Rock
Page: 178
Rage Against the Machine‘s Tim Commerford sat down for an interview with Spin this week, in which he revealed his battle with prostate cancer, something previously unknown to the public.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’ve been dealing with some pretty serious s—,” the 54-year-old rocker told the publication. “Right before I was about to go on tour with Rage, I had my prostate removed, and I have prostate cancer.”
“You can find yourself in a situation like I’m in where it’s like, f—, my whole life changed. With everything that happens to me now, I wonder, am I feeling this way because I have cancer? Am I losing my hair because I have cancer? Whatever it is, it makes me wonder if it’s happening because I have cancer,” he continued. “And prostate cancer is a very, very, very tough one because it’s connected to your sexuality. It’s hard to disconnect from that and when you’re forced into that situation, it’s a brutal psychological journey. […] It’s very hard for me to not break down and get emotional.”
Commerford noted that his bandmates know of his diagnosis, even though fans didn’t. “You can still be in great shape. When I got my physical, my doctor said I was in the best shape of any 50-year-old he’d ever seen there,” he explained. “There’s plenty of people that are in great shape that have cancer. And I’m hoping to continue as long as I can be that. I work out religiously, and I try my hardest to stay in shape. I’m still very proud of who I am. When I first got diagnosed, it f—ed with me on that level. But now I’m starting to feel this level of, ‘I’m going to be the fittest motherf—er with cancer that’s 54 that you’ve ever f—ing seen in your life.’”
Going forward, Commerford said that the “glass is half-full” in his eyes. “I go into a trance, and I just completely forget about it,” he says of performing and making music. “And it’s so beautiful. When I wake up in the morning, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a new day. Dope!’ Then it’s like, ‘Oh f—, I have cancer’ and you can’t stop it. It puts a dark cloud on the day. When I go jam with Mathias [Wakrat], I just tune out and it feels so good. Music has always been there in the toughest of times.”
RATM previously cancelled their planned 2023 North American tour in October due to singer Zack de la Rocha’s leg injury.
After being unable to tour behind his 2020 debut album, experimental alt artist Jean Dawson embarked on his first headlining tour this year with second full-length, Chaos Now, which hit No. 35 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. Below, he reflects on the experience.
Being that I had no expectations, everything I received was hyper-special. The tour was completely sold out, which was wild, and the audiences were right there with me. I feel like I made thousands of friends in the span of a month. Nothing was expected, so everything was gifted.
The first Los Angeles show [at The Roxy in November] blew — there were so many suits in the building standing in VIP, just staring and analyzing, seeing how they could commodify the energy in the front, where the audience was at full throttle. I hated it. That show stood out because I could clearly see the disparity between love and greed. The true VIP was the pit where people were feeling the push and pull of what we do together. The area where the “important people” stood was a daycare center for those who feel above the true sentiment of what we did that night. The next night in Los Angeles was amazing, though.
When I did meet-and-greets, which was about every night, I got to see how many people felt a kinship with something that just lived in my head until it didn’t. It’s like getting 20,000 hugs all at once. I think I’ll spend my whole life trying to understand it and, moreover, appreciate that feeling. It was love. For the first time in my life, I felt like no one was judging me. The only challenges that felt like hurdles were not getting sick over and over, which ended up happening.
I’m trying to practice having no goals — sounds counterproductive, but I just want to be. Take everything with grace, gratitude and f–king heart. The shows will [continue to] be legendary because it isn’t about me — it’s about them.
This story originally appeared in the Dec. 10, 2022 issue of Billboard.
Brandi Carlile returned to SNL as the musical guest on Saturday (Dec. 10), delivering one of her classics, 2007’s “The Story,” and her Grammy-nominated “You and Me on the Rock” featuring Lucius.
For her first performance of the night, Carlile was introduced by Martin Short, who co-hosted this weekend’s episode with Steve Martin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Brandi Carlile,” Short announced, as Carlile launched into “The Story,” the title track from her sophomore album.
Carlile took the stage again later in the evening, introduced this time by Steve Martin and accompanied by Lucius for “You and Me on the Rock,” who were also featured on the track on Carlile’s In These Silent Days album.
She’d previously graced the SNL set in 2021, when she performed “Broken Horses” and “Right on Time.”
An excited Carlile tweeted a photo of herself holding one of Martin and Short’s SNL cue cards Saturday morning, after calling the hosts “the funniest people in the world” in a tweet following a rehearsal earlier in the week. “I’m in love,” she said.
Watch Carlile’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes as well.
Alanis Morissette released her take on the holiday classic “Little Drummer Boy” on Friday (Dec. 9) via Epiphany Music/Thirty Tigers.
For her rendition of the song made famous by the Harry Simeone Chorale in 1958, the alt-rock icon adds a flurry of floating harmonies, bell-like synths and the requisite snare drum as she rum-pum-pums her way through her cover of the 1951 yuletide tune. “Little baby, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum/ I am a poor girl too, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum/ I have no gift to bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum/ That’s fit to give our king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum/ Ru-pu-pum-pum, ru-pu-pum-pum/ Shall I play for you, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum/ On my drum?”
“I played my best for you. #thedrummerboy #happyholidays #feelingitall #loveyou,” Morissette added on Instagram alongside a look at the single’s cover art, which shows her leaning her head on Mary’s shoulder as the Biblical figure cradles baby Jesus on California street lined with palm trees.
In November, Morissette turned down an invitation to perform at this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, citing what she viewed as the industry’s “overarching anti-woman sentiment” and “disrespect of the feminine in all of us,” which she laid out in a no-holds-barred Instagram Story. (The singer was meant to duet on Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” with Olivia Rodrigo, who ended up performing the iconic 1972 kiss-off solo during the ceremony.)
Two months prior, though, Morissette was inducted — by Rodrigo, in fact — into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame along with the likes of David Foster, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance and francophone legend Daniel Lavoie.
Stream Morissette’s new studio version of “Little Drummer Boy” below.
Phoenix links its third consecutive, and total, No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, as “Tonight” climbs to the top of the Dec. 10-dated survey.
The song features Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, who leads in his first solo appearance on the list. Vampire Weekend as tallied two Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1s, both in 2019.
“Tonight” follows the two-week rules each for Phoenix’s “Alpha Zulu” in August and “Identical” in late 2020. The band first hit the top 10 with “1901” in 2010. It has also scored a top 10 with “J-Boy” in 2017.
Phoenix is the first act to earn three straight Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1s since Cage the Elephant, which snagged three in a row in 2019-20: “Ready to Let Go,” “Social Cues” and “Black Madonna.”
Concurrently, “Tonight” lifts 15-12 on Alternative Airplay, where it’s the band’s highest rank since “Trying to Be Cool” peaked at No. 10 in 2013. The band boasts a top 10 there via “1901” in 2010 and an additional top five with “Lisztomania” later that year.
On the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, “Tonight” jumps 19-13 with 2.4 million audience impressions, up 38%, according to Luminate. The band last ranked that high in 2010, when “Lisztomania” hit No. 5 (its all-time best, “1901,” peaked at No. 3).
“Tonight” is the third single from Phoenix’s seventh album, Alpha Zulu, following “Identical” and the title track. The set was released in November and has earned 20,000 equivalent album units to date.
We’re still two weeks away from Christmas but the gifts keep coming early for music fans with long-awaited albums and surprise singles arriving from their favorite stars. And as always, Billboard wants to know which new release you’re most grateful for this holiday season!
On Friday (Dec. 9), SZA‘s hotly anticipated sophomore album SOS finally arrived after a five-and-a-half year wait. Preceded by lead single “Shirt” and a tease of “Nobody Gets Me,” the studio set follows the recent Billboard cover star‘s smash 2017 debut album Ctrl, which spawned hits like “Drew Barrymore,” “Love Galore” and “The Weekend.”
Then there’s Lana Del Rey, who shocked her fans earlier this week with the surprise announcement of her upcoming ninth album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. The pop songstress even sweetened the reveal by unveiling the title track — a reflective, choir-backed ballad in the form of her early releases — in all its sweeping, wistful glory.
Polo G and Paramore also released new singles on Friday, with the rapper previewing his forthcoming project set for 2023 with “My All” and the pop-punk stalwarts unfurling “The News” ahead of their comeback LP This Is Why dropping on Feb. 10.
A Boogie wit da Hoodie, meanwhile, shared his combatively titled fourth studio album, Me vs. Myself, which includes collabs with the likes of H.E.R. (“Playa”), Roddy Ricch (“B.R.O. (Better Ride Out)”), Kodak Black (“Water (Drowning Pt. 2)”) G Herbo (“Last Time”) and more.
Vote for the new music you’re loving the most in BIllboard‘s weekly poll below.
Jet Black, one of the co-founders and the original drummer in beloved British new wave/punk band The Stranglers has died at 84. “It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and band elder statesman Jet Black,” the band wrote in a statement on Thursday (Dec. 8). “Jet died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Fond adieu, fly straight JB.”
In a lengthy tribute, the band said that Black (born Brian John Duffy on Aug. 26, 1938 in Essex, England) died on Tuesday (Dec. 6) of unspecified causes. “As the ‘elder statesmen’ of the group, Jet was already a successful businessman in the Guildford area when The Stranglers formed in 1974,” they wrote. “Jet owned a fleet of ice cream vans, one of which, as many fans will fondly remember, was used to tour the UK in the early years. Jet also owned an off licence, the upstairs apartment of which doubled as ‘Stranglers HQ’ in the early days.”
The group credited Black with keeping the beat on 23 top 40 singles in the UK, as well as 19 top 40 albums on the official UK charts thanks to his jazz-influenced style on such beloved hits as “Golden Brown,” “Patches” and “No More Heroes.” Just years after forming, the band became a vital part of the UK punk and new wave scenes, making their bones supporting American punks such as the Ramones and Patti Smith on their UK tours.
The Stranglers’ lone remaining original member, bassist/co-frontman JJ Burnel said, “The welcoming committee has doubled. After years of ill health Jet has finally been released. He was a force of nature. An inspiration. The Stranglers would not have been if it wasn’t for him. The most erudite of men. A rebel with many causes. Say hi to Dave for me.” The band’s former keyboardist/vocalist, Dave Greenfield, died in 2020.
Black retired from touring and performing live with the Stranglers in 2015 due to complications from respiratory issues that had dogged him since childhood and which had caused him to take a series of health-related pauses from touring in the early and mid-200s. “Despite difficulties in performing towards the end of his career, Jet’s charismatic charm resonated with fans who would endlessly chant his name as he took his place at the drums,” they wrote.
In addition to his steady-on drumming, Black also wrote two books about the band’s notorious 1980 arrest in Nice, France for allegedly inciting a riot, 1981’s Much Ado About Nothing and 2010’s Seven Days in Nice.
See the band’s tweet and other tributes below.
RIP Jet Black drummer and co founder of The Stranglers. As young punks we saw them play many times. Jet was always the solid foundation of the band.— Lol Tolhurst (@LolTolhurst) December 9, 2022
The backbone of The Stranglers’ rhythm.Rest in peace Jet Black, drummer and co-founder of pivotal proto-punk band The Stranglers. Thank you for so many classics 🖤 pic.twitter.com/bp820x0VvZ— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) December 9, 2022
The rumors are true: Mick Fleetwood’s balls are worth a whole lot of money. On Dec. 3 and 4 in Beverly Hills, items from the Fleetwood Mac archives were auctioned off shortly after the death of Christine McVie, with the biggest sale price — $128,000, to be exact — going to the pair of wooden balls sported by the band’s namesake on the iconic Rumours album cover.
The balls were just one (or two, if you want to be precise) of nearly 900 items sold during the sale — which was announced before McVie’s death — hosted by Julien’s Auctions. Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie and John McVie’s belongings specifically were up for grabs, with the collection spanning used instruments, band memorabilia and nostalgic pieces of clothing.
Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”
Courtesy Photo
A Thea Porter dress worn by McVie onstage in 1971 went for $31,250, and one of her Hammond organ speakers used on tour was sold for $37,500. The dress she wore on the back cover of Rumours brought in $56,250, while a crow top hat made by Stevie Nicks for Mick earned $16,000.
A portion of the auction’s proceeds were donated to MusiCares, according to the event’s webpage. The organization, run by the Recording Academy, provides health and human services to the music community.
The auction took place just a couple days after Christine passed away Nov. 30 at age 79 following “a short illness,” according to her family. Since her death, both the keyboardist’s former bandmates and artists from all over the world have put out statements mourning her, while Harry Styles performed perhaps her most recognizable song, “Songbird,” at a recent concert in her honor.
“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,” wrote Nicks in an emotional message on Twitter. “See you on the other side, my love. Don’t forget me.”
The lineups for 2023’s Reading & Leeds Festival was revealed on Friday morning (Dec. 9), with Billie Eilish, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Foals, Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender announced as headliners. It will be a return to the top slot for previous headliners the Killers and Foals, while the rest will be making their topline debut; Eilish, 20, will also become the youngest solo artist to headline.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Other acts revealed on the first poster for the event that will take place from Aug. 25-27 include Wet Leg, Loyle Carner, Steve Lacy, Central Cee, Slowthai, Becky Hills, Lil Tjay, Meekz, Nessa Barrett, You Met at Six, Nothing But Thieves, Baby Queen, Bicep Live, Georgia, Inhaler, Trippie Redd, LF System, MK, Yung Lean, Tion Wayne and Andy C.
The initial poster also reveals that Don Broco, Eliza Rose, Songer, Lovejoy, Chase Atlantic, Declan McKenna, Muna, Shy FX, Songer and The Snuts will be performing as well. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday (Dec. 12) here.
Fender could hardly contain his excitement, tweeting, “I first went to Leeds festival 10 years ago as a teenager, me and Deano spent the entire week launching hot dogs out of a gazebo pole at random crowds of lads chanting ‘Yorkshire Yorkshire’. One night I was out cold in my tent from necking a bottle of vodka at Eagles of Death Metal my tent got set alight – some fine young hero from Sheffield pissed out the fire to save me. Thankfully because of that lad whose name I can’t remember, I didn’t perish in the flames, little did he know he’d just saved Reading and Leeds’s 2023 headliner.”
Check out the official poster for the 2023 Reading & Leeds festival and some artist reactions below.
‘Reading and leeds is a ROCK festival what the fuck is Lewis capaldi doing there’ ‘Lewis capaldi isn’t festival material 🤦🏻’ Fuck ye. Dream come true to be one of the headliners for @OfficialRandL next year, see ye there ❤️x pic.twitter.com/IshlXJjyG3— Lewis Capaldi (@LewisCapaldi) December 9, 2022
I first went to Leeds festival 10 years ago as a teenager, me and Deano spent the entire week launching hot dogs out of a gazebo pole at random crowds of lads chanting ‘Yorkshire Yorkshire’. One night I was out cold in my tent from necking a bottle of vodka at… pic.twitter.com/I8uQC2pz9V— Sam Fender (@samfendermusic) December 9, 2022
When Guns N’ Roses come to an arena or stadium near you, there won’t be any chance of Axl Rose’s microphone smacking you in the face.
The reunited rock legends’ front man has pledged to quit throwing his mic into the crowd, a decades-long tradition, after a fan apparently sustained facial injuries when she was hit during a concert in Australia.
According to the Adelaide Advertiser, Rebecca Howe was left with two black eyes and a bloody nose when Rose threw his mic at the completion of their set.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Following a rendition of the final song “Paradise City,” Rose “took a bow and then he launched the microphone out to the crowd … and then bang, right on the bridge of my nose,” she told the title.
The microphone then reportedly bounced into the hands of another concertgoer.
“My mind went, ‘Oh my God, my face is caved in,” she continued, adding that she was left hyperventilating following the incident, and in a state of “shock”.
Rose heard the story, he saw the photos, and he’ll change the show accordingly.
“It’s come to my attention that a fan may have been hurt at r show in Adelaide Australia possible being hit by the microphone at the end of the show when I traditionally toss the mic to the fans,” he writes in a social post.
“If true obviously we don’t want anyone getting hurt or to somehow in anyway hurt anyone at any of r shows anywhere,” Rose wrote.
Having tossed the mic at the end of show for over 30 years, the singer continued, the band felt “it was a known part” the performance “that fans wanted and were aware of to have an opportunity to catch the mic.”
That said, “in the interest of public safety from now on we’ll refrain from tossing the mic or anything to the fans during or at r performances.”
GNR’s stadium tour down under wraps this Saturday (Dec. 10) at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, the finale of an eight-city swing. TEG Dainty is producing the Australia and NZ leg, which features the classic line-up of Axl, Slash and Duff McKagan, with The Chats, Cosmic Psychos and Alien Weaponry in support.