Classic Rock Report: Joplin Heads To Broadway And Yoko Has A New Album

Janis Joplin is headed for Broadway. A musical tribute that's been playing on stages across the country for several years will makes its Broadway premiere Oct. 10th. The show’s synopsis promises “a musical journey celebrating the inspirations of one of Classic Rocks biggest movers. 'A Night With Janis Joplin’ stars singer Mary Bridgit Davies, whose been on the road since 2001 with a revamped Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Joplin isn't the only woman on the move. Yoko Ono will release a new collection of on September 17th. Although Ono is 80...other legends of Classic Rock wasted no time to offer a helping hand. So much so she owned the number one dance track in the country just three weeks ago. Would I get in trouble if I said thank god for auto tune?

Classic Rock Report: INXS Movie And E Cigarette Nearly Kills Guns N Roses Member

Michael Hutchence. Television is about to resurrect his fame. “Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story Of INXS” is now in production. The makers of the film have hired actors that look and sound so much like the original members. They're convinced Hutchence is actually there. “Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS” features 100% the bands original music. And won't come across as an Oliver Stone Doors rip off.

The musicians that make up Classic Rock have had their share of near death experiences. Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue one of the most famous. From Guns N Roses comes the tale of DJ Ashba...who doesn't blame his near death on drugs or alcohol but electronic cigarettes. Poison control confirmed that the nicotine shooting thru his body from the fake cigarettes was equivalent to smoking 33 packs of cigarettes a day.” Ashba is alive and slowly recovering.

Classic Rock Report: The Beatles On Blue Ray

Man cave Blue Ray alert! In between the golf swings and NASCAR's left turn only ring. There's down time between the commercials. Net Flix has made Rock- U-Mentries a hot man cave commodity. Time to add The Beatles. "Help" was the bands second feature film. The best stories belong to the moments before and after the director shouts, "Action!" and "Cut!" The Blue Ray features special outtakes, interviews and trailers, as well as a 30-minute documentary on the making of the movie. In this exclusive clip, director Richard Lester, director of photography David Watkin, hair and make-up artist Betty Glasow and costume designer Julie Harris share their memories of working on Help! and offer candid tidbits about the experience. The digitally restored Blu-ray version of Help! is available on Amazon and the Beatles' catalog is available on iTunes. Catch pieces of it now video one video two

Classic Rock Report: New Music From Springsteen And Steven Tyler

The times may be tight but you can't keep a good Boss down. Bruce Springsteen's in the studio with guitarist Tom Morello putting down the tracks for a new collection memory makers. Springsteen says he's got a lot of material. Admitting I feel like I’m in the middle of the well.” No details yet on album release... Music critics believe though...it'll be sooner than later. Bruce Springsteen has been put into the hands of fans six completed packages since 2002. Springsteen is making the most of his current European tour. During the Australian leg in March, he and members of the E Street Band went into a studio and recorded some potential tracks for the new album. Morello joined them, since he was filling in for Steven Van Zandt, who took some time off from the group to work on the Netflix series ‘Lilyhammer,’ which he stars in. “We’ve never had a recording session during a tour in our lives,” Springsteen said. “We did a couple of things that I wanted to put down. So that was very exciting. And being with Tommy was exciting. The band – Steven, Nils, all those guys – continues to be a source of inspiration for me.” He said. “I struggled through the ’90s … But this has been a great, tremendously rewarding period of our time together. This has been the best 10, 12 years we’ve ever had.”

Speaking of new music. Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler is out front trying to reinvent the wheel. His first ever solo project has been dubbed electronica. A dub stepper's paradise. What does that mean for fans of Classic Rock? Drop the man cave and take up clubbing. And I'm not talking golf. Tyler expects to create with Skrillz and deadmouse? The mere mention of these names to your college kids or grandchildren will make you bigger than Harry Potter meets Hunger Games “I want to go out and explore things. I really want to take a little risk and do something solo.” Tyler hasn’t set a date for the work, although he plans to start in January. And despite previous explorations of what he calls “Brand Tyler” he’s not aiming to leave his bandmates behind. “The band will be playing,” he vowed. “Aerosmith will always be around. Aerosmith’s never been better. But I got this itch – and I know where to scratch.” In 2011 he released a solo single (It) Feels So Good, which he described as “cathartic” and “a lot of fun.”

Classic Rock Report: Fleetwood Mac Unlocked

Fleetwood Mac has returned. Ummm I'm thinking my fingers shouldn't be sharing the story. Their experiences on and off the road makes Reality TV weak in the knees. Get the interviews

Classic Rock Report: Interview With Ann and Nancy Wilson Of Heart

Rock n Roll Hall of Famer's Anne and Nancy Wilson of Heart invade Charlotte's Verizon Wireless Amphitheater tonight. Keeping the girls upfront and on track for forty years...constantly keeping Anne's vocals finely tuned ****** For Nancy Wilson...never selling out proves to be her strongest feature ___________________

Unlike the Beatles, Rolling Stones and even CCR...the sisters weren't part of the original layout of the band ************ Being part of a bands history hasn't stopped the sister dou...as for past members ****** _________________________

Forty years on the road with sibling is a feat many can't do. For these girls...there's something behind the scenes ************** All that sounds fine but was there ever a fight *********

Hear the interviews

Classic Rock Update: Heart Birthday Serenade And Blondie Is Back

Classic Rock Fans got a little swollen in the Heart this past Tuesday night...when Nancy Wilson of the group Heart birthday serenaded her sister. The song Nancy chose was Elton John's I need you to turn to. Latch onto the video Then catch Ann and Nancy Wilson with Jason Bonum tomorrow night at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

Speaking of hot girls in love...with the road. Deborah Harry and Blondie are whipping out the vintage and headed back to the streets. Keeping true to fans.... Deborah Harry has cleared the way for every ticket purchased fans of the band get five free music downloads from Blondie's new collection of tracks. 9/5 — Hampton Beach, N.H. 9/6 — Niagara Falls, N.Y. 9/7 — Atlantic City, N.J. 9/9 — Washington, DC 9/11 — Cincinnati, Ohio 9/12 — Royal Oak, Mich. 9/14 –Chicago, Ill. 9/17 — Redmond, Wash. 9/19 — San Francisco, Calif. 9/20 — Saratoga, Calif. 9/23 — Santa Fe, N.M. 9/26 — Austin, Texas 9/27 — Houston, Texas 9/28 — Dallas, Texas 9/30 — Nashville, Tenn. 10/1 — Atlanta, Ga. 10/3 — Glenside, Penn. 10/4 — New York, N.Y.

Today's Classic Rock Report: Garfunkle Walks Out/Ray Manzarek's Final Creations Released

I stopped being a fan of movie theaters when cell phones were allowed to walk in with fans of the moving picture. Nothing destroys the concept hand delivered by actors, directors and producers than the bold face of a well lit flat screen. Think I'm a little out of tune? Do you remember the song The Sounds of Silence from Simon and Garfunkle. Not just lyrics but a way of life. The sound of Cell phones influenced Art Garfunkel to walk off the stage and call it an early night. . His publicist pretty much explains “Art Garfunkel's music sounds better when fans leave their phones at home.

Once you set down that digital device. Pick up the the last batch of music recorded by Doors legend Ray Manzarek has made it way to I Heart Radio. ‘Twisted Tales’ is a collaboration between Manzarek and slide guitarist Roy Rogers. A full-length documentary film examining the pair’s collaboration and friendship will be released this fall.

Springsteen's Nervousness Controls Every Live Show

Tom Petty has revamped his set list. Bruce Springsteen has never had one. Today we talk with The Boss about how nervous he gets before every show and how the reaction of the audience controls what song is coming up next. Sound a little out of control? Make no mistake...playing live with Bruce Springsteen is no different than holding down a real job. Nobody knows what The Boss is doing next. There are no set lists. According to E Street Band member Nels Lofgren...the roar of the crowd influences Bruce to change the first song. Bruce was recently asked if being on the road with him was like running a marathon. Check out the Classic Rock Report

Mending The Fences and Faces Of Classic Rock

Foreigner fans can reunite. The battle lines between Mick Jones and Lou Gramm have faded like invisible ink. Who better to help silence the eight year old beer brawl than Billy Joel who announced their return at last week's Songwriters Hall of Fame induction. Backed by the house band, the duo performed the songs ‘Juke Box Hero’ and ‘I Want to Know What Love Is,’ and were joined on the latter by Anthony Morgan’s Inspirational Choir of Harlem. Another songwriting legend, Billy Joel, inducted the duo into the Hall of Fame, joking that Foreigner really were musical heroes, “back when there were jukeboxes.” Jones first broke the news of the event to us in a February interview, where he declared that he was “so proud of what Lou and I achieved in those early years and throughout the time that we were together. I think it’s the first time that we’ve been recognized for our work and our writing, which was really the foundation of what we did together, as much as the performing.” See them perform

Man Jailed For Playing Pink Floyd Too Loud

Man Cave invasion update. A 51-year-old fan of Pink Floyd has been sentenced to 28 days in jail for repeatedly playing the band’s albums at high volume. The albums used as evidence? Dark side of the moon , Wish You Were Here and The Wall Neighbors don't hate Pink Floyd. They just believe...spinning the stacks of wax ten times a day is excessive. I found the man on Face Book. I sent him three words: I Heart Radio.

Stevie Nicks has been labeled one of the most beautiful women of Classic Rock. Her appearances on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in the 70's melted millions of untamed teenage boys hearts. This past week. the Fleetwood Mac-er announced. She can't find a man to love her. In her Stevie Nicks style she says: I’m surrounded by people. I'm like the crystal ball and these are all the rings of Saturn around me. But I can't find the man to take me away. Hmmm I know a 51 year old man in jail right now. He was busted for playing his Pink Floyd too loud. Ummm that sounds like a man of passion.

RollingStone Magazine's Ultimate Bad Guy

Rock has always been associated with bad asses. The sound is about attitude. Once gripped. The goal is to let it rip. Shred. Turn reality upside down so it can be body slammed like a UFC fighter. Growing up in a pair of Montana boots caked with stickier than Super Glue mud...Bad Ass Rebel Rock came with faces that pointed the way to Iggy, Zappa, Keith Richards, Johnny Cash, Bowie and hell even Sister Mary Elephant from Cheech and Chong. RollingStone Magazine reports Jim Morrison is Classic Rocks Ultimate Bad Guy. Although he's been gone for 42 chapters....Morrison's rebellious cause continues to effect. Readers of the national publication pointing directly toward Jim's September 1967 incident on the Ed Sullivan show where he and the band were asked to clean up the lyrics of "Light My Fire" And they didn't. You gotta love a man that ignores the boss... RollingStone reports that it was a costly move, but Morrison was just getting started. He was the original Axl Rose, showing up late for gigs and taunting the crowd when he did show up. People have been debating for decades what actually happened in Miami in 1969, but even if he didn't reveal his penis, he certainly taunted the police until they arrested him. Moves like that really damaged the band, but Morrison seemed not to care. He died in Paris in 1971, but some fans refuse to believe that and they're holding out hope he's going to re-emerge some day. Listen to how it unfolded

Your Rolling Stones Autograph Probably Fake

I stopped collecting autographs the moment a dealer admitted, "You don't want this baseball. The Ted Williams signature is fake." Within seconds. Although I've stood beside some of the biggest names in current music. I watched with my own eyes as they signed. I no longer believed owning a jotting down of someone's name and fame was worth its weight. In this day of collecting Classic Rock Star signatures...how do fans know they own an authentic pencil squiggle? If the name shown has anything to do with the Rolling Stones...big chance it's a fake. Former bassist Bill Wyman says: Most of the band faked each others’ autographs. His suggestion means that thousands of items could be technically forged – and the only name fans can be certain of...is drummer Charlie Watts. According to Wyman “We all learned to sign each others’ signatures – except Charlie. He wouldn’t sign anything. But me, Keith, Mick and Brian could all sign each others’ autographs. When I see them for sale, I know two of them are not originals. But it was the only way to do it, because you couldn’t pass this stuff around. You didn’t have time; you were on stage in ten minutes.”

That being said. Have you ever wanted to own a bass guitar authentically autographed by Geddy Lee of Rush? Be at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on June 20 —Lee’s one-of-a-kind Signature Fender Jazz bass will be auctioned off to raise funds for children with heart defects. the bass will be autographed with a personalized message of their choice. Get hooked up to the bass guitar

ZZ Top And Depeche Mode Unite

A Country song is always going to sound like Country. These days there's a slight lemon twist of Fleetwood Mac meeting the Eagles with a squeeze of Skynyrd and Mellencamp. But Country rarely if ever slips out of its boots. You might think the same about ZZ Top. Classic Rock fans have never looked at them for innovation and change. Yet every once in a while the Texas trio showcases evidence of surprise. Like a collaboration with the British synth-pop group Depeche Mode. The Top/Mode team up comes in the form of a remixed version of ‘Soothe My Soul,’ the most recent single from Depeche Mode’s latest album, ‘Delta Machine.’ Released last month, ‘Soul’ received the remix treatment from a number of artists; in fact, the CD maxi-single includes no fewer than six rejiggered versions of the track — one of which was put together by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons with producer Joe Hardy. It’s an unexpected pairing to say the least, but one that makes perfect sense in Gibbons’ eyes. During his recent album-by-album look at the first 10 ZZ Top records, Gibbons reflected on the synthesizer-assisted sound of 1983′s ‘Eliminator’ by saying, “Bands like Depeche Mode were leading the synthesizer charge at this time. What’s interesting is, Joe Hardy and I received an invitation from them recently to remix one of their new songs, ‘Soothe My Soul.’ [Vocalist] Dave Gahan told me they were looking for a little ‘Texas mud’ to go with the electronica. Funny how things go around in circles sometimes.” Listen to the song

Tom Petty Show "Rock" Blocked

You see it. But do you ignore it? No matter the club, theater or restaurant. Everybody features a single sheet of paper at the door: The capacity of this venue is _____ Have you ever spent time with a business manager trying to meet their budget numbers? Have you ever stood at the front door of a movie premiere and had to creatively peacefully tell them nobody is getting in? It's overcrowded! "Do you know how far we drove? Where on the concert ticket does it say? You're telling me we can't sit on the floor?" I've heard it all. I get in trouble for playing by the rules. Fans can be more evil than the Devil himself. I'm not the only one being yelled at. Threatened. Labeled newly designed dirty names and challenged to rip from my gut the only thing keeping peace a priority. If you work at a place of entertainment and or environment where there's food and or service. It's become your job to figure out how to deal with out of control patrons that are convinced you owe them something. How about safety? A lot of Tom Petty fan's have broken hearts. Saturday nights show in LA was shut down. The fire marshal claims the venue it was overcrowd. Petty himself asked for 100 volunteers to leave the performance. When nobody moved...up came the lights. Tom Petty's Tweet was a photograph of a burned-up copy of the night’s set list. It was the fourth of six planned nights at the intimate 1,300 seat theatre, and the L.A. Times reports that the venue was more crowded than even the previous sold-out shows. Apparently, the first sign of trouble came when fire officials kept concert-goers from returning to the theatre from the lobby after getting drinks or going the bathroom. Around 10:30, Petty himself informed the crowd that 100 people needed to either leave the venue or move up to the balcony, otherwise the show would be cut approximately 45 minutes short. After a long version of the song ‘Melinda,’ he informed everyone that the show was going to have to be cancelled. According to the Times, “the move infuriated fans, who refused to leave amid howls and boos.’

The Grateful Dead Hits The Big Screen

Tropical Storm Andrea, Presidents in Moorseville, NC talking about putting the World Wide Web in schools. What kind of summer is this going to be? Now the music industry is digging up Grateful Dead. The infamous concert film Sunshine Daydream is coming to the big screen. August 1st 7pm. Presented by NCM Fathom Events. Which means it'll probably be shown at Regal Stonecrest. Sunshine Daydream was first shot on 16mm film and has been restored to HD resolution for its theatrical release, while the audio has been completely remastered as well. The Dead's setlist includes "Bird Song," "Dark Star," "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Playing in the Band" and more. The screening is a part of the "Grateful Dead Meet Up at the Movies 2013" series and tickets are available at theater box offices and at the Fathom website (where you can also check out a list of participating theaters). Filmed at the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta, Oregon, in 1972, the Sunshine Daydream concert served as a benefit to save the local Springfield Creamery, and has since become one of the most talked-about shows in the Dead's history. Along with the never-before-seen footage from the concert itself, the film will include recent interviews with Ken Babbs, Sam Cutler, Wavy Gravy and Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia about the monumental concert. The Dead's setlist includes "Bird Song," "Dark Star," "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Playing in the Band" and more. Check out a video clip

Robert Plant Dumps Nashville While John Paul Jones Goes Opera

Robert Plant is leaving the Nashville music scene to be... Robert Plant. He says it's time to move back into the threads of what introduced him to millions. He's not the only Zeppelin in full flight. John Paul Jones is writing an opera. His parents were vaudeville stars with a creative addiction to bringing stories to the stage. Which means fans of both musicians will still have to wait for a Led Zeppelin reunion tour. Fans of Robert Plant know he's a restless man. He's never been a forger of sound. Robert's passions make him a composition archeologist. He digs for rhyme, reason and purpose then develops a style all his own before setting it free to round about the planet. His latest stop Nashville. (2 years strong) Is about to change. Zeppelins former leader singer wants to get back to being Robert Plant. Or as he puts it: I don’t have to be so concerned about making sure I am in harmony with anyone else. I won’t have to worry about Patty [Griffin] glaring at me when I eph up Robert isn't the only Zeppelin taking flight. John Paul Jones is writing an opera.” Emotion. Passion.” He admits to being “halfway through the first act.” Writing a piece of music for this medium presents some unique challenges. Asked to name the biggest one, he responded, “The sheer scale of it, I think. I don’t know. I’m probably about to find out what the challenges are.” Talk soon turned, of course, to the possibility of a Led Zeppelin reunion, and although Jones refused to rule out the possibility, he did point out that he’s got other things going on at the moment. Saying he only has time to “do little gigs that I don’t have to prepare too much for,” he discouraged rumors of a 2014 tour by saying, “2014′s full of opera for me at the moment.”

Pink Floyd The Ultimate Fan Choice For The Hall Of Fame

The biggest Rock gripe on the planet is still connected to who's who in the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame. The greatest thing about Rock isn't its need to be a polished trophy but its desire to move above, around and through labels and comparisons. Rock doesn't rest on a fireplace mantel. It's the tools that shaped every chunk of earth required to warm your soul. I love Paul Stanley's approach, "The Hall of Fame features performers inspired by KISS. Therefore we're already there." For music to work you need three valuable chunks of reality: The Maker. The Deliverer. The Receiver. The missing piece of the puzzle? The Carrier. Once music lands in the mind body and soul of a working man's world. It has to be carried to the next level of generations. Because Radio isn't playing the true roots of Rock a major source of energy still sprouting from the foundation remains numb and void. There're cities in this country whose tower owners see everything recorded pre-1972 as poison. Thank God for I Heart Radio! And the writers, publishers and fans of Rock that still see the eyes of a sleeping bear and have the balls to call it alive. One such digital outlet is Ultimate Classic Rock. Where fans can be fans and everybody new never feels like an outsider. Congratulations to Pink Floyd, who have defeated the Doors to become the fourth band elected into the 100% fan-voted Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame. Pink Floyd can almost be broken down into two separate bands. There’s the pre-Syd Barrett era, and there’s the post-Syd Barrett era. One didn’t sell a whole lotta records; the other was one of the ‘70s’ biggest groups. One made, for the most part, compact songs that stood out as some of the weirdest and brightest psychedelic singles of the ‘60s; the other made, for the most part, sprawling concept albums with epic-sized suites. But they both created a body of work that remains among the most ambitious and greatest in rock history. No wonder they’re now part of the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame. They formed in London in 1965, with singer, songwriter and guitarist Barrett steering the band through early tripped-out singles like ‘Arnold Layne’ and ‘See Emily Play.’ With his sharp British accent and strung-together lyrics — which sometimes made sense but often did not – Barrett played up his Britishness … and his fondness for mind-altering drugs. By the time Pink Floyd made their terrific debut album, 1967’s ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,’ he was pretty deep within the dark holes of his mind. His trips occasionally aided the group’s music – ‘Piper’ is revelatory partly because of Barrett’s enhanced vision – but they also hindered its growth. As use turned into abuse, his bandmates could only do so much to support him, both physically and creatively. By the time they got around to making their second album, 1968’s ‘A Saucerful of Secrets,’ Pink Floyd had moved on, leaving Barrett, whose contributions to the record are minimal. From there, it took the band another five years to completely shake Barrett’s influence. Slowly but surely albums like ‘Atom Heart Mother’ and ‘Meddle’ began to reveal another side of Pink Floyd – one that was into stretched-out epics that all but abandoned vocals for instrumental interplay. It’s during this era that the group found its footing and inspiration to make its masterpiece. When Pink Floyd released ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ in 1973, it catapulted them to another stratosphere – commercially, but also musically. The album – a concept record tied together with a loose narrative about Barrett’s ongoing madness spurred by his drug use – unspools like a 40-minute suite complete with repeating motifs and lyrical refrains. It was a monster hit, reaching No. 1 and becoming one of the biggest selling albums ever (to date, it’s sold more than 15 million copies). There was no stopping the band after this. ‘Wish You Were,’ from 1975, followed ‘Dark Side’’s themes and musical scope, and hit No. 1. Two years later ‘Animals’ pulled together Roger Waters’ mistrust of the British government into a tightly wound allegory featuring dogs, sheep and pigs. And then came Waters’ most personal and potent work, 1979’s ‘The Wall,’ a double-record opus that took in everything from his childhood to politics and band strife to fans and his own minor descent into rock-star madness. It’s a monumental piece, a concept album so grand and fully formed that a 1982 movie version didn’t require much clarification. But then it all came crashing down. Waters’ ire for fame’s increasing demands, especially from Pink Floyd’s fans (whom he not so secretly loathed), found its way into the band’s music. ‘Animals’ hinted at this; ‘The Wall’ was all about it. By the time they made 1983’s ‘The Final Cut,’ a sequel of sorts to ‘The Wall’ that’s way more political and convoluted, he had pretty much taken over the band from David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. Within a year, he was gone and into a solo career. The remaining members of Pink Floyd carried on for another decade or so with Gilmour at the helm, releasing two albums that filtered the band’s legacy through mostly bland hard rock. They almost sounded like a Pink Floyd tribute band at times. So in a way, Pink Floyd can be broken down into three groups. The middle one averaged the greatest, releasing three classic albums in a six-year span. But they never would have gotten there without the first, the biggest influence on their best work.

Alice Cooper's Greatest Guitar Moment

My weakness in life isn't chocolate, beer and everything illegal. I can't stop saying yes to the men and women of Classic Rock who've lived the road like warriors scouting out a trail for his people to follow. I could pen out 500 pages on what it was like to be a 70's boy teen discovering Alice Cooper. But because eventually every story would begin to bump into each other. Yours compared to mine. The end result would be nearly next to exact. Theatrical Rock played tricks on a lot of imaginations. Why wouldn't you want to unlock the mask and get to know the face? For more than 40-years...Alice has accomplished almost everything, from hit singles and sold-out tours to landing in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. His biggest regret: Giving up the guitar. Did you know he once fronted a band that played Yardbird cover songs? They became so popular, Alice's gang of musicians opened for the Yardbirds. Playing Yardbirds songs. You gotta hear him tell the story...

KISS Video Of The New Spider Stage In Action

Motley Crue has been hinting for weeks about it. The Eagles have mentioned it a few times. But Gene Simmons of KISS has a different view toward retirement. He wants to go out on top. Which he believes is five to ten years away. Helping to keep KISS alive: A spider shaped stage that walks out over fans... Interview with Simmons The video of the stage