Classic Hits – Page 323

Green Day gets commemorative plaque on a wall outside 7-Eleven

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

In their song “Jesus of Suburbia,” Green Day describes the parking lot of a 7-Eleven as “the center of the Earth.” Now the band has received an official plaque in their honor on a wall outside a 7-Eleven in Pinole, California, where Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt attended high school.

The Mercury News reports that on Sept. 22, Armstrong, Dirnt and Tré Cool spray-painted that each of them “was here” on said wall. It was part of a ceremony in which Pinole Mayor Maureen Toms presented the band with an honorary key to the city, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the release of their album American Idiot.

As for the location of the ceremony, 7-Eleven has been selling an exclusive Anniversary Blend of Green Day’s Punk Bunny Coffee brand.

Hundreds of fans gathered to watch Green Day being honored, and afterward the band signed autographs for fans, many of whom had attended the band’s nearby concert in San Francisco on Sept. 20. Armstrong told the crowd that despite attending high school nearby, he cut class all the time and never graduated. However, he acknowledged the role that Pinole played in the band’s history.

“There were a lot of great bands … just a lot of music,” said Armstrong. “We felt like we had a home there.”

Dirnt added, “Great things can come from anywhere, can come from your mind, from your bedroom, from your friend’s house. Just believe in yourself.”

Journey frontman Arnel Pineda offers to leave band if fans don’t want him

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Journey’s current frontman, Arnel Pineda, is responding to backlash over his performance at the recent Rock in Rio festival and has even offered to leave the band.

In a post on social media, Pineda commented on a recent Facebook post that had video that seemed to show him struggling with his vocals at the recent Rock in Rio festival.

Noting that he was aware of the video, Pineda shared, “[N]o one more than me in this world feels so devastated about this… its really amazing how 1 thousand right things you have done will be forgotten just cause of THIS..and of all the places , its in Rock In Rio…”

He added that “mentally and emotionally, ive suffered already, and im still sufferring..but i’ll be ok..”

Pineda then decided to poll fans as to whether he should continue with the group.

“i am offering you a chance now ( especially those who’s hated me and never liked me from the very beginning) to simply text GO or STAY right here,” he wrote, “and if GO reaches 1million… im stepping out for good..are you game folks?”

One person who doesn’t want Pineda to go is his bandmate Neal Schon. Responding to a Facebook post about Pineda’s statements, Schon commented, “Arnel dont listen to these blogs. They are all bought You’ve kicked a**!”

And in a post on his own Facebook page, with video from the concert, Schon wrote, “All this absolute garbage fabricated bulls*** about [Arnel]. Does this look like nobody had a good time? I’m asking you. All fabricated, owned and bought blogs, bulls***.” He also seemed to blame the rock band Avenged Sevenfold for the problems they had with their sound.

Journey is set to bring their tour to Japan in October. All dates can be found at journeymusic.com.

Eagles pay tribute to JD Souther at Las Vegas Sphere residency

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Eagles kicked off their Las Vegas Sphere residency on Sept. 20 and took a moment in their show to pay tribute to the late songwriter JD Souther. He co-wrote some of their best-known songs, including “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim of Love” and “James Dean.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a couple of people,” Don Henley told the audience, according to Rolling Stone. “I want to acknowledge the co-writer of that song who we lost three days ago, Mr. J.D. Souther.”

He added, “J.D. is someone you may know played a pivotal role in the Eagles. He wasn’t in the band but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits.”

The tribute came before the band’s last song, “Heartache Tonight,” which Henley also dedicated to the late Jimmy Buffett, who passed away Sept. 1, 2023.

As for the rest of the show, setlist.fm reports that Eagles opened with their classic “Hotel California” and filled the set with plenty of fan favorites, including “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take it to the Limit,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “New Kid in Town,” “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Desperado.”

Heart adds more dates to their Royal Flush tour

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Heart has added more dates to their Royal Flush tour, which kicks off in February.

The five additional shows include a second concert in Las Vegas, plus dates in Toronto, Boston and New York.

The Royal Flush tour was originally supposed to happen in 2024, but was postponed after Ann Wilson announced she’d had an operation to remove something cancerous and needed time to fully recover.

The rescheduled tour is now set to kick off with two shows at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Feb. 28 and March 1, and will wrap April 16 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. A complete list of dates can be found at heart-music.com.

A Citi presale for the new shows will begin Tuesday at 12 p.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m.

On This Day, Sept. 23, 1977: David Bowie released “Heroes”

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, Sept. 23, 1977 …

David Bowie released the single “Heroes,” the title track from his 12th studio album.

The song, written by Bowie and Brian Eno, failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #24 in the U.K when it was originally released. After Bowie’s 2016 death the song reentered the chart in the U.K., peaking at #12.

Although the song wasn’t initially a hit, “Heroes” became a fan favorite and was a staple throughout Bowie’s touring career.

It is also the late rocker’s second-most covered tune behind “Rebel Rebel,” with The Wallflowers’ 1998 version becoming a radio hit, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Neil Young plays first show with new band at Farm Aid 2024

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The latest edition of Farm Aid took place in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Sept. 21. Neil Young took the stage with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, made up of Micah Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo and Corey McCormick.

According to setlist.fm, Young’s set included Harvest Moon tracks “From Hank to Hendrix,” “Harvest Moon” and “Unknown Legend,” as well as “Love Earth” and “Heart of Gold,” ending the set with “Powderfinger.”

Young’s show was his first gig since canceling his Love Earth tour with Crazy Horse in June due to health issues. He and The Chrome Hearts are due to play two more shows at The Capitol Theatre in New York, Sept. 23 and Sept. 24.

Young’s Farm Aid co-founder John Mellencamp also performed during the event, treating the crowd to such classics as “Paper in Fire,” “Check it Out,” “Jack and Diane,” “Rain on the Scarecrow” and “Pink Houses.”

Additional performers included Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, as well as Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys.

Farm Aid, which launched in September 1985 in Champaign, Illinois, raises funds to support family farmers. Since its inception, the annual festival has raised more than $80 million to support programs helping the farming community.

Why Elton John’s kids had to sign off on his new documentary

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Elton John‘s new documentary Never Too Late arrives on Disney+ Dec. 13 — but only because his two sons, Zachary and Elijah, gave it the thumbs up.

Speaking to Collider, David Furnish, Elton’s husband, manager and co-director of the film, says their older son, Zachary, doesn’t like being filmed at all, so it was nearly impossible to get him to appear in the documentary. However, there’s one important scene where Elton is shown talking to both boys on FaceTime.

“I did have to sit down with both boys at the end and screen the whole film for them and get their permission because when we started filming, they were like, ‘Well, hang on a minute. We don’t know if we want to be part of this,'” Furnish explains. “And I said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll show you the whole film, and if there’s anything you don’t like, we will take it out.’”

Furnish says when the kids saw the movie, they were concerned their friends would tease them about the FaceTime scene because, he says, “They were like, ‘Oh my God, we’re so young! We’re talking like babies.'” But eventually, Furnish says, “We talked about the greater message that the film could put out, because we do talk with the boys about the fact that same-sex parenting is not everybody’s cup of tea.”

“The fact [is] that a scene like that in a film can be a very … powerful piece of advocacy, and it could maybe change people’s minds and maybe make people think more positively about it,” he adds.

By the way, there’s a brand-new Elton song in the film. Like the film, it’s called “Never Too Late,” and Elton co-writes and performs it with his friend Brandi Carlile.

Disney is the parent company of ABC Audio.

Bruce Springsteen turns 75: A look at his most memorable albums

September 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Although it may be hard to believe when you see him headlining three-hour concerts, Bruce Springsteen is celebrating his 75th birthday Monday. In honor of the milestone, here’s a look at The Boss’ most memorable albums:

Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. – Released Jan. 5, 1974, the album was Springsteen’s debut and was named one of the greatest debut albums of all time by Rolling Stone.

Key Tracks: “Blinded By The Light,” “Spirit in the Night,” “Growin’ Up”

Born to Run – Released Aug. 25, 1975, Springsteen’s third studio album peaked at #3 and helped Springsteen garner mainstream success. It went on to be a massive hit for the New Jersey rocker and has been certified seven-times Platinum by the RIAA.

Key Tracks: “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”

The River – Released Oct. 17, 1980, The River was Springsteen’s fifth studio album and his only double album to date. It was Bruce’s first #1 album and contained his first top 10 hit, “Hungry Heart.”

Key Tracks: “Hungry Heart,” “The River,” “Out in the Street,” “Sherry Darling”

Nebraska – Released Sept. 30, 1982, Nebraska featured 10 acoustic songs Springsteen originally recorded as demos on a four-track recorder. He’d planned to rerecord them with the E Street Band but instead released them as a solo acoustic record. The album was a critical darling and peaked at #3 on the chart.

Key Tracks: “Atlantic City,” “Reason to Believe,” “Johnny 99″

Born in the U.S.A. – Released June 4, 1984, Born in the U.S.A. would help turn Springsteen into a global superstar, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. It spent seven weeks at #1, produced seven top 10 singles and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

Key Tracks: “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Glory Days,” “I’m on Fire,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” “My Hometown”

The Rising – Released July 30, 2002, The Rising was filled with songs Springsteen wrote in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. The album was released to widespread critical acclaim and became another #1.

Key Tracks: “The Rising,” “My City of Ruins,” “Lonesome Day,” “Mary’s Place”

Peter Frampton blames Virginia show cancellation on Megadeth

September 20, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Peter Frampton was forced to cancel his Sept. 17 concert at the Virginia Credit Union Live in Richmond, Virginia, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and now he’s revealed what those circumstances were.

In fan-shot footage from his show at The Met in Philadelphia Thursday, Frampton reveals that the cancellation was caused by both weather and damage to the stage, with Frampton suggesting Megadeth was to blame for the latter.

“So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather,” he told the Philly crowd. “And also Megadeth did a soundcheck, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their soundcheck, there was structural damage to the stage.”

He added, “I’m not blaming them — could have been another band — but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, Megadeth. I had to rat on you.”

Next up, Frampton plays Niagara Falls, New York, on Saturday. A complete list of dates can be found at Frampton.com.

Listen to never-before-heard Olivia Newton-John song ‘My Dream’

September 20, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Olivia Newton-John‘s iconic voice can be heard once again thanks to a never-before-heard song released more than two years after her death.

“My Dream,” a duet produced by Jim Brickman and featuring Il Volo, debuted online Friday. The song’s proceeds will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.

Co-written by Newton-John, Brickman and Victoria Shaw, the song came out of a writing session 15 years ago but wasn’t finished — until now.

Recalling that time, Brickman said Newton-John “was talking about her dreams — all the things she wanted to do” and that became the basis for the song.

As for why he’s putting it out now, Brickman said, “I decided to finish the song to honor my dear friend, her beautiful spirit, and her foundation.”

“These moments that we share/ Cannot be compared with anything/ They’re yours and mine alone/ My soul has found a home/ In the love you’ve given me,” Newton-John sings in the song. “You’re my dream/ I don’t need to close my eyes/ You’re here beside me/ You mesmerize me.”

The Grease star continues, “I believe/ We were meant to be/ And now I know without a doubt/ My heart has truly found/ My dream.”

Newton-John, who was diagnosed with cancer in the ’90s, died on Aug. 8, 2022, at the age of 73.

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