Blues Legend B.B. King Dead At 89
(Classic Rock) Blues great B.B. King has died at the age of 89 after being ill for some time, it’s been confirmed. His lawyer Brent Bryson reported that he died peacefully in his sleep at home in Las Vegas. Born Riley B. King in 1925, he was known as one of the Three Kings Of Blues Guitar alongside Albert King (1923-1992) and Freddie King (1934-1976). His single-string vibrato style, influenced by Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker and others, is said to have influenced most of the guitarists who followed him. King’s career began in 1943 as a guitarist with the Famous St John’s Quartet in his home state of Mississippi. He later played with Bukka White in Tennessee before starting solo work in Arkansas in 1948. He was soon a regular DJ on Tennessee radio, using the name Blues Boy, which led to his onstage moniker.
Jimmy Page Vs. Robbie Williams Feud Heating Up
(Radio.com) It looks like the hottest beef in classic rock real estate development is about to get hotter. We first reported on the conflict between Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and Robbie Williams back in January, when Williams announced plans to renovate the house he’d bought next to Page’s the year before. Page wasn’t pleased about changes to his beloved neighborhood, and wrote a letter to the council estate. ‘I have been responsible for the protection of the Tower House for over 40 years and I am always concerned when proposals are made for nearby properties which may be detrimental to the well-being of this important heritage asset,” he stated. Now, NME reports that Page has filed a new brief against Williams to prevent him from changing the home, which was constructed in the 1870s by famed architect William Bruges. Page warns that ‘special characteristics” of the house, including ‘extremely delicate and, of course, irreplaceable” finishings,would be damaged by the construction.
Singer Not Taking Guns N’ Roses ‘Sweet Child’ Theft Claim Seriously
James Reyne, the singer of the now defunct band Australian Crawl, has responded to the recent claims that Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine” sounds very similar to his band’s “Unpublished Critics” which was released half a decade earlier. “I’m not about to take on the might of the Guns N’ Roses lawyers,” Reyne said to Australia’s Daily Mail (via Ultimate Classic Rock.) “It is not inconceivable that there are similarities between the two songs. It’s also not inconceivable that they wouldn’t have been aware of certain Australian songs.” Reyne went on to recall that the Guns N’ Roses song didn’t make much of an impression on him the first time he heard it. “I didn’t think, ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t really listen to the song,” he said. “I was more looking at the video thinking, ‘Are they stoned? Or on smack?’ I was probably more interested in their drug habits. I really wasn’t that aware of Guns N’ Roses. It just didn’t cross my radar because I was listening to other things.”
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder To Perform On Last Week Of Letterman
(hennemusic) Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will appear as one of the final musical guests on The Late Show with David Letterman. On Monday, May 18, Vedder will deliver a special music performance backed by Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra. Vedder’s appearance comes in the final week of broadcasts by Letterman, who will deliver his farewell program on Wednesday, May 20 after more than three decades in late night. The singer has performed on the series several times through the years, as both a solo artist and with Pearl Jam. His first appearance was in 1996, when he surprised the host by joining Shaffer and the band for a portion of Pearl Jam’s classic 1991 track, “Black.”
Steven Tyler Performs New Single On American Idol Finale
(hennemusic) Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler delivered the debut live performance of his first country single, “Love Is Your Name”, on the season 14 finale of American Idol on Wednesday. Tyler performed the tune on the day of its release, before teasing a snippet of “Walk This Way” as a segue to a cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart” with third place contestant Jax. Tyler has been in Nashville since January working with songwriters on material for his debut solo album on Big Machine Records’ affiliated label Dot Records. Next month, the singer will regroup with Aerosmith for the Blue Army Tour, with summer dates beginning in Glendale, Arizona on June 13.
Duff McKagan Wants To Write Definitive Alice in Chains Book
(Radio.com) Former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan is currently on the promotional path for his latest book, How to Be a Man (and other illusions), but in an interview with Radio.com, he says he already is thinking of his next book. Whereas his first two were very much about him: How to Be a Man features different chapters of advice, taking stories from his time in Guns, Velvet Revolver, Walking Papers, the Kings of Chaos and as a solo artist; his first book, It’s So Easy: And Other Lies was his memoirs. But his next one will focus on a legendary band of which he counts himself as a fan and friend. “I hope [How to Be a Man] is just my second book in a string of 10,” he tells Radio.com. “I actually hope to write the Alice in Chains book next.” He certainly has an interesting vantage point to write the story from: although Guns N’ Roses was very much an L.A. band, McKagan himself is from Seattle (and lives there today). He’s good friends with Alice’s guitarist/leader Jerry Cantrell; a chapter in the book details their friendship and mutual fandom of their beloved Seattle Seahawks). McKagan’s current band Walking Papers toured with Alice In Chains a few summers ago, and McKagan’s bandmate in Walking Papers, drummer Barrett Martin, was bandmates with late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley in the short-lived band Mad Season.
Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward On The Horrible Loss Of Ozzy’s Friendship
(Classic Rock) Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward spoke in a new interview about the loss of his friendship with frontman Ozzy Osbourne after they were unable to come to terms for Ward to be a part of the band. Below is an excerpt from the Classic Rock Revisited Interview: Classic Rock Revisited: There are two sad things that come from this. All of the fans, including me, want to see you on that drum stool. The other sad thing is that Ozzy and you were always close, but this is really ******* everything up between you. Bill: Definitely. I love him and I miss him. I grieved his loss in 2012. I went through absolute murder, emotionally, with him saying the things he was saying. I was absolutely gob smacked, I couldn’t believe it was somebody that I had known for so many years. It was really horrible going through that. I don’t dislike Oz. I don’t have any animosity, or any revenge, and I am not seeking to be better than him, or anything like that. I am not trying to be right in these things in terms of “You are wrong and I am right.” I am simply stating the facts and asking for an amendment of the facts, as they stand. It is very matter of fact with me. It is actually quite simple. I am really saddened that all of the Ozzy fans and all of the Bill fans are all upset. All the Ozzy fans ******* hate me. There is a lot of controversy. We try to keep an open mind to all of the fans and all of the interested parties. We are very concerned, my team, we are very concerned about the way these things are handled. We are very concerned about the people who dislike me, but they have every right to dislike me. I actually support them in their right to dislike me and they are entitled to their opinions. I don’t necessarily agree with them that I am an *******, but if they want to call me an ******* I will support their right to do that. I’ve got no axe to grind with anybody. I am at peace in this. I offered a real pathway. I just did it a couple of weeks ago. CRR: Has there been any talks other than Ozzy’s public reply? Bill: Absolutely not. They found it offensive. I had no expectations. The thing that I needed to do was to write down and tell the public the things that I require and that these are the things that happened to me. I don’t expect everyone to understand because they didn’t walk the walk with me. I walked the walk through this and some of my family members did as well. It felt very sinister and not very nice at all. I had to rebuke that. I had to say, “That wasn’t really nice. Before we move forward and before we are all happy families, let’s get some things straightened out.” It is what any family would do. When somebody comes in and ******* ***** all over the place you go, “Hey, clean that **** up and then maybe we can talk.” CRR: Have you had any contact with Tony or Geezer? Bill: Tony emailed me and I emailed Tony only a few weeks ago. Geezer, I have not spoken to for about five months. I haven’t said a word to Ozzy, not one single thing. CRR: My gut feeling is that this is not going to work out. I hope I am wrong. Bill: I’ve put these things out into the universe and whether they are going to be received through the universe, or whether they will be received through ego I don’t know. If they are received through ego then they will fail. If they receive these things with understanding and with an open mind there is every possibility this could succeed.
Yes Releasing 2014 Live Set In Multiple Formats
(hennemusic) Yes will release a new live set, “Like It Is – Yes At The Mesa Arts Center”, on July 3 in Europe and July 10 in North America and they are sharing a performance of “Heart Of The Sunrise” as a preview to the package. Available in 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray and Digital formats – with vinyl to follow at a later date – the package presents material from the band’s August 12, 2014 show at the Ikeda Theater in Mesa, AZ. The lineup of Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes and Jon Davison were on the road at the time playing dates in support of their 21st album, “Heaven & Earth.” “That evening in Mesa, Arizona was a great one,” says Squire. “The audience was fantastic; they loved the music and really made it a very special night for us. And we were in top form. The music sounded great and we could have played all night. “Like It Is brings the magic and wonderful music of that evening to fans everywhere, and we’re sure they’ll enjoy listening to it as much as we did performing it.”
Van Halen Video Of Rehearsal Of Classic Track From 1978 Debut
(hennemusic) Wolfgang Van Halen is sharing audio/video of “Feel Your Love Tonight” – from the band’s self-titled 1978 debut – from rehearsals this week as Van Halen prepare for their summer tour of North America. It’s the latest Instagram footage from the bassist as the group works through possible setlist songs at Eddie’s 5150 studios. Wolfgang has previously posted footage of the never-before performed “1984” album track “Drop Dead Legs”, “Little Guitars” from 1982’s “Diver Down” and “Light Up The Sky” from 19879’s “Van Halen II” … as well as “Dirty Movies” from 1981’s “Fair Warning” and “In A Simple Rhyme” from 1980’s “Women And Children First.” Fans will find out which songs made the final cut when Van Halen launch a North American tour in Seattle on July 5 in support of “Tokyo Dome Live In Concert”, their first live release with David Lee Roth. This weekend, the group will perform at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 17.
The Beatles Museum To Open In Japan
(Gibson) Paul McCartney recently made news when he performed at Japan’s Nippon Budokan, staging his first appearance at the legendary venue since The Beatles performed there in 1966. Now, Japan is set to open that nation’s first museum to feature a permanent display of memorabilia related to the Fab Four. Located in the city of Nakatsu, the Beatles Museum will house thousands of items, including a piano played by John Lennon and a Japanese “happi” coat worn by Lennon during the band’s 1966 visit. Recording equipment used by John, Paul, George and Ringo, as well as other items of Beatles-related clothing, will be featured as well. All told, more than 2,500 items of memorabilia will be on display.
Deep Purple Enjoy ‘Volume Without Pain’ Now
(TeamRock Radio) Ian Gillan says Deep Purple are a better live act since they stopped trying to be the loudest band on the planet. The singer believes his band – and their audiences – enjoy more sensible volume levels these days. Gillan says via Something Else “We used to be pretty loud, but I think the focus has changed now. The impact of sheer volume was one thing that used to get written up about. The equipment now is so sophisticated, you can have volume without pain. “It’s actually enjoyable. You’re not running around with your ears ringing after the show, like you used to be. There’s a lot more focus on what’s actually going on on stage. You can get involved with that a lot more. I think it’s a vast improvement over what it used to be.”
Phil Collins Remastering Solo Catalog For Reissue
(Prog) Genesis icon Phil Collins and Warner Music Group have signed a deal to remaster and re-release his solo back catalogue. All eight of his albums will be brought under one banner, starting this autumn with 1981’s Face Value and Both Sides from 1993. They’ll be followed by Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982), No Jacket Required (1985), …But Seriously (1989), Dance Into The Light (1996), Testify (2002) and Going Back (2010). Collins tells Billboard: “I’ve had a fantastic relationship with Warner and Atlantic throughout my career and I’m thrilled to be continuing that. I’m working with them now on these new presentations. Very exciting.”
Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood Reveals His Regret
(Classic Rock) Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says his biggest regret is not being able to remember all the girls he’s been with in his career. Years of heavy drinking have taken a toll on his memory – and he only knows about some of the things he’s done because he found a diary from 1965, which was recently published. Wood tells NME: “One regret I have, going back through this diary, is that I can’t remember what a lot of my girlfriends looked like years ago. I don’t regret the drinking. I drank for Britain until I got sober five years ago. That was a learning curve I had to go through – but not remembering the wonderful girls is a regret.” The memoir has helped him recall nights out with comedy icon Sid James and soul hero Wilson Pickett. “In The Midnight Hour was the biggest record there was for me,” Wood says, “But I’d forgotten all about our adventure together until I picked up the diary.”
Halestorm Frontwoman Amazed At Classic Rock Scene In Europe
(Classic Rock) Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale has praised the classic rock scene in Europe, saying it’s “amazing.” The band recently wrapped up a 10-date UK tour to promote their third album Into The Wild Life. And the singer says it’s encouraging to see the genre alive and well outside of her home in the US. She tells Albany’s Q103: “It was amazing. It’s weird to go over there and see how much things have grown. There’s such a huge rock fanbase over there – it’s still a lifestyle. There’s still a classic rock genre over there. Seriously, it’s amazing. “I was talking to a couple of the press agents and they were like, ‘America thinks of classic rock as a past tense.’ There’s new bands that are considered classic rock over there. So it’s a party the whole time.”
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