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@skynyrd To Release ‘Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman’ Live Album And DVD

The Frontiers label will release “Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman”, a live album and DVD capturing LYNYRD SKYNYRD’s historic 50th-anniversary concert at Nashville’s legendary venue in 2022.

This special release holds profound significance as it features the final performance of founding member Gary Rossington.

The album showcases the band’s unparalleled energy, their signature blend of blues rock and Southern hard rock swagger, and stands as both a heartfelt tribute to Rossington and a celebration of LYNYRD SKYNYRD’s lasting legacy in music history.

Johnny Van Zant expressed his enthusiasm about the signing and the upcoming release: “50 years for LYNYRD SKYNYRD… WOW! We are so grateful to the devoted fans for their support throughout the years of transitions and losses. Last year we lost the great Mr. Gary Rossington. We unknowingly were able to capture his final performance with us. It’s bittersweet but what a special place to have had his final performance, the mothership of music — The Ryman Auditorium!

“It was a very special night with incredibly talented guests as we honored the iconic musicality of SKYNYRD. We are so grateful to the Ryman and to all of those who have worked so hard to make this project become a reality! This will forever be a keepsake in our hearts, and we are so happy to be able to share it with our Skynyrd Nation,” he continued.

With over 28 million records sold in the U.S. and a sound as iconic as the American culture it celebrates, Rock And Roll Hall of Famers LYNYRD SKYNYRD continue to inspire fans of all ages while embodying the very soul of Southern rock.

In the wake of the 50th anniversary of their pioneering debut album “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)” the band continues to tour, record, and delight their hundreds of millions of global fans with an eye on both the future and their rich history.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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‘100 Years Ago’: The song The @therollingstones retired from touring

The songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards has produced a wealth of iconic tracks to such an extent that some of their greatest compositions have fallen through the proverbial cracks.

While records like “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile On Main St.” are regularly hailed among the greatest rock albums of the 1970s, certain triumphs from that period often go overlooked.

“Goats Head Soup,” for instance, was a divisive album upon its release in 1973 and has since been largely overshadowed within the Stones’ discography.

However, if you dig deeper into the album’s tracklisting, it contains some of their most complex and expansive works.

A notable highlight on the 1973 album, ‘100 Years Ago,’ sees Jagger tackle the experience of ageing, backed up with country-esque instrumentation that soon descends into a complex and innovative funk jam.

Despite the captivating sound of the song, it has never been held in particularly high regard by the band themselves.

In fact, the song had been gathering dust for years before being included on “Goats Head Soup.”

“’100 Years Ago’ was one that Mick [Jagger] had written two years ago and which we hadn’t really got around to using before,” Mick Taylor once revealed. 

Even after the song’s eventual release, ‘100 Years Ago’ continued to be overlooked by both the band and mainstream audiences.

In their extensive career as a touring band, the song has only been included in two live shows, the opening two dates of the 1973 European tour.

Whether the Stones axed the song from their setlists due to its technically demanding funk breakdown or simply substituted the underrated track for one of their many crowd-pleasing big hits is unknown.

After all, there are plenty of Stones tracks that rarely see an outing in their live shows, resulting from their extensive era-defying discography.

Nevertheless, ‘100 Years Ago’ remains a woefully underrated Jagger-Richards effort.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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Surprising Facts About @theofficialccr’s ‘Willy and the Poor Boys’

“Willy and the Poor Boys,” released in 1969, was Creedence Clearwater Revival at their peak, blending swampy Southern rock, protest anthems, and working-class storytelling into one unforgettable record.

From the foot-stomping energy of “Down on the Corner” to the fiery rebellion of “Fortunate Son” and the eerie resignation of “Effigy,” every track carried a purpose, a mood, and a message.

The Album Was Almost a Full Concept Record

John Fogerty originally envisioned “Willy and the Poor Boys” as a full-on concept album, centering on a fictional jug band that played on street corners to spread joy.

The album cover, featuring CCR in character outside Duck Kee Market in Oakland, was meant to reinforce the idea. While only a couple of tracks, “Down on the Corner” and “Poorboy Shuffle,” stuck with the theme, the spirit of the album still feels like a band of misfits bringing people together through music. In the end, it wasn’t just a concept—it was a feeling, and it resonated deeply.

“Fortunate Son” Was Written in Just 20 Minutes

“Fortunate Son” is one of the greatest protest songs in rock history, a fiery critique of privilege and the Vietnam War. But did you know it came together in less than 20 minutes?

Fueled by his frustration with the draft and politicians’ kids avoiding war, Fogerty wrote the song in a single burst of inspiration. The urgency in its lyrics and guitar riffs wasn’t just performance—it was real, raw anger transformed into one of the most iconic anthems of rebellion ever recorded.

Why “Willy and the Poor Boys” Still Matters

From the foot-stomping joy of “Down on the Corner” to the defiant rage of “Fortunate Son,” this album captured both the beauty and the unrest of America in the late ‘60s. And decades later, it still speaks loud and clear. So if you haven’t given it a spin lately, now’s the time—because the poor boys are still playing, and the message still matters.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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New Gary Moore live album announced

‘Gary Moore Live – From Baloise Session’ will be released on May 23.

The album will be released on CD/Blu-Ray, 2LP blue and also marble yellow flame (web exclusive) as well as being available digitally.

We didn’t know it then, but when Moore took the stage for the Baloise Session on November 13, 2008, he was less than three years away from his untimely passing at the age of 58.

Gary Moore at full throttle was simply the greatest spectacle in rock ‘n’ roll. From his formative years out on the boards of late-’60s Dublin with Skid Row, through his ’70s gunslinger shifts for Thin Lizzy – onto an ever-evolving solo career that rewrote the book for blues, rock, metal and more – the Irishman attacked every show like it was both his first and last, shrugging off his hallowed reputation and earning his place amongst the greats all over again.       

With no fuss or fanfare, the bandleader – flanked by Pete Rees on bass, Vic Martin on keys and fabled Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey – walks from the wings, plugs his Les Paul into twin Marshall stacks and fires up “Oh, Pretty Woman” (the fiery Albert King cover that was a highlight of “Still Got The Blues”).

As a statement of intent, it’s stinging, and as Moore soothes and strangles his first solo of the night, you’re reminded of Joe Bonamassa’s sage observation: “Gary’s approach to soloing was like placing a brick on a car’s gas pedal — the brick would go down, and he would never stop!”         

Strapping on a Gibson ES335, Moore then tears into his own “Since I Met You Baby” (a spring-heeled groove from 1992’s “After Hours,”whose studio version featured a guesting B.B. King). 

TRACK LIST
1. Oh, Pretty Woman
2. Since I Met You Baby
3. Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)
4. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
5. Don’t Believe a Word
6. Still Got the Blues
7. Walking by Myself
8. The Blues Is Alright

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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The Story and Meaning Behind “Incense and Peppermints,” the Psychedelic Masterpiece by Strawberry Alarm Clock

It started with a California cover band named Thee Sixpence, who were just starting to branch out into creating their own music.

Keyboardist Mark Weitz and guitarist Ed King wrote a whirling instrumental to start the whole process, although there were no words at that point.

The band’s manager liked what he heard, and since Thee Sixpence didn’t yet have any established lyricists, he farmed it out to other writers.

Those writers were John Carter and Tim Gilbert.

When the band laid down the track, several of its members tried to step up to the task of lead vocals.

None of them could get it quite right. A friend of the band named Greg Munford, who was all of 16 years old at the time, just happened to be there at the session, and he delivered the vocal that would appear on the recording.

That would be the extent of Munford’s contributions to the song and the band in total, as he never became an official member.

But a deeper dive into “Incense and Peppermints” reveals a sly message about the futility of finding true leaders in a world where so many people are out for themselves.

Who cares what games we choose, the narrator shrugs. Little to win, but nothing to lose. He suggests there’s no difference to the two sides of the societal divide: Beatniks and politics, nothin’ is new / A yardstick for lunatics, one point of view. Maybe the only sane move is to drop out from it all: Turn on, tune in, turn your eyes around.

Sadly, Weitz and King (who later joined Lynyrd Skynyrd) didn’t receive credit for their contributions to “Incense and Peppermints.”

Strawberry Alarm Clock, beset by massive lineup changes and managerial tumult, had largely imploded by the early ‘80s (although there’s still an incarnation of the band giving live performances today).

What an impact they left behind with this one-of-a-kind creation.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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@officialbadco Finally Grabbed a Rock Hall Nomination and Fellow Rockers Are Championing Their Induction

With Bad Company finally nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band’s contemporaries are rallying to get them officially inducted.

Artists like Robert Plant, Alice Cooper, Ronnie Wood, and Neal Schon have all pledged their support and their votes for Bad Company.

“In the business, we call [Bad Company singer] Paul [Rodgers] ‘the voice,’” Alice Cooper recently stated during an interview for the Rock Legends Cruise, per a report from Ultimate Classic Rock.

He continued, “because he’s just one of the best singers out there and one of the nicest guys ever.”

Additional support comes from Neal Schon of Journey, who reposted a tweet from Joe Bonamassa who claimed that Paul Rodgers’ earlier band Free should also be nominated.

Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones posted his congratulations on social media as well, sharing that he cast his vote for the classic band. Sammy Hagar, meanwhile, posted a video of himself alongside Rodgers, writing, “Paul Rodgers had as much influence on my singing as any singer of my time,” also calling Rodgers “my hero.”

Neal Schon additionally urged fans to vote, saying it’s “a sin” that Free and Bad Company have not been nominated sooner. Bad Company has been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1999, which marked 25 years since their debut.

Other nominees for the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joy Division and New Order, Soundgarden, Mariah Carey, Maná, The White Stripes, Oasis, Phish, and Outkast.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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Dire Straits Celebrate ‘Brothers In Arms’ 40th Anniversary With Deluxe Reissue

On May 16, “Brothers In Arms” will be reissued on single LP vinyl, 5LP Deluxe, and 3CD Deluxe editions, plus a super deluxe Blu-Ray edition.

After emerging from the UK pub scene in 1977, Dire Straits had their first real breakthrough with their 1978 self-titled album and its single “Sultans Of Swing.”

However, nothing could prepare them for the runaway success of “Brothers In Arms,” which has sold over 30 million copies and has been certified 40x Platinum in the United Kingdom.

The deluxe LP and CD issues feature a full live show that the band performed in San Antonio as part of the band’s Live In 85 Tour.

Both also feature a 16-page booklet featuring liner notes and interviews with band members Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, and Guy Fletcher.

Led by singer-songwriter, composer, and producer Mark Knopfler, “Brothers In Arms” is one of the defining albums of the MTV era, with single “Money For Nothing” receiving significant play on the channel with its computer-generated video, one of the first of its kind.

“I’m proud of those songs. I wrote them and I’ll still play them. They’re signposts for people’s lives.

If I play “Brothers In Arms,” you better believe it means so much to people,” Knopfler told Louder in 2024. “These songs walked away from me long ago. They belong to you now. I feel very privileged to be able to play them for people.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
#kzaporg …

🎉 Music fans! Live Nation presents Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at Hard Rock Live on June 26th, and K-ZAP is giving you a shot at winning tickets! 🎵 Here’s how:
Email free@k-zap.org with "Lyle" in the subject line
Include your name and phone number
One entry per person (previous winners may be excluded)
Deadline: Sunday, 3/23 at midnight
Winners notified by Monday
Tickets on sale Friday, 3/21 at 10 AM on ticketmaster.com. More free music from Sacramento’s K-ZAP! 🎸 #kzaporg #LyleLovett #MoreFreeMusicFromKZAP …

@eddievedder Covers @neilyoungarchives’ “The Needle and the Damage Done”

A cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done” by Eddie Vedder has been released as the latest single from the upcoming compilation album Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young Volume I.

Vedder’s take on “The Needle and the Damage Done” conveys the hard-earned wisdom of the 1972 composition, and showcases the Pearl Jam singer’s signature gravelly baritone.

It also isn’t the first time he’s sung the song — Pearl Jam first covered it in 1995, and it’s appeared a few times in their setlists since then.

In 2009, Vedder dedicated a rendition of it to Michael Jackson, two months after the pop star’s death.

The first volume of Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young is due in full on April 25th, and will benefit The Bridge School. Other artists on the compilation include Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, Sharon Van Etten, The Lumineers, The Doobie Brothers, Steve Earle, and more.

Listen to Vedder’s take on “The Needle and the Damage Done” below:

https://shorturl.at/TQsnE

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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🎸 TONIGHT—BLUES FANS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 🎸
Folsom, get ready—Matt Rainey and his all-star crew are hitting Coffee Republic from 6 PM – 9 PM on Friday, March 21st! This is no ordinary night—it’s a full-on BLUES BLAST! Two-time Sacramento Area Music Award winner, 2018 International Blues Challenge contender, and Northern California’s own blues powerhouse is bringing his gritty vocals, searing guitar, and 200+ shows-a-year vibe to the stage. You’re gonna feel every note!
And it gets better—the K-ZAP Emporium Of Swag rolls in at 4 PM, unveiling EXCLUSIVE new K-ZAP shirts you’ll want in your hands! It’s a night of killer music and fresh gear you won’t wanna miss. Get here early, bring your crew, and let’s MAKE IT ROCK! Details at coffeerepublicfolsom.com/folsom-coffee-republic-events. #MattRainey #KZAP #BluesNight #FolsomTonight …

This week’s Rush Hour Blues gets you stoked for @rick_estrin_and_the_nightcats Celebrating the Life and Music of Little Charlie Baty with special guest, Texas guitar legend @ansonfunderburgh @harlowsnightclub on Thursday, March 27th.

Join Sacramento’s K-ZAP this Friday, 5p as your host Bill Prescott digs into some of Charlie’s works.

RHB is sponsored by @blackrockauto 1313 C Street Sacramento. They can do stuff!

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
#kzaporg …

@ericclapton’s Gripe With @ledzeppelin Taking the Torch From @creambandofficial

Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were musical contemporaries. However, Clapton politely disagreed with the taste and style of Led Zeppelin.

There was never any bad blood between Clapton and Zeppelin, although, Clapton didn’t hold back when talking about his perspective on the band.

And given Clapton’s musical stature, you have to respect where he is coming from to a certain extent. After all, the man knows what he’s talking about.

In a 2012 interview with Uncut, Eric Clapton praised Led Zeppelin for continuing the tradition Cream had started. He told the publication, “Led Zeppelin took up our legacy.” However, he followed up the comment by stating, “But then they took it somewhere else that I didn’t really have a great deal of admiration for.”

In addition to his interview with Uncut, Clapton was very specific with his comments in the 1993 biography, Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography by Ritchie York. In the book, Clapton divulged, “I’ve heard their records and I saw them play in Milwaukee — we were on the same bill.” “They were very loud — I thought it was unnecessarily loud. I liked some of it, I really did like some of it. But a lot of it was just too much. They over-emphasized whatever point they were making, I thought,” Clapton continued.

Clapton was cordial with his comments and did give a fairly fleshed-out reason as to why he wasn’t the biggest fan of the group.

However, his former bandmate, Ginger Baker did not, as he raked Zeppelin over the coals. Baker told Forbes, “I don’t think Led Zeppelin filled the void that Cream left, but they made a lot of money. I probably like about 5% of what they did – a couple of things were really cool.” “What I don’t like is the heavy bish-bash, jing-bap, jing-bash bulls—,” added Baker.

Again, no bad blood seemingly stemmed from these comments. Rather, it was just a disagreement in taste, and in the business of being creative, that’s always bound to happen.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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JESSE COLIN YOUNG’S RECORD LABEL WAS HOME TO MUSIC’S WEIRDEST AND WILDEST

When Jesse Colin Young’s death was announced on Monday, it was inevitable that “Get Together” — the peace-and-brotherhood anthem that he and the Youngbloods turned into a decades-long radio staple —would be mentioned first. Young neither wrote it nor was the first to record it.

That said, Young had more to offer than that song. His voice, sweet and silky but occasionally tough, was unique among his peers.

Their Charlie Daniels-produced “Elephant Mountain” provided us with “Darkness, Darkness,” Young’s haunted song inspired by Vietnam soldiers, and “Sunlight,” the type of song that gave hippie serenading a good name at the time.

Then there’s his and the Youngbloods’ other legacy — releasing some of the weirdest stuff ever rolled out by a major label in the history of music.

At the time, rock & rollers were starting to launch their own labels, subsidized by majors. It was a now unimaginable time when musicians could release whatever the heck they wanted, with no corporate interference whatsoever.

The Youngbloods took full advantage of that freedom. First considering Not So Straight as their label name, the band members ultimately chose Raccoon Records, and the weirdness started with “Rock Festival,” the band’s debut for Raccoon.

Instead of a group photo, the cover art for their first live album was a bunch of pebbles (get it?). By then, the group had been reduced to a trio, and used their new, looser format to play long piano-fueled instrumentals and a Southern fiddle song rearranged for power trio.

Rock Festival’s follow-up, “Ride the Wind,” featured a version of the title song that amounted to Marin County free jazz, with Young’s bass, Lowell “Banana” Levinger’s electric piano, and Joe Bauer’s drums ricocheting off one another for nine minutes — not typical destined-for-the-charts stuff.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
#kzaporg …