Raihala: Four aging rock acts with upcoming Twin Cities shows on the books

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Rock and roll will never die, so the saying goes. It turns out at least some rockers never will die, either.

It’s now becoming common to see Rock and Roll Hall of Famers tour into their late ’70s and beyond, with many claiming they don’t see an end in sight.

Back in 2023, I wrote three columns about that very trend and asked a simple question about aging rockers: What are the chances we’ll see them play the Twin Cities again?

Turns out a lot can change in two years, and last month, I wrote another column with updates for the likes of Billy Joel, Paul Simon and Aerosmith.

Here’s an update on five more and, spoiler alert, four of them will be playing in the Twin Cities in the coming months.

Neil Young

Neil Young performs at the 30th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Mountain View, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Age: 79

Last seen: A four-night run of solo shows in 2019 at Minneapolis venues: Pantages Theatre (Jan. 26), Orpheum Theatre (Jan. 28), State Theatre (Jan. 29) and Northrop Auditorium (Jan. 31).

The dirt: Toronto native Neil Young began performing as a teenager in 1963 and hasn’t stopped since. After moving to Los Angeles in 1966, he formed the psychedelic folk rock band Buffalo Springfield. The group burned hot and fast, scoring a Top 10 hit (“For What It’s Worth”) and breaking up after just two albums. (A third, “Last Time Around,” was compiled from previous recordings to fulfill a contractual obligation.)

Young briefly joined the supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash and released his solo debut in 1968. He has barely slowed down since and, last month, issued his 48th album, “Talkin to the Trees.” He’s one of the 28 double inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and member of Buffalo Springfield.

In a 2022 interview with the New Yorker, Young said he has thought about retiring: “Doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility. That could happen. You get to a point in life where things are happening everywhere around you, and your friends are going away and not coming back. Things change.”

Last summer, Young canceled a string of live dates due to illness in his band. He explained in a video he released at the time: “I was doing great, and we were moving right along. Everybody was loving the shows. Then I just woke up one morning on the bus and I said, ‘I can’t do this. I gotta stop.’ It was like I felt sick when I thought of going on stage.”

Will we see him again: Young did return to the road earlier this year and played several European festivals last month.

He’s booked to play the first-ever Farm Aid in Minnesota on Sept. 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price. It could also serve as his swan song in the state.

Foreigner

Kelly Hansen of Foreigner entertains a fan during the band’s concert Thursday, July 17, 2014, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Foreigner co-headlined the night with Styx. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Ages: Mick Jones, 80; Kelly Hansen, 64; Luis Maldonado, 51; Jeff Pilson, 67; Michael Bluestein, 38; Bruce Watson, 66; Chris Frazier, 57.

Last seen: The closest they’ve come to the metro in recent years was a Treasure Island Casino show on May 12, 2023. (The band frequently plays casinos around the state.)

The dirt: English guitarist Mick Jones formed the band in 1976 and landed 15 Top 20 hits with original vocalist Lou Gramm, including “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Gramm left the group in 1990, but returned for another decade-long run two years later. After Gramm’s second departure in 2003, Jones briefly put the band on hiatus and returned to action in 2005 with a new lineup featuring vocalist Kelly Hansen, who turned out to be an ideal fit for the band.

Over the past decade, during which time two original members died, Jones’ various health issues have kept him from full-time touring. In late 2022, the band announced a farewell tour that kept getting extended. Last year, Gramm returned occasionally to perform with Foreigner as a special guest. Hansen, meanwhile, says he’s retiring after the summer tour ends.

Will we see them again: Foreigner headlines the first night of the Lakefront Music Fest on July 11. (Miranda Lambert tops the bill the following night.)

That said, this past week the band announced guitarist Luis Maldonado would take over vocals after Hansen’s exit, and that Foreigner’s not done quite yet. As bassist Jeff Pilson told Billboard: “There’s just a lot of forward movement, and the band is incredibly excited. What started off as being a farewell tour now ended up being Kelly’s last tour and (the band) moving forward.”

Eagles

The Eagles opened a two-night stand at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center on Friday, Nov. 17. (Joe Lemke / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Ages: Don Henley, 77; Joe Walsh, 77; Timothy B. Schmit, 77; Vince Gill, 68.

Last seen: Nov. 17-18, 2023; Xcel Energy Center.

The dirt: One of the biggest-selling bands of all time, the Eagles had a messy breakup in 1980 that left little hope for the band’s future. But the allure of a huge reunion payday brought them back together in 1994 and they spent the next 22 years raking in the dough.

It looked like it was over once again when co-founder Glenn Frey died in January 2016. Don Henley invited Jackson Browne to join the band for a tribute performance at the Grammys for what he said was the band’s final gig. But just two years later, Henley revived the Eagles with an expanded lineup that included Frey’s son, Deacon, country music star Vince Gill and Henley’s son, Will. The additions, particularly Gill, worked well and allowed the ever-scowling Henley to share the spotlight. Will Henley only lasted a year and Deacon Frey left in 2022 to pursue a solo career.

In 2023, the band announced a farewell tour that brought them to the X for two nights that November. The tour continued into 2024 and then in September they began a residency at the new Sphere venue in Las Vegas. It’s been extended several times and now is scheduled to run through November.

Will we see them again: Two years ago in this space I wrote that it wouldn’t surprise me if they mounted another another joint stadium tour with Jimmy Buffett (then age 76) as they did in 2018. But Buffett died later that year, scotching those plans. So is the Sphere really the end of the Eagles? Maybe?

Steve Nicks

Age: 77

Last seen: Nov. 10, 2023 (with Billy Joel); U.S. Bank Stadium.

The dirt: Fleetwood Mac has had numerous lineups over the decades, the most famous being the one that recorded “Rumours”: Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine and John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. The five reunited in 1993 to play President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration and four years later they hit the road together. Christine McVie left the band after the shows, but the remaining four kept it going, raking in big bucks from nostalgic boomers.

In 2014, Christine McVie came out of retirement and joined Fleetwood Mac for a tour that began at Target Center. But the latest reunion proved to be short lived as Nicks and company kicked Buckingham out of the group in 2018 and replaced him with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist/songwriter Mike Campbell and Crowded House’s Neil Finn.

Christine McVie died in November 2022, and Nicks has said several times since that Fleetwood Mac is done for good.

Will we see her again: So what about Nicks’ solo career? It’s still going strong. In October, she served as the musical guest on the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” and released a new single, “The Lighthouse.” She’s booked to play the X on Aug. 19.

Nicks talked to Rolling Stone in November and said she’s working on a new album and has no plans to stop: “As long as you can dance, you are youthful. I’m 76, but I’m just incredibly limber. The dancing really comes from that. (Nicks pauses and wraps her leg around her head to demonstrate.) What I wanted to do my whole life was affect people. I love telling my stories onstage. That is what makes me happy, and that’s why I’ll never stop touring. Because if I stop touring, then I’ll stop dancing.”

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson performs during the Farm Aid Music Festival at the Ruoff Music Center on September 23, 2023 in Noblesville, Indiana. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP) (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Age: 92

Last seen: Aug. 2, 2019; Target Center.

The dirt: With his hippie hair and headbands — and a voice that resonates with wisdom, but not weariness — Willie Nelson has seemed like an old dude for decades now. But he has continued to chug along and has survived any number of obstacles that would have killed the career of a mere mortal, including a lung collapse that led to a series of health problems, a serious run-in with the IRS and numerous arrests for marijuana possession.

And yet, the weed-loving crooner marches forward. In 2023, he performed two nights at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate his 90th birthday and was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after decades of eligibility. He also won his 11th and 12th Grammy Awards for best country album (“A Beautiful Time”) and best country solo performance (“Live Forever”).

In April, Nelson issued “Oh What a Beautiful World,” his 77th album overall and ninth since 2020.

Will we see him again: Nelson brought his Outlaw Music Festival to Somerset (Wis.) Amphitheater in 2023 and 2024 and has played shows in Moorhead and Duluth in recent years.

Nelson is set to play Farm Aid in Minneapolis on Sept. 20, which also happens to be the final tour date currently listed on his website. But at the rate he’s going, don’t be surprised if this guy ends up touring for another decade.

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Funeral planned for Minnesota state trooper who drowned in South Dakota

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Funeral services for Minnesota State Patrol trooper Mollie McClure will be held Tuesday in Jackson, Minn.

McClure, 33, of St. Joseph, Minn., drowned Sunday on Waubay Lake in northeastern South Dakota.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Jackson County Central School gymnasium, according to her obituary from Turner Jenness Family Funeral Homes in the southwestern Minnesota community. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the school gym.

McClure was in a boat on Waubay Lake in the early evening hours of June 29 when she went into the water for a swim, according to Day County (S.D.) Sheriff Jerred Schreur. An investigation determined that she did not surface. Her body was recovered Monday morning.

McClure was born on June 10, 1992, in Worthington, Minn., according to her obituary.

McClure graduated in 2010 from Jackson County Central High School, according to the Worthington Daily Globe. She attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in physiology with a minor in Spanish studies.

McClure joined the State Patrol in October 2021 and was assigned to the St. Cloud district, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

She was “a respected trooper, mentor, and friend. Her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to service left a lasting impact on her colleagues and the community,” according to the agency.

In 2023, a video of her rescuing a baby deer trapped in a roadside fence went viral on YouTube.

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Nine pet stories featured in our Morning Report newsletter in June

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In June, as we headed into the dog days of summer, we featured our readers’ pets — 19 dogs and nine cats — in our weekday newsletter.

From sunning themselves on a porch to heading out on bicycle rides to comforting someone in memory care, here are nine of those stories from the Daily Doggo/Daily Meow, the signoff to our newsletter that has become a fan favorite.

To sign up for the Morning Report, our free newsletter that delivers local headlines to your inbox, visit twincities.com/newsletters and follow the prompts.

Note: The Morning Report pet corner typically only uses readers’ first names, so we continue that style here.

Pet sitting

A reader named Lori submitted a photo of herself catsitting “Ti” (short for Titanium), which was published in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

In the summer, someone has to watch the pets when we go on vacation. This was the case for a cat called Titanium.

“This is ‘Ti’ (short for Titanium), my son’s cat,” Lori writes. “I am checking in on him while my son is away. He’s such a good kitty. He is sometimes vocal, but still a good boy.”

Taking along the pets

A reader named Steve submitted a photo of his neighbors, Dan and Dax, ready for a road trip, which was published in the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, the Morning Report, on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Courtesy of Steve)

Of course, sometimes the pets get to join in on our fun. For Dax, this means bicycle rides.

“Saw your post this morning on my daily email I get from PP,” Steve writes. “Here’s my neighbor, Dan of St. Louis Park, and Dax. Hundreds of miles a month he rides — both mountain bike and road bike.”

Another tagalong

Dax’s bicycle adventures prompted a reader to send us her own pet’s travel story.

A reader named Chelsea submitted a photo of her dog, Phil, tagging along on a walk with his family, which was published in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press’ newsletter, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Courtesy of Chelsea)

“I saw the cute picture of Dax, the backpack biking dog that you shared on Friday so I thought I’d share about our dog Phil!” Chelsea writes.

“Phil is a senior Shih Tzu (13 years old) and has become a little slower with age — so when we want to go on a longer walk together with Phil … in the backpack on dad’s back he goes! He seems to enjoy it. I also included a picture of Phil after his most recent haircut — he got a very classy necktie.

“And if you’re wondering, yes, Phil is a one-eyed guy. He misses the curb every once in awhile, but otherwise he does just fine. He came to us with one eye — he was found as an injured stray, but now he’s just a happy old man living out his golden years and sniffing all around Hamline-Midway!”

Rescued

The Morning Report will sometimes let people know about dogs and cats available for adoption from local rescues. In particular, we highlight the work of Jeanne Weigum, founder and executive director of Pooches United with People (PUP), a St. Paul-based rescue.

Sometimes, Weigum will send us photos and stories behind the rescue’s happy endings.

Jeanne Weigum of Pooches United with People (PUP), a St. Paul-based nonprofit, sent in this photo of Suzie with her new family to the Pioneer Press, which published it in the Morning Report, our newsletter, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Courtesy of Jeanne Weigum / Pooches United with People)

“Suzie gets a home,” Weigum wrote in a recent email to the Morning Report. “The pic was so cute I had to send it. This dog, her mom and sister were abandoned and Mom ended up with Second Chance and this one ended up with me. They had the worst case of ticks I have ever seen! Anyway, cute pic, cute dog, happy man.”

Learn more about the rescue’s work and check out the latest adoptable dogs at pupmn.org.

Other people’s pets

The pets we love aren’t always our own. These pets get highlighted in our newsletter, too.

“I’m a huge fan of your daily pet stories,” Rebecca wrote. “They’re a bright spot in my day. I’d be honored if you’d consider my submission: Drake, Elsie and Puppies.

Drake and Elsie’s puppies were featured in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press newsletter, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Rebecca)

“After my mom was transferred to a memory care unit at her nursing home, I wanted to do something special for her. Around that time, I had just started dating a wonderful man who had two Labrador Retrievers — Drake and Elsie. Drake had been adopted to bring comfort to his late wife during her four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. After her passing, Elsie joined the family to help his children cope with their loss. These dogs are more than pets — they’re gentle healers.

Elsie (left) and Drake (right) with one of their puppies, Loki (center), were featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Rebecca)

“In November, we brought Drake to visit my mother. By then, she had lost the use of her hands, so Drake simply sat beside her wheelchair, quietly offering his calm, loving presence. She watched him with such peace and joy — it was a beautiful moment I’ll never forget. My mother has since passed, but I’m so thankful she was able to experience the gentle companionship of a dog, even if just for one afternoon.”

Murphy, grandcat

Murphy, grandcat, was featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Courtesy of Margaret)

Readers often send us photos and stories of their grandcats and granddogs. This includes Murphy.

“This is our grandcat, Murphy,” wrote Margaret of Madelia, Minn. “He is 17 years old and very friendly. When I come to visit, he wants my full attention and will meow like he is talking to me. If we FaceTime with his humans, he is right there when he hears my voice trying to talk to me. He is a sweetheart.”

Memorial Mondays

Rosco was remembered in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Francy)

On Mondays, we remember pets who have passed away. This includes Rosco.

“Rosco was my son’s family dog, who sooo loved walks!!” Francy writes. “Each Friday, the kids and Rosco and I would spend some time walking and talking and enjoying the great outdoors. It gave us all time to get to know each other. We were all saddened when Rosco passed on last fall — no more reason to take a walk and talk and spend some quality time with each other.”

We hope you keep walking together, Francy and family, carrying Rosco in your hearts.

New friends

Phoebe was featured in the Morning Report, the Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Courtesy of Mary Jane)

We often learn about new additions to the families in emails from our Morning Report subscribers. Meet Phoebe, everyone.

“This is Phoebe, my daughter’s cat, adopted in January!” Mary Jane writes. “She is very entertaining and has taken over the home that she shares with her brother, Jake, an 80-pound German Shepherd who was also rescued six years ago. She is definitely obsessed with water and very curious about all facets of where it comes from. She is a joy and keeps everyone on their toes!”

Summer sun

Steve was featured in the Morning Report, a Pioneer Press newsletter, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Courtesy of Linda)

Just like us, our pets savor the nice weather that summer in Minnesota finally brings us. Take Steve, for example, a kitten who was adopted in the winter.

“Summer is finally here and Steve has settled on the back porch,” Linda writes. “He has put on five pounds since I brought him home in February and turned into a healthy, happy kitty.”

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Today in History: July 5, Dolly the sheep born in cloning breakthrough

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Today is Saturday, July 5, the 186th day of 2024. There are 179 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On July 5, 1996, Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell by scientists at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, was born.

Also on this date:

In 1687, Isaac Newton first published his Principia Mathematica, a three-volume work setting out his mathematical principles of natural philosophy.

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In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

In 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York.

In 1865, the Secret Service Division of the U.S. Treasury Department was founded in Washington, D.C., with the mission of suppressing counterfeit currency.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act.

In 1937, Hormel introduced a canned meat product called Spam; more than 9 billion cans have been sold since.

In 1940, during World War II, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke off diplomatic relations.

In 1943, the Battle of Kursk began during World War II; in the weeks that followed, the Soviets were able to repeatedly repel the Germans, who eventually withdrew in defeat.

In 1946, the modern bikini, designed by Frenchman Louis Reard, was first modeled in Paris.

In 1947, Larry Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first Black player in the American League three months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League.

In 1954, Elvis Presley recorded his first single, “That’s All Right,” at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon certified the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win a Wimbledon singles title, defeating Jimmy Connors.

In 1977, Pakistan’s army, led by General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, seized power from President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZUL’-fih-kahr ah-LEE’ BOO’-toh).

In 1980, Bjorn Borg became the first male player to win five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles.

In 1994, Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos as an online marketplace for books.

In 2011, a jury in Orlando, Florida, found Casey Anthony, 25, not guilty of murder, manslaughter and child abuse in the 2008 disappearance and death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

In 2013, Pope Francis cleared two of the 20th Century’s most influential popes to become saints in the Roman Catholic church, approving a miracle needed to canonize Pope John Paul II and waiving Vatican rules to honor Pope John XXIII.

Today’s Birthdays:

Julie Nixon Eisenhower is 77.
Rock star Huey Lewis is 75.
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage is 74.
NFL Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton is 69.
Cartoonist Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) is 67.
Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn is 66.
Actor Edie Falco is 62.
Actor Jillian Armenante is 61.
Actor Kathryn Erbe (er-BEE’) is 60.
Actor Michael Stuhlbarg (STOOL’-bahrg) is 57.
Rapper RZA (RIH’-zuh) is 56.
Author Gary Shteyngart is 53.
R&B singer Joe is 52.
Rapper Royce da 5’9” is 48.
International Tennis Hall of Famer Amelie Mauresmo is 46.
Actor Ryan Hansen is 44.
Country musician Dave Haywood (Lady A) is 43.
Actor Danay Garcia is 41.
Retired soccer player Megan Rapinoe is 40.
Actor Jason Dolley is 34.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is 31.