Y&T to mark 40th anniversary with retrospective

Y&T are currently touring the world as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, and leader Dave Meniketti says the Oakland, California rockers are planning to release a career retrospective to mark the occasion.

"We’re working on another thing that hopefully might get released before the end of the year,” Meniketti tells NI Rocks. “I can’t really say much more about it, but it’s kinda going to be a celebration of our 40th year in business. A retrospective sort of thing. We’re working on that currently."

Y&T are also planning to start their fifth decade with a new album.

"That will probably happen next year,” says the frontman. “We’ll have to carve out the time in advance so that we can be certain that we can get into the studio and finish the record. We’ve been so busy on the road, it’s not conducive to sitting down and writing and keeping that flow going. That at least is the plan, we’ll see what happens."

Y&T formed in 1973 as a cover band known as Yesterday & Today; the group billed itself after the Beatles compilation album of the same name.

The rockers disbanded in 1991, but regrouped in 1995 and continue to tour worldwide.




See also:

Y&T announce 40th anniversary European tour
Y&T: Earthquake - The A&M Years 1981-1985 package due this month
80s hair metal fest: debut Monsters Of Rock cruise sets sail in February
Y&T officially announce new bassist
Y&T’s Phil Kennemore loses battle with cancer, dies at 57

Y&T announce 40th anniversary European tour

Oakland, California rockers Y&T have announced some new dates for a fall European tour as they continue to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

The 6–week trek starts October 7 in Rome, Italy and will see the band wrap things up with 11 shows across the UK, ending in Bilston, UK on November 15.

Y&T formed in 1973 as a cover band known as Yesterday & Today; the group billed itself after the Beatles compilation album of the same name.

The band released their first two studio albums, their self-titled debut (1976) and “Struck Down” (1978) before signing with A&M in 1980, which prompted the group to shorten their name to simply Y&T.

The band had some commercial success with singles, including 1984’s “Don’t Stop Runnin’” from “In Rock We Trust”, before hitting the mainstream with 1985’s “Summertime Girls” from the live album, “Open Fire.”

Y&T disbanded in 1991, but regrouped in 1995 and continue to tour worldwide.

Y&T
2014 European tour

Oct 07 - Cross Roads Live Club - Rome, Italy
Oct 09 - Shoko Live Madrid - Madrid, Spain
Oct 10 - Café Antzokia - Bilbao, Spain
Oct 11 - Calella Rockfest - Calella, Spain
Oct 12 - Sala Por Confirmar - Zaragoza, Spain
Oct 16 - Hedon Podium - Zwolle, Netherlands
Oct 17 - Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Oct 18 - De Pul - Uden, Netherlands
Oct 19 - Biebob - Vosselaar, Belgium
Oct 20 - Hirsch - Nürnberg, Germany
Oct 23 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, Germany
Oct 24 - Blues Garage - Isernhagen, Germany
Oct 25 - Turock - Essen, Germany
Oct 26 - Downtown Bluesclub - Hamburg, Germany
Oct 29 - Le Forum - Paris (Vauréal), France
Oct 31 - The Globe - Cardiff, UK
Nov 01 - O2 Academy Islington - London, UK
Nov 02 - The Brook - Southampton, UK
Nov 04 - Manchester Academy 3 - Manchester, UK
Nov 06 - O2 ABC - Glasgow, Scotland
Nov 07 - O2 Academy - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Nov 08 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK
Nov 11 - The Village - Dublin, Ireland
Nov 12 - Limelight - Belfast, UK
Nov 14 - Hard Rock Hell - Pwllheli, UK
Nov 15 - Robin 2 - Bilston, UK




See also:

Y&T: Earthquake - The A&M Years 1981-1985 package due this month
80s hair metal fest: debut Monsters Of Rock cruise sets sail in February
Y&T officially announce new bassist
Y&T’s Phil Kennemore loses battle with cancer, dies at 57

Y&T: Earthquake - The A&M Years 1981-1985 package due this month

Oakland-based rockers Y&T will release a 4-disc set entitled “Earthquake: The A&M Years 1981-1985” on October 14.

The package will features six studio albums, B-sides, and a rare Friday Rock Show album highlighting their appearances at Reading and Monsters of Rock.

Y&T formed in 1973 as a cover band known as Yesterday & Today; the group billed itself after the Beatles compilation album of the same name.

The band released their first two studio albums, their self-titled debut (1976) and “Struck Down” (1978) before signing with A&M in 1980, which prompted the band to shorten their name to simply Y&T.

With A&M, Y&T released five studio albums, including “Earthshaker” (1981), “Black Tiger” (1982), “Mean Streak” (1983), “In Rock We Trust” (1984) and “Down For The Count” (1985).

The band had some commercial success with singles, including 1984’s “Don’t Stop Runnin’” from “In Rock We Trust”, before hitting the mainstream with 1985’s “Summertime Girls” from the live album, “Open Fire.”

Y&T disbanded in 1991, but regrouped in 1995 and continue to tour today.

Y&T
"Earthquake: The A&M Years 1981-1985"
Release date: October 14

CD 1
01. Hungry For Rock
02. Dirty Girl
03. Shake It Loose
04. Squeeze
05. Rescue Me
06. Young And Tough
07. Hurricane
08. Let Me Go
09. Knock You Out
10. I Believe In You
11. From The Moon
12. Open Fire
13. Don’t Wanna Lose
14. Hell Or High Water
15. Forever
16. Black Tiger
17. Barroom Boogie
18. My Way Or The Highway
19. Winds Of Change

CD 2
20. Mean Streak
21. Straight Thru The Heart
22. Lonely Side Of Town
23. Midnight In Tokyo
24. Breaking Away
25. Hang ‘Em High
26. Take You To The Limit
27. Sentimental Fool
28. Down And Dirty
29. Rock & Roll’s Gonna Save The World
30. Life, Life, Life
31. Masters And Slaves
32. I’ll Keep On Believin’ (Do You Know)
33. Break Out Tonight
34. Lipstick And Leather
35. Don’t Stop Runnin’
36. (Your Love Is) Drivin Me Crazy

CD 3
37. She’s A Liar – Album Version
38. This Time – Album Version
39. Open Fire – Live
40. Go For The Throat – Live
41. 25 Hours A Day – Live Edit
42. Rescue Me – Live
43. Summertime Girls – Studio Version
44. Forever – Live
45. Barroom Boogie – Live
46. I Believe In You – Live
47. In The Name Of Rock
48. All American Boy
49. Anytime At All
50. Anything For Money
51. Face Like An Angel

CD 4
52. Summertime Girls – Studio Version
53. Looks Like Trouble – Album Version
51. Your Mama Don’t Dance
52. Don’t Tell Me What To Wear
56. Hands Of Time
57. Hungry For Rock – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
58. Black Tiger – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
59. I Believe In You – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
60. Open Fire – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
61. Forever – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
62. Rescue Me – Live At The Reading Festival/ 1984
63. Mean Streak – Live At Donington/ 1984
64. Barroom Boogie – Live At Donington/ 1984
65. Lipstick And Leather – Live At Donington/ 1984
66. Rescue Me – Live At Donington/ 1984 (CD 4)
67. Rock & Roll’s Gonna Save The World – Live At Donington/ 1984
68. Masters And Slaves – Live At Donington/ 1984







See also:

80s hair metal fest: debut Monsters Of Rock cruise sets sail in February
Y&T officially announce new bassist
Y&T’s Phil Kennemore loses battle with cancer, dies at 57

80s hair metal fest: debut Monsters Of Rock cruise sets sail in February

There’s a lot of rock n’ roll to be had on the high seas these days, and another adventure has been added to the list.

A new metal cruise, Monsters Of Rock - The Voyage, is set to sail in February (25th - 28th) 2012 via Fort Lauderdale / Bahamas / Key West.

The cruise is an offshoot of the 3-hour weekly Monsters Of Rock radio program, which focuses solely on '80s metal. Since 1999, Harlan Hendrickson has built his show into a nationally-syndicated program heard across the U.S. "It's the classic rock of a new generation,” says Hendrickson. “Kids that are my age know that this music was their Zeppelin and Stones of the day. But people aren't getting it when they turn on the radio. I quench their thirst."

"The inaugural Monsters Of Rock cruise will be nothing short of epic!” said organizers. “Think of it as one big backstage party. Talk about getting up close and personal with some of your favorite bands! This will indeed be the rock 'n roll vacation that people will chatter about for years to come...and we invite you to be a part of it."

Acts for the cruise are being revealed each day starting Monday (May 30).

Tesla, Y&T and Black ‘N Blue were the first confirmed bands on the bill, and Cinderella, Firehouse and Lynch Mob were added on Tuesday. Wednesday’s adds include Stryper, Keel, Faster Pussycat, Kix and Bang Tango.

There are a variety of events on the trip, including:

• “The Monsters of Rock Coffee Shop,” which will showcase artists doing an acoustic Storytellers-type performance. Confirmed so far is Eric Martin of Mr. Big, and ex-Motley Crue singer John Corabi.

• That Metal Show’s Eddie Trunk is hosting “Rock 'N Roll War Stories,” an artist Q & A session designed to entertain and inform even the most ardent fan.

• Fans can enter the “So, You Think You Can Shred” contest, where they play a solo before a panel of judge made of some of the artists on board – the winner earns the title of Monsters Of Rock Guitar God 2012.

Tickets will be going on sale on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 12 Noon, Pacific.

In the meantime, let your friends know that if they register on www.MonstersOfRockCruise.com any time before the on-sale date above, they will receive a special promotional code redeemable for a $75 bar credit per cabin (along with you, of course).

The Monsters Of Rock event joins a lengthy list of other rock cruises setting sail this fall include the Kiss Kruise, Bret Michaels, ShipRocked (with Buckcherry, Queensryche & more) and Rock Legends (ZZ Top headline a ton of southern rock acts), among others.

Tesla – Little Suzi (1986)

Y&T officially announce new bassist

Y&T have faced a challenging year, as the rock veterans lost bassist Phil Kennemore to lung cancer in January.

Phil was diagnosed just last August, and was taken off the band’s “Facemelter” tour while starting treatment; War & Peace’s Brad Lang filled in so that the tour could continue as scheduled.

Now, Y&T have officially announced the addition of Lang to the group.

Guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti shared some of his thoughts with fans:

"I have been thinking a lot in the last eight months as to how I would feel about Y&T and what might happen to this band when Phil were to pass. I've had so many feelings and scenarios that have gone on in my head, tearing at me in many different ways, but I always seemed to come back to the same conclusion. However, before I was prepared to make any hard and fast decisions I also wanted to know how Phil felt about this as well. So we talked about this exact thing, alone, during his last months of life on this planet. I suspected what he would have said, but I wanted to hear it from his lips and feel it from his heart.

Put simply, Phil expressed to me with no uncertainty that he wished Y&T to go on, no matter what happened to him. I understood, because we are lifetime Y&T people and lifelong musicians. This is what we know and where we have received much of our joy throughout our lives.

There is so much of us invested in Y&T, and I don't mean monetarily, but emotionally and spiritually. This band has always had a special life force that is hard to describe, but has had a hold on us for almost four decades. This relationship we have had with ourselves, the band members, and the fans is what everyone always hopes for in their lives — a job to be proud of and look forward to.

Now, having said that, I also questioned any decision to continue, regardless of all of the above, simply because I know how I had felt about other bands that have continued to play with only one remaining original member and wondered if I wasn't going to be a hypocrite by holding this band to a different criteria. Well, maybe I am, but the bottom line, as many of us have come to as a life lesson, is that many times you can't truly understand a situation until you actually experience it first-hand.

So . . . with current experiences in hand, I have made my decision to continue with Y&T. As quickly as I say this, I am also a realist, and if the fans seem to lose interest in the band, so be it, I will move on and do something else. However, if we continue to go along how it has been without Phil so far, then I feel privileged to continue to bring the music to the people, along with John, Mike and Brad.

The bottom line in all of this is that if the band weren't up to the task of presenting a valid and compelling show every night, then I wouldn't be inspired to go forward, no matter the other reasons. But the plain fact is that this band in its current form is as good a band as Y&T has ever been. Sure, different in ways from previous iterations of the band, but equally as good, if not better with what experience brings to seasoned performers. We mean business and our passions are still on that stage with every performance.

So come on out to the shows and let's share in some great moments together. Now, more than ever, we all need to have some happy and positive experiences in our lives and music is one of those things that has the ability to deliver that in spades, especially at a live performance.

There's nothing that says it better than as Phil so eloquently coined on our new CD — on with the show!"

Y&T

Y&T – Summertime Girls
Download Festival – London, UK – June 12, 2010


See also:

Y&T’s Phil Kennemore loses battle with cancer, dies at 57

Y&T’s Phil Kennemore loses battle with cancer, dies at 57

Sad news from the rock world today as Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore has lost his battle with cancer, dead at 57.

Y&T leader Dave Meniketti made the announcement:

It is with profound sadness and disbelief that I tell you that my best buddy for 37 years passed away this morning, January 7, 2011 at 1am at Stanford Hospital. Bravely and steadfastly battling the horrible spectacle of lung cancer, at the end he was surrounded by his family members, and the Y&T family up until his final breath.

All the beautiful things that I could say about my buddy Phil could never be summed up in a short sentence or two, and I promise that I will be back to say so much more about how I feel about him and his talents in due time. But for now, at 3am, after just having returned home from his passing, let me at least put this out there.

Phil Kennemore was not only a sweet and passionate man with his life, friends and family, but as an artist, he also had that rare ability to say what was on his mind with the most eloquent, clever, and to-the-point lyrics, yet could turn it on its head in a second with some other viewpoint on reality and nail the point dead center. He was able to do what very few can - say the things that others have been thinking, but could never quite seem to put into words. He has always had a keen knack for doing that.

As a musician, with those huge fingers, his bass playing was always loud, strong, and deep, filling the largest or smallest of stages equally.

He had an amazingly strong life force that has influenced everyone who ever had the opportunity to be called a friend of his. I am forever grateful for our lifelong friendship, that was always in place throughout the worst and best of times. I will miss his sense of humor, his amazing wit, but most of all I will always miss not seeing him to my left on the stages I will play from this moment forward.

Yes, he was one of the class guys on this planet, and in this business, and I will always do what I can to spread the legacy of Phil Kennemore across the globe on every stage that I land on.

You know how much I love you Phil, and you knew how much your fans and fellow musicians loved and respected you. There was nothing left unsaid. You had a rich and wonderful life and I can only tell you that I was happy to have been alongside you every step of the glorious way.

Cheers to you, Phil.

Your friend forever,
-Dave

Y & T - God Only Knows (1998)
Fan-made video tribute to Phil Kennemore 1953-2011

Y&T establish fund for bassist with cancer

California rockers Y&T have setup a fund for fans to help their bassist with his medical bills.

As reported last week, Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore has been diagnosed with cancer, and is currently in hospital undergoing surgery and treatment, which means huge expenses.

The band has established The Phil Kennemore Fund.

“To help Phil offset the huge medical bills, we have set up this fund so that people from around the world can help Phil by donating,” said the band. “Any amount you wish to give, no matter how small or large, will be very greatly appreciated to help Phil and his family with his extensive medical expenses. 100% of all donations will be distributed directly to Phil.”

If you wish to get involved, donations are being accepted by check via mail, and online via PayPal or credit card.

Send a check in the mail to:

The Phil Kennemore Fund
5255 Stevens Creek Blvd #233
Santa Clara CA 95051

(Please make checks payable to "Phil Kennemore Fund")

Click here for full details.

While he’s in the “repair shop,” Kennemore revealed he’ll also be getting replacement hip surgery. “With the bad news I also got the good news that, along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin' and rollin',” said Phil in an online post. “I'll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I'll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I'll be walking out of this place and I'll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock 'n' roll life, in due time.”

Phil’s news came just weeks after the band announced that he was leaving the current Y&T tour to seek treatment for an injured back; War & Peace’s Brad Lang is filling in so that the “Facemelter” tour can continue as scheduled.

I'm Coming Home - Facemelter

Y&T – I’m Coming Home
Facemelter (2010)



Summertime Girls - Ultimate Collection: Y&T

Y&T – Summertime Girls (1985)

Y&T’s Phil Kennemore battles cancer

Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore announced on Saturday that he is battling cancer, following confirmation of his diagnosis on Friday.

The news comes just weeks after the band announced that Kennemore was leaving the current Y&T tour to seek treatment for an injured back; War & Peace’s Brad Lang is filling in so that the “Facemelter” tour can continue as scheduled.

Kennemore posted the following to the band’s forum/message board:

To all of my dear friends and fans around the world and on the forum,

Up to now you haven't heard much information (other than about my
extreme back pain) because there really hasn't been much until now. I
hated leaving you all in the dark but I didn't want to say anything
until there was something conclusive to say. We do have a lot more
information now. The number one thing you need to know is that I have
cancer. It wasn't absolutely formally diagnosed until yesterday.

With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and
treatments, I will be back rockin' and rollin'. I'll be getting a hip
replacement as well as back surgery, which means I'll also be more
agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I'll be walking out
of this place and I'll be able to go on the road and do everything I
need to do to continue my rock 'n' roll life, in due time.

I wanted to thank everyone for your well wishes. I've been sitting
here in the hospital reading all of the things that you've all posted
online, and I want you to know it means so very much to me to see how
much I am loved, supported, and missed. I can really feel the love as
I'm reading. I love reading your posts on the web site forum, and, in
fact, I need to hear it. From here on out, whatever thoughts and
feelings you have, please know that I wish that I could personally
respond to each and every one of you, but I'm not able to right now.

Brad--thank God for Brad! I'm so grateful that he stepped in to help
keep Y&T on tour, bringing Facemelter to the people while I was
ordered to the hospital. Right now I think he's the best guy on
earth!

I'll be released from the hospital within three-to-four weeks,
continuing treatment, and at some point, I'll be returning to the
road. Keep the love and good vibes flowing. Do me a favor and go out
and see the band now--Y&T is kicking serious ass--and I'll be back
rocking with you all soon.

Phil

Summertime Girls - Ultimate Collection: Y&T

Y&T – Summertime Girls (1985)



"Facemelter" - Y&T’s first studio album in 13 years - was released this past spring.

Facemelter - Y&T

I'm Coming Home - Facemelter

Y&T – I’m Coming Home
Facemelter (2010)