Joe Tull : Ian Anderson Of Jethro Tull Joins Joe Bonamassa Onstage At The Hammersmith Apollo

Last night during a sold out show at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo, rock legend Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull joined hard rockin' blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa for two songs in front of 5,000 people. The two joined forces on the Tull classics "A New Day Yesterday" and "Locomotive Breath". 

Bonamassa covered "A New Day Yesterday" on his debut album of the same name in 2000. The original was originally released on Jethro Tull's 'Stand Up' in 1969. "Locomotive Breath" can be found on the 1971 album 'Aqualung". A detailed review of the show can be found at Altsounds.com. (Photo credit : Christie Goodwin)

Here's fan produced footage of "A New Day Yesterday" and an excerpt of "Locomotive Breath" (courtesy of Zitzerman)

 

Heaven And Hell With Rob Halford To Appear At Ronnie James Dio Memorial Gig?

Speculation is growing regarding memorial concerts in tribute for the late Ronnie James Dio. Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that two major concerts are being planned to celebrate the life of the late Ronnie James Dio.

Details are sketchy at present, but what is for sure is that the gigs are going to be dubbed Ronnie James Dio ‘Stand Up And Shout’ Memorial Concerts.

They will take place in London and Los Angeles in autumn 2010.

Speculation is mounting that the shows will feature the surviving members of Heaven And Hell – Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice – with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford filling in for Dio on vocals. But we must stress this has not been confirmed.

However, as Halford has deputised for both Dio and Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath before, a precedent has already been set.

Paul McCartney : Drugs Were "Quite Important" To The Beatles' Development

Digital Spy is reporting that Paul McCartney has admitted the importance of hallucinogenic drugs in the history of The Beatles.

However, McCartney told The Daily Telegraph that drug use is not essential for bands to push themselves forward.

When asked how important LSD and marijuana were to the group's work, McCartney replied: "Um, er, probably quite important. It was a development thing.

"It's difficult - I think the answer is quite. It certainly made us stretch further than we might otherwise, from Rubber Soul onwards.

"But I have the problem now - now that things have got a bit out of control - of not wanting to be seen advocating it. ’Cos we did some pretty good work before that, as well. It's not a requirement."

In other related news McCartney is allowing his concert in Mexico City to be viewed for free on a giant movie screen.

Mexican Culture Secretary Elena Zepeda says the screen will be set up Friday night (May 28) at a plaza in the capital's Chapultapec park. She says it's the former Beatle's gift to Mexico City residents.

Zepeda says the plaza can hold 10,000 people.

McCartney scheduled Mexico City performances on Thursday and Friday nights as part of his "Up and Coming Tour." No screen was set up for Thursday's concert.

Almost 100 people have gathered outside the hotel where McCartney is staying hoping for a glimpse.

New Name Of Bonamassa, Hughes, Bonham, Sherinian "Supergroup" Revealed

After much legal wrangling with a lesser known group of musicians over the name of the long awaited "Supergroup", it was revealed today that hard rocking blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, the Voice Of Rock", vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian(Dream Theater, KISS, Alice Cooper) - will be henceforth known as Black Country Communion.

The band today also unveiled a brand new web site, which can be accessed at this location.

As reported last month, the still untitled album, recorded and produced by producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa) is finished, awaiting a tentative September release.

Of the upcoming release, according to Shirley having heard the recording, both Iron Maiden's Steve Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, are said to have been "blown away" by the experience.(Photo Credit : Marty Temme)

Black Country Communion performing "One Last Soul" March 17, 2010 :

Publish Post

Guitar Master Elvin Bishop To Release 'Red Dog Speaks' On June 15

Guitar master Elvin Bishop's new album 'Red Dog Speaks', celebrating his slide work, is out June 15 on Delta Groove Music. 'Red Dog Speaks' follows 2008's 'The Blues Rolls On', which earned him a GRAMMY nomination and four 2009 Blues Music Award nominations. Red Dog Speaks features five new Bishop originals plus songs by Jimmy Cliff, Otis Spann, Leroy Carr, and others.

The title track tells the story of his '59 Gibson Stereo ES 345 guitar, nicknamed "Red Dog." The album proves full of hooks and humor as well, such as on Bishop's "Fat And Sassy." Buckwheat Zydeco lends his accordion to "Blues Cruise" which also features excellent guitar work by Tommy Castro and Ronnie Baker Brooks; the track was recorded live on the high seas. The traditional gospel tune "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" gets the Bishop slide treatment. He plays solo on "Clean Livin'," a reflection on his younger lifestyle and a highlight of the album.

Bishop is a slide guitar great with 45-years of blues under his belt. Rolling Stone has praised his "careening slide and razor-edged bursts, all delivered with unflagging enthusiasm and wit." He is a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and recorded three groundbreaking albums with the group.

After launching a solo career, Bishop's 1976 single "Fooled Around and Fell In Love," still in heavy rotation on classic rock radio, reached number three on Billboard's Pop Singles chart, pushing the album 'Struttin' My Stuff' to number 18 on the Pop Albums chart. He has performed on recordings by John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and The Allman Brothers Band, among many others. On stage, he's wielded his guitar to accompany the likes of John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, Big Joe Williams, Little Walter, Junior Wells, Albert Collins, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and many others. Blues Revue has called Bishop "head and shoulders - and slide guitar - above the rest."

To download a free legal track, "Many Rivers To Cross" from the album go to this location.

For more information go to www.elvinbishopmusic.com

Blues Guitar Legend Bobby Parker Is Feeling Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home

This past weekend, on Sunday, May 23 Blues guitar legend Bobby Parker performed an electrifying set at the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival.

One of the highlights of the set was a stinging version of the Albert King classic "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home".

The two day festival, held annually at at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland, featured headline performances by Buddy Guy and rock n roll icon Chuck Berry. Also appearing were Jimmie Vaughan, the reconfigured version of The Yardbirds, Tinsley Ellis, Lou Ann Barton, Joe Louis Walker, Shemekia Copeland and many others.

Parker has been cited a major musical influence throughout the years on numerous rock legends, including John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers, Robin Trower and Prince.

His 1961 classic single "Watch Your Step" formed the basis of not only the opening riffs of The Beatles' "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper", but also Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick" and Deep Purple's "Rat Bat Blue".

For more information on Bobby Parker go to his Facebook page, or his brand new official web site.

Here's video footage of "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" :

Jimmy Page Doesn't Rule Out Led Zeppelin Replacing U2 At Glastonbury Festival

Jimmy Page says he “wouldn't rule out” Led Zeppelin replacing U2 at Glastonbury next month.

The Irish band have today been forced to cancel their inaugural headline slot at Glastonbury on June 25th due to the back injury Bono suffered last week.

The singer has been advised by doctors to rest up for eight weeks after undergoing emergency surgery in Munich and today personally phoned Michael Eavis to cancel U2's slot at Worthy Farm.

He said: "I'm heartbroken. We really wanted to be there to do something really special - we even wrote a song especially for the Festival."

Now, speaking to BBC 6 Music, Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page has hinted the band wouldn't say no to playing.

Jimmy simply said: "I never rule anything out."

Slash : "There's Nothing Positive To Say" About Current Rock Scene

Slash thinks there is "nothing positive" about the current rock scene.

The legendary guitarist admits he is unhappy about the lack of "spirit" in the current guitar-based music scene and doesn't know where the next big thing will come from.

He said: "I usually hate talking about the state of rock music, because there's nothing positive to say about it. The whole vibe of new, exciting hard rock bands seems non-existent right now.

"I always say that the heavy metal spirit is alive and well and holding its own, but the broader rock 'n' roll thing of bands like AC/DC or Guns N' Roses seems pretty slim. The rock 'n' roll spirit is extremely diminished.

"There's no shortage of bands out there trying to make it, but they're hard pressed to get a foot in the door. There's no movement on the streets."

Slash admits he can understand why pop artists now outsell rock musicians and insists he appreciates the "truly gifted", regardless of the genre they perform.

He added: "As a musician who has played with a lot of pop artists over the years, I can appreciate anyone who is truly gifted in one genre. Like in any genre, there's a couple of people in the pop world that are brilliant and then there's a lot of fluff and crap. You can't hold it against pop music for being popular."

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Classic 'Couldn't Stand The Weather' To Get Deluxe Reissue

MusicRadar is reporting that to help mark the 20th anniversary of Stevie Ray Vaughan's death (27 August 1990), Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble's 1984 breakthrough album Couldn't Stand The Weather will be reissued on 26 July as a remastered, deluxe two-CD set, featuring 11 studio outtakes from the original recording, three of them previously unreleased.

The second CD in the set premieres a previously unreleased, late-night concert from August 1984 at The Spectrum in Montreal, Canada. Featured are a mix of songs from Couldn't Stand The Weather, plus tunes from the band's 1983 debut, Texas Flood.

According to Andy Aledort, associate editor of Guitar World, who wrote the liner notes for the project, "Though a mere six months had passed between the release of Texas Flood and the start of the Couldn't Stand The Weather recording sessions, a great deal changed for the band, professionally and personally, in that short period.

"Couldn't Stand the Weather represented the first time the band had a recording budget, but with it came record company pressures that had been absent previously. In addition, as the pace of the band members' careers increased, so did the level of partying and drug use."

The bonus track studio outtakes on disc one add a new perspective to the band's chronology at this early stage, starting with Stevie's original, Empty Arms, one of several tracks here from the first posthumous SRV collection, 1991's Grammy-winning The Sky Is Crying.

Rolling Stones Score First UK #1 In 16 Years With 'Exile' Reissue

According to the NME, The Rolling Stones have topped the UK album chart for the first time since 1994, scoring with the expanded, remastered double disc version of their 1972 classic 'Exile On Main Street'.

The chart placing marks the second time the album has hit #1 on the charts, the first time with the original release way back in 1972. The new edition is bundled with a second disc of bonus tracks of similar vintage, which were uncovered at the request of the Stones' record label, with flourishes newly recorded to finish some tracks off. Their last number one album was 1994's Voodoo Lounge.

In other Stones news, inspired by the successful fan campaign to get Betty White hired as a "Saturday Night Live" host, and the recent re-release of "Exile On Main St.," a New Jersey music journalist has started a Facebook page to encourage the early-'70s Rolling Stones fivesome -- Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor -- to reunite for an tour.  

Bonamassa: Lawyers Nearly Split Band

Planet Rock is reporting that hard rocking blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa has revealed why his band with Glenn Hughes, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham nearly split a couple of weeks ago.

Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine, Joe revealed that the problems lay entirely with each member’s lawyers.

“That [the near-split] was all down to legal issues. It’s like what might happen if British Airways, KLM, Virgin Airlines and United all decided to merge. The chairmen of the companies might agree to everything, then the lawyers get involved and it all becomes really difficult and a problem.

“That’s what happened with us. We all have separate careers, and suddenly everything was a nightmare. We were paying these guys $600 an hour almost to split us up. But the bottom line is, we’re all friends. So, one night the four of us got on the phone and half-an-hour later… problems solved. The next day we told the legal guys, ‘This is how it’s gonna be’, and things moved forward.”

And the band have finally landed on a new name after ditching Black Country as an option – but they aren’t allowed to reveal it yet.

“It’s all to do with trademarking laws,” says Bonamassa of why he can’t tell anyone the new name. “We got caught out with our original name, Black Country, when someone else had a prior claim on it. So, we have to make double certain this one is OK.”

Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" Picked As Greatest Song Of All Time

Bob Dylan's 1965 hit Like A Rolling Stone has topped a new list of the Greatest Songs of All Time.

Rolling Stone magazine editors and contributors have spent months piecing together the ultimate top 500 list and Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited track has beaten out The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction to the number one spot. John Lennon's Imagine comes in at three, while What's Going On by Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin's 1967 anthem Respect round out the top five.

Also making the top 10 are Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode, The Beatles' Hey Jude and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

The 1960s were the best decade for hits, with 195 tunes making the top 500; the 1970s came in second with 131 entries. The best year was 1965.

The Beatles and The Rolling Stones lead the artists of the poll - the Fab Four have 23 entries on the list; the Stones have 14. Bob Dylan comes in third with 13 and Elvis is the only other artist with double figures, with 11.

The extensive panel of voters included Pearl Jam star Jeff Ament, Devendra Banhart, punk icon Jello Biafra, Mary J. Blige, Jack Bruce, Coldplay star Will Champion, Yoko Ono, Jakob Dylan and My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way.

First Ever Solo Release From Legendary Thin Lizzy Guitarist Brian Robertson Due Out Soon

The Palace Of Rock website is reporting that Former Thin Lizzy/Motörhead/Wild Horses guitarist Brian Robertson has finished his long awaited studio album with the working title "Diamonds and Dirt".


The recording will be the first ever solo release from the legendary Irish guitarist, and features vocals courtesy of ex Michael Schenker group vocalist Leif Sundin. Release is expected very soon.

Track Listing :

Do It Till We Drop (Berry/Miller)
Blues Boy (Lynott/Robertson)
Linger My Love (Karlsson/Robertson)
Mail Box (Miller)
It's Only Money (Lynott)
That's All! (Robertson)
Devil In My Soul (Robertson)
Passion (Robertson)
Texas Wind (Robertson)
10 Miles To Go On A 9 Mile Road (White)
Diamonds And Dirt (Robertson)
Running Back (Lynott)

Line up:

Guitars/Vocals - Brian Robertson
Lead Vocals - Leif Sundin (MSG)
Drums - Ian Haugland (Europe)
Nalle Påhlsson - Bass (Treat)
Piano - Chris Antblad (Spin Gallery)

Foghat To Return To Their Blues Roots On 'Last Train Home'

Foghat is often linked to the classic rock genre, due to such anthems as “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City,” but the band has always had their roots in vintage blues.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans that Foghat has reconnected with the blues on their latest release, Last Train Home, due out June 15th.

Recorded both in New York at EKO Studios and at Foghat’s own studio, Boogie Motel South, the album combines covers of such blues classics as “So Many Roads, So Many Trains” and “Shake Your Money Maker,” as well as a few new originals.

The group’s blues roots can be traced back to the pre-Foghat band, Savoy Brown, as well as Foghat’s first hit single – the classic cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You.”

But perhaps the most obvious connection was a star-studded concert the band organized in 1977 at the Palladium in New York, when they hosted a benefit to start a Blues Archive at the New York Public Library.

Foghat was the house band at the show, as many bona fide blues legends joined them on stage – including Muddy Waters , John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Honey Boy Edwards, Otis Blackwell, and Eddie ‘Bluesman’ Kirkland (the latter of which recently reconnected with the band, and led to his inclusion on ‘Last Train Home’).

‘Last Train Home’ sees Foghat’s line-up – Roger Earl (drums), Charlie Huhn (vocals/rhythm & lead guitar), and Bryan Bassett (lead & slide guitar) – joined by several special guests, including Kirkland, harmonica player Lefty “Sugar Lips” Lefkowitz, and Earl’s brother, Colin, on piano. Due to a prior commitment for the band’s bassist, Craig MacGregor, former Foghat/Savoy Brown/Outlaws bassist Jeff Howell filled in for the recording.

Additionally, another of the bands recent endeavors has been the creation of their own wine label Foghat Cellars. Their first wine was a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and they will be releasing their 2008 Chardonnay this summer. More info can be found at www.foghatcellars.com.

One mustn’t forget their roots, and Foghat once more reminds us that it’s the blues that just about every rock n’ roll style is built upon – as evidenced throughout ‘‘Last Train Home’.’

Complete track list for ‘Last Train Home’:

   1. Born for the Road – Earl, Bassett, Huhn
   2. Needle & Spoon – Chris Youlden
   3. So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush
   4. Last Train Home – Huhn, Bassett, Earl
   5. Shake Your Money Maker – Elmore James
   6. It Hurts Me Too – Elmore James
   7. Feel So Bad – Chuck Willis
   8. Louisiana Blues – Muddy Waters
   9. 495 Boogie – Earl, Earl, Bassett, Howell, Huhn, Lefkowitz
  10. Rollin’ & Tumblin’ / You Need Love – CC/Willie Dixon
  11. In My Dreams – Eddie Kirkland
  12. Good Good Day – Eddie Kirkland




 For more info go to www.foghat.com

Ronnie James Dio Public Memorial Service Announced

Ronnie James Dio's management has announced that a public memorial service for Ronnie James Dio, who lost his battle with stomach cancer on May 16th, will be held on Sunday, May 30th at 2:00 PM -- at The Hall Of Liberty, located at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

This will be a celebration of the life and music of Ronnie James Dio and is open to all of his friends and fans from around the world.

For those of you that will be flying in from out of town or out of the country, we have made special rates at various local hotels available to you! Just go to www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio for hotel information!

For those unable to attend, Ronnie's wife Wendy has asked that in lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Ronnie James Dio "STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND." You can send your check or money order to the Niji Entertainment Group, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #624, Studio City, CA, 91604. From all of us at the Niji Entertainment Group, thank you for your support!

The Who's Roger Daltrey Touring Solo and With Clapton, Opens Teenage Trust Cancer Unit Today

antiMusic is reporting that Who frontman Roger Daltrey has announced a string of solo dates for June and July. He'll kick off with three headlining dates and then jump on tour with Eric Clapton for four dates.

In other Daltrey news, Roger will open a new teenage trust cancer unit today. Here is the announcement: A new ground-breaking teenage cancer unit has been set up on Tyneside, UK and will be officially opened [today], Wednesday. It is estimated more than 100 young people will use the centre each year.

Rock legend Roger Daltrey and X Factor winner Joe McElderry will visit the centre at Newcastle's Great North Children's Hospital, where they will be introduced to patients and staff before cutting the ribbon to mark its official opening.

Headlining
June 22: Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre
June 25: Salina, KS - Steifel Theatre for the Performing Arts
June 26: Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater

Supporting Eric Clapton...
June 28: Milwaukee, WI - Markus Amphitheatre Summerfest
June 30: Cincinnati, OH / Riverbend Music Center
July 2: Indianapolis, IN / Verizon Wireless Music Center
July 3: Detroit, MI / DTE Energy Center

Martin Scorsese To Direct Documentary On George Harrison

Spinner.com is reporting that Martin Scorsese  has confirmed he is not only making a documentary about the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison but that the three-year project has neared completion.

The legendary film director has been working closely with Harrison's widow Olivia on 'Living in the Material World: George Harrison' for the last three years, and the film will cover the whole of the guitarist's life.

Speaking to Billboard.com, Scorsese said of Harrison, "His music is very important to me so I was interested in the journey that he took as an artist. The film is an exploration. We don't know. We're just feeling our way through."

Scorsese is no stranger to the rock documentary. His 1978 account of the Band's farewell concert, 'The Last Waltz,' set the standard for subsequent films of that ilk,while his recent portrait of Bob Dylan, 2005's 'No Direction Home,' gave a glimpse of the genius at the heart of the musical pioneer. The Rolling Stones have also been seen through his lens in 2008's 'Shine a Light.'

'Living in the Material World' will be give Harrison's legions of fans much to salivate over as Scorsese has been granted unprecedented access by Olivia to many if the musician's video archives -- some of which have never had a public airing.

The documentary is currently in post-production, though no release date has been confirmed.

First Two Ozzy Osbourne Albums To Be Reissued In Original Form

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that Ozzy Osbourne is to release 30th anniversary editions of his first two solo albums, 1980’s Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of A Madman  (1981).These are both expected to be out later this year.

Unlike the bastardized 2002 versions, they will feature the original contributions from bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake. The pair had their performances removed eight years ago, and replaced by Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin, respectively. This followed a law suit issued against Ozzy by Daisley and Kerslake, claiming they were owed considerable sums of money for songwriting credits.

Metal Legend Ronnie James Dio Passes Away At 67

After a night wrought with wild rumors hastening his demise - ones dismissed by a statement by his wife/manager Wendy, the rock world was devastated today by the news that indeed metal vocal legend Ronnie James Dio has passed away at the age of 67.

The diminutive vocal powerhouse was in his seventh round of chemotherapy, being treated in a Houston hospital for stomach cancer.

In a statement released by Wendy Dio this morning, she said the following :

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.

“Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.

“We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.
“
Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss.

“Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.”

Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942 in Portsmouth, N.H. He began playing in rock bands starting in the late ‘50s in Cortland, N.Y., and eventually formed the band Elf in 1969. A tour as opening act with Deep Purple led to Dio’s first big break – he caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who formed the band Rainbow with the vocalist. Several iconic albums followed while Dio was in the band, including the classic 'Rainbow Rising' in 1976 - an offering regarded by many to be the high point of the band's career.

In 1979, after leaving Rainbow, Dio joined Black Sabbath, replacing Ozzy Osbourne. With him at the vocal helm the band enjoyed a creative and commercial resurgance, releasing the classic 'Heaven and Hell' (1980) which became one of their best selling albums. The title track  ranked #81 on VH1's list of the top 100 hard rock songs. In 1982, after leaving Black Sabbath during the mixing of the live album 'Live Evil', he formed Dio, with whom over the next quarter century he would release ten studio albums, further cementing his position as one of the finest vocalists the metal scene has ever produced.

In 2006, he rejoined his former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice in Heaven & Hell, completing a 98-date world tour, with a studio album released in April 2009.

Heaven & Hell was slated to be supporting Iron Maiden on July 30th, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland and on August 11, 2010 in Bergen, Norway. However, on May 4th, due to Dio's health complications, the tour was canceled.

We at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock would like to express our deepest condolences to Ronnie's family and fellow friends at this time - and also raise the horns high in salute to one of the masters of metal. Thank you Ronnie for being a prince among men and for flying the flag when others faltered throughout the years -you WILL be sorely missed! Cheers on a life well done.

Slash Hooked On Social Networking

Spinner.com is reporting that everyone knows the music industry has changed, including the ways artists connect with fans. And when it came time for Slash to promote his self-titled debut solo album, he found he needed to try new things. "Doing this record, I did an independent distribution deal, I started using social networking, I put myself out there in places. I don't even know whether it's good or bad," Slash tells Spinner. "It's flying by the seat of your pants and seeing what sticks. There's a lot of s--- that I'm doing now that in my sort of cool Guns N' Roses days I wouldn't have done."

With all these changes, Slash admits the way Guns did things bands couldn't get away with today. "There was a certain kind of arrogance and natural mystique to the rock 'n' roll thing. We did everything the way that we were influenced coming up, what we thought was cool," he says. "Like being quiet and just being sort of too cool for school and hanging in the shadows and hoping the music gets discovered -- you never have to say a word. You'd be hard pressed to be able to pull it off these days."

One of the biggest changes is Twitter, which he's become a big fan of after some initial reluctance. "I'm a f---ing Twitter junkie now. I'm not one of those people, even in the days when it was just the phone, I've never been one to call, 'Hey, dude, what's happening?'" he says. "Twitter's one of those things where you can reach out to as many fans as you can get a hold of and it's a sort of lifeline to your audience that's in real time and as close to in-person as you're gonna get."

Interestingly, while a devotee himself of both Twitter and Facebook, among others, the iconic guitarist believes social networking could've been even bigger in the '80s. "I think if Twitter and Facebook and My Space and stuff had existed back then it would have been huge. It would have been bigger in the '80s than it is now," he says. "That whole sort of '80s scene that was going on would've gone crazy for the whole social networking thing."

But really, isn't it hard to imagine it being bigger than it is now? "Well, everybody uses it, but it would've been a craze," he says. "For '80s rock bands like Poison, it would've been off the charts."

So, what would've happened if the cool mystique of Guns N' Roses had met social networking? "We had that sort of tunnel vision that only did things the way that we saw to do it and everybody had to go by that standard. I don't think we would have gone for the whole social networking thing," he says. "I wouldn't have used it."

All in all, it's a sign that Slash has grown up. "It takes a lot of effort to be cool," he adds, laughing. "There's a point where you're just like 'I don't give a s---.'"

Keith Richards To Release Autobiography In October

The NME is reporting that the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards  has said that his autobiography will be released in October.

The guitarist revealed the planned month of release for the book, which he announced he was writing in 2007, to the Independent.

"I'm waiting for some proofs to come back," he explained. "It's kind of weird writing about your own life. Who'd be interested in that?"

He added: "But then, I realize there is a lot of interest, so… Talking to some of the people that were there and their version of events to try and correlate it all was very interesting, a kind of kaleidoscopic bunch of experiences."

Richards went on to say that The Rolling Stones had not decided which step they would take next musically. "Nobody's going to make a decision about what we're going to do until we get further into 2010," he said.

He added: "No doubt the guys are wanting to talk about whether we're going to record and go on the road in one form or another. Maybe we're going to talk about doing it differently."

The Rolling Stones release a deluxe edition of their 1972 album 'Exile On Main Street' on Monday (May 17).

To celebrate the reissue of the classic album next week, the Rolling Stones are giving away a free download (to those in the UK only) of a previously unreleased track.
The song, an alternate version of ‘All Down The Line’ is NOT included on the physical reissue of the album.
You can get your hands on the song below:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The Derek Trucks Band To Release Double Live 'Roadsongs" In June

On June 22, The Derek Trucks Band is releasing a brand new double live album 'Roadsongs' via Sony/Legacy.

Recorded live in Chicago during the band's 2009 Already Free World Tour, it features over 100 minutes of music, and can be preordered at this location.

The complete tracklisting for the album, which features a 14 minute version of John Coltrane's "Afro Blue",  follows below :




Disc: 1
1. I'll Find My Way (Live)
2. Down In The Flood (Live)
3. Sailing On (Live)
4. Get What You Deserve (Live)
5. Days Is Almost Gone (Live)
6. Already Free (Live)
7. Afro Blue (Live)
Disc: 2
1. I Know (Live)
2. Down Don't Bother Me (Live)
3. Don't Miss Me (Live)
4. Rastaman Chant (Live)
5. Key To The Highway (Live)
6. Get Out My Life Woman/Who Knows(Live)
7. Anyday (Live)

In other related news, the Derek Trucks Band this week won "Rock Blues Album of the Year" at the 31st annual Blues Music Awards for 2009's 'Already Free' album. Trucks also picked up another BMA for Instrumentalist of the Year.

The Beatles To "Star" In Zombie Film

The NME is reporting that The Beatles are to be reborn as the undead in a new film adaptation of a graphic novel. The movie - entitled Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion - will show the band as zombies, after Doubles Features producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher brought the screen rights for Alan Goldsher's illustrated novel.

The books sees an undead John Lennon killing a reanimated Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The group travel the world performing gigs, before facing off against zombie hunter Mick Jagger and Yoko Ono, who's a ninja.

It follows in the footsteps in such 'zombification' fiction as Pride and Prejudice And Zombies - which is being made into a feature film with Natalie Portman - and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

"I am a huge Beatles fan like the rest of the world and Alan's mash-up, which really showcases his love of music history and his appreciation of the zombie world, is a fun, funny read," said Sher.

"The illustrations are fantastic, and how can you not love a book where Jesus agrees with Zombie John Lennon, that The Beatles are in fact bigger than him."

There is currently no word when production will begin.

Legendary Drummer Carmine Appice To Join Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary US Tour

The complete line-ups for the Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary World Tour - which will continue in Europe and North America - have been revealed below:

Europe and UK - May/June:

Michael Schenker - lead guitar
Gary Barden - vocals
Chris Slade - drums (ex AC/DC/The Firm) - May/June
Pete Holmes - drums (ex-Black N' Blue) - July
Chris Glenn - bass
Wayne Findlay - guitar/keyboards

US tour:

Michael Schenker - lead guitar
Gary Barden - vocals
Carmine Appice - drums (Vannila Fudge, Cactus, Beck, Bogert & Appice, Ozzy Osbourne)
Elliott "Dean" Rubinson - bass (owner of Dean Guitars)
Wayne Findlay - guitar/keyboards

MSG's tour itinerary can be viewed here.

Thin Lizzy Announces New Lineup, UK Tour To Follow

Thin Lizzy is one of rock music’s most recognizable names. The fiery Dublin band exploded onto the scene with a fresh sound, look and attitude.

Led by the incomparable Phil Lynott, the band reached many peaks and influenced generations of musicians with classic tracks such as 'Jailbreak', 'The Boys Are Back In Town', 'Still In Love With You', 'Cold Sweat', 'Emerald' and 'Don’t Believe A Word'. Most rock historians would agree the pinnacle of their commercial success was in 1983, followed by the bands’ premature demise, as they played their last gig in September of 1984. Just two years later, the world was shocked when singer/bassist and founding member Phil Lynott passed away at the age of 36.

24 years have passed, the world has changed, but the amazing body of work that is Thin Lizzy still retains all of its vibrancy and influence. A new lineup has formed to take Lizzy’s music to a whole new generation of music fans. Led by alumni Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton (all of whom played in Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott) the stellar lineup is completed by Def Leppard's Viv Campbell (guitar), bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Ted Nugent) and The Almighty's’s Ricky Warwick on vocals and guitar.

Alongside the new lineup, Universal Music has committed to a series of re-issue, deluxe and special releases of classic Thin Lizzy material over the next 18 months. More details to follow.

Thin Lizzy have confirmed a 2011 UK tour. Full dates are as follows:

January
6 – Aberdeen - Music Hall
7 – Glasgow - O2 Academy
8 – Newcastle - City Hall
10 – Leeds - O2 Academy
11 – Llandudno - Theatre
12 – Leicester - De Montfort Hall
14 – Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
15 – Manchester - Apollo
16 – Bristol - Colston Hall
18 – Southampton - Guildhall
19 – Ipswich - Regent
21 – Cambridge - Corn Exchange

Frank Frazetta, Illustrator, Dies at 82; Responsible For Many Classic Album Covers

The New York Times is reporting that Frank Frazetta, an illustrator of comic books, album covers, movie posters and paperback book covers whose fantasy visions of musclebound men fighting with swords and axes to defend scantily dressed women helped define fantasy heroes like Conan, Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, died on Monday in Fort Myers, Fla. He was 82.

The cause was complications from a stroke, said Rob Pistella and Stephen Ferzoco, Mr. Frazetta’s business managers.

The popularity of Mr. Frazetta’s work coincided with the rise of heavy metal in the early 1970s, and his otherworldly imagery showed up on a number of album covers, including Molly Hatchet’s "Molly Hatchet", “Flirtin’ With Disaster” and "Beatin' The Odds", Nazareth’s “Expect No Mercy", Dust's "Hard Attack", Yngwie Malmsteen's "War To End All Wars" and most recently Wolfmother's debut album "Wolfmother" in 2006.

Last year, Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist for Metallica, bought Mr. Frazetta’s cover artwork for the paperback reissue of Robert E. Howard’s “Conan the Conqueror” for $1 million.

To read more go to this location.

Stream New Song By British Power Trio Firebird On Facebook

British power trio Firebird have a new, official Facebook page where the track, 'For Crying Out Loud', from the forthcoming Double Diamond album can be heard at this location.

Firebird will release Double Diamond in Japan in July. According to a band update, "musically it heralds a new chapter, seeing Bill Steer (vocalist/guitarist) and Ludwig Witt (drummer) drawing inspiration from some of their earliest metal influences such as BUDGIE, TANK and FIST."

Double Diamond tracklisting:

'Soul Saviour'
'Ruined'
'Bright Lights'
'For Crying Out Loud'
'Farewell'
'A Wing & A Prayer'
'Pound Of Flesh'
'Arabesque'
'Lose Your Delusions
'Pantomime'

In live news, Firebird currently has three shows booked:

July
10 - Alperstedter See - Thuringen, cp, Germany
19 - Sticky Fingers Top Floor - Gothenburg, Västra Göt, Sweden
30 - Castell de Guadalest - Alicante, Spain

Give Me A Hundred : The Who's Magic Bus For Sale

In 2007 Volkswagen celebrated their 60th anniversary by staging a huge event in Hanover, Germany. The celebrations included a concert by The Who, who performed their 1967 hit 'Magic Bus'. Though not originally about a VW, the classic track has become an anthem for VW bus owners and links between The Who and the Volkswagen bus go back as far as 1965, indeed, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend enjoy VW ownership to this day.

After the celebrations, the idea to create a 'real' magic bus came into being. Roger Daltrey is a long standing patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, and, with the help of Volkswagen Commercials AG, who donated the vehicle, the idea became reality. The Magic Bus would be raffled and the proceeds donated to TCT. The competition drew interest from all over the world and raised £28,000 for a worthy cause.

The Magic Bus is now up to be auctioned at the car auction specialists Coys sale in Ascot, Berkshire, England, on 23rd May, 2010.For more info go to this location.

B.B. King, ZZ Top, Mick Fleetwood Blues Band To Headline 2010 Telluride Blues and Brews Fest

Blues legend B.B. King and Southern blues rockers ZZ Top headline this year’s Telluride Blues and Brews Festival (September 17-20), joined by the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, Allen Toussaint, Galactic, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, JJ Grey and Mofro, Cedric Burnside and Lightnin Malcolm, Matt Schofield, Alberta Cross, the Dana Fuchs Band, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Gospel Morning with the Otis Taylor Band (featuring Chuck Campbell) and the Sheryl Renee Choir, Phil Wiggins and Corey Harris, Grady Champion, Terrence Simian and the Zydeco Experience, the Sugar Thieves, the Bill Magee Blues Band, Little Al Thomas and the Deep Down Fools.

The final line-up for the 17th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, along with a very special Saturday headliner, will be announced August 16.

For more info go to this location.

UFO Bassist Barry Sparks Leaves European Tour

Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that classic hard rockers UFO have been forced into a changed of bassist as they tour in Germany.

The Brit veterans are temporarily losing Barry Sparks, who’s had to fly back to America due to illness in his family.

While he’s way, the man chosen to take over is German bassist Peter Pichl, who played on The Visitor album, released last year. So, no glorious return for Pete Way, then!

Blues Maestro Walter Trout To Find Common Ground In July

Blues maestro Walter Trout has released details of his brand new solo album, Common Ground.

Released on July 6th through Provogue Records, Common Ground is the bluesman’s 19th studio album and the follow up to 2008’s The Outsider.

The album is produced by John Porter (The Smiths, B.B. King, Buddy Guy), who Trout says brought the very best out of him.

“John Porter has an uncanny ability to draw performances from me that I didn't know that I was capable of. I would play a solo or sing a song and think that I had done well, and John would just say to me: ‘that was good - but I know you can do better!’ And I would try it again, only to find out that he was right! He is really brilliant at what he does.”

Drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Hutch Hutchinson and pianist John Cleary join Trout as his backing band on Common Ground.

Here’s the track listing:

Maybe A Fool
Open Book
Her Other Man
Song For My Guitar
Excess Baggage
Hudson Had Help
Common Ground
Danger Zone Eyes Of A Child
No Regrets
Loaded Gun
Wrapped Up In The Blues

Rock Legend Tony Franklin, Whitesnake Drummer Chris Frazier To Join Rising Guitar Stars Ryan McGarvey, Graham Whitford, Josh Gooch In Las Vegas

On May 28th, legendary rock photographer Robert Knight will be holding the Grand Opening of the Knight Gallery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To celebrate, a concert will be held at the main stage at The Las Vegas Hilton. The show will feature three of the hottest young guitarists in America today - Ryan McGarvey, Graham Whitford and Josh Gooch, who will be performing supported by rock legend Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Jimmy Page) on bass and drummer Chris Frazier (Whitesnake, Steve Vai, Edgar Winter).

Ryan McGarvey has been wowing audiences throughout the Southwest the past several years, leading to him being named 'Blues Act Of The Year' four years running by Albuquerque's Weekly Alibi. In 2007 he released the critically acclaimed debut album 'Forward In Reverse', and is currently working on the followup.

Graham Whitford, son of Aerosmith's Graham Whitford, made it to the Grand Finals of the Guitar Center King of the Blues Competition, beating out over four-thousand other contestants, and performed with the other finalists at the House of Blues in Los Angeles with famed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa in November. More recently he finished yet another stint with the Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour, playing along side the likes of his father; Jonny Lang; Hubert Sumlin; Billy Cox; Chris Layton; Robert Randolph and Joe Satriani.

Josh Gooch also finished in the Top five at last year's Guitar Center King Of The Blues Competition. He released his first CD, Don't Wake Albert, on Rockin Camel Records. He also appears on the latest album by world renowned vocalist Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie).
(Photos by Robert M. Knight)

Ryan McGarvey onstage with Joe Bonamassa March 2010.

Mick Jagger : Drugs Fuelled Stones Classics

Mick Jagger has rejected the suggestion drugs had a negative impact on the Rolling Stones, insisting the band wrote some of their biggest hits while under the influence.

The legendary group famously indulged in narcotics during their 1960s and 70s heyday - particularly chief songwriters Jagger and Keith Richards.

But the frontman insists the "party atmosphere" helped to inspire much of their music, particularly iconic 1972 album Exile on Main Street.

Jagger tells Absolute Radio, "That was a period of time when everyone took loads of drugs, it was very fashionable, but I mean, we did a lot of hard work as well, so it was a bit of a party atmosphere, loads of visitors, you know, there was a lot of drugs floating around, but not everyone was completely out of it all the time and we did a lot of good tracks, you know."

Heaven & Hell Cancel All European Shows This Summer

Metal legends Heaven & Hell, (Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Vinny Appice) have announced the cancellation of all planned appearances this summer in the UK and Europe, including their headline set at Bloodstock's 10th anniversary festival as well as appearances at Sonisphere in Switzerland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

The band have issued the following statement: "We have to announce that all forthcoming Heaven & Hell European shows have been cancelled as sadly Ronnie isn’t well enough to tour this summer. We hope that everyone understands and want to thank fans and industry colleagues for their continuing support at this time.”

Ronnie James Dio has posted : "I would like to voice my great disappointment on the cancellation of the Heaven And Hell summer tour. Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this set back could be devastating, but we will not let it be. With your continued love and support, we will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic". RONNIE JAMES DIO

In a recent online posting, Ronnie James Dio's wife/manager Wendy Dio revealed that there are plans to release a 30th-anniversary Black Sabbath "Heaven And Hell" DVD sometime this year. The package is expected to include brand new interviews that Ronnie, Geezer and Appice gave to Eddie Trunk — co-host of the VH1 Classic television program "That Metal Show" — on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, as well other extras.

Roger Waters : David Gilmour Blocked Pink Floyd Reunion

Roger Waters has revealed that Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour blocked a full reunion by Pink Floyd.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the former bassist said, "David (Gilmour) is completely disinterested in anything like that. After Live 8, I could have probably gone for doing some more stuff, but he's not interested, so it is what it is."

Roger Waters added that Pink Floyd musical The Wall is moving in the right direction after getting Billy Elliot’s writer on board.

"That's still very much in the cards. I have been working on and off for the last year or so with an English writer named Lee Hall, who has become greatly celebrated over here and in London, because he wrote Billy Elliot, which is one of the most successful musicals out there at the moment.

Hard Rockin' Blues Guitarist Lance Lopez To Play String Of California Dates In May

Hard rocking Texas blues guitarist Lance Lopez has announced that he will be playing a series of dates in California beginning May 27th at the House Of Blues, San Diego in support of his just released album 'Salvation From Sundown', released April 16th via Sony/Made In Germany Music.

The album was produced by the legendary Jim Gaines(Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana). Recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis -the same studio used by ZZ Top to record the classic albums 'Tres Hombres', 'Tejas' and 'Eliminator' and utilized by Led Zeppelin for part of 'Led Zeppelin III'- the first pressing includes a bonus DVD of a complete performance filmed for German TV's 'Rockpalast' in July 2009.

Regarded as one of the top players in blues today, Lopez has earned accolades from such legends as ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, B.B. King and Jeff Beck, who has called him ""A very exciting and intense blues guitarist".

Lopez is currently on tour in Germany until May 8th and those tour dates can be found at this location.

Lance Lopez California Tour Dates

May 27 2010 House of Blues San Diego, California 9:00 PM

May 28 2010 Rainbow Bar & Grill (Sunset Strip) Los Angeles, California 10:00 PM

May 29 2010 Cozy's Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks) California 9:00 PM

May 30 2010 Fat Cat Music House Modesto, California 9:00 PM

For more info and to hear sound clips go to this location.

Title track of 'Salvation From Sundown' filmed live at Rockpalast July 25, 2009 :