OUT TODAY! ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ 40th Anniversary Compilation, Including Brand New ‘2024 Ultimate Mix’

Bob Geldof, Midge Ure and Trevor Horn have announced details of the forthcoming Band Aid Compilation, brand new 2024 Ultimate Mix and accompanying video release, commemorating 40 years of Band Aid.

The latest incarnation of "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" premiered in the UK on November 25th, the 40th anniversary of the recording of the original song. Now, the song is available to stream on all digital platforms, as well as purchase digitally and physically on the Band Aid Compilation CD and 12” vinyl. Get yours at https://bandaid.lnk.to/BA40.

"Do They Know It’s Christmas?" was recorded on three separate occasions, over three separate generations, Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004) and Band Aid 30 (2014). What began life as a humble Christmas pop song, went on to launch the greatest series of events in pop history. "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" ultimately corralled the political structures of its time to its own focused ends by assembling a roll call of talent that in effect describes the arc of British rock ‘n roll over these past 40 years. In celebration of this monumental “instrument of change”, producer Trevor Horn has taken these recordings and, through extraordinary music production techniques, blended all the voices of those separate generations into one seamless whole.

In achieving this extraordinary musical and production feat, Trevor has not just re-imagined ‘the song that changed that world’ but much more importantly has revivified its original emotional sense. To witness once again the great David Bowie introduce this rag-tag of spotty, pretty young pop stars as they ambled down a Notting Hill street or tumbled bleary out of cars that early Sunday morning in late October 1984. To hear the legendary Michael Buerk BBC News report that ignited the whole decades long struggle. To understand without being hectored or lectured or beaten over the head exactly what was being done, why it was being done and that something profound was about to begin.

Director Oliver Murray was enlisted to try and make visually tangible music that which was so powerful on audio. He has achieved the impossible by visualizing Horn’s painstaking superlative creation work on video. Murray came to prominence last year when he directed the emotional short film that accompanied The Beatles on their last No.1 single, and was tasked with repeating his magical skills on the ‘2024 Ultimate Mix’. The video will be unveiled on November 25th, with broadcast details to be announced in the coming days. 

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is not just the sum of British rock music it also accidentally became a bellwether of most of the British visual arts. Through the years the Band Aid sleeve has been issued with original artwork from Peter Blake, Tracey Emin, Damian Hirst and Mat Maitland.

Sir Peter Blake was initially asked to design a unique cover for the first Band Aid, creating another classic with a collage of standard Christmas card tropes set against the disgrace of a hungry child. This perfectly exemplified the central theme of the song itself - the cornucopia of our lucky wealthy world and the sharing of those spoils with family over a time of togetherness against an unnecessary awful world of utter nothing, fear and hunger. Sucking everyone into this maw of empathy, David Bailey the iconic photographer donated one of his classic photographs for Blake’s montage. 

Now at the age of 93, Blake was once again called to the Band Aid colors just one more time in celebration of this hugely historic song. And once again, using imagery from the past 40 years that sketches the Band Aid history he has given us something utterly beautiful, instantly classic and completely “on point”. The sleeve itself is drenched with visual compassion, understanding, tolerance and from this great gentle old giant of British art - Humanity.

Rufus Publications Releasing 'Edward Van Halen Second Edition' Photo Book

 

Rufus Publications is releasing Edward Van Halen The Second Edition by Ross Halfin, a 416-page revised and expanded celebration of rock's iconic guitar player, a man who changed the way rock music would be played forever. This extensive photo book features many classic and unseen shots chosen by Halfin from his personal archive together with an exclusive introduction from Van Halen’s friend and fellow player Tony Iommi. Respected journalist Mark Blake provides a career essay on Van Halen's hugely successful career. 

This original 364-page edition of the book has long since sold out and this new edition has been completed redesigned by Tom Jermann and now features 52 extra pages and many new images recently scanned for this edition. The book starts with the band's first trip to the UK and goes through to the Sammy Hagar era.

The book is available in two editions including a standard edition, beautifully printed and bound, with a laminated card sleeve. The book measures 240mm x 345mm and is printed on 170gsm art paper. The book retails for £89 plus worldwide delivery.

An ultra limited, oversized A3 Edition is also available, supplied in a beautiful clamshell case with a limited edition Ross Halfin photo print. Only 100 copies of this edition are available, signed by Ross Halfin and costing £400 plus worldwide delivery.

PRE-ORDER WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27th, 3PM UK TIME

Ricky Warwick Rolls Out Christmas Song

 

Ricky Warwick has released his feel good rock’n’roll Christmas single, "All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas!," which is out now via Earache Records and features Billy Duffy of The Cult on guitar and guest vocals from Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott.

 

The track is available to stream now and you can pre-order for download, which will be available on December 13th, at earache.com/rickywarwick.

 

The track is an ode to the blissful and innocent enjoyment of Christmas and the affirmation to just switch off and reset. The only agenda for "All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas!" as the singer puts it, “is a good one.” Check out the video below.

Warwick adds, “Christmas always seemed magical to me when I was young. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a lot of family. I always hoped, in vain, that it would snow on Christmas Eve, the only day of the year when my parents could get me to go to bed early so Christmas Day would arrive faster!

 

“My old man would put Perry Como’s Christmas album on which I pretended to hate but secretly liked as it made everything seem right. We weren’t a particularly religious family, but my two sisters and I would religiously watch Christmas Top Of The Pops. I was mesmerized by the Glam Rock brilliance of Slade and Roy Wood’s Wizzard. Those festive feelings never diminished as I grew older and I tried to pass them down to my own kids.

 

“Christmas just seemed to be simpler back in the day… Pretty much like most things… We sadly seem to be so out of touch with ourselves and each other now. When the world has become so skeptical, isn’t it okay for the heart to be naïve? I’m not yearning for nostalgia, I’m always hopeful for tomorrow, and I’m hoping this tune can put a smile on people’s faces at this time of year!”

 

Christmas for me is a time when the world stops for a day and we can all get off to see the festive lights, take a breath and reset ourselves before getting back on the ride again.”

 

The track comes hot on the heels of the announcement of Ricky Warwick’s new solo album Blood Ties, which will be out on March 14th via Earache Records. You can pre-order the album here.

 

To get a taste of what’s to come from his forthcoming album, Warwick has released the single "Don’t Leave Me In The Dark," which sees guitarist and famed solo artist Lita Ford joining on vocal duties. Check out the video below.

About the single, Warwick comments, “This was the first song written for the album and details the intricacies of love and the battles we fight to stay in it. When you put everything into a relationship and the significant other doesn’t reciprocate, there’s always a huge mental toll, a price to pay on commitment.”

Warwick dug deep for Blood Ties and by doing so has made this one of his most personal records yet. Big cathartic guitar sounds and life-affirming, often joyous assessments of where he is in life right now have made it a standout body of work in a career that has spanned over four decades at the coalface of rock’n’roll.

 

As a solo artist and an esteemed singer/songwriter in his own right, Ricky Warwick has also collaborated with some of the finest musicians on the planet and, with Blood Ties, has enlisted some notable guests including the aforementioned Lita Ford, Billy Duffy (The Cult) and Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke).

 “If people can connect with this album, musically, lyrically, its artwork, or better still all three, then that is all I can really ask and hope for. If it means as much to someone else as it does to me then I feel my work is done. For me, it’s all about what other people think!! What’s the point in creating art if you don’t share and care!”

 

Blood Ties is out on March 14, 2025 via Earache Records and is available for pre-order.

 

Ricky Warwick and The Fighting Hearts will be performing in March 2025 at the following dates. Tickets are available here.

 

March 2025

Saturday 8th – BLACKPOOL, Waterloo Bar

Sunday 9th – MILTON KEYNES, The Craufurd Arms

Tuesday 11th – BRIGHTON, Concorde 2*

Wednesday 12th – NOTTINGHAM, Rock City*

Friday 14th – MANCHESTER, Academy*

Saturday 15th – NEWCASTLE, O2 City Hall*

Monday 17th – GLASGOW, Barrowland Ballroom*

Tuesday 18th – YORK, Barbican*

Thursday 20th – BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy*

Friday 21st – BRISTOL, O2 Academy*

Saturday 22nd – LONDON, Roundhouse*

Monday 24th – CARDIFF, Clwb Ifor Bach

Tuesday 25th – LINCOLN, The Drill

 

*Special Guest to Stiff Little Fingers

Genesis Announce 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Details

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, Genesis’ progressive rock opus, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, will be reissued in expanded five LP/Blu-Ray Audio, four-CD/Blu-Ray Audio, and Digital (including Dolby ATMOS) formats. The 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition, with input from all of the band members involved in the record – Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford – will be released on March 25, 2025. 

Pre-order The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

Highlights of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition include:

- Original album mix, remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell from the 1974 analog tapes.

- Blu-ray audio disc includes the remastered 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio and Dolby ATMOS mixes of the studio album done by Bob Mackenzie at Real World Studios under the supervision of Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks.

- The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway Live At The Shrine Auditorium from January 24, 1975. It is remastered and includes two encore tracks, “Watcher of the Skies” and “The Musical Box.” This is the first time the full live show, including the encore tracks, has been released in its entirety.

- Three never-before-released demos from the legendary Headley Grange Session included as part of a digital download card with the full audio from the set.

- 60-page coffee table style book with Alexis Petridis liner notes, who interviewed all five band members to tell the story of The Lamb… – from the writing sessions to live performances – which is believed to be the only time this has happened since its original release. The book also features images from Armando Gallo, Richard Haines and other noted photographers. 

- 1975 tour program reproduction, replica ticket and poster

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition is a true celebration of a remarkable album that embraces the groundbreaking music, giving the whole band’s insight alongside evocative imagery and unseen photos. Ultimately, it celebrates the huge magnitude of what this record is, which Alexis Petridis sums up perfectly in the opening paragraph of the liner notes… 

“Perhaps it makes sense that an album as complex as The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway has an equally complex history. The saga of its making is a strange and lengthy one, involving rat-infested country houses, uncanny presentiments of the future—or at least the future of rock music—Hollywood directors, personality clashes and inflatable penises. It’s also occasionally controversial: Talking to the former members of Genesis about The Lamb…nearly half a century on, it’s hard not to be struck by the fact that they seldom agree about it. Some members of the band have said they think it’s the best album of their career. Others think of it as a brave but flawed experiment. Some people view it as the absolute apotheosis of early-’70s progressive rock: a double concept album filled with dense, intricate, ever-shifting music, featuring a plot so knotty and strange even some members of the band didn’t understand it (“Ask Peter—I’m just the drummer,” shrugged Phil Collins when a journalist quizzed him about it shortly after release) and subject to one of the most famously theatrical live presentations in rock history. Some people think it presages the arrival of punk rock. In fact, there’s every chance that The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is all those things—flawed experiment, career highlight, prog masterpiece, weirdly prescient precursor of punk—at once, which might account for its longevity.”

Al Green Releases His Take On The R.E.M. Hit 'Everybody Hurts'

 

Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning soul icon and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Al Green has released a soulful interpretation of R.E.M.’s 1992 hit “Everybody Hurts” via Fat Possum Records. Adding a new layer of depth and vulnerability while tapping into his Gospel roots to give the track an uplifting warmth of hope, he official Lyric video for “Everybody Hurts” can be seen below. 

“While we were in the studio recording ‘Everybody Hurts,’” says Al Green, ”I could really feel the heaviness of the song and I wanted to inject a little touch of hope and light into it. There’s always a presence of light that can break through those times of darkness.” 

 “Speaking on behalf of the entire band—we could not be more honored, more flattered, more humbled” comments Michael Stipe. “This is an epic moment for us.”  

Al Green entered into the studio in Memphis, TN earlier this year, reuniting with members of the classic Hi Rhythm Section featuring Reverend Charles Hodges [organ], Leroy Hodges [bass], and Archie “Hubbie” Turner [piano], as well as Will Sexton [guitar], and Steve Potts - from Booker T & The MG's with the strings section arranged once again by Stax legend Lester Snell.  The track was produced by Clay Jones & Fat Possum.

 “Everybody Hurts” follows Green’s 2023 critically acclaimed cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” which New York Times described as “a sumptuous reimagining of Lou Reed’s 1972 classic” proving once again Al Green’s ability to take a well-established sentimental ballad and make it his own.

Brit Floyd & Alan Parsons Book West Coast Dates In Summer 2025

 

Brit Floyd and Alan Parsons will play a handful of shows next summer 2025. Presented by Palladium Entertainment, the limited engagement run spans across California and Nevada, kicking off July 11 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with stops in San Diego, CA, Reno, NV and Murphys, CA. 

The shows will highlight the best of Pink Floyd, along with the hits of the Alan Parsons Project, while the intricate light show and impeccable sound quality will captivate concertgoers.

Check out the dates below:

July 11 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA

July 12 - Cal State Credit Union Amphitheatre - San Diego, CA

July 15 - Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV

July 18 - Ironstone Amphitheater - Murphys, CA

For more information, visit the websites of Brit Floyd and Alan Parsons.

Iron Maiden's 'Powerslave' 40th Anniversary Zoetrope Vinyl Limited Edition Released

 

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Iron Maiden’s album Powerslave, BMG haa released a limited-edition vinyl pressing to mark the occasion. As the band’s first-ever zoetrope picture disc, featuring unique zoetrope artwork and the 2015 remastered audio of the album, this is a true collector’s item. The original sleeve has been expanded and contains new artwork and Powerslave at 40’ liner notes from band founder and bassist Steve Harris.In addition, there is a Walmart Exclusive version that includes a Lenticular 3D Album Art sized print.

Order Powerslave 

Originally released in September 1984, Iron Maiden’s fifth studio album Powerslave was another massive success for the band, charting all around the world including: U.K. #2, Switzerland #3, Norway #4, Germany #5, Sweden #5, New Zealand #11, Austria #15 Canada #21, US #21 and Australia #26, achieving multiple Gold and Platinum discs. It features the iconic singles “2 Minutes To Midnight” and “Aces High” alongside fan favorites “Powerslave” and the epic “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”

Powerslave is beloved by fans and showcases the rapidly evolving ambition, sound and songwriting might of Maiden that's played a big part in helping the band become one of the most successful in metal and beyond.

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's 'Still Barking' CD/DVD Box Set Available For Pre-order

 

Madfish Music has announced the forthcoming release of Still Barking, a CD/DVD box set from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. This deluxe compilation will be released on December 13. To pre-order, visit Burning Shed.

This major retrospective box set has been in the making for seven years. Band members Roger Ruskin Spear, “Legs” Larry Smith, Rodney Slater, Vernon Dudley Bowhay Nowell, Sam Spoons and Neil Innes were involved in defining the original concept. Titling the set Still Barking was very much Innes' idea. Sadly, he, Spoons, and Dudley passed away before the set’s completion, but their involvement has been immeasurable.

Initial work on the box set was halted by a court case which the Bonzos eventually won. Madfish Music overcame numerous hurdles to clearing material, finding masters and sourcing unreleased material. Surviving and former band members contributed reminiscences and pithy tales and fans were invited to put forward their own memories and memorabilia.

The result of everyone’s hard work and dedication has culminated in two editions of the box set (see Editors’ notes for list of contents). The Standard Edition features 17 CDs and three DVDs plus a hardback coffee table book featuring a new essay by esteemed music journalist Chris Welch, archive writings, memorabilia and photographs, and a detailed chronology (cornology) of the band. 

The Special Edition release also includes a shellac 78 rpm record, an etched, one sided 7” single featuring a previously unreleased version of “Boo!,” reproductions of early promotional posters and booklets, plus an exclusive signed print of the box set artwork by artist Dan Abbott.

Formed in the early 1960s by art students Vivian Stanshall and Rodney Slater, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band began as a jazz ensemble parodying the music of the 1920s and 30s. Already proving they were a creative force, their art school training further encouraged them to think outside the box – twist the norm and mix genres. Elements of slapstick comedy, music hall, Mariachi flavors, psychedelia and bawdy seaside humor all conspired and inspired the growing band to evolve into a pioneering force in rock and comedy. Their satirical songs, surreal humor, eccentric and eclectic performances quickly made them a favorite on the London underground scene and secured them a permanent residence in the counterculture prevalent at the time.

Their appearances on the TV show “Do Not Adjust Your Set” gained them national fame and featured many of the songs that have become lifelong favorites of fans and critics alike. “I'm the Urban Spaceman,” became the band’s most successful UK hit produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth.

“We know Bonzo’s fans will be excited about this release,” a spokesperson for Madfish Music explains. “In addition to remasters of the band’s original albums, we have sourced rare and previously unreleased outtakes, BBC Sessions, short films, vintage footage, live recordings and films of concerts in Europe and USA. This was a band that would leave an indelible mark not just on their fans but the music and comedy world.

Still Barking is the definitive 20-disc limited edition boxset, the ultimate tribute to a band that defined a genre. Dive into the eccentric world of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and experience their enduring legacy.”

Rival Sons Announce 'A Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island' Streaming Video & Audio Release

 

In June 2021, Rival Sons delivered two live performances from Catalina Island, just off the shore of Southern California. The result, A Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island, originally streamed via VEEPS to fans at home across the world, many of whom were still in lockdown because of the pandemic. 

The band members and their crew set out from their homes in L.A. and Long Beach, and on a friend’s yacht they sailed over to Catalina Island with all their equipment and their crew, to perform in the Catalina Casino for global audiences. 

Singer Jay Buchanan comments: “Pair Of Aces was recorded over two days in May of 2021 at the Casino in Avalon Bay on Santa Catalina Island, California. Part one (‘Before The Fire’) was recorded in the ballroom on May 19th and part two (‘Rival Sons’ EP) was recorded in the historic theater on May 20th.”

At the time, the band stated: “We’ve all been through so much this past year and a half. We have longed to be on the road playing for you. As you know, we launched our label Sacred Tongue Recordings and have been re-releasing our early material. We felt that revisiting these first two records in a live, prestigious setting was the best way to give them the first-class treatment that our humble beginnings couldn’t provide.”

Now, for the first time, these performances will be available to watch on YouTube and to stream on audio platforms. Both performances premier via YouTube and will be released in their entirety digitally. 

• RSVP YouTube premiere
• Pre-save A Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (Part 1), out 11/22 
• Pre-save A Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (Part 2),  out 12./13

Buchanan states: “To finally release both audio and video of these performances feels good. When we recorded these performances, the band was neck deep in what was to become the Darkfighter / Lightbringer collection so breaking away from all of that heavy lifting to go blow some dust off of our origin story felt amazing. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse at a band raging against the isolation of the times.”

Watch a clips of Rival Sons performing “I Want More” below.

Buchanan elaborates, “It had been a dream of mine to play the Casino since I’d gone there as a child. Through the pandemic years we’d had the intention to record a live stream, but we’d been turned off by how terribly we’d seen it go for so many bands. We wanted to record a performance where we were just playing for each other without an audience. Generate the energy together for the sake of doing it. Along with everyone else, we hadn’t been able to tour or play shows at all in over fifteen months and it was killing us.”

Guitarist Scott Holiday comments: “You can see Catalina Island from the beach town I live in. I’ve been visiting it for years. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve made sure to visit the old historic casino that sits proudly at one end of the harbor in Avalon. And every time I’ve taken the tour I’ve thought the same thing…wouldn’t it be so great to play in these rooms and make a live film? And so…Rival Sons did just that.”

At the time the band stated: “It is beautiful, and perfectly exudes how we wanted to portray these recordings”. Scott elaborates: “In recognition of the 10-year anniversary of our first 2 albums, we played each album in its entirety over 2 different nights. One night in the ballroom (in the round!) performing Before The Fire, and the next night we played the self-titled record in the old movie theatre. It was every bit as cool and interesting as I’d hoped. A real honor and pleasure to fill this beautiful place with sound. The director did a great job capturing it for everyone to share in the experience with us and now it will be available to listen and watch anytime you’d like.”

WAR Shares New Music Video For '(Yes It’s) Christmas'

WAR, best known for their timeless classics like “The Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider,” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” is ushering in the holiday season with a brand-new music video for their first-ever original Christmas song, "(Yes It’s) Christmas." Released last year as a standalone holiday single, the song seamlessly blends the band’s signature sound with festive cheer and visuals of iconic holiday celebrations from across the country, including footage from WAR’s live headlining performance at the 2023 Hollywood Christmas Parade. From LA to New York, “(Yes It’s) Christmas” is offering everyone a unique twist on the traditional holiday anthem this year. Watch the official music video for “(Yes It’s) Christmas” below.

Like many tracks from the multi-platinum-selling band, “(Yes It’s) Christmas” began as an extended jam, which producer Jerry Goldstein sculpted into the final song. Frontman Lonnie Jordan’s lyrics manifest a laid-back, warm-weather vision of Christmas, where kids of all backgrounds dream of Santa bringing presents and the joy of the holidays. 

“(Yes It’s) Christmas” adds something new to the soundtrack of the season, building upon sonic staples like bells while also treating listeners to WAR’s unique instrumentation, including a guiro, making this new holiday favorite instantly recognizable as a WAR tune. 

Delivering their iconic, genre-blending mix of R&B, funk, jazz, and Latin influences against the backdrop of various holiday traditions—from the palm tree-lined streets of Hollywood, California, to the skyscrapers of New York City—“(Yes It’s) Christmas” invites everyone to kick off the season with the band that has brought us unforgettable hits for generations. 

In addition to the holiday season, WAR will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Why Can’t We Be Friends? in the New Year. After racking up over 20 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records, earning three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations, four #1 albums, and more, the band is set to receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025, continuing to spread their message of harmony and inclusion all year long and in the years to come.

For more info, visit the official WAR web site.

'The Session Man: Nicky Hopkins' Documentary Now Streaming In North America

The Session Man: Nicky Hopkins, a documentary film that tells the story of the prolific virtuoso session pianist Nicky Hopkins, is now available to stream in North America on Amazon and additional TVOD/PPV platforms. The Session Man will also be released on DVD in December 2024. For all viewing information, visit The Session Man Online.

“Often described as ‘THE GOLDEN ERA of ROCK and ROLL,’ the road to success was littered with wannabe rock stars who believed that being self-taught on guitar or drums was a sure road to stardom. Ironically, many rock musicians from that era that became household names were self-taught. But others like Elton John and Nicky Hopkins were classically trained at respected institutions like The Royal Academy of Music in London. Unlike Elton, Nicky Hopkins was a side man. As a session pianist, his prolific output in the recording studio – over 250 albums – is testimony to the esteem that his virtuoso piano skills was held in by rock musicians and record producers. Whilst Nicky was celebrated by his peers, he was not a famous name. 

Featuring commentary from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Peter Frampton, Pete Townshend and more, The Session Man explores the legendary 30-year career of Nicky Hopkins and his contributions to over 250 albums, including John Lennon’s Imagine, The Who’s My Generation, and countless iconic songs like “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker, “Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones and “Revolution” by The Beatles. 

Classically trained at The Royal Academy of Music, London, Nicky Hopkins could play Rock and Roll piano like nobody else. His legendary piano riffs and dazzling musical motifs helped ordinary tracks become iconic. With a career spanning 30 years until his tragic early death at age 50, he played with some of the greatest bands and artists in the world including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Steve Miller Band, Joe Cocker, Jerry Garcia, Art Garfunkel and many others.

By the late 1960’s, Nicky was one of the busiest and most successful session players in London. He then joined the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, which took him to America. He settled in Mill Valley enjoying the free-wheeling San Francisco ‘Bay Area Bands’ and playing at Woodstock with Jefferson Airplane. The 1970’s were his most successful period, commuting across The Atlantic to play with The Stones, John Lennon, and on countless sessions in Los Angeles.

Living with Crohn’s disease since his teens, his ability to tour was limited, although he would manage tours with The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker and Art Garfunkel. But it was in the recording studio where he became a legend amongst his peers. As Keith Richards recounts, “We were coming up with songs that [were]absolutely beyond Stu’s- let alone capabilities-his dreams! He didn’t want to know! So, I think that Stu called and said, ‘The only guy that can handle this is Nicky Hopkins.’” He ended up playing on a total of 14 Stones albums.

Hopkins' story is told in the film by Albert Lee, Antonia Cipollina, Arthur Rochester, Benmont Tench, Bill Wyman, Billy Nicholls, Bro Paul Brown, Chris Kimsey, Chris Welch, Chuck Leavell, Dave Davies, Glyn Johns, Graham Parker, Gray Levett, Greg Phillinganes, Harry Shearer, Helen O’Hara, Jack Casady, Jim Keltner, Joe Tansin, John Goddard, Jorma Kaukonen, Julian Dawson (Nicky’s biographer – author of And on Piano… Nicky Hopkins), Keith Richards, Merrell Fankhauser, Mick Jagger, Mike Hurst, Mike McCartney, Moira Hopkins (Nicky’s widow), Morgan Fisher, Nils Lofgren, Paddy Milner, Pete Edmonds, Pete Sears, Pete Townshend, Peter Frampton, PP Arnold, Rory Kaplan, Sarah Sleet (CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK), Shel Talmy, Slim Jim Phantom, Terry Reid and Tom Speight.

The Session Man’s narrator, Bob Harris, former presenter of the BBC’s The Old Grey Whistle Test, had no hesitation in confirming that, “His contributions on their records made him Rock and Roll’s greatest Session Man.”

For more info, visit The Session Man Online.

Rare 1974 Cat Stevens Concert Album To Receive First-Ever U.S. Release On RSD Black Friday

Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ little known 1974 concert album, Saturnight: Live from Tokyo, is scheduled for release in the U.S. for the first time ever, 50 years after it was released only in Japan, due to contractual restrictions. Remastered from the original production master for the first time since its original release, the record will go on sale exclusively as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday annual event on November 29th. 

Saturnight: Live from Tokyo will be available as an “RSD First” release on 180-gram Orange Splatter color vinyl. The LP has been cut at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios and will be packaged for the first time in a gatefold sleeve that includes lyrics and new liner notes from the band’s 1974 tour manager, Carl Miller, and bassist Bruce Lynch.

Pre-order Saturnight: Live from Tokyo

Saturnight was recorded on June 22nd, 1974, at Sun Plaza Hall in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan on the Japanese leg of  the 1974 “Bamboozle World Tour.” The tour comprised 50 shows across North America, Europe, Australia and Japan to support the release of Buddha and the Chocolate Box. Stevens had long felt an affinity with the aesthetic elegance and spiritual depth of Japanese culture, especially the principles of meditation and reflection upon which their traditions of poetry, design and craftsmanship are founded.

Saturnight features Cat Stevens at his peak, performing an incredible concert of songs from his then-newest release, Buddha and the Chocolate Box (“Oh Very Young,” “King of Trees,” “A Bad Penny”) alongside some of his greatest hits which dominated the charts in the early ‘70s. These include the classics “Lady D’Arbanville” (Mona Bone Jakon - 1970); “Wild World,” “Where Do The Children Play?” “Hard Headed Woman,” “Father & Son” (Tea for the Tillerman - 1970); “Peace Train,” “Bitterblue” (Teaser and the Firecat - 1971); and “Sitting” (Catch Bull at Four - 1972).

Also included is a soulful cover of Sam Cooke’s “Another Saturday Night.” Stevens and his band were fresh from recording the song at a studio in Tokyo using a Japanese brass section – the very same version that would go on to become a hit single later that year. The performance on Saturnight captures the first time they ever played “Another Saturday Night” live.

Although Saturnight never received a full global release – due to contractual reasons between A&M and Island Records – Stevens arranged for the proceeds to be donated to UNICEF. He had recently become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and with their help, had visited Ethiopia and Kenya earlier in 1974. There, he saw firsthand some of the utter devastation caused by drought and famine, but also witnessed the remarkable resilience and nobility of the human spirit. The experience moved him profoundly and had a truly lasting impact on his life and career, so that his humanitarian efforts would soon overtake his personal musical ambitions.

As Cat Stevens redirected more of his individual success towards helping those in need, he would eventually leave the music industry altogether. Dedicating himself to charity and advocacy work, he would use the status and rewards that music had brought him in the service of equality and a just world. In many ways Saturnight represents a significant early step on that incredible journey.