Rock Daypop Archives

Whitesnake revisited the music that singer David Coverdale recorded with Deep Purple with the release of “The Purple Album” two years ago. The LP, and the tour that followed, offered fans new modern interpretations of Deep Purple classics like “Burn” and “Mistreated”. Highlights from the historic tour will be featured in a new live collection, including double-disc versions that feature audio, video and a selection of bonus material. “The Purple Tour (Live)” will be available on January 19 as CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray sets. Additional formats include a double-LP, single CD, and digital version.. ...Read Full Story

According to reports from the UK, Ringo Starr is to be knighted. The rock legend and former member of the Beatles could become the second person of the group to receive the honor of a knighthood from the Queen. Sir Paul McCartney received his knighthood in 1997. It’s also been fifty two years since the drummer was given his MBE. All members of the group received the accolade in 1965, although John Lennon later returned his. Friends of Starr, interviewed by the Sun newspaper in the UK, report he was overwhelmed by the news – having given up hope of a knighthood. The paper reported he’s being recognized for services to music and charity.. ...Read Full Story

After initially not included in The Moody Blues roster for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2018, co-founder Denny Laine said he’s happy that he’s now been added and will be part of the group’s entry on April 14 in Cleveland.  Laine — who co-founded the Moodys during 1964 in Birmingham, England, but left after the group’s 1965 debut album and the hit “Go Now” — said “obviously, I’m very pleased I’m going to be in there. It’s an honor. I think I’m at least a little part of their story, so I feel very content, really, that it’s all come full circle now.”  Laine was added to the induction roster thanks to lobbying by Rock Hall voting committee members, including Little Steven Van Zandt, Peter Asher and Cousin Brucie Morrow. Van Zandt said that Laine’s “inadvertent omission is being corrected on the Rock Hall website as we speak.” . ...Read Full Story

As previously reported, Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner recently decided it was time to step back from the magazine he co-founded in 1967. Now several months after news broke that the magazine was searching for a buyer, Rolling Stone has changed hands as part of a deal with Penske Media Corporation (which also owns Variety.)  Penske has agreed to pick up a roughly $100 million stake in Wenner Media, with the provision that Wenner will continue to wield “majority control and editorial oversight” over Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner’s son, Gus Wenner, will remain president/COO of Wenner Media under the terms of the deal. “We are excited to build on its strong foundation and invest in its future through this partnership.”. ...Read Full Story

A coalition led by Vicky Cornell, the wife of the late Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell, has created an endowed fund of more than $1 million to support student scholarships at UCLA School of Law. The Chris Cornell Scholarship honors Cornell’s commitment to justice, human rights and advocacy for those in need. Members of the coalition include several friends and colleagues of Cornell as well as supporters of UCLA Law.  UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said “this endowment honors an influential musical artist who cared about human rights and enables others the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world.”. ...Read Full Story

Donald Fagen of Steely Dan has spoken out in a lengthy and open interview, the first since Walter Becker’s death in September. Fagen spoke about Becker’s death and how it didn’t come as a complete surprise, given he had been ill for some time. Fagen couldn’t talk much about the current legal proceedings stemming from his lawsuit for full rights to the Steely Dan name, but explained that there were commercial pressures on him to keep calling the group “Steely Dan”: “I would actually prefer to call it Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan Band or something like that.”. ...Read Full Story

Broadway will soon be host to the collision of classical music and iconic rock songs when “Rocktopia” arrives in spring 2018. “Rocktopia” is a concert that celebrates the fusion of rock songs from the past century with classical music, including works by Mozart, Journey, Handel, U2, Tchaikovsky, Heart, Beethoven, Journey, Foreigner, Rachmaninoff, Queen, Aaron Copland, The Who and more. Created by vocalist and recording artist Rob Evan and Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer, a pioneer in the fusion of symphonic rock and world music, the concert features vocalists, a five-piece rock band, a choir of 40 and an orchestra of 20.. ...Read Full Story

The legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, where Nick Cave, David Bowie and Iggy Pop (amongst many others) recorded some of their greatest works, is getting a feature length documentary.  Hansa Studios: By The Wall 1976-90 is set to explore the historical, cultural and artistic significance of the fabled West Berlin Studios. The documentary will be broadast on the 10th of January, the second anniversary of Bowie’s death. Two of the three albums from his famed ‘Berlin’ trilogy, Low and Heroes, were recorded in the studio. . ...Read Full Story

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s formation, and many fans have been hoping that the band might acknowledge their anniversary. According to the group’s guitarist Jimmy Page, there might be new material to help mark the occasion. In a recent interview, Page was quoted as saying “there’ll be Led Zeppelin product coming out, for sure, that people haven’t heard, because I’m working on that. Next year will be the fiftieth year so there’s all manner of surprises coming out.” He also added, “I hope to be seen to be playing. So I’d better get on with it.”. ...Read Full Story

Rob Halford reacted to Judas Priest not getting enough votes to get into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The band came fifth on the fan ballot alongside Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits and The Cars for a chance to be be inducted into the Rock Hall in April next year. Following the news, frontman Halford read the rejection letter from the Rock Hall and when asked if he wanted to be inducted at some point in the future, Halford replied: “Personally, I would love it. I think we deserve it. We put our 10,000 hours in and more – and beyond that, we just feel that heavy metal deserves more space in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.”. ...Read Full Story

 Metallica had a huge year in 2017, and found themselves back on top of the rock ‘n’ roll charts.  According to Billboard‘s annual sales tally, Metallica’s most recent album, Hardwired … to Self-Destruct, racked up the biggest numbers over this year.  The group’s 10th studio set outsold many new releases from a long list of rock acts.  The Rolling Stones, returning with their first full-length studio release in over a decade, placed ninth with Blue & Lonesome and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers‘ 1993 greatest-hits package peaked at No. 2 and has gone on to sell more than 12 million copies.. ...Read Full Story

The Offspring are back in the studio recording their long-awaited new album. On their Instagram account, the band wrote, “Who’s ready for new music in 2018?”, indicating their new album will be released soon in the new year. Their last full-length studio album, Days Go By, was released in 2012. Since then, the band released the covers EP Summer Nationals in 2014, and a one-off single, “Coming for You”, the year after.. ...Read Full Story

Gene Simmons is facing a lawsuit filed a woman who accuses the Kiss bassist of sexual misconduct during a November interview. The woman, listed as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit to protect her identity, alleges that Simmons made “several aggressive, unwanted sexual advances despite Jane Doe’s active and clear discouragement.”  The lawsuit seeks a “money judgment for mental pain and anguish and severe emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment” as well as punitive damages. Simmons denied the accusations, saying in a statement “I did not assault the person making these accusations in the manner alleged in the complaint or harm her in any way…and, I look forward to my day in court where the evidence will prove my innocence.”. ...Read Full Story

Jon Bon Jovi says the band will invite former members Richie Sambora and Alec John Such to Bon Jovi’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Bon Jovi is quoted saying: “I haven’t had the opportunity to hear from either of them but without a doubt, they both will be invited and asked to not only come and share it, but to perform.” The ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio, with the band’s classic lineup of Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Alec John Such and Tico Torres named as the members who will be inducted. . ...Read Full Story

Linkin Park have just released a moving performance video of their One More Light song “Sharp Edges,” taken from the new live album One More Light Live, out Dec. 15.  As reported by Rolling Stone, One More Light Live will serve as a document of the group’s final tour with Bennington, who unexpectedly died on July 20 at age 41. In revealing the new live release, the band’s members recalled Bennington’s artistry when recording their latest studio record. “We dedicate this live album to our brother Chester,” the group said, “who poured his heart and soul into One More Light.”. ...Read Full Story

Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has apologized after a female photographer claimed she spent the night in hospital after he kicked her camera into her face during a gig. The incident took place as Chelsea Lauren was snapping photos in the front row at a concert in Los Angeles. Lauren posted a video to her Instagram page which appears to show Homme trying to kick the camera out of her hands during the band’s set.  Homme wrote on the Queens Of The Stone Age Twitter account that he was “lost in performance” and believed he had kicked over lighting on the stage. Upon hearing that Ms Lauren was injured, he said: “I did not mean for that to happen and I am very sorry.. ...Read Full Story

On January 8, 2018, on what would have been David Bowie’s 71st birthday, HBO is set to release a new documentary dedicated to the final years of the late musician. Entitled David Bowie: The Last Five Years, the new film by documentary-maker Francis Whately – who also gave us David Bowie : Five Years back in 2013 – will follow the artist’s journey as he released his last two albums The Next Day and Blackstar.  Containing interviews with those closest to Bowie, including producer Tony Visconti and musicians Earl Slick, Gail Ann Dorsey and Carlos Alomar, The Last Five Years will also feature rare interviews with Bowie himself.. ...Read Full Story

Bon Jovi, the Moody Blues, Dire Straits, the Cars, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe were named as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2018 inductees Wednesday morning by museum President and CEO Greg Harris. Four of the five inductees – the Moody Blues, Dire Straits, Simone and Tharpe – were on the ballot for the first time.  The Class of 2018 was chosen by roughly 1,000 voters comprised of surviving inductees and music insiders, including record industry professionals, public relations executives and select members of the music media.  The ceremonies will be at Cleveland’s Public Auditorium on Saturday, April 14. . ...Read Full Story

Jethro Tull will mark their 50th anniversary in 2018, and part of the celebration will include a deluxe 40th-anniversary reissue of the band’s 11th studio album, Heavy Horses on Feb. 9.  The “new shoes” edition of the LP boasts three CDs, including a new Steven Wilson stereo remix of the original track listing as well as live recordings and non-album sides, as well as assorted bonus material. The 40th anniversary edition of Heavy Horses is available to pre-order now.. ...Read Full Story

Slaughter vocalist Mark Slaughter has released the official music video for the title track of his sophomore solo album, “Halfway There”. The single was issued in May and was the follow-up to 2015’s independently released “Reflections In A Rear View Mirror”. Produced and co-mixed by Slaughter with John Cranfield, “Halfway There” is described as “a blistering showcase of seemingly never-ending vocal abilities” and “a glowing testament to his perpetually underserved prowess as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.”. ...Read Full Story

Legendary Irish rock band U2 have made history when it’s new album, Songs of Experience, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts this week. Not only is this the band’s eighth No. 1 album, but it is the only time in history that a group has earned a No. 1 album for four consecutive decades, from the ’80s to the 2010s. Songs of Experience is U2’s 14th studio album and was released Dec. 1. The album’s 186,000 equivalent sales marks the biggest first week release for a rock record this year.. ...Read Full Story

AXS TV will broadcast the premiere of the third season of Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 9PM Eastern. The network made the announcement in a press release that also contained details about more rock-themed programming they have in store for 2018. Once again, Hagar will travel the country to meet up with his many rocker friends for a chat and a jam session. The network revealed five of the guest stars for the new season: Roger Daltrey of the Who, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Foreigner and Nickelback.. ...Read Full Story

Alice Cooper is set to appear in Jesus Christ Superstar Live! next year. A new production of the musical will be broadcast on NBC on Easter Sunday, which falls on April 1, 2018. The special will be directed by BBC theater director David Leveau, and Cooper will play King Herod in the program. Chairman of NBC Entertainment Robert Greenblatt said in a statement: “Alice Cooper, whose theatricality is the stuff of legend, is the perfect rock star to play Herod in our live production.”. ...Read Full Story

Bon Jovi is the winner of the Rock Hall 2018 fan vote with over 1,100,000 votes. Bon Jovi is followed by Moody Blues at No. 2 (around 950,000 votes), Dire Straits at No. 3 (around 615,000 votes), The Cars at No. 4 (550,000) and Judas Priest at No. 5 (540,000). These five acts will be put on a single ballot, which counts as one of the 900 ballots that determine the inductee.  Since the fan vote was introduced, the artist who got most fan support ended up getting inducted.  The ceremony is set to take place on April 14 in Cleveland, OH.. ...Read Full Story

The Eagles have announced that they’ve added 13 live shows to their 2018 North American tour. The group announced an initial run of dates last month, and now they’ve added a further 13 due to the “overwhelming response” to those shows. Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B Schmit and Vince Gill will be joined on the road by Deacon Frey – the son of late Eagles guitarist and vocalist Glenn Frey, who died in January 2016.  Tickets for the 13 new dates will go on general sale from 10am local time on December 11.. ...Read Full Story

Blondie and Joan Jett have joined forces for a video for Doom Or Destiny, one of the highlight’s from Blondie’s well-received Pollinator album. The video is a highly-charged, political affair in which Deborah Harry and Jett sit behind a news desk as images of gilded gas masks, swastikas and a sock-puppet Donald Trump appear on the screen. The video was made by longtime Blondie collaborator Rob Roth, who began working with the band at the time of the No Exit album in 1999.. ...Read Full Story

Whitesnake revisited the music that singer David Coverdale recorded with DEEP PURPLE with the release of “The Purple Album” two years ago. Now highlights from the historic tour will be featured in a new live collection, including double-disc versions that feature audio, video and a selection of bonus material. “The Purple Tour (Live)” will be available on January 19 as CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray sets. Additional formats include a double-LP, single CD, and digital version.. ...Read Full Story

Director Bryan Singer has been fired from upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.  The news comes after The Hollywood Reporter said that Singer and lead actor Rami Malek had clashed and that the director had failed to show up on set on several occasions. Twentieth Century Fox have confirmed Singer’s departure, with a source saying it was down to Singer’s “pattern of unreliable behavior on the set.” However, Singer disputes this, reporting that he was fired while he was ill.  Despite Singer’s dismissal, Bohemian Rhapsody is still expected to be released in December next year.. ...Read Full Story

Styx have listed a new run of U.S. tour dates around their previously announced Las Vegas residency in early 2018, with REO Speedwagon and Don Felder included again. The Renegades in the Fast Lane shows feature Styx and former Eagles guitarist Felder, and take place at the Venetian Theatre inside the Venetian Las Vegas between Jan. 26 and Feb. 3.  After that, the band will embark on two months’ worth of concerts with REO Speedwagon and Felder in tow, commencing March 13 and ending on April 15.. ...Read Full Story

Stone Temple Pilots will embark on their first tour with new singer Jeff Gutt in the spring. The trek will kick off on March 2 in Santa Clarita, California and conclude on March 17 in Billings, Montana. The band will also play at three festivals in April and May: at Columbus, Ohio’s Rock On The Range, Jacksonville, Florida’s Welcome To Rockville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Fort Rock.  . ...Read Full Story