- Elton John was forced offstage on Friday night (January 31st) after being bombarded with rain and hail. The “Rocket Man” who was performing in Yarra Valley, Australia had commented on the 104-degree weather earlier in the show, declaring to the crowd's applause: 'It's f***ing hot. Thank you for buying a ticket to the show. We love doing it, even though it's hot.” About 90-minutes into the gig, while performing the 1973 classic “Funeral For A Friend,” the weather took an ugly turn and although his roadies trued to shield him from the weather, Elton was forced to leave the stage mid-song.
- A statement was released, which read: “Unfortunately due to tonight's short but heavy downpour that occurred 95 minutes into Elton John's set resulting in damage to musical instruments and monitors on stage, the show could not continue. We too are upset about the impact of the weather on tonight's show. Please hang on to your tickets to await further information. As soon as we have any further details we will let you know. At this stage tomorrow's show is proceeding as planned.” (The Daily Mail)
- Kiss and David Lee Roth kicked off their joint North American dates on Saturday night (February 1st) at Manchester, New Hampshire's SNHU Arena. Kiss spruced up its setlist — featuring four new songs now in rotation: “Hide Your Heart,” “Let Me Go, Rock and Roll” with “Tears are Falling” getting its first airing since 2014 and the 1974 Hotter Than Hell favorite “Parasite” being performed for the first time since 2015.
- David Lee Roth opened the night with an eight-song set featuring six Van Halen classics: “You Really Got Me,” Just Like Paradise,” “Unchained,” “Fresh Out,” “Jamie's Cryin',” “Panama,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,” and “Jump.” (Setlist.fm)
- Aerosmith is part of a new tourist commercial produced by Visit Las Vegas promoting “Sin City.” Among the artists appareling in the clip are Shania Twain — riding a horse down the strip, Christina Aguilera, scenes from a Cirque du Soleil production — before finishing with Aerosmith performing as part of the band's “Deuces Are Wild” residency at the Park MGM’s Park Theater, with Steven Tyler exclaiming the commercial's catchphrase, “What happens here only happens here.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- On Thursday (January 30th) Poison was inducted into the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame. Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett, C.C. DeVille, and Bobby Dall were all on hand at the ceremony, with CPMHOF founder Brandon Valentine stating, “As a non-profit organization focused on music education for the local youth, the CPMHOF is honored to recognize Bret and the band in a positive light. Bret and Poison have always held a special place in the hearts of Central Pennsylvanians, and now they’ll be immortalized in our local Hall Of Fame.” (Blabbermouth)
- Just as he had done last spring during the North American dates for Jeff Lynne's ELO, Dhani Harrison will serve as the opening act. The 15-date tour, which kicks off on September 19th in Oslo, Norway, will also take in stops in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands. Ireland, and the UK. (Press release)
- Spike Lee has signed on to direct the big screen version of David Byrne‘s American Utopia. The critically acclaimed Broadway's show, runs at the “Great White Way's ” Hudson Theatre through February 16th. In a statement, Byrne said of the team up with Lee: “Pinch me. This couldn’t have worked out better for this project. Spike Lee directing and Participant producing — two socially engaged teams, well, three if you count us in the band, coming together in what I feel will be something moving, important, and unlike anything anyone has seen before.” No start date has been announced for the production big screen version of the show. (Deadline)
Quick Takes: Elton John, Kiss & David Lee Roth, Aerosmith, Poison, ELO & Dhani Harrison, David Byrne & Spike Lee
By Music News
Feb 2, 2020 | 7:00 PM