Month: April 2024

Allman Brothers Band singer, songwriter and guitarist Dickey Betts has died at the age of 80.  Betts’ manager David Spero shared with Rolling Stone that the cause of death was cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Betts’ family confirmed his death on his official Instagram page alongside a throwback photo, writing: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) at the age of 80 years old. The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch passed away earlier today at his home in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his family … Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide. At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days. More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time.”

Betts co-founded the Allman Brothers Band alongside bassist Berry Oakley, Duane Allman and his younger brother, Gregg Allman. Betts and Duane shared guitar duties in the original Allman Brothers Band lineup; following Duane’s death in a motorcycle accident in 1971, Betts became its primary guitarist, writing songs including “Jessica” and “Ramblin’ Man.” After founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash, the Allman Brothers Band went on hiatus in the late 1970s. Betts recorded solo music and side projects such as Great Southern and The Dickey Betts Band. Allman Brothers Band reunited in 1979 with Dan Toler on guitar, but broke up again in 1982, during which time Betts formed the group Betts, Hall, Leavell and Trucks. In 1989 the band once again reformed, with Warren Haynes as guitarist alongside Betts; the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. However in the 2000, Betts was ousted from the group over a conflict regarding his continued drug and alcohol use (per PEOPLE). He never performed with the band again nor played with former band members for reunions or side projects; and the band disbanded for good in 2014.

Betts is survived by his wife Donna, whom he married in 1989.

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Metallica honored Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin by performing at a tribute concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Per Blabbermouth, Metallica shared video of its performance of “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” – the opening track from John’s 1973 album, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – from a newly-broadcast Gershwin Prize for Popular Song event honoring the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Metallica posted on X: “We had an incredible time at this year’s #GershwinPrize for Popular Song, recognizing the achievements of our friends Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Sir Elton John helped cover “Nothing Else Matters” on The Metallica Blacklist in 2021, and tonight, you can see us return the favor! Tune in to @pbs
to catch our rendition of “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” at this year’s #GershwinPrize for Popular Music, celebrating the achievements of Elton John and his writing partner, Bernie Taupin. #GershwinPrizePBS @librarycongress @wetatvfm””

The all-star tribute concert, hosted by Billy Porter, also featured performances by John, Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Maren Morris, Charlie Puth, and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels.

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GBI, comprised of Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, and Anthrax’s Charlie Benante and Scott Ian, has announced the release of “The Regulator,” a cover of the iconic Bad Brains song from that band’s self-titled 1982 debut album. The release of GBI’s version of ‘The Regulator” is set for April 20 – Record Store Day.

“The Regulator” by GBI is exclusive to Record Store Day as a special, limited-edition seven-inch vinyl, with only 6,000 copies pressed. All proceeds from the sales will support healthcare for Bad Brains’ frontman Paul D. Hudson (otherwise known as H.R.), who has been dealing with complications from SUNCT, a condition causing debilitating and severe headaches. Only 6,000 copies of this single have been pressed for Record Store Day, with proceeds going to assist Hudson’s healthcare bills.

Per a news release, the collaboration of Grohl, Ian and Benante came about during recording sessions at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studios, where Anthrax and Foo Fighters were both working. Scott Ian texted Grohl with the idea of recording “The Regulator” together, which led to the creation of this special release for a charitable cause. Said Ian, “Charlie and I asked Dave if he’d play drums and sing as well, and he was in. Charlie played bass, and I was on guitar. We ripped the song live in two takes. It was so much fun to get to play with Dave on drums and to hear his voice with my guitar. We’re all such huge Bad Brains fans – hope you all get a copy.”

Charlie, who creates the artwork for Anthrax, came up with the idea of having the three of them popping out of a jack-in-the-box in front of CBGB, the legendary New York City nightclub. Said Benante: “I had started to think about the old days of CBGB and my love for toy collecting, and everything just fell into place.”

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Slash has released his cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” which features country star Chris Stapleton on vocals, written by original founder Peter Green. The song is the second single from Slash’s star-studded debut blues album and sixth solo album, Orgy of the Damned, due May 17th.

Orgy of the Damned is a collection of 12 songs, and described as an homage to Slash’s love of classic blues, with vocals from Gary Clark Jr., ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Chris Robinson and Beth Hart. The house band supporting the guitarist on the record included two of his 1990s bandmates from Blues Ball, bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, as well as drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.

Slash said in a statement: “So, this is the original Fleetwood Mac, which was founded by Peter Green, one of the greatest singer-songwriter-guitar players, he’s less known in the public, but very well known to us guitar players re the 60s British blues and he’s up there with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Nick Taylor. I remember hearing the song on the radio when I was probably 13, they used to play both the older version of Fleetwood Mac and the new version of the band with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham a lot. I always loved this song, and it’s a great guitar riff. I jammed it with the Blues Ball back in the ‘90s, and I’ve played it live here and there. I knew from the beginning I wanted to do the song on this record. It was also one of the songs that I was trying to figure out who would be the right vocalist for it, and one of the ideas I had was Chris Stapleton, who is one of the most brilliant singer songwriters today. He’s also got such a gritty and distinctive voice, so I called him up and he did an amazing job. I mean, his voice is so cool.”

Per Billboard, “Oh Well” is the second single to date from Slash’s album, following his previously released “Killing Floor,” which features AC/DC singer Brian Johnson on vocals, and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler on harmonica.

To stream ‘Oh Well,’ head here.

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Collective Soul have shared the lyric video for their brand new track “Mother’s Love”, the lead single from their forthcoming double album, “Here To Eternity”, which will be released May 17th. “Here To Eternity” was co-produced by the band along with producer Shawn Grove at Elvis Presley’s estate in Palm Springs, CA – becoming the first artists aside from Elvis to ever record there.

“Mother’s Love” features longtime Paul McCartney guitarist Brian Ray on slide guitar, and Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland explained how Ray came involved: “I happened to be walkin’ down the street and I had met Brian Ray a couple of times. ” saw him and was like, ‘Brian, hey man. Why don’t you come over and break bread We’re up at Elvis’ house.’” The invite for a bite of grub turned into a session, of course. Roland added, “I’m gettin’ pretty sneaky in my old age.”

Along with Ray, ‘Here To Eternity’  features special guests including longtime Sheryl Crow bandleader Peter Stroud, and Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship fame.

Take a listen to ‘Mother’s Love’ – here.

To pre-order ‘Here To Eternity’ head here.

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Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, an upcoming Tom Petty tribute album, is set to drop on June 21.

The 20-track album will feature country artists including the legendary Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson; in addition, Chris Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Margo Price, Dierks Bentley and former Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench are also among the other acts that will feature on the upcoming tribute album.  Parton’s cover of Petty’s song “Southern Accents” has just been released off the LP; you can stream it: here.

Bentley, whose cover of “American Girl” for the tribute album was also recently released, shared of Petty: “Petty’s southern roots shined through across his songwriting and storytelling. He might not have ever been considered as country but you can’t go into a bar in Nashville without hearing this song. It is one of the greatest songs in a life’s work of great American songs … I’m convinced the second verse of this song is some of the best singing in the history of any rock or country band because his voice, there’s so much angst. You know, it’s just his voice has that kind of brokenness to it to begin with, so it’s just so, just the emotion behind his voice is just unparalleled.”

Check out Bentley’s video for ‘American Girl’ – here.

Take a look at Parton’s video for ‘Southern Accents’ – here.

To pre-order Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, head here.

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