Classic Hits – Page 15

Zak Starkey talks relationship with The Who as he readies one-man show

February 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Drummer Zak Starkey is set to take the stage at New York’s Gramercy Theatre Friday for a one-man show, Zak Starkey … Who?: An Evening of Drums and Conversation. He’ll take fans through his life and career, which will likely include his almost 30 years playing drums for The Who.

Starkey tells ABC Audio that even though his dad is Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, it was seeing The Who that made him want to learn to play the drums. And it turns out his dad wasn’t much help with that.

“I asked my dad for a drum lesson, and he gave me one lesson,” Starkey says. “Then the next day he said, ‘Now try this.’ I said, ‘I can do that.’ He said, ‘Well, you’re on your own.’ And that was it.”

Starkey began playing with The Who in 1996, and he says it felt “amazing” when he got the gig after being such a fan.

And while he and The Who parted ways in 2025 following an onstage disagreement between Starkey and Roger Daltrey, Starkey says he still has a good relationship with both Daltrey and Pete Townshend. In fact, he recently talked to Daltrey, who wished him luck with the show and gave him some advice.

“He told me to be myself, everything would be fine,” says Starkey. He notes of the issues that led to his split with the band, “It’s just some crazy s*** got out of hand … but we were still friends all the time through it.”

The Who wound up going on a farewell tour of North America in 2025 without Starkey behind the drum kit. As for whether he thinks it really was The Who’s final tour, Starkey wouldn’t speculate.

“If you think you know what those two guys are going to do, they’ll do something different.”

Late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott’s 80th birthday to be marked by events, new merch and more

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Original AC/DC frontman Bon Scott would have turned 80 this year, and the Bon Scott estate, along with its exclusive licensing/merchandising partner Perryscope Productions, has announced lots of plans to celebrate the milestone.

The official Scott YouTube channel will offer new video content as part of a deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, plus there will be video of new interviews from Scott’s friends and peers, including Sammy Hagar, Anthtrax’s Scott Ian and Rick Springfield.

There will also be a whole host of Bon Scott tribute events, including the 20th anniversary Bonfest: The International Bon Scott Rock Festival May 1-2 in Kirriemuir, Scotland, along with the third annual Bon’s Birthday Bash in New York on July 6. In addition, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is planning a one-night-only screening of the AC/DC concert film Let There Be Rock: The Movie.

Plus, the estate has plans for a whole host of merchandising this year. They include limited-edition collectibles like 1-ounce gold and 10-ounce silver bars from the Perth Mint with Scott’s name and likeness; posters, T-shirts and more featuring exclusive artwork by graphic artist Reg Mombassa; and Knucklebonz’s third Bon Scott edition collectible, based on AC/DC’s 1978 Powerage tour.

There will also be apparel options, with a variety of limited-edition T-shirts, including a Bon 80 shirt and a “heritage” Tartan shirt from Dixxon Flannel Co, based on the officially registered Bon Scott tartans.

More info can be found at BonScottOfficial.com.

Scott was born July 6, 1946. He died Feb. 19, 1980, at age 33.

Eagles to show off ‘Their Greatest Hits 1971-75’ quadruple Diamond certification in Las Vegas

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Eagles’ compilation album Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 was awarded a quadruple Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in January, and the band is so proud of the accomplishment that they are showing it off.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers revealed on Instagram that the 40-times Platinum plaque they received, for sales of over 40 million units, will be on display at The Venetian Resort to coincide with their current residency at the Sphere.

The plaque will be on display at the pop-up store Eagles Third Encore, located at The Summit Showroom at The Venetian. It’s free and open to the public Thursday to Sunday, including late hours on Friday and Saturday show days.

Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 is the first-ever record to be certified 400-times Platinum, securing the album’s standing as the bestselling album of all time in the United States.

Eagles return to the Sphere Friday and Saturday, with shows booked through April 11. A complete list of dates can be found at Eagles.com.

Paul McCartney, Paul Mescal attend London screening of ‘Man on the Run’

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Paul McCartney was in attendance Wednesday night at a special star-studded London screening of his upcoming documentary, Man on the Run, which looks at McCartney’s life following the breakup of The Beatles, including the formation of his band Wings.

Also in attendance was the film’s director, Morgan Neville, and actor Paul Mescal. Mescal is set to play McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles films, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, which are currently in production and expected to hit theaters in April 2028.

Others checking out the screening include Mescal’s girlfriend, singer Gracie Abrams; McCartney’s kids Stella McCartney and James McCartney; Mumford & Son’s Marcus Mumford; Oasis’ Noel Gallagher; Sharon Osbourne; Paul Weller; and Cruz Beckham.

Man on the Run is set to run in theaters for one day only Thursday and premiere globally on Prime Video on Feb. 27.

Full Milwaukee Summerfest lineup announced

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The full lineup for the 2026 Milwaukee Summerfest has just been announced. The festival takes place over three weekends — June 18-20, June 25-27 and July 2-4 — across multiple venues.

Artists performing at this year’s Summerfest, some of whom were previously announced, include David Lee Roth, James Taylor, Styx, Gene Simmons Band, Megadeth, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Don Felder, Third Eye Blind, Modern English, Lisa Loeb, Soul Asylum and Spin Doctors.

“As an independent music festival, we are thrilled to deliver this one-of-a-kind lineup that features an incredible mix of genres and artists,” said Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “We’re excited to welcome fans from around the globe to celebrate and create memories that only live music can provide.”

A nine-day pass for Summerfest is available now through Feb. 25 at midnight for $58. Single-day general admission, three-day passes and VIP seating are also available now. More info on tickets and the full lineup can be found at Summerfest.com.

Queen announces expanded reissue of sophomore album, ‘Queen II’

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After months of teases from guitarist Brian May, Queen has finally revealed details of the upcoming reissue of their sophomore album, Queen II.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band is set to celebrate the record with the release of a remixed, remastered and expanded five-CD + two-LP collector’s edition box set, dropping March 27.

The set includes a 2026 mix of the album, as well as a whole host of bonus material, including previously unheard outtakes and demos, live tracks, radio sessions and what’s described as “intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the recording studio.” The set also features a 112-page book with previously unseen photos, handwritten lyrics, the band’s memories of writing and recording the album and more.

“Queen II was the single biggest leap we ever made,” says May of the record, which was originally released in March 1974. “That’s when we really started making music the way we wanted to, rather than the way we were being pushed into recording it.”

“With Queen II, I couldn’t believe how much work we put into it,” drummer Roger Taylor adds. “I think we felt we were evolving our own sound. We were pioneering this sort of multitracking thing. It gave you a tremendous pallet, massive choral effects with just three of us singing.”

In addition to Queen II Collector’s Edition, the reissue will be released as a two-CD deluxe edition and on one-LP vinyl. All formats are available for preorder now.

On This Day, Feb. 19, 1985: Mick Jagger releases debut solo album

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

On The Feb. 19, 1985…

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger released his debut solo album, She’s The Boss.

The album was produced by Jagger, Nile Rodgers and others, and featured contributions from The Who’s Pete Townshend, guitarist Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Sly and Robbie.

It later caused some friction between Jagger and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who felt Jagger’s priority should be the band.

She’s The Boss peaked at #12 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s lead single “Just Another Night,” which featured Beck on guitar, went on to peak at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on the Mainstream Rock charts. The follow-up single, “Lucky in Love,” was a top-40 hit.

Jagger went on to release three more solo albums, his last being 2001’s Goddess in the Doorway.

The Doors’ Playing for Change video shows ‘Jim, Robby and John are still in sync,’ says producer

February 19, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Doors’ John Densmore and Robby Krieger recently teamed with Playing for Change, the multimedia project connecting the world through music, for a new version of The Doors’ classic “Riders on the Storm.” It features artists from eight countries, including Don Was, Lukas Nelson and Foo Fighters’ Rami Jaffee, and also incorporates the original vocals of late Doors frontman Jim Morrison — something one of the project’s creators feels was “clearly meant to be.”

“We filmed Robby and John, and they just played it like they’ve played it all their lives,” Playing for Change partner and producer Sebastian Robertson tells ABC Audio of the video.

“And as we were going and adding more people and traveling around the world, it started to get so exciting that The Doors management said, ‘Why don’t we give you Jim’s original vocal and see what happens?’ And, like the mystical ways of The Doors, it was the exact right tempo and it just fit in.”

“It was an honor. And it was breathtaking to hear [Jim’s vocals] isolated,” he says. “It just worked. It was clearly meant to be. And I think Jim and Robby and John are still in sync, and I think Jim approves.”

The video’s since racked up over 2 million views and raised thousands of dollars for the Playing for Change Foundation’s music program for indigenous artists in South Dakota. It was chosen due to John’s support of indigenous arts and rights, and Sebastian’s own Mohawk heritage via his late father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Robbie Robertson.

Sebastian says of the video’s success, “This is a very important song for a lot of people. And I think we treated it that way in the video.”

The next Playing for Change video, Sebastian teases, will “take place ‘on a dark desert highway.'”

Bono describes U2’s next album as ‘defiantly joyful’

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

U2 frontman Bono has shared some insight into the band’s upcoming album, which is expected later this year.

In conjunction with the just-released EP U2 – Days of Ash, U2 released a special edition of their magazine Propaganda, and in an interview, Bono revealed that they have plenty of songs in the mix for the record.

“There’s a lot more than 25 songs in the works … but I’d say about 25 are worth considering for U2 projects in the next few years,” Bono says. He notes that songs being considered are “very different in mood” from the tracks on Days of Ash, which was written in response to current events.

“More songs of celebration than lamentation,” he said. “The LP/album we’ve been working on has a very different kind of musical mood and narrative, a more of a defiantly joyful kind of feel to take on these anxious times … almost a carnival vibe.”

Continuing to discuss the mood of the new record, Bono notes, “We’re going to try and make the light brighter real soon. … We’re going try finding it in each other and our fans.”

“We’re gonna try to find that carnival atmosphere in our audience, where hopefully we can both show each other not just where we are at but where we want to be at. … Serious fun is required,” he adds. “We can’t always be letting the bad news drown out the good news of just waking up in the morning and being together in the same place … we’re all much better live!!!”

So far a specific release date for U2’s next album has not been revealed. It will be their first album of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience.

Journey to perform at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

February 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Journey has added another show to their 2026 schedule.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have announced they’ll be performing at this summer’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which takes place Aug. 7-16 in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Journey will be performing at the event’s Full Throttle Saloon on Aug. 11.

Journey isn’t the only act booked for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Megadeth, Collective Soul, Rob Zombie, Lainey Wilson and more are all playing the event, either at the Full Throttle Saloon or at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip.

More info can be found at Sturgis.com.

But before they head to Sturgis, Journey will be on the road with their Final Frontier tour. The trek, which has been announced as their farewell tour, kicks off Feb. 28 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and wraps July 2 in Laredo, Texas.

A complete list of dates can be found at Journeymusic.com.

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