KIXI Music News

Duane Allman with the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop guitar at Muscle Shoals Studios September 23, 1969; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesDuane Allman‘s 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, the very guitar he used to play on Eric Clapton‘s Derek and the Dominos rock classic “Layla,” sold late last month for a record-breaking $1.25 million. According to GottaHaveRockandRoll.com, which sold the guitar, …

KMazur/WireImage Ginger Baker, the virtuosic drummer best known for his work with singer/guitarist Eric Clapton and singer/bassist Jack Bruce in the 1960s supergroup Cream, celebrates his 80th birthday today. Baker’s inventive drumming is considered an influence on jazz fusion and heavy metal, though he also explored African rhythms and World Music. Baker first played with Bruce in the London groups …

Courtesy of Peace of StageIn conjunction with Woodstock’s 50th anniversary, representatives of the Peace of Stage company — which sells collectibles made from actual pieces of the 1969 event’s stage — are in Bethel, New York, this week, presenting some special items to the famous artists performing at the site of the historic festival. The Bethel Woods Center for the …

UMeEx-Band guitarist Robbie Robertson has debuted a second song from his forthcoming studio album, Sinematic, which will be released on September 20. “Let Love Reign” is a swampy, soulful tune featuring guest backing vocals by Glen Hansard of The Frames and The Swell Season. With the song, Robertson carries on John Lennon‘s call for global peace — at one point …

RhinoChicago will celebrate the holiday season this year with a brand-new Christmas album, aptly titled Chicago Christmas, which will be released on CD and digitally on October 4, while vinyl versions will hit stores on November 22. The 11-track collection, which is actually the horn-driven band’s fourth yuletide album, features seven original songs, a pair of holiday favorites and one …

Courtesy of TIFFThe new Bruce Springsteen concert film Western Stars, which features the New Jersey rock legend performing the 13 songs from his new album of the same name, will open in theaters this fall via a new distribution deal with Warner Bros. Pictures. As previously reported, Western Stars gets its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, …

Capitol RecordsLionel Richie will be back on your TV screen next year as a judge on the third season of ABC’s American Idol — but to tide you over, you can check out his new live album, out today. Hello from Las Vegas documents Lionel’s Las Vegas residency at the Zappos Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, which …

Craft Recordings Fifty years ago today, the Woodstock festival was in full swing, having kicked off the day before. Among the main artists scheduled to perform on August 16, 1969 was Creedence Clearwater Revival, who were the first major act signed to play the event. The band was supposed to have had a prime slot that evening, but technical issues …

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Film FestivalA year ago today, the world lost the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. Since then, she’s been honored with reissues, awards, tribute concerts and site re-namings, and there’s still more to come. Today in Detroit, the now-renamed Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre will host a celebration …

Fotos International/Getty Images This week marks the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival, which took place from August 15 to the morning of August 18, 1969, in Bethel, New York. Among the many famous artists that played historic event were Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, whose performance at 3 a.m. on the 18th marked the quartet’s second concert ever. …