Category Archives: Classic Rock

How Duran Duran Began a Second Act With ‘Ordinary World’

Duran Duran would one day earn induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but they were in a much different place as “Ordinary World” arrived on Dec. 19, 1992. The group’s previous album, 1990’s Liberty, didn’t reach the same commercial heights as earlier efforts like 1982’s Rio. Neither did singles such as “Violence […]

Watch Dave Grohl Cover Blood, Sweat and Tears’ ‘Spinning Wheel’

Dave Grohl, Greg Kurstin and director Judd Apatow have shared their take on Blood, Sweat & Tears‘ 1968 hit “Spinning Wheel.” Apatow handles vocals on the track, with Grohl on drums, Kurstin on keyboards and a brass trio in support. The cover was reportedly inspired by a karaoke night the director spent in Hawaii with […]

Jane’s Addiction Will Keep Going Despite Dave Navarro’s Illness

Jane’s Addiction will continue work on their upcoming album despite the absence of guitarist Dave Navarro, frontman Perry Farrell confirmed. The band just completed their first tour with original bassist Eric Avery since 2010, but just before it started Navarro revealed his continuing fight with long COVID meant he couldn’t join them. He was replaced […]

Sex Pistols Miss ‘SNL’ Gig Due to Legal Problems

Thirty Rockefeller Plaza was abuzz in the lead-up to Saturday Night Live’s third season Christmas episode. Taking nothing away from that Dec. 17, 1977 show’s host, 80-year-old Miskel Spillman, the winner of SNL’s first (and, to this point only) “Anyone Can Host the Saturday Night Show” contest, it was the announced musical guests who had NBC […]

Metallica Debut New UFO, Thin Lizzy Covers at L.A. Benefit Show

Metallica delivered their third Helping Hands fundraising concert at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles last night, supporting their All Within My Hands charity initiative. The evening was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Following an opening set from Greta Van Fleet, the main show began with five acoustic tracks, including new covers of Thin Lizzy‘s “Borderline” […]

Paul Stanley Has a Message for His Critics

Critics. Who needs them? According to Paul Stanley of Kiss, nobody. The legendary vocalist has weathered his share of critical drubbings from the day Kiss first stepped on stage nearly 50 years ago. He remains unfazed. “Critics want you to believe that you need them,” he tells UCR. “And you don’t. You don’t need anybody to tell […]

Kim Simmonds, Co-Founding Savoy Brown Guitarist, Dead at 75

Kim Simmonds, co-founder and guitarist of Savoy Brown, has died at the age of 75. The news was confirmed today via the band’s official social media pages. “Please note one of Kim’s last requests was to thank the fans of Savoy Brown,” they said. “Your support was and shall always be immensely appreciated.” Simmonds announced […]

Iman Says David Bowie’s Death Put a Target on Her Head

David Bowie’s 2016 death left his wife Iman feeling exposed. Nearly seven years later, the model and actress tells Vogue that she still refuses to describe him as her “late” spouse. The public reaction was simply “too much,” Iman said. “We lived a very private life and suddenly it felt like there was a target […]

Paul Stanley Says Kiss Is ‘Far From Done’ as Final Tour Rages On

Paul Stanley predicts Kiss fans will still get to see the band in some capacity even after they complete their End of the Road farewell tour and ostensibly retire from touring. “Kiss is like an army or a sports team,” Stanley tells UCR ahead of his Saturday exhibition at Short Hills, N.J.’s Wentworth Gallery, where he’ll show […]