Classic Rock 93.9

The deluxe reissue of The Beatles‘ classic 1966 album Revolver was released Friday, October 28, in multiple configurations.

Revolver originally was released in August 1966 and spent multiple weeks at #1 in both the U.S. and the U.K. The album captured the Fab Four moving into the psychedelic era with an adventurous and experimental collection of tunes that explored various musical genres.

Producer Giles Martin, who oversaw the reissue and helped create a new mix of the album, explains to ABC Audio, “[The Beatles] ripped up the rulebook with Revolver … They had [songs like] ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ ‘Tomorrow Never Knows,’ ‘And Your Bird Can Sing,’ ‘Taxman.’ It’s like Revolver is an album of about seven different bands, but all good ones.”

Besides the new mix, the deluxe package also includes the original mono mix of the album; 31 tracks of session outtakes and demos; a four-song EP featuring the non-album tracks “Paperback Writer” and “Rain”; and a 100-page hardbound book.

Giles says some of the interesting bonus tracks include alternate versions of “Got to Get You into My Life” and “Rain,” and an early demo of “Yellow Submarine” featuring John Lennon on vocals.

One alternate version of “Got to Get You into My Life” features fuzz guitar and lacks the song’s trademark horns. A “Rain” outtake features the song at the speed it was actually recorded — the version that was originally released was slowed down.

There are also multiple tracks that show how “Yellow Submarine” developed from a melancholy tune sung by Lennon to the upbeat sing-along featuring Ringo Starr on lead vocals.

“[I]t’s development to how it is now is really surprising, and it’s worth listening to,” says Giles.

For full details including complete track lists of the various versions of the reissue, visit TheBeatles.com.

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The Who‘s Roger Daltrey and contemporary British rocker Yungblud interview each other for the latest installment of Rolling Stone‘s “Musicians on Musicians” series.

During the conversation, Daltrey, 78, tells Yungblud he thought the 25-year-old singer’s latest album was “uplifting” and praises the way he uses “the crowd-singing sound” in his mixing.

Roger goes on to complain that a lot of popular music in recent years has lacked strong vocals and harmonies, then discusses why he loves The Beach Boys.

“When you listen to the songs of the Beach Boys and the harmonies and all that stuff, it truly lifts your spirits,” Daltrey notes. “We really need it these days. Too many solo voices singing mediocre lyrics.”

The rockers also share negative opinions about the reality singing competition The Voice.

Daltrey says he was asked to be a judge on show — presumably the U.K. version — but he declined.

“I’m not gonna judge anyone’s singing,” Daltrey insists. “You’re only gonna squash their spirit, whatever you say.”

Yungblud, meanwhile, reveals that before his career took off, he was approached by a label that wanted to have him compete on The Voice.

“I was like, ‘No f***ing way,'” he recalls.

“I remember them saying, ‘We’ll put you on The Voice, and if you win it, we’ll sign you. But you can’t sing about politics,'” he continues. “I was starting to write about sexuality, fashion, gender … And I just said no.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Daltrey and Yungblud talk about The Who’s influence on fashion during the 1960s, the way social media affects today’s artists and their mutual love of Oasis.

“I wish [Oasis] would just get back together,” Daltrey says.

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Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars announced Wednesday that he’s retiring from touring with the group, and now his three bandmates — Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee — have issued an official statement regarding Mars’ decision.

In the message, Mötley Crüe also confirms rumors that Marilyn Manson/Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will be stepping in for Mars when the band returns to the road.

“While change is never easy, we accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health,” the statement begins. “We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace.”

The band continues, “To say ‘enough is enough’ is the ultimate act of courage. Mick’s sound helped define Mötley Crüe from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We’ll continue to honor his musical legacy.”

The note concludes, “We will carry out Mick’s wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick’s shoes so we are grateful that our good friend … John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We’ll see all you Crüeheads out on the road!”

Adds John 5, “I’m honored to carry on Mick’s legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs.”

Mars, 71, announced his retirement from touring in a statement provided to Variety, citing his ongoing battle with ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, a painful degenerative disease. The message also reported that Mick “will continue as a member of the band.”

Mötley Crüe is scheduled to team up with Def Leppard for an international tour that kicks off in February.

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Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum has debuted a music video for “Judgement Day,” the first single from his all-star band King of Chaos‘ forthcoming debut album, which is due out late 2023.

The “Judgement Day” video, which premiered at GuitarWorld.com and also can be viewed on the AFM Records label’s YouTube channel, features guest appearances by ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons and Sorum’s wife, fashion designer/choreographer Ace Harper.

Sorum explains about the clip, “Drawing inspiration from the 1971 film Vanishing Point morphed with imagery inspired by Natural Born Killers, Director Brian Cox … and I conceptualized a man running from his demons on a wild ride to find redemption guided by The Reverend Willy G [portrayed by Gibbons], an Angel … on a motorcycle [portrayed by Harper] and his inner child. A Wayward Wanderer searching for the light.”

“Judgement Day” was co-written and performed by Sorum and his ex-Velvet Revolver bandmates Slash, Duff McKagan and David Kushner, and features Matt on drums and lead vocals. Sorum also played with Slash and McKagan in GN’R.

The single will be released via digital formats on Friday, October 28 and can be presaved now.

As previously reported, the first Kings of Chaos album, which is expected in either the fall or winter of next year, will feature original songs and “guest collaborations with some of rock’s biggest names — including some of today’s most talented and iconic female artists.”

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Elvis Costello will take part in a four-day music and vacation event that will offer his fans the chance to explore the island nation and see special performances by the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

The event, dubbed Elvis in Iceland, is scheduled for May 25 to May 29 and will be based in Reykjavik, Iceland. It will include a private performance by Elvis and his longtime keyboardist Steve Nieve, plus prime seats to a May 28 show at the city’s Harpa Concert Hall featuring Costello and his old friend and collaborator Nick Lowe.

The excursion also offers accommodations at a four-star hotel, Q&A sessions with Costello and Lowe, photo ops with Elvis, Nick and Steve, a limited-edition poster signed by the three musicians and concerts by local music acts.

In addition, those who register for the destination event will be treated to meals at fine restaurants and will get a fly-over tour of Reykjavik, a spa visit to the Sky Lagoon, a Golden Circle tour of the Icelandic countryside and more.

Registration for the extravaganza is open exclusively at ElvisInIceland.com, with a 10% discount available through December 25; use the promo code “ICELAND.”

In a message posted about the event on YouTube, Elvis says, “For many years I’ve been thinking to myself, ‘When am I going to get to come back to Reykjavik? When am I going to come back to Iceland?’ Well, it seems that May 2023, marks the time when I will return! I will be there with Steve Nieve, a huge stack of songs, and many stories to tell you on my Elvis in Iceland trip.”

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The upcoming documentary Let There Be Drums! features what may be the final filmed interview with late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. As its title suggests, the film is all about the art of and love for drumming, with which, of course, Hawkins had a lot of experience.

Speaking with ABC Audio, director Justin Kreutzmann, the son of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, shares that Hawkins “informed the film a lot.”

“I had my 10 Foo Fighters questions and he answered them, and they were all great and they were all really interesting,” Kreutzmann shares. “[But] when he started asking me questions and we started trading stuff, and then he started telling me about going to a Dead show … and his love of Jane’s Addiction and all that kind of stuff, I like to say we kinda went off script.”

Watching Hawkins in the film now, Kreutzmann is reminded that Taylor “should be here for all this.”

“Stuff that was really fun and hopeful, like about him talking about playing Foo Fighters songs when he’s in his 70s and his kids watching, [things that] were really fun when you watched it before now have this other thing going on,” Kreutzmann says. “I really wish that wasn’t the case, obviously.”

In the wake of Hawkins’ unexpected death earlier this year, Kreutzmann shares that “there was some talk about including more Taylor or changing the cut.” Instead, Kreutzmann followed in the footsteps of the iconic Who doc The Kids Are Alright, which was released shortly after the death of drummer Keith Moon.

“This is the cut Taylor saw, we didn’t change a thing,” Kreutzmann says. “This is the movie as it was.”

Let There Be Drums! premieres Friday.

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A few months back, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford revealed the band was working on tracks for its next studio album. Now the singer has shared an update on the status of the group’s follow-up to 2018’s Firepower.

“It’s all done, apart from me,” Halford tells ABC Audio. “You saw [Priest guitarist] Richie [Faulkner] said in the press, ‘We’re waiting for him.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, God, it’s all on my back.’ The record is finished, but I’ve got to sing on it.”

The 71-year-old heavy metal legend continues, “I’ve got to be in the right place to sing. I have to be in the right frame of mind … And I’m not really in the right frame of mind right now. There’s too many intrusive things, because I’m like a world barometer, and there are too many things that are going on.”

Halford adds, “It’s not too far off, you know? I’ve got my kind of mental calendar preparing me to go in the studio. So yeah, it won’t be too long.”

Judas Priest, of course, is currently in the midst of the fall U.S. leg of their 50 Heavy Metal Years tour. The band will take a short break from the trek late next week, as they will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 5, at a ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Check out all the group’s upcoming tour dates at JudasPriest.com.

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Green Day, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and The Black Crowes are among the artists set to perform at the 2023 edition of the baseball-themed Innings Festival, taking place February 25-26 in Tempe, Arizona.

Green Day will headline the first day of the festival, while Vedder has been tapped to headline day two of the fest. The Black Crowes are also on the February bill.

The festival’s lineup also includes Weezer, The Offspring, Marcus Mumford, The Pretty Reckless, The Head and the Heart and the late Michael Jackson‘s daughter Paris.

The Innings Festival coincides with the beginning of Major League Baseball’s spring training. In keeping with the baseball theme, the festival will feature appearances by a number of MLB greats, including Randy Johnson, Jake Peavy and Dontrelle Willis.

Tickets go on sale this Thursday, October 27, at 10 a.m. PT. For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit InningsFestival.com/arizona.

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Mötley Crüe‘s Mick Mars is getting off the road.

In a statement provided to Variety, the 71-year-old guitarist announces that he’s retiring from touring, citing his ongoing battle with the inflammatory disease ankylosing spondylitis, or AS.

“Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road,” the statement reads. “AS is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”

Mars is Mötley Crüe’s original guitarist, having joined the band when it was founded in 1981. He remained with the group until 2015, when the Crüe played their so-called “final” show after signing a “cessation of touring” contract meant to legally prevent the “Home Sweet Home” rockers from performing live together again.

Mötley then announced in 2019 that they’d be reuniting for a 2020 tour, featuring original members Mars, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Vince Neil. After a two-year pandemic delay, the stadium outing launched in 2022 with co-headliner Def Leppard. According to Billboard, the trek earned $173.5 million, making it the biggest tour of Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard’s careers.

Next year, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard will unite once more for an international tour. A replacement for Mars hasn’t been announced, though Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 has been heavily rumored.

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Legendary guitarists Robby Krieger of The Doors and Rush‘s Alex Lifeson teamed up to perform at a charity event held Monday at the club Bogie’s in Westlake Village, California.

As reported by Blabbermouth.net and seen in a fan-shot video posted on the Heavy Metal Hill YouTube channel, Krieger and Lifeson played a version of the Santana classic “Evil Ways” with longtime Santana singer Andy Vargas on vocals. Keyboardist Ed Roth, who frequently collaborates with Krieger, also took part in the jam.

The performance was part of the 2022 Medlock-Krieger Golf, Art Show & Guitars event, the latest installment of a multifaceted annual charity fundraiser co-founded by Krieger and his friend Scotty Medlock. This year’s event honored Medlock, who died of cancer last November at the age of 53.

Clips of two other performances from the show were posted on the Heavy Metal Hill YouTube channel, featuring founding Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and his current group, California Transit Authority, joined by onetime Journey singer Jeff Scott Soto for versions of Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4” and “Saturday on the Park.”

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