Author

Tim Roberts

Browsing

Bergen, Norway, became the epicenter of rock ‘n’ roll magic as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band lit up the stage with an electrifying performance of “Waitin’ On A Sunny Day.” The iconic frontman and his legendary band turned the summer evening into a celebration of music, joy, and connection.

From the first note, the crowd was swept into a wave of energy, clapping and singing along with the anthem’s infectious chorus. True to form, Springsteen’s charisma was on full display as he danced across the stage and interacted with fans—culminating in a heartwarming moment when he handed the microphone to a young concertgoer, who belted out a verse to the delight of the entire arena.

With stalwarts like Steven Van Zandt bringing their trademark flair and Max Weinberg powering the rhythm section with precision, the E Street Band showed once again why they’re one of rock’s most enduring live acts. The performance of “Waitin’ On A Sunny Day” stood out as a radiant highlight, embodying the spirit of the night—joyful, spontaneous, and absolutely unforgettable.

The star-studded FireAid benefit concert lit up Los Angeles last night (January 30), drawing massive crowds and global attention as it raised funds for victims of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the region earlier this month. The event was so jam-packed with music icons that it had to be split across two major venues: the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome.

Over the course of five powerful hours, the stages hosted an extraordinary mix of talent. Legends like Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Nicks shared the bill with rock heavyweights such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Green Day. Pop powerhouses Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Gracie Abrams also lit up the night, alongside genre-spanning performers like Pink, Alanis Morissette, and No Doubt.

At the Kia Forum, Pink captivated the crowd with a dynamic set that showcased her range. She started with her poignant 2017 hit What About Us, co-written with Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol, before diving into two classic rock staples: Me and Bobby McGee, penned by Kris Kristofferson and immortalized by Janis Joplin, and the epic Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, originally written by Anne Bredon and popularized by Led Zeppelin on their 1969 debut.

With longtime guitarist Justin Derrico channeling the spirit of Jimmy Page beside her, Pink introduced the Zeppelin number with heartfelt enthusiasm. “This night means so much,” she told the crowd. “I’m feeling so much love. This one’s a favorite of ours.” After asking, “Any Led Zeppelin fans in the house?” and hearing an overwhelming roar of approval, she laughed, “Alright, thank God!” before launching into a haunting, powerful rendition that sent chills through the arena.

On April 11 at the Hollywood Bowl, the music world gathered for a heartfelt tribute concert, celebrating the life and legacy of one of its most spirited icons—Jimmy Buffett. The beloved singer-songwriter passed away on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76, following a courageous four-year battle with skin cancer.

Known for his laid-back style, signature Hawaiian shirts, and ever-present smile, Buffett was more than just a musician—he was a beacon of joy and positivity whose influence reached far beyond the stage.

Months in the making, the tribute event—titled “Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett”—was a dazzling display of admiration from some of the biggest names in entertainment. Friends and fellow legends including Sir Paul McCartney, the Eagles, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, Snoop Dogg, Angelique Kidjo, Zac Brown, and Jon Bon Jovi joined forces with Buffett’s longtime band, The Coral Reefer Band, to honor his memory in song.

One of the evening’s most moving moments came when McCartney and the Eagles collaborated on an emotional rendition of The Beatles’ “Let It Be.” Introduced by Grohl, McCartney shared touching anecdotes about his friendship with Buffett.

“I had the great pleasure of knowing Jimmy,” McCartney told the crowd. “Like everyone else here has said, he was a remarkable man—funny, generous, and truly one of a kind.” He recounted a fond memory of Buffett having a guitar strung left-handed for him on vacation, later gifting him a custom-made one.

The Eagles performed a set of classics including “Take It to the Limit,” “In the City,” and Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer,” before joining McCartney for a rousing finale of Buffett’s signature anthem, “Margaritaville.” With margaritas in hand, the stage filled with familiar faces: Dolly Parton, Harrison Ford, James Taylor, Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey, and tennis legend John McEnroe, all sharing in the moment.

Country star Eric Church offered a particularly resonant tribute. Recalling a hike and a deep conversation he once had with Buffett, Church remembered the legendary artist saying, “Guys like us, we don’t really die—because the songs live forever.”

Buffett’s enduring spirit continues through music. In November, fans were gifted Equal Strain on All Parts, a posthumous album he had been working on before his passing. Among its tracks is a collaboration with McCartney, titled “My Gummie Just Kicked In,” which the former Beatle fondly remembered recording with Buffett.

Reflecting on another track from the album, “Bubbles Up,” McCartney praised its poetic message: “He turned a diving term into a metaphor for life—when you’re lost, follow the bubbles. They’ll lead you to the surface.”

Jimmy Buffett may have left this world, but his music, spirit, and the good vibes he championed will keep the party going for generations to come.

We all know Miley Cyrus can dominate the pop charts, but at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival, she tapped into her inner punk rocker — and left no doubt that she can go toe-to-toe with the legends. Sharing the stage with none other than Billy Idol, Miley joined forces with the punk icon for a blistering rendition of his classic anthem, “Rebel Yell.”

The crowd erupted as Idol opened with his signature snarl, setting the tone for a night dripping in rock nostalgia. When Miley jumped in, the energy soared. Her performance was a masterclass in vocal dynamism — sliding from smoky, sultry lows to fierce, rebellious highs that echoed through the arena.

Their chemistry was electric. Idol and Cyrus traded lines like longtime bandmates, blending old-school punk with a modern rock edge. While Idol’s vocals may have taken on a slightly more polished tone over the years, his trademark grit, swagger, and scream were all still very much alive. And Miley? She wasn’t just keeping up — she was leading the charge.

Backing this powerhouse duo was the legendary Steve Stevens, Idol’s longtime guitarist and the man responsible for some of the most iconic riffs in rock. With his wild solos and unmistakable stage flair, Stevens tied the whole performance together, transporting fans straight back to the golden era of punk and glam rock.

The moment wasn’t just powerful — it was viral. The performance lit up social media, racking up over 14 million views and a sea of praise from fans old and new. Comment sections flooded with awe at Cyrus’s raw talent and Idol’s timeless cool. One fan summed it up perfectly: “This is what happens when two legends from different generations truly vibe. Pure fire.”

If that taste of rock Miley left you wanting more, check out her now-famous 2020 live cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Her gravelly, soulful take proved once again that she’s not just genre-fluid — she’s genre-defiant.

Cyrus and Idol’s collaboration wasn’t just a performance — it was a celebration of rock’s enduring power, and a reminder that great music knows no era.

Over a decade has passed since one of rock history’s most unforgettable moments: when Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen shared the stage at Hyde Park in 2012. The event, which brought together two titans of music, continues to be hailed as a defining highlight of modern live performance.

Held as part of the Hard Rock Calling festival, the concert drew tens of thousands of fans who were treated to an electric atmosphere and a historic collaboration. As the headliner, McCartney took the stage with timeless Beatles classics and solo hits. But it was the surprise appearance of Bruce Springsteen that sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The pair performed iconic tracks including “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Twist and Shout” in an energetic encore — a moment that embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. However, the now-legendary performance was controversially cut short when organizers pulled the plug due to curfew restrictions, cutting the sound mid-song.

The incident sparked global headlines and criticism of the rigid enforcement of curfew laws, with even London Mayor Boris Johnson (at the time) calling for more flexibility for cultural events of such magnitude.

Despite the abrupt ending, the 2012 performance remains etched in the memories of fans and continues to circulate online, celebrated for its raw energy, mutual respect between artists, and spontaneous magic.

A newly remastered version of the performance is rumored to be in the works, with fans hoping for an official release capturing the full spectacle — unplugged finale and all.

Experience a profoundly moving rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” like never before. Brace yourself for the unexpected twist: it’s not Led Zeppelin taking the stage, but rather the remarkable duo from Heart. In the vibrant rock scene of the 1970s, both Led Zeppelin and Heart soared to great heights.

In the year 2012, Led Zeppelin earned the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors from U.S. President Barack Obama, recognizing their remarkable contribution to American culture. This esteemed accolade has previously been bestowed upon icons such as Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Sammy Davis Jr., and Ella Fitzgerald.

Heart, an all-female fronted rock band, carved out their own success with hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” and “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You.” They stand as the sole widely successful female-led rock band of their time.

Led Zeppelin’s influence in the rock landscape is undeniable, with a myriad of successful bands acknowledging their inspiration, ranging from Def Leppard and Metallica to Madonna and Lady Gaga.

The Kennedy Center gala in 2012 became a memorable occasion as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, joined by Jason Bonham, son of Zeppelin’s drummer John Bonham, delivered a breathtaking rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.” Despite having performed the song before, the stakes were high, with the original band members and the President in the audience.

The performance was nothing short of spectacular, brimming with passion and emotion. As the camera panned to the band, Robert Plant was visibly moved, tears streaming down his face. The entire band shared smiles and exchanged glances, lost in the nostalgia of the moment. A poignant tribute occurred when the gospel choir accompanying Heart donned black bowler hats in honor of John Bonham.

The audience, filled with celebrities and dignitaries, erupted into a standing ovation. The impact of Led Zeppelin’s music on people’s lives was evident as the crowd sang and danced along. In a subsequent interview, Robert Plant reflected on the moment, expressing disbelief that the song he wrote in his youth had such a profound impact on the audience.

The stadium lights faded to black, and a hush fell over the crowd—charged, expectant. Then, with a sudden jolt, the opening riff of “Best of You” tore through the silence, sparking an eruption of sound and motion. Foo Fighters had lit the match, and the crowd exploded in unison, a tidal wave of energy crashing against the stage.

Dave Grohl didn’t just sing—he unleashed. From his first ragged scream, it was evident this wasn’t a routine performance. It was raw emotion, dragged into the open and set ablaze. His voice—unrefined, aching, defiant—punched through the night sky, carrying the weight of something more than melody. Every word felt like a confession, every growl like a call to arms.

Behind him, the band surged with furious precision. Guitars roared, drums pounded like war drums, and together they crafted a sound not just heard but physically felt. Yet it wasn’t the noise that made it powerful—it was the unity. When Grohl shouted, “Is someone getting the best of you?”, the response wasn’t just loud; it was visceral. The audience shouted it back like it was their own story—because, in that moment, it was.

The energy inside the venue became almost tangible. Strangers embraced, fists pounded the air, voices cracked under the weight of emotion. Some cried, some smiled through tears, but all stood together—fused by the shared release of everything unspoken. The song transformed from a rock anthem into something deeply human: a communal outpouring of pain, resilience, and survival.

As the final chord reverberated and Grohl stepped away from the mic, there was a moment of silence—not emptiness, but reverence. People didn’t just witness a show. They lived a moment they’d never forget—one where music didn’t just echo off the walls, it reached into their chests and stayed there.

In a moment suspended in history, the air inside Madison Square Garden grew still. It was 1971, and Bob Dylan—reclusive, mythologized, and largely absent from public life since his cryptic motorcycle crash in 1966—had quietly stepped into the spotlight at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh.

There were no fanfares, no flamboyant reveals. Just Dylan, weathered and enigmatic, armed with a guitar, harmonica, and a voice as gravelly and haunting as ever. When he began to sing “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” it wasn’t a cry of defiance but a solemn, searing lament. The urgency of youth had given way to something deeper: a voice weighed down by years of silence and reflection, yet unwavering in its truth.

He didn’t perform so much as confess. Every lyric seemed to carry the dust of the road, the echoes of unrest, and the burden of time. The song’s apocalyptic visions—once shouted in protest—were now whispered like prophecies fulfilled, resonating with an eerie clarity amid the social and political turmoil of the era.

George Harrison, the evening’s architect, watched quietly from the sidelines, while the audience—tens of thousands strong—remained motionless, entranced. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a reckoning. Dylan didn’t merely reappear. He peeled back the curtain on his solitude, allowing a brief, unguarded glimpse into his soul.

In those few minutes, Dylan didn’t stage a return—he offered a revelation. And for those who witnessed it, the memory would linger not as spectacle, but as something sacred.

On Sunday, legendary vocalist Robert Plant made an unexpected appearance in Blackpool, England, joining forces onstage with Deborah Bonham—the talented sister of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.

The duo thrilled the audience with snippets of Led Zeppelin favorites, including “The Lemon Song” and “Ramble On.” Enthusiastic fans captured the rare moment, sharing footage of the performance on Instagram.

Plant and Bonham’s musical connection isn’t new. Their collaboration dates back to Deborah’s teenage years when, at just 17, she recorded her first demos in Plant’s home studio—sending them out anonymously. Her talent quickly earned her a record deal in 1985, leading to the release of her debut album For You and the Moon. Since then, she’s built a steady career, touring alongside music greats such as Van Halen, Foreigner, Humble Pie, Donovan, and Paul Rodgers.

Reflecting on her bond with Plant, Bonham told Classic Rock in 2022, “I’m fortunate to have that closeness. It grew even stronger when we collaborated on the memorial statue for John. After losing my brothers John and Michael, the humor I once shared with them, I now find with Robert. It’s a big part of why I love being in the band—it brings that joy back.”

Meanwhile, Robert Plant continues to stay active on the road. Starting in March, he’ll tour the U.K. with his band Saving Grace, and in June, he’ll reunite with Alison Krauss for a pair of shows at the Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.

 

Rock icon Bruce Springsteen shocked and delighted fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre Wednesday night by opening his concert with a high-energy cover of the Bee Gees’ disco classic “Stayin’ Alive.”

Paying homage to the Bee Gees—who originated from nearby Redcliffe—Springsteen’s choice of opener was more than a crowd-pleaser; it was a heartfelt nod to Australia’s musical heritage. Accompanied by the mighty E Street Band, Springsteen transformed the 1977 hit into a soulful, rock-infused anthem, seamlessly blending his signature style with the disco era’s enduring groove.

The crowd erupted as the opening chords rang out, quickly recognizing the iconic tune. Springsteen, often known as “The Boss” for his commanding stage presence and genre-defying performances, danced and sang with infectious energy, making the moment one of the most talked-about highlights of his 2014 “High Hopes” tour.

“It was completely unexpected, and absolutely brilliant,” said one fan after the show. “Only Bruce could take a disco hit and make it feel like one of his own.”

This isn’t the first time Springsteen has surprised audiences with unconventional covers. Throughout his career, he’s incorporated a range of unexpected songs into his setlists, from punk to pop, always adding his unique flair.

Springsteen’s Brisbane performance of “Stayin’ Alive” quickly went viral online, garnering praise from fans and even members of the Gibb family. It served as both a tribute to the Bee Gees’ legacy and a reminder of Springsteen’s unparalleled ability to reinvent and reenergize the familiar.

As the High Hopes tour continued through Australia, one thing was clear: Bruce Springsteen still knows how to keep the music alive—and stayin