Classic Hits

Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi are among the artists set to perform at the two-night concert event Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us, put on by the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University in New Jersey.

The concert event, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, will take place June 4 and 5 at the OceanFirst Bank Center on the Monmouth campus and will have the artists performing “landmark songs” from American music history in a variety of musical genres.

Other artists on the bill include Jackson Browne, Gary Clark Jr., Kenny Chesney, Rosanne Cash, Dropkick Murphys, Darlene Love, Nils Lofgren, Stevie Van Zandt, Public Enemy, Mavis Staples and Dion, with The Disciples of Soul serving as the house band.

“Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us is a journey through American music history,” said Robert Santelli, executive director of the Springsteen Center and the concerts’ executive producer. “The concerts reflect everything the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music stands for: the power of music to bring people together, the rich and diverse treasury of American music as a mirror of our national culture, and the inspiration to think about our shared history in these divisive times.”

The concerts will take place just days ahead of the official opening of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music on June 7.

Tickets for both shows go on sale April 21 at 12 p.m. ET at springsteencenter.org.

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KISS is giving fans an update on their planned avatar show, which was first unveiled during their final concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2023.

Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and their manager, Doc McGhee, were interviewed for Pollstar, and in the article it’s revealed that the show is expected to launch in a “bespoke theatre” in Las Vegas in 2028.

When describing the experience, Simmons notes, “Show is not the right word. When you are parachuting into a volcano, I would call it a show.” He notes, “These are semantics, but you know, I’m not anti-semantic.”

“This will be a must-see. It’s a new form of entertainment, it’s very immersive,” McGhee adds. “In today’s technology, you can do almost anything. It’s like we’re at The Jetsons.”

Simmons says the show will feature KISS’ “iconic face personas,” including The Demon and the Starchild, with Stanley noting that with regards to songs, fans should expect “all the classics through the years and some surprises.”

And Simmons may have given away some of those surprises, explaining, “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs,” adding the tunes were “written by us. We have songs done.”

“It will be a true immersive experience that really magnifies the band and the iconic nature of what we’ve built for 50 years,” Stanley says. “It’s very different from anything else that’s been out there.” He notes, “This will be virtually seeing us. My avatar looks just like me, not a cartoon or an artist rendition. The great thing about being an icon is you can stay young forever.”

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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell has new music to share.

The rocker and his band The Dirty Knobs — guitarist/keyboardist Chris Holt, bassist Lance Morrison and drummer Steve Ferrone — have announced that their fourth studio album, Mission of Mercy, will be dropping June 12. It will feature guest appearances by The B-52s’ Kate Pierson and Morgane Stapleton.

As a preview of the record, the band has released the album’s first single, “I Remember,” to digital outlets.

“‘I Remember’ is a song written on the piano instead of the guitar,” says Campbell. “The Dirty Knobs turned my demo into a great rock track that has an ethereal, jam-like quality to it, which I really like. I can see it being a great song to play live.”

The 12-track Mission of Mercy is available for preorder now.

Following the release of the album, Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs are set to hit the road on a summer tour, which launches July 7 in Minneapolis. Campbell is also booked for a special concert on Sept. 12 in Atlanta, where he’ll pay Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits backed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Campbell and The Dirty Knobs will also open for Chris Stapleton on Oct. 2 in Bristow, Virginia.

A complete list of dates can be found at TheDirtyKnobs.com.

Here is the track list for Mission of Mercy:
“No Regrets”
“Let Me Back In My Dream”
“My Mama Told Me”
“I Remember”
“More Than Gold” (feat. Morgane Stapleton)
“Mission of Mercy”
“Bongo Mania” (feat. Kate Pierson)
“Wrecking Ball”
“Done To Me”
“Armageddon”
“Vicious Hangover”
“Vagrant”

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Blondie drummer Clem Burke passed away in 2025, but his life story is about to be told in a posthumous memoir, The Other Side of the Dream (My Life In and Out of Blondie).

According to the description, Burke began writing his memoir over 20 years ago, but had often put it aside due to his commitments to Blondie. “When cancer treatment and illness forced his retirement, completing the book became a priority, which he did shortly before he died,” the description reads.

The book, with a foreword by comedian Fred Armisen, follows Burke from the streets of New York to stardom in Blondie. The book explores “the explosive punk scene that gave rise to Blondie, the creative partnerships that defined their music and the challenges of navigating fame in a constantly evolving industry.

The description notes, “This is Clem’s story, in his own words.”

The Other Side of the Dream (My Life In and Out of Blondie) will be released in the U.S. on Sept. 8. It available for preorder now.

Burke joined Blondie in 1975, shortly after they formed in New York City. He appeared on all of their records, the last one being 2017’s Pollinator. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Blondie in 2006.

Burke passed away April 6, 2025, at the age of 70.

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Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary about R&B legends Earth, Wind & Fire is set to open the 25th anniversary Tribeca Festival in New York City.

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) will have its world premiere on June 3 at the Beacon Theatre, followed by a live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots.

“It is an absolute honor to bring this project to the Tribeca Festival,” says Questlove. “The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative. They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Questlove to the Festival to premiere a film that represents everything Tribeca stands for: creative pioneers at the top of their game in front of and behind the camera, showcasing the joy and community that great art manifests,” Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Festival director and SVP of programming, adds. “Paired with a rare live performance from Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots, Opening Night will be a once-in-a-lifetime New York event that reflects the energy, creativity, and communal experience that has defined Tribeca for 25 years.”

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) is expected to debut on HBO and HBO Max in 2026.

The Tribeca Festival runs from June 3 to June 14. More info can be found at TribecaFilm.com.

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Phil Collins says he’s honored to be chosen as part of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.

“Obviously I’m pleased and honored to be inducted,” Collins wrote on Instagram. “It wraps up what has been a wonderful life in music.”

This was Collins’ first time being nominated to the Hall of Fame as a solo artist, but it will be his second time as a member of the Rock Hall. He was previously inducted in 2010 as a member of Genesis.

Collins released his debut solo album, Face Value, in 1981, and all eight of his solo albums reached the top 40 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Two of those albums — 1985’s No Jacket Required and 1989’s …But Seriously — hit #1. In total Collins has sold over 150 million solo records worldwide. 

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and will be taped for broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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On This Day, April 14, 1979…

The Doobie Brothers landed their second #1 single with “What A Fool Believes.” They first hit #1 in 1974 with the single “Black Water.”

Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, the song was originally recorded and released by Loggins for his 1978 album, Nightwatch.

The Doobie Brothers version, released in July 1978, featured McDonald on lead vocals and appeared on the band’s eighth studio album, Minute by Minute.

The song went on to win Grammys in 1980 for song of the year and record of the year. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Billy Idol is reacting to the news that he is a member of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of inductees.

Idol was chosen on his second nomination to the Rock Hall, and will be inducted with his longtime guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens.

“Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside so many of my heroes and influences is a tremendous honor,” Idol says in a statement provided to ABC Audio. “And to be inducted alongside my longtime compatriot Steve Stevens makes this all even more special.”

“When I first started playing with Generation X 50 years ago, it was purely out of love for the music we were making and the scene that we were lucky enough to be a part of,” he continues. “Nobody, especially me, thought it would take me to where I am today.”

Idol says he’s “incredibly grateful” to those who have supported him over the years, adding, “This honor is for my fans, and everyone who has been on this journey with me, as much as it is for me.”

In his own statement Stevens shares that he’s “deeply honored” to be getting inducted into the Rock Hall with Idol.

“If there’s anyone that deserves to be in the HOF it’s Billy,” he says. “For more than four decades, we have shared a remarkable journey full of music, creativity and unforgettable experiences. Thank you to the Rock Hall, to the fans, and to everyone who’s been part of the story!”

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 in Los Angeles. It will air on ABC and stream on Disney+ in December.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billy Idol is reacting to the news that he is a member of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of inductees.

Idol was chosen on his second nomination to the Rock Hall, and will be inducted with his longtime guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens.

“Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside so many of my heroes and influences is a tremendous honor,” Idol says in a statement provided to ABC Audio. “And to be inducted alongside my longtime compatriot Steve Stevens makes this all even more special.”

“When I first started playing with Generation X 50 years ago, it was purely out of love for the music we were making and the scene that we were lucky enough to be a part of,” he continues. “Nobody, especially me, thought it would take me to where I am today.”

Idol says he’s “incredibly grateful” to those who have supported him over the years, adding, “This honor is for my fans, and everyone who has been on this journey with me, as much as it is for me.”

In his own statement Stevens shares that he’s “deeply honored” to be getting inducted into the Rock Hall with Idol.

“If there’s anyone that deserves to be in the HOF it’s Billy,” he says. “For more than four decades, we have shared a remarkable journey full of music, creativity and unforgettable experiences. Thank you to the Rock Hall, to the fans, and to everyone who’s been part of the story!”

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 in Los Angeles. It will air on ABC and stream on Disney+ in December.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden and Oasis are among the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, announced Monday during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode of American Idol.

Also getting into the Rock Hall this year are new wave pioneers Joy Division/New Order, British soul group Sade, the late R&B singer Luther Vandross and rappers Wu-Tang Clan.

This will be Collins’ second induction into the Hall of Fame; he was previously inducted in 2010 as a member of Genesis. Idol is getting in on his second nomination; he was previously nominated in 2025. Maiden and Oasis are getting in on their third nominations.

“Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor,” says John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year’s ceremony – it’s going to be an unforgettable night.”

Being inducted as recipients of the Early Influence award this year will be late country-rock star Gram Parsons, rappers Queen Latifah and MC Lyte, the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz and late Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti. Musical Excellence inductees include producers Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin, with the late Ed Sullivan being honored with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

The 2026 nominees who didn’t get in this year are The Black Crowes, INXS, Mariah Carey, Pink, New Edition, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Shakira and the late Jeff Buckley.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and will be taped for broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.