Classic Hits

This Saturday, Elton John is set to perform at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., but on Friday, while he’s in the neighborhood, he’ll be stopping by to visit the Bidens.

President Joe Biden and the first lady will host a performance by Elton on the South Lawn of the White House as part of an event called “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme.” Organized in collaboration with A+E Networks and The History Channel, the event will honor teachers, nurses, frontline workers, mental health advocates, students LGBTQ+ advocates and more.

It will also “celebrate the unifying and healing power of music” and pay tribute to Elton’s “life and work.”

The Bidens will deliver remarks at the event. The fact that A+E and The History Channel are involved seems to indicate that the whole thing will be televised at some point, but there are no details on that as of yet.

This week, Elton is also performing in Atlanta as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

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Journey guitarist Neal Schon recently shared some details about his band’s concrete and potential touring plans for 2023 and beyond during pro wrestler/rock singer Chris Jericho‘s Talk Is Jericho podcast and in a separate interview with ABC Audio.

In July, Journey announced that four North American concerts that were postponed earlier this year had been moved to March 2023 and that their Freedom Tour 2022 support act Toto would be opening the rescheduled shows.

Schon revealed to Jericho that the makeup shows will be part of a full 2023 tour leg featuring Toto that will kick off in February and will include about 40 dates.

“[W]e’re gonna do the secondary markets in the United States and do some of the main markets that we didn’t hit this last time,” Neal explained.

He added that, after taking “a little break,” Journey and Toto will head to Europe and Japan, noting that Journey would open for Toto in Europe, where the latter group is more popular.

Meanwhile, Schon revealed to ABC Audio that he hoped to schedule a series of U.S. stadium shows in late 2023 that would feature Journey, Toto and Santana.

Neal, who was a member of Santana from 1971 to 1972, noted that with 2023 marking the 50th anniversary of Journey’s formation, “it makes total sense to do something with Carlos [Santana] … because that’s where I came from before I started Journey.”

Schon told ABC Audio that he talks to Carlos multiple times a week, and revealed that Santana wants to play shows with Journey, and that the guitarists have also discussed getting together to collaborate on some new music.

“[There’s] a lot of musical history there,” Neal said. “And of course … we love playing together too.”

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Daryl Hall has lined up a new series of fall U.S. tour dates with support act Todd Rundgren, with whom the Hall & Oates singer has been playing concerts on and off throughout 2022.

The eight-show run kicks off November 19 in Syracuse, New York, and then heads to the Midwest for concerts mapped out through a December 3 performance in Evansville, Illinois.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 23, at 10 a.m. ET, while presale tickets will be available starting Tuesday, September 20, at 10 a.m. local time.

Hall and Rundgren have a previously announced show scheduled for October 1 in Brookville, New York. Tickets for that event are already on sale.

Hall’s dates with Rundgren have been in support of Daryl’s first solo compilation, Before After, which was released in April.

Daryl also has four Hall & Oates concerts scheduled for next month — October 7 in Atlantic City, New Jersey; October 9 in Uncasville, Connecticut; October 20 in Sparks, Nevada; and October 22 in Laughlin, Nevada.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Rundgren will be taking part in the 2022 Celebrating David Bowie tribute tour, which runs from an October 6 show in San Diego through a November 13 concert in Phoenix. In addition, Todd will release his long-delayed, collaboration-packed album Space Force on October 14.

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Elton John not only received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, but he performed at multiple royal events and met the monarch a number of times during her 70 years on the throne. On Monday, he took to Instagram to reflect on his history with the queen as the world tuned in to watch her funeral.

“Today I’ll be joining the rest of the world in remembering Her Majesty The Queen,” Elton writes. “My own memories of her are filled with joy and admiration. The Queen honored me with a CBE, a knighthood and the Companion of Honor.”

He adds, “I was lucky enough to perform at three of her Jubilees. They were always joyous and humbling experiences. But it was the moments out of the public eye that I will most fondly remember her for: dancing together to ‘Rock Around the Clock’ at Windsor Castle or experiencing her great wit, warmth and humor first hand.”

“She served with grace and dedication,” he concludes, “and she will be sorely missed.”

He added two photos to his post: One of himself in the ’70s meeting the queen and one of them meeting in more recent times, with fellow musical British knights Tom Jones and Cliff Richard looking on.

Elton danced with the queen to Bill Haley‘s “Rock Around the Clock” at Prince Andrew‘s 21st birthday party in 1981. As Elton hilariously describes in his autobiography, Me, Princess Anne asked Elton to dance with her to Elvis Presley‘s “Hound Dog.” When the DJ segued from that into “Rock Around the Clock,” the queen appeared and asked if she could join them — which she did, still holding her handbag.

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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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