June 15, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of June 8, 2014, Donovan, Jim Weatherly, and Ray Davies of the Kinks were among those inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Also that week, it was announced that several Four Seasons box sets and other recordings will be released over the coming weeks in celebration of the upcoming premiere of "Jersey Boys," a movie adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical about this legendary vocal group (see trailer below), which will take place nationwide on June 20, 2014.
A new album by Willie Nelson titled "Band of Brothers" and a Doors tribute album consisting of covers of Doors songs by many top classic rockers are both due out later this month. This July, the Allman Brothers will be releasing a box set titled "The 1971 Fillmore East Recordings" of live performances the band gave in 1971 at this famous venue.
The Yardbirds, whose current lineup includes two original band members, will be launching a U.S. tour later this month. This July, a never-before-seen Grateful Dead concert movie titled "Beat Club 4/21/72" will be shown in select theaters nationwide. Also that month, Paul McCartney, who had to cancel several concerts last spring due to a viral infection, will be resuming his U.S. tour. He also has a new biography coming out titled "Man on the Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970s."
It was announced that Stevie Wonder's 1976 song, "Another Star," will be used as the theme for the World Cup for the BBC. Also, three songs from Carlos Santana's latest album, "Corazon," will be played during select sporting events and other programs on ESPN and ESPN Deportes throughout the summer.
Also that week, "Led Zeppelin," "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III" all debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart (at numbers 7, 9 and 10, respectively). It was also announced that Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Thomas, and Bill Henderson of Chilliwack will be among those to be honored later this month by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
June 8, 2014: Stevie Wonder Song To Be Used As Theme For BBC's World Cup
Stevie Wonder's "Another Star," from his 1976 album, "Songs In The Key Of Life," will be used as the theme for the World Cup for the BBC. The football (soccer) games will be shown on various BBC channels from June 12 through July 13, 2014, with a preview show on June 11.
Source: Stevie Wonder's 'Another Star' To Be Used As Theme Song For World Cup
June 10, 2014: Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Thomas, Bill Henderson To Receive SOCAN Awards
On June 16, 2014, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Thomas, and Bill Henderson of Chilliwack will be among those to be honored by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). Gordon Lightfoot, whose many honors include 16 SOCAN Awards, will be receiving the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award. Ian Thomas, whose best known song, "Painted Ladies," became a hit in 1973 in both the U.S. and Canada, will be honored with SOCAN's National Achievement Award. Bill Henderson, who was the lead singer of Chilliwack famous for "Lonesome Mary" (1972), "Whatcha Gonna Do" (1982), and other hits, will receive the SOCAN Special Achievement Award.
Source: SOCAN | Drake, Gordon Lightfoot, Carly Rae Jepsen Among Honourees at 25th Anniversary SOCAN Awards
June 10, 2014: Never-Before-Released Grateful Dead Concert Film To Be Shown In Theaters
On July 17, 2014, a concert movie of the Grateful Dead filmed during the band's 1972 European tour will be showing in theaters across the nation. Titled "Beat Club 4/21/72," this never-before-released movie features the Grateful Dead on a German TV show performing "Truckin'," "Sugaree," "Playing In The Band," "Bertha," and other Dead favorites. For more info and to purchase tickets, go to FathomEvents.com.
Source: Rare 1972 Grateful Dead Performance from German TV to Be Screened in US Theaters Next Month
June 11, 2014: Santana Music To Be Featured On ESPN
Three songs from Carlos Santana's latest album, "Corazon," which topped the Latin charts for four weeks, will be played during select sporting events and other programs on ESPN and ESPN Deportes throughout the summer starting this month. One song will be featured each month; "Saideria" will be played in June, "Yo Soy La Luz" in July, and "La Flaca" in August.
Source: ESPN to Feature Carlos Santana’s Music during Select Programming across Platforms - ESPN MediaZone
June 11, 2014: Allman Brothers Band's Box Set To Be Released
On July 29, 2014, a 6-CD Allman Brothers Band box set is scheduled for release. Titled "The 1971 Fillmore East Recordings," this collection is made up mainly of live performances by the Allman Brothers from the four shows they gave on March 12-13, 2917 at the famous rock venue. Also included is a concert they gave on June 27, 1971, which marked the closing of the Fillmore East. This box set will also be available on Blu-ray and on vinyl.
Source: New Box Set to Focus on Allman Brothers Band's Famed Fillmore East Concerts
June 11, 2014: Doors Tribute Album To Be Released
On June 24, 2014, a tribute album to the Doors is scheduled for release. Titled "Light My Fire - A Classic Rock Salute to The Doors," this collection consists of covers of classic Doors songs by Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter, Keith Emerson, and many other top artists that include various past and present members of Grand Funk Railroad, Yes, the Moody Blues, Uriah Heap, Mountain, Focus, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Deep Purple, Captain Beefheart, Ten Years After, and Three Dog Night.
Source: New Doors Tribute Album Features an All-Star Lineup of Veteran Musicians
June 11, 2014: Paul McCartney Biography To Be Published
A new Paul McCartney biography by Q magazine journalist Tom Doyle is scheduled for publication on June 17, 2014. Titled "Man on the Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970s," this book covers the tumultuous period of McCartney's musical career from the breakup of the Fab Four through the launching of his solo career and the formation of Wings.
Source: Upcoming Biography Focuses on Paul McCartney's Years Fronting Wings
June 11, 2014: Three Led Zeppelin Reissued Albums Debut In Top 10 Of Billboard 200
"Led Zeppelin," "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III," which were re-released earlier this month, all debuted this week in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, at numbers 7, 9 and 10, respectively. This milestone makes Led Zeppelin the first act to score three concurrent Top 10 albums since March 17, 2012 when three of Whitney Houston's albums also (posthumously) made the Billboard 200 Top 10.
Source: Miranda Lambert Earns First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200 | Billboard
June 12, 2014: Yardbirds To Launch U.S. Tour
The Yardbirds will be launching a U.S. tour starting June 20, 2014 in Lake Tahoe, NV. Their current touring lineup includes two original members, drummer Jim McCarty and lead guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham. Formed in 1963, this seminal English blues rock band's members at one time included Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.
Source: The Yardbirds Launching New US Tour Next Week; Drummer Jim McCarty Also Schedules Solo Gigs
June 12, 2014: Four Seasons Recordings To Be Released
In celebration of the upcoming premiere of "Jersey Boys," which takes place on June 20, 2014 in theaters across the nation, several Four Seasons box sets and other recordings will be released over the coming weeks. On June 24, 2014, the soundtrack to the movie, titled "Jersey Boys: Music from the Motion Picture and Broadway Musical," is scheduled for release. This album will be followed by three box sets, "Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - The Classic Albums Box," "Frankie Valli - Selected Solo Works," and "Audio with a G: Sounds of a Jersey Boy, The Music of Bob Gaudio."
June 12, 2014: Willie Nelson To Release New Albums
On June 17, 2014, Willie Nelson will be releasing a new album titled "Band of Brothers." This album will be followed by another album of all new songs, "December Day," sometime this fall. The country legend is currently touring with Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Source: Willie Nelson to Release 'December Day' Album in Fall | Billboard
June 13, 2014: Donovan, Ray Davies Among Those Inducted Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame
On June 12, 2014, Donovan and Ray Davies of the Kinks were among those inducted into this year's Songwriters Hall of Fame. Other inductees included Mark James, Jim Weatherly, and Graham Gouldman of 10cc. The famed songwriting team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff was also honored with the Johnny Mercer Award.
Source: SongHall - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Celebrates The Best Of Songwriting Legends
June 14, 2014: Paul McCartney To Resume U.S. Tour
Paul McCartney announced that he will be resuming his U.S. tour this July. He had to postpone several shows last spring due to a viral infection, many of which have been rescheduled for this October. His next show takes place July 5, 2014 in Albany, NY.
Source: Paul McCartney To Resume U.S. Tour In July
