Classic Rock 93.9

The lineup has been unveiled for the 2023 Monsters of Rock Cruise, which is scheduled to set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on April 29 and run through May 4.

The 11th annual edition of the seagoing hard-rock festival, which has been dubbed “They Came from Outer Space,” will feature over 35 acts, including Tesla, ex-UFO/Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker, Queensrÿche, Winger, Extreme, Vandenberg, Autograph, Great White, Saxon, Faster Pussycat, Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra, Kix, Loudness, Rose Tattoo, Stryper and former Mötley Crüe singer John Corabi.

The cruise will make stops in Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic, and the private isle of Labadee in the Bahamas before returning to port.

In addition to the many performances, the cruise will feature Q&A sessions, karaoke, a “So You Think You Can Shred” contest, “Cooking with Rock Stars” and “Painting with Rock Stars” events, a basketball game where select rockers will face off against cruise attendees, comedy sets, theme nights, photo ops and the chance for fans to have dinner with some of the performers.

Other onboard activities include a surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, hot tubs and pools, a world-class spa, a bungee trampoline experience called the SkyPad, waterslides, laser tag and an escape room.

Cabins can be reserved now, with prices stating at $1,699 per person, double occupancy. Visit MonstersofRockCruise.com for more details.

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Crosby, Stills & Nash‘s music can be streamed on Spotify again, five months after the legendary folk-rock trio requested their labels pull all their collective recordings off the streaming service. The move was made in solidarity with Neil Young over alleged COVID-19 misinformation hosted by Spotify.

CSN’s music returned to Spotify on Saturday, July 2; A source tells Billboard that David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash will be donating money brought in from the streams to charities focused on the COVID-19 crisis for at least one month.

In January, Young insisted that his music be removed from Spotify over alleged COVID-19 misinformation that was featured during the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which is hosted by the streaming service.

On February 2, CSN posted a joint Instagram statement that read, “We support Neil and we agree with him that there is dangerous disinformation being aired on Spotify’s Joe Rogan podcast. While we always value alternate points of view, knowingly spreading disinformation during this global pandemic has deadly consequences. Until real action is taken to show that a concern for humanity must be balanced with commerce, we don’t want our music — or the music we made together — to be on the same platform.”

In late January, Young had sent a letter to Spotify that basically gave them an ultimatum between keeping his music or continuing to host Rogan’s podcast, and the service ended up removing his music rather than cutting ties with the podcaster.

Meanwhile, Rogan responded to Young’s decision in late January, posting a video in which he denied he was “trying to promote misinformation.”

After Young exited Spotify, the company announced that it would be adding content advisories before podcasts that discuss COVID-19.

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Metallica has issued a statement commenting on the use of “Master of Puppets” in the new-premiered second volume of Stranger Things season four.

The ’80s thrash classic provides the soundtrack for a significant scene involving the Dungeons and Dragons-loving character Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn. The character had already earned cred with the metal community thanks to the Dio patch he wears on the back of his denim jacket.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, Metallica writes, “The way [Stranger Things creators] The Duffer Brothers have incorporated music into Stranger Things has always been next level, so we were beyond psyched for them to not only include ‘Master of Puppets’ in the show, but to have such a pivotal scene built around it.”

“We were all stoked to see the final result and when we did we were totally blown away,” the metal legends add. “It’s so extremely well done, so much so, that some folks were able to guess the song just by seeing a few seconds of Joseph Quinn’s hands in the trailer!! How crazy cool is that?”

The post concludes, “It’s an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show.”

Metallica’s comments echo the sentiments of Kate Bush, who issued several public statements amid the resurgence of her song “Running Up That Hill,” which was used in the first volume of season four. The renewed interest in the track was so massive that the normally press-shy Bush even gave a rare interview.

Both “Master of Puppets” and “Running Up That Hill” are featured on the Stranger Things 4 soundtrack, which is out now via digital outlets.

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Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary over the holiday weekend.

The heavy metal power couple first tied the knot on July 4, 1982. In a tweet Monday, Ozzy posted photos from the ceremony alongside the caption, “40 Years Ago Today! Happy Anniversary My Love.”

Meanwhile, Sharon took to Instagram to post a more recent photo of her and Ozzy, writing, “2022 is a special year for me. It marks 40 years of marriage to my darling Ozzy.”

“We first met when I was 18, over 52 years we have been friends, lovers, husband & wife, grandparents and soulmates,” she adds. “Always at each other’s side. I love you Ozzy.”

The milestone anniversary gives the Osbournes a reason to celebrate after a few difficult months for the family, which included Ozzy and Sharon testing positive for COVID-19 and Ozzy undergoing major surgery.

In other happier Osbourne happenings, Ozzy and Sharon’s daughter Kelly is expecting her first child, and Ozzy is releasing a new solo album, Patient Number 9, on September 9.

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Guns N’ Roses‘ current trip to the U.K. is going through some ups and downs.

Starting with the downs, the “Welcome to the Jungle” rockers have announced that their show in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for Monday, is being postponed due to “illness and medical advice.”

“We are working on rescheduling options for this show so please hold onto your tickets and wait for a further update,” GN’R writes in a statement. “We appreciate your understanding and patience.”

As for the ups, GN’R played two concerts at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Friday and Saturday, which each featured a surprise appearance by Carrie Underwood. The country star joined Axl Rose and company for renditions of the Guns classics “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

You may recall that Axl previously guested during Underwood’s performance at the Stagecoach festival in May, during which they also performed those hits together.

In an Instagram post following the London collaboration, Underwood wrote, “I am but a fan who somehow managed to find her way on stage to have a moment of magic with her heroes! How did I get so lucky?”

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Journey‘s long-awaited new studio album, Freedom, arrives this Friday, but the band gave fans another taste of the record, releasing a song titled “United We Stand” on the Fourth of July.

The tune features Journey frontman Arnel Pineda singing in the chorus, “United we stand, divided we fall/ Love conquers all, even when darkness comes to call/ United we stand, divided we fall/ Just fall into to me now, girl, and together we can face it all.”

In announcing the release of the track, Journey posted a message about the song on social media that reads, “More than ever, we need to take care of each other and look after one another. ‘United We Stand’ is a reminder that together we can make a difference.”

The soaring rock ballad, which is the fifth advance track Journey has debuted from Freedom, is available now via digital formats. You also can watch a visualizer video for the song on the group’s official YouTube channel.

The other four advance songs released from the 15-track collection are “The Way We Used to Be,” “You Got the Best of Me,” “Let It Rain” and “Don’t Give Up on Us.”

As previously reported, Freedom will be released on July 8 and can be preordered now.

Following its release, Journey will play four special symphonic concerts in Las Vegas — on July 15, 16, 22 and 23. The band also has several other concerts lined up around the U.S. this summer. Visit JourneyMusic.com for their full confirmed schedule.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Journey‘s long-awaited new studio album, Freedom, arrives this Friday, but the band gave fans another taste of the record on the Fourth of July by releasing a song titled “United We Stand.”

The soaring rock ballad, which is the fifth advance track Journey has debuted from Freedom, is available now via digital formats. You also can watch a visualizer video for the song on the group’s official YouTube channel.

In announcing the release of the track, Journey posted a message about the song on its social media pages that reads, “More than ever, we need to take care of each other and look after one another. ‘United We Stand’ is a reminder that together we can make a difference.”

The tune features Journey frontman Arnel Pineda singing in the chorus, “United we stand, divided we fall/ Love conquers all, even when darkness comes to call/ United we stand, divided we fall/ Just fall into to me now, girl, and together we can face it all.”

As previously reported, Freedom will be released on July 8, and can be preordered now.

The other four advance songs released from the 15-track collection are “The Way We Used to Be,” “You Got the Best of Me,” “Let It Rain” and “Don’t Give Up on Us.”

As previously reported, following Freedom‘s release, Journey will play four special symphonic concerts at the in Las Vegas — on July 15, 16, 22 and 23. The band also has several other concerts lined up around the U.S. this summer. Visit JourneyMusic.com for their full confirmed schedule.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are headed Down Under early next year, and they’re bringing Post Malone along for the ride.

The “Under the Bridge” rockers have announced a tour in Australia and New Zealand, set to kick off in January 2023, with the “Circles” artist also on the bill. The outing will be a reunion for the two acts following their collaborative performance at the 2019 Grammys.

Tickets go on sale next Monday, July 11. You can also sign up for access to a presale via the RHCP email list.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit RedHotChiliPeppers.com.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are currently touring the world in support of their new album, Unlimited Love. The U.S. leg, which will feature openers, including HAIM, The Strokes, St. Vincent, King Princess and Thundercat, kicks off July 23 in Denver.

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Founding Yes frontman Jon Anderson kicks off a U.S. summer tour with the Paul Green Rock Academy this Thursday, July 7, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Anderson will be joined by over 20 talented young musicians at the concerts, which will feature a performance of Yes’ entire 1972 album Close to the Edge in honor of its 50th anniversary, as well as renditions of other songs by the legendary prog-rock band, tunes from Jon’s solo catalog, mash-ups and more.

“If you come you’re gonna to have a great time,” Anderson tells ABC Audio about the upcoming concerts. “I mean, seriously, these teenagers, ranging from 14 to 17, are just brilliant musicians.”

Released in September 1972, Close to the Edge peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200. The album features three long musical pieces — the title track, “And You and I” and “Siberian Khatru.”

Anderson explains that before his latest tour with the Paul Green Rock Academy, he’d already performed “And You and I” with the teens, and for his trek with them earlier this year, they added the epic “Close to the Edge” to the set.

“They had a ball doing it. I loved it,” Jon notes. “So, we thought, ‘Okay, we’re gonna do some shows this summer, so why don’t we celebrate the fact that it was 50 years ago that we did the album Close to the Edge?’ So they learned ‘Siberian Khatru.’ So we’re doing the whole album, which will be…wonderful chaos.”

Anderson says the shows also will feature a performance of “So Limitless,” a song he co-wrote with and recorded last year with members of the Rock Academy, as well as mashups including a Lenny Kravitz tune and Led Zeppelin‘s “Kashmir.”

The tour runs through an August 6 show in Albany, New York.

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After canceling several recent concerts because of health issues affecting multiple band members, Whitesnake has now pulled the plug on the rest of the current European leg of its Farewell Tour.

“It is with the deepest sadness that I must announce that due to continuing health challenges, doctor’s orders, and our concern for everyone’s health and safety, Whitesnake is unable to continue its European Farewell Tour,” frontman David Coverdale writes in a message posted on the group’s official website.

He continues, “I extend my sincere apologies to All of Whitesnake’s Amazing Fans who have been looking forward to the remaining scheduled shows of this tour, All of our Amazing, Fabulous Snakes & tour personnel who have been working so hard to put on these shows, and All of the promoters and other professionals who have helped set up the tour…I Appreciate & Love You All!!!”

Before the latest announcement, Whitesnake had canceled their June 25 appearance at the Rock Imperium Festival in Cartagena, Spain, because drummer Tommy Aldridge was “under the weather,” and then canceled the next three concerts — June 28 in Milan, Italy; June 30 in Vienna, Austria; and July 2 in Zagreb, Croatia — due to Coverdale suffering from “an infection of the sinus and trachea.”

The remainder of the European trek was to have featured seven more shows, running from a July 4 performance in Budapest, Hungary, through a July 19 gig in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Whitesnake is now scheduled to return to the stage for the North American leg of its Farewell Tour, which kicks off August 17 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and is plotted out through an October 21 performance in Las Vegas. The band will be supporting The Scorpions at most of the shows.

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