Classic Hits

The Beach Boys have announced plans for the second installment of The Beach Boys Good Vibrations Cruise, a star-studded nautical festival that will take place next year from March 3 to March 8.

The cruise will set sail from Miami and will stop at Harvest Caye, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico before returning to port.

The musical extravaganza will feature two unique concerts by The Beach Boys, a special sail-away set by The Isley Brothers and open-sea performances by The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers, Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath and popular Beatles tribute act RAIN.

Besides the many performances, the cruise will feature such events, attractions and activities as a photo with The Beach Boys, the chance to interact with the various artists, themed nights, on-shore excursions in Harvest Caye and Costa Maya and much more.

Tickets for the cruise go on sale on Friday, October 8 at 2 p.m. ET. Visit TheBeachBoysCruise.com for all the details.

Reservations are available now, with early-bird prices currently in effect.

The cruise is presented by Club Kokomo Spirits, a new canned-cocktail brand that Beach Boys frontman Mike Love recently co-founded.

In other news, The Beach Boys have scheduled a special 2022 holiday tour called Tis the Season that will feature the band performing with a symphony. The trek runs from a November 26 show in Mashantucket, Connecticut through a December 18 concert in Chicago. Visit TheBeachBoys.com for the group’s full list of shows.

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Graham Nash, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt are featured in a new documentary about obscure 1970s singer/songwriter Judee Sill that will get its world premiere on November 13 in New York City as part of the 2022 DOC NYC festival.

Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill takes an intimate look at life of the Los Angeles-based artist, who was discovered by music mogul David Geffen and released two albums during the early ’70s before withdrawing from the music business and dying of a drug overdose at age 35 in 1979.

The movie also examines Judee’s troubled early life, during which she battled addiction, took part in armed robberies and spent time in prison.

The film features interviews with Nash, Browne, Ronstadt and Geffen, as well as with acclaimed songwriter JD Souther and singer Shawn Colvin, and also includes appearances by various younger artists who discovered Sill’s music after her death.

Nash produced Sill’s first single, “Jesus Was a Cross Maker,” and played organ on the track. The song later was covered by Cass Elliot, The Hollies, Warren Zevon and Ronstadt, among others.

The premiere screening of Lost Angel will take place at SVA Theatre at 8 p.m. ET, and will be followed by a Q&A session featuring directors Andy Brown and Brian Lindstrom, Colvin and producer Peter Kenney.

Tickets to the screening can be purchased at DOCNYC.net. The film also will be available to view via streaming from November 14 at midnight ET through November 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

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For the first time ever, the Recording Academy’s annual MusiCares Person of the Year event will salute two separate honorees next year.

Motown founder Berry Gordy and legendary Motown singer, songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson will be recognized as the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year at the organization’s 32nd annual benefit gala, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 3, two nights before the 65th annual Grammy Awards.

As usual, the event will feature an all-star concert paying tribute the honorees, and next year’s show will celebrate the music and legacy of Motown. The gala also features a dinner and a silent auction offering VIP experiences, celebrity memorabilia and more.

“Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson,” says Gordy. “How special is that!”

Adds Robinson, “I have supported MusiCares for many years and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together.”

The gala benefits the MusiCares Foundation, which provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

Tables at the event can be reserved at PersonoftheYear.MusiCares.org. For more information about the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year gala, visit MusiCares.org.

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The Eagles have extended their long-running Hotel California Tour into 2023, announcing five new dates that will take place in February and March in the western U.S.

The shows are scheduled for February 19 in Portland, Oregon; February 21 in San Jose, California; February 24 in Palm Springs, California; March 1 in Phoenix, Arizona; and March 3 in San Diego. The Palm Springs concert will mark the grand opening of that city’s Acrisure Arena.

Tickets for the newly added dates go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 28 at 10 a.m. local time, while pre-sale tickets will be available starting Thursday, October 27 at 10 a.m. local time. A limited number of VIP packages will also be available to purchase.

Visit Eagles.com for more information.

Prior to announcing the 2023 dates, the Eagles lined up seven U.S. concerts next month, running from a November 15 concert in St. Louis through a November 27 performance in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

As previously reported, the tour features the Eagles performing their classic 1976 Hotel California album in its entirety and other well-known tunes by the group, who’ll be accompanied by an orchestra and a choir. The band’s current lineup includes founding singer/drummer Don Henley, longtime guitarist Joe Walsh and bassist Timothy B. Schmit and country star Vince Gill on vocals and guitar.

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Following their joint Stadium Tour this year throughout the U.S., Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard are joining forces once more for an international tour in 2023.

The global outing begins February in Mexico followed by a trip to South America. It’ll then hop across the Atlantic Ocean for a trek through the U.K. and Europe in May, June and July.

“We had an incredible time playing The Stadium Tour in North America this summer and we truly can’t wait to take the show around the globe with The WORLD Tour in 2023,” Mötley says. “Crüeheads in Latin America and Europe: Get ready!”

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Motley.com or DefLeppard.com.

The U.S. Stadium tour, which also featured Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on the bill, launched in June after a two-year pandemic delay. According to Billboard, the outing earned a total of $173.5 million, making it the biggest tour of both Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard’s careers.

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Former Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum has signed a deal to release the first studio album by Kings of Chaos, the star-studded supergroup he founded that features a rotating lineup of famous rockers.

Kings of Chaos’ debut album will be issued by AFM Records and is expected to arrive in the fall or winter of 2023. According to a press statement, the project will feature original songs and “guest collaborations with some of rock’s biggest names — including some of today’s most talented and iconic female artists.”

The lead single from the album, “Judgment Day,” and a companion music video will be released Friday, October 28. Described “as a scorching rocker,” the song was co-written by Sorum, and features him on drums and lead vocals.

Sorum, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Guns N’ Roses in 2012, says Kings of Chaos is “a celebration with your bucket list artists you’ve always wanted to play with.”

Meanwhile, AFM Records executive Nils Wasko notes, “Matt Sorum is such an acclaimed rock icon. His clear vision and passion for Kings of Chaos really impressed us. Kings of Chaos will now come to life with an illustrious list of rock royalty joining Matt, and we can’t wait to be part of the journey.”

The group first came together in 2012 under the moniker The Rock ‘N’ Roll All Stars and has played all around the world over the last decade. Among the many well-known musicians and singers who have performed with the band are Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Def Leppard‘s Joe Elliott, Cheap Trick‘s Robin Zander, Slash, Duff McKagan and Sebastian Bach.

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Months after introducing KISS Cold Gin as part of their “Drink It Up by KISS” line of alcoholic spirits, KISS has launched their latest liquor offering — KISS Cold Gin Navy Strength.

The new drink arrives just in time for the start of the 11th annual The KISS Kruise, which gets underway this Monday, October 24.

KISS Cold Gin Navy Strength is 57% alcohol, 17% stronger than the original KISS Cold Gin. The term “navy strength” dates back to the 18th century, when the British Navy used to store the liquor carried on its ships next to gunpowder. Making the gin at least 57% alcohol would ensure that if it spilled on the gunpowder, the explosive would still be usable.

KISS Cold Gin Navy Strength features a base that includes juniper, lemon peel and a variety of fine spices.

The liquor comes in a bottle with a label that celebrates KISS’ history. It features illustrations of the band’s four members positioned on either side of the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as other New York City landmarks, and the KISS logo in front of a vinyl disc.

KISS Cold Gin Navy Strength is the fifth liquor from the Drink It Up brand to be released in the U.S. following KISS Cold Gin and last year’s launch of the of KISS Rum Kollection, which includes KISS Black Diamond Premium Dark Rum, KISS Detroit Rock Premium Dark Rum and the limited-edition Monstrum Ultra Premium Dark Rum.

Visit DrinkItUpbyKISS.com and CraftShack.com to order bottles of the liquor and to get more information.

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We already knew the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled to take place November 5 in Los Angeles, but now the air date for the HBO special focusing on the event has been revealed.

The 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will premiere Saturday, November 19, at 8 p.m. ET on the cable network and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

The event will be held at Microsoft Theater in LA at 7 p.m. PT on November 5.

This year’s inductees in the Performer category are Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Eminem, Carly Simon and Lionel Richie. The other honorees include Judas Priest and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, in conjunction with receiving the Musical Excellence Award; Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotten for Early Influence; and Allen Grubman, Jimmy Iovine and Sylvia Robinson as recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Red carpet coverage will be streamed live on the Rock Hall’s YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, an exhibit celebrating the 2022 inductees will open at the Rock Hall on November 2. Among the pieces of memorabilia on display are a coat Benatar wore in her “Invincible” video, Simon’s handwritten draft of the lyrics to “You’re So Vain,” a Fender Jazz bass that Judas Priest’s Ian Hill played on tour with the band from 1974 to 1984, an outfit Eminem wore during the Super Bowl LVI halftime Show and a Gibson Blueshawk guitar Parton played on her Backwoods Barbie tour.

For more information, visit RockHall.com.

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Robert Gordon, the deep-voiced singer who helped launch the rockabilly revival during the late 1970s, died Tuesday, Variety reports. He was 75.

Gordon’s record label, Cleopatra Records, confirmed his passing to Variety and posted a Facebook message offering “our deepest condolences to his family and friends.” “We liked working with Robert and will miss his powerful baritone vocal as well as his focused dedication to his music,” the label added.

No cause of death was mentioned, but a GoFundMe page recently launched by Gordon’s family revealed he was battling acute myeloid leukemia.

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Gordon recorded with a group called The Confidentials as a teenager. After relocating to New York City in 1970, he joined the early punk band Tuff Darts and sang on a few of their early singles.

Gordon launched his solo career in 1977 after teaming up with veteran producer/songwriter Richard Gottehrer, who suggested he collaborate with pioneering rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Link Wray. Gordon recorded two albums with Wray — 1977’s Robert Gordon with Link Wray and 1978’s Fresh Fish Special.

Both albums showcased Robert’s booming, Elvis Presley-inspired vocals and mainly featured covers of vintage rock ‘n’ roll tunes. Fresh Fish Special included Presley’s longtime backing vocal group The Jordanaires and an early cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Fire” that featured Springsteen on keyboards.

Gordon went on to work with such other acclaimed guitarists as Chris Spedding and Danny Gatton. His 1981 album, Are You Gonna Be the One, reached #76 on the Billboard 200 and featured a popular cover of Marshall Crenshaw‘s “Someday, Someway.”

Robert continued to record sporadically and tour regularly throughout his life. A new Gordon album, Hellafied, a collaboration with Spedding, is due out on November 24. It includes a variety of previously unreleased archival songs.

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Thirty-five years after it release, the Fleetwood Mac song “Everywhere” is enjoying renewed Billboard chart success following its inclusion in a recent commercial for Chevrolet’s electric vehicle line.

The tune, which was written and sung by Christine McVie, has spent three weeks at #1 on Billboard‘s Rock Digital Song Sales tally and has just entered the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at #25.

In addition, “Everywhere” jumped from #7 to #3 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales tally.

According to data by Luminate, the track racked up 2.3 million streams and 5,000 downloads between October 7 and October 13, respective increases of 16% and 12% over the previous week.

“Everywhere” appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 album, Tango in the Night, which was the last studio effort recorded by the group’s full classic lineup of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Christine McVie. The song was also the band’s last single to break into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #14, while the album reached #7 on the Billboard 200.

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