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  • This Day in Rock History: February 14

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    Valentine’s Day isn’t the only thing special about Feb. 14. This was also the day that Wayne’s World premiered in the U.S. The movie featured iconic rock music moments, and the soundtrack topped the Billboard 200. Want more trivia from this day in rock music history? Here, you’ll discover the most memorable past events of Feb. 14 that have influenced the rock music industry.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    These Feb. 14 hits helped get rock music to where it is today:

    • 1985: Whitney Houston released her self-titled debut album via Arista Records. After a slow start, it eventually reached the top of the US Billboard 200 albums chart and became the best-selling debut album of all time by a solo artist, launching the stellar career that eventually earned her a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
    • 1987: Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” from their third album hit the top of the U.S. singles chart, becoming their second No. 1 hit.
    • 1999: Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away“, the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5, reached the top spot on the UK singles chart. It was his first UK No. 1 and also earned him a GRAMMY for Best Male Rock Performance.
    • 2006: The Veronicas’ debut album The Secret Life of… is released in the United States. 

    Cultural Milestones

    It’s hard to imagine where rock music would be today if it hadn’t been for these cultural events that took place on Feb. 14:

    • 1972: Rob Thomas, a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist for Matchbox Twenty, was born on this day. Although he had a rocky childhood and a rough start to his music career, his band went on to have several hit songs and albums.
    • 2000: KISS announced they would do a farewell tour that would end with an auction of their stage props. Of course, this wasn’t the last tour for the band as they continued touring until 2023, but it was the final tour to have Ace Frehley as a band member.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Major rock moments that happened on Feb. 14 include:

    • 1967: Aretha Franklin recorded her famous version of Otis Redding’s “Respect” at New York City’s Atlantic Studios. It quickly became a hit, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and earning her two GRAMMY awards at the 1968 ceremony.
    • 1970: The Who performed an iconic concert at Leeds University’s Refectory. It was an amazing performance by a band at its peak and was captured and released as the Live at Leeds live album, which is widely seen as one of the best live albums of all time.
    • 1973: Toward the end of a performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, David Bowie collapsed while singing an encore of “Five Years.” He passed out suddenly, shocking the audience, and a nurse later said Bowie was exhausted after completing 91 performances on his Ziggy Stardust tour.
    • 2010: A cover of REM’s “Everybody Hurts” entered the charts. It was recorded for charity to help earthquake victims in Haiti. The recording featured big names such as Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Robbie Williams, and Miley Cyrus, and the song reached No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart.

    Industry Changes and Challenges

    Rock music experienced these challenges on Feb. 14:

    • 1981: Billy Idol left the band Generation X to become a solo artist, moving to New York City. He released his self-titled debut album in 1982, which included the song “White Wedding.”
    • 2010: Doug Fieger, co-writer of the 1979 hit song “My Sharona” and lead vocalist for The Knack, died after a battle with lung cancer. He was only 57.

    These historical events from Feb. 14 have affected the rock music landscape. Remember these moments, whether you’re celebrating with your special someone today or just rocking out alone.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 29

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    Nov. 29 is a special day for rock fans as we celebrate “Bohemian Rhapsody” taking its rightful place at the top of the charts. It’s also the sad anniversary of George Harrison leaving us 24 years ago. These are the main stories from this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    These are the day’s most memorable milestones and breakthrough moments.

    • 1975: Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” reached No. 1 on the U.K. singles charts, where it spent nine consecutive weeks. It would sensationally return to the top spot 16 years later in 1991, following Freddie Mercury’s death.
    • 1986: Bon Jovi got their first No. 1 single in the U.S. when “You Give Love a Bad Name” climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Co-written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and professional songwriter Desmond Child, it was a turning point in the band’s history and is still one of their most recognizable songs.

    Cultural Milestones

    On this day, we commemorate the loss of a music giant while we celebrate the birth of another. These are Nov. 29’s top rock culture moments.

    • 1933: John Mayall was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. He formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in the 1960s and played an important role in popularizing British blues, launching the careers of a few legendary guitarists, including Peter Green, Eric Clapton, and Mick Taylor.
    • 2001: George Harrison passed away from cancer. He had a hugely successful solo career after the Beatles broke up, earning a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame solo induction and being widely regarded as one of the best guitarists of all time.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 29 is also the anniversary of a few memorable recordings and live performances. Here are some top examples.

    • 1963: The Beatles released the “I Want to Hold Your Hand” single in the U.K. through Parlophone Records. It debuted at No. 2 on the singles charts, only because the band’s previous single, “She Loves You,” was still going strong.
    • 1982: Metallica played their first-ever headlining show at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco. The lineup consisted of James Hetfield on vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums, Dave Mustaine on lead guitar, and Ron McGovney on bass.

    These are the top rock-related events from Nov. 29. Visit this page again tomorrow to discover what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 19

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    Plenty of things happened in the rock world on Nov. 19, with Beatles and Stones members releasing solo records and Bon Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” hitting No. 1, just to name a few. Here’s a rundown of the major events that took place on this day in rock history.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    These are some of the breakthrough moments and milestones that we celebrate on Nov. 19:

    • 1964: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Supremes got their first U.K. No. 1 single with “Baby Love,” from their album Where Did Our Love Go. It was the first U.K. No. 1 hit for a Motown artist and also topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
    • 1988: Bon Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it spent two weeks. It was the lead single from their fourth studio album, New Jersey, which went on to achieve 7x Platinum status in the U.S.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 19 is also the anniversary of a few memorable releases:

    • 1965: The Kinks released the single “Till the End of the Day” from their album The Kink Kontroversy. While the song only reached No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, its fast pace and power-chord-heavy rhythm inspired many rock and pop artists over the following decades.
    • 1976: Ex-Beatle George Harrison released his seventh studio album, Thirty Three & 1/3, through Dark Horse, his own record label. Critically, it was seen as a return to form after a few disappointing recordings, but commercially, it was a relative disappointment.
    • 1993: Tina Turner released her solo cover version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival track “Proud Mary.” She initially covered the song in 1971 as part of Ike & Tina Turner, but she later rerecorded it solo for the soundtrack of her 1993 biopic, What’s Love Got To Do With It.
    • 2001: Mick Jagger released his fourth solo album, Goddess in the Doorway. The album, which remains his latest solo record to date, included collaborations with other famous artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Pete Townshend, Joe Perry, and Rob Thomas.

    From the success of The Supremes to the solo work of Mick Jagger, these are the most important rock-related events that took place on Nov. 19. Check out this page again tomorrow to discover what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • This Day in Rock History: November 3

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    This day in rock history features important career moments for giants such as Elton John and David Bowie, plus a few huge album and single releases. Keep reading to learn more about these and all other relevant moments that happened in the rock world on Nov. 3.

    Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

    These are some of the most memorable milestone moments of the day:

    • 1957: Jerry Lee Lewis’ signature song, “Great Balls of Fire,” hit U.S. radios on this day. It went on to sell more than five million copies globally, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
    • 1973: David Bowie’s seventh studio album, Pinups, reached the No. 1 spot on the U.K. charts. It spent five weeks at the top and 39 weeks on the charts in total.

    Cultural Milestones

    Rock’s stories and characters are a huge part of its charm. These are some of the most important rock culture moments that happened on Nov. 3:

    • 1972: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Carly Simon and James Taylor got married in Simon’s New York City apartment, after having met a year before. The marriage lasted 11 years, and they have two children together.
    • 1977: Elton John announced he was temporarily retiring from touring during a concert at the Wembley Empire Hall in London. He also took a break from his long-time collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin, but they resumed it with 1983’s Too Low For Zero album.

    Notable Recordings and Performances

    Nov. 3 is also the anniversary of some iconic concerts and album releases. Some of them include the following:

    • 1991: The free Laughter, Love and Music concert was held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in honor of concert promoter Bill Graham, who had passed away in a helicopter accident a week before. It was attended by an estimated 300,000 people and featured a star-studded lineup that included Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, John Fogerty, and The Grateful Dead.
    • 1992: Bon Jovi released their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith, via Mercury Records. It reached double Platinum status in the U.S., helped by hits such as “Keep the Faith,” “Bed of Roses,” and “In These Arms.”

    These are some of the biggest moments in rock that happened on Nov. 3, with legendary performers such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Bon Jovi enjoying milestone moments. Come back tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.

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    Dan Teodorescu

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  • Bon Jovi Says Farewell Tour Doesn’t Mean Goodbye

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    Bon Jovi is embarking on his Forever Tour in the coming months, but that doesn’t mean he’s done forever. Of course, the name of the trek, though has made some wonder if this is the end for the celebrated rocker. Plus, vocalist Jon Bon Jovi has been dealing with vocal issues over the past few years, so that’s added to the talk that maybe this will be the band’s final tour.

    For those who want to see Bon Jovi rock for years to come, rest easy with the news that Jon says the band isn’t going anywhere. Speaking with the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day show, he opened up about everything from this tour to the fears he faced when he thought he wouldn’t be able to sing again.

    Jon Bon Jovi’s Vocal History

    As a singer, nothing is worse than fearing losing one’s voice. Jon had vocal cord surgery in 2022, and it was successful, but he still opened up and said that it was “disheartening” when he wasn’t able to perform because of his vocal issues.

    Jon also said that there’s a reason he’s going back on tour. “I’m not doing this for the applause, I’m not doing it for the money, I’m not doing it for the fame,” he said on the show. “I’ve had enough of all of it. But I would like to feel that joy and the resonance, even if it were only one last time.”

    However, the good news is that he says this will likely not be anywhere near his last time on the stage. “I don’t think this is anywhere near a farewell tour or anything like that,” he said, adding, “but if it were, you could trust that these few shows that I’ve announced are going to be joy filled because this gratitude, humility, opportunity to go out there and do it again is all heartfelt.”

    Bon Jovi’s Forever Tour will launch with a handful of nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden, starting July 7, 2026. Right now, the tour is set to wrap up on Sept. 4 at London’s Wembley Stadium.

    Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.

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    Anne Erickson

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  • Brett James, Grammy-winning ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ songwriter, dies in plane crash

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    Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was 57.A plane registered under James’ name reportedly crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from FlightAware and a statement from the FAA. Three people were on board the plane, according to the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.CNN has reached out to Macon County Sheriff’s Office for further information.James, who worked with megastars like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban, won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He also wrote on Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” and was regarded as one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators.His more than 500 songs have appeared on albums with combined sales of over 110 million copies, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association International.In 2020, James was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also owned the publishing company Cornman Music and served on the board of the Country Music Association and as a national trustee of The Recording Academy, according to the Nashville Symphony.“Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters,” the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said in an Instagram post announcing James’ death.“Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” country musician Dierks Bentley wrote on Instagram.

    FRANKLIN, N.C. —

    Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was 57.

    A plane registered under James’ name reportedly crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from FlightAware and a statement from the FAA.

    Three people were on board the plane, according to the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.

    CNN has reached out to Macon County Sheriff’s Office for further information.

    James, who worked with megastars like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban, won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He also wrote on Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” and was regarded as one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators.

    His more than 500 songs have appeared on albums with combined sales of over 110 million copies, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

    In 2020, James was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also owned the publishing company Cornman Music and served on the board of the Country Music Association and as a national trustee of The Recording Academy, according to the Nashville Symphony.

    “Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters,” the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said in an Instagram post announcing James’ death.

    “Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” country musician Dierks Bentley wrote on Instagram.

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  • Derek Shulman: A Gentle Giant Onstage, Fierce Shark in the Boardroom

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    click to enlarge

    Those with careers in the music biz usually stand on one side of a dividing line. You’re either on the artistic side or you’re on the business side. Rare is the individual whose experience finds he or she crossing that well-delineated marker.

    But that was the case for Derek Shulman, who went from being the lead singer/guitarist for the well-regarded UK Prog Rock outfit Gentle Giant in the ‘70s to a record company executive beginning in the ‘80s who signed and/or developed acts like Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Slipknot, and Nickelback. He also played a key role in revitalizing the careers of AC/DC and Bad Company.

    Shulman tells his wide-ranging—and often opinionated—story of life and music in Giant Steps: My Improbable Journey from Stage Lights to Executive Heights (304 pp., $24.95, Jawbone Press).

    The book starts with Shulman as a music-obsessed teen who was laughed at by his classmates and teacher for stating he wanted to have a career as a pop star. He would soon form the psychedelic rock band Simon Dupree & the Big Sound with a lineup that included his two brothers, Ray and later Phil.
    They had minor UK hits with “Kites,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “I See the Light” and “Reservations.” But there was no “Simon Dupree.” The band took their name from a real-life former mayor of their native Portsmouth.

    In 1969, they found themselves utterly gobsmacked to be recording in Abbey Road Studios in the very same studio which the Beatles were recording their album of the same name.

    Cheekily, they would play and record with several of the instruments that the Fabs had left sitting around (and definitely without their knowledge). But when John Lennon and Yoko Ono caught them jumping up and down on the bed that had been brought into the studio for Ono while she was recovering from injuries in a car crash, Shulman notes the peace-and-love duo were not amused:

    John Lennon: “Jesus Christ! What kind of bullshit is this?”
    Yoko Ono: “Get the fuck off the bed!”
    Simon Dupree & the Big Sound would at one point have to draft a keyboard player to fill in on part of a tour when their regular member was not available. He was an excitable and affable bloke with a wide-ranging and encyclopedic knowledge of music named Reg Dwight.

    Shulman notes that he and his bandmates had a great laugh when Dwight told them he would be soon changing his name to better chase his pop and rock star dreams. They said it would never work and was just plain strange. But Dwight—who began calling himself Elton John—did OK for himself.

    Ironically, it was John who encouraged the band to listen to a wider range of musical influences from Spirit and Frank Zappa to Miles Davis. They did and were so moved that they decided to put a stake in the heart of Simon Dupree & the Big Sound and, with some lineup rejiggering, emerge as a new band with a new direction and name: Gentle Giant.

    Their first three albums (Gentle Giant, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends) found a dedicated but relatively modest audience of admirers. They would open for bands like Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull, but never quite make it to the next level despite a series of deep and challenging records.
    Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and others make cameo appearances here. Shulman does not mince words about what arrogant pricks he thought tourmates the Beach Boys and Eagles were. How the early Clash couldn’t play for shit. And Styx and Kansas were “ripping off their songs” while minting money in record sales and touring.

    And he notes that—unlike a lot of others—he eschewed alcohol and drugs. But by far the most offbeat fact revealed in Giant Steps is that Gentle Giant was a favorite band of—believe it or not—actor Sherman Hemsley. That’s right, TV’s George Jefferson himself! The gushing actor even brought the band a bag of magic mushrooms backstage.

    Gentle Giant disbanded in 1980 and two years later, Shulman landed a gig as an executive at PolyGram, first as a radio promo man, then moving into A&R. “Playing for the other side” he says.

    click to enlarge

    Derek Shulman & Jon Bon Jovi, 1996.

    Derek Shulman Collection

    And while his experience at GG’s manager helped him, there was a lot to learn. It is a bit naïve when Shulman writes “I realized that the music business wasn’t about music. It was about business. To a lot of these people, the records weren’t works of art, they were product.”

    Shulman heard a catchy song on New York rock radio called “Runaway.” It was recorded by a charismatic, confident 18-year-old kid who laid down the track in his cousin’s record studio—that is, when he wasn’t sweeping the floors. He didn’t even have a band. The kid’s name was Jon Bongiovi, and soon he did, and with his new moniker: Bon Jovi.

    click to enlarge

    Derek Shulman today.

    Derek Shulman Collection

    The same Bon Jovi would, hilariously, attend the bris of the Jewish Shulman’s newborn son. Not knowing what the religious ceremony was for, and definitely not knowing it involved a knife and the baby’s penis. “Jon’s faced turned white…and it looked like he was going to throw up, faint, or both,” Shulman writes.

    The book includes plenty of anecdotes about other acts Shulman worked with: Cinderella, Kingdom Come, Men Without Hats, and others.

    Houston is mentioned once in the book when Shulman (now at ATCO) sent a scout to the city to size up a potential signee band called Tangier. But the coming of Hurricane Hugo meant the flight was diverted to Dallas.

    So instead, Shulman sent the scout to check out another group he thought was good. They didn’t have a gig but were playing a teenage girl’s birthday party at a Mexican restaurant. The scout was blown away and told Shulman he should sign them. The band? Pantera. And he did.

    Even Houston rapper Travis Scott pops up as Shulman notes that his track “HYAENA” opens with a 30 second sample of Gentle Giant’s “Proclamation.” Other rappers have also sampled their music, and Questlove and Killer Mike are huge Gentle Giant fans.

    Now 78 years old, Derek Shulman definitely left his mark in the music biz. And even if you’re not familiar with the music of Gentle Giant, you’ll certainly want to seek it out after reading this.

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    Bob Ruggiero

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  • Houston Concert Watch 8/20: Flaming Lips, The Offspring and More [UPDATED]

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    Since I have been in the broadcasting business for a number of years, I sometimes have folks ask me, “Why do radio stations keep playing the same songs over and over?” There are a number of correct answers to this question, but the primary reason is (no surprise here) “money.” At some point, many years ago, when research began driving programming decisions, many program directors sought to play songs that would keep listeners from switching to another station.

    Among PD’s (particularly those of the classic rock variety), the message was clear: don’t risk driving a single listener away by playing a song that might not be totally familiar. You’re not going to get a raise for playing more “deep cuts.”

    Which brings us to a recent survey published on the Ultimate Classic Rock website listing the top classic rock songs based on radio airplay in 2025 (so far). There were a few surprises. Number one? Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which just edged out Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” for the top spot on the list. However, GNR can take some solace in the fact that “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was ranked at number three.

    Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith both had 15 songs in the top 500, but neither band cracked the top 10. Hell, “Black Dog” was Zep’s highest finisher at number 31. Interestingly, though, “Stairway to Heaven” came in at number 168, indicating that some songs can, in fact, be played to the point of listener fatigue.

    In the “what the hell?” category: “Carry On Wayward Son” (number 12, thanks to the “South Park” Guitar Hero episode, no doubt, or was it because it was the unofficial anthem and fan favorite for the 15 seasons of Supernatural?), “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (number 13, but it does have a strong base of support among strippers, evidently), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (number 19 – I blame you, Tony Soprano) and “Summer of ‘69” (number 24, a stinker to be sure).  In the interest of being remotely positive about Adams and his output, I suppose that “Cuts Like a Knife” isn’t so bad, but guess what?  That song didn’t even make the damn list!

    Ticket Alert
    Sue Foley, the lady with the pink paisley Telecaster, has been considered one of the best guitarists in Texas since landing in Austin during the late ‘80s. She has won a bunch of awards and released some acclaimed records, including last year’s One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album. Tickets are on sale now for her show at the Heights Theater on Friday, November 21.

    I’m not a fan of most Christmas music, but I will keep an open mind regarding Tower of Power and the band’s “Holiday and Hits” tour, which will stop at the House of Blues on Tuesday, December 9. If I can hear a funked-up “Jingle Bells” and “What Is Hip?” during the same show, I just might be on board with that sleigh ride. Presales are up now, and the general sale begins on Friday.

    Want more live Christmas music? Well, the Pentatonix show at Toyota Center on Saturday, December 20, might get you to ho-ho-ho-ing. The a cappella quintet will bring its “Christmas in the City” tour to H-Town during the week before holiday, and presales are now in progress, with the general sale on Friday. In the holiday spirit of giving (and because the group hails from Arlington), $1 from the price of each ticket sold will be contributed to Texas flood relief efforts.
    Randy Rogers began his musical career playing joints around central Texas, soon building a regional and then a national following while he and his band began racking up hit albums and singles. You can get the password for the presale (now in progress) through the band’s website and beat the rush before the Friday ticket sale for Rogers’ show at the 713 Music Hall on Saturday, December 13.

    Herb Alpert. Is he still alive? Not an unreasonable question, but the answer is a definite “yes.” The 90-year-old trumpet player still has his chops, and he is going on the road early next year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his album Whipped Cream and Other Delights, which sported not only some incredibly catchy instrumentals but also a nude-but-not album cover. The presale for Alpert’s show on Saturday, January 17, at the Smart Financial Centre begins today, and the general sale is set for Friday.

    Concerts This Week
    Editor’s Note: Flaming Lips’ Houston performance was canceled because of a family emergency.

    Original story: A documentary tracking the history of the Flaming Lips called The Fearless Freaks was released some years back, and seldom has a title been more on-the-nose. Based on the early ’90 success of the single “She Don’t Use Jelly,” the band has been classified as “alternative rock,” but “alternative everything” might be a more accurate bit of nomenclature.

    Musically, these guys are like no one else, incorporating a number of diverse influences along with a preponderance of psychedelia. In terms of stage craft, the Flaming Lips have utilized all sorts of fanciful gimmicks over the years, including encasing lead singer Wayne Coyne in a large plastic bubble which allowed him to walk over audience members’ outstretched hands. The band’s current tour reunites the Lips with former touring mates Modest Mouse. Catch all the trippiness tonight at the 713 Music Hall.
    Whipping a quick 180, let’s consider Dale Watson, who is about as hardcore country as a guy can get. After spending his early years in North Carolina, in 1977 Watson’s family moved to Pasadena, where he began playing in honky-tonks as a teenager. He soon relocated to Los Angeles, where he secured a spot in the house band at the Palomino Club, which became ground zero for alt-country. Since then, Watson has been a torchbearer for traditional country music, with songs like “Nashville Rash” and a multi-volume series of albums called The Truckin’ Sessions which contains nothing but truck-driving songs. You can hear the real deal on Saturday at the Heights Theater.
    The Offspring hit it big by figuring out a way to put a sheen on punk rock while not totally depriving the form of its energy and rebellion. “Come Out and Play,” “Self Esteem” and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” were all hits, showing a keen sense of satire while rocking hard enough to keep heads bobbing. Catch The Offspring on Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on a bill with fellow poppy punkers Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory.

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    Tom Richards

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  • Bon Jovi Radio Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of ‘BON JOVI’ Album

    Bon Jovi Radio Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of ‘BON JOVI’ Album

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    As Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album turns 40, join Bon Jovi Radio at its new home, channel 312, in commemorating the anniversary with special programming. You’ll hear the 1984 album’s original tracks, plus bonus material now available on the album’s digital re-release, as well as an exclusive MusiCares Person of the Year special in honor of Jon Bon Jovi.

    Originally released on January 24, 1984, BON JOVI introduced Bon Jovi to the masses and kickstarted the band’s storied career. The record went double-platinum, featuring classics like “She Don’t Know Me” and “Runaway.”

    To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Bon Jovi will digitally release BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION, consisting of the remastered original album plus nine bonus tracks, including unreleased studio recordings and four rare live cuts. Jon Bon Jovi co-produced BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION alongside longtime sound engineer Obie O’Brien who also mixed the bonus material.

    Bon Jovi Radio

    Now on channel 312

    Moving to its new home on the SiriusXM lineup, Bon Jovi Radio (Ch. 312) is available on most radios and the SiriusXM app/web player. Hear four decades of rock anthems, epic live concerts, and more surprises throughout the year to celebrate 40 years of BON JOVI.

    Album anniversary programming

    Bon Jovi Radio will also play tracks from the self-titled 1984 album, plus bonus tracks, demos, and live recordings from the new BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION re-release.

    MusiCares backstage special

    Bon Jovi Radio will be at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year event honoring Jon Bon Jovi that will take place in Los Angeles on February 2, capturing backstage content and updates from the event and the red carpet as well as interviews with the artists who pay tribute to Jon Bon Jovi on this very special evening.

    Hear the premiere of Bon Jovi Radio’s exclusive MusiCares Person of the Year backstage special, hosted by Tommy London and Dangerous Darren, on Bon Jovi Radio (Ch. 312) on February 2 from 8–11pm ET with a pre-show starting at 6pm ET with replays throughout the weekend.

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    Jackie Kolgraf

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