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Good Morning Classic Rock Fans!,

Today is always a difficult day for me.

On 9/11, I was less than an hour away, so I felt like I had to do something.

I volunteered with my Vet Brother-in-Law to treat the amazing Search & Rescue Dogs on the scene for a few weeks.

My childhood friend, and bandmate, almost didn't make it out alive that day.

He was scheduled to service a candy machine at the top of Tower One.

But he was thankfully delayed at a vending machine stop just across the street.

Still, he was chased down to the water by the smoke cloud with no clue of what was happening.

So I try my best to reflect, and appreciate my friends and family on this day.

You never know when they might be randomly removed from your life.

Call a friend today, hug your family, and take some time to listen to some music.

Peace & Love, Hippy Pete

🤔 Trivia Question:

What was the real, behind-the-scenes reason for Van Halen's infamous "no brown M&Ms" clause in their tour contract?

📰 Classic Rock News:

💿 Why has Pink Floyd mysteriously wrapped all their album sleeves on streaming services and social media in plain black with white text descriptions? The move is sparking massive speculation among fans. My top three guesses… Censorship Protest? Banksy Art Prank? Bored Space Aliens?
Why is Pink Floyd wrapping all their album covers in black?

💿 Spinal Tap made their triumphant return to late-night television after more than 15 years, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote their long-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls performed "Big Bottom" with five bassists including Thundercat and Tal Wilkenfeld, proving they're still the masters of satirical rock excess.
Watch the legendary performance that had everyone talking

💿 David Bowie's incredible personal archive containing over 90,000 items officially opened to the public at London's V&A East Storehouse. From glittery Ziggy Stardust costumes to handwritten lyrics and notes for an unfinished musical called The Spectator, fans can now book appointments to explore the creative genius behind the chameleon of rock.
Explore the treasures hidden in Bowie's personal collection

💿 The Who are receiving a monumental honor! Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are set to be honored with the Freedom of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. This award celebrates their legendary career and deep roots in the Shepherd's Bush area, where they started their incredible rock and roll journey. Read about this incredible honor!

💿 Van Halen's 20 greatest songs have been definitively ranked, and it's causing heated debates among rock fans. "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" takes the crown, with writer praising its "riff that still sounds fresh today" and calling it "pure perfection." The controversial list includes tracks from both the David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar eras, with surprising deep cuts making the top 10. Expect fierce arguments in the comments about where "Eruption" and "Jump" landed. See which Van Halen anthem rules them all

📺 Today’s Classic Rock TV

John Lennon Power Box Set Unboxing - Stunning 12-disc collection featuring rare tracks and Blu-ray audio.

McCartney Wings Comp Cures Beatlemaniac - New compilation finally satisfies obsessive Beatles fan's illness.

Devo Meets Billy Corgan - Live discussion covering SNL, Neil Young, and AI as the ultimate Devo tool.

JD Souther's Final Interview - Last in-depth conversation with the legendary songwriter behind Eagles hits.

The Breeders' Title TK Catastrophe - Story of rebuilding a band and their creative disasters.

Buzzcocks Changed Music Twice - How one band accidentally revolutionized British music history forever.

Michael Bruce on Pink Floyd - Alice Cooper guitarist discusses spiked brownies and early Floyd meetings.

📅 On This Day in Rock History

1965: The Beatles' soundtrack for Help! began its incredible nine-week run at #1 on the US album charts. The album wasn't just a movie tie-in; it was a perfect snapshot of the band's evolving sound, blending their infectious pop energy with a growing lyrical depth that hinted at the masterpieces to come. Turns out the song was written after the movie title was selected. I always assumed the named the movie of the song.
Watch the iconic title track video!

1967: Just weeks after the tragic death of their manager Brian Epstein, The Beatles pressed on and began filming their wonderfully weird and whimsical television film, Magical Mystery Tour. It was a bold, experimental move that saw the Fab Four taking creative control, leading to one of the most psychedelic and debated projects of their career.
Get on the bus for this remix

1969: Stepping out from Big Brother and the Holding Company, Janis Joplin released her fiery debut solo album, I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!. The record was a raw, soulful declaration of independence, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and proving she was a formidable force on her own.
Hear the powerful title track!

1970: In his London hotel suite, the legendary Jimi Hendrix gave his final interview to Record Mirror. Speaking with journalist Keith Altham, he discussed his musical direction and future plans, leaving the world with one last glimpse into his brilliant mind just seven days before his untimely death.
Watch this classic Hendrix Dick Cavett interview.

1977: In one of the most wonderfully bizarre pairings in music history, David Bowie and Bing Crosby recorded their iconic "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" duet. The performance, taped for Crosby's Christmas TV special, became a posthumous hit for Bing and an enduring, unexpected holiday classic.
Relive the magical TV moment!

1979: Foreigner unleashed their third album, Head Games, on the rock world. Packed with killer riffs and Lou Gramm's soaring vocals, the album solidified their status as arena rock titans, spawning the hard-rocking title track and the hit single "Dirty White Boy."
Crank up the official video for "Head Games"!

1982: John "Cougar" Mellencamp achieved a rare feat of chart domination. He simultaneously had the #1 album in America with American Fool and two singles in the Top 10, "Jack & Diane" and "Hurts So Good." It was a massive moment that cemented his status as a heartland rock superstar.
Sing along to "Jack & Diane"!

1987: The reggae world was shaken by tragedy when the legendary Peter Tosh, a founding member of The Wailers, was murdered at his home in Jamaica. A fierce and uncompromising artist, his powerful voice for justice and spiritual truth was silenced far too soon at the age of 42.
Remember the legend with "I Am That I Am."

Mickey Hart (born 1943) turns 82 today! As one of the two drummers for the Grateful Dead, Hart was the rhythmic engine behind their legendary jams. An incredible fact about him is that he's also a renowned ethnomusicologist, preserving global music traditions with the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Check out this interview with the Dead's rhythm devils!

John Martyn (1948-2009) would have been 77. The brilliant English singer-songwriter was a true innovator, blending folk, blues, and jazz into a sound that was all his own. His 1973 album Solid Air is a masterpiece, and the title track was a beautiful, haunting tribute to his friend, the troubled genius Nick Drake. Lose yourself in the classic "Solid Air."

Tommy Shaw (born 1953) is celebrating his 72nd birthday! The guitarist and vocalist for Styx wrote and sang lead on some of their biggest hits, including "Renegade" and "Too Much Time on My Hands." Interestingly, before joining Styx, he was in a band with an early member of MSFunk. Let loose with this live version of "Renegade"!

Richard Ashcroft (born 1971), the iconic frontman of The Verve, turns 54. His soulful voice and swagger defined the Britpop era, especially on the timeless anthem "Bitter Sweet Symphony." A little-known fact is that the song's famous string sample led to a long legal battle, and he only recently regained full songwriting credit. Walk down the street with "Bitter Sweet Symphony."

Jon Buckland (born 1977) celebrates his 48th birthday today! As the lead guitarist for Coldplay, his shimmering, Edge-influenced guitar work is a cornerstone of the band's massive sound. Buckland actually worked as a school janitor before the band hit it big. Watch the video that started it all, "Yellow."

Have a Rockin' Day!
Hippy Pete