May 30, 2016 by Amy Gold
During the week of May 22, 2016, a special episode of the AXS TV series, "The Big Interview," was announced that will honor some of the many performing artists we have lost this year. Among the late music legends to be saluted in this upcoming show, which is set to air on June 7, 2016, are David Bowie, Prince, and Merle Haggard.
This June, The Rolling Stones will release a multimedia collection titled "Totally Stripped" that includes the band's 1995 album, "Stripped," plus videos. Paul McCartney will soon launch a new virtual reality documentary series to promote his upcoming album, "Pure McCartney," which is also due out in June. A new box set of highlights from past Crossroads Guitar Festival benefit concerts will be coming out in July. The Ramones' self-titled debut album will also be reissued that month as part of a box set in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the album's original release. In addition, nine albums by The Allman Brothers Band from 1969-1979 will be reissued, starting with the band's 1969 self-titled debut album.
The Beach Boys announced a North American tour beginning in June to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the band's chart-topping hit, "Good Vibrations."
Also that week, it was announced that Steven Tyler and Joan Jett will narrate and lend their songs to a new Discovery Channel TV series titled "Hello World!" which premieres July 9, 2016. A new documentary to air on British TV in July, the second in a four-part series titled "People's History Of Pop," will feature a number of previously unreleased David Bowie recordings. Also, a set of handwritten lyrics by John Lennon from 1967 and a guitar given to Elvis Presley in 1971 by his father each brought in over $300,000 at auction.
Finally, Pink Floyd will be honored with a series of postage stamps featuring album cover art in honor of the band's 50th anniversary.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
In an interview with BBC Radio 4 that aired on May 28, 2016, Paul McCartney reveals the depth of his feelings of depression after the breakup of The Beatles and recounts how his late wife, Linda, helped him get back on his feet which led to the formation of Wings.
May 23, 2016: Ramones 1976 Debut Album To Be Reissued As Box Set
On July 29, 2016, The Ramones' self-titled debut album will be reissued as part of a box set in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the album's original release. Titled "Ramones: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition," this 3CD/1LP collection includes "Blitzkrieg Bop," a cover of Chris Montez's "Let's Dance," and other early punk rock classics from the original debut album, plus two concerts, a mono mix, and various previously-unreleased demos and outtakes.
Source: Ramones Prep 40th Anniversary Reissue With Demos, Mono Mix
May 23, 2016: John Lennon Sheet And Elvis Presley Guitar Sell At Auction
A set of handwritten lyrics by John Lennon from 1967 and a custom Gibson Dove guitar given to Elvis Presley in 1971 by his father each brought in over $300,000 at a Julien's auction that took place May 21, 2016 at New York City's Hard Rock Cafe. Other items that sold at auction include Michael Jackson's famous red "Beat It" jacket and a drum set used by the late Keith Moon of The Who.
Source: Words and Music: John Lennon Lyrics Sheet and Elvis Presley Guitar Auctioned for Big Bucks
May 23, 2016: Rare David Bowie Songs To Be Featured In Upcoming Documentary
A new documentary to air on British TV in July will feature a number of previously unreleased David Bowie recordings that include a demo of "Space Oddity" with alternate lyrics and the 1967 novelty song, "The Laughing Gnome." This show will be the second in a four-part series titled "People's History Of Pop" which made its premiere last month on BBC Four. Other artists to be featured in this episode include Pink Floyd, Bob Marley and Marc Bolan of T. Rex. For more info and to listen to a playlist, visit BBC.co.uk.
Source: Rare David Bowie Music to Be Featured in New Episode of UK Documentary Series
May 24, 2016: Steven Tyler And Joan Jett To Narrate Episodes Of New Discovery Channel Series
Steven Tyler and Joan Jett are among the music artists who will narrate and lend their songs to a new Discovery Channel TV six-part series titled "Hello World!" which premieres July 9, 2016. Tyler will narrate the episode titled "Summer Wild" in which his new country song, "Red, White & You," will serve as the show's theme. Jett will narrate "Bad Reputation," and her song of the same title will serve as that episode's theme.
Source: Steven Tyler & Joan Jett to Narrate Episodes of New Discovery Channel Nature Series
May 24, 2016: Paul McCartney Launches Virtual Reality Video Series To Promote Upcoming Album
Paul McCartney will soon be launching a new virtual reality documentary series to promote his upcoming compilation album, "Pure McCartney," which is due out on June 10, 2016. Titled "Pure McCartney VR," this 6-part series features McCartney discussing various songs from the album and gives the viewer a sneak peek into his home studio. To view this series online, visit JauntVR.com or download the Jaunt VR app from iTunes or Google Play.
Source: Paul McCartney Launches Virtual Reality Video Series to Promote Forthcoming Compilation
May 24, 2016: Rolling Stones To Release New Version Of 'Stripped' Album
On June 3, 2016, The Rolling Stones will release a multimedia collection titled "Totally Stripped" that includes the band's 1995 album, "Stripped," plus a new documentary and other videos. The "Stripped" album features songs that The Rolling Stones performed at various small venues in Amsterdam, Paris and London during the band's Voodoo Lounge Tour and tracks recorded live at studios in Tokyo and Lisbon. The band recently released a trailer which can be viewed here.
Source: Rolling Stones Release Trailer for Upcoming "Totally Stripped" Audio/Video Collection
May 25, 2016: Allman Brothers Band To Reissue Nine Albums
Nine albums by The Allman Brothers Band from 1969-1979 will be reissued July 22, 2016 on vinyl and also digitally: "The Allman Brothers Band" (1969), "Idlewild South" (1970), "At Fillmore East" (1971), "Eat A Peach" (1972), "Brothers And Sisters" (1973), "Win, Lose Or Draw" (1975), "Wipe The Window, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas" (1976), "Enlightened Rogues" (1979), and "Live At Ludlow Garage: 1970" (1990). A limited-edition vinyl box set in a specially designed package resembling a peach crate will also be available.
Source: How Peachy! Allman Brothers Band to Reissue Nine Albums on Vinyl in July
May 25, 2016: New AXS TV Special To Honor David Bowie, Prince, Merle Haggard, & Others
A number of top artists who passed away this year will be honored on AXS TV in an upcoming special episode of this station's series, "The Big Interview," hosted by Dan Rather. David Bowie, Prince, and Merle Haggard are among the music legends to be saluted in this show, which airs June 7, 2016.
Source: New AXS TV Special Will Salute "Lost Legends" David Bowie, Natalie Cole, Prince & Others
May 26, 2016: Pink Floyd To Be Honored With British Postage Stamps
Pink Floyd will be honored by the long-running U.K. postal service, Royal Mail, with a series of postage stamps to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary. This series, which will feature cover art from "Dark Side Of The Moon," "Wish You Were Here," and other albums, will become available starting July 7, 2016. For more info, visit RoyalMail.com.
Source: Pink Floyd Honored with British Postage Stamps for Band's 50th Anniversary
May 26, 2016: The Beach Boys To Launch Tour
The Beach Boys announced an upcoming North American tour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the band's chart-topping hit, "Good Vibrations." This 64-date trek begins on June 17, 2016 in Pala, CA and ends on December 18 in The Village, FL, with additional stops in California and Florida, as well as in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin, plus Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, Canada.
Source: The Beach Boys to Celebrate a Half Century of "Good Vibrations" on 2016 Tour
May 27, 2016: New Box Set Of Concert Highlights From Crossroads Guitar Festivals To Be Released
A new box set of highlights from past Crossroads Guitar Festival benefit concerts is due out on July 1, 2016. Featured bands and artists in this collection, which spans 2004-2013, include such luminaries as Jeff Beck, J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton, Booker T. Jones, B.B. King, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, James Taylor, Joe Walsh, Steve Winwood, and ZZ Top. Founded by Eric Clapton in 1999, the Crossroads Guitar Festival has been held every three years since 2004 to raise money for the Crossroads Centre, a drug treatment facility in Antigua established by Clapton.
Source: New CD Compilation Revisits Eric Clapton's Star-Packed Crossroads Guitar Festivals
