February 6, 2012 – It’s safe to say that Rock History Book Radio has tons of Van Halen fans listening everyday and it was a no-brainer to pronounce, today, “Van Halen Day!” All day hosts John Beaudin and Shannon Edwards will feature two tracks, every hour, from the new Van Halen album, “A Different Kind of Truth.” 
Jan 31, 2012 - Good news for all the Norah Jones fans out there! The singer is set to release a new album in spring called 'Little Broken Hearts.' This will be Jones' fifth studio CD and she will be joined by producer and musician, Danger Mouse who is notably the backbone for the project. He also co-wrote many of the tunes with her. 
Jan 24, 2012 - Bruce Springsteen is full speed ahead with his new album due out in March. “Wrecking Ball” will be his 17th studio album and is produced by heavy hitter Ron Aniello (Patti Scialfa, Jars of Clay) and talent thrown in from Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machines) and members of the E Street Band. 
January 24, 2012 - It’s a done deal as Paul has announced (via his website) that he will be preforming at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in L.A. on Feb 12. This is also a very special occasion for him as he’s nominated this year for Best Historical Album for "Band On The Run." McCartney is definitely no stranger to the stage and if he pulls this one in it will be his 15th Grammy win in all. 
January 23, 2012 - John Mayer has been out of the spotlight since he cancelled numerous gigs last year to undergo throat surgery. His decision to finally go under the knife was necessary after attempts to rest his voice did not help. In the meantime, John had to regroup and push back the release of his new album. 
Jan 20, 2012 - Etta James, an iconic R&B American singer known for her classic songs “ At Last” and “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me” has died today at the age of 73. 
January 19, 2012 - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith never ceases to amaze me. He sat in on an Ellen DeGeneres show recently and proceeded to explain why he decided over the Christmas holidays to marry girlfriend Erin Brady. 
January 14, 2011 - Aerosmith fans will be watching as Steven Tyler is about to get really comfortable in his seat for his second round of American Idol. Ever since he joined the panel for this vocal talent show last season Tyler says sales of Aerosmith’s back catalog has rose 260 percent. We all know he has much to talk about when it comes to American Idol, but let’s get back to your roots Steven! 
July 26, 2011 - Although Dan Peek left the group America in 1977 he is certainly not forgotten as a member of the famous band. Peek passed away on July 24 of undisclosed causes. He was 60. The singer’s site simply states, “Dan went to Heaven on July 24 2011” and features a video of Peek performing his 
Sept, 2011 – On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun. 
October 31, 2010 – This project started after Elton John just happened to mention his chief influences on “Spectacle,” a TV program hosted by Elvis Costello and produced by him and partner David Furnish. 
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Jethro Tull To Perform “Aqualung” in Full Ian Anderson, the driving force and lead singer of Jethro Tull, says the band will take the album on the road this summer and perform the it in full. It’s interesting to note that Anderson has stated publicly many times that “Aqualung,” in spite of its common themes, is not a concept album. Anderson says, “I always said at the time that this is not a concept album; this is just an album of varied songs of varied instrumentation and intensity in which three or four are the kind of keynote pieces for the album but it doesn't make it a concept album. In my mind when it came to writing the next album, Thick as a Brick, was done very much in the sense of: 'Whuh, if they thought Aqualung was a concept album, O-O-K, we'll show you a concept album.' And it was done as a kind of spoof, a send-up, of the concept album genre. ... But Aqualung itself, in my mind was never a concept album. Just a bunch of songs.”
According to Wikipedia - In April 1971, Aqualung peaked at number 4 on the UK Album Chart; 26 years later it almost cracked the Top 50. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Music Charts' North American pop albums chart; the single "Hymn 43" hit #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. – by John Beaudin
06/08 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater |
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Jethro Tull Sticking to the Classics on 40th Anniversary Tour Ian Anderson’s first band was The Blades formed in Blackpool in 1963. Since forming Jethro Tull in 1968, he has redefined progressive rock via a folk rock direction. Long time Tull guitarist Martin Barre was on hand for the show, "I can still sense the cut of Barre's guitar into my ear,” says Stubgaard, “No longer a blues band, perhaps, but they were exceptionally good at pretending to still be one last night. Oh, I'm still right up there.” The European Tull tour runs until Dec. 3rd. Ian Anderson plans his annual Christmas shows again this year with the Sturcz String Quartet. So far only European dates have been announced. – by John Beaudin & Henrik Stubgaard (pictured left) |
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May 21, 2011 – The classic Jethro Tull album “Aqualung” is 40 years old this year. In fact the project was released exactly 40 years ago this month in the U.S. (it was released in March of 1971 in the U.K.).
“Aqualung” was recorded at the new Island Records studio in Basing Street in London from December 1970 to February 1971. Jethro Tull had the large studio while Led Zeppelin were mixing their classic 4th album in the smaller studio at the same time.
Nov. 26, 2008 – Ian Anderson has promised fans a jolt of the best in the Jethro Tull discography for their 40th anniversary tour and so far fan reception in Europe has been amazing. Henrik Stubgaard, our correspondent in Denmark was happy with the variety of the show in Herning, Denmark on Nov. 19th. "They played a lot of the old bluesy stuff, including 'Dharma' for one featuring a great drum solo by Doane Perry. Although moments before Ian had just ironically claimed that drum solos were a thing of the past that used to bore everybody's pants off."
So is Jethro Tull still worthy? Here’s what Stubgaard said. “It was one of the best Jethro Tull concerts I have ever seen or heard. The material played was mostly from the first 4 albums (it was, after all, a 40th anniversary tour concert) and it was a brilliant walk down memory lane for me and my three friends. Having said that, the band played with such energy and nerve that it was quite stunning. They really seemed to be enjoying themselves, the old buggers. Particularly Martin Barre played with a superb rough edge to his solos. And Ian's ironic/humoristic comments to their many years in music really put everything in place.” |
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