Talking Heads launch multifaceted celebration marking debut album’s 45th anniversary

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Talking Heads‘ debut album, Talking Heads: 77, was released 45 years ago Friday, September 16, and the influential new wave band is marking the milestone in multiple ways.

To begin, Talking Heads have launched its first-ever official website, online store, Instagram page and YouTube channel.

Premiering Friday on the YouTube channel are videos for songs “And She Was,” “Blind” and “Love for Sale,” which have been newly upgraded to HD. Additional high-def Talking Heads videos will be uploaded to the channel in the coming months.

In addition, a new collection of exclusive Talking Heads: 77-themed merchandise is now available at the group’s official store, including exclusive shirts, hats, hooded sweatshirts and other items.

Meanwhile, new Dolby Atmos mixes of all eight Talking Heads studio albums — Talking Heads: 77, 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1979’s Fear of Music, 1980’s Remain in Light, 1983’s Speaking in Tongues, 1985’s Little Creatures, 1986’s True Stories and 1988’s Naked — were also released Friday.

Talking Heads guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison oversaw the Dolby Atmos mixes.

Talking Heads: 77 introduced the world to the Talking Heads, one of the bands to emerge from the punk scene revolving around the famed New York City club CBGB. The album includes the classic song “Psycho Killer.”

The band — frontman David Byrne, drummer Chris Frantz, bassist Tina Weymouth and Harrison — remained active until 1991. They reunited only once since then, in 2002, when they performed at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Ringo Starr releases ‘EP3,’ premieres “World Go Round” video

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ringo Starr‘s latest EP, a four-song collection titled EP3, was released Friday on CD and digital formats.

As its title suggests, EP3 is the third in a series of EPs; the former Beatles drummer has now recorded and released three EPs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coinciding with EP3‘s arrival, Ringo has debuted an official music video for lead track, the upbeat rock tune “World Go Round.” The song was co-written by Toto lead singer Joseph Williams and founding Toto guitarist and longtime All Starr Band member Steve Lukather.

The video features Starr at his home studio and rehearsal space, playing the song with Lukather and recording vocals with some backing singers. The clip also includes scenes of Williams playing keyboards.

The other three tracks on EP3 are “Everyone and Everything,” which was written by hit-making producer and songwriter Linda Perry; “Let’s Be Friends,” a catchy dance tune co-written by Starr’s longtime studio engineer Bruce Sugar and acclaimed songwriter Sam Hollander; and “Free Your Soul,” a laid-back, reggae-flavored tune that Starr co-wrote with Sugar.

Vinyl and cassette versions of the EP are due out on November 14.

EP3 was preceded by the Zoom In and Change the World EPs, which were released in March 2021 and September 2021, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ringo currently is touring North America with his All Starr Band; their next concert takes place tonight in Clearwater, Florida.

Ozzy Osbourne premieres first episode of ’Patient Number 9’ behind-the-scenes series

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ozzy Osbourne has premiered the first episode of his new behind-the-scenes series documenting the making of his new solo album, Patient Number 9.

The six-and-a-half-minute video is titled “When Ozzy Calls” and features interviews with a selection of the many guests that contribute to Patient Number 9, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, producer and guitarist Andrew Watt and Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne.

You can watch “When Ozzy Calls” streaming now on YouTube. The second episode debuts next Friday, September 23, followed by the third and final installment on September 30.

Patient Number 9 is out now. It also includes contributions from Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi and late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

(Video contains uncensored profanity)

Bush premieres new ’The Art of Survival’ song, “Heavy Is the Ocean”

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bush has premiered a new song called “Heavy Is the Ocean,” a track off the band’s upcoming album, The Art of Survival.

In a statement, frontman Gavin Rossdale says that “Heavy Is the Ocean” “sets the tone and the gravitas” for The Art of Survival as the record’s opener.

“I love the power of the ocean,” Rossdale shares. “It’s mesmerizing to me. It feeds your soul. The song uses the imagery I love.”

“At this point, I’m chained at the zoo of rock!” he adds. “So, I was like, ‘F*** it, I’m going to turn that puppy up.’ This one definitely represents The Art of Survival.”

You can listen to “Heavy Is the Ocean” now via digital outlets.

The Art of Survival, the follow-up to 2020’s The Kingdom, will be released October 7. It also includes the previously released single “More than Machines.”

Bush is currently on tour alongside Alice in Chains and Breaking Benjamin. The outing concludes October 8 in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

(Video contains uncensored profanity)

CCR’s “Cosmo” Clifford says archival Royal Albert Hall live album & film feature band’s “best performance”

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s live album and documentary film focusing on a previously unheard and unseen 1970 concert at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall both got their release today.

The album, titled At the Royal Albert Hall, is available on CD, cassette, 180-gram vinyl and digital formats.

The film, Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall, premiered today on Netflix. As previously reported, the movie, which is and is narrated by Jeff Bridges, includes footage of CCR’s entire April 14, 1970, concert at the Royal Albert Hall. It also features archival interviews with all four Creedence members, scenes of the band touring Europe in 1970 and a look at the group’s history.

“Of the live performances that we have recorded, that was the best performance,” CCR drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford tells ABC Audio of the Royal Albert Hall show.

Clifford says he got a kick out of watching footage of the gig, noting that the movie is Creedence’s first and only concert film.

“It’s really a funny thing. I know that’s us and I know that’s me on the drums … but when I look at it, it’s like it’s another band,” Cosmo says. “You know, I’m watching somebody else pound away on the stage.”

Regarding Bridges’ participation in the film, Clifford says, “I’m a big fan of his, for sure … I can’t think of a better narrator than Jeff.”

Meanwhile, the Travelin’ Band film will be available on Blu-ray as part of a super deluxe At the Royal Albert Hall box set that will be released November 14. The package also will feature CD and two-LP vinyl versions of the album, a bonus CD containing music that’s featured in the movie, a booklet and more.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Born on the Bayou”
“Green River”
“Tombstone Shadow”
“Travelin’ Band”
“Fortunate Son”
“Commotion”
“Midnight Special”
“Bad Moon Rising”
“Proud Mary”
“The Night Time Is the Right Time”
“Good Golly Miss Molly”
“Keep On Chooglin'”

“Do It Again”: Steely Dan launching vinyl reissue campaign in November

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Steely Dan‘s first seven studio albums, released from 1972 through 1980 on ABC and MCA Records, will be reissued on vinyl as part of a yearlong campaign, set to kick off this November.

The initiative is being overseen by founding Steely Dan frontman Donald Fagen and will feature the release of the albums on 180-gram vinyl, limited-edition premium Ultra High-Quality Vinyl mastered at 45 rpm and on the Super Audio CD format aka SACD.

The reissue campaign begins November 4 with the rerelease of the band’s 1972 debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill, which featured hits “Do It Again” and “Reelin’ In the Years,” as well as the enduring gem “Dirty Work.” The album peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified Platinum.

The other six reissues — 1973’s Countdown to Ecstasy, 1974’s Pretzel Logic, 1975’s Katy Lied, 1976’s The Royal Scam, 1977’s Aja and 1980’s Gaucho — will be released periodically throughout 2022 and 2023.

All of the albums are being meticulously remastered, most of them from the original analog tapes.

The Ultra High-Quality Vinyl versions are pressed on 200-gram vinyl and will be packaged in a box that includes a booklet explaining the creation of the superior-quality disc, along with a certificate of inspection.

You can preorder the Can’t Buy a Thrill reissue now.

Mammoth WVH announces deluxe version of self-titled debut album

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Wolfgang Van Halen has announced a deluxe version of his band Mammoth WVH‘s self-titled debut album.

The expanded collection is due out November 11 and includes three bonus tracks: “Talk & Walk,” which was previously exclusive to the Japanese version of the album, and the previously unreleased songs “As Long As You’re Not You” and “Goodbye.”

You can listen to “Talk & Walk” now via digital outlets.

The original Mammoth WVH was released in June 2021. It includes the singles “Don’t Back Down,” “Epiphany” and “Distance,” Wolf’s tribute song to his late father, the iconic Eddie Van Halen.

Mammoth WVH is heading to Europe with Alter Bridge in November, followed by a U.S. tour with Myles Kennedy and company that’ll launch January 2023. Before that, Wolf will perform at the Los Angeles Taylor Hawkins tribute concert on September 27; he played Foo Fighters‘ London tribute show earlier this month.

“Cosmo” Clifford says archival Royal Albert Hall live album & film feature CCR’s “best performance”

September 16, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s live album and documentary film focusing on a previously unheard and unseen 1970 concert at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall both got their release today.

The album, titled At the Royal Albert Hall, is available on CD, cassette, 180-gram vinyl and digital formats.

“Of the live performances that we have recorded, that was the best performance,” CCR drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford tells ABC Audio of the Royal Albert Hall show.

Clifford says he got a kick out of watching footage of the gig, noting that the movie is Creedence’s first and only concert film.

Regarding Bridges’ participation in the film, Clifford says, “I’m a big fan of his, for sure … I can’t think of a better narrator than Jeff.”

Here’s the album’s full track list:

Janet, you rock my world: Grunge-era film ‘Singles’ turns 30 this weekend

September 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

There was a time when an Alice in Chains concert was the perfect place for a rom-com meet-cute.

That time was 1992, and that rom-com was Singles, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this Sunday. At the time, the Cameron Crowe-directed movie was simply the story of a group of 20-somethings looking for love, but has since become a touchstone of the grunge era thanks to its Seattle setting, fashion and, of course, the music.

Singles was filmed in 1991, before Nirvana made “grunge” a household term when Nevermind was released later that year. By the time Singles was released in ’92, bands including Nirvana and Pearl Jam were among the biggest names in music.

Thanks to being on the Singles set, actor Bill Pullman had a head start on the grunge craze.

“I got cued in [to grunge] by doing the movie and saying, ‘What is this?'” Pullman tells ABC Audio.

“I think I have a line in there — I can’t remember — ‘What is this music, this “grudge” music?'” the Independence Day star continues. “And that was new, that whole grunge thing, that was kinda catching the wave.”

The soundtrack for Singles, which was released ahead of the film, features Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden; members of all three grunge titans appear in the movie. PJ’s Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament portray members of Citizen D***, the band fronted by Matt Dillon‘s character, Cliff Poncier, whose song “Touch Me I’m D***” is a play on grunge pioneers Mudhoney‘s track “Touch Me I’m Sick.”

Singles also produced Chris Cornell‘s fabled Poncier EP, a collection of songs he’d written for the movie, including the solo track “Seasons” and the future Soundgarden classic “Spoonman.” The Poncier songs were included in the 2017 deluxe Singles soundtrack reissue.

2022 Farm Aid festival, featuring John Mellencamp & more, to air live on Circle Network

September 15, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Official details have been announced about the live broadcast of the 2022 Farm Aid festival, which takes place September 24 in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

The sold-out event, which will include headlining performances from Farm Aid board members John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson, will be broadcast live for the second consecutive year on the Circle Network.

The festival will air starting at 7 p.m. ET, and the broadcast will feature live and prerecorded segments. The Circle Network’s social channels will also livestream Farm Aid throughout the day.

Other artists on the bill include Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Matthews will be playing as a duo with his longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds.

Farm Aid is an annual benefit show that raises money for family farmers in the U.S. Founders Nelson, Mellencamp and Neil Young debuted the event in 1985. Young has dropped off the festival’s performance lineup for the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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