Classic Hits

2021 was tough for Bryan Adams: He got COVID-19 twice. Thankfully, he didn’t succumb to his illness. But the veteran star has considered how he’d like to be remembered — and it’s pretty unique.

The publication Ramp.space asked Bryan if he’d like to be remembered as a musician or as a photographer, which is his other passion. “I could [sic] care less if I’m remembered or not,” Adams responded. “In fact, if I woke up tomorrow and there was no trace of me on the internet, I’d be thrilled.”

But after that harsh response, the “Summer of ’69” rocker gave the question a bit more thought.

“I once did an interview with a Brazilian journalist who asked me if I knew how many kisses my songs were responsible for. I had never thought about that before,” Bryan mused. “He calculated that it would be in the billions. I really liked that. Imagine being responsible for a billion kisses!”

He went on to say that if he were to be remembered in that way, “That would be okay with me, because without love we are nothing.”

“So to be able to bring a little love into this world — that means everything to me,” he added.

Bryan’s new album, So Happy It Hurts, is out March 11. He’s already released three songs from it: the title track, “On the Road” and “Kick A**.”  While his New Year’s Eve show in Vancouver was canceled due to COVID-19, he hints that he might want to hit the road this year after doing a November 2021 mini-residency in Las Vegas.

On Instagram, Bryan wrote, “I wonder what 2022 will be like, because after the Vegas shows, the idea of touring got under my skin again. Looking forward to seeing you all.”

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Cher has teamed with a brand that’s almost as iconic as she is — M·A·C cosmetics — for its new campaign, “Challenge Accepted.” It invites users to put their makeup to the test, showing how it goes “above and beyond the call of beauty” — and then share the results by using the hashtag #macchallengeaccepted.

In a statement, Cher says, “I’ve been saying Challenge Accepted for a Millennium.” She adds, “I was always stubborn. Later, that stubbornness turned into my mantra…’I DON’T BELIEVE THE WORD ’NO.'”

“No matter what happened, I never gave up,” she continues. “I couldn’t let it matter what people thought. I took risks because…what else do you do? I was like a bumper car: when I hit a wall I just backed up and turned around.”

“I was always Cher but didn’t have the luxury of make-up at [age] four. Now I have M·A·C,” she adds on Instagram.

Rapper Saweetie is also part of the campaign. In a video — set to Cher’s 1979 disco hit “Take Me Home” — she asks the legendary star, “How did you do it?” To which Cher replies, “I’m like this lipstick. When I’m on, I’m on.”

At the end of the video, Cher says, “I love lasting forever.” Just like M·A·C makeup, presumably.

Cher and Saweetie bonded during the shoot: The former tells People, “I [had] never met her [before], but I saw a video, and I liked her essence. We got along really well. Now she comes to dinner!”

Cher also tells People that these days when she wants to get glam, she’ll go for “big eyelashes.” As for those who want to mimic her iconic looks, she advises, “I think a little bit less is more, because sometimes you can shoot for it and shoot past it.”

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. release of Yes‘ classic fourth studio album, Fragile.

Fragile was the U.K. prog-rock band’s highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, peaking at #4, and featured several of the group’s most enduring tunes, including “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround” and “Heart of the Sunrise.”

“Roundabout,” of course, is widely considered the group’s signature song, and an edited version of the tune reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Yes’ second most successful single after 1983’s chart-topping “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”

Founding Yes frontman Jon Anderson, who co-wrote “Roundabout” with guitarist Steve Howe, recalls that the idea for the song came about as the band was driving in its tour van through Scotland. Anderson tells ABC Audio that the lyric “mountains come out of the sky” was inspired by the fact that “you couldn’t see the top of the mountains because the clouds were so low.”

He adds, “And then the lakes. You know, you come to Loch Lomond, and all that…energy of Scotland. That’s why if you listen to the solo, it’s a…like a Scottish reel.”

Fragile was the first Yes album to feature keyboard whiz Rick Wakeman, who replaced founding member Tony Kaye. Wakeman tells ABC Audio that he has fond memories of working on Fragile because he loved the collaborative way some of the album’s long pieces — such as “Heart of the Sunrise” and “South Side of the Sky” — were created.

“We used to spend one month, two months all together in a rehearsal room, throwing ideas at each other, and that’s how the music got put together,” Rick notes. “And it’s how…the best Yes music, in my mind, was always put together.”

Here’s the full Fragile track list:

Side One
“Roundabout”
“Cans and Brahms” (instrumental)
“We Have Heaven”
“South Side of the Sky”

Side Two
“Five Per Cent for Nothing” (instrumental)
“Long Distance Runaround”
“The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)”
“Mood for a Day” (instrumental)
“Heart of the Sunrise”

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Cheap Trick will head to the Las Vegas strip in late winter for a four-show residency at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod.

The power-pop legends are scheduled to perform at the complex’s intimate STRAT Theater on February 25 and 26, and March 4 and 5.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Thursday, January 6, at 10 a.m. PT at Tickets.TheStrat.com. Members of Cheap Trick’s Trick International fan club can purchase pre-sale tickets now, while members of The STRAT’s free True Rewards program will be able to buy pre-sale tickets starting Tuesday, January 4, at 10 a.m. PT.

In addition, VIP packages are available that will offer a chance to watch Cheap Trick’s private pre-concert soundcheck, a group photo with the band, exclusive Cheap Trick merchandise, a commemorative laminate and early entry into the venue.

“Can’t wait to finally get back out on the road with Cheap Trick,” says founding bassist Tom Petersson. “I hope to see you during our Las Vegas residency at The STRAT. Happy New Year!” Petersson missed most of the band’s 2021 shows after undergoing open-heart surgery last year.

Cheap Trick become the second Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act to schedule a residency at The Strat, following Sammy Hagar‘s “Sammy Hagar & Friends” shows this past October and November.

Prior to their Vegas residency, Cheap Trick will headline the RokIsland Fest 2022 in Key West, Florida, on January 15, and then will play a series of shows in the U.K. and mainland Europe in February.

The band’s ’22 itinerary also includes a Canadian tour opening for ZZ Top in April and May, and a support slot on Rod Stewart‘s lengthy U.S. summer trek. Visit CheapTrick.com for full details.

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Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne will be a guest tonight on Late Night with Seth Myers, which airs at 12:35 a.m. ET/11:35 p.m. CT on NBC.

Byrne will be interviewed during the show. In addition, Brazilian drummer/percussionist Gustavo Di Dalva, who is a member of David’s backing group for his David Byrne’s American Utopia Broadway show, will be sitting in with Late Night‘s house band, The 8G Band, this week through Thursday, January 6.

Di Dalva, who has recorded with many acclaimed Brazilian musicians over the years, also is featured in the award-winning Spike Lee-directed 2020 film presentation of David Byrne’s American Utopia.

American Utopia currently is scheduled to run through April 3 at New York City’s at the St. James Theatre. The next performance takes place this Wednesday, January 5. Tickets are available now at AmericanUtopiaBroadway.com.

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The 64th annual Grammy Awards may be moving to a new date following a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. The ceremony, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah, is scheduled to take place on January 31 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

Billboard reports that the Recording Academy is seriously considering postponing the show, with a source with direct knowledge telling the outlet it is “looking likely” it will happen.

Should the Academy move the date, this will mark the second year in a row the Grammy Awards had to change its schedule.  Last year, the ceremony was moved from January 31 to March 14 because of 2021’s winter surge in coronavirus cases.

It’s unknown when or if this year’s ceremony will also move to the spring; as of Monday afternoon, the Academy has not returned an ABC News request for comment.  Should the Grammy Awards be postponed this year, the Academy’s MusiCares gala and the Pre-Grammy Gala, which are respectively set for January 29 and 30th, will likely also be rescheduled.

Currently, federal data reports more than 100,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. for COVID-19.  Johns Hopkins University reports that new, daily infections in the U.S. also reached an all-time high on Friday after 386,000 people tested positive for the virus.

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In case you missed it, Journey has shared a video of their two-song performance on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest special on its social media pages.

The veteran rockers performed their classic hits “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believin'” live in New York City’s Times Square on Friday night at about 11:30 p.m. ET shortly before the ball dropped to ring in 2022.

Fans may have noticed that Journey drummer Deen Castronovo wasn’t performing with the band that night, and Castronovo revealed that was because he’d tested positive for COVID-19 before the event.

“Well yes it’s true! Tested positive for ‘The thing,'” Deen wrote on his Twitter feed. “I feel fine. Asymptomatic but the show must go on.” Castronovo also noted that Journey drum tech Steve Toomey was filling in for him at the Times Square gig.

Deen, whose substance-abuse issues were a factor in him being fired from Journey in 2015, subsequently worked on his sobriety and rejoined the band’s lineup in July of 2021.

He added in his message, “Hey at least I feel great and it wasn’t cuz I was high on drugs and alcohol right!! Love you all and stay safe out there!!”

Castrovono also posted a follow-up message on Twitter over the weekend that reads, “HAPPY NEW YEARS!! Sending you all peace, health & happiness! Thank you for all the well wishes and support! God bless you all! CYA out on the road with [Journey] in 2022!”

Journey’s Freedom Tour 2022, with opening act Billy Idol, kicks off on February 22 in Pittsburgh.

No one better to sing us into a NEW YEAR than @JourneyOfficial!
We’re still partying LIVE on ABC! 🎉 #RockinEve pic.twitter.com/swClUWKidW

— New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (@RockinEve) January 1, 2022

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Twenty-seven years after Elton John received the honor, his long-term musical partner Bernie Taupin has been made a CBE — Commander of the Order of the British Empire — as part of Queen Elizabeth II‘s annual New Year’s honors list.

Taupin received the honor in recognition of his “exceptional services to music.” A CBE is one step below a knighthood. Elton was made a CBE in 1995, and was subsequently knighted in 1998, which is why he’s now called Sir Elton John.

“Congratulations to my lyricist extraordinaire on his C.B.E that was announced today!” Elton wrote on Instagram. “I love you and you so deserve this recognition.” In the comments, Bernie replied, “Thanks my darling friend. It’s all a bit ironic isn’t it.”

Other music legends who are CBEs include Queen‘s Brian May, Led Zeppelin‘s Robert Plant, Sting, and the Bee Gees.

Meanwhile, Melanie Brown, aka Mel B, aka Scary Spice of the Spice Girls, was made an MBE — a Member of the Order of the British Empire. However, she wasn’t honored for her music, but for her work with Women’s Aid, a charity that helps “vulnerable women,” specifically victims of domestic violence.

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“It’s just something that needs to be done.” That’s the answer Janet Jackson gives as to why she’s allowing an in-depth look into her life and her career in a new extended trailer for the two-night Lifetime special, Janet.

The special now also has a premiere date: January 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

In the trailer, we see stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul, Whoopi Goldberg, Missy Elliott, Regina King and other famous fans and colleagues comment on Janet, and the star herself talking about her childhood, her life in the spotlight, and the pressures that come with having the last name “Jackson.”

At one point, Janet also admits she felt her own career was affected by the allegations against her late brother, Michael Jackson: “Guilty by association, because that’s what they call it, right?” she notes.

Janet, which is co-produced by Janet and Randy Jackson, is described as an “intimate, honest and unfiltered look” at the superstar’s “untold story,” and the “definitive story on Janet Jackson” that leaves “no stone unturned.”

 

 

 

 

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With 2021 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s a good time to look ahead at some of the artists planning to release new music in the new year — including John Mellencamp, Bryan Adams and Tears for Fears.

Mellencamp’s new album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, will be released on January 21, and will include three collaborations with Bruce Springsteen.

Adams has a new album called So Happy It Hurts that’s coming out on March 11.

As for Tears for Fears, the veteran British duo will release their first new studio album in 17 years, The Tipping Point, on February 25.

In addition, Motown legends The Temptations will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with a new album aptly titled Temptations 60 that’s due out on January 28. That same day, U.K. classic rockers Jethro Tull will release their first new studio album in 18 years, The Zealot Gene.

Other releases scheduled for February include Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and his side group Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators‘ 4 on February 4, plus Scorpions‘ Rock Believer and Guns N’ Roses’ Hard Skool EP on February 25.

Country legend Dolly Parton will release a new album titled Run, Rose, Run in March as a companion to a novel of the same name that she’s co-written with author James Patterson.

Other artists expected to release albums this year include Journey, Todd Rundgren, Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt and, possibly, Springsteen, who revealed in May 2021 that he had “a record coming out soon.”

Rundgren’s previously announced album, Space Force, features Todd collaborating with a variety of musicians.

Here’s a list of notable confirmed or expected releases for 2022, by month:

1/7 — David Bowie, TOY (TOY:BOX) (box set focusing on unreleased 2000 album)
1/14 — Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Boy Named If
1/21 — John Mellencamp, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack
1/28 — Jethro Tull, The Zealot Gene
2/4 — Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, 4
2/25 — Guns N’ Roses, Hard Skool EP
2/25 — Scorpions, Rock Believer
2/25 — Soft Cell, Happiness Not Included
2/25 — Tears for Fears, The Tipping Point
March — Dolly Parton, Run, Rose, Run
3/11 — Bryan Adams, So Happy It Hurts
3/25 — Various Artists, Legacy: A Tribute to Leslie West (featuring Slash, Dee Snider, Martin Barre, Joe Lynn Turner, Elliot Easton, Robby Krieger & others)

Unconfirmed or details not yet announced:

Bonnie Raitt — Just Like That…
Todd Rundgren — Space Force
Journey — TBA
Joe Walsh — TBA
Bruce Springsteen — TBA

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