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Röck Illustrated

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Stories from July 2023

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Setlist History: Eagles Play First Show Without Glenn Frey

Setlist History: Eagles Play First Show Without Glenn Frey

On July 15, 2017, the Eagles played Dodger Stadium, on an emotional night as it was their first performance without co-founder Glenn Frey.

The 67-year old musician died in 2016 from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia after spending several months in the hospital trying to recover from stomach surgery.

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‘Fast Car’ History: Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman Break Records

Tour or event poster for ‘Fast Car’ History: Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman Break Records

Luke Combs' cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" has remained atop the Country Airplay chart for the third week in a row. This is the seventh tune released by Combs to hit that milestone, but this one is a special record-breaking one.

The popularity of the countryfied version of the 1988 hit has brought new fans to both Combs and Chapman.

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Mötley Crüe Still Fighting For Their Right To Party

Mötley Crüe Still Fighting For Their Right To Party

As Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard wrapped up their European Tour last week with giant shows in Ireland and Scotland, it was a one-off "secret" club date that raised a lot of interest.

The night before the '80s rockers were to play Wembley Stadium to 90,000 fans, Mötley Crüe booked a show at the Underworld nightclub which holds about 450 people. Billed as Dögs of War, the band played their usual staples of “Kickstart My Heart,” "Girls, Girls Girls," and "Shout at the Devil."

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Dolly Parton Debuts at #1 on the Rock Charts

Dolly Parton Debuts at #1 on the Rock Charts

Dolly Parton is 77 years old and she still gets excited when her new music is warmly received. And because she's the epitome of a southern gentlewoman, she has been known to send a thank you note. When the universally beloved country icon was to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame she felt undeserving since she wasn't a rock singer.

No matter, they inducted her anyway since she's such a rock star.

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17 Live Aid Acts Still Touring 38 Years Later

17 Live Aid Acts Still Touring 38 Years Later

On June 13 in 1985, Live Aid took place around the world where some of the biggest pop stars took to three different stages to perform for charity. Led by the Boomtown Rats' Bob Geldof who took the momentum from 1984's "Do They Know It's Christmas," the singer recruited artists to do their thing live on one day to help feed the people of Ethiopia.

In stadiums in London and Philadelphia, acts from Led Zeppelin to Queen played to enormous crowds while millions watched on TV. In total the event raised over $175 million.

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The Vegas Sphere, U2’s Forthcoming Home, Lights Up

Tour or event poster for The Vegas Sphere, U2’s Forthcoming Home, Lights Up

The MSG Sphere, home of U2's Las Vegas residency starting this fall, shined bright like a $2 billion diamond on the fourth of July.

The 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide entertainment marvel is the passion project of billionaire James Dolan, owner of AMC Networks, Tao Nightclubs, Madison Square Garden, and the New York Rangers and Knicks, among others.

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Bob Dylan Takes a Break From the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour

Tour or event poster for Bob Dylan Takes a Break From the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour

Bob Dylan recently paused his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour after supporting the album whose first single dropped in 2020. But fear not, it was scheduled.

The 2,800 fans in the cozy Sala Santa Cecilia Auditorium in Rome, Italy, were the latest to be lucky enough to hear the Bard perform classic cuts from Blonde on Blonde, Slow Train Coming, and Nashville Skyline, along with every track from his latest, Rough and Rowdy Ways, except the record-breaking one.

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Bruce Springsteen Returns to Hyde Park Minus the British Drama

Bruce Springsteen Returns to Hyde Park Minus the British Drama

Bruce Springsteen rocked London's Hyde Park on July 6 and unlike the last time he visited the fabled grounds, this time there was no drama.

More than a decade ago, Springsteen was playing the British park -- famous for hosting the likes of Pink Floyd, T-Rex, Fleetwood Mac, and the Rolling Stones in the '60s -- and called Paul McCartney on stage to wrap up the night with a couple of Beatles songs.

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Setlist History: Alice Cooper and Pittsburgh’s 1st Huge Concert

Setlist History: Alice Cooper and Pittsburgh’s 1st Huge Concert

On July 11, 1972, Alice Cooper headlined the largest rock concert Pittsburgh had yet to see.

During the 1970s, the wild showman and his band rode a streak of four consecutive platinum albums and five Top 40 hits: “I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Elected." Their show and sound was perfect for huge venues.

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