News Archive Page 2
2/17/18 Issues Reported at 80s In The Park
The festival, which had to be postponed due to last year's hurricanes and has had issues in the past, reportedly has bands playing in a parking lot. Ted Poley reported on his Facebook page that a fan alerted him that his show had been cancelled, though no one with the festival had been in touch with him to tell him. Brad Lee Entertainment got Poley into an acoustic show nearby. Eric Stacy of Jetboy reported on his Facebook page that their schedule date had been changed from Saturday to Sunday without their knowledge and they subsequently lost their hotel room. Hopefully, for both the artists and fans involved, this will all get sorted out instead of going the way of other doomed festivals.
2/21/18 Steven Tyler Urges Congress To Back MMA
The Music Modernization Act would change the way songwriters and publishers are paid for their work. Currently, in this age of streaming services, creators may not be properly identified, and therefore properly paid for their work. The MMA would create a database, paid for by the digital services like Spotify, to identify creators more accurately. It would also seek to more competitively pay creators, including a provision that allows performing rights orginazitions to set payments based on demand.
2/25/18 Both Sides of the Sky, a Posthumous Album by Jimi Hendrix, to be Released March 9
The album features many previously unlreleased recordings of primarily blues-inspired songs. Also appearing on the album are Stephen Stills, Noel Redding and Johnny Winter. It is the third of a trilogy that also includes Valleys of Neptune released in 2010 and People Hell and Angels released in 2013.
2/25/18 Bob Seger Still Not Ready to Return to Road after Surgery
Last year, emergency back surgery forced the singer to cancel his tour. Since then, he has been recovering, with hopes to return to touring in March, but states he is still having pain, which has prevented him from singing or playing. Until the pain is gone, his doctors will not allow him to return to activities that would prepare him for touring again, so instead he has been preparing to write new material.
2/26/18 Metallica to Embark on “WorldWired” 2018 North American Tour
The continuation of the “WorldWired” tour will kick off on Sept 2 in Madison, WI and will include cities the band hasn’t visited for many years, like El Paso and Sioux Falls. Tickets go on sale March 2 for this in-the-round format show that will run thru March 2019. More info, including a complete list of dates and details on the limited Black Tickets, can be found on the bands website: Metallica
2/26/18 Rolling Stones Announce 2018 Tour Dates in UK and Europe
Keith Richards wrote on the band’s Twitter account, “We haven’t finished yet.” And so they have confirmed 11 stadium dates in the UK and Europe for the “No Filter” tour. Tickets for the dates that run from May to July start going on sale Feb. 27. Mick Jagger indicates that the anticipated new album is on hold as they only have about half of the material recorded. More information can be found on their website: Rolling Stones
2/27/18 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Announces Tour With Beth Hart Band
Pre-Sales start Feb. 28 for the limited number of shows announced so far. The tour will kick off in Greensburg, PA on July 17, and will continue on the east coast thru August. More shows will be announced later. For more info, check the KWS Band website: KWS
3/1/18 Madame Mayhem to Tour with Sevendust
Madame Mayhem will be pairing up with Sevendust for a U.S. tour beginning April 21 and running until June 1, with more dates expected to be added. In addition to supporting Sevendust, Madame Mayhem will have some headlining dates in between. The tour will be in support of her latest album, Ready for Me. Her latest video, “War You Started” can be seen here.
3/2/18 Tempt Set to Premier “Under My Skin”
Young rock band Tempt released their first official video , “Under My Skin”, today. The song was shot in NYC and has already gotten much notice. Def Leppard has also given the band some recognition on their social media pages after sharing Tempt’s cover of “Women”. Tempt’s guitarist, Harrison Marcello, is a big fan of the Hysteria album by Def Leppard and is appreciative of the help the band is giving them as they get their start. The videos can be seen here: “Under My Skin”, “Women”
3/2/18 Judas Priest Announce Signing in NYC
On March 19 at 6pm, at the Sony Square NYC, Judas Priest will be on hand to sign copies of their new album Firepower. The album will be released on March 9, and the band has also just dropped a lyric video for their latest song off the album, “Never The Heroes”. Catch the band in NYC if you can, or watch the video here.
3/3/18 Elton John Walks Off Stage During Vegas Show
At his Thursday night show, John cut "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" short and walked off stage due to a rude fan. During this song, the singer invites several of those in the first few rows on stage, something he's been doing for sometime and that he calls "a lovely part of the show." This time a fan kept reaching over and touching the piano keys after being told to stop, then tried to reach over the piano to take photos. John continued the set after the fan was removed, but indicated it would be an end to inviting the audience on stage. Another of his Vegas shows was disrupted recently when a fan thru beads at the singer. Elton John embarks on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in September.
3/7/18 Michael Grant Parts Ways With LA Guns
After posting to his Facebook page Monday that he was the former guitarist for LA Guns, it has now been confirmed that Grant is no longer with the band. Tracii Guns posted on his Instagram account that he wasn't involved in Grant's departure, stating that, "People come and go and I'll miss him badly in the band. Rock on bro!!" The official statement on the LA Guns Facebook page simply stated that Grant had left to, "pursue other interests including his solo project...". They go on to thank him for his contributions and wish him well. He had contributed to the bands latest album, The Missing Peace and had recently performed with the band on the MOR Cruise and at 80's in the Park. Grant's solo project is Michael Grant and the Assassins.
3/18/18 Chicago Radio Station Signs Off For The Last Time In Epic Fashion
WLUP, the rock radio station in Chicago since it’s heyday in the 80’s, recently announced it had been sold and will be switching formats to adult contemporary Christian music. The owners of the station had an agreement with a different group, Cumulus Media, who had been running the station, but Cumulus backed out after filing for bankruptcy, leaving the door open for Educational Music Foundation.
The station at 97.9 originally signed on as WEHS in the 1950s and became WLUP in 1977. Their Disco Demolition Night in 1979 nearly caused a riot at Comiskey Park when 60,000 fans charged the field and led to the cancellation of the second half of the night’s White Sox’s double header. Said Chicago radio icon of the station, “the music and the community helped an entire generation of Chicagoans define who they are today.” The station will live on as internet radio.
The DJ’s signed off before the station was officially turned over to the new owners, leaving it on auto-pilot for a few days. In epic fashion, no doubt as a snub to the incoming format, the last three songs played were: Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil”, Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” and AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.”
3/18/18 New Band Everest releases first single," Loaded"
A hard-driving song, but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I could see it as a work out song, or a rock anthem of sorts. Take a listen and judge for yourself. The lyric video is here.
3/19/18 The Dead Daisies Release New Single
The Dead Daisies latest single “Rise Up” has been released. An in-your-face, old-school sound echoing the sentiments so often felt these days - that those in charge don’t have our best interest at hearts and that we should “Rise Up” to be heard and bring about change. The single is off the new album “Burn It Down”, set to be released on April 6, 2018. The album is said to be reminiscent of the best of 70’s rock. In April, the Dead Daisies will start a world tour in support of the new album, starting in the UK before heading to Europe, Japan and back to the USA and South America. The video for the new single can be seen here.
3/19/18 Steven Tyler Announces Summer Tour
The Aerosmith singer will be taking his solo tour back on the road for 8 North American dates and 7 dates in Europe and the UK. He will be backed up by the Loving Mary Band as he has been on previous solo dates. The singer indicates that his show will be as much about him telling the audience about the stories around the writing of the songs as about playing them. Some dates will see The Sisterhood Band as the opener, a band that includes Ruby Stewart, Rod Stewart’s daughter. Aerosmith has spent some time in the studio lately, working on new songs, but it is unclear if or when there will be a new album or tour. Joe Perry is also on tour, both with Hollywood Vampires and in support of his recent solo effort.
Steven Tyler Solo Dates:
June 12 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark Amphitheater
June 18 - New York, NY - SummerStage in Central Park
June 21 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap
June 24 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
June 27 - Detroit, MI - MotorCity Casino Hotel
June 30 - Northfield, OH - Hard Rock Live
July 7 - Naperville, IL - Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest
July 11 - Calgary, AB - Cowboys Stampede Tent
July 15 - Sion, Switzerland - Sion Sous Les Etoiles Festival
July 18 - Trieste, Italy - Trieste Piazza Unita D’Italia
July 24 - Barolo, Italy - Collisioni Festival, Piazza Colbert
July 27 - Rome, Italy - Rome Cavea
July 30 - Madrid, Spain - Teatro Real
August 2 - Marbella, Spain - Starlite Festival
August 7 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town
3/26/18 Firepower Is Judas Priest’s Highest U.S. Chart Debut
Their career spans nearly 50 years, but they show no signs of slowing down and this album proves it. The album, released on March 9, debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, which is the highest they have ever placed in the U.S., and it has been receiving rave reviews from major sites such as Loudwire, BraveWords and Blabbermouth. The band is currently on tour in support of the album. Glenn Tipton even made an appearance on stage with the band (as he said he probably would) at their Newark, NJ date. At s hows up to that point, Andy Sneap, who also co-produced the album, has been filling in for Glenn. Get more Judas Priest info here.
3/26/18 The Cars To Perform at Rock Hall Induction
April 14 is the induction ceremony, and the Rock Hall has not yet confirmed which artists will perform or who will present awards. Some artists have have independently confirmed that they will perform, however. The Cars guitarist, Elliot Easton, recently spoke with Goldmine Magazine where he stated that The Cars would perform and would have someone stand in for bassist Benjamin Orr. That stand-in has not been named. Benjamin Orr passed away in 2000 after a battle with pancreatic cancer and many fans are hoping for a tribute of some sort at the induction ceremony.
4/5/18 Pittsburgher Joe Grushecky Releases New Album
Joe Grushecky & The Houseockers, from Pittsburgh, PA, have unleashed their latest album More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows. The album is his first since the 2009 East Carson Street, and features changes to the Houserockers lineup, including Grushecky’s son Johnny as producer. Having been around since the ’80’s, the Grushecky has never quite had that big break, despite working with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt, and having Rolling Stone call their release Have A Good Time but Get Out Alive! a “new American classic.” Grushecky worked with Springsteen again on this album on the tune “That’s What Makes Us Great.” The listening party for More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows was held at The Church Recording Studio, and the video of the title track can be seen here.
4/5/18 Wake The Sun Releases First Single Off New CD
“What’s My Name?” is the first single off the new CD, Through The Night, by Wake The Sun. The tune is full of energy, with a distinct bluesy-rock feel. The band was a Gold Medal Winner at the Global Music Awards in 2015, was named a Billboard Emerging Artist, and has been receiving very positive press. This looks like a band to watch. Get more information at their website (under construction) or their facebook.
4/11/18 Lindsey Buckingham Out of Fleetwood Mac
After 22 years, Lindsey Buckingham’s second stint in Fleetwood Mac is over, reportedly over disagreements over the upcoming tour. He will be replaced by Mike Campbell, formerly of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Neil Finn of Crowded House. In a statement from the band, they indicated that they had jammed with Mike and Neil and had a good chemistry. They went on to with Buckingham well. Campbell previously worked with Stevie Nicks on her Bella Donna album.
4/13/18 Huey Lewis and the News Cancel 2018 Tour
Huey Lewis announced today that he has been suffering from hearing loss for over two months now, and has cancelled the band’s 2018 tour as a result. In a statement posted to Twitter and Facebook, Lewis indicates that the hearing loss is significant enough the he can’t hear music well enough to sing. He goes on to state that he has seen multiple experts, including the Mayo Clinic, and they believe he has Meniere’s disease and won’t be able to perform until he improves. Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder, is characterized by vertigo and varying levels of hearing loss. It is treatable, so this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Huey Lewis and the News. Lewis stated his disappointment at having to cancel the tour and his hopes to be back in action soon. Stay tuned to the band's website for updates here.
4/15/18 YES to Embark on 50th Anniversary Tour
Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman are embarking on a celebration, dubbed “Quintessential YES: The 50th Anniversary Tour” to mark the 50th anniversary of the group’s formation. Multiple events will be going on, including a 100 show world tour starting June 3, 2018 in Warsaw, Poland and ending in Japan/the Far East in 2019. The U.S. portion of the tour will feature nine dates in August and September 2018, with an additional 20 dates in early 2019. In addition to these dates, there will be a show at the Whiskey a Go Go in L.A. where they first performed as a headliner. Details are not yet available for this show, but most other dates on the first leg of the U.S. tour go on sale April 20. In addition to the tour, there will be a 50th Anniversary album & CD, a live CD & DVD, and some new music is also in the works. More info and complete tour dates can be found here.
4/17/18 Bourbon & Beyond Festival, Louisville, KY Sept. 22 & 23, 2018
Louisville, KY plays host this September to a festival that features music, whiskey and food. With such varied acts as Lenny Kravitz, Robert Plant, Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot!, Sting, Keb’Mo and Don Felder, plus a separate bluegrass stage, this festival promises entertainment for everyone. Foodies can enjoy chef demos and culinary parties along with all the food from local restaurants. Bourbon is the main star of the festival, with 40 brands represented, along with workshops, demos and various experiences. Tickets for the festival go on sale April 20. More info can be found here.
4/18/18 50th Anniversary Tour in the Works for Aerosmith
Joe Perry has revealed the band’s plans for the rest of this year and into 2019 & 2020. Perry told Atlantic City Weekly that Aerosmith plans to take it easy for the rest of this year, focusing on the solo projects they have in the works with possibly some one-off Aerosmith shows. Then, in 2019-2020, for the band’s 50th Anniversary, they are planning a tour to celebrate. Joe Perry is currently doing solo dates in support of Sweezerland Manifesto, and will be joining Hollywood Vampires on their European tour. Steven Tyler is doing more dates in support of We’re All Somebody From Somewhere. Perry indicated his hopes to get back in the studio to record new music. Stay tuned to the band's website for updates.
