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Morrissey Begins 2026 By Canceling A Pair Of Concerts In California

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:40 +0000

Morrissey has canceled the first concerts of his 2026 tour, calling off his January 3 and January 6 shows in Rancho Mirage and San Diego, California, due to an adverse reaction to prescription medication, though no further medical details were given. These cancellations continue the former Smiths’ frontman’s recent pattern of cancelling and postponing live dates linked to health issues, scheduling conflicts, and safety concerns. In November, Morrissey canceled his entire South American tour due to “extreme exhaustion." Ticket holders have been advised to seek refunds through their original purchase points, as the venues’ websites list both shows as being postponed indefinitely with no replacement dates scheduled. Morrissey’s next confirmed show remains January 10 in San Antonio, Texas, a city he has not performed in for over 15 years. That concert is a make-up date for a postponed May 8 show, and follows previously cancelled shows there in 2016 and 2017. (Billboard)

Yungblud Reworks “Zombie” With The Smashing Pumpkins

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:39 +0000

Yungblud kicked off 2026 by releasing a high-profile collaboration with The Smashing Pumpkins on a darker, reimagined version of his song “Zombie,” marking the first time that the grunge legends have appeared on another artist’s recording in their 30-year career. The track is originally from Yungblud’s 2025 album, Idols, which is nominated for Best Rock Album at the upcoming Grammy awards, with “Zombie” also receiving a Grammy nod for Best Rock Song. The new version amplifies its themes of trauma and isolation with heavier guitars and a foreboding atmosphere influenced by the Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream, with Billy Corgan’s vocals featured on the second verse. After reaching out to Corgan directly, Yungblud recorded the updated track and the accompanying Charlie Sarsfield-directed music video in the Pumpkins’ hometown of Chicago. Following a landmark 2025 that included chart-topping releases, a hit collaborative EP with Aerosmith, and multiple Grammy nods, Yungblud will continue touring internationally throughout 2026, including a sold-out North American tour starting in May. (Billboard)

Billy Joel Performs For First Time Since His Brain Disorder Diagnosis

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:38 +0000

Billy Joel surprised fans in Wellington, Florida, on Friday (January 2) with his first live performance since revealing his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in May 2025. Joining the Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles for a two-song set celebrating the village amphitheater’s 30th anniversary, the 76-year-old music legend performed his hits “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot” alongside his wife, Alexis Roderick, and their two daughters, Della and Remy. This marks the Piano Man’s first public appearance since he cancelled a string of scheduled concerts in order to begin physical therapy to treat his brain disorder. “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” Joel joked with the enthusiastic crowd as he took the stage for the surprise appearance. Despite ongoing symptoms that continue to affect his balance, Joel said in a 2025 appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, “I feel fine,” while adding that his condition is “still being worked on.” (Billboard)

Peter Gabriel Will Release Individual Tracks From New Album, ‘o/i,’ During Each Full Moon Of 2026

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:37 +0000

On Saturday, Peter Gabriel announced that his new album, o/i, will be slowly released throughout 2026, with a new song dropping each full moon. The rollout started with the release of the project’s lead single, “Been Undone,” during the Wolf Moon on January 3, and will continue each month until the full album is out by December. Following a similar rollout to his previous album, i/o, o/i explores themes of the future, technological transition, and humanity’s connection to nature, with Gabriel describing the songs as “a mix of thoughts and feelings.” Each track will be accompanied by special artwork, including a piece from São Paulo artist Janaina Mello Landini paired with “Been Undone,” and will feature dual mixes by producers Mark “Spike” Stent (Bright-Side Mix) and Tchad Blake (Dark-Side Mix). While Gabriel took part in a 2023 arena tour of North America and Europe in support of i/o, no official tour plans for o/i have been announced as of yet. (Rolling Stone)

Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler Using AI Vocals While Working On Upcoming Solo Album

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:36 +0000

During a Q&A session at the recent Steel City Con in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler revealed that he is using an AI singer while working on his upcoming solo album. ”Since we finished the last Sabbath show [at ‘Back to the Beginning’ in July], I’ve just been going through all the stuff that I’ve written since the ’80s onwards and updating everything,” Butler says, while adding, “What held me back before, I didn’t have a singer when I’m at home, but AI came along. So all my songs now, I’m using an AI singer to bring all the lyrics out.” Butler brings those AI-created vocal demos to real-life singers, which allows his collaborators to better understand the intended sound before they record their vocals. “It’s really helped me,” the 76-year-old musician admits, while also acknowledging, “A lot of people think it’s cheating.” (Consequence of Sound)

Streams Of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” And “Purple Rain” Surge Following ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale

Syndicated Content — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:01:33 +0000

Following the premiere of the series finale of Stranger Things on New Year’s Eve, Prince’s iconic songs “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry” experienced dramatic Spotify streaming surges. Global streams of “Purple Rain” increased 243% while Gen Z specific streams rose 577%, while “When Doves Cry” saw a 200% boost globally and a 128% increase among Gen Z listeners. Both tracks featured prominently during key dramatic scenes in the finale, marking a rare licensed use of Prince’s celebrated songs outside of the Grammy-winning 1984 film soundtrack for Purple Rain. “We were told that it was a real long shot, so we just crossed our fingers,” series creator Matt Duffer told Netflix following the finale premiere, while co-creator Ross Duffer added that getting approval for the songs was “very exciting” because Prince’s estate “does not generally allow that song to be licensed outside of the ‘Purple Rain’ movie.” (Variety)

John Lydon Didn’t Hear From His Former Sex Pistols Bandmates When His Wife Died, Hasn’t Spoken To Them In Years

Syndicated Content — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:01:26 +0000

In a new interview with The Times, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) has revealed that he hasn’t heard from his former Sex Pistols bandmates in years, and was disappointed they didn’t reach out when his wife, Nora Forster, died in 2023. “I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing,” Lydon shared, while adding that “I still have a very great fondness for the chaps from that period. What they evolved — or devolved — into since is another consequence.” Lydon has been critical of the current iteration of the group touring as Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter, dismissing it as “karaoke,” while firmly ruling out any possibility of a reunion. The 69-year-old punk legend continues to perform with his band Public Image Ltd, who are currently on a winter tour of the UK, with upcoming South American and European dates scheduled for April and May. (Consequence of Sound)

Former Kiss Guitarist Vinnie Vincent Says His $250 CD Single “Is Worth More Than Most Entire Albums”

Syndicated Content — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:01:25 +0000

Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who replaced Ace Frehley from 1982 to 1984, is charging $225 (including shipping) for a limited-edition CD single of “Ride the Serpent,” the first release from his solo project, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, in decades. The expensive single has sparked controversy among fans over the steep price, with Vincent defending the cost on social media, insisting the single is “worth more than most entire albums,” while emphasizing the rarity and demand for his music, which won’t be available on streaming platforms, only on vinyl and CD. The 73-year-old guitarist says that the release of his upcoming album, Judgment Day Guitarmageddon – which he describes as “one of the greatest rock albums of all time” on Facebook – depends on fan support, warning it may never see the light of day. Vincent played uncredited lead guitar on Kiss’ 1982 album, Creatures of the Night, and contributed significantly to their 1983 follow-up, Lick It Up, before leaving the band in 1984 to form his own group. (Rolling Stone)

Perry Bamonte, Longtime Guitarist And Keyboardist For The Cure, Dies At 65

Syndicated Content — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:01:24 +0000

Perry Bamonte, the longtime guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, has died at the age of 65 after a short illness over Christmas, the band confirmed on their official website. Bamonte joined The Cure as a full-time member in 1990 after supporting the band since 1984, contributing guitar, bass, and keyboards on multiple albums and performing in over 400 shows until 2005. He rejoined the group in 2022 and played 90 additional live shows with the goth rock legends – which the statement refers to as “some of the best in the band’s history" – culminating in his final performance celebrating the release of the Cure’s first new album in 16 years, Songs of a Lost World, at the Troxy in London on November 1, 2024. Remembered as a crucial and innovative part of the band’s legacy, Bamonte was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Cure in 2019. “Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story,” reads the band’s tribute to their late bandmate, which concludes, “Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family. He will be very greatly missed.” (Consequence of Sound)

Tom Morello Joined Onstage By His Son Roman During Concert In India

Syndicated Content — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:01:23 +0000

Tom Morello shared the stage with his son Roman for several songs during his December 21 concert in Bangalore, India, part of his first ever Indian tour. Together, they performed a twin-guitar rendition of Morello’s 2024 solo track, “Soldier in the Army of Love,” reprising the studio version of the song that also features the father and son duo. Tom and Roman also joined together on rousing covers of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley,” Steve Vai’s “For the Love of God,” and closed the show with Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” John Lennon’s “Power to the People,” and KISS’ “Rock and Roll All Nite.” The sold-out Bangalore show was the final stop of a three-date Indian tour, with Morello planning extensive Central American and European live dates in 2026, and a new solo album following his recent collaborative single with Beartooth, “Everything Burns.” (Consequence of Sound)