Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of February 10, 2019

February 18, 2019 by Amy Gold

During the week of February 10, 2019, PBS announced the TV premiere of "Sammy Davis, Jr. I've Gotta Be Me" which will air on February 19 as part of the network's American Masters series. This documentary will also be streamed on February 20 via pbs.org and PBS apps.

Also that week, country legend Willie Nelson was presented a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his album, "My Way," at the 61st Grammy Awards which aired February 10, 2019 on CBS. Other veteran artists to receive honors included Quincy Jones who was awarded a Grammy for Best Music Film for the documentary, "Quincy." With a whopping 28 Grammys to date, the famed producer, musician, and composer now has the most trophies of any living artist in Grammy history.

Al Green announced a five-date tour which will kick off on April 24, 2019 in Austin, TX and end on May 3 in Atlanta, GA, with stops in Louisiana and other cities in Texas. Chaka Khan and ex-Doobie Brothers singer/keyboardist Michael McDonald will launch a 17-date co-headlining tour beginning June 20 in Huber Heights, OH and ending August 4 in Rohnert Park, CA, covering many states across the country. Also, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart will reunite for a 39-date North American summer tour starting July 9 in Maryland Heights, MO and ending September 9 in Los Angeles, with stops in many states as well as several Canadian provinces. They will be joined by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Sheryl Crow, and other supporting acts.

Bob Seger added 12 new show dates to his farewell tour which now extends through June 8, 2019 in Clarkston, MI. Also, Aerosmith announced 17 new dates from September 21 through December 4 for the band's popular "Deuces Wild" Las Vegas residency.

The Isley Brothers, The Jacksons, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, and War are among the many veteran bands and artists to take part in the upcoming 2020 Soul Train Cruise. This seafaring music fest will set sail on January 14 from Fort Lauderdale, FL and will return on January 25.

A previously unreleased Humble Pie album from 1974 titled "Joint Effort" recently came out on CD, digitally, and as a limited-edition vinyl LP. A new Todd Rundgren album and video titled "Utopia: Live At The Chicago Theatre," which captures a reunion concert from 2018, will be coming out on April 5, 2019 as a CD/Blu-ray/DVD set and a limited-edition vinyl collection. David Bowie's 1973 collection of covers, "Pin Ups," will be reissued as a vinyl picture disc for Record Store Day on April 13. Also, Paul McCartney will release a limited-edition deluxe version of his 2018 album, "Egypt Station," on May 10.

Also that week, it was announced that "Alice Cooper: Live From The Astroturf" will premiere sometime this April at the Phoenix Film Festival. This documentary captures a 2015 reunion concert at a Dallas, TX record store of Alice Copper with most of his original bandmates from the 1970s along with new guitarist Ryan Roxie. (For more info, visit livefromtheastroturf.com.)

Finally, classic tunes by Elton John, Elvis Presley, and Stevie Wonder were among YouTube's top 15 most played love songs on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2019). Coming in at #3 was Elton John's "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from the 1994 "Lion King" soundtrack. Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" landed at #6, and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" came in at #11.

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