Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of November 7, 2021

November 14, 2021 by Amy Gold

During the week of November 7, 2021, Sir Elton John, who earned his knighthood title in 1998, received another prestigious honor from the British royal family when Prince Charles presented him with the Order of the Companions of Honour for both his 50-year music career and his work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The awards ceremonies took place on November 10 at Windsor Castle.

Also that week, the Grateful Dead scored its highest charting album since 1987 on the Billboard 200 with "Dave's Picks, Vol. 40: Deer Creek Music Center, Noblesville, IN 7/18/90 & 7/19/90," which debuted at #13. Released in October 29, 2021, this archival live album includes such Dead classics as "Uncle John's Band" and other memorable performances.

A long-lost song recorded by George Harrison and Ringo Starr in 1968 made its world premiere during an interview of journalist/broadcaster Suresh Joshi by the BBC that took place on November 10, 2021. Titled "Radhe Shaam," this song was written and produced by Joshi who was working at London's Trident Studios on the music for a documentary when Harrison and Starr showed up and offered to perform it. Joshi was the one who introduced George Harrison to Ravi Shankar who would later teach him the sitar and become a major influence on his music.

Ringo Starr is among those who will host their own virtual tutorials as part of the ongoing MasterClass series. The former Beatles drummer will teach drumming and creative collaboration at his class to premiere November 22, 2021. For more info, visit MasterClass.com.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart are among the many featured performers at the upcoming Peace Through Music, a streaming concert that raises funds and awareness for environmental issues. This virtual event will premiere on December 15, 2021 and can be viewed on the Playing for Change YouTube channel.

Also that week, Billy Joel celebrated his 50th anniversary as a recording artist with the posting on YouTube of his first-ever music video. Originally released in 1971, this clip captures Joel in his early twenties at the piano performing "Everybody Loves You Now," a song from his debut album, "Cold Spring Harbor."

Finally, "Led Zeppelin IV" was certified a whopping 24 times platinum by the RIAA on November 8, 2021, which marks the 50th anniversary of this album's original release. This classic recording includes Led Zeppelin's best known song, the epic "Stairway To Heaven." Also, Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic" was certified nine times platinum by the RIAA. Released in April 1975, this hugely popular album includes the hits, "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way."

In Memoriam:

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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.)