- ABBA just released the lyric video for their new single, "Just A Notion." The track, which will be released on Voyager — the band's first studio set in four decades, coming on November 5th. "Just A Notion" is a revamped take on the previously bootlegged track, which was originally recorded in September 1978 during the sessions for 1979's Voulez-Vous. Although there have been new instruments added to the track, the vocals date from the original sessions.
- Queen guitarist Brian May guested on Friday night (October 22nd) at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire during the closing show of bandmate Roger Taylor's UK solo tour. May joined the band mid-way through a run-through of Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti." Taylor introduced May, saying, "It's my brother from another mother" before launching into Queen's 1986 classic, "A Kind Of Magic." Taylor's 14-date trek was in support of his new solo set, Outsider. (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- The plea deal between Rod Stewart, his son Sean and Florida prosecutors fell through on October 22nd. As it stands now, the Stewarts will stand trial on January 25th for a 2019 New Year's Eve scuffle and face a misdemeanor battery charge. At the time, Rod and his son were booked with alleged physical battery and being the "primary aggressors" of a physical altercation in Palm Beach. If found guilty, they face a maximum penalty of a year in jail. (Billboard)
- Coming on December 10th is the "super deluxe" 50th anniversary edition of the Band's fourth album, 1971's Cahoots. The remixed double disc, Blu-ray, LP, seven-inch collection also features Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes of the album by Bob Clearmountain. Along with various alternate takes of the album's tracks, the set includes the previously unreleased partial concert, Live At The Olympia Theatre, Paris, May 1971. (Press release)
- One of the great voices of the 1960's, Jay Black, former-lead singer of Jay & The Americans has died on October 22nd at age 82 due to complications from pneumonia. Black, who was born David Blatt and raised in Borough Park, Brooklyn, performed in recent years under the moniker — Jay Black – The Voice. In 2014 he revealed he believed the was suffering from Alzheimer's.
- Jay & The Americans are best remembered for their string of 10 Top 40 hits, including their three Top 10 hits featuring Black — "Cara Mia," "Come A Little Bit Closer," and "This Magic Moment." Jay Black last performed in 2017.
Quick Takes: ABBA, Queen, Rod Stewart, The Band, Jay Black
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