Classic Hits – Page 305

Tom Petty estate makes worldwide catalog deal with Warner Chappell Music

July 1, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Tom Petty estate has signed a new worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music, which will now be in charge of the late Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s catalog.

“We’re looking forward to this new partnership with the team at Warner Chappell, as we expand the reach of Tom’s iconic song catalog. This partnership will open the door to new licensing opportunities and serve to introduce his music to a new generation across the globe,” the Petty estate shares. “We’re excited for this new chapter of growth, and the preservation of Tom’s legacy both at home and abroad.”

The deal encompasses Petty’s entire catalog, including songs with the Heartbreakers and his solo work. Those tunes include such classics as “American Girl,” “The Waiting,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Free Fallin’” “Learning to Fly” and “Wildflowers.”

“Tom Petty’s music is woven into the fabric of our lives, not just across America, but around the world. He captured the full range and resilience of the human spirit in songs about freedom and dreams, outcasts and rebels, relationships and heartbreak, the personal and the universal,” WCM co-chair and COO Carianne Marshall and co-chair and CEO Guy Moot shared in a statement. “Tom’s unmistakable sound and lyrics remain as timeless and vital today as ever, and all of us at Warner Chappell Music are honored to be joining with his estate to help amplify his extraordinary legacy on a global scale.”

On This Day, July 1, 1968: The Band release their debut album ‘Music from Big Pink’

July 1, 2024 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, July 1, 1968…

The Band – Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm – released their debut album, Music from Big Pink.

The album was named after a house in Saugerties, New York, shared by Danko, Manuel and Hudson, where some of the songs on the album were composed. It was recorded after the group toured as Bob Dylan’s backing band, and features a Dylan painting as the cover art.

Music from Big Pink features The Band’s future classic “The Weight,” which was written by Robertson. While it only reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song became more popular following The Band’s performance at Woodstock, and the song’s inclusion in the movie Easy Rider.

The Band broke up in 1976 following their November 25, 1976, concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, which was filmed for what would become the critically acclaimed concert documentary The Last Waltz.

They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Eric Clapton’s ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’ celebrating 50th anniversary

July 1, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Fifty years ago, in July 1974, Eric Clapton released his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, which became a huge hit for the future three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

The album, named after the address of the Golden Beach, Florida, home he lived in while recording the record, featured Clapton’s classic cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff,” which would become his only #1 single. The track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.

Clapton recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard following his battle with heroin addiction, and its success marked a personal and professional comeback for the musician. In a 2007 Amazon interview to promote his memoir, Clapton: The Autobiography, he opened up about how fortunate he felt that he was able to find success again after kicking the habit.

“There’s no doubt that music, the things that I love in my life today and I’ve always loved, were there before any of the habits, the bad habits, anyway, came into my life. And the terrible thing is, those bad habits merely curtailed it,” he said. “And we know that the blessing is I was allowed, for whatever reason, to come back and have another go.”

The album, which featured two new songs along with a variety of covers, went on to become one of Clapton’s most successful releases, hitting #1 in the U.S. and spending four weeks on top. It also topped the chart in Canada, landed in the top 10 in eight other countries and went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

U2 releases “Sweetest Thing” installment of their ‘Deep Dives and B-Sides’ digital series

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

U2 has released the next installment in their digital series, U2 to Love and Only Love – Deep Dives and B-Sides. The latest is dubbed “Sweetest Thing,” after the fan favorite B-side that appeared on their compilation The Best of 1980–1990.

The latest is the seventh installment in the collection, and includes a 2024 remastered version of the single, as well as live performances of “Out of Control” and “Stories for Boys,” from Boston in 1981, and of “Twilight” and “An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart” from Red Rocks in 1983. They also shared a video of the “An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart” performance.

And to coincide with the playlist, U2 has released a limited-edition 2024 reissue of a “Sweetest Thing” T-shirt. It is available for preorder now.

U2 to Love and Only Love – Deep Dives and B-Sides will consist of 12 newly remastered collections, released throughout the year, which are made up of songs that until now were only available on vinyl, CD or cassette. They launched the series in April and so far released collections dedicated to “Discothèque,” “Staring at the Sun,” “Last Night on Earth,” “If God Will Send His Angels,” “Please” and “Mofo,” all from their ninth studio album Pop.

Farewell means farewell: Elton John & husband say they “want to be present” during sons’ teen years

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Elton John has traveled the world throughout his legendary career, but these days he’s looking forward to time at home.

When asked if he plans to hit the road again following the end of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour nearly a year ago, the “Rocket Man” singer recently told Entertainment Tonight a flat “no.”

“We’ve got our sons, you know, they’re getting into their teenage years now,” Elton’s husband, David Furnish, chimed in, referring to their sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11. “We don’t want to miss anything. We want to be present for that. It’s sort of a key decade, I think, in a child’s life.”

David added, “He’s been doing it for 60 years, so it’s nice to have that time to spend at home with the family.”

Elton noted, “We went out on the biggest high, just the way I wanted to, and there’s no going back [after] that.”

But Elton’s still plenty busy: He’s got a new musical, Tammy Faye, hitting Broadway in previews on October 19, and another musical, The Devil Wears Prada, opening on London’s West End in October.

Plus, there’s always new music to make. Elton has a new album completed, according to Bernie Taupin, and David wants Elton to team up for a song with “Hot to Go” singer Chappell Roan, who they recently had dinner with.

“Such a brilliant, authentic pop voice and a great lady who is so much fun. I would love to see her and Elton collaborate,” he gushed. And Elton seems to be here for it.

“Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams — all the girls are cracking!” Elton told ET. “They’re killing it and it’s so fantastic to see. It’s all the girls and it’s about time and they’re all doing great stuff.”

U2 welcomes Taylor Swift back to their hometown: “Leave some of it standing!!!”

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift has officially arrived in Dublin, Ireland, for her Eras Tour shows this weekend, and she got a warm welcome from a few of the city’s favorite sons: U2.

On her Instagram Story, Taylor posted a photo of a beautiful bouquet of flowers, along with a note. It reads, “Dear Taylor, Welcome back to our hometown … leave some of it standing?!!!!”

It’s signed “Your Irish fan club, Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry.”

She captioned the pic, “Already feeling that Irish hospitality!! @U2, thanks for always being the classiest and the coolest.”

Turns out this is a bit of a tradition: Back in 2018 when she toured Ireland, U2 sent her roses, signed, “from your Irish fan club.” And in 2022, Bono proclaimed himself a Swiftie when he and Taylor both appeared on The Graham Norton Show.

Patti Smith is covering Lana Del Rey in concert

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Patti Smith is on tour in Europe and she’s added a surprising cover to her set list.

Fan shot footage posted to social media shows Smith performing a cover of Lana Del Rey’s hit “Summertime Sadness.” According to one post, Smith told fans Lana’s tune made her think about times she shared with her husband Fred “Sonic” Smith, who passed away in November 1994.

Smith’s tour continues Friday with her second show in Dublin, Ireland, and she has dates in Europe booked throughout July and then again in September. She also has three U.S. shows happening in October. A complete list of dates can be found at pattismith.net.

Linda Ronstadt’s ‘Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind’ reissued for 35th anniversary

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Linda Ronstadt’s classic album Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind is getting a special reissue in celebration of its 35th anniversary.

The album is now out on 140-gram translucent blue vinyl, the first time the record has been made available on vinyl in years.

Released October, 1989, Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind, produced by Peter Asher, features two Grammy-winning songs, “Don’t Know Much,” which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “All My Life.” Both songs were duets with the Neville Brothers’ Aaron Neville and both went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind was recorded at the Skywalker Ranch in Marin Country, California, the home of director George Lucas, who Ronstadt was engaged to until their breakup in 1988. The album peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and went on to be certified triple platinum.

Cry Like a Rainstorm – Howl Like the Wind 35th anniversary vinyl is available now.

New documentary to focus on Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios

June 28, 2024 by WDNY Radio

A new documentary about Jimi Hendrix’s famed Electric Lady Studios in New York is expected to hit theaters this summer.

Abramorama has nabbed the global rights to Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, directed by John McDermott, who also directed two other Hendrix docs: Electric Church and Music, Money, Madness: Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui.

According to the description, the film will look at “how the space rose from the rubble of a bankrupt Manhattan nightclub to become a state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Hendrix’s desire for a permanent studio.”

The doc will feature previously unseen footage and photos, along with track breakdowns from recording engineer Eddie Kramer. It will also include interviews with Experience bassist Billy Cox, original Electric Lady staff members and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, who took part in Hendrix’s first session at the studio.

Opened in 1970, Electric Lady Studios was the first commercial studio owned by an artist. It was constructed specifically for Hendrix, who died just weeks after its opening. The studio went on to be a go-to spot for musicians, with artists such as John Lennon, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and more recording there.

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision will open in New York City on Aug. 9, with a wider release to follow.

Elton John releases Road to Glastonbury video

June 27, 2024 by WDNY Radio

One year ago Elton John gave what he said would be his final U.K. performance by making his first-ever appearance at England’s legendary Glastonbury Festival. On Wednesday he posted a video documenting what went into creating that performance, which received rave reviews.

The video starts at rehearsal week before the June 25, 2023, performance, during which Elton runs through songs like “Tiny Dancer” and “Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters,” coordinates with his special musical guests and talks about changing up the set list from his regular show.

Then we go to the day of the performance and get a peek inside Elton’s green room, where we see him greeting Emily and Michael Eavis, the daughter and father who run the festival. We also see footage of Elton performing with his guests, including The Killers’ Brandon Flowers and Stephen Sanchez. Then there’s footage of Elton performing, with a massive fireworks display and the crowd going wild.

“All I can do is do what I do: bring people together with my music,” he says.

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