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.
It was the early 1970s, and the air was electric with change. Funk was getting funkier, disco was still finding its feet, and a small vocal group from California was about to drop a tune that would literally rock the boat — and make music history.
Few songs capture the essence of late-’70s disco quite like “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward. Released in 1979, this sultry, infectious track became a chart-topping sensation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing its place as one of disco’s most memorable hits. Though Anita Ward would never replicate its success, “Ring My Bell” remains a timeless dance floor classic, still filling clubs and party playlists decades later.
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Few songs capture the essence of 1970s funk and rock quite like "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. Released in 1976, this infectious, groove-heavy track became an instant classic, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and leaving an indelible mark on both rock and funk music.
Sir Rod Stewart is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and perform at the 2025 American Music Awards, marking the British rock legend’s return to the AMA stage for the first time since 2004. The 80-year-old Stewart joins the lineup of artists over 50 set to perform at this year's awards ceremony, including Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, and Gloria Estefan, alongside younger acts like Benson Boone, Reneé Rapp, and Lainey Wilson. Stewart has received numerous accolades throughout his celebrated career, including two inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – for his solo work and with The Faces – and a variety of Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of his four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Stewart will launch the North American leg of his "One Last Time" world tour this summer, as well as continuing “The Encore Shows” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from May-June and September-October 2025. (Billboard)
On Tuesday (May 13), Yusuf/Cat Stevens announced details of his long-awaited memoir, Cat on the Road to Findout, which is set to be published in the U.K. on September 18 and North America on October 7 via Little, Brown Book Group. “Finally it’s here!” Yusuf wrote on Instagram. “After years of toiling, I’ve completed my book.” The memoir traces Stevens' life journey from his upbringing in London to his musical career in the Sixties, including his battle with tuberculosis in 1969 and his conversion to Islam in 1978. “I’ve been on an amazing journey, which began in the narrow streets of London, and led me through the most iconic cities, to perform upon the great stage of Western culture, ascending the dizzying heights of wealth, recognition, and artistic pinnacles,” Yusuf said in a statement. In addition to his forthcoming memoir (and an expected book tour), Yusuf will perform alongside fellow music legends Neil Young and Van Morrison at Hyde Park in London on July 11. (Rolling Stone)
The Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are set to announce a special upcoming project named, "The Song Is Over," sparking speculation about a potential farewell tour. The rock legends will hold a press event in London on Thursday (May 8), inviting questions from fans through their social media channels for what the duo are calling a “special announcement followed by an exclusive Q&A session.” The project's cryptic title draws its name from the band’s classic 1971 track, which was featured on their celebrated album, Who’s Next. Considering the band members' advancing ages – Townshend turns 80 on May 19, and Daltrey is 81 – the likelihood of a farewell tour seems to be high. Though the Who have a long history of so-called “farewell” tours, with their first one dating all the way back to 1982, which was their last trek with drummer Kenny Jones, who replaced their original drummer Keith Moon after his death in 1978. The Who’s current drummer, Zak Starkey, was recently fired – then immediately rehired – by the band. (Rolling Stone)
On Monday (May 5), the Steve Miller Band announced the dates and details of their new US tour which will stretch from late summer to early November, including a previously confirmed six-show run of dates in the northeast in August 2025. These dates represent the band's first confirmed shows of the year, aside from a lone performance in Oklahoma last February. The 28-date jaunt kicks off in Bethel, New York, on August 15, and includes stops in cities like Gilford, Syracuse, Atlantic City, Saint Paul, Memphis, Hunstville, Tuscaloosa, Tampa, Las Vegas, Saratoga, San Diego, and Los Angeles, before concluding with a November 8th show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Ticket sales for the new tour dates will start with a pre-sale on Wednesday, May 7th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a general on-sale on Friday, May 9th. (Consequence of Sound)
Neil Diamond will be honored with the Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award at the 39th Annual Carousel Ball in Denver on October 11, benefiting the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Diamond will become only the third recipient of the prestigious award, following Sidney Poitier in 2016, and Diane Warren in 2024. The 84-year-old singer has long been involved with the foundation and its fundraising efforts, showcasing his support by performing at various events over the years. “It’s been my absolute joy to have supported the Children’s Diabetes Foundation for so many wonderful years,” Diamond said in a statement. “Barbara Davis and her organization have done an immense amount of good helping kids, adults and their families facing a difficult diagnosis.” During his six-decade music career, the Grammy-winning Diamond has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as being recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011 and receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2018.
Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones have recorded a series of songs for a new Faces album, suggesting a forthcoming reunion from the legendary rock band 50 years after their last record. In an interview with The Telegraph, Jones confirms that the trio have recorded “about 11 tracks” at the RAK studios in London. The drummer also revealed that a new Faces documentary is in the works, and that Jools Holland makes a guest appearance on one of their new songs. “Not all of them are going to be right [for the album], but most of them are good,” Jones said. “I can’t see it coming out this year. But I can see it coming out next year. Everyone’s doing different things. We do little snippets [of recording] here and there. Then all of a sudden, The Stones are out [on tour] again, Rod’s out again.” The anticipation for new Faces music fuels the rumors of Wood and Jones joining Stewart's scheduled Glastonbury performance this summer.
Carlos Santana was hospitalized following a medical emergency that occured during soundcheck ahead of his concert at San Antonio's Majestic Theatre on Tuesday (April 22). Doctors determined that the 77-year-old guitar legend was suffering from dehydration. The show was postponed, but Santana's spring US tour is set to continue as planned, with the next show scheduled for April 23 in Sugar Land, Texas. “Out of an abundance of caution and the health of Mr. Santana, the decision to postpone the show was the most prudent course of action,” manager Michael Vrionis stated. “He is doing well and is looking forward to coming back to San Antonio soon as well as continuing his US Tour. Thank you all very much for your understanding. The show will be rescheduled soon.” Despite this health setback, Santana has plans for a Vegas residency running from May 14-25, followed by a UK/European tour this summer, and a continuation of his Vegas residency in September and November.
Renowned music producer Roy Thomas Baker, best known for his work with Queen, The Cars, Foreigner, and other iconic acts, has died at the age of 78. Baker played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of numerous hit singles and albums throughout his legendary career, including serving as chief engineer on Free’s 1970 smash “All Right Now” and T. Rex’s “Bang A Gong (Get It On).” Baker is perhaps best known as the producer on Queen's iconic 1975 record, A Night At the Races, featuring the smash hit, "Bohemian Rhapsody,” which is the most streamed song recorded in the 20th century, and is also recognized as the top British single of all time.
During her acceptance speech while receiving the Hall of Fame award at the Pollstar Awards, Stevie Nicks unexpectedly disclosed that she is working on a new album, a project she is calling, The Ghost Record. Reflecting on the recent California fires, Nicks shared how the isolation during her stay in a hotel while her home was being renovated inspired her to write a series of new songs. “They are not airy, fairy songs that you are wondering who they are about but you don’t really get it,” she said. “They’re real stories of memories of mine of fantastic men,” which includes a song inspired by Prince that brought the project to life. “I thought, ‘You need to go back to work.’ And I did,” Nicks revealed. “And I have seven songs, and they are autobiographical real stories where I’m not pulling any punches for the first time in my life.” This new project will follow Nicks’ last solo album in 2014, 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault.
After The Who publicly announced that they had parted ways with their longtime drummer Zak Starkey last week, Pete Townshend reversed course in an Instagram post on Saturday (April 19), confirming that Starkey is still the drummer in the band. “News Flash! Who back Zak!,” Townshend wrote. “Zak is not being asked to step down from The Who. There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.” Following a rocky performance at Royal Albert Hall, Townshend stated that Starkey is not being asked to step down but rather work on his drumming style to better fit the band's current sound. “Roger [Daltrey] and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line up and he has readily agreed,” wrote the guitar legend. Starkey, the son of the Beatles icon Ringo Star, took to Instagram to share a photo of Townshend embracing him, with the caption, “V grateful to be a part of the who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx.”
Little River Band co-founder and original bassist Roger McLachlan has passed away at the age of 71 after battling pancreatic cancer. McLachlan, born in 1954 in New Zealand, was known for his musical talent and significant early contributions to the band. He initially joined the group after an agent mentioned they were looking for a bass player, and he went on to play a crucial role in their success, including their Top 30 hit song, "It's a Long Way There,” from 1975's Little River Band. "I arrived for auditions and they start playing and singing and I am pinching myself, because I can't believe how good these guys are,” McLachlan told Riveting Riffs magazine about his try-out. “The rest is history. It just kind of clicked straightaway." McLachlan originally left the group following 1976's After Hours, but he rejoined the band in the late ‘90s. McLachlan had a notable career outside of Little River Band, performing and collaborating with a variety of groups while remaining active in music until his passing. He was also part of 2009's induction class at New Zealand's Southland Musicians Club Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
