Gretna Van Fleet, the woman who inspired rock band Greta Van Fleet’s name, died Monday at age 95. The band adopted her name after original drummer Kyle Hauck mentioned his grandfather was dropping him off “to cut wood for Gretna Van Fleet.” Frontman Josh Kiszka removed the “n” from Gretna with her blessing. “I think they checked out my background to make sure I wasn’t on the 10 most wanted list or something, and they went ahead with it,” Gretna told The Saginaw News in 2019. A founding member of her church’s Bag Ladies, she sewed garments for community members and soldiers. The multi-instrumentalist played drums, tuba, cornet, saxophone, bass, violin, dulcimer, organ, and piano, forming the Allenaires with her brothers in her twenties. News of her death coincides with Greta Van Fleet announcing their May 27th comeback show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. Story URL
Billy Corgan announced during a May 19th Substack livestream that Smashing Pumpkins recorded their first song with producer Butch Vig since 1993’s Siamese Dream sessions. “We’ve just recorded one song,” Corgan stated. “It’s for a specific purpose, which I can’t give that part out… The song is really cool. It’s basically done recording. I’d say there’s a couple little things left. I’d say it’s 98 percent done.” Vig previously produced the band’s 1991 debut Gish and Siamese Dream, working on Nirvana’s Nevermind between those projects. The announcement coincides with the Pumpkins’ upcoming North American arena tour spotlighting their 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The tour begins September 30th in Columbus, Ohio. The current lineup includes Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, James Iha, Kiki Wong, and Jack Bates. Story URL
A documentary titled Gregg Allman: The Music Of My Soul premieres June 17th at over 200 theaters nationwide, chronicling the late musician’s 45-year career with the Allman Brothers Band. Director James Keach examines how early trauma shaped Allman’s artistry. A new trailer features vintage footage where Allman discusses his brother Duane’s 1971 motorcycle death: “I was mad at him for dying. I was mad at life. You never know how much you’re leaning on someone until they die.” Premiere events include June 9th at New York’s Gramercy Theater featuring Devon Allman and Duane Betts performing acoustically, and June 11th at Macon’s Grand Opera House with Chuck Leavell appearing. Both screenings sold out. Rolling Stone Films executive produced the documentary, which explores Allman’s struggles with addiction, loss, and his eventual acceptance of mortality before his 2017 death. Story URL