Josh Freese reflects on one-year anniversary of Foo Fighters reveal

May 22, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Foo Fighters announced that Josh Freese would be their new drummer on May 21, 2023 — one year ago Tuesday — during a livestreamed concert. In honor of the anniversary, Freese has shared an Instagram post reflecting on the past year.

“A year ago today this aired and I got to stop keeping quiet about what had been referred to as ‘the worst kept secret in the music business’ at the time,” Freese writes alongside footage from the stream. “Though I thought we did a pretty good job on our end.”

Freese, who played in bands including Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle and The Offspring, joined the Foos following the 2022 death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins. He was one of the guest drummers to play with the Foos during their tribute concerts to Hawkins.

“I continue to miss Taylor as does the band, his family, friends and the rest of the world,” Freese writes. “We also continue to try and make the most of the situation by moving forward and doing what we love doing….playing music, honoring Taylor and staying positive.”

Foo Fighters released a new album, But Here We Are, in June 2023, which was dedicated to Hawkins and Dave Grohl‘s late mother, Virginia. They will continue to support the album on a U.S. stadium tour launching in July.

Ringo Starr on touring with his All Starr Band: “I have a passion for playing”

May 22, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ringo Starr is about to launch the latest tour with his All Starr Band – Toto’s Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, Men At Work’s Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart and Gregg Bissonette – and there’s a simple reason why he keeps assembling all these well-known rock stars to join him onstage.

“Well, I have a passion for playing and, you know, I am the drummer, so I need a band in front of me,” he explains. “I get to play with a lot of good players, and I play all their songs, they play mine, but I also then get a spot in the front, you know, which is great, too.”

The tour gives each artist a chance to shine with their own material, and Ringo says he offers one piece of advice to everyone as each tour begins: “Let’s just support each other.”

He notes, “That’s what it’s about.”

And while Ringo just released a new EP, Crooked Boy, he assures fans that he won’t be playing any new songs on the tour, joking, “If you want to sell T-shirts, you do the new record.”

Instead, fans can expect an evening filled with some of their favorite tunes.

“We, like, do the hits from the bands. That’s what it’s all about,” he says. “So it’s a great day out cause you hear a lot of songs you really love. It’d be funny, wouldn’t it, to go on then not do ‘Little Help From My Friends.’ So I do it cause I know they love it and I love it.”

Ringo Starr and his All-Star band kick off their tour Wednesday at The Venetian in Las Vegas. A complete list of dates can be found at ringostarr.com.

Aloe Blacc covers Soundgarden, Green Day, Nirvana & more on upcoming EP

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Aloe Blacc, known for the single “The Man” and singing on the Avicii hit “Wake Me Up,” is tackling a batch of ’90s rock hits on an upcoming covers EP, Rock My Soul.

The first volume in the two-part release is due out June 7 and includes renditions of Soundgarden‘s “Black Hole Sun,” Green Day‘s “When I Come Around,” Nirvana‘s “Lithium,” Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ “Under the Bridge” and No Doubt‘s “Don’t Speak.”

“I’ve always been drawn to the emotional depth and powerful messages in these songs,” Blacc says. “With Rock My Soul, I wanted to honor the originals while also bringing my own perspective to the music. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

You can listen to the Rock My Soul cover of “Black Hole Sun” now via digital outlets.

Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen didn’t settle their differences before Eddie’s passing

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Michael Anthony says he never got to reconnect with Eddie Van Halen before his passing in 2020. The two rock stars had a falling out after Eddie replaced Michael in Van Halen with his son, Wolfgang Van Halen, back in 2006. In a new interview on the Sally Steele Rocks Show Anthony says they never mended their relationship.

“No, unfortunately, Eddie and I never had a chance to really settle any differences that we had in the past or whatever,” he shares. But he says getting to see Wolfgang and his band Mammoth WVH when they played the House of Blues in Las Vegas in 2023 helped heal some issues.

“I went to the show as his guest. And we talked, we sat and talked, and there was a lot of closure for me there,” Anthony says, noting Wolf’s mom, Eddie’s ex Valerie Bertinelli, was also there. “So it was a great night.”

Anthony says he and Wolfgang have “always been friends,” even though Wolfgang replaced him in Van Halen, noting that he doesn’t think Wolf really wanted the job.

“Eddie, he wanted to play with his son. The way I kind of feel is that Wolfgang probably wasn’t excited, really, about being in Van Halen,” he says. “That’s why in his band, he doesn’t play any Van Halen, ’cause he wants to carve out his own niche. But just to be able to get up and play with his father, I can totally understand that.”

He adds, “But no, I love Wolfie, man. I hadn’t seen him in, like, 20 years. I went to the show, it was great. We had a great time, great hangout.”

Bon Jovi’s Dave Bryan to co-host new podcast with his daughter

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bon Jovi keyboardist Dave Bryan is launching a new podcast with his daughter Gabby Byran, described as a “comedic self-help series.”

Let Me Ask My Dad will have the pair responding to listener questions and offering tips on a variety of subjects, including parenting, family, love and rock ‘n’ roll.

“When my daughter asked me to do an advice podcast with her I thought to myself… wow, what’s a podcast?” Bryan shares. “We both have a wicked sense of humor and are full of advice, so I of course agreed. And who better to give fatherly advice than me? A perfect dad!”

He adds, “It’s been so much fun recording this together and you all are going to love it! What’s better than a father and daughter duo?”

“I’m so excited to do this podcast, mostly because I owe my dad a lot of money and I don’t want to pay him back so I’ve decided to distract him with this instead!” Gabby jokes, calling her dad “the funniest person I know.”

“And even though he has no idea what a podcast is and asked me if he could ‘text it to his friends,’ he adds another notch to his belt as a great host,” she shares. “Let Me Ask My Dad is going to be a blast. You’re welcome in advance!”

Let Me Ask My Dad is set to launch May 28 on most major podcast platforms.

Bernie Taupin says Elton John’s next album is coming out “soon”

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

At a London event on Monday, Elton John‘s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin offered fans an update on the Rocket Man’s next musical move.

Appearing at a charity event at the London Palladium called The Other Songs, Bernie talked about his and Elton’s career, which has been going strong for more than 50 years. “We came together not just because we were compatible, but because we had this absolute drive for music, and a love for every kind of music,” he said, according to The Mirror.

“Everything we have ever done has been based on a love of music and a tolerance for every kind of music,” he added. He also dropped some exciting news.

“Elton and I have an album coming out soon,” he said. “I can’t say too much about it, but it’s all written and recorded … I think it will surprise a lot of people and hopefully excite a lot of people.”

It’s not clear what “soon” means. Elton first confirmed the existence of this album in November, when he inducted Bernie into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. There have also been reports that Brandi Carlile produced the album, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

When this album does come out, it’ll be Elton’s first since 2021’s The Lockdown Sessions.

The Beach Boys bringing their Endless Summer to Las Vegas

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Beach Boys are ready to bring their California vibes to Las Vegas.

The band has announced dates for an exclusive engagement of their Endless Summer tour at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort. Shows are set to take place September 4, 6 and 7.

A Citi ticket presale will kick off Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time, followed by a fan presale on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday at 10 a.m.

The news comes just days ahead of a new Beach Boys documentary, The Beach Boys, debuting Friday on Disney+. The official soundtrack for the film will be available to stream on the same day.

The Beach Boys are also currently on a U.S. tour and are set to play Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Friday. A complete list of dates can be found at thebeachboys.com.

Jimmy Page calls The Black Crowes’ London show “absolutely phenomenal”

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Jimmy Page went to see The Black Crowes when they brought their Happiness Bastards tour to London on May 15, and the Led Zeppelin guitarist is giving the show rave reviews.

In a post on social media, Page shared his thoughts on the Hammersmith Apollo concert, writing, “I must say, they were absolutely phenomenal. It was so good to see brothers Rich and Chris Robinson reunited and back beyond their best.”

The concert featured a guest appearance by Steven Tyler for a performance of Aerosmith‘s “Mama Kin,” which Page said “was a thrill to watch.”

“It was all such great fun and well done to Rich, Chris and the rest of the band for such an enjoyable and thrilling performance,” he shares.

Finally, Page offers, “I really enjoyed my time playing with the Robinsons in the late 90s and year 2000 on the ‘Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes’ project, including our terrific ‘Live At The Greek’ release,” noting, “I’d always thought the The Black Crowes were an exceptional band, I always thought brothers Rich and Chris are great performers and musicians – I still do but now even more so.”

The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards tour hits Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday. A complete list of dates can be found at theblackcrowes.com.

On This Day, May 21, 1983: David Bowie hit #1 with “Let’s Dance”

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, May 21, 1983 …

David Bowie hit #1 with “Let’s Dance,” the title track from his 15th studio album.

The song was co-produced by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and featured a then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar.

“Let’s Dance” became the first single of Bowie’s career to hit #1 in both the U.S. and the U.K., spending three weeks on top of the U.K. chart. It also went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco charts and hit #1 in Canada, Ireland, Sweden and more.

The track was the biggest single of Bowie’s career and his final #1 single in the U.S.

Brian May shares his admiration for guitar great Pete Townshend

May 21, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Brian May wants everyone to know how he feels about the guitar talents of The Who’s Pete Townshend.

A fan recently posted an old quote from May in which he called Townshend a hero and a “god of guitars,” and May reshared it on Instagram, reiterating his feelings toward The Who star.

“I’m glad I said this – I probably don’t say it enough,” May writes. “I can’t imagine Rock Guitar without Pete Townshend. Looking back, it seems to me he basically invented it ! I was lucky enough to be there watching. My playing owes so much to him.”

May goes on to explain, “Townshend brought to the scene a blistering clang of super-amplified but not over-saturated chords – razor-edged monoliths crashing angrily through our brains, biting rhythmic hammer blows which would change the likes of me forever.”

He then suggested fans listen to Who songs like “My Generation,” “I’m A Boy, “Substitute” and more “to feel what I’m talking about,” adding, “Good Morning folks !! You have your assignment for the day !”

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