Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Rock News! Def Leppard Confirm Reason For Phil Collen Leaving Tour(hennemusic) Def Leppard confirmed it was a "family ...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Rock News!

Def Leppard Confirm Reason For Phil Collen Leaving Tour(hennemusic)

Def Leppard confirmed it was a "family emergency" as the reason for guitarist Phil Collen being forced to leave the band's co-headlining tour of North America with Journey.

"Our brother and bandmate Phil has unexpectedly returned home for a family emergency," said the band in a statement. "With Phil's blessing our friend, Steve Brown, will be joining us on stage until Phil is able to return. On with the show!"

Trixter guitarist Steve Brown made his 2018 debut with the group during a May 25 show at the Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, PA, where fans were given a heads up about the lineup change shortly before showtime.

"Good evening, Hershey. I am Joe Elliott. Welcome to what should be a great night," said the Def Leppard frontman. "I have an announcement to make. And I'd like you to spread the word as people come in. But, very sadly, Phil Collen cannot be with us this evening. He has a family emergency back in California.

"So we are very blessed that our very good friend Steve Brown, who, some of you may remember, stood in for Vivian about four years ago when Vivian couldn't make a couple of shows, has learned the bits very, very rapidly and, with Phil's blessing, will join us on stage tonight…and for the immediate future.

"So just be prepared, okay? We're here for ya, and we're glad that you're here for us. Thank you. See you in 30 minutes."

As Elliott mentioned, Brown stepped in to assist the band in 2014 while guitarist Vivian Campbell was undergoing procedures and treatment for cancer. See video of Joe's announcement and some videos of Brown performing with the band here.



Rolling Stones Jam 'Wild Horses' With Florence Welch(hennemusic)


The Rolling Stones were joined by Florence + The Machine singer Florence Welch for a performance of their 1971 classic, "Wild Horses", during the second of two shows at London Stadium on May 25.

Welch's band were the opening act for the latest show on the Stones' No Filter European tour, and the rocker says she was thrilled to follow-up a 2012 appearance with the group after being a lifelong fan.

"I was brought up with The Rolling Stones because my Dad was a Stones man," Welch explains in an official video released by the band. "They've been a massive influence; I mean still, to this day, the music I'm making is influenced by them. I've been a fan my whole life but there's something magical about being up there with them."

"Thank you to Florence + The Machine for an amazing set and stunning performance on Wild Horses!," posted the Stones on social media after the show.

The Rolling Stones opened their summer tour at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on May 17; the 14-show series marks band's first appearances in the UK in five years; stops in Germany, France and the Czech Republic will precede the trek's finale in Warsaw, Poland on July 8. Watch video of the performance and interview with Welch here.


Iron Maiden Break Out Rarities For Summer Tour Kick Off(hennemusic)

Iron Maiden featured a series of rarely-performed tracks during the opening night of the Legacy Of The Beast summer 2018 European tour in Tallinn, Estonia on May 26, and video from the event is streaming online.
The band's 16-song set delivered six vintage tracks, including five that haven't been played in more than a decade: "Where Eagles Dare" and "Flight Of Icarus" from 1983's "Piece Of Mind", "Sign Of The Cross" from 1995's "The X Factor", "The Clansman" from 1998's "Virtual XI", "The Wicker Man" from 2000's "Brave New World", and "For The Greater Good Of God" from 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death."

"The Beast... was unleashed!", posted the band after the show. Inspired by their mobile game and comic book of the same name, the 2018 run will see Iron Maiden mix headline shows with festival appearances - including Sweden Rock, Italy's Firenze Rocks, Austria's Novarock, Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting, France's Hellfest and Hungary's Volt Festival, among others. Watch videos of the rarities performances from the tour kick off here.



Billy Corgan Says Metal A Victim Of 'Weird Class Politics'

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan is a hero is the alt-rock arena but he recently opened up about his metalhead youth and shared his belief that the genre has been maligned due to "weird class politics".
Corgan made the comments during an appearance on Metallica drummer Lar Ulrich's Music Beats 1 show. He said (via Metal Hammer), "For years, I would take sh*t about being a fan of metal - it should be beneath you. It gets into weird class politics. Most of the people who criticize people like us for being who we are, what we are, or what we represent, had better backgrounds than we had.

"We didn't necessarily go to the nice school, we didn't get to read the cool newspaper. For me, bands like Metallica told me that there is this other world that is more closely aligned with the experience you're having than the one you're being told about.

"So when I heard Mercyful Fate, Metallica or Ted Nugent, that told me, 'Wait, there's this other world than the world you're telling me that I'm supposed to believe in.' Even to this day, for all the money that metal moves, it's amazing how disrespected it is."

He added, "You can't get that through to a hipster's brain. If you sat around and drew up who you wanted to be on paper, you wouldn't be in Metallica or The Smashing Pumpkins. Those type of bands grow out of almost like a personality conflict."



John Mayall Postpones Tour For Health Reasons

Legendary British blues musician John Mayall broke the sad news to fans that he has been forced to postpone his upcoming U.S. spring tour dates due to a battle with pneumonia.
The 84-year-old music icon was set to kick off the trek later this week in San Diego. His team broke the news with the following social media post, "We are very sorry to announce that John Mayall has to reschedule his upcoming May/June shows due to needing continued medical care after a bout of pneumonia.

"For those of you who have bought tickets, refunds will be available where the tickets were purchased. John loves his fans and is sorry to disappoint you, but is looking forward to seeing you soon at a venue near you. In the meantime, your prayers and good vibes are much appreciated!"



Butcher Babies Release 'Look What We've Done' Video

Butcher Babies have release a new documentary style music video for their single "Look What We've Done". The song comes from their latest album "Lilith".
Singer Heidi Shepherd had this to say about the clip, "Our new docu-video Look What We've Done gives a behind-the-scenes look as to what emotions a tour might bring when the curtains close and real life settles in. When the accolades of the stage and energy of the crowd are gone; when you retreat to your bunk and the loneliness sets in. Where you miss your family, your friends and your loved ones. We touch on when conditions out of your control can make or break your stride. This gives an inside peek as to what keeps us going and how we deal with the extreme highs and extreme lows. The reality behind the stage."

Co-frontwoman Carla Harvey added, "When we started Butcher Babies, I don't think that either Heidi or I had much interest in creating ballads. However over the years our palates expanded and we really began to embrace emoting passion through our singing voices in addition to our screaming voices.

"Look What We've Done takes the listener on a journey through our current emotions, after making music and traveling the world together for nearly a decade. We really wanted a video that would take the viewer on a visual journey with us through an authentic tour experience. Having a videographer accompany us on our latest run in Europe was the perfect fit! Ride along with us as we elate in the highs of touring: sold out shows, exploring new cities, the camaraderie. Stick around for the rough stuff: extreme weather, fatigue, loneliness...Look what we've done!" Watch the video here.



Public Image Ltd Announce 40th Anniversary Box Set(Funhouse)

Following the demise of the Sex Pistols, frontman John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten) moved on with the formation of Public Image Ltd and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the group, they are releasing a new box set.
The Public Image is Rotten(Songs from the Heart) Box Set is set to be released on July 20, 2018 presented as a 5CD/2DVD set and a 6LP vinyl collection. We were sent the following details and track details for both sets:

The box set will feature the PiL Singles Collection (1978-2015), B-sides, Rarities and Radio Sessions, 12" Mixes, Unreleased Mixes and Tracks and a Live concert from New York Ritz in July 1989. The DVD includes PiL promo videos + footage from the BBC's Top Of The Popsand Old Grey Whistle Test. Just in case that isn't enough they've included two legendary live concerts, the first PiL's appearance at the Tallinn Rock Summer Festival in Estonia 1988 (still part of the USSR at the time) and the second from 2013's Enmore Theatre in Australia during the This is PiLtour. Read more here.




Soulwax Streaming New Song 'Essential Three'

Soulwax are giving fans another taste of their forthcoming album with the release of a new track called "Essential Three". The new record, entitled "Essential LP" is set to hit stores on June 22nd.
The band provided these background comments about the new album, "When we were approached to make an Essential Mix for the BBC in May 2017, we chose to do what every sane human being would do, we decided to lock ourselves into our studio for two weeks and make an hour of new music based around the word 'Essential', instead of preparing a mix of already existing music.

"The product of this otherwise unwise decision is something we ended up being very proud of and is now being released on the piece of plastic you're are currently holding in your hands." Listen to the new song here.

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Stories Black Sabbath Legend Wants To Team Up With Rob Halford A legendary heavy metal guitarist may be teami...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock Stories

Black Sabbath Legend Wants To Team Up With Rob Halford

A legendary heavy metal guitarist may be teaming up with an iconic vocalist. Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi revealed that he and Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford hope to work together.
Iommi and Halford recently took part in a photo shoot for Metal Hammer and the Sabbath guitarist reportedly expressed his desire to work with the Metal God, according to Loudwire)

"We've talked about [working together] for ages," Iommi said. "When the time's right it would be nice to write a track or two, or whatever. I'd like to do that. It's nice to work with people that you respect and like."

If it happens, this wouldn't be the first time the metal legends joined up. Halford had previously filled in as a vocalist for Black Sabbath on a few occasions. Read about that here.



Guns N' Roses Founder Wanted To Follow Rush's Example

Original Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler said in a recent interview that he had hoped that his relationship with Slash would have mirrored Rush stars Getty Lee and Alex Lifeson.
Lee and Lifeson were friend in school before forming the iconic heavy prog rock trio. Adler and Slash were also friends in school before then teamed up with another pair of school friends (Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin) in Guns N' Roses, along with Duff McKagan.

In interview with 98.9 The Rock, Adler had the following to say about his and Slash's relationship and what he had hoped for it, : "I thought me and Slash were going to be like Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. They've known each other since they were in junior high school; they grew up together playing music; they got successful; and they stayed together for, like, 50 years." Read more here.




Marilyn Manson Recruits Courtney Love For 'Tattooed in Reverse' Video(Radio.com)

Marilyn Manson has shared his latest music video, "Tattooed in Reverse," featuring a cameo from an old friend: Hole frontwoman Courtney Love.
The surreal clip (streaming here) features a woman being terrorized and tortured in some kind of asylum amidst a crew of masked dancers, with Manson occasionally taking her place on the examining table.

Love's cameos are brief, stopping by to peer through a looking glass and to push Manson down a hallway in a wheelchair. The dark, grinding track is the latest from Manson's 2017 full-length, Heaven Upside Down. Read more here.



Jack White Releases Over And Over And Over Video(hennemusic)


Jack White has issued a video for "Over And Over And Over", a track from his newly-released album, "Boarding House Reach." Directed by Us - the acclaimed duo consisting of Christopher Barrett and Luke Taylor - the clip was filmed in London, UK last month.
White self-produced his first record in four years, which he recorded at his Third Man Studio in Nashville, TN, as well as Sear Sound in New York, NY, and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

The rocker will support this set with an extensive North American tour that will open in his hometown of Detroit, MI on April 19. White has imposed a ban on cell phone use during the tour in an effort to focus fans' attention towards the stage; phones will be locked in Yondr pouches that fans can unlock is designated secure zones away from the action, if necessary.

"We think you'll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON," reads a statement posted by Live Nation that can be seen on every tour stop's ticket page, while fans "enjoy a phone-free, 100% human experience." Watch the video here.



Sammy Hagar Inducted Into Bammies Walk Of Fame(hennemusic)


Sammy Hagar was inducted into the Bammies Walk Of Fame in San Francisco, CA during a March 23 ceremony, and video from the event is streaming online.
Named after the former Bay Area Music Awards presented by BAM magazine, the honor of a plaque in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium recognizes the accomplishments of members of the local music community.

According to ABC7 News San Francisco, Hagar is the newest member of an esteemed group that includes Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Journey, Jefferson Starship, John Lee Hooker and music promoter Bill Graham.

"Nothing is as gratifying as when your hometown, your home area, honors you," says the Red Rocker. "It's where you want it the most. I mean, I will be down here looking at my plaque, believe me."

Alco recognized during the March 23 ceremony was radio DJ Steven Seaweed, who retired last year after 44 years on the air in the Bay Area. Watch video of the event and a local news report here.





U2 Release Video For American Soul Featuring Kendrick Lamar(hennemusic)

U2 are streaming a new video for "American Soul (New York)" featuring Kendrick Lamar, a track from their latest album "Songs Of Experience."
Directed by the Broken Fingaz crew, the clip mixes animation with footage of the band's pre-taped performance of the track on The Hudson River in New York City for the 60th annual Grammy Awards in January.

The companion to 2014's "Songs Of Innocence" was completed last year with a series of producers - including Jacknife Lee and Ryan Tedder, Steve Lillywhite, Andy Barlow and Jolyon Thomas - following recording sessions in Dublin, New York and Los Angeles.

The two projects draw inspiration from a collection of poems, "Songs Of Innocence And Experience", by the 18th century English mystic and poet William Blake.

"Songs Of Experience" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 to earn the group their eighth US chart-topper and first since 2009's "No Line On The Horizon." Watch the video here.



Thirty Seconds to Mars Release 'One Track Mind' With A$AP Rocky(Radio.com)

Thirty Seconds to Mars have released an online stream of the third single from their forthcoming studio album "America" called "One Track Mind" featuring A$AP Rocky.
The crossover collaboration addresses infatuation and obsession--these guys have one-track minds for certain women. "One Track Mind" features an atmospheric, industrial soundscape while lyrics dwell on the sex, lies and gravitational pull of an old flame.
On the chorus, frontman Jared Leto promises: "There is a method to the madness, to the madness." America drops April 6. Listen to "One Track Mind," which contains explicit lyrics, here.


Ringo Starr Announces U.S. All Starr Band Tour(Radio.com)

Ringo Starr is coming to America. After previously revealing a European tour for the summer, the Beatles legend and his All Starr Band have revealed a slate of U.S. tour dates.
The tour kicks off Sept. 1 in Tulsa, OK, with shows mapped out through Sept. 29, when the show touches down in Los Angeles, CA. Starr's current company of All Starr's includes Colin Hay from Men at Work, Greg Rolie of Journey and Santana fame, and new member Graham Gouldman of 10cc. Supporting the crew are Warren Ham on percussion/sax, and Gregg Bissonette on drums.

"There is no greater joy for me than playing great music with great musicians," Starr said in a press statement. "Every night we get to play for all those loving people and it makes the hassle of touring worth it. It is a Peace & Love fest and I can't wait to see you all out there this summer and fall." See the dates here.



Jesse Hughes Added To Rock Against MS Benefit Concert

The Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has been added to the lineup of the 6th Annual Rock Against MS Benefit Concert & Award Show that is taking place at the Historic Los Angeles Theatre next Saturday, March 31st. We were sent the following details:
Hosted by "Kings of Comedy": comedians Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk/ Dude Where's My Car) and Craig Gass (Sex in the City/Howard Stern Show). This evening is comprised of comedy, music, art and awards - This special night is to raise awareness and educate the public about multiple sclerosis, while raising money build the first of many MS resource centers across the Nation and outreach program services aptly name The ROCK HOUSE.

Featured Artsts: Juliette Lewis, Jesse Hughes (Eagles Of Death Metal), Art Alexakis (Everclear),, Todd Morse (The Offspring), Peter Thorn (Chis Cornell/ Melissa Etheridge), Jason Sutter (Chris Cornell), Phil Buckman (Fuel), Michael Devin (Whitesnake), Marq Torien (Bulletboys), Steve Ferlazzo (Avril Lavigne), August Zadra (Dennis Deyoung), Keith England (Gregg Allman Band), Matt Starr (Mr. Big), Anthony "Tiny" Biuso (Bulletboys), Kemble Walters (Aeges), Jason Womack (Fuel), Ira Black (I Am Morbid), Patrick Stone (Adlers Appetite/Budderside), Ace Von Johnson (Faster Pussycat), Gretchen Bonaduce, Lisa Foreman (Todd's Planet), Johnny Griparic (Slashes Snakepit), Shawn Duncan (Dc4), Jeff Bowders (Paul Gilbert), Johnny Martin (LA Guns), Howie Simon (Nelson), Yolanda Thomas - Horns & Strings: Andre Cotman (Sexy Sax), Jon Manness (Killer Trumpet) & Erin Hawkins (Rock Cello) - More Artists To Announce & Special Guests!!! here.




Singled Out: Hail The Pilot's In Circles

Indie rockers Hail The Pilott recently released a brand new single called "In Circles" and to celebrate we asked Jason Iversen to tell us the story behind the track. Here is the story:
This was one of those songs that took years to fully develop. In 2000, I had bought Radiohead's Kid A and the track "Optimistic" in particular really stood out to me. The way that the guitars sounded just fascinated me. That sound inspired what would later become "In Circles". The riff is kind of a circular groove-heavy pattern which definitely fits the lyrics, but that was more of a lucky accident. It went through few changes over the years before becoming what it is now. Music is always the first thing I write so the lyrics weren't written until a few years ago. When Hail the Pilot first started, It was just Matt, Bobby and I so it went through some further changes until we finally finalized it in the studio.

The idea for the lyrics came to me when I overheard someone saying that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Now I'm not sure of the exact accuracy of this (I've since looked it up and haven't found this definition word for word) but it kind of sparked an idea. Don't we all do this from time to time? Whether it's a friend who always picks the same kind of girl to date even though he's been burned over and over again or a situation that we find ourself in that evokes that familiar feeling of "here we go again"...we all have our Achilles heel that we end up facing at one point or another. And unless we better ourselves and overcome it, we continue to find ourselves treading over the same old path.

?I was excited but nervous to finally record it. I'm always afraid that the sound in my head won't be able to be attained. But I really couldn't be happier with it. Matt and Bobby really lock in with the drums and bass and I was able to get this raw overdrive using my custom Bertoncini guitar loaded with Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups through my Vox AC15. But my favorite thing about this song is that it is really an amalgamation of what we set out to do throughout this album. It has moments of beautiful ambient textures and melodies, groove-heavy verses to all out driving choruses. It's the reason we chose it as the opening track.

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Stories Paul Stanley Explains KISS Farewell Tour Move KISS sparked speculation that they may be planning to ...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock Stories

Paul Stanley Explains KISS Farewell Tour Move

KISS sparked speculation that they may be planning to launch another farewell tour after it was reported in the media that they had filed a request to trademark the term "End of the Road."
It turns out that the band is just looking ahead and the move was not tied to any immediate plans to embark on a retirement tour, cofounder and frontman Paul Stanley explained in a recent interview.

Stanley was asked about the move by Michael Cavacini and responded, "It's not the first trademark that's been filed.

"I thought it was a terrific name, and I was surprised nobody had used it before. I wanted to make sure that when we used it, and there will be a time that we do, I imagine - I wanted to be sure that we own it and it's ours.

"When we wanted to go out and do the 'Hottest Show On Earth' tour, Ringling Bros. came to us and said, 'You can't do that.' It set off a light and bell for me. We've always had slogans or sayings that are synonymous with us, and this was another. Everything does end, in one form or another.

"When it's my time, I want to go out in style, and I want to go out guns blazing. So, when I came up with this idea, I thought let's make sure we tie this up."



Led Zeppelin Stream Classic Live Song Performance(hennemusic)


Led Zeppelin are streaming a newly-remastered version of their 1970 classic, "Immigrant Song", as a preview to the March 23 reissue of their 2003 live set, "How The West Was Won."
The opening track from "Led Zeppelin III" reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 while the album topped the Billboard 200 on its way to US sales of more than 6 million copies.

Remastered by producer/guitarist Jimmy Page, "How The West Was Won" presents highlights from the UK band's shows at the Los Angeles Forum and Long Beach Arena on June 25 and 27, 1972, with the two nights sequenced to replicate a single concert from beginning to end.

The 2018 reissue will be available in multiple formats, including CD, digital, and the first-ever vinyl and Blu-ray Audio editions, with the Blu-ray containing hi-res 5.1 surround sound.

A Super Deluxe Boxed Set version includes 3CDs, 4LP, a DVD in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM Stereo plus photo gallery, and a high-def download card of all stereo audio content at 96kHz/24 bit and complemented with a book of rare and previously unpublished photos of the band at each of the concert locations, and presented with a high-quality print of the original album cover - the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered. Stream the classic song here.



Iron Maiden Plan Surprises For Fans On Legacy Tour

Iron Maiden are preparing to hit the road for the Legacy Of The Beast Tour and frontman Bruce Dickinson says that he wants fans that attend the shows to be surprised by the concert and the set list.
He told Kerrang!,"When you do a show like we're planning to do, I want it to be really slick, but awesome. I want people to go, 'Wow! F***ing hell, you've gotta see this show!' I want people to be surprised as well. I want them to go home going, 'F***ing hell, I can't believe they played that song!' That's the reaction I want.

"When you do an album tour, it's more… you can take time to be a bit goofy with people and for them to digest it and what have you. On 'The Book Of Souls' tour, there was quite a lot of chatting with the audience. I'm not planning that on this tour because we've got so much to do and there's so much going on.

"The show and the music is gonna carry the whole bloody thing. I'm pretty intimately involved in the show. There'll be a couple of moments of chat with the audience, but it should be completely self-explanatory what's going on - the drama should be in the transitions of the stage and the music. And we're playing one or two things that people are gonna be really surprised by. There'll be social media madness after the first show."


Sir Ringo As Beatles' Legend Knighted By Prince William(Radio.com)


That's Sir Ringo to you. Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has joined fellow bandmate Paul McCartney as an official British knight.
Starr was knighted by the Duke of Cambridge, AKA Prince William, eldest song of the late Princess Diana. "It means a lot actually," Starr told the BBC. "It means recognition for the things we've done. I was really pleased to accept this."

The drummer admitted to being nervous, and that he "was a bit shaky today on my own," unlike when the Beatles were given the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) as a group in 1965.

Starr wasn't sure about being called Sir Ringo: "I don't know yet. It's new and I don't know how you use it properly," before telling BBC reporter Colin Paterson, "but I expect you to use it."

Starr tweeted about the honor, calling the honor "another busy day for Sir. Ringo. Peace and love peace and love." See the tweet here.



Judas Priest Play 1978 Song Live for the First Time(Radio.com)


Judas Priest went way back for a live debut of a song from the late 70s for their new tour kick off. Currently on tour behind their new album Firepower, Rob Halford and company energized hardcore fans on opening night by reaching back to their first decade.
With this year being the 40th anniversary of the group's 1978 full-length, Stained Class, the band performed album track, "Saints in Hell," for the first time ever.

Halford introduced the song by telling the audience how the show's set-list came together, mentioning the 40th anniversary of Stained Class, and that "this is going to be really cool" before launching into "Saints in Hell."

The tour launch marked the debut of guitarist Andy Sneap, filling in for longtime guitar player, Glenn Tipton, who is battling Parkinson's Disease. Watch fan footage of the performance here.





Joe Bonamassa To Tribute Clapton, Beck and Page On New Album(Gibson)

Joe Bonamassa has announced that he will be releasing a new live package celebrating the music of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and more in May.
Titled British Blues Explosion Live, it was recorded during the vocalist and guitarist's show at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, on July 7, 2016. It was part of the live tour Bonamassa set up to honor the UK musicians who have inspired him, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

Bonamassa says: "If it wasn't for certain British musicians of the early 1960s, the blues may well never have exploded into rock music as we know it today, and indeed may have passed into history."

It will be released on May 18 on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and 3LP via Mascot Label Group/J&R Adventures. Watch the trailer and check out the tracklist for the new album here.



Queens of the Stone Age, The Killers To Rock Elton John Tribute(Gibson)

Queens of the Stone Age and The Killers are just a couple of the artists that will be rocking Elton John classics for two new tribute albums to the legendary musician ahead of Elton's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.
The two cover albums will act as a tribute to his seminal songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. The two albums - Revamp and Restoration - and will feature some of the biggest names in modern music covering the classic catalogue of John and Taupin through the years.

Revamp, which will release on April 6 will feature Ed Sheeran ('Candle In The Wind'), The Killers ('Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters'), Queens of the Stone Age ('Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'), Miley Cyrus ('Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me') and Coldplay ('We All Fall In Love Sometimes') among others.

In a statement, Elton John said, "It's always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it. As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp and Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process." Read more here.



Liam Gallagher Cancels Show After Cutting Lollapalooza Set Short(hennemusic)

A chest infection that forced Liam Gallagher to cut his March 18 set at Lollapalooza Chile short has led to the cancellation of a March 21 show at Club Audio in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The singer struggled with the issue through three songs at Lollapalooza before walking off stage during the fourth tune, "Wall of Glass", the lead single from his debut solo album, "As You Were."

"My voice is absolutely smashed," Gallagher told the crowd at Santiago's Parque O'Higgins. "I'm not just going to stand here all night screaming out for everybody sounding f**king horrific. "I'm very sorry I can't sing the tunes."

Following the appearance, the former Oasis frontman updated fans on his status, saying he "was diagnosed with a sinus, ear and nose infection after a European show a few weeks ago which has led to a chest infection. He has been continuing to perform and trying to push through it but unfortunately today he was finding it hard breathing on stage and wasn't able to continue the set.

"Liam is severely disappointed and upset that he couldn't finish the show and wants to apologise to everyone who came out to see him tonight. He promises to reschedule a gig in Santiago as soon as possible."

The three-day Lollapalooza Chile featured headline sets by Pearl Jam, The Killers and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A day later, Gallagher announced the cancellation of his next scheduled show, telling fans that he "has been diagnosed with an ongoing respiratory infection and a fever. The doctor has advised that he needs a minimum of 48 hours rest.

"Unfortunately, he will have to cancel his show at Club Audio on Wed March 21, however tickets will be valid for the next day at Autodromo de Interlagos, or alternatively, a refund can be arranged." Read more and watch video of his ending of the festival performance here.




Sammy Hagar Previews Rock & Roll Road Trip Guest Lineup(hennemusic)

Sammy Hagar is sharing a video preview of the guest lineup for the third season of the AXS TV series "Rock & Roll Road Trip." The show - which sees Hagar traveling the country to interview and often perform with some of the most popular and influential musicians in rock - will premiere on Sunday, April 8 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. with footage from the Fillmore in San Francisco from his fourth annual Acoustic-4-A-Cure benefit concert while featuring performances and conversations with Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, Mick Fleetwood, Bob Weir, and guitarists Steve Vai and Vic Johnson.
Along the way, Hagar will be joined by a 2018 lineup that includes The Who's Roger Daltrey; Canadian rockers Nickelback; Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones; Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford; Kings Of Chaos featuring Matt Sorum, Billy Duffy and Steve Stevens; Sarah McLachlan; Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; Bad Company, Todd Rundgren and Blue Oyster Cult on the Rock Legends Cruise VI; a Mardi Gras special with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and New Orleans Jazz Fest legend Trombone Shorty; and Hagar supergroup The Circle.

"It's been a cool surprise how much we're all enjoying the interview part of this show because, as artists, what happens on stage or in the music studio is the easy/fun stuff and the interviews often feel like the work," says Hagar. "It's like when the camera lights go on and the questions start, that typical wall or guard is down because it's me on the other end and not a seasoned journalist asking the questions.

"So the flow is organic and its easy - to the point where we're both surprised how deep and real the conversations get - we're definitely forgetting the camera is even there and I think that's really connecting with the viewers, too." Watch the video here.




Chester Bennington's Widow Promotes Five Signs For Singer's Birthday(Radio.com)


Tuesday (March 20) was late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington's birthday, and it was celebrated to help promote mental health awareness. Bennington's widow, Talinda Bennington, spearheaded an online campaign for fans to spread around the world.
"On Chester's birthday, I ask that you post a picture of yourself holding up your hand, which symbolizes you know the Five Signs," she said in a press statement, referring to the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering & the Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-being. The five healthy habits are: Take Care, Check In, Engage, Relax and Know. The five sings of suffering are: Personality Change, Agitated, Withdrawl, Poor Self-Care and Hopelessness.

"Write 'I AM THE CHANGE" on your hand and please use #320ChangesDirection," Talinda continued. "Because we are the change in our mental health culture. Every one of us is changing it by sharing your thoughts, offering support, and by simply being aware that we have our mental health to care for. It's up to us to change the way we think of mental health, to acknowledge that everyone has their own mental health to care for, and to end stigma and shame when we need to seek help for it." Read more here.



Unearth Recruit Killswitch Engage Star For New Album

Unearth announced last week that they have recruited Killswitch Engage's Adam D. to record the drum tracks on their forthcoming follow up album to their 2014 effort "Watchers of Rule".
The band will be entering Graphic Nature Studios with Will Putney (Every Time I Die, Body Count, Gojira, Thy Art Is Murder, Silent Planet) to record the new album which they hope to release in late summer or early fall under their brand new deal with Century Media Records.

The group had this to say about their new deal, "For three decades Century Media have been a highly trusted and leading force in Heavy music and we are proud to further our partnership with them to a Worldwide level." Read more here.



Frank Turner Looks Back On Early Marcus Mumford Memories(Gibson)

It's hard to imagine that Frank Turner, British troubadour, with six folk albums to his name and more than 2000 shows behind him, was once the lead singer in a post-hardcore band called Million Dead. Still, as a new interview with Music Radar illustrates, it's all part of the journey that's shaped him as an artist.
In the interview, Turner mentions the influential London venue Nambucca on Holloway Road, where he'd perform, along with other upcoming names on the British folk scene, like Marcus Mumford, Laura Marling and Justin Hayward-Young (The Vaccines).

He even mentions a line in one of his songs "which was specifically a rip on Marcus because he used to play banjo at the open mic night and we thought he was an idiot... then he sold a million records!" here.



Singled Out: Brother Hawk's Quittin Time

Brother Hawk guitarist and vocalist JB Brisendine tells us the story behind their single "Quittin Time", which comes from their latest album "The Clear Lake". Here is the story:
The main riff in the verse for Quittin Time was written while I was attempting to play a guitar other than a Les Paul for the first time since I was 18. I bought this Strat and every time I picked it up I gravitated towards working on that riff, it just came out of that guitar somehow. I ended kind of hating the guitar and only played one show with it before I went back to the Les Paul (what was I thinking), but I'm glad i tried because I love that riff and that song and I don't think I'd have them without that guitar. I actually sold it to Clay from The Artisanals (they rule, go listen to them). The lyrics to the chorus, "half past the crack of the crystal and fifteen minutes til the whistle", is something my grandpa would say whenever anyone asked him what time it was - without fail. Obnoxious, yet charming. I have no clue what that means but it always sounded like someone was about to get off work to me, so it seemed like the perfect break up metaphor when i was writing this song. ?

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!

Tim Abrigg Jr.'s Rock and Roll News Of The Day!: Today's Day In Rock News!: Today's Day in Rock Stories Tool's Maynard James Keenan Updates Fans On New Album Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan took to ...

Today's Day In Rock News!

Today's Day in Rock Stories

Tool's Maynard James Keenan Updates Fans On New Album

Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan took to social media to update fans on the progress for the band's long awaited follow-up to their 2006 album "10,000 Days".
The update follows the news that drummer Danny Carey recently shared that he expects the new studio effort to be released sometime this year. Keenan posted the following on Twitter:

"Started getting music files from the boys with the word 'final' in the title a few months ago after 11 years of begging. That in theory means the tracks won't change out from under me while I'm trying to write stories and melodies to them. In theory.

"Still waiting for the final on one... but way ahead. Words and melodies [are] 100% done on all but one. Someday we'll track them. Long way from the finish line, but at least we're closer."



Marilyn Manson Has Bizarre Onstage Meltdown(Radio.com)

Marilyn Manson stumbled through an abbreviated set at The Paramount in New York last Thursday night (Feb. 15), where he rambled through songs, trashed the stage and begged the crowd to say they loved him (via Brooklyn Vegan).
"Marilyn Manson put on the WORST show I have ever seen," groused one fan in attendance on Twitter. "Played 5 songs, bitched about people not saying 'I Love You' and walked off."

"Marilyn Manson ended the show by dropping the mic mid-song, pushing over a speaker, and falling off stage," shared another fan on Twitter. "There's no more to it. I had the meet and greet. He was wasted. He was worse on stage. Rambled on and on about us loving him," another explained on Reddit. adding that Manson and the band struggled through ragged versions of "The Reflecting/Deep Six," "Disposable Teens," " Saturnalia," "Lunchbox" and "God's Gonna Cut You Down" before the show was abruptly ended.

Watch a fan video of Manson' bizarre onstage behavior in New York here.



Metallica Release Birthday Tribute To Cliff Burton(hennemusic)

Metallica are streaming a February 10 performance of the "Master Of Puppets" instrumental, "Orion", at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy as a tribute to their late bassist Cliff Burton on what would have been his 56th birthday.
"Turin! Thank you so much for helping us celebrate #CliffBurtonDay," says the band. "Also, a huge thank you to the fans around the world who continue to honor him in their own special ways."

The late rocker was honored by his California hometown with "Cliff Burton Day" on February 10 after fans started a Changeorg petition to recognize the Metallica legend, who died at the age of 24 in a tragic tour bus accident in Sweden during the group's 1986 tour in support of "Master Of Puppets."

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist James Hetfield, the pair pursued Burton after seeing him in performance with his band Trauma at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in late 1982; they famously relocated Metallica's home base to the San Francisco Bay Area the following year on Burton's request as a condition of him joining the lineup. Read more here.



Muse To Stream Special 'By Request' Show Live(Radio.com)

Muse is back with a provocative new single titled "Thought Contagion" and a new album is on the way. As they return to the spotlight, the band announced a one-off live show at La Cigale in Paris.
The concert will be structured as a "by-request" engagement and tickets are exclusively available to Muse digital community members. The February 24 concert will be livestreamed on the band's social channels for fans around the world to enjoy

The "by request" format allows attendees to select their five favorite Muse songs, which will then be tabulated to produce the set list. Viewers at home can't cast votes but they can watch the show on YouTube, Periscope and Facebook. Read more here.



Paramore's Hayley Williams Explains Postponed Tour Dates(Radio.com)

Paramore are currently on tour promoting their album After Laughter, but unfortunately for fans in Jakarta and Manila, the band had to nix some of the scheduled shows. Vocalist Hayley Williams shared that she's battling a throat and upper respiratory infection and her voice is gone.
After two days of treatment, Williams and company pulled the plug. "Unfortunately, my throat hasn't loosened up and the rest of my symptoms have only gotten worse," she posted. Williams said the "dry, recycled air" on planes has taken a toll on her voice and that she's currently taking antibiotics to beat the germs.

She ended her message to fans on a funny note. "Last thing, to lighten the mood, if that's at all possible: google 'The Cryptkeeper – Crypt Jam'… a frightening resemblance to what I sound (and look) like right about now." Read more here.





Singled Out: Jay Katana's When She Dies

Jay Katana (Pool Of Thorns and Bleeding Boyfriend)
recently released his debut solo album "Brighter Than Your Future" and to celebrate we asked him to tell us about the song "When She Dies". Here is the story:
It's a dark acoustic track where the name directly represents the events that inspired me to write it. After you break up with a person who was close to you at some point - you both may live different lives away from each other.

You may never see each other in many ears. And while you know that that person is still alive somewhere - there's still a chance that you'll meet at some point and, who knows, you may be together again, no matter what happened before. But when one of you dies - it's an official ending - a real point of no-return for what you once had.

It was a girl from my past that I haven't seen or spoken to in 15 years. And now that she's gone - I'll never have a chance to tell her anything. Maybe something I wanted to say, or something she deserved to hear…

My feelings were not necessarily - grief or pain. It's just a pure sadness. Something you may feel only when it happens, not when you think that it may happen, or when somebody tells you - "appreciate the ones you loved, while they're still alive"….

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!



Smashing Pumpkins' D'arcy Wretzky Calls Out Billy Corgan(Radio.com)

Original bassist D'arcy Wretzky is not involved in the Smashing Pumpkins reunion, but the details why are still murky and the accusations being flung by both sides are getting ugly.
On February 12, Smashing Pumpkins released a statement, insisting that they wanted Wretzky to be involved in the reunion and that she turned them down. "Ms. Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred."

The next day (Feb. 13), Wretzky responded by sharing text messages between her and Corgan, which indicated that she wanted to be involved in a reunion tour and that Corgan was interested in having her along. Then, the frontman seemed to back off, stating that she could be involved in a limited capacity, taking the stage for some songs, but not performing as the band's main bassist.

On Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), an in-depth interview with Wretzky (the first in 20 years) has been published by Alternative Nation, and she pulls no punches, attacking Corgan for being "incredibly abusive" in the past and adding that he "loved to humiliate people and shame people in front of other people."

Throughout the interview, Wretzky was fired up and, at times, indirect. She started by addressing her 18-year absence from the band: "[Billy] has been telling people, 'Well [The Smashing Pumpkins] haven't played with [D'arcy] at all in 18 years." "Right dumba–, because then it wouldn't be a reunion! He says that he's invited me to come out and play for all of these things, which is a complete lie. He's never invited me to anything."

"In fact, my feelings were a little bit hurt because he did the solo album tour, and he didn't tell me when it started," she added. "I was texting him saying, 'Where the f— are you dumba–?' He's like, 'Oh, I'm in New York. The tour started. Then I'm like, 'Where are you?' [He'd reply,] 'Oh, the tour ended, you missed it.' He thinks it's a privilege for anyone to be in his presence, so therefore he shouldn't have to tell me, and I shouldn't have to be invited." Read more here.



Steve Miller Band Announce Special 50th Anniversary Box Set(hennemusic)

The Steve Miller Band are marking their 50th anniversary with the May 18 release of a vinyl box set entitled "Complete Albums Volume 1 (1968-1976)."
The set presents remastered editions of the group's first nine studio records - from 1968's "Children Of The Future" to 1976's "Fly Like An Eagle" - on 180-gram vinyl; they'll also be available individually on the same day of the project's spring release.
The albums have also been newly-remastered for HD digital audio (96kHz/24-bit and, starting February 16, will be released weekly in chronological order ahead of the box set's arrival.

The Steve Miller Band will begin a 50th Anniversary summer US tour with guest Peter Frampton in Evansville, IN on June 12. The three-month run of mostly amphitheaters - similar to the pair's 2017 trek - will see both acts perform sets, with Frampton to join Miller onstage for some mid-set jamming along the trek.

"Music is ethereal - it moves back and forth between the past and the future," says Miller. "I'm very excited to announce that 2018 is our 50th anniversary of recording and touring together as the Steve Miller Band, and we plan to travel between the psychedelic sixties through the future with a vengeance!" Read more here.



The Doors Release Live 'Light My Fire' Video(hennemusic)

The Doors are streaming a performance of their 1967 classic, "Light My Fire", as the latest preview to the February 23 release of "Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970."
The second single from the band's self-titled debut delivered the group their first US No. 1 hit while the project reached No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 on its way to worldwide sales of more than 20 million copies.

The festival set by The Doors, which landed in the middle of frontman Jim Morrison's trial for indecent exposure and obscenity during a 1969 concert in Miami, captures a unique moment in the band's performance history.

"It was a nervous time for us," guitarist Robby Krieger tells Billboard, "and it was pretty different than any of our other shows. Jim was in the midst of the Miami thing, so he wasn't in the best of moods, and we were into the part of his career where he was way overweight and had the beard.

"He didn't really do a great show; He sang well, but he didn't move an inch, and usually he was real animated and all over the place, depending on how much drugs he had in him. And he insisted on green light only. He wanted it as dark as possible on stage, so they're lucky they got anything, really. But other than that, it was pretty fun."

"Light My Fire" follows "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" as the second song previewed from the forthcoming live package, which captures the historic last concert ever filmed of The Doors. Watch the video and read more here.



Liam Gallagher Unplugs For Oasis Classic and Solo Song(hennemusic)

Liam Gallagher performed a mix of Oasis classics and material from his solo debut, "As You Were", during an intimate rooftop set for Radio X in London's Leicester Square on February 12, and video from the event is streaming online.
The stripped-down, acoustic-based appearance included the 1995 Oasis hit, "Some Might Say", and the 2017 solo track, "Paper Crown." "Thank you to all at Radio X, well not all," posted Gallagher on social media, "Good little gig that."

Produced by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Beck) and Dan Grech-Marguerat (Radiohead, Mumford And Sons), "As You Were" recently topped the UK album charts and hit No. 30 on the US Billboard 200. Watch the videos here.



Myles Kennedy Releases 'Devil On The Wall' Video(hennemusic)

Alter Bridge and Slash singer Myles Kennedy is streaming a lyric video for the track "Devil On The Wall", from his forthcoming debut solo album "Year Of The Tiger."
The tune follows the title track and "Haunted By Design" as the third song previewed ahead of the project's release on March 9. Working with longtime Alter Bridge producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, Kennedy's solo debut sees the rocker embracing musical elements and influences he hasn't explored until this point in his career. The singer plays banjo, lap steel, bass, and mandolin in addition to guitar throughout the album, whose theme is inspired by the loss of his father when he was a child.

Kennedy will launch "Year Of The Tiger" with a pair of dates in South Africa early next month alongside a European tour that includes a 7-show UK trek and then a spring US run in May. Watch the video here.




The Cars Stream Demo Version of 1984 Classic 'Drive'(hennemusic)


The Cars are streaming a demo of their 1984 classic, "Drive", as a preview to their forthcoming March 30th release of an expanded edition of "Heartbeat City."
The third single from the band's fifth album was their highest-charting US hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 alongside three other Top 20 tracks from the project - "You Might Think", "Magic" and "Hello Again."

Produced by Mutt Lange, "Heartbeat City" peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 while selling more than 4 million copies.

The demo of "Drive" is one of seven unreleased versions of songs featured on the 2018 reissue, which will arrive in sync with an expanded edition of 1981's "Shake It Up."

Available on CD, 2LP and digital formats, both projects will be issued two weeks ahead of The Cars' induction into the 2018 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during an April 14 event at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, OH. Read more and stream the song here.



The Neighbourhood Release New Song and Announce Album, Tour Dates(Radio.com)


The Neighbourhood are coming back, and they're coming back strong. Jesse Rutherford and company have announced a new self-titled album, scheduled for release on March 9th.
The album news was accompanied by the new song, "Void," which will be included in the release. The moody and atmospheric new wave ballad is a throwback to '80s synth-pop love songs, with an extra existential kick, courtesy of Rutherford.

The Neighbourhood will support the new record with a 15-date North American tour, which kicks off April 6 in Denver. See the tour itinerary below.

They're also set to hit the late-night circuit, with a performance of "Scary Love" scheduled for The Late Late Show with James Corden on Feb. 20. Listen to "Void" and see the tour dates here.




Joseph Arthur And R.E.M. Star Form Spontaneous New Band(Gibson)


With R.E.M deciding to call time while still at the top of their game, it's always good to hear of new music from the band's members. Guitarist Peter Buck's latest creative outing is unplanned and spontaneous, but still very welcome.
It turns out that Buck bumped into Joseph Arthur - a prolific singer-songwriter who'd opened for R.E.M in the past - in the small Mexican town of Todos Santos. (In addition to releasing a constant stream of solo albums and EPs, Arthur has also been part of the the bands Fistful of Mercy - with Dhani Harrison and Ben Harper - and RNDM - with Richard Stuverud and Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament.)

Buck and Arthur got jamming and according to Rolling Stone, came up with eight songs in eight hours. A few days later they demo-ed the tunes live for a local audience and now they've got record label attention. In fact, the new band - they're calling themselves Arthur Buck - will release a new album and tour North America and Europe this year.

Both Buck and Arthur's most recent material had been more intense before this, so both musicians were surprised with the upbeat optimism of the songs they'd written together. According to Arthur, "All of a sudden it was like I had this musical partner and friend, and that relieved the music of the burden of the self, if that makes sense," while Buck says the new album is, "a very forward-looking record, lyrically. The music has a questing kind of feel. We were making it up as we went along." Read more here.



Sufjan Stevens And Jonny Greenwood Will Attend Oscars(Gibson)

Unlike most of us unknowns, who'd drop everything for a chance to rub shoulders with the superstar contingent at the Academy Awards, artistes like Sufjan Stevens and Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood can pause to think about whether they really want to be there.
Both musicians had previously indicated that attending the Oscars wasn't exactly unmissable for them and that they'd have to think about it. In fact, Stevens even stated that he'd have to get into a tuxedo for the first time in his life, if he did attend. This year, Stevens is nominated in the Best Original Song category for 'Mystery Of Love' from the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack, while Greenwood is up for Best Original Score for his work on Phantom Thread.

We now know, thanks to an article in The New York Times, that Steven will, indeed, be attending and that he's sorted out his tuxedo as well. Greenwood's attendance was confirmed by Phantom Thread director Paul Thomas Anderson, who emailed Associated Press to say, "He's coming!" Read more here.




Metallica Release Live 'Creeping Death' Video(hennemusic)


Metallica performed their 1984 classic, "Creeping Death", at the WiZink Center in Madrid, Spain on February 5, and the band are streaming professional footage from the show.
The clip from the second of two concerts in the Spanish capital follows footage of the group's 1983 classic, "Seek & Destroy", from a February 3 date at the same venue, one of the early stops on the latest leg of Metallica's WorldWired tour in support of "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct."

Metallica's tenth release recently landed at No. 3 on the Top Rock Albums of 2017 in a year-end review by Nielsen Music, behind projects by Imagine Dragons ("Evolve") and Twenty One Pilots ("Blurryface").

The global measurement and data analytics company named Metallica as the No. 1 Rock Artist of 2017, ahead of Imagine Dragons, The Beatles, Linkin Park and Twenty One Pilots after delivering a combined total of 1,836,000 album sales, TEA (track-equivalent albums, a unit of measurement where 10 paid downloads equal one album) and SEA (on-demand audio streaming-equivalent albums, another unit of measurement where 1,500 streams equal one album). Watch the video and read more here.