Wednesday, September 30, 2015

2016 NAMM TEC Awards Nominations Announced

The NAMM Foundation announces nominees for its 31st Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards in the categories of Outstanding Technical and Creative Achievement. The awards celebrate the best in professional audio and sound production. Voting begins December 1st, with winners announced at a Saturday evening, January 23, 2016 awards event held in the Anaheim Hilton’s Pacific Ballroom and via a live event web stream during the 2016 NAMM Show.

“The story of our industry, and for that matter, the story of NAMM is not some sterile business-school myth,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “It is the story of passionate individuals who followed their dreams and against all obstacles persevered and succeeded in making the world a more musical place. The TEC Awards and the TEC Hall of Fame honors these pioneers for their vision and service and we are grateful for their contributions.”

An eye toward the future marks this year’s technical nominees who have designed products, tools and new software solutions that take music and audio production to the next level.

In the category of Audio Apps for Smartphones & Tablets, companies with technology that extends the reach and connectivity of concert sound systems in venues of all sizes are nominated. Those brands include Allen & Heath’s Qu-Pad App, Meyer Sound’s Compass Go, JBL Professional’s SRX Connect and other manufacturers’ products that break down barriers between studio and live production.

Legacy products rule in the Musical Instrument Hardware category. Classic synthesizer designs including MOOG’s Modular Recreation, Korg’s ARP Odyssey and Dave Smith Instruments’ Sequential Prophet-6 show that state-of-the-art technology can advance while still creating iconic sound.

In the category of Workstation Technology, nominated products that include Avid’s Pro Tools 12 feature advance computer-based technologies and user accessibility. Apple, PreSonus, SoundMAGIC, Steinberg and Waves Audio are also up for TEC Award consideration.

There are eight categories for Outstanding Creative Achievement that include TV Sound Production (“Game of Thrones,” “Nashville,” etc.); Film Sound Production (American Sniper, Birdman, etc.); Record Production/Single or Track (“Baltimore” from Prince, “Dreams” from Beck, etc.) and more.

The founders of Record Plant will be inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame for their exemplary work in capturing iconic music that stretches across generations of the American musical experience, including Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” The Eagles’ “Hotel California” and live recordings captured with the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. At the helm of three Record Plant studios were Chris Stone and the late Gary Kellgren. Their New York-based Studio A was the first studio designed for mixing quadraphonic (surround) sound.

Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, whose guitar licks with Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and many more are included on the shelves of music’s most successful discographies, will be inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame for his myriad contributions to music. A sought-after solo and session player, Baxter’s career fluidly moves between a mixture of genres from pop to country to rock, fusion and beyond.

In total, winners in more than 30 categories will be selected from the 180 nominees. Winners will be selected by voters from major pro audio publications including Mix, Pro Sound News, Pro Audio Review, Sound & Video Contractor and Electronic Musician magazines, as well as members of the Producers & Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy, Game Audio Network Guild and select NAMM members.  The January 23 event begins with a reception at 6PM, followed by the awards ceremony at 7PM. Tickets are available to purchase now at https://www.tecawards.org/.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Judge Curbs Boston's Tom Scholz Lawsuit Vs Former Guitarist Barry Goudreau

A federal judge on Monday dismissed most of a lawsuit in which Tom Scholz, the founder of the rock band Boston, accused former bandmate and guitarist Barry Goudreau of trademark infringement over the use of the band's name.

Goudreau played on Boston's self-titled 1976 debut album, which sold more than 17 million copies and contained the song "More Than A Feeling," and the 1978 follow-up Don't Look Back.

Scholz accused him of repeatedly violating a 1983 agreement over royalties that let Goudreau use the phrase "formerly of Boston" in marketing. He said Goudreau was instead advertised as an "original" Boston member, "playing the hits of Boston" and "lead guitarist rock legend from the band Boston."

U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston dismissed 11 of Scholz's 13 claims. She said Goudreau "has not directly infringed Scholz's trademarks" in marketing his performances, and that his website was unlikely to confuse viewers.

She let Scholz pursue two claims over Goudreau's work with the band Ernie and the Automatics, including whether Goudreau had "direct control and monitoring" over promotions.

Casper also let Goudreau pursue three counterclaims, including that Scholz's restrictions breached the royalty agreement.

Erik Belt, a lawyer for Scholz, was not immediately available for comment.

Goudreau's lawyer, Joe Messina, said "we are very pleased" with the decision, and that he expects his client will have no liability on the two surviving claims.

In August 2013, a federal judge in Seattle rejected Scholz's effort to stop two other onetime bandmates, Fran Cosmo and his son Anthony, from marketing themselves as former Boston members. That lawsuit was later amended, and ultimately dismissed.

The case is Scholz v Goudreau, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 13-10951.

Monday, September 21, 2015

The Beatles' First Recording Contract Sells for More Than $90K


A New York auction house says it has sold the first recording contract ever signed by the Beatles for more than $90,000.

Heritage Auctions says the 1961 contract was for a recording of a rock and roll version of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean."

The single from the recording session in Hamburg was released only in Germany. But it led to the Beatles being discovered by manager Brian Epstein.

The session was before Ringo Starr joined the Beatles. Drummer Pete Best signed the contract along with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

The contract was sold Saturday by the estate of German Beatles collector Uwe Blaschke.

Heritage Auctions did not identify the buyer, who paid $93,750.

Friday, September 18, 2015

John Fogerty To Discuss Memoir At Los Angeles & New York Appearances

An exclusive intimate evening with singer and songwriter John  Fogerty will take place on Monday, October 12th at LA’s famed Troubadour in West Hollywood. Tickets are on sale now here.   

Celebrating the October 6th release of his memoir, Fortunate Son: My Life, My Music, Fogerty will be joined by longtime friend George Thorogood.

Billed as “An Evening In Conversation with John Fogerty” the event will feature an intimate Q&A session with Thorogood chatting with Fogerty about his life and the events detailed in the memoir.

“I spent many, many hours reflecting and writing about the details of my life, from childhood dreams, the passion behind my music, all leading up to my life today,” says Fogerty. “ I am very excited to have my fans read and share in my story.  It hasn’t been easy, but where it leads certainly has been worth it all.”

Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the most important and beloved bands in the history of Rock ‘n Roll, and the memoir tells a story that will keep music lovers and avid readers captivated. Fogerty wrote, sang, and produced the iconic classics "Born on the Bayou," "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," and so many more.

In the book, he reveals how he brought CCR to the top of the charts and how, one year later, the band was falling apart. The music of CCR, however, has endured for decades despite the series of personal and legal issues.

Fortunate Son takes readers from Fogerty’s Northern California roots, through Creedence's success, his retreat from music and public life, to his hard-won revival as a solo artist who finally, through it all, found love.

Fogerty will be making the following additional appearances in New York and Los Angeles:

New York:

•  Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 - 8:15 PM – Fogerty in Conversation at the 92nd St Y - Buttenwiser Hall at 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd street, New York, NY. Click here for Tickets.

•  Thursday - October 08, 2015 - 1:00 PM – SIGNING ONLY - Barnes and Noble 5th Avenue - 555 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Click here for Tickets.


Los Angeles:

• Monday, October 12, 2015 – 8:00 pm – Fogerty in Conversation - the Troubadour - 9081 Santa Monica Blvd. – West Hollywood, CA 90069. Click here for tickets.

•  Tuesday - October 13, 2015 - 7:00 pm  – Fogerty in Conversation - Barnes & Noble The Grove - 189 The Grove Drive Unit K-30, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Click here for tickets.

•  Friday - October 16, 2015 - 8:00 pm – Fogerty in Conversation - Live Talks LA - the Grammy Museum Clive Davis Theater- 800 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA. Click here for tickets.

Check John Fogerty’s website for breaking news, new content and tour information at http://www.johnfogerty.com./

Thursday, September 17, 2015

The Beatles Releasing 50 Promotional Films & Videos


After the Beatles stopped touring, and because travelling around the globe to promote new releases was impossible, the band increasingly made what could be described as “mini movies.”


These pioneering promotional films and videos helped to define the way we have come to watch music, not least because the Beatles approached filming with the same ease and innovative spirit they brought to the recording studio, exploring new creative possibilities with infectious delight.

Showcasing the band’s filmed work to accompany their 27 No.1, U.K. and U.S. singles, The Beatles 1 is newly restored and expanded in multiple configurations for global release on November 6 by Apple Corps Ltd/UMG.

“These videos and films are spectacular reminders of the era we lived in. They also rock!” Paul McCartney says.

"I think it’s really interesting to see the videos we made, some of them incredible and some of them really incredible.  How else would we have got to sit on a horse?" Ringo Starr adds.

The 27-track CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray pairs beautifully restored videos for each song, with new stereo and 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS HD surround audio mixes. The brand new Beatles 1+ celebrates their career in over 200 minutes through 50 promotional films and videos.

This includes the 27 No.1s, with the restored videos, along with a second disc of 23 videos, including alternate versions, as well as rarely seen and newly restored films and videos; all include new audio mixes in deluxe CD/2-DVD and CD/2-Blu-ray packages. The 27-track audio CD is also being made available with new stereo mixes. A 2 LP, 180-gram vinyl package will follow.

The new editions of The Beatles 1 have been made possible following extensive research, and restoration of the original promo films, classic television appearances and other carefully selected videos spanning the band’s history. Apple Corps dug deep into The Beatles’ vaults to select a broad range of films and videos for their rarity, historical significance and quality of performance.

An 18-person team of film and video technicians and restoration artists was assembled by Apple Corps to undertake painstaking frame-by-frame cleaning, colour-grading, digital enhancement and new edits that took months of dedicated, ‘round-the-clock work to accomplish.

The result is a visual run down of The Beatles’ number one records, as well as the additional tracks on the bonus disc of Beatles 1+ that show the band in previously unseen standards of clarity and quality; many of the films and videos have never before been commercially released, in whole or in part.

Beatles 1 and Beatles 1+ offers the restored films, including 35mm negatives scanned in 4K and digitally restored with new stereo and 5.1 surround audio remixes, produced from the original analogue tapes by the GRAMMY® winning team of Giles Martin with Sam Okell at Abbey Road Studios.

For four of the videos, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have provided exclusive audio commentary and filmed introductions, respectively. The 1+ Deluxe Edition, presented in an expanded 124-page illustrated hardcover book includes ‘an appreciation’ of the Beatles’ ground-breaking films and videos by music journalist and author Mark Ellen and extensive, detailed track/video annotation by music historian and author Richard Havers.

To read the full story and pre-order your copy, visit http://www.thebeatles.com.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Heart's Ann Wilson Releasing Solo EP & Touring

Heart lead singer Ann Wilson is set to release her first solo EP, The Ann Wilson Thing, on Rounder Records. Featured tracks on the EP include “Fool No More,” which was written by Wilson and described by her as “a heavy blues song about bad love and the fleeting of time” and “For What It’s Worth,” which Wilson says is “a melding of some timeless lyrics with meat, hair and teeth.” The Ann Wilson Thing will be released digitally on September 18 and in stores October 9.

Wilson previously announced her first solo mini tour kicking off September 21 in Solana Beach, CA. Additional dates include The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Hartford, CT, on October 6 and a second show at City Winery in New York on October 7.

Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris with be sitting in with Wilson at her Nashville City Winery date on October 15 and Jon Batiste, the band leader of the Colbert show, will join her for a song at the New York City Winery show.

In addition, Wilson’s Hartford, CT, show at the Katherin Hepburn Theater will be filmed by Connecticut PBS as part of their new “Kate Hepburn Series” and will air on PBS in February.

As a songwriter and lyricist, Ann Wilson has created a truly impressive body of work (“Crazy on You,” “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” “Dog & Butterfly,” “Straight On”, “Even it Up,” “Mistral Wind,” and many, many more).

However, her greatest gift, and first “calling” is singing and with this intimate tour, she prepares to blow away her fans with up, close and personal, raw performances of blues and rock songs. The Ann Wilson Thing won’t replace Heart but it will be a new experience for existing Heart fans, as well as for new fans who will love these songs.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
 
Oct. 6 - The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center - Hartford, CT
Oct. 7 - City Winery (two shows) - New York, NY
Oct. 9 - Rams Head on Stage - Annapolis, MD
Oct. 10 - Rams Head on Stage - Annapolis, MD
Oct. 12 - The Barns at Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA
Oct. 13 - The Barns at Wolf Trap - Vienna, VA
Oct. 15 -  City Winery - Nashville, TN
Nov. 23 - Yoshi’s - Oakland, CA
Nov. 24 - Yoshi’s  - Oakland, CA (two shows)
 

Monday, September 14, 2015

REO Speedwagon Guitarist Gary Richrath Dies

REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath has died, the band announced on its website and Facebook page Sunday. He was 65.

Band frontman Kevin Cronin said in a message that "my longtime friend and collaborator Gary Richrath passed away earlier (Sunday)." He did not disclose a cause of death.

"I feel so sad," Cronin wrote. "Gary was both a unique guitarist and songwriter, and the embodiment of the tough guy with a heart of gold."

He said he learned most of what he knows about being in a rock band from Richrath.

"The entire REO Family mourns his death and shares in the grief of his family, friends, and fans," he added.

"These words do not come close to expressing the depth of emotions I am feeling at this time."

He added that a photo of the two on stage performing "has been on my music-room table for as long as I can remember, and will stay there."

Richrath joined Speedwagon, known for its 1980s ballad, "Can't Fight This Feeling," in 1970, three years after the band was formed in Illinois. Based in Peoria, he was known as a songwriter as well as a guitarist, and helped grow the band's popularity beyond its original Midwestern stronghold.

Richrath also brought new songs to the band, including "Ridin' the Storm Out." He recorded 12 albums with the band and also wrote another song, "Take It On The Run."

He sang lead vocals on "Find My Fortune" and "Only A Summer Love." The last album he recorded with the band was 1987's Life As We Know It. He  left the band in 1989.

Richrath released one solo album, in 1992, Only the Strong Survive, but reunited briefly with the band in 2013 when they staged a benefit concert for residents of central Illinois displaced by a series of powerful storms in the area.

“Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. We hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came, and he expressed his gratitude for the invitation,” wrote Cronin at the time. “When I introduced ‘the guy who this band wouldn’t be here without’ and Richrath came up for ‘Ridin’ the Storm Out,’ 7,000 people went crazy. The response was arm-hair raising … We all felt it. It was fun to look over to my left and see Richrath digging in and playing like only he can. It was a night for the ages.”

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Netflix's Keith Richards Documentary Arrives Next Week

In less than one week, the world will get to know Keith Richards a lot better than they ever have before, or at least those with a Netflix account will.

Keith Richards: Under The Influence follows the legendary rock star as he plots his solo comeback to music and reflects on the past. Looking at the trailer, it is clear that the movie is a mixture of the old and the new, blending stories from the heydays of rock and roll and visits to old haunts (like Muddy Waters’ home) with his constant need to be creating music, even when the Stones aren’t in the studio.

The film is directed by Morgan Neville, who knows a thing or two about sharing the stories of some of music’s biggest names on the silver screen. Last year, he won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for the film 20 Feet From Stardom, which profiled the lives and careers of background singers. He has also be nominated for several Grammy Awards for past films like Muddy Waters: Can’t Be Satisfied, The Stax Records Story, and Johnny Cash’s America.

In the trailer, the Rolling Stones musician pokes fun at his public image — as does the film’s title. Over the years, Richards has lived the rock star lifestyle, indulging heavily in booze and drugs, and he isn’t shy about acknowledging that he’s keenly aware of how people view him, chuckling as he says, “I know who I am, but I realize that people think ‘Keith Richards is smoking a joint, bottle in his hand, cursing the fact that the liquor store is closed.’”

The documentary ties in nicely time-wise with the release of his upcoming solo album, Crosseyed Heart. The record and the Netflix-only film drop on the same day, which should give true Stones or Richards fans a lot to consume over the weekend. The album is his first solo since 1992, though he hasn’t been out of the movies on his own for that long. The rocker was cast as the father of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series several years ago. Since then, he’s been featured in two of the films, with a third coming sometime next year.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Frank Zappa's 'Roxy: The Movie' Out On DVD, Blu-ray For Halloween

This Halloween, Eagle Rock Entertainment and Zappa's Honker Home Video will issue the never-before-released Frank Zappa’s Roxy: The Movie on DVD & Blu-Ray with an exclusive Soundtrack included.

A Frank Zappa show goes way beyond a mere concert – it is an experience…a flight of improvisation, musicianship, and cerebral cynicism.  An unparalleled composer and guitarist, Zappa redefined rock n roll paradigms by introducing  into the mix his favorite influences from classical music, jazz, blues, doo-wop, traditional and non-traditional music. And he did so with unparalleled humor and audacity.  But it was the music itself that influenced generations of musicians and, quite frankly, blew minds.  Roxy: The Movie, filmed over three nights in December 1973, at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, CA, is a powerful display of this experience, and reveals what made him such a pioneering musical revolutionary.

Right from the top of the program, the film exudes the essence of Zappa, as we only see a dark room with a single light, and we hear him commiserating with the audience, as he stalls for time because of technical snafus that would ultimately force the film into hibernation for decades (make that eras in musical terms) while advancement in technology aligned allowing the Zappa Family Trust to bring this project to a patient and deserving audience.  The curtain goes up and the magic unravels to reveal “Cosmic Debris” and we are up and away with one of the most enduring band line-ups under Frank Zappa's leadership.

“Frank broke all sound barriers in Music and pushed musical event horizons to educate and entertain his audiences so they could experience real possibilities on a contemporary music stage – all without taking himself seriously.  He always said he had “something for everyone from 8 to 13.”  Being a mom I can tell you, that is when your imagination is wide open and some of those ideas stay fixed and expandable in time and space forever,” says Gail Zappa.

"I'm beyond thrilled that Roxy The Movie is finally going to be available. It took a herculean effort to bring it to life. So much love, time, energy and attention to detail went into its resurrection. This movie rocks so hard, I think both old and new fans will agree,” says Ahmet Zappa. “Enjoy!"

Roxy: The Movie contains some of Zappa's most challenging instrumentals, expertly executed by himself (lead guitar, vocals),  George Duke (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Napoleon Murphy Brock (flute, tenor saxophone, vocals), Tom Fowler (bass guitar), Ralph Humphrey (drums), Chester Thompson (drums), and Ruth Underwood (percussion).


Program includes:

Cosmik Debris
Penguin In Bondage
T’Mershi Duween
Dog/Meat
RDNZL
Inca Roads
Echidna’s Arf (Of You)
Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?
Cheepnis-Percussion
Cheepnis
I’m The Slime
Big Swifty
Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church)

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Roger Waters Bringing 'The Wall' To A Theater Near You

Roger Waters, in association with Fathom Events and Picturehouse Entertainment, is set to bring his concert film Roger Waters The Wall to cinemas across the globe on Tuesday, September 29, for one night.

Written and directed by Roger Waters and Sean Evans, Roger Waters The Wall will be shown at select movie theaters throughout the U.S.  The film unfolds on many levels as an immersive concert experience of the seminal 1979 Pink Floyd album, road movie of Waters’ reckoning with the death of his father in World War II, and a stirring look at the human cost of armed conflict.

Additionally, this event will feature an exclusive “in conversation” with Roger Waters and Nick Mason, where the Pink Floyd rhythm section will reunite over the breaking of bread and the answering of questions sent in by fans.

Tickets for the U.S. showings of Roger Waters The Wall are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in more than 300 select U.S. movie theaters through  Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network.

Roger Waters The Wall  had its premiere at last year's Toronto Film Festival. Beyond the music, Waters reflects on the impact of war on his own family as he embarks on a deeply personal pilgrimage. The concert portion of the film was shot in 4K and mixed in Dolby Atmos during Waters’ sold-out 2010-2013 The Wall Live tour.

The concert production featured a massive 500-foot iteration of the famed “wall.” Seen by over a million fans across North America, a million fans across Latin and Central America, and a million fans across Europe, that total of more than four million fans worldwide, makes Waters’ the biggest worldwide tour by a solo artist, ever.

Roger Waters said, “I hope these worldwide screenings this coming September 29 will be a good opportunity to remember, not just our fallen loved ones, but all the other guys’ fallen loved ones. Ashes and diamonds foe and friend we were all equal in the end.”

For further information, visit www.rogerwatersthewall.com.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The Who Postpone Four Shows On Fall 2015 Tour

The Who have postponed four shows of their fall "THE WHO HITS 50!"North American tour to allow lead singer Roger Daltrey proper time to recover from an unspecified virus he contracted. 

Based on doctor's orders, the first four dates of the tour launch -- September 14 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, September 16 at Honda Center in Anaheim, September 19 at Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and September 21 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles -- have been postponed.

The band regrettably has cancelled their September 18 performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

"THE WHO HITS 50!" tour will resume September 24 at Moda Center in Portland, OR. Details on the rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Who's 2015 Fall North American dates are as follows:

9/24 - Moda Center - Portland, OR
9/27 - KeyArena at Seattle Center - Seattle, WA
9/29 - Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena - Vancouver, BC
10/1 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB
10/3 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB
10/6 - SaskTel Centre - Saskatoon, SK
10/8 - MTS Centre - Winnipeg, MB
10/10 - Target Center - Minneapolis, MN
10/13 - BMO Harris Bradley Center - Milwaukee, WI
10/15 - United Center - Chicago, IL
10/17 - Joe Louis Arena - Detroit, MI
10/19 - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ON
10/23 - CONSOL Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA
10/25 - Prudential Center - Newark, NJ
10/27 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
10/29 - TD Garden - Boston, MA
11/1 - Verizon Center - Washington, DC
11/4 - Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
12/1 - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ON
12/4 - KFC Yum! Center - Louisville, KY
12/6 - Scottrade Center - St. Louis, MO
12/8 - Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO
12/10 - Pepsi Center - Denver, CO
12/13 - Oracle Arena - Oakland, CA

Rescheduled dates to be announced:

Valley View Casino Center - San Diego, CA            
Honda Center - Anaheim, CA                
Colosseum at Caesars Palace  - Las Vegas, NV            
Staples Center - Los Angeles, CA

Friday, September 4, 2015

The End Of Black Sabbath Begins In 2016

Iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath have announced their farewell tour for 2016. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler will close the final chapter in the final volume of the band. Apparently, original drummer Bill Ward will not be part of this tour, See the announcement below...


North American Tour Dates

1/20 - CenturyLink Center  - Omaha, NE
1/22 - United Center - Chicago, IL
1/25 - Target Center - Minneapolis, MN
1/28 - Sasktel Centre - Saskatoon, SK
1/30 - Rexall Centre - Edmonton, AB
2/1 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, ON
2/3 - Rogers Arena - Vancouver, BC
2/6 - Tacoma Dome - Tacoma, WA
2/9 - SAP Center - San Jose, CA
2/11 - The Forum - Los Angeles, CA
2/13 - Mandalay Bay Events Center - Las Vegas, NV
2/15 - Pepsi Center - Denver, CO
2/17 - Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO
2/19 - The Palace of Auburn Hills - Detroit, MI
2/21 - FirstOntario Centre - Hamilton, ON F
2/23 - Bell Centre - Montreal, QB
2/25 - Madison Square Garden - New York City, NY

Australia/New Zealand Tour Dates

4/15 - Perth Arena - Perth
4/17 - Entertainment Centre - Adelaide
4/19- Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne
4/23- Allphones Arena - Sydney
4/25 - Entertainment Centre - Brisbane
4/28 - Vector Arena - Auckland
4/30 - Forsyth Barr Stadium -  Dunedin

More dates to be announced in October 2015

Details on Tickets,VIP packages and more for the North American shows can be found at: www.Livenation.com
www.blacksabbath.com
https://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath
https://twitter.com/blacksabbath
http://instagram.com/blacksabbath/

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Yes Prog Fest At Sea: Cruise To The Edge Close To Boarding

With a little over two months to go, the 2015 Cruise To The Edge is destined to be one of the biggest and best music fan cruises of the year. Now in its third year and headlined by progressive rock legends Yes, this prog rock lover's dream cruise sails from Miami to the Caribbean November 15 - 19. At press time, there are still a few cabins available. Visit CruisetotheEdge.com for more information.

The five-day, four-night cruise will feature non-stop progressive rock music at several of the ship's venues. Joining Yes will be special guest Marillion, plus drummer Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Anathema, Allan Holdsworth, Three Friends, PFM, Saga, Martin Barre, Caravan, Spocks Beard, Nektar, Änglagrd, Lifesigns, IO Earth, Airbag, Casey McPherson, Messenger, Dave Kerzner, Moon Safari, Barracuda Triangle, Jolly, Enchant, Thank You Scientist, Steve Rothery, Bad Dreams, and AHEPJ. Portnoy will act as official “music director” for an all-star tribute to beloved bassist and founding member of Yes, the late Chris Squire. UK journalist Jon Kirkman will serve as the cruise's host.

This year’s cruise itinerary will include a special pre-cruise event, complimentary to all cruisers, on Saturday, November 14, at Magic City Casino in Miami. The next day, cruisers board the NCL Pearl, designed specifically for the concert cruise market, bound for Bahamian waters, visiting Key West and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The pre-cruise concert will feature IPA beer tasting, artist meet and greets, performances from Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, Three Friends and Lifesigns, as well as an after-hours “Electric Prog Jam,” where passengers become the stars, playing instruments to selected prog rock songs.

Besides the music, cruisers will get a chance to participate in special events and activities, including: “Storytellers” style concerts featuring behind-the-scenes stories from select bands, showcasing their writing/recording style and process, band history; Prog Panel Q&A Sessions; Meet & Greets; Bon Voyage Sail-Away Concert and more.

In addition, impromptu performances throughout the ship will keep the action going into the wee hours with a surprise or two along the way. All the while, cruisers able to enjoy the ship's 13 bars and lounges, various eateries, casino, spa, fitness center, basketball and volleyball court, bowling alley and more. CruisetotheEdge.com has all the details.


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The Runaways' Jackie Fuchs Criticizes Chrissie Hynde's 'Really Dangerous Message' About Rape

After Jackie Fuchs came forth with the story of her own raping at the hands of her former Runaways manager Kim Fowley, she has become somewhat of a public spokesperson on rape in the music industry. Now, she has shared her thoughts on the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde's recent comments about rape, calling it a "really dangerous message."

Hynde stirred controversy with comments suggesting victim-blaming and actually self victim-blame in press copies of her new memoir, Reckless: My Life as a Pretender, that were emphasized in a recent interview with the Sunday Times magazine. In that interview, she claimed rape victims should take responsibility, saying, "If you play with fire you get burnt. It's not any secret, is it?"

In response, Fuchs told Yahoo Music, "I found myself being surprisingly angry" after reading Hynde's statements. "Don't put your heroes on pedestals. But I don't want to cast a stone at Chrissie Hynde -- just at that one particular statement. Because it's a really dangerous message."

Fuchs continued on, saying, "It bothers me, because I don't know that she's gone out there and talked to [other] rape victims. If you had seen the messages that people sent me, so many of them were about 'I've always thought it was my fault.' We already think that anyway. So this is just telling people who've recently gone through this experience of being raped or abused, 'Yeah, you're right, it is your fault.' But there's no such thing as asking for it. And poor judgment is not an invitation to rape, nor an excuse for it.

"I know so many women who were raped while they were drunk or high, and they all blame themselves. To say that a woman can't misjudge how much she's drinking, or dress in a way that makes her feel good about herself for fear that men aren't going to be able to control themselves, or that she has to be able to know who is dangerous and who isn't, is asking an awful lot of men and women — especially young people."

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Want To Buy Pink Floyd's Flying Pig Algie? Too Late

As one of the most iconic images of rock, Algie, the inflatable pig which famously flew over London's Battersea power station for Pink Floyd's Animals album cover, was set to be a star lot at an upcoming auction.

But days after British auctioneers Durrants listed it as part of a catalog of inflatable props its maker was selling, Algie is no longer on offer -- going back to the band instead.

The inflatable, which broke free during the 1976 cover shoot, grounding flights at Heathrow airport, has been withdrawn from sale after props builder Air Artists offered it to Pink Floyd.

"The pig is going back to Pink Floyd. They want it home again," Rob Harries, owner of Air Artists, told Reuters.

Durrants had listed Algie among Air Artists' works, used in music concerts and promotions but now being cleared out, for its Sept. 5-15 sale drawing coverage from numerous media outlets.

"We made a list of all the inflatables that we weren't going to store anymore ... and the auctioneers jumped the gun a bit and started publicizing the most iconic one," Harries said.

"I felt I'd better talk to Pink Floyd, which I duly did and they duly wanted it back, unsurprisingly."

Harries said Algie, which has a "big split" but could be repaired and displayed, would be returned to the group's management company. "There's often lots of talk of a Pink Floyd exhibition maybe this will be a spur for it to happen," he said.

Inflatables still in auction include Herman, the pig's head from Roger Walter's 1990 The Wall concert in Berlin, and Freddie Mercury and Brian May caricatures for Queen's 1986 The Magic Tour. Dominic Parravani of Durrants said the auctioneers had "no idea" how much the items would fetch.

Air Artists, whose work has been used by AC/DC and Rolling Stones, is selling the items as Harries, after some 40 years of inflatable-making, now focuses clay and wax sculpture.

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