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Quick Takes: Van Halen, Journey, DIana Ross, Graham Nash, Michael Jackson, Colin Hay

By Music News Jun 17, 2021 | 8:00 PM
  • Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have launched a new Van Halen Instagram page called “Van Hagar / Other Half.” Hagar posted on his social media outlets: “Hey everybody! I’ve got some fresh news for you. Mikey and I have been checking out our old widgets for you, the stuff we all have been doing with years in Van Hagar years, and we have found some of the coolest stuff. We are digging, we are digging, we are finding nuggets every day. And we are sharing with you. We are going to start a brand new Instagram account, it’s called Van Hagar Other Half. It is going to be fun. I can’t wait.”
  • Journey posted on social media that the first fruits of their latest album sessions will be coming next week. The message read: “We are releasing a new song next Thursday, June 24! Who’s ready for new Journey music?!” The track marks the debut of the band's latest lineup featuring co-founder Neal Schon, longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, frontman Arnel Pineda — and rounded out by returning bassist Randy Jackson, and drummer Narada Michael Walden.
  • Diana Ross will release her first new album in 15 years when Thank You drops on September 10th. Ross issued a statement, which reads: “This collection of songs is my gift to you with appreciation and love. I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to record this glorious music at this time. I dedicate this songbook of love to all of you, the listeners. As you hear my voice you hear my heart.”
  • Graham Nash's new short film using his song “Dirty Little Secret” premiered at Manhattan's Tribeca Film Festival. The animated short, also titled Dirty Little Secret, was directed by New York-based filmmaker, animator, and painter Jeff Scher. Nash told Rolling Stone “(Drummer) Russ Kunkel and I knew that this story was a 'Dirty Little Secret,' so we wrote the song 19 years ago about the mass killing of at least 300 people and the destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921.”
    • Dirty Little Secret is currently screening through June 20th at the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival. (Rolling Stone)
  • The video for Michael Jackson's 1982 classic “Billie Jean” has become the third-ever music clip to reach one billion views on YouTube. “Billie Jean” follows following Guns N’ Roses‘ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and a-ha‘s “Take On Me” in the “billion views list.” (Billboard)
  • Set for release on August 6th is Men At Work frontman Colin Hay's new covers collection, I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself. The album features Hay's interpretations of such classics as “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” – Burt Bacharach/Hal David; “Waterloo Sunset” – the Kinks; “Wichita Lineman” – Glen Campbell; “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” – the Beatles; “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” – Gerry & The Pacemakers; “Ooh La La” – the Faces; “Driving With The Brakes On” – Del Amitri; “Across The Universe” – the Beatles; “Can’t Find My Way Home” – Blind Faith; and “Many Rivers To Cross” – Jimmy Cliff. (Press release)