Classic Rock News

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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The Rolling Stones, Genesis and Green Day are among the artists who have been nominated for multiple honors at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.

All three bands are in the running for the Top Tour and the Top Rock Tour awards — The Rolling Stones for their No Filter tour, Genesis for its The Last Domino? trek, and Green Day for the Hella Mega tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer.

The Eagles‘ Hotel California trek and pop star Harry Styles‘ Love on Tour also received nods for the Top Tour honor.

Meanwhile, Elton John will be competing for the Top Dance/Electronic Song prize for his duet with Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” while the Sing 2 soundtrack, which features the new U2 song “Young Song Saved My Life,” has been nominated for the Top Soundtrack trophy.

The 2022 Billboard Music Awards will air live May 15 on NBC. The winners will be decided based on Billboard chart figures for the tracking period between March 26, 2021, through March 17, 2022.

For more info and to check out the full list of nominees, visit Billboard.com.

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The music video for “I’ll Get Through It,” Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler‘s new collaboration with the symphonic metal band Apocalyptica, has premiered online.

The clip features dramatic portraits of Butler and the cello rockers, as well as singer Franky Perez, who handles lead vocals on the track. You can watch it now streaming on Apocalyptica’s official YouTube channel.

“I’ll Get Through It,” which was released last month, was written by prolific hit songwriter and 13-time Oscar-nominee Diane Warren, whose long list of credits includes Aerosmith‘s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Chicago‘s “Look Away,” Cher‘s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and many, many others.

Apocalyptica’s most recent album, Cell-0, was released in 2020. The band will launch a U.S. headlining tour Thursday night in Atlanta. Perez, who sang on Apocalyptica’s 2015 record, Shadowmaker, will be the vocalist for the tour.

As for Butler, he’s written a graphic novel called The Antibody that’s which is being released as a multi-part NFT collection via the NFT marketplace YellowHeart, the first chapter of which was made available last month at yh.io. The digital book tells the story of a mutated antibody that goes on to wreak havoc on humanity. Each episode will feature original music composed by Geezer.

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Toto‘s landmark fourth studio album, the aptly titled Toto IV, was released 40 years ago today.

The album yielded four top-40 singles, including the melodic rock band’s two biggest hits, “Africa” and “Rosanna,” which peaked at #1 and #2, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100. Toto IV also included “I Won’t Hold You Back” and “Make Believe,” which reached #10 and #30 on the chart.

Toto IV peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200, and has sold over 3 million copies in the U.S.

“Africa” was co-written by Toto keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro, and features Paich sharing lead vocals with founding frontman Bobby Kimball. Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit contributed backing vocals to the track, as well as to two other songs on the album, “I Won’t Hold You Back” and “Good for You.”

In 2020, “Africa” was certified six-times Platinum by the RIAA.

The song enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the last couple of decades, at first as part of the “yacht rock” craze, and then after alternative rock band Weezer covered the tune in 2018.

In 2019, founding Toto guitarist Steve Lukather admitted to ABC Audio that he didn’t understand the enduring popularity of “Africa.”

“That was the weirdest tune we’ve ever cut,” he said. “We buried it…on side two on the IV album. The fact it was hit the first time was just staggering to me, but the fact that all these years later it’s become this thing [baffles me.]”

Reflecting on why the “kitschy” tune is so beloved, Lukather posed, “It’s not about love or politics or the end of the world. It’s just a silly song to make people dance and sing and forget about things for four minutes, I guess.”

Here’s Toto IV‘s track list:

“Rosanna”
“Make Believe”
“I Won’t Hold You Back”
“Good for You”
“It’s a Feeling”
“Afraid of Love”
“Lovers in the Night”
“We Made It”
“Waiting for Your Love”
“Africa”

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Edgar Winter‘s upcoming album, Brother Johnny: An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter, is a loving homage to his late older sibling that features an impressive cast of guest musicians joining him on versions of various original tunes and covers that Johnny Winter recorded throughout his career.

Among the many artists who contributed to the album was Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died unexpectedly on March 25 at the age of 50. Rather than playing drums on the project Hawkins lent his vocal talents to a rendition of “Guess I’ll Go Away,” a Johnny-penned tune that appeared on his 1970 album Johnny Winter And.

Edgar tells ABC Audio that with Hawkins passing away before the Brother Johnny album’s April 15 release, it makes the track “sort of like a tribute within a tribute.”

“It’s such an odd happenstance,” Edgar notes. “I mean, here’s a guy that’s singing a tribute song to my brother, Johnny, and he sings the song and then…passes away himself. And in similar circumstances, in a hotel room, on the road. It’s just bizarre, and very compelling.”

Regarding the experience of working with Taylor, Edgar says, “I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to meet him, because he had such energy, just pure love of music…And it touched my heart.”

He adds, “It’s probably one of his last performances, and it means the world to me to have him on the song.”

The 75-year-old rocker also points out that Hawkins’ performance brought an element he felt was missing from the project.

“I wanted a more modern approach to the vocal, rather than an old school blues-style approach,” Edgar explains. “And that was perfect for Taylor.”

Brother Johnny can be pre-ordered now. Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Mean Town Blues” — featuring Joe Bonamassa
“Alive and Well” — featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Lone Star Blues” — featuring Keb’ Mo’
“I’m Yours and I’m Hers” — featuring Billy Gibbons & Derek Trucks
“Johnny B. Goode” — featuring Joe Walsh & David Grissom
“Stranger” — featuring Michael McDonald, Joe Walsh & Ringo Starr
“Highway 61 Revisited” — featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd & John McFee
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Koo” — featuring Steve Lukather
“When You Got a Good Friend” — featuring Doyle Bramhall II
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” — featuring Phil X
“Guess I’ll Go Away” — featuring Taylor Hawkins & Doug Rappoport
“Drown in My Own Tears”
“Self Destructive Blues” — featuring Joe Bonamassa
“Memory Pain” — featuring Warren Haynes
“Stormy Monday Blues” — featuring Robben Ford
“Got My Mojo Workin'” — featuring Bobby Rush
“End of the Line” — featuring David Campbell Strings

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In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson‘s new band, Envy of None, will release a seven-inch single pressed on yellow-and-blue vinyl, reflecting the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

The limited-edition disc, which will be available on July 7, features two tracks from Envy of None’s upcoming self-titled debut album: “Enemy” and “You’ll Be Sorry.” The latter song is one of five bonus tracks appearing on the deluxe versions of the album.

Proceeds from sales of the single will be donated to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support the organization’s Ukraine emergency response.

The “Enemy”/”You’ll Be Sorry” vinyl single can be ordered at VisionMerch.com. Only 500 copies will be available — 250 signed copies priced at $100, and 250 unsigned discs costing $50.

Envy of None will match the funds raised by the single for the UNHCR’s Ukrainian relief efforts.

In addition, fans will have the opportunity to purchase a 30-minute Zoom chat with Lifeson and his Envy of None band mates for $1,000, with the money raised going to the UNHCR. Only 10 slots are available.

Also, Envy of None will discuss the album during a livestream Q&A taking place this Sunday, April 10, at 12 p.m. ET at nugsnet’s YouTube channel. The event is free to anyone who donates to the UNHCR.

The band says in a joint statement, “As another generation witnesses first had the horrors of yet another war, we can strive to temper our helplessness by supporting the difficult, but necessary work UNHCR provides to lessen the burden for millions of displaced people.”

Envy of None will be released on Friday, April 8. You can pre-order it now.

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George Harrison‘s estate has partnered with BMG on a new global publishing deal for the label to oversee the late rock legend’s Harrisongs catalog, which includes over 200 songs he wrote as a member of The Beatles, as a solo artist, and with the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys.

Among the many familiar songs written or co-written by Harrison are The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Something”; his solo hits “My Sweet Lord,” “What Is Life,” and “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)”; and The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line” and “Handle with Care.”

The agreement also expands the relationship BMG has had with the Harrison-established boutique label Dark Horse Records, which is now led by George’s son, Dhani Harrison, and talent manager/film producer David Zonshine. The deal will see BMG serving as Dark Horse Records’ global partner with regard to music recordings and publishing, merchandise, and other business areas.

“I’m delighted to announce that my father’s song catalogue will be joining BMG/Dark Horse Records,” says Dhani in a statement. “We have had a longstanding and successful partnership with BMG over the years and we look forward to continuing to expand our relationship well into the future.”

Upcoming Dark Horse releases include a new EP from Billy Idol and a new studio album by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench. The label also recently secured a global agreement to release 16 albums from the late Leon Russell‘s catalog spanning from 1984 to 2013, and a deal to administer the solo publishing of late Clash frontman Joe Strummer, as well as the publishing of Strummer’s songwriting contributions to The Clash’s final album, 1985’s Cut the Crap.

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