AEROSMITH: Coming Back Together
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton will come together for their first performance together since September 2023 when Tyler ruptured his larynx, forcing the band to retire from the road last year. They will perform at Tyler's sixth annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party on February 2nd at the Hollywood Palladium.
Also on the bill are Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Linda Perry, Matt Sorum, and Nuno Bettencourt.
Proceeds benefit Janie’s Fund, which Tyler founded to aid young women and girls who have survived abuse; and this year it's also raising money for the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
“What the Los Angeles community has endured with these wildfires is unthinkable," says Tyler. "Music has healing powers and we hope to bring a moment of joy and levity to our first-responder firefighters and those most affected by the fires. The trauma experienced by the girls we work with is also unthinkable and we will continue to shed light and support the amazing work of Janie’s Fund.” For details and tickets go to JaniesFund.org.
DYLAN & ELTON: Oscar Nods
The Bob Dylan bio-pic, A Complete Unknown, received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role for Timothee Chalamet.
The six others were for:
Directing - James Mangold
Actor in a Supporting Role - Edward Norton for his portrayal of Pete Seeger
Actress in a Supporting Role - Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - James Mangold and Jay Cocks
Costume Design
Sound
Dylan won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Things Have Changed" from the 2001 movie Wonder Boys.
Elton John, a three-time Academy Award winner, has been nominated for Music (Original Song) for “Never Too Late” from his documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late.
Commenting on the nomination, Elton says, "It’s an incredible honor to receive this Oscar nomination for 'Never Too Late', alongside my collaborators Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt. Thank you to the Academy for this nomination and to everyone who helped bring this beautiful song to the world."
The Oscars will be handed out on March 2nd at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu.
Billy Joel and Rod Stewart announce another co-headlining show
Billy Joel and Rod Stewart are set to co-headline stadium shows in 2025, with a new date announced for Sept. 20 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Tickets go on sale next Friday Jan. 31, with early access for Citi cardmembers on Jan. 27. The two previously performed together last year and have additional shows scheduled, including Yankee Stadium on July 18. Both artists will also have solo performances throughout the year, with Rod Stewart having additional dates at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and headlining the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival.
Get ready to rock Nationals Park: Billy Joel and Sting join forces for a one-night-only show!
Billy Joel and Sting are set to perform at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 5. Billy Joel will return for his fourth performance at the venue. Sting is on his "STING 3.0" World Tour. Tickets go on sale on next Friday Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.com.
STING: Speaks By Not Speaking
It's a "throat infection" that forced Sting to cancel and postpone shows this week and next.
He writes, "Thanks so much for all of the well wishes. I am steadily improving... I’m looking forward to resuming my performances and rescheduled shows soon." The affected appearances and shows were the Bass Magazine Awards tonight (Thursday) in Santa Ana, California, where he’s being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award; this Friday in Phoenix, which has been moved to June 1st; his appearance at the Cherrytree Music Company’s 20th anniversary Saturday will now take place on May 29th; and his show Sunday in Wheatland, California will now be held on May 28th.
He’s still scheduled to perform at FireAid at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on January 30th, and with Billy Joel in Indianapolis on February 8th. He also added another show with Joel, September 5th at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
EDDIE VAN HALEN: Happy Heavenly 70th
Eddie Van Halen would have turned 70 this Sunday. Born in Amsterdam on January 26th, 1955, he succumbed to complications from cancer on October 6th, 2020. Brother Alex recalled "This is our life. This is what we do. I mean there were times when I would question why are we doing any of this? But that's because you get conditioned to having a certain pattern of you make a record, then you tour, and then you come back and you make the next record. But now you're not really in a situation where you're doing it just for the sake of being creative. Now it's become a business and Ed did not like that one bit at all."
As for whether Alex and Eddie would have written a book like Alex did last year with Brothers, Alex told us, "No, I don't think we would have done it." The one thing that we always did, we went in the studio and played. Play at least a couple, three hours and the rest will fall into place. If you do nothing else, just play, that's all. Our perception was that's what we put on this planet to do, and we did it. But, without Ed it ain't the same. You know, 65 years of playing with the same instrumentalist it's a lot different. I've tried playing with other people. It's not the same." Alex hasn't performed since his brother's death but adds that he's not retired.
Today (Friday) marks the 30th anniversary of Van Halen releasing Balance, their 10th studio album and last with Sammy Hagar. It's also the 23rd anniversary (2002) of the band leaving their longtime label, Warner Brothers.
Doobies Release Two Songs, Announce Album Release Date
The Doobie Brothers have announced a June release date for their latest album. "Walk This Road" contains ten songs and the title track, which features Mavis Staples, is one of two songs that's already out. Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and John McFee form the Doobies' lineup on the album. "Walk This Road" is set for a June 6th release. The announcement of the album release date comes the same week The Doobie Brothers were named among the inductees to the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Chrissie Hynde, Susanna Hoffs and More Added to Patti Smith Tribute Concert
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders has been added to the lineup for the upcoming Patti Smith tribute concert, People Have the Power – A Celebration of Patti Smith, at New York’s Carnegie Hall March 26. Other new additions include Susanna Hoffs, Glen Hansard, Jim Jarmusch, and Jesse Malin, joining a lineup that already includes Michael Stipe, Ben Harper, and more. The performers will be backed by a house band featuring Tony Shanahan, Flea, and Steve Jordan, celebrating Smith's catalog and the 50th anniversary of her album Horses. The concert is part of a charity series organized by Michael Dorf, and has raised over $2 million for charity since 2004, honoring artists like Paul McCartney, Prince, and R.E.M.
Eagles Lineup Changes After Guitarist's Parkinsonism Diagnosis
The Eagles welcomed new guitarist Chris Holt to their lineup for their 2025 Sphere shows. Holt replaces longtime Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith, who retired from touring due to Parkinsonism, a condition affecting movement. "It is with profound regret...I must bow out of my role with the Eagles…It's been a great quarter of a century," Smith shared in a statement.
Don Henley thanked Smith for his contributions as well, sharing, "Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family." Holt, from Dallas, has previously performed with notable artists and bands, including Mike Campbell's Dirty Knobs. He expressed excitement and responsibility in taking on the role, aiming to honor the legacy of his predecessors in the band.
A Book Dedicated To Queen's "A Night At The Opera" Is On The Way
A new book celebrating the history of Queen is due out soon. “Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years” celebrates the iconic 1975 album that launched Queen to superstardom. The book explores the band’s creativity, featuring a track-by-track analysis, insights into their studio techniques, and the global impact of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The book also details rare photos and memorabilia. “Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years” is due out on April 1st.
IN OTHER NEWS
Mick Jagger is featured in a new trailer for Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music. In it he talks about acting and performing on the show in the same night. “You have to run from the music sketch, and you’re all covered in sweat, and change.” The trailer also features interview and performance clips with Dave Grohl, Jack White, Tom Morello, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Nirvana and others. You can watch it on YouTube. The documentary premieres this Monday on NBC and will start streaming the next day on Peacock.
Rush singer and bassist Geddy Lee has paid tribute to director David Lynch who died on January 15th from emphysema at 78. He says, “Ode to David Lynch… we must have watched Eraserhead and Blue Velvet 30 times on our tour bus back in the day … We quoted those films all the time … the sensibility, the sense of humor and the outright weirdness of his artistic vision was inspiring. RIP David Lynch and thank you.” A celebration of Lynch’s life will be held this Sunday at 1:30 pm ET and will be broadcast live on Dr. Tony Nader’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels
Dinner With Gavin Rossdale, formerly known as Rockstar Kitchen Chronicles, will debut on WatchFree+ on February 13th. Among his guests are tennis great Serena Williams, Common, Selma Blair, Brooke Shields and Tom Jones.
Triumph guitarist and singer Rik Emmett has written a book called Ten Telecaster Tales: Liner Notes For a Guitar and Its Music, which examines the creative process — the roots, influences, philosophy and spirituality involved in writing and recording. It will be published on March 25th.