“Ultimate Classic Rock” has a rundown of the year’s biggest ROCK ‘N’ ROLL stories. Here are the highlights:
1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” became the best-selling music biopic ever.
2. Steve Perry came out of hiding with his first album in more than 20 years.
3. Fleetwood Mac dumped Lindsey Buckingham.
4. Def Leppard toured with Journey, and will be inducted into the Rock Hall next year. They also got the distinction of winning the Rock Hall’s fan vote.
5. AC/DC returned to the studio . . . maybe. It’s unclear what’s happening, but Angus Young, Stevie Young, Brian Johnson, and Phil Rudd were photographed outside a studio.
6. After being nudged by their fans, Weezer gave new life to Toto’s “Africa”.
7. Judas Priest scored their highest-charting album in the U.S., but then lost guitarist Glenn Tipton after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He’ll remain with the band as much as he can, but he’s retired from touring full-time.
8. Paul McCartney roared back to the top of the charts with “Egypt Station”.
9. Bruce Springsteen’s one-man show took Broadway by storm.
10. Foreigner reunited for ‘Double Vision: Then and Now’ dates.
11. The debt-riddled Gibson guitar company nearly went under.
12. Jeff Lynne brought Electric Light Orchestra back to North America after 37 years.
13. Dickey Betts staged a surprise comeback . . . before suffering a stroke.
14. Several aging rock stars retired from the road . . . including Elton John, Neil Diamond, Ozzy Osbourne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bob Seger.
15. And those who passed include Motorhead guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke . . . Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul . . . former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King . . . and Jefferson Airplane co-founder Marty Balin.
