Classic Hits

To coincide with The Beatles documentary Let It Be streaming on Disney+, a new music video for the title track has just been released.

The video features the recording of the song from camera angles not shown in the documentary, which, according to the clip, “have rarely been seen before.”

Footage shows Paul McCartney at the piano singing right to the camera, with George Harrison joining him on backing vocals, before Ringo Starr and John Lennon join in. Billy Preston is also in the clip, playing the organ.

Let It Be recently premiered on Disney+, marking the first time the documentary has been seen publicly in more than 50 years. The original film was released in April 1970, one month after the band officially broke up.

Footage from the film was used in Peter Jackson‘s 2021 Emmy-winning docuseries, The Beatles: Get Back, which also aired on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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The Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson was placed in a court ordered conservatorship on Thursday, May 9, the Associated Press reports. His publicist Jean Sievers and manager LeeAnn Hard, were named his conservators.

The request for the conservatorship was made back in February by Wilson’s family after the January death of his wife Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, who up until then had been dealing with his affairs.

The court documents revealed that a doctor had diagnosed the 81-year-old Wilson with a “major neurocognitive disorder,” noting he was “unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.” The doctor also reported that Wilson was taking meds to treat dementia.

“I find from clear and convincing evidence that a conservatorship of the person is necessary,” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gus T. May, who approved the request, said during a hearing, noting that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer appeared to have consented to the arrangement. 

The judge also agreed to a request by two of Wilson’s children, Wilson Phillips singers Carnie and Wendy Wilson, to be added to a group text chain related to their dad. The judge also ruled they be consulted on any medical decisions being made about him.

Wilson, along with his two brothers Dennis and Carl, Mike Love and Al Jardine, founded the band that would become The Beach Boys in 1961. They went on to sell over 100 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

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Billy Joel turned 75 on May 9, and he celebrated in one of his favorite places: onstage at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Unlike his 65th birthday show at the Garden, and the recent 100th show of his residency at the storied venue, there weren’t any special guests, Newsday reports. The publication, the Piano Man’s hometown paper, speculated that he’s saving the star power for his final residency show on July 25.

The audience booed when Billy mentioned that final show; however, they cheered when he added, “But there’s no reason we couldn’t come back here.”

“I just want to say how grateful I am for all you guys coming out to hear us,” he told the crowd, after the audience serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” and his band members gave him a cake. “I didn’t think I’d be doing this at 75.”

Newsday reports that Billy could be seen wiping one of his eyes throughout the show, but insisted that he wasn’t becoming emotional. “I’m not crying,” he declared. “A lot of weird s*** happens when you’re 75.”

As for the set list, it was full of hits — from “Only the Good Die Young” and “The River of Dreams” to “Piano Man,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “You May Be Right” — as well as his current single, “Turn the Lights Back On.” 

There were also a few deep cuts, such as Glass Houses’ “Sometimes a Fantasy” and “All for Leyna,” An Innocent Man’s “Keeping the Faith” and The Nylon Curtain’s “A Room of Our Own.”

Billy’s next Garden show is June 8. Before that, he’ll play T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on May 24.

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Carlos Santana made a splash when he performed at the original Woodstock in 1969, and it appears as though he’s missing the experience.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal ahead of the return of his House of Blues residency, Santana reveals that he would love to put together another Woodstock-type concert.

“I want to make it a global caravan of harmony and oneness, on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and bring the best bands and the best musicians,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer shared. “I have talked to Eric Clapton and certain musicians like Earth Wind & Fire, and they want to be a part of it.”

He adds, “When I talk to promoters about this, they salivate. Everyone I talk to about it wants to be a part of this celebration.” 

The last time promoters tried to bring back Woodstock was in 2019 for the festival’s 50th anniversary, but the show was eventually canceled.

As for when Santana thinks his Woodstock could happen, the 76-year-old notes, “This is not outside the realm of possibilities, from 2025-2027.” 

Santana’s Vegas residency, An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live, returns to the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Friday, May 10. A complete list of dates can be found at santana.com.

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Blue Öyster Cult has just shared a cover of The Beatles track “If I Fell.”

In the video posted to YouTube, the band explains that the performance was recorded in April 2016 at Red Studios Hollywood while they were working on a video for the 40th anniversary release of their fourth studio album, Agents of Fortune.

“The decision was made not to use it at the time, but we were provided a ‘rough cut’ copy from which this is derived,” reads the description. 

BOC says their video was processed to black and white to pay tribute to The Beatles movie A Hard Days Night, in which “If I Fell” was featured.

Blue Öyster Cult recently dropped the new album, Ghost Stories, which their label called “a fitting finale” to their recording legacy, suggesting it may be BOC’s final album.

The band is getting ready to hit the road this summer, with their tour kicking off June 5 in Lynn, Massachusetts. A complete list of dates can be found at  blueoystercult.com.

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Rocker Bryan Adams is narrating a new video for the animal rights group PETA, which is calling out the Canadian Armed Forces for the bearskin caps worn by the military.

The clip features footage of recreational hunters in Ontario setting traps for bears and then killing, disemboweling and dismembering the animals in order to sell off their skins. According to PETA, it takes at least one bear to have enough skin for each cap.   

“Shot bears don’t always die right away. Desperate and in pain, some bears flee the hunters and endure a slow, painful death from infection or blood loss,” Adams, who is a longtime vegan, says in the video. “Nursing mothers are sometimes shot, leaving behind cubs who starve, unable to survive on their own.” 

The rocker, a native of Kingston, Ontario, adds, “The Canadian government is endorsing this cruelty by using real bear fur on its military caps, even though military-grade faux bear fur now exists.” He implores the public to “tell the Canadian government to end the cruelty and go fur-free.”

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Lenny Kravitz is once again giving fans a look at his exercise routine.

In a new video posted to social media, a shirtless Lenny (of course) is doing an impressive set of ring pull-ups on what appears to be the roof of an outdoor seating area. At one point, he holds himself up for several seconds before spreading his legs out in a “V.” 

Unlike his previous workout video, Lenny skips the leather pants this time, opting instead to work out in jeans.

The entire clip is soundtracked by his latest single, “Human,” and shared alongside the caption, “Another day… another life. Give thanks.” 

“Human” is on Lenny’s upcoming album, Blue Electric Light, which will be released May 24. It is available for preorder now.

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Deadheads are getting another preview of the Grateful Dead’s upcoming 50th anniversary deluxe edition of From The Mars Hotel.

The latest sneak peek is the live performance of “Ship of Fools (Live at University of Nevada 5/12/74).” The entire previously unreleased concert is one of the many bonus features on the deluxe edition.

“Debuting at Winterland in San Francisco on February 22, 1974, less than three months before the Reno show, ‘Ship Of Fools’ was one [of Jerry Garcia‘s] two mellower-tempo’d songs on Mars Hotel along with ‘China Doll,’” Dead Legacy manager and audio archivist David Lemieux writes. “It was a mainstay of Grateful Dead setlists from its debut right through 1995, although it was only played a half dozen times in 1994 and 1995 combined.”

“Ship of Fools (Live at University of Nevada 5/12/74)” is available now via digital outlets.

From The Mars Hotel (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) includes a remastered version of the album, along with previously unreleased demos and the University of Nevada concert. It will be released June 21 as a three-CD and digital set. The remastered version of the album will also be released as a single black vinyl; a limited-edition neon pink vinyl; a limited-edition “Ugly Rumors” custom vinyl, sold exclusively on Dead.net; and a specially designed zoetrope picture disc.

All formats are available for preorder now.

In other Dead news … ANALOGr is set to launch a new Grateful Dead auction on May 15. The Dead Forever auction features more than 300 lots from The Dead, including items from Garcia and Bob Weir. The auction is being held one day before Dead & Company launch their Dead Forever residency at Sphere Las Vegas on May 15. A complete list of dates can be found at deadandcompany.com.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason is ready to tell his story.

Mason is set to release his memoir, Only You Know and I Know, on September 10, making him the first member of Traffic to write their memoir.

“I am thrilled to finally share my journey in Only You Know and I Know, offering fans a firsthand account of the incredible experiences and relationships that have shaped my life in music,” Mason shares. “This memoir is a testament to the power of rock ‘n’ roll and the enduring impact it has had on my career and personal life.”
 

According to the description, the book will feature never-before-seen photographs and will have Mason sharing “captivating tales from his remarkable rock ‘n’ roll journey, recounting the many extraordinary situations he found himself in throughout his illustrious career,” including recording sessions with The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Fleetwood Mac.

Only You Know and I Know is available for preorder now.

Mason is currently on his 2024 Traffic Jam tour. He plays Kent, Ohio, on May 22, with dates confirmed through October 3 in San Diego. A complete list of dates can be found at davemasonmusic.com.

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Duran Duran is looking back at the beginning of their career.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are set to reissue their first five studio albums — 1981’s Duran Duran, 1982’s Rio, 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger, 1986’s Notorious and 1988’s Big Thing — on July 6.

All five long-out-of-print albums will feature remastered audio. The collection will be reissued on CD and LP, which is the first time they’re being made available in their original format since they first came out. They will also include artwork that’s been restored to match the original designs.

All five albums are available for preorder now.

The reissue news comes as Duran Duran is getting ready to headline the Cruel World Festival, taking place May 11 in Pasadena, California. A complete list of Duran Duran dates can be found at duranduran.com.

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