Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of March 16, 2014

March 23, 2014 by Amy Gold

During the week of March 16, 2014, famed fashion designer L'Wren Scott, who was Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, was found dead in her Manhattan apartment from apparent suicide. The Rolling Stones, who were just starting the Australia/New Zealand leg of their tour at the time, cancelled all shows upon hearing this sad and shocking news (see video below).

The three remaining members of the Monkees will be launching a reunion tour that begins this May. John Mellencamp and KISS (along with Def Leppard) will be touring North America this summer, and the Eagles announced two new shows in Southern California for this October. Also, plans are being made to reschedule the cancelled Rolling Stones shows in Australia and New Zealand for sometime this fall.

KISS will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with numerous album releases throughout the year, starting with "Kissteria - The Ultimate Vinyl Road Case" box set. Chicago recently released a reissued version of "Live In Japan" which was originally recorded in 1972 at the Osaka Festival Hall while the band was on tour. Also, this year's Record Store Day's offerings, which include mostly limited edition vinyl recordings, have been announced and include some 450 titles, many by top oldies bands and artists.

The Beatles' 1964 movie, "A Hard Day's Night," is set to be re-released on DVD this April. The expanded version will be in 5.1 surround sound and will also include two documentaries.

Finally, Billy Joel will be hosting his own radio show on Sirius XM this spring starting March 26.



March 16, 2014: Early 1970s Live Album By Chicago Reissued

Chicago recently released a reissued version of "Live In Japan" which was originally recorded in 1972 at the Osaka Festival Hall while the band was on tour and first released in 1975. This album includes many of the band's greatest hits, including "25 or 6 to 4," "Dialogue (Part I & II)," and "Saturday in the Park," plus Japanese versions of "Lowdown" and "Questions 67 And 68."

Source: Chicago Release Remastered Edition Of Live In Japan

March 17, 2014: Fashion Designer L'Wren Scott Found Dead In Manhattan Apartment

Famed fashion designer L'Wren Scott, who was Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on March 17, 2014, from apparent suicide. Scott's designs were worn by many celebrities and other famous people that included First Lady Michelle Obama. Jagger, who was on tour with the Rolling Stones in Australia at the time, was completely shocked and devastated upon receiving the news of her death. Scott and Jagger had been together since 2001.

Source: L’Wren Scott, Whose Designs Melded Daring and Sophistication, Dies at 49 - NYTimes.com

March 17, 2014: John Mellencamp To Tour This Summer

John Mellencamp will be launching a North American tour that begins on June 20, 2014 in Thackerville, OK and ends on August in Windsor, Ontario. Mellencamp's tour will also cover other cities in Ontario, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, and North Dakota.

Source: John Mellencamp Announces Headlining Tour

March 17, 2014: KISS Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Albums Releases

KISS will be celebrating its 40th anniversary by releasing a bunch of albums throughout the year, starting with the box set "Kissteria - The Ultimate Vinyl Road Case," a huge, limited vinyl box set of 34 LPs that also includes posters, vinyl record accessories, and other KISS souvenirs. On April 1, 2014, the band will release 10 remastered albums on vinyl, and another 18 albums are expected by mid 2014. In May, a 2-CD compilation set will also be released that includes one track from each major KISS album, plus some live cuts and a previously unreleased demo.

Source: Kiss celebrates 40th anniversary with reissue bonanza

March 18, 2014: KISS And Def Leppard To Tour Together

KISS and Def Leppard will be launching a 42-city North American summer tour that kicks off June 23, 2014 in West Valley City, UT, and ends on August 31 in Woodlands, TX. Besides Utah and Texas, this tour will also cover cities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.

Source: Kiss, Def Leppard announce 2014 summer tour

March 19, 2014: 'A Hard Day's Night' To Be Re-Released

The Beatles' 1964 movie, "A Hard Day's Night," is set to be digitally remastered and re-released on DVD on April 24, 2014. An expanded collection will be offered with additional features that include two documentaries and 5.1 surround sound.

Source: Beatles Film A Hard Days Night Set For Re-Release

March 20, 2014: Rolling Stones To Reschedule Australia and New Zealand Shows For This Fall

After the suicide of Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend L'Wren Scott on March 17, 2014, the Rolling Stones postponed all shows for the Australia/New Zealand leg of their "14 On Fire" tour which were originally slated for late March through early April. Plans are being made to reschedule these shows for sometime this fall, possibly October and November.

Source: Rolling Stones Plot Return to Australia, New Zealand This Fall | Billboard

March 20, 2014: Record Store Day 2014 Offerings Announced

On Record Store Day, which takes place on April 19, 2014, some 450 titles will be released, mostly as limited edition vinyl recordings. Among the big name oldies bands and artists to be featured at this year's event are Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, the Animals, Joan Baez, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Doors, the Everly Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, the Grateful Dead, Norman Greenbaum, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Wanda Jackson, Otis Redding, the Standells, Big Mama Thornton, the Velvet Underground, Link Wray, the Yardbirds, Frank Zappa, and the Zombies.

Source: Record Store Day Unveils 2014 Releases: David Bowie, Jay Z, Coldplay, Haim + More | Billboard

March 21, 2014: Monkees To Go On Tour

The three remaining members of the Monkees - Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork - will be launching a reunion tour that begins on May 22, 2014 in Hampton, NH and ends on June 7 in Northfield (Cleveland), OH. This tour will also cover other cities in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Source: Monkees Reveal 2014 Tour Dates

March 22, 2014: Billy Joel Gets His Own Radio Show On Sirius XM

Starting March 26, 2014, and for three months thereafter, Billy Joel will be hosting his own radio show on Sirius XM. The Piano Man will be acting as a DJ, sharing his favorite songs with his listeners.

Source: Billy Joel lands own satellite radio show

March 22, 2014: Eagles Add SoCal Show Dates

The Eagles have added two new show dates to their ongoing "History Of The Eagles" tour which began last July. After returning from Europe this summer, the band will give several previously announced shows in the Northeast before finally wrapping up in Southern California with shows in Anaheim and San Diego on October 3 and 4, respectively. Tickets for the SoCal shows go on sale March 29.

Source: The Eagles Add Additional Fall Dates To History Tour