Nikki Sixx’s ’The First 21’ lands on ‘New York Times’ best-sellers list; new children’s book due out next year

Nikki Sixx’s ’The First 21’ lands on ‘New York Times’ best-sellers list; new children’s book due out next year
Hachette Books

Nikki Sixx‘s new memoir The First 21 has landed on The New York Times best-sellers list.

The book, which recounts the first 21 years of the Mötley Crüe bassist’s life, debuts at number eight on the Hardcover Nonfiction ranking, and number 11 on the Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction tally.

“I am such a fan of books and storytelling,” says Sixx. “The whole process is extremely creative from the beginning to the end, which allowed me to open up candidly in the memoir about addiction, sobriety and reflect about the formative years of my life, while unpacking the complicated childhood that had some twists and turns along the way.”

He adds, “I am really happy The First 21 connected with people in such a deep way.”

Sixx previously earned the New York Times best-seller title with his 2007 and 2011 books The Heroin Diaries and This Is Gonna Hurt, respectively, and as a co-author of the 2001 collective Crüe autobiography, The Dirt.

In related news, Sixx is already working on another book, a children’s book co-written by his wife, Courtney. As Sixx tells The Aquarian, the book is about “this little girl who goes to all of these countries in her imagination.”

“She goes to Africa and she has this little African boy or girl teaching her about that culture, or she goes to England, and then she goes to Wyoming and learns about horses, then goes to Japan and learns about the food and the culture and the language,” Sixx explains. “That is a great idea and that will come out next year.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“Whisky Drinkers & Hell Raisers”: ZZ Top introducing its own whisky brand, Tres Hombres

“Whisky Drinkers & Hell Raisers”: ZZ Top introducing its own whisky brand, Tres Hombres
Courtesy of Balcones Distilling

ZZ Top has partnered with the Waco, Texas-based Balcones Distilling company to create the band’s own unique brand of whiskey, Tres Hombres, named after the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame trios 1973 studio album.

In celebration of ZZ Top’s legacy, the liquor is made using three different grains — roasted blue corn, barley and rye.

Tres Hombres whiskey is available for pre-order now at BalconesDistilling.com and can be ordered soon at KegNBottle.com. The spirits will be available at liquor stores throughout Texas and in select other states starting in mid-November.

“ZZ Top’s love of Texas runs deep and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate that than by creating something together with Balcones — The Original Texas Whisky,” says the band’s manager, Carl Stubner, about the new collaboration. “Tres Hombres exemplifies what can be achieved when brands care deeply about their respective products and legacy.”

Adds Balcones Distilling’s head distiller, Jared Himstedt, “It was incredible to collaborate with the ZZ Top team to develop an exclusive whisky that celebrates ZZ Top’s and Balcones’ shared Texas roots. To actually get to taste through the blending process with ZZ Top and make a whisky that synthesizes our joint vision for Tres Hombres was an honor.”

In other news, ZZ Top’s 2021 U.S. tour continues this Saturday, November 6, in Key West, Florida. The trek winds down December 12 in Midland, Texas.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Alice Cooper lines up brief 2022 US tour in January and February

Alice Cooper lines up brief 2022 US tour in January and February
Credit: Jenny Risher

Alice Cooper has announced plans for his first series of U.S. shows in 2022.

The shock rocker has lined up eight concerts in the Midwest and Southeast prior to his previously headlining appearance on next year’s Monsters of Rock Cruise in February.

The performances kick off on January 28 in Cincinnati and run through a February 8 show in Orlando, Florida.

Tickets for the concerts go on sale to the general public this Friday, November 5, at 10 a.m. local time, while a VIP pre-sale tickets will be available starting today, November 2, at 10 a.m. local time.

As previously reported, the 2022 Monsters of Rock Cruise sets sail from Miami on February 9 and visits the Haitian island of CocoCay and Labadee in the Bahamas before returning to port on February 14.

Besides Alice, the cruise will feature more than 30 other acts, including Queensryche, Winger, Cinderella‘s Tom Keifer, Skid Row, Great White, LA Guns, Kix, Pat Travers, Lit, Vixen, Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks, Loudness, Y&T, Faster Pussycat, current Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra, ex-Motley Crue singer John Corabi, former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes and many more.

Cooper also is scheduled to mount a major European tour that kicks off in May of next year.

Alice continues to promote his latest studio album, Detroit Stories, which was released in February. The record is an homage to the hard-edged rock music of Cooper’s childhood hometown.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge releases 2019 performance of “Ride My See-Saw” featuring Yes’ Jon Davison

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge releases 2019 performance of “Ride My See-Saw” featuring Yes’ Jon Davison
Keeping the Faith for Halesouth

Longtime Moody Blues singer/bassist John Lodge has released a live performance of his band’s classic 1968 song “Ride My See-Saw” as an advance track from his forthcoming concert album, The Royal Affair and After, which is due out December 3 on CD and digital formats.

As previously reported, the album features performances from a 2019 Las Vegas show that Lodge and his 10,000 Light Years Band played while serving as an opening act on the Yes-headlined Royal Affair Tour, as well as select songs recorded during John’s subsequent U.S. solo trek.

For the live rendition of “Ride My See-Saw,” Lodge and the group were joined on backing vocals by current Yes frontman Jon Davison.

The performance is available now as a digital download and via streaming services. A companion video has premiered on Lodge’s official YouTube channel that features footage of Lodge, his band and Davison combined with some animated celestial images.

Reflecting on the meaning behind “Ride My See-Saw,” John notes that the song “is really about how life is full of highs and lows, you can’t ride the wave forever…and the secret to me is to find a balance to keep the glass half full…something I’ve thought about a lot over the last 18 months.”

The Royal Affair and After also will be released as a limited-edition blue-vinyl LP on January 28, 2022.

In other news, Lodge has confirmed a series of 2022 U.S. concerts that will run from a March 8 show in Norfolk, Connecticut, through a March 26 gig in Dania Beach, Florida. After that trek, John will take part in the 2022 Flower Power Cruise, which sets sail from Miami on March 28. Visit JohnLodge.com for his full itinerary.

Here’s the live album’s complete track list:

“Steppin’ in a Slide Zone”
“Saved by the Music”
“Legend of a Mind”
“Sunset”
“Late Lament” (with Graeme Edge)
“Nights in White Satin” (with Jon Davison)
“Gemini Dream”
“Isn’t Life Strange”
“I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)”
“Ride My See-Saw” (with Jon Davison)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“11 O’Clock TikTok”? U2 joins the popular video-centered social media platform

“11 O’Clock TikTok”? U2 joins the popular video-centered social media platform
Credit: Helena Christensen

U2 has joined the growing ranks of famous rock bands that have launched their own official account on TikTok.

In conjunction with the debut of their TikTok site, @U2, the Irish rockers premiered a 25-second clip of a brand-new song called “Your Song Saved My Life” that will get its official release this Wednesday, November 3.

“Your Song Saved My Life” will appear on the soundtrack album for the upcoming movie Sing 2, which, as previously reported, features Bono making his animated film debut as the voice of a rock-star lion character named Clay Calloway. The flick is scheduled to premiere on December 21.

Among the classic U2 songs that are currently available in the TikTok library include “Beautiful Day,” “With or Without You,” “Vertigo,” “Sweetest Thing,” “One” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”

Besides the “Your Song Saved My Life” preview, U2’s TikTok also highlights a clip featuring a montage of the band’s songs and music videos.

In addition, because this November marks the 30th anniversary of the release of U2’s memorable 1991 album Achtung Baby, archival footage of the band performing songs from the record live will be posted on the group’s TikTok account throughout the month.

TikTok users can discover the available U2 songs at the platform’s Sounds Page, while you also can check out a selection of the group’s newly arrived tracks in the Greatest Hits Guest Playlist.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Slash, Myles Kennedy & two Conspirators members tested positive for COVID while recording ‘4’ album

Slash, Myles Kennedy & two Conspirators members tested positive for COVID while recording ‘4’ album
Credit: Austin Nelson

Slash, Myles Kennedy and two members of their Conspirators band tested positive for COVID-19 while working on their forthcoming new album, 4.

The Guns N’ Roses guitarist revealed the news during an interview with Germany’s Radio Regenbogen.

“We went and recorded the whole record, and then I got a phone call from Myles in the studio when I was about to do overdubs, and he goes, ‘Man, I tested positive,'” Slash recalled. “Subsequently, two of the other guys tested positive, so they all had to go into quarantine.”

While his band mates were recovering, Slash himself tested positive.

“I [had] just got vaccinated, so I only had to quarantine for a few days,” he said.

As the virus struck the Conspirators camp towards the end of the recording process, Slash and company were able to put the finishing touches on the album once they were all COVID free.

4, which features the lead single “The River Is Rising,” arrives February 11.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Foo Fighters share thanks following Rock Hall induction: “We wouldn’t be here without you”

Foo Fighters share thanks following Rock Hall induction: “We wouldn’t be here without you”
Courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Foo Fighters have shared a statement expressing their gratitude following their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the weekend.

In a tweet, Dave Grohl and company thanked the Rock Hall and the city of Cleveland, as well as Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who did the inducting honors, and, of course, the fans.

“Most importantly…Thanks to all of YOU for singing along for all these years,” the Foos write. “We wouldn’t be here without you.”

“Can’t wait to see you again soon!” they add.

Along with the induction — which marked Grohl’s second, following his enshrinement with Nirvana —  the Foos performed their songs “Best of You,” “My Hero” and “Everlong,” and closed out the night with a rendition of The Beatles’ “Get Back” alongside McCartney.

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will premiere on HBO and HBO Max November 20. Other artists who were inducted include Carole King, The Go-Gos, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren and JAY-Z, as well as Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott-Heron for Early Influence, and Randy Rhoads, Billy Preston and LL Cool J for Musical Excellence.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Foreigner among stars performing at 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Foreigner among stars performing at 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Credit: Krishta Abruzzini

Foreigner will help bring some rocking holiday cheer to the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will air live on NBC from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 25.

The veteran rockers will be featured on “The House of Marvelous Milestones” float, sponsored by New York Life. Among the other music artists scheduled to appear or perform during the parade are Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas, rapper Nelly, R&B singer Kelly Rowland, pop singer-songwriter Andy Grammer, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, and country stars Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Chris Lane.

The annual New York City event will be hosted by Today show co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.

In other news, Foreigner has a series of upcoming 2021 U.S. shows, scheduled from a concert this Thursday, November 4, in Corbin, Kentucky, through a November 21 performance in Estero, Florida. The latter gig is a previously reported benefit show headlined by John Fogerty that will raise money for The Charity Pro’s organization.

In addition, Foreigner will play a special livestream concert on November 11 exclusively for Barclays Bank US Mastercard members who have AARP Credits Cards. You can visit AARPcreditcard.com to find out how to become a member.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson scheduled spoken word tour for 2022

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson scheduled spoken word tour for 2022
Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via Getty Images

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has announced a U.S. spoken word tour for 2022.

The outing is set to kick off January 17 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will wrap up March 12 in Las Vegas, followed shortly thereafter by a run through Canada.

For the uninitiated, Dickinson’s spoken word performances find him “taking a humorous and often satirical look at the world from his own very personal perspective, treating the audience to private insights into his drive and ambition, peppered with plenty of Maiden anecdotes.” That will be followed by an audience Q&A session.

“The more left-field and quirky the question, the more interesting and compelling the response is likely to be!” a press release promises.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 5. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Dickinson’s website, ScreamforMe.com.

Maiden, meanwhile, will return to the road for a European tour in June 2022. The metal legends just released a new album, Senjutsu, in September, which is the highest-charting Billboard 200 album of the band’s career.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elton John scores top-10 album with ‘The Lockdown Sessions’; launches his own line of eyewear

Elton John scores top-10 album with ‘The Lockdown Sessions’; launches his own line of eyewear
Interscope Records

Elton John has scored his 21st top-10 album on the Billboard 200 with his latest studio effort, The Lockdown Sessions, which debuted at #10 on the chart after earning 29,000 equivalent album units during its first week out. Seventeen thousand of that sum were for album sales.

The Lockdown Sessions boasts collaborations Elton recorded virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic with a wide variety of artists. The album includes the U.K. pop-rock legend’s latest top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix),” a duet with British pop star Dua Lipa that mashes up four of Elton’s earlier songs. The single reached #21 on the Hot 100 last week.

The album also features collaborating with Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and many others.

Elton scored his first top-10 album back in January of 1971 with his self-titled 1970 record, which reached #4 on the tally. His most recent album to break into the top 10 was 2016’s Wonderful Crazy Night, which peaked at #8.

Meanwhile, over the past few days, Elton’s social media pages have featured several iconic photos of the performer without his signature glasses. Well, now we know why: He’s launching his own line of eyewear.

A video on Elton’s Instagram announces the news, with the caption, “I’m just not myself without my glasses. Which is why I’m very excited to finally announce my eyewear collaboration with @walmart and @samsclub. Designed by me to celebrate you!”

The video shows a wide range of specs in many shapes, sizes and colors, though none as quite elaborate as some of the ones Elton wore in the ’70s. As Elton notes, the proceeds will support his Elton John AIDS Foundation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.