February 26, 2017 by Amy Gold
During the week of February 19, 2017, the Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its inductees for this year which include Motown founder Berry Gordy and members of Chicago.
Also that week, David Bowie was honored posthumously at the Brit Awards with prizes in two categories.
ZZ Top added a new series of shows beginning in May to their recently-launched North American tour. Also that month, the 2017 SunFest music festival will take place in West Palm Beach, FL, with Steve Winwood, Ambrosia, and Christopher Cross among the many featured performers. Booker T. Jones and J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf will perform at this year's Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, TN. Also, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan will perform at the 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans which kicks off in late June.
Three classic Glen Campbell albums from the 1960s will be re-released this March on vinyl: "Gentle On My Mind (1967), "Wichita Lineman (1968), and "Galveston" (1969). Also, a new Ringo Starr album is in the works with contributions from former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney.
Finally, fans bade a final farewell to famed R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer Leon Ware who penned many hit songs for such top acts as Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Bruce Springsteen invites 14-year-old Nathan Testa to perform "Growin' Up" alongside him onstage at a recent concert in Brisbane, Australia (February 16, 2017).
February 20, 2017: Paul McCartney To Play Bass On Upcoming Ringo Starr Album
Paul McCartney recently got together with Ringo Starr to play bass on Starr's new album which will be a follow-up to "Postcards From Paradise" (2015). The last time McCartney contributed to one of Starr's albums was in 2010 on "Y Not." Other guest musicians on Starr's upcoming album include Joe Walsh and Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit.
Source: Ringo Starr reunites with Beatles band mate Paul McCartney in the studio
February 21, 2017: Steve Winwood, Ambrosia Join 2017 SunFest Lineup
Steve Winwood, Ambrosia, and Christopher Cross are among the featured performers at this year's SunFest music festival which will take place May 3-7, 2017 in West Palm Beach, FL. For more info and tickets, visit SunFest.com.
Source: Steve Winwood, Christopher Cross part of 2017 lineup of Florida's SunFest
February 22, 2017: Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2017 Inductees
The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its inductees for this year which include Motown founder Berry Gordy and Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm, and James Pankow of Chicago. The awards ceremonies will take place June 15, 2017 at New York City's Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Source: SongHall - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2017 Inductees
February 22, 2017: Diana Ross, Chaka Khan To Perform At 2017 Essence Festival
Diana Ross and Chaka Khan are among the many performers at the 2017 Essence Festival which will take place June 29-July 2 in New Orleans, LA. In addition, Khan will take part in a special show celebrating women which will feature an all-female lineup dubbed "My Path To Strength."
Source: Chaka Khan to take part in special all-female performance at 2017 "Essence" Festival
February 22, 2017: David Bowie Honored Posthumously With Two Brit Awards
David Bowie was honored posthumously at the prestigious Brit Awards with prizes in two categories. The late rock legend won the British Male Solo Artist prize, and his final album, "Blackstar," was named the British Album of the Year. The awards ceremonies took place on February 22, 2017 in London. For more info, visit Brits.co.uk.
Source: David Bowie honored with two Brit Awards
February 23, 2017: Booker T. Jones, Peter Wolf To Perform At 2017 Beale Street Music Festival
Booker T. Jones and J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf are among the many featured performers at this year's Beale Street Music Festival which will take place May 5-7, 2017 in Memphis, TN. For more info and tickets, visit MemphisinMay.org.
Source: Peter Wolf, Booker T. Jones to perform at 2017 Beale Street Music Festival
February 23, 2017: Three Glen Campbell Late 1960s Albums To Be Reissued On Vinyl
Three Glen Campbell albums from the 1960s will be re-released on vinyl for the first time in decades on March 24, 2017: "Gentle On My Mind (1967), "Wichita Lineman (1968), and "Galveston" (1969). All three albums topped the Billboard Country Albums chart and made the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. For more info, visit GlenCampbell.com.
Source: Three of Glen Campbell's classic late-'60s albums being reissued on vinyl next month
February 24, 2017: ZZ Top Announces More Tour Dates
ZZ Top added a new series of shows to the band's recently-launched North American trek dubbed "The Tonnage Tour." These most recent additions begin on May 12, 2017 Amarillo, TX and end on June 10 in Frisco, TX, with additional stops in Texas, as well as in Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and Ohio, plus Ontario, Canada. Afterwards, the band will launch a European trek beginning July 6 in Albi, France.
Source: ZZ Top's loading more dates onto Tonnage Tour
February 24, 2017: Leon Ware Passes Away
Famed R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer Leon Ware died on February 23, 2017 at age 77. Over his long career, he penned many hit songs for such top bands and artists as The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, The Isley Brothers, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lulu, Melissa Manchester, The Miracles, Minnie Riperton, Ike & Tina Turner, and Bobby Womack. He also released several solo albums beginning in 1972 and had a string hits on the R&B charts from 1979-1981 that included "What's Your Name' (1979).
Source: Leon Ware, Renowned Soul Songwriter, Dead at 77
