On This Day, Feb. 20, 1974: Steely Dan released ‘Pretzel Logic’

February 20, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Feb. 20, 1974 …

Steely Dan released their third studio album, Pretzel Logic, which was the last to feature the full lineup of Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. Future albums would be recorded by Becker, Fagen and hired studio musicians.

Pretzel Logic was a top-10 hit for Steely Dan, peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200. It featured the hit single “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” which was the highest-charting single of the band’s career, hitting #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Why Elton John will be rushing around like crazy on Oscar night

February 20, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On March 2, Elton John will host his 33rd annual Oscar Viewing Party benefit at West Hollywood Park, but he also needs to be several miles away at the Dolby Theatre for the Oscar ceremony. However, he’s prepared for all the rushing around.

Elton is nominated for best original song at this year’s Oscars for “Never Too Late.” Of course, he has to be in the theater in case he wins, but he also has to show up to his own party. Luckily, he has some experience with this — he had to do the same thing in 2020, when he was nominated for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from his biopic Rocketman.

Speaking to Variety, Elton’s husband and manager, David Furnish, says, “We will run the same drill that we did [then] … as soon as the award is presented, we will jump in the car and we will go straight on to our party because it’s very important for us to be there and to be in the room.”

Furnish says he’s hoping for a repeat of 2020: Elton won that year and showed up at the party with an Oscar in hand.

The musical entertainment at the party will be provided by Grammy best new artist winner Chappell Roan, and Furnish says she and Elton are “still talking about” whether or not they’ll be able to perform together that night.

“He was about as early as an early adopter can be to her talent,” Furnish tells Variety about Elton’s relationship with Chappell. “Subsequently, she’s become a dear friend … he keeps an eye on her and loves what she has achieved musically.”

The annual viewing party, which benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has raised nearly $115 million since it first began.

‘Deliver Me From Nowhere’ soundman jokes that Bruce Springsteen was ‘in the way’

February 20, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen was often photographed on the New Jersey set of the movie Deliver Me From Nowhere, which follows the making of his album Nebraska. But it sounds like he may have been around a bit too much.

Tod Maitland, part of the Oscar-nominated sound team behind the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, also worked on the Springsteen film and talked about the difference between the two artists’ input in their flicks.

According to Deadline, before a screening of the Dylan film in New York Tuesday, Maitland was asked about Dylan’s contribution. He noted that the rocker talked to the film’s director, James Mangold, only once well ahead of filming. But Maitland revealed that the opposite was true when it came to Springsteen and his film.

“On the contrary,” he said with a laugh. “Bruce was there almost every single day, to the point where he’s, like, in the way.”

The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White stars as Springsteen in Deliver Me From Nowhere, with Jeremy Strong playing The Boss’ manager Jon Landau. The film is based on Warren Zanes‘ book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.

So far Deliver Me From Nowhere does not have a release date.

Guitar autographed by Neil Young & Crazy Horse part of Gibson Gives charity auction

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

A guitar signed by Neil Young and the members of Crazy Horse is up for grabs as part of Gibson Gives’ upcoming benefit auction.

The auction is being handled by Julien’s Auctions and features over 20 guitars, including a 2022 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul in ebony finish, signed by Young and the most recent Crazy Horse lineup of Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot and Micah Nelson. The guitar is estimated to sell for between $2,000 and $4,000.

The auction also includes a 2021 Gibson Custom Shop Mod Shop Les Paul electric guitar signed by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, as well as autographed guitars from Melissa Etheridge, Falling in Reverse, Halestorm, I Prevail, The Avett Brothers, Yellowcard and more.

The online-only auction will take place March 12, with proceeds supporting Gibson Gives’ disaster relief efforts and its FirstBank Amphitheater partnership to benefit Williamson County Schools in Tennessee.

More information on the auction, and info on how to register to bid, can be found at juliensauctions.com.

Phil Collins won’t be making any more new music: ‘I’m not hungry for it anymore’

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Phil Collins fans holding out hope he has more music in him are going to be disappointed. In a new interview with Mojo, Collins reveals that he has no plans to make music again.

“I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens,” Collins tells the mag. “But I’m not hungry for it anymore.”

His health is also keeping him from recording again, with Collins noting, “The thing is, I’ve been sick, I mean very sick.”

Although he didn’t go into specifics with the magazine regarding his health, the 74-year-old Collins has been dealing with health issues since 2007, including neck problems during Genesis’ tour that year, which required surgery. In 2014 he revealed that an undisclosed nerve issue left him unable to play drums again.

Due to his declining mobility, Collins performed seated during Genesis’ 2022 The Last Domino farewell tour, with his son Nic taking over behind the drum kit.

It’s been over 20 years since Collins released any new music. His last solo album of new material, Testify, came out in 2002, and he followed that with a Motown covers album, Going Back, which came out in 2010.

Kansas cancels shows following singer’s cancer revelation

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Kansas has canceled two shows following the revelation that their singer, Ronnie Platt, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Platt, who has been singing with the band since 2014, announced his diagnosis on social media on Feb. 15, assuring fans his cancer “has a 99% survival rate” and that it hasn’t spread.

“It’s contained to my thyroid. I just have to have my thyroid removed. Go through some rehab time and be right back in the saddle,” he wrote. “I sincerely appreciate everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers. I have some absolutely amazing people going to bat for me!!”

He added, “this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon! so everyone please CARRY ON!”

Ahead of the announcement the band canceled their Friday show in New Orleans citing “band illness.” They’ve also canceled their March 1 show in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the same reason.

Kansas is next scheduled to appear on the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise 2025, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 15. Their next headlining show is April 4 in Ivins, Utah. A complete list of dates can be found at kansasband.com.

John Lydon dismisses Sex Pistols reunion as ‘karaoke’: ‘It’s almost malicious in its intent’

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

John Lydon has shared his thoughts on the Sex Pistols reunion. Spoiler alert: he’s not a fan.

As previously reported, the “Anarchy in the U.K.” outfit reformed in 2024 with original members Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock alongside Frank Carter on vocals in place of the man formerly known as Johnny Rotten.

Speaking about his former band getting back together without him, Lydon tells NME, “The poor sausage! Does he know what he’s walked into?”, referring to Carter.

“Good on him, what a great f****** opportunity,” Lydon says. “But there’s something darker going on behind it.”

“It’s almost malicious in its intent,” he continues. “And it’s karaoke – that’s all it will ever be. Bloody hell, The Three Stooges in that band have had how many years to write some new songs? That’s what I’d like to hear.”

Regardless of what Lydon thinks, the reformed Sex Pistols are continuing to tour and are opening for select Guns N’ Roses dates over the summer.

Queen’s Brian May plays surprise show in London, gives update on health

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Queen guitarist Brian May gave a surprise performance Tuesday at the Gibson Garage in London. He performed on the first day of Gibson Garage Fest and helped celebrate the launch of the new Gibson Custom Brian May SJ-200 12 String acoustic guitar.

May took part in a Q&A and performed Queen’s “Love of My Life” on the guitar. He was then joined by singer/songwriter Arielle for a cover of The Everly Brothers’ tune “So Sad (to Watch Good Love Go Bad)” and his 1992 solo track “Love Token.”

In other May news, the rocker has given fans an update on his health.

May announced in September he had suffered a minor stroke that left his ability to play guitar in doubt, and he’s now sharing with Premiere Guitar just how bad things were.

“I couldn’t get a fork from the table to my mouth without it all going all over the place,” he says in an interview. “It was scary.”

May was fortunate, though, as his health started improving rather quickly.

“After only a few days, it’s amazing what you can get back,” he says. “By sheer willpower, you just start retraining your muscle.”

May adds that he’s now gotten about 95% of his abilities back, sharing, “The short answer is, I’m good.”

On This Day, Feb. 19, 1980: AC/DC frontman Bon Scott died

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Feb. 19, 1980 …

Bon Scott, frontman and lyricist for Australian rock band AC/DC, died after a night out at a London club. He was 33.

The coroner’s report said Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning.

Scott was AC/DC’s second lead vocalist, replacing lead singer Dave Evans in 1974. Scott appeared on the band’s first seven albums, his last being 1979’s Highway to Hell.

He was replaced by singer Brian Johnson, whose first album was the band’s iconic Back in Black, which was released as a tribute to Scott.

Scott was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with AC/DC in 2003.

Paul McCartney to sell select signed photos to raise money for California wildfire relief

February 19, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Photos from Paul McCartney‘s touring photo exhibit, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, are coming to Los Angeles, and the exhibition is going to help raise money for those affected by the recent California wildfires.

Select photos will be on display at the Gagosian Beverly Hills art gallery from April 25 to June 21, with McCartney and the gallery offering up small, signed editions of prints for sale. A portion of the proceeds from those sales are being donated to aid recovery and relief efforts in Southern California.

The photos featured in the exhibition were taken by McCartney between November 1963 and February 1964, giving fans insight into his point of view during the height of Beatlemania.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm debuted in June 2023 at London’s National Portrait Gallery, with the exhibit later moving to Virginia, Brooklyn, Portland, and Osaka, Japan. It will next open at the de Young museum — part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco — on March 1, and run through July 6. The photos have also been collected in a book of the same name.

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