The producers of Wattstax had a problem when it came to the industry’s rating system. Intended for family audiences, their movie followed along as multiple Stax Records-affiliated R&B and soul legends took the stage in August 1972 at the sprawling Los Angeles Coliseum to commemorate the Watts riots, with topical man-on-the-street interviews interspersed throughout. Some […]
Respected Bruce Springsteen fanzine Backstreets announced its closure after 43 years as a result of the musician’s “dynamic ticket pricing” campaign, which saw tickets for his 2023 reunion tour with the E Street Band shooting out of many supporters’ price ranges last year. The controversial strategy, overseen by Ticketmaster, meant that some entry fees for […]
Melinda Dillon, the two-time Oscar-nominee who starred in such films as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Absence of Malice and A Christmas Story, has died at 83. The actress’s passing was confirmed by her family, who noted that her date of death was Jan. 9. No further details were given. Born in Hope, Ark., […]
REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin introduced Derek Hilland as a replacement for Neal Doughty, who bowed out after 55 years last month. Keyboardist Doughty – co-founder and the only member to appear on all of the band’s records – explained that he had enough of traveling, and although he still enjoyed performing, it was time for him […]
Shania Twain said Prince once invited her to Paisley Park to record “the next Rumours album,” referring to Fleetwood Mac‘s hit 1977 LP. The country star, who is set to release her sixth album, Queen of Me, on Friday, recently spoke with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and shared the story of Prince’s invitation. Back in 2008, Twain was going through […]
For as long as it has existed, people have attempted to define rock ‘n’ roll. “I don’t think anyone can really explain rock ‘n’ roll,’” says the character Jeff Bebe in Almost Famous. “Maybe Pete Townshend, but that’s okay. Rock ‘n’ roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking and it’s not about money […]
Bruce Springsteen launched his 2023 tour tonight in Tampa, Fla., marking his first live performance with the E Street Band in close to six years. “Good evening, Tampa!” he declared as he stepped on stage, greeted by thunderous applause from the fans in attendance. From there, Springsteen jumped straight into opening song “No Surrender,” the […]
Ozzy Osbourne had no way of knowing at the time that his Ozzfest 2018 New Year’s Eve bash at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., would be the last full concert of his career. The Prince of Darkness launched his No More Tours 2 farewell voyage in April 2018, with plans to be on the road at least […]
Elton John will belatedly celebrate the 50th anniversary of Honky Chateau by releasing an expanded version of the album on March 24. Originally released in May 1972, Honky Chateau was John’s first chart-topping album, and features the hit singles “Rocket Man” and “Honky Cat.” It was named after the 18th-century Chateau d’Herouville outside Paris where […]
The rock world said goodbye to several notable figures in 2023, including David Crosby and Jeff Beck. Music fans were stunned by the January death of guitar virtuoso Beck, who had completed a tour with Johnny Depp less than two months earlier. The death of David Crosby during the same month also came as a shock to fans. The Byrds […]