Guns N' Roses Change Things Up In D.C.(hennemusic)
Guns N' Roses brought their Not In This Lifetime reunion tour to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland near Washington, D.C. on June 26 and videos from the show have been posted online.
Following the launch in Detroit on June 23, the second date of the group's summer stadium tour of North America saw the reunited band perform at the home of the NFL\s Washington Redskins.
The 25-song set included an instrumental take on the Derek And The Dominos classic "Layla" as a lead-in to "November Rain", while the band dropped the "Use Your Illusion" tune "Don't Cry" from the encore in place of the 1989 single "Patience."
Prior to the show, Redskins owner Dan Snyder, head coach Jay Gruden and General Manager Scot McCloughan had a quick photo-op with Axl Rose backstage, which the team shared via their social media sites.
Guns N' Roses will next perform at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on June 29. Check out the videos here.
Yellowcard Breaking Up After Tour(TeamRock Radio)
Yellowcard have announced they'll split after nearly 20 years as a band. The Florida punk outfit issued their debut album Midget Tossing in 1997 and will release their self-titled 10th album on September 30.
But following the studio release and a world tour, Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Ryan Mendez and Josh Portman will go their separate ways. The band say: "We have decided that it is time for Yellowcard to come to an end. We can only hope that the memories we have made together with you will stay in your hearts as well.
"You have stood by us through all of the highs and lows on this unbelievable journey." The band have announced shows in the US, UK and Europe - with Australian and Japanese dates to be revealed in due course. See the dates here.
From Slipknot To Country Music For Joey Jordison?(TeamRock Radio)
Joey Jordison says he won't rule out recording a country album in the future - and could even turn his hand to opera music. The former Slipknot drummer is working on two new projects - Vimic and Sinsaenum - and says he's always looking for other opportunities to expand his musical horizons.
In an exclusive interview with Metal Hammer, Jordison says: "My brain never stops. I never stop. Being a musician that digs a lot of different styles, you always want to fill that void in your heart, just so it's done, just so it's finished.
"There are always things I want to do. That's why I've played in so many bands in my life. It's not that I jump from one thing to another, it's just such a great opportunity to play with so many great people and I've learned a lot from all of them.
"I can't stick with one thing. People can say whatever the f*** they want about me. I never betray what I'm doing at one time. One day I might do a country record because I love country music. I love opera... so who knows? I like to expand my horizons as much as I can." Read more here.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Almost Top Album Chart With 'The Getaway'(hennemusic)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have debuted their latest album, "The Getaway", at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200. Billboard reports the project enters the chart with opening week sales of 118,000 equivalent album units (108,000 in traditional album sales).
It's the seventh US top 10 album for the group, and third to hit the No. 2 slot following 2011's "I'm With You" and 2002's "By The Way"; the Chili Peppers notched one No. 1 album, "Stadium Arcadium", in 2006.
"The Getaway" also debuts at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart, which ranks the top selling albums of the week. Produced by Danger Mouse, the record marks the Los Angeles group's first album in five years and was launched with the lead single and video for the track "Dark Necessities." Read more here.
Ozzy Would Like To Extend Black Sabbath Farewell Tour(Classic Rock)
Ozzy Osbourne would like to see Black Sabbath's farewell tour extended beyond its end next year - but he accepts it's unlikely to happen. And he's preparing for the emotion to build up ahead of their last-ever concerts in their home city of Birmingham on February 2 and 4.
The band's The End tour is currently moving through Europe, with dates to follow in North and South America, before a final run in the UK. Ozzy tells Billboard: "We're doing 80 shows - it's good enough. I wouldn't mind extending the tour for another few gigs. There's a lot of people who won't get to see us, but I don't think it's going to happen."
He says of the tour so far: "It's great. I'm having a blast with it. Right now I'm okay with it. I'm sure as it starts counting down to five shows left or something, it's going to be kind of emotional." Read more here.
Dokken Rules Out Extending Reunion(Classic Rock)
The anticipated Dokken reunion will take place in Japan, frontman Don Dokken has confirmed - but he says he's refusing every offer to perform in the US and Europe.
The run of gigs, which are yet to be listed, take place in October, featuring guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mick Brown, who last month said plans were underway. A live DVD is to be recorded for a later release.
Describing it as a "temporary reunion," Dokken tells The Classic Metal Show: "Years ago I made a comment offhandedly, like, 'I'll do it for this amount of money.' It was like a one and a lot of zeroes.
"That was my price. Everybody said, 'You're crazy,' I said, 'Well, that's my price.' Now, 15 years later, somebody came up with that price. So I approached George and Jeff and I said, 'You guys want to make a sh*tload of money for about one week of work?'
"Basically they could make more in one week than they'd probably make in several years, so everybody said, 'Okay.'" Read more here.
The Ghost Inside's Jonathan Vigil Leg Cast Finally Removed(TeamRock Radio)
The Ghost Inside vocalist Jonathan Vigil reports he's finally had the cast removed from his leg. The singer was forced to undergo further surgery on his ankle last month after a screw dislodged and came out of his skin. Vigil then received another health blow when it was revealed he'd been diagnosed with a bone infection.
But with the cast now off, the singer says he's ready to begin the "next chapter" of his recovery - and hopes it won't be long before he's walking on his own again.
Vigil says: "Cast is off and stitches are coming out. My foot is gnarly, I know, but I'm stoked to not be in a cast anymore. People who've ever had to shower with a leg cast know my pain.
"Three weeks more of antibiotics and now that there's no more metal in my ankle, the bone infection shouldn't come back. Then it's on to the next chapter. Getting closer every single day to the goal of walking on my own again. Not too long now." Read more here.
Deen Castronovo Was Backed By Journey Following Firing(Classic Rock)
Deen Castronovo is grateful for the moral and financial backing Journey gave him after they fired him last year. The drummer was dismissed following years of alcohol and drug abuse that led to him being sentenced to four years' probation for assaulting his fiancee.
He'd been arrested after a 24-day methamphetamine binge - and later publicly accepted responsibility for his actions, saying: "Domestic violence is a choice."
Since then, he's kept in touch with former bandmates Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain - and his only recent musical commitment has been recording for Cain's worship music album What God Wants To Hear.
Castronovo tells UCR: "The beautiful thing is that the band were very kind. They left me with a substantial amount of money to make sure I was taken care of.
"Neal texts me from time to time, but Jon gave me a chance. We stay in contact and he's my spiritual mentor. I have days, you know, you see the reviews on the shows and you're going, 'Man, they're doing so good. I wish I could have been there.'
"Jon's like, 'It's okay - you're where you're supposed to be right now. You just stay on it.'" Read more here.
Of Mice & Men Release 'Pain' Video, Reveal Album Details(TeamRock Radio)
Of Mice & Men have released a video for their track "Pain" - taken from upcoming album 'Cold World.' The band's fourth album and follow-up to 2014's Restoring Force is released on September 9.
Of Mice & Men previously revealed that 14-year-old fan Cassy will appear on the album. The youngster has terminal brain cancer and her handclaps will be heard on one of the album's tracks.
They said: "The relationship and history between Cassy, Austin Carlile and the band has been a rich one over the years. Today was a much needed day for Cassy, her mom, cousin and family, as was it for all involved.
"Today was a day to forget all the stresses and problems of the world and to be surrounded by nothing but pure love, happiness and joy. Today Cassy was disease-free - today Cassy was 'living the dream.'" Read more and watch the video and see the album art and tracklisting here.
Periphery Streaming New Song 'Flatline'(Prog)
Periphery have streamed their track "Flatline" from upcoming album 'Periphery III: Select Difficulty.' The follow-up to last year's twin titles 'Juggernaut: Alpha' and 'Juggernaut: Omega' is released on July 22 via Sumerian Records.
Guitarist Jake Bowen says: "For the past couple of years we've been refining our collaborative process, and we feel that it's only getting better with the completion of this album.
"We spent two months writing songs that are not only representative of the Periphery sound, but also reflect where all of us are as musicians. Working together has helped us tread new ground musically and creatively."
The band commence a North American tour in August without bassist Adam 'Nolly' Getgood, who's decided to end his live career - although he remains a creative member of the band. Check out the new song here.
Devil You Know Officially Split With John Sankey(TeamRock Radio)
Devil You Know's split with drummer John Sankey has become permanent, the band have announced. Former Killswitch Engage frontman Howard Jones' outfit started touring in March without Sankey, who said he wanted to concentrate on the launch of his Legion festival in Australia.
They first worked with ex-DevilDriver man John Boeklin, then last month confirmed the arrival of Nick Augusto, formerly of Trivium. Now Devil You Know say:
"We have decided to part ways with John Sankey and will be back on the road this fall. We are not taking any unsolicited drummer audition videos. Big news in the coming weeks!"
Sankey reports: "After communications over the last few weeks, Devil You Know and I have decided that I move on." Read more here.
Lonely The Brave Announce Dust & Bones EP, Release Video(TeamRock Radio)
Lonely The Brave have announced that they will release a new EP called Dust & Bones in August and they have released a video for the title song of the effort.
The four-track release features Dust & Bones as the lead track. The song appeared on the group's second album Things Will Matter. As well as the title track, the EP features three non album songs. Original tracks Place Isn't Lost and Bottled Time are supplemented by a cover of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb.
The band had this to say about the video: "We have made a brand new video for our new single Dust & Bones - made up of live footage from our album launch in Cambridge. See if you can see yourself in there and please do share and spread the word."
Dust & Bones will be available on colored 120-inch vinyl, limited to 500 copies, and in digital formats. Watch the video and read more here.
Prince's Custom Yellow Cloud Guitar Fetches Over $137K(Classic Rock)
Prince's Yellow Cloud guitar which he used throughout the 90s has sold at auction for $137,500. The custom-built guitar was made by Minneapolis Knut-Koupee Enterprises and is outfitted with gold knobs, tremolo and tuning keys. It was purchased by Indianapolis Colts owner and avid music memorabilia collector Jim Irsay - who also bought former Beatle Ringo Starr's drum kit for $1.4 million last year.
Prince's former guitar technician Zeke Clark says of the guitar (via Heritage Auctions): "This Yellow Cloud guitar was Prince's main guitar and used in most of his early videos and touring performances and album recordings. From around 1988 until 1994.
"In 1994 he broke the neck of this guitar at a French TV show. After returning to the US, I repaired the neck and installed the first Floyd Rose set up Prince ever played. He used it to record more albums, up until the symbol guitar was born. After the symbol guitar, he wanted 24 additional cloud guitars made to be sold at his outlet store." Read more here.
Whitechapel Release 'Elitist Ones' Video(TeamRock Radio)
Whitechapel have released a video for their song "Elitist Ones." The song comes from the band's latest album 'Mark Of The Blade,' which launched on June 24.
Guitarist Alex Wade said of the follow-up to 2014's Our Endless War: "At this point in our career and as we grow older, we are taking a more open-minded approach to creating our music, allowing what we think sounds good to evolve naturally, rather than to just write what is expected of us."
Whitechapel are scheduled to perform as part of this summer's Vans Warped Tour in the US. They'll also lead the Impericon Never Say Die! tour alongside Thy Art Is Murder, Carnifex and Obey The Brave this winter. See the dates and watch the new video here.
The Night Watch Announce 36-Minute Track(Prog)
The Night Watch have announced they'll release a 36-minute track entitled Boundaries on July 15. The track is also described as "a powerful exploration of just how emotional instrumental music can be."
The band from Ottawa, Canada, report the piece has been two years in the making and add that it shifts "seamlessly from intricate technicality to soaring atmospheres, crushing heaviness to delicate melancholy."
Guitarist Nathanael Larochette, violinist Evan Runge, bassist Matthew Cowan and drummer Daniel Mollema have a handful of Canadian live dates scheduled in support of Boundaries, which is available for pre-order from the group's Bandcamp page. See the dates and the cover art here.
Miss May I, We Came As Romans and Attila Ink With New Label(TeamRock Radio)
Miss May I, We Came As Romans and Attila are among six acts signed up by new label SharpTone Records. It's the brainchild of Nuclear Blast execs Markus Staiger and Shawn Keith, and the launch roster also includes Don Broco, Loathe and World War Me.
SharpTone say they'll "encompass many multitude of genres and subgenres in rock music." Their HQ is in Los Angeles with offices in the UK, Germany and Australia.
Keith reports: "We're not just another record label - we're a new music company, allowing artists to be as creative and passionate as they choose to be." Read more here.
Motley Crue's The End Concert Film Hitting Canadian Theaters(hennemusic)
Motley Crue will screen their farewell concert film The End in select Canadian theaters on July 11. The screening follows the film's worldwide debut in US cinemas on June 14.
Directed by Christian Lamb, the project presents the Crue's final live performance at the Staples Center in their hometown of Los Angeles, CA this past New Year's Eve; the material is rounded with interviews and behind the scenes material shot by Jackass creator Jeff Tremaine.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Motley Crue went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide, including 25 million in the States alone. Tickets for "Motley Crue: The End" are available via cineplex.com - a list of participating Canadian theaters can be found here.
Smokey Fingers Release 'The Road Is My Home' Video(The Blues)
Smokey Fingers have released a video for their track "The Road Is My Home". The song comes from the Italian southern rock band's second album "Promised Land."
Frontman Luke Paterniti says of the album: "It differs from Columbus Way in being a more conscious. The title derives from an experience I had a few years back in the States, visiting the places I'd dream of.
"I'd reached the promised land that we'd sung about on Columbus Way." The new album, Promised Land, is set to be released on September 9 via Tanzan Music. Watch the new video here.
Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, The Fringe Lead Progtoberfest Lineup(Prog)
Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, The Fringe and Peter Gabriel-inspired band The Security Project will perform at this year's Progtoberfest in Chicago on October 21-23.
It was also announced last week that jazz fusion icons Brand X have reunited, with an appearance scheduled at the prog showcase at Reggies Chicago on October 21 as they plot their autumn comeback tour.
The lineup features original members John Goodsall, Percy Jones and Kenwood Dennard, along with keyboardist Chris Clark and percussionist Scott Weinberger - who will perform together for the first time since 1999. Read more here.
Cane Hill Release 'You're So Wonderful' Video(TeamRock Radio) Cane Hill have issued a video for their song You're So Wonderful. The track is lifted from the New Orleans metal outfit's upcoming album Smile, which is due out on July 15. The promo follows the release of their True Love video earlier this month.
Frontman Elijah Witt says of the track: "You're So Wonderful is the most self-deprecating song we've ever written, and probably the most honest. We wanted to try something really different for us."
Cane Hill have joined the Vans Warped Tour in the US alongside Bullet For My Valentine, Atreyu and Good Charlotte. It continues until mid-August. See the dates and watch the video here.
Deep Purple's Ian Paice Recovering From Stroke(hennemusic)
Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice has updated fans about his recovery following the news that he had experienced a stroke while the group was on tour in Europe.
Paice had originally revealed the news with the following: "On the morning of the 14th of June," explained Paice, "I woke up to find that the right side of my body was feeling numb and I could not control my right hand and fingers. So I had myself admitted to hospital where I was diagnosed with having suffered a 'mini stroke', or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)."
"The hospital staff in Stockholm were amazing and started my treatment straight away," he continued. "After both CT and MIR scans there was found to be no serious or permanent damage. As of this moment all I am suffering is a slightly numb right side of the face a tingling sensation in my right hand. My dexterity in the hand is coming back quickly and I fully expect to re commence touring next month. So now I have a set of tablets which have to be taken every day to ensure it doesn¹t happen again!."
Paice has now shared an update on his progress with a message to fans. "A big thank you to all the people who have been in touch with me expressing their concern about my health," wrote the drummer. "I think you will appreciate that there have been too many to answer every one personally. So if I don't reply to you please accept my apologies, but there are only so many hours in a day! Also my one typing finger is having its own 'event' and is starting to get very sore.
"I knew I had a lot of friends around the world but never realized quite how many. Again thanks to you all and I will endeavor to keep you up to date with my progress which so far is great." Find out the details about their rescheduled dates here.
Blink-182 Documentary Goes Online(TeamRock Radio)
The first part of Blink-182's documentary in conjunction with Spotify has been released. In the first part of The Drop, singer/bass player Mark Hoppus talks about the band's decision to bring in Matt Skiba to replace Tom Delonge when he walked away.
And Hoppus also examines Blink-182's legacy. He says: "Legacy is a subject that's come up a lot in the past few years. It was crazy important to us that we keep creating new music. We didn't ever, and don't ever, want to become a greatest hits band."
Delonge said in May that he believed he still had a future with Blink-182 after discussions with Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker. But Hoppus later denied he had been in contact with Delonge.
The new-look Blink-182 will release their first album with Skiba, called California, on July 1. Watch the documentary clip here.
Steven Tyler Reveals 'We're All Somebody From Somewhere'(Radio.com)
If Steven Tyler's foray into country music confuses you, you should know that it's not something that sprang up out of the blue. It's been a long time a-comin' apparently, as he explained Friday morning (June 23) on TODAY.
Sitting down with co-host Matt Lauer, Tyler said, "When I was a kid, I had a tiny radio and I ran the wire up to the top of the apple tree because I had no reception." He rigged his device that way allowed him to pick up a radio station in Fort Wayne, IN, even though he was living in New England at the time.
As a result, Tyler heard all sorts of country songs, including one particularly memorable Johnny Horton record. "The B-side was 'All For The Love Of A Girl' and it was the first time I got those feelings inside for music and just in touch with myself with it, in a sexual way, in a life-giving way."
Tyler explained how his solo debut album is an outgrowth of what Aerosmith had been experimenting with for some time. "We would do all kinds of stuff, like 'Cryin.' That's country. Wrote it with Taylor Rhodes down in Nashville."He added, "It was already there. What was a stretch was going there and seeing what I could get."
Shortly after his appearance on the program, Tyler dropped his new single, the self-titled track off his album We're All Somebody From Somewhere. Tyler's solo debut album We're All Somebody From Somewhere will be released July 15. Check out the new song here.
Metallica's Lars Ulrich Shares His Radio Dreams(Classic Rock)
Lars Ulrich says he is trying to help rock movie Radio Dreams reach a wider audience. The Metallica drummer has backed the independent film financially and even makes an appearance in the movie. After a successful tour of the film festival circuit, Ulrich wants to get the film a wider release.
Directed by Babak Jalali, Radio Dreams tells the story of Afghanistan-based metal band Kabul Dreams, who want nothing more than to meet their heroes in Metallica.
They recruit the help of an Iranian radio station based in Metallica's home city of San Francisco, and one of the radio station's employees is determined to bring the two bands together.
Film fanatic Ulrich was approached by the filmmakers and he says he was instantly drawn to the storyline. He tells the So What podcast: "It sounded really cool and really unique. This was a passion project and this particular group of people and the story was worthy of supporting.
"They shot here in San Francisco about a year-and-a-half ago. They're great people, it's a great story. I love the idea of supporting film and culture from parts of the world that don't get a equal footing on the world stage." Read more here.
P-Funk's Bernie Worrell Dead At 72(TeamRock Radio)
Keyboard icon Bernie Worrell has died at the age of 72. The Parliament-Funkadelic star - who also worked with Talking Heads - passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer.
In a Facebook post, Worrell's wife Judie confirmed the death. She says: "Bernie transitioned Home to The Great Spirit. Rest in peace, my love - you definitely made the world a better place."
P-Funk pioneer Worrell revealed earlier this year that he was fighting lung cancer and his wife set up a fundraising page to help pay for his medical bills.
Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton says: "This is a huge loss. The world of music will never be the same. Bernie's influence and contribution - not just to funk but also rock and hip hop - will forever be felt." Read more here.
Slipknot and Limp Bizkit Star Form Lethal Wilson(TeamRock Radio)
Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson and former Limp Bizkit man DJ Lethal are working together on a new project called Lethal Wilson. The duo are not giving much away about what the partnership will entail, but their Facebook page is teasing that work is "coming soon."
DJ Lethal, aka Leors Dimant, made his name with Boston hip hop outfit House Of Pain and still works with the group's frontman Everlast. He joined Limp Bizkit after the then fledgling band toured with House Of Pain and offered him the job. DJ Lethal, 43, left Limp Bizkit in 2013.
Wilson, 38, who also works on his side project DJ Starscream, is preparing to hit the road with Slipknot on their tour with Marilyn Manson. Slipknot are touring in support of their latest album .5: The Gray Chapter. See the dates here.
Motorhead Day Coming To London(hennemusic)
London will host a special Motorhead Day next month to mark the 41st anniversary of the band's very first live show. "Raise A Glass For Lemmy" will celebrate the group's July 20, 1975 debut gig at the Roundhouse Camden with an event at the nearby Black Heart Inn on July 20, 2016.
Two DJs will recreate the magic of Neil Kay's Soundhouse with the sounds of Motorhead and all things New Wave Of British Heavy Metal by spinning tunes from the era - including including a full play through of the classic 1981 live album "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith."
The event has been organized with the support and blessing of Motorhead and the Motorhead Bangers Fan Club. Tickets are strictly limited to 250 and are completely free. Read more here.
Soilwork Streaming New Song 'Helsinki'(TeamRock Radio)
Soilwork have released a lyric video for their track "Helsinki". The song features on the Swedish outfit's upcoming album "Death Resonance," which is out on August 19 via Nuclear Blast.
The video was created by Tommy Antonini - and guitarist David Andersson says the track was inspired by death. He says: "Death. It's a word that might be used too often, but it can still be interpreted in myriad different ways. It's not just the soma being deprived of its life force - it's also the end of infinity, the birth of new possibilities and the acceptance of inevitable change.
"This song was written soon after the recording of our live album in Finland, making new friends and making sure that the old ones stay with us forever, despite the fact that everything is finite." Check out the song here.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Movie Being Developed By Artimus Pyle(Classic Rock)
Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle is working on an "incredibly personal and passionate" film about the band. Pyle is working on a script with director Jared Cohn, with Cleopatra Films onboard to produce the as-yet-untitled movie.
Pyle says the film will feature his recollections of the 1977 plane crash that killed frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray.
He tells Deadline: "When that plane crashed, we were at the top of the world, man. I mean, we could play with any band - any band, whether it was the Rolling Stones, anyone, and we would hold our own or better. I think of that accident every day and what we might have accomplished if we'd have 10 more years.
"I want the movie to portray my band members the way they were. Real, funny people who loved the music, loved the success that allowed us to be able to travel the world and play for kings and queens all over this planet." Read more here.
Crobot Stream New Single 'Not For Sale'(Classic Rock)
Crobot have released a lyric video for their single "Not For Sale". It's taken from the group's upcoming second album "Welcome To Fat City," due for release on September 23 via Wind-Up Records. It's the follow-up to 2014's "Something Supernatural."
Frontman Brandon Yaegley tells Noisey: "Not For Sale takes you into orbit around the sonic spectrum of our latest album and is an anthem for all of us who work hard enough to make our own luck.
"It's a cry to hold on to our own humanity, never letting anyone else manipulate our destiny. Who paid your debt to be here? No one...and my soul is not for sale." Check out the new song here.
Tim 'Ripper' Owens Denied Entry Into The U.K.(Classic Rock)
Former Judas Priest and Iced Earth singer Tim 'Ripper' Owens has been denied entry to the UK for a scheduled appearance at Wildfire Festival. Owens was due to perform at Wildfire in Biggar, Scotland, this past Friday.
Wildfire organizers had the following to say: "We arrived at Glasgow Airport this morning as Tim took time out from his tour of the Ukraine to play for us at Wildfire.
"Unfortunately, UK border patrol will not let him into the UK at this point in time and although we are trying everything we are able, we have little say in changing the minds of such a powerful UK agency.
"Both Tim and Wildfire would like to offer our sincere apologies at this time." Read more here.
ZZ Top Pay Tribute To Bill Ham(Classic Rock)
ZZ Top have paid an emotional tribute to their former manager Bill Ham, who died last week at the age of 79. In an interview for Classic Rock, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard recall Ham's hard work and dedication from the early days of their career through to their international breakthrough and all three say they wouldn't be where they are today without his input.
Ham worked with the band for 37 years and also produced many of their hit records. His death was confirmed by The Travis County Medical Examiner Office on June 21.
Guitarist Gibbons describes Ham as the "fourth member" of ZZ Top. He tells Classic Rock: "A thing to have really been overlooked about Bill was that he was a great and gifted songwriter in his own right. You know, he had a bunch of hits as both writer and performer from way back in the 50s.
"And he generously and willingly shared those techniques with us from the very beginning of his involvement in our band. So that was a very solid platform that he bought to the ZZ Top party.
"All the time that Bill was with us, he was incredibly supportive. He used to say to me when I was working on a song or we were doing an album, 'You just keep going and I'll let you know when something moves me.' I doubt very much if we'd have had the career we've had without Bill being on board with us.
"I certainly always considered him the band's fourth member and our shining light. I mean to say, he managed to put up with the trials of dealing with three renegade individuals for more than 40 years, so that's something in itself." Read more here.
The Bronx Part Ways With Jorma Vik(TeamRock Radio)
The Bronx have split with founding drummer Jorma Vik. Vik announced his departure in a Facebook post, saying his 14 years with the band were "the most incredible years of my life."
The Bronx founded in Los Angeles in 2002 and in 2008 they introduced their alter-ego, Mariachi El Bronx. Vik has recently been a touring member of the Eagles Of Death Metal.
He says: "It's with a multitude of mixed emotions I write this but as of yesterday The Bronx/Mariachi El Bronx and myself have decided to go our separate ways.
"I'm having a very difficult time finding the words to express how grateful I am to everyone who have supported the bands over the past 14 years. They've been the most incredible years of my life and I cannot thank everyone enough for enabling me to fulfill my dreams and aspirations." Read more here.
Evergrey Announce New Album 'The Storm Within'(TeamRock Radio)
Evergrey have announced details of their 10th album "The Storm Within." The follow-up to 2014's Hymns For The Broken will launch on September 9 - and the Swedish outfit's frontman Tom S Englund promises a "massive" record.
He says: "We went from having no intention of making an album at all to having all the inspiration in the world on Hymns For The Broken. Honestly, we've never felt better. The Storm Within is a massive album. There are no fillers on it and we've never been about that. I think the inspiration speaks for itself."
The concept album was inspired by relationships and has been described as the band's first "love" record. Englund adds: "As usual, the lyrics are based on someone or some event in my life. When we were making this album a lot of these relationship issues were going on around me - people losing a partner or a loved one and grieving.
"The Storm Within is about a search for identity, trying to make yourself full when you feel half empty, and I placed that storyline in an interstellar world." Read more here.
Byzantine Release 'Justinian Code' Video(TeamRock Radio)
Byzantine have released a new music video for their track Justinian Code. The song originally featured on the US outfit's 2015 album To Release Is To Resolve.
Since that record, the band have signed a deal with Metal Blade Records, and are currently working on what will be their sixth full-length studio release.
The video features the group's new drummer Matt Bowles, who replaced Matt Wolfe in the lineup last year. Byzantine have a handful of live dates scheduled over the coming weeks in the US. See the dates and watch the video here.
Tank Release 'Make A Little Time' Video(Classic Rock)
Tank have released their video for "Make A Little Time." The promo for the track, lifted from their latest album Valley Of Tears, was filmed in the desert hills outside the town of Mojacar in southern Spain.
Guitarist Cliff Evans says: "We didn't want to make the usual low-budget, derelict warehouse-style video that so many bands seem to go for these days, so in order to do the song justice, we decided to find a more interesting location.
"Unusually for this part of Spain, the weather was stormy and overcast but that added a great atmosphere to the performance. The video really captures the raw energy but also the laid-back side of the band. We like nothing better than playing our own brand of rock 'n' roll and drinking beer together."
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