🎸CLASSIC ROCK🎸 McCartney & Spinal Tap Reunion | Dylan’s Americana Spark | Devo’s Hall Snub | Sting’s Police Bandmates Feud...

Good Morning Classic Rock Fans!,

In today’s Classic Rock Newsletter, we've got reunions, lawsuits, legendary regrets, and Hall of Fame snubs! Get ready for Spinal Tap’s star-studded sequel, a deep dive into Bob Dylan’s Americana roots, Devo’s Rock Hall saga, and all the drama between Sting and his ex-bandmates. Scroll down for these wild stories and more from music’s greatest icons!

📰 Classic Rock News:

💿 Spinal Tap returns—after 41 years! The legendary mock band reunites for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and this time they’re backed by real rock royalty. Director Rob Reiner reveals how Paul McCartney joined the fun, inspired by a true backstage moment when he watched Spinal Tap rehearse and asked for a song. Even more legends like Elton John and Garth Brooks will appear in extended scenes, making this sequel a must-see for any rock fan!
Paul McCartney's cameo in Spinal Tap 2

💿 How did Bob Dylan help spark the Americana movement without even trying? Dylan’s restless spirit led him to record in Nashville, blending folk with twangy country roots. After a motorcycle crash, Dylan retreated and—surrounded by The Band—crafted songs that would become The Basement Tapes, igniting both country-rock and Americana. Even bands like The Byrds chased the magic he conjured in those wild sessions.
Discover Dylan’s impact on Americana

💿 Drama alert in The Police! Sting is being sued by his ex-bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland over millions in royalties from “Every Breath You Take.” Legal battles reached a stalemate, and now it’s court time. Summers recalls recording the iconic riff in a single take, only for Sting to claim almost all the credit. Will the trio ever reconcile, or will royalties keep them worlds apart?
Here’s the full Sting lawsuit story

💿 Are you still waiting for Devo to join the Rock Hall of Fame? So are they—but after three snubs, Devo says they’re “done caring.” Their trailblazing new-wave sound may not fit the Hall’s mold, but their Netflix documentary and upcoming tours prove they’re still pushing boundaries and making noise. Co-founder Gerald Casale dishes on the snubs while Mark Mothersbaugh shows defiant pride in Devo’s outsider status.
 Explore Devo's Hall of Fame snub story here

💿 Even legends get envious! Paul McCartney admits he wishes The Beatles had written some of ELO’s prog-rock masterpieces. He praises Jeff Lynne’s innovative sound and unforgettable voice, confessing that when he heard the era-defining tracks, he thought, “Oh God, it’s a bloody good song, I wish we’d done that one!” If McCartney still finds inspiration in ELO’s craft, what’s stopping the rest of us from reaching for greatness?
Want to know what song made McCartney jealous? Find out here!

📅 On This Day in Rock History

1966: The Beatles play their last-ever paid public concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Tired of the overwhelming fan hysteria and the inability to hear their own music, the band decides this is the end of their touring career. This show marked a significant turning point, allowing them to shift their focus entirely to groundbreaking studio work.
Hear a Bootleg Recording of the Beatle’s last concert.

1972: Chuck Berry reaches #1 on the UK singles chart with his live novelty track "My Ding-a-Ling." The song, recorded at the Coventry Arts Festival, was his first and only chart-topper in the UK and would later achieve the same feat in the United States. Its playful and suggestive lyrics sparked controversy.
Get ready to sing along and feel the groove with this live performance of Chuck Berry's famous hit.

1987: Los Lobos hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their rendition of "La Bamba." The song, featured prominently in the biopic about Ritchie Valens, propelled the East L.A. band to mainstream stardom. The track became a cultural phenomenon, bringing Chicano rock to a global audience.
Experience the vibrant energy and iconic sound of Los Lobos' chart-topping smash hit!

1994: Oasis releases their debut album, Definitely Maybe. This seminal record launched the band's career and became a cornerstone of the Britpop movement. With anthemic tracks and a swaggering attitude, the album quickly became a commercial and critical success, cementing Oasis as a major force in rock.
Relive the rise of Britpop and the raw power of Oasis by watching this classic music video from their debut album.

Rick Springfield (Age: 76) Rick Springfield is an Australian-American singer-songwriter and actor best known for his 1981 Grammy Award-winning hit "Jessie's Girl," which he originally wrote as "Gary's Girl." He also achieved significant fame as an actor, playing Dr. Noah Drake on the daytime soap opera, General Hospital. An interesting fact about Springfield is that he was a member of the Australian band Zoot in the late 1960s, a group that was famously known for their cover of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." Experience Rick Springfield in this full concert video!

Elliot Easton (Age: 71) Elliot Easton is the lead guitarist and a founding member of the iconic American new wave band The Cars. He is celebrated for his melodic and innovative guitar solos, which were a key component of the band's distinctive sound. Easton is a left-handed guitarist who often plays guitars designed for right-handed players, a unique characteristic of his style. Watch the incredible live performance of The Cars to witness Elliot Easton's guitar mastery!

Chris Copping (Age: 80) Chris Copping is a British musician, best known as the organist, bassist, and guitarist for the progressive rock band Procol Harum during the 1970s. He joined the band in 1969, replacing both bassist David Knights and organist Matthew Fisher. An interesting fact about Copping is that before his career as a professional musician, he studied chemistry at Leicester University, earning an honors degree. See Chris Copping perform with Procol Harum in their timeless hit, "A Whiter Shade of Pale,"

Have a Rockin' Day!
Hippy Pete