Classic Hits

Queen discusses their approach to encores in the latest episode of their weekly YouTube series, Queen the Greatest Live.

“I think audiences these days are aware the encore isn’t really the old-fashioned kind, which was, ‘Oh, that was so wonderful, we actually want more,’” Roger Taylor shares. “It’s built into the show. You’re expecting to play it. They’re expecting to hear it.”

But even though fans expect it, Brian May says the encore is necessary for the band to continue to give fans what they expect.

“You have to go off and refresh at that point because you’ve given everything and you’re like a wet rag at the end of what we’ve done after 2 1/2 hours,” he says. “You know, you need to go off, change your clothes and take a deep breath for that final push.” 

Taylor notes that there’s no question the encore will always be a fan favorite. “It would feel quite weird if they’d come to a show and we hadn’t played them. So it’s not a secret,” he says.

Early in their career, encores included “Jailhouse Rock” and “In the Lap of the Gods…Revisited,” but since 1977, the go-to songs have been “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” 

“It’s a big question, which we do ask ourselves. You know, what do you want to have in people’s heads as they go out?” May says. “And I think it’s fulfillment. It’s like good sex. You know, you want to come out of it thinking, ‘Yeah, that was everything it should have been.’”

Next week on Queen the Greatest Live: “Jailhouse Rock.”

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Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band are headed out on tour again next year.

Starr has announced a set of spring 2024 dates, where he’ll be joined by Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart and Gregg Bissonette.

“I’ve always said I’m my happiest when I’m playing with great musicians – and this band is one of the very best,” Ringo shares. “But even so, sometime during and just after every tour I think ok that’s it – I’m going to stop touring. My family don’t believe me anymore and so it comes as no surprise to them that once again, I’m taking the All Starr Band back on the road!” 

The 12-date trek will kick off May 22, with a six-night stand at The Venetian in Las Vegas, followed by two shows in Mexico City, Mexico, June 5 and 6. Four additional shows will be announced at a later date. A complete list of dates can be found at ringostarr.com.

In other Ringo news … new book Beats and Threads chronicles the rocker’s career through his legendary drum kits and his fashion. It features 300 photos, many of which have never been seen before. The book is being published through Julien’s Auctions and is available for preorder now, with proceeds going to The Lotus Foundation.

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On This Day, November, 27 1991 …

Funeral services were held for the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in London.

The rocker had passed away at his home in Kensington on November 24. The cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. About 24 hours prior to his death Mercury confirmed in a statement that he had tested positive for HIV and had AIDS, although reports had suggested he was diagnosed as early as 1987.

He was 45.

Mercury’s Queen bandmates were in attendance for the funeral, as was musician Elton John, with Mercury’s cremated remains given to his friend Mary Austin, who buried them at an undisclosed location.

Five months later, the surviving members of Queen celebrated Mercury’s life with The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness at Wembley Stadium in London, featuring appearances by such artists as John, Roger Daltrey, David Bowie, George Michael and Annie Lennox.

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Billy Joel‘s record-breaking residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden will end in July 2024, a little more than 10 years after it began in January 2014. And Billy says he’s still amazed the gig has been going on that long.

“After 10 years, we’ve done it,” Billy told People magazine. “I mean, I didn’t realize it would last 10 years. And I don’t know how many shows it is, I’m sure somebody’s keeping track of it somewhere, but I’m amazed that we went this far, and I’m honored.”

Billy’s final show of the residency, scheduled for July 25, 2024, will be his 150th career show at the Garden.

Meanwhile, the Piano Man is being celebrated with his very own exhibit at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Billy Joel — My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey features 50 years’ worth of rare memorabilia from his own archives. 

“I didn’t even remember I had stuff like this. I don’t know where they got it all from, but they did a nice job,” Billy told People. “It’s very, very much an honor.”

But all those achievements pale in comparison to what Billy was able to pull off earlier this year: He took his daughters Della, 8, and Remy, 6, to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour show in Tampa, Florida, and also arranged for them to meet the singer.

Billy told People he “got very cool Dad points” for that, and said of Taylor, “She’s great. She’s really very good. We’re going to probably go see her again.”

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Back in September, Bruce Springsteen was forced to postpone the remainder of his shows with the E Street Band until 2024 to recover from peptic ulcer disease. While it certainly disappointed fans, guitarist Steven Van Zandt thinks the break actually came at the right time.

“This has been the most intense tour maybe we’ve ever done,” Van Zandt, who celebrated his 73rd birthday on November 22, told ABC Audio.

“The enthusiasm level, I mean, we’ve always had the greatest audience in the world. It went to some new level this time, you know?” he explained. “And so, you know, I must say, it wasn’t a bad time for a break because the first six months was so intense.” 

With the tour set to pick up again in March, Van Zandt has no doubt fans will be happy with what they see.

He notes, “We’ll be ready, man. We’ll be ready when we come back for sure.” 

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will return to the road to make up for the postponed dates starting March 19 in Phoenix, Arizona. He’ll then hit the U.K. and Europe before returning for more U.S. and Canadian dates. The tour is set to wrap November 22 in Vancouver. A complete list of dates can be found at brucespringsteen.net.

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Sammy Hagar seems to have commented on David Lee Roth accepting his invitation to perform on his upcoming The Best of All Worlds tour, where he plans to focus mostly on Van Halen tunes.

After Roth told the Van Halen News Desk website, “I’m ready to go. Let’s do this,” in regards to the Hagar tour, a fan asked Sammy about it in a comment on his most recent Instagram post. “Diamond says he’s ready to go on tour with you! What do you think about that?” the fan asked, to which Hagar clarified the invitation wasn’t for the whole tour. 

“He can come out and sing a song on a show or two if he can remember the words,” Hagar responded.

Replying to another fan on the subject, Hagar noted, “He’s not invited on the tour NOOOO F;()$(.g way. it was to sing a song with us somewhere like a lot of singers guitarist etc are going to do on this tour.” He added, “I know better than to have him on tour again. been there done that.”

The Best of All Worlds tour kicks off July 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida. A complete list of dates can be found at redrocker.com.

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KISS has canceled another concert, revealing that lead singer Paul Stanley is sick with the flu.

The rocker took to Instagram to announce the cancellation of their show Wednesday, November 22, at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The news comes one day after they canceled their concert at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre.

“I’ve done everything possible to get onstage and be a part of the incredible 2 1/2 hour celebration we planned but this flu has made it impossible,” Stanley shares on Instagram, alongside a picture of him in bed with an IV. He adds that he and the rest of the band are disappointed in having to cancel, and sent along their “deepest apologies.”

With the tour winding down, neither show will be rescheduled, and refunds will be available to all ticket holders.

KISS is next scheduled to play Knoxville, Tennessee, on Friday, November 24. They’ll wrap the tour with two nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 1 and 2. For those who can’t make it to the final night, it will be available to stream live worldwide exclusively on PPV.COM starting at 8 p.m. ET.

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Billy Joel made an appearance Tuesday, November 21, at a preview of Billy Joel — My Life: A Piano Man’s Journey, a new exhibit at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

“This is a little overwhelming. Did you ever find yourself surrounded by you?” Joel told the VIP crowd, according to Newsday. “I always wondered, did I pick this life or did it pick me? ‘Cause I really didn’t think I had much of a choice. I was going to do this no matter what because I love music.”

The exhibit showcases over 50 years of Billy Joel memorabilia, including awards, rare audio and video recordings, instruments and behind-the-scenes footage and photos, many of which Billy donated from his archives.

“Where did they get all this junk? I didn’t know where they were storing all these things,” he said. “This is quite an honor. I didn’t expect it to be that extensive. I’ve had a life.” 

One of the instruments on display is the 9-foot piano Joel used on his Face to Face Tour with Elton John. There’s also a selfie station where fans can insert themselves into the covers of the rocker’s hit albums, including 52 Street and Glass Houses.

As for whether he hopes the exhibit will inspire future musicians, Joel noted, “I hope they are encouraged to stay with it because that’s what it takes. Don’t give up and don’t let people talk you out of it. Follow your dream.” 

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located in Stony Brook, New York. The exhibit officially opens Friday, November 24. Tickets are available at TheBillyJoelExhibit.com.

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The Black Crowes‘ Chris Robinson made a surprise appearance during Dirty Honey‘s concert in Los Angeles on Monday, November 20.

The “She Talks to Angels” singer joined the “When I’m Gone” rockers for a collaborative rendition of the AC/DC song “Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation.”

Dirty Honey previously opened for The Black Crowes on their 2021 reunion tour. In introducing Robinson to the stage at the LA show, Dirty Honey frontman Marc LaBelle told the crowd, “He’s been teaching me since before he knew me.”

Dirty Honey is currently on tour in support of their new album, Can’t Find the Brakes, which includes the single “Won’t Take Me Alive.”

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While fans are used to seeing Daryl Hall and John Oates onstage together, it sounds like we may soon be seeing them on opposite sides of a courtroom.

Hall recently filed a lawsuit in Nashville Chancery Court against his musical partner Oates. While details regarding the suit are unknown because it’s under seal, the case summary describes it as a “Contract/Debt” dispute. Oates’ wife, Aimee, is also named in the suit for her role as a trustee of her husband’s trust.

What’s more, Hall was granted a motion for a temporary restraining order against Oates, although the reason he sought one is currently unknown.

ABC Audio has reached out to the duo’s representatives for comment. 

Hall & Oates formed in Philadelphia in 1970 and have six #1 singles: “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” “Maneater” and “Out of Touch.”

They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

While their musical partnership has been hugely successful, their personal relationship is another story. In an interview with Bill Maher last year, Hall described Oates as “my business partner,” noting, “He’s not my creative partner.”

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