Tom Petty estate makes worldwide catalog deal with Warner Chappell Music

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Tom Petty estate has signed a new worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music, which will now be in charge of the late Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s catalog.

“We’re looking forward to this new partnership with the team at Warner Chappell, as we expand the reach of Tom’s iconic song catalog. This partnership will open the door to new licensing opportunities and serve to introduce his music to a new generation across the globe,” the Petty estate shares. “We’re excited for this new chapter of growth, and the preservation of Tom’s legacy both at home and abroad.”

The deal encompasses Petty’s entire catalog, including songs with the Heartbreakers and his solo work. Those tunes include such classics as “American Girl,” “The Waiting,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Free Fallin’” “Learning to Fly” and “Wildflowers.”

“Tom Petty’s music is woven into the fabric of our lives, not just across America, but around the world. He captured the full range and resilience of the human spirit in songs about freedom and dreams, outcasts and rebels, relationships and heartbreak, the personal and the universal,” WCM co-chair and COO Carianne Marshall and co-chair and CEO Guy Moot shared in a statement. “Tom’s unmistakable sound and lyrics remain as timeless and vital today as ever, and all of us at Warner Chappell Music are honored to be joining with his estate to help amplify his extraordinary legacy on a global scale.”

Eagles’ Don Henley sues to get ‘Hotel California; lyric sheets back

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Eagles’ Don Henley has filed a lawsuit to get his handwritten notes and lyrics back.

The lyric sheets in question are for songs from the band’s classic album Hotel California. They were the subject of a criminal trial earlier this year, in which three men — Craig Inciardi, rock memorabilia dealer Edward Kosinski and rare-books dealer Glenn Horowitz — were accused of trying to auction them off.

The trio claimed they got the sheets from writer Ed Sanders, who came into possession of the documents when he worked on Henley’s never-published biography. Henley had argued that the sheets were stolen and not given to Sanders.

The case was eventually dismissed due to a late disclosure of documents by Henley’s team; the lyric sheets have been in the custody of the New York district attorney ever since. Now Henley’s new suit against just Inciardi and Kosinki is seeking to have a court declare he is the rightful owner of the documents and that they be returned to him.

“Because Kosinski and Inciardi have also claimed title over Henley’s lyric sheets, the issue must be decided in a civil court with appropriate jurisdiction,” reads the lawsuit. “Henley therefore seeks a declaration from this Court that he is the lawful owner of his seized lyric sheets to provide the ‘satisfactory proof of his title’ that will facilitate the District Attorney’s return of his property.”

On This Day, July 1, 1968: The Band release their debut album ‘Music from Big Pink’

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, July 1, 1968…

The Band – Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm – released their debut album, Music from Big Pink.

The album was named after a house in Saugerties, New York, shared by Danko, Manuel and Hudson, where some of the songs on the album were composed. It was recorded after the group toured as Bob Dylan’s backing band, and features a Dylan painting as the cover art.

Music from Big Pink features The Band’s future classic “The Weight,” which was written by Robertson. While it only reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song became more popular following The Band’s performance at Woodstock, and the song’s inclusion in the movie Easy Rider.

The Band broke up in 1976 following their November 25, 1976, concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, which was filmed for what would become the critically acclaimed concert documentary The Last Waltz.

They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Jon Bon Jovi joins son Jake and Millie Bobby Brown on their honeymoon

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Having your dad come along on your honeymoon seems like it’d put a damper on any romance, but Jon Bon Jovi‘s son Jake and Jake’s wife, Millie Bobby Brown, don’t seem to mind.

Jake and Millie, who secretly tied the knot in May, are currently on the Italian island of Sardinia, and Jon and his wife, Dorothea, have evidently tagged along, according to photos obtained by the Daily Mail and Page Six. However, the foursome seem like they’re having a great time enjoying the sun and shopping.

During an appearance on BBC’s The One Show, Jon said of the marriage, “It was a very small family wedding and the bride looked gorgeous and Jake is happy as can be.”

Speaking to The Sun in June, Jon noted that he and Dorothea have welcomed two daughters-in-law into the family: his other son, Jesse, also recently tied the knot.

“Suddenly, your kids are married and then they’re telling you about the prospect of grandbabies … woah!” said Jon. “There’s no chapter in my book that went this far.”

Eric Clapton’s ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’ celebrating 50th anniversary

July 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Fifty years ago, in July 1974, Eric Clapton released his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, which became a huge hit for the future three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

The album, named after the address of the Golden Beach, Florida, home he lived in while recording the record, featured Clapton’s classic cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff,” which would become his only #1 single. The track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.

Clapton recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard following his battle with heroin addiction, and its success marked a personal and professional comeback for the musician. In a 2007 Amazon interview to promote his memoir, Clapton: The Autobiography, he opened up about how fortunate he felt that he was able to find success again after kicking the habit.

“There’s no doubt that music, the things that I love in my life today and I’ve always loved, were there before any of the habits, the bad habits, anyway, came into my life. And the terrible thing is, those bad habits merely curtailed it,” he said. “And we know that the blessing is I was allowed, for whatever reason, to come back and have another go.”

The album, which featured two new songs along with a variety of covers, went on to become one of Clapton’s most successful releases, hitting #1 in the U.S. and spending four weeks on top. It also topped the chart in Canada, landed in the top 10 in eight other countries and went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Pearl Jam cancels two more dates on European tour

June 30, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Pearl Jam has canceled two more shows on their European tour due to health issues.

The affected dates were set to take place Tuesday and Wednesday in Berlin. In a Facebook post Sunday, the “Even Flow” rockers share, “Despite everyone’s best efforts, the band has yet to make a full recovery.”

“The impacts of this decision are not lost on us,” Pearl Jam writes. “We feel deeply that so many people spend their time, money, and emotional energy to get tickets and then to come see the band and it is heart wrenching to have to disappoint you. We also appreciate the many people whose hard work goes into making these shows happen.”

“Please trust we never take these decisions lightly and try to do everything possible to show up for you all,” the post continues. “We wish a reschedule had been possible for this tour leg and hope to come back to Berlin soon.”

Those who purchased tickets will receive a refund at their point of purchase.

Pearl Jam previously canceled their show Saturday in London due to illness; they have not publicly commented on the nature of the illness or which member, or members, it is affecting. However, reviews of Pearl Jam’s most recent show, held June 25 in Manchester, England, noted that frontman Eddie Vedder was feeling under the weather.

The next show on Pearl Jam’s schedule is set for July 6 in Barcelona. The band is set to launch a U.S. summer tour in August.

U2 releases “Sweetest Thing” installment of their ‘Deep Dives and B-Sides’ digital series

June 28, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

U2 has released the next installment in their digital series, U2 to Love and Only Love – Deep Dives and B-Sides. The latest is dubbed “Sweetest Thing,” after the fan favorite B-side that appeared on their compilation The Best of 1980–1990.

The latest is the seventh installment in the collection, and includes a 2024 remastered version of the single, as well as live performances of “Out of Control” and “Stories for Boys,” from Boston in 1981, and of “Twilight” and “An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart” from Red Rocks in 1983. They also shared a video of the “An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart” performance.

And to coincide with the playlist, U2 has released a limited-edition 2024 reissue of a “Sweetest Thing” T-shirt. It is available for preorder now.

U2 to Love and Only Love – Deep Dives and B-Sides will consist of 12 newly remastered collections, released throughout the year, which are made up of songs that until now were only available on vinyl, CD or cassette. They launched the series in April and so far released collections dedicated to “Discothèque,” “Staring at the Sun,” “Last Night on Earth,” “If God Will Send His Angels,” “Please” and “Mofo,” all from their ninth studio album Pop.

Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young” turned into sound waves art for a good cause

June 28, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rod Stewart’s classic song “Forever Young” has been turned into art that’s helping raise money for a good cause.

Rod has teamed up with artist Tim Wakefield and the Soundwaves Art Foundation for an art piece made from sound waves of the 1988 single, which contain the tune’s lyric, “be courageous and be brave.”

Rod has autographed four soundwave originals that are already sold out, as well as 100 prints, which sell for $470 each. There are also 100 unsigned prints, which sell for $75 each. They are on sale now at soundwavesartfoundation.com.

All money made from the sales will be donated to War Child UK, which supports children caught up in war zones around the world.

“Forever Young,” from Rod’s fifteenth studio album Out of Order, was a top 20 hit for the rocker, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Farewell means farewell: Elton John & husband say they “want to be present” during sons’ teen years

June 28, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Elton John has traveled the world throughout his legendary career, but these days he’s looking forward to time at home.

When asked if he plans to hit the road again following the end of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour nearly a year ago, the “Rocket Man” singer recently told Entertainment Tonight a flat “no.”

“We’ve got our sons, you know, they’re getting into their teenage years now,” Elton’s husband, David Furnish, chimed in, referring to their sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11. “We don’t want to miss anything. We want to be present for that. It’s sort of a key decade, I think, in a child’s life.”

David added, “He’s been doing it for 60 years, so it’s nice to have that time to spend at home with the family.”

Elton noted, “We went out on the biggest high, just the way I wanted to, and there’s no going back [after] that.”

But Elton’s still plenty busy: He’s got a new musical, Tammy Faye, hitting Broadway in previews on October 19, and another musical, The Devil Wears Prada, opening on London’s West End in October.

Plus, there’s always new music to make. Elton has a new album completed, according to Bernie Taupin, and David wants Elton to team up for a song with “Hot to Go” singer Chappell Roan, who they recently had dinner with.

“Such a brilliant, authentic pop voice and a great lady who is so much fun. I would love to see her and Elton collaborate,” he gushed. And Elton seems to be here for it.

“Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams — all the girls are cracking!” Elton told ET. “They’re killing it and it’s so fantastic to see. It’s all the girls and it’s about time and they’re all doing great stuff.”

U2 welcomes Taylor Swift back to their hometown: “Leave some of it standing!!!”

June 28, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Taylor Swift has officially arrived in Dublin, Ireland, for her Eras Tour shows this weekend, and she got a warm welcome from a few of the city’s favorite sons: U2.

On her Instagram Story, Taylor posted a photo of a beautiful bouquet of flowers, along with a note. It reads, “Dear Taylor, Welcome back to our hometown … leave some of it standing?!!!!”

It’s signed “Your Irish fan club, Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry.”

She captioned the pic, “Already feeling that Irish hospitality!! @U2, thanks for always being the classiest and the coolest.”

Turns out this is a bit of a tradition: Back in 2018 when she toured Ireland, U2 sent her roses, signed, “from your Irish fan club.” And in 2022, Bono proclaimed himself a Swiftie when he and Taylor both appeared on The Graham Norton Show.

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