Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward shares health update: ‘I’m not in retirement or ill or giving up’

July 9, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward has shared an update on his health.

In a Facebook post published Thursday, the 78-year-old drummer writes, “I’m announcing today somewhat sadly but nonetheless truthfully, that I’ve reached a place where publicly more and more I need to use a wheelchair, mostly in airports, or public events.”

“I can still walk, let there be no doubt,” Ward continues. “But I can’t walk very far without needing to rest, meaning I need to sit down.”

Ward adds that he’s “still a drummer” and feels he “can still play pretty good for 78 years old.”

“My talents and ambitions, and my unyielding need to be artful, and to play drums, is still as strong as it was so many years ago now,” Ward writes. “I’m just saying if you see me in a wheelchair, I’m just catching a ride, I’m not in retirement or ill or giving up, or any of those thoughts that ignite when we see people in wheelchairs. I’m making myself public and transparent about my new transport, and letting you know I’m OK.”

He concludes, “Much love to you all and I’ll keep rocking until I’m dead.”

Ward reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler in 2025 for the massive Back to the Beginning concert, which marked the final live performance by the legendary metal outfit’s original lineup. Ozzy died just over two weeks later at age 76.

The Rolling Stones light up the London sky at star-studded ‘Foreign Tongues’ release party

July 9, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones celebrated the upcoming release of their new album, Foreign Tongues, Wednesday at a star-studded party in London.

The event, held at the St. Clement hotel, included a light show over the River Thames. The show was soundtracked to the Foreign Tongues single “In The Stars” and featured drones lighting up the sky with images of the band’s tongue logo, album artwork and more.

The Stones’ Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood attended the festivities and even performed the Foreign Tongues track “Ringing Hollow” for their A-list audience.

Attendees included Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Sam Fender, Sacha Baron Cohen, Simone Ashley, Christian Louboutin, John McEnroe and Glen Matlock.

“We put this album together in under a month at Metropolis Studios in our hometown of London – it was a lot of fun,” said The Stones. “The critics seem to like it, we hope everyone loves it!”

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

Dave Davies reveals issues with recent Kinks biography

July 9, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

A recent book about the Kinks is getting some backlash from one of the legendary band’s members.

All Day and All of the Night The Day-By-Day Story Pt 1: 1940-1971, written by Doug Hinman and Andrew Sandoval, came out in February. Now the Kinks’ Dave Davies is letting fans know he has some issues with it.

“I cannot endorse the new Kinks book by Doug Hinman and Andrew Sandoval because there’s misinformation in it about our early recording sessions,” Davies wrote on X. “I signed some copies for charity before I had read the errors.”

While he didn’t go into specifics about what information in the book is incorrect, it seems Davies hasn’t given up on the book completely.

“I’m optimistic that a correction or two will be issued in due course,” he later tweeted.

Asked whether he was given the opportunity to proofread the book before it came out, Davies replied, “No.”

Davies has often used X to set the record straight with fans. Back in 2024, he took to the social media site to shoot down the long-held rumor that Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page played guitar on the band’s hit “You Really Got Me.”

He reiterated that fact in a July 6 post, where he corrected a Wikipedia entry. He noted, “No @JimmyPage did not provide distortion on any Kinks songs period.” He also added, “I’m sick and tired of this misinformation. Jimmy Page did not play on any Kinks hits.”

The Rolling Stones talk longevity, the future and more

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones are opening up about the secret to their longevity in a new Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe.

Ronnie Wood says one reason they get along so well is they have their own lives outside the band.

“When we do get back together, it’s like no time has gone by,” he says. “We love to interact.”

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have been making music together for over 60 years, and Richards acknowledges that their relationship is “a marriage of a kind.”

“Who’s wifey and who’s husband is another thing,” he says. “But maybe that’s what keeps it going.”

“But when you meet the guy that has the same taste in music and the same feel for it as you do it’s more than double the pleasure,” he continues. “You can’t put your finger on it but at the same time it is a mystery and I think maybe long may it be a mystery.” He noted that trying to figure it out is “pointless.”

The Stones will release their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, on Friday, and it sounds like the band isn’t ready to stop recording.

“I think you always think that this could be the last record,” Jagger says. “I’m not saying it is, but I mean I thought Hackney Diamonds was probably our last record and then we weren’t scheduled to make this record.”

Richards is also up for making more records.

“Anytime the whistle blows, I’m there, I’m up for it,” he says.

As for whether they’ll tour again, Jagger says he’d love to get back out on the road, while Wood jokes, “I’ll be out there as soon as I get my call-up papers.”

Richards adds, “Next year’s wide open, so I mean it is, it’s up for grabs really.”

Warren Haynes reveals details of new album, ‘Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey’

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

After teasing fans by releasing songs from his upcoming symphonic album, Warren Haynes is finally sharing details about the record.

The Gov’t Mule frontman has announced that the album, Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey, will be released Sept. 18.

The 16-track record was recorded in 2019 at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina, Haynes’ hometown. It has him backed by the 64-piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra, as well as musicians Oteil Burbridge, John Medeski, Jeff Sipe and Greg Osby. Edwin McCain and Jasmine Muhammad join on background vocals.

Haynes has already released two tracks from the record, the Gov’t Mule song “Banks of the Deep End” and a performance of the Grateful Dead classic “Shakedown Street.” Now he’s sharing a third, a full orchestration of Gov’t Mule’s “Raven Black Night,” which originally appeared on their 1998 album Dose.

“Raven Black Night” is now available via digital outlets.

“I love the arrangement for the piece and really enjoyed singing ‘Raven Black Night’ in that light, because the original recording had no drums and was very stripped-down. It had a little percussion thing in the middle and no bass,” Haynes says. “Whereas this arrangement is just full-bodied, full orchestration – the opposite of the original – and it really takes it to a place that completes it and turns it into another thing.”

Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey is available for preorder now.

Since the initial 2019 orchestra concerts, Haynes has put on several other symphonic shows and has two more planned for 2027. The Warren Haynes Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience will come to Nashville for two nights, March 11 and 12. Tickets are on sale now.

Hear Rob Halford sing on new version of Accept’s ‘Balls to the Wall’

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford is featured on new version of the song “Balls to the Wall,” originally by the German heavy metal band Accept.

The updated track is included on Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, an upcoming compilation of rerecorded Accept songs featuring guest artists in celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary.

“Rob is the Metal God. I don’t need to say any more about him,” says Accept guitarist and co-founder Wolf Hoffmann in a statement. “Once we knew that he would do it, it was an obvious choice to give him ‘Balls to the Wall’ because it’s the best fit imaginable!”

Alongside Halford, the rerecorded “Balls to the Wall” features Scorpions guitarist Matthias Jabs, Pantera bassist Rex Brown and Bullet for My Valentine drummer Jason Bowld.

Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 will be released Sept. 4. It also features contributions from Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Ghost’s Tobias Forge.

U2’s new single ‘Street of Dreams’ featured in short film featuring David Beckham

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

U2’s just-released single, “Street of Dreams,” soundtracks a new short film of the same name featuring soccer star David Beckham.

The film was released by Bank of America in conjunction with the World Cup. According to a press release, it “tells the story of a young girl whose life has been upended through homelessness but refuses to give up on her dream of playing soccer.”

It’s described as an “uplifting story about resilience, hope and the transformative power of sport.”

The film centers around a young girl named Calle, played by Nevaeh Derricks, with Beckham appearing as the “personification of her inner voice.” According to the press release, he represents “a powerful symbol of belief and opportunity, standing with her and showing up when it matters.”

“We’re honoured that ‘Street of Dreams’ could play a small part in telling a much bigger story,” U2 said in a statement.

The film showcases Bank of America’s “Soccer With Us” platform, which supports young people aged 6-18 by combining sport with life skills.

A 30-second TV commercial version of the film will be part of World Cup coverage on Monday.

“Street of Dreams” is the first single off U2’s yet-to-be announced studio album. The album will be the band’s first since 2017’s Songs of Experience.

Ringo Starr receives honorary doctorate from University of Liverpool

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ringo Starr got quite a gift for his 86th birthday Tuesday. The rocker just received an honorary doctorate from the University of Liverpool.

Wendy Beetlestone, University of Liverpool chancellor and United States district judge, presented Ringo with his honor at his annual Peace & Love celebration in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

“It is a great privilege to recognise Ringo, whose influential musical work, particularly in The Beatles, has helped shape the identity and global reputation of Liverpool,” Beetlestone said in a statement. “His contribution has played a key role in making the city a place that inspires people to visit and to study.”

“I want to thank the University of Liverpool for this Honorary Degree and for coming all the way to LA to bestow it,” Ringo, who was born and raised in Liverpool, said. “I’m really honoured.”

“I’ve been thinking back on my life a lot lately – and when I chose to become a drummer full time – my family discouraged me. And they could have been right! But they weren’t – it all worked out,” he continued. “So to all the graduates back in Liverpool – I send Peace & Love and want to say don’t be afraid to follow your dreams – or take that right turn and see where it goes …. it could lead to an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Liverpool.”

Starr’s annual Peace & Love celebration included performances from artists like Molly Tuttle, Sarah Jarosz, Daniel Tashian and Ketch Secor. There were also appearances by Ringo’s All-Starr Band members Gregg Bissonette and Steve Lukather, former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum and children from his nonprofit Adopt The Arts. The event ended with the band and crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to Ringo.

Bon Jovi kicks off Forever Tour at New York’s Madison Square Garden

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

After four years off the road, Bon Jovi returned to the stage Tuesday night for the opening night of their Forever Tour at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

According to setlist.fm, the band opened with a cover of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends,” before treating fans to a 21-song set filled with a good mix of newer tunes and classic hits.

Newer tracks included “Legendary” and “Living Proof,” off their 2024 album Forever, plus “Beautiful Drug” from the album 2020 and “This House of Not for Sale,” the title track to their 2016 album.

There were also plenty of iconic Bon Jovi hits including “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Keep The Faith,” “Have a Nice Day,” “Born to Be My Baby” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

The band wrapped the show with the New Jersey classic “Bad Medicine.”

The Forever Tour is Bon Jovi’s first tour since 2022 and their first since frontman Jon Bon Jovi underwent surgery on his vocal cords.

“A lot of hard work and talented people helped get us here,” Bon Jovi wrote on Instagram before the show. “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in building the Forever Tour Now it’s our turn to do what we do best Let’s do it boys!!”

Bon Jovi has another eight nights at Madison Square Garden, with their next show happening Thursday.
After New York, they head to the U.K. for shows in Ireland and Scotland, before wrapping with three nights at London’s Wembley Stadium on Sept. 4-9. A complete list of dates can be found at BonJovi.com.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens to reissue 1974’s ‘Buddha and the Chocolate Box’

July 8, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

A remastered version of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ eighth studio album, Buddha and the Chocolate Box, will be released in September.

The follow-up to 1973’s Foreigner, Buddha and the Chocolate Box was originally released on March 21, 1974. The album had Stevens returning to the sounds fans were familiar with on albums like Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat.

The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and included the top-10 hit “Oh Very Young.” It would go on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

“Buddha and the Chocolate Box reopened the doors of my familiar melodious soft delivery and sentiments. Although still experimental in compositional terms, it was what most of my fans desperately wanted to hear next,” Stevens wrote in his 2025 memoir, Cat on a Road to Findout. “Following on from Foreigner, the Buddha album proved – especially to those who had no faith – that the missing Cat had simply wandered away from home for a while.”

He noted, “As far as the critics were concerned, album-wise, it marked my heralded return to ‘Cat Stevens’ form.”

The remastered Buddha and the Chocolate Box will be released digitally, on CD and on vinyl on Sept. 4. It is available for preorder now.

This is just the latest in a series of reissues from Yusuf/Cat Stevens that began in 2020. He previously reissued 1973’s Foreigner, 1970’s Mona Bone Jakon and Tea for the Tillerman, and 1971’s Teaser and the Firecat.

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