Friday, July 31, 2015

Coda Is Remastered And Set Free

I could never figure out why musicians and movie directors re-release what's already been made famous. Then Jimmy Page put it into perspective. What the artist hears in the studio at creation is never what listeners pick up. Because of modern technology the music that shaped our lives is much closer to the way it escaped the artist. Jimmy Page talks about Coda. Jimmy Page talking about the year-long Zeppelin campaign to reissue all nine of the bands studio albums. Page tells us that three final releases contain "twice as much studio material as there originally was because it's such an important world, the recording world of Led Zeppelin." In looking back at the entire project, Page says, "It's just been so cool to be able to now have so many gems that you've never heard. There's never been any bootlegs of these things. They've just been really, really carefully kept and I'm really pleased I did that, that they didn't all escape, and it gave a chance to be able to put these things into context at the time when these things were recorded." Presence has five unreleased reference mixes from the sessions, along with alternate versions of "For Your Life," "Achilles Last Stand" and "Royal Orleans," plus the the previously unheard instrumental "10 Ribs and All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod)." The companion disc that comes with In Through the Out Door supplies rough mixes of every track from the original album, including early versions with working titles such as "The Hook" ("All My Love"), "The Epic" ("Carouselambra") and "Blot" ("I'm Gonna Crawl"). Coda, an album of outtakes compiled after the death of John Bonham in 1980, comes with two companion discs containing 15 tracks recorded between 1968 and 1974. The oldest song is a blues jam called "Sugar Mama," recorded in 1968 at Olympic Studios during sessions for the band's self-titled debut. "Baby Come on Home" from the same session is also included, along with the previously unreleased "St. Tristan's Sword," an instrumental recorded during the Led Zeppelin 3 sessions in 1970. Also on Coda is the 1972 performance of Jimmy and Robert Plant with the Bombay Orchestra doing "Friends" and "Four Hands" ("Four Sticks" from Led Zeppelin 4). Rounding out the collection are an early version of "When the Levee Breaks" titled "If it Keeps on Raining"; rough mixes of "The Wanton Song" and "In the Light" from the Physical Graffiti sessions; and an instrumental mix of "Poor Tom" from 1970.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

One More For The Fans

Johnny Van Zandt talking about Peter Frampton. A note slipped under his door stated: If you need a guitarist get Peter. That opportunity played true this past November during all-star tribute concert to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd One More for the Fans includes performances by Peter Frampton, Cheap Trick and Gregg Allman, among others. The members of Skynyrd spent much of the show watching the performances from seats in the Fox Theater, and Gary Rossington says the experience gave him a new perspective on songs he's been playing for 40 years. He adds, "I got chills hearing some of them."

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Brad Whitford's New Solo Project

Brad Whitford of Aerosmith. Talking about the magic of what it's like when hooking up with musicians creates incredible music. He's jumping onto a solo project. As soon as the band wraps up its tour wraps in early August he'll finish work on his second album with Derek St. Holmes -- the voice of such early Ted Nugent songs as "Stranglehold" and "Dog Eat Dog." The first Whitford-St. Holmes album came out in 1981. They reconnected after Whitford moved to Nashville, where St. Holmes lives. In a video posted on Aerosmith's website, Whitford says they cut nine tracks in two days with bass player Charlie Anderson and Tesla drummer Troy Luccketta. They plan to play out in November, but the project has a limited time frame -- Whitford says Aerosmith will tour again in 2016.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Bobby Whitlock Takes Derek and the Dominoes To The Stage

There's more to Derek and the Dominoes than Eric Clapton. Bobby Whitlock will showcase that thread of creation starting this September. Performing songs that were brought to life in the studio but never performed on stage. Layla is only a sliver of the true journey of a brilliant writer within the pages of music history.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Is RUSH Walking Away From The Stage Forever

Geddy Lee of Rush. The bands Classic Rock impact led to the R40 40th Anniversary tour. But on a personal living in the past isn't his path. Tonight is their final show on the R40 40th anniversary tour. For singer-bassist Geddy Lee, this has been a trip of mixed emotions. Geddy Lee of Rush considers the impact of nostalgia on the band. "I'm always conflicted looking backwards. I think it's an unhealthy thing in a band to look backwards too often. I think one of the secrets of us being able to move forward so comfortably is that we don't look backwards that often. We just keep our eyes on what is the next exciting thing for us to do." Geddy Lee on one of the ways he would like to see Rush continue to perform. OC:...realm of possibility. "Listen, I'm up for anything. I would love to do, you know, special events where you kind of design a particular show built around a particular concept and that's something that's certainly in the realm of possibility." So until then, Rush fans will have to wait and see if this week's shows -- tonight (Monday) in Phoenix, Thursday in Irvine, California and the finale on Saturday in Los Angeles -- will be it for the Canadian trio.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Joe Satriani Releases New Music

When an artist goes into the recording studio they take with them something from the journey. I've heard Steve Nicks likes to burn candles. Whereas the Beatles spent only three hours at a time in the studio then it was out the door. Joe Satriani takes a Light Saber.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Slash Turns 50

Slash turned 50 today. He's doing what most people do during this crowning moment. He's taking us into the chapters that became his present. We're talking guitar riffs and simplicity.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Scorpions New Album Arrives September 11

The first single off the new Scorpions album, Return to Forever, is "We Built This House." Guitarist Mathias Jabs tells us it's classic Scorpions. "It has the typical Scorpions ingredients... It fits right in with with songs like 'No One Like You' or even 'Rock You Like a Hurricane.' It is the same DNA so to speak." Return to Forever will be out on September 11th, the day after the band starts its North American tour in Boston. They're currently doing shows in Europe with a stop in Switzerland on Saturday.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Don Henley's Cass County Tease

Don Henley talks about how its taken 67 years of living life to create his new collection of songs. Several times over the past years Don Henley has openly talked about putting together another solo project. But something different. A lot more about who he is and where he's from. Cass Country will be out September 25th, and Henley fans can pre-order the album now through iTunes. There will be a standard 12-song edition on CD, vinyl and digital, as well as a 16-track deluxe CD and digital version. Henley's website is selling a super-deluxe edition of Cass Country including a 50-page booklet with exclusive photos, collector postcards, a deluxe CD and a deluxe vinyl package. Check out a trailer for the album on YouTube. Henley will hit the road in October with Shawn Colvin as his opening act. Dates and venues will be announced soon.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Pat Benatars Daughter Hana Releases Her Frist Ever Songs

The best stories are those when the members of the Classic Rock family talk about where a song comes from. Nobody knows at the time that such a journey could easily be passed to the next generation. Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo's 21-year-old daughter, Hana Giraldo, is following in her parents' musical footsteps. Hana sings in a duo with a white rapper named Totem, and her proud parents have posted two of her songs on their website, BenatarGiraldo.com. And like her mom, she can sing, Pat Benatar's daughter Hana, along with rapper Totem, doing "Do You Love Me Anymore" into "Bloodmoon."

Monday, July 13, 2015

Fans Of Metal Are The Most Faithful

A new poll has unveiles the styles of music most likely to influence you to cheat. Metal is the sound that keeps you faithful. Judas Priest reacts to the news. Can you name the Top 3 Rule Breakers? Judas Priest members Richie Faulkner and Ian Hill reacting to a recent poll that suggests heavy metal fans are far less likely to cheat on their spouse. Hill says, "Jazz is...generally very complicated, and [I would] imagine [a lot of the] people involved in it are also complicated. There's a larger threshold for things to go wrong there. But with metal, the way people dress is a certain way — with the hair and the denims and the leathers and what have you — you ain't gonna attract another person that doesn't also look a little bit like that, so there's already an affinity there. You've got an interest right from the start, and it's something to hold on to, together. Even when things are going wrong, at least you've got a common love of music, or a particular type of music." Faulkner says, "I think everyone's loyal to the right person, in that respect. If it's something that connects with you musically or emotionally, I think everyone's as loyal as they can be..." The poll was conducted by Victoria Milan — a dating web site for married and "attached" people seeking affairs. They asked 6,500 members about their taste in music, and whether it made them think of their lover or their long-term partner. Here are the results: Fans of Jazz, Salsa, Pop and Country are more likely to cheat.

Friday, July 10, 2015

U2 Could Be Stretching Their Tour

Adam Clayton and The Edge... hinting that U2's Innocence and Experience tour could be on its way into 2016. In the meantime, U2 has four shows in Boston starting Friday night at the TD Garden. Bono says Boston was the town that broke U2 in America. "We are made to feel very at home [there]." Instead of one-night stands in multiple cities, U2 has been playing multiple nights in a select group of major cities. Drummer Larry Mullen says this approach has worked out well. "It pushes the band to be creative. We can't sit back and do the same set... It's had the effect of making the band better." Following the four shows in Boston -- through next Wednesday -- U2 will park themselves at Madison Square Garden in New York for eight nights from July 18th to the 31st. Then it's on to Europe from September 4th through November 15th.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

In Ohio Take Down That State Song

South Carolina. Isn't the only state reshuffling its image. The people of Ohio. Want to take down their state song. Hang On Sloopy from The McCoys should be in a museum. And guess which Classic Rocker's have been suggested to replace it. The James Gang's Funk Number 49. And The Pretenders My City Was Gone. Online voting is currently underway.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Dee Snider's Debut Solo Release

They were that metal band that fit in but didn't take over. And even today fans of Classic Rock don't always include their sound into the fixtures of the party. Dee Snider talks about it. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister has never let a nay sayer stand in the way of playing. So often the critics want to know why his band is showing up at Metal shows. Dee sticks up for the band knowing their connection to the British sound that invaded the 1980's. The front man is now a solo performance. He's released his new song “To Hell and Back”

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The New Age Of Classic Rock

A little more than seven months ago Classic Rocker Randy Bachman spoke to me on iHeart Radio about this endeavor he was chasing. A new collection of songs fed by the inspiration of his favorite bands and solo performers. The tabulations are in. Halfway through 2015 and Mr. Bachman has one of the biggest selling set of songs on the planet. In fact Classic Rock in general is seeing a huge spike in sales. Is it a new trend? Or is Classic Rock pushing itself into the present? Half way through 2015 and the biggest selling cd's MP3's and limited vinyl on the market is coming from Bob Dylan, Randy Bachman, ToTo, Ringo Starr and Pink Floyd.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Gibson.com Announces Biggest and Best British Guitarists

Clapton talks about what he brings to music. While America the past couple of days celebrating its independence from the Mother Country. Gibson.com put together a list of the "Ten Greatest British Guitarists of all time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, George Harrison, Pete Townsend, Keith Richards, Steve Howe, Mick Ronson, Richie Blackmore and Tony Iommi.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

On Stage Looking Out With Kelly Hansen

It was a simple question. While singing Foreigner songs on stage. Do fans singing the wrong lyrics of the song change the direction you're going with the performance? Kelly Hansen from Foreigner talks about the experience. PLUS PLUS congratulations to Myers Park High School!!! They're get to perform with Foreigner Tuesday July 14!!!! Foreigner is on the list of the Top Ten biggest Classic Rock Bands of all time. To get there required incredible songwriting as well as a long term vision that incorporates the live audience. They're currently on the road with Kid Rock. Thu 07/02/15Saratoga Springs, NYSaratoga Performing Arts Center Fri 07/03/15Bethel, NYBethel Woods Center For The Arts Tue 07/07/15Camden, NJSusquehanna Bank Center Wed 07/08/15Bristow, VAJiffy Lube Live Fri 07/10/15Virginia Beach, VAFarm Bureau Live At Virginia Beach Sat 07/11/15Raleigh, NCWalnut Creek Amphitheatre Tue 07/14/15Charlotte, NCPNC Music Pavilion Thu 07/16/15West Palm Beach, FLCoral Sky Amphitheatre Sat 07/18/15Tampa, FLMidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Sun 07/19/15Atlanta, GAAaron's Amphitheatre At Lakewood Wed 07/22/15The Woodlands, TXThe Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Thu 07/23/15Dallas, TXGexa Energy Pavilion Sat 07/25/15Maryland Heights, MOHollywood Casino Amphitheatre Sun 07/26/15Tinley Park, ILFirst Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Thu 07/30/15Cuyahoga Falls, OHBlossom Music Center Sat 08/01/15Noblesville, INKlipsch Music Center Sun 08/02/15Cincinnati, OHRiverbend Music Center Tue 08/04/15Darien Center, NYDarien Lake Performing Arts Center Fri 08/07/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Sat 08/08/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Tue 08/11/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Wed 08/12/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Fri 08/14/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Sat 08/15/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Tue 08/18/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Wed 08/19/15Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre Wed 08/26/15Phoenix, AZAk-Chin Pavilion Thu 08/27/15Irvine, CAIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre Sat 08/29/15San Bernardino, CASan Manuel Amphitheater Sun 08/30/15Mountain View, CAShoreline Amphitheatre Wed 09/02/15Wheatland, CAToyota Amphitheatre Fri 09/04/15Ridgefield, WAAmphitheater Northwest Sat 09/05/15Auburn, WAWhite River Amphitheatre

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The Rolling Stones Secret Is Together Time

You'd think after so much fame putting a Rolling Stones live performance together would be a simple sip of tea. Not according to Keith Richards. There has to be several moments of together time for anything to jell. Which includes those unexpected moments when guests appear on stage. Jagger loves that stuff.