The Killers Add Shows To Las Vegas Residency At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace
The Killers are adding more shows to their Las Vegas Residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. According to an announcement, the new shows are scheduled for January 22nd, 24th, and 25th. The band will continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album "Hot Fuss," by performing the entire record. Taking to their social media pages, The Killers also revealed they'll be recording the last two shows 'to preserve it for posterity." Tickets for the new dates are available now
Tame Impala's Kevin Parker Invents New Instrument The Orchid
Tame Impala's Kevin Parker has invented a new instrument. It's called The Orchid and it's an advanced chord generator that resembles a synthesizer. It has just 13 keys and is similar to using the "chord mode" that's found at the bottom of many keyboards. It allows beginner musicians to create complex chord progressions without having any prior knowledge of music theory. The Orchid was released through Parker's Telepathic Instruments and will be available to purchase in the beginning of December for just under 550-dollars.
Rage Against the Machine Bassist Tim Commerford Gives Health Update Amid Cancer Battle
Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford recently provided an update on his nearly three-year battle with prostate cancer in an interview with U.K.’s The Sound Lab. Despite the ongoing presence of cancer, Commerford, 56, expressed feeling good and proud of his physical and artistic challenges. He emphasized the importance of staying in shape and shared how he has turned his cancer diagnosis into a source of empowerment and pride. Commerford initially disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2022 after discovering it during a life insurance registration process, leading to the surgical removal of his prostate before the band's reunion tour in the summer of the same year.
Sammy Hagar wants bad blood with Alex Van Halen to end
Sammy Hagar is seeking to reconcile with former bandmate Alex Van Halen after a long-standing feud. Hagar expressed a desire to make peace with the Van Halen drummer, stating that he does not want their issues to go unresolved. Despite their estrangement, Hagar and Van Halen had a successful musical collaboration in the past, recording several platinum records. Hagar's attempts to reach out to Alex for a reunion tour were met with no response, but he remains hopeful for a friendship. Alex's memoir, which excludes mention of Hagar's time with the band, has left Hagar feeling disappointed, but he acknowledges the importance of Alex's focus on his bond with Eddie Van Halen.
Pop Evil release new music video for 'Deathwalk'
American hard rock band POP EVIL has released a new music video for their latest single, "Deathwalk." The track follows their previous single, "What Remains," released last month. Vocalist Leigh Kakaty describes the song as reflecting on judgment and what one leaves behind. The official music video for "Deathwalk" is now available for viewing. For more information on POP EVIL, visit their official Facebook page.
BLACK STONE CHERRY's BEN WELLS Releases Children's Book, 'Good Girl, Sunny Pearl'
Guitarist Ben Wells of BLACK STONE CHERRY has released his first children's book, "Good Girl, Sunny Pearl," which tells the story of a mischievous beagle puppy who learns the importance of listening and making positive choices. The book features colorful illustrations and a fun rhyming read, perfect for dog lovers of all ages. Ben shared his excitement about the book on social media, expressing pride in accomplishing this goal. Known for his musical talents, Ben is also a passionate author and illustrator, with a commitment to making a positive impact through his creative endeavors and nonprofit work with The Henry And Clark Foundation.
U2 Drops 22-Year-Old Song "Luckiest Man In The World"
U2 went into the studio two decades ago to record “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” one of their biggest albums. Not everything from the recording sessions made it to the final album, but some of those cuts are now being released on “How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb,” featuring 10 songs from those recording sessions. The band has now released another one of those songs, “Luckiest Man In The World,” following “Country Mile” and “Picture Of You (X + W).” Both the new release and a remastered version of the original album are out now on multiple formats.
U2: Diffusing Their Bomb
U2 reissued their 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb in multiple formats Friday.
Available as an eight-LP or five-CD super deluxe edition, it includes the original album, a compilation of remixes, the complete Vertigo 2005: Live From Chicago show, which you can watch on YouTube, and a companion album, How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb. It contains 10 songs recorded during the album sessions that were compiled for this reissue by The Edge. "We were super proud of that album and how it worked over the years. I mean, so many of those songs we're still playing live in our shows. So, that's always a testament to the quality of the material. And we've done immersive mixes, and so that record is sounding the best it's ever sounded I think."
There's also two LP, CD and cassette versions of the original album with the bonus track "Fast Car" of the original album that also came out Friday. But what makes this collection extra special is the inclusion of what The Edge refers to as their "shadow album," How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb, which contains 10 previously unreleased songs recorded during the album sessions. "What was being proposed was this sort of collection of you might call them outtakes and rarities. It was, I felt, a little disappointing. It was a lot of radio edits and video edits of existing songs on the album. I was like, 'No, I think there's got to be more interesting outtakes and things that we could include that will really make it worthwhile for our fans to buy this collection. And as I was going through the different outtakes, I realized we have an actual treasure trove of incredible material here. And some of these were just needing final lyrics, final vocals, final mixes. I mean not in every case because some of them were complete."
How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb will be released as a stand-alone LP this Friday, Record Store Day. One of the songs off this album, "Luckiest Man in the World," was released a digital single on Friday.
CLAPTON & FLEETWOOD MAC: Iconic Pianos for Sale
Two iconic pianos used on rock hits are up for auction. On the block now through December 4th is Baldwin piano from the Hit Factory studio in New York that you hear on Derek and The Dominos' "Layla," as well as on albums by The Allman Brothers (Eat a Peach) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Street Survivors). It was also played by Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. It's estimated to sell for $150,000. The Hit Factory purchased it from Miami’s Criteria Studios in the late 1990s.
Bobby Whitlock recalled Layla - "Jim Gordon and Eric [Clapton] wrote 'Layla.' Eric wrote the song, Jim Gordon is credited with the piano part. But Rita Coolidge actually was a party to writing the piano part because when Jim and Rita were living together in Hollywood, they called me up to their house one time. I told Rita this. I said, 'Hey, you wrote it and I always tell everybody you had a part of writing 'Layla,' you know. But she won't do anything about it and that's okay. But I'm a witness and Rita Coolidge actually helped write the piano part on that with Jim."
Also up for bids are numerous pieces of memorabilia from John Lennon's final recording session there on December 8th, 1980, the night he was killed, including original test pressings and acetates for his final album Double Fantasy, and numerous gold and platinum record awards. For details and to bid go to EatonBrennanAuctions.com.
The other piano up for auction is a Grand Hamilton used by Fleetwood Mac on "Sara" and "Songbird," and by Elton John and Freddie Mercury. It's being sold by GottaHaveRockandRoll.com with bidding open until Friday, December 16th with a minimum bid of $50,000. It was owned by English singer-songwriter Robbie Patton, who bought it from Stevie Nicks.
Inspiration For "Alice's Restaurant" Dies
For some, "Alice's Restaurant" is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey and stuffing, but this time around, the holiday will be without the inspiration for the song. Real-life restaurant owner Alice Brock died last week at her Massachusetts home.Arlo Guthrie was 18 years old in 1965 when he and a friend spent Thanksgiving with Alice and her husband and helped them convert an old church into a home. Guthrie was arrested for littering after dumping a significant amount of garbage in a lot because the local dump was closed. The experience led to Guthrie writing the 18-minute song with the famous line "You can get anything you want, at Alice's restaurant." Guthrie said he and Alice remained in touch and the two spoke by phone just a couple weeks before she died. Alice Brock was 83.
THE BEATLES: '64 in '24 on 24
Beatles ’64, a new documentary produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by David Tedeschi, had its premiere last night (Sunday) at the Hudson Square Theater inside Disney's New York City headquarters. Among those joining Scorsese and Tedeschi at the screening were Paul McCartney, Olivia Harrison, Sean Lennon, Elvis Costello, producer Jack Douglas, who's featured in the film, Steven Van Zandt, and David Johansen.
Afterwards there was a brief Q&A with Scorsese and Tedeschi hosted by actor Ethan Hawke.
The film focuses on The Beatles' first visit to America and includes newly filmed interviews with McCartney and Ringo Starr, archival clips from John Lennon and George Harrison, plus
Smokey Robinson, Ronald Isley, the late Ronnie Spector, plus a few female fans who were outside the Plaza Hotel during their stay whose "lives were transformed by The Beatles."
The film includes newly restored in 4K footage filmed by directors Albert and David Maysles in 1964, and the performances from their first U.S. concert at the Washington, D.C. Coliseum and their Ed Sullivan Show appearances, which were de-mixed and remixed by producer Giles Martin. Beatles ’64 will premiere this Saturday, November 29th, on Disney+.
Springsteen Performs Final Show Of 2024
The Boss has no plans to stop touring, but he is done for 2024.Bruce Springsteen and the E Street performed their final show last Friday in Vancouver, British Columbia.Springsteen was certainly in no hurry for the 2024 leg of the tour to end as the band played for nearly three-and-a-half hours. The 31-song set list featured a few songs they saved for the final show, including 1987's "Brilliant Disguise" and 1992's "Human Touch."Springsteen will take a break for a few months before starting a European tour in May.
SAMMY HAGAR: Halftime Hawking
Sammy Hagar was in Las Vegas Sunday for a halftime performance during the Raiders - Denver Broncos game. Promoting his Vegas residency next spring, The Best of All Worlds at Dolby Live at Park MGM, he and Michael Anthony, backed by the 19-piece Raiders House Band, which includes horns and strings, did “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Right Now.” During “Right Now,” Hagar brought members of the military on stage to sing, which was followed by the crowd chanting “USA! USA!” Hagar posted videos and photos of the performance on Instagram.
VAN HALEN: Brotherly Disagreements
Alex Van Halen, in his new book Brothers, questions some of his late brother Ed's decisions, especially when it came to undergoing experimental cancer treatment in Germany. "The initial things that he was doing were really off-label sort of speak, you know, and it was very brave of him to try some of this [crap]. But I could have told him ahead of time, 'Ed, don't do it.' So I went with him, and if he tried something that I thought was completely out of his mind, I would take the same thing just to show him. 'Ed, this is gonna fix anything. What are you doing?' But, it's easy for me to say. I'm not the one who had the cancer."
Alex also questioned his brother's decision to play lead on Michael Jackson's "Beat It," Ed's belief that his metal guitar pick caused his tongue cancer, and his letting people get under his skin. "I think over the course of five decades of being in an exalted position kind of softens your skin if you will. You're affected more by people's opinion -- that's part of the business. [But] anyway... So, I was pissed at Ed for letting it get to him." As a result, Ed dealt with anxiety and turned to drugs and alcohol to comfort him, which Alex also didn't agree with. Edward, who preferred that over Eddie, died on October 6th, 2020. He was 65.
In other Edward news, his 1993 Ernie Ball Music Signature “Canada Day” guitar sold for $104,000 Thursday as part of the final day of Julien’s Auctions’ two-day Played, Worn & Torn II auction in Nashville. Out of the public eye for 31 years, the guitar painted as the Canadian flag, was played by Edward on July 1st, 1993, Canada Day, at Molson Park in Barrie, Ontario. It's signed by all four members of the Van Hagar-era of the band. Proceeds from the sale benefit cancer and treatment center City of Hope.
AEROSMITH: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Derails
Aerosmith's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida is about to be no more as The Muppets will now be the focus of the ride. The change comes as Disney replaces its Muppet Vision 3D attraction with Monsters Inc. land. The park released a statement saying, “To make way for the monsters, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! But there’s more to the story: The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!” So ends the 25-year reign of "The Bad Boys from Boston" who christened the coaster in 1999.
Axl Rose Teams Up With Michael Schenker For Cover Of UFO's "Love To Love"
Michael Schenker's recent album, “My Years with UFO,” celebrates his time with UFO back in the '70s. It also features a star-studded lineup, including Axl Rose, who lends his vocals to a reimagined version of the 1977 power ballad “Love to Love.” That song has now been released as a single. The song also includes Derek Sherinian on piano, and contributions from Barry Sparks and Brian Tichy. The album, released in September this year, also includes performances from Dee Snider, Slash, Joe Lynn Turner, and more.
BOB DYLAN: Most Likely You Look His Way (And You'll Be Fired)?
If you believe that Bob Dylan has been behind a series of rather odd tweets lately, then this one tops them all. After tweeting about going to see Nick Cave perform in Paris and enjoying his song "Joy," one of the comments was from a dancer who claims to have briefly worked with him 23 years ago. Cheryl Henry writes, "My 'Joy' was taken away after rehearsing as one of the back-up dancers for your set on the Grammys in New York City in 1991.
"We all had to walk single file to exit thru the backstage area, past the dressing rooms where you were standing wearing a hooded black robe, kinda like the boxers used to wear, and you said to me as I passed, 'Now don’t you go cutting that long red hair of yours before tomorrow night.' "By the time I reached the exit door at Radio City [Music Hall] I had been told not to return. Nadine (who was running things) had told us all before NOT to make eye contact with you! I guess I snuck a peek as I passed you!..."
Dylan responded, writing, "Saw your reply. Just want you to know I’ve never told anybody not to make eye contact with me. That is just ridiculous. And the next time you see me please look straight into my eyes.” Cheryl then said, "I knew it wasn’t coming from you! I look forward to it ! XXXX OOOO” More times than not security or artist handlers make these requests about not looking. Among those rumored to request no eye contact are Prince, Barbra Streisand, Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Sylvester Stallone, Sandra Bullock and Leonardo DiCaprio.
KANSAS: At Least They're Not Dust in the Wind
When Kansas performed over the weekend in Paducah, Kentucky and Nashville, Indiana, they did so without any original members. Guitarist Richard Williams, who has been the only original member on tour with the band this year, had to sit out due to a back injury. Scott Bernard, who performed with the band at two shows earlier this year in their native Kansas, filled in. Drummer Phil Ehart, the only other original member still in the band, has been sidelined since suffering a heart attack in February.
Roy Wood, founder of Electric Light Orchestra, says he’s looking to put together another band while dusting off old songs for a new album. He also says he’s open to joining Jeff Lynne’s ELO for the final show of their farewell tour next summer in London’s Hyde Park.
Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” can be heard in a new Audi commercial.
Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett will release a new concert album, Live Magic at Trading Boundaries, a club in Sussex, England, on January 17th. The first release off the album is “Ace of Wands,” which you can find on YouTube.
