Classic Rock 93.9

Stray Cats are returning to the road this summer with a new tour that will have band members Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom back together for the first time since 2019.

The tour kicks off July 27 in Woodinville, Washington, with dates in San Diego, Denver, New York, Atlantic City and more, before wrapping August 17 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

“I’ve always said that we all grew up in the same neighborhood, so there’s an instant feeling between us when we play,” Setzer shares. “It allows us to be confident and spontaneous. Man, that’s priceless.”

Slim Jim adds, “I’m thrilled to be doing shows in 2024 with Stray Cats in the U.S.A.! Playing drums with Brian and Lee in our rockabilly band is the best possible way to spend a summer!”

Stray Cats previously reunited in 2019 for a tour that celebrated their 40th anniversary. They followed the tour with a new live album, Rocked This Town: From La To London, in 2020.

A complete list of tour dates and ticket information can be found at straycats.com.
 

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“I’m Still Standing,” a song Elton John first released back in 1983, has truly lived up to its title, as it joins Spotify’s Billions club.

“Wonderful to see ‘I’m Still Standing’ hit 1 billion streams on @Spotify!” Elton wrote on Instagram. “This track has had such a life and whether you know it for its empowering lyrics, the legendary dance moves from the music video, or @taron.egerton’s rendition as Johnny HD in Sing, it makes me so happy to see it being enjoyed by so many.”

On his Instagram Story, Elton also shared a post showing a tiny little kid waking up and commanding his smart speaker device to “play ‘I’m Still Standing’ song.” For some reason it plays Taron Egerton‘s version, not Elton’s.

“I’m Still Standing” is from Elton’s 1983 album Two Low for Zero. While it’s now seen as an anthem about Elton’s decadeslong career, the song was actually written by his musical partner, Bernie Taupin, as a kiss-off to an old girlfriend.

The iconic video for the song was filmed in the south of France. One of the dancers in the video is Bruno Tonioli, who went on to judge ABC’s Dancing the Stars. In his autobiography, Me, Elton tells the story of how, while in Cannes for the shoot, he ran into Duran Duran and they all got wrecked on martinis.

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David Byrne and Devo are among the artists contributing songs to a new compilation album raising money to benefit abortion access and reproductive rights.

Put out by the nonprofit organization Noise for Now, the album, Noise For Now Vol. 2, also features songs from Courtney Barnett, The War On Drugs, Faye Webster and Big Freedia.

“We are so grateful to work with these incredible artists to raise money and awareness for independent abortion clinics throughout the U.S.,” Noise for Now Executive Director Amelia Bauer shares. “We know that when the artists and performers we love speak openly and unapologetically about abortion, abortion is stripped of its stigma. We believe that we can shape our future with art, community, and collective action.” 

Noise For Now Vol. 2 will be released digitally and on limited-edition vinyl on June 21 to coincide with the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Proceeds will benefit independent abortion providers in the country, with 90% of all money raised going directly to reproductive health, rights and justice organizations.

Noise For Now Vol. 1 was released in November as a vinyl-only limited-edition album. It featured contributions from Maya Hawke, My Morning Jacket and more. Songs on the album originally appeared on the compilation Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access To All, which was released digitally in 2022 via Bandcamp. It raised over $230,000.

Here is the track list for Noise For Now Vol. 2. It is available for preorder now.

“Dead From the Waist Down” – Julia Jacklin 
“Boxing Day Blues” – Courtney Barnett
“It’s Too Late” – Becca Mancari
“Victim” – The War On Drugs
“High School” – MC50 ft. Arrow De Wilde
“Everything Is Change” – AJ Haynes (of Seratones)
“Spare Tire” – Claud
“Thinking About You” – Faye Webster
“Hot Gum” – SOFIA ISELLA
“Empire” – David Byrne and Devo 
“Hotlatta” – Big Freedia

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Bruce Springsteen has been chosen as the next Academy Fellow of The Ivors Academy, the U.K. organization that presents The Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate excellence in British and Irish songwriting.

Springsteen is now the first international songwriter to earn a fellowship, which is the highest honor handed out by the Ivors. He is being recognized for his “outstanding contribution to the craft of songwriting” and “his impact on the U.K.’s cultural landscape.”

“I’m proud to be the first international songwriter to be recognized by The Ivors Academy,” The Boss shares. “In addition to recognizing my songwriting, the award stands as a tribute to the fans and friends who have supported me and my work for the last fifty years.”

He adds, “This entire country has made me feel welcome every step of the way, and for this, I will always remain deeply appreciative.”

Springsteen is now the 27th Ivors Fellow. Other artists who have received the honor include Sting, Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Elton John and Peter Gabriel.

To celebrate the new honor, Springsteen is releasing a limited edition vinyl of his upcoming compilation, The Best of Bruce Springsteen, in Jersey Devil Red through Amazon, which is the sponsor of The Ivors ceremony. 

Springsteen will be presented with his honor at The Ivors, taking place May 23 in London. Nominees for the Ivor Novello Awards will be announced on April 23.

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Peter Gabriel celebrated the 25th anniversary of his iconic album So on tour back in 2013, and fans will now be able to relive the experience with the 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray release of Back to Front – Live in London.

Originally released in June 2014, Back to Front – Live in London was shot over two nights at London’s O2 Arena in October 2013. The concerts had Gabriel reuniting with his original So touring band from 1986/87 to play the album in its entirety for the very first time.

In addition to every song on So, the concert features performances Gabriel classics like “Solsbury Hill,” “In Your Eyes,” “Digging In the Dirt,” “Shock the Monkey” and “Biko.” It also includes a performance of “Daddy Long Legs,” which at the time was a previously unheard and unfinished piece. It wound up being an early rendition of the song “Playing for Time,” which appeared on Gabriel’s 2023 album, i/o.  It also features a performance of the Us track “Secret World,” which is now available on YouTube.

In addition to the concert, the Blu-ray includes a special bonus feature, The Visual Approach, which gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of the concert. 

Back to Front – Live in London will be released on 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray on May 10. It is available for preorder now.

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A new documentary about the The Beach Boys is set to premiere next month on Disney+.

The Beach Boys, directed by Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny, takes fans back to the beginning of the California band and will include never-before-seen footage as well as all-new interviews from band members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston. 

The documentary will also include a new interview with former member Blondie Chaplin, audio from another former member Ricky Fataar plus appearances by late members Carl and Dennis Wilson. In addition, fellow musicians like Lindsey Buckingham, Don Was, Janelle Monáe and Ryan Tedder contribute to the documentary. 

The Beach Boys will stream exclusively on Disney+ starting May 24. The official soundtrack to the documentary will also be available on streaming services the same day. 

The documentary is just one of several treats in store this year for fans of The Beach Boys. The group will release their official book The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys on April 2. They are also reissuing their Shut Down, Vol 2 album on limited edition blue and white marble vinyl on March 29.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are booked to play Willie Nelson’s annual 4th of July Picnic, happening in Philadelphia for the very first time. 

“I am thrilled to bring the 4th of July Picnic to Philadelphia for the first time in our storied history,” Willie shares. “It’s an honor to host such an extraordinary lineup of talent in the birthplace of our country. We can’t wait to celebrate Independence Day with you.” 

Mavis Staples, Maren Morris and Celisse are also booked for the concert, which will be happening at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, just across the river from Philly. 

A Citi presale will kick off Tuesday, March 26, at 10 a.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public starting Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m.

Dylan, Plant and Krauss are also booked to play Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival, which kicks off June 21 in Alpharetta, Georgia, and wraps September 17 in Buffalo, New York. Nelson and Dylan are booked for the festival’s entire run, while Plant and Krauss will play 10 shows through July 7 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Other artists playing the festival include John Mellencamp, Celisse, Brittney Spencer and Southern Avenue with Billy Strings.

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On This Day, March 26, 1948…

Steven Victor Tallarico, who went on to become Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, was born in New York, New York.

Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and guitarist Ray Tabano formed Aerosmith in Boston in 1970; Brad Whitford replaced Tabano in 1971. They released their self-titled debut in 1973, featuring the tune “Dream On,” which went on to be one of their signature songs.

Aerosmith has had nine top 10 albums, two of which went to #1: 1993’s Get A Grip and 1997’s Nine Lives. They also had eight top 10 singles, including one #1 song, 1998’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from the movie Armageddon. Other classic Aerosmith tunes include “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way” and “Love in an Elevator.”

Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2012, Tyler and Perry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Outside of Aerosmith, Tyler was a judge on Fox’s American Idol for two seasons and released his country-inspired debut solo album, We’re All Somebody from Somewhere, in 2016. He also started his own charity, Janie’s Fund, a philanthropic initiative created in partnership with Youth Villages to help young girls who’ve been victims of abuse and neglect.

Aerosmith kicked off their final tour, the Peace Out tour, in September, but after only a few shows, it was postponed after Tyler fractured his larynx. So far, they have not rescheduled the tour dates.

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Monday, March 25, was Elton John‘s 77th birthday, and while he received birthday wishes from celebs as varied as Donatella Versace, The Spice Girls, Debbie Gibson, designer Marc Jacobs, Brooke Shields and Paris Hilton, it’s the message he received from his husband that probably means the most to him.

David Furnish posted a photo of Elton smiling while holding the miniature plastic head of his own Elton John figurine in his mouth.  “Happy Birthday to my irrepressible husband @eltonjohn,” Furnish, who’s also Elton’s manager, wrote.

“You are the best father, hardest working artist and musician, bountiful humanitarian, loving partner, and most loyal friend. Wishing you the healthiest and happiest 77th birthday. Love you forever.”

Elton replied, “I love you and am so incredibly lucky to have you in my life, thank you for everything.”

David and Elton have been in a civil partnership since 2005; when same-sex marriage became legal in the U.K. in 2014, they got married on December 21 of that year.  They share two sons, Zachary and Elijah.

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The Alarm is revisiting the good old days of MTV with a new album featuring their take on songs considered classics on the music cable network. 

The album, Music Television, will feature the band’s reinterpretations of such classic MTV staples as The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star,” which was the first song played on the network; Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing,” the first song played on MTV Europe; Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight”; Modern English’s “I Melt With You”; and Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” 

The first single released from the record is a cover of David Bowie’s “Man Who Sold The World,” which was covered by Nirvana for their classic episode of MTV Unplugged. 

“Unplugged was a series that redefined music as we knew it,” The Alarm’s Mike Peters shares. “I remember watching in awe at some of the incredible stripped-down arrangements of classic songs and, at the same time envious that I had been denied the opportunity to appear on the show back in the day.”

He adds, “This is my chance to take back part of music television history and pay my respects to an era that changed everything.”

Music Television will be available to purchase on vinyl and CD during the band’s upcoming Live Today Love Tomorrow tour and will be sold in limited-edition yellow/purple vinyl via the band’s website.

The Live Today Love Tomorrow tour kicks off May 1 in New Orleans and wraps June 6 in Clearwater, Florida. A complete list of dates can be found at thealarm.com.

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