Steve Smith: Led Zeppelin and The Kinks top songwriter nominees; Peter Gabriel and Nirvana nominated for Rock Hall of Fame

Nominees for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame were announced in two categories: Songwriter Performer and Songwriter Non-Performer. The announcements were made by Hall Chairman Jimmy Webb. The induction awards will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis next June 14.

The nominees in the Songwriter Performer category are Donovan (among his best-known songs is “Mellow Yellow” and “Wear Your Love Like Heaven”), Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (“Stairway to Heaven” and “Kashmir”), The Kinks’ Ray Davies (“You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night”), Madonna (“Vogue” and “Like a Prayer”), Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens (“Peace Train” and “Morning Has Broken”), John Mellencamp (“Jack & Diane” and “Pink Houses”), Vince Gill (“I Still Believe in You” and “When I Call Your Name”), Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (“Le Freak” and “Good Times”), Sade (“Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo”), Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart (“Magic Man” and “Crazy on You”), Cyndi Lauper (“Time After Time” and “She Bop”) and K.C. Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band (“Get Down Tonight” and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty”).

The Songwriter Non-Performer nominees are Bill Anderson (“City Lights” for Ray Price” and “I Get the Fever” for himself), Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today” for George Jones and “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” for Tammy Wynette), Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti (“I Can’t Help Falling In Love” for Elvis and the lyrics for the traditional “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” for The Tokens ), Mark James (“Suspicious Minds” for Elvis and “Hooked on a Feeling” for B.J. Thomas), Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell (“Working My Way Back To You” for The Four Seasons and “A Lover’s Concerto” for The Toys), Tony Macaulay (“Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” and “Build Me Up, Buttercup” for The Foundations), Dan Pen and Spooner Oldham (“I’m Your Puppet” for James and Bobby Purify and “Cry Like a Baby” for The Box Tops), Linda Perry (“Get the Party Started” for Pink and “Beautiful” for Christina Aguilera), Don Robertson (“Please Help Me I’m Falling” for Hank Locklin and “Ringo” for Lorne Greene), Mickey Stevenson (“Dancing in the Street” for Martha and The Vandellas and others and “Devil With The Blue Dress” for Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels), Jim Weatherly (“The best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” and “Midnight Train to Georgia” for Gladys Knight & The Pips), and Graham Gouldman (“Heart Full of Soul” for The Yardbirds, “No Milk Today” and “Listen People” for Herman’s Hermits, and “Bus Stop,” “Look Through Any Window” for The Hollies and “I’m Not in Love” and “The Things We Do For Love” for 10cc).

Yes, Peter Gabriel and Nirvana lead Rock Hall nominees

Progressive rockers Yes, former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel and grunge rockers Nirvana were all nominated for the first time for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Those who had been nominated before but didn’t make it and received nominations again were Deep Purple, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam), New Orleans R&B outfit The Meters (who should have been nominated in the Influences category), disco band Chic, costume rockers Kiss, and rappers LL Cool J and N.W.A.

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Among those who not only were once again omitted, but who never had a nomination were Jethro Tull (eligible since 1993), The Moody Blues (eligible since 1990, Paul Revere and The Raiders (eligible since the Hall’s first year, 1986), Joe Cocker (eligible since 1993), Alvin Lee and Ten Years After (eligible since 1992), Jan and Dean (eligible since 1988), and Emerson, Lake and Palmer (eligible since 1995).

The induction ceremony will be held in New York City next April 2014 after being held in Los Angeles this year. It will be broadcast on HBO in May next year.

McCartney takes NYC by storm

With his first album of new songs in six years, “New,” out this week, Paul McCartney took New York City by storm.

He promoted the album on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” playing three songs for the TV audience, including the just-released album’s title song and another new one, “Save Us,” and also The Beatles 1968 classic, “Lady Madonna.” He then stuck around and played seven more songs for the studio audience, including Beatles classics “Eight Days a Week,” “We Can Work it Out” and John Lennon’s “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite.”

He also gave an impromptu free lunch-hour concert before several thousand fans in Times Square. After giving his fans an hour’s notice via a tweet, “Wow! Really excited to be playing New York Times Square at 1 p.m. this afternoon!,” he then followed it with, “Come on down to Times Square. It’s all going to be happening there.”

He and his longtime four-piece band hopped onto a big rig truck that opened up & became a stage. The NYPD only allotted him 15 minutes and he used the time to perform four cuts from “New.”

He also surprised the students at the Frank Sinatra School for the Arts in Queens (founded by the Chairman’s pal, Tony Bennett) by engaging the 400 students and then treating them and Bennett himself to an hour-long concert with his band that included the afore-mentioned songs as well as Wings biggies “Jet” and Band on the Run” and Beatles cuts “Blackbird,” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.” He ended his set, as usual, with “Hey Jude,” that has the student body continuing to sing “Na-na-na-na, Hey Jude” until they all filed out of the auditorium, according to Rolling Stone.

Review: The Rascals at L.S.’s Greek Theatre

The reunited Rascals played their first L.A. concert in 45 years, since 1968. Before a nearly-sold out 5,870-seat Greek Theatre the quartet, 70-year-old singer-organist Felix Cavaliere, soon-to-be 68-year-old singer Eddie Brigati, 69-year-old guitarist Gene Cornish and influential 69-year-old drummer Dino Danelli, delivered 30 songs; 30 examples of New Jersey blue-eyed soul that they performed perhaps better than they ever have, especially the late-’60s psychedelic soul numbers such as the show opener, “It’s Wonderful,” “Find Somebody” and the concert closer, “See.”

The show, “Once Upon a Dream,” as created by E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, is a mix of a stunningly visual rock concert and Broadway production with young onscreen actors portraying the ‘60s Rascals as well as the four musicians themselves are onscreen in giant close-ups narrating their story back and forth dating to their earliest days in the very early ‘60s even before Felix, Gene and Eddie were members of Joey Dee and The Starlighters.

Cavaliere and Brigati were in wonderful voice; strong, on pitch and singing with intense feeling and dynamics. Cornish’s guitar work was lightening fast and far more intricate than heard before, and while it took Danelli about a third of the show to loosen up, at that point he was playing fills everywhere and twirling his drumsticks in classic Dino fashion.

It’s got to be noted that Brigati, the main holdout for most of these years, performed with pure joy. He danced happily, even jubilantly, around the stage, playing his tambourines and maracas from first note to last throughout the two-hour performance. His heartfelt lead vocal on their 1967 biggie, “How Can I Be Sure” choked up more than one person in the house.

The Rascals reunion, the first time the performed together in 40 years, began earlier this year with a 15-show run on Broadway. This week, The Rascals just announced that they’ll return to the Great White Way for a three-week run beginning Dec. 16.

Review: Animals’ Eric Burdon at the Saban

In July 2012, British Invasion legend Eric Burdon underwent back surgery to alleviate the constant pain that forced him to sit on a stool during most of his concerts the past few years. After a recovery of about six months, the 72-year-old former Animals singer who has been described as having perhaps the greatest blues-rock voice ever, is back — and without the stool.

Earlier this year, Burdon released his first full studio album since 2006, “Til Your River Runs Dry” that received considerable critical acclaim (he performed four of its songs). After a summer tour with Pat Benatar and her hubby, guitarist Neil Geraldo, Burdon and his tight seven-piece blues-rock band are playing solo dates again. He’s got more than two dozen remaining this year in the U.S. and Canada but mostly throughout Europe.

He headlined the historic 1,897-seat Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills that opened as an Art Deco movie palace in 1930, and delivered a 90-minute show loaded with the blues rock of his first Animals, the English Animals he led from 1962 until December 1966 when the group dissolved and he moved to California, where he formed a new, decidedly psychedelic Animals. In fact, the only new West Coast Animals song he performed was his blues-based hit from 1967, “When I Was Young,” that opened the show.

Some things about this legend who has been performing for more than a half-century appeared obvious this night: he still enjoys performing, he loves his band, and he was happier, more upbeat onstage than at any time I’ve ever seen. He really was enjoying himself. He even danced around the stage on numerous occasions, and for Eric Burdon, who usually stands there and belts it out, stiff as a statue, that is something.

His vocals are almost as strong as ever. The guy can increase his volume and crank it out at will, effortlessly.

All-star George Jones tribute concert

The talent lineup for the star-filled Tribute to George Jones, “Playin’ Possum! The Final No Show” concert, at Nashville’s 18,500-seat Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 22 continues to grow even after though the concert has long been sold out, reports the Boot. Jones died in April at 81.

Even metal rockers Megadeth will be there. Leader Dave Mustaine explained, “George Jones had a way of putting his finger right into your wounds and letting you know, ‘I understand. I know your pain.’”

Ginger Baker says The Stones are not good musicians

Still testy as all get-out, iconic ‘60s drummer Ginger Baker, who propelled Cream, Blind Faith and his own all-star Ginger Baker’s Air Force, had a rare chat via telephone with Rolling Stone. The 74-year-old curmudgeon was argumentative from the first minute.

Baker moved back to England after several decades living in Africa (Nigeria and South Africa). When asked if it was true, he said, “You just phoned me so you know that this is an English phone number... Why ask me questions if you know the answer?”

He was asked if he’s heard The Rolling Stones lately. Baker laughed. “You’re joking, right?” He continued, “I won’t go within 10 miles of a Rolling Stones gig... (because) they’re not good musicians, that’s why. The best musician is Charlie (drummer Watts) by a country mile.” He was asked whether Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are good songwriters. “No, not really.”

Is he a fan of The Who? “No. Keith Moon was a friend of mine but I wouldn’t say he was a great drummer.” A Dylan fan? “I’m not a big anybody fan.” The last record that excited him? “I don’t know. I don’t listen to music.”

Baker denies the reports that Cream was offered huge bucks to reunite once more, after the seven shows they staged in London and New York City in 2005. If there was an offer, would he consider it? “No.” Asked if a lot of practice helps, he replied, “No, it doesn’t,” saying that he hasn’t practiced since 1958 or 1959.

He confessed that his health isn’t good. “I’ve got degenerative osteoarthritis, which is extremely painful. Apart from that, I’ve got COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) from smoking. Does he still smoke? “Yeah.” he laughed.

Last year, Baker was the subject of a popular documentary, “Beware of Mr. Baker,” that showed how combative he can get; it won Best Documentary at last year’s mega SXSW fest in Austin. His autobiography, “Hellraiser,” was published in 2009.

He’s got a new group, Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion, that includes 72-year-old American jazz saxophone vet Pee Wee Ellis, his longtime percussionist Abbas Dodoo, and bassist Alec Dankworth, son of British jazz clarinetist John Dankworth and his jazz singer wife, Cleo Laine. They just wrapped a string of shows at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.

Randy Travis update

Country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus, a close pal of Randy Travis, told “Entertainment Tonight” to tell fans to “keep praying” for the 54-year-old country hitmaker.

Earlier this year, Travis suffered numerous health crises, including an infection of his heart muscles followed by a stroke and subsequent brain surgery to relieve swelling. He’s spent the past few months in a physical rehabilitation home in Texas, but was due to leave the facility and return home this week. Disagreeing with Cyrus, a rep for the singer says he is “doing great.”

Boingo’s annual Halloween show

Oingo Boingo’s Halloween concerts were a tradition in southern California from the late ‘70s through their final concert at the Universal Amphitheatre on Halloween night in 1996.

Since 2006, Boingo longtime drummer Johnny Vatos and his Boingo Dance Party band that features as many as six former Boingo members have carried on this tradition. These days, The Vatos Boingo Dance Party — it often claims 11 members — backs singer Brendan McCreary, an intense, powerhouse of a vocalist who does justice to the Boingo catalog.

This year’s Boingo Halloween “Dead Man’s Party” concert takes place on Nov. 1, the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Canyon Club in Agoura. The tradition continues.

The Kinks’ Dave Davies wants your help

Dave Davies, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lead guitarist for British Invasion giants The Kinks, wants your help. Davies, 66, now recovered from a catastrophic stroke a decade ago and playing shows again for the first time since, is attempting to raise $30,000 from fans on www.indiegogo.com to help pay for a tour and to cover the cost of filming a documentary of that tour.

Davies is touring behind his latest solo album, “I Will Be Me” via five dates back East next month. He recently told Rolling Stone that he met with his older brother, Kinks leader Ray, three times about a 50th anniversary reunion tour (The Kinks dissolved in 1996) next year. He said the first two meeting went great, but the third meeting didn’t. Far from it. Still, he hopes the two, who have fought all their lives, can work out a reunion.

Kenny Rogers breaks silence about affair with Dolly Parton

For the first time, Kenny Rogers addressed the rumors that have swirled for three decades about his possible affair with friend and sometime singing partner Dolly Parton. Talking to HuffPost Live, the 75-year-old former leader of the First Edition said that although there was sexual tension between the two (Parton is now 67), it never went beyond teasing and flirting.

“Everybody always thought we were having an affair. We didn’t. We just teased each other and flirted with each other for 30 years. It keeps a lot of tension there. We were special friends,” Rogers, who has been married five times, says of his friend who has been married to Carl Dean for 47 years.

“People say to me, ‘Is she as much fun to be around as she seems to be?’ And I say, ‘If you like her on television, you’ll love her in person.’ She’s all that and more.”

In 1983, the two hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart as well as the country singles chart with their duet, “Islands in the Stream.”

Ricky Skaggs named Artist-in-Residence

Bluegrass multi-instrumentalist wiz Ricky Skaggs has been named the 2013 Artist-in-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The honor traditionally goes to musicians who have made a significant contribution to American music. Prior honorees include Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill and the recently deceased Cowboy Jack Clement. The 59-year-old Skaggs’ most recent album is in collaboration with former Grateful Dead piano player Bruce Hornsby, “Cluck Ol’ Hen.” It hit No. 1 on the country chart.

In his new role, Skaggs will play the Country Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 18 and 19. The first night, Skaggs will share the stage with Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris and Peter Frampton in a night of country music. The next night will be bluegrass night and Skaggs will host Alison Krauss, Hornsby and Del McCoury, among others.

Bob Wills ranch to become museum

The dilapidated Triple B Ranch in Fresno that was once the home of country swing pioneer Bob Wills was purchased at auction by a fan, Lance Tullis, president of the Central California Music Association, and his family, reports the Boot. The purchase saved the ranch from demolition. The Tullis family will move the house to a new location, repair it and spruce it up to the way it looked in the ‘30s and ‘40s and turn it into a museum featuring the life and music of Wills, who was known as the King of Western Swing and who died in Texas in 1975 at 70.

In 1999, Wills and his Texas Playboys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as influences. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Jazz Hall of Fame and in 2007 he was posthumously awarded the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bon Jovi makes bride’s day

Branka Delic’s Facebook campaign to have Jon Bon Jovi give her away at her wedding paid off when the singer surprised her and did, indeed, walk her down the aisle, reports the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

Delic, 34, married Gonzalo “Gonzo” Claderia, who said he has wanted to wed Delic for 14 years, at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, the same chapel where Bon Jovi himself married his wife Dorothea 24 years earlier.

Bon Jovi sent a limo to pick her up and he surprised her by appearing and asking, “So, are we going to do this?”

Gary Numan overcomes panic

English electronic music pioneer Gary Numan, who scored a major hit in 1979 with “Cars,” just released a new album, “Splinter (Songs From a Broken Mind),” his first new album in seven years. But it should have come out shortly after “Jagged,” his last album, in 2006.

What happened? He panicked and depression set in. Back then, Numan, now 55, became a father to three girls with wife Gemma and all of the responsibilities that come with that, combined with the reality that he was turning 50, freaked him out.

He tells Rolling Stone, “I started to panic about being old; about dying; about not being there for the children.” He continued, “It got to such a degree that I couldn’t even see an old person in the street. I’d get really upset. I actually started crying, and I’m not a crying person.”

“I started getting anxiety attacks, panicking. All sorts of (expletive) going on. I ended up with medication for depression. The marriage was starting to get a little bit rocky and (my wife and I) were arguing a lot. It ended up being a really difficult period of (my) life.”

Last year, he and the family moved to Los Angeles. The move re-inspired Numan and gave him a new burst of creativity and he was able to write and record “Splinter.” It came out this week and he began a promotional concert tour that began this week with sows at Amoeba records in Hollywood and two nights at the Masonic Lodge, also in Hollywood.

Now, he’s thinking about his next album. “My intention is to get the next album completely finished by the end of 2014,” he said.

Obits: Cal Smith, Vixen’s Jan Kuehnemund and Motown’s Maxine Powell

Country singer Cal Smith died in his longtime hometown, Branson, Missouri, at 81 of undisclosed causes, reports the Branson Tri-Lakes News. Smith, who began his career as rhythm guitarist in 1962 with Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours, hit No. 1 on the country singles chart three times in the ‘70s with “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking” (by Bill Anderson) in 1972, his best-known hit, “Country Bumpkin” in 1974 and “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler” in 1975. “Country Bumpkin” was Song of the Year by both the ACM (Academy of Country Music) and CMA (Country Music Association). His last album was “Stories of Life by Cal Smith” that was released in 1986.

Jan Kuehnemund, lead guitarist for all-female metal rockers Vixen, died at 51 after a long battle with cancer, reports the Hollywood Reporter. Kuehnemund formed Vixen in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1974 when she was in high school, but it wasn’t until 1980 that the lineup its fans knew came together. The group experienced numerous lineup changes throughout the decade. In 1987, Vixen recorded its trademark song, “Edge of a Broken Heart,” that was written by Richard Marx and The Tubes’ Fee Waybill and produced by Marx.

The band disbanded in 1991 and was reformed by Kuehnemund a decade later, but once again, they soon split up. She then quickly assembled a new Vixen that continues to perform today. Before her death, Kuehnemund was working on a reunion with the original 1980 lineup but illness prevented it from happening. Vixen with Kuehnemund released studio albums in 1988, 1990 and in 2006.

The other three original members posted a statement on her Facebook page that read, in part, that they “are heartbroken,” and “we had resolved our differences and were wholeheartedly looking forward to playing together again... Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Maxine Powell, the woman who trained, tutored and schooled all the Motown acts in the ‘60s in how to be graceful and convey charm and style, died of natural causes at 98 in Southfield, Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press. Powell, who mentored such superstars as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, taught the Motown stable of artists how to walk, talk “and even think” with class. She instructed them in such subjects as the use of proper manners and media relations and her lessons were integral to the overall success of such groups as The Four Tops, The Temptations and The Supremes. Original Supreme Mary Wilson quoted her mentor in a 2002 interview with CNN as telling them, “One day you may be performing before kings and queens.” She was right. Robinson released a statement saying, “She led and lived a long wonderful life. I saw her a couple weeks ago and she was very mentally sharp. She was an essential part of Motown.”

New Releases

Among the recently released albums, digital reissues, MP3 downloads and deluxe box sets are “New,” Paul McCartney’s first album of new songs in six years (the “Deluxe Edition” contains two extra songs), produced by, among others, George Martin’s son Giles; the 18-song “To All The Girls...” finds Willie Nelson singing duets with Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Alison Kraus, Roseanne Cash and his old pal Dolly Parton; and “Lightening Bolt,” the 10th studio album from Seattle grunge icons Pearl Jam, and the band’s first in four years.

“Unplugged: Expanded & Remastered (2xCD+DVD)” from Eric Clapton adds six previously unreleased songs, including two early takes on his 1998 single, “My Father’s Eyes” and 28-songs on the DVD, including the full “MTV Unplugged” special; “The Sound of Christmas (Deluxe Anniversary Edition)” offers two bonus additions from New Orleans jazz and Dixieland trumpeter Al Hirt’s original 1965 holiday release; an import 2-CD, “Fire It Up: Live” from Joe Cocker; and “Live in NYC” from The Jeff Healy Band sees the late electrifying blind slide guitarist serve up his takes on ZZ Top’s “Blue Jean Blues,” Cream’s “White Room” and Eric Clapton’s ‘70s signature tune, Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Further on Up the Road.”

A 2-CD import, “Muswell Hillbillies (Deluxe Edition),” of the 1971 LP form British Invasion legends The Kinks sees leader Ray Davies take the band into American barrooms and honky tonks exploring countrified music as well as his familiar London music halls; 3-CD set form Jerry Garcia’s Legion of Mary Band, “GarciaLive Volume Three: Dec. 14-15, 1974 Northwest Tour,” includes lengthy jam-filled covers as diverse as Junior Parker’s “Mystery Train,” Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (a hit for Joe Cocker), The Band’s Robbie Robertson’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and a Motown trio of Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie On Reggae Woman,” Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ “I Second That Emotion.”

“New Constellation” is the first full album from Santa Barbara alt rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket in 16 years; a 2-CD/1-DVD box, “Perfect Strangers Live,” from a reunited classic Deep Purple lineup in Australia in 1984; as well as a 10-CD box from the band, “The Complete Albums 1970-1976”; and “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Symphony II,” the sequel to the New Agers from Nebraska 2011 holiday album see the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra helping out.

The 12-track “Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)” from English electronic music vet Gary Numan is his 19th album since 1979; “Travel Guide” was recorded in 2008 by American jazz guitarist-bandleader Ralph Towner and Austrian classical guitarists Wolfgang Wolfspiel and Slava Grigoryan; “Back That N’ Over Yonder” by rockers Black Oak Arkansas contains five new songs from the reunited band and 10 previously unreleased tracks from the ‘70s; and “the 24-song, “From Nashville to L.A. — Lost Columbia Masters 1962-1969” from the Singin’ Rage, Patti Page.

A 5-song EP from Depeche Mode, “Should Be Higher — The Remixes,” are all different remixes of that same song; a 49-song, expanded 4-CD import box set of the 1983 debut LP, “Hurting,” from English synthpop duo Tears For Fears; “Over the Bridge of Time: Paul Simon Retrospective (1964-2011)” is a 20-song overview of Simon and Garfunkel classics and solo smashes dating back to “Sounds of Silence” that was originally recorded in March 1964 up to “Love And Hard Times” that was on his 2011 album, “So Beautiful or So What”; and also a 15-CD box from Simon, “Complete Album Collection.”

The 22-song “James Booker: Classified Remixed & Expanded” from the New Orleans jazz and R&B pianist who died in 1983 at age 44 after years of heroin and alcohol abuse; the “Playlist: The Very Best of...” series continues with dance pop stylist Taylor Dayne, The Partridge Family and The Jimi Hendrix Experience; “Loves Lost and Found” from Tex-Mex vet Augie Meyers; and a 2-CD import, “State to State: Live Across America 1974-1980” from former Procol Harum guitarist Robin Trower.

Steve Smith writes a new Classic Pop, Rock and Country Music News column every week. Contact him by email at Classicpopmusicnews@gmail.com.