Mike Campbell on performing Tom Petty songs in concert: “It’s a spiritual thing”

July 3, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Guitarist Mike Campbell is currently out on the road with his band The Dirty Knobs, and fans who come to see them can expect him to revisit his days with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Campbell tells ABC Audio that now that he’s recorded three albums with The Dirty Knobs, including their recent release, Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, the set list is mostly filled with that material, but he also includes three or four Petty songs each night.

“I like doing those songs now and it’s always good for the audience, too,” he shares, “and I feel close to Tom when we do them … it’s a spiritual thing.”

Campbell says he feels “very comfortable” singing the tunes he recorded with Petty, because nobody knows them better.

“I know there’s a lot better singers than me out there, but if it’s a song that Tom and I wrote together, I understand how it’s supposed to sound and how it’s supposed to be delivered, the personality of it, maybe more than somebody who’s a proper singer,” he shares. “I know how to present the songs the way they’re supposed to feel.”

And while Petty may no longer be with us, Campbell knows that by continuing to perform his music he’s keeping the legacy alive for fans.

“You know, songs are magical and a good song will live, you know, and bad songs will just fade away,” he says. “And I think we’ve got a lot of good material that will last a long time.”

Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs’ tour hits Des Moines, Iowa, on July 3, with dates confirmed through Aug. 16. A complete schedule can be found at thedirtyknobs.com.

Devon Allman announces new solo album, ‘Miami Moon’

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Devon Allman is back with new music.

The musician, son of Gregg Allman and member of the Allman Betts Band, will release the new album Miami Moon on Aug. 16. The record will be Devon’s first solo album since 2016’s Ride or Die.

The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, where the Allman Brothers Band‘s Eat a Peach and Eric Clapton’s Layla were recorded, with Devon noting the history of the studio “made for a very special setting for us all to work in.”

“We kept it fun and we kept it funky … we ordered Cuban food, watched the NBA and jammed in a circle for days,” he adds. “In a world where you can make records in the basement or your bedroom, I’m so grateful to have done this record in a classic manner.”

Devon is set to give fans a preview of the record with the release of the first single, “White Horse,” which will be released Thursday.

Miami Moon is available for preorder now.

In the meantime, Devon has dates throughout July with both the Devon Allman Project and the Allman Betts Band. A complete list of dates can be found at devonallmanproject.com.

Ever-lob: Dave Grohl attends Wimbledon

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Dave Grohl is taking a break from Foo Fighters‘ European tour to catch some tennis.

The “Everlong” rocker was photographed Tuesday in the stands at the main Centre Court during the Wimbledon tournament, which is currently ongoing in England.

Grohl dressed up for the occasion, too — in a photo posted by the Wimbledon Instagram, he’s sporting a suit and tie and wearing his hair tied back.

“What if we say Centre Court is not like the others,” the caption reads, referencing the lyrics to the Foos song “The Pretender.”

Foo Fighters are touring Europe in support of their 2023 album, But Here We Are. They’ll launch a U.S. stadium tour July 17 in New York City.

Heart’s Ann Wilson reveals cancer battle; Royal Flush tour postponed

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Heart’s Ann Wilson has revealed that she is battling cancer, and the band has postponed their upcoming tour in order to give her time to recover.

“I recently underwent an operation to remove something that, as it turns out, was cancerous,” she shares on social media. “The operation was successful & I’m feeling great but my doctors are now advising me to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and & I’ve decided to do it.”

“And so my doctors are instructing me to take the rest of the year away from the stage in order to fully recover,” she adds.

Earlier this year, Heart announced they were postponing their European Royal Flush tour in order for Ann to have what they called “a time-sensitive but routine medical procedure.” They’ve now postponed the rest of the tour.

“To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs,” she writes. “Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025.”

In a separate post, Heart encouraged fans to hold on to their tickets, which will be valid for future rescheduled dates.

“Thank you all for the support,” Ann concludes. “This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing.”

Heart was due to kick off the second leg of their Royal Flush tour in August. They were also set to open a handful of dates on the Def Leppard/Journey Summer Stadium tour, which kicks off July 6.

Ozzy Osbourne & Billy Morrison conquer rock radio with “Crack Cocaine” song

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Morrison‘s collaborative single “Crack Cocaine” has cracked the top of rock radio.

The track, which premiered in March, has hit #1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart, which measures the most-played songs on rock radio each week.

“I’m overjoyed that ‘Crack Cocaine’ is number one at rock radio,” Ozzy says. “And, of course, I’m even happier for my friend Billy Morrison.”

“Crack Cocaine” appears on Morrison’s new solo album, The Morrison Project. The record also sees the Billy Idol guitarist collaborate with Slipknot‘s Corey Taylor, Steve Vai and Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5.

Rush pays tribute to their late producer Peter Collins

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rush has paid tribute to their late producer Peter Collins, who passed away recently at the age of 73.

Collins produced four Rush albums: 1985’s Power Windows, 1987’s Hold Your Fire, 1993’s Counterparts and 1996’s Test for Echo.

“We loved seeing him in Nashville when we came through on tour. He had a mischievous, beaming smile and great sense of humour,” the band writes. “He will be so missed…. RIP Mr. Big.”

Frontman Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson also shared personal tributes on their Instagram accounts, with Geddy calling Collins “a dear, dear friend.”

“During periods in the 80’s and 90’s [sic] we had some incredible musical adventures together, in various studios across the globe. He truly was our Mr. Big…with his ever present cigar and constant good humour,” he writes. “After hitting the record button, I can still hear him say ‘OK boys, from the topping … no stopping!'”

Lifeson added, “Peter Collins will forever live in my memory as Mr. Big, sitting at his control centre beside a recording console with his ubiquitous tools: a legal pad, an ashtray and a Monte Cristo No. 2.”

On This Day, July 2, 2001: Liverpool renames Speke Airport to honor John Lennon

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, July 2, 2001 …

Twenty-one years after his death, Liverpool renamed Speke Airport after the late Beatle John Lennon, who was born and raised in the U.K. city.

Now known as Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the international airport was the first in the U.K. to be named after an individual.

The airport features a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of the rock legend, with the “Imagine” lyric “above us, only sky” painted on the airport’s roof. It also features a “Yellow Submarine” work of art, and an exhibit of photos of The Beatles in India.

Melissa Etheridge reveals late rocker David Crosby, bio dad of her kids, was also a donor for others

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

When Melissa Etheridge and her then-partner Julie Cypher revealed in 2000 that the father of their two children was legendary rocker David Crosby, it made headlines. But Melissa tells People that she and Cypher weren’t the only couple for whom Crosby served as a sperm donor.

At the suggestion of his wife, Jan, Crosby — who at the time had four children of his own — fathered Melissa and Julie’s kids Bailey, 27, and Beckett, who died of an overdose in 2020.

Melissa tells People of David and Jan, “They had just had help having their son [Django] and they appreciated that. They wanted to pay it forward.” And, says Melissa, they continued to help other couples.

“We’re still finding kids from David Crosby out in the world,” she says. “My daughter’s like, ‘I have another half-sister.'”

As for why Melissa and Julie didn’t use an anonymous donor, she explains, “The situation was special with [Julie] because she had been adopted and she wanted her children to know who their biological father was. So we weren’t going to go to a sperm bank because she wanted them to know.”

However, Melissa says she didn’t want someone who “wanted to be a father” to the children, so Crosby was “perfect.”

“He did not need to be [a father] [to them]. And that’s what really made it clear for me, was that he was willing to say, ‘Yeah, I was the biological father,'” Melissa says. “And my kids call him bio dad, so he’s the biological father, but they didn’t need a relationship with him.”

She says that her relationship with Crosby, who died in 2023, “really taught me about generosity.” When he died, she wrote on Instagram, “He gave me the gift of family.”

Rhino celebrates Sounds of the Summer with limited-edition vinyl releases

July 2, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rhino has announced some special vinyl releases to help celebrate summer.

As part of their Sounds of the Summer promotion, the label is set to release exclusive, limited-edition sea blue vinyls from artists like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Genesis, Van Morrison, Grateful Dead and more.

The first drop is happening July 5, with Genesis’ And Then There Were Three, a Van Morrison compilation album and Yes’ The Yes Album (Steven Wilson Remix).

There will be 24 vinyl releases in all, with Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams and a Utopia collaboration coming July 12. Crosby, Stills & Nash’s CSN, The Doobie Brothers’ Takin’ It To The Streets, Little Feat’s Time Loves A Hero, Rod Stewart’s Foot Loose & Fancy Free, War’s Greatest Hits and a Hall & Oates compilation are coming on July 19.

That will be followed by the release of 10 albums on July 26, including Chicago’s Greatest Hits 1982-1989, Joni Mitchell’s Hissing Of Summer Lawns (on clear vinyl), Fleetwood Mac’s Best of 1969-1974, and Grateful Dead’s Go To Heaven and Shakedown Street.

The vinyl releases will be available exclusively at participating retailers. A complete list of releases can be found at rhino.com.

Stevie Van Zandt on secret to his more than 40-year marriage: “Stay apart”

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Steven Van Zandt has been married to wife Maureen for over 40 years, and the rocker tells People that the secret to their relationship is that they are OK not being with each other all the time.

“As I often say, the key to staying together is stay apart,” the E Street Band guitarist jokes. “We’ve been together, God, what is it now, 40-plus years and probably have spent about 10 years of that together out of the 40, because I’m always on the road. So, you go home, and it’s always new again.”

Maureen keeps herself busy with her own projects while Stevie is on the road, and he notes, “She’s a very, very strong person.”

Van Zandt says he believes in the importance of “making sure that one plus one equals three rather than one plus one equals one-and-a-half, which you see all the time in relationships where people just start to lose their identity and compromise it in order to get along.”

He adds, “I think with some boundaries, if you will, allowing the other one to have their very strong identity and coming together and finding the common ground. We have both. That’s the key.”

Speaking of always on the road, Stevie is currently on the road with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. They play Werchter, Belgium, on July 2. A complete list of dates can be found at brucespringsteen.com.

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