Rock News

It was 54 years ago today — May 17th, 1969 — that the Who’s double album rock opera Tommy was released. The work, which was conceived and primarily written by Pete Townshend, was based on a boy, Tommy Walker, who although born healthy is traumatized into an autistic state at the sight of his father…

Getty ImagesStephen Stills has been receiving raves for his latest archival set, Stephen Stills Live At Berkeley 1971. When talking about his legendary first solo tour in support of his second album, Stephen Stills 2, he recalled to Uncut, “They were the salad years, never shall they be replicated. I’m very proud of the work…

Getty ImagesSqueeze and the Psychedelic Furs have just rolled out a 26-city late-summer and fall tour. The two new wave legends launch the trek on September 8th at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and wind things down on October 14th in Las Vegas at the Palms. Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook recalled being estranged from…

Getty ImagesDuring a new chat with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan touched upon the cultural void left by the 1994 suicide of his friend and Nirvana leader, Kurt Cobain. Corgan went on to explain that with Cobain’s talent suddenly plucked from the universe, he believed his writing was head and shoulders…

PRPhotos.comJohn Mellencamp has just dropped the lyric video to his new single, “The Eyes Of Portland.” The track, which talks frankly about America’s homeless situation, is the second teaser from Mellencamp’s 25th album, titled, Orpheus Descending, which is due out on June 2nd. The album also features the track, “Hey God,” which addresses the national…

Getty ImagesIt was 57 years ago today (May 16th, 1966), that the Beach Boys released their legendary Pet Sounds album. The album, which included the group’s classic hits “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B.,” and “God Only Knows,” was like most of the group’s early work; the brainchild of their leader and producer Brian…

Getty ImagesIt was 40 years ago tonight (May 16th, 1983) that the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special aired on NBC. Motown 25 aired to instant critical acclaim and went on snag the 1984 Emmy Award for Best Variety Program. Apart from Motown’s greatest acts from the 1960’s reuniting onstage for the first time…

Getty ImagesGene Simmons recalled the last time he saw Eddie Van Halen. Simmons, who played a key role in the development of Van Halen, had signed them to a production deal and produced the pre-fame demos recordings for the then-unsigned act. When he failed to bring the group to the next level of securing a…

Getty ImagesSting spoke about the pros and cons of bands reuniting. When pressed as to whether it’s a good idea for splintered bands to come together again, Sting told Music Week, “Once (laughs). You should do it once and the timing should be right. When the Police reunited it had been long enough and it…