Classic Rock News

As Def Leppard prepares to launch the massive U.S. summer trek The Stadium Tour with Motley Crue, Poison and Joan Jett, the British rockers have unveiled plans to release their 12th studio album, Diamond Star Halos, on May 27.

The 15-track collection, which is the band’s first new original album since 2015’s self-titled effort, can be pre-ordered now and will be available as a deluxe package, a two-LP set and digitally, among other configurations.

Kicking off the promotion of Diamond Star Halos, Def Leppard has released a rocking track called “Kick” as the album’s lead single, which is available now via digital formats. An official music video for the tune will debut soon.

Diamond Star Halos includes two duets with acclaimed country/bluegrass artist and longtime Def Leppard fan Alison Krauss — “This Guitar” and “Lifeless.” In addition, famed David Bowie pianist Mike Garson lends his talents to two songs — “Goodbye for Good This Time” and “Angels (Can’t Help You Now).”

The album was recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic in three different countries. Frontman Joe Elliott laid down his vocals in Ireland, bassist Rick Savage recorded his parts in the U.K., and guitarists Phil Collen and Viv Campbell and drummer Rick Allen recorded their contributions in the U.S.

The new songs were created using as inspiration the band’s glam-rock heroes Bowie, T. Rex and Mott the Hoople, combined with elements of Def Leppard’s own classic glam-metal sound and some modern sonic flourishes. The album’s title references lyrics from T. Rex’s signature tune “Bang a Gong (Get It On).”

The 36-city Stadium Tour will get underway June 16 in Atlanta, and is mapped out through a September 9 concert in Las Vegas.

Here is the full Diamond Star Halos track list:

“Take What You Want”
“Kick”
“Fire It Up”
“This Guitar” — featuring Alison Krauss
“SOS Emergency”
“Liquid Dust”
“U Rok Mi”
“Goodbye for Good This Time”
“All We Need”
“Open Your Eyes”
“Gimme a Kiss”
“Angels (Can’t Help You Now)”
“Lifeless” — featuring Alison Krauss
“Unbreakable”
“From Here to Eternity”

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Acclaimed prog-rock drummer Bill Bruford, best-known for his work with Yes, King Crimson and the supergroup U.K., will release a six-CD compilation titled Making a Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection on April 29.

The box set will feature highlights of Bruford’s 50-year-plus career, including recordings with Yes, King Crimson and U.K., as well as from various solo projects and collaborations.

The first two discs, dubbed “The Collaborator,” focus mainly on Bill’s work with Yes and King Crimson. Discs three and four, collectively titled “The Composing Leader,” are mostly dedicated to his solo group’s Bruford and Bill Bruford’s Earthworks.

Disc five is called “The Special Guest,” and includes recordings he made with singer/songwriter Roy Harper, founding Yes bassist Chris Squire, Yes guitarist Steve Howe, jazz-fusion guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola, and the Buddy Rich Big Band.

The last CD is titled “The Improviser,” and features improvisational pieces Bruford recorded with ex-Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz, King Crimson, Earthworks and others.

“My interest was with the broader discourse on drums and drumming, rather than any notions of success or fame,” says Bruford, reflecting on his musical career. “The latter I could do little about but, in the 1960s, the former was wide open and meaningful contribution seemed everywhere possible. The context in which the first track in the set was conceived bears almost no relationship to the context in which the last was, four decades later.”

Making a Song and Dance comes with a 52-page booklet featuring a biography written by Bruford, as well as rare photos. You can pre-order the collection now at BurningShed.com.

Bill was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017.

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Alice in Chains‘ Jerry Cantrell has premiered a video for “Siren Song,” a track off his new solo album, Brighten.

The animated clip finds a cartoon version of Cantrell making a long journey across the harsh wilderness, with a supernatural element thrown in, as well.

“I had a great time working with the very talented Nate Merritt and Josh Richman on this video to bring ‘Siren Song’ to life through animation,” Cantrell says. “Nate’s imagery is beautiful and impactful, a perfect visual companion to the music that tells the story I started out with, and travels far beyond it. A true collaborative effort, great work guys.”

You can watch the “Siren Song” video streaming now on YouTube.

Brighten, Cantrell’s first solo album in nearly 20 years, was released last October. Cantrell launches a tour behind the record March 24 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Alice in Chains, meanwhile, will hit the road in August on a tour with Breaking Benjamin and Bush.

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David Byrne will present a special benefit performance called American Utopia Farewell! on March 30, just a few days before his acclaimed stage production, David Byrne’s American Utopia, is scheduled to close at the St. James Theatre on Broadway.

Proceeds raised will benefit the former Talking Heads frontman’s non-profit organization Arbutus, a foundation “dedicated to re-imagining the world through projects that inspire and educate.”

Tickets for the event, which are available now at Eventbrite.com, include seating in the theater’s orchestra section, entry to a post-performance Q&A with Byrne and some special guests, and a gift bag. Those who purchase VIP tickets also will receive a signed copy of David’s new book, A History of the World (in Dingbats), and a vinyl LP of the David Byrne’s American Utopia original cast recording.

In addition, Arbutus has teamed up with social impact platform Propeller to offer fans who donate $5 or more the opportunity to win two premium tickets to the event. You can enter at Propeller.la.

Byrne has two current projects associated with Arbutus — the Reasons to Be Cheerful online magazine, which features stories meant to uplift and and inspire people, and David’s recently announced immersive theater piece Theater of the Mind, which will premiere August 31 in Denver.

“I created American Utopia with the seeds of curiosity and imagination, and those same seeds are why I founded Arbutus,” says Byrne in a statement. “The proceeds from the event on March 30th will allow Arbutus to continue our work at Reasons to be Cheerful and our world premiere of Theater of the Mind, hopefully making the world a little lighter and a little brighter.”

The last performance of David Byrne’s American Utopia is scheduled for April 3. Visit AmericanUtopiaBroadway.com for more information.

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A new album titled Carry Me Home, featuring an archival live recording of late Band singer/drummer Levon Helm and gospel/soul legend Mavis Staples performing together with their respective solo groups, will be released on May 20 on CD and digital formats.

The album was recorded in the summer of 2011 at one of the popular Midnight Ramble events held at Helm’s barn and studio in Woodstock, New York.

The show’s set list featured a mix of vintage gospel, soul, folk and blues tunes, along with renditions of Bob Dylan‘s “You Got to Serve Somebody” and The Band’s “The Weight.” Mavis was famously featured performing the latter tune with her family group The Staple Singers and The Band in the classic 1978 concert film The Last Waltz.

The Woodstock show marked the last time that Mavis performed with Levon, who died of cancer at age 71 in April 2012.

In advance of Carry Me Home‘s release, a performance of the traditional spiritual song “You Got to Move” has been made available as a digital single, and a video of Staples singing the song with Levon, his group and her own band has debuted at the ANTI- Records label’s YouTube channel. Mavis’ group included her sister and fellow Staple Singers member Yvonne, who passed away in 2018 at age 80.

A vinyl version of Carry Me Home will be released on June 17.

Mavis, 82, has more than 40 concerts on her 2022 tour schedule, which includes a lengthy stint as the opening act on Bonnie Raitt‘s U.S. summer tour:

Here’s the full track list of Carry Me Home:

“This Is My Country”
“Trouble in My Mind”
“Farther Along”
“Hand Writing on the Wall”
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free”
“Move Along Train”
“This May Be the Last Time”
“When I Go Away”
“Wide River to Cross”
“You Got to Move”
“You Got to Serve Somebody”
“The Weight”

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Following its inclusion in the hit movie The Batman, streams of Nirvana‘s “Something in the Way” increased by more than 700%. Now, the song — featured on the band’s landmark 1991 album Nevermind — has taken over the Billboard charts.

The song has debuted at number five on Billboard‘s Hot Alternative Songs chart and number six on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. That’s thanks to the fact that its downloads increased by nearly 1900%, and it was streamed close to eight million times between March 4 and March 10.

Meanwhile, “Something in the Way” is number two on the Rock Streaming Songs and Rock Digital Song Sales charts, and number four on the Alternative Digital Song Sales and Alternative Streaming Sales tallies. It’s number 20 on Digital Song Sales, and number 27 on Streaming Songs. This marks Nirvana’s first appearance on the latter chart, which has existed since 2013.

But wait, there’s more. Nevermind is now number one on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts.  It’s the album’s second appearance on top of both charts; the first happened last year, in connection with the album’s 20th anniversary.

“Something in the Way” is used multiple times in The Batman, and was also heard in the movie’s trailer. In fact, the song heavily influenced writer-director Matt Reeves‘ interpretation of the comic book icon. Speaking to Esquire magazine, Reeves said his Caped Crusader is “like a Batman Kurt Cobain.”

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At age 77, Rod Stewart is long past the age when most people retire, but he just keeps on going. Still, that’s not stopping him from performing at a three-day virtual event being staged by AARP, the organization formerly called American Association of Retired Persons that focuses on issues affecting people aged 50 or over.

The event, called AARP Celebrates You, runs from March 24 to March 26. It’ll feature musical performances, celebrity chats, a movie screening and informational discussions, and it’s free. So if you couldn’t get tickets to Rod’s upcoming North American tour, now’s your chance to see him in action.

Rod will be performing March 25 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and the organizers promise he’ll be singing hits like “Maggie May,” “You’re in My Heart” and “Have I Told You Lately.”

And if a free performance from Rod’s not enough to make you want to sign up, the event also features a moderated discussion with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Dolly Parton and James Patterson discussing their new co-authored book Run Rose Run and a Motown Dance Party with The Commodores, Gloria Gaynor and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

You can register, and find out more about all the stars who’ll be there and the sessions being offered, at AARP.org/celebrates.

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Sammy Hagar knows a thing or two about what makes a great cocktail, having launched a number of popular liquor brands over the years, so it seems natural that the Red Rocker would want to share some of his favorite drink recipes with the world.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will be doing just that with a new book titled Sammy Hagar’s Cocktail Hits: 85 Personal Favorites from the Red Rocker, which will be released on March 29.

Hagar co-wrote the book with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author James O. Fraioli. The collection of recipes showcase drinks made with Sammy’s award-winning spirits, including Santo Tequilas and Santo Mezquila, brands that Hagar launched with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and Beach Bar Rum, a partnership between Sammy and Rick Springfield.

Among the signature cocktails featured in the book are the Coconut Mojito, Maui Mama, Tiki Swizzle, Blanco Gimlet, Coco Loco, Coronarita, Santo Oaxaca, Santo Paloma, Brazilian Kiss, Vojito, Strawberry Surf and Black & Blue Lemonade.

To accompany each recipe, Hagar has penned segments in which he shares some of his fondest memories.

“I wrote this book for [my fans] the Redheads,” says Hagar. “I have been working and studying the art of making and drinking cocktails for decades now and have finally pulled together all of my favorites, my knowledge on how to do it, and what you need to throw the best parties with the best cocktails. I guarantee this is the only cocktail book you will ever need.”

Sammy Hagar’s Cocktail Hits includes a foreword written by Fieri. The book can be pre-ordered now, and is available in hardcover for $29.99 and in a Kindle edition for $19.99. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.

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In a new interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, Keith Richards reflects on his soon-to-be-reissued 1992 solo album, Main Offender, and working with his solo backing band The X-Pensive Winos, including drummer Steve Jordan, who now also keeps the beat for The Rolling Stones.

Richards says he thinks the remastered version of Main Offender, which will be released this Friday, March 18, sounds great.

“I hadn’t heard it for a long time, and that was one of the first things that struck me,” he notes, adding, “Yeah, I love that band.”

Main Offender was Richards’ second solo album, following 1988’s Talk Is Cheap. Keith says he was glad to work again with The X-Pensive Winos, because after the experience of recording and touring behind Talk Is Cheap, he felt “it was only just a beginning…and I felt the band feeling that way.”

Richards explains that it was late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts who suggested he play with Jordan when he was forming a solo group during The Stones’ 1980s hiatus. Keith had wanted Charlie in his band, but he notes that Watts had said, “[N]o, you don’t want me…It’d just be like half the Stones. And that’s not what you should be.”

Richards wound up really connecting with Jordan, who also became his main songwriting partner for his solo releases. Then, last year, when Watts knew he’d be too ill to tour with The Stones, he again nominated Jordan as his replacement.

“[Charlie] thought that [Steve] was going to maybe just replace for a bit, but as it turned out, well…,” Keith laments, adding, “[I]t felt very comfortable to have my old friend solid there on the seat. It’s like, at least I know the man.”

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Dave Grohl has gotten to meet and work with most of his heroes over the years, but his interactions with the late David Bowie were among the most memorable.

Speaking to the Australian TV show 7.30, Grohl recalled the first time he ever saw Bowie in person: He was standing in the photo pit at a British festival where they were both performing, with Grohl, of course, lower down the bill.

“I stood in the photo pit and looked at him and it was like seeing an alien,” Grohl says. “You know, it was like seeing a UFO for the first time, like, ‘Oh, my God, it’s real’. That’s something I’ve never seen before.”

After Grohl ended up meeting Bowie and, later, recording a song with him, his admiration for the icon increased.

“Getting to meet him, all of that feeling coming down to Earth, realizing, ‘Oh, my God, what a gentleman!” says the Foo Fighters front man. “‘What a brilliant, sweet, kind, outrageously funny person.'”

“Watching him step in front of a microphone and begin to sing and you realize, ‘Wow, that voice – that’s real, that just comes out of his mouth, that iconic voice,’” Grohl notes. “The great thing about it is that it really humanizes everything. We’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a real person.’ It’s reassuring, but at the same time, you’re like, ‘That’s a hero. That’s not just another person. That’s David Bowie.’”

In the same interview, Grohl also recalls meeting Elton John and Paul McCartney, how he learned to play drums, and more.

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