Classic Hits

Back in December, Styx and REO Speedwagon announced plans for a 35-date 2022 North American trek dubbed the Live & Unzoomed Tour featuring Loverboy as their special guest.  Now the veteran rockers have added 10 new dates to the outing.

The new concerts run from a September 3 performance in Duluth, Minnesota, through a September 18 show in Bangor, Maine.

Tickets for the new dates will go on sale to the general public on starting Friday, February 18, at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. Styx and REO Speedwagon will be making available VIP packages and exclusive pre-sales starting Tuesday, February 15, at 10 a.m. local time at StyxWorld.com and REOSpeedwagon.com.

Citi card members also will be able to buy presale tickets beginning February 15 at 10 a.m. local time; visit CitiEntertainment.com for more details.

As previously reported, the Live & Unzoomed Tour kicks off May 31 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the initially announced run of shows had been scheduled through an August 21 performance in Wantagh, New York.

When the trek was first announced, a hilarious video promoting the trek premiered on YouTube featuring Styx’s Tommy Shaw and Lawrence Gowan, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato, and Loverboy’s Mike Reno showing what they’ve been up to at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now a follow-up “bloopers” clip has debuted on YouTube featuring the various band members having fun while filming the original promo clip.

(Video contains uncensored and censored profanity.)

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Paul McCartney has contributed a bass part to a new song called “Home” by The Umoza Music Project, an international collective featuring various singers from the African country of Malawi collaborating with over a dozen U.K. musicians.

“Home” is the lead single and title track of The Umoza Music Project’s upcoming second album, both of which are due out May 6.

The Home album, which will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats, features the Malawian artists singing in their native language, Chichewa, and was put together remotely with the various musical contributors.

The song marks the first time that McCartney has played bass as a guest musician on an African language track. Sir Paul recorded his part while in lockdown in the U.K. during the sessions for his latest solo album, McCartney III.

“Home” will also be released as a limited-edition single on 7-inch and 10-inch vinyl. Proceeds from the discs will benefit Malawian musicians.

“I’ve always loved African music so when I was asked to do this I jumped at the chance and ended up playing my Hofner bass on this cool song,” McCartney says in a statement. “It was great to collaborate with these excellent African musicians.”

John Tobin, founder and producer of The Umoza Music Project, adds, “[Paul has] helped us create us a great track and lead single, and it’ll bring these beautiful Malawian voices to the attention of many more music lovers around the world than we would have reached otherwise.”

Tobin, who was born in Malawi but raised in the U.K., began The Umoza Music Project in 2010 as a collaboration with a Malawian singer/songwriter named Max Jere. A documentary about the project currently is in the works. Visit PaulMcCartney.com and UmozaMusic.com for more information.

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Janet Jackson‘s bold new documentary has had a ripple effect on her music, boosting her streaming numbers by over 100 percent.

Billboard reports Janet’s streams have skyrocketed by 109 percent since her eponymous four-part documentary premiered  on A&E and Lifetime in late January, during which she provides honest insights on her career, controversies, upbringing and more. By February 3, fans streamed her songs 10.6 million times.  The most listened-to single was “That’s the Way Love Goes,” clocking 778,000 streams in the U.S. alone.  Other songs enjoying a major bump in numbers are “All for You,” “Control,” “Any Time, Any Place” and “Nasty.”    

Janet also enjoyed a major boost in sales.  “That’s the Way Love Goes” leads the pack, with fans snatching up 1,300 copies.  Securing the second-most sales was “All For You,” with 1,100 copies sold.  “Rhythm Nation,” “Escapade” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” also sold over 1,000 downloads each.

Janet’s album sales also jumped by 17,000 units.  The leader is Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, with 4,000 copies of it flying off the shelves. 

According to Nielsen, 2.8 million people tuned in to watch part one of Janet Jackson, the documentary when it premiered on January 28, and it amassed an additional 1.2 million views via digital download or on demand.  Parts two through four were respectively seen by 4.3 million, 3.7 million and 3.8 million people when they aired for the first time.

No other nonfiction offering on A&E and Lifetime amassed such numbers since 2019’s Surviving R. Kelly.

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Happy birthday Sheryl Crow, born sixty years ago today. 

Sheryl’s career spans over three decades, 11 studio albums and nine Grammy awards.  She got her start singing commercial jingles in the 80s before landing a spot as a backup singer on Michael Jackson‘s tour in 1987.  She didn’t get her big break until 1994, when she released her debut studio album Tuesday Night Music Club, which featured her hit single, “All I Wanna Do.”

Since then, Sheryl’s sold more than 50 million albums and scored other hits such as “If It Makes You Happy,” “Soak Up the Sun,” “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” and her “Picture” collaboration with Kid Rock. 

Sheryl also dabbled in acting, making her first television appearance in 1990 on the short-lived Cop Rock.  Since then, she’s made multiple cameos across several popular series such as One Tree Hill, 30 Rock, Hannah Montana and NCIS: New Orleans.  The singer also appeared in three films; 54, The Minus Man and De-Lovely.

In addition to nine Grammys, Sheryl also has one Academy of Country Music Award, three American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a BRIT Award, and a People’s Choice Award.  In addition, she was given an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University.

All this and more will be explored in her eponymous upcoming documentary that will take fans behind the scenes of Sheryl’s rise to fame and her “arduous musical career battling sexism, ageism, depression, cancer, and the price of fame,” per the official description.  Sheryl is set to premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 11. 

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Today marks the 10th anniversary of Whitney Houston‘s death, and her estate is ensuring that we’ll be able to enjoy her music for many years to come, through the release of everything from new albums, to a Broadway show.  It’s all being planned by Whitney’s estate, which has quadrupled its earnings over the past three years, Variety reports.

Most exciting for fans may be the news that two new Whitney albums will arrive in 2023, as Variety also reports. One will be the singer’s first gospel collection, while the other is a live album.  The gospel collection will be a mix of unreleased tracks, some of which are live, plus songs recorded for her 1996 movie The Preacher’s Wife.

Meanwhile, the authorized biopic of Whitney, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, is due out this December, but its soundtrack will arrive a month before, reports Variety. Whitney’s mentor Clive Davis, who is co-producing the film, will also be involved in the soundtrack.

ALso, the estate is already working on a Broadway musical adaptation and is in talks to create a “Cirque-like” Whitney destination show in Las Vegas. A cosmetics line is expected to launch around the same time as the film.

Finally, starting today, you can purchase a Whitney Funko Pop Icon figure, exclusively at Target.

Pat Houston, the president of the Whitney Houston Estate, tells Variety, “Whitney would certainly be proud of the direction and momentum we have established for her brand: re-introducing her legacy to a new generation [by] capitalizing on the opportunities that continuously represent her gift in the best light.”

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Aerosmith‘s 1971: The Road Starts Here, a collection of seven recently rediscovered rare live performances that was first issued as a limited-edition vinyl disc and cassette for the 2021 Record Store Day Black Friday event, will get its official release on CD and digital formats on April 8.

The announcement of the release is the first in conjunction with the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

1971: The Road Starts Here features performances that were recorded in 1971 on guitarist Joe Perry‘s Wollensak reel-to-reel tape machine by early Aerosmith roadie Mark Lehman, either in the band’s Boston rehearsal room with a few friends in attendance or during a soundcheck for an early gig.

Among the songs Aerosmith performs on the recording are versions of five tunes that went on to appear on the band’s 1973 self-titled debut album — “Movin’ Out,” the classic anthem “Dream On,” “Mama Kin,” “Somebody,” and a cover of Rufus Thomas‘ 1963 hit “Walkin’ the Dog.”

1971: The Road Starts Here also includes a performance of “Reefer Head Woman,” which the band later recorded for the 1979 album Night in the Ruts, and a rendition of “Major Barbara,” a tune that appeared the group’s 1986 Classics Live collection.

The CD will feature previously unseen archival photos, images of the original tape box, and liner notes penned by Rolling Stone journalist David Fricke that includes new interviews and comments from the band members.

1971: The Road Starts Here can be pre-ordered on CD and vinyl and pre-saved now. Aerosmith’s early version of “Somebody” has been released as an advance digital single.

Aerosmith also has introduced a collection of special merch items inspired by the album that are available now at the band’s online store.

Here’s the full track list:

Intro/”Somebody”
“Reefer Head Woman”
“Walkin’ the Dog”
“Movin’ Out”
“Major Barbara”
“Dream On”
“Mama Kin”

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Bruce Springsteen is helping Eddie Vedder celebrate the release of the Pearl Jam frontman’s new solo album, Earthling.

The Boss and Vedder got together at Springsteen’s farm in New Jersey for a conversation about the album that was filmed for a special that will premiere today at 2 p.m. ET on Amazon Live. The interview also will be made available at Vedder’s official YouTube channel starting this Sunday, February 13.

In a preview clip from the special that’s been posted on YouTube, Springsteen asks Vedder about his musical influences, and Eddie reveals that as he was grwing up they they included The Jackson 5, The Beatles and The Who, as well as, of course, the “Born to Run” rocker himself.

“Ah, grazie,” Springsteen responds.

Vedder adds that he also got into The Band, Split Enz, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Fugazi and his grunge contemporaries Mudhoney.

Earthling, Vedder’s first solo album in 11 years, is out today. It was produced by Ozzy Osbourne collaborator Andrew Watt and was recorded with a core of backing musicians that included Watt on bass and guitar, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and ex-RHCP guitarist and current Pearl Jam touring member Josh Klinghoffer.

In addition, Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, Elton John and longtime Tom Petty keyboardist Benmont Tench make guest appearances on the record.

Watt, Smith and Klinghoffer are also members of Vedder’s solo live band, The Earthlings, along with Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney and Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard. Their tour continues February 15 in San Diego and wraps up with February 21-22 stand in Seattle.

Here’s the Earthling track list:

“Invincible”
“Power of Right”
“Long Way”
“Brother the Cloud”
“Fallout Today”
“The Dark”
“The Haves”
“Good and Evil”
“Rose of Jericho”
“Try”
“Picture” — featuring Elton John
“Mrs. Mills”
“On My Way”

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Michael McDonald, the soulful singer and talented songwriter and keyboardist who found success with The Doobie Brothers, as a solo artist and as a collaborator with various other musicians and singers, celebrates his 70th birthday this Saturday, February 12.

In 1974, McDonald briefly was a member of Steely Dan‘s touring band. He would go on to contribute backing vocals to all of Steely Dan’s albums, from 1975’s Katy Lied through 1980’s Gaucho.

McDonald joined The Doobie Brothers in 1975. During his tenure with the group, Michael sang and wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “Real Love,” “Minute by Minute” and the chart-topping “What a Fool Believes.” The latter, which McDonald co-wrote with Kenny Loggins, also won multiple Grammy awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

After The Doobie Brothers’ 1982 breakup, Michael launched a successful solo career. Among his solo hits are 1982’s “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” and 1986’s “Sweet Freedom.”

McDonald also lent backing vocals to notable tunes by other artists, including Loggins’ 1979 hit “This Is It,” which he co-wrote, and Christopher Cross‘ 1981 #2 single “Ride Like the Wind.” In addition, he scored hit duets including the Grammy-winning “Yah Mo B There” with James Ingram in 1983, and the chart-topping “On My Own” with Patti LaBelle in 1986.

McDonald was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers in 2020.

McDonald has reunited with The Doobies several times over the years after the band’s initial breakup. Starting last year, Michael rejoined the group to take part in their 50th anniversary tour, which gets underway again in June.

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It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since Whitney Houston‘s shocking and tragic death on February 11, 2012. But we will always love her: Her life story, and her music, are still captivating and entertaining fans around the world.

Ironically, Whitney died on the weekend of the Grammy Awards — a show which had honored her six times in her career — and on the exact day of her mentor Clive Davis‘ legendary pre-Grammy party.  Unbelievably, the party went on as scheduled — at the Beverly Hilton, just downstairs from the hotel suite where Whitney was found dead in her bathtub.

That night, Davis told guests that Whitney would have wanted the party to go on, and that her family told him not to cancel, but he faced harsh criticism from others, including Sharon Osbourne and Chaka Khan.

At the Grammy Awards the following night, host LL Cool J opened the ceremony with a moving prayer, while Jennifer Hudson brought the audience to tears with a rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

Three years later, Whitney’s family was once again touched by grief: In 2015, her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was found unconscious in a bathtub, and after spending six months in a coma, she died at the age of 22. 

Whitney’s and her daughter’s lives have since inspired a number of movies and documentaries, both authorized and unauthorized. including Whitney: Can I Be Me, Whitney and Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn’t We Almost Have It All.

An authorized biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, co-produced by Clive Davis and Whitney Houston Estate president Pat Houston, is expected to hit theaters on December 23, 2022. Meanwhile, an authorized concert production starring a hologram of Whitney is currently running at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

And Whitney’s music is still being discovered by new generations through a series of remixes, such as Kygo‘s 2019 chart-topping reworking of Whitney’s “Higher Love,” Clean Bandit‘s 2021 remix of “How Will I Know,” and the 2019 “duet” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” featuring Whitney and Pentatonix.

Whitney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 by Alicia Keys, who said, “Whitney Houston is one of one. There is no one like her, and there never will be.”

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Daryl Hall and John Oates will release their 1997 album Marigold Sky on vinyl for the first time on March 25 in honor of the record’s 25th anniversary.

In addition the vinyl version, which will be a two-LP set, an expanded version of the album with three bonus tracks will be released as a two-CD collection and on digital platforms. This also will mark the first time that Marigold Sky will be available as a digital download and via streaming services.

Marigold Sky, the duo’s 15th studio effort, was originally released in September 1997. It only reached #95 on the Billboard 200, although the singles “Promise Ain’t Enough” and “The Sky Is Falling” peaked at #6 and #26, respectively, on Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart.

The reissue’s bonus tracks are a radio edit of “Romeo Is Bleeding,” a remix of “Hold On to Yourself,” and what’s described as a “hot mix” of “The Sky Is Falling.”

Coinciding with the announcement of the reissue, a restored version of the “Promise Ain’t Enough” music video has premiered at Hall & Oates’ YouTube channel, and the track is available now via digital formats.

“I look at Marigold Sky as the lost Hall and Oates album,” says Hall. “The fans have been asking me for years about it. I’m really proud of these songs and happy to see that it’s getting a global re-release.”

Adds Oates, “I am really pleased that Marigold Sky is finally becoming available around the world. It’s a very unique and cool album, and I hope old and new fans really enjoy it.”

You can pre-order the Marigold Sky reissue now. Here’s the expanded version’s track list:

“Romeo Is Bleeding”
“Marigold Sky”
“The Sky Is Falling”
“Out of the Blue”
“Want To”
“Love Out Loud”
“Throw the Roses Away”
“I Don’t Think So”
“Promise Ain’t Enough”
“Time Won’t Pass Me By”
“Hold On to Yourself”
“War of Words”
“Romeo Is Bleeding” (Radio Edit)*
“Hold On to Yourself” (Remix)*
“The Sky Is Falling” (Hot Mix)*

* = on CD and digital versions only.

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