Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of September 26, 2021

October 3, 2021 by Amy Gold

During the week of September 26, 2021, Elton John and Stevie Wonder released their first-ever duet, "Finish Line," which is included on "The Lockdown Sessions," the English pop legend's upcoming 32nd studio album. The two veteran superstars previously collaborated in the 1980s on "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" (1983) and with Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight on "That's What Friends Are For" (1985).

Also that week, Elton John continued his recent run of milestones on the pop charts when he scored two Billboard Hot 100 hits simultaneously with "Cold Heart" (with Dua Lipa) and "One Of Me" (with Lil Nas X).

Marie Osmond announced a new album and tour along with a major shift in her musical direction to opera. On her upcoming album, "Unexpected," she performs a mix of classical, opera, and Broadway songs accompanied by the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Her tour kicks off on December 1, 2021, and she will also star in her third Lifetime holiday movie, "A Fiance For Christmas," to air December 9.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Olivia Newton-John's smash hit and album, "Physical," the British-Australian pop legend will team up with Crunch Fitness to host a global group fitness event to take place October 20, 2021 in which participants will attempt to set a new world record for the most people performing lying lateral leg raises simultaneously. For more info and to sign up, visit CrunchPhysical40th.com.

Finally, a previously unreleased John Lennon song, "Radio Peace," and an interview from January 5, 1970 with both Lennon and wife Yoko Ono were recorded on a cassette tape that recently sold at auction for around $58,000. The interview, which took place at the New Experimental College at Skyum Bjerge, Denmark, included several journalists and students who arrived after an official press conference hoping to speak with Lennon. One of the students asked him to play the guitar, and he performed "Radio Peace" followed by "Give Peace A Chance." According to the BBC, "Radio Peace" was written as the theme song for a then-upcoming radio station that never materialized.

In Memoriam:

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.)