Widespread Panic Pay Tribute to Col. Bruce Hampton (jambands.com)

Widespread Panic concluded their run at Red Rocks this past Sunday with a special tribute to the late Col. Bruce Hampton as the band covered “I’m So Glad” during the encore with all members of the group wearing shirts to pay homage to the late musician.

Read more@ jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/26/widespread-panic-pay-tribute-to-col-bruce-hampton-at-red-rocks-finale/#ixzz4lBuUcP5S

Queen + Adam Lambert Kick Off 2017 North American Tour: Set List + Video (UCR)

Queen + Adam Lambert began their most recent North American tour last night (June 23) at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The band produced the above professionally shot promotional video of highlights from the show, but you can see fan-created clips, and the set list, below.

Read More of Dave Lifton's article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Queen + Adam Lambert Kick Off 2017 North American Tour: Set List + Video 

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Set Last Stoop on 40th Anniversary Tour (jambands.com)

The final stop on Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ 40th anniversary tour will take place on September 21 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA featuring special guest Lucinda Williams.

Read more @ jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/26/tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-set-last-stop-on-40th-anniversary-tour/#ixzz4lBtEYN60

Foo Fighters Announce New Album (jambands.com)

After debuting some new material over the weekend, Foo Fighters have officially announced their new album, Concrete and Gold, which is set for release September 15 via Roswell/RCA. The new effort will follow up 2013’s Sonic Highways.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/20/foo-fighters-announce-new-album-concrete-and-gold-set-cal-jam-lineup/#ixzz4kfjJw6my

July 2017 New Music Releases (Ultimate Classic Rock)

In a month dominated by reissues, a few new albums stand out – including one from the reigning shock rocker, a pair of comeback albums and a cool collaboration.

Topping the list of July 2017 New Music Releases is Alice Cooper‘s Paranormal, which features a stack of original solo material. But there are also three new songs written and recorded with the surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band, as well as “carefully selected live recordings.”

Read More @ Ultimate Classic Rock: July 2017 New Music Releases 

On the turntable this Sunday...Powerslave

Powerslave is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984 on EMI in Europe and its sister label Capitol Records in North America. It was re-released by Sanctuary/Columbia Recordsin the US in 2002.

It is notable for its Ancient Egyptian theme displayed in the cover artwork, lifted from the title track, which was carried over to the album's supporting tour. "The World Slavery Tour" began in Warsaw, Poland on 9 August 1984 – and is widely regarded as being the band's longest and most arduous to date – and also led to the live album Live After Death.

The release also contains a musical re-telling of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", which uses pieces of the original poem as lyrics. At 13 minutes and 45 seconds in length, it was Iron Maiden's longest song for over 30 years, until it was surpassed by the 18-minute "Empire of the Clouds" from the 2015 album, The Book of Souls.

Powerslave is also notable as being the band's first album to feature the same personnel as their previous studio release. This lineup would remain intact for two further studio releases. Also, it is their last album to date to feature an instrumental piece.

"2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Aces High" were released as singles.

Gene Simmons Wants to Trademark His Horn-Hands Gesture (UCR)

Gene Simmons is awaiting word on whether the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will give him the thumbs up on registering a hand gesture.

Read More of Nick DeRiso's article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Gene Simmons Wants to Trademark His Horn-Hands Gesture

Dead & Company Dust Off Bob Dylan Cover at SPAC (jambands.com)

Dead & Company continued their summer tour with a stop at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York as their run hits the home stretch in its final week of shows.

Read more @ jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/21/dead-company-dust-off-bob-dylan-cover-at-spac/#ixzz4kfig0C1W

Guns N' Roses Announce Invitation-Only Show @ Apollo Theater (UCR)

Before launching the next North American leg of their Not in This Lifetime tour, Guns N’ Roses will play a special invitation-only show at New York’s famed Apollo Theater.

Read More of Jeff Giles' article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Guns N' Roses Announce Invitation-Only Show at Apollo Theater 

Nine Inch Nails to Release New LP This Summer (jambands.com)

According to an email (via Stereogum) from Trent Reznor to Nine Inch Nails fans detailing production delays in various vinyl releases, the frontman says the band will release a second EP this summer as a part of a trilogy following Not the Actual Events.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/05/nine-inch-nails-to-release-new-ep-this-summer/#ixzz4jAdNCpAn

Buckingham McVie Review (Paste)

While Fleetwood Mac has maintained its reputation over the years as a bona fide live legacy act, getting all five members into the studio has proven elusive. You’d have to go back three decades to 1987’s Tango In the Night to hear a recording that features Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine and John McVie and patriarchal drummer Mick Fleetwood all contributing as usual.

Read Mark Lore's full review @ Paste 

Why Metallica Open Their Concerts With ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ (UCR)

Metallica‘s concerts have changed a lot over the past few decades, but a few things have stayed the same — like the group’s intro music, which has been Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” since almost the very beginning.

Read More of Jeff Giles' article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Why Metallica Open Their Concerts With ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ 

On the turntable this Sunday...Curtis

Curtis is the debut album by American soul musician Curtis Mayfield, released in September 1970. Produced by Mayfield, it was released on his own label Curtom Records. The musical styles of Curtis moved further away from the pop-soul sounds of Mayfield's previous group The Impressions and featured more of a funk and psychedelic-influenced sound. The album's subject matter incorporates political and social concerns of the time.

Curtis sold well at the time charting at number one on the Billboard Black albums (for five nonconsecutive weeks) and number nineteen on the Billboard Pop albums charts. Only the single "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go" charted in the United States, however an edited version of "Move On Up" would spend 10 weeks in the top 50 of the UK Singles Chart.

SiriusXM Purchases $480 Million Stake in Pandora (jambands.com)

Satellite radio outlet SiriusXM will reportedly team up with Pandora to make a $480 million strategic cash investment in the online radio service.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/09/siriusxm-purchases-480-million-stake-in-pandora/#ixzz4jiirZ91T

Lou Gramm Hints at Bigger Involvement in Foreigner's 40th Anniversary Tour (UCR)

It doesn’t sound like it’s 100 percent official yet, but Lou Gramm says he’s talked “at length” with former bandmate Mick Jones about reuniting with Foreigner for multiple dates on the band’s 40th anniversary tour — and it sounds like he could be onstage for awhile.

Read More of Jeff Giles' article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Lou Gramm Hints at Bigger Involvement in Foreigner's 40th Anniversary Tour 

The Infamous Stringdusters to release Live Album on June 16 (jambands.com)

The Infamous Stringdusters will release a live companion album to their recently released record Laws of Gravity. The album is due out tomorrow, June 16.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/09/the-infamous-stringdusters-announce-new-live-album/#ixzz4jimtOu92

Gov't Mule Stir New 'Revolution' on the Road and in the Studio (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Gov’t Mule‘s new album, Revolution Come … Revolution Go, covers a lot of ground. The veteran band — which features former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes, bassist Jorgen Carlsson, drummer Matt Abts and keyboardist Danny Louis — entered the studio on election day 2016 in Austin to start recording. 

Read More of Matthew Wardlaw's Interview @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Gov't Mule Stir New 'Revolution' on the Road and in the Studio: Exclusive Interview

Dead & Co Debut Dancin' In The Streets (jambands.com)

Dead & Company kicked off their two night run at Boulder’s Folsom Field with the debut of “Dancin’ in the Streets,” a popular cover in the Grateful Dead canon as they performed the song 127 times over the course of their career.






Read more at jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/10/dead-company-debut-dancin-in-the-streets-at-folsom-field/#ixzz4jidhRnWo

Phil Collins Postpones Concerts After Late-Night Fall (UCR)

Phil Collins has pushed back a pair of shows in London after suffering a late-night fall in his hotel room.

Read More of Nick DeRiso's article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Phil Collins Postpones Concerts After Late-Night Fall 

On the turntable this Sunday...It's Hard

It's Hard is the tenth studio album by English rock band the Who. Released on 4 September 1982, it was their last album until 2006's Endless Wire, and therefore the last to feature bass guitarist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. It was also the final Who album with drummer Kenney Jones, as well as the last to be released on Warner Bros. Records in the US. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK, peaking at No. 11, and on Warner Bros. in the US where it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The US rights to both this album and Face Dances subsequently reverted to the band, who then licensed them to MCA Records (later Geffen Records, itself once distributed by WB) for reissue. The album achieved gold status by the RIAA in the US in November 1982.

The Doors Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Light My Fire (jambands.com)

The Doors will mark fifty years since their landmark single “Light My Fire” on July 29 by releasing a limited edition reproduction of the 7” single released in Japan.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/05/the-doors-commemorate-50th-anniversary-of-light-my-fire-with-limited-edition-7/#ixzz4jAcXvfXh

Ann Wilson Says Heart Won’t Ever ‘Be Like It Was Before (UCR)

Heart have survived decades of changes, both internal and external — and while singer Ann Wilson feels confident that the band will emerge from the personal turmoil driving its current hiatus, she understands things will be different.

Read More of Jeff Giles' article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Ann Wilson Says Heart Won't Ever 'Be Like It Was Before' 

Gregg Allman Honored with Performance at Allman Brothers Museum Following Funeral (jambands.com)

Following the private funeral for Gregg Allman in Macon, GA over the weekend, a number of attendees and fans headed over to “The Big House,” the Allman Brothers Museum, for a special performance in his honor.

Read more: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/05/gregg-allman-honored-with-performance-at-allman-brothers-museum-following-funeral/#ixzz4jAjrTy3J

15 Years Ago: David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar Launch Joint Tour (UCR)

Since the mid ’80s, the debate had raged between Van Halen fans: Sammy or Dave? Fans got to judge for themselves when the band’s two former singers teamed up for a co-headlining tour that turned out to be highly contentious.

Read More of Michael Christopher's article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: 15 Years Ago: David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar Launch Tour 

Govt't Mule Make New Album Available to Stream (jambands.com)

Gov’t Mule’s new album Revolution Come…Revolution Go is now available to stream ahead of its release on June 9 via Fantasy Records.

Read more @jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/06/05/gov-t-mule-make-new-album-available-to-stream-ahead-of-release/#ixzz4jAbTBK8v

Is Bob Seger Retiring After His Next Tour? (UCR)

Bob Seger might be ready to turn the page – for good. A new video indicates that he’s contemplating retirement after one more tour.

Read More of Nick DeRiso's article @ Ultimate Classic Rock: Is Bob Seger Retiring After His Next Tour? 

On the turntable this Sunday...The Story of the Ghost

The Story of the Ghost is the seventh official studio album by American rock band Phish. It was released by Elektra Records on October 27, 1998.

Much of the album originated during large-scale improvisation sessions. The band then took favorite moments from those in-studio jams and wrote songs around them, adding lyrics from a book of writings by long-time Phish lyricist Tom Marshall.   Additional excerpts from the improvisational "Ghost Sessions" were also later released as The Siket Disc.

A few of the album's songs reflect the band's 1997 "cow-funk" sound, with bass guitarist Mike Gordon taking a more prominent role. Much of the album, however, is defined by what Rolling Stone called an "unhurried vibe ... with airy, uncluttered grooves and relaxed vocals."   Unlike Phish's previous albums, The Story of the Ghost does not include any instrumentals. "End of Session" is the only song on the album to have never been performed live.

Early incarnations of several tracks from the album can be heard on the 2000 release Trampled by Lambs and Pecked by the Dove, a collection of song sketches recorded by frontman Trey Anastasio and lyricist Tom Marshall.

"Birds of a Feather", "Frankie Says", and "Shafty" (the latter song a reworking of Phish original "Olivia's Pool") were all debuted live during the "Island Tour", a brief run of shows the band played while taking a break from recording the album in April 1998. All four nights of the "Island Tour" were later released as part of the LivePhish Series.

In 2000 during the promotion for Farmhouse, many interviews saw Anastasio citing a certain disdain for the process of creating The Story of the Ghost. He was critical of the band's "socialistic" approach to the song selection for the album. "There were songs I thought should have gone on The Story of the Ghost album, that were better than the songs that got on there" Anastasio said in a 2000 interview. "if anyone didn't like a song it was out. But what happens with that approach is the material gets watered down. You end up with songs that everyone is fine with, but the best songs are usually those where one person is passionately for and one person really hates, because the best songs are those that arouse strong reactions".

Tom Marshall recalls that one of these stronger songs was omitted in favor of what he felt was a weaker track in "Fikus".

Chris Robinson Brotherhood Add Tour Dates and Share New Single (jambands.com)

Chris Robinson Brotherhood are gearing up for the release of their new album, Barefoot in the Head, due out July 21 on Robinson’s Silver Arrow Records, and the band has announced the second leg of their tour in support of the album, along with sharing a new single.

Read more @ jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/05/30/chris-robinson-brotherhood-add-tour-dates-and-share-new-single/#ixzz4iZpbWwwG

Heart’s Nancy Wilson Explains the ‘Beautiful Collusion’ of Roadcase Royale: Exclusive Interview Read More: Heart's Nancy Wilson Explains the 'Beautiful Collusion' of Roadcase Royale: Exclusive UCR Interview

Roadcase Royale are a powerful new band featuring Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson and singer Liv Warfield, a New Power Generation member who was mentored by Prince. Rounding out the band’s lineup is Warfield’s musical director and lead guitarist, Ryan Waters, as well as three members of Heart: bassist Dan Rothchild, drummer Ben Smith and keyboardist Chris Joyner

Read More of Annie Zaleski's Exclusive Interview with Nancy Wilson @ Ultimate Classic Rock : Heart's Nancy Wilson Explains the 'Beautiful Collusion' of Roadcase Royale: Exclusive Interview 

Chuck Leavell Looks Back on Longtime Friendship with Gregg Allman (jambands.com)

Keyboardist Chuck Leavell has posted a lengthy essay about his longtime friend and bandmate Gregg Allman, who passed away on Saturday. Leavell first opened for the Allman Brothers Band as member of Alex Taylor band.

Read more @ jambands.com: http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/05/29/chuck-leavell-looks-back-on-longtime-friendship-with-gregg-allman/#ixzz4iZovRU9l