Rod Stewart says he ‘liked’ Donald Trump, but not anymore: ‘He became another guy’

June 17, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

As a Brit, Rod Stewart can’t vote in U.S. elections, but that doesn’t stop him from having an opinion about his former friend, President Donald Trump.

Speaking to the U.K. publication Radio Times, Rod says, “I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house. I live literally half a mile away. … We’re both on the beach. I used to go to his Christmas parties.”

“He’s always been a bit of a man’s man. I liked him for that,” Rod continues. “But he didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well. But since he became president, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.” Rod also shares that when he joked about Trump onstage in Las Vegas, he got booed.

The interview came in advance of Rod performing at the U.K.’s iconic Glastonbury Festival. He’ll play what’s called the “Legends slot,” on the afternoon of June 29. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer says, “I’ve got to bring [my band, crew and equipment] back from America. It’s going to cost me [over $400,000] to do it and they only pay you about [$162,000]. So, it’s going to cost me.”

But, Rod says, doing the show is such an honor that “it doesn’t matter.”

Rod also promises three special guests, all singers, plus his former Faces bandmate and current Rolling Stones guitarist Rod Wood. He’s concerned that he won’t be able to fit all his hits in the 75-minute slot he’s allotted, but says, “I’m really looking forward to it. And it is a different gig. It’s like when you’re playing a cup final: you’re trying to treat it like another game. But, of course, it’s not. It’s special.”

David Byrne appears in new documentary series exploring ‘The Art of Sound’

June 17, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne is featured in a new three-part documentary series The Art of Sound, from L-Acoustics, a creator of professional audio technology.

According to the press release, the series “merges scientific discovery with artistic insight to explore sound’s fundamental role in human evolution and its continuing influence on our daily lives.”

“It’s remarkable how much we can orient ourselves based on sound,” Bryne, who appears in the debut episode, “Sound is Fundamental,” shares. “We can’t close off our ears because that way, we can tell if something or someone is approaching. With your eyes closed, you can tell what kind of space you’re in, what kind of room you’re in, and what kind of landscape you’re in.”

He adds, “I think sound probably affects us emotionally and physically. You can sense something you can’t see.”

Byrne’s episode is now streaming on the L-Acoustics YouTube channel.

Byrne is set to release the new solo album Who Is the Sky? on Sept. 5, which is his first solo album since 2018’s American Utopia. He’ll also head out on a North American tour in support of the album, starting Sept. 14 in Providence, Rhode Island. A complete list of dates can be found at DavidByrne.com.

Sting’s debut solo album, ‘The Dream of the Blue Turtles’, turns 40

June 17, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

After a hugely successful career as frontman of The Police, Sting launched his solo career 40 years ago Tuesday with the release of his debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles.

The album, named after a dream Sting had, saw the rocker embracing a jazzier sound and working with jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis, Omar Hakim and Kenny Kirkland, which is something Sting found very fulfilling.

“I was putting myself out of my comfort zone, working with an entirely different group of musicians, a different kind of musician, and it paid dividends,” Sting tells ABC Audio. “I think, you know, your risk is rewarded a lot of the time.”

The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Sting released four singles in the U.S., starting with “If You Love Someone Set Them Free,” which landed at #3 on the Hot 100.

Other singles from the album include “Fortress Around Your Heart,” which was a top-10 hit, and “Russians” and “Love Is the Seventh Wave,” both of which reached the top 20.

The Dream of the Blue Turtles wound up being a huge commercial success for Sting, with the album certified three-times Platinum in the U.S. It went on to earn several Grammy nominations, including album of the year.

And while 40 years is a big anniversary, the milestone isn’t one that Sting thinks about too much.

“I can’t keep up with these anniversaries. I mean, birthdays come around far too quickly, anniversaries do as well,” he says. “I remember my wedding anniversary. That’s what I remember. That’s important.”

Eagles, Dead & Company among the top tours of 2025 so far

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Eagles and Dead & Company are among the top tours of the year so far.

Pollstar has released its 2025 midyear report, revealing the top touring artists of 2025 based on shows played between Nov. 14, 2024, and May 14, 2025.

The Eagles land at #2 on the Mid-Year Top 100 North American Touring Artists list, thanks to $93.4 million from their shows at Sphere Las Vegas. Dead & Company, who also headlined the Sphere during that time period, land at #6, with $61.9 million.

Both bands also land in the top 10 on the Mid-Year Worldwide Touring Artists list, with Eagles at #4 and Dead & Company at #8.

Both Eagles and Dead & Company have more shows ahead of them in 2025. Eagles return to the Sphere on Sept. 5 for four shows, followed by more dates in October and November. A complete list can be found at Eagles.com.

Meanwhile, Dead & Company are playing shows Aug. 1, 2 and 3 at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park as part of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary celebration. More info can be found at DeadandCompany.com.

Steve Perry raises more than $200K for LA fire relief with memorabilia auction

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Steve Perry‘s fans “Faithfully” showed up for the former Journey singer’s charity auction of personal memorabilia.

Perry raided his archives to raise money for LA wildfire relief; he ended up raising $215,000 for the cause. The top-selling item on the auction site, Darkives Collectibles, was a page of handwritten lyrics to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which went for $43,500.

Other items that were sold in the auction included the handwritten lyrics to “Faithfully,” which brought over $12,000; Perry’s Gold and Platinum record plaques; vintage tour merchandise; studio-used instruments; and signed LPs, CDs and cassettes. One signed plaque highlighting the Platinum sales of Perry’s albums with Journey, as well as his own solo albums, went for over $10,000.

Perry said in a statement, “It means the world to me to see these personal pieces, many of which carry deep memories from different chapters of my life, find new homes while helping a cause that matters so deeply to me. I started this auction as a way to give back, and the response has been nothing short of overwhelming.”

Perry also teased, “Who knows… maybe I’ll dig a little deeper into the vault and do this again sometime.”

Three Beatles sons team up for new Mantra of the Cosmos song

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Three sons of The Beatles have teamed up for a new song.

Drummer Zak Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has shared a new song from his band Mantra of the Cosmos on Instagram, which features John Lennon’s son Sean Ono Lennon and Paul McCartney’s son James McCartney on vocals, along with Happy Monday’s Shaun Ryder, who is a member of Mantra of the Cosmos.

Starkey said in an interview with The Telegraph that the track is called “Rip Off,” although he is adamant that the song is nothing like The Beatles.

“It’s like Mantra of the Cosmos with them in it … it’s still my band,” he said.

When it was suggested he needed to get George Harrison’s son, Dhani Harrison, for the track, he responded, “No I don’t. Why do I?”

This isn’t the first time Beatles offspring have gotten together. Back in April 2024, James McCartney released the song “Primrose Hill,” which he co-wrote with Sean Ono Lennon.

Starkey has been in the news a lot lately after being let go by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey from his job as The Who‘s drummer ahead of their upcoming U.S. tour. But it sounds like he believes there’s still hope he’ll be back with the band.

“I spoke to Roger last week and he said, ‘Don’t take your drums out of [The Who’s] warehouse yet in case we need you,'” Starkey told The Telegraph. “I said, ‘Best let me know.'”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Rolling Stone Zak revealed how his dad, Ringo, has supported him through the whole controversy with The Who.

“I’m very proud of him standing up for me,” he told the mag. When the journalist then asked asking how he did so, Zak replied, “He said, ‘I’ve never liked the way that little man runs that band,'” referring to Daltrey.

Gov’t Mule announces dates for the Back in the Saddle tour

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Gov’t Mule has announced dates for a new tour.

As part of their continued 30th anniversary celebration, the band will head out on the Back in the Saddle tour, which will hit the East Coast and Midwest. The tour kicks off Aug. 27 in Milwaukee and will wrap Oct. 28 in Reading, Pennsylvania.

“How has it been 30 years since Gov’t Mule’s first album came out? It’s kinda crazy to believe – time really does fly when you’re doing what you love!” shares frontman Warren Haynes. “It’s also hard to believe that it’s been over a year since the last Mule tour.” He notes that he and the band “are chomping at the bit to be back out there celebrating this monumental anniversary with our amazing fans.”

A Gov’t Mule fan club presale begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time, with other presales beginning Thursday at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public Friday, also at 10 a.m. local time.

Gov’t Mule’s next performance is July 24 at FloydFest 25 – Aurora in Floyd County, Virginia. A complete list of dates can be found at Mule.net.

Stevie Nicks announces eight new solo dates

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Stevie Nicks has extended her solo tour.

The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has added eight shows to her schedule, starting with an Aug. 8 concert in Brooklyn, New York.

She’s also added dates in Hollywood, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The tour will now end Oct. 25 in Hartford, Connecticut.

A presale for tickets begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time, with tickets going on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

The new dates likely fill in some gaps in Stevie’s schedule after the cancellation of Billy Joel’s tour following his diagnosis of a brain disorder. They were scheduled to play four stadium shows together in New Jersey, California and Michigan.

A complete list of Stevie dates can be found at StevieNicksOfficial.com.

Amid health struggle, Billy Joel’s wife predicts he ‘will be rocking out next year’

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Billy Joel recently had to cancel all his scheduled tour dates while he deals with his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, which causes problems with vision, balance and hearing. But in her Father’s Day message, Billy’s wife predicted that the Piano Man will be back to pounding the keys in 2026.

Posting a carousel of photos of Billy and the couple’s daughters, Della and Remy, Alexis Roderick Joel wrote, “This Father’s Day is extra special. We are always grateful and thankful but this year really reminded us how lucky we are to have you. We are so blessed to have such a strong, determined man in our lives.”

“You are a wonderful support for us and we only hope we can be the same for you,” she continued. “We love you and know you will be rocking out next year.”

Billy’s oldest daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, whose mother is Billy’s ex-wife Christie Brinkley, posted a photo of Billy holding her when she was a toddler; he’s smiling and she has chocolate smeared all over her face.

“Happy Father’s Day, Pop. The King Of New York. Thanks for giving me all the love, wisdom, melodies, heart, and soul I could ever ask for. Hey, I’m even lucky enough to have a timeless lullaby and a beautiful boat named after me!” she captioned the post.

“I remain forever touched and grateful that you have given me so much. Thank you for your generous spirit, endlessly deep intellect, and sweeping musical legacy,” she continued. “Every moment with you is an instant classic.”

On This Day, June 16, 2007: Rod Stewart marries his third wife, Penny Lancaster

June 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, June 16, 2007…

Rocker Rod Stewart married his third wife, model and TV personality Penny Lancaster, at La Cervara, a former abbey near Portofino, Italy.

Stewart had previously been married to actress/model Alana Stewart from 1979-1984, and supermodel Rachel Hunter, from 1990-2006, although they separated in 1999.

Stewart and Lancaster began dating in 1999, and had their first child together, son Alistair, in 2005. The couple welcomed their second child, son Aiden, in 2011. The two boys brought Stewart’s total children to eight.

Stewart and Lancaster are still married to this day. She recently announced that she’ll be releasing her autobiography, Someone Like Me, on Sept. 25. Stewart is set to perform at the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival on June 29.

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