Paramount+ announces Lollapalooza docuseries

Paramount+ announces Lollapalooza docuseries
Erika Goldring/WireImage

A new docuseries about Lollapalooza is set to debut on Paramount+.

The show, titled Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza, will “chronicle the wild, exciting and strangely symbiotic 30+ year relationship between the iconic festival and its founder, music legend Perry Farrell, and the evolution of the now global cultural phenomenon that transcends generations of music fans and artists of all genres,” a press release says.

A premiere date for Lolla has yet to be announced.

Lollapalooza was first founded by Farrell in 1991. It was eventually retooled as a destination festival held in Chicago’s Grant Park and has since expanded internationally to South America, Europe and Asia.

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On This Day – February 1, 1972: Neil Young releases his fourth studio album, ‘Harvest’

On This Day – February 1, 1972: Neil Young releases his fourth studio album, ‘Harvest’

On this day: February 1, 1972

Neil Young released his fourth studio album, Harvest, which went on to be a classic and signature album for him. The record peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart and became the bestselling album of 1972.

Harvest featured two classic Young songs, “Heart of Gold,” which went to number one on the Hot 100, and “Old Man,” which landed in the Top 40. Other songs on the album include “The Needle and the Damage Done” and “A Man Needs a Maid.” 

The album featured special appearances by London Symphony Orchestra, as well as background vocals from guests like David Crosby, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills and James Taylor.

In December 2022, Young released a 50th anniversary edition of Harvest that included, among other things, a previously unseen two-hour documentary filmed in 1971 that focuses on the making of the album.

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50th anniversary edition of Elton John’s ‘Honky Château’ coming March 24

50th anniversary edition of Elton John’s ‘Honky Château’ coming March 24
UMe

Elton John‘s 1972 album Honky Château celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, but we’re getting the 50th anniversary edition of the album this year.

Due out March 24, the package is available to preorder now as a two-CD or two-LP set. Additionally, the original album pressed on limited edition gold vinyl is available.

The CD version includes the original album, plus outtakes from the original session tapes, and eight live recordings from a show Elton and the band did at London’s Royal Festival Hall. It also comes with a 40-page booklet of photos and interviews with those who were there at the time.

The two-LP set includes the album, outtakes, and an eight-page booklet of photos and interviews.

Honky Château was the first of Elton’s six consecutive Billboard number-one albums. Elton, Bernie Taupin and the band decamped to a residential recording studio in France called Château d’Hérouville to make the album, hence the album’s title.

At night, Taupin wrote lyrics and left them on Elton’s piano for him to work on in the morning. In a statement, Elton recalls, “The first morning we were there, I had three (songs) done by the time the band drifted downstairs looking for something to eat,” including “Rocket Man.”

You can get a preview of the album Wednesday with the release of two of its tracks: a session demo of the fan-favorite deep cut “Mellow” and the Royal Festival Hall live version of “Rocket Man.” Other notable tracks on the album include “Honky Cat” and “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters.” 

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Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil calls Rock Hall nomination “pleasant surprise”

Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil calls Rock Hall nomination “pleasant surprise”
Courtesy Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil has shared his reaction to the band’s nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, telling Billboard that the nod is very cool and a “pleasant surprise.”

The nomination is the second for the “Black Hole Sun” rockers, who were previously on the ballot in 2020.

“What was cool about [2020] was just the recognition of the acknowledgement,” Thayil says. “If you’re involved with your bandmates and fellow musicians in your peer group, you can sometimes get isolated from the general historical context of how the band has evolved and became part of the broader community of music and musicians.”

The guitarist adds, “I think that acknowledgement and that recognition was a reminder that, hey, the work that you did with your partners was part of a continuity and a history of music. That’s kind of cool.”

Though the nomination comes after the 2017 death of frontman Chris Cornell, the vocalist experienced what the Rock Hall meant for a band when he inducted Heart in 2013.

“[Cornell] lived the experience and said the enthusiasm of the fans was eye-opening for him, and understanding how important that was,” Thayil says.

“We always wanted to be the kind of band for our fans that we looked up to and inspired us,” he continues. “We wanted to be that kind of band [that] would make decisions with regard to that community that had supported us or that we had worked to build, and I think we did a great job of that.”

If Soundgarden is chosen for induction, it’ll be the second time drummer Matt Cameron is enshrined in the Rock Hall, following his entry in 2017 with Pearl Jam.

The Rock Hall inductees will be announced in May.

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‘The Police Greatest Hits’ to be reissued on double-LP vinyl

‘The Police Greatest Hits’ to be reissued on double-LP vinyl
A&M

When The Police released their Greatest Hits album in 1992, only a limited run of vinyl copies were made available to fans. Well, now fans and vinyl collectors have a second shot at getting their hands on one.

On March 24, The Police Greatest Hits, described as “a perfect introduction to the Police for new admirers,” will get a special double-LP reissue on 180g heavyweight black vinyl. The new release was remastered at Abbey Road Studios.

The set features 16 classic Police tunes, including their number one single “Every Breath You Take,” along with hits like “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “Message In a Bottle” and “Don’t Stand So Close To Me.”

The album is available for preorder now.

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Mama, I’m staying home: Ozzy Osbourne cancels shows, announces retirement from touring

Mama, I’m staying home: Ozzy Osbourne cancels shows, announces retirement from touring
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne has announced that his touring days are officially over.

In a message he called “probably one of the hardest things” he’s ever shared with his “loyal fans,” the 74-year-old Prince of Darkness explained health reasons were behind the difficult decision.

“As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine,” Ozzy explained. “My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.”

Osbourne continued, “I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.”

Ozzy continued, “Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME UP, more than you will ever know. Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”

The former Black Sabbath frontman left the door open for other options that could allow him to “perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.”

He concluded the message by saying, “I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have. I love you all.”

Ticket refunds are now available at point of purchase, the message noted.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mama, I’m staying home: Ozzy Osborne cancels shows, announces retirement from touring

Mama, I’m staying home: Ozzy Osbourne cancels shows, announces retirement from touring
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne has announced that his touring days are officially over.

In a message he called “probably one of the hardest things” he’s ever shared with his “loyal fans,” the 75-year-old Prince of Darkness explained health reasons were behind the difficult decision.

“As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine,” Ozzy explained. “My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.”

Osbourne continued, “I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.”

Ozzy continued, “Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME UP, more than you will ever know. Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”

The former Black Sabbath frontman left the door open for other options that could allow him to “perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.”

He concluded the message by saying, “I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have. I love you all.”

Ticket refunds are now available at point of purchase, the message noted.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Soundgarden, Rage, The White Stripes, Iron Maiden, Kate Bush among 2023 Rock Hall nominees

Soundgarden, Rage, The White Stripes, Iron Maiden, Kate Bush among 2023 Rock Hall nominees
Courtesy Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, The White Stripes, Iron Maiden and Kate Bush are among the nominees to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

The other nominees include Joy Division and New Order, Sheryl Crow, Warren Zevon, Missy Elliott, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Willie Nelson, The Spinners and A Tribe Called Quest.

The White Stripes, Sheryl Crow, Warren Zevon, Missy Elliott, Joy Division and New Order, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael and Willie Nelson are on the ballot for the fist time. The White Stripes and Missy Elliott are being inducted in their first year of eligibility, which comes 25 years after an artist’s “first commercial recording.”

“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” says John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

The inductees will be announced in May, and will be chosen by over 1,000 ballots submitted by artists and other music industry professionals. You can take part in a “fans’ ballot,” which will be submitted as one entry featuring the five artists receiving the most votes. Voting is open now through April 28.

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place this fall. For more info, visit RockHall.com.

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Primus’ Les Claypool brings back Fearless Flying Frog Brigade band to play Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ on tour

Primus’ Les Claypool brings back Fearless Flying Frog Brigade band to play Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ on tour
Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images

Les Claypool is bringing back the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.

The Primus frontman’s side band, which has been on hiatus for the last 20 years, will return this spring and summer for a U.S. tour, running from May 17 in Stateline, Nevada, to July 15 in Phoenix.

“In an age of calibrated chaos, moral constipation, and conspiranoia, it is reassuring to know that certain frogs can and do fly,” Claypool says.

The shows will feature a performance of Pink Floyd‘s 1977 album Animals in full. Select dates will be co-headlined by Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew‘s Remain in Light Talking Heads celebration tour.

Originally formed in 2000 when Primus was on hiatus, Fearless Flying Frog Brigade consists of Claypool and a rotating cast of backing musicians. For the upcoming tour, that includes Sean Lennon, son of Beatles legend John, on guitar.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit LesClaypool.com.

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Jon Bon Jovi teases 40th anniversary celebration as he thanks fans for YouTube milestone

Jon Bon Jovi teases 40th anniversary celebration as he thanks fans for YouTube milestone
Mercury/UMG

Jon Bon Jovi is thanking fans for their continued support following the news that Bon Jovi’s video for “Livin’ on a Prayer” has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube.

“Just callin’ out to say thank you to everybody on YouTube for our 1 billionth view of the ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ video,” he shared in a video message on Instagram. “Guess you liked it. We liked it, too. Thank you everybody for continuing to support Bon Jovi for 40 years.”

He then teased fans with what’s in store for the coming year, saying there are “lots of big things in the works for our 40th anniversary, so get ready for that.”

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