Liverpool bar changes its name in celebration of Paul McCartney’s new album

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Liverpool bar, record store and music venue The Jacaranda has changed its name in honor of the upcoming release of Paul McCartney’s latest solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane.

In a post on Instagram, the bar announced that they’ve teamed with McCartney and renamed themselves The Maccaranda.

“In celebration of our former performer and customer’s new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, out 29 May, we’ve temporarily changed our name,” the venue wrote. “Pop by The Maccaranda and try Paul’s own cocktail, the Maccarita.”

The Maccaranda is set to host a The Boys of Dungeon Lane pre-release listening party on Friday. They are also selling a special edition of the album, which comes in black or pink vinyl and includes a 1960 replica Jacaranda Club membership card, among other things.

The Jacaranda opened in Liverpool in 1957 and was a well known spot for up-and-coming artists; Beatles members John Lennon, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Harrison and McCartney, were frequent visitors.

The bar’s first manager, Allan Williams, became The Beatles’ unofficial manager and arranged their 1960 residency in Hamburg, Germany. He also introduced the band to their future drummer, Ringo Starr.

McCartney’s The Boys of Dungeon Lane features songs about McCartney’s childhood in Liverpool, early adventures with future Beatles bandmates Harrison and Lennon, and more. It comes out on May 29.

Bonnie Raitt pays tribute to Stephen Colbert: ‘We need you more than ever’

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bonnie Raitt has penned a tribute to Stephen Colbert, who is signing off The Late Show Thursday night.

“As we’re forced to say goodbye to one of our most brilliant, hilarious and beloved shows, @colbertlateshow, I want to thank Stephen and his incredible team for the eleven years of astonishing gifts they’ve given us all,” she wrote on Instagram next to a photo of one of her appearances. “How insane that the number one show in that time slot is being booted off the air because some in power can’t take a joke or alternative points of view.”

“Here’s hoping that after a wee, well-deserved break, you’ll find a way to once again illuminate and delight us in an exciting new chapter,” she added. “We need you more than ever.”

Raitt then thanked Colbert for “your kindness in having us on your show,” and for “showcasing the incredible talents” of his bandleaders Jon Batiste and Louis Cato. She noted, “What an honor for us all.”

The post concluded, “God bless and til next time, here’s to us all still speaking our truths to power.”

CBS announced the The Late Show‘s cancellation in July 2025, noting it was a financial decision.

New Jeff Beck biography to be released in July

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

A new biography on legendary guitarist Jeff Beck is set for release this summer.

Blow by Blow: The Jeff Beck Story is described as the “first biography to fully capture the life, music, and mystery of this singular artist.”

The book was written by Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill, who also wrote Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. It’s compiled from over 30 hours of Beck interviews, as well as contributions from the guitarist’s friends and collaborators, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, actor Johnny Depp and music exec Clive Davis.

“This is the book Jeff deserves,” says Depp. “It’s honest, thoughtful, and true.”

Blow by Blow will be released July 14, and it will be celebrated with what’s described as an “all-star tribute concert” July 16 at The Cutting Room in New York City. It will also feature an interview and book signing with the authors.

The authors will also take part in a book signing and Q&A at Book Soup in Los Angeles on July 23.

Beck came to prominence in the ’60s as a member of The Yardbirds, with future guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. He later went on to have a successful solo career, fronting his own Jeff Beck Group.

Beck was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1992 as a member of The Yardbirds and again in 2009 for his solo work.

Beck passed away Jan. 10, 2023, from bacterial meningitis. He was 78.

Master of (virtual) reality: Osbourne family working to launch interactive ‘Digital Ozzy’

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ozzy Osbourne may have left this mortal coil, but his family is hoping to keep his presence alive in the digital world.

The late Black Sabbath frontman’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and son Jack Osbourne spoke about working on creating an interactive “Digital Ozzy” during a talk at the 2026 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

The avatar, which will be created in collaboration with the company Hyperreal, will represent “the digital DNA of Ozzy Osbourne, voice, image [and] movement,” Jack said.

“It’s kind of scary how it’s really very accurate,” Jack said. “He will exist digitally as himself for as long as we have computers. Technology has come such a long way to where it’s almost drag and drop. You could shoot a template for a commercial … literally prompt what you want Digital Ozzy to do in that commercial and you just drop it in. It’s that simple now.”

“You can ask Ozzy anything, and he will answer you in his own voice – and the answers will be what Ozzy would have said,” Sharon adds. “We’re going to take it all around the world. People can talk to him and he will talk back.”

Ozzy died in July 2025 at age 76, just over two weeks after performing for the final time at the Back to the Beginning concert.

Bruce Springsteen tour ‘beefs up’ security due to ‘death threats,’ according to Stevie Van Zandt

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are currently on their Land of Hope and Dreams tour, and during the shows The Boss has been very vocal regarding his feelings about President Donald Trump and his administration. Well, E Street Band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt says Springsteen’s outspokenness has led to them receiving death threats while on tour.

“It’s a very specific political theme to this tour and there’s been a lot of threats, death threats. Usually there’s always some, but this time it’s been increasing,” Van Zandt told U.K. outlet The Mail in an interview. “The band, Bruce, we’ve had to beef up security and, you know, it’s mostly just talk.”

“And it’s not like we’re saying something that’s not true or we’re saying something that’s so really particularly controversial, but it’s specifically political,” he noted.

“So, the FBI and others have been really watching things and been overly concerned about it, as they should be,” he added. “We want the fans to be safe and feel safe. So we really go the extra mile with extra security for that reason alone.”

Springsteen & The E Street Band have four shows left of the tour, and will play Cleveland on Friday and Boston on Sunday. The tour was supposed to wrap on May 27 with an outdoor show in Washington, D.C., but after having to postpone a show due to Philadelphia sports teams in the playoffs, the tour will now wrap May 30 in Philly.

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood to reveal the songs that have soundtracked their lives

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood are the latest musicians set to take part in the BBC Radio 2 show Tracks of My Years.

Jagger and Wood have just been announced as guests on the May 31 episode, where they’ll reveal the 10 songs that have soundtracked their lives.

Their appearance comes ahead of the release of The Rolling Stones’ new album, Foreign Tongues, which drops July 10. The album, produced by Andrew Watt, is the band’s 25th studio album and their first since 2023’s Hackney Diamonds.

Jagger and Wood aren’t the only Rock & Roll Hall of Famers appearing on Tracks of My Years in May. Paul McCartney, whose new album The Boys of Dungeon Lane comes out May 29, is a guest on the May 25 episode.

Interestingly, McCartney makes a guest appearance on Foreign Tongues. He also appeared on Hackney Diamonds.

‘Saturday Night Live’ releases bonus Paul McCartney performances

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Saturday Night Live has just released two bonus Paul McCartney performances that didn’t make it on air when he was the musical guest on the show’s May 16 season finale.

During the show, McCartney performed three tracks: The Boys of Dungeon Lane single “Days We Left Behind,” the classic Wings track “Band on the Run” and the solo single “Coming Up.”

But the SNL audience was apparently treated to more, and now fans at home are getting a look at McCartney’s performances of The Beatles classics “Help!” and “Drive My Car.” “Help!” featured a cameo by the night’s host, Will Ferrell, who added cowbell to the song.

Both performances featured Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith behind the drum kit and singer Ingrid Michaelson on backing vocals. You can also see the cast of the show dancing along on the side of the stage.

McCartney’s SNL appearance came ahead of the release of his new solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which is out May 29.

On This Day, May 21, 1979: Elton John becomes first western act to play U.S.S.R

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, May 21, 1979…

Elton John became the first western act to play the former U.S.S.R., when he kicked off a four-night stand at the Bolshoi Oktyabrsky (Great October) Concert Hall in Leningrad.

After the opening night concert, Elton was reportedly asked to tone down his show and refrain from playing a cover of The Beatles’ “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” but he continued to keep the song in his set.

The Leningrad shows were followed by four shows in Moscow at the Rossiya Concert Hall, with the final night broadcast live in Europe by the BBC.

Songs played during the shows included “Your Song,” “Daniel,” “Rocket Man,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and more.

The concerts were recorded for a documentary, To Russia… with Elton, that featured footage from the final Moscow show.

Bruce Springsteen performs ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ on penultimate ‘The Late Show’

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen was the final announced musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Wednesday night, and he let his feelings be known as to who he thinks is responsible for the late night talk show’s cancelation.

“I am here in support tonight for Stephen because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost a show because we got a president who can’t take a joke,” said The Boss, noting that CBS’ new owners, Larry and David Ellison, “feel they need to kiss his a** to get what they want.”

He added, “Stephen these are small minded people that got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about. This is for you.”

Springsteen then performed his protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” which he released in January. He said he wrote the song in “response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis,” including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

The Late Show premiered on CBS in 1993, with David Letterman as host. Colbert took over when Letterman left in 2015.

CBS announced the show’s cancelation in July, noting it was a financial decision. Stephen Colbert will sign off The Late Show on Thursday; no guests for the finale have been revealed.

Night Ranger to release new ‘Best Of’ compilation

May 21, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Night Ranger is looking back on their career with a new compilation album.

The rockers are set to release Best Of on Aug. 28, an album featuring newly remixed and remastered versions of their classic tunes. It will include “Sister Christian,” “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” as well as bonus tracks, including a live performance of the holiday classic “Feliz Navidad.”

As a preview of the record, the band has released the remastered version of 1982’s top-40 hit “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”

“The new Best Of is a celebration of not only our classic hits but also what we’ve created over the last 20 years,” says Night Ranger’s Jack Blades. “And we’re just gonna keep cranking it cause we’re having too much fun to stop! So enjoy the ride and see ya on the road!”

Best Of will be released on CD and vinyl, with a double-LP version available in black, gold and orange splatter. All are available for preorder now.

Night Ranger is set to play Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Friday. A complete list of dates can be found at NightRanger.com.

Here is the track list for Best of:
“Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (2026)”
“(You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)”
“Sister Christian (2026)”
“When You Close Your Eyes (2026)”
“Four in the Morning (2026)”
“Breakout”
“Tomorrow”
“Growin’ Up in California”
“Time of Our Lives”
“High Road”
“No Time to Lose”
“Somehow Someway”
“Truth”
“Don’t Let Up”
“Only for You Only”
“Wasted Time (Sweetwater Studios)” (Bonus Track)
“Feliz Navidad (Live)” (Bonus Track)
“Hole In The Sun” (Bonus Track Japan)

+ More