Search Results for: rock and roll hall of fame

The Clash believes powerful messages are best delivered in a musical form. Bassist Paul Simonon says it worked to their advantage to have a heavy message with a catchy tune. “Once you get a great tune playing in a disco or pub, the idea of people going home saying, ‘Wow! That was a great tune. What was it about?’ is powerful,” he told AP Radio. Simonon says that kind of communication still works, as heard in classics like “London Calling” and “Rock the Casbah.” Guitarist Mick Jones says they’ve all taken great solace in music in times of hardship. Jones… Read more »

Setting aside the famous fractures of their friendship, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited Sunday to open the Grammy Awards show with their Vietnam era ballad “The Sound of Silence.” The folk-rock duo, which sold millions of records in the 1960s before breaking up, was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Grammys. Other such honorees included Etta James, Johnny Mathis, Glenn Miller and Tito Puente. Simon and Garfunkel have reunited periodically since ending their partnership, but this was believed to be their first performance together since 1993. Their appearance led to speculation that they may tour together, but… Read more »

Phil Spector, the legendary record producer whose “wall of sound” helped change the sound of pop music in the 1960s, was arrested Monday for allegedly shooting a woman to death at his suburban mansion. Spector, 62, was seized at the castle-like estate around 5 a.m. after someone in the home called authorities. He was released shortly after 7 p.m. after posting $1 million bond, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Rich Pena. Attorney Robert Shapiro, whose clients have included O.J. Simpson, was representing Spector. “I don’t know answers to any of this,” Shapiro said by telephone from the Alhambra Police… Read more »

TRUSTcompany is gearing up to hit the road on their first national headline outing. The Alabama-based quartet’s major label debut, “The Lonely Position of Neutral”, has continued to make its mark since its late summer debut at #11 on the Billboard Album Chart. The album was produced by Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Lit, Eve 6) and mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Rage Against The Machine). The band recently performed at the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ and at European festivals to over 30,000 fans. The “Lonely Position of Neutral” is already certified Gold. Comparing the sounds of… Read more »

“Piano Man” Billy Joel was hospitalized for several hours early Sunday after smashing his car into a tree along a highway on far eastern Long Island. A hospital spokesman confirmed that the singer was released Sunday morning but would not comment on Joel’s injuries. The 53-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had swerved into the tree as he was driving his Mercedes-Benz in Sag Harbor late Saturday, Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Thomas Fabiano said. No charges were filed, police Officer Hugh Caulfield said Sunday. Joel wasn’t given a Breathalyzer test, which measures blood alcohol levels, he said. Joel… Read more »

The funeral for punk-rock legend Joe Strummer was held Monday (December 30) in West London. The former leader of the Clash, born John Mellor, died at the age of 50 of a heart attack at his home on December 23 after taking his dog for a walk. It is believed that Strummer had a hereditary heart condition, according to the BBC. Strummer’s funeral was held in private at West London Crematorium. His widow, two daughters, and a step-daughter added the service. It’s believed that Strummer’s former Clash mates, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon, also attended the funeral. The… Read more »

Joe Strummer, lead singer for seminal British punk band the Clash, has died at the age of 50. Strummer, who was the band’s guitarist, vocalist and songwriter alongside Mick Jones, died on Sunday at his farmhouse in Somerset, southwestern England. A statement released by his record label said Strummer “died peacefully at his home.” It added that his wife Lucy, two daughters and stepdaughter “request privacy at this harrowing time.” He had been touring with his most recent band The Mescaleros until last month, rounding off a tour in Liverpool. Hein van der Rey, managing director of Epitaph Records, which… Read more »

Giant guitars designed by Yoko Ono, Keith Richards and Drew Carey took center stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame charity auction. Ten-foot-tall replicas of Fender Stratocaster guitars had spent the summer on display throughout the city. A total of 90 guitars fetched about $800,000 Saturday night at an auction to benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, organizers said. Each bidder paid $75 or $150 to attend the catered gala at the rock hall. George Simon, a restaurant owner and lawyer, spent $105,000 for a guitar painted… Read more »

In the late 1970s, Elvis Costello wore a punk snarl to go along with his sharp suits and horn-rimmed glasses. Twenty-five years later, the prolific troubadour has replaced it with something more subtly sinister. Cruel Smile, a companion LP to Costello’s latest studio album, When I Was Cruel, features B-sides, rare cuts and live versions from that album, as well as a handful of fan favorites. Due October 1, the 14-track enhanced CD also includes the video for When I Was Cruel’s “45,” according to an Island Records spokesperson. Costello selected the tracks himself, most of which were previously unavailable… Read more »

After dismaying some fans by performing with pop princess Britney Spears last year, veteran rock band Aerosmith is hitting the road this week with some more appropriate musical stars in tow. The Boston-based combo, famed for a 30-year string of hits including “Dream On” and “Love in an Elevator,” will begin a three-month tour on Tuesday in New Jersey. Its support acts include rap trio Run-D.M.C., whose 1986 cover version of “Walk This Way” reinvigorated Aerosmith’s career, and Kid Rock, who inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry said… Read more »