Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ (ABC/Randy Holmes)
When it comes to the condition of his vocal cords, Dave Grohl does indeed blame it on the alcohol, but in a good way.
During an interview on the Dish podcast, the Foo Fighters frontman shares that he went to a doctor to have his vocal cords inspected some years ago and was surprised to learn that everything looked good.
The doctor then asked Grohl if he does any vocal warm-ups or cooldowns before and after shows. When Grohl said he didn’t, the doctor asked about Grohl’s preshow routine.
“An hour before the show, I’ll open a beer, then I’ll start drinking the beer,” Grohl explained. “I might take an Advil ’cause my knees hurt, my ankles hurt, whatever, I’m old. Then I’ll have a shot of whiskey.”
“Once the beer is done, I’ll open another beer, then we’ll maybe have a group shot,” Grohl continued. “Then somebody will say, ’15 minutes!’ And I open one more beer and have one more shot, and then hit the stage.”
While a hepatologist might have some concerns, Grohl’s vocal cord doctor had a different reaction.
“My doctor said, ‘Just don’t change what you’re doing, it’s working,'” Grohl tells Dish.
Grohl will have plenty of chances to repeat that routine while touring in support of the upcoming Foo Fighters album Your Favorite Toy, due out Friday. The Foos will play a one-off show in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on April 28, followed by headlining sets at the Welcome to Rockville and BottleRock Napa festivals in May. They’ll launch a full North American stadium tour in August.
Poster for John Lennon & Yoko Ono ‘Power to the People’ concert film (Trafalgar Releasing/Mercury Studios)
Another clip from the upcoming John Lennon and Yoko Ono concert film, Power to the People: John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests – Live at the One To One Concert, New York City, 1972, has just been released.
The latest features a performance of “Instant Karma!,” John’s third solo single, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is the second performance clip released from the film, following a video for “Imagine.”
Power to the People captures John and Yoko’s historic August 1972 concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden, which were John’s only full-length performances after The Beatles’ 1970 breakup. The pair were joined by special guests, including Stevie Wonder and Sha Na Na. The concerts raised over $1.5 million for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The footage of the concerts has been restored, reedited and remixed by a team led by the couple’s son, Sean Ono Lennon.
Power to the People will screen in theaters nationwide starting April 29 for a limited time. Tickets are on sale now.
Stevie Nicks performs at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, November, 2023 (Disney/Michael J. LeBrecht II)
Stevie Nicks and “A Thousand Miles” singer Vanessa Carlton are pals; in fact, Stevie officiated her wedding. So maybe it’s not surprising to hear that Vanessa has heard the new album that Stevie said she was working on a year ago.
Speaking with People, Vanessa confirmed that she’s heard the album, which Stevie first mentioned during the Pollstar Awards in April 2025. She told the audience during the event, “I’m actually making a record right now.” She added that she’d written seven songs that were “autobiographical, real stories where I’m not pulling any punches for probably the first time in my life.”
While Vanessa said that she’d heard it, she added, “I cannot say a word more. The world should get ready. That’s all I’ll say. Stevie’s coming. Let’s put it that way.”
She added, “It’s Stevie, so it’s glorious.”
When Stevie does release a new album, it will be her first solo release since 2011’s In Your Dreams. She did release the single “The Lighthouse” in September 2024. Wednesday night, she performs in Austin, Texas.
As for why the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is so beloved, Vanessa told People, “She doesn’t try to teach anybody. She’s not trying to tell anybody what to do. She will let you be yourself. I know we’re so in this divided place. But at her shows, everybody comes together for her.”
“I think that’s why everybody loves Stevie. Everybody wants to know what she has to say — and she’s not trying to get people to love her. It’s just really respectful of everybody.”
Musician Lenny Kaye, the longest serving member of the Patti Smith Group, is launching a solo career.
The 79-year-old rocker will release his debut solo album, Goin’ Local, on July 17, described as “a deeply personal collection” that represents his “most autobiographical and introspective turn yet.”
“I feel like I’m a new artist,” says Kaye. “I think this album will surprise those who think they know me from what I’ve done previously.”
Goin’ Local features the song “Solstice,” which was co-written by Smith, and includes special guests like jazz pianist Matthew Shipp, Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, The Jayhawks’ John Jackson and multi-instrumentalist David Mansfield.
As a preview of the record, Kaye has released the album’s title track.
“I’ve always loved the local, its intimacy and camaraderie,” he says of the tune. “I feel that the truest ‘Goin’ Local’ is the privilege to go inside my own head and hear how I sound to me.”
Kaye is set to hit the road in April with Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. The tour kicks off April 25 in Easton, Maryland.
Here is the track list for Goin’ Local: “Goin’ Local” “This Love” “If I Were You” “Let’s Make a Memory” “A Friend Like You” “Be That As It May (May Day)” “Solstice” “World Book Night” “Pennsylvania Girls” “Poppy” “The Things You Leave Behind” “Yes I Will”
Tommy Lee has announced a new album called Tommyland Rides Again, described as a “reimagined” version of the Mötley Crüe drummer’s 2005 solo record, Tommyland: The Ride.
Tommyland Rides Again is due out May 22. According to a press release, the updated set gives “each track all the love and attention to create something that was just sonically impossible back in 2005.”
“The cover art invites you to take a ride inside my twisted musical world and experience its new life after 20 years,” Lee says in a statement. “And in Dolby Atmos.”
Tommyland: The Ride included collaborations with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, Something Corporate’s Andrew McMahon and Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, as well as the single “Good Times,” which featured Butch Walker and was the theme song to the 2005 reality seriesTommy Lee Goes to College.
The Tommyland Rides Again version of “Good Times” is out now alongside an HD upscale of the original video, which you can watch streaming on YouTube.
Tommyland Rides Again also includes a new bonus track called “Stupid World,” featuring musician and former pro skateboarder Chad Tepper.
After releasing the original Tommyland: The Ride album, Lee didn’t put out another solo record until 2020’s Andro, which remains his most recent solo effort.
Mötley Crüe, meanwhile, is preparing to launch their Return of the Carnival of Sins tour in July.
‘The King’s Trust 50thAnniversary Auction Featuring The Phil Collins Archive’ press preview (Courtesy Soul Capture Studio)
Want to own some memorabilia from a newly-minted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer? You’ll get the chance when Phil Collins auctions off his personal archive this November in London for a good cause.
The archive has been donated by Phil and his ex-wife Jill Tavelman; the two share daughter Lily Collins of Emily In Paris fame. Proceeds will go to The King’s Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III in 1976. Phil has been a supporter for years, back when it was known as The Prince’s Trust.
Among the items on offer at The King’s Trust 50thAnniversary Auction Featuring The Phil Collins Archive are:the outfit Phil wore onstage during Live Aid in 1985, when he became the only artist to perform at both the London and Philadelphia shows on the same day; the handwritten working lyrics for the Genesis hit “That’s All;” the pinstripe suit he wore on Miami Vice in 1985; clothing worn during photo shoots, music videos and onstage; autographed drums and more more.
In a statement, Phil says, “I’m very proud to have been involved closely with The King’s Trust for over 40 years and I hope we can raise a lot of money for the cause.”
Jill adds, “Phil and I realized we had a treasure trove of items spanning the years 1980 to 1995, and that this would be the ideal opportunity to share them with fans who will become the caretakers of Phil’s memorabilia while helping support such a worthwhile cause.”
Heavy Metal rockers Judas Priest are dropping a new compilation album, The Best of Judas Priest, on June 19, a career-spanning collection that includes such iconic Priest songs as “Breaking The Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” and “Living After Midnight.”
According to a press release, songs on the album “represent key moments from across their catalogue and trace the evolution of a band that helped shape the genre itself.”
The Best of Judas Priest will be released on CD, vinyl and picture disc vinyl and is available for preorder now.
That’s not the only thing Judas Priest fans have to look forward to in 2026.
The group’s career is the subject of a new documentary, The Ballad Of Judas Priest, which is expected to be released later this year. The doc, which had its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February, was directed by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and filmmaker Sam Dunn.
Judas Priest is also set to kick off a European tour on July 25 in Monchengladbach, Germany, wrapping Sept. 21 in London. A complete list of dates can be found at JudasPriest.com.
Here is the track list for The Best of Judas Priest:
“You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” “Lightning Strike” “Breaking The Law” “Beyond The Realms Of Death” “Painkiller” “Hell Bent For Leather” “Rocka Rolla” “Turbo Lover” “Electric Eye” “Crown Of Horns” “Living After Midnight” “Night Crawler” “Heading Out To The Highway” “Better By You, Better Than Me” “The Sentinel” “Diamonds And Rust”
Traffic, studio group portrait, 1968, L-R Chris Wood, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Steve Winwood has paid tribute to his Traffic bandmate Dave Mason, who passed away on April 19 at the age of 79.
“We were deeply saddened to hear of Dave Mason’s passing,” Winwood writes on Instagram. “Dave was part of Traffic during its earliest chapter, and played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity during that time. His songwriting, musicianship and distinctive spirit helped create music that has lasted far beyond its era, and continues to mean so much to listeners around the world.”
“Those years remain a special part of the band’s story, and Dave’s contribution to them is not forgotten,” Winwood continues. “His place in that history will always be remembered, and through the music, his presence endures.”
Finally, he notes, “At this sad time, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and all those who loved him and his music.”
Mason and Winwood formed Traffic in 1967 with Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
With Mason’s death, Winwood is the only surviving member of the band; Capaldi passed away in 2005 at 60, and Wood passed away in 1983 at 39.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Peter Frampton was born in Beckenham, Kent, England.
Frampton rose to fame as a member of The Herd, before forming Humble Pie in 1969 with Small Faces band member Steve Marriott.
After releasing four studio albums, Frampton left Humble Pie in 1971 to launch a solo career, releasing his debut solo album, Wind of Change, in 1972.
Frampton’s solo career really took off following the release of Frampton Comes Alive! in 1976. The double LP became one of the bestselling live albums of all time and was Frampton’s only #1 record, spending 10 nonconsecutive weeks in the top spot. It featured live performances of now-iconic Frampton tunes like “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” which all became top-15 hits.
After being eligible for over 25 years, Frampton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.
Despite being diagnosed with the muscle disease inclusion body myositis in 2019, Frampton has continued to make music and tour. He’s set to release the new album, Carry the Light, on May 15 and has a new documentary, Frampton, debuting at the Tribeca Festival on June 4.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason, founding member of the classic rock band Traffic, performs onstage at Saban Theatre on May 07, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Dave Mason has died at the age of 79.
According to a statement provided on behalf of his family, Mason “passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada” on April 19. The statement noted he “lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved.”
Mason is best known as one of the founding members of the band Traffic, which he formed in April 1967 with Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood and Chris Wood. They released their debut album, Mr. Fantasy, that year, which was a hit with critics and contained one of their signature tunes, “Dear Mr. Fantasy.”
The self-titled follow-up, released in 1968, featured the huge hit “Feelin’ Alright?,” which Mason wrote. The song has gone on to be covered by a variety of artists, most notably Joe Cocker, who left off the question mark in the title and made it a hit.
Mason had a rocky tenure with Traffic, leaving the group following the release of Mr. Fantasy due to artistic differences, only to rejoin during the recording of their self-titled sophomore album. He then left again after that album’s release. He briefly returned for a third time, touring with them in 1971 — but he only performed six shows, including the show featured on the live album, Welcome to the Canteen.
While promoting his 2024 memoir, Only You Know and I Know, Mason told ABC Audio that all the drama in the band led to them making great music.
“What made the band great? Unfortunately, you know, differences combine to form beauty and so the differences are what made things great, but the differences unfortunately drove it apart,” he said.
Mason was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2004, although Winwood and Capaldi performed “Dear Mr. Fantasy” without him. He did join in for the all-star jam on “Feelin’ Alright?,” which also featured Keith Richards, Tom Petty and others.
Outside of Traffic, Mason had a successful career as a session musician and appeared on such well-known albums as Jim Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, George Harrison’s All Things Must Past, Paul McCartney and Wings’ Venus and Mars, and The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet. He also did a brief stint as guitarist in Fleetwood Mac in the ’90s after both Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks left the group.
Mason had a somewhat successful solo career, releasing 15 albums. His last album was 2025’s A Shade of Blues. His biggest solo hit was 1977’s “We Just Disagree,” which he wrote. The tune, which appeared on his album Let it Flow, peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also wrote and recorded the tune “Only You Know and I Know,” which was a Hot 100 hit for him, and went on to be a top-20 hit for Delaney & Bonnie.
In September of 2025, after 60 years in the music business, Mason announced that he was retiring from touring due to “on going health challenges.” The prior year, in September 2024, he canceled a tour due to an urgent heart condition.
