Classic Rock News

Getty ImagesIt was 54 years ago today (July 29th, 1967) that the Doors’ breakthrough hit “Light My Fire” began its three week run at Number One, launching the Southern California band internationally and immortalizing the band’s iconic frontman, Jim Morrison. Although the 2:52 single version of the track, which was edited from the 7:02 album…

PRPhotos.comStevie Nicks posted a note to fans in commemoration of the 40th anniversary this week of her 1981 solo debut, Bella Donna. She wrote candidly about being inspired by her then-boyfriend, Fleetwood Mac assistant engineer, Hernan Rojas, whose family played a role in the album’s title track: “This song was written about my boyfriend’s mother…

PRPhotos.comPat Benatar took to social media urging people not to drive under the influence. Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo’s younger daughter, actress Hana Giraldo, narrowly escaped death at the hands of a drunk driver on Monday night (July 26th), with the couple posting photo of their daughter’s totaled car on Facebook. Benatar wrote: “This is…

PRPhotos.comMammoth WVH, led by Wolfgang Van Halen performed its debut live gig on Tuesday night (July 27th). Blabbermouth reported the band played in Lawrence, Kansas at the 500-capacity club, Bottleneck, with V100 posting, “Wolf and the crew didn’t play any cover songs. No VAN HALEN, just straight up MAMMOTH WVH and it was phenomenal. So…

Getty ImagesZZ Top’s bassist for over 50 years, the great Dusty Hill, died in his sleep on July 27th at age 72. Hill’s cause of death is unknown, but on July 21st the band posted that he was “on a short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue.” The band canceled last night’s…

PRPhotos.comGuitarist Jeff Schroeder has opened up about Smashing Pumpkins’ next studio album. During a radio interview, he said, “We’re about halfway through working on another big album, which is, basically, I guess, a sequel to ‘Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness’ and ‘Machina’, so it’s the third in a trilogy — more of a concept-based…

PRPhotos.comSlash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators will release the flagship album from Gibson Records — an offshoot of Gibson Guitars and BMG. No title or release date for the collection has been announced. Slash said in a statement, “It’s an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records. It’s a zenith…

Getty ImagesREO Speedwagon is back on the road, and after opening last night (July 27th) in Selbyville, Delaware, the band soldiers on tonight (July 28th), hitting Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. REO is booked for a massive run of shows that doesn’t wrap until December 14th in Marietta, Ohio at Peoples Bank Theatre. In concert,…

PRPhotos.comDavid Crosby maintains that working with younger musicians has extended his creative life by a decade. Crosby is receiving raves for his just-released solo set, For Free. Jambase.com reported, during the season two premiere of Crosby’s Freak Flag Flying podcast with longtime friend and best-selling author Steve Silberman, “Croz” explained that working with his key…