Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of January 14, 2018

January 22, 2018 by Amy Gold

During the week of January 14, 2018, fans bade a final farewell to famed gospel singer Edwin Hawkins and Argent co-founder Jim Rodford. The Edwin Hawkins Singers are best remembered for the 1969 smash hit, "Oh Happy Day." In addition to his work with Argent, Rodford had also played bass for The Zombies and The Kinks.

Also that week, the Grammy Hall of Fame announced its latest additions for 2018. Among this year's inductees are The Rolling Stones' song, "Paint It, Black," Queen's album, "A Night At The Opera," and recordings by Aerosmith, Louis Armstrong, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, The Four Tops, Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Hugh Masekela, Mike Oldfield, Parliament, Billy Paul, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, and Andy Williams.

George Clinton and Parliament recently released a new single, "I'm Gon Make U Sick O'Me," the first track from the band's upcoming album, "Medicaid Fraud Dog," which is expected out sometime later this year. A limited-edition deluxe reissue of "Concert For George," an album that captures a tribute to George Harrison that took place in 2002, will be coming out in various formats on February 25, 2018 to commemorate what would have been the late Beatle's 75th birthday.

The Monkees' Micky Dolenz, The Cowsills' Susan Cowsill, and The Cars' Elliot Easton are among those to pay tribute in concert to Buffalo Springfield. This event will take place February 17, 2018 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Cheap Trick, Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, and Mavis Staples are among the many featured artists at the second annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert scheduled for March 15 at the city's Beacon Theater. Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and Judy Collins will perform at this year's Light Up the Blues Concert which will take place April 21 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

On July 18, 2018, Billy Joel will give his 100th concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden, a venue where he has set a record for having given the most performances to date. In addition, the Piano Man recently added two new sports stadium show dates which will take place July 27 and September 21 at Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA) and Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO), respectively. On the day of the concert at Citizens Bank Park, he will become the first non-player or coach to receive an honorary contract with the Phillies.

Also that week, a new season of AXS TV's "The Big Interview" was announced in which host Dan Rather will chat with such top artists as Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin (March 13, 2018), John Densmore and Robby Krieger of The Doors (March 20), Styx (April 17), and The Oak Ridge Boys (May 1). A new documentary titled "Elvis Presley: The Searcher" will premiere April 14 on HBO. This 3-hour, 2-part film features never-before-seen photos and footage and over 20 new interviews with those who had known and/or worked with the King. A companion album will be released on April 6 in various formats.

A new book titled "Long Distance Voyagers: The Story Of The Moody Blues, Volume 1" by Marc Cushman was recently published and is the first in a two-part series about the famed and influential British progressive rock band. Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night announced that he will be adding 11 new chapters and over 100 photos to his previously-published autobiography, "Three Dog Nightmare: The Chuck Negron Story," which originally came out in 2000. The final edition is due out on March 13, 2018.

Also that week, it was announced that The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes For You" topped THR's Top TV Songs Chart for December 2017, almost 60 years after it originally charted on the Billboard Hot 100. This 1959 doo-wop classic was used as background music in the trailer from Season 2 of the historical drama TV series, "The Crown."

Finally, Brian Wilson returned to his high school to have his failing grade for "Surfin'," The Beach Boys' 1962 chart debut song that began as an assignment for a music class, changed to an A.

(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links.)

Below is a previously unreleased 1969 Jimi Hendrix cover of Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" from the late guitar legend's upcoming archival album, "Both Sides Of The Sky" (due out on March 9, 2018).