Classic Rock News

Paul McCartney played the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, making history by becoming the oldest solo artist to headline the famous event.

Sir Paul, who turned 80 on Saturday June 18, also thrilled the crowd by welcoming two surprise guests to the stage during his show — Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

Regarding Grohl, it was his first time returning to the stage since the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in March.

As reported by NME, McCartney introduced Grohl as “your hero from the West Coast,” and he and Dave then proceed to play the early Beatles classic “I Saw Her Standing There,” followed by the 1973 Wings hit “Band on the Run.”

Paul also explained to the audience that Grohl “flew in especially to do this,” noting that he had to overcome flight cancellations in Los Angeles to be able to play the show.

After Grohl exited the stage, McCartney introduced his second surprise guest, welcoming, “from the East Coast of America,” Springsteen.

Bruce, who also had joined Paul at the final show of McCartney’s Got Back Tour of the U.S. on June 16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, played the same two songs that he did at the previous gig — his own hit “Glory Days,” and the early Beatles rave-up “I Wanna Be Your Man.”

Grohl and Springsteen also came back out on stage for the finale of McCartney’s Glastonbury show, jamming out with Paul and his band on a rendition of The Beatles’ “The End.”

McCartney’s concert lasted about two-and-a-half hours and featured over 30 songs. You can check out some fan-shot highlights of the show at NME.com, while PaulMcCartney.com also has posted a recap of the event.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billie Joe Armstrong has had enough of America.

Following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, the Green Day frontman said he’s ready to leave the country — and he didn’t mince words.

“F*** America,” Armstrong told the crowd at the Hella Mega tour stop in London over the weekend. “I’m f****** renouncing my citizenship. I’m f****** coming here.”

“There’s just too much f****** stupid in the world to go back to that miserable f****** excuse for a country,” he continued as the crowd at London Stadium cheered.

And lest you think it’s all talk, Armstrong assured the crowd he was “not kidding.”

“You’re going to get a lot of me in the coming days,” he said.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Doobie Brothers co-founders members Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston teamed up to write a new memoir about their famous band titled Long Train Runnin’: Our Story of The Doobie Brothers that’s available now.

Simmons tells ABC Audio that having the book co-written by him and Tom gives fans the chance to learn about the band’s history from the different perspectives of two guys who were there from the beginning.

“[I]t was kind of unique, because it’s both Tom and myself telling a story,” Simmons notes. “[I think that’s] a little bit better all the way around, since…it’s hard to remember…what was going on through the years. And it was nice to kind of reflect on aspects that somebody else might have seen a little differently from your own [recollection].”

Simmons says parts of the book that he thinks fans will find particularly interesting include how the band came together, details about how The Doobies made their records, and the successful period in the group’s history when Michael McDonald became the frontman at a time that Johnston was experiencing serious health issues.

Regarding the making of The Doobies’ music, Simmons notes, “[H]ow we put those songs together, how we wrote them, how we built them is kind of an interesting aspect that…I thought…was kind of unique in terms of the wide variety of ways that we approached songwriting and how songs were created.”

As for McDonald joining the band and the resulting change in the sound of the group’s music, Pat says, “[I]t was an arduous process. And it worked out, luckily.”

Long Train Runnin’ also features commentary from various other Doobie Brothers members, alums and associates, including McDonald, former bassist Tiran Porter, longtime multi-instrumentalist John McFee and producer Ted Templeman.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elton John, Genesis and The Eagles are among the artists who are raking it in at the box office in 2022, according to the latest installment of Pollstar‘s annual midyear rankings.

In terms of worldwide tours, Genesis’ The Last Domino? Tour — the final outing for Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford — earned $72 million globally, second only to Latin superstar Bad Bunny. Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was next with $70 million.

Also making the top 10 was The Eagles’ ongoing Hotel California trek, which was in seventh place with $55 million.

When it comes to North American tours, Elton lands at #2 behind, yes, Bad Bunny. The Eagles and Genesis also made the top 10, at #6 and #8, respectively.

Pollstar‘s midyear lists actually cover concert grosses from November 18, 2021, to May 18, 2022.

Here’s the full top 10 of Pollstar‘s 2022 worldwide tours midyear list:

1. Bad Bunny, $120.1 million
2. Genesis, $72.0 million
3. Elton John, $70.0 million
4. BTS, $69.3 million
5. Morgan Wallen, $58.3 million
6. Eric Church, $56.3 million
7. Eagles, $55.0 million
8. John Mayer, $51.8 million
9. Coldplay, $44.7 million
10. Garth Brooks, $44.3 million

And here’s the top 10 of Pollstar‘s North American tours 2022 midyear rankings:

1. Bad Bunny, $120.1 million
2. Elton John, $70.0 million
3. BTS, $69.3 million
4. Morgan Wallen, $58.3 million
5. Eric Church, $56.3 million
6. Eagles, $55.0 million
7. John Mayer, $51.8 million
8. Genesis, $46.5 million
9. Garth Brooks, $44.3 million
10. Dua Lipa, $40.1

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The new Thin Lizzy-themed audio/video collection pairing the 2020 documentary Phil Lynott: Songs for While I’m Away with the archival concert film and album Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back in Town Live at the Sydney Opera House October 1978 was released Friday.

The release is available now either as a two-DVD/CD set or a Blu-ray/DVD/CD set. A limited-edition version featuring a card autographed by longtime Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham can be purchased at NewburyComics.com.

Songs for While I’m Away presents a candid look at late Thin Lizzy singer/bassist Phil Lynott‘s life and music. It tells the story of how a Black boy raised during the 1950s by a working-class family in Dublin went on to become one of Ireland’s biggest rock stars before he died in 1986 of drug-related health issues at age 36.

The movie features archival footage of conversations with Lynott, as well as recent interviews with Thin Lizzy members and/or alums Gorham, Eric Bell, Darren Wharton and Midge Ure, as well as with U2‘s Adam Clayton, Metallica‘s James Hetfield, Huey Lewis and Suzi Quatro.

The film also includes conversations with Lynott’s wife, Caroline Taraskevics, and his daughters Sarah and Catherine Lynott.

Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back in Town Live at the Sydney Opera House October 1978, which was originally released in 1988, features the band performing many of its classic songs at the famed Australian venue. The footage has been restored for the new DVD release, while a companion CD of the show is also included in the package.

Here’s the The Boys Are Back in Town Live at the Sydney Opera House‘s CD track list:

“Jailbreak”
“Bad Reputation”
“Warriors”
“Don’t Believe a Word”
“Waiting for an Alibi”
“Still In Love with You”
“Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed”
“Cowboy Song”
“The Boys Are Back in Town”
“Suicide”
“Are You Ready”
“Baby Drives Me Crazy”
“Me and the Boys “

And here’s the track list for concert DVD:

“Jailbreak”
“Bad Reputation”
“Waiting for an Alibi”
“Cowboy Song”
“The Boys Are Back in Town”
“Are You Ready”
“Me and the Boys “
“Baby Drives Me Crazy”

Lost Sydney Performances
“Warriors”
“Don’t Believe a Word”
“Still In Love with You”
“Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed”
“Suicide”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The 1995 Eric Clapton documentary Nothing but the Blues, which was broadcast just once on PBS, got its official release Friday on multiple formats and configurations, along with a companion soundtrack album.

The film features Clapton showcasing and discussing his lifelong passion for the blues. It includes performances from two concerts that he played in November 1994 at San Francisco’s famed Fillmore venue during his tour in support of his blues covers album From the Cradle.

Nothing but the Blues is available as a super deluxe limited-edition box set and as a standalone DVD or Blu-ray, while the soundtrack has been issued on CD and digitally. A two-LP vinyl version of the album will be released on July 29.

The movie was executive produced by Martin Scorsese, who also conducted an in-depth interview with Clapton for the film, in which the British guitar legend talks about his love for blues music and the artists who influenced him, such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Robert Johnson.

The film has been upgraded to 4K video, while the audio has been newly remastered.

The box set features a Blu-ray of the documentary, the soundtrack on both CD and as a two-LP set, and a bonus CD featuring four extra tracks. The collection comes packaged in an exclusive hardcover book and includes a lithograph, a poster, a set of Clapton guitar strings, guitar picks and a bandana.

In conjunction with Friday’s release of Nothing but the Blues, a video of Clapton performing the Willie Dixon-penned 1957 song “Groaning the Blues” has premiered at Clapton’s YouTube channel, where you also can watch a few other clips from the film.

Here’s the track list of the Nothing but the Blues DVD and Blu-ray:

“Blues All Day Long”
“Standin’ Round Crying”
“Forty-Four”
“It Hurts Me Too”
“Early in the Morning”
“Five Long Years”
“Crossroads”
“Malted Milk Blues”
“Motherless Child”
“How Long Blues”
“Reconsider Baby”
“Sinner’s Prayer”
“Every Day I Have the Blues”
“Crosscut Saw”
“Someday After a While”
“Have You Ever Loved a Woman”
“I’m Tore Down”
“Groaning the Blues”
“T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness”
“Driftin” (Bonus Track)

And here’s the soundtrack’s track list:

“Blues All Day Long”
“Standing ‘Round Crying”
“Forty-Four”
“It Hurts Me Too”
“Early in the Morning”
“Five Long Years”
“Crossroads”
“Malted Milk”
“Motherless Child”
“How Long”
“Reconsider Baby”
“Sinners Prayer”
“Every Day I Have the Blues”
“Someday After a While (You’ll Be Sorry)”
“Have You Ever Loved a Woman”
“I’m Tore Down”
“Groaning Blues”
“County Jail Blues”*

* = exclusive to two-LP vinyl version.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

As part of Don McLean‘s continuing 50th anniversary celebrations for his classic song “American Pie,” a special dance remix of the tune created by Australian electronic dance-music outfit L’Tric was released Friday via digital formats.

McLean was personally involved in making the remix, sharing his input and notes with L’Tric. The track features the singer/songwriter’s original vocals accompanied by a pulsing dance beat, hand claps and some modern electronic flourishes.

“American Pie” was originally released in October 1971 along with McLean’s studio album of the same name. The song spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early ’72.

L’Tric’s “American Pie” remix arrives between the new children’s book Don McLean’s American Pie: A Fable, which was published earlier this month, and the recently announced documentary The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which will premiere in theaters and on Paramount+ in July.

Meanwhile, McLean continues his American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour with a show Friday night in San Antonio, Texas.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The new Elvis Presley biopic Elvis opened in theaters Friday, and with its arrival an expansive star-studded soundtrack album has been released. The album features 36 tracks that include new versions of classic Presley tunes, remixes, virtual duets and more.

Among the songs that appear on the Elvis soundtrack is a duet between Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak on a rendition of the 1963 Presley rarity “Cotton Candy Land.”

The album also features contributions from Doja Cat, Eminem & CeeLo Green, Kacey Musgraves, Jazmine Sullivan and Måneskin, and virtual duets pairing Presley’s archival vocals with Elvis star Austin Butler and with ex-White Stripes frontman Jack White.

You can purchase the Elvis soundtrack now. A special immersive website has also been launched to showcase the music.

Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, stars Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro)” — Elvis Presley
“Also Sprach Zarathustra/American Trilogy” — Elvis Presley
“Vegas” — Doja Cat
“The King and I” — Eminem & CeeLo Green
“Tupelo Shuffle” — Swae Lee & Diplo
“I Got a Feelin’ in My Body (Stuart Price Remix)” — Elvis Presley and Stuart Price
“Craw-Fever” — Elvis Presley
“Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix)” — Elvis Presley & PNAU
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Kacey Musgraves
“Product of the Ghetto” — Elvis Presley & Nardo Wick
“If I Can Drea” — Måneskin
“Cotton Candy Land” — Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
“Baby, Let’s Play House” — Austin Butler
“I’m Coming Home (Film Mix)” — Elvis Presley
“Hound Dog” — Shonka Dukureh
“Tutti Frutti” — Les Greene
“Strange Things Are Happening Every Day” — Yola
“Hound Dog” — Austin Butler
“Let It All Hang Out” — Denzel Curry
“Trouble” — Austin Butler
“I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” — Lenesha Randolph
“Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) ” — Elvis Presley & Tame Impala
“Summer Kisses/In My Body” — Elvis Presley
“’68 Comeback Special (Medley)” ” — Elvis Presley
“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” — Jazmine Sullivan
“If I Can Dream” — Elvis Presley
“Any Day Now” — Elvis Presley
“Power of My Love” — Elvis Presley & Jack White
“Vegas Rehearsal/That’s All Right” — Austin Butler & Elvis Presley
“Suspicious Minds (Film Edit) ” — Elvis Presley
“Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley
“Burning Love (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley
“It’s Only Love” — Elvis Presley
“Suspicious Minds” — Paravi
“In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) ” — Elvis Presley featuring Nardo Wick
“Unchained Melody (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

If you’re a Grateful Dead fan who also happens to like the New York Yankees, here’s some cool news for you: The first 1,000 fans who purchase a special-event ticket to the Yankees’ August 1 home game will receive a collectible Jerry Garcia Bobblehead doll.

The promotion takes place on what would’ve been the late Garcia’s 80th birthday. The doll depicts Garcia with gray hair and a gray beard holding a guitar and wearing a Yankees home jersey, complete with pinstripes, the team’s interlocking NY logo on the front and the number 80 on the back.

Tickets to the game, which will feature the Yankees facing off against the Seattle Mariners, are available now at MLB.com. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to The Grateful Dead’s Rex Foundation charity, which supports people involved with creative endeavors in the arts, sciences and education.

Fans can pick up their doll at Yankee Stadium by heading to the Bobblehead redemption table located on the Field Level next to Gate 2 up to one hour after the game’s first pitch is scheduled to be thrown.

It’s worth noting that a number of Grateful Dead fans have taken exception to the Yankees-themed Garcia Bobblehead, with some pointing out in the comments of a post on Jerry’s Facebook page that, as a native of the Bay Area, the legendary musician was a big San Francisco Giants fan.

Garcia died August 9, 1995, at the age of 53.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Stephen Stills has joined the growing ranks of famous rock artists who have sold the rights to their musical recordings for a big payday.

Stills’ recorded music assets have been acquired by longtime Eagles manager Irving Azoff‘s Iconic Artists Group company, whose roster also includes David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt and The Beach Boys.

The 77-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist’s recorded assets include his solo work as well as music he created as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Manassas, The Stills-Young Band and other projects. Stills has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice — with Buffalo Springfield and CSN.

The agreement also includes an interest in Stephen’s band trademarks and the use of his name and likeness.

In the wake of the acquisition, plans are in the works to release an archival live solo album that Stills recorded in 1971 in Berkeley, California, in support of his second solo album, Stephen Stills 2, and an expanded, 50th anniversary reissue of Manassas’ 1972 self-titled debut album.

“Music is one of the greatest driving forces in my life, a means to communicate a universal language, and it’s comforting to know my life’s work is in the very best hands with Irving and the Iconic team,” Stills says in a statement. “With the unreleased recordings I’m uncovering from my vault, and the 50th anniversary of Manassas, it couldn’t have been a more opportune time.”

Adds Azoff, “I have had the pleasure of knowing Stephen for more than 50 years and he is certainly one of rock’s most enduring American treasures. I’m pleased that we will be working together to preserve, expand, and share his musical legacy for his next generation of fans.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.