Rolling Stones Get Their Own Rock on Mars

There is now a “Rolling Stones Rock” on Mars, and it’s giving Mick and the boys some serious satisfaction

NASA named the little stone for the legendary rockers after its InSight robotic lander captured it rolling across the surface of Mars. Robert Downey Jr. took the stage just before the Stones at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Thursday night to make the new moniker public.

The stadium is just a stones’ throw from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages InSight.

Mick Jagger took a moment between songs to tell the crowd that “NASA has given us something we have always dreamed of, our very own rock on Mars. I can’t believe it.” Jagger added, “I want to bring it back on put it on our mantelpiece.” by Associated Press /Billboard

Celebrating 50 Years of Frank Sinatra’s 'My Way'

A 50th anniversary edition of Frank Sinatra’s classic album, My Way, is being released with several bonus tracks – including a duet with Willie Nelson – on October 11, via Capitol/UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises.

Released on Reprise in March 1969, and produced by Don Costa and Sonny Burke, My Way features a varied collection of contemporary pop songs, including “Yesterday,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “For Once in My Life,” and the iconic title track. Recorded on December 30, 1968, in just one take, “My Way” long considered one of Sinatra’s signature songs, peaked at just #27 in the U.S. (It stayed on the U.K. charts for a record-breaking 75 weeks.)

The My Way 50th anniversary set features four bonus tracks, including a live version of the title track, recorded at the Ahmanson Theatre in 1971.

Also coming October 11: Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman, a compilation of songs written by the esteemed, Academy Award winning songwriting duo, including the title track from Sinatra’s 1960 Grammy-nominated album, Nice ‘N’ Easy. “As lyric writers,” says Alan and Marilyn Bergman in liner notes, “to have a singer understand and be able to communicate what you wrote, whether it be about love or love lost or songs that needed a humorous approach, Frank got it… his readings were always on the money and more than what we heard in our minds.”

Throughout his seven-decade career, Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum, and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Association of America. The Oscar® winner also appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures.

Sinatra was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Recording Academy, the Screen Actors Guild and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

CREDITS: by Best Classic Bands Staff

Gregg Rolie, of Journey and Santana, Releasing New Solo Album

Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gregg Rolie, honored as a member of both Santana and Journey, will release Sonic Ranch (Megaforce Records), his first feature-length studio album in 18 years, on Oct. 11. The singer-songwriter and keyboardist has also been a mainstay of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band since 2012. “I didn’t plan on taking so long to record a new album,” Rolie says in a press release. “The simple fact is, I’ve been working. I’ve been writing songs over the years, and we recorded half of them by 2013. Then I got busy touring with Ringo, and I took part in the Santana reunion, Santana IV. Everything took time. Finally, when Santana IV was done, I could get back to finishing the record.”Rolie recorded the album at several studios in Texas: RMG Studio and Arylyn Studios in Austin, and the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo (the latter of which inspired the record’s title). His son, Sean, served as the main producer, with addition production handled by Chris “Frenchie” Smith and Daniel Sahad.

Contributors to the album include Rolie’s onetime Santana mate Michael Shrieve on drums, as well as bassist Alphonso Johnson. Guitarist Steve Lukather plays on “They Want It All” and “Give Me Tomorrow,” and fellow Journey founder Neal Schon plays guitar on “Breaking My Heart” and “Lift Me Up.”

Sonic Ranch’s first single is “What About Love,” about which Rolie says, in the press release, “The song inspired by Ringo Starr and his message of peace and love. I had started writing it, and I would and play around with it at soundchecks with Ringo. It sounded really good, so I took it home, found the bassline, and Sean produced and engineered it. There are 15 lead vocals on it. Sean played the guitar solo and said, ‘It’s a little out of tune.’ I said, ‘It’s perfectly out of tune. Let’s go!’ He’s such a great player.” Rolie wrote all the 13 tracks on the album, except for “They Want It All,” which he penned with Andre Pessis and Kevin Chalfont, and “Look into the Future,” which he co-wrote with Diane Valory and Neal Schon.

The song originally appeared on Journey’s album of the same name in 1976. “I always liked that track and was waiting for a chance to re-arrange it and record my own version of it.” In addition, Rolie covers Elvis Presley’s classic “Don’t Be Cruel.” Rolie says, “I used to play it in the same manner for encores with my quartet, and it always went over beautifully, so I decided to end the record with it. I’ve got the same group of guys on it—Alan Haynes on guitar, drummer Ron Wikso and bassist Sticky Lopez. “I’m pretty fortunate to have such good friends who are also some of the best musicians on earth,” adds Rolie. “These songs mean a lot to me, and I’m very proud to be putting them out. To have such amazing players helping me to make them a reality is an amazing thing. The album wouldn’t have turned out so well without them.” By Best Classic Bands