Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Light Up The Blues With Neil Young & Stephen Stills Returns To Los Angeles

Neil Young, The Rides (featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Barry Goldberg), Jakob Dylan, The War On Drugs, Nikka Costa, Chris Stills and emcee Jack Black, plus many special guests, will return to Los Angeles on Saturday, May 21 at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre for the 4th Light Up The Blues Concert — An Evening of Music to Benefit Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Hosted once again by Kristen and Stephen Stills, the event will also feature performances by three artists with autism: Nikki Nik, Soulshocka, and Kyle Cousins. The benefit concert will begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 1 at 10:00am through Ticketmaster outlets and Pantages Theatre Box Office. This year’s sponsors include Toyota, Guess Foundation, and Roland.

The May 21 event spotlights Light It Up Blue, Autism Speaks’ annual global awareness and fundraising campaign, which is celebrated by the international autism community on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April. Light Up The Blues will celebrate the many gifts of individuals with autism, while supporting Autism Speaks in their mission to raise awareness and support their successful advocacy on behalf of all those who navigate through the journey of Autism. Proceeds from the Light Up The Blues Concert will go towards Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy efforts for families and individuals impacted by the disorder.

“We are so thrilled to be doing this benefit for the fourth time alongside Matt Asner from Autism Speaks, and so pleased to be back at the iconic Pantages Theatre. The last three Light Up The Blues benefits have been incredible, life-changing events for all involved. We are so grateful to be able to bring such a special night of music to the entire community, and to continue to support Autism Speaks,” said Kristen and Stephen Stills.

Angela Geiger, president and CEO of Autism Speaks, added “We are very excited to once again partner with the Stills family on this amazing event that not only has great music, but has also set a tradition of highlighting the incredible talents of individuals on the spectrum, and lets them shine especially bright for a wonderful evening.”

To learn more, please visit:
http://www.stephenstills.com/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/

For tickets, please visit:
Light Up The Blues Concert Tix 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy To Pay Tribute To Keith Emerson

Carl Palmer, a founding member of both Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia, is returning to the United States and Canada for a tour he has decided to name The 2016 Remembering Keith And The Music Of Emerson Lake & Palmer Tour. Originally designed to be a celebration of Palmer's 50th year in music, the focus and name of the tour was changed in light of the tragic death of Keith Emerson on March 11th.

"I will deeply miss Keith and I want you all to know I will carry on flying the ELP banner and playing the great music with my band for many years to come," said Palmer, in a statement.

To honor his late friend and former bandmate, Palmer, in association with Audio One, will present a special show, "Pictures At An Exhibition - A Tribute To Keith Emerson," which will feature music by Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy band with special guests, cinematic images, and performances by The Center For Contemporary Dance, who will interpret the music of Emerson Lake & Palmer in contemporary dance segments combined with backing from Palmer and his band.

The tribute show, which will also include other guest musicians yet to be announced, will be staged one night only, Friday, June 24th, 2016 at Miami, Florida's historic and intimate Olympia Theater. For more information and tickets, go to http://tickets.olympiatheater.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=142.

Adds Palmer: "I hope this is something all fans of ELP and Keith Emerson will all want to come along and see to help celebrate his music.  I had wanted to marry the music of ELP with a contemporary dance interpretation for quite a while. I had invited Keith to come and participate in this, but sadly, fate intercepted these plans."    

The Remembering Keith tour features Palmer's ELP Legacy band (Palmer on drums and percussion, plus guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrickand) will also highlight the drummer's collection of fine art, recently done in conjunction with California's Scene Four Art Studios.

For tour dates, tickets and more information about Carl Palmer, visit http://www.carlpalmer.com.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Opening April 5th: Generation Axe Tour Featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, Tosin Abasi

The term “supergroup” gets thrown around on a regular basis these days; however, a new tour featuring some of the greatest guitarists in rock is about to truly give the term a whole new meaning.

Introducing: Generation Axe, featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi.

The tour opens on April 5th in Seattle, Generation Axe - A Night Of Guitars is hitting the road for 26 performances in North America.

"The Generation Axe show is a unique performance of five fiercely talented guitar players coming together to create a 6-string extravaganza that is sure to amaze and delight,” commented Steve Vai.

The Generation Axe fan experience will go way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage to jam.  Each tour stop will include a variety of collaborations by the five players, including everyone performing together as one cohesive band with a rhythm section including Pete Griffin (Dweezil Zappa, Stanley Clarke, Edgar Winter) on bass and Nick Marinovich (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys. Vai, Wylde, Malmsteen, Bettencourt and Abasi will perform songs from their various catalogs and join forces on some well-known songs (as well as probably a few unexpected, unearthed gems).

Making this rare tour experience even more special, Generation Axe VIP packages will be offered, giving fans access to these guitars masters and exclusive one-of-a-kind memorabilia.  A front row package (including a meet & greet), a meet & greet package, and a VIP tour package will be available.  For tickets and more information, visit www.generationaxe.com.

About the Generation Axe guitarists:

While many artists fit easily into a single category, Steve Vai remains unclassifiable.  Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer, and consummate audio producer who sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery.  He is one of the most in-demand, versatile, eloquent and soulful guitarists in the business.  The Grammy Award-winner has sold over 15 million albums and toured the world as a solo artist, a member of G3, and with Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake.

Vai launched his successful solo career with the release of Flex-Able in 1984 and has written, produced, and engineered all of his solo albums.  He has appeared as a guest artist on more than 40 albums and created music for blockbuster films, best-selling video games, national sports franchises, and corporate brand initiatives. Vai has earned honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute.

GRAMMY Award-winner Zakk Wylde’s legendary career includes a lengthy tenure with Ozzy Osbourne in which Wylde co-wrote and recorded several albums, including the multi-platinum No More Tears, Osbourne’s largest selling solo album featuring the classic hit single, “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and the bulk of the double platinum 2002 set, Ozzmosis.  With Osbourne, Wylde has played on countless world tours and television appearances, with his signature bullseye Les Paul in tow.  Wylde has his mitts imprinted on Hollywood’s Rock Walk of Fame; guest-starred alongside Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston in the movie “Rockstar”; and even momentarily joined Axl, Slash and Duff in Guns N’ Roses.  But nothing offers the pure expression of Zakk Wylde’s animalistic “id” like Black Label Society, the stomping, heavy, bluesy, recklessly unhinged hard-rock-metal quartet who are quick to rip up a solo as to dip into a piano-fueled ballad.

When Yngwie J. Malmsteen hit the scene in the early 80s, he turned the entire guitar world upside down; never before was guitar playing like his ever heard. Drawing inspiration from his love for Baroque and Romantic classical music, Malmsteen employs classical violin techniques such as four and five octave arpeggios, pedal notes, and harmonic minor, diminished and Phrygian scales, flawlessly delivered at mind-boggling levels of speed and clarity. In doing so, he has singlehandedly created a brand new style of guitar playing and composing that is still derived from today. In addition to having written and produced 35+ neoclassical rock albums, Malmsteen composed and orchestrated the "Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra,” which he recorded with the prestigious Czech Philharmonic in Prague, conducted by Yoel Levy of Atlanta Symphony fame. Malmsteen subsequently performed the piece live with the the New Japan Philharmonic and the Taipei Symphony, among others. Malmsteen has received numerous Grammy nominations, hundreds of magazine covers, dozens of Reader's Poll and Composer of the Year Awards, a plaque on the Rock Walk of Fame, signature model guitars, amps, pickups, strings, picks, pedals, microphones, and more. TIME Magazine placed him as one of the top ten guitarists of all time. Some 35 years and 25 million+ album sales later, the guitarist shows no signs of slowing down, with his brand new record World on Fire due for release in April 2016.

Guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Nuno Bettencourt rose to international prominence as a guitar player with the Grammy-nominated, Boston-area band Extreme, one of the most successful rock acts of the early to mid 1990s selling over 10 million records worldwide. Musically, Extreme is dominated by Bettencourt’s blistering guitar riffs, often with funky, syncopated timing, and incendiary, high-speed rock/metal solos. Bettencourt penned the acoustic ballad “More Than Words” that went to #1 on the Billboard charts and “Hole Hearted” that reached #4. He has released multiple solo albums as well as with bands he founded including Mourning Widows Population 1, Dramagods and Satellite Party. Bettencourt has written, produced and performed with many legendary artists including Rihanna, Steven Tyler, Paul McCartney, Janet Jackson and many others.

Oluwatosin Ayoyinka Olumide Abasi, better known as Tosin Abasi, is a Nigerian American guitarist known as the guitar player and founder of the instrumental progressive metal band, Animals as Leaders.  Abasi’s compositions of intricate music have garnered critical acclaim in a few short years. Abasi is part of the breed of new contemporary players who are raising the bar on the concept of electric guitar virtuosity.  His approach to the guitar stems from a passion for advanced techniques and harmony. Using 7-, 8-, and 9-string guitars have allowed Abasi to create a highly unique and individual sound.

GENERATION AXE 2016 TOUR DATES

April 5 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
April 6 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
April 8 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
April 9 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
April 10 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
April 11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
April 13 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
April 15 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre
April 16 - Salina, KS - The Stiefel Theatre
April 17 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory
April 18 - Houston, TX - Revention Music Center
April 20 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
April 21 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
April 23 - Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear Community College
April 24 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
April 25 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
April 26 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre
April 27 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
April 29 - Chicago, IL - Copernicus Center
May 1 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre
May 2 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
May 4 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
May 5 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater
May 6 - Westbury, NY - Theatre at Westbury
May 7 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
May 8 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Rod Stewart Adds 2016 Summer Dates To Las Vegas Residency

On the heels of kicking off the fifth year of his Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palac, Rod Stewart returns in August with nine more shows. Tickets for these concerts go on sale to the public beginning Friday, March 25 at 10:00 AM PT.

Since its debut in 2011, "Rod Stewart: The Hits." has been seen by nearly a half million fans and has remained one of the best reviewed shows on the Vegas Strip. The show delivers classics spanning five decades, "You Wear It Well", "Maggie May", "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy", "The First Cut is the Deepest", "Tonight's The Night" and "Hot Legs," with some rarities and newer hits off  Time and Another Country often adding to the mix.

For additional information and tickets, go to visiting www.thecolosseum.com or www.axs.com, using the keyword "Rod Stewart."






Friday, March 18, 2016

The Black Crowes Guitarist Rich Robinson Joining Bad Company On U.S. Tour

From May 12 through early July, Bad Company will embark on a U.S. tour with Joe Walsh. 

The band has revealed original guitarist Mick Ralphs will sit out the tour, and Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson will take his place.

Ralphs explained his decision to fans: “I’ve decided to sit this upcoming US tour out. The travel required to do these dates is something I’m just not feeling up for at the moment. I’m glad the band found Rich to take my place for this run, I’m sure he’ll be great. See you all again soon. Much love to Paul and Simon, and love to all our fans for supporting us over the years Thanks.”

Rich Robinson added, “I’m excited to be joining Bad Company as their special guest on tour this summer. One of my favorite bands growing up was Free. I’ve been a big fan of Paul Rodgers and his work throughout his career – from Bad Company and beyond – and Simon Kirke is one of my all time favorite drummers. To be able to play with Paul and Simon is such an honor. I’m really looking forward to it. See you out there!”

Thursday, March 17, 2016

The Babys, The Kelly Bowlin Band & Dilana Come Together For April Show

The Babys, best known for the hits “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You,“ are prepping for a busy Spring with shows around the country. They'll start on Saturday, April 2 at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, CA, and will be joined by singer Dilana and The Kelly Bowlin Band. 

The Babys started out in 1976 with keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby, vocalist/bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock and guitarist Wally Stocker. Corby left in August 1978, and was replaced by keyboardist Jonathan Cain and bassist Ricky Phillips. 

After the band broke up in 1981, Waite went on to a successful solo career, Cain joined Journey, and Phillips became the bass player for Styx, Wally Stocker and Tony Brock (together and separately) worked with Rod Stewart, Elton John, Air Supply, Keith Urban and Humble Pie.

In 2012, Stocker and Brock decided they wanted to put the Babys back together. Waite was uninterested but supportive, so they brought in vocalist/bassist John Bisaha and guitarist Joey Sykes, and recorded a new album called I’ll Have Some of That

At the Yost Theater, the Babys – Stocker, Brock, Bisaha and Sykes – will be accompanied by the Babettes – Holly Bisaha and Elisa Chadbourne – along with keyboardists Francesco Saglietti and Brian Johnson. For more information on the Babys, go to http://thebabysofficial.com
Hailing from South Africa, Dilana made a splash in the U.S. when she appeared on TV's Rock Star Supernova. This led to performances with drummer Tommy Lee and guitarist Mick Mars (Mötley Crue), guitarist Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and guitarist Gilby Clark (Guns N' Roses). 

In 2007, she landed opening slots with Aerosmith and Beth Hart, and launched two solo tours in North America and Western Europe. In addition to music, Dilana has appeared in films, winning both the 'Best Actress' award at the Action On Film International Film Festival and the American International Film Festival for the 2010 film, Angel Camouflaged.

In 2013, she released her third studio album, Beautiful Monster, and toured with Puddle of Mudd and Saliva. More recently, Dilana and The All Girls Band SHÍ wrapped a six-week U.S. tour. For more information on Dilana, go to http://www.dilanarocks.com.
The Kelly Bowlin Band, an alt-country five-piece group from the Inland Empire, have been gaining a solid reputation in Southern California, most recently playing shows with the Young Dubliners, Grammy-winning guitarist Albert Lee, and the Motels. Over the past 10 years, they've been on bills with Dwight Yoakam, Buddy Guy, Soul Asylum, Cracker, Charlie Daniels and Dave Mason.

Formed in 2001, the band features Kelly Bowlin, Jim Moreland, Russell Berkley, Pat Raymond, and Darren Faller. They've won several awards including the Inland Empire Music Award, the Orange County Music Award, and the Southern California Music Award. For more information, go to http://www.kellybowlinband.com.

Tickets and additional information about the Saturday, April 2 show at the Yost Theater can be found at http://www.yosttheater.com/calendar/2016/the-babys.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

AndersonPonty Band Featuring Jon Anderson & Jean Luc Ponty Set North America Spring 2016 Tour

In support of their critically acclaimed CD/DVD release Better Late Than Never, the AndersonPonty Band, featuring original Yes vocalist Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty, will be touring North America this spring.

The band played a series of US dates in the Fall of 2015 and are excited to bring their music to the fans once again.

AndersonPonty Band tour dates:

Apr 28 – Fox Tucson Theatre – Tucson, AZ
Apr 30 – The Canyon Theater – Agoura Hills, CA
May 01 – The Grove of Anaheim – Anaheim, CA
May 04 – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO
May 06 – Majestic Theatre – Dallas, TX
May 07 – One World Theatre – Austin, TX
May 10 – Ames Center – Burnsville, MN
May 11 – The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
May 13 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
May 14 – Barrymore Theatre – Madison, WI
May 17 – Riviera Theatre – N. Tonawanda, NY
May 18 – Tarrytown Music Hall – Tarrytown, NY
May 20 – Cabot Performing Arts Center – Beverly, MA
May 21 – Calvin Theater – Northampton, MA
May 23 – The Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT
May 25 – The Egg – Hart Theatre – Albany, NY
May 26 – St. Denis Theatre – Montreal, Canada
May 27 – Palais Montcalm – Quebec, Canada

Better Late Than Never features outstanding performances by the group from September 2014 at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, as well as some innovative production.

Along with some breathtaking new musical compositions, “Better Late Than Never” also showcases rearrangements of classic Yes hits like “Owner Of A Lonely Heart,” “Roundabout” and “Wonderous Stories.”

The album also includes some of Jean Luc Ponty’s beloved compositions, with Jon’s lyrical vocals and melodies enhancing the music and creating a very special and unique sound such as “Infinite Mirage,” a new song incorporating Jean Luc’s classic tune “Mirage.”

“A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean Luc’s music," Anderson says. “To be in a band again is very exciting on many levels, we will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure, music is all that is.”

Ponty adds, “Collaborating with Jon who is such a creative singer/songwriter is unlike any project I have done before. I knew that we had plenty of musical affinities to make it work, but the result is way beyond my expectations. It is also a lot of fun to reunite with these excellent musicians who played with me in the past, they really put their heart in this project and with Jon’s creative input we are not just rehashing the past but giving a new life to the music we started developing decades ago.”

The AndersonPonty Band also includes Jamie Glaser on guitars (Jean Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Bryan Adams and Lenny White); Wally Minko on keyboards (Pink, Toni Braxton, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Jones, Gregg Rolie and Barry Manilow); Keith Jones on bass (Airto, Santana, Kenny Loggins and Jean Luc Ponty); and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion (Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty and Michael Jackson).

For more information, visit the official AndersonPonty Band website at http://www.andersonpontyband.com.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Pat Travers & Carmine Appice Reissue 2004 Collaboration With Lots Of Extras

Guitarist/vocalist Pat Travers and drummer Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart), have joined forces a number of times over the years, and the end result has never been anything less than outstanding. When these two giants of classic rock meet, sparks fly, the earth shakes, and the audience definitely gets ROCKED!

Recently, the two decided to revisit their first full-length collaboration, 2004’s It Takes A Lot Of Balls, and give it a new face, a wider audience, and some additional bells and whistles. It's now called The Balls Album, with all new artwork and two bonus tracks, including a cover of Barry White’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

“I love playing with Pat,” says Appice. “He is a great artist, and this was one of the best albums I have made, especially in such a short time. Great songs, great playing, lots of energy, and each track has a lot of BALLS!”

Travers mentions he's been a fan of Carmine Appice since 1967. “I followed his career over the years and was very pleased to meet him when he was playing drums for Ted Nugent in 1981. We did a lot of shows together and got to know and like each other along the way. I would bump into Carmine at this and that affair over the years and then in 2003 we had a blowout jam at the Dean Markley Strings booth at NAMM. We decided that we should record an album together.”

Check out the new video below from Pat Travers and Carmine Appice covering Barry White's “Never Gonna Give You Up”

Friday, March 11, 2016

Keyboard Pioneer Keith Emerson Has Died

Legendary keyboardist Keith Emerson, founding member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has died.
He was 71.

Emerson’s cause of death has not been disclosed. although there is speculation that it may have been self-inflicted.

Leading the tributes and confirming his passing Carl Palmer described his bandmate, as “a pioneer and an innovator”.

He said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-music, Keith Emerson.

“Keith was a gentle soul whose love for music and passion for his performance as a keyboard player will remain unmatched for many years to come.

“He was a pioneer and an innovator whose musical genius touched all of us in the worlds of rock, classical and jazz.”

The band hadn’t performed together since 2010, when they staged a 40th anniversary reunion at the High Voltage Festival in London.

Their last album, In the Hot Seat, was recorded in 1994.

Yorkshire-born Emerson, who died on Thursday night at his home in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, played keyboards for the band, whose hits include "Fanfare for the Common Man" and “From the Beginning.”

Emerson, Lake and Palmer formed in 1970, broke up in 1979, and reformed in the early 1990s, releasing nine albums in total.

According to reports in the US, police are investigating Emerson’s death as a possible suicide.

The prog rock star’s girlfriend reportedly found him with a single gunshot wound to the head.

It was alleged he had recently been diagnosed with a medical condition that prevented him from playing keyboards.

The activities of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, collectively and individually, have been widely reported on VintageRock.com. In 2007, an interview with Keith Emerson was featured on the site. It can be view here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Legacy Recordings Releasing Exclusive New Vinyl Collectibles For Record Store Day 2016

Legacy Recordings has announced the label's lineup of collectible vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2016, celebrated at independent record stores worldwide on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
For RSD 2016, Legacy is offering an extraordinary range of limited edition and import titles from a variety of artists including Big Star, Cheap Trick, Elvis Presley, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Johnny CashMatthew SweetJoe Strummer, and the all-star talents represented on the compilation album Dogfish Head Brewery Presents: Music To Drink Beer To, Vol. 2.
Now in its ninth year, Record Store Day is an annual day-long celebration of record store culture held on the third Saturday in April. RSD has named Metallica as Record Store Day Ambassadors 2016.
Legacy Recordings Record Store Day 2016 exclusives include:
Big Star - Complete Columbia: Live at Missouri University 4/25/93 - 2LP Gatefold 12" VinylBig Star--the mythic, yet, short lived Memphis band comprised of Alex ChiltonChris BellAndy Hummel, andJody Stephens--reside on the top tier of the power pop pantheon on the strength of the group's three studio albums (overlooked and under-appreciated at the time) recorded between 1972-1974. In 1993, some twenty years after the band's dissolution, drummer Stephens recruited Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow (of the Posies) and a wary Alex Chilton to reform Big Star at the request of two fanatical student DJs from University of Missouri. This 2LP gatefold set finally captures that full historic set for the first time on a commercial release, mastered at high resolution from the original master tapes while adding 5 previously unreleased performances to the original 1993 album. This incredible concert has been accurately re-titled Complete Columbia: Live atUniversity of Missouri 4/25/93 for its incarnation as an RSD 2016 exclusive. 
Elvis Presley - I'm Leavin': Elvis Folk - Country - 1LP 12" Black VinylThis compilation album brings together the very best recordings of Elvis Presley's work in the Folk and Country genres from 1966-1973. The collection includes masters from Elvis' sessions at RCA Victor's Studio B inNashville in May 1971, a period from which material penned by several folk writers surfaced spontaneously amid Presley's gospel and holiday recordings. Ranging from Bob Dylan¹s "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" in 1966 to then-contemporary pop-folk such as "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" in 1973, this extraordinary anthology finds Elvis in an introspective mood, masterfully creating definitive versions of iconic compositions that resonated deeply and personally with him.
Johnny Cash - The Best of the Johnny Cash Show - 1LP 12" Black VinylFrom the summer of 1969 through the final episode airing in March 1971, "The Johnny Cash Show," a groundbreaking televised musical variety show hosted by Johnny Cash, ran 58 episodes in all, exposing a mainstream American viewing audience to an eclectic array of musical talent while solidifying the Man In Black's persona and reputation as an artist of indisputable authenticity, a humanitarian and a larger-than-life legend. The 16 performances contained on this new "Best Of" LP showcase a spectrum of incredible performers handpicked by Johnny to appear on his show, many of them for the first time on network television. So, "Come along and ride this train," the musical cavalcade Johnny Cash created every week on his TV show, appearing now for the first time on vinyl, living on for generations to come.
Matthew Sweet – Goodfriend (Another Take on "Girlfriend") – 1LP 12" Vinyl LPFor RSD 2016, Legacy Recordings is releasing, for the first time on vinyl, alternate versions of American rock musician Matthew Sweet's third studio album, Girlfriend, featuring home demos, session recordings and live performances. 
Joe Strummer - "Gangsterville" - 12" Vinyl Single (IMPORT)
Not only was Joe Strummer the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of one of the all-time great British bands, The Clash, he also gifted us a musical legacy which reaches far beyond. His career included membership of the 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and the Pogues. He embraced the opportunity to create as a musician through his song writing and solo work as well as producing scores for film and television. 
This RSD 2016 exclusive 12" single includes a selection of solo tracks and has been curated by the Joe Strummer Estate. The sleeve features never-before-seen artwork created by Joe Strummer and Josh Cheuse, Joe's long-term creative collaborator. The single includes, for the first time on vinyl, "Gangsterville," "Punk Rock Blues," "Sleepwalk" and "Cholo Vest."
Various - Dogfish Head Brewery Presents: Music To Drink Beer To, Vol. 2 - 1LP 12" Vinyl 
The ultimate 2016 Spring Break party album, this limited edition all-star compilation features classic tracks byLou Reed ("I Can't Stand It"), Peter Bjorn and John ("Amsterdam"), Patti Smith Group ("Dancing Barefoot"), OutKast ("Ms. Jackson"), Johnny Cash ("I Hardly Ever Sing Beer Drinking Songs"), Lee Dorsey ("Give It Up"), Mongo Santamaria ("We Got Latin Soul"), Dennis Wilson ("River Song"), Shabba Ranks with Chevelle Franklin("Mr. Loverman"), Johnny Paycheck ("Fifteen Beers") and Bessie Smith ("Gimme A Pigfoot And A Bottle Of Beer").
Two new Legacy Recordings titles will be released first as RSD 2016 exclusives before becoming more widely available:
Cheap Trick – At Budokan: The Complete Concert - 2LP 12" Black VinylIn April 1978, Epic Records band Cheap Trick capitalized on the group's wild popularity in Japan by performing and recording two shows in front of 12,000 screaming fans at the fabled Nippon Budokan located in the center of Tokyo. In February 1979, the legendary 10 track Cheap Trick at Budokan album was released in the US. The record peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and, with more than 3 million copies sold, became Cheap Trick's bestselling album.
Now, for the first time on vinyl, Legacy Recordings presents At Budokan: The Complete Concert, a 2LP set, struck on 150 gram 12" vinyl, featuring all 19 of the Cheap Trick's song performances recorded during those historic shows, many of them available on vinyl for the very first time. The album showcases the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees at the peak of their powers laying down classic live performances of "I Want You to Want Me," "Surrender," "Ain't That a Shame," "Downed" and more.
The Jimi Hendrix Experiences - Smash Hits – 1LP 12" Black VinylCarefully restored from the original analog master tapes, featuring original poster and alternate cover art, the Legacy/RSD 2016 edition of the Jimi Hendrix Experience's Smash Hits (created in conjunction with Experience Hendrix L.L.C.) includes timeless classics like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," "Red House" (a different take from the UK Are You Experienced version), "Fire" plus 8 more essential Hendrix tracks. First released in 1969, Smash Hits has proved to be immensely popular, serving as a critical introduction to the Hendrix canon for successive generations of fans.
This exclusive RSD 2016 edition of Smash Hits includes a recreation of the poster that came with the original U.S. LP release, depicting band members Jimi HendrixMitch Mitchell and Noel Redding dressed in western attire on horseback. The photograph, taken by Grammy-winning photographer Ed Thrasher (Grateful Dead,Neil Young, the Beach Boys) at Warner Bros. film studios in Burbank, CA in early 1969, was conceived as sleeve art for the album. Now, for the first time ever, Thrasher's photo finally graces the cover of Smash Hits, as originally intended.
The first 5,000 units of this 150 gram 12" vinyl edition of Smash Hits will be exclusively numbered for Record Store Day.
To locate your nearest participating RSD 2016 retailer, please visit: http://recordstoreday.com/Stores

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Beatles Producer George Martin Dies At 90

George Martin, the “Fifth Beatle” and British treasure who signed the Fab Four to a label contract when no one else would, produced virtually all their songs and introduced lavish arrangements into “Yesterday” and “A Day in the Life,” has died. He was 90. 

The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr shared the news on Twitter, writing "Peace and love... George will be missed." A Universal Music Group spokesperson confirmed Martin's death, though details are not yet clear.

The producer, executive, arranger, musician and British knight was behind a whopping 23 No. 1 singles in the U.S. and 30 in the U.K.

As head of EMI’s Parlophone Records, which then concentrated on jazz and comedy, Martin was on the lookout for a rock act when he met Beatles manager Brian Epstein in February 1962. Every other British label had passed on signing the foursome — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best.

Martin called their demo made for Decca Records a month earlier “rather unpromising,” but there was something about those Lennon-McCartney harmonies, so he scheduled The Beatles for a recording session at EMI’s Abbey Road studios in June. He liked what he heard and signed them up. (The Hollies would later join Parlophone as well.)

For The Beatles’ first U.S. single, “Please Please Me,” in November 1962, he convinced the boys to speed up the tempo. It proved to be a smash hit. “Gentlemen, you have just made your first No. 1 record,” he memorably told them from the control room.

Martin also served as The Beatles’ arranger. He suggested strings be added to “Yesterday,” which would become one of the most covered songs of all time, and conducted the string section for “Eleanor Rigby.” He played piano on “In My Life” and composed its harpsichord section; was responsible for the breathtaking orchestral windup in “A Day in the Life;” and used backward tapes to help shape the psychedelic elements of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Martin described his relationship with The Beatles in his 1979 book, All You Need Is Ears.

“I must emphasize that it was a team effort,” Martin wrote. “Without my instruments and scoring, very many of the records would not have sounded as they do. Whether they would have been any better, I cannot say. They might have been. That is not modesty on my part; it is an attempt to give a factual picture of the relationship.”

Martin received an Academy Award nomination for best music, scoring of music, adaptation or treatment for The Beatles’ 1964 classic film A Hard Day’s Night, directed by Richard Lester; arranged the score for their 1968 animated movie Yellow Submarine; and scored, with Paul and Linda McCartney, the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die.

In 2006, Martin remixed, along with his son Giles Martin, the music for Love, the Cirque du Soleil production that celebrated Beatles music in conjunction with Apple Corps. It included a new orchestral song, written by Martin, for a solo version of Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Martin also produced for Cilla Black (for her hit song “Alfie”), Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Mahavishnu Orchestra, America, Jeff Beck, Cheap Trick, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Kenny Rogers, Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb, Dire Straits, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Meat Loaf, Carly Simon, Celine Dion and Kate Bush, among others.

Martin was knighted in 1996 (a year before McCartney received the honor) and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Martin was born on Jan. 3, 1926, in Highbury, London. He received a few piano lessons as a child but mostly learned to play by himself and had “fantasies about being the next Rachmaninoff.”

He said he decided to pick up the oboe because he figured it could help him earn a living, and indeed, it helped him score a job producing classical baroque recordings at Parlophone, run by Oscar Preuss.

Martin became the head of A&R in 1955 when Preuss retired and found success with such comedy records as Peter Ustinov’s 1952 novelty record “Mock Mozart” (Anthony Hopkins played harpsichord on one song) and worked with Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Lennon, a big comedy fan, surely was impressed by this facet of Martin’s career.

In 1962, under the pseudonym Ray Cathode, Martin put out an electronic dance single, “Time Beat,” recorded at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, which fueled his desire to find a rock ’n’ roll group with whom to work.

He left EMI in 1965 but continued to work in a freelance capacity, producing The Beatles’ final album release, Abbey Road. (Phil Spector took over, for the most part, on the Let It Be album and documentary.) He opened the AIR recording studios in London and the Caribbean and attracted such artists as The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and The Police to record.

Martin’s work with McCartney also included producing his albums Tug of War (1982), Pipes of Peace (1983) — which featured McCartney collaborations with Wonder and Michael Jackson — and Flaming Pie (1997). Along with his longtime engineer Geoff Emerick, Martin oversaw postproduction on an eight-track analog-mixing desk for platinum-selling compilations like Live at the BBC and Anthology, which featured unreleased songs “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.”

Martin wrote three books, including his 1979 autobiography, All You Need Is Love, co-written with Jeremy Hornsby. He produced and hosted The Rhythm of Life, a BBC documentary series that highlighted artists and discussed musical compositions, and the 2011 documentary Produced by George Martin gained worldwide acclaim, offering an insider’s peak into the producer’s life.

In 1997, Martin rerecorded Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” originally written by John and Bernie Taupin about Marilyn Monroe but retooled as a tribute to Princess Diana. The song became the second best-selling single in history, and Martin called it “probably my last single. It’s not a bad one to go out on.”

A year later, Martin’s produced the album In My Life, on which artists and actors covered songs in The Beatles catalog; Robin Williams and Bobby McFerrin provided the vocals on “Come Together.”

Martin married Sheena Chisholm, whom he had met in the service, on his 22nd birthday in 1948, and after they divorced, wed Judy Lockhart-Smith, a Parlophone secretary, in 1966.

In addition to his son Giles, survivors include his other children Alexis, Gregory and Lucy.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Peter Frampton Interviewed & Performing Tonight On DirecTV

  
Tune in to AT&T AUDIENCE Network to watch "Peter Frampton" tonight (Friday, March 4) at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114). The intimate performance and interview was filmed live in Nashville, Tenn., where the Grammy Award-winning guitarist performs songs including "Baby, I Love Your Way," "Lines On My Face" and "Show Me The Way." Frampton just released his new album Peter Frampton: Acoustic Classics, out now on RED Distribution. He will launch the second leg of his "Peter Frampton Raw, An Acoustic Tour" on March 9.
 
AUDIENCE Network features groundbreaking concerts, in-depth artist interviews, unique stories and exclusive performances now shooting in ultra high definition 4K. AUDIENCE Network is available to DIRECTV and U-versecustomers via broadcast and live stream on directv.com and uverse.comand on smartphones and tablets, via the DIRECTVand U-verse apps.
 
For the first time ever, on Acoustic Classics, Frampton delivers stripped-down versions of his classic hits including "Baby, I Love Your Way," "Lines On My Face," "Do You Feel Like I Do," "Show Me The Way" and more.Acoustic Classics includes one new song, "All Down to Me," which was co-written by Kennedy, the co-producer of Frampton's Grammy Award-winning album Fingerprints. Acoustic Classics was mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Jeff Balding (Don Henley, Lionel Richie, Joe Cocker) and produced by Frampton himself.
 
For more information, visit: 

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Bad Company, Joe Walsh Team Up For U.S. Summer Tour

Joe Walsh and Bad Company (Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke) have announced their ‘One Hell Of A Night’ tour, which begins in Dallas, Texas on May 12 and ends in Nashville TN on July 3rd. As co-headliners they will rotate the headlining spot each show. As for who will headline in what city Walsh playfully quipped: “I told Paul, if it’s a long bus ride I go first!”

"I had always hoped that we would do something together and so here we are 30 years later finally touring together, Bad Company lead singer Paul Rodgers commented. “It has taken us this long so I wouldn't miss this. Unless you want to wait 30 more years for our next tour in 2046!!! There is only one Joe Walsh, he is such a unique person and an uber talented singer, songwriter and musician."

“I have a huge amount of respect for Paul of course and the band and we get along great,” added Walsh. “Paul and I agreed it would be a hell of an evening of music, one that will be memorable for everyone who comes, and memorable for us, and that’s important in this day and age.”

“I’ve loved Joe Walsh since I first heard the James Gang many years ago, looking forward to playing with him again!” remarked Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs.

"Getting back on stage with Mick and Paul is always a thrill for me,” added Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke. “And knowing that I get to see Joe Walsh every night makes it that much better..."

The tour will include special VIP ticket packages for sale, including a pre-show party, premium seats, photo opportunity with Joe, exclusive merch and more. This is something both co-headliners are really excited about. “We wanted to open it up, meet our fans and give back something special to as many people as possible who have been supporting both our bands all these years,” said Walsh.

Performing with Joe Walsh will be some of his backing band members from his record-setting solo Walsh Tour 2015, including Joe Vitale, his Barnstorm bandmate on drums and adding Chad Cronwell on drums; Waddy Watchel on guitar; Larry Young on bass and Jimmy Wallace on keyboards. Leslie Fuller, Connie Jackson,Windy Wagner and Rickey Washington will be background singers and Clayton Janes on samples.

British singer, songwriter and recording artist Steve Rodgers will open each show acoustically, playing original songs from his new album.

JOE WALSH & BAD COMPANY TOUR DATES:

5/12/2016 - Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion
5/15/2016 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
5/17/2016 - Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion
5/18/2016 - Chula Vista, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
5/20/2016 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
5/22/2016 - Phoenix, AZ @ AK-Chin Pavilion
5/24/2016 - The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
5/26/2016 - New Orleans, LA @ Bold Sphere Music at Champions Square
5/28/2016 - Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/29/2016 - W. Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre
6/7/2016 - Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
6/9/2016 - Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
6/11/2016 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
6/12/2016 - Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavillion
6/14/2016 - Wantagh, NY @ Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
6/16/2016 - Noblesville, IN @ Klipsch Music Center
6/18/2016 - St Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
6/20/2016 - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
6/22/2016 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
6/23/2016 - Chicago, IL @ FirstMerit Bank Pavilion
6/26/2016 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
6/28/2016 - Pittsburgh, PA @ First Niagara Pavilion
6/30/2016 - Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavillion
7/3/2016 - Nashville, TN @ Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheatre

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The Bob Dylan Archive To Be Permanently Housed In Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Bob Dylan Archive has been acquired by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) and The University of Tulsa (TU) and will be permanently housed inTulsa, under the stewardship of TU's Helmerich Center for American Research, for subsequent public exhibition in the city's burgeoning Brady Arts District, it was jointly announced today by GKFF Executive Director Ken Levit and TU President Steadman Upham.  Comprised of more than 6,000 items spanning nearly 60 years of Bob Dylan's unique artistry, singular career and worldwide cultural significance, the archive includes decades of never-before-seen handwritten manuscripts, notebooks and correspondence; films, videos, photographs and artwork; memorabilia and ephemera; personal documents and effects; unreleased studio and concert recordings; musical instruments and many other items.

The alliance of GKFF and TU was chosen by Dylan's representatives over other suitors vying for this historic collection, and both entities view the archive as an important acquisition for Tulsa in many ways. As Levit explained, "Bob Dylan is a national treasure whose work continues to enrich the lives of millions the world over, and we are proud to be bringing such an important, comprehensive and culturally significant archive to Tulsa. Our combined philanthropic and academic approach made a strong case for assuring Mr. Dylan and his representatives that Tulsa would provide the ideal environment to care for and exhibit this collection, and the result is a boon for Tulsa that will soon attract Bob Dylan fans and scholars to our city from around the world."

"The University of Tulsa is pleased to collaborate with the George Kaiser Family Foundation in assuming the role of steward for this invaluable collection. Because of the level of scholarship available through the university and its partners, TU is the perfect keeper of The Bob Dylan Archive," said TU President Steadman Upham. "Dylanology is a growing aspect of social science and humanities research, and Tulsa will soon become the international epicenter for the academic pursuit of all things Dylan."

Bob Dylan said, "I'm glad that my archives, which have been collected all these years, have finally found a home and are to be included with the works of Woody Guthrie and especially alongside all the valuable artifacts from the Native American Nations. To me it makes a lot of sense and it's a great honor."
Nearly 1,000 items from The Bob Dylan Archive have already been brought to the Hardesty Archival Center inside the Helmerich Center for American Research – which is affiliated with Tulsa's prestigious Gilcrease Museum – where they are being digitized and preserved by a digital curation team for eventual public exhibition and academic access. The process of physically acquiring the complete archive will span two years, as the individual components are gathered from their numerous locations, inventoried and carefully shipped to Tulsa. 

The acquisition of The Bob Dylan Archive was facilitated by Glenn Horowitz Bookseller (GHB) of New York City, one of the world's foremost authorities and dealers of literary, historical and art-related rare books, autographs and manuscripts.  

Representatives from GKFF and TU will soon begin the process of selecting a curator and additional staff, forming an advisory committee for The Bob Dylan Archive, and will announce initial plans for public exhibition and academic access to the collection later this year. Ultimately, a permanent exhibit space for The Archive will be designated near the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa's Brady Arts District, which houses a museum dedicated to American folksinger and Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie. Guthrie was one of Dylan's most significant early influences, even inspiring one of Dylan's first tracks, "Song to Woody" on his 1962 self-titled album.

The Bob Dylan Archive is a comprehensive anthology that encompasses thousands of historic items that exemplify the evolution of masterpieces that today are woven into the annals of American music, such as:

  • A notebook from 1974 containing Dylan's handwritten lyrics to songs that were eventually recorded for the artist's biggest-selling album, Blood On The Tracks, including "Tangled Up In Blue," "Simple Twist Of Fate" and "Idiot Wind."
  • Sketches, writings and edits from Tarantula, Dylan's 1965 groundbreaking collection of experimental poetry.
  • Dylan lyrics and chord progressions for unrecorded songs, circa 1970.
  • Handwritten notes from Dylan and director Howard Alk, detailing editing notes and shot selects from the films Eat The Document (1971) and Renaldo And Clara (1978).
  • Dylan's 1962 signed contract with Witmark Music, his first music publisher.
  • Dylan's 1966 wallet containing numerous inserts, including paper with Johnny Cash's address and phone number, as well as a business card from Otis Redding.
  • Complete, never-released Dylan concert films from Toronto's Massey Hall in 1980 and New York'sSupper Club from 1993.
  • Dylan's earliest music recordings from 1959.
  • The leather jacket worn by Dylan onstage at The Newport Folk Festival in 1965, the year he "went electric."
  • The surviving harp from inside the piano on which Dylan composed "Like A Rolling Stone."
  • Lyrics to "Chimes Of Freedom," handwritten by Dylan in 1964 on hotel stationary, complete with annotations and additional verses.
  • In-progress and final lyrics to all songs from Dylan's latter-day masterpiece, Time Out Of Mind, handwritten and annotated by the artist.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bobdylanarchive 

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Yoko Ono Reveals Her Favorite Beatles Album

Yoko Ono has revealed her favorite album by the Beatles in a new interview.

The widow of late Beatle John Lennon, Ono recently spoke to US Weekly for their '25 Things You Don’t Know About Me' column.

Among other anecdotal things revealed in the interview, Ono confirmed her love for The Beatles' 1968 self-titled release, better known as The White Album.

"I don’t know if people will hate me for saying this, but I always preferred The White Album to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," Ono said. "Don’t get me wrong, I love Pepper’s too."

Last month, Ono received the NME Inspiration Award at the NME Awards 2016 with Austin, Texas on the eve of her 83rd birthday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ono told the Guardian that she never wants to retire from music.

"I won't stop. No, I never think that." she said. "Artists are obsessive, they want to keep doing it."

It was also recently confirmed that Ono was released from the hospital after she suffered from flu-like symptoms.

Sean Lennon, Ono's son, confirmed that his mother is "fine" after coming home last Friday (February 26).

Jeff Lynne's ELO Announces 2024 North American Fall Tour

  Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to embark on the band’s final tour dubbed “The Over and Out Tour.” The 27-date trek, produced by Live Nation, will...