February 5, 2017 by Amy Gold
During the week of January 29, 2017, Vera Lynn made pop music history when it was announced that she will become the first-ever performing artist to release a new album on her 100th birthday. The famed English singer, whose upcoming album is due out next month, had a string of hits in the U.S. during the 1950s that included the chart-topping "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" (1952).
Also that week, fans bade a final farewell to bassist John Wetton who co-founded Asia and served as this band's frontman and principle songwriter. Wetton was also a member of King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, and several other rock bands.
Art Garfunkel recently began a series of North American concerts that is currently scheduled to run through May. Later this month, Don McLean and George Thorogood & The Destroyers will both launch U.S. tours. Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles and David Crosby both announced U.S. tours that begin in April. Steve Miller and Peter Frampton will begin a joint North American tour in June. Also that month, The Jacksons will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a concert in Oxfordshire, England, and Billy Joel will perform in Green Bay, WI at this city's Lambeau Field. Deep Purple and Alice Cooper will launch a joint North American tour in August with The Edgar Winter Band as the opening act. Eric Clapton announced a new series of shows for this September to take place in New York City and Inglewood, CA.
Grand Funk Railroad's 1974 album, "Shinin' On," was recently re-released as a limited-edition high-fidelity Super Audio CD. A new album by Robby Krieger of The Doors titled "In Session" will be coming out later this month that features an eclectic collection of oldies classics covers by guest artists as diverse as Rod Argent, Jackson Browne, and William Shatner. Bob Dylan announced a new 3-disc collection titled "Triplicate" due out in March featuring his renditions of vintage pop standards. Procol Harum announced a new album, "Novum," which is due out in April. Also that month, Willie Nelson will release a new album titled "God's Problem Child.
Also that week, it was announced that a new memoir by Art Garfunkel will be coming out in September titled "What Is It All But Luminous: Notes From An Underground Man."
Finally, two landmark albums celebrated anniversaries that week. Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" turned 40 on February 4, 2017, and Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" reached its half-century milestone on February 1.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
This year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are ELO, Joan Baez, Journey, Nile Rodgers, Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, and Yes. The awards ceremonies will take place April 7, 2017 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and will be broadcast on HBO sometime later this year. Below are early clips of each artist in concert.
January 30, 2017: Steve Miller And Peter Frampton To Launch Joint North American Tour
Steve Miller and Peter Frampton will launch a joint tour this summer that will take the two rock legends to various parts of the U.S. and Canada. So far, 32 show dates have been announced starting June 15, 2017 in Holmdel, NJ and running through August 13 in Murphys, CA. In addition, Miller and Frampton have their own spring tour schedules which can be viewed at SteveMillerBand.com and Frampton.com, respectively.
Source: Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton Line Up Joint North American Summer Tour
January 30, 2017: Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, And Edgar Winter To Launch Joint Tour
Deep Purple will join Alice Cooper for a joint North American tour this summer with The Edgar Winter Band as the opening act. This 19-date trek begins on August 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV and ends on September 10 in Cincinnati, OH.
Source: Highway Stars: Deep Purple Hitting the Road with Alice Cooper & Edgar Winter This Summer
January 30, 2017: Eric Clapton Adds More New York and L.A. Area Shows
Eric Clapton announced a new series of four shows to his 2017 schedule for this September to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City and at The Forum in Inglewood, CA. Clapton currently has another set of four shows at these same venues slated for March, all of which are sold out. Featured guest artists at all eight shows are blues-rock guitarists Jimmie Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr.
Source: Eric Clapton Adds September Shows in New York and L.A. Area to His 2017 Tour Plans
January 31, 2017: Grand Funk Railroad Releases High-Fidelity Version Of 1974 Album
Grand Funk Railroad's 1974 album, "Shinin' On," was recently re-released as a limited-edition high-fidelity Super Audio CD. This album includes two of the band's hits: the title track, which peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and a chart-topping cover of Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion." With a current lineup that includes original members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher, Grand Funk Railroad continues to actively tour and record. For more info, visit GrandFunkRailroad.com.
Source: Grand Funk Railroad Releases High-Fidelity Version of Its Classic 1974 Album, "Shinin' On"
January 31, 2017: John Wetton Passes Away
Famed English singer, songwriter, and bassist John Wetton died on January 31, 2017 at age 67 of colon cancer. He co-founded Asia and served as this band's frontman and principle songwriter. He was also a member of several top rock bands that included King Crimson, Uriah Heep, and Roxy Music. In addition, he was a highly sought-after session musician who collaborated with Yes, Brian Eno, Genesis, and many other bands and artists.
Wetton co-wrote and sang the lead on Asia's smash hit, "Heat Of The Moment" (1982), as well as the band's other hits that included "Only Time Will Tell" (1982). Both these songs went on to become stadium favorites at football games and other sporting events.
Source: John Wetton, Veteran of Asia and King Crimson, Dead at 67
January 31, 2017: David Crosby To Launch Tour
David Crosby announced his next tour which begins on April 18, 2017 in Anaheim, CA and ends on May 26 in Bar Harbor, ME. This 24-date trek, dubbed "The David Crosby & Friends Tour 2017," will feature old favorites from his time with The Byrds and CSN, plus newer songs from CPR and his later solo albums.
Source: David Crosby to Be Joined by Musical Friends on New Spring Solo Tour
January 31, 2017: Bob Dylan To Release Triple Album
Bob Dylan announced a new 3-disc collection titled "Triplicate" which is due out on March 31, 2017. As with his previous two albums, this latest work features Dylan's renditions of such vintage pop standards as "The Best Is Yet To Come" (Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh), "As Time Goes By" (Harold Hupfield), and "Stormy Weather" (Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler).
Source: Six Other Sides of Bob Dylan: Famed Singer/Songwriter to Release First-Ever Triple Album in March
January 31, 2017: George Thorogood & The Destroyers To Launch Tour
George Thorogood & The Destroyers announced an upcoming U.S. tour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. To date, 17 show dates have been confirmed that start on February 28 in Tucson, AZ and run through March 30 in Tulsa, OK, covering the Midwest and Western U.S. Part of the concerts proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Source: George Thorogood and the Destroyers Launching the Rock Party Tour in Late February
February 1, 2017: Jefferson Airplane's 'Surrealistic Pillow' Album Turns 50
February 1, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the classic Jefferson Airplane album, "Surrealistic Pillow." This collection features two of the band's top hits, "Somebody To Love" and "White Rabbit," plus other memorable songs. It was also the band's first album with Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden.
Source: Jefferson Airplane's Classic Psychedelic Album "Surrealistic Pillow" Turns 50 Today
February 1, 2017: Eagles Bassist Timothy B. Schmit Announces Tour Dates
Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles announced a spring U.S. tour in which he will perform Eagles classics as well as solo songs and other selections from his old band Poco. This upcoming 14-date trek begins on April 18, 2017 in Chicago and ends on May 14 in Ridgefield, CT, covering primarily the Midwest and the East Coast.
Source: Eagles Bassist Timothy B. Schmit Announces Short Run of Spring Solo Tour Dates
February 1, 2017: Art Garfunkel To Publish Memoir And Launch Tour
A new memoir by Art Garfunkel will be coming out on September 26, 2017. Titled "What Is It All But Luminous: Notes From An Underground Man," this book covers various key events in Garfunkel's life and career that include his long association with Paul Simon and his struggles after being stricken with a vocal cord paresis. The 75-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also has a series of concert dates in the U.S. and Canada lined up for 2017 beginning on February 2 in Fort Pierce, FL and currently running through May 14 in Rohnert Park, CA.
Source: Art Garfunkel to Publish "Luminous" Memoir in September; Lines Up 2017 Tour Dates
February 1, 2017: Jacksons To Celebrate 50th Anniversary With UK Show
The Jacksons will celebrate their 50th anniversary on June 18, 2017 with a one-off concert in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England at this city's Blenheim Palace. The four Jackson brothers - Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon - will perform with special guests, Kool & The Gang.
Source: The Jacksons Will Celebrate 50th Anniversary With UK Show
February 1, 2017: Willie Nelson To Release New Album
Willie Nelson announced a new album titled "God's Problem Child" which is due out on April 28, 2017. Highlights include "He Won't Ever Be Gone" which pays tribute to the late Merle Haggard. In addition, this album's title song, which was co-written by Tony Joe White, includes vocals by Leon Russell, making this one of his final recordings before his passing last November.
Source: Willie Nelson Announces New Album 'God's Problem Child' - Rolling Stone
February 1, 2017: Dame Vera Lynn To Celebrate 100th Birthday By Releasing New Album
Famed English pop singer Dame Vera Lynn will become the first-ever performing artists to release a new album on her 100th birthday. This upcoming collection, which is due out on March 17, 2017, three days before Lynn turns 100, includes re-orchestrated versions of her most famous songs alongside her original vocal renditions. Known as "The Forces Sweetheart," she was extremely popular during World War II. She also had a string of hits in the U.S. during the 1950s that included "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart," which topped the charts in 1952, as well as "Yours (Quiereme Mucho)" (1952), "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" (1954), and "My Son, My Son" (1954).
Source: Dame Vera Lynn to mark her 100th birthday by releasing album | Music | The Guardian
February 2, 2017: Billy Joel To Perform At Lambeau Field In Green Bay, WI
On June 17, 2017, Billy Joel will give a concert in Green Bay, WI at this city's Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers. In appreciation, the Packers will make Joel an official shareholder of the team.
Source: Billy Joel to Perform at Green Bay's Lambeau Field, Become Packers Shareholder
February 2, 2017: Procol Harum To Release New Album
Procol Harum announced a new studio album, "Novum," which is due out on April 21, 2017, almost 50 years after the original release of the band's debut song, "Whiter Shade Of Pale." In addition, the band will kick off its 50th anniversary tour on March 2 with a concert at London's Royal Festival Hall.
Source: Procol Harum to Release First Studio Album in 14 Years, "Novum," in April
February 3, 2017: Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' Album Turns 40
February 4, 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" which is one of the best-selling albums of all time. This Grammy awarding-winning collection, which topped the Billboard 200 chart, had numerous hit songs that included "Dreams, "Don't Stop," "Go Your Own Way," and "You Make Loving Fun."
Source: Don't Stop Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours"
February 3, 2017: Don McLean Announces 2017 Tour Dates
Don McLean currently has 11 shows scheduled throughout the country starting on February 24, 2017 in Cocoa Beach, FL. The "American Pie" hit singer will cover various cities in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington State before wrapping up on September 16 in Rocky Mount, VA.
Source: Don McLean Reflects on Anniversary of "the Day the Music Died"
February 3, 2017: New Covers Album By Doors Guitarist Robbie Krieger To Be Released
A new album by Robby Krieger of The Doors titled "In Session" will be coming out on February 17, 2017. This eclectic collection features covers of such oldies classics as The Beatles' "Across The Universe," Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage," and Supertramp's "School" performed by a variety of guest artists that include Rod Argent, Jackson Browne, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and actor William Shatner.
Source: New Album from Doors Guitarist Robbie Krieger Features Jackson Browne, Tommy Shaw & More
