The Kinks’ Dave Davies responds to Moby calling ‘Lola’ ‘gross and transphobic’

March 23, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Kinks’ Dave Davies has responded to criticism dished out by musician Moby over their classic tune “Lola.”

In an interview with The Guardian, Moby revealed that the iconic tune was a song he could no longer listen to, noting, “’Lola’ by the Kinks came up on a Spotify playlist, and I thought the lyrics were gross and transphobic.”

He added, “I like their early music, but I was really taken aback at how unevolved the lyrics are.”

But Dave Davies took to social media to argue that the song isn’t transphobic at all.

“I don’t wanna show the guy up, but Moby should be careful what he says. the cockettes And their friends used to follow us around on tour,” he wrote on X, referring to the ’70s psychedelic hippie theater group formed in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. “We appreciated them.”

He added, “Why is Moby being so rude about this simple song? We’re not trans phobic. Why does he have to have a go at us?”

Dave Davies also posted a letter sent to him and brother Ray Davies, who wrote the song, from “trans icon” Jayne County on how meaningful the song “Lola” is to her. Dave Davies noted in the caption, “I am highly insulted that MOBY would accuse my brother of being ‘unevolved’ or transphobic in any way.”

“Lola,” released in June 1970, tells the story of a man’s encounter with a trans woman or cross-dresser. According to the lyrics, Lola “walked like a woman but talked like a man.” The song was a top-10 hit for the band.

On This Day, March 23, 1983: ZZ Top releases their eighth studio album, ‘Eliminator’

March 23, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, March 23, 1983…

ZZ Top released their eighth studio album, Eliminator, which went on to be the band’s most commercially successful album, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Album chart.

The album, which used more synthesizers and drum machines than previous ZZ Top records, featured four hit singles: “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharped Dressed Man” and “TV Dinners.”

The success those songs — and the album — were helped by their popular accompanying music videos. They were in regular rotation on MTV, helping to attract a younger fan base.

Eliminator was the first of the band’s albums to become a worldwide success and went on to sell over 11 million copies in the U.S. It has been certified Diamond by the RIAA.

Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ highlights ACLU birthright citizenship ad

March 23, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Springsteen is joining the American Civil Liberties Union’s fight against Donald Trump’s attempt to do away with birthright citizenship.

The rocker has lent his iconic tune “Born in the U.S.A.” to a new 30-second ad that debuted ahead of Supreme Court hearing arguments in a case challenging Trump’s executive order attempting to alter the 14th Amendment, which grants anyone born in the U.S. to citizenship.

“We’re reminding President Trump what it means to be born in the U.S.A.,” reads the ad’s description. “We’re honored that the one and only Bruce Springsteen trusted us with use of his iconic anthem ahead of our landmark Supreme Court case Trump v. Barbara, where we’re challenging President Trump’s attempt to overturn birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment speaks for itself.”

“Born in the U.S.A.” is the perfect song to capture what’s at stake in this Supreme Court case and how birthright citizenship is integral to America,” Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, tells Rolling Stone. “It’s a song that tells the story of a Vietnam veteran returning home to an America he knew was neglecting its people. The song calls on our nation to live up to its ideals.”

He adds, “Decades later, the song still reflects the struggle to hold onto the things that make us proud to be Americans today,” noting, “Even if you put the lyrics aside, the song basically makes you feel good. It makes you feel proud. It makes you feel bold. And that’s what our ad campaign captures.”

“Birthright citizenship is what makes America great, and we ought to be proud to defend it,” he continues. “It’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in fighting for a nation that follows our democratic principles.”

Chris Robinson picks The Black Crowes song that will stand the test of time

March 23, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Black Crowes have released a lot of music over their almost 40-year career, but frontman Chris Robinson believes their iconic ballad “She Talks To Angels” is the one song of theirs that will stand the test of time.

In a new interview with New York Magazine’s Vulture column, Robinson says one reason is because “[t]hat’s the song really in people’s imagination,” adding it’s a “very inviting song.”

“I wrote that song from a dark romantic perspective as a kid who was yet to really be in the world that much,” he says, adding that when he wrote it he hadn’t yet experienced some of themes the song deals with, like addiction.

“The reason I say that song might resonate longer than any other is because I meet people all the time who say ‘She Talks to Angels’ means so much to them — whether they knew someone like that or have been through something similar personally,” Robinson says. “People share their stories with me about the song a lot, and I always find it to be really poignant and touching.”

“If you’re a songwriter, that’s what you’re shooting for, that soulful connection. It has to exist on some other levels besides just having a nice melody,” he adds. “I mean, when we play the song, we’ll still see people crying. To me, that’s what the song is for.”

“She Talks To Angels” appears on The Black Crowes’ debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, which was released in 1990.

The Black Crowes just released their 10th studio album, A Pound of Feathers. They launch a U.S. tour May 17 in Austin, Texas. A complete list of dates can be found at TheBlackCrowes.com.

Mike Mills praises Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s R.E.M. tours

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Actor Michael Shannon and his musical partner Jason Narducy have been touring in celebration of the music of R.E.M. since 2023, and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills says the shows have given him some insight into his own band.

“One of the ironies about being in R.E.M. is that I could never see my band play. I could never truly know the effect our music had on our fans, or what it might have felt like to see us at any point in our musical journey, especially the early days,” he writes on Instagram, noting that he “was able to get an idea of what it might have been like to see R.E.M. perform” thanks the pair and their band.

He adds, “This band not only reinforced what I thought we sounded like, but gave me an idea of the power, and the joy, of an R.E.M. show.”

Mills notes that Shannon and Narducy aren’t “imitators” or “copycats,” but “seriously talented musicians, and a real band who loves our music as much as we do, and that love shows in their performance.”

Mills has joined them on stage during their tours, and he says getting to play with them “was more fun than I’ve had doing almost anything in quite a while.”

Finally, Mills adds, “Thank you, guys, for being so much more than a mirror, for being a great band, and for keeping the joy of our music alive for us, and for our fans.”

Shannon and Narducy’s most recent R.E.M. tour was in celebration of the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s fourth studio album, Lifes Rich Pageant. They will kick off another leg of the tour in September.

Ronnie Wood debuts two new Rolling Stones inspired art pieces

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ronnie Wood is not just a rock ‘n’ roll star. He’s also known for his art, and he just debuted two new pieces of Rolling Stones-inspired artwork.

The first piece, Philadelphia 1981 III, is a painting of Wood and guitarist Keith Richards at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium during The Stones’ Tattoo You American Tour. The second, Sympathy for the Devi, is an action shot of frontman Mick Jagger from the Voodoo Lounge tour, with Jagger wearing a feathered top hat and sunglasses.

Both prints, signed by Wood, come unframed and are available for preorder now, with shipping to start March 26. They are both limited to just under 300 copies each.

More info on these prints, and other pieces of Ronnie Wood art, can be found at RonnieWood.com.

While there’s been no word on whether The Rolling Stones have any plans to tour anytime soon, Wood is planning to take the stage in 2026. He recently announced two shows with his band at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, Sept. 7 and 8.

He is also playing Burg Clam castle in Sperken, Austria, with Van Morrison, on July 16, and the Lucca Summer Festival in Tuscany, Italy, on July 17.

Def Leppard jumps on ‘what were you like’ viral trend

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Def Leppard has joined in on the viral “what were you like in the ‘90s” trend, but with a twist.

The trend has celebrities and social media users posting a current video of themselves, and then following it up with photos and video of them in the ’90s, with many of the clips set to the Goo Goo Dolls’ hit “Iris.”

Well, Def Leppard is throwing it back to a different decade, posting a video that starts out with current clips of band members Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rick Savage and Rick Allen, and the question, “What were you guys like in the 80s?” The newer videos are followed by several throwback photos of the band in the ’80s, with the clip soundtracked to “Photograph,” their #1 hit from 1983.

They captioned the post, “All I’ve got is a photograph #defleppard #80s.”

It’s important to note that guitarist Vivian Campbell isn’t featured in the clip, because he didn’t join Def Leppard until 1992.

Def Leppard recently wrapped a Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. They are set to launch a tour of India on Wednesday, with a European tour to follow. A complete list of dates can be found at DefLeppard.com.

Watch the first trailer for John Lennon and Yoko Ono concert film ‘Power to the People’

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The first trailer has been released for 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.

The film captures John and Yoko’s historic August 1972 concerts at Madison Square Garden, which were Lennon’s only full-length performances after The Beatles’ 1970 breakup.

The trailer opens with a voice-over of John and Yoko introducing the concerts, followed by clips of performances of “Come Together,” “Imagine” and “Instant Karma,” “Give Peace A Chance” and more.

The footage of the concerts has been restored, re-edited and remixed by a team led by the couple’s son, Sean Ono Lennon. Highlights from the concerts previously appeared in the documentary One to One: John and Yoko, directed by filmmaker Kevin Macdonald.

Power to the People will screen in theaters nationwide on April 29 and May 3. Tickets are on sale now.

Aerosmith mark ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ release with new ‘Dream On’ lyric video

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

Aerosmith’s new box set, Aerosmith (Legendary Edition), celebrating their self-titled debut album, is out now. To mark the occasion, the Boston rockers have dropped a new lyric video for their iconic tune “Dream On.”

The trippy video features archival images and footage from the band’s early days.

Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) comes in variety of formats, including a limited-edition five-LP collector’s set. This edition includes the original album remastered on clear vinyl, along with a 2024 Album Mix on translucent red vinyl.

The set features a 1973 live performance at the Boston venue Paul’s Mall on black vinyl, as well as previously unreleased studio tracks, also on black vinyl. Additionally, it includes a UV cloud-effect 12-inch vinyl, featuring both the 2024 remaster and 2024 mix of the band’s iconic single “Dream On.”

It even comes with a hardcover book featuring never-before-seen photos, plus liner notes with new interviews with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer.

Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) is also available digitally, as four-LP and three-CD sets, as well as a single LP (in both black and translucent red vinyl) and a single CD.

Released in January 1973, Aerosmith was not an immediate hit for the band but eventually peaked at #21 in 1976. Aerosmith’s now-signature tune “Dream On” is one of the tracks on the record, though it wasn’t a hit when it came out. It reached the top 10 when it was rereleased in December 1975.

Posters signed by Roger Daltrey, Jimmy Page & more to benefit Teenage Cancer Trust

March 20, 2026 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Who has revealed a new set of special autographed posters to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The posters all celebrate the annual Teenage Cancer Trust shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, with the latest batch of limited-edition prints signed by The Who’s Roger Daltrey, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page and more.

The black-and-white signed Daltrey poster is from The Who’s 2017 performance of Tommy, with the artwork designed by Josh Townshend, nephew of Pete Townshend. Page’s poster is from his February 2002 Royal Albert Hall appearance, where he played “Dazed and Confused” with Paul Weller.

He says of his poster, “I was totally dazzled by the artwork that had been created by illustrator Matt Glasby. I enthusiastically completed the signing for such a worthy and well-respected cause.”

Proceeds from the sale of the posters go directly to Teenage Cancer Trust, which helps young people in the U.K. battling cancer. The posters are currently available at shop.teenagecancertrust.org.

The annual Teenage Cancer Trust shows at Royal Albert Hall take place March 23-29. While Daltrey, a patron of the charity, curated the shows for 24 years, he retired from the gig in 2024. This year’s performances were curated by The Cure’s Robert Smith and feature Garbage, My Bloody Valentine and Wolf Alice.

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