Classic Hits

A restored and enhanced version of the 1985 concert film Prince and The Revolution: Live, capturing a March 1985 show that Prince and his band played at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, was released Friday in multiple formats and configurations, including a six-disc Collector’s Edition Box Set.

The box set features a Blu-ray containing the full performance, as well as three colored-vinyl LPs and two CDs boasting the audio of the show.

The Blu-ray features video of the concert that was rescanned, restored and color corrected, while the original audio has been remixed and remastered and can be enjoyed in stereo, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos.

The discs come packaged in a foil box, and the collection also includes a poster, and a 44-page book featuring rare photos from the Purple Rain Tour and new liner notes boasting recollections from The Revolution‘s five members.

Prince and The Revolution: Live is also available as a two-CD/Blu-ray set, as a standalone three-LP collection, and via digital audio and video formats. The audio of the album has never been available on vinyl or CD before.

The concert originally was broadcast live in Europe on March 30, 1985, then released on home video after Prince and The Revolution finished their tour. The show features performances of all the songs from Prince’s smash album Purple Rain, including such classics as “When Doves Cry,” as well as earlier hits like “1999,” “Little Red Corvette” and “Delirious.”

Meanwhile, a 90-minute TV special showcasing footage from the concert film will premiere on PBS Saturday, June 4.

Here’s the full track list of Prince and The Revolution: Live:

“Let’s Go Crazy”
“Delirious”
“1999”
“Little Red Corvette”
“Take Me With U”
“Yankee Doodle”
“Do Me, Baby”
“Irresistible Bitch”
“Possessed”
“How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore”
“Let’s Pretend We’re Married”
“International Lover”
“God”
“Computer Blue”
“Darling Nikki”
“The Beautiful Ones”
“When Doves Cry”
“I Would Die 4 U”
“Baby, I’m a Star”
“Purple Rain”

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Former Blue Öyster Cult member Joe Bouchard‘s latest studio album, American Rocker, was released Friday.

The 11-track collection, which Bouchard describes as “a musical journey of my life as a rock star,” is available now via digital formats and on CD. In addition, special bundles pairing the CD with a T-shirt and an autographed booklet can be purchased at MerchBucket.com.

The album features guest contributions from longtime Bryan Adams drummer Mickey Curry and founding Blue Öyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard, Joe’s brother and frequent collaborator.

Coinciding with American Rocker‘s arrival, Bouchard has debuted a lyric video for one of the album’s tracks, a haunting, melodic tune titled “Deadly Kisses.”

“‘Deadly Kisses’ is a song of young love and how it traps you,” Joe explains. “I sat down in a music room at a private boarding school and played a few odd chords. The opening lines and melody just came out.”

As previously reported, Joe has a series of five North American shows lined up in July with his band Blue Coupe — which also features Albert and original Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway. He and Albert also will be playing a series of U.K. concerts in August, performing as The Bouchard Brothers.

Here’s American Rocker‘s full track list:

“My Way Is the Highway”
“In the Golden Age”
“Deadly Kisses”
“Love Out of Thin Air”
“Off Season Hotel”
“Hounds of Hell”
“Conspiracy”
“Rocket to Fame”
“The Devil’s in the Details”
“Katherine”
“Hey There Suzi Dear”

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Rod Stewart has met Queen Elizabeth II seven times in his career, and as he prepares to perform for her Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday night, he says he almost feels as though the queen is part of his family.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast ahead of the concert, Rod, who was knighted by the queen in 2016, said, “She’s been so much part of my life, almost like a sister, you know? She’s always been in the background of my life.”

But while he’s performed for the queen on numerous occasions, Rod said he’ll be nervous on Saturday night, because, he revealed, he’ll be singing a song he’s “never, ever sang before.” He called that prospect nerve-wracking.

Asked which member of the royal family is most likely to get up and dance during his performance, Rod immediately said, “Charles, ’cause I love him and my wife absolutely adores him.” When asked why, Rod responded cheekily, “I think they’ve got a thing going on! No, they’re very, very friendly.”

When the interviewer asked Rod what he thought wife Penny‘s response would be to his joke, Rod predicted, “She’s going to absolutely die of embarrassment. I wish I was dead right now! I’m going home!”

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee — 70 years on the throne — this weekend.  Throughout her reign, the queen has conferred knighthoods and other honors on many musicians, from Ed Sheeran, Elton John and Paul McCartney to Mick Jagger, Annie Lennox and Bono. Sting, who was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, says he admires the queen’s dedication.

“I think she’s had a very difficult job and she’s done it with a great deal of grace and detachment,” Sting told ABC Audio on Friday. “In many ways, she’s … y’know, she has no political power. She’s just a symbol. And I think she’s been a pretty good example.”

Sting, however, is aware that the British Empire’s past sins have made some countries in the Commonwealth want independence. Most recently, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the country wants to remove the queen as the head of state.

“I know there’s some controversy in Jamaica for good reason. You know, the British Empire was not the most salubrious of things. So [my feelings about it are] a mixture of both. I’m not really a monarchist, but I respect the queen.”

He laughs, “She gave me a medal, so I’m grateful!”

Sting’s friend and musical collaborator Shaggy, who was born in Jamaica, says he has no problem with the queen.

“I’m about hard work,” he tells ABC Audio. “And when I look at her age and she’s still making these appearances and still owning up to her duties. I mean, I tip my hat off to her. That is amazing!”

Sting and Shaggy recently teamed up to make an album called Come Fly Wid Mi, featuring Shaggy singing Frank Sinatra classics, with Sting producing and contributing vocals.

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Jackson Browne has debuted an official video for “Minutes to Downtown,” an introspective track from his latest studio album, 2021’s Downhill from Everywhere.

The clip, which you can watch at Browne’s YouTube channel, features the 73-year-old singer/songwriter driving around Los Angeles during the day and evening while wearing mirrored sunglasses. The video was directed by Jackson’s son Ryan Browne.

“The song is about wanting to be somewhere else, but for whatever reasons, you’re tied to the place where you live and the things you do,” Jackson says about the tune. “So I wanted it to be me driving around. To me, the video has a distinctive feature, which is that nothing happens. You don’t arrive anywhere, right?”

Coinciding with the clip’s premiere, Jackson will kick off a new U.S. leg of his “An Evening With” tour Friday night with a show in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The summer trek, which features the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer performing with his full backing band, is plotted out through a four-show stand — July 26, 27, 29 and 30 — at New York City’s Beacon Theatre.

Jackson also has another leg of the tour lined up for later this year, which runs from an August 31 performance in San Diego through a September 25 concert at the famed Red Rock Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

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Jeff Beck has been joined by a very famous special guest on his current U.K. tour — guitarist Johnny Depp. At the British blues-rock guitarist’s latest concert, in Gateshead on Tuesday, he revealed that he and the Pirates of the Caribbean star will be releasing a collaborative album soon.

Stereogum reports that during the concert, Beck said to the audience, “I met this guy five years ago, and we’ve never stopped laughing since. We actually made an album. I don’t know how it happened. It will be out in July.”

According to Setlist.fm, Depp joined Beck at his last four U.K. concerts to perform several songs, including an original called “Hedy Lamarr.” They also covered John Lennon‘s “Isolation,” late Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson‘s “Time,” Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Going On,” Jimi Hendrix‘s “Little Wing,” Killing Joke‘s “The Death and Resurrection Show” and The Beatles‘ “A Day in the Life.”

Beck and Depp actually released a collaborative studio version of “Isolation” as a digital single in 2020.

Depp’s latest performance with Beck came a day after Johnny scored a major legal victory against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, as jurors agreed that she defamed him with an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018.

Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in the defamation suit, although the judge clarified that Virginia law caps the latter at $350,000. 

Depp, 58, sued Heard, 36, for $50 million, claiming the article obliquely — and falsely — accused him of abuse, which, he maintained, devastated his film career.

Beck has four concerts left on his U.K. trek, but it’s not known if Depp will perform at the upcoming shows.

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After being presented an honorary doctorate by Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music virtually last month during the school’s 2022 commencement festivities, Ringo Starr got to accept the degree in person on Thursday at an intimate event held at Berklee’s David Friend Recital Hall.

The Boston Herald reports that the ceremony began with performances from Berklee students, followed by introductory remarks from the school’s president, Erica Muhl, and drummer Gregg Bissonette, a longtime member of Ringo’s All Starr Band.

Ringo then took the stage to accept the honor. During his speech, video of which has been posted on Berklee’s official YouTube channel, the former Beatles drummer thanked the school and declared, “The idea that I’m a doctor blows me away.”

He then commented, “I just hit the buggers, and it seems to be I hit them in the right place.” Ringo went over to a drum kit set up on stage and demonstrated a couple of simple lessons he’s given to fledgling drummers, including his son Zak Starkey.

Ringo also recalled how he developed a passion for drumming after he was given a little drum to play in a hospital while he was recuperating from an illness as a teenager.

“I just wanted to be a drummer from that moment on. It was my big dream,” Ringo said. “And it’s still unfolding.”

Ringo and the All Starr Band also played a concert in Boston Thursday night at the Wang Theatre. Their current North American tour continues Friday night in Worcester, Massachusetts.

At the May commencement, Ringo sent a prerecorded video featuring another acceptance speech that you can also watch at Berklee’s YouTube channel.

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With today marking the 70th anniversary of the coronation of the U.K.’s Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Paul McCartney posted a message on his social media sites congratulating the 96-year-old monarch on her long reign.

“70 beautiful years of Queen Elizabeth the second. Congrats ma’ am! And thanks,” Paul writes. Accompanying the caption is a photo of McCartney with the queen in 1996 at the opening of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which the former Beatles legend co-founded.

A variety of Platinum Jubilee events commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 70th anniversary have been scheduled over the next few days, including the Platinum Party at the Palace concert this Saturday, June 4, which will feature performances from Rod Stewart, Elton John, Queen + Adam Lambert, Duran Duran, Diana Ross and many other stars.

Meanwhile, McCartney, who is currently touring the U.S., has revealed his preconcert ritual in a new installment of his “You Gave Me the Answer” Q&A feature.

McCartney says he begins his routine about an hour before he has to hit the stage.

“I have a gargle with salt water, then I do my teeth, then I figure out what I’m going to wear, and then I have a kind of Chinese syrup solution you put hot water in. It’s supposed to be good for your throat,” McCartney says.

After that, he usually gets some makeup put on his face, then gets together with his band to do a quick warmup by running through “a bit of ‘Let It Be’ and a little bit of ‘Hey Jude.'”

Then, before hitting the stage, he and the band “come together and do a little confidence boost huddle!”

McCartney’s next show is this Saturday, June 4, in Syracuse, New York.

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Rascals singer/keyboardist Felix Cavaliere and The Monkees‘ Micky Dolenz will perform together this Friday in New York City and Saturday in Lynn, Massachusetts, the latest in a series of joint 2022 “Legends Live!” concerts featuring the two music greats.

“[A] Rascal and a Monkee, what do you think? Pretty weird,” Cavaliere comments to ABC Audio with a chuckle.

He then notes that, with people having to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic during the last couple of years, the concerts’ organizers felt that the music of The Monkees and The Rascals were both “happy [and] uplifting,” and that “maybe [it was] time for people to…just enjoy themselves.”

The concerts feature Cavaliere and Dolenz performing with their respective solo bands, and alternating the headlining slot at each show.

The 79-year-old Cavaliere says one of his favorite things to do during his set is to throw in snippets of other artists’ famous tunes while playing some of his classic Rascals tunes.

“[F]or example, when I do ‘Groovin’,’ I pop in [a little bit of The Temptations‘] ‘My Girl,'” he explains. “And everybody goes, ‘Oh wow, I know that song.’ And I say, ‘Well, okay, if you know it, sing it.’ And then I put in ‘Just My Imagination.'” Same thing. I try to keep their attention and their memory cells active.”

Another highlight for Felix is the finale of his show, where he tells the audience, “Okay, this is your last chance to dance, get up and rock,” and then plays “Good Lovin’.”

Cavaliere and Dolenz also have a joint October 23 show scheduled in Phoenix, Arizona. Felix’s tour schedule also includes a series of concerts in Hawaii running from June 9 to June 12, as well as a July 16 show in Rochester, Michigan.

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It’s officially been 30 years since Mariah Carey dazzled on the MTV Unplugged stage and released her standout EP, and the hitmaker reflected Thursday on how important the pivotal moment was for her career. 

Sharing an Instagram video highlighting moments of her Unplugged set, where she belted out hits from her album Emotions, Mariah reflected on how much she’s changed since 1992.

“Happy anniversary to that girl on stage who was so nervous and scared to even sing in front of a crowd. Also she had no idea this last minute ‘unplugged’ show would become a ‘thing!'” she remarked.

Mariah also revealed how that performance changed the course of her career.

“During that performance, I remember having a breakthrough moment…the realization that all I needed to do was SING and actually CONNECT with the people in the audience and be in the moment with THEM!!! And then we were in it together,” she recalled.

The Grammy winner continued, “When I watch this now, it’s revelatory how many insanely talented musicians and singers I had the privilege of sharing that small stage with and I truly feel blessed. I am thankful to that majestic group of people who made that stage come to life and to the audience in the room for sharing what became a life changing experience for me and as always.”

“Thank you my fans for sharing this journey with me. You save my life each day,” she closed out the sentimental post.

Mariah’s MTV Unplugged EP sold over 4 million copies and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 200. It also spun off her hit duet with Trey Lorenz, “I’ll Be There,” which was a last-minute addition to her Unplugged set list.  Her cover of the Jackson 5 song earned her two Grammy nods.

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