The Rolling Stones announce new KidSuper ‘Hackney Diamonds’ collaboration

October 13, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones have teamed with the creative collection KidSuper for a new merch line coinciding with the release of their new album, Hackney Diamonds.

The limited-edition Rolling Stones x KidSuper collection, produced in partnership with merch company Bravado, includes a CD and cassette of Hackney Diamonds with the Rolling Stones’ lips logo reimagined in two different ways. Other merch offerings include tees, hooded sweatshirts, hats and mugs.

“I’ve been a fan of The Rolling Stones since I was a kid, so when the opportunity came to support the release of their new studio album, I couldn’t turn it down,” says Colm Dillane, artist, designer and founder of KidSuper. “The iconic logo, which I designed using fingerprint artwork, represents the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and how many people have been touched by the band’s music over their incredible 60-year history.”

He adds, “I’m so proud with how the collection turned out and am excited for fans to get their hands on it!”

All items in the collection will be available exclusively at The Rolling Stones’ RS No. 9 stores, including their flagship store in London, pop-up stores in New York and Los Angeles and a soon-to-be-opened location in Tokyo. They will also be available online starting October 20, the same day Hackney Diamonds is released.

Green Day shares new “The American Dream Is Killing Me” teaser

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Green Day has shared a new teaser video on their website TheAmericanDreamIsKillingMe.com.

The black-and-white clip shows a person standing in front of a burning car and throwing an object through a glass window as a guitar riff plays in the background.

Green Day first launched TheAmericanDreamIsKillingMe.com on October 1 — which, of course, is when September ends — with a video of frontman Billie Joe Armstrong waking up in bed and looking at a calendar with the date October 24 circled.

The most recent Green Day album is 2020’s Father of All… The group also just put out a 30th anniversary of their 1994 breakout record, Dookie, in September.

U2 releasing remastered ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’ on Record Store Day for 40th anniversary

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

U2 is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their iconic live album Under A Blood Red Sky with a special Record Store Day release.

The band is set to drop a remastered version of the album on 180g red vinyl. The new release includes a double-sided insert with credits and lyrics, and the bonus of a large two-sided poster.

Record Store Day Black Friday is happening November 24 at independent record stores across the country. A complete list of releases can be found at recordstoreday.com.

Released November 21, 1983, Under A Blood Red Sky features eight songs recorded live during three shows on the band’s War Tour. Two of those songs came from the band’s show at Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which was the subject of last year’s concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky.

Billy Joel & Sting announce co-headlining show in Tampa

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Talk about a huge double bill. Rockers Billy Joel and Sting are teaming up for a One Night Only concert at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 24.

A Citi ticket presale for begins Monday, October 16, at 10 a.m., followed by a Verizon presale on Tuesday, October 17, at 10 a.m. The general onsale will then kick off Friday, October 20, at 10 a.m.

The show will be the first time Joel and Sting have co-headlined a concert. The friends do have a history of performing together, though, as Billy has been on the bill for Sting’s Rainforest concerts multiple times, the last time being in 2008.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Joel has co-headlined a stadium show with a fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. He has toured with Elton John several times and is currently sharing the stage with Stevie Nicks. The two artists next play Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 10.

A complete list of Joel dates can be found at billyjoel.com.

Lenny Kravitz drops “TK421,” the first single off his new ‘Blue Electric Light’ album

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Lenny Kravitz is back with new music. The rocker just released the new track “TK421,” the first single off his upcoming double album Blue Electric Light, dropping March 15.

“TK421” is described as a “fast-paced rock ‘n’ roll romp,” with a nod to Boogie Nights and Star Wars.

Kravitz has also dropped a new video for the song, which is certainly racy. He’s practically naked for a good portion of the clip, with his chiseled body on display for fans to see.

You can listen to “TK421” now via digital outlets and watch the NSFW video on YouTube.

Blue Electric Light is Kravitz’s 12th studio album and his first album in five years. His last release was 2018’s Raise Vibration.

The album is available for preorder now.

KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons sued over guitar tech’s death

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

KISS is being sued by the family of their late guitar tech, Fran Stueber, who passed away from COVID-19, which he contracted while on tour with the band.

Rolling Stone has obtained court documents filed by Fran’s widow, Catherine Stueber, along with other family members, who are suing Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley for negligence and wrongful death. KISS manager Doc McGhee, tour promoter Live Nation and Marriott International are also named in the suit.

Fran Stueber, who was Stanley’s longtime guitar tech, passed away in October 2021, after contracting COVID-19 during the band’s End of the Road tour. The court documents suggest the “dangerous condition created by Defendants” led to his death, noting, “the failure to enforce or have adequate Covid-19 policies or procedures caused a Covid-19 outbreak amongst band members and tour personnel.” It also claims that after coming down with COVID, Stueber was abandoned in Detroit to quarantine at a hotel.

The docs say Stueber called McGhee for help when he got sicker, and the manager said he was sending a doctor but allegedly never did. Instead, a crew member was sent and found Stueber unresponsive. Stueber passed away two days later.

The family is suing for unspecified special damages, damages relating to past, present and/or future wage loss and income, and medical expenses.

Lars Ulrich never rehearsed until four or five years ago, says James Hetfield

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Despite being the drummer in the biggest metal band in the world, the instrumental chops of Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich are often debated. The latest comments from frontman James Hetfield may only add fuel to that fire.

In the latest episode of The Metallica Report podcast, Hetfield shares, “An interesting fact: Lars never rehearsed. Ever.”

However, he says that changed about four or five years ago.

“He started getting really into rehearsing,” Hetfield says of Ulrich. “I mean, he’ll rehearse four days for a two-hour set, which is what he needs to do, which is awesome.”

As you might expect, the r/Metallica subreddit is all over this revelation.

Ulrich’s been bringing his now-rehearsed drumming skills to Metallica’s ongoing M72 world tour, which continues November 3 in St. Louis.

Rod Stewart refuses to play Saudi Arabia over treatment of women & LGBTQ+ community

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rod Stewart has revealed he refuses to perform in Saudi Arabia because of the nation’s treatment of women and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I’m grateful that I have a choice whether or not to perform in Saudi Arabia. So many citizens there have extremely limited choices… women, the LGBTQ community, the press,” he shared on Instagram. “I’d like my choice not to go … to shine a light on the injustices there and ignite positive change.”

Along with his statement, Stewart linked to an article in The Mirror, which quoted a source who claimed Stewart had turned down huge sums of money to play shows in the nation, including an over $1 million offer to play in Qatar.

The insider noted, “Rod was determined to do the right thing and couldn’t accept the offer, no matter how much money was on the table. Some things are more important.”

On This Day, October 12, 1981: U2 releases their second album, ‘October’

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, October 12, 1981…

U2 released their second album, October, featuring many songs about religion and spirituality, including “Gloria.”

The band started writing the album during their Boy tour, but after a briefcase with all their new lyrical and musical ideas was stolen backstage in Portland, Oregon, Bono was forced to improvise new lyrics during recording sessions, which he described as chaotic.

After several pleas from Bono to the people of Portland over the years, the briefcase was finally returned to U2 in 2004.

Stewart Copeland sharing early Police diaries in October

October 12, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Back in January, The Police drummer Stewart Copeland announced he’d be sharing his personal diaries from the early days of the band in a new book. Well, fans won’t have to wait much longer to read it.

Police Diaries is set to drop on October 26 and will feature actual scans of diary entries between 1976 and 1979, along with new commentary from Copeland. The rocker takes fans inside the band’s “starving years” and shares both classic and previously unseen photos.

Police Diaries is available for preorder now in three formats. In addition to a Classic edition, there’s a 500-copy Signature edition that comes with a CD of previously unreleased Copeland home recordings and a reprint of a classic Outlandos D’amour poster.

There’s also a 100-copy Ultimate edition that features the same bonuses as the Signature edition, a vintage recycled leather-bound copy of the book and a signed band print of a photo taken in Sting’s basement in 1978.

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