Classic Rock News – Page 495 – Classic Rock 93.9

David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’ turns 40

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

April 14 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of David Bowie’s hit album Let’s Dance, which was his first album after leaving RCA Records. Co-produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic, the album was recorded at the Power Station in New York City and featured a then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar.

“David opened a door for me that never closed, and for that I am grateful,” Rodgers told Variety in 2018 about working with the rock star.

The album went on to be a huge commercial success for Bowie, spending three weeks on top the U.K. album chart and peaking at four on the U.S. chart. Its success was aided by three hit singles: the album’s title track, which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100; “China Girl,” which peaked at 10; and “Modern Love,” which landed at 14. All were accompanied by stylish music videos that got continuous play on MTV.

Bowie supported the album with the Serious Moonlight tour, which was his first trek in five years. Lasting from May to December, the tour became the biggest tour of 1983.

Let’s Dance went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide to become Bowie’s bestselling album. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA and was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year, but lost to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Green Day shares never-before-seen 1990 live video

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Green Day has unearthed a never-before-seen live video from 1990.

The performance was recorded weeks before the punk trio released their debut album, 39/Smooth, which celebrated its 33rd anniversary this week.

You can watch the video now via Green Day’s Instagram.

In other archival Green Day happenings, Billie Joe Armstrong and company put out a 25th anniversary reissue of their 1997 album, Nimrod, earlier this year. The expanded set includes a variety of bonus live tracks and demo recordings, as well as a cover of Elvis Costello‘s “Alison.”

Meanwhile, Green Day confirmed last year that they’ve been working on a new album to follow their latest effort, 2020’s Father of All…

Ted Nugent saying “adios” to the road with one final tour

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ted Nugent is hitting the road one last time. The singer announced on social media that he’s heading out on what he calls the Adios Mofo ’23 Tour, which he says will be his last trek ever.

“This is ‘Adios Mofo.’ This is my last tour,” he says in a new video. “Now, I’ll always play music. I’ve got new records I’m gonna make. I can’t wait to unleash some of these new songs.”

He thanked all his fans for their support and insists his “musical dream will continue,” but says he will no longer tour because “a hotel room is a jail for me.” He also says his dogs won’t let him be away for even a day, noting, “the logistics are just too complicated when you have dogs and grandkids and kids and so many other things.”

Nugent adds, “This will be the greatest, most intense, tightest, most dynamic, outrageously fun tour of my life. But ‘Adios Mofo.'”

The tour is set to kick off July 20 in Shipshewana, Indiana, and wrap August 11 in Detroit, Michigan. A complete list of dates can be found at tednugent.com.

Ex-Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley undergoes quadruple bypass surgery

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley has undergone quadruple bypass heart surgery.

In a statement posted to Bayley’s Instagram, the musician’s management writes, “Blaze is out of surgery & we understand the operation has gone well.”

“More news as & when,” the post continues. “THANK YOU EVERYONE!”

As previously reported, Bayley, 59, was hospitalized in late March after suffering a heart attack. At the time, Bayley’s management shared that he was in “stable condition,” though, understandably, his upcoming tour dates would be postponed.

Upon the news, the Iron Maiden Twitter account posted, “Everyone at Iron Maiden wishes Blaze a quick and full recovery!”

Bayley joined Iron Maiden in 1994, and contributed to the albums The X Factor and Virtual XI. He parted ways with the group in 1999, after which longtime vocalist Bruce Dickinson rejoined the band. Dickinson has remained Maiden’s singer ever since.

Metallica premieres video for ’72 Seasons’ song “Sleepwalk My Life Away”

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica Day continues with the premiere of the video for “Sleepwalk My Life Away,” a track off the band’s just-released new album, 72 Seasons.

The clip finds the “Enter Sandman” metallers rocking out in a dark, mountainous landscape as the sun sets behind them. You can watch it now streaming on YouTube.

72 Seasons, the 11th Metallica album and the long-awaited follow-up to 2016’s Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, is out now. It also includes the lead single “Lux Æterna.”

Metallica will hit the road on a world tour in support of 72 Seasons starting later this month in Europe. The trek will come to the U.S. in August.

The Eagles’ Joe Walsh named to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

President Joe Biden has named The Eagles’ Joe Walsh to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

The committee was founded in 1982 to advise the president on enhancing federal support for the arts, humanities, and museum and library services, which it deems relevant to the country’s “health, economy, equity, and civic life.”

“For more than 50 years, I’ve been blessed with opportunities to share my music with my fellow Americans and with the world,” Walsh shares on social media. “I’ve been humbled by participating in the creation of sacred spaces where those who disagree can come together, if only maybe for just a few minutes at a time, sing along in a shared experience and celebrate the things that make us all unique, American and uniquely American.”

He continues, “I love American Rock and Roll. I love my job. I love my country. If there’s anything I can do to assist in the guidance of future generations of Americans in finding their voices, sign me up, Mr. President.”

He added, “I graciously accept your invitation to serve on @PCAHgov and will do so with pride and with honor.”

In addition to Walsh, other newly appointed members to the committee include George Clooney, Jennifer Garner, Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington and Grammy winner Jon Batiste, with Lady Gaga and Oscar-winning TV and movie producer Bruce Cohen named as the committee’s co-chairs.

On This Day, April 14, 2009: George Harrison gets a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, April 14, 2009…

Beatle George Harrison, who passed away in November, 2001, was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

The ceremony was attended by Harrison’s widow Olivia and son Dhani, along with the late rock star’s famous friends, including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, Eric Idle, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and more.

The star, at 1750 Vine Street, was the 2,382nd star on the Walk of Fame.

Graham Nash reveals his “emotional feelings” toward Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in song

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Graham Nash is set to release his new album, Now, on May 19, and it features a song he wrote about his band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

In the tune “I Watched It All Come Down,” he sings about “the rock and roll parade,” and watching it both fall and grow. He tells Variety he’s singing about his “emotional feelings” about his band.

“I reached incredible heights musically with them, and the opposite has been true with them, too – saddened that we didn’t make more music,” he explains. “We do, though, know that the music we did make is the most important part of our relationship.”

He adds, “So this is about the thrill of having made music with David, Stephen and Neil. I wish it could have continued.”

Nash also talks about Crosby, and how they had rekindled their friendship before his death in January and had a FaceTime call planned for the day he passed away. “I’d like to only think of the good times, now,” Nash says of his friend. “I’ll remember the great music that we made, the fun times that we had.”

He also shared a sweet story that showed the goodness of Crosby, noting that once while they were on a hike with their tour manager, the manager shattered his kneecap and Crosby carried him a mile to find help. Nash notes, “I always thought that such a moment showed off what a big heart that David had.”

Metallica concludes ‘Kimmel’ residency with “If Darkness Had a Son”; ’72 Seasons’ out now

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallica‘s four-night residency on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! came to a close Thursday with a performance of “If Darkness Had a Son,” a track off the band’s brand-new album, 72 Seasons.

The residency launched Monday with a rendition of the lead 72 Seasons single “Lux Æterna.” Throughout the week, Metallica also played the Black Album tune “Holier than Thou” and the Stranger Things-boosted classic “Master of Puppets.” The metal legends also took part in a comedy skit in which they learned puppetry.

Metallica played the residency in honor of 72 Seasons‘ arrival, which finally came Friday. 72 Seasons is the 11th Metallica album and the long-awaited follow-up to 2016’s Hardwired…to Self-Destruct.

Metallica will hit the road on a world tour in support of 72 Seasons starting later this month in Europe. The trek will come to the U.S. in August.

‘Queen The Greatest Live’ – episode 13: stage wear

April 14, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Queen is back with episode 13 of their year-long YouTube series Queen The Greatest Live, this time taking a look at the band’s iconic stage wear.

Not surprisingly, Brian May and Roger Taylor share that it was frontman Freddie Mercury who had the biggest impact on what the band looked like on stage.

“The clothes are part of it, and no one was more aware of that than Freddie,” May shares. “Freddie really pioneered a lot of stuff…And what we tried to do was, I guess, call on the traditions of opera and other art forms and make the costumes speak for us, make them part of the storytelling.”

Roger adds, “For Freddie it was an aspect of the live show that he reveled in, and he particularly enjoyed surprising his fellow band members, as much as he did the fans.” He notes, “You know, we could have gone ‘don’t be so ridiculous,’ but because it was Fred, it was ‘yeah, come on. That’s brilliant.’ You know, why not?”

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