Prog-jam favorites Umphrey’s McGee will be among the artists included in an upcoming on-air David Bowie tribute, set to air this Friday, February 9th, at 10 p.m. ET, on one of radio giant Howard Stern‘s SiriusXM Satellite Radio channel, Howard 101. The special will be hosted by Bowie’s longtime producer, Tony Visconti, and will feature “25 unique artists interpreting the innovative and timeless music of David Bowie.”
Explains Visconti in the listening guide, “It was my pleasure to make about half of his albums with him and what was even better was that he was my personal friend as well…and I’m glad we can share these fantastic interpretations of his songs. There is no end to how they can be interpreted.” He adds, “This project is very ambitious because David Bowie songs are not easy to play and sing for technical reasons, but everyone who participated in this rose to the occasion.”
Although Umphrey’s has performed many Bowie covers over the years, a version of “Let’s Dance” featuring Huey Lewis and Jeff Coffin will serve as their contribution to the Bowie tribute. As guitarist Jake Cinninger explains in the show’s official listening guide, “‘Let’s Dance’ is the quintessential ‘80s Bowie sound … Who better to capture that magic than husky vocalist Huey Lewis?”
Other artists set to be featured in the special David Bowie tribute include Peter Frampton, Greta Van Fleet, Daryl Hall, The Struts, Lisa Loeb, Dawes, Bleachers, Car Seat Headrest, Gogol Bordello, Durand Jones & The Indications, Kristeen Young, William Patrick Corgan.
See all of the artists and which songs they reinterpreted in the full listening guide (here), and tune in to hear “The Howard Stern Tribute To David Bowie” on Howard 101 Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 p.m. EST. For more information on how to listen, or to read a full list of tracks set to be included in the Bowie tribute, head here.
[Cover photo via The Howard Stern Show]