Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of August 11, 2019

August 19, 2019 by Amy Gold

During the week of August 11, 2019, Billboard published its list of 100 top songs from the summer of 1969, a landmark period that saw Woodstock, the first troop withdrawals from Vietnam, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Topping that list is "Time Of The Season" by The Zombies.

Chicago announced a new Christmas album to be released in various formats beginning October 4, 2019. Titled "Chicago Christmas," highlights of this 11-track collection include seven original songs and a cover of the non-holiday themed Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic, "What The World Needs Now Is Love."

"Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll," a 1987 documentary that captures the star-studded 60th birthday concerts Keith Richards helped organize in honor of Chuck Berry, will be coming out November 19, 2019 on Blu-ray for the first time. Also, a trailer for the new eponymous Chuck Berry documentary recently made its online premiere. This trailer includes archival footage and excerpts of interviews with Alice Cooper, Nile Rodgers of Chic, Gene Simmons of KISS, and more.

Also that week, AXS TV announced a new series titled "MIXTAPE" in which a number of veteran artists will discuss their all-time favorite songs. This series will kick off on September 12, 2019 with Mick Jones and Kelly Hansen of Foreigner. Other guests confirmed so far include Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato of REO Speedwagon (September 19), Rick Springfield (September 26), Don McLean (October 3), ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder (October 10), Robby Krieger of The Doors (October 17), and Todd Rundgren (October 24).

"Elvis Unleashed," a concert film that captures The King's "68 Comeback Special" along with outtakes and other previously-unseen footage, will be shown in theaters around the world on October 7 and 10, 2019. Also coming to theaters sometime this fall is the new Bruce Springsteen concert film, "Western Stars," which features the rock legend performing his album of the same name in its entirety. This movie also includes archival footage and narration by Springsteen.

Finally, August 15, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the first day of Woodstock, the historic three-day festival that took place in Bethel, NY and brought together some 400,000 people for a weekend of non-stop music.

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