Classic Rock News

A rare electric guitar that The Ramones‘ Johnny Ramone played and recorded with from 1977 to 1996 sold for more than $900,000 at a rock memorabilia auction held over the weekend in Boston.

The 1965 Mosrite Ventures II model, which the late guitarist used at every Ramones gig from November 1977 through the band’s final concert in August of ’96, fetched $937,500, according to the Boston-based RR Auction company.

Ramone, born John Cummings, played the Mosrite at nearly 2,000 shows and also used it to record most of The Ramones’ albums.

The guitar has a white body and a black pickguard, and Johnny signed the back in black marker, “Johnny Ramone, My Main Guitar, 1977-1996.”

The instrument was one of many Ramones-related items sold at the auction, which offered memorabilia from a collection belonging to veteran producer and musician Daniel Rey, a longtime associate of the legendary punk band.

“The consignor was thrilled with the results and is very happy that the guitar is in the hands of someone who will curate Johnny Ramone’s Mosrite for future generations to enjoy,” says RR Auction executive Bobby Livingston.

The winning bidder wished to remain anonymous.

Among the other items sold at the auction was a blue Mosrite Mark-2 Johnny Ramone signature model guitar owned and played by Johnny, which brought $46,875. In addition, three Shure microphones that Ramones frontman Joey Ramone used at the group’s final concert, which took place in Los Angeles in August 1996, fetched $13,125.

You can check out the full results of the sale at RRAuction.com.

Johnny died of prostate cancer at age 55 in 2004.

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Metallica continued to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Black Album at his past weekend’s Louder than Life festival.

For their second of two headlining sets at the event, the metal legends performed their iconic 1991 record in its entirety and in reverse order, starting with closer “The Struggle Within,” and ending the main set with “Enter Sandman.”

While Black Album singles “Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” are staples in Metallica’s sets, the band hadn’t played deeper cuts such as “Struggle” or “Don’t Tread on Me” in concert since 2012.

Earlier this month, Metallica released a deluxe reissue of The Black Album in honor of its 30th anniversary. They also put together The Metallica Blacklist, a 53-track tribute compilation featuring covers of every song off the record.

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The Rolling Stones kicked off their first tour ever without longtime drummer Charlie Watts on Sunday at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.

The show began with a tribute to Watts, who died August 24 at age 80, and marked the band’s first official concert with Charlie’s handpicked fill-in, acclaimed drummer Steve Jordan.

The Stones played a 19-song set made up mainly of classics from their back catalog, and also included a rendition of their 2020 single, “Living in a Ghost Town.”

A few days before the concert, fans were given the chance to vote on one song that would appear in the set, and the 1971 hit “Wild Horses” was chosen over “Angie,” “Fool to Cry” and “Ruby Tuesday.”

The Rolling Stones kicked off the show with “Street Fighting Man” and wrapped things up with their signature tune “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” As the band gathered at the front of the stage at the end of the gig, a photo of Watts appeared on the screen behind them.

Frontman Mick Jagger has posted a brief video clip from the show on his social media pages showing him singing a segment of “Midnight Rambler,” and accompanied by the message, “Thanks St. Louis for a great night!”

In addition, the band has posted an image of guitarist Ronnie Wood‘s illustrated set list for the St. Louis concert at the band’s own social media sites, and limited-edition prints of the hand-drawn list have been made available for purchase at Wood’s official online store.

The Stones’ 2021 No Filter Tour of the U.S. continues this Thursday, September 30, with a show in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Here’s the band full set list from the St. Louis concert:

“Street Fighting Man”
“It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”
“Tumbling Dice”
“Under My Thumb”
“19th Nervous Breakdown”
“Wild Horses”
“Can’t Always Get What You Want”
“Living in a Ghost Town”
“Start Me Up”
“Honky Tonk Women”
“Happy”
“Slipping Away”
“Miss You”
“Midnight Rambler”
“Paint It Black”
“Sympathy for the Devil”
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
“Gimme Shelter”
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

Thank you St. Louis for a great opening night! You can order a special print of @ronniewood’s set list at: https://t.co/He4mYU5ehQ pic.twitter.com/QGG8fNX7CS

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) September 27, 2021

Thanks St. Louis for a great night! pic.twitter.com/eQauxqXsla

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 27, 2021

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Last year, former Blue Öyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard released a reimagined version of his old band’s 1988 concept album, Imaginos, aptly titled Re Imaginos. Now Bouchard has announced plans for a sequel record that will be the second installment of a planned Imaginos-themed trilogy.

Imaginos II — Bombs over Germany (minus zero and counting), which will be released on October 22, continues the story based on the writings and poems of late Blue Öyster Cult manager, producer and songwriter Sandy Pearlman about an alien conspiracy that comes to fruition during the late 1800s and early 1900s through the actions of an evil character named Imaginos.

The new album features guest contributions from longtime Blue Öyster Cult members Eric Bloom and Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and the group’s former bassist, Joe Bouchard, and current multi-instrumentalist Richie Castellano, as well as from Dictators guitarist Ross the Boss.

Imaginos II features new versions of a variety of early Blue Öyster Cult songs, including “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” “The Red and the Black” and “Dominance and Submission.”

The album’s lead single, an updated rendition of the 1973 BÖC tune “OD’d on Life Itself,” has been released as an advance digital track, and a lyric video for the song has premiered on YouTube.

“This version of ‘OD’d on Life Itself’ is a very different take on the song that was recorded for BÖC’s second album, Tyranny and Mutation,” Albert explains. “The lyrics return to the original lyrics written by Sandy Pearlman, much less sarcastic and much more spooky.”

Imaginos II can be pre-ordered now on CD at MerchBucket.com, and limited-edition bundles also can be purchased that include an autographed CD and poster, plus a T-shirt and a guitar pick.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“When War Comes”
“Independence Day”
“7 Screaming Dizbusters”
“OD’d on Life Itself”
“Il Duce”
“Bombs over Germany”
“Before the Kiss (A Redcap)”
“Three Sisters”
“Quicklime Girl (Mistress of the Salmon Salt)”
“The Red and the Black”
“Dominance and Submission”
“Shadow of California”
“Cities on Flame (with Rock and Roll)”
“Half Life Times”

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Spencer Elden, who was photographed as a baby for the cover of Nirvana‘s Nevermind album cover, is pleading with the band to censor his genitalia on all future reissues of the album.

The album artwork famously depicts the then-infant Elden swimming naked underwater while reaching for a dollar bill on a fishing hook.  Last month, he sued Nirvana for child pornography.

According to Billboard, Elden has amplified his grievances by demanding the band censor the artwork, which includes the 30th anniversary reissues of Nevermind that arrive November 12.

In a statement obtained by Billboard, Elden’s attorneys declare, “Today, like each year on this date, our client Spencer Elden has had to brace himself for renewed unwanted attention from the media and fans alike throughout the world. This is a choice that he has never had. It has been thrust upon him, and for 30 years he has dealt with its devastating and painful consequences.  Our message to Nirvana is clear — redact the image of Mr. Elden’s genitalia from all future album covers.”

Nirvana nor its label, Universal Music Group, have publicly commented on the matter.

The band, comprised of members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and the late Kurt Cobain, released Nevermind on September 24, 1991. It’s since been certified Diamond by the RIAA for over 10 million sales.

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The new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which premiered this past March as part of the virtual South by Southwest Film Festival, will get its theatrical release as a global screening event on October 20 — coinciding with what would’ve been Tom Petty‘s 71st birthday.

The movie focuses on the creatively fruitful period from 1993 to 1995, during which Petty made his acclaimed 1994 studio effort Wildflowers and recorded many other songs that weren’t initially released on the album. The film features previously unseen footage shot during the making of Wildflowers, as well as new interviews with producer Rick Rubin and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell — who co-produced the album with Tom — as well as with Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench.

The archival footage not only captures Petty in the studio, but on tour and with his family at home.

In additional to the October 20 screenings of Somewhere You Feel Free, the film will be shown at select theaters on October 21. Visit TomPettyFilm.com to find out where the documentary is playing and to purchase tickets. Then, later this year, the movie will get its worldwide release as a free streaming event in 4K resolution on Petty’s official YouTube channel as part of the YouTube Originals series.

You can check out a preview clip from the documentary on YouTube now that includes archival footage of Petty recording the Wildflowers track “Only a Broken Heart,” as well as recent footage of Rubin, Tench and Campbell chatting about the song.

Somewhere You Feel Free was directed by Mary Wharton, whose credits also include last year’s Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.

An expansive Wildflowers box set titled Wildflowers & All the Rest, which featured a bevy of outtakes from the sessions, was released last year.

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Just a reminder that The Rolling Stones will kick off their 2021 No Filter Tour of the U.S. this Sunday, September 26, in St. Louis at The Dome at America’s Center.

The trek marks the band’s first-ever without longtime drummer Charlie Watts, who died August 24 at age 80. Stepping in for Watts will be respected session drummer Steve Jordan, who Charlie had chosen as his fill-in before his passing.

The Rolling Stones are giving fans the opportunity to help pick one song that they’ll play at each show of the tour, by visiting Vote.RollingStones.com. The tunes that fans can choose from for the St. Louis gig are “Angie,” “Fool to Cry,” “Ruby Tuesday” or “Wild Horses.” Those who participate in the voting also can enter a competition to win a personalized video message from one of the band members.

Ahead of the tour, the Stones have posted a special video message from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on their social media pages. In the clip, they express their excitement about returning to the road, and encourage people who come out to the shows to get the COVID-19 vaccine, wear a mask and/or get tested for the virus.

The band’s U.S. tour leg features a total of 13 shows, and runs through a November 20 concert in Austin, Texas. Check out the group’s full schedule at RollingStones.com.

Looking forward to seeing you at a show soon, keep safe! pic.twitter.com/sDPDsCvYjg

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) September 24, 2021

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Global Citizen Live, the 24-hour concert event spanning six continents and featuring performances by more than 50 artists, takes places Saturday, September 25.

Among the veteran rock artists who will be shown performing are Metallica, Elton John, Green Day and Duran Duran.

Live performances will take place in New York City; Los Angeles; London; Paris; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; and Lagos, Nigeria.

Elton will be performing in Paris, Green Day in LA, and Duran Duran in London. Metallica will be shown playing songs at their headlining set Friday at the Louder than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

Global Citizen Live isn’t designed to raise money, but rather it’s supposed to inspire people to demand government action on issues like poverty, climate change and vaccine equity.

“We don’t want your money. This is not a telethon. We want you to take action because your voice is more powerful than your wallet,” Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans tells ABC Audio. “If everyone works together and we all call on the U.S. government to step up in unison, then the government will step up.”

Evans continues, “We need not just the U.S. government to step up: We need the entire G20 to step up. Because issues like climate change or global hunger or vaccine equity, these can’t be solved by any one nation.”

Commenting on the event’s star-studded lineup, Evans says, “[T]hey are utterly breathtaking artists. And I think the fact that they’re all uniting for this once-in-a-generation moment this Saturday is amazing. We just want to encourage everyone across America to tune in…and be part of this.”

You can watch on ABC News Live, Apple TV, Twitter, all the Global Citizen channels and more.

Here’s a partial list of who’ll be appearing where:

NEW YORK
Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Cyndi Lauper, Burna Boy, Jon Batiste, Lang Lang.

PARIS
Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Charlie Puth, Doja Cat, DJ Snake, Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens, Måneskin.

LONDON, U.K.
Nile Rodgers & Chic, Duran Duran, Kylie Minogue, Rag’n’Bone Man.

LOS ANGELES
Stevie Wonder, Green Day, Adam Lambert, Chloe x Halle, Demi Lovato, H.E.R., ONEREPUBLIC, Ozuna, Migos, The Lumineers, 5 Seconds of Summer.

AROUND THE WORLD
Fugees, BTS, Lorde, Metallica, Usher, Keith Urban, Andrea Bocelli, Ricky Martin.

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Bruce Springsteen has contributed music to the soundtrack of a new documentary called The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses that was executive-produced by his wife, Patti Scialfa, and their daughter, Jessica Springsteen, along with Hollywood legend Robert Redford.

Variety reports that the film, which focuses on the story of the wild horses still living in the Western U.S., will get its theatrical release on October 15 and then will be available via on-demand outlets starting in late November. The movie also will premiere at select film festival next month.

The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses looks at the history of the animals, the uncertain future of the horses still living in the wild and the various efforts to save and preserve the existing population of Mustangs.

“America’s wild horses are fighting their last stand,” says Redford in a statement. “Increasing competition for our natural resources threatens our wilderness areas, our wild horses and other wildlife species. Horses are interwoven into the very fabric of what is America. What threatens them threatens us all.”

You can check out a trailer for the film on YouTube.

In addition to Bruce’s music, the soundtrack also features songs from Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, plus a new original tune called “Never Gonna Tame You” that was written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren and performed by singer-rapper Blanco Brown.

Of course, Jessica Springsteen’s passion for horses is well-known.  She’s a competitive equestrian rider who won a silver medal for the U.S. this year at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers are returning to the road in 2022.

In a goofy, faux newscast video, the Peppers — Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and returning guitarist John Frusciante — announce that they’ll launch a global stadium tour in June of next year, with the U.S. leg set to kick off in July.

Neither the exact itinerary or ticket details were revealed, but in the video, you see the names of different cites in the background, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, London, Toronto and Barcelona, Spain.

You can stay tuned for updates via RedHotChiliPeppers.com.

The tour will mark the first full live Peppers outing since Frusciante rejoined the band at the end of 2019. The band had planned dates for 2020, but, you know, COVID.

Fittingly, the tour announcement arrives on the 30th anniversary of the release of RHCP’s hit 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

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