Classic Rock News

After a two-year layoff because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band launch a new North American tour tonight at Casino Rama in Rama, Canada.

The two-part trek’s first leg runs through a June 26 concert in Clearwater Florida, while the second leg begins on September 23 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and winds down October 20 in Mexico City.

The former Beatles drummer and his star-studded group celebrated the tour’s impending launch at a press event on Thursday at Casino Rama.

Reflecting on his long hiatus from playing shows, Starr said, “Two-and-a-half years has been really difficult. I love to play, as you can tell. I put the All Starrs together 32 years ago and, you know, I was in a couple of bands before that, and…for me that’s what it’s all about, is playing and having an audience.”

He continued, “You know, I’ve missed four tours, and I’ve really missed these guys. I love to play live, and I love to play with great musicians. And I got a crowd of them right here…with me.”

The All Starr Band also currently features Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, Men at Work frontman Colin Hay, Average White Band bassist Hamish Stuart, Toto multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham, acclaimed session drummer Gregg Bissonette and the group’s most recent addition, Edgar Winter. Winter, who previously played with the All Starrs from 2006 to 2011, rejoined the group earlier this year.

Ringo, who turns 82 on July 7, noted during the press conference that he has no plans to stop performing.

“I’m a musician. I don’t have to retire,” he declared. “[A]s long as I can pick up those sticks, I got a gig.”

Check out the band’s full scheduled at RingoStarr.com.

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Journey is set to release its first studio album in 11 years in July, but in advance of that record, the band’s longtime keyboardist and songwriter Jonathan Cain has delivered his latest faith-based solo effort, Arise.

The 11-collection is the sixth full-length spiritual-themed project that Cain has released since 2016. The album, which combines brand-new tunes with songs that appeared on Jonathan’s 2021 EP Oh Lord Lead Us, is available now as a digital download and via streaming services.

Cain says the songs on Arise encourages Christians to be more fervent in their faith.

“Like faith in action, the music of Arise moves to the spirit of revival,” says Jonathan, who leads worship gatherings at City of Destiny Church in Apopka, Florida, where his wife, Paula White-Cain, is senior pastor. “God is making his presence felt here on earth, and it’s up to us to wake up, to feel it, feel the revival and just dig in.”

He adds, “I hope that this music stirs up and awakens people in a way that they can become a part of what God is doing.”

As previously reported, Journey will release its new album, Freedom, on July 8. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers recently announced a series of four special symphonic concerts that month in Las Vegas — on July 15, 16, 22 and 23 — and the band now has started lining up a variety of other shows around the U.S.

The other concerts on their itinerary are scheduled for July 20 in Paso Robles, California; July 27 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 in Las Cruces, New Mexico; July 30 in Lubbock, Texas; August 5 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan; August 6 in Canton, Ohio; and August 8 in Canandaigua, New York.

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Flea is officially part of the Star Wars universe.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist has a role in the new Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, which just premiered Friday morning on Disney+. He plays a bounty hunter who’s hired to kidnap child Princess Leia in an attempt to lure Kenobi out of hiding after he survived the infamous Order 66, which called for the execution of all Jedi.

The role is especially fitting for Flea since the 1999 Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Californication” includes the lyric “Alderaan’s not far away,” a reference to Leia’s home planet.

Flea’s previous acting credits include parts in The Big Lebowski, Baby Driver and the second and third Back to the Future movies.

In addition to his journey to a galaxy far, far away, Flea is preparing to rock our galaxy when Red Hot Chili Peppers launch their world tour in June. The group will be supporting their new album, Unlimited Love, which was released in April.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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Def Leppard‘s 12th studio album, Diamond Star Halos, was released today.

The 15-track collection was recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, with frontman Joe Elliott in Ireland, bassist Rick Savage in the U.K., and guitarists Phil Collen and Viv Campbell and drummer Rick Allen all in the U.S.

Elliott tells ABC Audio that he really enjoyed working on the album remotely.

“[T]he creating of the record was beautiful, really, because everybody just was in their own space,” the singer notes. “And…all you needed to do [was] pick up the phone or send an email going, ‘I’ve got an idea,’ and then, bing!, off goes your inbox and there’s an MP3, and you sit and listen to it…and see if there’s anything you can add to it.”

Collen also loved the process, explaining, “It just saved so much energy, and we were just allowed to express and create and be inspired constantly…It was great.”

The album title references a lyrical phrase from T. Rex‘s signature tune “Bang a Gong (Get It On),” and Collen points out that Def Leppard chose the moniker after realizing that many tracks on the record included elements that evoked the early-’70s glam-rock era — a major influence on the band.

“[W]e realized that [between] the songs there was a thread,” Phil notes. “It was like some of the lyrics, some of the ideas, some of the vibes and rhythms and grooves were very…from that period.”

Adding to the glam-rock theme, Def Leppard enlisted longtime David Bowie keyboardist Mike Garson to play piano on two tracks.

Elliott says Garson’s parts “had a little bit of avant-garde, kind of jazzy [feel], but not too much to…make it sound weird.”

Here’s Diamond Star Halos‘ full track list:

“Take What You Want”
“Kick”
“Fire It Up”
“This Guitar” — featuring Alison Krauss
“SOS Emergency”
“Liquid Dust”
“U Rok Mi”
“Goodbye for Good This Time”
“All We Need”
“Open Your Eyes”
“Gimme a Kiss”
“Angels (Can’t Help You Now)”
“Lifeless” — featuring Alison Krauss
“Unbreakable”
“From Here to Eternity”

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In recent years, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has purchased some of the music world’s most historic guitars, as well as many other famous memorabilia items. He will be putting his collection on public display in New York City for the first time on Friday, June 3, at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

The Jim Irsay Collection includes guitars played and owned by Bob Dylan, members of The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, The Grateful Dead‘s Jerry Garcia, Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour and many other famous musicians.

The collection also features other instruments, as well as autographed photos, handwritten lyrics and more. The most recent addition to Irsay’s trove of memorabilia is the guitar that late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain played in his band’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, which he purchased at an auction for over $4.5 million.

Some non-music-related items are also part of the collection: an original “wanted” poster for John Wilkes Booth, a baseball bat used by Jackie Robinson and a robe worn by Muhammad Ali.

The public event will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free tickets can be reserved at Eventbrite.com.

Meanwhile, a private, invite-only reception will be held June 2 at 7 p.m. ET at the Hammerstein Ballroom that will give attendees the chance to check out the collection. It will also feature a performance by The Jim Irsay Band. Described as a group “which has never existed and will never exist again,” the band will feature Irsay backed by founding R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, longtime John Mellencamp guitarist Mike Wanchic, John Fogerty/ex-Mellencamp touring drummer Kenny Aronoff and others.

Former 10,000 Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant will be a guest performer with the band.

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Last summer, Green Day, Weezer and Fall Out Boy finally launched their Hella Mega stadium tour. Not only did it bring the three bands to the biggest venues of their careers, it marked their first concerts back after the live music industry had shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now that the Hella Mega tour is gearing up to head to Europe next month, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong is reflecting on the “unbelievable experience” of those first shows.

“The crowd looked like this giant flock of birds freaking out,” Armstrong tells Kerrang! “Coming offstage, afterwards, no one could believe what was happening with this shared experience for all of us. And it was like that every single night.”

“People were just grateful to be alive, to be around people again,” he continues. “It was awesome. We wanted to make it a special tour back in 2019, but when it ended up [happening] it was an unbelievable experience.”

As successful as the tour would be, Armstrong remembers how anxious he felt before it all started.

“We soundchecked the day before and I was so overwhelmed by the size [of the place] — it was like the first time I ever played a stadium in my life,” Armstrong shares. “Everyone — the crew, every single person — was completely overwhelmed because no one knew how this was going to go down.”

He adds, “I was freaking out. Everyone was. We didn’t know what to think … the whole country had been through the f***ing wringer.”

The European Hella Mega tour launches June 19 in Austria.

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In the wake of the sad news that longtime Yes drummer Alan White died today at age 72, a number of music artists have shared tributes to the late rocker, among them founding Yes singer Jon Anderson and the band’s current keyboardist Geoff Downes.

Anderson, who played with White in Yes on and off for more than 30 years, posted a statement on his Facebook page that reads, “He was My best man at my wedding to Janee in Maui 1997…We love you Alan and will miss you…You were just the best of the best for Yes, and an amazing drummer…We wrote ‘Turn of the Century’ together all those years ago, just one of so many wonderful times together…he was a gentle soul.”

Anderson’s message concludes, “And now you’re in heaven…resting after the long journey Home to meet your dear Mom who you loved so much…Blessings brother.”

Downes, who first played in Yes in 1980 and ’81, then rejoined the band in 2011, posted his own homage on Twitter that reads, “Today I lost a great brother and friend, the loveliest guy you’ll ever hope to meet. So dreadfully sad. I’m devastated…Alan White, the main man. Miss you forever buddy.”

Here are a few other tributes to White from various artists:

Asia: “Alan White RIP. One of the greatest drummers ever. All the Asia family send love to Gigi and the family. Alan was a great friend of Asia, particularly [Geoff Downes] and regularly sharing birthday celebrations with our [late singer/bassist John Wetton].”

Styx drummer Todd Sucherman: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Alan White. What a legend. Styx and Yes had a co-bill tour back in 2011 and it was so much fun to spend a summer on the road with those guys, and hearing that music every night — which meant so much to each one of us in Styx. That tour will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks for your contributions to music that will last until the end of time, Alan! Deepest condolences to Alan’s family, band mates, friends and fans.

Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins: “Alan White was so cool — Fly On master drummer.”

Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy: “Absolutely stunned to wake up to the news of Alan White’s passing. His playing for the past 50 yrs was a massive influence on me & I’ve had the honor of spending much time together thru the years. My condolences to his wife Gigi, his family & the entire Yes camp.”

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Depeche Mode member Andy Fletcher has died at age 60.

The seminal synth-pop band announced the news in a statement Thursday, reading, “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.

“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you need support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint,” the statement continues. “Our hearts are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.”

No cause of death was announced, though a source close to the band shared that he passed away from natural causes.

Fletcher was a founding member of Depeche Mode, playing keyboards and bass alongside vocalist Dave Gahan, keyboardist and guitarist Martin Gore, and keyboardist and guitarist Vince Clarke, who was later replaced by Alan Wilder. 

Depeche Mode began to develop a following in the ’80s, thanks to their innovative use of electronic elements in alternative music, before exploding in the early ’90s with the album Violator, which spawned singles including “Personal Jesus,” “Enjoy the Silence” and “Policy of Truth.”

Following Wilder’s departure in 1995, Fletcher, Gore and Gahan continued to release Depeche Mode albums as a trio, the last of which was 2017’s Spirit.

Fletcher was inducted with Depeche Mode into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

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Alan White, the drummer for, and longest continuously serving member of, Yes, has died at age 72.

The band announced the news on its official Twitter page as did White’s official website and Facebook page. The site announced, “Alan White, our beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, passed away at the age of 72 at his Seattle-area home on May 26, 2022, after a brief illness.

The message continues, “Throughout his life and six-decade career, Alan was many things to many people: a certified rock star to fans around the world; band mate to a select few, and gentleman and friend to all who met him.”

A drummer since age 12, White performed with many artists throughout the ’60s, including the jazz-rock fusion supergroup Ginger Baker’s Air Force, which also featured Steve Winwood and Denny Laine. In 1969, John Lennon invited him to join the Plastic Ono Band, and he played on the 1969 album Live Peace in Toronto as well on John’s 1970 single “Instant Karma,” his landmark 1971 album Imagine and 1972’s Some Time in New York City. 

White also contributed to to George Harrison‘s All Things Must Pass album, including the chart-topping single “My Sweet Lord.”

White joined Yes on July 27, 1972, replacing founding drummer Bill Bruford, and learned the band’s repertoire in just three days before they kicked off a tour in Texas. The well-known albums he played on include Yessongs, Tales from Topographic Oceans, Going for the One, Relayer, Drama, 90125 and Big Generator.

White was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Yes in 2017. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Gigi, two children and two grandchildren.

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Def Leppard has debuted the official music video for their latest single, “Fire It Up,” a stadium-ready chant-along tune that appears on the band’s upcoming studio album Diamond Star Halos.

The clip features the band performing the song surrounded by video screens showing swirling abstract images, while graphics from the album’s cover art also appear sporadically throughout the visual.

You can watch the “Fire It Up” video now at Def Leppard’s official YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, with Diamond Star Halos set to be released this Friday, Def Leppard primed the release with an appearance Wednesday night on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The band premiered “Take What You Want,” a song from the new record, and then played their classic “Rock of Ages,” from the smash 1983 album Pyromania.

The band also performed two additional classic songs — “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me” — that didn’t air on the Kimmel show, but were streamed on the program’s YouTube channel.

Diamond Star Halos, which can be preordered now, is Def Leppard’s first album of new, original tunes since 2015’s self-titled effort. It’s available as a deluxe package, on CD, as a two-LP set and digitally, among other configurations.

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