Joe Pesci " I GOT FAT AND SCREWED BY "GOTTI" EXECS " Sues Producers!

Joe Pesci is suing the producers of  "Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father," claiming his deal was so iron-clad, he gained 30 pounds for his role, only to be told he wasn't wanted anymore.

In the lawsuit, Pesci claims reps from Fiore Films offered him the critical role of Angelo Ruggiero, Gotti's close friend and enforcer. Pesci says he made a deal for $3 million.

But Pesci says after he was lured into making public statements about how happy he was to appear in the movie -- which stars John Travolta as John Gotti, Jr. -- the producers pulled the deal, claiming Pesci breached the deal by trying to back out.

Pesci claims he was offered a lesser role -- playing Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso -- for the lesser fee of $1 mil.

But this is the best part. Pesci's lawyer claims his client relied on the contract by assuming the character of Ruggiero in every respect: "[Pesci] has since ended his very strict and healthy diet, and has so far gained approximately 30 pounds in anticipation of playing Ruggiero, who was well known for his heavy and stocky build."

Pesci is suing for $3 million minimum, as well as punitive damages.

Producers tell us they are unaware of the lawsuit.

2002 - Dave Matthews Band Hits #1 With ‘Busted Stuff’

Today In Music History - July 28

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The Dave Matthews Band hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart with their fifth studio release “Busted Stuff” on July 28, 2002. The album pulled together tracks that had initially leaked as part of the band’s aborted recording session with producer Steve Lillywhite.

According to Matthews, the sessions were axed because his songwriting had taken a dark turn as a result of increasing alcoholism:

"[The songs] inspired pity, self pity, or pity for the sad bastard that wrote them. I felt like I was in the process of failing, in the process of letting everyone down. In the process of not supplying the band with songs, not giving the producer the music, not giving the record company tunes—so inside that environment, I was continuing to do just that, come up with these sad bastard songs,” Matthews told Rolling Stone of the sessions.

A bootleg of those sessions, called “The Lillywhite Sessions,” soon gained popularity on the street. The band then decided to rework nine of the eleven tracks from that session for an album. They added to newly written tracks to the session titled "Where Are You Going" and "You Never Know.”

“Busted Stuff” took over number one from “Nellyville” by Nelly. It held on for a week, before being replaced by Toby Keith’s “Unleashed.”

Alex Trebek Injures Foot While Chasing Hotel Burglar

7/28/2011 10:37 AM ET

Alex Trebek is on crutches after chasing a burglar out of his hotel room. The longtime "Jeopardy" host first appeared on crutches Wednesday, when he arrived at the National Geographic World Championship in Northern California. He told the crowd that he hurt his foot on Tuesday morning, when an intruder broke into his San Francisco hotel room he was sharing with his wife. The intruder, 56-year-old Lucinda Moyers, was arrested by San Francisco Police.

Stevie Nicks Will Sing On America's Got Talent And Jay Leno

7/26/2011 1:17 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Stevie Nicks will be performing on America's Got Talent on Wednesday.

The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman will be joined by Fighting Gravity, last season's finalists, on the NBC show, which will feature the four remaining finalists after last week's twelve remaining contestants (Captain & Maybelle, Ian Johnson, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., Lys Agnés, Mauricio Herrera, Monét, POPLYFE, Professor Splash, Purrfect Angelz, Seth Grabel, SH'Boss Boys and Summerwind Skippers) perform on Tuesday night and eight are eliminated. Nicks will also be appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday night, where she will join guests Matt LeBlanc (Friends) and Freida Pinto (Slum Dog Millionaire) and perform for the crowd.
Nicks noted in May that Fleetwood Mac would be reuniting for a live tour and a new album in 2012, and added that she would be interested in guest-starring on Glee.

Gene Simmons proposes to Shannon Tweed in Belize.

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Gene Simmons proposes to Shannon Tweed in Belize. "Shannon, if we fire Tommy, will you play guitar in KISS?" He's famously sworn that he would never get married ... but KISS frontman Gene Simmons is one step closer to breaking that vow ... proposing to his longtime GF Shannon Tweed in Belize recently. We don't know what her official answer is -- but based on her reaction, we can take a guess. The proposal -- caught on camera for “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” -- airs tomorrow night at 10 on A&E. Gene and Shannon met 28 years ago ... and have two kids together. This according to the mighty TMZ

Dan Peek, Founding Member Of America, Dead At 60

7/27/2011 3:17 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Dan Peek, who had a hand in founding the seminal folk group America, passed away this past Sunday at the age of 60, according to Billboard. Peek's cause of death remains unknown at this time.

"I am so sorry to learn of Dan's passing," former bandmate Dewey Bunnell stated on his website. "Dan, along with Gerry [Beckley] and myself, formed the band America as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late '60s. It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter. We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. Dan was an equal and integral part of that early history, and I have never forgotten the good times we spent making that music and learning about life together."
Along with America, Peek scored eight Top 40 hits in the early part of the 1970's, including "Horse With No Name."
Peek's website simply stated "Dan went to Heaven on July 24." He is survived by his wife Catherine.

Tommy Mottola Documentary Almost Finished

Andrew Vaughan

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07.26.2011

Record business legend Tommy Mottola’s documentary movie is nearly complete, according to Music-news.com. Mottola ran Sony Records for 15 years, working with superstar acts like Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and, notably, his ex-wife Mariah Carey.
An insider told the New York Post that: “The doc is of Tommy’s life, but also documents the history of music, from Elvis to the iPod.”
Director Richard Stratton also helped Mottola with his upcoming memoirs, The Last Starmaker, which will give insight into Mottola’s marriage breakdown with Carey.

Aerosmith Continue Work on ‘Old School’ Album

Peter Hodgson

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07.26.2011

An Aerosmith insider says the band’s new album will have a definite “old school” vibe, helped along by the work of legendary producer Jack Douglas.
In an update on their official website, the band’s “behind the scenes guru” John B. said the recording was shaping up to sound like vintage Aerosmith, although he stopped short of directly comparing the new tracks to the band’s classic ’70s output.
“The age-old question from most people is, Will it sound like Rocks? C’mon folks, I think that is an unfair question, but what I will say is that this will sound like vintage Aerosmith,” John B. wrote. “Joey’s playing with the precision of an ‘Omega Speedmaster Professional’ and gets as funky as Clyde Stubblefield on his best days. Go ahead and say ‘yeah that’s what he gets paid to say’ but I am telling you this stuff is going to blow you guys away, for shizzle.”
Aerosmith’s last album of original material was Just Push Play in 2001, although they released Honkin’ on Bobo, a blues covers album produced by Douglas, in 2004. Douglas was also behind the desk for 1974’s Get Your Wings and 1975’s Toys in the Attic.
“Jack reminds me of Doc Brown from Back to the Future,” John B. wrote. “He seems crazy as a loon but also as sane as a mental health counselor. He does bring an old school vibe with him but that doesn’t mean that this record is going to be the second coming of Rocks.”

Ace Frehley's 'No Regrets' Autobiography Coming In November

July 26, 2011

Legendary rocker and former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will release his memoir 'No Regrets' on November 1st. The 288 page book, co-authored by Joe Layden, will be published under Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books's VH1 Books imprint and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.

Ace Frehley is known worldwide as the legendary original lead guitarist for the seminal rock band KISS and respected as a solo artist who has influenced generations of guitar players. KISS is known for its wild make-up, spectacular costumes, and theatrical live shows (not to mention their music)! Frehley will delve into his life as a kid growing up in the Bronx, his ups-and-downs and influences which catapulted him into a life of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll, and reveal what is was like to be one of the founding members of one of the most influential bands in the world.

In its nearly four-decade existence, KISS has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, ranking among the top-selling rock-and-roll bands of all time. The KISS Army remains vast and devoted, buying merchandise and concert tickets at sellout shows that continue around the globe. Now, Ace Frehley, long regarded as the most approachable and likeable member of the band, opens up about his unbelievable exploits as one of the founding members of KISS.

It all started in January of 1973, when this self-taught musician and Bronx native spotted an advertisement in the Village Voice posted by Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons: "Guitarist wanted with flash and balls." Frehley, figuring he had both, answered the ad, and the rest was history.

Within a few years, KISS was playing spectacular live shows to sold-out stadiums all over the world, decked out in their iconic costumes and makeup. The band was raking in millions of dollars on tours, albums, and merchandise, and the rabid KISS Army numbered in the six figures. Frehley, known as "The Spaceman," had transformed from a scrappy, music-obsessed kid to one of the most famous and revered guitarists of his era, hailed by critics and adored by fans. No Regrets goes behind the make-up, the money, the women, and the partying. Frehley recounts his battles with drug addiction and his brushes with death, sets the record straight about his complicated relationships with Simmons and Paul Stanley, and describes his evolution as a musician -- all with his characteristic humor and honesty. Without a doubt, No Regrets is a must-have for every KISS fan.

Ace Frehley said "I think Sinatra said it best...'regrets I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.'"

Jennifer Bergstrom, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief of Gallery Books, said "NO REGRETS is sure to be the next must-read rock-and-roll memoir."

Gallery Books' Senior Editor Jeremie Ruby-Strauss negotiated the deal with Frank Weimann, President of The Literary Group International, which includes world rights.

Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com and acefrehley.com

The Who to Play Quadrophenia on Tour in 2012?

 

Bryan Wawzenek

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07.27.2011

Despite reports from Roger Daltrey that Pete Townshend’s hearing is preventing him from touring, the legendary guitarist has announced that The Who will tour next year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will perform their 1973 rock opera Quadrophenia on the road, according to a post on Townshend’s blog.
“The reason I am not on the road with Roger is that this is entirely Roger’s adventure, one that is bringing him great joy,” Townshend wrote. “I don’t belong on this Tommy tour. I wish him well, sincerely, and I look forward to playing with Roger again doing Quadrophenia next year.”
Townshend went on to dispute Daltrey’s comment that a tour would destroy his hearing.
“My hearing is actually better than ever,” he wrote. “Because after a feedback scare at the O2 Indigo in December 2008 I am taking good care of it. I’m 66, I don’t have perfect hearing, and if I listen to loud music or go to gigs I do tend to get tinnitus. DON’T WE ALL????”
The Who songwriter also confirmed that he’s working on a deluxe re-release of Quadrophenia.

Van Halen Turbo-Pop

Monday, 25 July 2011

Here’s a tale from Van Halen’s 1979 “World Vacation” tour, from David Lee Roth’s autobiography “Crazy from The Heat”:
Pretty soon, we were opening for bigger and bigger bands. In early ’79, we were playing at the Los Angeles Coliseum, some ninety thousand people, Aerosmith was top bill. And I had an idea of a way to make an entrance, having gone down to the stadium to see the lay of the land some weeks earlier. There’s a stairway comes from the great arches down to a landing- it’s a big landing, visible to everybody in the stands- and then another three hundred steps down to the football field where the stage was.
The idea was to park a Volkswagen on that landing, and since we knew the people who were running the PA system, we would have them make announcements all throughout the afternoon and into the evening that whoever it was from the Aerosmith team that owns the yellow Volkswagen, could you please move it? This is where they were stacking some equipment, whatever, it was visible to all ninety thousand people. It’s like up and behind the actual stage.
We rented an actual Sherman tank- in Hollywood, you can rent anything you want. The theory being that after all of these announcements throughout the day and the night, the lights would go down, they’d go, “Ladies and gentlemen… da-da-da… Van Halen,” the spotlights would hit us and the tank would come out from under a cover on that landing, run right over the Volkswagen and we’d pop out of the tank and run down the stairs to the stage.
We bought two old used Volkswagens so we could test one on a Sunday afternoon. We went down to the stadium, the band got in the tank. The driver, little southern guy, with a Rawlings football helmet on, he’s telling us all the movies this tank had been in, “Oh, yeah, The Longest Day, Kelly’s Heroes.”
We had taken the engines and the glass out of the VWs, but otherwise they were completely intact. You would never know the difference from two feet away. We all got in the tank and ran over the Volkswagen. This was before monster truckism graced our popular culture- monster trucks, bog racing, tractor pulls, I call these “turbo-pop entertainment.” This was pre-turbo-pop entertainment.
That Volkswagen smashed flat like a bad textbook, lug nuts shot off of those wheels in excess of two hundred miles an hour, everybody was ducking and jumping out of the way. I still have the door from that Volkswagen at my house, one of the souvenirs that I saved. The door burst off, flew like twenty feet, everything just exploded outward. We figured we were on to something good. And of course we would then play our show and Aerosmith would have to make an entrance.
We discovered several days before the show that Aerosmith had been put wise to our little scheme and had found some stock footage of airplanes blowing up tanks, and that’s what they were going to show when they came on after us. So here we are with a gutted Volkswagen sitting up on the dais and a Sherman tank under a tarp with gorillas standing around making sure nobody looks underneath.
We decided that because Aerosmith had a little trump card that we weren’t going to do the tank trick, so we never ran over the Volkswagen, we just ran down the stairs. We didn’t want to be one-upped on our one-upmanship, you know. I haven’t spoken with the boys in Aerosmith since then.

LOVERBOY NEWS!

RENO TALKS WEIGHT LOSS, LOVERBOY REVIVAL IN ROLLING STONE:
From 30 Rock to Fox and Friends and Rolling Stone, Loverboy continue �Working for the Weekend� 30 years after first getting together in Calgary, Alberta, when vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to local guitar hot shot Paul Dean, both veterans of several bands on the local scene.
With a full-scale revival in tow, Loverboy frontman Mike Reno told Rolling Stone in a recent interview that he has dropped close to 50 pounds over the past six months, almost bringing him down to the fighting weight he exhibited in the original �Working for the Weekend� video.
�I got tired of complaining about my knees being sore,� he said after a doctor put him on a strict diet and exercise regimen that included fruit, vegetables and fish. "I feel lighter on stage. I'm dancing around like the old days. I'm singing better. I'm breathing better. It's just a night and day difference. I did it rather quickly over the winter, so it's funny to see the jaws drop on our longtime fans in the first few rows when I walk onstage."
The weight loss coincides with the group's return to Bryan Adams' Vancouver studio to cut �Heartbreaker,� a brand-new single, with producer Bob Rock�the engineer on their debut album who went on to work with the likes of Metallica�which is now available on the band's website.
"Something's in the water," says Reno. "I go to these concerts expecting there to be 3,000 people, and there's seven or eight thousand people! And most of them are young! Even kiddies, like 10 years old. They even know all the words. It's freaking me out.�
To read the Rolling Stone article in its entirety, go to: www.rollingstone.com/music/news/loverboys-mike-reno-sheds-50-pounds-plots-comeback-20110722.

Jane's Addiction To Premiere New Music Next Week

07/26/2011
. (EMI) Jane's Addiction will premiere their new single "Irresistible Force" on Los Angeles radio station KROQ's morning radio show "The Kevin & Bean Show," next Tuesday August 2nd, a day ahead of its official digital release.The song is taken from the band's new album The Great Escape Artist (Capitol Records). Marking the first new studio album in eight years by Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins, it is due out Tuesday, September 29.
The album also features "End To The Lies," a pre-single teaser track which the band made available to their fans as a free download this past April.For The Great Escape Artist, Jane's Addiction joined forces with producer Rich Costey (Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol), with TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek on the team. Sitek, best known for his production work on TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Foals, is writing, programming, and playing bass on the album. The band, with Chris Chaney on bass, will be touring throughout 2011.

Disturbed Singer Announces Indefinite Hiatus

Peter Hodgson

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07.25.2011

Disturbed singer David Draiman has revealed that the band are preparing to enter an indefinite hiatus.
Speaking to KQXR in Boise, Idaho, Draiman said the band were looking at an extended hiatus, and had “some things going on internally …personal things going on.” Later Draiman took to Twitter to elaborate: “We don’t know what we’re doing yet,” he wrote. “All I can say is that we’re certainly going away for a long while.”
Draiman said the band would not be undertaking its Music as a Weapon tour in 2012, but might consider leasing the brand name out to other bands to use. “It has kind of become its own entity,” Draiman explained. “It’s something we have talked about in the past, and that’s possible. But you’re not gonna see a Disturbed tour for a while.”
There have been several Music as a Weapon tours to date, in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 and this year, featuring bands such as Alter Bridge, P.O.D, Stone Sour, Drowning Pool, Suicide Silence, Killswitch Engage, Korn, Trivium, Lacuna Coil and Sevendust. The tour takes its name from the song “Droppin’ Plates,” from the band’s 2000 debut album, The Sickness.

Vince Neil: Mötley Crüe are a ‘Bunch of Idiots”

Andrew Vaughan

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07.25.2011

In the midst of Mötley Crüe’s summer tour, Vince Neil has been talking about the band’s enduring appeal. He told the Rochester City Newspaper: “It’s just a great show; lots of visuals, lots of pyro, dancing girls, the whole thing. Throw in some good music and there you go.”
Despite the passage of time, Neil still feels like a kid wen he gets on stage with the band. He said: “It doesn’t feel like we’ve been together 30 years. I still feel like we’re playing the Whiskey A Go Go. We’re still the same guys. We feed off the audience. They’re going crazy and we're just having a good time out there.
As for the band’s special appeal? “Individually we're a bunch of idiots, and together we’re one, big, crazy idiot.”

10 Things You Might Not Know About AC/DC’s Angus Young

Russell Hall

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07.26.2011

It’s been nearly four decades since Malcolm Young invited his kid brother, Angus, to join a new band he was putting together. Who could have imagined, at that time, that all these years later AC/DC would still be churning out some of the world’s greatest riff-rock?
Through the years, legions of guitar players and fans have delved deeply into Angus’ background, perhaps looking for the secrets behind his artful riff-making. Still, we managed to uncover some biographical facts that might have escaped all but the most diehard followers.
He still owns the very first Gibson SG he bought – 41 years ago.
Young purchased a late ’60s Gibson SG from a music shop located within walking distance of his family’s home in Sydney, Australia, when he was just 16 years old. To this day, it remains one of his main go-to guitars. “I think it was the little devil horns [that sold me],” he told the New Zealand Herald, in 2010. “I’ve still got it and it’s still my favorite guitar of them all.”
His main pre-AC/DC job prepared him well for the band’s bawdy lyrical content.
Young left school before his 15^th birthday. Not long afterwards, he took a job working as a typesetter at a “men’s” magazine that sported the title, Ribald. Malcolm, incidentally, had by then put in a couple of years doing sewing machine maintenance for a company that manufactured bras.
His older sister, Margaret, suggested something even more important than Angus’ trademark schoolboy uniform.
Most AC/DC fans know that it was the Young brothers’ sister, Margaret, who encouraged Angus to wear his schoolboy get-up on-stage. But fewer fans realize that it was also Margaret who christened her siblings’ band “AC/DC” after noticing the letters on a vacuum cleaner. According to biographer Susan Masino, Angus and Malcolm liked the fact that the letters denoted power and electricity.
He’s a closet fan of jazz great Louis Armstrong.
In a 1992 interview with Guitar magazine, Young hailed Louis Armstrong as “one of the greatest musicians of all time.” He went on to explain: “I went to see [Armstrong] perform when I was a kid, and that’s always stuck with me. It’s amazing to listen to his old records and hear the musicianship and emotion, especially when you consider that technology, in those days, was almost nonexistent. There was an aura about him.”

He regards solos as the easiest part of what he does.
Young once told Guitar Player that, while he couldn’t fill Malcolm’s shoes as a guitarist, Malcolm could likely fill his, at least with regard to solos. “That’s the easy part,” he said. “There’s no great thing in being a soloist. I think the hardest thing is to play together with a lot of people, and do that right. I mean, when four guys hit one note all at once – very few people can do that.”
He was “totally shocked” when Malcolm asked him to join the band.
“In the beginning, we never used to play together, even at home,” Angus told Guitar, in 1992. “Malcolm would be in one room with his tape recorder putting tunes together, and I would be in the other room pretending I was Jimi Hendrix. When I’d walk in to see what he was up to, he’d go, ‘Get out!’ I was amazed when he asked me to come down to a rehearsal and play.”
His riffs helped oust former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega from power.
In 1989, American government officials bombarded Manuel Noriega’s embassy refuge in Panama with “Hells Bells,” “Highway to Hell” and other choice riff-rockers. The tactic worked so well with Noriega, who was known to be an opera lover, that it’s since been employed by U.S. officials in other similar situations.
He’s always been a teetotaler.
Original AC/DC singer Bon Scott was known for his prodigious consumption of alcohol. Through the years, Malcolm Young has imbibed his share of booze as well. Not so with Angus. “Angus was always drinking a big glass of chocolate milk or coffee,” Nantucket guitarist Tommy Redd once recalled, years after touring with AC/DC. “Malcolm, however, used to walk around with Jack Daniels in a bottle that was as big as he was.”
One of his closest friends during the making of the Back in Black album was … ELP’s Keith Emerson.
In the wake of Bon Scott’s death, AC/DC traveled to the Bahamas to recover from the shock, and to record Back in Black. Especially therapeutic were the afternoons when Emerson, Lake and Palmer keyboardist Keith Emerson, who lived in Nassau at the time, took Angus and the other band members out on his fishing boat. “I think it was great excitement for them, and kind of introduced them to my way of the Bahamian life,” Emerson later said. “I think they grew to like it and it [helped them] settle into recording.”
He expects he’ll still be wearing his schoolboy outfit on-stage well into his 60s.
When asked by Guitar if he would still be donning his trademark “get-up” at age 64, Angus described his attire as distinguished and “classic.” “Have you seen what some of the younger [artists] are wearing nowadays?” he asked. “They look like they’ve stolen their mothers’ skirts! If that’s fashionable, then you could say I’ve maintained a distinctively classic look.”

Priest almost split when Downing quit

Tipton admits band thought it was all over when KK dropped his bombshell – until they found new man Faulkner

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Twin attack: Faulkner and Tipton

Judas Priest came close to splitting up when KK Downing told them he’d decided to retire from the band.
And guitarist Glenn Tipton reveals they’d never have toured again if they hadn’t found the right man in new member Richie Faulkner.
Downing dropped his bombshell in December but the band only revealed he’d left when they announced their Epitaph final world tour in April. They’re working on a new album with former Lauren Harris axeman Faulkner and do plan to play further live shows – but they won’t be embarking on any more large-scale global treks.
Tipton tells Everything Rocks: “It was a difficult time for us. We almost gave up; and if we hadn’t found Richie I don’t think we’d be here today.
“It had to be the right man for the job – we had to find that spark or it wouldn’t have worked. We could have looked and looked, and never found the right person.
“We’re lucky to have found Richie, and I think it’s fair to say he saved the band. Without being too dramatic, it had to be that way or we wouldn’t have gone out on tour.”
Discussing the fact that Faulkner is 30 years younger than his bandmates and doesn’t exactly match the classic Priest look, Tipton says: “It was the audio side of things that was important. We needed a person who fitted in musically – it wasn’t a concern for us whether he was 50 or 20 years old, as long as he could do the job.
“The beauty about Richie is he’s never tried to replace what KK did. We were amazed at the contradiction: he does his own thing but he really blends in well.”
Meanwhile, Priest singer Rob Halford admits he’d love to win a Brit award to add to his Grammy – and it becomes more important to him the older he gets.
He tells the Belfast Telegraph: “The Grammy was very important but it would be nice to get a Brit from our own country.
“It’s a double-edged sword, though: part of me wants the recognition and part of me has always felt like an underdog. Is it really important we don’t get the credit some lesser bands do? I don’t know; but as I get older I get more sentimental, and I think it might be nice to get some more recognition.”

Boyz II Men In The Studio For 20th Anniversary New Release

7/24/2011 4:16 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Boyz II Men will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new double CD release—their first new release in ten years.

The album—entitled Twenty—will feature 10 new songs and 10 reworked versions of the group's classics, including "Bended Knee" and "End Of The Road." The record, which is expected to drop in the fall, will include production from Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley, Rob Knox and Julian Bunetta.
Said one of the group's vocalists, Nathan Morris, of the new release: "No matter how many albums we have done throughout the years we always strive to put out the best sounding music possible. We are excited to be in the studio again with the guys who have been a part of some of our biggest hits to date, it's a really good feeling."
Added Shawn Stockman on the sound of the reworked classics: "Nothing too extreme or dramatic, but we've added a few things here and there."

VIDEO: Pearl Jam guitarist joins Soundgarden in L.A.

Monday, July 25, 2011

It was getting hard to tell which band was on stage at the Forum in Los Angeles Friday night, as Soundgarden were joined by Pearl Jam guitarist Mick McCready.

With PJ drummer Matt Cameron doing double-duty in both bands these days, McCready’s guest spot could have gone in a few different directions…into a song by either band, a Temple Of The Dog track, or a cover on its own.

Turned out McCready was there to jam on “Superunknown,” delivering a soaring guitar solo as the band was in full flight and firing on all cylinders.

McCready and PJ have been in L.A. for some time now working on a new album, in advance of their 20th Anniversary concerts this fall.

The reunited Soundgarden wrap up their month long tour – the first one in 14 years – July 30 at The Gorge in Washington state.

Soundgarden

Soundgarden – Superunknown
With guest Mick McCready of Pearl Jam
The Forum – Los Angeles, CA – July 22, 2011


Alternate angle:

Soundgarden – Superunknown
With guest Mick McCready of Pearl Jam
The Forum – Los Angeles, CA – July 22, 2011


See also:

Theory Of A Deadman News!

The new Theory of a Deadman album, The Truth Is…, was heavily inspired by singer Tyler Connolly’s divorce and move to Los Angeles. The singer/guitarist told Billboard that he felt that the songwriting was driven by the relationship "ending not to my liking, me having to deal with the consequences, continuing life in a strange city, all alone. It's all true, which is a good thing; it would be funky if people were like, 'Why does the album sound like this?' and I'd be going, 'I dunno…" Working with producer Howard Benson, Connolly explains that Benson would, "go over every single word with me and go, 'What does this mean? I'm not clear what you're trying to say here...' and that made everything stronger. Howard's point was when a 14-year-old girl listens to a song on the radio, she doesn't focus on what the bass is doing or the guitar noodling. She's just really listening to what I'm saying, so everything had to make sense." The group begins touring for the new album tonight (July 22) in Wisconsin, and will be part of the Carnival of Madness tour with Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.

Phil Collins Leaves Awards Show In Agony

July 25, 2011

Collins in crippling agony

Phil is carried out of awards ceremony and admits he couldn’t perform even if he wanted to (and he doesn’t)

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Pain: Collins

Retired Genesis drummer Phil Collins was helped out of an awards ceremony in agony at the weekend, suffering from an attack of the nerve damage which forced him to give up performing.
And he admitted he couldn’t return to the stage even if he wanted to – which he doesn’t.
Collins, 60, was due to present a gong to Ringo Starr at the Mojo Awards, but had to be half-carried out before he could deliver the honour.
He told the Mirror: “I’m on my last legs. I couldn’t come back to music. All these aches and pains – I can’t do it any more.”
Collins revealed in 2009 that years of bad posture behind the drumkit meant his spine had crushed his spinal cord, leaving him in constant pain and making it impossible to grip his sticks.
In March he confirmed he was retiring from the music industry. He’d previously drawn criticism for effectively ending Genesis’ career with the words: “I think that’s more or less over.”
Before leaving the awards event he said: “I actually don’t like music that much. I don’t really listen to music.”

Foo Fighters Top The Charts Again!

(RTTNews) - "Walk," Foo Fighters' second single off of their latest album, Wasting Light, is number one on the Billboard Top Rock Songs chart, beating out the album's first single, "Rope," which slotted in at number two.

Wasting Light, produced by Butch Vig and released through RCA Records, debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, selling 235,000 copies its first week out this past April, and making it the band's first ever number one album in the U.S. The release of Wasting Light also marked the band's second highest sales week ever, second only to In Your Honor's first week sales (311,000) in 2005.
The album was Foo Fighters first since 2007's Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.
Rounding out the top five of the Billboard Top Rock Music Songs Chart were Seether's "County Song," Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kids" and Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall."

Paul McCartney’s 9/11 Documentary to Debut on Showtime

Russell Hall

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07.20.2011

The Love We Make, a film documentary chronicling Paul McCartney’s experiences immediately following the 9/11 attacks, is set to premiere on Showtime on September 10. The film will be broadcast on the night prior to the 10^th anniversary of the historic tragedy.
McCartney was inside a plane on the tarmac of a New York City airport when the attacks occurred. The film, shot in black and white, focuses on the activities undertaken by the former Beatle as he prepared for the “Concert for New York City” benefit show staged six weeks later. Speaking about the concert, McCartney said, “It was an honor to be able to help New York and America at that time in its history. There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music. And the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all.”
The Love We Make was co-directed by Albert Mayles, who directed the classic Rolling Stones documentary, Gimme Shelter. The McCartney film includes cameo appearances by David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and other high-profile figures.

VIDEO: Aerosmith in the studio

Aerosmith are currently in guitarist Joe Perry’s home studio – The Boneyard – working on the group’s first album of new material since 2001's "Just Push Play."

The band regrouped July 5 to start working with longtime producer Jack Douglas on the project; Douglas worked on such classic Aerosmith albums as 1974's "Get Your Wings," 1975's "Toys in the Attic," and 1976's "Rocks," as well as 2004’s collection of blues standards, "Honkin' on Bobo."

“We’re working on the album right now,” singer Steven Tyler recently told Boston’s Fox News. “We go on tour November/December, and we should have the album finished in a couple of months.”

A new clip of Perry and Douglas at The Boneyard discussing gear setups based on some things Joe learned from guitarist Ry Cooder has been released by the band.

Aerosmith – Joe Perry and producer Jack Douglas
The Boneyard – July 2011



Aerosmith

Def Leppard Hits The Top Of The Charts On This Day!

Today In Music History - July 23

Def Leppard hit the top of the Billboard 200 chart with their fourth studio release, “Hysteria,” on July 23, 1988. The album was Def Leppard’s first in four years and was delayed in part by the car wreck that famously cost drummer Rick Allen his left arm.

“Hysteria” was driven up the charts in part by the success of “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” a single that would become their signature track. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was only held off the top spot by Richard Marx’s “Hold On To The Night.”

The album also includes Def Leppard’s only number-one song “Love Bites.” The track was originally written by “Hysteria” producer Mutt Lange as a country ballad and adapted to fit the group’s glam-metal sound.

Paris Hilton Stormed Off Camera During Interview

(RTTNews) - During a July 20 interview on "ABC News", Paris Hilton stormed off camera in response to a question which offended her. Interviewer Dan Harris bluntly asked the heiress: "Do you ever worry about your moment having passed?"

Paris then looked off camera and got out of her chair before returning to continue the interview.
Harris had previously asked Paris whether she felt that the Kardashian phenomenon had outstripped her own reality clout.
Paris also defended her reputation as a dunce, saying that it is, in fact, an act:
"It's a character I developed for the 'Simple Life'. They wanted someone who was an airhead, and kind of had the baby voice. Sometimes when I'm on camera I'll revert back to it, just because I'm so used to it."

MR. BIG ON FIRST U.S.A. TOUR IN 15 YEARS - GET YOUR VIP EXPERIENCE PACKAGE NOW:

Get your VIP Experience packages for Mr. Big now - www.rightrockclothingco.com/store/category.php?id_category=25

Each package is $195 per person and includes a ticket to the show. The package includes:
• A Concert Ticket (or ticket reimbursement if ticket was already purchased elsewhere)
• Meet & Greet w/ Mr. Big
• Photograph w/ Mr. Big
• Autograph Session w/ Mr. Big
• Limited Edition VIP Experience T Shirt
• Autographed 8 X 10
• Official VIP Experience Laminate
• Set of official guitar picks
• MR. BIG Sticker

Rightrock will ship out in advance the VIP Laminate, t-shirt, sticker, guitar picks and event outline to the VIP's. The day of the show you meet up with the VIP Host (a member of Mr. Big's crew) who will distribute the tickets and 8 X 10 photos. The VIP Host will then take you to the VIP area and take a photo of you with the band. You also have an autograph / meet time with the band to make it a bit more personal. The Meet and Greet will be before the show. So be the first on your block to be a rockstar and get our VIP with MR. BIG!

Mr. Big on tour:
July
30 San Diego, CA 4 & B
31 Agoura Hills, CA The Canyon Club

August
02 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
04 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Theatre
05 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
06 Modesto, CA Xclamation Festival
08 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
09 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
12 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
13 Columbus, OH Al Rosa Villa
16 Pittsburgh, PA Trib Total Media Amphitheatre
17 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
19 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
20 Detroit, MI Harpo's
23 New York, NY BB King's
24 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live
26 N. Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
27 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues
30 Houston, TX House Of Blues
31 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
For more information please visit: www.mrbigsite.com.