Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward pays tribute to the late John Lodge

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Moody Blues guitarist and lead vocalist Justin Hayward has paid tribute to his late bandmate John Lodge, whose death was announced Friday.

“I’m very sad and shocked to hear of John’s passing,” Hayward wrote on Instagram, next to a picture of them performing together. “I have such happy memories of making music together. My sincere condolences to his dear wife and family.”

Both Lodge and Hayward joined Moody Blues in 1966, with Lodge replacing bassist Clint Warwick, and Hayward replacing vocalist and guitarist Denny Laine.

With Lodge’s death, Hayward is now the last remaining member of the classic Moody Blues lineup.

Also paying tribute to Lodge on social media is the band Yes, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, who, like Lodge, is a native of Birmingham, England.

Iommi wrote on X, “Sad to hear of the passing of John Lodge of the Moody Blues. I had lunch with him a few weeks ago, so quite a shock. They were another Birmingham band, often overlooked. RIP.”

Journey’s Jonathan Cain denies he’s saying farewell to the band

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Journey’s Jonathan Cain is denying reports that he’s ready to say goodbye to the band.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s spokesperson tells ABC Audio that Cain “remains an active member of Journey, and any reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.”

“He is fully dedicated to touring with the band over the next couple of years and has only expressed plans to retire at a later time,” the statement continues.

The statement is an apparent response to social media posts made by Cain’s Journey bandmate Neal Schon.

Schon first shared a post on X, in which he wrote, “Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight. I’m nowhere near done!” He added, “Journey has so much more life ahead! I’m sure we will have a great tour!”

Schon later followed up the post with a clip of an interview Cain recently did in which he said Journey would be going on a farewell tour in 2026. He said in the interview, “So I’ll be saying goodbye to that.” Schon then clarified, “We will be touring with Jon all through 26-27 celebrating the music we’ve created.”

The news comes as Cain is getting ready to release a new song, “No One Else,” which he says was “was written in honor of Charlie Kirk,” the late Turning Point USA founder who was killed in September. The song will benefit TPUSA and is set to drop Oct. 23.

As for Journey, so far they have one show scheduled for 2026. They are playing 2026 Stagecoach festival, in Indio, California, on April 25.

Cheap Trick releases ‘The Riff That Won’t Quit’ off upcoming album, All Washed Up

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Cheap Trick has shared another track off their upcoming album, All Washed Up, which drops Nov. 14.

The latest is “The Riff That Won’t Quit,” which is available now via digital outlets. It is the second track released from the album, following “Twelve Gates.”

All Washed Up, Cheap Trick’s first album since 2021’s In Another World, will be released digitally, on CD and on black vinyl. There will also be an orange marble variant, limited to 1,000 copies, sold through the band’s website. All formats are available for preorder now.

Cheap Trick is currently on tour and is set to play Rockin’ in Paradise with Styx & Friends on Saturday in Miramar, Florida. They’ll then play Oxford, Alabama, on Sunday.

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

Hear Hayley Williams & David Byrne’s ’The Twits’ song, ‘Open the Door’

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Hayley Williams and David Byrne have released a new song together called “Open the Door,” recorded for the upcoming animated Netflix movie The Twits.

The track marks the second collaboration between the Paramore and Talking Heads singers in as many months. It follows “What Is the Reason For It?” off Byrne’s latest album, Who Is the Sky?

Paramore’s also covered the Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House,” while Byrne returned the favor with a rendition of Williams and company’s song “Hard Times.”

The Twits, an adaptation of the Roald Dahl book of the same name, premieres on Netflix Oct. 17. It also features three more songs Byrne wrote for the film.

Ozzy Osbourne BBC doc ‘Coming Home’ to stream on Peacock

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

The BBC Ozzy Osbourne documentary Coming Home is coming to Peacock.

According to Deadline, the film will premiere on the streaming service Oct. 13.

“We are pleased our partners at Peacock have committed to what is a deeply moving look at one of the world’s most well-known families,” says Matt Creasey of the distribution company Banijay Rights, which handled the Peacock streaming deal.

ABC Audio has reached out to Peacock for confirmation.

Coming Home, which was originally conceived as a series called Home to Roost before being reworked as a standalone film, follows Ozzy’s move back to his native England alongside his wife, Sharon Osbourne, after years of living in Los Angeles.

The BBC had originally set to premiere Coming Home on Aug. 18, nearly a month after Ozzy’s death on July 22, but the airing was delayed at the last minute. The broadcaster later said, “We are respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film.” It then debuted on Oct. 2.

Journey’s Neal Schon says Jonathan Cain has left the band

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Journey’s Jonathan Cain has left the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, according to his now-former bandmate Neal Schon.

Schon revealed the news in a post on X, writing, “Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight. I’m nowhere near done!” He added, “Journey has so much more life ahead! I’m sure we will have a great tour!”

Schon later explained why Cain is leaving in a response to a fan comment, writing, “He wants to do his ministry.”

Cain is worship leader at City of Destiny in Florida, the church where his wife, Paula White, is the pastor.

Schon and Cain’s relationship has been rocky over the years, with both of them filing lawsuits against each other in 2024. They settled the lawsuit in August of that year and continued to tour together. Journey’s last show was in April.

As for Journey, while they have no tour announced for the rest of the year or 2026, they are scheduled to play the 2026 Stagecoach Festival, taking place April 24-26 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Journey is part of the April 25 lineup.

Rhino launches new Reel-to-Reel series with titles from Yes and T-Rex

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rhino High Fidelity has launched a new reissue series, with albums by Yes and T-Rex kicking things off.

The label’s new Reel-to-Reel (R2R) series focuses on the reel-to-reel format, with each release duplicating an album’s original flat analog master tapes. This offers music fans studio-quality sound, offering folks the master tape experience in their homes.

Starting off the series are reissues of Yes’ 1971 release The Yes Album, which features their classic tune “I’ve Seen All Good People,” and T-Rex’s 1971 release Electric Warrior, featuring their iconic tune “Get it On.”

Each release will be limited to 500 copies worldwide, with the option to bundle the albums. They are available exclusively at Rhino.com.

Def Leppard honored with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Def Leppard received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday.

The band was honored in the category of Recording, receiving the 2,825th star on the Walk of Fame, which is located near the Capitol Records building in Los Angeles.

Jon Bon Jovi was on hand to honor Def Leppard during the ceremony, starting off his speech by acknowledging, “I am a Def Leppard fan.” He then revealed how they met at a festival and became friends.

“The music of Def Leppard was born and raised in our generation but has continued to reach new audiences who have made it their own for four decades and counting,” Jon said in his speech. “Their work ethic, their resilience, their ability to tour year after year, their influence on some of music’s biggest names, including the reigning queen Taylor Swift, is legendary.”

He added, “Their legacy is in fact etched in stone. From their induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to this spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the name Def Leppard will always be.”

Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott was chosen to speak for the band and acknowledged the number of stars that came before theirs.

“Are we in good company or what?” Elliott asked the crowd gathered for the ceremony, before thanking all the people on their team who have been with them over the years.

“So, from all of us up here, including (founding member) Pete Willis and, of course, the late great (guitarist) Steve Clark, we all say to each and every one of you, to our collective families, especially our parents who helped us get where we are now, just simply to our incredible, loving fan base out there, two words: thank you,” he added.

On This Day, Oct. 10, 2013: Paul McCartney played surprise free show in Times Square

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

On This Day, Oct. 10, 2013 …

Paul McCartney surprised fans in New York City with an impromptu free concert in Times Square, announcing the show on social media about one hour before it occurred.

The rocker was promoting his 16th studio album, New, and treated fans to four songs off the record: “Save Us,” “Everybody Out There,” “Queenie Eye” and the title track.

Fans who could not make it to the Big Apple were able to enjoy the concert at home thanks to a Times Square webcam.

New, which at the time was McCartney’s first album of new material in six years, was released one day later on Oct. 11.

McCartney once again surprised New York back in February, announcing three last-minute club shows at the 575-person-capacity Bowery Ballroom in New York City. Fans had to line up at the venue that day to get tickets, as they were only sold at the box office.

The former Beatle is currently on the latest North American leg of his Got Back tour, which hits Denver on Saturday.

Moody Blues’ bassist and vocalist John Lodge dies at age 82

October 10, 2025 by Classic Rock 93.9

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Lodge, bassist and vocalist of the progressive rock band Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82.

His death was announced on the Moody Blues’ Facebook page, which posted a statement from his family. They revealed that he died “suddenly and unexpectedly,” noting he “peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved-ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.”

“He was never happier than being on stage – he was ‘Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band,'” the statement read, referencing the Moody Blues’ 1973 hit, which Lodge wrote.

Born John Charles Lodge on July 20, 1943, Lodge joined Moody Blues in 1966 after original bassist Clint Warwick left the band. In addition to singing and playing bass, Lodge wrote many of their songs, including “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Sitting at the Wheel” and “Talking Out of Turn.”

In addition to his work with Moody Blues, Lodge released the album Blue Jays with his Moody Blues bandmate Justin Hayward in 1975, which was a top-five hit in the U.K. He also released two solo albums, with his most recent release, the EP Love Conquers All, dropping in February.

Lodge and the Moody Blues launched their last tour in 2017, but Lodge continued to tour on his own celebrating the music of Moody Blues. His most recent shows were dedicated to the band’s sophomore album, Days of Future Passed, which is considered by some to be the first real example of the progressive rock genre. It contained the classic hit “Nights in White Satin,” which was initially released in 1967 but peaked at #2 in the U.S. when it was reissued in 1972.

Moody Blues were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

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