Dave Lifton

Bob Dylan Re-Opens Famous Theatre
The town of Port Chester, N.Y., located 35 miles north of New York City, may seem like an unusual place for a famous rock venue, but the Capitol Theatre boasts a history few stadiums can match. The long-dormant theater re-opened last night (Sept. 4) with a performance by Bob Dylan.

Paul McCartney to Receive France’s Legion of Honor
Here at Ultimate Classic Rock we always root for the underdog, and we love it when artists who have gone under-appreciated for years finally get their due, especially when it occurs in their lifetime. Today we learned of one such case when we saw the news that the French government has awarded the Legion of Honor to a little-known singer from Liverpool, England, Sir Paul McCartney.

Elton John and Madonna Make Up
It would appear that Elton John and Madonna have made up in the latest round of their long-running feud. According to the British tabloid the Sun, the two exchanged pleasantries while coincidentally having dinner at the same fancy restaurant in the south of France. Nice work if you can get it, as the old song goes.

Chuck Leavell Talks About New Rolling Stones Songs
Veteran keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who has worked with such big names as the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton and John Mayer, recently spent a week in Paris with old friends. That might not seem like news until you realize that he wasn’t hanging out at the Eiffel Tower, but in a recording studio, and the old friends were the Rolling Stones.

Eddie Money Sells ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ in New GEICO Commercial
It’s known that before he was Eddie Money, Rock Star, he was Eddie Mahoney, New York Police Officer. Apparently things have gotten so bad in his singing career that he’s had to go back to a day job, running his own travel agency — and he’s loving it.

Paul McCartney to Return Catalog to Streaming Services
Back in February, Paul McCartney pulled his entire solo and Wings catalog from streaming services such as Rhapsody and Spotify. However, he appears to have had a change of heart. Seattle Weekly is reporting that several of his albums are currently available to subscribers at two of the most popular sites around.

Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ Used in Baseball Playoffs Ad
A new trailer promoting TBS’ upcoming coverage of the 2012 Major League Baseball postseason features Bruce Springsteen‘s ‘Land of Hope and Dreams.’ The clip intersperses baseball highlights with footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band performing the song.

Paul Rodgers to Sing National Anthem at Mets Game
One of the greatest voices in rock history, Paul Rodgers, a founding member of both Free and Bad Company, will sing the national anthem at New York’s Citi Field on Sept. 10 before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals.

Rolling Stones to Release ‘Brussels Affair’ Vinyl Box Set
Last year, the Rolling Stones offered the first official release of ‘The Brussels Affair,’ a much-bootlegged performance from their 1973 European tour, as a digital download. Yesterday (Aug. 29), the band announced that they are issuing the concert on vinyl in the form of three limited-edition box sets.

Queen’s Brian May Trying to Stop Mass Slaughter of Badgers
Long a vegetarian and supporter of animal rights, Queen guitarist Brian May has taken to the British press in an attempt to prevent an upcoming mass slaughter of badgers by the British government. In the Daily Mail on Sunday (Aug. 26), he penned an editorial against the plan, which is being carried out to stem an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Somerset and Gloucester.