Main Menu
Classic Rock News And Views
Browse: Classic Rock Gear Classic Rock Ringtones Classic Rock Posters
March 11, 2010
Ron Wood Works Towards Sobriety – Considers Marriage
The drama that was Ron Wood’s life seems to have subsided. The Rolling Stones guitarist is said to be working hard to stay sober, and is “desperate to give up for good.” There’s some high-powered support for Wood, which is being credited as a great help to him.
Including on Wood’s support team are fellow Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, long-time friend and former Faces band mate Rod Stewart, as well as pop star Elton Jon. Jagger reportedly calls Wood regularly to check up on him, and offer encouragement.
Perhaps even more encouragement and support comes by way of Wood’s new girlfriend. Wood has been seeing 30-year-old Ana Arujo since around the beginning of the year, and it is said that the Brazilian beauty has had a very positive influence on his life. So positive in fact, that is is being reported by the Daily Express that Wood is considering marrying her.
Wood split not long ago from Ekaterina Ivanova, ending a tumultuous affair that certainly kept the two in the spotlight, and did not seem to do much good for Wood’s struggles with addiction. The affair ended after a particularly nasty fight between the two that resulted in the police being called to the scene.
In other Rolling Stones news, a recent story in Rolling Stone magazine quotes guitarist Keith Richards regarding the possibility of a new Stones album in the not-too-distant future.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we did some recording later this year,” Richards said. “I don’t know how the rest of them feel about roadwork at the moment. Maybe we’ll search for a different way for the Stones to go back on the road.”
In contrast to Ron Wood, Richards seems to have no problems with the relationship he has with alcohol. After rumors that he had given up drinking, Richards had this to say: “Listen, the rumors of my sobriety are greatly exaggerated. And we’ll leave it at that.”
Leaves little doubt why actor Johnny Depp chose Richards to model certain characteristics of his Pirates of The Caribbean character, “Captain Jack Sparrow” after Richards.
February 26, 2010
Classic Favorites Announce Summer Tours
It’s that time of year. Rock stars, promoters, managers and roadies start to prep for that next road trip, while fans hope it will bring their favorite act to a city near them.
It’s been eight years since Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers released their last studio album, but that drought is set to end with the release of Mojo. The album is due sometime this spring, along with the kickoff of a tour that one might expect to coincide with the release date of the album.
Petty’s tour begins in Raleigh, NC on May 6 and is scheduled to wrap up on August 27 in Saratoga Springs, NY. The tour will be supported by other acts, including Joe Cocker, Drive-By Truckers, ZZ Top, and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Another classic rocker gearing up for a busy summer schedule is the Steve Miller Band. The man well known for such FM radio classics as “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Jet Airliner” is set to ease into the new tour with a single date next Tuesday in Nashville, and won’t resume until May 21st when they roll into Henderson, NV. The tour will continue through the end of July.
In addition to the tour, a new album is planned for release, although a firm date has not been announced yet. Some material from the new album, which was recorded at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, will be showcased during the tour. No title has been announced for the new album yet.
We’ve been hearing stories from Aerosmith over the past few weeks suggesting that the band was coming back to life after a tumultuous period that had many fans wondering if the group would ever reappear with veteran frontman Steven Tyler again.
Well, it seems as if the boys are all back in one another’s good graces and Tyler will be rejoining his long-time mates for some road work across the pond. A recent announcement by Tyler states that he is back with the group and that Aerosmith will be “coming your way and rocking your world.”
It’s unclear when Aerosmith will be rocking audiences here in the United States again, since the only dates announced so far are for performances in Europe. The 11-date tour, entitled the “Cocked, Locked and Ready to Rock” tour hits Sweden on June 10, and winds its way down into Italy for the final show on July 3rd. Perhaps the boys want to be home in time to set off some fireworks and enjoy some July 4th celebrating.
February 23, 2010
Yes Tour A Success Says Squire
Chris Squire sounds like a happy guy. With the end of the Yes tour just around the corner, he has nothing but good things to say about the recent history of the venerable group; one that has weathered dramatic personnel changes during its four decades of existence.
“Most people who come to see us have a real favorable opinion of Benoit. I have heard nothing but positive feedback,” the veteran bassist says regarding their current lead singer Benoit David. David, who came into the limelight after what must have been a pretty successful run as part of a Yes tribute band, has been filling Jon Anderson’s shoes since Anderson was sidelined by health problems.
It’s not certain what the relationship between Anderson and the rest of the group is these days, but Squire has continued to say that they would like to do something with him again in the future. It sounds like Squire might be a bit less optimistic about the possibility of a full recovery than Anderson may be, and indicates that he does not think the singer will ever be well enough to take on a full-blown tour.
Although Anderson’s absence from the lineup seemed like it would be temporary situation at first, over the last two years that possibility has gradually diminished if Squire’s comments are any indication.
Yes –- in it’s current form – has started to talk about a new music. Squire confirms that they plan to work on new material that they hope to release at some point during the year. There’s obviously enough confidence in Benoit David among to other member of the group to grant him what is looking more and more like a permanent slot.
Squire’s comments fortify that speculation.
“When new members come in, they usually bring something that’s refreshing and exciting and full of energy, and I’m hoping that will happen this time, as well,” he says, referring to their plans to record new music.
Guitarist Steve Howe seems fully on board with the idea of including David as a permanent member of the group as well. His reference to the group’s many personnel changes over the years is an indication that he has no problems welcoming a new member.
“Peter Banks was a pretty fine guitarist when I took his place; (keyboardist) Rick Wakeman brought in something different coming in for Tony Kaye; and (drummer) Alan White took on a new role when Bill Bruford decided to try something more eclectic. People’s individual experience were allowed to come into the band,” Howe explains.
In addition to David, the group seems to have accepted keyboardist Oliver Wakeman as one of their own. As the son of former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Oliver is not quite the outsider that some might consider Benoit David to be, and he may not be subject to the same fan scrutiny that a lead vocalist might have to endure.
Squire, Howe and drummer Alan White seem determined to keep Yes alive in one incarnation or another. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is something fans will decide for themselves.
Read more on Yes at The News-Herald and The Palm Beach Post.
February 9, 2010
Led Zeppelin And The Super Bowl
The headline may seem a bit disjointed – okay, maybe very disjointed, but the whole Super Bowl thing featuring what’s left of The Who got me thinking about some of our favorite aging rockers and whether or not they should still be rocking, or in the case of The Who, attempting to rock.
Before I continue, let me pay homage to The Who. Yeah, I may have ripped on their Super Bowl gig, but despite any protestations from dedicated “Whooligans,” it really was a lackluster performance, and may just be the wakeup call that the NFL needed.
Yeah, you bet your ass I’m a classic rock fan, but the NFL should stick with the ones that can still put on a decent show for a high profile gig like the Super Bowl. That’s one seriously large audience.
Anyway, having already stated that I’ve never been a fan of The Who, there is no denying their legacy and their place among the most influential classic rock groups. I never cared much for their songwriting, but the boys could play. Their shows were probably some of the most dynamic and energetic of their era. And that’s exactly why they should not have tried to recapture their past by agreeing to perform at the Super Bowl.
There simply are some things you can no longer pull off at the age of 65 (note for nitpickers: I know Townshend is not quite 65 yet, but give him about 3 months), and as a performer, you should be aware of that. How can one possibly capture the energy that was poured into the kind of show that The Who was known for when one is eligible for Social Security, or in this case, considered a “pensioner.” Obviously, one cannot.
That brings me to Led Zeppelin. More specifically to Robert Plant. There was a lot of anticipation prior to their show at the O2 in London at the end of 2007. Many fans wondered if it would be the start if something big. Would the remaining members of the group reunite for a world tour? Would they record again? Was this it?
Following the O2 show — which by most accounts was a great success — the rumors and speculation intensified. Stories of Led Zeppelin products being cranked out at manufacturing facilities in Asia, and media reports indicating that the band was preparing for a tour had many people convinced that we were on the brink of the long-awaited Led Zeppelin reunion.
Looking back, it appears that Robert Plant may simply be too smart to play along. As much as guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones may want to relive their past, they would not be facing the same kind of pressure Plant would be dealing with.
Sure, it may not be a cake walk to tour when you are in your sixties, but it’s got to be much less physically demanding to stand on stage and play guitar or bass than it would be to belt out “Heartbreaker” for the world to see.
Although many felt that the success of the O2 show may have signaled a green light for a Led Zeppelin reunion, it may have signaled something entirely different for Robert Plant. Perhaps something along the lines of, “Good Lord, I’m glad I don’t have to do that every day.”
We’re all in the same boat, I’m afraid. While we may be able to stay up and party all night when we are in our teens, twenties or thirties, for the vast majority of us, that becomes less possible as we start easing into out fifties and sixties. We age and there’s no way to stop it, save for one, but few of us care to entertain that option.
What’s been preventing Robert Plant from agreeing to a reunion? Probably common sense, and a good understanding of his own physical limitations. He’s obviously enjoyed working with Alison Krauss, and they have had great success, even earning themselves five Grammy Awards.
He’s having a good time, he’s still singing, and he probably doesn’t need the money that he’d take in from a Led Zeppelin tour. He’s still Robert Plant – front man for one of the world’s best-known rock bands of all time. Why risk tarnishing his reputation by hitting the road and trying to recapture his youth?
I think there’s a good chance that Plant has made up his mind that he’s not willing to take that risk. And if he saw the Super Bowl half time show, he’s probably more convinced than ever.
February 4, 2010
Chris Squire on Yes – Past, Present and Future
As the only member of progressive rock group Yes who has remained on the roster throughout the group’s enduring history, Chris Squire is the go-to guy if one wants to learn about their history, evolution and influences. Those are exactly the kinds of things Squire talked over recently with Kevin O’Hare of MassLive.com.
It’s actually quite a good interview, and I picked up on a few things about the group that I had not previously heard about. For example, citing the 5th Dimension as an early influence is a bit of a surprise coming from the member of a progressive rock group, but I suppose it just further demonstrates the similarities that exist among various genres you can find if you care to dig deep enough.
Squire’s love for harmonies was shared by Jon Anderson and early versions of Yes actually covered some 5th Dimension material back in the late 1960’s when they started paying club dates, as they were both quite fond of the 5th Dimension’s The Magic Garden album.
More well known, but perhaps no less influential for Yes during their formative period was the music of Simon & Garfunkel. The Yes version of the duo’s well-known song “America” is said to have earned the the approval of the original writers.
The status of Jon Anderson appears to be unchanged according to Squire. Although Anderson has been out performing as a solo artist recently and has scheduled some dates in Canada next month and in early April, according to Squire his struggles with respiratory illness are still preventing him from touring with Yes, which is much more demanding in terms of material, as well as the number and frequency of shows.
Another surprise for people who may not be uber Yes fans is the relationship between Squire and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. They briefly formed up a group entitled XYZ during 1981, following the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Although Robert Plant was supposed to have joined with Squire and Page, that never quite came to fruition and XYZ was written into history with just a few demo recordings to their credit.
With regard to the variety of material Yes has produced over their long career, Squire reveals a little bit about his feelings regarding some of the group’s more diverse work, particularly the them-oriented album Tales from Topographic Oceans. Asked whether he thought that album “went too far,” Squire indicates that he thinks it did (I have to agree), but was also quick to point out that he thinks it gave the band credibility, and being that it was such a “bold out of the box move,” it contributed to the group’s longevity.
Currently, Squire seems quite content performing with the current incarnation of Yes. He’s particularly impressed with Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver, who has demonstrated a determined effort to remain true to the original material; something his father may have had a tendency to “bluff his way through” if he was so inclined.
With a tip of the hat to Jon Anderson, Squire confirms that stand-in frontman Benoit David will never sound quite like Anderson, but acknowledges that he has been well received by the fans and is holding his own.
It’s probably widely known that David was discovered via YouTube, but what may not have been detailed as publicly was the fact that during his first look at David performing with his Yes tribute band Close To The Edge on the video sharing site, he actually thought it was footage of Yes and wondered which performance it was from.
Yes continues their tour with a stop at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA on Monday.
