Classic Rock News

Julian Lennon, the older son of John Lennon, has shared his first-ever public performance of his late father’s classic song “Imagine” as part of the Global Citizen organization’s recently launched Stand Up for Ukraine campaign.

On Friday, Julian posted a video on his official YouTube channel of him singing the 1971 peace anthem, with Extreme‘s Nuno Bettencourt joining him on acoustic guitar and backing vocals.

In a message accompanying the video, Julian writes, “The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy…As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could. So…for the first time ever, I publicly performed my Dad’s song, IMAGINE.”

He continues, “Why now, after all these years? — I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing ‘IMAGINE’ would be if it was the ‘End of the World’…But also because his lyrics reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide. Because within this song, we’re transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time…The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for…”

Julian concludes, “As a result of the ongoing murderous violence, millions of innocent families, have been forced to leave the comfort of their homes, to seek asylum elsewhere. I’m calling on world leaders and everyone who believes in the sentiment of IMAGINE, to stand up for refugees everywhere! Please advocate and donate from the heart. #StandUpForUkraine”

As previously reported, Global Citizen’s Stand Up for Ukraine saw a wide variety of music stars taking to social media on Friday and directing their attention to Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s ongoing military invasion of the country.

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The next missive from the Prince of Darkness is upon us: Ozzy Osbourne‘s new solo album is done.

In a tweet over the weekend, the Black Sabbath frontman revealed, “I’m so happy to let everyone know that I finished my new album this week and delivered it to my label [Epic Records].”

“I’ll be sharing all the information about the album and its upcoming release with you in the next several weeks,” Ozzy added.

The upcoming record will be the follow-up to 2020’s Ordinary Man, which marked Osbourne’s first solo effort in 10 years. Like Ordinary Man, the album will be produced by Andrew Watt, and features Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who recently revealed a number of other guests on the record, including Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready, Queens of the Stone Age‘s Josh Homme, Black Label Society‘s Zakk Wylde and Metallica‘s Robert Trujillo.

Watt also previously shared that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins played on the album, as well, but that was before Hawkins’ unexpected death last month.

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America‘s Gerry Beckley has debuted a second advance song from his upcoming solo album, Aurora, a tune called “Tickets from the Past” that he co-wrote with his co-founding America band mate Dewey Bunnell, who also sings on the track.

“Tickets from the Past” is the first song that Beckley and Bunnell wrote together that won’t make its debut appearance on an America album. The track is available now via streaming services, and you can check out a video of Gerry and Dewey talking about the song now at Blue Élan Records’ official YouTube channel.

Bunnell says in the clip, “It’s been a pleasure working with Gerry on this solo project of his. It’s a little different from America projects, but very much the same. Been there before, but great song, Ger. I love Aurora, and I love singing on it.”

As previously reported, Aurora will be released on June 17. It’s an 11-song collection that Gerry recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic at his two home studios, in Sydney, Australia, and Venice, California.

The tracks on Aurora include tunes that began as unfinished demos and scratch recordings that date back as far as the early 1970s, as well as brand-new songs written during the past two years.

“Tickets from the Past” was preceded by “Friends Are Hard to Find,” which was released as a streaming single last month. You can pre-order Aurora now.

America currently is on tour in the U.S., and has almost 20 upcoming dates on its 2022 schedule. The band’s next concert is this Friday, April 15, in Houston. Visit VenturaHighway.com for a full list of shows.

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Envy of None, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson‘s new band, released its self-titled debut album on Friday, April 8.

The project came together after Andy Curran, veteran Canadian band Coney Hatch‘s bassist and a longtime musical associate of Lifeson, began working with a young Oregon-based singer-songwriter named Maiah Wynne and asked Alex if he’d lend his guitar talents to a track.

“I sent it over to him, and he was floored,” Curran tells ABC Audio. “He said, ‘Andy, I think we’ve found a diamond in the rough here. This girl is a secret weapon.’ And that was the beginning of it all.”

Envy of None is quite a departure from Rush, with songs influenced by a variety of genres, including alternative rock, synth pop, Euro pop and industrial rock.

Lifeson tells ABC Audio, “I think what connects all of these different styles of music is [Maiah’s] voice. Her voice always sits right on top of what chaos the music is creating.”

The 68-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer says Wynne, 25, basically became his “muse” for the Envy of None project.

“[H]er sensibilities and her skill [are] such that she’s…very, very, very talented at a very early age,” he maintains. “[E]very song [she contributed to] had something that I wasn’t quite expecting.”

The album ends with the introspective instrumental “Western Sunset” that’s dedicated to late Rush drummer Neil Peart, whom Alex calls his “brother…good friend [and] working partner.”

Lifeson says he was inspired to compose the tune while watching the sunset during visits to an ailing Peart at his California home.

“It gives you a chance to catch your breath after listening to all this pretty intense material,” Alex notes of the song, “and just puts you in a very…contemplative mode.”

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Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ new album, Unlimited Love, has debuted at number one in the U.K. and in Australia.

The record gives the “Under the Bridge” outfit their fifth chart-topper across the pond, and their seventh Down Under.

Unlimited Love‘s U.S. debut on the Billboard 200 is expected to be announced on Sunday. The Peppers have hit number one on the Billboard 200 just once in their career, with 2006’s Stadium Arcadium.

Lead single “Black Summer” currently sits at number one on Billboard‘s Alternative Airplay chart, and number two on the Mainstream Rock Airplay ranking.

Unlimited Love is RHCP’s first album since 2016’s The Getaway, and their first with guitarist John Frusciante back in the band since Stadium Arcadium. They’ll launch a worldwide stadium tour in support of the record beginning with a European run in June, followed by a U.S. leg beginning in July.

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Earlier today, Rolling Stone reported that unspecified sources had confirmed that Grateful Dead spin-off group Dead & Company were planning to stop touring after 2022, but now one of the group’s main members, Bob Weir, posted a note on his Twitter feed suggesting that the report wasn’t true.

“News to me…,” the 74-year-old singer/guitarist wrote, and included a link to the Rolling Stone story.

The band, which includes three core Grateful Dead members — Weir and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart — as well as popular singer/guitarist John Mayer, recently announced a U.S. summer trek running from June 11 through July 16. Tickets for the shows are available now at the group’s official website.

Last year, Kreutzmann missed some Dead & Company concerts because of heart-related issues, which also led him withdraw from his planned appearances at the group’s Playing in the Sand destination festival in Mexico this past January. The festival wound up being canceled because COVID-related issues. It’s not known if Kreutzmann’s heath is a factor in the band retiring from touring.

Dead & Company formed in 2015 and have been a very popular touring act ever since. The band’s other members are ex-Allman Brothers Band bassist Oteil Burbridge, and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.

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Artists across social media took part in the Stand Up for Ukraine outreach effort on Friday to raise awareness about the toll of Russia’s war on that country.

Among those joining Global Citizen’s movement were Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Stevie Nicks, U2 and Elton John. The effort tasked A-listers to suspend normal social media posts and direct their attention on Ukraine, which continues to try to fend off Russia’s invasion that began February 24.

Springsteen posted a video message in which he stated, “Refugees in Ukraine and around the world need our help now. Join all of us on E Street and Global Citizen as we Stand Up for Ukraine, and stand up for those displaced globally, because everyone deserves safe and humane living conditions.”

Jon Bon Jovi also rallied for Ukraine, expressing, “We need you to answer the call from activists and advocates working to support refugees and take immediate action to help displaced people from Ukraine and around the world.” He also shared a video of his band performing “We Don’t Run” at a recent benefit concert.

Nicks shared an impassioned letter in support of Ukraine, writing, “At 73 years old I never thought I would see in my lifetime flashes of things my mother and father told me about World War II.” Stevie also said she feels she’s an “honorary Ukrainian,” noting that she “fell in love with their great spirit and incredible bravery,” adding, “I stand with them now and forever.”

U2 posted a video of Bono and The Edge performing an acoustic version of “Walk On,” and told fans, “The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom — and for ours — in the face of unspeakable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have had to flee for their lives — a population nearly the size of Ireland.”

Elton shared footage of a 2007 concert in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, and wrote, “We are devastated to see the suffering of people in Ukraine as this conflict unfolds.”

Other artists who also have posted messages as part of the campaign include Ozzy Osbourne — with his wife, Sharon — Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day.

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Grateful Dead spin-off group Dead & Company are planning to stop touring after 2022, unspecified sources have confirmed to Rolling Stone.

The band, which includes three core Grateful Dead members — Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart — as well as singer/guitarist John Mayer, recently announced a U.S. summer trek running from June 11 through July 16. Tickets for the shows are available now at the group’s official website.

Last year, Kreutzmann missed some Dead & Company concerts because of heart-related issues, which also led him withdraw from his planned appearances at the group’s Playing in the Sand destination festival in Mexico this past January. The festival wound up being canceled because COVID-related issues. It’s not known if Kreutzmann’s heath is a factor in the band retiring from touring.

Dead & Company formed in 2015 and have been a very popular touring act ever since. The band’s other members are ex-Allman Brothers Band bassist Oteil Burbridge, and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.

Rolling Stone says the band’s management declined to comment on the reports of the group’s plans to stop touring.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers have joined the lineup for the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in place of Foo Fighters, who dropped off the lineup following the unexpected death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last month.

The “Under the Bridge” rockers will play on Sunday, May 1. Other headliners include The Who, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes.

For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit NOJazzFest.com.

Hawkins died March 25 ahead of a Foo Fighters show in Bogotá, Colombia, planned for that night. He was 50 years old.

On March 29, the Foos announced the cancellation of rest of their scheduled tour dates.

As previously reported, Nine Inch Nails will be replacing Foo Fighters on the Boston Calling and Welcome to Rockville lineups.

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Sting has just released an updated duet version of “Por Su Amor,” the recent Spanish-language adaptation of his 2021 song, “For Her Love.”

The new recording features the former Police frontman joined by Mexican singer/songwriter KURT, an emerging Latin pop star.

The song is available now via streaming services and as a digital download, while a music video featuring Sting and KURT performing the tune together has premiered on YouTube.

“KURT is a wonderful singer who performs with great authority, sensitivity, and passion,” Sting says in a statement. “I thoroughly enjoyed working together with him on this song.”

Adds Kurt, who used to perform Sting’s songs when he would perform in bars early in his career, “For me, collaborating with Sting has been like getting to know one of my music superheroes…it’s a dream come true, and a true honor.”

As previously reported, “For Your Love” was featured on Sting’s most recent studio album, 2021’s The Bridge, and he was inspired to create a Spanish version during a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where he was captivated by the scenery of Baja, California, and the views of the Gulf of California. The original version of “Por Su Amor” was released in February.

The Spanish lyrics for the tune were written by musician, songwriter and producer Martin Kierszenbaum, who is also Sting’s manager. Martin also co-wrote of “For Her Love” and co-produced The Bridge album with Sting, as well as contributing keyboards to “Por Su Amor” and The Bridge.

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