Mitt Romney supporter Meat Loaf was gracious in congratulation President Barack Obama on his re-election. Meat performed at a rally for the Republican candidate last month in Ohio and wrote, "I would like to offer my congratulations to President Obama on his victory! Now let's bring our country and all of its people back together. American society was founded on freedom from religious persecution and on tolerance of differences in beliefs and cultural heritage. Please let freedom ring!"
The Monkees welcomed Michael Nesmith back to the fold last night as they kicked off a 12-date tour in Escondido, California. The crowd did see the late Davy Jones in several video tributes during the show. Their reunion tour will continue for 11 more shows.
Hey Motown fans! Check out a pair of new releases from Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells in the next month that contain plenty of rare, previously unheard recordings. There will be an expanded 40th anniversary edition of Gaye's soundtrack for the movie Trouble Man which contains 29 unreleased performances from the late soul star. Mary Wells' Something New: Motown Lost and Found is another two CD collection featuring 47 tracks recorded between 1961 and 1964.
Rod Stewart's record breaking sales on the home shopping channel HSN has helped propel his Merry Christmas Baby album to a #3 debut on the Billboard 200, with nearly 90,000 copies sold. That's according to SoundScan figures. Rod's effort was surpassed only by Taylor Swift's album Red and the debut of rapper Meek Mill's new album Dreams and Nightmares. With his PBS special still to come, Rod's Christmas album seems poised to become one of the biggest sellers this holiday season.
Never-seen live footage of Elvis Presley performing That's All Right Mama at his first and only shows at New York's Madison Square Garden in June 1972 premiered this week on Time.com. After 40 years, the footage--shot by a fan sitting front-and-center--is making its debut on Prince from Another Planet: 40th Anniversary Edition, a deluxe two CD and DVD box set that hits stores next Tuesday.
Just imagine this. If The Beatles unraveled (as they did in 1970), John Lennon would've then teamed up with Eric Clapton. That suggestion is contained in a letter Lennon wrote to Clapton in 1971. That letter will go up for bids December 18th in Los Angeles. Reuters got a sneak peek at the letter, which included this quote: "Eric, I know I can bring out something great, in fact greater in you that had been so far evident in your music. I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us, which I know will happen if/when we get together." Wow!
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary fame would've had a birthday this week. Mary was born on November 7, 1937. She teamed up with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey to form the 60s folk trio who notched several big hits including I Dig Rock & Roll Music and Leaving On A Jet Plane.
More rock 'n roll birthdays this week include folk singer Joni Mitchell who turns 69. Joni's big hits include Big Yellow Taxi, You Turn Me I'm A Radio and her biggest hit Help Me in 1974.
Happy birthday to Johnny Rivers. The 60s superstar turns 70 today. Johnny got his big break in 1964 with his version of Memphis. He followed that up with other big hits including the #1 hit Poor Side of Town in 1966.
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have released a video to promote their upcoming album, This Christmas. It shows plenty of the playful friendship we all first saw in the 1978 movie Grease. The album goes on sale next Tuesday.
Neil Diamond posted a picture of himself working phones Sunday for President Barack Obama on his Facebook page. He posted the caption, "Working the phones for Obama last night...If I call you, don't hang up. It's really me and I need you." Governor Mitt Romney has also had his share of celebrities stumping for him, including Kid Rock who appeared in concert at several Romney events along with Clint Eastwood who shot a TV spot for the Romey campaign.
Happy birthday to Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Glenn turns 64 this week. Along with Don Henley, Glenn turned his Eagles success into a great solo career in the 80s.
More rock 'n roll birthdays this week include Art Garfunkel who turns 71 this week. Art made his name with Paul Simon in the 60s as Simon & Garfunkel. The duo parted ways in the 70s but continue to record and tour as solo acts.
Happy 53rd birthday to Bryan Adams. The Canadian rocker made his name in the early and mid 80s on American radio. His 1984 album Reckless spawned his biggest success with hits like Summer of '69 and Heaven. Bryan continues to tour and record in 2012.
Also happy birthday to Peter Noone. Noone turns 65 this week. Noone was the lead singer of the 60s British Invasion band Herman's Hermits with hits like I'm Into Something Good and Can't You Hear My Heartbeat. Peter continues to tour in 2012.
