Classic Rock News Roundup

Critics never agree unanimously, but a majority are giving favorable reviews to the final Cream reunion concerts this week at Madison Square Garden. The three sold-out New York City concerts came five months after a similar series of performances at London's Royal Albert Hall, the site of their 1968 farewell concerts. It appears that these, too, are farewell performances -- again -- for Cream. Publicist Kristen Foster told the Reuters news agency, "The band has no plans for the future." Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker made rock history as a group that existed less than two years.

"With every studio session," says Mick Jagger, "there are always songs that never appear on the final album and at the time you think, what a shame that song did not make it." Well, they have finally made it. The Rolling Stones' Rarities 1971-2003 will be released on November 22, with 16 live performances and "B" sides of singles, some of which have become difficult to find in recent years. The CD will come just 11 weeks after the Stones' studio album release, A Bigger Bang, sales of which have failed to match the success of their current tour. The Starbucks chain is involved in financing and marketing Rarities, but the CD will also be available through traditional music outlets.
Rolling Stones Tour Dates/Tickets

When Howard Stern blasts off from terrestrial to satellite radio in January, ex-Van Halen vocalist David Lee Roth wll be replacing him in some key markets: New York, Boston, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and West Palm Beach. That's pretty impressive, especially considering that this will be Roth's first radio job. In other markets, Stern is being replaced by comedian Adam Carolla and Cleveland radio morning man, DJ Rover. Roth, a New York City resident for the past few years, promises he will not be a Stern clone.
David Lee Roth Tour Dates/Tickets