Classic Rock News

Two legendary hard-rock artists — Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath‘s Geezer Butler — have joined the already-star-packed lineup for the Ronnie James Dio virtual birthday celebration that takes place online Saturday, July 10, starting at 5 p.m. ET.

The benefit event, which coincides with what would have been the late metal icon’s 79th birthday, will be viewable at RollingLiveStudios.com and will feature a variety of performances, interviews and “special birthday messages” from the participating artists.

The previously announced artists taking part in the commemorative bash include Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford, Sammy Hagar, Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, Lita Ford, longtime Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee, Deep Purple‘s Glenn Hughes, Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis, Tenacious D, Anthrax‘s Joey Belladonna, GN’R drummer Frank Ferrer, former GN’R guitarist Gilby Clarke, drumming brothers Carmine and Vinnie Appice, former Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo, ex-Whitesnake drummer Brian Tichy, current Thin Lizzy frontman Ricky Warwick, and various alums of the Dio band.

The event will raise money for the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a charity founded in Dio’s memory following his 2010 death from stomach cancer.

Tickets and special merchandise can be purchased at RollingLiveStudios.com/Dio. In addition, tickets are available now for a special virtual VIP afterparty scheduled for Sunday, July 11, at 5 p.m. ET.

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An instrument featured on one of the most iconic album covers of the punk-rock era, The Clash‘s London Calling, will go on permanent display at the Museum of London on July 23.

The Clash’s Paul Simonon has indefinitely loaned the museum the Fender Precision bass that he smashed at a September 1979 concert by his legendary band at the New York City venue The Palladium.

A photo snapped by Pennie Smith of Simonon smashing the bass at the end of the show wound up on the cover of the British rockers’ classic album, which was released in December of ’79 in the U.K. and January 1980 in the U.S.

The bass previously was featured in the popular “The Clash: London Calling” exhibit that ran from from November 2019 to September 2020 at the Museum of London and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the album.  The instrument now will go on display indefinitely in the museum’s World City gallery, and it eventually will be displayed at the facility’s planned new location in London’s West Smithfield section.

“We’re thrilled to have Paul Simonon’s Fender Precision bass on long-term loan,” says Museum of London curator Beatrice Behlen. “A seminal piece of music history, the moment the bass was smashed was immortalised on The Clash’s seminal album London Calling, a rallying call for Londoners and people around the world.”

She adds, “We are aware that many were unable to see the guitar as part of our exhibition The Clash: London Calling in 2020 due to coronavirus, so we are pleased to provide a second opportunity to see it.”

Free tickets to view the World City gallery can be reserved at MuseumofLondon.org.uk.

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The recently reported remixed and re-edited version of the concert film capturing The Rolling Stones‘ historic 2006 show at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach got its release today.

The Rolling Stones — A Bigger Bang: Live on Copacabana Beach is available as a DVD/two-CD set, an SD Blu-ray/two-CD package, a deluxe two-DVD/two-CD collection, a three-LP colored-vinyl set, and digitally.

The Copacabana Beach concert took place on February 18, 2006, in front of 1.5 million people, making it one of the biggest free shows ever. The event was part of The Stones’ tour in support of their 2005 studio album, A Bigger Bang.

The Rio performance featured select songs from A Bigger Bang and a cover of the R&B gem “The Night Time Is the Right Time,” along with a collection of Stones classics.

The updated concert video features four songs that didn’t appear on the original 2007 DVD The Biggest Bang, which included the Copacabana Beach concert: “Tumbling Dice,” “Oh No, Not You Again,” “This Place Is Empty” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”

The deluxe two-DVD/two-CD set includes footage from a 2005 Salt Lake City concert on the second DVD.

Coinciding with the release of A Bigger Bang: Live, a video of The Stones performing “Midnight Rambler” at the Copacabana Beach concert was posted today on the band’s official YouTube channel.

Here’s the track list for the Rio concert:

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
“It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”
“You Got Me Rocking”
“Tumbling Dice”
“Oh No, Not You Again”
“Wild Horses”
“Rain Fall Down”
“Midnight Rambler”
“Night Time Is the Right Time”
“This Place Is Empty”
“Happy”
“Miss You”
“Rough Justice”
“Get Off My Cloud”
“Honky Tonk Women”
“Sympathy for the Devil”
“Start Me Up”
“Brown Sugar”
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

And here’s the track list for the Salt Lake City show (deluxe versions only):

“Start Me Up”
“You Got Me Rocking”
“She’s So Cold”
“Tumbling Dice”
“Rain Fall Down”
“It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”
“Wild Horses”
“All Down the Line”
“Night Time Is the Right Time”
“Slipping Away”
“Infamy”
“Miss You”
“Rough Justice”
“Get Off of My Cloud”
“Honky Tonk Women”
“Sympathy for the Devil”
“Brown Sugar”
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

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A new documentary focusing on the poetry, prose and artistry of late Doors frontman Jim Morrison is being developed as part of a partnership between JAM Inc. — the managers of Morrison’s estate — and the Gunpowder & Sky production company.

The film will incorporate the singer’s recently unearthed personal diaries, as well as rare home-movie footage. News of the documentary comes on the heels of the recent publication of The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts and Lyrics. The book that features most of Morrison’s previously published work, as well as a bounty of unpublished writing, including the aforementioned diaries.

“Jim was a poet and a writer and a filmmaker long before he ever thought about music,” JAM Inc. CEO Jeff Jampol tells Billboard. “All these decades everybody talked about Jim Morrison the rock star, which he certainly was. But we really felt it was time to even the playing field and talk about these other aspects of Jim, which were either not as known or celebrated or discussed.”

Jampol also notes that the producers are searching for a director “who understands the import and the depth and the gravity” of Morrison.

“You need a director who is empathetic to the human and the artist and the art, [who] understands the history and context,” Jampol maintains.  He adds that he’s hoping the as-yet-untitled film will be ready for release by late 2022 or early 2023.

July 3 marked the 50th anniversary of Morrison’s death at age 27 in Paris.

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A demo of a previously unreleased George Harrison song called “Cosmic Empire,” from the sessions for his landmark 1970 solo effort All Things Must Pass, has just been made available in advance of the upcoming deluxe reissue of the late Beatles legend’s classic album.

“Cosmic Empire” has been released digitally and via streaming services, and an animated lyric video for the track has premiered on Harrison’s YouTube channel. The clip features a kaleidoscopic montage of collages celebrating the natural and cosmic worlds, and including photos of Harrison and depictions of animals, plants, planets and much more.

The track was recorded on the second day of a prolific two-day session for All Things Must Pass, during which Harrison recorded demos of 30 songs. “Cosmic Empire” features George accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.

As previously reported, an expanded 50th anniversary edition of All Things Must Pass will be released August 6, and can be pre-ordered now.  It’s available in multiple formats and configurations, including a Super Deluxe eight-LP or five-CD/Blu-ray-audio set.  The Super Deluxe reissue features a new mix of the original 23-track album, the 30 aforementioned demos, and various outtakes and studio jams. Forty-two of the tracks are previously unreleased. The Blu-ray disc features three high-res versions of the album.

The collection comes with a 60-page scrapbook curated by Harrison’s widow, Olivia, that features rare images and memorabilia, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes and more. A replica of the original album poster also is included.

Released in November 1970, All Things Must Pass spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200. It features George’s chart-topping spiritual anthem “My Sweet Lord,” plus “Isn’t It a Pity,” “What Is Life,” “Wah-Wah” and many other memorable songs.

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Def Leppard‘s second album, High ‘n’ Dry, was released 40 years ago this Sunday, July 11.

The album helped establish the band in the U.S. in advance of its massive 1983 breakthrough, Pyromania, peaking at #38 on the Billboard 200.

The best-known song from High ‘n’ Dry is “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak,” which garnered the band a lot of attention in the States when a performance video for the tune went into heavy rotation on MTV.

The album also featured the song “Let It Go,” which reached #34 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Both “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” and “Let It Go” were co-written by frontman Joe Elliott and guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis. Willis, who struggled with alcoholism, was fired from the group in 1982 and replaced by Phil Collen.

“‘Bringin’ On the Heartbreak’…when that came out on MTV, I think that kind of blew the doors off the place,” Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen tells ABC Audio. “If anything, that record really set up Pyromania perfect. And then…once Pyromania came out, you know, with MTV and everything that was going on at that time, I think that was a big reason for our success. But…I think that was probably one of the most important songs off of [High ‘n’ Dry].”

Allen adds that he also was a fan of the rocking “Let It Go,” which he says was “the closest we’ve ever got to sounding like AC/DC.”

A remix of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak,” with new guitar parts by Collen replacing Willis’ original licks, was released in 1984, and made it to #61 on the Billboard Hot 100.

High ‘n’ Dry went on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S.

Here’s the full High ‘n’ Dry track list:

“Let It Go”
“Another Hit and Run”
“High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)”
“Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”
“Switch 625”
“You Got Me Runnin'”
“Lady Strange”
“On Through the Night”
“Mirror, Mirror (Look into My Eyes)”
“No No No”

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Late AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott would’ve celebrated his 75th birthday today.

Born Ronald Belford Scott on July 9, 1946, the rocker replaced original AC/DC vocalist Dave Evans in 1974, and sang with the future Rock & Roll Hall of Famers up until his tragic death in 1980 at age 33.

Scott’s tenure with AC/DC was among the band’s most prolific periods, having produced six albums in five years, including the classics High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and Highway to Hell. His studio output was matched by a tenacious live presence, and he’s now considered to be among the greatest frontmen in rock history.

“Fond memories of our ‘lightning flash in the middle’ Bon, who would be 75 today,” says AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, referencing Scott’s assertion that he was represented by the lightning bolt in the middle of the band’s now-iconic logo.

Following Scott’s death, a distraught AC/DC considered calling it quits but ultimately decided to press on, and found a new singer in Brian Johnson. Their first album with Johnson was the instantly legendary Back in Black, which became one of the best-selling albums in history. Johnson remains AC/DC’s vocalist to this day.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Scott’s birth, his family has launched a dedicated website, BonScottOfficial.com, that includes testimonials, history, merchandise and more.

“This is an invitation for Bon’s fans and friends to gather and share their memories and observations of him and his music,” the Bon Scott Estate says. “His legacy lives in the hearts and minds of those who love him.”

Also in conjunction with Scott’s birthday, a Spotify playlist has premiered featuring all of his available recordings with AC/DC, as well as with such pre-AC/DC groups as The Valentines and Fraternity.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s classic 1971 hit “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is spending its second week at #1 on Billboard‘s Rock Digital Song Sales chart.

Amazingly, CCR had never had a song reach #1 on any Billboard chart before.

Founding Creedence frontman and main songwriter John Fogerty tells ABC Audio that he’s very pleased, and a bit baffled, by his old tune’s sudden chart resurgence.

“[I’m] not really sure how to react,” Fogerty admits. “I mean, a 50-year-old song becoming #1 is kind of astounding. You know, there’s no movie release or…no cataclysmic event to pin this to.”

He adds, “I guess people all at the same time started liking this song, and I’m really happy about it…I’m very happy that there is attention being given to the song. I’ve always thought it was certainly one of my best songs.”

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” was featured on CCR’s next-to-last studio album, 1970’s Pendulum, and was released as a two-sided single with “Hey Tonight,” which peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Fogerty recalls that when he wrote the song, tension between him and his band mates was leading CCR toward breaking up, even though the group was at the height of its success.

“The picture that I got in my head was…there can be a sunny day and yet rain is falling,” he explains to ABC Audio. “It’s a weird atmospheric event…caused by a cloud far away from your view, but yet the wind is carrying the rain from that cloud…over to where you’re standing…And that seemed to be kind of what was happening [figuratively with CCR].”

Pendulum was reissued as a 180-gram vinyl LP in February.

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Queen fans can now take a crack at becoming a champion at a new interactive trivia game that focuses on the band’s music and history.

The Queen Trivia Challenge was created by Amazon in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers as the latest interactive skill experience for the Alexa voice-activated search program.

While taking the challenge, fans will be able to discover some some surprising facts and insights into the legendary U.K. group.  The game features more than 400 questions, and includes audio clips of some of Queen’s biggest hits, as well as footage from documentaries and concerts. The video footage will be viewable on Alexa-enabled devices with screens.

To access the Queen Trivia Challenge on your device, visit Amazon.com.

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Fender has announced the signature Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang guitar to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nirvana‘s iconic 1991 album, Nevermind.

As its name suggests, the Jag-Stang is a combination of two popular Fender models: the Mustang and the Jaguar. Cobain used both guitars throughout his career before coming to Fender in 1993 to create the first Jag-Stang, featuring his favorite elements of both instruments.

The 2021 Jag-Stang replicates the specs of Cobain’s original model and comes in two colors: Fiesta Red and Sonic Blue. It’ll be available this October for $1,249.99.

For more info, visit Fender.com.

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