Classic Rock News

Elton John got an honor that nobody has ever received before Thursday in London.

He was named the first-ever president of The Ivors Academy, a U.K. not-for-profit that works to support, empower and celebrate songwriters and composers. The Academy also hands out the Ivor Novello Awards aka the Ivors, which honor Britain and Ireland’s best songwriters.

Elton got the honor because he’s “reached the pinnacle” of his profession and is “committed to giving back by supporting the community and advancing the Academy’s mission to protect the future of music.” It’s an ambassadorial role, which will see Elton advocate for rights and recognition for music creators worldwide.

In addition to being named president, Elton was given an Ivors Academy Honour, a special award that recognizes his work in championing new and emerging talent, which he does each week through his Apple Music show, the Rocket Hour.

Accepting his awards, Elton said, “To be able to write a song, it is such a personal, wonderful thing. … We’re an amazing country that produces great songwriting. … The new music that I hear inspires me, and I can’t thank them enough for keeping me young.”

At the event on Thursday, Harry Styles was on hand to pay tribute to his musical hero, Thom Yorke of Radiohead. The late George Michael was also honored. 

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Phil Collins will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a second time on Nov. 14, but as of now, he doesn’t plan on taking the stage to sing any of his countless hits.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Collins says that even though he is “healthier now than I have been for quite awhile,” he still doesn’t think he’s in good enough shape for the event. “They asked me if I would perform, and I said ‘no,’ y’know, ’cause you’ve got to be match fit to do something like that,” he explains. 

“Match fit” is a term usually applied to athletes: It means being in good enough shape to play a game or, as they say in the U.K., a match.

“You can’t just go onstage and — you’re gonna have to rehearse,” he continues. “And then by that point, if you’ve not been singing, your voice is gonna be shot and then that’s not gonna be good. So, I’d rather not do it.”

That doesn’t mean that Collins has given up on the idea of making music or playing live.

“But whether I would go out again, I would contemplate — yeah,” he says. “I mean, I’m constantly saying to myself, ‘I’ve gotta go back down into my studio at home.'”

“I’ve got lots of lyrical ideas that I write down. And there are things that are half-formed and a couple of things that are finished,” he adds. “So, y’know, there’s things that I can get my teeth into to start working on.”

Despite his health struggles, Collins notes, “When I look back, I’ve lived a charmed life. I’ve really enjoyed most of it — 99% of it.”

Collins is already in the Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis.

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Neil Young has released reissues of his ’90s albums Harvest Moon, Unplugged, Sleeps with Angels and Mirror Ball.

All four titles were previously collected into vinyl and CD box sets in 2025 as part of Young’s Official Release Series reissue campaign, but are now available as standalone releases.

Harvest Moon was released in 1992 and served as a sort of spiritual successor to Young’s classic 1972 album, Harvest. It was followed in 1993 by Unplugged, which Young recorded as part of MTV’s Unplugged performance series.

1994’s Sleeps with Angels found Young back together with his frequent backing band, Crazy Horse, while 1995’s Mirror Ball was recorded with members of Pearl Jam.

Young’s most recent album is 2025’s Talkin to the Trees, which he recorded with his band the Chrome Hearts. A live album with the Chrome Hearts called As Time Explodes is due out May 29.

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Back in 1964, Paul McCartney played The Ed Sullivan Show with The Beatles. And on Thursday night, he returned to the same venue to turn out the lights on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Sir Paul returned to Ed Sullivan Theater, as it was renamed in 1967, to sit for an interview with Colbert on the host’s final broadcast, and then performed The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye,” with Colbert singing backup, along with Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste and the show’s staff.

During the interview, Colbert asked McCartney if the theater still brings back memories. “When you close your eyes, do you hear the girls screaming?” “Yeah,” McCartney replied as the women in the audience screamed wildly.

“How often does that happen to you at this point?” Colbert asked when the screams died down. “Often,” said McCartney.

McCartney also reminisced about how, when The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan, they got makeup put on them for the cameras and “it was, like, bright orange.” “That’s very popular in certain circles these days,” joked Colbert.  “Now we know where it started. Thanks a lot, Paul McCartney!”

Sir Paul also talked about the romantic vision The Beatles had of America as “the land of the free, the greatest democracy,” adding, “That was what it was. It still is, hopefully.”

Prior to “Hello Goodbye,” Colbert, Costello and Batiste performed an obscure Costello song, “Jump Up.”  Then, as “Hello Goodbye” faded out, Colbert went to turn out the lights, and beckoned McCartney to join him. He threw the switch, the building went dark, and it was then sucked into a wormhole and spit out into a snow globe, being sniffed at by a dog. We then heard Colbert’s voice saying, “C’mon Benny, let’s go,” and the show ended.

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Legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan turns 85 on Sunday.

While Dylan has been called one of the greatest American songwriters, not many people are as effusive about his singing voice. But the love of his songwriting has led many artists to cover Dylan’s songs, sometimes landing bigger hits than Dylan himself.

Here’s a look at some of the more iconic Dylan covers:

“All Along the Watchtower” – Dylan’s version came out in 1967, but the song is probably most recognized for Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 rendition, which appeared on the Jimi Hendrix Experience album Electric Ladyland. The song has subsequently been covered artists like Pearl Jam, U2 and Dave Matthews Band.

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Dylan’s 1973 version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It saw renewed popularity thanks to Guns N’ Roses’ 1987 cover, which was recorded for the Tom Cruise movie Days of Thunder and appeared on Guns’ album Use Your Illusion II.

“Make You Feel My Love” – Lots of artists have covered Dylan’s 1997 love song, including Billy Joel for his 1997 Greatest Hits Volume III compilation, although he called it “To Make You Feel My Love.” Other notable covers include Adele’s take, which appeared on her debut album, 19, and Garth Brooks’ version, using Joel’s title, which was featured in the 1998 movie Hope Floats.

“Mr. Tambourine Man” – Dylan’s version was released in March 1965, but it became a huge success when the Byrds released their take a month later as their debut single, which went to #1. Both versions have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“Blowin’ in the Wind” – Just one month after Dylan’s 1963 release of the song, Peter, Paul & Mary released their cover, which spent five weeks at #1 and won two Grammys. Both versions have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

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Liverpool bar, record store and music venue The Jacaranda has changed its name in honor of the upcoming release of Paul McCartney’s latest solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane.

In a post on Instagram, the bar announced that they’ve teamed with McCartney and renamed themselves The Maccaranda.

“In celebration of our former performer and customer’s new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, out 29 May, we’ve temporarily changed our name,” the venue wrote. “Pop by The Maccaranda and try Paul’s own cocktail, the Maccarita.”

The Maccaranda is set to host a The Boys of Dungeon Lane pre-release listening party on Friday. They are also selling a special edition of the album, which comes in black or pink vinyl and includes a 1960 replica Jacaranda Club membership card, among other things.

The Jacaranda opened in Liverpool in 1957 and was a well known spot for up-and-coming artists; Beatles members John Lennon, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Harrison and McCartney, were frequent visitors.

The bar’s first manager, Allan Williams, became The Beatles’ unofficial manager and arranged their 1960 residency in Hamburg, Germany. He also introduced the band to their future drummer, Ringo Starr.

McCartney’s The Boys of Dungeon Lane features songs about McCartney’s childhood in Liverpool, early adventures with future Beatles bandmates Harrison and Lennon, and more. It comes out on May 29.

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Bonnie Raitt has penned a tribute to Stephen Colbert, who is signing off The Late Show Thursday night.

“As we’re forced to say goodbye to one of our most brilliant, hilarious and beloved shows, @colbertlateshow, I want to thank Stephen and his incredible team for the eleven years of astonishing gifts they’ve given us all,” she wrote on Instagram next to a photo of one of her appearances. “How insane that the number one show in that time slot is being booted off the air because some in power can’t take a joke or alternative points of view.”

“Here’s hoping that after a wee, well-deserved break, you’ll find a way to once again illuminate and delight us in an exciting new chapter,” she added. “We need you more than ever.”

Raitt then thanked Colbert for “your kindness in having us on your show,” and for “showcasing the incredible talents” of his bandleaders Jon Batiste and Louis Cato. She noted, “What an honor for us all.”

The post concluded, “God bless and til next time, here’s to us all still speaking our truths to power.”

CBS announced the The Late Show‘s cancellation in July 2025, noting it was a financial decision. 

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A new biography on legendary guitarist Jeff Beck is set for release this summer.

Blow by Blow: The Jeff Beck Story is described as the “first biography to fully capture the life, music, and mystery of this singular artist.”

The book was written by Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill, who also wrote Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. It’s compiled from over 30 hours of Beck interviews, as well as contributions from the guitarist’s friends and collaborators, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, actor Johnny Depp and music exec Clive Davis.

“This is the book Jeff deserves,” says Depp. “It’s honest, thoughtful, and true.”

Blow by Blow will be released July 14, and it will be celebrated with what’s described as an “all-star tribute concert” July 16 at The Cutting Room in New York City. It will also feature an interview and book signing with the authors.

The authors will also take part in a book signing and Q&A at Book Soup in Los Angeles on July 23.

Beck came to prominence in the ’60s as a member of The Yardbirds, with future guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. He later went on to have a successful solo career, fronting his own Jeff Beck Group.

Beck was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1992 as a member of The Yardbirds and again in 2009 for his solo work.

Beck passed away Jan. 10, 2023, from bacterial meningitis. He was 78.

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Ozzy Osbourne may have left this mortal coil, but his family is hoping to keep his presence alive in the digital world.

The late Black Sabbath frontman’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and son Jack Osbourne spoke about working on creating an interactive “Digital Ozzy” during a talk at the 2026 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

The avatar, which will be created in collaboration with the company Hyperreal, will represent “the digital DNA of Ozzy Osbourne, voice, image [and] movement,” Jack said.

“It’s kind of scary how it’s really very accurate,” Jack said. “He will exist digitally as himself for as long as we have computers. Technology has come such a long way to where it’s almost drag and drop. You could shoot a template for a commercial … literally prompt what you want Digital Ozzy to do in that commercial and you just drop it in. It’s that simple now.”

“You can ask Ozzy anything, and he will answer you in his own voice – and the answers will be what Ozzy would have said,” Sharon adds. “We’re going to take it all around the world. People can talk to him and he will talk back.”

Ozzy died in July 2025 at age 76, just over two weeks after performing for the final time at the Back to the Beginning concert.

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Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are currently on their Land of Hope and Dreams tour, and during the shows The Boss has been very vocal regarding his feelings about President Donald Trump and his administration. Well, E Street Band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt says Springsteen’s outspokenness has led to them receiving death threats while on tour.

“It’s a very specific political theme to this tour and there’s been a lot of threats, death threats. Usually there’s always some, but this time it’s been increasing,” Van Zandt told U.K. outlet The Mail in an interview. “The band, Bruce, we’ve had to beef up security and, you know, it’s mostly just talk.”

“And it’s not like we’re saying something that’s not true or we’re saying something that’s so really particularly controversial, but it’s specifically political,” he noted.

“So, the FBI and others have been really watching things and been overly concerned about it, as they should be,” he added. “We want the fans to be safe and feel safe. So we really go the extra mile with extra security for that reason alone.”

Springsteen & The E Street Band have four shows left of the tour, and will play Cleveland on Friday and Boston on Sunday. The tour was supposed to wrap on May 27 with an outdoor show in Washington, D.C., but after having to postpone a show due to Philadelphia sports teams in the playoffs, the tour will now wrap May 30 in Philly.

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