Billy Idol documentary ‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’ sets theatrical release

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Billy Idol documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead is finally hitting theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 26.

Ahead of the opening, the film will get two special premieres, Feb. 23 in Los Angeles at the TCL Chinese Theatre and Feb. 25 in New York at the Regal Union Square. Both screenings will feature an acoustic performance by Idol, and his longtime guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens.

Billy Idol Should Be Dead, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June 2025. The film explores the rock star’s career and personal life, and features never-before-seen archival and personal interviews with Idol, as seen in a just-released teaser for the flick. It also includes interviews with Idol’s family, peers and collaborators.

The film features the new song “Dying to Live,” which Idol wrote with Academy Award-nominated songwriter J. Ralph.

Info on screenings and tickets can be found at billyidolshouldbedead.com.

Metallica among honorees for 2026 Red Cross Gala in SF

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica will be honored as the visionary partner of the year at the 2026 Red Cross Gala in San Francisco, taking place March 21.

The distinction comes after the “Enter Sandman” metallers teamed up with the Red Cross in 2025 to set up blood drives alongside stops on their M72 tour.

“Giving back as a united, engaged community has always been at the core of [Metallica’s charity foundation] All Within My Hands, and working alongside the Red Cross has shown us just how powerful that can be,” Metallica says. “From last year’s fan-fueled Red Cross × Metallica blood drive series — which blew us away by hitting more than 1,000 donations in its first month — to years of teaming up on disaster relief, we’ve seen firsthand how acts of kindness can save lives.”

The band adds, “Thank you to the Red Cross for this incredible recognition, and thank you to the #MetallicaFamily, who prove every day that doing good is something we all can amplify. Seeing fans, volunteers, and entire communities show up again and again shows just how much this work matters.”

Iron Maiden reveals details of 50th anniversary celebration, Eddfest

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

When Iron Maiden announced dates for their Run For Your Lives World Tour, they revealed that it would include a special show in the U.K. The band has since shared what’s so special about it.

The concert at Knebworth Park on July 11, featuring special guests The Hu, The Darkness, Airbourne and The Almighty, will be part of what the band’s dubbed Eddfest, after their mascot, Eddie. The July 10-11 event is described as the “ultimate once in a lifetime celebration of all things Iron Maiden for their 50th anniversary,” featuring live music, themed areas, immersive attractions and more.

Some of those attractions include the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience, featuring Iron Maiden stage props and relics, plus an area called Maidenville, which will feature a second stage of music, Eddie’s Ultimate Dive Bar, and the Unfair Funfair with rides and Eddie-themed games.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to IronMaiden.Knebworth.com.

Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde pays tribute to ‘I’ll Stand By You’ co-writer Billy Steinberg

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde has paid tribute to songwriter Billy Steinberg, who, along with his songwriting partner Tom Kelly, co-wrote the band’s classic tune “I’ll Stand By You.”

Steinberg died Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 75.

“Very sad to hear of the passing of my dear friend Billy Steinberg,” Hynde wrote on social media. “Billy and I, along with his songwriting partner Tom Kelly, enjoyed hours of mirth writing songs together in LA and London.”

“It was with Billy and Tom that I learned to collaborate with other songwriters…. and we wrote some crackers, including I’ll Stand By You,” she added. “Billy, a gentle soul and great talent will be greatly missed.”

“I’ll Stand By You,” a top-20 hit for the Pretenders, appeared on their 1994 album, Last of the Independents, which featured several other songs co-written by Hynde, Steinberg and Kelly. Hynde helped induct Steinberg and Kelly into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Steinberg and Kelly also wrote such iconic tunes as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Heart’s “Alone” and The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame.”

Scorpions announce dates for new Las Vegas residency

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Scorpions are returning to Las Vegas.

The German rockers have announced dates for a brand-new residency, Scorpions – Coming Home to Las Vegas, at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the same venue where they headlined sold-out residencies in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

The new residency, with special guest Buckcherry, will consist of eight shows, beginning Sept. 17 and wrapping Oct. 3. A complete list of dates can be found at the-scorpions.com.

“Our residency in Las Vegas last year was pure rock ’n’ roll joy!! Unforgettable nights with fans from all over the world. That energy stayed with us, so coming back in 2026 just felt right” Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine said in a statement. “We can’t wait to return to Planet Hollywood and celebrate the music, the memories, and another round of rockin’ good times. Vegas … we’re gonna sting you again!”

A Scorpions fan club presale begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT, followed by a Citi presale on Wednesday at 12 p.m. PT. Tickets go on sale to the general public Saturday at 10 a.m. PT.

The Who’s ‘Tommy’ to be rereleased in IMAX theaters

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The movie version of The Who’s rock opera Tommy is returning to theaters.

In celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary, Tommy is getting an exclusive two-day run in IMAX theaters, March 17 and 18.

Originally released in March 1975, Tommy, written and directed by Ken Russell, was based on The Who’s 1969 album of the same name.

The film follows a young boy named Tommy, who, after witnessing his father murder his mother’s lover, becomes deaf, dumb and blind. Despite this, he becomes an unlikely celebrity due to his pinball-playing skills and eventually inspires a cult following.

All members of The Who appeared in the film, with Roger Daltrey playing the title role. The cast also included Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ann-Margaret, Jack Nicholson, Oliver Reed and Tina Turner.

The film earned Ann-Margaret an Oscar nomination for best actress, while The Who’s Pete Townshend earned a nod for the score.

Tickets for the IMAX screenings are on sale now.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band announce spring 2026 tour

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have announced a string of 2026 tour dates.

The 20-date Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour will launch March 31 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, with The Boss playing arenas in such cities as New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and more. The tour will wrap with an outdoor show on May 27 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

“We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming! Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be taking the stage this spring from Minneapolis to California to Texas to Washington, D.C. for the Land of Hope And Dreams American Tour,” Springsteen says in a video posted to social media. “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream — all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C.”

He adds, “Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome — so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of Rock ‘n’ Rebellion! I’ll see you there!”

A full list of dates and ticket information can be found at Springsteen.net.

The tour comes just weeks after Springsteen released the protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” which he wrote in response to what’s been happening in Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

The tour will mark Springsteen’s first North American tour since 2024. His last tour, in 2025, brought him and The E Street Band to Europe and the U.K.

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe makes cameo on ‘The Simpsons’

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe made a cameo on Sunday’s episode of The Simpsons.

The rocker sang a parody of the band’s classic Automatic For the People track “Everybody Hurts,” changed to “Everybody Kirks Sometimes.”

The animated Stipe, in a black suit and hat, turns up as the character Kirk Van Houten. Kirk has bipolar disorder and deals with a bout of depression following a manic episode.

“I was super flattered to be invited back into The Simpsons universe,” Stipe wrote on Instagram, “and particularly with this grand message of great hope.”

This is the second time Stipe has appeared on an episode of the long-running Fox animated hit. He previously appeared with the rest of his R.E.M. bandmates during the 13th season’s “Homer the Moe” episode.

Santana & The Doobie Brothers announce dates for the 2026 Oneness Tour

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Santana and The Doobie Brothers are teaming up for a new leg of Santana’s Oneness tour.

The artists will hit the road together starting June 13 in Chicago. The tour will hit such cities as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin and more, before wrapping Aug. 27 in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Prior to the joint dates, Santana will headline two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on May 27 and 28.

A Citi presale for tickets will begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time, followed by an artist presale that starts Tuesday at 2 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

This isn’t the first time the two artists have toured together. In 2019, The Doobie Brothers were the special guest on Carlos Santana’s Supernatural Now tour, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of his album Supernatural as well as the 50th anniversary of his Woodstock performance.

Before hitting the road with The Doobie Brothers, Santana will launch the first leg of his 2026 Oneness Tour on March 28 in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

A complete list of dates can be found at Santana.com and TheDoobieBrothers.com.

On This Day, Feb. 17, 1973: Free play their final show ever

February 17, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Feb. 17, 1973 …

The rock band Free played their final show ever in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The band, made up of Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke, formed in London in 1968. Their biggest hit was the iconic tune “All Right Now,” which was a top-5 hit in the U.S.

Fraser left the band in 1972. Kossoff was replaced for the 1973 tour, which was in support of the band’s sixth and final studio album, Heartbreaker.

Following the breakup of the band, Rodgers and Kirke would go on to form Bad Company with Mott The Hoople’s Mick Ralphs and King Crimson’s Boz Burrell. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.

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