JOURNEY, DEF LEPPARD: 2018 tour announcement
Expect a Journey-Def Leppard tour announcement as early as this week.
Despite a recent denial by Leppard drummer Rick Allen that the tour has been finalized, at least two members of Journey seem to indicate otherwise.
In an Instagram post announcing that he'd be guesting at last night's (Sunday's) G3 concert at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Neal Schon wrote "Journey and Def Leppard coming soon," while drummer Steve Smith revealed in the Marin Independent Journal that the six-month tour will start in May.
Allen also said in a different interview that Leppard and their record label have finally sorted out digital rights questions that have kept much of the band's back catalog off streaming services such as Spotify. He now hopes that music "will be available soon." (Blabbermouth)
GENESIS: No reunion planned
Tony Banks says there won't be a Genesis reunion this year and he doubts another will ever take place.
He says the biggest issue is Phil Collins's inability to play drums. Plus, Collins is busy doing shows around the globe:
"There's nothing in 2018, I can assure you that. Philip obviously is doing his own stuff, but he can't drum anymore, so that's restricted all quite a bit. With Genesis, I mean he was the singer, obviously, but is very important as the drummer as well. So there's something very different. We'll see how he's holding up. He's doing some more shows, I think, later this year. starting in South America. I don't know where that's going to lead."
The keyboardist says neither he nor guitarist Mike Rutherford objects to joining forces again. He just doubts it's possible.
Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks says he has no objection to doing a Genesis reunion -- he's just doubtful about it:
"I have no problem with doing it. And I don't think Mike has no problem, but it's just a matter of working out if it's a practical proposition, which I'm sort of doubtful about."
The guys remain friends. Although Banks speaks with Rutherford more often since they live near other, he keeps in touch with the Miami-based Collins. Banks saw Phil's London show last year. He says it was "wonderful," but he's saddened that Collins is not longer "the visual personality he was in the past."
Tony Banks, who lives in England, saw Phil Collins perform last year in London:
"I saw him at the Albert Hall, which is good. Obviously, he is quite static, so... it's a different kind of show. He is sitting down and he sings all the songs, but he sings well. And obviously. the rest of the musicians are fantastic, as always. His son, playing drums, is incredibly good at doing an impersonation of Phil Collins."
With Genesis on hold, Banks has completed another classical music project. Recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and Choir, 5 will be released February 23rd.
THE MOODY BLUES: Ray Thomas died of a heart attack
Ray Thomas of The Moody Blues died of a heart attack, not of prostate cancer.
His widow, Lee Thomas, posted a note on Facebook Friday afternoon that says, "I know a lot of you have been reading that Ray died from prostate cancer, and I'd like to set the record straight. He did NOT die from the prostate cancer, he died from a massive heart attack. The prostate cancer was being treated and had been held in check for six years."
She pivoted from that to encourage men to get screened. "Because of a blood test, the cancer was found in time... I want people to know that it doesn't have to be a death sentence and can be contained, so please, please do get checked now, speak to your doctor about it."
Thomas passed away on January 4th at age 76.
THE TURTLES: Howard Kaylan is taking the summer off
One of the most durable stars of the '60s will take this summer off.
Turtles co-founder Howard Kaylan posted on Facebook that he'll miss this summer's Happy Together Tour "for medical reasons." Fellow '60s star Ron Dante, the voice of The Archies' "Sugar Sugar," will fill in alongside Mark Volman.
Chuck Negron, Mark Lindsay, The Cowsills, The Association and Gary Puckett round out the cast of classic pop hit-makers. The 2018 tour begins in June.