MGK: Music News

ROLLING STONES: Is Something Up?

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:45:00 GMT

The Rolling Stones could be up to something, but no one is saying what. They've posted a video on their website in recognition of their Facebook page having hit 10-million fans. The clip shows Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, with Jagger holding a sign that says, "10 million." He then says, "We want to thank you so much for making this amazing number possible. Keep logging in." But the news is that it was filmed in a studio, as there are instruments behind them, and the caption under the clip says, "Filmed in New Jersey, May 2012."

There had been rumors that the Stones were going to join Jagger this past weekend on Saturday Night Live, but that didn't happen. A spokeswoman for the band said they were just "having fun playing some music -- nothing specific."

NEIL YOUNG: Book Date Set

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:43:00 GMT

Neil Young's autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace, will publish on October 2nd. It comes in at 416 pages, which is half the length of Shakey, the authorized 2002 biography by Jimmy McDonough.

PAUL McCARTNEY RELEASES DELUXE EDITION OF CLASSIC 'RAM' ALBUM

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Out today (May 22nd) is Paul & Linda McCartney's 1971 album, Ram, the latest release in the "Paul McCartney Archive Collection," following recent editions of Band On The Run (1973), McCartney (1970), and McCartney II (1980). The sessions for Ram featured drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarists Dave Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, marking the first time he had recorded new, original music with outside musicians since the Beatles' split. The album produced McCartney's first solo single -- "Another Day" -- which was released prior to the album as a teaser, scoring him a Top Five hit, along with "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey," which became his first solo chart-topper.

In announcing the release, McCartney issued a statement recalling the fan favorite, which was recorded in New York City, and his first full-blown studio effort following the Beatles' breakup and his one-man band solo debut, McCartney: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is an album from a long, long time ago, when the world was different. This is an album that is part of my history - it goes back to the wee hills of Scotland where it was formed. It's an album called Ram. It reminds me of my hippie days and the free attitude with which was created. I hope you're going to like it, because I do!"
McCartney says that after nearly a half-century in the public eye, he's not surprised that most fans know everything about his history -- including the back-story to all of his music. He admits that being loved by the masses has always meant a lot to him: "It's always been great, y'know, I've always been grateful and y'know really loved the fact that they're taking that much of an interest. And, the truth is, as time goes by now, they know more about it than I do."
Drummer Denny Seiwell was McCartney's right-hand man during the Ram sessions and went on to co-found Wings with him. He recalls George Martin helping out on the string charts before McCartney directed the classical musicians himself: "All the tracks were done at Columbia (Studios). The stuff that was done at A&R (Studios) was the sweetening dates with the orchestra -- George wrote the arrangements. They were doing a track; maybe it was 'Uncle Albert,' or something. And Paul spent about 45 minutes tuning the orchestra. And they all kept looking at each other -- this is the David Nadien string section that played with the New York Philharmonic, and stuff like that. And they're all looking at each other: 'What's this guy doing, tuning us?' He had some very specific ideas on how he wanted the orchestra to sound. And the first playback, half of 'em came into the control room to hear the playback and they said, 'Oh my God it sounds like the London Symphony!'"
Seiwell told us that McCartney leaving material off of Ram had more to do with physical space and audio dynamics that any sort of "quality control" on his part: "Well, we cut 23 tracks, I think, in that period of time, and you could only get so many -- y'know, in those days, record albums, anything over 18 minutes made the grooves tighter and the record sounded smaller."

QUEEN: They are the Olympic Champions

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:12:00 GMT

Queen will be performing at the Summer Olympics in London. Though guitarist Brian May hasn't provided specifics, he says they won't be part of the opening ceremony and hints that they might play during the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 12th.

Queen have lined up a few European shows with Adam Lambert singing in early July, but there's no word if he'll be part of the Olympic performance.

ROLLING STONES: So Will It Be This Year After All?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:11:00 GMT

After saying he would catch hell from Mick Jagger if he announced plans for The Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary, Ronnie Wood has apparently forgotten about that. He now says, "It looks like we are going to be doing more stuff. I am keeping October and November free -- that's what I've been told. I'm just awaiting more information." But don't expect any new songs. Wood adds, "New ones? Are you joking? We are familiarizing ourselves with our back catalog and have only scratched the surface."

Jagger is in New York preparing to host and perform on this weekend's season finale of Saturday Night Live.

The Beatles: Reverse Abbey Road Photo Being Auctioned

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:10:00 GMT

An alternate version of The Beatles' iconic Abbey Road cover photo is heading to auction in London next Tuesday. This one shows the Fab Four walking right-to-left -- and all four, including Paul McCartney -- wearing some kind of shoes (Paul's in sandals). The order this time: (left-to-right) John Lennon, followed by Paul, Ringo and George. And McCartney's no longer seen holding a cigarette.

The one being sold was one of six shot by Ian MacMillan in a 10-minute session on August 8th, 1969. One of 25 prints from the original negative, the sale is being handled by Bloomsbury Auctions

AEROSMITH: The Wait Ends Wednesday

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:08:00 GMT

"Legendary Child," the first new song from Aerosmith in six years, will hit the airwaves on Wednesday. It's the first single from their new unnamed album due for release in the fall. However, the song is not that new, as it was written in 1992 during the sessions for their Get a Grip album. A video was recently filmed in Los Angeles and will be out shortly, and the song will be featured in GI Joe: Retaliation, in theaters June 29th.

The last time Aerosmith released new music was in 2006 when they included "Sedona Sunrise" and "Devil's Got a New Disguise" on Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith. Their last album of original material was 2001's Just Push Play.

JOE WALSH: Live Online and Onstage

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Joe Walsh is giving his fans a sneak peak at what they can expect when he starts his tour tomorrow in Catoosa, Oklahoma at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. He has posted two live performances of songs off his new album, Analog Man, on his website. They are for the title track and "Lucky That Way." The album is out on June 5th.

ROLLING STONES: So Will They Tour Next Year?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:06:00 GMT

Keith Richards is pointing to 2013 for a Rolling Stones 50th anniversary tour, even though they formed in 1962, not '63. He says, "Basically, we're just not ready." But he's OK with the delay. "The Stones always really considered 1963 to be 50 years, because [drummer] Charlie [Watts] didn't actually join until January. We look upon 2012 as sort of the year of conception, but the birth is next year."

It seems there was never any serious talk of the Stones joining Mick Jagger on Saturday Night Live this weekend. Richards says, "I spoke to Mick, and he said it's something that he said yes to many months ago, so he's just doing it. He's on his own." Well not exactly alone. He'll be backed by Jeff Beck, Foo Fighters and Arcade Fire.

BON JOVI: Sambora, the Indie Rocker?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:06:00 GMT

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora is going to release his third solo album on a very unlikely label. The self-titled album -- due out in the late summer -- will be coming out on the indie imprint Dangerbird Records. The label is home to Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums and Minus the Bear, bands that are pretty far away from Bon Jovi's sound. Sambora tells L.A. Weekly, "My record doesn't sound like Bon Jovi at all. It's got different musicians and I have a different point of view. There will be a lot of jamming on there."
Sambora says he and Jon Bon Jovi have been writing recently and aim to have a new Bon Jovi album out early next year.

Jon Bon Jovi will appear on ABC's food-centered talk show The Chew on Friday.