In The News: AC/DC, KISS, The Killers, Beastie Boys & Pearl Jam
JULY 7th – JULY 13th
7/8 AC/DC’s ’80 breakthrough album “Back In Black“ is certified for U.S. shipments of 26-million copies by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA).
7/9 Queens Of The Stone Age cancel the remaining nine concerts of their European tour because frontman Josh Homme needs to return to the U.S. to undergo ’emergency surgery’.
7/9 KISS’s “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” surpasses one-billion streams on Spotify. The disco-tinged track originally released in ’79 is on the band’s seventh studio effort, “Dynasty.“ It was written by lead guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley (pictured) and ace songwriter Desmond Child, along with songwriter/producer Vini Poncia.
7/9 A three-way lawsuit involving Nirvana’s ‘smiley face’ logo is settled out of court. The band sued fashion designer Marc Jacobs in ’18 for infringing on their copyright for a line of clothing. Then earlier this year Robert Fisher, the former art director from Nirvana’s record label, filed his own lawsuit claiming ownership. A finalized agreement is expected in the next few weeks.
7/10 The Killers are awarded two Guinness World Records titles for “Mr. Brightside.” The song, from the band’s debut “Hot Fuss” (pictured above), spends the longest time on the U.K. singles chart – 416 non-consecutive weeks – than any other song. It also earns the record for the longest stay in the U.K. singles chart by a group – also at 416 weeks. Ironically, the U.K.’s biggest single never reached #1.
7/10 Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is sued for wrongful death after striking and killing 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, with his GMC SUV, while the victim was walking in a crosswalk on his way to get groceries. The suit, filed in California by the victim’s daughter, alleges that Klinghoffer was distracted by his phone.
7/11 Beastie Boys (Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz and Dechen Yauch, executor of the late Adam Yauch’s estate) file a complaint seeking a jury trial to determine whether the Chili’s restaurant chain infringed on the band’s copyright by using portions of “Sabotage” in posts and a commercial without permission. The band seeks a financial award of not less than $150,000 in each case.
7/12 Phish unfurl their 16th studio set and first in over four years, “Evolve.” “I think I’ve historically felt safer playing the guitar than I have walking down the street,” offered Trey Anastasio. “When I’m playing the guitar… that’s been my safe way of emoting over the years.”
7/12 Southern Rock singer/guitarist, Tim Montana, rolls out his sixth full-length set, “Savage,” containing the title track, “The Devil You Know” and “Shut Me Out.” Of the latter track, Montana said, “It might sound like a relationship song, but it’s actually about some feelings I had as a teenager. Unwanted feelings, and so I’m glad I got it out.”
7/12 With founding members Eric Martin (vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitar) and Billy Sheehan (bass), Mr. Big’s tenth studio album contains the track “Good Luck Trying.”
7/13 Pearl Jam’s “Wreckage” is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (dated July 13th). It follows “Dark Matter,” title track from the twelfth studio effort, which had a four-week run at the top the previous March.
7/13 Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson (pictured) finally meets the singer he replaced, Paul Di’Anno, for the first time in Croatia. Dickinson, promoting his solo album, “The Mandrake Project,” performs in Zagreb, where Di’Anno is receiving physiotherapy treatments after undergoing major knee surgery nearly two years ago. A fan brings them together.
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