Classic Rock 93.9

It was 40 years ago when Twisted Sister introduced fans to what would become their hit album Stay Hungry.

Released, May 10, 1984, the record was the third studio album from the Dee Snider fronted glam metal outfit, becoming the most successful release of their career. The album’s success was propelled by two anthems of rock rebellion: “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”

“We’re Not Gonna Take It” was considered controversial at the time and was included in the Parents Music Resource Center’s “Filthy Fifteen,” a list of songs with alleged violent lyrical content. Despite the controversy, the track peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Twisted Sister’s first and only top 40 single.

In 2016, Snider told ABC Audio that while the song was originally considered to be “dangerous,” that changed as time went on.

“When it first came out, it was a threat, it worried parents, it worried teachers, it was a voice of teenage and youth rebellion,” Snider shared, explaining that over the years it became “very popular and watered down” and was even “used on a woman’s premenopausal medication commercial.”

“The song has become almost a folk song, but the message has gotten lost,” he added. 

Stay Hungry peaked at #15 on the Billboard Album charts and went on be certified three-times Platinum by the RIAA. In 2004, Twisted Sister revisited the album with the release of Still Hungry, on which they rerecorded the songs and added seven bonus tracks.

Following the 2015 death of drummer A.J Pero, Twisted Sister embarked on a farewell tour in 2016, calling it quits when it was over. The surviving members reunited in January 2023 to perform at their induction into the Metal Hall of Fame.

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Slash has teamed up with Gibson for a new signature guitar.

The 1963 ES-335 Collector’s Edition recreates the Guns N’ Roses‘ shredder’s own ’63 ES-335. The instrument costs a grand total of $14,999, and only 50 pieces will be available.

“I used a beautiful and killer sounding 1963 ES-335 Gibson for more than a few songs on Orgy of the Damned,” Slash says, referring to his upcoming blues covers album. “Gibson has now built a fantastic replica of this extraordinary guitar. Same dot neck, Bigsby tremolo, and finish. You have to check it out.”

For those that are actually financially able to check it out, you can call the Gibson Garage in Nashville for more info. If you do actually buy one, you’ll also get two tickets to an upcoming Slash performance and interview session taking place at Gibson Garage Nashville on June 30.

Orgy of the Damned will be released May 17. It includes guest spots from AC/DC‘s Brian Johnson, Iggy Pop, ZZ Top‘s Billy F Gibbons and Demi Lovato.

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Blue Öyster Cult has just shared a cover of The Beatles track “If I Fell.”

In the video posted to YouTube, the band explains that the performance was recorded in April 2016 at Red Studios Hollywood while they were working on a video for the 40th anniversary release of their fourth studio album, Agents of Fortune.

“The decision was made not to use it at the time, but we were provided a ‘rough cut’ copy from which this is derived,” reads the description. 

BOC says their video was processed to black and white to pay tribute to The Beatles movie A Hard Days Night, in which “If I Fell” was featured.

Blue Öyster Cult recently dropped the new album, Ghost Stories, which their label called “a fitting finale” to their recording legacy, suggesting it may be BOC’s final album.

The band is getting ready to hit the road this summer, with their tour kicking off June 5 in Lynn, Massachusetts. A complete list of dates can be found at  blueoystercult.com.

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MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson has died at age 75.

A post published Thursday, May 9, on the MC5 Instagram reads, “Drummer Dennis ‘Machine Gun’ Thompson, engine room of the MC5, died of heart failure this morning in Michigan. Rest in beats.”

Formed outside Detroit in 1963, MC5 was massively influential on the burgeoning punk rock scene. They were known particularly for their 1969 album Kick Out the Jams and its title track.

News of Thompson’s passing comes just three months after MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer died in February. Thompson and Kramer were the last two surviving members of the classic Kick Out the Jams lineup.
 

MC5 is among the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees with the Musical Excellence award.

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Rocker Bryan Adams is narrating a new video for the animal rights group PETA, which is calling out the Canadian Armed Forces for the bearskin caps worn by the military.

The clip features footage of recreational hunters in Ontario setting traps for bears and then killing, disemboweling and dismembering the animals in order to sell off their skins. According to PETA, it takes at least one bear to have enough skin for each cap.   

“Shot bears don’t always die right away. Desperate and in pain, some bears flee the hunters and endure a slow, painful death from infection or blood loss,” Adams, who is a longtime vegan, says in the video. “Nursing mothers are sometimes shot, leaving behind cubs who starve, unable to survive on their own.” 

The rocker, a native of Kingston, Ontario, adds, “The Canadian government is endorsing this cruelty by using real bear fur on its military caps, even though military-grade faux bear fur now exists.” He implores the public to “tell the Canadian government to end the cruelty and go fur-free.”

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Stone Temple Pilots are fans of Kate Hudson‘s cover of “Vasoline.”

In a Facebook post, the “Interstate Love Song” outfit has shared the Almost Famous actor’s rendition of the Purple classic, which she performed during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show.

“Kate !!!” STP writes in the caption, alongside a heart emoji.

You’ll likely be hearing “Vasoline” on STP’s upcoming tour with Live, during which they’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Purple. The outing kicks off in August.

Hudson, meanwhile, is releasing her debut album, Glorious, on May 17.

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Lenny Kravitz is once again giving fans a look at his exercise routine.

In a new video posted to social media, a shirtless Lenny (of course) is doing an impressive set of ring pull-ups on what appears to be the roof of an outdoor seating area. At one point, he holds himself up for several seconds before spreading his legs out in a “V.” 

Unlike his previous workout video, Lenny skips the leather pants this time, opting instead to work out in jeans.

The entire clip is soundtracked by his latest single, “Human,” and shared alongside the caption, “Another day… another life. Give thanks.” 

“Human” is on Lenny’s upcoming album, Blue Electric Light, which will be released May 24. It is available for preorder now.

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Deadheads are getting another preview of the Grateful Dead’s upcoming 50th anniversary deluxe edition of From The Mars Hotel.

The latest sneak peek is the live performance of “Ship of Fools (Live at University of Nevada 5/12/74).” The entire previously unreleased concert is one of the many bonus features on the deluxe edition.

“Debuting at Winterland in San Francisco on February 22, 1974, less than three months before the Reno show, ‘Ship Of Fools’ was one [of Jerry Garcia‘s] two mellower-tempo’d songs on Mars Hotel along with ‘China Doll,’” Dead Legacy manager and audio archivist David Lemieux writes. “It was a mainstay of Grateful Dead setlists from its debut right through 1995, although it was only played a half dozen times in 1994 and 1995 combined.”

“Ship of Fools (Live at University of Nevada 5/12/74)” is available now via digital outlets.

From The Mars Hotel (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) includes a remastered version of the album, along with previously unreleased demos and the University of Nevada concert. It will be released June 21 as a three-CD and digital set. The remastered version of the album will also be released as a single black vinyl; a limited-edition neon pink vinyl; a limited-edition “Ugly Rumors” custom vinyl, sold exclusively on Dead.net; and a specially designed zoetrope picture disc.

All formats are available for preorder now.

In other Dead news … ANALOGr is set to launch a new Grateful Dead auction on May 15. The Dead Forever auction features more than 300 lots from The Dead, including items from Garcia and Bob Weir. The auction is being held one day before Dead & Company launch their Dead Forever residency at Sphere Las Vegas on May 15. A complete list of dates can be found at deadandcompany.com.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason is ready to tell his story.

Mason is set to release his memoir, Only You Know and I Know, on September 10, making him the first member of Traffic to write their memoir.

“I am thrilled to finally share my journey in Only You Know and I Know, offering fans a firsthand account of the incredible experiences and relationships that have shaped my life in music,” Mason shares. “This memoir is a testament to the power of rock ‘n’ roll and the enduring impact it has had on my career and personal life.”
 

According to the description, the book will feature never-before-seen photographs and will have Mason sharing “captivating tales from his remarkable rock ‘n’ roll journey, recounting the many extraordinary situations he found himself in throughout his illustrious career,” including recording sessions with The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Fleetwood Mac.

Only You Know and I Know is available for preorder now.

Mason is currently on his 2024 Traffic Jam tour. He plays Kent, Ohio, on May 22, with dates confirmed through October 3 in San Diego. A complete list of dates can be found at davemasonmusic.com.

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Nirvana has shared the letter the late Steve Albini sent them ahead of working on their 1993 album, In Utero.

In the letter, Albini, who preferred the term “engineer” to “producer,” lays out his “recording methodology and philosophy,” including his famed opposition to taking royalties.

“I do not want and will not take a royalty on any record I record,” Albini wrote. “No points. Period. I think paying a royalty to a producer or engineer is ethically indefensible.”

“The band write the songs. The band play the music,” he continued. “It’s the band’s fans why buy the records. The band is responsible for whether it’s a great record or a horrible record. Royalties belong to the band.”

You can read the entire letter on Nirvana’s Facebook page.

Albini passed away the night of Tuesday, May 7, at age 61. Others who’ve paid tribute include Pixies, The Breeders, PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth‘s Thurston Moore, Jack White, Lamb of God and Rage Against the Machine‘s Brad Wilk.

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