Tag Archives: Pat Benatar

Zack de la Rocha & His Rage Against the Machine Band Mates Nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

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Will the fifth time be the charm for Zack de la Rocha?

The 52-year-old Mexican American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper and activist and his Rage Against the Machine band mates are among this year’s nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Zack de la Rocha x Rage Against the MachineKnown for their songs, which express revolutionary political views, the band has sold more than 16 million records worldwide.

de la Rocha and rock band members are among 17 artists who received a nomination this year. They’re joined by Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Dionne Warwick, Judas Priest, Beck, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest and Duran Duran, among others.

Musicians become eligible for the Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album. Rage Against the Machine has been eligible since 2017.

They were previously nominated in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, though the bids failed.

“This year’s ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture,” said John Sykes, head of the foundation that runs the Rock Hall, in a statement.

A roster of five to seven successful inductees will be announced in May, with the annual ceremony to be scheduled for later this year.

This year’s nominees are:

  • A Tribe Called Quest
  • Beck
  • Pat Benatar
  • Kate Bush
  • Devo
  • Duran Duran
  • Eminem
  • Eurythmics
  • Fela Kuti
  • Judas Priest
  • MC5
  • The New York Dolls
  • Dolly Parton
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Lionel Richie
  • Carly Simon
  • Dionne Warwick

Along with the official nominees, the Rock Hall today opened the annual “fan vote” balloting, available at the Rock Hall website. The five artists with the most votes by April 29 will be tallied with the Hall’s official ballots in selecting this year’s inductees.

Within several hours of the fan ballot opening, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Eurythmics and Carly Simon held the top five spots, with Benatar in a significant lead.

Santana to Perform at Rock Getaway Festival in the Mexican Riviera

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Carlos Santana is ready to rock the Mexican Riviera…

The 69-year-old Mexican musician is set to perform as part of the Rock Getaway Festival at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico from October 26-November 5.

Carlos Santana

In addition to Santana, considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone, the all-inclusive vacation will include sets from Don Henley, Steve Miller Band, Roger Daltrey, Bad Company, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar & Neil Girlado, Cheap Trick, George Thorogood & the Destroyers and more.

The organizers of Rock Getaway are offering “stunning tropical views, a private white sand beach, and exclusive saltwater snorkeling areas,” according to a release announcing the event.

Attendees can choose from three packages, including 4-, 7- and 11-day options with the 4-day offering sets from Miller, The Who‘s Daltrey, Bad Company, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Benatar & Giraldo, Cheap Trick and others.  The 7- and 11-day options include exclusive sets from Henley, Santana, Thorogood and more. All three include accommodations at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel or Unico Resort and admission to all concerts. Concerts will take place on oceanfront stages and be accompanied by pool parties, after partiers and late night jam sessions.

Tickets will be available to the general public on Monday, April 17 at 7:00 a.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PST here.

Here’s a look at the line-ups:

4-DAY PACKAGE LINEUP (October 26 – 29 or November 2-5):

Steve Miller Band | Roger Daltrey | Bad Company | Foreigner | REO Speedwagon | Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo | Cheap Trick | Don Felder | Blue Oyster Cult Starship featuring Mickey Thomas | Foghat | Queensryche | Los Lobos

7-DAY & 11-DAY PACKAGE LINEUP (October 26 – November 1/October 30 – November 5 or October 26 – November 5):

Don Henley | Santana | Steve Miller Band | Roger Daltrey | Bad Company | Foreigner | REO Speedwagon | Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo | Cheap Trick | George Thorogood and the Destroyers | Don Felder | Blue Oyster Cult | Starship featuring Mickey Thomas | Foghat | Queensryche | Los Lobos | Warren Hill | Olivia Rox | Sahnas Brothers | Atomic Punks (Tribute to Van Halen) | Guns 2 Roses (Tribute to Guns and Roses) and more. (*Bolded acts are ONLY available through purchase of the 7- and 11-day all-inclusive packages.)

 

Garcia Channels Joan Jett on “The X Factor”

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The X Factor finalist Jennel Garcia loves rock ‘n‘ roll… And, she’s not afraid to sing about it…

The 18-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer, who named Pat Benatar as one of her idols during her impressive initial audition for Fox’s reality singing competition, performed another female rock superstar’s music during Wednesday’s episode.

Jennel Garcia

Singing live for America’s votes for the very first time this season, Garcia – dressed in an all-black outfit, including glittered pants and a leather jacket, and yellow Dr. Martens – performed Joan Jett & The Blackheart’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” as part of the show’s “songs from the movies” theme.

Garcia’s performance received a mixed response from the judges. L.A. Reid said it was “good,” but said it lacked originality, while Simon Cowell said it was a “parody.”

“I think you’ve got to challenge yourself on these songs, because it was a pretty much a straight cover,” said Cowell. “And you’re better than this.”

But Garcia’s mentor, Demi Lovato, had a rebuttal ready.

“Look around in this audience, all of the girls are going crazy,” said Lovato. “And I guarantee that they would buy a ticket to her concert.”

Meanwhile, the other two Latinas in the competition, Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke, showed great improvement over last week’s performance.

Now called FifthHarmony, Cabello and Ally’s all-girl group performed Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” to rave reviews from the judges.

“I have to tell you that I was impressed with your singing,” declared Reid. “I think you guys nailed it; I think you figured out exactly how to start the song and who should finish the song.”

Britney Spears concurred.

“This week from last week it’s night and day,” said Spears. “You guys just shined the whole way, you really did. I was really impressed.”

FifthHarmony’s mentor Cowell, too, was impressed.

“The transformation week on week has been enormous; I think there’ something incredibly exciting about your potential,” said Cowell. “I really genuinely can feel something special. I thought the vocals were stunning, the performance was fantastic. I could not be more proud of you.”

Garcia Dazzles the Judges on “The X Factor”

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It looks like The X Factor has it’s first “most promising” Hispanic act… and her name is Jennel Garcia.

The 18-year-old Rochester, Massachusetts native, who recently graduated from high school, wowed the judges during this week’s premiere episode of the Fox singing competition.

Jennel Garcia

Garcia, a sweet, soft-spoken teenager, proved to judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

She showed up on stage at her Providence, Rhode Island audition looking like a petite flower. But after telling the judges that she looked up to artists like Pat Benatar, Garcia burst into a rock-sexy rendition of Grace Potter & The Nocturnal’s “Paris (Ooh La La).” Her performance had all four judges smiling, clapping and saying “yes, yes, yes!”

“Feisty little firecracker!” declared Reid, who launched the careers of Justin Bieber and Rihanna. “I am so feeling you!”

Jennel Garcia

Lovato, who was grinning from ear to ear, declare the combination of Garcia’s voice and personality a win-win.

“What I find really, really interesting is that you have such a cute face, you are really likeable and all of a sudden you are like ‘I’m on fire,’” expressed Lovato, who called her one of the night’s most promising acts. “I literally wrote down in my notes ‘Hot.’ You are awesome.”

Meanwhile, Cowell, considered a tough judge to impress, seemed utterly impressed.

“Jennel, let me tell you sweetheart, you are on the money because right now what’s missing on the pop charts is a young Pat Benatar or someone like that,” Cowell said enthusiastically. “I love the idea of making a pop record or rock record. You are different you are exciting I really, really like you.”

So how did Garcia react to the kudos from all four judges?

“Oh My God! That was so cool!” said Garcia. “I didn’t expect them to like me that much! … I lived in a small town, in a small house, in a dead end street and life has always been really quiet,” Garcia said. “Life starts right now. Today!”

Garcia has been singing from a young age, first on American Juniors at age 10, and later in a singing troupe that performed at nursing homes. She was even featured on America’s Most Talented Kids, according to South Coast Today.

Boneta Featured in First “Rock of Ages” Clip

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It’s no wonder Diego Boneta received CinemaCon’s Rising Star of 2012 Award, especially after the release of the first clip of his highly anticipated musical Rock of Ages…

Aimed at building buzz for the U.S. release of the film, Warner Bros. Pictures released the snippet, which shows the 21-year-old Mexican singer/actor and his co-star Julianne Hough shopping for vinyl at a record store before breaking into a head-banging rendition of Foreigner‘s “Jukebox Hero.”

Diego Boneta

Rock of Ages, an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, centers on small town girl Sherrie (Hough) and city boy Drew (Boneta) ,who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the classic hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and more.

Along with Hough and Boneta, Rock of Ages stars Tom Cruise as rock star Stacee Jaxx, Sherrie and Drew’s idol. Other members of the ensemble include  Malin Akerman, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti and Bryan Cranston.

Directed by Adam Shankman, Rock of Ages will open in theaters nationwide on June 15.