A Little Rock News To Start ...

Well, we made into the New Year safely ... and, though BTR has tweaked its focus just a little (remember? It's now news/views/commentary for "baby-boomers" whilst still showing a lotta R-E-S-P-E-C-T to today's generation ...), we're still in the rock bizness!
So, with that in mind, what do you say we kick this year off with a few music updates, alright??

CHANGING STATUS Since I used the title of her most famous hit, let's start this by wishing the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, happiness and success in her upcoming marriage to long-time friend "Willie" Wilkerson this summer! She said the nuptials will take place "probably in Miami".
Aretha's made an awesome comeback this year, and has shown determination in both music (a new CD, more performances [most recently, we saw her on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) and in the tremendous weight loss -- so we all wish her and Willie a long and happy life as Mr. and Mrs.

But she's not the only one tying the knot: Aerosmith's Steven Tyler became engaged over the Christmas weekend to longtime girlfriend Erin Brady. It will be 63 year-old Steven's third marriage. Erin is 38. (PS You always call him "Steven"! For whatever reason, he does not like his name to be shortened ...)

And congrats to Rick Wakeman of the legendary musical group Yes. Awhile back, he heard his 37-year-old girlfriend repeat his band's name when he "popped the question", and they were quietly married on 14 December. (btw, they've known each other for eight years).

AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO ... The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences recently announced their Lifetime Achievement Awards, which will be given out February 11-- the day before the annual Grammy awards.

The list includes legends from various genres of this wonder we call "modern music": Diana Ross, the Allman Brothers, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Gil Scott-Heron and Antonio Carlos Jobim will be honoured ...
as well as country/rock superstar Glen Campbell. The guitarist from Delight, Arkansas has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, and they wanted to include him whilst he can still appreciate and enjoy the honour.
Besides, he's long overdue the award, right?
By the way: Since there's a lot of positive buzz circulating about the Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and founding member David Marks) getting back together for a concert tour and new CD, didja know that Glen Campbell used to be a part of the group way-back-when?? Yep ... listen to the song Dance, Dance, Dance. That's him on guitar!)

COMING UP ON 11 JANUARY, though (and this is just IMHO), is the award show that's actually the only one voted on by regular, everyday folks like us.  Y'see, whilst the Grammys, Golden Globes and others are awards presented by tabulated results from industry choices, the People's Choice Awards are decided by votes tabbed by the public -- in other words, your favourites!  So tune in to CBS on Wednesday night to see if any of your musical or celluloid heroes get the nod ...

AND COMING UP ON THIS BLOG:  This year is a new beginning for Beyond The Rock.  Not only did we change the name (formerly Rock, Rhythm and Rimshots) and retire that old cuss, The Rock Relic (now replaced with the returning Electric Eagle), but we're focusing on issues, news and commentary that apply largely to the biggest segment of society -- the baby-boomers.
We'll be increasing the number of posts per week, including more vids and feedback, and, amongst it all, also keep up with the latest happenings in classic rock -- the sounds that actually made modern music what it is today!
So stay tuned ... there's a lot more to come on the new BTR!  Until then, I'll ...

see ya on the flip side!