Classic Rock News

Paul McCartney‘s Got Back tour ended in exciting fashion on Thursday night at MetLife in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as the former Beatles legend was joined during the show by two of the Garden State’s most favorite sons — Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

Rolling Stone posted fan-shot video that shows McCartney introducing the Boss, telling the crowd, “He’s a local boy. He’s says he’s gonna come and sing with us.” Bruce then came out and commented to Paul, “Eighty more years of glory days,” a reference to McCartney’s upcoming 80th birthday this Saturday, before playing his 1984 hit “Glory Days” with Macca and his band.

After that tune ended, McCartney said to Springsteen, “Bruce, one more,” and then launched into the early Beatles tune “I Wanna Be Your Man.”

Later on in the show, as seen in a fan-shot clip, Bon Jovi came out on stage holding a bunch of helium-filled birthday balloons and told Paul, “Welcome to New Jersey. I’ve got 60,000 people want to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you.” Jon then led the crowd in a singalong, after which, he let the balloons go and exited the stage. McCartney and his band followed that with a rendition of The Beatles’ “Happy Birthday.”

According to Rolling Stone, Springsteen and Bon Jovi returned for the final encore of the show, a rendition of The Beatles’ “The End,” with Bruce playing guitar on the song.

Photos of Springsteen’s and Bon Jovi’s appearances during the concert also were posted on McCartney’s social media sites.

Paul currently has only one more confirmed show on his 2022 scheduled, a headlining performance at U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival on June 25.

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Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones and Nirvana‘s Krist Novoselic have joined the star-studded lineups of both Foo Fighters tribute concerts in honor of late drummer Taylor Hawkins, taking place in London and Los Angeles.

Other new additions include frequent Foo Fighters producer Greg Kurstin and Queens of the Stone Age collaborator Alain Johannes for both shows, as well as disco legend Nile Rodgers and viral kid music prodigy Nandi Bushell for the London concert, and Heart‘s Nancy Wilson, pop star Pink and country/pop singer LeAnn Rimes for the Los Angeles event.

Additionally, Chris Rock will join fellow comedian Dave Chappelle at the London show.

Previously announced performers for both shows include QotSA’s Josh Homme, Queen‘s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Rush‘s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Jane’s Addiction‘s Chris Chaney, Wolfgang Van Halen, The Police‘s Stewart Copeland, producer Mark Ronson and drummer/producer Omar Hakim. 

The LA lineup also includes Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, KISS‘ Gene Simmons, Mötley Crüe‘s Nikki Sixx, Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith, The Struts‘ Luke Spiller, Rage Against the Machine‘s Brad Wilk and Weezer‘s Pat Wilson, while Liam Gallagher and Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders are exclusive to the London bill.

The guests will be “playing the songs that Taylor loved and created, with and alongside his FF brothers Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee,” a press release says.

The London concert takes place September 3 in Wembley Stadium, while the LA show will be held September 27 at the Kia Forum. For ticket info, visit FooFighters.com.

Ticket proceeds will be donated to charities in the U.S. and U.K. chosen by Hawkins’ family.

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Steve Miller is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Thursday night in New York City, he received an honor that he considers even better than that: He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. On the red carpet before the event, Miller told ABC Audio that he never expected that he’d be honored for his songwriting.

“I was absolutely shocked when I was told that I was going to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,” Miller told ABC Audio. “I went, ‘What?’ And I was in disbelief. But it’s such an honor and I’m so glad to be here.”

“When you look at the people on the list being inducted tonight, it’s just stunning,” he added, referring to fellow inductees like Eurythmics and The Isley Brothers. “And to be part of that…it’s the highest honor in my career.”

While Miller’s compositions include number-one hits like “The Joker,” “Rock’n Me” and “Abacadabra,” he says there’s one song he’s particularly proud of.

“I think ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ is one that stands out,” he says of his 1976 number-two hit. “It’s a really important song to a lot of people all over the world.”

“It’s about justice and equality. And so that means something that’s better than ‘ooh, baby, baby’ — even though I love the ‘ooh, baby, baby’ songs, you know?” he laughs. “But that one…it’s affected the world a little bit, so that makes it more valuable.”

Miller played “Fly Like an Eagle” at the ceremony after being inducted by his friend Bryan Cranston, who he met about three years ago backstage at Cranston’s Broadway show. 

“I just dig the guy, y’know?” the actor told reporters. “He’s like a really cool guy who loves music…he loves blues and jazz and, you know, country. He explores, he stretches his musical talents and curiosities…he was destined to be in music and play the guitar.”

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Paul McCartney, arguably the most famous and influential rock artist on the planet, celebrates his 80th birthday this Saturday, January 18.

McCartney, of course, is known first and foremost for being a member of The Beatles, along with the late John Lennon, the late George Harrison and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Lennon co-led the band, which not only set countless charts records, but whose music and style changed popular culture.

After The Beatles’ 1970 breakup, McCartney mounted a successful solo career that included a long stint fronting the band Wings. He also took part in a variety of memorable collaborations.

The rock legend has remained a vibrant creative force into his golden years, as he continues to tour regularly and record new music.

On Thursday, McCartney wrapped up the first leg of his Got Back Tour, with a show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and he’s scheduled to headline this year’s edition of the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival on June 25.

Sir Paul’s most recent studio album, McCartney III, which he recorded almost entirely by himself during the COVID-19 lockdown, was released in December 2020.

The acclaimed Disney+ docuseries The Beatles: Get Back, which premiered in November 2021 and focused on the Fab Four’s historic January 1969 sessions that yielded the Let It Be album, sparked a renewed appreciation for McCartney’s creation contributions to the Fab Four.

Also in the past year, Paul appeared in the Hulu documentary miniseries McCartney 3,2,1, which featuring him in conversation with producer Rick Rubin; he published the illustrated children’s book Grandude’s Green Submarine, a sequel to his 2019 book, Hey Grandude!; and he released the book The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, which offers a self-portrait of the music icon while profiling 154 songs he’s written throughout his long career.

Meanwhile, a variety of special events are planned this weekend in McCartney’s hometown of Liverpool, U.K., to mark his milestone birthday. They include tribute concerts, a Macca-themed sightseeing tour and special performances at Paul’s childhood home. Find out more details about the celebrations at TheGuideLiverpool.com.

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Sting will take part in the 2022 edition of Climate Action Live, an international event that’s being organized by the Peace One Day organization to promote positive action to help the environment.

The event will bring together musicians, actors, environmental activists, business leaders and others for performances, panel discussions and interviews to encourage individuals and organizations to work toward a more sustainable future for the planet while focusing on how peace and climate are interconnected.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. ET on June 21 and will be viewable live on Peace One Day’s Twitter page. Sting will give a performance that will air at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Filmmaker Jeremy Gilley, who founded Peace One Day, says, “The timing of Climate Action Live 21 June is more important this year than ever. Worldwide we’ve seen the devastating effect that conflict over resources manifests so please join the global community and tune into Climate Action Live…and listen to individuals of all ages from across the world as they inform, inspire and engage you towards positive climate action. ‘No Peace — No Climate Action.'”

Gilley founded Peace One Day in 1999 to establish an annual Peace Day that takes place on the same date each year, September 21.

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As Christine McVie prepares to release her first solo compilation, Songbird (A Solo Collection), on June 24, the Fleetwood Mac singer/keyboardist has shared some potentially disappointing news regarding her famous band with Rolling Stone.

Fleetwood Mac finished its most recent tour in 2019, with a lineup that featured Crowded House‘s Neil Finn and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell stepping in for Lindsey Buckingham after Buckingham’s much publicized firing from the group in 2018.

Christine tells the magazine, “Those guys were great. We have a great time with them, but we’ve kind of broke up now, so I hardly ever see them.”

Christine adds that Fleetwood Mac no longer exists “as we know it.” Regarding the band’s future, she says, “We might get back together, but I just couldn’t say for sure.”

Christine, who is 78, also notes that she isn’t sure if she wants to tour again.

“I don’t feel physically up for it,” she maintains. “I’m in quite bad health. I’ve got a chronic back problem, which debilitates me. I stand up to play the piano, so I don’t know if I could actually physically do it.”

In addition, Christine says that her ex-husband, Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, also has “health issues” and isn’t sure if he wants to tour anymore. “You’d have to ask him,” she adds.

If Fleetwood Mac does decide to hit the road again, Christine says she’d like to have Buckingham back in the band.

“He’s the best,” Christine says. “Neil and Mike were such a cheerful couple, but Lindsey was missed.”

Although she says she’s “quite happy to be at home,” Christine won’t completely rule out another Fleetwood Mac tour.

“I’ll just leave it open and say that we might,” she notes.

You can preorder Songbird now.

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Just in time for Father’s Day, Rod Stewart is paying tribute to his late father, Robert, with a video and a concert.

Rod has dropped two teaser videos for “Touchline” from his most recent album, The Tears of Hercules. The song is about his father and, specifically, about how love and tradition is passed down to generations via sports — in this case soccer or, as they call it in the U.K., football. The full video will debut Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Rod says in a statement, “If you know anything about me, you know that our dad’s love of football has most definitely left its impact on me and my brothers, and I’m delighted that it’s now such an important part of my children’s lives as well. The song ‘Touchline’ was my tribute to him and I’m so happy and moved that the new video takes that to the ultimate level just in time for Father’s Day.”

Rod will also perform a special show in Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 13 in honor of his dad, who was born in Leith, in northern Edinburgh, and died in 1990 at the age of 85. Details on that will be announced soon.

In addition, Rod has announced that select tickets on his U.K. tour this fall will be donated to National Health Service frontline workers. “It’s terrific that we’ll be able to have both NHS workers and doctors and nurses who have been on the front lines these last couple of years as our guests!” he says.

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Ringo Starr‘s All Starr Band recently postponed the last 12 concerts of the first leg of their 2022 North American tour after two members of the group — Edgar Winter and Steve Lukather — tested positive for COVID-19. Now all of those shows have been rescheduled.

The new dates run from a September 5 concert in Lenox, Massachusetts, through a September 22 performance in Providence, Rhode Island. The rescheduled shows take place immediately before the previously announced second leg of the All Starr Band’s 2022 North American trek, which is mapped out from a September 23 concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut, through an October 19-20 stand in Mexico City.

“We were having so much fun playing again and it was disappointing to have to stop,” says Ringo. “But we were able to reschedule these shows and add them to our Fall tour — and so as the song goes — I’ll see you in September! Peace and love.”

Here’s the full list of rescheduled All Starr Band dates:

9/5 — Lenox, MA, Tanglewood (original date: 6/17)
9/6 — Baltimore, MD, Modell Lyric (original date: 6/14)
9/7 — Baltimore, MD, Modell Lyric (original date: 6/15)
9/9 — Easton, PA, State Theater (original date: 6/11)
9/10 — Pittsburgh, PA, PPG Arena (original date: 6/18)
9/11 — Philadelphia, PA, Metropolitan Theater (original date: 6/19)
9/15 — St. Augustine, FL, The AMP (original date: 6/24)
9/16 — Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall (original date: 6/26)
9/17 — Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock (original date: 6/25)
9/19 — Atlanta, GA, Cobb Center (original date: 6/22)
9/20 — Richmond, VA, Virginia Credit Union Live (original date: 6/21)
9/22 — Providence, RI, PPAC (original date: 6/12)

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Def Leppard has certainly been waiting ages to rock on The Stadium Tour.

The much-anticipated run — which also features the reunited Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on the bill — will finally kick off Thursday in Atlanta after a two-year pandemic delay. As Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage tells ABC Audio, he and his band mates have been “dying” to return to the live stage.

“Back in 2020, it was going to be the biggest tour that Def Leppard have ever embarked upon, which after 40-odd years is some achievement,” Savage says. “It’s actually now … it’s gonna be even bigger.”

Def Leppard has released a whole lot of music in those 40-odd years — including a new album this year, Diamond Star Halos — which makes building a set list quite the challenge. While the band will be varying up the set throughout the tour, they’re always sure to include their “crown jewels,” which frontman Joe Elliott describes as “the songs you don’t get out the building alive if you don’t play.”

“Which is great, ’cause we wanna play them, anyway,” Elliott says. “You know, the Stones have got theirs, McCartney‘s got his, we’ve got ours.”

As for the new stuff, guitarist Phil Collen guesses two Diamond Star Halos tracks will be included in the set, and possibly another, depending on how fans are digging the record. After all, if a new tune were to unexpectedly pop, it wouldn’t be the first time for Def Leppard.

“‘Love Bites’ went to #1 on the Billboard charts and we’d never even played it as a band, it was studio thing,” Collen recalls. “We had to go and learn it in Vancouver and learn the vocals and guitar parts at the same time.”

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Ozzy Osbourne has confirmed he’s back home after undergoing surgery earlier this week.

In a statement posted to his Twitter, the metal legend writes, “I am now home from the hospital recuperating comfortably.”

“I am definitely feeling the love and support from all my fans and send everyone a big thank you for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes during my recovery,” he adds.

Ozzy’s statement comes after Page Six reported that he’d been discharged from the hospital on Tuesday alongside photos of him leaving the Los Angeles facility in a wheelchair. The tabloid also said that Ozzy was able to get up from the wheelchair and enter his car “under his own power with guidance from a hospital attendant.”

The surgery, which Ozzy’s wife Sharon described as a “major operation,” took place on Monday. During an episode of her U.K. talk show The Talk last week, Sharon said that the procedure was “really gonna determine the rest of [Ozzy’s] life.”

In a statement posted on Tuesday, Sharon said Ozzy was “doing well” and “on the road to recovery.” 

Ozzy, 73, told Classic Rock magazine in an interview published in May that he was “waiting on some more surgery” on his neck. Ozzy suffered a fall in 2019, which aggravated injuries he sustained in a 2003 ATV accident.

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