Musicians to honor Joe Strummer on 20th anniversary of his death

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Thursday marks the 20th anniversary of the death of The Clash‘s Joe Strummer, and the occasion will be marked with a special tribute in New York.

Consequence reports that D Generation’s Jesse Malin, Gogol Bordello‘s Eugene Hutz and more will celebrate Strummer by busking at the annual Gates of the West holiday benefit, which kicks off at 6 p.m. outside Malin’s Lower East Side bar Niagara, where there’s a mural of the late Clash frontman.

Following the tribute, which will move inside Niagara if it snows, there will be an after-party at Malin’s 96 Tears. Proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit Music & Memory, which “helps individuals with a wide range of cognitive and physical conditions to engage with the world, ease pain, and reclaim their humanity through the use of personalized music.”

Strummer passed away December 22, 2002, at the age of 50, just a few months before the Clash were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His official cause of death was an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

Paul Stanley, Robin Zander & more play Criss Angel’s birthday benefit concert

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Some big-name rock stars came out in Las Vegas Monday to help magician Criss Angel celebrate his 55^th birthday — and it was all for a good cause.

Blabbermouth reports that KISS’ Paul Stanley, Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander and Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach played the bash at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay, along with Lita Ford, Kip Winger, RATT’s Stephen Percy and Faster Pussycat’s Taime Downe.

The birthday bash was actually a benefit concert to raise money for Angel’s Johnny Crisstopher Charitable Foundation, which raises money to fight childhood cancer. The charity also supports Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. It is named after the magician’s son, who in 2015 was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia.

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” reaches 2 billion streams on Spotify

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Queen has just reached a new milestone. The band announced on social media that their classic track “Bohemian Rhapsody” has just reached 2 billion views on Spotify.

The almost six-minute “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the lead single off the band’s 1975 album, A Night at the Opera, and went on to sell over 6 million copies worldwide.

The song had a resurgence in popularity in 1992 after appearing in the film Wayne’s World. After the release of the 2018 Queen biopic, also named Bohemian Rhapsody, the song became the most streamed song of the 20th century and was certified Diamond by the Recording Academy.

Flea & Melody Ehsani welcome new baby

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Red Hot Chili Peppers family is getting bigger.

Bassist Flea tells E! News that his wife, fashion designer Melody Ehsani, has given birth to their first baby together. The couple got married in 2019.

“I haven’t been doing a lot of sleeping,” Flea shares. “But I’ve been doing a lot of floating on a cloud of love.”

The newborn is the 60-year-old musician’s third child, joining 34-year-old Clara Balzary and 17-year-old Sunny Bebop Balzary.

Even before becoming a new father again, Flea’s already had a big year. He and RHCP released not one but two albums in 2022, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen, and he also has a role in the new movie Babylon.

Dave Grohl performs “Marigold” for first time in 12 years during charity concert stream

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Dave Grohl dug up the rarity “Marigold” during a performance on a concert stream Monday supporting the Chicago charity program Letters to Santa.

“Marigold,” as Grohl fanatics will tell you, is the only song to be released by both Nirvana and Foo Fighters. It was included as a B-side on Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” single, while the Foos recorded it for their 2006 live album, Skin and Bones.

Grohl had last performed “Marigold” in 2010.

You can watch footage of Grohl’s latest “Marigold” rendition now via the fan-run Foo Fighters Live Instagram page.

In addition to lending a hand to Letters to Santa, Grohl’s been celebrating the holiday season with The Hanukkah Sessions, his annual cover series with producer Greg Kurstin spotlighting Jewish artists.

Ronnie Wood shares tribute to Charlie Watts’ late wife, Shirley

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

As we reported, Shirley Watts, widow of the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, passed away December 16, and now Charlie’s bandmate Ronnie Wood is paying tribute to her.

Next to a picture of a young Charlie and Shirley, Ronnie writes that he and his wife, Sally, are “very sad to hear about the death of our friend Shirley Watts. We will miss you so much, but take comfort that you are reunited with your beloved Charlie.”

He adds, “Our thoughts and prayers are with their daughter Seraphina, granddaughter Charlotte, and son-in-law Barry, much love to you all at this very sad time.”

Charlie and Shirley wed in 1964, before the Rolling Stones took off, and were together until the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s death on August 24, 2021.

Nile Rodgers & Chic and Richie Sambora raise $150K for charity

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Nile Rodgers & Chic and Richie Sambora raise 0K for charity — David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Performances by Nile Rodgers & Chic and former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora helped bring in big bucks for charity.

Earlier this month, Rodgers headlined Nordoff Robbins‘ charity carol service, stepping in for The Who after they had to cancel. According to U Discover Music, the event wound up bringing in about $150,000 for the charity, which will be used to fund music therapy for vulnerable people living with life-limiting illness, disabilities or feelings of isolation.

The concert, which took place at St. Luke’s Church in the Chelsea area of London, had Rodgers & Chic performing such classics as “Le Freak,” “We Are Family” and “Good Times,” while Sambora treated the crowd to Bon Jovi hits “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “It’s My Life” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” plus a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Paul McCartney reflects on his 2022 Glastonbury experience

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

It was a busy year for Paul McCartney, including a long-awaited headlining set at the United Kingdom’s Glastonbury Music Festival. Now he’s reflecting on the experience in a new essay for the BBC, in which he also shares some personal behind-the-scenes photo from the big day.

“Festivals are special, but Glastonbury is particularly so and it’s a big event in lots of people’s year,” he shares. “Because it had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, it became more important to pull it off.”

Sir Paul writes that Bruce Springsteen agreed to join him all the way back in 2020 and “he kept his promise two years later,” adding that it was “very exciting” having both The Boss and Dave Grohl as his special guests.

“It’s a pretty impressive scene for people in the audience,” he writes. “But we get the whole view up on the stage with the flags and the hills going back forever, so it was quite a big deal that they said yes to joining me in that experience.”

McCartney says it’s “a magical thing” seeing the emotions music can bring out in people. “Then you’ve got the spirituality of the place,” he shares. “When you have an event like Glastonbury and everyone comes together with good vibes and energy, I’m very happy to be part of that.” Check out the behind-the-scenes photos here.

Bob Dylan reveals what artists he’s listening to

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

t’s not surprising to hear that Bob Dylan has some definite thoughts on how we should listen to music, but you may be surprised by some of the artists he’s enjoying these days.

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Dylan shares that he listens to music on CDs, satellite radio and streaming, although he mentions the latter has made music “too smooth and painless.”

“I do love the sound of old vinyl though, especially on a tube record player from back in the day,” he shares, noting, “the tone quality is so powerful and miraculous, has so much depth, it always takes me back to the days when life was different and unpredictable.”

Dylan says these days he discovers new music “mostly by accident, by chance,” or thanks to recommendations from others. When it comes to live music he says he’s seen gone to two Metallica concerts and “made special efforts to see Jack White and Alex Turner.”

As for which contemporary artists he listens to he says he likes Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher, as well as Julian Casablancas, Grace Potter, Royal Blood, Celeste, Rag and Bone Man, Wu-Tang, Eminem, Nick Cave, and Leonard Cohen, sharing that he enjoys “anybody with a feeling for words and language, anybody whose vision parallels mine.”

Dave Grohl & Greg Kurstin “Get the Party Started” with Pink for ‘The Hanukkah Sessions’ night two

December 20, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin cover Pink‘s “Get the Party Started” for night two of this year’s The Hanukkah Sessions.

The pop star, who is Jewish, joined the Foo Fighters frontman and the producer for a rendition of her 2001 single during the pair’s recent show at the Largo club in Los Angeles. Compared to Pink’s usual, often acrobatic arena show, the performance was much more minimalist, with her vocals accompanied only by Grohl’s drums and Kurstin’s keyboards, as well as some background singers, including Tenacious D‘s Jack Black.

You can watch the Hanukkah Sessions’ version of “Get the Party Started” streaming now on YouTube.

For The Hanukkah Sessions, which is now in its third year, Grohl and Kurstin release a cover of a song by a Jewish artist for each of the holiday’s eight nights. This year’s edition began with a version Blood, Sweat & Tears‘ “Spinning Wheel” featuring director Judd Apatow.

The last two Hanukkah Sessions spawned covers of artists including KISS, Beastie Boys, Bob Dylan, Drake, Lisa Loeb, Ramones, Amy Winehouse and Billy Joel.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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