Garth in Country Hall of Fame
Garth Brooks has been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with singer Connie Smith and prolific session keyboardist Hargus “Pig” Robbins, announced the Country Music Association. The induction ceremony will take place later this year at the Hall of Fame’s Ford Theatre in Nashville.
The 50-year-old Brooks has sold nearly 130 million albums since the release of his debut album in 1989. The singer retired from 2001-2009, but re-emerged after signing a five year concert deal with the Encore Hotel and Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas.
The 50-year-old Brooks has sold nearly 130 million albums since the release of his debut album in 1989. The singer retired from 2001-2009, but re-emerged after signing a five year concert deal with the Encore Hotel and Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas.
Smith, 70, was discovered in 1964 by Bill Anderson. Her debut single, “Once a Day,” went to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. He logged 19 more country Top 10 singles. She semi-retired in the ‘70s. This lasted until 1997 when she married country star Marty Stuart and launched a comeback. The next year she released a self-titled album that was her first album in 20 years. Smith has a March 31 date in Brownfield, Maine before appearing with Stuart on April 7 in Conroe, Texas and with Lorrie Morgan in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on April 14.
Robbins, 74, lost his sight during an accident when he was four. He’s played recording session by the likes of Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Alan Jackson. He was named Musician of the Year by the CMA in 1976 and again in 2000.
Robbins, 74, lost his sight during an accident when he was four. He’s played recording session by the likes of Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Alan Jackson. He was named Musician of the Year by the CMA in 1976 and again in 2000.
Monkees Not Attending Davy’s Funeral
Because Davy Jones’ family wants a private, low-key funeral in Florida, surviving Monkees Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz, will not attend, reports Perez Hilton. The funeral has been set for Wednesday, reports the Hollywood Reporter.
However, Dolenz says, “My understanding is that they want to avoid a media circus.” He added, “You can imagine as soon one or two or any of us were to show up, it would very quickly be degraded into something that I don’t think his immediate family would want to deal with.”
Jones spokeswoman Helen Kensick said that public memorials were in the works in New York and Britain. Dolenz said he hoped the three surviving group members would reunite for these events.
However, Dolenz says, “My understanding is that they want to avoid a media circus.” He added, “You can imagine as soon one or two or any of us were to show up, it would very quickly be degraded into something that I don’t think his immediate family would want to deal with.”
Jones spokeswoman Helen Kensick said that public memorials were in the works in New York and Britain. Dolenz said he hoped the three surviving group members would reunite for these events.
It’s been revealed that Jones, who died on February 29 at 66, suffered a massive heart attack while he was at home in his stables tending to his horses. He spent his last weekend riding with his family. His family said that donations be made in his name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
This summer, Dolenz, 66, will spend his summer as part of the Turtles’ annual Happy Together tour that also features The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap and The Grass Roots. The tour makes a July 14 stop at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa. Tork, 70, will appear at the Motor City Comic Con on May 19-20 and at the Sellersville Theatre in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, on June 8.
Peter Gabriel & Rush Pull Songs on Limbaugh’s Show
Canadian rockers Rush and Peter Gabriel has demanded that Rush Limbaugh immediately stop using their music on the controversial Conservative firebrand’s radio show, reports CBS News and the Huffington Post.
For years, Limbaugh used Rush’s “Spirit of Radio” and “Bravado” when he went into and came out of commercial breaks. He used Gabriel’s 1986 No. 1 smash single, “Sledgehammer,” during his now-infamous on-air rants against Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke. Limbaugh eventually apologized to Fluke.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, a representative for British singer Peter Gabriel, 62, wrote, “Peter was appalled to learn that his music was linked to Rush Limbaugh’s extraordinary attack on Sandra Fluke. It is obvious from anyone that knows Peter’s work that he would never approve such a use. He asked his representatives to make sure his music is withdrawn and especially from these unfair aggressive and ignorant comments.”
For years, Limbaugh used Rush’s “Spirit of Radio” and “Bravado” when he went into and came out of commercial breaks. He used Gabriel’s 1986 No. 1 smash single, “Sledgehammer,” during his now-infamous on-air rants against Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke. Limbaugh eventually apologized to Fluke.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, a representative for British singer Peter Gabriel, 62, wrote, “Peter was appalled to learn that his music was linked to Rush Limbaugh’s extraordinary attack on Sandra Fluke. It is obvious from anyone that knows Peter’s work that he would never approve such a use. He asked his representatives to make sure his music is withdrawn and especially from these unfair aggressive and ignorant comments.”
Gabriel, who left Genesis in 1975 for a solo career, will undertake a short six-concert German tour in May. Rush are currently off the road and have no concerts scheduled.
Mariah Carey Returns
Mariah Carey returned to the stage for the first time since giving birth to twins in April. Before several hundred fans at Gotham Hall in New York City, the 41-year-old superstar with the five-octave range sang a number of her hits during her brief set as well as a cover of The Jackson Five’s “I’ll Be There.” Carey told the crowd, “I didn’t realize this was a big deal. Catch me at my real show next time.”
Wilson Phillips Honor Their Musical Roots
Sisters Carney and Wendy Wilson, daughter of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and Chynna Phillips, daughter of John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas, formed the hugely successful pop trio Wilson Phillips in 1989. Their self-title debut album that was released the following year sold more than 10 million copies and racked up three No. 1 singles.
The lifelong friend’s latest album, “Dedicated,” that comes out April 3, is a tribute to their actual and musical roots, since they are one and the same. The upcoming CD finds them paying homage to their parent’s groups, dividing the 12 songs equally. Among the songs covered are The Beach Boys’ “Do It Again” and “God Only Knows,” and The Mamas and The Papas’ “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Twelve-Thirty.”
The lifelong friend’s latest album, “Dedicated,” that comes out April 3, is a tribute to their actual and musical roots, since they are one and the same. The upcoming CD finds them paying homage to their parent’s groups, dividing the 12 songs equally. Among the songs covered are The Beach Boys’ “Do It Again” and “God Only Knows,” and The Mamas and The Papas’ “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Twelve-Thirty.”
The trio has three shows in Florida set for March 21-23. They’ll perform at the Embarcadero Marine Park South in San Diego, August 17 and 18.
Another Robin Gibb Update
Robin Gibb’s doctors tell him that his liver and colon cancer is in remission, according to Britain’s Mirror. Less than two weeks ago, the former Bee Gees singer was again in the hospital amid speculation that he’d taken a turn for the worse. The paper quotes Gibb as saying, “I am beating it.”
The 62-year-old told his managers that he wants to fulfill the work commitments that he has scheduled through the summer. In addition, the paper revealed that he is booked for a trip to the U.S. for an upcoming appearance on “The Piers Morgan Show” on CNN.
It was only three weeks ago that Gibb made his first concert appearance in many a moon, signing his and his brothers’ classics, “How Deep is Your Love’ and “I’ve Gotta Get a Message To You” at a Royal British Legion benefit concert in London.
Guitarist Ronnie Montrose Dies
Hard rocking guitar great Ronnie Montrose, whose ‘70s band, Montrose, launched singer Sammy Hagar to fame and fortune that far eclipsed his own, died at 64 at his home in Millbrae, a couple miles south of San Francisco, after battling prostate cancer for years.
Montrose first found fame playing on Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” LP in 1972 before briefly joining Boz Skaggs’ band and then spending 1972 in The Edgar Winter Group, where he played lead on the Winter biggies, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.”
Montrose first found fame playing on Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” LP in 1972 before briefly joining Boz Skaggs’ band and then spending 1972 in The Edgar Winter Group, where he played lead on the Winter biggies, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.”
The Montrose band received radio airplay with the songs “Space Station 5” and “Rock Candy” from its 1973 self-titled debut album. In 1978, the gunslinger axeman received critical acclaim and some radio play with his instrumental take on motion picture composer Dimitri Tiomkin’s theme song to the 1961 Kirk Douglas film, “Town Without Pity.”
On Rolling Stone’s website, Hagar wrote that Montrose, “gave me my first break as a songwriter, as a recording artist and as a touring artist, and for that I will always be grateful.”
Hagar mentioned that he spoke frequently in the weeks before his death because he and Montrose were planning a reunion with all the members of the original Montrose band in Cabo San Lucas for the singer’s 65th birthday this October 13 at Hagar’s restaurant and bar, Cabo Wabo.
Hagar finished his remembrance by writing, “The only positive I can grab onto is the fact that the music will live on. It’s a shame to lose Ronnie and I’m so sorry for his loved one. Rest in peace.”
Disney Composer Robert Sherman Dies
Robert Sherman, who, with his brother, Richard, wrote the music for such Disney films as “The Jungle Book,” “The Aristocats,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Mary Poppins,” died in London at 86.
The duo also penned the fun “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and the Oscar-winning Best Song, “Chim Chim Cheree,” both for “Mary Poppins”; and “It’s a Small World After All,” for the popular ride at Disneyland that also became a beloved classic.
The duo also penned the fun “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and the Oscar-winning Best Song, “Chim Chim Cheree,” both for “Mary Poppins”; and “It’s a Small World After All,” for the popular ride at Disneyland that also became a beloved classic.
New Releases
Among the recently released CDs, deluxe packages and re-issues include Bruce Springsteen’s latest, “Wrecking Ball”; a 2-CD import, “First Lady of Folk 1958-61” from Joan Baez; the 2-CD “The Essential Clannad”; an import, “The Imperial Singles, Volume 5: 1962-64,” from Fats Domino; a 3-CD import, “The Best of Bob Dylan”; “Go Your Own Way Live 1977” from Fleetwood Mac; “The Complete Columbia Singles” from former Paul Revere & The Raiders singer Mark Lindsay.
An import, “American Cutie” from Little Feat; “17 Pine Avenue” from The New Riders of the Purple Sage; “Fata Morgana: Nico’s Last Concert” from the one-time Velvet Underground singer; “Rockpalast 1983” from Public Image Ltd.; a 2CD, “The Complete Epic Recordings” from Rick Nelson; a 2-CD import, “Back to the Bars,” from Todd Rundgren; an import, “Chrysalis Years 1980-1984” from The Michael Schenker Group”; and Steeleye Span’s “Now We Are Six Again.”
An import, “American Cutie” from Little Feat; “17 Pine Avenue” from The New Riders of the Purple Sage; “Fata Morgana: Nico’s Last Concert” from the one-time Velvet Underground singer; “Rockpalast 1983” from Public Image Ltd.; a 2CD, “The Complete Epic Recordings” from Rick Nelson; a 2-CD import, “Back to the Bars,” from Todd Rundgren; an import, “Chrysalis Years 1980-1984” from The Michael Schenker Group”; and Steeleye Span’s “Now We Are Six Again.”
Now Playing
Classic acts from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s continue to perform. Here’s what some of them are doing.
Pat Boone found fame in the late ‘50s with pop hits like “Love Letters in the Sand” and also by recording Top 40 versions of black R&B hits that white radio programmer judged too ethnic for their listeners. Billboard lists him as the second biggest selling recording artists of the ‘50s, behind only Elvis Presley.
Still performing at 77, the singer with the trademark white buckskin loafers has two concerts set for this year, on April 27 and 28 in, respectively, Bloomington, Illinois at its Center for the Performing Arts and at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, Indiana. He’s also the national TV spokesman for the Safe Step Walk-In Tub, so he’s on the tube a lot these days.
Still performing at 77, the singer with the trademark white buckskin loafers has two concerts set for this year, on April 27 and 28 in, respectively, Bloomington, Illinois at its Center for the Performing Arts and at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, Indiana. He’s also the national TV spokesman for the Safe Step Walk-In Tub, so he’s on the tube a lot these days.
Pat’s daughter, Debbie Boone, 55, took the ballad, “You Light Up My Life,” to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart for a seeming eternity, 10 weeks, in 1977. The singer who’s recorded mostly Contemporary Christian music the past three decades, played several dozen dates annually. She’ll be at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on May 19.
Debbie and Pat Boone will appear together on a father-daughter bill at Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri from October 8-13.
Debbie and Pat Boone will appear together on a father-daughter bill at Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri from October 8-13.
I write a new Classic Pop, Rock and Country Music News column every week. Like, recommend or share the column on Facebook. Contact me by email at Classicpopmusicnews@gmail.com.
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