Scorpions Biopic Due This Fall
If the upcoming career retrospective isn't enough Scorpions for you, stand by. It's been announced that a biopic about the band is currently in production. Alexander Dreymon ("The Last Kingdom") will play guitarist Rudolf Schenker, Ludwig Trepte ("Generation War") will portray lead singer Klaus Meine, Ed Speleers ("You," "Outlander") takes on the role of guitarist Matthias Jabs and Luke Brandon Field ("Interview With the Vampire," "Jojo Rabbit") will play drummer Herman Rarebell. The film, "Wind of Change," is named after their biggest hit and also their effect on the musical landscape. The film is expected to hit theaters this fall.
PAUL McCARTNEY: Fab Three
Paul McCartney has posted another of his edition of his "You Gave Me the Answer" column on his website. This time out, he was asked, "What albums have soundtracked your life?" He says, "My favorite albums by other people tend to be: Music from Big Pink by The Band, Pet Sounds
by The Beach Boys, and Harvest by Neil Young. They are the three classics that I love to listen to, and they all remind me of certain times in my life. "When I perform my own songs, the great thing is that they often bring back memories of recording them. That can often entail memories of John [Lennon] and George [Harrison] in the studio - sweet memories!" The Beatles did a version of The Band's "To Kingdom Come" off Music From Big Pink during the sessions for what became their Let It Be album. The Beatles' Rubber Soul inspired The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson to create Pet Sounds, which in turn inspired Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band. And Neil Young inducted McCartney into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Also, Paul was at the first night of England's Glastonbury festival Friday, taking in a set by Inhaler, featuring Bono's son, Elijah Hewson.
BAD COMPANY: Can't Get Enough of "Ralpher"
Bad Company have released their last performance of “Can’t Get Enough” with their founding guitarist Mick Ralphs, who wrote it for his previous band, Mott the Hoople. Paul Rodgers
and Simon Kirke issued a statement saying, "As we continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Mick Ralphs, we’re honored to share this powerful moment—his final performance of 'Can’t Get Enough' from London's O2 Arena on October 29th, 2016 (the last show on their UK tour). A song that helped define a generation, from the guitarist who wrote it." Shortly after the tour, Ralphs suffered a debilitating stroke. He succumbed to cancer and complications from the stroke on June 23rd. He was 81.
A few more artists have reacted to Ralphs' death. They include Robert Plant, who says, "Mick was a good man...his style was unique...his humor too. Spent a long time trying and waiting to come back from his cruel fate...a man from the Shire." Bad Company were managed by Led Zeppelin's manager, Peter Grant, and they were the first act signed to the band's label, Swan Song Records.
DENNIS DeYOUNG: Why He's Been Laying Low
We now know why original Styx co-founder, singer and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung hasn't toured since 2020. His daughter CarrieAnn says it's because he's caring for her mother and his wife Suzanne, who has cancer. She writes on Facebook, "For nearly two years, our family's rock, my mother, has been bravely battling this relentless adversary. My father has been unwilling to share this information. But it feels important to finally lift the curtain on our reality, both for our family and for others facing similar struggles. "Suzanne Marie Feusi DeYoung, my mother and my dad's beloved partner of 55 years, is not just his wife; she’s his confidante, muse, manager, and an incredible woman who has played many roles including, author, accountant, and backup singer. After enduring surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, we faced the shock of yet another battle shortly after a routine health checkup. Another surgery and more chemo. So, when people ask why my dad isn’t touring anymore, the answer is clear: family comes first... "My father has taken on the emotional and physical burdens of being her primary caregiver, reassuring her, making her laugh, and performing the everyday tasks that kept their home running smoothly. He has turned down many opportunities during this time, choosing instead to be by her side. One thing is certain: his love for my mother has never wavered."
BRIAN WILSON: Memorial Planned
A source close to the late Brian Wilson tells us his family is "doing a service in July," but adds that they "don't want the details out at this point." Wilson died at his Los Angeles-area home on June 11th from respiratory arrest. The L.A. coroner's report also said that the 82-year-old had Sepsis and cystitis -- both infection issues. In related news, The Beach Boys' catalog has benefited from Wilson's passing. Their 2003 hits collection, Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys, has cracked the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 for the first time in over a decade. It jumped from 52 to 14, surpassing its highest position of 16 in 2003. Sounds of Summer also makes its debut on Billboard’s Top Streaming Albums chart, landing at number-20.
Grahame Lesh And Friends To Host Concert Series Celebrating Grateful Dead's 60th Anniversary
Grahame Lesh and Friends are set to host a concert series in celebration of Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary. The three-night concert series, called the "Heart of Town," will run from July 31st through August 2nd in San Francisco. The lineup includes members from JGB, Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, North Mississippi All-Stars and more. General tickets for "Heart of Town" are available now.
IN OTHER NEWS
The New York Yankees have unveiled the Billy Joel bobblehead that will be given to the first 18,000 guests at their July 11th game against the Chicago Cubs. It shows him sitting at the piano wearing a Yankees jersey and cap. Billy and Rod Stewart were scheduled to perform at the stadium seven days later, on July 18th, but it was canceled after Billy was diagnosed with a brain disorder. Stewart salvaged the date and will perform in nearby Holmdel, New Jersey.
As advertised, Ronnie Wood joined his Faces bandmate Rod Stewart on stage Sunday at England’s Glastonbury festival. He played on two songs — the Faces’ “Stay With Me” as well as “Hot Legs,” which also featured Lulu. And Stewart was later joined by Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall for a cover of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “If You Don't Know Me by Now.”
Sammy Hagar was in Charlotte last week to open another of his Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill, this one in Concourse D of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. From there, he and his wife Kari flew to Portugal for a little vacation before his performance on Saturday at Back to the Beginning, the final show for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath in their hometown of Birmingham, England. And while in Portugal, Hagar ran into Alice Cooper while having dinner. Cooper starts a tour in Germany on Saturday.
Ringo Starr has posted on YouTube a behind-the-scenes video of his 11-date spring and summer tour with his All Starr Band, which wrapped up Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska. The fall leg begins on September 10th in Chicago with 11 shows through September 27th, the last of six nights in Las Vegas.
Peter Gabriel has released a live album, The Big Room, on streaming services. It was recorded November 23rd in the Big Room at Gabriel's Real World Studios. This concert was for members of his Full Moon Club.
Roger Waters has released another clip from his new concert film, This Is Not a Drill – Live From Prague the Movie. You can watch him perform “Is This the Life We Really Want?” on YouTube. The May 25th, 2023 concert from the O2 Arena in the Czech Republic will open in theaters on July 23rd and July 27th. For tickets go to RogerWaters.film. The soundtrack album will follow on August 1st.
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong joined The Sex Pistols with Frank Carter for "Anarchy in the UK" Thursday at the Tons of Rock festival in Oslo, Norway. Watch the performance on
On Saturday, all four members of Black Sabbath took time out from rehearsing for their
farewell show this Saturday in Birmingham, England to stop by and sign their hometown’s mural in their honor.
Talking Heads have shared a live version of “Take Me to the River,” recorded on August 10th, 1978 at Entermedia Theater in New York City from the upcoming More Songs About Buildings and Food (Super Deluxe Edition) that's due on July 25th. Check out the video on YouTube.
Elton John was on hand last week for the opening of Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
The Who’s “Who Are You” is featured in a new Walmart commercial.
Former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing has marked the 50th anniversary of the band's
Rocka Rolla album with a new version of "Never Satisfied" with vocals by former Priest singer
Tim "Ripper" Owens who's in Downing's new band, KK's Priest. Check it out on YouTube.
Gene Simmons and his band performed last Thursday at the opening of his and Paul Stanley’s newest Rock & Brews Restaurant inside the Indigo Sky Casino & Resort in Wyandotte, Oklahoma.