The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts announce performers for Concert Events coming in September 2022

Check out all the details we have so far related to the highly-anticipated Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts coming in September. Below is the artwork and official media release...Robert Kinsler

Taylor Hawkins at the "Celebration for Ray Manzarek"
event in Los Angeles on Feb. 12, 2016.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Media Release

THE TAYLOR HAWKINS TRIBUTE CONCERTS

 

FOO FIGHTERS TO BE JOINED BY

CHRIS CHANEY, STEWART COPELAND, MILEY CYRUS**, LIAM GALLAGHER*, OMAR HAKIM, JOSHUA HOMME, CHRISSIE HYNDE*, JOAN JETT**, GEDDY LEE, ALEX LIFESON, BRIAN MAY, ALANIS MORISSETTE**, MARK RONSON, GENE SIMMONS**, NIKKI SIXX**, CHAD SMITH**, LUKE SPILLER**, SUPERGRASS*, ROGER TAYLOR, RUFUS TAYLOR, JON THEODORE**, WOLFGANG VAN HALEN, BRAD WILK**, PAT WILSON** & A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY CHEVY METAL!

 

PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

September 3 at Wembley Stadium (*Appearing in London Only)

September 27 at The Kia Forum (**Appearing in Los Angeles Only)

Foo Fighters Together with the Hawkins Family Present Two Global Events Celebrating the Memory & Music of a Rock Legend

 

The first wave of confirmed guests to join The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in celebration of the life, music and love of one of modern music’s most beloved figures has been confirmed.

 

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will feature the likes of Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher, Joan Jett, Mark Ronson, members of Queen, The Police, Rush, Kiss, The Pretenders, Motley Crue, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Supergrass, a special appearance by Dave Chappelle (in the UK only) and Chevy Metal, plus more to be announced — playing the songs that Taylor loved and created, with and alongside his FF brothers Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee.

 

The two all-star global events in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon will take place September 3 at London's Wembley Stadium and September 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. For specific lineups — and to sign up to receive information on updates, timings, ticketing links and on sale dates — go to https://www.foofighters.com/.

 

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will benefit charities in both the UK and the US chosen by the Hawkins family. Beneficiaries and further details will be announced shortly.

Review: 'The Police: Around The World' is an essential reintroduction to the groundbreaking trio

Artist: The Police

Title: The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded (Mercury Studios)

Tell me more: With record sales of more than 75 million, The Police are one of the best-selling bands of all time. More importantly, the English rock troupe was one of the most groundbreaking bands to emerge in the late 1970s. In fact, no band has ever blended punk, reggae, jazz and indie rock with the craft and swagger displayed by Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar, backing vocals) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Seemingly at the height of the trio's popularity — following the release of their final studio album (1983's chart-topping Synchronicity) — they disbanded in 1986.

Now the release of The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded casts a welcome spotlight on the rise of The Police and their ambitious beginnings and truly meteoric rise. The band's first worldwide tour that took them to six continents in 1979 and 1980 is revisited via a remastered and expanded set available in several different configurations. The Blu-ray+CD version reviewed her is a revelation; the remastered audio and restored visual elements are terrific and the overall quality of the title is sure to please casual fans as well as audiophiles. Bonus features on the Blu-ray include complete live performances of "Walking On The Moon," Next To You," "Message In A Bottle" and "Born In The 50's."

Watching Sting, Summers and Copeland perform is great, and the mix of performance footage with behind-the-scenes candid scenes of the members exploring he Great Pyramids in Egypt, exploring ancient ruins in Greece, jamming with traditional instruments in India and one sequence of Summers wrestling in Japan are fun to be sure.

Information: www.thepolice.com and www.mercurystudios.co.

Robert Kinsler

Top artists rally support for Ukraine with “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

An important media release with news on a number of artists who have joined forces to support the Ukraine...Robert Kinsler

Top Artists Rally Support For Ukraine With
“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”
 
Written by Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello, the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev
 
Listen to “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” via Rolling Stone
 
Stream the track on all platforms HERE

On the night of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello began collaborating on a joint release to rally support for the Ukrainian people. Released today via Rolling Stone and irreverently titled “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls,” the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev. Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.   “As soon as Russian aggression broke out, Les and I connected to address the catastrophe ASAP,” recalls Hütz, a Ukrainian native. “We jumped on creating affirmative music that calls for unity and pays respect to the real doers in Ukrainian defense - such as President Zelensky, who demonstrated previously unheard-of stamina and heroism.”   “The night of the invasion, I was dining with close friends of mine from Poland who were hosting their family visiting the US from their town, which is 50 kilometers from the Ukraine border,” Claypool adds. “Needless to say, they were stressed and concerned about what was happening in their homeland. After a few vodka shots of solidarity, I started texting with my buddy Eugene from Gogol Bordello to get his perspective and insight. In that vodka-laced dialogue, we started mutually praising Zelensky for his surprisingly epic display of courage. ‘Zelensky has balls of steel!’ we agreed. It was then that we decided that some freaky, ‘East meets West’ art needed to be thrown that way.”   “After a couple weeks of file trading with Sean Lennon, Stewart Copeland, Eugene Hütz, and Sergey Ryabtsev, a visit to my studio by my buddy Billy Strings, as well as some enthusiastic rhythmic claps from local supporters of Ukraine, we now have a recording to help rally support for a bullied country and a David vs. Goliath-type man who stood up for their liberty, freedom and homeland.”   Hütz points out: “The reoccurring chant in the song, ‘Revolution of Dignity,’ honors the 2014 Maidan Revolution, which resulted in the removal of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and lead to Russia’s military intervention against the people of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea and the start of the Donbas War - part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War. It is our way to show that heavyweights like Les, Stewart, Billy and Sean stand with people of Ukraine and the country’s sovereignty from the very start of Russian-led terror.”   “This is not intended to be a song of condemnation,” Claypool says. “This is a song of unity and anti-bully mentality, giving praise to a man who stepped up for his people beyond anything I've seen in my tenure on this planet. This unlikely fellow has grabbed the reins of leadership and held fast in such a way that the world is now galvanized in support. His legendary quote ‘We need ammunition, not a ride’ – Patrick Henry couldn't have said it better himself. Zelensky is truly ‘The Man With the Iron Balls.’”

“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

To further raise donations for Nova Ukraine, the team behind “Zelensky: The Man With The Iron Balls” has partnered with Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform that inspires the music community to give back. Starting this Friday, 4/22, fans who donate at www.fandiem.com/ironballs will be automatically entered to win an all-expense-paid trip to attend the South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on August 10, featuring Primus and Ween. One winner and guest will receive travel and hotel, two VIP tickets to the show, upgraded seats, and a special prize from the artists.   The creative team is also inviting listeners to show their support for the people of Ukraine by submitting clips of themselves, their friends, colleagues, children, pets, or anyone else they deem appropriate clapping along to the song. Video clips can be sent to ironballs@primusville.com and additional details can be found in the video notes here.   “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” Les Claypool - bass and vocals Stewart Copeland - percussion Eugene Hütz - vocals Sean Lennon - guitar and vocals Sergey Ryabtsev - violin Billy Strings - guitar

'The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded' is coming May 20, 2022

Just-released news about a perfect multi-format title that will celebrate the incredible legacy of The Police...Robert Kinsler

MERCURY STUDIOS PROUDLY PRESENTS

'THE POLICE: 
AROUND THE WORLD RESTORED & EXPANDED' COMING MAY 20, 2022

~FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DVD+CD, BLU-RAY+CD, AND DVD+LP~ 

WITH NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED LIVE AUDIO

PRE-ORDER HERE 
PREVIEW HERE

New York, NY (March 14, 2022)–Embarking on their first ever world tour, The Police journeyed through six continents in 1979 and 1980. Capturing behind–the-scenes footage and candid personal moments as the band explores new terrain, The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded displays the beginning of their meteoric rise to worldwide fame.

A poignant snapshot of this pivotal moment in their career, The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded blends footage of the band performing live with intimate footage of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland exploring Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Egypt, Greece, France, South America, and the US. The band was filmed on and off stage as they visited local monuments, tasted foreign cuisines, and organically grew a global fanbase.

On May 20, 2022, Mercury Studios presents The Police: Around The WorldRestored & Expanded on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, and DVD+LP (pressed on silver vinyl). Originally available on VHS and laserdisc, the film is being presented on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time, with restored picture and remastered audio, as well as complete performances of four bonus songs featured in the documentary.

Additionally, The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded includes never-before-released live audio on CD and LP. Boasting songs from their first two albums recorded in Japan, Hong Kong, and England, it showcases The Police playing with a frenzy and passion that would soon make them the biggest band in the world.

At the same time, the British band were enjoying their first chart success in the UK with “Roxanne” and “Message In A Bottle”. They were young, hungry, and ready to break big. As Andy Summers enthuses in the liner notes, “Like Napoleon, we wanted the world. Out of the messy and fervent atmosphere in London at that time we conceived the idea to go all around the world and film the whole adventure. As far as we knew no rock band, at least, had ever done that. We had just about enough popularity to get booked around the globe. Plans were made.”

And the rest is history…beautifully captured in The Police: Around The World Restored & Expanded.

About Mercury Studios

Mercury Studios is a multi-faceted content studio established to develop, produce, globally distribute, and invest in innovative, music-rooted storytelling across a range of media including film, television, podcasting, publishing, and live-streamed performance. Taking its name from the iconic Mercury Records label, Mercury Studios is powered by Universal Music Group and creates an open space for experimentation to unleash and amplify both emerging and established artists. With offices in London and Los Angeles, Mercury Studios harnesses its established relationships with best-in-class talent from music and film, seamlessly bridging the two worlds to create a completely distinctive community of trailblazers driven by original IP, innovation, and collaboration.

DVD & Blu-ray track listing: 
Features performances of: 
Next To You 
Walking On The Moon 
Born In The 50’s 
So Lonely 
Man In A Suitcase 
Can’t Stand Losing You 
Bring On The Night 
Canary In A Coalmine 
Voices Inside My Head 
When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What’s Still Around 
Shadows In The Rain 
Don’t Stand So Close To Me 
Truth Hits Everybody 
Roxanne

Bonus Features: 
Complete live performances of: 
Walking On The Moon (Live from Kyoto) 
Next To You (Live from Kyoto) 
Message In A Bottle (Live from Hong Kong) 
Born In The 50’s (Live from Hong Kong)

CD 
Walking On The Moon - Live from Kyoto 
Next To You – Live from Kyoto 
Deathwish - Live from Kyoto 
So Lonely - Live from Kyoto 
Can’t Stand Losing You - Live from Kyoto 
Truth Hits Everybody - Live from Kyoto 
Visions Of The Night – Live from Hammersmith 
Roxanne – Live from Hammersmith 
Intro 
Born In The 50’s – Live from Hong Kong 
Message In A Bottle – Live from Hong Kong 
Bring On The Night – Live from Hong Kong

LP 
Side A: 
Walking On The Moon - Live from Kyoto 
Deathwish - Live from Kyoto 
So Lonely - Live from Kyoto 
Can’t Stand Losing You - Live from Kyoto

Side B: 
Truth Hits Everybody - Live from Kyoto 
Roxanne – Live from Hammersmith 
Born In The 50’s – Live from Hong Kong 
Message In A Bottle – Live from Hong Kong 
Bring On The Night – Live from Hong Kong

Music heroes shine on new titles

It's great when highly-anticipated releases deliver on their promise as convincingly as the latest titles featuring groundbreaking rock trio The Police, singer-songwriter Carole King, rocker Bruce Springsteen and power pop icon Richard X. Heyman. 

Artist: The Police
Title: Everyone Stares (Eagle Rock Entertainment))
You might like if you enjoy: The Police, Sting
Tell me more: Only someone positioned on the inside could have captured The Police's meteoric rise to fame as magically as what viewers will see in the fantastic documentary Everyone Stares. Written, produced and directed by Police drummer Stewart Copeland, the fast-paced film offers a first-person look at everything from the band's formation and first press conference in Los Angeles to bandmates Sting (vocals, bass), Andy Summers (guitar) and Copeland dancing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and headlining at day 1 of the fabled Us Festival in San Bernardino in May 1982. So many fly-on-the-wall moments are part of the film's wonderful arc. Among the memorable scenes chronicled are those where they are signing autographs, clowning around during photo shoots,, tearing through groundbreaking now-classic cuts at live shows, and developing "Do Do Do Do, Da Da Da Da" in a recording studio. Copeland's sparse and straight-forward narration is a wonder, notably when he says: "Pop stardom exploded out of nowhere." "Everyone Stares" is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digitally. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Carole King
Title: Live at Montreux 1973 (Eagle Rock Entertainment))
You might like if you enjoy: Carole King, Jenny Lewis
Tell me more: There is something special about a previously-unreleased recording, especially when it's as great as Carole King's Live at Montreux 1973. Launching the set — her first ever outside of the U.S. — alone at the piano King delivers stirring originals including "I Feel The Earth Move," Beautiful" and "It's Too Late" before the discerning Swiss audience gathered at the Montreux Pavillon on July 15, 1973. She is then joined by her terrific 11-member band to feature songs off her then-new bold album "Fantasy" (the jazz flavored "Fantasy Beginning/You've Been Around Too Long," reflective "You've Been Around Too Long," funk-soul gem "Haywood" and lovely ballad "A Quiet Place to Live" are among the wonderful selections). The New York native finishes off the dynamic concert with an intimate musical reading of "You've Got a Friend" and a nuanced take on her "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," the latter showcasing King's wonderful vocals. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Title: Western Stars (Columbia)
You might like if you enjoy: Glen Campbell, Michael Ubaldini, Bruce Springsteen
Tell me more: Bruce Springsteen's outstanding new album Western Stars marks another spirited step forward for the New Jersey-spawned Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a bona fide masterwork that combines the best of his signature brand of heartland rock, Americana and countrified folk into a rich tapestry. There are wistful country-western ballads (including "Hitch Hiking'," "Chasin' Wild Horses" and "Stones"), mid-tempo folk rockers (the strings-swept "Tucson Train," the Tex-Mex colored "Sleepy Joe's Cafe") and genre-defying retro soundscapes ("The Wayfarer," the breezy "Sundown," and ambitious "There Goes My Miracle") on Springsteen's first new studio album in five years  — an LP that will likely reveal additional and vital secrets with a parade of future listens. Springsteen's singular ability to tap into the stories of drifters, dreamers and the downtrodden is put to perfect use on this intimate and compelling collection of 13 original songs anchored by his resonant baritone and a sweeping mix of guitars, keyboards, pedal steel, strings and more. Themes and lyrical vistas include the wide open spaces and mythology of the American West, the importance of home and family, and everyday heroes who emerge amidst despair. Information: brucespringsteen.net. 

Artist: Richard X. Heyman
Title: Pop Circles (Turn-Up Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Brian Wilson, the Byrds, Todd Rundgren
Tell me more: Who says the number 13 is unlucky? Power pop hero Richard X. Heyman's 13th full-length album Pop Circles hits all the right notes on its exhilarating ride that includes a dozen principal cuts and five bonus tracks! The album begins with the sweeping "Guess You Had To Be There," a tuneful and intoxicating track that casts its spell with a single listen. The album's sumptuous gifts don't end there; the lush "If You're So Inclined" (which recalls some of the Byrds' beloved nuggets), the yearning confessional "Everything Must Go," the garage rocker "Hope," driving harmonies-rich "Marlena" and the baroque pop gem "About Time" are among my faves. Information: richardxheyman.com.


Robert Kinsler

The Police - 'Everyone Stares' out on May 31, 2019

I can't believe I have not seen the Police in concert since their farewell tour in 2007 (you can read a short review of the show I posted here). Fans of the Police will want to check out 'Everyone Stares' when it is released later this month...

THE POLICE: EVERYONE STARES The Police Inside Out RELEASED ON DVD, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL ON MAY 31, 2019 PRE-ORDER NOW HERE WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Everyone Stares is a unique, raw, first-person account from Stewart Copeland's eyes of The Police’s ascent to worldwide fame. Offering an insider’s view on touring with fellow band members Sting and Andy Summers, the film captures the reaction of adoring fans worldwide at a pivotal moment in the band’s career. Everyone Stares is now finally receiving its Blu-ray and digital debut. Two years into The Police’s journey to stardom, Stewart Copeland began documenting the band’s tour around the US in the winter of 1978: traveling in the back of a van, playing clubs and sewing the seeds of their success. Everyone Stares is a story of extraordinary talent, camaraderie, hard-work and eventual world domination, by a maverick live band. Stewart Copeland says, “In 1978, when I was a member of a struggling rock band called The Police, I scraped together enough money to buy a super 8 movie camera. As soon as I raised it to my eye and started filming, amazing things began to happen. It was like watching a movie unfold as the band sparked a fire that lit up the world for us. Everyone Stares is that movie.” With Copeland’s narrative & dry humor serving as the perfect foil to the footage, the film is scored using rare live performances and studio “derangements” of classic Police songs. Bonus features include over 20 minutes of extra footage and commentary by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. The Police have won six Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. About Stewart Copeland Stewart Copeland was the drummer for the British rock band The Police. He has produced film and video game soundtracks and written musical pieces for opera, ballet and orchestras. Stewart is a recipient of the Hollywood Film Festival’s first Outstanding Music in Film Visionary Award and was voted as one of the Greatest Drummers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2016. His career includes the sale of more than 60 million records worldwide. Stewart Copeland’s Official Website Stewart Copeland Facebook Instagram Twitter The Police Official Website The Police Facebook About Eagle Vision Eagle Vision is an imprint of Eagle Rock Entertainment, the world-leading producer and distributor of music-related audiovisual content. Founded in 1997, the multi-award-winning company completes over 50 productions a year including concerts, documentaries, scripted formats and specials representing over 2,000 hours of programming. The vast catalogue includes work by award-winning filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Brett Morgan, Paul Dugdale, Stanley Nelson and Bob Smeaton. Eagle Rock has worked alongside a variety of artists including the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Jay Z, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Frank Sinatra, Black Sabbath and Imagine Dragons. eagle-rock.com