Styx and Foreigner announce their tour companion album ‘Renegades & Juke Box Heroes’ Picture Disc and Limited-Edition Individually Numbered Silver Vinyl

Exciting news for fans of classic rock greats Styx and Foreigner. Either version of the bands' tour companion album "Renegades & Juke Box Heroes" is a real keepsake for vinyl lovers...Robert Kinsler

FOREIGNER AND STYX

ANNOUNCE THEIR TOUR COMPANION ALBUM

  RENEGADES & JUKE BOX HEROES

 

PICTURE DISC AND

LIMITED-EDITION INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED SILVER VINYL

AVAILABLE AT ALL TOUR STOPS STARTING TODAY

AND SELECT RETAIL JULY 12, 2024

 

 

 

June 11, 2024 – “Cold As Ice,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Renegade” and more! Nothing sounds more like the soundtrack of summer than STYX’s and FOREIGNER’s biggest hits. Recently announced as inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, FOREIGNER hits the road in June co-headlining the “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” trek with STYX and special guest John Waite. Adding to the excitement, STYX and FOREIGNER announce RENEGADES & JUKE BOX HEROES, a very special limited-edition companion album, available exclusively at tour stops starting at today’s tour launch in Grand Rapids, MI at the Van Andel Arena, and at select retail on July 12.

 

This must-have collector’s album, available as a picture disc or in elegant silver vinyl, features both bands’ greatest hits and was mastered for vinyl by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound with lacquers cut by Joe Nino-Hernes. Tracks include FOREIGNER’s most beloved hits including “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice”, and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” alongside STYX massive hits “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights),” “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade,” and more.

 

Just 1,000 copies of the picture disc and only 5,000 individually numbered copies of the silver edition are available. With many tour dates already selling out, demand is sure to be high. When they are gone, they’re gone for good! A 13-track CD featuring all three artists and including the vinyl tracks is also available. The songs are available on all digital outlets. The picture disc will be available on FOREIGNER’S and STYX’s websites, and the silver edition will be available on Amazon on July 12.

 

The “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” tour launches today in Grand Rapids, MI at the Van Andel Arena. John Waite’s #1 songs, “Missing You” and “When I See You Smile” will help ensure a summer evening of feel-good anthems. Tickets are going fast, available at LiveNation.com. For more information, please visit www.foreigneronline.com or www.styxworld.com.

 

Mick Jones continues to elevate FOREIGNER’s influence and guide the band to new horizons with his stylistic songwriting, indelible guitar hooks and multi-layered talents. Lead singer Kelly Hansen, one of rock’s greatest showmen, has led FOREIGNER into the digital age, inspiring a whole new generation of fans. Bassist Jeff Pilson; Michael Bluestein on keyboards; guitarist Bruce Watson; Chris Frazier on drums, and guitarist Luis Maldonado provide an unprecedented level of energy that has resulted in the re-emergence of the astounding music that speaks to FOREIGNER‘s enduring popularity. 

 

With more Billboard Top 10 hits than Journey, and just as many as Fleetwood Mac, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems, including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” FOREIGNER still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success.  Streams of FOREIGNER’s hits are approaching 15 million per week.

 

Tommy Shaw at Pacific Amphitheatre on July 15,
2016. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

The seven men comprising STYX--James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), Terry Gowan (bass, guitar, vocals)—have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging over 100 shows a year, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from over four decades of barn burning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a STYX set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” from the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness,” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound. STYX hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s CRYSTAL BALL, and then they become the first group to score four triple-Platinum albums in a row: THE GRAND ILLUSION (1977), PIECES OF EIGHT (1978), CORNERSTONE (1979), and PARADISE THEATER (1981).

 

Multi-Platinum rockers STYX released their 17^th studio album, CRASH OF THE CROWN, on June 18, 2021 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which was hailed by critics as their second “masterpiece” album in a row (read Robert Kinsler's review of the album HERE). The first being 2017’s THE MISSION, their first new studio album in 14 years at the time. CRASH OF THE CROWN was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic. It’s available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD on digital platforms. They released more new music on September 17, 2021, THE SAME STARDUST EP, originally sold as part of Record Store Day (June 12, 2021). Available on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, featuring two brand-new songs on side one (“The Same Stardust” and “Age of Entropia”), as well as five live performances on side two of some of Styx’s classic hits previously heard during their “Styx Fix” livestreams that kept fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including “Mr. Roboto,” “Man In The Wilderness,” “Miss America,” “Radio Silence,” and “Renegade.” It’s available worldwide on all digital platforms.

 

RENEGADES & JUKE BOX HEROES TRACK LIST (BOTH VERSIONS):

 

JUKE BOX HEROES side:

1. Feels Like The First Time / 2. Cold As Ice / 3. I Want To Know What Love Is / 4. Juke Box Hero

 

RENEGADES side:

1. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) / 2. Come Sail Away / 3. Too Much Time On My Hands / 4. Renegade 

 

 

 

www.foreigneronline.com

www.facebook.com/Foreigner

www.x.com/ForeignerMusic

www.instagram.com/foreignerlive

www.youtube.com/user/FWebTeam

 

www.styxworld.com

www.crashofthecrown.com

www.facebook.com/styxtheband

www.x.com/styxtheband

www.instagram.com/styxtheband

www.youtube.com/styxtheband

 

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New Music: Colin Blunstone, Radio California, The Babys

In this column I feature a trio of eclectic, under-the-radar releases that are well worth adding to any music lover's library!

Artist: Colin Blunstone

Title: Less Is More (Symphonic Distribution)

You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies, Sting, Colin Bunstone

Tell me more: Sixty years after the world first heard Colin Blunstone's glorious singing on The Zombies' breakout hit "She's Not There" the English singer-songwriter continues to thrill fans with his signature vocals. Now Blunstone has surprised with Less Is More, a digital-only EP of five one-take demos he recorded in December 2008. Blunstone — who calls the lyrics "little diaries" of things that happened to him or someone he knowns — delivers affecting performances to the accompaniment of his classical guitar on the selections. The confessional opener "Now I Know I'll Never Get Over You," tender "The Sun Will Rise Again" (the latter written for Blunstone's daughter), jazzy "Any Other Way" (a track that would be recorded by The Zombies' for their 2011 album Breathe Out, Breathe In), reflective "Feels Like Rain" and flamenco-flavored "Love Left A Long Time Ago" all shine on the wonderful release. Listen to the digital EP HERE. Information: colinblunstone.net.

Artist: Radio California

Title: Beauty & Heart (Holloway Productions)

You might like if you enjoy: Social Distortion, Old 97's, Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Tell me more: Southern California-based Radio California has long defied easy categorization on a string of compelling independent releases. On the outfit's latest album Beauty & Heart that freewheeling approach remains. Jesseo (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Steve Shoemaker (lead guitar), Jeff Williams (drums) and Dan Maker (bass) prove to be at the height of their powers and deliver 10 compelling songs. The punkish alt country opener "Beauty and Heart," yearning "You Have So Many Lights," hypnotic garage rocker "Double Checking" and rootsy "Plant My Feet" are early standouts on the disc. The wide-ranging album mines more nuggets on its last half with the spirited ear candy cut "Hello," rocking kiss off "Tolerate Me," edgy "Sidewalk" and thoughtful rocker "Angry." Jesseo's signature vocals project melancholy and power with equal nuance on one of my favorite albums of early 2024. The album is available via amazon.com (find the album using "Radio California USA" in the search field). Information: cdbaby.com or hearnow.com.

Lost Classics

Artist: The Babys

Title: Live At The Bottom Line, 1979 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Babys, Bad Company, John Waite, Bad English

Tell me more: There were so many great rock bands in the mid and late 1970s, it's easy to overlook a key artist of the era. Leave it to a special previously-unissued recording featuring The Babys (Live At The Bottom Line, 1979) released by Omnivore Recordings in January to recall the collective power and magic of singer-songwriter John Waite, guitarist Wally Stocker, bassist Ricky Phillips, keyboardist Jonathan Cain and drummer Tony Brock. Recorded on the band's "Head First" tour, the concert recording features three new-at-the-time songs making their official debut. The crowd-pleasing opener "Head First," Bad Company-styled rockers "Give Me Your Love" and "Run To Mexico" (the latter bolstered by Wally Stocker's sharp lead guitar play), inspired "Every Timer I Think Of You" and a poignant reading of their 1977 hit "Isn't It Time" all shine on the wonderful 11-track live set. More than 45 years after The Babys were captured at The Bottom Line the magic of the performance expands the legacy of the British-American quintet. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

The Babys reunite to release new album 'I'll Have Some of That'

Happy Tuesday everybody. Here is a media release and overview of the return of '70s hit makers The Babys...

With a string of ‘70s classic rock radio hits like “Isn’t It Time,” “Every Time I Think of You,” “Head First,” “Back on My Feet Again,” “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Turn and Walk Away,” The Babys created some of the most memorable arena anthems of the era. Now, after a three-decade absence, The Babys have reformed with original lead guitarist Wally Stocker and drummer Tony Brock to release a new album, I’ll Have Some of That, on June 24, and a brand-new single, “I See You There,” which is available now on iTunes. The Babys’ new album will be released on Skyrocket Ent./All In Time Records.

 

“The whole premise is to keep The Babys alive and have a good time doing it," said Stocker about the reformed group, which also includes new recruits, lead vocalist/ bassist John Bisaha and veteran rhythm guitarist Joey Sykes. The band is joined in concert by keyboardist Francesco Saglietti and the Babettes.

 

Brock raves about the new members of the group: "John Bisaha is an incredible singer. When we held auditions, we had singers lined up around the block to join the band and John was head and shoulders above the rest." Stocker is equally enthused about his new axe mate: "Joey Sykes adds a whole new dimension to the band and has a style that works well in tandem with me." 

 

Formed in London in 1974, The Babys were signed to Chrysalis Records on the basis of a four-song video, which predated the MTV era by seven years. Combining the muscular rock ‘n’ roll grit of Free and Humble Pie with a winning commercial accessibility, The Babys released five albums between 1977-1980 (The Babys, Broken Heart, Head First, Union Jacks and On the Edge). During that time, the group toured with the likes of Journey, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick and built a loyal following based on their spectacular songs and explosive live performances right up until disbanding in December of 1980.

 

Former members John Waite, Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips have all given their blessings to the newest incarnation of the band. Waite continues on as a solo act, while Cain is now a member of Journey, having penned a string of hit singles including “Don’t Stop Believing,” the most downloaded song in history. Phillips is a longtime bass player for Styx.

 

The first single from the album, the aptly titled "Not Ready to Say Goodbye,” was made available on iTunes last November, with a sound reminiscent of both “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You.”

 

“In recording this new album, we discussed the fact that the songs had to have the flavor of what we were known for,” says Stocker. “It was just a magical process,” addsBrock. “By the time we finished, I knew we had the goods.”

 

After the break-up of The Babys, drummer Brock became a member of Rod Stewart’s band, and also played with Jeff Beck and Bernie Taupin, among others. He founded the Silver Dreams Studios (www.silverdreamsstudios.com) near Los Angeles, where he produced hit records for Jimmy Barnes, among others.

 

London native Stocker left home at 15 in pursuit of his rock ‘n’ roll destiny and never looked back. After The Babys, he played with Rod Stewart, Air Supply and Humble Pie.

 

New vocalist/bassist Bisaha evokes the memories of John Waite, but also brings a new touch, making the songs his own. He joined The Babys at their first comeback performance last July.

 

New York native Sykes, who has had stints in various bands, as well as a publishing association with Warner/Chappell, has penned the first single “I See You There.”

 

The Babys embarked on a string of shows in Las Vegas, San Diego, Portland and Seattle last November and December, and plan on announcing an extensive slate of tour dates around the June 24 release of I’ll Have Some of That.

 

FOLLOW THE BABYS AT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Babys/496421990415013#

Website: www.theBabysOfficial.com

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ill-have-some-of-that/id867887118?uo=4&at=1l3v3ao

 

 

Track Listing:

1. Every Side Of You

2. All I Wanna Do

3. Sunrise & Goodbyes

4. After Midnight

5. I See You There

6. Grass Is Greener

7. These Days

8. Uncivil War

9. You Saved My Live

10. It’s A Gas

11. Stay The Night

12. I’ll Have Some Of That!

13. When Life Goes Right

14. Not Ready To Say Goodbye