Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers return today after eight years in-between studio albums with Mojo. Fans are probably already familiar with much of the album, as three of the songs already have official videos on YouTube, Petty and company have been playing five songs from it each night on their current tour, and the entire album has been streaming on ESPN.com for the past week.
Mojo is steeped more in the blues and '60s rock than many of Petty and the Heartbreakers more recent albums. Petty tells the L.A. Times, "This is more the way we play for ourselves when the heat's off; this is what it sounds like. And I thought, number one, it would be more fun, and, number two, it would just be truer to what we really are at the moment."
Ozzy Osbourne, who was recently quoted as saying he is "a medical miracle" and that when he dies he should donate his body to the Natural History Museum, has given researchers permission to map his genetic code in an effort to find out how he survived 40 years of substance abuse. The test is being done by the American company Knome, which will use a blood sample to map out his entire genome. Director of research Nathan Pearson tells Britain's Sky News, "Sequencing and analyzing individuals with extreme medical histories provides the greatest potential scientific value." The test costs $40,000. In other Ozzy news, he helped set a Guinness World Record Friday night when he led 52,000 people at at Dodger Stadium in the longest scream by a crowd. He took the field in the middle of the fifth inning with a Guinness representative for the appearance, which was called "Scream for a Cure." It was part of the Dodgers' Think Cure weekend, which raised money for cancer research. Scream is also the name of Ozzy's new album, in stores next Tuesday.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was inducted into the Mojo Hall of Fame at the U.K. magazine's award ceremony last week in London. Backstage, Page told reporters that he's working on new music and will be "surprising people with it. It won't be just teaming up with lots of people who are [big] names. I've got an idea of something which I've had for a long time, and now's the time to do it." Page's last studio album of new material was Walking to Clarksdale, a 1998 collaboration with Robert Plant.
Rolling Stones producer Don Was just doesn't believe stories that the band engaged in heroin-fueled debauchery while recording the original Exile on Main Street in 1971. While producing the bonus tracks for the new reissue, Was listened to hours of tape from the infamous sessions at Nellcote in France. And he says that considering the quantity and quality of their output -- and that their "banter and riff-playing" was so similar to more recent sessions -- he can only conclude they were "taking care of business." Was thinks the wild stuff was being done by others outside the confines of the studio.
Slash now has something in common with Oasis' Noel Gallagher, though he fared a little better than the Brit guitarist. During a Thursday performance in Milan, Italy, Slash was tackled by a fan who made it on stage. But it was his guitar that received the brunt of the damage. Where Gallagher suffered broken ribs after being attacked while performing at a festival in Toronto in 2008, Slash escaped his incident unharmed. His guitar was broken and eventually replaced by another instrument. Slash later commented, quote, "What'd I say? Rowdy crowd for sure. But amazing! The guy who nailed me didn't take me down, but he busted my poor guitar. Ah well, it was a kick-ass rock show of the first order." Slash's wife Perla reported that the guitarist's personal security man grabbed the assailant, but the Milan concert security did nothing to help and only ejected the man from the show rather than arrest him.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Aerosmith started their European tour last night (Thursday) in Sweden, but promoters in Canada have filed a lawsuit against the band for breach of contract. The Keystone Entertainment Group is seeking $6 million in damages over the band's cancelled shows in western Canada last year following Steven Tyler's fall from the stage in South Dakota. Aerosmith will tour North America in August and September, but with only one date in Canada, August 17th in Toronto.
Bruce Springsteen was rumored to be a guest at Gary "U.S." Bonds' New York show Wednesday night, but he never showed. He was actually a couple of thousand miles away in Calgary, Alberta, watching his daughter Jessica compete in an equestrian competition. It was also his 19th wedding anniversary, and he was spotted having dinner Tuesday night with his wife Patti Scialfa in Calgary at Rouge, which was recently named one of the top 100 restaurants in the world.
Ozzy Osbourne will lead the crowd at tonight's Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium in an attempt to set a Guinness world record for longest and loudest scream. Ozzy will take the field in the middle of the fifth inning with a Guinness representative. The appearance -- called "Scream for a Cure" -- is part of the Dodgers' Think Cure weekend, which is raising money for cancer research. And of course, it's a good way for Ozzy to promote his new album, Scream, which is due out June 22nd.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Jeff Beck did the second of two shows celebrating the life of Les Paul last night at the Iridium jazz club in New York, where Les used to play every Monday night. Yesterday would have been Paul's 95th birthday. Before the show Beck told us about his love for Paul, saying, "Without him I don't think any of us would be here." Among those in the audience last night were Paul's godson, Steve Miller, E Street Band guitarists Nils Lofgren and Steve Van Zandt, Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts guitarist Ricky Byrd, Paul Shaffer, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and Brian Setzer, who joined Beck on stage. Both shows were taped for release by Eagle Rock Entertainment either in the fall or early next year.
Doors guitarist Robby Krieger will release a new instrumental album, Singularity, on June 29th. He named the flamenco-infused jazz-rock album after a painting of his that's featured on the cover. Krieger says, "A singularity is a profound event such as the Big Bang, which was the creation of the universe. I could have started with something smaller, such as, say the destruction of a galaxy or two, but I figured what the hell. Hopefully, the music evokes thoughts along those lines." Krieger is on tour with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek and plays Albany, New York tonight.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will publish his autobiography, No Regrets, next summer. He says, "I think Sinatra said it best -- 'Regrets I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.'" In addition to his time in KISS, Frehley will write about growing up in The Bronx, New York and his battles with addiction.
Jeff Beck did the first of two New York club shows last night in tribute to the late Les Paul, who would have turned 95 today. Backed by The Imelda May Band, Beck played to fewer than 200 people at the Iridium jazz club, where Les played every Monday night for many years. Beck did a selection of Les's songs, as well as a number of early rock and roll standards. Highlights included Paul's "How High the Moon," "Walking in the Sand," "Sleepwalk," a smoking version of "The Train Kept A Rollin'" (which Beck first played in The Yardbirds), "Theme From Peter Gunn" (complete with a three-piece horn section) and "Rock Around the Clock." Imelda May handled the majority of the vocals, but she gave up the microphone to Gary "U.S." Bonds on "New Orleans" and Stray Cat Brian Setzer, who traded guitar licks with Beck on "20 Flight Rock" and "Shake Rattle and Roll." David Bowie, Twisted Sister guitarist J.J. French and Eric Johnson were in the audience. Expected at tonight's show are Les' godson Steve Miller, Billy Gibbons, Ace Frehley, Nils Lofgren, Meat Loaf, Johnny Winter and Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes. Both shows are being filmed and recorded.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
While Keith Richards has been waiting for The Rolling Stones to decide what they're going to do next, he's recorded a second album of Rastafarian spirituals with The Wingless Angels. Wingless Angels Two will be the group's first release in 13 years when it comes out in September. The recordings for the album started in 2004.
For Ronnie Wood to complete his financial settlement with his ex-wife Jo, he's had to sell the London home he set up for his sister-in-law Angela, who married his late brother Art in 1991. A source tells Britain's Mail on Sunday, "Ronnie felt so bad about it he got Sherry Daly from the Stones' office to call her and tell her. He's so embarrassed by the whole thing and can't bear to speak to her... She rolled over and accepted it. But secretly, she's devastated... There's no bad blood there, but Ronnie hasn't spoken to her since."
Ozzy Osbourne is probably the last person you'd ask for medical advice, but that's not stopping the U.K.'s Sunday Times from giving the Prince of Darkness his own medical advice column. In announcing the column, which starts Sunday, Ozzy tells the paper, "By all accounts I'm a medical miracle. When I die, I should donate my body to the Natural History Museum. It's all very well going on a bender for a couple of days -- but mine went on for 40 years. At one point, I was knocking back four bottles of cognac a day, blacking out, coming to again and carrying on." Ozzy will release his new album, Scream, next Tuesday.
And speaking of next Tuesday, that's when Ozzy will make his Rock Band debut with a six pack of songs in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the X-Box 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. Ozzy says, "I hope Rock Band players around the world are ready to have their living rooms invaded by me!"
Monday, June 7, 2010
After abandoning their recording sessions with producer Brendan O'Brien last spring, Aerosmith hopes to resume recording a new album after their tour. Speaking to Rolling Stone, guitarist Joe Perry says, "Looking at the calendar we'll probably be going into the studio sometime around the holidays or maybe in the beginning of next year. We'll have to take time off from touring to make the best record we can make. We owe it to ourselves to make the best record we can make." Aerosmith's last studio album of original material was Just Push Play in 2001.
Bret Michaels is a little more a week into touring following an appendectomy, brain hemorrhage and hole in his heart, and so far everything is okay. He tells AOL's PopEater, "I'm running [at] about 75 percent where I'd like to be... My one leg is still jacked up on my left side ... The injections I'm taking in my leg, they're pretty painful. My legs are black and blue from the thigh to the knee on both sides now. That, plus the blood thinner I need with that ridiculous hole in my heart... I'm like, 'Man, I guess the brain hemorrhage and appendix removal wasn't enough.'" Michaels' tour hooks up with Lynyrd Skynyrd Thursday in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The next "Guitar Hero" -- subtitled "Warriors Of Rock" -- features some of the top names in music including KISS, Black Sabbath, and The Cure. Due this fall adds a "Quest Mode" in which gamers can use a combination of instruments to journey from CBGBs to join with other warriors to take down "The Beast" and save rock and roll. KISS rocker Gene Simmons narrates the "Quest Mode" and serves as the "Demi-God" voice. The game comes with 90 playable tracks. "Warriors of Rock" also includes cuts from AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, Def Leppard, DragonForce, Drowning Pool, Foo Fighters, Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, Metallica & Ozzy Osbourne, Muse, My Chemical Romance, Queen, Rammstein, The Rolling Stones, Silversun Pickups, Slayer, and ZZ Top.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Add Rush to the list of artists who object to their music being used in a political campaign -- although their lawyer says it's "not a political issue" but a "copyright issue." Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul from Kentucky has been using "The Spirit of Radio" at campaign stops, and Rush's lawyer has fired off a letter asking him to cease and desist. The attorney says, "We would do this no matter who it is." Other artists who've recently objected to having their music used by politicians include Don Henley, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Heart, Steve Miller, Tom Petty and Bon Jovi.
Steve Winwood is preparing to roll-out a "best of" project next Tuesday. Billboard.com reports that the former Spencer Davis Group frontman will release the career-spanning "Revolutions" on June 8th. Fans can invest in either a four-volume box set or a 17-track single disc. "Revolutions" will feature material from Winwood's Spencer Davis days, along with tracks from Traffic, Blind Faith, and solo material. Also on "Revolutions," the music legend will rework his 1980 single "Spanish Dancer." Winwood says he'll do similar reworkings in the future, adding, quote, "I think it's quite a valid thing to do. I don't quite understand why it's not done more often. It's interesting to present them in certain different ways. It can sometimes free up artists from the shackles of old contracts as well."
In related news, Winwood's teaming up with some music greats on tour. He'll play with Eric Clapton on dates throughout Europe and Santana in North America.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Ozzy Osbourne now has a college award named after him. The Ozzy Osbourne Development Award will be given out by the Birmingham City University to the student who has made the most progress in the B.A. Media and Communications (Music Industries) degree. Osbourne told England's Birmingham Mail, "I was honored to be asked. It's great to support Birmingham and the future of the music industry." Osbourne tells Rolling Stone that he would never rule out a reunion with his Black Sabbath bandmates, even with the legal battles between them. "I love those guys. I never say never anymore because you never know what's going to come around."
Steven Tyler's autobiography, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? has been bumped again. The book was originally set to be published last fall and was then moved to this fall, but our sources tell us the earliest we may see it is next June. Part of Tyler's reasoning earlier this year for wanting to take two years off from Aerosmith was so he could finish the book. The publisher, Harper Collins, reportedly paid Tyler $2 million for his story. Tyler and Aerosmith wrapped up their tour of South and Central America last night in Costa Rica. The European leg starts on June 10th in Sweden, followed by the North American leg on July 23rd in Oakland.
AC/DC's private jet was nearly grounded in Berlin, Germany over the weekend after experiencing a malfunction. They had to charter another jet in order to make their show in Oslo, Norway, but had to cut it short because of an 11:00 p.m. curfew. AC/DC is in Stockholm, Sweden tomorrow night.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The late Ronnie James Dio was laid to rest with two services over the Memorial Day Weekend. On Saturday, family and close friends attended a private funeral ceremony. On Sunday, a three-and-a-half hour public memorial service for the ex-Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven and Hell singer -- who died of stomach cancer May 16th at 67 -- was attended by fans, friends, musical and business associates and family members. More than 1,000 of them filled Freedom Hall at Forest Lawn Cemetery in L.A., while an overflow of hundreds more gathered outside to watch the proceedings on a pair of large video screens.
Dio and Heaven and Hell keyboardist Scott Warren began the ceremony with an instrumental version of Heaven and Hell's "This Was Your Life."
Performers included Lynch Mob's Oni Logan and former Dio keyboardist Claude Schnell; a seven-piece ensemble that included Stuart Smith of Sweet and Dio's Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren; former Deep Purple frontman Glenn Hughes; Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna; Queensryche singer Geoff Tate; Asia frotman John Payne and former Rough Cutt frontman Paul Shortino.
Trunk read a proclamation issued by the Los Angeles City Council proclaiming Sunday Ronnie James Dio Day in L.A. --Dave Schulps
Joe Walsh has filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming is life has been threatened by a man in his 70s, TMZ reports. In the papers Walsh says his personal assistant approached the man, Nassar Adhoot, who owns land by Walsh, after he trespassed on Walsh's property. Adhoot attacked the assistant and shouted, "You tell Joe Walsh I'm going to kill him. I'm going to shoot him." Walsh has asked for an order of protection against himself, his wife, his assistant, his maid and his gardener.
Friday, May 28, 2010
The public memorial for Ronnie James Dio will be held on Sunday at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. Dio died on May 16th from stomach cancer. He was 67. Sadly, the service may be may be disrupted by religious extremists. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas has issued a statement saying that Dio was an "arrogant God-hating fool" who "changed his name from Padavona to Dio (meaning 'God' in Italian). His Black Sabbath fans worshipped him as a god. He stood idly by and watched his niece, Gen Padavona, become a filthy porn star." Wendy Dio, Ronnie's widow and manager, commented on the planned protest, saying, "Ronnie hates prejudice and violence. We need to turn the other cheek on these people."
Aerosmith are causing quite a stir on their South American tour. Assistant road manager John B. writes on AeroForceOne.com, "Aerosmith has diehard fans everywhere, but there must be something in that water that they tell you not to drink. They are loud and energetic from the moment the lights go down until Elvis has left the building. But the real crazy thing is how the fans follow the band from the moment the band's plane touches down on their soil." Aerosmith are down to their last two shows -- Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Tuesday in San Jose, Costa Rica. They start a European tour on June 10th in Sweden, followed by U.S. dates in August.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Aerosmith's assistant road manager John B. writes on AeroForceOne.com that they're taking South America "by storm" during their first tour there in three years. And he says that Steven Tyler, who was in rehab prior to the tour, "is like a caged animal waiting to be released on his prey. It's Steven who cues for the curtain to be dropped every night, and from the moment the canvas is released from the sky, the 'Demon of Screamin'' is 100 percent on." The tour, which also includes Joey Kramer doing drum solos for the first time in 20 years, is in Porto Alegre, Brazil tonight.
The widow of Ronnie James Dio is directing his fans to make donations to a charity that works to fight cancer. On the late rocker's website, Wendy Dio has asked that in lieu of flowers, fans and well-wishers send in donations to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund." The organization is based in Studio City, California. For address information or a direct link to make a donation, visit the ronniejamesdio.com. Dio will be in the hearts and minds of his fans around the world this weekend. There is a public memorial for the former Black Sabbath frontman in Hollywood this Sunday, May 30th.
Gene Simmons is evading criminal charges in connection with an alleged conflict with a couple at a Southern California shopping center in late 2009. Nathan Marlowe and Cynthia Manzo claim that Simmons destroyed their camera, grabbed each of them by the throat, and threatened them after the couple attempted to take his picture. Simmons' account of the incident had the couple shoving a "shiny object" in his face. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office is declining to file charges against the KISS rocker in the incident, citing insufficient evidence. In court documents, Simmons told the Los Angeles Police Department that he broke the camera, but that he'd replace it if provided with a receipt. In reviewing the evidence, a prosecutor said on Wednesday, quote, "The charges cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt."
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
U2 have postponed their North American summer tour until next year because Bono will need time to recover from back surgery. The tour was to start in Salt Lake City on June 3rd and wrap up at New Jersey's New Meadowlands Stadium on July 19th. Fans are being encouraged to hang on to their tickets, as the promoters hope to announce the rescheduled dates soon. The band also canceled its appearance at England's Glastonbury Festival set for next month. Yesterday Bono was released from the Munich, Germany hospital where he had back surgery on Friday to relieve severe compression of the sciatic nerve. He'll start an eight-week rehab program and is expected to make a full recovery. In a video post on U2.com, guitarist The Edge says Bono was working out for the tour when the injury occurred. "Luckily enough he did realize at a certain point, I think when he could no longer walk, that actually he needed to go to a doctor and thank God he did because by the time they got to see him and did the scans they realized that he'd actually got some fairly major damage."
The two new Rush songs are done and will be available for download via all the major digital retailers Tuesday. "Caravan" and "BU2B" will also be available on the band's next album, Clockwork Angels, due for release next year. Both songs were recorded in Nashville. Rush will start their Time Machine tour on June 29th in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weilandsays the band's reunion wouldn't continue if they didn't make their new self-titled album, which is out today. Weiland tells the Toronto Sun, "We love playing live, but you really enjoy it when you have a new album with new songs. It gives you a real boost. If you're not creating new material, it sort of starts to feel recycled."
AC/DC's "T.N.T." will be the TNT TV network's theme song for its 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage. TNT will air six races, beginning with the Gillette Fusion Pro Glide 500 on June 6th in Pocono, Pennsylvania. The network's NASCAR video featuring "T.N.T." will make its television debut tonight during the Inside the NBA post-game show. You can also check out the clip at NASCAR.com/TNT.
David Byrne has filed suit against Florida Governor Charlie Crist for using the Talking Heads song "Road to Nowhere" on his website and in a YouTube ad for his Senate campaign. Byrne is seeking $1 million, which he claims he's been offered in the past for use of his songs for commercials. Byrne had Warner Brothers, which released the song in 1985, contact Crist's campaign to pull the ad. But he tells Billboard that, "In my opinion the damage had already been done by it being out there. People that I knew had seen [it], so it had gotten around." Byrne's attorney for the case is Lawrence Iser, who represented Jackson Browne in his successful suit against 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain for his use of "Running on Empty."
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bret Michaels is the new Celebrity Apprentice. The Poison frontman beat actress Holly Robinson Peete on last night's season finale of the NBC show and came away with $500,000 for his charity the American Diabetes Association. Despite his health issues -- an appendectomy, brain hemorrhage and hole in his heart -- Michaels was in New York for the live finale. Michaels will be on The Tonight Show tomorrow night.
Bono underwent emergency back surgery on Friday in Munich, Germany, resulting in U2 postponing the start of the next leg of their 360 Degrees tour, June 3rd in Salt Lake City, Utah. The injury occurred as he was getting ready for the tour, but the exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed. He'll spend the next few days in the hospital before returning home to recuperate. The band's manager, Paul McGuinness, posted a statement on the band's website in which he hinted that there could be further postponements. "It's unfortunate that we're inconveniencing fans. We will make plans to reinstate these dates as soon as possible." U2 was scheduled to start rehearsals tomorrow in Salt Lake.
The London garage of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason was recently robbed. Instead of taking his rare Harley Davidson motorcycle, the thieves made off with eight motorcycle helmets, one of which is painted pink. Mason says, "It's quite distinctive so the number of people who had a helmet that color would be limited. It would be nice to get them back."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Mick Jagger says he has been writing songs and Keith Richards wants to get back to work. "I want to be able to go and record those [songs that I've been writing]," says Jagger, who also says he'd like to tour. Richards adds, "As fun as it's been [working on the re-release of Exile on Main Street], I wanna go forward." The Stones' last tour ended in August 2007.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 1984 platinum album Couldn't Stand the Weather will get the expanded treatment on July 27th. The two-disc Legacy Edition adds 23 tracks to the original release, including three previously unreleased studio tracks and 12 songs from an August 17th, 1984 show in Montreal.
Bret Michaels is weathering more medical issues. According to People.com the 47-year-old rocker experienced a "warning stroke" and was hospitalized in Phoenix, Arizona this week after tests revealed a hole in his heart. Doctors said they did not believe that the setbacks were linked to Michaels' brain hemorrhage on April 22nd. The latest health scare is reportedly treatable. In a statement on Michaels' website, his physician reiterated that Michaels is committed to making a 100 percent recovery. Michaels had said publicly he hoped to attend the finale of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice" on Sunday, May 23rd. Thursday's hospitalization has led his medical team to question the possible appearance.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Two of the previously unreleased songs on this week's reissue ofThe Rolling Stones' 1972 album, Exile on Main Street, aren't exactly 38 years old. Both "Plundered My Soul" and "Following the River" were found without lyrics, and, in the case of "Plundered," there was no lead guitar. Mick Jagger wrote and recorded lyrics for both, and he brought in Mick Taylor, the Stones guitarist on Exile, to lay down some lead, saying he was sure Taylor was surprised to have gotten his call. The Stones -- minus Ron Wood who was not in the band during the Exile years -- were at the Cannes Film Festival in France yesterday for the premiere of Stones in Exile, a documentary on the making of the album. Target is selling the Exile on Main Street bonus CD with the 10 previously unreleased tracks as a stand-alone disc. It comes in a double-CD jewel case so you can add the original album.
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil is not only releasing a new solo album called Tattoos and Tequila -- he's got an autobiography of the same name being published on September 23rd. The publishers say this book "unearths everything that was left unsaid in Motley Crue's The Dirt." The Tattoos and Tequila album is due out June 22nd.
The friends and family of late rocker Ronnie James Dio are giving his fans a chance to grieve formally. Blabbermouth.net reports that there will be a public memorial service for the legendary rocker on Sunday, May 30th in Hollywood, California. The event will take place at The Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. The event is being described on the Ronnie James Dio official website as a "celebration" of the late frontman's life and music. Dio's camp is going so far as to arrange discounted hotel rates for memorial guests. For more details regarding Dio's memorial, visit www.ronniejamesdio.com.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The tributes for Ronnie James Dio have gone from statements to the stage. Alice Cooper played a little of Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" at his show Sunday in Iowa. Pearl Jam did the same at their show Monday in Boston. And Paul Stanley of KISS had their audience in Geneva, Switzerland chant "Ronnie, Ronnie" Monday night. Dio's family has announced that he'll be remembered with a public memorial service on May 30th at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. Meanwhile, the tributes for Ronnie keep coming in from the rock world:
Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord: "[Ronnie was] a friend of many years standing and a truly delightful man. His voice was an instrument of power and of beauty, and was a seminal influence in rock music. His loss is even more devastating when considering how much more he would have had to offer us... Rest in peace, my friend."
Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony: "He was an influence to me growing up playing music. I remember in Van Halen we used to do [Rainbow's] 'Man on the Silver Mountain' in the club days... He will be missed."
Lemmy from Motorhead: "I'm truly upset, especially since he seemed to be rallying at the [Revolver] Golden Gods show [on April 8th in Los Angeles, California]. Bon voyage, Ronnie. Rest in peace. I'm devastated."
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic: "Dio is a giant in the world of heavy metal. I bought Heaven and Hell and couldn't 'play the hell out of it' --mystery and magic are a big part of the Dio legend -- no, I'll say I played it constantly. I even gave it a spin on Sunday night in honor of Dio. The tune 'Neon Knights' never sounded better."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Rolling Stones release the deluxe version of their 1972 album Exile on Main Street today. It contains 10 unreleased songs, including "Plunder My Soul," "Following the River," "Dancing in the Light," "Pass the Wine" and "Sophia Loren." The Stones owed the U.K. government a large sum in taxes, which is why they became exiles, moving to France, and recording part of the album in the basement of Keith Richards' rented mansion Nellcote in the South of France with their mobile recording truck. Among the songs on Exile are "Happy," "Tumbling Dice" and "Rocks Off."
Exile on Main Street is available in two CD formats: the original 18-track release; a deluxe CD edition with the 10 special bonus tracks; and a super deluxe package that also includes vinyl, a 30-minute documentary DVD with footage from Cocksucker Blues, Ladies and Gentlemen... the Rolling Stones and Stones in Exile, and a 50-page collector's book with photos from the Exile era. Mick Jagger will discuss the Exile re-issue on Larry King Live tonight on CNN.
Jason Bonham calls his Led Zeppelin tribute tour "a personal trip through my life with the music of Led Zeppelin and how the music influenced me... This September 25th is the 30th anniversary of my father's passing -- I thought, what better way to celebrate his life than to do 30 shows for the 30 years he's been gone?" Tour dates for Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience will be announced soon, as will members of the band.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Ronnie James Dio, one of the distinctive voices of hard rock, is dead at the age of 67. Dio died Sunday morning after suffering stomach cancer. Dio's wife and manager Wendy posted a note on his website Sunday afternoon saying, "Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.
As a teenager he played in various rockabilly bands and took his stage name in 1961 for Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. When that band broke up in 1967, he and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas started a new band called the Electric Elves, which became Elf in 1969 and went on to do shows opening for Deep Purple. Dio's vocals caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who later formed Rainbow with Dio and other members of Elf. Dio sang on three Rainbow albums and is heard on tracks like "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll."
Dio left Rainbow in 1978 and became Ozzy Osbourne's replacement in Black Sabbath the following year. This version of Sabbath released two albums -- Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules -- before Dio and drummer Vinny Appice quit in 1982 to form the band Dio. That band's first album, Holy Diver, was their most popular and contained the hit "Rainbow in the Dark."
Dio worked with his Sabbath bandmates in 2006 to record three songs for a compilation called The Dio Years and followed it up with a tour in 2007, but for legal reasons they called themselves Heaven and Hell. The quartet released a studio album last year called The Devil You Know. Heaven and Hell had planned on touring this summer, but those plans were canceled earlier this month because of Dio's health issues.
A visibly frail Dio made his last known public appearance at last month's taping of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards at L.A.'s Club Nokia, where he won Best Vocalist for The Devil You Know. Accepting the award, he told the crowd, "It's great to be back among people again. It's been awhile, and I can't wait to get back on stage again." Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. The Revolver Golden Gods Awards will air for the first time this Saturday on VH1 Classic.
Dio's other lasting contribution to hard rock culture is that he is credited for popularizing the "devil's horn" hand symbol.
Dio is survived by Wendy (his second wife) and his adopted son Dan from his first marriage.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon's tribute to next week's deluxe reissue of The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street ends tonight with the debut of a clip from the making-of documentary Stones in Exile. The first four shows featured a different act doing a song off the legendary album -- Green Day on Monday; Keith Urban on Tuesday; Sheryl Crow on Wednesday and Phish wrapped it up last night (Thursday). Some of the Stones even got in on the action with Mick Jagger taking part in a spoof with Fallon on the Lost TV series Tuesday night, and Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts taking part in the show's "Pros and Cons" segment Wednesday.
A new exhibition opening this weekend at the Seattle Art Museum was inspired by late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. The exhibit -- simply titled Kurt -- runs through September 6th. Curator Michael Darling says the show "asks viewers to question why and how Kurt Cobain came to mean so much to a generation." Pieces range from a carved cardboard Cobain bust to a video of artist Gillian Wearing dancing to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive."
This October, the month that John Lennon would have turned 70, his son Julian will unveil a sculpture in Liverpool, England, that will be a monument to his father's message of world peace. The art is being created by 19-year-old American artist Lauren Voiers and will be presented to the Beatles-themed Liverpool attraction, The Beatles Story. It's the second in a series of monuments commissioned by the California-based Global Peace initiative, which aims to place one sculpture in each of the seven continents. The first was presented to Singapore in 2005.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
It's Rolling Stones week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The Stones themselves made a special guest appearance last night via satellite during the show's "Pros and Cons" segment, which focused on the deluxe reissue of Exile on Main Street, due out Tuesday. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were more than willing to joke about themselves with Fallon, and Charlie Watts even made a cameo, although he didn't say a word, he just looked excited.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are gearing up for a high profile gig this weekend. The rockers will be "Saturday Night Live's" musical guest this Saturday, May 15th on NBC. Petty is on the bill with frequent "SNL" host and "30 Rock" star, Alec Baldwin. Saturday's live performance marks the beginning of a busy time for the band. On Tuesday, June 1st, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will launch its 2010 tour with the first of two consecutive nights at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado. Later, on June 15th, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Famers will release its new LP, "Mojo." As part of a promotion on the band's official site, every tour ticket purchase gives fans one free download from "Mojo."
Gamers can look forward more material from Aerosmith to hit the market early next week. According to Examiner.com, "Guitar Hero" is offering Aerosmith's "Livin' On The Edge," "Love In An Elevator," "and "Rag Doll" next Tuesday, May 18th. The new-to-gamers Aerosmith tracks follow the release earlier this month of more classic rock singles. Activision's "Guitar Hero" and "Band Hero" debuted "Classic Rock 3 Track Pack" for XBox Live and Wii last Thursday, and it became available for Playstation on Tuesday. "Classic Rock 3" features Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," and Steve Miller Band's "Take The Money and Run." "Guitar Hero" has given video game treatments to material from Kiss, Alice Cooper, Heart, and more since it hit the market in 2005.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Will The Rolling Stones be the next act to follow the lead of such artists as Cheap Trick, Rush, Deep Purple, Bruce Springsteen and Steely Dan to do an entire album in concert? Speaking to a U.K. radio station, Keith Richards says, "That idea occurred a few years back, where tonight you do Let It Bleed... it's an idea that's been around, but we haven't taken it by the horns yet." The Stones will release a deluxe edition of Exile on Main Street on Tuesday.
Precautions are being arranged for Bret Michaels' return to touring following a brain hemorrhage last month, TMZ reports. However, the website mistakenly says he will tour this summer with Poison, which is not the case. Michaels is set to open for Lynyrd Skynyrd starting June 10th in West Palm Beach, Florida. Despite the mix-up, TMZ quotes a source who says, "Someone in the crew will be required to provide the bus drivers with a list of every hospital from current location to next location ... addresses and all ... so in the event of an emergency, they have the info readily available."
In other Michaels news, he has just released a new song called "Wasted Time." Recorded before his recent health battles, the song does contain some related lyrics: "Lately I just ain't been myself, lately I've been feeling something else, There's a time to hurt, a time to heal."
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Judas Priest is back in stores today, this time with a deluxe 30th anniversary edition of their 1980 album, British Steel. The album that spawned "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law" is available as a two-disc or three-disc set. Each comes with the original album plus a live DVD of the band performing British Steel last summer in Hollywood, Florida. The three-disc set has a CD version of the concert.
Last fall, Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott had the privilege to open up for his favorite band, when Mott the Hoople reunited for shows in London. Backed by The Quireboys, Elliott called his group the Down 'N Outz, and they did rare tracks connected to Mott. The show went so well that they took those songs into the studio and cut an album, which will be out on Jimmy Buffett's Mailboat Records on July 13th. Among the songs on the album are covers of Ian Hunter's "Golden Opportunity," "Overnight Angels" and "England Rocks," as well as four songs by Mott.
The surviving members of Queen are reportedly in line for a big payday. UK newspaper "The Times" reports that drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Brian May, and bass player John Deacon will not renew with longtime UK distributor EMI when the band's contract expires at the end of 2010. Queen will reportedly move over to Universal in a deal worth tens of millions of pounds. In exchange, Universal will get rights to Queen's iconic catalog of hits. An industry source cited by "The Times" commented on the deal saying, quote, "EMI just decided they couldn't compete. It was too much to pay and they want to spend that money on developing new talent." Queen's catalog includes "We Are the Champions," "You're My Best Friend," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and more hits. The songs' uses in pop culture include appearances in the films "Wayne's World," "Revenge Of The Nerds," and "The Break-Up," on TV's "The Sopranos" and "The Big Bang Theory," and more. Queen tracks have also had extensive use in commercials and marketing.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is hoping to bring The Beatles' story to the big screen. Liam has bought the rights to The Longest Cocktail Party, an insider's book that chronicles the band's final days and messy breakup. There's one potential obstacle to actually making the movie, though -- the rights to use actual Beatles music could cost tens of millions of dollars.
An entire week of on-air "love" for The Rolling Stones is kicking off on late night TV tonight. NBC's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" will dedicate this week's shows to The Rolling Stones' "Exile On Main Street." "Rolling Stones Week" will debut with a cover of a track from "Exile" as interpreted by Green Day. Green Day's sharing the bill with Fallon's other guests tonight, "SNL" actress Kristin Wiig and "Mad Money" personality Jim Kramer. Throughout the week, look for performances from country star Keith Urban, pop superstar Sheryl Crow, and veteran alt-rockers Phish. On Friday, "Late Night" will debut the Stones' new documentary "Stones In Exile" -- a film about the making of the 1972 album. The shows are a lead-up to next week when Universal will reissue "Exile On Main Street." The reissue, arriving May 18th, will contain ten previously unreleased tracks from the band's vaults. An advance single from "Exile," "Plundered My Soul" debuted last month.
Friday, May 7, 2010
During The Who's Super Bowl press conference in February, Pete Townshend mentioned that he is a big fan of Yoko Ono. Now in an online chat via the band's website, Townshend says he'd like to collaborate with her, saying, "She screams better than that bloke in the Who." The Who shared the stage with Yoko and John Lennon in 1968 at the taping of The Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus. Townshend also said he'd like to work with Mick Jagger. "You know, he's asked me to work on several records with him and I've very much enjoyed doing it. But he's never suggested that we write together... It may happen, it may not."
As for Townshend's hearing problems, he says he wore hearing aids at The Who's Super Bowl performance and their benefit in March. "I am doing okay with them, I can hear high frequencies a little better so I can play more quietly. But my ears are still ringing from the 10 days of rehearsals for [the March benefit]." Townshend suffers from tinnitus.
Mother's Day is this Sunday, and while Keith Richards' mother is no longer living, he certainly knows how to keep the mother of his two daughters, former model Patti Hansen, happy. He tells the U.K.'s Daily Mail, "I'm a family man. And I have been since I was 26. When I'm at home I do as I'm told, 'Yes, darling, no, darling,' like any other guy. I avoid conflict as much as possible, especially domestically, but at the same time I know there's a streak in me that given the opportunity will show you what Keith Richards can do. But I feel no compulsion." Richards and Patti have been married for 26 years.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
His doctors have discussed his condition, so has his family and even Donald Trump. Now, Bret Michaels is doing the talking about his recent health scare. People.com reports that the 47-year-old considers himself "lucky" following his treatment for a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage. Michaels said, quote, "I opened my eyes and was like: 'I am so thankful. I'm lucky to be alive.' It just wasn't my time yet! I'm a believer it's a combination of will and faith [that kept me alive]. Will -- and good medical attention -- and faith." Michaels added that he wants to, quote, "continue to rock the world" and to be a good father. The Poison frontman's comments follow a press conference on Tuesday from the medical team that treated him at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Bret's primary physician said he expects the rocker to make a successful recovery, but that he'll require some ongoing medical monitoring.
"Rock Of Ages," the Broadway musical that features the classic rock of 1980s acts like Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, and Whitesnake, is hitting the road. USAToday.com's "Idol Chatter" reports that the show will bring back its star, "American Idol" season four finalist Constantine Maroulis, to lead up its touring company. "Rock Of Ages" is currently slated to open at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre on May 11th. The production's U.S. dates begin with a run in Chicago on September 21st. Other destinations on the "Rock Of Ages" trek include Cincinnati and Columbus.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A little more than a week after suffering a brain hemorrhage, singer and TV reality star Bret Michaels has been released from an Arizona hospital, despite being in, what his doctor calls, "critical condition." At a press conference yesterday, Doctor Joseph M. Zabramski said Michaels is "walking. He's not walking very well. He's talking very well, and he's very mentally aware. He'll fortunately make a 100 percent recovery." He will now undergo physical therapy at an undisclosed location. "We're watching him very closely. We are very concerned that there could be a deterioration in his status at this point. We continue to watch him closely... We're feeling pretty confident that he does not have an aneurysm or other problem that could result in recurrent hemorrhage." Michaels, 47, is scheduled to tour this summer on a bill with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Heaven and Hell, the Ronnie James Dio edition of Black Sabbath, have canceled their European summer tour. Dio, who was diagnosed last November with stomach cancer, isn't "well enough to tour." In a statement on his website, Dio says, "I would like to voice my great disappointment on the cancellation of the Heaven and Hell summer tour. [My wife and manager] Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this set back could be devastating, but we will not let it be. With your continued love and support, we... will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic." In March, Wendy wrote on his website that he'd undergone his seventh chemotherapy treatment, a CAT scan and an endoscopy, and "the results are good -- the main tumor has shrunk considerably, and our visits to Houston are now every three weeks instead of every two weeks."
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Steve Miller Band is back with new material that will roll out over the next two months. The rocker is unveiling his first new studio album in 17 years with the June 15th debut of "Bingo!" In advance of "Bingo's" release, the band has leaked a single via the Roadrunner Records website called "Hey Yeah." The track -- which features everything from electric guitar to background vocals, clapping, and drums -- is available for purchase on iTunes on May 18th. "Bingo!" is available for pre-order now via Amazon.com.
In related news, The Steve Miller Band is back on the road beginning later this month. The rockers play M Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on the May 21st before moving onto gigs at Morongo Casino in Palm Springs, California on the May 22nd and Pima Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona on the May 23rd.
Def Leppard are not breaking up, despite the rumors that sprang up when they cancelled the remainder of their North American tour last fall. Singer Joe Elliott tells the U.K.'s Star that he needed to be with his pregnant wife and that there were "a lot of things in our private lives that needed attending to."
Now Def Lep are writing new material and working on a live album and box set. They plan to release their catalog on I-Tunes, and they'll be back on the road next year. On Friday, Elliott and Def Leppard bass player Rick Savage performed at a benefit tribute for a late DJ friend of theirs in their hometown of Sheffield, England.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The doctors treating singer and TV reality star Bret Michaels will hold a press conference tomorrow to discuss his condition. He is being treated for a brain hemorrhage suffered last month at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Dr. Zabramski, who is treating Michaels, says, "Mr. Michaels will continue to undergo testing considering we have hit a few roadblocks including hyponatremia, severe cranial and back pain suffered from blood drainage, an emergency appendectomy performed a week earlier and a lifelong history of Type 1 Diabetes. However, Bret's sheer will to live and fully recover is undeniable. He has an unbelievable fight in him and told me what kept him alive at the moment of the hemorrhage was that he did not want his family to wake up and see him lying unconscious in the middle of the floor. It was a combination of Bret's fight...and the immediate medical attention provided by our staff at Barrow that enabled us to stabilize his condition." Michaels was the project manager last night for the Rock Solid team on Celebrity Apprentice and they won $40,000 for Michaels' charities -- the American Diabetes Association and the Bret Michaels Diabetic Camp.
Judas Priest have no plans to tour behind the 30th anniversary re-issue of British Steel, which comes out on May 11th. A statement on JudasPriest.com says, "They need time to re-charge their batteries, having just recently finished a two-year world tour in Japan at the end of 2009." They'll be back on the road in 2011 and 2012.
Rush will finally receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 25th -- almost two years after it was announced. Following the ceremony, Rush will head to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they start their Time Machine tour on June 29th. Meanwhile, the documentary, Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, which premiered last week at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, won the festival's 2010 Heineken Audience Award. The filmmakers, Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn, received the $25,000 award Saturday night at the festival's wrap party.
Friday, April 30, 2010
A statement on Bret Michaels' website says the 47-year old singer "remains in critical condition in intensive care under 24 hour supervision by doctors and medical staff. If a patient survives the initial rupture, the first seven to 10 days after are the most critical as an additional rupture or other complications may arise." Michaels underwent more testing as well as an additional MRA yesterday (Thursday). Doctors will hold a press conference on Tuesday to further explain his condition, treatment and prognosis.
Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, will soon announce a Led Zep tribute tour for this year, according to LedZeppelinNews.com. Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience will "replicate the Led Zeppelin sound. As a backdrop to the music, each concert is to feature an elaborate video screen onstage to make the Led Zeppelin story come alive."
Roger Daltrey says The Who's London concert in March may have been their last. If Pete Townshend's hearing problems continue, Daltrey tells Uncut magazine, they should "stop now. Entering old age is a silent world -- nothing is worth that [going deaf]... We're trying to deal with issues that we have never dealt with before. Our bodies are beginning to give up on us. I've had voice problems in the past year that I've managed to sort out and I'm really enjoying singing again but you have to be realistic -- I am 66 years old." Townshend is testing new in-ear monitors to help ease his tinnitus.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
While Bret Michaels recovers from a brain hemorrhage at an Arizona hospital, his management is hopeful he will be able to resume his tour next month. A post on his website says, "At this time we are planning to resume the tour May 26th in Ft. Smith Arkansas provided there are no further complications or setbacks. We will then continue with all scheduled dates throughout the summer and fall, including the June and July tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd." Earlier this week, a post on Michaels' site said doctors would make another statement regarding his condition on Monday.
Ray Manzarek says if he could go back and record a Doors concert that's never been heard, it would be one from the group's first stint at the L.A.'s Whisky A Go-Go, when The Doors opened for the Irish group Them. At the final show the two bands and their singers -- Jim Morrison and Van Morrison -- jammed together on Van and Them's anthem, "Gloria." The Doors' keyboardist says the image of Van singing into a mic attached to a stand he was holding upside down, while Jim sits on top of an amplifier is "seared in my brain."
Jimi Hendrix'shalf-sister Janie Hendrix was at the National Museum of the American Indian yesterday to loan a never-before-displayed coat of Jimi's to the museum for its upcoming exhibition, Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians in Popular Culture. The new show runs from July 1st through next January. Hendrix, whose paternal grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee, is also featured in the Museum's current exhibition, IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas.
Wednesday, April 28
Bret Michaels'Facebook team says the rocker has suffered a setback in his recovery from a brain hemorrhage late last week. According to a post on the Poison frontman's Facebook page, recent tests reveal that Michaels is suffering a side effect known as hyponatremia. The condition is described as, "a lack of sodium in the body that leads to seizures." Testing also revealed that the 47-year-old's specific hemorrhage is classified as subarachnoid -- a type of stroke that suddenly appears in the patient as severe pain accompanied by something similar to the sound of a thunderclap or gunshot. Tuesday's Facebook update added, quote, "Doctors state Michaels is very lucky as his condition could have been fatal. With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months."
Sharon Osbourne says a film about Ozzy Osbourne's life will go into production this year. Sharon dropped the news while promoting her stint on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice. She said an announcement will be coming in the next two weeks, while adding that there's "[no cast] yet, but we have a producer and we have lots of money and we're all starting."
Cheap Trick will do another Las Vegas residency this summer, once again performing The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This time they'll take over the Paris Las Vegas Theater for 20 shows, starting on June 11th and running through July 31st. Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick will supervise the audio production.
