March 10, 2013 by Amy Gold
During the week of March 3, 2013, fans mourned the passing of Miracles co-founder Bobby Rogers, singer-producer Jewel Akens famous for "The Birds And The Bees," Ten Years After lead singer and guitarist Alvin Lee, jazz trumpeter Kenny Ball famous for "Midnight In Moscow," and country singer-songwriter Claude King famous for "Wolverton Mountain."
Also, the Rolling Stones have announced a tour for 2013 in North America as a follow-up to their hugely successful 50th anniversary concerts last year. Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, and Neil Young have also announced upcoming tours for later this year, Bruce Springsteen will be headlining the London's Hard Rock Calling festival this June, and three original Kansas members will be reuniting for a summer concert. This year also happens to be the 40th anniversary for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, and Kansas.
Jimi Hendrix's archival album, "People, Hell and Angels," which contains 12 never-before-released tracks recorded in 1968-1969, has just been released and is making quite a splash. It is predicted to debut on next week's Billboard 200 chart at #2, which would make this Hendrix's highest charting album since 1968. Also, in celebration of this year's Record Store Day, which will take place on April 20, a limited edition vinyl album will be released of live performances from 2005 at the Albert Hall by former Cream members.
March 3, 2013: Miracles Co-Founder Bobby Rogers Passes Away
Singer-songwriter Bobby Rogers died on March 3, 2013 at age 73 at his home in Southfield, MI after a long illness. Rogers was a co-founder and longtime member of the Miracles and served as a tenor for the group from 1956-2011. By a remarkable coincidence, he and his future bandmate, Smokey Robinson, were both born on the same day (February 19, 1940) in Detroit and in the same hospital, but the two would not meet until some 15 years later. Rogers also co-wrote many hit songs for the Miracles and other Motown bands and artists, including "Going to a Go-Go," the Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do," Mary Wells' "What Love Has Joined Together," and the Contours' "First I Look at the Purse." In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of the Miracles. Rogers is survived by his wife Joan; four children, Bobbae Rogers, Gina Hughes, Kimberly Hughes, and Robert Rogers III; granddaughter Brandi Williams; and two cousins, Claudette Rogers and Emerson "Sonny" Rogers, who were also longtime members of the Miracles.
Source: Bobby Rogers of the Miracles dies after long illness | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
March 3, 2013: Bob Dylan Announces Upcoming Tour Dates
Bob Dylan has announced the dates for his upcoming Spring 2013 Tour in support of his latest album, "Tempest." This tour begins on April 5, 2013 at SUNY Buffalo Alumni Arena in Buffalo, NY and ends on April 21, 2013 at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Information on ticket sales and concert locations can be found at Bob Dylan's website.
Source: Bob Dylan Reveals New U.S. Spring Tour Dates
March 3, 2013: Rolling Stones Honored At NME Music Awards
The Rolling Stones were presented with awards for the Best Live Band and Best Music Film at the annual NME Music Awards. The Best Live Band award was for last year's Rolling Stones 50th anniversary tour, and the Best Music Film award was for the band's documentary, "Crossfire Hurricane."
Source: Rolling Stones Win Big At NME Awards
March 4, 2013: Greg Lake Interviewed By Rolling Stone
Influential progressive rock musician Greg Lake was the frontman and key songwriter and producer for Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and he also co-founded and served as lead singer for King Crimson. In this interview by Rolling Stone, Lake discussed ELP, King Crimson, and his latest one-man retrospective shows, and he announced his upcoming autobiography, "Lucky Man."
March 4, 2013: Bruce Springsteen To Headline London Hard Rock Calling Festival For The Third Time
Bruce Springsteen will be headlining this year's London Hard Rock Calling Festival on June 30, whicih will make this his third headline performance at this event. This year's festivities will take place at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Ticket sales info is available at the Hard Rock Calling website.
March 6, 2013: 'The Birds And The Bees' Singer Jewel Akens Passes Away
Singer-producer Jewel Akens died on March 1, 2013 at age 79 in Inglewood, CA from complications of back surgery. He is famous for the 1965 smash hit, "The Birds And The Bees." Akens began his career singing with the Medallions, the Four Dots, singer Eddie Daniels as "Jewel and Eddie," and the Turn-Arounds who were offered "The Birds And The Bees" but turned the song down. He toured with the Monkees in the mid-late 1960s and over the years, continued to record, tour, and perform to well in his 70s. His production credits include the critically-acclaimed 1973 album, "Super Taylors," a Southern soul duet album by Ted Taylor and Little Johnny Taylor. Akens is survived by his wife, Eddie Mae.
Source: Jewel Akens, Singer of ‘The Birds and the Bees,’ Dies at 79 - NYTimes.com
March 6, 2013: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Writes Eurovision Song for Armenia
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi wrote a rock ballad, "Lonely Planet," that will serve as Armenia's entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. This song will be performed by the Armenian band, Dorians. The Eurovision contest semifinals will take place on May 14, 2013 in Malmo, Sweden. Iommi is also working on albums with Queen's Brian May and Black Sabbath.
Source: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Writes Eurovision Song for Armenia | Music News | Rolling Stone
March 6, 2013: Lynyrd Skynyrd And Bad Company To Co-Headline Upcoming Tour
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company announced that they will be co-headlining "The 40 Tour." This tour, which was named in honor of the 40th anniversary of both bands, begins on June 20, 2013 at the White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA and ends on July 27, 2013 at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY.
Source: Lynyrd Skynyrd And Bad Company To Co-Headline The 40 Tour
March 6, 2013: Singer-Guitarist Alvin Lee Of Ten Years After Passes Away
Singer-guitarist Alvin Lee died unexpectedly at age 68 on March 6, 2013 in Spain after complications from a routine surgery, according to his website. Lee was born in Nottingham, England and began playing guitar at 13. Two years later, he co-founded the core of a group that would later became known as Ten Years After. In 1969, the band played at the the Newport Jazz Festival and at Woodstock and became an important part of rock and roll history. In the early 1970s, Ten Years After had a string of hits that included "Love Like A Man" and "I'd Love To Change The World." Lee served as this band's lead singer and guitarist until 1973 before going solo. Over the years, he continued to perform and recorded many albums. His latest album, "Still on the Road," was released last year. Lee's survivors include his wife Evi and daughter Jasmin.
Source: Alvin Lee of Ten Years After Dead at 68 | Music News | Rolling Stone
March 7, 2013: Neil Young And Crazy Horse Announce More UK Tour Dates
Neil Young and Crazy Horse have announced that two more shows will be added to their UK tour itinerary. One of these shows will take place at the Liverpool Echo Arena on August 18, 2013, and the other at the London O2 Arena on August 19, 2013. This summer's tour is Young's first in the UK since 2001.
Source: Neil Young & Crazy Horse Add Dates To UK Tour
March 7, 2013: Famed Jazz Trumpeter Kenny Ball Passes Away
Famed jazz trumpeter Kenny Ball died on March 7, 2013 at age 82 in Essex from pneumonia. Ball was born in England in Ilford, Essex and began taking trumpet lessons at 14. He played with the Sid Phillips and Eric Delaney bands before forming Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen in 1958. This band had a string of hits in the early-mid 1960s that included the 1962 smash hit, "Midnight In Moscow." Over the years, Ball actively toured with his band to almost the end of his life, often performing along with other jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Acker Bilk, and Chris Barber. His many shows and concerts included performing at the wedding reception of Lady Diana and Prince Charles in 1981. Kenny Ball's survivors include his son Keith.
Source: BBC News - Kenny Ball, jazz trumpeter, dies at 82
March 7, 2013: Famed Country Singer-Songwriter Claude King Passes Away
Famed country singer-songwriter and actor Claude King died on March 7, 2013 at age 90 at his home in Shreveport, LA. King debuted on the charts with "Big River, Big Man" in 1961 and became famous for "Wolverton Mountain," which topped the Country charts and peaked at #6 on the Pop/Rock charts in 1962. This smash hit was followed by a string of hits that continued through the late 1970s on the Country charts. As an actor, King appeared in the 1982 TV miniseries, "The Blue and the Gray," and in several films. King is survived by his wife Barbara, three sons, a niece, and three nephews.
Source: CMT : News : Claude King, Singer-Songwriter of "Wolverton Mountain," Dies at Age 90
March 7, 2013: Cream Album To Be Released On Record Store Day
In celebration of this year's Record Store Day, a limited edition (1,500 copies) triple vinyl album by Cream, "Royal Albert Hall London: May 2-3-5-6 2005," is scheduled for release on April 20, 2013. This album is a live reunion concert by former Cream members Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce who comprised this 1960s British rock supergroup.
March 7, 2013: Ringo Starr Exhibit To Open At Grammy Museum
An exhibit of Ringo Starr memorabilia, "Ringo: Peace and Love," is scheduled to open July 12, 2013 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, and it will run through November, with a tour through various cities to follow later. This exhibit will feature memorabilia both from Starr's solo career and his days with the Beatles' that will include never-before-seen photos, film footage, correspondence, costumes, and historic items such as his drumkit from the Beatles' performances on the Ed Sullivan show.
Source: Ringo Starr Exhibit to Open at Grammy Museum | Music News | Rolling Stone
March 8, 2013: Rolling Stones Announce Upcoming North American Tour
After months of speculation, it is finally official: The Rolling Stones will be touring this year in North America. Right now, 18 shows are being planned, but the exact dates, times, and locations still need to be firmed up.
Source: Rolling Stones Planning 18 North American Tour Dates: Source | Music News | Rolling Stone
March 8, 2013: Original Kansas Members To Reunite For Summer Concert
Kansas will be giving a concert on August 17, 2013 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA in celebration of this band's 40th anniversary. The first part of the concert will be performed with a 35-piece orchestra, and the second part will be in a more familiar rock format. This event will feature guest appearances by original band members Dave Hope, Kerry Livgren and Robby Steinhardt.
Source: Pittsburgh gets special Kansas concert - Timesonline.com: Local Entertainment
March 9, 2013: Jimi Hendrix's Archival Album Predicted To Debut At #2 On Billboard 200
Jimi Hendrix's new archival album, "People, Hell and Angels," is predicted to debut at #2 on next week's Billboard 200 chart. If this prediction proves to be correct, this would set a new record for Hendrix whose last highest-charting album was in 1968, when "Electric Ladyland" topped the charts and stayed there for two weeks.
Source: Jimi Hendrix Set For Highest-Charting Album in 44 Years | Billboard
