Bruce Springsteen released his 12th studio album, Letter To You, his first new studio album with the E Street Band since 2014’s High Hopes.
The album debuted at #2 in the U.S. and topped the charts in the U.K., Italy, Ireland, Australia and several other countries.
The album’s title track was the first single from the record, followed by “Ghosts.” It also featured three tracks — “If I Was the Priest,” “Janey Needs a Shooter” and “Song for Orphans” — that were written prior to Springsteen’s 1973 debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.
The album’s release was accompanied by a making-of documentary, which streamed on Apple TV. It was directed by Springsteen’s longtime collaborator Thom Zimny.
U2 was honored with the Woody Guthrie Prize Tuesday at a ceremony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosted by the Woody Guthrie Center.
Bono and The Edge were on hand to accept the award, named after the late folk icon, which recognizes “a recipient who embodies the spirit of Woody Guthrie’s social consciousness and musical legacy.” The event was held at Cain’s Ballroom, a venue U2 headlined in 1981 on their Boy tour.
The pair took part in a conversation about art and activism, with Bono crediting Bob Dylan with introducing him to Guthrie. He noted that Dylan “really did bring us to the place where the song was an instrument to open up worlds.”
“Our favorite protest songs always had a sense of vision, something to aim for … you don’t talk about the darkness, you make the light brighter,” The Edge added. “I believe music can actually change the mood of the room and actually shift a culture.”
The rockers also treated the audience to a surprise performance of six songs: “Running to Stand Still,” which included a bit of Guthrie’s “Bound for Glory”; “Mothers of the Disappeared”; “Sunday Bloody Sunday”; “One”; “Pride (In The Name of Love),” which also featured a bit of Guthrie’s “Jesus Christ”; and “Yahweh.”
Bono also gave fans a preview of what’s on the way for U2, sharing lyrics to a song he’s working on about the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, a consultant on the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land who was killed in July by an Israeli settler.
The lyrics include: “One father shot/ three children crying/ if there is no law/ is there no crime/ if there is no hope/ what’s there to rhyme/ history is written/ one life at a time/ ONE LIFE AT A TIME.”
Melissa Etheridge performs at Arizona Financial Theatre on October 12, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by John Medina/Getty Images)
Melissa Etheridge is hitting the road in 2026.
The “Come to My Window” singer has just announced dates for The Rise Tour, which kicks off March 26 in Detroit.
The tour will hit cities in Vermont, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and more before wrapping May 9 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
An artist presale is happening now, with tickets going on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.
Etheridge spent much of the summer on the road on the Yes We Are tour with the Indigo Girls. It wrapped Oct. 12 in Phoenix. She also recently dropped a brand new single, “Don’t You Want a Woman.”
L-R Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson (Photo credit: Richard Sibbald)
Rush has announced second shows in the newly added cities to the band’s 2026 Fifty Something comeback tour.
The itinerary now includes extra dates for stops in Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, Denver, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The first shows in those cities were announced on Monday.
Registration is open now through Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET for access to a Rush artist presale, which begins Oct. 27 at noon local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Oct. 31 at noon local time.
For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Rush.com.
Rush’s initial tour announcement, made on Oct. 6, consisted of multiple shows in seven cities. The full tour kicks off June 7 in Los Angeles and wraps Dec. 17 in Vancouver.
The Fifty Something tour will be the first time Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have toured as Rush since the death of drummer Neil Peart in 2020. Playing drums on the tour will be Anika Nilles, who previously worked with the late Jeff Beck.
Bon Jovi Forever Tour admat/(courtesy of Live Nation)
Bon Jovi is going back on the road.
During a livestream for their album Forever (Legendary Edition), which drops Friday, the New Jersey rockers announced they’ll be returning to the road in 2026 on the Forever Tour, the band’s first trek since Jon Bon Jovi underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022.
The tour consists of seven shows: four nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden, July 7, 9, 12 and 14; Aug. 28 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland; Aug. 30 at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland; and Sept. 4 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
“There is a lot of joy in this announcement – joy that we can share these nights together with our amazing fans and joy that the band can be together,” Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement. “I am lucky enough to be able to hold a light out to the audience each night and stand in their reflection for a tremendous collective experience – I get to stand in the WE of our concerts.”
“And I’ve spoken extensively on my gratitude but I will say it again, I’m deeply grateful that the fans and the brotherhood of this band have been patient and allowed me the time needed to get healthy and prepare for touring,” he added. “I’m ready and excited!”
Registration is now open for a presale for the New York shows, which begins Monday at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets go on sale to the general public Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. ET.
For the U.K. and Ireland shows, fans who preorder Forever (Legendary Edition) on the Bon Jovi website will gain access to a presale that begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. local time, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. local time.
Joe Walsh performs during VetsAid 2022 at Nationwide Arena on November 13, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images for VetsAid 2022)
Joe Walsh’s ninth annual VetsAid concert is coming to his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, this year, and he’s giving fans who can’t make it to the event a chance to enjoy it at home.
It was just announced that the concert, taking place Nov. 15 at INTRUST Bank Arena, will be available to stream live at Veeps.com.
This year’s VetsAid will feature full sets from Eagles touring member Vince Gill; Ryan Binghamand The Texas Gentlemen; and a “super-set” from Walsh, joined by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Nathaniel Rateliff and other special guests.
“It’s been a long-term goal of mine since we began VetsAid nearly ten years ago to bring it all home to my native Wichita to serve Kansan veterans and their families,” Walsh says in a statement posted to his website in August. “It’s where my parents were both born and are buried, where I was born and where I will always feel a deep connection and sense of heritage and responsibility. … Wichita is the place to be this November 15th!”
Proceeds from the concert will go directly to veterans services charities. This year’s grant recipients include Wichita Police and Fire Foundation; Rosie’s Snuggle Bunnies Pet Therapy, Horses & Heroes, Inc; and the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Hire Heroes USA.
Robert Plant performs onstage with the Deborah Bonham Band during Fairport’s Cropredy Convention on August 09, 2025 in Cropredy, Oxfordshire. (Photo by Steve Thorne/Redferns)
The animal rights organization PETA is asking Robert Plant to change his name, at least temporarily.
The organization has sent a letter to the Led Zeppelin rocker asking him to change his name to Robert Plant Wool, to help promote Plant Wool Month, which aims to raise awareness of animal-free and plastic-free yarns.
“With Plant Wool Month—celebrating natural, plant-derived, and animal-free yarns—starting 1 November, we wanted to share a quirky idea that would help both the planet and the animals we share it with: Will you change your name to ‘Robert Plant Wool’ for the month?” the letter reads. “This temporary tweak to your famous moniker would help highlight the impressive array of cruelty-free, sustainable plant wools and the innovative designers using them.”
“It would also let those stocking their winter wardrobes know that there are dozens of 100% animal- and plastic-free fibers to keep them cozy, without harming a hair on a sheep’s head,” it continues.
The letter also makes reference to an iconic Led Zeppelin tune, noting, “While your song ‘Kashmir’ is rightly celebrated as a masterpiece, cashmere is a different story,” explaining that it comes from goats “who scream in pain as their fleece is ripped from their bodies.”
The org explains that it hopes the name change will help highlight plant wools like cotton, linen, hemp and others. “These wools are all soft and warm, and best of all, they are a simple but effective way to make a difference for animals every time we get dressed in the morning.”
So far there’s no word on whether Plant is open to the temporary name change.
Nancy Wilson of Heart performs onstage at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 28, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Heart’s Nancy Wilson and Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry are the latest artists added to the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers join a growing list of performers and presenters for this year’s ceremony, including Fleetwood Mac‘s Mick Fleetwood, Nathaniel Rateliff, Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, Elton John, Beck, Iggy Pop, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen, Twenty One Pilots, Brandi Carlile and David Letterman.
This year’s inductees include Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Salt-N-Pepa, Chubby Checker and Outkast. In addition, Warren Zevon is being inducted in the Musical Influence category, while producer Thom Bell, guitarist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carole Kaye will be inducted for Musical Excellence.
While the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame did not reveal who either performer will be honoring at this year’s festivities, Wilson does have a strong connection to Soundgarden. Both Nancy and sister AnnWilson are longtime supporters of the Seattle music scene, and when Heart was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell handled their induction. Cornell, who passed away in 2017, also joined Heart for a performance of “Barracuda,” which featured Seattle rockers Mike McCready, guitarist for Pearl Jam,andCantrell.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Nov. 8 in Los Angeles and will stream live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET. ABC will also air a highlights special on Jan. 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
Mariah Carey is the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year (Ethan James Green/MusiCares)
In September, Mariah Carey won the MTV Video Vanguard Award. Now she’s set to receive another prestigious honor in January.
Two nights before the Grammy Awards, Mariah will be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year at a gala benefit and tribute concert at the LA Convention Center Jan. 30. The award is given out every year by MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, to honor artists for their career achievements and their philanthropy.
“I’m so honored to be named the 2026 @musicares Person of the Year,” Mariah wrote on Instagram. “Grateful to be celebrated through this special #GRAMMY Week event, raising vital funds to support the music community year-round.”
Not only has Mariah had a record-breaking music career, but as MusiCares Executive Director Theresa Wolters notes, she has “used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity.”
Specifically, Mariah has partnered with the Fresh Air Fund to launch Camp Mariah, which supports underserved youth. She’s also “championed initiatives advancing health, education and social welfare,” including providing relief for communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19.
“[Mariah’s] artistry and her voice have helped shape the sound of our times,” says Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “We look forward to celebrating her remarkable career on this very special night.”
Past recipients include Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, U2‘s Bono, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac and Paul McCartney.
The event usually features performances by stars across multiple genres of music, all performing the songs of the honoree. The lineup will be announced at a later date. Tables and tickets are available for purchase now.
Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam artwork/(Courtesy of Christmas Jam)
Warren Haynes has announced details for his 33rd annual Christmas Jam, taking place Dec. 13 at ExploreAsheville.com Arena in the Gov’t Mule frontman’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.
The show will be headlined by Warren Haynes & Friends, with the lineup also including Stone Temple Pilots, MJ Lenderman & The Wind and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. The show will feature a special Christmas Jam tribute to Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, featuring Haynes, Lesh’s son Grahame Lesh, Widespread Panic’s JimmyHerring, John Molo and Jason Crosby, along with special guests.
There was no Christmas Jam in 2024 due to the devastating damage and destruction Asheville suffered from Hurricane Helene. Instead, Haynes and Dave Matthews Band put on the Soulshine benefit at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“Every Christmas Jam is special, but this coming one, the first since Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville and the surrounding areas, has an added significance and importance,” Haynes says. “We will not only continue to raise money for Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity and Beloved Asheville, but with the help of all the attendees, we’ll also be supporting the local tourism and hospitality industry and small businesses who still need help.”
He adds, “We’re working on a few surprises to make this year’s Jam one to remember. I’m really looking forward to getting back home to Asheville!”
Tickets for Christmas Jam will first go on sale at the arena box office on Thursday at 10 a.m. to better serve the local community. A nationwide presale will then begin on Friday at 10 a.m. ET, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. ET.
