The unofficial Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, will likely rise to the top of the charts once again this year with her 1994 album, Merry Christmas, as she does most years in this age of streaming. 

To help the ascension along this year, Carey has announced she will go on a short tour to bring the songs to the people. 

Wrap your presents early, load up your sleighs, and set the GPS to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Dec. 1 and United Center in Chicago on Dec. 3 to hear “All I Want For Christmas Is You” straight from the diva herself. Then listen to it on the way home. Again and again and again.

New Springsteen dates set

Last week we told you Bruce Springsteen had canceled his remaining 2023 tour dates due to issues stemming from peptic ulcer disease. 

Well, we didn’t have to wait long to find out when those shows would be rescheduled since he has announced they will be made up in March and April. Only one show in our region was affected and will now take place on April 21 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. 

All tickets for prior dates will be honored. 

Springsteen’s latest album, Only the Strong Survive, was released in late 2022.

Foo Fighters in Cincinnati

With a new, universally acclaimed studio album this year, Foo Fighters became the owner of more rock and alternative radio No. 1s than any other artist in history. 

They will wait until next year to tour on that news, however, and it will be just a handful of stadium dates, likely intermixed with some as-yet-to-be-announced festival appearances. 

Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati is currently the only venue on the itinerary within reasonable driving distance of northeast Indiana, taking place July 25. 

Mammoth WVH and Pretenders will open the show.

Paying tribute to Sabbath

Zakk Sabbath, the Black Sabbath tribute band featuring guitarist Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society, has announced the Tour Forever/Forever Tour with dates beginning in December. 

The band, rounded out by Rob Zombie bassist Robert “Blasko” Nicholson and drummer Joey Castillo of Danzig and Queens of the Stone Age fame, will visit Concord Music Hall in Chicago on Dec. 30, House of Blues in Cleveland on New Year’s Eve, and Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit on Jan. 10. 

Support for the trek will come from The Native Howl.

Geddy Lee promotes book

Legendary Rush bassist/singer Geddy Lee will release a memoir on Nov. 14 titled My Elfin’ Life

To help promote the release, he will appear at a few venues across the country to give his fans a peek into his life from his childhood to his time with Rush and beyond. 

Joined on stage by a special guest interviewer, Lee will be reading key passages from the book then share thoughts and stories taken from his experience. Fans will have the chance to participate in a special Q&A. 

This rare opportunity to see rock royalty in an intimate setting comes Nov. 19 at the Orpheum Theatre in Cleveland, Dec. 3 at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and Dec. 4 at The Fillmore in Detroit. 

Every ticketholder will receive a copy of the book.

Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.