NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ VH1) - VH1 Classic is celebrating some of America's most influential music icons from all regions of the United States this July 4th weekend. Beginning on Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 the network will "Rock Across America" and dedicate one day to each region of the country including the East, Midwest, South and West. The 4-day marathon will include some of the greatest concerts known to the rock 'n' roll world and will give an all-access look into the lives of these American music greats that helped shape the classic rock culture. Throughout the holiday weekend that celebrates America, classic rock fans across the country will be able to relive the memories with artists like Bruce Springsteen,
James Brown, KISS, The Temptations, Tom Petty,
Heart and more.
Highlighted programming to air throughout the weekend include:
The East
"VH1 Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen" Airs on Thursday, July 3 at 3:30 PM ET/PT
New Jersey singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen gives fans the performance of their lives as he performs songs from his album "Devils & Dust." Viewers will get a unique opportunity to hear the inspiration and stories behind such hits as "Blinded by the Light," "Brilliant Disguise" (which he performs with his wife Patti Scialfa), "The Rising," "Thunder Road" and from his new album the title track "Devils & Dust" and "Jesus Was An Only Son." The acoustic show ends with questions about Bruce's life and work.
"KISS Unplugged" Airs on Thursday, July 3 at 6:00 PM ET/PT
The KISS nation will get a chance to rock hard with original and current members of the legendary New York City rock band KISS. For a full hour fans can watch a makeup-free KISS play some of their greatest hits acoustically with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss reuniting to play tracks like "Rock and Roll All Night" and "Nothing To Lose." Fans will also get to see current members Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick join the crew to belt out songs like "Comin' Home" and "See You Tonight."
"VH1 Classic in Concert: Poison: Live, Raw and Uncut" Airs on Thursday, July 3 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
Poison performs at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in St. Louis on August 2, 2007. This Pennsylvania band performs some of their greatest hits including "I Want Action," "I Won't Forget You," "Something To Believe In," "Unskinny Bop," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Talk Dirty To Me."
The Midwest
"The Temptations" Airs on Friday, July 4 at 6:00 PM ET/PT
The true story of The Temptations, the Soul vocal group of the 1960s, as seen from the viewpoint of the last surviving member, Otis Williams, played by Charles Malik Whitfield. The story begins in the late 1950s in their hometown of Detroit and chronicles their humble beginnings to their adventurous climb to the top and ends in the 1990s with the untimely deaths of the remaining four members. Also starring are, D.B. Woodside as Melvin Franklin, Terron Brooks as Eddie Kendricks, Christian Payton as Paul Williams and Leon as David Ruffin.
"VH1 Classic in Concert: Styx" Premieres on Friday, July 4 at 11:00 PM ET/PT
Hailing from Chicago, Styx are one of the most successful bands of all time with worldwide album sales in the millions. On May 25, 2006 they took the stage in Cleveland for a new venture accompanied by the 115 piece Contemporary Youth Orchestra and a 60 member chorus. With a set list that combined Styx classics, new songs and cover versions this was a truly unique event.
The South
"VH1 Classic in Concert: ZZ Top Live from Texas" Premieres on Saturday, July 5 at 4:00 PM ET/PT
This newest installment of VH1 Classic's "Classic In Concert" series features ZZ Top captured at their very best in their home state of Texas. Band members Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard deliver hit after hit in their own imitable style.
"Rock and Rock Picture Show: Jailhouse Rock" Premieres on Saturday, July 5 at 7:00 PM ET/PT
Starring Elvis Presley and Judy Tyler, "Jailhouse Rock" is a film about an ex-convict, named Vince Everett, who upon release from jail, goes on to not only start his own record label but become the shining star he always thought himself to be. This is the classic story of a 'nobody becoming a somebody' and belittling everyone around him in the process. Humility ultimately catches up to him and Everett finds out the hard way that friends are more important than stardom.
"Soundstage: Tom Petty" Airs on Saturday, July 5 at 9:00 PM ET/PT
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers hit the stage for a night of classic rock and roll. This Florida band, recognized as one of the greatest American rock bands performs some of their most memorable hits including: "American Girl," "Don't Do Me Like That," "Free Falling," and many others taken from a catalog of critically acclaimed albums. For decades Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers have earned praise and adoration from fans for their trademark brand of American rock and roll and their refusal to compromise their integrity. The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, the first year they were eligible.
The West
"John Fogerty: The Long Road Home" Premieres on Sunday, July 6 at 6:00 PM ET/PT
This comprehensive retrospective features, for the first time ever, all of the California songwriter's most poignant and enduring hits. Included are seminal tracks from the "Creedence" catalog, along with the creme de la creme of his solo work, including "Centerfield," "Deja Vu (All Over Again)" and "Hot Rod Hear" from the GRAMMY Award-winning CD "Blue Moon Swamp."
"Journey: Revelation" Premieres on Sunday, July 6 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
Live from the March 6, 2008 Las Vegas concert marking the first U.S. public appearance of Journey's current lineup. San Francisco's own, Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) - are proud to introduce fans all over the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda ('pin-eh-da'). He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in 2006 for medical reasons.
"Heart: Dreamboat Annie" Premieres on Sunday, July 6 at 10:00 PM ET/PT
On April 17, 2007, the iconic rock group and Seattle natives, Heart took the stage at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles in front of a live audience to perform their spectacular 1976 debut album "Dreamboat Annie" in its entirety for the first time ever! Songs performed by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson include "Crazy on You," "Magic Man" and "Dreamboat Annie."
Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's and 80's, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Madonna and many more. Learn more at VH1Classic.com.
