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On this day June 14, 1969 Iron Butterfly played Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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On this day June 14, 1970 @gratefuldead released “Workingman’s Dead.”

The album and its studio follow-up, “American Beauty,” were recorded back-to-back using a similar style, eschewing the psychedelic experimentation of previous albums in favor of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s Americana-styled songcraft.

Bassist Phil Lesh stated “The song lyrics reflected an ‘old, weird’ America that perhaps never was … The almost miraculous appearance of these new songs would also generate a massive paradigm shift in our group mind: from the mind-munching frenzy of a seven-headed fire-breathing dragon to the warmth and serenity of a choir of chanting cherubim.

Even the album cover reflects this new direction. The cover of “Workingman’s Dead” is monochromatic and sepia.”

In recent years, a search revealed that the photograph was taken at 1199 Evans Avenue in San Francisco.

While on tour in Boulder, Colorado, the previous year, Garcia had purchased a steel guitar and was now keen to use it on the new batch of songs.

Lesh explained, “Just as with any other instrument he picked up, he made it sing. The main impetus for this development was the nature of the new songs Hunter and Jerry had been writing; many of them had a decidedly country flavor (‘Dire Wolf,’ ‘Friend of the Devil,’ ‘High Time,’ ‘Casey Jones,’ ‘Ripple’).

Songs such as “Uncle John’s Band,” “High Time,” and “Cumberland Blues” were brought to life with soaring harmonies and layered vocal textures that had not previously been a part of the band’s sound.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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The Song @deeppurple_official Refuses To Play Live Anymore (And It Makes Sense Why)

Released in 1970, “Child In Time” is a unique track in that it features the full range of Gillan’s vocal ability. It’s quite a long track too, clocking in at over 10 minutes.

The lyrical content of “Child In Time” is vaguely political with a loose focus on the Cold War. However, the real focal point of the song is Gillan’s insane vocal range. 

I don’t believe another song exists that features the full breadth of what Gillan could do with his voice in his prime.

Plus, that jam session between Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar and Jon Lord’s organ is pretty fantastic, too.

The last time Deep Purple whipped this one out was back in 2002. So, why doesn’t Deep Purple perform this song anymore?

The answer to that question is very understandable. Ian Gillan is close to 80 years old now.

Back in 2002, he was 57 years old. Naturally, no matter how well one takes care of their voice, hitting insane notes when you’re almost 60 years old is not often possible.

In an interview from a few years back, Gillan was frank about why Deep Purple doesn’t perform “Child In Time” live anymore.
“No, no, it’s not possible,” said Gillan . “I could drop the key down, but it wouldn’t sound the same.”

“I always thought of ‘Child In Time’ not as a song but more like an Olympic event,” Gillan continued. “It was so challenging. But yeah, when I was young, it was effortless.”

Gillan went on to say that around the time he was 38 years old, he was ready to retire “Child In Time”. He eventually stuck to his mantra of “Better not to do it badly. Better not to do it.” Gillan noted that despite that notion, he still sings, but he’s smart about what he knows he can do live, and what he should skip.

“Here I am, at 77, and I’m still screaming, up to a point,” Gillan continued. “But the control element and the elevation of that note [in ‘Child In Time’] is beyond me, to be honest.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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Legendary Rocker, 81, Knighted by King Charles

The Who’s Roger Daltrey, 81, was knighted for his services to charity. He has been a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust for 25 years, annually taking charge of its concert series at the Royal Albert Hall.

Daltrey said of the honor, “It’s a dream come true for me, but it’s especially a dream because the charity means so much.” He added that he was “very humbled” and would be toasting with “a bottle of plonk.”

The actual ceremony typically takes place on either New Year’s Day or on the officially recognized birthday of the King, which this year is being celebrated on Saturday, June 14.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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🎸 Giveaway Alert! Win Tickets to Pink Floyd`s The Wall Laser Concert at MOSAC! 🌌
Sacramento, get ready for an epic night of music and lasers! K-ZAP is giving away pairs of tickets to the MOSAC Planetarium Laser Concert Series featuring Pink Floyd`s iconic album The Wall on Friday, June 20th at 7:30 PM at the UC Davis Multiverse Theater. 🎶
Experience The Wall like never before with a stunning full-dome laser display and a powerful 25,000-watt Dolby 5.1 surround sound system. Feel the raw emotion of "Another Brick in the Wall" and the haunting beauty of "Comfortably Numb" as the story unfolds around you. This is your chance to see and hear one of Pink Floyd`s most celebrated works in a way that will blow your mind! 🤯
How to Enter:
📧 Send an email to free@k-zap.org by Wednesday, June 18th.
📩 Use the subject line: "Pink Floyd"
✍️ Include your name and phone number.
⚠️ One entry per person (frequent winners may be skipped).
Winners will be notified on Thursday, June 19th. Can’t wait to see if you’ve won? Grab your tickets now at visitmosac.org/laser-concert-series.
Don’t miss your shot at this unforgettable night—enter now and get ready to rock under the lasers! 🎟️✨
#KZAPORG #PinkFloydTheWall #LaserConcert #MOSAC #SacramentoEvents …

@alicecooper On Reuniting Surviving Original Members Of His Band For New Studio Album: ‘Everything Went So Smoothly’

In a new interview, Alice Cooper spoke about his reunion with the other surviving members of the original ALICE COOPER band — guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith — for an upcoming studio album, “The Revenge Of Alice Cooper,”which is due on July 25 via earMUSIC.

This highly anticipated effort, dedicated to original ALICE COOPER guitarist Glen Buxton, who died in 1997, is heralded as the successor to their iconic records “School’s Out,” “Billion Dollar Babies,” “Love It to Death” and “Killer.”

The first single from the album, “Black Mamba,” was made available in April, featuring the legendary Robby Krieger of THE Doors.

Regarding how the reunion with the other original members of ALICE COOPER came about, Alice said “When we parted, we didn’t divorce; we just separated. There was no bad blood. There was no lawsuits or anything like that. And we stayed in touch with each other. And finally, at one point — they had worked on some of my albums — I said, ‘Why don’t we just do an album?’ Ah we got [longtime producer] Bob Ezrin involved. And I was absolutely amazed. Everything went so smoothly. We wrote all these songs, and it sounded exactly like 1975.”

Alice added: “Losing Glen was really tough for us ‘cause he was our Keith Richards. We got Robby Krieger to play on ‘Black Mamba,’ which was perfect for that song. And we found a guy named Gyasi [Hues] in Nashville that just fit in perfectly.”

Asked if he and the other surviving members of the original ALICE COOPER band just clicked right back in as friends too, Alice said: “Absolutely. It was never a beat even [that was missed]. It just felt like this was the album that should have come out after ‘Billion Dollar Babies.’ It had that feel to it.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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🎉 HOLD UP! K-ZAP’s dropping MORE FREE MUSIC?! 😱 It’s our TENTH ANNIVERSARY, and YOU’RE the ones getting SPOILED with gifts! 🎁🔥 Stay locked in for the big reveal on Monday, 6/16, to find out how YOU can WIN! 🚀🎸 #KZAP10 #stevienicks …

More FREE MUSIC coming from K-ZAP and Quarry Park Amphitheatre in Rocklin.
Details on how to WIN Monday 6/16.
Stay TUNED!🎶 …

Rock Royalty, Known for Their Harmonies and Dual Drummers, Get Their Due: ‘It’s About Time’

@doobiebrothersofficial the iconic voices behind a generation’s soundtrack, officially received one of music’s highest honors on Thursday, cementing their legacy at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

While the night in New York City was a long-overdue industry acknowledgment, for fans, it was a moment of celebration and vindication that flooded social media with resounding approval.

For decades, devoted followers of the band have championed their songwriting prowess, and their reactions to the induction were swift and emotional.

Across Instagram, fans declared the honor was “so well deserved” and “about time.” Some also shared personal anecdotes of attending the band’s concerts.

The evening saw the band’s core architects—Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and Michael McDonald—attend the prestigious event.

The Doobie Brothers’ career saw two distinct, yet equally successful, eras.

The first, led by Johnston’s gritty, rock-infused vocals, produced timeless anthems like “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.”

When Michael McDonald joined in the mid-70s, his smooth, soulful voice and sophisticated keyboard work ushered in a new chapter of success with Grammy-winning hits that defined the California sound, including “Takin’ It to the Streets.”

The band’s ability to not only survive but thrive through such a significant musical evolution is a testament to the strength of their songwriting.

Their induction places them among the pantheon of the world’s most legendary songwriters.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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From the Tiger to the Wolf, meet the guitar maker who brought @jerrygarcia’s wildest designs to life

This is the story of Tom Lieber, the aspiring guitar builder who ended up making prized instruments for the Grateful Dead.

Every gear company will have a pedigree of talent that it’s most associated with, though in the case of Lieber Guitars, it really just boils down to one group above all others – American rock ’n’ roll originals the Grateful Dead.

Master luthier and owner Tom Lieber got his big break designing and building guitars for the band alongside Doug Irwin, resulting in Jerry Garcia models like the Wolf and the Tiger.

He now oversees a whole range of Garcia favorites, from limited-edition models to the Coco series.

“I moved to California and ended up getting put in touch with Doug Irwin, who worked for Jerry Garcia.

Which of the Grateful Dead models did you end up making first?

“I began with the Pendulous bass, which was one of three models Doug and I did back in 1975. What became the Tiger was the ‘Garcia.’ And there was the Firedrake, which was a combination of the Pendulous and the Tiger.”

“Jerry’s guitars were always a working platform. He liked to try different stuff, which was great for us. Not all of it worked. As a builder, your ego can get in the way if you’re not paying attention. For the player, the guitar should be comfortable like an old pair of shoes. There should be nothing foreign about it.

“As much as players say they want the Holy Grail, they usually want what they already have.

Jerry then contracted Doug to build the Wolf. At the time, Jerry was playing a modified Strat called the Alligator. Doug decided to make something similar.

“Last year I sold more Garcias, which are high-end.

“I only make one of each guitar. There were 53 Spellbinder basses from 1980, and I did 24 Garcias for the Grateful Dead’s 50th [anniversary] – 12 Tigers and 12 Wolf models, all made out of sustainable materials. Other than that, it’s always one of everything.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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@judaspriest kick off “Painkiller” anniversary tour with rarities-stacked setlist

Judas Priest kicked off their Shield Of Pain European run at Rockfest in Turku, Finland on Thursday (June 12).

The Birmingham heavy metal veterans debuted a severely shaken-up setlist at the festival, playing seven songs from 1990 album Painkiller as they celebrate its 35th anniversary.

They also brought out two previously unperformed tracks from last year’s Invincible Shield.

The Painkiller cuts were as follows: All Guns Blazing (unplayed since 2019), Hell Patrol, A Touch Of Evil, Night Crawler (unplayed since 2012), One Shot At Glory (with the instrumental Battle Hymn as an intro over the backing tape), Between The Hammer And The Anvil and Painkiller.

Other surprises included an early airing of career standout Breaking The Law, which was just the fifth song of the night, and the first performance since 2005 of Solar Angels, from 1981’s controversial Point Of Entry album.

On July 5, Judas Priest will perform at the 60th anniversary celebrations of hard rockers Scorpions in Hannover, Germany.

The event clashes with Black Sabbath’s star-studded farewell show in Birmingham on the same day. In an exclusive interview with Metal Hammer, singer Rob Halford said he was “gutted” to be missing his fellow Brummies’ swansong.

Judas Priest will tour North America with Alice Cooper from September to October. See details and get tickets via their website.

Judas Priest setlist: Rockfest, Turku, Finland – June 12, 2025
All Guns Blazing (first time since 2019)
Hell Patrol
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
Freewheel Burning
Breaking The Law
A Touch Of Evil
Night Crawler (first time since 2012)
Firepower
Solar Angels (first time since 2005)
Gates Of Hell
Metal Gods
The Serpent And The King (live debut)
One Shot At Glory
Between The Hammer And The Anvil
Judas Rising
Giants In The Sky (live debut)
Painkiller
Hell Bent For Leather
Living After Midnight

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
#kzaporg …

Al Jardine Recounts the Last Time He Saw @brianwilsonlive, Reveals the Touching Way He’ll Honor Him on Tour

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Brian Wilson’s mastery of music was showcased throughout his time in @thebeachboys.

Having inspired countless singers and musicians over the years with his talents, Wilson sadly passed away on June 11th at 82 years old.

With tributes pouring in, his fellow bandmate Al Jardine recounted the last time he met Wilson and the sweet way he hoped to honor his friend’s legacy. 

I saw Brian about a month ago, and he looked like he was on the mend. We were in the living room just chatting, as he was having a blood oxygen test. He had a nurse there, and she said: ‘Well, things are looking good,’ so I was not too concerned …”

Not remotely concerned about his health, Jardine went ahead and made preparations for Wilson, even ordering him a piano. “I thought he was going to be with us for some time. I was looking forward to him coming to the rehearsals in L.A. And I ordered a piano to be there for him.”

Still planning to hit the road this summer, Jardine insisted that he would honor his late friend by playing a few hits from the Beach Boys. But wanting to do more, he added there would be an empty seat to remember Wilson. “I get emotional. Unfortunately, yeah, I tend to tear up. But I’m OK.”

Although Jardine had the perfect way to shed light on Wilson’s accomplishments, he knew how difficult it would be. “I think we’ll shed light on what he had accomplished, and we’re looking forward to it. If we can get by. If we can get through it emotionally. I’ve got a feeling there’s gonna be some tears up there, but we’ll just have to get through it somehow.”

With Wilson’s mark on the music industry shining bright, the Beach Boys offered a heartfelt tribute, declaring, “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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On this day June 13, 1981 @journeyofficial, Hall & Oates, Billy Squier and 415 played the Mountain Aire Festival at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, California.

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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Why Uli John Roth turned down a $9 million offer for @jimihendrix’s iconic black Strat

While Jimi Hendrix may be best associated with “Izabella” – his 1968 Olympic White Fender Strat – another one of his favorites in his stable of electric guitars was “Black Beauty” – his iconic black 1968 Strat.

In fact, the iconic six-string was so important to Hendrix he was seen with it a day before his death. On September 17th, 1970, Hendrix’s then-girlfriend, Monika Dannemann, took photos of him drinking tea and lovingly clutching the black Strat.

The Strat ended up in Dannemann’s possession after Hendrix’s untimely death and remained with her until she died in 1996.

Later on in her life, though, Dannemann had reportedly married Scorpions guitar player Uli Jon Roth, who ended up becoming the guitar’s de facto caretaker.

“That guitar is not mine. That guitar belongs to the Dannemann family,” Roth tells Guitar World matter-of-factly in a new interview. “You know, when Monika was alive, it was always just sitting there, but I never played it.

“Maybe I played a few notes on it, but I didn’t want to break a string. It is the only Hendrix guitar that is still in exactly the same condition as he left it. And it’s the one that he played through his last year on a lot of shows. It’s the one that he played “Machine Gun” with at the Band of Gypsys concerts, and he also played it on his last gig in Germany, where I was backstage.”

“I mean, 30 years ago Paul Allen offered a million dollars at the time. Monika said, ‘This guitar is not for sale,’ you know? And nowadays, it would, of course, be worth a lot more, particularly since it’s never been changed.”

Topping that, an art dealer from the Middle East allegedly offered $9 million for the black Strat, a well-known industry anecdote that Roth confirms. “I had that guy on the phone, and I said, ‘Give me one good reason why we should sell you the guitar?’ He said, ‘Well, the money…’ I said, ‘That’s not a good reason.’ So, it was a short conversation.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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Stay tuned!
MORE FREE MUSIC coming soon from K-ZAP! …

This week’s Rush Hour Blues features @zitorox 2025 Blues Music Award winner for Blues Rock Album of the Year for his latest release “Life Is Hard.”

Join Sacramento’s K-ZAP this Friday, 5p as your host Bill Prescott dives into this fine release.

This isn’t Carnegie Hall blues with cognac, polished shoes & tuxedos — this is juke joint smoke & Old Crow whiskey in a dalliance with the devil’s jambalaya & Joe Bonamassa (guitar) & Josh Smith’s (guitar) production prowess.

Then ready yourself for Mike Zito’s June 18th appearance @harlowsnightclub.

RHB is sponsored by @blackrockauto 1313 C street Sacramento. “They can do Stuff.”

Catch the stream at k-zap.org, on the k-zap apps or at 93.3 FM in the metro Sacramento area.
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