The Blue Sky Riders, a wonderful country-rock group with Kenny Loggins at the helm, just announced a new docuseries, All Access Pass, providing fans with an inside look at the creative process behind their upcoming album, Why Not, which is officially coming out in 2016.
Stay tuned because when Why Not is release in 2016, I’m going to interview Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr. In the meantime, the full press release announcing the details of the Blue Sky Riders’ All Access Passis below, as well as the band’s latest tour dates and a video.
While summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, the rock concert touring season kicked off on May 14 when Foreigner, Styx and Don Felder embarked on what’s being billed as “The Soundtrack of Summer” tour. I don’t know about you, but I love the music of Foreigner, Styx and the Eagles, so I’m looking forward to when this hits-filled show comes to my neck of the woods.
Night Ranger’s 11th studio album, High Road, comes out June 10 and I’ve been listening to an advance copy for the past couple days. I’m happy to report that Night Ranger fans, and those who enjoy great rock music, will love this album. In addition to having a gorgeous album cover, High Road is full of upbeat, guitar-driven rock songs, along with a few ballads and an instrumental track for good measure.
Below is part three of my interview with rock legend John Waite, whose new album Best is now available to buy on iTunes and his official website. Make sure to read part one and part two of my interview with John.
Rod Stewart’s first new album of all-original material in nearly 20 years is set to drop on May 7. Based on the sampler videos below, it sounds amazing!
David Bowie hasn’t released a new album for nearly 10 years, so you could say he’s under pressure (I couldn’t help myself) to deliver the goods. He’s done exactly that with The Next Day; it’s a slickly-produced collection of music that stayed with me after the final song, “Heat,” faded. Like many rock icons, Bowie’s voice has matured and become richer with age, and the music he now sings is more mellow. That said, my two favorite songs on The Next Day are upbeat pop/rock songs: “(You Will) Set The World On Fire” and “Valentine’s Day.” This album is filled with haunting vocals, funky grooves and expert musicianship. But don’t take my word for it; check out the videos below for Bowie’s first two singles, and stream the album for free, for a limited time, on iTunes.
Joe Cocker is one of the most enduring artists in the music industry, and one of my favorites. His last album, Hard Knocks, was fantastic. It was filled with well crafted pop/rock songs that fit Cocker’s gravely voice like a glove.
Cocker is following up Hard Knocks with Fire It Up. Similar to his last album, it’s initially being released internationally and it was produced by Matt Serletic. The lead single is the title track “Fire It Up,” and it sounds great. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album when it’s released in the U.S., more than likely, sometime next year.
Below you’ll find two videos: the official lyrics video for “Fire It Up” and the album’s electronic press kit (i.e., EPK).
This week KISS released its 20th studio album, Monster. As expected, it’s filled with the signature sound the band is known for – memorable guitar riffs, thunderous drums, funky bass, and unforgettable lyrics. Below are two tracks from the album: The lead single, “Hell or Hallelujah,” and my favorite, “All for the Love of Rock & Roll.”
Sammy Hagar is one of my favorite musicians. I adore his solo material as well as the tremendous body of work he produced with Van Halen. I was fortunate enough to see him live when he reunited with Van Halen in 2004, and I’ve followed his career ever since. I just finished his autobiography, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, and it was a fascinating read.
While the book was slow to start, it kicked into gear when Hagar started discussing his time in Montrose. As one would expect, the bulk of the book is dedicated to Van Halen, and it doesn’t disappoint. Hearing how Hagar joined the band, what drove them apart and what the short-lived reunion was like was fascinating.
Beyond the music, I was blown away by the multitude of entrepreneurial endeavors Hagar has engaged in over the years. He’s invested in real estate, mountain bikes, fire sprinklers, and, of course, tequila. Speaking of which, Hagar sold his tequila brand, Cabo Wabo, to another company in 2010 for nearly $100 million. This is proof positive that the Red Rocker is one of the savviest musicians out there, which makes me respect him even more.
This book was highly entertaining and it felt like I was having a cup of coffee with the author. If you’re a fan of Hagar, Van Halen or classic rock, you should pick it up; I highly recommend it.
For your viewing pleasure, below are two videos: The first one is Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen performing together for the first time, in 1985, at Farm Aid. The second video showcases one of my favorite Sammy Hagar songs, “Little Bit More.” It’s a gorgeous, soulful number from Ten 13.
Over the past year, I’ve fallen in love with Spotify, which has allowed me to enjoy artists I know and love as well as discover new ones. While I’m a fan of all kinds of music, melodic rock is my favorite.
Below are three albums I’ve been listening to over and over again:
JOHN WAITE – ROUGH & TUMBLE
John Waite’s newest album, Rough & Tumble is simply awesome. His signature voice is as strong as ever, and his lyrics are quite impressive. I’ve always been a fan of his music, everything from The Babys to Bad English, and, of course, his amazing solo albums. My favorite track from this album is “Evil.” It has a killer guitar riff and a funky groove that will get you moving around the room in no time. But don’t take my word for it, check out the video below.
JOE COCKER – HARD KNOCKS
Joe Cocker has a legendary voice and a unique stage presence. His latest album, Hard Knocks, is filled with a wide variety of music, and it’s all good. One of my favorite tracks is “Thankful” because it’s a soulful number that builds to an outstanding climax featuring a choir and Cocker’s signature scream. As you’ll see from the video below, it’s a spine-chilling song about the importance of being grateful.
MICHAEL DES BARRES BAND – CARNABY STREET
For those of you that read my recent post about Murdoc, you know how I admire the talented Michael Des Barres. Well, his new band just released its first album, Carnaby Street, and it’s excellent. Listening to it conjures up visions of Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones. If you like no-nonsense rock n’ roll, then this album is for you. While there are many great tracks, one of my favorites is “Please Stay.” It’s a slow, soulful number that’s full of emotion. Below is a live version of the song.
