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.
The HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, is set to premiere in two parts, airing on the network and streaming service on July 18 and 25. The first trailer for the rock doc was shared on Friday (July 11), and it features appearances from Paul McCartney, P!nk, and Bruce Springsteen, among others. In the trailer, the 76-year-old Joel reflects on his long musical journey, detailing how his classical music roots, his unsettled family life, and high-profile relationships – like dating supermodel Christie Brinkley – all influenced his songwriting. McCartney says in the clip, “When I first heard Billy Joel, it was like, wait a minute. ‘Who’s this?'” While Springsteen admits, “Billy’s melodies are better than mine,” and P!nk praises Joel by saying “he cares about the human experience” and “he wrote songs that mattered.” And So It Goes is directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Joel was unable to attend the event due to his recent brain disorder diagnosis. (Rolling Stone)
London’s BST Hyde Park summer concert series was forced to cancel its final show scheduled for Sunday (July 13), after Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulled out due to Lynne’s health issues. The organizers announced on July 12 that the 77-year-old musician would not be able to perform as planned, writing in a statement: “Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show. Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time.” The entire Sunday program was ultimately cancelled, which was to include opening sets by the Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood, and Dhani Harrison, with full refunds offered to ticket holders. The Hyde Park show was scheduled to be the final live performance by Jeff Lynne’s ELO, following their successful Over and Out farewell tour in North America. The group also canceled their Manchester show on July 10 at the last minute, with audience members already filling the venue. (Billboard)
A new box set titled, I Can't Give Everything Away [2002-2016], collects the music from David Bowie's poignant final years. The comprehensive release will be issued in 13-CD and 18-LP boxed sets, along with standard digital download/streaming options. The set showcases key albums like Heathens (2002), Reality (2003), The Next Day (2013), and the iconic ★ (BLACKSTAR) (2016), each reflecting a distinct phase in Bowie's late-career collaboration with producer Tony Visconti. Other inclusions are A Reality Tour live recording, the No Plan EP, which features original songs from the Off-Broadway play Lazarus, a 2002 live recording from the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and the exclusive Re:Call 6 compilation of never-before-released tracks. The collection is complemented by a hardcover book featuring previously unseen notes, drawings and handwritten lyrics from Bowie, along with exclusive photos from the era, memorabilia, and album insights from Visconti and design notes from Jonathan Barnbrook. (Consequence of Sound)
The "Back to the Beginning" concert in Birmingham, England on Saturday (July 5), which featured Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's final performances, generated nearly $200 million for charity. The proceeds will be split between Cure Parkinson’s (Ozzy has been diagnosed with the disease), Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Tom Morello, the show’s musical director, announced on Instagram on Tuesday (July 8) that the event – which attracted over 5 million paid livestream viewers in addition to a sold-out in-person crowd of 44,000 – raised “more than $190 million [which] will be donated to houses and hospitals for children.” “We set out to not just create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal,” Morello adds. “It was over a year of hard work but it was a labor of love. We raised a ton of money for a great cause and so many great musicians & bands & fans all over the world paid tribute to the ALL TIME greats.” All participating artists performed for free, ensuring that all proceeds from the event will go directly to charity. (Consequence of Sound)
On Wednesday (July 9), Paul McCartney hinted at a potential upcoming tour with a post on his Instagram Stories. The 83-year-old Beatles legend shared a photo of two guitar picks, one reading, "Paul McCartney," and the other, "Got Back in 2025," along with a signup link. When you click the link, it takes you to a page that reads, “Sign up to receive information on tour dates, pre-sales and much more…” The red, white, and blue color scheme of the picks suggest that a U.S. tour is a distinct possibility, while “Got Back” likely refers to his last tour of the same name, which launched in the U.S. between April and June of 2022, eventually heading worldwide, before concluding in December 2024 in London. U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and Live Nation are promising the announcement of “one of the biggest shows in Minnesota history” on Thursday morning (July 10), with the distinct possibility that McCartney might be performing there as part of his upcoming U.S. tour. (Rolling Stone)
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)
