80s Central Announces ‘Live Aid At 40,’ Re-Broadcast + Interviews With Queen’s Brian May & Others

 

On July 13, 80s Central, an all-'80s radio station on the internet, is turning back the clock to one of the most iconic moments in music history: Live Aid. In honor of the legendary concert’s 40th anniversary, the station will broadcast Live Aid in its entirety, commercial-free, exactly as it happened in 1985, while featuring brand-new interviews with artists, insiders, and voices who were there when rock 'n' roll united the world.

"For 80s fans, this is the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and New Year’s Eve rolled into one,” said Christopher Shaw, Program Director at 80s Central. “Live Aid wasn’t just a concert — it was our Woodstock. And here at 80s Central, we’re honored to bring this historic day back to life.”

Beginning Sunday, July 13 at 8:00 a.m. ET, the rebroadcast of Live Aid takes place as it originally unfolded — uninterrupted and in real time, from both Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Listeners can relive every note, every roar from the crowd, and every transcendent moment that defined the spirit of a generation.

The broadcast will include unforgettable sets from Queen, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, Sting, and many more. Even moments like Phil Collins performing on both sides of the Atlantic — thanks to a Concorde jet — will be faithfully recreated in their original sequence.

Interspersed throughout the music are never-before-heard reflections from artists and key players who helped bring Live Aid to life.

 “It was one of our finest hours — definitely one of Freddie’s finest hours. The planets were aligned, and the magic happened,” said guitarist Brian May of Queen). “No lights. No soundcheck. But it worked—because it was oiled by extreme goodwill. Everyone’s heart was in the right place.”

Solo artist Howard Jones added: “It was the most brilliant project of the ‘80s. Saving lives, showing the decade wasn’t just about greed and power.”

MTV VJ Mark Goodman who was on hand for Live Aid summed it up perfectly: “It was a seat-of-the-pants situation—terrifying and wonderful. People say it was the day the record business grew a conscience — and I saw that.”

Additional commentary will include rare behind-the-scenes insights from production staff, journalists, and crew members who worked feverishly to pull off one of the most ambitious broadcasts in history.

Live Aid At 40 is more than just a replay of a concert—it’s a global remembrance of a cultural awakening. Broadcast live to over 1.5 billion people in 150 countries, Live Aid raised more than $125 million for Ethiopian famine relief and forever changed the way music could serve a purpose beyond entertainment.

The 80s Central broadcast will also feature key international performances, including satellite-linked events like “Oz for Africa” in Sydney (featuring INXS, Men at Work, and Little River Band), as well as segments from Moscow, Tokyo, and Toronto — underscoring the unprecedented global scale of the effort.

Whether you're reliving it or experiencing it for the first time, Live Aid At 40 on 80s Central is your all-access pass to the day music made history. Prepare for a 10-hour, commercial-free celebration of a singular moment when the world came together in harmony — and made a difference. 

📡 How to Listen

📅 Sunday, July 13

⏰ 8:00 a.m. ET – Until the final encore

🌐 Stream it at 80sCentral.com or listen via Alexa, Roku, Audacy, Live365, or the 80s Central mobile app

Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit In The Sky' Receives First-Ever Video

Few riffs can spark instant joy like the opening fuzz-box blast of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.” First released in 1969, the four-minute-long psychedelic rocket—anchored by gritty guitar riffs and a foot-stomping gospel chorus—shot to No.1 across the globe including the US, UK, Australia and beyond, selling millions and cementing itself as a cultural touchstone. The track has been covered by everyone from Bauhaus to Elton John, with memorable placements in classic films including Apollo 13, Ocean’s Eleven and Guardians of the Galaxy. Now, more than half a century later, Craft Recordings celebrates the evergreen anthem with its first official music video, inviting a new generation to crank the volume.

Created with Greenbaum’s blessing (he even pops in for a quick cameo), the project was directed by Laurence Harlan Jacobs, who has helmed original films and music videos—including the fan-favorite 50th-anniversary short for CCR’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” which has racked up over half a billion views (and counting). He’s also directed and produced projects for Oscar®-winner Steve Martin, GRAMMY®-winners Common, Iggy Pop and Robert Glasper, plus Valerie June and Grace Potter. Written and produced by Jessica Jacobs, “Spirit in the Sky” tips its hat to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, as it follows a teen (Conor Sherry) who's been grounded and completely cut off from technology. He decides to “borrow” his dad’s vintage convertible for an unforgettable, analog adventure in Los Angeles with his partner-in-crime (Abby Ryder Fortson).

Shot on location in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach, the video bottles the carefree rush of summer adventure while doubling as a love letter to L.A.’s post-wildfire resilience. Siblings Laurence and Jessica—both L.A. natives—sprinkle in hometown Easter eggs only locals will spot, from a vintage Pali High hoodie to golden-hour walks over the Ballona Creek Bridge. Watch the video below.

Director Laurence Harlan Jacobs shares, “When I was asked to pitch on this video, I knew it was a tall order—everyone knows this song! It’s been in so many movies and commercials. So we set out to craft a story that could emotionally hold its own—something personal and intimate that would live in harmony with the iconic song and speak to a new generation. Jessica, our writer-producer, penned a beautiful, relatable tale. Her idea captured the magic of our childhood—growing up on the Westside, listening to cassettes in our dad’s convertible, being silly and fearless with the wind in our faces. We were inspired by our filmmaking heroes, John Hughes and Cameron Crowe, and wanted to embody that same free spirit and sincerity.” He adds, “We filmed all over the city, ensuring the characters’ journey felt authentic—especially for SoCal natives. But most of all, we wanted to do the song justice and capture a sense of timelessness—one where you lose track of time, embrace your inner weird, and ride a wave of unexpected joy.”

Portraying the film’s sweetly rebellious lead, Conor Sherry channels “Spirit in the Sky” for a new generation. “Doing this project was really cool because ‘Spirit in the Sky’ is one of those songs I’ve heard a bunch of times, but never actually sat with until now...” On the video’s themes, Sherry adds, “With the rapid rise of AI, stepping away from all of that and making real-life memories felt especially relevant. And honestly, doing all that with a song that’s objectively timeless and working alongside Abby, who is incredibly talented, made it even more meaningful.”

Fresh off a starring role in the 2024 coming-of-age film, Snack Shack, the 24-year-old actor and recent UCLA graduate can also be seen in the Amazon Prime series The Terminal List and the third season of Nickelodeon’s anthology series, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Coming up, Sherry will star as Adam Sandler’s son in the highly-anticipated Netflix film, Happy Gilmore 2.

Abby Ryder Fortson, meanwhile, offers an equally engaging performance as Sherry’s on-screen accomplice. Speaking to the video’s seize-the-moment spirit—and what drew her to the project—Fortson shares, “To me, this song represents taking life by the reins and enjoying it while we can. In our modern-day world of technology constantly in the palm of our hands, it’s easy to forget that sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. To all the teens out there (and honestly, adults too) who feel disconnected even while being constantly connected, I challenge you this summer: Put your phone down. Drive to a friend’s and go on an adventure. Get a film camera and make real memories without the pressure of posting. Go out and explore the world, wherever you are. There’s something magical waiting for you as soon as you put your phone away.”

A Critics ’Choice nominee, Fortson is best known for portraying the title character in the 2023 film adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, opposite Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Benny Safdie. Last year, she appeared in the 2024 Tribeca Narrative winner, Griffin in Summer, while she can also be seen in such popular films as Ant-Man and A Dog’s Journey. The 17-year-old actor has also been active on TV, with recurring roles in Togetherness, Stephen Spielberg’s The Whispers, and, most recently HBO’s hit show, The Pitt.

The premiere of “Spirit in the Sky” follows a recent reissue of the single in stunning Dolby Atmos®, while, earlier in June, Craft Recordings reissued its namesake 1969 album on vinyl. Speaking to the renewed spotlight on his signature hit, Greenbaum declares, “Half a century later, my song, ‘Spirit in the Sky’ is finding many, many new fans—not to mention, it has a Dolby Atmos® mix and now, a super great video by Craft’s incredible team. How cool. It’s so exciting. Here’s to another 50!!!”

 

Click here to watch “Spirit in the Sky.”

 

Click here to listen to the single on Dolby Atmos or stream/order the Spirit in the Sky album.

On The Blue Cruise Announces Final Artist Lineup

On The Blue Cruise has announced the final artist lineup for this year's classic rock experience at sea, On The Blue Cruise (OTBC). Hosted and headlined by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist Justin Hayward, the voice of The Moody Blues, and featuring an array of events and musical performances from over 25 artists, this seven-night full-ship charter cruise sets sail August 22-29, 2025 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem, departing out of Boston, Massachusetts. The voyage, dubbed Forever Autumn, will visit four ports: Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Portland, Maine.

This voyage is truly unique for several reasons. It’s the first seven-day cruise that promoter On The Blue Cruises, Inc. has ever produced and it's also their inaugural itinerary visiting these four ports. Additionally, OTBC ‘25 marks the first music cruise charter to depart out of the Northeast and visit the beautiful Canada/New England shoreline, making it an unprecedented experience for all attendees.

A limited number of cabins are still available starting at $1,899.00 per person (double occupancy, not including mandatory taxes and fee supplement). For booking and more info, visit OnTheBlueCruise.com and @OnTheBlueCruise on Facebook.

Hayward’s performances will include songs from his solo archives along with deep cuts from five decades of material from The Moody Blues. Plus, fans will be able to attend an intimate Q&A with the rock legend, who will be sharing insight into his career and music. This year’s cruise theme, Forever Autumn, is taken from the title of a fan-favorite recording of Hayward’s.

In addition to Hayward, OTBC 2025’s lineup features Alan Parsons, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, The Orchestra feat. Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II former members, Colin Blunstone from The Zombies, Al Stewart, Leonid & Friends (the music of Chicago), Ambrosia, April Wine, Wishbone Ash, Honeymoon Suite, Michal Sadler of SAGA, Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston), The Weeklings, The Young Dubliners, Ricky Nelson Remembered, Pat Travers, Randy Hansen, Top of the World (the music of The Carpenters), Mellow Yellow, Marbin, Fernando Perdomo, The Bottom Feeders, The Empty Pockets, All Hat No Cattle, and Dueling Pianos.

Beyond the many band performances on multiple stages, the cruise will feature well-curated activities and events, such as artist photo experiences, themed-nights, Mellow Yellow Dance Party, Painting with Rock Stars, Exclusive Dance Club Experience with Instructors, and a wine tasting event, with much more to be announced. Also, it will be whale watching season, so travelers might catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.

For the first time in OTBC history, attendees will enjoy the intimate and relaxed ambiance of Norwegian Cruise Line’s stunning Jewel-class ship, the Norwegian Gem®. This ship is specifically designed to cater to the concert cruise industry, offering a unique and memorable experience, top-tier music venues, exceptional dining choices, and the renowned friendly and attentive service of NCL. The ship also features a stellar pool deck that transforms into the Outdoor Concert Stage where guests can bask in the sun while watching the all-star lineup of bands perform. When it comes to dining, you can find a variety of complimentary and specialty restaurants, including Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki. For some “me time,” there’s the award-winning Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite, as well as hot tubs and pools. The excitement doesn’t end when the sun goes down, the ship also offers unique bars and lounges, as well as a casino. 

Boston, Massachusetts

OTBC ‘25 cruisers will embark on their adventure in the historic city of Boston, where the past seamlessly blends with the present. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of the Freedom Trail, explore the lively markets at Faneuil Hall, enjoy the breathtaking views from Boston Harbor, catch a live show at the Boston Opera House, wander through the bustling streets of Harvard Square, or catch a ball game at the beloved Fenway Park. Boston’s cuisine is unparalleled ‒ from classic New England clam chowder and lobster rolls to freshly caught raw clams and oysters paired with Boston cream pie. With its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and delectable cuisine, Boston is the perfect starting point. Click here for a sample of Boston shore excursions.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Next, voyagers will sail to the enchanting city of Halifax. Renowned for its maritime heritage, Halifax offers a delightful mix of history and modernity. Travelers can visit the iconic Citadel Hill, take a scenic drive to Peggy’s Cove, a quaint fishing village with fewer than 40 residents and home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, or spend the afternoon sipping award-winning wines from the vineyards of Annapolis Valley near the Bay of Fundy on the Annapolis Valley Wine and Cheese excursion. 

Sydney, Nova Scotia

The journey continues to the picturesque beauty of Sydney. Nestled on Cape Breton Island, Sydney serves as a gateway to stunning landscapes and rich Celtic heritage, making it a highlight of the cruise. Some of the featured excursions in this port include a scenic drive along the Cabot Trail, renowned for its breathtaking coastal views and hiking trails, and a visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg, a meticulously restored 18th-century French fortress. Sydney is famous for traditional Acadian dishes, such as rappie pie and meat pie, both savory indulgences considered iconic to the area. 

Saint John, New Brunswick

In Saint John, cruisers will be enchanted by the blend of history and natural wonders. Discover the unique phenomenon of the Reversing Falls, wander through the charming streets of the historic Uptown area, take a scenic drive along the Bay of Fundy, explore the city's history at the New Brunswick Museum and the Loyalist House, or stroll along the Harbour Passage, a scenic waterfront walkway with stunning views. For food, get on the Saint John Seafood Hopping tour or visit the Saint John City Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers’ market in Canada. 

Portland, Maine

The final port of call is the delightful coastal city of Portland. Renowned for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and delectable cuisine, Portland is a sensory delight. Cruisers can stroll through the Old Port district, explore breathtaking sights along the Maine Coast, visit the charming seaside town Kennebunkport, or experience fresh lobster, clam chowder, and blueberry pie, a Maine specialty. Portland’s eclectic charm is the perfect way to conclude this incredible journey. 

Gentle Giant Singer & Record Executive Derek Shulman Announces Memoir

 

Giant Steps is an eye-opening memoir from Derek Shulman that traces his extraordinary journey through music, from 1960s pop fame with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound to cult status as frontman of progressive rock pioneers Gentle Giant, and later as a record executive who signed and developed global acts like Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, and Slipknot. He also played a key role in revitalizing the careers of legends such as AC/DC and Bad Company. The book will be available October 7.

Pre-order Giant Steps - North America & UK/EU 

In Giant Steps, Derek Shulman chronicles a remarkable life and career surrounded by music and creativity in many forms. It begins with a young Derek confidently telling his schoolteacher he would grow up to become a star, and unfolds into a fast-paced and eye-opening journey through decades of pop culture, creative risk-taking, and personal reinvention.

Shulman first found fame as a teenager in the 1960s pop and R&B group Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, then pushed rock music to the outer edges in the 1970s as frontman of progressive rock pioneers Gentle Giant.

In the 1980s, he made a bold pivot into the record business, taking on senior roles at labels like Polygram, ATCO, and Roadrunner Records. There, he signed and developed artists including Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Slipknot, Pantera, and Men Without Hats, while also helping to revitalize the careers of AC/DC, Bad Company, and others.

Along the way Gentle Giant would become a defining influence on hip-hop, sampled by many of the genre’s leading lights including J. Dilla, De La Soul, Run The Jewels, Travis Scott and dozens more. The band was later championed by Questlove, drummer of The Roots and acclaimed filmmaker, who named them one of his favorite rock acts of all time.

Clean-living and focused in an industry often defined by chaos and excess, Shulman offers a rare perspective on the evolution of music and culture from the 1960s to today. Giant Steps is essential reading for fans of prog, rock, hip-hop, and anyone curious about the inner workings of the music industry.

"Derek Shulman was there before there was a there," Jon Bon Jovi said in a staement. "We grew together as a team. We learned as we lived. He was the one real A&R man that we could count on when we needed him." 

Elton Jon adds: "Many years ago, I had the privilege of playing with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound on a tour of Scotland. It was a joyous experience. The band were fabulous musicians and great guys and treated me so well." 

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull comments: "The intensity of Gentle Giant’s performances sometimes extended from stage to dressing room after their show when a noisy post-mortem might erupt into murderous fraternal screaming matches over a missed semi-quaver or less than perfect vocal harmony. Spirited bunch, the Giants, in full flow. Move over, Cain. Step aside, Abel."

Toto's Steve Lukather was also a Gentle Giant fan. "We were into prog rock hard back then and loved it all. However, Gentle Giant was different. The articulate and musically experimental yet beautiful music that came out of the speakers was captivating."

Steve Hackett Shares Video From Forthcoming ‘The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall’ Release

Steve Hackett is set to release The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall, a stunning audio/visual document of his show at the iconic London venue in October 2024, on July 11th. A video from the release of the band performing "Fly On A Windshield," featuring a guest appearance from Marillion’s Steve Rothery, who trades guitar solos with Hackett in the second part of the track is now available to watch. Check it out below: 

 

Steve Hackett comments: “I’m excited about the upcoming The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall release, and pleased to launch this live clip of "Fly on a Windshield," one of my favorite moments on the album. I very much enjoyed creating my guitar contribution for this track, and on this release is also Steve Rothery’s fabulous contribution, as we exchange licks.”

Hackett and his live band celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Genesis concept album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, with a selection of his favorite tracks from that album including "Fly On A Windshield" and "Lilywhite Lilith." The live set also includes other Genesis and solo classics, including music from his most recent acclaimed album The Circus And The Nightwhale. This special evening saw the band joined by guests including Ray Wilson, Steve Rothery, Amanda Lehmann and John Hackett. 

Watch the previously released clip of "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" below:

"I was so happy to revisit the Lamb on tour. The Royal Albert Hall evening was particularly memorable," Hackett recalls. "It is my favorite London venue and the atmosphere there that night was absolutely electric… I was really pleased that everyone in the band and the performing guests pulled it off with flying colors!”

Expertly mixed by Grammy-award winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge, and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, the night was filmed by longtime collaborator Paul M Green, and is presented as Special Edition 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak which includes 5.1 Surround Sound & bonus interview content. The vinyl arrives as a deluxe four- LP 180g box set, including 12-page LP-size booklet featuring photos from the evening. 

Pre-order The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall  

Steve Hackett and his band are currently continuing their Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlight & Solo tour around Europe, before taking it to Japan in July, Italy in September & North America in October & November. For a full list of dates, head to: https://www.hackettsongs.com/tour.html 

Earlier this year, Steve Hackett released Live Magic At Trading Boundaries, featuring live recordings from his annual acoustic shows at Trading Boundaries in the UK. Have a listen below:

For more info on Steve Hackett, visit Steve Hackett Online.

Jack Bruce's 'Harmony Row' Box Set Coming Soon

Jack Bruce's 1971 album, Harmony Row will be reissued as a deluxe double CD / double multi-region Blu-ray Disc box set on June 27 All newly remastered and mixed from the original master tapes, the set features 34 bonus tracks added to a new 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler of the album, plus a 1971 concert for the Granada TV show Show Out Front and the 1972 German TV documentary film Swing In. An illustrated book with an essay by Sid Smith is also included.    

Harmony Row was released in July 1971 and followed Bruce's successful and influential album Songs for a Tailor. Once again, the musician's intention was to make a record distinctly diverse from the music he had recorded with Cream, and Harmony Row expanded even further on the musical palate he explored on Songs for a Tailor featuring compositions which drew stylistically on jazz, folk, classical, rock and Eastern musical influences.

Joining the recording sessions at London’s Command Studios were guitarist Chris Spedding and drummer John Marshall, with Jack singing and playing piano, organ, bass guitar and cello. ‘Harmony Row’ was highly acclaimed upon its release and is now rightly regarded as a masterpiece and one of Jack Bruce’s seminal works.

Pre-order Harmony Row deluxe double CD / double multi-region Blu-ray Disc box set

TRACK LISTING

Disc 1 > Harmony Row (original mix remastered)

1 Can You Follow?

2 Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice)

3 You Burned the Tables On Me

4 There’s a Forest

5 Morning Story

6 Folk Song

7 Smiles and Grins

8 Post War

9 A Letter of Thanks

10 Victoria Sage

11 The Consul at Sunset

Bonus tracks

12 Green Hills (Can You Follow?)

13 There’s a Forest (first take)

14 You Burned the tables on Me (Electric Piano version)

15 Can You Follow? (first take)

Disc 2 > Harmony Row (new stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler)

1 Can You Follow?

2 Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice)

3 You Burned the Tables On Me

4 There’s a Forest

5 Morning Story

6 Folk Song

7 Smiles and Grins

8 Post War

9 A Letter of Thanks

10 Victoria Sage

11 The Consul at Sunset

Bonus tracks

12 Riffs (Take 14)

13 Smiles and Grins (Olympic Studios demo)

14 A Letter of Thanks (Olympic Studios demo)

15 End Piece

Disc 3 > Harmony Row (Blu-ray Disc)

96 kHz / 24-bit new 5.1 Surround Sound & stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler

1 Can You Follow?

2 Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice)

3 You Burned the Tables On Me

4 There’s a Forest

5 Morning Story

6 Folk Song

7 Smiles and Grins

8 Post War

9 A Letter of Thanks

10 Victoria Sage

11 The Consul at Sunset

Bonus tracks

12 Riffs (Take 14)

13 Smiles and Grins (Olympic Studios demo)

14 A Letter of Thanks (Olympic Studios demo)

15 End Piece

Disc 4 > Blu-ray Disc

Jack Bruce & Friends: Out Front - Granada TV 1971

1 Smiles & Grins

2 A Letter of Thanks

3 Folk Song

4 Powerhouse Sod

5 You Burned the Tables On Me

Swing In - WDR TV 1972

6 You Burned the Tables On Me

7 Theme for an Imaginary Western

8 Politician

9 Rope Ladder to the Moon

10 Folk Song

Roger Waters Announces 'This Is Not A Drill - Live from Prague The Movie' Release

Roger Waters, best known for his work with Pink Floyd, has announced the global film and music release of This Is Not A Drill - Live from Prague The Movie. Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision will release the film worldwide beginning on July 23, with tickets on sale beginning June 12 at rogerwaters.film.

Originally recorded and filmed during Waters’ live show at the O2 Arena in the Czech Republic on May 25, 2023, this new edit is directed by his long-term collaborative partner, Sean Evans. Check out a performance clip of “Wish You Were Here” below.

Billed as his “first ever Farewell Tour,” the show is a stunning indictment of the corporate dystopia in which we all struggle to survive and is dedicated to “our brothers and sisters all over the world who are engaged in the existential battle for the soul of humanity”.

The release will give fans the chance to see and hear his critically acclaimed live show in full cinematic glory and includes 20 classic Pink Floyd and Roger Waters songs, including: “Us & Them,” “Comfortably Numb,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Is This The Life We Really Want?” Additionally, Waters performs his highly celebrated new song, “The Bar.” Together, the production is an extraordinary assault on the senses - musically, visually, politically and philosophically.

Pre-order This Is Not A Drill - Live from Prague The Movie

The accompanying music is set to be released on Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, on August 1, 2025, and will see the performance presented on a four LP set/Blu-Ray/2 CD/DVD/Digital Audio. 

This Is Not A Drill - Live from Prague The Movie is filmed in 8k, providing exceptional detail and clarity, and features an enhanced audio mix. For the production, Waters was joined on stage by his outstanding band of musicians: Jonathan Wilson, Dave Kilminster, Jon Carin, Gus Seyffert, Joey Waronker, Robert Walter, Shanay Johnson, Amanda Belair and Seamus Blake.

Walter Trout Releases New Single From Upcoming New Album

 

Blues-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Walter Trout has shared his new single, “Artificial” from his upcoming album Sign Of The Times, which will be released on September 5 via Provogue. You can watch the video of “Artificial” below.

In his half-century as a street-level social observer and scaldingly honest songwriter, Trout has never told his fans what to think, how to feel, or where to stand politically. But in an era when his home nation – and the wider world – is ripping at the seams over the battlelines of modern life, the iconic U.S. bluesman’s hard-rocking new album, Sign Of The Times, is a primal scream and pressure valve for all of us. 

“I wanted to reflect upon what’s going on in the world,” explains the 74-year-old. “For me, writing these songs is therapy. They’re not just about what’s happening out there, but how it affects you in your head. Sign Of The Times just became the obvious title…”

The album explodes to life with the first single and opening song, “Artificial”: a scornful, satirical, harmonica-spiced rebuke of the fake world we risk creating. “We got artificial photos, artificial music, you could go on and on,” considers the bluesman. “I’m freaked out by AI. I read articles about how it’s gonna do all these wonderful things in the medical world. Then I hear Bill Gates say that eighty percent of jobs are gonna disappear. What happens then?”

It feels like the amps have barely cooled from 2024’s Broken, which debuted in Billboard at #1. But the era-chronicling songs from Sign Of The Times wouldn’t wait, these urgent riffs flying off the guitarist’s fingers, assisted once again by Marie, Walter’s wife, manager and co-writer, who penned the lyrics for some of the tracks. 

“This album flowed pretty easily,” he reflects of the writing process. “I had so many song ideas and pages of lyrics from Marie. We could have kept going and made a triple album.”

With 10 new songs written and arranged, Trout was ready to call up his studio band – longtime drummer Michael Leasure, bassist John Avila and keys man Teddy ‘Zig Zag’ Andreadis – for the recording sessions at Strawhorse Studios in Los Angeles. Immediately, the tinderbox subject matter sparked one of the toughest-sounding records in his catalogue. Self-producing, and having the material mixed by sonic genius, J.J. Blair, added yet another bit of edge to the sound. 

“Let me put it this way, I really felt like rocking on this album. We had heavy things to talk about, and we went for it musically too,” Trout says.  

The recent death of British blues godfather John Mayall has naturally brought Trout’s mid-’80s tenure with the Bluesbreakers into sharp focus. 

“His influence on my life, I can’t overstate,” reflects the guitarist. As a man who has always been open about his past agonies, pain is never far away. “’Hurt No More’ is my recovery song, with cutting yourself representing killing yourself with drugs and booze,” he says of the dust-blown rocker. 

With its dancing guitar lick and undeniable chorus, “I Remember” is also a moment of respite from the album’s stormier subject matter. “That song is a longing for when life was simpler,” he explains. “Like, when I was 20 and starting out. Or when Marie and I had just got together, and we had no money and were pawning guitars, but we were madly in love and the future was ahead of us.”

The combustible title track is one of the most experimental cuts in Trout’s half-century studio output, “I wanted it to be dissonant. Dissonance is a sign of the times. Marie came to me with a set of lyrics, and I realized it fit the song perfectly,” he says. Whilst “No Strings Attached” skewers hypocrisy, bigotry, and hatred, the album is no one-note diatribe. 

For Trout – who survived an eleventh-hour liver transplant in 2014 – his second chance at life still holds joy, beauty and pain. “’Mona Lisa Smile’ came to me in a dream,” he says of the gorgeous, bucolic acoustic strum decorated by accordion, mandolin and violin from famed string arranger Stevie Blacke (Snoop Dog, Joe Cocker, Alice in Chains). “Y’know, Marie is strong and potent – but there’s another side to her which makes me love her even more. That song is about when I see her vulnerability, or her moments of self-doubt and sadness.”

Even by Trout’s standards, Sign Of The  Times is a record that puts you through the emotional wringer. But as long as there’s poignant and relevant music, we have a fighting chance. The complete track listing features “Artificial,” “Blood On My Pillow,” “Sign Of The Times,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Hurt No More,” “No Strings Attached,” “I Remember,” “Hightech Woman,” “Too Bad,” “Struggle To Believe.”

As a lifelong road warrior, Trout will be taking the Sign Of The Times material to global audiences throughout 2025. And for those glorious two hours of playing to audiences, political divides and culture wars will crumble as a crowd with little else in common melts into a communion of souls. “I could be on social media, writing very explicit posts,” he considers. “But I don’t want to contribute to the division. When I’m up onstage playing a minor-key blues, and I look down at the front row and there’s a burly biker – and he’s crying – at that moment, I’m hitting him in our common humanity, and it doesn’t matter who he voted for. At that moment, we are all in this together…”

For info on Walter Trout tour dates, head over to waltertrout.com/tourdates.  

Al Jardine Of The Beach Boys Releases New Four-Song EP

Al Jardine, co-founding singer, songwriter and guitarist of The Beach Boys, has just released his first new collection of songs in 15 years with the eclectic new 4-song digital EP, Islands In The Sun.

Available to stream and download, the EP is chock full of Jardine’s sharp songwriting, iconic, summery voice and the type of good vibes and trademark harmonies that only a Beach Boy can provide. The album was recorded at Jardine’s home studio on the California coast and produced by  alongside Stevie Heger (co-producer of Jardine’s debut studio album, A Postcard From California) and longtime Beach Boys / Brian Wilson sound engineer Jeff Peters.

Stream Islands In The Sun:

The EP debuts with a vintage postcard-themed lyric video for the titular track, “Islands In The Sun,” a friendly nod to “Kokomo.” Featuring lead vocals from Jardine and his son Matt, plus a guest vocal from Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and a children’s choir from three local elementary schools, the song is a Caribbean-flavored fantasy that falls somewhere between the Beach Boys and Belafonte that perfectly captures the mood and tropical lifestyle of the West Indies. “‘Islands In The Sun’ captures that special magic we felt and sang about on Beach Boys songs like ‘Island Girl’ and ‘Kokomo,’” says Jardine. “It was inspired by the enchanting calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte and Bob Marley’s laid-back reggae vibe. Now wouldn’t it be fun if we could bottle up the sun!”

The second track, “My Plane Leaves Tomorrow (Au Revoir),” is a duet with Neil Young that Jardine first started working on during the recording sessions for his 2010 debut solo album, A Postcard from California, and has now been completed nearly a decade and a half later. Young recorded his vocals at the same session that he recorded Postcard’s “A California Saga” with his old bandmates, David Crosby and Stephen Stills. 

In the poignant new song, Jardine and Young share the same sentiment about sending our troops off to foreign wars. The track includes a portion of the melancholy military bugle call “Taps,” performed by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who laid down his contribution when he also provided bass for “Help Me Rhonda” for the Postcard album.

“Highway 101 (Rosarita Beach Café),” a joyful romp to the border, is Al’s Mexico-inspired version of the Leiber/Stoller classic, “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The original, a classic by The Coasters from 1956, was one of Al’s favorite songs when he was growing up and almost 70 years later, Al got permission from Mike Stoller to rewrite the lyrics. This new interpretation features long-standing Beach Boys touring band members Ed Carter on bass and Mike Kowalski on drums, Michael Lent (Barry Manilow’s guitarist for over 25 years) on lead guitar and Steve Douglas from the legendary Wrecking Crew on sax.

The EP concludes with “Crumple Car,” an updated version of the forgotten tune from the 1978 classic surf movie, “Big Wednesday.” Originally written by surfer Denny Aaberg with Phil Pritchard, the song was brought to Jardine’s attention years ago by Ed Carter (who was friends with Denny) and has been reimagined as a folky, fingerpicked ode to Al’s love of the ocean and his desire to keep the coastlines clean and safe from harmful manmade pollution. With Denny’s blessing, Jardine’s new version features Ed on lead guitar finger-picking style with backing vocals from Al’s son, Adam Jardine, plus Al on lead whistle.

Al Jardine will embark on a summer tour with seasoned members of Brian Wilson’s longtime touring band that he has reunited as The Pet Sounds Band. In addition to performing the classic Beach Boys’ hits, Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band will be performing radio singles and fan favorites from The Beach Boys’ critically acclaimed ‘70s albums like 15 Big Ones, The Beach Boys Love You and the M.I.U. Album, which was produced by Jardine in 1978, plus a song or two from Islands In The Sun, along with rarities and deep cuts. Jardine will be joined by his son Matt, who toured with him, Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys for decades, keyboardist Darian Sahanaja, drummer Michael D’Amico, bassist Bob Lizik, pianist Gary Griffin, guitarist Rob Bonfiglio, horn player Paul Von Mertens, and keyboardist Debbie Shair.

AL JARDINE AND THE PET SOUNDS BAND ON TOUR

July 4 – Lake, MN @ Mystic Amphitheater at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel

July 18 – Cohasset, MA @ South Shore Music Circus

July 23 – Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum

July 24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum

August 23 – Des Plaines, IL @ The Des Plaines Theatre

August 24 – St. Charles, IL @ The Arcada Theatre

September 5 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

September 7 – Concord, NY @ Chubb Theatre at Capitol Center for the Arts

For info, visit Al Jardine’s official website.

Rockaway Records Selling Lowest U.S. Three-Digit Numbered Copies Of 'The Beatles' (AKA 'White Album') To Ever Surface

 

In a landmark acquisition for music collectors and Beatles fans alike, Rockaway Records, an appointment-only showroom in Los Angeles that specializes in rock and roll memorabilia, has secured a trio of 1968 The Beatles (AKA White Album) LPs, numbered 007, 008, and 009. 

Valued collectively at $250,000, this set not only includes the lowest three-digit U.S. number to ever surface (“007”), but is also believed to be the lowest sequentially numbered group of The Beatles (AKA White Album) copies ever offered for sale anywhere in the world. 

According to noted Beatles experts and authors Frank Daniels and Bruce Spizer, these "three-digit" White Albums were made as a test run for the number stamper at Bert-Co in Los Angeles, where the cover slicks and inserts were printed. Low numbered copies of The Beatles (AKA White Album) from the US and UK are extremely collectable, with numbers less than 100 selling for tens of thousands of dollars each. Numbers less than 10 are virtually unheard of, with an extreme example being Ringo Starr's personal UK mono pressing "No. 0000001" -- which sold in 2015 for almost $800,000.

"In our nearly 50 years in business, we have had countless amazing Beatles artifacts," said Rockaway Records co-founder Wayne Johnson, "but never a White Album with such a low number, let alone three consecutive low numbers."

The set of The Beatles (AKA White Album) LPs is valued at $250,000 and available to purchase at Rockaway Records.