KISS: Kennedy Center Honoree
President Trump announced Wednesday (yesterday) that KISS will be recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. Joining them are country singer George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, actor Sylvester Stallone, and actor and singer Michael Crawford. The celebrities are typically honored at The White House in December followed by a tribute show at the Kennedy Center, which airs later in the month on CBS. KISS joins a long list of musicians recognized by the Kennedy Center that includes:
·Bruce Springsteen
·U2
·Bob Dylan
·Elton John
·Paul McCartney
·Led Zeppelin
·Billy Joel
·Carlos Santana
·Sting
·Eagles
·Grateful Dead
Joe Perry: Steven Tyler "Doesn't Want To Tour"
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler "doesn't want to tour." That's what bandmate and guitarist Joe Perry said in a recent interview. Aerosmith had to end their 2023 "Peace Out" farewell tour after Tyler injured his larynx. Tyler has been back on stage a handful of times, most recently at last month's "Back to the Beginning" farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne. Aerosmith has performed a couple residencies in Las Vegas, but when asked if another Vegas residency is possible, Perry replied "I'll never say never, but I wouldn't bet on it." He followed that with "No pun intended." But Perry changes his tune when asked about a final Aerosmith show, saying he "would bet that there's an Aerosmith show left."
Eddie Van Halen's Iconic Guitar Expected To Sell For Staggering Amount
Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer electric guitar, a piece of rock history, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's New York in October.The black-white-and-red striped guitar, modeled after Van Halen's iconic "Frankenstrat" design, is expected to fetch between two to three-million, per Consequence. The instrument was used by Van Halen during his 1982-83 tours and later became a part of Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars's collection.
SCORPIONS: Rhythm of Teaching
The Scorpions have launched an online masterclass. Singer Klaus Meine says he and his bandmates are discussing their history, working in the studio, songwriting, touring, the music business and more. "For all you music lovers out there, maybe picking up something for your own career to start, hopefully very soon -- picking up a guitar, drums, vocals. Check it out and maybe it's the right path for you." The Meet Your Master class contains 10 chapters spread over more than seven hours. It comes with an eBook and is available in English and German. Details at MeetYourMaster.de. The class is being offered as part of their 60th anniversary celebration, which ill see their bio-pic, Wind of Change, hit theaters later this year, and an album, Coming Home Live, recorded at their 60th anniversary concert on July 5th in their hometown of Hannover, Germany being released on CD and vinyl on November 14th. The Scorpions start a five-night residency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this Thursday through August 23rd.
ALICE COOPER: Wants to Go to Springfield
If ever there was a real-life "animated" rock star who would be perfect for The Simpsons,
it's Alice Cooper. But, while many of his peers and colleagues have made appearances on the animated FOX show, he tells Grammy.com he's never been asked, and if he were, he's in.
"When The Simpsons came out, they were totally unique. It was really, really funny. I really admired what they were doing. “I showed up on Family Guy. They used my music a lot. I thought Family Guy was probably more pointed, but I couldn’t say [it was] more clever. They were both really very clever.” Cooper has also made appearances on Amy Poehler’s animated series Duncanville, and, way back in 1978, The Muppet Show, which he says was his "favorite thing in the world... I loved the show — it was a very funny show, very clever. I asked them, ‘Who’s done the show recently?’ They said, Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, and I went, ‘I’m in!’ If those guys can do The Muppets … I haven’t earned the pedigree that those guys have, so I will definitely do it..."That ended up being the reference point to an entire generation, me doing The Muppet Show. It’s amazing, to this day people go, ‘I discovered you on The Muppet Show, and after that I went and got all your albums.’” Cooper starts a U.S. tour this Friday in Philadelphia, opening for My Chemical Romance, followed by his own headlining shows.
Among the musicians who appeared on The Simpsons are:
·Ringo Starr
·Aerosmith
·Red Hot Chili Peppers
·George Harrison
·Paul & Linda McCartney
·U2
·The Who
·Mick Jagger
·Keith Richards
·Tom Petty
·Metallica
·Sammy Hagar
CHRISSIE HYNDE: Duets With Members of Killers, Black Keys, Blondie
Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders has teamed up with a bunch of famous singers for her latest project. Billed as Chrissie Hynde and Pals, Duets Special will be out on October 17th. The album sees her do covers with Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Shirley Manson of Garbage and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. The first single from the album is a cover of "Always on My Mind" with Rufus Wainwright, whose husband Jörn inspired the project during a phone call. Hynde says, "I think we were recommending novels to each other, and for some reason, I said, ‘Hey, maybe Rufus and I should do something,’ and quickly scribbled out 10 songs off the top of my head. So Jörn asked Rufus, who was up for it, and that’s how it started. A spontaneous and what I thought would be a fun thing.”
OASIS: What's The Store (Shopping Glory)
Oasis are launching pop-up stores in all four cities they're visiting on the North American leg of their reunion tour. The Los Angeles store will open August 20th, Toronto on August 21st, New York August 23rd and Chicago August 26th. Check out the band's Instagram for exact store locations. The stores will offer up menswear, womenswear, children’s wear and accessories, plus tees, hoodies, jackets and the limited-edition Adidas originals x Oasis collection. Oasis will start the North American leg of the tour on August 24th in Toronto.
IN OTHER NEWS
A special IMAX screening of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will be held on September 10th at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, two days before it opens in theaters (September 12th). Called the On, Off, and Around the Record Live Event, it will be streamed worldwide and will be followed by a Q&A with director Rob Reiner, and the band – Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer – all in character.
Foreigner, with their new singer Luis Maldonado have announced their first dates for next year. Backed by a 20-piece orchestra, they’ll do a five-night residency at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas from March 6th through the 14th followed by five dates in California from March 17th in Redding through the 22nd in San Jose. Foreigner are currently on tour with soon to be retired singer Kelly Hansen with dates in Lincoln, Nebraska tonight (Wednesday), Hammond, Indiana Friday and Gibson City, Illinois on Saturday.
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks have shared another track from the Buckingham Nicks reissue due out on September 19th. Check out "Don't Let Me Down Again" on YouTube.
Former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon has released a video for his new song, “Too Many Memories.” It shows him looking back at film and photos of his life, including those with the Eagles. Check it out on YouTube.