August 10, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of August 3, 2014, the new Janis Joplin Forever Stamp honoring the late 1960s rock legend was officially released by the U.S. Postal Service and is now available at post offices nationwide.
Also that week, it was announced that The Who is making preparations for its upcoming 50th anniversary tour and asking fans to share their old memorabilia.
Yes will be giving a concert later this month in San Jose, CA which will be streamed live on Yahoo. Brian Wilson will be touring this fall, with former Beach Boys band mate Al Jardine to be featured in some of his shows. Art Garfunkel recently added some new shows to his itinerary for this September and October, and Roger Hodgson of Supertramp announced a series of shows in North America that begins this November. ZZ Top also added several new fall show dates and indicated that some new albums are currently in the works.
Jim Peterik of The Ides Of March and Survivor will be releasing an autobiography this September titled "Through the Eye of the Tiger: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member." Also that month, a new video game by Bungie and Activision titled "Destiny" is due out and features a soundtrack co-written by Paul McCartney. This October, Van Morrison will be publishing a book of lyrics titled "Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics." This November, Eric Clapton will be releasing a new documentary chronicling the Far and Middle Eastern leg of his 2014 tour titled "Planes, Trains and Eric."
Also that week, Fab Four fans celebrated the 45th anniversary of the famous photo shoot of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road on foot. Also, it was announced that Rick Springfield will be appearing in the upcoming movie, "Ricki And The Flash," which begins filming this October.
Finally, it was announced that the city of Seattle will soon begin construction of a park in honor of Jimi Hendrix (see video below).
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
August 3, 2014: Jim Peterik Of The Ides Of March To Release Autobiography
On September 23, 2014, Jim Peterik will be releasing an autobiography titled "Through the Eye of the Tiger: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member." Peterik was a member of the Ides of March famous for the 1970 smash hit, "Vehicle," which he wrote and performed as the lead vocalist. In the late 1970s, he co-founded Survivor and co-wrote "Eye of the Tiger" which topped the charts in 1982 and was used as the theme for "Rocky III."
Source: Jim Peterik of The Ides of March and Survivor to Release Autobiography in September
August 4, 2014: Brian Wilson To Tour This Fall
Brian Wilson announced that he will be touring this fall, with three California shows scheduled so far. These shows, which take place in August and October, will also feature longtime Beach Boys member Al Jardine. More shows are expected to be announced later.
Source: Brian Wilson Lines Up New Tour Dates with Beach Boys Band Mate Al Jardine
August 5, 2014: Art Garfunkel Adds New Shows
Art Garfunkel announced a new series of North American shows that starts on September 18, 2014 in Newberry, SC and ends on October 12 in Midland, TX. Before that, he will be performing in the U.K., and afterwards, he will take his tour to Japan this December. In 2010, the golden-voiced singer was stricken with vocal cord paresis and now appears to be fully recovered.
Source: Art Garfunkel Schedules New North American Concerts in September & October
August 6, 2014: The Who Prepares For 50th Anniversary Tour And Asks Fans For Memorabilia
The Who is currently making preparations for its upcoming 50th anniversary tour and asking fans to share their old memorabilia such as long-lost recordings, concert footage, TV and radio performances, bootlegs, photos, and demos. The famed British rock band will share selected items in their upcoming releases and will credit those fans who offered these items and give each one two VIP tickets.
Source: The Who Ask Fans for Help With 50th Anniversary
August 6, 2014: Supertramp Co-Founder Announces Fall Show Dates
Supertramp co-founder and former frontman Roger Hodgson announced a series of eight shows in North America that kicks off on November 4, 2014 in Wabash, IN. Along with classic Supertramp hits, Hodgson will also perform songs from his solo albums backed by a four-piece band.
Source: Supertramp Co-Founder Roger Hodgson Announces Fall Tour
August 6, 2014: Yes Concert To Be Streamed Live On Yahoo
On August 19, 2014, Yes will give a concert at City National Civic in San Jose, CA. This event will be streamed live on Yahoo's new live streaming concert series.
Source: Yes Show Added to Yahoo's Streaming Concert Series
August 7, 2014: Van Morrison Book Of Lyrics To Be Published
On October 21, 2014, Van Morrison will be publishing a book of lyrics of some of his favorite songs from his five decades-long career, titled "Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics." The legendary rocker will also appear at London's Lyric Theatre on November 17 to read from his book and discuss his work.
Source: Book of Van Morrison Lyrics Selected by the Singer Himself to Be Published in October
August 7, 2014: Jimi Hendrix Park To Be Built In Seattle
Plans to build a commemorative park in Seattle, WA to honor Jimi Hendrix are currently underway. Construction on this 2.5 acre park will begin in 2015 and will be carried out in two stages. The first stage, named "Little Wing" after Hendrix's 1967 song, will include an entrance, pathways, a butterfly garden, and an exhibit showing a timeline of Hendrix's life. The second stage will include a shelter, a performance area, and a "shadow wave wall" showing silhouettes of this famed native Seattleite. (See video above.)
Source: Jimi Hendrix Park Breaks Ground in Seattle
August 7, 2014: Rick Springfield To Play Musician In Upcoming Movie
Rick Springfield will be appearing in the upcoming movie, "Ricki And The Flash," which stars Meryl Streep in the title role. The 1980s heartthrob, who is famous for his chart-topping 1981 hit, "Jessie's Girl," and his role as Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital," will be playing a musician who has a crush on the Streep character. Filming is scheduled to begin this October.
Source: Rick Springfield to Play Rock Musician in Film Starring Meryl Streep
August 7, 2014: Eric Clapton 2014 Tour Documentary To Be Released
On November 4, 2014, Eric Clapton will be releasing a new documentary chronicling the Far and Middle Eastern leg of his 2014 tour, titled "Planes, Trains and Eric." This film, to be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and other digital formats, includes live performances of classic hits, behind the scenes footage, and interviews with Clapton and various members of his band.
Source: Eric Clapton's New Tour Doc 'Planes, Trains and Eric'
August 8, 2014: Fab Four Fans Celebrate 45th Anniversary Of Beatles Crossing Abbey Road
On August 8, 1969, the Beatles were captured in an iconic photograph of them crossing London's Abbey Road for the famous album cover of the same name. A few hundred Beatles fans gathered together at Abbey Road to celebrate the 45th anniversary of this event. On the Beatles' official website, fans can also view a gallery of outtakes from the 1969 photo shoot that show John, Paul, George, and Ringo walking in both directions across this iconic zebra crossing.
Source: The Beatles Famously Walked Across Abbey Road 45 Years Ago Today
August 8, 2014: Paul McCartney Co-Writes 'Destiny' Video Game Soundtrack
On September 9, 2014, a video game by Bungie and Activision titled "Destiny" is scheduled for release. One of this game's main highlights is its soundtrack which was co-written by Paul McCartney, who also wrote a theme song for the game which is slated for release as a single.
Source: Paul McCartney Collaborates on a Video Game Score - NYTimes.com
August 8, 2014: Janis Joplin Forever Stamp Officially Released
On August 8, 2014, the U.S. Postal Service officially released its new Janis Joplin Forever Stamp which is now available at post offices nationwide. A first-day-of-issue ceremony commemorating the launch of this psychedelic stamp was held that same day at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
Source: USPS honors groundbreaking singer Janis Joplin on Forever stamp
August 10, 2014: ZZ Top Adds Fall Show Dates, New Albums In The Works
ZZ Top is currently on tour with Jeff Beck, and the band has added some new fall show dates that run through November 2, 2014 in San Antonio, TX. ZZ Top co-founder and frontman Billy Gibbons, who has been working with David Guetta on a new album, indicated that ZZ Top is also planning a new album.
