This week saw the release of a Pink Floyd tribute album that includes members of Yes, Genesis, Deep Purple and Queensryche, and noteworthy solo artists on Floyd classics from the group's 1975 album, Wish You Were Here.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond features Steve Hackett, Geoff Tate, Geoff Downes, Ian Paice, Mel Collins and Billy Sheehan.

Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman and Tony Levin do Welcome to the Machine.
Have a Cigar includes Steve Stevens and Patrick Moraz.

Triumph's Rik Emmett, guitar great Joe Satriani and drummer Carmen Appice are featured on Wish You Were Here. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9) finds Rod Argent, Steve Hillage and Bootsy Collins playing together.

The Who will join Queen, David Bowie and Elton John as members of the Royal Mint's Music Legends series with the issuing of a limited edition commemorative coin honoring the group. A sharp design combines a the band's bullseye logo with a guitar body emblazoned with a Union Jack flag and with pinball paddles and a ball in a nod to the Pinball Wizard.

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The Who will join Queen, David Bowie and Elton John as members of the Royal Mint's Music Legends series with the issuing of a limited edition commemorative coin honoring the group. A sharp design combines a the band's bullseye logo with a guitar body emblazoned with a Union Jack flag and with pinball paddles and a ball in a nod to the Pinball Wizard.

MORE WHO INSIGHTS

Photo credit: Aaron Haney

John Mellancamp's hometown of Seymour, Indiana has converted a parking lot beneath a three story mural of the singer into a green space. The switch was made with the help of a donation from John's family. .

Most drummers look to get a lot of bang for their buck, but collectors willing to part with a lot of bucks for their bucks have the chance to bid on the custom Ludwig kit Alex Van Halen wailed on during more than 100 VH concert during the group's 1980 Invasion tour. All of the proceeds from the Julien's sale of the kit, which is expected to draw a top bid between $200,000 and $300,000 during the Music Icons auction June 11-13, will be donated to charity through the Frangioni Foundation and Mr. Holland's Opus. The auction also a slew of additional Van Halen memorabilia/collectibles.

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The planned Aerosmith 50th Anniversary concert in the group's fabled hometown ballpark got called on account of Covid last September. The Band considered making it up this year, but is opting to wait until September 8, 2022 to play Fenway Park in Boston. In announcing the additional 16 month delay, the band wrote, "While we know that means you have to a bit a bit longer, we feel confident this is the right move in order to ensure we give you all the show you deserve for everyone that has held onto their tickets to see this show".

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Eric Clapton, who joined Van Morrison on a song voicing opposing government imposed quarantine measures, says he suffered side effects after getting AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine that were severe and prolonged enough that he feared he would never be able to play guitar again. In a letter Clapton sent to an anti-lockdown activist, he wrote that he got his first shot in February and "...straight away had severe reactions which lasted ten days", and described his reactions to the first and second shots as "disastrous", writing, "My hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks". He admits that the adverse effects he experienced may have been brought on or amplified by the fact he was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.

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Pretenders veteran Chrissie Hynde credits Bob Dylan's nearly 17 minute long song Murder Most Foul for curing her of the morose mood she'd been in during the pandemic.  The change in her outlook inspired her to record some covers of some of her favorite Dylan songs during remote recording sessions done with her band mate James Walbourne.  The release titled Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan will drop on May 21 and will be accompanied by a video filmed as the nine songs the duo covers were being recorded.

Every once in awhile, we're startled by learning or being reminded that someone we think of as still being around isn't. It feels better when it's the other way around and we discover that someone we assume was long-gone is still alive. We felt that way when we saw this musical 85th birthday tribute to Wavy Gravy.

In addition to this being an outstanding lineup of musicians, the occasion will benefit the Seva Foundation, an organization that provides sight-saving surgeries, medicines, eyeglasses and other eye care services to tens of millions of people.  Voluntary donations to this organization that is near and dear to the honoree and the musicians participating in this streaming celebration will be greatly appreciated.  Learn more and chip in at seva.org.

Styx will release Crash Of The Crown on June 14th. Recorded during the pandemic, Tommy Shaw said the process was an exercise that helped the veteran band focus on trying to continue "...to send out positive messages", adding, "In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything's going to be alright." The release is the group's 17th studio album.

The February 8, 2006 the Rolling Stones concert staged on the Copacabana Beach front in Rio de Janeiro was one of the largest free concerts ever presented. On July 9, 2021, Mercury Studios will release the entire 20 song set in multiple formats - DVD+2CD, SD, Blu-ray+2CD, DVD+2CD Deluxe, 3LP 3 color vinyl, 3LP on clear vinyl, and digital. a five track EP will lead the way on May 28. The Deluxe 2DVD + 2CD edition includes a 40 page book and a November, 2005 20 song set from the Salt Lake City stop on the A Bigger Bang tour.

Tuesday's Gone, and so is a trailer stuffed with Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia that was going to be auctioned at a cancer fundraising benefit in Middleburg, Florida. Police are asking for the public's help in apprehending a 38 year-old suspect that is believed to have stolen the trailer from a Days Inn hotel in Orange Park. A BOLA has been issued for Williams James Walker, who police believe was driving the small, silver SUV pictured pulling the short, white utility trailer on hotel parking security footage.

The UK's Royal Mail is rolling out an 8 stamp series of album cover postage stamps honoring Paul McCartney. A 4 stamp set will feature photos of Paul taken while recording solo albums. The collection marks only the third time the British postal service has similarly honored musicians. It introduced a David Bowie set in 2017. Elton John was honored with one in 2019.

Ann Wilson hit the stage with Warren Haynes during Gov't Mule's set last weekend in New Haven, Connecticut to tear into a couple of Zeppelin songs and a Heart classic.