Music News – Easter Bunny Brings Concerts Tours And Albums

It’s two days after Easter, and though many of you probably were enjoying time off, the world of rock and roll never stops, even if your day job does! Here are a few of the latest happenings in the rock music world, just for you…

China’s Ministry Of Culture Keeps Bob Dylan From Performing

With politics being a very popular topic, it’s hard to avoid mentioning the fiasco in China over Bob Dylan’s Southeast Asia tour. It seems that China’s Ministry of Culture deemed the 68-year-old counterculture rock musician threatening to Chinese society, and refused permission for him to play in Beijing and Shanghai.

Due to this, Bob Dylan has decided to simply cancel all performances, since China was, for him, a highlight of the tour. He will, however, be kicking off a European tour on May 29th in Athens, Greece.

Neil Young Updates List Of Stops On His First Solo Acoustic Tour In 17 Years

The Twisted Road tour, Neil Young’s first solo acoustic tour since 1993, will be kicking off on May 18th, in Albany, New York. The list of venues is being updated, and features Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch, a major influence to Young’s music.

The two will be on the road starting in New York, and ending in Dallas, Texas on June 7th, with other venues in between those two locations. Neil’s official tour schedule can be found here, and should continue to be updated with the latest dates and stops for this anticipated tour.

Earth Day concert in Washington, DC featuring Sting and John Legend

One interesting aspect of music is its ability to sway the thoughts, opinions, and actions of people. On April 25th, a group of musicians will be performing at the National Mall in Washington, DC to press congress into passing a climate bill that will lower the United State’s dependence on foreign oil, as well as capping emissions and hopefully creating more jobs for Americans. This is somewhat appropriate, considering that just last week, President Obama called for more oil drilling on U.S. soil.

The show features two musicians: Sting and John Legend. Though, other artists will be performing, such as Bob Weir of Grateful Dead, the Roots, Patrick Stump, Q-Tip, Passion Pit, Mavis Staples, and Booker T. Jones. There will also be an appearance from James Cameron, the director of the hit movie, Avatar. The show is sure to be a good one for music, politics, and activism alike.

Albums On The Way From Steve Miller Band, Alice Cooper And Collaborations From Santana

It’s always good to see classic rock musicians still putting out records. It has been announced that a few of our great artists and groups will be releasing new albums soon.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Steve Miller Band, but finally they are planning on a new release. There will be two parts to this work: The first, BINGO! Is scheduled to release on June 15th, and the second to come out some time in 2011. The album is being dubbed as “a true return to Miller’s roots [which] echoes his early years in the Chicago music scene.” This is sure to please many fans of this unique classic rock band.

Fans of heavy rocker Alice Cooper may rejoice, for there is being work done toward a new record. Cooper reports that, though the album hasn’t been recorded yet, they have 10 demo songs ready to go. He also claims that the album will most likely be called The Night Shift. Also, the “Gruesome Twosome Tour”, featuring Cooper and Rob Zombie, has joined forces with Godsmack, and will be performing two radio events in Iowa on May 14th and 16th.

Carlos Santana, known for both his skills as a guitarist, and his past collaboration albums, has decided to release a new album soon. The album is still in production, and will feature appearances by artists such as Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Joe Cocker, Rob Thomas, and Scott Weiland. The set list is definitely a winner for anyone into the classic rock scene, and features songs such as Jimi Hendrix “Little Wing,” Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love,” The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water,” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” Also on the horizon is a world tour by Mr. Santana, labeled the “Universal Tone Tour”, starting at the end of May.

Scotty Smith
Guitarist Rock ©2008-2009