Geoff Downes-led Asia announces dates for The Heat of the Moment tour

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Created by Roger Dean, commissioned by QEDG Management.

Asia is ready to hit the road again. The band, led by keyboardist and original member Geoff Downes, just announced dates for The Heat of the Moment tour.

Downes says the idea for the tour came after performing at August’s tribute concert to Asia’s late lead singer John Wetton, who passed away in 2017. There, Downes performed Asia hits with John Mitchell, who previously performed with the John Wetton Band, Icon and newcomer Harry Whitley.

“And so it was that the John Wetton tribute last August really reminded me how much Asia’s music belongs on the stage,” he says. “The response to it all was literally…spine-tingling.”

Mitchell and Whitley will join Downes for the new tour, along with Virgil Donati on drums. The 21-city trek, with special guests Focus, Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash and Curved Air, kicks off July 3 in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and wraps July 31 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I am convinced that John (Wetton’s) spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure,” Downes shares. “After all, it is the Year of the Dragon – just as it was in 1982, when we released our first Asia album. It’s as though it was meant to be. Looking forward to seeing you there, my friends – bring it on!”

Selena Gomez and ‘Only Murders’ guest star Sting have courtside reunion

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Selena Gomez hangs around 70-something Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short. But on April 22, she was seen with another famous 70-something guy: Sting.

Selena and her boyfriend, Benny Blanco, were courtside at a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, and Sting, 72, happened to be sitting next to them. One photo at People‘s website shows Sting and Selena, who already know each other, seemingly shaking hands.

As you may recall, in season 1 of Only Murders in the Building, Sting guest-starred as himself: He was one of the suspects in the death of his former accountant Tim Kono. In one scene, Selena, Steve Martin and Martin Short’s characters confront Sting in his palatial apartment and present him with a fully-cooked turkey.

Selena’s character also reacts to Steve and Martin’s characters’ suggestion that Sting is the murderer by saying, “The guy from U2?”

According to People, the game was also attended by Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Carmelo Anthony and Christopher Meloni.

Paul McCartney & Wings’ live album ‘One Hand Clapping’ getting official release after 50 years

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

An often-bootlegged live album from Paul McCartney & Wings is finally getting an official release 50 years after it was recorded.

One Hand Clapping was recorded at Abbey Road studios in August 1974 as a video documentary and possible live album, although it never officially came out. Parts of it have come out on bootlegs, but on June 14, it will finally get its first official release, featuring the original artwork designed for the project and several additional songs that were recorded off-camera.

The album includes live recordings of such Wings hits as “Live and Let Die,” “Band on the Run,” “Jet” and “My Love,” as well as Paul’s solo song “Maybe I’m Amazed” and reworked versions of Beatles songs like “Let It Be,” “Lady Madonna” and “The Long and Winding Road.”

One Hand Clapping will be released digitally and as a two-LP and two-CD set. There will also be an online exclusive two-LP + 7-inch package that comes with a vinyl single of previously unreleased solo performances recorded in the backyard of Abbey Road Studios. Those tracks include recordings of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” Wings’ “Country Dreamer” and covers of Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock” and Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” and “I’m Gonna Love You Too.”

All formats are available for preorder now.

Here is the track list for One Hand Clapping:

“One Hand Clapping”
“Jet”
“Soily”
“C Moon/Little Woman Love”
“Maybe I’m Amazed”
“My Love”
“Bluebird”
“Let’s Love”
“All of You”
“I’ll Give You a Ring”
“Band on the Run”
“Live and Let Die”
“Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five”
“Baby Face”
“Let Me Roll It”
“Blue Moon of Kentucky”
“Power Cut”
“Love My Baby”
“Let It Be”
“The Long and Winding Road/Lady Madonna”
“Junior’s Farm”
“Sally G”
“Tomorrow”
“Go Now”
“Wild Life”
“Hi, Hi, Hi”

Hayley Williams reviews Taylor Swift’s ’Tortured Poets’, Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ & more

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Paramore‘s Hayley Williams has shared a batch of brief album reviews for records that are “keeping my company right now,” including Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poets Department and Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter.

Of Tortured Poets, Williams writes, “Had me from the storytelling alone, my friend.”

“Every one of us knows this kind of grief!” Williams continues. “It’s so impressive to me how specific and colorful Taylor’s words get without ever losing the universal thread.”

“I’m so ready to be tour-mates,” she adds. Paramore will be supporting the upcoming European leg of Swift’s Eras Tour, kicking off in May.

As for Cowboy Carter, Williams says, “I cry at the same part of ‘American Requiem,’ every time.”

“When Beyoncé sings ‘If you ain’t got no grits get the f*** up out the south’ [on ‘Ya Ya’], I feel the kind of southern pride that exists — subversively — amongst hatred and fear,” she adds.

Williams also gives a shoutout to albums by Radiohead, The Smile and Brittany Howard. You can check out her reviews via her Instagram Story.

Carly Pearce is celebrating her birthday with you

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Carly Pearce is gearing up to spend her birthday with you.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she’s hopping on an Instagram Live and announcing something.

“Join me for a bday happy hour + special announcement on IG Live this Wednesday at 5pm CT,” Carly wrote.

Carly’s forthcoming new album, hummingbird, drops June 14 and is available for preorder now.

The “What He Didn’t Do” singer is currently opening for Tim McGraw on his Standing Room Only Tour, with the next show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 25.

For tickets and Carly’s full tour schedule, head to her website.

Halestorm & Evanescence confirm joint Canadian tour

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

After teasing a joint trip up north, Halestorm and Evanescence have confirmed a co-headlining Canadian tour.

The outing launches October 15 in Vancouver and wraps up October 29 in London, Ontario. The Warning will also be on the bill.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time, with a presale beginning Wednesday, April 24, at 10 a.m. local time.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit HalestormRocks.com or Evanescence.com.

Halestorm and Evanescence previously toured the U.S. together in 2021.

In other international concert news, Slipknot has added two shows in Mexico taking place November 8 in Guadalajara and November 9 in Mexico City. The performances will be a part of the ‘Knot’s 25th anniversary tour.

For ticket info, visit Slipknot1.com.

Long-lost John Lennon acoustic guitar expected to set records at auction

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The public now has a chance to get their hands on an iconic piece of Beatles memorabilia.

Julien’s Auctions just announced that John Lennon’s long-lost Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar will be part of their two-day Music Icons auction taking place Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, live at New York’s Hard Rock Cafe and online.

The guitar is the same one Lennon used during the recording of the Help! album and film. It is being billed as “the most important Beatles guitar ever to come to market,” with an estimated sale price of between $600,000 – $800,000, although it’s expected to go for more and set a world record for the highest price for a Beatles guitar.

“The discovery of John Lennon’s Help! guitar that was believed to be lost is considered the greatest find of a Beatles guitar since Paul McCartney’s lost 1961 Höfner bass guitar,” said Darren Julien, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions. “Finding this remarkable instrument is like finding a lost Rembrandt or Picasso, and it still looks and plays like a dream after having been preserved in an attic for more than 50 years.”

He adds, “To awaken this sleeping beauty is a sacred honor and is a great moment for Music, Julien’s, Beatles and Auction history.”

In addition to the Lennon guitar, the upcoming Music Icons auction will include a guitar from U2’s Adam Clayton, which he played during their recent Las Vegas Sphere residency, and a Kurt Cobain handwritten setlist, along with items from Mötley Crüe‘s Mick Mars, Tina Turner and Joan Jett.

More info on the auction can be found at juliensauctions.com.

On This Day, April 23, 1976: The Ramones released their self-titled debut

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, April 23, 1976….

New York punk pioneers the Ramones released their self-titled debut on Sire Records. The iconic cover featured the four members of the band leaning against a brick wall in New York City.

The album, which was recorded in one week, opened with what would become a Ramones classic: “Blitzkrieg Bop.” That song was the first single released from the record, with the second being “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.”

While Ramones wasn’t a commercial success, only making it to #111 on the Billboard charts, it was a hit with critics and went on to be considered one of the most influential punk records in the U.S. It has also landed on several best-of lists, including Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Could Meghan Trainor replace Katy Perry on ‘American Idol’?

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Now that Katy Perry has announced that she’s leaving American Idol, the race is on to find a replacement. While Katy seemed to think guest mentor Jelly Roll would do a good job, Luke Bryan and Ryan Seacrest said they could also see another guest mentor this season, Meghan Trainor, taking the job.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about whether he feels the “All About that Bass” singer could handle the judges’ table, Luke said, “I think Meghan’s always been real fun. You know, that’s kinda been her brand, to have fun. [She’s] real witty, so certainly.”

Ryan, meanwhile, told ET, “She was very good. Megan is a super talent too, and she’s got a great sense of humor. She’s fun and she’s spontaneous.”

As for Lionel Richie, he revealed the main qualities Katy’s replacement should have: “It’s gotta be fun, but no ego. Because we’re gonna insult each other so much,” he said.

He didn’t comment on Meghan Trainor, but he told ET, “I’ve got my list, but Kelly [Clarkson], if you don’t have anything else to do, I’d like to drop that out there. I’m a big fan. Oh, and by the way, Taylor [Swift], if you’re available, we’d like to have you out. Call me!”

Luke also has a list; he said he has at least “10 names” in his head of people who he thinks could replace Katy, though he wasn’t willing to share them.

Feel “The Power of Love” as the Huey Lewis musical ‘The Heart of Rock and Roll’ opens on Broadway

April 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Huey Lewis and ‘The Heart of Rock and Roll’ cast; ABC/Paula Lobo

The Heart of Rock and Roll, a new musical based on the songs of Huey Lewis & the News, officially opened on Broadway on April 22. It’s been in the works in one way or another since 2009, and Huey shares what’s surprised him the most about the whole Broadway process.

“Just what an undertaking it is,” he tells ABC Audio. “I remember the night of ‘We Are the World,’ Quincy Jones was producing. And he said to us all, ‘It’s like we’re building the house, folks. We’re going to start with the foundation, and we’re going to put up the frames and the roof.’ … Well, if making a record is building a house, putting up a Broadway show is building an entire city.”

The show tells the story of Bobby and his boss Cassandra, who are both given a shot at their dreams. Huey says he was surprised how well the band’s hits fit into an actual narrative. And seeing the finished product, he says, “I learned things about the songs I didn’t even know. … It’s really gratifying to see [them] live this other life.”

One of Huey’s favorite things is the way the hits “Give Me the Keys,” “Stuck With You” and “The Power of Love” are staged. He adds, “I really like what’s been done with ‘I Want a New Drug’ … [it] zigs when ours zagged.”

In a surprising coincidence, another current Broadway show, Back to the Future, prominently features one of the same songs as The Heart of Rock and Roll: “The Power of Love.”

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” Huey says. “I mean, we’re just around the corner from one another. … It’s Back to the Future‘s finale and it’s our finale, and at times I think both songs are playing at exactly the same time!

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