Bryan Adams celebrates 40th anniversary of ‘Cuts Like A Knife’

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of Bryan Adams’ third studio album, Cuts Like A Knife, and he’s marked the occasion by releasing two live performances of songs from the record.

Bryan shared clips of him performing the title track and the tune “I’m Ready,” both of which were recorded on May 11, 2022, at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The performance features Keith Scott on guitar, Pat Steward on drums, Sol Walker on bass and Gary Breit on keyboard.

Fans will soon be able to hear the entire Royal Albert Hall performance of the album, as it’s scheduled to hit Apple and Spotify on February 3.

Adams released Cuts Like A Knife on January 18, 1983. In addition to the title track, it contained the hit “Straight from the Heart,” which was Adams’ first song to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Brian May pays tribute to “Bohemian Rhapsody” video director Bruce Gowers, who died Sunday

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bruce Gowers, the man behind Queen’s iconic video for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” passed away Sunday in California at the age of 82. Queen’s Brian May is now paying his respects.

“Bruce was, of course, the architect of our ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ video, and quite a few others as well,” Sir Brian said, according to BBC News. “He will be sadly missed in the rock community, and certainly never forgotten. We send deepest condolences to his family.”

In addition to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Gowers directed videos for Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs,” Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” Prince’s “1999,” Rush’s “Limelight,” The Rolling Stones’ “Fool To Cry” and more. He also won a Grammy for directing the video for Huey Lewis & The News’ 1985 hit “The Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

Besides music videos, Gowers directed the hit talent competition American Idol for nine seasons, for which he won an Emmy as Best Musical Variety Director in 2009. He also produced the Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards and MTV Music Video Awards, among other specials.

Jane’s Addiction schedules US headlining dates

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Jane’s Addiction has announced a run of U.S. headlining tour dates.

The West Coast run will begin March 5 in Bakersfield, California, and concludes March 12 in Las Vegas. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit JanesAddiction.com.

Last fall, Jane’s hit the road on the Spirits on Fire tour with The Smashing Pumpkins. While the tour featured the return of original bassist Eric Avery, guitarist Dave Navarro sat out the whole run due to continued effects of long COVID-19. There’s no word yet on who will play guitar during the March dates.

Meanwhile, Jane’s plans to release new music this year. The group’s most recent album is 2011’s The Great Escape Artist.

Neal Schon upset over “fake” Gregg Rolie reports

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Neal Schon is not happy with reports that claim he confirmed Journey‘s original keyboardist, Gregg Rolie, would not be joining the upcoming Journey 50th anniversary tour, as he previously suggested.

Schon shared an article with the headline “Neal Schon Confirms Gregg Rolie Won’t Be Joining Journey ‘At This Moment,'” which was a reference to a comment Schon made to a fan on Twitter when asked about Rolie’s involvement. He had replied, “Not at this moment.” Schon reacted to the article by writing, “This is BS,” adding, “Please Stop with these Fake Blogs and Statements.”

“This is going out to all media of all your postings today that Gregg Rolie is out. FALSE – where would you get this information? Ex managers ? PR stunt again,” he later tweeted, adding, “Currently have many trying to have a media war. It was a simple request from myself as the founder President of all Journey LLCs I wanted to include Gregg Rolie and met with resistance. That doesn’t mean anything at this point to me.”

The Journey 50th anniversary tour is set to kick off February 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and it’s pretty apparent it’s very important to Schon. “Obviously this means more to me than anyone else right now. 50 years of playing every show and recorded every album and co wrote many great songs,” he shared. “Honor it!”

Bret Michaels reminisces about the good old days with new single “Back in the Day”

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Bret Michaels is getting nostalgic for the past with his new single. The Poison frontman just dropped the tune “Back in the Day,” described as a “feel good, road trip anthem song that will help you beat the winter blues.”

He also dropped a video for the song, which is described as “a modern day MTV throwback video to the early days of the music TV network,” featuring never-before-seen images and photos.

The new track comes as Bret is set to launch his limited engagement summer Parti-Gras tour. The tour features Jefferson Starship and Night Ranger, along with special appearances by ex-Journey singer Steve Augeri and Sugar Ray‘s Mark McGrath. It’s set to kick off July 13 in Clarkston, Michigan.

New Leon Russell biography being released in March

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

A new biography on legendary artist Leon Russell is about to hit store shelves. Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History, written by author and founding member of Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz, will be released March 14 by Hachette Books.

The book, which has the support of the Russell estate, is described as “the definitive, never-before-told chronicle of one of the most important music makers of the 20th century,” calling Russell a “truly mythical figure in American music.”

Russell, who passed away in 2016, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. He wrote such songs as “Delta Lady” and the Grammy Hall of Fame tune “A Song for You.” He had his own hits with songs like “Lady Blue” and “Tight Rope.” Over the years he collaborated with a huge list of artists, including Eric Clapton, Elton John, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan.

The book can be preordered here.

Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner dead at 55

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner has died at age 55.

The news was announced in a Facebook post by Conner’s brother and Screaming Trees guitarist Gary Lee Conner, which was also shared by the “Nearly Lost You” rockers. According to the post, Van died Tuesday night following “an extended illness.”

“It was pneumonia that got him in the end,” Gary writes of his brother. “He was one of the closest friends I ever had and I loved him immensely. I will miss him forever and ever and ever.”

Van and Gary were founding members of Screaming Trees alongside frontman Mark Lanegan. They played on each of their albums before the band broke up in 2000.

Van’s passing follows Lanegan’s passing last February at age 57.

Foo Fighters, Green Day headlining Harley-Davidson Homecoming festival

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Foo Fighters and Green Day are headlining the Harley-Davidson Homecoming festival.

The four-day event, taking place July 13-16 in Milwaukee, celebrates the famed motorcycle company’s 120th anniversary.

Other artists on the bill include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Phantogram, White Reaper, Social Distortion and KennyHoopla.

For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit Harley-Davidson.com.

H-D Homecoming is one of several festivals Foo Fighters are set to play this year, along with Bonnaroo, Boston Calling and Sonic Temple, which will mark their first shows back since announcing they plan to continue on as a band following the 2022 death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks & more to appear on Dolly Parton’s rock album

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

When Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she said she was going to have to record a rock album, and she’s lined up some huge names to help her with it.

During an appearance on The View, Dolly revealed that she’s already recorded songs for the record with a whole host of special guests, including Paul McCartney, John Fogerty, ex-Journey frontman Steve Perry and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

She also spilled the beans on some of the songs on the album, including Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” and the Rolling Stones‘ “Satisfaction.” She’s still hoping to recruit Mick Jagger to join her, noting, “I’m doing my best to try to get him on it.” Right now Brandi Carlile and Pink appear on Dolly’s version of the Stones classic.

So far there’s no word on when Dolly’s album will be released, but she has hinted that it may be out this year.

Plane carrying Anthrax’s Frank Bello lands in a ditch ahead of tour kickoff with Black Label Society

January 18, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Anthrax‘s tour with Black Label Society kicked off Tuesday in Idaho, but one member of the “Madhouse” metallers had a particularly tough time getting there.

In an Instagram post, bassist Frank Bello shares that his flight into Boise ahead of the show landed in a literal ditch.

“Ever have one of those flights to start a tour where on landing you feel a ‘thud,’ then you hear the brakes screech a bit, and when you finally stop moving the plane is a bit tilted down to the right side in the front?” Bello writes. “Well after keeping us in the plane for 3 hours after landing – we found out we were in a ditch.”

Understandably, Bello feels the incident was “not the best way to start a tour,” but nonetheless is looking forward to “good times ahead.”

Those good times ahead include the rest of Anthrax’s tour with Black Label, which runs into mid-February. The two bands previously toured together last summer.

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