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Mötley Crüe Teams With Dolly Parton for ‘From The Beginning’ Album & Vegas Residency

Eric Alper
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Mötley Crüe Teams With Dolly Parton for ‘From The Beginning’ Album & Vegas Residency

Rock legends Mötley Crüe have announced the release of From The Beginning, a brand-new singles collection arriving on September 12, 2025 via BMG, the same day that the legendary rockers will kick off their highly anticipated 10-show residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, NV. 

From The Beginning is Mötley Crüe’s definitive compilation and traces the band’s storied career from their start on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles to their current status as global rock titans. The album includes a stunning new version of the band’s revered classic, “Home Sweet Home,” reimagined as a heartfelt duet with none other than globally beloved superstar Dolly Parton that is out everywhere now. 

Bringing together two giants of American music, the new rendition of “Home Sweet Home” feat. Dolly Parton offers a powerful twist on the 1985 hit. To drive home the song’s positive message of hope, a portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization close to the hearts of the members of Mötley Crüe. Covenant House provides safe shelter, meals, hope and more to help youth experiencing homelessness.

The members of Mötley Crüe shared in a joint statement, “‘Home Sweet Home’ was first released in 1985 as a single from our Theatre Of Pain album. For an icon like Dolly Parton to sing on a song that has not only meant so much to us but to all the fans through the years, is a career high that means a lot to us. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Home Sweet Home’ in this special way, and we’re excited to share this version of the song with all the Dolly and Mötley fans around the world.”

The members add, “That we were able to unite with Dolly to raise awareness for homeless youth and the amazing work of Covenant House, which provides them safe housing and care, makes it even more special. We hope you’ll enjoy ‘Home Sweet Home’ featuring Dolly Parton as much as Dolly and we enjoyed creating it.”

Dolly Parton offered, “It was an honor and a joy working in the studio on Mötley Crüe’s 40th Anniversary re-release of ‘Home Sweet Home’. I was so pleased that they would ask me to sing on such a classic.”

Premiering today at 12pm EST / 9am PST, watch the official video for the track which pays homage to the classic original video for the song from 1985.

From The Beginning spans four decades of Crüe anthems, kicking off with their first global single and MTV video “Live Wire” and winding through the years to 2024’s Top 5 Rock smash “Dogs Of War”. In between are the hits and fan favorites that shaped the rock genre and a generation including “Kickstart My Heart”, “Dr. Feelgood”, “Girls, Girls, Girls”, “Shout at the Devil”, “Smokin’ In The Boys Room”, “Wild Side” and many more.

The original studio albums that featured these tracks, including the decade plus GOLD, PLATINUM and MULTI-PLATINUM run of classics Too Fast For Love, Shout At The Devil, Theatre Of Pain, Girls Girls Girls, and Dr. Feelgood combined have sold over 100 million albums globally, generated 10 Billion Streams, and dominated the charts around the world. Mötley Crüe’s loyal fans have been there from the beginning, and their support remains as strong as ever.  But with their music featured in video games, movie trailers, films, TV shows and sporting events daily, new fans continue to discover the band’s amazing catalog. In 2022, the band made a triumphant return, launching a global stadium tour that reaffirmed their place as rock’s most notorious band and one of the best live shows ever.

In other exciting Crüe LIVE news, on the same day From The Beginning is available, the band returns to the Las Vegas Strip for The Las Vegas Residency. Beginning September 12 and running through October 3, these 10 shows at Park MGM will be the first and only chance for Mötley Crüe fans to see the band live in 2025.  For tickets, packages and more info check here – https://www.ticketmaster.com/MotleyCrueVegas

From The Beginning will be available for streaming in standard audio and Dolby Atmos audio. The physical configurations include the standard CD and 2LP sets alongside CD & 2LP exclusive variants at Walmart, a 2LP exclusive at Target, and a 2LP exclusive at Amazon. Pre-Save and Pre-order HERE.

Coinciding with the release of “Home Sweet Home” featuring Dolly Parton, a limited edition Dölly Crüe merch collection is available now HERE.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Bow Livestreams July 5 With Metal Legends

Eric Alper
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Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Bow Livestreams July 5 With Metal Legends

Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath’s final ever performance BACK TO THE BEGINNING: OZZY’S FINAL BOW will be livestreamed worldwide on 5th July!

Ozzy and the original Black Sabbath members – reuniting for the first and last time in two decades – will be joined by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera and many more. For fans who’ve followed Ozzy’s 50-year reign, the global livestream offers a front row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime goodbye – with access to the raw livestream from 3:00pm on July 5th, and exclusive access to rewatch the concert in its entirety for another 48 hours.

Get your livestream ticket at https://backtothebeginning.com/ now.

Marshall Crenshaw Announces ‘From The Hellhole’ Album of Rare Tracks, Deep Cuts

Eric Alper
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Marshall Crenshaw Announces ‘From The Hellhole’ Album of Rare Tracks, Deep Cuts

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and record-maker Marshall Crenshaw has shared the song “Move Now” as a preview to his forthcoming From The Hellhole, a 14-track collection of handpicked, remixed, and remastered songs featuring tracks from a series of EPs along with several rare deep cuts.

Primarily recorded in his home studio, affectionately dubbed “The Hellhole,” the collection mostly spans the last two decades (there’s one song from 1990) and will be released August 29 on Yep Roc Records.

Produced by Crenshaw, From The Hellhole resurrects eleven of the eighteen tracks originally issued on a series of limited-edition Record Store Day vinyl EPs released between 2012 and 2016, all of which have been out of print since 2017. With rights now reverted back to Crenshaw, these recordings have been compiled here in the interest of what he describes as “legacy curation”-a personal mission to properly archive and reissue work that continues to resonate. Of the eleven EP tracks, eight have been remixed. “They’re their best selves now,” says Marshall.

The album’s three additional tracks include a striking demo of 1991’s “Walkin’ Around,” a previously unreleased version of “I Just Want to Celebrate” (by Motown’s Rare Earth), and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You,” originally recorded for a 2022 Todd Rundgren tribute project. Crenshaw also includes several highly personal renditions of songs that shaped him, including “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” a dreamy, dub-infused homage to Karen Carpenter and the legendary Wrecking Crew.

In support of the album, Crenshaw will hit the road this fall with stops throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

From The Hellhole Tracklisting:
1.I Don’t See You Laughing Now – (M. Crenshaw)
2. (They Long To) Be Close To You – (Bacharach-David)
3. Driving and Dreaming – (M. Crenshaw-D. Bern)
4. I Just Want To Celebrate – (N. Zesses-D. Fekaris)
5. Move Now – (M. Crenshaw-D. Bern)
6. Made My Bed, Gonna Lie In It – (George Young)
7. Walkin’ Around – (M. Crenshaw)
8. No Time – (J. Lynne)
9. Grab The Next Train – (M. Crenshaw-D. Bern)
10. Didn’t Want To Have To Do It – (John Sebastian)
11. Stranger and Stranger – (M. Crenshaw)
12. Couldn’t I Just Tell You – (Todd Rundgren)
13. Red Wine – (M. Crenshaw-D. Bern-J. Ruben)
14. Never To Be Forgotten – (B. Fuller-R. Fuller)

Marshall Crenshaw Tour Dates:
September 10 – Natalie’s Grandview – Columbus, OH
September 11 – Kentucky Exposition Center – Louisville, KY
September 13 – City Winery – St. Louis, MO
September 14 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
September 17 – 3rd & Lindsley – Nashville, TN
September 18 – Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown – Athens, GA
September 19 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
September 21 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
November 13 – Elkton Music Hall – Elkton, MD
November 14 – Ram’s Head – Annapolis, MD
November 16 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
November 20 – Center for Arts in Natick – Annapolis, MD

10 Tips for Working With a Producer (and Getting the Most Out of the Session)

Eric Alper
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0
10 Tips for Working With a Producer (and Getting the Most Out of the Session)

A great producer is like a great director—there to help bring your vision to life while adding just enough magic of their own. If you’re lucky enough to be stepping into a studio session with a producer, here are ten time-tested tips to make sure you’re not just prepared—but inspired.

1. Know What You Want, But Be Willing to Change
Arrive with a clear vision for your song, but remember that magic often happens in the unplanned moments. A producer can hear possibilities you might’ve missed, so don’t be too rigid—be curious.

2. Bring Demos, Not Diamonds
A rough demo helps paint the picture, even if it’s just voice and guitar. Don’t obsess over perfection; producers love shaping raw material into polished gold. That’s part of the job—and the joy.

3. Respect the Role
A producer isn’t just hitting buttons; they’re managing mood, momentum, and musical decisions. Trust their ears and instincts—especially when they push back. It means they care about the outcome as much as you do.

4. Be On Time and In Tune
It sounds simple, but punctuality and preparation show respect. The more time you spend ready, the more time you spend creating. Also—check your tuning. Seriously.

5. Listen Actively
Don’t just hear the playback—listen. Producers may adjust one note, one word, one tone, and ask for your take. Engage with intention. The details are where greatness lives.

6. Ask Questions, Not Permission
If something feels off or unclear, speak up. Producers welcome thoughtful questions—it shows you’re invested. But don’t second-guess every decision. There’s a difference between collaboration and control.

7. Let the Song Lead
You might love that guitar solo, but if it doesn’t serve the song, it’s a distraction. Producers are trained to follow the emotional arc of the track. Let them guide you toward what the song truly needs.

8. Create a Safe Space for Mistakes
The best sessions are built on trust, not tension. Don’t fear getting it wrong. The Beatles didn’t cut “Strawberry Fields Forever” in one take. Magic often arrives disguised as a misstep.

9. Take Breaks, Don’t Break Down
Long sessions can fray the nerves. A good producer knows when to push—and when to pause. Hydrate, breathe, and step out of the booth when you need to reset your ears and your head.

10. Finish Strong, Then Let It Go
Wrap the session with intention, but don’t obsess endlessly. A producer will refine the mix and polish the track. Trust them to carry it home, just as they trusted you to give your all.

In the end, working with a producer is about chemistry, communication, and a shared commitment to the song. The studio is your playground, but also your proving ground. So show up, stay open, and let the music do what it was born to do—connect.

The Day Jobs Rock Stars Left Behind

Eric Alper
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The Day Jobs Rock Stars Left Behind

Before the lights, the tours, and the gold records, many rock and pop musicians clocked in for “regular” jobs just like the rest of us. Whether behind a desk, in a field, or on a factory floor, these now-legendary artists once held roles you’d never expect. Some returned to civilian life after their time in the spotlight, while others never looked back. Here’s a look at the fascinating (and sometimes surprising) day jobs rock stars left behind.

1. Ozzy Osbourne
Before becoming the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy worked in a slaughterhouse, slicing open cow carcasses—an origin story as metal as it gets.

2. Kurt Cobain
The Nirvana frontman worked as a janitor, reportedly writing lyrics while cleaning toilets at his local high school.

3. Jack White
Before the White Stripes, he was a furniture upholsterer—and even opened his own shop with fellow musician Brian Muldoon.

4. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was an apprentice electrician before recording his first hit at Sun Records.

5. Noel Gallagher
Before Oasis stardom, he was a roadie for Manchester band Inspiral Carpets, traveling and setting up gear.

6. Lemmy Kilmister
The Motörhead icon was once a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, helping set up one of rock’s most iconic sounds.

7. Sting
Before Police fame, Sting worked as a tax collector—arguably the least rock ‘n’ roll job imaginable.

8. Brandon Flowers
The Killers’ frontman worked as a bellhop at the Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas before hitting it big.

9. Vanilla Ice
After music success, he pivoted to real estate and home renovation, starring in The Vanilla Ice Project and The Vanilla Ice Home Show.

10. Ailidh Lennon (Sons and Daughters)
She traded music for weaving and cooking, moving to the Isle of Iona to work as a weaver and chef.

11. Alan Donohoe (The Rakes)
The post-punk singer became a software engineer, finding intellectual fulfillment in coding after leaving the band.

12. Lloyd Dobbs (The Paddingtons)
Dobbs became a charity manager at Goodwin Development Trust, helping improve his community in Hull.

13. Alannah Currie (Thompson Twins)
She now works as an artistic furniture upholsterer under the name Miss Pokeno, combining activism with design.

14. Benedict Gautrey (The Cooper Temple Clause)
After earning a degree in occupational psychology, Gautrey now works at Great Place to Work UK.

15. MC Hammer
After financial struggles and personal loss, he became a pastor at Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose.

16. Willa Ford
The “I Wanna Be Bad” singer turned a difficult music experience into a successful interior design career.

17. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan)
He went from guitar solos to national security, becoming a counterterrorism consultant for the U.S. government.

18. Alice Nutter (Chumbawamba)
She left music to become a successful screenwriter and playwright, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

19. Cindy Birdsong (The Supremes)
She became a nurse, minister, and secretary, returning to the nurturing roles she’d dreamed of as a child.

20. Russell Senior (Pulp)
After leaving Pulp, he became an antiques dealer and novelist, citing creative tensions within the band.

21. Terminator X (Public Enemy)
After a motorcycle accident, he became an ostrich farmer in North Carolina, inspired by a UK trend.

22. Jim Martin (Faith No More)
He now farms giant pumpkins and manages properties, comparing pumpkin-growing to perfecting music.

23. JB Gill (JLS)
After his boyband days, he became a farmer raising pigs and turkeys, and hosted a kids’ show about country life.

24. Bill Berry (R.E.M.)
Following a health scare, he became a hay farmer in Georgia, embracing a quieter rural life.

25. Dan Spitz (Anthrax)
He became a master watchmaker, continuing a family tradition he first learned from his grandfather.

26. Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass)
After “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” he became a music executive at Twentieth Century Fox.

Whether by necessity, burnout, or passion, these musicians traded in their microphones for farming tools, software, or a steady 9-to-5. Their stories are reminders that behind the fame often lies a deeply human journey—and sometimes a second act that’s just as inspiring as the first.

Remembering Lou Christie With 25 Fascinating Facts About the “Lightnin’ Strikes” Hitmaker

Eric Alper
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Remembering Lou Christie With 25 Fascinating Facts About the “Lightnin’ Strikes” Hitmaker

Lou Christie, born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco on February 19, 1943, passed away on June 18, 2025, at the age of 82. Best known for his soaring falsetto and chart-topping ’60s hits, Christie left behind a musical legacy that spans decades. From high school choirs to rock ‘n’ roll superstardom, here are 25 facts that celebrate his remarkable life and career—all drawn from his official biography.

  1. Lou Christie was born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, and grew up in suburban Pittsburgh.
  2. His birth name was Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco.
  3. He studied music and voice in high school and served as student conductor of the choir.
  4. At age 15, he met his lifelong songwriting partner, Twyla Herbert.
  5. Christie’s first local hit was “The Jury” with his group Lugee & The Lions.
  6. He adopted the stage name Lou Christie when Nick Cenci signed him in 1962.
  7. His breakout hit, “The Gypsy Cried,” sold over one million copies and hit #24 on Billboard.
  8. Christie’s second hit, “Two Faces Have I,” peaked at #6 in 1963 and also sold a million copies.
  9. He joined Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars tour alongside Diana Ross and Brian Hyland.
  10. “Lightnin’ Strikes” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on his 23rd birthday, February 19, 1966.
  11. That song also reached #1 in Canada and broke into the UK Top 20.
  12. His controversial follow-up, “Rhapsody in the Rain,” was banned by many radio stations.
  13. Despite bans, he scored three charting singles simultaneously in March 1966.
  14. In 1969, Christie had a major resurgence with “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” which hit #10 in the U.S. and #2 in the UK.
  15. He recorded the 1971 concept album Paint America Love, which he considered a career highlight.
  16. His version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was replaced last minute by Robert John’s vocals.
  17. Christie shifted to a country style in 1974 and charted with a cover of “Beyond the Blue Horizon.”
  18. He signed Pittsburgh band Sweet Breeze in 1978 and helped them score a regional hit.
  19. In 1981, he had a final U.S. chart hit with “Summer ’81 Medley” under the name The Cantina Band.
  20. Christie recorded a duet with Lesley Gore in 1986, covering “Since I Don’t Have You.”
  21. In 1997, he released Pledging My Love, his first studio album in two decades, which Billboard called the “Most Impressive Comeback” album.
  22. He hosted shows on SiriusXM’s ’60s channel and remained active on the oldies circuit.
  23. He released new music into the 2020s, including “Luv Attack” in 2022.
  24. After Bobby Rydell’s death, Christie joined the touring supergroup Dick Fox’s Golden Boys.
  25. He maintained his falsetto singing voice into his 70s, continuing to perform live with vigor.

Lou Christie’s musical journey was one of evolution, reinvention, and staying power. From teenage dreams of making it on American Bandstand to a lifetime of memorable melodies, he gave his voice—and heart—to generations of fans. Rest in peace, Lou Christie. Your lightnin’ still strikes.

Annie Aiello Honors Olivia Newton-John With Emotional “Change Of Heart” Performance

Eric Alper
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Annie Aiello Honors Olivia Newton-John With Emotional “Change Of Heart” Performance

Annie Aiello, the powerhouse vocalist and producer behind the nationally touring, award-winning tribute show Always Olivia, has been honored with a rare and heartfelt opportunity: performing the deeply personal song “Change of Heart” live — a piece co-written by Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning pianist and composer Jim Brickman and the late, beloved music icon Olivia Newton-John. 

Originally performed only by Newton-John herself, “Change of Heart” holds profound emotional significance for Brickman, who shared a close friendship and creative bond with the icon. In a moving tribute to her legacy, Brickman invited Aiello to bring the song to life once more in a special live performance — a moment he chose to share with his global fan base.

“Being asked to sing this song — one that Olivia poured her heart into — is beyond humbling,” said Aiello. “It’s an honor to carry her spirit forward and to share this moment with Jim Brickman, whose connection to Olivia makes this performance all the more meaningful.”

Aiello’s performance has already begun resonating with fans of both Brickman and Newton-John, who have praised her emotional delivery and vocal authenticity. With Always Olivia, Aiello has captivated audiences nationwide with her heartfelt renditions of Newton-John’s greatest hits, earning acclaim for her uncanny vocal resemblance and deep reverence for Newton-John’s artistry.

This live rendition of “Change of Heart” not only celebrates Newton-John’s enduring legacy but also introduces a new generation of listeners to the emotional depth and beauty of her music — through the voice of an artist who truly understands her heart.

Gabríel Ólafs Announces ‘Polar: Dusk’ Expansion Album Out August 22

Eric Alper
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Gabríel Ólafs Announces ‘Polar: Dusk’ Expansion Album Out August 22

 Today, well-regarded Icelandic composer, Gabríel Ólafs, announces Polar: Dusk the next musical element from his evolving aural and visual project, Polar. Set for release on August 22nd the digital only release is the next “expansion pack” that explores the science-fiction world of Polar as it wanes from day into twilight.  You can pre-order the album and listen to the first song, “Ocean Variation I,” off the eight-track set here.

The enigmatic and atmospheric music in Polar: Dusk is a natural extension of his recent sixth studio release, Polar – the strikingly memorable world born from Gabríel Ólafs dreams that was recently realized and brought to life through his music. You can listen to Polar here and delve into the making of the project via the official “Polar: Building A World” video below.

The imaginary world of Polar is a planet covered in ice, snow, and tundra, its mountains so immense they are visible from space. Then imagine traveling alone around its incredible landscape. You hear the haunting song of whales but find no human life. Apart from that are the traces of a mysterious lost civilization, which has left behind only frozen monolithic pyramids. This multimedia experience is the world of Polar.

Gabríel Ólafs ear for musical storytelling sets him apart as a true visionary of postmodern classical music. Polar is one of Ólafs most ambitious projects to date, and Polar: Dusk is the next step in this fantastical limitless world.

Polar: Dusk Tracklist:
1. Nightfall
2. Whales At Dusk
3. Ocean Variation I
4. Monolith At Dusk
5. Ocean Variation II
6. Permafrost (Part 1)
7. Permafrost (Part 2)
8. Dawn

Yunchan Lim To Release ‘Tchaikovsky – The Seasons’ On Decca Classics August 22

Eric Alper
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Yunchan Lim To Release ‘Tchaikovsky – The Seasons’ On Decca Classics August 22

 Decca Classics announces the upcoming release of Yunchan Lim: Tchaikovsky – The Seasons, available from 22 August. Lim shares a deeply personal and thoughtful interpretation of one of Tchaikovsky’s most intimate piano works. Recorded live at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, Yunchan views the twelve pieces not merely as a set of months, but as a story portraying someone’s final year of life.

This follows the release of one of the most talked-about events in recent classical music. Yunchan Lim’s live performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, when he was just 18. The recording  was praised by The Guardian, which wrote, “The prodigious South Korean talent won 2022’s Van Cliburn piano competition with this performance; his version deserves a place alongside Argerich and Rachmaninoff himself,” and added, “He is the real thing, a once-in-a-generation talent… it’s hard to believe that this is the performance of an 18-year-old.”

That recording, along with his debut studio album of Chopin Études, received wide critical acclaim. This year, the Études made headlines with three record-breaking wins at the BBC Music Magazine Awards.

To Lim, The Seasons tells the story of a life coming to its end. Each piece reflects a different moment or feeling, from sadness and quiet thought to joy, love and peace. The music begins with a man sitting by the fire, thinking about the past, and ends with a peaceful farewell.

In the 2023 to 2024 concert season, his live performances of the work received glowing reviews from both critics and audiences.

Diapason wrote, “The beauty and mastery over the piano contains something almost unreal… one would never have believed that The Seasons could produce such an effect on the audience.” Die Nieuwe Muze said, “Lim is a sincere musician who, once seated at the piano, becomes one with his instrument and plays the music because he experiences it that way and not otherwise.”

Lim says, “Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons shows the final year of a human’s life. The first piece, ‘By the Hearth,’ shows a fire slowly dying in the fireplace. It begins with a man who is lost in memories, feeling sadness for no clear reason. Then new experiences bring hope. Strong feelings and tears turn into daydreams as the smoke from a cigarette curls through the air. While crying, he falls asleep, pulled into forgotten memories and always hesitating at the edge of the past. But then he returns to the present, accepts everything, and as the bell rings, he closes the day that will never come again.”

The album artwork, created by Ho-yeon Choi and titled How Much Do the Petals Weigh?, reflects the feelings and questions at the heart of the music. It invites listeners to think about moments of beauty and struggle and to ask the quiet but powerful question: What keeps me alive?

Deep Purple Announces ‘Made in Japan’ Super Deluxe Edition for 53rd Anniversary

Eric Alper
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0
Deep Purple Announces ‘Made in Japan’ Super Deluxe Edition for 53rd Anniversary

On August 15, 1972, Deep Purple took the stage in Japan for the first of three shows that would give rise to one of rock’s most celebrated live albums, Made in Japan. Warner announces a new Super Deluxe Edition of the landmark release, due out August 15— exactly 53 years after the first performance was recorded.

Made in Japan (Super Deluxe Edition) features new stereo and Dolby ATMOS mixes of the original by acclaimed producer Steven Wilson, all three concerts newly remixed by Richard Digby Smith, and several rare single edits. It will be released as a 5CD/Blu-ray set at retailers nationwide, and a 10LP black vinyl edition, available exclusively from www.deeppurple.com and Rhino.com.

A 2LP black vinyl version of Steven Wilson remixes will be available on August 15 and October 3 in the U.S., Canada, and Japan at select independent record stores. The digital companion will be available everywhere on August 15.

Originally intended as a Japan-only release, this double live album became a surprise global phenomenon. Released in the U.K. in December 1972 and in the U.S. the following March, Made in Japan went platinum in America and several European countries.

Singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, bassist Roger Glover, and drummer Ian Paice—Deep Purple’s famed Mk II lineup—turned studio staples like “Smoke On The Water,” “Highway Star,” and “Space Truckin’” into explosive live statements. “We came halfway around the world and found the audience singing every word. It was magical,” Glover recalls in the collection’s liner notes.

The band enlisted engineer Martin Birch—who had worked on several of their best-known studio albums—to record the shows to eight-track tape at Festival Hall in Osaka and the Budokan in Tokyo. The performances on Made in Japan (Super Deluxe Edition) capture Deep Purple at full throttle, powering through songs from their then-new album Machine Head, along with fan favorites like “Child In Time,” “Strange Kind Of Woman,” and “Speed King.” The collection also includes rare single edits, like the German version of “Black Night” and the Mexican edit of “Space Truckin’.”

The live album garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone declaring it “Purple’s definitive metal monster, a spark-filled execution of the typical Purple style.” This recognition led to its impressive ranking at No. 6 on their “Readers’ Poll: The 10 Best Live Albums of All Time.” AllMusic also praised the album, stating that “Deep Purple pushed its music into the kind of deliberate excess that made heavy metal what it became.” Additionally, the album achieved commercial success, landing at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Wilson harnesses the raw energy of the original tapes in his new stereo and Atmos mixes. “It’s all completely as it happened on the night,” he says. “The album has a power and sense of abandon that they never quite captured in the studio. Hopefully this new mix makes it feel even more like you’re there.”

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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