Bands Still Rocking and Touring in 2009

2009 is shaping up to be another year that will feature many nostalgic bands (and members of bands) that were big in their heydays in the 1960s and 7os, and still rocking hard and selling out arenas in their golden years. 

Paul McCartney will be appearing for three dates this summer, April 4 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, April 17 at Empire Polo Field in Indio in Calif., and April 19 at The Joint in Las Vegas. 

The Dead will be playing 22 shows beginning April 12 in Greensboro, NC, and ending up May 16 at The Gorge in Washington. The 2009 lineup will feature original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, along with guitarist Warren Haynes and Ratdog keyboard player Jeff Chimenti. Both Haynes and Chimenti are also veterans of the 2004 Dead Wave that Flag tour, according to the band's website. 

I was lucky enough to see The Dead on their 2004 tour and also Phil Lesh and Friends at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in 2006. The true spirit of the Grateful Dead rings out loud and clear and the band rocks the choruses while also carrying out beautiful and spaced-out jams. Tickets for this tour are pricey, but The Dead will not disappoint. 

Elton John is currently on a tour that is scheduled to go until Aug. 1. Sir Elton will be joined by Billy Joel on part of the tour, and Elton will play some shows solo, including a concert at the University of Wyoming to benefit Matthew Shephard, a gay man who was murdered near Laramie in 1998. 

Other Bands still touring or returning to the tour circuit (some older than others) are Eric Clapton, Metallica, Phish, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker, Ani DiFranco, Buddy Guy, The Who, Madonna, KISS, Radiohead, Dave Matthews, Jimmy Buffett, The Eagles, Peter Gabriel, Iron Maiden, the Allman Brothers and U2. 

Michael Jackson will be playing 10 nights at the O2 Arena in London in what he said will be his final "farewell shows."

Nine Inch Nails will tour with Jane's Addiction in what will be a raging flame for NIN's final performances, according to band founder and frontman Trent Reznor.