Classic Pop Icons

The previously unreleased Grateful Dead concert film “Sunshine Daydream” will be screened in select US theaters on August 1 as part of the third annual Grateful Dead Meet Up At The Movies series.

The Sunshine Daydream concert was performed at the site of the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta, Oregon on August 27, 1972. The film will include performances from the concert, and recent interviews with Ken Babbs, Sam Cutler, Wavy Gravy and Carolyn “Mountain Girl” Garcia.

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Joey Covington, former drummer with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, has died in a car accident in Palm Springs, California.

CBS News has reported that the 67-year-old drummer died after his Sedan hit a wall on the side of the road. Police have said that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Covington was born in East Conemaugh, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1945 and began playing drums aged 10. He joined Hot Tuna in 1969, which was a side project begun by Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen while Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick was undergoing surgery. Later that year, Covington appeared on Jefferson Airplane’s album “Volunteers,” and then took over from Spencer Dryden as the band’s full-time drummer.

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

Highlights for June include:

• Dave Davies’ new album “I Will Be Me” (4 June)
• Paul McCartney & Wings’ “Rockshow” on DVD and Blu-ray (11 June)
• Black Sabbath’s new album “13” in standard and deluxe editions (11 June)
• “Scott Walker – The Collection 1967-1970” 5-CD/5 LP box sets (11 June)
• “ZZ Top – The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1990” 10-CD collection (11 June)
• Hawkwind’s “Warrior On The Edge Of Time” reissue in standard and expanded editions (18 June)
• “Moody Blues – Timeless Flight” deluxe and super deluxe box set (25 June)
• Allman Brothers Band’s “Brothers & Sisters” 40th anniversary deluxe and super deluxe editions (25 June)
• The Beatles’ “Help!” on Blu-ray (25 June)
• A new range of 5-CD “Original Album Classics” titles from artists such as Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Santana, Johnny Cash, and more (25 June).

Lou Reed is recovering well from a liver transplant that he received last month, according to his wife, Laurie Anderson.

The 71-year-old US singer-songwriter and former Velvet Underground frontman had lifesaving surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Anderson told The Times:

“It’s as serious as it gets. He was dying. You don’t get it for fun… I don’t think he’ll ever totally recover from this, but he’ll certainly be back to doing [things] in a few months. He’s already working and doing t’ai chi. I’m very happy. It’s a new life for him.”

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The Eagles’ debut single “Take It Easy” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

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