Author: Logan Rocker

Eric Clapton and a host of rock royalty played the first of two tribute concerts to Jeff Beck at London’s Royal Albert Hall Monday night.

Clapton was joined in honoring the late guitarist by former Jeff Beck Group singer Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Billy Gibbons, former Allman Brothers Band member Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., Kirk Hammett, Imelda May and Johnny Depp, among others.

Throughout the evening, Beck’s catalog was on full display, ranging from early Yardbirds songs like “Shapes of Things” (featuring Clapton singing lead), “Heart Full of Soul” and “Beck’s Bolero” to later solo songs like “Freeway Jam” and “Going Down.” Many artists performed songs they had performed with Beck, like Gibbons, who played ZZ Top‘s “Rough Boy” and Stewart, who began his mini-set with “Infatuation.”

“I never thought I’d be here playing a concert and it’s a tribute to my dear old pal, Jeff Beck,” Stewart said from the stage, warning the crowd that his band had about only an hour of rehearsal. “But we’re here and we’re gonna do him proud.”

You can see footage from the show below.

Watch Rod Stewart Perform ‘Infatuation’

Watch Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood Perform ‘Beck’s Bolero’

Beck died in January at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. An outpouring of condolences from fellow artists subsequently appeared online. “I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him,” Wood tweeted following the news.

Clapton also recently released a cover of “Moon River,” which he recorded with Beck not long before his death. The song first appeared in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, sung by Audrey Hepburn. The guitarists’ version will be released on vinyl as a double A-side with “How Could We Know” on July 14.

A second Beck tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall is scheduled to take place Tuesday.

Watch Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton and Gary Clark Jr. Perform ‘People Get Ready’

Watch the Jeff Beck Tribute Concert Finale ‘Going Down’

“Some of you may remember this fitness challenge from previous years – a place for our community, the rock and metal fans, to get healthy, meet some awesome friends along the way and – oh yeah – win some awesome prizes including an all expenses paid trip to work out with me at 1st Phorm HQ, a signed JIVA guitar, a Marshall amp and more,” says guitarist Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper).

“Body Shred 5 will be an 8 week challenge, starting May 29 and ending July 24. All participants will get an e-book written by me which includes a workout plan to follow, recipes, nutrition tips and printable assets. There is also the option to create a customized macro plan through the 1st Phorm app for those who are serious about making a change (and winning a guitar!).”

Signups are open now at NitaStraussBodyShred.com.

Multi-platinum hard rock icons Extreme are gearing up to perform for audiences across the globe pegged to the June 9 release of their much-anticipated album SIX via earMUSIC. Their headlining “Thicker Than Blood” world tour kicks off in the US on August 2, followed by stops in Australia and Japan in September and has already sold-out dates in cities including Detroit, Hampton Beach, Tokyo and Yokohama. Today, the iconic Boston quartet—Gary Cherone (vocals), Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Badger (bass), and Kevin Figueiredo (drums)—have announced an additional jaunt beginning November 27 in Newcastle, UK and wrapping December 16 in Milan, IT. 

Special guests Living Colour (who will also be supporting Extreme on their U.S. and Australian shows) will appear on the UK leg and The Last Internationale will appear across Europe. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, May 26 at 9:00 A.M. BST at extreme-band.com.

Extreme have remained one of rock’s most unpredictable, undeniable, and unbreakable groups, having sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1, packed major venues on multiple continents, memorably performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in London, and they regularly average over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Extreme’s new album, SIX has seen unprecedented success following the release of three evocative hit singles and videos: “Rise,” “Banshee” and “#Rebel.”

Tour dates:

June
2 – Sao Paul, BR – Best of Blues and Rock Festival

August
2 – Portland, ME – State Theatre #
3 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom #
5 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner #
6 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount #
8 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center #
10 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom #
11 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater #
12 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater #
14 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall #
15 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater #
17 – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Live #
18 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre #
19 – Cedar Rapids, IA – The Paramount #
21 – Denver, CO – The Ogden #
22 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center #
24 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues #
26 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency #
28 – Portland, OR – TBD #
29 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox #

September
6 – Perth, AU – Regal Theatre #
8 – Adelaide, AU – Hindley Street Music Hall #
10 – Melbourne, AU – Forum #
12 – Sydney, AU – Enmore Theatre #
13 – Brisbane, AU – Fortitude Music Hall #
17 – Sendai, JP – Sendai Gigs
19 – Yokohama, JP – KT Zepp Yokohama
21 – Tokyo, JP – Hitomi Memorial Hall
25 – Nagoya, JP – Shimin Kaikan Hall
26 – Osaka, JP – Zepp Namba

November
27 – Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall #
28 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy #
30 – Manchester, UK – O2 Academy #

December
1 – Wolverhampton, UK – Civic Hall #
3 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy #
4 – London, UK – O2 Forum #
8 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Konzertfabrik *
10 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys *
11 – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall *
12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg Max *
14 – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix *
16 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz *

# with Living Colour
* with The Last Internationale

On SIX, Extreme swing between unapologetic fits of fret-burning hard rock and intimately introspective balladry. For the recording of the Bettencourt-produced 12-track album, the members buckled down at his home studio in Los Angeles to channel the electrifying eclecticism that defined their seminal output with a 21st century twist.

This dynamic affirms the iconic Boston quartet as one of rock’s most unpredictable, undeniable, and unbreakable groups whose songs course through the very fabric of popular culture. They’re the rare band whose music has appeared in an actual cult series a la Bill & Ted as well as the Netflix juggernaut Stranger Things. They’ve sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1, packed major venues on multiple continents, memorably performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in London, and regularly average over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. However, their dynamic approach hits harder than ever on their 2023 full-length offering, SIX.

Pre-order SIX here.

SIX tracklisting:

“Rise”
“#Rebel”
“Banshee”
“Other Side of the Rainbow”
“Small Town Beautiful”
“The Mask”
“Thicker Than Blood”
“Save Me”
“Hurricane”
“X Out”
“Beautiful Girls”
“Here’s To The Losers”

“Banshee” video:

“#Rebel” video:

“Rise” video:

Calling all Metallica fans! Get ready to take your love for the legendary heavy metal band to a whole new level with the latest Metallica Spotify game mode on Stattogories. An exhilarating addition to this popular game that will put your Metallica knowledge to the ultimate test. 

Following on from the success of the Metal game mode, this thrilling game centres solely on Metallica’s iconic discography. The premise is the same… simply guess which song has had more plays on Spotify with aim of getting the most right in a row. Get ready to rock out and put your Metallica expertise to the ultimate test!

The game combines the addictive nature of trivia games with the excitement of music streaming. Players are presented with two Metallica songs and must determine which one has more plays on Spotify. The game features a wide range of Metallica’s greatest hits, spanning their illustrious career, from albums such as “Enter Sandman” and “Master Of Puppets” to “Nothing Else Matters” and “One”. 

Songs from their latest album 72 Seasons also feature in the game including “If Darkness Had A Son”, “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide”. The question for players is have these new songs accumulated as many plays on Spotify as the songs from some of their previous albums? That’s for you to decide. 

Whether you are a die-hard Metallica fan, casual listener, or music enthusiasts alike. The game presents an excellent opportunity to put your Metallica knowledge to the test and discover lesser-known gems from the band’s extensive repertoire. Whether you’ve been following Metallica for years or recently discovered their music, this Stattogories game offers an engaging and educational experience.

Gareth Evans, creator of Stattogories: “I wanted to create a game mode about Metallica to celebrate the most successful heavy metal band in the world and give their fans something to play during the Metallica M72 world tour. Metallica have an unparalleled legacy in the heavy metal genre, influencing countless bands and captivating generations of fans and for this reason I decided that they deserve their own game mode on Stattogories”. 

“Creating this game mode allowed me to share my passion for Metallica and engage with fellow fans, while also providing an opportunity to celebrate the band’s extensive discography and test our knowledge. Metallica’s music has the ability to evoke emotions, inspire, and unite people, and through this game mode, I hope to celebrate their musical legacy and pay tribute to their iconic status in the realm of rock and metal.”

Test your knowlege and play here!

America’s preeminent progressive rock band Kansas embarks this summer on a series of 50 landmark performances at some of the foremost theaters and performing arts centers across America and into Canada.  The “Another Fork In The Road” Tour celebrates 50 years of the band’s illustrious music history with concerts featuring two full hours of memorable hits, fan favorites and deep cuts rarely performed live.

In a recent tribute to the band’s five decades of success, Billboard Magazine describes the basis for their longstanding appeal: “Blending blues-based hard rock and intricate progressive constructions, Kansas staked out its own musical territory, at once original and accessible.” Billboard.com – Kansas Hits 50. Concert dates and Kansas VIP Packages are on sale now and selling fast. Ticket information can be found at Kansasband.com, and here.

“Our entire career has been a winding journey,” comments Kansas guitarist and original member Richard Williams. “Whether it’s been the ‘original’ lineup signing with Don Kirshner, years on the bus, touring with Queen, worldwide success peaking with Leftoverture & Point of Know Return, the valleys of the 90’s and ‘dinosaur bands’ losing steam, various lineup changes, to our most recent ‘rebirth’ and success of our latest new music over the last eight years; there have been several forks in the road of that journey. This 50th Anniversary Tour and release will represent that journey and the forks along that road.”

To further celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary, InsideOutMusic has released Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of Kansas. The 3-CD career-spanning collection features carefully selected tracks from across Kansas’s sizable discography. It also includes a new version of the song ‘Can I Tell You.’ Originally released on their 1974 debut album, the song is updated by the current lineup. Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of Kansas is available now. Order here.

“I’m incredibly excited about the 50th Anniversary Tour,” adds lead vocalist Ronnie Platt. “I tell people I’m not allowed to create a setlist, because it would be five hours long. There are so many songs I want to perform live. I think fans will be excited not only to hear our hits and fan favorites spanning 50 years of Kansas, but also some songs that haven’t been performed live in decades.”

Tour dates:

June
2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
3 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric Baltimore
9 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
10 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
16 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
17 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
29 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall

July
1 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center
7 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
8 – Indianapolis, IN – Clowes Memorial Hall
14 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
15 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
21 – Wausau, WI – The Grand Theater
22 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
27 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
29 – St. Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox Theatre

August
4 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place
5 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
18 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
19 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
25 – Denver, CO – The Paramount Theatre
26 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater

September
6 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
8 – Seattle, WA – The Paramount Theater
9 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
12 – Boise, ID – Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
14 – San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Theatre
16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Orpheum Theatre
17 – San Diego, CA – Balboa Theatre
20 – TBA
22 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
24 – El Paso, TX – The Plaza Theatre

October
12 – Worcester, MA – The Hanover Theatre
13 – Brookville, NY – Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
20 – San Antonio, TX – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
21 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
26 – Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center – Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
27 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre

November
3 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
4 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center

December
1 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre
2 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

January
12 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
13 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
19 – Fort Myers, FL – Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
20 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
27 – Melbourne, FL – Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
28 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts

* Two additional dates to be announced

(Photo – Emily Butler Photography)

Finland’s Chaoszine recently caught up with former Nightwish vocalist and current solo artist Tarja Turunen to discuss her journey as a metal vocalist. Check out the interview below.

Tarja Turunen comes to Pratteln, Switzerland to headline a first class Z7 Summer Night this July 8th. Joining the symphonic metal queen is her former Nightwish bandmate, Marko Hietala, and a very special guest to be announced soon. The opener Illumishade completes the line-up. 

More details will be revealed soon. Tickets are available here.

Tarja was a member of Nightwish from 1996 until 2005, recording five studio albums with the band. Following her public and controversial firing from Nightwish in 2005, Tarja embarked on a successful solo career. She has released nine solo albums since 2006.

Marko Hietala, best known as Tarot’s frontman before joining Nightwish in 2001 following the departure of bassist Sami Vänskä, recorded six albums with the band. In January 2021 he announced his departure from Nightwish, but has remained active as a solo artist, as well as recording with Therion and performing with Northern Kings.

KISS were supposed to kick off the final UK / European leg of their End Of The Road Tour on June 3, 2023 at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium in Plymouth, England. That date has since disappeared from the official KISS website, and the tour now begins on June 5, 2023 at Arena in Birmingham, England.

According to Katie Timms of Plymouth Live, KISS and the show’s promoter, Robomagic, announced it was cancelling the opening night of the End Of The Road Tour, set to begin in Plymouth. They said the show would no longer be able to proceed in the city, due to ‘logistical reasons’.

It also stated there were travel and equipment complications. Everyone who has purchased a ticket will be able to get a refund, or can exchange their ticket for one of the upcoming shows in Birmingham, Newcastle, London, Manchester or Glasgow.

A spokesperson for Home Park Stadium said it was disappointed but understand the logistical constraints and wish the band all the best for the rest of the tour. In a statement, Home Park said: “We are really sorry to hear that KISS can no longer perform at Home Park Stadium this summer. Ticket holders are advised to contact the agent where they purchased their tickets from.”

 

Alter Bridge were forced to cancel their May 20th appearance at Welcome To Rockville 2023 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida due to frontman Myles Kennedy coming down with a respiratory infection. They issued the following statement:

With the recent completion of their successful 30-city North American Pawns & Kings Tour, rockers Alter Bridge are announcing the next leg of dates in the NA market.

Keeping the family vibe going from the last tour, longtime friends Sevendust and recent tour mates Mammoth WVH will be joining Alter Bridge on this run.

The tour kicks off August 1 in Buffalo, NY and end August 31 in Council Bluffs, IA. The tour will make stops in Asbury Park, NJ; Richmond, VA; Quebec City, QC and San Antonio, TX to name a few markets. MJT – the Long Island trio of brothers – will join the last seven stops of the tour.

Tickets are available now. Complete individual routing, ticket information and VIP experiences for each band for the shows can be found on each band’s website: Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH.

Tour dates:

August
1 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Event Complex ^
2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage ^
4 – Charlestown, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino *^
5 – Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino Outdoors ^
7 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE! ^
8 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion ^
10 – Quebec City, QC – Agora Port de Québec ^
12 – Mashantucket, CT – The Premier Theater (at Foxwoods Resort Casino) ^
13 – Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena ^
16 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair #^
17 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live *^
19 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater ^
20 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port ^
22 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre *
23 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center *
25 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe *
26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom *
28 – Fargo, ND – Outdoors at Fargo Brewing *
29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore *
31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove *

* No Mammoth WVH
# No Sevendust
^ No MJT

May 21, 2023, an hour ago

news dire straits mark knopfler classic rock

Professor Of Rock has released the new video below, along with the following message:

“One day, Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler was shopping in a retail store and he happened to eavesdrop on two meathead workers ranting about rock stars and how easy they have it. It was such an interesting conversation that he borrowed a piece of paper and wrote down what they said verbatim. He turned it into one of the biggest hits ever. Yet this frontman got lambasted by critics for using their exact conversation. It was controversial, for sure, but it was also meant to be satire. Later, the song was banned. Earlier, a happy accident in the studio created the iconic guitar sound that’s become a part of our culture, and then the band had an idea to get Sting to sing on the song. He happened to be in town windsurfing and was able to record an iconic line, ‘I Want My MTV’, that would make it very simple to market especially on MTV. Later, Weird Al Yankovic would parody it with Knopfler playing the guitar. It would be the defining track on Dire Straits 1985 masterpiece blockbuster, Brothers In Arms. The story is next on Professor of Rock.”