Plans and Predictions for 2006

One of the traditions of the holiday season is to give in to the temptation to look ahead at the coming new year to see what's in the works, and to make predictions about what might or might not happen. So, let's take a look in our Classic Rock crystal ball and see if we can see some of what's in store in 2006.

The Return of Billy Joel

The Piano Man went on a highly successful tour with The Rocket Man (Elton John) in 2003. In 2006, Billy Joel will embark on a solo tour, his first since 1998-99. Confirmed bookings begin in January and run at least through spring. The tour comes just weeks after the release of the massive four-CD/one-DVD box set, My Lives.
Tour Schedules/Tickets

The Possible Return of Genesis

Peter Gabriel, who has been resistant to the idea of a Genesis reunion for a long time, recently told Rolling Stone that the odds are “better now than they’ve ever been before.” In an interview with Reuters news service, Phil Collins, who succeeded Gabriel as lead vocalist said, “If it happens, I’ll be there.” Guitarist Steve Hackett told the Chicago Sun-Times that he has been contacted by Genesis management and that "I do think it will happen." If a reunion does come off, it will be the first time since 1982 that Gabriel has performed with the group that he co-founded.

Elton John On Broadway

The bright neon lights of Broadway provide a perfect backdrop for Elton John. He has written (with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin) a musical based on novelist Anne Rice's character, The Vampire Lestat. After premiering in San Francisco, the show will open on Broadway in March.
Lestat Schedule/Tickets

New Studio Albums In 2006

Velvet Revolver
After touring for most of 2005, Velvet Revolver plans a new studio album by mid-2006. They plan to be in the studio shortly after the first of the year.

Tom Petty

The release of his third solo album is expected in the spring

Meat Loaf

Bat Out Of Hell III: The Last At Bat is due for release sometime in 2006

U2

In a September interview, Bono told Rolling Stone, “I think there will be a record in 2006 because we're on it now.”

Rush

Writing and pre-production are said to be underway for an album of new material that is expected to be ready for release in 2006. Remixed DVD reissues of "Exit...Stage Left," "Grace Under Pressure Tour" and "A Show of Hands" are also in the works.

AC/DC

Although not confirmed, there has been talk of a new studio album in the new year.

Jackson Browne

A second volume of Solo Acoustic live performances and a new studio album are planned for 2006.

Book Notes

Rush drummer Neil Peart's fourth book is expected to be published in early 2006. Roadshow: Landscape With Drums, A Concert Tour By Motorcycle is based on the band's 30th anniversary tour in 2004. Peart's previous books have included an autobiography, his journal written while cycling through West Africa, and his memoirs about coping with the deaths of his wife and daughter.

David Bowie writes the foreword for Glam! an Eyewitenss Account by Mike Rook, a collection of glam rock era photos of Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and other notables who defined the genre.

As if in anticipation of a possible reunion, Omnibus Press is releasing Chris Welch's Genesis: The Complete Guide to Their Music in paperback February 10.

U2 by U2 (with Neil McCormick) is an autobiographical look at the Irish supergroup, scheduled for publication in September.

Buffalo Springfield and Poco founder Richie Furay writes (with Michael Roberts) about Pickin' Up the Pieces of his life during and after his rock years. The book has an April release date.

Eric Clapton will spend 2006 working on his autobiography, which is due to be published in 2007.

Who Knows?

The Who plan a world tour in the summer of 2006. First, they'll go into the studio in February to continue work on the Who2 album that they've been working on for most of the last decade. Founding member and chief composer Pete Townshend said in the fall that it may take as long as five years to finish writing songs, producing demos, and selecting just the right songs for the album, though earlier in the year he said that he couldn't imagine touring without a new album. The Who 2006 tour will include dates in the US.

The Biggest Tour That Wasn't Supposed To Be

Almost nobody expected Mötley Crüe to reunite. Few band breakups have been so bitter. Not only have they spent the better part of 2005 touring, they have now extended their Carnival of Sins tour -- one of the most successful of the year in spite of onstage injuries to Vince Neil and Tommy Lee -- into 2006, beginning in February. Dates are currently booked through the first of April.
Tour Dates/Tickets

Of course, there will be many more new releases, reunions, books, and other projects involving Classic Rock artists in 2006. I'll see you back here at the end of the year to see how much of this came true, and to guess what 2007 may bring.