Classic Hits

E Street Band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt has been friends with Bruce Springsteen ever since starting out in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and he realizes a friendship like that is very rare.

“You just don’t have that many friends for 60 years. I think the fact that it survived some ups and downs, it says something about our nature,” the rocker tells People. “The nature of the importance of friendship in general, which is what attracted me to being in a band rather than a solo show business person.”

Van Zandt, who is the subject of the new documentary Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, currently streaming on Max, says fans can see that friendship on display when they take the stage together.  

“Fifty years later, how are we still playing to 300,000 people in one country in one week?” he says. “I think we’re communicating that friendship, which is real with me and him. When they see us on the same microphone, that isn’t an act. Nobody’s that good an actor to keep this act up for 50 years.”

He adds, “I think that’s something that you cannot take for granted.”

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street kick off a two-night stand in the Netherlands on Thursday. The tour returns to North America on Aug. 15 in Pittsburgh. A complete list of dates can be found at brucepsringsteen.net.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Queen’s Brian May and ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons lend their musical talents to Friendlytown, the new album from Booker T and the MG’s guitarist Steve Cropper and his band The Midnight Hour.

May sings and plays guitar on the first single released from the record, “Too Much Stress,” which also features Gibbons on guitar.

Cropper notes, “It was heaven playing with those two.”

The album, the follow-up to Cropper & The Midnight Hour’s 2021 Grammy-nominated album, Fire It Up, also features a guest appearance by guitarist Tim Montana. 

“If your booty is not shaking in the first two bars of this album you’re already dead in a chair,” Cropper shares. “I feel so good about this batch of songs. They’re packed with radio hooks, and we have Billy Gibbons, Brian May, and Tim Montana playing on the album—it’s like guitar heaven.” 

Friendlytown, due out Aug. 23, is available for preorder now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

While Taylor Swift seemingly attracted some shade recently from Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, she’s now gotten some major praise from a woman who’s opening for Foo Fighters this summer: Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer responsible for hits like “Back on the Chain Gang” and “I’ll Stand By You” wrote on Instagram, “I saw Taylor Swift (you may have heard of her) in concert the other day. Just shows you what a girl with a guitar can do.”

“Last time I loved a show that much was Aldous Harding,” Chrissie continued, referring to the female indie folk singer/songwriter from New Zealand. 

“So, if you haven’t already – go out there and get yourselves a guitar,” Chrissie concluded. “You’ll never be alone again as long as you have it by your side.”  

Apparently, Chrissie did more than just see Taylor onstage. There are photos of her leaving a restaurant in London where, according to the caption, she “dined with Taylor Swift” on June 11.

Starting in July, Chrissie and the Pretenders will open several stadium shows for Foo Fighters, in addition to doing their own headline shows. Incidentally, many fans believe Grohl’s comments about Taylor not playing live were just a joke.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman is back with new music.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will release his ninth studio album, Drive My Car, on Aug. 9. It will be his first new album since 2015. 

The album features five songs written by Wyman, who notes, “It’s not something I do every day, but sometimes I just see a guitar in the corner of the room, pick it up to play around and then something clicks into place.”

It also features covers of songs from Bob Dylan, John Prine and Taj Mahal.

The rocker cites musician JJ Cale as a big inspiration for the sound of the record, noting “his laidback groove has always appealed to me.” He adds, “Friends I’ve played it to have said things like ‘it really sounds like you,’ and that makes me happy. I’ve never tried to be anyone else – I’m Bill, basically.”

And Wyman is giving fans their first preview of Drive My Car with the release of the album’s title track, which is now available on digital outlets.

Drive My Car will be released digitally, and on CD and vinyl. The CD and digital releases will feature two bonus tracks.

Here is the track list for Drive My Car:
“Thunder On The Mountain”
“Drive My Car”
“Bad News”
“Storm Warning”
“Light Rain”
“Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody”
“Rough Cut Diamond”
“Wings”
“Two Tone Car”
“Fools Gold”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

On This Day, June 27, 2002 …

One day before the start of The Who’s U.S. tour, bassist John “The Ox” Entwistle died of a cocaine-induced heart attack. He was found dead in his room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas by the groupie and stripper he had spent the night with.

He was 57.

“The Ox has left the building—we’ve lost another great friend,” The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend shared in a tribute after Entwistle’s death. “Thanks for your support and love. Pete and Roger.”

The Who decided to go on with their tour and resumed their shows on July 1 with bassist Pino Palladino taking Entwistle’s place.

In addition to his time with The Who, Entwistle released several solo albums, which were the subject of a new box set, The Ox Box Set, released in May. A compilation of rarities, Rarities Oxhumed – Volume Two, is due out in August.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elton John has found yet another way to raise money for his AIDS Foundation: He’s selling stuff on eBay.

Specifically, Elton is selling pieces from his famous wardrobe as part of a 10-day shopping event called Rocket Man Resale. It features hundreds of items from his recently sold Atlanta apartment, including shirts, hats, pants and shoes by Gucci, Versace, and Prada, plus more affordable lots, like concert t-shirts and baseball caps. The auction is live now, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. 

“Giving new life to the cherished items from my wardrobe has always been special to me. For decades
I’ve donated my closet’s treasures to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” Elton says in a statement. “This Pride Month, I’m excited to share my Atlanta treasure trove on eBay, hoping these items will inspire you to express your unique spirit and bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me.”

“Whether you’re after high-end luxury or something more laid-back, there’s a perfect find for everyone,” he adds. “Even better, every dollar goes to supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s work to end LGBTQ+ stigma.”

At 1:10 p.m. ET on the eBay app, Elton’s pal Stephen Sanchez and entrepreneur Emma Rogue will host a livestream shopping event featuring Elton and his husband David Furnish.

The shopping event will also feature items from Donatella Versace, Andy Cohen, Robin Roberts, Brandi Carlile and more. If you’re in New York City, there’s a pop-up featuring some of the items at 51 8th Avenue from 2 to 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Sammy Hagar is the subject of a new A&E Biography special debuting June 30, and he’s giving fans a sneak peek of what to expect.

The former Van Halen frontman shared a preview of the episode on Instagram, and in the clip he discusses where the idea came from to write his hit song “I Can’t Drive 55.” 

“Before I wrote the song I Can’t Drive 55, I had 34 speeding tickets and my license taken away three times and was paying $135,000 a year for insurance – and that was in 1984!” Hagar writes in the caption of the post. “Since I wrote that song and made that video I have gotten only two speeding tickets! It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

In the preview, Hagar talks about being stopped at 2 a.m. on a deserted highway for driving 62 in a 55 mph zone. After being pulled over by the cop, he told his wife, “Man, I can’t drive 55, you know?”

“I swear it was like God struck me with lightning,” he shares. “I wrote the whole song like that night. And it was the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“I Can’t Drive 55” was the lead single off Hagar’s album VOA and was a top-40 hit for the rocker. 

Sammy Hagar’s A&E Biography special will air Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Missing Persons wants to bring their fans back to the ’80s. The band, fronted by Dale Bozzio, is set to release a new live album in July, featuring a classic performance from the decade.

Live In Santa Clarita, CA – October 10, 1982 was recorded not long after the band released their debut album, Spring Session M, and features performances of Missing Persons hits like “Destination Unknown,” “Words,” “Walking in L.A.” and more.

The band is offering up a preview of the record with a live performance of “Mental Hopscotch,” which is available now via digital outlets.

Live In Santa Clarita, CA – October 10, 1982 will be released July 12 on CD and aqua blue vinyl, as well as to digital outlets. It is available for preorder now.

Here is the track list for Live In Santa Clarita, CA – October 10, 1982:

“Mental Hopscotch”
“Noticeable One”
“Words”
“Tears”
“It Ain’t None Of Your Business”
“Bad Streets”
“Windows”
“Here And Now”
“Walking In L.A.”
“No Way Out”
“I Like Boys”
“Destination Unknown”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott will be celebrated in New York City in July on what would have been his 78th birthday. 

The Bon Scott Estate has announced a tribute concert happening on the big day, July 9, at Arlene’s Grocery on the Lower East Side. Although no artists have been announced for the concert, it is expected to feature 16 singers performing classic AC/DC tracks with a backing band. 

Tickets are on sale now.

And that’s not the only way Bon’s 78th birthday is being marked. There will also be some new and unique merchandise fans can get their hands on, including two new and registered Bon Scott tartans that will be used for signature flannel shirts from Dixxon Flannel Company and made-to-order kilts, vests, pants and more from Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers.

Plus there will soon be new Bon Scott figurines from Knucklebonz and Super7, based on Bon’s look during AC/DC’s 1979 Highway to Hell tour.

More info on the Bon Scott birthday celebration can be found at bonscottofficial.com.

Scott was AC/DC’s frontman from 1974 until his death in 1980, appearing on the band’s first seven albums. He was replaced by Brian Johnson, who remains their frontman to this day.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Van Morrison is delving into his archives for another new album. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer just announced he’ll release New Arrangements and Duets on Sept. 27.

“This album represents a small percentage of the huge amount of unreleased material we are hoping to roll out in the near future, rather than letting it gather dust in some archive,” Morrison shared on Instagram.

Morrison didn’t share many details about the songs on the record, although the description says big band tracks were recorded in 2014. It also includes songs with Willie Nelson, Joss Stone, Curtis Stigers and Kurt Elling, all recorded between 2018 and 2019.

And Morrison is giving fans their first preview of the record with the release of the song “Choppin Wood.” 

New Arrangements and Duets is available for preorder now in a variety of formats, including CD, vinyl and limited-edition orange vinyl. 

And that’s not the only new album coming from Morrison. He’s already set to release Be Just and Fear Not: Live at Orangefield on July 12. The live album was recorded during a series of concerts in August 2014 at his old high school in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Morrison has only a handful of shows booked for 2024, the next being July 4 in Dublin. His only U.S. shows are happening Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 in Los Angeles. A complete list of dates can be found at vanmorrison.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.