Classic Rock News

Ozzy Osbourne‘s worked with a ton of legendary rockers over his long career — just look at the guests on his new Patient Number 9 solo album — but there’s one that’s continued to elude even the Prince of Darkness.

In an interview with Yahoo, Ozzy shares his dream to one day work with Paul McCartney.

“That will never happen,” Ozzy says of collaborating with the Beatles icon. “I asked him one time, and he had some excuse.”

Should an Ozzy/Macca joint track ever occur, though, the metal legend declares, “Then I could go, ‘OK, I’ve achieved all my dreams.'”

The artists who contribute to Patient Number 9 include Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi, Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith, Guns N’ Roses‘ Duff McKagan, Black Label Society‘s Zakk Wylde, Metallica‘s Robert Trujillo and late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Ozzy also reached out to Jimmy Page to guest on the record, but told Metal Hammer that he never heard back from the Led Zeppelin guitarist.

Elsewhere in the Yahoo interview, Ozzy opens up about wanting to return to the road. A variety of health issues — not to mention a worldwide pandemic — have kept him from touring since 2018.

“I just wanna get back on that stage,” Ozzy says. “I’ve gotta get back on that stage. It’s driving me nuts, not being able to.”

“I can’t relax,” he adds. “I’ve always gotta be doing something … I mean, I could say let’s call it a day, but I can’t stop.”

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For night five of The Hanukkah Sessions, Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin jammed with Beck in honor of the “Loser” artist’s Jewish roots.

Beck joined the Foo Fighters frontman and the producer for a particularly rocking version of his song “E-Pro” alongside some enthusiastic backing vocals. You can watch the performance streaming now on YouTube.

For The Hanukkah Sessions, which is now in its third year, Grohl and Kurstin release a cover of a song by a Jewish artist for each of the holiday’s eight nights. This year’s edition was recorded live at the Los Angeles club Largo earlier this month and so far has included versions of Blood, Sweat & Tears‘ “Spinning Wheel” featuring director Judd Apatow, Pink‘s “Get they Party Started,” 10cc‘s “The Things We Do for Love” with Inara George and Janis Ian‘s “At Seventeen” sung by Grohl’s daughter Violet.

The last two Hanukkah Sessions spawned covers of artists including KISS, Beastie Boys, Bob Dylan, Drake, Lisa Loeb, Ramones, Amy Winehouse and Billy Joel.

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Bryan Adams has written several Christmas songs over the years, including the 1985 hit “Christmas Time” and the recently released track “Let’s Get Christmas Going.” But no matter how many songs he may put out, he knows there’s no competing with classic holiday tunes. 

“I’m just trying to have a laugh,” he tells ABC Audio. “You know, I think Christmas is a fun time and it should be about that.”

While Bryan says “Christmas Time” is a more “sentimental” holiday track, his latest tune was inspired by something his daughter said to him. “And I thought, ‘That’s a good idea,’” he explains. “Because it was September or something. She’s like, ‘Papa! Let’s just get Christmas going!’”

As for how the family will be celebrating the holiday, Bryan notes there won’t be any ham or turkey on the table because his family is vegan. “Oh, no, no, there’s no animals in our house. My kids have never eaten any animals,” he says. “You can have a perfectly good nut roast or something with gravy and roast potatoes.” 

He adds, “I mean, Christmas is obviously a time to pig out. So I have no problem making an absolute pig of myself without the pig.”

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While some people can gather around the fire on Christmas, others are not so lucky and will settle for watching the televised Yule log. But if Christmas music isn’t your thing, and you’re a Deadhead, there’s another option. 

The Grateful Dead has gone live with their holiday Yule log, a tradition they started last year. This year, Deadheads can watch the burning flame as they listen to the band’s 1973 three-night stand at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California, which took place November 9-11.

The band launched the Yule log last year featuring recordings of their 1972 shows at London’s Lyceum Theatre.

And fans are certainly excited to have it back. “Best Yule Log ever!” noted one commenter, while another added, “caught this the other night awesome stuff for the holidays.”

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Billy Idol is set to receive quite an honor in the new tear. The rocker will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 5, which will be the first star of 2023.

“There will be lots of rebels yelling for their favorite rock star Billy Idol when he receives his well-deserved Walk of Fame star on January 5,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shares. “Since the beginning of his career Billy Idol has held the hearts of many of his fans who finally will be able to visit his star and witness his induction into the Walk of Fame.” 

Idol will receive the 2,743rd star on the Walk of Fame, in the category of Recording. His star will be located on Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Records.

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As previously reported, Jonathan Cain recently responded to his Journey bandmate Neal Schon sending him a cease-and-desist letter over Cain’s recent performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Well, now Cain has more to say, arguing that Schon is the one “causing harm to the Journey brand.”

”Neal Schon should look in the mirror when he accuses me of causing harm to the Journey brand,” Cain says in a statement. “I have watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his — and his wife’s —bizarre behavior.”

Cain then detailed all the ways he thinks Schon is the problem: “Neal sued Live Nation twice, losing both times, and damaging our ability to ever work with them again; Neal outrageously tried to take away trademarks from Steve Perry. Neal and his wife continually insult the professionalism of numerous accountants, road managers, and management firms with endless legal threats and their bullying, toxic, and incoherent emails.”

He also calls out Schon for arguing with fans who don’t agree with him, and says Schon and his wife “recklessly spend Journey’s money until there is none left for operating costs.” 

Finally Cain insists, “If anyone is destroying the Journey brand, it is Neal—and Neal alone.”

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There were a lot of great performances at last month’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. In fact, there were so many that some couldn’t fit into HBO’s telecast of the event. Well, some of those cut performances are now seeing the light of day. 

As a holiday gift to music fans, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is sharing three cut-for-time performances from the ceremony, from Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Judas Priest and Lionel Richie. Benatar and Giraldo perform her hit “All Fired Up,” while Judas Priest performs “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” and Lionel treats the crowd to “Hello.” 

In addition to Giraldo, Judas Priest and Lionel, performers in the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class included Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Eminem, Carly Simon, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Harry Belafonte and Sylvia Robinson. 

Check out the cut-for-time performances here.

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Brian May is teasing fans with some new music. The Queen guitarist shared a video on social media of him playing the guitar, writing, “This is a tease for something nice which is coming in January.”

In the caption, he notes, “This is what’s known in the trade as a ‘STING’ … and hopefully it will ring a bell with you guys early next year – when all will be revealed. I love going in the studio to make something new – like starting to write words on a crisp new sheet of paper … and in the studio I get lost.” He adds, “For a few moments, I’m immersed in the music we’re fashioning, and that is my entire world.”

Brian then shared a hopeful note about the coming year, writing, “From now on, for those of us in the currently frozen Northern Hemisphere of the Earth, the days get longer, the Sun warms our skin, and Spring is already flexing her wings. Onward!”

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If 33 new Smashing Pumpkins songs aren’t enough for you, have no fear — more is on the way.

In a tweet posted Wednesday night, the “1979” outfit shared a photo of frontman Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin alongside the caption “Drum tracking and writing for the follow-up album to Atum.”

Atum, of course, is the upcoming Pumpkins “rock opera,” consisting of three 11-song acts. The first act was released in November, and the second will arrive on January 31. The album will be available in its entirety when the third act drops April 21. A box set edition, also out April 21, boasts another 10 bonus tracks.

Meanwhile, the Pumpkins wrapped a U.S. tour with Jane’s Addiction last month.

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Eric Clapton is headed for Japan next year. The three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer just announced dates for a six-night residency at Tokyo’s Budokan.

The shows, which will be Eric’s only shows in Japan next year, are set for April 15, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 24. Tickets are not yet on sale. 

On the tour, Clapton will be joined by Nathan East on bass, Paul Carrack and Chris Stainton on keyboards, Doyle Bramhall II on guitar and Sonny Emory on drums, with Sharon White and Katie Kissoon on backing vocals. 

Next year marks Eric’s 60th anniversary as a professional musician, having gotten his start with the Yardbirds in 1963.

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