John Mellencamp to share insights into his lyrics in new book

John Mellencamp to share insights into his lyrics in new book
John Mellencamp to share insights into his lyrics in new book
‘John Mellencamp: The Songbook: 50 Years of Song and Poetry’ (Rizzoli New York)

John Mellencamp is ready to give fans some insight into his song lyrics.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is releasing the new lyric book John Mellencamp: The Songbook: 50 Years of Song and Poetry on Sept. 29.

According to the description, the book, featuring a foreword by Stephen King, has Mellencamp “opening his archives and tracing his evolution as both a songwriter and poet—spanning every era of his storied career.” It pairs the lyrics to his iconic songs with previously unseen personal photographs, handwritten drafts, notes and more.

John Mellencamp: The Songbook: 50 Years of Song and Poetry is available for preorder now. The rocker and his publisher, Rizzoli New York, plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from presales during the month of April to support Farm Aid. April preorders will also be entered into a raffle for a signed copy of the book.

Next up for Mellencamp, the rocker will launch his Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits on July 10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The tour will have him playing a set filled with biggest hits, as well as tracks he hasn’t performed live in nearly a decade, like “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock),” “I Need a Lover,” “Wild Night” and “Ain’t Even Done With the Night.”

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

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On This Day, April 13, 1974: Paul McCartney and Wings hit #1 with ‘Band on the Run’

On This Day, April 13, 1974: Paul McCartney and Wings hit #1 with ‘Band on the Run’
On This Day, April 13, 1974: Paul McCartney and Wings hit #1 with ‘Band on the Run’

On This Day, April 13, 1974 …

Paul McCartney and his band Wings hit #1 with their third studio album, Band on the Run.

The album included two hit singles, the title track and “Jet.” It went to #1 in the U.S. and the U.K. and remains McCartney’s most successful non-Beatles album.

The cover featured McCartney, his wife, Linda McCartney, and guitarist Denny Laine posing as escaped convicts alongside actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee, British boxer John Conteh, U.K. broadcasters Michael Parkinson and Clement Freud, and English entertainer Kenny Lynch.

McCartney celebrated the 50th anniversary of the album by reissuing it in February 2024.

A documentary about McCartney’s post-Beatles career, including the formation of Wings, debuted on Prime Video in February. He also looked back at his time in Wings in the book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, which came out in November.

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Chrissie Hynde says Pretenders are ‘putting songs together’ for next album

Chrissie Hynde says Pretenders are ‘putting songs together’ for next album
Chrissie Hynde says Pretenders are ‘putting songs together’ for next album
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders performs in concert during Les Nits de Barcelona festival on July 01, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavi Torrent/Redferns)

The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde is giving fans an update on the band’s next album.

In a new letter posted on social media, Hynde tells fans that she’s been enjoying spring, but also keeping busy, revealing that she and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne “have been meeting up daily and putting songs together for the next Pretenders album.”

“This is the fun part… well apart from recording and touring,” she writes.

In a previous post in March, Hynde said the album was “provisionally called Outlaw,” and that the band had planned to start recording it “in the next couple of months.”

Pretenders’ last tour wrapped in May 2025, and Hynde notes in the letter that she is “starting to miss” getting to play live.

“We are thinking of doing some shows next year,” she writes. “I miss seeing you regulars.. even though I may have unwittingly offended you by asking you to move a couple rows back so I could see the locals,” a reference to an October 2025 post in which she seemed to suggest she was sick of seeing the same fans in the front row time and time again.

“I hope you’ve gotten over it and forgiven me.. no offence was intended.. but when we travel for months on end, it’s necessary to keep things fresh by seeing new faces upfront.”

She then tells longtime fans, “you know I love you, and can always find you in the audience, and I’m always looking for you.”

So far there’s no word on when the new Pretenders album will be released. They released their last album, Relentless, in 2023.

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David Lee Roth makes surprise Coachella appearance with Teddy Swims

David Lee Roth makes surprise Coachella appearance with Teddy Swims
David Lee Roth makes surprise Coachella appearance with Teddy Swims
(L-R) Teddy Swims and David Lee Roth perform at the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 10, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)

David Lee Roth made a surprise appearance at Coachella Friday, turning up during pop star Teddy Swims’ afternoon set.

After Swims finished his song “Mr. Know It All,” the sound of a doorbell chimed, and Swims told the crowd, “I’ll get it. I wonder who it could be this time.” Swims then opened the door to Roth, shouting, “Oh my god it’s David Lee Roth from the best f****** band of all time, Van Halen.”

The pair then joined forces to perform Van Halen’s #1 song “Jump,” from their album 1984. Roth was all smiles during the performance, and towards the end of the song he even took a triumphant strut down the catwalk while twirling his mic stand. Once the song was over he left the stage through the same door he entered through.

“Touchdown, Coachella,” Roth later wrote on Instagram next to a picture of him hugging Swims on stage.

Roth was one of three guests Swims brought out for his Coachella set. He was also joined by Joe Jonas and Vanessa Carlton.

Roth is set to kick off a new tour on April 16 in Airway Heights, Washington, with dates confirmed through June 20 in Milwaukee. He’s also performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, on Aug. 7. A complete list of dates can be found at DavidLeeRoth.com.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Sir Paul McCartney performs at The O2 Arena during his ‘Got Back’ world tour on December 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

The first single off Paul McCartney’s upcoming solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, has put the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer back on the Billboard charts.

The tune, “Days We Left Behind,” has debuted at #22 on the Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart. It’s McCartney’s highest debut on that chart since the Wings track “With a Little Luck” debuted at #21 in 1978.

The rocker’s last appearance on the AC chart was back in October 2018, when “Come On To Me,” from his album Egypt Station, peaked at #10, becoming McCartney’s 19th solo top-10 single. His first appearance on the chart as a solo artist was in 1971 with “Another Day,” which peaked at #4.

But that’s not the only chart where “Days We Left Behind” is making its mark. The song also debuted at #7 on the Rock Digital Songs chart.

The Boys of Dungeon Lane will be released May 29. It is McCartney’s first solo album since 2020’s McCartney III.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Sir Paul McCartney performs at The O2 Arena during his ‘Got Back’ world tour on December 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

The first single off Paul McCartney’s upcoming solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, has put the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer back on the Billboard charts.

The tune, “Days We Left Behind,” has debuted at #22 on the Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart. It’s McCartney’s highest debut on that chart since the Wings track “With a Little Luck” debuted at #21 in 1978.

The rocker’s last appearance on the AC chart was back in October 2018, when “Come On To Me,” from his album Egypt Station, peaked at #10, becoming McCartney’s 19th solo top-10 single. His first appearance on the chart as a solo artist was in 1971 with “Another Day,” which peaked at #4.

But that’s not the only chart where “Days We Left Behind” is making its mark. The song also debuted at #7 on the Rock Digital Songs chart.

The Boys of Dungeon Lane will be released May 29. It is McCartney’s first solo album since 2020’s McCartney III.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’

Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Paul McCartney returns to the ‘Billboard’ charts with ‘Days We Left Behind’
Sir Paul McCartney performs at The O2 Arena during his ‘Got Back’ world tour on December 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

The first single off Paul McCartney’s upcoming solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, has put the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer back on the Billboard charts.

The tune, “Days We Left Behind,” has debuted at #22 on the Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart. It’s McCartney’s highest debut on that chart since the Wings track “With a Little Luck” debuted at #21 in 1978.

The rocker’s last appearance on the AC chart was back in October 2018, when “Come On To Me,” from his album Egypt Station, peaked at #10, becoming McCartney’s 19th solo top-10 single. His first appearance on the chart as a solo artist was in 1971 with “Another Day,” which peaked at #4.

But that’s not the only chart where “Days We Left Behind” is making its mark. The song also debuted at #7 on the Rock Digital Songs chart.

The Boys of Dungeon Lane will be released May 29. It is McCartney’s first solo album since 2020’s McCartney III.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers release Rolling Stones cover ahead of joint tour

The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers release Rolling Stones cover ahead of joint tour
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers release Rolling Stones cover ahead of joint tour
Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes at the Aragon Ballroom In Chicago, Illinois, April 19 2024 (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

The Black Crowes are headed out on tour with country rock band Whiskey Myers this year, and ahead of the trek, the two bands have teamed up to record a cover of The Rolling Stones track “Star Star.”

“We had a blast getting together recently at Iron Cross Studios with Jay Joyce to cut this cult @therollingstones classic,” the bands wrote in a post on Instagram. Joyce is the producer behind The Crowes’ last two albums, 2024’s Happiness Bastards and their recent release, A Pound of Feathers.

“See ya on the road this summer on The Southern Hospitality Tour,” they added.

“Star Star,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, appeared on The Rolling Stones’ 11th studio album, 1973’s Goats Head Soup.

The Southern Hospitality Tour kicks off May 17 in Austin, Texas, and wraps Aug. 20 in Mountain View, California. A complete list of dates can be found at TheBlackCrowes.com.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Bruce Springsteen releases live performance videos of ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ and ‘Purple Rain’

Bruce Springsteen releases live performance videos of ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ and ‘Purple Rain’
Bruce Springsteen releases live performance videos of ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ and ‘Purple Rain’
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band perform during Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour at Target Center on March 31, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have released two live performance videos shot during their current Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

The videos are for performances of “Streets of Minneapolis” and Prince’s “Purple Rain,” both filmed during opening night of the tour at Minneapolis’ Target Center.

The “Streets of Minneapolis” performance marked the first time Springsteen performed the protest song backed by The E Street Band. He released the tune in late January, noting it was written in response to what was happening in Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

The Prince cover, performed in the late singer’s home state, was the first time Springsteen’s performed it live in over a decade. He dedicated the song to “the maestro.”

Springsteen and The E Street Band wrapped a two-night stand at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles Thursday, which included the tour debut of The River track “Two Hearts.”

The Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour hits San Francisco on Monday. A complete list of dates can be found at BruceSpringsteen.net.


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Yes to release new album, ‘Aurora’, in June

Yes to release new album, ‘Aurora’, in June
Yes to release new album, ‘Aurora’, in June
Yes’ ‘Aurora’ (InsideOutMusic/Sony Music)

Yes is back with new music.

The band — currently made up of Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen — will release the new album, Aurora, on June 12. They are previewing the record with the release of the title track.

“Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore and give everything to the music,” says Howe. “It’s always been about collaboration, somebody can write a song, but until everybody puts their contribution in it isn’t really a Yes song. We’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of Yes forward and turning it into something new.”

Aurora is Yes’ 24th studio album and their first since 2023’s Mirror to the Sky. It will be released digitally, on CD and as a two-LP set, along with limited-edition deluxe editions that come with a bonus disc of instrumentals, a Blu-ray with various audio mixes of the album and more.

All formats are available for preorder now.

Yes recently postponed their European and U.K. Fragile tour so Howe could recover from needed surgery. On the tour, the band was supposed to play their 1971 album, Fragile, in its entirety.

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