Listen to first act of The Smashing Pumpkins’ three-part ﻿’Atum’﻿ album

Listen to first act of The Smashing Pumpkins’ three-part ’Atum’ album

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Smashing Pumpkins have dropped the first installment of their upcoming three-part “rock opera” album, Atum.

You can listen to the record’s first 11 songs, dubbed Act 1, now via digital outlets.

As previously reported, Atum is described as the sequel to the Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Machina/Machine of God albums. In total, Atum consists of 33 tracks; the second batch arrives January 31, followed by the third on April 21.

If that’s not enough Smashing Pumpkins for you, a vinyl box set edition of Atum will be available on April 21 with 10 more bonus tracks.

Ahead of Atum‘s arrival, the Pumpkins have been touring the U.S. alongside Jane’s Addiction. The outing is expected to resume Tuesday in San Francisco after Sunday’s show in Portland, Oregon, was canceled due to frontman Billy Corgan‘s bout of laryngitis.

Bonnie Raitt extends tour into 2023

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bonnie Raitt is extending her time on the road. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer just announced her Just Like That tour will continue through 2023, adding more U.S. shows as well as dates in the U.K. and Ireland. The U.S. dates, which kick off March 10 in Indio, California, include a three-night stand at The Venetian Theater inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

The Sin City gigs will go down March 15, 17 and 18, with Bonnie backed by her longtime band. Not only that, she’s promising fans she’ll be joined by some “special guests.”

As for the rest of the tour, the U.S. shows run through May 23, and then, the U.K. and Ireland legs kick off June 1. Tickets are set to go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

The new dates follow a successful year of touring for Bonnie thus far; the legendary performer’s currently headlining a 75-date U.S. tour. She next hits the stage Tuesday night in Melbourne, Florida.

After Elton John’s farewell tour, there will “definitely be a 2.0 in some shape or form,” says manager

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John‘s final U.S. concert will take place this Sunday night at L.A.’s Dodger Stadium, and will be livestreamed on Disney+. But when the Rocket Man’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road finally wraps up for good some time, don’t worry — Elton will still continue to play live, though what that might look like is still up in the air.

Elton’s husband and manager David Furnish tells Variety that the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will definitely “be the end of all touring without a question,” but adds, “I hope he still does a one-off every now and then — or maybe, like not in Vegas, but a small residency at some point.”

He explains, “He would love to at some point go and play a lot of the songs he doesn’t normally get to play during his concerts. He has such a huge catalog and has written so many beautiful songs. I think there will definitely be a 2.0 in some shape or form.”

And of course, Elton won’t stop recording or writing songs. Furnish tells Variety that Elton is eager to “work more” with Britney Spears, his “Hold Me Closer” duet partner, and would like to do something with her “in person…because she was in L.A. and he was in London and it was recorded that way.” He adds, “She can pick up the phone and speak to Elton about it at any time.”

As for Elton’s final concerts, the first time he played Dodger Stadium back in 1975, he wore a now-iconic sequined Dodgers uniform. Furnish says for these shows, Elton will “be recreating the spirit of the Dodgers suit on stage,” with help from Gucci, who’s designed all his outfits for the tour.

Green Day’s been “working recording our record” throughout the year

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Green Day is officially working on a new album.

In an Instagram post reflecting on their 2022, Billie Joe Armstrong and company reveal that they’ve been “working recording our record” in London and Los Angeles in between all the touring they’ve been doing this year.

The confirmation that a new Green Day album is indeed in the works follows various teasers the punk outfit shared earlier this year relating to the year 1972, which, perhaps not coincidentally, is the year that Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool were all born.

Green Day’s most recent album is 2020’s Father of All… Last year, they dropped a trio of one-off singles: “Here Comes the Shock,” “Holy Toledo!” and “Pollyanna.”

Meanwhile, Green Day is also prepping a reissue of 1997’s Nimrod in honor of the album’s 25th anniversary. The expanded package will arrive January 27.

Video for last known recorded The Doors song debuting Thursday on AXS TV

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

A never-before-released song by The Doors has gotten the music video treatment and fans won’t have to wait too long to see it. In fact, it’s being released this week.

AXS TV will premiere the all-new music video for “Paris Blues” Thursday at 6 p.m. ET. It will then be available exclusively on their website and on the AXS TV Now Fast Channel for 24 hours.

The track is the last known unreleased tune by the legendary rockers and will be released digitally on Friday. It will also be part of The Doors’ contribution to Record Store Day Black Friday on November 25. That release, available at independent record stores, will be a limited-edition compilation of rare blues recordings, coming out on translucent blue vinyl.

Although it isn’t known exactly when “Paris Blues” was recorded, it is believed to be a product of The Doors’ sessions for either 1969’s The Soft Parade or 1971’s L.A. Woman. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek had the only copy of the song, although it was damaged by his son, Pablo, who, as a toddler, recorded over parts of it. It has now been reconstructed, with use of “creative editing.”

Bruce Springsteen clears up some popular myths about himself on ‘The Tonight Show’

November 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen took a moment during night one of his Tonight Show takeover on Monday to clear up some popular myths surrounding the legendary rocker.

As to whether he really sleeps with a guitar next to him, so that in case he dreams up a song he can immediately wake up and record it, Springsteen admitted, “I have done that.”

Noting that both he and Taylor Swift are mounting U.S. tours in 2023, and both are friends with frequent Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff, host Jimmy Fallon asked if either Bruce or Taylor would “pop into each other’s shows from time to time.”

“Well, I will be, because my daughter is gonna make sure. I will be at the Taylor Swift show,” Bruce confirmed, adding, “And she’s welcome on E Street anytime.”

Finally, Springsteen was asked if he could solve an argument on Twitter regarding a line from the song “Thunder Road,” from Bruce’s 1975 album Born to Run — Is it “A screen door slams, Mary’s dress sways,” or “A screen door slams, Mary’s dress waves?”

Pulling out a copy of the album, Bruce explained that he was “insane about every little detail” regarding the album. “The lyrics for ‘Thunder Road,” are in this album — the correct lyrics. “Now I’ve been singing ‘Sways’ for almost 50 years,” he told the audience, before revealing the lyrics included with the album — “The screen door slams, Mary’s dress waves.”

“This is wrong,” he finally revealed, pointing to the album.

Springsteen, who’s promoting his new album Only the Strong Survive, will appear on the NBC show two more times this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on November 24 during the show’s Thanksgiving episode.

The Boss also performed “Do I Love You” from the album.

The late Harry Nilsson’s songbook acquired by BMG

November 14, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan have sold the rights to their catalogs in recent years, and the latest catalog that’s been snapped up is that of the late Harry Nilsson.

The Grammy Award winner’s song publishing catalog has been acquired by BMG in a deal with his estate that also includes artist and writer revenue streams of his classic tunes. The company also plans to team up with Nilsson’s family on possible future projects in areas of film, television, books and more.

Nilsson, who passed away in 1994, had a two-decade-long career and is best known for such songs as “Without You”; “Everybody’s Talkin’” from the soundtrack to 1969’s Midnight Cowboy; and “One,” which was recorded by Three Dog Night, as well as such albums as Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson. He also collaborated with several big names, including co-writing “Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga” and “Old Dirt Road” with John Lennon and “How Long Can Disco On” with Ringo Starr.

“We are delighted to have found a partner that shares our love and reverence for Harry’s legacy,” Nilsson’s family shares in a statement. “We look forward to a long relationship with BMG, working together to celebrate this true genius of pop music.”

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo to tour with Pink, appear on ‘The Late Late Show’

November 14, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Newly inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have made some new plans for next year. They are set to open dates on Pink’s newly announced Summer Carnival Tour.

The tour, which also features Brandi Carlile, kicks off July 24, with Benatar and Giraldo confirmed for six shows: Boston’s Fenway Park, Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, as well as concerts in Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Until then, Benatar and Giraldo have another exciting project about to launch. Their new show, INVINCIBLE – The Musical, a modern reimagining of Romeo & Juliet featuring their catalog of music, is set to have its world premiere November 22 at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. And fans can get a taste of what to expect when the rockers appear Tuesday on The Late Show with James Corden. In addition to chatting with the host, they’ll join members of the show’s cast to perform a special rendition of Benatar’s classic “Heartbreaker.”

Fans can also catch them being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when the induction ceremony, held earlier this month in Los Angeles, airs November 19 on HBO and streams on HBO Max.

The Smashing Pumpkins cancel tour date due to Billy Corgan’s laryngitis

November 14, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Smashing Pumpkins canceled their show Sunday in Portland, Oregon, due to frontman Billy Corgan battling a case of laryngitis.

In an Instagram post, the “1979” rockers share that they are “deeply saddened” to have to scrap the show and plan to return to Portland “next summer.”

Judging by his own Instagram, which features a photo of himself smiling and giving a thumbs-up at a doctor’s office, Corgan seems to be in relatively good spirits about the situation.

The Pumpkins have been touring throughout the fall alongside Jane’s Addiction. The outing is set to continue Tuesday in San Francisco and conclude Friday in Los Angeles.

By the way, Corgan’s laryngitis isn’t the only health issue that’s affected the tour. Jane’s had to drop off several shows after Perry Farrell suffered an onstage injury, while guitarist Dave Navarro skipped the entire tour to due a continued battle with long COVID-19.

REM, Patti Smith, Steve Winwood, Heart, Blondie, Doobie Brothers among Songwriter Hall of Fame nominees

November 14, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

The nominees for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame next year have been announced and some of the biggest names in rock are among them.

Patti Smith, all four members of REM, Jeff Lynne of ELO, Bryan Adams, Debbie Harry, Clem Burke and Chris Stein of Blondie, Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons are among this year’s nominees, as well as Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and Steve Winwood.

Other acts who are in the running include Snoop Dogg; country star and Eagles member Vince Gill; Sade [shah-DAY] Adu, frontwoman and songwriter for the band Sade; and Gloria Estefan.

Among the nonperforming songwriters who are nominated for induction are Glen Ballard, probably best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette‘s Jagged Little Pill; and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the team who wrote Monkees classics like “Last Train to Clarksville” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.”

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