Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Hits HBO

This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air on HBO this weekend, three weeks after it was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Class of 2016 is made up of Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A. Though all but N.W.A performed three songs each, only two songs per act are included in the telecast. In addition to tributes to David Bowie and Glenn Frey, a segment has been added for Prince. A portion of his 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech along with his solo that night on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," in tribute to fellow inductee George Harrison, have been added to the program. The induction speeches have also been trimmed. Outside of Steve Miller offering up some advice on how the Rock Hall needs to change its ways, the best speeches came from Kid Rock inducting Cheap Trick and Lars Ulrich's comments on behalf of Deep Purple. HBO and HBO 2 will combine to repeat the ceremony 13 times through May 30th, and the HBO Zone channel will run it for 20 straight hours starting at midnight Saturday night.

FM and Grateful Dead Recreated The Dial

Dead & Company is Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir; singer/guitarist John Mayer; Allman Brothers’ bassist Oteil Burbridge; and “Fare Thee Well” and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. In October of 2015 the band took to the stage for their inaugural nationwide tour, kicking off with three sold-out concerts at the legendary Madison Square Garden (including Halloween) and ending the year with two sold-out performances at the “Fabulous” Forum (the final was New Year’s Eve). Drawing on the tremendous success of the band’s 2015 tour, Dead & Company are launching their highly-anticipated new tour on Friday, June 10, 2016 (a full listing of tour dates can be found below). 2016’s tour finds the celebrated group playing (among many other shows) two nights at Citi Field in New York; a two show independence day weekend celebration at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado; two nights at the famous Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin; and two shows at Boston’s iconic Fenway Park on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16. Dead & Company will play two sets at Bonnaroo on June 12. At each show, Dead & Company will perform two sets of music drawn largely from the Dead’s historic catalog of songs. Tickets are on sale now for the 2016 summer tour. Check www.deadandcompany.com for complete ticketing information. IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL DEAD & CO KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE MAKE SURE STATIONS MENTION: On Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. local time, “Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies 2016,” comes back to the big screen for the 6th annual event. This special cinema event features the previously unreleased Grateful Dead Dead (Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Brent Mydland and Bob Weir) concert from Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on July 2, 1989. This event also features live concert footage of Dead & Co. from their 2015 tour. The Dead reunited in the summer of 2015 for the Fare Thee Well tour that included five shows in Chicago and Santa Clara, California, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Dead & Company 2016 Tour Dates: Fri Jun 10 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion Thu Jun 16 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center Fri Jun 17 Noblesville, IN Klipsch Music Center Mon Jun 20 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion Tue Jun 21 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center Thu Jun 23 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live Sat Jun 25 Flushing, NY Citi Field** Sun Jun 26 Flushing, NY Citi Field** Tue Jun 28 Hartford, CT Xfinity Theatre Sat Jul 02 Boulder, CO Folsom Field** Sun Jul 03 Boulder, CO Folsom Field** Thu Jul 07 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre Sat Jul 09 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre Sun Jul 10 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre Wed Jul 13 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion Fri Jul 15 Boston, MA Fenway Park** Sat Jul 16 Boston, MA Fenway Park** Fri Jul 22 Portland, OR Moda Center Sat Jul 23 George, WA Gorge Amphitheatre Tue Jul 26 Irvine, CA Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre Wed Jul 27 Chula Vista, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre Fri Jul 29 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheatre Sat Jul 30 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, unless otherwise noted. **Tickets are not available through Ticketmaster for these concerts: Citi Field concert tickets available HERE. Folsom Field tickets available HERE. Fenway Park tickets available HERE.

Kansas Returns

2016 will be a big year for Kansas as it mixes old and new. The band known for such classic songs as "Carry On, Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" will join on the bandwagon of performing a landmark album in its entirety. For Kansas, it's Leftoverture, the 1976 LP that broke the band big across the country. Richard Williams of Kansas says touring for the 40th anniversary Leftoverture is something new for them. "It's the 40th anniversary of the album. We've never done an album in its entirety before, just like it was recorded -- from beginning to end in order, and all of that. With the new lineup, we're up to do anything. We're always reinventing ourselves in a way." There's also new to go along with the old. Kansas just finished its first album of new material since 2000. Richard Williams of Kansas says the 40th anniversary Leftoverture tour will coincide with their new album of original material. "We'll going to start doing that as the new album is released, also. So we'll be doing along with the Leftoverture tour, it's going to be a long show. We're going to be doing a lot of other stuff and we're also going to be doing a lot of the new album. So it's a celebration of the old, and a celebration of the new -- and everything in between." The Prelude Implicit, expected in September, will be the first to feature the voice -- and writing -- of current lead singer Ronnie Platt. Richard Williams of Kansas says the band's upcoming album fits in with their multi-generational appeal. "We've picked up a lot of younger fans, that's very exciting. This is Ronnie Platt's first album with us. And it's going to be great for Ronnie to have his own songs to sing -- very exiciting for him. The album came out fantastic. It's been 16 years since we've done a studio album and we have a lot to say. So, it was an amazing process and we're extremely proud of it. I think our Kansas fans are really going to love it." Before the official 40th anniversary celebration gets rolling, Kansas has a trio of New York-area shows this week. The first is Thursday night at Long Island, New York's NYCB Theater, when it shares a bill with Edgar Winter.

Carmine Appice Stick It

Imagine being in a well known band and your opening act is Led Zeppelin. The drummer walks up to you and says, "I've been inspired by you to play." The fringe benefits of being a success in music. Carmine Appice goes deep into detail in his new book Stick It My Life Of Sex Drums and Rock n Roll.

The Return of Peter Wolf

Peter Wolf says the title of his new album A Cure for Loneliness is a personal statement. Peter Wolf discusses his new album A Cure for Loneliness. "Music has been my constant cure... for loneliness. And so, it's a collection of just a lot of new songs I've written and some favorite roots songs that have been with me all my life." One of the standout cuts is a very different version of the J. Geils Band favorite "Love Stinks." At first, that wasn't a song he planned to include on the album. Peter Wolf on his reboot of the J Geils song "Love Stinks." "We were taping live and that was not planned. We were backstage fooling around. I think a little bit of Kentucky's finest -- everyone was having a little sip of this and that. And so on stage, I just called out, started singing 'Love Stinks,' and the band started following me. People enjoyed it so much, we decided to put it on the record. But it wasn't planned that way." Wolf is getting ready to head "north, west, east and south" on a tour that begins next Friday and extends into the summer. Expect his new material to be mixed with songs he made famous with The J. Geils Band. As Peter reminds us, "It's a large part of my life. We were together for 17 years." Peter Wolf previews his spring tour. "There are a lot of hip-shakin', uptempo, slamming things. We just do a lot of different textures. A broader bunch of things, but I still rock it out -- there's still a lot of blues-based things and raunchy things. So, it's different. And I also include some of my favorite Geils songs." That J. Geils history even includes a show where they actually shared a bill with the late, great Prince. Peter Wolf was a fan of Prince, even before he and The J. Geils Band were opening acts for a 1981 Rolling Stones show in L.A.. "I met him several times throughout the years, and he was also a guest on a bill that The J.Geils Band had played with The Rolling Stones out in California. I met him even before his first recordings came out. And so, I did not know him well, but one thing's for sure, I was and still am a very huge fan of his artistry, creativity and his work." Peter Wolf kicks off his tour April 29th at Infinity Hall in Hartford, Connecticut.

Roger Glover Endlessly Writes

Roger Glover from Deep Purple. Talking about the journey after being inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. He admits that he can't stop writing music. Even while with family his creative mind is generating lyrics. As for touring? He wonders what will happen when it's time to grow up.

ZZ Top Postpones Carolina Rebellion And More

Zero percent political. One hundred perfect injury. ZZ Top won't be at the Carolina Rebellion May 6, 7 and 8th. But you know the band. They always make it up to fans. Dusty Hill talks about how the bass guitar was pretty much forced onto his childhood path. It started with his brother thumping him on the shoulder to change notes. That shoulder's been shattered. No surprise here as ZZ Top has postponed more shows due to bassist Dusty Hill breaking his shoulder last week following a fall as he climbed the stairs to the stage in Lubbock, Texas. All dates through May 7th have been scrapped. They will all be rescheduled. ZZ manager Carl Stubner says, "It was very dark back there, and the step -- really a half-step -- wasn't lit, so there's no way he could've seen it. We found out that others had missed it and stumbled earlier in the day. Maybe some strategic lighting could've prevented this, but that's water under the bridge. What's important now is that Dusty and his medical team to do what's necessary for a complete recovery." And Dusty adds, "My physicians told me that this type of injury is usually associated with contact sports. I'm not sure bass-playing qualifies as such, but they're doing their best to get me back in the game as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes we've received. We're determined to enjoy a speedy recovery and to see you soon!"

Wings Over America Turns Forty

To honor the 40th anniversary of the Wings Over America tour -- which began in Fort Worth -- the former Wings guitarist is bring his own band into the Dosey Doe Big Barn in The Woodlands on May 7th. That night, they'll perform the Band on the Run album in its entirety. Denny Laine on how Paul McCartney and the rest of Wings began to realize Band on the Run was going to be a very special album "We came back to London and started doing the overdubs. And people would come in and say, 'Oh, I like that.' And George [Martin] would stick some strings on something and, 'Oh yeah! Now that's coming alive.' But, it's really the way it built. It was like building a house and as soon as it got to the top, it was starting to look like a house. That's when we realized, 'Ah, this is going to be something else, you know'." Denny Laine says the crowds at the Wings Over America tour were enthusiastic. "The crowd reaction was always the same. Sighs. Kind of like wherever you were, you felt you was in the same place. I never really got to see the show 'cause I was on the stage. But, you know, when you see some of the footage, you think, 'Oh, that's how they saw it.' But you know, you always miss what the audience is going through when you are the person on the stage." Denny Laine on the benefit of touring for Wings. "It got the band very tight, which is the first thing that I like. 'Cause any band takes a while. That's why Wings took a long time. You can't be great overnight... It takes a lot of live work."

Reuniting Journey

Now that Carlos Santana has reunited the bulk of the original Santana band -- along with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who was in Santana for their third and fourth albums -- Carlos wants to help Neal and Steve Perry reunite in Journey. Carlos Santana on wanting to help Neal Schon and Journey reunite with Steve Perry. Courtesy of Jim Kerr Rock n Roll Morning Show on WAXQ - Q104.3 in New York "I dream of Neal and I talking to Steve Perry and saying, 'Look man, Moses parted the sea, let's part all that stuff aside and write the new songs.' Because if Santana can do Santana 4, you know, Neal and Steve Perry and whoever wants to join in...you know, because it's 2016. Time is short. And there's a chemistry between Neal and Steve Perry and also his new singer [Arnel Pineda]. But I love creating a stage where you can't tell one band from the other." And Neal Schon says with Journey and Santana teaming up for three shows this week in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania -- in which he played in both bands -- he wanted Santana keyboardist and original Journey member Gregg Rolie to sit in with Journey. Neal Schon on his vision for the Santana-Journey shows this week in the Northeast. Courtesy of the Jim Kerr Rock n Roll Morning Show on WAXQ - Q104.3 in New York "If everybody opened their mind in Journey right now and looked at it more like one big show, okay, that we could put into from all the time frames - where we came from - that's what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be an evolution in the concept of my mind. And some people, you know, were a little just, 'I don't know if I want,' you know, in my band. And I'm going, 'I don't really think it's your choice.'" Schon adds that he decided to be a gentleman about it, "at least for the first gig." We've learned that it's keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who replaced Rolie in Journey, who was against the idea. Ironically, Rolie recommended Cain to replace him.

AXL Says Yes To AC/DC

What a weekend for Classic Rockers. Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley were both hospitalized. Carlos Santana wants to serve as the moderator between Steve Perry and Neal Schon. And Axl Rose was chosen to replace Brian Johnson in AC/DC. After all the rumors, speculation and sightings, it has been confirmed that Axl Rose will be the singer in AC/DC for European dates in May and June. The band released a statement that says, "AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment." The tour starts up again on May 7th in Lisbon, Portugal. The 10 postponed U.S. shows will be rescheduled, also with Axl. Brian Johnson, who left the tour early last month on his doctor's advise that he could permanently damage his hearing, has not commented on these latest developments.

Gregg Rolie On Board Ringo Starr's Tour Bus

What do rock stars do after they've toured with the bands that brought them to the dance? Gregg Rolie will wrap up his tour with Carlos Santana then jump on board Ringo Starr's tour bus. He talks about his fourth year with the former Beatle and how the drummer allows the music to be played out like a band and not how it was originally presented.

Robin Zander In AC/DC?

Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander says he would be willing to stand in with AC/DC on tour if asked, but on one condition -- Brian Johnson, his neighbor in Florida, would have to give his blessing. Zander tells Rolling Stone: "I wouldn't go there as a slap in the face to him. But if he said, 'Go ahead,' I would do it. And I'd donate the money to somebody. They're AC/DC. People want to hear those songs. Sure, they want to hear them with Brian. But if Brian isn't there, they can get someone else. I don't know what else to say, but I know I'd be heartbroken if something happened to me and I couldn't sing in Cheap Trick." Axl Rose has been rumored for the slot, an idea that doesn't sit well with Zander or his bandmate Rick Nielsen. "I don't know about that. That's weird. Malcolm [Young] left, and if he was still there this wouldn't be happening, I don't think. We love Angus [Young] and all that stuff and Brian's my neighbor for god's sake and I'm afraid to walk over and say hello. To see this happen is sort of like a death in the family."

Santana In New York

Most of Santana's original lineup will do the first of a handful of shows Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. They are performing in support of Friday's reissue of Santana 4. The band that made that album has reconvened for the occasion: Carlos Santana, singer-keyboard player Gregg Rolie, drummer Michael Shrieve and percussionist Michael Carabello, joined by Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who was on hand for the band's third and fourth albums. Carlo Santana on what fans can expect from the Santana 4 lineup. "Chills, a lot of hope, surge. It's like putting your head in Niagara Falls [and the water] hits you in the back of your neck and it feels exhilarating. This is about energy. You know, a lot of bands our age are reduced to embers. We're still a tornado of fire. We show up and there's no embers here man. It's a vortex tornado of fire." Carlos Santana on what it means to perform at Madison Square Garden. "If you're in the times of the Romans, this is the Roman Coliseum. This is where gladiators square off, you know. It's not Los Angeles. Over there is the capital of entertainment. Here is the capital of kick your ass kind of energy. And so this is perfect for us because we're that kind of band. We're the energy band." Neal Schon will do double-duty as Journey is also on the bill at the Garden. The two bands will play in Connecticut Friday and Pennsylvania Saturday.

Zeppelin Headed To Court

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page have an L.A. date set for May 10th, but it's not a Led Zeppelin reunion show. Rather, it's the start date for a jury trial over the claim they ripped off the opening riff from a song by the band Spirit for "Stairway to Heaven." On Friday, U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner ruled that Led Zep's 1971 classic is similar enough to "Taurus," a 1967 instrumental track by Spirit, to have a jury decide whether Plant and Page committed copyright infringement. The suit was filed by Michael Skidmore, a trustee for the late Randy California, who wrote "Taurus" and played guitar in Spirit. Skidmore points out that Spirit and Zeppelin toured together in 1968 and '69 and Page may have been motivated to write "Stairway" after hearing "Taurus" performed live by Spirit. There is some good news for the Zep camp, though. The judged dropped claims against bassist John Paul Jones and Warner Music, so only Page and Plant remain on the hook.

Bun E Carlos Will Be Inducted With Cheap Trick

Unlike Deep Purple and Chicago, who can't seem to put their differences aside long enough to perform with former bandmates at Friday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Cheap Trick is doing just that, taking the stage with former drummer Bun E. Carlos for the first time in six years.

Steve Miller Steps Into The Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame

This Friday in Brooklyn, New York, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We've been profiling the inductees. Today, it's Miller time. The singer and guitarist became eligible for election in 1993 and, like Chicago and Cheap Trick, was elected the first time he was nominated. He was aided by the fan ballot, where he got 25.5-million votes, placing him fifth behind Chicago, Yes, The Cars and Deep Purple. Miller was born in Milwaukee where his father was friends with Les Paul. The guitar innovator was very encouraging to Steve and gave him lessons. Miller began his professional career in Chicago, playing blues. He moved out to San Francisco and started to absorb the psychedelia that would lead him in a more pop-rock direction with songs like "Livin' in the U.S.A.," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Rock'n Me," "Take the Money and Run," "Jet Airliner" and "Jungle Love." His Greatest Hits 1974-78 is one of the best-selling albums of all-time. Miller is still writing, recording and touring. Miller says he hopes the outpouring of support for him and his fellow inductees this year makes the Rock Hall's nominating committee take notice.

Deep Purple Is Headed To The Hall Of Fame

This Friday in Brooklyn, New York, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Each day this week we are are profiling one of those inductees. Today, it's Deep Purple. The band became eligible for election in 1993 and was nominated three times before this year. They came in fourth in the fan voting, amassing 25.5-million votes behind Chicago, Yes and The Cars. The opening of "Smoke on the Water" is one of the most famous guitar riffs ever created. But the band's classics also include "Hush," "Highway Star," "Burn," "Lazy," "Space Truckin'" and "Perfect Strangers." Formed in Hertford, England in 1968, Deep Purple has had a tumultuous history with numerous members. They broke up in 1976 and reunited in 1986. Two members -- Jon Lord and Tommy Bolin -- are dead. Drummer Ian Paice, the only member on board for the entire 48-year run, will be in Brooklyn on Friday, along with Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and former members Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale. Founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore will not attend because the current line-up refuses to perform with him. Original singer Rod Evans is also included in the band being inducted, but his whereabouts are unknown. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich will do the honors at the ceremony.

Chicago Goes Into The Hall Of Fame

This Friday in Brooklyn, New York, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Each day this week we are are profiling those inductees. Today, it's Chicago. The band has been eligible for induction since 1994, but -- like Cheap Trick -- was not nominated until this year. They were the top vote-getter in the fan ballot, receiving more than 37-million votes, but there is speculation that some electronic shenanigans may have stuffed the ballot box. Formed in 1967, the group at first called itself The Big Thing, then the Chicago Transit Authority. When the actual CTA threatened a lawsuit in 1969, they shortened the name to Chicago. While there were horn-oriented bands before Chicago, most notably Blood, Sweat & Tears and the Electric Flag, none achieved nearly as much success -- 21 Top 10 singles and five number-one albums. The group has sold more than 100-million records - over 40-million in the U.S. alone -- and has 23 gold, 18 platinum and eight multi-platinum albums. Four of the seven original members are still in the band: Robert Lamm, Walt Parazaider, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane. They will all attend the induction ceremony, as will drummer Danny Serphine, who left in 1990. Original singer and bassist Peter Cetera refuses to attend, and guitarist Terry Kath died of a self-inflicted gunshot in 1978. Friday's ceremony will be a bit of a homecoming for singer and keyboardist Lamm, who grew up in Brooklyn. Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 will induct Chicago.

U2 Receives iHeart Music Awards 2016 Innovators Award

Bono and The Edge expressed some old school values in accepting the Innovator Award at last night's iHeart Radio Music Awards. Instead of trumpeting the worthy musical exploration the band has done, the two spoke about some things that really haven't changed during their long career. This is what Bono had to say, “I guess a band using bass, guitar and drums all those years after rock n’ roll was invented doesn’t sound so innovative. But it turns out rock n’ roll has more to do with spirit than flesh. Isn’t that right, The Edge?” And here's The Edge,“I think the thing that might be the most innovative of all about our band is that we are a real band. We are still in our high school band.” After pointing out the innovative producers they've worked with, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and Brian Burton AKA Danger Mouse, and giving props to last year's Innovator Award winner, Pharrell Williams, who presented them with their trophy, Bono concluded by talking about freedom of expression and including a not-too-subtle dig at one of our presidential candidates,“Strange to say that there are places around the world where making music is a crime, where you can go to jail for expressing an opinion, where you can get a punch in the face for disagreeing with some politician somewhere. That could never happen here, could it?”

2016 Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp

A life changing 4 day experience where people from all walks of life come together to share their love of music and live the rock star experience. Adults from all over the world come to camp and are placed in a band lead by their rock star counselor, i.e. Rudy Sarzo from Quiet Riot, Vinny Appice from Black Sabbath, Phil X from Bon Jovi and many more. They attend rehearsals, master classes, jam rooms and prepare to perform with their musical heroes, as well as two live performances in Hollywood, CA including the legendary Whisky A Go Go on the infamous Sunset Strip.