October 12, 2014 by Amy Gold
During the week of October 5, 2014, oldies fans bade a final farewell to Paul Revere who founded the Raiders and was the band's original keyboardist.
Also that week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its nominees for next year's inductees, and you can cast your vote here.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga will be ringing in the New Year at a show that takes place this New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Fleetwood Mac has added a series of new tour dates to its itinerary which start next January. The Who will be launching a North American tour beginning next April. ZZ Top, Gregg Allman, and Eric Burdon are among those to be featured at the 2015 Stagecoach Festival which takes place next April in Indio, CA. Also, B.B. King became ill after a recent show in Chicago and has been forced to cancel his remaining shows for at least the rest of this year.
Later this month, the Blues Magoos are set to release "Psychedelic Resurrection," the group's first new album in over 40 years. Also, Neil Young will be publishing a new memoir titled "Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life and Cars." Gary Wright recently published a memoir about his life, music career, and friendship with George Harrison titled "Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison" and is currently promoting his book around the country. Also, the lyrics to Bob Dylan's entire set of recorded songs will be coming out this November as a massive volume titled "The Lyrics: Since 1962."
Also that week, Aretha Franklin charted her 100th hit on the Billboard R&B chart with her cover of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep," making her the first female artist to reach this milestone since this chart was established. Also, the first leg of a hiking trail in honor of Johnny Cash was opened in Folsom, CA, home of the maximum security prison made famous by the Man in Black.
Finally, it was announced that the late and great John Lennon will be honored at the Theatre Within 34th Annual Tribute benefit this December in New York. Also, most of the ex-Beatle's solo catalog is now available for streaming at Spotify, and this November, one of his rare guitars will be going up for auction.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Jimmy Page discusses the inspiration behind "Stairway To Heaven" in a recent BBC interview (Oct. 10, 2014):
October 5, 2014: Raiders Founder And Keyboardist Paul Revere Passes Away
Paul Revere died on October 4, 2014 at age 76 at his home in Garden Valley, ID after battling cancer. He founded Paul Revere and the Raiders and was the band's original keyboardist.
He was born Paul Revere Dick in Harvard, NE and raised in Caldwell, ID. He learned to play the piano at an early age and joined his first band while in his teens. Revere was also an entrepreneurial whiz kid who already owned several restaurants and other businesses by the time he was in his early 20s. In 1958, he formed a band known as the Downbeats whose original members also included Mark Lindsay. In 1960, the group name was changed to Paul Revere and the Raiders in keeping with the Colonial American theme of the band founder's name.
The Raiders went through a number of name and personnel changes over the years, and Paul Revere remained with the band up to his retirement in August, 2014. This veteran rock band's many honors and accolades include being inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2010.
Source: Paul Revere Dead at 76
October 5, 2014: B.B. King Cancels Remaining Shows Due Io Illness
After a show in Chicago, B.B. King, who had been on tour, became ill and was forced to cancel the rest of his shows. The 89-year-old blues legend was diagnosed with dehydration and exhaustion and will be taking time off from performing for at least the rest of this year.
Source: B.B. King Cancels Remaining Tour Dates Due to Illness
October 6, 2014: Neil Young To Publish New Memoir
On October 14, 2014, Neil Young will be publishing a new memoir titled "Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life and Cars." In this upcoming book, Young shares stories about his career and life and discusses his love of cars and some of the many different models he has owned over the years. This book is a follow-up to "Waging Heavy Peace" published in 2012.
Source: New Neil Young Memoir, "Special Deluxe," to Be Published on October 14
October 6, 2014: Blues Magoos To Release First New Album In Over 40 Years
On October 14, 2014, the Blues Magoos are set to release a new album, the group's first in over 40 years. Titled "Psychedelic Resurrection," highlights include an updated version of the group's 1967 hit, "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet." Formed in 1964, the Blues Magoos current lineup includes three original members, frontman and keyboardist Ralph Scala, Peppy Castro, and Geoff Daking.
Source: Psychedelic Rockers Blues Magoos Releasing First Album in More than 40 Years
October 6, 2014: Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga To Perform New Year's Eve Show In Las Vegas
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga will be ringing in the New Year at a show that will take place this New Year's Eve at The Cosmopolitan casino in Las Vegas. They will perform various jazz standards from their recent album, "Cheek To Cheek."
Source: Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett to Perform New Year's Eve Show in Las Vegas | Billboard
October 7, 2014: John Lennon Catalog Now On Spotify
Most of John Lennon's solo catalog is now available on Spotify for streaming. This collection includes eight studio albums from 1970-1984; among these are such classics as "Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine." Also included are three compilation albums released in 2010 plus several albums Lennon recorded with wife Yoko Ono in the 1980s.
Source: John Lennon Catalog Arrives on Spotify
October 7, 2014: Johnny Cash Trail In Folsom, CA Makes Its Debut
A hiking trail in honor of Johnny Cash has been completed in Folsom, CA, home of the maximum security prison made famous by the Man in Black in his 1968 live album, "At Folsom Prison." After nearly four years in the making, the first leg of the Johnny Cash Trail and Overpass, a 2.5-mile-long path between Folsom Lake and downtown Folsom, was recently opened to the public. Further additions and enhancements are in the making.
Source: Johnny Cash Trail Hikes Through Folsom Prison Grounds
October 7, 2014: John Lennon Guitar To Go To Auction
Starting November 14, 2014, the guitar John Lennon used when recording the Beatles' 1966 hit, "Paperback Writer," will be going up for auction, to be held online by TracksAuction. This historic guitar, a Gretsch 6120 which was given by Lennon to his cousin David Birch, is estimated to bring in between $650,000 and $1 million.
Source: John Lennon's 'Paperback Writer' Guitar Going to Auction
October 7, 2014: Complete Set Of Bob Dylan Lyrics To Be Published
The lyrics to Bob Dylan's entire set of recorded songs, including bootlegs, will be coming out this November as a book. This collection, titled "The Lyrics: Since 1962," is more than 960 pages long and weighs an astounding 13 pounds. It will be available in one of two types of limited editions. For the more deluxe version, 50 numbered copies will be published, each signed by Dylan with slipcases and gilded pages, and priced at $5,000 apiece.
Source: The Most of Bob Dylan - NYTimes.com
October 8, 2014: Aretha Franklin Charts 100th Song On Billboard R&B Chart
Aretha Franklin recently charted her 100th hit on the Billboard R&B (now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop) chart with her cover of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep," making her the first female artist (and the fourth act in total) to reach this milestone since this chart was established in 1958. The Queen of Soul made her debut on this chart in 1960 with "Today I Sing The Blues."
Source: Aretha Franklin Charts 100th Single on "Billboard" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart
October 9, 2014: ZZ Top, Gregg Allman, Eric Burdon To Perform At 2015 Stagecoach Festival
ZZ Top, Gregg Allman, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and George Thorogood and the Destroyers are among the big name bands and artists to be featured at next year's Stagecoach Festival. This event is set to take place April 24-26, 2015 in Indio, CA at the Empire Polo Club. Other featured performers include The Outlaws, Merle Haggard, and Mac Davis.
Source: ZZ Top, Gregg Allman, Eric Burdon to Perform at Next Year's Stagecoach Festival in California
October 9, 2014: Fleetwood Mac Announces Second North American Tour Leg
Fleetwood Mac is currently on tour in North America, and the band has added 28 new tour dates to its itinerary which start on January 16, 2015 in St. Paul, MN. This trek, which ends on March 31 in Wichita, KS, will also cover various cities in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as Quebec and Ontario, Canada.
Source: Fleetwood Mac Announces Second North American Tour Leg, Taking Place in Early 2015
October 9, 2014: Stars Honor John Lennon In 34th Annual Tribute
Debbie Harry and Ben E. King are among those who will be honoring John Lennon at the Theatre Within 34th Annual Tribute benefit. This event is set to take place on December 5, 2014 at New York's Symphony Space. Proceeds will go towards the John Lennon Real Love Project which gives children and young adults in medical care centers, schools and various communities an opportunity to write their own music.
Source: Debbie Harry Headlines 34th Annual John Lennon Tribute
October 9, 2014: Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2015 Nominees Announced
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees to be considered for next year's induction which are as follows:
- The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
- Chic
- Green Day
- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- Kraftwerk
- The Marvelettes
- N.W.A
- Nine Inch Nails
- Lou Reed
- The Smiths
- The Spinners
- Sting
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- War
- Bill Withers
Sting and Lou Reed were previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as members of the Police and the Velvet Underground, respectively. Fans can cast their votes right here.
Source: The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Fan Vote
October 10, 2014: The Who Announce 2015 North American Tour
The Who will be launching a tour in North America which will begin on April 15, 2015 in Tampa, FL. This trek will cover cities in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas before ending on May 30 in Forest Hills, NY. The fall leg will begin on September 14 in San Diego, CA, and the band will make stops in California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Washington, DC, Wisconsin, and in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada before ending on November 4 in Philadelphia, PA.
Source: The Who Plot North American Tour for 2015
October 10, 2014: Gary Wright Promotes Memoir
Gary Wright recently published a memoir about his life, music career, and friendship with George Harrison titled "Dream Weaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison." Wright, who is famous for his 1976 hits, "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive," is currently promoting his book around the country by making appearance in bookstores and giving performances. His upcoming shows this month will take place in various cities in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin.
Source: Gary Wright Promoting New Memoir with Performances and Book-Signing Events
