Music

Among the many highlights of the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts last month was Wolfgang Van Halen playing the riffs of his late father, Eddie Van Halen, as he ripped classic Van Halen tunes, including “Hot for Teacher” and “Panama.” However, if you thought that performance might be a catalyst toward getting that much-discussed Van Halen tribute off the ground, you probably shouldn’t hold your breath.

“I think I already did it with the Taylor Hawkins tributes,” Wolf tells Classic Rock magazine. “I feel a lot of closure because my part of the show was a tribute to my father.”

As previously reported, rumors of a Van Halen tribute to Eddie began earlier this year after ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted revealed he was approached by VH drummer Alex Van Halen and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani for a jam session that ultimately “fizzled.” Satriani then confirmed that he’d been speaking with Alex and VH vocalist David Lee Roth about a potential tribute.

Wolf later told Rolling Stone that there was an “attempt” at some kind of tribute, but it ultimately never got off the ground. “We made an attempt, and some people can be hard to work with, and made it not happen.”

Wolf reiterates as much speaking now with Classic Rock.

“When it comes to Van Halen and entities surrounding the band, it’s unfortunate, certainly compared to Foo Fighters who have their s*** together with interpersonal relationships,” Wolf says. “I don’t know what it is with some bands but certain personalities just can’t get over themselves to work collectively for one purpose — that’s been the curse of Van Halen for its entire career.”

He adds, “My playing at the Taylor shows delivered that catharsis without the stresses of dealing with the Van Halen camp, and the players involved.”

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Fans can finally get their first look at Will Smith in the new trailer to Antoine Fuqua‘s fugitive slave drama, Emancipation.

The film had its debut on Saturday, with a special Washington, D.C., screening during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Legislative Conference, but it will hit theaters nationwide on December 2 and Apple TV+ on December 9.

The streaming site teases the film is, “Inspired by the gripping true story of a man who would do anything for his family — and for freedom.”

Smith plays Peter, an enslaved man who “risks his life to escape and return to his family, he embarks on a perilous journey of love and endurance.”

That journey, a three-day trek through the unforgiving swamps of the Civil War South with captors in pursuit, will lead Peter to the Union Army’s lines and his freedom.

Shot in stark black-and-white tones, the trailer showcases Fuqua’s cinematic gifts.

The film would have been a surefire Oscar contender for Smith, but for his outburst at the Academy Awards that led to a 10-year ban from the event. In a new chat with Deadline, Fuqua insisted Apple never gave up on the movie.

“They never stopped talking about releasing the film, and when would be best strategically,” he commented. “Apple would call me often, with Will, and I have to say Apple has been amazing through this whole film.”

The Apple Originals film also stars Ben Foster, Steven Ogg, Charmaine Bingwa and Mustafa Shakir.

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Cole Swindell has claimed the #1 spot at country radio with “She Had Me at Heads Carolina.” 

Officially reaching #1 on country radio this week, “Carolina” has sat in the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart for three straight weeks. It marks Cole’s third consecutive #1 hit off his latest album, Stereotype, following “Single Saturday Night” and his CMA Musical Event of the Year-nominated duet with Lainey Wilson, “Never Say Never.”

The song is inspired by Jo Dee Messina‘s hit debut single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” Cole co-wrote his track with original “Heads Carolina” writers Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders, as well as Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley and Jesse Frasure.  

“The reaction to this song has blown me away. From the minute I released it you all raised your hand in support of it, and it means the world to me,” Cole says in a statement. “Getting to stand in front of you night after night hearing you sing it back is the best feeling in the world! So thankful for my team and everyone that makes these moments possible.”

This is Cole’s 12th number-one single overall. The hitmaker is currently on his Back Down to the Bar Tour that wraps November 19 in Florida. 

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Alice in Chains‘ Dirt is back in the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

The grunge rockers’ 1992 breakout record re-enters the all-genre album chart this week at #9, moving a total of 26,000 equivalent album units. The resurgence was spurred by AiC’s new Dirt reissue, which dropped September 23 ahead of its 30th anniversary last week.

Upon its original release, Dirt debuted #6 on the Billboard 200. It marked the first new album from one of the “big four” grunge bands — Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice — since Nirvana’s Nevermind hit #1 on the Billboard 200 earlier in 1992, which is now seen as a flashpoint in the grunge explosion of the early ’90s.

Dirt, the sophomore Alice in Chains album, spawned the singles “Rooster,” “Them Bones,” “Down in a Hole,” “Would?” and “Angry Chair.” It’s now certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA.

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New music from Lil Baby is finally on the horizon as the rapper announced he completed his upcoming album titled, It’s Only Me. 

“Finally Turned My Album In,” Baby said on Twitter, sharing that the new project will have 23 songs and seven features. 

The long-awaited album will be the first solo collection from the Grammy winning rapper since his RIAA-certified four times Platinum My Turn released in 2020. My Turn was followed up by The Voice of the Heroes, his certified Platinum collaborative album with rapper Lil Durk. 

Fans and music artists alike rejoiced when the Atlanta native first announced the album’s release date on his Instagram last month, by sharing the cover art — his version of Mount Rushmore with his face over the years, superimposed.

“It’s Only Me ” 10-14-22 I Kno Its Been Along Time Coming But I’m Coming Harder And Harder ……#worththewait,” he wrote. 

The new project follows the Amazon original documentary, Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby, which chronicles the rapper’s rise to fame, from a young boy navigating the streets of Atlanta to stardom. 

Last month, Baby dropped the single and video for “Detox,” which should appear on the upcoming album. 

Baby’s third studio album, It’s Only Me , is expected Friday, October 14.

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