Who needs Dylan? Timothée Chalamet to be host and musical guest on ‘Saturday Night Live’

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Timothée Chalamet does his own singing and guitar playing in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, and it looks like he’s getting ready to do it live.

The actor has been booked to not only be the host of the Jan. 25 episode of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, he’s going to be the musical guest, as well.

While it’s unknown if Chalamet will sing as Dylan during the broadcast, the announcement comes after he was nominated for a Golden Globe and SAG Award for playing Dylan in the film, which is in theaters now.

And Chalamet certainly has plenty of Dylan songs to pick from. In a November interview with Entertainment Weekly, the film’s producer Fred Berger revealed that Chalamet performs 40 Dylan songs in A Complete Unknown.

This will be Chalamet’s third time hosting SNL and his first time as musical guest.

After more than 300 weeks, Elton John’s ‘Diamonds’ tops the UK album chart

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John has landed another #1 album in the U.K., but it sure took him a long time to get there.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s 2017 best-of, Diamonds, tops the U.K. Official Chart after spending 374 weeks on the chart. When the album was first released it debuted at #5 and eventually peaked at #2 — until now.

Diamonds now holds the record for having both the most weeks in the top 40 and the most consecutive weeks in the top 40 before hitting #1. And after not dropping out of the top 100 since its release, the album is now the Elton record to spend the most time in the top 100.

“I’m so happy to have a UK #1 album with Diamonds,” Elton wrote on social media. “It came out in 2017, which feels like a lifetime ago. This is the first time it’s topped the charts since its release, I’m blessed that so many incredible things have happened with my career during that time. I’m overjoyed and want to sincerely thank all my incredible fans for their constant love and support.”

“What a great start to the year,” he said in an accompanying video. “I could not be happier. Yesss!!!!”

Elton’s husband and manager, David Furnish, told Music Week that the #1 is “a testament to the ongoing relevance of the hardest working artist there is.”

Diamonds’ recent resurgence is thanks to the release of a super-deluxe Blu-ray edition and a limited-edition vinyl version of the album.

The album is now Elton’s ninth #1 in the U.K. His previous chart-toppers include 1973’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; 1974’s Caribou and Elton John’s Greatest Hits; and 2021’s The Lockdown Sessions.

Billy Joel pushes January gig to November due to ‘medical procedure’

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

After a stellar 2024, Billy Joel‘s 2025 is starting off a little bumpy: He’s had to reschedule his first concert of the year — not counting New Year’s Eve — for medical reasons.

Billy was set to perform Jan. 17 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, but the show has now been postponed to Nov. 1 due to “a medical procedure,” according to a statement on his Instagram.

“I’m disappointed to share that I must postpone my concert at Hard Rock Live,” Billy said. “I appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing everyone in November.” Tickets for the Jan. 17 show will be valid for the new date. Fans who can’t make the new show can get refunds from the point of purchase from now through March 11.

Billy is scheduled to perform Feb. 8 with Sting in Indianapolis and has a solo show planned at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Feb. 22.

Bill Medley releases ‘Crying Time,’ featuring Michael McDonald, from upcoming album

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley has shared a new single from his upcoming album, Straight from the Heart, which is due out Feb. 14.

The 12-track album, Medley’s first new record in over a decade, has the legendary singer covering classic country ballads with the help of special guests. The latest release is a recording of “Crying Time,” featuring The Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald. The tune was originally recorded by Ray Charles and written by Buck Owens.

“I really love this song, and it was one that I felt that I could relate to. Being married a few times and experiencing the highs and lows and knowing when it’s over — It’s ‘Crying time,’” Medley shares. “I admire Michael and loved singing with him on this duet. Our old school roots and singing came together so easily.”

“Bill Medley takes his rightful place alongside other great vocalists such as Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and Nat Cole in showing us a greater depth to the compositions he chooses to perform,” McDonald adds. “It only takes a timelessly soulful voice to do that.”

“Crying Time” is available now via digital outlets.

This is the third track Medley has released from Straight from the Heart, following “These Days” featuring Vince Gill and “(Since You’ve) Gone” featuring Keb’ Mo’. The album is available for preorder now.

David Bowie, Bob Dylan make ‘Rolling Stone’s’ list of the 250 greatest albums of the 21st century so far

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rolling Stone has come out with its list of the 250 greatest albums of the 21st century so far, with albums from David Bowie and Bob Dylan making the list.

Dylan lands at #19 with Love and Theft, which was released in 2001; the mag calls it a “ragged masterpiece.” He also places at #149 with 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, which the rocker recorded while battling liver cancer, ranks at 25. It was released in 2015 just two days before he died. The mag calls the record “one of the greatest final acts in rock history.”

Other albums making the list include Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising (2002), Green Day’s American Idiot (2004), Brian Wilson’s Smile (2004), U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000), Paul Simon’s So Beautiful or So What (2011), R.E.M.’s Reveal (2001), and Paul McCartney’s Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005).

As for the #1 album, that goes to Beyoncé‘s 2016 release, Lemonade, with Radiohead’s 2000 record, Kid A, coming in at #2.

The complete list can be found at RollingStone.com.

Elton John wishes his ‘great mate’ Rod Stewart a happy birthday: ‘So many great memories’

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John and Rod Stewart haven’t been that close in recent years, but Elton still made it a point to wish his old pal a happy 80th birthday on Friday.

On his Instagram Story, Elton posted a slideshow of pictures of the two of them through the decades. One picture shows Elton in drag, sitting in Rod’s lap; another shows them side by side in bathtubs. “Happy birthday to my great mate! @sirrodstewart,” Elton wrote. “So many great memories over the years! Hope you have a brilliant day celebrating! Much love!”

Elton and Rod used to be so close that they had special nicknames for each other — Rod was “Phyllis” and Elton was “Sharon” — and played elaborate pranks on each other. But in 2018, Rod ticked Elton off by going on TV and saying that Elton’s farewell tour was a “dishonest” ploy to get more money.

In his autobiography, Elton wrote about Rod’s comment, “I certainly didn’t feel like I needed a lecture on the feral spirit of rock and roll from someone who’d spent most of the last decade crooning his way through the Great American Songbook … I thought he had a f****** [nerve], complaining about me promoting a tour while he was sat on a TV show promoting his own tour.”

Rod told ABC Audio in 2021, “We don’t see each other anymore. We don’t keep in contact. The romance is over. I suppose, you know, we contact each other through the press now. If I say something b***** about him, he’ll use the press to get back at me. But we love each other. That’s what counts.”

Meanwhile, Rod took to Instagram Friday to thank his “loyal and rowdy fans … for giving me such a wonderful life,” adding, “I’ve not finished yet.”

Jethro Tull announces new album, ‘Curious Ruminant’, coming in March

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Jethro Tull is set to release a new album, Curious Ruminant, on March 7. It will feature nine new tracks, including a tune called “Drink From The Same Well,” which is almost 17 minutes long.

The band is offering their first preview of the record with the release of the album’s title track and an accompanying video, directed by Costin Chioreanu.

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson began work on Curious Ruminant not long after the release of the band’s 2023 album RökFlöte, writing brand new songs and using some unfinished instrumental demos recorded years ago.

Joining Anderson on the album is former Jethro Tull keyboardist Andrew Giddings and drummer James Duncan, as well as current band members David Goodier, John O’Hara and Scott Hammond, and guitarist Jack Clark, who is making his recording debut with the band.

Curious Ruminant will be released in a variety of formats, including CD, vinyl and transparent grape vinyl. There are also two limited-edition deluxe sets, both of which include alternative stereo mixes of the album, a Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound, plus interview material.

Curious Ruminant is available for preorder now.

Metallica announces single-day tickets for 2025 M72 No Repeat Weekend shows

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica has announced the single-day ticket details for the No Repeat Weekend shows on the 2025 North American leg of their ongoing M72 tour.

As with previous legs, the No Repeat Weekend shows consist of two concerts over a single weekend in one city, each featuring a completely unique set list.

When the 2025 dates first went on sale, you could only buy No Repeat Weekend tickets in a two-show bundle. Now Metallica has announced that you can buy tickets for individual shows on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. local time.

If you’re a member of the Metallica fan club, you can access a presale beginning Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. local time.

For all ticket info, visit Metallica.com.

Metallica’s 2025 North American tour launches in April.

On This Day, Jan. 10, 2023: Guitarist Jeff Beck died at age 78

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Jan. 10, 2023 …

Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck passed away at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis.

Beck came to prominence as a member of The Yardbirds, but went on to have a successful solo career, fronting his own Jeff Beck Group.

Considered by many to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time, Beck won six Grammys for best rock instrumental performance, plus additional wins for best pop instrumental performance and best pop collaboration with vocals.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, in 1992 as a member of The Yardbirds and again in 2009 for his solo work.

Ringo Starr drops video for title track of country album, ‘Look Up’, which is out now

January 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ringo Starr’s new country album, Look Up, is out now, and to celebrate Ringo has dropped the video for the album’s title track, which features a guest appearance by Molly Tuttle.

According to a press release, the video, directed by Wyndham Garnett, was inspired not only by the song’s lyrics, but by Ringo’s mission of sharing peace and love. It features a diverse group of people gathered in a field, as they dance, share the love and simply look up into the sun-filled sky. It ends with an aerial view, revealing that they are forming a peace sign.

The album Look Up, co-written and produced by T Bone Burnett, was recorded last year in Los Angeles and Nashville. It’s made up of 11 songs, with special guest appearances by Tuttle, Billy Strings, Lucius, Larkin Poe and Alison Krauss. The Eagles‘ Joe Walsh, who is Ringo’s brother-in-law, also played on the album.

Ringo is set to celebrate the release of Look Up with shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, billed as Ringo Starr & Friends, on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. He’ll also hit the road with his All-Starr Band, starting June 12 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A complete list of dates can be found at ringostarr.com.

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