June 1, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of May 25, 2014, the Rolling Stones resumed their "14 On Fire" world tour which was put on hold last March after the suicide of Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, L'Wren Scott.
Also that week, Aretha Franklin was awarded an honorary doctorate from Harvard University. The Queen of Soul gave a rousing performance of the national anthem at the commencement ceremonies.
It was announced that Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Sting are to be among the featured artists at this year's Tony Awards ceremonies which will be broadcast live June 8, 2014 on CBS. Also, Patti LaBelle and former Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald are among those who have been added to the list of featured performers for the upcoming "A Capitol Fourth" special which will air live on PBS this Independence Day.
Queen will soon be releasing a new compilation album which is expected sometime near the end of this year. Titled "Queen Forever," this collection will include three never-before-heard songs performed by the late Freddie Mercury.
Grand Funk Railroad is still going strong as the band observes its 45th anniversary. With two thirds of its original band members in the current lineup, the veteran rock band has remained active since its heyday in the 1970s, performing many concerts each year.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Also, Chubby Checker hosted "'50s & 60s Party Songs (My Music)" which premiered on PBS May 31, 2014 (see video clip below). This show, which covers many dance classics from the 1950s and 1960s, will be rebroadcast on many PBS stations the week of June 1, the exact dates and times depending on location.
May 27, 2014: Rolling Stones Resume World Tour
On May 26, 2014, the Rolling Stones resumed their "14 On Fire" world tour with a show in Oslo, Norway. More shows will follow in Europe through June 3. Last March, the Stones were about to begin a series of concerts in Australia and New Zealand which were put on hold after the suicide of L'Wren Scott, Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend.
Source: Rolling Stones Relaunch "14 On Fire" Tour in Oslo, Norway
May 27, 2014: New Queen Compilation Album To Be Released
Guitarist Brian May, a longtime member and co-founder of Queen, announced that the band will soon be releasing a new compilation album that will include old familiar favorites plus three never-before-heard songs performed by the late Freddie Mercury. Tentatively titled "Queen Forever," this collection will feature mostly hits from the 1980s during the band's heyday, and it is expected out by the end of this year. Formed in 1970 in London, the famed British rock band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
Source: Brian May Says New Queen Compilation Featuring Rediscovered Tracks Due Out Later in 2014
May 28, 2014: Grand Funk Railroad Observes 45th Anniversary
Longtime member and co-founder Don Brewer announced the 45th anniversary of Grand Funk Railroad. The veteran rock band, which currently includes two thirds of its original lineup plus other newer members, has remained active over the years and continues to perform about 35-40 concerts per year. Grand Funk Railroad's next show is set to take place on May 31, 2014 in Airway Heights, WA, with more shows to come this summer and next year. (See GrandFunkRailroad.com for a complete list of concerts.)
Source: Grand Funk Railroad's Don Brewer Reflects on His Many Wonderful Years with Band
May 28, 2014: Patti LaBelle And Former Doobie Brothers Member Added To PBS 'A Capitol Fourth' Lineup
Patti LaBelle and former Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald are among those who have been added to the list of featured performers for this year's upcoming PBS Independence Day special, "A Capitol Fourth." This show, which will also feature Frankie Valli and a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" conducted by John Williams, will be broadcast live at 8:00 PM ET from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Source: Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald Added to Lineup of PBS' "A Capitol Fourth" Special
May 28, 2014: Carole King To Appear At Tony Awards
Carole King is among those who will appear at this year's Tony Awards. The Broadway musical based on her life, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," was nominated for seven Tony awards, including one for best musical. The award ceremonies will take place on June 8, 2014 at New York's Radio City Music Hall and will be broadcast live on CBS.
Source: Carole King, Gloria Estefan to Appear at Tony Awards
May 29, 2014: Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Sting To Perform At Tony Awards
Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Sting are among the featured artists at this year's Tony Awards, to be broadcast live on CBS. LaBelle, Knight, Fantasia, and the cast from "After Midnight" will sing a selection from that musical. Sting will perform a song from his upcoming Broadway musical, "The Last Ship."
Source: Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Sting to Perform at 2014 Tony Awards in June
May 29, 2014: Aretha Franklin Receives Honorary Doctorate At Harvard
On May 29, 2014, Aretha Franklin was among a select few who received an honorary doctorate from Harvard University. Other honorees included former President George H.W. Bush and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. As part of the commencement ceremonies, the Queen of Soul gave a soulful and rousing (as always) performance of the national anthem.
Source: Snapshots of a sun-splashed day | Harvard Gazette
