Classic Rock News

Christine McVie’s death Wednesday at 79 certainly surprised many, and upon hearing the news, plenty of artists took to social media to pay tribute to the Fleetwood Mac star. 

“I am so sad to hear of Christine McVie going on to heaven. The world feels weird without her here. What a legend and an icon and an amazing human being. RIP,” Sheryl Crow said, while Heart’s Ann Wilson wrote on Instagram, “Christine was a gem. Soulful, classy and a beautiful songwriter. ’Over my head’ was always my sultry, angelic favorite. Bon Voyage sweet soul!”

Bette Midler also shared, “#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy…,” while the rock band Garbage wrote, “Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted. Songbird forever.” 

Duran Duran’s John Taylor also remembered the star, writing, “So so sad to hear about Christine McVie, an artist I held dear and close to my heart. One of the greatest all time songwriters, singers, and band members, she radiated both purity and sass in equal measure, bringing light to the music of the 70s. RIP,” and Carole King simply wrote, “With love and respect. R.I.P. Christine McVie.”

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The death of Fleetwood Mac‘s Christine McVie Wednesday at age 79 shocked most people, including her bandmate and close friend Stevie Nicks, who opened up about her grief in a handwritten note on social media. 

“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,” she writes. “I didn’t even know she was ill … until late Saturday night.” She shares she wanted to travel to London to be with her, but was told to wait.

Stevie writes that since hearing Christine was ill, “one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over,” noting, “I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and so, I’m singing it to her now,” adding, “I always knew I would need these words one day … It’s all I can do now.”

Stevie then wrote out the lyrics to the third verse of the Haim song “Hallelujah,” which starts with, “I had a best friend but she has come to pass. One I wish I could see now.”

Stevie signed the note, “See you on the other side my love, don’t forget me, Always Stevie,” and added a picture of her and McVie together.

Mick Fleetwood posted his own tribute to McVie, writing, “This is a day where my dear sweet Friend Christine McVie has taken flight.. and left us earthbound folks to listen with bated breath to the sounds of that songbird … reminding one and all that love is all around us to reach for and touch in this precious life that is gifted to us.” He adds, “part of my heart has flown away today.. I will miss everything about you Christine McVie.”

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Alice Cooper is the subject of a new coffee table book from veteran rock journalist Garry Graff, Consequence reports. Alice Cooper at 75, dropping January 31, ahead of the rocker’s 75th birthday on February 4, will look back on the rocker’s career, highlighting “75 career accomplishments, events, and partnerships.” 

The 208-page book will explore Cooper’s childhood, and take a deep look at his albums and songs. It will also look at Cooper’s life outside the music world, including his love of classic cars and golf, his charity work and his relationship with his wife, Sheryl. 

The book, which sells for $75, will feature lots of photos, including concert pictures, offstage candids, gig posters, record covers and ticket stubs. It will also include two pullout posters and an 8-by-10 photo.

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The rock world has lost another legend. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie died Wednesday at the age of 79. 

“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death,” read a statement from her family, noting she died “peacefully at hospital” after “a short illness.” The family asked for privacy and shared, “ … we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally.”

Fleetwood Mac also released a statement, saying, “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.” They also called her the “best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.” They note, “We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.” 

Christine got her start as a member of the British band Chicken Shack. After marrying Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, she appeared on their 1968 album Mr. Wonderful and became a permanent member in 1971, lasting through the many lineup changes of the group. She wrote and sang some of the band’s biggest hits, including 1975’s “Over My Head” and “Say You Love Me,” as well as the Rumours tracks “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun,” and such later tracks as “Hold Me” from Mirage and “Little Lies” from Tango in the Night. She also released three solo albums and one collaborative album with Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham.

As a member of Fleetwood Mac she won two Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

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Elton John has scored a new Billboard chart record. Thanks to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, Elton is number one on the Top Tours chart this month, making it his record-setting fifth month on top. 

During the month of October, Elton brought in $49.6 million from only eight shows to top the monthly Boxscore report. That translates to $6.2 million per show. 

Elton was the first artist to land at number one on the Top Tour list when it launched in 2019 and held that spot three more times before touring was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic. He held the record for the most months at number one until last month, when Bad Bunny tied him — but Elton has surpassed him to hold the record once again. 

As of now, Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which launched in 2018, has grossed more than $700 million; he is on track to surpass Ed Sheeran’s The Divide Tour as the top-grossing tour of all time. It brought in $776.4 million.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd is hitting the stage Thursday for a good cause. The band is set to headline the Boots On The Sand: Hurricane Ian Benefit Concert at Hertz Arena in Estero, FL.

“You know we are a Florida band and true Floridians, we have grown up with Hurricanes being a part of our lives. Hurricane Ian did major damage and people lost loved ones and everything they had,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant shares. “We couldn’t sit by and not try to help people in a time of need,” adding, “Hopefully, we can raise a bunch of money for the victims of the storm, get some musician friends to come down and join us, and bring some smiles to the faces of those people that have lost so much.”

The concert features an all-star lineup that includes Ira Dean, Ted Nugent, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tracy Lawrence. Comedian Jim Breuer will serve as the host.

Proceeds from the concert will go toward disaster relief efforts through Volunteer Florida and the Community Foundations of Southwest Florida.

Tickets are on sale here.

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Ex-Mötley Crüe vocalist John Corabi says he doesn’t “believe” the band’s statement announcing the retirement of guitarist Mick Mars.

The statement, which was posted in October, reads, “We accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health,” referring to his long battle with the inflammatory disease ankylosing spondylitis. That followed a statement a rep for Mars gave to Variety, which read, “Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road.” Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will replace Mars for Mötley’s upcoming 2023 tour dates.

Speaking with the Life in the Stocks podcast, Corabi, who sang on Mötley Crüe’s 1994 self-titled album, says, “I don’t even know if [Mars] left Mötley, I think maybe he was shown the door.”

Corabi recalls the rest of Mötley “complaining about [Mars’] guitar playing” dating back to their 1997 album, Generation Swine, which Corabi had begun recording before he left the band in 1996.

“The majority of the guitars on the Swine record…are mine,” Corabi says. “They were complaining about Mick the whole f***ing time.”

Corabi adds that the guitars on Mötley’s 2008 album Saints of Los Angeles were played by onetime Guns N’ Roses guitarist and Nikki Sixx‘s Sixx:A.M. bandmate DJ Ashba, while John 5 played guitar on the new songs they recorded for 2019’s The Dirt soundtrack.

Regarding Mars’ departure, Corabi concedes that he could “be totally wrong” but says he’s waiting to hear from Mick himself.

“The [statement] that we’ve all heard came from Mötley and their management,” Corabi says, adding that he’s reached out to Mars personally but hasn’t heard back.

“This is all a theory…but, personally, I don’t believe a word of that statement, at all,” he concludes.

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The official Bob Marley One Love Experience is finally coming to the U.S. The exhibit is set to open in Los Angeles on January 27 at Ovation Hollywood. 

“We are so thrilled to have the exhibit opening in Los Angeles just in time for Daddy’s birthday,” Cedella Marley, CEO of Bob Marley Group, shares. “After being in London and Toronto, it’s going to be amazing bringing the experience here to the US for the first time and just steps from Daddy’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

The 1,500 square foot multi-room exhibit features Marley archives, including rare memorabilia, previously unseen photos and more. There’s also a One Love Forest room with a multi-sensory environment that takes fans on a trip to Jamaica; a Soul Shakedown studio where fans can enjoy a curated playlist in the silent disc; an area where fans can experience the backstage vibe of a Marley concert; a room that celebrates the Marley legacy and influence and lots more. 

The exhibit is set to run through April 23 with tickets on sale December 7 at 10 a.m. PT. There are also VIP packages, guided tours and a daily 4:20 package that comes with entrance to the 4:20 lounge. Plus on February 6, there will be special events connected to Marley’s birthday.

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Rod Stewart is mourning the loss of his brother Bob, who passed away just two months after the death of his other brother Don.

“It’s with great sadness that I announce the loss of my brother Bob last night, who joins my brother Don on the great football pitch in the sky,” the singer shared on Instagram. “I’ve lost two of my best mates in the space of two months. RIP Don and Bob ‘irreplaceable buddies’” 

Rod, the youngest of five children, lost his brother Don in September.

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It continues to be a great year for Joni Mitchell fans. The iconic singer is teaming with Rhino Entertainment and Mobility Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) to release six of her iconic albums on UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2-LP vinyl and hybrid Super Audio CD formats. 

The limited and numbered box sets will start next year with 1970’s Ladies of the Canyon and 1972’s Blue, and will be followed by 1972’s For the Roses, 1974’s Court and Spark, 1975’s The Hissing of Summer Lawns and 1976’s Hejira.

All releases will be sourced from the original analog master tapes and will come in mini-gatefold sleeves, with special foil-stamped jackets and graphics that remain faithful to the original releases.

Fans can pre-order them here.

Joni fans have had a lot to be happy about this year. Back in July, she performed her first live concert in over 20 years when she joined Brandi Carlile and friends at the Newport Folk Festival. She recently announced another planned “Joni Jam” for June 2023 in Washington, also with Brandi.

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