August 31, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of August 24, 2014, fans mourned the passing of Glenn Cornick who was the original bassist for Jethro Tull.
Also that week, it was announced that Bob Dylan's legendary "Basement Tapes," an extensive collection of songs recorded in 1967 with many never-before-heard tracks, will be released in their entirely as a box set this November.
ZZ Top and Jeff Beck, who began a joint tour earlier this month, announced that all remaining show dates (except for three shows by Beck slated for the end of this month) will be canceled after the bassist for ZZ Top injured his hip from a fall. Also, Bob Dylan announced an upcoming North American tour which kicks off this October in Seattle, WA. Starting this September, the four members of ABBA will also be making an "appearance" of a sort - as wax figures at the New York City branch of Madame Tussauds museum.
The Turtles will be releasing a box set on 7" vinyl of the band's greatest hits along with some lesser known gems. Titled "The Turtles 45 RPM Vinyl Singles Collection," this collection is due out this September. Barry Manilow will be releasing an album of duets titled "My Dream Duets" which is due out this October. Also, Neil Young is currently working on a new album titled "Storytone" which is expected out this November.
Also that week, Chuck Berry was awarded Sweden's prestigious Polar Music Prize. It was announced that Stevie Wonder will be honored with the first-ever Epitome of Soul Award this October. Also, John Lennon's first self-portrait will be going up for auction this September. This rare item is expected to bring in a whopping $5 million.
Finally, Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" was voted the greatest guitar riff in a recent poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Below is a video of an early and previously unreleased version of "Black Dog" from the upcoming reissue of "Led Zeppelin IV":
August 25, 2014: John Lennon's First Self-Portrait To Be Sold At Auction
On September 14, 2014, John Lennon's first self portrait, which he painted in 1958, will be going up for auction in London at CooperOwen Music Media Auctions. This rare and unique collector's item is expected to bring in around $5 million.
Source: John Lennon's First Self-Portrait to Be Sold at a UK Auction in September
August 25, 2014: Barry Manilow To Release Album Of Duets With Deceased Artists
This October, Barry Manilow will be releasing an album of duets titled "My Dream Duets." This upcoming album is unique in that all the guest artists are deceased. Among those featured are the late and great Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Dusty Springfield, and John Denver.
Source: Barry Manilow to Sing with Dearly Departed Legends on New Album "My Dream Duets"
August 26, 2014: Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' Voted Greatest Guitar Riff
In a poll of listeners of BBC Radio 2, Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" was voted the greatest guitar riff of all time in a list of 100 classic riffs put together by a panel of music critics, record producers, and DJs. Another guitar riff from this list with a high ranking was Deep Purple’s "Smoke On The Water" which came in at #4.
Source: Led Zeppelin's “Whole Lotta Love” Voted Greatest Guitar Riff
August 26, 2014: Bob Dylan's 'Basement Tapes' Complete Set To Be Released
On November 4, 2014, Bob Dylan's legendary "Basement Tapes," an extensive collection of over 100 songs Dylan wrote in 1967 and recorded with The Band in the basement of a house in upstate New York, will be released in their entirely as a 6-CD box set. This long-awaited 138-track collection includes many original songs and traditional covers, about 30 of which have never been heard before.
Source: Bob Dylan's Legendary 'Basement Tapes' Will Be Released
August 27, 2014: Stevie Wonder To Receive First Epitome Of Soul Award
On October 11, Stevie Wonder will be receiving the first-ever Epitome of Soul Award. The ceremonies will be held in Memphis, TN at the Cannon Center of the Performing Arts where Wonder will be presented this award by the Consortium MMT, a non-profit organization aimed at developing Memphis as a soul music industry hub. The legendary R&B singer-songwriter is also slated to perform at this event.
Source: Stevie Wonder to Receive First Epitome of Soul Award at October Event in Memphis
August 27, 2014: Bob Dylan To Launch North American Tour
Bob Dylan will be launching a 31-date North American tour that begins on October 17, 2014 in Seattle, WA. This tour, which ends on December 2 in New York City, will also cover Washington, D.C. and various cities in California, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ontario, Canada.
Source: Bob Dylan Details 31-Date North American Fall Tour
August 27, 2014: Chuck Berry Receives Sweden's Polar Music Prize
On August 26, 2014, Chuck Berry was awarded the prestigious Polar Music Prize by the Swedish-based Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation. The award ceremonies took place at the Stockholm Concert Hall where members of the Swedish royalty were among those in attendance. The rock and roll legend was not able to attend due to illness. His acceptance speech was delivered by Dave Edmunds, and longtime admirer Keith Richards also made a video congratulating Berry.
Source: Chuck Berry Receives Sweden's Prestigious Polar Music Prize
August 28, 2014: ABBA Wax Figures To Make U.S. Debut
On September 3, 2014, wax figures of the four members of ABBA will be making their U.S. debut at the New York City branch of Madame Tussauds museum. The four figures are dressed in matching white costumes, bell bottoms, and platform boots like those ABBA wore in the 1975 "SOS" video.
Source: ABBA Wax Figures to Make US Debut in New York City Next Week
August 28, 2014: ZZ Top To Cancel Rest Of Tour After Bassist's Injury
ZZ Top and Jeff Beck have both been on tour all summer, and earlier this month, the two acts embarked on a joint tour. After Dusty Hill, the bassist for ZZ Top, injured his hip from a fall, ZZ Top and Beck announced that they will be cancelling all remaining shows except for three with Beck and his band scheduled for the end of this month. Ticket holders for the ZZ Top-Jeff Beck tour can receive refunds or hold onto their tickets as many shows may be rescheduled.
Source: ZZ Top Cancel Rest of Tour After Bassist's Injury
August 29, 2014: Neil Young Recording New Album With Symphony Orchestra
Neil Young is currently working on a new album which is expected out on November 4, 2014. Titled "Storytone," this upcoming album is a stylistic departure for Young as it will include a symphony orchestra.
Source: Neil Young Recording with Orchestra for Project Reportedly Titled "Storytone"
August 29, 2014: Ex-Jethro Tull Bassist Glenn Cornick Passes Away
Famed bassist Glenn Cornick, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure, died on August 28, 2014 at age 67 at his home in Hilo, Hawaii. He was the original bassist for the British progressive rock band, Jethro Tull, and he also co-founded and played in a number of other rock bands.
He was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England and played bass in several bands before joining Jethro Tull in 1967. Cornick was with Jethro Tull through 1970 and played on the band's first three albums, "This Was," "Stand Up," and "Benefit." He can also be heard on "Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970" and "Living In The Past," a compilation album released by Jethro Tull in 1972.
Cornick then formed his own band, Wild Turkey, which disbanded in 1974. He then joined the German band, Karthago before forming the rock band, Paris in 1975 with the late Bob Welch who had been a member of Fleetwood Mac. Cornick then moved to the U.S. after Paris disbanded in 1977. Over the years, he was a regular participant in Jethro Tull conventions and tributes.
Cornick's survivors include his wife Brigitte, daughter Molly, and sons Alex and Drew.
Source: Glenn Cornick, former Jethro Tull bassist, dies in Hilo | Hawaii Tribune-Herald
August 30, 2014: Turtles To Release Vinyl Box Set
On September 16, 2014, the Turtles will be releasing a box set on 7" vinyl discs. Titled "The Turtles 45 RPM Vinyl Singles Collection," this 16-song collection includes the band's greatest hits as well as some lesser known gems such as "Outside Chance" and "Love in the City."
Source: Turtles Hits Get Boxed in New Vinyl Singles Collection
