Classic Rock News

Carlos Santana will be honored with the Legend Award at the 34th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, which will be broadcast October 8 on PBS.

The event also will feature a musical salute to the rock guitar great that will showcase performances by multiple artists.

“With gratitude, I am deeply honored to be receiving the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Legend Award,” Carlos says in a statement.

He adds, “I am grateful to the Latin Community and to everyone who feels oneness with our mission to bring equality, fairness, justice, unity, and harmony. We wake up every day to touch people’s hearts with our music, spirits, vision, and to make a difference in the world, for the highest good for life, people, and the planet.”

Adds Jose Antonio Tijerino, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s president and CEO, “As we focus on diversity and inclusion, Carlos has been doing exactly that since he started his remarkable career by blending genres to create an alchemy of sound, spirit and energy since he started including rock, jazz, blues, Latin and African rhythms, among others.”

“His approach to music is a model for how our country and world should unite,” Tijerino adds.

In honoring Santana, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation points out some of the 73-year-old guitarist’s many career achievements: induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, 10 Grammy Awards, three Latin Grammy Awards, and the Kennedy Center Honors prize in 2013.

Like last year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards, the 2021 edition will not be an in-person event, but rather will feature filmed performances and segments captured at various locations in the U.S. and Latin America.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Could more new Green Day tunes be on the way?

In an interview with Oakland Coffee, the punk trio’s coffee subscription website, bassist Mike Dirnt was asked what he has coming up that he’s “most looking forward to.” His response? “New music…and unknown adventures.”

Green Day has already released two new tracks so far this year: “Here Comes the Shock” and “Pollyanna.” The band’s most recent album is 2020’s Father of All…

In addition to the potential fresh material, Green Day has unearthed a vinyl single featuring performances of the ’90s tunes “She” and “2000 Light Years Away,” recorded during the band’s 1994 BBC Sessions. The disc is available only for subscribers to Oakland Coffee — you can sign up now via OaklandCoffee.com.

And if that’s not enough Green Day for you, Billie Joe Armstrong and company have also recently been turned into Funko Pop! figures. For an exclusive peek at those, you can check out Kerrang.com.

Meanwhile, Green Day will launch their much-anticipated Hella Mega tour with Weezer and Fall Out Boy in July.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Hookers & Blow, the cover band led by longtime Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, has revealed official release details for its long-awaited self-titled debut studio album.

The 12-track collection, which can be pre-ordered now, will be released digitally on July 23, while CD and limited-edition vinyl LP versions of the album will arrive on August 13.

As previously reported, Hookers & Blow features renditions of such classic rock tunes as The Rolling Stones‘ “Under My Thumb” and “Rocks Off,” Led Zeppelin‘s “Trampled Underfoot” and “No Quarter,” David Bowie‘s “Ziggy Stardust,” Eddie Money‘s “Shakin’,” Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers‘ “American Girl” and Elton John‘s “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

Late Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali is featured on both Led Zeppelin songs, while sibling rockers The Okai Sisters lend their talents to a version of Blue Oyster Cult‘s “Godzilla.”

“This record is really special on many levels, for us — as well as many of our long-time fans and friends,” says Grossi.” “In many ways, it solidifies that we actually exist as a viable entity with an official and accurate documentation of the past 17 years. This isn’t just a collection of recorded covers, it’s a labor of love that we are truly proud of.”

Adds Reed, “There it is. Take it…We made the rock and you all brought the drinks to a thirsty band. This record is for the joy of rock ‘n’ roll music we all share and for the hope of more rock to come. And more drinks, I’m parched.”

Here’s the full Hookers & Blow track list:

“Rocks Off” (The Rolling Stones)
“Shakin'” (Eddie Money)
“Trampled Underfoot” (Led Zeppelin) — featuring Frankie Banali
“Ziggy Stardust” (David Bowie)
“The Winner Loses” (Body Count)
“Time Of The Season” (The Zombies)
“American Girl” (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers)
“Godzilla” (Blue Oyster Cult) — featuring The Okai Sisters
“You Gotta Fight for Your Right (to Party)” (The Beastie Boys)
“Under My Thumb” (The Rolling Stones)
“No Quarter” (Led Zeppelin) — featuring Frankie Banali
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (Elton John)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.