Watch the official trailer for Elton John’s Disney+ doc ‘Never Too Late’

September 30, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John: Never Too Late, a documentary that details Elton John‘s extraordinary music career and complicated personal life, will premiere Dec. 13 on Disney+, and now you can watch the first official trailer.

The trailer begins by detailing just how big a star Elton was in the ’70s, with a string of #1 albums and dozens of hits. However, as he says in the trailer, “At that time, there was an emptiness within me. My soul had gone dark … I didn’t have anything, apart from my success and drugs.” It also shows him struggling to accept that he was gay.

The trailer goes on say that Elton realized family was the most important thing in the world and that he eventually found happiness with his husband, David — who co-directed the film — and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah. The story is told through archival footage and even some animation.

“The music you know. The story you don’t,” read the captions in the trailer. “He risked it all to find himself.”

The movie is framed by Elton preparing for his final concert in North America at LA’s Dodger Stadium and features a new, original song by Elton called “Never Too Late.” Ahead of the premiere on Disney+, the film will have a limited theatrical run in the U.S. starting Nov. 15.

Frances Bean Cobain & Riley Hawk welcome baby boy

September 30, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Courtney Love and Tony Hawk are officially grandparents to the same child.

Frances Bean Cobain, the daughter of the Hole frontwoman and the late Kurt Cobain, and Riley Hawk, the son of the skateboarding legend, have announced that they’ve welcomed a new baby boy together: Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk, born Sept. 17.

“Welcome to the world most beautiful son,” Frances writes in an Instagram post. “We love you more than anything.”

Frances and Riley have been together since at least 2021, and they got married in 2023.

Book celebrating Bon Jovi’s 40th anniversary coming soon

September 30, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

2024 marks Bon Jovi‘s 40th anniversary, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will be celebrating by releasing a book that’s described as the “ultimate historical document” of the “Livin’ on a Prayer” band.

The book, from Genesis Publications, will come as a signed and numbered limited edition that includes a 7-inch vinyl record. Called Bon Jovi Forever, it’ll include text by Jon Bon Jovi, as well as archival images of handwritten lyrics, stage clothing, tour passes and posters. The band members will share their personal photos, along with the best professional photographs of the band onstage and in the studio.

Speaking about the band’s longevity, Jon says in a statement, “I never laid out a plan for what I wanted people to feel from listening to our songs. But when you’re writing a collection of songs, it’s often the ones that really resonate with you that stand the test of time and resonate with others.”

“If a song is pure of heart, if it comes from an emotional place and is not just ‘crafted’, chances are the listener will take that story and make it their own.”

There’s no release date yet, but you can sign up at Genesis-Publications.com to be notified when the book is available for preorder.

The book is the latest historic project for Bon Jovi, following their Hulu documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. Their album Forever was released in June, and features the singles “Legendary” and “Living Proof.”

Queen is no longer the most played British group of the 21st century

September 30, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Queen is no longer the most played British group of the 21st century.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers previously held the crown, but according to new data released by music licensors PPL, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have now fallen to second place behind Coldplay.

The data from PPL, which licenses the use of recorded music to radio and TV and in public places, notes that tunes by Coldplay have been played on U.K. radio and TV 40,000 more times than those of Queen.

Artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Police also made it on PPL’s list of the top 20 most played British artists of the 21st century.

The Beatles land at five this year behind pop groups Take That and Little Mix, with The Stones at 10, The Police at 14 and ELO at 17.

Other artists landing in the top 20 include Bee Gees, Eurhythmics, Duran Duran, Oasis, Snow Patrol and Wham!.

Kris Kristofferson, legendary songwriter, actor and singer, dead at 88

September 29, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Kris Kristofferson, the singer, songwriter and actor whose songs were among the most admired, not just in country, but music in general, has died, according to a post on his official Facebook. He was 88.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home,” read the message. “We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Kristofferson’s resume was eclectic: Rhodes scholar, U.S. Army veteran, pilot, Golden Gloves boxer and award-winning actor. But it was his famous songs — including “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” — which made him a music legend.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates…

Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton announces first show with new band

September 27, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton has revealed the next chapter in his musical career.

Now that Aerosmith is no longer touring, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has announced his next musical endeavor, a band called Close Enemies, and they already have their first show planned.

“Hey, I need to tell you something about a band I’m playing with called Close Enemies,” Hamilton shared on social media platform X. “We have a bunch of good songs recorded. We’re going to release one soon.”

He added, “Meanwhile, we’re doing a show in Nashville on October 11 … at a place called Eastside Bowl. Please come!!”

Tickets for the show are on sale now.

Aerosmith canceled their Peace Out tour and retired from the road in early August, citing Steven Tyler’s continuing vocal problems. He fractured his larynx when the tour first launched in 2023.

In a recent interview with AARP: The Magazine, Hamilton said he “was surprised but not shocked” by the cancellation, noting “it was a real punch in the gut.”

John Lodge announces new Performs Days of Future Passed tour dates

September 27, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge has announced a set of November tour dates for his Performs Days of Future Passed show.

The short run of five shows kicks off Nov. 12 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and wraps Nov. 19 in Royal Oak, Michigan, with more shows expected in February of next year.

The concert has Lodge performing two sets, one featuring Moody Blues classics, followed by a set where he plays Days of Future Passed in its entirety. The second set also features Lodge’s son-in-law, current Yes frontman Jon Davison, who joins him for “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and other classic tracks.

The concert also features a special recording of late Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge reciting his poems “Morning Glory” and “Late Lament.”

Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reveals more details about this year’s induction ceremony

September 27, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

After announcing the list of presenters and performers for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Rock Hall has now revealed who those people will be celebrating at this year’s event.

The Who’s Roger Daltrey and country star Keith Urban will be on hand for Peter Frampton‘s induction, while Sammy Hagar, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Demi Lovato will help induct Foreigner.

Meanwhile, actress Julia Roberts will induct Dave Matthews Band. She starred in the band’s music video for the song “Dreamgirl” 17 years ago.

The late Jimmy Buffett, who’s being inducted in the Musical Excellence category, will be celebrated by James Taylor, Kenny Chesney and Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally, while Dua Lipa will celebrate Cher and Chuck D will honor Kool & The Gang.

Other performers and presenters announced for the ceremony include Method Man, Dr. Dre, Ella Mai and Lucky Daye, who’ll be part of Mary J. Blige’s induction.

Plus, as previously announced, several of this year’s inductees are expected to perform themselves, including Foreigner, Frampton, Dave Matthews Band, Kool & The Gang, Dionne Warwick and Blige.

So far there’s no word on who’s inducting Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest; Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton for Musical Influence; or MC5 and Norman Whitfield for Musical Excellence.

The 2024 induction ceremony, taking place at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, will stream live on Disney+ Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. ET and will be available to rewatch following the ceremony. On Jan. 1, ABC will air the special 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, featuring performance highlights. It’ll be available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Paul Rodgers drops new video for ‘Midnight Rose’ track “Photo Shooter”

September 27, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Paul Rodgers, frontman of such classic bands as Free and Bad Company, has dropped a brand-new video for “Photo Shooter,” a track from his most recent solo album, Midnight Rose.

The video has Rodgers singing the song as images of important moments in history flash behind him, like the sinking of the Titanic, the invention of the television, the first man walking on the moon, Woodstock and more.

Released in September 2023, Midnight Rose was Rodgers’ first solo album in almost 25 years. At the time of the release it was revealed that he had suffered several strokes four years prior that had left him unable to talk.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant shares more info about daughter’s medical emergency

September 27, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant is opening up about the family emergency that led to the band canceling five shows on their Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour with ZZ Top.

The initial announcement revealed that Johnny’s daughter had to have emergency surgery. In a video posted to social media Thursday, Van Zant shares that it was his youngest daughter, Taylor Marion, and that doctors found a mass on her brain.

“A couple of days ago, Taylor started having [a] numbing feeling on her right side. She went to the emergency room,” he said. “They did a CAT scan and they found a, the only way to say it is a mass on her brain. And some of it was bleeding, that was causing the numbing part.”

Johnny says doctors don’t believe it’s cancer, but notes “they’re still doing a lot of testing and we’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re in a lot better position than we thought we were in, in the beginning.”

“And, so, keep saying the prayers for Taylor,” he added. “I can’t thank you enough. It means everything to me and my family.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd was forced to cancel shows in Anchorage, West Valley, Loveland, Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Their next scheduled show is at the Field & Stream Festival in Winnsboro Mills, South Carolina, taking place Oct. 4-6.

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