December 1, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of November 23, 2014, several upcoming holiday TV specials featuring various oldies bands and artists were announced:
- American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered (December 2, 2014, PBS)
- A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen (December 9, 2014, PBS)
- A Home For The Holidays (December 19, 2014, CBS, featuring Earth Wind & Fire)
Also, Patti LaBelle and Steve Miller will be performing in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. on December 4, 2014. This event will be streamed live on TheNationalTree.org and will also be shown on public television throughout the month of December.
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith will be performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo on December 11 to honor this year's winners. A longtime fan of Bob Dylan was recently treated to a private concert in Philadelphia by the folk-rock icon. This rare event is part of the experimental Swedish film series, "Experiment Ensam (Experiment Alone)" which will be shown on YouTube starting December 15. Paul Simon and James Taylor will be performing at a benefit concert on January 20, 2015 in NYC honoring the late saxophonist, Michael Brecker. The Steve Miller Band announced a series of tour dates that begins next January. The band will appear in some shows with Tower Of Power and Journey.
Also that week, it was announced that a new Janis Joplin biopic starring Amy Adams will begin filming sometime later next year. Also, the 45th anniversary of the historic Rolling Stones' recording session at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio will be commemorated in a ceremony set to take place this December in Florence, Alabama.
Finally, Stevie Wonder was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in a ceremony that took place at the White House.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
"American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered" will premiere on PBS December 2, 2014 at 8 PM and will be shown again on December 26.
November 23, 2014: Earth Wind & Fire To Perform On CBS Holiday Special
Earth Wind & Fire is among those slated to perform in the upcoming 16th annual CBS holiday special, "A Home For The Holidays." This show, which features heartwarming stories about kids adopted from foster care, airs on December 19, 2014 at 9 PM EST.
Source: Earth Wind & Fire to Perform on "A Home for the Holidays" Special
November 24, 2014: Steve Miller Band Announces 2015 Tour Dates
The Steve Miller Band announced a series of tour dates which will take place in early 2015. The band will appear in some shows with Tower Of Power and Journey, as in 2014, and the three acts will cover various cities in Florida, South Carolina, and Texas starting on March 5, 2015 in Austin, TX. The Steve Miller Band also has shows lined up for this January-February in Michigan, Oklahoma and Texas.
Source: Steve Miller Band Lines Up 2015 Tour Dates with Journey, Tower of Power
November 24, 2014: Janis Joplin Biopic To Begin Filming In 2015
A new Janis Joplin biopic is scheduled to begin filming sometime later next year. Tentatively titled "Get It While You Can," this upcoming movie will star Amy Adams as the legendary rock icon.
Source: Janis Joplin Biopic Starring Amy Adams Expected to Begin Filming in Mid-2015
November 25, 2014: Bob Dylan Gives Private Concert For Single Fan
On November 24, 2014, a longtime fan of Bob Dylan, Fredrik Wikingsson, was treated to a private concert by the folk-rock icon. This rare event, which took place at Philadelphia's Academy of Music, is part of the experimental Swedish film series, "Experiment Ensam (Experiment Alone)," in which various people get to experience certain events (e.g., concerts) normally reserved for large groups, and their reactions to these events are monitored. The makers of this film series made financial and other arrangements with Dylan for this special show which will be shown on YouTube starting December 15, 2014.
November 25, 2014: Stevie Wonder Honored With Medal Of Freedom
On November 24, 2014, Stevie Wonder was among those honored with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award ceremonies took place at the White House where President Barack Obama made the awards presentations. The President remarked that Stevie Wonder's 1972 album, "Talking Book," had a profound impact
on him when he was growing up.
Source: Stevie Wonder Honored with Medal of Freedom at White House Ceremony
November 25, 2014: Paul Simon, James Taylor To Perform At NYC Benefit Concert
Paul Simon and James Taylor are among those who will be performing at a benefit concert honoring the late saxophonist, Michael Brecker. This event, dubbed "The Nearness of You," will take place on January 20, 2015 at New York City's Lincoln Center. The show will raise money for cancer research at Columbia University.
Source: Paul Simon, James Taylor Performing at NYC Benefit Show Honoring Late Saxophonist Michael Brecker
November 26, 2014: Steven Tyler To Perform At Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is among those who will be performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert to honor this year's winners, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. This event will take place on December 11, 2014 in Oslo, Norway in the Oslo Spektrum arena and will be broadcast worldwide. For more info and tickets, go to nobelpeaceprizeconcert.org.
Source: Steven Tyler To Perform At Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
November 26, 2014: Bruce Springsteen Tribute Concert To Air On PBS
On December 9, 2014, the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year benefit show, in which Bruce Springsteen was the guest of honor, will be televised on PBS at 9 PM EST as part of the Arts Fall Festival 2014. Titled "A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen," this event also features Neil Young, Elton John, Mavis Staples, Patti Smith, and other bands and artists who all perform songs by Springsteen.
Source: Bruce Springsteen Tribute Concert Headed to PBS
November 26, 2014: Rolling Stones' 1969 Muscle Shoals Sessions To Be Commemorated
On December 5, 2014, a ceremony will take place in Florence, Alabama in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the historic Rolling Stones' recording session at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in nearby Sheffield. It was at this famous studio that the band recorded such classics as "Wild Horses," "Brown Sugar," and other songs for the 1971 album, "Sticky Fingers." Footage from these recording sessions and other highlights from the Stones' visit to Muscle Shoals are featured in the documentaries, "Gimme Shelter" (1970) and "Muscle Shoals" (2013).
Source: Rolling Stones' Muscle Shoals Sessions to Be Commemorated with Historic Marker
November 26, 2014: Patti LaBelle, Steve Miller To Perform In Washington, D.C. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Patti LaBelle and Steve Miller are among those who will be performing in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. This event will take place on December 4, 2014 on the Ellipse at President's Park. It will be streamed live on TheNationalTree.org and will also be shown on public television throughout the month of December.
