As Primus ready themselves for their long-delayed Rush tribute tour, A Tribute To Kings, bassist and frontman Les Claypool has taken to Instagram to reveal what he's been doing to polish up on his skills ahead of the event. Not that a musician as technically mind-boggling as the man who trailblazed the prog metal universe with songs such as Jerry Was A Race Car Driver and American Life needs much practice, mind. On August 7, Claypool posted a photo onto the social media platform with Rush's similarly inspiring prog rock pioneer Geddy Lee. Both holding their instruments in hand, the Primus frontman captions the image declaring to be "learning from the master". The A Tribute To Kings tour will see Primus performing a set of their own material as well as songs from Rush’s seminal platinum-certified 1977 album A Farewell To Kings.
The Ronnie Wood Band have released two new tracks, taken from their upcoming live album performed in tribute to American blues musician Jimmy Reed, titled Mr Luck - A Tribute Yo Jimmy Reed: Live At The Royal Albert Hall. The songs consist of covers of classic Jimmy Reed tunes, including 1983's Shame Shame Shame – which was previously included in The Rolling Stones' earlier setlists – and 1953's Roll And Rhumba. Mr Luck - A Tribute To Jimmy Reed: Live At The Royal Albert Hall contains 18 tracks performed by Ronnie and friends, including Mick Taylor, Bobby Womack, Mick Hucknall and Paul Weller, and is set to arrive on September 17 via BMG.
In the History of Rock in 1970 – The Doors’Jim Morrison's trial for allegedly exposing himself onstage in Miami begins. He would be found guilty, and Judge Goodman would sentence him to six months of hard labor and a $500 fine for public exposure and sixty days of hard labor for profanity. His lawyer filed an immediate appeal and Jim was freed on the $50,000 bond. Morrison would die in Paris, France on July 3, 1971 before his legal problems could be resolved.In December, 2010, the Florida Clemency Board would grant a full pardon.
In 1972 – During their Wings Over Europe Tour, Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested in Sweden for possession of drugs. McCartney joked the arrest would “make good publicity” for the tour.
In 1976 – Elton John played the first of ten sold out nights at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. The $1.25 million generated from the shows broke the record set by The Rolling Stones in 1975.
And in 1985 – After Paul McCartney advises him to invest in a music catalogue, Michael Jackson buys the ATV catalogue for $47.5 million. The catalogue contains 251 Beatles songs written by Lennon and McCartney.