Classic Rock Report: Is Santana Back Together?

Might there be something totally Santana on the horizon? Two nights ago. In Vegas. The legendary Carlos Santana, his original keyboardist Gregg Rolie and guitarist Neal Schon of Journey played together for the first time since going their separate ways in the 1970's. Does this mean the Black Magic Woman is back? Carlos and Neil Schon have been knocking on the door of opportunity since February. Although there's been talk of a possible ‘Santana IV’ being delivered in 2014 Fans of Classic Rock shouldn't expect a nearby tour. Santana is currently in the midst of the two-year residency at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Vegas.

Speaking of Legendary Rock Stars in Vegas. Paul McCartney will be there at next months I Heart Radio Music Fest. He's taking with him plenty of new music. Litterally...The first single from the album is called ‘New.’ And the critics love it. Claiming McCartney hasn’t sounded so springy and playful in years.

Classic Rock Report: Bad Times Spell Good Times In The World Of Music

The greatest thing about a bad economy? The strangest collaborations find their way to world's biggest stages. Bob Seger and Kid Rock...Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson. The Peter Frampton Circus. Just announced....Greg Kihn, Bret Michaels and The Tubes. A one day music festival. October 12th. Just south of San Jose. Ticket price? Just $15 Kihn-fest has been labeled the best place to catch acts from the past. A total classic-rock tradition that's featured Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Boston and the Who. This year’s show... produced by the students of ARTTEC. Hits the stage between noon and 11 p.m. Oct. 12 in Morgan Hill, Calif.

How has the bad economy affected the life and times of 80's Rocker Billy Squire? Those hard driving guitar riffs that turned The Stroke into an anthem have been airlifted by rap artist Eminem. Critics are saying...it could life Squire back into the forefront of modern rock. Look what happened to Aerosmith in the late 80's with Run DMC. This by the way isn't the first time a high profile hip-hop artist has sampled The Stroke. It's been covered by Grandwizzard Johnny’O and the Mighty Sorcerer Crew’s ‘When It Breaks’ and Mickey Avalon’s ‘Stroke Me,’ as well as ‘Friday Night’ by mash-up artist Girl Talk. ‘The Big Beat,’ from Squier’s 1980 solo debut ‘The Tale of the Tape,’ is one of the most-sampled songs in history.

Classic Rock Report: Queen's Brian May Was Born To Do Strange

24 nights from the I Heart Radio Music Fest in Vegas. Headlining this massive event on the desert is Queen. There's no reason to be nervous. Queens lead guitarist Brian May has always gotten himself into some seriously out of control lime light... like playing the British National Anthem on top of the Royal Mums palace. Listen to the interview

Classic Rock Report: No 50th Anniversary Byrds Tour

The Beach Boys. The Rolling Stones made millions turning 50... The Byrd's. Aren't so interested. The 1960's songwriting team of Roger McGuinn and David Crosby. Creative. But with differences. According to McGuinn. He’s perfectly content and doesn't need a little cha ching to ring in the new year. Bass guitarist Chris Hillman, alive and well but finds no reason to jump on a tour bus with Crosbyu, So what gives? The Byrds had impact. Yet there's no way they're coming back. It all started with David Crosby's unceremonious firing. The Monterey Pop Festival. He felt the urge to give fans a political lecture. He talked about a JFK assassination conspiracy theory onstage. While sitting in with the Neil Young-less Buffalo Springfield. Remember the album cover? Oh wait. His picture was replaced by a horse. Being of the loving and forgiving type Crosby has put all that behind him. He'd love to bring back some creative spirits. McGuinn is standing in the way. “He’s just not interested in a Byrds reunion,” said Crosby. “It’s a shame because he and Chris and I could do it. It would be great fun, but I got tired of asking him. I must have asked him at least 10 times and he always says no.” Ok screw the 50th anniversary thingy ma-ching-ching. What about anytime in the future? Probably not. Talk on the street filled with beats is Crosby is tougher than one-time rising star Charles Manson. I didn't say it! Their producer did!!!! Plus there's that one time. McGuinn remembers the ill-fated 1973 reunion of the original lineup.

Classic Rock Report: Bob Dylan's Hair Is In Court And Bob Seger Is Stil The Coolest

Divorce is unpleasant. Especially when you're divorce includes Bob Dylan The front man of the Black Keys. Is in court. Trying to keep Bob Dylan's hair. His wife has already been awarded $5 million, a new car and the family house. But she won't go. Not until she gets. Bob Dylan's hair. Not the name of a racehorse or family pet. Dan and Stephanie actually own locks of Bob Dylan's hair. And now it's up to a divorce court judge to decide who gets it. All the more reason to find a way to the I Heart Music Festival in Vegas. Just to get away from life and all its reality. Get tickets on wrfx.com

Kid Rock has made his way into the books of Classic Rock History. Breaking an attendance record set by Bob Seger in 1977. Before the tally was officially made known. From out of nowhere Seger did show. Joining Kid Rock on stage for two songs. Shaking his hand and making it known. That Rocker's from Detroit stand united. Be it in the blood or just Rock n Roll. Its for the people not their ego...they put on their show.

Classic Rock Report: A Sad Day In KISS-tory

Myrtle Beach... Although it'll never make it to the RnR Hall of Fame...that small southern beach town has been the birth place of multiple music vibrations. One of the biggest... The Kiss Coffee House. It opened in 2006. Features a totally Kiss decor. The lineup of drinks more valuable than a group of hardworking roadies....Kiss Army Blend, French Kiss Vanilla and the Kiss Frozen Rockuccino. Both Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley attended the Kiss Coffeehouse grand opening. But they won't be there when it closes next month. That little shop with giant KISS boots out front...that made the biggest of men grin long lost teenaged smiles...will soon dissolve into nothing more than a digital photograph. Voted ‘Best of the Grand Strand’ numerous times. This rare piece of Classic Rock History will soon be nothing more than a memory locked up in a box tossed out by grandkids three days after your path has met the final lights on a stage overtaken by the way you always felt like a rock star on tour every time you walked into that store.

Classic Rock Report: Hagar After 55 MPH

He can't drive 55 and he's not gonna let the past road block his heart. Sammy Hagar's Classic Rock career is one big party. Who better to know that than the fans and other musicians that helped bring him to the forefront of delivering quality writing and production. Sammy's got a new cd. Sammy Hagar and Friends. It'll hit I Heart Radio Sept. 24th. The question is... who hasn't been jamming with Hagar? This monster of rock collection of brilliant writing and performance includes Denny Carmassi and Bill Church of Montrose, Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani of Chickenfoot and other famous creatives like country star Toby Keith and bluesman Taj Mahal. Sammy says he had a goal to cover, "To make an all-star celebration of his career — past, present and future." The mighty Red Machine says, "The record is “a celebration of my whole career and bringing it to where I am now, but not losing touch of where I started in ’72 with Montrose. Once I got into the studio with these guys, the Montrose guys and the Wabos and Mickey Hart and people like that … once we all got together to start recording this music, it really took on a special life of its own. I was inspired enough by these guys to write more songs, and then I got other people to write for me, which was great.” Sammy Hagar & Friends’ truly does feature a long list of well respected buddy buddy systems. Nancy Wilson of Heart (who says “me and Sammy go way back”) and Journey‘s Neal Schon, who good-naturedly complains that Hagar interrupted a quiet Sunday night at home to get him down to the studio. It also features some behind-the-boards perspective from producer John Cuniberti, who says, “I’ve never seen someone having so much fun making a record like a 15-year-old filled with enthusiasm every day … As soon as he walks in the building, everybody lightens up and starts having fun.”

Classic Rock Report: Science Wants John Lennon's DNA

It was John Lennon that said, "Imagine." And so...scientists have. Laboratory professionals announced yesterday that they've begun a sequence of studies to grab and preserve John Lennon‘s DNA from an extracted molar. Dr. Michael Zuk forked out more than $30,000 for the chomper. The exact words from the dentist... “If scientists think they can clone mammoths, then John Lennon could be next.” No word yet from Paul McCartney...but you can catch him live at the I Heart Music Festival in Vegas beginning one month from today. Whoa... speaking of bands having a revamped new life. Guess who's finally ended two decades of creative silence. Starship. Critics are in love with their new project because it promotes heavier louder guitars combined with the mind blowing vocals of micky thomas.

Starship credits their producer former Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson for pile driving their 80's love ballad appeal. They believe its his connection with Dokken that makes them crank it up until your ears bleed cutting edge again Listen to the song

Classic Rock Report: Elton Stays Away From Writing Lyrics

The moment you begin to take a part an Elton John song... Pieces of a past can't be changed. So, the next step is to begin a process of identifying the characters. Elton John is the musician. Bernie Taupin is the lyricist. Rarely does Taupin find himself sitting high atop a worldly stage. Unless fans of music begin to point fingers and or assume they know what his lyrics truly mean. Which makes me laugh. Being a published author. I stopped putting titles on printed pages because those reading never stopped judging the final outcome of a piece of writing. They knew what thoughts were about by the title. Bernie Taupin took many hits. Like a true writer. Bernie was constantly put on the stand to defend without truly convincing the final outcome. Which might explain why Paul Stanley of KISS once said to me, "If you see a blue whale. Then that's what the art is." In a rare early 1970's interview Elton John has always looked at his early days as being a personal mission. He stayed away from writing lyrics because he'd always be attached to love songs. Only to find Bernie being attacked for what ended up on sheets of paper. Elton John performs at the I Heart Music Festival September 20th and 21st in Vegas. Listen to the interview

Classic Rock Report: Metallica vs Hagar. Bon Jovi vs NY

Is there or isn't there a rock battle brewing between the streets of Metallica's front man James Hetfield and the Red Rocker Sammy Hager? In this corner is Sammy's request for the rock thrasher Hetfield to offer up his singing abilities for a new album. In that corner is the response, "No" Sammy reacts to the first punch by offering the vocal role to Kid Rock while asking Metallica's lead player to show up in the background. James steps into his punch with a solid, "I'm flattered. But your music isn't my style. But I still love ya." Hagar steps over to the announcer and shouts, "I'm cheating on Metallica fans for asking James to sing on the new album. They would hate him for doing it. I apologize." Jon Bon Jovi fans aren't so fun loving. NJ's big hair band legend has canceled at the New York State Fair so that he can attend a fund raiser show for Governor Cuomo. In that corner...Bon Jovi says it's a scheduling conflict. In this corner...New Yorker's whose reactions feature the seven words you can't say on the radio

Classic Rock Report: Queen's We Will Rock You Is Coming To America

I first came across Queen while scanning my AM clock radio for long long long away stations much cooler than KOOK in Billings, Montana. The moment Bohemian Rhapsody fell out of that speaker. Everything I thought I knew about Rock music had just been shoved under the bed. There was a different field of performance and its name was Freddie Mercury. The outrageously vibrant sound of Freddie has just been cranked up ten more notches. After a decade of selling 15 million tickets, the rock theatrical ‘We Will Rock You’ — is coming to America. Is anybody shocked to hear that its award-winning? This might grab you by the shorts though.... it was created by British writer and comedian Ben Elton best known for the TV shows ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘The Young Ones’) We Will Rock You is jam packed with twenty four of Queen’s biggest hits: Another One Bites the Dust,’ ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love,’ ‘We Are the Champions,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and...drum roll please! We Will Rock You.’ Brian May and Roger Taylor served as musical supervisors. Hell yes they wanted to take an active role in the casting each of the local productions. This baby is moving through seventeen countries. The expansive North American tour will pull into Charlotte on May 27, 2014. For tickets, tour dates and other information, get off this web page and go to WeWillRockYou.com.

Classic Rock Report: Ted Nugent And Tom Petty Releasing New Albums This Fall

I had no clue who Ted Nugent until he could make a kitty purr with the stroke of his hand... Then it was all out Motor City Madness. One of Classic Rocks most vibrantly vocal poets is gonna repaint the leaves on tress...this fall in Carolina. Ted's releasing a new live album Oct. 22. Back on vocals Derek St. Holmes. Who helped bring Nugent to millions of turntables from 1975 to 78. It's a double album set and DVD of Ted performing live. Featuring 16 songs. ‘Wang Dang Sweet,’ ‘Dog Eat Dog’ and ‘Cat Scratch Fever,

Another Classic Rock in hot pursuit of continuation is Tom Petty. He and the Heartbreakers are wrapping up the final tracks of a new release he's dubbed: A morphed up version of Wild Flowers meeting Damn the torpedoes. But much more distorted." Rock critics are biting at the bit. Tom Petty putting focus on distortion indicates a step away from some of the band’s quieter, more contemplative efforts.

Classic Rock Report: Rolling Stones Still Making History

And they've done it again. Mick Jagger and Keith Richard's have pushed their 50th album onto Billboard Magazine's Top selling list. ‘Hyde Park Live’ features 19 tracks mixed during the Stones’ Hyde Park performance on their most recent “50 and Counting Tour” The only other Classic Rock acts to come close to landing 50 albums on Billboards biggest and best sellers charts have been Bob Dylan and The Beatles, each with 43. Only three entertainers have more Top 40 albums than the Stones: Barbara Streisand (50), Elvis Presley (52) and Frank Sinatra (56). Since the latest word on the streets is the Stones are far from calling it quits. They're predicted to easily clear Sinatra’s record making them the biggest act of all time. ‘Hyde Park Live’ is exclusive to iTunes through Aug. 19. If you think the Stones still selling CD's is big...check this out. Vanity Fair has released their 2013 best dressed list. Sporting the best threads: Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Tom Brady and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Richard's has responded, “I don’t shop!” I am my favorite style icon? My secret is silver,” Silver.’

Classic Rock Report: Richie Sambora's First Song After Bon Jovi Divorce

Could this be? Jon and Richie's fighting? Sambora has released new solo music. While Sambora’s PR team isn’t saying much about the origins of the song. Bon Jovi fans are taking in...the lyrics painted by two hearts breaking up. “What do you want me to say, I gave you everything I could give / But everything just wasn’t enough, so I just let live and live” What's the new Richie Sambora song about? Staying true to one’s self in the face of adversity. Listen to the song: Sebastian Bach...the former front man of Skidrow has also got something solo. 13 new songs blessed with what he calls B A ** S The new collection of guitar riffs and hard pushed vocal harmonies come in the center of some serious rumors: Sebastian teaming up with Duff McKagan from Guns N' Roses and Steve Stevens from the band that backs up Billy Idol.