Metallica Blood Drive Sets Colorado Record
The American Red Cross of Colorado is crediting Metallica for setting a new state record for blood donations. Around 240 units of blood were collected at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver earlier this week. Donors received a special t-shirt and got a chance to watch the stage being built for this weekend's Metallica shows. Metallica is set to perform in Denver tonight and Sunday night.
OZZY, NASH, MACCA: Who Wants a Duet?
In new interviews, both Ozzy Osbourne and Graham Nash say their ultimate duet partner is Paul McCartney. On his new Ozzy Speaks show Ozzy's co-host Billy Morrison asked him who he'd like to duet with and Ozzy immediately said McCartney, but then added, "I would be honoured but I couldn’t [sing with him]." Nash sat down for an interview with Vulture and when he was asked for his "top bucket-list item" he replied, "Singing a two-part harmony on 'Yesterday' with one guitar with Paul McCartney. If anyone has Paul’s number, give him a call for me." McCartney has done a few duets over the years and has a new one on his song "My Valentine" with Barbra Streisand on her album The Secret Life of Partners, Volume 2, which is out today (Friday).
RUSH: "Drive" An N.A. Brew
Rush and Canada's Henderson Brewing Company have teamed up for another beer to tap into the growing non-alcoholic market. "It's My Turn to Drive" is named from a lyric in "Driven" on 2004's Test for Echo. The non-alcoholic pale ale "styled after the timeless classic West Coast Pale Ale, this smooth-drinking low alcohol (0.5% ABV) release brings a malty sweetness and balanced bitterness that’s guaranteed to hit all the right notes." It's available to order at ShopHendersonBrewing.com. And it of course comes with another funny video from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson that you can check out on Instagram.
SCORPIONS: New Tracks for New Comp
Scorpions will release a new compilation called From the First Sting on September 26th to mark their 60th anniversary. The one CD or two LP set has 16 tracks with two of them previously unreleased -- the new track “This Is My Song” and a remake of “Still Loving You” with British violinist Vanessa Mae. Scorpions will start their 60th anniversary celebration with a five-night residency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas August 14th through the 23rd.
FOGERTY, YOUNG & STEWART: Back to Glastonbury
John Fogerty, Neil Young and Rod Stewart are returning to the Glastonbury festival this weekend near the village of Pilton in Somerset, England. Fogerty previously played the festival in 2007 and says "It'll be fun to get over there again and rock out. I'm looking forward to it."
Neil Young, also on Saturday's bill, is making his second appearance with the first one coming in 2009. He was scheduled to perform there in 1997 but cancelled due to a finger injury.
And helping to close out the weekend on Sunday is Rod Stewart. He last performed there in 2002, but he doesn't remember, telling the BBC, “I do so many concerts, they all blend into one.” Joining Stewart will be his Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood who last played the festival in 2013 with The Rolling Stones.
ROD STEWART: Do Ya Think My Toilet's Sexy?
Rod Stewart co-designed a special toilet that's set up at the Glastonbury festival next to the stage where he'll perform on Sunday. The giant, leopard-print toilet in the shape of a boom box will play hits like "Sailing" and "Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?" and messages from Stewart about the charity that sponsored the toilet, WaterAid. Stewart said in a statement, “I’ve spent my life singing to packed arenas and festival crowds, but nothing hits a high note quite like clean water and a decent loo. They might not be sexy, but they’re life-changing. That’s why I’ve teamed up with WaterAid to bring our funky Boombox Bog to Glastonbury and shine a light on the importance of these everyday essentials that millions still live without."
Lynyrd Skynyrd Will "Leave Door Open" About Possible Studio Album
A live album of Lynyrd Skynyrd's final performance with original guitarist Gary Rossington comes out today. "Celebrating 50 Years: Live at the Ryman" was recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in 2022 and included guest appearances by country star Jelly Roll and 38 Special frontman Donnie Van Zant, brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Johnny Van Zant. In an interview with Classic Rock, Johnny Van Zant teased the possibility of a new studio album. He said they recorded a song called "The Last of the Street Survivors" in 2020 and had written songs with Rossington for a new album before his "health got really bad." Van Zant didn't commit to a new album, but did say "We will leave that door open for the future." Lynyrd Skynyrd's currently touring Europe and headlines day two of Barcelona Rock Fest tonight.
THE WHO & YES: A Sad Day
June 27th is a sad day in the history of The Who and Yes as both bands lost their bass players on this day. The Who were first in 2002 when John Entwistle died in his sleep at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas one day before the start of their tour. He was in bed with local stripper and groupie Alycen Rowse who awoke the next morning to find him cold and unresponsive. The Clark County medical examiner determined he had a heart attack induced by an undetermined amount of cocaine. He was 57. The Who, with Pino Palladino filling in, started the tour four days later, July 1st, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Pete Townshend recalled "When he died it was a shock for a number of reasons. We didn't realize how ill he was, how vulnerable he was, and how delicate his situation was. I don't think he'd been entirely honest with us about his situation. Not that that was any of our business except we were a band and were in business together. And so, the decision to go on was not hard to make, no, because it wasn't about us. This is not about me, this is not about John, this is about everybody else."
And for Yes, it was June 27th, 2015, when their co-founder and longest serving member Chris Squire succumbed to a rare form of leukemia at 67. Squire commented "It doesn't really seem that long because time seems to go pretty quickly these days. You know, it's a great testament to us that I guess that we've survived this long and we're here and still enjoying making music and playing it to people."
Foreigner Walks Back Calling It A "Farewell Tour"
Sometimes all it takes to fire up the engines again is a little change. With Kelly Hansen
leaving Foreigner after over two decades as lead vocalist, the band has been telling everyone that after 50 years, their current tour would be serving as their "farewell tour." Hold that thought, though. It seems that moving guitarist Luis Maldonado to lead vocalist has reinvigorated the group, to the point where they're saying they want to carry on. Bassist
Jeff Pilson told "Billboard, "There's just a lot of forward movement, and the band is incredibly excited. What started off as being a farewell tour ended up being Kelly's last tour and [the band] moving forward." Initially Maldonado was intended to serve as lead singer as the band finished up their tour. Now, however, Foreigner feels like there's still life in the band, and things left to do. With Hansen's departure, Pilson is now the longest-tenured member of Foreigner, having joined the band in 2004.
Taylor Hawkins' Son's Band Chevy Metal Announces Tour
Chevy Metal, the cover band started by late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, has lined up a summer run of 2025 headline shows. The trek begins July 12 in Menlo Park, hits Denver, Aspen, Boston’s Allston neighborhood, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., then goes heavy on Southern California with Venice Beach, Long Beach, and a charity gig for animal-rescue group Eastwood Ranch in Agoura Hills. It wraps September 5th at The Copa in Las Vegas. The new lineup features Hawkins’ 17-year-old son Shane on drums, longtime bassist Wiley Hodgden, and guitarist Brent Woods, who trained under Randy Rhoads. For a complete list of tour dates click here.
Jack White Anthology To Be Released In October
A Jack White anthology is set to be released later this year."Jack White Collected Lyrics and Selected Writing Volume One" is a collection of the singer's lyrics from his solo recording so far, alongside his work with The Raconteurs, the Dead Weather and other collaborations. It also includes poems written by White, along with rare and exclusive photos. "Jack White Collected Lyrics and Selected Writing Volume One" arrives on October 21st.
Brian Wilson's Cause Of Death Revealed
Brian Wilson's cause of death has been revealed. The Beach Boy's legend passed away earlier this month at age 82. TMZ obtained a copy of his death certificate on Thursday, which says Wilson died of "respiratory arrest," sepsis and cystitis. He also suffered from several other health issues including neurogenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic kidney disease.Wilson struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues for decades.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Pretenders will reissue a remastered version of their 1987 compilation The Singles on two LPs and CD on August 15th.
Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads has reunited in the studio with one of his old bandmates. He co-produced and played keyboards on Jonathan Richman's Only Frozen Sky Anyway, which is due out July 16th. Harrison and Richman were bandmates in The Modern Lovers in the early '70s.
Bob Dylan broke out 1964's "The Times They Are a Changin'" for the first time in 15 years Wednesday at the Outlaw Music Festival stop in Franklin, Tennessee. Up next is Memphis on Friday, Maryland Heights, Missouri on Saturday and Ridgedale, Missouri on Sunday.
The Grateful Dead have posted a trailer for their next "Meet Up at the Movies," which will be The Grateful Dead Movie in IMAX on August 13th and other theaters on August 14th. Check it out on YouTube.
Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson has been using Orange amps for over 50 years, and he stopped by their Nashville offices with his 12-string bass to talk about and test one of their new amps. Watch the video on YouTube. Petersson lives in Nashville.