Rock & Roll Roundup: Blondie Returns, Def Leppard Sets 2027 and the Beatles’ First Recording
Written by Jarvis Prime on October 15, 2026
A new Blondie album, Def Leppard tickets on sale Friday, a farewell from Judas Priest's longest-serving member, and a few October 15 anniversaries.
Good Thursday to you, and welcome to the Pretoria Fields Radio news desk. It's October 15th, and there's a fair bit going on in the music world this week, so here's what you need to know.
First up, Blondie is back. On Thursday the band announced High Noon, their 12th studio album, and released a first single called "Spectral Eyes." It's their first new music in about nine years, so it's been a long wait for fans.
If you're already looking ahead to next summer, Def Leppard has announced a 45-date North American tour for 2027, with the Goo Goo Dolls and The Struts as support. It opens March 2nd in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and finishes July 2nd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. General on-sale is this Friday, October 16th, at 10 a.m. local time. One dollar from every ticket sold goes to City of Hope, the cancer research and treatment organization.
Eric Clapton is heading back to London's Royal Albert Hall next year for four nights. The last of those shows will be his 220th solo performance in that room, which is remarkable. He's also added a show in Birmingham, England.
Some bittersweet news from the heavy end of the dial: Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, the band's longest-serving member, has retired because of advanced arthritis. He has already recorded bass parts for the band's upcoming 20th studio album, and Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep is taking over the bass. The band called Hill the backbone of Judas Priest.
Over in Los Angeles, Lindsey Buckingham turned up last Saturday at the Kia Forum. The young artist Sombr brought him out to play "Go Your Own Way." Buckingham sang the first verse and closed the song with a guitar solo, which is a nice handoff between generations.
For the Americana and country fans, this Friday brings A Million Reasons, the final album from outlaw country legend David Allan Coe. It was recorded back in 2017 and finished after the master recordings changed hands in 2022. Also out Friday are new records from Jesse Daniel, Richard Thompson and Bruce Cockburn, plus a deluxe edition of Dave Alvin's Blackjack David. In radio news, the 2026 CMA Broadcast Awards were announced Tuesday. Raleigh-Durham's WQDR and WKML in Fayetteville, North Carolina, both won Station of the Year, a good showing for Southern country radio.
And a few October 15th anniversaries before we go. On this day in 1960, the Beatles made their first recording as a band, backing Lu Walters on a cover of "Summertime." Little Richard cut "Good Golly, Miss Molly" in New Orleans on this date in 1956. Fleetwood Mac released Mystery to Me in 1973, and Joe Satriani's Surfing with the Alien came out in 1987. That's the news. Stay tuned, there's plenty more music ahead on Pretoria Fields Radio.
— The Pretoria Fields Radio news desk
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