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Today's Day in Rock Stories

Guns N' Roses Reunion Is Really Lame Says Def Leppard Guitarist 2016 In Review

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen made headlines in February when he shared his view of the reunion between Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan and Collen does not appear impressed with the Guns N' Roses reunion or their original split back in the day.
"We obviously think it's really f****** lame," Collen tells The Telegraph. "I love Guns N' Roses, I think they're really cool, I'd love to see Slash and Axl and Duff play together, that's great. But I think it's f****** lame considering we've been hardcore. Our integrity's still intact, we've never split up. We've gone through if someone had a little sniffle or something, we soldier on.

"Someone dies, someone loses an arm, someone gets cancer, we soldier on. With Guns N' Roses, if someone has a little barney backstage, they can't deal with each other. I know it's difficult, but I do think it's pretty lame when you compare anyone else to us." Read the original report here.



David Lee Roth Shoots Down Van Halen Break Up Speculation 2016 In Review

David Lee Roth's management has struck down online speculation back in February that a new song that he revealed via his online video series The Roth Show has anything to do with Van Halen and him leaving the reunited group.
Roth recently returned with the online show and a new episode features a somber song called "Ain't No Christmas." The lyrics and the mood of the song led some to question if he was singing about parting ways with Eddie Van Halen and the band.

One person that saw that possible correlation was Van Halen Rising author Greg Renoff who wrote on his blog, "Roth's vocal performance here is mournful and somber. His lyrics express feelings of bitterness and regret," Renoff wrote. "My take is that the lyrics provide a commentary on Roth's recent months with Van Halen and perhaps a window into the future of Van Halen." He then posed the question "Is Roth singing about a lost love? Or is he speaking about Edward?"

The Van Halen News Desk, the leading online source for news and information about the band, reached out to Roth's management to get to the bottom of the speculation. The frontman's reps told the site, "It's poetry. It has nothing to do with Van Halen." Read the original report here.




Deep Purple Refused Rock Hall Reunion With Ritchie Blackmore 2016 In Review(hennemusic)

Deep Purple Refused Rock Hall Reunion With Ritchie Blackmore was a top 16 story of 2016. The band refused to perform with the founding guitarist at the band's April 8 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. After a pair of acrimonious splits in the 70s and 90s, Deep Purple will not turn the clock back to reconnect with one of their founding members.
"We were faced with a hard decision when we heard about the Hall Of Fame inductions," explains singer Ian Gillan. "It was a surprise to us that [current members] Steve Morse and Don Airey did not qualify as inductees.

"Ian Gillan, Ian Paice and Roger Glover decided upon the offer of a compromise which has been agreed with the Hall Of Fame and enables us to turn up on the night. Deep Purple inductees will accept the awards and then the living breathing Deep Purple will perform.

"It should be stressed that there is no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone regarding this decision; it is purely a mark of respect to Steve and Don. I spoke with David Coverdale last week and he expressed complete understanding of the way it was being handled. Thanks, David. You're a gent.

Outside of this event, there are no circumstances under which a 'reunion' could or would take place. So, let's all get up there, shake hands, smile for the cameras and get it done with dignity and respect for all the existing and past members of a very special family."

Blackmore's camp issued a response to the news by informing fans via social media. "Ritchie was honored by the offer of induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," read the official statement. "He was discussing the possibility of attending, until we received correspondence from the President of the Rock Hall of Fame, who said that Bruce Payne, management for the current Deep Purple Touring Band, had said "No"..........!!!!!" Therefore Ritchie will not be attending the ceremony. He sincerely thanks all the fans that voted for him for their support." The Rock Hall also addressed the claim that Blackmore was "banned" from the ceremony. Read their comments here.



Corey Taylor Might 'Step Away' From Slipknot At Some Point 2016 In Review(Metal Hammer)

Corey Taylor made news in February when he stated that it is possible he could quit Slipknot one day - because he might not have the energy required to keep fronting the band. And he admits he's only begun to consider the possibility after realizing that he's "not young any more."
Taylor tells BBC Radio 1's Daniel P Carter: "If you'd asked me a year ago I would have said 'no.' But just now, I'm just starting to… I'm 42. And as willing as my will is, I'm just beat up, man. I might as well be 60 in Slipknot years."

But he doesn't think he'd ever fully retire. "I might step away from Slipknot at some point, just because the way the music is, that energy, I don't know if I could do that into my 50s.

"I would never want the band to feel like I was holding them back because I couldn't physically do it. I wouldn't completely quit music - I'd probably just step away from Slipknot." Read the original report here.



The Doors Reunite For Ray Manzarek Tribute Event 2016 In Review(hennemusic)

Surviving members of The Doors - guitarist Robbie Kreiger and drummer John Densmore - reunited in Los Angles on February 12 for a performance tribute to their late bandmate Ray Manzarek and several videos from the show have been posted online.
Billed as "A Celebration For Ray Manzarek", the show at the Fonda Theatre took place on what would have been the keyboardist's 77th birthday; he passed away from bile duct cancer in Rosenheim, Germany in 2013 at the age of 74.

With all proceeds from the event going to benefit Stand Up To Cancer, Friday's concert saw Krieger and Densmore joined by a cast of guests including Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters, Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule, Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X, Annika Rose of Breaking 27, Rami Jaffee, Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, Krieger's son Wayne, and Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, among others.

Lead vocals were shared among several artists throughout the show, including: Hawkins on "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" and "Love Me Two Times", Haynes on "When The Music's Over", Krieger's son Wayne on "Break On Through (To The Other Side)", Doe on "Riders On The Storm", and a shared ensemble vocal on the night's finale "Light My Fire."

"A Celebration For Ray Manzarek" marked the first time Krieger and Densmore shared the stage together in over 15 years. Check out the videos from the show here.





David Bowie Turned Down Dave Grohl Collaboration 2016 In Review(Radio.com)

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl had a top 16 story of Feb 16 after he revealed in a interview segment for Playboy that he approached David Bowie to join a film song project he worked on in the 90s, but the legendary star politely turned him down.
Bowie declined--stating after he watch the film, that is was not "his thing." Grohl remembered a night around 1997 when he played a 50th birthday celebration for Bowie at Madison Square Garden.

"About two years ago, I got approached by this movie to do a song for the movie, so I thought, 'Maybe I'll have someone else sing, I'll do the music and then have another vocalist.' And then I thought, "Maybe I'll ask and see if David would want to do it.'

"So the next day I get an email and it says, 'David, I watched the movie and I got to be honest, it's not my thing.' He said, 'I'm not made for these times.'" Watch the video segment to find out the funny way Bowie signed off on the conversation here.



Eagles Of Death Metal Return To The Stage In Paris 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

Eagles Of Death Metal Return To The Stage In Paris was a top 16 story from Feb 2016: Jesse Hughes lead the Eagles Of Death Metal through an emotional but triumphant concert in Paris, and told the crowd: "You're stuck with me - I'm a Parisian now."
The concert, in the city's Olympia venue, was the band's first full-length show in France since the terror attack during their performance at the Bataclan in November, during which 89 people were shot dead.

Hughes had vowed to "finish the show" before it took place, but he admitted: "I don't want to fall to pieces in front of everyone. It's overwhelming. I just don't want to let anyone down."

EODM were joined on stage by co-founder Josh Homme, who hadn't been present in November. The band opened with I Only Want You, then stopped partway through for a moment of silence. They didn't perform Kiss The Devil, the track they'd just completed when the Bataclan massacre began.

Hughes, who spent much of the night blowing kisses to members of the audience, said at one point: "Let's make a deal - this is an emotional moment for me. So if I f*** this song up, ain't no one going to get mad at me." He used a guitar painted with the French tricolour for some of the show, and also held up a shirt that read "I really wannabe in Paris." Read more and see photos and video from the show here.




Ex-Nightwish Singer Anette Olzon Violently Attacked 2016 In Review(Prog)

Ex-Nightwish Singer Anette Olzon Violently Attacked was a top 16 story of 2016. The Former Nightwish star was taken to hospital after being attacked by a woman near her home in Sweden, she's reported. And she says the situation could have been worse than it was if passers-by hadn't stopped to help her.
Posting a picture of her head injuries, Olzon says: "I got beaten down and robbed by a junkie on my way home from my car. She hit me hard and I fell onto the stony street on my head. I'm shaken and bruised.

"The worst thing of all was that were were two adul men standing feet away, watching me get beaten, doing nothing. Thank God a girl ran after, and finally two real men took the junkie down. She is now with the police."

She adds: "Drugs people are really dangerous. Please be careful out there." See her post including the photo here.



Two Jefferson Airplane Stars Died On Same Day 2016 In Review(hennemusic)

The death of original Jefferson Airplane vocalist Signe Anderson was a top 16 story for Feb 2016. Anderson died Jan. 28 at the age of 74 - the same day bandmate and guitarist Paul Kanter passed away.
"One sweet Lady has passed on," wrote Jefferson Airplane co-founder Marty Balin on Facebook. "I imagine that she and Paul woke up in heaven and said 'Hey what are you doing here? Let's start a band.'"

"She was a real sweetheart with a terrific contralto voice coming from a solid folk background," posted Airplane bassist Jack Casady on Facebook. "Listen to how she made the three part harmonies of 'JA Takes Off' (first album) sound so thick … her wonderful tone between Paul's and Marty's."

"Signe was one of the strongest people I have ever met," wrote Airplane lead guitarist Jorma Kaukonen on his blog. "She was our den mother in the early days of the Airplane … a voice of reason on more occasions than one … an important member of our dysfunctional little family." Read more here.



Black Sabbath's Disturbing Inspiration Recalled By Geezer 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

Black Sabbath's Disturbing Inspiration Recalled was a top 16 story from Feb 2016: Geezer Butler has recalled seeing the apparition that inspired Black Sabbath's name and signature song - and he says it's one of the last disturbing visions he ever saw.
He woke up in bed one night in 1969 to see an indefinable creature at the foot of his bed, and later recounted the experience to bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward about it.

Butler says in a new interview: "I woke up in a dream world and there was this black thing, staring at me. It just lasted a second, but it freaked me out. I told Ozzy, Tony and Bill about it - it was pretty scary at the time. I think that's what inspired Ozzy to come up with the lyrics that open the song: 'What is this thing that stands before me?'"

Osbourne says: "When I sang that song the line just came out of nowhere. It was born, not written." Butler continues: "As I child I always had a lot of psychic experiences. That was one of the very last ones I had. That was before I did drugs - maybe doing drugs killed that part of my brain." Read more here.



Jimmy Page Defends Himself In 'Stairway To Heaven' Lawsuit 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

Led Zeppelin dominated the news in 2016 with the Stairway To Heaven trial. A top 16 story from Feb was about guitarist Jimmy Page defending himself against the claim that he based Stairway To Heaven on Spirit track Taurus by saying he first heard the other band's piece in 2014.
And although he's admitted to finding a copy of the 1968 record in his collection, he insists that he'd never listened to it. Spirit released Taurus three years before Led Zep launched Stairway, after the bands had toured the US together. Spirit bassist Mark Andes launched legal action two years ago, saying he wanted recognition for the work of late guitarist Randy California.

Page said in a California court declaration last week: "Prior to hearing a recording of Taurus in 2014 in connection with this matter, I have never heard Taurus or even heard of it. I am very good at remembering music and am absolutely certain that I never heard Taurus' until 2014."

He admitted to having a copy of the record, but added: "I had not previously seen it in my collection and do not know how or when it got there. It may well have been left by a guest. I doubt it was there for long, since I never noticed it before. But, again, I know I did not hear Taurus until 2014." Read more here.



Metallica Expanded Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning For Reissue 2016 In Review

Metallica had a top 16 story of Feb. 2016 when they revealed that fans helped them expand their first two album "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride The Lightning" for reissues that are set to be released on April 15th in CD, vinyl and limited edition deluxe box sets.
The band revealed the following details about the special reissues of the landmark albums, "A while back you may remember that we reached out to you for a little help as we began putting together reissues of both Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning. We are psyched to announce that the releases you've been helping us assemble will finally be hitting the streets on Friday, April 15 just in time for Record Store Day!

"Both albums have been remastered for the most advanced sound quality possible and will be available in three formats - CD, vinyl and a deluxe box set. The deluxe box sets include original source material from the band's personal collection with many never before heard or seen recordings along with books including rare photos and essays from those who were there." Read more here.




KISS Star Gene Simmons Grants Dying Teen's Final Wish 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

KISS icon Gene Simmons had a top 16 story in February 2016 after it was learned that he granted a dying teenager's wish by visiting him in his hospital bed. The bassist and singer spent time with 17-year-old Dilan Kohn at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Children's Hospital of Nevada in Las Vegas. Dilan died a few days after Simmons' visit, but staff have thanked him for making the youngster's dream come true.
A statement from staff at University Medical Center, where the Children's Hospital is based, says: "Last week, one of our patients, Dilan Kohn, got his final wish. The critically ill 17-year-old desperately wanted to meet and hang out with the rock'n'roll musician, Gene Simmons, from the band Kiss.

"Mr Simmons had not only been Dilan's idol, but also his inspiration growing up. Mr Simmons was sent an email request last Thursday afternoon and flew into Vegas the next morning. He showed up with a big bag full of signed memorabilia just for Dilan.

"The two hung out, shared stories and laughed together for well over an hour while staff looked on with tears in their eyes. Thank you Mr. Simmons for making this wish come true just in time.

"Unfortunately Dilan passed away peacefully a couple days later." See the online post along with photos here.




Santana Calls Out NFL Over Lip Synced Super Bowl Halftime Show 2016 In Review(hennemusic)

Carlos Santana made headlines in Feb when he challenged the NFL to feature live music performances during the Super Bowl halftime show after six straight years of pop music acts accompanied by accusations of lip syncing.
The guitar icon - who was featured momentarily during Sunday's Super Bowl 50 broadcast - took to Facebook to thank the companies for his inclusion before suggesting a local Bay Area lineup could have delivered "real live" entertainment for fans on site and tuned in around the world.

"Dear NFL/CBS, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you both for including me as a part of your Super Bowl entertainment," Santana writes. "I do feel compelled to point out to you that the Halftime Show should have included some of the local iconic bands that the World would have loved to see perform. Bands like Metallica, Steve Miller, Journey and yours truly. We would have rocked the Half Time Show and done the SF Bay Area proud.

"This is just an invitation for you to consider iconic bands as part of your Half Time entertainment. Real live music, real live vocals, and give the audience real live chills."

"Thank You Carlos," added Journey, who shared the guitarist's note on their own Facebook page, "and yes we would have all Rocked it!" Read more here.



Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson To The Rescue 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson earned a top 16 story of 2016 by coming to the rescue of an endangered turtle after it washed up on a beach in Jersey with a broken shell and a nasty infection.
Dickinson's personal Eclipse jet flew Terri the turtle from the New Era Veterinary Hospital on the largest of the Channel Islands to a sanctuary in the Canaries after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £6500 for the cause.

The jet proved a much cheaper alternative than the £22,000 originally needed to fly Terri to rehab. New Era Veterinary Hospital says: "Terri the turtle is doing well in Gran Canaria, is eating more and will hopefully be strong enough to be released in the next few weeks. We couldn't have got her to this point with a massive amount of help from everyone and for that we are so very grateful." Read more here.



Anthrax Hit With Lawsuit Over Ugly Sweater 2016 In Review(Classic Rock)

Anthrax had a top 16 story of Feb 2016 when it was revealed that they were hit with a $1 million copyright infringement lawsuit over the band's Ugly Hanukkah Sweater. Detroit artist Aaron Cummins claims he created the original design for the seasonal product in 2012, filed copyright papers on it in 2013, and has been selling it through his company Wet House.
Anthrax launched a limited edition of their Ugly Hanukkah Sweater last November through online retailer Rockabilia.com, who are also being sued. Frankie Blydenburgh, a Minnesota-based buyer for Rockabilia.com, tells the Detroit Free Press:

"This is the first I've heard that there's any issue with it. It's up to the merchandising companies we buy from to get the items cleared and make sure there's no copyright issues."

Blydenburgh adds Rockabilia bought the Anthrax Hanukkah sweatshirts from a company called Global Merchandising Services, which is also a defendant in the Detroit lawsuit. Read more and see the sweater