Yesterday, Jason Isbell posted a pic of Rick Rubin and himself on Instagram at what appears to be Rubin’s Shangri La Studios in Malibu. Isbell captioned the pic, ‘Spent the day with Rick and it was good’ and left fans with no clue of what the future may hold. We wait in anticipation…
News
Woodstock 50 Set To Take Place Despite Dentsu Announcing Cancellation
Legal counsel for Woodstock 50 released a statement saying, “This confirms that Woodstock 50 is proceeding with the planning and production of the festival, Dentsu has no legal right or ability to cancel it. All stakeholders, including the entertainers, should proceed with the understanding that the event will take place as planned and if they have any questions, they should reach out directly.” Despite Dentsu, Woodstock 50’s financier, announcing that the festival was cancelled yesterday, Michael Lang, co-founder of Woodstock, vows that the 50th anniversary will take place. Dentsu has declined to respond.
Yesterday, Dentsu stated that “Woodstock 50 cannot be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees.”
Read Michael Lang’s full statement:
Dear Woodstock Friends
It seems in a way that history is repeating itself. In July of 1969, we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go, we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to happen no matter what!
This time around, Woodstock’s new hometown, Dix & Watkins Glen, NY and New York State have been really wonderful. I went door to door to talk to the neighbours. Some remembered Summer Jam back in ’73 and were worried about history repeating itself. But they opened their doors to us and we talked it out. Many of those people have reached out over the last 24 hours with messages of hope and encouragement.
The venue, Watkins Glen International, have been totally supportive and professional.
Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were cancelling the festival at the same time they let the press release go public.
We have yet to understand why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seemingly undermining us in this way. It is one thing to decide for oneself that it is best to move on, but it is entirely another thing to try and close the door on us.
Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was “déjà vu all over again”!
Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners.
We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.
Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.
Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.
We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!
Thanks for Listening,
Michael
Aretha Franklin Awarded Well-Deserved Posthumous Pulitzer Prize
Music Icon, Aretha Franklin has been awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize, almost a year after the star lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in August 2018. Franklin was award on Monday with the ceremony hailing her “indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades.” With previous winners including John Coltrane and Bob Dylan, she is also the first individual woman to earn the citation for music and culture since the ceremony began in 1930.
Congratulations to @ArethaFranklin and her family and friends. #Pulitzer #QueenOfSoul #Respect pic.twitter.com/SRdwncE5UI
— The Pulitzer Prizes (@PulitzerPrizes) April 15, 2019
Mick Jagger Recovers From Heart Surgery After Postponing US Tour
Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger, underwent successful heart valve replacement surgery yesterday and is said to be recovering at New York’s Presbyterian hospital. Jagger underwent a routine scan when doctors were alerted by the unexpected heart issue.
The band announced the postponing of their US leg of their ‘No Filter’ tour to allow their frontman to undergo and recover from the procedure. “I’m so sorry to all our fans in America & Canada with tickets. I really hate letting you down like this. I’m devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies to everyone,” – Jagger stated via Twitter. Jagger is expected to make a full recovery and the band is set to be back on the road by the beginning of the new season.
Metallica Announces 20th Anniversary ’S&M²’ Celebration Show
With the 20th anniversary of their ’S&M’ album, Metallica have announced a special celebration performance labelled ’S&M²’. The band will reunite with the San Francisco Orchestra who supported them on the live album and DVD. This upcoming celebration spectacular serves as a component of the grand opening of the new Chase Centre, the new home of the Golden State Warriors, in San Francisco. During a statement, Lars Ulrich and James Hatfield stated: “Please join us for this one-night-only show as we celebrate the addition of what is sure to become a cultural landmark in the Bay Area. We’re thrilled to be invited to be a part of it and humbled to be sharing the stage with the legendary MTT and the city’s finest musicians in the San Francisco Symphony.” The original album, composed by Michael Kamen, served as a tribute to the band’s late bassist, Cliff Burton and his love for classical music. ‘S&M²’ will be taking place on September 6, this year.