🎸CLASSIC ROCK] Lennon's 12-Disc Political Box Set | The Who's Final Farewell | Van Halen's Secret Stories...

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In today's Classic Rock Fanzine, we've got John Lennon and Yoko Ono returning with their most political collection ever, The Who saying their final goodbyes on tour, Michael Anthony revealing Van Halen's wildest behind-the-scenes secrets, and unexpected collaborations between Neil Young and Beach Boys' Al Jardine, plus Bob Dylan's surprising endorsement of Machine Gun Kelly!

🤔 Rock Trivia Question: 

Which legendary folk-rock icon actually met Charles Manson at Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson's house in 1968 and later wrote about the encounter in his memoir?

📰 Classic Rock News:

💿 The power couple of peace and protest are back in a big way! John Lennon and Yoko Ono's revolutionary spirit lives on with a massive 12-disc box set celebrating their political activism and iconic One To One Concerts. Compiled by Sean Ono Lennon, this October release features 31 completely remixed live tracks from John's only full-length concerts after The Beatles, plus 92 bonus tracks including unreleased demos and home recordings.
Relive Lennon's revolutionary legacy in stunning HD audio

💿 This really is the end, folks! The Who kicked off their aptly named "The Song Is Over" farewell tour in Florida, and despite some technical hiccups that would've frustrated any roadie, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend proved they've still got the magic. At 81, Daltrey's voice may be weathered, but when it mattered most, he delivered those spine-tingling moments that made The Who legendary. As Roger himself said, "You'll never remember the perfect show – you'll remember the screw-ups."
Check out this USA Today Review of the Who’s Final Tour

💿 Michael Anthony is spilling the tea on Van Halen's golden years, and these stories are pure rock 'n' roll gold! From Eddie's guitar wizardry to forgotten F-bombs that snuck onto radio for 45 years, the backbone bassist reveals the magic behind those classic albums recorded in just days. Plus, you'll finally learn the secret behind Eddie's otherworldly guitar sound on their most famous songs – and the hilarious story of David Lee Roth making up gibberish lyrics that sounded so cool they kept 'em in!
Hear Van Halen's untold stories from the man who lived them

💿 Here's a collaboration nobody saw coming: Neil Young teams up with Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine on the hauntingly beautiful "My Plane Leaves Tomorrow," with a guest trumpet spot by Flea! This gem from Jardine's new "Islands in the Sun" EP captures that vintage California sound we all crave.
Experience the magic when legends unite across generations

💿 In one of the most unexpected musical friendships ever, Bob Dylan has become a champion of Machine Gun Kelly, with the folk legend actually appearing on MGK's "Lost Americana" album trailer. Dylan's rare social media post featuring MGK shocked the music world, proving that great guitar work transcends generations. This unlikely collaboration shows how MGK's return to rock has earned respect from the most discerning musical minds.
Discover how Dylan discovered MGK's guitar genius

📅 On This Day in Rock History

1969: The Beatles spent their final day together at Abbey Road Studios on August 20th, mixing "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and discussing the album's track listing. This historic session marked the last time all four Fab Four members would be in the same studio together, making rock history without even realizing it. John Lennon's decision to abruptly cut the tape at 7:44 created one of the most dramatic endings in Beatles history, symbolically ending an era.
Watch the complete story of the Beatles' final recording session

1990: Black Sabbath released "Tyr," featuring Tony Iommi's lineup with Tony Martin and Cozy Powell. Despite being keyboard-heavy, the album maintained Sabbath's signature darkness and proved that the metal pioneers could still evolve while staying true to their heavy roots. The album showcased a more progressive side of Sabbath that many fans had never experienced, blending Norse mythology with crushing metal riffs.
Experience Black Sabbath's most experimental metal masterpiece

1990: Living Colour released their powerhouse sophomore album "Time's Up," a genre-bending masterpiece that tackled environmental concerns, social issues, and political unrest with their signature fusion of hard rock, funk, and hip-hop. The album featured guest appearances by Queen Latifah, Little Richard, and James Earl Jones, reaching gold status and winning a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance while proving rock could be both heavy and socially conscious.
Hear Living Colour's groundbreaking fusion of rock and social consciousness

🎂 Rock Star Birthdays

Robert Plant turns 77 today, and the Led Zeppelin frontman remains rock's most iconic vocalist with his banshee wail and mystical stage presence that defined hard rock's golden age. Born in West Bromwich, England in 1948, Plant discovered his calling after hearing Elvis Presley and knew the Black Country could no longer contain his ambitions. His distinctive high tenor voice and poetic lyrics about Norse mythology helped Led Zeppelin become the template for every heavy rock band that followed, while his post-Zeppelin career has seen him fearlessly explore everything from Middle Eastern music to bluegrass with Alison Krauss.
Watch Plant's Full Concert Here

Phil Lynott would have been 76 today, the Thin Lizzy frontman whose dual lead guitar attack and street-smart lyrics made him one of Ireland's greatest rock exports. Born in 1949, Lynott broke barriers as one of rock's first prominent Black performers, wielding his bass like a weapon while delivering anthems like "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak" with swagger that influenced countless metal and hard rock bands. His tragic death in 1986 at just 36 robbed rock of one of its most charismatic leaders, but his legacy lives on in every twin-guitar harmony that graces rock stages worldwide.
Learn More About The Story of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy

🤔 Trivia Answer: 

Neil Young. In his 2012 memoir "Waging Heavy Peace", Neil describes how "a guy showed up, picked up my guitar, and started playing a lot of songs on it. His name was Charlie." This eerie encounter occurred before Manson's true nature was revealed, showing how closely connected the '60s music scene was.

Have a Rockin' Day!
Hippy Pete