Classic Rock Report: Don Kirshner's In Concert Hits 40

It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. When music gets in your blood. Barely anyone forgets their first experience with the makers that made your emotions explode. In an age of all that's long forgotten. Music and its mechanics keep poppin...back up. Having a passion for sound once started with diamond tipped needle sliding across a sheet of black vinyl. The bursting outward through huge cabinets called speakers. Collecting albums and 45's...was just part of the treasure. Who better to know that...than Don Kirshner. 40 years ago today. The unquestionable “Man with the Golden Ear,” debuted on ABC. ‘In Concert’ was everything the title suggested. Your music and the birth of new vibrations electrifying every Saturday night at midnight. I sat so close to the TV screen my eyes still see the magic of Don's imagination. His mission in life was to give fans of Classic Rock that extra something. I went to concerts because of Don Kirshner. I leaped out and away from my parent's love for Country music because of Don Kirshner. I'm probably going to hell for liking what he put on display. Don's biggest dream ended up being his greatest disappointment. While alive... he was never inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Listen to the report

Classic Rock Report: Def Leppard Hits Movie Theaters

First it was Vegas. Now Def Leppard. Has gone Hollywood. High tech Digital movie screens and home machines means cha-ching. To help sweeten the pot. The addictive harmonies of the 80's biggest act has elected to give away music. Kinda sorta. The band wants to make a trade. Your email address for the song. Seems fair. But what's this about a movie? The best way to see a concert in 2013 isn't to purchase $100 nose bleed seats in an uptown arena. Nobody gets you closer than the directors and producers of movie theater concert films. It's better than front row! Viva! Hysteria is a concert movie brought to life during the bands Vegas residence earlier in the year. Its Def Leppard's Hysteria performed full, alongside a selection of additional tracks, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Joe Elliot says, "We’d been asked for many years if we’d ever do it, and the answer was always ‘no’ because we’d be out promoting a new album. When we had no new music to promote, we had a chance to revisit arguably our most important album. It was an easy decision to make.” Viva! Hysteria is released on October 21 in CD/DVD, Blu-ray and other formats.

Classic Rock Report: Mcvie Plays With Fleetwood Mac And Gregg Allman Goes Solo

Did you happen to catch the Tweet from Live Nation last night. Christine McVie was on stage with Fleetwood Mac at London’s O2 Arena. In the audience. Founding member Peter Green. Got the video for you. Mick Fleetwood was the most emotional. Throwing both arms into the air and shouting out incredible amounts of energy. Christine McVie was a little more laid back. Waving to the crowd and giving thanks, hugging Stevie then picking up where she left off on the keyboard. Christine McVie is expected to hit the stage with Fleetwood Mac again in London. Birmingham LG Arena (Sep 29), Manchester Arena (Oct 1) and Glasgow Hydro (Oct 3).

Greg Allman's website was on fire last night. He's listed two dozen dates and places he'll be playing solo. It's always been his dream to put together a project called ‘All Compositions By …’ Greg Allman says, "Every songwriter wants to record something they've totally 100% created." Greg Allman pulls Filmore at the NC Music Factor on December 30th Gregg Allman 2013 Solo Tour Dates 10/11 — Montgomery, AL, Montgomery Performing Arts Center 10/12 — Helena, AR, King Biscuit Blues Festival 10/15 — Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino Northern Lights Theater 10/16 — Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino Northern Lights Theater 10/18 — Dubuque, IA, Diamond Jo Casino 10/19 — Joliet, IL, Rialto Square Theatre 10/22 — Wabash, IN, Honeywell Center 10/23 — Detroit, MI, Motor City Casino 10/25 — Morristown, NJ, Mayo Center for the Performing Arts 10/26 — Atlantic City, NJ, Trump Taj Mahal 10/27 — Hershey, PA, Hershey Theatre 10/29 — Stroudsburg, PA, Sherman Theater 10/30 — Ridgefield, CT, Ridgefield Playhouse 11/1 — Rutland, VT, Paramount Theatre 11/2 — Keene, NH, Colonial Theater 12/27 — Macon, GA, Grand Opera House 12/28 — Myrtle Beach, SC, House of Blues 12/30 — Charlotte, NC, The Fillmore Charlotte 12/31 — Jacksonville, FL, Florida Theatre 1/4/14 — West Palm Beach, FL, Kravis Center 1/8/14 — Sarasota, FL, Circus Sarasota

Classic Rock Report: Still No Genesis Reunion And John Lennon Arrives In An AP

In an age of music where the past means more than the present. Every band long forgotten seems to be getting back together. Except Genesis. Guitarist Steve Hackett says, "Highly improbable.” Which totally goes against what Peter Gabriel told Rolling Stone magazine two years ago. While Phil Collins is still unofficially retired. Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford are ready to re-blend what made them friends. Hackett currently plays with Genesis Revisited. He says he still enjoys the music. “The songs have been very good to me,” he said. “They’ve been constant companions, and I really do love them and I’m very, very proud of them and it feels wonderful to be able to play a few notes of something and instantly it’s recognized.” In October 2012, he released ‘Genesis Revisited II‘; the ‘Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith’ CD and DVD is planned for Oct. 29. Hackett is also touring through mid-October with Genesis Revisited. After Gabriel left the band in 1975, the closest the members have come to a reunion was in 1999, when they recorded a new version of ‘The Carpet Crawlers’ for a hits compilation.

Smart Phone Ap's don't always have to be connected to Angry Birds Here's one that puts you inside John Lennon‘s Double Fantasy recording sessions. Guitar riffs, vocal breaking, chance taking victory meeting defeat. Interviews and what John called: a new lease on living. The Ap is available at the Apple store. Proceeds benefitting the Imagine There’s No Hunger’ campaign

Classic Rock Report: Sting Teams Up With Brian Johnson Of AC/DC

Brian Johnson of AC/DC has teamed up with Sting on what critics have labeled a classy jazzy speckled pop piece. Brian's voice is one of the epics of Classic Rock... why then would he go limp? Sting looks at himself as being a confessional song writer. One who takes personal experiences and shares them with the rest of the world. The Last Ship is a landscape of culture. To which music once participated with. Look at the number of separated styles from unexpected regions of the world that have blended into a participation of sound. I've always believed the Beatles were never a band. I proudly display a huge painting of the Fab Four in my studio and raise my voice when explaining, "There were four guys! Four individuals that happened to create harmony. Their individuality is what made the world move. Not a single page and or moment we'll never be able to duplicate. So... Brian Johnson of AC/DC has brought to Stings music his individuality. He's heard the album’s eight bonus tracks. Sky Hooks and Tartan Paint. ‘The Last Ship’ is Sting’s first full album of original material in a decade. It doubles as the soundtrack to the upcoming stage production. It opens in Chicago in 2014. Then makes its move toward Broadway.

Classic Rock Report: Fat Packs Changing The Way You Buy Music

The price of gas isn't the only thing falling in Charlotte. So is the cost of music. The folks at Rhino have decided to unplug from personal wants and needs and give fans of Classic Rock a more approachable price tag for The 40th anniversary Woodstock box set. Plus The Band’s The Last Waltz . Rhino has dubbed their new lower price promotion the ‘fat pack’ It features performances Hendrix, Joplin, The Who, CCR, The Dead and others The Band's fat pack reeks with just as much talent... Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Dr John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Neil Young and others. The ‘fat pack’ format. The new way to get cheaper music into the hands of fans.

Classic Rock Report: Roger Waters Regrets Suing Pink Floyd

The Top 5 things that are guaranteed to happen when you become a Rock Star! 5. Bad tour bus 4. Studio producers that think they know more than musicians 3. Ugly groupies in the front row three nights in a row 2. No place to put 1,000 boxes of band t-shirts and cozies 1. Suing someone in the band for not living up to someone's expecatations Musicians suing musicians.... nothing new right? What about Roger Waters publically admitting that he regrets the moment he decided to haul Pink Floyd into court? He just wanted the band to stop using the name. Yesterday. Roger Waters announced, "I was wrong!... " Wait wait...the natural thing for fans of Classic Rock would be to think: Pink Floyd is about to reunite. That's not gonna happen. Roger Waters used this repenting moment to promote a new studio solo album. Claiming that being away from the band has allowed more creative freedom. Waters has no problem admitting, "It was the correct thing for us to split up, or for me to leave if you like, so I could express my ideas unfettered. And my ideas are still... You know I've had a few breakthroughs recently which I won't talk about, but I am going to make another record. I've had a very very strong idea, and I shall pursue it, and I will make at least one more record and I am really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into it." Fans in the UK can tune in today (September 19th) to listen to the full interview where he discusses other controversial topics. The show airs on BBC World News at 0330, 0830, 1430 and 2030 GMT and on BBC Two at 1035am.

Classic Rock Report: 30 Years Ago In KISS-tory

The paint on my teenage bedroom walls? KISS! Every poster ripped from Teen Beat Magazine to Creem to RollingStone and or anything made available at Eli's record store on 24th street in Billings, Montana. I was in the KISS Army and proud to serve the Rock nation. I didn't get into Radio to play Boston, Foreigner and Bad Company. I wanted the fire and explosions of a KISS concert to rip through those AM Radio speakers. Imagine the shock that bled from my veins when I learned how "uninterested" Radio was in playing music from KISS. I jumped on Radio's two speaker stage in 1979 at KOYN. But have "NEVER" gotten to play a KISS song. I effed up my dreams by walking the way of the wayward wind. The 1980's were all about Adult Kenny G Radio with a pinch of Rod Stewart, Michael Bolton and Bonnie Raitt. The 90's were attacked by Hip Hop and Alternative New Rock. By the time KISS had become cool again... Programmers had long forgotten that I was once a Radio Jock. Thirty years ago today.... Sept. 18, 1983. The unthinkable event in Kiss-story. On MTV. JJ Jackson the host. KISS appeared in public without the paint that made them incredibly famous. Paul Stanley says he wanted to prove something, "Let’s go and be a real band without makeup.’ Simmons says, “We made the best of it, but I was scared stiff.” Turns out Stanley was indeed right, as the Demon happily relates: “‘Lick it Up’ was released and immediately tripled the sales of ‘Creatures of the Night.’ It went platinum and we were soon filling up concert halls again. This was clearly a new lease on life.”

Classic Rock Report: Rock-tober-Fest 2013 Blessed With New Material

Call it a cliché' or a Jock of Rock Radio crutch. Rock-tober-fest is about to break out. Heightening the flavor of your favorite brew or bourbon is a long list of Classic Rocker's with brand new tracks to snack on when your mind body and soul are starving for listening pleasure. October 1 Joan Jett, ‘Unvarnished‘ Rush, ‘Vapor Trails: Remixed‘ Rush, ‘The Studio Albums 1989-2007‘ October 8 Ten Years After, ‘Recorded Live‘ Robin Trower, ‘State to State: Live Across America 1974-1980‘ UFO, ‘Hot ‘N’ Live: The Chrysalis Live Anthology 1974-1983‘ Various Artists, ‘CBGB‘ Soundtrack October 15 Black Oak Arkansas, ‘Back Thar N’ Over Yonder‘ Eric Clapton, ‘Unplugged: Expanded and Remastered‘ The Kinks, ‘Muswell Hillbillies‘ (reissue) Paul McCartney, ‘New‘ Pearl Jam, ‘Lightning Bolt‘ Paul Simon, ‘The Complete Albums Collection‘ October 22 Van Morrison, ‘Moondance‘ (double and five-disc expanded editions) Motorhead, ‘Aftershock‘ Ted Nugent, ‘Ultralive Ballistic Rock‘ October 29 The Eagles, ‘The Studio Albums 1972-1979‘ Humble Pie, ‘Rockin’ the Fillmore: The Complete Recordings‘ Jethro Tull, ‘Benefit‘ (Deluxe Edition) Leslie West, ‘Still Climbing‘ KISS said it best, "The best way to make life great is to put faith in a loud guitar..."

Classic Rock Report: Joe Bonamassa DVD Headed To Your Man Cave

Joe Bonamassa. He's played so many times in Charlotte...you'd think he's from here. At blues legend by the age of 36. Bonamassa has collaborated with BB King, Eric Clapton and Paul Rogers. Which is the reason why fans of Classic Rock are stoked about Joe's new Tour de Force live DVD collection. Each night is featured on double DVD and Blu-ray sets. Plus there’s a Collector’s Set featuring all four shows plus a hardback book, delivered in a box that looks like a Marshall amp. Instantly you'll have flashbacks of catching Bonamassa at the Neighborhood Theater in Noda. Without a doubt you'll catch glimpses of the guitarist flashing through your memory maker when passing Ovens Auditorium on Independence. Joe Bonamassa's Tour de Force live DVD hits the forefront of storefronts October 28th. Just 15 days before returning to Charlotte. As for the who, what, where, why and how? The DVD was captured at London’s Borderline venue during a four-night series where Joe set his vibration in the hearts and soul of starving fans of music. The Borderline was night number one. Then it was off to Shepherd’s Bush Empire, the Hammersmith Apollo and finalizing the journey at Royal Albert Hall. Manager Roy Weisman talks about how the idea came into being a reality, “We realized we’d booked these four great shows. We said, ‘Why don’t we can the idea of doing a studio record now, and give Joe more time? “‘Let’s use it as an opportunity for him to go back on his entire career and do a lot of songs he’d recorded but never played live.’ We thought his fans would love that.” Each night will be available as double DVD and Blu-ray sets, and there’s a Collector’s Set featuring all four shows plus a hardback book, delivered in a box that looks like a Marshall amp. The Tour De Force – Live In London collection will be released via Provogue Records on October 28. Bonamassa kicks off a European tour with a series of UK dates later this month.

Classic Rock Report: New Queen With Freddie Mercury On Lead

Queen recording with Freddie Mercury again? Isn't Freddie? Queen guitarist Brian May has been doing some digging. From beneath the levels of reality as we know it.... out popped some seriously cool Freddie tracks. Now there's talk of releasing those unforgettable vocals on a new album. Modern technology combined with the CBS drama CSI. You'd think this sort of project would be no more difficult than stealing music off the web. Not so. In 2011 drummer Roger Taylor says, "It will be a “barrel-scraping exercise.” Brian on the other guitar hand....suggests things have changed. While attending a Freddie For A Day charity, the master of the strings told I Heart Radio, “We thought we’d exhausted everything that was around and could be worked on, but since then a number of things have As for which project has been resurrected? The 1995 Queen album Made In Heaven. Which features vocal and piano parts laid out by Freddie four years before passing. It proved to be the last time all four members of the original band were heard together.

Classic Rock Report: Black Vinyl Unveils Spicey Hot Eagles

Although we're just weeks away from Neal Young dropping his new digital device. An Ipod looking thing designed to give fans of Classic Rock album sounding quality. The Eagles. Henley, Frey, Schmidt and Walsh....announced yesterday ...all that black vinyl that made them so famous between 72 and 79... is headed for rerelease. Six studio albums. Asylum Records. Vinyl for the real mans man cave. Out just in time for Christmas. ‘Desperado,’ ‘On the Border,’ 1975′s ‘One of These Nights,’ ‘Hotel California’ and the somewhat frayed ‘The Long Run.’ Set to take up space in your race to make music right again. The Eagles are pressing only 5,000 copies. Each will be numbered. A gold symbol will be stamped on the box to prove its authenticity. All this...for just $149.98. But wait...there's more! You'll get for free...at no cost. Not even a shipping and handling charge. Priceless phonographic memories that'll instantly pop up...giving off a buzz no beer, bourbon or toke can erase. Black vinyl is back...and unlike gas...we're not talking ethanol. Time to fuel up on why Classic Rock has infected a planet of generations.

Classic Rock Report: KISS Football And Deep Purple Solo

Tim Tebow...has been offered a job. The NFL quarterback has been offered a three year contract to play the LA KISS. That's the arena football team owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Even non-football fans know of Tim Tebow. Which is why Paul Stanley believes having him on their team in their arena is brilliant business. Tebow was recently dropped by the New England Patriots, but has turned down offers from the Canadian Football League and USA Rugby, vowing not to give up on his goal of becoming a starting NFL quarterback.

Jon Lord. You may not know the name but you know the sound of the keyboard and the band he helped make famous. A never before seen performance of Jon sporting a solo look has made its way to wrfx.com Lord himself passed away in 2012 see the video

Classic Rock Report: Bill Wyman The Metal Detector

The age old question. What do Classic Rock stars do when they aren't Classic Rocking? Bill Wyman brags about enjoying the greatest hobby on Planet Earth” For the low price of $185 (plus shipping and handling). You too can become a metal detector! I'm not talking about security at the airport and or movie premieres. Wyman loves detecting so much. He pretty much bought the company. Introducing the C.Scope. Bill says, "Far and away the best machine for starting out in the hobby. Metal-detecting is not just for anoraks or eccentrics. It’s probably the best and the most enjoyable way of learning about our history. On any garden, country field, footpath, woodlands, beach or land you can find a huge variety of historical objects, all easily located with this high quality metal detector.”

Classic Rock Report: Hendrix Rock-u-mentary And And And

It's about to be. A brilliant Christmas. A brand new Jimi Hendrix Rock-U-Mentary hits stores in November. The makers are celebrating the Dude's 70th birthday. 100% unreleased concert footage and interviews with the legend on guitar. According to the Rock U Mentary's Director...Bob Smeaton.... the world is about to be introduced to the experimental side of Jimi Hendrix music. It's Friday...its a Face Book Twitter World. The second half is to cut the fat. The biggest Classic Rock Headlines: Rod Stewart wants to tour with Elton John Eric Clapton has decided to digitally re-master and re-release his Unplugged CD The big wigs at Live Nation and AEG announced yesterday for fans of David Bowie to start saving their money. Looks like there's gonna be some live shows.

Classic Rock Report: Angry Birds Honor Freddie Mercury And McVie is Fleetwood- Back

By far... the most successful Smart Phone Ap has been the entire Angry Birds series. Why work when there's angry birds busting into your drive for success? Rovio makes the game... this week they've amped up their angry birds ap by paying tribute to Freddie Mercury of Queen. Players get six levels of Queen themed late summer fun. Those angry birds are throwing themselves at giant bicycle, a crown and a series of four Mercury-inspired poses. Once you become addicted to Freddie's angry birds.... you'll be perfectly ripe to check out Queen at the I Heart Music Festival September 20th and 21st in Vegas

Wait...breaking news. Christine McVie has just announced. I'm returning to Fleetwood Mac. Just in time for the European leg of their world tour. Fans of the band will get their first glimpse of Christine this Monday night at the premiere of Stevie Nicks’ Rock U Mentary In Your Dreams. Once again...Christine McVie's 15 year absence from Fleetwood Mac is over. Now let's get back to angry birds Fleetwood Mac kicks off the European leg of their UK tour next week: Sep 20: Dublin O2 Sep 21: Dublin O2 Sep 24: London O2 Arena Sep 25: London O2 Arena Sep 27: London O2 Arena Sep 29: Birmingham LG Arena Oct 01: Manchester Arena Oct 03: Glasgow Hydro

Classic Rock Report: Govt' Mule Shouts Out A New Release

Inside this age of collecting candy coated catchy songs rather than albums with their inside sleeves and covers. Music Critics continue to blast fans of Classic Rock for not supporting the maker's of their favorite memories. Barely a soul knows Paul McCartney launched a new cd last week. Fewer people will discover the group Gov't Mule. You may not know the name. But the members have a part of your live for four decades. Govt Mule's founding member is Allman Brother Warren Haynes. Warren gets it. There has to be a payoff. A benefit for modern fans of music to sit through full length CD's. Which is why he's caked his new album "Shout" with some pretty big names. Steve Winwood, Dr John, Dave Matthews, Myles Kennedy and Elvis Costello. "Shout," from Govt Mule hits stores 9/24 on Blue Note Records. Listen to part of the song

Classic Rock Report: McCartney Won't Quit

The Labor Day Weekend is over! How many times over the past four days did you think about retiring? The big getaway! The final chase toward the painted horizon! These are things that Paul McCartney has never inch toward. He still thinks of himself as being part of the working class. Although he's met and played with some of the biggest names on the planet. Deep inside... McCartney is still a regular guy. So regular that he just released a new collection of tunes that music critics are calling his best work since Wings and Sgt Pepper. The new songs is called "New" But whatever you do...try not to slip him into a barrel of old guys trying to hang on. That's not his shtick. Performing at festivals such as The I Heart Radio Music Festival in Vegas on September 20th and 21st is brought to life due to something he says he loves. Why would he want to leave what makes him happy? One might assume that his truer reasons of hanging on are based on always locating a studio. It's also having the knowledge of what he's created has affected so many lives over the past 50 years. “I get so many people coming up to me on the street saying, ‘Your music changed my life,’” he continued. “And I get a lot of cool musicians saying it, like Tom Petty and Dave Grohl.” Read more: http://www.wrfx.com/pages/arroecollins.html?article=11620234#ixzz2dppPq93U Listen to the interview