Classic Rock News

Eurythmics are among the seven artists who’ve been chosen for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the Performer category in 2022.

The U.K. duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, who made their mark starting in the ’80s by mixing synth-pop with rock and soul, both chatted about the honor with Rock Hall president and CEO Greg Harris via Zoom, and an edited video of the conversation has been posted at the institution’s YouTube channel.

In the clip, Lennox noted that while she and Stewart were collaborating, they were wholly focused on making music, not on garnering honors like a Rock Hall induction.

“We were in a zone. We created our own zone. And I think…at that time…to get that opportunity to create was what we wanted,” Annie maintained. “It wasn’t about the prizes. Because those things, if you create something of value, maybe the prizes will come, but you can’t make anything because at the end of the day you were gonna be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. No, you have to do the journey. You have to take the steps.”

Stewart, meanwhile, pointed out that American music was a big inspiration to both him and Lennox.

“Obviously, Annie’s Scottish, I’m British, and we’re going into the American Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Dave noted. “And…I feel quite full-circle in a way, because there we were in our hometowns…in Aberdeen and Sunderland, and listening to sort of American music, whether it’s like soul music or Motown or…I was listening to blues music, and never imagined in a million years that I’d even be making any music, never mind being in America and being put in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

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Pat Benatar is among the artists who will be welcomed into the Roll & Roll Hall of Fame at the institution’s 2022 Induction Ceremony, which takes place November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The powerhouse singer, who will be inducted with her husband and longtime musical collaborator, Neil Giraldo, issued the following statement with her husband: “We are thrilled and humbled to become part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame family. Thank you to everyone who voted especially the fans and congratulations to all the other inductees.”

Benatar and Giraldo also shared their feelings about their impending induction in a Zoom interview with Rock Hall President and CEO Greg Harris that’s been posted on YouTube.

In the clip, Pat explains, “You know, I’ve been lobbying for probably 25 years to get the real story about how everything began. It wasn’t about [just] me…it was about us together. And so I’m really I’m very excited and pleased that we get to go in together because that is the real story.”

She adds, “It feels good and it doesn’t change everything…not in the way that you would think. It’s just really nice for your children, for the legacy, for the fans…But for you, you’re grateful and you’re like, ‘That’s great.'”

Giraldo, meanwhile, acknowledges that the Rock Hall induction is a great honor, while noting that he and Benatar have never been preoccupied with awards and accolades.

“[T]he greatest thing always…[is] when you see and talk to the fans or the people that loved the music [and hear] how it changed their lives,” Neil maintains. “And that’s the most powerful thing you can ask for. And if this helps to exploit that even more, we’ll keep going and we’re not stopping.”

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Rob Halford has shared his reaction to Judas Priest‘s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in an interview with Billboard.

“It’s a very, very important institution for recognizing various people that have been in music since music began, right from the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll,” Halford says. “To be part of that is, like, wow…”

After being nominated twice before, Priest will finally be inducted as part of the Rock Hall’s 2022 class, with the Musical Excellence Award. Halford and company’s exclusion from the Hall has long been a sore spot for metal fans, who’ve criticized the institution for not properly recognizing heavy music.

“Glory hallelujah, there’s another metal band in now,” Halford says. “That’s the blessing we’ve all been waiting for.”

Halford adds that being inducted with the Musical Excellence Award, as opposed to in the more publicized Performers category, is “a really sweet addition.”

“They really look at you beyond the simple band that you are,” Halford says. “They really dig deep as to this album and that album this song and that song. I think that really supports what we’ve always tried to do.”

Halford is also hoping to see any former Priest members who wish to attend at the ceremony — “They have every right to be a part of the event,” he says — but has one main goal for induction night.

“All I want is a self(ie) with Dolly Parton,” he laughs.

The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place November 5 in Los Angeles. Parton is among the inductees in the Performer category, along with Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.

Meanwhile, a video of Halford sharing his excitement about Priest’s impending induction has been posted on the Rock Hall’s YouTube channel.

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If you can’t make it to Southern California’s 2022 BeachLife Festival later this month, you can still enjoy the beach vibes, and some of the musical performances, from the comfort of your own home.

Select sets from the three-day event, which will be held May 13-15 on Redondo Beach, will stream live online for free. Among the many artists you’ll be able to watch are Steve Miller Band, Stone Temple Pilots and The Smashing Pumpkins.

The stream begins May 13 at 1 p.m. PT via BeachLifeFestival.com and at Volume.com/BeachLifeFestival. The livestream of Miller and his band’s set will take place Sunday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. PT, while Stone Temple Pilots’ and The Smashing Pumpkins’ will be livestreamed on on Saturday, May 14, at 6:20 p.m. PT and 8:50 p.m. PT, respectively.

Other artists on the BeachLife Festival’s livestream schedule include Weezer, 311, Sheryl Crow, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Sugar Ray and Matisyahu.

BeachLife tickets are also still available for those who wish to attend in person.

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The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, and among this year’s honorees are Pat Benatar, Judas Priest, Duran Duran and Eurythmics.

Benatar, Duran Duran and Eurythmics are among seven artists being inducted in the Performer category, along with country icon Dolly Parton, rapper Eminem, singer/songwriter Carly Simon, and pop/R&B legend Lionel Richie.

Judas Priest will be inducted in conjunction with receiving the Musical Excellence Award, as will acclaimed R&B production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Regarding Benatar’s induction, Rock Hall president and CEO Greg Harris tells ABC Audio that she “really set a path for lots of…female artists,” noting that with her “unbelievable vocal range…she could bring it both [on] ballads and rockers.”

Benatar will be inducted alongside her husband and longtime guitarist, co-producer and songwriting collaborator Neil Giraldo.

Heavy metal fans are sure to be happy about Judas Priest finally being inducted, but perhaps a bit baffled that the dynamic band isn’t part of the Performer category.

Since 2000, the Musical Excellence Award has been presented to 25 musicians, songwriters and producers in recognition of their “originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.” Previous recipients include ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, rapper LL Cool J, and late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads.

Harris tells ABC Audio, “Judas Priest are going in through this category because they had such a massive influence on the [metal] genre…and being the godfathers.”

While inductees in the Performer category often get the most attention, Harris says Musical Excellence Award recipients, like Judas Priest, are “equal” to the Performer honorees.

“They’re all Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees,” Harris insists.

Meanwhile, reflecting on Duran Duran’s credentials for induction, Harris cites the British New Wave bands “infectious melodies” and “complex musical arrangements,” as well as their mixture of guitar and synths, as influential.

And speaking of guitars and synths, Harris says U.K. duo Eurythmics took those and made them “really funky,” adding that frontwoman Annie Lennox‘s “unbelievable voice” really brought “’60s soul into the ’80s.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will be held November 5 at L.A.’s Microsoft Theater, and will air later on HBO and stream on HBO Max.

This year’s other inductees include Early Influence Award recipients Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotton; and Ahmet Ertegun Award honorees Allen Grubman, Jimmy Iovine and Sylvia Robinson.

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The Rolling Stones have partnered with the LEGO Group on the creation of a new LEGO set that celebrates the band’s classic tongue-and-lips logo in honor of the British rock legends’ 60th anniversary.

The set, which is part of the LEGO Art series, features 1,998 pieces that when put together creates a 3-D depiction of the Stones logo. It will be released on June 1, and will be available at LEGO.com and all LEGO retailers. The set is priced at $149.99.

LEGO designers have incorporated special surprise content into the set that can be accessed by fans — a soundtrack that includes music and an exclusive interview with graphic designer John Pasche, who created the original Rolling Stones tongue logo back in 1970.

“Who would have believed, 50 odd years ago…that design would be made into a LEGO piece. Wow!” Pasche said after he first saw the LEGO Art set.

The LEGO logo set measures over 22 inches long by 18.5 inches wide, and includes two hanger elements so that it can be affixed to a wall for display.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline the final day of the second annual Born & Raised Festival, taking place September 16-18 in Pryor, Oklahoma, at Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds, the same site as the popular Rocklahoma Festival.

The three-day event offers a country music and camping experience that showcases artists from the outlaw country genre, with a lineup featuring a total of over 35 acts.

Pre-sale passes for the festival will be available to purchase starting Friday, May 6, at 8 a.m. CT, while the general public will be able to purchase passes beginning on Monday, May 9, at 10 a.m. CT. You can register for the pre-sale, and find out full information about the event, now at BornandRaisedFestival.com.

Skynyrd’s Born & Raised Festival appearance is among a series of new performances that the famed Southern rockers have added to their 2022 tour schedule in recent weeks.

The band now has 25 shows listed on its itinerary, spanning from a May 13 appearance at the Pomona County Fair in Pomona, California, through a September 26 concert in Airway Heights, Washington.

Visit LynyrdSkynyrd.com to check out the band’s full schedule.

Meanwhile, founding Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who’s sat out most of the band’s concerts since 2021 because ongoing heart issues, recently posted a video on the group’s Facebook page giving an update on his health.

“I hope to make all [the upcoming shows] I can with my heart problems,” Rossington says in the clip, and reveals that he’ll soon undergo an operation “to put some heart-valve clips back on my valves that have kind of gone bad.”

He adds, “I’m gonna really keep working on my health and working out and trying to get better to be out there and play every night.”

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Alice in Chains guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell has announced two new signature guitars in partnership with Epiphone.

The newly launched instruments include the Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom and the Les Paul Custom Prophecy. The Wino is inspired by Cantrell’s own beloved Les Paul, while the Prophecy is described as a “modern collaboration.”

Both guitars are available now via Epiphone.com.

Cantrell previously released a signature Wino Les Paul with Epiphone’s parent company, Gibson. He joined Gibson as an official brand ambassador in 2020.

You can see Cantrell play a variety of guitars on his current tour in support of his new solo album, Brighten, which continues Wednesday in Sacramento, California.

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Billy Corgan has a word for people criticizing his voice. Or, rather, a finger representing two words.

In a recent Instagram post, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman shared a picture of himself onstage while raising his middle finger. Text across the image reads, “To the conspiracists about the state of my voice.”

While it’s unclear exactly who or what inspired Corgan’s ire, Pumpkins fans on Reddit theorize Corgan was responding to comments on his recent vocal performance of the song “X.Y.U.” during last weekend’s Beale Street festival, which featured some pretty intense screaming.

However, a quick perusal of the comments on the performance seem to be in favor of the screaming — perhaps Corgan’s middle finger was more of a triumphant eff-you to doubters rather than an angry one.

To hear Corgan’s voice in person, you can catch the Pumpkins’ ongoing Rock Invasion 2 tour, which finally kicked off this week after a two-year pandemic delay.

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More of the Osbournes now have COVID-19.

After revealing last Thursday that Ozzy had contracted the virus, his wife Sharon told the U.K.’s The Talk Monday that she and their daughter, Kelly, have since tested positive, too. Sharon, who’d been in the U.K. when Ozzy was diagnosed, traveled back to Los Angeles to help care for husband.

“The entire household has it now,” Sharon said.

Sharon adds that she “feel[s] OK,” and generally seems to be in much brighter spirits than when she announced Ozzy’s diagnosis through tears last week. She also shares that Ozzy is “doing much better.”

“His temperature is now back to normal, his coughing has stopped,” Sharon said.

Sharon previously tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2020, and was briefly hospitalized.

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