The Kinks’ Ray Davies and Dave Davies subject of a new London art exhibit

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ray Davies and Dave Davies, founding members of The Kinks, are the subject of a new art exhibition opening in London.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have teamed with artist Christian Furr — the youngest artist ever commissioned to paint the late Queen Elizabeth II — for the exhibit, The Kinks: Brothers. It’s made up of original paintings by Furr in which he reimagines a passport photobooth photograph the Davies took in 1968 in East Finchley, North London.

“It was a magic moment when we crammed into the photobooth all those years ago,” Dave says. “Christian Furr has done a wonderful job in developing the image into special artworks. We hope people love these as much as we do.”

“Over the years it’s been amazing to see creative people take our music and make something of their own. Christian Furr has done just that,” Ray says. “It’s great to be doing something new with Dave, and seeing these paintings and the original passport photobooth picture again brings back a lot of memories.”

The exhibition will run at the Gibson Garage London from July 24 to Sept. 6. Each painting will be signed by the rockers and the artist, with the paintings and limited-edition prints available for purchase at RedHouseOrignals.com.

The Rolling Stones launch World Cup-inspired streaming tournament

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones have found another way to join in on the spirit of the World Cup.

The rockers just launched what they’re calling The Rolling Stones Streaming World Cup, which pits the top 30 countries that stream The Stones on Spotify against each other to see who comes out on top.

The tournament will last for the next four weeks. Fans in those countries are encouraged to stream any song from The Stones’ catalog, with each stream earning a point for their country. And it’s apparently also a competition between band members, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood serving as team captains for 10 teams each.

The goal of the friendly competition is for countries to rack up as many points as possible; the country that earns the most points will be crowned the Stones Top Streaming Nation.

More info can be found at world-cup.rollingstones.com.

The Rolling Stones previously announced a collaboration with FIFA for the World Cup, which included a series of World Cup-inspired limited-edition vinyl variants of their upcoming album, Foreign Tongues, as well as a new World Cup-inspired merch line.

Foreign Tongues, The Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album, comes out July 10.

Metallica, Rush launch efforts to assist with Venezuela earthquake relief

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica and Rush are contributing to relief efforts in Venezuela, which has been devastated by a pair of powerful earthquakes that hit the country on June 24.

Metallica has announced a $100,000 donation to the organization Direct Relief through the band’s All Within My Hands charity foundation.

“AWMH’s $100,000 grant will support Direct Relief as the organization continues to respond to requests in the region as they become known,” a press release reads.

Meanwhile, Rush has teamed up with Venezuelan director and past collaborator David Calcano to create a new T-shirt in support of the country.

Profits from the shirt will be donated to Hogar Bambi, which is helping children affected by the earthquakes.

You can order yours now via Fantoons.shop.

Ringo Starr announces annual Peace & Love birthday celebration

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ringo Starr wants to make sure fans don’t forget his birthday.

The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer posted a video reminding folks that he will once again be hosting his annual Peace & Love birthday celebration on July 7, this year marking his 86th birthday.

“Every July the 7th, on my birthday since 2008, I invite anyone who wants to join me in spreading Peace and Love,” Ringo shares in the video. “By posting, saying, or even just thinking: ‘Peace and Love’ at noon… wherever you are! Peace and Love at noon!”

Fans are encouraged to share their messages of “Peace and Love” on social media using the #PeaceandLove, and to tag Ringo’s social media accounts. Ringo’s Facebook page will also be sharing clips of local Peace & Love events around the world.

Starr’s birthday is also usually marked by a celebration in Los Angeles. Last year’s event featured appearances by his brother-in-law and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, members of his All-Starr Band, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Linda Perry, former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, Diane Warren and Richard Marx.

Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian last year declared July 7, 2025, as Ringo Starr Day in Beverly Hills.

On This Day, July 2, 2005: Pink Floyd performs together for the first time in 24 years at Live 8

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, July 2, 2005…

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason reunited for the first time in 24 years for a performance in London as part of the Live 8 concerts.

The benefit events, organized by Bob Geldof, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Live Aid charity concerts and were timed to precede the G8 conference happening a few days later in Auchterarder, Scotland.

Prior to the show, the classic Pink Floyd lineup last performed together in June 1981 before Waters’ departure from the group.

Their set at Live 8, which marked the final full reunion of the classic Pink Floyd lineup, featured classic Pink Floyd tunes “Speak to Me,” “Breathe (In the Air)/Breathe (Reprise),” “Money,” “Wish You Were Here” and “Comfortably Numb.”

Back to the Beginning one year later: Participating artists reflect on historic concert

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the Back to the Beginning concert, which took place July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England. A stacked lineup of hard rock and metal bands led up to the final live performance from the original Black Sabbath lineup and Ozzy Osbourne, who died on July 22, 2025.

Several of the participating artists spoke with ABC Audio about their Back to the Beginning experience.

Tool’s Maynard James Keenan: “In the beginning was Black Sabbath, and then everything else fits neatly below when it comes to metal. They were it. So, it was an honor.”

Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell: “Just the fact that that was able to happen and [Ozzy] was able to have that moment, we were invited to be a part of it, and celebrate the man and the band, I mean, it’s one of the most important things that I was ever included in, and well deserved, as well.”

Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale: “Everyone was having the same conversations, like, ‘Oh, we can’t believe we’re here,’ but also, we wouldn’t be the rockers that we are today without these guys, without Ozzy and without Black Sabbath. So just to get to be a part of that was just, we’re so grateful, what a tremendous honor.”

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor: “When we got to go into ‘Supernaut,’ I was just, like, ‘Oh man, this is, this is, like, the biggest moment of your life right now happening.’ But I just was pretty taken by the outpouring of love and respect and community. It was all for Ozzy, it was all for Sabbath, all for those guys.”

Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe: “A show like that will never happen again, for me, ever. It was a magic thing to be a part of, I’m very grateful.”

Chicago’s Lee Loughnane on ‘A Capitol Fourth’: ‘It’s gonna be quite the celebration’

July 2, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Chicago will help honor America’s 250th anniversary with a performance on A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration, taking place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building.

This isn’t the first time Chicago has performed on the annual special, and founding member Lee Loughnane tells ABC there’s no other show quite like it.

“We get to play before hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in one fell swoop,” he says. “How many years would you have to be on the road to reach that many people?”

He adds they feel “honored and privileged” to take part in the celebration, noting this year is particularly special because “250 years as a country only happens one time.”

Chicago will play three songs on A Capitol Fourth, including “Saturday in the Park.” Loughnane says that will be particularly of note because this year “July Fourth is on a Saturday.” They’ll also play “Feeling Stronger Every Day” and “25 or 6 to 4,” with the latter performed against a backdrop of fireworks.

“It’s gonna be quite the celebration,” he says.

Loughnane adds that he hopes Americans take away an important message from the festivities.

“We’ve had ups and downs for 250 years and what we still have to this day is freedom,” he says. “And we are the freest country in the world. That’s a legacy to really be proud of.”

The performance comes not long after the June death of the band’s founding member Walter Parazaider. Remembering his bandmate, Loughnane says they “had some great times together.”

He says that after all those years touring together “you either get along or get out, and obviously we did not get out. … I will miss Walt.”

A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, airs July 3 at 8 p.m. ET on on public TV stations nationwide.

Autographed Paul McCartney book found at charity shop auctioned off

July 1, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

A donated copy of Paul McCartney’s 1976 book In His Own Words turned out to be a lucky find for a charity shop in the U.K.

The BBC reports that the manager of the Oxfam shop in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, found the book in a larger collection of donated memorabilia from the ’70s. Turns out the book was actually an autographed copy, and when the shop put it up for auction it sold for over $1,000.

“The book had actually been sitting on a shelf for a few months alongside lots of other 1970s memorabilia,” shop manager Joan Randle said. “I’d been planning to use some of the items in a fun window display, so it wasn’t something we’d paid particular attention to at first.”

After finally going through the items she discovered the autographed book, noting, “I could hardly believe it … it was one of the best moments of my 10 years working in the shop.”

Now the money raised is going to good use, including a recently launched campaign to help those affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

“This is a fantastic example of how a single donation can make a real difference,” said a representative for the humanitarian organization Oxfam. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donates to Oxfam.”

Released in August 1976, Paul McCartney: In His Own Words featured interviews with the Beatles legend, as well as photographs of the rock star.

Highlights from the David Bowie archive to go on tour in the UK

July 1, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Items from the David Bowie archive went on display in September at the David Bowie Center, part of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Now the V&A has announced that highlights from that exhibit are going on tour in the U.K.

David Bowie: On Tour will feature more than 100 items from the V&A’s Bowie archive, including costumes, instruments and photos. It will mark the first time Bowie’s archive has been on display outside of London.

According to a press release, the tour will offer fans a look into the late rocker’s “creative process and how he shaped his iconic image, music, video, TV and film work.” It will be broken down into four sections, “each offering a different lens on Bowie’s creative life.”

“David Bowie’s archive reveals an artist in constant motion — a restless, forward-looking mind at work beyond the music and images we know,” says Harriet Reed, curator of contemporary performance at the V&A. “It’s a rare chance to step inside Bowie’s imagination and experience the curiosity and daring that defined his life’s work.”

The U.K. tour is set to launch at the V&A Dundee in Dundee, Scotland, in November. More info can be found at VAM.ac.uk.

Iron Maiden to film Eddfest show after Paris concert cut short

July 1, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Iron Maiden will be filming their upcoming headlining performance at the band’s Eddfest concert on July 11 in Knebworth, England, after their show in Paris was cut short due to a power outage.

As previously reported, the Paris concert, which took place on June 22, was set to be filmed for a project documenting Maiden’s Run for Your Lives tour. However, the power in the venue went out in the middle of the show, which didn’t resume until an hour later. Between the delay and venue’s curfew, Maiden had to cut the show’s encore from the set.

With Eddfest, which celebrates Maiden’s 50th anniversary, the band intends to finish the film project they couldn’t in Paris.

“You all know what happened in Paris, we all know what happened in Paris, so we’re gonna finish it off at Knebworth,” says bassist Steve Harris in a statement. “We’ll see you there.”

“We’re not going to lose what we did in Paris but we’re going to add to it with some amazing stuff from Knebworth,” frontman Bruce Dickinson adds. “So Knebworth, be on ya best behaviour!!”

+ More