September 11, 2017 by Amy Gold
During the week of September 3, 2017, fans bade a final farewell to Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker, Molly Hatchet co-founder Dave Hlubek, Tower Of Power lead singer Rick Stevens, and country great Don Williams.
Also that week, Aretha Franklin was honored by TIME magazine as one of the "women who are changing the world."
Jimmy Buffett announced an upcoming concert to take place on New Year's Eve in Nashville. Also, Yes announced a European tour beginning next March to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary.
A box set titled "Soulsville U.S.A.: A Celebration Of Stax" featuring many of the legendary label's greatest hits will be coming out later this month. Also, an expanded version of Queen's 1977 album, "News Of The World," will be coming out in November.
Also that week, it was announced that a reel-to-reel tape of an unreleased song from 1968 by George Harrison is among the items to be auctioned off at a Beatles memorabilia sale to take place in Warrington, U.K.
Finally, Patti Labelle was honored with the BMI Icon Award for her many career-spanning milestones.
(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 new lyric video by The Rolling Stones for the band's 1967 hit, "She's A Rainbow."
September 3, 2017: Walter Becker Of Steely Dan Passes Away
Famed musician and record producer Walter Becker died on September 3, 2017 at age 67. He co-founded Steely Dan in 1972 with Donald Fagen and served as the band's guitarist, bassist, co-songwriter, and backing vocalist. Steely Dan had a long string of hits through 1981 that included "Do It Again" (1972), "Reeling In The Years" (1973), and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" (1974). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
Source: Walter Becker, Steely Dan Co-Founder, Dead at 67 - Rolling Stone
September 4, 2017: Dave Hlubek Of Molly Hatchet Passes Away
Famed musician Dave Hlubek died on September 3, 2017 at age 66 of a heart attack. The Jacksonville, FL native co-founded Molly Hatchet in 1971 and served as the lead guitarist. Hlubek co-wrote many of the Southern rock band's hits, including its signature song, "Flirtin' With Disaster" (1980).
Source: Molly Hatchet guitarist Dave Hlubek dies at age 66
September 5, 2017: Rick Stevens Of Tower Of Power Passes Away
Famed R&B/soul singer Rick Stevens (b. Donald Stevenson) died on September 5, 2017 at age 77 after battling cancer. He joined Tower Of Power in 1969 as the band's lead singer and sang on the first two albums. He can be heard in the 1972 hit, "You're Still A Young Man." After spending 36 years in prison for killing three people in a botched drug deal, he was paroled in 2012.
Source: Rick Stevens, Former Tower of Power Lead Singer, Dies at 77 | Billboard
September 5, 2017: Tape Of Unreleased George Harrison Song To Go To Auction
A reel-to-reel tape of an unreleased song by George Harrison is among the items to be auctioned off at a Beatles memorabilia sale to take place in Warrington, U.K. on September 11, 2017. Titled "Hello Miss Mary Bee," the song was written by Harrison in 1968, and a clip can be heard here. The tape also includes alternate versions of The Beatles' "Across the Universe," "Lady Madonna," and other songs.
September 6, 2017: Jimmy Buffett To Give New Year's Eve Concert In Nashville
Jimmy Buffett announced an upcoming concert to take place on New Year's Eve at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. He will be joined by Huey Lewis & The News.
Source: Jimmy Buffett Set For New Year's Eve In Nashville
September 7, 2017: Queen To Reissue 'News Of The World' As An Expanded Edition
An expanded version of Queen's 1977 album, "News Of The World," will be coming out on November 17, 2017 to commemorate its 40th anniversary. This album, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200, includes the smash hits, “We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions." The soon-to-be-released box set includes three CDs, a DVD, and a vinyl LP cut directly from the original album's master tapes.
Source: Big World: Queen releasing expanded 40th anniversary "News of the World" reissue
September 7, 2017: Yes Announces 50th Anniversary European Tour
Yes announced a 2018 European tour to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary. So far, 13 dates have been confirmed beginning March 13, 2018 in Bristol, U.K. and ending March 30 in Paris, France, with stops in the Netherlands, Belgium, and many cities in the U.K. On March 24 and 25, the London Palladium will host a 50th anniversary fan convention in addition to two Yes concerts. Additional show dates are expected to be announced soon.
Source: Yes' 50th anniversary plans to include March 2018 European tour, new live album
September 8, 2017: Aretha Franklin Honored by TIME Magazine
TIME magazine recently honored Aretha Franklin with a lengthy profile of the Queen of Soul for its FIRSTS project which salutes 46 women who are changing the world.
Franklin's TIME magazine profile discusses her many career milestones that include being the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As she noted, I didn't think my songs would become anthems for women. But I'm delighted.
Source: Aretha Franklin chosen by "TIME" magazine as one of the "women who are changing the world"
September 8, 2017: Country Legend Don Williams Passes Away
Famed country singer-songwriter Don Williams died on September 8, 2017 at age 78 in Mobile, Alabama from emphysema. He had a long string of hits beginning in the early 1970s on the country charts that included such chart-toppers as "I Wouldn't Want To Live If You Didn't Love Me" (1974), "You're My Best Friend" 1975), "Tulsa Time" (1978), and "I Believe In You" (1980). Before becoming a country superstar, Williams had co-founded The Pozo-Seco Singers, a folk rock group best known for the 1966 hit, "Time." William's many honors and accolades included being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
Source: Don Williams, Laid-Back Country Legend, Is Dead At 78 : The Record : NPR
September 8, 2017: Patti Labelle Receives BMI Icon Honor
Patti Labelle was recently honored with the BMI Icon Award for her many career milestones spanning over five decades. The 2017 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards ceremonies took place in Atlanta at the city's Woodruff Center.
Source: Patti Labelle Receives BMI Icon Honor At R&B/ Hip Hop Awards | Black America Web
September 8, 2017: Stax Records Gathers Classic Hits for 'Soulsville U.S.A.' Box Set
As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, Stax Records will release a box set of its greatest hits on September 22, 2017. Titled "Soulsville U.S.A.: A Celebration Of Stax," this 60-song collection from the legendary record label includes old familiar favorites by such R&B greats as Booker T. & The MG's, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, and The Veltones.
Source: Stax Records Gathers Classic Hits for 'Soulsville U.S.A.' Set
