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Thanksgiving might be over, but gratitude is still in the air: The trailer for Bernard MacMahon’s Becoming Led Zeppelin is finally here.

A glimpse of the first authorized Led Zeppelin documentary can be seen below, where Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones discuss forming one of the greatest rock bands of all time across archival footage and “Whole Lotta Love.”

The trailer closes with a never-before-heard interview with the late drummer John Bonham, whose 1980 death broke up the band. “The first time we played together, it was stunning,...

We’ve already gotta whole lotta love for “Becoming Led Zeppelin” — the rock documentary and concert film about one of the greatest bands ever — and that’s just based on its trailer, released Thursday.

The film itself doesn’t come out until February 7, 2025, but it could be worth the wait: Sony Pictures Classics is releasing “Becoming Led Zeppelin” exclusively into nearly 200 U.S. IMAX theaters. It will play in preview screenings across 18 markets for one night on February 5. The film, directed by Bernard MacMahon, is billed as the first “authorized” documentary on the foursome of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and the late John Bonham. It features a never-before-heard interview with Bonham about the band’s trajectory and legacy.

In the first trailer for the film, Bonham describes the first time the band played together as “stunning” and like a “gift from heaven.”

Or like on a stairway to heaven?...

Having been in the works for years, the Led Zeppelin documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin will finally hit theaters in February, 2025. The official trailer is also out now; watch it below.

The film, which serves as the first ever authorized documentary about Led Zeppelin, will screen exclusively in IMAX in over 200 theaters beginning on February 7th, 2025. Prior to the wider release, IMAX is holding one-night-only early access screenings in 18 cities on February 5, 2025. Tickets are on sale now for both dates here.

Director Bernard McMahon has been shaping Becoming Led Zeppelin for several years, poring through hours of archival footage to construct an intimate and comprehensive view of Led Zeppelin’s early days. In addition to an unearthed, never-before-heard interview with the band’s late drummer, John Bonham, the documentary features new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, unseen footage from the band’s earliest performances in America and beyond,...

Having been in the works for years, the Led Zeppelin documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin will finally hit theaters in February, 2025. The official trailer is also out now; watch it below.

The film, which serves as the first ever authorized documentary about Led Zeppelin, will screen exclusively in IMAX in over 200 theaters beginning on February 7th, 2025. Prior to the wider release, IMAX is holding one-night-only early access screenings in 18 cities on February 5, 2025. Tickets are on sale now for both dates here.

Director Bernard McMahon has been shaping Becoming Led Zeppelin for several years, poring through hours of archival footage to construct an intimate and comprehensive view of Led Zeppelin’s early days. In addition to an unearthed, never-before-heard interview with the band’s late drummer, John Bonham, the documentary features new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, unseen footage from the band’s earliest performances in America and beyond,...

“Becoming Led Zeppelin,” a documentary that chronicles the origins and meteoric rise of the iconic English rock band, will play on the big screen in 2025.

Sony Picture Classics, which acquired the film earlier this year, plans to release “Becoming Led Zeppelin” only in Imax on Feb. 7. Ahead of the release on roughly 200 theaters, Imax will hold early access screenings in 18 markets on Feb. 5.

“The cinematic power of Imax paired with the film’s authentic sound creates an immersive and transportive viewing experience letting audiences feel like they are there, in the venues with the band,” the film’s director Bernard MacMahon said in a statement.

“Becoming Led Zeppelin” explores their origins with never-before-seen footage and commentary from the notoriously private band, consisting of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Described as a “hybrid docu-concert” movie, the doc also includes rare, unseen performances including concert halls of Led Zeppelin’s nascent tours.

Jimmy Page and Gibson have released the 1969 Eds-1275 Doubleneck Vos electric guitar, a new replica of Page’s legendary doubleneck axe.

Following the highly limited (and since sold-out) release of the Eds-1275 Doubleneck Collector’s Edition back in March, the new Eds-1275 was once again made “in close collaboration and with significant input” from Page using 3D scanning technology of the Led Zeppelin guitarist’s original.

Buy the Jimmy Page 1969 Eds-1275 Doubleneck Vos

While that prior replica used Gibson’s Murphy Lab aging to replicate the Led Zeppelin guitarist’s original Eds-1275 right down to the exact playing wear — every knick and scratch — the new model is a replica of the guitar before the road wear, as Page originally received it. The Vos nitrocellulose lacquer in ’69 Cherry finish gives the guitar a softly aged patina without the highly-detailed Murphy Lab aging.

Specs wise, Eds-1275 Vos features a double-cutaway one-piece mahogany...

Right now, sitting in a nondescript warehouse in Carson, California, thousands of ornate Gibson guitars are piled up in dozens of stacks of cardboard boxes nearly seven feet high. Some of them look like the signature models for rock gods like Dave Grohl, Ace Frehley, or Zakk Wylde. Some even appear to be autographed by Slash. But all of them are fake.

On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed one of the largest counterfeit instrument busts in history, announcing a seizure of more than 3,000 fake Gibson electric guitars that were shipped into the U.

Courtney Love has shared more details about her upcoming solo album, including its collaborators — both the ones who said yes and the one who, apparently, ghosted her.

As she explained in a new interview with The Standard, Love didn’t “intend” for the album to be so collaborative. She’s choosing to keep most of its contributors close to the vest, but she did confirm Michael Stipe’s involvement. “Stipe mentioned our collaboration to The New York Times, so I can say it’s gorgeous,” Love explained. “I fell down weeping hearing his voice – it’s better than ever! I thought I knew the outcome, but I’m still the grasshopper while Michael is the sensei.”

She also confirmed that that Echo & the Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant plays on the album. “Will Sergeant, my favorite guitarist on earth, from my favorite band agreed to work with me!,” Love said. “He’s such an icon.

US Customs and Border Protection (Cbp) and Gibson have announced the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit electric guitars.

The successful operation was announced to the public on Friday, November 22nd, and involved cooperation between Cbp, Gibson, US Homeland Security Investigations (Hsi), and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Lasd).

A press release regarding the incident claims that it’s the “largest seizure of fake musical instruments” on record, with the guitars’ estimated value exceeding $18 million if they were authentic.

A press conference will be held on Tuesday, November 26th to disclose more details, including what “proactive efforts” the agencies use to “identify, intercept, and seize” counterfeit products at the Port of Los Angeles. Additionally, Gibson and the agencies will “caution consumers about fraudulent products sold on e-commerce platforms and other sources.”

Meanwhile, Gibson has had a busy year — since January, they have announced partnerships with Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Jimmy Page,...

Ana Gasteyer of Saturday Night Live fame recently recounted what happened when Sean “Diddy” Combs arrived on set as the episode’s musical guest. This came up during the comedian’s recent appearance on a podcast. She also revealed how the cast and crew poked fun at the mogul.

The Cast & Crew Weren’t Too Happy With Diddy’s Behavior

Gasteyer is known for appearing on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002. Over the years, she has appeared in a variety of sitcoms, like Suburgatory and American Auto. She is also known for appearing in the film, Mean Girls.

This past Wednesday, Gasteyer appeared on the “Las Culturistas” podcast, which is hosted by SNL cast-member Bowen Yang and comedian Matt Rogers. While there, she discussed an appearance Diddy made back in May 1998.

Ana Gasteyer – YouTube

According to Gasteyer, Combs “shut down like the whole building” during his appearance. As she continued,...

Before federal agents arrested hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in September 2024, the star was known as one of the biggest names in the music industry. Combs appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1998 to perform as the musical guest. Unfortunately, those who worked with Combs at the time don’t have fond memories of their experience. Here’s what SNL‘s Ana Gasteyer said happened when Will Ferrell crashed Combs’ rehearsal.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had an air of ‘faux importance’ as the musical guest on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Ana Gasteyer said

Sean “Diddy” Combs was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1998. Combs’ career took off in the late ’90s, as his debut album, No Way Out, was released in July 1997. In 1998, Combs took home Grammy awards for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “I’ll Be Missing You.” This was just the...

“Saturday Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer reflected on her six-year stint on the show on the latest episode of Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers’ “Las Culturistas” podcast, recalling a time when her fellow cast member Will Ferrell interrupted Sean “Diddy” Combs’ closed rehearsal as part of a bit.

Gasteyer was on “SNL” from 1996 to 2002, where she overlapped with Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and others. She’s best known for being part of the “Schweddy Balls” sketch alongside Shannon and Alec Baldwin, as well as her recurring Culps skit with Ferrell.

Gasteyer told current “SNL” player Yang and Rogers that the cast at that time had several recurring bits, including one where Ferrell repurposed his Jerry Reed costume to imitate a crew member named Rob, who had recently been fired by the director of the show’s pre-taped segments. In 1998, when Combs was the show’s musical guest,...

Vic Flick, the famed British session guitarist who picked out the twangy riff for the James Bond theme song introduced to moviegoers on Dr. No, has died. He was 87.

His death on Thursday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease was announced by his family on Facebook.

Flick also played on No. 1 hits for Peter and Gordon (“A World Without Love”) and Petula Clark (“Downtown”); performed on Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual” and “Ringo’s Theme” (This Boy) for A Hard Day’s Night (1964); and collaborated with the likes of Jimmy Page, George Martin, Herman’s Hermits, Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton, Dusty Springfield and Engelbert Humperdinck.

“He was a musician’s musician,” Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues wrote in the foreword to Flick’s 2008 memoir, Vic Flick Guitarman: From James Bond to The Beatles and Beyond.

“He always stood up to play! Yes, I know it sounds obvious — but you...

Shel Talmy, the producer behind hits including the Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me” and the Who’s “My Generation,” died on Wednesday following complications from a stroke, a representative confirmed to Rolling Stone. He was 87.

Born in Chicago in 1937, Talmy first started working in the music industry in the late Fifties, moving out to London in 1962 to work at Decca Records. He started working with the Kinks in 1964, producing “You Really Got Me” that same year. He was a significant figure in the Who’s early career, signing the band to his production company.

Jimmy Page and Gibson have unveiled the 1964 Sj-200 and 1964 Sj-200 Collector’s Edition signature model acoustic guitars.

Crafted by the luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, the new signature models are replicas of the Sj-200 acoustic guitar that Page played on Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album. He was also seen playing an Sj-200 when he performed “White Summer/Black Mountain Side” during a rare solo TV appearance on the “Julie Felix Show” on April 26th, 1970.

Get a Jimmy Page 1964 Sj-200 Guitar

The standard Jimmy Page 1964 Sj-200 is limited to 100 and touts a striking Cherry Tea sunburst finish with highly flamed Aaa maple for the back and sides, plus Aaa Sitka spruce for the top. The Super Jumbo body has multi-ply binding on the top and back and is slightly deeper than a standard Sj-200 at the neck joint, giving it different sound characteristics than other Sj-200s.

Classic rock was sometimes seen as the devil’s music but it knew how to get biblical. For example, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” resembles a famous Bible story. Interestingly, “Stairway to Heaven” first became a hit decades after its release.

Before Led Zeppelin, the Bible had a stairway to heaven

According to Genesis 11, humanity once spoke one language but ruined its unity. “They said ‘Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth,'” the passage says. “And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the Lord said, ‘Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them,...

A new biopic of British pop star Robbie Williams is on the way in which he’s portrayed as a monkey. No, really, a monkey. Watch the trailer below.

Entitled Better Man, the upcoming film tells story of the rambunctious rise of Williams. The artist voices himself, though is visually presented as a CGI monkey for the duration of the teaser trailer and, the entire film as well.

“I asked you if you were an animal, how would you see yourself? In your own words, you would refer to being dragged up on stage to perform like a monkey,” director Micheal Gracey said in a featurette, addressing Williams directly. “I immediately thought portraying you not as we see you, but how you see yourself… I am going to see you and relate to you in a way that is going to be more engaging than yet another musical biopic.”

Directed by Gracey,...

A new biopic of British pop star Robbie Williams is on the way in which he’s portrayed as a monkey. No, really, a monkey. Watch the trailer below.

Entitled Better Man, the upcoming film tells story of the rambunctious rise of Williams. The artist voices himself, though is visually presented as a CGI monkey for the duration of the teaser trailer and, the entire film as well.

“I asked you if you were an animal, how would you see yourself? In your own words, you would refer to being dragged up on stage to perform like a monkey,” director Micheal Gracey said in a featurette, addressing Williams directly. “I immediately thought portraying you not as we see you, but how you see yourself… I am going to see you and relate to you in a way that is going to be more engaging than yet another musical biopic.”

Directed by Gracey,...

As his recent work with Pearl Jam and the Rolling Stones suggests, mega-producer Andrew Watt really, really loves classic rock — and he’s clearly a little tired of being holed up in the studio. So Watt teamed up with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith to form Smith and Watt Steakhouse, a ridiculously overqualified cover band that played for nearly three hours at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl on Sept. 18, with guest appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, the Roots’ Black Thought, guitarist Robert Randolph, and singer-songwriter Charlotte Lawrence,...

Some of the best classic rock songs drew inspiration from history or mysticism — or both. For example, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley” is about a macabre historical figure who left quite a legacy in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. The song led to some misconceptions about Osbourne.

Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Mr. Crowley’ is about a mystic who inspired The Beatles and Jay-Z

According to Tidal, Aleister Crowley was a mystic and self-described prophet who founded the occult religion Thelema. As the prophet of this new faith, he famously proscribed, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” Crowley’s embrace of the dark arts, criticism of Christianity, and open bisexuality scandalized many during the Edwardian and interwar eras. False rumors that he killed children and worshipped Satan proliferated.

A controversial figure then and now, Crowley has been referenced by musicians such as The Beatles, David Bowie,...

Brian May, the legendary guitarist of ‘Queen’, became a patron for the ABC Trust after joining the charity’s founding patron, Jimmy Page, as a judge in the ABC Riffathon events, which sought the best up-and-coming young guitarist in the UK.

Brian May’s Save Me Trust is a non-profit organization speaking out against the persecution and torture of wildlife for sport.

Brian has also helped ABC raise vital funds, offering special auction prizes including concert tickets with the opportunity for fans to meet him backstage. He has also supported ABC Graffiti guitar project ‘A Forca Da Rua’ for which 12 Gibson guitars – custom designed by renowned street artists – were sold at an exclusive auction event and included guitar lesson with Brian in his private home.

Charities & foundations supported

Brian May has supported the following charities:

21st Century Leaders46664ABC TrustAnimal Defenders InternationalBorn Free FoundationBritish Union for the Abolition of VivisectionChildLineChildren in NeedCoramDavid Shepherd Wildlife FoundationDr.

Tom Cruise will reportedly have a starring role in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ Aug. 11 closing ceremony, when he may skydive to the Hollywood Sign during the orchestrated handoff to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympiad. According to TMZ, the stunt was quietly shot in March.

Cruise has attended the Paris games, including for the women’s gymnastics qualifiers as well as swimming competitions. “It’s awesome,” he told Reuters. “Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”

Production company Fulwell 73 — co-run by James Corden and known for Hulu’s The Kardashians as well as Adele’s 2021 CBS special One Night Only, which took place at the iconic Griffith Observatory — is behind the L.A. segment, which will mix prerecorded and live elements.

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that an early plan involved a large party at Will Rogers State Beach, where the...

“Nothing in this world is free,” Jack White tells us on his new album. Whether that’s metaphorically true, White himself proved that it’s factually inaccurate. If you happened to be in London, Nashville, or Detroit on Friday, July 19, and visited White’s Third Man Records shop, his latest offering was, in fact, available at no cost, on white vinyl, given away with another in-store purchase. It’s the most Jack White way imaginable to do a surprise release.

The album — which has no title or tracklist and is...

If ever a soundtrack helped boost a movie’s legacy, it’s that of Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, a non-stop party album that encapsulated not just the era in which the movie is set but the essence of the film. But despite there being around 30 songs in Dazed and Confused, Linklater had trouble securing rights to one Led Zeppelin track, leading to him to say he would be boycotting singer Robert Plant for life.

Interestingly, when coming up with the perfect Led Zeppelin song to use, Linklater didn’t want “Dazed and Confused” itself but rather “Rock and Roll.” As he recounted in his “Dazed by Days” journal, in the spring of 1993, Linklater got permission from Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page after sending him a five-minute video of non-stop begging. But in July, singer Robert Plant denied the use of any Zeppelin tunes. As Linklater wrote, “We’re out of time,...

The Black Crowes brought out soon-to-be tourmate Steven Tyler for a rendition of Aerosmith’s “Mama Kin” during the band’s London gig Wednesday.

“If it is alright with y’all, we wanna play one more song. We wanna dedicate it to somebody who is a dear friend, and a hero, and a legend, Mr. Steven Tyler,” Chris Robinson told the crowd at the Eventim Apollo during the encore. “We will be touring with Aerosmith soon, so we wanna play one of his songs. Thank y’all! We’ll see you when we see you!

Becoming Led Zeppelin, the long-awaited documentary about the rock legends, has been picked up for a theatrical release by Sony Classics Pictures.

Previously, a rough cut of the documentary was screened at Venice Film Festival in September 2021, but few updates were provided on the film’s status in the years since.

Per Variety, Sony Classics negotiated the deal with director Bernard MacMahon and Altitude Film Sales. The rights apply to North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia (sans Japan), the Middle East, and Benelux, though a timetable for the theatrical rollout has yet to be provided.

The “work in progress” version that was screened in Venice has now been “completed” with a new sound mix and additional footage including “newly unearthed material from the archives of all four band members.”

The only interview subjects in the film are Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. The documentary...

Becoming Led Zeppelin, the long-awaited documentary about the rock legends, has been picked up for a theatrical release by Sony Classics Pictures.

Previously, a rough cut of the documentary was screened at Venice Film Festival in September 2021, but few updates were provided on the film’s status in the years since.

Per Variety, Sony Classics negotiated the deal with director Bernard MacMahon and Altitude Film Sales. The rights apply to North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia (sans Japan), the Middle East, and Benelux, though a timetable for the theatrical rollout has yet to be provided.

The “work in progress” version that was screened in Venice has now been “completed” with a new sound mix and additional footage including “newly unearthed material from the archives of all four band members.”

The only interview subjects in the film are Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. The documentary...

Five years after the first-ever authorized documentary about Led Zeppelin was first announced — and nearly three years after it premiered at the Venice Film Festival — the long-awaited film is finally preparing to take flight to the big screen.

Sony Pictures Classics announced Wednesday that it has acquired Becoming Led Zeppelin, a “hybrid docu-concert film” directed by Bernard MacMahon and made with the full cooperation of the band.

The documentary features new interviews with Zeppelin’s surviving member Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, who each granted filmmakers unprecedented access to their archives,...

Sony Pictures Classics has announced in a press release that the company has acquired the distribution for an official documentary of the iconic 70s rock band Led Zeppelin. The documentary, titled Becoming Led Zeppelin, will finally see its release after sitting on the shelf since 2021. The film is powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances and music. The director, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words and is the first officially sanctioned film on the group.

The hybrid docu-concert film also unveils a huge amount of unseen Led Zeppelin performance footage, including The Fillmore West (January 1969), The Atlanta Pop Festival (July 1969), and The Texas Pop Festival (August 1969). The result is a visceral musical experience that will transport audiences into the concert halls of Led Zeppelin’s earliest tours, accompanied by intimate...

The chance for the public to see the long-awaited documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” is finally becoming a reality for fans of the classic rock band. The film has been acquired for release by Sony Classics Pictures, and will get a big-screen theatrical rollout, the company announced Wednesday.

The rights picked up by Sony Classics are for North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia (except for Japan), the Middle East and Benelux. Negotiations for the deal took place between Sony Classics, director Bernard MacMahon and Altitude Film Sales.

No time frame was given for the film’s release, but Zeppelin fans have waited for years, so a possible matter of months may come as good news at this point. A rough version of the film premiered at and was reviewed out of the Venice Film Festival in September 2021, before it seemed to slip into limbo, as far as the general public knew.

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired all rights for North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Benelux and Southeast Asia excluding Japan to documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin.

Directed by Bernard MacMahon and written by MacMahon and producer Allison McGourty, the film explores the origin and rise of seventies rock giant Led Zeppelin. Paradise Pictures produced in association with Big Beach, and Michael Clark, Alex Turtletaub, Duke Erikson, Cynthia Heusing, David Kistenbroker, Simon Moran and Ged Doherty served as executive producers.

According to SPC, Becoming Led Zeppelin is the first officially sanctioned film on the group (though the band’s 1973 concert...

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired Bernard MacMahon’s hybrid docu-concert film Becoming Led Zeppelin, taking all rights in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia (excluding Japan), and Benelux.

Powered by never-before-seen footage, performances and music, the film is billed as an experiential cinematic odyssey exploring Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. It’s told in Led Zeppelin’s own words and is the first officially sanctioned film on the group.

Screening as a work-in-progress at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation, the film now features a brand-new sound mix, newly unearthed material from the archives of all four band members (including home movies and family photos), and exclusive interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, as well as never-before-heard interviews with the late John Bonham.

Written by MacMahon and Allison McGourty, the film was produced by...

Steve Albini was an icon to many people, and his work and life was often synonymous with Chicago, the city he called home in his adult life — where he began recording musicians, built his Electrical Audio studio, and established his own bands Big Black, Rapeman, and Shellac, all of whom released material on Chicago-based Touch and Go Records. Corey Rusk, owner of the renown indie label, wrote a tribute to his friend of 40 years following Albini’s untimely death at the age of 61 on Tuesday.

In a post shared on...

Joanna Newsom paid tribute to Steve Albini — the engineer on her acclaimed 2006 album Ys — during the singer’s set Friday at Utah’s Kilby Block Party.

Stereogum reports that prior to Newsom’s performance of “Cosmia,” one of the Ys tracks she recorded with Albini, the singer gave an emotional speech about how much the noise-rock pioneer meant to her.

“So the last few days have been pretty sad because of the loss of Steve Albini, who I love very, very much and admire in every possible way you can admire a person,...

Jimmy Page paid tribute to the late Steve Albini, who served as recording engineer and mixer for the 1998 album, Walking into Clarksdale, a collaboration between Page and his former Led Zeppelin bandmate, Robert Plant.

“I was very sad to hear of Steve Albini’s passing this week,” Page wrote in an Instagram post. “Robert and I worked with him in 1997 on our album, Walking Into Clarksdale — a record I’m still really proud of.

“I had a strong connection with Steve, we all did on that album, and he came...

Steve Albini, a singer and guitarist best known for producing some of the most groundbreaking and influential albums of the alt-rock genre, died of a heart attack at his Chicago recording studio Electrical Audio. He was 61.

Albini’s death and cause of death was confirmed by Taylor Hales of Electrical Audio.

Born July 22, 1962, in Pasadena, Albini moved to the Chicago area after high school to study journalism at Northwestern University. While there, he began writing for local punk rock ‘zines and beginning to record and engineer albums for local bands.

Stubbornly opposed to the larger music industry and its exploitation of artists, Albini formed the Chicago-based band Big Black in 1981, recording the first of several albums, an EP for the Chicago label Ruthless Records, a label he co-managed. That band last until 1987.

From 1987 to 1988, Albini sang and played guitar for Rapeman, named after a Japanese comic book. The short-lived band broke up after one album,...

Steve Albini, the legendary record producer and engineer behind Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, and countless other classic alternative rock albums, has died of a heart attack. He was 61 years old.

News of Albini’s death was confirmed to Consequence via a staff member at his recording studio, Electrical Audio in Chicago.

Preferring the term “engineer” over “producer,” Albini was lauded for his minimalist approach to recording sessions and focus on capturing the natural sound of musicians’ performances. As a singer and guitarist in his own right, Albini also led the bands Shellac and Big Black.

Albini was born in Pasadena, California, on July 22nd in 1962. He went to college at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and spent most of his career based in Chicago, where he founded Electrical Audio.

His music career essentially started as singer-guitarist of Big Black, a band he formed while still a student at Northwestern.

Duane Eddy, one of rock’s first guitar heroes and an idol of George Harrison, Jeff Beck, John Fogerty, Dan Auerbach, and many other guitar-slingers who followed, died Sunday at his home in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 86. A source close to the family confirmed Eddy’s death to Rolling Stone.

Released in 1958, Eddy’s “Rebel-’Rouser” wasn’t the first instrumental hit, but it was one of the most arresting. Arriving just a few years into the birth of rock & roll, “Rebel-’Rouser” announced that the raucous new genre was...

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival will be held from June 6th to 20th at the Jccc's Kobayashi Hall. The festival has now grown into one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to the world.

TorontoJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4th largest film industry and the 2024 edition will feature 24 films including the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine's mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda and Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy Kanasando「かなさんどー 」. The festival is also very proud to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin's Landscapes Of Home 「故郷の風景」 from producer Eiko Kawabe Brown. The film is an investigation of Japanese Canadian struggle from a new perspective redefining...

The Prince of Darkness was first eligible to be nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2006 — the same year the institution finally inducted the band he cofounded in 1968, heavy-metal pioneers Black Sabbath. But Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t actually considered for induction by himself until this year.

Last month, Osbourne told Rolling Stone the anticipation of finding out whether or not he’d be inducted was driving him crazy. “It’s an honor that I’m nominated, but I’m not expecting to get in,...

Members of Led Zeppelin helped create Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man” in the studio. The tune paved the way for a lot of the band’s later work. Donovan himself argued that Jimmy Page’s contributions to “Hurdy Gurdy Man” changed rock music.

Why Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page worked on Donovan’s ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’

Donovan is a singer known for two types of songs: folk tunes and psychedelic experiments. His folk tunes include “Catch the Wind,” “Colors,” and “There Is a Mountain,” while his psychedelic jams include “Sunshine Superman,” “Atlantis,” and “Mellow Yellow.” “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” an early heavy metal song, was an uncharacteristic release for him. It sounds the way it does thanks to help from members of Led Zeppelin.

During a 2008 interview with Uncut, Donovan discussed the origin of “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” “Many people have said over the years how important that session of John Paul Jones,...

Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” isn’t just a classic rock song — it’s a song with an incredible backstory. Donovan collided with The Beatles and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin when he recorded the tune. Page went on to help Donovan record another one of his classics.

‘Sunshine Superman’ singer Donovan, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin were at Abbey Road

During a 2016 interview with Billboard, Donovan discussed the recording of “Sunshine Superman.” “Mickie Most, my producer, asked, ‘What do you want on it.’ I said, ‘Harpsichord. I want jazz guitar.’ He said, ‘Ok, I’ll bring a great guitar player, a jazz band and classical instruments.’ John Cameron arranged it. We arrived at the session at Abbey Road, and next door was The Beatles.”

Subsequently, a future member of Led Zeppelin played on the track. “We started the session, and in walks Jimmy Page,” the Hurdy Gurdy Man said. “I couldn’t believe it.

The best classic rock artists influence other classic rock artists. For example, The Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus” inspired one of Donovan’s songs. Donovan also revealed that a member of Led Zeppelin was a fan of his drumming.

The Beatles’ ‘I Am the Walrus’ inspired Donovan to make up a word for 1 of his songs

If you thought the lyrics of The Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus” had odd lyrics, just listen to Donovan’s “Barabajagal.” It’s so nonsensical it uses fake words. The BBC reports the word “barabajagal” was derived from the line “Goo goo g’joob” from “I Am the Walrus.”

During a 2016 interview with Best Classic Bands, Donovan discussed his heavier songs, such as “Barabajagal,” “Atlantis,” and “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” “I’m not really Buddy Holly or The Everly Brothers and I’m not really Elvis, and I’m not rhythm and blues, like Brian Jones,...

Jimmy Page and Gibson have teamed up for the 1969 Eds-1275 Doubleneck Collector’s Edition guitar.

A recreation of Page’s iconic doublenecked guitar, the new signature model is a holy grail replica for both Led Zeppelin fans and guitar collectors.

Only 50 of the instruments were made using Gibson’s 3D scanning technology and ultra-precise Murphy Lab aging techniques, essentially cloning Page’s original, right down to the exact playing wear — every knick and scratch — and sonic characteristics.

Each axe comes hand-signed and physically played by Page himself using a Herco Flex pick that is included with each specific serialized guitar. In addition, a collection of ephemera curated by Page is housed inside the special “Zoso” hardcase: a “Certificate of Authenticity Book” with a photo taken by Barrie Wentzell; a wooden pick display for the Herco pick; a premium cherry/black leather Strap and vintage replica strap; Schaller strap locks; an...

Power-pop fans were dealt a devastating blow Monday night when word came down that Raspberries frontman Eric Carmen died over the weekend at age 74. “Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep,” his wife, Amy Carmen, wrote to fans. “It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy.”

The tributes that followed focused on his signature solo hits “All by Myself,” “Hungry Eyes,” and “Make Me Lose Control,” but his greatest contributions came during his recording career in the Raspberries,...

Nina Avramides, who managed Jimmy Buffett, Jimmy Buffett, Chicago and Whitesnake during a 40-year-plus career and also worked with Eagles and Steely Dan, has died. She was 82. Solters told Deadline that she died February 17 of dementia complications at her home in Marina del Rey, CA.

Avramides was born February 4, 1942, in Harrogate, England, and grew up in Cyprus, Greece. She moved to the U.S. with her family in 1964. She and Howard Kaufman managed Chicago in the 1970s and joined Irving Azoff’s Front Line Management — then known as Hk Management — during that decade.

During the next 40-plus years, Avramides handled the day-to-day management of Buffett, Page, Dan Fogelberg, Whitesnake, The Cult and many others. She also was involved in the careers of the Eagles, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and more.

She is survived by her husband, Pierre Berducat, and sisters Kate Avramides and Susie Avramides. A memorial service is planned for the spring.

Ozzy Osbourne is already a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer as a member of Black Sabbath, and now has a chance to be inducted again as a solo artist. The metal icon says he’s “deeply honored” to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Following the announcement of the 2024 nominees on Saturday morning (February 10th), Ozzy took to Instagram to express his gratitude:

“I’m deeply honored to receive this news from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. To be one of the few musicians who’s being considered for a second entry, now as a solo artist, is something I could never have imagined. After 44 years as a solo artist the fact that I can continue to record music and receive this recognition is something I am incredibly proud of.”

Ozzy was first inducted in 2006 along with fellow founding Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi,...

Roger Daltrey will wrap up his 24-year tenure as the chairman of the Teenage Cancer Trust this March with a week-long series of charity shows featuring the Who, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Squeeze, and the Chemical Brothers. The final gig is an all-star blowout where the Who frontman will be joined by Pete Townshend, Robert Plant, Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, and Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics.

Daltrey’s tenure with the Teenage Cancer Trust — which builds cancer units for teenagers and young adults in hospitals — stretches back to 2000. Since that time,...

There’s a reason the word honors is in the title. To help celebrate the lifetime contributions of artists in music, dance, theater, opera, movies and TV, the Kennedy Center Honors routinely pay tribute to its recipients by rewarding them with memorable performances.

Scores of artists have been feted since the Honors got their start in 1978, but there are certain tributes that remain sketched in our hearts forever. In anticipation of the 46th annual event honoring Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick on Dec. 27, we look back at some of the show’s most unforgettable performances — starting with Lenny Bernstein’s opening speech from the very first Kennedy Center Honors, of course.

Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris and Rosanne Cash honor Johnny Cash in 1996

Three of country’s greats performed hits from Cash’s eclectic songbook — “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Folsom Prison Blues.” and...

It’s almost impossible for John Stamos to imagine what would have happened to his life had he not met Beach Boys singer-guitarist Jeffrey Foskett 40 years ago. Foskett, who died Monday at 67, introduced Stamos to the Beach Boys in 1983, and helped him land a gig as a percussionist that continues to this day. When Stamos, who wrote about Foskett in his new memoir If You Would Have Told Me, hopped on Zoom with Rolling Stone on Monday evening, tears flowed throughout the entire conversation as he looked back on Foskett...