Metallica Announces Third Round Of Sphere Dates
For those who thought a second round of Sphere shows would handle the overwhelming demand for Metallica's upcoming residency, think again. Yesterday, the band announced a third round of shows . The new dates are February 4 & 6, 18 & 20, 25 & 27. The general on-sale for the new shows begins today. This brings the total number of scheduled shows at the iconic Vegas venue to 20. For ticket information and the complete list of dates, check out the band's website.
STING: Two in Two It's been a busy week for Sting. Wednesday, he released an “Expanded Edition” of his fifth album, Mercury Falling on all streaming platforms in celebration of its 30th anniversary — March 4th, 1996. And now he's announced a new live album recorded this past January in Amsterdam at the Rijksmuseum [pr: RIKES-museum]as part of the ARTE Sounds Like Art initiative. Sting – The Night Watch: Live at the Rijksmuseum saw him perform in front of Rembrandt’s painting The Night Watch in the museum's Gallery of Honour. Playing a 17th century guitar crafted for Louis XIV’s court, he performed an acoustic mix of solo and Police
songs, including “Fragile,” “Fields of Gold,” “Shape of My Heart,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take.” It will be released on CD and vinyl on June 26th. The concert was also filmed and will premiere today (Thursday) on Arte’s YouTube channel and Arte.tv.
JOHN MELLENCAMP: Careful
John Mellencamp continues to post videos sarcastically showing him trying to get in shape for his Dancing Words - The Greatest Hits Tour, which starts on July 10th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This latest one shows him on the beach in what appears to be Santa Monica, California hanging on to pull-up loops while smoking a cigarette. He captioned it, "I'm gettin' there." This follows videos of him sitting and smoking while doing voice exercises and saying he’s trying to get his voice in shape, and one of him walking on a treadmill while smoking.
Of course smoking is not recommended, but he's credited cigarettes for the current sound of his voice during an interview in 2017 with fellow Hoosier Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning.
"I sound like a black guy singing now. I mean that's what I wanted. I wanted to sound like Louis Armstrong, but I didn't. I sounded like a white guy and now I got it. These are my babies, come on. Rightfully or wrongfully, I believe that it's the combination of cigarettes and alcohol that gets people. The two of them combined." The Dancing Words Tour - Greatest Hits tour is his first amphitheater tour in 17 years, and he's promising a two-and-a-half-hour show.
SAMMY HAGAR: Peddling Pills
Sammy Hagar has had numerous ventures outside his music career -- a bike shop, travel agency, restaurants, lines of spirits -- so why not add another. He's teamed with Nature's Lab to develop Red Rocker Essentials, a line of nutritional supplements designed to support energy, stamina and everyday wellness at any age. He says, “I’ve taken supplements my whole life because I believe in fueling my body the right way. As I got older, I wasn’t interested in slowing down or masking fatigue. I wanted clean, natural nutrition to boost the stamina needed to keep up with my lifestyle. Red Rocker Essentials is exactly that. This is what I take...
“I’ve been working on this with Nature’s Lab, a company that makes healthy, all-natural supplements. They made a formula that was right for my needs. Because if it’s right for me, it’s
right for a lot of people that have an active lifestyle and need an occasional energy boost without the crash! We got it right."
Red Rocker Essentials was developed over more than a year through extensive formulation, testing and collaboration, including multiple visits by Hagar to Nature’s Lab’s Las Vegas manufacturing facility. They are made with bioavailable ingredients and no unnecessary fillers, formulated to support everything from flexibility and muscle building to oxygen and brain health. Hagar adds, “For me, energy is about freedom. It’s about waking up ready to live, move, create and enjoy life. That’s what Red Rocker Essentials stands for.”
The Red Rocker Essentials lineup includes: Red Rocker Essentials Energy Support - a daily energy formula powered by enfinity Paraxanthine, the compound the body naturally converts caffeine into, combined with high-dose methylated B vitamins, acetyl L-carnitine and taurine to support cellular energy and mental focus. The natural mixed berry flavor contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or sugar.
*** Red Rocker Essentials Men’s Multivitamin - a once-daily, one-capsule formula designed around men’s health priorities. It includes saw palmetto, selenium, and lycopene for prostate support; turmeric for joint comfort; zinc and boron to support healthy testosterone levels; and vitamin K2 for heart health.
*** Red Rocker Essentials Women’s Multivitamin - a comprehensive daily formula supporting energy, immunity and balance, plus beauty from the inside out. Key ingredients include ultra-high vitamin D3, methylated B vitamins, hyaluronic acid, silica, and chelated minerals for optimal absorption. ***Red Rocker Essentials are available at RedRockEressentials.com, Amazon and Walmart. Hagar and his Best of All Worlds Band start a Las Vegas residency on Wednesday, March 11th, at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
***These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
MICK FLEETWOOD: Gym Jam Mick Fleetwood continues to post videos on Instagram of himself drumming along to classic songs in his home gym. But instead of a drum kit, where we are accustomed to seeing him sit, he's using oversized drum sticks to bang on a bamboula drum, an exercise ball, and a Bosu. So far he's drummed along to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash," The Beatles' "Come Together," The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive," Slash and Chris Stapleton's interpretation of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well," and from his former Fleetwood Mac bandmate Peter Green, "Gotta See Her Tonight."
DAVE MASON: A Whole New Hole
While Dave Mason is no longer touring due to a medical condition, it doesn't mean he's stopped working. He's just published a second book, Hole in My Shoe, this one for children, based on the first song he ever wrote, "Hole in My Shoe,” which he recorded and released with Traffic in 1967. He says, "I’ve had the lyrics beautifully illustrated and re-recorded the song, which is included as a download inside the book. John McFee of The Doobie Brothers
played on the track, mastered it, and helped bring it vibrantly into the present. [My wife]
Winifred lent her voice to the spoken parts, adding a special touch. "Revisiting my very first song at this point in my journey has brought a quiet thrill and deep sense of joy. I hope you can feel that same spirit in this new chapter of its life!" To order the book, which you can have signed, personalized or unsigned, go to DaveMasonMusic.com/Hole-In-My-Shoe-book.
When released by Traffic in 1967, "Hole in My Shoe" spent 14 weeks on the UK charts, peaking at number-two, which must have come as a surprise to the band's other three members -- Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood -- who reportedly didn't like it because they felt that it didn't represent the band's musical or lyrical style.
Warren Zevon's Final Live Performance Getting Special Vinyl Release
Warren Zevon's last live performance is getting a special vinyl release. "Epilogue: Live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival" will be released on an opaque metallic silver vinyl next month. The album captures Zevon's performance at Canada's Edmonton Fold Music Festival in August of 2002. The release includes liner notes from bandmate Matt Cartsonis, who played with Zevon during his final performance. "Epilogue: Live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival" will be out on April 17th and is available to preorder now.
Bruce Johnston Leaves Beach Boys
Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston is quitting the legendary band. The vocalist, songwriter, bassist and keyboardist first joined the band way back in 1965 when he would fill in for founder Brian Wilson during live performances. His first vocals were on the iconic hit "California Girls." The 83-year-old said he's going to spend the next part of his career developing speaking engagements. His departure leaves Mike Love as the only original member left in the touring band.
HOLE: What Led Love Down That Rabbit Hole?
Courtney Love cleared up her Instagram post on Tuesday that led fans to think she was reuniting with Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. After captioning a video of Auf der Maur with, “So do we tell the kids about the tour … ?” she now says there's "Not a reunion baby. Me and [Auf der Maur] touring new songs.” And Courtney replied to a post by Spin magazine on this story, saying, "No Hole reunion, [Auf der Maur] playing shows, new songs.” While you try and make sense of what she means, Auf der Maur will be heading out on a book tour on March 17th for her memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry, which will be published that day.
The last time that Love and Auf der Maur performed together was in 2018, performing a couple of Hole songs during a Love tribute at Basilica Hudson, the Hudson, New York venue that Auf der Maur co-founded. The last time the most popular lineup of Hole -- which included drummer Patty Schemel and guitarist Eric Erlandson -- played together was in 2012.
IN OTHER NEWS
Guns N’ Roses will follow up their headlining slot at the Adelaide Grand Final motorcar race on November 29th in Adelaide, Australia with five more shows in December in Australia and one in Auckland, New Zealand.
Sharon Osbourne says there are plans for the Ozzy Osbourne exhibit currently on display at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to “tour the world.”
Dee Snider says the only other person who could replace him in Twisted Sister beside Sebastian Bach – who got the job – is his son Jesse. Snider bowed out of the band’s 50th anniversary reunion tour due to health issues. Bach will tour with the band in the fall.
Pat Benatar and George Thorogood will headline the One805LIVE! music festival at actor Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams in Montecito, California on September 25th and 26th. Joe Walsh celebrated his 32nd year of sobriety Saturday. He wrote, “I may be onstage playing show 52 [with the Eagles] here at the Sphere in Las Vegas, but it’s also my 32nd birthday of asking Him to remove my fear and direct my attention to what He would have me be. If I can do it, anybody can. Show 52 wouldn’t be possible without these 32 years.”
Brian May will host a listening party for the deluxe reissue of Queen II on March 26th in London, the day before the album is released. He says, “I wish it were a big place so we could invite you all ... but this is very intimate --- except it will hopefully connect all around the world through my live and lovely Instagram channel --- on Bri-TV!!!”
Guns N’ Roses will follow up their headlining slot at the Adelaide Grand Final motorcar race on November 29th in Adelaide, Australia with five more shows in December in Australia and one in Auckland, New Zealand.
Sharon Osbourne says there are plans for the Ozzy Osbourne exhibit currently on display at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to “tour the world.”
Dee Snider says the only other person who could replace him in Twisted Sister beside Sebastian Bach – who got the job – is his son Jesse. Snider bowed out of the band’s 50th anniversary reunion tour due to health issues. Bach will tour with the band in the fall.
Pat Benatar and George Thorogood will headline the One805LIVE! music festival at actor Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams in Montecito, California on September 25th and 26th. Joe Walsh celebrated his 32nd year of sobriety Saturday. He wrote, “I may be onstage playing show 52 [with the Eagles] here at the Sphere in Las Vegas, but it’s also my 32nd birthday of asking Him to remove my fear and direct my attention to what He would have me be. If I can do it, anybody can. Show 52 wouldn’t be possible without these 32 years.”
Brian May will host a listening party for the deluxe reissue of Queen II on March 26th in London, the day before the album is released. He says, “I wish it were a big place so we could invite you all ... but this is very intimate --- except it will hopefully connect all around the world through my live and lovely Instagram channel --- on Bri-TV!!!”
On This Day ·
in 1930, Clarence Birdseye's frozen food first hit the market in Springfield, Massachusetts.
· In 1970 - The Beatles' compilation album Hey Jude went Gold.
· In 1975 - Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti album was certified Gold. · in 1981, Walter Cronkite signed off the “CBS Evening News” for the last time. · in 1982, the Spurs defeated Milwaukee 171-166 in triple-overtime in San Antonio in what was then the highest scoring game in NBA history. The mark of 337 points was erased when Detroit beat Denver 186-184, also in triple-overtime, December 13, 1983, for a total of 370 points.
· In 1998 - Oasis singer Liam Gallagher appeared handcuffed in a Brisbane court on charges of head butting a fan during a gig in Australia. Gallagher was released on bail.
· In 2000 - Eric Clapton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making him the first person to be inducted three times. He was also inducted as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream.
· In 2012 - Bruce Springsteen released his seventeenth studio album, Wrecking Ball. · in 2012, a woman from Nebraska sold a three-year-old McNugget for a total of $8,100 on eBay. The woman claimed that the McNugget resembled George Washington, and that she wanted to sell it to raise money to send children to a summer camp. The auction site eased its rules on selling expired food for the woman so that she could raise money to support her cause.
· In 2013 - English guitarist, singer, Alvin Lee died at age 68. Lee's performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 was captured in the documentary film and his 'lightning-fast' playing helped catapult him to stardom
· In 2020 - The South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, becomes the first major American festival canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Other tours and festivals around the world were called off soon after in efforts to limit the outbreak.