Classic Rock
Elvis Estate Blocks Vegas Wedding Chapels from Using His Likeness
Update: In a statement to Billboard, Authentic Brands Group said they don’t intend to ban Elvis impersonators, but are instead requesting that chapels get licenses to continue their schtick. The Las Vegas tourist industry is taking a pretty big hit this week, as the licensing company that handles Elvis Presley’s estate has blocked the city’s wedding chapels from using his likeness in their ceremonies. As the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the company that oversees all Elvis-related merchandise, sent cease-and-desist letters to multiple Sin City chapels in May, arguing that unauthorized use of “Presley’s name, likeness, voice image, and other elements” constitute trademark infringement. The company counts “Elvis, “Elvis Presley,” and “The King of Rock and Ro...
Pink Floyd Is Officially on TikTok
Pink Floyd has joined TikTok, the band announced on Monday (May 30). After just one day on the app, the veteran English psych rockers have have amassed more than 7,500 followers and shared two different videos. The first features a hypnotic spinning pyramid set to “Breathe (In the Air)” to commemorate the pending 50-year anniversary of their seminal album The Dark Side of the Moon, which turns half-a-century old next spring. Posted just hours later, Pink Floyd’s second video is more straightforward in heralding their arrival on the popular social media platform. Text appears on the screen reading “PINK FLOYD NOW ON TIKTOK” over “Another Brick in the Wall” from 1979’s The Wall. “We don’t need no education/ We don’t need no false control/ No dark sarcasm in the classroom/ Teacher, leave…” th...
Pink Floyd Join TikTok
Someone must have tipped Pink Floyd off to TikTok’s knack for re-popularizing decades-old music, because the band has officially joined the platform. In addition to uploading their catalogue to TikTok’s sound library, allowing fans to use their music in their own videos, Pink Floyd have also made an account of their own, where they promise in a statement to post “unique video content.” The band’s account launched today, May 30th, in accordance with the 50th anniversary of the day they entered the studio to start recording The Dark Side Of The Moon. Despite its reputation as a dancing app, a good chunk of TikTok’s 1 billion+ users tend to soundtrack their videos not with Hot 100 pop, but classic rock and alternative. In 2020, a viral video launched Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” back into the Bil...
The Band’s Robbie Robertson Pays Tribute to Ronnie Hawkins: “The One Who Made This All Happen”
Rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins, who served as a mentor of The Band, died Sunday, May 29th at the age of 87. Hawkins’ wife told CBC that her husband passed away following a long illness. “He went peacefully and he looked as handsome as ever,” Wanda Hawkins said. Though a native of Arkansas, Hawkins experienced the majority of his success after relocating to Canada in the early 1960s. At one point, his band, known as The Hawks, featured Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson– who would later go on to form The Band and back Bob Dylan. Advertisement Related Video “He was our mentor. He taught us the rules of the road,” Robertson wrote of Hawkins in a tribute published to Instagram. Robertson went on to describe Hawkins as “the godfather” and “the one who m...
Johnny Depp Rocks Out with Jeff Beck As Jury Deliberates Defamation Case
As he awaits the results of his defamation trial against Amber Heard, Johnny Depp hit the stage with Jeff Beck in Sheffield, UK on Sunday night. Depp joined Beck to perform for a cover of John Lennon’s “Isolation,” which they previously released as a studio recording in 2020. The two also teamed up for covers of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” Watch fan-captured footage below. Though he appears unfazed on stage, Depp is no doubt eagerly awaiting the verdict of his aforementioned defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. After closing arguments were heard on Friday, the case is currently in jury deliberation, with a decision expected as soon as Tuesday. Advertisement [embedded content] [embedded content] [embedded content] [flexi-common-toolbar] [...
KISS’ Gene Simmons: Donald Trump “Allowed” People to Be “Publicly Racist” and “Conspiracy Theorists”
KISS founder Gene Simmons was once a contestant on Donald Trump’s network TV program The Celebrity Apprentice and was friendly with the former president long before he took office. Now, Simmons has come out to blast Trump’s presidency for normalizing racism and conspiracy theories. In a new interview with SPIN, Simmons discussed the cause-and-effect of Trump’s behavior and policies. As is typical with Simmons, there were no minced words. “I know the previous [US] president,” Simmons said. “I knew him before he entered politics. Look what that gentleman did to this country and the polarization — got all the cockroaches to rise to the top. Once upon a time, you were embarrassed to be publicly racist and out there with conspiracy theories. Now it’s all out in the open because he allowed it.” ...
Supergroup The Dead Daisies Return with New Single “Radiance” Ahead of Upcoming Album: Stream
All-star supergroup The Dead Daisies have unveiled the lead single “Radiance” from their as-yet-untitled upcoming album, due this August. The new song comes just as the band is set to embark on a European tour in early June. The Dead Daisies have seen a number of lineup changes since forming in 2013, but the latest incarnation of the band is made up of a group of musicians with impressive pedigrees. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) handles lead vocals and bass, and is joined by drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner, Billy Idol) and guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix). “Radiance” features big guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums, as Hughes delivers his signature wide-ranging vocals over the heavy rock tune. ...
Bruce Hornsby Recruits Danielle Haim for “Days Ahead”: Stream
Bruce Hornsby has enlisted Danielle Haim on his new single “Days Ahead.” “Remember how we used to be/ Connection that our friends could see/ Remember when we tried to learn German/ I told you what I learned today/ That this all too shall pass away/ It sounded like a stale, stale sermon,” the two sing, with the Haim frontwoman mostly on backing vocals, before jumping into the track’s chorus. The song’s music video was self-directed by Hornsby during the pandemic. The lyrical narrative plays out with a feuding older couple who call an elaborate dollhouse home. Related Video “Days Ahead” is featured on the singer-songwriter’s new album ‘Flicted, which also dropped today in full via Hornsby’s very own Zappo Productions/Thirty Tigers. The 12-track LP follows 2019’s Absolute Zero and 2020’s Non-...
R.I.P. Alan White, Drummer for Yes and John Lennon Dead at 72
Alan White, the longtime drummer for prog-rock legends Yes, has died at age 72. The veteran musician, who was also a member of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, passed away on Thursday (May 26th) after a “brief illness,” according to a Facebook posting by his family. White joined Yes in 1972 and remained their drummer until his passing. He joined the band for their tour in support of 1972’s Close to the Edge, replacing original drummer Bill Bruford, and made his recording debut with the band on 1973’s Tales from Topographic Oceans. He played on a total of more than 40 studio and live albums released by Yes, including their most recent full-length studio effort, 2021’s The Quest (the band’s 22nd studio album). Prior to joining Yes, White was recruited by John Lennon to be part of the ex-Beatl...
Don McLean Cancels NRA Convention Performance Following Uvalde School Shooting
Don McLean, the musician behind the 1971 hit “American Pie,” has resigned from performing at the National Rifle Association’s national convention this weekend, following Tuesday’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. “In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean said in a statement issued to TMZ. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all Americans. I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.” McClean was one of several performers — including Lee Greenwood, Danielle Peck, and Larry Gatlin — scheduled to perform at the NRA conventi...
Aerosmith Singer Steven Tyler Checks Into Rehab
Aersomith frontman Steven Tyler has voluntarily checked himself into rehab following a recent relapse. As a result, the band has pushed back the start of their upcoming residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. “As many of you know, our beloved brother Steven has worked on his sobriety for many years. After foot surgery to prepare for the stage and the necessity of pain management during the process, he has recently relapsed and voluntarily entered a treatment program to concentrate on his health and recovery,” Aerosmith said in a statement released on Tuesday. “We are truly sorry to inform our fans and friends that we must cancel our first set of Las Vegas residency dates this June and July while he focuses on his well-being,” the statement added. “We will continue our 2022 dates starting in S...
How to Get Tickets to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 Tour
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are finally returning to the road for a globe-trotting 2023 world tour. The long-awaited reunion will mark the ensemble’s first outing in six years, and may be just the beginning as Springsteen suggested in the announcement: “I’m looking forward to seeing our great and loyal fans next year. And I’m looking forward to once again sharing the stage with the legendary E Street Band. See you out there, next year — and beyond.” Get tickets here, and read on for more details including on-sale dates. What Is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Next Tour? Advertisement Related Video Springsteen’s upcoming tour will consist of a US arena run in the spring, a summer stadium jaunt across Europe and the UK, and a second North American leg in the fall. Curre...
