Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of February 2, 2020

February 10, 2020 by Amy Gold

During the week of February 2, 2020, PBS announced a new special, "Chuck Berry - Brown Eyed Handsome Man," which pays tribute in concert to the late rock & roll pioneer. This upcoming event, which features archival footage of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Lynne of ELO, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, and Berry himself, will premiere February 29 on select stations across the country.

Also that week, Elton John and The Rolling Stones were among those honored at the 31th annual Pollstar Awards which took place February 6 in Beverly Hills, CA. The Major Tour of the Year prize went to Elton John for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road trek, and the Best Rock Tour trophy was awarded to The Rolling Stones for their No Filter tour.

Also, it was announced that Patti Smith will be presented with the 2020 PEN America Literary Service Award. The awards ceremonies will take place at the organization's annual gala on May 19 in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History.

A new animated music video for Bob Marley's ballad, "Redemption Song," made its premiere on his official YouTube channel February 6, 2020, on what would have been the late reggae legend's 75th birthday. This video kicked off a yearlong commemoration that will include special releases, live performance events, and more.

An official video for Robbie Robertson's new song, "Once Were Brothers," made its premiere February 5, 2020 on his YouTube channel and at RollingStone.com. This song is included on Robertson's 2019 album, "Sinematic," and in the new documentary, "Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson And The Band," which will open February 21 in New York and Los Angeles before its theatrical release on February 28.

"Street Survivors: The True Story Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash," a new documentary about this tragic event that took the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and other band members on October 20, 1977, will make its world premiere February 16, 2020 at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles. This film is narrated by ex-Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, one of the survivors of the crash.

Finally, fans bade a final farewell to Harold Beane (d. February 1, 2020, age 73), a veteran funk guitarist who played with William Bell and Isaac Hayes at Stax Records before joining Parliament/Funkadelic.

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.)