Month: January 2023

David Crosby — legendary songwriter, member of The Byrds and co-founder of Crosby Stills Nash and Young — has died at the age of 81.

Variety reports in a statement from Crobsy’s wife, Jan Dance: “It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”

Crosby first made rock history after joining bandmates Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke in The Byrds in 1964, contributing to five albums over three years before parting ways with The Byrds in 1967. In 1968. Crosby formed Crosby Stills and Nash with Buffalo Springfield’s Stephen Stills and The Hollies’ Graham Nash. The lineup won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1969, the same year that Neil Young joined them for live appearances, at which point the quartet was billed as ‘Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of the Byrds (1991) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (1997). He is survived by his wife Jan Dance, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from previous relationships.

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Jane’s Addiction have announced a series of U.S. tour dates this spring, in advance of their performances at three Lollapalooza festivals in South America.  The band will hit the road beginning March 4th in Bakersfield, California, and wrap up the five-show stint with a March 12th gig in Reno, Nevada.  They’ll then play Lollapalooza Argentina (March 18th), Lollapalooza Chile (March 19th), and Lollapalooza Brazil (March 25th).

Jane’s Addiction welcomed back original bassist Eric Avery for their tour with the Smashing Pumpkins last year. Guitarist Dave Navarro had been dealing with an ongoing battle with long COVID which kept him off the road, with Queens of the Stone Age’s Troy Van Leeuwen filling in on guitar for that tour.  As of now, it is unclear whether Navarro will be back on stage for the March shows.

Tickets for the U.S. shows go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 20th via Ticketmaster.

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Shinedown, Black Label Society, Pantera and Megadeth have been confirmed for this year’s edition of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, set to take place September 7-10, 2023 in Alton, Virginia.  Also among the lineup are Machine Head, The Ghost Inside, Spiritbox, Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe), Scott Stapp (Creed), Static-X and many more.  For an updated list of artists performing at Blue Ridge Rock, head here.

According to the event’s official website, “six headliners and over 75 bands yet to be announced…the Festival resumes announcements next week. “

Festival tickets are on sale now with payment plans available. Click here for ticket information.

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Kreator and Sepultura have announced a 2023 North American tour dubbed “Klash of the Titans”. Death Angel and Spiritworld will serve as support on the road

Kreator vocalist Mille Petrozza said: ‘I’m really happy to be back in the US this May with the mightiest of all… Sepultura. A new Klash of the Titans partnership and an absolutely stacked bill from start to finish. I’m looking forward to checking out Spiritworld live — a great new band with big riffs. Plus sharing the stage with the legendary Death Angel. Awesome! Can’t wait… see you in the pit!”

Sepultura’s Andreas Kisser added: “I’m very excited to be back in North America with our friends and my personal idols Kreator! They were a very strong influence in our early days, and it’s great to see they are stronger than ever, which is how I feel with Sepultura as well. It’s going to be a historical run. Thrilled to have our brothers from Death Angel and the awesome Spiritworld with us. Do not miss this, metal is alive and well, so let’s celebrate Klash of the Titans North America 2023 on the road! See you all soon!“

The Klash of the Titans tour is set to kick off May 12 in Harrisburg, Pa., wrapping-up June 10 in New York City. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 20 and can be purchased here.

KREATOR And SEPULTURA Team Up for “Klash Of The Titans” Co-Headline North American Tour with DEATH ANGEL

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Peter Gabriel has released “Panopticom,” the lead track from i/o, his first album of original material since 2002. The song features contributions from familiar names such as bassist Tony Levin, drummer Manu Katché, and guitarist David Rhodes, as well as “electronics” from Brian Eno and backing vocals from the Breath’s Ríoghnach Connolly. No release date for i/o has been confirmed, but Gabriel says “the lunar phases will guide the release plan in 2023, with a new song revealed each full moon.” Each will be accompanied by its own artwork, with Panopticom featuring a cover image by David Spriggs.

In a press release, Gabriel said about “Panopticom”: The first song is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe: the Panopticom. We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life, to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on.  Gabriel said the song’s name mirrors that of an idea he’s been working on “to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe. We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life — to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on.”

Gabriel will begin his first European tour in nine years on May 18 in Krakow, with North American stops to be announced for late summer and fall.

Take a listen to ‘Panopticom (Bright Side Mix)’ – here.

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A new U2 documentary has been announced, hosted by David Letterman and airing on Disney+. Letterman traveled to Dublin for the first time to hang out with Bono and The Edge, then ‘join the two U2 musicians for a concert performance unlike any they’ve done before’. U2 posted on social media: “Coming Soon! Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman. Watch March 17, 2023 on #DisneyPlus.”

President of Disney Branded Television, Ayo Davis, said: “Bono and The Edge are the force behind one of the most prolific and influential acts in the history of rock and roll, and we are honoured to bring this truly intimate look at their beginnings, friendship, and creative process to a global audience on Disney+”.

Letterman added in a statement: “Recently, I won a radio contest. Winner gets to visit Dublin with Bono and The Edge (radio contest part not true, but I feel like a winner). They showed me around, introduced me to their musician friends, and performed some of their greatest songs in a small theatre. It’s a great tour. Get in touch with them – I’m told there are still availabilities. I’m the luckiest man on the planet. (There are no availabilities)”.

Bono & The Edge: A Sort Of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman will premiere on the Disney+ platform on March 17, 2023. You can check out a teaser trailer of the documentary – here.

Disney+ announces U2 music docu-special with David Letterman

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