June 2024 News

By blabbermouth.net




The Mountain Music Festival, a three-day classic rock and heavy metal music experience, is set to return this August 23-25 to the Gatlinburg Convention Center (234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738),located in Tennessee's beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.

After successful events in 2021 and 2022, the three-day, all-ages immersive fan and artist celebration is returning to Tennessee with a lineup featuring over twenty artists (including fan favorites and newer acts),plus an array of interactive events and activities (including photo opportunities with bands, access to the Rock 'N Roll Vendor Market, Rock 'N Roll Art Gallery, and the Outdoor Patio Experience),with more to be announced.

Top of the Mountain VIP passes are sold out, but general admission two-day passes ($299.00 per person, plus taxes and fees) and tickets for the kick-off event on August 23 ($49.00 per person, plus taxes and fees) are available. The kick-off event will feature live performances (artists listed below),a preview of the Rock 'N Roll Vendor Market, prizes, surprises, and more. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit TheMountainUSA.com and follow on Facebook/Instagram for updates.

The Mountain Music Festival 2024's daily lineup:

Friday, August 23:
GREAT WHITE
WIG WAM
MAC SABBATH
TORA TORA
STONEY CURTIS
SOTO & BIELER

By Hugh McIntyre




JOAN JETT's "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is one of the world's favorite rock songs. It's insanely catchy with just enough of an edge, so how could the public not love it? Americans have shown their love of the cut once more by pushing it onto a Billboard chart for the very first time.

"I Love Rock 'N' Roll" debuts on the current edition of the Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart. The tune opens at No. 23 on the list of the 25 most-streamed cuts in America that Billboard classifies under the hard rock label.

The single is credited to JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, not the lead singer as a soloist. It marks the band's first appearance on the chart, which was established long after the group's heyday had come to a close.

"I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is the only new title on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart. Two other tunes that have already reached the list manage to return, but Jett and her famous backing band are alone when it comes to arrivals.

A few spaces above the group, Hardy's "Psycho" reappears at No. 20. In its second frame on the tally, that cut reaches a new peak on the list. One spot below "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," Rob Zombie's "Dragula" is also back.

"I Love Rock 'N' Roll" was first released in 1975 by a British rock band known as Arrows. The cut was not initially a commercial success…until Jett got her hands on the tune.

By Kevin Haas




ROCKFORD - Hard Rock Casino Rockford has announced two of its first musical acts and unveiled a glimpse at the future Hard Rock Live entertainment venue where they'll perform.

The grand-opening weekend lineup will include JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Brad Paisley on Sunday, Sept. 1. The casino said it will announce a performer for Friday, Aug. 30 soon.

"Entertainment is at the heart of Hard Rock Casino Rockford," Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, said in a news release. "We're all about creating memorable experiences, and we're ready to showcase industry-leading musical acts to provide our guests with an unforgettable opening weekend and give them a taste of what's to come. Get ready to rock with us!"

The grand opening for the casino at 7801 E. State St. will be approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 after a guitar-smashing ceremony that serves as Hard Rock's version of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Tickets for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS go on sale at noon on Monday and tickets for Brad Paisley go on sale at noon on Friday, June 21. Tickets will be able to be purchased on Hard Rock's website and at TicketMaster.com.

The casino made that announcement Friday and unveiled a rendering of how its future Hard Rock Live entertainment venue will look. The venue spans 23,000-square feet and can accommodate up to 2,000 guest for concerts and performances.

The full casino, which is near the Interstate 90 and East State Street intersection, spans nearly 180,000 square feet and will include 1,300 slots, 50 live table games including poker, a sports book, six restaurants and a Rock Shop offering authentic Hard Rock merchandise and more.

Dining options include Hard Rock Cafe, the upscale Council Oaks steakhouse and a food hall with YouYu Noodle Bar, Brick'd Oven Pizza, Constant Grind bistro and coffee shop, and a taco concept that has yet to be named. VIP guests can also order cocktails and food from the exclusive Plum Lounge.

By Lucy Harbron




A feature documentary on acclaimed actor, activist and Rock 'N' Roll icon Steven Van Zandt will premiere on HBO and be available to stream on Max on June 22.

Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, directed by Bill Teck, debuts on HBO at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Featuring a wealth of never-before-seen footage, the film traces Van Zandt's career as a producer, musician, songwriter, activist, actor, and more, from the clubs of Asbury Park, New Jersey, to arenas and stadiums, to the Bada Bing Club and the Underground Garage.

By Lucy Harbron




Thank god for fan clubs. There are perhaps no sources quite as interesting or essential as the self-made publications and newsletters that follow stars, as fans make it their mission to chronicle and archive the careers of their favourite artists. In the 1960s through to the 1990s, when subcultures didn't have the internet to find community, these fan clubs were the only way to connect people keen on the same music and, in turn, connect them to the artists they loved. In JOAN JETT's fan club, she even provided an inside look at her tastes and playlists.

It took them a while to pin her down. Jett's career started early and was chaotic from that very first moment. At 16, she started The RUNAWAYS and did just that, going on the road with a rag-tag troupe of rebel girls. As they opened for the Ramones, Van Halen and Tom Petty, the band seemed to light a fire in teenagers everywhere, marking the start of the riot grrl movement as they inspired young girls especially to pick up instruments and make some noise.

From then on, Jett has been busy. Immediately after the RUNAWAYS split, she launched her own solo career with the same high-octane rock energy, and when joined by the BLACKHEARTS, that only got better. By 1990, she was one of the most established and revered names in rock music, with a huge hoard of fans.

And those fans were signed up to the fan club, connected by regular newsletters and mail outs with updates on what the artist was up to, where she was going to pop up, and occasionally, note from Jett herself. In one volume, the musician provided a biography, answering her fans' questions about her favourite music, memories and beyond. In one response, she let everyone in on her favourite albums.

"I got turned on to music because there was something about the way it touched me. Listening to the guitar really took over and made me feel great," she said, which makes sense of the fact that all of her favourite albums are guitar-led records with anthemic hits.

"Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones" is her first pick. The 1969 record marked the beginning of the end for Brian Jones as Mick Taylor replaced him on most guitar parts. In turn, the album saw a departure from their earlier sound into something bigger. Housing the huge track 'Gimme Shelter' with its roaring rock chorus, it's a favourite of Jett's.

Her next pick goes to Social Distortion's self-titled 1990 record, highlighting the work of another American punk rock band. The group were on the rise at the same time as Jett and was inspired by the same mix of classic rock and roll and rougher punk, so their affiliation makes perfect sense.

Next up is a more grungy, post-punk choice. "Let It Be by The Replacements," she said is one of her favourites. The 1984 marked the moment that the band seemed to grow tired of playing loud and fast, and instead parred back to a softer, moodier sound.

In stark opposition to that is her final choice, "Never Mind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols." Jett collaborated with the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones and Paul Cook on her huge hit, 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll', so her love for the band goes further than just enjoying their music. But as one of, if not the most, defining punk albums of all time, it only makes sense that the Runaway leader would be a fan of Britain's rebels.

JOAN JETT's favourite albums:
The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1969)
Social Distortion - Social Distortion (1990)
The Replacements - Let It Be (1984)
The Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks (1977)

By Siobhan Garrett




BALTIMORE - Are you ready to rock 'n' roll? JOAN JETT is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at an Orioles game and then heading over to the Bird Bath to be the guest splasher. This is for the 7:05 p.m. game on June 28 against the Texas Rangers.

Jett is a lifelong Orioles fan, in addition to being a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter. She sang the national anthem last year at Game 1 of the American League Division Series game at Camden Yards.

She's known for her time with the BLACKHEARTS, which formed in 1979, and Top 40 singles like "Bad Reputation," "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and "Crimson and Clover."

The Orioles debuted the 'Bird Bath Splash Zone' last May. Every time the Orioles hit for extra bases, fans in the section are be sprayed with water.

This mimics what the players started doing in the dugout last April.

When a player records an extra base hit, he looks to the dugout and does "the sprinkler". That signals his teammates to turn the fountains on. Players in the dugout then stream water out of their mouths.

Usually 'Mr. Splash' sprays the fans in stands but there have been guest splashers before including Governor Wes Moore and team owner, David Rubenstein.

June 28 is 98 Rock Night at Orioles Park. You can find more information on tickets for the game here.