ROLLING STONES: It’s Only Rock n’ “Roach"?
Posters are popping up around London leading to speculation that they're teasing a surprise show from The Rolling Stones there on April 11th. And while today is April Fools' Day, this appears to be legit. The red posters read, "The Cockroaches" along with a QR code, which takes you to a website, TheCockroaches.com, which shows a photo of the poster with a clock above and the date, April 11th. If you sign up for email alerts, it takes you to a site registered to Universal Music, the band's record label.
The two other clues are: In the late '70s and 'early '80s, the Stones, billed as either The Cockroaches or Blue Sunday and The Cockroaches, did surprise shows in Toronto (1977), Atlanta (1978) and Worcester, Massachusetts (1981). And, when you sign up, written above the sign in boxes is "Who the f**k are The Cockroaches?" in the same font as that was on a t-shirt Keith Richards wore in 1975 asking, "Who the f**k is Mick Jagger?"
The Rolling Stones were set to tour Europe this year but scrapped those plans when it was reported that "Keith Richards didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months.” The Stones last performed in their native England in 2022, and their last show was on July 21st, 2024, in Ridgedale, Missouri. The album they recorded last year is scheduled to be out later this year. We reached out to a spokeswoman for the Stones but have yet to hear back.
PAUL McCARTNEY: One Apple Didn't Fall Far From the Other
We now know why Paul McCartney did two surprise shows last Friday and Saturday at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California. It was to warm-up for a corporate gig Tuesday night for Apple's 50th anniversary at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Set list wise, it was no different than last week's shows, with the exception of the addition of "Live and Let Die," and the fact that Apple employees did not have to lock away their phones as you see videos from the show on YouTube. It's ironic that McCartney agreed to do the show given the litigious history between the computer giant and The Beatles' Apple Corps. Between 1978 and 2007 there were numerous trademark suits filed over the use of the name "Apple" and their respective logos of an apple. Apple Inc. paid Apple Corps. over three settlements: $80,000 in 1978, $26.5-million in 1991, and $500-million in 2007, when Apple Inc. acquired all the trademarks related to "Apple".
RUSH: How They Started To Find Their Way
While Rush left what song to play Sunday at Canada's Juno Awards up to their management -- 1974's "Finding My Way" -- Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had no trouble deciding what songs to rehearse first with new drummer Anika Nilles. Lifeson tells Classic Rock magazine, "We’d prepped five songs, but I think [the first one we played] might have been 'Limelight.' We wouldn’t have wanted something like 'YYZ' as the first song, though we did run through it in those sessions. We played '[Spirit of] Radio' with Anika too... We did 'Subdivisions'... and that is a seemingly simple song for us. That’s been fascinating to watch. So you get a sense of appreciation for the way the song is, but you also get a more acute appreciation for how [our late drummer] Neil [Peart] played. Because when you see someone else trying to capture his feel, you realize what kind of player he was, and the tightness of his attitude, the firmness in attack as well. "With 'Tom Sawyer,' or even 'Limelight,' you can’t just shuffle through those songs, you have to be attentive. And, you know, stand up straight. And that’s sort of where the feel comes from." Rush will start their Fifty Something tour on June 7th with the first of four shows at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where they played their last show on August 1st, 2015.
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM: Apparently Can't Go His Own Way
Lindsey Buckingham famously sang about going his own way in Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," but that wasn't the case yesterday morning (Wednesday) in Santa Monica, California as he was attacked by a female stalker. The New York Post reports that the incident occurred while he was at an appointment she'd gotten wind of, which is where she threw an unknown substance at him and fled the scene. The woman is known to Buckingham, who was not injured, and no arrest has been made.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Oh, There Was More
Not only did Bruce Springsteen open his Land of Hope and Dreams tour Tuesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis with a speech, dedicating the show to "celebration and defense of American ideals," but he spewed a lot longer later on, saying, "We are living through some very dark times. Our American values that have sustained us for 250 years are being challenged as never before. We've got our young men and women's lives at risk in an unconstitutional and illegal war. This is happening now.
"There are immigrants being held in detention centers around the country and being deported without due process of law to alien countries and foreign gulags. This is happening now.
"Our Justice Department has completely abdicated its independence, and our attorney general, Pam Bondi, takes her marching orders straight from a corrupt White House. She prosecutes our president's perceived enemies, covers up for his misdeeds and protects his powerful friends. This is happening now. "The richest men in America have abandoned the world's poorest children through death and disease, through their dismantling of USAID. This is happening now. "We are abandoning NATO and the world order that's kept us safe and at global peace for 80 years. This is happening now. "We threaten our neighbors and our allies whose sons and daughters have fought alongside us in American wars with the predatory annexation of their land. This is happening now. "Our museums are being told to whitewash American history of any unpleasant or inconvenient facts, like the full history of the brutality of slavery. You want to talk about snowflakes? We have a president who can't handle the truth. This is happening now. "While working Americans struggle, our president and his family enrich themselves by billions of dollars trading on the people's office in corruption unmatched in American history. This is happening now. "This White House is destroying the American idea and our reputation around the world. To many, we are no longer looked upon as an often imperfect but strong defender of democracy standing for the global good. We are no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are now, to many, America the reckless, unpredictable, predatory rogue nation. That is this administration's and this president’s legacy. This is happening now. "Honesty, honor, humility, compassion, thoughtfulness, morality, true strength, and decency — don’t let anybody tell you that these things don't matter anymore. They do. They are at the heart of the kind of men and women we are, the kind of citizens we are, the kind of country we'll be leaving to our children. So many of our elected leaders have failed us that this American tragedy can only be stopped by the American people. So join us and let’s fight for the America that we love. "Are you with us?"
Springsteen will be visiting 17 more cities on this tour with arena shows in 16 before the finale in Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington, D.C. on May 27th. Up next is Portland, Oregon on Friday.
WEEZER: Ready to "Shine Again"
Weezer have finally shared "Shine Again," the song they teased ahead of announcing The Gathering tour last week. The track, which is on YouTube now, was written by drummer
Patrick Wilson. It's the first time in the band's over three decade career that one of Wilson's song has been a single. The as-yet to be titled album is due out later this year. It was produced by Kenneth Blume, who helmed last year's Geese album Getting Killed, and Klas Ahlund.
Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen Honored by James Beard Awards
One of the most prestigious awards in the restaurant world has been given to Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen Foundation. The restaurant, which is operated on a pay-it-forward model that allows patrons to volunteer if they cannot afford to pay for the meal, has been given a James Beard Impact Award. The James Beard organization established the award last year to honor people who are working to push for standards to create a more sustainable and equitable restaurant industry.
RINGO: No Fooling
Ringo Starr announced yesterday (Wednesday) that he will release “Choose Love,” the second single off his new album Long Long Road on Friday. In his post he said, “No matter what you choose, Choose Love. I just love that song – I am Peace & Love, that’s what I do.” For whatever reason, this led some fans to think he was making an April Fools' Day joke as his office released a statement saying, "Team Ringo would like to clarify that this is not an April Fools joke — 'Choose Love' is really coming out this Friday with featured vocals from St. Vincent! Peace & Love!" Perhaps the reason why some thought it was a joke is because in 2005 he released an album and song with the same title. It turns out that this version is an updated re-recording of the original. Long Long Road, Ringo's second consecutive country album, will be released on April 24th.
Ann Wilson Goes Country At Tammy Wynette Tribute Concert
Heart's Ann Wilson showed her country side this week, as she performed at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium at "Forever Yours," a tribute concert to the late country legend Tammy Wynette. Once she took the stage to close out the concert, Wilson said to the crowd, "It’s a real honor to be among you tonight and sing the songs of this great lady…It’s an honor to be allowed to sing this one, too, because it’s probably the most powerful song worldwide that any woman can sing." She then took on Wynette's classic "Stand By Your Man." Wynette’s daughter,
Georgette Jones, said of Wilson, "You don’t think of Ann Wilson when you think of country music. It’s pretty amazing that someone like her would have been influenced by and loved mom’s music as well." The entire evening was recorded, to be aired at a later date on PBS' "Great Performances."
Collective Soul Announce New Album Touch And Go
Collective Soul are giving fans new music. The rock veterans are set to release a new album titled "Touch and Go." The record is a Record Day exclusive and will only be sold at independent record stores.It's not clear if Collective Soul has plans for a wider release of the album. "Touch and Go" will be available on April 18th.
Tom Morello, The Offspring Drop Off 2026 Sonic Temple Lineup
Tom Morello and The Offspring are backing out of the Sonic Temple 2026.The festival announced that Chevelle and Pop Evil will join the lineup as their replacements. Morello previously stated that he was postponing a run of solo dates to join Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band for "The Boss U.S. Tour."Sonic Temple 2026 is scheduled for May 14th through the 17th in Columbus, Ohio. My Chemical Romance, Shinedown, Bring Me The Horizon, and Tool will headline the event.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Music Sustainability Alliance has named a new award after late Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Bob Weir. The MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards will go annually to “individuals and organizations in music who are advancing environmental responsibility and climate action.” Weir’s family showed their appreciation, saying, “Bobby always strived to leave nothing but bare footprints on the Earth. If it was helpful to the planet, animals or others, it was always a yes for him. He spent decades encouraging the music world to consider its impact on the land, the climate, and future generations.” The inaugural award will be presented on April 14th in Los Angeles during the 2026 Music Sustainability Summit. Weir died this past January 10th from underlying lung issues. He was 78.
Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson has combined two albums – Tull’s Under Wraps, released in 1984, and his 1983 solo debut, Walk Into the Light. Jethro Tull - Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition. It will be released on May 15th.
Collective Soul are a late addition to the Record Store Day lineup on April 18th. They'll put out an album called Touch and Go that was inspired by "The Cars and New Wave music." It will be available exclusively at independent record stores.
The Soundgarden and Chris Cornell tribute act King Ultramega – featuring members of Anthrax, Mastodon, Alice in Chains and more – hope to release a full album at the end of this year. It will raise money for MusiCares and feature contributions from all three remaining Soundgarden members -- Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd.
On This Day
·In 1977 - Fleetwood Mac went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with Rumours. The album is Fleetwood Mac's most successful release; along with winning the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1978, the record has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.
·In 1990 - Nirvana went into Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, and started work on demo versions of "In Bloom," "Dive," "Lithium," "Pay To Play," "Imodium," "Sappy," and "Polly", with Butch Vig producing.
·In 1991 - Lenny Kravitz released his second studio album, Mama Said featuring “It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over.”
·In 1991 - Mr. Big released their second studio album, Lean into It with "To Be with You."
·IN 2014 - Recordings by U2, (“The Joshua Tree”) and Creedence Clearwater Revival (“Fortunate Son”) were among those newly selected for induction into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.