Peter Criss responds to Gene Simmons’ accusations about the writing of KISS’ ‘Beth’

January 14, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Peter Criss has responded to a recent Gene Simmons interview in which he claimed Criss didn’t deserve a songwriting credit on KISS‘ 1976 hit “Beth.”

The track, which peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, is credited to Criss, the late Stan Penridge and producer Bob Ezrin.

Simmons made the claim during an interview with the Professor of Rock podcast, saying, “Peter had nothing to do with that song. He sang it. … The mythology of ‘Beth’ is exactly that: mythology.” He argued Criss got the writing credit because he was “lucky enough to be in the same place at the same time as a guy who wrote” it.

But Criss told Billboard Simmons’ version of events is “not correct.”

“Gene wouldn’t know how the song was originally written because Gene wasn’t there from the conception of the song in the late ‘60s and he wasn’t there for the completion of the song with Bob Ezrin,” Criss said. “Gene’s statements are ridiculous and very uncalled for; he talks about things that he doesn’t know about.”

Criss said he wrote the melody and created the phrasing of the song’s original demo, then titled “Beck,” with Penridge. He also said that even though Simmons claimed it was his idea to change the title, it was Ezrin who changed it.

Ezrin also told Billboard that Simmons’ account is “not exactly how I remember it.”

“I believe from what I was told that the original song was written by Criss and Penridge and was called ‘Beck.’ It was a bit rockier and more macho,” he said. “I felt it had potential, so I asked to take it home and play with it a bit.”

Criss noted, “I would not put my name on a song I had nothing to do with. That is not who I am. I would not do that.”

Peter Gabriel to release physical copies of ‘In the Big Room’ and ‘Live at WOMAD 1982’

January 14, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Peter Gabriel has announced the CD and LP release of two live albums that he released to digital services in 2025. The rocker is set to drop In the Big Room on March 13 and Live at WOMAD 1982 on May 8.

In the Big Room is a recording of an intimate fan club show that took place in November 2003 in the Big Room at Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the U.K. The 14-track album features songs Gabriel performed during two tours: the 2002-03 Growing Up Live tour and 2004’s Still Growing Up Live tour. The album features performances of songs like “In Your Eyes,” “Shock the Monkey,” “Digging in the Dirt” and “More Than This.”

Live at WOMAD 1982 captures Gabriel’s performance at his first WOMAD festival, which stood for World of Music, Arts and Dance. The concert took place in Somerset, England, and featured 60 bands from over 20 countries. The album features a recording of Gabriel’s Friday night set, which included seven songs from his album 4, which was released two months after the event.

Both physical releases are available for preorder now.

Gabriel recently announced that he’ll be releasing a new album in 2026, o/i, and will drop a new song with each full moon of the year. The entire album will be released by the end of 2026.

Watch the trailer for new Paul McCartney doc ‘Man on the Run’

January 14, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The first official trailer for the upcoming Paul McCartney documentary Man on the Run has just been released.

The film, directed by Morgan Neville, looks at McCartney’s life following the breakup of The Beatles, including the formation of his band Wings.

“The Beatles had been my whole life really,” McCartney says at the beginning of the trailer. “When we split up, I thought, ‘I’ll never write another note of music ever.’”

The trailer for the film features archival pictures and footage of The Beatles, McCartney and wife Linda McCartney, Wings and more. It also has McCartney talking about the depression he felt after The Beatles’ breakup, the pressures he felt starting Wings and his relationship with John Lennon.

“When we started Wings, it was about freedom,” McCartney says at the end of the clip, “and we felt we finally arrived — second time around.”

Man on the Run, which includes new interviews from Wings’ Denny Laine, Sean Lennon and The Pretenders‘ Chrissie Hynde, is set to premiere globally on Prime Video on Feb. 27.

John Mellencamp hitting the road on a summer greatest hits tour

January 14, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

John Mellencamp is giving fans what they want – the hits.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has announced dates for the Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits, where he’ll play a set filled with hits including “Jack and Diane,” “Hurts So Good,” “Small Town” and “Pink Houses.” He’s also promising to break out tracks he hasn’t performed live in nearly a decade, like “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock),” “I Need a Lover,” “Wild Night” and “Ain’t Even Done With the Night.”

Mellencamp announced the news in a video in which he meets actor Sean Penn at a roadside diner. As Mellencamp’s hits play on the jukebox, Penn suggests he go out and play the songs on tour, something the rocker admits he “quit doing 17 years ago.”

“They’ve been asking me to do this for years. ‘Come play outside again.’ And I’m saying, ‘No, no, no.’ But this time, I’m 74 years old. I thought I might be getting to the age where I might want to try to share these songs with people again,” Mellencamp tells People in a new interview. “In the video that Sean and I made, Sean says, ‘There’s no reason to keep these songs to yourself. What’s the problem with trying to make people happy?'”

The 19-date trek kicks off July 10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and wraps Aug. 12 in Mountain View, California, with a majority of the dates set in outdoor amphitheaters.

A Citi presale for tickets kicks off Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. local time, with tickets going on sale to the general public Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. local time. A complete list of dates can be found at JohnMellencamp.com.

(Video includes uncensored profanity.)

Bob Dylan Center announces concert celebrating 60th anniversary of ‘Blonde on Blonde’

January 14, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

A concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s classic album Blonde on Blonde is being put on by the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The concert, dubbed Sooner or Later, will be held Feb. 20 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, emceed by The Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper. The one-night-only event will feature performances by former 10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant, The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, Fantastic Negrito, X founding members Exene Cervenka and John Doe, New York singer/songwriter Willie Nile, The Walkman founder Hamilton Leithauser, The McCrary Sisters and more.

The evening will have the artists performing songs from Blonde on Blonde, as well as other tunes from Dylan’s catalog.

“Sixty years on from its initial release, Blonde on Blonde still sounds like the future,” says Steven Jenkins, senior director of the Bob Dylan Center. “Dylan’s pursuit of what he called ‘that thin wild mercury sound’ led him to create this extraordinary double album, which our amazing roster of guest artists will transform anew.”

A ticket presale for Bob Dylan Center members begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time. Any remaining tickets will go on sale Friday. More info can be found at bobdylancenter.com.

Released in June 1966, the double album Blonde on Blonde was Dylan’s seventh studio release, and featured musicians Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko before they became The Band. The album, which featured such songs as “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” “I Want You,” “Just Like a Woman,” “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again,” peaked at #9 on the album chart.

Gibson debuts Keith Richards-signed replicas of his famous ES-355 guitar

January 13, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones‘ Keith Richards and Gibson have collaborated on a pair of limited-edition guitars, autographed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

According to a press release, the instruments are exact replicas of one of Richards’ “best-loved and most recognizable guitars,” the 1960 ES-355, which he used recording such albums as Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St, and has been playing on tour since 1997.

The guitar release includes a Collector’s Edition, signed by Richards on both the F-hole label and on the back of the headstock, limited to 50 instruments, and the Signed Label edition, signed on only the F-hole label, limited to 100 instruments.

“My six-string stuff has always been, you know, a great Gibson—that’s where I feel the most comfortable,” says Richards. “And also with the sound. Put it through just about any amp, and it will sound the way you want it, because this has so much more room for expression.”

The guitars range in price from almost $20,000 to almost $30,000. They are sold out online, but the Collector’s Edition is also available at Gibson Garage in Nashville and London. The Signed Label guitar can be found at Gibson Garage and authorized Gibson Custom dealers. More info can be found at Gibson.com.

Over 50 years later, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’ debuts on the ‘Billboard’ Hot 100

January 13, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

For the first time in over 50 years, Fleetwood Mac’s ballad “Landslide” has landed on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Stevie Nicks-penned track appears on the band’s 1975 self-titled album. It just debuted at #41 on the singles chart, thanks to its appearance in the series finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

While this is the first time the original “Landslide” recording has made the Hot 100, a live version of the song, from Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 album The Dance, peaked at #51 on the Hot 100 in 1998.

Although the original was never released as a single, “Landslide” has gone on to become an iconic track for the band and has been recorded by a whole host of artists, including The Chicks, whose cover peaked at #7 on the Hot 100. It’s also been covered by Smashing Pumpkins, the cast of Glee and others.

“Landslide” is now Fleetwood Mac’s 26th track to chart on the Hot 100, and their first debut since 2003’s “Peacekeeper.” They have now had a song debut on the singles chart in five different decades: the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s and 2020s. Other groups who have had debuts in at least five decades include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Santana and The Isley Brothers.

Dave Grohl to join Ed Sheeran for ’Drive’ performance on ’Kimmel’

January 13, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Dave Grohl will join pop star Ed Sheeran to perform the song “Drive” on Wednesday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The Foo Fighters frontman plays drums on the track, which was recorded for the Brad Pitt movie F1. The recording also features John Mayer, Blake Slatkin, Pino Palladino and Foos keyboardist Rami Jaffee, all of whom will join Sheeran for the Kimmel performance.

“A performance you don’t want to miss, this will be the first time all five musicians behind the recording of ‘Drive’ from F1, perform the song together publicly,” a press release says.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Wednesday also marks Grohl’s 57th birthday. The Foos will celebrate the occasion with a benefit concert taking place in Los Angeles.

Bryan Adams contributing three songs to animated film ‘Charlie the Wonderdog’

January 13, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Some new music from Bryan Adams is on the way.

The rocker announced that he’s contributed three songs to the soundtrack of the new animated film Charlie the Wonderdog, with the tracks being released as an EP on Friday to coincide with the movie hitting theaters.

Charlie the Wonderdog centers on a family pooch, voiced by Owen Wilson, who becomes a superhero after gaining superpowers. He then must face off against a cat threatening to destroy humanity.

The EP is available for preorder now.

Adams is getting ready to hit the road. He’ll kick off a tour of Japan on Jan. 26 in Tokyo, and then head to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and more. A complete list of dates can be found at BryanAdams.com.

Billy Joel’s booking agent says Piano Man is ‘doing well,’ will ‘hopefully’ return to touring

January 13, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Billy Joel recently returned to the stage for the first time since he was diagnosed with a brain condition, performing two songs in Florida with the Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles. Now his longtime booking agent has shared his thoughts on whether or not the Piano Man might return to performing live regularly.

Billy announced last year he’d been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, which causes hearing, vision and balance problems. Billy’s agent, Dennis Arfa, who has known him since they were both 19 years old, told HITS Magazine that he first noticed Billy had a balance problem in February 2025 when he fell onstage during a show in Connecticut.

“We didn’t think anything of it at the moment. He got back up; he finished the show. He seemed fine on the plane going back,” Dennis noted. “But then he went for some tests and he saw he had some issues.”

Dennis then offered an update on Billy’s current health, saying, “He’s doing well. He’s doing his therapy, which has been very helpful. Hopefully he’ll make it back [to the stage].”

Asked if Billy hopes to tour again, Dennis told HITS, “Hopefully. His DNA is music and performing.”

Dennis said he only learned that particular fact about Billy while watching the HBO documentary about him, And So It Goes.

“Something I just discovered over the last several years about him was how much his DNA is music. We could be sitting on a plane and I’m thinking about future ticket sales. And I’m thinking, maybe he’s thinking the same thing. No. He’s thinking about music,” Dennis said.

“He’s got music in his head. Not every artist is that way, but he is so that way. As well as I know him, I didn’t know this to that degree.”

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