Big Rig ROCK Report 1.15

MOTLEY CRUE: Stop Promoting, We've Got a Disaster Here!

Even though many artists and festivals have paused announcements due to the Los Angeles fires, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue isn't happy that the music industry is still working. Lee wrote on his Instagram "Makes me sick to see most people just caring on a posting on lame ass social media! Guys right now nobody gives a flying [heck] when your record drops or the next concert is when so many people are in the middle of one of the biggest disasters of all time!”

Lee added, "I get that some comic relief is always needed, but Jesus Christ leave it all alone and maybe just stop and see who needs help if you can."

Recording Academy And Others Are Helping Music Industry Workers Affected By Fires Several organizations are providing relief for musicians and others in the music industry who have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Guitar Center is now accepting applications for one-time grants to replace gear and instruments lost in the fires. Each applicant can have gear and instruments replaced worth up to 15-hundred dollars. Meanwhile, the Recording Academy's MusiCares is providing financial assistance to music industry professionals. The organization is providing $1500 in financial assistance and $500 grocery cards. The GRAMMY Awards website has a long list of resources available for musicians and music industry workers affected by the fires to access.

GRAMMYS: The Show Must Go On

Grammy organizers say that despite the devastating L.A. wildfires, the show must go on. 

Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason Junior said in a statement, “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. This city is our home, and we mourn the loss of life and destruction that have come to it in recent days. In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards telecast on CBS on February 2nd will proceed as planned."

According to the statement, this year’s Music’s Biggest Night aims to “[raise] additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honor the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours. In challenging times, music has the power to heal, comfort, and unite like nothing else. The Grammys will not only honor the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles." The Recording Academy and MusiCares have already pledged $1 million to aid music professionals and have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort.

RINGO STARR: Nashville Guests Galore

Ringo Starr is putting on two benefit concerts to help raise funds for Los Angeles wildfire relief. The first concert happened yesterday, and another one is set for today, both taking place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with an all-star cast of Nashville musicians. The Hollywood Reporter says Jack White, Sheryl Crow, Brenda Lee, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Mickey Guyton, Sarah Jarosz, Jamey Johnson, Billy Strings, The War and Treaty, Larkin Poe and Molly Tuttle will join Starr on stage, along with some surprise guests. An all-star performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends” from the shows will be released and benefit the American Red Cross and those impacted by the Los Angeles fires. The two concerts will be filmed for a CBS and Paramount+ special called Ringo & Friends at the Ryman. It will also feature Starr talking about country music’s influence on his life, The Beatles and his solo career and his decision to make his new country album Look Up. The special will air in the spring.

Boardwalk Rock: Nickelback, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe taking over Ocean City this May

Ocean City, Md., is becoming a live music hotspot with successful events like Oceans Calling and Country Calling festivals featuring top artists. Due to the high turnout, a new event called Boardwalk Rock is set for 2025, with big names like Nickelback, Shinedown, and Def Leppard scheduled to perform May 17-18. Tickets are available for purchase, starting at $165 for single day passes and $240 for two-day tickets.

RUSH: Alex's Second Shot at Envy

Alex Lifeson's post-Rush band Envy of None will release their second album, Stygian Wavz, on March 14th. The album features the two singles they've released in the past few months, "Not Dead Yet" and "Under the Stars." Plus they've shared a new song and animated video for the title track, which is on YouTube now.

YES: A Big Edge

Yes's 1972 album Close to the Edge will be reissued in a massive box set on March 7th.

The Super Deluxe Edition has five CDs, one LP and a Blu-ray. There's a newly remastered version on one CD and and LP, a disc with a Steven Wilson remix and various instrumentals, a disc of rare and previously unreleased recordings and a two disc concert album, Live at the Rainbow, London, England, 12/16/72. The Blu-ray features Wilson's remix, plus Dolby ATMOS and 5.1 mixes he did of the album. The first track shared from the set is a live take on "Siberian Khatru," which is on YouTube now.

Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked as she learns value of Jimi Hendrix autograph

An Antiques Roadshow guest was thrilled to discover the value of her three Jimi Hendrix Experience autographs from over 60 years ago. The signed tickets, obtained at a concert in Belfast, were appraised to be worth between £5,000 and £7,000. The owner recounted her experience meeting Hendrix on his 25th birthday and was shocked by the appraisal value.

New Bon Jovi anthology book authored by Jon Bon Jovi chronicles band's history

Bon Jovi has announced a new limited edition anthology book titled Bon Jovi: Forever. The book, narrated by Jon Bon Jovi, features over 1300 archival images, handwritten lyrics, tour passes, and more from the band's career. Limited to 1,500 copies worldwide, each book will be hand-signed by Jon Bon Jovi and come with a 7-inch vinyl record and replicas of memorabilia. Fans can pre-order their copy now.

Neil Young Reviews "A Complete Unknown" And Reveals He Once Threw Bob Dylan Off Tour Bus

Neil Young praised the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” on his personal website. He also shared…he once failed to recognize Dylan…leading to a small mixup. “Once he was on my bus and I didn’t recognize him and threw him off but that’s another story…This movie is a great tribute to his life and music. I think if you love Bob’s music you should see this great movie. I loved it,” Young shared. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as a young Dylan, and it focuses on Dylan's early career. The tour bus incident doesn’t appear in the movie…and Young doesn’t provide further details, unfortunately.

David Schwimmer Reveals He Once 'Served' Rod Stewart Divorce Papers: 'Thank Goodness I've Never Run Into Him Since'

David Schwimmer shared a story about serving Rod Stewart divorce papers during his university days as a process server for his mother, who was a divorce lawyer. The Friends star reminisced about his various odd jobs in his younger years, including the encounter with the famous musician. Stewart has been married multiple times, with his current wife being model Penny Lancaster. Schwimmer also discussed his role in Goosebumps: The Vanishing during an interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Rod Stewart is set to perform at Glastonbury Festival 2025, expressing his excitement despite the costs involved.

Nine Inch Nails Confirm Tour, Delay Details Due To La Wildfires

Nine Inch Nail are confirming that they will be touring this year following recent social media leaks that hinted at a world tour. While they have confirmed the outing, the band has decided to postpone the full announcement due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.In a post shared to their social media accounts, NIN said they'll provide more details soon. Nine Inch Nails haven't performed live since they wrapped up their U.S. and U.K. shows in 2022.

NPR's Tiny Desk Announces Contest For Undiscovered Artists

Musicians of America, grab your desks because the team behind NPR’s “Tiny Desk” has announced its nationwide contest for the next “great undiscovered artist.” The contest, in its 11th year, is looking for unsigned talent for a shot at performing their own “real ‘Tiny Desk’ concert in Washington D.C. as well as be interviewed on the "All Things Considered’ show, play a 10-city tour and be paired with a music industry mentor.” The judging panel includes a wide variety of “Tiny Desk” experts including the show’s producers Bobby Carter, Robin Hilton and

Felix Contreras as well as “Tiny Desk” alums LaRussell and Audrey Nuna on top of NPR personalities like “World Cafe” host Raina Douris, plus publicist and Motormouthmedia founder Judy Miller Silverman. All you need to do is submit a video of you or your group performing your original song the way you would at the Tiny Desk. 

IN OTHER NEWS

The Metal Hall of Fame announced that its induction ceremony, slated for January 22nd at the Grand Theater, Anaheim, California, will now include a telethon for Los Angeles fire relief. The stream will run through the Hall's Facebook page. Poison drummer Rikki Rocket is one of this year's inductees.

John Lodge of The Moody Blues has added more dates to his Days of Future Passed tour. It starts February 19th in Port Chester, New York and now wraps up March 23rd in The Villages, Florida.

Squeeze will play a few U.S. headlining shows during their off nights opening up the Heart tour. The first two announced are March 7th in Las Vegas and March 16th in Tacoma, Washington. Tickets go on sale Friday. Heart and Squeeze start their time together on March 3rd in Los Angeles.

Rod Stewart's 19-year-old son, Alastair, posted a series of photos from Rod’s 80th birthday party on a yacht in Antigua. The pics include Rod, Rod’s wife, Penny, Rod’s eight children and their partners, and his granddaughter Delilah. Stewart turned 80 on January 10th.