Classic Hits

The death of Fleetwood Mac‘s Christine McVie Wednesday at age 79 shocked most people, including her bandmate and close friend Stevie Nicks, who opened up about her grief in a handwritten note on social media. 

“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,” she writes. “I didn’t even know she was ill … until late Saturday night.” She shares she wanted to travel to London to be with her, but was told to wait.

Stevie writes that since hearing Christine was ill, “one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over,” noting, “I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and so, I’m singing it to her now,” adding, “I always knew I would need these words one day … It’s all I can do now.”

Stevie then wrote out the lyrics to the third verse of the Haim song “Hallelujah,” which starts with, “I had a best friend but she has come to pass. One I wish I could see now.”

Stevie signed the note, “See you on the other side my love, don’t forget me, Always Stevie,” and added a picture of her and McVie together.

Mick Fleetwood posted his own tribute to McVie, writing, “This is a day where my dear sweet Friend Christine McVie has taken flight.. and left us earthbound folks to listen with bated breath to the sounds of that songbird … reminding one and all that love is all around us to reach for and touch in this precious life that is gifted to us.” He adds, “part of my heart has flown away today.. I will miss everything about you Christine McVie.”

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Spotify just came out with their year-end Spotify Wrapped charts, where users get a rundown of the songs and artists they listened to the most over the past year. If Dionne Warwick is on your list, she is worried about you.

“If I am on your @Spotify Wrapped let me know,” she tweeted. “Most of my songs are sad and I am hoping you’re okay. We can talk about it.” 

And she wasn’t kidding. When one fan commented, “the amount of times i cried to ‘anyone who had a heart’ this year is unhealthy,” she quickly responded, “Go outside and touch nature. I love you. Everything will be okay.” And when another added, “well you know i’m just in between the heartaches 😭 you’re my number 2 mother,” she asked, “How are you feeling?” When the response was Dionne’s song “One Last Memory,” she replied back with a red heart emoji. 

Another fan asked Dionne if she was OK and she responded, “Yes. I am happy and grateful for family.” When a fan let her know that her songs helped her get through life, Dionne was touched and noted, “This is a lovely message. Thank you.”

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The Cure is taking you back in time with a remastered version of the band’s Play Out documentary.

Originally released in 1991 ahead of 1992’s Wish album, Play Out features a variety of backstage and live footage of Robert Smith and company on the precipice of releasing their highest-charting record.

You can watch Play Out in all of its HD glory streaming now on YouTube.

Meanwhile, The Cure just released a deluxe reissue of Wish in honor of its 30th anniversary. Along with remastered audio of the original album, which spawned the single “Friday I’m in Love,” the reissue includes the songs from the much sought-after Lost Wishes cassette tape.

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The rock world has lost another legend. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie died Wednesday at the age of 79. 

“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death,” read a statement from her family, noting she died “peacefully at hospital” after “a short illness.” The family asked for privacy and shared, “ … we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally.”

Fleetwood Mac also released a statement, saying, “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.” They also called her the “best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.” They note, “We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.” 

Christine got her start as a member of the British band Chicken Shack. After marrying Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, she appeared on their 1968 album Mr. Wonderful and became a permanent member in 1971, lasting through the many lineup changes of the group. She wrote and sang some of the band’s biggest hits, including 1975’s “Over My Head” and “Say You Love Me,” as well as the Rumours tracks “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun,” and such later tracks as “Hold Me” from Mirage and “Little Lies” from Tango in the Night. She also released three solo albums and one collaborative album with Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham.

As a member of Fleetwood Mac she won two Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

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Elton John has scored a new Billboard chart record. Thanks to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, Elton is number one on the Top Tours chart this month, making it his record-setting fifth month on top. 

During the month of October, Elton brought in $49.6 million from only eight shows to top the monthly Boxscore report. That translates to $6.2 million per show. 

Elton was the first artist to land at number one on the Top Tour list when it launched in 2019 and held that spot three more times before touring was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic. He held the record for the most months at number one until last month, when Bad Bunny tied him — but Elton has surpassed him to hold the record once again. 

As of now, Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which launched in 2018, has grossed more than $700 million; he is on track to surpass Ed Sheeran’s The Divide Tour as the top-grossing tour of all time. It brought in $776.4 million.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd is hitting the stage Thursday for a good cause. The band is set to headline the Boots On The Sand: Hurricane Ian Benefit Concert at Hertz Arena in Estero, FL.

“You know we are a Florida band and true Floridians, we have grown up with Hurricanes being a part of our lives. Hurricane Ian did major damage and people lost loved ones and everything they had,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant shares. “We couldn’t sit by and not try to help people in a time of need,” adding, “Hopefully, we can raise a bunch of money for the victims of the storm, get some musician friends to come down and join us, and bring some smiles to the faces of those people that have lost so much.”

The concert features an all-star lineup that includes Ira Dean, Ted Nugent, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tracy Lawrence. Comedian Jim Breuer will serve as the host.

Proceeds from the concert will go toward disaster relief efforts through Volunteer Florida and the Community Foundations of Southwest Florida.

Tickets are on sale here.

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The official Bob Marley One Love Experience is finally coming to the U.S. The exhibit is set to open in Los Angeles on January 27 at Ovation Hollywood. 

“We are so thrilled to have the exhibit opening in Los Angeles just in time for Daddy’s birthday,” Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group, shares. “After being in London and Toronto, it’s going to be amazing bringing the experience here to the US for the first time and just steps from Daddy’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

The 1,500 square foot multi-room exhibit features Marley archives, including rare memorabilia, previously unseen photos and more. There’s also a One Love Forest room with a multi-sensory environment that takes fans on a trip to Jamaica; a Soul Shakedown studio where fans can enjoy a curated playlist in the silent disc; an area where fans can experience the backstage vibe of a Marley concert; a room that celebrates the Marley legacy and influence and lots more. 

The exhibit is set to run through April 23 with tickets on sale December 7 at 10 a.m. PT. There are also VIP packages, guided tours and a daily 4:20 package that comes with entrance to the 4:20 lounge. Plus on February 6, there will be special events connected to Marley’s birthday.

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Rod Stewart is mourning the loss of his brother Bob, who passed away just two months after the death of his other brother Don.

“It’s with great sadness that I announce the loss of my brother Bob last night, who joins my brother Don on the great football pitch in the sky,” the singer shared on Instagram. “I’ve lost two of my best mates in the space of two months. RIP Don and Bob ‘irreplaceable buddies’” 

Rod, the youngest of five children, lost his brother Don in September.

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It continues to be a great year for Joni Mitchell fans. The iconic singer is teaming with Rhino Entertainment and Mobility Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) to release six of her iconic albums on UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2-LP vinyl and hybrid Super Audio CD formats. 

The limited and numbered box sets will start next year with 1970’s Ladies of the Canyon and 1972’s Blue, and will be followed by 1972’s For the Roses, 1974’s Court and Spark, 1975’s The Hissing of Summer Lawns and 1976’s Hejira.

All releases will be sourced from the original analog master tapes and will come in mini-gatefold sleeves, with special foil-stamped jackets and graphics that remain faithful to the original releases.

Fans can pre-order them here.

Joni fans have had a lot to be happy about this year. Back in July, she performed her first live concert in over 20 years when she joined Brandi Carlile and friends at the Newport Folk Festival. She recently announced another planned “Joni Jam” for June 2023 in Washington, also with Brandi.

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We are about to learn a lot more about Gladys Knight. Deadline reports a new miniseries about the Empress of Soul’s life is in the works, with Knight set to executive produce through her company Empress of Soul Productions. 

Knight is teaming with Cineflix Productions for the series, which is expected to focus on different periods of the singer’s life, similar to the structure of Netflix’s The Crown.

Gladys Knight and the Pips, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, are known for such hits as “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and more. She has had eleven number-one R&B singles, six number-one R&B albums and has won seven Grammys.

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