Two David Bowie records among the UK’s bestselling vinyl records of the past decade

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

David Bowie fans are apparently really into vinyl records.

The U.K.’s Official Charts recently came out with a list of the bestselling vinyl records of the past 10 years, and while Taylor Swift’s Midnights tops the list, Bowie lands two albums in the top 10.

Of the pair, Bowie’s 2016 greatest hits package Legacy lands in the highest spot at #5. His final album, Blackstar, lands at #8.

A post on Bowie’s official Instagram account notes, “Our man has fared well alongside the youngsters of today, and it’s all thanks to you.”

Bowie’s Blackstar was released in 2016, just two day before the rocker passed away at the age of 69. It was the bestselling vinyl album of that year in the U.K. and spent 38 weeks on the official U.K. album chart.

Legacy, which features such Bowie classics as “Let’s Dance,” “Changes,” “Modern Love” and “Fame,” has spent 437 weeks on the same chart.

Sean Lennon supports Sam Mendes’ Beatles films: ‘I am not interested in second-guessing his casting choices’

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Sean Lennon has weighed in on the casting of Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles films, and he is putting his faith in the director.

The cast of The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event was recently announced, with Harris Dickinson playing Sean’s father, John Lennon. Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan has been cast as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn will portray George Harrison.

And while some folks have had strong opinions about the casting, Sean tells Vanity Fair he’s not about to question Mendes’ choices.

“We are all in touch with Sam (the Beatles gang). I told him I am not interested in second-guessing his casting choices as a director. Would anyone have expected Christian Bale to be a good Dick Cheney?” he says, referring to the 2018 movie Vice.

“I think that’s the filmmaker’s choice,” Sean adds. “My interest has more to do with the scripts, and how they intertwine. I have every confidence in Sam and Harris and the rest of the team.”

Sean, who’s promoting the upcoming documentary One to One: John & Yoko, which opens in IMAX theaters on Friday, also talked about the importance of preserving the legacy of his parents and The Beatles.

“When I was growing up—and that was the ’80s and ’90s, even the early 2000s—you could argue people like Zeppelin and Hendrix and the Beatles and Stones were in the pantheon of these godlike figures. I don’t think it’s as true today, and I think that that’s unfortunate,” he shares. “I don’t think we can afford to forget them, especially in the case of John and Yoko, because in that case, we’re talking about peace and love. And I think that message is sadly as important, if not more important than it’s ever been.”

Sex Pistols dedicate Sydney concert to Blondie drummer Clem Burke

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Sex Pistols brought their tour to Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, and dedicated the show to late Blondie drummer Clem Burke.

“Very quickly I just want to take a moment to dedicate this show to an amazing man, and a friend of the lads, Clem Burke,” current frontman Frank Carter told the audience, as seen in video shared by bassist Glen Matlock. “An incredible drummer, who sadly passed away yesterday. So tonight is for Clem and it’s for friendship.”

Not only was Burke a friend of the Sex Pistols, he actually worked with several members of the band. Burke and guitarist Steve Jones teamed up in 1983 for the supergroup Chequered Past, which also featured singer Michael Des Barres and former Blondies bassist Nigel Harrison.

In addition, Burke and Matlock played together in the band International Swingers, which was formed in 2011. Matlock also performed with Blondie on tours in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Matlock had previously paid tribute to Burke on social media, writing, “Such a sad news couple of days. What a drummer, what a friend, what a guy. Will miss you big time mate.”

Burke’s death was announced by Blondie on Monday, revealing that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer he had been privately battling cancer. He was 70.

“Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable,” read the post. “Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Slash slashes X, announces decision to ‘step away’ from platform

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Slash no longer has even just a little “Patience” for social platform X.

The Guns N’ Roses guitarist has announced that he’s “decided to step away” from the social media site formerly known as Twitter and that he will “no longer be active on the platform.”

“This was a considered decision after repeated hacks, and it reflects a shift in how I’d like to stay connected moving forward,” Slash writes.

Slash will still be “posting regular updates” on his Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts.

Patti Smith to release new memoir, ‘Bread of Angels’, in November

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Patti Smith has written another memoir.

The rocker shared a photo on Instagram Wednesday of her with her parents, writing, “This is with my mother and father who inspired much of my next book Bread of Angels. The memoir, a bright and dark dance of life, will be published on November 4th, by Random House.”

Bread of Angels comes 15 years after the release of Smith’s first memoir, Just Kids, which documented her time in Manhattan in the ’70s and her relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe. It won the National Book Award in 2010.

“November 4 is especially meaningful to me,” Smith shared in a press release. “It’s the birthday of Robert Mapplethorpe and the anniversary of my late husband Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith’s passing. It took a decade to write this book, grappling with the beauty and sorrow of a lifetime. I’m hoping that people will find something they need.”

According to the release, Bread of Angels is “the most intimate” of Smith’s memoirs, following the musician through her childhood in Philadelphia and South Jersey, her teenage years “when the first glimmers of art and romance take hold,” her marriage to Fred Smith and their family life, and more.

“As Smith suffers profound losses, she also returns to writing,” the release notes, “the one constant on a lifelong path driven by artistic freedom and the power of the imagination.”

In addition to Just Kids, Smith released the memoir M Train in 2015.

Smith is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of her debut album, Horses, this year with a tour that kicks off Oct. 6 in Dublin, Ireland, and hits the U.S. on Nov. 10 in Seattle. A complete list of dates can be found at PattiSmith.com.

Van Morrison to celebrate his 80th birthday with hometown show in Belfast

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Van Morrison is turning 80 in August and he’s going to celebrate on the stage.

The “Brown Eyed Girl” singer announced that on his birthday, Aug. 31, he’ll headline a concert at Waterfront Hall in his hometown of Belfast, Ireland, which he’s dubbing his 80th Birthday Celebration.

Morrison is expected to be joined by “very special guests” at the concert, with the announcement boasting, “We’re celebrating in style.”

Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday.

The concert news comes as Morrison is getting ready to release a brand-new album, Remember Now, on June 13, featuring 14 original tracks. The album, available for preorder now, is Morrison’s first album of all new material since 2022’s What’s It Gonna Take?

He’s also got several concert dates on his 2025 schedule, including a spot opening for Neil Young at his July 11 BST Hyde Park concert in London. A complete list of dates can be found at VanMorrison.com.

On This Day, April 9, 1984: R.E.M. releases their second studio album, ‘Reckoning’

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, April 9, 1984…

R.E.M. released their second studio album, Reckoning, which like their 1983 debut, Murmur, was produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon.

The album, which was first released in the U.K. and then the U.S., was recorded at Reflection Sound in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the producers attempting to capture the energy and sound of the band’s live performances.

Reckoning was a hit with critics and peaked at #27 in the U.S., although it topped college radio airplay charts.

Its first single, “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry),” peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100, while its second single, “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville,” did not chart. Both went on to become R.E.M. fan favorites.

The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

In February, the members of R.E.M. – Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry – reunited on stage at Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s Athens, Georgia, concert celebrating the band’s third studio album Fables of the Reconstruction. They performed the Reckoning track “Pretty Persuasion.”

Metallica announces takeover events for upcoming US M72 leg

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica has announced the return of their takeover events for the upcoming U.S. leg of the band’s ongoing M72 world tour.

Takeover events consist of Metallica-themed happenings that pop up around each stop on the tour. The newly announced takeover events include guitarist Kirk Hammett speaking on his new book, The Collection, pop-up shops, performances by tribute bands and Blackened Whiskey events.

As previously reported, Metallica will also be hosting blood drives alongside the American Red Cross and screening an early cut of their Metallica Saved My Life fan-focused film throughout the tour.

Metallica’s tour begins April 19 in Syracuse, New York. For the full list of dates and all takeover events, visit Metallica.com.

Library of Congress picks classics by Elton John, Chicago & more for the National Recording Registry

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Recordings by Elton John, Chicago and Steve Miller Band have been chosen by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry.

In total 25 recordings have been chosen this year “based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

Albums picked include Elton’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which features hits like the title track, “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind”; Chicago’s debut Chicago Transit Authority, with songs like “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Questions 67 and 68″; and Steve Miller Band’s Fly Like an Eagle, with hits like the title track, “Take the Money and Run” and “Rock’n Me.”

Also being chosen is the Microsoft Windows Reboot Chime, which was composed by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Brian Eno in 1995.

“These are the sounds of America – our wide-ranging history and culture. The National Recording Registry is our evolving nation’s playlist,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said. “The Library of Congress is proud and honored to select these audio treasures worthy of preservation, including iconic music across a variety of genres, field recordings, sports history and even the sounds of our daily lives with technology.”

The public can nominate recordings to be considered; this year, the Library of Congress received 2,600 nominations, with Chicago Transit Authority being the top nominee. With the new additions, the National Recording Registry titles are now at 675, part of a recorded sound collection of close to 4 million items.

David Byrne to hold second annual ‘Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things’ variety show

April 9, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne is bringing back his Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things variety show for a second year.

The one-night-only event will be held May 29 at New York’s Town Hall. It will be a benefit for Byrne’s solutions-based nonprofit magazine Reasons to be Cheerful, a project of his nonprofit, Arbutus.

Byrne will emcee the evening, which will feature a lineup that includes comedian and actor Ramy Youssef, musician Reggie Watts, gospel soul group Annie and the Caldwells, magician Steve Cuiffo, burlesque performer Julie Atlas Muz and Balkan musicians Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, with more artists to be announced.

“Reasons to be Cheerful is all about finding signs of hope, even when it feels like it’s in short supply,” Byrne shares. “That’s what this show is all about: a joyful communal experience to buoy us in a tumultuous time.”

Tickets for the variety show are on sale now.

Byrne held the first Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things variety show in October 2024, which celebrated the fifth anniversary of Reasons to be Cheerful.

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