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8/31/2010
In 1995
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Slash is on his way to being single again. TMZ.com reports that the former Guns N' Roses guitarist has separated from Perla Ferrar, his wife of nearly nine years. Slash filed divorce documents in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday. The 45-year-old rocker cited July 15th, 2010 as the couple's separation date in court documents and "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split. People.com quotes a rep for the guitarist who says, "I can confirm the divorce papers were filed and from Slash's perspective the split is amicable." Slash -- whose real name is Saul Hudson -- married Ferrar in 2001. Slash and Ferrar have two sons together, eight-year-old London and four-year-old Cash. As part of his filing, Slash is seeking joint legal and physical custody of the boys.
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Aerosmith rocker Joe Perry fears the band will be over once its current tour comes to an end - insisting their future together is completely "up in the air".
Perry recently confirmed his bandmate Steven Tyler has been in talks to join the judging panel of American Idol, although an official announcement has yet to be made, and the guitarist criticized the singer for not sharing his plans with his colleagues.
The rocker is now adamant Tyler's new role is a done deal and he's convinced Aerosmith's future is uncertain once their Cocked, Locked, Ready To Rock tour comes to an end in Canada next month.
He tells Cincinnati.com, "He (Tyler) told me just a couple of days ago he signed his papers to join the show. As far as he knew, everything's set to go.
"I think everybody's a little worn out. The tour is winding up, and we don't know when we'll work again as band. That part of it is up in the air, and it's starting to hit home."
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08/25/2010
Kiss bassist Gene Simmons is 61.
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Guns N' Roses is getting a warning from a UK festival director. "BBC News" reports that Melvin Benn, the organizer of the UK's Reading and Leeds Festival has told the rockers to be punctual for the event this weekend or to forget showing up at all. The warning comes eight years after the "Chinese Democracy" band showed up two hours late for its set at the 2002 Leeds and Reading fest. Benn says he has to be strict because the local councils of the surrounding English neighborhoods have a curfew for music shows. He commented, quote, "If Guns N' Roses decide to take to stage as late as they did in Leeds some years ago then the performance just won't happen."
This year's festival is scheduled to launch this Friday, August 27th. GNR is on a lineup that includes acts like Arcade Fire, The Libertines, Paramore, Blink-182, Young Guns, The Walkmen, Cypress Hill, and Limp Bizkit.
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Some of music's greats have lent their support to Eric Clapton's first solo album in five years. RollingStone.com reports that the guitarist's "Clapton," due in the U.S. next month, features a diverse roster of guests. Clapton's frequent co-headliner on tour and Blind Faith band mate Steve Winwood is on the project. Also featured on "Clapton" are pop star Sheryl Crow, jazz man Wynton Marsalis, R&B legend Allen Toussaint, and blues veteran JJ Cale. Doyle Bramhall the Second co-produced the 14-track project, which Clapton describes as, quote, "an eclectic collection of songs that weren't really on the map." The first single from "Clapton" will be "Run Back To Your Side." The entire album -- Clapton's first since 2005's "Back Home" -- is due on September 28th.
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| It looks like there's more original material on the way from Cheap Trick. Billboard.com reports that the rockers already have songs in development with producer Julien Raymond for a follow-up to 2009's "The Latest." The band's bass player Tom Petersson says, quote, "We were just in Los Angeles and came up with ten ideas that we're working on that are very strong contenders. That's how it works now. We just do it as it happens, when opportunities come up, just putting together ideas. And once you get ten or 12 strong things it's like, 'Wow, we have the record!'." |
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8/23/2010
In 1975
Free guitarist Paul Kossof was declared clinically dead for 35 minutes. His heart had stopped and his kidneys shut down, but doctors in London were able to revive him. A blood clot that traveled from his leg to his heart was to blame for his temporary death.
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Bret Michaels is hosting a world-class beauty competition this evening. The 47-year-old rocker will emcee the "2010 Miss Universe Pageant," which is being broadcast live on NBC from Las Vegas. The "Today" show's Natalie Morales will share hosting duties with the Poison singer. The TV gig reteams Michaels with his "Celebrity Apprentice" mentor Donald Trump, who acquired the pageant in the mid-1990s. USmagazine.com reports that Michaels is "thrilled" to host, saying, quote, "I realize it is a controversial decision for Mr. Trump to have a rocker like myself with little filter to host such a prestigious event. However, Donald Trump knows that I will bring 150 percent and make the evening a rocking good time."
Among the other celebs on hand to support tonight's pageant as judges are singer Chynna Phillips and her husband, actor William Baldwin, as well as actress Jane Seymour and others. NBC will broadcast the "2010 Miss Universe Pageant" live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in "Sin City." The telecast will take place tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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editors note: After googling
"Does Bret Michaels Wear Lip Gloss", I discovered numerous forum
posts of what can only be summed up as "The Balding Bret Michaels Conspiracy". Oh internet, why are you so crazy?
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One of rock's living legends is making his way to the silver screen. Guitarist Joe Satriani has issued a statement announcing that he'll appear in the baseball film "Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt and Oscar-winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The film is based on the Oakland A's unlikely winning streak eight years ago under the leadership of maverick manager Billy Beane, played by Pitt in the film. Satriani was recruited to recreate his 2002 season opening performance of the national anthem, originally performed at Oakland Stadium in Northern California. Satriani's statement said of the film, quote, "It looks to be a very cool movie focusing on the A's executive Billy Beane. I dressed in 2002 gear, and even used my older equipment. All in the name of authenticity."
In related news, Satriani is releasing his fourteenth studio album in October. "Black Swans and Wormwhole Wizards" will hit the market on October 5th. The album's first single is called "Light Years Away
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Sir Paul McCartney, Slash, Al DiMeola, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top are weighing in on the legacy of guitarist Les Paul in a new TV special. CNN International will debut an episode of its "Icon" series dedicated to the late music legend this week. The special will premiere on Thursday, August 26th, in CNN International markets. "Icon" will trace Paul's work as a guitarist and a recording innovator, while also including footage from New York's Iridium Jazz Club. That's where Paul continued to perform live up until less than a month before his death, according to "American Songwriter" magazine. In addition to the celebrity interviews, Paul's surviving son, Russ, will reflect on his father's accomplishments. Les Paul died last year on August 12th, 2009 at age 94
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8/19/2010
Former Cream and Blind Faith drummer Ginger Baker is 71.
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Rocker and avid hunter Ted Nugent is paying the price for violating two hunting laws in the Sacramento, California area. Sacramento's News10.net reports that Nugent's attorney entered a plea of no contest to two out of nine violations Friday in Yuba County Superior Court. The misdemeanor charges were for baiting a deer and not acquiring an authorized signature after killing the animal. Nugent killed the young deer as he was filming his Outdoor Channel series "Spirit of the Wild" last February. Two California game wardens witnessed the rock star as he shot the spiked buck with a bow and arrow. They said the buck was an illegal animal to hunt, because it was too young. Nugent must pay a fine of 17-hundred-and-50-dollars. Several other charges against Nugent were dropped as part of the plea deal.
A local Sacramento hunter says he's been let down by "The Motor City Madman." Oscar Ramirez says, quote, "To do something illegal and put it on the show was very disappointing."
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editor's note: "Four Sticks is for amatuers".
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Drummer Jason Bonham says he's planning to "duet" with his late father during his upcoming trek. The 44-year-old told "Jam! Showbiz" that he plans to perform alongside recordings of his dad, John Bonham, who played drums for Led Zeppelin until his 1980 death. Jason said his "Led-Zeppelin Experience" tour will utilize video and audio from Zeppelin's 1970 Royal Albert Hall show and the film "The Song Remains the Same." Jason added, quote, "It's going to be a challenge, making sure everything runs smoothly in sync. I'll also play with him on 'When the Levee Breaks.' That's one of the hardest songs to replicate, so rather than fight it, I thought, 'Come on Dad, let's play this one together.'"
"Jason Bonham's Led-Zeppelin Experience" is launching in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada on October 8th at the Encana Events Centre. For more information, visit www.jasonbonham.net.
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Quiet Riot's Frank Banali is working on a documentary about his group. The drummer says the film, which will serve as an homage to the veteran metal band and his late friend and singer Kevin DuBrow, will give viewers an in-depth look at the group.
Banali is currently trying to raise money to finance the project, and is inviting fans to help out. The rocker will be accepting contributions via www.kickstarter.com through September 2nd. So far he has received more than 95-hundred-dollars in pledges.
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8/18/2010
Foreigner drummer Dennis Elliott is 60.
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Rocker Zakk Wylde is on his way to the small screen. Blabbermouth.net reports that Wylde's band, Black Label Society, will perform at the Orange County Choppers' showroom in Newburgh, New York this Monday, August 23rd. Highlights of the free gig will be edited into an episode of "American Chopper" -- the TLC reality series about father-and-son motorcycle builders Paul Teutul and Paul Teutul, Jr. and their Orange County Choppers workshop.
In related BLS news, the hard rockers released a new album, "Order of the Black," earlier this month. The record hit stores on August 10th. Industry website "Hits Daily Double" reports that "Order of the Black" opened strong, selling an estimated 40-thousand to 45-thousand units in its first week of release.
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Rocker Dee Snider is about to have a town renamed in his honor for one day. This Saturday, August 21st, Cridersville, Ohio will dub itself "Snidersville" as a nod to the Twisted Sister frontman. Also on Saturday, Snider will lead a group of motorcyclists from Lima, Ohio to "Snidersville" as part of a fund raiser for the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies. As its national spokesperson, the 55-year-old rocker is closely affiliated with the nonprofit organization. Snider comments, quote, "Having a town change its name to mine...even though it is changing only a few letters...is one of the coolest things that's ever happened to me!"
In related news, Snider and his family are currently starring in their own reality show. Cable's A&E network airs "Growing Up Twisted" on Tuesday nights.
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Seemingly harmless roughhousing during an AEROSMITH concert Tuesday at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre resulted in flamboyant singer Steven Tyler being pushed by guitarist Joe Perry off a catwalk and into the crowd.
The incident occurred early in the hit-laden performance, during 'Love In An Elevator'. Tyler had lightly hip-checked Perry, who, after completing his guitar lick, looked over his shoulder before backing into the unsuspecting front-man. Tyler, 62, briefly teetered on the edge of the protruding walkway before falling into the throng. Eventually, with help from Perry, Tyler climbed back on the stage.
The occurrence was a dicey one for Tyler, who one year ago made headlines when he fell from the stage during an Aerosmith concert in South Dakota. That tumble left the strutting singer with a broken collarbone, which resulted in the cancellation of a series of summer tour dates, including concerts in Vancouver, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Once composed, Tyler remarked: “It ain’t gonna happen again, baby,” undoubtedly referring to last year’s South Dakota debacle. “You’ll pay for that, my brother,” he then said, directing his remark to the lightly smirking Perry
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8/12/2010
In 1970
Janis Joplin played her last concert, at Harvard University.
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The man who sealed John Lennon's fate will have to wait until next month to get a verdict on his own. "The New York Daily News" reports that convicted Lennon assassin Mark David Chapman's request for conditional release after 30 years in prison won't get a response until September 6th. The 55-year-old was scheduled for a parole interview this week, which was postponed on Tuesday as the parole board awaits additional information in the case.
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Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus is getting in touch with his "Pagan" side on a new single. Blabbermouth.net reports that the rhythm guitarist is featured on the first single off Pagan's forthcoming LP. The horror-metal band's "Bitter" is an advance track from the "A Season In Hell" album. "Bitter" -- featuring Fortus -- will be available for digital download, beginning October 5th.
It's not the first time that Fortus has "spread his wings" outside of recording and touring with GNR. He has also worked on the popular "Guitar Hero" video game series and contributed to the soundtrack for a film called "Repo! The Genetic Opera."
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A piano that will forever be part of music history is up for sale this weekend. London's Bonhams auction house is offering up The Beatles' Abbey Road Studios piano for auction. The storied Challen upright is part of Bonhams' "Pioneers of Popular Culture Sale" on Sunday, August 15th. The piano was used by The Fab Four and other artists who recorded at Abbey Road from the 1960s through 1980s. The piece is estimated to bring in between 100 to 150 British pounds or around 156-thousand to 235-thousand American dollars.
Bonhams is also offering up The Who's Magic Bus, a 1965-era Volkswagen panel van. The vehicle is expected to draw as much as 30-thousand pounds or 47-thousand dollars in U.S. currency.
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8/11/2010
The Guess Who bassist Jim Kale is 67.
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The Allman Brothers are returning to the road this fall following Gregg Allman's successful liver transplant over the summer. RollingStone.com reports that the Southern rock band is confirming three November dates at Boston's Orpheum Theater. Prior to that, frontman Gregg will play solo gigs at smaller venues on the East Coast. The 62-year-old's itinerary also includes mid-September shows at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The rocker says he's ready to get back to work after his long battle with health issues. Allman says, quote, "I've been itching to play since I got the operation. Can't thank everyone enough for their help and support." Doctors determined three years ago that an organ transplant was the best course of treatment for Allman, who suffered severe liver damage in connection with Hepatitis C.
The Allman Brothers Orpheum shows begin on November 18th. Tickets for these dates will become available this Thursday, August 12th.
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OZZFest 2010, meanwhile, is a "go" for this weekend. The traveling rock show will debut in Devore, California on Saturday, August 14th. From there, OZZFest will continue on to Tinley Park, Illinois; Burgettstown, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; Camden, New Jersey; and Mansfield, Massachusetts. Osbourne has also made arrangements to take OZZFest to London, England and Tel Aviv, Israel in September.
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Alice Cooper has yet another product in the pipeline for fans. The rocker, who's currently touting his Halloween shows in England, is releasing a live DVD on September 28th. The video will feature his 2009 performance at the Hammersmith Theater in West London. Cooper's "Theater of Death - Live At Hammersmith 2009" was filmed on the last date of his "Theater of Death World Tour." Among the tracks performed by Cooper on the DVD are "The Awakening," "Devil's Food," "Go To Hell," and "School's Out." The concert film also features the spectacle that Cooper's known for -- including guillotines and staged "deaths" during the show.
In addition to the forthcoming DVD and Halloween shows, Cooper's also dabbling in the movie business. He's got a cameo in the upcoming "Horrorween," a campy horror film that also features an appearance by William Shatner
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Phil Collins says he thinks he was "cocky" on stage during the heyday of Genesis. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer told "Mojo" magazine that he's now embarrassed by his performing persona in the 1980s, citing his tendency to compare himself to his bandmate Peter Gabriel at the time. Collins adds, quote, "The persona on stage came out of insecurity. Peter [Gabriel] had his mysterious traveler vibe and I didn't have anything."
The older and presumably wiser Collins is releasing a new solo album next month. Collins' "Going Back" will feature covers of hits from the 1960s soul era like "(Love Is Like A) Heatwave" and "Jimmy Mack." "Going Back" is due in stores in the U.S. on September 28th.
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8/10/2010
Today in 1909:
The father of the electric guitar, Leo Fender, was born.
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The estate of the late Jimi Hendrix is releasing more recordings before the end of 2010. RollingStone.com reports that the deluxe offerings will include Hendrix's performance at Woodstock. Also on the way are highlights from the "Little Wing" rocker's appearances on UK radio and television. "Jimi Hendrix: Blues, Live at Woodstock" and "Jimi Hendrix Experience: BBC Sessions" are hitting CD and vinyl beginning this October 9th. A four-disc compilation called "West Coast Seattle Boy" is also being prepared for release. "Seattle Boy" will include demos, unreleased material, and alternate takes from the late rocker. Earlier in the year, Jimi's estate released "Valleys Of Neptune," a posthumous LP that featured previously unreleased material from the Hendrix vaults.
On the horizon for Hendrix fans is the anniversary of the guitar legend's death. This September 18th will mark 40 years since his 1970 death in London, England.
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Music students at University of Southern California are getting a shot to learn from a legend this year. ArtistDirect.com reports that Steve Miller is joining the faculty at USC's Thornton School of Music as an artist in residence. The rocker who made hits like "The Joker" and "Fly Like An Eagle" standards in college dorm rooms the world over, will now make his expertise available to undergraduates in the university's Popular Music and Industry programs. Miller was at USC just last year to celebrate Thornton's one-hundred-25th anniversary with two concerts.
At the moment, Miller's on tour in support of his latest LP, "Bingo!" -- which had a June release, just in time for graduation parties. Miller is playing the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, Wisconsin tonight
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Rod Stewart is preparing to welcome another newborn into his life at age 65. The veteran rocker and his 39-year-old spouse, model-photographer Penny Lancaster, are expecting a baby early next year. The couple announced the news in a statement this week saying, quote, "We were thrilled and delighted to be able to tell Alastair that he was going to be the big brother to a little baby, expected just before Mummy's 40th Birthday." Alastair is now four-years-old and was born before Stewart and Lancaster tied the knot in June 2007.
Stewart's baby-to-be will join a large extended brood. In addition to Alastair, Stewart has two adult children -- Kimberly and Sean -- from his first marriage to Alana Hamilton, one child -- Ruby -- with his ex-girlfriend, model Kelly Emberg, and two more children -- Renee and Liam -- from his second marriage to model-turned "Dancing With The Stars" competitor Rachel Hunter.
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Black Label Society is back this week with a new studio LP. The Zakk Wylde-led band is officially releasing "Order of the Black" today. Blabbermouth.net reports that various "configurations" of the project are available from vendors throughout the country. Most U.S. sellers -- like Target and Best Buy -- are offering CD/DVD packages with added value items like a BLS t-shirt or bonus material. Digitally, iTunes is offering a bundle that includes the entire LP plus bonus video footage. The album's advance single, "Parade of the Dead," is already on the active rock charts.
Wylde is planning to put a personal touch on promotion for "Order of the Black." He'll appear at the Los Angeles Best Buy on Pico Boulevard this afternoon. It's the first of many in-store appearances scheduled for Wylde. In related news, BLS is on the second stage of OZZFest in Devore, California this Saturday, August 14th. For more information, visit www.blacklabelsociety.net.
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8/7/2010
Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent is 58. He was in the band in the early '80s, and played on the albums "Creatures of the Night" and "Lick It Up."
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A high bidder now owns a piece of The Doors' musical history. The UK's "Mirror" reports that handwritten lyrics, attributed to Doors frontman Jim Morrison, pulled in big dollars at an English auction near the town of Reading on Tuesday. The lyrics are for the Doors' song "L.A. Woman." The roughly eight-inch by ten-inch scrap of paper fetched 13-thousand pounds at the event. That's over 20-thousand U.S. dollars. Morrison reportedly took the lyric sheet into the studio with him for the recording. Three months after the release of the "L.A. Woman" LP, Jim Morrison passed away on July 3, 1971 in Paris, France. He was 27.
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editors note: I tried this look in highschool. It didn't go over well.
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Rock and roll's "Boss" is back in the news for a generous gift this week. Charlotte, North Carolina's WBTV reports that Bruce Springsteen donated 50-thousand dollars to feed the hungry in Fort Mill, South Carolina on Tuesday. The rocker's cash gift will help get an estimated 75-thousand pounds of groceries to residents in the economically-depressed area. Fort Mill currently is experiencing a 14-percent unemployment rate and families there are reportedly struggling to keep food on the table. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina will distribute the groceries using mobile pantries. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's gesture of good will should assist an estimated 15-hundred families.
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Actor Dylan McDermott has vowed not to attend another concert by his favorite childhood band KISS because he "doesn't get" the band's theatrical stage act now he's all grown up. The "Dark Blue" star was once a dedicated member of the band's infamous legion of fans, dubbed the KISS Army, and became obsessed with seeing the rockers perform their fire breathing, tongue-wagging, pyrotechnic shows live.
But after attending a recent show in Los Angeles as an adult, the 48-year-old star couldn't figure out why he was so obsessed with Paul Stanley's flamboyant, face-painted band. The actor explains, "I was in the KISS Army and I saw them 13 times. I would hitchhike three states to see KISS. I loved them."
"But recently I went back and saw them in my 40s at the Staples Center and it wasn't the same. I think maybe I was on something the 13 times I saw them because I didn't get it. That was probably my last time
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editors note: YOU ARE WRONG HOW IS THIS NOT AWESOME.
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2010 marks the 30th anniversary of one of rock's most iconic albums - Blizzard Of Ozz. After being sacked from BLACK SABBATH in 1979, most people thought OZZY OSBOURNE was finished - including Ozzy himself. Holed up in a Los Angeles motel, Ozzy was picked up by his then-manager's daughter, Sharon Arden, brought back to health and put back on track with a new career and a new band. The band, featuring
ex-QUIET RIOT guitarist Randy Rhoads quickly went to work recording the groundbreaking Blizzard Of Ozz. A UK tour was followed by select US dates and further recording of the masterpiece Diary Of A Madman. Triumphantly returning to the road, Ozzy had a new stage set, a new album and no reason to look back - until tragedy struck in the form of a small-craft airplane crash. Randy had been taken up on a day off and the plane went down in a small air field in Florida. 30 years later, Sony Legacy are celebrating these releases and this unique partnership. For the first time since 2002, the original performances will be restored to these two classics. |
8/5/2010
Black and White Edition!
The Guess Who guitarist Greg Leskiw is 63.
Guitarist Rick Derringer is 63.
It's hard to imagine a biopic about Jerry Garcia without any of the late rocker's music. Spinner.com reports Amir Bar-Lev, the writer-producer behind a film about Garcia's life, may have to imagine just that. Grateful Dead Productions has informed Bar-Lev and his associates that their film won't get access to the Dead's catalog or to Garcia's solo work. Producers for the movie-in-the-works are also barred from talking to the late San Franciscan's family. In a statement, Grateful Dead Productions added, quote, "We want to make clear that neither Grateful Dead Productions nor the Jerry Garcia Family LLC are in any way working with -- or are in any other way affiliated with -- the supposed upcoming Amir Bar-Lev-directed biopic about Jerry Garcia."
Earlier this year, Bar-Lev was announced as the director on what's being referred to in Hollywood as the "Untitled Jerry Garcia Project." The filmmaker's other credits include "Tillman," a documentary about the late NFL star-turned soldier, Pat Tillman.
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Bruce Springsteen is headed to the big screen this fall. According to RollingStone.com, "The Promise: The Making Of Darkness on the Edge of Town" is premiering at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14th. The feature -- directed by Thom Zimny -- takes fans into the creative process behind the "Boss'" 1978 album. Earlier this year, it was announced that a "Darkness" reissue would hit the market in time for Christmas. "The Promise" will be part of that reissue package.
Like the material from the vaults on The Rolling Stones' May reissue of "Exile on Main Street," the "Darkness" reissue will include previously unreleased songs. Steven Van Zandt of the E-Street Band says of the bonus tracks, quote, "I'm not sure how many we'll put on there. We'll go back and [Bruce] might finish a lyric on one or two, or finish a harmony on one or two, but we'll keep them intact pretty much."
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Former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell is back with his band Herman Ze German. The group's latest studio effort is "Take It As It Comes," and Rarebell has been busy promoting the project. He notes that he might be turning 61 this fall, but that doesn't mean he's interested in slowing down.
Herman Ze German's "Take It As It Comes" features a strong title track, while other standouts include "Let Me Rock You" and an updated version of The Scorpions classic "Rock You Like A Hurricane" with additional lyrics. Rarebell is also telling his story in the audio book "My Life As A Scorpion," which is available separately and as a package with "Take It As It Comes."
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8/4/2010
Today in 1966 Numerous radio stations across the U.S. banned The Beatles in response to John Lennon's comment about the group being more popular than Jesus Christ.
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It's not every day that you receive a mix tape from Sir Paul McCartney. "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy says he was "gobsmacked" when it happened to him. Deadline.com reports that Murphy told attendees at a Television Critics Association event in Los Angeles on Monday that he felt like he he was "being punked" when a package arrived with a handwritten note from Sir Paul himself. The note read, quote, "'Hi, Ryan, I am hoping you would consider some of these songs for 'Glee.'" Murphy added, quote, "I was gobsmacked. I grew up with that guy." The former Beatle has said that he likes the FOX musical-comedy because it shines a light on arts education.
The personal touch must have worked. "The New York Times" reports that Murphy's planning to use songs from McCartney's catalog on the Golden Globe-winning series. "Glee" will return for its sophomore season on FOX on September 21st.
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Look for Judas Priest on basic cable this weekend. The metal band will appear on A&E's "Private Sessions" this Sunday, August 8th at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Frontman Rob Halford will talk about everything from "metal therapy" to life on the road with the "Sessions" host Lynn Hoffman. Halford will also share his thoughts regarding the 30th anniversary editions of the band's "British Steel." The hour-long episode will also include in-studio performances of select Priest tracks like "Breaking The Law."
Since its July 2007 debut, "Private Sessions" has hosted Duran Duran, Meat Loaf, Queen, Ringo Starr, Queen Latifah, and other big names in the music business.
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An elite group of New York engineers is preparing to honor the 40th anniversary of the Electric Lady Studios this month. The "Lady," opened in Manhattan in 1970 by rock legend Jimi Hendrix, is hitting the big "4-0" at the end of the month. To honor this milestone, the New York section of the Audio Engineering Society will salute the studios and celebrate Jimi's legacy on August 24th. According to Blabbermouth.net, Jimi's sister, Janie, who is also CEO/President of Experience Hendrix, will be among the guests along with Jimi's former engineer, Eddie Kramer. David Bialik, a committee member for the AES New York section, says, quote, "Our goal for this dual event is to honor one of the longest-lived studios in New York City's history. And to pay tribute to the indelible mark its founder has left on contemporary music."
Electric Ladyland has attracted a diverse slate of artists over the years. U2, Coldplay, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Beyonce have all recorded there.
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Almost 34 years after The Band's "Last Waltz" concert in San Francisco, the night still resonates with fans. RollingStone.com reports that Levon Helm recreated the "Waltz's" concert's encore at the Newport Folk Festival on Sunday night. The 70-year-old former drummer for The Band brought musical guests on stage to sing "I Shall Be Released." Richie Havens and Edward Sharpe band members were among those who joined Helm on stage. During the 1976 concert, guests like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young performed the Bob Dylan track with The Band's Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, and Helm.
Helm's staying busy with solo work these day. Earlier this year, he won a Grammy in the Best Americana category for his album "Electric Dirt."
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8/3/2010
War bassist B. B. Dickerson is 61
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Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is putting some weight behind reports about his possible participation on the tenth season of FOX's "American Idol." People.com says the rocker addressed the reports at his show Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He said he'll record an album soon and then added, quote, "and [I'm] probably going to be a judge on 'American Idol.'" Tyler also said on stage quote, saying, quote, "The rumors are true...I'm pregnant with [Aerosmith guitarist] Joe Perry's baby." FOX producers have yet to confirm who will be judging the next season of "Idol" following a major shakeup with the show's cast last week.
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editors note: Photographic evidence. Completely untampered. I swear to god.
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A documentary about Billy Joel is opening for the general public in a big way later this month. LiveNation.com has announced that beginning this Thursday, fans can buy tickets to the premiere of "Last Play At Shea." The film about America's "Piano Man" will screen on August 21st at New York's CitiField, the former location of Shea Stadium. The feature-length rock doc chronicles Joel's long journey from obscurity to a concert at Shea Stadium prior to the fabled venue's 2009 demolition.
“Last Play At Shea" also features music greats including Sir Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Garth Brooks, The Who's Roger Daltrey, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
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Soundgarden, who will play just their second reunion show in Chicago this weekend, have announced plans to release a career retrospective called Telephantasm. The collection will initially be packaged as a bonus for fans who purchase Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock on September 28th. The best-of compilation will include tracks from all of the Seattle rockers' albums and EPs and also feature a previously unreleased Badmotorfinger-era track called "Black Rain." Soundgarden also plan to unleash a DVD stacked with never-before-seen videos. For fans who don't own a video game system, Telephantasm will also be released on vinyl, and in collectors editions and deluxe packages.
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Farm Aid 25 will take place on October 2nd at Miller Park in Milwaukee and will feature Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, with other top artists to be announced. The show will be broadcast live on DirecTV. Yesterday, Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp joined executive director Carolyn Mugar by webcast at an on-field news conference at the home of the Milwaukee Brewers to reveal details about the all-day music festival that will mark their 25th year. |
8/2/2010
Guitarist Andy Fairweather-Low is 62.
The Band's Garth Hudson is 73.
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Steven Tyler is staying mum on "American Idol" talk as Hollywood buzzes over the future of the FOX series. After rampant rumors broke late last week that the rock frontman might join the show's judges panel, X17online.com caught up with Tyler at Los Angeles' Sunset Marquis. Tyler avoided answering questions and shrugged when asked about about his possible involvement with one of the most famous talent shows in the world. The Tyler rumors follow a tumultuous week for "Idol." Ellen DeGeneres announced on Thursday that she was resigning from the show. Later that same day, TMZ.com reported that singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi had been fired. Other big names being mentioned in conjunction with the judges' panel include Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, and Bret Michaels.
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Brian Johnson says that AC/DC fans should expect a new LP in the near future. The rock frontman told the UK's BBC Radio 2 that the Aussie rockers will, quote, "probably bring a live album out" soon. Johnson's announcement comes on the heels of news that its "Black Ice" tour is the second highest-grossing tour of all time. Billboard.com reported last week that "Black Ice" has pulled in a little over 441-million for its 168 shows across the globe. AC/DC's lucrative trek -- which launched in October 2008 -- came in behind The Rolling Stones' 2005 to 2007 "A Bigger Bang Tour," which pulled in approximately 558-million dollars for 147 shows. "Black Ice," meanwhile, had its last itinerary date on June 28th in Bilbao, Spain.
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The Scorpions are squeezing every last bit of venom out of their farewell tour. The Get Your Sting and Blackout Farewell Tour has taken the band to every corner of the planet and, with the end now in sight, the group are looking to get a little nostalgic.
Bravewords.com is reporting that the German metal legends are planning a massive final show that will include appearances by former guitarists Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker, as well as drummer Herman Rarebell. Roth and Schenker helped put the Scorps on the map with guitar fans during their separate tenures with the band in the '70s. The reunion show will take place sometime in 2011.
The band is also planning a Blu-ray and DVD of the current tour. In addition, Rudolf Schenker revealed that the band is sifting through some 800 hours of never-released footage of the group dating back to their early years. Schenker says the band hopes to begin releasing that material after the Get Your Sting and Blackout Farewell Tour concludes.
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Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler recently spoke to AOL's Noisecreep about the Sabbath classic, Paranoid. The metal album is the subject of a new Classic Albums DVD (in addition to making Gibson.com's Top 50 Guitar Albums of All Time).
In the interview, Geezer talks about the song, "Paranoid," and how the album cover was chosen. "The whole story of how we created that song is funny," Geezer said. "It became the most popular song from the album, but it wasn't something we thought much of when we wrote it. In fact, we finished the record and then the producer told us we needed one more song to finish up the album, so we just came up with 'Paranoid' on the spot. Tony [Iommi] just played this riff and we all went along with it. We didn't think anything of it."
But then, Black Sabbath's record company decided that, because they thought "Paranoid" was the best song on the album, Paranoid should also be the title of the LP. "We had originally wanted the record to be called War Pigs, and that's what the record company was planning as well when [they] came up with the record cover, which is really horrible to begin with," Geezer said. "We didn't like it at all, but the label put it together, so we were stuck with it. The cover was bad enough when the album was going to be War Pigs, but when it was Paranoid it didn't even make sense
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7/28/2010
Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse is 56.
The Cars are hinting that they may be headed toward a reunion. ContactMusic.com reports that the new wave rockers recently posted a buzz-worthy photo on their Facebook Fan page. The photo depicts the band's surviving members working together in a Boston, Massachusetts studio. Under the picture, a captions reads, quote, "Anyone in the mood for a reunion by the Cars?" Since its 1980s heyday, The Cars have lost bass player Benjamin Orr to cancer. The remaining originals were depicted in the studio photo together.
If the band is recording a new LP for fans, it will be its first since 1987's "Door to Door." The Cars were first signed to Elektra Records in 1977. Among their biggest hits were 1981's "Shake It Up," and "Drive," "You Might Think" and "Hello Again," all of which were off the band's popular 1984 album, "Heartbeat City." |
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Belinda Carlisle is ready to talk about her struggles with drug abuse. In an interview with Spinner.com, the lead singer for The Go-Gos says she was scared of being found dead due to an overdose. Carlisle remembers spending three days using cocaine in a London hotel in March 2005, an anecdote included in her autobiography, "Lips Unsealed." She says, quote, "It's horrible. I can look back to that moment. March 14th was the end. I can go back...looking in the mirror and seeing what I saw, and keep remembering just how painful it really was." The 51-year-old says she first took drugs because she was a "contrarian" who didn't like the anti-drug message which was heavily promoted in her youth.
These days, Carlisle is five years into recovery and lives in both France and India. The Go-Gos, meanwhile, were slated to go on a farewell tour this year. In June, the band announced that the trek -- called "Happily Ever After" -- was canceled after guitarist Jane Wiedlin injured herself while hiking. "Lips Unsealed" is available now. |
PBS is premiering an episode of "In Performance at the White House" that honors one of the world's surviving Beatles tonight. "Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" was taped in WashingtonDC last month, but will air on the public television network this evening. Tonight's broadcast will feature a musical salute to Sir Paul and his expansive catalog. Guests include Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, The White Stripes' Jack White, The Jonas Brothers, and McCartney himself.
"Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" will have its premiere on PBS tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. An encore performance is scheduled to air at 9:30 p.m. |
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