Peter Gabriel says new studio album is “reaching completion”

November 4, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

It’s been over 20 years since Peter Gabriel released an album of new, original songs, but the acclaimed singer/songwriter has hinted that his next record will likely be arriving soon.

During a recent gallery event in New York City promoting his daughter Anna‘s new photo book, Eye-D, Gabriel told ABC Audio, “It’s reaching completion. I’m just finishing things up. So, there should be … some news about it soon.”

Gabriel’s last studio album of new music, Up, was released in September 2002. The new album is tentatively titled I/O.

Meanwhile, Peter and his daughter also shared some details about a new multimedia project they’re involved with, called Reverberation. The project, as Anna explained to ABC Audio, focuses on “how music can affect your brain and sort of the power of music and how to use it in your daily life.”

In conjunction with the project, a book called Reverberation: Do Everything Better with Music, featuring a foreword by Peter, was recently published. Anna also noted that the book will be followed by a TV show, a podcast and more.

Peter also discussed some of the interesting scientific studies tied in with Reverberation about the positive effect music and sound can have on people.

As he pointed out, “Some older folk that had lost the capacity to talk, when they were played music that was significant in their teens to them, they were able to talk again … not permanently, but it just shows the power [music has] to activate certain switches in the brain.”

Visit AbramsBooks.com for more info about Reverberation: Do Everything Better with Music.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Hello Metaverse: Elton John announces Roblox collaboration

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Earlier this year, Elton John‘s husband and manger, David Furnish, told MusicWeek about the possibility of bringing the Rocket Man into the metaverse. Now, that virtual dream has become a virtual reality.

Elton has announced a collaboration with the popular online game platform Roblox. Titled Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, the virtual experience will, as a press release puts it, “let fans follow the yellow brick road through an interactive world inspired by Elton’s life and legacy.”

Users will be able to collect digital items inspired by John’s famed stage outfits, including the sequined Los Angeles Dodgers uniform he wore during his 1975 Dodger Stadium concerts.

In a statement, Elton shares that he’s “absolutely thrilled” about the project.

“I’ve always been myself and used my image, eyewear, and music to express myself, and Roblox really encourages that self-expression,” Elton says. “Now my fans can do the same, and that’s really exciting.”

“At every step of my career, I’ve always wanted to push forward and look to the future, and ‘Beyond the Yellow Brick Road’ is the next step on that journey as I prepare to step away from live touring after 50 years on the road,” he continues. “It’s genuinely thrilling, and I can’t wait to see the response from my fans and the Roblox community.”

Elton is set to play his final U.S. concert, taking place in Dodger Stadium, on November 20. The show will stream live on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Sammy Hagar says Eddie Van Halen “deserves” tribute concert, but he and Alex Van Halen “don’t talk” anymore

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Another day, another ‘will-they-or-won’t they?’ story about a Van Halen tribute concert to Eddie Van Halen featuring past and present members.

The answer remains no, with the latest update coming from former frontman Sammy Hagar, who says he and drummer Alex Van Halen aren’t even on speaking terms right now.

Appearing recently on Sirius/XM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk show, Hagar was asked if there had been any progress on a rumored tribute show to the band’s late guitarist that’d feature guitarist Joe Satriani and Metallica bassist Jason Newsted joining Alex for a show. According to Blabbermouth, Hagar revealed he was approached and was up for it, but under one condition.

“I’ll do anything with Al and Mike and play music with people, but it’s not gonna be Van Halen,” Hagar shared. “There is no Van Halen, I don’t care what anyone says. Wolfie is Van Halen, okay?”

Hagar of course was referring to Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, who replaced estranged bassist Michael Anthony in Van Halen some 15 years ago before achieving Grammy-nominated success with his own band, Mammoth WVH.

But what to call the band apparently isn’t the issue. Asked if original frontman David Lee Roth was the holdout, as rumored, Hagar replied, “It ain’t just one guy. Alex Van Halen and I don’t talk,” adding that he “reached out” to the drummer after Anthony “had a sad thing happen in his family…and [Alex] wouldn’t return my call or my e-mail. And so I said, ‘You know what? F*** it. It’s not on the top of my list, my agenda.”

Hagar’s still up for it, though. “I think Eddie deserves, definitely, a tribute,” he says, adding “the whole world would show up and the whole world would do it.”

Eddie & Jill Vedder announce lineup for Venture into Cures benefit concert stream

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Eddie and Jill Vedder have announced the details of their 2022 Venture into Cures benefit concert stream.

The annual event, now in its third year, supports EB Research Partnership, an organization co-founded by the Pearl Jam frontman and his wife to raise funds and awareness in an effort to cure epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic disorder that causes painful skin blisters.

Performers include Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Legend and Broken Social Scene. Additionally, musicians, celebrities and athletes, including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Will Ferrell, Jack Harlow, Tom Holland, Joe Jonas, Chris Pratt and Venus Williams, will be making appearances.

Venture into Cures 2022 will take place November 20 at 4 p.m. ET. You can watch via 2022.VentureintoCures.org or via Eddie and Pearl Jam’s Facebook and YouTube.

Signed instruments from Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts going up for auction

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

A number of instruments played and signed by artists who performed at the two tribute concerts to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins are going up for auction.

Among the items available include a Gibson Trini Lopez guitar signed by Foo frontman Dave Grohl and Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic; the bass Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones played with signatures from Jones, Novoselic and The Cars‘ Elliot Easton; an Eddie Van Halen “Frankenstein” guitar signed by Grohl, Novoselic, The Police‘s Stewart Copeland, Joan Jett and Kesha; the guitar Queen‘s Brian May played signed by Grohl, Copeland, AC/DC‘s Brian Johnson and Kesha; and a Nile Rodgers-signed Hitmaker Fender Stratocaster.

The Gibson Trini Lopez and the Rodger-signed Strat are the highest-priced and are expected to fetch between $6,000 and $8,000.

Auction house Julien’s Auctions will be putting the instruments up for sale via its upcoming Icons & Idols: Rock ‘n’ Roll event, taking place November 11-13. As with the concerts, proceeds from the auction will benefit the organizations MusiCares and Music Support.

“MusiCares was honored to be the U.S. non-profit beneficiary for the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts and we are proud to partner with Julien’s Auctions on this incredible collection,” says Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares. “We are dedicated to helping the humans behind the music because music gives so much to the world, and this auction continues the beautiful celebration of Taylor’s life, and his immense contribution to the music industry.”

For more info, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Hawkins died on March 25 at age 50. The tribute concerts took place in London on September 3 and in Los Angeles on September 27.

Watch a clip from ‘Neil Young: Harvest Time’ documentary, in theaters December 1

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

December’s a big month for Neil Young fans. Not only is the rock legend releasing a box set commemorating the 50th anniversary of his landmark Harvest album, we’re also getting a film documentary to go along with it.

Neil Young: Harvest Time “takes viewers on an intimate journey to Young’s Broken Arrow Ranch in Northern California for the ‘Harvest Barn’ sessions, to London for an iconic performance with the London Symphony Orchestra, and to Nashville where the then 20-something Neil Young worked on various tracks of this signature album,” according to the distributor, Trafalgar Releasing.

The film, shot between January and September 1971, includes footage of Young creating and recording Harvest classics like “Old Man” and “Heart of Gold,” as well as other songs from the RIAA-certified four-times Platinum album. You can watch a clip from the film now.

“I was 24, maybe 23 and this album made a big difference in my life,” Young says of Harvest. “I had a great time and now when I listen to it, I think I was really just lucky to be there. I hope you enjoy this story, which is Harvest Time, and which talks about everything that happened.”

Neil Young: Harvest Time will debut December 1 in select theaters worldwide, with an encore presentation on December 4. Tickets go on sale November 10 at NeilYoungHarvestTime.com.

The Harvest 50th Anniversary Edition box set drops on December 1, just 24 hours before Neil Young: Harvest Time opens. You can order it now in two physical versions offering the same content — a three-CD/two-DVD set and a collection featuring two vinyl LPs, a vinyl seven-inch disc and two DVDs.

Carlos Santana reflects on band’s 1972 ‘Caravanserai’ album: “It gave birth to multidimensional music”

November 3, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Santana‘s fourth studio album, 1972’s Caravanserai, celebrated its 50th anniversary last month, and to mark the milestone, Carlos Santana and the band’s founding drummer, Michael Shrieve, reflected on the jazz fusion-influenced project with ABC Audio.

Caravanserai, which peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, was heavily inspired by the then-contemporary improvisational jazz sounds that artists such as Miles Davis, Return to Forever and Pharaoh Sanders were creating.

“What was really important about Caravanserai [was that it] gave birth to multidimensional music,” Carlos said.

The album, which yielded no hit singles, was considered a commercial failure, but has become a fan favorite.

Carlos said he and Shrieve were driving creative forces behind the album, along with bassist Dougie Rauch, one of several musicians who had recently joined Santana.

“It just fell naturally normal for Michael and I to grab hold of the reins and lead the horses to another path,” Carlos explained.

Carlos also noted that although there was a backlash to Santana’s new direction on the album, he and Shrieve remained undeterred.

“Everybody left and right were telling us, ‘You’re committing career suicide. This is not gonna work,'” Santana said. “And we were like, the more they say that to us, the more we were determined, not necessarily to prove them wrong, but to see to fruition that this music needed to be birthed.”

Meanwhile, Shrieve told ABC Audio that because of Santana’s new direction, he and Carlos were inadvertently responsible for the creation of Journey.

According to Shrieve, Santana members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon were unhappy with Caravanserai, so they decided to form a new group that showcased a more mainstream rock sound. Soon, Journey was born.

A special 50th anniversary Caravanserai T-shirt is available now at Santana.com.

Here’s Caravanserai‘s track list:

“Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation”
“Waves Within”
“Look Up (To See What’s Coming Down)”
“Just in Time to See the Sun”
“Song of the Wind”
“All the Love of the Universe”
“Future Primitive”
“Stone Flower”
“La Fuente del Ritmo”
“Every Step of the Way”

Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel team up for one-night-only concert in Texas

November 2, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ever since he stopped doing joint tours with Elton John a while back, Billy Joel has rarely shared the stage with anyone: It’s unusual for him to even have an opening act. But next year, he plans to team up for a double bill with a performer as equally legendary as he is.

Billy will perform a show on April 8, 2023 with none other than Stevie Nicks. The pairing will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The show is appropriately billed as “Two Icons, One Night.” Tickets will go on sale November 11 at 10 a.m. LiveNation.com or SeatGeek.com.

On Instagram, Stevie wrote, “excited to hit the road with the amazing @billyjoel in 2023.” Her use of the phrase “hit the road” makes it sound as though they might perform together at additional dates, but so far, this is the only one that’s been announced.

The show is Stevie’s first announced performance for 2023; she’ll complete her fall tour this weekend. As for Billy, he’ll continue his Madison Square Garden residency, and next year, he has additional dates booked in Atlanta, Florida, London, New Zealand and Australia.

Country stars honor The Rolling Stones with ‘Stoned Cold Country’ tribute album

November 2, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

Some of country music’s biggest stars will pay tribute to one of rock’s legendary bands on their 60th anniversary with Stoned Cold Country, an album celebrating The Rolling Stones.

Hit-making acts including Little Big Town, Eric Church, Maren Morris, outlaw country legend Steve Earle and many others provide country-influenced interpretations of some of the Stones’ biggest hits.

Though the album doesn’t drop until next year, you can get a taste now of Brothers Osborne’s country-funk take on “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It),” with help from Americana husband and wife duo The War and Treaty. That track drops this coming Friday, November 4.

Here’s the Stoned Cold Country track list:

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” — Ashley McBryde
“Honky Tonk Women” — Brooks & Dunn
“Dead Flowers — Maren Morris
“It’s Only Rock N’ Roll (But I Like It)” — Brothers Osborne & The War and Treaty
“Miss You” — Jimmie Allen
“Tumbling Dice” — Elle King
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” — Marcus King
“Wild Horses” — Little Big Town
“Paint It Black” — Zac Brown Band
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” — Lainey Wilson
“Sympathy for the Devil” — Elvie Shane
“Angie” — Steve Earle
“Gimme Shelter” — Eric Church
“Shine a Light” — Koe Wetzel

AC/DC’s Brian Johnson reveals the life-changing advice Roger Daltrey gave him

November 2, 2022 by Classic Rock 93.9

AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson‘s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But the 75-year-old says there was a time he had all but given up on music — until another rock legend gave him some life-changing advice.

Speaking with The West Australian newspaper about his just-released autobiography, The Lives of Brian, Johnson recalls his life before joining AC/DC, when he quit his job as an engineer to focus on music. He fronted a band named Geordie that scored a single top-ten hit, enough to convince Johnson that he was on his way to stardom — until the bottom fell out.

“At the age of 28, I’d lost everything. My marriage, my career, my house,” Johnson recalls, adding, “I’d had my shot and blown it.”

Even so, Johnson formed another band, working non-music jobs, including installing car windshields, to help pay the bills. But it was while he was living with the other band members in a single apartment that The Who‘s Roger Daltrey, already a rock legend, invited them over to dinner at his country manor.

“He said, ‘I’m going to give you one piece of advice, Brian,” Johnson recalls. “Never give up. Do you understand me? Never, ever give up’.”

“And I really took that to heart,” says Johnson. “He’s probably forgotten that he said that, but I didn’t.”

Not long after that, Johnson was invited to audition for the AC/DC frontman spot after original lead singer Bon Scott‘s death. And the rest, as we all know, is rock and roll history.

The Lives of Brian is available everywhere now.

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