R.E.M.’s ‘Nightswimming’ covered by Jason Segel for ‘Shrinking’

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

An R.E.M. classic is featured in season 3 of Apple TV’s Shrinking, but it’s not the version most fans are used to.

Episode 5 of the show, which premiered Wednesday, features a cover of the song performed by series star Jason Segel, and his take on the track has just been released.

In the episode, Segel’s character, Jimmy, is having a discussion with Meg, played by Lily Rabe, who’s the daughter of Harrison Ford’s character, Paul. During the chat, Jimmy opens up about his love life and expresses his desire to have “one easy romantic moment” or “one uncomplicated kiss” so he can feel hopeful about romance again. He adds that he pictures “Nightswimming” playing in the background while it happens, but with him singing the song.

At the end of the episode, Segel’s version of the song plays as he and the married Meg kiss, and the episode’s credits start to roll.

“Nightswimming” appeared on R.E.M.’s eighth studio album, Automatic for the People. It was released as a single in the U.K., where it went to #27 on the singles chart.

Actress Lily Collins having ‘proud daughter moment’ after dad Phil Collins’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Phil Collins received his first-ever solo nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Tuesday, and his daughter Lily Collins is reacting to the news.

“Proud daughter moment. Congrats dad you deserve it,” the actress wrote on her Instagram Story. “Love you to the moon and back.”

Lily, star of the Netflix series Emily In Paris, is Phil Collins’ only daughter with his second wife, Jill Travelman, who he divorced in 1996. He has four other children.

Phil was previously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis. While this is his first time being nominated for the Rock Hall as a solo artist, he’s actually been eligible for a nomination since 2006.

And Phil certainly has the credentials to justify the nomination. He’s won multiple Grammys, an Oscar and two Golden Globe Awards, plus he’s sold 100 million records as both a solo artist and as a member of a band. Only two other artists have achieved such a feat: Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson.

Fan voting for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class is now open. Inductees will be announced in April, with the induction set to take place this fall, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

INXS’ Andrew Farriss says band is ‘thrilled and excited’ by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

INXS received their first-ever nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Wednesday, and founding member Andrew Farriss says he and his bandmates are thrilled by the recognition.

“I think everybody in the band is thrilled and excited to be nominated, and obviously we’re very much honored to have something like that,” Farriss tells Billboard. “It’s something, I guess, that goes into the history books, whatever they are.”

“I never started writing songs and playing music to be in a hall of fame; that’s not why I started doing it — but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it,” he adds.

“I probably wouldn’t be the first person to say I’m just amazed to be able to be in a situation like this; it comes as a surprise, believe it or not,” he notes. “You’re not entitled to anything; you’re kind of lucky, whatever comes your way. I’m grateful.”

Farris says he believes the band’s frontman Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997 at 37, would be honored with the nod.

“One thing he said very early on in our career is, ‘One day I’d like to think whatever we did mattered.’ That’s something he said,” says Farriss. “I think this shows that it did. That’s pretty cool.”

The Aussie band, best known for songs like “Need You Tonight,” “What You Need” and “Never Tear Us Apart,” first became eligible for a nomination 21 years ago.

This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class will be announced in April. The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction is set to take place this fall, although an exact date has yet to be announced.

On This Day, Feb. 25, 1998: Bob Dylan wins three Grammys for his album ‘Time Out of Mind’

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Feb. 25, 1998…

Bob Dylan won three Grammy Awards, including album of the year, for his 30th studio album, Time Out of Mind.

The record also won best contemporary folk album and Dylan won best male rock vocal performance for the track “Cold Irons Bound.”

Dylan also performed the song “Love Sick” during the ceremony. During the performance, background dancer Michael Portnoy ripped off his shirt and danced around the band with the words “Soy Bomb” painted on his chest.

Over the course of his career, Dylan has won 10 Grammys, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1992.

Other winners that evening included Elton John for best male pop vocal performance for “Candle in the Wind 1997” and James Taylor for best pop album for Hourglass.

Enter Sphere: Metallica announces eight-show run at Vegas venue

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Back in 2023, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich attended the first night of U2’s residency at the newly opened high-tech Sphere venue in Las Vegas. Since then, the metal legends have fielded questions about whether they’ll ever play the Sphere. Now, we finally have a definitive answer.

The “Enter Sandman” metallers will play eight shows at the Sphere in the fall, dubbed Life Burns Faster. The run is separated into four two-show stands taking place every Thursday and Saturday in October: Oct. 1 and 3, 15 and 17, 22 and 24, and 29 and 31.

Every Thursday performance will have a completely different and unique set list from its corresponding Saturday show, following in the tradition of Metallica’s No Repeat Weekend format on their M72 world tour.

The shows will utilize Sphere’s Immersive Sound audio technology, which “delivers audio with unmatched clarity and precision to every guest,” a press release says. Attendees will also experience “multi-sensory 4D technology” and “the world’s highest resolution LED display that wraps up, over and around the audience.”

“About 12 seconds into the opening night of Sphere with U2 back in ’23, I thought ‘We have to do this, it’s completely uncharted territory!'” Ulrich says in a statement. “This residency gives us another chance to reinvent how we interact with our fans in a live setting.”

He adds, “We are beyond excited to share this with the world in six months time, and way f*****’ psyched to go next level!”

Presales begin first for members of Metallica’s Fifth Member fan club on March 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public on March 6 at 10 a.m. PT.

For all Metallica Sphere info, visit Metallica.com.

Eagles announce dates for The Long Goodbye Act III tour

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Turns out the Eagles aren’t done saying goodbye.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band just announced a new set of dates on their The Long Goodbye Tour, which began in September 2023.

The new North American stadium dates, which they are calling The Long Goodbye Act III, so far consists of three shows – May 5 in Atlanta, May 9 in Nashville and May 16 in Arlington, Texas. All three shows feature special guest Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Registration for an artist presale is now open, with presale and VIP tickets going on sale starting March 3 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting March 6 at 10 a.m.

Eagles are currently in the midst of their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere, with their next shows happening Friday and Saturday. They have dates confirmed at the venue through April 11. They are also set to play the New Orleans Jazzfest on May 2.

A complete list of Eagles dates can be found at Eagles.com.

Phil Collins, Billy Idol, INXS among this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees

February 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The nominees for the 2026 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been revealed, with 10 out of the 17 artists in the running getting a nomination for the first time.

Phil Collins is among those first-time nominees. He was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2010 as a member of Genesis, but this is his first nomination as a solo artist, although he’s been eligible since 2006.

Other first-timers are INXS, Melissa Etheridge, heavy metal rockers Iron Maiden, the late singer/songwriter Jeff Buckley, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Lauryn Hill and the late R&B singer Luther Vandross.

This year’s other nominees are The Black Crowes and Billy Idol, who were both nominated for the first time in 2025, along with Mariah Carey, British rockers Oasis, new wave pioneers Joy Division/New Order, Sade and rappers Wu-Tang Clan.

“This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor and we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 this fall.”

To be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago.

This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class will be announced in April. The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction is set to take place this fall, although an exact date has yet to be announced.

Gibson Custom debuts new Mick Ronson-inspired guitar

February 24, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Gibson Custom is honoring legendary David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson with the release of a new guitar inspired by one of his iconic instruments.

The Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition, limited to just 100 guitars, is a replica of the rocker’s stripped finish 1968 Les Paul Custom. Gibson used aging techniques to give the replica the same wear, feel and sound as the original instrument. It even has mismatched volume and tone knobs like the original.

Available worldwide at Gibson.com, the guitar has a mahogany body, with an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays. It comes with a custom case, and features a reproduction of Ronson’s signature.

Ronson, who passed away in 1993, was best known for his work with David Bowie as the guitarist of the Spiders from Mars. In addition to being a guitarist, he was a producer, arranger, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, and worked with such artists as Lou Reed, Roger McQuinn, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan. He also released five solo albums.

Songs by The Cars, Sting featured in part 2 of ‘Bridgerton’ season 4

February 24, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Covers of songs by The Cars and Sting are set to make an appearance in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton.

The final four episodes of season 4 premiere Thursday, with episode six featuring instrumental versions of The Cars’ ”Just What I Needed,” performed by Altum Quartet, and Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” performed by Music Lab Collective.

Part 1 of season 4 featured instrumentals of songs by Coldplay, Third Eye Blind, Paramore and Taylor Swift, while part 2 also features songs by Charli XCX, Billie Eilish and Teddy Swims.

Part 1 of the soundtrack is currently available for streaming, with part 2 going live on Thursday at 12 a.m. PT.

Released in 1978, “Just What I Needed” was the first single off The Cars’ self-titled debut album and reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Fields of Gold” appeared on Sting’s fourth solo album, Ten Summoner’s Tales. It went to #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at #23 on the Hot 100.

Bruce Springsteen’s tour to include special appearance by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello

February 24, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will have a special guest on their upcoming Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

Springsteen just announced on social media that Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello will be joining the tour for “selected songs for every date” of the tour.

“Grammy-winning, Harvard-educated, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted artist, songwriter and activist Tom Morello is living proof of the transformative power of rock ‘n’ roll,” reads the post.

The announcement comes just weeks after Springsteen was the surprise guest at Morello’s charity concert in Minneapolis, where Springsteen performed his new protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” and was joined by Morello for “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”

“After Bruce joined me last month in Minneapolis for our Defend Minnesota charity concert, I was reminded how important our platform is, and how crucial the resistance work is that our music can do together at this dangerous historical juncture,” Morello says. “Together, Bruce, the E Street Band, and I are going to turn a spotlight on the current threats to democracy and human rights happening all around us on the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour in the spirit of freedom, justice and rock n roll.”

Morello previously toured with Springsteen and The E Street Band for several years in the mid-2010s, filling in for Stevie Van Zandt who was off filming the TV show Lilyhammer. Morello also appeared on two Springsteen albums, 2012’s Wrecking Ball and 2014’s High Hopes.

The Land of Hope and Dreams tour kicks off March 31 in Minneapolis, and wraps May 27 in Washington, D.C. A complete list of dates and ticket information can be found at BruceSpringsteen.net.

+ More