Music

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons are hitting the road one last time.

Revealing that they will be playing a “limited number of shows moving forward,” the group has announced dates for what they’re calling The Last Encores tour, described as a “poignant celebration of Valli’s legendary career, showcasing his timeless music and incredible showmanship.”

“I am eternally grateful for the love and support of our fans throughout the decades. I always loved touring and can’t wait to see the fans,” the 89-year-old Valli shares.

The tour is set to kick off October 13 in Morristown, New Jersey, the group’s home state. It hits such cities as Nashville, Boston, New York, Baltimore and San Jose, with dates confirmed through October 2024.

Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, October 6, at 10 a.m. local time. A complete list of dates can be found at frankievallifourseasons.com.

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Joe Perry was more than impressed the first time he heard Van Halen. In fact, in an interview with Guitar World, the Aerosmith guitarist reveals how hearing Van Halen for the first time contributed to his realization he needed a break from his band.

Perry left Aerosmith midway through the recording of their 1979 album Night in the Ruts because he was dealing with personal issues and needed to focus on himself. But, he says, “I also felt we needed to be more open to new ideas.”

“We were rolling into the ’80s, and I still remember hearing the first Van Halen record and f****** loving it,” Perry shares. “Eddie’s guitar playing was just so incredible; he turned guitar on its f****** ear and was doing stuff that I’d never heard before. I knew it was time for a break because new ideas were needed.”

He adds, “But we also needed to re-adjust our sights and learn to get along again. I remember saying, ‘We’re not ready for the ’80s.’ I don’t know why I said that; it was just a vibe or a feeling I had.”

Night in the Ruts was eventually released and Perry was still on it, despite his leaving. And he even has some good things to say about the album.

Perry says, “That record was a nightmare. But I have to say, it features some of the best playing Aerosmith has ever done in the studio.”

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Janis Ian may have announced her retirement from performing last year, but she still has music to share with her fans.

The legendary singer has just released two new albums made up of music from her personal archives; they feature rare and previously unreleased recordings.

The first release is Live at Calderone, an album of performances recorded November 29, 1975, in Hempstead, New York. It has her performing such classic tunes as “At Seventeen,” “Stars,” “Between the Lines” and more.

The second is Worktapes & Demos Vol. 1, which features early versions of beloved Ian tunes as well as outtakes and unreleased songs like “One-Armed Johnny,” which was almost included on her 1974 album, Stars.

Ian announced in December that she was retiring from performing due to vocal cord scarring. She says that after losing her ability to perform, she and producer Jeff Evans decided to comb through her archives, which contain “hundreds of work tapes, live shows, demos, rough mixes and the like.”

Both new releases are available now at janisian.com.

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Elton John doesn’t really wear makeup, but that didn’t stop beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury from tapping him to star in the new holiday campaign for her eponymous cosmetics brand.

“Elton’s always been a huge inspiration to me my entire life,” Tilbury tells People about including longtime friend Elton in the campaign. “He’s a musical genius, a true creative, a renaissance man and a national treasure. He’s loved by all generations.”

As part of the campaign, which is soundtracked to Elton’s classic holiday hit “Step Into Christmas,” Tilbury and her brand are donating to Elton’s AIDS Foundation Rocket Fund, which is working to raise $125 million to end the disease.

“I had so much fun stepping into beauty magic and working with Charlotte and her muses to bring this fabulous campaign to life,” Elton says in a statement. He adds, “This campaign is certainly going to bring the sparkle, joy and glamour this holiday season, all while supporting my Foundation’s life-saving work.”  

Part of the fundraising will be done through Tilbury’s new Rocket Collection of makeup, which includes a number of lipsticks and a makeup bag.

In addition to Elton, the campaign also features Kate Moss and Emmy-nominated Pose star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, among others.

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The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell is set to pay tribute to his late bandmate Tom Petty with a special concert later this month.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since we lost our friend and leader. I miss him dearly, as I know you all do,” Campbell writes on Instagram. “I find comfort and catharsis playing songs we wrote and recorded together on stage, and I thank you all for allowing me that opportunity.” 

He then reveals that his and The Dirty Knobs‘ October 20 concert at LA’s The Bellwether will feature their music and an additional set of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tunes. He notes that since October 20 would have been Petty’s 73rd birthday, “we want to do something special.”

Steve Ferrone, who was also a member of The Heartbreakers, is currently playing drums for The Dirty Knobs and will be behind the drum kit for the October 20 show.

“I hope you’ll join us for what will no doubt be a spiritual and celebratory evening,” Campbell adds. 

Tickets for the show are on sale now.

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