Classic Rock News

Twisted Sister has canceled their planned 50th anniversary reunion tour.

The trek, featuring original members Dee Snider, Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, was supposed to begin in April but has been called off due to Snider’s health.

“Due to the sudden and unexpected resignation of Twisted Sister’s lead singer Dee Snider brought on by a series of health challenges, the band has been forced to cancel all shows,” Jay Jay and Eddie said in a statement. noting cancelations included the planned opening show April 25 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as all summer dates. “The future of Twisted Sister will be determined in the next several weeks.”

A separate statement detailed Snider’s health issues.

“A lifetime of legendarily aggressive performing has taken its toll on Dee Snider’s body and soul,” it read. “Unbeknownst to the public (until now) Snider (70) suffers from degenerative arthritis and has had several surgeries over the years just to keep going, able to only perform a few songs at a time in pain.”

“Adding insult to injury, Dee has recently found out the level of intensity he has dedicated to his life’s work has taken its toll on his heart as well,” the statement continued. “He can no longer push the boundaries of rock ‘n’ roll fury like he has done for decades.”

“I don’t know of any other way to rock,” Snider said, according to the statement. “The idea of slowing down is unacceptable to me. I’d rather walk away than be a shadow of my former self.”

“In the immortal words of Dirty Harry, ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’ Sadly, Dee Snider now knows his,” the statement concluded.

The trek would have marked the first time Twisted Sister toured together since 2016. 

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Def Leppard performed their new song “Rejoice” live for the first time during the opening night of their Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and now they’re giving fans a look at what it took to get it to the stage.

The band has released a behind-the-scenes look at their rehearsals of the residency, particularly their work on “Rejoice.” Phil Collen says of the track, “It’s fun, it’s a rock song.”

He says that frontman Joe Elliott came to him and said he had lyrics about “finding yourself and coming to terms with yourself and actually enjoying who you are, kind of happy and rejoice and triumphant and all that stuff,” and asked him if he had any kind of mid-tempo music to go with it. Collen says he actually had “this thing sitting around for ages,” which they were able to turn into the song.

The video was shot during early rehearsals for the residency, and Vivian Campbell says getting the song right wasn’t necessarily easy.

“Like anything new, it’s a bit of a challenge, some songs more than others,” he says. He notes that with “Rejoice” the issue was getting the vocals and the guitar riffs to sound right together, calling the vocals “pretty relentless.”

Campbell adds that while it was only day three of rehearsals, “I think we’ve got it. It’s starting to come together.”

Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency runs through Feb. 28, with their next show on Saturday. A complete list of dates can be found at DefLeppard.com.

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Lily Cornell Silver, the eldest daughter of the late Chris Cornell, has launched a band called Josie on the Rocks.

Lily says in an Instagram post that she actually started the band, which she sings in, five years ago. She writes, “Being in this band was the happiest part of my life.”

“I never really shared about it publicly because it made me so happy that I was honestly terrified to taint it with any public expectation or scrutiny,” Lily writes. “Playing with these boys pulled me out of an awful place and gave me a sense of purpose I’d never felt before.”

As Lily was getting closer to being comfortable with releasing music, the band’s drummer, Graham Derzon-Supplee, passed away.

“Then Graham died, and it seemed like the most senseless thing in the world,” Lily says. “It hasn’t really been until the last year that the three of us have talked seriously about releasing songs so that this part of Graham could live on.”

Now, Josie and the Rocks are officially making their debut with the songs “Not You” and “Super Sonic.” “Not You” is accompanied by a video, which you can watch on YouTube.

Chris shared Lily with his first wife, Susan Silver. He had two kids with his second wife, Vicky Cornell, daughter Toni Cornell and son Christopher Cornell.

Lily introduced Soundgarden’s performance at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

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Reggae legend Bob Marley would have turned 81 on Friday, and in celebration of his father, Grammy-winning singer Ziggy Marley has dropped the new song “Many Mourn For Bob.” 

The track is the first song Ziggy has ever written specifically dedicated to his father, who passed away in 1986 at age 45, when Ziggy was 12. An accompanying video features photos of Bob from Ziggy’s childhood.

According to a press release, Ziggy was inspired to write the song while producing the 2024 Marley biopic Marley: One Love.

“‘Many Mourn For Bob’ is a reflection on my father from the deepest parts of my heart and subconscious mind born from rediscovering him with new eyes,” says Ziggy.

“Many Mourn For Bob” is now available via digital outlets.

The song will appear on Ziggy’s upcoming ninth studio album, Brightside, which is being released April 18 for Record Store Day and digitally on May 1.

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Late Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir was remembered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat who represents the Marin County area of California where Weir lived, delivered remarks on the House floor paying tribute to Weir, and did so barefoot in honor of the rock legend.

“I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of my constituent and the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Bob Weir,” Huffman said. “Bob was more than a musical icon, he was a neighbor, a friend and a beloved part of our North Bay community. For decades, Bob made his home in Marin, raised his family there. Opened his doors to other artists and helped build the vibrant local music vibe that so many of us cherish.”

“Bob’s music, his generosity, unmistakable creative spirit helped define the identity of the North Coast,” he added. “His legacy will endure every time a kid picks up a guitar,” noting, “We are grateful that he made our community part of his life. And we send our love to his family, his friends and all my fellow Deadheads across the world.”

Finally, Huffman offered, “And Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect I delivered these remarks barefoot in honor of Bobby Weir. I think he would appreciate that.”

The last comment prompted a rebuke from the speaker pro tempore, who noted, “Members are reminded to observe proper decorum on the floor.”

Bob Weir died Jan. 10 at the age of 78.

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The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine has announced a very special show in Los Angeles to coincide with the upcoming release of the new Beach Boys box set, We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, backed by the Pet Sounds Band aka Brian Wilson’s longtime backing band, will headline the United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. They’ll perform the 1977 album The Beach Boys Love You in its entirety for the very first time.

According to the announcement, the show will feature “other surprises” from the upcoming box set.

Tickets for the show are on sale now.

We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years, dropping Feb. 13, is a three-CD, three-LP box set highlighting Beach Boys music recorded between 1976 and 1977.

It includes a newly remastered version of The Beach Boys Love You and a whole host of bonus material, including the shelved album Adult/Child, which was recorded in 1977, and previously only available through collector’s tapes and bootlegs.

We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years is available for preorder now.

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John Mellencamp is set to appear on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday.

The night’s other guests include former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

This isn’t the first time Mellencamp has chatted with Maher. In August 2023, the rocker was a guest on Maher’s Club Random podcast.

In other Mellencamp news, his daughter — reality TV star Teddi Mellencamp — was voted off Fox’s The Masked Singer on Wednesday following a tribute performance that honored her rock star father.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who competed as Calla Lily, performed her dad’s #1 hit “Jack and Diane.” She later shared a clip on her Instagram Story of her watching the show with Mellencamp.

“Dad you excited?” she asks her dad, to which he replies, “yeah … I flew all the way here for it.” In another video, Teddi gets him to sing a line from the song.

John Mellencamp recently announced dates for Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits, which kicks off July 10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and wraps Aug. 12 in Mountain View, California.

He’s promised fans he’ll play a set filled with hits including “Jack and Diane,” “Hurts So Good,” “Small Town” and “Pink Houses,” along with breakout tracks he hasn’t performed live in nearly a decade, including “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock),” “I Need a Lover,” “Wild Night” and “Ain’t Even Done With the Night.”

A complete list of dates can be found at Mellencamp.com.

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If you ever wanted to be the singer in Skid Row, now’s your chance.

The “18 and Life” rockers have announced a worldwide audition in partnership with the music instrument company Sweetwater to become the band’s next vocalist. 

“This is not a contest or a gimmick,” Skid Row says in a statement. “It’s a genuine search for the right voice, presence, and authenticity to carry Skid Row forward.”

To enter, you’ll need to record yourself singing “18 and Life” and fellow Skid Row song “Monkey Business,” and then upload your submission. For more info, visit Sweetwater.com.

Skid Row’s classic lineup featured Sebastian Bach on lead vocals. After Bach left the band in 1996, Skid Row went through several different singers; the most recent vocalist was Erik Grönwall.

After Grönwall announced his departure in 2024 due to health reasons, Skid Row played a run of shows with Halestorm‘s Lzzy Hale on lead vocals. Hale later said she was “overflowing with gratitude” for the experience, but added, “This particular time in my life prevents me from committing to a permanent role in Skid Row.”

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On This Day, Feb. 5, 2018…

Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring after more than 60 years in music.

The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said time away from his family and the death of his longtime guitarist Vincent Nguini played a role in his decision.

Simon didn’t give up the road without one more run. In May of the same year, he launched Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour, a four-month trek that took him to North America and Europe, and wrapped in his home borough of Queens, New York.

While the show marked the end of Simon’s final tour, he said he wasn’t quitting the stage and suggested he could perform live again. He did just that in August 2019, when he headlined San Francisco’s Outside Lands Festival.

Simon’s retirement didn’t last long. In April 2025, he launched the A Quiet Celebration Tour, in which he performed his 2023 album, Seven Psalms, as well newly arranged versions of tracks from his vast catalog of hits. He just announced a new North American leg of the tour, kicking off June 4 in Palo Alto, California.

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Mötley Crüe will be celebrating America’s birthday up north in Canada.

The “Home Sweet Home” rockers will headline Winnipeg’s Rockin’ Thunder concert series on July 4. The bill will also include Three Days Grace, Halestorm and Canadian musician JJ Wilde.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. CT. For all ticket info, visit Motley.com.

Mötley will return to the U.S. later in July to launch the Return of Carnival of Sins tour celebrating the band’s 45th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of their 2005-06 Carnival of Sins tour.

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