Rock Daily

On the 66th anniversary of “The Day the Music Died” – a plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper – the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is releasing bobbleheads honoring Valens and the Big Bopper. The absence of a Buddy Holly bobblehead is notable, perhaps because his estate didn’t approve the use of his likeness. Valens' estate also revealed that they are preparing a new biopic on the late singer. (Rolling Stone)

DEVO is embarking on their DEVO: 50 Years of De-Evolution… Continued! tour across North America from May to August 2025. The new dates continue DEVO’s ongoing farewell tour that began in 2023, with the jaunt including headlining shows, festival stops, and finishing with a show supporting My Chemical Romance at Chicago’s Soldier Field. DEVO will also play "SNL: The Homecoming Concert" at Radio City Music Hall. (Consequence of Sound)

Dave Grohl has been added to the lineup for "SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert" on February 14 at Radio City Music Hall. Grohl holds the record for most musical appearances on SNL with 15 performances, most notably with Foo Fighters and Nirvana. Grohl joins the stacked "Homecoming Concert" lineup that includes Eddie Vedder, Chris Martin, Jack White, David Byrne, Mumford & Sons, and host Jimmy Fallon. (Billboard)

Elton John has hinted that a new album is on the way through a series of personalized letters sent out to fans. The letters detail Sir Elton’s plans for the future, as well as teasing a forthcoming album that features collaborations with Brandi Carlile and producer Andrew Watt, along with his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. “When we met, I fell in love with her, and we connected straight away,” John wrote of his creative partnership with Carlile. “It was connection, a true connection, emotionally, musically and it’s been one of the greatest friendships of my life.” They worked intensively to produce 14 songs in 20 days, with 10 ultimately selected for the record. Despite health challenges, including a severe eye condition that affects his ability to see and create music, John remains dedicated to his artistry and passionate about songwriting. The new album will be a follow-up to John’s 2021 release, The Lockdown Sessions. (NME)

In a new interview with Classic Rock, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson reflected on the challenges of heavy metal touring throughout the 1980s and beyond. The singer shared the importance of maintaining your physical and mental well-being while on the road. He singled out the destructive behavior of Mötley Crüe as an example of what eventually caused him to clean up his lifestyle. “We toured with Mötley Crüe,” recalled Dickinson. “Complete f**king casualties, much of it self-induced. And I was like, ‘Please tell me I’m not going to end up like that!’” Dickinson said Maiden’s 1984 World Slavery Tour was notorious for high levels of stress, lack of sleep, and self-destructive behavior. To cope with that chaos, the metal singer turned to healthy distractions like fencing, while seeking to avoid the pitfalls that befell his peers. These life-altering changes in behavior underscores Maiden's enduring success as they prepare for the upcoming Run for Your Lives World Tour which kicks off in May. (Consequence of Sound)

Numerous artists are taking part in a 90-track benefit compilation titled, Good Music to Lift Los Angeles, which will raise funds to support wildfire victims. R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie + The Postal Service, Modest Mouse, Jason Isbell, Dawes, Interpol, and many others have shared previously unreleased material which will be included on the Bandcamp-exclusive compilation. The collection is priced at $20.25 and will be available for 24 hours only on February 7th, with special cover art by Altadena-based artist Cleon Peterson. All proceeds will go towards the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the LA Food Bank, with Bandcamp donating their cut from the sales to MusiCares. “We only had a few weeks to put this compilation together and are absolutely humbled by the contributions,” said Good Music co-founder Jordan Kurland. “Music is a healing force and we hope this collection of songs, in addition to raising much needed recovery funds, provides some solace.” (Consequence of Sound)

Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson are set to headline the 35-date Outlaw Music Festival tour this summer. The shows will mark the 10-year anniversary of the annual traveling festival, and will feature an impressive lineup including Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the Avett Brothers, Lake Street Dive, Waxahatchee, Lucinda Williams, and Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. The 2025 Outlaw Music Festival starts up on May 13 in Phoenix, and wraps up Sept. 19 in East Troy, Wisconsin. “What an amazing lineup to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour,” Nelson said in a statement. “I can’t wait to join friends and family in bringing this celebration to the fans we love.” The tour will also feature appearances by Turnpike Troubadours, the Red Clay Stray, Trampled by Turtles, the Mavericks, Sierra Hull, and many more, with Dylan and Nelson being the only consistent acts on every bill. (Rolling Stone)

In a new interview with the Marin Independent Journal, Joan Baez praised Monica Barbaro's portrayal of her in the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. “If I didn’t think she was good at it, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it in general,” Baez said. “But she looked enough like me and she had my gestures down. You could tell who it was. She worked so hard. Kudos to her for taking the role on.” The Academy Award-nominated film depicts Baez's early relationship with Dylan and their involvement in the '60s folk movement, and Baez appreciated the representation of her life and music in the film. “I thought the music was fantastic,” she said. “I may be blocking my feelings, but it’s an amusing movie. It was fun.” A Complete Unknown has received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan. (Consequence of Sound)

On Monday (February 3), AC/DC shared an Instagram video announcement detailing their upcoming European leg of their ongoing Power Up Tour. The hard rock legend’s 12-date jaunt is set to kick off on June 26 at Letňany Airport in Prague, Czech Republic, then hits stadiums in Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Estonia, Sweden, Norway and France, before concluding at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on August 21. This European run follows the earlier announcement of AC/DC’s first U.S. tour in nine years, with 13 stadium shows scheduled to take place across America from April 10 to May 28. The tour is in support of AC/DC’s 2020 album Power Up, and follows up on the band’s sold-out European shows in 2024. Tickets for most of the newly announced European shows will go on sale on February 7 at 10 a.m. local time. (Billboard)

Tool's Danny Carey, known for playing demanding drum parts in rock and metal, has devised an innovative way to maintain his drumming skills while staying in shape. In a YouTube video featuring Carey demonstrating how to use his invention, the metal musician introduces the world to the "drum bike." This unique contraption consists of an exercise bike with a practice drum pad affixed to it, allowing Carey to combine cardio exercise with drumming practice. This clever solution addresses the challenge of staying fit and finding time to practice while on the road, making it an ingenious idea for touring musicians. Carey just finished up his involvement with the King Crimson BEAT tribute tour, and now the veteran drummer will be taking part in Tool’s upcoming run of shows, including a destination music festival in the Dominican Republic in March, followed by a tour of Latin America. (Consequence of Sound)

After Aerosmith announced their retirement from touring in 2024 due to Steven Tyler's vocal cord damage, the singer made a triumphant return to the stage on Sunday night (February 2) at a Grammy Awards watch party benefitting Tyler’s Janie’s Fund foundation. The 6th annual Jam For Janie event featured a six-song performance by Tyler, where he was joined by a series of special guests, including his Aerosmith bandmate Tom Hamilton, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, Mick Fleetwood, the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, Lainey Wilson, and Jessie J. The event – which also featured performances by Linda Perry, Marcus King, Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, and Joan Jett – raised money to support young women affected by abuse and neglect, and also supported L.A. fire relief causes. Despite the end of Aerosmith’s touring career, Hamilton has recently expressed hope for future live performances for the band. (Rolling Stone)

The Black Keys announced new North American dates on their No Rain No Flowers Tour. The 13-date trek starts on May 23 in Durant, Oklahoma, and concludes on June 14 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, with support from Hermanos Gutiérrez and the Heavy Heavy on select dates. Tickets go on sale on February 7 at 10 a.m. local time. This follows the highly publicized cancellation of the Black Keys’ 2024 arena tour, and signifies the band's return to the road after signing with a new management company, Red Light. The group is also preparing a follow-up to their 2024 album, Ohio Players, slated for release later this year. “After the tour was canceled, the consensus was, ‘Sh*t happens, and you just have to move through it,’” drummer Patrick Carney said in a statement. “We were already on a creative streak, and the best thing we could do, rather than sit at home, was just go back in the studio. Get back to work. So, that’s how the record started.” (Rolling Stone)

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday night (February 2) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Comedian Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year, which kicked off with a fitting tribute to Los Angeles after the devastating wildfires. L.A. band Dawes (whose brothers, Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith lost their homes and recording studio in the fires) were joined by John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, Brittany Howard, and Brad Paisley for a fitting cover of Randy Newman’s iconic anthem, “I Love L.A.”

Love for the City of Angels continued throughout the ceremony, from Billie Eilish sporting a Dodgers hat during her performance of “Birds of a Feather,” to Chappell Roan – who won Best New Artist later in the ceremony – performing her love letter to Los Angeles, “Pink Pony Club,” and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ touching duet on the Mamas & the Papas classic, “California Dreamin’.’” They were also encouraging donations to fire relief efforts throughout the ceremony, with QR codes on the screen and throughout the venue, and paid TV advertisements throughout the broadcast supporting small, independent L.A. businesses hit hard by the fires.

The ceremony also featured an all-star tribute to the late music legend Quincy Jones, led by Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, and Jacob Collier, which included an arena-wide singalong on the anthem, “We Are the World,” and Janelle Monáe covering Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.” The In Memoriam segment was led by a short tribute to One Direction’s Liam Payne, soundtracked by Coldplay’s Chris Martin singing his band’s recent ballad, “All My Love.”

As for the awards, Kendrick Lamar was the night's biggest winner, taking home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video for his Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department received a standing ovation when a group of them presented Album of the Year to Beyoncé for Cowboy Carter, her first ever win in the Grammys' top category in her illustrious career. Doechii became only the third woman ever to win the Best Rap Album Grammy for her record, Alligator Bites Never Heal, joining previous winners Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.

Sabrina Carpenter took home Best Pop Vocal Album for Short N’ Sweet, and scored Best Solo Pop Performance for her smash hit, “Espresso.” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ current chart-topper won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Charli XCX won her first ever Grammys, claiming Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for Brat, while her catchy single, “Von Dutch,” was awarded Best Dance Pop Recording. Chris Brown was awarded Best R&B Album for 11:11 (Deluxe), and Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran took home Best Latin Pop Album.

In the Rock categories, St. Vincent was the biggest winner on the night, taking home Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Performance for “Flea,” and Best Alternative Music Album for All Born Screaming. Two UK music legends won rock’s biggest awards, as The Rolling Stones won Best Rock Album for Hackney Diamonds, and the Beatles won Best Rock Performance for their celebrated “final” song, “Now and Then.” Best Metal Performance went to Gojira, Marina Viotti & Victor le Masne for “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!),” which caught everyone’s attention at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris this summer.

As for the Country awards, Beyoncé was the night’s big winner in the genre, taking home Grammys for Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted,” her collaboration with Miley Cyrus. Best Country Song was awarded to Kacey Musgraves for “The Architect,” while Best Country Solo Performance went to Chris Stapleton for “It Takes a Woman.” Sierra Ferrell was another big winner on the night, as her Trail of Flowers won Best Americana Album, “American Dreaming” took home Best Americana Performance and Best American Roots Song, and “Lighthouse” was awarded Best American Roots Performance. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings’ Woodland won Best Folk Album, while Billy Strings' Live Vol. 1 was awarded Best Bluegrass Album.

On Friday night (January 31), a host of musicians paid tribute to the Grateful Dead at the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s event also raised funds for victims of the Los Angeles fires, including music industry professionals who lost their recording studios, instruments, and equipment in the blaze. The gala was hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen, and featured performances by John Mayer, Billy Strings, Zac Brown, My Morning Jacket, Mick Fleetwood, Stewart Copeland, the War and Treaty, and more, all  celebrating the iconic rock band's 60th anniversary. Grateful Dead representatives, including guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Mickey Hart, along with special guests like Jerry Garcia's daughter, Trixie, and Phil Lesh’s son, Grahame, were all in attendance, with actor Woody Harrelson presenting Hart and Weir with their award. The event showcased inventive interpretations of the Grateful Dead's music in a series of memorable musical tributes that ultimately raised money for a worthy cause. (Billboard)

Sum 41 wrapped up their farewell tour with a final show at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Thursday (January 30). The Canadian punk band delivered a spirited 29-song set to bring their near-30-year career to a close, with frontman Deryck Whibley kicking off the performance with a rousing call to the audience that addressed the significance of the occasion. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get … crazy,” he said. “We’ve got a whole range of emotions to go through together.” He led the band through a impassioned set that included hits from throughout their platinum-selling catalog, as well as surprising covers of Slayer’s “Raining Blood” and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” culminating in a memorable encore featuring classic jams like "In Too Deep" and "Fat Lip." Although this marked the band's last official concert, Sum 41 will be honored with an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno Awards in Vancouver on March 30. (Consequence of Sound)

According to reports from The Times, the Rolling Stones have reportedly postponed their planned U.K. and European tour for 2025 due to logistical challenges and prior commitments. The Stones apparently declined offers for a series of high-profile summer shows, including a lucrative four-night stand in the band’s hometown of London which featured a “proposed multimillion-pound visit to Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium,” alongside additional live opportunities in Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. The Rolling Stones are said to be considering a full-scale tour for 2026, while mulling over potential guest appearances, including guitarist Ronnie Wood possibly joining his former Faces’ bandmate Rod Stewart for the Legends slot at Glastonbury in June. The Stones’ 2024 tour in support of their recent album, Hackney Diamonds, was a huge commercial success, selling 880,000 tickets and grossing over $235 million. (Rolling Stone)

Billy Corgan is set to launch his new podcast, The Magnificent Others, with the first episode premiering on February 5. Corgan’s podcast – part of Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios network – will feature special guests like Gene Simmons, Corey Feldman, Tom Morello, and Al Jourgensen. According to a press release, “Through in-depth, candid conversations, all captured on camera in a unique, engaging way, Billy and his guests peel back the layers of success in captivating in-person interviews, exploring the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped their journeys and defined their paths.” Future episodes of The Magnificent Others will include appearances by Zakk Wylde, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Richie Sambora, Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean and Robert DeLeo, Sharon Osbourne, and Carnie Wilson. In addition to Corgan’s podcast endeavors, his band the Smashing Pumpkins have a handful of summer European shows lined up so far in 2025. (Consequence of Sound)

Morgan Wallen has made history by securing a second show at Madison's Camp Randall Stadium on June 28th and 29th. The country star will become the first artist ever to host two concerts at the massive outdoor venue – with a capacity of 76,000 – on the campus at the University of Wisconsin. Wallen announced the historic extra show on his Instagram Stories, also revealing that fellow country stars Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley will support him at these high-profile shows on his 2025 I'm the Problem Tour. “I’m the Problem,” the title track of Wallen’s forthcoming album, was just released on Friday (January 31). Wallen will join an impressive list of legendary music acts who have played at Camp Randall over the years, including U2, Pink Floyd, Genesis, and the Rolling Stones, who performed the last concert at the venue back in 1997. Coldplay will follow Wallen when they bring their record-setting Music of the Spheres Tour to Camp Randall in July. (Holler)

Alice Cooper has been sober for 42 years, but the shock rocker recently shared in a new interview with People that you don’t need alcohol to embody a punk rock spirit. Cooper is promoting his new partnership with WhistlePig that has produced an alcohol-free version of an Old Fashioned dubbed, The Sex, Drugs, Rock & Dry Cocktail. The drink is paired with a special rye-infused vinyl pressing of Cooper’s 2019 EP, Breadcrumbs, with 100% of the proceeds going to Giving Kitchen, which provides assistance to food service workers. Cooper says his sobriety hasn’t hindered his rockstar persona. “Rock ‘n’ roll is more of an attitude,” Cooper says. “You don't have to be drunk or high to be a rocker, you know. It's just an attitude.” He praises the positive shift in the music industry's attitude towards sobriety since the ‘70s, as he prepares to embark on his Too Close For Comfort World Tour on January 31. (People)

System of a Down's "Toxicity" music video has reached one billion views on YouTube, becoming their second visual to achieve this milestone, joining the video for the band’s Grammy-nominated 2001 single, "Chop Suey!" The “Toxicity” video is co-directed by Marcos Siega and bassist Shavo Odadjian, and the title track of the band’s chart-topping sophomore album reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 2002 and No. 7 on the Alternative Airplay chart. The video milestone arrives while System of a Down is preparing to hit the road on their upcoming Wake Up! stadium tour throughout North and South America. The jaunt gets underway on April 24 in Bogota, Colombia, and hits the U.S. on August 27 for the first of a two-night stand at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where they will be joined by special guests Korn. (Billboard)

On Thursday (January 30), Patti Smith shared an Instagram video where she reassured fans that she is in good health after collapsing on stage in Brazil on Wednesday night due to migraine-related dizziness. The incident caused Smith’s Sao Paulo concert to abruptly come to an end. The 78-year-old musician confirmed she was checked by a doctor and is "absolutely fine," and requested her fans not to make too much of the brief ailment. "With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention," Smith shared. “Thank you everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine.” Smith was in Brazil as part of a brief, week-long South American tour with frequent collaborators, Soundwalk Collective. (Rolling Stone)

British singer, songwriter, and actress Marianne Faithfull died on Thursday (January 30) at 78. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” read a statement shared to the BBC. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.” The cause of death has yet to be revealed. Faithfull was an iconic and influential figure of the Swinging London music and art scene of the 1960s, known for hits like “As Tears Go By,” co-written by the Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In addition to her own string of Top 10 UK hits, Faithful also sang backing vocals on The Beatles’ No. 2 hit “Yellow Submarine,” and co-wrote the Stones’ drug ballad, “Sister Morphine.” Beyond her music, she excelled in numerous acting roles over the decades, achieving acclaim for her diverse performances. Faithfull leaves behind a timeless legacy in music, film, and fashion, and serves as a muse to many contemporary artists. (Billboard)