Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John‘s definitely having a moment: First, his Dua Lipa duet “Cold Heart” has become his biggest hit in years, both in the U.S. and in his native U.K.  Now, he’s scored a chart feat he hasn’t pulled off for 23 years.

Billboard notes that “One of Me,” Elton’s collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X, has debuted at number 88 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100.  It’s Elton’s 69th Hot 100 entry and his second one this year, after “Cold Heart,” which is currently at #74. The last time Elton had two songs charting simultaneously was in 1998.

Posting a collage of his chart achievements, Elton wrote, “What!? Two tracks in the Billboard 100, #2 in the UK Charts, UK’s most downloaded single for three weeks now and 40 million monthly listeners on @spotify.”

“Thank you everyone!!” he added. “After all, you certainly know how to warm up my ‘Cold Heart.'”

That last sentence was also a reference to Elton’s latest release, “After All,” a duet with Charlie Puth.  Elton and Charlie performed the song together in Paris this past weekend as part of the Global Citizen Live event.  It was Elton’s final performance before he heads in for surgery to repair his hip — an injury that forced him to postpone his concerts this fall.

 

 

 

 

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John Mellencamp‘s first-ever collaboration with Bruce Springsteen, an introspective, acoustic-driven duet titled “Wasted Days,” has been released as a digital single, while a companion music video has premiered on Mellencamp’s YouTube channel.

The song is the first single from Mellencamp’s upcoming, as-yet-untitled studio album, which is due out in 2022.

“Wasted Days,” which was written by John, features lyrics reflecting on mortality and making the most of our time on the planet. Springsteen contributes an electric guitar solo to the tune.

The video, which was shot in New Jersey this month by frequent Springsteen collaborator Thom Zimny, includes scenes of Mellencamp and The Boss playing acoustic guitars while sitting at a kitchen table and standing in front of a detached garage with an American flag draped from it.

Mellencamp first revealed that he’d worked on new music with Springsteen in May while taking part in music mogul Clive Davis‘ star-studded virtual benefit for the Grammy Museum.  John told Billboard at the time, “Bruce is singing on the new record and is playing guitar.”

Springsteen, meanwhile, shared further information about the collaboration during a satellite radio interview in June. As reported by Billboard, Bruce said, “I worked on three songs on John’s album and I spent some time in Indiana with him.”

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A previously unreleased John Lennon song, recorded during a 1970 interview, may finally see the light of day.

The 33-minute cassette tape includes the as-yet-unheard song, “Radio Peace,” as well as interviews with Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, recorded at the New Experimental College at Skyum Bjerge, Denmark. That tape sold Tuesday for the equivalent of $58,125, according to the Bruun Rasmussen auction house. The tape was only expected to fetch up to the equivalent of $47,128.

The interview, recorded on January 5, included about half-a-dozen journalists and four 16-year-old students who arrived after an official press conference looking to speak with the Beatles member, according to the auction house.

At the time of the interview, The Beatles had recorded their last album, Abbey Road and, though not yet officially announced, had already gone their separate ways.

Lennon discusses, among other things, the reason for being in Skyum Bjerge, how his and Yoko’s art and music championed world peace, and how everybody could contribute to the cause. There’s also “talk about the length of his hair, and their micro-macro diet, how it was to perform with The Beatles and the importance of crashing the Beatle image.”

At one point, a student asks whether Lennon would play the guitar, and he plays “Radio Peace,” followed by “a slightly different version” of “Give Peace a Chance,” according to the auction house. The BBC reports that “Radio Peace” was written as the theme song for a radio station that never opened.

Lennon and Ono had been in Denmark “for private reasons” since December 1969. Anthony Cox, Ono’s ex-husband, had moved to rural north Jutland in Denmark, bringing their five-year-old daughter, Kyoko, with him. Kyoko was present for the recording.

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Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman kicks off a new U.S. solo trek, hilariously dubbed the “Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour,” on October 13 in Natick, Massachusetts.

The outing, which was postponed multiple times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is a follow-up to Wakeman’s 2019 “Grumpy Old Rock Star Tour.”

Wakeman tells ABC Audio that the tour got its updated moniker because of his frustration over the postponements.

“[E]very time it got moved, I got grumpier,” the 72-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer notes. “So it made more sense to be the ‘Even Grumpier Rock Star’ show.”

He adds, jokingly, “I think if [there had been]…any more cancellations or postponements, it would have been the ‘Unbelievably, Really Stupidly Long, Even Grumpier Rock Star’ show.”

Regarding his new concerts, Rick says, “[I]t’s basically me with a grand piano, a couple of keyboards this time as well, which will enable me to do some slightly different pieces, plus anecdotes. Got a load of new ones.”

Wakeman reveals that he plans to play select Yes tunes; pieces from solo projects like his 1973 album The Six Wives of Henry VIII; and versions of classic songs by David Bowie and Cat Stevens on which Rick played.

Wakeman tells ABC Audio that almost every show will be different because, although he often prepares a set list for each gig, he rarely sticks to it.

Meanwhile, Rick says he’s thrilled to be returning to the road.

“[I]t’s just gonna be great to be playing in front of people again,” he declares. “I can’t tell you how much I have missed talking to people on stage, and meeting with people after the shows and before the shows.”

Wakeman’s U.S. tour runs through a November 19 concert in Clearwater, Florida.

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With Grandude’s Green Submarine, the sequel to Paul McCartney‘s bestselling 2019 illustrated children’s book Hey Grandude!, set to be published soon, the former Beatles legend has taken part in a fan Q&A about the project that’s been posted on his official website.

As previously reported, the new book tells the further adventures of Grandude, a magical grandfather who takes his four grandchildren — who he calls his “chillers” — on a journey in his new invention, a green submarine, to find the kids’ music-loving grandmother, Nandude.

Asked how he likes being a grandparent, Sir Paul says he loves it, noting, “Each [grandkid] has a different personality, and they keep me entertained and constantly surprised.”

Another fan asked why the submarine in the book isn’t yellow, like the one in the famous 1966 Beatles song and the 1968 animated movie inspired by the tune.

“I have been there and done that with the Yellow Submarine,” McCartney explains. “[T]his green one is related, but has completely different powers than the Yellow Submarine had.”

As for what he enjoyed most about writing the book, the 79-year-old rock legend says, “I just like the process of allowing my imagination to run wild. After I’ve got all my crazy ideas written down, it’s up to the publishers and illustrator Kathryn Durst to bring it all to life.”

Asked why he decided to pen a sequel to Hey Grandude!, McCartney explains, “Writing Grandude’s adventures is something I love, so it made sense to keep going and write more of his story.”

Grandude’s Green Submarine gets released on October 5 in the U.S. and this Thursday, September 30, in the U.K. You can pre-order the book now.

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George Frayne IV, the veteran country-rock musician better known by his stage name Commander Cody, died Sunday at the age of 77 after battling cancer for several years, Variety reports.

During the late 1960s and ’70s, Frayne led the group Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, which formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and relocated to San Francisco in 1969. In 1972, the band scored a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of the 1955 spoken-sung rockabilly-flavored country tune “Hot Rod Lincoln.”

Frayne’s wife, Sue, announced his passing in a message on his Facebook page that reads, “Early this morning, as I lay my head upon his shoulder, George’s soul took to flight. I am heartbroken and weary, and I know your hearts break, too. Thank you so much for all the love you gave and the stories you shared.”

Sue also revealed that two “big gatherings” were being planned — one on Long Island, New York, and one in the Bay Area — to celebrate Commander Cody’s life and also “benefit musicians in need.”

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen’s music combined elements of country, rockabilly, Western swing, jump blues, jazz and boogie-woogie. The band broke up in 1976, after which, Frayne continued to tour and record under the Commander Cody moniker.

Frayne also was an accomplished painter who published a book of his visual art titled Art Music & Life in 2009. He also taught art at the college level. In addition, an experimental video he made called “Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries” is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

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The recent Brian Wilson documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, which got its world premiere in June at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival, will get its theatrical release and will debut on video-on-demand in November.

Long Promised Road features the legendary Beach Boys member discussing his life and music with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine as the two drive around Los Angeles visiting sites of significance to Wilson and his famous band.

The film also includes interviews with various other music artists who have worked with or were inspired by Brian, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, founding Beach Boys singer/guitarist Al Jardine, producer/musician Don Was, pop star Nick Jonas, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, Jakob Dylan and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

In addition, the documentary features concert and in-studio footage, and includes a new song titled “Right Where I Belong” that Brian co-wrote and recorded with Jim James specifically for the movie.

“As a lifelong fan, I knew this film would have to take some risks to give us insight into Brian’s complex world,” says Long Promised Road director Brent Wilson — no relation to Brian.

According to Deadline, the Screen Media company, which acquired the distribution rights for Long Promised Road, is planning an Oscar campaign that it hopes will include securing a best original song nomination for “Right Where I Belong.”

Meanwhile, Wilson recently announced plans to release a new instrumental album titled At My Piano that features solo piano versions of many classic Beach Boys songs. The album is due out on November 19, and can be pre-ordered now.

A solo rendition of “God Only Knows” from the record has been released as an advance digital track.

Here’s the full track list of At My Piano:

“God Only Knows”
“In My Room”
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“California Girls”
“The Warmth of the Sun”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“You Still Believe in Me”
“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”
“Sketches of Smile”
“Surf’s Up”
“Friends”
“Till I Die”
“Love and Mercy”
“Mt. Vernon Farewell”
“Good Vibrations”

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As has become tradition, Bruce Springsteen will perform at the 2021 edition of the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit event, which will take place on November 8 in New York City at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The show supports the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s efforts to help wounded service members, veterans and their families.

This year’s event, the 15th annual installment of the fundraiser, will once again be held in front of a live audience after the 2020 show was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stand Up for Heroes benefit offers an evening of music and comedy, held in conjunction with the annual New York Comedy Festival. In addition to Springsteen, the event’s confirmed lineup includes Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Nikki Glaser and Nate Bargatze, among others.

The Boss usually plays a short acoustic set at the benefit.

“Our military community sacrifices so much for their fellow citizens. They have earned our enduring respect, and more importantly, our support, says ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “For 15 years, that has been the inspiration behind Stand Up for Heroes — an evening to honor, celebrate, and take action in support of our veterans and their families.”

Tickets for the Stand Up for Heroes show are on sale now via BobWoodruffFoundation.org and the Lincoln Center box office. Discount tickets are available for military members, veterans, first responders and healthcare professionals.

Attendees most provide proof of full vaccination and must wear a mask or face covering.

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Dave Grohl will guest on the upcoming second season of The FADER Uncovered podcast, hosted by famed DJ and producer Mark Ronson.

On The FADER Uncovered, Ronson interviews musicians about their “lives, careers, and creative breakthroughs.” Along with the Foo Fighters frontman, other season two guests include My Morning Jacket, J Balvin, RZA, Charli XCX and Vince Staples.

New episodes premiere starting October 4.

The first season of The FADER Uncovered featured Tame Impala, HAIM, Damon Albarn, David Byrne and Questlove, among others.

Grohl, by the way, previously guested on Ronson’s Watch the Sound Apple TV+ documentary series.

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Ringo Starr has debuted a music video for his uplifting new song “Let’s Change the World,” the lead track from the former Beatles drummer’s recently released Change the Word EP.

The clip features scenes that Starr shot with a variety of children, teens and young adults at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hills Park at the site of Ringo’s Peace Sculpture, and on a soundstage.

The video was created in collaboration with Kids in the Spotlight (KITS), a nonprofit organization that offers young people in the foster care system the chance to make films that tell their stories, giving them the opportunity for healing and growth while preparing them for potential future job opportunities.

Many of the young people in the KITS program contributed their ideas for the  video and also participated or assisted in the clip’s directing, lighting, choreography and photography.

The video shows the young people dancing, singing, flashing peace signs and playing instruments, and the clip also features images and footage that illustrate the song’s message of helping make the planet a better place in the face of pollution, global warming and social unrest.

“I wanted to make this video with kids because they are our future and this is for them,” Ringo says in a statement. “They deserve clean water and fresh air. I believe we should leave this planet in better shape than we found it for our kids, and right now we are not doing that…We have got to change, and I believe we can. Peace and love.”

Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, who co-wrote “Let’s Change the World” with his band mate Joseph Williams, also appears in the clip.

The Change the World EP is available now on CD, cassette and digital formats. A 10-inch vinyl version will be released on November 19.

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