Jon Bon Jovi announced that he has fully recovered from the vocal cord surgery that has sidelined him for four years. The singer will kick off Bon Jovi’s Forever tour with a Madison Square Garden residency starting July 7, followed by dates in the U.K. and Ireland. “I’m fully recovered,” Bon Jovi told People magazine. “It was longer than I’d ever expected, but it had to be right.” The frontman praised his bandmates for their patience and loyalty during his recovery. “They never doubted me and never looked for work or decided to retire,” he said. The tour will promote their 2024 album Forever. Bon Jovi’s last major concert run ended in 2022, with only four performances in 2024. He calls the upcoming tour “a rebirth” focused on joy. (Story URL)
Walter Parazaider, co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, died Wednesday at age 81 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for six years. The saxophonist and flutist helped form the group in 1967 and performed with them for 50 years until his 2017 retirement. Parazaider is best known for his flute solo on “Colour My World” and pioneered the concept of integrating a full horn section into rock music. His daughter Felicia announced his death on Facebook, writing “My father, my hero, is gone. He went peacefully.” Parazaider revealed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2021, stating he felt “very positive about the future” despite the challenges. He was married to wife JacLynn for 59 years. Story URL
Macy’s will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with its 50th annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular featuring Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa, Noah Kahan, Bebe Rexha and Shaboozey. The nation’s largest Independence Day celebration will launch 85,000 shells in 30 colors from six barges positioned in New York City, plus debut a new laser show from the Brooklyn Bridge. The Voice season 29 winner Alexia Jayy will perform during the fireworks display. The expanded show airs live on NBC and Peacock from 8 to 10 p.m. EST, with live-to-tape broadcasts for other time zones. Telemundo will simulcast in Spanish starting at 8 p.m. EST. Executive producer Will Coss called it “a show-stopping spectacle” featuring “never-before-seen effects and music’s biggest stars for a truly unforgettable celebration.” (Story URL)
CBS will air Great American Block Party 250 on July 4th at 8 p.m. ET, celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. The three-hour primetime special broadcasts from Washington and streams on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7. CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil and Entertainment Tonight co-host Nischelle Turner will host the event. Musical performers include Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls, and The War and Treaty. The special will also showcase other July 4th events from multiple cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia, concluding with a fireworks display. (Story URL)
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform their final show tonight in Denver, Colorado, concluding their “All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour” and six decades of performing together. The legendary country group celebrated their 60th anniversary with a Grand Ole Opry performance on May 13th in Nashville. The farewell tour began in 2024 but was extended into 2026 to mark the milestone anniversary. Founded in Long Beach, California in 1966, the band released 27 albums and earned three Grammy Awards. Their biggest hits included three number-one songs: “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream),” “Modern Day Romance,” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Current members include founding members Jeff Hanna and Jimmie Fadden, along with Bob Carpenter, Jaime Hanna, Ross Holmes, and Jim Photoglo. (Story URL)