Paul McCartney is the latest rock star to share his thoughts on the passing of Jeff Beck, who died Tuesday at the age of 78.
Saying he was saddened to hear of Beck’s passing, McCartney called him “a lovely man with a wicked sense of humor who played some of the best guitar music ever to come out of Great Britain.”
He added Beck “was a superb technician and could strip down his guitar and put it back together again in time for the show. His unique style of playing was something that no one could match.” He shared, “I will always remember the great times we had together. He would come over to dinner at our place or he and his wife, Sandra, would host an evening at their house.”
Finally Sir Paul offered, “I will cherish forever the moments we spent together. Jeff Beck has left the building and it is a lonelier place without him.”
Meanwhile, Queen‘s Brian Mayalso shared his thoughts on the loss, posting a five-minute video to social media in which he says he’s struggling to deal with Beck’s passing.
“This is such an extraordinary loss and he was such an extraordinary person, it’s hard to process the fact that he’s not here, apart from process what I would like to say,” he shared. “Jeff was completely and utterly unique and the kind of musician who’s impossible to define. And I was absolutely in awe of him.”
May added, “The loss is incalculable. It’s so sad not having him in the world anymore. I still can’t quite compute it in my head.”
The Zombies are set to drop a new album later this year, and they’re giving fans their first taste of the record.
The album, Different Game, is the follow-up to the 2015 album Still Got That Hunger and is due out March 31. The band shared the first single, “Dropped Reeling and Stupid.”
“Making this album has been a joy from start to finish,” The Zombies’ Rod Argent shares. “Post-lockdown, we were absolutely determined to come together and record in as ‘live’ a way as we could – to capture the magical, fleeting quality of energy and immediacy of performance.” He adds, “’Dropped Reeling & Stupid’ is our first streamed release… Can’t wait for you to hear it!”
The Zombies are also set to hit the road this year and will make an appearance at the SXSW Film & Music Festival, which takes place March 11 to 17. Their U.S. shows kick off March 18 in San Antonio, Texas, wrapping March 24 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mötley Crüe vocalist Vince Neil has canceled his set at the upcoming RokIsland Fest in Key West, Florida, after contracting COVID-19.
In a statement posted to the RokIsland Facebook Thursday, the “Home Sweet Home” singer shares, “I am sad to report that yesterday I was diagnosed with Covid.”
“I am okay but this thing is really kickin’ my a**,” Neil continues. “All that being said, I am unable to perform at RokIsland Fest next week. I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to the RokIsland Fest organizers and most of all my friends and fans. I am disappointed to say the least. I was so looking forward to this show.”
RokIsland will take place January 17-21. The lineup also includes Styx, Loverboy and Tesla.
Mötley Crüe, meanwhile, is set to resume touring in February following their massive 2022 Stadium Tour with Def Leppard. They’ll be doing so without guitarist Mick Mars, who announced last October that he was retiring from the road. Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will be filling in.
In 2007 ASIA set out on a world tour to celebrate their 25th anniversary, and now one of those shows is being released on vinyl for the first time.
The band announcedFantasia Live In Tokyo 2007, which was originally released on CD and DVD, is set to drop February 24 as a three-LP set, featuring a booklet that includes band photos and sleeve notes. The 18-track LP includes performances of songs from the band’s 1982 self-titled debut album, including hits “Only Time Will Tell” and “Heat of the Moment,” as well as select songs from the 1983 follow-up Alpha, and songs from the band members’ previous bands.
The 25th anniversary tour featured a reformation of the band’s original lineup: lead vocalist/bassist John Wetton from King Crimson, guitarist Steve Howe of Yes, keyboardist Geoff Downes also of Yes and drummer Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Joni Mitchell is set to receive yet another prestigious honor. The singer will be honored with the 2023 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, handed out by the Library of Congress.
“This is a very prestigious award,” Mitchell said in statement. “Thank you for honoring me.”
Mitchell will be feted with a tribute concert taking place March 1 in Washington, D.C., which will air on PBS March 31 at 9 p.m. So far no artists have been announced for the tribute.
The new honor comes about a year after Mitchell was celebrated as the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Person of the Year.
The Gershwin Prize has been handed out since 2007, with Paul Simon the first honoree. Last year Lionel Richie received the award, with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Carole King and Stevie Wonder among the previous honorees.
Jack White has shared a tribute to late guitar icon Jeff Beck, who died Tuesday at age 78.
In an Instagram post, the White Stripes/Raconteurs/Dead Weather rocker writes, “Jeff Beck, guitar innovator extraordinaire has moved to the next realm.”
“He was amazingly kind and instructional to me over the years,” White continues. “Many shows that I’ve played began moments after listening to his song ‘Led Boots’ backstage.”
White’s post also includes a video of him and Meg White performing with Beck during a 2002 White Stripes show in London, during which they performed a set of songs by Beck’s legendary group The Yardbirds.
“In our rehearsals he plugged straight into an amp, no effects pedals,” White recalls. “He was changing the sound of the guitar and doing things people didn’t know were possible from his earliest days on stage.”
Beck’s passing has been mourned by many of the biggest names in rock. Those who’ve also paid tribute include Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.
Ringo Starr is ready to get back on the stage. The Beatles drummer just announced some spring 2023 dates with his All-Starr Band, made up of Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart and Gregg Bissonette.
“It’s a new year and here are some new tour dates,” Ringo shares. “I love playing with the All Starrs and can’t wait to be back out on the road again with this band. I send Peace and Love to you all and we hope to see you out there.”
The tour kicks off May 19 in Temecula, California, and includes a three-night stand at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend, May 24, 26 and 27. It also includes a return to Los Angeles’ Greek Theater on June 15, with dates confirmed through June 17 in San Jose, California.
Tickets for the Vegas shows go on sale to the general public Thursday, January 19, at 10 a.m. PT. Click here for more ticket info.
Genesisis set to drop the new collection BBC Broadcasts on March 3, which will feature Genesis performances recorded by the BBC between 1970 and 1998.
The set, curated by founding member Tony Banks, will be released as a 53-track, five-CD set, as well as a 24-track, three-LP set, with many of the songs being released on vinyl for the first time. Only a handful of the songs have previously gotten an official release.
BBC Broadcasts will include music from Genesis’ three lead vocalists — Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Ray Wilson — and such songs as “Home By The Sea,” “Mama,” “Duchess,” “Carpet Crawlers,” “No Son Of Mine” and “Turn It On Again.”
It will include the band’s iconic 1987 Wembley concert, which was previously released as a DVD only, as well as a 1980 show at London’s Lyceum. A 1978 and a 1992 performance at Knebworth also made the cut, plus a Paris Theater performance from the ’70s.
Guitarist Jeff Beck continues to be remembered on social media, with artists like Rod Stewart, ZZ Top’s Billy F.Gibbons and more paying tribute to the rock legend, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 78.
“Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since,” Stewart shared alongside a picture of him and Beck together. “He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond. Jeff, you were the greatest, my man . Thank you for everything.”
Former Yardbirds member Paul Samwell-Smith shared his tribute via the Cat Stevens/YusufTwitter account, offering, “What a genius. We wrote Shapes of Things together and Jeff had a blank 16 bars for a solo. He not only played an extraordinary solo, but changed the nature of guitar playing ever after.” #JeffBeck.”
And ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons shared, “I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff’s was a wondrous soul and we already miss him terribly but take comfort in the fact that he’ll be with us forever. Hi Ho Silver Lining!”
Other tributes include:
Robert Plant – “Jeff always appeared timeless, ever evolving. He embraced project after project with limitless energy and enthusiasm. He surfaced in an extraordinary time…He took place side by side with virtuosos of the period…His gift was enormous. He was funny, challenging and eager.”
U2’s The Edge– “Jeff Beck was punk rock before punk existed and one of the most inventive guitar players of all time. He set a very high bar for all of us who followed. His legend will live on.”
Alice Cooper – “When I was 16 years old, The Spiders, who became the original Alice Cooper band, opened for the Yardbirds. That night I experienced the greatest guitar player I had ever heard. Half a century later Jeff Beck is still the greatest guitarist, PERIOD….”
Heart‘s Ann Wilson– “Travel on, Master Jeff! Find new harmonics. We’ll miss you.” “
Billy Joel – “I just heard the sad news that the great virtuoso guitarist, Jeff Beck, has died. He was one of my heroes. I was fortunate to meet him recently and I’m very grateful now that I was able to tell him how much I admired his musical skill. This is the end of an era.”
Aerosmith’s Joe Perry – “Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sandra. We share your sorrow.”
E Street Band member Steve Van Zandt– “RIP Jeff Beck. Having trouble processing this. Not only was he a major influence, and his genius an infinite source of joy my entire lifetime, he was in great spirits when we spoke a few weeks ago having done a flawless show with Johnny the night before at the Capitol. Unreal.”
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready – “Saddened to hear Jeff Beck has passed away. I was lucky to see him once and I stood in awe of his genius. Thank you, Jeff, for being amazing to us guitar players…”
Billy Idol – “Sad news #JeffBeck passed on today …I saw him with Beck Bogart & Appice supporting Lou Reed in the UK in ‘72 RIP …glad I was alive to hear him play….sublime…”
Buddy Guy – “The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff. – Team BG.”
Joe Satriani– “Jeff Beck was a genius, a stunning original. He was an astounding guitar player with more ways to make you go, ‘WTF was that?’ than anybody else. He was profoundly talented, and never stopped innovating on the instrument. R.I.P. Jeff.”
Brian Wilson – “I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was ‘Danny Boy’ – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family.”
Rick Springfield – “The great Jeff Beck has taken his genius and gone home. My guitar idol since age 15. For the uninitiated, check out his amazing work on (where do I begin) Roger Waters ‘Amused to Death’. His gift was impossible to copy and won’t be repeated. Thankful for huge legacy. God speed JB”
After a 50-year battle, John Fogerty has regained control of the worldwide publishing rights to his music with Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Unlike artists who have sold their catalogs in recent years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been able to purchase, for an undisclosed sum, a majority interest in his rights to CCR songs, which encompass more than 65 songs, including classics like “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” “Bad Moon Rising” and more.
Fogerty initially gave up his royalties on the CCR songs to Saul Zaentz’s Fantasy Records in 1980 in order to get out of his deal with the label. In 2004, when Concord purchased Fantasy Records, they reinstated and increased Fogerty’s royalties, which he hadn’t previously been receiving.
Concord still owns the CCR master recordings and will continue to look after Fogerty’s publishing interests, at least for a limited time.
“I’m really kind of still in shock,” 77-year-old Fogerty tellsBillboard. “I’m the dad [of these songs]. I created them. They never should have been taken away in the first place.”
He adds, “The happiest way to look at it is, yeah, it isn’t everything. It’s not a 100% win for me, but it’s sure better than it was.”
