Search Results for: rock and roll hall of fame

Van Halen fans, get ready to “Jump.” The rockers have re-formed with original frontman David Lee Roth and will set out on a national tour beginning in October, according to a report posted Wednesday on Billboard Magazine’s Web site. In its report, the music industry trade publication said Van Halen will play 50 dates in arenas across North America. The report coincides with a news release issued Tuesday by touring company Live Nation and Van Halen saying the band will be making “an announcement of monumental proportions” during a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. Representatives of the band and… Read more »

With Sting’s simple “Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Police,” one of the most iconic bands of the last 30 years ended a long absence from live performing to launch the 49th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night. Blasting off with the unmistakable, reggae-fied “Roxanne” riff from guitarist Andy Summers and the hard jazz drumming of Stewart Copeland, the Police lived up to their top billing on the show, providing a spirited kickoff to one of the most anticipated reunions in a year full of get-backs. With a buff-if-balding Sting in fine form and voice, the trio’s homage to a… Read more »

The Police came one step closer to confirming a reunion tour on Tuesday (January 30) when it was announced that the trio will kick off the February 11 Grammy Awards telecast. The group, led by Sting, has reportedly been rehearsing for a summer tour, and their opening slot at the 49th annual awards show seems to confirm that the announcement of the full-fledged reunion is on. As recently as last week, a spokesperson for the band – which also includes drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers – would not confirm the tour. The trio, which won five Grammys in… Read more »

A deal is almost set for David Lee Roth to return to the Van Halen fold for a summer tour of amphitheaters, sources told Billboard.com. They said a contract could be signed as early as Wednesday for tour promoter Live Nation to produce a 40-date trek, which would mark Roth’s first outing with the rock band in more than 20 years. Spokeswomen for Roth and the band said they were unable to provide any confirmation. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s 15-year-old son Wolfgang has stepped in for original bassist Michael Anthony in the new incarnation of the group, which also features… Read more »

New York – Bruce Springsteen is returning the favor to Bono. U2’s talkative frontman, who gave memorable stream-of-consciousness speeches inducting Bob Marley and Springsteen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be saluted by Springsteen when the Boss inducts U2 next month. Springsteen’s no slouch in the induction speech department: He slyly noted last year how inductee Jackson Browne ‘s audience always seemed to be filled with women. Justin Timberlake will board the “Love Train” to pay tribute to the O’Jays in next month’s ceremony. B.B. King and Eric Clapton will team to induct bluesman Buddy Guy, Rod… Read more »

Billy Joel is back home and resting comfortably after being discharged Saturday from a New York hospital where he had sought treatment last week for severe stomach pains. “He is home, and feeling good,” the Piano Man’s publicist said, adding that he sufferred from “gastro-intestinal tract distress with possible kidney stones.” The rep denied reports the entertainer had pancreatitis, which is typically brought on by the heavy consumption of alcohol. Joel decided to get the gut check after suffering extreme stomach cramps about 10 days ago, and was admitted to an undisclosed Long Island medical center not far from his… Read more »

It’s not vertigo that pushed back U2’s highly anticipated upcoming U.S. tour. A family illness has postponed U2’s return to American arenas in support of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The tour was originally scheduled to start Mar. 1 in Miami, but the Irish foursome will now kick off its worldwide Vertigo Tour March 28 at the San Diego Sports Arena, Billboard reported Friday. No word on the extent of the family emergency or which band member-Bono, the Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. or Adam Clayton-was affected. In any case, the band is ready to tour America for the first… Read more »

U2 has postponed the announcement of dates for their world tour in support of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The band had planned to announce the U.S. and international dates on Monday, but that has been put off indefinitely, according to manager Paul McGuinness. “We’ve postponed the announcement of the tour because the routing is still being worked on,” McGuinness said in a statement. “As soon as we get everything confirmed over the coming weeks, we’ll let you know.” A band spokesperson would not comment on media reports that the postponement was due to a family illness. In December,… Read more »

Los Angeles – In a dismal year for the touring industry, with ticket prices soaring and seats going unsold, music fans in North America partied like it was 1989 as Prince and Madonna topped the concert box office. According to freshly tabulated estimates provided by concert trade publication Pollstar, Prince sold $87.4 million in tickets in 2004, while Madonna earned $79.5 million. Prince also worked a bit harder for his payday, playing 96 shows, compared with 39 for Madonna. Canadian pop singer Celine Dion actually topped Madonna by about $900,000, but her haul came exclusively from 154 dates performed at… Read more »

New York – A guitar played by George Harrison of the Beatles was sold for $567,500 on Friday, topping the bill at what auction house Christie’s said was its biggest ever sale of show business memorabilia. The Gibson SG electric guitar, played by Harrison from 1966-1969, was the star attraction among over 400 lots, ranging from guitars and clothing to scraps of paper signed by stars. The guitar, which had a pre-sale estimate of $500,000, was used while recording the Beatles’ “Revolver” album. John Lennon also played it on what is commonly known as “The White Album.” The Beatles guitar… Read more »