Thursday, September 29, 2016

The Band Celebrates 'The Last Waltz' 40th Anniversary With Deluxe And Collector Editions

On Thanksgiving Day 1976, The Band took the stage for the very last time at the Winterland Theatre in San Francisco. The concert, aptly billed as The Last Waltz, has become one of the most revered performances of all time. 

For the show, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson were joined by an all-star group of music pioneers, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Neil Young, among others.

The evening was captured on film by director Martin Scorsese. Released theatrically in April 1978 to critical acclaim, The Last Waltz is still considered by many to be the greatest concert film ever made.

Forty years later, Rhino is issuing four new 40th Anniversary Editions of The Last Waltz, including the pairing of the audio and video for the first time. All formats will be available November 11 except the Collector's Edition, which will be available December 9. Each edition breaks down as follows:
40th Anniversary Edition (2-CD, $19.98) - Original soundtrack with newly remastered audio from the original master tapes on two CDs.
40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (4-CD/Blu-Ray, $64.98) - Complete audio from the concert, including rehearsals and outtakes, plus The Last Waltz film on Blu-ray Disc.
40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Vinyl (6-LP, $119.98) - Complete audio from the concert, including rehearsals and outtakes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl for the first time and presented in an ornate lift-top box.
40th Anniversary Collector's Edition (4-CD/2-Blu-ray, $259.98) - Limited to 2,500 copies, this version includes:    

  • Complete audio from the concert
  • The Last Waltz film on Blu-ray Disc
  • Second Blu-ray Disc including a rarely seen interview from the 1990s with Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson, photo gallery, and 5.1 audio mix of the original album
  • 300-page book, bound in red faux-leather with a full replication of Scorsese's shooting script, rare and previously unseen photos, set sketches, three foldout storyboards, and a foreword by Scorsese

Available as a 4-CD/Blu-ray Disc set and -- for the first time -- on vinyl as a 6-LP set, the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the original soundtrack has 54 tracks, including the entire concert, as well as rehearsals and outtakes. Among the rarities are performances not featured in the film, such as "Furry Sings The Blues" with Joni Mitchell and "All Our Past Times" with Eric Clapton, plus rehearsals for "Caravan" with Van Morrison, "Such A Night" with Dr. John, and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," a song that was not performed in concert. The CD version also includes newly-penned liner notes revered music journalists David Fricke and Ben Fong-Torres along with a classic essay from 1977 written by iconic author Emmett Grogan.

The 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition, limited to 2,500 copies worldwide, includes a replication of Scorsese's original shooting script. Once the film was complete, Scorsese had two copies of the script bound in a red leather book; one copy for himself and the other a gift to Robbie Robertson, which now resides at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Collector's Edition also includes a foreword by Scorsese and an essay from screenwriter Mardik Martin.

Robertson will be busy during The Last Waltz 40th anniversary. On November 15, he will release Testimony (Crown Archetype), a new memoir in which he finally tells his own spellbinding story of the band that changed music history, his extraordinary personal journey, and his creative friendships with some of the greatest artists of the last half-century. Robertson will also release a new musical anthology of the same name on UMe on November 11. The 18-track collection, curated by Robertson to be a deft complement to the memoir, features a mix of live and studio tracks spanning his entire career.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Eagles May Reunite If Glenn Frey's Son Comes Aboard

In March, following Glenn Frey's death, Eagles co-founder Don Henley said the surviving members of the iconic rock band likely won't perform again. But now he's given a bit of hope otherwise -- if Frey's son is down to join the group. 

In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, Henley said, “at some point in the future, we might work our way round to [reuniting]."

“You know, Glenn has a son who can sing and play quite well. And one of the only things that would make sense to me is if it were his son.”

Frey's son, 22-year-old Deacon has joined his father onstage before his death in January.

Henley still performs songs in concert solo that he wrote with Frey, such as the classic "Desperado," but said he doesn't play any songs Frey used to sing by himself.

“I don’t think that would be quite right, even if I co-wrote them. I’m just not doing it,” he said.

But if the hypothetical reunion did take place with the younger Frey, Henley said it could open doors to reuniting with former collaborator Jackson Browne, who joined the band at the Grammys in February to tribute Frey.

“With Jackson, of course, we could do 'Take It Easy' and a couple other things," said Henley, "but the only way I would consider any kind of reunion, I think, would be with Glenn’s son, Deacon," he said.

"But there have been no discussions along those lines, and we’re still going through the healing process — trying to get through all this. And those are things that might happen somewhere down the road. But right now, everybody’s doing the solo thing," Henley added.

Robert Plant To Join Lampedusa Tour On Select Dates

Robert Plant has confirmed that he will join Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, The Milk Carton Kids, and more for select dates on the Lampedusa tour. Lampedusa is an 11-stop concert tour intended to raise awareness of the unprecedented worldwide refugee crisis. Funds raised by Lampedusa will support educational programs for refugees around the world.

"This is a humanitarian issue - it is not a political issue," says Griffin. "These are real people with real needs and it's not going to go away and we have to deal with these issues in a realistic way, and realism has to do with compassion."

Plant offered this statement about joining the tour:

“I'm taking a break from recording the new Sensational Space Shifters record to be a part of this very important and worthwhile cause. When I watch the news and see people from these places being displaced by hatred and ignorance, I know that these people are just like you and me. All they want is to live in peace and have their children grow up loved, fed and educated. That seems a million miles away for many people at the moment. They are living in refugee camps, in conditions that are far below sustenance levels. When I heard that some of my friends were rallying to do a series of concerts to help raise funds and awareness, to help address the basic needs of food, shelter and medical care, I wanted to help, in whatever way I could. One thing that I want to make clear: as with all the other members of this tour, I will be performing two or three songs a night and no more. I’m not making a political statement. The organization that is receiving these funds is a religious one, however this is a totally secular mission. This appeal is trying to help on the ground wherever it can. I hope that my voice, along with my friends, helps bend the arc of the universe a little more toward the loving and helps with the work of getting the basic essentials of life to those who are without.”

The complete tour dates are below. The shows featuring Plant are noted.

October 6 - Boulder Theater - Boulder, Colorado
October 8 - Helzberg Hall - Kansas City, Missouri
October 9 - Rococo Theater - Lincoln, Nebraska
October 11 - Sheldon Concert Hall - St. Louis, Missouri
October 12 - Pabst Theater - Milwaukee, Wisconsin w/Robert Plant
October 13 - Vic Theater - Chicago, Illinois w/Robert Plant
October 14 - Massey Hall - Toronto, Ontario w/Robert Plant
October 16 - Berklee Performance Center - Boston, Massachusetts w/Robert Plant
October 18 - Town Hall - New York City, New York w/Robert Plant
October 19 - Merriam Theater - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania w/Robert Plant
October 21- Lisner Auditorium - Washington, DC w/Robert Plant

The concerts will be intimate evenings of acoustic performances benefiting Jesuit Refugee Service's Global Education Initiative. The Lampedusa tour helps displaced people heal, learn, and thrive by providing educational opportunities for refugees living in camps and urban settings in 45 countries. "Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees" is named for the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, where Pope Francis visited refugees during his first official trip as Pope. The Italian island off the coast of Sicily serves as a waypoint to Europe in refugees' search for safety and security. For more information about "Lampedusa: Concerts for Refugees," visit www.jrsusa.org/lampedusa.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Rolling Stones' Historic Cuba Concert Coming To Blu-Ray, DVD, CD

On November 11, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release The Rolling StonesHavana Moon on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and LP. A special Deluxe Edition.will also be issued. The set features the Stones' historic concert staged earlier this year in Havana, Cuba. 

March 25, 2016 (Good Friday) is a date that will go down in both Cuban and rock ‘n’ roll history as the Stones became the first rock band to play a massive free outdoor concert to hundreds of thousands in Havana. The show was captured by award-winning film director Paul Dugdale.

The free show attracted a million people in the country's capital city in the same week as President Barrack Obama became the first U.S. President to visit Cuba in 88 years. TV news networks around the world reported that Obama was "the warm-up act" for the Rolling Stones.

As the Stones took to the stage under a perfect "Havana Moon" in front of an ecstatic crowd, everyone knew that this was a life-changing cultural moment for a country on the brink of change. There was nothing that was going to come between the band and their eager fans including the Vatican in Rome, which objected to the concert being held on a Good Friday.

Mick Jagger welcomed the massive crowd: “Finally the times are changing, Cuba we are so happy to be here." The singer joked with his band mates during the performance, describing them as "the revolutionary Ronnie Wood, drummer Charlie 'Che' Watts, and compadre Keith Richards."

The band played all the essentials, including "Jumpin’ Jack Flash," "It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll," "Paint It Black," "Honky Tonk Women," "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar," "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" and "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction," in a two-hour plus performance vividly captured on Havana Moon.

One Cuban Stones fan said, "Never, ever, ever did I think we would see this happen. Tonight has been a dream come true for me,” while another said, “Simply fantastic - this is a moment I have been dreaming about for a really long time. I have just witnessed the most important concert in Cuba because this is the Rolling Stones.”

For a glimpse of what went down on this magical day, check out the trailer below.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Harvey Weinstein Producing Elvis Presley TV Series Based On Dave Marsh Book

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein will produce a limited TV series about Elvis Presley, based on Dave Marsh's book Elvis. 

The producer has struck a deal with the Presley estate, which involves rights to the King of Rock's musical catalog. Presley's ex-wife Priscilla has signed on as executive producer.

The cast and crew will also have access to Presley's Graceland home, the late rocker's cars, archives, and personal journals.

"I'm a big fan of Harvey Weinstein's independent films (and) I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him on this show and tell the story of how Elvis changed the culture of music and initiated a revolution that changed the world," said Priscilla Presley,

Weinstein added, "To this day, Elvis is one of the few that lives up to the word icon. He is one of the most celebrated entertainers of all time whose influence surpasses the music he created. People's fascination with his story goes beyond the stage and this biopic will pay homage to his brilliant legacy and give viewers an in-depth look at how he became The King."

The new Presley estate-backed series will be the first to focus on Elvis in a decade. Jonathan Rhys Meyers played Presley in a two-part miniseries for U.S. network CBS back in 2005. He picked up a Golden Globe for the role.

He has also recently been portrayed on the big screen by Michael Shannon in this year's Elvis & Nixon.

Presley died in 1977, aged 42.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Legacy Rolling Out Big Releases For The Holidays

Now that Fall is here, it's time to start thinking about the holidays and all the goodies you want (or will buy for loved ones). Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment’s catalog division, has put together some wonderful collections that are sure to satisfy Vintage Rock music lovers everywhere. Here are four that caught our eye. For more, go to http://www.legacyrecordings.com.


Pink Floyd 
The Early Years
In Stores: 11/11/2016 
This 27-disc deluxe boxset features TV recordings, BBC Sessions, unreleased tracks, outtakes, and demos over more than 12 hours of audio and 15 hours of video. The set also includes 20 unreleased songs including 7 hours of previously unreleased live audio, 7 hours of rare concert footage, meticulously produced 7" singles in replica sleeves, collectible memorabilia, feature films, and new sound mixes. Previously unreleased tracks have been newly mixed for this release, including 1967's Vegetable Man and In The Beechwoods.


Lou Reed 
The RCA and Arista Album Collection
In Stores: 10/07/2016 
This 17-disc deluxe bot set brings together for the first time in one comprehensive anthology, the 16 groundbreaking studio and live album titles written and recorded by Reed as a solo artist, as well as access to several titles which have been out of print, hard to find, or unavailable in the CD and digital music eras. This definitive anthology contains 16 full-length albums on 17 compact discs in addition to an 80-page hard-bound book featuring memorabilia from Lou’s personal archives, rarely seen photos and artwork, interviews with Lou, as well as five 8"x10" prints and a facsimile reproduction of a rare RCA promotional poster. 


Van Morrison 
..It's Too Late To Stop Now…Volumes II, III, IV & DVD
In Stores: 6/10/2016 
This three-disc and DVD box set is a collection of previously unreleased live concert recordings from Morrison’s mythic 1973 tour with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra. The set’s DVD features professionally-lensed live footage from the Rainbow Theatre, available here for the first time as a commercial home video release. 

Elvis Presley 
The Complete Album Collection
In Stores: 3/18/2016 
This limited edition 60-disc box set anthology commemorates the 60th anniversary of the release of Elvis Presley’s first album for RCA Records. It includes restorations of 57 Elvis Presley albums originally released on RCA from 1956-1977 PLUS 3 new discs of rarities from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The deluxe set features Elvis’s fabled Sun Sessions, his first RCA sessions, and significant official Elvis album releases including studio, soundtrack, and live titles in addition to compilations featuring unreleased songs or tracks new to the LP format. 

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

AC/DC Bassist Cliff Williams Retires

AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams has retired after nearly 40 years with the iconic Aussie rock band.

Williams confirmed the news in a video on Tuesday (Sept. 20) coinciding with the end of AC/DC's Rock or Bust World Tour.

In July, he had previously noted in an interview that he was planning on leaving the group. "It's time for me to step out, that's all," he said, acknowledging the group's numerous personnel changes in recent years.

He specifically noted the departures of iconic longtime members Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, but added that the band has been dealing with this sort of thing since original singer Bon Scott's death in 1980.

"Everything changes with something like that.... Everything changes, so it's not that. It's just, I'm ready to get off the road and do what I do in between tours," he said. "I know how to do that, I know what I'm gonna do. It's just my time, I'm happy I just need family time, just chill out and not do this." 

Williams joined AC/DC in 1977 as a replacement to original bassist Mark Evans. After founding guitarist Malcolm Young's retirement in 2014 due to dementia, Williams became the band's second most senior member after Angus Young.

"I couldn't have asked for anything more -- being with the people I'm with and have been, being in this situation with this band, playing this music," Williams said.

Williams talks about his retirement in the video below.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Journey's Jonathan Cain Releasing New Solo Album

Jonathan Cain, longtime keyboardist and rhythm guitarist of Journey, co-writer of "Don't Stop Believin'," "Faithfully" and "Who's Crying Now," "Open Arms" and many more hit songs, will release his solo album, What God Wants To Hear, October 21 on Identity Records with The Fuel Music distribution.

"Only God can take a mess and turn it into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into victory," says Cain, describing the heart behind the album's music.

Cain, who continues to tour the world with Journey, crafted his new solo album from his personal faith-journey that started in Chicago when, at a young age, he wanted to be a priest. His faith was challenged after he survived a horrific fire in third grade at his school, Our Lady of the Angels School, where 92 of his fellow students along with three nuns died that day. Cain found healing and redemption in music, and his long "journey" eventually led him back to the seminal faith of his youth.

Cain's return to his faith coincided with discovering love and healing through Paula White, senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, whom he married in April 2015. Leading worship at his wife's annual women's conference, Cain found a new joy in his music. "I never heard him sing like this," says White. "Something had shifted in him."

"I've always been seeking out songs since I was young," Cain shares. "I never had any idea how rich the Bible was with imagery. I got lost in it. It feels like I'm just starting to believe again."

The first single from his new album is available for download with preorder at iTunes beginning September 23. Cain is also exclusively offering, for a limited time, a free download of the bonus track, "Remove Every Veil," along with an introduction to the song from Pastor Paula White at http://jonathancainmusic.com/. See a teaser for the album below.






Monday, September 19, 2016

New Film Shows How The Beatles Helped Fight Segregation

Music aside, the true power of the Beatles wasn't the volume of their fans or the popularity of their hairstyles -- it was the pull of their politics.

The band's refusal to play to segregated American audiences in 1964 is one striking example explored in a new documentary about the band's tireless years on the road in the 1960s before Beatlemania forced them to stop performing live.

Director Ron Howard mined archival footage to reveal the Fab Four's shock at being asked to perform for a separated crowd for the film The Beatles: Eight Days A Week -- The Touring Years. The movie is now in theaters in the United States and the U.K, as well as streaming on Hulu.

"We were kind of quite intelligent guys, looking at the political scene and, coming from Liverpool, we played with black bands and black people in the audience. It didn't matter to us," McCartney said.

"We played Jacksonville (Florida) and we heard that the whites and the blacks were going to be segregated and we just went, 'Whoa, no. No way,'" he said. "And we actually forced them then, which is very early on in the 60s, to integrate. We actually even put (it) in the contract."

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reflected on their impact and the band's overwhelming success during an interview this week in Studio Two at Abbey Road Studio, where the Beatles recorded their catalog.

"When we first of all came in that door, as young kids ... we weren't even allowed up in the control room," McCartney said. "That was for the grown-ups. So we grew up here."

"We all thought, 'Wow, we can make a record,'" Starr said. "That was the biggest deal in life at the time. And we kept coming back and we made some really great music."

The movie focuses on the years the Beatles played live from June 1962 until August 1966, which saw them performing 815 times in 15 countries.

Eventually the uncontrollable, hysterical crowds of Beatlemania made touring impossible.

"It's funny to say how it felt because it was so crazy," McCartney said. "We wanted to be famous. We wanted to do well. We were doing what we really wanted to achieve and it was getting better and better."

"But it got out of hand and the story is that, in the end, it kind of forced us off the road so we had to come back to this studio and make Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," he said.

Those who saw the Beatles live probably didn't hear them sound systems at the time couldn't outplay screaming fans.

The movie features remastered music so audiences can actually hear the performances. A companion album, The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl, has also been released.

Now, the guys on stage can finally listen to what they were playing.

Friday, September 16, 2016

The Zombies Added To The 2018 Moody Blues Cruise

The Zombies will reunite next year with original members Chris White and Hugh Grundy joining Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent and their mates to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the recording of their legendary album Odessey & Oracle

They will cap off the celebration aboard The Moody Blues Cruise 2018 for what's being billed as the "final" performances of Odessey & Oracle.
 
In 1967, a group of young Zombies walked into Abbey Road Studios #3, right after some lads from Liverpool had finished their sessions for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. They recorded what became their final album, as the original band broke up soon after.

They never suspected that two years later, the final track, "Time of the Season" would become a #1 hit around the world. Decades later, Rolling Stone Magazine named Odessey & Oracle #100 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Moodies Cruisers will be treated to a double-bill of the current and original Zombies lineups, performing all your favorites, and for the last time ever, the entire Odessey & Oracle album, start to finish!

Limited staterooms are available now at www.MoodiesCruise.com.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Six Things You Will Learn From 'The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years'

Here are six things Beatles fans will find from seeing the new Ron Howard film The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years

1. Paul McCartney, in discussing “The Beatles Are Greater Than Jesus” incident, says the apology that John Lennon was forced to make was difficult for him. He said the apology made John “a sort of a broken man” because he realized he had to apologize.

2. Ringo Starr, at the back of the stage, says he had a difficult job trying to keep time. “I could not hear anything. I'd be watching John's ass or Paul's ass, his foot tapping, his head nodding, to see where we were in the song.”

3. Paul McCartney said the idea behind the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album was an effort to get the Beatles freed from their images. “I got this idea for us to be all someone else because we were so fed up with what we were. We had to get out of it one way or another.”

4. George Harrison says the addition of Ringo Starr as the group's drummer was the piece of the puzzle that the Beatles sorely needed. “Once we got Ringo, we started to do it better and more professionally.”

5. Paul McCartney credits Brian Epstein's perspective and said he saw things in them they didn't see. “It was clear he had a vision of us that was beyond the vision we had of ourselves.”

6. The Beatles refused to play to segregated audiences. Though this has been previously reported and Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn has said he has uncovered documents that showed this happened on more than one tour, this is discussed quite extensively in the film.  

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Geoff Tate Releasing New Operation Mindcrime Album, Touring With Tim "Ripper" Owens, Blaze Bayley

Come November, singers Geoff Tate, Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest) and Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden) will be performing the hits from their respective bands on stage together for what is hoped to be just the beginning of several dates over the next few months.

Geoff Tate, whose Operation: Mindcrime will be releasing Resurrection, their second CD of a trilogy on September 23, states that the collaboration between the three first came about while recently in the studio.

"We were recording a song together that will appear on the new Operation: Mindcrime album called 'Taking on the World' and immediately realized just how much fun it would be if we went out and did a couple of dates together. We want to give fans a great selection of hits and rarities along with songs we just enjoy performing... and the Trinity tour was born!"

Check out the new video for "Taking on the World" below.


The three vocalists will be backed by the same group of musicians throughout the evening in a show that promises to be loaded with memorable metal for the music masses to enjoy.

Fans can expect to hear such songs as "Empire," "I Don't Believe in Love," "Eyes of a Stranger," "Living After Midnight," "Breaking the Law," "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," "Burn in Hell," "Man on the Edge," "The Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills" among others.

Tate and Operation: Mindcrime will return to the road after the eight-date Trinity tour in November, likely heading to Europe in December, then winding through late winter/early spring back to North America. The shows will mix songs from The Key and Resurrection with some Queensryche material, but Tate is most looking forward to getting the third part of the trilogy out so he can mount a full-scale performance of the story.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to perform it all at once, perhaps a limited engagement or something,” Tate told Billboard. “That’s kind of down the road, I’d say probably in a few years. It’s kind of a touchy thing, playing new music for audiences. They have to digest it for a while before they become enamored with it and more accepting, so I want to reach that point before I do something as ambitious and intensive as doing the whole thing in one show.”

Tickets for all eight Trinity shows (see below) are now on sale.

Trinity Tour 2016 - Confirmed Tour Dates*

11/18 - The Montage Music Hall in Rochester, New York
11/19 - Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh, New York
11/20 - Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania
11/22 - The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, New York
11/23 - The Chance in Poughkeepsie, New York
11/25 - Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, New Hampshire
11/26 - Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Maryland
11/27 - BB Kings in New York, New York

*Additional dates expected be added.

For more information about Geoff Tate and Operation Mindcrime, go to:

www.operationmindcrime.com
www.facebook.com/geofftateofficial
www.twitter.com/geofftate

Tim "Ripper" Owens official website - www.timripperowens.com

Blaze Bayley official website - www.blazebayley.net

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Graham Nash Adds More U.S. Dates Behind 'This Path Tonight' Album

Singer-songwriter Graham Nash has announced a new batch of U.S west coast tour dates in March and April 2017 in support of his new studio album, This Path Tonight, released worldwide on April 15. Pre-sales for the new tour dates are available Wednesday Sept. 14th, at 10 am local at www.grahamnash.com.

The tour features Graham Nash and longtime collaborator and This Path Tonight producer Shane Fontayne. Together, the duo performs songs from Nash's new album alongside fan favorites from his days in the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash; each song is accompanied by short anecdotes and backstories from Nash's career 50-year career.

This Path Tonight is a collection of 10 original songs from Nash. Produced by Shane Fontayne, this is Nash's first solo record of new music in 14 years. The album is one of reflection and transition of a singer-songwriter whose career (the Hollies, CSN, CSNY) has spanned more than five decades and counting.

Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductee, Grammy Award winner, a New York Times best-selling author, and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)

For album, tour, and ticket information, please visit www.grahamnash.com.

2016 US TOUR DATES
Sep 23 - The Kent Stage - Kent, OH        
Sep 24 - Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead - Munhall, PA      
Sep 25 - State Theatre - Ithaca, NY          
Sep 27 - Academy of Music - Northampton, MA  
Sep 28 - Musikfest Café - Bethlehem, PA      
Oct 1 - Mayo Performing Arts Center - Morristown, NJ        
Oct 2 - State Theater - Portland, ME            
Oct 4 - Bearsville Theater - Woodstock, NY        
Oct 5 - Tarrytown Music Hall - Tarrytown, NY            
Oct 7 - Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center - Westhampton Beach, NY
Oct 8 - Infinity Hall - Hartford, CT              
Oct 9 - Troy Savings Bank Music Hall - Troy, NY                    

2017 US TOUR DATES
Mar 22* - Laxson Auditorium - Chico, CA            
Mar 24* - Van Duzer Theatre - Arcata, CA              
Mar 25* - Gallo Center for the Arts - Modesto, CA            
Mar 26* - Veteran's Memorial Auditorium - Grass Valley, CA      
Mar 29* - Luther Burbank Center for the Arts - Santa Rosa, CA        
Mar 31* - Fox Theatre - Redwood City, CA    
Apr 01* - Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Costa Mesa, CA        
Apr 04* - Sunset Center - Carmel, CA                
Apr 05* - Lobero Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA      
Apr 07* - Fox Performing Arts Center - Riverside, CA            

*Newly announced tour dates


Ian Anderson To Bring 'Jethro Tull' Tour To U.S. West Coast In October

Next month, Ian Anderson is bringing Jethro Tull The Rock Opera to the West Coast in Las Vegas, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Modesto, Folsom, San Jose, Portland, Spokane, and Seattle.

Jethro Tull The Rock Opera celebrates the life and times of English agriculturalist Jethro Tull with a narrative set in the near future. The show presents some of the best known songs from the repertoire of the band Jethro Tull. During the show, Anderson touches on topical issues, including including climate change, intensive food production and population growth.

New material specially written for this show includes "Prosperous Pasture," "Fruits Of Frankenfield,” "And The World Feeds Me," "Stick, Twist, Bust," and "The Turnstile Gate."

Jethro Tull songs you'll hear include "Heavy Horses," "Farm On The Freeway," "Songs From The Wood," "Aqualung," "Living In The Past," "Wind-Up," "The Witch's Promise" and "Locomotive Breath” and "A New Day Yesterday.” Some songs will have slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.

The show has already played in the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and the U.S. East Coast  to widely encouraging reviews.

Anderson is accompanied by David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests on screen including Ryan O’Donnell who shared the stage with Anderson in recent tours for Homo Erraticus and Thick As A Brick, and Icelandic singer/violinist/actress Unnur Birna Björnsdóttir.

Jethro Tull The Rock Opera West Coast Tour Dates:

October 14:   The Smith Center, Las Vegas, NV
October 15:   Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
October 17:   Balboa Theatre, San Diego, CA
October 18:   Fox Performing Arts Center, Riverside, CA
October 19:   Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA
October 21:   Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto, CA
October 22:   City National Civic, San Jose, CA
October 24:   The Harris Center-Folsom Lake College, Folsom, CA
October 25:   Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
October 27:   Keller Auditorium, Portland, OR
October 28:   Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA

In addition, there will be a new Steven Wilson remix of Jethro Tull’s second album, Stand Up, released on November 18.

Look out for tour dates and much more information at www.jethrotull.com.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Brand X Reunion Tour Selling Out Shows!

Brand X, the legendary jazz-rock-fusion band that once featured Phil Collins in the drummer's chair, 
has reunited and the response has been overwhelming. The initial tour runs October 19th through October 30th, and numerous shows are already sold out.

Brand X are recognized as true musical pioneers who helped create an entire musical genre and influenced a broad spectrum of musicians and bands. From numerous fusion bands around the world, to even Phish and Dream Theatre, their influence to the their peers and the next generation of musicians has been monumental.

The origins of the band stem from around 1975 when future Brand X members were collaborating with Brian Eno on his Another Green World album. Robert Fripp and Phil Collins also played on it, and it got many people thinking. Their contemporaries include bands such as Weather Report, Headhunters, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jaco Pastorious and Chick Corea.

“Something unexpected has been happening,” the band's management explained. “People are coming out of the woodwork to come to these first shows. First we heard of a group driving from Texas all the way up to Chicago for a show. Then it's a group from Denver. A few coming from Toronto, and now we've got confirmation of fans flying in from London and even Berlin!”  

For the reunion shows, Brand X features

* John Goodsall: The original Brand X guitarist says, “It's a better version now. We’re all a lot more experienced – a lot more skilled…And that goes for every one of us.”

* Percy Jones: The original Brand X bassist says, “This music takes us back to a certain space – which was really cool. I wasn't sure I’d ever feel that feeling again – and yet here it is!”

* Kenwood Dennard: Brand X drummer who’s also played with Sting and Jaco Pastorious says, “When we used to play this music, it felt eternal. We used to get into a zone where it felt so deep. Now that's exactly how it felt again.”

* Chris Clark: Keyboard formerly of John Entwistle Band (The Who), and Richie Cannata's Band (Billy Joel).

* Scott Weinberger: Percussionist who's done sessions with Adrian Belew, and live with The Security Project (Jerry Marotta, formerly of Peter Gabriel and Trey Gunn formerly of King Crimson)

Brand X will be performing material from their first three albums on these initial tours in October 2016.  

Unorthodox Behaviour was a the group's 1976 debut album featuring Percy Jones, Phil Collins, Morris Pert, John Goodsall and Robin Lumley. Their sophomore release Moroccan Roll surprised everyone by hitting #37 in the UK charts in 1977. Experimenting with some Eastern tonalities, including a shimmering Sitar played by Goodsall on “Sun In The Night,” this is a fusion album with melodies. Percussionist Morris Pert banged on everything, including a few kitchen sinks. Robin Lumley's “Disco Suicide” is as catchy as it is clever. Percy Jones' galloping “Malaga Virgen” races with furious bass and drums – and remains a show-stopper live.

Livestock, the group's live album from 1977, was put together from gigs at Hammersmith Odeon and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, it shows that band at their most mature with finesse and macho chops rarely heard live. Robin Lumley has said that the entire Livestock album was mixed in one day with absolutely no overdubs.

October 2016 Tour Schedule:

Oct 19:  Milwaukee, WI at The Shank Hall
Oct 20:  Edwardsville, IL at The Wildey Theatre
Oct 21:  Chicago, IL at Reggie's Live Progtober-Fest
Oct 22:  Cleveland, OH at The Music Settlement/Bop-Stop
Oct 23:  New Hope, PA at Havana Club
Oct 25:  Arlington, MA at The Regent Theatre
Oct 27:  New York City at Iridium Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
Oct 28:  New York City at Iridium Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
Oct 29:  Woodstock, NY at Bearsville Theatre
Oct 30:  Newton, NJ at The Newton Theatre

For more information on Brand X:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Official-Brand-X-1715531621998359/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/OfficialBrandX

Friday, September 9, 2016

Stevie Nicks Announces 27 City North American 24 Karat Gold Tour With Pretenders

Stevie Nicks, the multi-platinum, Grammy® Award winning singer has announced The 24 Karat Gold Tour.  Produced exclusively by Live Nation, the 27-city tour with Pretenders, will begin on Tuesday, October 25 in Phoenix, Arizona, and will see Nicks perform throughout North America this Fall with shows scheduled in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and more.  

American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public now through Sunday, September 11 at 10:00 p.m.  Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, September 12 at www.livenation.com.

Nicks, a multi-platinum selling artist - dubbed "the reigning queen of rock and roll" by Rolling Stone Magazine has had six Top Ten albums and 8 Grammy nominations.  Her 2014 album 24 Karat Gold – Songs From The Vault debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200 Charts.  As a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks recently performed 122 sold out shows around the world during 2014-2015.  Collectively as a solo artist and Fleetwood Mac band member, Nicks has sold over 140 million albums and won several Grammys.

The Pretenders cross the bridge between punk, new wave and Top 40 pop music more than any other band, with hit songs like I'll Stand By You, Back On The Chain Gang and Don't Get Me Wrong. The band has sold over 25 million albums and founder & leader Chrissie Hynde is one of contemporary music's greatest songwriters. Hynde most recently released the album Stockholm and a 2015 memoir, Reckless: My Life As a Pretender, hailed by the New York Times upon its release as "honest and distinctive…first and foremost, a love letter to rock and roll."

24 Karat Gold Tour with Pretenders
*all dates, venues and cities below subject to change.


Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Phoenix, AZ
Talking Stick Arena
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Houston, TX
Toyota Center
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Tampa, FL
Amalie Arena
Friday, November 4, 2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL
BB&T Center
Sunday, November 06, 2016
Atlanta, GA
Phillips Arena
Monday, November 07, 2016
Nashville, TN
Bridgestone Arena
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Charlotte, NC
Time Warner Cable Arena
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Columbia, SC
Colonial Life Arena
Monday, November 14, 2016
Washington, DC
Verizon Center
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Boston, MA
TD Garden
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Bethlehem, PA
Sands Bethlehem Event Center
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
Friday, November 25, 2016
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Detroit, MI
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Toronto, ON
Air Canada Centre
Thursday, December 1, 2016
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Chicago, IL
United Center
Monday, December 5, 2016
Lincoln, NE
Pinnacle Bank Arena
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
St Paul, MN
Xcel Energy Center
Friday, December 9, 2016
Vancouver. BC
Pepsi Live at Rogers Center
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Seattle, WA
Key Arena
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Sacramento, CA
Golden 1 Center
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
San Jose, CA
SAP Center
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Inglewood, CA
The Forum

Thursday, September 8, 2016

'Bill Graham & The Rock & Roll Revolution' Exhibit Opens Sept. 16 In Philadelphia

On September 16, the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia will become the exclusive East Coast venue for the 'Bill Graham & The Rock & Roll Revolution' exhibit, the first comprehensive retrospective celebrating the life and career of this incomparable rock impressario.

Graham was the P.T. Barnum of rock & roll, the legendary concert promoter who almost single-handedly pioneered the business of rock concerts, forever revolutionizing the symbiotic relationship between artists and audiences.

A major catalyst in popular culture over three decades, from the psychedelic San Francisco scene of the '60s through globally conscious charity mega-events Live Aid and Amnesty International's "Conspiracy of Hope" world tour, Graham remains one of the truly seminal figures of the rock era.
As a promoter and manager, he worked with the biggest names in rock, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones.

Through rock memorabilia, photographs, ephemera, and psychedelic art in the form of Fillmore concert posters, the 'Bill Graham & The Rock & Roll Revolution' exhibition explores the momentous cultural transformations of the 60s, 70s, and 80s through the lens of rock & roll.

Running through January 17, 2017, 'Bill Graham & The Rock & Roll Revolution' is organized and circulated by the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, in association with the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, and made possible by the support of Alex Graham, David Graham, and Danny Scher.

For more information, go to http://nmajh.org.

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...