Happy New Year and Thanks From Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

As 2009 comes to a close, we'd like to send out happy New Year's wishes to everyone from Nightwatcher's House Of Rock. Be safe out there, wherever you are, if you drink, don't drive, and here's to 2010 and the next decade being the best ever yet!

Also, we'd like to express our deepest heartfelt thanks to some of the wonderful people who have combined to make 2009 a fantastic year here at NHOR. In no particular order, Joe Bonamassa, Butch Trucks, Joe Lynn Turner, Ron Thal, Vinnie Moore, Danny Methric, Gregg Rolie. Mark Farner, Van Wilks and Jerry Donahue for being such fantastic interviews. You all rock big time! The good folks at AntiMusic, The Chicago Sun Times, The BBC, Planet Rock, Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Melodicrock.com, Share Ross and Rock N' Roll TV, This Is Rock magazine in Spain, Gibson.com, Rock Radio UK, The Mog Music Network, Guitar World, and all the various websites and 'zines who have featured articles from this site over the past year, thank you so much! The various PR people who have assisted this site, including Erin Podbereski at Jensen Communications, Jen Goldberg at Universal and William James at Glass Onyon, Chip Schutzman at Miles High Productions, Lisa Walker and many more, you all are amazing!

Last but certainly not least, a HUGE thanks to all of you who have visited this site during the past 12 months. You're the reason we exist, and we couldn't do it without you! See you for even bigger things happening in 2010!

Michael Schenker To Release Instrumental Intensity Album In January

On January 26th, Shrapnel Records is releasing a new compilation from Michael Schenker (MSG, ex-UFO, Scorpions) called 'Instrumental Intensity'.

The tracklisting for the digipack is as follows:

'Achtung Fertig, Los!'
'Old Man With Sheep On Mars'
'Three Fish Dancing'
'A'
'N'
'D'
'Bijou Pleasurette/Positive Forward'
'Captain Nemo'
'Essence'
'I am Gratetful'
'The Creator'
Bonus Track

Join Paul Rodgers For New Year’s Eve Webcast

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen + Paul Rodgers) has teamed up with TourTV and LiveStream for a special New Year’s Eve internet broadcast.

Starting at 8pm PST December 31 (which is 4am GMT on January 1, if you’re wondering), TourTV will be airing, in its entirety, Paul Rodgers New Year’s Eve Live ‘07, which was recorded at the El Dorado Showroon in Reno, NV.

This is packed with archive footage, exclusive interviews with Rodgers and members of his band, as well as the entire New Years Eve concert broadcast. Tune in to the broadcast at http://www.tourtvonline.com/ and www.livestream.com/tourtv

AC/DC Austrian Concert In Doubt Over Rare Bird Risk

The Daily Telegraph is reporting Aussie rockers AC/DC could have to cancel a sold-out concert because their big sound poses a danger to rare birds.

Animal rights campaigners are threatening legal action if the veteran band goes ahead with a gig planned for Wels airport in Austria in May.

Hans Uhl of BirdLife said birds nesting in the area at the time would be threatened by anthems such as Highway To Hell and You Shook Me All Night Long.

"The second biggest colony of curlews in Upper Austria and various other ground-nesting birds must not become endangered," said Uhl.

Gibson Custom Shop Announces the Jimmy Page "Number Two" Les Paul

Every musician knows that late ’50s Sunburst Les Paul Standards are hard enough to come by as it is. Obtaining a pristine and exemplary ’59 ’Burst and modifying it for heightened performance and vastly expanded tonal options? Unheard of… unless, of course, you’re Jimmy Page. That’s exactly what the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist, perhaps the world’s most iconic Les Paul player, did with his own ’59 Les Paul Standard, and now—thanks to the extreme efforts of Gibson’s Custom Shop and the intimate cooperation of Jimmy Page himself—the artist’s hallowed “Number Two” Les Paul is available to mere mortals, in the form of the Custom Shop Jimmy Page “Number Two” Les Paul.

Produced in strictly limited numbers, with two levels of aging, this guitar captures the look, feel, sound, and versatility of one of the greatest artist-owned Les Pauls of all time, and it is likely to disappear from authorized Gibson dealers in record time.

The 1959 Les Paul that has come to be known as “Number Two” was purchased by Page in 1973 after trying for some time to acquire an exceptional second Les Paul. This was several years after having acquired his other legendary Les Paul—“Number One”, a ’59 ’Burst with shaved-down neck profile and no serial number—from Joe Walsh. “Number Two” was essentially all original when he acquired it. Jimmy did have some modifications done to the neck shape so that it would more nearly match the feel of his "Number One". The neck is certainly slim but not to such extremes as the now-ultra-slim neck on “Number One”. It had a strong, beautiful sunburst finish with a red element that had faded to a dusky amber-brown, along with a clear serial number dating it to 1959.

Page played this Les Paul frequently through his days with Led Zeppelin, and in the early ’80s decided to make it an even more versatile instrument. Page also added that he wanted to "explore the full range of what the two humbuckers have to offer". He designed a switching system for coil splitting, series/parallel, and phase-reverse options for both pickups, and employed a skilled electronics technician to devise a working schematic and make his sonic vision a reality. The result comprised a push/pull pot on each of the guitar’s four standard controls, plus two push-button switches hidden beneath the pickguard, all mounted on a ’59 Les Paul Standard that is otherwise a superb example of the breed, both in tone and playability.

The Custom Shop Jimmy Page “Number Two” Les Paul was recreated with intense, inch-by-inch examination of Page’s original guitar, inside and out. The process of getting it right involved the production of a number of hand-built prototypes, each of which was checked and critiqued in detail by Page himself. Approval of the final iteration was only offered after the legendary artist had intricately examined and extensively played this last prototype in his London home—after which it was given the thumbs-up, worthy of being the template for the Custom Shop Jimmy Page “Number Two” Les Paul.

Only 325 examples will be produced in total: The first 25 instruments are to be aged by vintage-reproduction master Tom Murphy then inspected, played and hand signed and numbered by Jimmy Page personally. An additional 100 guitars will be given the extensive aging treatment and 200 will be finished to Gibson’s VOS specs. (Photo credit : Ross Halfin)

Austin's Arcangels Release Arcangels: Living In A Dream, DVD/CD

Nearly eight years after headlining the Austin City Limits Festival, the Arcangels have reunited and released Arcangels: Living in a Dream, a DVD/CD featuring their Live at Stubbs performance along with three new studio tracks and a full length Documentary. Formed in the musical hotbed of Austin, Texas, the Arcangels consist of some of the finest musical talents to ever play an instrument.

With a devoted fan base, the Arcangels are known as a tremendous band with an equally remarkable story that began in 1992, after the devastating loss of their friend and fellow musician Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The miracle that came from that loss was the unique sound of four musicians aptly named - the Arcangels: drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon (the veteran rhythm section of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble) coupled with musical wonders Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II sharing lead vocal and lead guitar duties. The current band lineup consists of original members Bramhall, Sexton and Layton.

"Charlie and I started to write together again and decided that we should get the band back together. The chemistry that we all have together is one entity and it's something very real. It's fun," said Bramhall. 'We're trying to take advantage and savor the good things and one of the good things is the Arcangels,' added Charlie Sexton.

March 2009 marked the introduction of the band's new music and live tour launching at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX. Next they opened for Eric Clapton on his European tour before embarking on their own U.S. tour during the summer. 'The stars kind of aligned once again. The band's back together and we're doing some new things," said Layton.

The past few months on the road have only reaffirmed the band's strong bond and collective passion for music. The Arcangels are back and here to stay. The release of their new DVD/CD gives fans an all access look at the long road of hardships and challenges that the band has overcome to become the heralded Arcangels.

The Arcangels were formed at the Austin Rehearsal Center (ARC) which so aptly gave them a name. There, Sexton had a writing room to work on his next solo album, Bramhall was working under a development deal with Geffen Records, and Layton had a drum room where he would often practice. The initial idea had been quite simple; create a band that can jam when people happened to be in town or not on tour with Stevie. But Vaughan's death changed everything. When the foursome came together, press were quick to dub them a 'Texas supergroup,' but the guys shunned that tag. The band was purely a musical outlet and inspiration to all of them.

Not intending to be a recording band, the guys played live and just for fun, opening for the likes of Robert Cray. But they soon found the excitement and challenges of being a band, worth the effort. Sexton and Bramhall tabled their solo projects and began creating music specifically for the Arcangels. The band's 1992 debut album release, Arc Angels, on Geffen Records met with much critical acclaim and managed to break onto the Billboard Top 200 chart. The sound was unique - raw and intense rock and roll steeped in the roots of Texas blues, but still radio-friendly and widely appealing. The group toured heavily after the album and on Tuesday, June 9, 1992, the Arcangels made their network television debut on the NBC show The Late Show with David Letterman where they performed "Living In A Dream." On Wednesday, January 6, 1993, they again performed on Letterman's show, this time playing "Too Many Ways to Fall." It seemed that this Texas quartet was poised to explode onto the national scene.

But their name proved a harbinger of things to come; the Arcangels fell as quickly as they rose. Creative differences, heavy touring, and Bramhall's admitted descent into a deep and nearly deadly heroin addiction caused the breakup of the band in 1994. The Arcangels came to an abrupt halt in October of that year with a series of farewell concerts at Austin's Backyard outdoor venue. They each followed their individual paths from there. Bramhall went on to solo projects as well as touring with Roger Waters and Eric Clapton's band. Sexton made two critically acclaimed solo albums, toured with Bob Dylan, and has produced numerous high profile artist projects. Meanwhile, Layton recorded three albums with the Texas soul quintet Storyville and has backed such artists as Buddy Guy and John Mayer.

Produced and designed by Mark Proct and Charlie Boswell, the DVD/CD was recorded using Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) cutting edge live-audio technology, designed to give users the highest quality experience.' We wanted to give our fans more than they would have expected in both content and quality of content' said Mark Proct ' From the Nuendo recording systems to the DVD rendering AMD played a major role in the production of the CD/DVD and the outcome exceeded all of our expectations.' Now, after almost 5 years in the making, the DVD/CD is finally available to fans and rock & roll lovers of all ages. For more info go here .

Steven Tyler Enters Rehab For Painkiller Addiction

People.com are reporting that Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has entered a rehab facility for pain management and an addiction to prescription painkillers resulting from 10 years of performance injuries.

"With the help of my family and team of medical professionals, I am taking responsibility for the management of my pain and am eager to be back on the stage and in the recording studio with my bandmates Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford," Tyler says in a statement released to People.

"I love Aerosmith; I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith," he adds. "I am grateful for all of the support and love I am receiving and am committed to getting things taken care of."

His daughter, Liv Tyler says, "My family and I are in complete support of my dad's decision to seek treatment. He is a courageous man. We love him and are so proud that he is getting help to balance his pain management, not just for himself but for his family, friends and fans."

Also in a statement to Rolling Stone, Tyler also addressed his bandmates’ recent allegations that he demanded a two-year break from the group: “I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false and I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.”

Ozzy Osbourne Says He Hates Christmas So Much He Would Prefer To Be In Hospital

Ozzy Osbourne has said he hates Christmas so much he would prefer to be in hospital.

The 61-year-old music legend said he finds the festive season dull and looks back with fond memories to 2003 when he spent the period unconscious following an accident.

He also had a Christmas number one that year after a duet with daughter Kelly, Changes, topped the charts.

He said: 'I had a Christmas number one. The only thing is that I was in hospital. When I did that thing with Kelly, I then nearly killed myself in a quad-bike accident.

'I was in a coma for a while so I missed Christmas, thank God. If I want to miss Christmas, I'll get on my quad bike and break my neck again.'

Guitarist James Gurley, Formerly Of 60's San Francisco Acid Rockers Big Brother And The Holding Company Passes Away Aged 69

James Gurley, former guitarist of Big Brother and the Holding Company, the psychedelic blues acid rock band from San Francisco who assisted Janis Joplin on her meteoric rise to fame in the late 60's has passed away from a heart attack December 20th at the age of 69. He was two days shy of his 70th birthday.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on December 22, 1939, Gurley took up the guitar at the age of nineteen, practicing long hours listening to blues, particularly fond of bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins. In 1962, he moved to San Francisco and became part of the coffee-house circuit, playing in the folk and country blues tradition.

In the summer of 1965, legendary promoter Chet Helms brought James to 1090 Page Street to meet Peter Albin and Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and shortly thereafter, he joined the band. In June of 1966, Joplin joined the band, and shortly thereafter she and Gurley began a short lived affair.

At the end of 1966, Big Brother signed a contract with Mainstream Records, with their debut album, 'Big Brother & the Holding Company' released the following year. Initially not garnering much national attention, following the band's historic performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967, it finally debuted on Billboard's album charts in September, peaking at #43.

Signing with Columbia Records in November 1967, the resulting album 'Cheap Thrills' , released in the summer of 1968, one year after their debut album reached number one on the Billboard charts in its eighth week in October. It held the number one spot for eight (nonconsecutive) weeks. Considered one of the masterpieces of the psychedelic sound of San Francisco, it was ranked number 338 in Rolling Stone's 500 greatest albums of all time.

At the end of the summer of 1968, just after appearing at the Palace of Fine Arts Festival in San Francisco, Joplin announced that she was leaving Big Brother in the fall of that year. After breaking up, the band got back together in the fall of 1969, with Kathi McDonald and Nick Gravenites on lead vocals, albeit with Gurley on bass, not guitar. After releasing two more studio albums the band called it a day in 1972.

Reuniting in 1987, Gurley left the band in 1996 due to not supporting his colleagues idea to hire a female singer to replace Joplin, and to concentrate on solo projects. An album 'Pipe Dreams' was released in January 2000.

The Rolling Stones Named Top Touring Act Of 00s

Planet Rock is reporting that The Rolling Stones have been named as the top touring act of the past decade, earning the best part of a billion dollars over 264 concerts.

Billboard reports that the Stones raked in a gross revenue of $869.5 million and pulled in more than 8 million fans across 264 concerts.

U2 followed closely with $844.2 million, with Madonna ($801.3 million), Bruce Springsteen ($688.1 million), and Elton John ($603.8 million) rounding out the top five.

Bon Jovi, Metallica, Eagles and Aerosmith all appear in the top 25.

U2 also topped Billboard's 2009 top tours list with $311.6 million in gross revenue and concert attendance of more than 3 million. Trailing U2 was Madonna ($222 million), Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ($156.3 million), AC/DC ($135.3 million), and Pink ($102.9 million).

Todd Rundgren Biography Sequel Due

The second volume of Todd Rundgren�'s ongoing biography series, A Dream Goes On Forever by our good friend here at NHOR, Billy James, is to be published this month.

Seven years after the first volume of the songwriter�s first biography, A Dream Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren vol. 2 picks up the story of the second decade of Rundgren�s career, looking at the mid-'70s atop the �golden pyramid� to the challenging mid-'80s when he faced the demise of Utopia. Follow the album-by-album coverage from Todd's landmark 1977 production of Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell through to the persistence of vision which allowed him to continue creating music after the end of his video studio, record label and band.

The volume looks at Rundgren�s own solo albums along with his production work on the likes of Skylarking by XTC and Forever Now by the Psychedelic Furs.

You can find out more about the book at the link below:

Click here.

Chickenfoot Bassist Michael Anthony Says Friendship With Sammy Hagar Got Him The Boot From Van Halen

The Rock Radio is reporting that Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony says that Eddie and Alex Van Halen hold a grudge against him for maintaining a friendship with Sammy Hagar. Anthony recalled to Mojo, that the problems started between him and the band when in the late '90s, Van Halen once again tried unsuccessfully to bring David Lee Roth back into the fold. With Van Halen seemingly on hiatus, Hagar had called Anthony to see if he was interested in hooking up with him and Neal Schon in their side project Planet Us.

Anthony explains, "Some Van Halen fans say I left the band to hook up with Sammy, but I never said, 'I quit.' There was nothing going on in the Van Halen camp, but Eddie kinda backed me up against a wall. . . Eddie felt that I was a traitor. I helped hook Sammy back up with them for the 2004 reunion tour, but Eddie didn't want me to be a part of that originally, so I took a big pay cut. I'm not crying, I didn't need the money. I did that because I wanted to play for the fans. I signed away any legal rights I had with the name, the trademark or whatever. I did it because if that was the last time Van Halen would ever be on stage, I wanted to be part of it."

He went on to say, "The major reason why I'm not in Van Halen (now) is because I became friends with Sammy again. The Van Halen brothers never got over that. If they hold a grudge, they hold it forever."

During Van Halen's August 2007 press conference announcing their reunion tour with David Lee Roth and Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen on bass, Roth skirted over the issue of why a then-16 year old kid was playing bass instead of Anthony: "Michael Anthony is part of this band's history. There's a lot of great alumni who have been through this band. I'm shocked that any of us are still vertical after 30 years. And as far as why Wolf is in the band, may I speak for you, Ed? I understand how he wanted to play with the boy because he's amazing."

Jimmy Page To Play 'Show Of Peace' Concert In China

An array of artists, including Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, will take part in the first annual Show Of Peace Concert, a globally televised event that will take place April 17 before an expected crowd of 100,000 at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, China.

More performers and other details will be announced at a Jan. 13 press conference in Beijing. The concert's official web site lists nearly five dozen target artists to be invited, including Prince, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Rob Thomas, Beyonce, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Kenny Chesney, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake and many others.

The concert, which marks the 30th anniversary of the cultural exchange agreement between the United States and China, is billed in a statement as "a 'peace is green' awareness campaign designed to not only promote peace with each other but to promote peace with our planet." It's the brainchild of television and music producer Rick Garson, whose Las Vegas-based ZZYX Entertainment company is producing the show. Garson's co-producers include Live 8 and Live Earth principal Greg Sills and artists manager Trudy Green (Michael and Janet Jackson, Mick Jagger, Aerosmith). Other organizations involved in the concert include the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Joint US-China Collaboration on Clean Energy, the United Nations' Pathways of Peace and the Captain Planet Foundation."

Garson is establishing the A Show Of Peace Foundation, whose board of directors will include environmental and peace-building experts. The foundation will distribute funds raised from the concert and other activities to organizations and initiatives. In a statement Garson said that "the passion and attitude of the Chinese people and the potential of this country made me realize that this was the right place to stage an event, as we watch the transformation of Red China to 'Green' China right before our eyes."

The concert's web site, showofpeace.com, will carry regular updates about the event.

Joe Satriani To Release 'Live In Paris : I Just Wanna Rock' DVD In February

Guitar legend Joe Satriani (Chickenfoot) is set to release a new live DVD. Live in Paris: I Just Wanna Rock, to be released on February 2, 2010 through Epic Records.

The recording depicts Satriani's May 2008 performance in Paris, France. Some of his most memorable songs, "Surfing With The Alien", "Flying in a Blue Dream", are matched with recent fare like "Super Colossal" and "I Just Wanna Rock."

A bonus offering on the DVD will be an in-depth interview with Satriani as well as behind-the-scenes footage. Also set for same day release is the companion 2-CD album for Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock!

2010 will also find Satriani head out on the road, again, this time with a group of musicians whom he admires and respects. As part of the "Experience Hendrix" tour, Joe will join fellow musical peers: Billy Cox, Sacred Steel & Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ernie Isley, Brad Whitford, Doyle Bramhall II, Living Colour, Hubert Sumlin, and Chris Layton on a full U.S. tour beginning March 4th in Santa Barbara and continuing throughout the month.

About the tour, Joe recently said "I finally get to pay tribute to my hero the right way, on stage with an amazing, once in a lifetime, line up of musicians!"

For more information go to this location.

BBC Found Led Zeppelin "Old Fashioned"

Led Zeppelin were labeled "old fashioned" and "unconvincing" by BBC producers when the group took part in a radio audition in 1969.

Documents from the BBC's archive reveal that producers invited the group to appear on a trial basis only and criticized their performance.

However, the group eventually went on to play several sessions for Radio 1.

One member of the 1969 audition panel said the band were "not for daytime radio - specialist listening only", while another described them as "derivative" and "unconvincing".

And, according to a third, the group had "an old-fashioned sound".

In an interview with BBC 6 Music for a Christmas Day show, Jimmy Page said of the sessions they went on to play: "We'd showcase the material, whatever there was from the album of the time and for the rest of it we would just jam, and that's how urgent and how creative it all was at the time."

Documents have also revealed how Page stepped in after Led Zeppelin and the BBC fell out over the sound quality of a 1971 concert recorded for Radio 1.

The day after the broadcast, Led Zeppelin withdrew their approval.

They wrote to demand that the recording not be made available to the rest of the world.

Page eventually ended up remixing the recording.

A BBC memo shows the group felt "this will be better technically both for the BBC and for us and it will cost the same amount of money". To read more from the BBC go here.

Brian Setzer Collapses in Concert, Hospitalized

Brian Setzer, the Grammy Award winning front man/guitarist for the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra, collapsed while performing at Isleta Casino, just south of Albuquerque New Mexico Monday night.

Audience members report that Setzer was about two songs into his initial set when he walked off stage appearing shaky.

An Isleta employee says that Setzer collapsed after leaving the stage and was rushed to Heart Hospital of New Mexico -- but he's since been discharged.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that concert goers can get a full refund and have two weeks to collect it. Setzer is set to perform in Phoenix, AZ tonight -- so far, that show is still set to go on as planned.

Update : Setzer has posted on his website that his brief collapse and hospitalization was the result of dehydration, high altitude and vertigo, a combination that made it impossible for him "to continue his performance at the Isleta Casino after several songs." It continues on to say that "Brian has completely recovered and will perform tonight at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, AZ, and will continue with the remainder of the tour uninterrupted."

The Stooges, Genesis, ABBA ,The Hollies Lead the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2010 Inductees

Rolling Stone.com is reporting The Stooges, Genesis and ABBA lead the list of accomplished artists that will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. The class of 2010 also includes the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff.

Iggy Pop says his band has been patiently awaiting this honor for some time. "We've been rejected seven times, and we would have set a record, I think, if it happened again," the Stooges' frontman tells Rolling Stone. "It started to feel like Charlie Brown and the football. I had about two hours of a strong emotional reaction after hearing the news. It felt like vindication. Then I kind of scratched my head and thought, 'Am I still cool? Or is that over now?' "

The news was quite surprising for the Swedish pop group ABBA. "I didn't think this would happen, because we were a pop band, not a rock band," says Benny Andersson, who helped found the group in 1970. "Being a foreigner from the North Pole, this feels really good."

The Hall of Fame has earned a reputation for convincing long dormant groups like Talking Heads and Led Zeppelin to perform at induction ceremonies. Though Graham Nash hopes to play with the Hollies for the first time since 1983 ("I'll be there with bells on," he says), an ABBA reunion is less likely; the group split in 1983 and has refused all offers to reform ever since. "It's very tricky because Agnetha [Fältskog] is not flying," Andersson says. "The people who are really fond of ABBA for what we did, I think we are doing them a favor by not going out." He said he wouldn't completely discount a performance, but wanted to talk it over with the rest of the group. "It's 99 against 1 [odds], though."

A reunion of the Peter Gabriel era of Genesis, who haven't played together since a one-off in 1982, is more likely — however Phil Collins' recent medical problems have left him virtually unable to play the drums. "I don't think he'd be itching to play early 1970s Genesis music at the moment," says Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks. "Peter [Gabriel] is a bit elusive, but I'll probably talk to him soon and see if he has any concept of what he wants to do. I don't feel a great need to play. I'm happy just to drink."

Cliff, known internationally for his work in the 1972 The Harder They Come and its iconic soundtrack, becomes the second reggae pioneer to join the Hall, after Bob Marley, who was inducted in 1994. Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" is one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The 25th annual induction ceremony will be held March 15th. The event, which is returning to New York's Waldorf Astoria, will be broadcast live on Fuse. The Hall of Fame will also give the Ahmet Ertegun Award (an honor for non-performers) to record executive David Geffen and songwriters Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry, Jesse Stone, Mort Shuman and Otis Blackwell.

Guitar Legend Al Di Meola To Release New Live Album, Begin U.S. Tour In January

Al Di Meola - the "guitarist of spectacular abilities" (NY Times) lauded both as musical trailblazer and nonpareil technical virtuoso - will kick off a two-month U.S. tour on January 28th, with his acoustic group World Sinfonia. The dates will follow on the heels of an inspired new live album 'Live From Seattle And Elsewhere,' consisting entirely of Di Meola originals, and slated for full national release on January 12.

Mixing lush, tango-inspired romanticism - heavily influenced by late Argentine master Astor Piazzolla, a friend and mentor -- with Latin influences drawn both from Spanish traditions and Di Meola's own Italian heritage, 'Live From Seattle And Elsewhere' is a polystylistic triumph.

Di Meola was an icon in the making before the age of 20, exploding onto the scene with his jaw dropping skill and inventiveness as part of legendary jazz-fusion band Return To Forever.
He has recorded 26 solo albums throughout his career, selling some 6 million CD's, with three gold-certified albums, and traversed a diverse range of styles from avant-garde to ambient. With World Sinfonia, Di Meola aims to move his audience with a full range of emotions, often mixing fiery passion with delicate arrangements - pausing only fleetingly to inspire visible awe with the legendary technique that is his trademark.

U.S. Tour Dates January/February

January

01/28/2010 - VIENNA, VA - THE BARNS - WOLFTRAP
01/29/2010 - RED BANK, NJ - COUNT BASIE THEATRE
01/30/2010 - ALBANY, NY - THE EGG CONCERT HALL
01/31/2010 - NORFOLK, CT - INFINITY HALL


February
02/04/2010 - ATLANTA, GA - VARIETY PLAYHOUSE
02/05/2010 - LARGO, FL - CULTURAL CENTER
02/06/2010 - ORLANDO, FL - PLAZA THEATER
02/11/2010 - DALLAS, TX - GRANADA THEATRE
02/12/2010 - AUSTIN, TX - ONE WORLD THEATRE
02/18/2010 - TUCSON, AZ- RIALTO THEATRE
02/19/2010 - SCOTTSDALE, AZ - CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
02/20/2010 - HENDERSON, NV - GREEN VALLEY RANCH
02/23/2010 - SAN DIEGO, CA - ANTHOLOGY
02/24/2010 - SAN DIEGO, CA - ANTHOLOGY
02/25/2010 - SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA - COACH HOUSE
02/26/2010 - LOS ANGELES, CA - HOUSE OF BLUES
02/27/2010 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ FESTIVAL


For more info go to http://www.aldimeola.com/

Ronnie Wood Gives Russian Girlfriend The Boot

As previously reported The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood was arrested on suspicion of assault charges, reportedly with 20 year old girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova. Now comes word that Ronnie has given her the boot - figuratively speaking this time :

The DailyMail.co.uk reports that Wood's ex-wife, Jo Wood, has confirmed that the affair has come to a screeching halt.

Jo Wood said, “He said he has split up with that girl for good. It's over. He won't be going back to her. There's no going back for him, he's adamant about that.”

'We're still speaking and he's been talking with our daughter Leah, too, and told her the same thing.

The 20-year Ivanova is said to be devastated at the break up.

Ronnie Wood was arrested and spent the night in jail after he allegedly dragged the former cocktail waitress by the scruff of her neck during a 30-minute fight.

Since posting bail, the musician has been secluded in his rented mansion that he had shared with Ivanova.

But don’t look for the ex-Faces star to go running back to his former wife.

“Before people ask or assume that we might be getting back together, we're not.” Says Jo Wood. “Absolutely not. I'm very happy being single at the moment and I'm enjoying life.”

Though Ivanova has refused to press charges, Wood still has hearing scheduled in January and criminal charges may yet be laid.

Zakk Wylde : Booze Saved My Life

Rock Radio is reporting that Zakk Wylde has explained in typical larger-than-life style how heavy drinking saved his life after he developed killer blood clots in his legs during the summer. And although he wanted the news to mean he could keep indulging, his wife made him see sense.

Wylde, who recently said his sacking by Ozzy Osbourne was water under the bridge, is preparing to start work on a new Black Label Society album. He says he sees a positive side to the end of his drinking days.

He tells I Heart Guitar: "We were out on the road with Mudvayne and Static-X and we were having a blast on that thing.

"Next thing you know, I'm hanging out and my leg's frickin' killing me - my left leg behind my knee. I figured maybe I'd pulled a calf muscle but it wasn't like I fell or anything. It wasn't like I was doing David Lee Rock splits off the drum riser.

"I'd be icing down my leg and everything like that. Just taking a leak in the middle of the night was a major production.

"We had a 24-hour drive and I said, 'Before we do this I just want to get an ultrasound.'

"The guy goes, 'Dude, you've got two huge blood clots behind your knee.'

"I was like, 'Dude, you kidding me?'

"He says, 'No, do you do a lot of travel?'

"I said, 'Well, yeah, of course - I'm either on a tour bus or I'm flying or on a ferry or something. I'm a musician - that's what we do for a living.'

"He told me usually airline pilots get this shit, or truck drivers, you know? I said, 'Would drinking have anything to do with this?'

"He just goes, 'No, dude, if anything drinking was thinning your blood.'

"I said, 'Well, good - alcohol is a good thing', but my wife says, 'You're dreaming, buddy-boy. The bar's closed for you, jackass!'"

Wylde says he's now on drugs to thin his blood and hasn't had a drink since he started because of the side-effects. But there's a silver lining to the story: he has more time to enjoy travelling.

"Most of the time when I was drinking it was like, 'Let's go sightseeing', but it's like, 'Dude, if we've got a day off, you and I are going to hit an Irish pub.' But we had a day sightseeing in China. We went up to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. It was awesome."

UPDATED :Axl Rose Gets Into Scuffle At LAX Heading For Asia, Tour Goes On

Live Daily is reporting : Talk about an appetite for self-destruction. Axl Rose waited until the last minute to board a flight to Taipei to start a Guns N' Roses tour that will take them through Asia this month with Canada and South America to follow next year.

His timing could not have been worse.

At Los Angeles International Airport, Rose got into a scuffle with a paparazzo that ended up with a few bloodied participants. Even with Rose flying to Taiwan there is still concern about whether he will be in the mood to perform, a question that had been raised earlier in the week when the rest of the band flew to the gig without the singer.

Tommy Stinson, Dizzy Reed, Bumblefoot, Chris Pittman, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus and new member DJ Ashba traveled to Taipei earlier in the week and has already done a soundcheck without Rose. As late as Tuesday, with the band in Taiwan, Rose had considered canceling the dates but eventually chose to go forward with the shows.

After Taipei, Guns N' Roses is scheduled to play Seoul, Korea on Dec. 13 then Osaka, Japan (Dec. 16) and Tokyo (Dec. 19). The 16-date Canadian tour starts in Winnipeg on Jan. 13. The band recently released its third single in Canada, "Street Of Dreams," from their "Chinese Democracy" album.

UPDATE :

Here's the video of the entire incident :



Before the brawl, Axl warns the paparazzi about a photog who was allegedly getting close to a woman in his entourage saying, "touch her again, I'll break his f**king neck."

Seconds later, the woman can be seen scuffling with a photog -- and that's when Axl charges in and swings for the photog's head ... knocking the guy right on his ass.

As members of his entourage tried to rip the Guns N' Roses singer away, the rocker continued to stomp and kick the man while he was on the ground.

Members of Rose's crew eventually tore him away and walked to their gate. In the footage, it's clear two TSA agents observed the fight, but we've learned they never notified airport police.

Axl has since posted an article on his MySpace page, in which the paparazzi are described as "belligerent" -- it also states Rose was uninjured in the "unprovoked attack."

Details Of B.B. King/Joe Bonamassa Collaboration Revealed

As reported yesterday, über producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Journey, The Black Crowes) announced via Facebook that he had recorded a duet between King Of The Blues B.B. King and hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa in Las Vegas. The track will be included in the guitarist's upcoming studio album 'Black Rock' tentatively set for release via J&R Adventures March/April 2010.

Now it can be revealed that the song recorded is a rendition of King's "Night Life", originally on the blues master's 1967 live offering 'Blues Is King'. (Photo : B.B. King, Producer Kevin Shirley)

Please enjoy B.B. King performing the classic live in 1986 at Umeå Jazz Festival, Umeå, Sweden in 1986 :

Johnny Winter 'Live Bootleg Series Volume 6' To See Release in January

On January 12, 2010 Friday Music will release Johnny Winter's 'Live Bootleg Series, Volume 6 'on both compact disc and through digital download services like iTunes, eMusic, and Rhapsody, among others. The popular series pulls previously-unreleased material from Winter's personal archive, and the first five volumes have won universal acclaim for the scorching live houserockin' music they document.

Like the previous entries in the series, 'Live Bootleg Series, Volume 6' includes rare musical moments from across Winter's 40-year-plus career, including covers of some of the guitarist's favorite artists and songs, including Ray Charles' "Blackjack," Freddie King's "Sen-Sa-Shun," and an amazing fifteen-minute extended jam on B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault." The album also includes live versions of a couple of Winter originals - "White Line Blues," which features some smokin' slide-guitar, and "Johnny Guitar."

"I'm really pleased with how well the live series has been received," Winter says of the collection. "I had so much material from over the years and was very happy to find the right way to distribute it all to my fans. It was great finding a label such as Friday Music to release this material in such a way as it's being presented."

The Beatles Have Best Selling Album of the Decade

Our good friends at AntiMusic are reporting that The Fab four are still pretty damn fab. At least with people who buy music according to the following Rolling Stone.com report:

Over three decades after their breakup, the Beatles still released the top-selling album of the 2000s. The Fab Four's greatest hits compilation 1 sold over 11,448,000 copies since its release in November 2000 according to Nielsen SoundScan's decade-end sales numbers. Eminem was the 2000s’ top-selling artist with 32.2 million combined in sales, plus two albums in the decade’s Top 10. The Beatles claimed Number Two with 30 million.

Blues Rock Guitar Virtuoso Steve Fister To Play Special Holiday Show

Blues rock guitar virtuoso Steve Fister will be playing a special holiday show at the world famous Baked Potato club in Studio City, California on December 16th, 2009.

Due to his exceptional abilities, Fister has been described as "A brilliant guitarist" by L.A.'s Music Connection and All Music Guide calls him "A talented, versatile guitarist with a love and respect for the instrument's place in several genres". His latest studio album 'Deeper Than The Blues' (2008) ranked #8 in this site's Top 10 Albums of 2008.

In addition to releasing six critically acclaimed solo studio recordings and one live offering, his performing and recording credits include stints with Michael DesBarres and Lita Ford (where he enjoyed a high worldwide profile, as well as serving as band leader and musical director); extended touring with Stu Hamm, winner of Guitar Player magazines' best bassist poll; a North American Tour and CD with guitar legend Pat Travers; and World Tours with John Kay & Steppenwolf.

Renowned players who have appeared on album with the guitarist include the aforementioned Hamm, Gregg Bissonette (Carlos Santana, Ray Charles), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai), Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne), Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets). Eddie Tuduri (Dwight Yoakam, Marianne Faithfull), Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck, Cactus), Walter Trout, Reese Wynans(Double Trouble), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Michael Cartalone (Damn Yankees, Lynyrd Skynyrd) and many others.

In the spring of 2008 The Steve Fister Band opened up for legendary guitarist Joe Satriani as special guests on his European Tour.

For more info go to this location.

Also, as a holiday special all Steve Fister CD's at CD Baby will be lowered to $8.00 till Jan 5, 2010. Go here.

Prog Rock Legends Yes To Continue U.S. Tour in 2010, Planning New Studio Album

Planet Rock is reporting that Prog Rock legends Yes have revealed that they will be touring North America once more in February 2010.

Due to the success of their current tour, and in particular their current line-up, the band will continue their run of live shows into 2010 – and the tour may lead to a new album.

Guitarist Steve Howe revealed to Billboard that the current line-up of Yes principles Alan White, Chris Squire and himself along with new boys Oliver “Son Of Rick” Wakeman and frontman Benoit David are working so well together that they don’t want to stop.

"I think they're doing a tremendous job," Howe tells Billboard.com about Wakeman and David. "We've mapped out a period of time for (Yes) to work, so in that period of time things are going to stay as they are now with Oliver and Benoit. When things were to feel right with any other line-up, then that will happen, but at the moment this is what we're focusing on."

And when asked about a potential new album after Yes started throwing brand new song ‘Aliens’ into their setlists Howe says that it’s likely to happen but in a similar way that his other band Asia reformed and recorded a new album.

"I think that's how I'd like to approach it with Yes as well, to have a little bit more time to do a little bit more (live) work and playing and then divert to recordings."

For a listing of tour dates go to this location.

Guitarist Joe Bonamassa Getting Those Young Man Blues In Edinburgh Scotland

This past Saturday, December 5th at the Hmv PictureHouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, hard rockin' blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa performed a heavy version of the Mose Allison penned "Young Man Blues", made famous by The Who on their seminal live release 'Live At Leeds'.

Here's some fan produced audio with stills from the show:



In other Bonamassa related news, über producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Journey, The Black Crowes) has announced via his Facebook site that King Of The Blues, B.B. King will be appearing on the guitarist's upcoming studio release. Reportedly entitled 'Black Rock', the album now has a tentative U.S. release date of March 9th, 2010.

Experience Hendrix Tour Set for March 2010

Guitar World is reporting that Experience Hendrix, the fourth edition of the biennial concert tour that features an all-star line-up of music greats paying homage to the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix, gets underway in early March of next year with special performances across the country.

Featured artists who will be performing music written and inspired by Jimi Hendrix include some of the best known and most respected artists in contemporary rock and blues, including Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford (of Aerosmith), Doyle Bramhall II, Ernie Isley, Living Colour, Double Trouble’s Chris Layton, along with bassist Billy Cox. Cox, who first befriended Hendrix when the two were in the 101st Airborne Division of U.S. Army, played in both the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys and performed with Hendrix at such landmark festivals as Woodstock and the Isle of Wight. Cox commented, "It's a thrill for me to play Jimi's music for audiences now as it was in the 1960s. The Experience Hendrix tours have shown how timeless this music really is." Joe Satriani remarked, "I finally get to pay tribute to my hero the right way, on stage with an amazing, once in a lifetime, line up of musicians!" Sacred Steel featuring Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi and David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos are also performing on selected Experience Tour dates.

Various combinations of these music greats will be performing Jimi’s signature songs including “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return), “The Wind Cries Mary,” “Little Wing” and “Red House.” As has been the case with previous Experience Hendrix tour incarnations, special guests are expected to sit in at many of the dates making the concerts all that much more memorable for both new and veteran Hendrix fans. Past special guests have included Paul Rodgers, Buddy Guy and Carlos Santana.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, a veteran of several Experience Hendrix tours, remarked, “Jimi Hendrix’s music has really inspired to push the limits of my own music. He didn’t observe any boundaries musically. He was an amazing player and a tremendous showman so I incorporated some of his showmanship in what I do.” As far as having been part of the Experience Hendrix touring phenomenon, Shepherd noted, “It touches you on the inside and gets you fired up.”

The Experience Hendrix Tour is presented by Experience Hendrix, LLC, the Hendrix family-owned company founded by James A. “Al” Hendrix, Jimi’s father, entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Earlier this year, Sony Music Entertainment’s Legacy Division and Experience Hendrix entered into a worldwide catalog licensing venture to make all of Jimi’s extraordinary music, including classic albums, never before heard archive recordings, and filmed concerts available through all forms of media.

Launching on the west coast, the month-long tour will bring the troupe of players, each a headliner in his or her own right, to concert venues in major U.S. markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis and Atlanta.

Notes Experience Hendrix Tour producer John McDermott, “The line-up for this tour reflects the breadth of Jimi’s ongoing influence that reaches down through the generations. The guests that have been attracted to participate are enthusiastic about the proposition of performing with their counterparts. That mindset underscores the fact that the Experience Hendrix tour is all about musical camaraderie and the recognition that Jimi Hendrix, undeniably, casts the longest shadow in the realm of great music and great musicians.“
Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix noted, "Everyday, we see how Jimi's musical legacy continues to transcend generational and cultural boundaries. This tour is our way to give a live concert experience that reflects the genius of his unifying spirit. Part of our mission is to share Jimi’s music with audiences of all ages and these tours continue to play a key role in fulfilling that vision. As my brother said, 'We want our sound to go into the soul of the audience, and see if it can awaken some little thing in their minds...'cause there are so many sleeping people…' "

Experience Hendrix Tour 2010 dates:

(Tickets now on sale)

March
4 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theater (1)
5 - Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheater (1)
6 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint @ Hard Rock (1)
7 - Mesa, AZ - Ikeda Theater (1)
9 - Fresno, CA - Table Mountain (1)
10 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theater (1, 2)
12 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy (1, 2)
14 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre (1, 2, 3)
16 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater (1, 2, 3)
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theater (1, 2, 3)
18 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater (1, 2, 3)
20 - St. Louis, MO - Fox Theatre (2, 3)
21 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater (2, 3)
23 - Akron, OH - Civic Theatre(2)
24 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre (2)
25 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater (2)
27- Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre (2)

1 = David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas appearing
2 = Sacred Steel featuring Robert Randolph appearing
3 = Susan Tedeschi appearing

Legendary Southern Rockers The Outlaws Announce Plans To Release 'Once An Outlaw'

The Outlaws, the storied Southern Rock band whose career has spanned four decades, completed their latest recording in the summer of 2007. On the verge of its release, band founder and legendary guitarist Hughie Thomasson passed away unexpectedly. The studio album 'Once an Outlaw', a true project of passion for Thomasson, was never released. The family of Thomasson is pleased to announce it plans to release 'Once an Outlaw', a poignant and almost mystical piece of work produced and recorded by Hughie Thomasson in Tampa, Florida, in 2010.

'Hughie was special to everyone he met and his death in 2007 was tough on a lot of people-family, friends and the fans,' states Constance Cowez, daughter of Hughie Thomasson.
'He was very proud of this record and the time is right to share it with longtime fans of The Outlaws and fans of great music everywhere. We are excited about the future of The Outlaws and the opportunity to continue my father's legacy for many years to come.'

The group plans to release 'Once an Outlaw' along with the launch of a new band, website, merchandise and supporting tour in 2010. Additional music and product releases are also in the works.

Chris Hicks, who played with The Outlaws from 1990-1996 before embarking on a successful solo career and stints with Marshall Tucker Band, will lead the new band line-up that is in development today.

Hughie Thomasson described 'Once and Outlaw' in an interview just prior to his passing in 2007: 'It's a great guitar record and will fit right in with our older stuff. We have songs that range from good 'ol southern rock to country and back to rock again - we cover it all. That's what we've always been about anyway. That's what the new record is all about-bringing the band back to the fans and giving them the best of what we do.'

Lost John Lennon Tapes Allegedly Found

Aussie music website Undercover.com is reporting that a recording claimed to be a rare and unreleased John Lennon recording session has gone on sale in the USA.

The recording available at www.lennontapes.com claims to have been recorded on August 19, 1980 at the Hit Factory in New York.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono were recording the ‘Double Fantasy’ album as well as ‘Milk and Honey’ at the Hit Factory.

These recordings if for real sound like vocal warm-ups for John and feature covers of ‘Mystery Train’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Dream Lover’.

Info at the lennontapes site states, “This 13 minute selection of John’s vocals, singing from the vocal booth on August 19th 1980 was recorded on high quality tape. From that master recording, listen to some great moments of John speaking to the band, kidding around with his recording engineer and as he performs three songs, “Dream Lover” with a medley into “Stay A Little Bit Longer”. He then jokes around with everyone and then performs Mystery Train (the song Elvis Presley had made famous).”

If the recording is real, then surely Yoko Ono would own the rights. How it came to be released via a third party still remains unknown.

It is claimed that video director Jay Dubin filmed John and Yoko on that day at the studio with the intention of producing music videos for the ‘Double Fantasy’ album. None of that footage has ever surfaced but this audio recording is claimed to be outtakes.

Glenn Hughes Releases 'Live In Wolverhampton' DVD

Planet Rock is reporting that "The Voice Of Rock", former Trapeze/Deep Purple/Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes has released a brand new DVD entitled Live In Wolverhampton.

The DVD was recorded at Hughes'� two night stand on 6-7 June at the Robin 2 Club in Bilston. It features performances from both nights, which were split between a back catalog night and a night dedicated to tracks that Hughes performed with Trapeze.

The first night, billed as 'Glenn Hughes with his Full Band' saw him performing music from his glory days with Deep Purple in 1973 on to 2009. Songs including 'Muscle & Blood' (from the album Hughes/Thrall), 'You Got Soul' (from Music for the Divine), 'Don't Let Me Bleed' (from Soul Mover) and 'Crave' (from First Underground Nuclear Kitchen) Hughes has rarely performed in the UK before.

The second night, billed as 'You Are the Music': An Evening of Trapeze' saw Hughes performing a full Trapeze set for the first time as a solo performer. Dedicated to the memory of his friend and former Trapeze guitarist Mel Galley, who passed away in July 2008, Hughes delivered emotionally charged versions of songs taken from the albums Medusa ('Touch My Life', 'Black Cloud', 'Medusa') and You Are the Music... We're Just the Band ('Way Back to the Bone', 'Coast to Coast', 'You Are the Music').

You can get your hands on the DVD right now from Hughes�' official site right now ahead of a general release in January. Click here for more info.

Another Hendrix Movie In The Works

ReelzChannel.com is reporting that a few months ago, Legendary Pictures announced that they would produce a movie devoted to iconic guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Today, The Hollywood Reporter writes that Angryfilms and Bellport announced another Hendrix-themed project.

Slide will be a fictional dramatization of the infamous "lost weekend" in 1969. The urban legend is that Hendrix was kidnapped as part of a stunt orchestrated by his manager. The story for Silde, however, will see two mobsters mistakenly apprehend Hendrix while they're on the run from their duped boss.

The writer-director for the project is Ray "R.H." Greene, who wrote Incarnadine: The True Memoirs of Count Dracula and directed Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies. Hendrix's music won't play much of a part in the movie; instead, Hendrix will fraternize with the mobsters and correct his drug problems in the process, according to THR.

Past screen adaptations of the left-handed virtuoso's life include Hendrix, a 2000 made-for-TV movie, and the 1973 rockumentary Jimi Hendrix, which contains clips from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival in addition to those from Woodstock.

Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood Arrested Over Assault

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been arrested on suspicion of assault, Surrey police have confirmed.

Wood's spokesman told BBC News that he was arrested after an "incident", but declined to comment further.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with a domestic incident."

The musician has been released on bail until a later date in January, pending "further enquiries".

Last month the rock star was divorced by his wife Jo on the grounds of his admitted adultery, after 24 years of marriage.

The couple split in 2008 after the musician began a relationship with another woman.

In the divorce documents, which have been made public, the person with whom the star committed adultery was not named.

However, Wood's relationship with Ekaterina Ivanova, 20, was widely covered in the tabloid press.

In July 2008, the guitarist was admitted to a rehabilitation center for help with his long-established alcohol addiction.

Rare Pink Floyd Footage With Syd Barrett Found

The BBC is reporting that rare footage of Syd Barrett singing with Pink Floyd on the BBC One music show Top Of The Pops has been discovered after more than 40 years.

The damaged footage of the band playing See Emily Play has been restored and will now be screened for the first time since its initial 1967 broadcast.

Barrett, who died in 2006, left the group a year after it was recorded.

The British Film Institute will show the footage at its Missing Believed Wiped annual event on 9 January.

The Pink Floyd performance, on a one-inch, reel-to-reel tape, was discovered in a private collection.

It features two editions of TOTP from 6 and 27 July 1967, hosted by the late DJ Alan Freeman.

Steve Bryant, senior curator at the BFI, said: "This is an enormously significant discovery that will generate huge interest amongst music fans all over the world, even though the surviving material is in poor condition.

"Footage of Pink Floyd from this era is extremely rare."

BFI staff were "thrilled to have been given the opportunity to restore this recording, as much as has been possible, so that people can get a sense of this legendary appearance", he added.

TV recordings were often dumped or wiped in the 1960s and 1970s due to tape storage issues.

Alan Parsons Project Co - Founder Eric Woolfson Passes Away At 64

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting the sad news that Eric Woolfson, the man who co-founded The Alan Parsons Project along with Alan Parsons has died at the age of 64 after battling against cancer.

Woolfson was a key driving force behind The Alan Parsons Project, writing all the lyrics and contributing some lead vocals. Additionally, he wrote songs for the likes of Marianne Faithfull, Frank Ifield and The Tremeloes.

Woolfson was also involved with the musical theatre. He was hoping to bring his masterpiece Poe to European stages next year.

Guitar Gods Eric Clapton And Jeff Beck To Play North American Shows In February

After rocking Japan and making plans to share the stage in London, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarists and former Yardbirds Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton plot out their first three North American concert dates together, beginning with a show at New York's Madison Square Garden on February 18th. Thus far the trio of dates are :

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck
February 18 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
February 21 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Center
February 22 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Center

Tickets for the Toronto show go on sale Friday (December 4), with Montreal tickets on sale the following day. New York tickets will be available December 12.

Specific details about the upcoming shows have not been announced, but each artist is expected to play a set with his own band before they join forces for a collaborative final set. In Tokyo earlier this year, the last portion of the show featured songs such as "Outside Woman Blues," "Brown Bird," "Wee Baby" and "Want To Take You Higher."

Beck recently filled in for an ill Clapton at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concerts in New York, jamming with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Sting to Buddy Guy and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Beck is in the studio working on his next album, a release date for which has yet to be revealed.

Bob Dylan Fuming Over Accusations Christmas Album A Joke

Rock legend Bob Dylan is fuming after critics accused him of making a Christmas covers album as a joke.

Dylan's decision to release a disc of his favorite festive hits - called Christmas in the Heart -- left some commentators bemused, and speculating the project is a gimmick.

Their suspicions were further heightened with the unveiling of Dylan's promo for the disc's first single, Must Be Santa, in which he ditches his super-serious, grumpy image and dons a Santa hat to host a raucous house party.

But the music icon insists real fans understand he's pushing boundaries by trying his hand at a different musical genre.

Dylan says, "Critics like that are on the outside looking in. They are definitely not fans or the audience that I play to. They would have no gut level understanding of me and my work, what I can and can't do -- the scope of it all. Even at this point in time they don't know what to make of me. These songs are part of my life, just like folk songs. You have to play them straight, too... The songs don't require much acting. They kind of play themselves."