January 18, 2016 by Amy Gold
During the week of January 10, 2016, fans bade a final farewell to rock legend David Bowie whose unexpected passing sent shockwaves throughout the pop music world. Fans also bade farewell to music impresario Giorgio Gomelsky who was best known for managing The Rolling Stones during the band's early days as well as The Yardbirds and other top bands from London's thriving music scene during the 1960s.
A new album titled "Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin" that pays tribute to the Gershwin brothers will be coming out this February. Also due out that month is the album, "Vinyl: Music From The HBO Original Series -- Volume 1," the first installment of songs from the soundtrack to the upcoming HBO TV series, "Vinyl," which includes many oldies classics.
Burton Cummings recently began a tour that will take the former Guess Who founder and frontman to various parts of North America. A concert commemorating the 75th birthday of Joan Baez is set to take place later this month at NYC's Beacon Theatre. She will also be giving a series of concerts in various parts of North America through the end of March. Billy Joel announced a series of upcoming concerts to take place at a number of ballparks across the U.S. starting later this month. He also announced an extension of his long-running residency at New York's Madison Square Garden through early August. Don Williams announced a series of tour dates that will take the country legend to various states in the U.S. beginning this February. Heart, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Cheap Trick will be launching a joint tour that will take the three bands across the U.S. starting this July.
A number of upcoming concerts have been announced in David Bowie's honor. This year's BRIT Awards will pay a special tribute to the rock and roll icon in late February. A tribute concert dubbed "The Music Of David Bowie At Carnegie Hall" is set to take place at New York City's Carnegie Hall in late March. In response to this concert being sold out, a second concert has been scheduled for early April at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. In addition, numerous bands and artists from all over the world have been paying their respects as well in concert and via social media.
Also that week, it was announced that a documentary about B.B. King titled "The Life Of Riley" is set to make its TV premiere February 12, 2016 on PBS as part of that station's "American Masters" series. PBS will also be airing a new documentary about Loretta Lynn titled "Still A Mountain Girl" on March 4, 2016. Also, Elton John will be among the featured performers on the TV special, "The Wonderful World Of Disney: Disneyland 60," which will air February 21, 2016 on ABC.
Finally, David Bowie's catalog of videos on the Vevo website received an all-time record-breaking 51 million views the day after his passing. Also, his final album, "Blackstar," topped the U.K. album chart, and nine of his albums re-entered that chart's Top 40.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Below is a preview of the upcoming Spike Lee-produced documentary, "Michael Jackson's Journey From Motown To Off The Wall," which premieres February 5, 2016 on Showtime.
January 11, 2016: Don Williams Announces U.S. Tour
Don Williams announced a series of tour dates that will take the country legend to various states in the U.S. This 21-date trek begins on February 17, 2016 in Jacksonville, FL and ends on April 16 in Manistee, MI, with additional stops in Florida, as well as in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Source: Don Williams Plots 2016 Tour
January 11, 2016: New Loretta Lynn Documentary To Be Shown On PBS
A new documentary about Loretta Lynn will be making its premiere March 4, 2016 on PBS as part of that station's "American Masters" series. Titled "Still A Mountain Girl," this film chronicles the life and career of the legendary coal miner's daughter and features never-before-seen footage and interviews of family members, fans, and friends. That same day, the country legend will also be releasing her latest album, "Full Circle."
Source: Loretta Lynn to Be Focus of PBS 'American Masters'
January 11, 2016: David Bowie Passes Away
Famed singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and rock and roll icon David Bowie died unexpectedly on January 10, 2016 at age 69 after an 18 month battle with liver cancer. A key figure in popular music for over half a century, Bowie's multi-faceted show business career had also included acting and producing, and he was an accomplished painter. On his 69th birthday, just two days prior to his passing, Bowie released his final album, "Blackstar," to wide and critical acclaim.
Born David Robert Jones in Brixton, South London, he began his studies in music while at Burnt Ash junior school and formed his first band at age 15. In 1963, he began his career as a professional musician and signed his first management contract. To avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, he changed his surname to Bowie after Jim Bowie, a 19th century American frontiersman who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution and was famous for the large hunting knife that bore his name.
Bowie scored his first Top 5 hit on the U.K. charts with "Space Oddity" in 1969, which became a hit in the U.S. in 1973. This breakthrough hit was followed by a long string of hits that also included "Changes" (1972, 1975), "Rebel Rebel" (1972), "Young Americans" (1975), and the chart-topping "Fame" (1975). During the glam rock era of the early 1970s, Bowie emerged as the androgynous alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, a bisexual alien rock star. This persona, whose saga is relayed in the 1972 concept album, "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars," was the first in a long string of alter egos that reflected his constantly changing musical styles through the years.
Widely acknowledged as a key influence by many bands and artists, Bowie was instrumental in ushering in the punk rock and new wave musical eras, and he also left his indelible mark on genres as diverse as electronic music and Ramp;B. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and his many other awards and accolades also included two Grammys and three Brit Awards. He was ranked at #39 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Rock Artists of All Time in 2004, and he was named a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2013.
Source: David Bowie Dead at 69
January 11, 2016: Elton John To Perform On Disneyland 60th Anniversary TV Special
Elton John will be among the featured performers on the upcoming TV special, "The Wonderful World Of Disney: Disneyland 60," which will air February 21, 2016 on ABC. He will perform "Circle Of Life" and other songs from his latest album, "Wonderful Crazy Night," as part of this show's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA.
Source: Elton John to Perform on ABC's Disneyland 60th Anniversary TV Special
January 12, 2016: Willie Nelson To Release Gershwin Brothers Tribute Album
A new album that pays tribute to George and Ira Gershwin titled "Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin" is due out on February 26, 2016. This 11-track album consists of covers by the country legend of such Gershwin classics as "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm," and "Love Is Here To Stay." Other highlights include duets with Cyndi Lauper and Sheryl Crow of, respectively, "Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off" and "Embraceable You." Last November, Willie Nelson received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and was honored in a tribute concert which airs January 15, 2016 on PBS.
Source: Willie Nelson Announces Gershwin Brothers Tribute Album
January 13, 2016: David Bowie To Be Honored At Upcoming BRIT Awards
This year's BRIT Awards will pay a special tribute to David Bowie who died on January 10, 2016. This event will take place February 24, 2016 at The O2 in London and will air on BBC Radio and the U.K.'s ITV network.
Source: David Bowie Tribute Planned For Upcoming BRIT Awards
January 13, 2016: Burton Cummings Announces Show Dates
Burton Cummings announced a series of show dates that will take the former Guess Who founder and frontman to various parts of North America. This trek begins on January 14, 2016 in Las Vegas, NV, where Cummings will perform for three nights, and ends on March 4 in Windsor, ON, Canada, with stops in Arizona and California.
Source: Burton Cummings Launching 2016 Tour Itinerary with Three-Night Stand in Las Vegas
January 13, 2016: David Bowie Tribute Concert To Take Place At Carnegie Hall
A concert in tribute to the late David Bowie dubbed "The Music Of David Bowie At Carnegie Hall" is set to take place at New York City's Carnegie Hall on March 31, 2016. Ann Wilson of Heart is among the many bands and artists who will be paying tribute to Bowie in this sold-out concert.
Source: David Bowie Tribute Concert in NYC to Feature Ann Wilson, Cyndi Lauper & More Stars
January 13, 2016: B.B. King Documentary To Be Shown On PBS
A documentary about B.B. King will be making its television premiere February 12, 2016 on PBS as part of that station's "American Masters" series. Titled "The Life Of Riley," this film covers the life and career of this late blues legend from his childhood in Mississippi through his rise to international fame. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, "The Life Of Riley" features conversations with family members, friends, and King himself.
Source: B.B. King Documentary Featuring Clapton, Santana and Other Stars to Premiere on PBS Next Month
January 14, 2016: Joan Baez To Launch Tour, 75th Birthday Concert To Take Place In NYC
A concert commemorating the 75th birthday of Joan Baez is set to take place January 27, 2016 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Paul Simon, Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, and Emmylou Harris are among the many featured performers at this event which will be recorded for a future episode of the PBS series, "Great Performances." Baez will also be giving a series of concerts in various parts of North America starting January 30 in Ann Arbor, MI and ending March 26 in Buffalo, NY, with additional stops in New York, as well as in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, and Vermont, plus Ontario, Canada.
Source: Paul Simon, Mavis Staples Added to Lineup of Joan Baez's 75th Birthday Concert
January 14, 2016: Heart, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick To Launch Joint Tour
Heart, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Cheap Trick will be launching a joint tour this summer that will take the three bands across the U.S. Dubbed "The Rock Hall Three For All," this 31-date trek begins on July 14, 2016 in Clarkston, MI, and ends on September 23 in West Palm Beach, FL, with additional stops in Florida, as well as in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State.
Source: Heart, Joan Jett & Cheap Trick Teaming Up for the Rock Hall Three for All Tour This Summer
January 14, 2016: David Bowie Sets Single-Day Record For Most Views On Vevo
On January 11, 2016, the day after he died unexpectedly at age 69, David Bowie's catalog of videos on the Vevo website received an all-time record-breaking 51 million views. Of the more than 60 career-spanning David Bowie clips on Vevo, "Lazarus," which made its premiere on January 7, received 11.1 million views, making it his most-watched video.
Source: David Bowie Sets Single-Day Record for Most Video Views on Vevo Website
January 14, 2016: David Bowie Tribute Concert To Take Place At NYC's Radio City Music Hall
In response to the Carnegie Hall David Bowie tribute concert being sold out, a second concert in honor of the late legendary rocker has been scheduled for April 1, 2016 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. For more info and tickets, visit MusicOf.org.
Source: New David Bowie Tribute Concert to Take Place April 1 at NYC's Radio City Music Hall
January 15, 2016: Billy Joel Announces New Shows, Extends NYC Residency
Billy Joel announced a series of upcoming concerts to take place at a number of ballparks across the U.S. starting January 22, 2016 at AMALIE Arena in Tampa, FL and ending on August 26 at Chicago's Wrigley Field, with stops in Memphis, TN (FedExForum), Cincinnati, OH (U.S. Bank Arena), San Diego, CA (Petco Park), Pittsburgh, PA (PNC Park), and Boston, MA (Fenway Park). The Piano Man will also be extending his long-running residency at New York's Madison Square Garden through August 9, 2016.
Source: Billy Joel Announces New Shows in US Ballparks, Extends NYC Residency to August
January 15, 2016: David Bowie's 'Blackstar' Tops U.K. Album Chart
David Bowie's final album, "Blackstar," topped the U.K. album chart this past week, making it his 10th chart topper to date. Also in the wake of his recent passing, nine of his albums re-entered that chart's Top 40.
Source: David Bowie's "Blackstar" Tops UK Album Chart, Nine More of His Releases Land in Top 40
January 15, 2016: Manager/Promoter Giorgio Gomelsky Passes Away
Manager, producer, promoter, impresario, and film maker Giorgio Gomelsky died in New York City on January 13, 2016 at age 81 from complications of colon cancer. He was best known for managing and producing for The Rolling Stones during the band's early days when they were the house band for the Crawdaddy Club in London, which he owned. An important figure in the music scene of 1960s London, he also managed and produced for the Yardbirds and other top acts. His multi-faceted musical career also included organizing various large-scale music events and writing songs under the pen name, Oscar Rasputin.
Born in Tiflis, Georgia, Gomelsky grew up in Switzerland before moving to Britain. He eventually relocated to New York City where he continued to manage and promote.
Source: Giorgio Gomelsky, Early Rolling Stones Promoter and Yardbirds Manager, Dies at Age 81
January 16, 2016: 'Vinyl' Soundtrack To Be Released
A new album of songs from the soundtrack to the upcoming HBO TV series, "Vinyl," will be coming out on February 12, 2016. Highlights of the first installment of this collection, titled "Vinyl: Music From The HBO Original Series -- Volume 1," include various oldies classics such as "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" by Ruth Brown, "Mr. Pitiful" by Otis Redding, "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner, "Frankenstein" by Edgar Winter, and "I Just Want To Make Love To You" by Foghat. Set in New York City during the 1970s, "Vinyl" is co-produced by Mick Jagger.
Source: Vinyl Soundtrack Includes Vintage Songs by Otis Redding, Mott the Hoople, Edgar Winter
