New Neil Young, a Heavy Rock Anniversary, and a Win for AM Radio: Your Friday Music Brief
Written by Jarvis Prime on September 25, 2026
It's new-release Friday, September 25 — and between fresh records, a somber Led Zeppelin milestone, and good news out of Washington, there's plenty worth talking about on the dial today.
Happy new-release Friday, friends. The big one for classic-rock ears comes from Neil Young, who's out today with Second Song, his latest collaboration with his band the Chrome Hearts. And if that's not enough Neil for you, Tonight's the Night — the final chapter of his famed 'Ditch Trilogy' — is being reissued across several formats, capping a September that's been unusually generous to reissue fans, with big archival sets devoted to early David Bowie and Frank Zappa also on the calendar.
There's more where that came from. Tom Morello, the guitar wizard of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, releases Everyone Gets Everything They Want — billed as his first true solo album, with guest turns from Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Beartooth, and Morello's own son Roman. Sweden's Europe returns with Come This Madness, Weezer opens the vault with 1192, a compilation of the band's earliest demos for the beloved Blue Album, and Linkin Park delivers Unshatter, a live album recorded in São Paulo. New music from Leon Bridges and Kenny Chesney rounds out the Friday stack.
September 25 is a heavy date in the rock history books. On this day in 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham died after a day of rehearsals for a planned North American tour — and rather than replace the man many still call the greatest rock drummer ever, his bandmates chose to lay Led Zeppelin to rest. And back in 1967, The Doors released their second album, Strange Days, just eight months after their debut.
Two more for the trivia file: on this day in 1982, Queen made their only appearance on Saturday Night Live — which turned out to be their final live U.S. performance with Freddie Mercury. And in 1990, a young drummer named Dave Grohl auditioned for a band called Nirvana. That worked out.
In radio news, the House of Representatives passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act this week on a voice vote, sending the bill — which would require carmakers to keep AM radio in new vehicles — on to the Senate. Broadcasters are calling it a public-safety win. Also mark your calendars: FEMA and the FCC have set the first nationwide Emergency Alert System test since 2023 for November 17 at 2:20 p.m. Eastern, so don't be alarmed when the tones sound.
Down the road in Nashville, Neal McCoy became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday evening, Americanafest wrapped up its five-day run showcasing the roots-music world, and today Music City is celebrating Dolly Parton Day. That's the news — keep it right here on Pretoria Fields Radio.
— The Pretoria Fields Radio news desk
