Billy Joel welcomes Axl Rose, John Mayer to his show in LA

October 13, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Billy Joel played the brand-new venue in the LA area — Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California — on Oct. 12, and welcomed two special guests to the stage.

When Billy closed out his residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden in July, Guns n’ Roses singer Axl Rose was his special guest, and Rose returned again on Saturday night, singing GN’R’s version of Wings‘ James Bond theme “Live and Let Die.” Unlike the MSG show, though, Axl — who briefly sang lead for AC/DC a few years ago — didn’t join Billy for a cover of “Highway to Hell.”

Billy’s second guest of the evening was John Mayer, who played guitar as Billy sang “This Is the Time,” a romantic ballad from his 1986 album The Bridge. John played the same song with Billy in 2008 during the Piano Man’s Last Play at Shea concerts in New York City.

Billy’s next show is Oct. 25 at the Alamodome in St. Antonio, Texas. On Nov. 9, he’ll play a double bill with Sting in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

Stevie Nicks says being on ‘SNL’ has thrown her “into an absolute nervous frenzy”

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Stevie Nicks is the musical guest on the Oct. 12 edition of Saturday Night Live, and it marks her return to the show for the first time since December 1983. And while Stevie regularly rocks stadiums full of fans with no problem, she says she’s a bit apprehensive going into Saturday’s performance.

In an email interview with People, Stevie says, “Performing on Saturday Night Live is now as it was then. It’s just about the biggest thing you can do, bigger than a stadium show because it’s going to go out all over the world.”

“So if you wanna talk about being nervous about something! It doesn’t matter how many shows you’ve done or how much you practice, you’re going to be nervous!” she adds. “You can never say that Saturday Night Live does not help you to gain lots of new followers, younger people, older people, etc. And so to be asked to do it again … has thrown me into an absolute nervous frenzy, but I’m really excited.”

Stevie is particularly excited to perform her new song, “The Lighthouse,” which she started writing in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. “When I realized the consequences of women’s rights that are vanishing, I watched a lot of news, and I was like a sponge,” she notes. “It just went into me.”

Michael Stipe performs at Harris/Walz rally in R.E.M.’s hometown of Athens, Georgia

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe appeared at another rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, this time joining second gentleman Doug Emhoff Thursday in Athens, Georgia, the birthplace of R.E.M.

Stipe performed four songs with musicians Andy LeMaster and David Barbe, including the R.E.M. tunes “Wendell Gee,” which Stipe said was written in Athens and only performed four times, and “Driver 8.” They also performed “Your Capricious Soul,” from Stipe’s upcoming solo album, which he said had never been played live before, and “No Time For Love Like Now,” a tune he recorded with Big Red Machine aka The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernonof.

Stipe also told the crowd a story of being in a restaurant in Manhattan for a friend’s birthday dinner about six years ago when he noticed a couple sharing a burger and some wine, noting they looked totally in love. Later that woman came over, tapped him on the shoulder and said, “My husband loves music, he’s a big fan. My name is Kamala Harris. This is Doug Emhoff.”

“I just want to say here tonight that these people are real, genuine, crazy in love people,” he said, noting it was a joy to see them in that moment and “now to see and celebrate that type of dedication and that type of love on a national and global stage.”

This is the second Harris/Walz rally that Stipe has performed at. He previously performed with Jason Isbell at a rally in Pittsburgh.

The Beatles named Ultimate British Group in new U.K. listener poll

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Beatles have been named the Ultimate British Group by listeners of BBC Radio 2.

The poll, conducted in conjunction National Album Day on Oct. 19, let listeners chime in with their top five favorite British bands, with hundreds of thousands of folks submitting their votes.

While the Fab Four nabbed the top spot, several other classic rock acts dominated the top 10, with Queen at #2, followed by The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin.

Rounding out the top 10 are Take That, Coldplay, Oasis and ELO.

Other bands making the list include The Who at #11, Genesis at #16, Duran Duran at #19, The Kinks at #23, Bee Gees at #24, Wham! at #25 and The Police at #29.

For the purposes of the list, a British group was defined as any band with two or more members, with the lineup featuring all or a majority of members who were born in, live in or hold British citizenship.

Gene Simmons stands by his controversial ‘Dancing with the Stars’ appearance

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Gene Simmons isn’t bothered by the critics of his Dancing with the Stars appearance.

The KISS rocker was a guest judge on Tuesday’s hair metal episode, and received backlash from the public over what some argued were “creepy” comments that focused on the dancers’ appearance and looks rather than their performance.

A cameraman caught Simmons out in Los Angeles, with the Daily Mail sharing video of him brushing off the critiques.

“All media is clickbait. I stand by every word I said,” he said. “I had a great time. The contestants were great. The show was great.”

He added, “It was a lot of fun. But media? Everybody’s got something to say. Watch the show. It was a lot of fun. Everybody had a great time.”

Journey’s Steve Perry releasing updated version of holiday album

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Former Journey frontman Steve Perry is getting into the holiday spirit once again.

The singer just announced that a new version of his holiday record, now titled The Season 3, will be released Nov. 8, featuring six previously unreleased tracks.

One of those new tracks is a cover of the classic “What A Wonderful World,” which is out now.

Perry originally released The Season in 2021, then followed it up with a deluxe edition a year later. The new release features a total of 16 holiday tunes, including the new additions of “Call Me Irresponsible,” featuring Ray Perry, “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Let It Snow.”

The Season 3 will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally, with a Dolby Atmos mix. It is available for preorder now.

Here is the track list for The Season 3:
“What A Wonderful World”
“The Christmas Song”
“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
“This Christmas”
“Jingle Bell Rock”
“Call Me Irresponsible” (feat. Ray Perry)
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”
“Auld Lang Syne”
“Silver Bells”
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
“Let It Snow”
“Maybe This Year”
“Winter Wonderland”
“Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
“’Twas The Night Before Christmas”

Jon Bon Jovi the latest artist to endorse Kamala Harris & Tim Walz

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Jon Bon Jovi is the latest musician to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election.

Sharing a clip of “The People’s House,” his collaboration with The War And Treaty, Jon writes on Instagram, “The People’s House is a song that celebrates this beautiful place that we call home, from sea to shining sea.”

He adds, “The truth matters. And the truth is on election day I’ll be voting for @KamalaHarris and @TimWalz because I believe in the power of we, not of me. I’ve written a song reminding us that out of many, we are still one.”

Jon follows fellow New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen in endorsing the Harris/Walz ticket. Springsteen announced his support in early October, sharing that the Democratic candidates stand for “the vision of America I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years.”

Joan Jett also just endorsed Harris/Walz with a new music video for the 2023 track “If You’re Blue.”

“More than ever, we need politicians who can implement massive positive change for our nation. We have come to that point where we’re not just voting for our party or a candidate, but on whether our democracy survives,” she shared. “And make no mistake! Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will guide us to a more positive future. A future we MUST look to for ourselves, our children, our country and our planet.”

Elton John says prior to fatherhood, his life had “no purpose”

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John‘s decision to launch a Farewell Tour came about because he says he found a new purpose in life when he became a father.

Speaking to Attitude magazine, Elton says he kept on touring for decades because he felt he didn’t have anything else in his life. As he puts it, he and his husband, David Furnish, were “two affluent gay people going around the world with a nice philanthropic side to us, but there was no other purpose other than that.”

But he says after they had their first child, Zachary, in 2010, and their second, Elijah, in 2013, they finally had something to focus on.

“Having the children changed everything for the better because now it’s all about them,” he says. “It’s all about their welfare and their future … it’s the children that just really inspire us and it’s the most wonderful time of my life at the moment, and that’s pretty amazing.”

Having wrapped up his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour last year, Elton says, “I understand why Adele wants to stop because there’s more to life. I’ve done nearly over 5,000 shows in my life and I’ve done all there is to do, and so I just knew that my boys and David needed me, and I need them.”

Attitude magazine gave Elton its Legacy Award Wednesday, which had been given out just one time prior — posthumously, in 2017, to Elton’s close friend Princess Diana. In his speech, he noted that he’s “very lucky” to live in a country where, as a gay man, he can be married and have kids.

“But there are still people who don’t have those rights,” he said. “And I intend to fight for those rights until the day I die.”

Foghat pays tribute to original lead singer Lonesome Dave Peverett with new song

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Foghat has just released a new single dedicated to their original lead singer and guitarist, Lonesome Dave Peverett, who passed away in 2000.

The tune, “On Tonsils & Sneakers,” is inspired by Peverett’s stage introduction, “… on Tonsils and Sneakers, I’m Lonesome Dave,” and celebrates the silver and gold sneakers the rocker would wear during shows.

“When Lonesome Dave sang and played with this band, he gave nothing less than 100%,” drummer and founding member Roger Earl shares. “I loved playing with Dave. All I had to do was have fun playing drums.”

“Every once in a while you meet someone who changes the whole trajectory of your life,” guitarist Bryan Bassett adds. “Lonesome Dave Peverett was that person for me. From the day we met in the late ‘80s our friendship blossomed, I became his touring partner, I met my future wife and became a part of the Foghat family.”

“On Tonsils & Sneakers” is out now via digital outlets and will be released on 7-inch red translucent vinyl on Nov. 29 for Record Store Black Friday. The B-side will feature “Black Days & Blue Nights,” a song from Foghat’s 2023 album, Sonic Mojo, which was a tribute to the band’s original slide guitarist, Rod Price, who passed away in 2005.

On This Day, Oct. 11, 1997: Elton John hit #1 with tribute to Princess Diana

October 11, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Oct. 11, 1997 …

Elton John landed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Candle in the Wind ’97,” a tribute to his close friend, the late Princess Diana.

Elton first performed the song, a reworking of his 1974 single, at Diana’s funeral that September. He then recorded the track, with proceeds going to the Diana, Princess of Wales Fund. The song was released as a double A-side single with “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” from Elton’s album The Big Picture.

The track spent 14 weeks at #1 in the U.S. and topped the charts in 20 different countries, including the U.K., Japan and Australia. It went on to become the first single to earn Diamond certification by the RIAA for sales of 10 million copies.

“Candle in the Wind ’97” is also the second highest-selling physical single of all time, behind Bing Crosby‘s 1942 classic “White Christmas,” according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.

The track also earned Elton a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

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