The Alan Parsons Project reissuing 1978’s ‘Pyramid’

The Alan Parsons Project reissuing 1978’s ‘Pyramid’
The Alan Parsons Project reissuing 1978’s ‘Pyramid’
Arista Records

The Alan Parsons Project is revisiting their 1978 album, Pyramid. 

The band announced that the record will be reissued in a variety of formats, including a super deluxe edition that comes with four CDs, and a Blu-ray with the first ever Dolby Atmos mix of one of the band’s albums.

The super deluxe edition will also include 67 bonus tracks, 54 of which haven’t been released before, as well as a half-speed remastered double LP, a 60-page hardcover book and a whole lot more. 

There will also be a remastered CD featuring four bonus tracks, as well as a clear vinyl and a limited edition 180-gram gold nugget vinyl.

All formats will be released Aug. 23 and are available for preorder now. The first 500 people to preorder the super deluxe edition through the band’s store will receive a print signed by Parsons.

Released in May 1978, Pyramid was the third studio album from The Alan Parsons Project. It was a concept album set around the Pyramids of Giza.

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Jon Anderson drops new single, “Shine On,” from upcoming album, ‘True’

Jon Anderson drops new single, “Shine On,” from upcoming album, ‘True’
Jon Anderson drops new single, “Shine On,” from upcoming album, ‘True’
Frontiers

Jon Anderson is sharing the first preview of his upcoming album, True, which he recorded with The Band Geeks.

The former Yes lead singer just released “Shine On,” the first single from the album, along with an accompanying performance video. 

True, dropping Aug. 23, is Anderson’s first new album since 2019’s 1000 Hands: Chapter One and his first with The Band Geeks, who he’s been touring with since 2023. It features nine new songs, including a 16 1/2-minute track, “Once Upon A Dream.”

True is available for preorder now.

Anderson and The Band Geeks are currently on tour, with their next show happening Thursday in Chicago. A complete list of dates can be found at jonanderson.com.

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Van Halen shares previously unseen live footage of “Top of the World” performance

Van Halen shares previously unseen live footage of “Top of the World” performance
Van Halen shares previously unseen live footage of “Top of the World” performance
Rhino

Van Halen fans are getting another preview of the upcoming expanded edition of the band’s ninth studio album, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. 

The band just shared a previously unreleased live performance video of “Top Of The World,” recorded at a Dec. 4, 1991, concert at West End Marketplace in Dallas, Texas.

“Top of the World” was a Billboard 100 top-40 hit for Van Halen, peaking at #27. It also hit #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

Dropping July 12, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition) will include the remastered original album, along with an album of rarities and live tracks from the Dallas concert. It will include two LPs, with an etching of the Van Halen logo on the fourth side, plus two CDs and a Blu-Ray that will include the Dallas concert, along with the official music videos for “Right Now,” winner of the 1992 MTV VMA for Video of the Year, “Poundcake,” “Runaround” and “Top of the World.”

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition) is available for preorder now.

Released June 17, 1991, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was Van Halen’s third album with Sammy Hagar. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, where it spent three weeks. The album was the third of four #1s Van Halen had with Hagar, the others being 1986’s 5150, 1988’s OU812 and 1995’s Balance.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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R.E.M. talks 2011 breakup in first interview together in almost 30 years

R.E.M. talks 2011 breakup in first interview together in almost 30 years
R.E.M. talks 2011 breakup in first interview together in almost 30 years
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The four members of R.E.M. – Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry – opened up about their decision to call it quits in 2011 during their first interview together in nearly 30 years, which aired Thursday on CBS Mornings.

“I think the main reason was at that point, there wasn’t anything we could agree on really musically. What kind of music, how to record it, are we going to go on tour,” Buck said. “We could barely agree on where to go to dinner. And now we can just agree on where to go to dinner.”

“We’re also here to tell the tale, and we’re sitting at the same table together with deep admiration and lifelong friendship,” Stipe added. “A lot of people that do this can’t claim that.”

Buck explained they’re still friends because, “I think we quit at the right time,” noting, “This is a really good place to finish, you know – great tour, great album, go home.” 

Buck, Stipe and Mills all said they have no regrets about their decision to end R.E.M., although Berry, who quit the band two years after suffering a double brain aneurysm onstage in 1995, does have some about his departure.

When asked about it he got emotional, sharing, “That was a weird time for me and I made it weird for these guys, too.” 

But while they may still be friends, fans shouldn’t hold out hope for a reunion. When asked what it would take to get them performing together again, Mills joked, “a comet,” with Buck giving a good reason why it won’t happen.

“It’d never be as good,” he said.

The interview coincides with R.E.M.’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which is happening Thursday in New York City.

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Eagles announce residency at the Las Vegas Sphere

Eagles announce residency at the Las Vegas Sphere
Eagles announce residency at the Las Vegas Sphere
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

As rumored earlier in the year, the Eagles will be the next band to play the Sphere in Las Vegas. 

Eagles – Live in Concert at Sphere will consist of eight shows, kicking off Sept. 20, with the band playing Fridays and Saturdays through October 10. A complete list of dates can be found at eagles.com. 

A ticket presale begins June 18 at 10 a.m. PT, with presale registration now open. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting June 21 at 10 a.m. PT. In addition, ticket and hotel packages go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. PT, with VIP packages going on sale June 18 at 10 a.m. PT

Eagles will be the fourth band to take up residency at Sphere. U2 opened the venue back in September, with Phish and Dead & Company also playing residencies there.

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Def Leppard drops new single, “Just Like 73,” featuring Tom Morello

Def Leppard drops new single, “Just Like 73,” featuring Tom Morello
Def Leppard drops new single, “Just Like 73,” featuring Tom Morello
Mercury Records

Def Leppard is back with new music. The band just dropped the brand new tune “Just Like 73,” featuring a guitar solo by Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello.

Like the title suggests, the song has a ’70s rock vibe, with frontman Joe Elliott sharing, “It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time.”

Guitarist Phil Collen adds, “When I saw David Bowie on TV between 1972 and 1973, everything I thought I knew about music went from black and white to vivid technicolor. Our song ‘Just Like 73’ represents that awakening.”

Morello shares that he “had a blast rocking a solo” on the tune, noting, “I played ‘Rock Of Ages’ in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that’s one of their best.” 

The single is streaming now on digital outlets, with a video set to premiere on June 20. The tune will also be released on 7-inch black and colored vinyl on Aug. 2 and can be preordered through DefLeppard.com.

“Just Like 73” is the first new music from Def Leppard since they released their 2022 album, Diamond Star Halos. In 2023 they released the new album Drastic Symphonies, but that featured reworked versions of their classic tunes backed by an orchestra. 

The song comes as Def Leppard is gearing up to hit the road this summer with Journey. The stadium tour, featuring special guests Steve Miller Band, Heart and Cheap Trick, kicks off July 6 in St. Louis. A complete list of dates can be found at DefLeppard.com.

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Gov’t Mule’s Island Exodus 15 to rock Jamaica in January

Gov’t Mule’s Island Exodus 15 to rock Jamaica in January
Gov’t Mule’s Island Exodus 15 to rock Jamaica in January
courtesy of Gov’t Mule

Gov’t Mule is heading to the Caribbean again this January.

The band, fronted by Warren Haynes, just announced plans for their Island Exodus 15, an all-inclusive music festival happening Jan. 19-23 at Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica.

Described as a “concert-cation,” the four-day festival will include three two-set beachfront concerts from Gov’t Mule, plus Hayes will headline an afternoon solo set. Other artists booked for Island Exodus include Drive-By TruckersKarina Rykman, Big Sugar and Ron Holloway.

“We’re excited to return to Jamaica for our 15th Island Exodus,” Haynes shares. “This is always such a special experience so this year, we handpicked a lineup featuring talented friends of ours and artists that share a connection with Gov’t Mule.”

In addition to music, attendees will get to take part in a Q&A with Haynes, plus there will be all sorts of activities, like a corn hole tournament, yoga, tie-dyeing on the beach and more.

Presale tickets for those who attended Island Exodus 14 begin June 18, with another presale happening June 19 at 12 p.m. for previous attendees. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 20 at 12 p.m. ET. 

More info can be found at islandexodus.com.

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The Who’s Pete Townshend confirmed as Tony presenter

The Who’s Pete Townshend confirmed as Tony presenter
The Who’s Pete Townshend confirmed as Tony presenter
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images

The Who’s Pete Townshend will be in New York to attend the 77th annual Tony Awards, which will air Sunday live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. 

Townshend is confirmed as a presenter on the telecast, where the cast of The Who’s Tommy is set to perform. The show has been nominated for Best Revival of a Musical, where it will compete with Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Gutenberg! The Musical! and Merrily We Roll Along.

This isn’t Townshend’s first encounter with the Tonys. The 1993 original run of The Who’s Tommy won five Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for Townshend. 

The Who’s Tommy is currently running at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre.

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The Police share original ‘Synchronicity’ promo video ahead of 40th anniversary reissue

The Police share original ‘Synchronicity’ promo video ahead of 40th anniversary reissue
The Police share original ‘Synchronicity’ promo video ahead of 40th anniversary reissue
UMe/Polydor

The Police are looking back on their hit album Synchronicity and just shared the original promotional short film used over 40 years ago to celebrate the album’s release.

“They don’t make album promo like they did in 1983,” the band shares on social media. “A burning telephone, eggs on the piano, a taxidermy goat. It’s got to be The Police.”

The almost four-minute black-and-white clip includes all of those things mentioned, as well as a dinosaur skeleton, a collage of images of the band and more, and features clips of tracks like “Walking In Your Footsteps,” “Mother” and “Synchronicity II.”

It ends with snippets of the music videos for their future #1 single, “Every Breath You Take,” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger.” 

The release of the video comes as The Police are set to reissue Synchronicity in honor of its 40th anniversary. The release comes out July 26 in a variety of different formats, including six-CD and four-LP sets. A six-CD super deluxe box set features 55 previously unreleased tracks — alternate takes, instrumentals, demos and live recordings — along with new liner notes, interviews and previously unseen photographs.

It is available for preorder now. 

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Kevin Spacey opens up about the support he received from Elton John & David Furnish

Kevin Spacey opens up about the support he received from Elton John & David Furnish
Kevin Spacey opens up about the support he received from Elton John & David Furnish
Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

In an extensive interview on Piers Morgan UncensoredKevin Spacey opened up about the support he received from Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, following the sexual assault allegations that derailed his Oscar-winning career.

Spacey was exonerated in courts in both the U.S. and the U.K., and told Morgan both stars have stood by him through it all. 

“Elton was the first email I got on Oct. 30 of 2017 after the [AnthonyRapp story had come out, saying, ‘We love you, whatever you need, we’re here for you,'” Spacey said. 

The former House of Cards star also revealed he “didn’t ask” the pair to testify in his defense in the U.K. case, but they “insisted.” 

“I told them a piece of information that one of the accusers had said about them, which was not true, and Elton and David said, ‘Well, we have to testify. … We have to let the jury know that this individual is not telling the truth,'” he shared.

The trio had a reunion last summer in France, Spacey recalled, calling their dinner together “very beautiful.”

But while Elton and David have stood by Spacey, he says he’s been shunned by many in Hollywood.  

“Yeah, there are some people who definitely ran into the forest, but … I continually find myself very moved by people who take the time and to reach out to find out how I’m doing,” he said.

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