Eagles pay tribute to JD Souther at Las Vegas Sphere residency

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Eagles kicked off their Las Vegas Sphere residency on Sept. 20 and took a moment in their show to pay tribute to the late songwriter JD Souther. He co-wrote some of their best-known songs, including “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim of Love” and “James Dean.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a couple of people,” Don Henley told the audience, according to Rolling Stone. “I want to acknowledge the co-writer of that song who we lost three days ago, Mr. J.D. Souther.”

He added, “J.D. is someone you may know played a pivotal role in the Eagles. He wasn’t in the band but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits.”

The tribute came before the band’s last song, “Heartache Tonight,” which Henley also dedicated to the late Jimmy Buffett, who passed away Sept. 1, 2023.

As for the rest of the show, setlist.fm reports that Eagles opened with their classic “Hotel California” and filled the set with plenty of fan favorites, including “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take it to the Limit,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “New Kid in Town,” “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Desperado.”

Heart adds more dates to their Royal Flush tour

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Heart has added more dates to their Royal Flush tour, which kicks off in February.

The five additional shows include a second concert in Las Vegas, plus dates in Toronto, Boston and New York.

The Royal Flush tour was originally supposed to happen in 2024, but was postponed after Ann Wilson announced she’d had an operation to remove something cancerous and needed time to fully recover.

The rescheduled tour is now set to kick off with two shows at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Feb. 28 and March 1, and will wrap April 16 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. A complete list of dates can be found at heart-music.com.

A Citi presale for the new shows will begin Tuesday at 12 p.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m.

On This Day, Sept. 23, 1977: David Bowie released “Heroes”

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Sept. 23, 1977 …

David Bowie released the single “Heroes,” the title track from his 12th studio album.

The song, written by Bowie and Brian Eno, failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #24 in the U.K when it was originally released. After Bowie’s 2016 death the song reentered the chart in the U.K., peaking at #12.

Although the song wasn’t initially a hit, “Heroes” became a fan favorite and was a staple throughout Bowie’s touring career.

It is also the late rocker’s second-most covered tune behind “Rebel Rebel,” with The Wallflowers’ 1998 version becoming a radio hit, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Neil Young plays first show with new band at Farm Aid 2024

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The latest edition of Farm Aid took place in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Sept. 21. Neil Young took the stage with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, made up of Micah Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo and Corey McCormick.

According to setlist.fm, Young’s set included Harvest Moon tracks “From Hank to Hendrix,” “Harvest Moon” and “Unknown Legend,” as well as “Love Earth” and “Heart of Gold,” ending the set with “Powderfinger.”

Young’s show was his first gig since canceling his Love Earth tour with Crazy Horse in June due to health issues. He and The Chrome Hearts are due to play two more shows at The Capitol Theatre in New York, Sept. 23 and Sept. 24.

Young’s Farm Aid co-founder John Mellencamp also performed during the event, treating the crowd to such classics as “Paper in Fire,” “Check it Out,” “Jack and Diane,” “Rain on the Scarecrow” and “Pink Houses.”

Additional performers included Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, as well as Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys.

Farm Aid, which launched in September 1985 in Champaign, Illinois, raises funds to support family farmers. Since its inception, the annual festival has raised more than $80 million to support programs helping the farming community.

Why Elton John’s kids had to sign off on his new documentary

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John‘s new documentary Never Too Late arrives on Disney+ Dec. 13 — but only because his two sons, Zachary and Elijah, gave it the thumbs up.

Speaking to Collider, David Furnish, Elton’s husband, manager and co-director of the film, says their older son, Zachary, doesn’t like being filmed at all, so it was nearly impossible to get him to appear in the documentary. However, there’s one important scene where Elton is shown talking to both boys on FaceTime.

“I did have to sit down with both boys at the end and screen the whole film for them and get their permission because when we started filming, they were like, ‘Well, hang on a minute. We don’t know if we want to be part of this,'” Furnish explains. “And I said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll show you the whole film, and if there’s anything you don’t like, we will take it out.’”

Furnish says when the kids saw the movie, they were concerned their friends would tease them about the FaceTime scene because, he says, “They were like, ‘Oh my God, we’re so young! We’re talking like babies.'” But eventually, Furnish says, “We talked about the greater message that the film could put out, because we do talk with the boys about the fact that same-sex parenting is not everybody’s cup of tea.”

“The fact [is] that a scene like that in a film can be a very … powerful piece of advocacy, and it could maybe change people’s minds and maybe make people think more positively about it,” he adds.

By the way, there’s a brand-new Elton song in the film. Like the film, it’s called “Never Too Late,” and Elton co-writes and performs it with his friend Brandi Carlile.

Disney is the parent company of ABC Audio.

Bruce Springsteen turns 75: A look at his most memorable albums

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Although it may be hard to believe when you see him headlining three-hour concerts, Bruce Springsteen is celebrating his 75th birthday Monday. In honor of the milestone, here’s a look at The Boss’ most memorable albums:

Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. – Released Jan. 5, 1974, the album was Springsteen’s debut and was named one of the greatest debut albums of all time by Rolling Stone.

Key Tracks: “Blinded By The Light,” “Spirit in the Night,” “Growin’ Up”

Born to Run – Released Aug. 25, 1975, Springsteen’s third studio album peaked at #3 and helped Springsteen garner mainstream success. It went on to be a massive hit for the New Jersey rocker and has been certified seven-times Platinum by the RIAA.

Key Tracks: “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”

The River – Released Oct. 17, 1980, The River was Springsteen’s fifth studio album and his only double album to date. It was Bruce’s first #1 album and contained his first top 10 hit, “Hungry Heart.”

Key Tracks: “Hungry Heart,” “The River,” “Out in the Street,” “Sherry Darling”

Nebraska – Released Sept. 30, 1982, Nebraska featured 10 acoustic songs Springsteen originally recorded as demos on a four-track recorder. He’d planned to rerecord them with the E Street Band but instead released them as a solo acoustic record. The album was a critical darling and peaked at #3 on the chart.

Key Tracks: “Atlantic City,” “Reason to Believe,” “Johnny 99″

Born in the U.S.A. – Released June 4, 1984, Born in the U.S.A. would help turn Springsteen into a global superstar, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. It spent seven weeks at #1, produced seven top 10 singles and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

Key Tracks: “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Cover Me,” “Glory Days,” “I’m on Fire,” “I’m Goin’ Down,” “My Hometown”

The Rising – Released July 30, 2002, The Rising was filled with songs Springsteen wrote in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. The album was released to widespread critical acclaim and became another #1.

Key Tracks: “The Rising,” “My City of Ruins,” “Lonesome Day,” “Mary’s Place”

In new interview, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament reflect on their beginnings and their future

September 23, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament recently sat down for an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. During the chat, which aired on Sept. 22, they reflected on the beginnings of the band, their legacy and more.

The pair discussed the initial songs Vedder submitted to the band as an audition in 1990, which prompted Jeff, Stone Gossard and Mike McCready to fly him up from San Diego to Seattle for an in-person tryout.

“You felt it,” Vedder said of the first time they played together. “You were like, ‘Oh, this is what it is. This is heaven.'”

Vedder also discussed his process of writing songs, comparing it to surfing. He also gave fans a little behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a set list for their shows, and even discussed their battle with Ticketmaster in the early nineties.

And while Pearl Jam is known for their live shows, it seems as though future tours may not be guaranteed. When Jeff and Eddie were asked whether they still enjoy being on the road, they both looked a bit uncomfortable — until Eddie responded with a laugh, “Wrong question!”

As for the secret to their longevity, Ament noted, “It’s miraculous in some ways that we made it through. And then also it’s just a testament to our friendship.”

Vedder added, laughing, “I was gonna say good, clean living!”

In other Pearl Jam related news, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris‘ husband, shared photos of himself at the band’s concert in Philadelphia earlier in September. “Where are my @PearlJam fans at?,” he captioned the photos on social media. “Had to make a very important stop while in Philly a couple of weeks ago. Iconic concert.”

Peter Frampton blames Virginia show cancellation on Megadeth

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Peter Frampton was forced to cancel his Sept. 17 concert at the Virginia Credit Union Live in Richmond, Virginia, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and now he’s revealed what those circumstances were.

In fan-shot footage from his show at The Met in Philadelphia Thursday, Frampton reveals that the cancellation was caused by both weather and damage to the stage, with Frampton suggesting Megadeth was to blame for the latter.

“So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather,” he told the Philly crowd. “And also Megadeth did a soundcheck, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their soundcheck, there was structural damage to the stage.”

He added, “I’m not blaming them — could have been another band — but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, Megadeth. I had to rat on you.”

Next up, Frampton plays Niagara Falls, New York, on Saturday. A complete list of dates can be found at Frampton.com.

25th anniversary of David Bowie’s ‘hours…’ being celebrated with new digital releases

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The 25th anniversary of David Bowie’s album ‘hours…’ is being celebrated with two special digital EPs, featuring four previously unreleased tracks.

The first, Live From Manhattan Center ’99, is out now. It features three live performances recorded for the U.K. TV show Top of the Pops that were never broadcast. That will be followed on Oct. 11 by the six-track ‘hours…’ REMIX EP, which includes a previously unheard hip-hop mix of the song “Thursday’s Child,” along with two remixes of the song “Seven,” done by rocker Beck.

But that’s not all. Four performances from a Dec. 4, 1999, appearance by Bowie on Later…With Jools Holland will be released to the late rocker’s official YouTube channel on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30. Among those tracks are performances of “Ashes to Ashes” and “Cracked Actor.” Footage will also be released from the Live From Manhattan Center ’99 performance.

Released Sept. 21, 1999, ‘hours…’ was Bowie’s 22nd studio album and the first album by a major artist to be made available for download. The album was a top five hit in the U.K, but failed to hit the top 40 in the U.S.

Eagles launch pop-up to coincide with Las Vegas Sphere residency

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Eagles kick off their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere on Friday, and to enhance the experience for fans they’ve announced a new pop-up store, Eagles Third Encore, at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

In addition to selling merch unique to the Sphere show, Third Encore will have rare Eagles memorabilia on display. Plus, Vibee VIP guests get to enjoy some preshow fun at a lounge that includes a recreation of the bar from the West Hollywood club The Troubadour.

Third Encore is open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., during the weeks the Eagles have shows at the Sphere. It is located on the second floor of the Waterfall Atrium near the entrance to The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes.

Eagles are set to play the Sphere through January. The residency consists of 20 shows, wrapping Jan. 25. A complete list of dates can be found at eagles.com.

+ More