Karen Freedman

a-ha at A Day On The Green 2020 photo by Serge Thomann

a-ha and Rick Astley, Melbourne, 23 February 2020 #REVIEW

by Karen Freedman

There are some people who think a-ha and Rick Astley are one-hit-wonders.

Tagged as: 00s, 10s, 20s, 80s, 90s, A Day On The Green, A-ha, Norway, pop, Rick Astley

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Air Supply Give Melbourne Fans A Night of The Ones That You Love #Review

by Karen Freedman

After more than 5000 performances, Air Supply have pretty much perfected the art of giving their audience exactly what they want. Although, as lead singer, Russell Hitchcock mentioned, their success is something they have never taken for granted in their 44-year career.

Tagged as: 70s, 80s, Air Supply, Australia, contemporary, pop

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Todd Rundgren Celebrates 70 In Australia With ToddARoo

by Karen Freedman

Todd Rundgren had a simple idea for his 70th year. The difficulty was in implementing it. Take one international rock god and his wonderful wife, blend in a few dozen devotees, garnish with some Australian rays of sun, and you have the perfect recipe for one helluva shindig to celebrate a 70th birthday (his fourth, this year).

Tagged as: 70s, Davey Lane, Nazz, rock, Todd Rundgren, Tony Featherstone, USA

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Todd Rundgren Adds 2nd Melbourne Show

by Karen Freedman

The first Todd Rundgren Melbourne gig has sold out, and a second show has been added for Tuesday 30 October at the John Curtin Hotel.

Tagged as: 1970s, Brett Wolfenden, Davey Lane, Luke Hodgson, Michele Rundgren, power pop, rock, Todd Rundgren, Todd-A-Roo, Tony Featherstone, USA

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Why Did Paul McCartney Cross Abbey Road?

by Karen Freedman

To get to Abbey Road studios, of course! Sir Paul McCartney dropped into the studios he and his fellow Beatles made famous, yesterday (23 July), to do a (not so) secret gig showcasing some new songs from his forthcoming album, Egypt Station, and some from his illustrious past.

Tagged as: 2010s, 60s, Abe Laboriel Jr, Brian Ray, Johnny Depp, Kylie Minogue, Orlando Bloom, Paul McCartney, rock, Rusty Anderson, Stella McCartney, Stormzy, The Beatles, UK, Wix Wickens

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Paul McCartney at AAMI Park Melbourne on Tuesday 5 December 2017. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Paul McCartney Wins Helpmann Award For Best Australian Concert Of 2017

by Karen Freedman

Sir Paul McCartney can add yet another award to his trophy case, to go along with his Oscar, 8 BRITs, 18 Grammys, and 22 NME awards, to name but a small few.

Tagged as: 2010s, 60s, Australia, Frontier Touring, Helpmann Awards, Marshall Arts, Michael Gudinski, One On One, Paul McCartney, rock, U.K.

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The Beatles White Album Concert Performed Live By Australian Rockers

by Karen Freedman

The imaginatively titled, The Beatles, more commonly referred to as the White Album, will be 50 years old this November.

Tagged as: 2010s, 60s, Chris Cheney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Josh Pyke, Paul McCartney, Phil Jamieson, Ringo Starr, rock, The Beatles, Tim Rogers, UK, White Album

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Todd Rundgren, Trak, Ros O'Gorman, Photo

Todd Rundgren And Todd-A-Roo Coming To Australia

by Karen Freedman

Great news for fans of the uber-talented Todd Rundgren. In 2008, for a week on the glorious isle of Kauai, in Hawaii, about 300 fans from all over the world joined the Rundgrens at their incredible home to celebrate his 60th birthday. This became known as ToddStock; a week of camping, drinking, singing and celebrating.

Tagged as: 1970s, Brett Wolfenden, Davey Lane, Luke Hodgson, Michele Rundgren, power pop, rock, Todd Rundgren, Todd-A-Roo, Tony Featherstone, USA

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Pantera Drummer Vinnie Paul Dead At 54

by Karen Freedman

Tributes from rockers such as Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons (KISS), Duff McKagan (Guns’n’Roses), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) and Dave Mustaine (Megadeth/Metallica) have been posted on Twitter after news broke that co-founder of thrash metal band Pantera, Vinnie Paul, has died.

Tagged as: 1990s, Dimebag Darrell, Pantera, thrash metal, USA, Vinnie Paul

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The Lemon Twigs In Melbourne 25 July 2017 REVIEW

by Karen Freedman

The Lemon Twigs is quite literally the first modern music act I’ve bothered to become excited about within the last almost 15 years.

Tagged as: 10s, rock, The Lemon Twigs, USA

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Paul McCartney Wings Into Tokyo For A Week Of Shows REVIEW

by Karen Freedman

If I ever got back all the money I ever spent on seeing Paul McCartney in concert, I’d probably only go and spend it on seeing Paul McCartney in concert.

Tagged as: 60s, 70s, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, UK

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REVIEW: Foo Fighters, Melbourne, 28 February 2015

by Karen Freedman

There are frontmen, and then there is Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters.

Tagged as: Dave Grohl, Etihad, Foo Fighters, Melbourne, music news, review

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Spandau Ballet Introduce Soul Boys Of The Western World To Australia

by Karen Freedman

The Spandau Ballet documentary ‘Soul Boys of The Western World’ is the story of five boys from north London who grew up together, formed a band together, toured the world together, fell out, got back together again, and then toured the world together. Again.

Tagged as: music news, Soul Boys of the Western World, Spandau Ballet

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Beatles Apple Boutique Becomes Boutique Apple Apartments

by Karen Freedman

94 Baker Street in London’s Marylebone was once more famously known as the site of the Apple Boutique, an early business venture of The Beatles.

Tagged as: 1960s, 2010s, Cilla Black, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jack Bruce, John Lennon, Josje Leeger, Marijke Koeger, Paul McCartney, pop, Ringo Starr, Simon Posthuma, The Beatles, U.K.

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Todd Rundgren Turns On Melbourne’s TRAK

by Karen Freedman

He really should need no introduction, and in a perfect world, Todd Rundgren would be a household name.

Tagged as: 1970s, 2010s, Badfinger, Blue-Eyed Soul, Cheap Trick, Dragon, Hall & Oates, Jefferson Starship, Jesse Gresse, John Ferenzik, Journey, Kasim Sultan, Meat Loaf, Melbourne, Patti Smith, power pop, Prairie Prince, Prog Rock, rock, Shaun Cassidy, The Tubes, Todd Rundgren, Trak, U.S.A., Utopia, XTC

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Paul McCartney Adds Japan Dates To His “Out There” Tour

by Karen Freedman

Paul McCartney has just added Japanese dates to his “Out There” tour making an Australian tour now very likely.

Tagged as: 1960s, 2010s, Abe Laboriel Jr, Brian Ray, Paul "Wix" Wickens, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, Rusty Anderson, The Beatles, U.K., Wings

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Paul McCartney Donates Signed Boxset To Julian Lennon Charity

by Karen Freedman

Julian Lennon’s White Feather Foundation charity has been gifted by a signed boxset from Paul McCartney to raise money to help people who are dying from lack of clean water and sanitation.

Tagged as: 1970s, 2010s, John Lennon, Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, The Beatles, The White Feather Foundation, U.K.

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Bernie Nolan Loses Her Cancer Battle At 52

by Karen Freedman

Tributes are flooding in after Bernie Nolan succumbed to cancer aged 52. She had suffered from the disease for three years.

Tagged as: 1980s, 2010s, Bernie Nolan, Coleen Nolan, Girl Group, Go West, Ireland, Jason Donovan, Judie Tzuke, Kim Wilde, Linda Nolan, Martin Kemp, Maureen Nolan, Nolan Sisters, Peter Cox, Spandau Ballet, The Nolans

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Ringo Starr Requests Peace And Love For His Birthday

by Karen Freedman

Ringo Starr turns 73 on Sunday. And he wants everybody to make a double victory sign, and, “Wherever you are, please go ‘peace and love, peace and love, peace and love’”. At noon.

Tagged as: 1960s, 2010s, Beatles, Gregg Rolie, Journey, Mr. Mister, pop, Richard Page, Ringo Starr, rock, Santana, Steve Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Toto, U.K.

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Manic Street Preachers Deliver A Sermon To Melbourne

by Karen Freedman

The Manic Street Preachers have had only a sprinkling of lower-reaching chart success in Australia, whilst notching up an impressive 33 Top 40 singles in their native Britain.

Tagged as: 1990s, 2010s, alt-rock, Brit-pop, James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards, Sean Moore, U.K.

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John Lennon’s Former Home And First Car Up For Sale

by Karen Freedman

For those of you with £13,750,000 (AUD $22,500,000) to splurge on a home should look no further than this fine specimen.

Tagged as: 1960s, 2010s, Bill Martin, Bonhams', Cynthia Lennon, Ferrari, John Lennon, Julian Lennon, Kenwood, Knight Frank, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, The Beatles, U.K., Yoko Ono

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McCartney Guitarist’s Bayonets Release Collaboration With Steven Tyler

by Karen Freedman

Paul McCartney’s guitarist, Brian Ray, releases a new single with his side project, The Bayonets next Thursday (4th July).

Tagged as: 2010s, Black Crowes, Canned Heat, Elvis Costello, Etta James, Jerry Leiber, Johnny Hallyday, Little Steven, Nube 9, Oliver Leiber, Paul McCartney, Peter Frampton, Rita Coolidge, rock, Shakira, Smokey Robinson, Steven Tyler, The Bayonets, The Beatles, Tom Waits, U.S.A., Weezer

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Paul McCartney Rocks The Colbert Report

by Karen Freedman

“Last time we talked I wasn’t that familiar with your work”, joked host Stephen Colbert as he began his interview with Sir Paul McCartney.

Tagged as: 1960s, 1970s, 2010s, Abe Laboriel Jr, Brian Ray, Paul "Wix" Wickens, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, Rusty Anderson, Stephen Colbert, The Beatles, The Colbert Report, U.K., Wings

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Ringo Starr Releases New Photograph Book

by Karen Freedman

Ringo Starr is set to release Photograph, a collection of material taken from his personal archive.

Tagged as: 1960s, 2010s, pop, Ringo Starr, rock, The Beatles, U.K.

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Midge Ure Returns To Melbourne After A 28 Year Break

by Karen Freedman

“Thanks for coming. Next time bring a few friends,” greeted Midge Ure from the compact stage at the intimate Billboard venue Friday night, as he began his first Melbourne show since 1985 with ‘I See Hope (In The Morning Light)’.

Tagged as: 1980s, 2010s, Billboard, Electronic, Fleetwood Mac, Melbourne, Midge Ure, synth-pop, The Walker Brothers, U.K., Ultravox, Vienna

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Bernie Nolan Goes Home After Being Told Cancer Is Incurable

by Karen Freedman

Bernie Nolan has moved back to her family home in Surrey, England to live out her final days as she succumbs to the cancer which has spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs.

Tagged as: 1980s, Bernie Nolan, cancer, Coleen Nolan, girlgroup, Ireland, Linda Nolan, Maureen Nolan, Nolan Sisters, pop, The Nolans, U.K.

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Michelle Shocked San Francisco Audience With Homophobic Rant

by Karen Freedman

Alternative folkster Michelle Shocked left her audience at San Francisco’s Yoshi bar stunned when she embarked on a tirade against homosexuals and gay marriage on Sunday night.

Tagged as: 80s, Alt.Folk, country, folk, Michelle Shocked, U.S.A., Yoshi's

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Ringo Starr To Exhibit Peace And Love

by Karen Freedman

Ringo Starr is to get his own exhibition. On 12 June, the Grammy Museum will open its doors to “Ringo: Peace And Love”, “the first major exhibition to explore the life of Ringo Starr”.

Tagged as: Grammys, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, The Beatles, The Ed Sullivan show

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George Harrison The Youngest Beatle Would Have Turned 70 Today

by Karen Freedman

George Harrison, ‘The Quiet Beatle’, would have turned 70 today, the 25th February (although it is said he was actually born 10 minutes to midnight on the 24th, something he discovered much later).

Tagged as: Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, John Lennon, Monty Python, Paul McCartney, pop, rock, The Beatles, U.K.

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