Paul McCartney & John Lennon solo tracks turned into Beatles tunes using AI

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

In the latest instance of artificial intelligence messing with music, People reports that a YouTube user has used artificial intelligence to transform solo songs by Paul McCartney and John Lennon into full blown Beatles songs.

The videos were posted by a user named Dae Lims, who reimagined McCartney’s 2013 track “New” and the 1983 posthumous Lennon release “Grow Old with Me” as complete band songs. The McCartney song features an AI version of Lennon singing along in the chorus, while “Grow Old With Me” adds McCartney’s voice to the song.

And fans seem to be digging the reimagined tracks. “This is unbelievable, just like a new Beatles song,” one person commented about “New.” “Thank you so much for making this.” Another called “Grow Old With Me” a masterpiece, describing it as “truly stunning!”

Nils Lofgren’s new album, ‘Mountains’, features Neil Young, the late David Crosby and more

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

E Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren is set to release a new solo album, Mountains, on July 21 and has shared the first single from the record, “Ain’t The Truth Enough,” featuring special guest Ringo Starr on drums.

In addition to Ringo, the 10-track album features guest appearances by several of Lofgren’s famous friends, including Neil Young and the late David Crosby.

“These songs are all born of raw emotion,” Lofgren shares. “I gave myself permission to share my fear and my anger, my love and my hope, to be open about what I was experiencing without overanalyzing or editing my life out of it.”

He adds, “This album started as a form of therapy but it very quickly grew beyond that,” noting “it was so freeing to work without any restrictions, to just write whatever came out, and it turned into some of the most inspired work I think I’ve ever made.”

To coincide with the release, Lofgren will launch his Rockality video series, where he’ll share stories from his music career. The videos will be available for purchase starting July 21 at nilslofgren.com.

Here is the track list for Mountains. It’s available for preorder now.

“Ain’t the Truth Enough” (feat. Ringo Starr)
“Only Ticket Out”
“Back In Your Arms” (feat. the Howard Gospel Choir)
“Won’t Cry No More”
“Nothing’s Easy” (feat. Neil Young)
“Dream Killer”
“Only Your Smile” (feat. Ron Carter)
“I Remember Her Name” (feat. David Crosby)
“We Better Find It”
“Angel Blues”

Def Leppard announces intimate hometown show

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Def Leppard is treating their hometown fans to a very special show. The band just announced they’ll be playing an intimate club show at The Leadmill in Sheffield, England, on May 19.

The band promises fans the concert will feature “a unique set list,” with portions of the proceeds going to Music Venue Trust, a charity that aids grassroots music venues.

The concert will happen on the same day Def Leppard releases their new album Drastic Symphonies with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Fans in the U.K. who preorder the album by May 10 at 5 p.m. BST will get exclusive presale access to tickets.

And Def Leppard will be sticking around their hometown after the gig. The European leg of their tour with Mötley Crüe kicks off May 22 at Sheffield’s Bramall Lane. A complete list of dates can be found at defleppard.com.

Smashed Kurt Cobain guitar & historic Nirvana set list going up for auction

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

A guitar smashed by Kurt Cobain and a historic Nirvana set list are going up for auction.

The guitar, a black Fender Stratocaster, is signed by and features an inscription to Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan reading, “Hell-o Mark/Love, your Pal, Kurdt Kobain/Washed up rock star.” It’s expected to sell for between $60,000 and $80,000.

Last year, a Cobain-smashed guitar sold for over $480,000 at auction. Another Cobain guitar, the 1959 Martin D-18E guitar he played during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged special, holds the record for most expensive guitar sold at auction when it went for $6 million in 2020.

The set list, meanwhile, is handwritten by Cobain and is from Nirvana’s April 1991 show at Seattle’s OK Hotel, which notably featured the live debut of the then-unreleased “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” That’s expected to go for between $4,000 and $6000.

Both the guitar and the set list will be included in Julien’s Auctions’ upcoming Music Icons sale, taking place May 19-21 at New York City’s Hard Rock Cafe and online via JuliensAuctions.com.

Other items part of the auction include an acoustic Top of the Pops guitar signed by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury‘s stage-worn New York Yankees jacket from Queen‘s 1977 Madison Square Garden show and an Eddie Van Halen guitar played during a 2008 Van Halen concert.

On This Day, May 3, 1986: Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” lands at number one

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, May 3, 1986…

English singer/songwriter Robert Palmer landed his first and only Billboard Hot 100 number one with “Addicted to Love,” which went on to become his signature song.

The song was the second single released from Palmer’s eighth studio album Riptide, which also featured the number two hits “Simply Irresistible” and “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On.” “Addicted to Love” was originally intended to be a duet with Chaka Khan, but her label wouldn’t give her permission to record it.

The track’s success was aided by a stylish music video that got massive play on MTV, featuring Palmer being backed by a group of models all dressed in black, with pale faces and heavy makeup. The video went on to be parodied several times, including in the movie Love Actually, and in videos for Shania Twain‘s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman,” Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing” and more.

Bush shares new song “All Things Must Change” off upcoming deluxe ‘The Art of Survival’ album

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bush has premiered a new song called “All Things Must Change.”

The track will appear on the upcoming deluxe version of Gavin Rossdale and company’s 2022 album, The Art of Survival, due out June 9.

“This is nature,” Rossdale says of the tune. “All things are changing. All the time.”

You can listen to “All Things Must Change” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying lyric video streaming now on YouTube.

Along with “All Things Must Change,” the deluxe The Art of Survival includes a new version of the album track “1000 Years” featuring Evanescence‘s Amy Lee, and live recordings of the tracks “More Than Machines” and “Heavy Is the Ocean.”

Bush is currently touring in support of The Art of Survival alongside Breaking Benjamin.

Neil Young pays tribute to “Canadian legend” Gordon Lightfoot: “a songwriter without parallel”

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Neil Young is the latest artist to pay tribute to fellow Canadian, singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who passed away Monday at the age of 84.

“I just spoke to Gordon a few weeks back and he sounded happy, although he had cancelled some shows and was re-organizing his touring,” Young shared on his Neil Young Archives site Tuesday. “I was saddened when I learned today of his passing.”

Young called Lightfoot “a great Canadian artist,” and “a songwriter without parallel,” noting, “His melodies and words were an inspiration to all writers who listened to his music, as they will continue to be through the ages.”

Finally, he shares, “There is a unique and wonderful feeling to Gordon’s music. Lightfoot is a Canadian legend.”

And Young has been inspired by Lightfoot’s music in the past. He covered two of his songs, “Early Morning Rain” and “If You Could Read My Mind,” for his covers album A Letter Home, which came out in 2014.

Rage Against the Machine, Kate Bush among 2023 Rock Hall inductees

May 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rage Against the Machine and Kate Bush are among the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Also selected this year in the Performers category are Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, The Spinners and the late George Michael. Additionally, the Rock Hall will honor hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc and guitar legend Link Wray with the Musical Influence Award; Chaka Khan, Elton John‘s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and founding Blood, Sweat & Tears member Al Kooper with the Musical Excellence Award; and Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius with the industry Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” says John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”

Rage is being inducted after appearing on the ballot five times, while Bush makes it on her fourth try. Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and George Michael were all chosen for induction following their first time on the ballot.

This year’s nominees who were not inducted include The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, Warren Zevon, Joy Division and New Order, Cyndi Lauper and A Tribe Called Quest.

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place November 3 at New York City’s Barclays Center.

Foo Fighters announce Brazil show with Garbage and Wet Leg

May 2, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Foo Fighters have announced a new show in Brazil, and they’re taking some friends along with them.

Dave Grohl and company will headline Estádio Couto Pereira in Curitiba on September 7, with Garbage and Wet Leg also on the bill.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 4, at 10 a.m. local time. Visit FooFighters.com for more info.

Garbage drummer Butch Vig previously worked with Grohl when he produced Nirvana‘s Nevermind. As for Wet Leg, Grohl just made a surprise appearance during the “Chaise Longue” duo’s weekend two Coachella set.

The Brazil show is part of Foo Fighters’ live comeback following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022. The group’s first show back is scheduled for May 24 in Gilford, New Hampshire.

Foo Fighters are also putting out a new album called But Here We Are, featuring the single “Rescued,” on June 2. It hasn’t yet been announced who’s playing drums on the album or during the tour.

Steven Tyler fights the use of his memoir in sexual assault suit

May 2, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Steven Tyler is claiming free speech in his latest attempt to thwart the lawsuit brought by the woman accusing him of sexual assault in the ’70s.

According to legal documents obtained by People, Tyler is arguing that the woman, Julia Misley, who was previously known as Julia Holcolmb, can’t claim his 2011 memoir, Does This Noise In My Head Bother You?, caused her “emotional distress” because she isn’t identified in the book. Plus, he contends, his writings constitute free speech.

The documents note, “Tyler’s statements in his memoirs, including his statements about his relationship with Plaintiff, thus concern a matter of public interest and qualify as protected activity.”

The Aerosmith frontman’s also claiming that since the book was released in 2011, Misley waited too long to file her claim and the statute of limitations has already passed.

The documents, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, also argue that Tyler’s writings “do not qualify as outrageous conduct that was intended to cause emotional distress,” stating the contents of the book “relay his own experiences from his newsworthy life.”

He suggests Misley can’t prove that she actually “experienced severe emotional distress” from the book, aruging that if she had she wouldn’t have been able to talk about their relationship “for over decade.” He points out that in her professional speaker bio she refers to herself as his “former girlfriend.”

Misley filed her lawsuit back in December, accusing Tyler of sexual assault, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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