Classic Hits

Julian Lennon, eldest son of The Beatles‘ John Lennon, is opening up about a recent health scare, revealing on social media he had surgery to remove melanoma from his skin.

The musician shared that ahead of a trip to New York for some appearances, he went to see the dermatologist who had previously diagnosed a mole as skin cancer back in 2020 “and literally saved My Life.”

He said after finishing up an interview with Good Morning America, his doctor called with another skin cancer diagnosis.

“I had 2 locations on My Skin, Shoulder & Forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP!”

He flew back to Los Angeles to take care of it, noting, “The operation was a success, but we have yet to have the results of the biopsy, which we may not receive before Christmas.” 

“Obviously good news, would be the best Christmas present ever… Which I’m hopeful for… But I just want to say, this is also a timely reminder to all, to please get yourself checked out by your doctor,” Lennon writes. “It only takes a short while to do so, and you may just be saving your own life, at the end of the day… so please, for the sake of yourself, your family and friends just go to your Dr and do what must be done.”

Finally he notes, “I love life and I want to live for a very long time and this is one way, and a choice, that could determine your future… I wish you all happy holidaze and a healthy long life… Love to all.”

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British punk band The Clash and legendary superstar Prince have been chosen to receive the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be handed out during the Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony during Grammy week in February.

The honor is given to performers who “during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.”

This year’s other Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include blues musician Taj Mahal, Four Seasons singer Frankie Valli, R&B singer Frankie Beverly, hip-hop artist Roxanne Shante and gospel vocalist Dr. Bobby Jones.

“It’s an amazing privilege to honor this eclectic group of music icons during the year’s biggest week in music,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, shares. “Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape. We can’t wait to celebrate this group and their achievements in February.”

The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony is set to take place Feb. 1 in Los Angeles. The Grammys air live from LA on Feb. 2 on CBS and will stream live on Paramount+.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

British punk band The Clash and legendary superstar Prince have been chosen to receive the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be handed out during the Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony during Grammy week in February.

The honor is given to performers who “during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.”

This year’s other Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include blues musician Taj Mahal, Four Seasons singer Frankie Valli, R&B singer Frankie Beverly, hip-hop artist Roxanne Shante and gospel vocalist Dr. Bobby Jones.

“It’s an amazing privilege to honor this eclectic group of music icons during the year’s biggest week in music,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, shares. “Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape. We can’t wait to celebrate this group and their achievements in February.”

The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony is set to take place Feb. 1 in Los Angeles. The Grammys air live from LA on Feb. 2 on CBS and will stream live on Paramount+.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

On This Day, Dec. 20, 1969 …

The Rolling Stones had a new U.K. #1 with their album Let It Bleed.

The album, the follow-up to 1968’s Beggars Banquet, failed to produce any charting singles, although tracks like “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” went on to become Stones classics, and staples at their live shows.

Let It Bleed was the last album The Stones made with founding member Brian Jones, as he was fired in the middle of the sessions due to his erratic behavior. In the end he appeared on only two songs. 

Jones died July 3, 1969, before the album’s release.

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On This Day, Dec. 20, 1969 …

The Rolling Stones had a new U.K. #1 with their album Let It Bleed.

The album, the follow-up to 1968’s Beggars Banquet, failed to produce any charting singles, although tracks like “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” went on to become Stones classics, and staples at their live shows.

Let It Bleed was the last album The Stones made with founding member Brian Jones, as he was fired in the middle of the sessions due to his erratic behavior. In the end he appeared on only two songs. 

Jones died July 3, 1969, before the album’s release.

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Paul McCartney played his final Got Back show of 2024 at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, and had a little help from his Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr and The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood.

The show also featured a special appearance by McCartney’s original bass, which had been lost for 50 years.

“Thank you, London! We’ve been all over South America and Europe and here we are back home for the last shows of the 2024 ‘Got Back’ tour,” McCartney wrote on Instagram next to a carousel of photos including ones with Ringo and Ronnie. “Making its first stage appearance in 50 years… is my original bass! I haven’t played it in 50 years and what is more, here’s a special guest, a Rolling Stone: Ronnie Wood. And another surprise for you – the mighty, the one and only, Ringo Starr!” 

Wood joined McCartney and his bass for The Beatles track “Get Back,” while Ringo got behind the drumkit to reunite with his Beatles bandmate for two songs “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)” and “Helter Skelter.”

Thursday night’s O2 show was the second of two concerts at the London venue. McCartney kicked off the 2024 leg of his Got Back tour in October in Uruguay, and so far has no tour dates on the books for next year.

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U2 is giving fans even more opportunities to catch the film of their Las Vegas residency.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, screenings of V-U2 An Immersive Concert Movie have been extended through April, with new showings set for April 20, April 21, April 23 and April 29. The film gives fans a glimpse of the band’s residency, U2: UV Achtung Baby, which opened in September 2023.

V-U2 An Immersive Concert Movie, directed by U2 guitarist The Edge and his wife, Morleigh Steinberg, was shot using the ultra-high-resolution camera system developed by Sphere Entertainment. The screenings feature Sphere Immersive Sound, with the audience watching from haptic seats, which, according to a press release, “use vibrations so guests can ‘feel’ the experience.”

The movie first debuted in September and is only showing at the Sphere. The next screening is scheduled for Dec. 20. A complete list of screenings can be found at thesphere.com.

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Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has been named this year’s recipient of The National Guitar Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Alex’s playing has inspired countless guitarists to push the boundaries of what the guitar can do,” HP Newquist, the executive director of The National Guitar Museum, shares. “It’s hard to even put his playing in a single category—calling him a ‘rock guitarist’ doesn’t begin to cover it. Catchy riffs, intricate instrumental passages, classical flourishes, jackhammer chords, brilliant tone … that’s just the start of what Alex does as a guitarist.”

Lifeson is the 15th recipient of the award and says he’s honored to be recognized.

“I fell in love with the guitar when I was eleven years old and continue my romantic affair to this day, sixty years later. It has been my voice, my lover and my partner on a lifelong journey, and we’ve never had a single argument,” he shares. “I’m grateful for this acknowledgement and fortunate to share the rewards that come with being a guitarist.” 

Previous Guitar Museum Lifetime Achievement Award winners include Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, Buddy Guy, Tony Iommi, Bonnie Raitt and B.B.King.

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Interviews with artists including Paul Simon, Mick Jagger and Elvis Costello are featured in an upcoming documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live.

The film, titled Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music, will premiere Jan. 27 on NBC and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. It’s codirected by The Roots‘ Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Thompson says. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”

Other musicians interviewed include Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Jack White, Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello, Paul Simon, Billie Eilish, and Blondie‘s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein.

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Looks like Bruce Springsteen fans have a lot to look forward to in 2025, including some previously unreleased material.

A year-end press release shared by The Boss’ reps hints at some possible archival releases in the year to come, noting that “2025 will include a look back at Springsteen’s storied recording career, featuring never-before-heard material.”

Of course, that’s not all Springsteen has planned for 2025.

Next year will also see Bruce and The E Street Band return to Europe for 16 shows. And Springsteen will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic album Born to Run, as well as the 45th of The River, the 30th of his solo album The Ghost of Tom Joad and the 20th of another solo album, Devils & Dust.

The release also notes that The Boss will “continue his involvement” in the film Deliver Me From Nowhere, about the making of his album Nebraska, starring Jeremy Allen White.

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