Classic Rock News

Stevie Nicks and Eddie Vedder join Elton John and a whole lot of other big-name artists on the “ultimate Zoom call.”

The star-studded video chat, which has been posted on Elton’s official YouTube channel, features the “Rocket Man legend talking remotely with many of the collaborators on his new album, The Lockdown Sessions, including the Fleetwood Mac singer and Pearl Jam frontman.

At one point during the video, Nicks, who contributed vocals to a song called “Stolen Car” on The Lockdown Sessions, tells Elton, “It was my pleasure to sing with you, and I hope I did a good job on your song, ’cause I really tried hard and I love it so much.”

Later on in the clip, Vedder brings out a Disneyland ticket in reference to his Lockdown Sessions song with John, “E-Ticket.” “Recording with you, my friend, was the greatest ride anybody could offer,” Eddie tells Elton.

Vedder also shares a drawing he owns of John as a superhero that was made by late Who bassist John Entwistle.

Other Lockdown Sessions guests who showed up include Stevie Wonder, Gorillaz/Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Miley Cyrus, producer Andrew Watt, Brandi Carlile, Dua Lipa and Nicki Minaj.

After the Zoom call ends, we see Elton sitting alone in his house when his pal, U.K. pop star Ed Sheeran, with whom he recently released the holiday single “Merry Christmas,” runs into the room wearing a Santa hat.

After joking around a bit, Ed then snuggles up to Elton and embraces him, and the two both wish fans a Merry Christmas.

The Lockdown Sessions was released in October. As its name suggests, the record includes a variety of collaborations John recorded while quarantining amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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ZZ Top is the latest veteran rock act to sell its catalog for big bucks.

The little ol’ band from Texas has made a deal with BMG and the investment firm KKR to acquire its “entire music interests,” including the band’s publishing catalog and its income from recorded and performance royalties.

ZZ Top, whose bass player, Dusty Hill, died unexpectedly this year, released 15 albums throughout their five-decade career, including the ’80s smashes Eliminator and Afterburner, and the classics Tres Hombres, Fandango and Degüello.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

The band’s manager said in a statement, “This new deal ensures ZZ Top’s remarkable legacy will endure for generations to come.”

As for the price tag, sources tell Variety that it’s estimated to be around $50 million.

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Two of Eddie Money‘s musical kids, son Dez and daughter Jesse Money, are celebrating the holiday season and paying tribute to their late dad by releasing a new version of his 1997 yuletide tune “Everybody Loves Christmas.”

The updated track, which has been renamed “Everybody Loves Christmas: A Song for Dad,” was recorded by Dez and Jesse, and also features some vocals by Eddie added from the original version of the tune. Dez produced the song.

According to a post on Money’s Facebook page, Eddie wrote “Everybody Loves Christmas” for Dez, Jesse and their brothers Zach, Joe and Julian when they all were children. The original studio version featured guest vocals by Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes, with whom Eddie famously duetted on his 1986 hit “Take Me Home Tonight.”

“Everybody Loves Christmas: A Song for Dad” is available now via digital-music sellers and steaming services. You also can purchase the track at EddieMoney.com. A t-shirt featuring the single’s cover art also is being sold at the website. Proceeds from sales of the shirt and other merch items on the website will benefit the Eddie Money USC Cancer Research Fund.

Money died in September 2019 from complications of esophageal cancer. He was 70.

Throughout December, Eddie’s family has been paying homage to the singer on his Facebook page by posting various archival photos taken of him with his wife, Laurie, and kids during the holidays.

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Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson has partnered with the Patreon membership platform to offer fans access to brand-new songs, unreleased music and videos he’s created, livestreamed events, artwork and more.

“I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you as I create the next chapter of my life’s work,” Anderson explains. “After years of dealing with the runaround of big record labels, I have decided to partner with you, as those of you who enjoy my work have always been my greatest support and inspiration.”

He continues, “There are many great projects I have been working on including lots of new music, paintings, a book, and short stories. Your patronage will allow me to continue my work and will offer you priceless access.”

Three membership levels for Jon’s Patreon platform will be available — Silver, Gold and Platinum, costing $10, $50 and $100 a month, respectively.

A Silver membership offers early access to new songs and projects, livestreams of rehearsals and events, behind-the-scenes videos of Anderson working on various projects, early access to tickets for select concerts, and access to Jon’s general archives.

A Gold membership offers everything available to Silver members, as well as access to Anderson’s “Select Archives,” a monthly live interactive Q&A with Jon, and surprise gifts that you’ll receive throughout your first year of patronage.

The Platinum offers all the benefits available to Gold and Silver members, as well as access to Anderson’s “Gold Vault Archives,” pre-release previews of Jon’s work, access to participate in something called “Jon’s Opus Puzzle,” a private livestreamed concert with Anderson and more.

Jon shared more details about his Patreon pertnership in a recent Facebook post. Visit Patreon.com for more info or to sign up for a membership.

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Billie Joe Armstrong will be ringing in 2022 alongside Miley Cyrus.

The Green Day frontman is set to perform on Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party, hosted by the pop star and Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. The lineup also includes 24kGoldn, Brandi Carlile, Saweetie and others.

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party airs December 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

In addition to celebrating a new year, Armstrong also appears to be working on new music. In an Instagram post over the weekend, Green Day shared a video of the punk trio recording at he RAK Studios in London.

Green Day released three new singles in 2021: “Here Comes the Shock,” “Pollyanna” and “Holy Toledo!” The band’s most recent album is 2020’s Father of All…

 

 

 

 

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Billy Corgan‘s father, William Dale Corgan, has passed away at age 74.

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman announced the news over the weekend with a series of videos, in which he described his “long, crazy, complicated relationship” with Billy Sr.

“On the bright side of it all, he inspired me to be the musician that I am,” Corgan said. “He made me be way better than I would’ve ever been without him. He was a fantastic musician, and a great teacher in his own way.”

Corgan added that while his dad “didn’t really understand what I was doing, musically,” during the early days of the Pumpkins, he later “came around and became my biggest fan and supporter.”

Following the announcement, Corgan played a holiday concert at Madame ZuZu’s, the Chicago tea shop he owns with his partner, Chloe Mendel.

“The show goes on — that’s what my father believed in,” Corgan said.

WILLIAM DALE CORGAN, 1947-2021
“He inspired me to be the musician that I am. He made me be way better than I would have ever been. He was a fantastic musician, and a great teacher in his own way.” pic.twitter.com/cEiBekR0FC

— William Patrick Corgan (@Billy) December 19, 2021

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Ex-Fleetwood Mac singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, Foo Fighters and The Smashing Pumpkins are among the acts that will be playing the 2022 Beale Street Music Festival, held from April 29 to May 1 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Other artists on the bill include Modest Mouse, The Glorious Sons, Toad the Wet Sprocket, rap star Lil Wayne, blues guitarist Sue Foley and more. Additional acts will be announced at a later date.

For ticket info, visit MemphisinMay.org.

Buckingham and The Smashing Pumpkins were originally on the 2020 Beale Street lineup before the festival was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 festival was scrapped, as well.

Meanwhile, Buckingham is scheduled to be playing the final concert of his 2021 solo tour tonight in Boulder, Colorado.

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Concert for Bangladesh, the three-LP set that featured highlights from two star-studded benefit shows headlined by George Harrison at New York’s Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971.

The show and album also included performances by Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Ravi Shakar and many other musicians.

The shows were organized by Harrison and his friend and musical mentor Shankar to raise awareness about, and funds for, refugees from the Pakistani region of East Pakistan during the brutal war that led to the creation of the nation of Bangladesh.

The concerts marked the first time Harrison had performed a full concert since The Beatles stopped touring in 1966.

The shows began with classical Indian music performance by Shankar and his group. Harrison then took the stage with a huge collective of musicians that included Clapton, Russell, Preston, Starr, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Klauss Voormann, the members of Badfinger, a horn section and various backing singers.

Harrison played select songs from his 1970 album All Things Must Pass and several Beatles tunes, including a version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that featured a guitar duel with Clapton.

Russell sang a medley of The Rolling Stones‘ “Jumping Jack Flash” and The Coasters‘ “Youngblood,” while Ringo performed his solo hit “It Don’t Come Easy.”

Dylan played a short set showcasing several of his classic songs.

The concerts ended with a performance of the new Harrison song “Bangla Desh,” which he’d released as a charity single in July 1971.

The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200, and topped the U.K. chart. Between the shows, the album and a 1972 concert film, millions of dollars were raised.

Here’s the full track list for The Concert for Bangladesh:

Side One
“George Harrison/Ravi Shankar Introduction”
“Bangla Dhun” — Ravi Shankar

Side Two
“Wah-Wah” — George Harrison
“My Sweet Lord” — George Harrison
“Awaiting on You All” — George Harrison
“That’s the Way God Planned It” — Billy Preston

Side Three
“It Don’t Come Easy” — Ringo Starr
“Beware of Darkness” — George Harrison, Leon Russell
“Band Introduction” — George Harrison
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” — George Harrison

Side Four
“Medley: Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Young Blood” — Leon Russell
“Here Comes the Sun” — George Harrison

Side Five
“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” — Bob Dylan
“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” — Bob Dylan
“Blowin’ in the Wind” — Bob Dylan
“Mr. Tambourine Man” — Bob Dylan
“Just Like a Woman” — Bob Dylan

Side Six
“Something” — George Harrison
“Bangla Desh” — George Harrison

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First we had a Metallica and Tool-loving Aquaman, and now we have a Kurt Cobain-influenced Batman.

In an interview with Empire magazine, director and writer Matt Reeves explains how the late Nirvana frontman helped inspire his characterization of the Dark Knight in the upcoming film, The Batman.

“When I write, I listen to music, and as I was writing the first act, I put on Nirvana’s “Something in the Way,'” Reeves shares. “That’s when it came to me that, rather than make Bruce Wayne the playboy version we’ve seen before, there’s another version who had gone through a great tragedy and become a recluse.”

Reeves adds he was reminded of the 2005 Gus Van Sant film Last Days, a fictional film that’s loosely based on Cobain’s death.

“I started making this connection to Gus Van Sant’s Last Days, and the idea of this fictionalized version of Kurt Cobain being in this kind of decaying manor,” Reeves says.

The Cobain connection to The Batman is already clear in the film’s trailer, which is soundtracked by “Something in the Way.” The movie, which stars Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, hits theaters March 4, 2022.

By the way, The Batman isn’t the first superhero film to use Nirvana’s music. “Come as You Are” is featured in Captain Marvel, while Black Widow opens with a choir version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

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This Christmas has brought us the gift of Steve Perry‘s first holiday album, The Season. He says the songs on it will transport you emotionally to past Christmases — because that’s exactly what happened to him while he was recording it.

Perry tells ABC Audio that while recording “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” for the album, he suddenly had a vision of being in his grandmother’s house during the holidays.

“As I was singing it, I [could] see…her yellow kitchen tile. I could see her in the kitchen,” Perry recalls. “I’m looking through the door jamb where I used to hang the mistletoe…into the living room, to this massive tree she used to put up.”

After shaking off the vision, Perry says, “I went, ‘Wow, that was pretty weird.’ I emotionally was right there, standing in front of that door, looking at that tree.”  He credits the spooky experience to “the power” of these “timeless” holiday songs.

The other thing that transports Perry to past Christmases is cooking the dishes his grandmother and mother used to make.

“Deviled eggs have to be there for Christmas. But the most important thing is the stuffing,” he shares. “The stuffing was my grandmother’s recipe and I make it from memory, just watching her, because I never wrote it down. And I’ll tell you, the stuffing is the secret to make it feel like holidays to me.”

And while he’ll skip roasting a turkey in favor of turkey burgers, Perry explains, “Cooking is one of the things I love to do during the holidays, because it’s kind of like music, you know? It’s another way to connect.”

“I mean, I can get pretty verklempt cooking,” he says, using the Yiddish expression for “overcome with emotion.” “Because it just throws me back to watching them cook for me.”

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