This Week's Top Stories
Led Zeppelin Lead List Of Rockers To Watch In 2014
(hennemusic) The calendar has flipped into the New Year, and hennemusic has a look at the rock forecast for 2014. They have compiled a list of the top 10 rockers to watch in 2014. Here is the top 5:
01 – Led Zeppelin: The band will launch a full catalog reissue campaign this year, with newly-remastered albums set to feature a companion disc of unreleased material, according to Jimmy Page.
02 – U2: The band will return this spring with the follow-up to 2009's "No Line On The Horizon." Danger Mouse has been producing the project, and reports indicate U2 are currently shopping for brand partners to announce the album via a Super Bowl commercial.
03 – Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl & Co. are working on the follow-up to 2011's "Wasting Light." Butch Vig is producing the project, which Grohl says is being made in a way that no one's ever done before…without elaborating or giving that secret away.
04 – Metallica: The metal icons have been busy touring the past few years while stockpiling riffs for future use, and they say they're planning to hit the studio in 2014. At least one new Metallica track will surface this year, as the group has committed to playing one new tune on their summer "Metallica By Request" tour of Europe…while fans vote to select the other 17 songs for each concert.
05 - KISS: The band will make the loudest noise at their induction into the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in New York on April 10. After years of slamming the institution, the band whipped the KISS Army into a frenzy to win the fan-voted ballot. Now, the question fans want to know is will the original lineup reunite one more time for the historical event. - See the rest of the top 10 list here.
Motley Crue Rollercoaster Legal Battle Over
(hennemusic) A judge has dismissed a lawsuit over the rights to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee's rollercoaster drum set. TMZ reports the suit, filed in September of 2012, claimed that Howard Scott King had given the idea of the rollercoaster design to Lee through the band's agents in 1991.
Motley Crue used a rollercoaster kit during their recent tours between 2011 and 2013. King was seeking at least $400,000 in damages for misappropriation of trade secrets in the Superior Court of California.
According to the TMZ report, the judge determined that King never had exclusive rights to the rollercoaster idea and that Lee designed his version on his own. - more on this story
KISS To Rock Los Angeles' First Outdoor NHL Game
(hennemusic) KISS will perform as part of the first outdoor NHL game in Los Angeles, set for January 25 at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks for the event, part of the NHL's Stadium Series.
KISS will play during the pre-game festivities and first intermission of the game, which will be broadcast live at 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS2 in Canada.
"Los Angeles is the premier hub for sports and entertainment in this country," says bassist Gene Simmons, "and we are honored to be part of an event that fuses both by rocking the first-ever outdoor NHL game in LA." - more on this story
Jimmy Page Reveals Led Zeppelin Reissue and Solo Release Plans
(hennemusic) Jimmy Page has posted an update on the planned Led Zeppelin reissues project, which has been scheduled to begin in 2014 and also plans for the release of some solo material.
"The first of the Led Zeppelin reissues – comprising of 'Led Zeppelin I,' 'Led Zeppelin II' and 'Led Zeppelin III' – will be released this year," wrote Page on his website. "I've also been working on some of my own material from the archives that will be unleashed in 2014."
The guitarist recently confirmed that the reissues will include unreleased material by the band. "Each of the albums has been remastered but it also has a companion disc with it," Page revealed at the Classic Rock Awards in London. "Let's take for example, 'Led Zeppelin III' - that's remastered from analogue from the original thing. I know everybody does that, but what they don't do.. I revisited all the working mixes that were done at the time." - more on this story
The Simpsons Preview Judas Priest's Rob Halford Appearance
(hennemusic) Judas Priest singer Rob Halford will be special guest star on The Simpsons this weekend, and the FOX TV Network are sharing photo previews of the episode.
Homer becomes annoyed with movie theaters, so Bart teaches him how to download movies illegally. Homer is delighted with his discovery of free movies until he's caught for piracy on the "Steal This Episode" episode Sunday, January 5 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Halford sings a parody of the Judas Priest classic, "Breaking The Law", in an effort to nab Homer. The episode features Will Arnett, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum. - Check out the photos here.
Allman Brothers Band Reaching Into the Vaults This Year
(Radio.com) The Allman Brothers Band just announced the dates for their 2014 residency at New York's Beacon Theatre, referred to as "March Madness" by their fans. So far, ten concerts have been announced, kicking off March 7. The band has played the venue more than 220 times since starting their annual residency at the venue in 1989.
One of their earliest runs of shows at the Beacon will be the focus of the upcoming Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992, a 2 CD set. Another archival Allmans release will be a reissue of the long out of print Live At Great Woods on DVD, filmed in 1991. The video, long requested by fans, won't include interviews edited into the main feature, as they were in the original version of the release.
Finally, the band will reach into the vaults for Boston Common 8/17/71, recorded ten weeks before the death of original guitarist Duane Allman. But what about new music from the Allmans? Guitarist/singer Warren Haynes told Radio.com that "I think we're a little closer than we were." - More.
CBS To Stream Bruce Springsteen's New Album and Debut Songs on TV
(hennemusic) Bruce Springsteen will debut tracks from his forthcoming album, "High Hopes", on the CBS television series The Good Wife and will preview his full album on the network's website.
At the end of the Sunday, January 5 broadcast of the show (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), a special preview for the following week's episode will feature music from the record; at the same time, Springsteen's full album will be streamed on the CBS website through to Monday, January 13 at 7:00 PM ET.
"High Hopes" hits stores on Tuesday, January 14. The CBS stream follows a leak of the album's songs last weekend via Amazon before they were removed from the retailer's mobile site (read details here).
Three songs from the album - the title track, "Hunter of Invisible Game" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad" - will be featured in The Good Wife on Sunday, January 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). - more on this story
David Bowie Tops 2013 UK Indie Record Store Sales Chart
(hennemusic) David Bowie's "The Next Day" was the most purchased album in the UK's independent record shops during the last twelve months, according to the Official Charts Company.
Released in March, "The Next Day" placed No. 1 on The Official Record Store Chart Top 40 Of 2013, ahead of albums by Arctic Monkeys, Daft Punk, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Queens Of The Stone Age.
"The Next Day" placed No. 23 on the overall Official Biggest Selling UK Albums Of 2013 Top 40. Bowie's first project in a decade also delivered the singer his first UK number 1 album in 20 years. - more on this story
Pixies Release New EP
(HER) Pixies have followed up their recent "EP-1" with "EP-2," which features four more brand new songs - "Blue-Eyed Hexe," "Magdalena," "Greens and Blues" and "Snakes," as well as a music video for "Blue-Eyed Hexe."
The new songs were recorded during October 2012 at Rockfield Studios in Wales, UK, were produced by Gil Norton and written by the Pixies. As with the band's "EP-1" and "the Bagboy" track, as well as the Pixies' original classic albums, "EP-2" features special artwork designed by Vaughan Oliver at v23. "EP-2" is available exclusively on the band's website - pixies music.com - as a DDL (mp3 only), lossless DDL, limited edition 10-inch vinyl, and as part of special bundles. The "Blue-Eyed Hexe" music video can be viewed here
Pixies will continue their extensive world tour in 2014, kicking off on January 15 with a 33-city North American trek, followed by a series of major South American and European festivals in the Spring and Summer. The festival appearances will include headline slots at Lollapalooza Chile, Lollapalooza Argentina, and Lollapalooza Brazil in April, as well as at London's "Field Day" in early June. - more on this story
Cult Frontman Feels Rock Star Title Has Been Hijacked
(Classic Rock) Ian Astbury has compared people who create music alone in home studios rather than live with a band to those who play video games instead of being active in real life.
And the Cult frontman says he's not sure where the idea of a "rock star" fits into the modern world, insisting the title has been hijacked by "accountants and four-year-old girls."
Astbury is gearing up to record new music with his band, which will start with a "discovery session" in a rehearsal room, after they completed a tour on which they played 1987 album Electric in full.
He tells Esquire, "An accountant does something amazingly well on the stock exchange and his buddies high-five him – he's a rock star. A four-year-old girl learned to ride a bicycle – she's a rock star!
"What does that mean any more? What is the popular image of rock star? A rail-thin, overly-paid, narcissistic, average-talented individual who self-implodes in front of everybody, eternally having a party and who looks eternally youthful?" - He also has some surprising opinions on who he considers rock artists.
Stryper's Michael Sweet Releasing Solo Album and Autobiography
(Classic Rock) Stryper frontman Michael Sweet will launch his latest solo album, I'm Not Your Suicide, on May 5 and he'll release his autobiography at the same time.
The 12-track album features guest appearances from Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich, Chickenfoot stand-in drummer Kenny Aronoff, Fozzy mainman Chris Jericho, TNT singer Tony Harnell, Sweet's brother Robert and his Stryper bandmate Timothy Gaines.
Sweet has been busy recently, working with Dokken offshoot T&N and recording then releasing latest Stryper album No More Hell To Pay. But he's not finished yet.
The vocalist says of his book Honestly: "It was much more difficult than I could ever imagine yet it's been somewhat therapeutic. I get into everything and share things that may surprise you." - more on this story
Steve Hackett Says 'Never Say Never' To Genesis Revisited III
(Prog) Steve Hackett won't rule out a follow-up to his acclaimed Genesis Revisited II release. But he believes it's time to concentrate on making his own new music – and he's not certain how much more of his former band's material can be reworked to his satisfaction.
Genesis Revisited II and its 1996 predecessor saw him rebuilding some of the his earliest material, and he admits it's generated a lot of attention for him.
Hackett tells Something Else: "Is there a third? I say, 'Never say never.' But I'm involved in doing another album of my own, rather than immediately going back to Genesis material.
"There are some lovely songs which deserve to be given the widescreen treatment – but it gets tougher because the songs I was really drawn to are already covered." - more on this story
Sammy Hagar Rocks Montrose Classic With Richie Sambora
(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar performed the Montrose classic, "Rock Candy", with Richie Sambora and the Alice Cooper Band as part of a New Year's Eve fundraiser for the Maui Food Bank, and video of the performance is available.
Live footage of "Rock Candy" was uploaded by Alice Cooper drummer Glen Sobel. Alice Cooper and band were joined on stage by actors and rock legends performing their biggest hits, covers and some left field surprises with the Cooper band members serving as house band.
Performers included Steven Tyler, "Weird" Al Yankovic, Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers), producer Bob Rock and actor Keith Carradine, while actor Tom Arnold served as the evening's emcee.
"What a blast," posted Hagar after the show. "It reminded me of the b-day bash.. thought I was in Cabo when the clock struck 12. Dam that RUM was working OK!" - Watch the jam here.
Rockin' Tabby Thomas Dead at 84
(The Blues) Louisiana swamp blues veteran Rockin' Tabby Thomas has died four days short of his 85th birthday. He's best remembered for his 1961 single Hoodo Party, released via Excello, and for running his venue Tabby's Blues Box – referred to as "the home of the blues in Baton Rouge" by the 1980s.
The singer, guitarist and pianist's career featured a string of Louisiana blues recordings, which often included collaborations with Lazy Lester and Whispering Smith. He'd been a member of the Mellow, Mellow Men and run his own label, Blue Beat. He'd hosted a weekend blues radio show for decades.
Ernest J Thomas was the father of Grammy-winning actor and musician Chris Thomas King, who tells the Advocate: "Even when he was most ill, he still found a way to say something to put a smile on people's faces. His legacy is that he touched people with his music and his conversation." - more on this story
Soul Legends To Celebrate The Beatles Next Month
Twist & Shout: Soul Legends Celebrate The Beatles is a special event that will taking place on February 6th 2014 at the famed Apollo Theater and will feature veteran music legends, including one star who toured with The Beatles and another whose father toured with The Beatles.
This is the latest special event announced for the upcoming the 'NYC FAB 50' series which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in New York which launched Beatlemania and sparked the British invasion. We were sent the following details:
Kitoto Von Hebb, the daughter of two musical parents, one being "Sunny" author/singer Bobby Hebb, is from a family with deep and impressive musical roots. Her great uncle, Harold "Hal" Hebb was a member of the Marigolds, the group that performed for Elvis Presley at the Governor's Mansion in Tennessee.
Bobby Hebb toured with The Beatles and was a friend of theirs. His biggest hit, "Sunny," was recorded in New York City. Released as a single, it reached #3 on the R&B charts, #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. When Hebb toured with The Beatles in 1966, "Sunny" was, at the time of the tour, ranked higher than any Beatles song then on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. BMI rated "Sunny" number 25 in its "Top 100 songs of the century."
Kitoto has recorded with producer Joe Viglione (producer of the "Sunny" boxed set) and her recordings of Bobby Hebb's "Proud Soul Heritage" and "Love You" feature Grammy winning drummer Steve Holley (Paul McCartney's Wings/Joe Cocker/Ian Hunter/Elton John) and her cousin Thomas Hebb among others.
This is her first appearance at the legendary Apollo Theater, and her first time performing in a tribute to The Beatles.
She will be joining a line-up of world-renowned soul, jazz and R & B legends at the Apollo Theater on Thursday, February 6, 2014 for "TWIST & SHOUT: Soul Legends Celebrate The Beatles." The slogan for the gala charity concert is "Twist & Shout: HELP! End Hunger" with 100% of the net proceeds from ticket sales to benefit the Food Bank for New York City. - more on this story
Keith Emerson Says Cheesy Cover Spoiled ELP Album
(Prog) Keith Emerson says that the cheesy cover of the 1978 Emerson Lake and Palmer album Love Beach "kind of ruined" the release.
The three members are seen standing on a sand dune with a backdrop of palm trees and sunset, clad in shirts that reveal hairy chests. And the keyboardist accepts that the terrible image overshadowed the music contained within.
He tells Something Else: "Let's tell you the truth – it's not a bad album. It's just the cover; the cover kind of ruins it. I think it was unfortunate to have the picture of us on the front looking like the Bee Gees." - Find out how it happened.
In The Studio Kick Off 2014 With Motley Crue
Syndicated radio In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands is kicking off the New Year by taking a special look back with Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil of Motley Crue. The show sent over these details:
The '80s would not have been, well, the '80s without the outlandish antics and brazen musical style of LA rockers Motley Crue. By the Spring of 1983 the Crue were living in sharp contrast to what was mainstream America. Songs like "Shout at the Devil" and "Looks that Kill" had nothing in common with the charts then, but 1985's Theatre of Pain album would transform Motley Crue into rock and roll chart toppers driven by the success of their Brownsville Station cover "Smokin' In The Boys' Room" and the monster power ballad, "Home Sweet Home". In an interview with InTheStudio host Redbeard, Nikki Sixx remembers how the latter non-traditional Crue song would set the bar for hard rock bands to follow.
"Bands didn't have a power ballad and MTV as a vehicle to have a hit. That just wasn't the way it was. After "Home Sweet Home" every band had the one ballad that came as their second or third single... I think the reason we did it was because it was so anti-Motley Crue and it was funny, because it threw us into the mainstream. Trust me, none of us had the foresight to see that." - Stream the show here.
Steel Panther Offer Winning New Year Resolution Tips
(TeamRock Radio) Steel Panther rhythm section Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia have released a video with their recommendations for fan's new year resolutions. Or as bassist Foxx puts it, those things that make you "have to do something you fail at and feel worse about yourself."
He's clear on what his own 2014 consists of: "I'm going to be taller this year," he states. Meanwhile, Zadina offers sage advice for not feeling bad about the year ahead.
He says: "Make a resolution to keep smoking if you smoke already. Or if you drink liquor, make a resolution to drink more. Nobody likes a failure – set yourself up to win." - Check out the video here.
Boston's Tom Scholz To Perform At Boston Mayoral Inauguration
(hennemusic) Boston founder and guitarist Tom Scholz has announced that he will perform at the inauguration of Boston Mayor Martin Walsh this Monday, January 6.
Scholz will play some Boston songs with the Boston Pops at the Hynes Convention Center event, which will also see performances from the Dropkick Murphys, Blue Man Group, Lenny Clarke, and more.
Last month, Boston released a new album, "Life Love & Hope." The project is the group's first new release since 2002's "Corporate America." - more on this story
New Book About Journey's Neal Schon Released
Music biographer Neil Daniels has just released a new paperback and Kindle eBook via Amazon in the U.S. and the U.K. entitled "Electric World - A Casual Guide To The Music Of Journey's Neal Schon".
Here is the synopsis: "Neal Schon is undoubtedly one of rock music's most versatile yet infuriatingly underrated guitarists. His work in the legendary multi-million selling AOR band Journey is universally known but what about his excellent solo albums and his other projects such as Bad English, HSAS, Hardline and Soul SirkUs, and not forgetting his many collaborations with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers and Jan Hammer?
"From the author of the acclaimed Don't Stop Believin' – The Untold Story Of Journey, Electric World – A Casual Guide To The Music Of Journey's Neal Schon is the first book to exclusively explore the music of the longest running member of one of the most successful American AOR bands of all time Electric World includes a foreword by Robert Fleischman, the original frontman of Journey, and exclusive interviews with such melodic rock heroes as Marco Mendoza, Jeff Scott Soto, Danny Vaughn, Glen Burtnik, Jimi Jamison and Ricky Phillips as well as a number of highly revered producers who have worked with Neal Schon such as Richie Zito and Mike Fraser. Also included are previously unpublished photos. Electric World is essential reading for Journey fans and AOR enthusiasts."
Order the paperback here or the Kindle version - here.
Jordison Was 'Blindsided' By Slipknot Departure
(Classic Rock) Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has spoken out over his departure from the band, insisting he did not leave of his own choice. And although he stops short of saying he was fired, he admits he was "blindsided" by the move.
Fans were stunned last month when it was announced co-founder Jordison had "parted ways" with the band for "personal reasons." Frontman Corey Taylor later admitted to frustration over the situation, saying: "Legally and respectfully, I can't say a lot about it. We're trying to protect him, protect us – just making sure we do everything right. It's difficult."
Now Jordison, who recently toured the UK with side-project Scar The Martyr, says: "I would like to start the New Year by addressing the recent rumors and speculation regarding my departure from Slipknot.
"I want to make it very clear that I did not quit Slipknot. This band has been my life for the last 18 years, and I would never abandon it, or my fans.
"This news has shocked and blindsided me as much as it has all of you." - More.
Original Dio Members Last In Line Plan New Music
Last In Line, the group featuring original Dio members, will be taking their reunion where they have been performing classic Dio songs beyond the stage and will be recording new music.
The former Dio members, guitarist Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), bassist Jimmy Bain, drummer Vinny Appice, keyboardist Claude Schnell, reunited to pay tribute to the music of Dio following the death of frontman Ronnie James Dio with Hurricane and Lynch Mob's Andrew Freeman joining them to handle the vocals.
Now Campbell reveals in a New Year's message to fans on Facebook that the group are planning to record new music. He said, "Happy new year to all. We're excited about playing more shows in 2014, but even more so, we're looking forward to writing and recording some new music, too. What, you didn't know that?" -
Kinks Reunion Could Be In The Works
(Gibson) Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards recently turned 70 years old, and many musicians from the early era of rock music are also getting up there in age, including Dave Davies, Ray Davies, and Mick Avory of the Kinks. The former bandmates are fully aware that if a reunion is to take place, it has to be soon.
"I think it would be nice to do something all together," says the band's original drummer Mick Avory in an interview with Uncut. "Because the chances are diminishing as we talk. Hopefully me, Dave and Ray can meet before it happens. We'd have to knock our heads together and rehearse, if we meant to do it properly. We haven't played together for God knows how long."
Dave Davies admits that a reunion is definitely something that's on his mind: "I said to Ray I thought that it'd be a great shame if we don't try and do something. I don't think our love has diminished.
"I think the stage-play has played itself out a bit, the pretense and the acting. I think it's time reality took over, and started directing the last years of… whatever it is. It's like Cain and Abel," the guitarist said. - more on this story
Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Reveals Cancer and Band Update
(hennemusic) Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is starting off 2014 with a news update on the band and on his ongoing health battle with cancer. "Best Wishes for the New Year, after such a brilliant 2013, it's going to be difficult to match it this year but we'll be having a go," he began.
"I'd like the thank everyone who helped make the last year such a success, Ozzy [Osbourne] and Geezer [Butler], the band's management, Rick [Rubin], Mike E and those who helped make the recording so good, the unseen work by our record label, the promotions team, my websites (Tracy, Joe & Bryce) and all of our touring crew, especially Mick and Kat who work with me personally."
"We've some good things lined up for the coming year," Iommi continued, "firstly the Grammys, then some dates in the US and Canada, and in the summer a quick trip round Europe."
As for his health status, Iommi notes, "I should also be finishing my regular treatment and I'm hoping to not get so tired, all positive."
"Many thanks to you all for your continued support, we'd be nothing without you," he ended. - more on this story
Police Officers Violated Policy For Guns N' Roses Guitarist
(hennemusic) Two Las Vegas police officers have been found guilty of violating department policy following an investigation into a private helicopter ride for Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba last summer.
News 3 reports Captain David O'Leary and Officer Ray Horsley violated department policy when they took Ashba for a "fly along" – on the public dime – as part of the guitarist's marriage proposal to girlfriend Nathalia Henao.
As a result of the investigation, Captain O'Leary was in the process of being demoted to the rank of lieutenant but retired on December 20 before the discipline went into effect. Effective January 11, Officer Horsley will be transferred out of the Air Support Detail and will no longer be allowed to fly for the LVMPD. - more on this story
Astarte Frontwoman Fighting For Her Life Against Leukemia
(TeamRock Radio) Astarte vocalist Tristessa is fighting for her life against leukemia, her husband has revealed. The Greek metal frontwoman, real named Maria Kolokouri, is critically ill in hospital with her family by her side.
"Our beloved Maria is fighting minute by minute for her life. We are trying to keep her strong, " said her spouse Nicolas Maiis. "The people who know Maria know what a strong person she is. She is a unique human being and always kind to everyone. She is always at her son's side and always standing strong for me."
He asks fans: "Make a true wish deep down in your hearts, so Maria can feel all the good energy and take courage. The doctor said a miracle is needed. Please pray for one." - More.
Five Finger Death Punch Guitarist Has Message For Suicidal Fans
(TeamRock Radio) Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory has offered a message of hope to suicidal fans. He says he's inundated with desperate messages around new year – and because he's no expert counsellor, he always advised people to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
But he's thrown in his "own two cents," saying: "In a weird way, hitting rock-bottom could be the best thing ever to happen to you. You always fight harder when you're backed into a corner."
And Bathory says it's not just his own experiences which inform his position. "If you read the most successful people's biographies it always has that sentence in there: 'I was homeless with five dollars to my name,' or something equally unfortunate.
"This is not a coincidence." - More.
New Black Label Society Guitarist Revealed
(TeamRock Radio) Black Label Society have hired Lizzy Borden guitarist Dario Lorina as the replacement for Nick Catanese. And 23-year-old Lorina's former bandmates have wished him well in his new role.
Known as 'The Evil Twin' for his chemistry with BLS mainman Zakk Wylde, Catanese had been part of the band since its formation in 1998. The band reported last month:
"We have amicably parted ways with Nick, and wish him the very best in his future musical endeavours." Now Borden says: "We're extremely proud and happy for Dario on being selected as Black Label Society's new guitarist." - more on this story
Allman Brothers Band Announce 2014 Beacon Residency Details
(hennemusic) The Allman Brothers Band have announced their 2014 series of shows at New York's Beacon Theatre. Rolling Stone reports the group will begin a 10-show residency on March 7.
The run includes dates on March 7 - 8, March 11-12, March 14-15, March 18-19 and March 21-22. Gregg Allman still digs playing the annual series of shows at the legendary New York venue, where they've performed more than 220 times since 1989.
"Spontaneous things still happen," he says. "Going through the motions would be a real bore. I know a band that plays the same songs in the same order, they even say the same sh*t at the same time every night. But, no, we're all still real into it."
"These last few years," Gregg continues, "we do the Beacon and then we do one month on the road in the summertime and that's about it. And then everybody goes off to their own respective solo bands. It's getting more seldom that we get together, you know? It makes you really look forward to it." - more on this story
Jack Bruce Previews New Solo Album
(Classic Rock) Jack Bruce will release a solo album called Silver Rails in March, featuring members of his supergroup Spectrum Road and he has released a short preview video online.
The former Cream bassist and vocalist recorded a jazz fusion record in 2012 with Living Color guitarist Vernon Reid, keyboardist John Medeski and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana.
Medeski and Blackman Santana appear on Silver Rails, the follow-up to 2003′s More Jack Than God, alongside a number of other musicians. Bruce will hit the road later in March for a tour of England with his Big Blues Band.
Check out the dates and the preview video - here.
U2 Return to Island Records
(Gibson) U2's latest studio effort No Line on The Horizon was the band's first release with Mercury Records, after having spent almost thirty years with Island Records. The Irish rockers followed former Island Records boss Jason Iley to Mercury, but when Universal Records closed down Mercury earlier in 2013, it was anyone's guess where the band might end up next.
Now PA reports that U2 are heading back to Island Records. They quote a source who says that, "they are going back to their spiritual home." The news comes amidst rumors of a new U2 album being released in the near future. U2 bassist Adam Clayton has said that he hoped the band would wrap up recording sessions before the holidays and there's talk of the band announcing album number thirteen during the Super Bowl on February 2.
In related news U2 recently parted ways with long time manager Paul McGuinness, who had been taking care of the band's business since their early days in Dublin. "Sometime soon, U2 will begin a new adventure around the world and we totally understand and respect Paul's desire to not run away with the circus – AGAIN," the band said in a statement on their website. - more on this story
Santana Takes Care of Homeless Former Bandmate
(Gibson) Carlos Santana has been reunited with a former bandmate whom he hasn't seen in more than forty-five years. In 1967 percussionist Marcus Malone was a member the Carlos Santana Blues Band. Malone and Santana lost touch when the former got in to trouble with the law and was subsequently jailed.
Early in December Stanley Roberts, a reporter with the San Francisco Bay area news station KRON 4, interviewed a homeless man in San Francisco for a news piece, and during the process the man told Roberts that his name was Marcus Malone and that he used to play in the Carlos Santana Blues Band.
Roberts did some fact checking, and it turned out to be true. As luck would have it, Santana saw the news report, and actually went looking for his former percussionist. When he was unable to find Malone, Santana's manager contacted Roberts, who arranged a meeting between the two long lost friends.
"It's an honor to be in your presence, man," Santana said when the two met. "I always cherished you. You and your family were so gracious to us."
In a later interview with KRON 4 Santana said: "I want to offer him a place to stay in an apartment, get him some clothes, and just get him out of the street."
But Santana's generosity doesn't stop there. The guitarist also revealed that he wants to record with his former bandmate again. "I want to offer my brother Marcus Malone an opportunity to record on the next album with the original band, with Greg Rolie," says Santana. " We wrote a song for him called 'Magnificent Marcus Malone.' We want him to play on it and we're going to start, Lord willing, in January or February. So I would like to get him some congas so he can get his hands hard again because he hasn't been playing the congas in a while."
Malone can be seen wearing a sombrero on the cover of Santana's Live At The Fillmore 1968 album.
Check out a video of the touching reunion between Santana and Malone - here.
Mike Portnoy Bored With Drum Solos
(Prog) Mike Portnoy admits he's become bored with playing drum solos – and he'd rather use the time to play another song for fans. He believes he's grown out of taking over the show himself, and says he only performs solos because of pressure from others.
Portnoy tells MusicRadar: "I get that not only from the fans but from a lot of my bandmates. The guys go, 'Oh man, you've got to do a solo,' and it's like, 'I don't know – I'd rather do a song in that five minutes.
"I'm not interested in drum solos any more. This is my personal taste as a listener and a player: I think I've grown out of it." It's not the first time he's fallen out of love with that part of a show.
Read about that - here.
The Lindisfarne Story Going On Tour
(Prog) Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell will take their Lindisfarne Story on tour across the UK starting at the end of February. The show features some of the band's classic tracks, with the bandmates discussing the story behind each.
They first performed the set at a local theatre before public acclaim led them to make more appearances, including a gala show at Newcastle City Hall which also featured Rod Clements.
Laidlaw says: "I was a member of LIndisfarne from its inception and loved nearly every minute of it. Throughout the 1980s, Billy played in Pacamax, a Lindisfarne offshoot with Alan Hull, Rod and I. Following Alan's tragic death in 1995, he joined the MkIII version of Lindisfarne. He has the inside track until the end of that lineup in 2003."
He continues: "The Lindisfarne Story is the result of 50 years of friendship and musical collaboration. It tells the tale of a bunch of Geordie lads with a dream." - more on this story
The Flaming Lips Cover Beatles Classic
(Prog) The Flaming Lips have released a cover version of The Beatles' psychedelic classic Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Wayne Coyne and co have been rehearsing a set of covers inspired by John Lennon and the Fab Four.
The band released 13th album The Terror earlier this year. Frontman Coyne recently told MusicRadar: "With this record we didn't really write songs
"We would shape sounds and put whatever structure there was to it, and find ways to make them into songs. That's a beautiful way to make music. Sometimes being a songwriter is a f**king affliction!" - Listen to the cover here.
Mott The Hoople Doomed By Glam Success
(Classic Rock) Mott The Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs admits he lost interest in the band when they embraced the glam era as David Bowie-penned track All The Young Dudes cemented their fame.
Ralphs – who took part in Mott's latest reunion tour late last year – tells MusicRadar: "We got caught up in all that glam rock with the Bowie connection. When we had the hit and went on Top Of The Pops we were sort of expected to wear something silly: stacked boots, girls' blouses, that sort of thing.
"But that didn't sit easily with me. We were quite outrageous on the Mott days but it was more like a punk band than a glam rock band. It was full-tilt rock – I remember people like Mick Jones of the Clash used to come and watch us play.
"So Mott was a very exciting live band, but then we went on to become a glam-pop band, I suppose. That's when I lost interest. You've got success; but it was compromised." - more on this story
The Killer Blues Headstone Project Reaches 20
(The Blues) The Killer Blues Headstone Project recently marked the grave of Aaron 'Pinetop' Sparks, finally identifying for future generations where the pioneer bluesman was laid in 1937.
That's taken the scheme's total to 20 – but they have a list of dozens of music icons whose last resting places remain unknown. And project organiser Aaron Pritchard hopes fans of the genre will help fund their continued work.
Some ceremonies are followed by jam sessions and other celebrations – but Pritchard stood alone in the St Louis graveyard, with the exception of a cemetery superintendent and a few members of the press, to pay respects after laying Sparks' headstone, made at a cost of around $300. - more on this story
Giant Eagles Record Spinning On Top Of The Forum For LAX Passengers
(Scoop) The Eagles and the Forum are showcased in a one-of-a-kind tribute that will serve as a surprise treat for passengers on flights arriving at LAX throughout January.
The Eagles' Hotel California has been blown up to epic proportions as the world's largest vinyl record topping the roof of the newly revamped "Fabulous" Forum.
The enormous Hotel California record will be spinning on top of the venue through the Eagles' six concerts kicking off the opening celebration of the venue (Jan. 15, 17, 18, 22, 24 and 25) through the end of January.
With the Forum's focus now on entertainment, especially live musical acts, the venue has undergone a comprehensive, $100 million renovation that will make it the largest indoor music and entertainment venue in the country. As a tribute to the first act performing at the venue, this unique promotion of the Hotel California maxi-disc is a visual treat for the Los Angeles community, and passengers on upwards of 1,700 daily flights at LAX. Over the last few days of 2013, visitors have seen the build take place, as the Forum in Inglewood is directly under the arrival flight path for the nation's third busiest airport.
To view and download high-resolution footage of the Forum's Hotel California record installation go here.
The super-sized Hotel California LP was designed and built by the marketing and promotion company Pop2Life, based in Glendale, CA. The impressive structure is made from more than a quarter-million square feet of printed vinyl, held up by more than half a mile of aluminum truss, the only 120-foot truss circle in the U.S. The 407-foot diameter disc spins at 17 mph and was constructed by a crew of more than 75 workers. In order to have the promotion ready for its official January 1, 2014 unveiling, those workers were on the job every day over the holiday season.
"Our job is to get brands noticed... period. That's why we push ourselves to come up with ideas like this," said Pop2Life President/CEO Eric Murphy. "Utilizing the pop culture power and reach of a legendary band like the Eagles, this extraordinary stunt sends a loud message that the Forum is back, better than ever, and committed to being the premiere live music venue in Southern California."
"This was the perfect way to highlight to the world that the Forum is back in business and for us to honor America's biggest band, the Eagles, who continue to be one of the most popular and successful groups touring today, and the first performer to play our iconic venue," said the Forum's Sid Greenfeig, senior vice president, West Coast business operations.
The Forum will reopen on January 15 with the Eagles' "History of the Eagles" tour performances. On January 20, Justin Timberlake's highly anticipated "20/20 Experience World Tour" will come to the venue. Alejandra Guzmán will become the first Latin artist to perform at the Forum when her "La Guzmán 1F Tour" comes to the venue on Feb. 1. Imagine Dragons' "Into the Night Tour" will come to the Forum on February 14, followed by "Paul Simon & Sting: On Stage Together" on February 15. TobyMac's HITS DEEP TOUR, featuring Brandon Heath, Mandisa, Matthew West and Matt Maher, will come to the Forum on March 1. Kings Of Leon will be performing at the Forum on March 21 in support on their 2014 Mechanical Bull Tour. Armin van Buuren's "Armin Only: Intense" is scheduled for May 9.
Read more at http://www.antimusic.com/dayinrock/#dWpvxcr5J10mwwcW.99
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