Melissa Etheridge’s new album is about ‘rising up after devastation’: ‘It’s very hopeful’

March 26, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Melissa Etheridge’s new album, Rise, out Friday, is her first album of new, original material since the 2020 death of her 21-year-old son, Beckett Cypher. But despite that, the album contains a lot of joy.

The album is titled Rise after a song of the same name that Melissa wrote after the LA fires, which got her thinking about “rising up after devastation.”

“I’ve … had enough ups and downs in my life that I realized that … life is full of loss, and it helps you appreciate what we do have and the relationships we have and how we move through them,” she told ABC Audio. “And so Rise is very hopeful.”

But the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee was only ready to write “the uplifting part” of the album after completing “Call You,” a song about Beckett.

“I knew I wanted to just state that, yes, I’ve experienced this incredible loss, this crushing loss. And I’m not going to stop living … I’m going to keep going, even if you’re not here,” she said.

In keeping with the album’s theme, “Call You” is followed by “More Love,” which Melissa first performed at her daughter Bailey Cypheridge’s wedding in September 2025.

Melissa kicks off a tour in support of the album Thursday in Detroit and told ABC Audio that fans will definitely hear the hits, noting, “That’s why I play. I love nothing more than getting up and screaming and shouting, ‘I’m the Only One.'”

But she also plans to play seven or eight songs from the new album, for those who are familiar with some of the songs and want to hear them live, and to encourage those who haven’t to check them out.

As she explained, “I just think it creates new memories.”

Expansive lot of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia memorabilia going up for auction

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

More than 300 pieces of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia memorabilia are set to go up for auction in April.

Julien’s Auctions has announced details of Treasures From The Golden Road: Featuring Property From “Big Steve,” “Ram Rod” & Trixie Garcia. The auction features instruments, keepsakes and more from the personal archives of members of the Grateful Dead’s inner circle. The items available belong to crew chief and Jerry Garcia Band manager “Big Steve” Parish, Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia and Grateful Dead head roadie Lawrence “Ram Rod” Shurtliff.

Several of Jerry Garcia’s instruments are part of the auction, including the late rocker’s 1939 Gibson Super 400N Archtop guitar, his custom-made 1988 Alvarez Yairi acoustic guitar and his 1988 Dobro Model 64 “Tree of Life” Resonator guitar. There are also several Jerry Garcia amps and effects pedals, as well as a personalized Madison Square Garden tie-dye director’s chair, a personalized Louisville Slugger baseball bat, sketchbooks and a working songbook.

Grateful Dead items up for auction include speaker cabinets, a dressing room plaque from the Winterland Ballroom and an RIAA Platinum award for 1970’s Workingman’s Dead.

“These items represent fifty years of memories and experiences with the Grateful Dead — from the early days to the final shows in Chicago. Each piece tells a story of the music, the journey, and the community that made it all possible,” says Parish. “Now is the time to share these with the fans and collectors who understand what they mean. I’m genuinely excited to give people the opportunity to own the things that have meant so much to me over the decades.”

The auction will take place April 22 at The Box SF in San Francisco. More information about the items up for grabs, as well as how to register, can be found at JuliensAuctions.com.

Elton John gets birthday wishes from husband, famous pals

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John is celebrating his 79th birthday on Wednesday, and he’s gotten some birthday wishes from his famous pals — and his husband, who’s also his manager.

“Happy Birthday to my beautiful husband,” David Furnish wrote on his Instagram. “You amaze and inspire me every single day with your courage and kindness. Thank you for all the bountiful love you give me and our sons. We absolutely adore you.”

Elton and David, who’ve been married since 2014, share two sons, Zachary Jackson Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John. Elton responded in the comments, “I am the luckiest man in the world. I love you, our boys, our life. Thank you for everything.”

Charlie Puth, and actors Eric McCormack and Ryan Phillippe offered birthday wishes in the comments.

Elton’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin posted a photo of the two of them together and wrote, “A very happy 79th birthday to my super sweet amigo.” Elton commented, “Love you @bernietaupinofficial.”

On his Instagram Story, Elton also shared birthday posts from pals like tennis legend Billie Jean King — who wrote, “Grateful for a lifetime of music, memories, and friendship” — and Donatella Versace, who called him her “darling friend.” Elton’s guitarist Davey Johnstone also sent a message, as did Grammy-winner Lola Young and makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte wrote in an Instagram Story, “Darling, you are a TRUE INSPIRATION and a FORCE FOR GOOD — not just for your LEGENDARY music, which has touched and influenced so many, but for the INCREDIBLE work you do through [Elton John AIDS Foundation], changing so many lives around the world!”

Bruce Springsteen lets fans know what to expect from upcoming tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen is getting ready to hit the road on his Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, and in case fans don’t know what to expect from the rocker with this tour, he’s laying it all out there.

The Boss posted a new video to Instagram that features him standing in front of The E Street Band. It starts with him listing off all the cities the tour will hit, before revealing the message he hopes to convey with the tour.

“The E Street Band is coming your way,” he says in the clip, “and we are bringing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, unity over division and peace over war.” The band joins in on their instruments for the word “war,” a callback to the Edwin Starr song “War,” which Springsteen has covered in concert.

The Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour kicks off March 31 in Minneapolis and wraps with an outdoor show on May 27 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. A complete list of dates can be found at BruceSpringsteen.net.

In other Springsteen news … The Boss is featured on a new compilation dedicated to the recordings of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. The album, Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow, will feature Springsteen’s live performance of Waits’ “Jersey Girl,” recorded at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey in July 1981. The album, which also features covers by Bob Seger, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, will be released May 29.

Bob Dylan adds more tour dates to his 2026 tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bob Dylan has extended his 2026 tour.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has added a slew of new West Coast dates to the trek, including several June stops in California in cities like Lincoln, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Highland, Palm Desert and San Diego. He’s also added shows in Oregon and Arizona.

In addition to the West Coast dates, Dylan has added two shows in Vienna, Virginia, July 24 and 25, which are the final confirmed dates of the tour.

Tickets for all new shows go on sale Friday. More ticket information and a complete list of dates can be found at BobDylan.com.

Dylan kicked off the latest leg of his 2026 tour on March 21 in Omaha, Nebraska. His next show is Wednesday in Iowa City.

Pete Townshend updates fans on possible new Who album: ‘Roger wants to give it a try’

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

It sounds like fans of The Who have a reason to be hopeful about getting a new album from the band.

Although frontman Roger Daltrey said in a 2023 interview with NME that he didn’t see the point in making another Who record, Pete Townshend is now suggesting Daltrey may be coming around to the idea.

In a recent Instagram post, Townshend shared photos of his new songwriting studio in London, which was built by “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer Rick Astley. He captioned the post, “It’s mine now. I’m loving it. Great sound. I’m very spoiled.”

While the caption didn’t give any clue as to what specifically Townshend will be using it for, a response to a comment from a fan seemed quite revealing.

When the fan noted, “There’s no way you’re gonna do another Who album,” Townshend set him straight, responding, “You might be wrong. Roger wants to give it a try.”

The Who released their last album of new material, Who, in 2019. At the time it was the first new album from The Who in 13 years, and the second that featured only original members Daltrey and Townshend.

Todd Rundgren announces summer tour

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Todd Rundgren is hitting the road this summer.

The rocker has announced dates for the Damned If I Do Tour, which kicks off June 11 in St. Charles, Illinois. The trek will have Rundgren playing 23 cities, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and Washington, D.C., before wrapping July 19 in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

The new dates are Rundgren’s first U.S. shows since his 2025 Still Me (Still We) tour, which wrapped in November.

Rundgren is currently on tour in Japan. He played Tokyo on Monday and will play Osaka on Wednesday.

A complete list of dates can be found at Tood-Rundgren.com.

On This Day, March 25, 2001: Bob Dylan wins an Academy Award

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, March 25, 2001 …

Bob Dylan won an Academy Award for best original song for “Things Have Changed,” from the Michael Douglas/Tobey Maguire movie Wonder Boys.

The category also featured songs from Sting, Björk, Randy Newman and others.

Dylan was not at the ceremony to accept the award in person as he was in Australia on tour. A recording of him and his band performing the song in Sydney was included in the Oscars telecast via satellite. He also gave his acceptance speech from the Aussie city.

“Things Have Changed,” which also won the Golden Globe for best original song, would wind up appearing on several Dylan compilation albums, including 2000’s The Essential Bob Dylan, 2005’s The Best of Bob Dylan and 2007’s Dylan.

Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan announces debut solo album, ‘Gargoyle of the Garden State’

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan has announced his debut solo album, Gargoyle of the Garden State.

The record is due out June 12. The first single, “At War with Myself” featuring Danko Jones, is out now.

“Gargoyle of the Garden State is not a project, it is every bit of my soul,” Bolan says in a statement. “Like me, it knows when to be serious and also knows where the party is.”

Other guests on the record include Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and Skid Row’s Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.

Skid Row, meanwhile, announced in February that they were launching a worldwide audition process to find the band’s next singer. Their most recent vocalist, Erik Grönwall, left Skid Row in 2024, after which Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale fronted the band for a run of live shows.

As for Skid Row’s classic lineup singer, Sebastian Bach, he will be performing with Twisted Sister in place of Dee Snider, who’s sitting out their upcoming shows for health reasons.

‘Wild Thing,’ ‘Angel of the Morning’ songwriter Chip Taylor dead at 86

March 25, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Chip Taylor, songwriter of such hits as “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” has died at the age of 86. The news was confirmed in a post on his official Facebook page.

“Hi all – we are sad to tell you that Chip passed away last night. His last days were peaceful,” read the post signed by his children Kris and Kelly. “Chip loved the amazing blessing it was to connect with people through music and truly appreciated this community. He considered you all friends. We will miss him greatly.”

Taylor, born James Wesley Voight, was the younger brother of actor Jon Voight. He had his first big hit with “Wild Thing,” which was a #1 hit for the Troggs in 1966. Their version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019. Jimi Hendrix also gave a memorable performance of the track at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, where he set his guitar on fire at the end.

Taylor’s other big hit, “Angel of the Morning,” has been covered by several artists. Merrilee Rush’s 1968 version of the song was the first to hit the top 10, peaking at #7. Juice Newton also charted with the track, with her 1981 version peaking at #4. The song was also interpolated for Shaggy’s 2001 hit “Angel,” which went to #1 on the Hot 100.

Taylor wrote several other pop and country songs over the years, which have been recorded by such artists as Tom Petty, Janis Joplin, The Hollies, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson and more.

Taylor was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

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