Pulse Music Archives - Page 266 of 345 - Sunny 92.3

Long-Unreleased Allman Brothers Band Show Coming This Month

Set for release on October 28th is the Allman Brothers Band's latest vault release -- Syria Mosque: Pittsburgh, PA January 17, 1971. The new collection was recorded just eight weeks before the band's groundbreaking signature concert set, At Fillmore East.

The concert featured the band's classic original lineup -- guitarist Duane Allman, keyboardist Gregg Allman, guitarist Dickey Betts, bassist Berry Oakley, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe.

The show marked the band's first-ever stop in Pittsburgh, with the announcement shedding light on the unusual concert hall: "The venue was the venerable Syria Mosque, a 3,700 seat theatre constructed in 1916 which served as the home for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Syria Mosque saw myriad rock acts like the Who, Pink Floyd, the Band, Deep Purple and Yes grace its stage, with the Allmans making the first of two 1971 appearances on January 17th."

Galadrielle Allman (pronounced GOLLA-dree-ELL), the daughter of Duane Allman, has published the biography Please Be With Me: A Song For My Father. She also helped compile the recent seven-disc set, Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective, and told us that although only two at the time of her father's death -- he's still been around to help guide her along the way: "I've been sort of parented by the music. Y'know, the lessons of the music, and the spirit of it, and the passion of it, has been a hugely instructive thing in my life. So, in that way, it is him for me. I was talking about Warren Haynes about it last night, that, y'know, the leaps between '69 and '70 there's a leap between (laughs) '70 and '71 there's a huge leap. It's like what would '72 have brought him? Y'know, he was really deeply engaged in constantly learning."

Not long before his own 2017 death, we asked Gregg Allman what, if anything, longtime fans should know about his late brother and bandmate, legendary guitarist Duane Allman: "That he's still around here watching us, and he's probably still loving it, I'm sure."

The tracklisting to the Allman Brothers Band's Syria Mosque: Pittsburgh, PA - January 17, 1971 is:

"Statesboro Blues"
"Trouble No More"
"Don't Keep Me Wonderin'"
"In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed"
"Midnight Rider"
"You Don't Love Me"
"Whipping Post"

Beyonce, Billie Eilish, And Lady Gaga’s Oscar Noms And Snubs

Right Said Fred Says Beyonce Is 'Arrogant' For Not Reaching Out For Sampling 'I'm Too Sexy'

90s music duo Right Said Fred called Beyonce "arrogant" for sampling their 1992 hit "I'm Too Sexy" on her Renaissance track "Alien Superstar." They said, "Normally the artist approaches us but Beyoncé didn't because she is such an arrogant person. She just had probably thought ‘come and get me' so we heard about it after the fact when you did. But everyone else, Drake and Taylor Swift, they came to us."

Drake sampled the track for his 2021 hit "Way 2 Sexy" while Swift had employed the song in her 2017 "Reputation" lead single "Look What You Made Me Do."

They continued, "To use our melody they need our permission so they send us the demo and we approve it and if so we get a co-write credi. With this Beyoncé thing there are 22 writers it's ridiculous so we would get about 40 pounds."

RSF said that they believe this has happened because "there is so little money now in the actual sales, people like friends, golfing partners, engineers, bookers and the guy who brings the coke, they all want a cut."

They added that they feel powerless to "stop" the singer, saying, "There is nothing we can do. It is s–t. You are going to get into a conversation with someone who has a lot more presence and power and money than we do. And that won't go well." They concluded that it's best to "let it go."

This isn't the first time that Beyonce has been accused of sampling without reaching out to the artist. Back in July, Kelis accused Beyonce of sampling her hit "Milkshake" without her permission.

Ozzy Osbourne Says Jimmy Page Blew Of Request To Play On New Album

Ozzy Osbourne On David Lee Roth: 'What's Wrong With Him'

While promoting his new hit album, Patient Number 9, Ozzy Osbourne touched upon the lead members of Van Halen. Ozzy spoke about the band, who famously opened for -- and according to many -- stole the show from Black Sabbath back in 1978. He recalled to Revolver magazine, "(Eddie Van Halen) was such a great guy. They came to our local pub and it was good fun. But David Lee Roth, he's lost a couple of nuts and bolts. When you meet him, it's like, 'What's wrong with him?' He's like somewhere else, y'know?"

Regarding Eddie Van Halen's long-rumored rivalry with Ozzy's late, great guitarist Randy Rhoads, Ozzy admitted, "They were arch enemies. Randy didn't have a lot to say about Eddie. They were very, very similar guitar players. Eddie took that tapping thing to another level. Randy could do that, but he liked people like Leslie West. It amazes me that you get Eddie, you get Randy, and you go, 'No one's ever gonna top that.' But there's a new thing round every corner."

Ozzy spoke frankly about his relationship with fellow Black Sabbath co-founder Tommy Iommi -- who's but one of the several guitar legends gracing his new Patient Number 9 album. Ozzy revealed: "Tony, God bless him, he comes to my rescue. And in actual fact, since we've made up, he's been really supportive. Calls me regularly to see how I'm doing."

He went on to say, "If it wasn't for Tony Iommi, there never would have been a Black Sabbath. We've had arguments, we've fallen out, we've made up. It's just like a marriage. You get divorced, you get back together. But Tony Iommi -- and I can never deny this -- there's not a man on the face of the earth who comes up with these gutty, dark, heavy riffs. He's the king of riffs."

Remembering John Lennon On His Birthday

Sunday (October 9th) marks what would have been John Lennon's 82nd birthday. By nightfall, legions of fans will have made the pilgrimage to Central Park's Strawberry Fields in New York City for a day of remembrance, sing-alongs, and celebrations dedicated to the memory of Lennon. Strawberry Fields, a triangular patch of land dedicated to Lennon by the city of New York and named after the Beatles' 1967 hit, sits directly across the street from the Dakota, Lennon's Manhattan apartment building, where he was gunned down on December 8th, 1980 at the age 40.

In a bittersweet turn of events, Saturday is also Lennon and Yoko Ono's son Sean Lennon's 47th birthday -- making him seven years older than his father when he was murdered. Back in 2020, Ono handed down all the family's business interests to their son, Sean. Ono, who has been wheelchair-bound for several years, is rumored to have suffered from a stroke, although no illness has been publicly revealed. On October 5th, 2020 Sean was officially appointed a director at eight companies linked to Yoko and the Beatles -- including the group's company, Apple Corp. Sean has also joined the board of Lensolo, which administers his father's solo works.

Set for release on October 28th is the "super deluxe" version of the Beatles' Revolver, which will feature 28 early takes from the sessions, three home demos, and a four-track EP with new stereo and remastered original mono mixes.

Out now is Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer - The Untold Story, written by John Lennon's former attorney Jay Bergen. Bergen defended the former-Beatle in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against record business veteran -- and known mafia associate, Roulette Records owner, Morris Levy, who took unmixed tapes of Lennon and marketed them on TV as Roots: John Lennon Sings The Great Rock & Roll Hits.

Released in 2020 was the new solo compilation, Gimme Some Truth. The set, which was produced by Yoko and Sean, features 36 songs completely remixed from scratch, using brand new transfers of the original multi-tracks, cleaned up to the highest possible sonic quality.

Also published in 2020 was the 288-page book John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band which chronicled John & Yoko's early years together and their works between 1968 and 1970.

Lennon's sons, Julian and Sean Lennon, appeared in 2020 on the BBC Radio special Lennon At 80, and apart from discussing their dad's music, they spoke candidly about their own relationship: "(Julian): Listen, more than anything, I'm just glad that we're here. That you and I love each other and are able to connect and talk so openly about any of this stuff. (Sean): Yeah, me too. (Julian): Um, um, this is, y'know -- you are my family. (Sean): I know. The only brother I've got. (Julian): Don't get me cryin' over here (laughter). Next. . . Next subject, please! (Sean): I know. I honestly. . . I, I do worry about crying because sometime when I talk about songs that dad wrote. . . (Julian): Yeah. (Sean): They're just so emotional. They're hard for me to even think about -- let alone listen to, some of them. Especially, y'know, the later stuff, just 'cause I have so many memories of them making Double Fantasy and some of that stuff just breaks my heart, because it just. . . it's like a time machine. It takes me right back to those moments. . . (Julian): Yeah. (Sean): . . . which were pretty tough."

2018 saw the release of the massive six-disc Imagine -- The Ultimate Collection chronicling the sessions for Lennon's 1971 Imagine album. The set marks the most expansive and in-depth musical look at any Beatles-related project to date, and includes a brand new remastered stereo mix, raw studio recordings, outtakes, extras, and an audio documentary that explores the evolution of each song -- plus new surround mixes on Blu-ray and a revamped Quadrasonic mix.

Also out is John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1972 Imagine film coupled with the 2000 documentary, Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon's 'Imagine' Album. The two films are issued together on Blu-ray and DVD, with restored and enhanced 5.1 surround sound.

Available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats is John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky. The film, which produced by Britain's Channel 4 with the cooperation of Yoko Ono and the Lennon estate, features "unheard audio including the first demo of 'Imagine,' as well as never-heard-before interviews with one-time Beatle Lennon. Previously unseen footage shows him and Yoko working together in London." Above Us Only Sky was helmed by Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated director Michael Epstein -- best known for the 2010 LennoNYC documentary

In addition to Yoko Ono and Julian Lennon, the doc features new recollections from such key musicians in the Imagine story as bassist Klaus Voormann, drummers Alan White and Jim Keltner, photographer David Bailey, activist Tariq Ali, Lennon engineers Eddie Veale and Jack Douglas, Lennon's personal assistant Dan Richter, and Al Steckler -- the American director of Apple Records, among others.

On September 7th, 2018, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon were on hand at the Naumburg Bandshell in New York's Central Park for the dedication of the United States Postal Service's (USPS) John Lennon Commemorative Forever Stamp. Joining the Lennon's at the event was photographer Bob Gruen, Postmaster General/CEO Megan J. Brennan, and legendary New York City DJ Dennis Elsas. The stamps have been issued in a pane of 16, with a design aping a vinyl picture sleeve. The stamps themselves use a famed 1974 photo by Gruen, with the photo on the rear using the iconic 1971 Lennon shot of him at his English Tittenhurst Park estate recording "Imagine," captured by Peter Fordham.

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS REMEMBER JOHN LENNON

Yoko Ono told us that the fact that John Lennon and their son Sean share October 9th as a birthday, it's kept the day from being a bittersweet memory and an ongoing happy occasion: "It's very sweet. Because the feeling that I have -- and probably Sean does, too --- is the fact that John is still around, and looking over us and protecting us. So his birthday is really, a happy moment for us. A happy day for us."

Although Yoko Ono has made it her mission to keep John Lennon's artwork and unreleased music available to fans, she has held off on releasing a box set of Lennon's acoustic home demos and work tapes made over the years. Despite that, she told us that as Lennon's home demos prove, he was just as powerful a performer on his own as he was fronting a full band backing him: "John didn't need anybody -- he could just do it. Because when he goes to the studio, before he goes to the studio, he's doing that at home and I think it's great, right? And then we go to the studio and we make the track and all that, and the track buries his voice, y'know? And he didn't need all of that."

Paul McCartney shed light on the personal demons Lennon dealt with growing up and spoke about the difficult family life Lennon came from: "I mean, the truth is, John was really a great guy and really a nice fella; but fame is a crazy thing and when you get the kind of fame that the Beatles got, if you're not that stable -- it's tough. Now, if you look at John for his stability, you gotta look at a guy whose mother left him. . . his father left home then he was three, he was brought up by his auntie and his uncle; his auntie was living but the uncle died. Then, his mother, who used to live nearby was visiting one night, she left, she got run over by a drunken policeman and got killed stone dead when he was 16, his first marriage failed, so, y'know. . . And on top of all that, it's remarkable that he was as straight as he was, really."

George Harrison also felt that Lennon's tumultuous childhood not only shaped Lennon's life -- but the Beatles' entire career: "John was, like, very tough. I mean, he had that ability to be gentle and soft and was lovely, but, y'know, he was acid, too. He gave that hard edge to the Beatles. He was an orphan, y'know? Well, he. . . his father left home and you've heard the songs, (sings) ‘Mother, you left me, but I didn't leave you.'"

Ringo Starr has made it clear through the years that John and Yoko's involvement in the global peace movement greatly influenced his own take on humanity: "In many places of the world, we're in a time of peace and love. But in some places of the world, right now, there's a lot of violence gonna happen. We can only do our part, and my part is peace and love."

In 2005, Lennon's first wife and mother to his son Julian Lennon, the late-Cynthia Lennon, published her second book on the former-Beatle, titled John, in which she portrayed him as a tormented soul who never got over his childhood abandonment by his parents, when he was left at the age of four to be raised by an aunt. Shortly before her death in 2015, she told us that Lennon never overcame the circumstances of his childhood: "He was crippled inside. When you think about what he did as an art student -- all his drawings and cartoons, he would do cartoons of cripples, he would imitate disabled people because he was disabled inside himself."

Although Lennon was missing for most of son Julian Lennon's life, he was able to provide him with some of the basic skills he would build upon during his own musical career: "He taught me how to play guitar a little bit. Yeah, Dad taught me some of the early, more basic chords of rock n' roll. One thing I would have to say is that I absolutely love and respect him. Not necessarily as a father, but for the work he did and his humanitarian work."

George Harrison's first wife Pattie Boyd, who spent so much time with Lennon in the '60s, told us how she remembers him: "Very funny. Very funny. Cruel as well. If anybody got on the wrong side of him, or (if) they were complete idiots, then he wouldn't fail to let them know."

Pete Best, the Beatles' original drummer, says that, although he never spoke to Lennon after the group fired him in 1962, he cherishes his times in Liverpool and Hamburg with Lennon during their all-night drinking sessions: "(My) best friend in the band was always John. (I was) friends with all of them but I was closest to John. We had an affinity which started back at the opening of the Casbah Club in 1959, it grew when we went out to Germany, you know we were the last two propping up the bars together (laughs). And of course I got to know another side of John, which was a very tender and a very loving side -- which the world realized many, many years afterwards."

Elephants Memory bassist Gary Von Scyoc (pronounced: Von SY-ock) recorded several albums with John and Yoko -- and is featured on 1972's Some Time In New York City. He recalled Lennon moving swiftly once he was geared up to record: "He respected us individually as players, and he knew no matter what, if he brought us a song, we were gonna come up with something. As far as John coming with those tunes, he used to come the night of, with a new song, every night -- for two weeks straight. That's how we cut the album. Live in the studio is a whole new thing, because we started laying down the tracks, maybe a half-an-hour after we heard it for the first time."

Lennon's personal assistant, Fred Seaman, who worked for Lennon during the last two years of his life, recalls how the former Beatle's 1980 comeback came to happen: "The idea of recording evolved slowly over time. Initially John was told by Yoko that 1980 would be a good year to reemerge, for whatever. . . astrological reasons. John had a lot of accumulated material. Y'know, he wasn't necessarily dying to record again, but he had this material, he was restless -- he wanted to work. That was his reason for being."

Jack Douglas, who produced Lennon's final sessions, explained that Lennon saw the 1980's as a positive and kinder era for society at large: "He saw the beginning of the '70s, as we all did as a time for 'me,' a time for us all to say 'now I'm going to do something for me. I've spent the '60s fighting for the cause' -- whatever 'cause it was. And he was looking at the '80s as a time to say 'I'm going to do something for me, but I'm not going to step on anyone else to do it. I'm not going to exclude anyone else.' And that's what he was looking for in the '80s."

Heart's Nancy Wilson -- along with sister Ann -- saw the Beatles on their final tour on August 25th, 1966 at the Seattle Coliseum. She says that she remains as big a fan today as when she first heard the group in 1964: "John Lennon -- Happy Birthday, man!!! He was one of the most raw nerves, embarrassing, dark, complex, genius, cynical, beloved, hilarious, poets the world could ever know. And I think one of the best things I love about . . . You have to give it up for John, was how naked (laughs) he would become (laughs) -- like on the cover of Two Virgins, for example!!! I mean figuratively as well."

It's been a common belief that Lennon was out of touch with his extended Liverpool family during his later New York years, and that many of his relatives were unable to ever make contact with him. Lennon author Phillip Norman was asked if Lennon was really that isolated from his family: "No, not at all. I mean, I've seen letters that he wrote to his cousins, and he wrote to his (aunt) Mimi about his aunts and his cousins. And some of them, as I say, were planning to come over and visit him not long before his death (laughs) and he was rather perturbed because he thought too many of them would be turning up in New York."

Shortly before his 2015 death, Lennon's recording engineer Dennis Ferrante, who worked with Lennon throughout the 1970's on such albums as Imagine, Some Time In New York City, Mind Games, Walls And Bridges, and Rock 'N' Roll, best remembered Lennon for his talent and humor: "He knew what he wanted, he knew what sounded good, he wrote what he felt. One of the nicest guys I've ever worked with in the studio -- the more experimenting in the studio, the better he was. He was the most creative person I ever worked with. And he had a hell of a sense of humor, (laughs) he really had a dry wit. He really was very funny."

John Lennon's mid-'70s companion May Pang recalled many nights during his infamous "Lost Weekend" when Lennon and McCartney socialized in L.A. and New York City. Pang's recent photo book Instamatic Karma features one of the only photos taken of Lennon and McCartney after the Beatles' 1970 split. She told us that a Beatles reunion was never far from her mind: "Getting him back with Paul. Paul was the biggest, obviously. And I almost got them to write. It was in January of '75, we had seen Paul and Linda (McCartney), and we'd go out to dinner, they'd come by the house. And one morning he's thinking and he says, "Hey, I wanna ask you something' and I said 'What?' he said, 'Do you think I should write with Paul again? I was just thinking -- what do you think?' And I said, 'The two of you, solo-wise, you're good, but when the two of you get together there's a magic that can't be broken." He just sort of looked at me and went, 'Yeah.'"

Update On BTS' Mandatory Military Service
Bits of news have been coming in about the mandatory military service in South Korea that will effect BTS very soon.

According to Uproxx, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced this week that they would be making a decision on the group's military service by December.

Currently the band is in limbo as far as scheduling because of possible member changes for next year. As it stands, BTS' oldest member Jin, at 29, would be eligible for military service on his 30 birthday.

The Ministry says that because BTS has made Korea known as the "vanguard of K-culture" which has created a huge economic ripple effect for the country… that will play into their decision.

If passed, the group is freed from military obligation. If their exemption does not apply then members must enlist starting early next year.

TL;DR:

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced this week that they would be making a decision on the group's military service by December.

Jin, at 29, would be eligible on his 30 birthday.

the Ministry says that because BTS has made Korea known as the "vanguard of K-culture"… that will play into their decision.

Lizzo Files For Trademark For Her Signature Flute
Lizzo has filed for a trademark for her signature flute, known as the Sasha Flute. The application calls for a range of products in both the digital and physical spheres.

A total of seven trademark applications will cover a number of arenas, including: NFT's, Animated TV programs and movies, toys and action figures, which included dolls in the shape of instruments. It also includes clothing, accessories, and books.

This follows Lizzo's recent performance at Washington, D.C.'s Capital One Arena, where she played a crystal flute once owned by U.S. President and Founding Father James Madison.

TL;DR:

Lizzo has filed for 7 trademarks for her signature flute, known as the Sasha Flute.

Would include Animated TV programs and movies, toys and action figures, etc.

Paramore Condemns Man Who Assaulted Multiple Women At Salt Lake City Concert
Paramore issued a statement Wednesday (Oct. 5) to address a situation at their show the night before involving a man who allegedly assaulted multiple women, including an engaged couple.

Following the report of physical and verbal abuse at the Salt Lake City concert, they reassured their fans that their security team and venue staff restrained and remove him.

In a public statement they wrote: "We are so sorry. We hope that you know we will always do anything we can to protect you and make you feel celebrated."

The trio went on to explain that they didn't realize the alleged assaults were happening because the incidents in question couldn't be seen from the stage.

TL;DR:

A man physically and verbally assaulted multiple women at their Salt Lake City concert.

They didn't realize the alleged assaults were happening because the incidents in question couldn't be seen from the stage.

He was removed from the show.

Flashback: John Lennon Allowed To Stay In America
It was 47 years ago today (October 7th, 1975), that John Lennon won his four-year battle against deportation by the U.S. government. Due to his stance against the Vietnam War, Lennon had been under almost constant surveillance from the FBI and the Immigration & Neutralization Service (INS) since his arrival in the U.S. in 1971.

Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act have shown that plans were put into motion to deport Lennon as early as February 4th, 1972. Senator Strom Thurmond issued a memo, classified as secret, claiming Lennon was a threat to the 1972 Republican National Convention, and advised that, "If Lennon's visa is terminated, it would be a strategy counter measure." The government used Lennon's 1968 marijuana conviction as the basis for their attempt to have him deported.

Although the deportation case hit hard on Lennon -- both mentally and financially -- he was always able to look on brighter side, at least for the public: "Occasionally I get into a little spot of trouble, but nothing that's going to bring the country to pieces. I think there's certainly room for an odd Lennon, or two, here."

David Leaf, one of the directors of The U.S. vs. John Lennon, says that more than anything else, the film shows the former Beatle's absolute bravery in trying to stop the war in Vietnam: "What John Lennon did was fearless. He was willing to put it all on the line in the campaign for peace starting in '69, and he did not consider or care what the consequences were. He was willing to make a fool of himself and he was willing to be mocked if it would save lives. He and Yoko should have won the Nobel Peace Prize."

Lennon got some unexpected support from Neil Sedaka, who composed the 1974 minor hit "The Immigrant" for Lennon on his Sedaka's Back album: "I knew John Lennon in New York, and he was having trouble with the Immigration Department because of drugs and getting a Green Card, so I dedicated 'The Immigrant' to him. And there's a famous interview, he said he was surprised, he didn't know what I wanted when I was calling him, he thought, 'All these people call me to get something from me,' But he was delighted to hear that I was dedicating 'The Immigrant' to him."

Lennon battled back and was granted temporary visa extensions while his case was appealed. In September of 1975, the INS gave Lennon temporary non-priority (deportation) status because his wife, Yoko Ono, was pregnant. Finally, on October 7th, 1975 the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York overturned the order from the INS to deport Lennon.

In their 30-page decision, the court stated that his previous marijuana conviction couldn't be used as grounds to prevent Lennon from seeking permanent residency. It went on to say that, "Lennon's four-year battle to remain in our country is a testimony to his faith in his American dream."

Two days later, on Lennon's 35th birthday, Yoko gave birth to their son Sean. Lennon told reporters at the time that, "I feel higher than the Empire State building." On July 27th, 1976 Lennon was awarded his "green card," which officially granted him permanent residency status.

Between 1976 and his death in 1980, Lennon traveled the world extensively, visiting Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Bermuda, and other islands and countries.

In 1980 Lennon dedicated his "comeback" album Double Fantasy to "people known and unknown who helped us stay in this country."

One country he never made it back to was his native England, which he was hoping to return to in the spring of 1981 during a planned world tour.

Lennon was murdered outside his New York City home on December 8th, 1980. He would have been eligible to become a U.S. citizen in 1981.

Lennon's battle to remain in America was the focus of author Jon Wiener's two books Come Together: John Lennon In His Time, and Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files. Recently published was Lennon's lawyer, Leon Wildes' memoir, John Lennon Vs. the U.S.A.: The Inside Story Of The Most Bitterly Contested And Influential Deportation Case In United States History.

John Lennon's immigration problems were also chronicled in the 2006 documentary, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, and 2010's LENNONYC.

Bruno Mars Once Again Makes History
Bruno Mars has made history once again with the RIAA Diamond certification of his hit single, "Locked Out Of Heaven." Meaning it has sold more than 10 million copies.

He posted his excitement on Instagram and wrote: "News like this for some reason makes me wanna climb on top a mountain and scream."

Mars now becomes the first artist in history to achieve six Diamond Single Awards.

The 11X Grammy winning superstar previously made Spotify's Billions Club playlist with the same song. That also makes his sixth to have over a billion streams.

TL;DR:

Bruno Mars becomes the first artist in history to achieve six Diamond Single Awards with "Locked Out Of Heaven."

Meaning it has sold more than 10 million copies.

Two Years Later: Eddie Van Halen Remembered
It was the end of an era for an entire generation of rock fans and musicians who came of age in the 1980's, as the news spread two years ago today -- October 6th, 2020 -- that Eddie Van Halen died at age 65 after years of battling throat cancer. He is survived by his son Wolfgang, second wife Janie, and brother and Van Halen bandmate, Alex Van Halen.

Wolfgang posted a message to fans on social media, which read: "I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from this loss."

Wolfgang's mother, actress Valerie Bertinelli, Eddie's first wife of 26 years, simply tweeted 20 broken hearts.

Former bandmate Sammy Hagar posted: "Heartbroken and speechless. My love to the family."

David Lee Roth posted a backstage shot of him and Eddie during the past decade, writing, "What a Long Great Trip It's Been."

Michael Anthony posted photos of him and Eddie onstage during the early-'80s, writing: "No words...Heartbroken, my love to the family."

In November 2019, a report from TMZ claimed that Van Halen was resting at home after spending several days in the hospital due to complications from his treatment for cancer. According to sources close to the legendary musician, Eddie was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and intestinal issues. Both issues were reportedly a bad reaction to the drugs that Eddie has been taking to battle throat cancer.

Prior to that, it was reported that Eddie had been traveling between the U.S. and Germany for several years to get treatment for throat cancer. The guitarist had one-third of his tongue removed in 2000 due to the same ailment.

Eddie Van Halen revolutionized not only the electric guitar, but the sound of the 1980's with his signature two-finger guitar tapping and iconic use of speed on the instrument. Van Halen, who was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on January 26th, 1955, was bi-racial, with his mother being a Dutch national of Indonesian decent. The family, including older brother Alex, moved to the U.S. in 1962, eventually settling in Pasadena, California.

Eddie Van Halen's body of work with Van Halen includes some of the most fun and influential albums in rock history: Van Halen (1978); Van Halen II (1979); Women And Children First (1980); Fair Warning (1981); Diver Down (1982); 1984 (1984); 5150 (1986); OU812 (1988); For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991); Live: Right Here, Right Now (1993); Balance (1995); Van Halen III (1998); A Different Kind Of Truth (2012); and Tokyo Dome - Live in Concert (2015).

Pete Townshend told Rolling Stone: "I was once asked by Michael Jackson to play electric guitar on the Thriller album. I said I couldn't do it but recommended Eddie who called and we chatted. He was utterly charming, happy about the connection, but told me how much he was enjoying playing keyboards. His smile was just classic. A man in his rightful place, so happy to be doing what he did. It's completely tragic that we have lost him. He was not just an innovative and stylish player with great taste, he was also a laidback virtuoso showman who just blew us all away every time. Every shredder today has lost their Master Teacher and Guide. As he got older he became more generous and amusing and self-effacing about his enormous gifts. He shared so many tricks through guitar workshops, online and on TV shows. Immense talent. The Great American Guitar Player. I was hoping he might be President one day."

A while back, Eddie Van Halen told us that the Van Halen's strength was that they were always true to themselves musically: "We have never been one to follow trends -- y'know, whether it be punk, disco, rap, industrial -- we're a rock n' roll band. We make music that pleases us, y'know? We make music from the heart."

Eddie Van Halen revealed that most of Van Halen's music stemmed from jam sessions with drummer and brother Alex: "What I do on any record is I basically lock myself up in the studio with my brother, and we jam, and whatever comes out is what we (laughs) use. And a lot of the stuff we, we don't use, 'cause it's not good (laughs). But the good stuff we keep, and we just carry on from there."

Eddie admitted that Van Halen-type music was all he and his brother knew how to play: "We have never conformed to any trend, and I think that most bands that last are bands that are true to themselves. Y'know, look at the (Rolling) Stones -- they don't all of a sudden start doing rap. The great bands, they stick to what they like, and what moves them. And Van Halen is the type of band -- I'm not putting ourselves in any category, saying we're great -- but we are true to ourselves. We don't change, just because that's the flavor of the month."

Eddie said that he was never surprised that the band always found a new legion of fans every few years: "I guess, y'know, fans that grew up with us are still there, and there's a whole batch of new ones, too. So I guess you get across the board -- you got old ones, and new ones. (laughs)"

Eddie admitted that he's never been one to just churn out songs: "I'm not like a jingle writer who can just crank out the hits, so to speak. I need to sit down and really almost get to a state of mind where things just come. That's what kinda makes it exciting -- it's like, 'Wow, I wonder what lurks in the plumbing today?' (laughs)"

During the press conference announcing their 2007 reunion dates David Lee Roth promised that Van Halen was truly a new band: "This is not a reunion, this is a new band. This is a revision with hits that you're so familiar with; it's as familiar as the roof of your own mouth is to you. But the ambition has nothing to do with old history. Usually when a band comes back like us it's rockers with walkers and this is everything but. Meet us in the future, not the pasture."

Sammy Hagar remains humbled by Van Halen's incredible output during his tenure. Just prior to Van Halen's 2007 Rock Hall induction, Hagar spoke candidly about the band's accomplishments: "No matter what happens at this thing, the end result is Van Halen's legacy will always be great. Every time you hear one of them songs. . . y'know, something stupid could happen there, the whole world could laugh at us, and we could, y'know, make a joke out of this whole thing by accident -- hopefully not, but if that happened, the next time you hear a Van Halen song, it's gonna have no bearing. You're gonna go, 'That's great music.'"

A while back, Gene Simmons spoke to Eddie Trunk and shed light on his early connection to Van Halen: "I found a band called Van Halen and flew them to New York and produced their first demo, which included their first record and a lot of other tunes that would up (on other albums) through the years. And I couldn't convince (Kiss manager) Bill Aucoin to sign them, or the record company (Casablanca), because Bill Aucoin thought that they looked like Black Oak Arkansas. And I told him he was on crack again, because nobody knew who that band was, and so what if they were there -- this is the next big band in America. I really believed it, I couldn't convince anybody. So I said to them, 'Y'know, I got ya signed (to a production deal), go back to L.A. after the tour, let's see what happens. I gotta go out on tour with Kiss.' At the end of the tour, they got a deal with Warners and I tore up the contract (and said) 'consider this a gift.'"

Wolfgang Van Halen told us that fans shouldn't bank on seeing any Eddie Van Halen tribute projects emerging from the vast tape archive he left behind. Wolfgang, who is now in charge of his late-father's unreleased work housed at his 5150 California studio, explained that the process to get everything adequately cataloged is his first priority -- not getting new product out ASAP: "That's not gonna happen for a long time -- even without the intention of release, I want to -- at the every least -- archive it properly and digitize it so everything is safe for years to come. Because it's going to be an incredibly difficult process -- and a very long process to properly. . . just get the material off the old tapes, that I wanna do it right."

Wolfgang said that treating his father's music with dignity and respect is really what he cares about when it comes to dealing with his unreleased and unfinished work: "When a very important musician passes, you usually see compilations of unreleased music that, y'know, maybe they should've stayed unreleased. And it just kinda seems like a cash grab to take hold of the moment -- and I've always just disagreed with that. And so, if we're ever going to do anything like that with the vault, I wanna make sure we do it right, and do something that dad would be okay with."

2020: FRIENDS AND FANS REACT

Tony Iommi: "I'm just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again."

Brian May: "Completely gutted to hear the sad news. This wonderful man was way too young to be taken. What a talent - what a legacy - probably the most original and dazzling rock guitarist in History. I think of him as a boy - an innocent prodigy - always full of joy, always modest - and those truly magical fingers opened a door to a new kind of playing. I treasure the moments we shared. His passing leaves a giant hole in my heart. RIP Ed Van Halen. Bri"

Neal Schon: "I am at loss for words today as we shared many great times together. My sincere condolences to family and friends. Much love brother... RIP Ed"

Gene Simmons: "My heart is broken. Eddie was not only a Guitar God, but a genuinely beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Eddie!"

Paul Stanley: "Oh NO! Speechless. A trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music. A good soul. I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van Halen. So shocked and sad. My condolences to Wolfie and the family."

Bruce Kulick: "I am saddened to hear to news one of my true guitar heroes death, Eddie Van Halen. He expanded the landscape of lead guitar playing, and took it to another level like a turbo charged muscle car leaving everyone behind. I was very influenced by his emotional lead playing. EVH RIP"

Aerosmith: "Rest In Peace. You will be missed!"

Gary Cherone: "Whether you were blessed to have known him or not, He was a kind and gentle soul... His impact on ALL our lives was immeasurable! His music, eternal! My deepest sympathies to the Van Halen family... Love you Ed #LongLiveTheKing!"

Metallica: "We are enormously saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Eddie Van Halen. We considered him an inspiration, an idol, and after spending a summer together on the road in '88, a friend. Sending love to Alex, @wolfvanhalen & everyone in the greater VH family."

Flea: "Oh man. Damn. I love you Eddie Van Halen. A true rocker, a deep musician, a HUGE heart, an LA boy through and through. A bold innovator and the undisputed king of all wheedlers. I hope you jam with Jimi tonight and soar freely through the cosmos. A vibrant part of music has left this earth. Broken through to the other side. What a sweetheart, my brother. All love and condolences to your family."

Mike McCready: "Eddie was like Mozart for guitar. Changed everything and he played with Soul. RIP EVH."

Scorpions: "It's sad to hear about the passing of one of the best guitarists ever. The US Festival, the Monsters of Rock we've shared the stage many times w/ @VanHalen. What a great loss for the World of Music. Our Hearts & Prayers go out to the Van Halen Family."

Joe Bonamassa: "Words cannot describe how monumental the loss of Edward Van Halen is to the music community. He inspired generations of guitar players of all genres. His playing was unrivaled in its ingenuity and its ferocity. Rest In Peace to the greatest Rock Guitarist of all time."

Joe Walsh: "Eddie was a one of a kind guitarist and human being. He was a master at his craft, a peer I was in awe of and a friend I loved. I am deeply saddened by this news and Marjorie and I send his family our deepest condolences. The world will be dimmer - and quieter - without him."

Ozzy Osbourne: "Eddie Van Halen was one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and we shared so many laughs together. His influence on music and especially the guitar has been immeasurable. He was an absolute legend. Eddie, I'll see you on the other side, my friend. Love, Ozzy."

Geezer Butler: "Just when I thought 2020 couldn't get any worse, I hear Eddie Van Halen has passed. So shocking. One of the nicest, down to Earth men I have ever met and toured with. A true gent and true genius. RIP. So sad. Thoughts go out to his brother Alex, and his family."

Jim Belushi: "Rest In Peace Eddie Van Halen - gone far too soon, our world lost so much talent today."

Scot Ian: "Oh man, I just heard about Eddie. F***ing hell. I hope Wolfgang and Alex and the rest of his family are doing OK. The greatest of all time has left the building. RIP EVH."

David Coverdale: "Edward. . . Thank You For Your Extraordinary Gifts You Chose To Share With Us…XXX"

Billy Idol: Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen. We will miss you. #f***cancer"

Steve Vai: "Feeling deep sadness and overwhelming appreciation. The appreciation and love for him is bigger though. Let's take a minute and try to imagine our world if he never showed up. It's unthinkable. Thank you King Edward. You are deeply loved and will be missed."

Tom Morrello: "The first thing I heard was the debut record. On Chicago radio, they would play 'Runnin' With The Devil,' 'Eruption' into 'You Really Got Me,' and, you know, there's no way to describe it — it was otherworldly. There was no YouTube reference to understand: what could even possibly be f***ing happening. . . With Eddie Van Halen, everyone was riveted. Because everyone knew we were in the presence of our generation's Mozart."

Joe Satriani: "His rhythm was impeccable and intoxicating, and his note choice was hysterically funny and brave. He wrote great songs and didn't bore you to death with hours and hours of tedious stuff. It was always rock & roll. He had a swagger and an impeccable rhythm that drove every one of his songs."

Tommy Lee: ""RIP to my friend and man who changed guitar playing forever...F--K!!! no words."

Nikki Sixx: "Crushed. So f--king crushed. RIP Eddie Van Halen. You changed our world. You were the Mozart of rock guitar. Travel safe Rockstar"

Sebastian Bach: "Incredibly sorry for your loss man. Could never thank your dad enough for the joy he gave us all my sincerest condolences to you and your family."

Brian Wilson: "I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie's family & friends."

John Mayer: "Eddie Van Halen was a guitar superhero. A true virtuoso. A stunningly good musician and composer. Looking up to him as a young kid was one of the driving forces in my needing to pick up a guitar. I was so blown away watching him exert such control and expression over his instrument. Learning to play the guitar taught me so many things, but still absolutely nothing about how to play like Eddie Van Halen. And for that reason, I never stopped watching him in adolescent awe and wonder, and I promise you I never will. So very sad to learn of his passing. My love to his family, his bandmates, his friends and his crew. EVH FOREVER"

Lenny Kravitz: "Legendary guitar and musical innovator Edward Van Halen. 1955-2020. Heaven will be electric tonight."

Bret Michaels: "This goes beyond the passing of a great guitarist, but rather is a tremendous loss of a great man who truly helped to change my life and path with his guitar and sound. He helped forge the way for myself and many and will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Eddie."

Yngwie Malmsteen: "Just heard the devastating news... One of the absolute giants is gone. He influenced and inspired an entire generation, including myself. His legacy will always remain.
RIP Edward

Yusuf / Cat Stevens: "Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away. A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration. Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends."

Nickelback: "The world lost an icon, innovator, showman, virtuoso, master songwriter and perhaps one of the biggest inspirations ever to learn how to play guitar," the group wrote via Twitter. "Heartbroken to hear of Eddie Van Halen's passing. Our love, condolences and best wishes to his family, friends and fans."

Lea Thompson: "Wolfie he was the best. I am so so sorry. I know how much he cherished you. You were a great son. Sending love from the Deutch family."

FAST FORWARD

Wolfgang Van Halen's debut album, Mammoth WVH was released on June 11th, 2021 and debuted big across the Billboard charts. The set entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at Number 12.

Mammoth WVH also topped the charts on Billboard's Top Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums, and Independent Albums lists.

"Distance," the debut single from Mammoth WVH, hit Number One on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and Number Nine on the magazine's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs list. The album's "Don't Back Down" topped out at Number 10 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Wolfgang Van Halen has just begun work on the second Mammoth WVH album.

David Lee Roth, who had opened for Kiss prior to the pandemic, has announced his retirement following his January 2021 Las Vegas shows at the House of Blues. He continues to release re-recordings of Van Halen classics online.

Sammy Hagar revealed he and Eddie Van Halen had repaired their friendship in the months before Eddie's death, frequently texting and joking with each other. Hagar, who still tours and records with Van Halen's Michael Anthony as part of the Circle, has been a vocal proponent of a massive Eddie Van Halen tribute concert featuring every member that's ever been part of Van Halen performing together.

Lil Nas X Launches New Fashion Campaign With 'Coach'
Lil Nas X has teamed with Coach to become their brand ambassador and launch a fashion campaign. He stars in the short film that's formatted like a music video.

The commercials call attention to the courage to be real and to allow self-expression. In the clip that features his latest single "Star Wilkin," Lil Nas X, shares his courageous journey of evolution… breaking barriers and stereotypes to become the superstar and the person he is today.

About the message of the campaign he said, "My whole career has been about breaking down doors, and this represents everything I've overcome so far."

Last month, he made his New York Fashion Week runway debut and walked for Coach during the fashion house's Spring 2023 show.

TL;DR:

Lil Nas X has teamed with Coach to become their brand ambassador and launch a fashion campaign.

He stars in the short film that's formatted like a music video.

The commercials call attention to the courage to be real and to allow self-expression.

Post Malone Gets Daughter's Name Tattooed On His Face
Post Malone has added another face tattoo, and this time it's his daughter's initials.

TMZ reports that he got the new ink backstage after his Indianapolis show over the weekend. And even though, he's yet to reveal his daughter's full name... the bold "DDP" on his forehead are her initials. Fans online are already trying to guess her name.

Malone announced the birth of his daughter in June while being interviewed by Howard Stern, but didn't give any other details.

TL;DR:

Post Malone got his daughter's initials tattooed on his forehead.

He still hasn't revealed her name.

The Beatles' 'Revolver' Artist Tried To Bridge Gap Between Eras
Beatles confidante and solo-era bassist Klaus Voormann had a specific mission in mind when designing the cover art to the group's 1966 Revolver album. Set for release on October 28th is the "super deluxe" version of Revolver, which will feature 28 early takes from the sessions, three home demos, and a four-track EP with new stereo and remastered original mono mixes.

Voormann, who drew the Revolver album art and compiled the sprawling set of photos sprinkled all over the LP jacket, won the first Grammy Award for Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts in 1967.

He told us that he knew he needed to artistically bridge the gap between the fans of the early "mop top" era and new believers being hooked into the band's steadily advancing, progressive music: "You had a completely -- I don't want to call it 'split' fan unity, or whatever. You had fans that liked 'Love Me Do' and all those early tracks and for them, the big step in the new direction of (laughs) 'Tomorrow Never Knows' or 'Eleanor Rigby' was a big step. So I thought, 'For those (original fans) we need lots of pictures.' The fans always want to see pictures. And the more they get into the little photos, that's fun for the fans."

The Who Adding Fan Favorites Into Setlists
The Who are back on the road and 40 years after originally calling it quits with their famed "farewell" tour, remain more passionate than ever. The shows feature the band backed every night by a local symphony orchestra, also include a standalone set where Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey strip things for with just the core embers of the band.

Fans were particularly delighted during the band's Tuesday night (October 4th) stop in Detroit, when they revived such fan favorites as 1972's "Relay" and 1981's Face Dances closer -- "Another Tricky Day."

Pete Townshend told us that after all is said and done -- now is a good time for the Who: "It's all fun, it really is, it's all play. Y'know, the studio stuff and the music stuff, for me, that's what I love to do and usually touring (wasn't) for me. These days, I don't find it hard, so, I don't dislike it the way I used to do when I was younger -- but I can't say that I love it the way that some people do. But, I'm kind of tickled by what we've taken on."

Bob Weir Solo Debut 'Ace' Set For Deluxe Reussue
The new 50th anniversary reissue of Ace -- Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir's solo debut, while backed by the Dead, will be released on January 13th. The new collection pairs a remastered new mix of the classic album with a 2022 live version taped earlier this year at Radio City Music Hall during a performance of Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring the Wolfpack with special guests Tyler Childers and Brittney Spencer.

Ace, which featured all of the Grateful Dead backing Weir, was originally released on May 1st, 1972 and was recorded during a flurry of solo Dead activity. As part of the band's new deal with Warner Bros. Records, the members was all allowed to record solo sets, with Ace recorded around the same time as same year as Jerry Garcia's self-titled debut Garcia and Mickey Hart's Rolling Thunder.

Nearly all of the songs on Ace went on to be fully incorporated in the the Dead's setlist over the decades -- with many fans completely unaware they were first released via a solo project. Among the Dead staples found on Ace are "Playing In The Band," "Greatest Story Ever Told," "One More Saturday Night," and "Cassidy."

Bob Weir admitted that he's constantly amazed at the musical journey his and the Grateful Dead's songs have taken throughout the years: "It's like looking back at a picture. The picture takes you back to when that kid was two years old, or whatever, and then the kid grows up and realizes himself. And the tunes do that, too."

The tracklisting to Ace: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is:

Disc One: Original Album (2023 Remaster)
"Greatest Story Ever Told"
"Black-Throated Wind"
"Walk In The Sunshine"
"Playing In The Band"
"Looks Like Rain"
"Mexicali Blues"
"One More Saturday Night"
"Cassidy"

Disc Two: Live at Radio City Music Hall, New York NY (4/3/22)
"Greatest Story Ever Told" - featuring Tyler Childers
"Black-Throated Wind"
"Walk In The Sunshine" - featuring Brittney Spencer
"Playing In The Band"
"Looks Like Rain" - featuring Brittney Spencer
"Mexicali Blues" - Intro
"Mexicali Blues"
"One More Saturday Night"
"Cassidy"

Machine Gun Kelly Gets Doja Cat Inspired Makeover From Megan Fox
Machine Gun Kelly got a very futuristic makeover by Megan Fox this week, and it all happened live on Instagram.

From a London hotel room, roughly 15,000 of his 9.7 million followers tuned in to watch his face transform into an Avatar and Doja Cat inspired look. A couple of months ago, Doja shaved her eyebrows and head, live online.

According to his assistant Olivia Stone, who was helping with the transformation… he wanted to look like the year 3050.

MGK is currently in Europe for his Mainstream Sellout world tour which ends Oct. 12 in Amsterdam. MGK sat back and sipped red wine and rapped to his music playlist while having his eyebrows, contour, foundation, and silver eyeshadow worked on.

TL;DR:

Machine Gun Kelly got a very futuristic makeover by fiancée Megan Fox this week, and it all happened live on Instagram.

Instagram followers watched his face transform into an Avatar and Doja Cat inspired look. A couple of months ago, Doja shaved her eyebrows and head, live online.

Steve Perry Teases New Holiday Song Online
Less than a year after releasing his first Christmas collection, former-Journey frontman Steve Perry seems to be in the midst of recording another one. Perry, now sporting a full head of light grey hair, filmed himself for his social media platforms in his studio, which was decked out in Christmas lights, stuffed animals, and Santas.

Before breaking in to a new song presumably called "Maybe This Year," Perry addressed fans directly by saying, "Hello, everyone. I'm Steve Perry, and this is my recording studio. And these are my holiday lights, and these are my holiday assistants. And I'm only wishing one thing for each and every one of us, from the bottom of my heart, I swear."

Steve Perry's 2018 comeback was a long time coming, but he told us it feels as though he's gotten a second wind as a writer and a performer: "It's scary, because I just told management the other day -- 'I want you to look at me like a guy who has the passion of a young, young man for music, but he's no spring chicken. His body is kinda not young (laughs) -- he's kinda gettin' up there. And it hurts occasionally.' Believe me. I feel emotionally and musically -- more important than anything -- more than anything, I feel like I'm in my 20's. I don't know what happened. I think I'm rejuvenated. . . And by the way, the music I've listened to while I've been gone has been part of an educational, emotional connection, too."

Nickelback Releases Another New Song
Nickelback has released another new song and lyric video. "Those Days" is from their upcoming tenth studio album called Get Rollin, which comes out on November 18.

When asked why the band took so long between albums, lead singer Chad Kroeger said, "We took our time with it, which was just a wonderful luxury, to be able to sit back and go- 'No. I'm gonna play this guitar solo 40 more times for another three days and make sure it's just exactly how we want it as opposed to deadline, deadline, deadline."

The new album, featuring 10 new songs, will be the band's first release in five years.

TL;DR:

Nickelback has released another new song and lyric video for "Those Days."

It's from their upcoming tenth studio album called Get Rollin, which comes out on November 18.

Lynne Spears Begs Britney To Unblock Her
Lynne Spears is begging for her oldest daughter to unblock her on Instagram.

The Spears family matriarch pleaded for her daughter's forgiveness in and Instagram comment on Saturday (October 1st) after Britney Spears wrote that "a genuine apology" would help give her closure in their family feud.

According to Page Six, Lynne responded, "I am soooo sorry for your pain! I have been sorry for years!

"I love you so much and miss you!"

She added, "Britney, deep down you know how much I love and miss you! I apologize for anything and everything that's hurt you," before asking the Toxic singer to "please unblock" her so they can speak … in person."

Wolfgang Van Halen: Van Halen Too Dysfunctional For Tribute Show
Wolfgang Van Halen feels that due to the dysfunction within the Van Halen camp he's opting out of any official tributes to his father with the band. In a new chat with Classic Rock, Wolfgang went into detail regarding the long-rumored salute to his late-dad, Eddie Van Halen: "When it comes to Van Halen and entities surrounding the band it's unfortunate, certainly compared to Foo Fighters who have their s***together with inter-personal relationships. I don't know what it is with some bands but certain personalities just can't get over themselves to work collectively for one purpose -- that's been the curse of Van Halen for its entire career."

He went on to say, "My playing at the Taylor shows delivered that catharsis without the stresses of dealing with the Van Halen camp, and the players involved. Their camp is very dysfunctional -- everyone! -- hell, it was difficult to make plans even when the band was active."

When asked about Sammy Hagar's recent comments where he claimed he would love to play Van Halen songs as part of a possible tribute, Wolf answered: "He said that, but he also said he wouldn't. Sammy said two different things. No. . . I feel that I've said my piece, and if the Taylor concerts are all that happens then I'm happy with that."

A while back, while still battleing his ex-bandmates, Sammy Hagar spoke about the dysfunction that existed within Van Halen -- particularly between leaders Eddie and Alex Van Halen: "They can't get it together. Y'know, they can't. I was there. I saw it. Eddie -- doesn't matter if he's clean and sober, like they. . . even if he is, too much damage. They're just too wacky. They're so out of it. And it could be cool, time warpy, if they were the original band and everybody was on the same page."

IN OTHER WVH NEWS

On October 3rd, Wolfgang Van Halen tweeted a message to fans announcing that work on the second Mammoth WVH album was about to begin. He took time out to reflect on the loss of his father, the late, great Eddie Van Halen:

As I'm getting ready to start tracking the 2nd MAMMOTH album tomorrow (I've been in pre-production the past month) I can't stop thinking about this moment and how he won't be around for it this time. I'm still not used to it. I don't know when or if I'll ever get used to it.

On December 28, 2014, I was getting ready to start tracking what would become the first Mammoth album. I had been practicing drums in the studio when Pop came in, grabbed my bass and started jamming with me. It was so much fun. It's little moments like these I feel I took for granted. Moments that I can't have anymore."

It'll be 2 years in 3 days and I don't feel any different. All of these emotions just kinda sitting in me at all times. Sometimes it's easier to carry, other times (like right now) it isn't. His pride is what keeps me going, but without him here it's easy to get lost. Easy to get stuck in my head. Easy to fall into that familiar cycle of doubt and self-loathing.

Somehow, I've figured out how to keep going. Music is all I have left when it comes to feeling close to him anymore. But knowing he won't be here this time to laugh, jam and hang throughout the whole process is tough now that I've gotten here. All I can do is try my best and continue to be the son he was proud of.

I just miss my dad.

Harry Styles Show Is 'Much Better Than Daycare'
Harry Styles connected with a young fan at his recent mini residency in Austin, Texas.

According to Billboard, the former One Direction singer took note of a sign that read, "I skipped daycare to be here."

When he spotted young Camila in the crowd for her first concert, Styles shouted, "First concert, get it, let's go! Make some noise for Camila, everybody! Much better than daycare!"

New David Crosby Live Set Coming Next Month
Coming on November 25th on CD and DVD is David Crosby & The Lighthouse Band Live At The Capitol Theatre. Recorded on December 8th, 2018 at Port Chester, New York's Capitol Theatre. On the set, Crosby is joined by guitarists Becca Stevens and Michael League, along with keyboardist Michelle Willis, with whom he's been working with since 2016's Lighthouse album.

Michelle Wills spoke about working with David Crosby in a statement:

He has gifted us his friendship, care, wisdom, humor, family, and community. And in addition, he has given Mike, Becca and I endless tools to create something of beauty to offer. This is because he truly believes in music, and its ability to profoundly change and make better those who encounter it. I'm so grateful to have a fighter like Croz in my life."

We asked David Crosby if he too looks at this late-stage wealth of great material and positive activity as a gift: "It does feel like that, yeah. There's a pretty wide range -- that has to do with two things; one, I'm in two bands. I've got two bands -- one of them's acoustic, the other one's electric. That gives me a wide spread that way. And also, I write with other people. I don't understand people that don't. I guess they want all the (laughs) publishing for themselves, or something. But, for me, writing with other people really works. The other person seems to have something you didn't. Always."

The tracklisting to David Crosby & The Lighthouse Band Live at The Capitol Theatre is:

"The Us Below"
"Things We Do For Love"
"1974"
"Vagrants Of Venice"
"Regina"
"Laughing"
"What Are Their Names"
"By The Light Of Common Day"
"Glory"
"The City"
"Look In Their Eyes"
"Guinnevere"
"Janet"
"Carry Me"
"Déjà Vu"

60 Years Ago Today: The Beatles Release Their First Single - 'Love Me Do'
It was 60 years ago today (October 5th, 1962) that the Beatles' first single "Love Me Do"'/"P.S. I Love You" was released on EMI's Parlophone Records in England. Although the song went on to top the U.S. charts two years later, its initial release in 1962 saw the Beatles score a sizable, but still minor, Top 20 hit with "Love Me Do" peaking at a respectable Number 17. The song, which was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney was far from being one of their most recent collaborations, having been written along with the duo's first batch of songs from 1957 and 1958.

The history of the "Love Me Do" single is one of the more confusing sagas in the Beatles' history. After the group's June 6th, 1962 audition -- in which a runthrough of "Love Me Do" was taped -- producer George Martin, who was unhappy with then-drummer Pete Best's playing, told the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein that he would be using a session drummer for future work with the band. Despite that, when the Beatles -- with new drummer Ringo Starr -- showed up to their first proper session on September 4th, a version of "Love Me Do" was recorded with Ringo behind the drums.

Unsatisfied with Ringo's performance, for their September 11th session, Martin hired studio ace Andy White to drum on the two sides of the single -- with Ringo being relegated to tambourine on "Love Me Do" and maracas on "P.S. I Love You." Despite George Martin's dissatisfaction with the first version of "Love Me Do," the original Ringo recording from September 4th was accidentally released as the original single version -- and was the version that shot the song up the British hit parade. The mix-up wasn't noticed until the song had long peaked on the charts and was replaced by the "Andy White" version for the Please Please Me album in March 1963 and single's second UK pressing about a month later. The actual master and mixdown tapes of the "Ringo" version of "Love Me Do" have long been lost and the version that's now included in the Beatles' catalogue was taped from a collector's pristine mint version of the single.

Shortly before his 2016 death, George Martin recalled the confusion surrounding Ringo Starr replacing Pete Best between the band's audition and first sessions: "I didn't even know the guy was coming. I'd had this fellow, Pete Best, and I didn't. . . I thought we could do better and I booked a good session drummer (Andy White) to replace him, and then the boys turn up with a fellow called 'Ringo Starr.' And they say, 'He's our new drummer.' And I said, 'No, no he's not. I booked this fellow. We're paying good money for this chap. I'll let your fellow in later on, but I want to be sure of this track.'"

Having two versions of "Love Me Do" remains confusing for even the "Fab Four" with Ringo Starr confusing his performance on the single version as opposed to the album track. He remembered his disappointment of being sidelined at the "Love Me Do" session: "I was devastated! I came down ready to roll, and (soft, serious voice) 'We've got Andy White, the professional drummer.' But it was, it was devastating. And then we did that -- which Andy plays on, and then we did the album -- which I play on. So Andy wasn't doing anything so great. He wasn't doing anything so great I couldn't copy when I did the album."

Paul McCartney recalled one of George Martin's first duties as the band's producer: "On the first recording session, we did 'Love Me Do.' And in the middle of the session, it suddenly turned out that I had to sing one of the lines that I hadn't sung in rehearsal. 'Cause John had been playing harmonica; he used to go (sings) 'wah, wah, wah -- Love Me Do,' and George wanted it continuous, so he gave me this 'Love Me Do' line. So, I'm suddenly, 'Oh God, oh, no!' -- and I'm quaking with nerves."

The late-Geoff Emerick, who worked with the Beatles throughout their career and became their primary engineer with 1966's Revolver album, first met the Beatles in 1962 during his second day on the job, while the group was recording "Love Me Do." He told us that he was immediately struck by how unique their humor and personalities were: "They were down in the studio. 'Cause it was the second day that I had been there. And I just liked the vibe, y'know the happy vibe. It was completely different, because it's like their attitude was against the establishment -- although George Martin had some decorum within the control room, an air of decorum. And it's like these kids down in the studio clowning around, y'know?"

In 1963 John Lennon recalled the success of the group's first single: "The best thing was it came into the charts in two days. And everybody thought it was a fiddle 'cause our manager's stores send in these, what are they, record things -- returns. And everybody down south thought, 'Ah-ha, he's buying them himself, or he's just fiddling the charts' -- but he wasn't."

George Harrison remembered that although not a blockbuster, "Love Me Do's" noticeable success laid a foundation for future works: "It got to, whatever, 17 within the following weeks after it came out. And then and I don't recall, it probably died up and went. But, it meant the next time we went back to EMI, they were really more friendly, 'Oh, hello lads, yes, okay.'"

One old friend of the band's who wasn't able to enjoy in the success of "Love Me Do" was Pete Best, who was replaced by Ringo Starr 17 days before the first session for "Love Me Do." Best, who says that he has had no substantial contact with any of the Beatles since the night before he was fired, told us that he feels Ringo walked into a much cushier job than he did upon joining the Beatles: "Y'know, when you think about it, the first trip out to Hamburg, (Germany), we were playing six, seven hours a night. And I think actually, when (laughs) Ringo joined they were playing 20 minutes, half-an-hour sessions, or something like that. So, I did a lot of the spade work, put the long hours in and he was the one who picked up the glory."

Paul McCartney's most recent dates have seen "Love Me Do" -- in its original arrangement -- finally make its way into his concert setlist. Back in 1990, McCartney had very briefly performed a funk-based medley of "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" as "P.S. Love Me Do" during the Japanese leg and the initial shows on the tour's second North American leg.

"Macca" chatted with Rolling Stone, and was asked what was the latest Beatles classic to be added to the show. McCartney said: "'Love Me Do.' People have asked me through the years -- David Bowie said, 'Why don't you do 'Love Me Do'?' I thought, 'Well, because it's a little song.' But enough people said they liked it for me to go, 'We'll rehearse it. And if in rehearsal it sucks, then no.' In actual fact, it was great. Now it's a big favorite."

Black Crowes Guitarist Leading 40th Anniversary R.E.M. Tributes
Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson will lead two all-star benefit concerts saluting the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.'s debut EP, Chronic Town. Rolling Stone reported, "The two-night event, set to be hosted in Georgia on December 14th and 15th, will double as a benefit show with proceeds going towards Planned Parenthood. The concert will spend its first night at the 40 Watt Club in Athens and its second at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta." Both shows will feature the classic 1982 EP performed in its entirety.

Rich Robinson said in a statement: "Growing up in Atlanta in the 1980's, R.E.M. was the preeminent band of that era. Their music was a huge influence not only on the Atlanta music scene but also on my brother and me. I'm so happy to be able to put together this celebration for a band that meant so much to us and music, and Chronic Town is what started it all."

Comedian David Cross will serve as the show's host, with appearances by Black Crowes leaders Rich and Chris Robinson, Darius Rucker, John Cameron Mitchell, Fred Armisen, Kevn Kinney, Lenny Kaye, Mitch Easter, Steve Wynn, David Ryan Harris, Elf Power, and Pylon Reenactment Society, among others. The December 14th will include performances by the Indigo Girls and John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band.

Tickets for the December 15th Coca-Cola Roxy gig go on sale this Friday (October 7th) at 10 a.m. ET, with tickets for the 40 Watt Club going on sale next Tuesday (October 11th) also at 10 a.m.

Contrary to popular belief, Rich Robinson and his older brother, Chris, were not retro-obsessed Southern rock apostles while growing up: "Chris and I never sat down and said, 'We're gonna be in a band.' Like, we just started doin' it. We went through our little punk rock phase for about six months, and then it's easy to grow out of that -- 'cause we grew up in a really rich musical household, 'cause of my dad. So once we started getting into R.E.M., which spoke to us, 'cause we weren't into southern rock. We never associated ourselves with that. R.E.M. spoke to us, more because it was so unique sounding. When I first heard 'Radio Free Europe' on the radio, I was like. . . I'd never heard anything like that."

Pulse Music

Most Popular