Classic Hits

The sixth annual edition of Joe Walsh‘s star-studded VetsAid benefit concert takes place November 13 in Columbus, Ohio, and will be livestreamed globally at 6 p.m ET via the Veeps platform.

Livestream passes and limited-edition merch bundles are available now at VetsAid.Veeps.com.

As previously reported, VetsAid 2022 will take place at Nationwide Arena and will feature performances by Walsh’s recently reunited James Gang, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails, The Breeders and The Black Keys.

The James Gang will be joined by Grohl during their set, which is being billed as the group’s final performance, dubbed “One Last Ride.” 

All of the performers on this year’s VetsAid bill have connections to Ohio. Proceeds raised by the concert and livestream will be donated to charities that specifically support Ohio veterans and their families.

“The arena show sold so fast that we just had to find a way to share the James Gang reunion and this historic night of Ohio rock and roll with more fans across America and the world,” Walsh says about organizing the livestream. “We at VetsAid learned how to livestream over the past two years so I’m proud to partner again with Veeps to bring this show directly to fans … so that we can raise even more money for Ohio vets and their families.”

Meanwhile, VetsAid has launched a contest offering fans who donate to the campaign the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the concert that includes round-trip airfare, lodging, premium seats, access to the VIP lounge, dinner for two and a coffee date with Walsh the day before the show. Visit Fandiem.com/VetsAid to enter.

In addition, fans participating in the livestream will have the chance to donate funds during the event.

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An initial list of performers has been announced for the special tribute concert for late Yes drummer Alan White that’s scheduled to take place October 2 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.

The lineup includes all of Yes’ current members with the exception of guitarist Steve Howe — keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer Jon Davison, bassist Billy Sherwood and drummer Jay Schellen — plus former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin.

The bill also includes the members of Alan’s solo band White, founding Santana drummer Michael Shrieve, Pearl Jam/Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, longtime Queen touring musician Spike Edney, one-time Journey singer Jeff Scott Soto, and ex-Heart members Roger Fisher, Mike Derosier and Steve Fossen.

More performers will be announced soon.

As previously reported, the concert will feature performances of songs from throughout White’s long career, including renditions of tunes by Yes, John Lennon, George Harrison and more.

The event will be hosted by Alan’s longtime friend, retired U.S. radio personality Bob Rivers, and all proceeds from the show will benefit the WhyHunger charity.

Tickets for the concert are available now at Ticketmaster.

White was Yes’ drummer from 1972 until his death this past May at age 72. Prior to joining the famous British prog-rock band, Alan was a member of Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, and he played on the 1969 album Live Peace in Toronto, John’s 1970 single “Instant Karma,” Lennon’s landmark 1971 album Imagine and 1972’s Some Time in New York City. He also contributed to Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album, including the chart-topping single “My Sweet Lord.”

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Neil Diamond may be nicknamed the Jewish Elvis, but he also has a little Santa Claus in him. The legendary singer/songwriter has released four Christmas albums over the years, and he’s now curated a new holiday compilation featuring select highlights from those records.

A Neil Diamond Christmas is due out October 28 as a two-CD set, a single-CD collection and as a two-LP 180-gram vinyl package pressed on either standard black vinyl or limited-edition gold-opaque vinyl.

The retrospective features a mix of traditional and modern yuletide tunes, as well as original holiday songs culled from 1992’s The Christmas Album, 1994’s The Christmas Album Volume II, 2009’s A Cherry Cherry Christmas and 2016’s Acoustic Christmas.

A Neil Diamond Christmas also includes a new mix of Neil’s rendition of “O Holy Night.”

Among the other tracks featured on the record are versions of the John Lennon classic “Happy Christmas (War Is Over),” as well as “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “White Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Winter Wonderland.”

You can preorder A Neil Diamond Christmas now.

Here’s the full track list of the two-CD edition:

Disc 1
“Happy Christmas (War Is Over)”
“The Christmas Song”
“Jingle Bell Rock”
“White Christmas”
“You Make It Feel Like Christmas”
“Morning Has Broken”
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
“Silver Bells”
“Cherry Cherry Christmas”
“Sleigh Ride”
“Winter Wonderland”
“Christmas Medley: It’s Almost Day/Make a Happy Song/We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

Disc 2
“O Holy Night”*
“Little Drummer Boy”
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel/We Three Kings of Orient Are”
“Silent Night”
“O Come All Ye Faithful”
“Mary’s Boy Child”
“Children Go Where I Send Thee”
“The First Noel”
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”**
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
“Christmas Prayers”
“Joy to the World”

* = new mix
** = does not appear on two-LP vinyl version.

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Moonage Daydream, the David Bowie documentary that’s the first movie about the late rock legend to be officially sanctioned by his estate, premiered today in theaters around the world.

As previously reported, Moonage Daydream, which was written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Brett Morgen, includes previously unseen footage and performances of the late rock legend, as well as unheard music, and features Bowie’s own narration.

The movie is described as “a sublime kaleidoscopic experiential cinematic odyssey that explores Bowie’s creative, spiritual, and philosophical journey.”

The film includes 47 musical tracks, mixed from the original recordings. David’s longtime friend, collaborator and co-producer Tony Visconti served as the musical producer of the project.

Visit MoonageDaydream.film to find out where the movie is playing in the U.S. and Canada.

A companion soundtrack album also was released today via digital formats, a two-CD version will follow on November 18.

Billboard recently reported that the movie will get its TV premiere on HBO and HBO Max in the spring of 2023.

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Alice Cooper, Bad Company/Free frontman Paul Rodgers and ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum are among the artists who will perform at Rock the Plaza, an upcoming fundraising concert supporting the restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California.

The show takes place November 11 and is being presented by the Save the Plaza Theatre initiative. The city-run campaign aims to bring the venue, which first opened in 1936, back to its “former glory” following years of disrepair.

Other artists on the concert’s lineup include Paul McCartney touring guitarist Brian Ray, Queen touring multi-instrumentalist Spike Edney, Who touring bassist Jon Button, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and Australian guitar virtuoso Orianthi.

Many of the participating acts live in or have close connections to Palm Springs.

The event will feature a silent auction that includes an autographed Brian May “Red Special” guitar, a guitar signed by Cooper, an autographed fan that Adam Lambert used during Queen concerts, a pair of go-go boots signed by Nancy Sinatra and a two VIP tickets for a Barry Manilow concert in Las Vegas.

For ticket info, visit SavethePlazaTheatrePS.com.

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The first taste of late Who bassist John Entwistle‘s upcoming compilation, Rarities Oxhumed — Volume One, has arrived.

A newly remastered version of “I’ll Try Again Today” was released Friday as an advance digital single. The song previously appeared on The John Entwistle Band‘s 2000 album, Music for Van-Pires.

As previously reported, the 13-track album, which will be released on CD October 21, features previously unheard studio tracks, demos, remastered live performances and other unreleased gems, mostly from Entwistle’s solo career.

The compilation includes a song called “Bogey Man,” which includes a guest appearance by late Who drummer Keith Moon, and a demo version of “Where Ya Going Now,” a tune that John had intended for The Who to record.

Rarities Oxhumed — Volume One also features several tracks that appeared on Music for Van-Pires, which was The John Entwistle Band’s final album, as well as that group’s live renditions of The Who’s “Trick of the Light” and the Roger Daltrey solo hit “Under a Raging Moon.”

Rarities Oxhumed — Volume One is the first in a series of planned Entwistle compilations that are being put together by Entwistle Band drummer Steve Luongo and the Deko Entertainment label.

“John and I began touring together in 1987. Every tour was more fun than the last. That was the idea. Play loud aggressive rock & roll, have fun, laugh our a**es off, travel to the next gig, and repeat,” Luongo says. “During the 15 years that we worked together as a rhythm section, we remained true to that cause. Along the way we recorded some records and created a sizable catalog of ideas and material for the future. The future is now.”

You can preorder the album, as well as special bundles, now at Merchbucket.com.

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Guitar legend Carlos Santana and his wife, drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, have lent their talents to a new song called “It’s My Body” by the duo 2TSpark! 

The song, which was written as a rallying cry for women’s reproductive rights, will be released as a digital single on Saturday, September 17. You can check out a companion video now on 2TSpark!’s official YouTube channel. The tune was co-written and sung by the duo of singer/songwriter/musicians Tracy Blackman and Tina “Bean” Blaine. 

“We all hope that this video and song will help raise awareness around the globe and raise funds for organizations that are dedicated to supporting women’s rights and their reproductive freedom,” says Tracy. “After Bean and I recorded the song … my sister Cindy heard it and said she’d put down drum parts. Then my brother-in-law Carlos heard the song. He loved it, couldn’t stop playing it. Then he said he wanted to play on it, and the project took off from there.”

Adds Bean, “We wrote ‘It’s My Body’ during a marimba jam in response to the Texas abortion ban that passed in September 2021. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we felt an urgency to share this message.”

Proceeds from the track will be donated to several organizations that support reproductive rights, including Planned Parenthood and National Organization of Women.

The video features a montage of photos and footage from pro-choice protests through the years, as well as images of women of various ages and ethnicities.

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Talking Heads‘ debut album, Talking Heads: 77, was released 45 years ago Friday, September 16, and the influential new wave band is marking the milestone in multiple ways.

To begin, Talking Heads have launched its first-ever official website, online store, Instagram page and YouTube channel.

Premiering Friday on the YouTube channel are videos for songs “And She Was,” “Blind” and “Love for Sale,” which have been newly upgraded to HD. Additional high-def Talking Heads videos will be uploaded to the channel in the coming months.

In addition, a new collection of exclusive Talking Heads: 77-themed merchandise is now available at the group’s official store, including exclusive shirts, hats, hooded sweatshirts and other items.

Meanwhile, new Dolby Atmos mixes of all eight Talking Heads studio albums — Talking Heads: 77, 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1979’s Fear of Music, 1980’s Remain in Light, 1983’s Speaking in Tongues, 1985’s Little Creatures, 1986’s True Stories and 1988’s Naked — were also released Friday.

Talking Heads guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison oversaw the Dolby Atmos mixes.

Talking Heads: 77 introduced the world to the Talking Heads, one of the bands to emerge from the punk scene revolving around the famed New York City club CBGB. The album includes the classic song “Psycho Killer.”

The band — frontman David Byrne, drummer Chris Frantz, bassist Tina Weymouth and Harrison — remained active until 1991. They reunited only once since then, in 2002, when they performed at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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Ringo Starr‘s latest EP, a four-song collection titled EP3, was released Friday on CD and digital formats.

As its title suggests, EP3 is the third in a series of EPs; the former Beatles drummer has now recorded and released three EPs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coinciding with EP3‘s arrival, Ringo has debuted an official music video for lead track, the upbeat rock tune “World Go Round.” The song was co-written by Toto lead singer Joseph Williams and founding Toto guitarist and longtime All Starr Band member Steve Lukather.

The video features Starr at his home studio and rehearsal space, playing the song with Lukather and recording vocals with some backing singers. The clip also includes scenes of Williams playing keyboards.

The other three tracks on EP3 are “Everyone and Everything,” which was written by hit-making producer and songwriter Linda Perry; “Let’s Be Friends,” a catchy dance tune co-written by Starr’s longtime studio engineer Bruce Sugar and acclaimed songwriter Sam Hollander; and “Free Your Soul,” a laid-back, reggae-flavored tune that Starr co-wrote with Sugar.

Vinyl and cassette versions of the EP are due out on November 14.

EP3 was preceded by the Zoom In and Change the World EPs, which were released in March 2021 and September 2021, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ringo currently is touring North America with his All Starr Band; their next concert takes place tonight in Clearwater, Florida.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s live album and documentary film focusing on a previously unheard and unseen 1970 concert at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall both got their release today.

The album, titled At the Royal Albert Hall, is available on CD, cassette, 180-gram vinyl and digital formats.

The film, Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall, premiered today on Netflix. As previously reported, the movie, which is and is narrated by Jeff Bridges, includes footage of CCR’s entire April 14, 1970, concert at the Royal Albert Hall. It also features archival interviews with all four Creedence members, scenes of the band touring Europe in 1970 and a look at the group’s history.

“Of the live performances that we have recorded, that was the best performance,” CCR drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford tells ABC Audio of the Royal Albert Hall show.

Clifford says he got a kick out of watching footage of the gig, noting that the movie is Creedence’s first and only concert film.

“It’s really a funny thing. I know that’s us and I know that’s me on the drums … but when I look at it, it’s like it’s another band,” Cosmo says. “You know, I’m watching somebody else pound away on the stage.”

Regarding Bridges’ participation in the film, Clifford says, “I’m a big fan of his, for sure … I can’t think of a better narrator than Jeff.”

Meanwhile, the Travelin’ Band film will be available on Blu-ray as part of a super deluxe At the Royal Albert Hall box set that will be released November 14. The package also will feature CD and two-LP vinyl versions of the album, a bonus CD containing music that’s featured in the movie, a booklet and more.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Born on the Bayou”
“Green River”
“Tombstone Shadow”
“Travelin’ Band”
“Fortunate Son”
“Commotion”
“Midnight Special”
“Bad Moon Rising”
“Proud Mary”
“The Night Time Is the Right Time”
“Good Golly Miss Molly”
“Keep On Chooglin'”

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