Yoko Ono has announced two concerts to commemorate what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday. The “We Are Plastic Ono Band” shows will take place on October 1 and 2 at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. Among the artists scheduled to appear alongside the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band are Lady Gaga, Iggy Pop, the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, Sonic Youth members Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, and John Lennon’s son Sean.

John Lennon would have been 70 years old on October 9. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of his untimely death on December 8.

Click here for “We Are Plastic Ono Band” ticket information.

October 5 will see a major series of John Lennon releases, including remasters of each of his solo albums (available individually or as 12-CD box set), a greatest hits CD and a 4-CD package of rarities. Head over to the New Releases page for pre-order information.

Van Morrison celebrates his 65th birthday today. He was born George Ivan Morrison in Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland, on August 31 1945.

Morrison left school at 15 in 1960 and took on a number of jobs before becoming a window cleaner. Music was always a passion though and he played with a number of bands in this period, including the Monarchs, who he went on to tour the UK and Germany with. The band recorded their first single in November 1963 in Germany under the name George and the Monarchs. The single was “Boozoo Hully Gully”/”Twingy Baby” and it was a minor hit in Germany.

The Monarchs disbanded shortly after this and in 1964 Morrison put together a new band, The Gamblers, which was soon renamed Them and signed to Decca Records. This was Morrison’s big break. Over the next two years, Them released two albums and ten singles, including hits with “Baby Please Don’t Go” and “Here Comes the Night.”

Them – “Baby Please Don’t Go”

Them – “Here Comes the Night”

Morrison’s long solo career began when he was signed to Bang Records in 1967. A recording session in New York in March 1967 led to the album “Blowin’ Your Mind!” and the single “Brown Eyed Girl”, which was a top 10 US hit and has become a classic.

After signing for Warner Bros in 1968, Morrison recorded “Astral Weeks” which has become one of the most highly regarded albums of the 1960s, but wasn’t a great commercial success. In 2008 he performed “Astral Weeks” live for the first time since 1968. This can be heard on the album “Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.”

Morrison’s next album, “Moondance“, was his real commercial breakthrough as a solo artist and would go on to become a multi-platinum seller after initially peaking at number 29 on the US album chart. On “Moondance” Morrison successfully blended elements of jazz, soul, country, and blues to produce a timeless collection of songs. The title track is one of Morrison’s most loved and well known recordings.

Van Morrison – “Moondance”

A string of hit albums and tours followed which solidified Van Morrison’s reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer. This included a resurgence in popularity in the UK in the early to mid-90s, where he scored five top ten albums between 1990 and 1995. His recent output has also been particularly well received, with his latest studio album, “Keep It Simple” (2008), a top ten hit in the UK and the US.

Happy 65th Birthday to Van Morrison.

You can buy the albums referenced above from the following online retailers:

Title
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Van Morrison – Moondance (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Van Morrison – Keep It Simple (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks Live At the Hollywood Bowl (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	N/A	Buy Now

“Remembering Elvis with Priscilla Presley” will feature Priscilla talking about her time with Elvis, the development of a stage play based on her life, and the forthcoming Elvis Forever concert in Hyde Park, which she is due to appear at.
Elvis & Priscilla on May 1, 1967

Let’s hope Kenwright doesn’t mention his embarrassing story about Tommy Steele showing Elvis around London during Elvis’ army years!

“Remembering Elvis with Priscilla Presley” airs on Wednesday night (September 1) at 10pm GMT on Radio 2. Click here for further information.

The Elvis Forever concert in Hyde Park takes place on Sunday, September 12. As well as the appearance by Priscilla Presley, you can expect to see:

• Scouting For Girls
• Imelda May
• Fyfe Dangerfield
• Jon Allen
• Russell Watson
• The Magnets
• Fran Healy (from Travis)
• Craig David
• Tony Hadley
• Marti Pellow
• Nell Bryden
• Suzi Quatro
• Elvis’ TCB Band – James Burton (guitar), Glen Hardin (piano), Jerry Scheff (bass) and Ronnie Tutt (drums)
• BBC Concert Orchestra (60 piece) conducted by Mike Dixon.

Click here for Elvis Forever ticket information.

“California Dreamin’” was released in late 1965 on single, backed with “Somebody Groovy” and the following year it featured on the Mamas and the Papas’ debut album “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears.“

Here’s the Mamas and the Papas performing “California Dreamin’” on Hullabaloo on March 14, 1966:

Authorship

“California Dreamin’” was written in 1963 by John and Michelle Phillips, who were then members of The New Journeymen. Michelle Phillips told the LA Times in 2008 how the pair had been married just a few months and were living near Washington Square, New York in a “fleabag” hotel when they wrote the song. John had the idea of writing a song about longing for the warmth of the west coast and had soon written the first eight bars:

Michelle was responsible for the verse about the church, which had been inspired by looking around St. Patrick’s Cathedral:

Recording date/location

“California Dreamin’” was recorded late 1965 at United Western Recorders in LA.

Although penned by John and Michelle Phillips, the first recording was by Barry McGuire on his album “This Precious Time.” John and Michelle provided backing vocals on the McGuire version and used the same backing track as the basis for their version with The Mamas and the Papas. The main change they made was to remove the harmonica solo and add Bud Shank’s flute. It was a wise move. The following year, Shank included a version of “California Dreamin’” on an instrumental album which he also named after the track.

Here’s McGuire’s version.

“California Dreamin’” was produced by Lou Adler, who was the founder and co-owner of Dunhill Records and also the label’s chief record producer. It was engineered by Bones Howe.

Musicians

The memorable vocals on “California Dreamin’” were provided by the four members of the Mamas and the Papas – John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips. As noted above, the flute was played by Bud Shank.

The backing was provided by the unsung heroes of the Wrecking Crew, who were sessions musicians from LA who appeared on some of the biggest records of the decade but were never credited on record sleeves. The following appeared on “California Dreamin’”:

• Hal Blaine – drums
• Joe Osborn – bass
• Larry Knechtal – piano
• P.F. Sloan – guitar.

Chart performance

“California Dreamin’” was released in November 1965, but took a while to receive much attention. It finally peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-March 1966.

The album on which “California Dreamin’” appeared, “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears”, hit number one on the Billboard album chart in the US.

Covers

Bobby Womack – “California Dreamin’”

Bobby Womack released a fine soulful cover of “California Dreamin’” on his great 1968 album “Fly Me to the Moon.” It was also released on single and reached number 43 on the US pop chart. The album was produced by Chips Moman at the American Sound Studios in Memphis and featured the talented American Sound house band, “The Memphis Boys”, also known as the “827 Thomas Street Band.”

Bobby’s version of “California Dreamin’” is also available on “The Best of Bobby Womack.”

José Feliciano – “California Dreamin’”

“California Dreamin’” provided a smooth opening to José Feliciano’s 1968 album “Feliciano!” The album reached number two on the US album chart and was the most successful of Feliciano’s career. “California Dreamin’” was also the B-side to his smash hit single “Light My Fire.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on September 6.

“California Dreamin’” is available on the album “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” and various greatest hits compilations, including “The Best Of The Mamas and the Papas.” It also features on the excellent 4-CD box set “The Mamas and the Papas – Complete Anthology” which is highly recommended for those wishing to explore beyond the greatest hits.

Title
Mamas and the Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Best Of the Mamas and the Papas (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Mamas and the Papas – Complete Anthology (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	N/A	Buy Now

This tour was Dylan’s first for seven-and-a-half years and saw him reunite with The Band who, with the exception of Levon Helm on drums, had backed him on his European tour of 1966 and on the Basement Tapes. The tour was a challenging one, with 43 concerts in 40 days. The final three shows were at the Forum in Inglewood, California where most of the material for the live album “Before the Flood” was captured.

Wolfgang’s Vault are streaming the 37th show from the tour. The 28-track concert contains Dylan and The Band together, as well as solo sets from both. The full track list is:

1. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)
2. Lay Lady Lay
3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
4. Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
5. It Ain’t Me, Babe
6. Ballad Of A Thin Man
7. Stage Fright
8. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
9. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
10. When You Awake
11. Up On Cripple Creek
12. All Along The Watchtower
13. Ballad Of Hollis Brown
14. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
15. The Times They Are A-Changin’
16. Just Like A Woman
17. Gates Of Eden (incomplete)
18. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
19. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
20. Rag Mama Rag
21. This Wheel’s On Fire
22. The Shape I’m In (incomplete)
23. The Weight
24. Forever Young
25. Highway 61 Revisited
26. Like A Rolling Stone
27. Maggie’s Farm
28. Blowin’ In The Wind.

Fans of the “Before the Flood” album will note that there are a number of songs in this concert that didn’t appear on the live album, namely:

• Dylan and The Band - “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”, “Ballad Of Hollis Brown”, “Forever Young” and “Maggie’s Farm”
• The Band solo set – “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)”, “Rag Mama Rag”, “This Wheel’s On Fire” and “The Shape I’m In” (incomplete)
• Dylan solo acoustic set – “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and “Gates Of Eden” (incomplete).

This is one of several shows from the 1974 tour that they are streaming over at Wolfgang’s Vault. You will have to register to listen, but it is free.

Vaughan had been in several bands in the early 1970s before forming Double Trouble in 1978. Their first album in 1983, “Texas Flood,” was a surprise success and two songs from the album earned Grammy nominations – “Texas Flood” and “Rude Mood.”

Three top 40 studio albums followed with Double Trouble (“Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” “Soul to Soul” and “In Step“) and also separate projects recorded with Albert King (“In Session“) and with Jimmie Vaughan as the Vaughan Brothers (“Family Style“).

Vaughan’s releases attracted many Grammy nominations and several wins, including Best Contemporary Blues Album for “In Step,” “Family Style” and the posthumous compilation album “Sky is Crying“; and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “D/F/W” and his cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s death occurred shortly before 1am on August 27, 1990 when a helicopter destined for Chicago crashed within seconds of takeoff. Vaughan had spent his last evening playing in front of 30,000 at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. The concert closed with an encore jam with Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – “Rude Mood”/”Hideaway”

“The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story” will be a 3 CD/3 DVD set featuring a remastered version of the album, 21 previously-unreleased songs from the ‘Darkness’ recording sessions, and six hours of film, including a new documentary and both vintage and modern performances. There will also be a Blu-ray version.

The CDs

CD 1 – “Darkness on the Edge of Town”

The first CD contains a remastered version of the “Darkness on the Edge of Town” album feautring the following tracks:

1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy’s Room
5. Racing In The Street
6. The Promised Land
7. Factory
8. Streets Of Fire
9. Prove It All Night
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

CDs 2-3 – “The Promise”

A two-CD set called “The Promise” includes 21 tracks that Springsteen says “perhaps could have/should have been released after ‘Born To Run’ and before the collection of songs that ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’ became.”

Standout tracks include the previously unreleased song “Save My Love,” a rock version of “Racing in the Street,” original recordings of “Because the Night,” “Fire,” and “Rendezvous” and the fully orchestrated title song “The Promise.”

Here’s the full tracklist for the “The Promise”:

(CD 1)

1. Racing In The Street (’78)
2. Gotta Get That Feeling
3. Outside Looking In
4. Someday (We’ll Be Together)
5. One Way Street
6. Because The Night
7. Wrong Side Of The Street
8. The Brokenhearted
9. Rendezvous
10. Candy’s Boy.

(CD 2)

1. Save My Love
2. Ain’t Good Enough For You
3. Fire
4. Spanish Eyes
5. It’s A Shame
6. Come On (Let’s Go Tonight)
7. Talk To Me
8. The Little Things (My Baby Does)
9. Breakaway
10. The Promise
11. City Of Night.

The DVDs

DVD 1 – “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town”

The first DVD contains the 90-minute documentary “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town,” directed by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. Fans are treated to rare behind the scenes footage of Springsteen and the E-Street band in the Darkness period, including home rehearsals and studio sessions.

“The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town” will receive its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2010.

DVD 2 – “Darkness on the Edge of Town 2009″ and the “Thrill Hill Vault”

Here we get Springsteen and the band giving a full run through of “Darkness on the Edge of Town” last year at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, NJ. This was filmed in HD, without an audience. The track list obviously matches the album, namely:

1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy’s Room
5. Racing In The Street
6. The Promised Land
7. Factory
8. Streets Of Fire
9. Prove It All Night
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

Also on DVD 2 is the “Thrill Hill Vault”, containing live footage from 1976-78. The “Thrill Hill Vault” includes:

1. Save My Love (Holmdel, NJ 76)
2. Candy’s Boy (Holmdel, NJ 76)
3. Something In The Night (Red Bank, NJ 76)
4. Don’t Look Back (NYC 78)
5. Ain’t Good Enough For You (NYC 78)
6. The Promise (NYC 78)
7. Candy’s Room Demo (NYC 78)
8. Badlands (Phoenix 78)
9. The Promised Land (Phoenix 78)
10. Prove It All Night (Phoenix 78)
11. Born To Run (Phoenix 78)
12. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) (Phoenix 78).

DVD 3: Houston ’78 Bootleg: House Cut

More live footage from 1978 now, with the bootleg house cut from a show in Houston:

1. Badlands
2. Streets Of Fire
3. It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City
4. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Independence Day
7. The Promised Land
8. Prove It All Night
9. Racing In The Street
10. Thunder Road
11. Jungleland
12. The Ties That Bind
13. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
14. The Fever
15. Fire
16. Candy’s Room
17. Because The Night
18. Point Blank
19. She’s The One
20. Backstreets
21. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
22. Born To Run
23. Detroit Medley
24. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
25. You Can’t Sit Down
26. Quarter To Three.

The set also includes an 80-page notebook with facsimiles from Springsteen’s original notebooks from the recording sessions, a new essay by Springsteen and never-before-seen photographs.

This set appears to meet all expectations and will surely delight Springsteen fans.

“The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story” will be released on November 16 as a DVD or Blu-ray set. “The Promise” 2-CD set will also be available on its own for those not wanting to purchase the deluxe set.

All three releases are available for pre-order now:

Title
Bruce Springsteen – The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story (3 CD/3 DVD)	Buy Now	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bruce Springsteen – The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story (3 CD/3 Blu-ray)	Buy Now	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bruce Springsteen – The Promise (2 CD)	Buy Now	N/A	N/A	N/A

“A Day in the Life” closed the Beatles’ classic album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The song was banned by the BBC as the Corporation felt it encouraged “a permissive attitude to drug-taking.”

“A Day in the Life” – The Beatles

Here’s the Top 10 from Rolling Stone’s list:

1. “A Day in the Life”
2. “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
3. “Strawberry Fields Forever”
4. “Yesterday”
5. “In My Life”
6. “Something”
7. “Hey Jude”
8. “Let It Be”
9. “Come Together”
10. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Let us know whether you agree with Rolling Stone’s choice.

Click here to buy “The Beatles: 100 Greatest Songs” Rolling Stone collectors edition.

The Music Icons sale features artists such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan and many, many more.

If looking to pick up some classic albums that you missed in the past, this is a great opportunity.

Highlights among the selection of 188 albums include:

• Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
• Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison – Johnny Cash
• The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan
• Off the Wall – Michael Jackson
• Live in Europe – Otis Redding
• Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. – Bruce Springsteen
• On Stage: February 1970 (Expanded) – Elvis Presley.

Bob Dylan fans are particularly well catered for in the sale, with many of his best albums featured.

Click the banner below to browse the CDs in the Music Icons sale.

Jimi’s brother Leon provides some insight into Hendrix’s time as a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagles 101 Airborne Division, which he was invalided out of after 14 months.

Comments from lead singer of The Animals, Eric Burdon, then suggest that Hendrix’s position as a former paratrooper left him sympathetic to the Government’s official line on Vietnam. Burdon speaks of how after the riots in Grovesnor Square in 1968 Jimi defended the American Government’s position by explaining the “Domino Theory,” ie the notion that if one country in a region came under the influence of communism, the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect.

Jimi does seem to have been sympathetic to the Black Panther movement. The Seattle Chapter of the Black Panthers was run by former high school friends of Jimi, Aaron and Elmer Dixon, and they tell of how receptive Jimi was to their cause.

Robinson asserts that Jimi’s definitive political statement was wordless, ie his Woodstock Festival performance of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

“Star Spangled Hendrix” is presented by Tom Robinson and was produced by John Sugar for Radio 4. It will be up on BBC Radio 4′s website for the next six days.