FOO FIGHTERS: A Benefit on Grohl's Birthday
Foo Fighters will play a special benefit concert on Dave Grohl's 57th birthday, January 14th at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Proceeds from the show will go to Hope the Mission and Los Angeles Mission, and there's a in-person pre-sale to buy tickets at the Forum on this Sunday. The only way fans can participate in this pre-sale is bring an item to donate to Hope the Mission -- socks and underwear, dried pinto beans, pasta and dried rice. The remaining tickets will go on sale later this month.
Grohl said in a statement, “What better way to spend my 57th birthday than making a bunch of noise with a bunch of friends for a good cause. This ain’t just a big-ass rock show, it’s a big-ass party with a heart. Turn up the volume, turn up the hope, but most of all….TURN UP. The best gift is TO GIVE." One interesting line in the press release about the event is that it says it will benefit "organizations that Dave and Jordyn Grohl and the band have long supported." That's the first public acknowledgment that the couple is still together. Dave Grohl revealed in 2024 that he had fathered a child out of wedlock, and rumors flew that the Grohl marriage was on the rocks.
FOREIGNER: 4 For Eight
Foreigner will kick off a special eight-date tour today (Wednesday) with the first of two shows in Port Chester, New York in support of the 44th anniversary of their fourth album, 4, which was released in a deluxe format this past September. Joining them on this tour of six cities in four Northeast states is the band's original singer, Lou Gramm, who said "If Mick [Jones] was in better health he would be on stage. Because he's not able to, I'm gonna fly the flag for him as a toke of my renewed friendship with him and to have an original member in that line-up." Guitarist and principal songwriter Mick Jones, who founded Foreigner in 1976, can no longer tour due to Parkinson's disease. Following Port Chester, the tour will make stops in Staten Island, New York; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Wallingford, Connecticut; Montclair, New Jersey; and the finale on December 13th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: Flea Drops Debut Solo Single
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has released the first single from his debut solo album.
It's called "A Plea" was directed by his daughter Clara Blazary. Watch it on YouTube now.
Flea hasn't revealed a title or release date yet for this solo project, but he did say that "I've recorded something that is the essence of me, the best of me and I'm really excited that I've been able to articulate the best part of who I am and my relationship to the world and how I hope for a high level of discourse amongst human beings."
(Note: Flea does curse in the song, this video is not safe for air)
Aerosmith And Yungblud Tease Collaboration With Country Star Lainey Wilson
Aerosmith and Yungblud are teasing a song with country star Lainey Wilson. In a post on social media, Aerosmith wrote "a 'Wild Woman' feature coming soon," referring to a track on their latest EP with Yungblud "One More Time." They added "there was a cowgirl who loved this song so much that we had to pass her on." Their post included a photo of a cowboy hat made by Charlie One Horse in collaboration with Wilson. The band didn't reveal when fans could expect the single to drop. Aerosmith and Yungblud's collaborative EP was released on November 21st.
AEROSMITH: Out of the Saddle
A year ago this past November, Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando changed the
Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster to one tied in with The Muppets. The change came about as Disney replaced its Muppet Vision 3D attraction with Monsters Inc. land. In a statement at that time, they said, “To make way for the monsters, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! But there’s more to the story: The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!” And while the coaster remains open, Aerosmith's 25-year reign is complete as the resort has permanently removed the video of Aerosmith that played while visitors entered the indoor coaster's loading area. Tom Hamilton said "You know, we've always like gone into these things tongue in cheek, you know, and we love the irony that there's such a thing as an Aerosmith roller coaster. I mean it's a ridiculous thought, but it's there and it's real."
CSN: A Not So Silent Night
Crosby, Stills & Nash did their first show on August 16th, 1969, at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and today (Wednesday, December 3rd) marks the 10th anniversary of them doing their last. While the occasion on that day in 2015 was joyous -- singing "Silent Night" at the
National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C. -- Graham Nash says it was anything but. "The 'out of tune' singing was not entirely our fault. "During the afternoon soundcheck they had given us three colored mics and all sounded good to us. "At the time of our 'live' vocals we each were given the wrong mics therefore David [Crosby] couldn't hear Stephen [Stills] and
Stephen couldn't hear David and we sang out of tune. "Afterwards, David and Stephen were arguing about who was at fault. It ended with them almost coming to blows and that ended up being the last time we ever sang together. "When I reflect on what we managed to do in those 50 years or so, I know that we did our best to be as honest as possible given that the three of us were completely different people, but that we made millions of people smile and enjoy our music. A sad end indeed."
In addition to the tension between Crosby and Stills, there had also been tension between Crosby and Nash stemming from Crosby not being pleased with Nash's 2023 memoir, Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life. "David's main concern was that those stories that I wrote about how he affected my life were his stories and only his to tell. And quite frankly, everything that I said in the book about David he'd already said in both his autobiographies. I don't know why he wanted to attack me this way, but it was unforgivable to me." Sadly, the two never spoke again, although they were trying to schedule time to talk prior to Crosby's sudden death on January 23rd, 2023.
Phish returning to Sphere in 2026
Phish has announced a return to the Sphere in Las Vegas for a series of nine shows in April and May next year. Following their successful residency in 2024, the band will perform April 16-18, April 23-25, and April 30-May 2. Tickets for these shows will go on sale next week, on December 12, with a ticket request period currently underway. More info at phish.com/tours.
Europe Announce Fall 2026 "The Final Countdown" 40th Anniversary Tour Dates
Europe are revealing their schedule for their 40th Anniversary Tour that will see them perform across twelve countries. During the 19-date "The Final Countdown" tour, the Swedish rockers will perform songs from their career and "The Final Countdown" album in its entirety. The trek begins at the end of September in the U.K. and wraps up in late October in Norway. The band will hit the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and more. No U.S. dates have been announced.
Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Announced
The lineup for next year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is out now.The Strokes, Skrillex, Rufus Du Sol and Noah Kahan will headline the four day event in Manchester, Tennessee.Other acts on the bill include Turnstile, Teddy Swims, Role Model and Kesha. Bonnaroo will take place June 11th through the 14th. Passes go on sale this Friday.
IN OTHER NEWS
Chrissie Hynde has a suggestion for a Christmas gift for “your favorite people.” She says, “I highly recommend the entire series of Strike detective novels by Robert Galbraith. There…and don’t say I never gave you anything.”
Mick Jagger has paid tribute to his “favorite playwright” Tom Stoppard, who died on Saturday at 88. He says, “He leaves us with a majestic body of intellectual and amusing work. I will always miss him.”
Pearl Jam have announced a new Dark Matter tour photo book called React/Respond featuring photos taken by Geoff Whitman. It will be published on April 18th.
Judas Priest have announced their 2026 Faithkeepers European tour – July 26th in Germany through August 23rd, also in Germany. In between are stops in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, France and Spain.
Eric Clapton has announced nine dates in Europe from April 26th in Belgium through May 17th in Germany. In between are stops in Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Spain. Then on August 23rd he’ll play a special show at the royal family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England with special guests to be announced.
Sting's concert originally scheduled for November 10th at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has been rescheduled for November 24th, 2026. Unfortunately, he’s unable to make up a Jacksonville show that was originally scheduled for November 11th.
Organizers of the Bowl for Ronnie event on November 13th in Studio City, California announced that it raised over $85,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund.
Founding KISS drummer Peter Criss will be on hand at the Mad Monster Party in Concord, North Carolina on February 20th and 21st.
Mammoth (Wolfgang Van Halen) have announced a spring tour with 10 Years that starts March 5th in Buffalo, New York and wraps up April 4th in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Sammy Hagar has posted a video on Instagram of himself on Maui doing a version of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” on ukulele. He also posted a video from his Thanksgiving dinner at Alice Cooper manager Shep Gordon’s home there.