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- 🎸CLASSIC ROCK🎸 Paul Sings Paul | Elton's Captain Fantastic 50th | Freddie's Birthday...
🎸CLASSIC ROCK🎸 Paul Sings Paul | Elton's Captain Fantastic 50th | Freddie's Birthday...
Plus The Beatles, The Animals, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Al Stewart, Buddy Miles, Joe South, Black Oak Arkansas, and more...
Captain Fantast’s Album Cover Was Inspired by…
The Renaissance painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights."
Good Morning Classic Rock Fans!,
In today's Classic Rock Fanzine, we've got another wild day in rock history! Paul Mescal confirms he'll belt out Paul McCartney tunes in the upcoming Beatles biopic, Elton John unwraps a golden anniversary edition of Captain Fantastic, and we're celebrating Freddie Mercury's birthday with the greatest voices in rock. Plus, legendary moments from The Animals, Fleetwood Mac, and tragic farewells to rock icons. Let's rock!
🤔 Trivia Question:
What was Freddie Mercury's real birth name?
📰 Classic Rock News:
💿 Paul Mescal is ready to channel his inner Paul McCartney for Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film Beatles project. The Irish actor confirmed he'll be doing his own singing as the Fab Four's melodic bassist, calling his meetings with the living legend "extraordinary." With the films set for April 2028, Mescal faces the daunting task of matching McCartney's distinctive vocal range across the band's incredible catalog.
Discover what Mescal learned from meeting his hero
💿 Elton John is celebrating 50 years of Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy with a deluxe reissue that's pure gold for collectors. The October 24 release features remastered tracks, unreleased session demos including two takes of the title track, and a complete 2005 Atlanta concert performance. This autobiographical masterpiece chronicling Elton and Bernie Taupin's early struggles was the first album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard charts and ship gold certified.
Get the full track listing for this anniversary treasure
💿 The Rolling Stones fans are buzzing with anticipation as the legendary band continues to prove age is just a number. The Stones remain one of rock's most enduring live acts, still commanding massive audiences and delivering the raw energy that made them superstars decades ago. Their recent activities have kept the rock faithful eagerly awaiting what these timeless rockers will deliver next.
See what's got Stones fans so excited
💿 Elvis Presley's complicated relationship with Colonel Tom Parker gets a fresh examination at Graceland. A new exhibit dives deep into the controversial partnership between the King and his enigmatic manager, exploring how their business arrangement shaped both Elvis's career and his tragic fate. The display offers fans a rare glimpse into the power dynamics that controlled one of music's biggest stars.
Explore the complex Elvis-Parker relationship at Graceland
💿 A legendary rock band has thrown their hat in the ring to be Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding band, proving that classic rock royalty isn't above playing cupid for pop culture's golden couple. The offer shows how rock legends continue to stay relevant and connected to today's biggest entertainment stories, bridging generations through the universal language of music.
Find out which rock legends want to play Taylor and Travis's wedding
📺 Today’s Classic Rock TV
Birth of Beatles - Paul auditions for John at the historic first meeting in 1957.
Joni Mitchell Analysis - Fathom explores how the greatest songwriter taught her to grow up.
Song Killed Icon - Professor of Rock explores how an awful song actually ended up killing an icon during a concert.
British Invasion Singles - Cool UK Singles from August 1965 exploring the golden era of British pop and rock.
David Bowie Waterloo Sunset - Official visualiser for David Bowie's cover of The Kinks' classic song.
The Darkness Hit - How "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" ripped the band apart.
Dylan Transforms Beatles - How Bob Dylan and The Beatles influenced each other's legendary careers.
Billy Joel Captain Jack - Live 1972 performance from WSIU "The Session" show.
📅 On This Day in Rock History
1964: The Animals began their legendary three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "House of the Rising Sun." This haunting folk-rock masterpiece became the first British Invasion hit unconnected to The Beatles, establishing Eric Burdon and company as major players in the rock revolution. The song's raw power and Alan Price's mesmerizing organ work made it an instant classic that still sends chills down listeners' spines today.
Watch The Animals' electrifying Ed Sullivan Show performance
1967: The Beatles started recording John Lennon's surreal masterpiece "I Am the Walrus" at Abbey Road Studios, marking their first session after Brian Epstein's tragic death. This psychedelic tour de force, with its nonsensical lyrics and orchestral chaos, became one of the most analyzed songs in rock history. Lennon deliberately wrote it to confound scholars who were taking Beatles lyrics too seriously, creating a beautiful mess that still puzzles and delights fans.
Experience the raw recording session footage
1976: Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album finally reached #1 on the US Billboard 200 after an incredible 58-week climb up the charts. This slow-burn classic marked the debut of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, transforming the British blues band into American pop-rock royalty. The album's patient journey to the top proved that sometimes the best things are worth waiting for.
Watch Fleetwood Mac's legendary 1976 Rhiannon performance
🎂 Rock Star Birthdays
Freddie Mercury (1946): The incomparable Queen frontman would be 79 today, still remembered as rock's greatest showman with a four-octave voice that scientists have studied extensively. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, Freddie transformed from a shy art student into the flamboyant king of rock opera. His legendary Live Aid performance is still considered the greatest 20 minutes in rock history, proving why he remains the ultimate rock god.
Witness Queen's greatest live moments with Freddie
Al Stewart (1945): The Scottish singer-songwriter turns 80 today, best known for his 1976 platinum hit "Year of the Cat." Stewart pioneered historical folk-rock, weaving tales of characters and events from history into his melodic compositions. His unique style bridged the gap between folk storytelling and radio-friendly rock, influencing countless artists who followed.
Hear Al Stewart perform his timeless classic
Buddy Miles (1947): The powerhouse drummer who played with Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys would be 78 today. Miles started playing professionally at just 12 years old and became one of rock's most sought-after rhythmists, backing everyone from Wilson Pickett to Carlos Santana. His thunderous drumming and soulful vocals helped create some of the most explosive music of the late '60s.
Experience Buddy Miles' explosive drumming with Hendrix
🕊️ Rock Deaths:
Joe South (2012): The Georgia-born singer-songwriter and guitarist passed away at 72 from a heart attack at his home. South penned classics like "Games People Play" (which earned him two Grammys), "Hush" (later covered by Deep Purple), and "Rose Garden" (made famous by Lynn Anderson). As a session musician, he played on legendary recordings including Bob Dylan's "Blonde on Blonde," proving his incredible versatility and talent.
Watch Joe South's Grammy-winning performance
Rickie Lee Reynolds (2021): The Black Oak Arkansas founding guitarist died at 72 from cardiac arrest following COVID-19 complications. "Ricochet" Reynolds was part of the wild Southern rock band's legendary three-guitar attack, helping create their unique hillbilly psychedelic sound. He remained with the band from 1963 until his death, witnessing their rise from Arkansas hill country outlaws to gold-selling rock stars.
Remember Rickie Lee Reynolds' contributions to Southern rock
Joe Negroni (1978): The Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers baritone vocalist passed away at 37 from a cerebral hemorrhage. As one of the two Puerto Rican members of the integrated doo-wop group, Negroni helped create "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and other pioneering rock and roll classics. His harmonies were essential to the group's sound that influenced countless later acts including The Jackson 5.
Hear Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers' timeless harmonies
Have a Rockin' Day!
Hippy Pete