STEVE VAI ONLINE GUITAR LESSON RECORD BID:Berkleemusic, the online continuing education division of Boston's renowned Berklee College of Music, along with Grammy®-award winning guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, announced a call to action for guitarists around the world to join forces and set the Guinness® World Record for the largest online guitar lesson on March 3rd, 2011. This first-of-its-kind initiative will bring together the worldwide community of guitarists in an unprecedented online celebration of music education.
Vai, who is currently recording a new album and preparing for an extensive world tour, is a Berklee alumnus with a devoted fan base in over seventy countries. Although he is not a guitar instructor, Vai is a passionate advocate for music exploration and hopes the event will encourage players to continue to cultivate their own unique style and spirit on the instrument. "This online event, and the larger efforts Berkleemusic is making to teach students around world, is a great example of the collaboration that happens at Berklee," says Vai. "Whether you're in Boston, Bombay, or Brussels, we'll all be together on March 3rd."
The World's Largest Online Guitar Lesson is a one-time event that takes place Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 at 1:30PM EST. Berkleemusic has partnered with Livestream, the pre-eminent live streaming video platform, to host this event in their New York City studio. Participants can learn more about the online lesson at www.berkleemusic.com/vai-live.
Vai's FREE online lesson will last 30 minutes, and will provide a look into Steve's technique with a focus on how guitarists can develop and gain insight into their own playing. In order to further engage with his fans, Steve is also encouraging participants to submit questions to him online, which he will answer onstage at the conclusion of his online lesson. Interested participants can submit questions to Steve on the event's web page, located here: www.berkleemusic.com/vai-live.
As a gesture of its commitment to music education, Berkleemusic will donate one dollar for every person that joins the online lesson to the Steve Vai Online Scholarship Fund at Berkleemusic, which is designed to reward and assist outstanding students studying in Berkleemusic's multi-course certificate programs.
"Steve Vai is one of the most popular guitarists on the planet, and deservedly so," says Dave Kusek, CEO of Berkleemusic. "We're thrilled and honored to partner with Steve for this unique online guitar lesson, and excited to play a part in exposing a record-setting number of guitarists from around the world to his 'otherworldly' techniques."
Berkleemusic and Steve Vai have also partnered to author a brand new 12-week online course: Steve Vai Guitar Techniques. This online course presents students with the chance to gain a deep understanding of Vai's death-defying playing styles, repertoire, techniques, and musical concepts from anywhere in the world, and incorporate their learnings into their own playing. The Steve Vai Guitar Techniques online course builds upon the renowned guitar curriculum that Berklee has been providing to students for decades. The course is now open for enrollment for the school's spring term which begins on April 4th, 2011. For more information regarding the course, registration information, and to sample an online guitar course, visit Berkleemusic.com.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Rush Planning To Remix 2002's Vapor Trails
Alex Lifeson of Rush has revealed that the band has never been satisfied with the final mix of their 2002 album Vapor Trails and are now planning to remix it.
While speaking with Classic Rock magazine, the guitarist said they probably should have taken more time with the album the first time around.
"We were never happy with the production," said Lifeson. "Perhaps we should have taken more time over the record. But now we've got the chance to improve things. There will be no re-recording, just a remix."
The news comes at a busy time for the prog-rock giants, who head out for the second leg of their American Time Machine tour on March 30. According to Lifeson, they will also hit the studio soon.
"We only have two or three more songs that we feel we need for the album. So we can start reworking the material and get it in great shape. Then we'll prepare for the tour in March, finish in July, take the summer off then start work in earnest in September," he recently told Guitarist magazine.
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While speaking with Classic Rock magazine, the guitarist said they probably should have taken more time with the album the first time around.
"We were never happy with the production," said Lifeson. "Perhaps we should have taken more time over the record. But now we've got the chance to improve things. There will be no re-recording, just a remix."
The news comes at a busy time for the prog-rock giants, who head out for the second leg of their American Time Machine tour on March 30. According to Lifeson, they will also hit the studio soon.
"We only have two or three more songs that we feel we need for the album. So we can start reworking the material and get it in great shape. Then we'll prepare for the tour in March, finish in July, take the summer off then start work in earnest in September," he recently told Guitarist magazine.
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Jon Bon Jovi Reportedly Looking At Stake In Atlanta Falcons
Jon Bon Jovi is supposedly in talks with Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank on the possibility of buying a minority stake in the football team, according to CBS News.
The New Jersey rocker could potentially own 15 percent of the team if he wishes to go through with the deal after paying a hefty $150 million. Blank confirmed he talked with the singer, but would not disclose specific details about their agreement.
Bon Jovi also owned the Philadelphia Soul, an Arena Football League team, from 2004 to 2009.
In other recent news, the singer has signed on to star in Garry Marshall's new romantic comedy film, New Year's Eve, which is being released on December 9, 2011.
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The New Jersey rocker could potentially own 15 percent of the team if he wishes to go through with the deal after paying a hefty $150 million. Blank confirmed he talked with the singer, but would not disclose specific details about their agreement.
Bon Jovi also owned the Philadelphia Soul, an Arena Football League team, from 2004 to 2009.
In other recent news, the singer has signed on to star in Garry Marshall's new romantic comedy film, New Year's Eve, which is being released on December 9, 2011.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein on cover of Guitar Legends “Most Iconic guitars” issue!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Besides making into the Smithsonian, Edward Van Halen’s homemade Frankenstein guitar made it onto the cover of the latest Guitar Legends issue, “100 Of The World’s Most Iconic Guitars.”
Here’s an small excerpt from the extensive article:
Should Edward Van Halen ever decide to auction off his original Frankenstein guitar, conservative estimates are that it will set an all-time record price for a celebrity guitar, well in excess of a million dollars. Not bad for an instrument that Ed originally pieced together in 1976 from about $200 worth of spare parts.
From the Fifties through the Seventies, the vast majority of guitarists played off-the-rack instruments, and only a handful made modifications such as swapping pickups or changing electronic circuits. Eddie was the first well-known guitarist to put together his own instrument since Les Paul scrapped together his experimental solidbody Log guitar in the late Thirties. Like Paul, Van Halen found that readily available products on the market didn’t meet his needs, so he set out on his own to create a custom instrument that satisfied his exact requirements for performance, playability and sound.
Performing with Van Halen in the late Seventies, Ed literally reinvented the guitar. In the process, he inspired millions of guitarists and dramatically changed how the instruments are made and played. Van Halen’s playing style and requirements influenced the development of the Floyd Rose tremolo while his guitar and amp creations spurred on the Eighties trends for custom and kit guitars and modified amps. Furthermore, his experiments with pickups, which included rewinding the coils and potting them with surfboard wax, gave the replacement pickup industry a significant boost. In their attempts to duplicate Van Halen’s signature “brown” sound, manufacturers devised all kinds of products, ranging from high-gain amps and hot-rodded guitars to effect pedals and custom-wound pickups. While many profited from Van Halen’s contributions, Ed never asked for anything in return. “I never demanded anything from anyone, and I still don’t,”he says. “I just keep going.”
Over the years, the story of how Ed built his original homemade Frankenstein has become riddled with errors, some of which he dropped deliberately to confuse copiers. Today, Ed no longer sees any point in obscuring the truth and has given Guitar Legends the in-depth story behind this unique instrument’s creation.
The magazine, which also has an article on Eddie’s Ibanez Destroyer, is currently in stock at VanHalenStore.com.
DEF LEPPARD ANNOUNCE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!
DEF LEPPARD ANNOUNCE AN ANNOUNCEMENT:Def Leppard have announced that they will soon be making an announcement! And what of this upcoming announcement? One would presume it is news of the band's planned 2011 tour and (hopefully) a release date for the planned Double Live CD that is set to include up to 5 new studio tracks. Stay tuned.
Axl Rose Squashes Guns N' Roses Tour Rumor
Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has publicly denied the rumor that he will be touring with the band in North America.
In a statement released on twitlonger.com, Rose explained: "Contrary to anyone's claims, there are no concrete plans nor were there ever for a tour, a relaunch or sponsors (n' certainly not to replace anyone in the band) beyond a collection of random ideas thrown out by various individuals [without] any real foundation or negotiations in place other than our prior involvements (which wouldn't take a rocket scientist to put together)."
He also noted that the band's former manager Doc McGhee was not involved with the band or his own affairs.
The band last released an album with Rose, entitled Chinese Democracy, in 2008. Rose granted only two promotional interviews for the album and they were his first in-person interviews in over 14 years.
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In a statement released on twitlonger.com, Rose explained: "Contrary to anyone's claims, there are no concrete plans nor were there ever for a tour, a relaunch or sponsors (n' certainly not to replace anyone in the band) beyond a collection of random ideas thrown out by various individuals [without] any real foundation or negotiations in place other than our prior involvements (which wouldn't take a rocket scientist to put together)."
He also noted that the band's former manager Doc McGhee was not involved with the band or his own affairs.
The band last released an album with Rose, entitled Chinese Democracy, in 2008. Rose granted only two promotional interviews for the album and they were his first in-person interviews in over 14 years.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
New Cars Album Slated For May
The Cars have revealed that their long-awaited new LP will be released in May.
The album, entitled Move Like This, will be their first since 1987's Door to Door (after which the band broke up) and includes the lead single "Sad Song," which will be officially released in March. A short clip of the single has been made available online through the band's Facebook page, where they have also posted a snippet of a song called "Blue Tip" and 90 seconds of a song called "Free."
The LP includes the group's original lineup of Ric Ocasek, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson (original bassist Benjamin Orr having passed away in 2000).
A promotional tour for the album has yet to be announced; however, the Cars will be playing this year's Coachella Music Festival.
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The album, entitled Move Like This, will be their first since 1987's Door to Door (after which the band broke up) and includes the lead single "Sad Song," which will be officially released in March. A short clip of the single has been made available online through the band's Facebook page, where they have also posted a snippet of a song called "Blue Tip" and 90 seconds of a song called "Free."
The LP includes the group's original lineup of Ric Ocasek, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson (original bassist Benjamin Orr having passed away in 2000).
A promotional tour for the album has yet to be announced; however, the Cars will be playing this year's Coachella Music Festival.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Mark Sanchez’s 17-Year-Old Lady Friend Has Found A Lawyer!
Mark Sanchez’s 17-Year-Old Lady Friend Has Found A Lawyer
A.J. Daulerio — 
So We've been working on a story the last couple weeks about Mark Sanchez's romancing of a 17-year-old girl. She reached out to us first and agreed to cooperate. Then she didn't. Then she did again. Now, of course, her lawyer has contacted us.
The entire story of what this legal letter hints at will be revealed on Tuesday. Rest assured, the lawyer has left out a few details. We won't publish this young lady's full name, but if the photos she sent to us from her Blackberry of Mark Sanchez's bedroom — supposedly taken on her cell phone after she spent the night with him a few weeks ago — were not sent by her, then there's more to this than previously suspected. Most likely, not, though. Just a hunch.
Members of the Jets organization have been made aware of our and her story. They're in the process of fact-gathering and working on a statement. We'll keep you updated if anything else happens before Tuesday.
Back into the grime. Again.
David Lee Roth Back In Studio With Van Halen
Image Credit: Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty ImagesDavid Lee Roth is apparently back in the studio with Van Halen. There have been rumors for some months that the singer was set to reunite with his old band and those rumors have seemingly been confirmed by producer John Shanks, who has previously overseen albums by Bon Jovi and Miley Cyrus, amongst others. First Shanks tweeted the message “here we go kids…..vh” and then he posted a photograph of Eddie Van Halen’s amplifier accompanied by the message, “Wtf!”
Last August, Billboard reported that a release by music publishers Warner Chappell—who represent Eddie and Alex Van Halen—had stated that a Van Halen CD featuring Roth would be released in 2011.
Roth fronted Van Halen during their successful 2007-8 tour but hasn’t actually recorded an album with the band since 1984′s 1984, which was certified platinum eight times.Needless to day, that was a looooong time ago. Are you excited to hear what Dave and Eddie sound like in 2011?
Jim Carrey laps up the fun at Super Bowl party!
Getty Images file
Jim Carrey, pictured in 2009, reportedly let loose at a Super Bowl party in Dallas this weekend.
Carrey didn’t just blend into the background -- he took to the stage when Cee Lo Green started singing “F--- You.” “He started singing with him, then started doing these really strange dance moves. Like he was channeling a strange version of Ace Ventura.”
It wasn’t all debauchery in Dallas though. Earlier in the day, Pete Wentz’s Mercedes Benz charity Tweet Race wrapped up. The winning team happened to be Wentz’s, and at the conclusion of the event, a $25,000 check was presented to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Prince kicks Kim Kardashian off stage at concert!!
AP file
"OMG Prince just pulled me up on stage!!!" she tweeted while it was happening. "I'm shaking!!!!"
Well, shaking apparently wasn't what Prince was hoping for. According to witnesses at the show, Prince kicked a stunned Kardashian off the stage when she didn't exude the energy his purple majesty was looking for. To this, she reacted again via Twitter, "I was so nervous I froze when Prince touched me!!"
Prince apparently has a big heart though: he gave the reality star one more shot later in the show. "Went up on stage AGAIN! This time I redeemed myself. We all danced while Prince played the piano! Wow! What a night!"
Shinedown is readying a Live CD/DVD For Spring Release
Shinedown is readying a Live CD/DVD with a collection of footage from their Carnival of Madness and Anything & Everything 2010 tours. The band is currently asking fans to suggest a title for the Live package at their website.
The band has created a post on the band's website to accept submissions at shinedown.com. The author of the title selected will win a huge prize pack from Shinedown including a copy of the DVD, tickets to see the band, and a personal phone call from Shinedown lead singer Brent Smith.
A release date for the CD/DVD box set has not yet been announced, but is expected to be released in late spring 2011. Shinedown is also expected to announce the line up and dates for the 2011 Carnival Of Madness tour with dates running through most of the summer.
The band has created a post on the band's website to accept submissions at shinedown.com. The author of the title selected will win a huge prize pack from Shinedown including a copy of the DVD, tickets to see the band, and a personal phone call from Shinedown lead singer Brent Smith.
A release date for the CD/DVD box set has not yet been announced, but is expected to be released in late spring 2011. Shinedown is also expected to announce the line up and dates for the 2011 Carnival Of Madness tour with dates running through most of the summer.
National Museum of American History Receives Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstein Replica” Guitar
National Museum of American History Receives Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstein Replica” Guitar
Monday, 7 February 2011
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has recently acquired the Van Halen “Frank 2″ guitar played and made famous by Eddie Van Halen through a partnership donation with Fender Musical Instruments.The guitar was made in 2006 as part of a joint venture between the artist and Fender to produce a limited edition number of guitars for the EVH brand. Known as the “Frankenstein Replica,” or “Frank 2,” it will be part of the museum’s Division of Culture and the Arts, which preserves a large and diverse collection of instruments.
Eddie Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer and self-taught inventor of guitar technology and technique. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard-rock band Van Halen and recognized for his innovative performing and recording styles in blues-based rock, tapping, intense solos and high-frequency feedback; he is also famous for energetic and acrobatic stage performances. The band’s self-titled debut album was released Feb. 10, 1978.
“The museum collects objects that are multidimensional, and this guitar reflects innovation, talent and influence,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum. “The guitar moves the museum’s instrument collections into more contemporary history.”
In 1975 Eddie Van Halen realized that no existing guitar had the features that he needed to create his signature sound. A constant tinkerer, he set out to construct a guitar to fit his standards, needs and playing style, combining different elements of long-established guitar designs into one instrument. Fans nicknamed the custom creation “Frankenstein.” By 2006, the original “Frankenstein” guitar had been in service for more than 30 years and was retired from performances. Chip Ellis, a master guitar builder at Fender, replicated every detail of the original guitar, which, when presented to Eddie Van Halen, appeared to be indistinguishable from the original. During the Van Halen 2007-08 North American tour with original lead singer David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen used the replica guitar, “Frank 2″ for the majority of the performances.The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. To learn more about the museum, check http://americanhistory.si.edu./
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bon Jovi Adds More Dates To Current Tour
Days after announcing that the band will be taking a break from touring, Bon Jovi has added another leg to its Live 2011 Tour.
Now the band will hit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30, play four dates in Canada, and then return to the southeast for a few shows.
Drummer Tico Torres recently suggested the band would be taking an extensive break after a year on the road. Richie Sambora, however, said the band did not need "that much of a break", comparing the band's stamina to that of the Rolling Stones.
Sales have been steady for Bon Jovi's current tour. TicketNews reported in November that the band had earned the highest power score for ticket sales.
Tickets are now on sale and range between $20 to $150.
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Now the band will hit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30, play four dates in Canada, and then return to the southeast for a few shows.
Drummer Tico Torres recently suggested the band would be taking an extensive break after a year on the road. Richie Sambora, however, said the band did not need "that much of a break", comparing the band's stamina to that of the Rolling Stones.
Sales have been steady for Bon Jovi's current tour. TicketNews reported in November that the band had earned the highest power score for ticket sales.
Tickets are now on sale and range between $20 to $150.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Jagger To Play At Grammy Awards
The AP reports the Stones frontman will appear as part of a tribute to soul great Solomon Burke, who died last year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer opened for the Stones several times during his career comeback late in life.
For his first appearance on the Grammy stage, Jagger will perform with soul singer Raphael Saadiq.
"We're thrilled, delighted, excited and very much looking forward to Mick doing his debut on the Grammy stage," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy. "It's extraordinary to many of us that the fact is, this will be the first time; he has never performed on the Grammy stage."
This won't be Jagger's first appearance on a Grammy telecast. In 1986, the Rolling Stones were given a lifetime achievement award by Eric Clapton, and they performed on the show by satellite.
"We did a remote from London, and it was at least three o'clock there," said show producer Ken Ehrlich. "I think they had been celebrating a little time before we went on camera," he said. "It was quite a moment."
Slash Open To Guns N' Roses Reunion - If Axl Apologizes
After quitting Guns N' Roses in 1996, guitarist Slash says he would now be open to rejoining the band - with the provision that frontman Axl Rose apologizes first.
"That would be a call I would be surprised to get," Slash told the Los Angeles Daily recently. "If that really happened, I would have to clean out my junk drawer, too, but I don't see it happening. But if it did happen, I would do whatever it takes to at least have a conversation about it."
Currently, Slash is performing with his group Velvet Revolver and doing solo work. Axl still tours with Guns N' Roses - although he is the only original member involved in the group's current incarnation.
Guns N' Roses first release, Appetite For Destruction, is the highest selling debut album of all time, moving 28 million copies.
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"That would be a call I would be surprised to get," Slash told the Los Angeles Daily recently. "If that really happened, I would have to clean out my junk drawer, too, but I don't see it happening. But if it did happen, I would do whatever it takes to at least have a conversation about it."
Currently, Slash is performing with his group Velvet Revolver and doing solo work. Axl still tours with Guns N' Roses - although he is the only original member involved in the group's current incarnation.
Guns N' Roses first release, Appetite For Destruction, is the highest selling debut album of all time, moving 28 million copies.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Friday, February 4, 2011
Alice Cooper Blasts Robert Plant
Alice Cooper has lashed out at former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant for his resistance to rejoin the iconic classic rock group. In a recent interview with the Palm Springs Boxing Examiner, Cooper says Plant's newfound success in the roots music realm should be no reason to deprive the world of a Zep reunion.
"They are just standing there. What is so hard? Jimmy Page wants to do it. John Paul Jones wants to do it. And they got Bonham's son, who is a killer drummer," Cooper said.
"All they need is Robert Plant. But what is Robert Plant out there doing? Playing folk music! What is he doing?"
Cooper says it shouldn't be so hard for Plant to go and play his hit songs, adding, "I go out on stage and say 'turn it up.' I never get tired of playing my songs."
"They are just standing there. What is so hard? Jimmy Page wants to do it. John Paul Jones wants to do it. And they got Bonham's son, who is a killer drummer," Cooper said.
"All they need is Robert Plant. But what is Robert Plant out there doing? Playing folk music! What is he doing?"
Cooper says it shouldn't be so hard for Plant to go and play his hit songs, adding, "I go out on stage and say 'turn it up.' I never get tired of playing my songs."
Michael Anthony “Excited to Hear” News of Van Halen Recording
Michael Anthony “Excited to Hear” News of Van Halen Recording
Friday, 4 February 2011
From ABC News Radio:
Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony says he’s “excited” that his former band are releasing new material. Producer John Shanks recently tweeted the message “Here we go kids…VH,” signifying that the band is finally starting to record a new album. Anthony said, “I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do,” adding that he has “no hard feelings” about his split from the band in 2005. He was replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang.
So, does Anthony and his former band mates keep in touch? Anthony admits he hasn’t spoken to any of the members of Van Halen since the end of their 2004 tour. He also says, “the tour did not end as harmoniously as we would have liked it to and it probably should have gone on longer than it did.” Still, Anthony wouldn’t be against having his band Chickenfoot open for VH should they go on tour — “I got no problem with that,” he says.
Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony says he’s “excited” that his former band are releasing new material. Producer John Shanks recently tweeted the message “Here we go kids…VH,” signifying that the band is finally starting to record a new album. Anthony said, “I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do,” adding that he has “no hard feelings” about his split from the band in 2005. He was replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang.
So, does Anthony and his former band mates keep in touch? Anthony admits he hasn’t spoken to any of the members of Van Halen since the end of their 2004 tour. He also says, “the tour did not end as harmoniously as we would have liked it to and it probably should have gone on longer than it did.” Still, Anthony wouldn’t be against having his band Chickenfoot open for VH should they go on tour — “I got no problem with that,” he says.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
KISS Drummer PETER CRISS To Release Memoir
Original-KISS Drummer PETER CRISS To Release Memoir Via SIMON & SCHUSTER Imprint -
Feb. 1, 2011
According to the Los Angeles Times, original KISS drummer Peter Criss has signed a deal with the Simon & Schuster imprint Scribner to publish his memoir, "Makeup To Breakup", in the fall of 2012. A press release promises, "From sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll to multiple brushes with death, 'Makeup To Breakup' will be Peter Criss' unvarnished and eye-opening life story."
Criss will write the book with the help of Larry "Ratso" Sloman.
"I am so blessed that I am finally going to write my autobiography, and I hope you enjoy the ride," Criss said in the release. "The best of all is I get to share my true feelings of my love for God, family, friends and fame. It's been a wonderful life."
While some men feel embarrassed because of "this macho crap," Criss told CNN surviving breast cancer was actually a blessing. He was treated before the tumor could spread and said he was speaking about male breast cancer to raise the profile of this rare disease.
Criss, who played drums for KISS and was known as "Catman," offered this advice to men who spot lumps in their breast: "Don't sit around playing Mr. Tough Guy. Don't say 'It's going to go away.' It might not and you might not see life anymore and how beautiful that is."
Criss, who is currently working on a new rock album, told Reuters his bout with cancer had affected his songwriting.
"My lyrics are not so deep and dismal," he said. One of the tracks on the album, expected next year, is called "Hard Rock Knockers".
Feb. 1, 2011
According to the Los Angeles Times, original KISS drummer Peter Criss has signed a deal with the Simon & Schuster imprint Scribner to publish his memoir, "Makeup To Breakup", in the fall of 2012. A press release promises, "From sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll to multiple brushes with death, 'Makeup To Breakup' will be Peter Criss' unvarnished and eye-opening life story."
Criss will write the book with the help of Larry "Ratso" Sloman.
"I am so blessed that I am finally going to write my autobiography, and I hope you enjoy the ride," Criss said in the release. "The best of all is I get to share my true feelings of my love for God, family, friends and fame. It's been a wonderful life."
While some men feel embarrassed because of "this macho crap," Criss told CNN surviving breast cancer was actually a blessing. He was treated before the tumor could spread and said he was speaking about male breast cancer to raise the profile of this rare disease.
Criss, who played drums for KISS and was known as "Catman," offered this advice to men who spot lumps in their breast: "Don't sit around playing Mr. Tough Guy. Don't say 'It's going to go away.' It might not and you might not see life anymore and how beautiful that is."
Criss, who is currently working on a new rock album, told Reuters his bout with cancer had affected his songwriting.
"My lyrics are not so deep and dismal," he said. One of the tracks on the album, expected next year, is called "Hard Rock Knockers".
Rolling Stones Tour Plans Leaked In Lawsuit
It seems there may be some truth to the ongoing rumors of a future Rolling Stones tour. News of a 50th anniversary tour broke this week as the result of a lawsuit between concert promotion giant Live Nation and its former chairman Michael Cohl.
According to various sources, Cohl and Live Nation went to court over alleged breaches of the contract agreed to upon Cohl's departure in 2008. In the suit, Cohl claims that the firm attempted to sabotage his ability to promote a Rolling Stones tour that is planned for later this year.
In the contract, Cohl had reportedly agreed to pay Live Nation nearly $10 million to acquire the rights for various tours backed by non-competition clauses. Live Nation later sued Cohl, claiming he backed out on nearly $5 million of the deal. He later counter-sued claiming that they also backed out of the deal.
There has been no official word from the band on details concerning the tour.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
According to various sources, Cohl and Live Nation went to court over alleged breaches of the contract agreed to upon Cohl's departure in 2008. In the suit, Cohl claims that the firm attempted to sabotage his ability to promote a Rolling Stones tour that is planned for later this year.
In the contract, Cohl had reportedly agreed to pay Live Nation nearly $10 million to acquire the rights for various tours backed by non-competition clauses. Live Nation later sued Cohl, claiming he backed out on nearly $5 million of the deal. He later counter-sued claiming that they also backed out of the deal.
There has been no official word from the band on details concerning the tour.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival Featuring Megadeth & Godsmack
Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival Featuring Megadeth & Godsmack
This summer's mainstage artists, Disturbed, Godsmack, and Megadeth, will be joined by a ferocious mix of the best hard rock and metal artists of today. For the first time in festival history, through their success, Machine Head, In Flames, and Trivium have grown through the ranks to now perform on the main stage in rotating slots throughout the tour.
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is thrilled to see the return of festival veterans Disturbed, Machine Head, Trivium, and Suicide Silence.
The Jägermeister stage will feature Unearth, Kingdom of Sorrow, Red Fang, and the winners of Jägermeister Battle of the Bands. The Extreme Stage will spotlight Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish and Straight Line Stitch.
The fourth annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will also feature Rockstar Metal Mulisha Jump Team, the World's Greatest Freestyle Motocross team.
"Strap yourself in and hold on tight, cuz this ride goes reeeeeal fassst this summer," exclaims Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna. "Godsmack / Disturbed, Mayhem festival!! Can't fu@?kin' wait!!!"
Mainstage guitarist Dan Donegan of Disturbed emotes, "Disturbed is looking forward to being part of the biggest summer tour in the U.S. this year. It's been years since we shared the stage with Godsmack and we've been wanting to team up with them and join forces for a longtime. Megadeth has been a big inspiration to us and we are looking forward to the other bands rounding out what seems to be a solid bill."
Also, mainstage performer Megadeth's lead guitarist and frontman Dave Mustaine adds, "This is going to be a helluva hot summer, and you can get ready for true Mayhem this year."
"Machine Head are thrilled to once again be a part of what has become the undisputed king of metal and rock festivals in the U.S., Mayhem," states Machine Head frontman and guitarist Robb Flynn. "Our run headlining the Jägermeister stage in 2008 was one of the wildest and most inspiring tours we have ever been a part of. We became friends with so many great bands and Mulisha dudes. We all partied, and rode what would become an incredible wave of momentum for Machine Head. The vibe on the tour was filled with an impressive amount of goodwill due to the attention to detail and hard work of John Reese and Kevin Lyman. Machine Head will do everything in our power to make this f*&#ing huge!! Bring on the summer!"
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival attendees can enjoy a plethora of festival activities, including perusing vendors, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of other interactive activities that enhance the concert experience. It's a 10-hour trip to heavy nirvana.
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2011 bands:
Main Stage:
Disturbed
Godsmack
Megadeth
[Rotating Opening Slot On Main Stage:]
Machine Head
In Flames
Trivium
Jägermeister Stage:
Unearth
Kingdom of Sorrow
Red Fang
[Jägermeister opener]
Extreme Stage:
Suicide Silence
All Shall Perish
Straight Line Stitch
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2011 tour dates:
Jul. 09 - San Manuel Amphitheater - San Bernardino, CA
Jul. 10 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA
Jul. 12 - White River Amphitheatre - Auburn, WA
Jul. 13 - Idaho Center Amphitheater - Nampa, ID
Jul. 15 - Desert Sky Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ
Jul. 16 - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion - Albuquerque, NM
Jul. 17 - Comfort Dental Amphitheater - Englewood, CO
Jul. 19 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Maryland Heights, MO
Jul. 20 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH
Jul. 22 - Comcast Center - Mansfield, MA
Jul. 23 - Parc Jean-Drapeau - (Heavy MTL) - Montreal, QC
Jul. 24 - Comcast Theater - Hartford, CT
Jul. 27 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
Jul. 29 - First Niagara Pavilion - Burgettstown, PA
Jul. 30 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
Jul. 31 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
Aug. 02 - Virginia Beach Amphitheater - Virginia Beach, VA
Aug. 03 - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek - Raleigh, NC
Aug. 05 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
Aug. 06 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Clarkston, MI
Aug. 07 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Noblesville, IN
Aug. 09 - Zoo Amphitheatre - Oklahoma City, OK
Aug. 10 – Gexa Energy Pavilion - Dallas, TX
Aug. 12 - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood - Atlanta, GA
Aug. 13 - 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre - Tampa, FL
Aug. 14 - Cruzan Amphitheatre - West Palm Beach, FL
Aerosmith Studio Sessions Going Well
Aerosmith Studio Sessions Going Well
Aerosmith have produced a set of songs for an upcoming album. Recent recording sessions are said to have been "really good," according to a longtime Aerosmith collaborator.
The band returned to the studio last month after two years of tumult over singer Steven Tyler's departure from the band and drug addiction treatment. There was a subsequent disagreement between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry over Tyler's role as a judge on the current season of American Idol.
Collaborator Marti Frederiksen notes, "It's been really good, great. We've been playing songs, putting together riffs, having fun, laughing and working from noon to 11pm. We're just digging in, man."
Frederiksen added, "I think we can wind up with a lot of good stuff, and they've got a lot of great stuff already from the past that hasn't been finished, a whole stockpile that just needs to be produced up. I think they'll be in pretty good shape."
Perry has not joined the band for the studio sessions thus far.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
The band returned to the studio last month after two years of tumult over singer Steven Tyler's departure from the band and drug addiction treatment. There was a subsequent disagreement between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry over Tyler's role as a judge on the current season of American Idol.
Collaborator Marti Frederiksen notes, "It's been really good, great. We've been playing songs, putting together riffs, having fun, laughing and working from noon to 11pm. We're just digging in, man."
Frederiksen added, "I think we can wind up with a lot of good stuff, and they've got a lot of great stuff already from the past that hasn't been finished, a whole stockpile that just needs to be produced up. I think they'll be in pretty good shape."
Perry has not joined the band for the studio sessions thus far.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Monday, January 31, 2011
Ozzy Postpones Reno Show
Ozzy Postpones Reno Show
A last-minute illness sidelined rocker Ozzy Osbourne over the weekend, forcing the former Black Sabbath frontman to postpone his Sunday night show in Reno, Nevada.
A statement from Live Nation spokesman Chris Martinez was released to the media on early Sunday, January 30. He explained that "based on advice from doctors, it is with great regret that Ozzy Osbourne is postponing his show . . . at the Reno Event Center." No further information was released regarding Ozzy's ailment.
The show has been postponed until April 23, when tickets for this weekend's performance will be honored. Those desiring a refund can get one at their point of purchase.
Nevada residents that can't wait another three months to catch the Prince of Darkness will be able to catch the "Crazy Train" singer on television this week. Ozzy is expected to appear in a commercial alongside teen heartthrob Justin Bieber during the Super Bowl.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
A statement from Live Nation spokesman Chris Martinez was released to the media on early Sunday, January 30. He explained that "based on advice from doctors, it is with great regret that Ozzy Osbourne is postponing his show . . . at the Reno Event Center." No further information was released regarding Ozzy's ailment.
The show has been postponed until April 23, when tickets for this weekend's performance will be honored. Those desiring a refund can get one at their point of purchase.
Nevada residents that can't wait another three months to catch the Prince of Darkness will be able to catch the "Crazy Train" singer on television this week. Ozzy is expected to appear in a commercial alongside teen heartthrob Justin Bieber during the Super Bowl.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Obama Healthcare Plan Unconstitutional!
MIAMI |
MIAMI (Reuters) - A federal judge in Florida struck down President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul as unconstitutional on Monday in the biggest legal challenge yet to federal authority to enact the law.U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that the reform law's so-called individual mandate went too far in requiring that Americans start buying health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty.
"Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire act must be declared void," he wrote, "This has been a difficult decision to reach and I am aware that it will have indeterminable implications."
Referring to a key provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Vinson sided with governors and attorneys general from 26 U.S. states, almost all of whom are Republicans, in declaring the Obama healthcare reform unconstitutional.
"Regardless of how laudable its attempts may have been to accomplish these goals in passing the act, Congress must operate within the bounds established by the Constitution," Vinson, who was appointed to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan, ruled.
The Obama administration said it would appeal Vinson's ruling and believed it would prevail on a highly politicized issue likely to end up at the Supreme Court.
"We strongly disagree with the court's ruling today and continue to believe -- as other federal courts have found -- that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional," Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said.
A White House official told reporters the administration planned to continue with implementation of the law.
"We'll continue to operate as we have previously and suspect that the states will do the same," said the senior administration official, who asked not to be named.
"Obviously this case will be appealed ... and so implementation would proceed apace ... This is not the last word by any means," the official said.
But the fact that the judge did not issue a stay of his ruling pending appeal by the government could threaten the application of many of the provisions of the healthcare law.
RULING DRAWS ATTACK, PRAISE
The plaintiffs represent more than half the U.S. states, so the Florida case has more prominence than some two dozen similar lawsuits filed in federal courts.
The healthcare overhaul enacted last year, a contentious cornerstone of Obama's presidency, aims to expand health insurance to cover millions of uninsured Americans while also curbing costs. Administration officials insist it is needed to stem huge projected increases in healthcare costs.
Two other district court judges have rejected challenges to the individual mandate. But a federal district judge in Richmond, Virginia, last month struck down that central provision of the law.
MIAMI (Reuters) - A federal judge in Florida struck down President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul as unconstitutional on Monday in the biggest legal challenge yet to federal authority to enact the law.U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that the reform law's so-called individual mandate went too far in requiring that Americans start buying health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty.
"Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire act must be declared void," he wrote, "This has been a difficult decision to reach and I am aware that it will have indeterminable implications."
Referring to a key provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Vinson sided with governors and attorneys general from 26 U.S. states, almost all of whom are Republicans, in declaring the Obama healthcare reform unconstitutional.
"Regardless of how laudable its attempts may have been to accomplish these goals in passing the act, Congress must operate within the bounds established by the Constitution," Vinson, who was appointed to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan, ruled.
The Obama administration said it would appeal Vinson's ruling and believed it would prevail on a highly politicized issue likely to end up at the Supreme Court.
"We strongly disagree with the court's ruling today and continue to believe -- as other federal courts have found -- that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional," Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said.
A White House official told reporters the administration planned to continue with implementation of the law.
"We'll continue to operate as we have previously and suspect that the states will do the same," said the senior administration official, who asked not to be named.
"Obviously this case will be appealed ... and so implementation would proceed apace ... This is not the last word by any means," the official said.
But the fact that the judge did not issue a stay of his ruling pending appeal by the government could threaten the application of many of the provisions of the healthcare law.
RULING DRAWS ATTACK, PRAISE
The plaintiffs represent more than half the U.S. states, so the Florida case has more prominence than some two dozen similar lawsuits filed in federal courts.
The healthcare overhaul enacted last year, a contentious cornerstone of Obama's presidency, aims to expand health insurance to cover millions of uninsured Americans while also curbing costs. Administration officials insist it is needed to stem huge projected increases in healthcare costs.
Two other district court judges have rejected challenges to the individual mandate. But a federal district judge in Richmond, Virginia, last month struck down that central provision of the law.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Supagroup! I love these guys!!!
Supagroup: A raucous four-piece based in New Orleans, Supagroup specializes in anthemic rock & roll in the time-honored tradition of AC/DC. Led by Alaskan brothers Chris Lee (bass, vocals) and Benji Lee (guitar, vocals), the band first appeared in Anchorage, AK, as a stripped-down trio. Three years after issuing the self-released Planetrock in 1996, the band reemerged with a new lineup -- now consisting of the Lee brothers, Mark Brill (drums), and Leif Swift (bass) -- and a new hometown of New Orleans. The vigorous live album We Came to Rock You was released in 1999, and a 7" single, When in Rome, followed in 2001. Rock & Roll Tried to Ruin My Life, the band's first full-length studio effort in five years, was issued in limited quantities later that year; it would also mark the end of Brill's tenure with the band. Drummer Michael Brueggen was enlisted to replace the departing musician, and Supagroup reprised many of their road-tested hits on 2003's self-titled release (their first for the L.A.-based Foodchain Records). Rules followed in 2005, featuring cover art that was highly reminiscent of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon, but the resulting tour was cut short when Hurricane Katrina besieged the band's hometown that same summer. Supagroup's prospects looked bleak in the aftermath of Katrina, which had left New Orleans in shambles and temporarily rendered party music obsolete. A personal invitation to tour alongside Alice Cooper (with whom the band had toured the previous year) convinced Supagroup to hit the road once more, and a subsequent European tour supporting the Backyard Babies restored Supagroup's former energy. Fire for Hire was released in fall 2007 on Foodchain Records, featuring the band's now-familiar odes to women and rock & roll. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi
3 Doors Down Performing At 2011 NHL All-Star Game
NHL superstars to share the ice with musical performers, superheroes at the 2011 All-Star Game
All 30 superheroes in The Guardian Project to come to life
NEW YORK – Raleigh native Clay Aiken, multi-platinum selling rock band 3 Doors Down and the vocal quartet Canadian Tenors will perform at the 58th NHL® All-Star Game presented by Discover on Sunday, Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C. (4 p.m. ET, CBC, RDS, VERSUS, NHL Radio™), the NHL announced today. Aiken and the Canadian Tenors will perform the U.S. and Canadian national anthems, respectively, prior to the start of the game. 3 Doors Down will perform in the first intermission. The second intermission will feature a special on-ice presentation of all 30 superhero characters - each representing an NHL team - from The Guardian Project™.
As part of the pre-game festivities, the NHL will salute U.S. Cpt. Darin Sweet, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Hero and recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor. Cpt. Sweet is assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Clay Aiken – U.S. national anthem
Clay Aiken, born and raised in Raleigh and a fan of his hometown Carolina Hurricanes, will perform the U.S. anthem. He launched his career on American Idol in 2003, winning over millions of viewers with his phenomenal voice and down-home charm. Aiken's debut album, Measure of A Man (RCA) featured hits "Invisible" and "This is the Night," and has sold more than six million copies worldwide and has earned double-platinum status. He followed that up with the 2004's platinum holiday CD Merry Christmas With Love (RCA), 2006's gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways (RCA), and 2008's On My Way Here (RCA) — all of which debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In 2009, he released his fifth studio album Tried and True (Decca), a showcase of Aiken's powerful tenor voice and considerable interpretive gifts.
In addition, Aiken has launched nine live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, executive produced and starred in his first TV special, A Clay Aiken Christmas, and has won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards.
Aiken's tour to promote Tried and True will open in Miami on February 10.
Canadian Tenors – Canadian national anthem
The Canadian Tenors' music is an exciting blend of classical and contemporary pop that is thrilling audiences of all ages around the world. The vocal quartet has sold out shows from Africa to Asia and from North America to Europe, including a stop on The Oprah Winfrey Show and performances for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama. The Tenors have shared the stage with Elton John, David Foster, and Celine Dion and have performed hits from their two platinum selling albums, The Canadian Tenors (Universal / Decca) and The Perfect Gift (Universal / Decca), at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics and the G20 Summit in Toronto. The Canadian Tenors will record a new album this year.
3 Doors Down – first intermission
Since forming in 1995, the Mississippi rock quintet, 3 Doors Down, has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, generated seven No.1 hits and has consistently headlined sold-out tours throughout North America. The band has been celebrated within the music community with multiple Grammy nominations and Billboard Awards, numerous American Music Awards, a Blockbuster Award, and multiple BMI Awards including the coveted "Songwriter of the Year."
The band's 2005 release, Seventeen Days (Universal), was its first to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Albums chart. The fourth studio album, 3 Doors Down, is the band's second release to debut at No. 1, as well as its fourth album to reach the Top Ten, and includes the No. 1 Top 40 and No. 1 Mainstream Rock track "It's Not My Time." The band recently claimed three spots on Billboard Magazine's 'End of the Decade' list including the No. 1 mainstream rock track of the decade with the NASA anthem "Kryptonite," followed by "When I'm Gone" at No. 3 and "Loser," from the band's 6 million selling debut album, The Better Life (Universal) coming in at No. 6.
The band's title track from its upcoming fifth studio album, Time of My Life, is currently featured in All-Star Weekend highlight reels.
Unveiling of All 30 Guardian Superhero Characters – second intermission
All 30 superhero characters from The Guardian Project™, each representing an NHL team, will come to life in a special on-ice presentation during the second intermission. Fans in attendance at the RBC Center will get a glimpse of each of the 30 Guardians' individual powers and collective force when all 30 unite for the first time. The unveiling, which will be released in the form of a theatrical style short, will be carried live on VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada as part of the broadcast of the NHL All-Star Game (4 pm ET).
The Guardian Project is the latest superhero franchise from Stan Lee, the creative mind behind Spider-Man®, The Incredible Hulk®, X-Men®, The Fantastic Four® and Iron Man® among many others. Created and developed by Lee and Tony Chargin, Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs for Guardian Media Entertainment (GME), and Jake Shapiro, each Guardian superhero character was created from its corresponding NHL team, complete with special powers representative of each team and city.
All 30 superhero characters are being introduced individually in 2-D animation throughout January as part of the Guardian 30 Match-Up – a Facebook application that enables fans to determine the order in which each team's Guardian is unveiled. The campaign, which began December 20, provides a daily spotlight on a different team's Guardian and lays the groundwork for the storyline introduction during the NHL All-Star Weekend.
GME is a partnership between the NHL and SLG Entertainment, LLC, led by Stan Lee (Chairman, POW! Entertainment, LLC). GME will serve as the company responsible for the creation, development and exploitation of The Guardian Project.
2011 NHL All-Star Weekend
The 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover will mark the first time Carolina has hosted NHL All-Star activities. The excitement begins on Friday, Jan. 28 with the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco and televised live nationwide on TSN in Canada and VERSUS in the U.S. at 8 p.m. ET from NHL Fan Fair™ at the Raleigh Convention Center. On Saturday, Jan. 29, the players will take the ice in the Honda NHL SuperSkills® at the RBC Center. The League's mid-season spectacular concludes with the 58th NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover at the RBC Center on Sunday, Jan. 30. Live television coverage of both nights will be provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada, with the Honda SuperSkills® at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. Fans in Raleigh are encouraged to take part in the festivities at NHL Fan Fair™, a three-day fan festival at the Raleigh Convention Center, January 28-30.
As part of the pre-game festivities, the NHL will salute U.S. Cpt. Darin Sweet, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Hero and recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor. Cpt. Sweet is assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Clay Aiken – U.S. national anthem
Clay Aiken, born and raised in Raleigh and a fan of his hometown Carolina Hurricanes, will perform the U.S. anthem. He launched his career on American Idol in 2003, winning over millions of viewers with his phenomenal voice and down-home charm. Aiken's debut album, Measure of A Man (RCA) featured hits "Invisible" and "This is the Night," and has sold more than six million copies worldwide and has earned double-platinum status. He followed that up with the 2004's platinum holiday CD Merry Christmas With Love (RCA), 2006's gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways (RCA), and 2008's On My Way Here (RCA) — all of which debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In 2009, he released his fifth studio album Tried and True (Decca), a showcase of Aiken's powerful tenor voice and considerable interpretive gifts.
In addition, Aiken has launched nine live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, executive produced and starred in his first TV special, A Clay Aiken Christmas, and has won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards.
Aiken's tour to promote Tried and True will open in Miami on February 10.
Canadian Tenors – Canadian national anthem
The Canadian Tenors' music is an exciting blend of classical and contemporary pop that is thrilling audiences of all ages around the world. The vocal quartet has sold out shows from Africa to Asia and from North America to Europe, including a stop on The Oprah Winfrey Show and performances for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama. The Tenors have shared the stage with Elton John, David Foster, and Celine Dion and have performed hits from their two platinum selling albums, The Canadian Tenors (Universal / Decca) and The Perfect Gift (Universal / Decca), at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics and the G20 Summit in Toronto. The Canadian Tenors will record a new album this year.
3 Doors Down – first intermission
Since forming in 1995, the Mississippi rock quintet, 3 Doors Down, has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, generated seven No.1 hits and has consistently headlined sold-out tours throughout North America. The band has been celebrated within the music community with multiple Grammy nominations and Billboard Awards, numerous American Music Awards, a Blockbuster Award, and multiple BMI Awards including the coveted "Songwriter of the Year."
The band's 2005 release, Seventeen Days (Universal), was its first to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Albums chart. The fourth studio album, 3 Doors Down, is the band's second release to debut at No. 1, as well as its fourth album to reach the Top Ten, and includes the No. 1 Top 40 and No. 1 Mainstream Rock track "It's Not My Time." The band recently claimed three spots on Billboard Magazine's 'End of the Decade' list including the No. 1 mainstream rock track of the decade with the NASA anthem "Kryptonite," followed by "When I'm Gone" at No. 3 and "Loser," from the band's 6 million selling debut album, The Better Life (Universal) coming in at No. 6.
The band's title track from its upcoming fifth studio album, Time of My Life, is currently featured in All-Star Weekend highlight reels.
Unveiling of All 30 Guardian Superhero Characters – second intermission
All 30 superhero characters from The Guardian Project™, each representing an NHL team, will come to life in a special on-ice presentation during the second intermission. Fans in attendance at the RBC Center will get a glimpse of each of the 30 Guardians' individual powers and collective force when all 30 unite for the first time. The unveiling, which will be released in the form of a theatrical style short, will be carried live on VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada as part of the broadcast of the NHL All-Star Game (4 pm ET).
The Guardian Project is the latest superhero franchise from Stan Lee, the creative mind behind Spider-Man®, The Incredible Hulk®, X-Men®, The Fantastic Four® and Iron Man® among many others. Created and developed by Lee and Tony Chargin, Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs for Guardian Media Entertainment (GME), and Jake Shapiro, each Guardian superhero character was created from its corresponding NHL team, complete with special powers representative of each team and city.
All 30 superhero characters are being introduced individually in 2-D animation throughout January as part of the Guardian 30 Match-Up – a Facebook application that enables fans to determine the order in which each team's Guardian is unveiled. The campaign, which began December 20, provides a daily spotlight on a different team's Guardian and lays the groundwork for the storyline introduction during the NHL All-Star Weekend.
GME is a partnership between the NHL and SLG Entertainment, LLC, led by Stan Lee (Chairman, POW! Entertainment, LLC). GME will serve as the company responsible for the creation, development and exploitation of The Guardian Project.
2011 NHL All-Star Weekend
The 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover will mark the first time Carolina has hosted NHL All-Star activities. The excitement begins on Friday, Jan. 28 with the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco and televised live nationwide on TSN in Canada and VERSUS in the U.S. at 8 p.m. ET from NHL Fan Fair™ at the Raleigh Convention Center. On Saturday, Jan. 29, the players will take the ice in the Honda NHL SuperSkills® at the RBC Center. The League's mid-season spectacular concludes with the 58th NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover at the RBC Center on Sunday, Jan. 30. Live television coverage of both nights will be provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada, with the Honda SuperSkills® at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. Fans in Raleigh are encouraged to take part in the festivities at NHL Fan Fair™, a three-day fan festival at the Raleigh Convention Center, January 28-30.
NATALIE PORTMAN IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
NATALIE PORTMAN IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
Video via The WOW Report
One of our most memorable moments from The Golden Globes was certainly Natalie Portman’s insane laugh after she told that not-so-funny joke about her fiancee Benjamin Millepied. That weird TV moment was turned into an amusing video. Natalie’s unfortunate laugh has in no way affected her career negatively – this weekend her movie “No Strings Attached” was #1.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
KISS Reveal Plans For New Studio Album
KISS Reveal Plans For New Studio Album
KISS plan on releasing another album this year and have set aside time to hit the studio in March.
According to Backstageaxxess.com, guitarist Tommy Thayer revealed: "We'll probably be in the studio by March, so sometime this year I'm sure you'll see a spanking new KISS album that's going to kick some butt!"
The upcoming LP will be produced by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley, who produced the band's 2009 effort Sonic Boom. "Paul knows more what a KISS record should sound like than anybody, so he is going to lead the charge and produce it again," Thayer said.
After 38 years, KISS has yet to show signs of slowing down. In 2009, Sonic Boom peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
Their next tour date is set for March 15 at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
According to Backstageaxxess.com, guitarist Tommy Thayer revealed: "We'll probably be in the studio by March, so sometime this year I'm sure you'll see a spanking new KISS album that's going to kick some butt!"
The upcoming LP will be produced by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley, who produced the band's 2009 effort Sonic Boom. "Paul knows more what a KISS record should sound like than anybody, so he is going to lead the charge and produce it again," Thayer said.
After 38 years, KISS has yet to show signs of slowing down. In 2009, Sonic Boom peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
Their next tour date is set for March 15 at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Friday, January 28, 2011
Huge Guns N' Roses news coming February 1st?
| Huge Guns N' Roses news coming February 1st? |
| Thursday, 27 January 2011 | |
Huge Guns N' Roses news coming February 1st?  Ashba N' Roses - is there some new music coming in 2011? A gentleman on the internet by the name of Mister Saint Laurent is making some pretty bold claims about Guns N' Roses. He claims he has recently received a memory card with 100s of internal documents talking about everything from current band members salary, to past members royalty statements. There is also a mention of February 1st 2011 as being a BIG day for some related announcements. His 3+ minute youtube video includes, Saint Laurent mentioning several 'new' song titles like: "Jackie Chan" "Atlas" "Cuban Skies" "Going Down" "Light My Fire" "The Monster" "Time" "Soul Monster" "The General" & "Tonto". His thoughts about his fear of being messed with, leads him to let everyone know that he has this same information (songs) backed up on a server in China. Mister Saint Laurent, even reads from an alleged 'private' email/letter that was directed at Robin Finck from Axl Rose. That video is found right >HERE< This should be interesting as we quickly approach d-day! For fans comments, opinions & thoughts, make sure to join the Gossip Board talk >HERE< Metal Sludge Guns N' Sludge | |
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 27 January 2011 ) |
Chickenfoot begins recording new album
Chickenfoot begins recording new album
Friday, 28 January 2011
That supergroup known as Chickenfoot (from left, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Sammy Hagar) are ready to cut album number two this weekend.
MusicRadar.com has the following Chickefoot exclusive:Sammy Hagar on recording Chickenfoot’s new album
“It’s time to ‘Zeppelin-ize’ our music!”
Joe Bosso, Wed 26 Jan 2011, 12:05 pm UTC
Chickenfoot begin recording their new album this Friday, but for singer Sammy Hagar, the next 48 hours will feel like an eternity. “I am so ready to make this record,” he says. “I’m beyond ready! The songs we’ve got, the riffs that have been flying around – we’re going deep.”According to Hagar, “We’ve got stuff planned that we never could have dreamed about when we first got together. We’re talkin’ heavier than ever, bluesier, more emotional – I get goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Chickenfoot (which also includes guitarist Joe Satriani, bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Chad Smith) will track the album at Hagar’s Marin County studio, The Foot Locker, formerly known as Red Rocker. “We did a lot of the first album here,” he says, “and we finished up at Skywalker Studios. This time, I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to do the whole thing here. Five of songs on the first album were all tracked here, and they’re some of my favorites.”
Hagar is particularly fond of the drum sounds the live room in The Foot Locker delivers, and he says that recent upgrades to the recording console will result in “drums that will take your head off. I can’t wait to hear my man Chad in this place now. We’ve fine-tuned everything to an unbelievable degree. Unless I’m totally crazy – and, of course, it’s been said that I am – nobody’s going to say we don’t have enough inputs or the board is lacking this or that. This place is built for speed. We’re gonna stay here till this sucker’s done.”
Which won’t be very long, the singer believes. “The last record took us about three months,” he says, “and I think we’ll knock this one out in half that time. We don’t have these laborious sessions where we go over every phrase and suck all the energy out of the songs. Everybody is so musically capable in this band that we’re able to turn on a dime. We’re almost like a jazz band. Somebody says something, and off we go.”
Whereas Chickenfoot’s gold-certified debut was co-produced with the band by veteran boardsman Andy Johns, this time out Mike Fraser, who mixed that album, will serve as engineer and co-producer with the group. “Andy’s great, but he’s a little hit and miss,” says Hagar. “He kind of wings it. Mike’s a different sort of animal. He’s more of a control guy, but in a good way. Believe me, this band can get out there with the constant flow of ideas, so we need a guy to reign us in.”
Hagar estimates that the band is hitting the studio with four numbers fully written – music and lyrics. Of the 14 or song fragments that Satriani has sent the group over the past few months, the singer says, “I have melody and lyrical ideas to about eight of them. We’ll see what all works and what doesn’t. The music and the songwriting is so spontaneous in this band. I’m sure that once we all get in the room together, other songs will happen and some will fall by the wayside.”
Although Chickenfoot have spent much of 2010 apart (Satriani just wrapped a tour for his most recent solo album, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards, while Smith has been finishing the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ long-awaited next record), Hagar has no reason to doubt that once the four musicians reconvene, sparks will fly. “All I have to do is tell Joe I’m thinking of doing something kind of like Whole Lotta Love, and he’ll play me a riff that has that spirit. Then I’ll start singing, Chad and Mike will tear into it, and before you know it, we’ve got a song.”
When asked how the new record might differ from its predecessor, Hagar points to a song called Come Closer, which he says is the first time Satriani composed music to the singer’s existing lyrics. “Usually, I write words to the musc; this time we did it in reverse, and it’s amazing.” Hagar also mentions two acoustic numbers that Satriani has been working on. “These things are stone-cold blues,” he says. “I’m listening to my Robert Johnson anthologies to get in the proper spirit. What I want to do is get real authentic with the blues like Zeppelin did. I want to take the blues and really rock it out. It’s time to ‘Zeppelin-ize’ our music.”
On the subject of a release date, Hagar says it’s “a little early to predict that. But I do want to hit the road later this year.” One possible kink touring-wise centers around Smith, who will most likely be performing with the Chili Peppers when they release their album in the summer. “It’s a conflict,” Hagar admits. “But what can you do? Chad is going to make an incredible record with us. If he can’t tour we us, we’ll have to get a temporary replacement.” He names Jason Bonham, Matt Sorum, Vinnie Paul and Abe Laboriel Jr as possible candidates. “Any one of them would be amazing. But like I said, they’d be temporary – I can’t stress that enough. Chad Smith is a member of Chickenfoot, and that’s that.”
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Summer Lovin’: The Top 10 Songs to Cure the Winter Blues
Summer Lovin’: The Top 10 Songs to Cure the Winter Blues
Thursday, 27 January 2011
From Gibson.com:
Some of us are freezing in the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere. For those readers, here are some songs to warm you up with thoughts of sunshine. For those of us partying by the pool in the southern hemisphere, here’s your summer soundtrack.
10. “Kokomo” – The Beach Boys
9. “Sunshine Superman” – Donovan
8. “Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
7. “Wipe Out” – The Surfaris
6. “Summer of ’69″ – Bryan Adams
5. “Summer Nights” – Van Halen
With David Lee Roth, Van Halen were the ultimate, late-night party band. On their first album with Sammy Hagar, 5150, they were the archetypal purveyors of roof-down, cruisin’ by the beach rock. The lone guitar on the intro to “Summer Nights” is a classic of the “Dude, turn the radio up – I love this song” variety, and the chorus prompts an inescapable sing-along. You can practically smell the hot vinyl from the dashboard and the dizzying aroma of sunscreen and ice cream as the song moves through its myriad key changes and returns to the intro riff for one last big round of choruses.
4. “California Girls” – David Lee Roth
The Beach Boys’ original version of this song is an undisputed classic, and its musical and cultural influence cannot be underestimated or overstated. But David Lee Roth’s 1985 cover had just as much of an impact, albeit in a different way. In his autobiography, Crazy From the Heat, Roth explains that the video’s unique, color-saturated look, for which he won the Cinematographer Award from Kodak, was a direct result of the glacier goggles he refused to take off during editing. “I did not see the video till a month later, when it shows up on MTV, and it looks like somebody nuked the set,” Roth writes. “It looks like Chernobyl meets Chuck Jones. It’s electrifying.” Roth claims the video directly influenced the look of subsequent videos by many other artists.
3. “Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran
2. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
1. “California Dreamin’” – The Mamas & The Papas
Some of us are freezing in the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere. For those readers, here are some songs to warm you up with thoughts of sunshine. For those of us partying by the pool in the southern hemisphere, here’s your summer soundtrack.
10. “Kokomo” – The Beach Boys
9. “Sunshine Superman” – Donovan
8. “Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
7. “Wipe Out” – The Surfaris
6. “Summer of ’69″ – Bryan Adams
5. “Summer Nights” – Van Halen
With David Lee Roth, Van Halen were the ultimate, late-night party band. On their first album with Sammy Hagar, 5150, they were the archetypal purveyors of roof-down, cruisin’ by the beach rock. The lone guitar on the intro to “Summer Nights” is a classic of the “Dude, turn the radio up – I love this song” variety, and the chorus prompts an inescapable sing-along. You can practically smell the hot vinyl from the dashboard and the dizzying aroma of sunscreen and ice cream as the song moves through its myriad key changes and returns to the intro riff for one last big round of choruses.
4. “California Girls” – David Lee Roth
The Beach Boys’ original version of this song is an undisputed classic, and its musical and cultural influence cannot be underestimated or overstated. But David Lee Roth’s 1985 cover had just as much of an impact, albeit in a different way. In his autobiography, Crazy From the Heat, Roth explains that the video’s unique, color-saturated look, for which he won the Cinematographer Award from Kodak, was a direct result of the glacier goggles he refused to take off during editing. “I did not see the video till a month later, when it shows up on MTV, and it looks like somebody nuked the set,” Roth writes. “It looks like Chernobyl meets Chuck Jones. It’s electrifying.” Roth claims the video directly influenced the look of subsequent videos by many other artists.
3. “Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran
2. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
1. “California Dreamin’” – The Mamas & The Papas
Bob Seger Starts Tour in March 2011!
Bob Seger Official Site News > Bob Seger On Tour Beginning In March
Bob Seger On Tour Beginning In March
Bob Seger On Tour Beginning In March -->
January 27, 2011 -->
Read the full article at detnews.com. Article by Susan Whitall.Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band will launch a new tour "to major cities across North America" starting in March, Seger's first time on the concert trail since his tour of 2006-07. The exact cities and dates will be announced shortly, although a map that flashes in a brief video on his web page showed Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York and Missouri. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has a deep well of hits to draw from, but he'll also give fans a taste of some new music from a release he's been preparing for some time. It was a year ago that Seger phoned in to Dick Purtan's show for his farewell broadcast, and Purtan teased out the news that Seger would be hitting the road soon. There were rumblings in the fall that he was gathering the "usual suspects," mustering his troops for a major tour, but the month of embarkation was bumped back a few times. Seger, who turns 66 in May, is known for his legendary live performances at Cobo Hall over the years, and he will almost certainly play several hometown shows. His most recent album release was "Early Seger Vol. 1," a compilation of remastered and unreleased tracks personally selected by the rocker, in November 2009. Seger has amassed more than 50 million in record sales, and in an era when those kind of numbers are way down, he's kept it up; in 2010, he was honored as having the No. 1 Catalog Album of the Decade for his "Greatest Hits," which sold 9 million units.
Bob Seger On Tour Beginning In March
Bob Seger On Tour Beginning In March -->
January 27, 2011 -->
Read the full article at detnews.com. Article by Susan Whitall.Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band will launch a new tour "to major cities across North America" starting in March, Seger's first time on the concert trail since his tour of 2006-07. The exact cities and dates will be announced shortly, although a map that flashes in a brief video on his web page showed Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York and Missouri. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has a deep well of hits to draw from, but he'll also give fans a taste of some new music from a release he's been preparing for some time. It was a year ago that Seger phoned in to Dick Purtan's show for his farewell broadcast, and Purtan teased out the news that Seger would be hitting the road soon. There were rumblings in the fall that he was gathering the "usual suspects," mustering his troops for a major tour, but the month of embarkation was bumped back a few times. Seger, who turns 66 in May, is known for his legendary live performances at Cobo Hall over the years, and he will almost certainly play several hometown shows. His most recent album release was "Early Seger Vol. 1," a compilation of remastered and unreleased tracks personally selected by the rocker, in November 2009. Seger has amassed more than 50 million in record sales, and in an era when those kind of numbers are way down, he's kept it up; in 2010, he was honored as having the No. 1 Catalog Album of the Decade for his "Greatest Hits," which sold 9 million units.
It's Thursday! Party On Wayne! Party On Garth!
Hello!...What did we ever do without constant weather advisories to scare the hell out of everyone? Do we really need constant weather updates about snow? The News Media has really gotten out of hand since it has become all about profit and less about real,relevant newsworthy stories or reporting.Just say it's going to snow alot and get to the next story! The Golf Show comes to Cleveland's IX Center next month! Are you really going to watch the Pro Bowl this weekend?..No?...That's what I thought!..Those shirts that Charlie Sheen wears on Two And A Half Men are really cool and available at Daddy O's.com..Google it!!Remember playing Foosball on professional,butcherblock tables and being really seriuos about it? That was my generation's video games.How about Galaga or Asteroids? Will they make a Wayne's World 3? I hope that rumour is true!
Does every primetime TV series have to have constant jokes involving sex? It's getting to the point that every show I watch has to have at least 5-10 sexual references in the script! There are other funny things about life.Eric Roberts is a great actor! Devil Dogs are to die for! People in our society have become much ruder over the course of 5-10 years.If you don't believe me,take this test.Go to a local movie theatre and see how many people are talking during the movie and won't shut their pie-holes! I have let people pull out of intersections in front of me and more and more of these slugs don't even give you a "Thank You" wave.I feel like turning around my car,following them and then bumping their car and saying," Oh...Sorry about that"....Have a great day!
Does every primetime TV series have to have constant jokes involving sex? It's getting to the point that every show I watch has to have at least 5-10 sexual references in the script! There are other funny things about life.Eric Roberts is a great actor! Devil Dogs are to die for! People in our society have become much ruder over the course of 5-10 years.If you don't believe me,take this test.Go to a local movie theatre and see how many people are talking during the movie and won't shut their pie-holes! I have let people pull out of intersections in front of me and more and more of these slugs don't even give you a "Thank You" wave.I feel like turning around my car,following them and then bumping their car and saying," Oh...Sorry about that"....Have a great day!
One Off Show for Big 4 in the U.S.
One Off Show for Big 4 in the U.S.
Metallica said in a statement, "You've probably heard us all say it . . . the vibe was just so incredible at last year's 'Big Four' shows that we can't stop now!! So we're finally bringing the love to our home turf . . . this is indeed the only scheduled stop in America this go around, so we're hoping that you can head West to join us."
Tickets go on sale this Friday (January 28th) at 10:00 a.m. PT. Metallica fan club members are encouraged to check out MetClub.com for pre-sale and VIP package info.
The "Big Four" tour first played selected dates in Eastern Europe last summer to an fantastic response, which led to the scheduling of shows this year in the U.S. and the U.K. There's no word yet on whether more "Big Four" events are in the works.
For more info about the show, including ticket pricing and transportation information, check out http://www.thebig4festival.com/
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Happy Birthday Eddie Van Halen!!!!
Happy Birthday, Eddie Van Halen!
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Edward Van Halen turns 56 today.
Ed has given the world a gift, three decades of musical genius. His approach to the guitar has given birth to an entire generation of guitar players who look at the guitar as an instrument with unlimited possibilities. He introduced a myriad of new styles and sounds that will be scrutinized for decades.
It all started in Amsterdam, Holland, on 1/26/55. Edward Lodewijk van Halen (“Lodewijk” is pronounced “Load-ah-vike”) was born. From the age of six until the age of twelve he was trained in classical piano by his father and a Russian teacher, Stass Kalvitis.
By the age of twelve Ed had discovered rock and roll. Inspired by the Dave Clark Five’s “Glad All Over” and “Bits and Pieces,” he decided to become a drummer. After switching instruments with Alex, the first song Eddie played on his brother’s guitar was the Ventures’ “Walk, Don’t Run” (BLP 2031, 1964). He also took up the violin and cello at this time.
A friend of Jan Van Halen built an amp for Ed, and for the first time he was plugged in. One of the first songs played through this amp was the Arrow’s “Blues Theme.” The amp was short-lived, though, and in 1969 Ed bought his Marshall amp, which has since become the most famous amp in rock history.
Eddie’s favorite band was Cream. A Clapton fanatic to this day, he took it upon himself to memorized and perform Cream songs note-for-note. He became locally famous for it. Clapton wasn’t his only influence, though. Jimmy Page seemed to embody more of what Ed was really about, feeling over accuracy. It was Page who inspired Eddie to develop his tapping technique. Jimi Hendrix seemed to perplex Edward, however. Although he liked Hendrix’s whammy bar techniques enough to build on them within his own style, Ed was never comfortable playing Hendrix’s songs.
In these early years Ed was both a guitar player and a lead singer for his band Mammoth, nicknamed Junior Cream. Ed hated singing lead, though, and the lineup of Mammoth changed to include David Lee Roth.
“I never technically learned how to sing,” Ed remembered on the Drew and Mike show on Detroit’s WRIF in 1996. “So, I would kind of do a Kurt Cobain, after five songs and three beers my voice would be gone. You know, I would just scream it out and kind of waste my voice.”
The band transformed from a high concept technical band to a hard pounding party band. By 1974 Mammoth was an established band on the local scene and Eddie had developed his tapping technique into a recognizable, unique style. This is not to say that Eddie was the only one tapping at this time. Several musicians had been doing similar techniques for decades. Tapping was not new, but Eddie didn’t know that. He developed his own style independent of outside tapping influences. It was this style that brought the technique to the forefront of rock guitar in the late 1970s.
Rather than helping the band, Ed was actually keeping the band from getting the best gigs. When they became known as Van Halen, they tried to get gigs at the popular Los Angeles clubs, but Eddie was too loud. He had to be. In order for his Marshall to sound its best, it had to be turned up to 10 at all times. To rectify this Ed would turn his amp around or put padding in front to muffle the sound. Later, Ed used a Variac to adjust the voltage instead of the volume, so the amp would always sound its best. Eventually it all paid off and the band was accepted into Gazzari’s. Other prestigious gigs followed as the band spent about three years working the club circuit.
During the club years the band recognized the talent they had in Eddie. Alex, the closest thing the band had to a manager the early club days, suggested that Eddie should probably conceal some of his more innovative techniques from the audiences, which at times included guitarists from all over the L.A. scene including Randy Rhodes.
“Yeah, that is kinda like Alex telling me, ‘Hey, wait until we have it on a record; their gonna rip it.’” Ed recalled. “Ya know, when I started doing the two- hand technique, as soon as the record came out, everyone did it.” (WRIF, 1996)It wasn’t long before there was a buzz around town about this band and their amazing guitar player. It wasn’t until after the band had been discovered that “Eruption” was unveiled to producer Ted Templeman. Ted saw the potential of the ground-breaking instrumental and soon guitarists from around the world, in their studios and in their garages, would be spending countless hours trying to copy it. Ed was just getting started. His talent has never lied in any one technique, but in his ability to translate the sounds in his heads to the guitar. If that means coming up with a new innovative technique to achieve that sound, so be it.
While on tour in support of Van Halen, Ed added another innovation to his repertoire. It was a combination of tapping and harmonics that came to be known as “False Harmonics.” Again, this was a technique Eddie developed independently, though it had been used by Jazz guitarists since the 1950s. The technique can be heard most prominently on the track “Dance the Night Away.”
At the end of 1979 Ed was voted Guitar Player’s Best Rock Guitarist. He had enough money to retire his father and buy him a boat. Eddie resurrected “And the Cradle Will Rock,” a song he and Alex struggled with in 1974, with keyboards for the band’s 1980 album Women and Children First. Though the keyboards were subtle, it marked a new beginning for Eddie. He refused to be confined to the guitar to express his musical ideas.
The band embarked on the World Invasion tour. It was on this tour that Eddie met Valerie Bertinelli backstage at the Hirsh Memorial Arena in Shreveport, Louisiana, on 8/29/80. Seven months later they were married. Rumors starting spreading that Roth was unhappy with Ed’s new lifestyle. Ed wasn’t exactly the member of Van Halen expected to marry a famous actress or hang out with Hollywood’s A-list.
Eddie’s personal life was going well, but his life in Van Halen was getting worse. He was frustrated that he hadn’t been expressing himself fully on the last few Van Halen albums. The party was over. After recording three albums and going on three tours in three years the band was set to do the same thing for the fourth album Fair Warning. Ed was admittedly depressed and made it clear to some that he no longer wanted to be in the band. During the recording of Fair Warning, he would often sneak into the recording studio late at night and rerecord his guitar parts the way he wanted them. He feared that the rest of the band wouldn’t approve of some the musical risks he was taking in his solos. He even included a haunted growling keyboard instrumental called “Sunday Afternoon in the Park,” that truly made this Ed’s album.
What came out of the recordings was a dark, heavy guitar album that many die-hard Van Halen fans consider the best written of the Dave-era albums. However, it was the least popular in terms of sales. Ed was more reluctant to step out and take control for the next album and instead concentrated more on making guitars and refining his own position in the band.
There were excuses now to set aside Eddie’s style on the next album and go back to the formula that sold albums: covers plus lots of Dave equals record sales. To a certain extent they were correct, but the band suffered musically. They were determined to get back the legions of adoring pop fans and the result was 1982′s Diver Down, Ed’s least favorite album. He rarely liked cover tunes and this album was loaded with them. Ted wanted to use an original composition written by Ed for a cover, “Dancing in the Street,” something Ed would later regret terribly.
Tensions in the band between Eddie and Dave that began when Fair Warning was released were now coming to a head. The building of the 5150 Studio marked the beginning of the end of the power struggle between Ed and Dave. Constructed in March of 1983, 5150 has been the recording studio every Van Halen album has been recorded in since. It lies just down the road from Ed’s house.
The result of the struggle within the band for freedom of expression was 1984.
The next few years would hold many changes for the band as a whole, but for Ed it meant more freedom to explore different styles of music and to stray a bit from his expected position atop the heap of ’80s speedster guitar heroes. Even with those changes, Eddie only got more and more popular.
From The Van Halen Encyclopedia by C.J. Chilvers
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Edward Van Halen turns 56 today.
Ed has given the world a gift, three decades of musical genius. His approach to the guitar has given birth to an entire generation of guitar players who look at the guitar as an instrument with unlimited possibilities. He introduced a myriad of new styles and sounds that will be scrutinized for decades.
It all started in Amsterdam, Holland, on 1/26/55. Edward Lodewijk van Halen (“Lodewijk” is pronounced “Load-ah-vike”) was born. From the age of six until the age of twelve he was trained in classical piano by his father and a Russian teacher, Stass Kalvitis.
By the age of twelve Ed had discovered rock and roll. Inspired by the Dave Clark Five’s “Glad All Over” and “Bits and Pieces,” he decided to become a drummer. After switching instruments with Alex, the first song Eddie played on his brother’s guitar was the Ventures’ “Walk, Don’t Run” (BLP 2031, 1964). He also took up the violin and cello at this time.
A friend of Jan Van Halen built an amp for Ed, and for the first time he was plugged in. One of the first songs played through this amp was the Arrow’s “Blues Theme.” The amp was short-lived, though, and in 1969 Ed bought his Marshall amp, which has since become the most famous amp in rock history.
Eddie’s favorite band was Cream. A Clapton fanatic to this day, he took it upon himself to memorized and perform Cream songs note-for-note. He became locally famous for it. Clapton wasn’t his only influence, though. Jimmy Page seemed to embody more of what Ed was really about, feeling over accuracy. It was Page who inspired Eddie to develop his tapping technique. Jimi Hendrix seemed to perplex Edward, however. Although he liked Hendrix’s whammy bar techniques enough to build on them within his own style, Ed was never comfortable playing Hendrix’s songs.
In these early years Ed was both a guitar player and a lead singer for his band Mammoth, nicknamed Junior Cream. Ed hated singing lead, though, and the lineup of Mammoth changed to include David Lee Roth.
“I never technically learned how to sing,” Ed remembered on the Drew and Mike show on Detroit’s WRIF in 1996. “So, I would kind of do a Kurt Cobain, after five songs and three beers my voice would be gone. You know, I would just scream it out and kind of waste my voice.”
The band transformed from a high concept technical band to a hard pounding party band. By 1974 Mammoth was an established band on the local scene and Eddie had developed his tapping technique into a recognizable, unique style. This is not to say that Eddie was the only one tapping at this time. Several musicians had been doing similar techniques for decades. Tapping was not new, but Eddie didn’t know that. He developed his own style independent of outside tapping influences. It was this style that brought the technique to the forefront of rock guitar in the late 1970s.
Rather than helping the band, Ed was actually keeping the band from getting the best gigs. When they became known as Van Halen, they tried to get gigs at the popular Los Angeles clubs, but Eddie was too loud. He had to be. In order for his Marshall to sound its best, it had to be turned up to 10 at all times. To rectify this Ed would turn his amp around or put padding in front to muffle the sound. Later, Ed used a Variac to adjust the voltage instead of the volume, so the amp would always sound its best. Eventually it all paid off and the band was accepted into Gazzari’s. Other prestigious gigs followed as the band spent about three years working the club circuit.
During the club years the band recognized the talent they had in Eddie. Alex, the closest thing the band had to a manager the early club days, suggested that Eddie should probably conceal some of his more innovative techniques from the audiences, which at times included guitarists from all over the L.A. scene including Randy Rhodes.
“Yeah, that is kinda like Alex telling me, ‘Hey, wait until we have it on a record; their gonna rip it.’” Ed recalled. “Ya know, when I started doing the two- hand technique, as soon as the record came out, everyone did it.” (WRIF, 1996)It wasn’t long before there was a buzz around town about this band and their amazing guitar player. It wasn’t until after the band had been discovered that “Eruption” was unveiled to producer Ted Templeman. Ted saw the potential of the ground-breaking instrumental and soon guitarists from around the world, in their studios and in their garages, would be spending countless hours trying to copy it. Ed was just getting started. His talent has never lied in any one technique, but in his ability to translate the sounds in his heads to the guitar. If that means coming up with a new innovative technique to achieve that sound, so be it.
While on tour in support of Van Halen, Ed added another innovation to his repertoire. It was a combination of tapping and harmonics that came to be known as “False Harmonics.” Again, this was a technique Eddie developed independently, though it had been used by Jazz guitarists since the 1950s. The technique can be heard most prominently on the track “Dance the Night Away.”
At the end of 1979 Ed was voted Guitar Player’s Best Rock Guitarist. He had enough money to retire his father and buy him a boat. Eddie resurrected “And the Cradle Will Rock,” a song he and Alex struggled with in 1974, with keyboards for the band’s 1980 album Women and Children First. Though the keyboards were subtle, it marked a new beginning for Eddie. He refused to be confined to the guitar to express his musical ideas.
The band embarked on the World Invasion tour. It was on this tour that Eddie met Valerie Bertinelli backstage at the Hirsh Memorial Arena in Shreveport, Louisiana, on 8/29/80. Seven months later they were married. Rumors starting spreading that Roth was unhappy with Ed’s new lifestyle. Ed wasn’t exactly the member of Van Halen expected to marry a famous actress or hang out with Hollywood’s A-list.
Eddie’s personal life was going well, but his life in Van Halen was getting worse. He was frustrated that he hadn’t been expressing himself fully on the last few Van Halen albums. The party was over. After recording three albums and going on three tours in three years the band was set to do the same thing for the fourth album Fair Warning. Ed was admittedly depressed and made it clear to some that he no longer wanted to be in the band. During the recording of Fair Warning, he would often sneak into the recording studio late at night and rerecord his guitar parts the way he wanted them. He feared that the rest of the band wouldn’t approve of some the musical risks he was taking in his solos. He even included a haunted growling keyboard instrumental called “Sunday Afternoon in the Park,” that truly made this Ed’s album.
What came out of the recordings was a dark, heavy guitar album that many die-hard Van Halen fans consider the best written of the Dave-era albums. However, it was the least popular in terms of sales. Ed was more reluctant to step out and take control for the next album and instead concentrated more on making guitars and refining his own position in the band.
There were excuses now to set aside Eddie’s style on the next album and go back to the formula that sold albums: covers plus lots of Dave equals record sales. To a certain extent they were correct, but the band suffered musically. They were determined to get back the legions of adoring pop fans and the result was 1982′s Diver Down, Ed’s least favorite album. He rarely liked cover tunes and this album was loaded with them. Ted wanted to use an original composition written by Ed for a cover, “Dancing in the Street,” something Ed would later regret terribly.
Tensions in the band between Eddie and Dave that began when Fair Warning was released were now coming to a head. The building of the 5150 Studio marked the beginning of the end of the power struggle between Ed and Dave. Constructed in March of 1983, 5150 has been the recording studio every Van Halen album has been recorded in since. It lies just down the road from Ed’s house.
The result of the struggle within the band for freedom of expression was 1984.
The next few years would hold many changes for the band as a whole, but for Ed it meant more freedom to explore different styles of music and to stray a bit from his expected position atop the heap of ’80s speedster guitar heroes. Even with those changes, Eddie only got more and more popular.
From The Van Halen Encyclopedia by C.J. Chilvers
Springsteen Records Cover With Dropkick Murphys
Springsteen Records Cover With Dropkick Murphys
Boston punk rockers Dropkick Murphys have revealed that Bruce Springsteen has lent his voice to a track on their upcoming album, Going Out in Style. The Boss teams up with the Boston mainstays on a cover of "Peg O' My Heart," a tune that originally appeared in the 1913 musical Ziegfeld Follies. Said Murphys' singer Ken Casey of his duet with Springsteen, "It links two generations. We're spanning a lot of years of music here."
More »
Boston punk rockers Dropkick Murphys have revealed that Bruce Springsteen has lent his voice to a track on their upcoming album, Going Out in Style.
The Boss teams up with the Boston mainstays on a cover of "Peg O' My Heart," a tune that originally appeared in the 1913 musical Ziegfeld Follies.
Said Murphys' singer Ken Casey of his duet with Springsteen, "It links two generations. We're spanning a lot of years of music here, yet our songs share similar themes, stories, and values."
The Boss' cameo isn't the only one on Going Out In Style. NOFX's Fat Mike and Chris Cheney of Aussie punks the Living End make appearances on the album too.
Dropkick Murphys will tour the U.S. throughout February and March. The album drops on March 1.
Copyright(c) 2011 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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LAST OF A DYING BREED TO BE RELEASED AUGUST 21, 2012; LYNYRD SKYNYRD’S FIRST STUDIO ALBUM SINCE GOD & GUNS BASSIST JOHNNY COLT, ORI...
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Prince Dead At 57(Classic Rock) Prince has died at the age of 57, his publicist has confirmed. After reports claimed the artist – f...
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Today's Day in Rock Pennywise Reunite With Frontman Jim Lindberg Pennywise have reunited with their original frontman Jim Lindb...
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Today's Day in Rock Stories Guns N' Roses And Pearl Jam Supergroup Share New Song(Radio.com) The Levee Walkers are a new rock ...
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Today's Day in Rock Stories AC/DC's Brian Johnson To Receive Walk Of Fame Honor AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson is set to be tha...
