Elton John today unveils a brand new video for his Triple Platinum-certified Christmas classic, "Step Into Christmas." The new video reimagines what it was like behind the scenes for the now iconic original 1973 visual, starring British actress and model Cara Delevingne as Elton.
Over 50 years after Elton's classic performance, the gloriously kitsch new video finds the video production team frantically trying to get the set ready for his arrival as they attempt to make it "Christmassy enough." Despite the addition of a festive feather boa, balloons, and confetti, chaos reigns as they wrangle an escaped turkey, fail to book a real reindeer, and tackle a deranged fan who storms the set, all whilst Cara brilliantly mirrors Elton's choicest dance moves and iconic facial expressions from the original video. (continue)
Close Enemies, a powerhouse band featuring legendary musicians Tom Hamilton, multiple Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and bassist of the biggest-selling American rock band of all time, Aerosmith, is joined by legendary drummer Tony Brock (The Babys and Rod Stewart), touring veterans Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow and Don Henley) and Trace Foster on guitar, and singer Chasen Hampton, who has been singing professionally since the age of 11, as a member and co-host of the famed 90s Mickey Mouse Club and pop group The Party, proudly announce their signing with TLG|ROCK for management and label services. The record will be distributed through Virgin Music Group.
Unlike the name suggests, these five guys are close friends, each with an illustrious musical career. The band will release their debut single "Sound Of A Train" on January 17th and will be playing shows in support. (continue)
Ex Deo, the Juno-nominated project of Katakylsm frontman Maurizio Iacono, will release their EP Year of the Four Emperors on January 10th, 2025. This EP marks their first with Reigning Phoenix Music and plunges the listener into the chaos and bloodlust of one of Rome's most tumultuous periods: AD 69.
It covers the relentless ambition, treachery, and warfare that defined the reigns of Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. Each track tells a story of power's corruptive allure and the brutal cost of empire, culminating in the rise of the Flavian dynasty. (continue)
2024 was a milestone year for Florida power metallers Seven Kingdoms. Not only did they sign with a new label, Reigning Phoenix Music, but they also headlined an extensive North American tour and released their new EP, The Square. In addition, the band has garnered widespread critical acclaim, with the title track of The Square being named a top track by Metal Hammer UK and an exclusive EP premiere at Decibel Magazine.
To celebrate, they've released a video for their fan-favorite cover of MR. Mister's "Kyrie". The cover stays true to the original 80's while adding Seven Kingdoms' unique twist. The video features the band enjoying their travels on tour and having fun at every band's favorite location Buc-ees! (continue)
The annual Monsters of Rock Cruise has announced the addition of rock icons Night Ranger to the 2025 lineup. The band will be flown into the heart of the Bahamas for a special one-night-only performance in Nassau, the second port of call, exclusively for MORC guests. Night Ranger's show (day and time TBA) is bound to be an electrifying highlight, adding to an already all-star lineup.
Earlier this year, promoter On the Blue Cruises, Inc. announced the five-day/five-night full-ship music charter will set sail March 10-15, 2025 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Joy and depart from the Port of Miami, Florida. (continue)
More Monsters of Rock Cruise News
Perfect Plan is thrilled to announce the release of a new studio album, 'Heart Of A Lion,' set for release on February 28, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. Coinciding with the announcement, the band also shares the first single, "We Are Heroes", accompanied by a new music video.
Lead singer Kent Hilli describes the first single, by saying: "'We Are Heroes' is a song about the "everyday life heroes" we humans can be... Like nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, etc., but also about humans climbing their way up from everyday struggles, substance abuse, other addictions, mental health issues, and becoming a better version of themselves. (continue)
After 22 years of eligibility, Foreigner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the 39th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, OH, in October. Now, fans can watch the ceremony featuring Foreigner on ABC on January 1, 2025, from 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM EST. The three-song set is performed by the band led by Kelly Hansen featuring guests Demi Lovato, Sammy Hagar, Kelly Clarkson, Slash, Chad Smith, and original band members Lou Gramm, Rick Wills, and Al Greenwood.
Mick Jones said, "I was thrilled to learn of Foreigner's nomination, and this confirmation of our coming membership in the home of my peers is a priceless highlight of my career. The leadership of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Chairman John Sykes, and Nominating Committee Chairman Rick Krim, has brought a new era of inclusivity and relevance that reflects all that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should be, and we are proud to become a part of it. Long may it continue." (continue)
For Keith Richards' 81st birthday, Susanna Hoffs has collaborated with Elvis Costello for a version of "Connection," one of her favorite songs by The Rolling Stones. "I did the Keith part," says Hoffs. "We both wanted to do the Keith part, but I won! I had the great honor of singing with Elvis at a couple of his shows, and it was a lifelong dream to record a song together."
"I love Keith-his smile, his swagger, his songwriting-the way he moves on stage, as if his guitar is a part of his body and together they meld with the music and the emotion of the song." (continue)
Arch Enemy has announced its Spring 2025 North American tour plans to support their forthcoming twelfth studio album, Blood Dynasty, which will arrive on March 28 via Century Media Records.
"We can't wait to reconnect with our amazing North American fans this spring," says guitarist Michael Amott. "We're bringing Fit For An Autopsy, Baest, and Thrown Into Exile along for the ride - prepare for an unforgettable night of pure metal mayhem. See you soon!" (continue)
The Modbeats just released their cover of the Bob Dylan classic "Just Like a Woman", and to celebrate we asked lead singer/guitarist Philip Dunn about the track. Here is the story:
Blonde on Blonde has always been my personal favorite of the Dylan discography. The whole 1964-1967 era, really. From Another Side of Bob Dylan straight through Blonde on Blonde. The musicians he played with during this period, his fashion sense, etc...it just never gets old! (continue)
Rush stars Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had a top 24 story of May after reunited on stage on May 23rd for a surprise appearance at the Gordon Lightfoot tribute concert at Massey Hall in Toronto.
Lee and Lifeson jumped on stage with the house band Blue Rodeo and performed "The Way I Feel" in tribute to Lightfoot, the acclaimed Canadian musician who passed away in May of 2023 at the age of 84. (continue)
The Offspring landed a top 24 story of May 2024 after they shared pro-shot video for their jam with Ed Sheeran that took place at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival at the Napa Valley Expo.
Sheeran joined the band for a performance of their song "Million Miles Away" from their 2000 album, "Conspiracy Of One". As we previously reported, frontman Dexter Holland introduced the popstar's surprise appearance by telling the crowd, "Ed told us that one of our records was his first CD that he ever bought when he was a kid. (continue)
Julien's Auctions scored a top 24 story of May 2024 after the first day of their two-day music auction event "Music Icons" made history with the highly anticipated sale of John Lennon's lost hootenanny guitar used by the legendary Beatle during the 1965 Help! album which sold for an unprecedented $2.9 million dollars, making it the most expensive Beatles guitar to ever sell at auction.
The guitar was acquired via a telephone bid at the Hard Rock Cafe New York. Julien's Auctions, the industry's leading rock 'n' roll memorabilia auction house, has broken world records with the sale of Beatles memorabilia, including a previous John Lennon acoustic guitar, which sold for a record $2.4 million, Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit, which sold for a record $2.2 million, The Ludwig Beatles Ed Sullivan Show drumhead, which sold for a record price of $2.1 million, and The Beatles White Album, owned by Ringo Starr, that sold for $790,000. (continue)
Heart had a top 24 story of May 2024 after they announced that they had been forced to cancel their planned tour of Europe and the UK last summer because Ann Wilson will be undergoing a medical procedure and will have a six week recovery time.
The band shared the following, "We regret to inform you that all upcoming Heart performances in Europe are cancelled. In late May, Ann Wilson will undergo a time-sensitive but routine medical procedure for which the recovery time is six weeks." (continue)
Jordan Fletcher earned a top 24 story of May 2024 after he released his cover of iconic rock band, Nirvana's, hit track "In Bloom". Reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard charts in 1992, "In Bloom" is praised as one of the most important and impactful songs to come out of the 90's Seattle-driven grunge scene and still resonates with generations of music fans and critics.
"Here's a country-fried version of my favorite song by one of the greatest bands to ever plug in an electric guitar. Nirvana has had a huge influence on my musicianship, and paying tribute to them is just something I felt I needed to do. Recording this in the studio was one of the most fun times I've had. Getting to put out a song from a band that I looked up to since picking up a guitar was so fun. " -Jordan Fletcher (continue)
Metallica nabbed a top 24 story of May 2024 in our look back in the Year In Rock after broke out a very special surprise for fans at the Munich stop of their M72 World Tour on May 26th, where they treated fans to the live debut of the longest song they have ever recorded.
The epic track "Inamorata" clocks in at 11 minutes and 10 seconds on the band's 2023 album "72 Seasons" and Metallica frontman James Hetfield told the crowd, "This song we have never ever played live before." (continue)
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