mxdwn.co.uk » 1960s https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:26:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Jim Morrison’s Graveside Bust Discovered After 37 Years https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jim-morrisons-graveside-bust-discovered-after-37-years/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jim-morrisons-graveside-bust-discovered-after-37-years/#comments Wed, 21 May 2025 13:50:36 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=109677 The memorial bust of Jim Morrison, placed at his graveside after his death in 1971, has been found after being missing for 37 years.

After his death in 1971, The Doors frontman, Jim Morrison, had a marble bust placed by his gravestone in Paris, as a tribute to the singer’s fruitful but short life. 

Originally sculpted in 1971 by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin, the sculpture, like the rest of Morrison’s gravestone, soon became covered in graffiti tributes left by fans – with some fans even removing the sculpture’s nose and mouth to keep as mementos. But, in 1988, the bust disappeared from the Paris grave and it’s whereabouts has remained unknown for the past 37 years. 

That was until the 20th of May 2025, when French authorities stumbled across the stolen bust in an unrelated anti-corruption investigation by the financial arm of the French police. A post on X, made by the force showed the current condition of the sculpture.

The cemetery in Paris, where the sculpture had originally resided, and where Jim Morrisons grave still stands, claim that they have not heard from the French police and are unsure if the bust will be returned to the graveside. The cemetery’s curator told French news outlet Le Figaro (via BBC News): “The police haven’t contacted us, so I don’t know whether the bust will be returned to us.” Morrison joined the infamous group of musicians known as “The 27 Club”, when he was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment in 1971, age 27. His untimely death came whilst The Doors were recording their seventh album ‘Other Voices’, an album that came to fruition later that year with keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger sharing lead vocals. The discovery of the missing bust has brought closure to members of the Morrison family, as a spokesperson for the estate stated that they wanted it on the grave “so it’s gratifying to see that it’s been recovered”.  Coming just four years after the 50th anniversary of the singer’s death, fans are already taking to social media to pay tribute to the life and death of one of rock’s great frontmen.

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]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/jim-morrisons-graveside-bust-discovered-after-37-years/feed/ 0 The Searchers to Bow Out After Six Decades with Glastonbury Debut https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-searchers-to-bow-out-after-six-decades-with-glastonbury-debut/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-searchers-to-bow-out-after-six-decades-with-glastonbury-debut/#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:08:27 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=108059 The Searchers, one of the pioneering bands of the British Invasion, have announced a final UK tour, culminating in an appearance at Glastonbury. The performance, on Glastonbury’s recently announced Acoustic Stage, is set to be their first appearance at the music festival, and their last live performance as they cap off a 68-year career.

 John McNally, the only remaining member of the four founders, reflected on the landmark achievement, telling BBC News, “A Glastonbury debut at 83, can anyone top that? I don’t think life gets any better, does it? There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we’ll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can’t wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.”  

Bassist and backing singer, Frank Allen, who joined the group at the height of their success in 1964, added: “I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us – until now. The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can’t wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast.”

 

Described as “so good, they sounded American – the ultimate accolade back then” by fellow Liverpudlian John Lennon, The Searchers would have a lasting effect on artists across the Atlantic, with their influence rippling across the decades. According to Brian Miller of Vivascene, their sound would shape the jangly 12-string of the Byrds’ Roger McGuinn, influencing both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.  

The band’s long-awaited Glastonbury debut will see them sharing the same stage as acts like Dhani Harrison, Hugh Cornwell (of the Stranglers), Nick Lowe, and a tribute to their contemporaries, the Bootleg Beatles.  

This “final” farewell tour follows a series of previous retirements. They first announced a farewell tour running from January 2018, playing 162 shows before bowing out in March 2019. They came out of that retirement in 2023, performing 43 shows, before embarking on yet another final 28-stop tour in 2024. During the promotion of the 2024 shows, Frank Allen said they would “accept an important one-off show if such an occasion was offered,” and it seems like a chance to play at the Somerset farm is enough to tempt them out of their retirement.

Their setlist will likely be focusing on the band’s greatest hits given that their last studio release came in 1988. Nothing is confirmed though it is likely that festival goers will hear tracks such as ‘Needles and Pins’, ‘Sweets For My Sweet’, and potentially a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, based on data available from their previous setlists.

 

After nearly seven decades of performing, and over 3800 shows, Glastonbury is a fitting curtain call for a band who have influenced so much. Whether it truly is their last show or not, they deserve their debut at the world’s most iconic music festival.



]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-searchers-to-bow-out-after-six-decades-with-glastonbury-debut/feed/ 0 The Kinks Tease Reunion With Enough Material For 20 New Songs https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-kinks-tease-reunion-with-enough-material-for-20-new-songs/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-kinks-tease-reunion-with-enough-material-for-20-new-songs/#comments Wed, 22 Nov 2023 18:43:30 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=98007 Ray Davies of The Kinks has revealed that a reunion may be on the horizon for the band as they have enough material for “about 20” new songs. Speaking with NME, Ray said a full Kinks reunion is being left “in the lap of the gods” but confirmed that new songs have been in the works.

Ray hinted at a full Kinks comeback in 2018 with this never coming to fruition. Ray shared, “Well, it got shelved because of… other issues. But there’s still material there. When I get time.” Speaking on his inspiration for new tracks, Ray said the songs are stemming from “home demos” that he has been recording for around thirty years.

He shared, “We’ve got loads of songs there in pieces. There are about two or three songs I want to finish, and when they’re finished, I’ll put the whole thing together.”

Ray also delved into the feud between the original band members, speaking on the artistic differences between himself, his brother Dave Davies and drummer Mick Avory. He shared, “We’re just different animals. We found ourselves at a very young age being in each other’s faces. And we had to work with it somehow.”

Speaking on his brother Dave, Ray shared that he would need to “persuade [him] to come on too” if a full reunion were to happen. He continued, “You’ve gotta be careful because he’ll run off in one direction and I’ll [run] in mine… He’s like that. He stays in control.”

Ultimately, The Kinks reuniting hinges on the band being able to put together “a show that gives us the credit we deserve,” according to Ray.

In the absence of new music, The Kinks have recently released a new anthology series to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their formation. The anthology, titled The Journey, is a two-part compilation of their favourite moments from their catalogue. In a press release for The Journey, Ray Davies said, “Ask yourself the question, is this journey really necessary? …Yes!”

Dave Davies also shared his excitement, saying “I’m delighted with what I think is an inspiring selection of timeless and magical Kinks music.”

Purchase The Journey here.

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