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Red Hot Chili Petrified: Chad Smith prepares for “scary” US tour headlining stadiums

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As shocking as it might sound, the upcoming Red Hot Chili Peppers tour next year will mark the band’s first-ever run headlining U.S. stadiums. Speaking with Rolling Stone, drummer Chad Smith admits that playing such big venues feels “kind of scary.”

“We’ve played stadiums in Europe before,” Smith shares. “Live Nation was really confident that we could [headline U.S. stadiums], and we’d never done it.”

Any anxiety that Smith and the rest of the Peppers might feel, though, will apparently be channeled into their performance.

“We’re like, ‘F*** it, balls out!'” Smith exclaims.

“We’ll literally have our balls out,” he laughs. “No one wants to see that! Old balls!”

Beyond the prospect of whatever that entails, the Peppers tour features the reunion of the band’s classic lineup now that guitarist John Frusciante‘s back in the fold. Frusciante, who played on beloved RHCP albums including Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication and Stadium Arcadium, rejoined the band at the end of 2019 after previously leaving 10 years earlier.

“I know there’s gonna be people [attending the tour], even Chili Peppers fans, that have never seen this lineup,” Smith says. “We’ve written some of our best songs with these these four guys, and we do have something special.”

“It will be really exciting, and I see us not taking that for granted at all,” he adds. “As you get a little bit older, you appreciate it more. It’ll be a real joyful thing.”

The Red Hot Chili Peppers tour kicks off June 2022 in Europe. The U.S. leg launches in July.

Julia Michaels may not be touring, but she has a way to keep fans dancing in their kitchens

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Julia Michaels dropped her debut album, Not In Chronological Order, earlier this year, and she’s itching to get out and perform those songs on the road for her fans. But right now, she tells ABC Audio, touring isn’t in the plan.

“I don’t have a timeline right now, and I don’t want to get anybody’s hopes up and say a time and then let anybody down,” she says. “So I won’t. But I do miss them very much. They know that I’m doing everything I can to get to them and I can’t wait until the time does come.”

For now, she’s enjoying watching her boyfriend, fellow artist JP Saxe, on his own tour. So is she feeling the FOMO?

“No, I’m very, very grateful to be home, and I’m happy that I get to watch him live out his very first tour and see all his dreams come true,” Julia says.

Though Michaels may be putting touring on hold, she’s finding new and innovative ways to connect with her fans at home. On Wednesday, she launched a new partnership with Campbell’s, featuring a special QR code on the brand’s soup labels that unlocks a new track.

The track is a cover of “Just One Look” by Doris Troy, inspired by Julia’s love of listening to ‘50s and ‘60s music while she cooks. The music is paired with her favorite Campbell’s recipe — grilled cheese and tomato soup, something she says her mom made for her growing up and JP still makes for her to this day.

Fans will also have the opportunity to submit their own cooking-inspired song for the chance to win $20,000 and a partnership with Campbell’s. The Sounds Good Tonight SoundCloud contest launches on Nov. 15.

Seventy-Fifth Sojourn: The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward turns 75 today

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

We’re not sure just how many Tuesday afternoons he’s enjoyed or how many nights in white satin he’s spent during his life, but Moody Blues singer/guitarist Justin Hayward celebrates his 75th birthday today.

Born in Swindon, England, Hayward played in a number of groups as a teenager before joining The Moody Blues in 1966 after the band’s original frontman, Denny Laine, exited following release of their 1965 debut album.

With a knack for writing melodic and emotional ballads and rock tunes, Hayward soon made a major impact on the band, contributing the classic songs “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” to The Moody Blues’ groundbreaking second album, 1967’s Days of Future Passed, a concept record that married the group’s songs with symphonic interludes by the London Festival Orchestra.

While all of the band members contributed songs to The Moody Blues’ albums, most of their hits were written and sung by Hayward.

Among the many memorable tunes Hayward has penned for the band are “Question,” “The Story in Your Eyes,” “The Voice,” “Your Wildest Dreams” and “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere.”

When the band went on hiatus for several years during the 1970s, Hayward teamed up with Moodies singer/bassist John Lodge to release the 1975 collaborative album Blue Jays, which peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200. He then launched a moderately successful solo career that coincided with his work with The Moody Blues.

Hayward was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Moody Blues in 2018. The band continued to tour until late 2018; Hayward has focused on his solo career since then. His latest solo release is a two song EP that came out in 2020. He wraps up a U.S. solo tour on Friday in Clearwater, Florida.

Check out Dion’s new collaboration with Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa, “Angel in the Alleyways”

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa have lent their talents to a new song by Dion, “Angel in the Alleyways,” which has been released as an advance track from the doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll legend’s star-studded upcoming studio album, Stomping Ground.

The blues- and gospel-influenced tune, which is available for streaming now, features Scialfa delivering backing vocals and Springsteen playing harmonica and guitar.

Meanwhile, a music video for “Angel in the Alleyways” has debuted on Dion’s official YouTube channel. The clip features footage of Bruce and Patti in their home studio, and of Dion by himself singing and playing acoustic guitar at an 11th century Spanish monastery that was rebuilt in Miami in the 1950s, and also performing with a full backing band.

In the album’s liner notes, Dion writes of the song, “I gave Patti a simple, raw demo of ‘Angel in the Alleyways,’ with just my guitar and vocal. What you’ll hear now is what Patti made of it. There are five verses, and she treated each of them in a unique way. This is her gift. The lady’s imagination is unlimited. Her husband contributed the right tones on guitar and harmonica. They are my dream team. They truly make me feel loved.”

Springsteen and Scialfa also are featured on “Hymn To Him,” a song on Dion’s previous album, 2020’s Blues with Friends.

As previously reported, Stomping Ground will be released November 5 and, in addition to Springsteen and Scialfa, the album includes guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Boz Scaggs, Rickie Lee Jones and more. In addition, The Who‘s Pete Townshend penned liner notes for the record.

You can pre-order Stomping Ground now. Here’s the full track list:

“Take It Back” — with Joe Bonamassa
“Hey Diddle Diddle ” — with G.E. Smith
“Dancing Girl ” — with Mark Knopfler
“If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll ” — with Eric Clapton
“There Was a Time ” — with Peter Frampton
“Cryin’ Shame ” — with Sonny Landreth
“The Night Is Young ” — with Joe Menza and Wayne Hood
“That’s What The Doctor Said ” — with Steve Conn
“My Stomping Ground ” — with Billy Gibbons
“Angel in the Alleyways ” — with Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen
“I’ve Got to Get to You ” — with Boz Scaggs, Joe Menza and Mike Menza
“Red House ” — with Keb’ Mo’
“I Got My Eyes on You Baby ” — with Marcia Ball and Jimmy Vivino
“I’ve Been Watching ” — with Rickie Lee Jones and Wayne Hood

Johnny Marr details ‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’ solo album

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Johnny Marr has revealed the details of his upcoming Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 album.

The fourth solo effort from The Smiths guitarist is set to arrive February 25, 2022. It’s a double album, boasting 16 songs that can be divided into four different four-track EPs, thus the Pts 1-4 title.

As previously reported, the Fever Dreams Pt 1 EP, featuring the previously released single “Spirit Power and Soul,” will arrive this Friday, October 15.

Marr has also announced a streaming concert, during which he’ll perform Fever Dreams songs from his Crazy Face Factory studio, where he recorded the album. The virtual event is set to premiere November 10.

You can also catch Marr in person opening for The Killers‘ 2022 U.S. tour.

Here’s the Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 track list:

“Spirit Power and Soul”
“Receiver”
“All These Days”
“Ariel”
“Lightning People”
“Hideaway Girl”
“Sensory Street”
“Tenement Time”
“The Speed of Love”
“Night and Day”
“Counter-Clock World”
“Rubicon”
“God’s Gift”
“Ghoster”
“The Whirl”
“Human”

Elton John now the first act to score a UK top-10 single in six different decades

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Another day, another chart record for Sir Elton John.

Earlier this week, he officially registered 50 years of top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and now he’s set a similar record for longevity back home in the U.K. Specifically, he’s now the only act in the history of the U.K. singles chart to score a top-10 hit in six different decades, thanks to his Dua Lipa collabo, “Cold Heart.”

“Cold Heart” is Elton’s 33rd top 10 on the chart. His first one came in 1971, with “Your Song.” Overall, he scored 10 top 10s in the ’70s, seven in the ’80s, eight in the ’90s, seven in the 2000s, one in the 2010s, and one in this decade.

Overall, Elton’s notched seven number-one singles but that number could increase to eight, because “Cold Heart” is poised to take over the top spot this week, dethroning Ed Sheeran‘s “Shivers.”

In other Elton news, the U.K. tabloid The Sun reports that he’s going to have to miss a reception honoring his late friend, Princess Diana. The October 19 event will celebrate the unveiling of a statue of the late princess, and Elton was invited by Diana’s son, Prince William. However, The Sun has confirmed he’s sent his regrets because he’s recovering from a hip operation.

A source told The Sun, “Elton underwent hip replacement surgery at the start of the month. It went well and he is on the mend but is taking things slow.“

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ next album is “almost done,” says Chad Smith

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Red Hot Chili Peppers might have some new music to play on their 2022 worldwide tour.

As drummer Chad Smith tells Rolling Stone, the band’s next record, their first with guitarist John Frusciante back in the fold since 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, is “almost done.” The album also reunites the Peppers with longtime producer Rick Rubin, who was absent from 2016’s The Getaway after working on every RHCP album from 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik through 2011’s I’m with You.

Smith explains that work started on the new album amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which they isolated themselves together and started writing.

“We could just plow through and write, and that’s what we did,” Smith shares. “It was kind of a blessing, because we want to come out with new music and play some new songs. It’s gonna be great when we finally go out next year and have a record to play, and a bunch of other stuff, obviously.”

As for what we can expect from the album, Smith teases, “It sounds like Red Hot Chili Peppers, but it’s different and new.”

He adds, “We really like it and we’re proud of it and it has to start there. If other people like it, great. If people compare it to this or [say] it doesn’t sound like that, we have no control over that. But yeah, we’re all really happy with the record.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2022 tour begins with a European run in June. It’ll launch in the U.S. in July.

Kacey Musgraves weighs in on the exclusion of ‘star-crossed’ from Grammy country categories

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Earlier this week, the Recording Academy revealed their decision to exclude Kacey Musgraves’ newest album, star-crossed, from consideration in country categories at next year’s Grammy Awards ceremony.

That’s due to the fact that the Academy ultimately didn’t believe that Kacey’s new album has sufficient sonic and stylistic elements to be considered as a part of the genre.

The news sent fans reeling, and Kacey’s label — Universal Music Group Nashville — also expressed their displeasure at the decision, with label president Cindy Mabe penning an open letter to the Recording Academy that made a case for star-crossed to be considered a country album.

But Kacey herself didn’t offer any thoughts — until now. The singer shared a quippy, brief and oblique reply on social media, tweeting a snapshot of herself as a child wearing a broad, pink cowboy hat.

“You can take the girl out of the country (genre) but you can’t take the country out of the girl,” she wrote.

Kacey released star-crossed last month. It’s the follow-up to Golden Hour, which won her four Grammy trophies at the 2019 ceremony, including Country Album of the Year — a title she won’t be eligible for in 2022.

You can take the girl out of the country (genre) but you can’t take the country out of the girl. pic.twitter.com/dZaqoFsI7I
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) October 13, 2021

The Wanted releases new single, “Rule the World,” after seven-year hiatus

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Wanted is back with new music.

The British boy band released their first new single in seven years on Wednesday, an uplifting track called “Rule the World.” In the video for the song, we see Tom, Max, Siva, Nathan and Jay having just parachuted onto a beautiful shore. They all come together by the end for a dazzling fireworks display.

The guys recently announced that they were reuniting after going on hiatus in 2014. They’ll be releasing a greatest-hits album, Most Wanted — The Greatest Hits, on November 12, and will hit the road for a U.K. arena tour in March 2022.

Last month, The Wanted performed together at a London charity concert called Inside My Head. It raised money for Stand Up to Cancer, as group member Tom Parker has been very publicly battling an inoperable brain tumor since last year.

Rolling Stones members discuss why the band has stopped performing “Brown Sugar” in concert

October 13, 2021 by WDNY Radio

“Brown Sugar” is one of The Rolling Stones‘ biggest hits and most popular songs, but the classic’s potentially racially and culturally insensitive subject matter and lyrics apparently have prompted the band to stop playing it in concert.

A recent Los Angeles Times article, which featured a new interview with Stones members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, noted that the band had performed “Brown Sugar” 1,136 times in concert, although the song has been left off the group’s set lists for its current No Filter Tour of the U.S.

“You picked up on that, huh?” Keith Richards commented to the Los Angeles Times when asked about the tune’s omission. “I don’t know. I’m trying to figure out with the sisters quite where the beef is. Didn’t they understand this was a song about the horrors of slavery? But they’re trying to bury it.”

“Brown Sugar,” which spent two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, includes Jagger-penned lyrics that appear to be about a slave trader and a slave master abusing Black women.

On the subject of not currently performing the song, Jagger told the newspaper, “We’ve played ‘Brown Sugar’ every night since 1970. So sometimes you think, ‘We’ll take that one out for now and see how it goes.’ We might put it back in.”

Richards added of the matter, “At the moment I don’t want to get into conflicts with all of this s***. But I’m hoping that we’ll be able to resurrect the babe in her glory somewhere along the track.”

It’s worth noting that in 1995 Rolling Stone interview, Jagger reflected with apprehension about “Brown Sugar’s” lyrics, telling the magazine, “I never would write that song now. I would probably censor myself.”

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