Today's Top Stories
AC/DC's Brian Johnson Meeting With Hearing Inventor(hennemusic)
The inventor of in-ear monitors, Asius Technologies founder Stephen Ambrose, says he will meet with AC/DC singer Brian Johnson next week to review his latest upgrade to the technology that may help the rocker return to the live stage one day.
Ambrose recently posted a video message with an offer to assist Johnson over the hearing issues that sidelined him from the band's 2016 tour lineup in March, when AC/DC postponed the remaining 10 shows on their spring US tour after the singer was advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.
Now, Ambrose says the pair have spoken and plan to connect in person. "Happily, due to everyone's tremendous support, Brian and I spoke yesterday!," posted Ambrose. "What a gracious man; He and his wife Brenda invited me to visit them next week. If anyone deserves to benefit from my research - it's Brian - who has been giving incomparable performances for years despite increasing hearing loss.
"I'm going to do my utmost to see if our new hearing breakthroughs can help him, and if I am at all successful, I'm sure Brian will let everyone know; he really cares about people and would like to help. I am truly humbled and honored to meet this man, and I wish to sincerely thank everyone who helped. Fingers crossed; please pray for our success next week." Read more here.
Original Alice Cooper Band Reuniting For New Album (hennemusic)
Alice Cooper has revealed plans to reunite with his original band for his next studio album. Formed in 1968 with members of the Phoenix, AZ group The Spiders, the Alice Cooper Band featured Cooper, guitarists Glen Buxton and Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith.
The lineup went on to record 7 albums of classic material - including 4 platinum records - before splitting in 1975, following which Cooper launched a solo career with "Welcome To My Nightmare."
Now Cooper says he's been working with the surviving members (Buxton died in 1997 of complications from pneumonia at the age of 49) on new material that seems to have recaptured some of their old sonic magic.
"I've always liked the idea that Alice Cooper has always been a Detroit rock band," Alice tells The Weekender. "We've always been a hard rock band, guitar rock, and I'll never give that up. But every once in awhile, though, there's just a flavor of what album do we want to go to here to give it that flavor. And it seems to be going toward the 'Killer' album.
"And I kind of go, that album, let's revisit the sound of that album and what we were kind of thinking. You can never go back and totally recapture it, but you can certainly look at the elements that made that album work the way it did."
"I wrote three or four songs with Neil Smith and Mike Bruce," Cooper continues. "And so we worked together in Phoenix for about two weeks just writing songs and demoing songs. And you never know which ones are going to make the album, but I said let's do that.
"Dennis Dunaway wrote two or three things. We haven't seen those yet, but I know Dennis has always written great stuff. It's fun to go back and work with guys you haven't worked with in awhile. It's not trying to recapture your youth. It's trying to recapture a sound. And it's a very elusive sound." Read more here.
Guns N' Roses Release Reunion Show Video(Classic Rock)
Guns N' Roses have released video footage from their first reunion show in Las Vegas which took place last month. Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan performed sold out gigs at Sin City's T-Mobile Arena on April 8 and 9 after confirming they'd reunited earlier this year.
The 30-second clip - which can be viewed below - shows the band onstage, soundtracked by their hit Welcome To The Jungle. Vocalist Rose performed the shows from Dave Grohl's 'throne' after breaking his foot at an earlier warm-up show in LA.
They followed up the Vegas shows with gigs in Mexico City and at Coachella. Next month, they return to the road after Axl Rose returns from his stint fronting AC/DC as a guest singer. Watch the video here.
Police Question Prince's Doctor(Radio.com)
Police investigating the death of Prince have questioned the doctor that prescribed the legendary music star medicine the day before he died. Dr. Michael Todd Schulenberg, who saw Prince twice in the weeks before his death is under investigation, according to a search warrant.
The warrant, which was filed on May 5 and made public this week, states that Schulenberg treated Prince on April 7 and April 20 and prescribed him medication, reported KSTP-TV and the Los Angeles Times. However, the warrant does not identify what medications were prescribed or whether Prince actually consumed them.
Investigators interviewed Schulenberg and searched Minneapolis' North Memorial Medical Center, where he worked as a primary care physician. A spokesperson for the hospital said Schulenberg has since left the clinic.
Although the actual cause of Prince's death has not been revealed, police have confirmed that they are investigating the possibility that the music legend died from an overdose of prescription medication. Allegedly, the painkiller Percocet was found in his body during an autopsy. Read more here.
Latest News
Vinnie Paul Ready To Return To City Where Dimebag Was Murdered(TeamRock Radio)
Former Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul says the time is right to return to the city where brother and bandmate Dimebag was shot dead on stage. Paul's band Hellyeah will appear at Rock On The Range in Columbus, Ohio, on the weekend of May 20-22.
It takes place close to the location of the 2004 Damageplan show that ended with the murder of Dime and three others, while the gunman was also killed and seven were wounded.
Paul tells Big Smash Radio: "It's taken me a long time to get into the right headspace where I feel like it was time to do it. It wasn't anything specific. We've been offered it just about every year Hellyeah's been together.
"This year it just kind of hit me. I said, 'You know what? I think it's time for the people there to hear what we do - to go back and do my thing, and show a little love to my brother."
Paul reveals festival organizers had always been sympathetic to his feelings. He says: "Every year they were like, 'Just let him know the offer's there, that we'd love to have him come play.'" Read more here.
Gene Simmons' Wife Vs Paul Stanley Over Prince Apology(Classic Rock)
KISS star Gene Simmons' wife has attacked Paul Stanley after he apologized for the bassist's comments about Prince. Simmons this week stated that Prince's death last month was self-inflicted and "pathetic" - although the details surrounding his passing have not been confirmed.
That led Stanley to criticize his bandmate's "cold, clueless" quotes, hours before Simmons himself issued an explanation, admitting: "I got such sh*t from my family for my big mouth again."
But his wife Shannon Tweed last night told Stanley via Twitter: "You can't apologise for someone else. It's not up to you. He feels the way he feels. He would never do that to you - never."
She added: "We all have our failings but true friends don't point at them and through you under the bus. Especially partners of 40 years!" Stanley replied: "'Partners of 40 years' says it all. Don't confuse walking under the bus with being thrown under. My apology was right." Read more here.
Leaves' Eyes Release First Video Featuring New Singer(TeamRock Radio)
Leaves' Eyes have released a video for their track Edge Of Steel - featuring new singer Elina Siirala. The song originally appeared on last year's album King Of Kings and was sung by former singer Liv Kristine, who left the band this year.
The new version of Edge Of Steel will appear on a tour edition of King Of Kings, due for release on June 3 via AFM. Leaves' Eyes had to say the following about the new promo:
"Enjoy the new video clip and concept which is connected to Viking games and the Uefa Euro 2016 football championship. Thanks to director Rainer Zipp Franzen, the fantastic film crew and actors - you rule." Watch the video here.
Eric Clapton Premieres New Song 'Can't Let You Do It'(The Blues)
Eric Clapton has released a lyric video for his track Can't Let You Do It. The new song comes from his album I Still Do, which will be launched on May 20th.
The album came together after he reconnected with producer Glyn Johns, who helmed groundbreaking 1977 title Slowhand. Clapton recently said: "This was a long and overdue opportunity to work with Glyn again."
The mix of covers and originals features guitarist Andy Fairweather Low, keyboardist and vocalist Paul Carrack, bassist Dave Bronze, drummer Henry Spinetti and others. Check out the new song here.
Video of Pearl Jam's Full 'Binaural' Album Performance Goes Online(hennemusic)
Pearl Jam performed their 2000 album, "Binaural", in its entirety at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on May 10th and video of the concert has been posted online
The first of two-night stand in the city marked the Seattle band's third full-album set on their current North American tour following an April 16 run through of 1993's "Vs." in Greenville, SC and their 1991 debut, "Ten", in Philadelphia, PA on April 29.
The group's sixth release, "Binaural" peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and the Canadian album charts and featured the singles "Nothing As It Seems" and "Light Years."
In addition to "Binaural", the 33-song show presented a wide range of material from the group's catalogue as well as four covers including John Lennon's "Imagine", Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", "The Real Me" by The Who and a finale of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World" - which saw former Prince guitarist Donna Grantis join in.
Pearl Jam wraps up their spring dates with a second Toronto show on May 12 - bumped from its original May 11 schedule by an NBA playoff game by the Toronto Raptors at the venue. Watch the video here.
Devil You Know Recruit Former Trivium Drummer Nick Augusto(TeamRock Radio)
Devil You Know have recruited former Trivium drummer Nick Augusto for their upcoming tour with Hatebreed and Devildriver. Augusto - who was sacked by Trivium in 2014 - will be behind the kit from the first date of the North American trek on May 13 (Friday).
Devil You Know's regular drummer John Sankey had to pull out of the band's recent US headline tour and the upcoming shows with Hatebreed and Devildriver as he had to return to Australia to help with the planning of next year's inaugural Legion Music Fest, of which he is co-founder and ambassador.
Former Devildriver man John Boecklin filled in on the headlining dates. Devil You Know guitarist Francesco Artusato says: "We are very excited to start this next tour with Nick. I toured with him in the past and I'm really looking forward to play some great shows with him." Read more here.
Letlive Streaming New Song 'Reluctantly Dead'(TeamRock Radio)
Letlive have released an online stream of their track new "Reluctantly Dead". The song comes from the band's forthcoming album If I'm The Devil, which is due out on June 10.
Frontman Jason Aalon Butler tells the Independent that he felt duty bound to write the album's politically-motivated lyrical content. He says: "People are being subjugated, people are being marginalised, they're being disenfranchised and they're being under-represented.
"People are dead, people are no longer breathing and six feet under because of the issues that I'm talking about, so I feel duty-bound to discuss them." Stream the new song here.
Toto Announce Summer Tour(Prog)
Toto have announced a 21-date US summer tour. As with their recent European and Japanese dates, the trek is billed as An Evening With Toto and is in support of current album XIV.
Core Toto members Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams will be joined by percussionist Lenny Castro, drummer Shannon Forest, bassist Leland Sklar and back-up vocalists Mabvuto and Jenny Douglas.
Guitarist Lukather says: "We look forward to bringing a longer show to our fans across the US. It has been an interest for David, Steve, Joseph and I over the past couple of years and we can't wait to get out there this summer." See the tour dates here.
Jon Anderson And Flower Kings' Roine Stolt Preview New Album(Prog)
Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson and Flower Kings leader Roine Stolt have released a 30-second teaser from their collaborative album Invention Of Knowledge.
The title is to be launched under the banner Anderson / Stolt on June 24 via InsideOut. Label boss Thomas Waber inspired the project after Anderson and the Flower Kings met during the Progressive Nation At Sea cruising festival in 2014.
Waber recently said: "I've been talking for ages about making an album of 'Yes music,' as Jon calls it. Roine seemed like the perfect guy to work with. I'm thrilled with the material they've come up with."
Anderson explained: "Music is always the driving force in my life - working with such a wonderful musician as Roine made the creation of this album very unique."
Stolt commented: "We've been inventing as we go along. Jon is an endless source of new ideas. It's been a very interesting and rewarding time and the result is just insanely detailed." Check out the preview here.
Black Country Communion's Reunion Driven By Bonamassa(Classic Rock)
Drummer Jason Bonham says singer and guitarist Joe Bonamassa was the driving force behind Black Country Communion's reunion. BCC confirmed earlier last month that they would return after their acrimonious split in 2012. The band's bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, formerly of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, clashed with singer Joe Bonamassa over his busy touring schedule.
But drummer Jason Bonham says Bonamassa reached out to his former bandmates and asked if they wanted to get together to write the follow-up to 2012's Afterglow.
He tells Sirius XM (via Blabbermouth): "Joe sent out a message. He just said, 'You know what? I can't believe it's been six years since we did the first album. I feel that we could really give it all and make another amazing album. Anybody interested?' And that was literally it.
"At the moment, there's no plans of anything other than, 'Would you be interested in doing it?' We all went, 'Yeah.' And, 'How is your schedule for January?'" Read more here.
Panic! At The Disco's Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time Video(TeamRock Radio)
Panic! At The Disco have released a video for their track Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time. It's taken from the group's latest album Death Of A Bachelor, released early this year via Fueled By Ramen.
The promo sees frontman Brendan Urie dealing with the advances of an alien masquerading as a woman. Panic! At The Disco say: "You are about to enter another dimension, filled with some pretty sick dance moves, and tentacles."
The band will head to the UK later this month and will return to the states in June for a North American summer tour. Check out the dates and watch the new video here.
The Pineapple Thief Announce New Album 'Your Wilderness'(Prog)
The Pineapple Thief have announced they'll release their next album titled Your Wilderness on August 12 via KScope. It'll be the band's follow-up to 2014's Magnolia - and they've issued a short teaser clip of the eight-track record.
Mainman Bruce Soord has also revealed it'll feature a range of guest musicians - including King Crimson drummer Gavin Harrison. He says: "Since Magnolia, the most eye-catching change is obviously having Gavin Harrison contribute drums throughout the album. This has not only redefined our sound but also redefined how we approached the songs as a band. Gavin's drumming is technically brilliant but also incredibly musical, and it inspired all of us to raise our game."
Soord reports he's rediscovered his "progressive roots in terms of song-writing and arrangement" and adds: "We were lucky enough to have John Helliwell from Supertramp contribute some beautiful clarinet parts and Caravan's Geoffrey Richardson provided a string quartet.
"We were also joined by a lovely four-piece choir and to cap it all off, my friend Darran Charles from Godsticks added some jaw-dropping guitar playing."
He continues: "You've never heard a The Pineapple Thief album like this one. I am convinced people will love this record as much as we do." Check out the preview and read more here.
Hesitation Wounds Stream New Song 'Operatic'(TeamRock Radio)
Hesitation Wounds have made released an online stream of their track Operatic. The song comes from the supergroup's debut album "Awake For Everything".
Consisting of Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg, Touche Amore frontman Jeremy Bolm, the Hope Conspiracy guitarist Neeraj Kane and former Trap Them bassist Stephen "Scuba" LaCour, the hardcore outfit will issue their album on May 27.
Operatic is described as an "enormous song with a brooding riff that's as memorable as it is heavy. Blasts of distortion weave in and out of Weinberg's mind-boggling drum performance and provide the perfect soundtrack to Bolm's vitriolic lyrics." Stream the song here.
Gov't Mule Open Their Archives For New Album Release(The Blues)
Gov't Mule will release an album of archive material in August. The Tel-Star Sessions features the band's first, and never-before-released, demos recorded in June 1994 at Tel-Star Studios in Bradenton, Florida.
The songs have been newly mixed and mastered and the resulting record will be issued on August 5 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group. The songs were originally planned to form Gov't Mule's debut album but were shelved until now.
The band - Warren Haynes, Allen Woody and Matt Abts - will issue the album digitally, on CD and on double vinyl, with a limited edition vinyl package also available. One of the tracks, Blind Man In The Dark, can be streamed here.
Yes, Kansas, Steve Hackett Lead Cruise To The Edge Lineup(Prog)
Yes have confirmed the full lineup for their next Cruise To The Edge festival, which sets sail from Tampa, Florida, to the Caribbean island of Cozumel in February.
Headline acts Kansas, Steve Hackett and John Wetton join Yes and previously-announced acts Patrick Moraz, Bad Dreams and the Neal Morse Band aboard the Brilliance Of The Seas.
Mike Portnoy will celebrate his 50th birthday with an all-star career retrospective concert. Also confirmed are IO Earth, Spock's Beard, Anglagard, Haken, Curved Air, District 97, Focus, Dave Kerzner and others.
For the first time, guests will have the chance to jam with their heroes and have big-name artists perform their songs.
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