May 15, 2017 by Amy Gold
During the week of May 7, 2017, fans bade a final farewell to famed actor and singer Michael Parks who had a hit in 1970 with "Long Lonesome Highway," the closing theme song to the TV series, "Then Came Bronson," in which he starred.
Also that week, it was announced that Van Morrison will receive the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from the Americana Music Association.
Don Henley announced an extension of his ongoing solo tour with a new series of North American show dates starting in June. Also that month, The Pointer Sisters will co-headline this year's Capital Pride Concert in Washington, D.C. Brian Wilson announced a new fall North American leg for his long-running 50th anniversary Pet Sounds tour beginning in September. Also that month, The Rolling Stones will launch a European tour.
Paul Simon will release a live album titled "Paul Simon -- The Concert In Hyde Park" due out this June. Also coming out that month are a new ZZ Top vinyl box set titled "Cinco: The First Five LPs" and a new live album by Foghat titled "Live At The Belly Up." Alice Cooper announced a new album titled "Paranormal" which is due out in July.
Also that week, it was announced that the new Grateful Dead documentary, "Long Strange Trip," will be screened in select theaters on May 25, 2017. A new documentary titled "Sgt. Pepper's Musical Revolution" about the making of The Beatles' classic 1967 album will premiere June 3 on PBS. Also that month on PBS, "Paul Simon -- The Concert In Hyde Park" will be shown during this station's pledge drive.
Finally, The Grateful Dead scored its 80th album on the Billboard 200 with its 1971 archival live album, "Dave's Picks Volume 22."
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
Below are excerpts of videos for three classic songs by Elton John made by the winners of a contest he held last December. The full videos will premiere later this month.
May 9, 2017: Rolling Stones To Launch European Tour
The Rolling Stones announced an upcoming European trek dubbed the No Filter Tour that kicks off on September 9, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. So far, 13 show dates have been confirmed through October 22 covering Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. For more info, visit RollingStones.com/Tickets.
Source: The Rolling Stones to launch European tour in September
May 9, 2017: New Documentary About Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' Album To Debut On PBS
A new documentary about the making of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" will premiere on PBS next month in commemoration of the album's 50th anniversary. The documentary will air on June 3, 2017 in most locations. Titled "Sgt. Pepper's Musical Revolution," this movie features rare behind-the-scenes footage at Abbey Road Studios in London and goes into detail about the various techniques used to create the album's unique sonic effects.
May 9, 2017: Brian Wilson Adds North American Leg To Pet Sounds Tour
Brian Wilson announced a new fall North American leg for his long-running 50th anniversary Pet Sounds tour which began in early 2016. This 20-date trek begins on September 15, 2017 in Moncton, NB, Canada and ends on October 14 in Costa Mesa, CA, covering many states across the U.S. and several Canadian provinces. Wilson, who is currently on tour in the U.S., will begin a European trek in June.
Source: Brian Wilson adds fall North American leg to his 50th anniversary Pet Sounds tour
May 10, 2017: ZZ Top Vinyl Box Set To Be Released
A new ZZ Top vinyl box set will be coming out on June 9, 2017. Titled "Cinco: The First Five LPs," this collection includes five classic albums from the early-mid 1970s: "ZZ Top's First Album" (1971), "Rio Grande Mud" (1972), "Tres Hombres" (1973), "Fandango!" (1975), and "Tejas" (1976). "Tres Hombres" features one of the band's top hits, "La Grange."
Source: Five by three: Vinyl box set featuring ZZ Top's first five albums due out next month
May 10, 2017: New Grateful Dead documentary To Screen In Select Theaters
"Long Strange Trip," the new Grateful Dead documentary produced by Martin Scorsese, will be screened in select theaters around the country on May 25, 2017, one day before its official theatrical premiere in New York City and Los Angeles. Afterwards, this movie will be available for streaming from Amazon Prime Video starting June 2. For more info and tickets to the screenings, visit LongStrangeTripDoc.com.
Source: New Grateful Dead documentary to screen in select US theaters prior to official premiere
May 10, 2017: Pointer Sisters To Co-Headline 2017 Capital Pride Concert
The Pointer Sisters will co-headline this year's Capital Pride Concert in Washington, D.C. This event, which takes place June 11, 2017, is the finale of the city's 2017 Pride Celebration which begins June 8. For more info and tickets, visit CapitalPride.org.
Source: The Pointer Sisters take their pride to the nation's capital for annual concert event
May 10, 2017: Foghat To Release 2016 Live Album On CD
On June 30, 2017, Foghat will release on CD "Live At The Belly Up," a live album that captured a show from August 2016 at the Belly Up tavern in Solana Beach, CA. Highlights include early hits such as "Slow Ride" and "I Just Want To Make Love To You," plus songs from the band's latest album, "Under The Influence" (2016).
Source: Fool for the CD? Foghat releasing CD version of "Live at the Belly Up" album in June
May 10, 2017: Michael Parks Passes Away
Famed actor and singer Michael Parks died at his home in Los Angeles on May 9, 2017 at age 77 of as-yet undetermined causes. To oldies music fans, he is best remembered for his Top 20 1970 hit, "Long Lonesome Highway," the closing theme song to the short-lived NBC TV series, "Then Came Bronson," in which he starred.
Source: Michael Parks, Character Actor on TV and in Movies, Dies at 77 - The New York Times
May 11, 2017: Alice Cooper To Release New Album
Alice Cooper will release a new album titled "Paranormal" which is due out on July 28, 2017. This upcoming 12-track collection features a number of guest artists that include members of Deep Purple, U2, and ZZ Top, plus the three surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band. The album, which features three new songs by Cooper and his former bandmates, will be available in a variety of formats.
Source: Alice Cooper's new album, "Paranormal," due in July, featuring U2, ZZ Top, Deep Purple members
May 11, 2017: Grateful Dead Scores 80th Album On Billboard 200
The Grateful Dead's latest archival release, "Dave's Picks Volume 22," a live album recorded on December 7, 1971 at the Felt Forum in New York City, made its debut at #34 on this week's Billboard 200 (dated May 20, 2017). This album is the band's 80th to date to make the Billboard 200 since The Grateful Dead's first entry in 1967 with its self-titled debut album.
May 11, 2017: Don Henley Announces Summer Tour
Don Henley announced an extension of his ongoing solo tour with a new set of North American show dates starting June 6, 2017 in Boston, MA. This 8-date trek, which ends on June 18 in St. Paul, MN, will cover several Northern and Northeastern states in the U.S. as well as Ontario, Canada. The Eagles co-founder will also give a special performance on July 22 in Dallas, TX in celebration of his 70th birthday. For more info, visit donhenley.com.
Source: Don Henley Plots Summer Solo Tour
May 12, 2017: Paul Simon Album Of 2012 Hyde Park Concert To Be Released
On June 9, 2017, Paul Simon will release a live album titled "Paul Simon -- The Concert In Hyde Park" that captures his concert of July 15, 2012 at this famous London venue and gathering place. The concert, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of the release of Simon's "Graceland," featured performances of most of this album's songs. Simon was joined by a number of guest artists that included reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. "Paul Simon -- The Concert In Hyde Park" will be broadcast on PBS sometime this June during this station's pledge drive.
May 12, 2017: Van Morrison To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Van Morrison will be honored with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from the Americana Music Association. The awards ceremonies will take place September 13, 2017 in Nashville at Ryman Auditorium. Morrison will also headline a concert the following night as a part of the festivities.
Source: Van Morrison to Receive Americana Lifetime Achievement Honor - Rolling Stone
