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The Beach Boys performed a special gig for BBC Radio 2 last night at London’s Mermaid Theatre, ahead of their appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena later this week.

A replay of the show is available on the Radio 2 website until October 1. The gig begins around 18 minutes in and is preceded by Jo Whiley’s interview with the band.

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A new Dion DiMucci 2-CD collection is on the way in October, which will bring together the A and B sides of all his original solo Laurie singles.

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American singer-songwriter, Joe South, sadly died of heart failure at his home in Buford, Georgia, on Wednesday (September 5). The 72-year-old was best known for his classic hit “Games People Play,” but his talents stretched much further than that, including playing on many great records in his time as a session musician, and penning such hits as Lynn Anderson’s “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden”.

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The New Releases page has been updated to include music CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases for September.

Highlights for September include:

• Bob Dylan’s new album “Tempest” (Sep 11)
• “Michael Jackson Live at Wembley” DVD + 25th anniversary editions of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” (Sep 18)
• “Paul Simon – Live in New York City” on CD, DVD and Blu-rau (Sep 18)
• the Beach Boys greatest hits collection and 12 classic albums remastered (Sep 24 in the UK*)
• “Freddie Mercury – The Great Pretender” on DVD and Blu-ray (Sep 25)
• remastered editions of 12 more original Frank Zappa albums(Sep 25).

*Fans in North America will have to wait until October 9 for the Beach Boys releases, but pre-order links are provided on the New Releases page.

Legendary lyricist Hal David died this morning (September 1) in Los Angeles of complications from a stroke. He was 91.

David will be most remembered for his many timeless hits penned with songwriting partner Burt Bacharach.

Harold Lane David was born in Manhattan, New York, on May 25, 1921. He was inspired to become a songwriter by his brother Mack, who wrote songs for the likes of Patti Page and Ella Fitzgerald. After serving in the army during World War II, David began working for the New York Post, but he hadn’t given up on his songwriting ambitions. His earliest successes came writing for band leader Sammy Kaye, and Guy Lombardo. He also collaborated with Morty Nevins on songs for the movie “Two Guys and a Guy” in 1951.

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