Classic Hits

The Who’s Tommy is ready to say goodbye to Broadway.

The musical, based on the Pete Townshend-penned rock opera, is set to play its final show at the Nederlander Theatre on July 21.

The production was a reimagining of the 1993 original staging of Tommy. It opened on March 28, and is closing after 132 performances and 20 previews. 

But there will still be chances for fans to catch the latest iteration of The Who’s Tommy. It’s set to launch a national tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, in the fall of 2025.

Based on The Who’s 1969 album and 1975 film, the original production of Tommy opened at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California, on July 1, 1992. It opened on Broadway on April 22, 1993, and closed on June 17, 1995. It won five Tony Awards, including Best Direction for Des McAnuff and Best Original Score for Townshend.

The latest production was nominated for a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Eagles have decided to spend a little more time in Vegas.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers just added four more shows to their Eagles Live In Concert At Sphere residency. The new dates will keep the Eagles in Sin City through December, with shows Dec. 6, Dec. 7, Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.

A presale for tickets begins July 9 at 10 a.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public starting July 12.

Eagles Live In Concert At Sphere will kick off Sept. 20. A complete list of dates can be found at eagles.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

On This Day, June 26, 2021 …

After a 471-day closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway theaters finally reopened in New York.

The first official show was a performance of Bruce Springsteen’s critically acclaimed Tony-winning show, Springsteen on Broadway, at the St. James Theatre. It featured The Boss telling his life story through his songs, sharing incidents featured in his 2016 autobiography, Born To Run.

This was the second Broadway run of Springsteen on Broadway. It initially opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Oct. 12, 2017.

Proceeds from the post-COVID opening night were donated to various charities, including the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Rolling Stones may seem too old to know what the metaverse is, but that hasn’t stopped them from joining it.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are now part of Roblox’s immersive music hub Beat Galaxy, with a goal of bringing the band’s greatest hits to younger generations through experiences and gameplay, virtual merchandise, avatar items and more.

According to a press release, the collaboration will “offer users a unique and interactive way to connect with the band’s beloved music, while engaging with other like-minded fans.”

“Bringing our music to the virtual world of Beat Galaxy is an innovative way to connect with our new and existing fans,” said the band.

As part of The Stones’ takeover, users can enjoy a track runner game that incorporates the group’s classic hits. Plus there will be a 24/7 virtual club and social hub they can visit.

For fans who would rather enjoy The Stones’ music in the real world, they kick off a two-night stand at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday. A complete list of dates can be found at rollingstones.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page, The Black Crowes‘ Chris Robinson, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons and Johnny Depp were among the famous faces paying tribute to the late Jeff Beck Monday night in London, on what would have been Beck’s 80th birthday.

People reports that the artists, along with Beck’s wife, Sandra Beck, celebrated the guitar legend at the Gibson Garage in London, with Depp performing a song with Sandra. 

The show, curated by Irish singer Imelda May, also featured performances by Anika Milles, from Jeff’s live band, and Toby Lee. 

In addition to celebrating Beck, the event celebrated the launch of the new Gibson Custom Jeff Beck “YardBurst” 1959 Les Paul Standard.

Beck passed away Jan. 10, 2023, from bacterial meningitis. He was 78.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

A new documentary is in the works about Gerry Goffin, the ex-husband and songwriting partner of Carole King, who was responsible for writing such hits as “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”

Variety reports that the film, titled Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?, will feature interviews with King; the couple’s daughters Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin Kondor; his widow, Michele Conaway Goffin; his longtime manager, Christine Russell; and others.

The film is expected to delve into Goffin’s history as a songwriter, as well as his life with King, his struggle with mental health issues and more. It will feature previously unseen footage, as well as music from Goffin’s catalog, which includes previously unheard music.

“So much has been made of my mom’s life story, but I find my father’s history equally fascinating,” Sherry Goffin Kondor shares. “In spite of all the darkness that tormented him, he also had this beautiful inner light. I want people to see both.” 

Goffin is responsible for over 100 Billboard Hot 100 hits, with his songs recorded not only by King, but by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor and more.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

 In March, The Who headlined two Teenage Cancer Trust shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. And while some fans worried it would be the last time they’d see Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey on a stage together, Townshend doesn’t think that will be the case.

“I’m pretty sure there will [be more],” he tells NME, although it doesn’t sound like fans will know if or when they’ll be playing their last concert.

“I can’t really see the point of making a big deal of [last Who shows], apart from the fact that it might help sell a few tickets,” he says. “The story of the end of The Who is gonna be when either Roger or I drop dead or can’t function anymore on the stage.” 

As for what may be in store for the future, Pete says he’s “interested” in the Las Vegas Sphere, “just as a crazy, narcissistic art school thing,” adding, “It’s interesting as a venue because it challenges you to beat the fabric of the theatre.” 

He also says he’s not opposed to a hologram show, noting, “If somebody wants to do it I don’t know that I would stop them, but they’re not gonna get me in one of those grids.”

One thing he doesn’t see happening is another Who album.

“If there was a need or a place for a Who album, could I write the songs for it within six weeks? Of course I f****** could, it’s a piece of cake,” he shares. “The problem is I don’t think Roger wants to do it again.” 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Peter Frampton is hitting the road again this fall. 

The rocker announced dates for The Positively Thankful Tour, sharing on social media that he called it that “because I got nominated and you guys voted and you got me into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you so much.”

Frampton is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in October. He’ll hit the road before the big day, with the tour kicking off Sept. 8 in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

The trek includes a show at New York’s Beacon Theatre and will also hit Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia before wrapping Sept. 23 in Northfield, Ohio.

A complete list of dates and ticket information can be found at Frampton.com. 

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will take place live on Oct. 19 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The ceremony will stream live on Disney+, followed by a special airing on ABC at a later date.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Last year Bernie Taupin, who’s been writing the lyrics for Elton John‘s hits for more than 50 years, published his autobiography, Scattershot. But fans will soon have a chance to learn even more about the man behind the songs: a documentary is in the works, focusing on his life and career.

According to a press release, the film will “dive deep into the roots of Bernie’s creativity.” It features new interviews with artists like Ringo Starr, Annie Lennox, The Who‘s Pete Townshend, Metallica‘s James Hetfield, Alice Cooper and Brandi Carlile, as well as archival content.

Director Matthew Miele says in a statement, “I think many people are unaware that the phenomenon that is Elton John is really two people. And as talented and flamboyant as the melody maker of that duo has become, one can’t help but be curious about the one who writes the words, the storyteller.”

Bernie, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Elton last year, adds, “Reticent as I am to scrutiny, this project has been enlightening both on an emotional and analytical level. The originality of all parties involved has made participating in it much easier as I loosen my grip on the cards I hold closest to my chest.”

There’s no word yet on when we can expect the documentary, or where it will be screened or streamed. As previously reported, Elton John: Never Too Late, a new doc about Elton, will have its world premiere gala screening at September’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Def Leppard just released the video for their latest single, “Just Like 73,” featuring Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello.

The clip, which takes place in May 1973, features computer-generated younger versions of the guys in the band as they head to Earl’s Court in London, with Morello flying to the U.K. and parachuting in just in time for his guitar solo. 

Guitarist Phil Collen tells ABC Audio that director Frank Gryner didn’t base their looks on actual old footage of him and his bandmates.

“I think I did look like that around 14, you know, that was kind of interesting,” Collen says. “He kind of pretty much nailed it without even seeing the photos from then.” 

Collen says the band liked the video because it was “quaint” and “didn’t seem like it was trying too hard.” 

He adds that the director also got all the details for the time right, noting, “That little bike that I’m riding is a Chopper, which all the kids had on my block and around my area in East London when I grew up.” 

And fans will soon get to hear the band play the song live. Def Leppard is set to launch their summer stadium tour with Journey July 6 in St. Louis, with the band noting, “We can’t wait to play this one for you all on the tour!”

A complete list of dates can be found defleppard.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.