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Category: In The News

Classic Rock History: In The News: 

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MTV, "Music Television" debuted August 1, 1981. Instead of Disc Jockeys (DJs), there were "VJs" (Video Jockeys), including Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, JJ Jackson and Mark Goodman, all of whom hosted segments and introduced video clips.

The first ten videos to play on that day were:

1. "Video Killed the Radio Star" The Buggles
2. "You Better Run" Pat Benatar
3. "She Won't Dance With Me" Rod Stewart
4. "You Better You Bet" The Who
5. "Little Suzi's on the Up" Ph.D.
6. "We Don't Talk Anymore" Cliff Richard
7. "Brass in Pocket" The Pretenders
8. "Time Heals" Todd Rundgren
9. "Take It on the Run" REO Speedwagon
10. "Rockin' the Paradise" Styx

Of the 209 videos aired during the first 24 hours, many were run more than once. "You Better You Bet" by The Who, also the first video to be rerun, and "Just Between You And Me" by April Wine tied for the most airings at five apiece. Video number 100 was "Let's Go" by The Cars, which aired only once. "Lonely Boy" by Andrew Gold, also a one-timer, closed out the day.

Other notable first-day landmarks:

9. The REO Speedwagon video was the first live concert video to be aired on MTV, from their Live Infidelity home video release.

16. "Iron Maiden" by Iron Maiden was the first Heavy Metal song to be played on MTV.

41. "Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton was the first country video to air.

62. "Rat Race" by The Specials was the first video featuring both black and white artists to air on MTV.

In The News: 

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Ringo Starr's All Starr Band is a touring supergroup founded in 1989 by Ringo Starr, the former drummer of The Beatles. The band features a rotating lineup of well-known musicians who have achieved success as solo artists or members of other famous bands.

Over the years, the All Starr Band has included a variety of musicians, such as Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren, Sheila E., John Entwistle, Dr. John, Billy Preston, Steve Lukather, Richard Page, and many more. Each musician typically performs their own hits as well as backing up Ringo Starr on his songs from The Beatles and his solo career.

The band has released several live albums, including "Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live at the Greek Theatre 2008," "Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live 2006," and "Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live in Montreux 1992." They have toured extensively around the world, playing at venues ranging from small clubs to large arenas.

The All Starr Band has been praised for their high-energy performances and the talented musicians that make up the group. The band has also been credited with helping to reignite interest in Ringo Starr's solo career and The Beatles' music among younger generations.

As of 2023 the band lineup includes the following members:

Ringo Starr – vocals, drums, piano (1989–present)
Colin Hay (Men At Work) – guitar, harmonica, vocals (2003, 2008, 2018–present)
Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) – bass, guitar, vocals (2006–2008, 2019–present)
Edgar Winter – keyboards, saxophone, percussion, vocals (2006–2011, 2022–present)
Gregg Bissonette – drums, percussion, trumpet, backing vocals (2008–present)
Steve Lukather (Toto) – guitars, bass, vocals (2012–present)
Warren Ham – saxophone, percussion, keyboards, harmonica, vocals (2014–present)

A Fall 2023 tour will begin on Sept. 17 in Ontario, California, and run through Oct. 13 in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

In The News: 

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Two of my favorite bands, Rival Sons and Tedeschi-Trucks Band are getting some very public love in a GM truck and SUV advertising campaign, in the form of their songs "Pressure and Time" and "Anyhow", respectively serving as background music in multiple ads. Neither is a new cut, the RS being from 2011 and the T-TB from 2016, but both are considered perennial favorites by their fans.