Red Hot Chili Peppers announce collaboration with Parks Project

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced a collaboration with the lifestyle brand Parks Project.

The collection includes a T-shirt, sweatshirt and blanket with designs inspired by Yosemite National Park and RHCP’s 1999 album, Californication, which turned 25 in June. It will support the organization NatureBridge, which aims to “connect young people to the wonder and science of the natural world.”

“We are incredibly excited to partner with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on this special collection,” says Parks Project President Jack Gray. “The designs, inspired by the stunning landscapes of Yosemite and the band’s boundary-pushing artistic style, perfectly align with our mission to promote conservation and inspire a love for the outdoors.”

Gray adds, “Together, we hope to make a significant impact by supporting NatureBridge and providing opportunities for kids to connect with nature and learn about the importance of preserving our national parks.”

The collection will go on sale July 22 via ParksProject.us.

Watch the first trailer for new doc about Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Music fans are getting their first look at an upcoming documentary about Jimi Hendrix’s famed music studio, Electric Lady Studios.

A trailer for the film, Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, directed by John McDermott, has just been released, featuring archival footage and photos showing the building of the studio, Hendrix performing and more.

The film is filled with previously unseen footage and photos, and includes interviews from recording engineer Eddie Kramer, Experience bassist Billy Cox, original Electric Lady staff members and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, who took part in Hendrix’s first session at the studio.

Opened in 1970, Electric Lady Studios was the first commercial studio owned by an artist. It was constructed specifically for Hendrix, who died just weeks after its opening. The studio went on to be a go-to spot for musicians, with artists such as John Lennon, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and more recording there.

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision will open in New York City on Aug. 9, with a wider release to follow.

Genesis to reissue 13 albums on vinyl

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Genesis fans will soon be able to stock their vinyl collection.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band will be reissuing 13 of their albums on 180g vinyl, all mixed and remastered by producer Nick Davis.

The reissue campaign begins Aug. 23 with 1972’s Foxtrot, 1974’s The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, which was Peter Gabriel’s last album with the band, 1980’s Duke, 1981’s Abacab and 1983’s Genesis. The second set, dropping on Sept. 6, will include 1971’s Nursery Cryme, 1973’s Selling England By The Pound, 1976’s Wind & Wuthering and 1991’s We Can’t Dance.

The final three reissues will drop on Sept. 27, made up of 1976’s A Trick Of The Tail, their first album with Phil Collins as vocalist, 1978’s …And Then There Were Three…, their first as a trio following Steve Hackett‘s departure, and 1986’s multi-Platinum hit Invisible Touch, which includes their first and only #1, the album’s title track.

All 13 vinyl albums are available for preorder now.

Elton John is Jean Smart’s dream guest star for ‘Hacks’

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Five-time Emmy winner Jean Smart has just been nominated yet again for her role as comedy legend Deborah Vance on Max’s hit show Hacks. And while the show has lined up some big-name guest stars in the past, Smart tells Deadline that her dream guest for season 4 would be Elton John.

“I would think I’d died and gone to heaven if he came on the show,” Smart told Deadline, noting the show has already used two of his songs: “The Bitch Is Back” and “I’m Still Standing.”

“So I think that he likes the show, so maybe we could write an incredible part for him that would be awesome,” she continued. “I have this funny feeling about him, I don’t know why. Every once in a while I’ll see somebody, or I’ll be a fan of someone, and I just think that if I met that person, we’d be friends. And that’s how I’ve always felt about him. Always. I don’t know why. I have nothing to base that on.”

Smart’s co-star Hannah Einbinder, who was also nominated for an Emmy, added that having Elton on the show “would be sick.” Production for season 4 of Hacks starts in September.

If Elton did appear on Hacks, it’d be the latest in a long series of cameo appearances the Rocket Man has made over the years. He’s guest-starred as himself in TV shows like The Simpsons, Ally McBeal, South Park, Absolutely Fabulous, The Nanny and Nashville.

Dave Navarro “didn’t pick up the guitar for about a year” after Taylor Hawkins’ death

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

In May, Dave Navarro rejoined Jane’s Addiction live after being sidelined from the road for over two years due to the effects of long COVID. Not only was his long journey back to the stage hampered by his health, but Navarro was also dealing with the emotional impact of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins‘ death.

Navarro played with Hawkins and former Jane’s bassist Chris Chaney in the band NHC. The trio launched in September 2021 and put out an EP in February 2022. Speaking with Guitar World, Navarro shares that NHC had more music in the works when Hawkins passed in March 2022.

“I just completed making a record with Taylor Hawkins and Chris Chaney,” Navarro recalls. “We mixed and mastered it, and then, we lost Taylor. That was in the middle of COVID, and it was actually very painful for me to pick up the guitar after that.”

Navarro estimates that he “didn’t pick up the guitar for about a year” after Hawkins’ death.

“[Hawkins] was such an inspiring artist,” Navarro says. “Not only was he a phenomenal drummer, but he was also an amazing songwriter and lyricist, and he was just one of those humans that everybody loved. Everybody loved him.”

Eventually, Navarro did get back into the guitar, sharing that he “started playing some cover songs, and just kind of got used to the instrument in my hand again.”

With Navarro returning to Jane’s, the band’s classic lineup of him, frontman Perry Farrell, bassist Eric Avery and drummer Stephen Perkins are playing live together for the first time in 14 years. They’re launching a U.S. tour in August and are dropping a new song, “Imminent Redemption,” on July 24.

Solo albums from Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to be revisited with new reissues

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

New music from Rush doesn’t seem likely to happen, but the band’s fans will soon get another chance to enjoy the first-ever solo albums from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group’s surviving members, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. The solo albums, Lifeson’s Victor and Lee’s My Favourite Headache, are set to be re-released on Aug 9.

Lifeson’s Victor, which came out in January 1996, features guest appearances by Primus‘ Les Claypool, Edwin from I Mother Earth and more. It will be released digitally and on CD, and will also be getting its first-ever vinyl release, completely remixed by Lifeson. The vinyl edition includes four instrumental tracks that fans could previously only get on the rocker’s website.

There will even be a special limited-edition two-LP ruby translucent vinyl, limited to 1,000 copies, featuring an autographed lithograph by Lifeson. It is available only as a Rush Backstage exclusive.

Lee’s My Favourite Headache, originally released in November 2000, features guest appearances by Soundgarden/Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and Our Lady Peace‘s Jeremy Taggart. It will also be released on CD, as well as on two-LP blue/green vinyl, marking the first time it’s been available on vinyl since a 2019 limited-edition Record Store Day release. The vinyl edition also includes two instrumental tracks.

Both Victor and My Favourite Headache are available for preorder now.

Something unpredictable: Green Day’s “Good Riddance” featured on ’Deadpool & Wolverine’ soundtrack

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Green Day is featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie.

The punk trio’s classic bitter breakup song-turned-graduation staple “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is included on the album, which drops July 24.

Also on the track list are Avril Lavigne‘s “I’m with You,” The Goo Goo Dolls‘ “Iris,” Huey Lewis and the News‘ “The Power of Love” and *NSYNC‘s “Bye Bye Bye.”

Deadpool & Wolverine, produced by Marvel Studios, hits theaters July 26. Disney is the parent company of Marvel Studios and ABC News.

Green Day, meanwhile, is set to launch a U.S. stadium tour July 29 in Washington, D.C. They’ll be supporting their new album, Saviors, while also celebrating the respective 30th and 20th anniversaries of Dookie and American Idiot.

Great White singer Jack Russell retires from touring following Lewy body dementia diagnosis

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Great White founding member Jack Russell has announced his retirement from touring due to health issues.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road,” he shared on Facebook. “After a recent diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in May 2024, I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve.”

He added, “Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support. Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder.”

Russell was a member of Great White from 1981 to 1996 and has been touring under the name Jack Russell’s Great White since 2002. In 2003, pyrotechnics that went off during the band’s show at the Station nightclub in Rhode Island resulted in the death of 100 concertgoers, as well as the band’s then-guitarist Ty Longley.

Lewy body dementia is considered the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, it causes a decline in mental abilities and is known to cause visual hallucinations; those with the condition can also experience Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.

Britney Spears has four-letter response to Ozzy Osbourne’s comments about her

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ozzy Osbourne and his family are learning that Britney Spears doesn’t just sit back and take criticism.

The pop star took to social media to respond to the Osbourne family’s recent comments about her dancing on social media, and she’s not happy about it.

On Wednesday, Ozzy and his family discussed Britney on their podcast, with Ozzy saying he was “fed up with seeing poor old Britney Spears [dancing on social media] every f****** day.” He added that it was “very, very sad,” while his wife, Sharon, agreed, saying, “Poor little thing … it’s heartbreaking.”

Well, Britney had a few thoughts on the subject, posting a lengthy message that started off with some comments about actress Kate Beckinsale and how she responded to the “cruel” people who were accusing of her of not having “age-appropriate” looks.

Then Britney switched the topic to herself, writing, “Not as bad as some of my comments saying it’s sad I’m as old as I am and I’m dancing every single day on my IG!” She went on to note she “hardly ever” dances and added, “I’m not poor at all!!! … in my transparent opinion, wealth and health isn’t relied solely on cash in your bank account which I have lots of that too.”

After going on for another page or so, Britney concluded, “I’m gonna do a photoshooot with Kate and tell the Osbourne family who is the most boring family known to mankind kindly f*** off!!!”

For good measure, she posted a video of herself dancing in a bikini bottom and cropped sweater.

Foo Fighters’ NYC stadium show cut short by extreme weather

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The opening date of Foo Fighters‘ U.S. stadium tour was cut short due to extreme weather.

In the middle of the show, which took place Wednesday at New York City’s Citi Field, frontman Dave Grohl told the crowd that an incoming storm was threatening to end the concert early, but that he and the rest of the Foos were determined to “play as much as we can until someone says it’s not safe for you.”

Sensing that they were about to be pulled, the Foos launched into their usual closer, “Everlong,” but only got about 30 seconds into it before they were told to leave the stage.

While Grohl declared that they would come back if they were able to, Citi Field announced, “Unfortunately due to the continued presence of lighting in the area, tonight’s show has concluded.”

“We are so disappointed that we were unable to play our full set for tonight’s fantastic crowd at Citi Field,” Foo Fighters posted on Instagram. “But the safety of our fans, the crew and everyone working in the stadium comes first, so when it was determined that there was no safe way to continue the show in this dangerous weather, we had no choice but to call it a night.”

The band adds, “We’re grateful for every second we were able to play for you and looking forward to seeing you again.”

Foo Fighters are set to play Citi Field again on Friday.

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