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April - May 2009
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APRIL 2009
ROCKinsights™
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4/1/2009
New Notes |
A Turtle's Eye View of Hendrix, Beatles,
Jim Morrison
With so many 'a friend of a guy I
knew who used to date a girl engaged to a roadie of...' stories out there,
it is great when a first hand account comes up. My Dinner With Jimi,
a movie written by Turtles lead singer Howard Kaylan about his
band's 1967 trip to London, recreates the group meeting up with Jimi
Hendrix, Jim Morrison, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.
Kaylan, who claims it is an "...absolutley true story" either took
great notes or has a much clearer recall of the 60's than most of his
contemporaries, says in one night the band met Brian Jones of the
Rolling Stones, then Hollies member Graham Nash,
Donovan, the Beatles (who played them Sgt. Pepper before
its release) - and Kaylan ended the night at a 4a.m. dinner with
Jimi Hendrix. The movie recreating many of the encounters gets
released on DVD June 9. |
4/1/2009
New Notes |
Carlos Santana Takes Up Vegas Residency
The Joint, the Hard Rock
concert hall in Las Vegas, hit the jackpot by getting Paul McCartney
to reopen the venue after its multi-million dollar makeover
[story].
A joint venture with Carlos Santana now makes the 3000 seat hall the
only place west of the the Mississippi that Santana will play until
2011. An announcement on his web site projects that around 36
Santana concerts a year will take place.
Comedians and pop stars have done extended engagements in Vegas for decades.
The cost and stress reduction compared with full scale touring has obvious
appeal - as does the chance to develop a custom set, lighting and sound for
one particular venue.
The opening night for this year's run of Santana shows at The Joint is May
27. 4-1-09
www.santana.com
MORE
SANTANA INSIGHTS
|
4/1/2009
New Notes |
Paul McCartney Ringo Starr Webcast
The mere possibility that
two former Beatles will perform together at Radio City Music Hall
was enough to generate an online ticket stampede
[story].
The Saturday
(4/4)
concert to benefit a campaign to encourage transcendental meditation among
poor children will feature them both, but the only guaranteed joint
appearance won't involve instruments. That comes the day before at
noon (EDT),
when the two talk up the campaign at a press conference that will be carried
live on the David Lynch Foundation
web site. There appears to be no plan to webcast the concert
itself. Given the number of fans unable to get tickets for the almost
instant sell-out, a fee based web cast would have raised even more money to
raise consciousness. The Allman Brothers just finished proving
how good concert casts can be online by streaming all 15 of their shows at
the nearby Beacon Theater [story].
4
MORE PAUL McCARTNEY INSIGHTS-1-09
|
4/1/2009
New Notes |
J Geils Band Adds Live Dates
The J Geils Band got back
together and delivered a set at the Boston House Of Blues grand
opening party in February that damn near blew the down the walls of the
club. Peter Wolf and the guys got such a charge out of playing
together again that they plan to do it again - April 24 at the Fillmore
in Detroit, and back at the Boston House Of Blues on the 28th.
The 2+ hour set at the first HOB show included a healthy helping of
the rip-roaring material the band first exploded onto the scene with in the
early 70's. A 1971 J Geils show grabbed a spot in my top ten
live sets that I don't expect it to lose no matter how many more concerts I
see. Hope for more shows - and catch one if you can!
4-
MORE J GEILS BAND INSIGHTS
|
4/2/2009
New Notes |
Pollstar Reveals What Others Conceal
Consumer web sites and
publications make comparative shopping easy by giving you a pretty good idea
of the going rate for just about everything - except concert tickets.
Average concert ticket costs have been available, but up 'til now only to
industry insiders willing to pay for the information through various
sources. Pollstar, an outstanding resource for all kinds of
free information about live music, is now making that information available
for free through its
Ticket Ticker.
Granted, it does not give you the range of pricing, but the
mere fact it provides some basis for gauging whether you are getting a good
deal or gouged. It is a great service - even if it excludes the onerous
'service charges' that can jack prices up by 20%.
Pollstar.com
|
4/2/2009
New Notes |
Springsteen Exhibit Opens at Rock Hall
Cleveland is at the center of the
Rock Universe this weekend. After years of conducting its induction
ceremonies in New York City, the Rock Hall Of Fame will finally
enshrine this year's inductees [story]
in museum's host city. The
weekend also marks the opening of From Asbury Park to the Promised Land:
the Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen, a special exhibit as extensive
as its name.
The collection on display includes everything from hand scrawled lyrics and
the table Springsteen wrote many of his greatest songs at to perhaps
the most recognized guitar ever made - his battle worn 1952
Fender
Esquire, a guitar so special that Bruce put it in a car and had
his guitar tech drive it to the museum himself, according to Jim Henke,
VP of Exhibitions for the Hall, in a Toldeo Free Press interview.
Bruce worked closely with the Hall, giving it "Pretty much everything we
asked for", said Henke. It all adds up to the largest special artist
exhibit in the history of the museum. The exhibit continues for about a
year. [earlier
story]
MORE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS
|
4/2/2009
New Notes |
Zeppelin Name Dropped From Theme Ride
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina theme
park rides named after Led Zeppelin and the Eagles will roll
under new names, according to a report by The Herald of Rock Hill,
SC. The park's new owners are negotiations for the possible
continued use of the name Hard Rock Park. The amusement park,
which reportedly cost as much as 400 million dollars to build, was open just
one season before the original operator filed for bankruptcy. The new
owners picked the property up in February
[story]
for just 25 million. 4/2/09
|
4/3/2009
New Notes |
Mellencamp Recording in Neglected Historic
Buildings
Recording albums in multiple locations is nothing
new. Plenty of artists use several studios for a single project. Some record
in different settings - Jackson Browne recorded songs for Running
On Empty on stage, backstage, and even on the tour bus. John
Mellencamp plans to use several recording sites for his next album for
more than just the different ambience each provides. He wants the
project to spread awareness that each song was captured in an historic site
at risk of being lost due to neglect. T-Bone Burnett will
produce the album, which has a working title of No Better Than This.
The release is expected to be ready early next year.
Johnmellencamp.com
MORE JOHN MELLENCAMP INSIGHTS
|
4/3/2009
New Notes |
Aerosmith & ZZ Top Line Up Tour Dates
In a Billboard.com
interview, guitarist Joe Perry reveals that Aerosmith
and ZZ Top plan to embark on a North American summer tour that is
expected to include around 40 shows. The trek
could be extended to include dates in South America and Europe.
Perry, in Cleveland for the Rock Hall Of Fame inductions, also indicated
that the next Aerosmith album, which was originally postponed due his
leg surgery [story], encountered further delays when Steven Tyler
contracted pneumonia.
Perry's medical problem landed him in a Boston hospital and forced the
cancellation of an Aerosmith appearance at a major festival scheduled
for the first of February in Caracas, Venezuela.
[story]
MORE
AEROSMITH INSIGHTS
|
|
Allman Brothers New York Shows With
Clapton on CD
The entire series of Allman
Brothers concerts at the Beacon Theater in New York that
wrapped up Sunday (3/28)
is headed to CD. Shows can be purchased individually or all together in a
deluxe box set. The concerts, which Gregg Allman dedicated to
his late brother and legendary guitar player Duane, drew an
incredible lineup of guest musicians during its run, including two
nights with Eric Clapton [story].
CDs of the shows are being offered exclusively through
Hittin'
The Note.
4/3/09
Whereseric.com
MORE CLAPTON INSIGHTS
MORE
ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND INSIGHTS |
4/4/2009
New Notes |
Rock Hall Of Fame Induction Returns To
Cleveland
Finally, after 12 induction
ceremonies held hundreds of miles from the museum, the Cleveland Public
Auditorium replaced New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel as the site
for this year's Rock Hall Of Fame event. The Hall's 24th induction
tonite (4/4)
was a marathon, closing out as it was closing
in on 5 hours.
Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones played guitar with Bobby
Womack after inducting the masterful songwriter. E Street Band
drummer Max Weinberg and keyboardist Gary Tallent did the
honors for DJ Fontana and Bill Black, sidemen for Elvis
Presley. Jimmy Page praised fellow guitarist and Yardbirds
veteran Jeff Beck, who was finally recognized for his solo
achievements. The two showed their guitar chops remain in top form during a
blazing version of Zep's Immigrant Song. James Hetfield
voiced hope that the induction of Metallica paves the way for
Rush, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Kiss and Alice Cooper -
a sentiment the whole crowd endorsed. The night wrapped up with a
thunderous version of Train Kept A' Rolling with Joe Perry of
Aerosmith, Wood, Jimmy Page and Flea from the Red
Hot Chili Peppers out to join the honorees.
4/5/09
|
4/5/2009
New Notes |
McCartney & Starr Come Together In NYC
A highly anticipated reunion of
the two surviving Beatles took place as expected on the Radio City
Music Hall stage Saturday night
(4/4). The unoccupied drum set on
stage when Paul's band began its set left little suspense over whether
Ringo would join his former band mate. The moment came when McCartney,
who had already run through a number of Beatles and Wings
songs, spoofed everyone but surprised no one in the sold out house by
announcing he wanted to introduce someone "...you know, you've heard his
name... Ladies and gentlemen, Billy Shears!". The reference to the Sgt.
Pepper character was followed, as it was on the album, by With A
Little Help From My Friends. [earlier
story]
The event marked the first time
the pair shared the same stage since the 2002 tribute concert for George
Harrison at Madison Square Garden.
4/5/09
New York Times |
4/5/2009
New Notes |
George Harrison Star Added to Hollywood Walk
Not many musicians had stars on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame when the Ray Davies sang about it
in Celluloid Heros. In the decades since that great song was
recorded dozens have been awarded stars. Ironically, neither the Kinks
or Davies are among them. Journey, Kiss, Queen, Sting, Alice
Cooper, Billy Joel, Bob Seger, Bob Marley, Carlos Santana, David Bowie,
Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix, John Fogerty, Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Frampton,
Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Stevie Wonder, Steve
Miller, Tom Petty, the Beatles and John Lennon all have
stars along the walk. Tuesday, April 14, they will be joined by George
Harrison when the former Beatle is posthumously awarded star
number 2,382. Appropriately, it will be imbedded in the sidewalk of Vine
Street outside the historic Capitol Records building. Harrison's
wife, Olivia, and son, Dhani, will accept the honor.
4/5/09
hollywoodchamber.net
MORE GEORGE HARRISON INSIGHTS
|
4/6/2009
New Notes |
Vibes Festival Snags Crosby, Stills, Nash
One of the longer running music
festivals around has added CSN to the lineup for this year's edition
of the Gathering Of The Vibes. The four day event returns to the
Connecticut shoreline July 23 - 26 with a lineup that features Crosby
Stills & Nash, Bob Weir & Ratdog, The Levon Helm Band, Buddy
Guy, Donna Jean Godchaux, moe, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Max Creek
and many more. The Festival was staged at several Northeast locations
during its first ten years. It has since found a permanent home at
Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
4/6/09
Gatheringofthevibes.com
MORE CSN INSIGHTS |
4/6/2009
New Notes |
AC/DC Plug In More US Tour Dates
The Black Ice Tour
thundered across North America late last year before heading overseas. July
28, The biggest tour of '08 returns for another round of US dates starting
at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, when Angus and the boys
show The Boss and U2 that AC/DC can fill stadiums too.
The Black Ice album broke big last October, debuting #1 in 29
countries, sending clear signal to the band that the world was ready to
Rock. The band passed on opening their first tour in 5 years in a major
market in favor of the small industrial city of Wilkes-Barre, PA - a place
that mirrors the sound and feel that fuels AC/DC. The group selected
fans at that show they felt best represent the kind of passion for straight
ahead hard rock that has kept the band at the top all these years. Meet them
here.
|
4/6/2009
New Notes |
Stone Alone
Lately, Ron Wood has gotten
more coverage than Mick Jagger and Keith Richards combined.
Most of it has been speculation about personal affairs the guitarist would
rather stayed under the radar, like his purported affair with a very young
Russian waitress and reports of the fallout resulting from it on the home
front [story],
the on again, off again Faces reunion
[story],
and a rumored rehab stint.
Now there's some news Woody is probably happy to have out. Producer Bob
Rock confirms that he worked with Wood on a solo album that
includes a song with Eddie Vedder. More Good News will be the
7th album the Faces and Stones veteran has released on his
own. 4/6/09
Musicradar.com
MORE ROLLING STONES INSIGHTS
|
4/7/2009
New Notes |
Splitsville for Townshend & Wife
Musician's marriages are more often measured in
months than decades. One of the longest ones is apparently coming to an
official end. According to a London newspaper, Pete Townshend's wife
of 40 years, Karen Astley, is almost certain to be granted a divorce
decree to end her marriage to the Who guitarist. The two have led
largely separate lives for more than a decade, the last several years of
which Townshend has lived with Rachel Fuller.
The Sun (4-7-09)
MORE PETE TOWNSHEND INSIGHTS
|
4/7/2009
New Notes |
Feds Look Into Ticket Brokers
New Jersey reached a settlement several weeks ago requiring
Ticketmaster to compensate many who paid premium prices for Bruce
Springsteen tickets when the Ticketmaster web site forwarded them
to TicketsNow, a subsidiary after-market site
[story].
The controversy is far from over. Federal investigators now want to know
more about how those secondary sellers obtain tickets. Amid allegations
that promoters, agents, managers and sometimes artists themselves may be
profiting by making deals, state and federal investigators issued subpoenas
to Ticketmaster and other brokers that use TicketsNow
(4/3), according to a
LA Times report.
Even if the income gets reported (and don't think that won't be looked
into), an investigation into a practice that might involve artists, agents
or managers making more money at the expense of fans makes this big news.
Springsteen, who has repeatedly called on regulators to prevent price
gouging, is in no way implicated in any wrong doing and has done everything
possible to protect fans from predatory pricing.
|
4/7/2009
New Notes |
Complete Beatles Catalogue Re-Mastered
Still no good news on the digital
download front, but those willing to spring for clearer, more dynamic
recordings of the Beatles on CD will get the chance September 9.
That's the date Apple & EMI release the original Beatles
catalogue along with two new box sets.
Expanded booklets in each release will include the artwork used for the
original UK album release, and both the original and additional liner notes
and photos. In all, 12 albums are included, each re-mastered in Abbey
Roads Studios. This will mark the first time that four early albums,
Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night and
Beatles For Sale, have been available in stereo on CD. The date
coincides with the release of The Beatles: Rock Band®
video game
[story].
(4/7/09)
MORE BEATLES INSIGHTS |
4/8/2009
New Notes |
Black Crowes Double Live
The consistent ability to let
spontaneous energy take songs to new levels live without obliterating the
melodic strength of them makes the Black Crowes one of the great live
bands of our time. That strength alone makes this LA concert recording of
all of the songs on a studio release just one year old worthwhile. This
April 28 double live release also features a number of previously
unavailable live takes on studio classics. Expect more live Crowes
later in the year from sessions recently recorded in the cozy confines of
Levon Helm's studio [story].
amazon.com
MORE BLACK CROWES INSIGHTS |
4/8/2009
New Notes |
Zeppelin Bassist & Heartbreaker Shift Gears
The pairing of Robert Plant
and Alison Krauss resulted in 5 Grammy awards, including Album
of the Year. Now, another Led Zeppelin member is
branching out toward bluegrass. Bass player John Paul Jones recently
finished producing and playing bass on a number of songs on a solo album for
Nickel Creek fiddle player Sara Watkins.
Jones, who also plays mandolin, will perform with Watkins
on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
(NBC)
Monday night (4/13).
Benmont Tench of The Heartbrakers will also join Watkins on some
solo tour dates.4-8-09
Nickelcreek.com NBC.com
MORE LED ZEPPELIN INSIGHTS |
4/8/2009
New Notes |
Sting Recruited by Chicago Symphony
The steep economic decline has made matters worse
for orchestras, many of which had suffered steadily eroding attendance even
when the economy was strong. Pops performances, some including guest
musicians, have become a tactic symphonies use to get the interest and
attendance of younger audiences. The Chicago Symphony has
arranged to have Sting perform with the Orchestra at a major annual
fund raising concert event on May 19. In addition to helping fund
attendance development initiatives, proceeds from the concert will help
underwrite the symphony's music education programs. More than 200 area
students and teachers will attend the show for free.
Sting.com 4-8-09
MORE STING INSIGHTS |
4/9/2009
New Notes |
Billy Gibbons Back On Bones
Guitarist Billy Gibbons of
ZZ Top returns as the father of Angela Montenegro on the
FOX-TV
series Bones tonite
(4/9).
Gibbons first hit the screen in the hit show's debut season, and
returned as the father of the mysterious and intriguing character for
episodes in years two and four.
Gibbons plays himself and, true to his real life character, gets in
some great lines in the series. One of the best was delivered to a
character seeking his approval to marry Angela. His response: "Son, I've got
guns and I've got guitars. You treat my little girl right, you only have to
see the business end of one of them."
ZZ Top hits the road with Aerosmith for a string of US
concerts starting in late June.
4-9-09
MORE ZZ TOP INSIGHTS
|
4/9/2009
New Notes |
Allegations and Rumors
Thousands of stories online everyday
end up being no more credible than the kind of claims posted on the stall
dividers of public restrooms. Recently, several sites have posted stories
based on a tabloid report that a prominent Rocker's name turned up in papers
filed in another couple's divorce case in New Jersey. Claims made in
divorce cases often end up as true as things scrawled on bathroom walls -
and in tabloids too, for that matter. We don't know whether or not that is
the case here. But this site would rather stick to covering things that
have more basis in fact than what has come to light so far with this story,
which could end up being something imagined or fabricated by someone
involved in the case. |
4/9/2009
New Notes |
Pearl Jam's Vedder Slates Theater Tour
Eddie Vedder has laid out
plans for a solo theater tour that opens in Albany, New York June 8 and is
scheduled to end in Hawaii less than a month later with a date in Honolulu
July 2. As with past tours, the front man for Pearl Jam is making
every effort to insure that fans get a fair shot at tickets. Presale
tickets are limited to Ten Club Members, the band's fan club, active
on or before the day prior to the tour announcement. A member is eligible to
buy only one pair of tickets to one date on the tour. As an added measure
against scalpers registered on the site, every ticket buyer will be required
to present a valid photo ID proving they were the buyer when picking up
tickets the night of the show. Tickets are available exclusively through a
through an
order page on the Pearl Jam web site.
Pearljam.com
MORE PEARL JAM INSIGHTS |
4/10/2009
New Notes |
Universal Announces YouTube Pact
The compact disc may not have as
bleak a future as print newspapers, but the downward spiral in CD sales
since digital downloads began leaves no doubt that labels need new revenue
streams, and they need them yesterday. Universal Music, the
world's largest label group, has entered into an agreement with the now
Google owned YouTube to create VEVO, a new entertainment
service. It is expected to offer video content from the entire roster of
UMG and subsidiary labels free to viewers willing to watch a sponsorship
message lead-in to each clip. The UMG Channel already ranks as
the top channel on YouTube with 3.5+ billion views. A New York
Times story says much of the content will be duplicated on VEVO.com,
a jointly owned site operated with technology supplied by Google
and YouTube.
Warner
Brothers, which streams videos on its MySpace site, recently
ordered YouTube to discontinue showing WB artists.
[story]
PR Newswire
|
4/10/2009
New Notes
|
Dead Offer Concert Flashbacks
When other bands were coming down hard on fans recording
shows, the Grateful Dead reserved space for the small forest of mic
booms audience audiophiles brought to concerts. The group eventually began
releasing board quality recordings from its massive archive of recorded
concerts. In a move as business smart as it is fan-friendly,
The Dead has an arrangement with Blurb®
to create professional quality concert photo books of every show on the
current tour. The photo albums will include shots by longtime band
photographer Jake Blakesberg, who recently contributed photos and
expertise to the Garcia Mosaic®
app for Apple devices
[story].
In a stroke of genius, Blurb®
gives fans the option to send their own photo to be used for the cover
($5 fee to customize it waived thru June 30).
Most amazing of all: books will be available within 72 hours of each show
through the
Blurb Bookstore.
PRNewswire
MORE GRATEFUL DEAD INSIGHTS |
4/11/2009
New Notes |
Dylan Throws Playful Jabs at Stones
Bill Flanagan conducted an interview with
Bob Dylan that provides interesting and amusing glimpses into the
enigmatic artist. Segments of the lengthy session are available on
BobDylan.com. The latest excerpt, obtained by Telegraph.co.uk,
includes Dylan playfully sparring with Flanagan over the
Rolling Stones after Bob mentioned that all he knew about former
wrestler and Governor Jesse Ventura was that he liked the band.
Asked what he thought of the Stones, Dylan replied "They're
pretty much finished, aren't they?". He then issued the teasing claim
that without Bill Wyman "...they're a funk band. They'll be the
real Rolling Stones when they get Bill back". Mischief aside,
he said the Stones are"...truly the greatest rock and roll band and always
will be. The last too."
Telegraph.uk.co
MORE
BOB DYLAN INSIGHTS
|
4/12/2009
New Notes |
Procol Harum Tops UK Public Performance
Chart
Songs by the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Clapton, Elton John,
Zeppelin and Who not only failed to lock-up the top spot, they
failed to even make the top 10 list of Britain's most publicly performed
songs of the past 75 years. The winner, according to Phonographic
Performance Limited, the public performance licensing body, Whiter
Shade of Pale by Procol Harum. Queen landed in second place
with Bohemian Rhapsody. The Beatles top performers:
Hello Goodbye, good for number 11, with Get Back two spaces
behind it.
BBC PPL
|
4/13/2009
New Notes |
NYC Rock Hall Annex Opens Lennon
Exhibit
May marks the opening of a special exhibit created by Yoko Ono
that showcases a number of John Lennon artifacts she feels tell the
story of his love for the city he called home from 1971 until his death in
1980. A portion of admission proceeds for the special exhibit will be
donated to the Spirit Foundation, which was founded by the couple in
1978 to help fund programs and initiatives they supported.
The Rock Hall Of Fame Annex opened its doors in November of 2008.
[story]
PR Newswire
MORE JOH LENNON INSIGHTS
|
4/13/2009
New Notes |
Spector Jury Returns Guilty Verdict
'Wall
of Sound' producer Phil Spector appears likely to spend time behind
walls after being found guilty (4/13)
by a Los Angeles jury on charges of murder. The jury reached its
unanimous decision to convict the famous 60's producer of second degree
murder after more than a week of deliberations. His first trial ended
with the jury deadlocked. The 69 year old producer faces a sentence of up to
15 years for the shooting death of a 40 year old woman on his property early
in 2003. The defense, which decided not to have Spector testify
in his trial, had contended that the woman was distraught and had taken her
own life. Weapons could add three years to the sentence. The
judge denied bail, ordering Spector be taken into custody immediately
following the verdict. [earlier
story]
LA Times
|
4/14/2009
New Notes |
Eddie Van Halen Sneakers
The latest signature rock treads on the street are from
EVH®,
the company that sells licensed guitars, amps
and other items endorsed by the Van Halen guitarist. Several
color combos of the low and high cut sneaks are available, including a pair
inspired by his famous red, white and black Frankenstein guitar. EVH®
also produces exact replica axes for the guitar great
[story].
EVHgear.com
A division of Converse markets sneakers bearing artwork and logos
from
Pink Floyd, the
Grateful Dead and others.
(4-14-09)
Business Wire
MORE VAN HALEN INSIGHTS
|
4/14/2009
New Notes |
Aerosmith & ZZ Top Tour Demand Strong
As expected, demand for dates from
venue operators and fans alike was strong the instant news broke that these
two would tour together. [story]
They are responding with an itinerary that opens in St. Louis June 10, gets
to both coasts and covers plenty in between before wrapping up in Detroit in
mid September (dates).
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, who toured with ZZ
when he had the Joe Perry Project together, counts himself as a big
fan of the Texas trio and says having them on the tour "...will definitely
kick us into overdrive". Count on the fact this not to be missed tour
is sponsored by Guitar Hero to result in some form of interactive
action involving fans with the bands.
Mitch Schneider Organization
MORE
AEROSMITH INSIGHTS
MORE ZZ
TOP INSIGHTS
|
4/14/2009
New Notes |
Chickenfoot to Make Tracks
Chickenfoot, the new band featuring Joe
Satriani, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad
Smith [story],
takes to the road for a short tour May 14 in Seattle that continues through
a date in Philadelphia on the 29th. That series will be followed by a
European trek that includes headline concerts and several festival
appearances. The group's debut self-titled album is slated for a June 2
release. Get the US tour itinerary and a video greeting from the guys
here.
Chickenfoot.us
|
4/14/2009
New Notes |
George Harrison Honored in LA
A fellow Beatle and two Travelling
Wilburys attended the unveiling today (4/14)
of the Hollywood Walk of Fame star honoring
George Harrison. Paul McCartney joined Wilburys Tom Petty
and Jeff Lynne in honoring their former band mate. Harrison's widow,
Olivia, son Dhani, actor Tom Hanks, Joe Walsh,
Eric Idle and T Bone Burnett were also on hand for the
unveiling of the star, which is imbedded in the sidewalk outside the
Capitol Records building on Vine Street, not far from the stars awarded
to the Beatles and John Lennon. [earlier
story]
Let It Roll, a compilation of post Beatles
Harrison material will be released June 16.
LA Times story
MORE
GEORGE HARRISON INSIGHTS
|
4/14/2009
New Notes |
Levon Helm Band Electrifies
The drummer and vocalist for
The Band returns with the follow-up to his critically acclaimed
Grammy winning album Dirt Farmer with Electric Dirt, his
new release due June 30. Recorded in The Barn, the comfortable
studio near Woodstock where Levon also hosts his Midnight Ramble
concert series, Electric Dirt
gives Helm and his outstanding band a chance to work through a range of
great tunes and styles. It starts with their take the Grateful Dead
song Tennessee Jed. His horn section, which gets a real workout
at every live show, worked with New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint
cooking up the arrangement on the Randy Newman song Kingfish.
If you like eclectic, electric and plenty tasty music - look forward to this
release.
MORE LEVON HELM INSIGHTS
|
4/15/2009
New Notes |
Dead Visit Obama in White House
Contrasts between the Bush
and Obama administrations and the men themselves come up in big and
small ways daily. Yesterday's
(4/14) small but interesting reminder
of that: the President welcomed surviving members of the Grateful Dead
to the White House, and his staff was hip enough to the band to have
a vase of Scarlet Begonias just outside the Oval Office!
The Dead, in town for a concert at the Verizon Center, took time
after their session with the President to visit with high ranking Deadhead
staffers. Now, if Obama can inspire the same cooperation
between Republicans and Democrats that his candidacy appeared to help
reestablish between the formerly feuding Bob Weir and Phil Lesh...
Washington Post
MORE GRATEFUL DEAD INSIGHTS |
4/15/2009
New Notes |
New Dylan a Robert Hunter Collaboration
Bob Dylan pretty much
stopped playing guitar in concert a few years ago. His new album,
Together Through Life, might indicate he plans to spend less time with a
pen in hand too. Reputable sources reported that the lyric credits for
almost every song on the new release list both Dylan and Robert
Hunter, known best for collaborating with Jerry Garcia on
many of the Grateful Dead's finest songs. Those rumors were
confirmed by Rolling Stone Magazine. The two previously worked
together on Down in the Groove, the 1988 Dylan album that
included the song Silvio.
Dylanisis.com
Rollingstone.com 4-15-09
MORE
BOB DYLAN INSIGHTS |
4/15/2009
New Notes |
Santana Opens The Joint
A week after urging the
legalization of marijuana as a means of increasing tax revenue for the
government, Carlos Santana opened The Joint, the state of the
art Hard Rock®
concert venue in Vegas that should help boost his taxable income
contribution to the IRS over the next couple of years. The guitarist
recently inked a deal that reportedly makes The Joint the only place
he will perform in concert west of the Mississippi until 2011.
[story]
60 million dollars worth of
renovations and upgrades went into the the facility, including the
installation of enormous cutting edge digital display panels and a custom
sound system designed to deliver incredible audio to every one of its 3,000
seats. Paul McCartney performs the re-opening concert April 19.
[story]
The first night of this year's
series of Santana concerts comes May 27. Get a good look at
The Joint
here. 4/14/09
VegasDeluxe.com
MORE
SANTANA INSIGHTS |
4/16/2009
New Notes |
McCartney Calling
AT&T
has inked a deal that will deliver portions
of the Coachella Valley Festival in California to computer screens
and to handsets of the company's wireless customers this weekend
(4/17-19).
The internet and wireless web cast will include 45 minutes of the headline
appearance by Paul McCartney Friday night. Cell customers using
copatible devices will need to have
MobiTV or
MobiV, available
here or by texting "TV" to 386
(standard text and data message charges apply).
Online viewers with the right
software can tap into the action at the
AT&T Music site.
PR Newswire
MORE PAUL McCARTNEY INSIGHTS |
4/16/2009
New Notes |
Deep Purple Joined By Original Member
A founding member of Deep
Purple rejoined the band last night
(4/15)
during a concert in Tokyo. Jon Lord, the original keyboard
player, was welcomed to the International Forum stage before the band
cranked up Perfect Strangers. Another guest, guitar great Yngwie
Malmsteen, then joined the group for Smoke On The Water.
Lord, who parted company with the band in 2002, last played with DP
during a London concert last September.
thehighwaystar.com
4-15-09
MORE DEEP PURPLE INSIGHTS
|
4/16/2009
New Notes |
Woodstock Anniversary Event In SF
The first proclaimed Woodstock 40th anniversary announcement has
come for an event will take place 3,000 miles and a couple of months later
than the original event - oh, and it apparently has no confirmed
bands. A press release (4/15)
promises "Hundreds of San Francisco stars and musical luminaries" and "many
of the acts who originally performed at Woodstock"" for the October 25
Golden Gate Park concert, but offers no detail except a plan to have
3,000 guitarists play Purple Haze at the same time.
This event is being staged by Artie Kornfeld, one of the original
figures behind the 1969 event. Another, Michael Lang, appears
to have the inside track on getting artists that played the original
festival together for an east coast reunion [story],
but has had difficulty getting enough sponsorship support to make it a free
event. Business Wire-416-09
|
4/17/2009
New Notes |
Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal Join Forces
Longtime musical friends Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal have
cooked up a summer tour together. The two have also created the
BonTaj Collective Action Fund, which will receive a dollar for every
ticket sold for the August 6 - September 25 tour. Fan votes online at
BonTaj.com will determine how the proceeds will get distributed among
organizations promoting human rights, environmental and sustainable energy
initiatives and blues music education programs.
The Bon Taj Roulet Tour opens August 9 in Wallingford, Connecticut.
bonnieraitt.com
|
4/17/2009
New Notes |
Poco Gathers Original Members
A seminal country-rock group
reunites at the Stagecoach Festival in California April 26 when
Rusty Young and Paul Cotton welcome back
Poco founding members Richie Furay, Jim Messina and Timothy
Schmit. Drummer George Grantham is unable to perform after
suffering a stroke, but plans to be on hand for the reunion. Furay
and Messina kept the Buffalo Springfield together for one
album after Stephen Stills and Neil Young split. Name
and personnel changes followed, with Rusty Young, George Grantham
and Randy Meisner coming aboard as the name went first to
Pogo, and then Poco. Meisner lasted only months.
His replacement, Timothy Schmit, stayed with Poco through most
of the 70's, a run that ended when he was offered the spot Meisner
had vacated in the Eagles.
|
4/17/2009
New Notes |
Young Mellencamp Captures Boxing
Title
Hud Mellencamp, the teenage old son of John Mellencamp, won the
title match in the Indiana Golden Gloves boxing championship final (4-16). The
young boxer's father was there to wrap his arms around the state champ in
the 132 pound age 15-16 class after Hud out-slugged his opponent to a
4-1 decision in front of 1,300 fans. The Indiana boxers will advance
to represent the state in the national Golden Gloves event next month
in Salt Lake City.
Indystar.com
MORE JOHN MELLENCAMP INSIGHTS
|
4/18/2009
New Notes |
McCartney Deliver Strong Set At Coachella
Doubts that Paul McCartney
belonged at a festival featuring a number of artists young enough to be his
grandchildren were dispelled Friday night
(4/17)
when the former Beatle put on a command performance at Coachella.
The nearly two and a half hour set included Back in The USSR,
Blackbird, Hey Jude, Get Back, Let It Be,
Yesterday and several other Beatle songs, along with a healthy sampling
of Wings and solo album material. Just a couple of days after
attending the ceremony unveiling a star for George Harrison on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, McCartney dedicated the Harrison
song Something to George's wife, Olivia Harrison, by
opening the song playing a ukulele that had belonged to his former band
mate. His appearance came on the anniversary of the date Linda
McCartney died of breast cancer in 1998.
LA Times
MORE PAUL McCARTNEY INSIGHTS
|
4/18/2009
New Notes |
Republican Candidate Sued Over Song Use
California Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is being sued
Don Henley of the Eagles and Heartbreaker guitarist
Mite Campbell over his use of Boys Of Summer in an online video
that target's President Obama. Lyrics attacking the
administration were substituted for the words over what sounds like the the
original music of the first song on the Henley 1984 solo album Building
The Perfect Beast. Heart, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne and
others were irate over Republican candidates using their songs during
campaigns. Browne still has a suit pending against the McCain
presidential campaign's use of
Running On Empty.
[story]
Contra Costa Times |
4/19/2009
New Notes |
Another Yes Tour Without Anderson
Yes has announced a tour with Asia this summer.
Yessongs.com indicates the group again plans to use former Yes
cover band vocalist Benoit David in place of Jon Anderson. The
regular lead vocalist expressed disappointment and some resentment about
that decision last fall. Other group members said Anderson's
asthma made the move necessary, a claim he disputed.
[story]
Anderson appears well enough now. His European solo tour opens in
Warsaw, Poland June 30, the date his apparently former band does the 3rd
show on its tour in Snoqualmie, Washington. Steve Howe will
perform with both Yes and Asia during their 24 stop tour
together.
Yesworld.com
jonanderson.com-20-09
MORE YES
INSIGHTS
|
4/19/2009
New Notes |
Pink Floyd Claims Label Short-Changed Band
Members of Pink Floyd reportedly have taken action
against EMI Records, claiming the group has been under compensated by
the label on royalties it is owed. The catalogue of the band, which
has been associated with the label since 1967, generates a hefty chunk of
revenue yearly for Terra Firma, the company that acquired the label
in 2007. The amount the band claims it is owed was not announced.
4-19-09
Guardian.uk.co
MORE PINK FLOYD INSIGHTS
|
4/20/2009
New Notes |
Chance To Jam With Pearl
Jam Guitarist
Flight To Mars, the side
band of Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, has a benefit
concert in Seattle May 2 to raise money to support CCFA, the
Chron's & Colitis Foundation of America. The night will include a
set from former Guns N' Roses member Duff McKagan's new band
Loaded. McCready will also reunite his first band, Shadow
'86, for a set of Jimi Hendirx songs, and welcome a special
unknown artitst - the high bidder in an online auction being conducted by
charitybuzz.com to help raise money for the cause. McCready
will also do the National Anthem before the May 19 Mariners game
against the Angels. The Seattle baseball team will donate $7
dollars of each ticket sold from a pool of tickets to the CCFA.
Pearljam.com
MORE
PEARL JAM INSIGHTS
|
4/20/2009
New Notes |
Curtain Up In May On Quadrophenia
The stage adaptation of the 1973 Who classic Quadrophenia
will have its premier in Plymouth, England May 9. The production,
based on songs from the double album that chronicled the individual and
societal turmoil in 1960's England, will travel throughout the UK this
summer. Pete Townshend worked closely with the production and
is credited with the score. View the video trailer for the musical
here. 4-20-09
Quadrophenia.co.uk
MORE WHO
INSIGHTS |
4/20/2009
New Notes |
Beatles Rock Band Extras
The evolution of console music gaming will fast forward with the release of
The Beatles Rock Band®
in early September. [story]
A premium bundle edition of the multi-platform
game will include custom elements designed to replicate instruments and
equipment the band was using at the time the included songs were recorded
and performed. Features reportedly include a bass guitar based on the
HÖfner
model Paul McCartney made famous, drums that duplicate the Ludwig
array Ringo used, and microphones and amps also designed using specs
from original equipment used by the Beatles.
4-20-09
Thehdroom.com
MORE
BEATLES INSIGHTS |
4/21/2009
New Notes |
Plant Plans Womad Appearance
Robert Plant has been spending time in
Peter Gabriel's studio getting ready to perform the closing set during
the last night of the Womad Festival. A crowd 50,000 is
expected Saturday night (4/24)
for the concert on a public beach in Abu Dhabi. Plant will
front a group that includes guitarist Justin Adams who has played in
Robert's band Strange Sensation and Juldeh Camara, a West
African musician whose specialty is the riti, a single sting violin like instrument.
Robertplant.com
MORE ROBERT PLANT INSIGHTS
|
4/21/2009
New Notes |
Bowie Son's Own Space Oddity
His father, born David Jones, adopted
the last name Bowie to avoid being confused with Davy Jones of
the Monkees. When his son traded in his first name, Zowie,
for obvious reasons, he also reverted to his father's original last name .
Now in his late 30's, Duncan Jones seems to have survived going
through adolescence as Zowie Bowie quite well. The first
commercial film directed by the London Film School graduate
created a stir at Sundance and is one of the more anticipated movies
at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this week. The Sci-fi
thriller Moon features Sam Rockwell in the lead role and
Kevin Spacey as the voice of the base computer.
Tribecafilm.com
4-21-09
|
4/21/2009
New Notes |
Michigan Lawsuit Targets Bob Seger
Bob Seger would rather ride
a motorcycle than drive a car on a warm summer day. That may be why a
2004 Lexus alleged to be owned by Seger may have been driven
by his friend and bass player instead of Bob when it allegedly struck
a Harley Davidson, injuring its rider last August. A lawsuit
naming both Seger and the driver, Christopher Campbell, has
been filed by the Harley rider and his wife. A Detroit News
story on the lawsuit says the couple's lawyer claims his client
sustained injuries that are "substantial and ongoing". The suit seeks
in excess of $25,000.
Detnews.com
MORE BOB SEGER
INSIGHTS
|
4/21/2009
New Notes |
Marshall Crenshaw - Jaggedland
The Logistics behind his new album
were complex - assembling producers and musicians on both coasts, but once
the 12 songs were matched up with the right producer Crenshaw says
the recording was exhilaratingly simple. "We banged it out in three days".
He rates the songs as "off the dial - the best ones I've done".
Crenshaw credits a cast that included Jim Keltner, widely
recognized as the best freelance stick man of his time, a session DH for the
Rolling Stones, Beatles, Dylan and Eric Clapton.
Engineer - producer Jerry Boys learned the ropes as an assistant
engineer at Abbey Road and Olympic Studios during Beatles,
Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones and Manfred Mann sessions, and went
on to shape the work of dozens of artists, including REM.
Jaggedland drops June 2.
429Records.com
|
4/22/2009
New Notes |
Royal Albert Hall Encourages Graffiti
One of Europe's most celebrated
and historic concert venues is inviting graffiti artists to chronicle its
138 years of performances across several thousand square feet of wall space.
Given the storied history of Royal Albert Hall, artists have plenty
to draw on, including legendary concerts by Bob Dylan, The Beatles &
Rolling Stones together, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Eric Clapton, Pink
Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix. Just this week, Van Morrison
returned to the RAH to perform Astral Weeks. A
collective known as the Daydream Network will coordinate the project.
The exhibit will fill wall space on the equipment load in level, three
floors below the theater. It opens to the public June 22.
4-23-09
Thisislondon.co.uk
|
4/22/2009
New Notes
|
Rod Stewart Joins Jeff Beck During Set
Fans attending the Jeff Beck concert
last night (4/21)
at the El Ray Theater in Los Angeles
got the bonus of seeing the guitar great share the stage with Rod Stewart,
something the two had not done in more than 20 years. It happened as
Beck began playing People Get Ready, the great Curtis Mayfield
song the two recorded together that appeared on the 1985 Jeff Beck
album Flash. They then tore into I Ain't Superstitious,
the roaring send up of the Willie Dixon classic that was the closing
track on Truth, the 1968 release from the Jeff Beck Group. Get
the blow by blow recap on the great night from Randy Lewis of the
LA Times
here.
Fans eager to see Rod rock again can hope the crowd response gets
Stewart to consider doing more with Beck or revisit the idea of
reuniting the Faces, a possibility that has been kicked around a good
bit in recent months.
LA Times
MORE JEFF BECK INSIGHTS
MORE ROD STEWART INSIGHTS
|
4/23/2009
New Notes |
Nick Mason Puts Classic Ferrari Through
Paces
The former Pink Floyd
drummer's passion for great autos is well known. Yesterday
(4/23)
Nick Mason flew in on his own helicopter to give one of his favorites
some track time. The Ferrari 512, raced by Mario Andretti
in 1970, ran high speed laps around the Caldwell Park circuit against
a Porsche 917. The Mason car, which is valued in the
neighborhood of 2 million dollars, also appeared in the 1971 movie Le
Mans, starring Steve McQeen.
[earlier
story]
Horncastle News(4/23/09)
MORE PINK FLOYD INSIGHTS |
4/23/2009
New Notes |
Piano Man Baby Grand Gets Auctioned
A baby grand piano should
raise several grand more than its $60,000 value to fund music lessons for
students in Harlem thanks to its origin. Billy Joel donated the
Steinway piano being auctioned by
Charitybuzz.com to raise money for the noteworthy cause. Joel sits
on the board of Ten O'Clock Classics, a non profit offering free
music lessons and the use of instruments to children. The autographed
piano is open for bids until May 6.
4-23-09
New York Daily News
MORE BILLY JOEL INSIGHTS
|
4/23/2009
New Notes |
Astral Weeks Live DVD Release
Waves of critical acclaim in the
aftermath of the Astral Weeks concerts at the Hollywood Bowl
last fall [story]
resulted in Van Morrison scheduling encore performances in New York
[story],
London [story],
and return engagements in California.
[story]
The CD capturing the historic first concerts was released in February to
strong reviews (ours).
The DVD that documents the
Hollywood Bowl concerts comes out May 19. Bonus footage includes behind
the scenes shots of preparations for the historic event, candid interviews
with Morrison, and a live version of Gloria.
4-23-09
PRNewswire
MORE VAN MORRISON INSIGHTS |
4/24/2009
New Notes |
Jeff Lynne Solo Album In The Works
Move, Electic Light Orchestra
and Traveling Wilburys veteran Jeff Lynne has been working
on a solo record. Demand for his production skills has kept Lynne
as busy as he wants to be since 1990, the year he put out his last solo
project, Armchair Theatre.
Lynne told Reuters that he is keeping a casual pace with the
project, and does not expect it will be ready for release until late in the
year. He also revealed that he plans to write and record with Eagles
guitarist Joe Walsh.
Lynne recently joined Paul McCartney and Tome Petty at the unveiling of a
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring his friend and Traveling
Wilburys partner George Harrison.
[story]
4-24-09
Reuters UK
|
4/24/2009
New Notes |
Aerosmith Settles Suit Over Hawaii No-Show
A class action lawsuit brought
against Aersomith over a 2007 concert date the band failed to keep in
Maui, Hawaii has reportedly been resolved with a commitment to do a make-up
date this fall.
The suit claimed that the band bailed on the Maui concert to slot in a
previously postponed show in Chicago and a concert on Oahu that would
generate more money for the band. The settlement is said to include
free tickets to this fall's date for more than 8,000 ticket holders for the
original show - and reimbursements of some travel expenses ticket holders
from out of the area incurred.
Mauinews.com
4-25-09
MORE
AEROSMITH INSIGHTS |
4/24/2009
New Notes |
Dylan, Mellencamp, Nelson In Lineup For
Ballpark Tour
Minor league baseball stadiums
will again showcase major league musical talent this summer. Bob
Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson will barnstorm ballparks
for six weeks, starting July 2 in Sauget, Illinois at GCS Ballpark,
home to the Gateway Grizzlies of the
Frontier League. Dylan last toured baseball stadiums in
2004, a tour that included Willie Nelson on the bill at a number of
stops. This tour will again offer a fan-friendly feature that Major
League Baseball would do well to consider: kids 14 and under are
admitted free with each adult admission. Get tour dates
here.
PRNewswire
MORE
BOB DYLAN INSIGHTS
MORE JOHN MELLENCAMP INSIGHTS
|
4/25/2009
New Notes |
Springsteen Pulls Out Covers
Two trends of the current E Street Band appear to be
meeting with audience approval: a decreasing number of songs from the new
album, Working On A Dream, and an up-tick in cover songs. Early
dates featured as many as a half dozen Dream songs. The
comparative crowd response to them has caused the number to drop to just a
couple most nights. Cover songs remain few and far between, but
Bruce is tossing in some real surprises this time around, like the
churnin' burnin' ZZ Top song I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide and I Want
To Be Sedated by the Ramones during the Boston concert.
Bruce broke into
Wild Thing, the 1966 hit from the Troggs, Last night
(4/24) in Hartford - a show that
included 5 songs in encores.
NJ.com
MORE BRUCE
SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS |
4/25/2009
New Notes |
Aerosmith's Hamilton Cross Dresses For Good Cause
SOoo
many musicians take themselves too seriously. Aerosmith bass
player Tom Hamilton is willing to go to great lengths to make sure he
is not one of them. This week he does it in a full-length pink satin
dress during Banned In Boston, an annual fund raiser for Urban
Improv, a program that uses improvisational theater to inspire inner
city kids to seek alternatives to gangs and violence. Hamilton won't
play a drag queen, he will play THE Queen - the Queen of England, in
a skit based on her recent meeting with the Obamas. It goes
down Wednesday (4/29) at the
House Of Blues - and we trust will make it to YouTube.
In case it doesn't, get a look at Tom royally decked out on the
Aerosmith web site, Aeroforceone.com
Aeroforceone.com Boston Globe
MORE
AEROSMITH INSIGHTS
|
4/25/2009
New Notes |
Little Feat Drops Murphy
Little Feat seems to have tiptoed around
the exit of singer Shaun Murphy. Her 15 year run with the band
apparently came to an end a few months back. While a number references to
her departure are posted by fans on the Little Feat web site message
board, there is no evidence that any mention of it ever appeared in the
site's News
section. A post from Murphy dated February 27 with the header
"Goodbye" leads off with the vocalist writing "If you haven't heard by now,
you will in the near future, I'm sure, the band has decided to kick me
out." A post the following day signed by the remaining group members said
simply "After much reflection and discussion, we have chosen to part company
with our longtime friend and fellow musician Shaun Murphy. We
consider it a great honor to have shared the stage with Shaun and we
hope you will join us in wishing her the best in the future."
Murphy began her recording career in a duo with
Meatloaf under the moniker Stoney & Meatloaf. She went on to
provide backing vocals on tour and in recording sessions with Bob Seger,
Eric Clapton, the Moody Blues and others before joining Little
Feat in 1993.
Littlefeat.com
|
4/26/2009
New Notes |
Life as a Rhythm King
Bill Wyman walked away from one of the
most lucrative gigs for a bass player on the planet 1993. Apparently, Bob
Dylan regrets Wyman's decision to leave the Rolling Stones
more than Bill, who has never second guessed his move, at
least publicly. Dylan recently, only partly joking we suspect, called
the Stones just a funk band, saying they will "...not be the
Rolling Stones until they get Bill back".
[story]
Wyman
said he hardly picked up his bass during the
first couple of years after leaving the Stones. During that time he
got married and started his chain of Sticky Fingers restaurants.
The itch to play returned in '95. Wyman started getting together to jam with
friends, including Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Gary Brooker and
Andy Fairweather Low. Low & Brooker had both played in his 80's
side band Willie & The Poor Boys. The process reaffirmed to
Wyman that he was happiest playing the kind of roots rock & blues that
the Stones started out with. He formed the Rhythm Kings
in 1997. Five studio albums later, Wyman reports "I love being a
Rhythm King". He and the band will do some dates in Belgium & the
Netherlands in the fall, followed by a couple of months of UK dates.
Billwyman.com
|
4/26/2009
New Notes |
Cheap Trick Guitarist Committed To
Hometown
Gotta love stars that stay connected with the place they grew
up. The guys in Cheap Trick have been ambassadors for
Rockford, Illinois throughout their careers. Rick Nielsen hopes
to bring some big bucks and tourists to his hometown too. He and a business
partner plan to invest a quarter of a million dollars to develop an
entertainment complex in the city of 168,000. In addition having to a
hotel, restaurant and a conference center, the guitarist hopes the complex
will have space to display his array of guitars and other memorabilia.
Nielsen tells the Wall Street Journal, "I have a guitar in
every Hard Rock Cafe in the world, but I have nothing here".
Wall Street Journal
MORE
CHEAP TRICK INSIGHTS |
4/27/2009
New Notes |
Rare Reason To Get Up Early In Key West
People in Key West who start their
day by watching the sun set may drag themselves out of the hammock early
enough to see it on the other horizon May 5th. That morning the
Today Show
(NBC)
will originate from Parrothead
central. The highlight of the telecast comes in the second half of the
8am hour when Jimmy Buffett drops in on Matt Lauer and
the rest of the cast to play some tunes. The action will center around
the posh Westin Resort & Marina, Mallory Square and Sunset
Key.
Keysnet.com
MORE JIMMY BUFFETT INSIGHTS
|
4/27/2009
New Notes |
Theaters To Serve Up Electric Kool Aid
Director Gus Van Sant is at
work on a movie adaptation of Tom Wolfe's 1968 account of a
mind melding journey across the country of Further, a 1939 school bus
bus loaded with Ken Keysey and his Merry Pranksters, who, in
turn, were loaded with psychedelics. The driver for much of the escapade was
Neal Cassady, the manic beat figure Jack Kerouac based the
character Dean Moriarty on in his novel On The Road.
Wolfe's book also chronicled some events that followed the
1964 trip, including Acid Tests, gonzo gatherings Kesey
orchestrated in California, one of which culminated with a Grateful Dead
performance. It's unclear whether the film, which is expected to be
released this year, will include post trip scenes.
Variety
|
4/27/2009
New Notes |
Tom Hanks Draws Springsteen to
Lincoln Center
A couple of weeks ago Tom Hanks joined Tom Petty and
Paul McCartney at the ceremony honoring George Harrison with a
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [photo]
[story].
Tonite (4/27) on the other coast
at least one prominent rocker will be on hand as Hanks receives the
Chaplin Award from the Film Society in recognition of his work
on the silver screen. Bruce Springsteen will help present the
award to Hanks during a ceremony in Alice Tully Hall in New
York City. Actress Julia Roberts and directors Ron Howard
and Mike Nichols join The Boss as presenters.
Sunday (5/3) Springsteen
is scheduled to join dozens of other musicians in a 90th birthday tribute to
folk legend Pete Seeger in Madison Square Garden.
[story]
Patti Scialfa, who was pitched from
a horse
(4/18), suffered bruised ribs and is
taking a break from the E Street Band's US tour.
Variety
MORE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS
|
4/28/2009
New Notes |
Calling Santana Fans
iPhone®
and Touch®
owners can get guitar pointers
from Carlos Santana on their devices. Video lessons
included in a free Santana app feature the master demonstrating the
way he plays Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va. Even
keeping the 'your results may vary' reality in mind, the opportunity
is cool. So is seeing his fret work up close enough to confirm that he
really does it with the standard number of fingers. The Santana app
also includes video clips, a discography and real-time tour updates.
Carlos admitted to iProng Magazine that was never a computer
user, saying he went "...from smoke signals ...straight to the iPhone".
It has made him a big fan of how "... the human imagination has gone into
making things accessibe", saying "...I'm eager to ride that."
PR Newswire
MORE
SANTANA INSIGHTS
|
4/28/2009
New Notes |
J Geils Band Rocks Hometown Packed
House Again
Red Sox fans, riding high on a 10 game win streak all the sweeter
because it got to double digits with a sweep of the Yankees, kept the
party going in the shadow of Fenway's fabled Green Monster
last night (4/27). The
scene - the House of Blues on Lansdowne Street, where Peter Wolf
and the J Geils Band tore into a 2+ hour set for a wall-to-wall
throng ready to party. This was the third night in the last few months
the band has reunited, and the second time they rocked the HOB
[story].
Drummer Marty Richards pinch-hit for Stephen Bladd during a
that opened with First I Look At The Purse, the fuel-injected version
of the Smokey Robinson song from the band's debut album. The
intensity carried through from there, with smokin' versions of Detroit
Breakdown, Hard Drivin' Man, Sanctuary and other core-Geils fan
faves.
Boston Herald
MORE J GEILS BAND INSIGHTS
|
4/28/2009
New Notes |
Clemons & Tyler Book Buddies
E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons and Aerosmith
front man Steven Tyler will share a stage in New York City
without their bands May 29 when the two appear at the opening night of
BookExpo America's Author Stage program. The two will do a
Q&A anchored by author Chuck Klosterman. Springsteen and
his band have been the subjects of hundreds of books, but
Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales, the Clemons book, is
the first written by a standing band member about his live before and after
"...the Big Man Joined the band".
Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?, gives Aerosmith fans a
look at life inside one of Rock's most raucous groups. Tyler
describes it as "...not just my take, this is the unbridled truth, the
in-your-face, up close and prodigious tale of Steven Tyler straight
from the horse's lips".
Chuck Klosterman has authored several best sellers and is a
contributing writer for Esquire, Spin, the New York Times
magazine and the Washington Post.
Businesswire
MORE CLARENCE CLEMONS INSIGHTS
MORE
STEVEN TYLER INSIGHTS
|
4/29/2009
New Notes |
Dream Comes True For Springsteen Fan
The generosity of Bruce
Springsteen takes many forms. Throughout his career he has made
sure that causes he believes in have opportunities to benefit from his
celebrity. And he doesn't just leave it to fans to pony up donations -
he puts plenty of his own money into supporting those causes. Beyond
dollars, Bruce helps in other ways. Before his LA concert
(4/16)
he took time to meet with
Karen Marquadt, a 51 year-old fan who recently learned
that ovarian cancer left her just weeks to live. Bruce and the
Dream Foundation also made sure Karen and three of her friends
were in the front row when he dedicated Badlands to her. Her
reaction: "To get the most devastating news of your whole life and then get
the best news of your life was crazy".
Businesswire
MORE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS |
4/29/2009
New Notes |
Bonnie Raitt Attends Tribute to Blues
Great
Songs from blues legends are a
staple of every Bonnie Raitt concert. Class act she is,
Bonnie always makes a point of crediting the writer before or after each
one she does - and does the songs she plays justice. On May 7
Raitt will be on hand to honor one of her favorites, Mississippi
Fred McDowell, when a marker in his honor is unveiled in Como,
Mississippi as the latest addition to the
Mississippi Blues Trail. This won't be the first time Bonnie
has been there for the blues legend who wrote Kokomo, Write Me A Few of
Your Lines and created the slide style she adopted. Raitt
paid for the head stone for McDowell's grave site after his death in
1972.
Bonnie Raitt
performs at the Beale Street Music Festival in
Memphis on Sunday (5/3), and is
preparing for a tour with Taj Mahal later in the summer.
[story]
Clarionledger.com
MORE BONNIE RAITT INSIGHTS
|
4/29/2009
New Notes |
Nevada Town Blasts Bugs With AC/DC & Zeppelin
Tuscarora, Nevada officials are fighting the town's annual infestation
of crickets with high decibel Rock. Hundreds of thousands of the
wingless insects descend on the area every spring, arriving in columns up to
five miles long. The ravenous insects don't just bug the residents of
the tiny former mining town, they devastate crops and gardens throughout the
area.
This year, residents decided replace pesticides and flame throwers with high
volume Rock. The tactic seemed to effective three years ago -
maybe because this strain of the insect is known as the Mormon Cricket.
Our advice: avoid playing Buddy Holly at all costs!
Wall Street Journal
|
4/29/2009
New Notes |
Gibbons Can't Resist Sharp Dressed
Car
Billy Gibbons
loves one car so much he will go all the way
Down Under for the 75th anniversary event for it. The car that makes
the heart rate of the ZZ Top guitarist race - the 1934 Ford
coupe. It was a favorite of custom car enthusiasts even before the
little old band from Texas supercharged its popularity by putting a custom
'33 model on the cover of
Eliminator, the 1983 blockbuster that put the Top over the
top.
Gibbons will be the special guest of Marineland Street Rods
this weekend
(5/2-3)
in Napier, New Zealand.
Marinelandstreetrods.org.nz
MORE ZZ
TOP INSIGHTS
|
4/29/2009
New Notes |
Doors Guitarist Prepares instrumental
Robbie Krieger is putting
the finishing touches on an instrumental project he describes as "...jazz
rock with lots of guitars." The Doors guitarist and songwriter
enlisted Vinnie Colaiuta, who drums for Herbie Hancock, and
outstanding Little Feat stick man Richie Hayward to provide
percussion during the sessions. Material from the release, expected
out this summer, can be previewed on his
web site.
In an interview done in conjunction with the release of a limited edition
Gibson SG signature guitar modeled the prized instrument he played most
often in The Doors, Krieger said Jim Morrison was "...a
genius for sure, but he was also crazy." "...straight he was probably
the nicest guy in the whole world", but drunk he could become "...the worst
guy you ever met."
Gibson.com
MORE
DOORS INSIGHTS
|
|
MAY 2009
ROCKinsights™ |
5/1/2009
New Notes |
Queen + Paul Rodgers Live CD + DVD
In September of last year Queen & Paul Rodgers
performed for hundreds of thousands gathered in Kharkov, the Freedom Square
in the Ukraine. The group had agreed to appear to help the Ukraine
AntiAids Foundation get its message out. That night's massive
concert was televised to an estimated 20 million viewers. June 15 it
becomes available to all in both CD and DVD form. Nearly 30 songs
strong, the set includes a lot of great Queen and Bad Company
songs, including We Will Rock You-We Are The Champions, Bohemian
Rhapsody, Tie Your Mother Down, Fat Bottomed Girls, Shooting Star, Bad
Company, Feel Like Making Love and Seagull.
Queenonline.com
MORE
QUEEN INSIGHTS
MORE BAD COMPANY INSIGHTS |
5/1/2009
New Notes |
Eddie Money Musical
Like the rookie that rips the
first pitch he sees in his first at bat in the big leagues for a home run,
the opening song on his debut release gave Eddie Money a great start
on his new career path. Two Tickets To Paradise was one of the
top rock songs of 1977, and earned Money a lot of it. The story of how
Edward Mahoney ended up a rock star instead of walking a beat as a
New York City cop will be told in an upcoming musical, according to Money.
And it comes at a time when he could use another big hit.
Money tells
Cincinnati.com he is "...fighting with my wife right now. She is
living in a 3 million dollar house and I'm in a Motel 6". At one point,
Money was as down on his luck as Mickey Rourke. Drugs and drinking
nearly killed him in 1981. Like Mickey, Money battled back.
Anyone who has met him will be pulling for the Money Man to get
another big hit.
Cincinnati Enquirer
MORE EDDIE MONEY INSIGHTS |
5/1/2009
New Notes |
Clapton Closing in on Concert 150 at Royal
Albert
A May 19 appearance at London's
Royal Albert Hall will mark the 150th time Eric Clapton has
performed on its stage, a run that began at the end of 1964 when EC
played it as a member of the Yardbirds. The guitarist started
doing multiple show runs at RAH with a series of six concerts in 1987.
His longest residency at the venue came in '91 when he reeled of 24 shows.
This year's run includes 11 concerts, starting May 16 and ending on the
final night of the month. Clapton is one of the musicians
included in a recently commissioned series of of ten foot tall graffiti
style portraits on walls of the equipment load-in level of the Albert.
[story]
Whereseric.com
5-2-09
MORE ERIC CLAPTON INSIGHTS |
5/1/2009
New Notes |
Bob Seger Book In The Making
The road may go on forever for musicians, but the
toll touring takes on the guys doing hundreds of load-ins and set strikes a
year makes being a roadie a tough gig for anyone within shouting distance of
50. Ones that keep at it longer either love it too much to stop or
don't have other options. Bob Seger's manager, Punch Andrews,
told a roadie thinking about quitting college many years ago, "Don't be
stupid. Do you think I want a dope to run my band out on the road?"
Seger and Andrews let Thomas Weschler keep his band gig and
re-enroll in college. The combination let him collect great material
and the option to eventually put out a book. Written by Weschler
with Gary Graff, Travelin' Man: On The Road and behind the
Scenes with Bob Seger, includes more than 150 photos and a lot of great
stories, including, of course "...stuff about chicks, beer and all",
according to Weschler. The book, which also features a forward
written by John Mellencamp, is due in October.
Detroit News
Wayne State University Press 5-1-09
MORE BOB
SEGER INSIGHTS
|
5/2/2009
New Notes |
Hagar Proclaims Satriani Best Guitarist
Sammy Hagar seldom pulls
punches. He also knows when and which buttons to push to get
publicity. Comments attributed to the Red Rocker in a recent
interview in the Reno Gazette Journal are sure generate coverage for
Chickenfoot, a new band comprised of Hagar, fellow former
Van Halen member Michael Anthony on bass and drummer Chad
Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
[story]
In the session with RGJ writer Neal Baron Sammy rated Joe
Satriani not just a better guitarist than Eddie Van Halen but,
flat out, the best musician he's ever played with. Sammy put it
this way, "He (Eddie) broke a lot of ground.
But Joe is a master. He can play anything and everything... As a
guitar technician, Joe is the best guy I've ever stood in the same
room with on any instrument". Get the
whole story
here.
Reno Gazette Journal
MORE
VAN HALEN INSIGHTS
MORE CHICKENFOOT INSIGHTS |
5/2/2009
New Notes |
Dolphins & Landsharks
With a number of major
corporations unable or unwilling to put up the hundreds of millions of
dollars stadium and arena operators in major markets used to reel in for
naming rights, smaller fish are finding affordable deals available.
The Miami Herald reports that Land Shark Lager, the brew of
choice for Parrotheads, is circling in on a deal that will make the
home of the Miami Dolphins and temporary home of the Florida
Marlins baseball team Land Shark Stadium.
The Margaritaville Brewing Company launched the Jimmy Buffett beer
brand in 2005. Team officials have made nothing official yet - but a
football stadium named after a beer - how could that NOT happen.
5-2-09
MORE JIMMY BUFFETT INSIGHTS
|
5/3/2009
New Notes |
Alabama Symphony Gets The Led Out
Symphony orchestras throughout the
country are in a scramble to offset the loss of aging patrons by presenting
pops concerts that appeal to audiences raised on Rock. Programs based
on Beatles, Pink Floyd and Moody Blues music are
common. Sting was recently recruited to join the Chicago
Symphony in a special concert.
[story]
The Alabama Symphony
tackles Led Zeppelin material Saturday night
(5/9)
with the help of Randy Jackson, lead vocalist for Zebra, the
band that hit big with Who's Behind The Door in 1983. The 18 song
performance includes Black Dog, Heartbreaker, Immigrant Song and, of
course, Stairway To Heaven. The setting has a unique connection to
heavy metal too: the concert is being staged at former furnace factory in
Birmingham. al.com
The Birmingham News
5-4-09
MORE LED ZEPPELIN INSIGHTS
|
5/4/2009
New Notes |
Wood Marriage Headed To Court?
One of the more durable marriages
in Rock has been very publicly on the rocks for some time now.
This week it will probably take a big step toward
being officially over, according to a story in the Daily Mail.
The paper indicates Jo Wood will file papers to have the 23 year
marriage legally dissolved. Reports have the 61 year old Stone
keeping almost constant company with Ekaterina Ivanova, a
woman more than 40 years his junior he apparently met at a premier for
Shine A Light, the Martin Scorsese directed Rolling Stones
film.
Some suggest Wood wants a divorce so he can
marry Ivanova, even though his current wife could walk away with half
his net worth under British divorce laws.
Bill Wyman of the Stones created quite a stir in 1989 when, at
48, he married 19 year old Mandy Smith. That marriage ended in
1991.
5-4-09
MORE ROLLING STONES INSIGHTS
|
5/4/2009
New Notes
|
Sting's Daughter Injured In Fall
Coco Sumner, the daughter of Sting (born Gordon Sumner)
and his wife Trudie Styler, was reportedly hospitalized in Los
Angeles after a fall that resulted in a skull fracture. A Daily Mail
account of the incident says the 18 year old was catching dinner with a
friend in a restaurant when she started feeling ill. She collapsed
after standing up, striking her head on a chair while falling, according to
the account. The paper's web site reports Sting got to his daughters
ICU bedside immediately and that her mother caught a flight to LA as soon as
she received news of the fall, which happened the weekend of April 25-26.
The story quotes a family spokesman as saying that that Coco, who was
in LA working on an album on Island Records, is out of danger and
"recovering well".
5-4-09
MORE
STING INSIGHTS
|
5/4/2009
New Notes |
Wide Range of Musicians Honor Folk Legend
A venue rarely used for acoustic
concerts had one last night (5/3)
including musicians that seldom perform acoustically doing it for a man who
has played almost exclusively acoustic music his whole life.
The mainly acoustic roster of artists at the Madison
Square Garden concert for Pete Seeger on his 90th birthday
included Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Taj Mahal, Tom Chapin and Tom
Paxton. They were joined by John Mellencamp, Steve Earle, Dave
Matthews, Byrds leader Roger McGuinn, Allman Brothers Band
and Gov't Mule guitarist Warren Haynes, Tom Morello from
Rage Against The Machine and Bruce Springsteen, who Morello
joined on The Ghost of Tom Joad. Bruce had the most
words from the stage about Seeger, including telling the crowd
"Pete's
gonna come out. He's gonna look like your grand dad—if your grand dad could
kick your ass."
The event, which raised money for the soft-spoken folk icon's
environmental group Clearwater, was filmed for television and a
probable DVD.
5-4-09
Backstreets.com
|
5/4/2009
New Notes |
Woodstock Veterans Return to the
Garden
Joni Mitchell wrote Woodstock, the song made famous by Crosby
Stills Nash & Young about the original
festival, in a hotel in New York out of fear attending the massive event
would cause her to miss a national TV appearance the following Monday.
Several acts at the festival had a lot less riding on similar
considerations then and now. While other attempts
to put together anniversary events appear to be falling short
[stories]
, several performers at the 1969 concert will be
near the original site for a concert on the 40th anniversary weekend of the
original festival this August. The Bethel
Woods Center adjacent to the Max Yasgur farm field that hosted
the '69 Woodstock Muisc and Arts Fair will host Band veteran Levon Helm,
the Jefferson Starship, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Corky
Laing & Leslie West of Mountain, Canned Heat,
Country Joe McDonald, Ten Years After and one time Grateful Dead keyboard player
Tom Constanten. Tickets for the lawn, the place to be,
are priced very close to the original price at just $19.69 for the August 15
concert.
5-4-09
MORE
WOODSTOCK INSIGHTS
BETHEL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
|
5/4/2009
New Notes |
Rock Band Picks Up Styx, REO Tracks
Some of the biggest songs from two Mid West mainstays are in the latest
batch of Rock Band®
titles. Blue Collar Man, and Renegade from the
blockbuster 1978 Styx album Pieces Of Eight join the REO
Speedwagon songs Ridin' The Storm Out, Roll With The Changes
and the power ballad Take It On The Run in the release. Can't Stop
Rockin', a new song the two bands recorded together for a tour that
opens May 13 (dates)
is also available, along with single tracks by the Ramones (Teenage Lobotomy) and the
Clash (Complete Control). (5-4-09)
Styxworld.com
|
5/5/2009
New Notes |
Clapton & Joe Bonamassa Jam at Royal Albert
Joe Bonamassa got on the radar of great guitar players before he hit his
teens. At 12, the upstate New York guitar prodigy opened for BB
King. He has since shared the stage with a lot of great players.
The setting and the company he had last night (5/4)
add up to the equivalent of a baseball player having the bases loaded when
he hits a walk off home run. Bonamassa sold out Royal Albert
Hall and had Eric Clapton join him on stage for Further
On Up The Road. Bonamassa told Modernguitars.com the
experience was like "20 years of professional sweat and toil all culminating
into one moment." It was smokin'! Check it out
here.
Clapton opens an 11 concert run at RAH May 16 that will
include his 150th concert there since a December, 1964 appearance as
guitarist for the Yardbirds.
5-5-09
MORE ERIC CLAPTON INSIGHTS
|
5/5/2009
New Notes |
Elton John Musical Makes Off With 15
Nominations
Broadway's reliance on the latest
remakes of successful plays and musicals from decades ago leaves little room
for new productions. The glut of safe remakes also remove what
little drama there is in the Tony Awards. Retreads still beat out the
other plays this year, but the Elton John production of Billy
Elliot, The Musical stream rolled other song and dance contenders,
taking a record 15 nominations in the process.
5-5-09
Playbill.com
MORE ELTON JOHN INSIGHTS
|
5/5/2009
New Notes |
Bono Elvis Poem to BBC Airwaves
BBC Radio 4 apparently has
plans to air an off-the-wall poem the U2 front man wrote about
Elvis Presley in the 90's. The wacky ode to The King
contains enough references that might get Brits knickers in a bunch for the
BBC to issue a warning about its language before it airs, according
to the Daily Mail.
The Bono reading of Elvis: American David is slated for may
13. At 850 words, the piece runs close to 15 minutes and is expected
to be presented with Elvis music playing in the background.
5-5-09
dailymail.co.uk
MORE U2
INSIGHTS
|
5/5/2009
New Notes |
Dead Live Via Apple App
The open source approach has led
to a lot of very practical and completely frivolous apps for Apple devices.
Some veteran bands have been the quickest to pick up on the potential of
transportable programs to tighten the fan-band bond. Mobile
convergence just took a big step forward for Dead fans with an
iPhone or iPod Touch.
The Dead Tour 2009 application gives them the chance to experience
everything short of the contact high of being at a Dead concert.
It will feed streaming audio from all of the concerts, generate set lists
and provide access to mp3 downloads after the shows. Phil Lesh
says the Mosaic Legends app developers are "...bringing us the future
earlier than expected." The new app costs about $20 and is available through
the
Apple App Store.
Mosaic Legends previously released a Jerry Garcia app.
[
story]
Marketwire 5-5-09
MORE GRATEFUL DEAD INSIGHTS
|
5/6/2009
New Notes |
Chickenfoot Album Cover Trick
Chickenfoot, the new band
featuring Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad
Smith, has come up with a reason beyond the music to make you want to
get your hands on their debut album. The cover of the June 9 release
is heat sensitive. Special effects inks were used to create artwork
that transforms with the touch of the hand to reveal hidden images on the
front and the song list on the back cover. thermochromic ink will make
the album respond a bit differently every time it gets picked up. It is also
used to make the mountains turn blue on cans of 'Cold Activated' cans
of Coors beer when the beverage reaches gets cold enough. Get a
look at how it works on the album
here.
Businesswire
5-6-09
MORE
CHICKENFOOT INSIGHTS |
5/6/2009
New Notes |
Aerosmith Fans Can Get Their Wings
The line between fantasy and reality will disappear for a number of
Guitar Hero®
gamers thanks to Aerosmith this summer. The band
will select a winner through a local radio station and an online winner from
each city the band tours in. Each will be in the spotlight
doing an Aerosmith Guitar Hero®
song on stage, with the best getting the chance to hang with
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry before the real band hits the
stage. Virtual guitar chops are a must: contestants will have
to submit a video audition that will be judged and displayed on the group's
YouTube Channel. Details on how to enter are on
Aeroforceone.com, the band's official web site.
MORE AEROSMITH
INSIGHTS
|
5/6/2009
New Notes |
Jagger & Joss Stone Recording Together
An album to raise money for United
Nations programs is re-uniting Mick Jagger with UK pop-blues-soul
songstress Joss Stone. The two are reportedly in LA working on
the project, which Mirror.uk.co says also includes two of Bob
Marley's sons. The two previously worked together on the 2004
soundtrack to the movie Alfie.
Academy Award winning Slum Dog Millionaire writer AR Rahman is
also involved with the as-yet untitled album, which is expected to be
released on September 21, the UN International Day of Peace.
MORE ROLLING
STONES INSIGHTS |
5/6/2009
New Notes |
Lynyrd Skynyrd Bass Player Dies
Just months after losing keyboard
player Billy Powell [story],
another member of Lynyrd
Skynyrd has passed away. Bass player Ean Evans succumbed to
cancer today (5/6).
A former member of the Outlaws, Evans
hooked up with Skynyrd in the summer of 2001, replacing Leon
Wilkeson, who passed away on July 27 of this year of complications from
ailments some attributed to injuries suffered in the 1977 plane crash that
took the lives of lead singer Ronnie van Zant, and Steve and
Cassie Gaines. Evans also spent time in the group Evans
Capps with 38 Special member Bobby Capps, and played with
the band Noon before joining Skynyrd full time.
MORE LYNYRD SKYNYRD INSIGHTS
|
5/6/2009
New Notes |
Allman Brothers Beacon Theater Run Could
End
A possible long-term Cirque du
Soleil engagement in New York's Beacon Theater could mean
curtains for the annual multiple night Allman Brothers Band concerts
- at least in that venue. After taking last year off, the ABB was
back in residence this year for an incredible 15 show run with multiple
guests, including two nights with Eric Clapton
[story].
TicketNews.com says Cirque is expected to start a multi-month
run at the Beacon next February that has the potential to extend into
2011. Other venues are reportedly under consideration for the
Allmans, including the Nokia Theatre, Terminal 5 and the
Hammerstein Ballroom. A change in venues would leave the band just
shy of 200 shows at the Beacon.
5-6-09
MORE
ALLMAN BROTHERS INSIGHTS
|
5/7/2009
New Notes |
Former Led Zeppelin Coaster Stays Musical
Hard Rock Park in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina went bankrupt after just one season. The
economic misadventure for the restaurant, hotel, casino and restaurant
operators turned out to be just the ticket for FPI MB Entertainment,
which picked up the property, reportedly built at a cost of $400 million,
for a fraction of that. The fate of the park's signature ride is now
known. The roller coaster known as the Zeppelin is now the
Time Machine, and will keep a musical theme. The 64 speakers on
each coaster running on the nearly 4,000 foot track will rotate through one
of 5 different songs from the 1960's, 70s, 80's & 90's on each run.
Titles and artists won't be revealed until the Freestyle Music Park
opens May 23. (5-7-09)
Greenvilleonline.com
MORE LED
ZEPPELIN INSIGHTS
|
5/7/2009
New Notes |
Ted Nugent Locks and Loads
Running Wild...From Ted Nugent, an 8 episode competition show that
runs on CMT starting in August, gives adventurous outdoor enthusiasts
a chance to match wits with the master outdoorsman. Each will be given
wilderness survival training and then try to elude capture by him in an area
filled with endurance challenges designed by Nugent and his son, Rocco.
But a kind heart beats under the criss-crossing ammo belts of the hard
rocking, gun loving Ted Nugent. The Nuge works with the
Make-A-Wish foundation to give kids the chance to spend time on his
SpiritWild Ranch in Texas. A dozen wounded veterans will join him
there to shoot, fish and barbeque this week.
Mitch Schneider Organization
|
5/7/2009
New Notes |
Who Plan Acoustic Set For Benefit Appearance
Fans attending a concert to raise money to help
young people fight cancer will get the rare chance to see the Who
perform an acoustic set. The May 21 event takes place at the season
ending charity ball being staged by the Arsenal Football Club.
Proceeds from the soccer team's event at Emirates Stadium will go to
the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Thewho.com
MORE WHO INSIGHTS
|
5/7/2009
New Notes |
Dennis DeYoung Sticks With Theater
Styx keyboard player and
vocalist Dennis DeYoung is back at work on another musical theater
production. DeYoung is scoring tunes for 101 Dalmations: The
Musical, which opens in June, 2010. The production
is based on the 1957 British novel rather than the Disney movie. The former
Styx member's Hunchback of Notre Dame had a long, successful
run in Chicago. DeYoung has not bailed on being a musician.
His most recent album, 100 Years From Now, was released April 14 in
the US by Rounder Records.
Playbill dennisdeyoung.com
|
5/8/2009
New Notes |
Lenny Kravitz Plans to Break Out
Hendrix Guitar
Guitars that once belonged
to legendary players bring upwards of a million dollars at auction.
Some end up on display. Others are bought by collectors, including
well known musicians who enjoy playing them out of the public eye but would
never take them on tour. That may change this summer. Hello
Magazine reports that Lenny Kravitz plans to play a Jimi
Hendrix guitar in his collection at dates on his British tour that
starts in July.
Hendrix got his big break in London when he agreed to accompany
Chas Chandler of the Animals there on the condition that Chas
arrange for him to meet some of his favorite UK guitarists.
|
5/10/2009
New Notes |
Joey Kramer Chronicles
Hit Hard: The Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top would be a
fitting title for any inside account of Aerosmith's turbulent
history. It has an additional meaning for Joey Kramer.
The Aerosmith drummer knows first hand that fame and fortune do not
make someone immune to depression - and the toll that the pressure of
staying at the top can take. As Kramer says, "yeah, you'll get
the crazy insider war stories", but the book also examines the collateral
damage that can result when band members are pushed beyond reasonable
limits, something he said happened when a manager wanted stage side medical
devices hooked up to his body to avoid having to cancel concerts for medical
reasons.
Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler also has a new book about his
life in and before Aerosmith titled
Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?
Aeroforceone.com
MORE
AEROSMITH INSIGHTS |
5/11/2009
New Notes |
Alice Cooper Plays Arizona State
Graduation
School's Out
this week for ASU students - and
Alice Cooper will make it official by playing his start of summer
anthem to nearly 65,000 in Sun Devil Stadium Wednesday. Backing
him will be the band Runaway Phoenix, featuring Arizona State
junior Dash Cooper. Alice and his son take the stage following
the commencement address by Barack Obama, who Alice
calls the "...biggest rock star" he has ever been on stage with - a pretty
strong endorsement from a guy that has appeared with most of the biggest
names in Rock during his long career.
Phoenix New Times
5-11-09 header6 |
5/11/2009
New Notes |
Musical Tribute To Fathers From
Their Children
Just in time for Father's Day comes A Song For My Father,
a collection of 14 versions of classic songs their fathers recorded re-done
by the sons and daughters of the well known musicians.
The lineup includes the sons of Gregg Allman, Carlos
Santana, Bob Marley, Jim Croce and James
Taylor, and songs done by the daughters of Arlo Guthrie,
Harry Chapin, Carole King and Brian Wilson of the
Beach Boys. The iTunes exclusive goes on sale
June 2. See the complete track list
here. (5-11-09)
PR Newswire |
|
5/12/2009
New Notes |
Dylan Drops In On Beatle Childhood
Home
Several months ago Bob Dylan showed up on the front lawn of the house
Neil Young grew up in. [story]
Recently, he is said to have dropped in on the childhood home of another
contemporary of his. A Daily Mirror story puts Bob
on a tour bus trip to the house John Lennon lived in as a child in
Liverpool. A spokesman for the National Trust told the paper
they got a heads-up from management before the visit and said Dylan
spent a considerable amount of time looking through photo albums and
examining items on display throughout the small house.
Amazingly, apparently none of the other tourists recognized Dylan
during his lengthy stopover.
mirror.co.uk
MORE
BOB DYLAN INSIGHTS
5-12-09 zh95-12-09 ZH9 |
5/12/2009
New Notes |
Bruce Law On The Books
A measure putting restrictions on the practice of redirecting online
ticket buyers to so-called secondary market sites was signed into law in
Minnesota the day Bruce Springsteen played in St. Paul
(5/11). The Springsteen Law was
named in recognition of the public stand Bruce took against
Ticketmaster for channeling fans trying to buy tickets to his concerts
to a subsidiary site selling seats at a steep premium
[story].
The law, which sailed through the legislature, takes effect August 1.
It will require the company under contract to sell tickets for concerts,
theater and sporting events to comply with wishes of the venue or the
performer.
startribune.com
MORE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS
-12-09 zh8
5-12-09 zh8 |
5/12/2009
New Notes |
John Lennon Exhibit Opens in New York
The Rock Hall of Fame Annex
in New York City opens its John Lennon special exhibit today
(5/12).
The collection of items on loan from Yoko Ono is extensive,
including everything from the Steinway upright piano Lennon kept next
to the couple's bed in the Dakota to the brown paper bag labeled "Patient's
Belongings" that contained John's personal effects the night he was killed.
A petition calling for stricter gun laws that will be delivered to the White
House sits beside the display. The handwritten lyrics for Imagine
(on a hotel note pad), the New York City T-Shirt and Elvis pin
John loved wearing and hundreds of other artifacts and photos that
chronicle the nine years Lennon lived in New York are also on in the
exhibit, which runs through the end of the year.
NYTimes.com
5-12-09 h7
MORE JOHN LENNON INSIGHTS
|
5/13/2009
New Notes |
Townshend Attends
Quadrophenia Opening
Pete Townshend was on the scene last night
(5/12) for the debut performance
of Quadrophenia at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, England.
The opening marked the end of a five year quest to bring the 1973 classic
double album from the Who to the stage. A film based on the album's
portrayal of a teenager dealing with personal and cultural turmoil in the
1960's came out in 1979. Townshend, who served as
a creative consultant to the production, bound onstage at the end to thank
the audience and cast and take a bow. Asked by a reporter for The
Herald whether it was true his band had trashed a Plymouth concert hall
during a concert appearance in 1965, the Who guitarist replied "Quite
possibly, but... hotels were more our thing."
thisisplymouth.co.uk
MORE WHO INSIGHTS
5-13-09 zh10 |
5/13/2009
New Notes |
More Flack For Ticket
Sellers
Two days after Minnesota legislators passed a law to protect
ticket buyers from predatory resellers [story],
another controversy is breaking over reports that TicketsNow, the
resale subsidiary owned by Ticketmaster, screwed up ticket sales for
the Bruce Springsteen show at the Verizon Center in DC Monday
(5/18). The
Associate Press reported that TicketsNow had to notify
buyers of some of the highest priced tickets for the concert they will not
get the seats they paid up to triple face value for.
The problem apparently stemmed from the ticket agent having oversold the
arena. Fans involved will get refunds and see the show - but from a section
much farther from the stage.
Ticketnews.com5-13-09
zh12
|
5/13/2009
New Notes |
Mellencamp Live & Box Set Coming
Live Death Live Freedom
is the title of a live disc featuring live versions of 8
songs from Life, Death Love & Freedom, the studio album John Mellencamp
released in the summer of 2008. The June 23 release comes as the
Indiana Rocker continues work on a career spanning box set, tentatively
titled On the Rural Route 7609 - the number reflects the last two
digits of the scope of years of origin for the 70+ songs expected to be
included in the collection. John also continues work with
author Stephen King on a combined CD and book presentation called
Ghost brothers of Darkland County. Mellencamp is on the
road this summer touring minor league baseball stadiums with Bob Dylan
and Willie Nelson. [story]
johnmellencamp.com
MORE JOHN MELLENCAMP INSIGHTS
5-13-09 zh11
|
5/14/2009
New Notes |
Book About Jagger Appears to
Disappear
A book Jerry Hall
was said to be writing about the years she was paired with Mick Jagger
has apparently been scrapped. Her reluctance to include enough
intimate detail to satisfy the publisher may be what keeps the book from
ever hitting the self, according to the Daily Mail.
Jerry Hall: Self-Portrait was expected to reveal details about her
husbands relationships with numerous women including the fellow former model
and current first lady of France, Carla Bruni. Tall Tales,
a 1985 autobiography by Hall, included details about her relationship
with Bryan Ferry that supposedly inspired the Roxy Music
singer to write the song Kiss & Tell. Hall appeared on
the cover of the band's album Siren. The paper quoted a
spokesman for the Stones lead singer as saying Jagger had
nothing to do with Hall dropping the book. Jagger and Hall
were unofficially married in Bali in the fall of 1991. The couple
split in '99.
dailymail.co.uk
MORE ROLLING STONES INSIGHTS
5-14-09 zh15 |
5/14/2009
New Notes |
Bassist Assaulted Outside Atlanta Studio
A robbery in the parking lot of the studio Pearl Jam is recording its
9th studio album in roughed up Jeff Ament. Rolling Stone
magazine says the April 27 assault outside of the Southern Tracks
studio was carried out after masked men with knives confronted the bass
player and another man, breaking the windows of their Jeep and stealing
Ament's passport, $3,000 in cash and over $4,000 of personal belongings.
Ament reportedly was knocked down by the assailants and suffered a
cut on his head, but did not need to be hospitalized.
Atlanta Journal Constitution
MORE
PEARL JAM INSIGHTS
5-14-09 ZH13 |
5/15/2009
New Notes |
EvansCapps Album
Only a week after his death [story],
fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd bass player Ean Evans had a new CD to remember
him by. EvansCapps, the side band Evans formed with Bobby Capps,
keyboard player with .38 Special, released the CD Last Time.
The eleven song collection of what Evans called "Southern alternative
metal" showcases Evans on guitar, and also features Todd Harrell
of 3 Doors Down and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot veteran
Rickey Medlocke. Capps says of the decision to go ahead
with the release, "Although I am having a hard time with all of this, I made
a promise to Ean and I intend to see it through."
Lynyrdskynyrd.com
MORE LYNYRD
SKYNYRD INSIGHTS
5-15-09 zh17 |
5/15/2009
New Notes |
Queen Minus Paul
Rodgers
The name Queen + Paul Rodgers sent a message that this
collaboration was not necessarily destined to continue indefinitely.
The Bad Company reunion tour [story]
marks the end of the combination.
Brianmay.com quotes Rodgers as saying that after two tours, and a
studio album "...I think we're kind of leaving it there gently." Other
than the possibility of getting together for a major charity event, he
continues, "...I think we're pretty much done." A Queen + Paul Rodgers
DVD recorded during a huge benefit concert in the Ukraine came out recently.
[story]
MORE
QUEEN INSIGHTS
MORE BAD COMPANY INSIGHTS
5-15-09 zh16
|
5/16/2009
New Notes |
Chickenfoot Debut Cut
Short
The prospect of being in the audience to see Chickenfoot,
the new band pairing former Van Halen mates Sammy Hagar and
Michael Anthony with Joe Satriani and drummer Chad Smith,
brought a packed house to El Corazon in Seattle
(5/14). It also brought out local
fire safety officials, who notified the club owner and band 9 songs into
their set that conditions were too tight to continue the show in the bar
area . The group took a break while equipment was shifted into the
larger stage room.
They then rocked through an extended set that included plenty of songs from
the debut album, a song Hagar performed with Montrose and a
version of Smoke On The Water.
Rollingstone.com
MORE CHICKENFOOT INSIGHTS
5-16-09 zh19 |
5/16/2009
New Notes |
Steve Miller Promoter
May Have Taken The Money & Run
Police in Wyoming are investigating the possibility the
Steve Miller Band got taken by the promoter of a concert last fall.
According to the Star-Tribune, a check for $90,000 the Arizona
promoter of the November show in Casper presented the band bounced, and
attempts to get him to make good on it have failed. Miller's
manager acknowledged there is a legal matter relating to the show but
declined to comment on the specifics of the situation. He did tell the
paper Miller and the band loved playing Casper and the audience was
great.
Casperstartribuen.net
MORE STEVE MILLER BAND INSIGHTS
5-15-09 zh18
|
5/17/2009
New Notes |
Tom Petty Daughter's Film
Screens at Cannes Festival
Adria Petty,
the daughter of Tom Petty, made a documentary about compulsive
flauntress Paris Hilton that is drawing attention at the Cannes
Film Festival. Paris, Not France is the title of the black
& white movie that provides a glimpse at what makes the habitual
exhibitionist tick. That's less interesting to us than knowing more
about Tom's daughter. Turns out she's a big fan of movies by the
Coen Brothers, considers the Alfred Hitchcock psychological
suspense film Rear Window perfect in every respect, is very happy
Obama is in the White House, and wishes she had more free time to listen
to Led Zeppelin.
Documentary.org
MORE
TOM PETTY INSIGHTS
5-18-09 |
5/17/2009
New Notes |
Long Players Take On Born To Run
The Long Players, a group of
Nashville area musicians that gets together periodically to re-create a classic album live,
will tackle the 1975 release that turned Bruce Springsteen into
an international household name. The May 23 performance of Born To Run at the Mercy Lounge in
Music City will include Tommy Heath,
vocalist on the early 80's pop-rock hit Jenny (867-5309) by Tommy
Tutone. Gary Tallent, the E Street Band bass palyer,
is a Long Player fan and past participant. An
April send up of Some Girls, the 1978 Stones release, included
Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie and Dan Baird form the Georgia
Satellites. Marshall Crenshaw and Cheap Trick's Tom
Petersson were included in the impressive 2008 re-creation of
Abbey Road
(see portions
here)
Nashvillescene.com Longriders.com
5-17-09
5-17-09 zh20
|
5/18/2009
New Notes |
Pearl Jam New Tonight
Show Host's First Band
NBC has announced that Pearl Jam will be the first
musical guests when Conan O'Brien replaces Jay Leno as host
of the late night institution. The band is said to be
planning to play new songs from its forthcoming studio album on the June 1
premier. Meawhile, the group is soliciting input from fans for the Pearl
Jam Live edition of Rock Band due next year. The set list for the
console game is being created by fans - a first for the game. Votes for the strongest version of PJ
songs are being taken through the band web site. Several concert
versions of each song in contention are contained in widgets posted on the
site. Weighing in on which songs make the cut requires users to be
registered with Rhapsody, but a free trial account is available.
Pearljam.com
MORE
PEARL JAM INSIGHTS
5-18-09
5-18-09 |
5/18/2009
New Notes |
Pink Floyd Ballet in
Beijing
Rock music helped ease China's centuries long embargo against
western influences on its culture. Rock concerts are still rare and
limited to big cities (the Stones didn't do a concert there until the
spring of 2006). The latest infiltration of western music comes in a
different form. The National Ballet of China will perform to
the music of Pink Floyd at the Beijing Modern Music Festival.
The Dark Side of the Moon dance takes place during the weeklong event that
begins tomorrow (5/20).
China.org.cn
MORE PINK FLOYD INSIGHTS
5-19-09
|
5/18/2009
New Notes |
Montrose & Moore May
Battle Over Axe
Ronnie Montrose makes no claim that Gary Moore stole the Les
Paul guitar he's pictured holding in Guitar Buyer magazine from
him. But he is convinced it is the same sunburst guitar that
disappeared the night of October 20, 1972, when Montrose appeared
with the Edgar Winter Group in Massachusetts. Montrose,
who bought that guitar from J. Geils the same year, spotted the photo
of Moore in the UK publication holding what he contends is the same
instrument he spent decades trying to track down. He claims his
attempts to contact Moore about the axe were ignored, so he is taking
legal action to get it back.
Musicradar.com
5-18-09
|
5/18/2009
New Notes |
Another Fleetwood Mac Cancellation
Fleetwood Mac has had a
rough week. After an unspecified illness to an unnamed band member
caused back-to-back cancellations in Edmonton
(5/13)
and Calgary
(5/14),
the band was able to keep its Vancouver date. But the Sacramento,
California show scheduled for tonight
(5/18)
has become another casualty. As was the case in Edmonton, notice of
the cancellation came within hours of the scheduled start time, too late for
many fans to get the news. Speculation has circulated that the dates
have been nixed because Stevie Nicks is sick. Without
Christine McVie, who gave up touring with the group several years ago,
the band would have a hard time putting together a crowd satisfying set in
the absence of Nicks.
Edmonton Sun
cbs13.com
MORE FLEETWOOD
MAC INSIGHTS
5-18-09
|
5/19/2009
New Notes |
Poem Bob Dylan Wrote At
Camp to Auction
In the summer of 1957, Bobby Zimmerman was just another young kid at Camp Herzel in northern Wisconsin. He may
not have been a happy camper, judging from the tone of the poem he submitted
for the camp newspaper. Little Buddy told the story of the
killing of a boy's pet dog. The story the young Bob Dylan wrote
in pen on the front and back of a single sheet of paper was saved by the
editor of the Herzel Herald all these years. When the gavel
falls at the famed Christies auction house in New York on June 23, Camp
Herzel should end up with something like $15,000 dollars to go toward
upkeep of the place where Bob spent some of that youthful summer. It
is thought to be the youngest Dylan poem ever made available.
The sale will also include the work-in-progress lyrics for With God On
Our Side.
Auction Central News
acn.com Christies.com
MORE BOB DYLAN
INSIGHTS
5-19-09 |
5/19/2009
New Notes |
Idol Time For Santana
Even viewers that steer clear of American Idol to
avoid hearing good songs trashed by limited talent wannabes may want to make
an exception tomorrow (5/20)
when Carlos Santana shows up on the finale. Of course, if
Carlos is all you want to in see, TiVo or YouTube will
spare you 2 hours of contestants, other guests like Cyndi Lauper,
Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Black Eyed Peas, Queen
Latifah and snide judges.
Santana.com
MORE
SANTANA INSIGHTS
5-19-09
|
5/20/2009
New Notes |
Steely Dan Classic
Album Concerts
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen will make select nights of the Steely
Dan summer tour Classic Album (Plus) Nights. Set lists for
these shows will include all of the songs, in order, from one of three of
the group's biggest releases. In addition, Takin' It To The Seats
request nights will give Rent Party '09 ticket holders the chance to
determine what songs the band will play at their show by voting for their
favorites on the band's web site. The special set nights will
take place during the group's multiple night stopovers in New York, Boston,
Chicago and Los Angeles.
Steelydan.com
5-20-09
|
5/20/2009
New Notes |
Wood Out On Town, Wife
Preps Divorce Showdown
Ronnie Wood and his 20 year old date were reportedly barred entry
to the VIP section of a London night spot last night
(5/19) under
orders issued by someone at the club who is tight with the Stones
member's estranged wife. The Daily Mail account of the night
says Wood and Ekaterina Ivanova shrugged off the ban and
hung with the regulars at Whiskey Mist for a couple of hours.
The paper confirms that Jo Wood started divorce proceedings
[story],
and aims to collect half of all of her husband's assets, quoting the former
model as telling Sunday People that "...it was hard at first, but now I am
used to being single", and, "I am having a great time without him."
Dailymail.co.uk
MORE ROLLING STONES INSIGHTS
5-20-09
|
5/20/2009
New Notes |
Pearl Jam Guitarist Wails On Anthem
Mike McCready gave Mariners baseball fans a highlight before the
game against the Angels last night when he delivered a Hendrix
infused rendition of the Star Spangled Banner standing at home in
Safeco Field. Wearing a Mariners jersey with his name and the
number 59 on the back, the Pearl Jam guitarist did a riveting solo
version that brought a roar from the crowd, plenty of which came out to
support the band and team's charity campaign against Chron's Disease and
Colitis. [story]
The Mariners could have used some
extra McCready mojo, as they dropped the game 6-5. Check out Mike's
performance
here.
Halosheaven.com
MORE
PEAL JAM INSIGHTS
5-20-09 |
5/20/2009
New Notes |
Styx Bass Player Joins
Pharm Team
Stories involving Rockers and drugs don't usually end well.
Here's one that could. Chuck Panozzo of Styx has signed
on as an advocate for a Geo Vax Labs HIV/AIDS vaccine that is
undergoing human trials. The bass player, who was diagnosed HIV
positive in 1991, hopes his celebrity and a background that includes
teaching will enable him fill the role in a way that brings hope to
those afflicted and helps to reduce the rate of infection. Panozzo
condemns the cost of medications currently available, and says, "a vaccine
solution which can be accessed by all is a key."
PR Newswire.com
MORE STYX INSIGHTS
|
5/20/2009
New Notes |
The Scoop on Elton John Ben &
Jerry's Flavor
The eclectic Vermont Ice Cream company that blended Cherry Garcia in
honor of the Grateful Dead guitarist has added another flavor to its
line that will help raise money for a cause. Goodbye Yellow Brickle
Road, an ice cream with ingredients as over-the-top as Elton's
70's & 80's stage costumes, will help fund the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Available already at over the counter outlets run by the company, the flavor
featuring chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle
and white chocolate chunks will appear in grocery & convenience store
freezers through the summer. In addition to donating partial proceeds from
the sale of some products to charitable causes, the Ben & Jerry's
Foundation scooped out nearly $2 million last year to causes it finds
worthy.
Businesswire.com
MORE ELTON JOHN INSIGHTS
5-21-09 |
5/21/2009
New Notes |
Ian Hunter - Man
Overboard
Former Mott The Hoople guitarist and vocalist Ian Hunter
has wrapped up work on his 13th studio album since making his solo debut in
1975. Hunter recruited Andy York, a multi-instrumentalist
featured on a number of John Mellencamp albums, to produce the 11
song collection, which features most of the musicians Hunter used on his
last album, Shrunken Heads (2007).
ianhunter.com |
5/21/2009
New Notes |
Queen, Kiss, Santana on
Idol Finale
Networks love Reality TV because it costs so much less to produce that
shows that require real actors and script writers. The only thing
better for them? A Reality Show that becomes so big that major talent is
eager to appear on it. That happened last night
(5/20) when
Queen, Kiss and Santana showed up on American Idol.
The Santana appearance had been made public ahead of time
[story], but FOX kept Kiss and Queen effectively under wraps
right up until the show aired. See them
here.
MORE
QUEEN INSIGHTS
MORE
SANTANA INSIGHTS
|
5/21/2009
New Notes |
The Album Ain't
Dead Yet
The meteoric rise of single track mp3's sucked a lot out of the life out
of CD sales. The ability to order songs a-la-carte is a convenience
that may yet doom the album. Even if it does, veteran Rockers
recognize that the long-term relationships their fans formed with their
music developed largely because of albums. Increasingly, they are
rewarding those fans by doing concerts that include all of the songs on
touchstone releases. The series of Astral Weeks concerts Van
Morrison performed [story]
[review]
was a good reminder of the lasting influence of a
great album. Steely Dan just announced plans to perform albums
in their entirety at select shows this summer (story below).
Nashville's Long Players have been packing houses with renditions of
classic albums. [story]
Now comes word that Todd Rundgren will
perform A Wizard, A True Star, his
ambitious and challenging 1973 release many
contemporary players still cite as a major musical influence. At this
point, only one show is planned, for next February in London.
Musicnewsnet.com
|
5/22/2009
New Notes |
Wines Crafted By Fleetwood Mac
Drummer
2009 is turning into a vintage year for Mick Fleetwood. He
released a new solo CD, and the band that bears his name got back together
for the Unleashed tour. Now, the Fleetwood Mac drummer has a
couple of wines he personally crafted on the market. Mick Fleetwood
2001 Chardonnay and Mick Fleetwood 1998 Cuvee (a blend of
Cabernet and Merlot grapes) are being offered from his Private Cellar
Collection.
Fleetwood is not the lone Rocker producing wine. Sting
announced that wines produced from organically grown grapes from his Tuscany
vineyard will be coming to market this fall [story],
and the Doobie Brothers long time manager recently introduced some
wines named for albums the band has put out over the years.
[story]
Mickfleetwood.com
MORE FLEETWOOD MAC INSIGHTS
5-22-09
|
5/22/2009
New Notes |
Mountain Jam '09
With single act concerts still priced as though
people still have more money than they know what to do with, seeing dozens
of bands for only a few bucks more is like buying two season tickets for an
entire minor league baseball team's season instead of a single premium seat
for one Yankee Stadium game. Plus, people willing to sit in a field
listening to music are a lot more fun to hang with than the expense account
fat cats that can afford Yankee lux seating..
Festival presenters are also adding attractions and activities to make their
gatherings about more than just the music. One of the best is Mountain
Jam. The 5th year of this festival (5/29-31) features both a
strong lineup and lots to do. The setting is great too – a bowl surrounding
the base area of Hunter Mountain, a ski area on the western edge of
the Catskill Mountains in New York
State. The event is anchored by the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t
Mule and a lineup that includes the Derek Truck’s Band, Bill
Kreutzmann of the Dead with his group BK3, Richie
Havens and a host of acts fans of those artists are likely to enjoy. It
also offers Frisbee golf, yoga, chairlift rides up the mountain, a climbing
wall, giant-scale puppets, bungee jumping and gravity slides.
5-22-09
Mountainjam.com |
5/22/2009
New Notes |
Queen Could Recruit Idol Contestant
American Idol singers trying to transition from contestant to ticket
selling draw have met with mixed success. Adam Lambert could make it
big with help from the band that was impressed enough by his talent to back
him on the show's season finale.
[story below] Brian May
tells Rolling Stone that rumors the band has already committed to
offering Lambert the lead singer role in Queen are not
accurate, but does say he and Roger Taylor "...are definitely hoping
to have a meaningful conversation with him at some point." Paul Rodgers,
who did two tours and a CD and DVD with Queen in recent years, has
said he does not expect to rejoin the group after his reunion tour with
Bad Company. [story]
See Lambert & Queen
here.
Rollingstone.com
MORE
QUEEN INSIGHTS
|
5/23/2009
New Notes |
Bonus Tunes For Gov''t Mule Fans
You'd be hard pressed to find a busier guy than Warren Haynes.
A full fledged member of one of America's great musical institutions,
Haynes also leads his own group and lends his name, expertise and energy
to major concert events. The Allman Brothers Band and Gov't
Mule guitarist's annual charity concert in Asheville, North Carolina
celebrated its 20th anniversary last December
[story].
Next weekend (5/29-31),
both bands will play the 5th annual Mountain Jam, a festival that
also earned his endorsement
[story].
July 28 Gov't Mule will release its 8th studio album, By A
Thread. Recorded in Willie Nelson's studio, the album will be the
first to feature bass
player Jorgen Carlsson. Fans pre-ordering the disc through the band
web site get access to free bonus tracks recorded during rehearsals and
soundchecks for the upcoming Mule tour.
Mule.net
|
5/23/2009
New Notes |
Bruce Makes Final Play In Giants Stadium
From small clubs to enormous stadiums, endurance has always
been a hallmark of Springsteen concerts. A lot of the small
venues and some big ones that hosted the marathon performances are shuttered
or gone. This is the year the band marks an endurance milestone by
outlasting one of the biggest. Giants Stadium opened ins the
swamps of Jersey the year after Born To Run made Bruce one of
the few American artists that could fill it. And fill it he did, 16
times times during two tours alone on the way to compiling a record 56 sold
out concerts at Meadowlands venues. This fall Bruce and
the band do it for the last time. An October 3 concert, the final
night of three shows, will be the last concert at the venue before it is demolished.
As Springsteen put it on stage recently, "before they bring the
wrecking ball, the wrecking crew is coming back."
Bacstreets.com
MORE BRICE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS
5-23-09 |
5/24/2009
New Notes |
Drummer Files Suit
Against Billy Joel
Liberty DeVitto kept the beat for Billy Joel for decades. The
drummer now claims that Joel beat him out of royalties he
should have received for his artistic contribution to several of Billy's
biggest albums. A New York Post story reports DeVitto
filed suit against his former boss and Sony Music on May 19.
DeVitto, who lost his gig with Joel in 2005, thinks confronting him
about concerns over his alcohol use may have cost him both his job and his
friendship with the Piano Man. Despite not sharing songwriter
credit on Joel material, DeVitto maintains he played a major
role in the development of songs, saying, "If Billy sang Only The Good
Die Young like he wanted to, it would have been a reggae song".
nypost.com
MORE BILLY JOEL INSIGHTS
5-25-09 |
5/24/2009
New Notes |
Skynyrd
Carries On
Weeks after losing its second member in months, Lynyrd Skynyrd has
confirmed the release a new album. God & Guns, the first studio
recording from the Florida Rockers since 2003, will come out on September
29. The 13 track disc is expected to include contributions from two
band members that died recently. Bass player Ean Evans lost his
battle with cancer this month. [story]
Billy Powell passed away at
the start of the year. [story]
Skynyrd opens a nationwide tour with Kid
Rock on June 6th in West Palm Beach that will keep it on the road
through mid September.
Lynyrdskynyrd.com
MORE LYNYRD SKYNYRD INSIGHTS
5-24-09 |
5/26/2009
New Notes |
David Gilmour Plays Homeless Benefit
Crisis Hidden, a UK organization that assists the homeless,
stages benefit concerts in unusual venues that it keeps secret until 24
hours before each show. The approach was adopted as a way to get the public
to consider the uncertainty those living on the street face every night. The
text message ticket holders received yesterday (5/25) directed them to
Islington's Union Chapel in London, where they became part of the first
audience to hear material from his next solo release at the only performance
the Pink Floyd guitarist is scheduled to do this year. Gilmour
donated $5 million toward development of a crisis housing project in 2003
and has continued to promote and support the charity.
Davidgilmourblog.com
crisis.org.uk/hidden
MORE DAVID GILMOUR INSIGHTS
5-26-09 |
5/26/2009
New Notes |
Lights Out On .38 Special
Sightlines and sound both improved at big concerts when crews
started to 'fly' lighting and speakers. The labyrinth of tubing and cables
supports so much gear that
any structural glitch could turn into a disaster. So when a section of
the stage lighting's support structure suddenly shifted moments into the
first song by .38 Special Saturday
(5/24)
at a northern California concert, fans
at the Konocti Harbor
Resort responded quickly to the request to clear the amphitheater to
allow those near the stage to get out of harm's way. Nothing
came down and there were no injuries.
Refunds or tickets for a rescheduled show with .38 Special, Styx and
REO Speedwagon are being offered.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
|
5/26/2009
New Notes |
Early Springsteen Haunt For Sale
Before he became a regular at the Stone Pony, Bruce
Springsteen and his band mates could be found jamming in a club above a
shoe store near the corner of Bond & Cookman in Asbury Park. The
Upstage Club became the place musicians flocked to after other clubs
closed, and finding Southside Johnny, Bruce and the boys
rippin' it up until it was time for breakfast was not unusual.
Bruce credited the Upstage in his liner notes for Southside
Johnny's first album as being special for attracting players that lived
music "....down in their souls, night after night". It would be
great if some of them pitched in to buy it when it goes on the auction block
this week.
Bloomberg.com Beyondthepalace.com
MORE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN INSIGHTS
5-26-09 |
5/27/2009
New Notes |
Aero$mith
Bands looking to replace royalties lost to peer to peer music
sharing count on ringtone and console game song licensing to bring in more
bucks. No band has more revenue streams than Aerosmith.
The group, which recently inked a deal for band branded lottery tickets,
has now developed a reward points program for its web site. Fans can
accumulate points toward everything from seat upgrades and VIP party passes
to personal phone calls from band members by using the band's
search page or, better yet, downloading the
Aerosmith Toolbar.
MORE AEROSMITH INSIGHTS
5-27-09 |
5/27/2009
New Notes |
SF vs NY - Dueling Woodstocks
Organizers behind a San Francisco concert marking
the 40th anniversary of Woodstock have been hit with a Cease & Desist
demand against their use of the name of the original festival by
Woodstock Ventures and Michael Lang. Lang, whose
planned free concert in a city park in New York looks unlikely
unless a major sponsor steps up
, claims planners of an October event in Golden Gate Park
have no legal right to the name. That group, which includes members of
Country Joe & The Fish and the Chambers Brothers, dismiss that
as "old fashioned shakedown tactics for money". Apparently above the
fray and much closer to the the site and date, Bethel Woods, the
performing arts center built a couple of years ago adjacent to the site of
the original event, will host a concert August 15 including Band
veteran Levon Helm, Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Mountain, Big Brother &
The Holding Company, one time Grateful Dead keyboard player
Tom Constanten and Country Joe McDonald
[story]
Businesswire
MORE WOODSTOCK INSIGHTS
5-26-09 |
5/28/2009
New Notes |
King's Scripts For Sale
Not his movie scripts - prescription drug bottles from his personal stash,
authenticated by Julien's Auctions as being from Presley's
personal physician, Dr. George Nichopoulos. The bottles,
a vile and other items including a handgun, a desk and chair made by a
Presley uncle, a copy of The Prophet with notes in the margins jotted
by Elvis and a diamond studded TCB pendant will be auctioned along
with the doctor's medical bag at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
in Las Vegas June 26 & 27.
Presley died in the summer of 1977. The book Careless Love: The
Unmaking of Elvis Presley stated the pathology report indicated 14 drugs
were detected in the singer's body, including some at levels considered well
above therapeutic levels and others "...on the borderline of toxicity".
LA Weekly
Juliensauctions.com
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5/28/2009
New Notes |
Phantom Tickets Bring NJ AG Down on Agents
Think the mounting legal costs and
bad PR dogging certain ticket agencies over the way they conduct business
would make all of them want to stay clear of even potentially questionable
conduct?
[stories]
Not according to the New Jersey Attorney General. The office of
AG Anne Milgram yesterday
(5/27) charged three agencies with
advertising and selling tickets that don't even exist yet. All of the
alleged violations involve tickets for Bruce Springsteen concerts
scheduled for Giants Stadium this fall
[story].
One agency is singled out as offering tickets for seats in rows that do not
even exist in the sections its web site claims they are in.
nj.com |
5/28/2009
New Notes |
Janis Material With Big Brother Surfaces
A double CD showcasing a dozen
never before released recordings of Janis Joplin with her original
backing band will be released June 24. Disc one of The Lost Tapes
contains live versions of Bye Bye Baby, Hi Heel Sneakers,
Turtle Blues and an 11 minute take on Amazing Grace. The
second disc captures Joplin and Big Brother & The Holding
Company live on Ball & Chain, Down On Me, Let The Good
Times Roll, I Know You Rider and nine other songs, each
remastered.
bbhc.com
MORE JANIS JOPLIN INSIGHTS
5-28-09
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5/29/2009
New Notes |
Cobain Widow In Deep To
Amex
Courtney Love
is reportedly in a deep hole with
American Express. A story on Clashmusic.com says the former
wife of Kurt Cobain owes more than 300k in credit card charges and
late payment penalties to the company. Love, who sold her
rights to her late husband's music in 2005, still has issues from that sale.
According to the the same article, Love failed to turn over nearly a
million dollars a firm involved in the transaction contends she owes
it.
Clashmusic.com
|
5/29/2009
New Notes |
Canadians Mount Guinness Guitar Record Attempt
Guitarists will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for Largest
Guitar Ensemble on June 6 in Toronto. 1,802 players in Germany set the
standing record in 2007. With no Canadian team in the Stanley Cup finals,
there just might be enough Canadians with nothing better to do available to pull it
off. One reason it might fall short: planners let people vote online
to select the song to play along to and Helpless by Neil Young won. Yeah, it’s a great
song, but not the kind of anthem the Germans got it done with (Smoke On
The Water by Deep Purple). Even lamer, only acoustic and
unplugged electric guitars are allowed. If this attempt sets
the record, Deep Purple
should reunite for a concert and give free admission to anyone with a guitar
to get it back!
cbc.ca-09
|
5/30/2009
New Notes |
Spector Sentenced
The producer that created the 'wall of sound' will probably spend the
rest of his life behind walls. Phil Spector was convicted of
second degree murder the fatal shooting of actress Lana Clarkson on
the grounds of his LA home in 2003. [story]
His first trial ended in a hung jury
in 2007. The judge yesterday (5/29)
sentenced Spector to a term of 19 years
to life. The 69 year old Spector was also ordered to reimburse the
cost of the victim's funeral, and to pay nearly $10,000 to a California
victim's of crime restitution fund.
New York Times
|
5/30/2009
New Notes |
The Guitars of Woodstock
There was no
'official' guitar of the Woodstock Festival, but several of the most
memorable performances of the 1969 event came through amps hooked up to
Gibsons. The riveting rendition of Carlos Santana on
Soul Sacrfice and some of Jerry Garcia's intricate and Pete
Townshend's electrifying solos came on Gibson SGs.
Johnny Winter shredded the crowd on a Gibson Firebird. John
Fogerty played a Les Paul Blackbird during the Creedence
set, and the supercharged solo Alvin Lee did on I'm Going Home
during the set Ten Years After performed came off the strings
of his ES 335. Ted Drozdowski has put together a great
feature with video clips celebrating the performances on the Gibson web
site.
Gibson.com
|
5/31/2009
New Notes |
Ozzy vs Iommi
The latest legal skirmish involving
Black Sabbath is on a court docket. Ozzy Osbourne has
initaited a suit that claims Tommy Iommi had no right to the name
Black Sabbath when he filed for sole rights to it through the US Patent and
Trademark Office - or at least only a 50% right. Ozzy's suit,
filed in Manhattan federal court, maintains that his "signature lead vocals"
account for the group's "extraordinary success" and seeks half of the
trademark rights as well as 50% of the earnings Iommi collected using
the name. This is just the latest legal firefight involving members of
Sabbath, a band with more lineup changes than an All-Star Game.
New York Post
MORE OZZY OSBOURNE INSIGHTS
5-31-09
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