Home Blog Page 726

E Street Band Legend Nils Lofgren Launches Reverb Shop Featuring Signed Guitars, Amps, and Tour-Used Gear

0

More than a decade after his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, legendary multi-instrumentalist Nils Lofgren of the E Street Band is selling a collection of signed guitars, amps, cases and more in The Official Nils Lofgren Reverb Shop.

Starting now, fans and fellow musicians alike can grab studio-and tour-used gear, all of which is signed, including a Fuchs Overdrive Supreme Amp Head, a Takemine Acoustic-Electric Guitar, and dozens of other instruments.

Since the late ’60s, Lofgren has performed as a solo act and as a member of both Crazy Horse, alongside Neil Young, and the E Street Band, alongside Bruce Springsteen. His work as a pianist and guitar player have earned him credits on storied albums like Young’s After the Gold Rush, Tonight’s the Night, Carry On, and Trans, Springsteen’s Tunnel of Love and The Rising, and Ringo Starr’s Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.

You can check out all of the signed gear available in The Official Nils Lofgren of the E Street Band Reverb Shop here:

Richard Pryor’s Comic Genius Revisited in 7LP Box Set ‘I HOPE I’M FUNNY: THE WARNER ALBUMS (1974–1983)’

0

Shocking. Hilarious. Boundary-defying. Fearless. Brilliant. In the world of comedy, few names resonate as powerfully as Richard Pryor. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential comedians of all time, Pryor’s ability to weave incisive social and political observations into his storytelling has left an indelible mark on the genre. His comedic legacy goes beyond awards and accolades; he used humor to explore complex themes like race, addiction, and personal trauma, challenging societal norms while making audiences laugh.

In a celebration of his comedic genius, the enduring legacy of Richard Pryor is encapsulated in a newly released 7LP boxed set, I HOPE I’M FUNNY:THE WARNER ALBUMS (1974-1983). Each album showcases Pryor’s unparalleled humor and thought-provoking social commentary, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest comedians of all time.

The set includes six albums: THAT N*****’S CRAZY, …IS IT SOMETHING I SAID?, BICENTENNIAL N*****, WANTED/RICHARD PRYOR LIVE IN CONCERT (double-LP), LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP, and HERE AND NOW.

Scott Saul, a Professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of Becoming Richard Pryor (Harper Perennial), details Pryor’s essential recorded output between 1974 and 1983 in the set’s enlightening liner notes. Saul takes a deep dive into Pryor’s vast and immeasurable influence on the world of comedy, quoting comedian Paul Rodriguez, who once said that “there are two periods in comedy in America: before Richard Pryor and after Richard Pryor.”

“The Age of Pryor has never ended,” Saul writes. “Across the six albums collected here, Pryor blew open what a comedian could do onstage, and it’s the rare comedian who is not somehow in his debt.”

The set opens with Pryor’s third album, THAT N*****’S CRAZY(1974). Recorded at Don Cornelius’ Soul Train nightclub in San Francisco, the LP includes some of the comedian’s funniest–and most poignant–routines from the era, including the thought-provoking “Wino & Junkie.” The record was a huge hit in the Black community, soaring to #1 on its R&B/Soul Albums chart for four weeks. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for 1974.

Next up: …IS IT SOMETHING I SAID?(1975). Another Grammy winner for Best Comedy Album and chart-topper on the Billboard R&B/Soul Albums chart, this release is famous for introducing one of Pryor’s most beloved and enduring characters, the extravagant storyteller Mudbone. According to Saul, “Mudbone is both a fabulist and a moralist, deploying his outrageous imagination in the service of a sidewinding truth.”

Pryor originally released his sixth album,  BICENTENNIAL N*****, appropriately enough, in 1976. Despite being assembled in less than two weeks, it’s considered among his most impactful releases. Featuring the 10+ minute routine, “Mudbone Goes to Hollywood,” the LP found Pryor taking the Best Comedy Album Grammy award for the third year in a row.

The next LP in the set is the double-album WANTED/RICHARD PRYOR LIVE IN CONCERT. Released in 1978, the Grammy-nominated set revealed the comedian digging deep and mining painfully intimate details of his own life for material: “The magic of Pryor’s comedy on WANTED lies in how he can make you see his life from so many perspectives at once,” Saul writes in the liner notes. “Flipping effortlessly between characters, he makes us see the righteous anger of his grandmother, schooling her errant grandson with force; the wide-eyed terror of the young Richard, dodging her blows; and the bemused perplexity of the adult Richard, wondering from the distance of three decades, how this ‘hell of a psychology’ has turned him into the man he has become.”

Pryor’s LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP (1982) came at a moment of personal and creative rebirth. The release found him being brutally honest about his addictions, which led the comedian to a devastating freebasing incident that left him with second and third-degree burns over half of his body. The excruciating rehabilitation from that moment drives much of the material here. Pryor’s frank recollections from the Sherman Oaks Burn Recovery Center, and an eye-opening trip to Kenya, created moments both heartbreaking and hilarious, often at the same time. The record brought him another Grammy nomination and win for Best Comedy Album in 1982.

The last album in the set is HERE AND NOW (1983). Recorded when Pryor was clean and sober for the first time since he was 14 years old, the Grammy-nominated release saw the comic riffing on the trials of fame, meeting President Reagan, and the trials and tribulations of being a married man. He even revived the beloved Mudbone, with a wild tale of dealing with pubic lice during a stint in the L.A. County Jail. Proof that despite his sobriety, the most dangerous comedian of the past decade and beyond hadn’t lost his shocking edge.

Sum 41 Release Final Music Video “Radio Silence” As Emotional Farewell To Fans

0

Grammy-nominated and Canadian Music Hall of Fame Rock Icons Sum 41 have released their final music video for “Radio Silence” via Rise Records. This final music video is a heartfelt tribute to Sum 41’s 29-year legendary career, capturing the essence of a band that defined a generation.

Filled with beautiful memories, it takes fans on an emotional journey through the moments that shaped their legacy-from electrifying live performances and behind-the-scenes camaraderie to career-defining milestones and fan-favorite moments. This video is more than just a farewell; it’s a celebration of the passion, energy, and impact that Sum 41 has brought to the world for nearly three decades.

The band is riding off the momentum of their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and final performance together at the 54th Annual JUNO Awards in Vancouver where they closed out the award show with a medley of songs that helped catapult them to global stardom. The performance this weekend marks the conclusion of Sum 41’s farewell tour that took place over the last year in sold out arenas around the world, saying thank you and goodbye to fans that helped make them one of the defining rock bands of their generation.

The Madden brothers from Good Charlotte introduced the band to the stage to accept the induction honor where Deryck Whibley expressed the bands deepest gratitude for their friends, family and fans and took a look back on their storied career together. This year the band was nominated for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year for their final and most ambitious record to date, Heaven :x: Hell. The double album’s chart-topping single “Landmines” has racked up over 50 million streams globally, and has been streamed on over 100,000 playlists on Spotify in the last month alone.

Looking back at the band’s career together, Sum 41 has firmly cemented their place in history with over 15 million records sold worldwide and multiple Billboard Charting releases and No. 1 hits. They have received countless accolades including a GRAMMY nomination, 2 JUNO Awards (9 nominations), a Kerrang! Award in 2002, multiple Alternative Press Music Awards, sold-out tours, tv appearances and have left life long impressions on fans across the world. Sum 41’s career has been nothing short of legendary.

 

BABYMETAL Signs with Capitol Records, Unveils Star-Studded Album ‘METAL FORTH’ Featuring Tom Morello, Poppy, Spiritbox, and More​

0

Acclaimed metal band Babymetal has signed to Capitol Records, the first Japanese artist to sign a frontline deal with the label. The group will release new album METAL FORTH, globally via Capitol Records on June 13.

Meaning “beyond metal,” METAL FORTH features collaborations with Poppy, Electric Callboy, Spiritbox, Tom Morello, Bloodywood, Polyphia and Slaughter to Prevail-artists that BABYMETAL has connected with over the years while touring the globe.

“BABYMETAL’s groundbreaking sound and compelling artistic vision have not only cultivated a worldwide following, but have also demonstrably shifted global music culture. We at Capitol Records are privileged to join them in this next chapter as we continue to amplify their international reach and influence with the upcoming release of Metal Forth.” – Tom March, Chairman & CEO, Capitol Records

“This year, BABYMETAL celebrates its 15th anniversary and embarks on an exciting new chapter. With Capitol Records as our global partner, the sound of BABYMETAL will resonate across the world as we take on bolder, more dynamic endeavors than ever before. Stay tuned for what’s to come.” – Key “KOBAMETAL” Kobayashi, Producer & Manager of BABYMETAL CEO, BABYMETAL WORLD, LLC

As BABYMETAL celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, the band has mapped out a world tour that will include numerous firsts. In May, they’ll embark on their first-ever headline arena tour in the UK and Europe, playing 12 shows across eight countries and concluding at The O2 Arena in London. BABYMETAL is the first Japanese group to headline a show at this iconic venue. The band will kick off its biggest North American tour yet on June 13. The 24-date run will include a June 24 show at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

idobi Radio Summer School Tour Returns for Sophomore Year with Taylor Acorn, Charlotte Sands, Huddy & More

0

Returning after a successful freshman year, the idobi Radio Summer School Tour has announced its sophomore class. Leading the second year, the tour will feature headline sets from Charlotte Sands, Taylor Acorn, and Rain City Drive. Additionally, the tour will also feature performances from Beauty School Dropout, If Not For Me, Arrows In Action, and special guest HUDDY.

Founded by Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records), Michael Kaminsky (KMGMT), and Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour), and sponsored by idobi Radio and Hot Topic, the Summer School Tour aims to bring the next generation of rising stars to the masses across the country, a sentiment that all partners agree on. idobi Radio CEO, Eddie Barella, shares, “At idobi, our mission has always been to find and magnify the future of alternative music. The opportunity to align with the legendary founders of Summer School Tour once again is an incredible honor.”

The tour is slated to kick off on July 11 in Detroit, MI, make a stop at Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach, CA, and conclude on August 10 in Philadelphia, PA. Presale tickets are available for $35 here, and general on-sale will begin this Friday, April 4, at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT. Check out the full tour lineup below.

Tour Dates:
July 11—Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
July 12—Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
July 13—Cleveland, OH @ The Agora
July 15—Newport, KY @ MegaCorp Pavilion
July 16—Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory at The District
July 18—Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
July 19—Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
July 20—Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union
July 22—Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
July 23—Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
July 25—Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24
July 26—Long Beach, CA @ Vans Warped Tour*
July 27—Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
July 29—Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
July 30—Houston, TX @ House of Blues
August 1—Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
August 2—Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade Heaven
August 3—St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
August 5—Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
August 6—Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
August 8—Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
August 9—Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
August 10—Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall

Aittala Unleashes New Single “Machines (Prologue)” Ahead of Nostalgic Yet Crushing 2025 Album

0

Eclectic doom metal powerhouse AITTALA has unleashed its second single and video, “Machines (Prologue),” giving fans a taste of their highly anticipated album “Machines,” due out on April 17, 2025, via Exitus Strategem Records.

The songs on “Machines” were originally written and demoed between 1990 and 1997 on an analog 4-track cassette recorder. Now, Aittala has revived these tracks, preserving their raw essence while enhancing them with modern production techniques. The album offers a nostalgic yet powerful experience, blending early progressive metal influences with storytelling-driven lyrics. While showcasing a distinct style from their recent works, “Machines” stays true to Aittala’s signature heavy, immersive sound.

Formed in 1991 in Holland, Aittala quickly gained recognition in the Dutch metal scene, opening for bands like THE GATHERING and SADIST. After a hiatus, frontman Eric Aittala resurrected the band in 2008, leading to six full-length albums: Bed of Thorns (2009), Haunt Your Flesh (2011), Effigy (2014), American Nightmare (2016), False Pretenses (2019), and Live to Regret (2022).

Now, with “Machines,” AITTALA boldly steps into the past, bringing long-lost tracks to life with a modern, crushing edge.

This dynamic duo of Eric Aittala (Guitars/Vocals) and Gary ‘Zeus’ Smith (Drums) (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL) continues to write, record, and tour, bringing their distinct brand of heavy, immersive metal to fans worldwide.

CREED Adds New Dates to 2025 Summer of ’99 Tour with Daughtry, Mammoth WVH, Hinder and More

0

You asked for it. Actually, over a million of you did. That’s how many tickets CREED has sold to date—and that fan demand has sparked an epic expansion of The Summer of ’99 Tour into 2025 with five brand-new dates. Get ready, Mt. Pleasant, Cincinnati, Providence, Manchester, and Halifax—Scott Stapp and the boys are rolling into town!

These five additional dates now extend CREED’s massive North American run to 28 cities, with support from MAMMOTH WVH, HINDER, and DAUGHTRY, depending on the night. The tour kicks off July 9 in Lexington, KY and wraps August 30 in Halifax, NS. Tickets for the new dates go on Artist Presale April 2 at 10am local time (Halifax starts April 4). General onsale for most dates begins April 4, while Mt. Pleasant goes live April 11 and Halifax on April 7.

Fans can register now at https://creed.os.fan/presaleaccess and grab VIP packages including Meet & Greets, soundcheck access, exclusive merch and more via vipnation.com.

Produced by Live Nation, the Summer of ‘99 Tour isn’t just a comeback—it’s a resurrection. After selling out 60 shows across North America in 2024, CREED returns with a lineup that includes 3 DOORS DOWN, DAUGHTRY, MAMMOTH WVH, BIG WRECK, and HINDER. Check your city for the exact line-up—every night hits a little different.

Plus, they’re bringing back the blockbuster Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, now a two-day extravaganza with co-headliners NICKELBACK. July 18 features Nickelback, +LIVE+, Daughtry, Tonic, Our Lady Peace and Lit. July 19 is all CREED with 3 Doors Down, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, Hinder, Vertical Horizon, and Fuel.

This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s 2000s rock history coming to life, again and again.

CREED: SUMMER OF ’99 TOUR 2025 DATES:

Jul 09 | Lexington, KY | Rupp Arena – 3DD/MWVH [Sold Out]
Jul 11 | Syracuse, NY | Empower FCU Amphitheater – 3DD/MWVH
Jul 12 | Camden, NJ | Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – 3DD
Jul 15 | Wantagh, NY | Jones Beach Theater – D/MWVH
Jul 16 | Scranton, PA | Montage Mountain – D/MWVH
Jul 18 | East Troy, WI | Summer of ’99 Festival (Nickelback et al)
Jul 19 | East Troy, WI | Summer of ’99 Festival (CREED et al)
Jul 20 | Columbus, OH | Schottenstein Center – 3DD/MWVH [Sold Out]
Jul 22 | Hartford, CT | Xfinity Theatre – 3DD/MWVH
Jul 24 | Charleston, SC | Credit One Stadium – 3DD/MWVH [Sold Out]
Jul 26 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center – 3DD/MWVH [Sold Out]
Jul 27 | Memphis, TN | FedExForum – 3DD/MWVH
Jul 29 | Wichita, KS | INTRUST Bank Arena – D/MWVH
Aug 01 | Lincoln, NE | Pinnacle Bank Arena – D/MWVH
Aug 02 | Ridgedale, MO | Thunder Ridge Arena – D/MWVH
Aug 04 | Albuquerque, NM | Isleta Amphitheater – D/MWVH
Aug 06 | Chula Vista, CA | North Island Amphitheatre – D/MWVH
Aug 07 | Palm Desert, CA | Acrisure Arena – 3DD/MWVH
Aug 09 | Mountain View, CA | Shoreline Amphitheatre – 3DD/MWVH
Aug 10 | Stateline, NV | Lake Tahoe Arena – 3DD/MWVH
Aug 13 | Ridgefield, WA | RV Inn Amphitheater – 3DD/MWVH
Aug 14 | Auburn, WA | White River Amphitheatre – 3DD/MWVH
Aug 16 | Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena – BW/MWVH [Sold Out]
Aug 19 | Edmonton, AB | Rogers Place – BW/MWVH [Sold Out]
Aug 20 | Calgary, AB | Scotiabank Saddledome – BW/MWVH [Sold Out]
Aug 23 | Mount Pleasant, MI | Soaring Eagle Casino – MWVH/H (Public onsale Apr 11)
Aug 24 | Cincinnati, OH | Heritage Bank Center – D/MWVH
Aug 27 | Providence, RI | Amica Mutual Pavilion – D/MWVH
Aug 28 | Manchester, NH | SNHU Arena – D/MWVH
Aug 30 | Halifax, NS | Citadel Hill – D/MWVH (Public onsale Apr 7)

Previously Announced: Apr 9–13 | Summer of ’99 Cruise (Sold Out)
Apr 26 | Indio, CA | Stagecoach Festival

Bryan Adams Announces North American Tour Dates As Part Of “Roll With The Punches” Tour 2025

0

Today, global rock icon Bryan Adams has announced that he is hitting the road this fall with his massive “Roll With The Punches” North America 2025 tour, his biggest tour in years.

The 40-date arena run kicks off in Canada on 11 September with shows in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle and more before wrapping on 26 November in Minneapolis, MN. Special guests Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will open for Adams on all U.S. dates and

The Sheepdogs will provide direct support in Canada (excluding Calgary and Kelowna). Amanda Marshall will join as support in Calgary and Kelowna.

Adams says: “I’m so thrilled to be announcing the North American leg of the Roll With The Punches Tour. We’ll be playing all the classics, some deep cuts, and sharing some brand-new tracks from the forthcoming album.”

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an AMEX presale for the Canadiana dates and a Citi presale for the U.S. dates beginning Tuesday, April 29 (details below). Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale for all dates beginning Friday, May 2 at 10am local at BryanAdams.com.

AMEX PRESALE – CANADA: Tickets will first be available through an AMEX presale beginning Tuesday, April 29 at 10am local time with additional presales running throughout the week. General onsale begins Friday, May 2 at 10am local time.

CITI PRESALE – U.S.: Citi is the official card of the “Roll With The Punches” tour in the U.S. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 29 at 10am local time until Friday, May 2 at 9am local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

The 2025 “Roll With The Punches” tour launched in New Zealand and Australia earlier this year and heads to the UK & Ireland this May for 12 shows, followed by 35 dates across Europe. Named after Adams’ upcoming 17th studio album, Roll With The Punches, the tour supports the record’s late summer release on his own label, Bad Records. The album has already produced two singles: the title track, released in February, and its follow-up, Make Up Your Mind, which has become a radio hit in the UK.

Adams has been touring the world for over four decades. His music has achieved #1 status in over 40 countries, and he is the recipient of numerous Awards including a Grammy, American Music Awards along with 3 Academy Award, and 5 Golden Globe nominations, 18 JUNO Awards and he is a Companion of the Order of Canada.

In 2018 he co-wrote the Broadway musical ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ and released his 16th studio album, ‘So Happy It Hurts’ in 2022. He also followed Taylor Swift in re-recording some of his biggest songs with a double album of “Classics” in 2023.

In August 2024, Bryan launched Bad Records, (www.badrecords.com) his own independent label to house his album catalog, and kicked it off with a limited edition 7”, digital single and video of two songs “Rock And Roll Hell” and “War Machine, songs he wrote for Kiss at the beginning of his songwriting career.

These releases were followed with two box sets (Royal Albert Hall residencies), numerous singles and most recently a very special release for Record Store Day featuring previously unheard recordings of Tina Turner.

With a touring legacy spanning over four decades and global hits like “Summer of ’69” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” Bryan Adams is bringing his trademark energy and time-tested rock anthems to fans around the world once again.

Singer-songwriter Amanda Marshall has released three multi-platinum albums since 1995. Her eponymous debut is one of only 18 Canadian albums to ever achieve Diamond status in Canada, and to date it has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. The album spawned 7 Top 10 hit singles, including “Let It Rain”, “Beautiful Goodbye”, “Dark Horse”, “Fall From Grace”, “Sitting on Top of the World” and “Birmingham”.

In 1999, Marshall released Tuesday’s Child, produced by Don Was (B-52’s, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Michael McDonald, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones), and featuring collaborations with song writing heavyweights Carole King and Eric Bazilian. This 6x platinum album saw Marshall tour the globe in support of Whitney Houston, who, upon hearing it, personally selected Marshall as her support act and invited her to share the stage.

2001’s Everybody’s Got A Story marked a change in style and sound for Marshall, with a more noticeable R&B direction. Produced by the legendary Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King), the album produced 3 Top 10 hit singles including “Everybody’s Got a Story” and “Sunday Morning After” and was certified quadruple platinum within 10 weeks of its’ release.

In a pop culture world defined by its perpetual changes, the partnership of singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo has been a potent, steadfast union that has soared to the top of the charts and into fans’ hearts on their own terms. Her staggering vocals and take-no-prisoners attitude, along with his trailblazing artistry as a guitarist, producer, and songwriter, forged the undeniable chemistry and unique sound that created eternal rock hits including “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Promises In The Dark,” “We Live For Love,” “Heartbreaker” and “Hell Is For Children.”

Their stunning achievements are a testament to their vision. Together, Benatar and Giraldo have created two multi-platinum, five platinum and three gold albums, as well as 19 Top 40 hits. They have sold over 36 million records worldwide and have won an unprecedented four consecutive GRAMMY® awards. They have also been feted with three American Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award, a 2008 induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, and in 2022 became Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Built on the solid, classic rock foundation of three-part harmonies and dual guitar leads, Canada’s Juno Award-winning Sheepdogs blend Southern rock, groove-based psychedelia, and bluesy barroom swagger into a modern rock & roll revival. Emerging in 2004, the band found mainstream success in 2010 with the release of their platinum-selling third LP, Learn & Burn, and continued to top the Canadian charts with efforts like The Sheepdogs (2012), Future Nostalgia (2015), Changing Colours (2018), and Outta Sight (2022).

Hailing from the Saskatchewan city of Saskatoon, the band features the talents of Ewan Currie (vocals, guitar), Ryan Gullen (bass), Sam Corbett (drums), Shamus Currie (keyboard/trombone) and Rick Paquette (guitar). From Canadian roadhouses to global music festivals, their on-stage and on-road hours are countless, underscoring their endurance in the music scene. The release of Future Nostalgia and Changing Colours further enriched their discography, leading up to the 2022 release of the jubilant hook-filled Outta Sight, solidifying their impact in the rock domain.

Most recently, their singles from Outta Sight spent a cumulative 90 weeks with at least 1 song in the top 20 at Canadian Rock radio. Prior, their hit singles “I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good” both reached Platinum certification, with “The Way It Is” achieving Gold sales. Additionally, the albums Learn & Burn and The Sheepdogs both achieved Platinum status, and to date the band has been nominated for 11 JUNO awards, winning four.

“ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES” NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:
Thu Sep 11 – Kamloops, BC – Sandman Centre*
Fri Sep 12 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena*
Sat Sep 13 – Victoria, BC – Save On Foods Memorial Centre*
Tue Sep 23 – Prince George, BC – CN Centre*
Wed Sep 24 – Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place+
Fri Sep 26 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome+
Sat Sep 27 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place*
Sun Sep 28 – Regina, SK – Brandt Centre*
Mon Sep 29 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre*
Thu Oct 2 – St. Catharines, ON – Meridian Centre*
Fri Oct 3 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena*
Sat Oct 4 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre*
Sun Oct 5 – Windsor, ON – Caesars*
Tue Oct 7 – Peterborough, ON – Peterborough Memorial Centre*
Wed Oct 8 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre*
Thu Oct 9 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre*
Sat Oct 11 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre*
Sun Oct 12 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre*
Wed Oct 15 – St. John’s, NL – Mary Brown’s Centre*
Sat Oct 25 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena^
Sun Oct 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden^
Wed Oct 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center^
Thu Oct 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden^
Sat Nov 1 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena^
Sun Nov 2 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena^
Mon Nov 3 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena^
Wed Nov 5 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center^
Thu Nov 6 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena^
Fri Nov 7 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena^
Sun Nov 9 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live^
Mon Nov 10 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena^
Thu Nov 13 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center^
Sat Nov 15 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena^
Sun Nov 16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena^
Tue Nov 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum^
Wed Nov 19 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center^
Fri Nov 21 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena^
Sat Nov 22 – Portland, OR – Moda Center^
Mon Nov 24 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena^
Wed Nov 26 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center^
*With The Sheepdogs
^With Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
+With Amanda Marshall

5 Surprising Facts About Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’

0

There’s something about Wish You Were Here that lingers long after the last note fades. Released in 1975, Pink Floyd’s ninth studio album is a melancholic meditation on absence, industry cynicism, and the aching shadow of Syd Barrett. Beneath its sweeping synths and haunting guitar lines lies a story far deeper than most listeners ever realize. Coated in sorrow, searing honesty, and spectral nods to the past, Wish You Were Here was both a tribute and a turning point.

1. The Album’s Heartbeat? A Riff Played by Accident.
The emotional centerpiece of Wish You Were Here, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” began with four simple notes that David Gilmour stumbled into while warming up. Roger Waters heard them and instantly knew: this was the ghost of Syd Barrett speaking. Gilmour had no idea he was composing the most poignant tribute in the Floyd catalogue. That haunting B♭–F–G–E motif, forever linked to Barrett’s memory, started as a casual jam. Floyd fans: let that sink in—Pink Floyd’s most sacred melody was an accident.

2. Roy Harper’s Vocals Came With a Side of Regret
“Have a Cigar” famously features Roy Harper on lead vocals—not Waters or Gilmour. Why? Both tried and couldn’t land the sneering, cynical tone the track demanded. Harper, recording nearby, stepped in—and nailed it. But while Gilmour loved his swagger, Waters later admitted he regretted giving the line away. He wanted something more “vulnerable” than theatrical. Still, Harper’s take gave us one of the only Pink Floyd songs ever sung by an outsider. And it smokes.

3. The Hidden Ghost of “See Emily Play”
As “Shine On” fades out at the end of the album, there’s a subtle musical whisper—a quick callback to “See Emily Play,” one of Syd Barrett’s earliest Pink Floyd triumphs. Listen closely around 12:07 in Part IX, and you’ll hear Richard Wright delicately quote the melody on keyboard. It’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, but that tiny tribute feels like a ghost waving goodbye. It’s also the last solo writing credit Wright would receive until The Division Bell—his quiet farewell to Syd and maybe to his own era in Floyd.

4. Stéphane Grappelli Is On It… Barely
World-famous jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli is on “Wish You Were Here”—but you almost can’t hear him. Recording down the hall at Abbey Road, he laid down a stunning country-tinged fiddle track. But when it came time to mix, Pink Floyd decided it clashed with the song’s stripped emotion. Instead of cutting it completely, they buried it so deep in the mix that even they figured it was too faint to credit. (Spoiler: it’s at 5:21.) He still got paid £300 for his ghost note.

5. The Day Syd Barrett Returned—and Disappeared Again
On June 5, 1975, while the band mixed “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” Syd Barrett walked into Abbey Road. Bald, overweight, and almost unrecognizable, he silently sat while the band worked on a song about him. Waters cried. Gilmour thought he was a lost technician. When they played the song for him, Barrett called it “a bit old.” After attending Gilmour’s wedding canteen reception, he quietly vanished. None of them ever saw him again. His visit wasn’t just eerie—it was prophetic. The ghost of Barrett was both inspiration and apparition, gone again just as the album bearing his shadow came to life.

Wish You Were Here will always remain a requiem for lost friends, a critique of empty fame, and a reminder that music can carry both memory and mourning. Syd may have drifted away, but through every synth swell and quiet guitar phrase, Pink Floyd made sure we’d never forget who the crazy diamond truly was.

5 Surprising Facts About Phil Collins’ ‘Face Value’

Phil Collins’ Face Value cracked open the chest (and heart) of one of rock’s greatest drummers and poured his heart into 12 genre-bending, soul-searching tracks. Everyone knows In the Air Tonight, but here are five lesser-known facts about Face Value that even the biggest Genesis nerds might’ve missed.

1. “Behind the Lines” Started as Prog—Then Got Funkified
You might recognize “Behind the Lines” from Genesis’ Duke, but Collins saw something else buried in its DNA. While listening to the tape at double speed, he had an epiphany—it sounded like Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson. That was enough for Phil to flip the prog-rock epic into a horn-laden funk jam. The result? A horn-powered reinvention featuring Earth, Wind & Fire’s legendary Phenix Horns, turning prog grandeur into soul swagger. It’s not just a cover—it’s a reawakening.

2. “Over the Rainbow” Is a Hidden Farewell to Lennon
After covering The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows,” the album ends with something… different. Unlisted on most versions of Face Value, you’ll hear Phil softly singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Why? As a quiet, heartfelt tribute to John Lennon, who had been murdered just weeks before the album’s release. It’s barely audible, but it hits like a whisper across time. A subtle farewell from one Liverpudlian to another. And it’s the only hidden track Collins ever included.

3. The Album Was Rejected—By Genesis
“In the Air Tonight” and “If Leaving Me Is Easy” were both written during the Duke sessions. Collins brought them to Genesis… but the band passed. He later admitted the songs were “too simple” for the group’s complex, multi-part arrangements. That rejection was the blessing in disguise that gave Face Value its emotional core. Genesis’ “no” became Phil’s “Take a look at me now.” And thank goodness for it.

4. It Was Almost Called Interiors
Before Face Value became the name etched into pop history, Collins considered more abstract titles—Interiors and Exposure. Both nod to the deeply personal and often painful self-exploration behind the album. Ultimately, he chose Face Value, paired with that unforgettable close-up photo, so listeners could “get into his head.” Literally and metaphorically. And yes, he handwrote all the liner notes. Every last word—even the legal ones.

5. “Hand in Hand” Features a Children’s Choir—and Jazz Improv
Don’t skip over “Hand in Hand.” What starts as a smooth instrumental actually packs some serious ambition. It opens with a jazz-tinged instrumental and features a children’s choir from Los Angeles softly humming along—uncredited, but essential. The song flows into sections of improvisation, African-inspired percussion, and one of Collins’ most adventurous arrangements. It’s a masterclass in genre-blending: jazz, soul, R&B, and prog, hand in hand.

Face Value was his reinvention, a confessional, and a rhythm-soaked rebirth. With heartbreak as his muse and a Roland drum machine by his side, Phil Collins did what few drummers ever dared: he stepped out front, ripped his chest open, and changed pop music forever.