Classic Rock News

Stevie Nicks is featured on a track called “Oil” on the upcoming album by the virtual alternative-rock group Gorillaz, Cracker Island, and the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee says she only one “demand” for taking part in the song.

Speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Nicks shares that she requested to be in the video for the track.

“That’s how I know about the Gorillaz, is because of all their crazy cartoon videos,” Nicks says. “I’m going, ‘I want to be in the ‘Oil’ video. I want to be a Gorilla, and I want to have big, false eyelashes, and I want to have blond hair, right?'”

The Fleetwood Mac singer and solo star continues, “I said, ‘This is my one demand that I will make.’ And so, they’re doing it as we speak.”

Nicks adds that she’s “so proud” of the collaboration, which she describes as “somewhere between love and war.”

“I was an honorary Heartbreaker, I was an honorary Foo Fighter,” she says. “And now, I’m an honorary Gorilla. I’m so happy.”

Cracker Island will be released February 24, 2023. It also features collaborations with artists including Beck, Tame Impala, Bad Bunny and Thundercat.

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Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett has opened up regarding the response to drummer Taylor Hawkins‘ death.

In an interview with The Plug podcast, Shiflett takes aim at “yahoo[s] on Twitter” spreading conspiracy theories about Hawkins and how he died.

“Especially right after [Hawkins] died, all these Twitter private investigators, they absolutely know what happened, and are sure of it, and it’s all wrong,” Shiflett says. “That’s been really strange to watch.”

“I understand people’s fascination with it, Taylor was this big character and he meant a lot to millions of people all over the world,” the guitarist continues. “But it’s, like, so much of what I’ve seen out there is so completely wrong.”

In addition to conspiracy theories on social media, Shiflett calls Rolling Stone‘s article about Hawkins’ death “complete nonsense, for the most part.” The article, titled “Inside Taylor Hawkins’ Final Days as a Foo Fighter,” features quotes from artists — including Pearl Jam‘s Matt Cameron and Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith — claiming that Hawkins had expressed concern with the amount of touring he had to do with Foo Fighters leading up to his death. Both Cameron and Smith distanced themselves from the article and apologized for taking part.

In speaking about the reaction to Hawkins death, Shiflett seemingly suggests that another Foo Fighters album could be possible. When asked if he’s found in recent press interviews that people have been “awkwardly not asking” about the subject, Shiflett replies, “It probably will be when we ever get around to putting out another Foo Fighter record and go back into the promo boogie woogie.”

Shiflett recently released two singles with his solo country project. He’ll join Foo Fighters for the second of their two tribute concerts to Hawkins Tuesday in Los Angeles.

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Something new appears to be brewing with Bruce Springsteen.

Over the last day or so, Springsteen has posted two mysterious, uncaptioned photos on his social media sites, prompting speculation that The Boss is about to announce plans for a new album.

The first photo, which was posted on Sunday, is an image of a double-yellow line on a paved road that runs off into the distance. The second pic, which was posted Tuesday, is of the steering wheel of a vintage car.

Springsteen posted some unexplained photos on his social media sites before the release of his 2019 album, Western Stars, so many fans feel these new pics are serving a similar purpose.

Earlier this month, Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner revealed in a Billboard interview that a new album by Bruce was “coming out soon,” but no official news about the project has been announced yet.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Bruce and his E Street Band will kick off a 2023 tour on February 1 in Tampa, Florida.

He and wife E Street Band member Patti Scialfa will also perform this Thursday, September 29, at the inaugural Albie Awards ceremony, which will be held at the New York Public Library.

The event is being presented by the Clooney Foundation for Justice, an organization co-founded by George and Amal Clooney, and salutes global justice defenders.

“The Albie Awards … are a way to shine a protective light on the many courageous individuals who, at great personal risk, have devoted their lives to justice,” the Clooneys say in a statement.

Other celebrities who will participate in the event include Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Oscar Isaac, Dua Lipa, Aloe Blacc, John Oliver and Julia Roberts.

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Elton John has released the hotly anticipated music video for his and Britney Spears‘ “Hold Me Closer.”  

Neither Sir Elton nor Britney appear in the colorful music video, but it does borrow some elements attributed to the legendary singers — mainly their ability to make others want to dance.

The song features a variety of dancers of all ages and ethnicities as they perform across Mexico City. The performers wear different colors, which seemingly represent the mood of their unique dances.

While some routines are jubilant, others reflect elements of pain and passion. The music video closes with some dancers ending on a protective embrace while others hold their partner either on their shoulders, back or in their arms.

Ukrainian music director Tanu Muino helmed the work and she said of the moving piece, “Going into this video, I knew there would be a lot of emotional expectations the audience and fans would have. With this responsibility, I had to do something different and unexpected. The visuals had to be different. The dance had to be forward-thinking to raise eyebrows and make Elton and Britney proud.”

Muino revealed her career was inspired by watching Britney’s past music videos and added, “This was an emotional one for me as I grew up with Britney.”

Elton lauded the music video on Twitter, calling it “stunning.” He added in his glowing review, “The award-winning director Tanu Muino beautifully captur[ed] an immeasurable feeling of intimacy so missing from the world through the turmoil and chaos of recent times.”

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Neil Young ain’t singing for Pepsi or Coke, and he apparently isn’t thrilled about Beck singing for the NFL.

Over the weekend, the “Loser” artist released a cover of Young’s song “Old Man” for an ad promoting NBC’s upcoming Sunday Night Football match-up between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs. On Monday, the cover was released as a digital single.

Seemingly in response, Young posted a throwback photo on his Instagram page Monday of him holding up a bottle labeled “Sponsored by nobody.” That same label appears on a beer can in Young’s video for his 1988 song “This Note’s for You,” which famously criticized the commercialization of music and artists taking corporate sponsorships.

Beck has not publicly responded to Young.

As for how Beck was able to release the “Old Man” cover seemingly without Young’s approval, it may be because the “Heart of Gold” rocker sold 50% of his song catalog to the company Hipgnosis Songs in 2021.

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The Beach Boys have revealed full details of their next archival multi-disc set, Sail On Sailor – 1972, which will focus on two of the band’s early-1970s album — 1972’s Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and 1973’s Holland.

The 105-track collection, due out November 18, will be available as a five-CD set, via digital formats and as a vinyl package featuring seven LPs and one EP.

Sail On Sailor – 1972 features newly remastered versions of the two albums as well as 80 previously unreleased recordings. Among the latter are unreleased outtakes, alternate versions and mixes, isolated backing tracks and more from the recordings sessions and live performances from the era.

The collection features the Mount Vernon and Fairway (A Fairytale) EP, which originally was included as a bonus disc with Holland, and a full concert that The Beach Boys played at Carnegie Hall in November 1972.

One of the live tracks, a rendition of Carl and the Passions lead song, “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone,” has been released as an advance digital single.

Carl and the Passions — “So Tough” saw the Beach Boys welcome two new members to the lineup, Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, who played together in a South African group called The Flames.

Chaplin and Fataar played on both Carl and the Passions and Holland, which peaked at #50 and #36, respectively, on the Billboard 200. The highest-charting single released from the albums was Holland‘s “Sailor On Sailor,” which reached #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a popular radio track.

The Sail On Sailor – 1972 collection, which can be preordered now, will also be released in abbreviated versions, including a one-EP package, two-CD set and a two-LP. 

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The second of Foo Fighters‘ two tribute concerts honoring late drummer Taylor Hawkins takes place tonight, Tuesday, at the Kia Forum in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, Caliornia.

The first show was held at London’s Wembley Stadium on September 3. Many of the artists who performed at the London tribute will be making the trip back across the pond for the LA concert, including Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones, Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich, Rush‘s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Queen‘s Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Police‘s Stewart Copeland, the Joe Walsh-fronted James Gang, Wolfgang Van Halen, David Bowie drummer Omar Hakim, Blink-182‘s Travis Barker, Queens of the Stone Age‘s Josh Homme, Kesha, session drummer Josh Freese and Hawkins’ cover band Chevy Metal.

The LA lineup also includes Def Leppard‘s Joe Elliott, Phil Collen and Rick Savage, Joan Jett, Heart‘s Nancy Wilson, The Cars‘ Elliot Easton, Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx, Soundgarden‘s Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil, Black Sabbath‘s Geezer Butler, Nirvana‘s Krist Novoselic, Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith, Yes vocalist and Hawkins’ childhood friend Jon Davison, Miley Cyrus, Tool‘s Danny Carey, Alanis Morissette, ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, Pink and Rage Against the Machine‘s Brad Wilk.

Additionally, Dave Grohl‘s daughter Violet and Hawkins’ son Shane will perform. Foo Fighters’ performance of “My Hero” with Shane on drums was widely considered to be the highlight of the six-hour London concert.

Like with the London show, proceeds from the LA tribute will be donated to MusiCares and Music Support. Unlike the London show, however, no streaming details have been announced for the LA concert.

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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland will host a special John Mellencamp Fan Day this Thursday, September 29, that will celebrate the opening of a permanent exhibit dubbed “Legends of Rock: John Mellencamp.”

Mellencamp, who was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2008, will be on hand on Thursday to give a special performance and take part in an interview that will air live on select satellite radio stations at 5 p.m. ET.

The heartland rocker also will reveal plans for a 2023 tour during the event.

Prime access to view the performance and Q&A is sold out, but visitors will be able to listen to the presentation at the Union Home Mortgage Plaza.

Fans who purchase general admission Rock Hall tickets for Thursday will be able to check out the exhibit and enjoy all other John Mellencamp Fan Day activities. Tickets are available at RockHall.com.

The “Legends of Rock: John Mellencamp” exhibit will feature such memorabilia as the suit the singer/songwriter wore in promo photos for his 2003 album, Trouble No More; the 1976 Fender Telecaster guitar he played onstage extensively starting in 1981; a guitar that David Bowie gifted him; and a new original oil painting.

As part of the Fan Day festivities, video clips from John’s Rock Hall will be screened in a theater in the Ahmet Ertegun Exhibition Hall; a career-spanning Mellencamp playlist will be played throughout the museum; the Rock Hall’s house band, The Mechanics, will help teach fans to sing and play Mellencamp songs in the Jam Room of the museum’s Garage area; and more.

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Scott Ian has shared an update on the status of the next Anthrax album, telling Metal Hammer that the thrash icons are “getting there.”

“We had started writing before COVID, but then eventually we jumped back in, so we do have eight arrangements and half of them with lyrics,” Ian says. “We’ve got at least another six really, really great things that we just need to start bashing out as a band.”

The guitarist adds, “We’re not that far off!”

Anthrax’s most recent studio effort is 2016’s For All Kings. Over the summer, they released a live album titled XL, which captured their 2021 40th anniversary streaming concert.

The 40th anniversary celebration continued this year with a U.S. Anthrax tour also featuring Black Label Society and Hatebreed.

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Founding Pink Floyd singer/bassist Roger Waters‘ April concerts in Krakow, Poland, were canceled by promoter Live Nation Polska and the Tauron Arena, according the venue’s official website.

The cancellation comes after Waters’ recent comments defending Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine drew the ire of Krakow city councilor Łukasz Wantuch, who has called for the rocker be declared “persona non grata” in Krakow.

In early September, Waters posted an open letter to Olena Zelenska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s wife, suggesting that Ukraine negotiate with Russia rather than continue fighting. He maintained that U.S. military support for Ukraine was prolonging the conflict.

Zelenska responded with a Twitter message that read, “It is Russia that invaded Ukraine, destroys cities and kills civilians. Ukrainians defend their land and their children’s future. If we give up — we will not exist tomorrow. If Russia gives up — war will be over.”

Roger then wrote a lengthy response to Zelenska reiterating his beliefs.

Now Waters has penned an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the invasion of Ukraine.

The message reads in part, “I know some people who think you want to overrun the whole of Europe, starting with Poland and the rest of the Baltic states. If you do, f*** you, and we might as well all stop playing the desperately dangerous game of nuclear chicken that the hawks on both sides of the Atlantic seem so comfortable with, and have at it.”

He also declares, “[Y]our invasion of Ukraine took me completely by surprise, it was a heinous war of aggression, provoked or not.”

Waters concludes by asking Putin to reply to his letter, writing, “I would mightily respect you for it, and take it as an honorable move in the right direction towards a sustainable peace.”

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