Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of January 28, 2018

February 5, 2018 by Amy Gold

During the week of January 28, 2018, fans bade a final farewell to Dennis Edwards (February 3, 1943 - February 1, 2018) who was a lead singer of The Temptations. He can be heard on such classics as "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next To You," "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)," and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone."

Also that week, several veteran bands and artists were honored with Grammys: Tony Bennett (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album), Leonard Cohen (Best Rock Performance), Kraftwerk (Best Dance/Electronic Album), and The Rolling Stones (Best Traditional Blues Album).

Chicago will perform "Chicago II" in its entirety at each concert during the band's 2018 trek which begins on February 7 in Las Vegas, with stops in 18 states. Roger Daltrey announced a U.S. tour featuring orchestral performances of The Who's "Tommy" beginning March 7 in Las Vegas, with 16 dates confirmed so far covering 11 states. The Doobie Brothers announced a series of headlining shows to take place beginning April 6 in Rancho Mirage, CA, with stops in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. Also, doo-wop legend Dion DiMucci will launch a series of summer concerts beginning July 12 in Uncasville, CT, with stops in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Hallmark recently introduced a new Valentine's Day card that includes a vinyl single featuring Aretha Franklin's "Respect" b/w "Think," along with a message that reads "Happy Valentine's Day (With All Due Respect)." A new compilation album titled "Andrew Lloyd Webber Unmasked: The Platinum Edition" that includes songs by Alice Cooper, Yvonne Elliman, The Everly Brothers, Murray Head, Tom Jones, Donny Osmond, Elvis Presley, and Barbra Streisand will be coming out on March 16, 2018. Also, John Fogerty will re-release five of his solo albums in various formats over the coming months. "Blue Moon Swamp," "Premonition," and "Centerfield" are due out on April 27, and "Eye Of The Zombie" and "Deja Vu (All Over Again)" will follow on May 25.

Also that week, Jackson Browne was honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award during the 33rd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards ceremony in Anaheim, CA. It was also announced that Aretha Franklin will receive the Music Icon Award at this year's R&B Hall of Fame induction ceremony to take place June 3, 2018 at Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Other honorees include The Drifters, The Chi-Lites, The Elgins, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Peaches & Herb, Sam & Dave, and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Also, Kenny Loggins will receive the first-ever Icon Award from The Guild of Music Supervisors for his contributions to the soundtracks of such movies as "Caddyshack," "Footloose," and "Top Gun." He will be honored at an awards ceremony to take place February 8 at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

Finally, it was announced that Jennifer Hudson will play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic about the Queen of Soul. Also, Neil Young and Willie Nelson will costar in the Daryl Hannah-directed musical Western, "Paradox." This movie, which features music by Young and his band, Promise Of The Real, will make its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival which runs from March 9-18, 2018 in Austin, TX.

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

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is featured in a new Kia commercial which is set to air during the third quarter of the Super Bowl (February 4, 2018).