Rock
Page: 92
Lenny Kravitz has officially joined TikTok. On Saturday (Sept. 23), the legendary singer-songwriter and actor made his debut on the social media platform by bringing back his viral giant scarf to usher in the autumn season. “Grab your big scarf, it’s the first day of fall,” Kravitz says in the five-second TikTok clip while donning […]
Noah Kahan has had quite the year. Last October, the singer-songwriter released his third album Stick Season, a project that ushered in a sonic shift for the artist away from pop and into folk music — and set him on the fast-track to global acclaim.
The album debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200; In June, Kahan released its deluxe edition, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), which shot the album up to a No. 3 peak on the chart. The deluxe also topped a handful of genre-based charts, including Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums and Americana/Folk Albums.
“It’s been an unbelievable year-and-a-half now … a whirlwind of attention and wonderful outpouring of love from fans,” says Kahan. He recalls making Stick Season through the pandemic, saying, “There was a feeling in the studio of like, ‘Woah, this is something special.’ I felt so creatively in control … and I think, at the time, I couldn’t see that as a sign of success or relatability, it just felt so right for me that I was fine with whatever happened.”
In July, Kahan delivered yet another gift to fans with his Post Malone collaboration on standout single “Dial Drunk.” And while Kahan says he didn’t get a chance to play beer pong with the champ (“I got to watch him play, there was a big line … I was a little starstruck”) he says their first meeting was “exactly what I wanted an experience with Post Malone to be; he was sitting crossed-legged, drinking Bud Lights [and] smoking cigarettes.”
The pair bonded over their love of the comedy Walk Hard and Kahan confirms “the hang is not over.” As he says, “I would love to get in the room and write music with him [together from scratch]. What I love about [him] is he is so untethered by genre…I would love to make some weird shit.”
Looking ahead, Kahan has already completed his two biggest goals: be verified on Instagram and have a Wikipedia page. Still, he has one other major project in the works. His nonprofit the Busyhead Project, which he founded with his managers in May and is named after his 2019 debut album Busyhead, is on track to raise $1 million for mental health organizations across country and in Canada. “That is definitely a goal,” he says.
Watch the full Billboard News interview above.
Dolly Parton rolled out the latest song from her upcoming all-star debut rock record Rockstar (Nov. 17) on Friday (Sept. 22), a moving cover of the 1993 4 Non Blondes song “What’s Up?” And because the country legend was determined to make her first foray legit, she collaborated on the song with former Non Blondes singer Linda Perry.
The superstar songwriter/producer (Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Adele) also appears in the just-released video for the song, which was filmed at a Nashville elementary school on the hottest day of the year. “First of all, I love Linda Perry. Second of all, I love this song written by Linda,” Parton said in a statement about the song that perennially asks a question with no clear answer about the state of the world today.
“Third of all, I love being a part of this video to try to make people think about what’s going on in this world today,” Parton, 77, added. “Shout out to the little children that helped with the video! If our children don’t make it, then what will? Again, I ask ‘What’s Up?’ Enjoy.”
The visual for the poignant take on the tune finds Parton singing the song on a stage — with Perry gently strumming an acoustic guitar — as children from Nashville’s Eakin Elementary school sit at her feet. Parton has long supported childhood literacy through her Imagination Library project, which has distributed more than 200 million books since 1995.
“How is one supposed to react when the greatest and most prolific songwriter in the world wants to cover a song YOU wrote?,” Perry said in a statement. “Her version of ‘What’s Up?’ is so good. Her spin on it made me feel like it was her song. No surprise there. Being on set making the video was a comfortable easy experience. The vibe on set was chill and Dolly and I got to catch up and laugh a lot. I could go on and on, obviously I’m a fan!”
The Perry track is the latest preview of the anticipated 30-song collection (21 covers, 9 originals), following last month’s Paul McCartney/Ringo Starr-assisted cover of the Beatles’ “Let It Be,” originals “World on Fire” and “Bygones” (featuring Judas Priest’s Rob Halford), as well as covers of Queen’s “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions”) and Heart’s “Magic Man.”
Among the rock world luminaries joining Parton on the album are: Sting (“Every Breath You Take”), former Journey singer Steve Perry (“Open Arms”), John Fogerty (“Long as I Can See the Light”), Joan Jett (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”), goddaughter Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”), Debbie Harry (“Heart of Glass”) and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (“Heartbreaker”), among many others.
Watch Parton and Perry’s What’s Up? video below.
[embedded content]
Pop-rock crooner Stephen Sanchez may be best known for his 2022 breakout hit “Until I Found You,” a lovestruck ballad that earned him his first Hot 100 hit. The song also topped Billboard‘s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart earlier this year.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
But on Friday (Sept. 22), he’s hoping to transcend any one song with the release of his narrative-driven debut album Angel Face. The full-length tells the rousing story of his alter ego, The Troubadour Sanchez, a fictional musician from the 50s who finds himself in a love triangle with Evangeline (fittingly, the title of Sanchez’ doting follow-up hit) and her boyfriend Hunter.
The tragic tale is both lyrically and sonically captivating, rooted in bluesy rock and ballads — and sounds from a different era entirely, proving that Sanchez too could be poised to stand the test of time.
Below, the rising artist answers 20 questions about his earliest inspirations, favorite musician alter-ego and befriending none other than Sir Elton John.
1. What’s the first piece of music you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
I bought Lord Huron’s sophomore record, Strange Trails, at a Barnes and Noble in my hometown and I begged the girl I was dating at the time to buy it for me, as I didn’t have any money. She spent the $20 bucks that her parents gave her for food … for my vinyl.
2. What was the first concert you saw?
My parents forced me to go to Chris Tomlin’s Worship Night in America concert in Sacramento, CA. It was so beautiful I cried the whole time. I was about 13.
3. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?
Oh my gosh, probably my mum — we weren’t in the best financial spot growing up, but she bought me my first proper acoustic guitar. When I started playing shows, my dad would drive me to every show and help me set up. They both made me feel like I could do it before anyone.
4. Your debut album tells the story of your alter ego, The Troubadour Sanchez. What artists do you admire who also have alter egos?
Ben Schneider from Lord Huron. He has made outstanding conceptual records with amazing characters. I’ve been inspired by him and his stories since I was in middle school. I am unbelievably honored to have written a few songs with him for the new record. His influence is one of the reasons this record ends in tragedy.
5. You live in Nashville now; how does that city inform your artistry?
I’ve actually just moved to Brooklyn, I’m over the moon about it! I still love Nashville, though, and I can’t wait to return there to make more records.
6. What’s the last song you listened to?
I just listened to Laufey’s song “Must Be Love” from her new record, Bewitched. She sings a duet with me on a track called “No One Knows.” Ben Schneider and I co-wrote the song at Whispering Pines studio in Los Angeles. The song is from the perspective of two lovers having loved each other long enough to hate each other. It’s a sentiment the two characters, Evangeline and The Troubadour, dream of having together: that long lasting, deep love filled with temperamental moments along the way.
7. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?
That’s easy! Roy Orbison.
8. What’s the best or your favorite concert that you saw this year, and why?
Definitely Elton John at Glastonbury. He hit the stage with “Pinball Wizard” while I was in the green room and I thought the ceiling above me was going to blow off. The boom of the crowd and Elton’s perfect voice is engrained in my memory like a familiar smell. He’s the consummate showman, the most brilliant performer. He kindly asked me to come out and perform a song of my own during his last live concert ever. I’m still lost in the dream come to reality.
9. What albums or artists did you listen to most this year?
A lot of Roy Orbison. I’m listening to the new Hozier and Laufey records, which are both absolute perfection. I usually listen to Lord Huron when traveling.
10. You have an incredible team of producers you work with; how did you create your creative circle?
We needed an incredible producer and engineer to help create the first EP — enter Ian Fitchuk and Konrad Synder, who both have the natural ability to create a beautiful, inspired and safe environment for creation. They are the best of the best. I love them like family.
11. What song off Angel Face was particularly challenging to write?
The ninth track, “Doesn’t Do Me Any Good” was unbelievably challenging. The lyrics felt natural and easy to put together, but the construction of the melody and groove was a real challenge.
12. What song off the album are you most excited to play live?
I’m really excited to sing “Shake.” I think it’ll send the crowd into a state of pure, unfiltered madness.
13. How are you preparing for tour?
Spending time with the woman I love before I go, eating good food, taking hot showers.
14. Has Elton shared any advice for delivering a compelling live show?
Elton is just such a generous friend … while we were in rehearsals for Glastonbury, he sat me down and told me to really take advantage of the stage. Don’t waste this moment. He also told me to have my band sing back up vocals on tour, and now they’re doing it.
15. What’s your karaoke go-to?
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli.
16. What’s one thing your most devoted fans don’t know about you?
I want a humble farm with a cow and grapes to make wine.
17. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?
Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe. She is performing “I’m Through With Love” while sitting on a piano. Tony Curtis is dressed as a woman and watching her, bewitched from the sidelines. She finishes the song, he rushes in, dries her eyes and kisses her lips saying, “None of that sugar, no guy is worth it.” It gets me every time.
18. Which TV show do you recommend binge-watching?
Mind Hunter … best crime, serial killer show, if you like that stuff.
19. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
20. What remains at the top of your professional bucket list?
I would love to record a LIVE album at the historic venues we play on our tour this fall.
The rollout for Blink-182‘s first studio album in 12 years — with the original lineup of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker — continues, this time, with the release of not one, but two new singles on Thursday (Sept. 21). The trio released a music video to accompany its heart-wrenching new track “One More […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Ever dream of rocking out just like Kiss? Well, Gene Simmons and Gibson are making that dream a reality with the launch of their latest collaboration. The two teamed up again for a second iteration of a signature bass guitar approved by the Kiss co-founder.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Whether you’re taking online guitar lessons or have mastered the art, you can jam out with your own Simmons-inspired bass guitar, which takes inspiration for the rock star’s heavily modified 1959 EB-0. Fans may recognize the style as it was based on the “Hard Luck Woman” singer’s 1970 model featuring a sleek all-black shade that’s also the first 30.5” scale bass from the Gibson Custom Shop.
Only 100 of these limited-edition instruments were made, which means you don’t want to debate too long over whether or not to add it to your Kiss merch collection.
If you have tickets to Kiss’ final tour, you most likely won’t be able to bring the guitar into the venue with you, but you can channel your inner Simmons on stage at a local bar or from the comfort of your home.
This isn’t the first time the two have teamed up. Previously, Simmons released a Thunderbird Bass with the iconic Kiss colorings — and it’s still in stock! Plus, if you’re looking for a more wallet-friendly style, it’s currently being offered at half the price of the new model. Click here to snag the deal and see the style up close.
Keep reading to shop the new Gibson Custom Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass below.
Gibson
Gibson Custom Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass $6,999
The star made a few modifications to the Gene Simmons EB-0 Bass model, such as reshaping the neck to a custom profile, replacing the pickup and moving it closer to the bridge, adding a custom pick guard, incorporating binding, and switching the original tuners to Grovers. The bridge is more versatile and can be replaced with a high-mass model a-body or as a top-loaded bridge. You’ll also receive a custom hardshell case.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Grateful Dead posters, earplugs for concerts and celebrity headphones.
Jimmy Buffett’s posthumously released single “Bubbles Up” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart with 8,000 downloads sold in the U.S. Sept. 8-14, according to Luminate.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Buffett, who died Sept. 1 at age 76, replaces himself atop Rock Digital Song Sales, where his signature song, 1977’s “Margaritaville,” led the Sept. 16-dated ranking (16,000 sold, up 8,415%, Sept. 1-7). The latter ranks at No. 3 on the latest list with 3,000 sold.
“Bubbles Up” is Buffett’s second career No. 1 on a Billboard songs chart as the only credited artist on a newly released song: “Margaritaville” led the Adult Contemporary chart dated May 28, 1977. He last topped Billboard album charts with new music thanks to his most recent LP, Life on the Flip Side, in 2020.
“Bubbles Up” is joined by “My Gummie Just Kicked In” (No. 5; 3,000 sold) and “Like My Dog” (No. 6; 2,000) as new Buffett tunes on Rock Digital Song Sales. All three songs arrived Sept. 8 and are set to be on Equal Strain on All Parts, Buffett’s 32nd studio album, due Nov. 3.
Buffett music accounts for eight of the Rock Digital Song Sales chart’s 25 positions. In addition to the four tunes noted above, classics “A Pirate Looks at Forty” (No. 12; 1,400 sold), “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” (No. 16; 1,100), “Cheeseburger in Paradise” (No. 18; 1,000) and “Son of a Son of a Sailor” (No. 22; 1,000) also place on the Sept. 23 tally.
“Bubbles Up” additionally begins at No. 2 on Country Digital Song Sales and No. 4 on the all-format Digital Song Sales chart, while its sales and 908,000 official U.S. streams send it to a No. 47 debut on the multi-metric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs survey.
Fans flocked to the icon’s trademark feel-good sound following his passing of complications from skin cancer. In the Sept. 1-7 tracking week, his song catalog surged by 1,476% to 78.6 million official on-demand streams and 7,022% to 103,000 paid downloads in the U.S.
When Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers and Andy Taylor get together, hits happen.
Rodgers, the New York City-born guitarist, producer and co-founder of seminal disco-era R&B band Chic, was a hero to the members of Duran Duran long before they got to work together.
Legend has it, the British new wave band heard INXS’ “Original Sin” on rotation at a party hosted in Melbourne by Aussie music TV broadcaster Molly Meldrum. Rodgers produced “Original Sin,” and, after that night, he was invited to work on Duran Duran’s 1984 single “The Reflex.” The result was a smash that led sales charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Rodgers and DD would stay tight through the years, working on multiple projects in the studio (including “Wild Boys,” plus the Notorious, Astronaut and Paper Gods albums) and on stage.
In the small hours of Thursday morning, Sept. 21, the latest addition to that decades-long musical alliance entered the world in the form of “Black Moonlight.”
The second release from the Rock Hall-inducted band’s forthcoming 16th studio album Danse Macabre, “Black Moonlight” is the sound of classic Duran Duran, its rhythm and groove infused by Rodgers, who is credited as producer, guitarist and co-composer.
The funk is so thick, you could carve it.
Andy Taylor, lead guitarist in the classic DD lineup, reunites with his old bandmates on “Black Moonlight,” for guitar and sound engineer duties. It was Taylor’s rock edge that helped DD reach the summit of the popular music mountain in the first half of the 1980s.
Danse Macabre is due out Oct. 27 on Tape Modern via BMG, and features guest spots with Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin, producer Mr. Hudson and former guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.
“Black Moonlight” is the second of three new songs, and is the followup to the LP’s title track, which dropped late last month and includes contributions from Andy Taylor and Cuccurullo.
The concept album is said to be the soundtrack to Duran Duran’s “ultimate Halloween party” and includes covers of Billie Eilish’s “Bury A Friend,” Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Spellbound,” The Specials’ “Ghost Town” and more.
Next up, a performance Friday night (Sept. 22) at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens with Nile Rodgers + Chic, and Bastille.
Stream “Black Moonlight” below.
[embedded content]
Styx’s “Renegade” reigns on Billboard’s Top TV Songs chart, powered by Tunefind, for August 2023, after it was heard in the season premiere of Showtime’s Billions.
Rankings for the Top TV Songs chart are based on song and show data provided by Tunefind and ranked using a formula blending that data with sales and streaming information tracked by Luminate during the corresponding period of August 2023.
“Renegade,” a No. 16 hit for Styx on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1979, lands at No. 1 following its synch in Billions’ Aug. 11 episode, which coronated the premiere of its seventh and final season.
In August 2023, “Renegade” earned 5.1 million official on-demand U.S. streams and 1,000 downloads, according to Luminate.
The song reigns over Massive Attack’s “Teardrop,” which bows at No. 2. It was heard in the series premiere of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, a newcomer to Amazon Prime Video’s slate of programming that first aired Aug. 4.
“Teardrop,” which bubbled under the Hot 100 in 1998, garnered 1.5 million streams in August 2023.
Music from the continuation of the second season of Amazon’s The Summer I Turned Pretty dots much of the remainder of the Top TV Songs top 10. The July 2023 list featured Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” heard in the show’s fourth episode of its second season (July 21), at No. 1, and the final three episodes of season 2 aired in August.
“Exile,” by Taylor Swift and featuring Bon Iver, leads the pack of The Summer I Turned Pretty songs at No. 3 (15.6 million streams, 4,000 downloads), followed by Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” at No. 4 (22.7 million streams, 3,000 downloads). In all, four of the chart’s 10 songs are from the Amazon series.
See the full top 10, also featuring music from Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Hard Knocks and What We Do in the Shadows, below.
Rank, Song, Artist, Show (Network)1. “Renegade,” Styx, Billions (Showtime)2. “Teardrop,” Massive Attack, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (Amazon Prime Video)3. “Exile,” Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver, The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video)4. “Party in the USA,” Miley Cyrus, The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video)5. “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” Traffic, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO)6. “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” Ann Peebles, Hard Knocks (HBO)7. “Jump Around,” House of Pain, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)8. “Free Fallin’,” Tom Petty, The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video)9. “All the Small Things,” Blink-182, The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video)10. “I Feel Love,” Donna Summer, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO)
Sufjan Stevens was gearing up to promote his upcoming Javelin album (Oct. 6) when he woke up one day recently and couldn’t feel his hands of feet. The singer revealed in a length Instagram post on Wednesday (Sept. 20) that he has been missing from the press rounds in advance of his first solo collection of new tunes in three years because he’s been in the hospital battling a scary autoimmune disease.
“I’m very excited about having new music to share, but I just wanted to let you know that one of the reasons why I haven’t been able to participate in the press and promotion leading up to the release of Javelin is bc I am in the hospital,” the singer wrote along with a selfie of him in a hospital room with a walker at his side.
“Last month I woke up one morning and couldn’t walk. My hands, arms and legs were numb and tingling and I had no strength, no feeling, no mobility,” he explained. “My brother drove me to the ER and after a series of tests—MRIs, EMGs, cat scans, X-rays, spinal taps (!), echo-cardiograms, etc.—the neurologists diagnosed me with an auto immune disorder called Guillian-Barré Syndrome.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the syndrome is a “rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms.” The numb sensation can spread quickly and can eventually paralyze a patient’s entire body, requiring immediate hospitalization to begin treatment.
The cause of the Syndrome is unknown, but most patients report symptoms of some kind of infection (COVID-19, Zika virus, a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection) in the weeks proceeding a diagnosis. There is currently no known cure, but there are several effective treatments that can ease symptoms and reduce the illness’ duration, with recovery sometimes taking several years, though most patients can walk again within six months of the first symptoms. In rare instances, the Syndrome can be fatal.
Stevens said he was lucky that he’s received treatment via immuno-hemoglobin infusions for five days, though he had to have faith that “the disease doesn’t spread to the lungs, heart and brain. Very scary, but it worked. I spent about two weeks in Med/Surg, stuck in a bed, while my doctors did all the things to keep me alive and stabilize my condition. I owe them my life,” he wrote.
Stevens said he was transferred to an acute rehab facility on Sept. 8, where he is currently “undergoing intensive physical therapy/occupational therapy, strength building etc. to get my body back in shape and to learn to walk again. It’s a slow process, but they say I will ‘recover,’ it just takes a lot of time, patience, and hard work.”
He noted that most people with GBS learn to walk again on their own within a year, so he’s hopeful that he’ll be back on his feet at some point. “I’m only in my second week of rehab but it is going really well and I am working really hard to get back on my feet,” he said. “I’m committed to getting better, I’m in good spirits, and I’m surrounded by a really great team. I want to be well!”
The singer/songwriter promised to keep fans updated on his progress and thanked them for their thoughts and prayers. “Be well, be joyful, stay sane, stay safe. I love you,” he said. Javelin is the proper solo follow-up to Stevens’ eighth studio album, 2020’s The Ascension.
See Stevens’ post below.