April with dates in the U.K. and Ireland. They return to the United States on May 27 with an appearance at the BottleRock Festival in Napa Valley, California. A complete list of dates can be found at duranduran.com.

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Madonna revealed the five rules her family must follow when they’re home.

Taking to her Instagram Story on Sunday, the hitmaker shared a picture of her holding up a chalkboard-style sign that has the words “House Rules” written on top.

The #1 rule of Madonna’s house is to “Smile,” while the second-most important rule is to “Be Happy.” Going down the list, it becomes apparent the singer values communication because the next rule is “Listen to others.”

Rounding out the list are “Speak Kindness” and “Be Happy with what you have,” respectively.

Madonna is the mother of six children: 26-year-old Lourdes, 22-year-old Rocco, 17-year-old David Banda, 15-year-old Mercy, and 10-year-old twins Estere and Stella.

As previously reported, the singer revealed what brings her joy when talking to Vanity Fair. In her January interview, she said “the time I spend with my children” makes her happy, such as “seeing them happy, watching their development, discovering their passions.”

Madonna also described motherhood as “the most difficult, the hardest battle.” Despite that, she added, “Whoever you are, having children and raising them is a work of art.”

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The next Duran Duran album will see the return of guitarist Andy Taylor. According to Guitar.com, while speaking at the Unforgettable Evening fundraiser for cancer research in Los Angeles, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor revealed that Andy is recording music for the band’s next release.

Discussing Andy’s revelation last year that he’s battling prostate cancer, John said, “When he dropped the bomb two days before the (Rock & Roll) Hall of Fame, it was really shocking and terribly sad. We’re working on an album right now that is going to be coming out at the end of the year and he’s playing guitar.”

John says the record is expected to contain “a lot of cover songs,” noting they are “songs meaningful to us when we were kids. So having him be a part of that project is great.” 

While the album is being recorded in Los Angeles and London, John says frontman Simon LeBon is heading to Ibiza to record with Andy. 

“I kind of wish I was there,” he said. “I think it’ll be great. It’ll be really profound for them. They haven’t been in the studio together in maybe 10 to 20 years.”

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KISS’ Gene Simmons recently announced a chance for U.K. fans to record a song with him at Abbey Road Studios — for a price, of course. Well, now he’s offering U.S. fans a similar experience.

To coincide with KISS’ final shows ever at New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 1 and 2, Simmons is giving lucky fans a chance to join him at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios December 4, 5 and 6.

For a little less than $6,000, a fan and a guest will get to spend the day in the studio with Simmons and record a song with him, which they’ll be able to take home. They’ll also get to hear Gene share stories about his career, snag some items from his personal KISS collection and take a photo with him. Plus Simmons will sign two of the purchaser’s personal items. 

Simmons notes that no musical experience is necessary to take part in this special package, but “if you play an instrument, we may use that in the recording.”

More info can be found at genesimmonselectricladystudios.com.

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Parliament-Funkadelic original member Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins passed away Friday at the age of 81. No cause of death was revealed. 

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s death was revealed in a social media post by P-Funk’s George Clinton, who shared, “We are saddened to announce the passing of an original Parliament Funkadelic member Clarence Eugene “Fuzzy” Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023).”

Clinton later shared an obituary on his website, noting that Haskins “wrote and co-wrote some of Funkadelic’s earliest classics, including ‘I Got A Thing’ (featuring his vocals) and ‘I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You.’”

Bootsy Collins later shared his own tribute, writing, “Prayer’s (sic) going out to Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins family & friends. We lost his frequency today 3-17- 23. He was an original Parliament/Funkadelic inducted in the RHOF. We will miss u my friend, bandmate & Soul brother! Thx u for ur guidance in my pup year’s (sic).”

Haskins started his career with Clinton in the ’50s/’60s group The Parliaments, which then led to the funk bands Parliament and Funkadelic in the ’70s, which became known as Parliament-Funkadelic or P-Funk. He left the band in 1977 for a solo career, releasing the album A Whole Nother Thang in 1976 and Radio Active in 1978.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic in 1997.

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Daryl Hall is headed overseas this summer, announcing two new shows in London, including a gig opening for Billy Joel. 

Hall will kick off his London gigs joining Joel for his American Express presents BST Hyde Park concert in London on July 7.

Hall will follow that with a headlining show at London’s Eventim Apollo on July 9, with his good friend Todd Rundgren on board as special guest. The show will also feature Daryl with his house band, which performed with him on his web series Live From Daryl’s House.

“So glad to be back in London playing,” Hall shares. “I always have the best shows there.”

Tickets for Hall’s London Eventim Apollo show go on sale March 24 at 10 a.m. local time.

The Billy Joel/Daryl Hall show is one of many BST Hyde Park concerts this summer. Others include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Guns N’ Roses and more.

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U2 announced earlier this year they would be headlining a new Las Vegas residency this fall, but their drummer, Larry Mullen Jr., would be missing it in order to continue to recover from surgery. Fans were not happy about the news, and it turns out bassist Adam Clayton has some reservations, as well.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Clayton tells Billboard. “I haven’t played with anyone else before. I know playing with Larry Mullen, he always made me sound good, and that was half the job done.” 

But Clayton notes having Bram van den Berg fill in for Mullen “might just keep us on our toes. I’m sure we’ll find our groove.” 

And to assure fans things will be OK, Clayton offers, “I think Bram is a great player. He’s got a great reputation. He’s a lovely man. If the musician’s heart is in the right place, the music follows without too much difficulty.”

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On This Day March 20, 1969…

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who met in 1966 and became romantically involved in 1968, got married in Gibraltar.

They honeymooned in Paris, Amsterdam and Montreal, staging a Bed-In-For-Peace in the latter two cities. Lennon documented the whole honeymoon experience in the Top 10 single “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” recorded with help from Paul McCartney.

The couple welcomed their only son, Sean Taro Ono Lennon, in October of 1975, and remained married until Lennon’s murder on December 8, 1980. They did separate for 18 months between 1973 and 1975, in which Lennon dated May Pang. That time was referred to as Lennon’s “Lost Weekend.”

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Foreigner is heading to Las Vegas for their residency at The Venetian next week, and for frontman Kelly Hansen, these shows are a totally different experience than the ones they play when they are out on tour. 

“The Vegas residency is a casino, and in that sense it’s different because people are coming from all of the country, and in some circumstances all of the world, to one venue to come see you,” he says. “Which is an unusual and unique occurrence for us, which means we’re having a much broader audience at those shows.”

He adds, “I mean, these people make arrangements and spend a lot of time and money and effort to come see us play, so it’s really important that we’re there and not sick, and we’re taking care of ourselves and doing a good show.” 

And there are certainly some things he loves about playing Vegas. “For us it’s really great because we can just walk in from the hotel, and we’re very rested, we’re ready for an energetic show,” Hansen shares. “Sometimes, I have to admit, here and there, you know, after five or six shows in a week, that last one you’re going, ‘Oh how am I going to do this show tonight?’” 

Foreigner’s Las Vegas residency kicks off Friday, March 24. A complete list of Foreigner dates can be found at foreigneronline.com.

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