OZZY OSBOURNE - Blizzard Of Ozz, Diary Of A Madman Definitive Edition Details Revealed

Rarities

Posted on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:46:27 EST

On May 31st, music fans will have their first taste of re-issues from rock icon OZZY OSBOURNE’s catalog of work, with the releases of two albums which form the cornerstone of Ozzy Osbourne's career as a solo artist: Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman (Epic Records/Legacy Recordings).

Long revered by rock fans around the world, these two albums created a template for hard rock in the 1980's and beyond as they were marked by the ground-breaking and historic union of Ozzy and the late guitar hero Randy Rhoads. These definitive versions of 1980's Blizzard Of Ozz (with previously unreleased bonus tracks) and 1981's Diary Of A Madman are available individually on vinyl or CD, or together in a deluxe collector's box. All versions were restored and remastered from the original analog sources by George Marino.



The 30th Anniversary Edition of Blizzard Of Ozz CD includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered for this edition, with bonus tracks, while the new Legacy Edition of Diary Of A Madman includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered for this edition, with a bonus second CD of previously unreleased live performances featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads with rhythm section Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums). A single disc version of the remastered Diary Of A Madman will also be available.

For serious fans and collectors, the limited edition 30th Anniversary deluxe boxed set houses the restored and remastered vinyl and CD editions of Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman, the Ozzy Live compact disc. Beyond the music, the box set is highlighted by a variety of exclusives including an expansive 100-page coffee table book, a two-sided wall-size poster, a precise and detailed full-size replica of Ozzy's iconic gold cross that he has worn for 30 years, and Thirty Years After The Blizzard DVD.

This new Thirty Years After The Blizzard DVD chronicles Ozzy's years with Randy Rhoads features previously unseen footage of Ozzy and Randy filmed in 1981 & 1982; it incorporates rare archival photos and films; along with new and revelatory interviews with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD), STEVE VAI, NIKKI SIXX, ROB HALFORD, ZAKK WYLDE, BLACK SABBATH's Bill Ward and more. The DVD also contains over 70 minutes of additional rare live performances and interviews; included is the premiere of more than 30 minutes of newly-discovered never-bootlegged footage of Ozzy and Randy from the Blizzard Of Ozz tour shot from the front of the stage at New York's fabled Palladium on May 2nd, 1981. This new feature is a must-see for aficionados of Ozzy's epic release, Blizzard of Ozz and its pivotal effect on rock & roll history.

Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman are landmark albums that took metal in a new direction in the early 1980's, inspiring whole new generations of rock bands and fans. 'Crazy Train', the first single from Blizzard Of Ozz, has become one of Ozzy's musical signatures, a perennial on the rock playlists and as part of Ozzy’s live performances.



Blizzard Of Ozz (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition) tracklisting:
'I Don’t Know'
'Crazy Train'
'Goodbye To Romance'
'Dee'
'Suicide Solution'
'Mr. Crowley'
'No Bone Movies'
'Revelation (Mother Earth)'
'Steal Away (The Night)'

Bonus Tracks:
'You Looking At Me, Looking At You' (Non-LP B-Side, Previously Unreleased in the U.S.)
'Goodbye To Romance' (2010 Guitar & Vocal Mix, Previously Unreleased)
'RR' (Previously Unreleased – Randy Rhoads guitar solo)



Diary Of A Madman (Legacy Edition) tracklisting:
Disc 1:
'Over The Mountain'
'Flying High Again'
'You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll'
'Believer'
'Little Dolls'
'Tonight'
'S.A.T.O.'
'Diary Of A Madman'

Disc 2:
Ozzy Live (recorded on the Blizzard Of Ozz tour)
'I Don’t Know'
'Crazy Train'
'Believer'
'Mr. Crowley'
'Flying High Again'
'Revelation (Mother Earth)'
'Steal Away (The Night)'
'Suicide Solution'
'Iron Man'
'Children Of The Grave'
'Paranoid'

Diary of a Madman/Blizzard of Ozz 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set:
Box Set Includes:
Blizzard Of Ozz (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition)
Diary Of A Madman (Legacy Edition)
Blizzard Of Ozz (180-gram LP – original album only)
Diary Of A Madman (180-gram LP – original album only)
DVD contains Thirty Years After The Blizzard documentary - and additional rare and unreleased performances and interviews.

With combined worldwide sales of more than 10 million copies, Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman have been awarded gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications in a variety of countries including Canada, Korea, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States, where Blizzard of Ozz has been certified RIAA 4x platinum and Diary of a Madman is RIAA triple platinum.

One of the most iconic figures in pop culture, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winner Ozzy Osbourne has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, approximately 50 million with his seminal metal band Black Sabbath and the rest as a solo artist.

POISON's Bret Michaels On Double Dose Collection/Tour - "This Is Going To Be Really Special For All Of The Fans"

Rock Hard

Posted on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:11:56 EST

To celebrate POISON's 25th Anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites have been gathered for Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits, a new career-spanning 2CD and digital collection to be released May 3rd by Capitol/EMI. This summer, Poison will hit the road with MÖTLEY CRÜE and the NEW YORK DOLLS for an extensive North American tour.

Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits features all of the band's charting singles, including the #1 smash ballad 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn', Top 10 hits 'Nothin' But A Good Time', 'Unskinny Bop', and 'Something To Believe In', and other big hits and fan favorites, including 'Talk Dirty To Me', 'I Want Action', 'Your Mama Don't Dance', 'Fallen Angel', 'Ride The Wind', and many more, including standouts from the band's most recent album, 2007's Poison'd!.



"Between Double Dose Of Poison and the 25th Anniversary Tour, I honestly can't think of a better way to mark this major milestone," says Poison's singer Bret Michaels. "I'm so excited to get back out on the road with the band again to celebrate — and Double Dose is going to be such a must-have collection: All the hits in one place. This is going to be really special for all of the fans - and especially for all of those who have been with us since Day One."

Poison's highly-anticipated tour with Mötley Crüe and the New York Dolls kicks off June 7th at Dallas' Gexa Energy Pavilion, before continuing on to more than 30 other cities and major venues across North America, including Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl on June 14th, Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre on June 28th, Detroit's DTE Energy Music Center on June 29th, and Chicago's FMB Amphitheatre on July 1st.

Bret Michaels has partnered with Dean Guitars to represent a line of guitars, and he will soon release a new vocal warm-up CD. This fall, he'll hit the high seas aboard the Bret Michaels Super Cruise.

Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits tracklisting:

Disc 1

'Talk Dirty To Me'
'I Want Action'
'I Won't Forget You'
'Cry Tough'
'Look What The Cat Dragged In'
'Nothin' But A Good Time'
'Fallen Angel'
'Every Rose Has Its Thorn'
'Your Mama Don't Dance'
'Unskinny Bop'
'Rock And Roll All Nite'
'Ride The Wind'
'Something To Believe In'
'Life Goes On'
'Stand'
'The Last Song'
'Shooting Star'

Disc 2

'We're An American Band'
'So Tell Me Why'
'No More Lookin' Back [live]'
'Can't You See'
'Little Willy'
'Suffragette City'
'Look But You Can't Touch'
'Until You Suffer Some (Fire And Ice)'
'Bastard Son Of A Thousand Blues'
'Lay Your Body Down'
'Sexual Thing'
'(Flesh & Blood) Sacrifice'
'What I Like About You'
'Love On The Rocks'
'Face The Hangman'
'Livin' For The Minute'
'Cover Of The Rolling Stone'
'Poor Boy Blues'



Poison, Mötley Crüe, New York Dolls dates are as follows:

June
7 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
9 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
10 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
12 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Pavilion
14 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
15 - San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
17 - Phoenix, AZ - Desert Sky Pavilion
18 - Las Vegas, NV - Venue TBD
19 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
21 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
22 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
24 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
25 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center
26 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
28 - Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
29 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

July
1 - Tinley Park, IL - FMB Amphitheatre
2 - Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
3 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
5 - Hollywood, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena
6 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
8 - Biloxi, MS - Mississippi Coast Coliseum
10 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
12 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
13 - Hershey, PA - Star Pavilion at Hersheypark
15 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
16 - Camden, NJ - Susquehannna Bank Center
19 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center
20 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
22 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
23 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
29 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Centre
30 - Frederick, MD - Outlaw Jam 2011
31 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain

August
5 - Tomah, WI - Fort McCoy

Tyler & Perry back at odds

The Aerosmith boys are at it again as Tyler forgets to mention a guest appearance from Aerosmith on Idol and Perry sulks

Reported by Cameron Pirie

Published: March 17, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Tyler & Perry: Joe, I'm sure I told you......

And the saga continues…….
It would appear Steven Tyler has just unwittingly destroyed the on-going peace negotiations around the Aerosmith camp.
Some time ago, RockAAA reported that Tyler and band mate Joe Perry had kissed and made up after stresses surrounding Tyler’s American Idol work. Then normally placid Tom Hamilton re-ignited things, followed by claims that Aerosmith would actually APPEAR on the show.
Apparently this is news to Idol-hating Perry when he told the Boston Herald:
“I don’t know anything about it. No one’s said a word to me.
“All I know is that we’re working on an AEROSMITH record this summer, and we’ve got tours scheduled in South America and Japan in the fall, but Japan could be up in the air because of all that’s happened there.”
Absent minded Tyler then admitted that it may have slipped his mind to mention it when he attended a red carpet event in Hollywood the other night. When questioned about it he sheepishly replied:
“I want to be honest about this and I don’t want to get myself in trouble because I haven’t asked the guys yet, (but) I’m sure they will.”
Tyler also promised Idol contestant James Durbin that he would duet an Aerosmith song with him if he made the final…..maybe Joe will make a guest appearance on guitar?

Mark Wahlberg Has High Hopes For 'Fighter 2'

(RTTNews) - Mark Wahlberg has revealed that he believes the sequel to "The Fighter," will be filmed.

Wahlberg, who starred in the film alongside Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, said he has been in talks with the studios regarding the sequel. In an interview with EW, he noted: "Everybody had such an amazing experience making the movie that I can't imagine they wouldn't want to go back," he tells EW. "But it's still kind [of] in the early stages."
Wahlberg also explained: "I got bit by the bug, and now I'm trying to plant the idea in everyone's head that we should do - not five or six Fighters like Rocky - but one more because the big thing that Mickey Ward was famous for was his three epic battles with Arturo Gatti. So we're talking about possibly taking one more run at it."
"The Fighter" (which was released on DVD on Tuesday) received seven Academy Award nominations, with Melissa Leo winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The film earned $93 million at the domestic box office.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

SLASH Says Classic GUNS N' ROSES Lineup Isn't Together Anymore Because Of AXL ROSE

SLASH Says Classic GUNS N' ROSES Lineup Isn't Together Anymore Because Of AXL ROSE - Mar. 16, 2011

Bangkok Post recently conducted an interview with legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES). A few excerpts from the chat follow below. On his famous top hat: Slash: "It just became a thing. I just got it from a store one day. A five-finger discount. Are you familiar with that? I've always liked hats, and I saw this one hat. I thought it was cool, and it just became something I started wearing all the time. I didn't plan on it being stable part of my image. I just felt comfortable with it. I was 19 or 20." On GUNS N' ROSES' song "Sweet Child O' Mine", the band's first No. 1 hit: Slash: "Obviously, [with] 'Sweet Child O' Mine', I didn't it was a big deal at the time. I just thought it was an interesting riff. I had no idea it was gonna be as iconic as it became. So you just have these riffs, and you just think 'oh, that sounds cool.'" On a possible reunion of GUNS N' ROSES' classic lineup: Slash: "Do you feel like you're the only person in this whole room who's thinking about that question on this planet? No. "It's been, what, 15, 16 years. No one in the original GUNS N' ROSES ever said, 'Let's try to put the band back together.' Also, it's all about [GN'R singer] Axl [Rose]. The reason that everybody left was because in the back of his mind I think that's the way he wanted it. So the reason why there's no GUNS N' ROSES was because of him. I've got nothing to do with it. I quit for the same reason that everybody did. So it's really his problem." On whether he felt any pressure making his first real solo album after many years on the pedestal: Slash: "I don't really think about it like that. I just try to put together decent music. I don't feel a pressure as a guitar player. I'm not as good in studio as I am live, so in the studio I try to loosen up and feel comfortable. That's the biggest challenge for me. But I don't think about my status as a guitar player. I just think about what is it that I want to be able to accomplish." On his solo tour: Slash: "Myles [Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE] sings everything. It has to be a blessing. When I did the record, there were so many singers. So when I [first] had to go on tours, it was impossible [for anyone] to do all the songs from the solo record, let alone GUNS N' ROSES songs. I had Myles coming to sing on a record for the very last minute, and I'm just blown away by his versatility and capability. So I asked him to come on the tour. He's just miraculous." On Time magazine in 2009 putting him at number two on the list of the "best electric guitar players of all time": Slash: "All things considered, it's very flattering. But I was thinking today that there're so many fantastic guitar players and I sort of feel humbled by them. When people put me on top of the list, I think it's really nice, but I don't like to talk about it because I know that there are so many guitarists who are better than me and I'm working really hard to be as good as [they are]. "I'm not a technique guitarist. I admire technique guitar players because they know a lot of stuff that I don't. But the thing that affects me most, that I strive for is emotional content and melodic content. I feel it when I'm playing, and you feel it as a listener. That's what I strive for." On the more current crop of guitar players: Slash: "There are not a lot of guitar players that I listen to right now. But you know, the generation after mine, you got people like Jerry Cantrell, Tom Morello, Kim Thayil and more. Those guys are great guitar players. Now guitarists are kinda hazy. There are a lot of shredders in a lot of different bands, but I can't really tell them apart. In this new technological age that we're in, on one hand it's amazing how convenient everything is, and how fast you can do it. So many different things you can do with a touch of a button. But I have to say that from an audio point of view, the sounds start to suffer as a result." Read the entire interview from Bangkok Post

Jon Bon Jovi Versus Steve Jobs Part 2

JBJ vs STEVE JOBS PART 2:
 
Industry commentator Moses Avalon has weighed in on the Jon Bon Jovi vs Steve Jobs debate. His view is somewhat different to that most others seem to have taken. So from his newsletter and website comes this:

"Jon Bon Jovi has learned a lesson of the Internet age the hard way. The lesson he learned is that the techies, who wave the freedom-of-speech flag when it comes to music being free and net neutrality, are not so cool about free-speech when it criticizes one of their gods, like Steve Jobs. Indeed they respond rather childishly to just about anyone, no mater how famous, if even the slightest opinion about internet-related services is anything less than 10000000% positive. (Read what Bon Jovi said here.)
Now, in the before-time no one cared what geeks thought. They were in the back room. But blogs have given them the big stick in the public debate. And they want respect. They are getting it and proving the old adage that power corrupts; using their new tools to silence and intimidate those that are a threat. If they agree with you, you are launched to the top of a mountain, if you disagree with their position, they can out SEO you, out blog you and make you look ridiculous in a mater of seconds across the entire globe.
Now, most politicians and other public-people have learned this lesson years ago. Even I got a taste recently of how infantile some of these cats can get if you throw the slightest criticism at them. (I noticed an error in a Techdirt blog wherein they called IPS licensing fees, a “tax” for music. The guy freaked out on me and called me a “liar” all over Twitter.)
These techies can not take it when you disagree with them. It shatters their entire foundation and they get nasty. But poor Jon Bon Jovi, must have missed this memo. He committed the most heinous crime that a person can commit in today's blog/news world; he committed the offense of being obvious; of saying what everyone in the know, knows but is afraid to say:

iTunes is bad for music in the long run. Why, be afraid to say it? Well, you've no doubt seen the posts; because legions of keyboard jockeys will come after you in their blogs and virally disseminate a twisted version just to increase their Google rankings. They'll even Skype to each other while doing it and have a virtual party, with virtual booze and virtual girls.
Now, what did Bon Jovi say that was so terrible? Well, he spoke the truth for one thing. iTunes has helped devalue the business model that made music an industry. It may not have started the fire, but it poured gasoline on it in gallons.

Let's look at some iFacts:
1) iTunes has not, as some have suggested “saved the record business.” iTunes has made up less than 10% of sales over the years since launch.
2) Nor did Steve Jobs “invent” a way for artists to get paid from the internet, (I think Al Gore did that.)
3) Finally, I believe it was Lawrence Lessig or some fool like him who promised—“If you give people a legal way to buy music they won't steel it.” Remember that one? Not true: P2P file sharing did not decrease since iTunes went on-line — it actually increased.
What iTunes did that sucks most for music is it destabilized the “album model.” Yeah, yeah, I know, many of you think that that is good for the consumer, but it's really not in the long run. Not if you're a true music fan. Why?

Point 1) Economics: It costs more to make less, which means less risks will be taken on new acts.
If you remove the 80 cents or so that songwriters used to receive for each album sale and replace is with the 9 cents they get for a single, you don't have to be a math genius to see that you need to sell about seven times more units to break even on a promotion that costs $1,000,000 whether you release an album or a single; or, a production costing about $10,000/song to produce if you do an album, but $25,000/song is you go single-for-single.
Yes, it costs majors the same money to promote a single as it does to promote an album and three times as much to record the equivalent amount of singles that an album composes.
Add to that, that without the album economics you lose the 1:14 chance of one of the cuts becoming a hit and reduce those odds to 1:1. To duplicate the effect of an “album promotion” with singles, labels would have to spend more than ten times as much to have the same shot-gun effect that an album delivers.

WHO CARES
Why should indie artists care about majors and their costs? Well, now that it costs more to make less, these costs trickle down to everyone in the music food chain.
To sell a single for 99 cents on iTunes the indie artist ends up netting about 64%. With a CD album sold at a local store for $14 the Artist/label took almost $10 home—almost 75%. Sold off the side of the stage for $10, the same indie artist took home almost all of it, save a $1, for manufacturing—90%. Big winner here— Apple.

Point 2: Art. For those interested in music as an art, the devaluation of an album as an art form has neutered the musical experience. Deep cuts are dead for the future. This decreases the value of music as an experience and as a communication method. This disembowels artists from helping do what they are supposed to do— make the world a better place. They have been relieved of that job thanks to iTunes and P2P. Now they are just “content providers” and all we want from them are "hits" that are nice, radio safe singles. Great.
When musicians were in charge of music they helped end wars and elevate social consciousness. Now it's in the hands of the techies. I can only pray they do not abuse this power. So far, I'm not impressed. How can anyone be, with a culture that does not value one of America's greatest cultural contributions-- pop music.
This is what Jon Bon Jovi was really trying to say. What he probably meant with his comments was that the glory days of music are over. They are. It's true. And iTunes did accelerate the legitimacy of that decline more so than any other vehicle. But was it Steve's fault? No. Someone else would have done it eventually anyway.
Jon, I feel ya brotha. I feel your pain. I kid you not when I say some of these guys are so cult-like in their Apple fanaticism that it would not surprise me if I read that an Apple fan threw a rock at your window. Get an extra body guard for a week or two and hire a great defamation lawyer. I have.
~ Mo out."
Full Article & Comments at: www.mosesavalon.com/mosesblog/http:/www.mosesavalon.com/mosesblog/bon-voyage-bon-jovi-rock-star-blames-steve-jobs-for-music-biz-erosion/

Steve Carell's 'Office' Exit Set For April 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NBC has confirmed that Steve Carell's final episode on the long-running comedy "The Office" will air on April 28. The show's season finale won't come until May 19 but network execs have said they hope to give viewers a chance to adjust to the show without the lead character. While "Office" fans will lose a beloved character in Carell's Michael, they will briefly pick up some comic relief from Will Ferrell, who is set to appear on the show for a series of episodes in April.

Aerosmith To Perform On American Idol...The End is Near!

Aerosmith To Perform On American Idol

3/15/2011 3:09 PM ET

(RTTNews) - American Idol exec Nigel Lythgoe has said that Aerosmith will perform during the current season of the show. Lythgoe added that the appearance will "probably" come before the season finale.

Frontman Steven Tyler's decision to become an Idol judge has been controversial in the band. Guitarist Joe Perry has publicly criticized his bandmate for joining the show. Recent reports suggest that the tension has lifted somewhat and that the two are ready to work together again.
The band's bassist, Tom Hamilton, told the Boston Herald that Tyler planned on striking a balance between his time with the show and the band.
"Steven's been very emphatic in saying that the way his time is arranged on the show leaves room to work on a record. He's been taking great pains to remind everybody of that, so hopefully that's the way it will come out."
Hamilton also said that he never watched the show and that the group was informed of Tyler's involvement through their management.
by RTT Staff Writer

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony 2011

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony is the only place you'd find Bruce Springsteen as just one member of a 21-piece backup band.


The rock hall's latest class brought together Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love, Dr. John and Leon Russell, and after all the speeches were done the musicians kept playing until the wee hours.
Springsteen brought his guitar to back Love, who created a modern-day "Wall of Sound" and dueted with Bette Midler on "He's a Rebel" after her induction Monday night. Guitarist John Mayer supported Russell in his ballad "A Song for You." Diamond had the crowd in the glittery ballroom of The Waldorf-Astoria hotel dancing to the 1960s era "Cherry Cherry."

IN PICTURES: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony 2011

Diamond had seemed a bit loopy in his acceptance speech, after traveling 25 hours from Australia for the ceremony and looking ahead to another trip Down Under to resume a concert tour. He criticized Paul Simon, who inducted him, for giving Simon's upcoming album a difficult-to-remember title ("So Beautiful or So What"), then tried to recover by saying "I dare anybody in this room to make a better album."
Diamond got a cheer from the New York crowd for recognizing his city roots while performing "I Am I Said."
Simon noted that Diamond, who was born in Brooklyn, had first been eligible for the rock hall in 1991 and wondered, "What took so long?"
His theory: Diamond's duet with Barbra Streisand, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers."
"It's Barbra Streisand," he said. "It's not rock 'n' roll. I don't even think they let that DNA near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
Alice Cooper is the stage name for singer Vincent Furnier and his band, known for 1970s era hard rock songs "Eighteen," ''No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "School's Out." Their concerts were steeped in horror movie theatrics, and Cooper wrapped a snake around his neck during his speech accepting induction. He performed a trio of the band's hits in a shirt spattered with fake blood.
"We've always been a hard-rock band," Cooper said. "We just wanted to decorate it a little differently."
Cooper said he'd like to promise the rock hall that his band wouldn't embarrass it.
"But I can't make that promise," he said. "After all, we are Alice Cooper."
He was inducted by singer Rob Zombie, who recalled how he painted a portrait of Cooper dripping in blood when he was in fourth grade and was asked to make a picture of someone he admired — drawing attention from school authorities.
Songwriter Waits is well-versed in blues, poetry and ballads, with songs rough and romantic. Several of his Hall of Fame predecessors have recorded his work, including Springsteen ("Jersey Girl"), the Ramones ("I Don't Want to Grow Up"), Rod Stewart ("Downtown Train") and Johnny Cash ("Down There By the Train"). Neil Young said Waits is indescribable and "I'm here to describe him." The two later performed together; taped highlights of the rock hall ceremony will be shown on Fuse on March 20.
Waits noted that his rock hall trophy was heavy and wondered if he could have a keychain version "that I can keep with me in case I hear somebody say, 'Pete, take the cuffs off him. He's a Hall of Famer.'"
"They say that I have no hits and that I'm difficult to work with," he said, "and they say that like it's a bad thing."
Russell composed "A Song for You" and "Delta Lady," but he said he was in "a ditch beside the highway of life" when Elton John called a year ago and suggested they record an album together. The result was nominated for a Grammy.
"After that album," John said, "Leon came alive, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life."
Russell, with a shock of long white hair and beard, walked haltingly onstage with the help of a cane and met John for a warm embrace.
Love, whose voice cut through Phil Spector's heavy production, called her induction into the hall her best 70th birthday present. She praised Spector's work but also tweaked him: "Phil Spector said God made two musical geniuses: Beethoven and Phil Spector," she recalled.
Love lent her powerful voice to several of Spector's hits, in acts such as the Crystals and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. Her "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is a holiday standard: She sang on U2's cover and performs it every December on David Letterman's show.
She was inducted with a comic ramble by Midler, who said she was a goner when she first heard Love's voice on a transistor radio.
"Listening to her songs, you had to dance, you had to move, you had to keep looking for that rebel boy," Midler said. "Suddenly nobody wanted the buttoned-down guy who was a good provider."
New Orleans piano maestro Dr. John, born Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack Jr., was inducted by singer John Legend, who recalled meeting him at a benefit for Hurricane Katrina relief. Legend said the new Hall of Fame member has been a leading global ambassador for New Orleans and its special musical gumbo.
"He has never stopped flying the flag of funk," Legend said. "Tonight, he is definitely in the right place at the right time."
That was a reference to one of Dr. John's best-known songs, "Right Place, Wrong Time," with Allen Toussaint and the Meters, which he performed as the ceremony slipped past midnight.
Dr. John wore a bright purple suit for his big night and was asked backstage where he had bought his shoes.
"The pimp store," he replied.
Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman and Specialty Records founder Art Rupe also were inducted, in the non-performer category.
The inductees' work will be celebrated in perpetuity at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.

MATT DAMON’S “THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” IS JUST PLAIN SILLY

MATT DAMON’S “THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” IS JUST PLAIN SILLY 

 

We thought Matt Damon hit rock bottom in the bomb “Hereafter” with its’ phony metaphysical speculation and religious undertones. After the first amazing tsunami scene (thanks to the cinematographer) the movie degenerated into a dull and dreary experience. But Matt has topped that stinker with “The Adjustment Bureau.” This film is based on the unlikely premise that men in black suits and hats control our destiny under the direction of ”the chairman,” who resides somewhere in the sky. The script is absolutely silly and immature and the actors involved must be embarrassed. The plot was loosely based on a short story by sci- fi writer Philip K Dick, who must be spinning in his grave. Some short stories should REMAIN short stories.

Foo Fighters to Release Covers CD

Foo Fighters to Release Covers CD

Foo Fighters are set to release a covers album to celebrate Record Store Day next month.
The album, named 'Medium Rare', will be released on vinyl in stores participating in the scheme on April 16.
Among the covers on the record are versions of Pink Floyd, Prince and Paul McCartney and Wings tracks that the band have played live previously. Also featured is a version of Mose Allison's 'Young Man Blues', which Dave Grohl and co performed at the Shockwaves NME Awards last month with The Who's Roger Daltrey.
The tracklisting of 'Medium Rare' is:
'Band On The Run' (Paul McCartney and Wings)
'I Feel Free' (Cream)
'Life Of Illusion' (Joe Walsh)
'Young Man Blues' (Mose Allison)
'Bad Reputation' (Thin Lizzy)
'Darling Nikki' (Prince)
'Down In The Park' (Gary Numan)
'Baker Street' (Gerry Rafferty)
'Danny Says' (The Ramones)
'Have A Cigar' (Pink Floyd)
'Never Talking To You Again' (Husker Du)
'Gas Chamber' (Angry Samoans)
'This Will Be Our Year' (The Zombies)

BRET MICHAELS SOLO ALBUM FINALLY SET TO ROCK :

BRET MICHAELS SOLO ALBUM FINALLY SET TO ROCK :
 
Just posted to: www.billboard.com/news/bret-michaels / "Just as his myriad health problems didn't stop him from releasing a new album ("Custom Built") and winning "Celebrity Apprentice" last year, Bret Michaels isn't letting heart surgery slow him down this year, either. The veteran rocker will be on the road this year, including a summer jaunt with Mötley Crüe and the New York Dolls, celebrating his band Poison's 25th anniversary. He'll also tour on his own, release a new solo album in May as well as a new Poison compilation, host a cruise in November and continue work on his autobiography, "Roses & Thorns."
"I feel absolutely great, man," Michaels, who underwent surgery in January to repair a hole in his heart, tells Billboard.com. "I'm up, I'm walking, I'm exercising. Considering how much my body's been through since last April, I feel pretty damn good. I feel lucky. It just wasn't my time."
It is time, however, for new Michaels' music. Coming on the heels of "Custom Built" is "Get Your Rock On," which he says is full of "a lot of really straight-up, in-your-face, well-produced, contemporary just good rock songs. It mixes a little bit of the classic elements with some new sounds." Featuring all originals, Michaels says his sixth solo album hits harder than its predecessors.
"With the other albums I did, I always put a little bit of Americana and contemporary country into the music," he explains, "influences and stuff from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Mellencamp and Garth Brooks mixed in with my Aerosmith and AC/DC. This one is primarily straight-up rock songs, which I think people will like. I've written a lot of good stuff over the last few years that I think are just good rock songs. I feel really strong about it."
As the new album comes out, Michaels is looking forward to "making a strange kind of history" by touring both on his own and with Poison. His solo dates begin Mar. 19 in Arizona, including some shows with actor Kevin Costner and his band Modern West. Poison, meanwhile, gets under way on May 25 in Biloxi, Miss., before joining the Crüe tour June 7 in Dallas. Poison is also planning to release "A Double Dose of Poison," which Michaels says will feature "greatest hits...and a lot of the B-sides and different stuff on there. It's basically commemorative of the 25th anniversary and sort of like a CD program of the songs we'll be doing" on tour.
No new Poison music is planned yet, but Michaels notes that he and bandmates C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall are "closer this year than we've been in years. We've all been on the phone, talking about the songs we're gonna play and the stuff we started out having fun doing. It's a good feeling. I think it's going to be a kick-ass summer."
He's also looking forward to being on the road with Mötley Crüe, even though there have been some harsh words exchanged over the years, and even recently, between the two camps. "I know Mötley Crüe made some derogatory statements early on when I mentioned us doing this (tour) together," says Michaels, who tipped the tour last summer. "But I've spoken with Nikki (Sixx) several times on the phone now, and really, the truth of the matter is that rock fans spoke up and said what a great tour this will be, to see those bands with that kind of energy and stage shows. So I want to go out this summer, regardless of what's been said and what's been done...Really, it means nothing to me. What matters is I go out and have fun with my band on our 25th anniversary. That's all."
Amidst all this, Michaels -- who's also planning to release a vocal warm-up CD for aspiring singers -- is continuing to work on the oft-delayed autobiography, "Roses & Thorns." But, he notes, "every time I turn around, I've got a new chapter to add. Just the medical condition alone is worth the last half of the book. I promise I'm going to get you bits and pieces to read. I'm just gonna give you stuff -- 'Read this!' Really, it'll get out some day, but so much happens to me, and how do you leave any of it out?"

Thoughts On The Jim Tressel Situation....

 

 

North Dakota: Not Tripping

Raise your hand if you thought you'd see the day when the local paper of record would publish a report shooting down speculation that Jim Tressel would lose his job. To call recent developments surreal would be a bit of an understatement. In the time it took for Earth to spin once on its axis, Jim Tressel is suddenly mortal, a flawed human just like the rest of us.
As punishment for sitting on information that would have led to immediate NCAA violations, the university suspended Tressel for the first two games this fall (Akron and Toledo, both at home), issued a public reprimand/apology in the form of an emotional, and at times awkward, press conference that was televised and streamed to millions, fined him $250,000 and said he will attend a compliance seminar.
As it stands, the announced punishment (and the startling realization that a man you admire is fond of double exclamation points) would probably be just fine with most of us. The NCAA may agree, or it may not. We'll have to wait and see where things go on that front, but I have a hunch OSU's self-imposed punishment will be in the vicinity of what the NCAA has in mind.
Now, on to what we do know.

Tressel has earned the right to survive this. Can you imagine if this had happened in year three of John Cooper's tenure, or even year three of Jim Tressel's stint at Ohio State? The Buckeyes would be kicking off a search for a new coach. It's a pretty standard clause in most (if not all) coaching contracts and breaking it leads directly to termination, but Tressel has amassed enough support and built up enough of a track record to get through. Gene Smith was adamant about this fact at the start of the presser and Gee later echoed it with weird joke about hoping Tressel does not fire him (between that zinger and Smith's line in December about adding a tattoo artist to the WHAC, I really wish our administrators would lay off the funnah for a bit).
What all of this means about Tressel's future beyond this season is uncertain. His current contract expires in January 2015, and I think most assumed he'd coach through the 2014 season before moving into a role within the athletic department. He'll definitely be on the sidelines this season -- and I can't stress how great it is that he'll be here to face the music instead of running off to the NFL in dire times -- but does this violation accelerate his timetable at all?

Trolls, trolls, everywhere trolls. We're going to take our lumps over the coming days, but let's face it, if this was any other coach in the country, he would instantly become the most cheating-est (new word, look it up) coach in the history of the world in your eyes. Protecting your own and vilifying others is just a natural aspect of fandom and is part of the game (see also: politics). That said, there are reasonable ways to approach this story and then there are not.
And then there's stuff like this. Clay Travis a) is a middle-aged man that still rocks a fitted cap backwards, b) mistakenly claims to have coined the phrase "Bama Bangs" and most importantly, c) a Tennessee fan. Glass houses and all, but a trollin' ain't easy.
Finally, there's the local clown, rocking a haircut straight out of Footloose and saying whatever he can to invoke mass heart attacks across Franklin County. We have to bust our asses to get press passes. How does this guy have an auto-pass again?
None of this is fun to read (or hear), but we're just going to have to take it for the time being. Of course, a Cam Newton bombshell on Monday morning would be a welcome diversion. Or Oregon. Or USC. Anyone, really.

Start the "we'll be dropping 60 a game jokes". Ohio State did not announce which lucky coordinator would be elevated to the HC spot during Tressel's suspension, but Heacock has to be the odds-on favorite at this point in time. Unlike recent seasons with Darrell Hazell serving as assistant head coach in addition to his duties with the receivers, Tressel does not have a named lieutenant. Bollman is the offensive coordinator, while Heacock and Fickell are co-defensive coordinators. Both Bollman and Heacock have been with Tressel during his entire tenure in Columbus, but Heacock's Ohio State experience dates back to 1996, when he was hired as the team's defensive line coach. Besides, fans would lose their collective shit if Bollman were to be tabbed as acting head coach while Tressel serves his suspension.
At any rate, it will be fun to at least joke about the offensive possibilities with Tressel stuck at home on game day. For two Saturdays at least, perhaps the punt won't be the most important play (though I imagine Tressel's spirit will be alive and well in whatever gameplan is put together).

Yahoo! deserves some credit. While Robinson and Wetzel probably don't quite deserve the credit they're claiming, there's no questioning the fact that the Y! sports team is head and shoulders above the other major outlets (ESPN being the worst) when it comes to investigative journalism. If this had been Auburn, instead of Ohio State, we'd be applauding their efforts. In fact, we did so when they put USC through the grinder. It sucks today, but in the end, that's a good thing for all college football fans.

JOURNEY'S ECLIPSE SET FOR RELEASE MAY 24 IN THE U.S. AND CANADA:

ECLIPSE SET FOR RELEASE MAY 24 IN THE U.S. AND CANADA:
Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, is gearing up to unleash their latest album of brand new material, Eclipse. The album will be released in the U.S. and Canada on May 24 exclusively at Walmart and beginning June 3 in Europe on Frontiers Records.

Thanks to Frontiers Records and Journey management, MelodicRock.com can present this world exclusive first taste of the new studio album!

The 30 second preview clip of the lead track City Of Hope can be Downloaded Here.

To follow the release of Eclipse, Journey will launch the "Eclipse Tour" with Foreigner, and special guest Night Ranger, beginning July 21 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT. Fans can expect to hear new songs from Eclipse as well as classics such as Don't Stop Believin', Any Way You Want It, Faithfully, Lights, Separate Ways, Wheel In The Sky, and many more. The "Eclipse Tour" dates are listed below.
"I'm in love with this record, which I haven't said about one of our albums for a long time," says founding member and lead guitarist, Neal Schon. "It's a rock record and it sounds amazing." Commenting on the upcoming tour, Schon continued, "We've got a lot of hits to play and there's plenty of time to do some new stuff too, so we're gonna mix it up. We haven't toured with Foreigner for over 10 years, so we're really looking forward to this run."
Tickets for "The Eclipse Tour" go on sale beginning Friday March 11, at all the usual online, phone and physical retail outlets, including select Walmart Ticketmaster locations across the country. Check www.journeymusic.com for complete ticket onsale information.
Journey has once again teamed up with iloveallaccess.com to offer their fans a variety of VIP ticket packages. For more details go to www.journeymusic.com.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, keyboardist Jonathan Cain recently described Eclipse as "a concept record with some spiritual themes to it…pretty tough, hard-hitting stuff." Jonathan continued, "We just felt like it was time to send a message to the world about how we feel about life in general."
Journey toured the world for two years in support of their 2008 release, Revelation. More than a million fans attended the shows, and welcomed new lead singer Arnel Pineda. Completing the Journey lineup is Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals) and Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Revelation marked the band's biggest first week's sales in more than a decade, debuting at #5 on the Billboard 200 in June 2008 and taking the top spot on the Independent Albums chart. Revelation earned the band their 11th Platinum album certification to date, leading The New York Times to declare that "the band…feels alive."
Since its formation in 1973, Journey has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold and platinum albums. The band's Greatest Hits album is certified 15 times platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamond-certified album holders. The group also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
For more information, visit www.journeymusic.com. 

Initial Eclipse Tour dates: Thursday, July 21, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday, July 23, 2011 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Sunday, July 24, 2011 Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Saturday, July 30, 2011 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Sunday, July 31, 2011 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre Tuesday, August 02, 2011 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center Wednesday, August 03, 2011 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center Friday, August 05, 2011 Columbus, OH Crew Stadium, Ohio State Fair Saturday, August 06, 2011 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Saturday, August 13, 2011 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Friday, August 19, 2011 Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Beach Amphitheater Saturday, August 20, 2011 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek Sunday, August 21, 2011 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte Wednesday, August 24, 2011 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center Saturday, August 27, 2011 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Syracuse, NY New York State Fair Wednesday, August 31, 2011 Allentown, PA The Great Allentown Fair Friday, September 02, 2011 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center* Saturday, September 10, 2011 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena Friday, September 16, 2011 Atlanta, GA Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood Saturday, September 17, 2011 Tampa, FL 1-800 Ask-Gary Amphitheatre Sunday, September 18, 2011 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre Saturday, September 24, 2011 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion Sunday, September 25, 2011 The Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre Saturday, October 01, 2011 Englewood, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheatre Friday, October 07, 2011 Chula Vista, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre Friday, October 14, 2011 Wheatland, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre Saturday, October 15, 2011 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena Friday, October 21, 2011 Seattle, WA KeyArena

Rossanne Barr's Take On Charlie Sheen:

charlie sheen makes me look sane;

this thread is for charlie sheen talk and mental illness talk.  Charlie is not on drugs, though he can get them from the porn star goddesses that come and go, but his urine shows clean--i think charlie is in a manic high, and is unable to get any drugs to bring him down anymore---his tiger blood statement is from that "eye of the tiger" focus that manics have.  Manics can really work hard and play hard at the same time, until they hit a wall, and then they are in bed and depressed for a long time, so they start taking drugs again to get energy to work.  Charlie, take a break dude.  Go to Greece, Paris, China, look at great art and lay low.  you got fired, dude.  anybody can do your job, really.  other guys are funny and not repulsive to intelligent women, though those shit chuck lorre lines could choke a fucking horse, and render any actor who recites them stone cold soul dead.  No grown man could really look himself in the mirror knowing that he  delivers shit jokes and adolescent sniggering over breasts and women's body parts lines to the Tea partier types who are big fans of Chuck's hilarious hijinx.  I fired Chuck Lorre for being a big drunk on my show, and he went on to become one of tv's most successful writers (about dick jokes).  Maybe Charlie can start producing porn movies now!! 

AC/DC to Release CD/DVD May 10

AC/DC to Release CD/DVD May 10

Posted on Mar 07, 2011

AC/DC will release the "Black Ice" World Tour live CD/DVD on May 10; Amazon lists the title as “AC/DC Live At River Plate.”
The band's 6th live release was filmed at the Buenos Aires gigs on December 2, 4 and 6, 2009 in front of 65,000 people each night at the River Plate Stadium in Argentina.
The film was directed by David Mallet, who has been filming AC/DC for over 25 years, starting with "Who Made Who," which was also used in a feature film in 1986.
Here’s the details from Amazon:
"Shot with 32 cameras entirely in HD in December of 2009, the set marks AC/DC's triumphant return to Buenos Aires where nearly 200,000 fans, and three sold-out shows in December 2009, welcomed the band back after a 13-year absence from Argentina. This stunning live footage of AC/DC underscores what Argentina's Pagina 12 newspaper reported by saying "no one is on the same level when it comes to pure and clear rock and roll." Additionally, the DVD contains a bonus feature titled "The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech & The Meat," featuring interviews with AC/DC, their crew and fans among the excitement of the creation of the concerts and the city of Buenos Aires."
You can pre-order the package from Amazon here: AC/DC: Live At River Plate
AC/DC
Live At River Plate
Due May 10
01. Rock N Roll Train
02. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
03. Back In Black
04. Big Jack
05. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
06. Shot Down In Flames
07. Thunderstruck
08. Black Ice
09. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot To Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. T.N.T.
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let There Be Rock
18. Highway To Hell
19. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
Bonus features:
* The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech & The Meat
* AC/DC Tour Animation
Footage from AC/DC's Buenos Aires concerts was previously used in the video for “Shoot To Thrill," the first single from AC/DC's "Iron Man 2" soundtrack (featuring catalog material from the mid-1970s onwards). The video also incorporated exclusive footage from the film.

LOVERBOY KEEPS "WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND" 30 YEARS LATER:

LOVERBOY KEEPS "WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND" 30 YEARS LATER:
 
Multi-platinum Canadian rockers reunite with legendary producer/engineer Bob Rock for two new singles, “Heartbreaker” and “No Tomorrow”

News from: www.loverboyband.com/news_%2830years%29.html / "LOS ANGELES, March 1, 2011—For 30 years, Loverboy has been “Working for the Weekend,” delighting audiences around the world since forming in Calgary, Alberta, when vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to local guitar hot shot Paul Dean, both veterans of several bands on the scene. And now they're back, having reunited with their original engineer, legendary producer Bob Rock [Metallica, Aerosmith, The Cure, Bon Jovi], who worked under Bruce Fairbairn at the time. The band recorded two new songs with Rock, “Heartbreaker” and “No Tomorrow,” which could to be a prelude for a new album.
“He phoned Mike and me out of the blue and told us he had a song that might work for us that he'd love to produce,” says Dean. “He sent it over and we just flipped out. It's a great, kick-ass Loverboy song. It was just fantastic to be on the same page with everybody else in the band again. We had been through several false starts recording-wise over the years. Mike was really inspired this time. It was a great experience. I think these tracks are some of the best work we've ever done.”

Not just Canada's greatest rock export, Loverboy made its mark south of the border, with four multi-platinum albums including the four-million-selling Get Lucky, and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983's Keep It Up and 1985's Lovin' Every Minute of It. Their string of hits includes, in addition to the anthem “Working for the Weekend,” such arena rock staples as “Lovin' Every Minute of It,” “This Could Be the Night,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “Heaven In Your Eyes,” “Turn Me Loose,” “When It's Over,” “Heaven In Your Eyes” and “Queen of the Broken Hearts.”
Their pop culture credibility was cemented by a recent 30 Rock episode in which Scott Adsit's amateur musician Pete Hornberger revealed he was actually Loverboy's original bassist, showing him inserted into vintage '80s footage of the band wailing away on “Working for the Weekend,” which you can see at: www.hulu.com/watch/217096/30-rock-its-never-too-late-for-now.
The group still includes original members Doug Johnson on keyboards and Matt Frenette on drums, with Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (a former member of Dean and Frenette's pre-Loverboy band Streetheart), who replaced the late Scott Smith on bass, and continues a healthy touring schedule around the world. “I look at our concerts as a 100-minute experience,” says Dean, who still claims to be able to fit into the same pair of red leather pants he wore on the “Queen of the Broken Hearts” video in 1983. “I'm a normal guy up until 10 minutes before we hit the stage. Then the heart rate goes up and I consciously step into the bubble. And I don't come out of it until 30 seconds after that last cymbal smash and I walk off-stage. It's a great stress release, better than riding a Harley.”
Perhaps the band's most famous song is “Working for the Weekend,” which has fueled a generation's dreams of toiling every day for the chance to celebrate come Friday night. Dean realizes it has taken on a whole new meaning these days. “You're lucky if you can work for the weekend now,” he says. “We're all fortunate to be doing that.”
With four decades under his belt, Dean sees no end in sight for Loverboy… or himself. “My dream has always been to play guitar and entertain people,” he enthuses. “There's no feeling like looking out in the audience and seeing them grinning ear to ear, everyone on the same wavelength. And once we start with the megahits, the place goes crazy. That's why we do what we do and will continue.” Still “Working for the Weekend” 30 years later, Loverboy's catalog includes some of arena-rock's most enduring anthems, and they are about to add to that legacy."
For a list of upcoming tour dates, please visit: loverboyband.com/home.html.

Phil Collins Decides To Retire From Music

Phil Collins Decides To Retire From Music

 

If it were for any other reason besides his health, we'd beg him to reconsider. As it stands, we understand why he is making this decision.
For decades, Phil Collins has been a driving force in the music community, but now it seems that he'll be stepping out of the spotlight for good. According to Phil, his doctors have advised him that his hands are too weak to play the drums and if he continues with his music, he may lose function in them all together.
Though the news was hard to hear, but the idea of being able to spend quality time with his two sons was the driving force behind Phil's decision to retire. He explains:

"I'm not worried about not being able to play the drums again, I'm more worried about being able to cut a loaf of bread safely or building things for my kids. My doctors tell me it's a work in progress, that it will take about a year for me to recover."

But even with recovery, Phil believes his hands will never be strong enough to play the drums again. In fact, he reveals for the last several years, he's had to tape his drumsticks to his hands just to be able to play.
Sad, but considering how dedicated he is to his craft, we imagine it was worth it to him.
We think its smart of him to leave his rocking days behind him, at least for the next year to let his hands recover. The future may bring him a solution that'll give him back his music, but for now, he seems to be happy in different aspects of his life.
Good for him!

Judas Priest, Queensryche To Tour

Theodora Richards, daughter of legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, was arrested in New York City earlier this week on drug possession charges.
Police reportedly found the 25-year-old model spraying graffiti on a building in lower Manhattan when they discovered that she was carrying marijuana and a controlled substance.
According to a new report from the Los Angeles Times, Richards was spotted spray painting the letters T and A on a convent in New York's ritzy SoHo neighborhood. She was arraigned on Tuesday, March 1. A police officer on the scene told a news sources that upon being arrested Richards said: "I hope I don't get in trouble for this."
Richards has appeared in campaigns for Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger and French Connection. She reportedly denied a plea offer requiring her to perform community service and will return to court next month. She was released without bail.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Less «

 

 

Judas Priest, Queensryche To Tour

Judas Priest has revealed the dates of their upcoming U.K. tour with Queensryche and Rival Sons. The "Epitaph" tour will kick off in Newport on July 15, with scheduled dates in Manchester on July 16, Doncaster on July 17, Glasgow on July 19, Newcastle on July 20 and Wolverhampton on July 21. They will wrap up with a show in Bournemouth on July 24. Judas Priest recently posted that they would not, as they had announced in December 2010, break up.

More »

Judas Priest has revealed the dates of their upcoming U.K. tour with Queensryche and Rival Sons.
The "Epitaph" tour will kick off in Newport on July 15, with scheduled dates in Manchester on July 16, Doncaster on July 17, Glasgow on July 19, Newcastle on July 20 and Wolverhampton on July 21. They will wrap up with a show in Bournemouth on July 24.
Judas Priest recently posted that they would not, as they had announced in December 2010, break up. Guitarist Glenn Tipton broke the news on the band's website.
"To put everyone's mind at rest, this is by no means the end of the band. In fact, we are presently writing new material, but we do intend this to be the last major world tour."
Judas Priest's last album, the double-disc concept album Nostradamus, was released in 2008. It debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart selling 42,000 copies in its first week.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Sammy Hagar: ‘I Would Love to Make Another Record With Van Halen’

Sammy Hagar: ‘I Would Love to Make Another Record With Van Halen’

Thursday, 3 March 2011

From Rolling Stone.com:
By Andy Greene
Sammy Hagar’s new autobiography Red: My Uncensored Life In Rock (in stores on March 15th) traces the singer’s long career from his days in the 1970s hard rock band Montrose to his insane ride in Van Halen through the formation of his supergroup Chickenfoot.
The new issue of Rolling Stone (on sale and in the online archive Friday) has an exclusive excerpt focusing on Van Halen’s disastrous 2004 reunion tour that was nearly derailed due to Eddie Van Halen’s alcoholism. We chatted with Hagar about why he decided to write the book – and whether or not he’d ever return to Van Halen.
What made you want to write a book?
I’ve been maybe one of the most misunderstood rockers of all time because I’ve always been kinda quiet on my personal life. I’ve never really been a press-hound. There’s never been a lot of stuff written about me, quite honestly. Flying under the radar’s always been my philosophy. If you’re never in, you’re never out.
At some stage in your life, though, you go “I want my story to be told,” and here it is.  I think that’s why people are gonna be surprised when they read. You know we know all about Tommy Lee. We know all about Keith Richards. But, we don’t know that much about Sammy.
Tell me how you worked with your co-author Joel Selvin.
He’s a longtime friend, and a critic in the Bay Area where I grew up. He’d come in and go, “Okay, let’s talk about Montrose.” And we would for three or four hours. He’d transcribe it and go, “I need to know more. Let’s talk about what your wife was going through” or “More about your mother now” or “I need to know more about what happened on tour.”

You really spill the dirt on Eddie Van Halen. You clearly weren’t too concerned with burning bridges there.
I don’t consider them burning bridges at all. When I first joined the band, dirt was going back and forth between us and the former lead singer. I didn’t burn any bridges. They eventually put the bridge back. Time washes everything clean. To be honest, Valerie [Bertinelli] said almost all the same stuff in her book about Ed.
The only thing I did was talk about my personal relationship with him. I had almost 10 fantastic years in that band. It was a dream come true for any musician on the planet. We had the greatest relationship and the greatest run and wrote some of the greatest music. We had five Number One albums and sold 50, 60 million records together.  We practically sold out every venue in the world.
The last two years were really rough. Everyone immediately goes to the dirt, but quite honestly being in Van Halen was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll take the dirt right with it.
Back to burning bridges: If you choose to write an autobiography, which I did, then you only have one shot. If you don’t tell it all then you sit there for the rest of your life telling stories and people are like, “Well why wasn’t that in the book?” I don’t wanna have to do that. It’s all right there.
Are there things you didn’t put in the book because you didn’t want to piss off Ed or David Lee Roth?
Oh, hell no. I didn’t really consider that, because they know what happened. I didn’t make up anything. I didn’t embellish anything. The only thing is that I didn’t go as crazy as I could have about the sex, drugs and rock & roll part of my early years. I have a nine-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old daughter. I’m cringing as I’m writing this book going, “Oh, jeez. I really don’t want them to read this.” But how can I not? My wife looked at some chapters and went, “You’re not going to put this in there, are you?” I’m going, “Yes I am!” I hope my daughters understand. I might have them read Keith Richards’ book first.
What do you think the percent odds are that you’ll ever play in Van Halen again?
I’d say it’s up there around 90 percent. I would love to make another record with Van Halen. If Eddie was totally cool and was back to the guy I used to know, or a new guy, not the guy I knew the last time [laughs]. He can’t be that guy. I wouldn’t do it if he was like that. It’s below zero, minus zero. But if Eddie really got his life together, which it seems he has judging by the pictures I’ve seen, then definitely.
You really think there’s a 90 percent chance?
There’s no rumor. There’s no reason to say,  “Yes, I’ve got this vibe going on.” Right now, zero chance. When my book comes out, zero for a while. But someday, before we all die, fuck yeah. We might be in our nineties though.

Sammy Hagar RED: My Uncensored Life In Rock Video Promo

Thursday, 3 March 2011

Loud rock, fast cars, and Cabo. This is the life of Sammy Hagar.
Sammy and co-author Joel Selvin talk a little bit about the process of writing his upcoming autobiography that tells his unforgettable story.
From his decade-long journey alongside Eddie Van Halen to his raucous solo career with Chickenfoot and everything in between—the drugs, groupies, and excesses of fame, the outrageous stadium tours, and the thrill of musical innovation—Hagar reveals all in this treasure trove of rock-and-roll war stories. Red is a life-changing look at one of music’s biggest talents—an essential read for music fans and anyone dreaming of becoming rock’s next number one star.
Book release date March 15, 2011
For more information and to purchase, visit Van Halen Store, where you get an exclusive photographic print when you pre-order.

SAMMY HAGAR SEES RED IN NEW BOOK:

SAMMY HAGAR SEES RED IN NEW BOOK:
 
Sammy Hagar has updated his website with a new section dedicated to his upcoming book Red (due March 15 worldwide). Check it out at: www.redrocker.com/red.
From the page: "Sammy Hagar—legendary lead singer of Van Halen, founder of the Cabo Wabo Tequila brand, and one of rock music's most notoriously successful performers—tells his unforgettable story in this one-of-a-kind autobiography of a life at the top of the charts. From his decade-long journey alongside Eddie Van Halen to his raucous solo career with Chickenfoot and everything in between—the drugs, groupies, and excesses of fame, the outrageous stadium tours, and the thrill of musical innovation—Hagar reveals all in this treasure trove of rock-and-roll war stories. Red is a life-changing look at one of music's biggest talents—an essential read for music fans and anyone dreaming of becoming rock's next number one star."

And this from: www.straight.com/article-377017/vancouver/sammy-hagar-tears-strip-eddie-van-halen-upcoming-autobiography: "On March 15 Sammy Hagar's autobiography, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, will hit bookshelves, but you can bet his old bandmate Eddie Van Halen won't be racing out to score a copy. According to excerpts published recently in the Marin Independent Journal, the 63-year-old "Red Rocker" holds nothing back about the guitar hero—like how he looked before their Van Halen reunion tour in 2003.
"I hadn't seen him in 10 years," writes Hagar. "He looked like he hadn't bathed in a week. He certainly hadn't changed his clothes in at least that long. He wasn't wearing a shirt. He had on a giant overcoat and army pants, tattered and ripped at the cuffs, held up with a piece of rope. I'd never seen him so skinny in my life. He was missing a number of teeth and the ones he had left were black. His boots were so worn out he had gaffer's tape wrapped around them and his big toe still stuck out."
Neither is Hagar complimentary toward David Lee Roth, the original (and now current) Van Halen vocalist, whose position he took over in 1985.
"I hated Dave," he writes. "The guy rubbed me wrong. I'm sure I rub all kinds of people wrong, so it's not like I'm putting him down. The guy was a great front man, great attitude in rock, and had an image from hell, but I just couldn't stand the guy. He was the opposite of what I believed in and what I am. First of all, the guy's not a great singer and he acts like he's the coolest, hottest guy in the world when, to me, he looks gay."
During the initial Hagar era Van Halen released four multi-platinum studio albums, all of which hit #1 on Billboard, but many longtime fans decried the poppier direction the band took in comparison to its raunchy early style. After he was "unceremoniously fired" (Hagar's words) in 1996, he went on to form his own band, the Waboritas, who he still plays with. More recently he formed a "supergroup" called Chickenfoot that features guitar wizard Joe Satriani, but the less said about them the better. He's also known as a successful businessman, owner of the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and founder of the Cabo Wabo tequila company, which he's made millions from.
Hagar first tasted fame on a major scale with the anti-speed-limit single "I Can't Drive 55", which was released the year before he was recruited by Van Halen. But I always thought his best work had been accomplished more than 10 years earlier, when he sang on the first two Montrose albums, the self-titled 1973 debut and 1974's Paper Money. Back in the day I was also mightily impressed with his debut solo album, 1976's Nine On a Ten Scale, and its two follow-ups, both from '77, Sammy Hagar (better known as "The Red Album") and Musical Chairs. All three of those albums were produced by a guy known only as Carter.
I never got to see Montrose, sadly, although I remember friends saying they played at Empire Stadium one summer, opening for Heart or something. But I did get to see Hagar play at the Commodore Ballroom around '77, and he was a crimson dynamo back then, trading flashy guitar solos with lead player Gary Pilh. He'd also taken the Montrose rhythm section of bassist Phil Church and drummer Denny Carmassi with him, which was killer. I really loved Sammy Hagar back then. Now, not so much. That tequila of his sure hits the spot, though."

KISS Rocker Paul Stanley To Be A Dad Again

For the first time since 1982, Sir Elton John will appear on the Saturday Night Live stage.
The "Rocket Man" will perform hosting duties as well as accompany Leon Russell as the musical guest during an upcoming show. Russell and Elton collaborated on the 2010 release, The Union.
Elton revealed that he would be doing double duties on the show at his posh Oscar party. The function included a live auction of a pair of VIP tickets to the SNL show. The tickets pulled in $75,000 and the proceeds went to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The singer/composer has been busy. Currently, he has two scores (Billy Elliot and The Lion King) represented on Broadway, as well as an animated film (Gnomeo & Juliet), whose soundtrack features hits from his back catalog.
The SNL episode starring Sir Elton airs live on April 2.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Less «

 

 

KISS Rocker Paul Stanley To Be A Dad Again

 

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley has confirmed that he and his wife Erin are expecting their third child together. During a recent interview with People Magazine the rocker says that they are overjoyed with the new addition and that his family is his most prized possession. "There is nothing greater in life than family, and my accomplishments as a father rank at the top of my successes," he said. "Erin and I are blessed."

More »

KISS frontman Paul Stanley has confirmed that he and his wife Erin are expecting their third child together.
During a recent interview with People Magazine, the rocker says that they are overjoyed with the new addition and that his family is his most prized possession.
"There is nothing greater in life than family, and my accomplishments as a father rank at the top of my successes," he said. "Erin and I are blessed with our expectation of the addition of another princess to our family and a new member of the KISS army."
The new baby will join Paul and Erin's two children Sarah Brianna, 2, and Colin Michael, 4, as well as Paul's oldest son, Evan Shane, 16, who is from a previous marriage. "I may be 59," Stanley added, "but the only rocking chair this rocker is getting ready for is the one for my new baby."
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Henry Rollins on classic Van Halen

Henry Rollins on classic Van Halen

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Henry Rollins talks about classic Van Halen. From the book, Van Halen 101, by Abel Sanchez.
Henry Rollins:

"To this day, perhaps some of my most played records that I own are the Van Halen albums with Dave."

I will always consider myself lucky for being teenage when the first Van Halen album was released. I had heard about it before it came out. Someone told me about a song called “Runnin’ With The Devil” and that it was really cool. It was probably getting some airplay and I had not heard it yet. I was in California at a skate contest I think it was and heard a song with that lyric over the PA system. It had to be them. It was. I bought the album the first chance I got.
I was stuck right in the middle of high school. It was a gulag. One of the only things that kept me going was the music I was listening to. Van Halen was in the mix. I remember the night before Van Halen II was released, the played the album in it’s entirety on WPGC FM in Washington DC, where I lived. I listened. We all listened. I taped it by putting my very bad tape recorder up to the radio and sat very still. It sounded horrible but I played it a few times before I bought the album.
I forget what year it was but I made my annual trip to the arena to see Ted Nugent. It was the best show you saw that year, every year. His band was lethal, and Nugent had amazing tone with that hollow body Gibson. What a show, what songs, what a man. On the third voyage to the Nuge there was a great change. There was an opening band that actually stayed in the memory. Usually the opener was a blur but this time it was a band called Van Halen. I remember they hit the stage and went into “Runnin’ With The Devil” after Diamond Dave made his drum riser leap. He acted like his band was the headliner and there was no other band on that night.
I remember very well when Eddie performed “Eruption” and the whole place was in disbelief. At the end of it, he looked down at his hands and shook his head like he didn’t know what came over him. It was amazing. The set was a monster.

" I remember very well when Eddie performed “Eruption” and the whole place was in disbelief."

Nugent came on a while later and a few songs in, people were chanting “Van-Ha-Len!” over and over and waving newly bought VH t-shirts until the Nuge came to the front of the stage and yelled, “Fuck Van Halen!!!” He then retreated to his cabinets and played the rest of the show looking down at his wedge monitors. Move over Ted!
In 1983 when I encountered Diamond Dave at an art Gallery in Los Angeles, I told him this story and he shot back the date, location and how many people were at the show. To this day, I can’t think of a better interview to read than one where David Lee Roth is full on, which means any interview of his you can find will do. He’s the mouth that scored. You wonder how he keeps it all stored in there. He’s the most quotable man in the business.
To this day, perhaps some of my most played records that I own are the Van Halen albums with Dave. They still work. To transmit on a critical level for just a moment here, let me say this; Van Halen’s perfect synthesis of bone crunching riffs and almost Beach Boys backing vocals is one of the most irresistible and potent concoctions I have ever heard in music. Perfect for radio without selling out or being wimpy. How the hell can you do that?! Something for the guys, something for the ladies. Adding to that, the presentation was second to none. That was a show. Diamond Dave really needed an arena to realize his vision and when he got one, he wasted no time. Van Halen was like the Circus coming to town, like the biggest block party you’ve ever seen and you’re on the invite list.
The proof of the band’s rock solid place in history can be found in all the bands that came immediately after VH broke. All the Eddie clones, Warner Bros. attempt to make another Dave/VH with the ill-fated Bullet Boys, how guitarists changed their approach solos. Every frontman in any hard rock band has a little bit of David Lee in him no matter what they say. Some of the stories around the band are the stuff of legend and are known the world over. Brown M&M’s – ‘nuff said.
The records themselves have lost absolutely no speed after twenty-plus years. Actually, now that I think about it, seeing where music is these days, perhaps those records have picked up a little speed! Hail the Mighty (With Dave) Van Halen!

THAT METAL SHOW RETURNS TO VH1:

THAT METAL SHOW RETURNS TO VH1:
New York, NY – March 2, 2011 – VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" is back in Los Angeles and ready to shake things up for lucky season seven on Saturday, March 19 at 11PM ET/PT. Members of some of the biggest metal acts, including Metallica and Whitesnake, grace the "That Metal Show” stage to give viewers a true power hour that all hard rock and heavy metal enthusiasts are certain to love.
The boys are back and ready to rock! Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson host the only talk show where all things hard rock and heavy metal are discussed, dissected and debated. Metal musicians and rock royalty, including Kirk Hammett (Metallica), David Coverdale (Whitesnake) and Lita Ford (The Runaways), will be part of the roundtable discussions this season. Guests and premieres dates include the below, at 11 pm ET/PT:
3/19 – Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Uli John Roth (Scorpions)
3/26 – Ace Frehley (Kiss) and Billy Sheehan (UFO, David Lee Roth)
4/02 – David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) and Lita Ford (The Runaways)
4/09 – Chris Jericho (Fozzy, WWF Wrestling Champion) and Yngwie Malmsteen (Alcatrazz, Steeler, Rising Force)
4/16 – Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Jane's Addiction) and Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion)
4/23 – Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses) & Cherie Currie (The Runaways) and Jim Norton (comedian on Opie and Anthony and Howard Stern)
4/30 – Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) and Anvil
5/07 – Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzy Osbourne Band, Beck Bogert Appice, Rod Stewart)and Dave Meniketti from Y&T

Distilling decades of your favorite hard rock and heavy metal into sixty minutes of mayhem; “That Metal Show” will deliver the ever popular 'Stump The Trunk' as well as the triumphant return of 'TMS TOP 5' to your TV every Saturday night at 11pm, only on VH1 Classic.
Fans can also catch the complete season six and bonus clips at ThatMetalShow.VH1.com. New episodes of season seven will launch online every Monday morning following the show's on-air premiere. "That Metal Show" is a production of VH1 Classic. Lee Rolontz and Keshia Williams as executive producers for VH1. Jeff Baumgardner serves as producer for the series for VH1.
Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90s, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and U2. Learn more at VH1Classic.com.