Classic Hits

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.

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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.

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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.

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 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.” 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A new lawsuit has been filed in Los Angeles accusing Warner Music of stealing footage for the 2021 Tom Petty documentary, Somewhere You Feel Free.

Filmmaker Martyn Atkins claims in his lawsuit he was hired in 1994 as art director for Petty’s solo album Wildflowers, and would “on his own volition and at his own cost” film Petty while making the album. He says he and the rocker would discuss possibly making a documentary from his footage, although it never happened due to Petty’s 2017 death.

The suit says in 2020 he met with the Petty Estate and the rocker’s daughter Adria Petty and they discussed a possible Wildflowers documentary, with him as a producer and director. He claims they discussed the location of his footage, which he shared. The footage had been stored at Warner Records because in 2014 Petty offered to hold it for him “for safekeeping” while Atkins was moving.

Atkins says after that initial meeting he never met with anyone again, and then in 2021 the documentary premiered with “a shocking 45 minutes” of the 90-minute film made up of his footage, which he insists he’s “the exclusive owner and author” of. He says the doc also incorrectly claimed the footage was “discovered” when he always knew where it was.

“The Film’s producers did not seek or obtain consent from Atkins to use his copyrighted footage,” reads the lawsuit, adding, “Defendants not only stole and misappropriated the Works, but also deprived Atkins of the opportunity of creating (and thus becoming ‘the filmmaker who brought you’) the project Atkins largely filmed and which he had always envisioned.”

Atkins is suing Warner for copyright infringement, and is seeking actual and compensatory damages, as well as an accounting of profits for the film and more.

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On This Day, June 25, 1966 …

The Beatles topped the Billboard singles chart with “Paperback Writer,” which spent two nonconsecutive weeks at #1. The song also topped the chart in the U.K., Ireland, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. 

McCartney wrote most of the song’s lyrics. He said he was inspired to write it after his aunt complained that he wrote too many love songs and asked why he didn’t write about a “horse or the summit conference or something interesting.”

“Paperback Writer” was released as a single with “Rain” as its B-side, and later appeared on the 1970 compilation album Hey Jude in the U.S. and Canada. 

The tune is known for its boosted bass guitar sound, which Lennon reportedly wanted after wondering why Wilson Pickett’s record had more bass than any Beatles album. 

The track was the only new song The Beatles performed during their final 1966 tour.

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The solo work of Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson is the subject of a new box set coming in August.

The limited-edition 10-LP box set, 8314 Boxed, will include the first-time vinyl releases of 1995’s Divinities: Twelve Dances with God, 2000’s The Secret Language of Birds and 2003’s Rupi’s Dance. It will also include half speed masters of 1983’s Walk Into Light and 2014’s Homo Erraticus, with the Divinities: Twelve Dances with God LP also a half speed master.

There’s also 2012’s Thick as a Brick 2, which was a sequel to Jethro Tull’s 1972 album, Thick as a Brick, and Roaming in the Gloaming, an LP of previously unreleased live recordings from 1995 to 2007, plus a 96-page book with a foreword by Anderson. 

“Since 1983, I have made a few solo albums, not as dissatisfaction with fellow musicians or the group identity but usually just to try something a bit different, whether sonically, stylistically or in terms of instrumental line-up,” Anderson shares. “These records all stand out for me as being quite different from each other and in some ways demonstrate a broader depth of my songwriting. The flute instrumental Divinities record is one of my favorites to this day.”

8314 Boxed will be released Aug. 23 and is available for preorder now.

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