December 9, 2019 by Amy Gold
Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' soundtrack is the champion of 'Billboard' magazine's 2019 Top Rock Albums chart: #VanMusic #MusicNews https://t.co/SAK0bcSZ3n
— 927 The Van (@927thevan) December 7, 2019
During the week of December 1, 2019, Queen took two top spots in Billboard's year-end Top Rock Albums chart for 2019. The legendary rockers topped this chart with their 2018 "Bohemian Rhapsody" soundtrack and also reached no. 10 with "Greatest Hits I II & III - The Platinum Collection." Elton John's "Diamonds," The Beatles' "Abbey Road," and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Chronicle - The 20 Greatest Hits" came in at nos. 3, 7, and 8, respectively. Queen also reached no. 2 on Billboard's 2019 Top Rock Artists chart, with The Beatles, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Billy Joel, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers landing at nos. 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 18, and 20, respectively.
Also that week, Rod Stewart topped the Billboard Classical Albums chart with "You're In My Heart," making this his first-ever entry on that chart. This album features new arrangements of many of his classic hits backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
As previously announced, Linda Ronstadt and Earth Wind & Fire are among this year's recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. The awards ceremonies, to take place December 8, 2019 in Washington, D.C., will be aired December 15 on CBS.
December 5, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the original release of The Rolling Stones' album, "Let It Bleed." This platinum-certified recording, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 in 1969, features such classics as "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
Also, December 6, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous Altamont Speedway Free Festival in Northern California. This concert featured (in order of appearance) Santana, Jefferson Airplane, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and The Rolling Stones. A number of violent altercations occurred that included the stabbing death of 18-year-old Meredith Hunter by members of the Hells Angels who had been hired to provide security for the event. This incident was captured on camera and became the central scene in the 1970 documentary, "Gimme Shelter."
Newly-Announced Tours & Shows:
(Band/Artist - Event(s) - Dates)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Farewell Tour shows, US (16) - March 7-August 24, 2020
The Beach Boys - New shows, US (16) - March 25-April 28, 2020
Gilbert O'Sullivan - US Tour - April 12-26, 2020
The Who - New shows, US (2) - April 21-23, 2020
The Who - Las Vegas residency - May 2-16, 2020
The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers - Concerts, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - May 23-25, 2020
Chicago, Rick Springfield - Joint North American tour - June 12-August 1, 2020
Aerosmith - European tour - June 13-July 27, 2020
Newly-Announced Recordings:
(Band/Artist - Title - Format - Release Date)
John Fogerty - 50 Year Trip: Live At Red Rocks - DVD - January 24, 2020
John Fogerty - 50 Year Trip: Live At Red Rocks - 2-LP set - January 24, 2020
Eric Burdon & The Animals - When I Was Young -- The MGM Recordings 1967-1968 - 5-CD set - February 21, 2020
(For more information about the above news items, please see below for a list of sources with links.)
From https://t.co/dAlAL68abN: '70s British pop star Gilbert O'Sullivan lines up series of spring US concerts https://t.co/c0LD8ABkYU
— Z94.3 Radio (@Z943Radio) December 3, 2019
Chicago will hit the road this summer with special guest #RickSpringfield https://t.co/YJZMvkMWXS
— billboard (@billboard) December 4, 2019
Double LP and DVD of "John Fogerty - 50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks" due in January - #GoldmineMagazine https://t.co/giqVg8Ho9g #JohnFogerty #CCR #ClassicRock #musicHistory #musicnews #RedRocks #concerts
— Goldmine magazine (@Goldmine_mag) December 4, 2019
Lynyrd Skynyrd announced U.S. dates for the third year of their farewell tour with #TravisTritt & the #EliYoungBand https://t.co/IwBxACVdYK
— billboard (@billboard) December 5, 2019
@TheWho returning to Cincinnati, hitting Vegas & 'Jazz Fest' --> https://t.co/HuD3ZceDCN #RealRockNews
— KSHE 95 (@KSHE95) December 5, 2019
'Let it Bleed' is the Rolling Stones' darkest, nastiest album, and that's why it sounds perfect right now https://t.co/gMjgUEUGDh pic.twitter.com/wuOj7nzdSr
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 5, 2019
My new album is #1 on the @billboard Classical Charts.
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) December 6, 2019
As the great Chuck Berry said, roll over Beethoven! https://t.co/7M3Qi1SlWp
Aerosmith announce 2020 European tour: https://t.co/7SgzavgLhD pic.twitter.com/LkvgK9m0ys
— Louder (@LouderPosts) December 6, 2019
The Beach Boys getting around the US on 2020 tour: #VanMusic #MusicNews https://t.co/g5D0oZX5zF
— 927 The Van (@927thevan) December 6, 2019
Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' soundtrack is the champion of 'Billboard' magazine's 2019 Top Rock Albums chart: #VanMusic #MusicNews https://t.co/SAK0bcSZ3n
— 927 The Van (@927thevan) December 7, 2019
What the Rolling Stones' official photographer saw at Altamont https://t.co/NwtjklJHX3
— TIME (@TIME) December 7, 2019
Comprehensive Eric Burdon & The Animals box set, 'When I Was Young,' due in February: #VanMusic #MusicNews https://t.co/yfLuCXuYi2
— 927 The Van (@927thevan) December 7, 2019
Musical legends @TheDoobieBros and the Eagles will bring their impressive catalog of hits for intimate beachfront performances in the beautiful Cabo Corridor. https://t.co/iLyRbThztx
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) December 7, 2019
Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt and "Sesame Street" are set to receive the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievements in the arts. https://t.co/Q8B15QA4gk
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 8, 2019
