Sunday, May 29, 2011

News update for Sunday 29th May, 2011

REO Speedwagon's 30-Year Anniversary of Multi-Platinum #1 Breakthrough Hit Hi Infidelity
Source: PRNewswire


NEW YORK, May, 2011 -- The year 1981 marks the debut of the groundbreaking MTV Networks and, simultaneously, as MTV was hitting the airwaves, REO Speedwagon held the #1 album spot with their multi-platinum Hi Infidelity, making an impression that has also come to last decades. Now, marking its 30th Anniversary, the highest-selling rock LP of 1981 is being commemorated with HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, with special, never-before-released demos and more. The double-CD set will be released at all physical and digital retail outlets on July 19th through Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Hi Infidelity was a career-changing album for REO Speedwagon, achieving a staggering number of accolades, chart positions and sales, among them:
Highest-selling rock LP of 1981.
Has sold close to 10 million copies in the US.

February 21, 1981; the album hit #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and remained at #1 for 15 weeks straight; taking over John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy," which previously held the spot for eight weeks.
Remained on Billboard 200 album chart for 101 weeks, unprecedented for an American rock band at the time.
Album certified RIAA Gold and Platinum on February 2, 1981; since been 10x Platinum certified.

Single "Keep on Loving You," certified RIAA gold on March 4th, replaced Eddie Rabbitt's "I Love a Rainy Night" at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 on March 21, 1981.

March 21st, 1981, the first week of Billboard's then new "Top Tracks" chart (now known as the Mainstream Rock Chart) boasted four songs from Hi Infidelity: "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It On the Run," which both hit the top 10; and "Don't Let Him Go"(#11) and "Tough Guys" (#25); "Out of Season," joined those four a week later "Take It On the Run" was the 9th music video ever to be played on MTV.

HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION will pair the original album with a second CD of previously unreleased 'Crystal Demos' of nine of the album's 10 songs. Additionally, the album packaging will include new liner notes by lead singer Kevin Cronin, as well as original lead guitarist Gary Richrath. Cronin's essay takes the reader on a trip behind the curtain to the roots of many of the songs: "I remember writing the verses to piano, after sleepwalking into my home studio around 4:00 a.m.... A long simmering response to the bullies of my youth came in the form of 'Tough Guys'... Bruce (Hall) wrote and sang 'Someone Tonight,' which is one of the gems from the Crystal Demos... 'I wish You Were There' [was] a little gospel thing that I had written in the house where I grew up in suburban Chicago."

Originally formed in Champaign, Illinois, REO Speedwagon is still led today by keyboardist Neal Doughty (founding member since 1967), Kevin Cronin (who has fronted the band since 1972 on lead vocals and guitar), and bassist Bruce Hall (who joined in 1977) along with lead guitarist Dave Amato (member since 1989) and drummer Bryan Hitt (since 1990). Together, REO continues to define the essence of two enduring genres, arena rock on the performance side, and classic rock on the audio and video side. Summer tour dates begin at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on June 4th and take the band through more than 40 shows where they'll showcase the best of Hi Infidelity with the live performances that audiences have grown to love over the last three decades and continue to sell out time and time again.

As Cronin writes, "Hi Infidelity was a major life changer for all of us. On our eleventh album, we went from being the perennial Midwestern underdog, to at last hitting the global big time. Suddenly, the world was listening, and watching... But the truth is, it all still boiled down to the music, the songs, some inspired performances, and a great deal of good fortune. We were a tight knit, dedicated group of individuals, with a dream, a purpose, and no doubt that we would pull it all off."

HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by REO SPEEDWAGON (Epic/Legacy 88697 69579 2, originally issued November 1980, as Epic 36844)

Disc One: Selections: 1. Don't Let Him Go 2. Keep On Loving You 3. Follow My Heart 4. In Your Letter 5. Take It On The Run 6. Tough Guys 7. Out Of Season 8. Shakin' It Loose 9. Someone Tonight 10. I Wish You Were There.

Disc Two: The Crystal Demos Selections: 1. Someone Tonight 2. Tough Guys 3. In Your Letter 4. Follow My Heart 5. Take It On The Run 6. Don't Let Him Go 7. Keep On Loving You 8. Shakin' It Loose (Instrumental) 9. I Wish You Were There. (All tracks previously unreleased.).

"The heavens, our emotions, the music business, and REO fans all over the world, were all perfectly aligned. There was a common sense of purpose, of longing and loss, within the band members' collective psyche, that erupted with a burst of creativity, and resulted in the music of Hi Infidelity." from the liner notes written by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon.

"Kevin and I go way back, having met right about the time I joined Styx. There was probably no one more keenly aware of their chart positions than we were for all those weeks back in 1981. Most exciting days indeed!" Tommy Shaw of Styx
Official website: http://www.speedwagon.com/

Europe to release multiple live material, plus photo's

It seems as well as the planned, forthcoming Europe release of 'Balls and Banners' live DVD, from the bands last UK tour, there will also be a 'Live Look At Eden' Photo book, DVD and CD set released.
Not quite sure where 'Live Look at Eden' was filmed, but it's quite possible it's simply the 'Ball's and Banners' release in a special deluxe edition, with a photo book. Since I can't read German and translator sites often have difficulty with some wording, the best I can do, is share the link!

As of right now, it seems it's only available in their home country of Sweden.
DENIS O’REGAN, EUROPE “EUROPE LIVE LOOK AT EDEN” + DVD live + CD live (LIMITED and NORMAL edition) - Release Date:  AUGUST 2011


Then we have the 'Balls and Banners' release, where a little more information is available, including full tracklisting.
EUROPE LIVE “BALLS ‘N’ BANNERS” DVD + CD LIVE (NORMAL and BLUE-RAY) Release date: JUNE 15, 2011

These release dates - I believe - are for Sweden only as of now, maybe Germany and the rest of Europe, but the info on Europe guitarist John Norum's site has appeared ahead of being posted on the Europe site.

Here's the tracklisting for the 'Balls and Banners' DVD that includes the band's tribute to Gary Moore (RIP), where they feature 'The Loner,' a track that originally appeared on the Cozy Powell (RIP) 'Over the Top' album, where Gary Moore guested. There's also a live CD too, although how many tracks that will contain, is yet to be confirmed:

Last Look At Eden
The Beast
Rock the Night
Scream of Anger
No Stone Unturned
Carrie
Getaway Plan
Guitar Feature - Tribute To Gary Moore / The Loner
Seventh Sign
New Love In Town
Love Is Not the Enemy
More Than Meets the Eye
Drum Feature - William Tell
Overture
Always the Pretenders
Start From the Dark
Superstitious
Doghouse
The Final Countdown

Official Sites:

Ted Nugent offers two free downloads, new songs

Ted Nugent is kicking off his latest tour, under the title of 'I Still Believe,' the title of the track he's launching as his first new music since last album 'Love Grenade.'
'I Still Believe' is available as a free download to fans of 'The Nuge' who sign up for his newsletter.
As an added bonus, he's now added another track 'I Love My BBQ,' as well.
Yes, sounds very corny to me too, but then Ted is renowned for his humour, right?!

The Motor City Madman is busy gearing up for the summer and his 'I Still Believe' tour. Before he hits the road, he wanted to show appreciation to all NUGE Letter subscribers by offering a FREE MP3 download of his latest and greatest, “I Love My BBQ.”
If you are currently a NUGE Letter subscriber, you can expect to receive a mailing with a link to your free download on Friday, May 20.

Ted Nugent never stops! As he once said, "I don't just enjoy making music and I don't just like touring. I literally crave it." Stay on top of all Ted's cravings and sign up for the mailing list. You'll be kept up-to-date on Ted's maneuvers and www.TedNugent.com!
To show our appreciation, we are giving away two FREE MP3s: “I Still Believe!” and “I Love my BBQ” to everyone who signs up for the NUGE Letter so what are waiting for?! Sign up today!
Further details here:

35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Frampton Comes Alive! Exclusively on iTunes!To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Peter Frampton's historic release, 'Frampton Comes Alive!,' Universal Music Enterprises will be making a limited edition offer exclusively through http://www.PeterFrampton.com in June.
The offer will feature a unique autographed scrapbook containing rare photos and personal reflections from Peter. The scrapbook will be accompanied by 'Frampton Comes Alive! Deluxe Edition,' 'Frampton Comes Alive II Special Edition' and a vintage Frampton t-shirt. Fans who purchase the album starting on June 28 via iTunes will receive an interactive iTunes LP version of the scrapbook and original Deluxe Edition liners and photos, along with an exclusive cover version of “Do You Feel Like We Do” by Warren Haynes!
Details through Peter Frampton's site:
http://frampton.com

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