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Rock 'n' Roll Rundown: Allmans, Stones, Eagles & Bruce

One of the surest signs of spring in New York City over the past decade or so has been the arrival of the Allman Brothers for their monthlong March run at the Beacon Theater.

This year I purchased four tickets for March 25 and probably would've hit 2 or 3 other shows as well.

But the shows were moved to May and ultimately cancelled when it was announced that Gregg Allman had hepatitis C and couldn't do the run. Apparently Allman was treated with interferon, which, ironically enough, interfered with his recovery.

On Friday, the Allman Brothers announced on their Web site that the shows would be rescheduled for early 2009, the 40th anniversary of its founding.

"New York's a second home to us," Allman, 60, said in a statement. "We love playing there and are as disappointed as anybody not to be able to get there this time." -

Richards Calls Jagger a "Power Freak"; Disses Zeppelin

A friend of mine told me he heard that Led Zeppelin will play New York City in September, but I've yet to see any actual tour dates posted. Robert Plant is out this summer with Alison Krauss until at least early July, so everyone figures the Zep dates would happen later in the summer or early fall.

Speaking of Zeppelin, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards claims he didn't even know the boys recently did a one-off reunion show in London in honor of Ahmet Ertegun.

When asked about the reunion in an interview for Uncut, Richards says, "They had one? Well, well done Jimmy (Page) and Robert (Plant)... Stairway To Heaven don't (sic) make it for me, baby."

In the same interview Richards also called Mick Jagger a “maniac” because of his need to feel in control.

'I'm Wasted & I Can't Find My Way Home'

Two of the biggest stars in the history of Rock 'n' Roll are playing this week at Madison Square Garden, and after seeing them Monday night, we highly recommend catching the show.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood cover the gamut of rock 'n' roll history, and feature tunes from Cream, Blind Faith, Traffic and their respective solo careers.

I covered a 6 p.m. New Jersey state playoff game Monday between Kennedy and Passaic Tech, won by the Knights, 50-49, behind 20 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks from 6-5 Kennedy senior Davian Plunkett.

Then I raced like a bat out of heck to Madison Square Garden to catch Winwood and Clapton. I had an adult beverage in my hand by the 2nd song of the night.

The boys (now in their 60s) were awesome, with Winwood splitting time between the guitar and the organ and Clapton playing electric and acoustic guitars. Some of my favorites included 'Pearly Queen,' ' Georgia on My Mind,' 'After Midnight,' 'Presence of the Lord,' and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing' and 'Voodoo Chile.' The last three songs of the night were a tour de force: "Can't Find My Way Home'; 'Dear Mr. Fantasy'; and 'Crossroads.'

My guess is the last two shows will feature some other gems, including 'Gimme Some Lovin' and 'Layla.'

Catch it if you can. These guys won't be around forever. Although Clapton was invited to play in North Korea...

Rock 'n' Roll Update: Zep, Stones, Bruce

It's the middle of hoops season, but we'd be remiss if we didn't talk a little rock 'n' roll...so here goes.

**Robert Plant and Alison Krauss finish up their "Raising Sand" tour in London May 22, and there are rumors that the reunited Led Zeppelin could play three gigs sometime thereafter at Madison Square Garden. Count me in. By the way, if you haven't yet heard "Raising Sand," we highly recommend it. It's some of the most soulful and moving new music to come out in years, yet it retains the classic Plant sound.

Zeppelin Blows Critics Away; Comeback Tour Next?

Critics are hailing Monday's Led Zeppelin reunion show in London as "awesome." Check out the video for yourself on "Kashmir," "Stairway to Heaven," and "Good Times, Bad Times."

Adrian Thrills, for the Daily Mail, said fans went home "deliriously happy" after the show at the O2 arena.

"They proved they could also live up to even the loftiest of expectations," he wrote.

Delivering yet more praise, he added: "They reflected and at times even replicated the sound and fury of their Hammer of the Gods heyday."

The Return of Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin appears to be everywhere these days. On the cover of Rolling Stone. In the background for SportsCenter's "Ultimate Highlight." And in concert today at London's 02 arena.

Rolling Stone has a fascinating article by David Fricke profiling Robert Plant, Jimmy Page (now sporting gray hair) and John Paul Jones as they planned for tonight's one-off show in London with drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late former Zep drummer John Bonham. The concert marks the first time in 19 years that the band has been together.

"They all agree that playing together again, after so long, was a momentous, emotional occasion," Fricke wrote.

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Over the Jersey State Line

It felt like a momentous day here in the New York/New Jersey area on Thursday, what with the Joe Torre Era coming to an end. I have to say, I'll miss Joe. He was a dignified, good man who led the team I've always rooted for to a Golden Era. Who's next? Mattingly, Girardi, Bobby V?

Combine the Torre news with Ray Rice and Company leading the Rutgers football team to a 30-27 win over No. 3 South Florida, the Rutgers hoops clinic featuring legends like Bob Hurley and the Seton Hall "Madness After Midnight" that apparently didn't bring in the largest crowd ever, but did attract many local hoops stars, including the slew of talented kids at Paterson Catholic...and you have a pretty big day in these parts.

On top of all that, my wife and I snagged two tickets to see Springsteen at the Garden, and it was awesome. She really loved hearing "Meeting Across The River". Other highlights included "Jungleland," "Candy's Room," "Badlands," "Prove It All Night," "The Rising," and an encore featuring "Born to Run," "Dancing in the Dark" and "Americaland." Here's the setlist.

Personally, I could've used a "Backstreets" and a "Racing in the Street," but, to quote another rock legend, you can't always get what you want...

Next up on the rock landscape: Van Halen and The Police next month, followed by Neil Young's shows in December.

Next up for the Yanks: Let's hope it's someone who has the class to follow Joe and the stones to handle the Steinbrenner Clan.

Van Halen Rips it Up; Busy Weeks Ahead in Rock 'n' Roll

I'm still working on getting my tickets to see the reunited Van Halen when they come to Madison Square Garden in November, but reports out of Charlotte, N.C. say that David Lee Roth and the Van Halen boys ripped it up on opening night. The set list included nothing from the Sammy Hagar Era (thankfully) and all the oldies you'd expect to hear: You Really Got Me, Running With the Devil, Somebody Get Me A Doctor...they closed with 1984 and Jump.

Meantime, in other classic rock news, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will play Continental Arena Oct. 9 and 10 and MSG Oct. 17 and 18. Bruce and the boys just played a series of practice sessions in Asbury Park and at Continental.

The Police, who were awesome when I saw them over the summer, return to MSG Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.

And my main man Neil Young will play the United Palace at 175th St. Dec. 12 and 13 in support of his new album, Chrome Dream Continental. I already have my tickets and they weren't cheap. But Neil is Neil, and I gotta see him.

Finally, we hear that a full-fledged Led Zeppelin tour is in the works for summer of '08.

Neil Young to Tour

First we got the good news that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band was touring this fall. Now comes the word that our man Neil Young will be out on his "Chrome Dreams Continental Tour." Neil kicks off the tour Oct. 18 in Boise, Idaho and works his way East, hitting New York's United Palace on 175th St. Dec. 12-13. Interesting that he's not playing any big venues like MSG or Continental, preferring to hit smaller spots. In Toronto, he'll play Massey Hall, site of a 1971 show recently released live on CD which some are calling his best show ever. And stay tuned for Neil's archive series due out soon.

Meantime, The Police still have shows remaining at MSG Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 and will play Atlantic City Nov. 3, while the reconstituted Van Halen, with David Lee Roth, hit Continental Nov. 3 and MSG Nov. 13. And then, of course, there's the 10-night Bon Jovi stand at "The Rock" in Newark beginning Oct. 25.