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.

John Fogerty returning to Las Vegas for three shows in January

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

John Fogerty is heading back to Vegas.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will headline three nights at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, Jan. 22, Jan. 24 and Jan. 25.

Fogerty previously headlined the venue back in 2022. The new shows are an extension of his Celebration tour, which he launched back in April 2023, marking his first tour since regaining the worldwide rights to the songs he wrote for Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Tickets for the new shows go on sale Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. PT.

Mötley Crüe to release 10th anniversary edition of ‘Nashville Outlaws’ covers album

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Back in 2014, a group of country artists got together to celebrate the music of Mötley Crüe with the album Nashville Outlaws. Now the band is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the record with a new reissue.

Nashville Outlaws 10th Anniversary Edition is out now, featuring all the country covers on the original album, along with the addition of their latest single, “Dogs of War,” covered by Chase McDaniel.

“The Nashville Outlaws album introduced us to a whole new group of country music fans and showed day-one Crüe members some of the best country music has to offer,” the band said in a statement. “We’ve always tried to break down boundaries in our career, and we’re proud to commemorate one of those milestones with this 10th Anniversary re-release.”

“I was honored to participate in a ‘country-rockified’ version of ‘Dogs of War,’” McDaniel adds. “Motley Crüe is legendary. … This song is about not letting the naysayers get in your head, and that’s a narrative I’ve lived my whole life.”

The original album, released in August 1994, featured covers by such artists as Florida Georgia Line, Leann Rimes, Darius Rucker, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore and Big and Rich, with Mötley Crüe‘s Vince Neil also making an appearance on Moore’s cover of “Home Sweet Home,” and Cheap Trick‘s Robin Zander appearing on Cassadee Pope’s cover of “The Animal In Me.”

Next up for Mötley Crüe, they’ll release the new EP Cancelled on Oct. 4, which features “Dogs of War,” a cover of Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right” and the title track.

Bruce Springsteen releases Songs of Conscience live playlist & more

September 20, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen has treated fans to another edition of his Live Series. The latest is a 15-track playlist titled Songs of Conscience, which is now on Spotify.

The playlist features performances that range from 1981 to 2023, including such songs as “This Land is Your Land,” “Promised Land,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Souls of the Departed,” “Long Walk Home,” “The Rising,” “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” “Sun City,” “American Skin (41 Shots)” and “Last Man Standing.”

And that’s not the only live Springsteen music fans can enjoy right now. The Boss’ triumphant return to Asbury Park, New Jersey, at the Sea.Hear.Now festival on Sept. 15 is also available to stream via nugs.net.

The set featured performances of early Springsteen tracks like “Blinded by the Light,” “Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?,” “Thundercrack,” “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” and “Meeting Across the River,” as well as live staples like “Thunder Road,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,” “Born to Run,” “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” “Dancing in the Dark.”

Springsteen just wrapped the latest U.S. leg of his tour with The E Street Band. They launch a Canadian leg on Oct. 31 in Montreal. A complete list of dates can be found at brucespringsteen.net.

+ More