Second Set Jams Highlight Phish’s Second Night at MSG (jambands.com)

Phish delivered a jam-heavy, six song second set during the second performance of their New Year’s run at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. 

Please follow the link to read full review on jambands.com 

Lyrics Uncovered: The Rolling Stones’ ‘Some Girls’ Album (UCR)

Please follow the link to Ultimate Classic Rock where they uncover the stories behind the lyrics on the Stones' 1978 classic, Some Girls.

On the turntable this Sunday...Otis Blue

Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, or simply Otis Blue, released September 15, 1965 on Stax Records, is the third studio album by soul singer Otis Redding. The album mainly consists of cover songs by popular R&B and soul artists, and, bar one track, was recorded in a 24-hour period over July 9/10 1965 at the Stax Recording Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Otis Blue was critically acclaimed upon release and became one of Redding's most successful albums; it reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart, and was his first to reach the top spot of the Billboard R&B chart. Furthermore, it produced three popular singles, all charting at least in the top 50 on both the Billboard R&B and the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is considered by many critics to be Redding's first fully realized album.

Three of the eleven songs were written by Redding: "Ole Man Trouble", "Respect", and "I've Been Loving You Too Long". Three songs were written by Sam Cooke, a soul musician who had died a few months earlier. As was the case in the previous albums, Redding was backed by house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, a horn section of members of The Mar-Keys and The Memphis Horns, and pianist Isaac Hayes.

Otis Blue is included in a number of "best album" lists, including Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Time magazine's list of the All-Time 100 Greatest Albums, and Robert Dimery's "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". 

Rhino Records released a two-disc Collectors Edition of Otis Blue in 2008.

Read more at Wikipedia

45 Years Ago: Led Zeppelin Play Their First U.S. Show (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Led Zeppelin made their North American concert debut in Denver on Dec. 26, 1968 as the first band on a three band bill that also featured Vanilla Fudge and Spirit, but as concert promoter Barry Fey recalls, it’s a milestone that almost happened in a different city...please follow the link to read the Matt Wardlaw's full article at Ultimate Classic Rock.

Sirius XM’s Jam ON to Broadcast Widespread Panic and Flaming Lips NYE Shows, In-Studio Disco Biscuits Set (jambands.com)

Sirius XM’s Jam ON has scheduled a number of special “New Year’s Run” programs, including an in-studio performance by The Disco Biscuits and live-broadcasts of Widespread Panic and The Flaming Lips’ New Year’s Eve shows. Please follow the link to read more at jambands.com

Visit The NYC Spots Where Famous Album Cover Photos Were Taken (UCR)

Some of the most iconic album-cover photographs were taken in New York City and now, an informative site, PopSpots NYC, has made it their business to revisit many of these historic locations to see what has changed and what has stayed the same all of these years later.  Please follow the link to read more at Ultimate Classic Rock.  

Merry Christmas from The Showbiz Kids!

Wishing you and your loved ones good tidings, peace, and joy this season!  

Merry Christmas from The Showbiz Kids!

The Showbiz Kids' Christmas Mixtape

Be good to one another.

Merry Christmas!

What UCR wants for Christmas from Rock's Biggest Bands

Please follow the link to read what the writers of Ultimate Classic Rock want for Christmas from rock's biggest bands.

On the turntable this Sunday...Forever Changes

Forever Changes is the third album by the American rock band Love. It was released by Elektra Records in November 1967 and would be the final album by the original band, as subsequent albums featured leader Arthur Lee backed by a variety of new players.

Forever Changes failed to achieve commercial success when it was first released in 1967, but it has since become recognized as one of the finest albums to come out of the Summer of Love, ranking 40th on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008 as well as being added to the National Recording Registry in May 2012.

Please follow the link to read more at Wikipedia.

KISS Gaming App Now Available (Ultimate Classic Rock)

If you have been longing for a KISS gaming app, you are in luck as there is now one available for download on your iOS device.  Please follow the link to read more.

Blu-Bop: A Tribute to the Music of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones Announces Shows (jambands.com)

Please follow the link to learn more about Blu-Bop: A Tribute to the Music of Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, who have confirmed a few tour dates in the Carolinas this January.

Rolling Stones Announce 2014 Tour (Ultimate Classic Rock)

The Rolling Stones will keep rolling in 2014. The band just announced a dozen shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, with a special kick-off date set for February 21 in Abu Dhabi. Mick Taylor, the group’s guitarist during their fertile period of 1969-74, will again appear as a special guest at most of the shows. Please follow the link to read more at Ultimate Classic Rock. 

16-Year Old's Cover of Elvis Presley's 'Blue Christmas'

Last week, David Thibault, a 16-year old from Quebec, appeared on CKOI Radio in Quebec City and performed a version of Elvis' Christmas classic, 'Blue Christmas' so close to the King's that people are taking notice...watch the video above and see for yourself.   

UCR's Best Rock Tours of 2013

Please follow the link to Ultimate Classic Rock to view their list of the Best Rock Tours of 2013.  

Christmas Jam Night One: Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh Quintet, Gov’t Mule, Gregg Allman and More (Jambands.com)

Please follow the link to read more details from the first night of the 25th annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam at the US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC.  

On the turntable this Sunday...Beggars Banquet

Beggars Banquet is the seventh British and ninth American studio album by the English rock band The Rolling Stones. It was released in December 1968 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. The album was a return to roots rock for the band following the psychedelic pop of their 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request.

Read more at Wikipedia

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Rolling Stones’ ‘Beggars Banquet’ (Ultimate Classic Rock)

The Rolling Stones classic album, Beggars Banquet, was released 45 years ago and is considered to be the album where the Stones came of age.  Please follow the link to read some facts about the 1968 masterpiece you might not know at Ultimate Classic Rock. 

Kennedy Center Honors Santana, Billy Joel and Herbie Hancock (Rolling Stone)

Snoop Dogg, Tom Morello, Garth Brooks and more paid respects in Washington D.C. Please follow the link to read full article at Rollingstone.com

Rod Stewart Says the Faces Reunion Is Happening (Ultimate Classic Rock)

After many years of discussion, Rod Stewart may finally be ready to reunite with his old band mates in the Faces for a new tour, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the band's breakup.  Please follow the link to read more...

Mickey Hart Honors Nelson Mandela at Rex Foundation Benefit

Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart opened the Rex Foundation Benefit show at San Francisco’s Fillmore with a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. Hart sampled some of Mandela’s famous speeches and quotes while he shaped music, movements and other sounds within the context. Please follow the link to read full article on jambands.com

See the Cast of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ Then and Now (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Please follow the link to see what the cast from the Beatles' 1964 rock 'n' roll movie classic, 'A Hard Day's Night' have been up to the past five decades....

Listen to rare Velvet Underground track

The Velvet Underground's landmark 1968 album White Light/White Heat was recently released as a three-disc 45th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.  Please follow the link to hear the seven-minute rarity, 'I'm Not A Young Man Anymore.' 

Remembering John Lennon 12/8/80

October 9,1940-December 8,1980   photo credit:Jack Douglas

Previously posted on 12/8/11 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/extras/2011/12/08/dec-8-john-lennon-shot-killed-1980/

This December 2013 I will be 3 years older than John was when he was killed. "Strange Days Indeed" John.

Mike Smith,The Showbiz Kids

On the turntable this Sunday...Moondance

Moondance is the third solo album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was released on 28 February 1970 by Warner Bros. Records and peaked at #29 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart.

The album's musical style blends R&B, folk rock, country rock, and also jazz (most obviously on the title track).

The single released was "Come Running" with "Crazy Love" as the B-side, which peaked at #39 on the Pop Singles chart. "Crazy Love" was only released as a single in the Netherlands and did not chart. "Moondance" was not released as a single until 1977 and peaked at #92.

Moondance was critically acclaimed when first released and established Morrison as a major artist. 

The songs on the album quickly became staples of FM radio. It has proven to be Morrison's most famous album, often appearing on many lists of best albums of all time. Among other awards, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2003, it was ranked #65 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

Beck's Long Road to 'Morning Phase' (Rolling Stone)

Please follow the link to read Rolling Stone senior writer, David Fricke's, recent Rolling Stone article on Beck's upcoming album,  Morning Phase. 

Sleater-Kinney, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey Cover Neil Young with Pearl Jam (jambands.com)

Pearl Jam recently performed the Neil Young classic 'Rockin' In The Free World' with help from R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Sleater-Kinney at their show in Portland, OR. 

Please follow the link to read more..

Phil Collins ‘Thinking About’ Genesis Reunion, Ending Retirement (UCR)

Phil Collins retired from the music industry almost four years ago due to back injuries, but the drummer/singer is contemplating a reunion with Genesis.  Please follow the link to read more at Ultimate Classic Rock...

Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" Manuscript Up For Auction (jambands)

The handwritten manuscript for Bruce Springsteen's 1975 classic 'Born To Run' will be up for auction later this week.  The pre-sale estimates for the manuscript range from $70,000-$100,000.  Please follow the link to read more at jambands.com.  

46 Years Ago: The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s ‘Axis: Bold As Love’ Album Released (UCR)

Jimi Hendrix and the Experience released their classic album Axis: Bold As Love, 46 years ago this week. (December 1st in the United Kingdom.) Please follow the link to read more. 

Nectar’s to Celebrate Phish’s 30th Anniversary

Nectar’s in Burlington, VT will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Phish with a special performance tonight, December 2nd. 

Clint Bierman (guitar), Peter Day (bass), Sean Preece (drums) and Leon Campos (keyboards) will team up to perform the music of the iconic band. Please follow the link to read more...

On the turntable this Sunday...Horses

Horses is the debut studio album by American musician Patti Smith, released on December 13, 1975 on Arista Records. The record was a key factor and major influence on the New York punk rock scene.

Horses is often cited as one of the greatest albums in music history. In 2003, the album was ranked number 44 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. NME named the album number 1 in its list "20 Near-as-Damn-It Perfect Initial Efforts".According to a list released by Time magazine in 2006, Horses is one of the All-Time 100 Greatest Albums.

Smith has been called an early pioneer of punk rock. Allmusic's William Ruhlman said that it "isn't hard to make the case for Patti Smith as a punk rock progenitor based on Horses" while David Antrobus from PopMatters chose Horses as his favorite album and considered it a life-changing classic.

Read more at Wikipedia