In the rich tapestry of 1970s soft rock, few songs captured the era’s romantic vulnerability quite like “Do You Wanna Make Love” by Peter McCann. Released in 1977, the gentle, heartfelt ballad became an unexpected smash, giving McCann his biggest — and only — hit, and solidifying its place as one of the decade’s most memorable one-hit wonders.
When you think of 1970s summer vibes — easygoing, romantic, and just a little whimsical — few songs fit the mood better than “Moonlight Feels Right” by Starbuck. Released in 1976, this dreamy soft-rock hit became an enduring staple of the decade’s lighter, yacht rock–adjacent sound and remains one of the most recognizable one-hit wonders of the era.
In the summer of 1978, a breezy, hypnotic soft-rock tune floated onto radio waves and became one of the most memorable love songs of the decade. Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel” was a breakout hit, capturing the spirit of the late ’70s California sound — melodic, romantic, and effortlessly cool.
In the summer of 1978, a driving disco-rock hybrid called "Hot Child In The City" exploded onto radio waves across North America, becoming one of the year's most distinctive hits. The song, performed by British-Canadian singer Nick Gilder, would prove to be his biggest commercial success and a defining track of the late 1970s rock scene.
In the summer of 1974, when the world was caught between the fading optimism of the '60s and the uncertainty of the mid-'70s, a British band called First Class delivered the perfect escapist anthem. "Beach Baby" became an instant classic, capturing the carefree spirit of summer romance with its infectious melody and sun-soaked harmonies.
It was the kind of song that seemed to roll out of a dusty highway dream — a smooth voice, a simple guitar, and a van full of freedom. In 1973, singer-songwriter Sammy Johns recorded a track that would take two years to find its moment, but when it did, it became an unexpected anthem for a generation chasing open roads and fleeting romance.
Foreigner have announced a December 2025 US tour featuring original singer, Lou Gramm. The eight-show East Coast run begins on December 3 in Port Chester, New York, and wraps up on the 13th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Foreigner 4 Deluxe Tour is in support of a special expanded reissue of their Billboard 200 chart-topping 1981 album, 4, which drops on September 12, and includes unreleased tracks, alternate versions, and live performances. The shows will see Gramm performing select songs alongside Foreigner’s new full-time singer, Luis Maldonado, who is taking over for vocalist Kelly Hansen after the band wraps up their previously announced summer tour dates. “He was an integral part of the writing and recording of the Foreigner 4 album and his presence will add a historic dimension to our forthcoming tour,” Maldonado says of partnering with Gramm. Pre-order for the deluxe edition is available via Rhino, with pre-sale for the new tour dates launching on Wednesday (July 9), followed by general ticket sales starting Friday (July 11). (Consequence of Sound)
uring his legend’s slot at Glastonbury 2025 on Sunday (June 29), Rod Stewart was joined on the Pyramid Stage by his former Faces bandmate – and current Rolling Stones guitarist – Ronnie Wood. The two rock icons reunited to perform their 1971 Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 hit, “Stay With Me,” marking the first time they have played together in public since the 2020 BRIT Awards. Sir Rod was also joined by other special guests during his set, including Lulu, who joined with him for a duet on “Hot Legs,” and Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall who took part in a stirring singalong on “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” The set featured an extended string section and bagpipe intro that played the singer on stage, before Stewart opened his set with, “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me),” proclaiming to the large crowd, “Enjoy yourselves ladies and gentlemen, please. Music brings us together – we need music!” (NME)
Walter Scott Jr, original member of California's R&B group The Whispers, passed away at 81 after a six-month battle with brain cancer. Known for hits like "And The Beat Goes On" and "Rock Steady", his voice helped define the band’s legacy.
Paul Simon has been forced to cancel two Philadelphia concerts due to "unmanageable" back pain, and the 83-year-old music legend will undergo a "minor medical procedure" to address the issue, according to an Instagram statement released on (Saturday) June 28. The concerts, part of his A Quiet Celebration Tour, were scheduled for June 28 and June 29 at the Academy of Music. “Paul has been struggling with chronic and intense back pain. Today it became unmanageable and demands immediate attention. Unfortunately we have to cancel these shows at this time, as we don’t have the ability to reschedule them,” reads the statement. “We are hopeful after this minor surgical procedure which has been scheduled in the next few days, Paul will be able to complete the tour as well as look into returning to make up these dates.” Despite suffering from severe hearing loss, Simon resumed touring in 2025, with upcoming dates still scheduled in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Seattle. (Billboard)
Mick Ralphs, the renowned guitarist and co-founder of the iconic rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has passed away at the age of 81. “Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground," Bad Company front-man Paul Rodgers said. "He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won’t be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter.” Ralphs co-founded Mott the Hoople in 1969 and later formed Bad Company in 1973, contributing to their success with hit songs like "Can't Get Enough" and "Feel Like Makin' Love." After retiring from Bad Company in 2016 due to a stroke, Ralphs' musical legacy will be cemented with the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. (COS)
Cavin Yarbrough, one half of the chart-topping 1980s R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, passed away on Thursday (June 19) at the age of 72 due to complications from heart disease. “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Yarbrough’s wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, said in a statement. The group was known for their breakout hit, "Don't Stop the Music," which topped the R&B charts in 1981, and also reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Don’t Stop the Music” went on to become an RIAA gold-certified single, and was featured on the pair’s gold-certified debut album, The Two of Us, which also spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The duo also achieved commercial success with other hit songs like "Don’t Waste Your Time," "Heartbeats," "Guilty," and "I Wouldn't Lie." The duo was discovered by Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, who in turn introduced them to Lonnie Simmons, who signed them to his Los Angeles-based label, Total Experience Records. (Billboard)
REO Speedwagon singer Terry Luttrell miraculously survived a car crash after he fell asleep at the wheel. The accident occurred just a day after the band's farewell show at the State Farm Center in Illinois, and Luttrell's car was totaled in the incident. “I was able to get up and get out of the car,” the 78-year-old Luttrell told The News-Gazette. “The airbag went off and cracked my sternum a little bit. I have a little back pain and neck pain. It’s nothing that can’t be overcome.” Luttrell admited that his busy schedule, including signing autographs for fans until the early hours and getting little sleep before driving, contributed to him nodding off. He was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill. for treatment following the incident, and is reported to be on the road to recovery. In September 2024, REO Speedwagon announced that they would stop touring in 2025 due to "irreconcilable differences" between frontman Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall. (People)
On Monday (June 16), Stevie Nicks announced that she has expanded her 2025 North American tour by adding eight new shows. These additional dates arrive after the cancellations of her performances with Billy Joel due to his recent brain disorder diagnosis. The additional concerts include a Brooklyn show on August 8 that will now serve as the tour kickoff concert. The other added shows will take place in early September and October, and will hit a variety of cities throughout the US and Canada, including Detroit, Portland, Sacramento, Atlantic City, and Charlotte, with the tour now scheduled to end on October 25 in Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets for these new shows will be available for pre-sale on Wednesday (June 18) and for the general public on Friday (June 20). The 77-year-old Nicks recently revealed that she is currently working on her first album in 14 years, featuring a series of autobiographical songs inspired by her past experiences. “They’re real stories of memories of mine, of fantastic men,” Nicks says of her new songs. (Consequence of Sound)
On Tuesday (June 10), Atlantic City police recovered a stolen custom-built guitar belonging to Heart’s Nancy Wilson, one of two irreplaceable instruments taken from the band two weeks earlier. The theft happened after Heart finished loading into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with surveillance footage showing the guitar being handed to a woman who later surrendered it to police, which led to the arrest of a 57-year-old man on charges of burglary and theft. Paul Moak’s vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin, which was also stolen that night, remains unrecovered at this time. The theft occurred the night before the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were set to kick off their An Evening With Heart summer tour on May 31. Before the recovery of her guitar, Wilson said, “These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they’re extensions of our musical souls. We’re heartbroken, and we’re asking for their safe return — no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.” (Billboard)
After canceling their UK and European tour earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts, rumors began swirling that the Rolling Stones were back in the studio recording new material. Reports from The Sun confirm that the rock legends are working on a new album, and possibly gearing up for another tour. The article states that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Steve Jordan have been busy recording at Metropolis Studios in West London since April, and have 13 new songs completed. Those reports also claim that renowned producer Andrew Watt – who produced and co-wrote three songs on the Stones’ Grammy-winning 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds – is again working with the band on their upcoming project. The band and their label are apparently in discussions for the album's release, while also contemplating future tour dates. Though no official announcements have been made, Jagger and Richards have both previously revealed that the group has ample material for another album. (NME)
Brian Wilson, the brilliant musician who helped define the California teen lifestyle through a series of iconic ’60s hits with his band, The Beach Boys, has passed away at the age of 82. In a heartfelt post shared on Instagram, his family confirmed the news of his death. “We are heartbroken to announce,” the statement began, expressing their deep grief over the loss of a beloved husband, father, and music legend.
The Doobie Brothers, known for their genre-blending, commercially successful career since the 1970s, just released their 16th studio album, Walk This Road, on Friday (June 6). This new record marks the first time that all three of the band’s principal songwriters - Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Pat Simmons - have contributed significantly to a project. Walk This Road was produced by pop-rock veteran John Shanks, and represents McDonald's first appearance on a Doobies album in two decades. The band’s long history of chart success includes nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, and 10 Top 20 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with hits spanning the rock, adult contemporary, R&B, and country charts. The new album's release precedes the band's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 12, alongside fellow music legends George Clinton, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Ashley Gorley, Mike Love, and Tony Macaulay. The reunion for the new record went so smoothly that McDonald teases that they “might even do another” album. (Billboard)
