Stephen Pearcy "Ratt starting to discuss who, what, where & when"

Sunday, 07 August 2011

Stephen Pearcy "Ratt is starting to discuss who, what, where & when" SEP says 2012 is all Ratt! Looks like 2012 will be year of the Ratt. This according to Stephen Pearcy's official Facebook below. Stephen Pearcy Sun Aug 7th 2011 ‎"Sucker Punch" should be completed Sept. and ready for a release date TBA. Then it's all RATT muzik. The band is starting to discuss who, what, where, and when. All positive either way for you Ratt n' Rollers! 2012.

Poison were always going to be around for a long time, claims frontman Bret Michaels.

He says: “I did imagine a lifelong career with the band. Life is about loyalty to me – you stick together. I’m still amazed by Poison and what we’ve done together so far.”
The singer says being honest is what’s kept them going: “We never faked it. It’s a simple formula but its built on authenticity. The fans aren’t dumb: they recognise when you’re putting your all into what you’re doing and they see straight through you when you’re not.”
Michaels believes the band will make another album when the time is right. “I’m not sure when it’ll happen,” he says, “But I’m sure it will one day. I love writing music and I love those guys.”

Motley Crue: Vince Neil schedules 2011 solo shows

Motley Crue’s summer tour with Poison and the New York Dolls continues to roll along across North America.

Now comes word that Crue singer Vince Neil has scheduled some 2011 solo tour dates of his own.

Motleyshout.com has confirmed the following Vince Neil solo tour dates in between breaks from the Crue’s current world tour, which will take them to Japan and Australia later this year.

Vince stated last week that Motley’s current tour is scheduled to last until fall of 2012.

Vince Neil
2011 solo shows

Aug 28 – Casino del Sol - Tucson, AZ
Sep 01 – DTE Energy Music Theater - Clarkston, MI
Sep 03 – Speaking Rock Entertainment Center - El Paso, TX
Sep 16 – Edmonton Events Center - Edmonton, AB
Sep 17 – Deerfoot Inn & Casino - Calgary, AB
Oct 14 – Eastside Cannery Casino - Las Vegas, NV
Nov 17 – Showcase Live - Foxborough, MA

Big Boi from Outkast ARRESTED FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Big Boi, rapper for the popular group Outkast, was arrested in Miami today on charges of drug possession ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Miami-Dade County Corrections Department, Mr. Boi (real name Antwan Patton) was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The controlled substances were listed as ecstasy pills, MDMA powder and Viagra.

According to the Miami-Dade County Corrections Department, all charges are felonies.

Law enforcement sources tell us he was busted by customs and border patrol dogs as he was exiting a cruise ship. We're told Big Boi didn't have a prescription for the Viagra.

He was booked into jail at 1:35 PM ET. He was held on $16,000 bond, but was released this afternoon.

UPDATE: Big Boi's attorney Daniel Kane tells CNN the rapper was traveling with friends when he got busted. Kane says, "A small amount of contraband was found in the collective luggage." He adds, "I am confident when the entire facts are aired Big Boi will be completely exonerated."

Flashback photo of the week. POISON & ALICE IN CHAINS!

Friday, 05 August 2011

Flashback photo of the week. POISON & ALICE IN CHAINS! Poison shares the stage with up n' comers Alice in Chains on tour in 1990. Yes folks, your eyes are clear. There is no trick photography either. Check out Bret Michaels & Layne Staley rocking out next to Mike Starr & Bobby Dall as Poison and Alice in Chains jam together. It's crazy to think that at some point these two bands couldn't have ended up on more opposite ends of the spectrum. Sadly, both Layne & Mike are no longer with us. RIP. In the end, it's all music. Rock n' roll is all related.

Redmond O'Neal Faces Up To Four Years On Gun And Drug Charges

8/5/2011 2:19 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Redmond O'Neal, son of actor Ryan O'Neal and the late Farrah Fawcett, pled not guilty to charges of firearm possession by a felon and possession of a controlled substance. He faces up to four years in prison, according to a Los Angeles County DA.

O'Neal was arrested August 2 on charges of probation violation and drug possession when, during a traffic stop, a Santa Monica police officer discovered heroin in his car. Redmond's lawyer told CNN that he was ". . . cautiously optimistic that all these matters can be favorably resolved so that Mr. O'Neal can receive the opportunity for additional treatment."
Speaking with TMZ, O'Neal's father said that their family is "falling apart," admitting that his son has a "real problem," but affirming that the family would bounce back from them.
In April 2009, O'Neal was arrested on drug smuggling charges.

3 Doors Down Top Billboard's Rock And Alternative Charts

8/6/2011 1:49 PM ET

(RTTNews) - 3 Doors Down has topped both the Billboard Rock and Alternative albums charts with their latest release, Time of My Life.

The hard rockers' fifth studio album also made the Billboard 200 at number 13, the Digital albums chart at number 15 and the Hard Rock albums chart at number one.
The record hit stores on July 18 after several delays, which the band's guitarist Chris Henderson chalked up to the competition of fellow hard rockers, Foo Fighters.
Meanwhile, the top five of the Rock and Alternative albums shook out in the same fashion this week: Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More in the two spot, Falling in Reverse's The Drug in Me Is You at three, Foster the People's Torches at four and Incubus' If Not Now, When? held down the five spot.

Annette Charles, 'Grease' Actress, Dies

8/5/2011 4:19 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Annette Charles, who starred as Cha Cha DiGregorio in "Grease," passed away on August 3 after a month long hospitalization. She was suffering from cancer and had been hospitalized for complications resulting therefrom.

Speaking to TMZ prior to her death, a family member said:
"Annette had recently started having difficulty breathing and when she went to the doctor she learned that she had a cancerous tumour in one of her lungs."
Charles also starred in "Gunsmoke" and "The Bionic Woman"; however, her most memorable scene came with John Travolta during the "Grease" school dance competition.
She continued acting through the eighties before moving onto a teaching career in California.
Charles is the second "Grease" cast member to pass in recent months. In May, Jeff Conaway (Kenickie), died after a prolonged coma.

Saxon New Release

BRITISH METAL GREATS, SAXON, ANNOUNCE U.S. RELEASE OF 'CALL TO ARMS':
One of the leading bands of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement, Saxon, is about to hit the U.S. shores hard once more. On September 27th, Saxon will release their 19th studio album overall, 'Call to Arms' (via UDR Music/EMI), and starting the following day, will launch a Stateside tour. And as evidenced by such ass-kickers as "Hammer of the Gods" and "Call to Arms," the group hasn't lost their grip on composing hard-hitting yet anthemic heavy metal with their latest offering.
Comprised of members Biff Byford (vocals), Doug Scarratt (guitar), Paul Quinn (guitar), Nibbs Carter (bass), Nigel Glockler (drums), Saxon is responsible for penning some of the 1980's most enduring metal anthems, including "Wheels of Steel," "Strong Arm of the Law," "Motorcycle Man," "Princess of the Night," and "Never Surrender," and along with the likes of Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, helped breath life back into a metal scene that many had left for dead at the time.
It's been 35 years since Saxon was originally up and running, and the group can still easily hold their own with the head banging competition.
'It's important to keep one foot in the past and one foot very much in the present,' says Byford. 'At some points in your life, whether you're younger or older, you do have these wonderful periods of 'state of graceness' where everyone likes everything you write. But you can't keep being your own tribute band, you have to try and write great new songs, and you have to try to appeal to a younger audience. Saxon has been successfully doing that for the last decade, and the result is we still have our old fan base but we also have a whole new, younger one too.'
Saxon's latest video clip, for the song "Call to Arms," will be premiered this Friday, August 5th at noon EST on America Online Noisecreep.
And hardcore Saxon fans will surely be interested in tracking down the "Digipack" version of 'Call to Arms,' as it includes a glorious bonus ­ a free seven-track CD, 'Live at Donington 1980.' Soon, U.S. fans will be able to recapture "The Power and the Glory" of Saxon all over again ­ with the release of 'Call to Arms,' and on a concert stage near you.
For more information, visit: www.saxon747.com / saxon.udr-music.com.

'Call To Arms' Track Listing: 01 Hammer of the Gods 02 Back in 79 03 Surviving Against the Odds 04 Mists of Avalon 05 Call To Arms 06 Chasing the Bullet 07 Afterburner 08 When Doomsday Comes (Hybrid Theory) 09 No Rest for the Wicked 10 Ballad of the Working Man 11 Call To Arms ­ orchestral version.
DigiPack Bonus Feature: Live At Donington 1980 [Re-mixed and re-mastered from original multitrack tape] 01 Motorcycle Man 02 Still Fit To Boogie 03 Freeway Mad 04 Backs To The Wall 05 Wheels Of Steel 06 Bap Shu Ap 07 747 (Strangers In The Night).

Tour Dates:
9-28-11 Key Club, West Hollywood, CA
9-29-11 Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa, CA
9-30-11 Avalon, Santa Clara, CA
10-1-11 The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA
10-2-11 Galaxy Theatre, Santa Ana, CA
10-5-11 Club Red, Tempe, AZ
10-7-11 Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, TX
10-8-11 The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
10-10-11 Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC
10-13-11 B.B. Kings, New York, NY
10-14-11 Jaxx, Springfield, VA
10-15-11 Bourbon Street, Baltimore, MD

Alec Baldwin To Host 'Saturday Night Live' Premiere

8/4/2011 9:28 AM ET

(RTTNews) - Alec Baldwin has signed on to host the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" on September 24. The premiere will give Baldwin the most host appearances in the show's history, with sixteen. He is currently tied at fifteen with former "SNL" cast member Steve Martin.

The "30 Rock" star was never an official cast member on the show but appeared so regularly in its 37 season that he has his very own "best of" DVD. Notable performances by Baldwin in the past have included his role as Schweddy Balls, an impression of Charles Nelson Reilly and a role in the Adam Sandler "Canteen Boy" sketch series.
Baldwin, in fact, first connected with his "30 Rock" co-stars Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan during his various guest hosting appearances on the show. The second edition of the new season will feature "Bridesmaids" star Melissa McCarthy, who takes to "SNL" for the first time.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

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New Sebastian Bach track drops early

The album is due in September, but we have the title track of Kicking & Screaming now…**VIDEO**

Reported by Bruce Henne

Published: August 3, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Kicking & Screaming

Sebastian Bach is back with “Kicking & Screaming,” the first video and title track from his forthcoming album, due September 27 via Frontiers Records.
The video has debuted today; a digital single will be available August 23.
The follow-up to 2007’s “Angel Down,” “Kicking & Screaming” was produced by Bob Marlette and features guitarist Nick Sterling and drummer Bobby Jarzombek.
“I could not be happier with my new album,” says Bach. “The songs, performances and sound quality are beyond what I could have ever imagined. This is my best record yet and I can’t wait for all of you to crank it!”
Bach is also thrilled with the new video.
“Director Devin DeHaven did a great job and this video has a lot of energy and power, just like the song,” says Sebastian. “Plus, this video is FUN! Just what rock ‘n’ roll is about.”
Sebastian Bach
“Kicking & Screaming”
Release date: September 27, 2011
01 – Kicking & Screaming
02 – My Own Worst Enemy
03 – TunnelVision (featuring John 5)
04 – Dance On Your Grave
05 – Caught In A Dream
06 – As Long As I Got The Music
07 – I’m Alive
08 – Dirty Power
09 – Live The Life
10 – Dream Forever
11 – One Good Reason
12 – Lost In The Light
13 – Wishin’
Bonus tracks:
14 – Jumpin’ Off The Wagon (on physical CD/DVD editions only)
15 – Ain’t There Yet (iTunes exclusive)
Sebastian Bach – Kicking & Screaming (2011)

Kings Of Leon US Tour Cancellation Costly!!

Kings Of Leon's cancelled U.S. tour could prove to be costly, as Rolling Stone reports that Lloyd's Of London may pay out up to $15 million to promoters, venues and anyone else affected by the cancellations. Rumors have circulated this week that while the band cited "exhaustion" as the reason for pulling out of the tour, the real reason has to do with signer/guitarist Caleb Followill's drinking. Dennis Arfa, agent for Metallica and Billy Joel, tells Rolling Stone, "Exhaustion is a label. It doesn't tell you the detail – just says 'exhaustion.' Exhaustion usually means you have issues going on beyond just being physically tired. It's a convenient label."

DIO DISCIPLES - US Tour Dates Announced

Hot Flashes

Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2011 at 22:48:05 EST

DIO DISCIPLES - featuring RONNIE JAMES DIO alumni Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Rudy Sarzo (bass) along with vocalists Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) and Toby Jepson (LITTLE ANGELS, GUN) - have announced dates for their American tour. Confirmed shows are listed below:



September
22 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
23 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
26 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
27 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
28 - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues
29 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
30 - Medina, MN - Medina Entertainment Center

October
6 - Baton Rouge, LA - Varsity Theatre
7 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
8 - San Antonio, TX - Sunken Gardens
9 - Dallas, TX - Trees

Dio Disciples states: "We could NEVER replace Ronnie and that is NOT our intention! There will ever only be ONE RJD!!! Dio Disciples is a celebration of the music and legacy of the greatest singer in the world, Ronnie James Dio! The band just finished a European tour that was very well received! At times, there were tears, the crowd sang along and it was a GREAT celebration of the incredible music of Ronnie James Dio!!"

Buy Your Metal Here

Nikki Sixx tweets Tommy Lee's cell phone & hotel room #s.

Tuesday, 02 August 2011

Nikki Sixx tweets Tommy Lee's cell phone & hotel room #s. Nikki & Tommy in the middle, best BFF's since they use to be in a glam band. It seems like Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx isn't such a big bad guy afterall. He's decided to share one of his friends with the fans. That friend is Tommy Lee, and Nikki wants you to call him. See Nikki TWEET from last nite. Nikki Sixx Being a sharing person i thought i would share my drummer....if you wanna hang out tonight with @ mr tommyland ,his room is at the Hilton under the name Bue Balls..his cell is 310 564-9762..have fun...good night..

ROCK-HORROR ICON ALICE COOPER TEAMS WITH UNIVERSAL STUDIOS:

Universal City, CA -- The legendary Alice Cooper, who single-handedly masterminded the rock-horror genre, will spin a new collection of disturbing horror imagery in “Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare,” an outrageous new “Halloween Horror Nights®” maze at Universal Studios Hollywood. The event begins on September 23 and continues on select nights through October 31.
Inspired by the rock icon's landmark concept album and its long-awaited sequel Welcome 2 My Nightmare, to be released on September 13 through Universal Music Enterprises, the new attraction will take guests on a terrifying trip through Alice Cooper's twisted mind, where his most famous songs, bizarre themes and demented characters collide inside a living horror movie.
This original, one-of-a-kind walk through experience will feature trademark elements from Alice Cooper's celebrated shows, including guillotine decapitations, electric chairs, a sadistic insane asylum, predatory snake and giant Black Widow spiders that have helped make his imagery timeless and indelible. Music will be a powerful element within the maze and will include both new and classic Alice Cooper material.
Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Alice Cooper created the concept of the theatrical rock concert and has thrilled generations of fans with spectacular stagecraft and darkly flamboyant showmanship. His recording career spans six decades, includes over two dozen albums, many millions of record sales, countless world tours and appearances in scores of movies and videos, including a brief but memorable appearance in both “Nightmare on Elm Street: Freddy's Dead” and Universal Pictures' “Prince of Darkness.”
Sharing his enthusiasm, Alice Cooper said: “We'll be creating this living horror movie within screaming distance of the sound stages where horror movies first began, so there's no place more appropriate to offer a preview of the new `Welcome 2 My Nightmare.' This will be a nightmare that will haunt visitors' dreams for a long time to come.”
John Murdy, Creative Director, “Halloween Horror Nights,” added: “There are few people in the entertainment business who can be called a true original. Alice Cooper is in that rare pantheon. As a life-long Alice Cooper fan who's been motivated and inspired by his craft, I am absolutely thrilled by this incredible opportunity to collaborate with him on this new haunted attraction. It's a nightmare come true.”
Alice Cooper will be a key member of a Hollywood horror “dream team” assembled by Universal Studios Hollywood to create the ultimate “live” Halloween nightmare. The team also includes director, writer, producer and actor Eli Roth, who will present the new maze, “Eli Roth's Hostel: Hunting Season.” “The Thing: Assimilation,” inspired by Universal Pictures' upcoming thriller, will add to the Hollywood horror clout.
“Halloween Horror Nights” 2011 will bring unprecedented star power to an array of unrivaled, film production quality mazes uniquely themed to today's most definitive horror properties and deliver the most compelling, spine-chilling, haunted attractions. All-new terror filled “scare zones,” original shows and the popular “Terror Tram” will be among the ““Halloween Horror Nights” offerings. Additional new content for the 2011 “Halloween Horror Nights” mazes and attractions will be announced shortly.
The theme park's favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open for “Halloween Horror Nights” as well, many with menacing twists. Favorites include “The Simpsons Ride®,” “Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® In the Dark.”
Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” are available at Halloween Horror Nights.com and also on Twitter and Facebook, as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Fans are invited to follow John Murdy on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights or via Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights - Hollywood (Official).”

Three Different KISS Memoirs Coming Soon

Bryan Wawzenek

|

08.03.2011

KISS fans will soon have their pick of memoirs from the band’s original members. Guitarist Ace Frehley’s No Regrets will hit stores on November 1, drummer Peter Criss has a book planned for 2012 and bassist-singer Gene Simmons and singer-guitarist Paul Stanley are working on a chronicle of the band’s early years, according to BraveWords.com.
Simmons and Stanley are collaborating with journalist Ken Sharp on Nothin’ to Lose, a book that tracks KISS’s early history from its start in 1973 through to 1975’s live album, Alive! The book also will include interviews with Criss and Frehley, as well as other rock stars from the era. Nothin’ to Lose is set to come out via IT Books next summer.
IT Books Editor Denise Oswald spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the book: “It’s also an amazing depiction of New York in the early ’70s – it’s Manhattan, it’s Queens, you have members of The Ramones , members of Blue Öyster Cult, touring with and playing with KISS. You really get this incredible portrait of a time.”

Motley Crue: Tommy Lee turns down Dancing With The Stars

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

“I’ve never hit the PASS button so quick.”

That was Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee’s reaction Tuesday to receiving an offer to appear on the next season of “Dancing With The Stars,” the tv dance contest show.

“Ok! Ready for the funniest sh*t ever!!!,” tweeted Lee. “Dancing With The Stars just offered me a spot on the show!! I’ve never hit the PASS button so quick.”


So, no high-stepping for Tommy, who will be back on TV soon enough: Lee is developing "Culture Shock with Tommy Lee," an investigative travel show for the SyFy network.

The unscripted series stars Lee as he attempts to uncover various rituals, symbols, and other mysteries of secret societies. Tommy will immerse himself in the history of each society, meet with former members and participate in their ceremonies.

“This is the first show that I’ve been a part of that will blow our minds and reveal things that will explain almost all our questions,” Lee says. “I’m very excited to be partnering with Syfy on this show. It’s going to be an amazing experience for all involved.”

Lee previously starred in various reality series, including Tommy Lee Goes To College (2005) and Rock Star Supernova (2006).

Mötley Crüe

Breaking Benjamin Singer Fires Bandmates Over Song Dispute:

Florian Schneider

Artists in this Article

Breaking Benjamin

Post-grunge group Breaking Benjamin's longtime lineup is breaking apart after lead singer Benjamin Burnley reportedly fired guitarist Aaron Fincke and bassist Mark Klepaski over an unauthorized remix of the band's song "Blow Me Away."

According to The Citizens' Voice of the band's hometown of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Burnley fired Fincke and Klepaski over e-mail last May after the pair allegedly gave permission for a remixed version of "Blow Me Away" to appear on the group's upcoming greatest hits album, "Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin." Burnley claims that Fincke and Klepaski were offered $100,000 by the band's label to approve the revised version of the song, and that the pair did not inform him or the band's management of the remix.

Breaking Benjamin Takes 'Agony' To Top Ten

Attorneys for Fincke and Klepaski reportedly "dispute and strictly deny" Burnley's claims in a court filing last month. According to the Associated Press, Burnley's attorney, Brian Caplan, says that the singer is seeking $250,000 and exclusive hold of the Breaking Benjamin moniker.

"The relationship between Mr. Burnley and the two other members of the band has ended," Caplan says. "Mr. Burnley intends on moving forward using the name Breaking Benjamin and the band will continue. It just won't continue in its prior configuration. He's not retiring."

The band's management has declined to comment to Billboard.com.

Since forming in 1998, Breaking Benjamin has scored hits like "So Cold," "Sooner or Later" and "I Will Not Bow," while their fourth album, "Dear Agony," peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 2009. "Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin" is currently slated for an Aug. 16 release on Hollywood Records.

Studio Encounter with Eddie Van Halen

Thursday, 28 July 2011

Guitar legend Nuno Bettencourt was recently at Henson Studios to do some writing and mixing. Unbeknownst to him, his favorite rock band from his youth were secretly using the very same studios to record their upcoming album. Inspired by his chance encounter with Eddie Van Halen that day, Nuno wrote a story about it, which he contributed to  the upcoming hardcover photo book, Eddie Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower.

The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on Nuno Bettencourt’s contribution in the book, below:
I’m writing this on January 19, 2011, some thirty-three years after the Shock Heard Around the World. I’m referring of course to Van Halen.
Earlier today I was at Henson Studios—the old Charlie Chaplin movie lot—to do a writing session in the mixing room. As I was about to enter the room, my ears demanded that my feet stop in their tracks. What caused me to stop was a familiar sound from the room across the hall. This sound was desperately trying to break through the double-thick walls of the studio.
It was faint, but even so, there was no mistaking the power of the sound that was seeping through those walls, because there can only be one Edward.
I looked around to make sure no one was around, and then walked over and put my ear to the wall. I closed my eyes and listened intensely, and between the vibration and what I actually heard—poof!—I was transformed from forty-four to fourteen years old. Then, for the next three minutes, like a burst of electricity running through me, I saw and heard the soundtrack of my life flash before me. Back to the minute I walked into my brother’s room and heard “Running with the Devil” for the first time and I froze, staring at the record player with my mouth open like I was seeing porn for the first time, trying to comprehend what I was hearing. If that wasn’t scary enough, my brother then played another track, which opened with the thunder of the greatest, most individual and under-celebrated drummer in the world, King Alex Van Halen: PaDaLaBum PaDaLaBum . . . “Eruption!” At that point I looked at my brother and asked if we were being invaded by aliens, and what planet Edward Van Halen was from.
We’ve only had a handful of legendary guitarists whose styles were influential from the moment they hit the scene. Eddie not only had a groundbreaking style and sound, but as Van Halen’s discography shows, he and the band went on to make great and important music throughout their career.
Edward is a not only a great guitarist, he is a true genius and innovator. Like the legendary guitarists before him, he brought guitar to a new level, but unlike them, he reinvented the guitar one album after the other. It was fucking mind-boggling to listen to each new record. How could this be? We figured, Okay, Ed, you did it! “Atomic Punk,” “I’m the One,” et cetera, on Van Halen were improbable enough. Then what? He fucking did it again with Van Halen II! “Spanish Fly,” “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” and “Outta Love Again.” Then on Women and Children First there’s “Everybody Wants Some,” “Take Your Whiskey Home,” “Loss of Control,” . . . and then came my favorite VH album, Fair Warning! I thought, It’s four albums in, he’s definitely gonna start repeating himself. Drop the needle . . . and . . . wait for it . . . it’s fading in . . . no fucking way . . . “Mean Streets”! This guy is not human. Then “Unchained”?! I was convinced now that he really was an alien from another planet. And the list goes on: “Cathedral,” “Little Guitars,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Top Jimmy.” The reinvention and innovation was relentless, and goes on till today.
What’s even more incredible is that he did this without ever doing a long-winded, “look at me” instrumental solo record; he did it while being one of the tastiest rhythm players around, and while still serving the most important part, the Song.
I ran into Edward an hour later in the hallway, and after receiving a hello and a warm hug from the man who changed the world, I asked, “How’s it coming along in there?” And Ed said, “It’s cool. . . . I’m a little nervous, though.” I said, “Nervous? You!? Eddie Van? The Master? Do you have any idea what you have done? The gifts you have given us for over thirty years? You single-handedly changed the history of how we play guitar!” And with that grin that we have been seeing on Eddie’s face for as long as we can remember, he looked me in the eye and said, “I know . . . why do you think I’m nervous?” Then he walked off like John Wayne, straight back into the studio.
—Nuno Bettencourt
From the upcoming hardcover photo book, Eddie Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower. For more info or to pre-order your Autographed copy, visit Van Halen Store.

JOURNEY CONTINUE BELIEVIN' ON USA 'TODAY SHOW':

Journey flew into New York City early Friday morning, directly after their concert Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, taking a 24-hour break from their current Eclipse Tour, to perform on NBC's Today as part of the top-rated morning show's 2011 Friday Toyota Concert Series. The band opened their set with Don't Stop Believin' and then performed City of Hope from their latest album, Eclipse, released in May at Wal-Mart and all the usual digital retailers. Next up was Faithfully, which won the online “Viewer's Choice” song contest, and wrapped up with Any Way You Want It.
Today Senior Producer, Melissa Lonner, surprised the band by having host Matt Lauer presenting the band with a very special award. “Well there is a momentous occasion about to take place because the Nielsen Company's SoundScan Division has just certified that 'Don't Stop Believin' is the number one single from the 20th century,” said Matt Lauer. “We have plaque here that actually commemorates that.”
Although originally released in 1981, Don't Stop Believin' has had resurgence that began when it turned up in final episode of The Sopranos in 2007, boosting digital sales of the download to become the best-selling catalog song at the time. But it was Glee's version that propelled both it AND the original version into the top 10 in the UK early this year. In the U.S., sales of Don't Stop Believin' once again boosted while the 'Glee' version is the hit series' best-selling track, with sales of nearly 1.1 million.
30 years later, more than 4.6 million downloads of the original song have been sold making Don't Stop Believin' the most downloaded song from the 20th Century.
Video of the entire concert performance – and the special Nielsen SoundScan award presentation – can be seen at: today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041478/.
The “Eclipse Tour” - with special guests Foreigner and Night Ranger – resumed on Saturday night in Tinley Park, Illinois at the Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. For more information, visit www.Journeymusic.com.
Photo credits: Kevin Mazur, Wireimage.

xxxx

In related news, this just in: "Rewind 94.9 Cincinnati will be doing a live simulcast of the Foreigner / Journey show in Cincinnati, OH this Wednesday August 3. I'm told this is a last minute deal as they only secured rights to do just those 2 bands - it does NOT include Night Ranger.
Link: www.rewind949.com/blog/story/20110727/rewind-94.9-is-broadcasting-the-journey-concert-live.