Classic Hits

The Beatles have just debuted a couple of the previously unheard rarities that will appear as bonus tracks on the forthcoming deluxe reissue of their landmark 1966 album, Revolver.

One track is an acoustic demo of John Lennon singing part of an early version of “Yellow Submarine.” In the 30-second segment, which is subtitled “(Songwriting Work Tape/Part 1),” Lennon softly strums and picks an acoustic guitar while singing, somewhat sadly, “In the place where I was born/ No one cared, no one cared/ And the name that I was born/ No one cared, no one cared/ And the town where was born/ No one cared, no one cared.”

The final version of “Yellow Submarine” features Ringo Starr on lead vocals. It was long believed that Paul McCartney was the tune’s main writer, but the demo suggests that Lennon played a bigger role in its composition.

The second track is an early alternate version of “Got to Get You into My Life,” identified as “(Second Version / Unnumbered Mix).” The rendition is a bit more raw-sounding than the well-known studio version and lacks the song’s signature brass parts while showcasing some fuzzed-out guitar riffs.

Meanwhile, a new animated music video featuring the updated mix of “Taxman” from the Revolver reissue also recently debuted on YouTube.

As previously reported, the deluxe reissue of Revolver will be released on October 28 in multiple configurations.

Among the versions of the reissue is a special edition that features new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of Revolver, the original mono mix of the album, 31 tracks of session outtakes, a four-song EP that includes the non-album tracks “Paperback Writer” and “Rain,” and a 100-page hardbound book.

You can preorder the Revolver reissues now.

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Veteran Scottish rockers Simple Minds have just released their 18th studio album, Direction of the Heart.

Frontman Jim Kerr tells ABC Audio that he’s proud of producing an album of Direction of the Heart‘s quality this late in the band’s career.

“I mean, 18 albums in 45 years, and still to be wanting to be in there,” Kerr enthuses, “Still to be wanting to surprise ourselves. Still to be wanting to live up to a name we have made for ourselves. I think there’s a real commitment to it, and I think there’s some great tunes.”

Kerr says that while the band began working on tracks for the album before the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the record was written by him and his Simple Minds co-founder Charlie Burchill in the middle of the health crisis in Sicily, Italy, where Kerr has a home.

The singer says the pandemic afforded him and Burchill time to let their creativity flourish.

As Kerr explains, “[W]ith no distractions, because there was nothing else, not even the football matches were going on … we set to work, I think, with the kind of commitment that we’ve never had since those young early days [of the band].”

Kerr notes that Simple Minds’ goal for the project, as described in a press release announcing the record, was “to make a feel-good record in the worst of times.”

Musically, Kerr says the band sought to combine elements of classic Simple Minds songs with modern sounds.

“[W]e started off as an art-rock band, and there’s definitely a pop element and stuff, and I think that’s still the sweet spot for us,” he maintains. “If we can conjure up the old days, but somehow … make it feel in the moment … that’s the challenge, really.”

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Twenty years ago this Saturday, Santana followed up their massively successful 1999 comeback album Supernatural with another chart-topping and collaboration-filled record: Shaman.

Released on October 22, 2002, Shaman debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. The album featured one major Billboard Hot 100 hit, “The Game of Love,” featuring pop singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, which peaked at #5.

The song, which was co-written by New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander and hit-making songwriter Rick Nowels, went on to win a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

Like Supernatural, Shaman paired guitar legend Carlos Santana with various performers from different genres, including pop/R&B singers Seal and Macy Gray, Chad Kroeger of the rock band Nickelback, nu-metal group P.O.D., pop singer Dido, multicultural rock outfit Ozomatli, roots rocker Citizen Cope, hip-hop artist Melky Jean and opera legend Plácido Domingo.

Kroeger appears on a song titled “Why Don’t You & I” that he wrote. Since Nickelback’s label didn’t want the track to be released as a single, Santana rerecorded the tune with vocals by Alex Band of the group The Calling and issued that version, which ended up reaching #8 on the Hot 100.

Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas, who co-wrote and sang the Supernatural smash “Smooth,” also lent his songwriting talents to two tracks on Shaman.

Original Santana drummer Michael Shrieve co-wrote and played on a track titled “Aye Aye Aye.”

Shaman has been certified two-times Platinum by the RIAA for sales of 2 million copies in the U.S.

Here’s the full track list of Shaman:

“Adouma”
“Nothing at All” — featuring Musiq (Rob Thomas, Cori Rooney)
“The Game of Love” — featuring Michelle Branch (Gregg Alexander, Rick Nowels)
“You Are My Kind” — featuring Seal (Rob Thomas)
“Amoré (Sexo)” — featuring Macy Gray
“Foo Foo” — featuring Tabou Combo
“Victory Is Won”
“Since Supernatural” — featuring Melky Jean & Governor
“America” — featuring P.O.D.
“Sideways” — featuring Citizen Cope
“Why Don’t You & I” — featuring Chad Kroeger
“Feels Like Fire” — featuring Dido
“Aye Aye Aye”
“Hoy Es Adiós” — featuring Alejandro Lerner
“One of These Days” — featuring Ozomatli
“Novus” — featuring Plácido Domingo

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Sammy Hagar reflects on his life and music career in “Father Time,” and the Red Rocker has just released a music video for the poignant tune. The song is from his latest studio album with his band The Circle, Crazy Times.

Hagar, who celebrated his 75th birthday last week, says he wrote “Father Time” just after he turned 70 while at his former home in Maui, Hawaii, that overlooked the ocean.

“When I first wrote ‘Father Time,’ I kept it from everyone because it was so personal that I’d get too choked up to actually sing it,” he admits. “The words ‘Father Time’s over there looking over my shoulder’ just kept going through my head, so I picked up my guitar and the rest of the song just came spilling out.”

Hagar adds, “I cried my eyes out after I wrote and played it back. It’s probably the most personal song that I’ve ever written and now, after just turning 75, I’m finally ready to release it.”

The video, which you can watch on Hagar’s official YouTube channel, features footage of Sammy and The Circle performing the song, along with a montage of photos and film clips of Hagar throughout his life.

The “Father Time” clip will be the final video released from Crazy Times. The album was released on CD and via digital formats on September 30, while standard black-vinyl and limited-edition red-vinyl LP versions will follow on October 28.

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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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