Posted by Administrator on July 31st, 2023
Speaking to The Guardian paper, former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon ("Johnny Rotten") says that artificial intelligence will "will ultimately make decisions for you, and that's very dangerous." Lydon, who is currently working with his post-Pistols band Public Image Ltd, was asked about his views on the ever-increasing impact of AI on the arts. "Who's in charge and who's feeding the information and giving the guidelines to these artifices? What or where is the moral code?," he said. "It has infiltrated young people's minds now to the point of total domination. What will this create? My advice is make small steps against this -- and get that f---ing Siri or whatever out of your house. It will ultimately make decisions for you, and that's very dangerous," he added. Lydon's comments come after other musicians have criticized AI recently, including Sting, Nick Cave and Kelly Jones of Stereophonics. In the film industry, Titanic director James Cameron said he warned the world of AI's rise in 1984, and Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has described the AI boom sweeping Hollywood now as "terrifying." Meanwhile, Public Image Ltd is prepping the release of their new album End of the World on Aug. 11. The album is dedicated to Lydon's late wife Nora Forster, who lately lost a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease at age 80. The band are also set to embark on a UK and European tour this autumn. - New Musical Express, 7/30/23...... 
As Joni Mitchell releases a new live album of her comeback live performance last year at the Newport Folk Festival on July 28, industry insiders are wondering how the Grammys will categorize the new LP -- as folk, pop or traditional pop? Mitchell has won in all three fields over the years, landing her first Grammy nomination (and win) in a folk category -- Best Folk Performance for her sophomore album, Clouds (1969) -- but she hasn't been nominated in a folk category since. The Canadian singer/songwriter' Turbulent Indigo won for Best Pop Album in 1995, and 2000's Both Sides Now won for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Joni Mitchell at Newport is likely to be slotted in one of the two latter categories -- and if it does well it may also have a shot at an Album of the Year nomination. Mitchell's other Grammy achievements include a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, and she was also named the MusiCares Person of the Year in 2022. The singer turns 80 on Nov. 7, three days before the 66th annual Grammy Award nominations are announced on Nov. 10. The awards will be presented at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 4, 2024. Mitchell's 2022 Newport Folk Festival was her third appearance at the event, following appearances in 1967 (where she met Leonard Cohen) and 1969 (where she met another lifelong friend and collaborator, James Taylor). The new album features live renditions of such Joni classics as "A Case of You" (which has been shared on YouTube), "Big Yellow Taxi," "Help Me," "Both Sides Now" and "Carey." She closed her 2022 set with "The Circle Game," which she performed at the Newport Folk Festival in 1967. Contributing liner notes to Joni Mitchell at Newport was music journalist-turned-filmmaker Cameron Crowe, who was nominated for a Best Album Notes Grammy for his notes for Bob Dylan's 1986 album Biograph. - Billboard, 7/27/23...... A two-night celebration at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl on July 28 and 29 celebrated the life of legendary music producer/musician/composer Quincy Jones and his 90th birthday. Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Samara were among the artists performing in tribute during the two-and-a-half-hour event. Wonder shared with the audience that he'd first met Jones when he was a 14-year-old "running around the Apollo Theater like I could see" and heard that Jones was in the building. "When I met Quincy, it was magical," said Wonder. "I'd grown up listening to his music and arrangements; he knew Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and others. After I did Talking Book, he recorded 'You've Got It Bad Girl' for one of his albums and also did 'Superstition' with Ray Charles for another." Concluding his full-circle moment, Wonder noted, "I want to thank you [Quincy] for everything you've given me -- all the inspiration, the many times you said it's not quite right; keep working on it, and for bringing people together through music." The Saturday night edition included a Michael Jackson suite, with a salute to the top-selling, award-winning collaborations between Jones and King of Pop by several of the talented background vocalists. Jones, born on March 14, 1933, wasn't in attendance, however core members of his longtime house band backed the other musicians, and his goddaughter Austin also performed solo and duetted with Wonder. - Billboard, 7/30/23...... 
Herb Alpert has sent a congratulatory message to Taylor Swift on TikTok after Swift recently tied his record of a living artist having four albums on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart's Top 10, a record that has held for nearly 60 years. In his '60s heyday with Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Alpert had four LPs in the Top 10 on the Apr. 2, 1966-dated chart: Going Places at No. 2, Whipped Cream & Other Delights at No. 3, South of the Border at No. 9 and The Lonely Bull at No. 10). The "Rise" hitmaker, now 88, took to his @herbalpertpresents account on TikTok to share a sweet video message: "Hi Taylor, this is Herb Alpert. I've been getting calls from all over the world from publications wanting to know how do I feel about you breaking my record of -- I don't know -- 150 years ago. I feel great! I think you're a wonderful artist, sincere, you're gracious and you deserve it. You deserve it all. Congratulations." Swift notched her 12th No. 1 album on the July 22-dated Hot 200 chart with Speak Now (Taylor's Version). Her other current Top 10 projects include Midnights (falling 4-5), Lover (8-7) and Folklore (13-10). - Billboard, 7/24/23...... Paul McCartney and Steven Spielberg were spotted attending a screening of Christopher Nolan's new movie Oppenheimer at a cinema in New York's summer vacation hotspot the Hamptons on July 24. Sir Paul and the famous Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark director have known each other since 1986, when the former Beatle told Rolling Stone at the time that he sought out Spielberg's advice on the possibility of making a movie about the Fab Four's career. More recently, Spielberg noted that The Beatles song "Michelle" from 1965's Rubber Soul brought back memories of his first kiss in college. A pic of the two famous entertainment personalities attending Oppenheimer was shared on Christopher Nolan's Twitter account. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy recently said his wardrobe for the movie was partly inspired by David Bowie during his Thin White Duke era. "Chris sent me a couple of shots of David Bowie, certain periods in David Bowie's career, like Thin White Duke and around 'Young Americans' time," Murphy said. "He had these massive trousers and he was so emaciated but so fucking cool. So we used that, weirdly, for some of Oppenheimer's trousers." - NME, 7/26/23...... Ozzy Osbourne has shared a health update after cancelling his headlining slot at the Power Trip festival in Indio, Calif., in October. "Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I'm just not ready yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed," Osbourne said in a statement. Speaking to his co-host, Billy Morrison on his SiriusXM station Ozzy Speaks, Osbourne shared that he had recently had a blood clot filter removed from one of his arteries. "When I had the blood clots in my legs, they put a filter in your artery to stop the blood clots going to your heart and your brain," he shared. "It sounds worse than it is." Ozzy continued: "So, on Monday, I went to have it removed. The blood clots have jammed you all up. It's just disappointment after disappointment. Just get this thing fucking done so I can go get on with my life." Osbourne also reflected on his struggle over his ability to produce a vein for medical procedures, adding: "So, they put a thing down there in my neck, straight down to my groin, Yeah, but they can't even find a vein on me." Ozzy's interview can be viewed on YouTube. He had announced his retirement from touring on Feb. 1, calling off his European and UK tour dates in the process, after he suffered a fall a fall at his Los Angeles home which required neck surgery. - NME, 7/26/23...... 
The combat boots and dog tags worn by beloved M*A*S*H actor Alan Alda during the acclaimed 1972-1983 wartime sitcom were sold at auction on July 28 for $125,000 to an anonymous buyer. Alda held onto the boots and dog tags for more than 40 years after the show ended but decided to sell them through Heritage Auctions in Dallas to raise money for his center dedicated to helping scientists and doctors communicate better. Alda, 87, said he wore the boots and dog tags for the 11-season run of the show about a Korean War medical unit. The items had been given to him by the costume department, and "made an impression on me every day that we shot the show," said Alda, who won five Emmys for his work on the sitcom. His character, Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, was a talented surgeon who helped ease the stress of working in a war zone with quips and practical jokes. The show's final episode, which aired in 1983 and was written and directed by Alda, was the most watched TV show in U.S. history. Alda said auctioning off the dog tags and boots now made sense. "I saw this as a chance to put them to work again," he said. The money raised from the auction will go to the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in New York, which aims to help scientists and doctors communicate better through the use of improvisational exercises and other strategies. - AP, 7/28/23...... The Calabasas, Calif., mansion in which Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley spent her final years has been listed for nearly $5 million. The 7,440-square-foot mansion boasts six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, as well as a large outdoor pool and eating area overlooking a canyon. Lisa Marie, Elvis and his ex-wife Priscilla Presley's only child, ad moved into the mansion in Calabasas, Calif., with her 14-year-old twin girls Finley and Harper, and musician ex-husband Danny Keough, 58, to whom she was married from 1988 to 1994. It also features a home theatre, wine cellar and indoor gym. Lisa Marie was found unresponsive in the residence on Jan. 12 after going into cardiac arrest. When paramedics arrived, they immediately performed CPR and the singer was rushed to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead hours later. It was recently revealed the singer died due to complications from weight-loss surgery -- which many of her friends knew nothing about. According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, the 54-year-old was killed by a bowel obstruction that was a result of adhesions caused by the bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery can create scar tissue that can strangulate the intestines -- which is what led to Lisa Marie's death. She reportedly was complaining of abdominal agony in the days before her death, and the autopsy noted she had suffered stomach pain hours before going into cardiac arrest at her home. She had "therapeutic" levels of oxycodone, opioid buprenorphine -- used to treat addiction -- and the antipsychotic drug quetiapine in her system, but they were not ruled to have contributed to her death. The home has been listed by her realtor and friend Robb Friedman, and it can be viewed on the TMZ.com Twitter page. - Bang Showbiz, 7/29/23...... 
Randy Meisner, the founding Eagles bassist who co-wrote and sang on the band's 1976 Top 5 hit "Take It to the Limit," died on the evening of July 27 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a statement from the band. He was 77. "Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band," the band said in the statement. "His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, 'Take It to the Limit.'" Meisner was with the Eagles from their self-titled 1972 debut album through 1976's Hotel California, before quitting the group in 1977. (He was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit, who had also succeeded Meisner in the country-rock group Poco when he had departed the group to form the Eagles.) While the bulk of the Eagles' vocal duties went to Henley and Frey, Meisner sang lead on one of the group's most enduring hits: "Take It to the Limit." Taken from the band's No. 1 1975 LP One of These Nights, the song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1976 and spent 23 weeks on the chart -- the band's longest-charting hit on the tally. Co-written with Don Henley, the song is remembered for Meisner's lofty vocals, especially toward the end of the song when his "aaaahs!" rise to new heights. Before helping to form the Eagles, he played with Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band and was the original bass player for Poco in the late 1960s. The Scotts Bluff, Nebraska-born Meisner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, along with the other Eagles, in 1998. Tragedy struck the musician's personal life in 2016 when his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, was fatally shot in the couple's Los Angeles home after an "accidental discharge of a firearm," according to the Los Angeles Police Department. According to the Eagles' statement, funeral arrangements are pending for Meisner. In early July, the Eagles announced the initial dates for their "Long Goodbye Final Tour" that will feature their fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Steely Dan as openers. Kicking off on Sept. 7 at New York's Madison Square Garden, the band will also visit Boston, Newark, N.J., Belmont Park, N.Y., Denver, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland in September and October. In November, they'll play Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Lexington, Ky., and St. Paul, Minn. The tour is expected to continue into 2025, but further dates -- potentially including the UK and Europe -- are yet to be announced. - Billboard, 7/27/23.
On July 23 Cher surprised her fans by announcing the launch of her own gelato brand, "Cherlato," in her native city of Los Angeles. The 77-year-old diva took to Instagram and Twitter to share a video of a brightly colored food truck decorated with images of the star posing with an ice cream cone and the word "Cherlato." "Yep, This Is Real.... I'm Launching My Gelato.... Watch Out LA!!" Cher captioned the video. "All Started 5 Years Ago And Now It's Finally HAPPENING. More to come....," she added. Cher received a huge amount of praise from her legion of fans on social media, with one Instagram user writing, "Serving us looks for decade and now she's serving us gelato." Another fan wrote, "What can't you do." Cher has previously been the face of multiple beauty brands, and has launched several of her own fashion and perfume lines. Earlier in July, Cher announced that her critically-acclaimed classic album It's A Man's World has been reimagined as a special deluxe limited-edition vinyl box. - Music-News.com, 7/25/23...... 
On July 25 Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry took to social media to speak about the recent loss of her bandmate Chris Stein's daughter, Akira Stein. Stein announced the news of his daughter's death in a Facebook post the previous week, revealing that the young lady died from a drug overdose in May. "We lost our daughter and sister Akira at the end of May to an overdose. I've been posting as usual because it distracts from the heartbreak," Stein told fans. Posting a photo of her with Stein and his family to her Instagram account, including Akira, Harry also wrote the caption: "Dear fans and friends, I had an awakening at the end of Blondie's recent tour which came from all of you on my birthday. All the birthday wishes and generous presents are such a sweet reminder of the loyalty of our Blondie fans so thank you for that." She continued: "It's hard for me to believe at my age cause I'm still playing music for you all and luckily, in spite of a few injuries and surgeries, can still put on a show and the best part, many of you are still in the audience. The flip side of this positivity is the loss of my god daughter Akira. She was just turning 20 and we lost her to Fentanyl. So my joys and sorrows are all the more extreme. While on stage sometimes I felt she was there watching just like when she was a little girl, standing with her sister Vali, their faces made up like mine, and dancing around on the side of the stage," she added. "I will grieve for the rest of my life along with Barbara Sicuranza and Chris Stein, her mom and dad, and her sister Vali, at our terrible loss. Fentanyl is too dangerous, seductive and easy to get." Stein had been absent from tours with Blondie over the last year, including a slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023. During the set, and the whole tour, Blondie were joined by former Sex Pistols bassist Glenn Matlock. In Apr. 2022 Stein explained he'd been "dealing with a dumbass condition called Atrial Fibrillation or AFib which is irregular heart beats and combined with the meds I take for it I'm too fatigued to deal." - New Musical Express, 7/25/23...... Cincinnati, Oh., which had once been on the short list to be the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before its upstate rival Cleveland won the honor due to its legacy as the home of pioneering label King Records were a number of very early rock n' roll, funk and R&B sides were cut by the likes of James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Otis Williams and others, unveiled its years-in-the-works Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame on July 22. The city's new multi-level Hall of Fame layout -- a necessity due to its proximity to the Ohio River floodplain -- will allow visitors to descend a series of ramps with a number of interactive displays that will bring the city's music history to life. After entering through a towering stainless steel arch that explains the various features, visitors will see a series of 13 podiums that each feature the stories of two prominent Black Cincinnati artists. This year's inductees include soul superstar Brown, who recorded some of his more iconic songs at King Records, as well as The Deele, an early 1980s R&B group featuring future superstars and local legends L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Also on the list is late Spinners ("Could It Be I'm Falling In Love") singer Philippé Wynne and Louise Shropshire, who penned the original lyrics to what became the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." The two previous classes included the first inductees, funk bass master Bootsy Collins, the Isley Brothers, gospel singer Dr. Charles Ford and The Charms' doo-wop singer Williams; the 2022 class featured Klymaxx/Snap! singer Penny Ford, hip-hop producer Hi-Tek, R&B/jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire and funk group Midnight Star. The final iteration of the multi-million project will have room for up to 200 honorees and the July 22 grand opening featured a free show by the Ohio Players. "We wanted something that will bridge the gap between generations... grandmas and their grandkids can come and see something educational and entertaining," says Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, the main driver behind the project. - Billboard, 7/21/23...... 
Former Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has announced an Oct. 8 live premiere of his re-recordings of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon LP. Set for the London Palladium, the show will mark the first time that Waters has performed his re-recorded version of the band's iconic 1973 album live. At the upcoming show Waters will not appear with any of his former bandmates, but will instead be joined on stage by bassist Gus Seyffert, drummer Joey Waronker and guitarist Jonathan Wilson -- all of which contributed to his re-imagined Dark Side album. Earlier in July, Waters confirmed that the project will be released as one of his solo albums, and is set for release on Oct. 6. The reimagined album, titled The Dark Side of the Moon Redux, coincides with the original's 50th anniversary but was not worked on by any other member of the legendary prog-rock band. Self-produced by Waters, the new album sees him put a new spin on the classic album. Lead single "Money," for instance (an official lyric video for which has been shared on YouTube), has been re-envisioned from the more upbeat version seen in the original recording, into a new acoustic track. Discussing his reasons behind re-recording the 50-year-old release, Waters said "the original... feels in some ways like the lament of an elder being on the human condition. But Dave [Gilmour], Rick [Wright], Nick [Mason], and I were so young when we made it, and when you look at the world around us, clearly the message hasn't stuck. That's why I started to consider what the wisdom of an 80-year-old could bring to a reimagined version." Back in March, Waters first shared a snippet of the re-recordings on YouTube -- a 52-second clip which played the first verse of a reworked "Us and Them" in the studio. He also went on to describe the project more in the description, adding that "it's not a replacement for the original which, obviously, is irreplaceable." Later that month, former Pink Floyd bandmate Nick Mason revealed that he had already been shown various snippets of the upcoming album, and hailed that "annoyingly, it's absolutely brilliant!" - NME, 7/25/23...... Tom Jones has hit back at the decision to ban his 1968 hit "Delilah" from being sung during rugby matches in his native Wales due to its connotations to domestic violence. Written by Barry Mason, "Delilah" was a classic track often sung by a choir during the matches, but in February the Welsh Rugby Union announced that it would no longer be performed by choirs at the Principality Stadium due to its lyrics, which describe a man murdering his girlfriend after she is caught with another man. Performing during a concert at Cardiff Castle on July 22, Jones reportedly told the crowd: "You can't stop us singing 'Delilah'. Can you imagine? Who was the man who didn't want us to sing 'Delilah'? They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven't stopped the crowd," adding, "Keep on singing it -- and I'll keep on singing it too." This isn't the first time that the 83-year-old "She's a Lady" singer has spoken out regarding the controversy around the song. In 2014, he defended the track when there were calls to have it banned, and claimed that seeing it sung live made him "very proud to be Welsh." "I love to hear it sung at rugby games. It makes me very proud to be Welsh," he said at the time. "I think if they're looking into the lyric about a man killing a woman, it's not a political statement. It's just something that happens in life that [a] woman was unfaithful to him and he just loses it." Jones' most recent album was 2021's Surrounded By Time, his 41st record, which included covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and Bobby Cole. - NME, 7/24/23...... 
Speaking of Yusuf/Cat Stevens, the likes of Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Ian Anderson, Lindsey Buckingham, Peter Gabriel, Carly Simon and Paul Rodgers were among the many music stars who wished him a happy 75th birthday on July 21. Yusuf first found fame with his debut album Matthew And Son when he was just 18 in 1967, before releasing such hits as "The First Cut Is The Deepest," "Father And Son," "Morning Has Broken," "Peace Train" and "Wild World" during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Yusuf, whose latest effort is 2023's King of a Land, told fans on his birthday that "Thanks to the One who gave us life after our lifeless non-existence -- to You is the Journeying." Posting to social media, Paul McCartney said: "It was wonderful to hang out with Cat in the '60s. We had some fun experiences together and I have always admired his music. It was a great pleasure to meet his wife and children in latter years and see how happy they all are as a family. From Cat to Yusuf he is a great singer and song writer and easy to admire." "I have loved Cat Stevens from the first time I heard his voice, heard him play the guitar, and heard his wonderful, touching, deep lyrics," Dolly Parton posted, while Jethro Tull's Anderson wrote: "it was the 1970 Island Records releases 'Mona Bone Jakon' and 'Tea For The Tillerman' that really brought home to me the excellence of his songwriting and the rich, rough-velvet texture of his voice. Over the years, I have often cited Cat/Yusuf as a major influence in my own occasional singer-songwriter efforts." Former Fleetwood Mac member Buckingham said that "When I first heard Yusuf's music, it was a revelation. [His] folk, rock and classical influences were similar to mine, and his breathtaking vocal performances, combined with his sublime melodies and rhythmic sensibility were inspirational and exemplary in helping me find my own way as writer and artist." Carly Simon posted that "It's not an exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for Cat Stevens (as most of us knew his name as that) I would probably never have performed. When my first album came out, it was presented to me that Cat Stevens had asked me to open for him at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. I balked and I put up barriers, but the lure of being a part of that week was too attractive." Yusuf performed in the Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage at this year's edition of Glastonbury. Though he told reporters he was "petrified" beforehand, he added that "I haven't done a big gig like that in a long time" and described the honor as a "bucket list moment." - NME, 7/21/23...... In a new interview in the UK paper The Guardian where fans asked Brian May questions, the Queen guitarist was asked which artist he regretted not having the chance to work with. May responded: "I very seldom turn down a collaboration. A regret is that I didn't get the chance to work with John Lennon." He added: "The Beatles didn't always agree, they were always pulling and pushing -- a bit like us and Queen -- and I think John would be such a stronger pusher and puller. You'd have to work really hard to keep up, to believe in your instincts. I could imagine us hitting it off." In other Queen news, the band recently was honoured with a Brit Billion Award for surpassing the landmark of 1 billion career streams in the U.K. The award was sponsored by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the industry body for U.K. record labels and music companies and the organisers of the Brit Awards. The surviving members of the band, May and Roger Taylor, were presented with the personalised trophy, which comes in the shape of a "B" and incorporates a Brits statuette. The award, which also honoured the late Queen members, Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in July 1973. "Thank you for presenting Queen with a Brit Billion Award," May, 76, said. "We're grateful to all our fans that support us and continue to enjoy our music. Rock on BPI." Taylor, 73, added, "I'm thrilled to accept the Brit Billion Award on behalf of Queen, celebrating being streamed over a billion times in the U.K., which is incredible. I would like to say thanks to everyone who has extracted a morsel of enjoyment from our music. We are still around and we hope to entertain you a little." - NME/Music-News.com, 7/22/23...... On July 24 Paul Simon announced he has reunited his live band for rehearsals and wants to come out of touring retirement. Simon, now 81, had announced his retirement from touring in 2018 and played his final ever concert in Queens, New York -- near where he grew up. Speaking to Mojo magazine about his new music, the "Graceland" musician said writing new songs is a "lifesaver" although his health problems make it difficult to rehearse and get back to playing live again. "I haven't figured out how to perform with the hearing loss," he said. "I've tried to rehearse with the guys in my touring band, to see if I could manage it. I can't so far. This is at least an outlet for thinking musically." However, a return is still unlikely for now, as he added: "I've often wondered what it would feel like to reach the point where I'd consider bringing my performing career to a natural end. Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief." Simon went on to say that he still loves music and if it weren't for the hearing loss he'd still be able to put on a good show for fans. "I love making music, my voice is still strong, and my band is a tight, extraordinary group of gifted musicians," he explained. "I think about music constantly. I am very grateful for a fulfilling career and, of course, most of all to the audiences who heard something in their music that touched their hearts." - Music-News.com, 7/24/23...... 
Legendary pop and jazz crooner Tony Bennett died on the morning of July 21 in New York City following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 96. Mr. Bennett released his first album, Because of You, in 1952 and went on to chart in America in every subsequent decade of his life. He is perhaps best known for his 1962 signature song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Over the course of his eight-decade career, Mr. Bennett won 20 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, released more than 70 albums, and sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Born Antonio Dominick Benedetto in Long Island City, N.Y., on Aug. 3, 1926, Mr. Bennett started singing when he was 5, learning Irish songs from locals in his Astoria neighborhood and earn pennies and nickels for his performances. Mr. Bennett joined the Army and was stationed in Germany where he sang with Army bands. After his discharge from the service, Mr. Bennett studied drama, diction and music theory at the American Theatre Wing. He started a singing in nightclubs in 1946, using the name Joe Bari. He was opening for Pearl Bailey in 1949 at the Greenwich Village Inn when Bob Hope heard him and offered him an opening slot on his show at the Paramount Theatre. No fan of the name Joe Bari, Hope decided the singer's birth name was too long for a marquee and suggested the Americanized "Tony Bennett." Around that time he appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts TV show, coming in second place to Rosemary Clooney. Mr. Bennett landed 12 top 20 singles between 1951 and 1954: "Because of You," "Cold, Cold Heart" and "Rags to Riches" went to No. 1; "Stranger in Paradise" peaked at No. 2. Although his signature tune "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" peaked at No. 19 in 1961, his album of the same name would enjoy 149 weeks on the Billboard Hot 200, peaking at No. 5. Mr. Bennett received renewed attention late in his career thanks to his collaborations with Lady Gaga. Together, they released their 2014 album of jazz standards, Cheek to Cheek, and the 2021 follow-up, Love for Sale. The pair went on tour to promote the former album, which made Mr. Bennett the oldest living act to reach number one on the U.S. album chart. For the second release, Mr. Bennett earned a Guinness World Record for becoming the oldest musician to release a collection of new material. In addition to Gaga, Mr. Bennett worked with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Marc Anthony, John Legend and many more. Over the last 25 years, he thrived as the primary connection between modern pop and the music of the first half of the 20th century that came from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway shows and movies. Sticking to his style as he recorded with Gaga, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang and Winehouse, Mr. Bennett became a paragon of multi-generational cool starting in the early 1990s as he toured the world and, in 2011 at the age of 85, had his first No. 1 album with Duets II. Mr. Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016 but didn't go public with his condition until 2021. He went on to perform his final shows alongside Gaga later that year. Mr. Bennett, who was married three times, is survived by his children Danny, Dae, Joanna and Antonia and his third wife Susan Crow. Among those paying tribute to Mr. Bennett on social media were Elton John, who shared an image of himself with Bennett along with the message: "So sad to hear of Tony's passing. Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see." Billy Joel also paid tribute to the late crooner by sharing a photo of him performing with Bennett calling him "one of the most important interpreters of American popular song during the mid to late 20th century" and "also one of the nicest human beings I've ever known." - Billboard, 7/21/23.
The Grateful Dead spin-off band Dead & Company performed a final triumphant three-gig run in front of more than 120,000 hometown fans in San Francisco's Oracle Park from Sept. 14-16. The band -- comprised of former GD members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, along with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti -- also have posted the best grosses and attendance numbers in 2023 in the group's eight-year history. The final run of dates played to more than 840,000 fans and grossed almost $115 million, with the San Francisco Chronicle reporting that the trio of San Francisco dates were projected to have a a nearly $31 million economic impact on the city. "The Final Tour" kicked off on May 19 with the first of two dates as Los Angeles' Kia Forum. It capped a 10-tour run that began in 2015 that was attended by more than four million fans at 235 shows. Along the way, the tour broke several records for attendance, including the all-time record for shows played at Chicago's venerable Wrigley Field (10) along with all-time paid attendance mark with 360,000 tickets sold, and the all-time attendance record at Boston's Fenway Park for most tickets sold in a single night, which was previously held by hometown heroes Aerosmith. "The Final Tour" found the band playing 112 unique songs; since their 2015 launch, Dead & Co. played 145 unique songs during 235 shows. Meanwhile, Dead & Company has been selling some of its greatest possessions, all for a noble cause. Auctions from the group's Participation Row -- the charity social action village which has traveled with the band on tour over the past eight years -- has raised $2 million in new funding from selling memorabilia, bringing its cumulative sum to $4,000,984 in proceeds raised for charities since 2015. In addition to the Participation Row auctions, Dead & Co. donated $2 from each ticket sale to HeadCount and various charities, and ran multiple promotions through their official website to further get DeadHeads involved. - Billboard, 7/20/23...... On July 18 Paul McCartney announced a new podcast on the 
In a new interview with Reader's Digest, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has recalled the time that his former bandmate Tony Iommiwas nearly "sacrificed" onstage by a "lunatic." Butler reflected on growing up in a strict Catholic home in England, the band's "satanic" imagery, and how that resulted in several weird experiences for the metal pioneers. "My dad wasn't very pleased when he saw the inverted cross on the sleeve of our first album," he said. "But, generally, nobody in the UK or Europe cared that much about our Satanic imagery. In the US, though, people would threaten us and turn up at our gigs with crosses and bibles. In Nashville, someone jumped on stage and went for Tony with a knife. Fortunately, Tony had turned around to kick his faulty amp at that point, saw the attacker and got out of the way. The police arrested the attacker, though we don't know what happened to him. But he wanted to sacrifice Tony. Lunatic." Butler also recalled the band's final gig and how he celebrated: "In 2017, we broke up for good. Tony had been diagnosed with lymphoma and was absolutely knackered after each gig, and it just felt like the right time. Our final concert was in Birmingham, where it all started. I'd been sober since 2015, so I celebrated afterwards with, I think, a lemonade." On June 6, Butler released his autobiography, 
Speaking to the UK's The Guardian, Brian May said that the band's former bassist John Deacon is still "very much part of" Queen, and "we have to respect the fact that John needs his privacy now." May answered a series of questions put to him by fans in the interview, with one asking he had any "inkling" that Deacon would exit Queen for good, and why he thought the reclusive bassist walked away. The guitarist replied: "All I can say is that, historically, John was quite sensitive to stress. We all found it hard, losing Freddie (Mercury), but I think John particularly struggled." He continued: "We did do a couple of things together, in 1996: the recording of "No One But You" -- the song I wrote about Freddie when we were putting up the statue to commemorate him in Montreux (Switzerland) -- and one show in Paris. "It was to open the ballet season with an amazing new work by Maurice Bjart, about Mozart and Queen. We played with John on bass, and Elton John sang with us. "At that moment, John just looked at us and said, 'I can't do this any more'. We knew that he at least needed a break, but as it turned out he never came back." May then added that Deacon is still involved in Queen: "I don't think that I can go into much more detail -- we have to respect the fact that John needs his privacy now -- but he's still part of the machinery of the band. If we have any major decision, business wise, it's always run past John. It doesn't mean he talks to us -- generally he doesn't -- but he will communicate in some way. He's still very much part of Queen." In other Queen news, the band has received the Brit Billion Award for surpassing the landmark of 1 billion career streams in the U.K. The award -- sponsored by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the industry body for U.K. record labels and music companies and the organisers of the Brit Awards -- was honored to mark their achievement in surpassing the landmark of one billion career streams in the U.K., as calculated by the Official Charts Company. The achievement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in July 1973. "Thank you for presenting Queen with a Brit Billion Award," Brian May said on behalf of himself, late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and surviving founding Queen members Roger Taylor and John Deacon. "We're grateful to all our fans that support us and continue to enjoy our music. Rock on BPI." Queen was one of the first musical acts to appear at the Brit Awards in 1977, where they tied for Best British Single for "Bohemian Rhapsody." Launched in 2023, the Brit Billion Award has also been presented to ABBA, Coldplay, Mariah Carey, and the late Whitney Houston. - NME/Music-News.com, 7/17/23...... An extensive collection of books owned by late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is set to go under the hammer on Sept. 28-29, and be presented in London, New York and Los Angeles prior to the Christies auction sale. The extensive collection features a host of first editions of some of the world's most iconic books, including F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound Of The Baskervilles. The signed copy of Gatsby is set to fetch between 200-300,000, while Watts' collection of jazz memorabilia will also be sold. Discussing the items, Watts' authorized biography author Paul Sexton said: "He took great pleasure in owning these things. He valued his time at home and he would read on the road, so literature was a very important part of his make-up." He added: "I don't think he acquired them because he knew they would become valuable, he just took a huge satisfaction in owning these great works and tracking down, with the help of experts, original first editions." The full collection can be viewed on the 
Actress and singer Jane Birkin, who made France her home and charmed the country with her English grace, natural style and social activism, died on July 16 at her home in Paris. She was 76. The London-born star and fashion icon was known for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their songs notably included the steamy 
A previously-unreleased song by late Fleetwood Mac member Christine McVie has been shared on 
The Beach Boys issued a press release on July 13 announcing their first-ever official anthology book. The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys will be a 400-page, 60,000-word tome covering the "Endless Summer" band's rise from a Hawthorne, CA garage in 1961 to international fame thanks to such indelible sand-and-surf hits as "Surfin' U.S.A.," "I Get Around," "California Girls," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Little Surfer Girl," "Kokomo" and many more. The limited-edition, 500-copies run will tell the band's story through the words of members Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston, with rare and classic photographs and rarities. "I think it's the heart that you put into what you're doing that's important. Each member of the Beach Boys puts their whole heart and soul into what they do, and that is probably the saving grace of the group," Brian Wilson said in a statement shared by publisher Genesis Publications. "Few families are together spiritually and emotionally over art," he added. The book will also feature photos from the Capitol Records archive, the band's archive and members' personal archives, including outtakes from album sessions for such landmark releases as Pet Sounds and Smile, live shots from their first European tour and the rehearsals for their first live performance of 'Good Vibrations." It will also include other rare objects, including photos of tape boxes, tour posters and programs, handwritten lyrics and notes, newspaper clippings, album ads and studio documents. Other contributors include Lindsey Buckingham, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, David Lee Roth, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend, among others. A hardcover edition for bookstores will be issued in 2024, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the ocean conservation group the Surfrider.org. - Billboard, 7/13/23...... On July 12 Tom Waits announced on 
When Led Zeppelin's late manager Peter Grant died in 1995, the band's longtime manager who owned a 20% stake in their music apparently left his children Helen and Warren grant a 10% share in their music. Now that Helen is selling her 10% share of the band's music assets, as reported by Music Week and The Times, she's in for a very nice payout. The Music Week article reports that Helen has hired Ian Penman of New Media Law to shop her share of the Zeppelin assets. With the band's master recordings catalog still generating an estimated $24 million in revenue annually in the US alone, that would give the Led Zepp recorded masters catalog a nearly $420 million valuation -- 10% of which would be $42 million. After likeness and trademarks are thrown in (excluding publishing), Helen could reap close to $45 million. It's unclear if Led Zeppelin still owns the rest of the Swan Song catalog, which includes albums by Bad Company, the Pretty Things and Maggie Bell -- and, if it does, whether Helen Grant has a stake in that and is offering it up for sale, too. It's unclear if that interest is a part of any contemplated sale. - Billboard, 7/11/23...... As AC/DC celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023, the hard rocking Aussies are helping to ring in the milestone with an exclusive AC/DC Collector's Edition Monopoly Set. The classic game gets an AC/DC makeover with pieces and labels inspired by all of the band's major moments throughout the years, including AC/DC Lane, "For Those About to Rock," "TNT" and more. Take on the board with one of the tokens inspired by the band, including a "bundle of dynamite," "bell on fire," "lightning bolt," "Angus School Boy Hat" and "stack of cash." The game will have players journeying around the board in an attempt upgrade properties with Gold Records (Houses) and Platinum Records (Hotels). You'll also want to stack your cash like amps and use the profitable Bonfire (Community Chest) and Backtracks (Chance) cards to be the last fan with Angus-printed currency to land yourself the win. The game is now available at 
In an interview with Total Guitar magazine, Wolfgang Van Halen said he doesn't think a Van Halen reunion or tribute show for his late father Eddie Van Halen is "possible." Wolfgang, 32, said there is too much politics between bandmembers that they aren't willing to put aside to honor his legendary axeman dad, who lost his lengthy battle with cancer in Oct. 2020 at the age of 65. "Unfortunately, with the way Van Halen operates and has operated, I don't think it's possible," he said. "With Foo Fighters and what they pulled off with the Taylor Hawkins tributes, the whole organization from the ground up is very rooted in not too much personnel. With Van Halen and all of the history behind it, there may be a bit too much of that to be put aside for what should happen." Wolfgang -- who had a stint performing alongside his father as bassist in Van Halen -- said he got his "closure" when he performed at the Hawkins tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles. "Personally, I feel like I got my closure when I played the Taylor Hawkins tributes, because -- at least just for me -- they were just as much about my dad as they were Taylor," he said. "I was very grateful for the opportunity to be part of those celebrations -- it meant a lot! I got a lot of my feelings out when we did those shows. That's what I've come to terms with." Meanwhile, Wolfgang's band Mammoth WVH will release their second studio album, Mammoth II, on Aug. 4. - Music-News.com, 7/15/23...... The cause of the Jan. 12 death of Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley at age 54 was due to complications from bariatric surgery she had several years ago, authorities announced on July 13. The death was ruled as being from natural causes due to effects of a small bowel obstruction. According to an autopsy report released by the office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, the complication that Presley experienced is a common one from bariatric surgery, which is a weight loss procedure. According to The Mayo Clinic, the procedure is often done when other weight loss methods haven't worked or if a person has a serious medical condition. The autopsy report added that Lisa Marie had been complaining of stomach pain earlier in the day. She was buried at a Jan. 22 funeral at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., the home where she lived with her father as a child that has become a museum, tourist attraction and shrine for Elvis fans. She left behind three daughters, 34-year-old Daisy Jones & the Six actor Riley Keough and 15-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood. A son, Benjamin Keough, died in 2020. Riley was nominated for her first Emmy on July 12, for best actress in a limited series or TV movie, for Daisy Jones & the Six. - AP, 7/13/23.
In related news, Crosby's former CSNY bandmate Graham Nash will become the ninth recipient of the "John Lennon Real Love Award" at the 43rd annual John Lennon Tribute set for Dec. 2 at Town Hall in New York City. The event, staged by the nonprofit organization Theatre Within, will be held days before the 43rd anniversary of John Lennon's assassination on Dec. 8, 1980. The award draws its name from The Beatles' 1996 hit "Real Love," which Lennon wrote and recorded in the 1970s. Nash will play some of his favorite Lennon/Beatles classics and will be joined by such artists as Rosanne Cash, Judy Collins and Rita Coolidge. "This is a very special award," Nash said in a statement. "I thank Yoko [Ono] and the Theatre Within for thinking of me. Over many years, I watched John and Yoko 'fight the good fight' for many whose voices were not being heard, a fight that Yoko continues to this day. I'm proud to be associated with the many fine artists who were previously honored with the John Lennon Real Love Award." In her own statement, Ono said, "With its joyful annual John Lennon Tribute and John Lennon Real Love Project, Theatre Within is furthering the vision that John and I shared for a better world." Previous recipients include Cash, Natalie Merchant, Patti Smith, Ani DiFranco and Donovan. More info can be found at www.LennonTribute.org/join-friend. Billboard, 7/10/23...... Elton John record breaking "Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour" reached its culmination with an emotionally charged show at Sweden's Tele2 Arena on July 8. It was the landmark 330th -- and final -- concert that marked the end of the Rocket Man's truly historic farewell tour after more than 50 years on the road. The tour kicked off on September 10th, 2018 in North America and has subsequently seen Elton play to over 6.25 million fans across the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia. Taking the audience on a magical journey through his career for the final time, the show featured some of Sir Elton's most beloved songs from his legendary catalog ncluding "Bennie and the Jets," "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," "Philadelphia Freedom" climaxing in a three song encore of "Cold Heart," "Your Song" and a spine tingling finale of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." During the set, a live video link-up with Coldplay, who were playing live in the Swedish city of Gothenburg at the same time, delivered a message of thanks to a clearly deeply moved Elton on behalf of the many artists and musicians he's supported and platformed during his touring career. "Elton, from all of us here (in Gothenburg), from all the bands and artists you've helped and inspired, we love you so much," Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said. "We are so grateful for everything you've done for the AIDS Foundation, anytime you've been kind to anybody.... We love you so much, we're going to miss you so much." After leaving the stage in Stockholm, Elton said "When we set off on my final tour in 2018, I couldn't have foreseen in my wildest dreams the twists and turns and the highs and lows this tour -- and the whole world -- would have experienced in the next 5 years. And every step of the way, my fans have been there. They have stuck with me, they have supported me, they have been patient and they have kept turning out for every single last show. Tonight has been magical. I'm trying to process it and I don't think it will sink in for a while yet that I'm finally finished touring. I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss the fans and how much their support has humbled me -- it will stay with me forever." John also gave an emotional send off to his incredible band who have joined him on stage throughout the tour -- and the previous 50 years -- including Davey Johnstone, Musical Director, Guitarist and backup vocals; Nigel Olsson on drums, Ray Cooper on percussion, John Mahon on percussion, Kim Bullard on keyboards and Matt Bissonette on the bass. On July 10, the 76-year-old Elton shared a montage of highlights from the show on Instagram, saying he was still "trying to process" the end of the farewell tour. He confirmed that he will never tour again, however, he may still perform at one-off events in the future. - Music-News.com, 7/9/23...... 
The final weekend of the UK's American Express presents BST Hyde Park festival continued with Billy Joel headlining the July 7 show in London. Arriving on stage to a roar of cheers, the Piano Man delved straight into "My Life," saying: "Thank you, London, England! Good to see ya, I don't get to come here that much. And I'm not sure when this old ass is going to be back again." Performing 22 songs over two hours, Joel showcased such powerful ballads as "Always A Woman," fun pop tracks such as "Vienna," and piano-led highlights such as "New York State of Mind." The singer's widespread artistry was put on full display, not least when he unleashed "The Longest Time" upon the crowd, with 65,000 voices singing back. Then "An Innocent Man" segued quickly into a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up." Speaking about his still incredible vocal range, the 74-year-old Joel admitted, "Your voice deepens as you get older. I didn't think I'd do this song in my 70s, I didn't think I'd be doing this gig in my 70s!" Highlights also included a special tribute to Tina Turner, where Joel interlaced his "River of Dreams" with Turner's hit "River Deep, Mountain High" -- and, of course, the harmonic signature tune "Piano Man." There was even a Beatles-inspired "Hard Days Night" interlude in the mix. Then came the ultimate pop classic, "Uptown Girl," for which the musician was joined on stage by rising singer Joe Jonas. "I'm going to bring a friend to sing this next song with me. Please welcome the Jonas Brothers' Joe Jonas," Billy announced to the excited audience. The night climaxed with the 65,000-strong crowd dancing their hearts out to his 1980 smash "You May Be Right." Also on the bill earlier in the evening was Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates. Meanwhile, Joel has given his blessings to Fall Out Boys' update of his 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire." "Everybody's been wanting to know when there's going to be an updated version of it, because my song started in 49 and ended in 89 -- it was a 40 year span," Joel recently told BBC Radio 2. "Everybody said, 'Well, aren't you going to do a part two? I said, 'Nah, I've already done part one. So, Fall Our Boy, go ahead. Great, take it away." - Music-News.com, 7/9/23...... Headlining the July 8 and penultimate day at BST Hyde Park was Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. The Boss kept the audience on its toes as he switched the set around from his July 6 Hyde Park appearance, this time kicking off with "My Love Will Not Let You Down." What followed was hit after hit of his best-loved tracks, from "Prove It All Night," "Promised Land," "Badland"s and "Mary's Place," which popped up at exactly the right time for the crowd to bellow: "Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!" The 18-strong band, which included guitarist Steven Van Zandt and saxophonist Jake Clemons once again performed stellar cover versions of The Commodores' "Nightshift" and a song written with Patti Smith, "Because The Night." Closing the epic three-hour set was a phenomenal encore, packed with some of Springsteen's most iconic tunes. "Born To Run," "Bobby Jean," "Glory Days," "Dancing In The Dark" and "10th Avenue Freeze-Out" and his famous cover of The Beatles' "Twist and Shout" all featured, before he ended with an acoustic rendition of "I'll See You In My Dreams." - Music-News.com, 7/11/23...... Ozzy Osbourne shared a statement on 
On July 6 The Eagles announced the initial dates for their "Long Goodbye Final Tour" that will feature their fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Steely Dan as openers. Slated to kick off on Sept. 7 at New York's Madison Square Garden, the tour so far has only 13 dates announced, but band members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit as well as Vince Gill and Deacon Frey have promised to play "as many shows in each market as their audience demands," according to their statement, and the tour is expected to run into 2025. Vince Gill, a Country Music Hall of Fame member for his solo work, began playing with the Eagles in 2017 alongside Deacon Frey, son of late co-founding Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey, who died in 2016. "Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed," said the band, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1971. "But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle. We want to give all our fans a chance to see us on this final round... The difficulties of booking venues for multiple nights may require us to return to certain cities, depending on demand. But, we hope to see as many of you as we can, before we finish up. Most importantly, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for embracing this band and its music. At the end of the day, you are the reason we have been able to carry on for over five decades. This is our swan song, but the music goes on and on." Earlier in 2023, the band announced an additional run of shows featuring a full performance of their signature 1976 album Hotel California along with their greatest hits. - Billboard, 7/6/23...... In a new interview with Variety, Ringo Starr insisted the upcoming Beatles single will be the iconic band's "last track." Ringo, 83, and Paul McCartney have collaborated on a previously unreleased John Lennon demo from 1978 titled "Now and Then" that they, along with George Harrison considered making into a Beatles track in the '90s, and Starr says he's sure that this will be the final ever Beatles song released. When asked why they decided to release it now, Ringo joked: "I don't know. Paul must've had a slow day. Paul says, 'You know that track we did? Do you want to work on that?' I drummed on it and I sang on it. It is moving, because the four of us are there, and there won't be ever again." Now well into his eighth decade, Ringo says he has no plans to slow down. He said: "I can't hide it. You know what I mean? So I have to say: 83 today. Well, I'm here. It's not like a proud thing. It's just, this is where I'm at. I think I've got another hundred years in me." - Music-News.com, 7/8/23...... The first trailer for the forthcoming Bob Marley biopic One Love was shared on 
George Tickner, a co-founding former member of Journey who contributed rhythm guitar to the legendary rock group's first three albums, has died at age 76. Tickner was hired by the late band's manager, Herbie Herbert, who died in 2021, and his rhythm guitar duties were taken over by Neal Schon until Jonathan Cain joined the band in 1981. In Jan. 2005, Tickner appeared with past and present members of the "Don't Stop Believin'" rockers to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After leaving Journey, George teamed up with Ross Valory -- the group's original bassist -- on The Hive, a recording space where he continued to write music. The pair were later joined by keyboardist Stevie "Keys" Roseman in the band VTR, and they released the album Cinema in 2005, with other Journey stars including Schon, Steve Smith and Prairie Prince. "Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner. You will be missed immensely. Herbie's waiting to greet you," Neal Schon wrote in tribute on Facebook. - Music-News.com, 7/6/23...... Peter Nero, a Grammy-winning pianist who interpreted pop songs through classical and jazz forms and served as the Philly Popsconductor for more than three decades, died on July 6 at Home Care Assisted Living Facility in Eustis, Fla., according to his daughter, Beverly Nero. He was 89. Mr. Nero colored his renditions of pop songs -- from Cole Porter and George Gershwin to the Beatles and Bob Dylan -- with classical, swing, Broadway, blues and jazz melodies. He often called his sound "undefinable and was not offended when others called it "middle of the road." (He once told a newspaper, "Middle of the road and doing great business.") While Mr. Nero's orchestra wasn't as prominent as the Boston Pops Orchestra, it did command routine sellouts in Philadelphia, no doubt helped by Mr. Nero's lively playing style and warm stage presence. In his work as both performer and conductor, Nero returned frequently to Broadway tunes, Hollywood themes and Gershwin, the subject of the Philly Pops first concert. But he also dipped into Motown's catalog and farther afield to rock bands such as Procol Harum and an album devoted to disco and 70s love songs. Mr. Nero earned Grammy Awards in 1961 for best new artist and in 1962 for best performance by an orchestra or instrumentalist for his record The Colorful Peter Nero. - Billboard, 7/9/23.
Ringo Starr, who knows a thing or two about being part of the biggest music act in the world, has told People magazine that pop sensation Taylor Swift is currently "the biggest star in the world" and that he's a big fan of hers, along with some other "great girl singers." "I'm not naming anybody because I just like to listen to them, but there are several great bands out there, girl singers out there," Ringo explained. "I mean, the biggest star in the world, Taylor. We used to meet her when she was like, five, at the Grammys with her mother. And the beat goes on." Of the Beatles' own enduring legacy, the drummer said: "That's what's great. We're blessed, as the Beatles, because each generation has a listen to us. They see, 'What does that mean to those guys?' So we're still selling records, can you believe it? And we're still remastering them, and we're still putting them in different orders and putting out outtakes. Life is good." Starr also commented on the forthcoming "final Beatles" song, for which they were able to isolate the late John Lennon's vocals with a machine named after the Fab Four's roadie Mal Evans. He insisted: "This is absolutely John Lennon's voice, taken off, as neat as we can, a cassette. And that's all I can tell you!" Ringo's comments come after Paul McCartney clarified that it doesn't feature a digitally-generated likeness of the "Imagine" singer's voice. - Music-News.com, 7/5/23...... Billboard's concert industry publication Boxscore is reporting that Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour" has become the first to earn $900 Million in Boxscore history. Launching way back in Sept. 2018, Elton's farewell tour has topped the the Boxscore ranking a total of seven times. In Jan. 2023, it became the highest grossing tour in Boxscore history, passing Ed Sheeran's "The Divide Tour." In doing so, it was the first tour to gross more than $800 million. And now, less than two weeks before wrapping for good, its the first to cross yet another milestone -- the tour has now grossed $910.4 million through June 18, making it the first tour to ever break the $900 million barrier. The new reports also push John's career Boxscore total past 20 million tickets, dating back to reports from 1986. That's inclusive of 1,437 headline shows, plus co-headline dates alongside Billy Joel, James Taylor, and more. Meanwhile Sir Elton, along with several other headliners at the recent Glastonbury festival, is experiencing the "Glastonbury effect" on the U.K. record sales charts. The Rocket Man's Diamonds hits collection has climbed from 11 to 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart for the week of June 30, with an 188% uptick in week-on-week chart sales (sales and streams). John also makes his mark on the Official U.K. Singles Chart as his "Cold Heart" collaboration with Dua Lipa vaulting from 66-30, and his 1983 classic "Im Still Standing" stands at No. 34. That's the first top 40 appearance for the single since its year of release. - Billboard, 7/5/23...... 
Mike Garson, a former pianist in David Bowie's touring band, has told MusicWeek.com that he fears he's to blame for the late singer giving up touring after 2004. Garson shared that a conversation with the chameleonic rocker that may have impacted his decision. "So he called me in 2006 and he said, 'Well, Mike, do you think we should go out again?' Now, I think the band and my wife want to kill me because I said something absurd, but actually deep and correct and honest," Garson said. He continued: "I said, 'David, only if you're feeling it', because he wasn't feeling it. I knew it but he wanted to give work to the band -- our tour was cut short in 2004, so he was feeling guilty." He added: "Of course, my first thought was, 'Yeah, let's go'. But my second thought was, 'I don't want to be on the road with someone who is miserable and doesn't want to be there.'" Garson said two stayed in touch up until Bowie's death in 2016. They were planning on working together on different projects but that was cut short due to the legend's passing. Bowie died at the age of 69 due to a private battle with cancer. Garson shared: "He wrote to be saying he was hoping to maybe do another version of 'Outside' with Brian Eno and tour that. I had some hopes, but it was cut short unfortunately." Garson toured as part of Bowie's band for three decades, and was also there for the final show 19 years ago which was cut short due to Bowie's health issues. He also contributed keyboards to the Bowie LP's 
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has told Linea Rock that he asked former co-founding KISS members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley to perform at the band's last ever shows, but both refused. The legendary shock-rockers are in the middle of their farewell "End of the Road" tour, and now currently performing in the U.K. Their last-ever shows are set to take place at Madison Square Garden in their hometown of New York on Dec. 1 and 2. The "KISS Army" had hoped Criss and Frehley would make an appearance at Kiss's last shows, but the chances of that happening appear slim, seeing as Simmons has claimed multiple offers were made and declined. "For the older fans, the ones who've been around for 50 years, they're old, and some of them wanna see Ace and Peter. The newer fans never saw them and they don't know," Simmons said. "But the older fans wonder about Ace and Peter. Well, I asked both Ace and Peter a few times 'Do you wanna come out for the encores? Do you wanna do some shows?' And they both said 'no.' So, I don't know what to say about that. But it's always welcome. But there are many other big stars, superstars, who wanna jump up onstage and play a song. But we're not sure about that. Maybe the best thing to do is to end the way we started -- four guys with guitars. No keyboards, no synthesizers, nothing. Just playing." Frehley and Criss were part of KISS's original line-up alongside Simmons and vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley. Criss departed in 1980 and Frehley in 1982, but both participated in the band's 1996 reunion. KISS's final UK shows are on July 5 (London), July 7 (Manchester) and July 8 (Glasgow). - NME, 7/2/23...... The inaugural edition of Greenwich Summer Sounds festival kicked off on July 5 with a concert from Nile Rodgers & Chic. Set within the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwhich, London, Nile Rodgers & Chic were the first to take to the stage at this incredible new festival, treating the audience to such hits as "Le Freak," "Good Times" and "Everybody Dance." Other headliners for the fest include the legendary Tom Jones, hip hop sensations Black Eyed Peas, and indie faves Kaiser Chiefs closing the festival on July 8. - Music-News.com,...... 
Former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock says he's ready to rock with Iggy Pop again -- over over 40 years since they last worked with each other. Matlock, who played live with Blondie at Pop's "Dog Day Afternoon" event at London's Crystal Palace on July 1, played on Iggy's 1980 album Soldier and also toured with The Stooges legend throughout 1979. Glen, 66, recently told New Musical Express that he would be interested in recording new music with Iggy, 76, once again and hopes to pitch a collaboration to the "Lust for Life" singer. "I wouldn't mind doing something with Iggy again, actually. I saw him in the States and it was great. I'd [also] like to have done something with Bryan Ferry in his prime." Although it is unlikely that The Sex Pistols will ever step on-stage again, Matlock says he's creatively being fulfilled by his solo music and work with Blondie. The bass player features on Blondie's upcoming 12th studio album and also tours with Debbie Harry and co, even joining the "Heart of Glass" hitmakers on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in late June. He recently released his seventh solo LP Consequences Coming. - Music-News.com, 7/1/23......