Classic Hits

Back in January, Steve Martin posted a photo of himself with Martin Short and Selena Gomez — his co-stars in the upcoming Hulu series Only Murders in the Building — and Sting was in the picture, too.  At the time, Martin wrote that it was a “special day” on set, but Hulu wouldn’t confirm that Sting was actually in the show. Well, now we know he is.

The full trailer for the series has dropped, and the former Police frontman makes an appearance as himself.  The show follows Martin, Gomez and Short as the three true-crime fanatics who decide to do a podcast about the murder of one of the residents of their New York City apartment building — and attempt to solve the crime in the process.

In the trailer, we learn that the police believe the murderer is one of the building residents, and we see Sting, who is seemingly one of those residents, opening the door to his palatial apartment.  “There’s a very strong chance the killer is musical superstar Sting,” declares Short.

“The guy from U2?” Gomez asks, prompting to Martin to wince at the young star’s appalling lack of knowledge about one-named singers of iconic ’80s bands.

Of course, in real life, Sting does own a palatial apartment in New York City, so the casting is somewhat believable.

Only Murders in the Building debuts August 30 on Hulu.

(Trailer contains uncensored profanity.)

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Pink Floyd‘s “Their Mortal Remains” exhibition, which debuted in London in 2017, originally was scheduled to make its U.S. debut on Tuesday, August 3, at Los Angeles’ new ?Vogue Multicultural Museum on Hollywood Boulevard, but the opening has now been delayed until September 3.

According to a message on the museum’s Facebook page, the delay in the attraction’s opening is “due to issues with global freight.”

As the note explains, “The many containers filled with Pink Floyd’s [artifacts], stage sets, and private collections were shipped from the UK with an extensive lead time but coming out of the pandemic, there are many delays in global freight. These containers have now safely arrived in LA.”

The message also points out that those who already had purchased tickets for August “will be notified via email about how to reschedule their dates at no additional cost.” Tickets can be purchased now at VMMLA.com. Visit PinkFloydExhibition.com for more info.

In addition, the L.A. “Their Mortal Remains” exhibition, which initially had been scheduled through November 28, now will run until January 9, 2022.

As previously reported, the exhibition, which is fully sanctioned by Pink Floyd’s surviving members, takes an in-depth look at the pioneering prog-rockers, delving into their innovative music and album designs, groundbreaking concert staging and much more.

The exhibit uses audiovisual presentations and hundreds of artifacts to trace Pink Floyd’s story from its mid-1960s beginnings in London’s underground psychedelic music scene, through its massive success during the 1970s and ’80s, to the band members’ recent endeavors.

Among the many pieces of memorabilia featured are instruments, handwritten lyrics, vintage posters, photos and clothing items. Also on display are set pieces depicting Pink Floyd’s surreal album covers, stage props, promo videos, and rare film clips and live performance footage.

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Peter Frampton, Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers and Guns N’ Roses‘ guitarist Slash are among the rockers sharing their support for Road Recovery, an organization that uses music to help teens battling addiction and other at-risk youth.

Each musician filmed a video testimonial speaking about Road Recovery’s mission and how music can help, especially during a particularly difficult time like the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Frampton’s clip, he notes, “Road Recovery’s creative staff and our amazing young people are in need of some encouragement to keep on keeping on,” and asks supporters to “film a short video of hope and inspiration to our dedicated staff of music professionals and the amazing youth in our…programs,” which then will be shared across the organization’s social media platforms.

In Rodgers’ video, the singer notes, “I’ve learned that you have to stay positive in your heart, body and soul, [and] steer clear of booze and drugs. You’re still OK to rock and roll.” He also recommends checking out the Qi Gong for Beginners series on YouTube. “It’s a moving meditation,” he says. “It’s very simple, but very profound.”

In Slash’s testimonial, the GN’R guitarist notes that he’s been hanging with and jaming with kids and adults in the Road Recovery programs for a while, and he finds it “really inspirational…to see how [they] get inspired by the arts are able to “turn [their lives] around.”

Other artists offering testimonials include Metallica‘s James Hetfield and Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello. You can watch all the videos now via the Road Recovery YouTube channel.

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The Rolling Stones‘ Keith Richards and Guns N’ Roses‘ Slash are featured in a new Chuck Berry documentary special that premieres on PBS tonight at 8 p.m. ET as part of the network’s In Their Own Words series.

The show looks at the life and music of the complex and multifaceted rock ‘n’ roll pioneer through archival interviews with Berry himself, as well as new conversations with his widow, son and grandson, and his musical associates and admirers.

Besides Richards and Slash, the program features interviews with Robert Cray, Hootie & the Blowfish‘s Darius Rucker, drummer/producer Steve Jordan and filmmaker Taylor Hackford. Hackford directed Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll, the 1987 documentary focusing on Berry’s star-studded 60th birthday concerts held in St. Louis in 1986, for which Richards served as musical director.

In a preview clip of the episode that’s been posted on PBS.org, Richards recalls the hard time Berry, whom he famously considers his hero, gave him while they rehearsed for the birthday shows, noting that he felt he was up to the the task.

“‘I was made to do this job,’ [I thought.] That was one of my dreams, to be second guitar behind Chuck Berry,” Keith declares. “This movie gave me the possibility to do that. In the meantime, I’d been working with the biggest prima donna in the g**damn world. Any trick Chuck could pull, Mick [Jagger] has already done it.”

In another preview clip, Slash says of Berry, “He’ll always be considered the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

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The full lineup and more details have been unveiled for the star-studded concert that will take place in New York City at Central Park’s Great Lawn on August 21 that Big Apple Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed late last month.

The event, which will celebrate the city’s “rebirth” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has been dubbed “We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert.” Among the stars joining the previously announced Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jennifer Hudson on the bill are Journey, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Earth, Wind & Fire, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith and many others.

With Santana and Thomas both performing, it could set the scene for a performance of their collaborative hit, “Smooth.”

Most of the tickets for the concert will be available for free, while Citi card members will be able to purchase presale VIP tickets beginning this Thursday, July 29, at 10 a.m. ET. In addition, Citi will give away 1,000 general admission tickets to card holders on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday, August 2, at 10 a.m. ET.

Additional free tickets, as well as VIP tickets for purchase, will be released to the general public in batches daily from Monday, August 2, through Saturday, August 7, via NYC.gov/HomecomingWeek. Attendees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Other celebs on the lineup include Andrea Bocelli, LL Cool J, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Wyclef Jean and The Killers.

The concert will begin at 5 p.m. ET and air live on CNN. The event was produced by New York City, music mogul Clive Davis and Live Nation.

“This is a celebration of our city, of every working family who faced incredible challenges last year and overcame,” says Mayor de Blasio. “This is a celebration for you.”

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Bella Donna, Stevie Nicks‘ first solo album, was released July 27, 1981, and was an immediate success. To mark the 40th anniversary of the start of Stevie’s solo career, here are Five Fascinating Facts about Bella Donna.

5. Stevie began working on Bella Donna in between sessions for Fleetwood Mac‘s 1979 album, Tusk. She started recording it in 1980, after the Tusk tour ended.

4. The only song on the album Stevie didn’t write was “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” which was penned by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers frontman Tom Petty and guitarist Mike Campbell. Producer Jimmy Iovine, who worked with both acts, had the idea of having Stevie record it as a duet with Petty. The song’s video was the 25th video ever shown on MTV.

3. Nicks wrote Bella Donna‘s other duet, “Leather & Lace,” for an album by country star Waylon Jennings and his wife, Jessi Colter. When it didn’t make that album, Stevie recorded it with her ex-boyfriend, The Eagles‘ Don Henley.

2. Bella Donna includes Stevie’s signature song, “Edge of Seventeen,” which was inspired by Petty and his wife, as well as the deaths of both Stevie’s uncle and John Lennon. It was sampled by Destiny’s Child for their number-one hit “Bootylicious,” and interpolated by Miley Cyrus on her 2020 single “Midnight Sky.” Stevie appeared in the “Bootylicious” video, and allowed Miley to do an “Edge of Midnight” remix with a sample of her original song.

1. Bella Donna hit number one on the Billboard chart, spun off four top-40 singles, and has been certified for sales of 4 million copies. Its huge success has allowed Stevie to run a solo career parallel to her work with Fleetwood Mac for decades. Having previously been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998, Stevie went in again in 2019 as a solo artist, making her the first woman ever to be inducted twice.

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Founding Styx singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung hasn’t played with the group since 1999, and although longtime members Tommy Shaw and James “JY” Young continue to insist they have no interest in reuniting with him, DeYoung says he’d like to tour with his ex-band mates one more time.

“I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but there should be one last Styx tour,” the 74-year-old musician tells ABC Audio. “You know, with Moe, Larry and Curly on the same stage, to wave goodbye to the fans…and tell them, ‘Hey, you made us wealthy people and you gave us incredible lives. Thanks. Bye.'”

Acknowledging that Shaw and Young don’t want to work with him again, DeYoung declares, “I don’t want to be in Styx anymore…Styx is Tommy and JY. [Founding bassist] Chuck [Panozzo] plays once in a while, but it’s Tommy that makes the decisions. It’s his band.”

Having said that, Dennis maintains that most Styx fans would love to see a reunion trek.

“Even if you’ve bought into Tommy’s new Styx with JY, and you love ’em and you think I’m a poop face, based on lies told about me, if you see the Styx reunion [is happening,] you’re coming,” DeYoung says.

Dennis says his feeling is based on Styx fans’ social media posts and the continuing popularity of the band’s music.

“[I]t does mean a great deal to them,” he declares, then quips, “And to see it one more time would be grand…and it would not be an illusion.”

Dennis also points out that next year marks the 50th anniversary of Styx’s debut album.

In June, DeYoung released what he says will be his final solo album, 26 East, Vol. 2, a collection of tunes that features multiple nods to Styx songs.

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David Bowie‘s estate has partnered with the LA Pop Art apparel company to launch a new collection of Bowie-themed shirts and other items featuring interesting hand-drawn “word art” designs.

The collection offers two different designs featured on long-sleeved and short-sleeved T-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts for men, women and kids, as well as tote bags.

One design is Bowie’s classic lightning-bolt logo created by using titles of many of his best-known songs. The second design is based on the photo of David featured on his 1973 album Aladdin Sane, but with the image made up of the name Bowie written over and over again.

“There are Rock Stars, and there are Rock Gods — David Bowie is one of the few artists in history that’s both,” says LA Pop Art founder Joseph Leibovic. “We are so honored to put this collection out for his ever-growing fan base. The words that create our designs are used to add another layer of an emotional connection for the fans.”

The Bowie collection is available at LAPopArt.com, Macys.com, Amazon.com and other select retailers.

The LA Pop Art company previously has released apparel items with designs celebrating such other music artists as AC/DC and KISS.

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Mick Jagger turned 78 Monday and a couple of the Rolling Stones frontman’s band mates took to social media to share some birthday wishes with him.

Keith Richards wrote in a Twitter message, “[Wishing] you a Happy Birthday. See you very soon!!! One love, Keith,” along with a photo of him and Mick smiling and with their arms around each other.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Wood tweeted his own note to Jagger that reads, “Happy birthday Mick! Have an amazing day, love Ronnie x.” Wood also posted photos of two portraits that he painted of the legendary singer.

In other news, the release of Wood’s recently announced concert album, Mr. Luck — A Tribute to Jimmy Reed: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, has been pushed back from September 3 to September 17.

As previously reported, the album is the second in a trilogy of live albums Ronnie plans to issue saluting artists who have made a major impact on his own music, following 2019’s Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry.

Mr. Luck documents a special 2013 concert Wood played at London’s Royal Albert Hall that paid homage to electric blues pioneer Jimmy Reed. The show, which was recorded in November 2013 during London’s BluesFest, features Ronnie performing with a backing group that included ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, plus appearances from guest singers Bobby Womack, Simply Red‘s Mick Hucknall and ex-Jam frontman Paul Weller.

The 18-track collection, which can be pre-ordered now, will be available on CD, digitally and on vinyl.

The Rolling Stones kick off their 2021 No Filter Tour in St. Louis on September 26.

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The music world lost one of its great voices on May 29 when B.J. Thomas passed away at age 78 of lung cancer. Now, in celebration of the hitmaking pop-country artist, a collection of updated versions of many of his classic songs will be released on vinyl for the first time this Friday, July 30.

B.J. Thomas: The Very Best Of will be available a limited-edition 11-song LP pressed on silver vinyl, as well as a 14-track CD packaged in a digipak.

The album, which was recorded in 2001, includes renditions of Thomas’ chart-topping singles “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” as well as other hits including “Hooked on a Feeling,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing” and “I’m So Lonesome (I Could Cry).”

Here’s the full track list of The Very Best Of:

“Hooked on a Feeling”
“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”
“I Just Can’t Help Believing”
“I’m So Lonesome (I Could Cry)”
“Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song”
“No Love at All”
“Rock and Roll Lullaby”
“Back Against the Wall”
“No Other Baby”
“To Be Loved”
“What’s Forever For”
“Call It a Mountain”*
“Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”
“Ballyhoo Days”*

Bonus Track:
“100% Chance of Pain” — with T.G. Sheppard*

* = CD only.

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