STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN: The Sky Cried 35 Years Ago
Stevie Ray Vaughan left us 35 years ago today (Wednesday) -- August 27th, 1990 -- when the helicopter he was riding in went down during takeoff after a show at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. He'd opened for Eric Clapton that night, and three members of Clapton's entourage were also killed when the chopper hit a ski mountain on its way to Chicago. Vaughan was just 35 years old. Also on the bill were his brother, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray. The four posed for photos before the show, one of which is on the Stevie Ray Vaughan website.
The last song he played that night with his band, Double Trouble, was a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," and the last song he ever played was "Sweet Home Chicago" with Clapton, his brother Jimmie and Buddy Guy. Vaughan was laid to rest on August 31st, 1990 at Laurel Land Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. Among those who attended were ZZ Top, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt and Buddy Guy. His tombstone reads: "Thank you... For all the love you passed our way." Vaughan had overcome a lot and was probably in the best place he'd been in years at the time of his passing. In an interview the year before, he addressed his recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. “I’m really glad that through all of this I had an outlet like music. I didn’t know it for a long time, but it was the only way I knew how to express myself. It was the only place I knew how to control my emotions. It’s probably what kept me alive through a lot of the things that I went through before finding a way to deal with these emotions and feelings. It also kept me from looking for a better way out than slowly but surely killing myself with the drugs and the drinking the way I was doing it.”
Stevie also spoke about what he liked most about his career. “That I get to do the kind of music that I really like. I never really had to go and play what I didn’t like. When I was in a situation like that, I was able to grab inspiration from people who had done what they really wanted to do before me and take that inspiration and go, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’”
He touched on what he'd most like to be known for. “Well, I hope that it comes through that I care — care enough to grow and to give It back.” And, a bit prophetically, he spoke about the role destiny plays in life. “We can’t control the destiny of everything that will happen. We can’t control each other, though we think we can sometimes. But we can control our attitudes and how we react and act toward our own life and each other."
THE WHO: Take This "Farewell" With a Grain of Salt
Since The Who already did a "farewell tour" in 1982 that didn't stick, there are many who are skeptical about their current outing, The Song Is Over -- The North American Farewell Tour, being their last go-round. While it may be their last tour, both Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey don't dispute the fact that they could still perform in an interview with The New York Times. Townshend says, “Are you suggesting we’re swindling the public? The fact is, we are willing to swindle them. That’s what we’ve done our entire life. Why stop?” But he then adds, “It’s in Roger’s hands. If we don’t extend, would we be in breach of contract? Would we be in swindle-land if we came back and played all those important venues we’ve left off the list, like Duluth? “I’m 80, I don’t like being away from my family, my studios, my dogs and my friends. I’m not looking to spend the next five years of my life waiting to drop dead on the stage… The end of the tour could give Roger and I permission never to call each other again. I hope that doesn’t happen.”
Daltrey says, “We’re not giving up as a band. We might do a couple of residencies. Hopefully, Pete and I won’t stop making music.” After postponing two shows last week in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, New Jersey, their show last night (Tuesday) went on at Fenway Park in Boston with The Joe Perry Project opening.
Kelly Osbourne Furious After WWE's Becky Lynch Uses Ozzy's Name To Drag Birmingham, UK
The WWE's Becky Lynch has managed to cross Kelly Osbourne, and Kelly put the wrestler on blast for it. While appearing on "WWE Raw," which aired live from Birmingham, England Monday night, Lynch and her upcoming opponent Nikki Bella were trash talking each other, when Lynch took things too far, in Osbourne's eyes. At one point Lynch said, "I’m not wrestling in Birmingham," Lynch said. "The only good thing that came out of here died a month ago." She drove the point home by saying, "But in fairness to Ozzy Osbourne, he had the good sense to move to L.A., a proper city...Because if I lived in Birmingham, I’d die too." It's a time-honored tradition for the heel to insult the city they're currently in, but dragging Ozzy's name into it was too much for his daughter.
On her Instagram Stories yesterday, Kelly called Lynch a “disrespectful dirtbag” and added, "Birmingham would not p*** on you if you were on fire. Shame on the WWE for allowing such things to be said about my father and his home!!!"
AXL ROSE: About That Tape...???
Axl Rose has something that belongs to Zak Starkey that the drummer wants back. In 2017, Starkey put together an all-star cover of T. Rex's "Children of the Revolution" that features his dad, Ringo Starr, Axl and his Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan, along with Elton John. The song, a video of which has been released, is set to be included on a charity album that Starkey says also features "more than one Beatle [Paul McCartney], a Smith [Johnny Marr], a Pretender [Chrissie Hynde]...an Iggy [Pop] and many more."
What's holding things up is the fact that Axl has the master tape, which led Starkey to write on Instagram: "Dear Axl Rose, please give me my master of this track back. Me and [my wife] Sshh [Liguz] spent three years making this Bolan tribute for teen cancer and without the master of 'Children of the Revolution,' which my dad, Sshh, and I arranged to include a modulating section for Slash’s guitar, another for Duff’s bass solo and plenty of room for Elton before you asked Sshh if you could sing it. "It’s a drag that the record is on the shelf, as Christie's [auction house] have advised it could generate $2M for teen cancer. C’mon, bro." In the comments, he added, "I’ve been waiting seven years for the finished master sent as an MP3 to me on May 4th, 2018. I need a WAV for a record, not an MP3. Who is suffering? Not me, not you, not the contributors. "There are 12 other massive legacy artists doing 10 [T. Rex frontman] Marc [Bolan] songs. Put it in an auction as a limited-edition, make a boatload of money for teen cancer, and stop worrying about [crap] major label marketing plans. "I had all this set up. I have the artwork in a one-off gold-leaf original, and a Marc Bolan Gibson Custom Shop guitar signed by all participants, including Axl Rose. All for the auction. It’s a charity record, not the Constitution." Axl has not publicly responded to Starkey's request.
Ringo and Elton each have a deep connection to T. Rex and the late Bolan. They both appeared in the 1972 T. Rex film Born to Boogie, which Starr directed.
BEATLES & ELVIS: Came Together 60 Years Ago
60 years ago this Wednesday, August 27th, 1965, The Beatles, on a rare day off during their U.S. tour, visited Elvis Presley at his rented Bel-Air, California while he was in Hollywood
shooting the movie Harum Scarum. Despite rumors of a jam session, none took place, although Paul McCartney later said that instruments were present. "We had a great evening. Just to set the record straight he was really brilliant. He was learning to play bass so I kind of taught him a little bit of stuff. He was a really nice guy, really regular person, [you know] what we saw of him." And showing Elvis a few things on the bass wasn't the only thing that happened that night.
Paul says "We just admired him so much; we were just in awe of him all evening. We played a bit of pool with him. He played records for us, and he played [the Charlie Rich song] 'Mohair Sam' all evening. And he was the first guy I ever saw with a remote television switcher that could switch the channels." The Beatles, collectively or individually, never met Elvis again.
RINGO: Side Show
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band's run next month at The Venetian in Las Vegas will be about more than just the music. In conjunction with the residency, an exhibit of his artwork, Starr Art, will be on display and for sale at the Animazing Gallery in the hotel's Grand Canal Shoppes. It will run from September 5th to October 15th, and Ringo will be performing there between September 17th and the 27th. This is Ringo’s first art show since 2019 and the very first time that he will present his original paintings in addition to limited-edition and signed works of art. 100% of artist proceeds will benefit his Lotus Foundation, which participates in and promotes charitable projects aimed at advancing social welfare in diverse areas.
This new collection features his Spin Art. He says, “I loved Spin Art the first time I saw it. I saw a video of some kids doing it and I thought I’m going to try that. I started with a small canvas and now I’m working on huge ones. You know it is always a surprise what you end up with, and of course I love that part of it -- one of the great surprises has been that I started putting canvases around the room to capture the overflow and whatever paint the spinning threw off -- and those became their own art.” Ringo starts his next run of dates on September 10th in Chicago.
BON JOVI: In Case You Were Concerned
Like the majority of drummers in bands, Bon Jovi's Tico Torres keeps a low profile. That's why it came as a surprise to him to hear that he was retiring. Earlier this month on the Bon Jovi Talk podcast, keyboardist David Bryan talked about starting the band with Jon Bon Jovi in 1978 when they were 16, adding that they are the only two remaining original members. This led to fans thinking Torres -- who joined in 1983 -- retired, which is not the case. So on Monday, to ease everyone's concern, he posted a video on social media to clear things up. "I'm here to dispel a lot of rumors that I've read, people calling me up, saying, 'Did you retire from music, from the band?' Well, no. I have no idea how this stuff starts." "Musicians don't retire, especially me. Me and the boys, Jonnie and everybody, we're still making music. I mean, the best we've ever been. All I can tell you is don't listen to what you read."
The irony is that Bon Jovi are basically retired, at least from performing, as they've only done one show -- this past June -- since 2022 when Jon had vocal surgery. And, if anyone was going to retire due to age it would be Torres, who is 71 -- eight years older than Jon and David. Warning!!! Video contains expletive at the end!!! Not safe for air.
GREEN DAY: Film to Debut at Toronto Fest
The film that Green Day worked on earlier this year, New Year's Rev, will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12th. The band posted about the premiere: "We teamed up with our good friend Lee Kirk on a wild road-trip coming-of-age comedy titled New Years Rev, about a garage band (played by Mason Thames, Kylr Coffman and Ryan Foust) who think they’ve scored the gig of their lives…opening for us. Except plot twist, it’s actually a prank. "It’s packed with all of your favorite Green Day songs, loaded with mischief, and lots of familiar faces (Mckenna Grace, Fred Armisen, Jenna Fischer,
Angela Kinsey, Bobby Lee and more). This film is our love letter to all of our favorite road-trip movies, ‘90s nostalgia, and chasing it all no matter how ridiculous it gets." Green Day added that the Toronto premiere was "just the beginning."
New Bryan Adams Album Due Out Friday
Look for a new Bryan Adams album coming out at the end of the week. "Roll With the Punches" is Adams' 17th album and his first on his own independent label that contains all new material. A deluxe version of the album contains the original ten tracks, plus acoustic versions of eight of the songs. The album officially drops on Friday, less than two weeks before he kicks off his 40-date North American tour on September 11th.
Chances Of Bad Company Performing At Hall Of Fame "Promising"
Fingers crossed, the two remaining original members of Bad Company might be performing at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Drummer Simon Kirke tells metal music website Defenders of the Faith that he hopes they "will be able to play at least one song." Kirke noted that frontman Paul Rodgers' health "is not good." Kirke admits he doesn't know what song they would play or who will induct Bad Company into the Hall of Fame. The induction is set for November 8th in Los Angeles.
Rob Halford Considering Tony Bennett Covers Project
The man known as the "Metal God" might be leaving his heart in San Francisco. Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford says he's considering recording an album of Tony Bennett covers. Halford tells Ultimate Classic Rock he got the idea while he was recently "singing Tony Bennett in the shower." Halford said his first thought was "Do I dare to consider something like this?" The 74-year-old's next thought was "'I'm an old man, I can do what I want."Halford admits he doesn't know if a Tony Bennett cover album will actually happen.
Lorne Michaels Talks About "SNL 50" Music
Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and Sinead O'Connor are among the artists Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels talks about when reflecting on the show's 50th anniversary special back in February. In an interview with news website Puck, Michaels said he always had McCartney in mind to close out the show. He admitted he was "nervous" about the opening that featured Simon and Sabrina Carpenter performing "Homeward Bound." And despite O'Connor's 1992 performance that got her permanently banned from the show, Michaels said he would have invited her to perform on the special if she were still alive. Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard performed "Nothing Compares To You" on the anniversary special.
KISS: Made for Streamin'
When it comes to the most popular KISS song, arguably many people would say "Rock and Roll All Nite." But, according to Spotify users it's their attempt at a disco song, "I Was Made for Lovin' You," off their seventh album, 1979's Dynasty. Paul Stanley, who co-wrote the song with Vini Poncia and Desmond Child, shared the news Tuesday on X, writing that it's achieved "1.3 BILLION total streams as of late August and approximately 850-THOUSAND daily streams!! Amazing and THANK YOU!" "I Was Made for Lovin' You" is followed on the list of the Top 10 KISS songs on Spotify by:
·2) Rock and Roll All Nite - 600 million
·3) Detroit Rock City - 300 million
·4) Heaven's on Fire - 209 million
·5) Lick it Up - 120 million
·6) Strutter- 101.5 million
·7) Crazy Crazy Nights - 95 million
·8) Love Gun - 90 million
·9) Forever - 87 million
·10) Beth - 78 million
The least streamed KISS song is the Gene Simmons demo of "Mad Dog," which became "Flaming Youth" -- just under 200,000. Despite its success, "I Was Made for Lovin' You" is one song Simmons hates performing, having said, "I wanna sing guy stuff." “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” peaked at number-11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.
IN OTHER NEWS
Gov’t Mule drummer Matt Abts won’t be part of their upcoming tour. He says, “As the Mule gears up to launch the Back in the Saddle Tour, I wanted to let all of our fans know I’ve made the tough but necessary decision to stay home and attend to some lingering injuries from years behind the kit. I’m okay – and will be fine! I just need some time at home to rest and recover. I look forward to being back on the road soon.” The tour starts this Wednesday in Milwaukee with Terence Higgins from New Orleans filling in. His resume includes stints with Dr. John, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes and many others. Today (August 26th) marks the 25th anniversary of the death of original Gov’t Mule bassist Allen Woody.
Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood play on “Secrets,” a new song Miley Cyrus recorded and gave to her dad Billy Ray Cyrus for his 64th birthday on Monday.
Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover says he is still writing his memoir.
David Byrne will appear at a listening party for his new album Who is the Sky? on September 2nd at Rough Trade Below in New York City. The album is due out September 5th.
John Mayer and Jon Bon Jovi will participate in a night of dialogue and performance with actor Matthew McConaughey on his book tour for Poems & Prayers, which will be published on September 16th. Bon Jovi will join the actor that night at the King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, and Mayer is on tap for September 20th at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California. Other artists taking part in the tour are Zach Bryan, Jon Batiste and Lukas Nelson. Poems & Prayers is described as “an inspiring, faith-filled, and often hilarious collection of personal poetry and prayers about navigating the rodeo of life and chasing down the original dream, belief.”
Lenny Kravitz will headline the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival, October 22nd through the 26th at Baha Mar in Nassau, The Bahamas. Kravitz has a home in The Bahamas and has appeared in commercials promoting tourism.