“I am heartbroken”: Monkee Micky Dolenz and other stars react to Mike Nesmith’s death

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

Micky Dolenz, now the last living member of The Monkees, has taken to social media to mourn his late bandmate, Mike Nesmith, who died on Friday at the age of 78.

“I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner,” writes Dolenz, along with a recent photo of the two men embracing onstage. “I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, laughing, and doing shtick. I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick.”

“Rest in peace, Nez. All my love, Micky,” he finished.

Other celebrities who paid tribute to Nesmith included The Bangles‘ Susannah Hoffs, director Edgar Wright, comedian Patton Oswalt, magician Penn Jillette, the E Street Band’s Steve Van Zandt and “Cars” singer Gary Numan.

KISS’ Paul Stanley wrote, “WOW! Sometimes it’s hard to know why someone’s passing hits you a certain way but this is another one that hit me. I watch my world change as people that I thought to be timeless pass on, and that is sobering. Lives end and life goes on. RIP Mike Nesmith.”

And Beach Boy Brian Wilson wrote, “I’m sorry to hear about Mike Nesmith. The Monkees had some great songs, those were fun days. Love & Mercy to Mike’s family and friends.”

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Elvis Costello releases “Paint the Red Rose Blue,” from upcoming album ‘The Boy Named If’

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elvis Costello has released another track from his forthcoming album with The Imposters, The Boy Named If, due out January 14.

The new song, “Paint the Red Rose Blue,” is out now, and Costello describes it as “the account of someone who has long-courted theatrical darkness, only for its violence and cruelty to become all too real.”

“In its wake, a bereft couple learn to love again, painting a melancholy blue over the red of romance,” he adds.

As previously reported, in addition to the usual formats, The Boy Named If will also be available as an 88-page “hardback storybook edition,” each copy of which will be signed and numbered by Elvis. It’ll feature 13 illustrated short stories, each one based on one of the album’s songs.

While he’s always been prolific, Costello’s been releasing albums at a steady clip since the start of the pandemic, beginning with Hey Clockface in October of 2020. This past March, he put out an EP featuring new versions of six songs from that album sung in French by various people, including Iggy Pop.

Then in September, Costello released Spanish Model, a Spanish-language version of his 1978 album This Year’s Model featuring famous Latin music artists.

Childhood home of Kurt Cobain up for sale

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

A Washington home where Kurt Cobain spent part of his childhood is up for sale.

Located at 413 S Fleet Street in the city of Montesano, the house costs $279,000, and includes over 1,600 square feet of living space.

According to Rolling Stone, the realty team behind the sale didn’t initially realize the history of the address, where Cobain had lived from 1978 to 1982 with his father, Don.

“None of us knew it was until the photographer [Alicia Tisdale] took a picture of it,” realtor Colt Fairley tells Rolling Stone. “She knows Aberdeen pretty well. She was like, ‘Oh my god, this is Kurt Cobain’s house.’ His dad, Donald, tried to make the entire house into a ship.”

You can check out the listing via the site Redfin.com. But if you’re thinking of making a move, the realtor notes that they’ve already received three offers.

Elton John & Ed Sheeran top British chart with Christmas single, but will have to fend off…themselves?

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

It was surprising enough that Elton John scored a number-one single this year, but now he’s racked up two.

“Merry Christmas,” Elton’s duet with Ed Sheeran, has topped the U.K. singles chart. It’s Elton’s second song to lead that chart in 2021, following his Dua Lipa duet “Cold Heart.”

However, Elton and Ed may soon find themselves competing with themselves to hold onto the top spot on the chart. The reason why is pretty complicated, but here goes.

It’s a huge deal in the U.K. to have the song that’s number-one on Christmas Day. Each year, the competition for the “Christmas Number One” slot is intense.

For the past three years, a husband-and-wife duo billed as LadBaby have scored the Christmas number one with novelty songs about food — specifically, sausage rolls. They donate the proceeds from the songs to the Trussell Trust, a charity that’s trying to end hunger in the U.K.

Now, Ed and Elton have teamed up with LadBaby to record a new song and video called “Sausage Rolls for Everyone” — a reworking of “Merry Christmas” with food-based lyrics. As before, 100% of the song’s profits will go to charity.

The song comes out next Friday, and the U.K. Christmas Number One will be announced December 24, so it just may come down to a battle between Ed and Elton’s original, and “Sausage Rolls for Everyone”

LadBaby said in a statement to the U.K.’s Official Charts Company, “Ed and Elton are pop royalty and they’ve both had huge success at Christmas, so we’re honored and excited to be coming together to help families this Christmas.”

“It’s time to bring back some Christmas magic with the power of sausage rolls!” Elton notes.

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Robbie Robertson is doing a Twitter listening party for reissue of The Band’s ‘Cahoots’

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

The 50th anniversary edition of The Band‘s album Cahoots is out today, and next week, The Band’s Robbie Robertson will jump on Twitter to participate in a listening party for the release.

The new edition of Cahoots features the original album in newly remixed and remastered form, along with outtakes, instrumentals and other rarities, plus a partial recording of a frequently bootlegged concert from 1971.

Robertson, who oversaw the new mix, will share memories and stories about recording the original album during the “Tim’s Twitter Listening Party,” an ongoing online series which was started in March of 2020 by Tim Burgess of the U.K. band The Charlatans. It starts December 15 at 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST. To participate, visit timstwitterlisteningparty.com.

Cahoots, The Band’s fourth studio album, features well-known tracks like “Life Is a Carnival,” their version of Bob Dylan‘s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and the Van Morrison collaboration “4% Pantomime.”

Queen drummer says Sacha Baron Cohen would’ve made a terrible Freddie Mercury

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rami Malek won the Oscar for playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, but when the project was first proposed back in 2010, it was Sacha Baron Cohen who was originally cast as Mercury in the film. Now, Queen drummer Roger Taylor says he thinks Cohen would have been terrible in the role.

Cohen exited the project in 2013 over creative differences, and Malek was eventually cast. Now, Taylor tells Classic Rock magazine that he thinks Cohen would’ve been “utter s**t” in the role of Freddie.

“Sacha is pushy, if nothing else. He’s also six inches too tall,” Taylor continues. “But I watched his last five films and came to the conclusion he’s not a very good actor…I thought he was an utterly brilliant subversive comedian, that’s what he’s great at. Anyway, I think Rami did a brilliant job in an almost impossible role.”

“We kind of got it right in the end,” Taylor adds of Bohemian Rhapsody. “We wanted to take people on a journey, make them feel up and then down, then joyous at the end.”

The Academy might disagree with Taylor about Cohen’s acting abilities: He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2020 movie The Trial of the Chicago 7.

The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith dead at 78

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

Michael Nesmith, singer/guitarist and songwriter for The Monkees who went on to become a respected producer, and a pioneer in the nascent field of music video, has died at the age of 78.

The Monkees’ manager, Andrew Sandoval, confirmed the news on Facebook, writing, “It is with deep sadness that I mark the passing of Michael Nesmith. We shared many travels and projects together over the course of 30 years, which culminated in a Monkees farewell tour that wrapped up only a few weeks ago.”

“That tour was a true blessing for so many. And in the end I know that Michael was at peace with his legacy which included songwriting, producing, acting, direction and so many innovative ideas and concepts,” Sandoval continued. “I am positive the brilliance he captured will resonate and offer the love and light towards which he always moved.”

“Nez expressed the highest part of his being through his voice,” Sandoval wrote. “And you could get no closer to him then through knowing his work. May all those who loved him feel his comfort at this time – just listen and he will be there for you.”

He ended by posting a quote from Nesmith’s song “I’ll Remember You”: “Thank you for the times you gave me, thank you for the tears you saved me, please take this song as my thanks to you.”

Nesmith’s family told Rolling Stone in a statement, “With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”

His death leaves Micky Dolenz as the only living member of The Monkees. Fellow members Davy Jones and Peter Tork died in 2012 and 2019, respectively.

John Mellencamp releases new track from upcoming album, which has a cover courtesy of his son

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

Most fans know that John Mellencamp is a talented painter, but it seems like his son is following in his footsteps.

On Friday, the rocker revealed that the painting on the cover of his new album Strictly a One-Eyed Jack — which shows him wearing an eyepatch — was done by his 26-year-old son, Speck Mellencamp.

Also on Friday, Mellencamp released another new song from the album, “Chasing Rainbows,” along with a lyric video. It’s the second song we’ve heard from the project, following the September release of a duet with Bruce Springsteen titled “Wasted Days.”

John also debuted a new acoustic tune from the album titled “I Always Lie to Strangers” during his performance at the 2021 Farm Aid concert in September.

Strictly a One-Eyed Jack will be released January 21.

Eddie Van Halen Funko Pop! figure revealed

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

An Eddie Van Halen Funko Pop! is set to be released next year.

The late Van Halen icon is the latest rocker to be turned into one of the toy company’s ever-popular big-headed vinyl figures as part of its Pop! Rocks line. The Eddie Funko finds him jumping in the air while jamming on a mini recreation of his signature Frankenstrat guitar.

You can pre-order your own now ahead of its expected January release.

Other artists who’ve gotten the Funko Pop! treatment include Machine Gun Kelly, Metallica, Pearl Jam, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Green Day and Ozzy Osbourne.

Dress up your “Legs” with new boots from ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons

December 10, 2021 by Classic Rock 93.9

It’s the perfect holiday gift for the ZZ Top fan in your life: Billy F Gibbons’ boots.

The Texas guitar legend has teamed up with the Austin, Texas-based Alvies boot company for a signature “BFG” cowboy boot, described as combining “a classic style with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude.” The design of the cowhide boots, which cost $450, was inspired by “Billy’s personal infatuation with cars, guitars and making music.”

The boots come in three different ZZ Top-related colors — Sharp-Dressed, El Hombre and 33 Coupe — and the pull strap of each pair comes with a pocket containing several custom BFG guitar picks.

There are only 3,000 pairs of the limited-edition boots available and a percentage of each sale goes to the National Independent Venue Foundation, which offers financial support to music venues around the country that have been impacted by COVID-19.

If you can’t afford the boots, t-shirts and 10-packs of guitar picks are also available on the Alvies website.

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