Pulse Music

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."

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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!"

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"

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 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."

BLACKPINK's management company YG Entertainment is threatening legal action against those responsible for leaking personal photos of band member Jennie Kim.

E! News reports that YG has asked the police in South Korea to investigate who distributed images of Jennie dining with BTS singer V, after the pics surfaced on Twitter and the Telegram App.

Since the leak, rumors have begun to spread that the two K-pop stars are now a couple.

YG says Jennie has been the victim of "indiscriminate rumors, criticism, personal attacks, sexual harassment and violations of personal life."

Chris Martin of Coldplay has come down with a serious lung infection and has to postpone upcoming shows in Brazil.

Taking to social media on Tuesday (October 4), the band wrote: "Chris has been put under strict doctor's orders to rest for the next three weeks."

The group went on to say that they're working as fast as possible to lock in the new dates.

They also stated that they're optimistic that Chris "will return to good health" after his medical break. They went on to apologize to their fans for the inconvenience.

TL;DR:

• Chris Martin of Coldplay has come down with a serious lung infection and has had to postpone upcoming shows in Brazil.
• Chris has been put under strict doctor's orders to rest for the next three weeks.

Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic shed light on his time with the band and helping formulate Kurt Cobain's musical ideas. During a chat with Rick Beato's on his podcast In the Room With Nirvana And Soundgarden, Novoselic explained, "He'd have these riffs, and he just kind of started playing them. And we would just say, 'Okay, that's a cool riff.' Then I'd have an idea, an impression of the song like, 'This is what the song needs. This is not me as a bass player. This is what I want to do for the song.' What the song is demanding of me, or asking."

He went on to say, "It's all for the song. 'About A Girl' for example -- (Kurt) listened to Meet The Beatles. He was in his little apartment in Olympia, and he listened to that record over and over again one night, and he just wrote that song. And I go, 'Well, I know what that needs on bass. It's as plain as day.' I just played this little bouncy bass thing."

He offered up some advice to aspiring bass players, telling them to hone in on the song's lead vocals: "I would just follow along on it. I didn't necessarily follow what the guitar is doing. I'd listen to the vocal melody and just kind of triangulate, play off the vocal. And then you'd get a bigger sound that way."

Krist Novoselic told us that it was the band's own belief in the power of music that attracted people to them right from the start. "Nirvana always listened to music or always wanted to connect with something, and the best music is music that you connect with in a way that you can't really put your -- you just emotionally connect with it. So if we were projecting anything like that, people caught onto it."

It was 59 years ago today (October 5th, 1963) that Beach Boys guitarist and co-founder David Marks played his final concert as a full member of the band. Marks, who grew up across the street from future Beach Boys' Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, was only 15 at the time of his final show, which took place at San Diego's Balboa Park Bowl.

Marks, who began making music with the Wilsons as a pre-teen, was a member of the Beach Boys from 1961 to 1963 and one of the five names on the band's original contract to Capitol Records. He performed on the group's first five albums, including the hits "Surfer Girl," "409," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Surfin' Safari," "Shut Down," "In My Room," "Little Saint Nick," "Catch A Wave," "Be True To Your School," and "Surfin' U.S.A." Marks, who was part of the Beach Boys' 2012 50th anniversary tour, toured in 2013 with Brian Wilson as part of his joint trek with Jeff Beck. Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and '70s-era Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin were also on board. Marks has also joined up several times with Mike Love's touring version of the band for a string of overseas dates.

David Marks quit the Beach Boys in 1963 due to his frustration at not having his own music incorporated into the act, and over frictions with the Beach Boys' manager, the Wilson brothers' father Murry Wilson. Marks, who's now a sober, happily married family man and world renowned for his guitar work, told us that it's only in recent years that he's able to look back clearly at his exit from the group back in '63: "I let those guys down when I quit the band. I did. I never really thought of how it affected them, but looking back, it had a profound effect on Brian, for one, because he was forced to come back on the road -- which was his worst nightmare -- and bummed him out, because he wanted to stay home and write and produce records."

Marks and Beach Boys historian Jon Stebbins recently co-authored Marks' autobiography chronicling the band's early days, called The Lost Beach Boy. Stebbins shed some light on Marks' exit from what was -- at that point -- the hottest rock and roll band in America: "Basically, Murry had been needling him for a long time. I mean, this had been an ongoing thing where Murry was giving David a hard time. And David, you've got to remember is a 14-year-old kid; he's not exactly a show-business veteran. Y'know, Mike Love and Brian were in their early-'20s; 19, 20, 21 at this point -- they're a lot older, a lot more mature. Yeah, Murry kind of set him up. I think, in a sense. But you've gotta give David credit, 'cause he stuck to it."

After splitting from the Beach Boys, Marks formed his solo band the Marksmen and became one of the first acts signed to A&M Records. Later on he played in the late '60s psychedelic and jazz-inspired band the Moon, and went on to attend classes at Boston's Berklee School of Music before becoming a session guitarist.

Although Marks had initially kept in touch with his former bandmates, as the '60s progressed he had pretty much lost touch with the group. In 1971 he was surprised to receive a phone call from Mike Love, urging him to rejoin the band: "He just thought that it was a good idea that I started touring with the band. And I guess Carl, grudgingly, went along with him. I went up to Brian's (house) and was going to be in the band. But Carl informed me that I was going to be the bass player in the band, and proceeded to try to get me to do, y'know, '(Help Me) Rhonda,' and 'Dance, Dance, Dance.' So, he sat at the piano and we played those songs and I played the bass. And I really didn't feel comfortable. I wasn't focused on that kind of music."

In the early '70s, Marks occasionally would pop onstage at Beach Boys concerts. In the early '90s, he contributed to Brian Wilson's unreleased album Sweet Insanity.

Marks rejoined the Beach Boys in 1997 and stayed for three years. After regrouping with the original Beach Boys for the 2012 Top Three comeback album, That's Why God Made The Radio, he amazed audiences with his guitar work during this year's 50th Anniversary Tour, where he took lead vocals on such Beach Boys classics as "Hawaii," "Getcha Back," and his show-stopping solo guitar spotlight -- "Pet Sounds."

Mike Love says that after years of watching him battle his demons, Marks is a pleasure to be around: "David Marks, y'know unfortunately he got involved in alcohol and drugs, and so on like that, like too many people have in the music business. But he is so intelligent and such a great artist, too. I mean, he's really gifted at guitar and a really great person, and fun as could be. Whenever we've hung out together it's nonstop fun."

Of all the Beach Boys, Al Jardine performs most often with Marks and says that he's impressed with their onstage chemistry: "Dave's a great guy, he really is. He's a nice, nice man. He's grown into a man from a boy. He's become a real gentleman; it's been nice working with him. He has a little self-confidence issue. He needs to step forward. . . He needs to grow into his own skin, but he's getting there. He's been under the radar for a long time."

Brian Wilson clearly has a deep connection to David Marks and told us he loves being around him both on and off the stage: "David is a very, very, good musician. He's a good singer and he's a very, very good musician. And he loves playing on my shows -- he loves it."

Jon Stebbins says that Marks, who quit the Beach Boys after their first five albums, hates being compared inaccurately to the Beatles' drummer Pete Best, who was fired prior to the group recording their first single: "It's funny, it's like the only thing in the world that gets his hackles up. Y'know he's the easiest going guy on earth, but one thing is, 'Don't call me Pete Best.' Y'know, you just need to point out to these people when they mention it, (that) Pete Best played on no Beatles hits. He played on none of their hit albums, none of their hit singles. And David played on all of these iconic Beach Boys singles."

Out now is David Marks' latest album, called Back In The Garage. The collection -- which features Marks backed by the renowned surf band the a-Phonics from Valencia, Spain -- includes newly recorded takes on Marks' classic tunes by the Beach Boys and the Marksmen.

Also recently released is the 17-track compilation David Marks & The Marksmen The Ultimate Collector's Edition 1963 To '65.

Bono will hit the stage next month in North America "for an evening of words, music and some mischief" as he promotes his new memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, which will be published on November 1st. On this side of the Atlantic, Bono is set for theatre chats in New York City, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

In Europe, Bono has book dates booked in London and Manchester, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; Berlin, Germany; Paris, France; and Madrid, Spain.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 7th at 10 a.m. local time -- with a copy of the book included with every ticket sold.

Bono explained that at the end of the day it's the connection between his music and the listeners that makes it matter: "That is, y'know, (laughs) my drug of choice. That's for me, the thing. I cannot believe you hear this melody line in your head and you, sort of, take it down and you find words for it and arrangement for it -- and the next thing y'know, you can be in a car in Tokyo, and it's on the radio. That's really my, my drug of choice. And songs are everything, really, to us."

JUST ANNOUNCED: Bono's North American 'Surrender' book tour dates (subject to change):

November 2 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
November 4 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
November 6 - Toronto, ON - Meridian Hall
November 8 - Chicago, IL - The Chicago Theatre
November 9 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
November 12 - San Francisco, CA - Orpheum Theatre
November 13 - Los Angeles, CA - The Orpheum Theatre

Ed Sheeran has announced details for the North American leg of his + - = ÷ x Tour (pronounced "The Mathematics Tour") on Monday (October 3rd).

The "Shape of You" singer will be hitting stadiums across the continent for the first time since his history-making Divide Tour in 2018, which officially became the most-attended and highest-grossing tour of all time by its completion.

Dates begin on May 6th, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, before wrapping up on September 23rd, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Khalid will open from May 6th to September 2nd with rapper/singer-songwriter Russ rounding out the tour, serving as support for most September dates.

Sheeran recently wrapped the UK/European leg of the + - = ÷ x Tour, performing in front of over 3 million people in six months and highlighted by a five-night stand at London's Wembley Stadium.

After several starts and stops while overseas, Lindsey Buckingham has scrapped his current European tour. The ousted-Fleetwood Mac leader posted a message to his social media outlets stating: "Due to ongoing health issues, Lindsey Buckingham is regrettably having to cancel the remaining shows on his current European tour. Refunds will be available from the point of purchase. Lindsey sends his deepest apologies to all his fans who were planning to attend and hopes to return to Europe in the future."

As Buckingham and members of his band fell ill from Covid, he was forced to cut the final four dates of his 2021 North American trek and push back the European jaunt. This time out, several of the European dates were cancelled due to illness before calling it quits on the entire run. There's no word when Buckingham hopes to return to the continent.

A while back, we caught up with Lindsey Buckingham, and he admitted to us that his most recent albums provide a fuller picture of him as an artist: "The funny thing is that I made those three solo albums. . . y'know, I did two (more) kinda back-to-back, I guess it's about three or four years ago now. And now this one, which I didn't even really plan to make, but the time opened up. And so, when you kind of fill it in more, I think it is kind of easier to get an overview of it."

Ringo Starr has covid and has let fans know the remaining dates of his ongoing All Star Band tour have been canceled while he recuperates.

A message to fans was posted online, which reads: "Ringo hopes to resume as soon as possible and is recovering at home. As always, he and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them back out on the road soon. Check his website for any further updates. Peace and Love, Team Ringo"

CANCELLED: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band tour dates:

October 1 - New Buffalo, Mi - Four Winds Casino
October 2 - Prior Lake, MN - Mystic Lake Casino
October 4 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada Life Centre
October 5 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Sasktel Centre
October 6 - Lethbridge, Alberta - Enmax Centre
October 8 - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Centre
October 9 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagon Events Centre

Two previously unseen photos of the pre-fame Beatles performing at Liverpool's Cavern Club have mysteriously popped up online. The two shots -- one featuring John Lennon singing and the other Paul McCartney belting out a tune -- were shot in July 1961, following the band's second trip to Hamburg, Germany. The photos, featuring drummer Pete Best, were taken at either one of the band's lunchtime or evening gigs at the subterranean venue.

The band is already decked out with their first professional guitars; George Harrison with his Futurama -- a cheap knockoff of the Fender Stratocaster, Lennon with his Rickenbacker 325, and McCartney with his first signature Hofner "violin" bass.

A while back, Paul McCartney pointed out that with Liverpool being a seaport city, kids were fed a steady stream of popular music they never would've heard had they had been stuck out in the sticks: "Y'know, it's that thing where kids know about something and the grown-ups don't know about. And that gives it a totally magic air. And you were getting friends who had, like, blues records, and stuff, in Liverpool being a seaport, a lot. I think you'd get a lot of imports, and C&W, and blues -- there was a lot of that knocking around. Chuck Berry and Ray Charles 'What I'd Say,' and stuff like that."

Hollies singer-guitarist, Liverpudlian Terry Sylvester, replaced Graham Nash in the band and made his bones in such Liverpool groups as the Escorts and the Swinging Blue Jeans. Having played the Cavern Club countless times, he told us that although an immensely historic and legendary venue -- at the end of the day, the place was dump: "It was horrible. It was smelly. It smelled of disinfectant. There was only one way in; there was no back door, so everyone had to come in carrying the amps up and down the stairs all past the people comin' in. Very small place, very small. You'd be playing to 200 people. Maybe 300."

During John Lennon's 1970 Rolling Stone interview, he set the record straight once and for all about the Beatles' abilities as a live act: "We were four guys, that. . . I met Paul (McCartney) and said, ‘Y'wanna join me band? And then George (Harrison) joined, and then Ringo (Starr) joined. We were just a band that made it very, very big -- that's all. Our best work was never recorded, y'know? We were performers -- in spite off what Mick (Jagger) says about us -- in Liverpool, Hamburg, and around the dance halls, y'know? And what we generated was fantastic, when we played straight rock. And there was nobody to touch us in Britain, y'know? But as soon as we made it, we made it -- the edges were knocked off. Y'know, Brian (Epstein) put us in suits and all that and we made it very, very big — but we sold out. The Beatles' music died then -- as musicians. That's why we never improved (laughs), y'know? As musicians, we killed ourselves then, to make it. We always missed the club days, ‘cause that's when we were playing music."

Harry Styles got political during his sold-out mini-residency at Austin's Moody Center.

The "Watermelon Sugar" singer appeared onstage flashing a "Beto for Texas" sticker on his guitar as Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke watched from the pit.

O'Rourke, who is running against Republican Greg Abbott in the November 8th general election, uploaded footage of the interaction on his Instagram Stories.

It was 47 years ago today that Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here hit Number One on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album, which was the followup to the band's massive 1973 hit, The Dark Side Of The Moon, topped the charts for two weeks and remained in the U.S. Top 10 for nine weeks. To date, Wish You Were Here has sold over 20 million copies globally.

The tracklisting to Wish You Were Here is: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)," "Welcome To The Machine," "Have A Cigar" (featuring Roy Harper)," "Wish You Were Here," and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (Parts VI-IX)."

The song "Wish You Were Here" was written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters for Floyd co-founder Syd Barrett. Barrett retired from the band in 1968, and due to his growing emotional problems exacerbated by heavy drug use, he only recorded sporadically in the years immediately following his departure.

Barrett turned up unannounced at the studio during the 1975 Wish You Were Here sessions. He wasn't recognized at first because he had gained a tremendous amount of weight and had shaved his head. When his former bandmates realized it was Barrett, they were devastated and stopped work for the day.

Shortly before his death in 2008, keyboardist Richard Wright spoke frankly about Syd Barrett, who was responsible for spearheading Floyd's early direction: "It's a tragedy what happened to him, because over the career of the band, he was in the band for an extremely short time -- but it was a very important time. He did the first album, and then, that was it. He was gone. It's very sad. It was a drug-related illness, and it was such a waste. I can't say much more than that about Syd, except bless him -- that was the reason the band started."

During a lengthily chat with acclaimed director John Edgington, Roger Waters spoke candidly about not only the Wish You Were Here sessions -- but its inspiration, Syd Barrett: "It seemed to me, when we were making that record in the aftermath of the enormous success of The Dark Side Of The Moon, that I, sort of, knew, really, that we were over as far as the 'band of brothers' notion of a pop group was concerned. We just weren't anymore -- and we were never going to be that again. And so, I was mourning that loss as well as the loss of, of Syd as a friend and as a colleague. And with my band now, I do 'Shine On. . . ' and 'Wish You Were Here' and when I'm singing, y'know, 'Shine On. . . ', Syd's right there all the time, obviously, because the song is just, y'know, absolutely about him and it describes how I experienced his disintegration and to express the love that I have for him."

It was 52 years ago today (October 4th, 1970) that Janis Joplin was found dead. After a long night of partying, Joplin's body was discovered in her room at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood with fresh needle marks in her arm, and her death was ruled an accidental overdose. Joplin was 27-years-old, and at the time of her death was working on what became her final album, Pearl.

In March 2021, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of it topping the Billboard Hot 100, was the first official video for Janis Joplin's "Me And Bobby McGee." The clip, which was created in partnership with the Janis Joplin Estate and Columbia/Legacy Recordings, features the classic tune written by Kris Kristofferson, which in Joplin's death became her signature song. The new clip features elements included in the new book, Janis Joplin: Days & Summers - Scrapbook 1966-68, which was released in June.

Originally released on January 12th, 1971, Janis Joplin's "Me And Bobby McGee" from the posthumous Pearl album, became the second posthumous single in pop music history to reach Number One; the first was Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay," in 1968.

The recent Joplin documentary, Janis: Little Girl Blue, premiered in 2015 at the Venice Film Festival, before hitting PBS via its American Masters series. The doc is now available for digital download.

2018 saw the 50th anniversary of Big Brother & The Holding Company's major label debut and the double-disc release of Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills -- featuring the material that introduced the world to Janis Joplin. The set was issued under its original title, which was nixed by Columbia Records for being too controversial. Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills "restores the band's vision and intent in an essential new collection of 30 rare performances including 29 studio outtakes -- 25 previously unreleased -- from the mythic 1968 sessions that generated Big Brother & The Holding Company's Cheap Thrills." Highlights on the set include such Joplin & Big Brother classics as "Piece Of My Heart," "Ball And Chain," and "Summertime," among others.

Sadly, on February 12th, 2015, Joplin's closest musical collaborator, guitarist Sam Andrew -- who performed alongside her in both Big Brother & The Holding Company along with her solo band Kozmic Blues Band -- and was the primary musician that promoted and championed her work over the decades, died at 73 following complications from a heart attack.

In August 2014, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative Joplin "Forever" postage stamps as part of the USPS' ongoing "music icons series," and unique in that while purchased at the current first class rate, it will always be accepted as a first class stamp throughout the years and never need additional postage as rates increase.

In November 2013, Joplin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard. Among those who paid tribute to Joplin were Kris Kristofferson, record label exec Clive Davis -- who signed Joplin along with Big Brother & The Holding Company to Columbia Records, and Joplin's siblings, Michael and Laura.

Janis Joplin recalled her long road to personal and creative freedom: "I started singing when I was about 17. I listened to a lot of music first and one day I started singing, and I could sing. It was a surprise (laughs) -- to say the least. About '63, I couldn't stand Texas anymore and I went to California, ‘cause it's a lot freer, and you can, y'know, you can do what you wanna do and nobody bugs you."

Fans have often wondered since her 1970 death what Joplin would have gone on to do, and shortly before his death, her old friend and bandmate Sam Andrew told us that a very modest Joplin might have gone away from rock n' roll: "I think she would have gone through a couple of jazz standard albums, maybe -- I, I hope she would have, 'cause I loved the way she did 'Little Girl Blue' and 'Summertime,' and to hear a couple of albums of that kind of material would have been truly great. But mainly, I think she'd just be really tickled -- (does Joplin impression) 'They're still thinking about me? How can they be thinking about me? (laughs).'"

Andrews recalled that Joplin was a lot deeper than people might have gotten from her public image: "She was, like, real fast and real funny, and she had these colorful Texan expressions, and then behind there, there was an IQ maybe of 165 or something. She was just as bright as could be and interested in everything. And then, on top of that, she was punctual, which doesn't sound like an important thing when you're talking about a diva, but in day-to-day life it becomes really important. So, I just loved Janis a lot."

In 2008, in commemoration with Joplin's 65th birthday (January 19th), a historic marker was placed by one of her childhood homes in Port Arthur, Texas.

In 2012 it was announced that actress Amy Adams had signed on to portray Joplin in the upcoming biopic, Get It While You Can. Adams, a three-time Academy Award nominee, joins a long list of actors around Hollywood who either are, or have been, attached to different Joplin films in varying stages of pre-production -- including The Gospel According To Janis, which had Zooey Deschanel attached to it and a Sean Durkin-directed feature starring Nina Arianda. No start date has been announced for the biopic.

Actress Zooey Deschanel -- who at one point was on board to portray Joplin -- told us her research into the role has given her a deeper understanding of the legendary, yet ill-fated singer: "She's more recognized for her dysfunction than she is for, y'know, what she brought to the world of music and women in general. She was a strong woman in a time when the views of women were changing and I think she had a lot to do with that. She was a really smart person but because she had a lot of problems, that's what people focus on. That, to me, is her tragedy."

Janis Joplin's road manger John Cooke, who sadly discovered Joplin's lifeless body on October 4th, 1970, recalls the power of Joplin's live show: "People just hadn't heard a white girl sing the blues this way. If you hadn't heard Janis before and she came out and started singing you were just blown away."

Frontman Myles Kennedy has already named his favorite tune from Alter Bridge's upcoming album, Pawns & Kings. The new collection, which drops on October 14th, is the band's seventh studio set and the followup to 2019's Walk The Sky.

During a chat with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Myles Kennedy was pushed to name his personal standout track from the Pawns & Kings and said, "Probably a song called 'Fable Of The Silent Son', which is kind of a long song, I think it's just over eight minutes long. It's a journey. I'm excited to hear how people feel about that one, and what I mean by hear about how they feel is from a lyrical standpoint."

He went on to say, "I'm hoping that it'll resonate with people because it really is kind of a 'learn from our mistakes' narrative. Y'know, it's the idea of, when sometimes you go through life, and you fall down and make your mistakes, you get up, you dust yourself off, and you learn from those mistakes, and it makes you a better person. But with that said, they are sometimes your hope is that somebody else doesn't have to make the same mistake, that they don't have to live through the same mistakes you did."

Alter Bridge was started by the three instrumental members of Creed and guitarist Mark Tremonti told us how ex-Mayfield Four singer Myles Kennedy became the final piece of the puzzle: "When we first started the band, we were desperately looking for a singer, and my buddy had brought me a Mayfield Four CD and, y'know, hearing the CD, I was blown away -- this guy's, y'know, not doing anything right now and he's this good? I made demos and sent 'em his way, and he sang over them and he seemed to be into the songs and we loved what he did and he flew down January 2nd, 2004, and we've been a band ever since."

Alter Bridge kicks off its 25-date European tour on November 1st at Hamburg, Germany's Sporthalle Hamburg.