Classic Hits

November 21 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Duran Duran’s third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, which became the band’s first U.K. #1 and peaked at #8 in the U.S.

The album went double Platinum, thanks to three top 10 singles: “Union of the Snake,” which peaked at #3 in the U.S.; “New Moon on Monday,” which went to #10; and “The Reflex,” which was remixed by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and became the band’s first U.S. #1.

But the album wasn’t an easy one to make, as there had reportedly been tension among band members regarding the direction of the record.

When asked about his fondest memory of making the album, bassist John Taylor told ABC Audio that he doesn’t have any. He noted that some of the problems stemmed from the band feeling the pressure to follow up their hugely successful sophomore album, Rio. 

“It was the first time in our careers that we had something to lose because Rio had been a huge success on every level. You know, it was just, everything about that album was right,” he shared. “I mean, I don’t think people think we’ve got to, like, match that. We’re thinking we’ve gotta beat that.”

And apparently original guitarist Andy Taylor had similar feelings, joking to ABC Audio that his fondest memory of the album was finishing it.

On a more serious note, Andy said that for him, one of the highlights of Seven and the Ragged Tiger was hearing Rodgers’ remix of “The Reflex.”

“I remember we were on tour, Paul Barrow, our manager, put it on and I just hit the roof,” he said. “When I got that mix back, I was like, ‘Wow.’” 

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Those who didn’t make it to the theaters to see Billy Idol’s concert film, Billy Idol: State Line, now have another shot to check it out. The film, which captures the rocker’s April concerts at the Hoover Dam, will stream on Veeps starting Saturday, November 25, at 12 p.m. PT.  

Idol and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens will host a livestream debut chat at veeps.com. The stream will feature bonus, never-before-seen footage of Hoover Dam performances of “Rebel Yell” and “Bitter Taste.”

Billy Idol: State Line, which had a limited theater run earlier this month, features performances from both of Idol’s shows at the iconic site on the Nevada/Arizona state line. One was a full band show, which took place at sunset and featured guest appearances by Sex Pistol’s Steve Jones, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal and Alison Mosshart of The Dead Weather. The second was an acoustic performance with just Stevens on the roof of the Hoover Dam.

Veep All Access subscribers will be able to stream the film for free, while individual tickets are available at a cost of $19.99. Tickets are available at veeps.com.

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Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle has shared a new preview of his upcoming tribute album, Anthems – Honoring The Music Of Lynyrd Skynyrd, dropping February 2.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer just released his take on the Skynyrd classic “Simple Man,” featuring special guest Sammy Hagar.

You can listen to “Simple Man” now via streaming services and on YouTube. 

Hagar is one of several guest stars joining Pyle on the album. Others include Dolly Parton and Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes, along with country stars Ronnie Dunn, Chris Janson, Billy Ray Cyrus and others.

In addition to “Simple Man,” the 13-track album features performances of such Skynyrd classics as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “What’s Your Name” and “Free Bird.” 

Anthems – Honoring The Music Of Lynyrd Skynyrd is available for preorder now.

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Rockers Gene Simmons and Neil Young have both announced they are leaving X, formerly known as Twitter. The move comes as several companies have pulled ads from the social media site after owner Elon Musk seemed to endorse a post that included comments that have been deemed antisemitic. 

Simmons, who is Jewish and was born in Israel, simply posted, “Friends, I’ve decided to end my X/Twitter posting.” He shared links to his Instagram, TikTok and Threads accounts.

Young announced his decision to leave on his Archives website, sharing a photo of Musk with the caption, “Teslas should fly flags of love – not hate.” 

“We are stopping all use of X that we can control,” the site reads. “For reasons that should be obvious to the richest man on Earth, we are taking action against his company.”

It continued with a message to both Palestinian and Jewish friends, noting, “We do need to start over in the present and release our terrible connections to the past. As bad as they are, they need to be forgotten so we can be free to move on in life together, all humanity, focused on saving our planet for future generations of all people.”

Musk has since come out and denied he is antisemitic, writing on X, “This past week, there were hundreds of bogus media stories claiming that I am antisemitic. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wish only the best for humanity and a prosperous and exciting future for all.”

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Blondie guitarist Chris Stein hasn’t played with the band in over a year, after telling fans in April 2022 that he had to sit out of shows due to an irregular heartbeat. He’s also living with prostate cancer, and all of that has led him to realize he isn’t likely to tour again.

“I miss it a little [playing live], but it’s a lot of work, and I did it for 50 years, I kind of got it out of my system,” he shares in a new interview with The Sunday Times. “It’s doubtful I’m gonna do more shows at this point.”

Stein says the rock star lifestyle has left him feeling “a little fatigued,” and he seems to regret some of the decisions he made over the years.

“All this stuff caught up with me in my old age,” he explains. “Don’t do drugs, kids, is all I can say. All that sh** I did over the years didn’t help.”

Fans will soon be able to read all about Stein’s rock star life. He recently announced that his memoir, Under A Rock, will be released June 11. It is available for preorder now.

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AC/DC fans have decided on what song they want to make #1 for Christmas.

Earlier this month, in honor of the band’s 50th anniversary, the Facebook fan group AC/DC We Salute You launched a campaign to get an AC/DC single on top of the U.K. chart for the holidays. After a vote, fans have decided to concentrate their efforts into the 1990 song “Thunderstruck.”

The campaign follows the one the band launched in 2013 for their 40th anniversary. They set out to get the classic AC/DC single “Highway To Hell” to the top of the U.K. chart but ultimately got it to #4. 

“It is fitting in a way. Last time out, we championed a Bon Scott song. This time, we’re championing a Brian Johnson song,” the group shares. They advise that fans download “Thunderstruck” between December 15 and December 21 to have the best chance at that coveted Christmas #1.

In other AC/DC news, drummer Phil Rudd tells New Zealand’s Stuff that he’s auctioning off some of his personal items to help raise money for a cancer charity in honor of his best friend Toni Wilson, who is dying from breast cancer. Items that will go up for auction include AC/DC gear, drum sticks played while performing, memorabilia and even a sports car. Proceeds will go to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

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A musical featuring songs made famous by Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Lesley Gore and more is set to make its Off Broadway debut next year.

Deadline reports A Sign of the Times will begin previews at the New World Stages in New York City on Wednesday, February 7, with the musical opening Thursday, February 22. It features such popular ’60s hits as “Downtown,” “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Rescue Me,” “I Know A Place” and more.

Set in the summer of 1965, the musical revolves around a young female photographer trying to survive in New York City.

So far, no casting has been announced.

While this will be the musical’s Off Broadway debut, it’s not the first time it’s ever been staged. It originally played at Connecticut’s Goodspeed Musicals’ Norma Terris Theatre in 2016, and had another run in 2018 at the Delaware Theatre Company.

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Rush’s Geddy Lee recently revealed that the book may not be closed on him and bandmate Alex Lifeson touring again, although Lifeson’s health issues may prevent it from happening. Apparently, that’s not the only thing that may keep Lifeson off the road.

Geddy tells Rolling Stone that Lifeson may not be keen to tour because he wasn’t “super happy in the last few tours” and got bored quickly. “I think being away and touring is more difficult for him to be happy,” he explains.

If they ever tour again, it will be the first time since the 2020 death of their drummer Neil Peart, and Geddy isn’t so sure they should go out using the name Rush.

“I don’t know how comfortable we would be doing that, calling ourselves Rush, and it’s all speculation because … Honestly, it’s unlikely to happen,” he says. “That’s a conversation for probably another time, but we might not be super comfortable.” He then joked, “But we could always call ourselves some other stupid name, or Rash.”

When the suggestion “Lee and Lifeson” came up, he wasn’t happy with that either, noting, “‘Lee and Lifeson Play the Songs of Rush.’ That really sounds like an old-fart Eighties band.”

On a positive note, Geddy, whose memoir, My Effin’ Life, is out now, suggested the possibility of new music from him and Lifeson isn’t out of the question, although they currently don’t have anything planned.

“Would I like to write some more music? Now, yes, I would. I am ready for that,” he says. “Does Alex want to write some more music with me? Yes, he does. He’s made that very clear. And that’s something I will try to do with him over the coming year.”

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Bruce Springsteen has opened up about just how much he relies on his longtime friend and E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt.

The Boss turned up during a 60 Minutes profile on Little Steven, calling him “the consigliere of the E Street Band,” a reference to a crime underboss similar to Van Zandt’s role of Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. 

“If I have questions pertaining a direction for the band, or issues with the band, or something like the set list, I’m not sure what we’re gonna play that night, or what we should start with, or if he has second doubts about something, he always comes to me,” Springsteen explained. “He’s been essential to me since he walked into the studio during the Born to Run sessions and fixed the horns and my guitar parts.”

Springsteen, who has known Van Zandt since the guitarist was 16, added, “We’ve been doing it together for a long time. And that’s a wonderful thing. How many people have their best friend at their side 50 some years later?”

Van Zandt feels the same way about his boss and friend. “People always say, ‘Aren’t you worried about, being replaced?’” he said. “I’m like, ‘No. I can’t be replaced. How many best friends do you have for 50 years?'”

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Ever since The Rolling Stones announced their new album, Hackney Diamonds, fans have been speculating that they’ll be going back out on the road. Well, now it seems the band is teasing just that. 

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers shared a post on social media, set to the tune “Street Fighting Man.” It featured a variety of images, including a drum with their lips logo on it, a maple leaf and an American flag, which may be hinting at a North American tour.

“Want to be the first to know? Enter your details here,” the caption notes. The post also includes a link that takes you to a sign up page that reads, “The news you have all been waiting for…”

Fans were quick to pick up on the possible tour tease, with one writing, “Can’t wait for the #HackeyDiamondsTour 2024!” Another added, “Sounds like the tour announcement is coming soon!”

The Stones’ post wasn’t the only reason fans think tour news is imminent. Cleveland.com reports that over the weekend, the rockers teased a stop in the city. Their tongue and lips logo flashed on the screen at Terminal Tower and Cleveland Browns Stadium, and was seen on billboards around the city, along with the words “Miss You.” The logo also appeared outside Empower Field at Mile High stadium in Denver and Soldier Field in Chicago.

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