BON JOVI: So Far, So Good
Bon Jovi returned to touring Tuesday with the first of nine shows at New York's Madison Square Garden. This was the band's first full-scale show since Jon Bon Jovi underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022 after a disastrous tour that year. By all indications his surgically repaired cord passed the test as they turned in a 21-song set that started with a cover of Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends” as a way of him thanking everyone for their support over the last four years. He told his audience, "I haven't heard the roar of a crowd in four years and I didn't know if I would remember what that was like," adding that he was "grateful and humbled by this whole ordeal." We reached out to the band's spokeswoman to get Jon's reaction to how the show went and she said, "We’re gonna let that TREMENDOUS show speak for itself." Shows two and three are Thursday and Sunday.
RINGO: Dr. Starr
Ringo Starr's hometown of Liverpool, England came to him on Tuesday at his 86th birthday celebration at Beverly Hills Garden Park in Beverly Hills, California where he proclaimed "peace and love" at noon local time. While there, was presented with an honorary doctorate from University of Liverpool. Wendy Beetlestone, University of Liverpool chancellor and a United States district judge, presented Ringo with the honor, saying, “It is a great privilege to recognize Ringo, whose influential musical work, particularly in The Beatles, has helped shape the identity and global reputation of Liverpool. His contribution has played a key role in making the city a place that inspires people to visit and to study.” Ringo said, “I want to thank the University of Liverpool for this Honorary Degree and for coming all the way to L.A. to bestow it. I’m really honored... “I’ve been thinking back on my life a lot lately – and when I chose to become a drummer full time – my family discouraged me. And they could have been right! But they weren’t – it all worked out. So to all the graduates back in Liverpool – I send Peace & Love and want to say don’t be afraid to follow your dreams – or take that right turn and see where it goes …. it could lead to an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Liverpool.” Among Ringo's friends on hand for Tuesday's celebration were Toto guitarist Steve Lukather from his All-Starr Band, and former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. You can watch highlights of the day on Ringo's social platforms, including Instagram.
BON SCOTT: AC/DC Singer Would Have Been 80
AC/DC's second singer, Bon Scott, was born Ronald Belford Scott on this day 80 years ago -- July 9th, 1946. While recovering from a motorcycle accident in Adelaide, Australia in August 1974, he was asked to drive brothers Malcolm and Angus Young around. Scott's wife, Irene Thornton, later wrote, "The first time Bon saw AC/DC was in August 1974. They came through Adelaide with the Lou Reed and Stevie Wright tour, and played their own show at the Pooraka Hotel ... The band didn't have a singer that night; they were playing instrumental versions of old rock 'n' roll standards. The boys ripped through all these classic numbers and then finally, Bon climbed onto the stage. I didn't realize that AC/DC had just sacked Dave Evans and they wanted Bon to replace him. Like Bon, the Youngs were Scottish, so there was an instant bond."
Scott officially took over on October 24th, 1974. According to the late Malcolm Young, "We were traveling down to Adelaide for the first time and Bon had the car to drive us to the next gig. And the next morning there's this banging on the door and there's Bon and he's straight in and he says, 'You know that singer you got? Really bad, you know.' He said, 'I'm your singer, you know. I want to be in the band, you know.' Anyway, we had a little jam with Bon and we went, 'We've got a good band now.' Just a great character, you know."
Bon was known for his screeching vocals and was also the lyricist, having co-written many of the band's biggest songs -- including "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Highway to Hell" and "Let There Be Rock." But, according to Angus, "If you ever asked Bon what he wrote, he would say 'toilet poetry.' But the reality of it was he really worked on it." Bon was 33 when he died on February 19th, 1980 in a car in London after choking on his own vomit following a drinking binge. Angus recalls how he found out. "I got a call from a girlfriend of his. She had heard Bon had died. And then the phone went again and it was another girl that he knew and she had been expecting him. She was worried...she didn't know where he was. And then I got a hold of our manager and he said, 'Look it might be some crazy rumor, I don't know.' But he tracked down, I think, either the guy who had been with him, and he found out through him. So he got back and that's when I found out that it was Bon."
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM: Psycho Stalker Update
Michelle Dick, the 55-year-old woman accused of stalking Lindsey Buckingham and his family, has been ordered by Judge Robert S. Harrison of Los Angeles County’s mental health court to undergo a mental health evaluation by a clinical psychologist to determine whether she's competent to stand trial. She's been charged with six felonies and a misdemeanor after allegedly throwing an unidentified substance at Buckingham on March 25th in Santa Monica after years of him filing complaints against her, including vandalizing his car, harassing his wife and kids, threatening to kill him and his family, and claiming she's his daughter. She pleaded not guilty. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for August 6th.
U2: Preview New Album
U2 have released "Street of Dreams," the first single from their yet-to-be announced new album. The song is accompanied by a video they shot in Mexico City in May where they performed the song atop a graffiti-painted school bus. With a large crowd gathered in Plaza Santo Domingo, they battled inclement weather, with thunder and rain causing a generator to crash and a local family welcoming the four band members into their apartment to film on the balcony. You can watch the video on YouTube, and "Streets of Dreams" is available as a digital download, as well as on Digital Service Providers. The new album will be their first of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience, and it follows the release of two EPs earlier this year -- Days of Ash in February, and Easter Lily in April.
U2: Pride (In the Name of Soccer)
U2 have teamed with former soccer great David Beckham on a short film about the transformative power of sport, which features their new song, "Street of Dreams," as the soundtrack. Also titled "Street of Dreams," the film follows Calle, a young girl who is homeless, but who refuses to give up on her dream of playing soccer. Beckham is seen in the film guiding her as a "personification of her inner voice, a guardian only she can see. He’s a powerful symbol of belief and opportunity, standing with her and showing up when it matters.” U2, who also make a cameo towards the end, say, “We had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Street Child World Cup in Mexico City back in May [while we there filming our video for 'Street of Dreams'], and we came away with far more than we expected. As proud supporters of Street Child United, it was a privilege to be there in person to watch some great football, soak up the atmosphere and witness these extraordinary young athletes reminding everyone what talent looks like when it refuses to take no for an answer.” A :30-second clip of the film will air on FOX and Telemundo during their World Cup coverage from July 13th, including the semi-finals and final. You can watch the complete film on YouTube.
Eagles Announces Four December Sphere Shows
The Eagles have just extended their Sphere residency (again), adding four more dates to the tail end of their run of scheduled shows. The new dates are set for Friday, December 4th, Saturday, December 5th, Friday, December 11th, and Saturday, December 12th. The additional shows extend the band's record number of Sphere performances to 68 in all. Presales start Wednesday, July 15th, ahead of the general sale on Friday, July 17th, at 10 am local time. Tickets start at $175. For tickets and more information, visit the band's website.
Foo Fighters Announce Concert Celebrating 30th Anniversary Of Connecticut's Mohegan Sun
Foo Fighters are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Mohegan Sun casino and entertainment complex in Uncasville, Connecticut. The band will give an intimate performance at the venue on October 20th. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday.
Jagger Says Stones To Tour In 2027
A Rolling Stones residency may not happen, as Mick Jagger previously suggested. However, the music icon has assured fans that the legendary rock band will, indeed, tour in 2027. "I'd love to tour this album," Jagger recently told Argentinian radio station La Nacion of the band's upcoming new album, Foreign Tongues. "Can't wait to sing. There are so many songs on the album that we could do on stage. So, I don't think we'll be touring this year, but I hope to tour next year, and I hope to do it as soon as possible." After previously being asked whether the rock band would be open to a Las Vegas residency, Jagger clarified the group would be open to doing multiple shows in a few select cities. The band's upcoming new LP, Foreign Tongues, drops July 10.
The Oasis Story May Have A New Chapter In 2027
Oasis may be gearing up for another huge run of shows. Reports suggest the reunited band is planning a big UK and European tour in 2027, which could include a 12-night homecoming residency in Manchester and a return to the famous Knebworth grounds. According to the Manchester Evening News, the band is looking to book the Etihad Stadium, home of the Gallagher brothers' beloved Manchester City, with a source claiming there is even talk of stretching to 20 nights. Any Manchester shows would likely land in May and June. The wider tour is rumored to include a return to Knebworth, where Oasis played legendary sold-out gigs in 1996 for 250,000 fans, and possibly Slane Castle in Ireland. Nothing is confirmed yet, but Liam Gallagher has repeatedly hinted more dates are coming, once telling Italian fans the band would "100 percent" play Rome in 2027. The buzz comes as Oasis just released the first trailer for a new documentary about their reunion.
IN OTHER NEWS
Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Dr. Brian May will receive a star on the Walk of the Stars of Science on the Spanish island of La Palma during this year’s Starmus conference in October. Previous honorees include Professor Stephen Hawking and English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall. Starmus, which was co-founded by May, celebrates astronomy, space exploration, music, art and the natural sciences.
Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones has cashed out, selling his publishing and recording catalogs, as well as the name, image and likeness, and touring of Foreigner to Primary Wave Music. Jones, who no longer tours with the band due to Parkinson’s disease, says, "[Primary Wave CEO and founder] Larry Mestel has created a unique company that focuses on heritage artists and develops them with incredible success. I am personally thrilled that he and his team of professionals will be working alongside my long-term friends and managers Phil Carson and
Stewart Young to build upon the awareness of Foreigner and our songs.”
Bob Dylan is back to two guitarists after Julian Lage, who missed the last five shows, returned Monday to round out the lineup with the other new guitarist, Joel Paterson. But Lage will have to miss a few shows next week due to tour commitments in Europe, as well as in the fall when he goes on a North American tour. Dylan is in Chicago tonight (Wednesday), Cincinnati on Friday, and Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Warren Haynes will release Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey on September 18th. The live album features reworked songs from Gov’t Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, his solo albums and The Grateful Dead with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Check out the track "Raven Black Night" on YouTube.
Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Matthias Jabs of the Scorpions join Accept on a new version of "Balls to the Wall" from the album Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, which is due out September 4th. Check it out on YouTube.
Bush posted a pro-shot video of their entire Stagecoach performance on April 25th. Watch it now on YouTube.