November 2, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of October 26, 2014, the world bade a final farewell to TV and movie actress Marcia Strassman of "Welcome Back, Kotter" fame. As many oldies fans will remember, Strassman made a splash on the charts in 1967 with "The Flower Children" which became a big regional hit in many cities on the West Coast.
Also that week, the Allman Brothers Band took their final bow at New York's Beacon Theatre, and it was announced that Neil Diamond's latest album, "Melody Road," debuted at #3 the previous week on the Billboard 200.
The Rolling Stones recently kicked off the long-delayed Australian leg of their "14 On Fire" tour. Cheap Trick, Kansas, Jefferson Starship, and Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees are among the many bands and artists who will be performing in the Classic Rock Festival in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, which is set to take place this December. Bob Seger added some new show dates for November, 2014-February, 2015 as part of his North American tour. Also, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company and ex-Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm are set to perform in a holiday TV special titled "Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments On Ice," which will air on ABC November 30, 2014.
Also that week, Bob Dylan announced that he will be releasing an album of traditional pop classics covers titled "Shadows In The Night" which is due out sometime next year. A new memoir by Carlos Santana titled "The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story To Light" will be coming out in early November. Also, "Rockin' The Wall," a new documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 that features many oldies classics as part of its soundtrack, will soon be coming out (see video below).
Finally, an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dedicated to Paul Simon is set to open at the end of October. Titled "Paul Simon: Words & Music," this exhibit features over 80 memorabilia items plus videos.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
October 26, 2014: Marcia Strassman Passes Away
On October 24, 2014, Marcia Strassman died at age 66 at her home in Sherman Oaks, CA after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. She was a popular and beloved TV and movie actress best known for her roles as Julie Kotter in the 1970s sitcom, "Welcome Back, Kotter," and as Diane Szalinski in the Disney comedies, "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids" (1989) and its sequel, "Honey, I Blew Up The Kid" (1992). Born in New York City, Strassman got an early start in show business and at age 15, she performed in the off-Broadway musical, "Best Foot Forward." In 1967, she made a splash on the pop charts with "The Flower Children" which became a big regional hit in many cities on the West Coast including San Francisco and San Diego, CA. She then released "The Groovy World Of Jack & Jill" which charted regionally in Denver, CO. In later years, she became a volunteer for "Duets for Cancer," a charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.
Source: Actress Marcia Strassman, Who Co-Starred on 'Welcome Back Kotter,' Dies at 66
October 27, 2014: Santana To Publish Memoir
On November 4, 2014, a new memoir by Carlos Santana titled "The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story To Light" will be coming out in bookstores. This autobiography covers the guitar legend's entire life from his childhood in Mexico through the present. Santana will also be making a number of in-store appearances on the day of this book's release.
Source: Carlos Santana to Publish Memoir, "The Universal Tone," on November 4
October 27, 2014: New Documentary Soundtrack Features Classic Oldies
A new documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 will soon be coming out. Titled "Rockin' The Wall," this film takes a look at how rock and roll music influenced the anti-communist revolution in the former U.S.S.R. that eventually brought about the dismantling of the infamous wall. The soundtrack includes various classic oldies songs such as the Temptations' "Ball Of Confusion" and the Rascals' "People Got To Be Free." Among those featured in this film are Robby Krieger of the Doors and members of Vanilla Fudge.
October 27, 2014: Rolling Stones Kick Off Australia Leg Of Tour, Man Rushes Onstage
On October 25, 2014, the Rolling Stones kicked off the long-delayed Australian leg of their "14 On Fire" tour. During the band's encore, an as-yet unidentified man rushed onstage but was stopped by security before he could reach any of the band members and handed over to the Australian police. It was believed that the man had come from the backstage area.
October 28, 2014: Classic Rock Festival To Take Place In Mexico This December
The Classic Rock Festival in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, Mexico is set to take place December 11-15, 2014. Among the featured bands and artists are Cheap Trick, Kansas, Jefferson Starship, Foghat, Gary Wright, the Spencer Davis Group, Poco, Firefall, Steve Augeri of Journey, Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, and Sam Moore of Sam & Dave.
Source: Cheap Trick To Play Classic Rock Festival
October 29, 2014: Allman Brothers Band Take Final Bow
On October 28, 2014, the Allman Brothers Band gave what is to be their last-ever concert which took place at their favorite venue: New York's Beacon Theatre. The show consisted mainly of classic material from 1969-1973, and all seven members of the group, which include surviving co-founders Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, took their final bow.
Source: The Allman Brothers Band Take a Final Bow at Epic Beacon Theatre Show | Rolling Stone
October 29, 2014: Bad Company And Foreigner Band Members To Perform In Holiday TV Special
Paul Rodgers of Bad Company and ex-Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm will be among those to perform in a holiday TV special starring various Olympic and other world-class ice skaters. Titled "Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments On Ice," this event is set to air on ABC November 30, 2014. Rodgers and Gramm will perform a set of both holiday songs and classic hits by their respective bands.
Source: Paul Rodgers and Lou Gramm to Sing on Holiday-Themed Ice Skating TV Special
October 29, 2014: Neil Diamond's Latest Album Debuts At #3 On Billboard 200
For the week ending October 26, 2014, Neil Diamond's latest album, "Melody Road," debuted on the Billboard 200 at #3. To date, it is the 18th Top 10 album for the legendary singer. Diamond's last top 10 album was "Dreams" released in 2010.
Source: Slipknot Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart | Billboard
October 29, 2014: Paul Simon Exhibit Opens At Rock Hall Of Fame
An exhibit dedicated to Paul Simon is set to open to the public on October 30, 2014 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Titled "Paul Simon: Words & Music," this exhibit features over 80 memorabilia items including Simon's first guitar, handwritten lyrics, letters, clothing, and photos. Also featured are videos of Simon of performances throughout his long career and a recent filmed interview by the legendary singer-songwriter with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Source: Expansive Paul Simon Exhibit Opening at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Thursday
October 30, 2014: Bob Seger Announces New Show Dates
Bob Seger added some new show dates for November, 2014-February, 2015 as part of his North American tour in support of his latest album, "Ride Out." He will cover various cities in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia, as well as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario, Canada. The J. Geils Band will open some of Seger's shows.
Source: Bob Seger Announces New North American Concerts, Reveals Venues for Second-Leg Tour Dates
October 31, 2014: Bob Dylan To Release New Covers Album In 2015
Bob Dylan will be releasing a new album sometime next year. Titled "Shadows In The Night," this latest album will consist mainly of covers of such traditional pop classics as Frank Sinatra's "Full Moon And Empty Arms" (1945) and "Stay With Me" (1964).
Source: Bob Dylan Releasing New Album In 2015
