As the new year swiftly approaches, success stories in the music world are closing out 2011 with a big bang. Join us in enjoying the successes of 2011!
The Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be recognizing three stunningly influential bands of the last couple decades, welcoming in Guns N’ Roses, the Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
An HBO special will air next May, playing a popular hit from each of the three groups. Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle,” Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Give It Away” and the Beastie Boys” “Intergalactic” will resonate through your TV set as a tribute to their musical contributions.
Other recipients include Donovan, Lauren Nyro, The Small Faces, Freddie King, Don Kirshner, Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns.
Last Saturday, at San Francisco’s Fillmore, Metallica joined the stage with Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler in celebration of their 30th anniversary as a band.
Their performance at the Fillmore has been their fourth concert held solely for their fan club members. With the help of Black Sabbath legends and others, Dave Mustaine, Jason Newsted, Lloyd Grant, Ron McGovney and Hugh Tanner of Metallia busted through a 20-song setlist, rejoicing in their three decades of musical success. Also in attendance was Metallica’s longtime producer Bob Rock. A slew of videos from the concert are available, so be sure to check them out.
Continuing on their rise to success, the Black Keys, have had a great year, finishing up the year with a new album. Shortly following their major success Brothers, The Black Keys recently released El Camino early in December. Only three days after El Camino hit the shelves, The Black Keys sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes.
Setting the date of March 12 at MSG, The Black Keys are hitting the road on a spring tour featuring The Arctic Monkeys, in support of their latest effort. In light of their rise to the top and their sell out of MSG, a second night on March 22 at MSG has been added. The Black Keys recently performed on The Colbert Report in promotion of El Camino. Also ironic and cool, according to the NY Times, their sold out MSG show on March 12 corresponds with 10 years to the month to the date of their very first show.
As Jay-Z and Kanye West bask in the glory of their collaborative album Watch the Throne, which has debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts only a week after its release, the two hip-hop superstars are hinting at a sequel. According to Pitchfork, in a couple recent interviews, Jay-Z has admitted to the possibility of a Watch the Throne sequel next year, as they “really found [their] zone” and are “in a good place, creatively.”
Jay-Z and West’s expanded Watch The Throne tour comes to an end this month, finishing up in Vancouver on December 17th and 18th. Jay-Z has also announced two benefit concerts to be held February 6th and 7th at Carnegie Hall, which will benefit the United Way of New York and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
The French duo Air has been in music new lately with their film scoring work in the rerelease of the classic film Le Voyage Dans La Lune. The soundtrack will be available February 7th, but until then, a 2-minute clip has been released that features Air’s soundtrack as well as the restored quality of the old film, and its hand-colored additions.
Air has previously worked on film scores before, such as the soundtrack for The Virgin Suicides, but nothing from their repertoire of work quite matches the epic and vast, natural instrumental sound that places a contemporary feel onto a classic piece of revolutionary film.
Unplugging In Brief:
Guns N’ Roses, Beastie Boys, and Red Hot Chili Peppers Inducted into Hall of Fame – Music legends of the past couple decades are finally receiving the recognition they deserve with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Metallica is Joined By Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Dave Mustaine, Jason Newsted and Original Lineup Members for Final Night of 30th Anniversary Event – In celebration of three decades of making music, Metallica performed alongside former Black Sabbath members, playing a 20-song set of Metallica favorites.
The Black Keys Announce Second Madison Square Garden Tour Date – After The Black Keys sold out Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes, a second night was added.
Jay-Z Hints at Possible Throne Sequel and Jay and Kanye Solo Albums Next Year – After the top-of-the-chart success of Watch The Throne, Jay-Z has hinted in several interviews to the possibility of a sequel sometime next year.
Watch: Air Releases Video Clip From Upcoming Le Voyage Dans La Lune Soundtrack – Air’s brilliant film scoring is evident in the 2-minute preview of the restored classic, Le Voyage Dans La Lune.
