'We Will Rock You' to Pepsi
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Queen
If any classic rock song has made a lasting impression, it's definitely Queen's bombastic "We Will Rock You." Way after Freddie Mercury belted out the song in the mid-Seventies, generations have touted the song as a classic anthem. Queen's lasting power is especially apparent in a new Pepsi commercial which features pop superstars Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears and Pink singing "We Will Rock You." The spot has the sexy trio dressed as gladiators while Enrique Iglesias stars at the Roman emperor. Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have produced a new version of the tune for the ad. May says, "It was fantastic that they wanted to use it. Britney, Beyonce, Pink singing a Queen track. It couldn't be more fun." Right, or more lucrative

Tommy To Albert Hall
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: The Who

The Who's performance of its 1969 rock opera "Tommy" will highlight a week of benefit concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall. Proceeds from the March 29-April 2 series will go to Teenage Cancer Trust, for which the Who's members have been outspoken advocates. The group's upcoming appearance had earlier been erroneously reported as part of the venue's 150-year anniversary.

"Teenagers with cancer are still discriminated against by the NHS [National Health Service]," singer Roger Daltrey says in a statement. "It is my mission, through these shows, to end this prejudice. Without teenagers, there would be no pop industry and it is about time they are recognized by the NHS as the distinct group of people that they are."

Other acts on tap for this year's series include the Stereophonics and guests on March 30, "The Cream of British Comedy" hosted by Alan Partridge on March 31, Jools Holland featuring David Gilmour, Solomon Burke, Marc Almond, Ruby Turner and Mica Paris on April 1 and Tom Jones and guests on April 2.

As previously reported, the Who will headline the 2004 edition of the U.K.'s Isle of Wight festival, to be held June 11-13. (Billboard)

Dylan 'Bootleg Series' Rolls On With 'Live 1964'
Mood:  lyrical

Bob Dylan enthusiasts will have plenty to celebrate on March 23, when Columbia/Legacy issues "Live 1964: Concert at Philharmonic Hall ... The Bootleg Series Volume 6." The 19-track, double-disc set is drawn from Dylan's Oct. 31, 1964, solo acoustic performance at New York's Philharmonic Hall, two months after the release of the album "Another Side of Bob Dylan."

At the show, Dylan previewed three cuts ("Mr. Tambourine Man," "Gates of Eden" and "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)") that wouldn't see the light of day until the March 1965 release of "Bringing It All Back Home." According to the label, the show constitutes the earliest all-acoustic Dylan concert to be officially released.



Joan Baez guests on four songs: "Mama, You Been on My Mind," a new arrangement of the traditional "Silver Dagger," "With God on Our Side" and "It Ain't Me, Babe."

"Live 1964" is bolstered with a 52-page booklet featuring unpublished photographs and an essay by Princeton University historian Sean Wilentz, who attend the concert as a 13-year-old. The albums comes on the heels of the November 2002 release of the fifth volume in the "Bootleg Series," which chronicled Dylan's 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour.

Dylan is up for three awards at the 2004 Grammys: best traditional soul gospel album for "Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan"; best pop collaboration with vocals for "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking" from the same album; and best male rock vocal performance for "Down in the Flood" from the "Masked & Anonymous" soundtrack.

Here is the "Live 1964" track list:

Disc one:
"The Times They Are A-Changin'"
"Spanish Harlem Incident"
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"
"To Ramona"
"Who Killed Davey Moore?"
"Gates of Eden"
"If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got To Stay All Night)"
"It's Alright Ma, (I'm Only Bleeding)"
"I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)"
"Mr. Tambourine Man"
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"

Disc two:
"Talkin' World War III Blues"
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll"
"Mama, You Been on My Mind"
"Silver Dagger"
"With God on Our Side"
"It Ain't Me, Babe"
"All I Really Want To Do"

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y (Billboard)

Pink Floyd takes top honors
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Best of the best!

Pink Floyd Classic Dark Side of the Moon is the big Winner at 2nd Annual Surround Music Awards, Wins Four Including Best of Show

Friday December 19, 2:46 pm ET
Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, 45th Annual Grammy Telecast Win Special Awards

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The surround remix of Pink Floyd's seminal album Dark Side of the Moon -- at one time, the longest continuously charting album in Billboard history -- won four trophies, including Best of Show, at the 2nd Annual Surround Music Awards, Thursday, December 11.
The gala event was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA, during the 5th Annual Surround Conference & Showcase, and was hosted again this year by Grammy winners Al Schmitt and Ed Cherney.

The aspirations of a new generation of creative artists liberated from the constraints of the traditional two-channel delivery medium were given a thoughtful and articulate voice at the 2nd Annual Surround Music Awards in a special opening address by musician/composer/producer BT, whose musical score for the film Monster was conceived from the ground up in 5.1. Acknowledging the major problems inherent in today's recording industry -- overall lack of artistic control, cost cutting by the major labels, and rampant piracy -- BT pointed to surround as "a shining beacon of hope in an otherwise dark business." Composing in multichannel, he claimed, allowed him to achieve the quality of "spatiality" he had always admired in his musical heroes, from the likes of Stravinsky to Brian Eno. "Stereo is unnatural ... surround is the way I've always wanted to create music."

Special Awards and Performances

Special awards were presented to NARAS and Cossette Productions for the 45th Annual Grammy telecast, produced in 5.1, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, and United Entertainment Media senior VP Martin Porter. Dweezil Zappa accepted the Surround Pioneer Award on behalf of his late father, and performed several songs in his honor.

"Frank's normal reaction to awards ceremonies in general would've been sarcastically dismissive," said Dweezil Zappa, upon accepting the award. "He wasn't fond of ego stroking. In the case of the Surround Pioneer award I believe he would have felt honored."

Led Zeppelin was named Surround Artist of the Year for its high-profile, self-titled DVD release, Led Zeppelin. In accepting the Surround Artist of the Year Award, Jimmy Page, through a prepared statement which was read at the ceremony, said "Surround sound is a fantastic way to experience music. So, in the 21st Century, armed with visuals and multitracks of various performances and modern technology, we set about presenting a chronological history of Led Zeppelin live in surround sound. It is a great honor to have our work recognized by engineers and producers whose work brings the music and listening pleasure to millions."

The 45th Annual Grammy telecast was given the Broadcast Landmark Award. Telecast producer John Cossette of Cossette Productions and Leslie Lewis, Director of The Recording Academy P&E Wing (representing Recording Academy President Neil Portnow) accepted the award from Herbie Hancock, himself an early promoter of surround music from the artistic community. Commenting on his first experience working with surround professionals, Cossette said he learned the key was to "give them the necessary spiritual and financial support and then get out of the way." Next year's Grammy Awards will again broadcast in surround and high-definition, according to Cossette.

Billboard magazine was the exclusive media sponsor of the Surround Music Awards. JBL was the technology sponsor. (2nd Annual Surround Music Awards)

WE WISH YOU ALL...

...A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL YEAR... ALL YEAR LONG.

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!

C.Herrmann

P.S.: Many thanks for all New Year messages we have received last days. And Thank you so much, Ivy, for this wonderful personalized card you just sent me which honoured me too much. And, of course, Happy New Year to you and Joy too!

Rockin' New Year!
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Jovi, Clapton, Beatles, Cocker and Mercury

Bon Jovi's Pay-Per-View New Year's!

Bon Jovi will celebrate the birth of 2004 with a special performance, Bon Jovi: Full House, The Concert From the Boardwalk available only on Pay Per View. Premiering on New Year's Eve the concert will be the only televised arena to see the band perform songs from the new album live. The 88-minute show features behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. The concert will preiere at 6:00 pm on New Year's Eve.(Arrow FM)


Eric Clapton, The Zombies & Others Set For London Benefit

Eric Clapton and the Zombies have signed on for a benefit concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in March. One Generation 4 Another is a fundraiser for The Lord's Taverners, a British group that distributes money to promote youth sports and recreation, with an emphasis on special needs children. Other performers so far include former Squeeze members Jools Holland and Paul Carrack, Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green, and Chris Rea, with more names to be added. Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings will act as the house band. The show takes place March 15th.

Clapton just spent the past month touring the Far East. He starts a European run on March 26th, which wraps up with six nights back at the Albert Hall in early May. A North American itinerary hasn't been announced yet.

The Zombies recently announced a U.S. tour for the month of February. (965theplanet)


Beatles Secret Reunion?

An internet auction maintains they have proof that the Beatles secretly reunited in the mid-Seventies in a final attempt to record an album. The momentsintime.com website is auctioning a recordings list and tape, rumored to have been made at a session in 1976 which ended in a fight between the band. Curator Gary Zimet says that John, Paul, George and Ringo recorded five songs at the Davlen Studios in Los Angeles, but decided to never release them. The tape label lists the songs as follows: Happy Feeling, Back Home, Rockin' Once Again, People of the Third World and Little girl. The songs are said to be in good shape, while a bulk of the tape was said to be "erased" by the Beatles. An unerased version of the tape is still being held in the vaults at Abbey Road Studios. Mr. Zimet quoted a letter from Mr. Kovner, a sound engineer who confirms that the session took place, that the tape was a "failed attempt to reunite" the Beatles. "This tape deserves its place in the rock archives. The only copy is in a vault in Abbey Road," the letter said. A spokesman for McCartney disputed the rumor: "What reunion was that? I am not aware of any Beatles reunion in the 70's." (Arrow FM)


Joe Cocker "Collection" Coming

Vocalist Joe Cocker has pored through his archives and chosen his 20 favorite songs from his own canon for the forthcoming hits album "Joe Cocker: Ultimate Collection," due Jan. 13 from A&M/Hip-O Records.

The selections on the disc span Cocker's recording career from 1968 to 2000, including material originally recorded for A&M, MCA, Island, Capitol, Cocker Selects Best For 'Collection' Sony and Eagle Records. A specialist at interpreting songs written by others, Cocker's selections include covers of tunes by the Beatles ("She Came In Through the Bathroom Window," "With a Little Help From My Friends"), Randy Newman ("Sail Away," "You Can Leave Your Hat On"), Jimmy Cliff ("Many Rivers to Cross"), Lovin' Spoonful ("Summer in the City"), Billy Preston ("You Are So Beautiful") and Leonard Cohen ("First We Take Manhattan").

Other tunes set to appear on "Ultimate Collection" are the John Hiatt-penned "Have a Little Faith in Me," the Box Tops' "The Letter" and "Up Where We Belong," Cocker's duet with Jennifer Warnes, which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1982, winning both a Grammy and an Oscar. Cocker also re-recorded a version of "Unchain My Heart" specifically for the greatest-hits set. (Billboard)


Freddie Mercury On Stage

A new theater production based on the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury will be opening in New York's off-Broadway in January. Titled Mercury: The Afterlife and Times Of A Rock God, the one-man show centers on Freddie Mercury, chilling up in heaven, trying to make sense of his life before God. Huh? The show opens on January 11th at New York's Triad Theater. (Arrow FM)

Returning to Isle of Wight
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: The Who

60's Legends Confirmed For Isle Of Wight Festival

Legendary 60's rock group The Who are returning to their roots, confirmed for a headline performance at this summer's Isle Of Wight Festival.

The Who played a classic set at The Isle Of Wight Festival back in 1970. From 2am until 5am they played continuously, churning out their classic hits plus 13 songs from their rock opera Tommy. Pete Townshend then decided to smash up his electric guitar and Keith Moon trashed his drum kit. They were subsequently banned from playing there again. The band are now set to return to the festival stage on Saturday 12th June and will perform alongside other headline acts The Stereophonics (Friday 11th) and David Bowie (Sunday 13th).


The 2004 Festival is the third Isle Of Wight Festival since it has been revived. The Isle of Wight Festivals at the end of the 1960's were a series of legendary events featuring Bob Dylan, The Who, Free, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane culminating in 1970 with 600,000 hippies descending on the island to see Jimi Hendrix perform his penultimate concert. As documented in the film 'Message to Love' and celebrated in songs such as Oasis' 'F***ing in the Bushes', the event has played a major part in shaping the music festivals we know today and was the European answer to Woodstock.

The historic festival returned in 2002 after a 32 year absence and featured The Charlatans, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Ash, Starsailor, The Coral and local heroes The Bees. In 2003 Paul Weller, Starsailor, Iggy Pop, Counting Crows, Bryan Adams and Cooper Temple Clause, John Squire, The Thrills, The Darkness, Hell is for Heroes and The Raveonettes rocked the island.


Due to the continued success of this festival, next year's event has been extended to three days and will run from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th. The festival will take place in Seaclose Park, Newport. (Sound Generator)

Xmas Time!
Mood:  special

"THANK GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS"

QUEEN (Brian May / Roger Taylor)

Oh my love we've had our share of tears
Oh my friend we've had our hopes and fears
Oh my friends it's been a long hard year
But now it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
The moon and stars seem awful cold and bright
Let's hope the snow will make this Christmas right
My friend the world will share this special night
Because it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one night

Thank God it's Christmas yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Can it be Christmas?
Let it be Christmas
Ev'ry day

Oh my love we've lived in troubled days
Oh my friend we have the strangest ways
All my friends on this one day of days
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one day

Thank God it's Christmas
Yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
Oooh yeah
Thank God it's Christmas
Yes yes yes yes it's Christmas
Thank God it's Christmas
For one day

A very merry Christmas to you all

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We wish you all
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

C.Herrmann
Herrmanns' Jukebox
http://hsjukebox.tripod.com
info@hsjukebox.cjb.net

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our special thanks to all those people that in the year of 2003 gave us support, like all kind words to our work, the awards and gifts which have us honoured, and all wonderful xmas messages we have received thru email and guestbook this month.

C.Herrmann

P.S.: Also many thanks to the last wonderful xmas mails, in which the following lovely attachments have been sent to us...



joyhansome.com





funtyme.net



spiritsongs.org



cyberdjsandismusic.net



demzen.dk

Santana Preps 'Ceremony' Of Remixes, Rarities
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Carlos Santana

Arista has gathered Carlos Santana's musical odds and ends for "Ceremony -- Remixes and Rarities," which will be released Dec. 16 in a limited-edition of 100,000 copies. "Ceremony" features songs culled from the recording sessions that yielded Santana's first two albums for the label, 1999's "Supernatural" and 2002's "Shaman."

The disc is graced with five previously unreleased songs, remixes or newly recorded versions of five tracks from "Supernatural" and "Shaman" and one unaltered "Shaman" album track.

Among the new songs are "Curacion (Sunlight on Water)," co-written and produced by KC Porter; the Femi Kuti-penned, Kike Santander-produced "Truth Don Die"; "Let Me Love You Tonight," produced and co-written by Anders Bagge; JIMMYRAY Productions' "Come to My World"; and the Salaam Remi co-write/production "Manana," with a guest spot by singer Keon Bryce.

"Ceremony" also features newly recorded versions of the "Supernatural" track "Primavera" and the "Shaman" song "Why Don't You & I," the latter sporting a new vocal by the Calling's Alex Band. Remixes include "Smooth" by Chris Staropoli, "Maria Maria" by Wyclef Jean and "Foo Foo" by Sam "Sever" Citrin.

"Supernatural" and "Shaman" each hit the top spot on The Billboard 200. The former has sold 11.3 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, while the latter has sold 2.2 million.

"There was so much great material recorded at those sessions," Santana says in a statement, "with so many great musicians, songwriters, producers and arrangers contributing their talents. I am honored that Arista has chosen to gather the unissued music together in this package, as a gift to our fans this holiday season." -- Troy Carpenter, N.Y.

Rock in Germany
Mood:  party time!
Now Playing: cover bands

Last saturday night, November 29th, two amazing german cover bands presented a very cool and big rock party in Hilden, Germany: MOON DOGS and IDEA. The bands have performed the best of the rock music from 60's, 70's and 80's and the result could be felt in the energetic atmosphere in the "Hildener Stadthalle". Ahhh, and of course the Herrmanns' Jukebox Staff was there to be a part of this celebration and to take interesting pictures... Congratulations IDEA and MOONDOGS for the excellent performance and repertory.