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.

Grateful Dead & Bonnie Raitt among the 47th annual Kennedy Center Honors recipients

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Grateful Dead and Bonnie Raitt are among the artists who’ll be celebrated at the 47th edition of the Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing their lifetime artistic achievement.

This year’s other honorees include director Francis Ford Coppola and jazz musician Arturo Sandoval, as well as the iconic Harlem venue The Apollo, which will receive a special Honors recognition as an American institution.

“Our Honorees this year have each played an invaluable, pioneering role in developing American culture—not with one act of art but with their decades-long devotion to pushing creative boundaries,” Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter shares.

“It goes without saying that the Kennedy Center Honors represents the highest of reaches for artistic achievement,” Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bobby Weir said in a statement. “The Grateful Dead has always been about community, creativity, and exploration in music and presentation … it also must be said that our music belongs as much to our fans, the Dead Heads, as it does to us. This honor, then, is as much theirs as ours.”

Raitt shared that she was “deeply honored and thrilled to have been chosen” as one of this year’s honorees, noting, “There is no higher level of esteem nor as delightful a celebration and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who have chosen me to receive this honor.”

She added, “I look forward to the upcoming ceremony and festivities, which I know will be one of my life’s peak experiences.”

The Kennedy Center Honors will be handed out on Dec. 8, ahead of a CBS broadcast of the event on Dec. 23.

Lenny Kravitz teases video for latest single, “Paralyzed”

July 18, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Lenny Kravitz is teasing his next music video.

The rocker shared a snippet of the video for the Blue Electric Light track “Paralyzed,” with images of three hooded figures walking toward the camera, which then cuts to an image of Kravitz from behind, bathed in light with his guitar strapped to his back and his hands reaching above him.

The video for “Paralyzed,” the third single from Blue Electric Light following “TK421” and “Human,” is set to drop July 24 at 12 p.m. ET, with what Kravitz is calling an “exclusive After Party” to follow for YouTube Premium subscribers.

Blue Electric Light, Lenny’s first new album since 2018’s Raise Vibration, was released in May.

Kravitz is currently on tour in Europe, where over the weekend he interrupted a show to take a call from his “brother” actor Denzel Washington. His next show is happening in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Sunday.

He brings his show to the U.S. for a five-night stand at Dolby Live in Las Vegas starting Oct. 18. A complete list of dates can be found at lennykravitz.com.

Yes’ Steve Howe announces new instrumental album, ‘Guitarscape’

July 17, 2024 by Classic Rock 93.9

Yes guitarist Steve Howe is set to release a brand new solo album, Guitarscape, on Sept. 27.

The album features 14 new instrumental tracks, all written and produced by Howe. The rocker plays acoustic, electric, steel and bass guitars on the album, along with keyboards, and is backed by his son Dylan on drums.

“This album has given me the opportunity to do something different,” Howe shares. “I’ve utilized most of the colors, as I like to I think of my styles, and I’m always pleased when I hear them running through and it moves from a steel, maybe, to a Spanish guitar.”

He adds, “Because it’s a different sort of album, I’m not using terribly conventional chord sequences but things that give me a fresh feeling and opportunities to improvise and stretch out as well as be melodic and make this a nice tuneful experience.”

Guitarscape, Howe’s first album since 2020’s Love Is, will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally, including in Dolby Atmos. It is available for preorder now.

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