Brian May has posted on Instagram photos of Freddie Mercury on a balcony at the Hilton in Munich, Germany in 1979 in celebration of what would have been his 79th birthday this Friday, September 5th.
Freddie Mercury’s 79th birthday was celebrated with a heartfelt blend of local community gatherings and prestigious events:
- Montreux embraced his legacy with free public celebrations—cake, concerts, tours, and tributes by fans and artists alike.
- Queen’s inner circle honored Freddie on social media with emotional tributes.
- The official birthday party, featuring music, style, and cinematic retrospectives, served both as a grand tribute and a fundraising cause.
Freddie’s indomitable spirit continues to bring people together in joyous remembrance—and this year’s festivities proved once again that his legend lives on in full color and emotion.
ROLLING STONES: Back to Work?
Following up on a report that The Rolling Stones have been recording a new album at Metropolis Studios in West London since April comes this from Mick Jagger. He's posted a video on Instagram of him laying down a harmonica track in the studio, which he captioned with, "Holidays are over… back to the harmonica." In June, The Sun reported that they had "laid down 13 songs and are in discussions over a release date for their 25th studio album...
"Originally, the plan was for them to bring their huge U.S. tour to the U.K. and Europe this summer, but promoters couldn’t get the dates to work. “Instead the Stones decided to get back into the studio and put down their next album. It’s massive for their fans who didn’t get a chance to see them live this year.”
Just before the release of their last album, 2023's Hackney Diamonds, Jagger told us they'd recorded over 20 songs during the sessions for that album, with 12 making the album. "In the other ones there's a lot of really great stuff, but we didn't finish it. You don't want to finish 23 it takes too long. So, we only have to cut maybe four more tracks and we got the next album because we're well ahead of the game on the next album. So, this won't be the last album."
Some of those extra tracks include contributions from their former bassist Bill Wyman, as well as Paul McCartney, both of whom played on Hackney Diamonds. Also in the works is a 50th anniversary edition of 1976's Black and Blue, their first album with Ronnie Wood, who just marked 50 years with the band. It's scheduled to be released in November.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Finally, the Electric Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen is finally releasing the legendary "electric" version of Nebraska. Nebraska '82: Expanded Edition will be out October 17th. The four CD and Blu-ray or four LP and Blu-ray set includes eight songs from the original album performed with the E Street Band, a disc of nine outtakes, a remastered version of the original album and a brand new live performance of the album in full from the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey on disc and the Blu-Ray.
The first track shared from the set is previously unreleased 1982 demo of "Born in the U.S.A." with just Springsteen, bassist Garry Tallent and drummer Max Weinberg, which is on YouTube. Springsteen says, "We threw out the keyboards and played basically as a three-piece. It was kinda like punk rockabilly. We were trying to bring Nebraska into the electric world." There's also a trailer for the project on YouTube with footage from the live performance. Nebraska 82: Expanded Edition will be out one week before Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, the biopic set during the time Springsteen was writing and recording the Nebraska album.
FOREIGNER: Make a Pitch for Swift and Kelce's Wedding
Foreigner -- or the people behind their social media, at least -- have made a pitch to be part of what's going to be the highest profile wedding in years -- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. A post on their Instagram has the caption "an open letter to Taylor and Travis" and says "Dear Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, we know what love is. We spent 40 years figuring it out...and now you guys have too." "Please accept this as our formal offer to be your wedding band. Best wishes, Foreigner." We're not sure "I Want Know What Love Is" is the best choice of a song for a wedding, but the star couple could do worse. Neither Taylor or Travis has commented about the post yet.
PAUL McCARTNEY: While His Bass Gently Disappeared
The recovery in 2023 of Paul McCartney's Hofner bass that was stolen in 1972 is the subject of a documentary film. In The Beatle and the Bass Guitar, which was commissioned by BBC Arts, McCartney says, "I think anything that’s nicked, you want back, especially if it has sentimental value. It just went off into the universe and it left us thinking, where did it go? There must be an answer…” Also featured in the film are his brother Mike, bassist and Beatles' friend Klaus Voormann, Elvis Costello, and many of the folks who were behind the search for the bass.
McCartney bought the Hofner, estimated to be worth $12.6 million, in Hamburg, Germany in 1961 for $125, and it was stolen from Wings' equipment truck in 1972 in London. It was found in the attic of a house in Sussex, England by The Lost Bass Project, which was launched in 2018 to locate it. In September 2023 they uncovered some information that led to its whereabouts. A release date for the film has yet to be announced.
The Beatles Biography Tells the Band’s Complete Story: Where to Get Your Copy Online
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Beatles Anthology book with a special reissue available now for $46.50 on Amazon. The book chronicles the iconic band's journey from their early days in Liverpool to global stardom in the '60s. Additionally, there’s a new biography titled John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs available for $20.88 on Amazon, offering insights into Lennon and McCartney's relationship as songwriters and bandmates.
Robert Plant Shares “Chevrolet” – The Opening Track From New Album
Iconic Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant is set to kick off his 2025 tour on October 30th in Wheeling, West Virginia. This tour is in support of his new album, “Saving Grace.” Plant has released three songs from the album, which is going to be released on September 26th. The newest song is the album’s opener, “Chevrolet,” and it hit YouTube yesterday.
OZZY: His Last Days
Jack Osbourne has posted an emotional video on YouTube paying tribute to and remembering his late father Ozzy. Among the things he talked about were their last days together, how he found out he passed, his last show, and the outpouring of love and support he and his family have received. Following Ozzy's final show, Back to the Beginning on July 5th in Birmingham, England, Jack was scheduled to go on vacation in Portugal with his family, but he had to cancel due to his children coming down with a stomach virus. "We just hung out at our family house in England for a week and it was awesome. My dad was in an amazing mood. He was really happy. Everyday he was opening up the newspaper and seeing different reviews and different stories from the Back to the Beginning show and it was great. It was a lot of fun. You know, I kind of look back on that now and I've never been so grateful for my kids to have the stomach flu as I am today."
More from Jack:
On how he found out his father died: "I woke up in Los Angeles to a knock on my house door at around 3:45 in the morning. Someone who's worked for my family for probably 30 years now was knocking on my door, and when I looked through my window and I saw it was him, I just knew something bad had happened."
On his thought process after learning his dad had passed: "So many thoughts. You know, you go through this of like, you know, feeling sad and frustrated and angry and like part of you that's like, 'I have to get there right now. I have to.' But there was a level of like, 'Okay, he's not not suffering anymore. He's not struggling.' And that is something, you know. I wish he was still here, I wish he was still with us all, but he was having a rough go, ,you know, and I think people saw that at the show. But no one expected it to happen as quickly as it did. And when it did, it was not anything that was on our radar." And Jack adds that the stories about him wanting to go to Switzerland to euthanize himself were "categorically untrue and ridiculous."
On what people might not know about Ozzy: "He was deeply complicated. He was funny and weird and awkward and clumsy and just hilarious and so insightful. I've said this before, but I think my father was probably one of the most deliberate people you've ever come across. He knew what was going on all the time, and people may have thought he was checked out, but most of the time he wanted you to think he was checked out. But he was very aware always."
And on the timing of his death:"One thing that has kind of stuck with me about my father's exit was how there is almost a perfection to it. He got to say goodbye in such a profound way. He got to thank his fans. He got to see his friends he hadn't seen in such a long time. He got to perform. There was so much accomplished before the full stop." In closing, Jack said he and his family will talk further when the time is right. Ozzy was 76 when he died of a heart attack at his Buckinghamshire estate on July 22nd.
ELTON: Time To Be Fantastic Again
Elton John is celebrating the August 1974 release of his ninth album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, with a 50th anniversary edition. Set for release on October 24th, it will be available on multiple formats, including CD and vinyl, it contains the 2016 remaster of the original album, previously unreleased session demos, plus a live performance of tracks from the album recorded during 2005 for the album’s 30th anniversary. It also includes a 28-page booklet, containing sleeve notes and Elton’s never-before-seen 1974 diary entries. And, there is also a separate vinyl album, Midsummer Music Live At Wembley, 1975, which contains the first live performance of the Captain Fantastic album.
Speaking about the Captain Fantastic album, Elton says: “[It] was the first album I’d ever made that was autobiographical, and it was the first time we’d gone into the studio with all the songs already written. We rehearsed it as a band, then went in and cut it more or less live. The band were at their absolute peak and you can hear it on the record. I think it’s the best thing we ever did. The songs were strong, Bernie's [Taupin] lyrics were brilliant, and the atmosphere at Caribou [Ranch in Colorado where it was recorded] was perfect. Seeing it go to number-one faster than anything I’d ever released felt like vindication, like the culmination of everything Bernie and I had fought for back in those bedsits in London.” And Bernie Taupin adds, “Of all our recorded output Captain Fantastic has a very special place in my heart. Obviously it was emotionally rewarding as it chronicled a very special time in our lives. I’m not by nature one to wallow in nostalgia but hearing this album once again 50 years on reminds me of how very deep our bond of friendship and creativity ran.”
And with this announcement, Elton has released a 2005 performance of the title track from New York's Madison Square Garden. You can watch the video on YouTube.
DAVID BYRNE: Talks Doing Stand Up, Performs on Fallon
David Byrne promoted his new album Who Is the Sky? on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Wednesday. He sat down for a conversation with Fallon where they talked about his summer performance with Olivia Rodrigo and how Fred Armisen got him to try stand-up.
The performance of "What Is the Reason For It?" by Byrne and his new solo band was filmed at Rough Trade Below, which is downstairs from the Rockefeller Center studio in New York City where Fallon tapes his program. Watch both parts of the appearance on YouTube.
Billy Joel Greatest Hits I & II Re-Enters Billboard Album Chart
There may be something fitting about a Billy Joel greatest hits album released 40 years ago returning to the charts in the first week of September. "Billy Joel Greatest Hits: Volume One And Volume Two" re-enters the Billboard 200 at number 34 this week. "You're Only Human" was one of two new songs on the album. The video was a play on the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" with Billy Joel portraying a guardian angel who prevents a teen from jumping off a bridge. In this summer's HBO docu-series "And So it Goes," the Piano Man admits that he twice attempted suicide. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Call or text the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline if you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Phish Announces Livestreams For September 2025 Tour Dates
Phish fans can enjoy all eight of the band's September tour dates from home with livestreams from LivePhish. The band's streaming service will broadcast live performances from Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. The tour kicks off with a festival appearance at Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville September 12th, followed by stops in Birmingham, Alpharetta, Georgia (metro Atlanta) and Hampton Coliseum. Fans can purchase individual livestreams, bundle them by city, or get a discounted pass for all eight shows.
Rick Wakeman New Album, Melancholia, To Be Released in October
Former Yes keyboard star Rick Wakeman is set to release a new solo album titled Melancholia on October 17th. The 12-track album completes a trilogy of piano suites that began with 2017's Piano Portraits. Melancholia was recorded on a Steinway Model D and is Wakeman's first studio album since announcing his retirement from touring. The album was inspired by a contemplative piece played by Wakeman on the piano and was shaped in collaboration with producer Erik Jordan. Melancholia will be available in various formats, including 2-CD/DVD, vinyl, CD, and digital.
IN OTHER NEWS
Online comments from Eric Clapton fans in regard to his announcement today (Friday) ahead of the start of his short U.S. tour that night in Columbus, Ohio point towards a deluxe reissue of his 1989 album, Journeyman.
Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman will mark the 50th anniversary of his second album, 1976’s Stone Alone, by releasing it on purple vinyl for National Album Day on October 18th.
The episode of the PBS series The Art of Music that Peter Frampton filmed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York earlier this year will premiere Saturday. It was hosted by Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule guitarist Warren Haynes.
The Tom Petty estate is posting previously unreleased videos from the Wildflowers era to promote the upcoming Somewhere You Feel Free Blu-ray, which is due out September 12th. Check a rehearsal take of "Crawling Back to You" on YouTube.
Oasis have shared another track recorded on their reunion tour. Check out "Wonderwall" recorded in Dublin, Ireland on August 16th – it’s on YouTube.
Blondie will reissue their 1999 reunion album No Exit on October 31st. The digital and two-CD set adds eight bonus tracks, while the two-record version adds four bonus tracks.
The Cult will continue their vinyl reissue campaign with 2012's Choice of Weapon and 2016's Hidden City, due out on October 17th.