Bernie Taupin to take part in Americanafest Keynote Conversation with Brandi Carlile

August 10, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin is set to take part in the 2026 Americanafest Keynote Conversation, where he’ll be joined by Grammy winner Brandi Carlile.

According to a press release, the moderator-free conversation will “explore the creative process, songwriting, artistic longevity, collaboration and the enduring power of authentic storytelling—hallmarks of Americana music.”

“Bernie Taupin’s contribution to songwriting is immeasurable,” Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association, says. “His words have become part of our collective musical vocabulary, inspiring generations of artists.”

“Pairing Bernie with Brandi Carlile—one of today’s most fearless and celebrated songwriters—creates an extraordinary opportunity to witness two remarkable creative minds discussing the art of songwriting, the responsibility of storytelling, and the evolution of American music,” he adds.

Americanafest takes place Sept. 15-19 in Nashville. The Keynote Conversation is happening Sept. 16.

Taupin’s appearance comes ahead of the Oct. 23 release of his new solo album, The Sea Has No Mercy. The album is Taupin’s first album that he’s written entirely on his own.

Mick Jagger proves he’s ‘Mr Charm’ on the dance floor

August 10, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

In a quote posted to Instagram, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has described the track “Mr. Charm,” from the band’s latest album, Foreign Tongues, as “4 on the floor, it’s danceable,” and he is now proving it.

The rocker, whose dance moves inspired a Maroon 5 song, shared a video on Instagram of him dancing at a club to “Mr. Charm.” In the clip, the 83-year-old Jagger is shimmying his hips to the song, with his hands waving above him.

He captioned the post, “Enjoying the summer, hope you are too.”

The Rolling Stones released Foreign Tongues, their 25th studio album, in July. Produced by Andrew Watt, who also produced The Stones’ 2023’s Grammy-winning Hackney Diamonds, the album debuted at #1 in the U.K. and several other countries. In the U.S., it debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200.

KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to throw out ceremonial first pitch at Angels game

August 10, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

KISS founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are ready to show off their athletic skills.

The rockers are set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on Saturday, when the Los Angeles Angels take on the Kansas City Royals.

“ready to Rock And Roll All Nite at the Big A?” read the post announcing their appearance. “Be sure to stay after the game for a KISS-themed postgame fireworks show!”

Tickets for the game are on sale now.

Simmons and Stanley are set to reunite again this November for the KISS fan convention, KISS Kruise: Land-locked in Vegas, happening Nov. 13-15 at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. In addition to two unmasked KISS performances, the event will include a tribute to their late bandmate Ace Frehley, who died in October 2025 at age 74.

Rod Stewart postpones Cincinnati show just hours before showtime due to ‘minor medical procedure’

August 10, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Just days after Rod Stewart postponed a Canadian concert due to travel issues, the rocker was forced to postpone another show due to health-related issues.

The “Maggie May” rocker was supposed to headline the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Sunday, but just hours before showtime, a social media post from the venue announced the show had been postponed.

“Due to an unforeseen but minor medical procedure that required prompt attention, Rod Stewart’s performance tonight in Cincinnati has been postponed,” the venue revealed. “Rescheduling is currently underway, with additional information to follow on Tuesday.”

“All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date,” the post continued. “Rod is expected to make a quick recovery and looks forward to returning to Cincinnati.”

Stewart’s next scheduled show is happening Tuesday in Cleveland. A complete list of dates can be found at RodStewart.com.

In other Rod Stewart news … the rocker is a grandfather once again. Stewart’s daughter Ruby Stewart announced the birth of her second child.

“We welcomed our little(big) Levi Rhodes Kalick at 6:58pm on 8/4/26 at 9lbs 20inches…,” she announced on Instagram. “His name Levi means My Heart and his arrival has grown our hearts to 10 times the size…”

Ruby and her fiancé Jake Kalick welcomed their first son, Otis, in May of 2023.

“(S)eeing Otis and Levi meet for the first time might have been the greatest experience of my life so far…,” she added, “Otis is already the best big brother and we are already so in love with this sweet boy… Welcome sweet Levi!”

Yes announces half-speed remaster of ’Magnification’ album

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Yes has announced a half-speed remaster of the band’s 2001 album, Magnification.

The set will be released on Sept. 18 as a two-LP vinyl set and limited-edition cassette.

Magnification marked the 19th Yes album, and their first recorded as a four-piece and without a dedicated keyboardist. The Magnification lineup featured vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White.

Anderson left Yes in 2004, making Magnification his final album with the band.

Nancy Wilson says recording on new Heart album is done, hopes for ‘world domination’ next year

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

It’s been 10 years since Heart put out a new album, but the drought is coming to an end: Nancy Wilson tells Gold Derby that recording on a new album is complete — and it’s just one of several projects coming from the band.

“The Heart album is almost finished up now … the recording’s all done,” says Wilson. “It’s really, really strong. I think it’s going to be great. We wrote a bunch of new songs and recorded down in Nashville with the players that we just played the last tour with. … [T]he album was pretty much recorded live.”

Nancy adds, “I’m really happy. It really feels like a Heart record.” She says a world tour will follow, as well as a Heart documentary and the long-in-the-works Heart biopic, which has yet to be cast. The Heart documentary, Nancy says, will be about the band, unlike her sister Ann Wilson’s recent documentary. In My Voice, in which Nancy did not appear.

“We were waiting for that to get done before we proceeded with the larger one — put the Heart train back on track for next year,” Nancy notes. “Hopefully ‘27 and ’28 will be the year for Heart world domination, basically.”

Nancy also says she and Ann feel “super-reconnected now,” especially after Ann’s recent cancer diagnosis. “I think she actually beat it,” says Nancy, who notes that the health scare made her realize that music is “what we were born to do, and do together.”

“It’s what we’ve always done together, and it’s second nature,” she adds. “So, getting back into that with Ann one-on-one was extremely meaningful and really fulfilling for me. … It made me extremely happy to make this album.”

Foo Fighters release ‘Are Playing Where??? Vol. II’ live EP

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Foo Fighters have released a new live EP, Foo Fighters Are Playing Where??? Vol. II.

The six-track set includes recordings from Dave Grohl and company’s last-minute club shows at Irving Plaza in New York City and the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, over the spring to celebrate the release of their new album, Your Favorite Toy.

You can listen to Foo Fighters Are Playing Where??? Vol. II now exclusively via the band’s Bandcamp. All proceeds will be donated to local NYC and Sayreville charities.

The Foos previously released the first Are Playing Where??? live EP in 2025, which was recorded during their underplay tour that year. Those shows marked the debut of new drummer Ilan Rubin.

Foo Fighters are currently playing much larger venues — stadiums, in fact — on their Take Cover North American tour, which kicked off Tuesday in Toronto.

Lindsey Buckingham teases ‘pretty interesting year’ for 2027 amid Stevie Nicks reconciliation

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

It’s not just Rumours: there are rumblings in the world of Fleetwood Mac.

“Next year should be a pretty interesting year,” the band’s former guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham, tells E! News. “Because I think quite a few things will reveal themselves.”

One thing we know that’s in the works is the upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary, which was first announced back in 2024 by Apple. 2027 notably also marks the 50th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic Rumours album, which was released in 1977.

Of course, that Buckingham is involved in anything Fleetwood Mac-related nowadays is a bit of surprise given his acrimonious departure from the band in 2018, but he says their relationship has improved since then.

“We had left things in 2019, maybe as far as I was concerned, not in a very good place for all the wrong reasons,” Buckingham says. “No one was happy about it, and all of that has been healed and worked out.”

That includes reconciling with Stevie Nicks, which happened as part of the 2025 reissue of the duo’s 1973 pre-Fleetwood Mac album, Buckingham Nicks.

“Stevie and I are talking all the time now,” Buckingham says.

Neil Young details upcoming Chrome Hearts album, ‘Second Song’

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Neil Young has announced the details of his second album with his Chrome Hearts backing band.

The record, which as Young first teased in May is called Second Song, will arrive Sept. 18. You can listen to the Second Song title track, which spans over 11 minutes, out now.

Second Song is the follow-up to Young’s debut album with Chrome Hearts, 2025’s Talkin to the Trees. He also put out a Chrome Hearts live album, As Time Explodes, in May.

Here’s the Second Song track list:
“The Foggy Edge of Time”
“Day After Day”
“Earth Girl”
“Second Song”
“Casting Me Away from You”
“Soon I Might Be Going”
“I’ll Love You Forever”

Rush announces new vinyl ’The Spirit of Radio’ and ‘2112’ releases

August 7, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rush has announced a pair of new vinyl releases.

The band’s 2003 best-of compilation, The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987, will be available on vinyl for the first time on Oct. 2. It will be released as a two-LP set featuring all 16 of the original collection’s tracks, as well as an abbreviated one-LP, 10-track version.

Additionally, a 50th anniversary vinyl edition of Rush’s 1976 opus 2112 will be released on Oct. 2. That LP, which was pressed to black liquid vinyl, was previously exclusive to the UMusic Shop in New York City during Rush’s recent four-show stand at Madison Square Garden as part of their Fifty Something comeback tour.

The Fifty Something tour, which launched in June, marks Rush’s first tour since 2015, and their first since the 2020 death of drummer Neil Peart. Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson reformed the band in 2025 with drummer Anika Nilles.

The Fifty Something tour continues Friday with the first of four shows in Rush’s hometown of Toronto, which are set to be filmed.

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