AEROSMITH: Return to the road could happen soon
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer was at this week's Loudwire Music Awards to present the trophy for Best Drummer and to make sure there was plenty of his Rockin' and Roastin' Coffee on hand at the Novo Theater in L.A.
Kramer was asked if Aerosmith was inching back toward the road. Steven Tyler recently made his first public performance since the band cancelled South American shows so he could undergo "a procedure." Tyler sang at an October 21st benefit in Vancouver, Canada honoring songwriter and producer David Foster. Kramer seemed optimistic about the future.
He said, “I don’t know anything about that. I know that he’s recuperating and I know that he’s home drinking my coffee and that helps him heal faster. Aerosmith will definitely be not inching back toward the road, but maybe a little quicker. It all depends on him.”
ROY ORBISON: Latest legend with a hologram show
Roy Orbison's music will enter a whole new dimension come April when a hologram version of the legendary Texan, backed by a 75-piece orchestra and vocalists, hits the road. Taking its name from one of Roy's '60s classics, In Dreams will first be staged in the UK.
Roy Orbison Junior and his brother Alex preview the hologram-driven show:
Roy: "My dad's music lends itself to that kind of arrangement...
Alex: "And his vocal quality, really...
Roy: "Yes, and there's 75 players, all of whom are just the top level players. It gives it a much bigger sound; it's actually... was a really natural progression, a natural thought. England has always been really, Orbison territory. It's called In Dreams. This thing starts April 8th, 2018 in Cardiff at the Motorpoint Arena."
There are U.S. plans for the production as well, but the Orbison family isn't ready to announce specifics.
Alex Orbison says holograms have come a long way from the early attempts using footage of Tupak Shakur:
"The hologram technology has jumped from, you know, in technical terms, was like 720p, or whatever, you know, the pixels rate, from going from our old television is what the... Tupak was and the first-generation holograms you've seen. Now, we've jumped to hi-def and then onto 4K."
SIR PAUL McCARTNEY: Touching tribute to the late Fats Domino
Paul McCartney has posted a tribute to the late Fats Domino that begins with a picture of The Beatles hanging out with the New Orleans legend in his hometown. Paul's song "Souvenir," from Flaming Pie, plays underneath.
It reads: "Rest in peace Fats Domino, the great rock ’n’ roll pianist and singer who thrilled us in our early days in Liverpool. His hit records like ‘Ain’t That a Shame’, ‘Blueberry Hill’, ‘I’m in Love Again’ and many others introduced us to the sounds of New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll. We were excited to meet Fats once in his hometown of New Orleans. He was wearing a huge star-spangled diamond-encrusted watch, which was our first encounter with bling! His voice, piano playing and musical style was a huge influence on us, and his appearance in the film The Girl Can’t Help It was truly magnificent. As one of my favorite rock ‘n’ roll singers, I will remember him fondly and always think of him with that twinkle in his eye."
Sir Paul closes by noting, "He himself was named Antoine. His kids were named Antoine the Third, Anatole, Andre, Antonio, Antoinette, Andrea, Anola and Adonica. Now that is pure Fats!"