Put me in coach: John Fogerty to reissue 1985 solo album, ‘Centerfield’

March 26, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Just in time for baseball’s opening day, John Fogerty, the only musician to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, has announced that he’s reissuing his 1985 solo album, Centerfield.

Centerfield (Hall of Fame Edition), set to arrive this summer, will feature a remastered version of the album sourced from the original half-inch master analog tapes. The CD and digital editions will also feature live performances of the album’s three hit singles: the title track, “The Old Man Down The Road” and “Rock and Roll Girls.” The live tracks were recorded in 2024 and performed with his sons, Shane Fogerty and Tyler Fogerty.

Released in January 1985, Centerfield was the third solo album from Fogerty, who played all the instruments on the project. It hit #1 in the U.S. and gave Fogerty his only top-10 single as a solo artist, “The Old Man Down The Road,” which peaked at #10.

Fogerty has a busy 2026 ahead of him. He’ll perform at the “Thank You, NYPD” concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden Saturday, and he has a string of solo tour dates booked for May and June. In September, he’ll launch a new leg of his Legacy Tour, this time with fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood. It kicks off Sept. 3 in Tinley Park, Illinois, outside of Chicago.

On June 11, Fogerty will be honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame with the 2026 Johnny Mercer Award, the organization’s highest honor.

On This Day, March 26, 2025: Bruce Springsteen, Michael Stipe & more celebrate Patti Smith at New York concert

March 26, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, March 26, 2025 …

Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe were among the artists celebrating Patti Smith at New York’s Carnegie Hall as part of the annual Music Of… concert series, put on by New York City entrepreneur Michael Dorf.

Springsteen, who was a last-minute addition to the bill, performed “Because the Night,” which he co-wrote with Smith and went on to become a hit for her. Stipe performed “My Blakean Year,” from Smith’s 2004 album Trampin’.

Other artists who performed at the concert included Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O, Maggie Rogers, Johnny Depp, Glen Hansard, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart, Susanna Hoffs, Ben Harper and The National’s Matt Berninger.

Smith — joined by her band, Lenny Kaye, Tony Shanahan and Jay Dee Daugherty — ended the evening with a performance of “Peaceable Kingdom,” and was then joined on stage by all the performers for a rendition of her iconic tune “People Have the Power.”

Judas Priest announces 50th anniversary ’Sad Wings of Destiny’ reissue

March 26, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Judas Priest has announced a reissue of the band’s 1976 album Sad Wings of Destiny in honor of its 50th anniversary.

The reissue also celebrates Priest acquiring the master rights to the original album in partnership with the label Exciter Records and its publishing affiliate, Reach Music.

“Sad Wings of Destiny was a defining moment for us as a band,” Judas Priest says in a statement. “It’s where we really began to shape the sound and identity that would carry through everything we’ve done since. To see it recognized 50 years on—and to have it presented in new editions—is incredibly meaningful.”

Further details about the reissue, including a release date, are forthcoming.

Sad Wings of Destiny marked the sophomore Priest record, and spawned future live staples in “Victim of Changes” and “The Ripper.” It was first released in the U.S. on March 26, 1976, 50 years ago Thursday.

The most recent Judas Priest album is 2024’s Invincible Shield.

Melissa Etheridge’s new album is about ‘rising up after devastation’: ‘It’s very hopeful’

March 26, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Melissa Etheridge’s new album, Rise, out Friday, is her first album of new, original material since the 2020 death of her 21-year-old son, Beckett Cypher. But despite that, the album contains a lot of joy.

The album is titled Rise after a song of the same name that Melissa wrote after the LA fires, which got her thinking about “rising up after devastation.”

“I’ve … had enough ups and downs in my life that I realized that … life is full of loss, and it helps you appreciate what we do have and the relationships we have and how we move through them,” she told ABC Audio. “And so Rise is very hopeful.”

But the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee was only ready to write “the uplifting part” of the album after completing “Call You,” a song about Beckett.

“I knew I wanted to just state that, yes, I’ve experienced this incredible loss, this crushing loss. And I’m not going to stop living … I’m going to keep going, even if you’re not here,” she said.

In keeping with the album’s theme, “Call You” is followed by “More Love,” which Melissa first performed at her daughter Bailey Cypheridge’s wedding in September 2025.

Melissa kicks off a tour in support of the album Thursday in Detroit and told ABC Audio that fans will definitely hear the hits, noting, “That’s why I play. I love nothing more than getting up and screaming and shouting, ‘I’m the Only One.'”

But she also plans to play seven or eight songs from the new album, for those who are familiar with some of the songs and want to hear them live, and to encourage those who haven’t to check them out.

As she explained, “I just think it creates new memories.”

Expansive lot of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia memorabilia going up for auction

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

More than 300 pieces of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia memorabilia are set to go up for auction in April.

Julien’s Auctions has announced details of Treasures From The Golden Road: Featuring Property From “Big Steve,” “Ram Rod” & Trixie Garcia. The auction features instruments, keepsakes and more from the personal archives of members of the Grateful Dead’s inner circle. The items available belong to crew chief and Jerry Garcia Band manager “Big Steve” Parish, Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia and Grateful Dead head roadie Lawrence “Ram Rod” Shurtliff.

Several of Jerry Garcia’s instruments are part of the auction, including the late rocker’s 1939 Gibson Super 400N Archtop guitar, his custom-made 1988 Alvarez Yairi acoustic guitar and his 1988 Dobro Model 64 “Tree of Life” Resonator guitar. There are also several Jerry Garcia amps and effects pedals, as well as a personalized Madison Square Garden tie-dye director’s chair, a personalized Louisville Slugger baseball bat, sketchbooks and a working songbook.

Grateful Dead items up for auction include speaker cabinets, a dressing room plaque from the Winterland Ballroom and an RIAA Platinum award for 1970’s Workingman’s Dead.

“These items represent fifty years of memories and experiences with the Grateful Dead — from the early days to the final shows in Chicago. Each piece tells a story of the music, the journey, and the community that made it all possible,” says Parish. “Now is the time to share these with the fans and collectors who understand what they mean. I’m genuinely excited to give people the opportunity to own the things that have meant so much to me over the decades.”

The auction will take place April 22 at The Box SF in San Francisco. More information about the items up for grabs, as well as how to register, can be found at JuliensAuctions.com.

Elton John gets birthday wishes from husband, famous pals

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John is celebrating his 79th birthday on Wednesday, and he’s gotten some birthday wishes from his famous pals — and his husband, who’s also his manager.

“Happy Birthday to my beautiful husband,” David Furnish wrote on his Instagram. “You amaze and inspire me every single day with your courage and kindness. Thank you for all the bountiful love you give me and our sons. We absolutely adore you.”

Elton and David, who’ve been married since 2014, share two sons, Zachary Jackson Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John. Elton responded in the comments, “I am the luckiest man in the world. I love you, our boys, our life. Thank you for everything.”

Charlie Puth, and actors Eric McCormack and Ryan Phillippe offered birthday wishes in the comments.

Elton’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin posted a photo of the two of them together and wrote, “A very happy 79th birthday to my super sweet amigo.” Elton commented, “Love you @bernietaupinofficial.”

On his Instagram Story, Elton also shared birthday posts from pals like tennis legend Billie Jean King — who wrote, “Grateful for a lifetime of music, memories, and friendship” — and Donatella Versace, who called him her “darling friend.” Elton’s guitarist Davey Johnstone also sent a message, as did Grammy-winner Lola Young and makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte wrote in an Instagram Story, “Darling, you are a TRUE INSPIRATION and a FORCE FOR GOOD — not just for your LEGENDARY music, which has touched and influenced so many, but for the INCREDIBLE work you do through [Elton John AIDS Foundation], changing so many lives around the world!”

Bruce Springsteen lets fans know what to expect from upcoming tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen is getting ready to hit the road on his Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, and in case fans don’t know what to expect from the rocker with this tour, he’s laying it all out there.

The Boss posted a new video to Instagram that features him standing in front of The E Street Band. It starts with him listing off all the cities the tour will hit, before revealing the message he hopes to convey with the tour.

“The E Street Band is coming your way,” he says in the clip, “and we are bringing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, unity over division and peace over war.” The band joins in on their instruments for the word “war,” a callback to the Edwin Starr song “War,” which Springsteen has covered in concert.

The Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour kicks off March 31 in Minneapolis and wraps with an outdoor show on May 27 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. A complete list of dates can be found at BruceSpringsteen.net.

In other Springsteen news … The Boss is featured on a new compilation dedicated to the recordings of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. The album, Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow, will feature Springsteen’s live performance of Waits’ “Jersey Girl,” recorded at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey in July 1981. The album, which also features covers by Bob Seger, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, will be released May 29.

Bob Dylan adds more tour dates to his 2026 tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bob Dylan has extended his 2026 tour.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has added a slew of new West Coast dates to the trek, including several June stops in California in cities like Lincoln, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Highland, Palm Desert and San Diego. He’s also added shows in Oregon and Arizona.

In addition to the West Coast dates, Dylan has added two shows in Vienna, Virginia, July 24 and 25, which are the final confirmed dates of the tour.

Tickets for all new shows go on sale Friday. More ticket information and a complete list of dates can be found at BobDylan.com.

Dylan kicked off the latest leg of his 2026 tour on March 21 in Omaha, Nebraska. His next show is Wednesday in Iowa City.

Pete Townshend updates fans on possible new Who album: ‘Roger wants to give it a try’

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

It sounds like fans of The Who have a reason to be hopeful about getting a new album from the band.

Although frontman Roger Daltrey said in a 2023 interview with NME that he didn’t see the point in making another Who record, Pete Townshend is now suggesting Daltrey may be coming around to the idea.

In a recent Instagram post, Townshend shared photos of his new songwriting studio in London, which was built by “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer Rick Astley. He captioned the post, “It’s mine now. I’m loving it. Great sound. I’m very spoiled.”

While the caption didn’t give any clue as to what specifically Townshend will be using it for, a response to a comment from a fan seemed quite revealing.

When the fan noted, “There’s no way you’re gonna do another Who album,” Townshend set him straight, responding, “You might be wrong. Roger wants to give it a try.”

The Who released their last album of new material, Who, in 2019. At the time it was the first new album from The Who in 13 years, and the second that featured only original members Daltrey and Townshend.

Todd Rundgren announces summer tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Todd Rundgren is hitting the road this summer.

The rocker has announced dates for the Damned If I Do Tour, which kicks off June 11 in St. Charles, Illinois. The trek will have Rundgren playing 23 cities, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and Washington, D.C., before wrapping July 19 in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

The new dates are Rundgren’s first U.S. shows since his 2025 Still Me (Still We) tour, which wrapped in November.

Rundgren is currently on tour in Japan. He played Tokyo on Monday and will play Osaka on Wednesday.

A complete list of dates can be found at Tood-Rundgren.com.

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