Classic Hits

The latest installment of ABC’s Family Singalong franchise airs tonight. The Queen Family Singalong pays tribute to the iconic British rock group via songs belted out by a variety of music stars, including the band’s current lead singer, Adam Lambert.

Sharing some details about the special, Lambert says, “[Y]ou’re going to hear Queen songs in new and different ways that you’ve not heard them before, sung by some of your favorites and I think there’s a lotta surprises in there as well. I’m really happy to be a part of it and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

Lambert will be featured singing “Show Must Go On” on the special, which is hosted by former Glee star Darren Criss. Other artists who will perform on the show include Fall Out Boy, former Alice Cooper guitarist Orianthi, Alessia Cara, Jimmie Allen, Miss Piggy, JoJo Siwa, OneRepublic and Pentatonix.

Previous installments of ABC’s Singalong specials have focused on Disney music, so perhaps it’s not surprising that the Queen-themed show also will feature the casts of the Broadway productions of Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin.

The Queen Family Singalong airs tonight at 8 p.m ET on ABC.

Here’s a select list of performances from the special:

Adam Lambert –- “The Show Must Go On”
Derek Hough featuring Alexander Jean -– “Another One Bites the Dust”
Fall Out Boy -– “Under Pressure”
Jimmie Allen featuring Miss Piggy -– “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
JoJo Siwa and Orianthi -– “We Will Rock You”
OneRepublic -– “We Are the Champions”
Pentatonix –- “Somebody to Love”
The casts of Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin — “Don’t Stop Me Now”
Alessia Cara — “We Are the Champions”

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have shared a third advance track from their upcoming collaborative album, Raise the Roof, an atmospheric rendition of a 1965 song by late British folk guitar legend Bert Jansch titled “It Don’t Bother Me.”

The tune, which is available now via digital outlets, is the final advance song the duo plans to debut before the album’s November 19 release.

The track showcases Krauss’ lead vocals, some eclectic instrumentation, and guitar interplay from Marc Ribot and Los Lobos‘ David Hidalgo.

The Led Zeppelin singer says of recording “It Don’t Bother Me” for the new album, “I’ve been a big follower of Bert Jansch’s work since I was a teenager, and of that whole Irish, Scottish, English folk style that has a different lilt and different lyrical perspective. I was very keen to bring some of that into the picture.”

Adds Krauss, “One of my favorite parts of this is the songs and songwriters that I had never heard of. Working with Robert, and with [producer] T Bone [Burnett], is always a great education in music history.”

As previously reported, Raise the Roof features covers of “legends and unsung heroes of folk, blues, country and soul music,” as well as one original tune co-written by Plant and Burnett titled “High and Lonesome.”

“High and Lonesome” was one of the previously released tracks from Raise the Roof, along with the album’s lead single “Can’t Let Go,” a song written by Randy Weeks that previously was recorded by popular alt-country artist Lucinda Williams.

Raise the Roof can be pre-ordered now. It’s a follow-up to Plant and Krauss’ 2007 collaborative album Raising Sand, which won a total of five Grammys in 2009, including Album of the Year.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The recently reported special screenings of an updated version of the Doors concert film Live at the Bowl ’68 take place in select theaters around the world tonight, November 4, to celebrate the 50th anniversary this year of the release of the band’s classic album L.A. Woman.

The event, dubbed The Doors: Live at the Bowl ’68 Special Edition, will feature the full movie, as well as footage of a new performance by surviving Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, plus a conversation with Densmore, Krieger and the group’s manager, Jeff Jampol.

Krieger recently shared some details about the new performance with ABC Audio. Robby revealed that the performance was filmed a few weeks ago at his recording studio, and featured him and Densmore playing a couple songs with former Chicago singer/bassist Jason Scheff.

As Krieger explained, Jason has an interesting familial connection to The Doors.

“[H]is dad [Jerry] played bass on L.A. Woman,” Robby noted. “[A]nd he had his dad’s old Sunn amp that he actually used to play [on the] album.”

Jerry Scheff also played bass on a few other Doors albums, although he’s best known for being a longtime member of Elvis Presley‘s TCB Band.

Live at the Bowl ’68, which originally was released in 2012, features restored footage of a historic July 1968 show that The Doors played at Los Angeles’ famed Hollywood Bowl that’s widely considered one of the band’s best filmed performances.

The screenings feature a remastered audio mix in Dolby ATMOS and 5.1 surround sound created by longtime Doors engineer Bruce Botnick, who recorded the original Hollywood Bowl show.

You can buy tickets for the screenings now at TheDoorsFilm.com.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, an expanded 50th anniversary L.A. Woman reissue is due out December 3.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland through November 12, and some of the world’s top musical artists are using their social platforms to help spread the word about the importance of taking action against the global threat.

Cyndi Lauper, Cher, Melissa Etheridge and Quincy Jones are among the music stars that have teamed up with the Right Here, Right Now Climate Alliance; throughout the end of the conference, they are posting messages aimed not just at world leaders, but at their millions of followers.

The goal is to mobilize half a billion people to urge the leaders to accelerate action against climate change, which can cause flooding, fires, extreme weather and destruction of species, not to mention its impact on poor and marginalized populations.

“We’re grateful for all of the celebrities who are helping promote climate change as a human rights crisis,” says David Clark, founder of Right Here, Right Now. “It is critically important that we humanize the issue through a human rights lens, as people need to understand the choices they make, have real impact on the lives of others.”

Other artists participating in the initiative include Jason Mraz, Pentatonix, Natasha Bedingfield and Camila Cabello.

Join the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance and global partner @UNHumanRights in calling for the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow @COP26 to treat #ClimateChange as the #HumanRights crisis it is! Learn more about #RHRN to get involved now! https://t.co/ghpf06wngX pic.twitter.com/A6Pdhv6tW5

— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) November 2, 2021

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Cher (@cher)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

After being off the road since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carl Palmer and his current band ELP Legacy launches a new U.S. tour tonight in Warrendale, Pennsylvania.

The trek, which currently features 14 dates on the East Coast and Midwest, is mapped out through a November 21 concert in Wayne, New Jersey. More shows will be added to the schedule soon.

The tour will feature Palmer’s ELP Legacy marking the 50th anniversary of Carl’s old band, the legendary prog-rock trio Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

“Finally! The band and I are very eager to get back on stages in America, and around the rest of world, where possible,” says Palmer in a statement. “The show will have some material we have not played in years, as well as ELP’s best loved material. Visually, we will include footage in the show that reflects the highlights of ELP’s career.”

ELP Legacy is a power trio that also features guitarist/singer Paul Bielatowicz and bassist/Chapman stick player Simon Fitzpatrick.

Palmer is the sole surviving member of ELP, as keyboardist Keith Emerson and singer/bassist Greg Lake both died in 2016.

Meanwhile, Carl notes that the ELP Legacy tour marks the launch of a three-year series of events and releases celebrating the music and history of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Future plans include a limited-edition biography about the group, a new Palmer art collection focusing on ELP’s five main studio albums, a documentary, a film based on the band’s classic song “Karn Evil 9,” and a special trek that will feature Carl performing alongside archival footage of his late band mates.

Visit CarlPalmer.com to check out ELP Legacy’s full list of upcoming tour dates.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Patti LaBelle, who has suffered from diabetes for over 25 years, is speaking to Congress on Thursday in conjunction with National Diabetes Awareness Month to advocate for better access to care for people with Type 2 diabetes.

“Diabetes is often invisible to everyone except those living with it, so we need to make it visible and help people access the care and technology they deserve,” the “On My Own” singer says in a statement.

LaBelle is joining the Diabetes Leadership Council for a virtual event that will convene policymakers, advocates and healthcare professionals to explore how disparities in diabetes caregiving and technology access impact vulnerable communities, especially in communities of color.

In an Instagram video, the 77-year-old icon revealed she discovered she had diabetes after falling during a concert in the 1990s in Albany, New York. “The stage was moving around, so I passed out, but I thought was I dizzy,” Patti recalls. “I was rushed to the hospital and the doctor came and said you’re type 2 diabetic.”

For those who try to hide the illness, the two-time Grammy winner says, “My advice to those who are shamed of saying they’re diabetic is that you’re crazy. Say it and live with it and smile. I have diabetes, but diabetes does not have me.”

The “Diabetes Technology: Disparities, Access, Equity” event with Congress, featuring Patti, can be viewed this Thursday, November 4, at 12 p.m ET/ 90 a.m. PT, on The Hill website.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Patti LaBelle (@mspattilabelle)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

U2 has premiered a new single called “Your Song Saved My Life.”

The characteristically uplifting tune was recorded for the upcoming animated film Sing 2, in which Bono voices a rock-star lion character named Clay Calloway. The movie hits theaters this Christmas.

You can listen to “Your Song Saved My Life,” which U2 previously teased via their newly launched TikTok profile, now via digital outlets. It’s U2’s first new, original song in two years, though Bono and The Edge just contributed to a track with DJ and producer Martin Garrix called “We Are the People” earlier this year.

U2’s most recent album is 2017’s Songs of Experience.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys benefit concert is back this year.

The 23rd installment of the charity event will take place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday December 18. The last time Stevie hosted the concert was back in 2018.

“In this, a most challenged time throughout the world, is when we show up to show our deepest love and commitment to helping those to still enjoy this holiday season,” Stevie says in a statement. “It is my joy to be able to return and present HFOT.”

House Full of Toys benefits children, people with disabilities, and families in need during the holidays. Wonder’s We Are You Foundation asks concertgoers to bring an unwrapped toy or other gift to the show.

So far, Stevie is the only confirmed performer. Past shows have included performances by Lionel Richie, R&B singer Ella Mai, singer/rapper Anderson .Paak and more.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, November 5 at 10 a.m. PT on AXS.COM.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

A new mini-documentary about the creation of the limited “333 Edition” vinyl version of Paul McCartney‘s latest solo album, 2020’s McCartney III, has premiered at the Third Man Records label’s official YouTube channel.

To created the limited-edition LP, Third Man Records — the label co-founded by White Stripes frontman Jack White — melted down crushed-up copies of the former Beatles legend’s 1970 debut album, McCartney, and his 1980 studio effort, McCartney II. As its name suggests, only 333 copies of the McCartney III “333 Edition” LP were produced.

The five-minute video features black-and-white clips of Sir Paul working on McCartney III combined with footage of the vinyl LPs being created, as well as interviews with Third Man co-founder Ben Swank and respected Rolling Stone journalist Rob Sheffield.

Sheffield discusses how McCartney recorded the new album during the COVID-19 lockdown and envisioned it as the third installment of a trilogy, along with McCartney and McCartney II. As previously reported, Paul wrote, recorded and produced all three albums almost entirely by himself.

Explaining the idea behind the creation of the limited McCartney III LP, Swank notes, “When I started discussing this with Paul’s manager, he said, ‘Let’s destroy the old to make the new.'”

Near the end of the video, Swank says, “I hope that the philosophical idea of something new growing out of something old, a metaphorical rebirth, as well as a physical rebirth for this vinyl, I hope that comes through to people. Maybe you can’t hear it, but it’s there.”

In addition to the “333 Edition” of McCartney III, Third Man created a “3333 Edition” pressed on yellow-and-black splatter vinyl that was released released exclusively to independent record stores, limited to 3,333 copies worldwide.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ronnie Wilson, a founding member of legendary funk and soul group The Gap Band has died. He was 73.

Ronnie’s wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, confirmed his death on her Facebook page, saying in part, “Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, producing, and playing the flugelhorn, Trumpet, keyboards, and singing music, from childhood to his early seventies. He will be truly missed!”

According to TMZ, Wilson died on Tuesday after suffering a stroke.

Ronnie, along his brothers Charlie and Robert, formed The Gap Band in their Tulsa, Oklahoma, hometown in the 1970s. Their music, which was infused with funk and soul, help to inspire bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth Wind & Fire.

The group enjoyed some early success in the late ’70s, but some of their most notable hits came during the early ’80s. In 1980 they released The Gap Band III, which produced such soul ballads as”Yearning for Your Love” and”Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me).” Then in 1982, with the release of The Gap Band IV — their sixth LP — they hit the R&B charts again with songs like “Early in the Morning,” “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” and “Outstanding.”

Although The Gap Band retired in 2010 after the passing of member Robert Wilson, their music has been sampled or covered by a wide range of R&B artists over the years, including Tyler, the Creator, Mary J. Blige, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Tina Turner. More recently, producer Mark Ronson sampled the song “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)” for his smash 2014 collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.