R.E.M.’s Peter Buck to appear in new Vevo Music series ‘Singing Earth’

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

R.E.M.’s Peter Buck is set to appear on a new music series, hosted by Screaming Trees/Mad Season drummer Barrett Martin.

The series, Singing Earth, debuts Friday on the Vevo Music Network, with Buck set to appear in the second episode. Buck describes the show, which can be watched on YouTube, as “a cool musical travelogue.”

Photos shared by Barrett reveal that he and Buck interview Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil for the series, while another shows Buck relaxing between recording sessions in São Paulo, Brazil.

Buck and Martin previously worked together in the supergroup Silverlites, which also featured The Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson and singer Joseph Arthur. They released their self-titled debut album back in November.

Dave Grohl responds to question about Foo Fighters playing LA fire benefit concert

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Dave Grohl has responded to a question about whether Foo Fighters will be performing at the upcoming FireAid Relief benefit concert supporting those affected by the Los Angeles fires.

TMZ caught Grohl on camera after spending the day cooking meals with the organization Feed the Streets for displaced families and inmate firefighters. When asked if the Foos might be playing FireAid, Grohl responded, “I dunno!” with a lilt in his voice.

FireAid is set to take place Jan. 30 at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome. The lineup has yet to be announced.

Foo Fighters haven’t performed live since before Grohl announced in September that he fathered a baby outside of his marriage. Their first show since the news broke was scheduled for later that month at the Soundside Music Festival, but the set was canceled.

David Bowie’s ‘Young Americans’ to be reissued on vinyl and picture disc for 50th anniversary

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

David Bowie’s ninth studio album, Young Americans, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the milestone will be marked with the release of a new reissue.

The album will be released as a limited-edition half-speed mastered LP, as well as on picture disc that comes with a poster. Both will be released March 7, which is 50 years to the day of the album’s original 1975 release.

Both versions are available for preorder now.

Young Americans, the follow-up to 1974’s Diamond Dogs, was considered a departure from Bowie’s glam-rock style, focusing more on soul and R&B influences. The album, which featured backing vocals by a then-unknown singer named Luther Vandross, debuted in the Billboard 200 top 10 in the U.S. and remained on the chart for 51 weeks. It also featured Bowie’s first #1 single, “Fame.”

On This Day, Jan. 16, 1988: George Harrison hit #1 with ‘Got My Mind Set On You’

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Jan. 16, 1988 …

George Harrison hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Got My Mind Set On You,” a cover of a 1962 track originally recorded by James Ray.

The recording was produced by ELO’s Jeff Lynne, who also played bass and keyboards on the song. It appeared on Harrison’s 11th studio album, Cloud Nine, which was the final solo album to be released during Harrison’s lifetime.

“Got My Mind Set On You” would be Harrison’s third and final #1 solo single. It also marked the last time a member of The Beatles hit #1 in both the U.S. and the U.K.

The song hit #1 just one week before The Beatles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Alex Lifeson says there are no plans to resurrect Rush

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

While Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are still close, and still play music together, fans shouldn’t hold out hope that they’ll resurrect the band.

In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, Lifeson reveals he and Lee enjoy jamming together, but that doesn’t mean we’ll see Rush again.

“It’s good to jam with friends as you get older,” Lifeson shares. “I need to play. Once a week I go to Ged’s – it’s in the calendar – keep my fingers moving, play Rush stuff, new jams. We do record it, but I couldn’t even begin to tell you where it’ll go.”

Lifeson says there are days “I wake up wanting to go out there and tour again,” but then there are others where he doesn’t, especially because there’s no replacing their drummer, Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020.

“For forty years Rush included Neil,” he says. “And I don’t think putting some new version together would have the same magic.”

Rush’s final tour, R40, ended in 2015, with Lifeson noting they “went out on a high note playing as well as ever with one of our best stage shows.”

“I guess I’d rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band,” he adds.

Watch Timothée Chalamet and Monica Barbaro perform Bob Dylan’s ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’

January 16, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is filled with musical performances, and now one of them has been shared online.

Searchlight Pictures has released a clip of Timothée Chalamet as Dylan and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez performing the track “It Ain’t Me Babe” at the Newport Folk Festival.

The beginning of the clip gives us a peek at the often rocky relationship between Baez and Dylan, with Baez telling Dylan to “pick something appropriate” to sing for the crowd, and then later telling him “just f*** off and sing.”

“It Ain’t Me Babe” was released in 1964 and appeared on Dylan’s fourth album, Another Side of Bob Dylan. The song has been covered by several artists, including Johnny Cash and June Carter, and The Turtles, who had a #8 hit with the song.

Chalamet and Barbaro’s version is featured on the A Complete Unknown soundtrack, which is out now via digital outlets. A limited-edition vinyl version of the soundtrack will drop on Jan. 24, with the CD version coming out in February. They are both available for preorder now.

A Complete Unknown is in theaters in the U.S. now and opens in the U.K. on Friday. The film was just nominated for six BAFTA Awards, including best film, leading actor for Chalamet and supporting actor for Ed Norton.

(Video includes uncensored profanity.)

Rod Stewart and wife appointed ambassadors for King Charles’ charity foundation

January 15, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, are friends with the U.K.’s King Charles, so it’s no surprise they’ll be helping out one of his charities, The King’s Foundation, in the new year.

Charles started the foundation in 1990, when he was still Prince of Wales. It works to provide education, public services and consultancy in sectors that he’s particularly interested in: education and sustainability, farming and agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, health and well-being, and architecture and urbanism.

Rod — who, lest we forget, is technically Sir Rod — and Penny aka Lady Stewart were inspired to get involved in The King’s Foundation when they met people who’ve benefited from it at the foundation’s annual awards ceremony in June, according to a release.

The foundation is currently celebrating its 35th year, and Rod says in a statement, “We are so pleased to be coming on board as ambassadors for The King’s Foundation and look forward to lending our support to this worthwhile cause, particularly during such a significant year for the charity.”

The chief executive of The King’s Foundation said, “We are so pleased that [Rod and Penny] are officially joining us [on] our mission to build sustainable communities and transform lives across the world.”

Rod performed at the Platinum Jubilee of Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022 but didn’t sing at Charles’ 2023 coronation because he had a show in Las Vegas.

Billy F Gibbons to release new song ‘Livin’ It Up Down In Texas’ on Friday

January 15, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Billy F Gibbons is getting ready to release some new music.

The ZZ Top rocker is set to drop the new song “Livin’ It Up Down In Texas” on Friday, sharing a clip of the song on Instagram.

But the track may already sound familiar to some people. It appeared on the Jan. 5 episode of the Paramount+ series Landman, which stars Billy Bob Thornton.

Gibbons and his band the BFGs are set to kick off a new tour with a three-night stand in Honolulu starting Thursday. A complete list of dates can be found at billygibbons.com.

KISS’ Gene Simmons stands by ‘every word’ of his ‘Dancing with the Stars’ commentary

January 15, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Back in October Gene Simmons received backlash over his controversial appearance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and he continues to defend his actions.

The KISS founder was a guest judge on the show’s hair metal episode, and was criticized by the public over what some argued were “creepy” comments that focused on the dancers’ appearances and looks rather than their performances.

During a recent appearance on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, Simmons argued that not bringing up a person’s looks is “not how life is.”

“Welcome to planet Earth, you will be judged by what you look like,” he said. “I didn’t make the rules, I’m just aware of them, which is why women wear makeup and high heels and all that.”

Simmons argued that the “sad” and “wonderful” truth is “the more beautiful you are, the more in shape, and all that stuff, the better the response is going to be.”

Simmons says he stands by “every word” he said on the show and blamed the criticism on too much political correctness.

“It really has come to the point, and that’s why politics are mirroring the idea of, we, the people, are really sick and tired of this,” he said. “It’s time to just get over yourself. Words — either we’re allowed to compliment you or not.” He added, “We worship the ground you walk on. If you have a problem with that, it’s easy to stop. It’s less work for us. You don’t wanna be complimented, respectfully, we’ll stop. Not a problem.”

Eagles donate $2.5 million to California wildfire benefit

January 15, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Eagles are the latest artists to open their wallets to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Sources confirm to ABC Audio that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has donated $2.5 million to the upcoming FireAid benefit concert that’s happening Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

So far no artists have been announced for the benefit, and there’s no word on whether the Eagles will be on the bill.

They are currently in the midst of their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere, but they do not have a show on that day. Their next Sphere show is taking place Friday. A complete list of dates can be found at eagles.com.

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