Classic Hits – Page 7

Bon Jovi marks 40 years of ‘Slippery When Wet’

August 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bon Jovi is marking the 40th anniversary of their breakthrough album, Slippery When Wet.

The band marked the milestone with a post on Instagram Tuesday, writing, “Slippery When Wet turns 40 years old today! We’re grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey and kept these songs alive for 40 years.”

The post also included photos from the era, as well as clips from the music videos for the album’s hit singles “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.”

Released Aug. 18, 1986, Slippery When Wet was the New Jersey rockers’ third studio album and the follow-up to 1985’s 7800° Fahrenheit. Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, the album rocketed the band to superstardom, spending eight weeks at #1 on the Billboard Albums chart, their first #1 album.

“You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, both went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with a third single, “Wanted Dead or Alive,” peaking at #7.

Slippery When Wet would go on to be Billboard’s top-selling album of 1987 and has since been certified 15-times Platinum by the RIAA.

Details announced for the 10th annual Allman Betts Family Revival

August 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The music of the Allman Brothers Band will once again be celebrated at the 10th annual Allman Betts Family Revival, a 20-date tour launching in November.

This year’s trek, hosted by Gregg Allman’s son Devon Allman and Dickey Betts’ son Duane Betts, is titled A Decade of Revival, inspired by the Allman Brothers Band’s 1991 compilation, A Decade of Hits 1969–1979.

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years of our beautiful gathering of friends to celebrate our dads’ songbook,” Devon says. “Being the faithful custodians to this historic body of work is not lost on Duane and I. It is our high honor. We couldn’t possibly hold it any closer to our hearts. We can’t wait to evoke the spirits and celebrate 10 years.”

“It’s a gift playing this timeless songbook with so many of our beautiful, talented friends,” Duane adds. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the Revival continue into year 10. See y’all on the road!”

The tour is set to kick off Nov. 28 in St. Louis, Missouri, and wraps with two nights in San Francisco, Dec. 19 and 20. In addition to the Allman Betts Band, this year’s lineup includes Robert Randolph, Sierra Hull, Judith Hill and Luther Dickinson. A complete list of dates and lineups can be found at allmanbettsfamilyrevival.com.

Madonna leads MTV VMA Awards nominations with 11

August 18, 2026 by WDNY Radio

More than 40 years after receiving her first MTV VMA nomination, Madonna leads the list of nominees for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

Madonna is up for 11 awards this year, including video of the year for Confessions II – The Film, an over 10-minute long short film soundtracked to the first six songs from her most recent album, Confessions II.

She’s also nominated for artist of the year; song of the year and best collaboration for “Bring Your Love,” her song with Sabrina Carpenter; best dance for Confessions II – The Film, and several technical awards.

Madonna received her first-ever MTV VMA nomination in 1984 for best new artist for “Borderline.” Since then, she has won 19 competitive VMAs, and in 1986, she was the first-ever female recipient of the honorary MTV Video Vanguard Award. Her last VMA win was in 1999 for best video from a film for “Beautiful Stranger,” from Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me.

The VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 27 on CBS, and will be simulcast on MTV. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can stream it live. It’ll be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. Voting is open in 13 categories at Vote.MTV.com.

Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies seen filming at Abbey Road crosswalk

August 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles project recently filmed a very iconic moment in Beatles history.

Video posted to social media shows the cast — Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr — walking through the crosswalk by the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. A photo of that infamous walk, of course, would go on to become the cover of the band’s 1969 album Abbey Road.

The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event is expected to open in April 2028. It will consist of four films, each told from the perspective of one of the band members. The cast also includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Ringo’s wife Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono and Aimee Lou Wood as Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd.

The Sony films will mark the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted a studio the rights to the life stories of band members and their legendary catalog of music.

Sheryl Crow’s winding road leads her to Disney’s new ‘Cars’ animated series

August 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Twenty years ago, Sheryl Crow contributed the song “Real Gone” to the animated Pixar film Cars. So it’s no surprise that she’s returning for the new animated series based on the franchise.

On Saturday night, Sheryl appeared at Disney’s biennial D23 fan event to debut a new song called “Built to Last,” which is the theme song for the upcoming Disney Jr. series Cars: Lightning Racers. She also performed “Real Gone” during the appearance.

But Sheryl’s involvement doesn’t end with the theme song. She also wrote 10 additional songs for the series, which debuts on Disney Jr. and streams on Disney+ in 2027. Many of the Cars cast members are reprising their roles for the series, including Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Bonnie Hunt as Sally and Tony Shalhoub as Luigi.

Sheryl’s new album Pick You Up is coming out Oct. 9.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Frankie Valli shoots down reports of his retirement

August 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Legendary singer Frankie Valli is denying reports of his retirement.

The 92-year-old has addressed the rumors on social media after his brother, Bobby Valli, wrote on Facebook that the “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” singer was retiring after a long, illustrious career.

In a post on Instagram, Frankie simply wrote, “In spite of what you might have heard, I am not retired.”

Bobby’s initial post came after Frankie canceled his tour back in May due to health issues. At the time Frankie wrote on social media, “I have decided to take the rest of the year off from touring to focus on my health.”

After Frankie’s retirement denial, Bobby followed up with a post of his own acknowledging his mistake.

“TO ALL THE MEDIA, THAT IS TRYING TO MAKE THIS A EARTH SHATTERING CONTROVERSY! I MISUNDERSTOOD,” he wrote. “YES, I MADE A MISTAKE. HE IS NOT RETIRING. I WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO CONTINUE HIS LEGACY & ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER! IF I MISLEAD OR OFFENDED ANYONE ONCE AGAIN I APOLOGIZE. GOD BLESS.”

Ritchie Blackmore says Deep Purple reunion was a ‘very emotional moment’

August 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Ritchie Blackmore is reflecting on his recent reunion with Deep Purple.

Blackmore joined the band onstage at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, on Aug. 12 for a performance of “Smoke on the Water,” his first performance with the band in over 30 years.

“It was very moving because I went on very quickly and had to play immediately,” Blackmore told Guitar Player. “I couldn’t warm up, but I wasn’t there to be playing correct notes. I was there to see old friends [who] I hadn’t seen in 40 years and were all getting older.”

He added, “I think we realized it could be the last time we see each other, maybe.”

Blackmore co-founded Deep Purple in 1968, then left the group in 1975 to form his band Rainbow. He was part of Deep Purple’s 1984 reunion and last played with them in 1993.

And while the reunion was an emotional one for Blackmore, he does say it wasn’t quite perfect.

“It was tricky; I didn’t play anything too technical, as I felt I should stick to the rudiments of being simple. I still lost my place at one point, but it’s not why I was there,” he said. “I was there to heal any wounds — but there weren’t any wounds. Everyone was like, we were in the army, all along the Western front and we were all getting together again. Very emotional moment.”

Springsteen mourns his biographer, rock critic Dave Marsh

August 17, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to legendary rock critic, journalist and author Dave Marsh, who passed away Friday at the age of 76.

“Here on E Street, the irreplaceable loss of Dave Marsh has us heartbroken,” Springsteen wrote on Instagram. “My great friend Dave, with his straight out of Detroit attitude, was a true Rock ‘n’ Roll lifer. He was soulful, intelligent, heartfelt, opinionated, bruising and often fantastically argumentative.”

Marsh, who throughout his career wrote numerous books on music and musicians, was the author of the 1979 Springsteen biography Born to Run, as well as other books on The Boss. Springsteen noted in his tribute that Marsh “always had my back.”

“He deeply believed in what I was trying to accomplish and his lifetime of support meant the world to me,” Springsteen added. “More than anything else, I admired Dave as a man of conscience and commitment. He lived and stuck by his values come hell or high water.”

Springsteen concluded the post, writing, “Wherever he is, I hope he’s receiving some of the grace, happiness and reward he’s brought into my life. God bless you Dave.”

E Street Band member Nils Lofgren also paid tribute to Marsh, as did his bandmate Stevie Van Zandt, who wrote, “He was fearless, relentless, arrogant, everything you’d want in a RocknRoll troublemaker,” adding, “And by the way, a tremendous writer.”

In addition to Born to Run, Marsh wrote The Who biography Before I Get Old: The Story of the Who, which was published in 1983; 1980’s The Book of Rock Lists; and 1989’s The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.

Foghat announces new live album, ‘Live & Loud Across the U.S.A.’

August 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Foghat is set to release a new live album this fall.

Live & Loud Across the U.S.A., dropping Oct. 30, will be the band’s first-ever live album featuring their current lineup — founding member and drummer Roger Earl, lead guitarist Bryan Bassett, lead vocalist/guitarist Scott Holt and bassist Rodney O’Quinn.

The set features songs recorded during the band’s 2024 and 2025 tours of the U.S. It will be available as a two-CD set, or as a triple vinyl release, which will include two gold vinyl LPs, with a bonus red vinyl LP featuring a reissue of Shaken & Stirred, a 2018 album that was released under the band name Earl & the Agitators. The release will mark the first time the latter has ever been available on vinyl.

As a preview of the set, Foghat has released a live performance of “My Babe.” It is available now via digital outlets.

“People often ask me if we’re ever going to slow down. The answer is… not yet!” says Earl. “The performances on this album were recorded in cities across the United States during the past two years. We didn’t set out to make a live record—we simply wanted to capture Foghat doing what we’ve always loved to do: playing live.”

He adds, “Most of these songs have never been released as official live recordings before, and I think they show where the band is today.”

Live & Loud Across the U.S.A. is available for preorder now.

Foghat is currently on a tour of the U.S. They play Lincoln Park, Michigan, on Aug. 28. A complete list of dates can be found at Foghat.com.

Carly Simon to open her archives to the public this fall

August 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Carly Simon is ready to give her fans a peek into her past.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, whose new album Comes in Waves is out now, is getting ready to open her archives to the public.

Simon and her team have been working on her archives for the past nine years. It will give fans insight into her life’s work, and will feature previously unseen photographs and films, as well as unreleased recordings, unfinished songs, lyric sheets, artwork and more.

The archive, powered by Starchive, is set to open this fall. Fans can sign up for early access at CarlySimon.com.

Comes in Waves is Simon’s first album of original music since 2008’s This Kind of Love. She wrote and recorded much of the album at her home in Martha’s Vineyard. It features contributions from his son, Ben Taylor, and her daughter, Sally Taylor, whose dad is singer James Taylor.

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