While his former bandmate Jimmy Page is being sued for plagiarism, The Chicago Sun -Times is reporting that Chicago star watchers have picked Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant out of some local crowds this week -- he enjoyed a meal Monday evening at David Burke's Primehouse at the James Hotel, even thrilling guests in the lobby with an impromptu jam session -- and Tuesday night he thrilled the crowd at Taste of Chicago by joining Los Lobos on the stage.
After an hour long set by Los Lobos -- such exciting music by such static guys -- Plant joined the band in Grant Park's Petrillo Band Shell for an encore, flipping his shaggy mane out of his eyes and saying, "OK, without any rehearsal, let's try this." Together, they launched into a chugging version of the R&B classic "Treat Her Right".
The crowd, of course, went wild. Not bad without a rehearsal. Plant heated up quickly, eventually waving his arms and slipping in some rhythmic wailing.
"Apparently he's been a fan of our songs for a long time," Los Lobos' Louie Perez recently said. (Photo credit : Keith Hale/Chicago-Sun Times)
Here's fan-filmed footage of Robert Plant with Los Lobos performing "Treat Her Right" June 29th.
After over 40 years folk singer Jake Holmes is suing Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page for allegedly stealing the Zeppelin hit “Dazed and Confused” from him, TMZ reported today.
Holmes claims that he obtained a copyright for his song “Dazed and Confused” in 1967, two years before Led Zeppelin recorded their own “Dazed and Confused.”
The Yardbirds, Page's previous band before Zeppelin used to perform a slightly different version as "I'm Confused", which Page adapted for the version included on 'Led Zeppelin', the band's first album in 1969. In 1967 Holmes opened up for The Yardbirds in New York, where Page heard the song.
Led Zeppelin have been sued before over claims of plagiarism, primarily by blues artists such as Willie Dixon, or their record labels. If Holmes’ federal lawsuit is successful, he can only sue Page for damages from the past three years, due to the statue of limitations.
To compare the two songs, first here's Holmes' version, from his 1967 debut album ' "The Above Ground Sound" Of Jake Holmes'.
Led Zeppelin's classic version from 'Led Zeppelin' 1969
Some people collect stamps, some people collect butterflies – I collect rock stars,” photographer Robert Knight muses in ROCK PROPHECIES, a documentary about how he managed, through luck, perseverance and the uncanny ability to discover talent well before the rest of the planet, to be in the right place at the right time – again and again and again.
Knight has spent the past 40 years photographing some of the rock world’s biggest legends in their most intimate moments. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Aerosmith have all been captured through his camera lens. However, Knight is more than just a famous rock photographer. He is someone with a genuine passion for music and musicians, which has transported him from behind his lens and into rock history.
ROCK PROPHECIES, winner of Audience Awards at the AFI Dallas Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival and Maui Film Festival, ROCK PROPHECIES arrives on DVD on September 14, 2010, the same month the documentary will be broadcast on PBS.
Knight was the first photographer to shoot Led Zeppelin in America, he shot Aerosmith before anyone had heard of them and he also captured Hendrix’s final performance. He was also the only photographer to capture blues hero Stevie Ray Vaughan’s final concert performance. When Vaughan died in a tragic
helicopter crash the night of the show, Knight refused to cash in and sell his photos for years.
“Robert Knight is like the Forrest Gump of rock ‘n roll,” says Tim Kaiser, producer of ROCK PROPHECIES. “He just had this knack for being right in the middle of history in the making.”
Produced by Kaiser and directed by John Chester, the film features interviews with and performances by Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Panic at the Disco, Sick Puppies, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, and Steve Vai, among others.
For more info on Rock Prophecies go to this location
To view some of Knight's photos go to his official website
This past weekend in Bridgeview, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, over 27,000 people packed Toyota Field to witness the one day guitarpalooza that is Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival.
Featuring a myriad of some of the world's greatest guitarists past and present, from Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Buddy Guy to modern day axe wizards Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa,Warren Haynes, John Mayer and many, many more, the 12 hour event was the place to be if you're a fan of cream of the crop musicianship.
The festival wasn't entirely devoted to the reigning stars of guitar however, as there was ample room for new talent to shine as well.
Particularly on the Village Stage, where interspersed between guitar clinics courtesy of the aforementioned Bonamassa, slide guitar maestro Sonny Landreth and pedal steel star Robert Randolph was featured a performance by fast rising blues rocker Ryan McGarvey, who threw down a blistering 30 minute set that was just as hot as the sweltering heat of the Chicagoland summer.
McGarvey, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who as previously reported was chosen out of over 3500 entrants as winner of the Ernie Ball Play Crossroads contest, displayed all the skills which have seen him tearing up the Southwest the past several years.
Armed with talent and poise way beyond his 23 years, he gave the more than appreciative crowd who had gathered exactly what they wanted - blistering hot guitar pyrotechnics contained within strong, classy, structured compositions which had the assembled eating out of the palm of his hand by the end of his performance. Accompanied by a stellar band consisting of bassist Sam Miller and drummer August Johnson, it was old school power trio rock par excellence with an edge for the 21st century.
When asked about the experience of playing at such a prestigious event, McGarvey had this to say,"It was the thrill of a lifetime. I still haven't been able to find the words that can truly express the feeling I had to just be in the presence of such greatness, and to play at the same festival as they were".
One might even say it was a bit mystical. As evidenced by this fan produced footage of "Mystic Dream", live at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, Toyota Park, June 26, 2010. (Photo credit : Robert M. Knight)
Roadrunner/ Loud & Proud Records is pleased to announce the signing of four-time Grammy nominated, American blues/rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd to a worldwide, multi-album deal. He is currently working on his Roadrunner/Loud & Proud debut projects, which include his first live album and a new studio album.
"Kenny Wayne is a special artist" stated Loud & Proud President Tom Lipsky.
"He is passionate about his songwriting, his musicianship and he values the relationship that he has with his fans."
Shepherd himself said, "I am both excited and proud to be a part of the Roadrunner/Loud & Proud family. We have some very exciting music coming for our fans, and I couldn't think of a better home for my music. I've been playing it 'loud and proud' for years."
Widely regarded as a guitar hero before that term exploded into pop culture with the video game, the self-taught Shepherd learned to play at the tender age of seven-years-old, learning Muddy Waters licks while listening to his father's record collection. At 13, he was invited onstage and performed with New Orleans bluesman Bryan Lee. Signed to Giant Records at 16, Shepherd recorded his first album while a senior in high school.
In 1997, Kenny was ranked third in Guitar World's list of favorite blues artists behind legends B.B. King and Eric Clapton. He has enjoyed two platinum and one gold albums, six Top 10 singles and his album Trouble Is... holds the distinction of being the longest running album on the Billboard Blues Charts. It held strong at No 1 for 20 weeks including 15 weeks consecutively. The hit single "Blue on Black" was also a record-breaker, No 1 for 17 consecutive weeks at rock radio.
Shepherd's decorated career includes four Grammy nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, two Orville Gibson Awards, the Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award and a Blues Music Award. In September 2008 Fender released the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature Series Stratocaster, designed exclusively by Shepherd. The inimitable James Brown referred to him as "one of the wonders of the world."
His most recent release, 2007's No 1 selling Blues Album 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, documents Shepherd as he travels the country to jam with and interview the last of the authentic blues musicians. This full length CD/DVD documentary was nominated for two Grammys, aired on PBS television nationwide and has been certified RIAA Gold as a Long Form Video.
Sir Paul McCartney is refusing to apologize for a joke he made about former President George W. Bush during an appearance at the White House earlier this month (Jun 10).
The Beatles legend poked fun at the ex-leader's intellect as he became the first non-American to collect the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from Bush's successor, President Barack Obama.
McCartney said, "After the last eight years, it's great to have a President who knows where the library is."
The comments infuriated top U.S. politician John Boehner, who demanded McCartney make a public apology for the gag.
But the singer has now spoken out about the incident, insisting his comments shouldn't be taken so seriously - because it was just "a joke".
He says, "I said that on purpose. And now all this (criticism), like I'm going to care? It was a joke. Hello, anybody there? It's a joke.
"Has anyone ever watched Saturday Night Live? They joke about Bush all the time. As for a public apology, are they kidding? I was in two minds whether to say it and I actually waited until the President had gone because I didn't want to embarrass him or his family. But hey, come on, it's rock and roll. It wasn't a religious meeting and I'm allowed to make jokes."
Can't make it to Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival tomorrow at Toyota Park in Chicago? Well, there is another chance to catch at least some of the performances in the not too distant future, at least if you reside in the United States that is.
On Tuesday, July 27,NCM Fathom and Rhino Entertainment will present Eric Clapton Crossroads 2010 on the big screen in more than 475 movie theaters nationwide.
The special two-hour event, presented in HD beginning at 7:30pm local time across all time zones, will feature musical performances from the all-day prestigious Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010, taking place in Chicago’s Toyota Park on June 26.
This one-night event gives fans around the country a chance to experience two hours of the greatest moments from the festival, including performances by Clapton, ZZ Top, Steve Winwood, BB King, Jeff Beck, Sonny Landreth, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, John Mayer, Doyle Bramhall II, and many others. Theater audiences will gain backstage VIP access to behind-the-scenes footage and see candid interviews with the performers captured exclusively for this cinema event.
Click here for a list of all participating movie theaters.
To purchase tickets for this one time showing go to this location.
Founding Kinks bassist Pete Quaife has died at the age of 66.
He was a member of the band from 1961 until 1969, playing on such classics as You Really Got Me, All The Day And All Of The Night, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion and Waterloo.
After The Kinks, Quaife formed country rockers Maple Oak, but left them in 1970 and virtually gave up playing. After leaving in 1969, Quaife was replaced by John Dalton, who had previously filled in for him when he broke his leg in a car accident.
He had been quoted as saying how unhappy he was during his time in the Kinks, not least because of the fractious relationship between brothers Ray and Dave Davies.
But he also proudly recalled his work on the band's landmark Village Green Preservation Society album.
"Making that album was the high point of my career," he told Jukebox magazine in 2006.
"For me it represents the only real album made by the Kinks... in which we all contributed something."
In recent times, he’d been working as a graphic artist in Canada. However, in 1990 he did play with The Kinks when the band were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Quaife lived in Canada for more than two decades, but moved to Denmark in 2005 after his marriage ended in divorce. In 2005, Quaife was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame along with the other original Kinks.
In December 2007, Record Collector published an interview with Ray Davies, in which he was quoted as saying, "I spoke to Quaife about a month ago and he dearly wants to make another record with me". The tabloid press picked up on this quote, and turned it into a story saying that the Kinks were reforming for a tour in 2008.
However, in an interview aired on the Biography Channel in December 2008, Quaife flatly said he would never participate in any type of Kinks reunion. Shortly thereafter, Quaife released a statement that he was permanently retiring from the public eye.
It is not clear how he died, but Quaife been undergoing kidney dialysis for over a decade.
Eagle Rock Entertainment, the UK based independent, has licensed the North American DVD and Blu-Ray rights to When You’re Stange: A Film About The Doors from Rhino Entertainment. The documentary uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock band and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy.
Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band’s history. Produced by Wolf Films/Strange Pictures, in association with Rhino Entertainment, the 90-minute film is the first feature documentary about The Doors. Additional credits for the film include producers Peter Jankowski, Dick Wolf, John Beug and Jeff Jampol. When You’re Strange had its theatrical debut on April 9 and will be released through Eagle Vision on standard DVD and Blu-Ray on June 29th.
Terry Shand, Chairman of Eagle, said, “We are delighted to continue our visual programming connection with The Doors and to build further on our co-operation with Rhino.”
Mike Carden, President of North America Operations, said, “We are very excited about marketing this film and will work hard with our sales and distribution partners to promote the DVD as well as work closely with Rhino to cross-promote the soundtrack album.”
To view the trailer look below or go to this location.
According to a news piece on Deep Purple web site The Highway Star, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze, Black Country Communion) last week went into the studio to record a "duet" with his late former Purple bandmate - guitar legend Tommy Bolin.
According to Hughes, he laid down vocals on an unfinished Bolin track, "Lotus in an Oriental Sky", adding that the album it's slated for will be a tribute album to the late guitarist, who tragically passed away at the age of 25 in Miami on December 4, 1976, from an accidental drug overdose while on tour with Jeff Beck.
Reportedly the album will also feature contributions from guitarists Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule) and Steve Lukather (ex Toto), with more duets with Bolin to come. No release date has been given for the project, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.
Meanwhile here's a slice of prime Tommy Bolin, with "Post Toastee" from his final solo album 'Private Eyes' in 1976.
Eagle Vision 'the wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Rock Entertainment' is proud to announce the release of Stones In Exile, out as of June 22, a compelling hour long documentary look at the recording of what many rock historians call the greatest album in history: 1972's Exile On Main Street. The packaging comes complete with 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus footage.
There has been, over the years, a veritable mountain of debate, conjecture, written words and mythologizing about this most classic album. It has been the subject of books, of rumors, of innuendo, of stories that have only added to the Stones' legend. Now, for the first time, one can step back in time to the spring of 1971 and enter the villa called Nellcote at Villefranche-sur-Mer in the South of France where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor created and recorded this most classic of albums in the most chaotic of circumstances.
The footage is extraordinary. It includes interviews with all five Stones as well as sections of the long-dormant notorious C@cksu**er Blues movie, which every fan has talked about, wondered about, but few have actually seen. Other key cinematic moments have Mick and Charlie returning to Olympic Studios where some of the early Exile work was laid down, as well as Mick's country estate, Stargroves.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman underwent liver-transplant surgery on Wednesday, forcing the veteran group to pull out of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival on Saturday near Chicago.
Allman, who was diagnosed with hepatitis C in late 2007, underwent the transplant at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.
"I feel pretty good, considering everything that's happened," the 62-year-old keyboardist said in a statement. "Everybody involved here, my doctors and nurses in the hospital and all the Allman Brothers fans, they've just all been great ... All I can say is 'thanks.'"
Shortly after his hepatitis was diagnosed, Allman told Billboard that the disease "was laying dormant for awhile and just kind of crept up on me. I was worn out. I had to sleep 10 or 11 hours a day to play two or three (hours). It's just one of those things that sneaks up on you and will just kind of ride you for as long as you don't know you have it."
Allman, who co-founded the group in 1969 with late brother Duane and remaining original members Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson, added that after being treated, he had "more appreciation for life ... There could be people that are reading this now and they have it and don't know they have it, and all it takes is a blood test. If you catch it early, before you get real fatigued and tired like I did, you can beat it."
There's no word yet on Allman's long-term prognosis or when the band would be able to play live again, although he did say in Wednesday's statement that "I can't wait to get back on the road making music with my friends." The group played its traditional New York City theater residency in March, and the Crossroads Festival was the only show on its summer itinerary. Allmans guitarist Derek Trucks will fill in at Crossroads with his own band, joined by his wife Susan Tedeschi.
Jazz guitar great Lee Ritenour's 6 String Theory, to be released on June 29 by Concord Records, could easily be a landmark for the breadth and reputation of the gargantuan players who appear on the album.
It is also a deeply entertaining album to listen to as Lee Ritenour and the cast work their way through every major genre in guitar music: hard rock, funky blues, bebop and even classical music with unmatched ability.
Ritenour hit his rolodex (B.B. King got the first call) but also expanded the scope the include internet via social media site YouTube to find the best young guitar players and record with them. Ritenour teamed with longtime partners Berklee College of Music; D'Addario Strings; Concord Records; Yamaha and Monster Music to judge a worldwide talent search.
The overall winner, 16 year old Shon Boublil of Montreal, received a scholarship to Berklee, and other 6 String Theory participants such as acoustic guitarist Andy McKee (another YouTube sensation), "Australia's Got Talent" winner Joe Robinson and Japan's Tomoyasu Hotei appear on the album alongside Ritenour.
The album also includes a rare chance to hear Ritenour with greats like George Benson in a duo setting; with speedster Pat Martino in tribute to Les Paul; rocking alongside Toto's Steve Lukather,Slash and Journey's Neil Schon; wail with John Scofield and crank electric blues out with Keb'Mo, Robert Cray, B.B. King and Joe Bonamassa.
One thing Lee Ritenour doesn't do is sing, and the vocalists on this album including B.B. King, Robert Cray, Vince Gill, Keb' Mo', Taj Majal, Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang give a very diverse album a blues foundation.
For more information and to listen to previews of all tracks go to this location.
A few days ago Nightwatcher's House Of Rock were among a select few music journalists chosen to talk with blues legend Keb' Mo' regarding his involvement in the brand new TV police drama 'Memphis Beat'.
Premiering June 22 on TNT, the Jason Lee starring vehicle will be notable for among other things, an emphasis on Memphis blues.
The show centers on Dwight Hendricks (Lee), a quirky Memphis detective with an intimate connection to the city, a passion for blues music, and a close relationship with his mother.
The three time Grammy award winner has been involved intimately with the series, not only performing the theme song, but also serving as musical director, providing original musical compositions and performances.
When asked what the biggest difference for him was in composing for television versus his own albums, Keb' explained,"The biggest difference is this one: In the show and writing from my own album, and some of my own albums, I’m the boss. And on the show, I’m taking cues from the creators of the show. The people who created.The same way someone who is going to work on my record would take direction from me in terms of what to play on my recordings".
He went on to say, "The reversal of roles is very nice because it makes me go places - It makes taking myself out of the driver’s seat. I mean, I’m driving in a sense but I’m not completely driving the whole thing. So it makes me have to dig deeper and get into what other people are looking for, as opposed to my own egocentric creations".
Asked what role Memphis blues will be playing in the series he continued,"It's a lot of Memphis music. It’s going to center around Memphis and the musical palette of the musical background is based in Memphis.That will definitely show its side. So there will be a lot of Memphis music and as far as placements of music, that’s not really my job. My job is the background music and when I have to do things I, of course, I’m there to do it.I’m trying to bring a real bluesy, a real rootsy kind of Southern Memphis vibe to the show. Memphis music and the blues are a big part of the show".
For more information on Memphis Beat, which premieres tomorrow night(Check your local listings) go to this location.
Last night,(June 18th) in front of an estimated crowd of between 3,000 - 4,000, blues rock guitar extraordinaire Sonny Landreth rocked the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Delivering a spellbinding 90 minute set, Landreth displayed all the skills which have made none other than rock guitar legend Eric Clapton claim that he is "probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also is probably one of the most advanced".
The Louisiana born guitarist, whose latest studio album 'From The Reach' features contributions from Clapton, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Mark Knopfler, Vince Gill, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffet will be appearing once again at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival June 26th at Toyota Park in Chicago, Illinois.
Here's footage we took from the show in the form of "Pedal To The Metal":
Whitesnake have officially announced that bassist Uriah Duffy and drummer Chris Frazier are going their separate ways from the band after a fun filled and successful journey together.
Whitesnake wish Uriah and Chris every success in pursuing their individual musical careers and express their sincere gratitude for the exceptional contribution they both made to the legacy of the band.
Whitesnake are proud to welcome drummer/vocalist extraordinaire, Brian Tichy (Foreigner Billy Idol, Derek Sherinian, Gilby Clarke).
Whitesnake are currently in the studio writing and recording the follow up to their award winning 'Good To Be Bad' album, which is expected to be released throughout the world on the Frontiers label in spring 2011 to coincide with their return to touring.
At this time Whitesnake are still exploring their options for the position of new bassist/backing vocalist.
As previously reported, classic rockers Foghat -consisting of Roger Earl (drums), Charlie Huhn (vocals/rhythm & lead guitar), and Bryan Bassett (lead & slide guitar), with former Foghat/Savoy Brown/Outlaws bassist Jeff Howell have reconnected with their blues roots on the just released (June 15) new studio album 'Last Train Home'.
The album, recorded both in New York at EKO Studios and at Foghat’s own studio, Boogie Motel South, 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.
Now you can stream the entire album in full, and download a completely free track "Born For The Road" below:
Undercover Music is reporting that Metal legends Iron Maiden took a break from their North American tour to pay NASA’s Houston Space Center a visit this week.
Members of the band were given a tour by Astronaut Michael J. Massimino which included a look at the newly developed Saturn V Rocket, a glimpse at the space shuttle and a go at the shuttle simulator.
“We appear to have a lot of fans at NASA, and it was a real pleasure to meet some of them, especially, of course, a bona fide astronaut who has made a number of space walks,” singer Bruce Dickinson said of the visit. “Hearing first hand of Michael's experiences was fascinating. He took us round the Space Station and Shuttle and up close to the incredible Saturn V rocket. Fans working in the Mission Control room had even put up pictures of the band on the huge screens where you would normally see the rockets taking off!
“The highlight was unquestionably the Apollo Room, from where the moon landings were coordinated, this was to step back into history. Looking at the relative simplicity of the equipment compared to today, it is amazing how they managed to pull it off. Each of us even got to take off, fly and land the Space Shuttle on the simulator, a real thrill. We felt very privileged and hope that Michael and our NASA fans enjoyed our Houston show as much as we enjoyed our visit with them.”
Iron Maiden opened their ‘Final Frontier’ tour of North America with three Texan shows totaling over 36,000 fans in the Lone Star state alone.
Fittingly with their space center visit, the band’s newly reincarnated Eddie is an alien, first seen in Texas!
The band’s fifteenth studio album, the Kevin Shirley produced‘The Final Frontier’ will be out on August 17 in the USA and around then for fans around the world.
Planet Rock is reporting that Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze, Black Country Communion) and Jorn Lande, frontman with Norwegian metallers Masterplan, will front a very special Heaven & Hell tribute to Ronnie James Dio at High Voltage on Saturday 24 July.
Tony Iommi, Vinny Appice and Geezer Butler will take to the stage for the slot that they were originally due to play with Ronnie James Dio this summer and their guest vocalists will help pay tribute to their former frontman.
Proceeds from the show will go to Ronnie's Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund Program.
"It's going to be a very emotional occasion. Ronnie loved his fans like no-one else I know - and they loved him. It will be a privilege doing a gig in honour of his memory, and to help towards his charity. Above all, I hope it encourages people to have regular check-ups for this disease. Early detection is vital, and greatly improves the chance of a cure. I know everyone has heard that a million times before, but seeing one of your best friends die because we all think we're immune from this disease, really brings it home. Do it for yourself, your family, your friends. Ronnie would be proud of you". Love & Peace, Geezer Butler.
Tony Iommi says "Ronnie's passing has left a huge hole, we hadn't anywhere near finished what we set out to do as a band together. He was so looking forward to the European tour and we hope this appearance will go some way to fulfilling that".
You can get tickets for the festival, which takes place on the weekend of 24-25 July at Victoria Park in London, at the link below.
Four-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Pat Benatar is one of the top selling female artists of all time. If you were around in the 80's, her music was everywhere.
On the radio, MTV, clubs - everywhere you turned, it was a good bet that before too long, you would hear one of her songs played. The mega hits "Heartbreaker", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Love Is A Battlefield", "Shadows Of The Night" and more helped propel her career to stardom, resulting in her accruing nineteen Top 40 singles, six platinum and four gold albums.
The first woman ever to be featured on MTV, Benatar quickly became one of the most influential women in rock music. A mainstay on the network, her massive success solidified her standing as one of the most successful vocalists of all time.
Now in her first ever memoir, Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir, to be released via Harper Collins this Tueday, June 15th, the rock legend candidly tells her story as she saw it, detailing her rise to fame, life in the MTV generation, her tours, the fans, and how she managed to avoid the trappings of rock stardom.
Going backstage and into the studio, Benatar sets the record straight about how her music evolved, illustrating the visionary role that her guitarist, producer, and eventual husband Neil “Spyder” Giraldo played in combining her classically trained voice with his razor-sharp guitar to create her unique hard rock sound.
To read an excerpt from the book, and for purchasing options go to this location.
Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, has announced that 2010 will see the release of the original classic Rainbow albums on vinyl. All records will be 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and packaged in deluxe gatefold sleeves. The first 1,000 copies of each title will come in limited-edition colored vinyl.
Due out on July 12 are the following titles:
# Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975)
# Rising (1976)
# On Stage (1977)
# Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978)
# Down To Earth (1979)
# Difficult to Cure (1981)
# Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
# Finyl Vinyl (1986)
Rainbow was an English rock band formed in 1975 by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. In addition to Blackmore, the group originally consisted of former Elf members: lead singer Ronnie James Dio (who later joined Black Sabbath), keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, bassist Craig Gruber, and drummer Gary Driscoll. Over the years Rainbow went through many lineup changes.
Rainbow was ranked #90 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock."
Black Country Communion, the much hyped supergroup featuring hard rockin' blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, KISS) have released the track listing and release date of their debut album “Black Country”.
The album will be released by Mascot Records in the UK and the rest of Europe on Monday September 20th, followed by a North American release through J&R Adventures on Tuesday September 21st, the album was produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), and mastered by Bob Ludwig. The CD was recorded at Shangri-La Studios in early 2010.
Album Track Listing:
1. Black Country
2. One Last Soul
3. The Great Divide
4. Down Again
5. Beggarman
6. Song Of Yesterday
7. No Time
8. Medusa
9. The Revolution In Me
10. Stand (At The Burning Tree)
11. Sista Jane
12. Too Late For The Sun
All songs on the album are sung by Glenn Hughes, with the exception of "Song Of Yesterday" and "The Revolution In Me" which are both sung by Joe Bonamassa. Hughes and Bonamassa share lead vocals on "Sista Jane" and "Too Late For The Sun". Also included is a new version of "Medusa", originally recorded by Hughes in 1970 with his first band Trapeze.
The band is planning a tour in 2011.
For more information on the band go to this location.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gregg Rolie, best known for his vocals and keyboard work with legendary music groups Santana and Journey, will be playing select dates with his band throughout the summer.
The Gregg Rolie Band will be performing electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as "Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman" "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous effort 'Roots' and new songs. The Gregg Rolie Band consists of Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (who was also in The Storm), Elliot "Toby" Borrero on congas, Kurt Griffey on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist, Chapman Stick artist and Santana alumni Alphonso Johnson and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko.
Rolie was determined to resurrect the sound he helped shape and make famous as Santana's original lead singer and keyboard player, while at the same time bringing it forward to the 21st century. Speaking to Voices of Latin Rock recently, Rolie said, "“The band is great, because we all really enjoy each other and I think the sound reflects the fun we are having. "We subtitle the band; Gregg Rolie Band... 'Santana - the way you remember it."
Rolie is touring in support of his latest release, the critically acclaimed 'Rain Dance', which can be ordered through CDBaby at this location.
The Gregg Rolie Band will be performing on the following dates:
Jun 17 - Thurs - 05:00 PM - City Park, Albany, NY
Jun 19 -Sat - 08:00 PM - Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, Uncasville, CT
Jun 20 -Sun -08:00 PM - Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Jun 21 -Mon -08:00 PM - Ram's Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD
Jun 22 -Tues 07:30 PM - Jaxx Nite Club, Springfield, VA
Jun 25 -Fri - 08:00 PM - Lakeside Amphitheater, Lakeside, OH
Jul 09 - Fri - 05:00 PM - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA
Jul 23 - Fri - 08:00 PM - Meadowbrook Park, Hamden, CT Sep 03 -Fri -07:00 PM - Wind River Casino, Riverton, WY
Ozzy Osbourne wants to donate his body to science, insisting it's a "medical miracle" he's still alive after years of partying hard.
Osbourne is baffled he has managed to survive to the age of 61 and is convinced doctors and scientists would benefit from dissecting and studying his body after he dies.
He says, "By all accounts, I'm a medical miracle. When I die, I should donate my body to the Natural History Museum. It's all very well going on a bender for a couple of days but mine went on for 40 years. At one point, I was knocking back four bottles of cognac a day, blacking out, coming to again and carrying on."
He also admits he has always had concerns about his health: "I happen to be the world's worst hypochondriac. I will catch a disease off the telly.
Being ill is like a hobby. I've even started to diagnose my own diseases, thanks to Google."
Nineteen year old Canadian blues rock guitarslinger Jimmy Bowskill's 'Live' will see Stateside release through Ruf Records on June 8.
Bowskill was first discovered by the legendary Jeff Healey at the age of 11 playing guitar outside of his nightclub in Toronto. Since then, he’s opened shows for such artists as ZZ Top, Dickey Betts, Garth Hudson and Deep Purple, while touring in Canada and internationally in Germany, France, Mexico, Ukraine, and at the World Expo in Japan, among others. He’s also received a Juno Award nomination (Canada’s Grammy).
On Live, Jimmy Bowskill demonstrates his amazing mastery of guitar, with one foot firmly planted in the blues and the other in rock. The album’s dozen songs include his takes on several of the artists who’ve influenced him, including Free (“Walk in My Shadow” and “Ride My Pony”), Peter Green (“Rattlesnake Shake”) and B.B. King (“Three O’clock in the Morning”). Within the trio format, Bowskill dazzles the live audience with a combination of his searing guitar work and soulful, rockin’ vocals.
His talent at such a young age has earned raves from Free/Bad Company vocal legend Paul Rodgers, who has exclaimed, "He's got a great feel. He reminds me of Paul Kossoff [Free], who we sadly lost all those years ago. He's almost the spitting image of him which is incredible."
In an interview with the Guardian UK, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry hints that even though the band, after an on again/off again period with vocalist Steven Tyler last year - is on again and preparing to tour, fans of the band shouldn't expect a new album of new material anytime soon, or ever.
When asked regarding whether there is a thirst to write and record new songs, Perry had this to say :
"Actually, I'm not sure there is," Perry says. "Until a couple of years ago, fans would ask for more records like the old records, but that's all fallen off. New material is not that important any more. We've been at this for a long time. I think of some of the songs I've written or co-written and I think, why should I bother trying to top that? It's like Leonardo Da Vinci painting the Madonna again. Why should I paint the Madonna again?"
On June 9th, British guitar legend Jeff Beck along with a host of noted guitarists will commemorate Les Paul's 95th birthday with a special intimate performance at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York, NY . A Celebration Of Les Paul, sponsored by Gibson Guitar, honors the iconic life of legendary guitarist and innovator Les Paul.
Jeff Beck with The Imelda May Band and expected guests including Ace Frehley, Zakk Wylde, Johnny Winter, John McEnroe, Meat Loaf, Chris North, Steve Miller, Robbie Robertson, Nils Lofgren, Warren Haynes, Paul Shaffer, Nigel Lythgoe, Johnny A, Stephen Colbert, Gibson Guitar Chairman/CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, John Varvatos and more.
Beck will pay tribute to his mentor and friend, the late guitar great Les Paul, with an intimate show consisting of Les Paul's memorable classics along with some rockabilly favorites.
Celebrating what would have been Les Paul's 95th birthday, Beck will be joined on stage by Irish rockabilly sensation The Imelda May Band. Les Paul, known worldwide for his legendary performances and his incomparable innovations that shaped the evolution of music, remained a fixture in the New York music scene, drawing in crowds with regular gigs at The Iridium Jazz Club until the age of 94. Jeff Beck's appearances will mark the official dedication of the performance space at the club to the late Les Paul.
Major congratulations are in order as today, as out of a field of over 3,400 entrants, fast rising 23 year old blues rock guitarist Ryan McGarvey was named the winner of the Ernie Ball 'Play Crossroads' contest, earning him a berth at the third Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, to be held Saturday, June 26th at Toyota Park in Chicago.
McGarvey, an Albuquerque New Mexico native, last weekend wowed the crowd at the main theater at The Las Vegas Hilton (The Elvis room), appearing along with other young guns Graham Whitford, Josh Gooch and Yayo Sanchez at the 'Knight Of the Guitar'. Backing the trio were two rock veterans, bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) and drummer Chris Frazier (Whitesnake). The show was held at the opening of legendary rock photographer Robert M. Knight's Knight Gallery.
For more information on Ryan McGarvey, go to this location.
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival is a day-long musical celebration featuring legendary guitarists and artistic collaborations by Eric and his friends including The Allman Brothers Band, BB King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer, Sonny Landreth, Sheryl Crow, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, ZZ Top, and more.
Paul McCartney had to be rescued by cops after a mob attacked his tour bus in a dodgy no-go part of Mexico City.
Youths forced his driver to stop then started jumping up and down on the roof as the Beatles legend, 67, cowered inside.
A source said: "At first his security team thought it was just swarms of fans but when people started scaling the bus, the situation changed in a flash." They called cops who raced to the rescue. "Paul and the team were shaken up," the source added.
It happened after his gig at the Foro Sol stadium on Saturday at 1am. His management team are now reviewing security.
McCartney, who was unhurt, was in Washington last night for a White House concert.
