Back to the Yellow Brick Road: Elton John writes forward for ‘Ultimate Oz Universe’ graphic novel

June 3, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John is going from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” to the actual source material that inspired his famous song.

He’s written the forward for a graphic novel called Ultimate Oz Universe: The Lost Lands, inspired by the universe L. Frank Baum created, starting with his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. That, of course, inspired the classic Judy Garland movie, as well as the book Wicked, which led to the Tony Award-winning musical, and the Oscar-nominated film and its upcoming sequel.

Elton says in a statement to People, “Every moment with a book is precious and I was dazzled by the first installment in The Ultimate Oz Universe, celebrating the legacy of Baum’s genius and the heritage of color, unique characters and the triumph of goodness. I am more committed than ever to shining a light on people and creators who uplift others.”

He adds, “It’s wonderful to see the love & attention [the novel’s creators] have lavished on the Baum books so few people know.” Elton is referring to the fact that Baum wrote multiple Oz books, introducing many different characters with whom readers and moviegoers might be unfamiliar.

One of those characters, an orphan boy named Tip, is the hero of The Lost Lands. He was first introduced in Baum’s book The Marvelous Land of Oz. In the graphic novel, Tip explores the mystery of his birth and encounters familiar faces along the way, like the Tin Woodsman.

Ultimate Oz Universe: The Lost Lands is out Nov. 11.

For whom the sleeve rolls: Metallica announces return of T-Shirt Club subscription

June 3, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica‘s T-Shirt Club is back.

The metal legends have announced the return of the subscription service, which sends you four exclusive Metallica shirts over the course of the year.

“The subscription year includes four t-shirts with exclusive designs from old tour dates, crew shirts, and more,” Metallica says. “Each shirt will feature special additions, including sleeve tags, and will come in exclusive packaging, including subscription-specific hang tags.”

Enrollment for the 2025 T-Shirt Club is open now through June 27. For more info, visit Metallica.com.

In the meantime, you can show off the Metallica shirts you already own on the band’s ongoing M72 tour, which continues Tuesday in Atlanta.

On This Day, June 3, 1995: Bryan Adams tops the chart with ‘Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman’

June 3, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, June 3, 1995…

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” from the soundtrack to the Johnny Depp/Marlon Brando film Don Juan DeMarco.

The song, which also appeared on Adams’ 1996 album 18 Til I Die, spent five weeks in the top spot.

The tune went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, but lost out to the Pocahontas track “Colors of the Wind.”

“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” was one of four chart toppers Adams would have in the U.S. over the course of his career. The others were “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” “All for Love,” which featured Sting and Rod Stewart, and “Heaven.”

Neil Young’s ‘The Needle and the Damage Done’ covered for Sweet Relief compilation

June 3, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

A new cover of Neil Young’s classic track “The Needle and the Damage Done” is part of an upcoming compilation to benefit Sweet Relief.

The new take on the song is done by Sixpence None The Richer, best known for their top 10 pop hit “Kiss Me.” Young’s version, about the effects of addiction on musicians, appeared on his 1972 album Harvest.

“This is such a powerful song,” Sixpence frontwoman Leigh Nash shares. “Addiction plagues so many people making it very easy to put our hearts into a sadly, but truly timeless song. We are so happy to be a part of this beautiful record.”

The song will appear on the upcoming compilation Sweet Relief – We Can Help, which will be released June 20. The album features covers by such artists as Michael Penn and Amy Mann, Ben Harper and Peter Case, Lucinda Williams and others.

Sixpence None The Richer’s cover of “The Needle and the Damage Done” is available now via digital outlets.

Proceeds from the album will benefit Sweet Relief, which provides services and financial assistance for career musicians and music industry professionals.

Debbie Harry hopes to exhibit all her Blondie-era clothing

June 3, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Blondie‘s Debbie Harry has always been known for her style, especially during the height of the band’s success in the ’80s. It turns out the rocker has held onto all the looks that made her famous, and the public may one day get to see them again.

In an interview with People, Harry revealed that she’s kept “everything” from her Blondie days and she has some ideas about what to do with it all.

“I have everything,” she says. “I have everything, and I hope to put on a little exhibition at some point.”

Harry will turn 80 on July 1, and she also discussed how she plans to celebrate the big day.

“I hope to be with my friends and to celebrate the life of my drummer, Clem Burke, who recently passed, and celebrate my own life,” she tells the mag. Burke died in April at the age of 70.

And while some folks may start slowing down when they hit 80, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Harry. In October, Blondie’s Chris Stein revealed the band is working on a new album, which will be the first from Blondie since 2017’s Pollinator.

Giant photo of Steven Tyler on display at Los Angeles’ Sunset Marquee for a good cause

June 2, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

A giant photo of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is currently on display at the Sunset Marquee in Los Angeles, and it’s hoping to raise awareness of Tyler’s charity Janie’s Fund.

From now until June 28, the photo, by celebrity photographer Ross Halfin, is being displayed on the hotel’s poolside photo wall, and Janie’s Fund is asking fans to take a photo of, or with, the portrait, share it on Instagram and tag the organization.

Each week Janie’s Fund will chose one winner, who’ll receive an autographed copy of the photo signed by Tyler and Halfin.

“We’re not suggesting you make special travel plans to come to LA, and stay at the Sunset Marquis just to support Janie’s Fund, but you just might want to consider it,” the organization shares, “if you live in the LA area, you definitely need to stop by, take a picture and grab a bite at Cavatina which is one of our favorite restaurants…you never know who you’ll run into.”

Launched in 1989, Janie’s Fund, named after Aerosmith’s song “Janie’s Got a Gun,” helps girls who’ve been abused or neglected.

The Rolling Stones remember Charlie Watts on what would have been his 84th birthday

June 2, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The members of The Rolling Stones have taken to social media to remember their late bandmate Charlie Watts on what would have been his 84th birthday.

“Thinking of you Charlie – happy birthday,” frontman Mick Jagger wrote on Instagram Monday, next to a picture of the drummer. Keith Richards shared a carousel of Charlie photos, writing, “Missing you, Charlie! Happy Birthday.” And Ronnie Wood shared a black-and-white photo of him and Charlie with the caption, “Darling Charlie, miss you my friend. Thinking of you on your birthday today.”

The band’s official Instagram account also shared a tribute, posting several photos of the late rocker, with the caption, “Thinking of dear Charlie on his birthday today. Forever loved and missed by all.”

And former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman also remembered Charlie, sharing several photos of the rocker, including one of them together, and writing, “I sorely miss my other rocking half… born on this day on June 2, 1941.”

Charlie passed away Aug. 24, 2021, at the age of 80.

Items from Eddie Van Halen, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain & more bring in big bucks at Music Icons auction

June 2, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The annual Music Icons auction from Julian’s Auctions took place in New York the last weekend of May, with items from Bob Dylan, Eddie Van Halen, Aerosmith, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and more bringing in big bucks.

Van Halen’s stage-played and signed Charvel Art Series guitar in black with red and white stripes sold for $78,000, two times higher than the estimate. Another one of his guitars, a Fender custom Frankenstein Stratocaster, sold for $45,500. Meanwhile, Dylan’s signed Hohner Harmonica sold for $29,250, a whopping 15 times over the original estimate.

Several Cobain items were also up for grabs, including a portion of a Melvins tour van with a mural done by Cobain, which sold for $26,000, as well as a 1991 handwritten set list, which sold for $13,000. A stage-played guitar effects pedal sold for $16,250.

Other items sold at the auction include: Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s stage-played “Dream On” keyboard, for $130,000; Eric Clapton’s Martin Crossroads limited-edition acoustic guitar, for $52,000; Noel Gallagher’s handwritten lyrics to Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova,” for $10,400; John Lennon’s signed Mind Games album, for $22,750; a drum kit used onstage by the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, for $45,000; and a U.S. Live Aid program, signed by Dylan, Neil Young and others, for $22,750.

Tears for Fears announce six new Las Vegas dates

June 2, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Tears for Fears are set for a return to Las Vegas.

The band just announced six new shows of their Songs for a Nervous Planet residency at BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The shows will take place Sept. 24, Sept. 26 and Sept. 27, and Oct. 22, Oct. 24 and Oct. 25.

A Citi presale kicks off Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT, followed by an artist presale on Wednesday at the same time. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. PT.

Tears for Fears originally launched their Songs for a Nervous Planet residency at BleauLive in October 2024. They returned to the venue for three more shows in February.

The residency coincided with the release of Tears for Fears’ first-ever live album, Songs For A Nervous Planet, which came out in October. It featured live recordings of their classics, like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” “Shout” and “Head Over Heels,” taken from their 2022 The Tipping Point Tour.

In addition, the album included new studio tracks: “Emily Said,” “Say Goodbye To Mum And Dad,” “Astronaut” and “The Girl That I Call Home.”

Iron Maiden manager wishes ‘nothing but a very sore arm’ to excessive phone users during shows

June 2, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Leading up to the kickoff of Iron Maiden‘s European tour, the band put out a statement asking fans “not to excessively film the concerts on their phones or tablets” during the shows. Now that the trek is underway, Maiden manager Rod Smallwood reports that many fans have complied with the request — and has some choice words for those who don’t.

“A huge thank you to every one of you who kept your phones down, respected the band and your fellow fans, and embraced the show the way it’s meant to be experienced – in the room with us,” Smallwood writes in an Instagram post. “That was a great boost for us and the band appreciated it greatly. It is so much better when they can see you unencumbered and that drives them on without that distraction.”

Smallwood adds, “For the selfish few that didn’t and just had to keep videoing… I wish you nothing but a very sore arm!”

Maiden’s tour will run into early August. Openers include Halestorm and Avatar, depending on the date.

+ More