FIREAID: Two Massive Concerts Tonight
FireAid will take over two venues in Inglewood, California tonight, with a goal of getting people from around the world to pledge money to help those affected by this month's Los Angeles area wildfires. The concerts feature 26 announced artists and are slated to run for five and a half hours. But Irving Azoff, who's one of the producers of the event, says there are more than that actually performing. He told Billboard. "After it was already on sale and [the artists] are all set, then other [artists] called. [We said], ‘It’s too late to add you to the bill and we don’t have a slot, but how would you like to go do XYZ with such and such an artist?' I think there’s a good half dozen really surprise moments.”
The Forum lineup will kick off with these artists performing:
·John Fogerty
·Graham Nash
·Stephen Stills
·Joni Mitchell
·The Black Crowes
·Green Day
·John Mayer
·No Doubt
·Red Hot Chili Peppers
·Alanis Morissette
·Anderson .Paak
·Dawes
The Intuit Dome concert will feature:
·Rod Stewart
·Sting
·Stevie Wonder
·Earth, Wind & Fire
·Billie Eilish
·Gracie Abrams
·Jelly Roll
·Katy Perry
·Lady Gaga
·Lil Baby
·Olivia Rodrigo
·Peso Pluma
·Tate McRae
Fans at the Intuit Dome will be able to view the Kia Forum show, when it begins, on screens inside the Dome. Conversely, when the Kia Forum show ends, fans inside will be able to view the acts at the Dome on screens at the Forum until the end of the event. An audio stream will be available on iHeartRadio. A video stream will be available through Apple TV, MAX, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, plus AMC Theatre locations in 70 U.S. markets. To make a donation, go to FireAidLA.org.
Dave Matthews Drops Out Of FireAid And MusiCares Grateful Dead Tribute
Dave Matthews has pulled out of two upcoming benefit concerts due to a family emergency. The musician was set to perform at the FireAid fundraising event and the MusiCares' 2025 Persons of the Year gala. Proceeds from the concerts will support relief efforts for communities affected by California wildfires. Matthews' next scheduled performance is at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April.
FIREAID: Rod Stewart Got the Ball Rolling
When Eagles manager Irving Azoff came up with the idea for FireAid — two benefit shows for victims of the L.A. fires this Thursday in Inglewood, California — his first call was to his biggest client, but they weren't available. They've since donated $2.5 million to the cause. The first artist to confirm was Rod Stewart, who said he’d charter a plane for himself and his band.
Stevie Nicks was next and she plans to do a song with what Azoff says are "relevant lyrics that she’d never recorded or released before.” The lineup has grown to 25 artists, but Azoff says
more acts have called wanting to participate. “[We said], ‘It’s too late to add you to the bill and we don’t have a slot, but how would you like to go do XYZ with such and such an artist?' I think there’s a good half dozen really surprise moments.” One act he turned down is one of his own clients — Jon Bon Jovi — because he wanted artists who had a connection to Los Angeles. I said, "Jon, stay in New Jersey," and joked that "there’ll be a tragedy there, and we’ll come there."
New Album From Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators May Be Delayed To 2026
Todd Kerns shared that the upcoming Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators
album is about halfway finished. That’s the good news. But there’s also some bad news…the album is currently on hiatus due to the members' busy schedules. "It was sort of this window of the four of us…to try and get in and record the music…we'll eventually get around to singing with Myles and then I'll come out and all that kind of stuff" Kerns explained while appearing on the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast. The band has written the songs and recorded the instrumental parts, but vocals still need to be added it seems. Kerns is "hopeful for the end of '25" as a release date but does admit that could it could easily slip into early 2026. Despite the delays, he reassured fans "It's happening. That's the important thing."
FLEETWOOD MAC: Core Five Boxed
Fleetwood Mac have gathered together their first five albums with Lindsey Buckingham and
Stevie Nicks for a new box set. Fleetwood Mac 1975-1987 contains Fleetwood Mac, Rumours,
Tusk, Mirage and Tango in the Night, each of which have been certified platinum, will be available on crystal-clear vinyl as a six-LP set as well as a five-CD set. And Rhino.com is offering an exclusive edition, which includes a crystal-clear 12-inch of “Silver Springs” and “Go Your Own Way” in both stereo and mono. It is limited to 1,000 copies globally. Both the box and single will be out on March 28th. Buckingham only appeared on one other Fleetwood Mac studio album with Stevie Nicks, 2003's Say You Will, which didn't include Christine McVie.
RUSH: Back to 1974
Rush have released one of the live tracks on their forthcoming box set, Rush 50. This previously unreleased "Garden Road" was recorded at Cleveland's Agora Ballroom in August 1974, a month after Neil Peart had replaced John Rutsey on drums. It was intended for their self-titled debut album, but was left off. Rush 50, which contains 50 tracks spread over four CDs and seven LPs, will be released on March 21st.
Second Round Of GRAMMY Performers Announced
The GRAMMYs has announced the second round of their performers! Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Lainey Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley,
Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Jacob Collier have officially been added. They join previously announced performers Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, and Teddy Swims. The GRAMMYs are set for this Sunday, and they’ll air live at 8PM Eastern on CBS and stream via Paramount+. Trevor Noah is set to host.
FOGERTY, MORELLO & ROBINSON: Boss-Related Honors
John Fogerty, Smokey Robinson, Emmylou Harris, Tom Morello and Joe Ely will receive
American Music Honors from the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Robert Santelli, founding executive director of the Center, says, “This year’s honorees represent a cross-section of American music. Rock, Americana, soul and country are all represented by some of the most important artists from each of the genres. We are most excited to honor them and welcome them into the American Music Center family.” The event will take place on April 26th at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre with longtime NBC news anchor and Jersey Shore native Brian Williams hosting. Springsteen, his wife Patti Scialfa, Nils Lofgren and Steve Van Zandt are the presenters. Tickets go on sale March 25th through the Springsteen Archives website -- SpringsteenArchives.org/American-Music-Honors. The previous honorees are Van Zandt, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Dion DiMucci, Darlene Love, Sam Moore and Steve Earle.
RINGO: Pizza and Curry Don't Come Easy
Ringo Starr was Jimmy Kimmel's guest Tuesday night on his ABC show where he revealed that he has never eaten pizza or curry. "I'm allergic to several items and pizza you don't know what they're putting in it half the time or the curry, so I'm pretty strict with myself cause it makes me ill immediately." He also spoke about learning to crochet when he was hospitalized as a child with various illnesses, but added that he no longer can.
Asked about performing with Paul McCartney last month in London, he said, “It’s always still great to play with him. “And you know what’s also great, the audience love it. They just love to see the two of us together. They still love it.”
He occasionally drives, and when spotted people usually flash him the peace sign. He also schooled Kimmel on the fact that if you flash the peace sign showing the back of your fingers, that's the British equivalent of our middle finger salute. And, despite living on and off in Los Angeles since 1976, he's not an American citizen. Asked if he's concerned about being deported, he said, "Why would I be." Ringo has been in the same L.A. home since 1992, and it's been his primary residence since 2015. Prior to that he was shuffling between there and homes in Monte Carlo and England. He still maintains a residence in England.
Peter Frampton Says Alcoholics Anonymous Lessons Helping Him Play Guitar
Peter Frampton has turned to what he learned at Alcoholics Anonymous to help him play guitar while struggling with a muscular disease — Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). While
in Anaheim, California last week for the annual National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) convention, he said, “It’s getting more difficult, I have to admit. The worst thing about playing for me is when I’m soloing, I have to actually think about what I’m playing. I don’t want to think — I want it just to be coming from my heart. That’s how I always played.
“And now I do have to think a little bit, because I’ll be in the middle of the passage and I’ll say, ‘That finger is not going to get there in time!’ So I do a regroup and I use one finger for many notes that I used to use three fingers for..."It sounds weird; you’re losing the power to play… but I’m working out — and enjoying working out — a different way of playing. “People say, ‘Aren’t you depressed?’ You know, you have to accept the things you cannot change. I learned that in AA, and in many other places.… What I have is not life-threatening, thank God, but it’s life-changing, and I’m going with the flow.” Frampton starts his Let's Do it Again tour on March 30th in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks release stunning version of Your Move / I’ve Seen All Good People
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks have released a video for their live version of Yes's classic Your Move / I’ve Seen All Good People from the upcoming album Live - Perpetual Change. The recording was captured during Anderson's show at the Arcada Theater in Illinois in 2023. The album, set for release on March 15, features faithful renditions of Yes's seventies hits and will be available in various formats. Anderson will embark on a US tour with The Band Geeks starting in April.
Ratt's Pearcy and DeMartini Reveal M3 Reunion Band Lineup
Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini will perform a set of RATT classics at the 2025 M3 Rock Festival with former bandmates Carlos Cavazo, Matt Thorr, and Blas Elias. The duo will headline the final night of the festival in Columbia, Maryland, marking their first show together since 2018. They are not performing under the RATT banner to focus on the legacy of their music. DeMartini expressed interest in playing more shows with Pearcy in the future, and they are considering a deep-cut setlist for the M3 show. Warren has been working on music since his last performance with Stephen in 2018 and is excited to return to the stage.
Twelve-Disc Wishbone Ash Live At The BBC Box Set Out In March
An eleven CD and one DVD box set of Wishbone Ash recordings between 1970 and 1998 is being released in March. "Wishbone Ash - At The BBC 1970-1998" set features a mix of never-before-heard sessions and performances that have been restored and remastered. It also includes shows from the Paris Theatre, Glasgow Apollo and Hammersmith Odeon. The box set will come with a 72-page hardback book, rare pictures, and other exclusive insights from the band. "Wishbone Ash - At The BBC 1970-1998" will be out on March 28th.
IN OTHER NEWS
Steven Tyler’s Janie's Fund, which helps young women and girls who have survived abuse, has teamed with upscale California grocery chain Erewhon on two special soft serve sundaes named after Aerosmith songs — Dream On and Sweet Emotion — in support of the fund and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Both are vegan, gluten-friendly, and contain nuts. Tyler posted a video on the Fund’s Instagram page showing him sampling a sundae.
Randy Bachman’s son Tal and his wife Koko recently welcomed a baby girl into the world. Randy posted a video of himself on mandolin and Tal on guitar playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” while the baby sleeps on grandpa’s lap. Bachman has more than 25 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Ritchie Blackmore’s wife, singer Candice Night, will release her fourth album, Sea Glass, on April 25th. Ritchie plays guitar on the album, which features a cover of “Nature Boy,” which was first recorded in 1947 by Nat King Cole. The first single, "Angel and Jezebel,” is streaming now and can be found on YouTube. Candice and Ritchie play together in their band, Blackmore's Night.
Hulu's new series Paradise was originally called Paradise City, but the title changed when the studio producing the series couldn't secure the rights to Guns n' Roses' "Paradise City" for the show's theme.
The Fixx have announced a spring tour that starts April 4th in Albany, New York and wraps up April 25th in St. Charles, Illinois. Tickets go on sale Friday.