Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on October 18th, 2016

Bob Dylan being named as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Nobel prize in literature on Oct. 18 has spawned a media frenzy, with columns written and debates sparked from several sources, but the iconic singer/songwriter has yet to chime in on the win himself. So on Oct. 17 the Swedish Academy -- responsible for choosing the Nobel Laureates in Literature -- announced it had stopped trying to contact him for his reaction to the announcement. "Right now we are doing nothing," Sara Danius, the Academy's permanent secretary, told Swedish radio. "I have called and sent emails to his closest collaborator and received very friendly replies. For now, that is certainly enough," she added. It is also unclear if the 75-year-old artist intends on showing up for the official ceremony, set for Dec. 10 and presided over by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, and give a speech the way most recipients generally do. "If he doesn't want to come, he won't come," Danius said. "It will be a big party in any case, and the honor belongs to him." Meanwhile, streams of Dylan's songs have reportedly increased by more than 500 percent globally on the streaming service Spotify.com after the announcement of prize. Dylan's most listened-to song after the announcement was "Like a Rolling Stone," which increased by 258%. Fellow musicians congratulating him on the honor include his Sony labelmate Bruce Springsteen, who described him on his official website as the "father of my country." "He planted a flag, wrote the songs, sang the words that were essential to the times, to the emotional and spiritual survival of so many young Americans at that moment," Springsteen posted. - Billboard, 10/17/16...................... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced a long list of 19 nominees for the 2017 induction class into the Cleveland-based hall and museum on Oct. 18. The impressively varied list includes Classic Rock stars Electric Light Orchestra, J. Geils Band, Journey, Steppenwolf, The Cars and Yes, along with Chaka Khan, Joan Baez, The Zombies, Kraftwerk, Joe Tex, MC5, Pearl Jam, Jane's Addiction, Janet Jackson, Depeche Mode, Bad Brains, Tupac Shakur and, of course, perennial nominees Chic, their eleventh nomination since 2003. The nominees where revealed by 2014 Rock and Roll HOF inductee and E Street Band member Steve Van Zandt and RRHOF Foundation CEO Joel Peresman live on SiriusXM's new all music talk channel Volume, during the "Feedback" morning show. To be eligible for nomination, the acts must have released their first recording no later than 1991 (i.e. 25 years after the release of their first commercially available record). As in previous years, fans can participate in the selection process by visiting rockhall.com to vote for who they believe deserves to be inducted. The top five artists on the fans ballot will be counted along with the other ballots to help choose the 2017 nominees; voting will be open through Dec. 5, with one ballot per day. The final list of inductees, chosen by an international voting body of more than 800 artists, historians and members of the music industry, will be announced in December, with the ceremony slated for New York's Barclay's Center in April 2017. - Billboard, 10/18/16...... Two of the three previously-unheard David Bowie songs that will appear on the official soundtrack album for Bowie's "Lazarus" musical were unveiled by the BBC on Oct. 18. The songs, which include "No Plan" and "When I Met You," were produced by longtime Bowie producer Tony Visconti and the band which contributed to Bowie's final LP, Blackstar. A third and final unreleased song -- "Killing a Little Time" -- has yet to be revealed. The "Lazarus" musical soundtrack hits stores on Oct. 21, and the "Lazarus" musical will make its London premiere Oct. 25 at King's Cross Theatre, with dates scheduled through Jan. 21, 2017. It first premiered in late 2015 in New York City. - Billboard,. 10/18/16...... Rock & Roll legend Chuck Berry celebrated his 90th birthday on Oct. 18, and has announced plans to release his first new album in 38 years via Dualtone Records in 2017. Simply titled Chuck, the album is comprised primarily of new and original songs written, recorded and produced by Berry. In making the announcement, Berry said the LP was "dedicated to my beloved Toddy," eferring to his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry. "My darlin' I'm growing old! I've worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!" After a string of nearly two dozen albums on the Chess label released from the late 1950s through the mid-1970s, Berry's last album to date was 1979's Rock It on Atco Records. - Billboard, 10/18/16...... As rumoured, Phil Collins has officially announced plans to mount comeback concerts in 2017 in three European cities including London (at Royal Albert Hall on June 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9), Cologne (June 11 and 12), and Paris (June 18 and 19). He's also rumoured to be appearing at the 2017 Glastonbury festival. Speaking to reporters in London on Oct. 17, the 65-year-old former Genesis frontman said he initially retired to spend more time with his family but started to drink after his family split up. "I've changed my mind," he said of leaving the stage for good. "I'm living with my young kids. They want me to go out on the road and do my thing, and why not?" Collins, who first retired in 2002 but decided to tour again in 2007, also said he's not likely to play drums on tour, however he might try performing the introduction to "In the Air Tonight." Collins explained that his son Nicholas will be taking over drum duties on the upcoming tour. The Spotify.com streaming service reported that streams of Collins' song have nearly doubled since he announced his live comeback, with "You Can't Hurry Love," "In the Air Tonight," "Against All Odds," "You'll Be in My Heart" and "Another Day in Paradise" leading the pack. - AP/New Musical Express, 10/17/16...... The Zombies have announced the final tour dates for full album performances of their classic 1968 set Odessey & Oracle. The Zombies -- including founding members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent -- will play 26 dates in North America in 2017, beginning on Mar. 17 in the Philadelphia suburb of Glenside and wrapping on Apr. 29 in Los Angeles. Additionally, the Zombies are releasing an album-sized (12" x 12") coffee table book in March 2017 featuring stories about making Odessey & Oracle, handwritten lyrics and artwork from Terry Quirk (who designed the LP's timeless cover art) and Vivienne Boucherat. - Billboard, 10/17/16...... Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters has confirmed he is working on a new album with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Waters said he has spent the last year working on a new record, which will be the followup to his 1992 LP Amused to Death. "We've got some really good work in the can," Waters said. "Nigel's really good. He said to me, 'People always want to do these long records. How long was The Dark Side Of The Moon?' I said '38 minutes.'" Waters added that he's "also been falling in love, deeply in love... So the record is really about love -- which is what all of my records have been about." He added that he was "really happy" that his former Pink Floyd bandmates, Dave Gilmour and Nick Mason, recently "reunited" to release a joint statement, condemning Israeli forces over the detention of female activists sailing to Gaza. "It is an issue I care about deeply," he said. - New Musical Express, 10/13/16...... Cher announced on Oct. 18 that she will call her 2017 tour "Classic Cher" and will begin the tour with a residency at the Park Theater at Monte Carlo on Feb. 8. After playing 9 shows at that venue through Feb. 25, the diva will then travel to Washington, DC to finish off the tour with three shows at The Theater at MGM National Harbor on March 17, 19 and 20. The opening act will be Bruno Mars, both in Las Vegas and Washington. - Billboard, 10/18/16...... Elton John performed at a private, star-studded fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Oct. 13 at the Los Angeles home of Casey and Laura Wasserman. Tickets for the event started at $33,400 and went as high as $100,000. John performed a strong set and was heard telling the crowd why he backs Clinton. "We need a humanitarian in the White House, not a barbarian," said Elton, who added that he loves all that Clinton stands for: "Equality, decency, kindness and respect." John also noted Hillary's efforts to combat the AIDS epidemic, saying "I've dedicated the past quarter century of my life to the fight against AIDS -- to advocating for the human rights of all people ... no matter who they are, who they love, or where they live. And Hillary has been doing this important work -- fighting for equality, for the rights of all people -- long before I was." Earlier in October, the 69-year-old John announced that he will soon publish a "no-holds-barred" autobiography, although a release date has yet to be confirmed. - The Hollywood Reporter, 10/14/16...... Paul McCartney played a rare small club show on Oct. 13 at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in Pioneertown, located near Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley in Southern California. A vegetarian buffet, befitting the vegetarian McCartney, was served, but there were no dinner reservations and no one was allowed to leave once inside. McCartney was in the area as one of the headliners of the Desert Trip festival earlier in the month, which took place at the site of the Coachella festival in Indio, Calif. - Billboard, 10/13/16...... In other Beatles-related news, the Lego toy company announced on Oct. 12 that it is teaming up with the Fab Four for a new "Yellow Submarine" toy set. Hitting stores on Nov. 1, the set will include four mini-figures of John, Paul, George and Ringo costumed in their Yellow Submarine outfits that can ride inside the model (the top of which comes off), plus over 550 Lego bricks. Adding to the play is a mini-figure of the Yellow Submarine movie character Jeremy Hillary Boob. The U.S. list price is $59.99. "The Yellow Submarine is bright, fun, and colorful, which also made it a good subject to translate into Lego form," says creator Kevin Szeto. - Billboard, 10/13/16...... Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager released her autobiography, They're Playing Our Song, on Oct. 18, in which she humorously revisits her life, from almost drowning when she was 2 months old to her very happy ending with third husband, former Warner Bros. CEO Bob Daly. Along the way, the beautiful Oscar- and Grammy-winning lyricist partnered both professionally and personally with collaborators Marvin Hamlisch and Burt Bacharach on hits such as "Midnight Blue," "When I Need You," "Nobody Does It Better," "Don't Cry Out Loud," "It's My Turn," "Heartlight," "Arthur's Theme," "That's What Friends Are For," and countless others. Sager, 69, also spills stories about writing with everyone from Bette Midler and Michael Jackson to Bob Dylan and Clint Eastwood. - Billboard, 10/17/16...... Chic featuring Nile Rodgers have announced that they're set to play a special one-off Christmas show in London, at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on Dec. 23. The event will be a charity show to raise money for Autism Rocks. Rodgers' first UK appearance since headlining FOLD Festival back in the summer, which he curated. - NME, 10/17/16...... Appearing on PBS' Austin City Limits series on Oct. 14, former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant performed Zeppelin's classic 1968 track "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You." The performance marked Plant's first time on the Austin City Limits stage for more than a decade, and he performed for a full hour with his band the Sensational Space Shifters. Other numbers included "Rainbow," "Turn It Up" and "Little Maggie." Meanwhile, Plant recently joined the "We Are Not Afraid" campaign, along with Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Ringo Starr, Debbie Harry and Yoko Ono. "We Are Not Afraid" is a global campaign aimed at raising funds for the refugee crisis and victims of religious and political violence. - NME, 10/15/16.

The Desert Trip Festival, a classic rock summit held at the site of the Coachella festival in Indio, Calif. and headlined by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, The Who and Roger Waters over three nights, got underway on Oct. 7 with the Stones and Dylan playing the first night. "I'm not going to make any age jokes," Mick Jagger quipped as the Stones took the stage, adding "Welcome to the Palm Springs Retirement Home for Genteel Musicians." After referring to Dylan as the "opening act," which drew gasps from some in the pit, the Stones played a 19-song set that opened with "Start Me Up" and encored with "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." On Oct. 8, Day 2 of the fest welcomed Paul McCartney and Neil Young, with the former Beatle bringing out opening act Young for a three-song collab that had eyes wide and phones in the air. The two music legends traded vocals on "A Day in the Life," and instead of finishing the song with the usual orchestral climax, they transitioned into John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance," inviting the audience to chant along as peace signs flashed on the screen behind them. Grunge pioneer Young then jammed with McCartney on the Beatles' own scorcher, "Why Don't We Do It In the Road." On Oct. 9, the Who headlined Day 3 with Roger Waters. The Who's two-hour, 22-song set kicked off with "I Can't Explain" and encored with "Won't Get Fooled Again." "We were 1967's version of Adele or Lady Gaga or Rihanna or Bieber," Townshend joked as he introduced "I Can See For Miles," the Who's first US hit. "Roger and I are so glad to be out here at our age," Townshend also said. "And I couldn't do it without Roger." - Billboard, 10/8/16...... Bob Dylan was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature on Oct. 13 for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." "Bob Dylan is a great poet in the English-speaking tradition," said Sara Danius, the Nobel Academy's permanent secretary and literature professor at Stockholm University. "If you look back, far back, 2,500 years or so, you discover Homer and Sappho and they wrote poetic texts that were meant to be listened to, that were meant to be performed, often with instruments -- and it's the same way with Bob Dylan." Danius' statement also praised the singer-songwriter's creative output over five decades, including his constant reinvention of himself, and as "a wonderful sampler, a very original sampler." Dylan being awarded the Nobel prize for literature for 2016 came as a surprise to many, as his odds of beating out such favorites as American novelist Philip Roth and Japanese author Haruki Murakami was given odds of 50/1 by the London bookies. The Nobel Committe's additional statement that Dylan had "recorded a large number of albums revolving around topics like the social conditions of man, religion, politics and love" and that his words have repeatedly been republished could be taken as seeking to forestall criticism of their decision. - CNN, 10/13/16...... Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters announced he'll kick off a 40 date "Us + Them Tour" of North American arenas next year in Kansas City, Mo., on May 26. The tour, which includes two-night stands in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston and Toronto before wrapping on Oct. 28 in Vancouver, BC, is Rogers' first tour not themed around a specific Pink Floyd album since the early 2000s. It follows his three-year "The Wall" trek, which went down as the most successful tour by a solo artist in touring history. "The new show's going to be called 'Us + Them' because it's really specifically about the line from this 1973 song 'Us and Them' that goes 'With, without/And who'll deny that's what the fighting's all about,'" Rogers said in a statement. "Because the main message that I have to propagate, if I can, is embodied in the (concept) that the idea of perpetual war, which has been embraced by the neocons particularly in the United States of America, is an entirely wrong way for the human race to live," he added. Waters says he's currently in the process of recording a new solo album that he expects will be in fans' hands before the tour begins in May. He's been working in L.A. with producer Nigel Godrich of Radiohead collaborating fame. - Billboard, 10/13/16...... Officials in Nassau County, N.Y., have announced that Billy Joel will play the first concert at the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum on Long Island on Apr. 5, 2017. In Aug. 2015, Long Island native Joel played the last show at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum before its renovation, and has played the venue 32 times over the course of his career. - Billboard, 10/11/16...... Elton John announced on Oct. 13 that he'll release his first ever memoir in 2019. "I'm not prone to being a nostalgic person," Sir Elton said in a statement. "I'm often accused of only looking forward to my next gig or creative project. It's come as quite a surprise how cathartic I am finding the process of writing my memoirs. As I look back, I realize what a crazy life I have had the extreme privilege of living." John said he's working with The Guardian critic Alexis Petridis on the autobiography, which will be published by Henry Holt & Company, a division of Macmillan, who won the rights in a bidding war with two other publishers. Elton's memoir will follow a string of acclaimed memoirs from other rock icons over the last decade, including Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and Patti Smith, among others. - Billboard, 10/13/16...... Over 100 pieces of furniture from David Bowie's private collection are set to be auctioned in November by Sotheby's. "The works produced by the historical avant-garde design collaborative Memphis Milano, led by Ettore Sottsass, could not have found a more receptive and tuned-in audience than David Bowie," said Ccile Verdier of Sotheby's. The auction takes place on Nov. 11, with two other "Bowie/Collector" auctions will focus on his collection of art, accompanied by an exhibition, taking place on Nov. 10 at Sotheby's. Meanwhile, the official script and song lyrics from Bowie's musical "Lazarus" will be released in a new book in November. The "Lazarus" musical will get its UK premiere on Oct. 25 at the Kings Cross Theatre in London, after first premiering in New York in late 2015. Bowie's final ever recordings will be heard when the official soundtrack album for the "Lazarus" musical is released on Oct. 21. - New Musical Express, 10/13/16...... Michael Jackson has once again topped the list of top-earning dead celebrities compiled by Forbes magazine, with his empire earning a staggering $825 million in the past year. Earlier in 2016, Sony bought Jackson's half of Sony/ATV Publishing for $750 million, giving the pop legend his highest payout to date. Other '70s artists making the 2016 highest-paid dead celebrities list include Elvis Presley ($27 million), Prince ($25 million), Bob Marley ($21 million), and John Lennon ($12 million). - Billboard, 10/12/16...... Recently interviewed for The New Yorker magazine, Leonard Cohen revealed that he feels he is ready to embrace the end of his life. "I am ready to die," Cohen said. "I hope it's not too uncomfortable. That's about it for me." Cohen, whose health has been declining in recent years, is gearing up for the release of his latest album You Want It Darker, and sings "I'm ready, my Lord," in the album's title track. The LP will be the follow-up to the 82-year-old Cohen's 2014 album, Popular Problems. - Billboard, 10/12/16...... The concert website eFestivals.com is reporting that Phil Collins is on the verge of announcing a massive string of UK comeback concerts, some 15 years after the former Genesis drummer played his last major solo shows. Collins could be considering headlining such major UK festivals as the Isle of Wight Festival and Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time at London's Hyde Park (Collins' live promoter John Giddings is also the organizer of the Isle of Wight Festival). Collins retired from playing live in 2002, citing injuries to his back and arms caused by years of playing drums. He went on a brief reunion tour with Genesis in 2007, but has since been absent from performing concerts. In Oct. 2015, he announced that he was coming out of retirement to play live shows, saying he'd love to take his sons Nicholas and Matthew "out on the road." On Oct. 20, Collins will release his autobiography, Not Dead Yet. - NME, 10/13/16...... Just call him "Sir Roderick David Stewart" -- Rod Stewart was made a Knights Batchelor by Prince William at Buckingham Palace in London on Oct. 11. Prince William paid homage to Stewart's Scottish heritage by wearing tartan-patterned pants and a jacket with military-style red and gold trim. The "Maggie May" singer received the honor for services to music and charity, and joins the likes of such previously knighted rock stars as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Mick Jagger and Tom Jones. - Billboard, 10/11/16...... '70s artists Sammy Hagar, Bette Midler and Joan Jett appeared as guest advisors on the NBC talent series The Voice on Oct. 10. "The more you are like yourself, and the way you sing, the way you play your instruments, the better chance you have of making it", Hagar advised Adam Levine's group of contestants. Midler assisted Blake Shelton's group, while Jett advised Miley Cyrus' group. - Billboard, 10/11/16...... A Linda Ronstadt tribute concert has been set for Dec. 11 at Los Angeles' Ace Hotel, with such artists as Jackson Browne, Maria Muldaur, Grace Potter, Sara Watkins and Dawes headlining. Ronstadt revealed to AARP magazine in Aug. 2013 that she was suffering with Parkinson's Disease, and all proceeds from the show will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. In a statement, Maria Muldaur said she's known Ronstadt since 1966. "It is heart-wrenching to think that this mysterious ailment known as Parkinson's disease has robbed us of her gorgeous, enthralling voice, but I'm happy to report firsthand that it has done nothing to diminish her spirit and keen mind," Muldaur said. "I'm honored to participate in this celebration of Linda's music, which will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research to speed a cure for Parkinson's disease, which can't come a moment too soon," she added. - Billboard, 10/11/16...... Actress Michelle Williams is in early negotiations portray Janis Joplin in director Sean Durkin's long-in-the-works biopic centering on the famous female rock icon. The movie, titled Janis, is based on Love, Janis, which was penned by Joplin's sister, Laura Joplin. It uses Joplin's letters to family and friends to tell the story of a young woman rising from playing at coffeehouses to playing at Woodstock, dealing with sudden fame and celebrity while combating alcohol and heroin addiction all the while trying to keep her creativity. Janis is only one of several competing Joplin movie projects in development, as Hollywood has been trying to make a biopic on the late singer for at least two decades. - The Hollywood Reporter, 10/10/16...... John Lennon will be getting his own comic book biography, as IDW Publishing unveiled a new graphic novel focusing on the former Beatle on the final day of 2016's New York Comic Con. The new book will adapt the 2010 novel by French author and screenwriter David Foenkinos, which retold Lennon's story through the framework of transcriptions of sessions between Lennon and an imaginary therapist. The story travels through Lennon's entire life, from childhood, worldwide fame and his solo career and marriage to artist Yoko Ono. - Billboard, 10/9/16...... The Boston Pops Orchestra has announced it will turn Steven Spielberg's classic 1975 shark thriller Jaws into a live concert presentation. "Jaws In Concert," which will feature an orchestra playing John Williams' iconic score as the film unspools, will have its world premiere at the Boston Pops Orchestra (which Williams famously helmed from 1980-1993) in the summer of 2017 with Keith Lockhart conducting. Though Williams is not composing any new music for the live concert presentation, there is approximately five minutes from the original music composed for the film that was not used, and that music will be restored specifically for the new live presentation. - Billboard, 10/11/16...... In other '70s-related movie news, the producers of Star Wars have been forced to pay $2 million after Harrison Ford's leg was "crushed" on the set of the latest Star Wars installment, The Force Awakens. Prosecutors in the UK compared the accident at Pinewood Studios, in which a hydraulic door on the iconic Millennium Falcon fell "millimetres from Ford's face" and crushed his leg like a "blunt-edged guillotine," to a "car collision that could have killed Ford when the 74-year-old actor broke his tibia and fibula. The Disney subsidiary Foodles Productions pleaded guilty to two criminal charges of failing to protect workers, and was fined £1.6million. - New Musical Express, 10/13/16...... Singer/songwriter/guitarist/bassist Don Ciccone, a former member of the Four Seasons, died on Oct. 8, according to a statement released by his daughter. He was 70. Ciccone, a New Jersey native, was a founding member of the 1960s band The Critters, who charted Billboard hits with "Mr. Dieingly Sad" and "Younger Girl," both written by Ciccone. After leaving The Critters and joining the U.S. Air Force during which he served in the Vietnam War, he was tapped by Frankie Vallie to join the Four Seasons, where he played guitar and bass. He also contributed lead vocals to songs including "Rhapsody" and their No. 1 hit, "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)." After leaving the Four Seasons in 1981, he began touring with Tommy James & the Shondells as their bassist and musical director, remaining on until 1987. Later in life, he pursued a solo recording career, recording albums including "Lost & Found." He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his two children, Marli and D'Arcey - 10/10/16...... Joan Marie Johnson Faust, a founding member of the 1960s girl group The Dixie Cups, has died in New Orleans of congestive heart failure. She was 72. Faust, Barbara Ann Hawkins and her sister Rosa Lee Hawkins were the three original members of The Dixie Cups, who famously knocked the Beatles out of the top spot on hit parade in 1964 with their hit "Chapel of Love" and went on to become New Orleans music legends. - 10/6/16.