Def Leppard releases ‘Stand By Me’ cover to benefit FireAid

January 31, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Def Leppard has released a new song with proceeds going to help the victims of the California wildfires.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers just debuted a cover of the Ben E. King classic “Stand By Me,” which was recorded for the Netflix movie Bank of Dave 2: The Lone Ranger, which the band has a cameo in.

Proceeds from the song will be donated to FireAid, with money being used for those affected by the California wildfires and to support efforts to keep such disasters from happening again.

“Los Angeles & its surrounding area has always played a central role in Def Leppard’s career. From it being where some of us are based and it being our U.S. hub for rehearsals, to being the city where we played our first-ever American gig,” frontman Joe Elliott shares on Instagram. “We feel blessed to be able to dedicate this song & give all the royalties to the amazing heroes in L.A. helping those affected by the fires. No better song.”

“Stand By Me” is available now via digital outlets.

Bank of Dave 2 is the sequel to the 2023 Netflix film Bank of Dave, which told the real-life story of working-class, self-made millionaire Dave Fishwick, played by actor Rory Kinnear, who tried to set up a community bank to help his town’s local businesses survive. Def Leppard also had a cameo in the original film, playing themselves performing at a charity fundraiser for the bank. The sequel follows Dave as he takes on payday loan companies.

The sequel debuted in the U.K. in early January. So far there’s no word on when it will begin streaming in the U.S.

Stephen Stills & Graham Nash reunite at FireAid

January 31, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Crosby, Stills & Nash legends Stephen Stills and Graham Nash reunited Thursday night in Inglewood, California, for a performance at the all-star FireAid benefit concert.

Stills, backed by rock band Dawes and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, started the performance with his Buffalo Springfield track “For What it’s Worth,” before bringing out Nash to perform their 1970 classic “Teach Your Children.”

Crosby, Stills & Nash broke up in 2015, and David Crosby passed away in January 2023. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2024, Nash said he doubted he’d ever play again with Stills, or their Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young band mate Neil Young because of Crosby’s death, noting, “he really was the heartbeat of this band, and his passing brought a halt to us all making music together.”

Other highlights of the FireAid benefit included: The Black Crowes teaming with John Fogerty for “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” and then later bringing out Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash for a cover of the Led Zeppelin song “Going to California,” and Joni Mitchell and her throne returning to the stage for a performance of “Both Sides Now.”

The show also featured hits-filled sets from Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and more.

FireAid took place at two venues, the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. Money raised will benefit those affected by the California wildfires and to support efforts to keep such disasters from happening again.

Nirvana members reunite at FireAid benefit concert

January 31, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The surviving members of Nirvana — drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Novoselic and touring guitarist Pat Smear — reunited during Thursday’s FireAid benefit concert raising money for Los Angeles fire relief efforts.

The surprise set, which had not been announced ahead of time, featured performances of the songs “Breed,” “School,” “Territorial Pissings” and “All Apologies.” Each was fronted by a different guest vocalist in place of the late Kurt Cobain: St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s daughter, Violet, respectively.

Grohl, Novoselic and Smear have reunited several times over the years since Cobain’s death in 1994, most notably when Nirvana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. That set also featured vocals by St. Vincent, Gordon and Jett, as well as Lorde.

Paul McCartney reveals how he got interested in football

January 31, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, Paul McCartney, who headlined the halftime show in 2005, has shared his thoughts on what he calls American football, and it turns out he’s a fan.

In a new Q&A on his website, the rocker was asked how he first got into watching the sport, and it seems his wife Linda is responsible.

“Well, being married to Linda meant I was in America quite a bit. We spent a lot of time there with her family and American Football was always on the television,” he explains. “I would watch it with everyone but not really know what was going on!”

McCartney says he didn’t understand the game until Linda clued him in to keep his eye on the quarterback, telling him, “All the action comes from him.”

“So, once I had that clue, I found it much easier to follow,” he says.

“I watched a lot of it and grew to really like it, because it’s quite a complicated and strategic game – and obviously very athletic,” Sir Paul says, joking, “In Britain we used to laugh at it, saying, ‘They wear all those pads and protective gear. We don’t, we’ve got rugby, a proper sport!'”

“But I got over all that, and found I really liked it,” he adds. “So yeah, I’m a big fan of football, American-style.”

The Rolling Stones pay tribute to Marianne Faithfull

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones have paid tribute to singer Marianne Faithfull, who passed away Thursday at the age of 78.

Frontman Mick Jagger, who was in a romantic relationship with Faithfull from 1966 to 1970, shared several photos of the singer/actress on Instagram, including a couple of shots of them while they were together.

“I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was so much part of my life for so long,” Mick wrote. “She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”

Keith Richards shared a photo of him and Faithfull toasting with a champagne glass and teacup, writing, “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I am so sad and will miss her!!” Ronnie Woods also shared a photo of them together, with the caption, “Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her xx”

Faithfull’s first U.S. hit was “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Jagger, Richards and Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, who actually discovered Faithfull at a party in 1964. The tune later became a top 10 hit for the Stones. Faithfull, often considered one of Jagger’s muses, claimed to have inspired such Stones songs as “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Wild Horses.”

Also paying tribute to Faithfull is Metallica, who thanked her for her contribution to their song, “The Memory Remains,” from their 1997 album Reload.

“Thank you, Marianne…For the good times For your kindness For the great stories For your fearlessness,” they wrote on Facebook. They also thanked her for her “incredible and unique contribution to our music, and for always being so willing to join us in performing it…and partake in the ensuing shenanigans! Rest in Peace.”

Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne among the artists booked for ‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert’

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The 50th anniversary of NBC’s Saturday Night Live is being celebrated with a all-star concert in New York City.

SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, will take place Feb. 14 at Radio City Music Hall, with the announcement noting it “will bring together legendary Saturday Night Live hall-of-famers and surprise special guests.”

Artists confirmed for the concert include Bonnie Raitt, Talking Heads’ David Byrne, The B-52s, and DEVO, along with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile, Backstreet Boys, Brittany Howard, Bad Bunny, Arcade Fire, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn and The Roots, with more performers expected to be announced.

And folks will be able to enjoy the concert at home. It will stream live on Peacock, starting at 8 p.m. It will also screen in select IMAX theaters at Regal Cinemas in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and Florida.

Leonard Cohen personal items going up for auction in February

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen will be the subject of a new auction, happening in February.

Julien’s’ Auctions will host Celebrating Leonard Cohen: The Collections of Aviva Layton, Anjani Thomas & More, featuring over 150 items belonging to the “Hallelujah” singer/songwriter. It’s described as “the largest group of privately held collections of the legendary poet, singer and songwriter’s archival material and personal effects ever to come to auction.”

Items on the auction block include never before seen manuscripts, unpublished poetry, vintage photographs, and letters, as well as personal effects, including Cohen’s black “magic writing” Greek fisherman cap, a green Apica notebook, dated January 21, 2007, with handwritten notes, poems, and lyric drafts, the key to his house in Hydra Greece, religious mementos and more.

There’s even locket that features a lock of Cohen’s actual hair inside. It’s estimated to sell for between $400 and $600.

The auction will take place Feb. 28 online and at Julien’s Studios in Los Angeles. Information about the auction and registration can be found at juliensauctions.com.

British singer, actress and Rolling Stones muse Marianne Faithfull dies at age 78

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

British actress and singer Marianne Faithfull, known for her association with The Rolling Stones, passed away Thursday at the age of 78, her rep confirmed to ABC Audio.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” read the statement. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”

Faithfull was discovered by Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham at a party in 1964, and she had her first U.S. hit with “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Loog Oldham, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards that was later a top 10 hit for the Stones. Faithfull released her self-titled debut album in 1965, which was a commercial success, peaking at #12 in the U.S.

Faithfull and Jagger were in a romantic relationship from 1966 to 1970, and she has often been considered one of Jagger’s muses. She reportedly inspired “Sympathy for the Devil” and she also claimed to have inspired “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Wild Horses.”

During the ’60s and ’70s, Faithfull battled substance abuse issues that, along with a severe case of laryngitis, changed her voice, giving it a permanently raspy sound. After years away from recording, she had a comeback in 1979 with the release of her seventh studio album, Broken English. The critically acclaimed album earned Faithfull a Grammy for best female rock vocal performance.

She released her most recent album, She Walks In Beauty, in 2021, which she began recording following a serious battle with COVID-19.

Faithfull also had a longstanding acting career, appearing in movies, TV and on stage. Her resume includes such films as 1968’s The Girl on a Motorcycle and 1969’s Hamlet. She infamously played God in two episodes of the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, and she recently lent her distinctive voice to a character in the 2021 film Dune.

The Who playing two summer shows in Italy

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Who has added some more shows to their 2025 schedule.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are set to headline two concerts in Italy this summer: July 20 in Padua and July 22 in Milan.

With the new additions, The Who now have four shows on the books. They previously announced they’ll headline two Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, March 27 and March 30.

Tickets for the Italy shows go on sale Wednesday at 12 p.m.

So far The Who hasn’t announced any plans to tour the U.S. this year.

In addition to the four Who shows, frontman Roger Daltrey is set to kick off a U.K. solo tour on April 20 in Brighton, England. The Alive and Kicking…And Having Fun tour promises “Who hits, rarities, solo hits and stories.”

And he just added a new show to the trek, happening Aug. 1 on the grounds of Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex.

Patti Smith shares health update after collapsing onstage in Brazil: ‘I am fine’

January 30, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Patti Smith is setting the record straight about her health after she reportedly collapsed onstage during a show in Brazil.

Reports on social media claimed that during her concert in São Paulo with the Soundwalk Collective, Patti fell backward, was unconscious and was taken out in a wheelchair. Video shows her later returning to the stage in a wheelchair to perform.

But Patti says in a post on social media that the reports of the incident are being overblown.

“This is letting everyone know that I am fine. A grossly exaggerated account is being spread by the press and social media,” the 78-year-old writes on Instagram. “I had some post migraine dizziness. Had a small incident, left the stage, and returned 10 minutes later and talked to the people, told them I was fine and sang them Wing and Because the night.”

She adds, “I was checked out by an excellent Doctor and was absolutely fine. Please do not accept any other story. With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention. Thank you everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine.”

Smith is supposed to perform in São Paulo again on Thursday.

+ More