Classic Rock 93.9

A new documentary giving fans insight into some of the legendary session musicians of the 1970s is getting a theatrical release. 

Magnolia Pictures will screen the doc, Immediate Family, in theaters across the country on December 12, with a digital release to follow on December 15. 

The film is the follow-up to director Denny Tedesco’s 2008 documentary, The Wrecking Crew, which focused on session musicians of the 1960s. Immediate Family tells the story of Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel and Waddy Wachtel, featuring new interviews with the musicians.

It also includes interviews with some of the A-list artists they played with, including James Taylor, Keith Richards, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Carole King, Phil Collins and Linda Ronstadt.

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In his song “The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” Billy Joel sang about coming “from a town known as Oyster Bay, Long Island.” On October 19, that town named a street after him.

WABC-TV reports that The Piano Man received a key to the Town of Oyster Bay and was on hand for the unveiling of Billy Joel Way, with the street located in front of his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles. Billy grew up in Hicksville, a hamlet within the town.

During the ceremony, Billy was serenaded by a band made up of kids from the local grade school. He also met with a group of veterans.

“It’s a beautiful day, just a little overwhelming,” Billy told reporters. “I just never figured on this when I was living here.” Calling the experience surreal, he noted, “Who could’ve predicted this? My mom would’ve been thrilled.”  

But when asked what it was like for him to see the street sign for the first time, he said he didn’t know, because the sun was shining in his eyes.

As WABC notes, Billy’s charity The Joel Foundation recently donated funds to erect a memorial in honor of the baymen who work in Oyster Bay Harbor. Long Island’s baymen inspired Billy’s hit “The Downeaster ‘Alexa.‘” The foundation also announced the continuation of its long-term investment in Long Island High School for the Arts.

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Billy Joel and Sting have announced another co-headlining date. The two Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will team up to play San Diego’s Petco Park on Saturday, April 13. 

A Citi ticket presale kicks off Monday, October 23, at 10 a.m. local time, with the general onsale set for Friday, October 27, at 10 a.m. local time.

This is the second co-headlining date Billy and Sting have announced. Their first is happening February 24 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. It will mark the first time the rock star friends have headlined a concert together.

But this isn’t the first time Billy has shared a stage at a stadium show. He has toured with Elton John several times and is currently doing co-headlining shows with Stevie Nicks. The two artists next play Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 10.

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Soccer fans, or football fans to the rest of the world, are about to see a familiar rock logo on the pitch.

The Rolling Stones are teaming with FC Barcelona and Spotify to help promote their new album Hackney Diamonds, which drops Friday, October 20. They’ve just announced a special edition Rolling Stones kit that features the band’s tongue and lips logo on the jersey.

FC Barcelona players will wear the jersey when they play Real Madrid October 28 at the El Clásico match. The women’s team, Barca Femení, will also wear the shirt at their F League match against Sevilla on November 5. 

“We are huge football fans and we are grateful that Spotify has brought our tongue and lips logo to the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate the release of the Stones’ new album, Hackney Diamonds,” the band shares. “We will cheer on the players who will be on the field as well as the fans around the world who will tune in to this iconic match.”

Some lucky fans will be able to get their hands on these unique jerseys. Two exclusive editions will go on sale October 23: One is limited to 1,899 units and another, consisting of just 22 shirts, features the signatures of the starting players on the men and women’s teams.

This isn’t the first sports-related promotion The Stones are doing for Hackney Diamonds. The band has teamed with Major League Baseball for limited-edition white vinyl versions of the new album, which feature pocket jackets with custom art tailored to each of the 30 MLB baseball teams.  

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U2 has decided to stick around Las Vegas a little while longer.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are extending their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere residency at The Venetian Resort into 2024, adding 11 new dates. Starting Friday, January 26, the new run includes two shows during Super Bowl weekend — Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 — and comes to a close Sunday, February 18.  

As with the original dates, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. will be sitting out the shows as Bram van den Berg fills in behind the drumkit.

There will be a U2 fan club presale kicking off Thursday, October 19, at 10 a.m. PT, with the general onsale happening Wednesday, October 25, at 11 a.m. PT.

U2 opened U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere Friday, September 29, to rave reviews. The band played their entire 1991 album, Achtung Baby, along with classics like “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You,” “Elevation” and “Beautiful Day.”

U2’s next Sphere show is happening Friday, October 20. A complete list of dates can be found at U2.com.

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Paul McCartney kicked off the latest leg of his Got Back tour Wednesday, October 18, in Adelaide, Australia, treating the crowd to a song he hasn’t played in almost 20 years.

According to setlist.fm, early in the show, McCartney performed The Beatles track “She’s A Woman” for the first time since 2004. The tune was the B-side to the 1964 single “I Feel Fine.”

The rest of McCartney’s set was filled with fan favorites, including Beatles classics like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “Blackbird,” “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude.” He also performed “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” for the first time on this tour and “I’ve Got A Feeling,” in a virtual duet with late bandmate John Lennon. 

The show additionally featured The Quarrymen tune “In Spite of All The Danger,” several Wings hits, including “Let ‘Em In,” “Jet,” “Live and Let Die” and “Band on the Run,” and a few McCartney solo songs, like “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Come On To Me” and “My Valentine.”

Next up, McCartney’s Got Back tour hits Melbourne, Australia, October 21. A complete list of dates can be found at paulmccartney.com.

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MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, has named Jon Bon Jovi its Person of the Year for 2024.

That means Jon will be the guest of honor at the MusiCares annual gala, which will takes place February 2 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, two nights before the Grammy Awards. At the event, a star-studded lineup is expected to perform Jon’s songs.

On social media, Jon offered his thanks and shared a video that his “dear friend” Paul McCartney made, telling him he’d be receiving the honor.

Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, says in a statement that Jon’s “remarkable contributions to rock and roll have not only left an indelible mark on the music industry, but also in the hearts of countless fans around the world.”

She also noted he’s getting the award for his philanthropic work as well, adding, “His long-standing commitment to serving food-insecure and unhoused individuals inspires us all. We’re looking forward to celebrating him and the many ways he has made a difference in this world.”

“Humbled” by the honor, Jon notes in a statement, “Philanthropic work has been a cornerstone of my life and has always run in tandem to my music career and achievements. I know this for sure: helping one’s community is helping one’s self.”

The money raised by the gala goes toward MusiCares’ programs that help those in the music community with physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.

Tickets to the event are available at personoftheyear.musicares.org.

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Mick Mars is teasing fans with some big news.

On Wednesday, October 18, the former Mötley Crüe guitarist launched a 13-day countdown on his social media accounts, meaning something is coming on October 31. The countdown posts feature a desolate forest, with Mars’ face popping up at the end.

Many fans are speculating that Mars is about to release some solo music, and they certainly seem excited by the prospect.

“if mick drops a solo album on Halloween I will spontaneously combust,” one fan commented, while another added, “if this is new music i’ll explode.”

Meanwhile another speculated, “In 13 days he’s rejoining the Crue for one last reunion tour!” That, however, seems unlikely, considering Mars sued his former bandmates in April for decreasing his share of the profits after he retired from the road.

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Billy Joel will turn 75 next year, and to celebrate the milestone, he’s doing the same thing he did when he turned 65.

Just like he did in 2014, Billy will spend his birthday — May 9 — onstage at Madison Square Garden. It’ll be the third-to-last show of his residency and his 148th lifetime show at the famous venue. However, this particular show is subject to change if it conflicts with a playoff game. 

Citi cardmembers will have access to a presale starting October 23 at 10 a.m ET via citientertainment.com. The general onsale starts October 27 at ticketmaster.com.

As previously reported, Billy will conclude his residency in July with his 150th career show at the Garden. Billy’s next show at the venue is Friday, October 20. He has two shows with Stevie Nicks left in 2023: November 10 in Minneapolis and December 8 in Phoenix. Billy will ring in 2024 with a New Year’s Eve show at USB Arena in Elmont, NY.

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Singer-songwriter Dwight Twilley, who gained fame in the ’70s and ’80s with hits like “I’m On Fire” and “Girls,” passed away Wednesday, October 18, at the age of 72. The Church Studios in Tulsa confirmed the news of his death on Facebook. 

“With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news of Dwight Twilley’s passing. Today, he peacefully departed this world, surrounded by the love of his life, Jan, and close friends,” they wrote. “The loss is immeasurable, and our words can’t capture the depth of our grief. Dwight’s musical prowess touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many. We are profoundly thankful for the enduring musical legacy he has bestowed upon us all.”

The Dwight Twilley Band, which also featured Phil Seymour, had their first Billboard hit in 1975 with their debut single, “I’m On Fire,” which peaked at #15. They released their debut solo album, Sincerely, in 1976, although it failed to have much chart success, peaking at #138.

Seymour left the Dwight Twilley band in 1978, and Twilley went on to launch a solo career, releasing his first album, Twilley, in 1979. His biggest hit as a solo artist was the track “Girls” from his 1984 album, Jungle, which peaked at #16 on the chart.

He released his last album, Always, in 2014.

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