The Bruce Springsteen fanzine Backstreets, which has been covering all things The Boss since 1980, announced over the weekend that it was shutting down.
The announcement came with a quote from Springsteen’s song “Nebraska”: “For a little while, sir, we had us some fun.” Editor-in-chief Christopher Phillips explained that the decision to shut down stemmed from disillusionment regarding the ticket debacle surrounding Springsteen and the E Street Band’s current tour, which saw many fans priced out of tickets due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing.
“After 43 years of publishing in one form or another, by fans for fans of Bruce Springsteen, it’s with mixed emotions that we announce Backstreets has reached the end of the road,” Phillips wrote. Noting the ticket controversy, Phillips continued, “ … too many Springsteen fans got thrown to the wolves, pushed aside in a way that seems as unfathomable as it was avoidable.”
He added, “Whatever the eventual asking price at showtime and whether an individual buyer finds it fair, we simply realized that we would not be able to cover this tour with the drive and sense of purpose with which we’ve operated continuously since 1980. That determination came with a quickening sense that we’d reached the end of an era.”
In a statement to Variety, Bruce’s manager Jon Landau said they were “very sorry to hear the news” of the mag’s closing, adding they “want to thank Chris Phillips for his 30 years of dedication on behalf of Springsteen fans everywhere.”
Credit: (c) Paul McCartney/ Photographer: Linda McCartney
Paul McCartney will be the subject of a brand-new documentary, Man on the Run, which will be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville.
The film will focus on McCartney’s post-Beatles life, including how he dealt with the Beatles breakup. It’ll also address his personal with wife Linda McCartney, the eventual formation of his band Wings and his hugely successful solo career. The documentary will include archival footage that has never been seen before, along with new interviews.
The film is described as “the definitive document of Paul’s emergence from the dissolution of the world’s biggest band and his triumphant creation of a second decade of musical milestones — a brilliant and prolific stretch” that featured such songs as “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Band on the Run,” “My Love,” “Live and Let Die” and more.
“As a lifelong obsessive of all things McCartney, I’ve always felt that the 1970s were the great under-examined part of his story,” says Neville, whose directing credits include 20 Feet from Stardom and others. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to explore and reappraise this crucial moment in a great artist’s life and work.”
The Talking Heads performed their final concert ever, at the Sweetwaters South Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The 12-song set featured such classic songs as “Psycho Killer,” “Making Flippy Floppy,” “Swamp,” “Burning Down the House,” and more.
The show didn’t go off without a hitch, though, with drummer Chris Frantz revealing that frontman David Byrne walked off the stage mid-set and had to be dragged back.
Although the Talking Heads never toured again, they did go on to record three more albums. And while this was their final concert ever, they did briefly reunite to perform together for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, delivering “Psycho Killer,” “Life During Wartime,” and “Burning Down the House,” along with an all-star jam of “Take Me to the River.”
Mick Fleetwood has some sad news for Fleetwood Mac fans. On the red carpet at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, Mick revealed that Fleetwood Mac is “done” following Christine McVie’s death
“I would say the band is done,” he told Access. “The thought of doing things without her right now seems to be very farfetched,” he went on, though he allowed “After a while of healing, who knows what may or may not happen but I would suspect that Fleetwood Mac is put to bed.”
Fleetwood was at the Grammys to take part in a tribute to McVie, with him, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt performing McVie’s classic “Songbird.”
Asked how McVie would feel about the tribute, Mick told Access, “I think she would be, ‘they’re making that much fuss over me,’” noting, “she was a North Country girl from England and very not glitzy at all so I think she would say ‘oh my god, why are they doing that?’”
He added, “But we are, and you’re going to have to put up with it, Chris.”
Backstage and on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, artists were grateful for the recognition, though some had a hard time believing that they’d actually won.
Harry Styles’Harry’s House beat out albums by Adele and Beyonce to win the Album of the Year trophy. Backstage, the pop superstar told reporters, “It’s obviously incredibly nice to receive this. I don’t think is the reason that any of us in the room do it. I’m so, so grateful that they thought the album was worthy of it…and I think more than anything, it just kind of feels like validation that you’re on the right path.“
But nobody was more shocked than Bonnie Raitt, whose song “Just Like That” beat out number ones by Harry, Adele, Beyonce, Lizzo and more to win Song of the Year. Backstage, she said it reminded her of when she swept the Grammys in 1990. “I can’t believe this. I just can’t,” she squealed. “It’s like when I won for Nick of Time. I just could not believe that they called my name…get the hell outta of Dodge, yknow?”
Kim Petras became the first transgender woman to win in the Best Pop Vocal Duo/Group Performance category for her duet with Sam Smith, “Unholy.” Backstage, she said, “I never, ever thought I would get this kind of recognition for my music. So it’s really special. And I’ve got to get really, really drunk to process it!” She then joked, “I want to find out if you can do a shot out of a Grammy, so wish me luck!”
Ozzy Osbourne, who recently announced his retirement from touring, won two Grammys for his album Patient Number 9.Andrew Watt, who co-wrote and produced the album and accepted it on Ozzy’s behalf, said on the red carpet that the metal legend is “so overjoyed to be recognized,” adding, “He’s such a humble, amazing guy. And the smile on his face…was just amazing.”
Country solo stars Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce became the first women ever to win the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their hit “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.” Backstage, Ashley said if she could talk to her 16-year-old self, she’d tell her, “‘I want to tell you what happens, but it’s so cool…You’re going to get a text from Reba [McEntire], but I’m not going to tell you why.’ Which is what happened to me today!
Singer/songwriter Muni Long, who won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for her song “Hrs & Hrs,” told reporters backstage that she hoped her win means that, finally, she won’t be ignored any longer. “Hopefully this means that people will just listen to me the first time when I say something and I don’t have to continue to fight to get my vision across,” she said. “For me, it means that maybe I might know a little bit!”
A highlight of the Grammy telecast was a special 50th anniversary salute to hip-hop featured dozens of notable rap performers, including the man who started it all back in 1973: Grandmaster Flash. On the red carpet, he said he’s most proud of the fact that “people who don’t speak the English language, gravitated to this thing…this thing is not just an American art form. This is a global art form!”
The stars came out in Los Angeles Friday night to celebrate Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, who were honored as the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Persons of the Year, the first time the organization has had dual honorees.
USA Todayreports the star-studded night featured performances of plenty of Motown classics, including a surprise performance by Stevie Wonder, who performed “Try Something New” and joked that Gordy “didn’t think I could sing” when he was younger. Stevie also performed a reggae version of “The Tears of a Clown.”
Lionel Richie was also on hand to celebrate his two friends, performing his classic “Easy.” He told the crowd, “To get a chance to sit here in front of two of my amazing mentors … I don’t know if I’m more excited to be part of the Motown family or having Berry and Smokey as my dear friends.”
Among the other performances: Dionne Warwick sang “My Guy,” Sheryl Crow performed the Jackson 5 hit “I Want You Back,” Brandi Carlile performed “The Tracks of My Tears,” TheTemptations treated the crowd to a medley of “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “I Can’t Get Next to You” and “My Girl, and The Four Tops sang a medley of “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”
Smokey himself, who’s 82, also performed a ballad he wrote for Gordy called “Did You Know,” telling Gordy they have “the best friendship in the world,” and adding, “you are so precious.”
Gordy, 93, reiterated Smokey’s sentiment in his acceptance speech, sharing, “I’m happy to be here with my best friend. I mean…damn.”
Depeche Mode has revealed the title and premiere date of the first single off the band’s upcoming album, Memento Mori.
The track is titled “Ghosts Again” and will arrive Thursday, February 9, at 11 a.m. ET. You can listen to a brief snippet of the song via Depeche Mode’s Twitter.
Memento Mori is the follow-up to 2017’s Spirit. It is the first Depeche Mode album following the death of band member Andy Fletcher, who died last May.
“We started work on this project early in the pandemic, and its themes were directly inspired by that time,” Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore said of Memento Mori. “After Fletch’s passing, we decided to continue as we’re sure this is what he would have wanted, and that has really given the project an extra level of meaning.”
Depeche Mode will support Memento Mori on a giant world tour, which kicks off in the U.S. in March.
REO Speedwagon keyboardist Neal Doughty retired last month after 55 years with the band, and now the group is introducing fans to his replacement, Derek Hillard.
“Hi friends, those of you who have caught any of our 2023 shows may have noticed a new face behind the keyboards,” frontman Kevin Croninwrites on Instagram, introducing Hillard. “Coincidentally Neal and Derek met several years ago when Derek was playing in Iron Butterfly. After that show, Neal approached the young keyboardist and complimented his playing; Derek has never forgotten that encounter.”
Cronin shares that Hillard has previously toured with Whitesnake, Foreigner and most recently Rick Springfield, who he worked with for 15 years. Cronin noted that Rick gave him a glowing recommendation.
“Derek is a bit younger than the rest of us, (who isn’t :), grew up listening to REO Speedwagon, and is a long-time fan of Neal’s keyboard work,” Cronin shares. “He is a perfect fit, and fits right in with our band vibe.”
Finally he writes, “While Neal is certainly irreplaceable, Derek is an extremely gifted keyboardist and a fine singer, who brings renewed enthusiasm to our band. We will carry on, continue to raise the bar musically, and have fun in the process.”
REO Speedwagon is currently on tour and hit Cherokee, North Carolina, on Friday.
The Grammys are finally happening Sunday in Los Angeles and several of your favorite artists are in the running this year.
Bonnie Raitt is up for four awards, including Song of the Year for “Just Like That,” which is her first-ever nomination as a songwriter. The tune is also up for Best American Roots Song, while the album Just Like That… is nominated for Best Americana Album and “Made Up Mind” is nominated for Best Americana Performance.
Competing against Raitt for Best Americana Album is Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’Raise the Roof. The album’s track “High and Lonesome” is also in the running for Best American Roots Song, while “Going Where the Lonely Go” is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
ABBA is up for four awards, including two in the major categories: “Don’t Shut Me Down” for Record of the Year and Voyage for Album of the Year. They are also up for Best Pop Vocal Album for Voyage and Best Pop/Duo Group Performance for “Don’t Shut Me Down.” Should they pick up a win in any category, it will be the Swedish band’s first Grammy.
Other nominees include Diana Ross‘ Thank You, up for Best Pop Traditional Vocal Album; Elvis Costello & The Imposters‘The Boy Named If up for Best Rock Album; and Bryan Adams‘ “So Happy It Hurts” up forBest Rock Performance.
The 65th annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, air Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Steven Van Zandt is teaming up with independent music publisher Primary Wave Music in a new deal that encompasses the E Street Band member’s music publishing and recorded music catalogs.
The multimillion dollar deal includes Little Steven’s name and likeness rights, as well as a stake in producer royalties. That will encompass his work with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, like “I Don’t Want To Go Home” and “This Time it’s For Real,” and with Bruce Springsteen on such albums as The River and Born in the U.S.A., and songs like “Hungry Heart” and “Dancing in the Dark.”
“Couldn’t be more excited to explore this partnership,” Van Zandt shares. “They have an incredible track record for being creative and proactive. Looking forward to seeing what kind of fun we can have with these songs I’m still really proud of.”
Van Zandt is currently on tour with Springsteen and the E Street Band. They play Atlanta, Georgia, Friday.
