This weekend, Austin City Limits, the long running PBS series, puts the spotlight on performances Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble did on show before his tragic death. Stevie Ray Vaughan: 30 Years On marks the 30th anniversary of the post concert helicopter crash in 1990 that claimed the life of the Lone Star state guitar legend at age 35. Stevie Ray's brother Jimmy Vaughn said ACL filmed some of Stevie's best performances. Anyone lucky enough to catch him in concert during his all too short career can attest t
o his jaw-dropping greatness, so this special should indeed be special. Here's a taste of what's in store.
R.I.P. one of the monster guitarists of our and any other's lifetimes. Eddie Van Halen lost his battle with throat cancer today. News of his passing was passed along by his son and VH bassist Wolfgang on Twitter, who wrote, "I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father Edward Lodeijk Van Halen has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning."
John Fogerty's homebound family band started posting songs online early on in the pandemic. On November 20th, the CCR veteran will release an album of 12 songs he recorded with his two sons and his daughter. Revived versions of five Creedence songs and five tunes from his solo albums are in the mix, along with versions of Bill Withers' Lean On Me and Steve Goodman's City Of New Orleans. The Cover of the Fogerty's Factory album cover will be an updated recreation of the 1970 Cosmo's Factory CCR release.
Only a few Keith Richards guitars have ever been available for fans to take ownership of and the pedigree of one being auctioned by Nate D. Sanders makes it one collectors will covet. The custom made Fender Ted Newman Jones put together for the Rolling Stones guitarist was used on the Some Girls album sessions and on the band's 1978 tour. Keith can also be seen playing it in the videos for Miss You and far Away Eyes as well as in the Some Girls: Live in Texas '78 concert film.
The opening minimum for the rosewood bodied Telecaster with a maple neck and a Richards' signed inscription on it when it was privately sold to a radio exec is $1.2 million.
Eric Clapton fans can look forward to a 50th Anniversary, expanded edition version of the Derek & The Dominos Layla and Assorted Other Love Songs double album. The November 13 release features 4 lps, 4 sides of which include a number of song versions on vinyl for the first time.
A heads-up and a thumbs up for this benefit to raise funds to assist the behind the scenes people in the touring business that are feeling the paindemic the pandemic is causing financially. Thanks to the ranks of great guitarists enlisting to be in the lineup of this streaming benefit Thursday, September 17!
David Coverdale has been soldiering through this pandemic with dual bilateral hernias. We're happy to pass along word that the Whitesnake front man was finally able to undergo surgery and is on the mend.
“I love the emotional nature of Letter To You,” says Springsteen. “And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we’ve never done before, and with no overdubs. We made the album in only five days, and it turned out to be one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had.”
Letter to You includes nine recently written Springsteen songs, as well as new recordings of three of his legendary, but previously unreleased, compositions from the 1970s, “Janey Needs a Shooter,” “If I Was the Priest,” and “Song for Orphans.” Springsteen is joined on Letter To You by Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Charlie Giordano and Jake Clemons. The album was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen, mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig. Letter To You is Springsteen's first time performing with the E Street Band since The River 2016 tour.
Todd Rundgren's next album Space Force won't drop until 2021, but he gives us an idea of what his musical direction is in this preview track titled Espionage. Judging from early reactions, fans are on the fence about it.
Ozzy Osbourne stuck a fork in the idea he'd participate in any future Black Sabbath concerts. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Ozzy said hed had regrets over the fact Drummer Bill Ward had been prevented from participating in the group's recent farewell tour. Tony Iommi has lobbied for one final concert in the future. Asked about it, Ozzy said, "Not for me. I'm done" and added he did not have "Slightest interest" in being involved.
Ozzy has been battling Parkinsons but maintains he's working out daily with determination so he'll be able to perform with his own band once the Covid pandemic subsides and concerts become possible, telling RS, "I haven't done my last gig yet. Even if it's just to do one gig, I will do a gig. And then I will have finished my job."
All kinds of rumors about AC/DC's future have been churning around over the last several months. Joe Walsh didn't get Brian Johnson to divulge anything specific that would be music to the ears of the Thunder Down Under's fans, but Brian does sound like he plans to be back on stage in 2021.
Songs For While I'm Away, a rock doc about Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, will hit screens in Ireland this fall. The film tells his life story largely in his own words and also includes interview clips from several prominent musician fans of his work and lasting influence.
Bruce Springsteen and Bob Weir are in the lineup of musicians paying tribute to Joe Strummer Friday (8/21) in a benefit for Save Our Stages, an organization dedicated to helping live music venues unable to host live concerts during the pandemic. The lineup of musicians also includes Tom Morello, Josh Homme Albert Hammond Jr., Dropkick Murphys, Lucinda Williams. Joe Ely and many more. The streaming event launches 8/21 at 3pm eastern.
Come Together done by Lzzy Hale, Linda Perry, Slash, Gilby Clark, Mike Garson. Its A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) by Lzzy Hale, Robin.
Seven songs from the final concert Duane Allman performed with the Allman Brothers Band will be released in October on an album titled The Final Note. The concert took place in Owings Mills, Maryland just twelve days before the legendary guitarist lost his life in a motorcycle wreck in Macon, Georgia on October 29th, 1971. He was just 24.
According to JamBase, the recording was made by a young radio guy who'd brought a tape recorder to the concert to interview band members and decided to record some of the set on it. The cassette sat forgotten until recently when a friend asked him whether he still had it.
With the irrepressible Joe Walsh unable to be on stage, the Eagles and James Gang veteran is taking to the airwaves to host a radio show to entertain fans. Here's what's known in the radio biz as a telescoped aircheck - just the talking segments of a recent show.
R.I.P. UFO bassist Pete Way who passed away Friday (8/14) due to serious injuries he sustained in an accident a couple of months ago. A statement about the 69 year-old musician's death read in part,
"His wife, Jenny, was at his side. Pete Way was a much loved and highly regarded figure among rock fans, critics and fellow musicians alike. Best known for his work with UFO, Pete’s energetic live performances were at the heart of the band’s countless world tours."
A Japanese electric guitar Jimi Hendrix used while backing Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke and owned into his time touring with the Isley Brothers in the early 60's sold over the weekend for nearly four times its pre-auction estimate. GWS Auctions handled the sale that saw a top bid of $180,000 and a finals sale price of $216,000.
Join Together @ Home is the name Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are giving the Who's six week series of streaming sessions on YouTube. Each will include both live and previously recorded but seldom seen footage from the group. The Saturday (8/8) debut features a 1982 Who concert at Shea Stadium in New York City. Charities the group has been instrumental in supporting for a long time will be beneficiaries of donations tied to the casts.
Songs For While I'm Away, a rock doc about Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, will hit screens in Ireland this fall. The film tells his life story largely in his own words and also includes interview clips from several prominent musician fans of his work and lasting influence.
