Friday, February 28, 2014

Iron Maiden Singer Invests In World's Longest Flying Machine

The HAV, a futuristic-looking airship, has just been unveiled at Britain's biggest aircraft hangar. It's 92 metres long - that's the length of the football pitch at Wembley Stadium. It cost £60m to build. Somewhat unexpectedly one of its investors is Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. "The airship has always been with us, it's just been waiting for the technology to catch up," he told the BBC.

Frankly, it looks crazy. Apparently you can land this new aircraft by remote control and on water. It can also stay in the sky for three weeks at a time. Yes, three weeks. Now, imagine it hovering over you in the crowd at Download festival...

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Rare Mixes From Led Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti' Up For Auction

A treasure trove of classic rock artifacts is up for auction at next month's Marvels of Modern Music auction.

Leading the way are unreleased studio mixes of Led Zeppelin's 1975 classic Physical Graffiti. These demo reels feature early versions of tracks like "Kashmir," "Custard Pie," and "In the Light." In some of the demos, the drums are the only instrument in the mix to make it to the final product, as guitars and vocals were redone later, with additional orchestration added. In other words, these are quite different from the recordings Led Zeppelin fans have become familiar with.

Listen to snippets of the "Kashmir" and "Custard Pie" demos:


The unreleased rarities come from the Ron Nevinson Collection. The Marvels of Modern Music auction is presented by the New Hampshire-based company RR Auction.

But the Led Zeppelin rarities are not all that's up for auction. Also on the block: Elvis Presley's sequined "American Eagle" cape from his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii performance, demos from Bad Company's self-titled 1974 debut, a 1973 Eric Clapton demo reel and John Lennon's 1965 Rolls Royce registration and famous wire-rim glasses.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Mountain Lyricist, Felix Pappalardi's Wife & Killer Found Dead In Mexico

Gail Collins, the lyricist for Cream and Mountain who gained infamy in New York in 1983 when she shot and killed her husband, Mountain bassist and Cream producer Felix Pappalardi, has died in the Mexican village where she lived as a recluse.

Friends said Collins, 72, had been undergoing experimental cancer treatments in Ajijic, an expat resort town south of Guadalajara.

Her landlord found her dead on December 6.

Soon after the body was removed, a veterinarian arrived and euthanized her threee cats.

“She left instructions for her cats to be euthanized so their ashes could be mixed with hers,” said neighbor, Joan Montgomery. “Who does that?”

Collins went by her middle name, Delta, and few in Ajijic knew her life story. But her death is the coda to one of rock’s wildest crimes.

“She was one of the most brilliant people I have ever known, but she was also an opinionated jackass,” said her friend Diane Pearl. “She just needed to be the star.”

Collins became an intriguing figure in New York’s 1960s music scene as a result of her relationship with Bronx-born Pappalardi of Mountain, the New York band fronted by Leslie West.

She wrote the trippy lyrics that Eric Clapton sang in “Strange Brew” for Cream’s Disraeli Gears, which Pappalardi produced. And she became a creative force in Mountain, writing lyrics and painting album cover art, like Nantucket Sleighride (seen at top).

On April 17, 1983, police found Pappalardi dead in bed at their Waterside Plaza apartment in Manhattan, shot through the neck with Collins’ Derringer.

Convicted of criminally negligent homicide, Collins spent two years in prison and disappeared after her 1985 parole.

Speaking with Leslie West on the 20th anniversary of Pappalardi's tragic and controversial demise, the guitarist told Vintage Rock that Pappalardi and Collins' musical collaboration was marred with internal problems. "It got out of hand, it was ridiculous. Drugs entered into it too. It wasn't enjoyable."

The tension between Pappalardi and his wife led to some devastating consequences. "Sometimes I miss him," West dryly exclaimed. "Other times I think about how he was so unhappy at the time and maybe he's better off. He was in misery. He wasn't enjoying his life. And he got himself into a jam with his wife and some other girl. And he got shot."


Monday, February 24, 2014

Limited Edition Jon Lord Photo Book Coming April

Jon Lord - All Those Years Ago, a new, lavishly produced photo biography of the beloved late Deep Purple keyboardist from Rufus Stone Publishing, is now available for pre-order at a savings of £25.

Shipping in April. the book will feature never-seen-before personal family photographs, Lord's own photographs from Deep Purple, contributions from his colleagues, friends and family, unpublished professional images and new, previously unreleased music on a 10" single including the beautiful All Those Years Ago and an unreleased performance of Concerto for Group and Orchestra on DVD (performed exactly as Jon Lord intended). The DVD will also include the music from the 10" single.

The books also features a history and recollection of Lord's early life, from birth to the start of Deep Purple by his brother Steve Lord.

Available in a run of just 500 numbered copies worldwide, featuring an introduction from friend and fellow keyboard player Rick Wakeman, who will also personally sign each copy of this stunning edition.

The book is bound in a purple silk style material and packaged in a beautiful suede style clamsell box with Jon Lord's signatured gold foil embossed on the front.

Unique contributions from Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Lars Ulrich, Bernie Marsden and many others will also appear in the book.

For pre-ordering and additional information, visit Rufus Stone Publications.

You can watch our preview video below:


Sunday, February 23, 2014

KISS Won't Play At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction

The 40-year-old group is unable to agree on which lineup should perform during the April 10 ceremony in New York City, and has decided not to plug in at all.

The dispute concerns whether original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss would join Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in a live performance, or whether the current lineup of Stanley, Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer would play instead.

In a message on its website, KISS said it won't perform with any lineup, calling it "an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone."

"Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of KISS and give credit to all members, including longtime present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made this band what it is, regardless of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's point of view," the band wrote on its web site. "Although Kiss has moved forward far longer without them, Ace and Peter are at the very foundation of what we have built and this would all be impossible had they not been a part of it in the beginning."

The band made no mention of former guitarists Vinnie Vincent, who helped kick off the band's unmasked era, or Mark St. John, who was with the band briefly in 1984 and who died in 2007.

"It is over 13 years since the original lineup has played together in makeup and we believe the memory of those times would not be enhanced," Kiss wrote on its site. "To bring this to a quick end, we have decided not to play in any line-up, and we will focus our attention on celebrating our induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

The festering dispute was brought to a boil when Frehley called into the Eddie Trunk's syndicated radio show Friday night to say that Simmons and Stanley had rejected a reunion with the original four members for the induction.

"They just shot down any type of reunion with us," Frehley said during the broadcast. "It's very frustrating. It's what the fans wanted, it's what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame wanted, and it's not gonna happen. You don't want to do something for the fans after 40 years of them supporting you?"

The band's statement said it has never refused to pay with Frehley and Criss.

Criss, who lives in Wall Township, N.J., said he wanted to let fans know there would be no reunion before they bought tickets for the induction ceremony, which range from $120 to nearly $600.

"This is disgraceful, and I feel bad for the fans who were looking forward to the four of us being inducted together," he said.

Criss did not indicate whether he would attend the induction; Frehley said he is unsure whether he'll be there.

KISS began in 1973, and the original lineup played together until 1980. They reunited from 1996 to 2000, but the band has continued with replacement members wearing the Frehley and Criss makeup and costumes.
KISS won't rock and roll all night — or at any point during the day, either — when they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April, the band said Sunday.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Rolling Stones Rock Abu Dhabi In First Middle East Show

The Rolling Stones played their first-ever concert in the Middle East on Friday, February 21, on Yas Island - a gig to 30,000, mostly Western fans in culturally conservative Abu Dhabi.

A swaggering Mick Jagger, dressed in black sequins and red satin and later donning a red feather boa, strutted across the stage, showing little sign of his advancing years as he sang "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," "Honky Tonk Women," "Brown Sugar" and "Sympathy for the Devil."

But unlike an appearance by Madonna in the Gulf Arab state in 2012, which featured erotic dancing, provocative outfits and bare-chested monks, the concert passed off without controversy.

The band, all in their late 60s and early 70s, delighted fans who had traveled from around the United Arab Emirates for the only Middle East show at the start of a tour that moves on to Japan, Macau, Australia and New Zealand.

“For their first gig in the Middle East, it was magic. It's history,” said British expat Lisa Ball-Lechgar after the two-hour concert during which Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and drummer Charlie Watts performed 19 songs.

Information for this report was contributed by Reuters.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Blue Swede's 'Hooked On a Feeling' Sales Soar Thanks To 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Trailer

Sales of Blue Swede's 1974 hit "Hooked On a Feeling" have gone through the roof following its use in the new trailer for the film Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to industry sources, the song sold more than 2,000 downloads on Wednesday (Feb. 19) -- up about 700% in daily sales. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer bowed Tuesday (Feb. 18) on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Sources say that the song's 2,000 in digital sales instantly gave the tune its best digital sales week ever. (And again, that's after just one day of sales.) The current sales tracking week ends on Sunday, Feb. 23. We'll have the official weekly sales of the track, collected by Nielsen SoundScan, next Wednesday, Feb. 26.

In the week ending Feb. 16, the song sold a negligible figure.

In the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy, the familiar "oogachaka!" chant from the song can be heard at around the 1:30 mark, and is then repeated during a montage of fiery action scenes. The song is then heard without interruption for the last 20 seconds of the trailer.

The song's previous best digital week came in 2008, when it sold 1,000 downloads (in the week ending March 16).

Guardians of the Galaxy, starring Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana, will be released in theaters on Aug. 1.

Blue Swede's "Feeling" became a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit for the Swedish band, reaching the top on the chart dated April 6, 1974. It was one of four Hot 100 hits for the act, which also charted a top 10 single with "Never My Love" (No. 7) in October 1974.

Blue Swede's take on "Feeling" is one of three visits to the chart for the song, which was first a hit for B.J. Thomas in 1968. He took the song to No. 5 on the Hot 100 in early 1969. Decades later, in 1998, thanks in part to the TV show "Ally McBeal," the song returned to the chart. A dancing baby -- grooving to Blue Swede's "Feeling" -- appeared as a hallucination on the show in January 1998. Known as "Baby Cha Cha," the animated infant was already a viral sensation by that point, but its popularity hit a new level after its use in "Ally McBeal."

That popularization -- along with Baby Cha Cha's subsequent appearances in assorted TV commercials -- led to a new recording and commercial CD release of the song, credited to the anonymous studio group Baby Talk. The single went on to sell 111,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, helping it reach No. 71 on the Hot 100 the week of June 6, 1998.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Ian Anderson's Homo Erraticus Due April 15 In North America

Jethro Tull leader Ian Anderson will be releasing a new studio album Homo Erraticus on April 15 on his own Calliandra Records, distributed by Kscope. The album continues with the story of Anderson's favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock.

Anderson and his band (guitarst Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O'Hara and drummer Scott Hammond, and singer Ryan O'Donnell) will be touring the United States this September through November.

In 1972 Jethro Tull released the iconic concept album Thick As A Brick, based on a poem by the then eight year old Gerald Bostock in 2012. As many fans wondered what might have befallen the character, Ian Anderson decided to explore the different paths Gerald's life might have taken in his 2012 album, Thick As A Brick 2.

Following a 40 year political career, Gerald Bostock reunited with Anderson taking the role of tour manager on a string of shows. Homo Erraticus marks Gerald's return to songwriting, and is based on an unpublished manuscript by amateur historian Ernest T. Parritt (1865-1928).

In Homo Erraticus, Parritt examines key events of British history with a string of prophecies stretching to the current day and the future. Visions of past lives caused by the delirium of malaria generate the characters through whose eyes the stories are told, including a nomadic Neolithic settler, an iron Age blacksmith, a Christian monk, a turnpike innkeeper and even Prince Albert.

The album release will be followed by an extensive UK tour, where Homo Erraticus will be performed in its entirety followed by a selection of Tull classics updated with video and theatrics.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

AC/DC To Start Work On New Album In May

The gap between AC/DC’s most recent two albums was eight years. The next one won’t require quite such a lengthy wait.

Frontman Brian Johnson has revealed that the Aussie rock legends are poised to start work on new music. And there are plans to celebrate the outfit’s 40th anniversary with a special tour.

"Well, you’ll be the first one to know," the British singer recently said. "Really, because we’ve been denying anything, 'cause we weren’t sure…But I think we’ll be going into the studio in May in Vancouver. Which means, we should be getting ready." The news follows bass player Cliff Williams’ admission last March that he and the Young brothers (Malcolm and Angus) had begun writing new material.

AC/DC’s next album will follow the 15th international studio set Black Ice, released in 2008. The album was an international smash. It shipped more than 5.3 million units by year's end en route to topping sales charts in 29 countries -- including the U.S. -- according to the band’s Sydney-based label home Alberts. The subsequent tour in support of the album is recognized as one of the biggest grossing treks in history.

Johnson also said the group were keen to hit the road. "It’s been 40 years of the band’s existence," he added. "So I think we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty. I mean, honestly, our fans are just the best in the world, and we appreciate every one of them. So, like I said, we’ll have to go out, even though we’re getting a bit long in the tooth. You know what?! It’s been four years [since we last went out on the road], and I’m really looking forward to it."

Though they’ve been out of cycle for a few years, AC/DC’s music resonates as loud as ever. Their works have featured prominently in the Iron Man films, a social media campaign pushed “Highway to Hell” to No. 4 on the U.K.’s coveted Christmas chart in 2013 (their first top 10 there), and Bruce Springsteen recently covered the song while on tour in their homeland.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Van Morrison Headlining 50th Cambridge Folk Festival


Van Morrison will make his debut at Cambridge Folk Festival this year, as headliner for its 50th anniversary. With one of the most revered catalogs in music history and unparalleled talents as a composer, singer and performer, his Sunday set is sure to be a fitting finale to the celebrations. In another Festival first, internationally renowned singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O’Connor, famed for her captivating stage presence and stunning vocal range, will be headlining Friday night.

Other initial names announced to give a flavor of 2014’s line-up are: Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Sun), celebrating over fifty years of their uplifting South African gospel influenced a cappella music; folk-rock royalty Richard Thompson (Fri), one of the world’s most critically acclaimed guitarists and songwriters; US singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (Sat), following the release of career-defining album The River & The Thread; global beat pioneers Afro Celt Sound System (Fri), fusing West African rhythms, Irish traditional music, cutting-edge dance grooves, Indian bhangra, Arabic influences, dub reggae, and more; US singer-songwriter and Festival favorite Loudon Wainwright III (Sat); a rare festival appearance from The Full English (Sat), featuring Fay Hield, Seth Lakeman, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Sam Sweeney, Rob Harbron and Ben Nicholls performing seminal early 20th century folksong; Multi-award winning Irish folk singer Cara Dillon (Fri); Pokey LaFarge (Thurs/Fri), playing a creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing; influential American folk singer Peggy Seeger (Fri), who played the very first Festival; critically acclaimed US singer-songwriter and former member of Drive By Truckers, Jason Isbell (Sun); leading traditional Irish music group Lúnasa (Sat/Sun); Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Thurs), a unique collaboration of classical harpist Finch and kora player Keita, exploring the traditions of Wales and Senegal; young American singer-songwriter and instrumental virtuoso Sarah Jarosz (Sat/Sun).

BBC Radio 2 has announced that the Cambridge Folk Festival is the recipient of the Good Tradition Award at this year’s Folk Awards. This award is given to a person, group or organisation for their contribution to the preservation, dissemination and continuance/progression of traditional music over a number of years.

Held annually in a beautiful tree lined park in Cambridge, the four-day outdoor Festival is considered one of the world’s most prestigious. Having started life in 1965, the 14,000 capacity Festival showcases both international headline artists and young, emerging talent across four different stages and continues to enjoy sell-out success year on year. Renowned for its unique parkland setting, great facilities and family friendliness, the Festival offers something for everyone with street theatre, music workshops and sessions, raucous ceilidhs, open stages, a youth area, internet café, kids’ ceilidh, storytelling, free creche, paddling pool and playground, real ale bars.

Festival Manager Eddie Barcan said, "We intend to celebrate 50 years of amazing music and great times in style this coming summer and look forward to welcoming everyone to Cambridge in July."

See the Cambridge Folk Festival website for more information and tickets.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Dutch Rock Legends Focus’ Hit Song “Hocus Pocus” Featured In New 'RoboCop' Film

 
Focus's 1972 worldwide hit “Hocus Pocus” is now being featured in the major motion picture RoboCop starring Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton. The song, which features the distinctive and virtuosic yodeling by keyboardist Thijs Van Leer, was originally released on the band's critically acclaimed second album Moving Waves.

Says Thijs, “A good friend of mine was so lucky to be present at the pre-premiere of the new RoboCop and he called me WHILE 'Hocus Pocus' was played during the film, shouting, 'Hey Thijs, they put your genius song on the best sequence of the picture!!! Congratulations!!!!!' Since that very moment I am crazily happy about this luxurious feeling: as the composer, the yodeller, Hammond-organ player & flautist!! Halleluya!!!”

With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus,” “House of The King” and “Sylvia,” as well as critically acclaimed albums 'Moving Waves', 'Focus 3' and 'Hamburger Concerto', the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans.

After a comeback in the early 2000's, which resulted in the well-received albums 'Focus 8' and 'Focus 9', the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is beloved Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album Moving Waves in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, completes the band's current line-up.

Focus has been performing select shows in support of their forthcoming 11th album Golden Oldies, which features re-recordings of classic Focus tracks. Thijs explains, “Producing 'Golden Oldies' is tricky. Both the diehard fans and the 2014 Focus members were having doubts about this enterprise, because we didn't know if the recent recordings would match the original material, notwithstanding the fact that we had so much fun in doing the session, quick, romantic, virtuoso, full of funny moments & profoundness; But... the final mix turns out to be fantastic and we all are proud to release this album at our earliest convenience!!”

Check out the RoboCop promo clip:










CD pre-order link: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4574

For more information: http://www.focustheband.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

New Documentary Tells Story Of The Who’s Tommy

Coming to DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats on March 11, Sensation – The Story Of Tommy explores the background, creation, and impact of this seminal album. Through brand new interviews, the film unveils the history and cultural impact of Tommy through new interviews with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, archive interviews with the late John Entwistle, contributions from engineer Bob Pridden, artwork creator Mike McInnerney, plus others involved in the making of the album, as well as journalists who assess the album’s historic and cultural impact.  

Originally aired on BBC TV in August 2013, this version includes additional material not featured in the TV broadcast, as well as a bonus 33-minute feature from the 1969 German TV show “Beat Club.” This feature, which includes previously unreleased footage, includes tracks from the album and interviews with band members.

Released in 1969, Tommy was a milestone in rock history, and marked a new chapter in the band’s career. Selling over 20 million copies worldwide, the double-album established Pete Townshend’s prowess as not only a musician, but a composer, and further solidified Roger Daltrey as one of rock’s foremost frontmen. A concept album exploring the story of a blind pinball ace, Tommy proved that rock music was a viable vehicle for storytelling, and was the first album to be overtly billed as a rock opera. It was later re-imagined as a film by Ken Russell in the mid-seventies, and a touring stage production in the early nineties.

The direct-to-consumer store for Sensation – The Making Of Tommy is now live at http://www.myplaydirect.com/the-who, which includes exclusive bundles with the DVD or Blu-ray, T-shirt, and a 18X24 poster. Fans have until February 20 at 12:00PM EST to pre-order one of several bundles, and have his or her name included on the poster.

For a sneak peak of Sensation – The Making Of Tommy, here are some video clips:

“Making People Feel”

“Screening Interview”

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Queen's 'Greatest Hits' Becomes Britain's Best-Selling Album


Queen's Greatest Hits has become the first album to sell six million copies in the UK.

The record-breaking album was first released in 1981, and now The Official Charts Company has confirmed that the album has broken the six million sales mark. Of the albums total sales, 124,000 copies were downloaded digitally with the rest coming through physical sales. Chart Company data estimates that the album can now be found in one of four British households.

Greatest Hits stands ahead of Britain's second biggest selling albums, Abba's hits album Gold and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, both of which have sold 5.1 million copies. Adele's album 21 is fourth with 4.7 million sales while Oasis' second album (What's The Story) Morning Glory is fifth with 4.6 million copies sold in the UK.

Queen guitarist Brian May expressed his appreciation. "I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us through the years, we hope to continue to serve you." Queen drummer Roger Taylor added separately: "Wonderful. Who would have thought it! And all due to the great British public. Thank you. A great honour!"

It was recently reported that Queen could be set to play live in America later this year, after Brian May hinted at a series of US live dates with Adam Lambert. Confirming that he and drummer Roger Taylor hope to reunite with Lambert, who has performed vocals for Queen at live shows in the past, May hinted that the gigs could happen as soon as this summer.

Monday, February 10, 2014

The Doors' Robby Krieger, John Densmore Reunite To Honor Ray Manzarek

The Doors' Robby Krieger has been working on getting a bunch of musicians together to memorialize fellow band member, Ray Manzarek, who died last year.

"We want to bring together those who Ray either idolized or guys who idolized Ray, maybe at the Greek or The Hollywood Bowl for a big concert this summer," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "We've teamed up with Live Nation and they are helping us get it all together. We just want it to be the best it can be."

Manzarek's family and brothers will be present, along with The Doors' John Densmore. "John and I will be there and we've had a lot of interest. Since he's been gone, we really haven't had any kind of real tribute for him, except at his funeral service. We want people to remember Ray for everything he has done. There are so many musicians and fans who have learned so much from him."

Krieger has sent out letters to many musicians to check their availability to participate. "That's the hard part, coordinating everyone's schedules," he said. "To get everyone together on one day, in the summertime, when they are not on tour for a big venue, that's the challenge."

While there was a falling out between the remaining Doors members in recent years, Manzarek's death has brought Densmore and Krieger together again -- which should make Doors fans very happy.

"John and I haven't been on the best of terms," acknowledged Krieger. "Ray and I wanted to play as The Doors, and John didn't want to, and so we had a big lawsuit. But now John and I are back on track…too bad it took Ray's passing to cause that. But I am happy that we are."

Krieger described Manzarek as a cross between a father figure and a big brother. "He was older than us. And when we started out, we needed someone like Ray, especially with Jim (Morrison) being the way he was. It wasn't the easiest group to be together. But it was actually perfect; no matter what Jim did, he was balanced off by Ray being very calm."

Krieger, who just played with his band, Jam Kitchen in January at the Whisky a-Go-Go's 50th Anniversary and the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show, has been busy with a lifelong dream of his: building a new studio for public use in Glendale. "It's hard sometimes to make music at your home studio, since there are so many distractions. I think people are going to get tired of their home studios -- I know I did. I've always been two to three years ahead of most musicians around here, so I'm hoping others will be interested too!"

The studio is a mix of old school and new technology. "We have some old mixing boards from the 70s, and a Neve board that Michael Jackson made Thriller on. For down time, a musician can use our golf simulator and actually play a course from anywhere in the world! More and more musicians these days play golf for some reason -- and it didn't use to be cool to play golf when I first started playing music! But over the years, golf is very much like music, it's a mental thing where you have to get out of your own way. When you are playing music, you don't want to have to think too much."

Krieger named the studio, Horse Latitudes, not just because it's a Doors song. "We are right near the Glendale equestrian center, so I thought it was a good name!" he joked.

Krieger was just at Johnny Depp's studio, working on Alice Cooper's album of covers. "I've recently played guitar on the forthcoming Alice Cooper-Johnny Depp recording project, which a tribute to their 'dead friends'," he said.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Legacy Recordings Issuing 15-CD Joe Satriani Box Set

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings, a 15 CD library box housing the rock guitar virtuoso's most comprehensive anthology ever, on Tuesday, April 22. the set will also be available as a collectible limited edition USB drive exclusively on satriani.com.

One of the most influential and respected instrumental rock guitarists to emerge in the past three decades, Joe Satriani is that rare "musician's musician" who's crossed over into the mainstream with music sublime and complex, appealing to a wide variety of tastes.

A true master of the six-string, Satriani worked as a guitar teacher in his early career, with a number of his students — among them Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde, David Bryson (Counting Crows), Charlie Hunter and more — achieving their own considerable successes.

While in considerable demand as a sideman throughout his career—he's toured with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple and many others — Satriani has pursued his own musical vision over the years through a series of instrumental rock albums (many of them Grammy nominated) which chronicle his evolution as an artist and his eloquence as a guitarist.

All 14 of Joe Satriani's landmark studio albums, from Not Of This Earth (his 1986 debut) through 2013's Unstoppable Momentum, are included in the new collection alongside "Added Creations and Bonus Tracks," a newly-curated anthology disc of rare compositions and performances falling outside the purview of Satriani's official album canon, and Surfing With The Alien, 1987's platinum-selling breakout.

"When the good people at Legacy approached me with the idea of a comprehensive box set featuring my studio recordings in their entirety, plus bonus tracks, all re-mastered, I answered with a resounding, 'YES!,'" said Joe Satriani.  "The only person who could pull this all together logistically and sonically was mastering engineer John Cuniberti. John and I have recorded quite a bit of music together going way back to the early '80's. I've made more records with John engineering and co-producing than anyone else, so, who better to help me put this box set together the right way? His attention to detail has made this project exciting, illuminating and ultimately awesome sounding. "

Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings presents brand-new digital masters, overseen by Joe Satriani, with each CD packaged in a replica cardboard jacket.  The library collection is housed in a specially designed clamshell box with a booklet filled with photos and memorabilia from across the decades.
The set is the ideal audio accompaniment to Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir, Satriani's autobiography (benbellabooks.com), also coming in April.

A tireless performer who draws strength and inspiration from live shows, Satriani is consistently one of the world's top concert draws. He is a core member of the rock supergroup Chickenfoot (with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith) as well as founder of the highly successful G3 tours, each teaming Satriani with a pair of top-flight guitarists with shows often featuring special guest artists and other musical surprises.  A nearly annual event, G3 launched in 1996 with Steve Vai and Eric Johnson and has showcased a wide variety of axemen over the years including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Fripp, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Neal Schon, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather and many others.  Most recently, the G3 tour played South America in 2012.

Over his career, Joe Satriani has earned 15 Best Rock Instrumental Performance Grammy nominations alongside Platinum (Surfing With The Alien, Flying In A Blue Dream) and Gold (Surfing With The Alien, Flying In A Blue Dream, The Extremist, Time Machine) certifications for his solo recordings.  He also racked up Gold and Platinum certifications for the DVD Live In San Francisco and 2  G3 DVDs,  G3 Live and  Live In Denver.

Satriani is extending his decades-long relationship with Sony Music, signing a new multi-album deal with Legacy for future recordings.

Joe Satriani: The Complete Studio Recordings includes:

1986  Not of This Earth
1987  Surfing With The Alien
1989  Flying In A Blue Dream
1992  The Extremist 
1993  Time Machine
1995  Joe Satriani
1998  Crystal Planet
2000  Engines Of Creation
2002  Strange Beautiful Music
2004  Is There Love In Space?
2006  Super Colossal 
2008  Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion Of Rock
2010  Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards
2013  Unstoppable Momentum
2014 Additional Creations and Bonus Tracks

Thursday, February 6, 2014

The Babys Release New Video, Prep New Album For April


Hot on the heels of their new single “Not Ready To Say Goodbye” (released via iTunes on November 26) and a string of west coast dates, The Babys are back in the studio, completing their new album, which will be released in early April 2014 via Skyrocket Entertainment (a division of Rocket Science Ventures).

The band just wrapped filming of their new video for “Not Ready To Say Goodbye” (see below).


Continuing their direct-to-fan pre-sale campaign via PledgeMusic.com, The Babys’ loyal fans can pre-order the album, and actively follow the progress of the new record in tandem with the band: Wally Stocker (lead guitar), Tony Brock (drums), John Bisaha (vocals/bass), and Joey Sykes (rhythm guitar).

For more information, check out http://www.pledgemusic.com/thebabys.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Jack Bruce To Release First New Studio Album In 10 Years

Esoteric Antenna has announced the release of Silver Rails, the first new studio album from the legendary Jack Bruce in 10 years.

A founding member of Cream, a supremely talented instrumentalist and vocalist and eminently respected by his peers, Bruce’s pioneering bass playing style has influenced successive generations of bassists, including such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Jaco Pastorius and Sting, alongside more contemporary musicians such as Flea of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

He is also the possessor of one of the most powerful voices in modern music and a composer of some of the most original and influential music since the 1960s, including such enduring classics such as “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room,” “I Feel Free” and “Theme from an Imaginary Western.”

Scheduled for release on April 15th, Silver Rails was recorded at world-famous Abbey Road studios in London and produced by Rob Cass.

The songs were written by Bruce in partnership with lyricists Pete Brown, Kip Hanrahan and Margrit Seyffer. Celebrated instrumentalists on the album include Phil Manzanera, Robin Trower, Bernie Marsden, Uli Jon Roth, John Medeski, Malcolm Bruce and Cindy Blackman Santana.

A two-disc deluxe edition of Silver Rails featuring a DVD with a 'Making Of" documentary, as well as an 180 gram vinyl version, will also be available.

Bruce begins a UK tour on March 13th in support of the album.




Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Foreigner, Styx, Don Felder Announce The Soundtrack Of Summer Tour

Combined, they’ve sold over 250 million albums worldwide.  They’ve had 36 #1 and Top 10 smash hit singles that are still being spun on Classic Rock radio over 500,000 times every year.  They’ve performed thousands of concerts worldwide to countless crowds.  Now it’s time for three of the most legendary names in rock to come together for a massive U.S. Summer tour.

Styx and Foreigner, with very special guest Don Felder (former Eagles guitarist/songwriter) will join forces for the The Soundtrack of Summer three-month U.S. trek, which will kick off May 16 in Oklahoma City, OK at the Zoo Amphitheatre.  Tickets for various cities go on sale starting February 7.  Fans can check out the tour’s official website  for info about all three acts, ticket on-sale dates, and more shows that will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The addition of Don Felder to The Soundtrack of Summer tour means that the combined album sales of all 3 acts, as well as all the bands they were once members of, is well north of 200 million worldwide,” declares Styx guitarist/singer James “JY” Young.  “Certainly by this yardstick, The Soundtrack of Summer has got to easily be in the Top Ten three-act concert tours to ever hit the road.  ‘Renegade,’ ‘Juke Box Heroes’ partying at the ‘Hotel California’ will be your slammin' soundtrack of a rockin' hot summer!!!  What more could you ask for after this crazy cold winter we are having???”

“As longtime friends, we’re happy to join Styx and Don Felder for the ultimate soundtrack of summer,” says Foreigner founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones. “Our combined songs are some of America’s favorite summer anthems, and we’re excited to be bringing them to our fans across the country.”

“This tour will have the best vocalists and guitarists on the road today,” exclaims Don Felder.  “The sheer volume of our combined catalogs is massive and should satisfy any rock & roll fan, and rock them until they can’t walk out of the place.”

Check out The Soundtrack of Summer tour at any of the following stops (with more to be added in the coming weeks).  Don Felder hits the stage at 7:00pm at every stop.  Styx and Foreigner will alternate closing slots.

Fri 5/16 - Zoo Amphitheatre - Oklahoma City, OK                                
Sat 5/17 - Verizon Theatre - Grand Prairie, TX                                          
Sun 5/18 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Houston, TX                        
Tue 5/20 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL                                              
Thu 5/22 - Germain Arena - Estero, FL                                            
Fri 5/23 - St. Augustine Amphitheatre - St. Augustine, FL                      
Sat 5/24 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Atlanta, GA                            
Sun 5/25 - The Wharf - Orange Beach, AL                                                
Thu 5/29 - Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre - Tuscaloosa, AL                        
Fri 5/30 - Charter Amphitheatre  - Simpsonville, SC                                    
Sat 5/31 - PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC                                          
Sun 6/1 - Farm Bureau Amphitheatre - Virginia Beach, VA                          
Thu 6/5 - Horseshoe Casino - Cincinnati, OH                                            
Fri 6/6 - FirstMerit Bank Pavilion - Chicago, IL                                    
Sat 6/7 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Maryland Hts., MO                    
Sun 6/8 - Starlight Theatre - Kansas City, MO                                            
Thu 6/19 - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion - Boston, MA                                      
Fri 6/20 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA                                                      
Sat 6/21 - Summer Stage - Big Flats, NY                                                  
Mon 6/23 - Turning Stone Casino - Verona, NY                                            
Fri 6/27 - Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket, CT                            
Sat 6/28 - Nikon Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY                                  
Fri 7/4 - Toyota Pavilion - Scranton, PA                                                  
Sat 7/5 - Darlings Waterfront - Bangor, ME                                              
Sun 7/6 - Bank of NH Pavilion - Gilford, NH                                              
Wed 7/9 - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center - Canandaigua, NY            
Thu 7/10 - Freedom Hill Amphitheater - Detroit, MI
Thu 7/17 - Target Center - Minneapolis, MN                                              
Fri 7/18 - Moondance Jam - Walker, MN                                                    
Tue 7/22 - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre - Denver, CO                                  
Wed 7/23 - USANA Amphitheatre - Salt Lake City, UT                                    
Fri 7/25 - Orleans Arena - Las Vegas, NV                                                  
Sat 7/26 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA                                                
Sun 7/27 - Santa Barbara Bowl - Santa Barbara, CA                                  

More information at http://www.soundtrackofsummer.com.

Monday, February 3, 2014

55 Years Ago: The Day The Music Died


On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, 22, Jiles P Richardson - known as the Big Bopper - 28, and Ritchie Valens, 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa at 0100 local time.

The pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed.Early reports from the scene suggested the aircraft spun out of control during a light snowstorm. Only the pilot's body was found inside the wreckage as the performers were thrown clear on impact.

Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tour bus. All three were travelling to Moorhead, Minnesota, the next venue in their Winter Dance Party Tour, Holly had set up the grueling schedule of concerts - covering 24 cities in three weeks - to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, last year.

Born Charles Hardin Holley - changed to Holly after a misspelling on a contract - he had several hit records, including a number one, in the US and UK with "That'll Be The Day" in 1957. A singer and guitarist, he was inspired by Elvis Presley after seeing him at an early concert in his home town of Lubbock, Texas. With Presley serving in the Army, some critics expected Holly to take over his crown.

Richard Valenzuela was the first Mexican American to break into mainstream music, after being discovered by record producer Bob Keane, who changed his name to Ritchie Valens. He had made three albums and achieved a number two chart position in the US with his composition "Donna" - about his girlfriend - in 1958.
His rock 'n' roll re-working of the traditional Mexican song "La Bamba" (on the B-side of "Donna") has also received acclaim.

The Big Bopper had been a record-breaking radio DJ - with a 122-hour marathon stint - and reached number six in the American charts with his record "Chantilly Lace."

Jeff Lynne's ELO Announces 2024 North American Fall Tour

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