February 16, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of February 9, 2014, it was announced that Donovan, Jim Weatherly, and Ray Davies of the Kinks will be inducted into this year's Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Also that week, it was announced that various Beatles memorabilia items will be going up for auction that include a signed copy of "Meet The Beatles" and the original jackets worn by Ringo Starr and George Harrison in the movie, "Help!".
A lost Bob Dylan album recorded in 1969 titled "Dylan's Gospel" is slated to be re-released this April. It consists of covers of Dylan-penned songs performed in the style of a gospel chorus by a group of session singers known as The Brothers and Sisters.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be touring the U.S. starting this April. Queen will be touring again for the first time since 2005. Also, Elton John will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of his "Yellow Brick Road" album with a show in Dublin, Ireland which will take place this December.
Todd Rundgren recently launched a new philanthropic foundation called the Spirit of Harmony that provides funding and support to music education programs for disadvantaged and underprivileged kids. Also, for the 14th year in a row, Roger Daltrey will be putting on a series of concerts this March at London's Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Finally, below is a video of some rare footage from the 1961 documentary, "Wasn't That A Time," featuring folk icon Pete Seeger who recently passed away.
February 9, 2014: Roger Daltrey Announces 2014 Fundraiser Concerts
Roger Daltrey of The Who will be putting on a series of concerts March 24-30, 2014 at London's Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity dedicated to teens and young adults with cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin's and related diseases. These concerts have been held annually for the past 13 years. Featured bands and artists for this year's shows will include the Cure, OneRepublic, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, and Suede.
Source: Roger Daltrey Announces Teenage Cancer Trust Concerts
February 10, 2014: Bruce Springsteen Announces 2014 U.S. Tour
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band announced that they will be touring the U.S. starting April 8, 2014 in Cincinnati, OH. This tour will wrap up on May 18 in Uncasville, CT and will also cover other cities in Ohio, Connecticut, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and New York.
Source: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Announce 2014 U.S. Tour | Music News | Rolling Stone
February 10, 2014: Lost 1969 Album Of Bob Dylan Songs Resurfaces
During the summer of 1969, an album of covers of Bob Dylan songs was recorded by a group of 27 session singers called The Brothers and Sisters that included the highly acclaimed Merry Clayton. Titled "Dylan's Gospel," the songs on this album were performed in the style of a rousing gospel chorus. This album was released on Ode Records but soon became out-of-print. It is set to be re-released April 1, 2014 on Light In The Attic Records.
Source: Dylan’s Gospel | Light In The Attic Records
February 11, 2014: Donovan, Jim Weatherly, And Ray Davies To Be Inducted Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Donovan, Jim Weatherly, and Ray Davies of the Kinks are among those to be inducted into this year's Songwriters Hall of Fame. The other inductees are Graham Gouldman and Mark James who wrote hit songs for other bands and artists. The award ceremonies will take place on June 12, 2014 at New York City's Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Source: Ray Davies, Donovan to Enter Songwriters Hall of Fame | Music News | Rolling Stone
February 11, 2014: Jackets From The Movie 'Help!' To Go Up For Auction
The famous jackets worn by Ringo Starr and George Harrison in the Beatles' 1965 movie "Help!" will be going up for auction on March 20, 2014 at Liverpool's Adelphi hotel. These are also the same jackets worn by Starr and Harrison on the cover of this movie's soundtrack album. They will be among 200+ items of Beatles memorabilia to be sold.
Source: BBC News - Beatles Help! jackets to be auctioned
February 13, 2014: Todd Rundgren Launches Spirit of Harmony Foundation
During an interview with ultimateclassicrock.com, Todd Rundgren discussed the recent launching of his Spirit of Harmony foundation. This new philanthropic organization provides funding and support to music education programs for the benefit of kids who would not otherwise have access to them. The Spirit of Harmony was established after Rundgren and some fans made a charitable donation to the Youth Orchestra of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.
Source: Exclusive: Todd Rundgren On His New Foundation and the Beatles' Influence
February 14, 2014: Elton John To Celebrate 40th Anniversary Of 'Yellow Brick Road' With Show In Dublin
Elton John will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of his classic "Yellow Brick Road" album with a show in Dublin, Ireland. This event will take place on December 9, 2014 at Dublin's 02 Arena. Tickets go on sale starting February 17. For more info, visit eltonjohn.com.
Source: Elton and the Band for Dublin, Ireland: EltonJohn.com
February 14, 2014: Signed Copy Of 'Meet The Beatles' To Go Up For Auction
A signed copy of the Fab Four's "Meet The Beatles" album will be going up for auction March 13-20, 2014 at RR Auction. This album, which was signed by all four members of the Beatles, was given to Dr. Jules Gordon who treated George Harrison's sore throat before the band made its historic debut on the Ed Sullivan show February 9, 1964. Dr. Gordon was the house doctor at the Plaza Hotel in New York City where the Beatles stayed during their first U.S. visit.
Source: Signed Copy of 'Meet the Beatles' Up For Auction | Music News | Rolling Stone
February 15, 2014: Queen To Tour Again
Brian May of Queen announced that the band will be touring again, with Adam Lambert filling in for the departing Paul Rodgers. Queen is set to perform at this year's Sonisphere festival in Knebworth, United Kingdom, which will take place July 6-8, 2014. The last time Queen toured with the original and late lead singer, Freddie Mercury, was in 1986. When Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, the band decided to stop touring, although it continued on over the years with a number of personnel changes. Queen did not tour again until 19 years later when the Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour was launched in 2005.
Source: Queen And Adam Lambert Confirm Tour
