Classic Hits

Aerosmith is ready to start their goodbye to the road later this year, and now they are looking back at their career with a new compilation of their biggest hits.

The band just announced they’ll be releasing an “ultimate” Greatest Hits collection, which will be released in a variety of formats, including a super deluxe limited edition set to be sold exclusively through the Aerosmith store. It will feature 44 tracks, including such classics as “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” It will also include some rarely seen photos, book-style sleeves, four black-and-white lithographs and more.

The set, dropping August 18, will also be released in a standard CD and LP format, as well as three-CD, two-LP and three-LP deluxe editions. All formats are currently available for preorder at the Aerosmith store and will be available for preorder at all other retailers on Thursday, June 22. 

Aerosmith will hit the road this September on their Peace Out! tour. It kicks off September 2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A complete list of dates can be found at aerosmith.com.

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On This Day, June 20, 1942 … 

Brian Wilson was born in Inglewood, California.

In 1961, he co-founded The Beach Boys and changed the face of popular music with his gift for musical harmonies and vocal arrangements. The band had a string of top 40 hits, including “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations,” which all went to number one.

After a nervous breakdown in 1964, Wilson stopped touring with the band, but did go on to record what he considered “probably the best album I ever did”: 1966’s Pet Sounds.

Wilson is a two-time Grammy winner and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beach Boys in 1988. In 2000 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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James Taylor has been forced to postpone a trio of shows after coming down with a case of laryngitis.

“I really hate to have to postpone these shows and it’s not something I take lightly,” Taylor shares on Instagram. “I thought I could push through but I’m at the point now if I don’t take these days off I risk doing permanent damage.”

The affected shows were due to take place in Huntsville, Alabama, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; they’ve been moved to August 22, 24 and 26, respectively.

“So very sorry to everyone who has tickets this week, I hope you’re able to hold onto your tickets for the new dates,” Taylor adds. “I look forward to picking the tour back up in Milwaukee on Saturday.”

Those unable to attend the rescheduled dates will be able to get refunds for their tickets. 

Taylor’s tour is set to run until September, wrapping with a three-night stand in Vienna, Virginia, September 7, 8 and 10. A complete list of dates can be found at jamestaylor.com.

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Elton John is winding down his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which he promises will be his last tour ever. But fans shouldn’t worry, it won’t be the last we’ll be hearing from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. In fact, in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Elton reveals he’s already thinking about making more music.

“I’ll be recording a new album very soon,” he shares, “and I can’t wait because I haven’t really recorded a proper record for a long time, so I’m looking forward to doing that.” 

Elton has earned a lot of accolades over the course of his career and is just an Emmy away from getting his EGOT. That could happen this year, with his Disney+ special Farewell From Dodger Stadium getting a big Emmy push. But Elton insists earning an EGOT “has never been a goal.”

“If it gets nominated for an Emmy, that’d be wonderful,” he says. “I’m so pleased about the quality of this thing. The sound and what they did is incredible, and I’m so proud of it. I couldn’t find anything wrong with it, and I’m usually so critical.” He adds, “So if it is nominated for an Emmy, we’ll just celebrate that.”

Elton’s next tour stop is Paris, France, where he’ll play June 21, 27 and 28. In the middle of that he’ll play the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, June 25. The tour is set to end July 8 in Stockholm, Sweden. A complete list of Elton dates can be found at EltonJohn.com.

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Blondie‘s Debbie Harry infamously revealed in her 2019 autobiography, Face It, that during a 1977 tour, after she offered David Bowie and Iggy Pop some cocaine, Bowie thanked her by dropping his pants and flashing her. While some people may be offended by that, she scoffs at the idea that it was something she was upset about. 

“I think you should rethink that. Most women would really die to be in that room,” she tells The U.K. Times, agreeing that it could be true about some men, too. She notes, “You have to consider the context — I was a consenting adult, shall we say. I believe that that is really the borderline.”

In the book, Harry wrote of the experience, “David’s size was notorious, of course, and he loved to pull it out with both men and women. It was so adorable, funny and sexy.”

Harry was talking to the paper ahead of the band’s appearance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 25. The show is part of the band’s current U.K. tour, which runs through July 1. A complete list of dates can be found at blondie.net.

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Elton John has added a new member to the family. The singer’s husband, David Furnish, revealed on social media that the family has just gotten a new puppy. 

“This Father’s Day, we are happy to announce the newest arrival to the Furnish-John family. Please meet Jacob,” he writes on Instagram next to a picture of an adorable black pup. He notes the couple’s sons, Zachary and Elijah, “are co-fathering little Jacob and have proudly declared that Elton and I are……erm…..grandparents……!” 

While Jacob is a sweetie, Elton won’t be at home helping out with his “grandson.” He’s still on the road with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. His next stop is Paris, France, where he’ll play three nights, June 21, 27 and 28. In the middle of that he’ll play the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, June 25. A complete list of Elton dates can be found at EltonJohn.com.

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If you’ve ever wanted to live like Mick Jagger, now’s your chance.

The Rolling Stones frontman and girlfriend Melanie Hamrick have put their Florida home on the market, and while it comes with a hefty price tag, you do get a lot for you money.

According to the listing on realtor.com, the more than 5,700-square-foot home is in the gated community of The Lake Club. It features four en suite bedrooms, all with walk-in closets; five and a half bathrooms; a media room; and a newly screened-in lanai with a fireplace. There’s also a heated pool, outdoor grill and kitchen, a bell tower to watch the sunsets and whole lot more.

Playing into Jagger’s career, the listing notes, “You can’t always get what you want….but this house is definitely what you need.”

Of course, getting what you need costs a pretty penny. The house is currently on the market for over $3.4 million.

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On This Day, June 19, 1950 …

Heart rocker Ann Wilson was born in San Diego, California.

Founded in the 1970s with sister Nancy Wilson, Heart has sold over 35 million records worldwide, with seven top 10 albums, including their 1985 self-titled release, which went to #1. They also had 29 singles reach the Billboard Hot 100, including “Magic Man,” “Barracuda” and “What About Love,” as well as two number one hits, 1986’s “These Dreams” and 1987’s “Alone.”

Ann also released three solo albums, and she and Nancy teamed up as an acoustic group under the name The Lovemongers.

She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 as a member of Heart.

Wilson will kick off a summer tour on July 7 in Toronto. She’s also featured on Dolly Parton’s upcoming album, Rockstar, joining the country legend on a version of Heart’s “Magic Man.”

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Rock band INXS will be the subject of a new book being released this fall by Petrol Records, UMe and uDiscover Music, along with This Day In Music Books.

Calling All Nations – A Fan History Of INXS, dropping October 3, aims to recount the history of the Aussie rockers through the stories and memories of their dedicated fanbase. The group’s surviving members —  brothers Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss and Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Gary Beers — have also contributed to the project.

“We are thrilled to have our fans come together to tell the story of INXS in their own words,” Pengilly shares. “Their support and passion have been instrumental in our success, and we are honored to have their contributions be a part of this book.” He adds it’s “a testament to the enduring legacy of INXS, and we hope it will continue to inspire and connect fans for generations to come.” 

Calling All Nations will be released in three different editions: a limited hardcover edition; Special Edition box set, with items from the band’s history; and a Super Deluxe box set autographed by band members.

Calling All Nations is available for preorder now.

INXS gained international stardom in the ’80s and ’90s thanks to hits like “What You Need,” “Need You Tonight,” “Never Tear Us Apart” and “New Sensation.” A lot of that fame was thanks to their charismatic lead singer, Michael Hutchence, who took his own life in November 1997. The band did go on following Hutchence’s death, first with lead singer JD Fortune, who they found on the reality show Rock Star: INXS, and then later with Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Gribbin. They gave their last performance in November 2012.

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Pat Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo have appeared to respond after Sen. Ted Cruz invoked Benatar’s name in a rant against Democrats and President Joe Biden.

It happened during an appearance on Joe Pagliarulo’s conservative talk show, after the host asked Cruz whether there was any chance of seeing a Biden impeachment and conviction.  

“I don’t think Senate Democrats, if you had video of Joe Biden murdering children dressed as the devil under a full moon while singing Pat Benatar, they still wouldn’t vote to convict,” Cruz responded, baffling many who couldn’t understand why he chose to single out Benatar’s music as being a symbol of evil.

As for Benatar and Giraldo’s response, they took to Facebook and simply posted, “Nice Try.” And while they didn’t specifically say they were replying to Cruz, it’s clear by all the comments people believe that was the reason for the post. Variety notes that Benatar’s publicist said she wouldn’t comment further on the subject.

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