Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of December 8, 2019

December 16, 2019 by Amy Gold

During the week of December 8, 2019, the Library of Congress announced that "The Last Waltz" and "Purple Rain" are among this year's additions to the National Film Registry. "The Last Waltz" is a 1978 concert movie that documents The Band's farewell show which took place in 1976 on Thanksgiving Day in San Francisco. "Purple Rain" is a 1984 rock musical drama co-starring late pop star Prince that is based in part on his life.

Also that week, it was announced that Joni Mitchell will be honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards in Anaheim, CA, to take place January 18, 2020. Also, Elton John and Bernie Taupin were nominated for a Golden Globe award for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again," the end-credit song from "Rocketman." The Golden Globes will air January 5 on NBC.

Rod Stewart became the oldest male solo artist to top the U.K. album chart with "You're In My Heart: Rod Stewart With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra," his 10th #1 album to date. Also headed for the top spot on the U.K. album chart is The Who's latest release, "WHO," making this the band's first U.K. album chart-topper in almost 50 years.

Late pop legend Judy Garland made a comeback on the charts after six decades with a remix of "The Man That Got Away," which became a Billboard Dance Club Songs Top 10 hit. This pop standard was part of the soundtrack to the 1954 movie, "A Star Is Born," in which Garland co-starred and performed.

Also that week, it was announced that "The Doors: Break On Thru -- A Celebration Of Ray Manzarek," a concert movie and documentary about the late Doors keyboardist, will be screened in select theaters around the world on February 12, 2020 to commemorate what would have been his 81st birthday. This movie, which made its world premiere in April 2018 at New Jersey's Asbury Park Music & Film Festival, features highlights from a tribute concert that took place February 12, 2016 at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles with performers that included Robby Krieger and John Densmore of The Doors.

Finally, a pair of round sunglasses that John Lennon once left behind in the back seat of a car sold for around $200,000 at a London auction that took place December 13, 2020. Other rock memorabilia to fetch top dollar at auction that week include Elton John's original handwritten lyrics to "Your Song," which sold for $237,600 at Bonhams auction house on December 9, along with handwritten lyrics to "Bennie & The Jets" ($87,600) and "Border Song" ($31,000).

Newly-Announced Tours & Shows:
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Newly-Announced Recordings:
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(For more information about the above news items, please see below for a list of sources with links.)