Classic Hits

Journey will release its first new studio album in 11 years, Freedom, in one week. But the band’s longtime keyboardist and co-songwriter Jonathan Cain has also been promoting a new solo effort, Arise, the sixth full-length spiritual-themed album that he’s put out since 2016.

The 11-track Arise, which was released in late May and is available now via digital formats, combines new tunes with songs that appeared on Cain’s 2021 EP Oh Lord Lead Us.

Cain, who wrote and recorded Arise during the pandemic, tells ABC Audio that the project reflects his general unhappiness with the direction the U.S. has been going in recent years while also encouraging Christians to be more fervent in embracing their faith.

“I sort of landed on a revival theme … like an awakening, a call to prayer, a call to … standing for freedom and standing for the church,” Cain maintains. “And, you know, we had our freedoms diminished there during the lockdown. And I think everybody had to face the fact that … the government can get in the way … and churches need to stand up and say no. And a lot of them did.”

The album was recorded in Nashville with musicians that Cain describes as his “go-to Christian quartet,” including drummer Tommy Harden, guitarist Mike Price and bassist Tony Lucido. In addition, Jason Derlatka, who joined the Journey lineup as a keyboardist and backup singer in 2020, contributed backing vocals to a number of Arise‘s tracks.

While the themes of his spiritual songs and the tunes he writes for Journey may differ, Jonathan says there’s a common thread between the two.

“I try to put melodies that go somewhere and lyrics that say something … contrary to what the music is out today,” he notes.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers are calling out sick for Friday’s scheduled concert in Glasgow, Scotland.

A statement posted by the band early Friday reads, “Due to illness RHCP will not be able to perform in Glasgow tonight July 1.” 

“We are working on ways to reschedule,” the post continues. “[Please] hold onto your tickets & wait for an update soon. RHCP love Scotland & are deeply disappointed not to be able to perform the show. Thank you for your understanding.”

The Scotland show is part of the Chili Peppers’ ongoing world tour in support of their new album, Unlimited Love. Their next scheduled performance is set for this Sunday, July 3 at Belgium’s Rock Werchter festival.

The U.S. leg of the tour begins July 23 in Denver.

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Bret Michaels was reportedly hospitalized in Nashville, just before taking the stage on Thursday. 

While there’s no official word on why he was hospitalized, Michaels, 59, TMZ reported he’s being treated after suffering a bad reaction to medication, triggered by his diabetes.

Before the medical emergency, the Poison frontman was set to take the stage with his band mates as part of the Stadium Tour with Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. According to TMZ, the rest of Poison took the stage to announce that they wouldn’t be performing their set.

Fans were bummed by the news, with one tweeting, “Came all the way from KC to watch poison. Bret Michaels was admitted to hospital. No poison in Nashville.”

It’s unclear how long Michaels will be out of commission. The next tour stop is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 in Jacksonville, Florida. 

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The Doobie Brothers‘ breakthrough second album, Toulouse Street, was released 50 years ago today.

The 10-track collection features the band’s first two top-40 hits, “Listen to the Music” and a cover of the 1966 gospel tune “Jesus Is Just Alright,” which reached #11 and #35, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100. The record, which also includes the classic-rock staple “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 1 million copies in the U.S.

The album saw the Doobie Brothers lineup expand from a quartet to a quintet, as founding singer/guitarists Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons and drummer John Hartman were joined by a second drummer, Mike Hossack, and original bassist Dave Shogren was replaced by Tiran Porter.

Johnston wrote five of the album’s 10 songs, including “Listen to the Music” and “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” while Simmons composed two tunes, and the remaining tracks were covers — the aforementioned “Jesus Is Just Alright,” Seals and Crofts‘ “Cottonmouth” and blues great Sonny Boy Williamson‘s “Don’t Start Me to Talkin’.”

Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne is featured on “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Don’t Start Me to Talkin’,” “Cotton Mouth” and “Jesus Is Just Alright.”

On Toulouse Street, The Doobie Brothers’ deep Americana roots are on full display. As Johnston explains to ABC Audio, “Everybody came from different musical backgrounds, and that all got thrown together and it worked. Me coming from blues and R&B, soul music, plus rock ‘n’ roll, of course. Pat coming from rock ‘n’ roll, but also folk blues, a lot of fingerpicking…[T]hose two elements basically guided where the band was gonna go early on.”

Johnston adds, “[W]e’re what you might call a quintessential American band.”

Here the full track list of Toulouse Street:

“Listen to the Music”
“Rockin’ Down the Highway”
“Mamaloi”
“Toulouse Street”
“Cotton Mouth”
“Don’t Start Me to Talkin'”
“Jesus Is Just Alright”
“White Sun”
“Disciple”
“Snake Man”

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A new collectible David Bowie-themed Barbie doll has been released in honor of the 50th anniversary of the late rock legend’s classic fifth studio album, 1971’s Hunky Dory.

The new doll is the second Bowie-inspired Barbie released as part the Barbie Signature Collection, following the Ziggy Stardust-themed figurine that debuted in 2019.

The new Barbie features the doll dressed in an outfit replicating the one Bowie wore in the 1973 music video for the Hunky Dory single “Life on Mars?” — a powder-blue suit, black and silver striped shirt, a statement tie and platform shoes. The doll also boasts the same red shag hairstyle that Bowie sported in the video and throughout his glam-era heyday, as well as similar face makeup, including bold blue eyeshadow.

The David Bowie Barbie Doll 2 is priced at $50 and is available at MattelCreations.com, Amazon, Walmart and Target.

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In addition to being the lead single and title track off his upcoming solo album, Ozzy Osbourne‘s new song “Patient Number 9” has given Jeff Beck a new Billboard record.

With “Patient Number 9” debuting at #20 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, Beck, who plays the guitar solo on “Patient Number 9” and is credited as a featured artist, has set the new mark for longest gap between appearances on that particular ranking.

Beck’s last entry on Mainstream Rock Airplay came in 1994 thanks to his collaboration with Seal on a cover of Jimi Hendrix‘s “Manic Depression.” All told, it took Beck 28 years and four months to return to the chart.

Prior to Beck, the record had been held by Elton John. The Rocket Man spent 27 years and five months between charting on Mainstream Rock Airplay in 1992 with the Eric Clapton team-up “Runaway Train” and in 2020 as a featured artist on “Ordinary Man,” the title track off the then-new album by, wait for it, Ozzy Osbourne.

So, the lesson here seems to be that if you want to break a Billboard chart record, hopping on an Ozzy Osbourne solo track may be your best bet.

The album Patient Number 9 will be released September 9, and can be preordered now. Along with Beck, it includes guest contributions from Clapton, Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready, Black Label Society‘s Zakk Wylde, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction‘s Chris Chaney, Metallica‘s Robert Trujillo and late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

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The 10th anniversary edition of the Allman Brothers Band-founded Peach Music Festival got underway Thursday.

The four-day event, which runs through Sunday, July 3, is taking place at its usual location, Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It will include headlining sets from The Black Crowes and Phish singer/guitarist Trey Anastasio‘s solo band.

More than 50 artists will be performing at this year’s festival, with the bill also including founding Allman Brothers Band drummer Jaimoe, Jason Bonham‘s Led Zeppelin Evening, reggae legends The Wailers and Steel Pulse, G. Love & The Juice and Duane Betts — son of original Allman Brothers singer/guitarist Dickey Betts.

Jaimoe will be playing with a collective dubbed Jaimoe & Friends, while The Wailers will perform the late Bob Marley‘s classic hits compilation Legend in its entirety. In addition, a group called Trouble No More will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Allman Brothers’ 1972 album Eat a Peach. Trouble No More’s lead singer is Lamar Williams Jr., whose late father played bass with the Allman Brothers from 1972 to 1976.

With the festival scheduled just before July 4, the bash will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display Sunday.

Meanwhile, nugs.net will be streaming select performances from the festival on all four days, and subscribers to the service will be able to watch for free.

The June 30 livestream lineup includes the Trouble No More set; the July 1 bill will feature Steel Pulse; the July 2 lineup includes Jaimoe & Friends and Trey Anastasio Band; and the July 3 livestream will offer Duane Betts, The Wailers and G. Love & The Juice.

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The Doobie Brothers have added a special gig to the 2022 leg of their 50th anniversary tour, a September 8 performance at New York City’s famous Radio City Music Hall.

Tickets for the show will go on sale to the general public Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. ET. American Express card members will have the chance to purchase presale tickets starting Tuesday, July 5, at 10 a.m. ET, while a limited number of VIP packages also will be available. For more info, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Founding Doobie Brothers member Pat Simmons recently chatted with ABC Audio about the band playing Radio City Music Hall, declaring, “It’s a spectacular venue and really a good place to showcase what we’ve been doing.”

The Doobie Brothers are currently in the middle of the North American summer leg of their 50th anniversary trek that’s mapped out through a July 25 show in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will follow that with a series of fall concerts running from a September 2 gig in Pelham, Alabama, to an October 12 performance in Nashville.

Check out the band’s full schedule at TheDoobieBrothers.com.

As previously reported, The Doobie Brothers’ lineup for the tour features core members Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee, along with returning Doobie Brothers singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald.

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Ricky Martin will have his day in court after an ex-manager sued him for $3 million.

Rebecca Drucker, who managed the “She Bangs” singer on two separate occasions, is claiming breach of contract. Drucker oversaw Ricky between 2014 and 2018 and again between 2020 and 2022.

The ex-manager alleges Ricky owes her $3 million in unpaid commissions, saying she is owed the dues for helping him with “recording contracts, touring and sponsorship deals, and other professional endeavors.”

The legal documents continue, “With Rebecca at his side, Martin made millions of dollars and therefore owes Rebecca substantial commissions.” The filing further alleges that Drucker’s second go at managing the two-time Grammy winner was when his “personal and professional life [was] in absolute turmoil.”

Elaborating further, the ex-manager said she helped Ricky dodge a “potentially career-ending allegation” that surfaced in 2020. She noted he “emerged unscathed and proceeded with his professional resurgence” because of her efforts.

In addition to these claims, Drucker alleges that Ricky is a horrible person to work for because he “fostered a toxic work environment wherein he constantly mistreated, manipulated, and lied to Rebecca, forcing her to resign as his manager in April 2022.”

The former manager adds she was “threatened” by the “Livin La Vida Loca” singer and claims he is “attempting to force her to sign an agreement with a nondisclosure clause to silence Rebecca about the abhorrent behavior by Martin that she has both witnessed and endured.”

“For years, she protected Martin from the consequences of his reckless indiscretions. Rebecca did so not only because she was his manager, but also because she thought that Martin was her dear friend,” the complaint reads.

Ricky, nor his team, has responded to Drucker’s suit and troubling allegations.

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Pink Floyd is reissuing its classic 1977 concept album Animals in multiple formats featuring a previously unreleased 5.1 Surround Sound mix created in 2018 by the band’s longtime studio collaborator James Guthrie.

The Animals reissue will be available individually on CD, vinyl LP, Blu-ray and SACD on September 16, and as a deluxe multiple-disc package on October 7.

The Deluxe version includes a CD, an LP, an audio Blu-ray, an audio DVD, and a 32-page book. The Blu-ray and DVD discs feature Guthrie’s 2018 remix in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound, as well as the original 1977 stereo mix. The booklet contains rare seen behind-the-scenes images from the Animals album-cover photo shoot, along with pics of Pink Floyd playing live and band memorabilia.

The reissue boasts a reimagined and updated version of the cover, which famously featured the image of a giant inflatable pig tied by ropes to the chimneys of London’s Battersea Power Station.

Animals, Pink Floyd’s 10th studio effort, was released in January 1977 and peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200, going on to sell over 4 million copies in the U.S. The concept album, which was loosely based on George Orwell‘s dystopian novel Animal Farm, and was inspired by the socio-political climate of the U.K. during the mid-1970s.

It included three extended themed pieces titled “Pigs (Three Different Ones)”, “Dogs” and “Sheep,” that represented humanity as three different classes — subservient sheep, despotic pigs and predatory dogs.

Last June, ex-Pink Floyd singer/bassist Roger Waters posted a lengthy message explaining the Animals reissue had been delayed because of a conflict he had with former band mate David Gilmour over sleeve notes.

You can preorder the Animals reissue now.

Here’s the album’s track list:

“Pigs on the Wing (Part One)”
“Dogs”
“Pigs (Three Different Ones)”
“Sheep”
“Pigs on the Wing (Part Two)”

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