From The Street Of Dreams To Over The Rainbow : An Exclusive Interview With Joe Lynn Turner

Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Joe Lynn Turner grew up with a deep appreciation of classic r&b music before being turned on to the harder edged sounds of blues based rock, exemplified by Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix and Free in the late 1960's. After going through the usual route of high school garage bands, in 1976 the vocalist/guitarist first gained a taste of national success with Fandango, with whom he released four albums before the band disbanded after the release of 'Cadillac' in 1980. While the band's style of commercial AOR had not brought the band much chart success, it did attract the attention of legendary former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, and after being called down for an audition, Blackmore was so impressed that he immediately enlisted Turner in Rainbow, replacing Graham Bonnet.

The band, originally fronted by Ronnie James Dio on its first trio of albums, had already begun a metamorphosis with Bonnet at the vocal helm from the neo classical-isms of the earlier offererings towards a slicker commercialized AOR style. A shift which found fruition on the first album with Turner on vocals, 'Difficult To Cure', which yielded the band's highest charting UK single, the Russ Ballard penned "I Surrender," which reached #3 on the singles charts in 1981.

But, as impressive a showing that may have been, even bigger success was lurking right around the corner, not only in the U.K, but throughout the world. A four track EP 'Jealous Lover', also from '81, reached #151 on Billboard's Album Charts, with the title track receiving substantial FM airplay in the United States, reaching #13 on Billboard's Rock Tracks. With the advent and rise of MTV the following year, the band's sixth album, 'Straight Between The Eyes' fueled by the single and video "Stone Cold" reached #30 on Billboard's Album Charts while the song reached #40 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Charts, remaining a classic rock radio staple to this day. The pinnacle commercially, but also arguably artistically speaking as well, the album is considered by many as being the strongest of the Turner years of the band. The follow up, 1983's 'Bent Out Of Shape' featuring the single "Street Of Dreams," came close to duplicating the former's success, hitting # 34 on Billboard's Album Charts. Soon however, the lure of millions offered to reunite the classic Mark II version of Deep Purple made it the last studio album released by Rainbow before Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover took part in the 1984 reformation.

After the break-up of Rainbow, in 1985 Turner released a solo album 'Rescue You', produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who is known for his work with Queen and The Cars. The first single,"Endlessly," received extensive airplay on radio and MTV. A tour with Pat Benatar and acting role in the movie, "Blue Deville" followed. After lending his vocal talents to an array of artists ranging from Billy Joel, Cher to Michael Bolton, in 1987 he joined Swedish guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen's band, Rising Force, co-writing and recording the band's most successful commercial offering 'Odyssey,' which in 1988 hit #40 on Billboard's Album Charts.

Once again, Ritchie Blackmore would enter Turner's life. By winter 1989, tensions between the guitarist and vocalist Ian Gillan had escalated to the point where Deep Purple found itself looking for another lead singer. After yet another audition, he found himself fronting the band which had been his major influence as a teen, soon recording the full length 'Slaves and Masters' which saw release in October 1990. The album's more mainstream approach, more aligned with Turner and Blackmore's work with 80's Rainbow than the classic 70's style of 'Machine Head,' did not attract big enough media attention and was practically lost in the US. Despite a single "King Of Dreams" reaching # 6 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Singles Chart, and a successful European tour, Turner found himself the odd man out once again when record company pressures led to Gillan being brought back for the band's 25th anniversary album 'The Battle Rages On' in 1993.

A subsequent disillusionment with the music business saw Turner taking an extended break largely to spend time with his family. The only high profile recording project was Mother's Army, which also included legendary drummer Carmine Appice, Night Ranger guitarist Jeff Watson and Ozzy Osbourne bassist Bob Daisley. In 1995, the vocalist released his second solo album, 'Nothing's Changed,' and in the next almost decade and a half has not slowed down a bit, releasing nine solo records, interspersed with appearances on releases by Leslie West, Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth, Brazen Abbot, Michael Schenker, two critically acclaimed efforts with another Deep Purple expatriate, Glenn Hughes as the Hughes -Turner Project, Sunstorm, plus many more contributions to various tribute albums. Showing that at an age when many are beginning to take it easy and rest on their laurels, he subscribes to a work ethic that would be exhausting to an artist just starting out, let alone one whose first recorded output was released over three decades ago.

Early in 2009 it was announced that Turner would be joining with former members of the band with which he rose to fame, ex Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, keyboardist Tony Carey, bassist Greg Smith and on guitar, the son of Ritchie Blackmore, Jürgen "J.R." Blackmore for a tour as Over The Rainbow. First scheduled as a series of dates in Russia, the project has been extended, with confirmed dates in Japan during late April/early May, with possible dates in the rest of Europe and the U.S.A. to come. Already a success, during the first three tour dates as Over The Rainbow, the newly formed band has already played to fanatic capacity crowds in Minsk, Belarus (4,000+), St. Petersburg, Russia (3,500+) Moscow (4,000+), showing the demand is high for such a venture.

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with Turner at home prior to the Over The Rainbow dates in Russia, where the topics of discussion included the present and possible future of that project, recollections of his time in Rainbow, his latest recorded offering 'Live In Germany' ( the first live album released during his three decade plus career), plus much more. Read on as we have an exclusive, in depth conversation with one of rock's legendary voices, Joe Lynn Turner.
Click here for the exclusive interview

Axl Rose Says Slash is "A Cancer"

In a long, rambling interview with close friend Del James (who wrote the short story "Without You", which inspired the GNR hit "November Rain") Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has once again slammed ex bandmate Slash, calling him "a cancer", who shouldn't have been in the band in the first place. In the interview published by Spinner.com, Rose also puts a kibosh on speculation concerning a reunion of the classic lineup of the band.

An excerpt from the interview follows below :

Q: Did you break up the old GUNS?

Axl Rose: It is my belief that the commitment to end old GUNS came long before the band started in the heart and soul of one man. After that, it became more visible sometime before/during [the "Use Your Illusion" albums], when the others opted for personal reasons to change our approach, styles and methods of working together. At the time, I unwittingly chose as a means of what I felt was both my own and GUNS’ survival to adapt, and threw myself into whatever I could get out of that to support and promote our efforts.

The group shot of the band in front of the piece “Dead” was not a coincidence but not something I felt could be talked about openly, and something I hoped would change. I couldn’t reach Izzy [Stradlin] and couldn’t manage or curtail Slash and his personal objectives to take over GUNS anymore than I did at the time, and I’m lucky to have survived, got what we did out of it and some still enjoyed the results. But for all intents and purposes, the “Appetite for Destruction” lineup and approach was already dead, and with the addition of Matt [Sorum], the end of the then-lineup and what GUNS was really about was only a matter of time. Only heartfelt choices by the others could or would change that. Unfortunately, nothing did.

I’m generally blamed for the time it took to release “Illusions”, but again the reality of my fault would be in not finding a way to manage Slash complete with his addictions and bring both him and Izzy together either similar to “Appetite” or in some other progression more conducive to GUNS than how “Illusions” was accomplished. Unfortunately, that never truly happened, and both GUNS and the public suffered for it. I’ll take the responsibility in the sense that had I known how to achieve those goals we would have made what I feel would’ve been a more effective and powerful album at the time.

See? There’s the catch, right? All this time, most thought I changed the direction with “Illusions”. A lot of nonsense theories, speculation and complete nonrealities put together by others, based on Slash and others’ crap and off one interview taken out of context I did with Kurt Loder where I said I hated “Appetite”. That sentence has been used and twisted in every conceivable way since to vilify me and purports to prove my guilt and responsibility, when I wasn’t speaking to the music itself but the overwhelming and at that time seemingly drowning success of our record.

My statement was in specific response to the feelings I had listening to DJs at the L.A. hard rock station KNAC at the time complaining about having to play the entire record for the umpteenth time for fans. I simply wanted to make another record and have it be as good or better. If you don’t think I would’ve liked to have five “Appetites” and been living like the STONES at the time, you’re high. With that, any other avenue I hoped to pursue musically would more than likely been available as well. This was something I could never get through to the others with. Personal need to dominate in GUNS was very important to them. Izzy has to be in charge or he’s not comfortable, same with Slash. Duff [McKagan] tries convincing himself he’s equal partners with Slash. Each to their own.

Q: Would you consider a reunion with the “Appetite” or “Illusions” lineups?

Axl Rose: No

Q: Why not?

Axl Rose: A lot more reasons than I’ll get into here now. Different reasons for each version and each individual. The Izzy bit was fun — and also fun because we didn’t have to rely on him in any way, which is how he prefers things and works better for everyone. That said, you never knew if Izzy would be there or not or if he’d remember the song or decide to leave early. It didn’t cause any problems, because we were doing our show regardless and didn’t have to depend on anything, but it did open everyone’s eyes a bit and blow minds.

He called, asked to come out and negotiated a deal with management that it’s probably best that none of us knew about or the fun would’ve seemed a bit more like being used or taken advantage of spoiling the moment. As it was, we had a great time.

It’d be highly doubtful for us to have more than one of the alumni up with us at any given time. I suppose Duff could play guitar on something somewhere, but there’s zero possibility of me having anything to do with Slash other than by ambush, and that wouldn’t be pretty. He wrote that whole bit about not having his guitar in Vegas, I’d assume, to save face. I was told by both the Hard Rock and different GUNS industry people who had come out to be supportive of the new band and were a bit surprised to see him there, especially guitar in hand, but just assumed it was a surprise for the show and we were in on the arrangement.

Steven [Adler] brings assorted ambulance-chasing attorneys and the nightmare of his mother. One gig, or even a couple songs, could mean years of behind-the-scenes legal aftermath.

Q: Wouldn’t you make more money?

Axl Rose: If the music was there, meaning new music, I can’t say for sure right now — and there have been market surveys, and various promoters have put together different projections and analysis that in areas where there could be more, it’s not enough to sell your soul and live in hell the rest of your life for, that’s definitely certain. But that’s the catch, right, the music? If I believed in that as a reality which, no offense meant to anyone, I haven’t seen anything in all these years to convince me or we’d be doing this interview under different circumstances of some sort, to say the least.

It’s not some place I want to be or have any interest in being. If I believed in it in regard to the music, not in direction so much but in how it feels and to what degree, then maybe it’d be another story. I’m in no way trying to be offensive to anyone here, and I’m allowed to have my own feelings in regard to what inspires me, not someone else. Other than a one-off or something, I don’t really do songs because someone else likes them.

There is the distinct possibility that having his intentions in regard to me so deeply ingrained and his personal though guarded distaste for much of “Appetite” other than his or Duff’s playing, Slash either should not have been in GUNS to begin with or should have left after “Lies”. In a nutshell, personally I consider him a cancer and better removed, avoided — and the less anyone heard of him or his supporters, the better.

To read the entire interview go to this location.

Taj Mahal, Son Seals, Irma Thomas, Rev.Gary Davis Inducted Into Blues Hall Of Fame

Taj Mahal, the blues legend whose vibrant, worldly music encompassed African-rooted sounds of all kinds, will be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Mahal, whose real name is Henry St. Clair Fredericks, has been selected along with New Orleans soul singer Irma Thomas, Chicago bluesman Son Seals and ragtime guitar player Rev. Gary Davis to join the Blues Hall in Memphis, Tenn. They will be inducted in a ceremony on May 6, which will be followed the day after by the Blues Foundation's 30th annual Blues Music Awards.

"I'm very happy that a group of my peers think it's something I deserve after the years I've put into the music," said Mahal, 66, speaking by phone from the San Francisco Bay area.

Mahal, a two-time Grammy winner, in 1968 released his self-titled debut, which included contributions from Ry Cooder, an early collaborator. It included "Leaving Trunk" (in which he sings "I ain't never seen no whiskey, but the blues made me sloppy drunk"). One of his most famous tunes is "She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride)," which ended up in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers."

Mahal, who last year released "Maestro" and is touring this spring, doesn't know yet if he'll perform at the Blues Hall of Fame induction. But if he does, he -- as always -- would hope to see people moving in the audience.

"Most people that play blues don't dance do it! It's a listening music and a music they have a lot of knowledge about it," said Mahal. "They got country line-dancing down there in Nashville. Why can't we do some blues dancing down there in Memphis?"

Ozzy Osbourne To Perform On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Ozzy Osbourne will be the featured musical guest on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on the Friday, March 27 episode (which will actually air the morning of March 28 beginning at 12:05 a.m. EST).

Osbourne is currently working in Los Angeles on his 10th studio album, which will follow up 2007's "Black Rain". The new disc is expected in stores by Thanksgiving of this year.

Osbourne's long-running traveling metal festival, Ozzfest, will not take place in 2009. A press release issued by Osbourne's publicist stated that the singer does not want to tour until he has a new album in stores later in the year, adding, "Thus, Ozzy has decided to put his namesake festival Ozzfest on hold this year." The announcement is not really surprising, given the festival's scaled-down reconfiguration as a one-day event last year after more than a decade as a full-length summer tour.

In addition to the general slowdown in both the economy and the concert business, Ozzfest began facing competition last year from the Rockstar Energy Mayhem tour and Crüe Fest.

Unreleased Beatles Material Surfaces Online

A previously unreleased version of The Beatles' 'Revolution 1' has found its way online.

The recording, which is supposedly 'Take 20' of the song, is available to listen to via a YouTube link below.

'Take 20' of the song is notable, as it appears to bridge the gap between The Beatles' 'Revolution 1' and 'Revolution 9'.

The main difference in the 'new' version of 'Revolution 1' and the version of the same song that appeared on 'The Beatles' (commonly known as 'The White Album') is the track's length. The unreleased version is a full seven minutes longer than its released counterpart.

Lyrically and structure-wise, the song doesn't differ wildly from the released version, although the entire second half of the unreleased version is made up of tape loops, vocal effects and studio trickery - some of which appears to have been sampled by The Beatles for use on their sample-heavy 'Revolution 9' track, which also appears on 'The White Album'.

'Take 20' of the song begins with the band talking in the studio, where John Lennon is heard saying "Take your knickers off and let's go" in a high-pitched voice.

The band then begin playing the song.

Although 'Revolution 1 (Take 20)' soon mutates into five minutes of assorted backwards singing and screaming from the band, the drums, guitars and George Harrison's vocal of "Om-shooby-do-wop" still remain throughout.

Towards the ten-minute mark, the song breaks down into a barrage of speech and from John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Blogs across the internet are hosting the song, with some fans hailing it as 'the holy grail' of unreleased material.

However, it is yet to be officially confirmed as being authentic.

Mark Farner, Robert Cray, Susan Tedeschi Among Those To Appear On Public Television's Legends And Lyrics

Legends and Lyrics, a Public Television series, which honors the creators of song- who are professional recording artists, song poets and rising stars has added February 24th to the taping schedule. In all ten performances will be shot, two each day on February 20, 21, 22, 23 and now the 24th.

The show is produced out of Nashville, Tennessee by "Songwriters In The Round" and shot in HD1080p with Surround Sound.
The performances will be taped at the historic hall in the Grand Masonic Lodge which is located at the corner of Broadway and Seventh Avenue (downtown Nashville).

Two shows will be taped a day, one at 3:00 pm, the other at 8:00 pm. The public is invited to attend. Just go to legendsandlyrics.com to sign up for the free passes. Please note, you do have to climb stairs to get into the performance hall.

Robert Cray, Darryl Worley, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) and Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) are the latest performers confirmed-other participants so far include:

Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Mac Davis,Lamont Dozier (Stop! In The Name of Love),Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Amy Lee (Evanescence), Melissa Manchester, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (You've Lost That Loving Feeling),David Pack (Ambrosia),Peter Yarrow (Peter Paul & Mary), Guy Clark, Roger McQuinn (The Byrds) Dwight Yoakam and Tony Joe White* with more expected to confirm.

Each taping will showcase well-known recording artists, and legendary song poets from different genres of music in an "in-the-round" setting. Each performer will play their most memorable songs, as well as tell the inspiration behind the creation of their songs.

A total of eight shows were taped last year in Shreveport, Louisiana and Nashville, Tennessee. The first spring season series will start airing on Public Television Stations nationwide this April. They include the following performers and song poets:

Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx and 3 Doors Down

Kris Kristofferson, Patty Griffin and Randy Owen

Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar and Jimmy Webb

Michael Martin Murphey, Pam Tillis and Ron Sexsmith

Susan Tedeschi, Kip Winger and James Slater

Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), Mindy Smith and Regie Hamm

Ed Bruce, Gordon Kennedy and Angela Kaset

For more information visit www.legendsandlyrics.com

Legendary Blues Guitarist Snooks Eaglin Dead At 72

Soul, blues and R&B guitarist Snooks Eaglin died of a heart attack Wednesday, February 18th in his hometown of New Orleans. He was 72.

In the 1950s, Eaglin was a one-man band on the streets of New Orleans. That's where folklorist Harry Oster saw him and asked him to record the album of acoustic blues that would become New Orleans Street Singer. But it wouldn't be long before Eaglin had a band to make the music he really loved: electric R&B.

Blind from birth, Eaglin learned how to play by listening to the radio. He created mesmerizing rhythm and lead tracks from a unique playing style that utilized his thumbnail.

Pianist Allen Toussaint says that Eaglin was "unlimited on the guitar." He played alongside Toussaint and Professor Longhair, and inspired the likes of Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt.

Eaglin was called the "Human Jukebox," pulling classic gospel songs and blues standards out of thin air, often to the bewildered chagrin of his bandmates in concert.

Man Claims Author Stephen King Killed John Lennon

Pollstar is reporting : It happened Dec. 8, 1980 in New York City in front of witnesses, including Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono. But that didn’t stop a conspiracy theorist from approaching the Sarasota City Commission claiming author Stephen King pulled the trigger.

Steven Lightfoot has been preaching the conspiracy gospel about Lennon’s murder almost as long as the former Beatle has been deceased. Through fliers, pamphlets, public speeches and now a Web site, Lightfoot thinks he’s solved the “crime of the century” (his words).

Throughout the years Lightfoot has claimed he has evidence King shot Lennon. However, most of Lightfoot’s conspiracy theory seems to be centered on an idea that Lennon’s real assassin, Mark David Chapman, kind of resembled King around the time of the shooting.

Make no mistake about this. Lightfoot has been spreading his balderdash accusing King of shooting Lennon for a very long time. In fact, many California residents have seen and/or heard Lightfoot at one time or another, often in public places, free speech areas, giving out pamphlets on beach boardwalks or calling radio talk shows promoting his Stephen King / John Lennon theory. Heck, even one of our news reports has one of his tracts.

But California isn’t Lightfoot’s only stomping ground. He recently turned up in Florida where he tried to speak to the Sarasota City Commission. The topic? Stephen King shot John Lennon, natch.

Why Florida? Evidently King has a winter home there.

Lightfoot approached the Sarasota City Commission when the governing body asked for any items not on that night’s agenda. Lightfoot immediately started talking about his King theory.

It goes without saying that commission members were surprised. After all, they open up the meeting to allow non-scheduled topics, and up walks this guy with a sign promoting a Web site called LennonMurderTruth.com.

And then he delivers his message, telling the commission, “Stephen King is scaring away all the celebrity cachet you could have.”

Well, it didn’t take long before the council had a uniformed guard eject Lightfoot, as shown in the video below. But even though the Sarasota City Council tossed him out on the street, we’re sure Lightfoot is continuing his crusade to connect Stephen King to John Lennon’s death.

Which is a waste of time. After all, everybody knows who really shot John Lennon. And it wasn’t Stephen King.

It was Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown. It all makes sense once you connect the dots that aren’t there.

Yes Cancels Remaining Tour Dates Due To Chris Squire Surgery

In an update to what we reported earlier, after several canceled dates due to an ailing Chris Squire, Yes has called off the remaining portion of the band’s 2009 tour dates.

The following message was posted on the band’s Web site:

Chris [Squire] underwent surgery on his leg on February 11, 2009. The operation was successful and Chris is on his way to a full recovery. However, Chris has been advised by his physician that he needs a one month rest period, hence the reason for the cancellation of the rest of the tour dates.

As previously stated, Chris and the rest of the band wishes to apologize for any inconvenience that this might have caused to their fans and hopes to see them again soon.

Yes bassist Squire co-founded the band with lead singer Jon Anderson in 1968. The current tour, which started in 2008, was originally planned as the band’s 40th anniversary tour, but lead singer Anderson’s asthma problems forced that tour's postponement.

With Anderson on the disabled list, Yes turned to the singer of a Yes tribute band to handle vocals, Canadian Benoit David, a man whose voice sounded eerily close to Anderson’s original vocals.

But David wasn’t the only substitute on the tour. Rick Wakeman’s son, Oliver, was manning the keyboards in place of his father.

Ticket holders should seek refunds at point of purchase.

Blues Legend B.B. King To Get New Weekly Radio Show

Sirius XM Radio has announced the February 20 premier of You and Me with B.B. King. The weekly hour long show will be heard on Channel 74 on both the Sirius and XM service, also known as B.B. King's Bluesville.

Each week, B.B. King will personally select a broad range of blues music featuring his favorite songs by peers from the past and today's artists. The blues legend will also share personal anecdotes and stories about the artists who inspire him as well as offer commentary on music that has made him a musical inspiration for generations of musicians. Sirius XM listeners will also hear from special guests including Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Albert Cummings and Keb' Mo who have worked with and have been influenced by King. King will also answer email questions from fans in a weekly "B.B. King's Mailbag" feature.

Kings of Leon Guitarist Moving Because Of Fan Mail

Kings of Leon rocker Caleb Followill is selling his house because he keeps getting scary fan mail.


The guitarist has had a steady stream of bizarre post sent to his house in Nashville, US, since the group became successful in Europe.

He told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "There are kids from the UK who go to Nashville and leave me presents. My cousin, who looks after the house, hides them from me - he said I'd be scared.

"The other day I was there and left the house for a second, and when I got back there were four playing cards, four kings, with all of our names on them in the door.

"There is an apartment complex across the street and there are people renting the place out and watching."

The band - which also includes Caleb's brothers Nathan and Jared alongside their cousin Matthew - even gets visits from young groupies hoping to meet the band at their hidden farm retreat, located further out in the state of Tennessee.

Nathan explained: "We've got a farm in the middle of nowhere. It's so hard to find. But we pulled up and by the mailbox were two girls in go-go boots, little outfits, just waiting."

The band followed up winning their first Grammy by nabbing 2 BRIT award trophies for both International Group and International Album for Only By the Night.

Experience Hendrix Wins Legal Battle Over Vodka

Undercover Music is reporting that Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix L.L.C., the companies that own the rights to all things Hendrix related (including the music) has won a copyright infringement suit against Craig Dieffenbach and Electric Hendrix Spirits, LLC.


Judge Zilly of the United States District Court today ruled that Dieffenbach and his associated companies have to fork over $3,200,000 for releasing a brand of vodka called Electric Hendrix Vodka.

The other also tells them they have to pull all of their Hendrix related products off the shelves right now and cease all related advertising.

The case has been ongoing since March 2007 when Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix alleged that Dieffenbach deliberately tried to deceive the public into believing these were authentic Hendrix products.

Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC, are the family owned companies entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of guitar legend, Jimi Hendrix. Through celebrating Hendrix’s artistic and cultural contributions worldwide, Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC pioneer the standard for managing the name, likeness, image and music rights of a gifted musician and artist.

Former ELO Bassist Kelly Groucutt Dead At 63

Kelly Groucutt one of the members (bass/vocals) of The Electric Light Orchestra and ELO2 has died. He was 63.
A message on his official website said:

"It is with great sadness that I have to inform the fans that Kelly Groucutt died on the afternoon of 19th February 2009 of a heart attack.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to Anna and Kelly's family. He touched all of our lives with his love, kindness and generosity as well as his talent for music and song.

He was a true and wonderful friend who loved every second of life and he will be greatly missed by us all".

Groucutt was bassist for the Electric Light Orchestra between 1974 and 1983. The first Electric Light Orchestra album to feature him on bass guitar and as a backing vocalist was 1975's Face the Music. He continued contributing on the following albums A New World Record (1976), Out of the Blue (1977), Discovery (1979), Xanadu (1980) and Time (1981). He is credited with playing bass on 1983's Secret Messages, although it has been stated from an official source that he only played on four songs.

http://kellygroucutt.sitesled.com/

New Sensation : INXS Singer Dumped, Homeless And Living In His Car

In a case of an artist getting back to their roots, Australian rockers INXS have kicked singer J.D. Fortune out of the band - leaving him broke and homeless.

The Canadian artist, real name Jason Dean Bennison, was chosen as the replacement for late rocker Michael Hutchence after winning a reality TV search in 2005. However, after completing a world tour with the New Sensation hit-makers, 35-year-old Fortune claims he was simply abandoned - and is now living in his car.

He tells Canada's Entertainment Tonight, "I was in an airport (in) Hong Kong and literally got a handshake. They said, 'Thank you very much.' I found myself really alone because I had traveled with these guys for 23 months. I don't know where I am going from sofa to sofa, from night to night. I am trying to get through my life."

However, Fortune admits he was probably responsible for his own firing - because he developed a serious cocaine addiction while with the band. He has been clean for two years, but he acknowledges his drug habit is likely to have contributed to INXS' decision to ditch him.

He adds, "It got as bad as it needed to be for me to numb out the fact that I knew this was going to come to a screeching halt."

Fortune was was living in his car, under a bridge when he applied for and was offered a job on CBS's TV show, Rock Star: INXS.

Clutch To Enter Studio Next Month

Southern rockers Clutch will be entering Magpie Cage Studios in Baltimore, Maryland on March 20th to record a brand new studio album.

Producing the follow- up to 2007's 'From Beale Street To Oblivion,' which reached #52 on Billboard's Album Charts will be J. Robbins, who produced Clutch's 2005 album "Robot Hive/Exodus." The album is scheduled to be released on June 30th through Weathermaker Records.

Rolling Stones To Axe Ronnie Wood?

Guitarist Ronnie Wood faces being axed from the Rolling Stones because of his drinking.

The 61-year-old rocker - who has been treated for alcoholism several times over the last 30 years - has been warned to curb his partying or risk being banned from a proposed autumn tour of America with bandmates Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.

A source told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper: “All the band have to have a compulsory pre-tour medical to make sure they can get insurance.

“Ronnie failed his medical for the 2002/2003 tour because he was drinking seven times the recommended number of alcohol units a week. He had to spend months drying out at a clinic in Arizona.

"There are worries that could be the case again this time."

Ronnie was most recently treated for his alcohol addiction last August at the Life Works clinic in Surrey, England, following a 10-day drinking binge in Ireland with Russian girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova, 20.

If he is banned from touring, Ronnie risks losing out on hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Stones’ Bigger Bang world tour, which took place between August 2005 and August 2007, was the highest-grossing of all time, generating $558,255,524.

The group were also named the highest-paid private performers last year, commanding a staggering £3.5 million per private show.

Detroit Blues Rock, Reality TV And Peter Green : An Exclusive Interview With Guitarist Danny Methric Of The Muggs

To say that Detroit, Michigan has an extremely rich musical history would be a vast understatement. The city has spawned many gritty hard rockers throughout the years, from Iggy & The Stooges, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes, Bob Seger, Grand Funk Railroad, The MC5, The Alice Cooper Band (who although from Arizona, never got their mojo working until moving to Michigan) all the way to The White Stripes. Add in Berry Gordy's Motown, with its staggering amount of classic soul and r&b hits and the city's blues pedigree (John Lee Hooker was from Detroit) and you get one proud rock and blues tradition. One which continues in the present day, exemplified by one of the most exciting bands to come from the area in quite some time, The Muggs.

Formed in March 2000, the trio made up of guitarist/vocalist Danny Methric, bassist Tony DeNardo and drummer Matt Rost came together with a mutual love of the hard driving blues rock of the 1970's. Drawing from a deep well of influences which included not only classic heavyweight boogie bands such as Led Zeppelin, Cactus, Humble Pie and The James Gang, but also a deep rooted appreciation of traditional blues, the band went through the usual garage band rituals before finally debuting at the 2001 Mussel Beach Party held at their favorite local hangout, the Cadieux Cafe.

Then, in September 2001, two days after their debut gig, that all changed. After a hemorrhagic stroke - thought to be the result of an undetected birth defect - DeNardo spent a month and a half in the hospital. Completely losing the power of speech and suffering what, for anyone, let alone a bassist, would be devastating - complete paralysis of his right side - the then 28 year old faced the situation head on with great courage. Through intensive rehab, he battled back through the next couple of years. Unable to play bass conventionally, he took inspiration from the advice of fellow Michiganite, Outrageous Cherry's Matthew Smith and took up the keyboard.

By hooking a Fender Rhodes piano up to a bass amp, he was able, through much learning and relearning, to get a sound very close to his old electric bass. Meanwhile, in a rare case of camaraderie, the rest of the Muggs waited while he regained his strength and health. Not wanting to replace DeNardo on bass guitar, Methric and Rost decided to get involved in different bands and other projects while he was recovering, until finally in 2003 they made a triumphant return to the stage where it all began, at the Cardieux Cafe. It's a powerful human drama the three wish they could change, albeit one which shows clearly the sheer determination, perseverance and the close knit bond between the talented blue collar, working class musicians.

Finally, after extensive gigging around the area, in 2005 the self titled "Ugliest Band In The World" released their critically acclaimed self titled debut album. Showcasing essentially their live repertoire, it soon captured the ears of discerning heavy blues rockers all over the globe, receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Featuring guitar god worthy riffs and stratospheric lead work courtesy of Methric that seemed more suited to being played in spacious, astroturfed arenas than small clubs, the music captured on disc was highly reminiscent of a collusion between classic English rockers ala Zeppelin, the earthiness of Muddy Waters, combined with the elegance and synergy of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. Pure power trio rock delivered with passion, fury and skill worthy of the greats of the genre, it announced to the world quite convincingly that these Muggs were the real deal.

In the fall of 2007, Hollywood came knocking on their door. Amazingly for a blues rock trio, out of over 6000 bands who sent in audition tapes, they were chosen to audition for Fox TV's reality series 'The Next Great American Band.' Wowing the panel of judges ( which included Johnny Reznick of The Goo Goo Dolls) in California, the three soon found themselves on their way to the desert sands, neon and heat of Las Vegas, where they were tabbed from the 60 hopefuls as one of the final 12 semifinalists. Performing live in front of millions of viewers nationwide each week, they managed to last from the preliminaries until the second round before being voted off after an ill advised, admittedly calamitous rendition of Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues." A puzzling choice by the producers of the show to pick for a power trio, like a fish out of water they never stood a chance - any more than if Motörhead had been saddled with the same song. Returning to Michigan they began recording sessions for what would be their next offering.

In 2008 the band finally released the long-awaited full length follow-up 'On With The Show.' The 11 self penned tracks which comprise this offering range from the opening slow, moody deep urban blues "Motown Blues," long extended guitar workouts such as the 8 minute plus "Never Know Why," hints of classic psychedelia on the title track, to hard driving riff rockers like "Slow Curve" and "Get It On." It's safe to call this a diverse, remarkably cohesive collection of songs which show the trio building upon and expanding their core sound to add elements of mid-period Beatles both compositionally and in terms of studio effects. A heady, intoxicating brew, it easily ranked among the finest offerings of the past year, and if you're a fan of classic blues based guitar rock it comes highly recommended.

Recently I caught up with Methric at home in downtown Detroit, where we discussed the band's new album 'On With The Show,' the blues, life after reality TV and much more. Read on as we have an exclusive conversation with one of the rising guitar stars of blues-based rock, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Danny Methric of the Motor City's hard rockin' Muggs....Click here for the exclusive interview.

Missing Baker Street Singer Gerry Rafferty Is Living In Hiding

Despite a report in the NME earlier today stating that he's been missing for almost 7 months, the UK's Guardian is reporting that Gerry Rafferty, the singer who wrote the 1978 hit Baker Street, is living in hiding in the south of England, being cared for by a friend, after his disappearance from St Thomas' hospital in London last summer.

The Guardian understands that the musician, who has battled alcoholism for years, was taken under the wing of the friend after he rampaged through his London hotel room following a bender, then checked himself out of the hospital where he was being treated for liver problems, leaving behind his belongings.

The Paisley-born singer, who had formed the Humblebums with Billy Connolly before going on to front Stealers Wheel and writing Stuck in the Middle With You, hit the headlines in August when he trashed his room at the Westbury hotel, where he had been staying for four days.

The hotel director told a Scottish newspaper that after Rafferty checked out, the carpets, curtains and bed frame had to be ripped out and incinerated. Alex Huggan said: "He has damaged quite a lot of his room, because he has been incontinent for four days. There was blood and urine everywhere."

This month the Word magazine reported that the singer had been missing for six months. The website ultimate-guitar.com reported that Rafferty might have been kidnapped, but one of its readers posted: "Don't worry. He's fine. I served him in a restaurant just off Piccadilly Circus tonight, then helped him to his hotel. Thought he looked familiar, so I went back and asked the porter his name.

"Googled him, saw all the reports, and called the cops. Cops came and said he's fine and all this internet rumour is just internet rumour. Gerry Rafferty is fine."

A month later, another reader wrote: "He is still fine. He is at a hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, for a few days ... "

Two sources have told the Guardian that 61-year-old Rafferty is "alive and sounding comparatively well". It is estimated that he makes a reasonable income each year from royalties received from his most famous track, Baker Street, which came from his solo album, City to City. Stuck in the Middle With You also made Rafferty and co-writer Joe Egan a fortune when it was used on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's film Reservoir Dogs.

Tony Williams, a former member of Stealers Wheel and now a councillor in Blackpool, said: "I was extremely worried when I heard that he had walked out of hospital in the middle of the night and that he left clothes and belongings behind. As a councillor I am the chair of BSafe Blackpool and through police contacts tried to see if there were any reports of him - but there weren't."

By 1983, Rafferty had turned his back on music to "watch my family grow". In 2005, he collapsed at his home in Hampstead, London, issuing denials that he had overdosed on prescription drugs.

Yes Cancel Shows Due To Unforseen Medical Reasons

Legendary progressive rock band Yes have canceled all concert dates through Feb. 24 because of unspecified medical reasons.

The band, whose hits include "I've Seen All Good People" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart," was scheduled to play Thursday night at Denver's Paramount Theatre.

Yes released a statement Thursday saying it was canceling the shows, citing "unforeseen" medical reasons, but it didn't give further details. Its Web site said a radio performance Wednesday also had been canceled.

Frontman Jon Anderson suffered a severe asthma attack last May, was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was ordered by doctors to rest.

Yes initially canceled their 40th anniversary tour in the summer 2008, because of the illness of its lead singer, but then decided to relaunch it.

The "In The Present Tour" features guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White.

The Allman Brothers Band To Webcast Entire March Beacon Run

The Allman Brothers Band will celebrate their 40th Anniversary as a band with 15 concerts at the Beacon Theatre in New York City beginning March 9, 2009 through March 28.

For all those who will not be able to make the trip to New York to help the Allman Brothers and their many special guests celebrate their anniversary, Moogis will enable you to watch every single performance by the Allman Brothers through a live streaming webcast on Moogis.com.

For full access through 9/30/09, only $100 until 2/15/09. $125 thereafter, less than € 100 in Europe, you can watch every live Allman Brothers concert from the Beacon Theatre as it happens or watch them again and again over the next six months when you buy a subscription at Moogis.com.

In addition to the concerts from the Beacon Theatre, your Moogis subscription will allow you to see the Allman Brothers filmed live at Piedmont Park in Atlanta in October of 2008. You will also be able to watch several other archived ABB concerts as well as numerous concerts as audio archives.

Visit www.moogis.com to subscribe to Moogis technology that will allow you to witness the historic performances of the Allman Brothers Band with incredible guests artists as they perform from March 9 through 28 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Join the community that surrounds the Allman Brothers Band with your subscription at www.moogis.com where you always have the best seat in the house.

Rory Gallagher 'Live In Cork' DVD Set For St Patrick's Day Release

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Eagle Rock Entertainment is releasing 'Rory Gallagher: Live In Cork,' a DVD that captures the guitar virtuoso in a special concert. The DVD will be released on March 17th.

Live In Cork is a documentation of Gallagher’s homecoming, when he returned to Ireland in 1987 to play the Cork Opera House after several years’ absence. Originally aired on Irish TV, Gallagher shook the house to it's foundations with tracks like 'Tattoo’d Lady', 'Follow Me', 'When My Baby She Left Me', and 'Out On The Western Plain'.

The DVD is more than a mere concert. The live portion (originally released as Messin’ With The Kid – Live At The Cork Opera House on VHS) is only the tip of the iceberg. Live in Cork also allows an in-depth look at Rory and the city that bred him. “Rough Guide To Rory’s Cork” is a compilation of photos, anecdotes, memorabilia, and other footage from his hometown. Clearly, this excavation of the great guitarist’s life and culture is an absolute treasure for a Rory Gallagher fan.

This special set is just the latest Gallagher offering from Eagle Rock. Previous titles include the Live at Montreux CD (July 2006), The Definitive Montreux Collection 2DVD set (May 2006), and the Live at Rockpalast 3DVD set (August 2007).

Tracklisting: 'Continental Op', 'Tattoo’d Lady', 'Don’t Start Me Talkin’', 'I Ain’t No Saint', 'Follow Me', 'When My Baby She Left Me', 'Off The Handle', 'Out On The Western Plain', 'Wanted Blues', 'The Loop', 'Shadow Play', 'Messin’ With The Kid', 'Loanshark Blues'.

The Answer Confirmed As Support For AC/DC's Sold Out European Stadium Tour

According to Germany's Pirate Smile Promotions, fast rising Irish blues rockers The Answer, whose upcoming second album 'Everyday Demons' is slated for a March 31st release, have been confirmed as support for AC/DC's complete stadium tour of Europe. Dates are as follows, all dates are sold out.



May
13 - Leipzig, Germany - Zentralstadium
15 - Munich, Germany - Olympiastadium
17 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
19 - Cologne, Germany - Stadium
22 - Hockenheim, Germany - Nürburgring
24 - Vienna. Austria - Ernst-Happel Stadium
26 - Belgrade, Serbia - Partizan Stadium
28 - Athens, Greece - OAKA Stadium

June
3 - Lisboa, Portugal - Alvalade Stadium
5 - Madrid, Spain - Estadio Vincente Calderon
7 - Barcelona. Spain - Estadi Olympic
9 - Marseille, France - Stadt Velodrome
12 - Paris, France - Stade de France
15 - Oslo, Norway - Valle Hovin
17 - Helsinki, Finland - Olympic Stadium
19 - Copenhagen, Debmark - Parken
21 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Ullevi Stadium
23 - Amsterdam, Holland - Amsterdam Arena

Be sure to check out our interview with The Answer's vocalist Cormac Neeson at this location

Also, those in Spain and the rest of Europe be sure to pick up this month's (February) issue of This Is ROCK magazine, where the aforementioned interview is being run as a 6 page, full color feature story!
For more info go to this location.

Boston's Tom Scholz Has More Than A Feeling About Fan Sites

According to Boston.com, no good deed goes unpunished at least in the world of Tom Scholz.

Just ask George Gouldsmith. The LA-based IT manager has been a big fan of the band Boston since 'More Than A Feeling' ruled the radio in the '70s. In 2005, Gouldsmith started a Yahoo message board called Boston Rocks, but he bagged it last year after the site's members began squabbling and Boston mastermind Tom Scholz took exception to some of the posts.

So Gouldsmith created another Boston fan board called CoolTheEngines. But before long, the members were at it again, badmouthing Scholz for his treatment of late singer Brad Delp and other former band members. The result? Scholz and wife Kim enlisted Burns & Levinson attorney Lawrence Green to send Gouldsmith a cease and desist letter. "You have caused a multitude of defamatory statements to be published about the Scholzes on your website. . . . These statements have all been made falsely and maliciously and otherwise with reckless disregard to the truth," wrote Green, who added that he'd seek "substantial monetary damages" unless all references to Scholz and his wife were removed from Gouldsmith's site.

One would think Mr. Scholz would be pleased any fans are still left to squabble about the band after all this time.

Robert Plant Finally Reaps Grammy Glory

Four decades after his hard-rock howl earned the scorn of critics and the neglect of the rock establishment, Robert Plant got a little justice from his peers Sunday night.

With collaborator Alison Krauss, the former Led Zeppelin front man racked up five Grammy wins to assemble a quietly dominant night at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. The duo’s album of ethereal Americana music, “Raising Sand,” garnered solid reviews when it was released 17 months ago. Sunday it became the music industry’s focal point, providing Plant and Krauss with trophies for album of the year, record of the year and best pop collaboration, among others.

“Good things happen out of nowhere,” said T-Bone Burnett, the producer who groomed the Plant-Krauss collaboration and played guitar on most of the album’s tracks.

“I’m bewildered,” Plant said. “It’s a good way to spend a Sunday.”

Krauss’ five trophies propelled the 37-year-old fiddler ahead of Motown legend Stevie Wonder on the all-time winners list. The onetime teenage prodigy, who began racking up her Grammy wins in the early 1990s, now boasts 26 -- good for third best in history, behind George Solti (31) and Quincy Jones (27).
Plant’s triumph at age 60 fits an ongoing Grammy trend of atonement for older artists at the expense of top-selling younger acts. Sunday’s two runner-ups were the highest-profile acts of ’08: Lil Wayne grabbed four awards, including best rap album, for his stellar disc “Tha Carter III,” while Coldplay took song of the year for “Viva la Vida” and best rock album for the disc of that name.

Moonstone Project Signs Worldwide Deal With Blistering Records

Blistering Records is thrilled to announce the worldwide signing of Italian based classic rock supergroup, Moonstone Project & their dynamic bluesy new release, 'Rebel On The Run'.

It features the amazing voice of James Christian (House Of Lords) on all but one track. That 11th track happens to be "Closer Than You Think," a soulful original written & performed by the voice of rock himself, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath).

On the spontaneous creation of the Hughes cut, Moonstone founder/guitarist Matt Filippini recalls: "Closer Than You Think" is a beautiful gift from Glenn. He wrote that magical piece while I was at his house in LA. We were watching TV in his living room & suddenly he ran into his studio, picked up his guitar & 5 minutes later the song was born!"

This vibe of immediate cosmic generation permeates the album, though with 2 years of blood sweat & tears in the production, no detail was left unpolished on this labor of love.

While the predecessor to this release, 'Hidden In Time' has become a re-issued collectible favorite in the neo-classic rock underground that album related more the "Project" part of the group's name, with 10 different singers & 20 musicians collaborating.

'Rebel On The Run' has an intentionally more consistent "band" feel. But fret not, there are still plenty of stunning guest appearances from hard rock royalty Ian Paice (Deep Purple) & Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull) on drums to legendary Hammond organ maestro, Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) adding his distinct, wild keyboard flourishes.

Lead vocalist James Christian's wife, solo artist Robin Beck also layers many unique backing vocals into the colorful fabric of this warm recording.

The masterminds behind the ambitious operation are guitarist Matt Filippini & his co-writing/producing studio wizard keyboardist, Alessandro Del Vecchio.
The music is solidified by the powerful Moonstone bassist Nik Mazzucconi, U.D.O. drummer Francesco Jovino, live drummer Alex Mori & backing singer Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth).

Spring & summer concerts to support the album are already being announced starring Glenn Hughes as well as a festival & fall tour featuring former Rainbow/Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist, Doogie White.

"Rebel On The Run" track listing:
01. Moonster Booster
02. Shooting Star
03. One Dollar Babe
04. From Another Time
05. Cosmic Blues
06. Madman
07. Halfway To Heaven
08. Closer Than You Think
09. Hey Mama
10. Rebel On The Run
11. Sinner, Sinner

Confirmed upcoming concerts:
March 8 - University Square, Tirana (Albania) feat. Glenn Hughes
March 10 - Black Horse, Cermenate CO (Italy) feat. Glenn Hughes
May 15 - Motorock Festival, Cremona (Italy) feat. Doogie White
July 18 - Parco Comunale, Taino VA (Italy) feat. Glenn Hughes

www.myspace.com/moonstoneproject

Axl Rose On Reunion With Slash : "One Of The Two Of Us Will Die Before A Reunion"

On the occasion of his 47th birthday today (February 06) Axl Rose gave an interview to Billboard.com, wherein during the Q&A the Guns N' Roses frontman talks about the band's new album, 'Chinese Democracy,' whether the release has met his expectations, and the possibilities of a reunion of the original band. An excerpt from the interview follows below :

Billboard.com: Some people thought Chinese Democracy would never come out. Were there times during the making of the album when you felt that way yourself?

Axl Rose: "Not so much that it wouldn't come out but that we could in some way legally be forced to release it either incomplete or with so many business areas unresolved that the beginning would be the end as well."


Billboard.com: Without sounding presumptuous, what took so long to get the album out?

Axl Rose: "And without sounding facetious, what didn't? There aren't too many issues of the hundreds [we ran into] that happened as quickly as anyone would have preferred, from building my studio; finding the right players; never did find a producer; still don't have real record company involvement or support; to getting it out and mixed and mastered.

All that aside, it's the right record and I couldn't ask for more in that regard. Could have been a more enjoyable journey, but it's there now. The art comes first. It dictates if not the course [then] the destination artistically. For me, once the real accompanying artwork is there with a few videos and some touring, the package was achieved and delivered.

And to do so at this level in terms of quality, both artistic and performance-wise, both on record and live, is something that's a miracle at minimum and something that wouldn't have happened, no matter how anyone tries to convince others, with old Guns, regardless of anyone's intentions. It was just as ugly in old Guns, regardless of our success."


Billboard.com: What were your expectations in terms of what Best Buy would do to promote the album?

Axl Rose: "Best Buy has been great. Going with Best Buy was a way to work out a deal with Universal and we were fortunate enough to work with Irving [Azoff, as manager] and deal more directly with Universal. I've asked for information regarding their role in working the record but that hasn't come yet so I'm not able to tell what Universal has or hasn't done, although Zach [Horowitz, Universal Music Group president/COO], or whoever's behind the international efforts, is doing great. It's more than appreciated and a welcome relief.

Unfortunately [going with Best Buy] didn't change us having to rely on Interscope as much as we'd hoped. The opinions expressed or "jumped" on publicly regarding promotion seem to be [about] my or our involvement with mainstream media -- talk shows, rock magazines and dot-coms -- which have generally held negative public stances toward myself or the band for years, [and they] unfortunately have not been resolved. Efforts are being made to understand the relationships and evaluate how best to proceed.

Our focus was in getting the record deal done while finishing the album, which hit many an unexpected bump or sinkhole in the road right up until the actual release. We never intended a huge public rollout, especially without resolving certain issues, and no one ever suggested us doing so, though Interscope's communications with Best Buy in these areas may not have been as clear as anyone would have preferred.

Our approach, for better or worse, has always been to work the record over the course of the following tour cycles, with attempts to forge new or better and hopefully redefined relationships with the different forms of media that may be interested along the way. In regard to our promotion, it was based around certain agreements with Universal, Interscope, our management and legal [teams] that unfortunately never happened. I won't get into specifics but am beginning to address some of those issues in my own way as opposed to "working together," and we'll see how that plays out."


Billboard.com: Are you planning to tour?

Axl Rose: "No plans, but there's talk. Management and our promoters are really excited with the offers coming in both here and worldwide."


Billboard.com: Is there any chance you'll work with the former members of Guns N' Roses in the future?

Axl Rose: "I could see doing a song or so on the side with Izzy [Stradlin] or having him out [on tour] again. I'm not so comfortable with doing anything having more than one of the alumni. Maybe something with Duff [McKagan], but that's it, and not something I'd have to really get down into, as I'd get left with sorting it out and then blamed on top of it. So, no, not me.

In regards to Slash, I read a desperate fan's message about, what if one of us were to die and looking back I had the possibility of a reunion now, blah blah blah. And my thoughts are, "Yeah, and while you're at the show your baby accidentally kicks a candle and burns your house down, killing himself and the rest of your family."

Give me a fucking break. What's clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is. Those decisions were made a long time ago and reiterated year after year by one man.

There are acts that, once committed between individuals, they are what they are. To add insult to injury almost day after day, lapsing into year after year, for more than a decade, is a nightmare. Anyone putting his own personal entertainment above everything else is sickening."

To read the entire interview go to this location.

Buffalo Springfield Drummer Dewey Martin Dead At 68

Rollingstone.com is reporting that Buffalo Springfield drummer Dewey Martin died January 31st of unknown causes. He was 68. Born Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff, Martin cut his teeth in Nashville, playing with Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. He moved to L.A. in the mid-1960s and learned that a fledgling band was looking for a new drummer. The group’s guitarist, Neil Young, was highly impressed by Martin during his audition in 1966. “He was a sensitive drummer,” Young says in his biography Shakey. “You get harder, he hits harder. You pull back, he hits back. He can feel the music — you don’t have to tell him.” After his successful audition, Martin asked the group what their name was. “They went over and pulled out this sign, Buffalo Springfield,” Martin later recalled. “I said, ‘Great man, a steamroller. You got a heavy sound. Let’s go for it.’ ”

During early Buffalo Springfield gigs Martin sang Wilson Pickett’s “In The Midnight Hour,” and on their second album he handled lead vocals on “Good Time Boy.” He also sang background vocals on their biggest hit “For What It’s Worth” — in addition to providing the LSD that he claimed inspired Stephen Stills to write the song.

The notoriously volatile band folded in 1968 after just three albums, but Martin attempted to solider with new members on as the New Buffalo Springfield. After a nasty legal battle with his former bandmates he changed the name to New Buffalo — but that group fizzled by the end of 1969. Martin largely fell off the musical map afterward and worked as an auto mechanic, but he resurfaced alongside former Buffalo Springfield bassist Bruce Palmer in the mid-1980s as part of Buffalo Springfield Revisited. Joined by new members, the original rhythm section played Buffalo Springfield classics on the oldies circuit before finally hanging it up in the early 1990s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

UFO's Pete Way Taking Time Out From The Band

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that it’s been announced that founding UFO bassist Pete Way will be taking time out from UFO while recovering from liver damage.

In a full statement, the band have said:

“For a while now, Pete has been dealing with a medical condition which affects his liver, and he’s currently undergoing treatment to cure it. The medication he’s on makes him tired and dizzy, and he feels that taking part in the recording sessions and the hectic touring schedule would be too much for him at the moment, so he’ll be taking some time out from UFO until he is match-fit.”

“But as we all know with Pete, he won’t be able to stay away from rocknroll for long - so it’s very likely that he’ll be doing a few gigs here and there with Waysted.”

“We all wish him the very best and hope for a swift and full recovery.”

“We love ya Pete! Get well soon man.”

UFO also confirmed that they are currently recording their new album in Germany for an expected release in late 2009 and are also booking tour and festival dates as we speak.

Serving With The Alien : Joe Satriani To Serve Coldplay At Grammy Awards?

When Chris Martin and his Coldplay mates show up at the Grammys this weekend, they'll have fiercer predators to contend with than the normal cadre of paparazzi: process servers.

Back in December, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the British hitmakers, claiming they lifted a melody line from one of his songs for their Grammy-nominated hit 'Viva La Vida.' Satriani's attorney Howard King tells Fox News that the band has so far dodged getting served the legal papers, and that a big awards show like the Grammys seems like a perfect place to corner Martin and Co.

"We have warned their British lawyers that we have hired a fleet of process servers lined up to dog the band everywhere they go this weekend in the hopes of serving them," King says.

The 52-year-old 'Surfing With the Alien' shredder is reportedly seeking damages and "any and all profits" from the group for allegedly plagiarizing his 2004 instrumental 'If I Could Fly.' Coldplay has denied stealing the riff, calling the similarities in the songs "entirely coincidental." They have been adamant, but also polite, about their stand on the issue. "Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write the song 'Viva La Vida,'" they said in a statement in December.

Satriani's lawyer even promises to have camera crews at the event on Sunday to videotape the transaction. Coldplay are up for seven nominations at this year's show, including the coveted Record of the Year for, you guessed it, 'Viva La Vida.' To top it off, they're also scheduled to perform live. The 51st Grammy Awards air February 8th on CBS.

This might even make me think about watching the Grammys this year. Too bad it won't be for the music.....Damn shame that if Satch was to serve the band with papers onstage it will be the closest he'd get to playing on said stage.

Spinal Tap Recording First New Material In Almost 20 Years

BBC News is reporting that Spinal Tap are recording their first new material in nearly twenty years.

The spoof English heavy metal band is the brainchild of American actors Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest.

They first featured in the classic 1984 "mockumentary" This Is Spinal Tap and went on to record two albums.

Shearer, who these days voices several Simpsons characters, told BBC 5 Live: "It'll be for download as well as on conventional media later this year."

Spinal Tap recorded their last album, Break Like The Wind, in 1992.

The band briefly reformed two years ago for the Live Earth gig at Wembley Stadium in London.

Shearer, who portrays Tap's bass player Derek Smalls said: "We've never recorded the song we did at Live Earth, Warmer Than Hell, and I think they (Spinal Tap) are trying to revisit their old success.

"Not that they were ever popular, maybe in their own universe.

"We'll do a song called Gimme Some More Money, probably with some dubious results."

New Van Halen Music With David Lee Roth Forthcoming?

According to Spinner.com, Van Halen guitar legend Eddie Van Halen hopes to release new music with the current incarnation of the legendary band that bears his name. And, as he tells Spinner, yes, that includes David Lee Roth.

"Dave, Wolfie, Alex and I are a band," he tells Spinner in an upcoming Spinner Interview. "I hope that after Janie and I get married, and Wolfie graduates, that we sit down and discuss recording new music, which I have tons of. If Dave's up for singing ... then do another tour, and just see where it takes us. Actually, next week or the week after Wolfie, Alex, and I are gonna start jamming. Maybe we'll give Dave a call and see what he's up to. He's off, always doing his own thing, and he checks in every now and then to see how we're doing."

The J. Geils Band To Play First Reunion Show In A Decade

The Patriot Ledger is reporting :The rumors are true. The J. Geils Band will reunite to perform during the opening week of the new House of Blues in Boston at 8 p.m. Feb. 19. It’ll be the first time the band - Peter Wolf, Magic Dick, Seth Justman, Danny Klein and Jay Geils - has played together in 10 years. Calling it quits in 1985, they’ve performed at a handful of charity events over the years such as at a benefit for the Worcester firefighters at the Orpheum Theatre as well as a benefit for the Cam Neely Foundation.

Tickets for the show are $45, $125 and $160 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30 at livenation.com, hob.com/boston and Ticketmaster outlets.

Late Who Legend Keith Moon To Get London Tribute

The Who's late drummer Keith Moon is to be honored with a "blue plaque" at one of the former sites of London's Marquee Club, the legendary venue that played host to a number of his famous kit-trashing performances.

The plaque will be unveiled by Moon's former bandmates Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend at a ceremony in March.

The tribute follows a campaign by Moon's fans, who disagreed with English Heritage's refusal to acknowledge his place in music history, according to The Independent.

English Heritage had apparently refused to sanction a plaque due to Moon's legendary hell-raising.

However, the Heritage Foundation has brokered a deal with Westminster City Council to do the job instead.

"Keith has been overlooked but was such a character – you don't get characters like him any more. We were delighted to organize a plaque for Keith, and the Marquee is the perfect place because it was at the center of the rock gigs in London," David Graham, a trustee of the charity, told the newspaper.

A spokesperson for English Heritage told the newspaper that "only the most outstanding historical figures" came through the shortlisting process for plaques.