Zappagram #22
The Taylor Hawkins tribute concert was fucking epic, Dropkick Murphys kick ass, and today is Freddie Mercury's birthday...
Hey friends,
This past Saturday, one of the greatest concert events ever took place at Wembley Stadium in London. A list of musical giants too numerous to mention took to the stage to honor the late great Taylor Hawkins. If you missed the livestream, the entire 5 ½ hour event is available to watch on Paramount+ and if you’re able to watch it, I encourage you to do so. (Have some tissues handy. You’ll cry. Several times.)
It’s incredible how many lives Taylor Hawkins touched, not only by being a phenomenal musician—one of the greatest rock drummers who ever lived—but by being a genuinely kind, humble, caring, giving human being who lived life to the absolute fullest.
He was and always will be an inspiration and he is greatly missed by all.
Rock and roll news keeps happening, so let’s dive in to this week’s best…
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Inquiring minds want to know
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“Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.”
―Oscar Wilde
RECENT ESSAYS
The latest essays by Chris Zappa
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Taylor Hawkins Untimely Death and Grieving His Loss as a Fan
Exploring the emotional bond between musicians and the fans who love and grieve them
HEAVY ROTATION
New weekly playlists highlighting great music
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WEEKLY PLAYLIST #22
Free Whenever • Mt. Joy • Frankie Cosmos • Ezra Glatt • Mamalarky • The Polyphonic Spree • Fleet Foxes • Dog’s Eye View • The Jayhawks • Wilco
MASTER PLAYLIST (ALL WEEKS)
MUSIC NEWS
The latest happenings in the world of music
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Dave Grohl Pays Tribute to Taylor Hawkins to Open London Tribute Gig: “A gigantic fucking night for a gigantic fucking person…”
The gig featured a host of music’s biggest stars, including Liam Gallagher, Mark Ronson, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Supergrass, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Lars Ulrich and more. [via NME]
Björk Reveals Release Date and Cover Artwork for New Album Fossora
The fungally themed album is out next month and delves into bass and “heavy bottom-end,” she says. [via Pitchfork]
Feist Drops Off Arcade Fire Tour Following Win Butler Allegations
"The best way to take care of my band and crew and my family is to distance myself from this tour, not this conversation," singer says after exiting the opening act slot. [via RollingStone]
Gorillaz Announce Album, Share New Song Featuring Tame Impala
Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks, Bootie Brown, Beck, Thundercat, and others feature on the virtual band’s Cracker Island. [via Pitchfork]
Smashing Pumpkins Announce Free New York City Gig for Later This Month
The band will embark on a North American tour with Jane's Addiction next month. [via NME]
Ozzy Osbourne to Perform at Halftime of Season-Opening NFL Game
The metal icon will perform a multi-song medley at SoFi Stadium on September 8th. [via Consequence]
Bauhaus Cancel Tour as Peter Murphy Enters Rehab
“Following a string of critically-hailed reunion shows across continents, Peter Murphy will be entering a rehabilitation facility to attend to his health and well-being,” the band’s representative shared in a statement. [via Pitchfork]
Michael Stipe Releases Single ‘Future If Future’ on Climate-friendly Vinyl
The 12-inch bioplastic vinyl is the first of its kind to be made commercially available. [via NME]
Micky Dolenz Sues FBI to Get Full File on The Monkees
Hey hey he wants access, and he's not monkeying around. [via Billboard]
Judge Says Nevermind That Naked Baby Lawsuit, Nirvana Win Dismissal
An attorney representing Nirvana said, “We are pleased that this meritless case has been brought to a speedy final conclusion." [via Consequence]
OFF TOPIC
May or may not be music-related
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Climate Change Is Making Some Outdoor Shows Hell This Summer
Extreme heat is melting the touring industry’s fans, bands, and bottom line. [via RollingStone]
Nick Cave to Narrate Audiobook of His New Memoir
Cave and co-author Sean O’Hagan read Faith, Hope and Carnage, soundtracked by music from Carnage, Skeleton Tree, and Ghosteen. [via Pitchfork]
Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey Goes on Epic Rant Against Greedy Billionaires and Election Deniers
"If you're spouting off that election-denying shit, I will fight your ass outside if you want to." [via Consequence]
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne Announce Return to Reality TV With New Series
Episodes of “Home to Roost” will follow the couple's recently-announced move from Los Angeles to England. [via RollingStone]
GOOD READS
Highly recommended reading
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Surviving the Biz: 21 Themes for Creative and Commercial Longevity in Music by Keith Jopling, The Song Sommelier
UPCOMING RELEASES
These albums are coming soon
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SEPTEMBER 9
The Afghan Whigs: How Do You Burn? • Built to Spill: When the Wind Forgets Your Name • Charles Stepney: Step on Step • Jockstrap: I Love You Jennifer B • John Legend: Legend • Oliver Sim: Hideous Bastard • Ozzy Osbourne: Patient Number 9 • Preoccupations: Arrangements • Santigold: Spirituals
SEPTEMBER 16
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall • Dan Wilson: Dancing on the Moon EP • Death Cab For Cutie: Roman Candles • Gogol Bordello: SOLIDARITINE • Joe Strummer: Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years To Honor • Lou Reed: Words & Music, May 1965 • The London Suede: Autofiction • Marcus Mumford: (self-titled) • The Mars Volta: The Mars Volta • Pink Floyd: Animals 2018 Remix • Ringo Starr: EP3 • Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Super Deluxe Edition)
SEPTEMBER 23
ABBA: ABBA Gold (Reissue) • Alice In Chains: Dirt (30th Anniversary Edition) • Beth Orton: Weather Alive • Billy Idol: The Cage EP • Daniel Lanois: Player, Piano • Joni Mitchell: The Asylum Albums (1972 – 1975) Boxed Set • Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré: Ali • Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World (Deluxe) • Nils Frahm: Music For Animals
SEPTEMBER 30
Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (2022 Mix) • High Vis: Blending • Keith Jarrett: Bordeaux Concert • Lambchop: The Bible • Office Culture: Big Time Things • Pixies: Doggerel • Titus Andronicus: The Will to Live • Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Deluxe Edition) • Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Cool It Down
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
See it to believe it
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Foo Fighters w/ Shane Hawkins on drums
On Saturday, the first of two tribute concerts for Taylor Hawkins was held at Wembley Arena in London. Joining Foo Fighters on stage was Shane Hawkins, the beloved late drummer’s son. Watch this very emotional performance of “My Hero” and tell me you aren’t moved to tears. [via YouTube]
ON THIS DATE
Musical happenings of historical significance
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SEPTEMBER 5
Birthdays: Al Stewart (1945) • Freddie Mercury & Loudon Wainwright III (1946) • Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine (1968) • An asteroid was named after Freddie Mercury on what would have been the singer's 70th birthday. (2016)
SEPTEMBER 6
Birthdays: Roger Waters (1943) • Dean Fertita of Queens Of The Stone Age (1970) • Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries (1971) • Elton John recorded a new version of “Candle In The Wind” after performing the song live at Diana Princess of Wales funeral. (1997)
SEPTEMBER 7
Birthdays: Buddy Holly (1936) • Gloria Gaynor (1947) • Chrissie Hynde (1951) • Benmont Tench (1954) • Keith Moon died of a overdose. (1978) • Warren Zevon died. (2003)
SEPTEMBER 8
Birthdays: Patsy Cline (1932) • Benjamin Orr of The Cars (1947) • Aimee Mann (1960) • David Bowie performed the first interactive concert when his performance was beamed live into 21 cinemas from Warsaw to Edinburgh. (2003)
SEPTEMBER 9
Birthdays: Otis Redding (1941) • Dave Stewart (1952) • Nirvana's Krist Novoselic knocked himself unconscious during the MTV video awards show after being hit in the head with his own guitar after throwing it up in the air. (1992)
SEPTEMBER 10
Birthdays: Cynthia Lennon (1939) • Jose Feliciano (1945) • Joe Perry (1950) • Matthew Followill of Kings Of Leon (1984) • The New York Dolls split up. (1974)
SEPTEMBER 11
Birthdays: Mickey Hart (1943) • Moby (1965) • Harry Connick Jr. (1967) • Richard Ashcroft (1971) • David Bowie recorded a guest appearance on Bing Crosby's TV show duetting with Crosby on “Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy.” (1977) • American songwriter Daniel Johnston died of a suspected heart attack at his home. (2019)
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Love, peace, and harmony…
CZ 🤘🏻
Zappagram #22
DLR all day, every day. I'll carve out an exception for "Feel's So Good," but that's it.
Hagar's solo work is above reproach, though.
Speaking of Bauhaus, drummer Kevin Haskins was on the Curious Creatures podcast recently. Peter Murphy gets the limelight, but it was a quartet, and this was definitely an interesting listen.
https://curiouscreaturespodcast.com/?p=2745
Stoked for the new Gorillaz record, and reminded to go (re) listen to Al Stewart's "Time Passages." What a record! "Song on the Radio" is brilliant.
No question: DLR was Van Halen for me as a kid (and still). His voice and presence was as integral to the band as Eddie’s guitar, Alex’s drums or Michael Anthony’s bass. I agree that Hagar’s solo work is good - but he’s not Van Halen.