Dave Lifton
Legendary Bassist Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn Passes Away At Age 70
Donald “Duck” Dunn, who played on hundreds of rock and soul classics as the bassist for Booker T. and the MGs, and later as a session player, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 70. Steve Cropper, the MGs guitarist, broke the news on his Facebook page at approximately 12:30AM Eastern time.
Bruce Springsteen Auditioned for Columbia Records 40 Years Ago This Month
Given that, at 62, he still has the energy of musicians half his age, sometimes it’s hard to believe that Bruce Springsteen has been a recording artist for nearly 40 years. But it was this month in 1972 that a scrawny kid from New Jersey walked into Columbia Records’ office in New York with an acoustic guitar and sang a few songs in front of legendary talent scout John Hammond.
Lynyrd Skynyrd to Release ‘Last Of A Dying Breed,’ Announce 2012 Tour
August 21 will see the release of ‘Last of a Dying Breed,’ Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s first album since 2009′s ‘God & Guns.’ The album, which was announced on their website, was produced by veteran Bob Marlette, who has also worked with Neal Schon, Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper.
“It was great to get back in the st
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Carlos Santana Discusses ‘Shape Shifter’
Now into his fifth decade as a professional musician, Carlos Santana continues to defy expectations. After a decade that saw the most commercially successful albums of his career, his next album, ‘Shape Shifter,’ which will be released on May 15 on his own Starfaith label, is a mostly all-instrumental affair.
Elton John Sued For Stealing Lyrics To ‘Nikita’
Elton John and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin are being sued for copyright infringement over John’s 1985 hit ‘Nikita.’ TMZ is reporting that papers filed in a federal court in Illinois state that Guy Hobbs claims that lyrics are very similar to his own composition ‘Natasha,’ which he wrote in 1982.
ZZ Top’s New Album Held Up
It’s been nine years since ZZ Top’s last album, ‘Mescalero.’ However, the Texas blues-rock group recently recorded an album with Rick Rubin, although, according to guitarist Billy Gibbons, nobody has any idea when it is coming out.
Aerosmith Album Reportedly Delayed Until September
When Aerosmith announced its ‘Global Warming‘ tour with Cheap Trick last month, most people expected that the shows would be in support of a new album. Hopes were high that the new album would be out in July. The band was even talking it up in interviews. However, bassist Tom Hamilton recently said that the album would not be released in time.
Movie To Look At The Making Of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Exile On Main Street’
The story of the Rolling Stones‘ 1972 double-album ‘Exile on Main Street’ is almost as well-known as the incredible music contained within its grooves. But for those who aren’t familiar with the details, Rolling Stone is reporting that Virgin Produced has purchased the film rights to ‘Exile on Main Street: A Season in Hell,’ Robert Greenfield’s book about the recording of the album.
Robin Gibb Comes Out Of Coma
With all the bad news this week surrounding the deaths of Dick Clark and Levon Helm, we may have some good news. According to reports coming out of England, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, whose health had taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, has come out of the coma he lapsed into last week.
Tom Petty’s Stolen Guitars Recovered
Finally, some good news in the world of classic rock. Five guitars belonging to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were recovered Tuesday (April 17). The instruments had been reported missing since Friday, when they were taken from the Culver City, Calif. soundstage where the band was rehearsing for its upcoming tour, which begins Wednesday night in Broomfield, Colo.
Ron Wood Backtracks About The Rolling Stones Going Into The Studio
Well, apparently there are things that last shorter than a Kardashian marriage, yet are every bit as contentious: stories about the Rolling Stones getting back together. Ron Wood is now claiming he was misquoted when he said last week the Stones were going back into the studio to “throw some ideas around.”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Guitars Stolen
Five guitars belonging to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were stolen recently. The robbery took place on a soundstage in Culver City, where the band are rehearsing for their upcoming tour, Petty’s website reported Friday (April 13).