U2 wraps Las Vegas residency with appearance by drummer Larry Mullen, Jr.

March 3, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

U2 wrapped their Las Vegas residency, U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, this weekend with two special shows — and a couple of special guests.

Rumors had suggested that U2 drummer Larry Mullen, Jr., who sat out the residency as he recovered from surgery, would join them for the last two shows, and he did — but as a spectator. Fan shot footage posted to YouTube showing Bono shouting out Larry in the audience during the March 1 show.

“That is the man who pinned the note on the notice board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School all those years ago. And we are very grateful that he did and that he’s here with us tonight,” Bono said. “We wish him a speedy, speedy, speedy recovery. We love you, Larry Mullen Jr.” The band then launched into “Beautiful Day.”

“What an incredible night at Sphere-So Grateful to Bono Edge and Adam and of course Bram for an amazing job-very emotional night for me personally,” Larry later wrote on Instagram, praising Bram van den Berg, who filled in for him during the residency.

But Larry wasn’t the only special guest in the house. According to setlist.fm, for the final show on March 2, U2 brought out Achtung Baby producer Daniel Lanois during their performance of “One.”

And for that 40th and final night, U2 added a song to the final encore that was appropriate for the occasion: “40.” It was the first time they’ve performed the tune during the residency and the first time they’ve played it since 2016.

While U2 is vacating the Sphere, other acts are already booked to take their place. Phish will play the venue from April 18-21, followed by Dead & Company, who’ll headline 18 shows from May 16 to June 22.

Don McLean dropping new album, ‘American Boys’, in May

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Don McClean is getting ready to share some new music. The “American Pie” singer will release his new studio album, American Boys, on May 17.

McClean has enlisted the a cappella group Home Free for two songs on the album, including the just released title track, which he describes as a “tribute to his rock and roll heroes.”

“This is an album of all new songs,” he shares. “The title track, ‘American Boys,’ which features the guys from Home Free, is a fun song about the boys who invented rock and roll. America invented this music. Only America invented this music.”

You can listen to “American Boys” now via digital outlets and on YouTube.

American Boys is available for preorder now. Here is the track list for the album:

“American Boys” (Feat. Home Free)
“Thunderstorm Girl”
“Stone Cold Gangster”
“Truth And Fame”
“The Gypsy Road”
“I Shall Find My Way”
“Mexicali Gal”
“Vacant Luxury”
“The Ballad Of George Floyd”
“The Meanest Girl”
“Marley’s Song (Save Yourself)”
“Resurrection Man”
“Gotta Make You Mine” (Bonus Track)

Roger Daltrey enjoys a specially brewed beer for 80th birthday

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Roger Daltrey turned 80 on Friday, March 1, and he celebrated with a nice cold beer. But it wasn’t just any old can of suds.

The Who frontman showed off his birthday beverage of choice on social media: Rogers Pale Ale, a beer specially brewed for him by Lakedown Brewing company that featured a classic photo of Roger on the can.

“What better way to mark your 80th birthday than having your own beer made by your family brewery!” read the post. “A very happy birthday Roger!”

Unfortunately, Who fans won’t be able to sample Roger’s birthday brew. It was made only for him and it’s not for sale.

Roger’s big day was also celebrated by plenty of fans who took to social media to wish the rocker a happy 80th. He also got a message from the cancer charity Teenage Cancer Trust.

Daltrey has curated the organization’s charity concerts for the past 24 years but is stepping down after this year’s shows, which are happening at the end of March.

“Happy 80th Birthday to our incredible Honorary Patron,” Teenage Cancer Trust wrote. “There’s not long to go until this year’s @RoyalAlbertHall shows, marking Roger’s final year as curator. So to celebrate his big day, here’s a throwback to Roger’s performance at the hall last year.” The post was accompanied by photos from last year’s concerts.

The Who will headline Teenage Cancer Trust shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 18 and 20. Daltrey’s time as curator will be celebrated at the same venue on March 24 with a special concert featuring guests Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones and Paul Weller.

Deep Purple drops new animated video for “Smoke On The Water”

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Deep Purple has shared a new video for their classic track “Smoke On The Water.”

The animated clip recounts recounts the story of the song’s origin. It was inspired by the events that surrounded the recording of Deep Purple’s 1972 album, Machine Head. In 1971 the band planned to record at Montreux Casino, but the venue caught fire during a concert by Frank Zappa when someone in the audience fired a flare gun.

The title of the song is a reference to smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva.

“It’s been an honor to put visuals to this song, undeniably one of the greatest rock tracks of all time. The fact that the song is itself a story meant we had no shortage of inspiration for the scenes that accompany the music,” co-directors Dan Gibling and Luke McDonnell share. “The writing of the album was an adventure summed up in the lyrics, and we hope we have created an accompanying adventure that existing and new fans will enjoy.”

The new clip is for a 2024 remix of the track that will be featured on the new Machine Head: Super Deluxe Edition, which will be released as a three-CD/LP/Blu-ray set on March 29. It features new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of the 1972 original album, courtesy of Dweezil Zappa. There’s also the 1974 quadrophonic mix, and a new 2024 remaster of the original album and two live concerts.

It is available for preorder now.

AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ inspires new book of mystery short stories

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

A new book of mystery stories inspired by the music of AC/DC is set for release this summer.

Black in Black, named after the band’s seventh studio album, is an anthology featuring 10 mysteries each named after a song on the album, one of which is a new Jack Reacher tale by Andrew Child.

Other authors contributing short stories to the anthology include Reed Farrel Coleman, Heather Graham, Tori Eldridge and Ward Larsen.

The book is the third installment in Blackstone Publishing’s Music and Murder Mystery Series. Previous books were inspired by the Eagles’ Hotel California and Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Back in Black: An Anthology of New Mystery Short Stories will be released July 16 and is available for preorder now.

“Totally unexpected”: Rod Stewart and Jools Holland celebrate #1 UK album ;Swing Fever’

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Twenty years ago, Rod Stewart topped the U.S. charts with Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III, a collection of standards. Now he’s topped the U.K. charts with another collection of standards — this time done in an upbeat, big-band style.

Swing Fever, Rod’s new album with Squeeze keyboardist-turned-bandleader Jools Holland, has hit #1 in their home country. Rod says in a video, “Are we happy about this, Jools? Totally unexpected.” Holland adds, “I’m so happy, this has never happened to me before. I’m absolutely delighted, thank you so much.”

Rod wrote on Instagram, “What a beautiful day 1st of March and number 1 in the charts. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone involved in the success of Swing Fever and the immense effort you’ve all achieved for a couple of old timers.”

While this is Rod’s 11th #1 LP in the U.K. — and his first in four years — it’s Holland’s first one. “It means more to me than anything I’ve ever had,” Holland tells the BBC. “I think the last big-band record that was number one was probably in 1946.” The highest he’d gotten previously was #3, with a Squeeze best-of album.

Rod tells the BBC he still remembers the moment he heard he’d gotten his first #1 album, 1971’s Every Picture Tells a Story. “I was driving along in my nice Bentley … it came on the radio in the afternoon that the album was number one and also number one in America,” he recalls.

“I drove around and went all the way back to my mum and dad’s house, gave them a big hug and we all had a cry together. So I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Keith Richards releases cover of “I’m Waiting for the Man” in honor of Lou Reed’s birthday

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Keith Richards is paying tribute to the late Lou Reed on what would have been the rocker’s 82nd birthday.

The Rolling Stones guitarist has just shared a cover of “I’m Waiting for the Man,” a track he recorded for the upcoming compilation The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed. It will be available on vinyl exclusively at independent retailers for Record Store Day on April 20, with the CD and digital release happening the same day.

“To me, Lou stood out,” Richards shared. “The real deal! Something important to American music and to ALL MUSIC! I miss him and his dog.”

You can listen to “I’m Waiting for the Man” now via digital outlets and watch the video on YouTube.

In addition to Richards, The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed features covers by such artists as Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Rickie Lee Jones, Rufus Wainwright, Lucinda Williams and Rosanne Cash.

“I’m Waiting for the Man,” written by Reed, was released by his band Velvet Underground in 1967. It appeared on their debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Here is the track list for The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed:

“I’m Waiting for the Man” – Keith Richards
“I Can’t Stand It” – Maxim Ludwig & Angel Olsen
“Perfect Day” – Rufus Wainwright
“I’m So Free” – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
“Sally Can’t Dance” – Bobby Rush
“Walk on the Wild Side” – Rickie Lee Jones
“I Love You, Suzanne” – The Afghan Whigs
“Coney Island Baby” – Mary Gauthier
“Legendary Hearts” – Lucinda Williams
“New Sensations” – Automatic
“Magician” – Rosanne Cash
“The Power of the Heart” – Brogan Bentley

Def Leppard releases first track from 40th anniversary deluxe edition of ‘Pyromania’

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Def Leppard is sharing a previously unreleased demo from their classic album Pyromania.

The band has just released “Photograph – Rough Mix Version (Unfinished Vocal),” which will appear on the upcoming 40th anniversary deluxe edition of Pyromania. The track doesn’t sound too far off from the original, although it is missing some production and the background vocals during the chorus.

“Photograph” was the lead single off Pyromania and peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 40th anniversary edition of Pyromania will be released as a four-CD + Blu-Ray box set featuring the original album, a full disc of unheard demos, two live concerts and more. It will also be released digitally, as a one-LP half-speed master, and on two-LP black vinyl and two-LP colored vinyl.

All formats are available for preorder now.

Def Leppard will be spending their summer performing “Photograph” and more when they hit the road with Journey for a stadium tour. The trek, featuring special guests Steve Miller Band, Heart and Cheap Trick, kicks off July 6 in St. Louis, Missouri. A complete list of dates can be found at defleppard.com.

The Kinks’ Dave Davies continues to shoot down “You Really Got Me” rumors

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Kinks’ Dave Davies continues to set the record straight regarding rumors Jimmy Page played guitar on the band’s classic tune “You Really Got Me.”

As previously reported, Dave recently took issue with a Guitar World article that suggested producer Eddie Kramer had confirmed a long-held rumor that Jimmy played on the song, not Dave. That prompted a strong denial from Dave, who noted on social media that he had spoken to Kramer, who denied he made the comments.

Well, Guitar World later posted the audio of the Kramer interview, which seemed to back their story. The post did note, “As per our story, we at no point suggest Page’s contributions appear on the final version of You Really Got Me we all know and love.” Dave thanked them for the clarification.

But Dave also shared a message Kramer sent to him in which he confirmed that he remembered Dave’s guitar sound on the song, noting, “As for Jimmy playing on your session, that’s not clear in my memory.”

And Dave also shared a statement from his brother and Kinks bandmate Ray Davies, who backs him up. He wrote, “The rumor is untrue. I was standing in the room next to Dave when YRGM was recorded and J Page was nowhere to be seen.”

Rumors that Page appeared on the song have been circulating for years, but both Dave and Page have denied them.

“You Really Got Me” hit #1 in the U.K. and was the band’s breakthrough hit in the U.S., peaking at #7 on the chart. It was covered by Van Halen on their 1978 self-titled debut.

‘Best of Bruce Springsteen’ compilation coming in April

March 1, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen is looking back at his 50-year career with a new compilation album.

Best of Bruce Springsteen, dropping April 9, will feature a collection of The Boss’ hits, early career favorites, live staples and more, marking the first time his career-spanning works have been together in one set.

The release features 18 tracks, including such classics as “Born To Run,” “Hungry Heart,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Thunder Road,” “Growin’ Up” and “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” along with newer tunes like “Hello Sunshine” and “Letter To You.”

Best of Bruce Springsteen, available for preorder now, will be released as a single CD or two-LP set, with a colored vinyl set sold exclusively through Amazon. The digital release will be expanded to 31 songs, with additions like “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,” “Badlands,” “The River” and “Glory Days.”

The release will come just weeks after Springsteen and the E Street Band return to the road. The latest leg of their tour is set to kick off March 19 in Phoenix, Arizona. A complete list of dates can be found at brucespringsteen.net.

Here is the track list for Best of Bruce Springsteen:

“Growin’ Up”
“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”
“Born To Run”
“Thunder Road”
“Badlands”
“Hungry Heart”
“Atlantic City”
“Dancing in the Dark”
“Born in the U.S.A”
“Brilliant Disguise”
“Human Touch”
“Streets of Philadelphia”
“The Ghost of Tom Joad”
“Secret Garden”
“The Rising”
“Girls In Their Summer Clothes”
“Hello Sunshine”
“Letter To You”

+ More