Classic Rock News

Ringo Starr has earned many honors throughout his career, and now, he has one more. The Beatles drummer was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame over the weekend.

According to The Tennessean, in addition to the induction, Starr was honored with the Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award, named in honor of the Hall of Fame’s co-founder, songwriter Joe Chambers, who passed away in 2022.  

“I am honored to be here and accept the first Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award. I’ve always loved Nashville and country music, though I know this place honors all musicians regardless of genre or instrument,” Ringo shared. “I’ve had a long, happy relationship with this town and it’s lovely to be here and receive this award.”

Ringo’s celebration included speeches by Peter Frampton and Brenda Lee as well as a performance of three of his songs by a group of musicians the Hall of Fame put together. They were joined by such artists as Rodney Crowell, Toto’s Steve Lukather and others.

The ceremony came ahead of Ringo and his All-Starr Band‘s headlining performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Sunday, September 24. They play Clearwater, Florida, on Tuesday, September 26. A complete list of dates can be found at ringostarr.com.

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Stevie Nicks is extending her time on the road into next year. The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer just announced a new set of shows for 2024.

The latest additions kick off February 10 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with shows in Long Island, New York; Hollywood, Florida; New Orleans and more, before wrapping March 9 with a co-headlining show with Billy Joel in Arlington, Texas. The final date is actually a rescheduled show from April 2023. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 29, at 10 a.m. local time.

Stevie still has several dates on the book for 2023. Next up, she’ll play Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, September 27. A complete list of dates can be found at stevienicksofficial.com.

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The heaviest ballet of all time got even heavier, thanks to Tony Iommi.

As previously reported, England’s Birmingham Royal Ballet announced a production based on Black Sabbath back in February. The show finally made its debut on Saturday, September 23, at the Birmingham Hippodrome and featured a surprise appearance by the “Iron Man” shredder himself.

“Thanks to everyone who supported us at the Ballet, we had a great premiere last night,” Iommi wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday, September 24. “I’m honored to be involved with these talented dancers.”

Iommi also noted that he won’t be able to perform with the ballet for every performance, suggesting his appearance at the premiere was more of a special occasion.

Black Sabbath — The Ballet features re-orchestrated versions of songs including “Iron Man,” “Paranoid” and “War Pigs” as well as original new compositions inspired by the metal legends.

Upon its initial announcement, Iommi remarked, “Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this! I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with ballet but it’s got a nice ring to it!”

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The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards will be turning 80 in December, which many didn’t think would happen considering how he’s lived his life over the years.

“I wouldn’t recommend the way I’ve handled everything to anybody else,” he tells The Telegraph. “But I’ve handled myself the way that I felt was necessary. And I think everybody else, if they did the same thing, might benefit from Keith’s advice: don’t worry too much!”

Keith is far from the wild man he once was. It turns out, he’s basically given up most of his vices. “The cigarettes I gave up in 2019. I haven’t touched them since. I gave up heroin in 1978. I gave up cocaine in 2006,” he says, adding, “I still like a drink occasionally – because I’m not going to heaven any time soon – but apart from that, I’m trying to enjoy being straight. It’s a unique experience for me.”

Keith says he has no problem with getting older. “I’m getting along with the idea of being 80, and still walking, still talking,” he says. “I find [ageing] a fascinating process. But then if you didn’t, you might as well commit suicide.”

In the same article, Richards also discusses music, particularly the fact that he isn’t a fan of pop or rap.

He says pop music’s “always been rubbish,” noting, “I mean, that’s the point of it. They make it as cheap and as easy as possible and therefore it always sounds the same; there’s very little feel in it.” As for rap, he notes, “I don’t really like to hear people yelling at me and telling me it’s music, AKA rap. I can get enough of that without ­leaving my house.”

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Journey will continue the celebration of their 50th anniversary with a new tour in 2024.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers just announced dates for their 50th anniversary Freedom Tour 2024 with special guest Toto. The trek kicks off February 9 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and will wrap April 29 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

“We are looking forward to hitting the road again with our very good friends Toto!” Journey guitarist Neil Schon shares. “Come join us for a special evening full of fun and rockin’ good memories. See you soon, friends.”

Keyboardist Jonathan Cain adds, “Honored to take our timeless songs on the road with another band whose songs are also timeless, Steve Lukather and Toto. It will truly be a musical evening to be remembered.”

A Citi card presale begins Tuesday, September 26, at 10 a.m. local time, with the general onsale set for Friday, September 29, at 10 a.m. local time. A complete list of tour dates can be found at journeymusic.com.

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On This Day, September 25, 2017…

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers headlined The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles California for what would turn out to be their final concert ever, as Petty would die less than two weeks later.

Petty and the band treated fans to such classic tunes as “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” “Breakdown,” “Learning to Fly” and more, wrapping the night with “You Wreck Me” and “American Girl.” 

On October 2, Petty was found unconscious at his home, and died at UCLA Medical Center, although there were initially premature reports of his passing. The coroner report revealed that drugs played a role in his death.

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Dave Grohl took a moment during Foo Fighters‘ headlining set at the Louder Than Life festival to pay tribute to Kent Stax, late drummer of the band Scream.

Grohl, of course, played in Scream as a teenager before he went on to join Nirvana and then form Foo Fighters. He actually joined Scream in Stax’s place when he left the band in 1986.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Scream,” Grohl told the Louder Than Life crowd. “And the man who’s place I took in that band, Mr. Kent Stax, one of the best punk rock drummers of all time, he passed the other day. So this one’s for Kent.”

The Foos then launched into their set closing performance of “Everlong.” Fan-shot footage of the moment was posted to YouTube.

Stax, born Bennett Kent Stacks, died September 20 following a battle with metastatic cancer. News of his passing came just a day after Scream had announced a new album, DC Special, featuring the original Still Screaming lineup: vocalist Pete Stahl, guitarist Franz Stahl, bassist Skeeter Thompson and Stax. Grohl also contributed to the record, which is due out November 10.

Foo Fighters have also been dealing with the death of their longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins, who passed away March 2022. They returned to the road earlier in 2023 with new drummer Josh Freese.

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Bob Dylan was the surprise guest at Farm Aid 2023, which took place Saturday, September 23, in Noblesville, Indiana. 

The legendary artist wasn’t on the announced lineup but turned up to the Rouff Music Center to treat the crowd to a twenty-minute set. According to setlist.fm, Dylan was backed by The Heartbreakers and performed three tracks: “Maggie’s Farm,” for the first time since 2003, “Positively 4th Street,” for the first time since 2013, and “Ballad of a Thin Man.”

Dylan’s appearance was notable, as it was his comments about the plight of U.S. farmers at Live Aid in 1985 that sparked the idea for Farm Aid.

But Dylan was far from the only big name on the bill. The organization’s board members, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and Margo Price also performed, along with Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack and more.

This was Young’s first return to Farm Aid since 2019, and he performed a short set that included “Comes A Time,” “Are There Any More Real Cowboys,” “Love Earth” and “Heart of Gold.” Mellencamp treated the crowd to eight songs, including classics like “Small Town,” “Jack & Diane,” “Rain on the Scarecrow” and more.

Willie closed the show with a full 18-song set that included “On The Road Again,” “Always On My Mind” and others, with many of the artists joining him for his closing numbers, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”/”I’ll Fly Away” and “It’s Hard to Be Humble.” 

Farm Aid raises funds in support of family farmers, and fans can still help. A Farm Aid 2023 silent auction is running until October 6, offering autographed guitars, posters, books, albums and more from this year’s artists. All proceeds benefit Farm Aid.

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Heart’s Nancy Wilson and onetime AC/DC drummer Chris Slade are set to take part in a very special High Voltage Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, happening February 15-18 in Los Angeles.

The event, which also features Stone Temple Pilots brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo, will give fans a chance to live like rock stars, experiencing band rehearsals, jam sessions and more, with a focus on the music of Heart, STP and AC/DC. Participants will even get to perform at famous Los Angeles venues, including the Viper Room and the Troubadour, where they’ll wrap the weekend performing onstage with Slade.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is open to vocalists and instrumentalists of all skill levels. Those who sign up will receive a song list ahead of time in order to prepare for their rockin’ weekend.

Information on prices and how to register can be found at rockcamp.com.

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