John Lennon's Final & Only Full-Length Solo Concert Post Beatles Highlighted In New Four Track EP, "Power To The People..."

Record Store Day will arrive in just over two months. I'm sure this special title will be on everyone's wish list! Robert Kinsler

JOHN LENNON’S FINAL AND ONLY FULL-LENGTH SOLO CONCERT AFTER LEAVING THE BEATLES HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW FOUR-TRACK EP, POWER TO THE PEOPLE – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972, EXCLUSIVELY FOR RECORD STORE DAY 2025 ON APRIL 12 PRESSED ON 180-GRAM YELLOW VINYL, THE EP INCLUDES THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS FROM THE HISTORIC “ONE TO ONE” BENEFIT CONCERTS FEATURING JOHN AND YOKO/PLASTIC ONO BAND PERFORMING WITH ELEPHANT’S MEMORY AND SPECIAL GUESTS THE ONE TO ONE CONCERTS ARE EXPLORED IN FORTHCOMING DOCUMENTARY, “ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO,” PRODUCED BY MERCURY STUDIOS AND DIRECTED BY OSCAR-WINNING FILMMAKER KEVIN MACDONALD FILM OPENS EXCLUSIVELY IN IMAX ON APRIL 11 VIA MAGNOLIA PICTURES AND WILL AIR ON HBO IN LATE 2025

Los Angeles, CA – February 6, 2024 – On August 30, 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, backed by Elephant’s Memory, and joined by special guests, headlined two historic One to One Benefit Concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City. These performances included an afternoon matinee and an evening performance, to a combined audience of 40,000 people, raising more than $1.5 million to support children with special needs, including children from the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, N.Y, a state-supported institution for mentally handicapped children that gained national infamy after the horrible conditions and questionable medical practices the children endured were exposed to the public.  These were John’s final and only full-length solo concerts after leaving The Beatles. Power To The People – Live At The One To One Concert, New York City, 1972, presents four songs from the afternoon and evening concerts on 180-gram yellow vinyl, available exclusively for Record Store Day 2025, April 12. Produced by Sean Ono Lennon and mixed and re-engineered from the original multitrack tapes by Paul Hicksand Sam Gannon, the EP features three previously unreleased performances – "Well Well Well" from the evening show, plus "Cold Turkey" and Yoko’s "Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)" from the afternoon show, along with the previously released "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" (Afternoon Show), which has been new newly mixed. This RSD First release is limited to 3000 copies in the U.S. and 5500 worldwide. For more information, visit: recordstoreday.com The One To One concerts are explored in great detail in the forthcoming film, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO, which has just been acquired by Magnolia Pictures for the North American rights. Directed by Oscar®-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “Marley,” HBO’s “One Day in September,” “The Mauritanian”), ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO is an expansive and revelatory inside look at the 18 months John and Yoko spent living in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s and delivers an immersive cinematic experience that brings to life electrifying, never-before-seen material and newly restored footage of John’s only full length, post-Beatles concert. With mind-blowing remastered audio overseen by Sean Ono Lennon, the film is a seismic revelation that will challenge pre-existing notions of the iconic couple. Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the documentary had its North American bow at the Telluride Film Festival and recently screened in Sundance Film Festival’s Spotlight section. Magnolia will open the film exclusively in IMAX April 11 before expanding to additional theaters. The film will air on HBO and will be available to stream on Max in late 2025.  Macdonald’s riveting documentary takes that legendary musical event and uses it as the starting point to explore eighteen defining months in the lives of John and Yoko. By 1971 the couple was newly arrived in the United States— living in a tiny apartment in Greenwich Village and watching a huge amount of American television. The film uses a riotous mélange of American TV to conjure the era through what the two would have been seeing on the screen: the Vietnam War, “The Price is Right,” Nixon, Coca-Cola ads, Cronkite, The Waltons. As they experience a year of love and transformation in the US, John and Yoko begin to change their approach to protest — ultimately leading to the One to One concert, which was inspired by a Geraldo Rivera exposé they watched on TV. Filmed in a meticulously faithful reproduction of the NYC apartment the duo shared, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO offers a bold new take on a seminal time in the lives of two of history’s most influential artists.  Mercury Studios Presents A Plan B/KM Films & Mercury Studios Production. ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO is directed by Kevin Macdonald. Edited & Co-directed by Sam Rice-Edwards. Produced by Peter Worsley, Kevin Macdonald and Alice Webb. Executive Producers are Sean Ono Lennon, Marc Robinson, David Joseph, Steve Condie, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner. Consulting Producer is Simon Hilton.  POWER TO THE PEOPLE – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972 SIDE A 1. Well Well Well (Evening Show) 5:36* 2. Instant Karma (We All Shine On) (Afternoon Show) 3:36 ** SIDE B 1. Cold Turkey (Afternoon Show) 5:54* 2. Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow) (Afternoon Show) 4:44* * Previously unreleased  ** Newly remixed

Styx set to bring classic rock favorites to Phonenix and Rancho Mirage

Who: Styx

Where: Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26 and 27; Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA on Saturday, March 1

Learn more: styxworld.com.

 

Styx is currently on tour, with upcoming dates set for California and Arizona.
From left, Todd Sucherman, Lawrence Gowan, Chuck Panozzo, James "JY"
Young, Tommy Shaw, Terry Gowan and Will Evankovich.
Photo credit: Jason Powell

Styx is one of the great classic rock bands that continues to inspire audiences with powerful live performances and via compelling new studio albums — notably 2017's The Mission and 2021's Crash of the Crown.

Back in October 2024, Styx singer-keyboardist Lawrence Gowan chatted with me about the band's continuing success and connection with their dedicated audience.

"It's very evident and authentic when you see how much we love what we do," said Gowan, noting rock music is the "greatest form of entertainment I've come across."

"It's a thing that bonds us as people. As you get older you get to appreciate what a fantastic experience it is. Now it comes down to enjoying the moment. Look, it's a band of extroverts; we have no qualms about expressing how good we feel."

Styx has a slew of upcoming concert dates in Arizona, Washington, Oregon and California over the next month. All of these live events will showcase the top-tier talents of Glasgow, Scotland native Gowan as well as James "JY Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), and Terry Gowan (bass, guitar vocals). 

There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into each concert. Indeed, Gowan explained that there are two hours of warm-ups by the band before they take the stage, including the hour leading up to taking the stage when the members do vocal warm-ups to "get voices chiming together." Indeed, sumptuous harmonies are a major part of the Styx sound.

"We step on stage — there is our actual age and our stage age. The minute we step out there, we're living our 15-year-old dreams. We enjoy it that much. I feel 20 years old when I am on stage. It's such an inspiring place to be on stage.

Gowan noted that part of what makes Styx so special is how the band's music is a rich hybrid of rock, classical and pop — "a broad palette" that has a singular sound of its own.

During our interview I noted how impressed I was with the band's two most recent albums; indeed The Mission was one of the best album releases of 2017 and Crash of the Crown landed as one of my favorite new discs of 2021.

"We are so proud of those records," Gowan explained. "We made these records to intentionally connect with the classic rock era." 

Indeed, the studio albums were recorded on tape with 24-track machines, and with the members of Styx performing in the studio together.

"People of all ages have embraced the sound of classic rock; the only way to achieve that is with the old clunky analog machines."

Gowan noted that at every concert about a half of the attendees are under the ago of 40, and of those, 75 percent are under the age of 30.

"The music has crossed generations and they have embraced it."

Fans of Styx have hopes that the band's run that began at the dawn of the 1970s continues far into the future.

"Honestly, anything beyond the age of 35, you have to really thank the universe for dropping this in our lap," Gowan said. "Last week I saw Jeff Lynne; he was so good, why wouldn't (you not continue to perform) at that level?" 

Robert Kinsler

Editor's note: Read Robert Kinsler's review of Styx's Nov. 9, 2024 performance in Prescott Valley, AZ HERE

2025 Pure Imagination Music Festival Lineup Announced

Looks like an exciting and wide-ranging lineup is set to appear at the Pure Imagination Music Festival on May 17 in beautiful Prescott, AZ! Read my coverage of the outstanding 2024 music festival HERE...Robert Kinsler

A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, WONDER 

& BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

PURE IMAGINATION

 RETURNS SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 TO 

WATSON LAKE IN PRESCOTT, AZ

ECLECTIC POWERHOUSE LINEUP TO FEATURE HEADLINERS CHEAP TRICK, MATISYAHU, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT,

THE ENGLISH BEAT & MORE

A one-of-a-kind festival experience set against a stunning natural backdrop

Tickets available now at www.pureimaginationfestival.com

PRESCOTT, AZ – Pure Imagination, Arizona’s most unique music festival, returns for its fourth year on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the breathtaking Watson Lake in Prescott, AZ. Known for blending world-class music with the region’s stunning landscapes, the festival continues its tradition of delivering an eclectic and dynamic lineup featuring legendary and emerging artists. The 2025 edition is led by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick, renowned for their iconic live album At Budokan, which went triple platinum, and a career spanning over 20 million albums sold. Also joining the bill is GRAMMY-nominated artist Matisyahu, whose album Youth reached #1 on the BillboardHot 100, alongside multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award Winning group Arrested Development – one of hip-hop’s most socially-conscious and celebrated groups, and The English Beat, a defining force in 80s music known for fusing ska, pop, soul, reggae, and punk. Additional performances include Gone Gone Beyond, Kelsey Waldon, Ponderosa Grove, Bird and Byron, Kids In America, Pijama Piyama, Dutch Holly, and the Take The Stage contest winner rounds out an impressive lineup of diverse talent. Tickets are on sale now at www.pureimaginationfestival.com. WHAT TO EXPECT AT PURE IMAGINATION 2025

A FESTIVAL LIKE NO OTHER Since its debut in 2022, the female-founded and curated Pure Imagination has become a standout experience, seamlessly merging music, nature, and culture with an eco-conscious ethos. Nestled in the stunning Granite Dells—the traditional lands of The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, The Yavapai-Apache Nation, and The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe—the festival fosters a minimal-impact, high-energy experience where attendees can immerse themselves in live music, interactive art, and nature-driven adventures. Festival-goers can explore scenic hiking trails, on-site kayaking, and the vibrant Prescott Night Market, featuring artisan vendors, immersive art activations, and mesmerizing performances by aerial artists, fire dancers, and more. The driving force behind Pure Imagination is Candace Devine, frontwoman of Ponderosa Grove and CEO of Further West, the company behind the festival. Inspired by a passion for arts, culture, and community, Devine created the festival to help position Prescott as a thriving creative hub in the Southwest. The city is surrounded by 1.25 million acres of the Prescott National Forest, offering a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with premier mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. “Pure Imagination is about more than just music—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience where people can connect, be inspired, and celebrate the power of art in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”shares Candace Devine, Founder Last year’s lineup featured memorable performances from The Flaming Lips, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ozomatli, Sylvan Esso, Tanya Tucker and The Pharcyde among others. In 2023, the festival boasted performances from Ziggy Marley, Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Capital Cities, Allison Russell, Nappy Roots, Dirtwire and others, while the inaugural event saw Dawes, Talib Kweli, Fantastic Negrito, Nikki Lane, Rising Appalachia, Phantom Planet, Katie Pruitt and more take to the stage.  Past commentary on Pure Imagination Festival 2024: “It’s an impressively eclectic lineup, as always…” –Ed Masley, Arizona Republic, January 25, 2024 From left, Ponderosa Grove's Candace Devine and Drew Hall performing at the Pure Imagination Festival in 2024. Photo credit: Daryl Weisser “A truly wonderful lure of the Pure Imagination Music Festival staged at Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona over the weekend (May 17-18, 2024) was the strong and diverse field of artists who performed in a truly wonderful setting set on a grassy field with massive otherworldly granite boulders serving as a dramatic backdrop to the musical action. Rock, electronica, country, Americana, rap, Native American, world fusion and more styles were all on tap courtesy of the wide-ranging lineup of celebrated veterans and rising names; a wealth of food and art vendors added to the welcoming environment. Talented acrobats performed in an area near one stage and there was even a fun parade on Saturday afternoon…The Pure Imagination Music Festival is quickly becoming an essential part of the American Southwest’s thriving music and arts scene.” –Robert Kinsler, Desert Local News, May 21, 2024 “On a gorgeous Prescott spring weekend, Watson Lake was transformed into a sight that was nothing short of magical. The Pure Imagination Festival, which was held on May 17-18, was a two-day music and arts festival that lived up to its name…a gorgeous weekend with plenty of amazing music to tickle that craving with people who have become friends and family over the past few years. What more in life can one ask for?” –Chris Ortiz, The Daily Courier, May 22, 2024 The line up for Pure Imagination 2025 is: Cheap Trick Matisyahu Arrested Development The English Beat Gone Gone Beyond Kelsey Waldon Ponderosa Grove Bird and Byron Kids In America Pijama Piyama Dutch Holly Take The Stage contest winner

Michael Franti & Spearhead at Pure Imagination 2024. Photo credit: Blushing Cactus Crowds at Pure Imagination 2024. Photo credit: Blushing Cactus Aerial artists at Pure Imagination 2024. Photo credit: Blushing Cactus Ponderosa Grove at Pure Imagination 2024. Photo credit: Blushing Cactus

Young fans at Pure Imagination 2024. Photo credit: Wison VanNess Connect with Pure Imagination: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Dawes Release "I Love LA" Single following opening the Grammys last night

For those moved by Dawes' terrific performance of "I Love L.A." at the Grammy Awards last night, read on...Robert Kinsler

DAWES SUPPORT HOMETOWN WITH “I LOVE L.A.”   LOS ANGELES-BASED BAND FOLLOW SURPRISE ALL-STAR PERFORMANCE AT LAST NIGHT’S 67TH ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS WITH EXCLUSIVE RENDITION OF RANDY NEWMAN CLASSIC – LISTEN   PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE RECORDING ACADEMY AND MUSICARES’ LOS ANGELES FIRE RELIEF EFFORT TO SUPPORT MUSIC PROFESSIONALS   OH BROTHER TOUR RESUMES APRIL 9 IN WOODSTOCK, NY

Acclaimed California rock band Dawes are following last night’s surprise appearance at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards with today’s release of their exclusive cover version of “I Love L.A.,” available everywhere now. Proceeds will benefit The Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals. To contribute to the Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, or if you or someone you know needs help, please visit musicares.org/firerelief.  LISTEN TO “I LOVE L.A.” Last night saw Dawes co-founders Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith kick off the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards by leading an all-star lineup – including Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent – for an unforgettable performance of Randy Newman’s classic ode to his beloved Los Angeles, honoring the City of Angels’ strength and resilience in the wake of last month’s devastating fires. Dawes now joins an impressive list of artists who have opened the GRAMMY® Awards over the years, including Beyonce and Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, U2, and many more.  Dawes – whose own lives were shattered by the fire’s unprecedented destruction – were also among the stars performing at last week’s star-studded FireAid benefit concert at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. After opening their set with their own “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” Dawes were joined onstage by Stephen Stills and Mike Campbell for a performance of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” The supergroup then welcomed Stills’ longtime friend and musical partner Graham Nash for an unforgettable rendition of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children” that saw everyone in attendance at the arena singing along in unison. Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith are among the many Los Angeles area residents whose lives have been impacted by the destructive fire. Griffin lost his home while Taylor lost his studio and most of the band’s musical gear and equipment. Dawes further supported MusiCares efforts to assist fellow musicians affected by the fire by visiting ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform a special version of “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” originally found on their 2011 album, Nothing Is Wrong. WATCH “TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES” ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! “I Love L.A.” follows last year’s acclaimed release of Dawes’ ninth studio album, Oh Brother, available everywhere now. Exclusive split color vinyl, as well as an array of deluxe Oh Brother bundles, are available via the Dawes online store. Hailed by No Depression as “a staggering soundscape where guitar-talking, folk-rock, bleary-eyed grooves, and a kind of misfit pop all blur into one succinct soundtrack for these unprecedented times,” Oh Brother marks a distinctive new chapter for Dawes following 2022’s epic Misadventures of Doomscrollerand the amicable departure of two bandmates last year. The album steers Dawes decidedly forward, honoring 15 years of Taylor and Griffin’s musical relationship, as well as the next era and natural evolution of their beloved band. That spirit informed much of the writing and recording, with each track initially recorded live with just Taylor on guitar and vocals and Griffin on drums, later incorporating additional studio instrumentation and collaborating with touring guitarist Trevor Menear. Across its nine heartfelt songs — which move seamlessly between folk rock, piano ballads, and sprawling jams while maintaining both an immediately recognizable sound and a freedom from expectations — Oh Brothersees Dawes navigating new vistas in their personal and professional lives while remaining steadfastly creative, ambitious, and inspired.  Co-produced by Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith alongside longtime friend Mike Viola, Oh Brotherincludes such singles as “Mr. Los Angeles,” joined by a hilarious official music video starring Conan O’Brien and streaming now at YouTube following its exclusive world premiere via PEOPLE.com. Further highlights include the sprawling album centerpiece, “Surprise!,” “Still Strangers Sometimes,” and “House Parties,” the latter two accompanied by creative fan-focused official music videos streaming now at YouTube. Dawes have also shared an exclusive live studio performance videos of “Surprise!,” “House Parties” (featuring special guest Brad Paisley) and “Still Strangers Sometimes” (featuring Madison Cunningham and Mike Viola). In addition, Dawes paid a visit to ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a late night TV performance of “House Parties” praised by Relix for “(Dawes’) energized approach and affinity for tapping into a feeling of sentimentalism through satirical lyrics – all the while maintaining their distinctive ability to conjure a scene and emulate a desired feeling.” STREAM OH BROTHER ORDER OH BROTHER EXCLUSIVE SPLIT COLOR VINYL + MORE Dawes spent much of last fall celebrating their new era traveling the US on their epic Oh Brother Tour, resuming April 9 at Woodstock, NY’s Bearsville Theatre. Support on most dates comes from Michigander. Dawes will also be among the artists joining Goose for Viva El Gonzo, a three-day destination festival presented by 100x Hospitality and set for May 8-10 in San José del Cabo, Mexico. In addition, Taylor Goldsmith will join forces with his longtime friend MC Taylor (of Hiss Golden Messenger) for The MC Taylor Goldsmith Show, a collaborative tour that will see the two Taylors play onstage together, performing a mix of songs from both artist’s catalogs in a number of intimate venues around the country. The once-in-a-lifetime live run begins March 6 at Chicago, IL’s Thalia Hall. For complete details and ticket availability, please visit dawestheband.com/tour.  DAWES - OH BROTHER TOUR 2025 MARCH 6 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall † 7 – Columbus, IN – The Oil Can † 8 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark † 9 -Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage † 11 – Albany, NY – The Egg † 12 – Beverley, MA – The Cabot † 13 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center For The Arts † APRIL 9 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theatre * 10 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse * (SOLD OUT) 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia * 12 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre * 13 – Princeton, NJ – Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center 16 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre * 17 – Madison, WI – The Majestic Theatre * (SOLD OUT) 18 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue * 19 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note * 21 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place * 23 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre * 25 – Kalispell, MT – Wachholz College Center * 26 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre * 27 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall * MAY 2025 8-10 – San José del Cabo, Mexico – Viva El Gonzo ^ * w/ Special Guests Michigander  † The MC Taylor Goldsmith Show ^ Festival Appearance # # #   DAWES OH BROTHER (Dead Ringers) Tracklist: Mr. Los Angeles Front Row Seat Still Strangers Sometimes Surprise! House Parties King of the Never-Wills The Game Enough Already Hilarity Ensues   CONNECT WITH DAWES: DAWESTHEBAND.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK |TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE