LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009 IN CLASSIC ROCK
Submitted by RockPhiles Blog
Despite the general gloom and doom resulting from the world-wide economic downturn, classic rock has a slate of upcoming tours, reunions and new projects in the works.
Working On A Dream will be Bruce Springsteen’s 16th studio album. Release date of January 27 is timed a few days ahead of The Boss’s halftime show at the Super Bowl. The Boss is also nominated for two Grammys for his hit, Girls In Their Summer Clothes.
A new U2 release, No Line On The Horizon will be released March 3.
Aerosmith are reportedly readying a spring release, summer will bring a new Kiss album, and a world tour. Currently in discussion, releases from Heart, Boston, Fleetwood Mac and Foreigner. Fleetwood Mac, without Christine McVie, who has honorably retired, will tour starting in the early Spring.
The Faces’ surviving members are in rehearsal for an anticipated 2009 tour, Billy Joel and Elton John are going out on tour together again. A series of March dates have been booked. Rumors of another Macca outing keep circulating, but no official announcement as yet. The Zombies, who already appeared at Summerfest 2008, are lining up a US tour, to perform their successful 1968 album Odyssey and Oracle in its entirety.
What will never happen: Led Zeppelin reunion tour - Plant says he is too old and likes touring with Alison. He keeps saying it, so I think we need to pay attention. Let’s hope Zep doesn’t go out without him. Pink Floyd reunion - even more unlikely now that Rick Wright has passed on. The Kinks? Probably not, despite the continued p.r. campaign. Surprise me, guys!
Anticipated comeback: Vinyl.
In closing, the numbers never lie. As of November 2008, some 1,052 U.S.radio stations program a classic rock or classic hits format, according to “Inside Radio.” Although that’s about half the numbers for the top two radio formats - talk and country - it represents an increase of nearly 100 stations over 2007. Add factual evidence like the number of classic rock artists who are currently up for Grammys, and the frequent continued use of classic rock songs in TV commercials, it all indicates that great classic rock music ages like fine wine, and adds up to another year of good health for our favorite music genre.
A happy(ier) New Year to us all, and many thanks for continuing to visit Rockphiles, where it’s all about the music!
Led Zep, the Stones and The Who are just some of our favorites. Any modern bands come to mind? What are your thoughts? Register on Rock and Roll Blog now and get published within minutes. Before posting, it is recommended that you review our posting guidelines.
