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Will The Rolling Stones tour soon?

Ronnie Wood hints at the possibility

I'm a huge fan of live music, and I love The Rolling Stones. And The Rolling Stones live? Yeah, that's just about the best thing ever. I haven't seen a Mick Jagger and the boys in far too long. Now, it seems, I might get the chance to catch another show -- possibly as early as this year!

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is hinting at the possibility of a tour. I don't doubt that the Stones will go back out on the road, but the question that everyone wants to know is: When?

In an interview with The Sun, Ronnie Wood drops some really strong hints that a Rolling Stones tour might happen later this year. That makes perfect sense, especially considering that 2012 marks 50 years since the Stones' first live show. What better way to mark the occasion, than with a series of concerts?

Okay, so we can probably safely assume that another Rolling Stones tour is coming, but when, exactly? If I go on what Wood told The Sun, it could be this fall, so keep your dance cards empty people. Wood said, "I am keeping October/November free, that’s what I’ve been told. I’m just awaiting more information." Hopefully that information will be forthcoming, and the guys can get the ball rolling with rehearsals, scheduling, etc.

Just my opinion here, but if you haven't seen The Rolling Stones live, you must. All fans of rock music must see at least one show. They're phenomenal live, even now. Mick Jagger is just ridiculously energetic, and that energy transfers to his audience. It's a rocking good time, I tell you.

I'm eagerly awaiting any and all new information about this possible Stones tour, so if and when I get something, I'll post here immediately.

Dead Man's Bones – 'Dead Hearts'

Ryan Gosling's band and their excellently creepy music video

Just when I thought Ryan Gosling couldn't possibly get any more attractive, I find out he's in a rock band. In a Halloween-themed indie rock band. He's the lead singer and guitarist in a Halloween-themed indie rock band. Excuse me for a minute. I need to go drool over there.

Now, it'd be one thing if Ryan Gosling were in a Halloween-themed indie rock band that wasn't very good. It'd be kind of cute and charming, like aw, he sure is trying to keep that firm grip on the hearts of all of the women, all of the time. He's doing his job so well. But Gosling's work with Dead Man's Bones isn't just part of his duty to remain The Undisputed Most Attractive Man in the World.

It actually seems as though he's doing it because gosh, he's good at it and music is awesome and why the hell not. He sings and he sounds like a singer, not an actor pretending to be a singer because it helps to build their brand. The very fact that you've never heard of Dead Man's Bones proves that Gosling's music project is a labor of love, not a duty of celebrity.

And yeah, they're good. Good God, they're good. The long-form song in the following video borrows equally from the slowcore stylings of Low, the folksy fixations of The Decemberists and the exuberant crescendos of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Gosling sounds great. He sings without ego, with complete conviction of the material. He's doing a macabre rock act with complete sincerity, which is a miracle for any band these days let alone one fronted by an A-list actor. He sings it like he means it, using his voice as a fuel to power the larger engine of this fantastic song.

The video's something of a feat itself, too. Starring the kinetic sculpture Machine With Wishbone, it follows the walking monstrosity through a miniature town at midnight. Small, spooky scenes of violence are frozen in the panorama. The machine—a lopsided iron contraption that's wound up to power a steadily plodding pelvis—is the only thing that moves. It creeps through the scenery as Gosling whispers, “I won't go whistling by your grave.”

It's hard to create art that's as subtle as it is macabre, but Ryan Gosling and friends have done so with this project of theirs. Try using bone imagery without becoming an even more degraded version of The Misfits. You'll probably fail. Props to Ryan and co. for slighting celebrity to make something that's actually interesting to people who care about art.

Against Me! singer Tom Gabel comes out as transgender

Punk musician discusses plans to live as a woman in Rolling Stone

Tom Gabel, the lead singer of the punk rock band Against Me! has come out. In a new interview, the 31-year-old Gabel explains that she's transgender. Gabel's decision is an extremely brave one. No other major rock musician has ever gone public with this kind of news, that I can remember. Hopefully, Against Me! punk fans will accept Gabel's decision.

In a lengthy interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Tom Gabel admits to living with something called gender dysphoria for several years. Now, big changes are coming: Gabel plans to live as a woman.
Tom Gabel's news might be surprising to some in the fan base. Gabel tells Rolling Stone that she's going to take hormones and undergo various treatments that will allow her to live life as a female. Gabel is married, and she and her wife, Heather, have a young daughter, Evelyn. Apparently, Gabel will take the name Laura Jane Grace, and she and Heather will stay together.

All of this is no doubt a lot to absorb for fans. Tom Gabel/Laura says she's hopeful everyone will understand, saying that she knows she will "have embarrassing moments, and that won't be fun. But that's part of what talking to you is about – is hoping people will understand, and hoping they'll be fairly kind." So far, so good. Reports say that Gabel's fans are indeed being kind, totally supporting the decision.

In fact, some of this might not come as a surprise to Against Me! fans: In March of 2012, Gabel performed a new song, "Transgender Dysphoria Blues," acoustically at the House of Rock in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Support for Tom Gabel began pouring in within hours after the news broke. Gaslight Anthem issued a statement via a Tumblr post defending Gabel's decision. And GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) President Herndon Graddick says Gabel's decision "...to live life authentically is a not only a personal step forward, but one that will advance the national discussion about treating transgender people with fairness."

If you're an Against Me! fan, do you support Tom Gabel's decision? Feel free to sound off in the comments.

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch, dead at 47

RIP, MCA, you will be greatly missed

The headline alone says so much: Adam Yauch, a founding member of the iconic Beastie Boys, has died, and he was only 47 years old. I'm so tired of losing my musical heroes so young. It's heartbreaking. Yauch, aka MCA, was such a shining talent and a wonderful activist. He left this world way, way too soon, leaving fans like me totally gutted.

The Beastie Boys were truly the soundtrack of my youth. I'm dating myself to say this, but when Licensed to Ill came out I was smack in the middle of my teenage rebellion. I remember well blasting "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" as I pulled in the driveway (and yeah, my parents hated it). Over the years, I've enjoyed every Beasties' release, most notably Paul's Boutique, but Licensed remains the ultimate for me. It's one of the few albums from that era that make me proud to call myself a child of the 80s.

Back in 2009, Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. I remember the day the news broke. Yauch released a video explaining what was going on, adding that because of his cancer and the treatment, the Beastie Boys would cancel several concert dates and push back the release of their next album, Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1. I just watched the video again, with tears of course:

In the years that followed this heartbreaking announcement, the Beastie Boys would not tour and we saw very little of Adam Yauch. When he wasn't at the Beastie Boys' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month, I began to worry. A lot. Sadly, my worst fears were confirmed today, with the news that Yauch had lost his battle with cancer.

Adam Yauch, aka MCA, was more than just a founding member of one of music's greatest bands -- he was also a film director. Yauch founded the movie distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories about 10 years ago. He was also a huge activist, helping to put together the 1996 Tibetan Freedom Concert.

RIP MCA: Your legacy is incredible, and this fan will never be able to thank you enough for all the amazing music and unforgettable music videos, like this one:

Beastie Boys fans, let's hear it: What is your favorite album? Everyone has one, and the choices are all outstanding, so you can't really go wrong.

New Orleans Jazz Fest: The greatest music festival ever!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band deliver, big time

I'm going to tell you right now: If you have even the slightest interest in attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, go. Pull the trigger. Start making plans for Jazz Fest 2013 right now, because from what I saw last weekend, this is one music festival that's on the rise and growing bigger each and every year.

I'll admit I'm somewhat biased, given that NOLA is basically my second home, but I promise that if you decide to go, Jazz Fest will blow your mind. We saw so many wonderful artists and bands, I couldn't possibly list them all here. From Springsteen to Tom Petty to the Soul Rebels Brass Band and Pete Fountain, I was overwhelmed with all of the wonder that is music. This festival is so well-run and so diverse, there really is something for everyone -- no matter what your musical taste.
I'll start with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, because it's freshest on my mind (I just downloaded and checked out our pics, so I'm still enjoying post-concert euphoria). Bruce headlined on Sunday, April 29, and he didn't disappoint. The crowd to hear the Boss was enormous, and they weren't disappointed. Springsteen played a full show (well over two hours) that included some of his biggest hits ("Born to Run," "Dancing in the Dark"), his newest songs ("We Take Care of Our Own," "Wrecking Ball") and several songs from his Seeger Sessions days ("Oh Mary Don't You Weep," "Pay Me My Money Down"). The set was loud, the sound was incredibly crisp and the crowd was very, very into it.

We arrived at the Acura Stage at noon to catch all of the acts that afternoon -- and we wound up way back by the soundboard. Even that far away, the sound was crystal clear. This was our view:

Not bad, especially considering the size of the crowd. Bruce's show was, not surprisingly, energetic and emotional and the audience was captivated. At one point, Dr. John joined Springsteen and the E Street Band on stage for a rousing rendition of "Something You Got," a song written by singer/songwriter (and New Orleans native) Chris Kenner.

Amazing, no? I'm still pretty much in awe. I had to watch the video, just to be sure it really happened.

I've seen Bruce Springsteen more times than I care to admit, and I have to say, this was one of my favorite shows ever. Something was in the air that sunny, hot afternoon at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. And Bruce felt it. Behold, my "moment": Springsteen singing "When the Saints Go Marching In" at Jazz Fest 2012:

Even in the heat, I got chill bumps. Thank you, Bruce, for bringing the rock, the folk, the music with such feeling, yet again.

I mentioned that we did, indeed, catch several other great acts. Some of the bands that really stood out for me were the Soul Rebels Brass Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (great closer on Saturday, April 28), Trombone Shorty (always a crowd favorite), Dr. John and Pete Fountain (at 81, he still plays the living daylights out of that clarinet).

We also heard a great talk from legendary keyboardist Chuck Leavell. He told great stories of his days with the Allman Brothers Band and the Rolling Stones, among others. And we did all of this in the span of about 48 hours!

I also have to mention one other highlight for us: the after-shows. Jazz Fest winds down each day at 7 p.m., giving visitors the chance to get back to their hotel, shower, eat and hit the town to catch some great live acts at night. Clubs all over New Orleans open their doors for multiple shows featuring incredible artists. We decided to head Uptown, and wound up catching Charlie Hunter (fantastically gifted guitarist) at The Maple Leaf. We then wound up at Tipitina's, where we caught sets by JJ Grey and Mofro, followed by Galactic. After that, things get a wee bit...blurry. But we had a blast and would do it all again in a heartbeat if given the chance!

It was a night of rock, blues, jazz, funk and anything else you can think of, really. I highly recommend checking out some of these late night shows and clubs if/when you visit New Orleans, whether it's for Jazz Fest or just because.

Hope you enjoyed my little review of the first weekend of Jazz Fest in New Orleans. I cannot say enough great things about my experiences, year after year. Each time we go, it just gets better.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Have you heard the new Beach Boys song yet?

Band previews first new song in two decades

I seriously cannot believe I just wrote a headline that includes the words "Beach Boys" and "new song," but as you can see, I did. I'm still kind of in shock that The Beach Boys are giving us new music after all these years!

The Beach Boys' new single, "That's Why God Made the Radio" is the first off of a (promised) forthcoming reunion studio album that's due out this summer. In the meantime, the band is touring. They'll appear at Jazz Fest in New Orleans this weekend, and they'll be all over the U.S., Europe and Japan through August of 2012. I'd say this is a golden opportunity for Beach Boys fans to get out and hear this band -- some for the first time, others for the first time in decades.Anyway, back to the new song: This week, The Beach Boys premiered a snippet of "That's Why God Made the Radio" via a YouTube clip, and in case you were wondering, they're back! The clip features interviews with Mike Love, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine. And as Jardine puts it, "if you like harmony, this is gonna knock your socks off."

That is an understatement! "That's Why God Made the Radio" is total and complete retro Beach Boys, filled with that wonderful California surf sound that made them so very famous decades ago. Here's the new clip, so you can hear for yourself:

I think it's incredible that The Beach Boys put aside their (many) differences and came together to make another record. And if you're wondering what to expect from the upcoming Beach Boys album, Mike Love tells Rolling Stone:

Conceptually, the album is not going to be anything outlandish or silly, like Smiley Smile. It will be like the Beach Boys circa '65. I'm trying to write lyrics that fit the music without making it sound like you're writing from a hospice.

All the info about The Beach Boys' world tour is available on the band's official website, so be sure to check it out and see if they're coming your way. I'm heading to Jazz Fest, but sadly, I won't make it in time to see The Beach Boys' performance on Friday. I'll no doubt hear all about it though, and I bet everyone is going to have a blast.

So, what do you think about the new Beach Boys song? Hopefully we'll get the full single soon!

Levon Helm losing his battle with cancer

Musical legend is fighting for his life

Fans, it's time to put on The Last Waltz and turn it up, very, very loud. Legendary musician Levon Helm, drummer and singer for The Band, is losing his battle with cancer. When I saw his name trending on Twitter, I just knew, and my heart sank. I immediately went to Helm's official website and the heartbreaking news was confirmed: Helm is "in the final stages of his battle with cancer."

Folks, they do NOT make musicians like Levon Helm anymore. He is truly one of a kind. The message on Helm's website asks that fans send "prayers and love" -- absolutely. When Helm canceled his scheduled appearance at New Orleans' 2012 Jazz Fest, I had a sinking feeling. Levon Helm is without question one of my musical heroes and, I suspect, it's the same for many of you.

My eyes were filled with tears when, just to be sure, I logged back on to Levon Helm's website to read the note to fans in its entirety. Helm's daughter (Amy) and wife (Sandy) thank all of Helm's fans and "music lovers everywhere" for making Helm so happy, adding that he "has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room with music, lay down the back beat and make the people dance!"

For those of us who are fortunate enough to have seen Levon Helm perform live, we know: Truer words have never been spoken. I absolutely dare you to watch The Last Waltz (one of my favorite rock-related musical films ever) and not tap toes and get up off the couch to dance and sing along. The Band, to me, represents the very best that roots rock has to offer.

Levon Helm's legacy is immeasurable, and not just with The Band: In recent years, Helm has enjoyed a lot of solo success, and his 2007 "comeback" album, Dirt Farmer, remains one of my favorite CDs ever. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to blast Dirt Farmer and find my copy of The Last Waltz and dance. And dance. And dance.

The 2012 Lollapalooza lineup looks impressive

Headliners include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys and Black Sabbath

It's that time of year again: Yes, it's time to seriously start thinking about which summer music festivals offer the best lineups for us, rock-wise. Chicago's Lollapalooza never fails to disappoint, and while I've never been (boo), I have several friends who deliberately skip other, larger festivals (including Bonnaroo and Coachella) in favor of this festival. Just a glance at the newly-announced lineup tells me why: It's definitely heavy on rock!

This year's Lollapalooza lineup was just announced, and fans of rock music won't be disappointed, I suspect. This year's party in Grant Park looks to be epic!

Let's take a look at Lollapalooza 2012's headline acts, shall we? Two words here: Black Sabbath! Yes, it's happening: Black Sabbath will headline this year's festival. Perry Farrell has a great quote in Rolling Stone, saying, "They mean so much to me, and they mean so much to music in general, that I kind of feel like I'm dreaming to know that Black Sabbath is actually gonna perform at Lollapalooza." Excellent news, indeed. This (so far) is the only 2012 concert appearance by Ozzy and the boys in North America, so if you want to see Sabbath, this is your chance.

Other headline acts at the 2012 Lollapalooza festival include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Black Keys (a personal favorite, they're phenomenal live), Jack White, Florence and the Machine and the Afghan Whigs. Wait, what?! Yep, the Whigs are reuniting, and all is right in the world again. I've been a huge fan for years now (I know I'm dating myself here, but I don't care), and this is my one shot at seeing them live in 2012. I just might take it.

If, like me, you are seriously considering hitting up Lollapalooza 2012, all the information you need is on the festival's official website, including the full lineup, ticket information and more. Hope to see you in Chicago this August!

Patti Smith's new album set for June release

It's the punk rock poet's first LP since 2004

As far as I'm concerned, Patti Smith is royalty in the music world. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. Sadly, it's been a really long time since Smith released a new album, but guess what? She's releasing a new album! It's Smith's first new album in eight years. That's a heck of a long wait for fans, but it will be worth it.

Smith says her new LP, Banga, will be released on June 5, 2012. Smith offered details during an appearance on CBS' Sunday Morning earlier this week, and this album sounds fascinating. Anyone else out there jumping for joy about this news?Patti Smith says her 11th studio album, Banga, will include a ballad in memory of the late Amy Winehouse, entitled "This is the Girl." She also plans to release "Nine," a song she wrote for Johnny Depp for his birthday. Patti Smith is a national treasure, and I can only imagine how awesome this new collection of original songs will be.

In case you missed Patti Smith's appearance on CBS on April 1, here's a great video:

Smith plugs her new album's first single, "April Fool," in this interview. The single is available for download on Smith's official website (via iTunes). She also explains in this interview that she really is lost when it comes to downloading music. She still kicks it old school, and buys it in record stores and elsewhere.

Patti Smith explains that if fans want to know what the upcoming album's title, Banga, means, they'll need to read the book The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. Patti Smith not only rocks, she gives out homework assignments!

Bruce Springsteen brings 'Wrecking Ball' tour to Tampa

Setlist surprises for fans include classic hits

One thing about a Bruce Springsteen concert: You very rarely ever get the same setlist two nights in a row. Bruce mixes things up beautifully, offering fans the ultimate temptation to see multiple shows on any given leg of a tour. Usually, in the first leg of a major tour, the setlists are pretty "standard," and by that I do NOT mean "boring." It's just that things stay pretty much the same, as the band finds its stride.

Not so with the Wrecking Ball tour, apparently. If the recent Tampa, Florida, show is any indication, fans are in for some big surprises on this first leg!I wish I'd gone to Tampa. I'm going to warn you now, you'll see me say "I wish I'd gone to ___" multiple times as this new Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball progresses. Obviously if I win the lottery, I'll go on tour (and keep you posted as I go, I promise). Until that happens, I must obsessively check Twitter, Backstreets (a great Springsteen fan site) and Springsteen's official website for any and all info about these shows I'm missing.

I was really thinking that, at least for the first leg of the tour, the setlists would be standard. Not so. On Friday, March 23, Springsteen mixed things up in a big way, setlist-wise, adding "Prove It All Night," "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street," "Radio Nowhere," "Glory Days" and "Atlantic City" (yes!). He also threw in "Talk to Me," a cut from The Promise (and the first one of this tour). And yes, he also opted to perform "American Skin (41 Shots)" -- likely in the wake of the ongoing debate over the killing of Florida teenager Travyon Martin.

Unfortunately, a Wrecking Ball cut, "Shackled and Drawn," got dropped. That's a shame, because I thought it was one of the best new live songs I heard in Atlanta earlier this month. It'll be back, I'm sure. Here's a nice fan-shot video of "Wrecking Ball" from Tampa:

I always get excited when I find fan-shot Springsteen videos that don't bounce all over the place. I don't know how anyone can keep a steady enough hand, but kudos, and thank you.

Oh, and remember the whole General Admission Springsteen procedure I told you about, with the wristbands and the numbers and the lottery? Someone was kind enough to tape the GA drawing in Tampa, so you can see for yourself how awesome it is:

Well, I suppose it's not awesome if you don't get IN the pit (though I had a blast anyway, in Atlanta), but it's certainly fair to the fans and well-organized by the Springsteen camp.

Have a great time if you're seeing any upcoming shows (Boston and Philly are coming), and, if you have GA, give the lottery a try. You'll have a much better chance of winning THAT lottery than I will with the Mega Millions, I'm sure.

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