August 17, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of August 10, 2014, it was announced that Billy Joel will be among those featured in an upcoming documentary about the baby boomer generation which airs September 23, 2014 on PBS (see trailer below).
Also that week, founding member Paul Revere announced that he will be retiring from The Raiders after over half a century with the veteran rock band.
Alice Cooper, who is currently on tour with Motley Crue, has added four new North American shows to his itinerary. Also, a tribute concert for Lynyrd Skynyrd is set to place this November in Atlanta, GA.
Smokey Robinson and Kenny Rogers are among those who will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during a PBS special which airs live on September 13, 2014. Also, Patti LaBelle will be appearing in four episodes from the upcoming latest installment of the FX TV series, "American Horror Story," which premieres this October.
Ken Sharp has recently published a book titled "Kooks, Queen Bitches and Andy Warhol: The Making of David Bowie's Hunky Dory" about David Bowie's classic 1971 album. Also, Dylan Jones just published "Elvis Has Left the Building: The Day the King Died" which examines the King's lasting influence on music pop culture.
Also that week, it was announced that the soundtrack to the recently released movie, "Guardians Of The Galaxy," topped the Billboard 200 for the week ending August 10, 2014. This album consists mainly of old familiar favorites from the 1970s that include Blue Swede's "Hooked On A Feeling," Rupert Holmes' "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)," and Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit In The Sky."
Finally, Paul McCartney gave the very last concert to ever be held at San Francisco's landmark Candlestick Park, which is scheduled for demolition. McCartney came full circle as this was the same venue where the Beatles gave their final live concert almost 48 years ago.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
August 11, 2014: New Book Examines David Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' Album
Ken Sharp has recently published a book about David Bowie's 1971 album, "Hunky Dory." Titled "Kooks, Queen Bitches and Andy Warhol: The Making of David Bowie's Hunky Dory," this book includes interviews of those involved in the production of this critically acclaimed album.
Source: David Bowie's Hunky Dory Examined In New Book
August 11, 2014: New Book About Elvis Presley Released
Dylan Jones has just released a new book about Elvis Presley which examines the King's lasting influence on music pop culture. Titled "Elvis Has Left the Building: The Day the King Died," this book connects Presley's death in 1977 to the concurrent emerging popularity of punk rock.
Source: Exclusive excerpt: 'Elvis Has Left the Building'
August 11, 2014: Paul Revere Leaves The Raiders
Founding member Paul Revere will be leaving The Raiders after over half a century with the veteran rock band famous for such hits as "Kicks" (1966), "Hungry" (1966), and the chart-topping "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" (1971). The 76-year-old musician and band leader will be replaced by his son, Jamie, a former member who first joined the band in the 1990s. The band will be renamed Paul Revere's Raiders, and Paul will serve as an executive producer.
Source: Paul Revere Leaves The Raiders
August 11, 2014: Billy Joel Featured In Upcoming PBS Documentary
On September 23, 2014, PBS will be airing a documentary about the baby boomer generation titled "American Masters: The Boomer List." Billy Joel is among the group of famous baby boomers who will be interviewed in this upcoming special which examines the many culturally and historically pivotal events that took place between 1946-1964.
Source: Billy Joel Featured in Upcoming PBS Doc About the Baby Boomer Era
August 12, 2014: Patti LaBelle To Appear In Upcoming 'American Horror Story'
Patti LaBelle will be featured in the upcoming season of the FX TV series, "American Horror Story," which premieres this October. LaBelle will be appearing in four episodes of the latest installment, "American Horror Story: Freak Show," which is set in the 1950s in Jupiter, FL.
Source: Patti LaBelle to Be Featured in New Season of "American Horror Story"
August 12, 2014: Alice Cooper Adds New Fall Show Dates
Alice Cooper has added four new North American shows to his itinerary. These shows will take place on October 30, October 31, November 2, and November 26, 2014 in Rama, ON, Canada, Kitchener, ON, Canada, Hammond, IN, and Las Vegas, NV, respectively. Cooper will also continue for most of the rest of this year as the opening act for Motley Crue's farewell tour, which began last July.
Source: Alice Cooper Schedules New Fall North American Concerts
August 12, 2014: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Concert To Take Place In November
A concert honoring the famed Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be taking place on November 12, 2014 in Atlanta, GA at the Fox Theatre. Among the featured performers at this event, dubbed "One More for the Fans! Celebrating the Songs & Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd," are Gregg Allman, Peter Frampton, and Charlie Daniels, as well as the guests of honor.
Source: Country and Rock Greats Pay Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
August 13, 2014: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Soundtrack Tops Billboard 200
The soundtrack to the recently released movie, "Guardians Of The Galaxy," topped the Billboard 200 for the week ending August 10, 2014. Subtitled "Awesome Mix Vol. 1," this album consists mainly of songs from the 1970s. Highlights include such old familiar favorites as "Hooked On A Feeling" by Blue Swede, "O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps, "Come And Get Your Love" by Redbone, "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes, "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, and "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" by Elvin Bishop.
Source: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Soundtrack Hits No. 1 On Billboard 200 | Billboard
August 15, 2014: Paul McCartney Gives Final Candlestick Park Concert
On August 14, 2014, Paul McCartney gave the very last concert to ever be held at San Francisco's landmark Candlestick Park, which is scheduled for demolition. McCartney came full circle as this was the same venue where the Beatles gave their final live concert almost 48 years ago. His set included many Beatles and Wings hits, plus a rare performance of "Long Tall Sally" which he performed against a backdrop of previously unseen photos of the Beatles during their historic final concert, which took place at Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.
Source: Paul McCartney Closes Candlestick Park 'in Style' | Rolling Stone
August 16, 2014: Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers To Celebrate 200th Anniversary Of 'Star-Spangled Banner' On PBS
Smokey Robinson and Kenny Rogers are among those who will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in an upcoming PBS special titled "Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of Our National Anthem." The festivities, which will take place in Baltimore, MD, where Fort McHenry is located, will be aired live on September 13, 2014.
Source: Smokey Robinson and Kenny Rogers to Help Mark 200th Anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
