Classic Rock
ZZ Top Play First Show Following Dusty Hill’s Death: Watch
Just a few days after the sudden death of longtime bassist Dusty Hill, ZZ Top were back onstage playing a concert in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Friday night (July 30th). As was the case for a couple shows before Hill passed, the band’s guitar tech Elwood Francis took over on bass. Throughout the evening, singer-guitarist Billy GIbbons made mention of Hill, who had been his bandmate for more than 50 years. “We’re gonna have a good time in here tonight,” said Gibbons as the show began. “Got a new guy up here, as you know. Dusty gave me the directive. My friend, your pal, Elwood Francis is gonna hold it down behind me.” Francis is sporting a long beard himself after growing it out during the pandemic, with Gibbons saying from the stage, “How about that Elwood, tearing up that bottom there for Du...
Jimi Hendrix’s Personal Recording of 1968 Joni Mitchell Concert Included in New Box Set
Joni Mitchell has been an icon for so long that it’s hard to imagine that she, like most of us, was once a regular, fledgling 20-something, who just happened to possess an insane amount of talent. A massive new box set, Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971), due out October 29th captures the prolific songwriter during that defining era. Included in the box set is an unearthed recording captured by Jimi Hendrix, who saw Mitchell in action during her two-week residency at Le Hibou Coffee House in Ottawa, Ontario, before his death. As a preview of the collection, Hendrix’s recording of Mitchell performing “The Downtreader” is now available to stream below. Hendrix’s tape recorder from his night at Mitchell’s concert was stolen just a few days after the show. T...
Rock World Reacts to the Death of ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill: “What an Icon”
The rock community is mourning the passing of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, who died in his sleep at age 72. Hill was an indispensable longtime member of the “Tres Hombres” and famously sported a lengthy beard like his bandmate Billy Gibbons. Musically, Hill had a gift for rhythm, holding down the band’s airtight bluesy rock tunes with drummer Frank Beard. ZZ Top had just kicked off a massive U.S. tour when Hill was sidelined with a “hip issue.” Longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis filled in on bass for a handful of dates, and today it was announced that Hill passed away in his sleep at his home in Houston. Following the sad news, fellow musicians and rock icons took to social media to pay tribute to Hill and his musical legacy. Advertisement Related Video John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater ...
Stevie Nicks Reflects on Bella Donna’s 40th Anniversary: “I Could Not Have Been More Proud”
If you’re Stevie Nicks, pretty much anything you write is gold— even if it’s something as ordinary as a diary entry. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of her solo debut, Bella Donna, the Fleetwood Mac singer took to Instagram today to honor the occasion, sharing an excerpt from her journal that details the origins of the album. Throughout the journal entry, Nicks explains her choice to work with background singers Lori Perry-Nicks and Sharon Celani, and how the album fits into Fleetwood Mac’s storied legacy. She also details a dramatic love story involving Nicks’ then-boyfriend’s mother, who inspired the title track to Bella Donna. As are most things Nicks attaches her name to, it’s pretty poignant. Read the full post below. Bella Donna was a dream. I chose Lori Perry-Nicks and Sharon Celan...
Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist Gary Rossington Undergoes Emergency Heart Surgery
Gary Rossington, the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, recently underwent emergency heart surgery. The legendary Southern rock act announced the news after the guitarist missed the band’s recent concerts. Rossington was with Lynyrd Skynyrd when they resumed their long-running farewell tour in June, following 15 months off the road due to the pandemic. However, he hadn’t been onstage with the band for their latest gigs. The guitarist has had a history of heart issues in recent years, suffering a heart attack in 2015 and undergoing quintuple bypass surgery. That was followed by having his heart valve repaired in 2019. He once told Tampa Bay Times, “I’ve had heart attacks on stage a lot.” Advertisement Related Video The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act explained Rossington’s a...
Robert Fripp and Toyah Take on The Who’s “My Generation” as King Crimson’s US Tour Kicks Off: Watch
Robert Fripp has already embarked on a summer U.S. tour with his legendary UK prog-rock band King Crimson, but that hasn’t put a stop to the guitarist’s viral “Sunday Lunch” performances with his wife, Toyah Willcox. The pair apparently filmed some advance episodes in their kitchen, beginning with today’s cover of The Who’s “My Generation.” Per usual, Toyah goes with a skimpy outfit, this time a white shirt that somehow doesn’t pop all the way open despite being held together by a little red clasp. Vocally, she delivers a raspy take on The Who’s classic 1965 track, adding some additional punk flavor to what could be argued is one of the earliest punk songs ever recorded. Fripp is back to his proper vest-and-tie look, while still sporting the mohawk that he featured in previous performances...
8-Year-Old Boy’s Performance of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” Earns Him Spot in Finals of The Voice Kids Spain: Watch
After wowing the judges and viewers with his performance of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” during his blind audition on Spain’s edition of The Voice Kids, little Jesús del Río sang another hit by the legendary rock band for the semifinals. This time, he blazed through AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” earning a trip to the finals. Jesús, who was only 7 years old when the season began but has since celebrated his eighth birthday, went viral with his initial “Highway to Hell” audition. The judges/coaches went crazy for his performance and mobbed him onstage. He had to perform Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” alongside a couple of other contestants for the battle round, but looked completely uncomfortable singing the pop hit. However, he still made it to the next stage. It just might be that AC/DC is the...
De-Aged Paul McCartney Will Haunt Your Dreams in Video for Beck’s Cover of “Find My Way”: Watch
A de-aged Paul McCartney is here to dance through your nightmares in the new video for Beck’s version of “Find My Way.” The track appeared on McCartney III Imagined, a collection of heavy-hitting covers of tracks from the master’s latest album McCartney III. With “Find My Way,” Beck transformed a rock tune that could have come from any decade into a disco funk banger, with off-kilter percussion that transported Macca back to the groovy music of his youth. The new video, directed by Andrew Donoho, makes that metaphorical time travel literal. The clip opens in a hotel hallway painted in two once-popular shades of burnt orange. The door at the end experiences a few violent flashes of light, after which who should appear but Paul McCartney, looking less like the 79-year-old he currently is and...
The Rolling Stones Announce 2021 Tour Dates
The Rolling Stones are returning to the US this fall for a new leg of shows as part of their “No Filter Tour.” The 13-date outing includes stadium shows previously postponed due to the pandemic, as well as new dates in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New Orleans, where the band will play the New Orleans Jazz Fest for the very first time. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. Tickets purchased for those shows that were postponed will be honored at the rescheduled dates — with the exception of Vancouver, Louisville, Cleveland, and Buffalo, as those dates will not be rescheduled. Advertisement Related Video The Rolling Stones kept their fans entertained over the pandemic by launching a weekly livestream series of archival concerts, and by d...
Dr. John’s Estate Claims They Didn’t Approve Dan Auerbach’s Upcoming Documentary
Especially considering the soulful inspirations that drive his work with The Black Keys, it should come as no surprise that Dan Auerbach is a massive fan of the late Dr. John. It seemed only natural that Auerbach’s directorial debut would be a documentary about the jazz and blues legend, with whom Auerbach even had the honor of collaborating a few years ago. But the project, which was announced only last week, has already been met with backlash from Dr. John’s estate. A statement issued by Dr. John’s estate claims that they hadn’t approved the making of the documentary, which was set to be released by the same company behind Questlove’s Summer of Soul. The film has yet to receive an official title or public release date. “The Official Estate of Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr., p/k/a Dr. J...
Joni Mitchell Named 2021 Kennedy Center Honoree
Joni Mitchell will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. Presented by the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the annual accolade recognizes lifetime performing arts achievements in American culture. Along with Mitchell, this year’s class of honorees includes actress Bette Midler, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, and opera singer Justino Díaz. The Kennedy Center honorees are chosen on the recommendation of a committee that includes officials and past award recipients. Mitchell and her peers will formally receive their honors during an in-person ceremony held at the Kennedy Center on December 5th, which will later air on CBS. Advertisement Related Video Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie,...
Guns N’ Roses Have an Official Line of Bongs and Smoking Accessories
Axl Rose has hit some pretty amazing high notes during his career, but now Guns N’ Roses are offering up a new kind of high. The legendary band has its own line of bongs and smoking accessories. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have partnered with Famous Brandz for a collection that includes two bongs, a couple of grinders, and two hand pipes. The two glass bongs feature artwork from the band’s iconic debut album, Appetite for Destruction. The “Band 12-Inch Water Pipe” has a hexagonal shape at the bottom showing each of the skeletal images of the band members, while the “Appetite for Destruction 10-Inch Dab Rig” shows the group shot of the skeletons at the base, with the words “Guns N’ Roses Was Here” in the middle. Advertisement Related Video A description of the GN’R line from Famous B...
