Eric Clapton: Last News

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Here’s who wasn’t taking a load off: the house band at Thursday’s tribute to Robbie Robertson at the L.A. area’s Kia Forum.

Martin Scorsese is set to direct the filming of a tribute concert in honour of The Band‘s Robbie Robertson.Robertson died in August 2023, aged 80, and previously Scorsese documented The Band’s farewell show in The Last Waltz, which was released in 1978 and is widely considered an all-time classic music documentary.He scored several of Scorsese’s films, including Raging Bull, Casino, The Wolf Of Wall Street The Irishman and Killers Of The Flower Moon.Now, it has been confirmed that Scorsese will direct the ‘Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration Of Robbie Robertson’ tribute concert, which is due to take place at LA’s Kia Forum tonight (October 17), for a future release.Scorsese will also serve as one of the executive producers of the concert, along with Jared Levine, Keith Wortman and Scooter Weintraub, reports Variety.Among the artists expected to perform at the show are Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, U2 producer Daniel Lanois, Mavis Staples, Margo Price, My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James, Trey Anastasio, Eric Church, Warren Haynes, Bruce Hornsby, Taj Mahal, Robert Randolph, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison Russell, Bobby Weir and Lucinda Williams.The house band will also feature Ryan Bingham, Jamey Johnson, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Don Was, John Medeski, Dave Malone, Terence Higgins, Cyril Neville, Mark Mullins and the Levee Horns.You can find further information on the concert here and tickets can be purchased here.The format in which a film of the Robertson concert might come out has not yet been revealed.Meanwhile, Scorsese is also producing a new Beatles documentary coming to Disney+ next month.The film, titled Beatles ’64, is set to arrive exclusively on the streaming platform on

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Martin Scorsese will direct the filming of a Robbie Robertson tribute concert in L.A. Thursday night for a future release, it was announced Tuesday morning. The filming of “Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration Of Robbie Robertson,” a Blackbird Presents production, may provide a kind of bookend to the the first movie Scorsese did with Robertson, when he directed the concert film “The Last Waltz,” which commemorated the last concert the singer-songwriter-guitarist did with his group the Band in 1976.

Mk.gee treated his fans to his song ‘DNM’ 12 times during his show in Minneapolis, Minnesota this past weekend.The rising singer-songwriter and guitarist – who Eric Clapton previously praised for his “unique” guitar-playing – wrapped up the North American leg of his tour at Minneapolis’ Uptown Theater on Saturday (October 5).During his show, he played ‘DNM’ – the two-minute track from his 2024 debut album ‘Two Star & the Dream Police’ – 10 times back to back (per Setlist.FM). At one point, the musician crowd surfed during the track, then proceeded to run off stage to grab a beer at the venue’s bar while his band played the track.“This one is a slower one.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Traffic co-founder and Rock Hall of Fame member Dave Mason has canceled his fall “Traffic Jam 2024” West Coast tour after doctors detected a serious heart condition requires immediate medical attention, according to an announcement. 
 
 His team of doctors expect a full and successful recovery and Mason plans to resume his touring plans in 2025.
 
 Mason, 78, said, “I’m heartbroken to have to cancel these dates, but it’s Doctor’s orders.

Eric Clapton has some choice words to say about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.The veteran singer-songwriter was speaking in an interview with The Real Music Observer when he made the comments, in which he criticised the exclusion of some influential artists, like the late guitarist J.J. Cale.Clapton said, of his own inductions into the Hall, “I came to that thing, whatever it is. I think of it as a frat boys club that happened to lure [me] in.“I think the fact that they had [former Atlantic Records president and Hall Of Fame chairman] Ahmet Ertegun was the ticket for me.

Oscar-winning lyricist for songs such as ‘My Heart Will Go On’, ‘Tears in Heaven’ and ‘Up Where We Belong’, has died at the age of 80.The news was confirmed by his caregiver Martha Sherrod, who told The Hollywood Reporter that he passed away on Friday (September 6) at him home in Tyler, Texas. He had been in declining health for five years.Jennings won three Grammys, two Golden Globes and two Oscars, the latter coming for Celine Dion’s signature song for Titanic in 1997, and ‘Up Where We Belong’, recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for An Officer and a Gentleman in 1982.Wilbur Hershel Jennings was born on June 27, 1944 in Kilgore, Texas, and after a period teaching at Austin State University, he made his first inroads into the entertainment industry in the mid-1970s.Some of his earlier success came writing alongside composer Richard Kerr, including multiple hits for Barry Manilow, including ‘Looks Like We Made It’ and ‘Somewhere In The Night’.He found his niche writing lyrics for songs for films, earning his first Oscar nomination for ‘People Alone’, from the Richard Dreyfuss drama The Competition in 1980, which he wrote alongside Lalo Schifrin.‘Up Where We Belong’ earned him his first Academy Award, alongside Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie, and from there Jennings became in high demand as a lyricist, writing for artists including Roy Orbison, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houstin, B.B.

multiple reports. Jennings won an Academy Award for Best Original Song along with composer James Horner for the haunting ballad from the 1997 disaster film, which was made legendary by Celine Dion.He also won the coveted award for “Up Where We Belong”from “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “People Alone” from “The Competition.” In 2006 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Will Jennings, the two-time Oscar and Grammy-winning co-writer of the beloved Titanic theme, Celine Dion‘s “My Heart Will Go On,” has died at 80 in his Texan home, according to multiple reports. Though a cause of death was not identified, those close to the composer said he had been in declining health for a number of years.

The Band is back together…sort of.On Oct. 17, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Noah Kahan, Elvis Costello, Trey Anastasio and more are teaming up for a one-night-only tribute to Robbie Robertson and The Band they’re calling ‘Life Is A Carnival: The Last Waltz’ at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum.After that star-studded affair, the show is hitting the road.From Oct. 19 through Nov.

George Harrison’s 1971 ‘Concert For Bangladesh’ live album, featuring Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr and more, is set to arrive across streaming platforms for the first time.Held across two sold-out concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden back in August 1971, the concerts are considered to be the first major music benefit of its kind and saw the music icon assemble a star-studded event for a common humanitarian goal.Titled ‘The Concert For Bangladesh’, Harrison organised the shows in a bid to raise both awareness and funds for the 10 million East Pakistani refugees who had fled over the border into India, and were facing challenges including the threat of hunger and disease.Setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher cause, the MSG shows saw the former Beatle team up with Ravi Shankar, and invite Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston to perform at the non-profit event.By the point they took to the stage, little public attention had been drawn to the crisis in East Pakistan/Bangladesh and few outside of the region were aware of how to help those affected.“The musicians were great. I mean they completely put down their own egos to play together and to do something because the whole vibe of that concert was that it was something bigger than the lot of us,” Harrison said at the time.

‘Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson’ concert, in honor of the recently deceased Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.Icons set to take part inthe star-studded, Martin Scorsese-produced affair include ’60s and ’70s icons Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Bobby Weir, Mavis Staples and Taj Mahal.Noah Kahan, Elvis Costello, Eric Church, Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price will also pay their respects to The Band founder.We’re still just getting started.Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, My Morning Jacket singer Jim James, Lucinda Williams, Warren Haynes and Bruce Hornsby are slated to perform as well.In total, 23 artists have been confirmed for ‘Life Is a Carnival’ with more on the way.As for what to expect, “the concert promises to include work from Robertson’s solo career, which began in 1987, as well as selections from the Band’s recordings, which ran from 1968’s “Music From Big Pink” through 1977’s ‘Islands,'” according to Variety.Fans can purchase tickets for ‘Life Is a Carnival’ on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale is Friday, Aug.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Some of the most illustrious names in rock — and other genres — will pay tribute to Robbie Robertson in a celebratory concert at the L.A.-area Kia Forum on Oct. 17, with the musician’s longtime friend and collaborator Martin Scorsese among the executive producers. The lineup for “Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson” includes some contemporaries who came up with the Band‘s late songwriter-guitarist in the ’60s.

Mick Fleetwood has paid tribute to late English blues pioneer John Mayall – see what Fleetwood had to say below.Yesterday (July 24), it was revealed that Mayall had died at the age of 90, shortly before he was due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During his lengthy and illustrious career, Mayall gave many young musicians such as Fleetwood, John McVie, Eric Clapton and more, a platform through his band the Blues Breakers.Following Mayall’s death, Mick Fleetwood has now shared a post honouring and remembering his late musical collaborator.

Eric Clapton has shared an emotional tribute to the late John Mayall.The news of the pioneering British blues and rock musician’s death was shared today (July 24). Mayall passed away aged 90, shortly before he was due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Now, Clapton has taken to social media to share a moving tribute to his “mentor”, who took Clapton under his wing to play in his band the Bluesbreakers in 1965.

The British blues scene is mourning the loss of its patriarch, John Mayall, who has passed away at the grand age of 90. Known as the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall was a pivotal figure in the genre, famously nurturing the talents of music greats like Eric Clapton through his band, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.The sad news of his passing was announced on his official Instagram account with a heartfelt statement.

It is with heavy hearts that we bear the news that John Mayall passed away peacefully in his California home yesterday,…Posted by John Mayall on Tuesday, July 23, 2024Often heralded as ‘The Godfather of British Blues’, Mayall was a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a love of American blues and jazz and a keen sense for spotting young talent, often giving them a platform through his band the Blues Breakers.Born in America, Mayall relocated to London in the early ’60s and launched the Blues Breakers – then stylised as Bluesbreakers – in 1963, through which he pioneered the British blues and rock scene.During the 1960s, the group would include a revolving door of rock royalty – many of whom would go on to become icons in their own rights – such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Aynsley Dunbar and future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.In the early 1970s, Mayall returned to America, where he would continue working with rising talents. Experimenting with elements of jazz, funk and rock into his blues sound, he had collaborated with the likes of Paul Butterfield, Patti Smith, Canned Heat’s Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel, Jesse Ed Davis, Rick Vito, Freebo, and more.In 2005, Mayall was appointed as an OBE (Officer of the British Empire).

John Mayall, the newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer whose group the Blues Breakers helped nurture many British music legends including Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and several future members of Fleetwood Mac, died Monday in California. He was 90.

John Mayall, often referred to the “godfather of the British blues,” whose bands of the late ’60s and early ‘70s featured some of the most notable rock instrumentalists of the era, died Monday at home in California, according to a statement posted by his family on his social media accounts. He was 90.Among the fans and organizations posting condolences was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was set to induct him into its ranks in October.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Jerry Miller, greatly admired lead guitarist of the 1960s group Moby Grape and one of the architects of that era’s San Francisco sound, died Sunday at 81 in his hometown of Tacoma, Wash. News of the death was shared by friends and family on social media. No cause was given.

Deadline, Eric Clapton once called Miller the “best guitar player in the world” during his first US tour in 1967 with Cream.The psychedelic rock band’s 1967 self-titled debut was a modest success upon release – over time, its stature grew with covers of its songs recorded by Robert Plant, Cat Power, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, with Rolling Stone awarding it one of 500 greatest albums of all time at Number 121 in 2003.The Miller-written Moby Grape songs ‘8:05’ and ‘Naked, If I Want To’ were covered by Plant in 1993 and released as B-sides. The latter was also covered by Power on her 2000 album ‘The Covers Record’.The band’s first tenure lasted briefly from 1966 to 1969.