Classic Rock News

John Lennon’s half sister Julia Baird has some opinions about the casting of Sam Mendes’ upcoming films about The Beatles.

Although the band originated in Liverpool, none of the actors cast in the film — including Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson, who’ll play Lennon — are from the area. And Baird thinks that’s a mistake.

When asked by The Telegraph if Mendes should have cast actors from Liverpool, she replied, “Yes, of course. No one else can get that Liverpool intonation. Nobody.”

But Baird doesn’t think her opinions will matter regarding the films. Asked what advice she’d give Mendes to help with the project, she insisted, “He’s never going to ask me. I’m the last person he would want to talk to because then he can’t make it up.”

Mendes’ Beatles films — The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event — are set to open in April 2028. In addition to Dickinson, the cast includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

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Joan Jett, Steve Van Zandt and Duran Duran are among the artists paying tribute to Blondie drummer Clem Burke, who died following a private battle with cancer. He was 70.

“So sad to hear of Clem’s passing. He was an awesome musician who was such a part of my early musical life,” Jett wrote on Instagram, next to a picture of the two of them together. “Rest in peace my friend.”

E Street Band guitarist Van Zandt shared that Burke was a “great friend to me and everybody,” noting that he “Brought his great drumming and enthusiasm to a dozen bands beginning with the amazing Blondie.” He added, “Why is it the best of us leave too soon.”

Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and John Taylor both shared tributes to Burke, with Rhodes calling him “one of the greatest drummers in one of the greatest band’s [sic] of his generation.”

“A drum roll rarely sounded better, his beats were solid as a rock and he always played with great panache,” he wrote. “A truly special person, bursting with positive energy.”

Taylor called Burke a “phenomenal” drummer. “Really everything he played had tight dynamic energy,” he said, adding that Burke was “the loveliest of guys.”

Others paying tribute to Burke include The Kinks’ Dave Davies, Nancy Sinatra, Bryan Adams and Devo’s Jerry Casale.

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Original Beatles drummer Pete Best is retiring.

The news was announced on social media by Pete’s brother Roag Best.

“Well what an absolutely wonderful ride we’ve had. However, everything comes to pass,” the post reads. “My brother Pete Best has announced today he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group. His daughter has informed me it’s due to personal circumstances.”

Pete, who had been performing with his brother under the name The Pete Best Band, later responded to the post, “I had a blast. Thank you.”

Pete was the drummer for The Beatles from 1960 to 1962. He was fired from the band and replaced by Ringo Starr shortly before they hit it big.

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Over the years Elton John has publicly said numerous nasty things about Madonna. But the two have finally made up — and may even collaborate in the future.

To recap: In 2012 Elton told an interviewer that Madonna looked like a “fairground stripper,” adding, “She’s such a nightmare. Her career is over.” He also accused her of being “horrible” to his friend Lady Gaga. In addition, at an 2004 awards show where Madonna was nominated for best live act, Elton said, “Since when has lip-syncing been live? Anyone who lip-syncs in public on stage when you pay … to see them should be shot.” 

But on Monday Madonna posted a photo of herself and Elton backstage at Saturday Night Live and wrote, “We finally buried the hatchet!” She shared that as a lifelong fan of Elton, it had always “hurt” her to know that “someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly as an artist.” So, she decided to “go backstage and confront him.”

“When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Forgive Me’ and the wall between us fell down,” Madonna said of their SNL meeting. “Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Within minutes. We were hugging. Then he told me had written a song for me and he wanted to collaborate.”

Elton responded in the comments, “Thank you for forgiving me and my big mouth. I’m not proud of what I said. Particularly when I think about all the groundbreaking work you have done as an artist.”

Elton concluded, “Both you and I have wholeheartedly been accepted and embraced by communities who are under threat around the world. By pulling together, I’m hopeful that we can make great things happen for those who really need support. And have a lot of fun doing it!!”

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The upcoming KISS event in Las Vegas just got bigger.

Tommy Thayer, KISS guitarist from 2002 to 2023, will now join Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley at KISS Army Storms Vegas, taking place Nov. 14 to Nov. 16 at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The event, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of KISS and the 30th anniversary of the first KISS fan convention, will feature a special “unmasked” electric performance from the band, their first performance since their farewell show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in December 2023.

Other new additions to the KISS Army Storms Vegas lineup include Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach, Thayer’s former metal group Black ‘N Blue, and KISS tribute bands Mr. Speed and KISS Nation: The KISS Tribute Show. Former KISS member Bruce Kulick was previously announced for the event, with more guests to be revealed.

Tickets for KISS Army Storms Vegas are on sale now.

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Billy Idol and KISS’ Paul Stanley both appear in a new set of “rock star” commercials for the company Workday.

The latest ads — “Carmen The Rock Star” and “Goodnight Rock Stars” — also feature Gwen Stefani and promote Workday’s AI agents. They are set to debut during The Masters golf tournament, with coverage airing on ESPN and CBS between April 7 and April 13.

“So you corporate types think you’re rock stars?” Idol says in “Carmen The Rock Star.” Stanley, in business attire and full KISS makeup, adds, “That’s as ridiculous as us being corporate types.” Later Stanley is asked what he did over the weekend, and footage is shown of him breaking a guitar onstage before he replies, “The (usual).”

In “Goodnight Rock Stars,” Idol, dressed in slacks and a tie, throws something at a TV screen during a meeting, to which he says, “Sorry, habit.” Stanley has pyro going off as he says goodnight to his co-workers, before adding, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

This isn’t the first time Idol and Stanley have appeared in Workday ads. Both were featured in Workday’s Super Bowl ads, which also starred Ozzy Osbourne and Gary Clark Jr.

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Elton John seems resigned to the fact that he only has partial vision at the moment, due to an infection in his right eye — but he says the thing that bothers him the most about it has to do with his sons, Zachary and Elijah.

“I can’t see the telly! I haven’t been able to see anything since last July,” Elton tells The Times of London. He can see someone sitting in front of him, but, “I can’t see TV, I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer.”

“It has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up. It’s distressing,” he continues. “You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have. I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of [my left eye]. So you say to yourself, just get on with it.”

He adds, “I am, at 78, feeling better than I have ever been. [Losing my vision] is a bastard but we’ll get over it. There is a lot more to do.”

Indeed, Elton says he’s already got plans for a new project, even though he just released Who Believes In Angels? — his new album with Brandi Carlile — on April 4.

He tells the Times, “I’ve done a new, banging dance tune and I want to do an album of pop songs because pop is so good at the moment with people like Chappell Roan and Charli XCX.” 

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Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Neil Young and Joan Baez are confirmed to appear at an upcoming rally for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The rally, Fighting Oligarchy: Where Do We Go From Here, is scheduled for April 12 at Los Angeles’ Gloria Molina Grand Park, with New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and singer Maggie Rogers also taking part.

Those interested in attending can sign up for the rally at act.berniesanders.com. Doors open at 9 a.m. PT, with a scheduled start time of 1 p.m. PT.

The announcement of Young’s participation comes just days after he shared on his website that he was worried he’d be barred from returning to the U.S. if he chooses to speak out against President Donald Trump during his upcoming European tour, which kicks off June 18 in Rättvik, Sweden.

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On This Day, April 7, 1978…

The Police released the single “Roxanne,” which was the first single off their forthcoming major label debut, Outlandos d’Amour.

The song, written by Sting, had him singing from the point of view of a man who had fallen in love with a prostitute.

Although the song didn’t initially crack the charts, that changed after its U.S. release in early 1979, with the song peaking at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100. After being re-released in the U.K., it went to #12.

“Roxanne” eventually went on to become a Police classic, and in 2008 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

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