February 2012

Week of Springsteen Underway on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon'

Promotional machine in high gear ahead of 'Wrecking Ball' album release, tour

You can say an awful lot of things about Bruce Springsteen, but you can't say the man doesn't know how to promote the heck out of a new release. For those of us who are huge fans, times are very, very good at the moment. So much is going on surrounding the upcoming release of Springsteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, that it's actually getting hard to keep track of everything.

Here's an example: This is the 'week of Springsteen' on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Seriously, a whole week. How could we ask for more?

The Voice

The perpetuation of the "American Dream."

Read more about The Voice

I watched The Voice for the first time the other day. It's essentially another American Idol knockoff--one of seemingly hundreds--with the quest to find the next great pop star.

The Most Unlikely and Awesome Whitney Houston Tribute, From Chris Cornell (No, Really)

Sang Houston classic and it was brilliant

With all of the exhaustive media coverage surrounding the untimely death of Whitney Houston, one particular tribute kind of got lost: Last week, Chris Cornell performed an impromptu version of "I Will Always Love You." Seriously, it happened. I would never ever lie about something this amazing.

The audience at a Barack Obama rally in San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium was stunned, no doubt, when Cornell sang an acoustic version of this classic song, made famous first by Dolly Parton and then, of course, by the great Whitney. Prepare to be blown away.

LIFE's "Rock Stars With Their Parents"

1970's stars and their folks.

There's something that seems untouchable about rock stars. Like they sprung forth out of some sort of shell, Birth of Venus style. They are infinitely untouchable, almost mythic. Most commoners wouldn't dream of thinking of them as a real person with a real childhood, or anything absurd like that.

2012 Bonnaroo Lineup Announced: Light on Rock

Headliners include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Phish and The Beach Boys

The long-awaited 2012 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival lineup is finally out, and while several headliners are intriguing, to me, the festival's pretty light on true rock bands/artists. Yes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers fit the bill, but for the most part, it looks very much like the Roo is getting back to it's jam roots this year.

If Bonnaroo is a must for you, mark your calendars: The four day music festival in Manchester, Tennessee, kicks off on June 7 and wraps on June 10, 2012.

Bruce Springsteen Will Tour With Two Sax Players

Clarence Clemons' Nephew Will Take the Stage With the E Street Band

After months of speculation, now we know: Bruce Springsteen will tour with not one, but two saxophonists on his upcoming Wrecking Ball tour. And while the Big Man, Clarence Clemons, can never truly be replaced, Springsteen needs sax. What warms my heart, as a fan, is that one of the sax players he's hired is Clarence's nephew, Jake Clemons.

Personally, I think this is an excellent decision (not that The Boss asked me, but still). Having two sax players, including Jake Clemons and veteran saxophonist Eddie Manion, is a great idea.

Rock on the Range 2012: Excellent Lineup!

Performers include Rob Zombie, Megadeth and Incubus

I've never been to Rock on the Range, but I've always wanted to go. This year might be the year. The lineup for the 2012 music festival is out, and it looks really solid. Some huge new bands and some veteran rock performers will hit the stage over three days in May in Columbus, Ohio.

If you're a rock fan, you'd do well to take a closer look at Rock on the Range's 2012 lineup. Good stuff. More than 40 bands are included, so the chances are you'll be able to catch sets from several of your favorites.

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