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JUDAS PRIEST AND DEEP PURPLE ANNOUNCE SUMMER CO-HEADLINE TOUR

Legends will collide late this summer when Deep Purple and Judas Priest embark on a co-headlining North American tour.
Produced by Live Nation, the outing will begin August 21st in Cincinnati, OH and visit 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping September 30 in Wheatland, California.

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 27th at 10am local time at Live Nation.

Citi is the official pre-sale credit card of the Deep Purple and Judas Priest tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, April 26th at 10pm local time through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit citiprivatepass.com.

Deep Purple’s latest studio album, inFinite, was released April 7th, 2017, via earMUSIC. Produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin, (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss), InFinite featured 10 new tracks recorded with no musical boundaries in the spirit of the 70s. The metal pioneers have released five studio albums since 1996, augmented by an abundance of solo work and special projects from members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse and Don Airey. Fans will be thrilled as they cover decades of favorites for this run. For more information, please visit www.deep-purple.com. Additionally, Airey will release his solo album One of a Kind on May 25th.

Judas Priest’s latest studio album, Firepower, was released March 9th, 2018, via Epic Records. Co-produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap, the 14-track album has become one of the most successful of the band’s entire career – landing in the “top-5” of 17 countries (including their highest chart placement ever in the U.S.), and scoring their highest charting commercial rock radio single in decades with Lightning Strike. Few heavy metal bands have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest have during their near 50-year career, and with a line-up featuring Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill, and Scott Travis, Judas Priest will be scorching across North America with some heavy metal Firepower again this summer and fall on tour with Deep Purple! For more information, please visit judaspriest.com.

Deep Purple And Judas Priest Tour Dates:

8/21 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
8/22 — Chicago, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/24 — Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
8/25 — Mt. Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort
8/27 — Hamilton, ON — FirstOntario Centre
8/29 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
8/30 — Quebec City, QC — Centre Videotron

9/1 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/2 — Bethel Woods, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
9/5 — Darien Center, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater
9/6 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
9/8 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
9/9 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion
9/11 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
9/12 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place
9/14 — Atlanta, GA — Verizon Amphitheatre
9/16 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum
9/18 — Kansas City, MO — Starlight Theatre
9/20 — Welch, MN — Treasure Island Casino
9/21 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah’s Council Bluffs
9/23 — Denver, CO — Pepsi Center
9/26 — San Diego, CA — Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
9/27 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
9/29 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre
9/30 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre

FORMER TWISTED SISTER GUITARIST JAY JAY FRENCH CALLS JUDAS PRIEST AND FOREIGNER “COVER BANDS”

Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French took part in a question-and-answer session at this month’s Spooky Empire convention in Orlando, Florida, excerpts from the interview appear below (as transcribed by blabbermouth.net). Additionally, a video of the interview appears at the bottom of the article.

Talking about bands that h have continued performing well past their prime, French said: “[Judas] Priest is 65 years, 70 years old, Saxon’s 80 f–king years old. The Rolling Stones are 90 years old. Watching Keith [Richards] and [Ronnie Wood] trying to play guitar is like being driven in a tour bus by José Feliciano and Ray Charles without GPS — it’s a terrifying f–king experience. If THE Stones were smart, they’d hire two 25-year-old guys from Nashville who know how to play their song parts and let these two cadavers walk around on stage and f–king act like Johnny Depp in f–king ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean.’ They can’t f–king play. And it bothers me they charge eight hundred dollars [for a ticket]. At least when you go to see The Eagles, there’s 45 guys on stage, ’cause you want the [band] to sound like The Eagles. And when you see go see Roger Waters, there’s 45 guys on stage, ’cause you wanna hear what ‘The Wall’ sounds like. But The Stones insist that you watch them decompose in front of your eyes for a high ticket price. And they suck so bad.”

“I get annoyed only because we work so hard to be perfect every night,” he continued. “And I watched them. I’ve been a Stones fan, by the way, all my life and saw them at the peak of their f–king life — in ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72. They were arguably the greatest rock band on the planet earth. And there’s a DVD, ‘Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones,’ which you can watch. Why are they happy sounding so bad when you’ve got this?

Now, Priest. Look what you’ve got with Priest. K.K.’s [Downing, guitar] gone — he went to golf. And now Glenn’s [Tipton, guitar] left. And it’s wonderful. And now it’s a cover band, essentially.”

After an audible reaction from the crowd, Jay Jay attempted to clarify his comment. “No, no, no… Wait, wait, wait… Hold on… I don’t say this… I come from a world of cover bands,” he said. “When Twisted Sister started in the bars, the cover bands that played the bars were better than the bands they covered. The reason why we were so big, the reason why Rat Race Choir and the Stanton Anderson [Band] — these are the bands that existed as bar bands back when we were playing in the bars — the reason why they were so good was ’cause they were better than the bands they were copying.”

“You guys don’t even know that [Led] Zeppelin was deteriorating so badly that by 1975, you couldn’t go to a Zep concert without throwing up,” he said. “They were so bad. You couldn’t give tickets away to Zep concerts, but if you came to see Zebra playing Zeppelin on Long Island, you heard perfect Zeppelin — perfect Led Zeppelin. If you saw Rat Race Choir, you saw perfect Pink Floyd, you saw perfect Emerson, Lake & Palmer. It really mattered. I get that. I do understand it. It’s a cover band. And that’s what a lot of these bands are. Foreigner is a complete cover band; there’s nobody left in Foreigner.”

According to French, Twisted Sister disbanded in 2016 because the members wanted to go out while they could still deliver the kind of performances that earned them the reputation as one of the strongest live acts around…

…”Twisted Sister is a perfectionist band,” he continued. “We’ve played thousands of shows. Every show is perfect. Every show is the last show of our life. Every show is done with the sincerity and the heartfelt desire to make sure you walk out thinking that’s the best thing you’re ever gonna see. We may not be the best band in the world, but damn it, when you see us live, playing with [Iron] Maiden or any of these other bands, you’re gonna walk out thinking we’re the best band in the world, because that’s what we do. And we all say this to every band we play with: ‘Blow us away. Take us out. Knock us on our ass. Because if you do that, you’ve made the fans happy. You’ve made the fans really happy, giving them their money’s worth.’ Nobody ever does — ever comes even close.”

“MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE” ANNOUNCES 2019 LINEUP

Details for the 9th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise-the world’s largest, and premier hard rock/heavy metal music cruise on the seven seas-have been announced.

Departing out of Miami, Fl, this five-day/five-night full ship charter cruise — dubbed Band Overboard — will set sail February 24th – March 1st, 2019 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and visits two ports: Ocho Rios, Jamaica and the Private Isle of Labadee.

The public on-sale begins today (4/18) at 1:00pm EST, with cabins starting at $1,299 per person (double occupancy). Government fees, taxes, and gratuities are additional and mandatory for all passengers, regardless of age. For more info and booking, visit http://MonstersOfRockCruise.com and follow @monstersofrockcruise on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The confirmed line-up for the 2019 Monsters Of Rock Cruise includes: Tesla, Tom Keifer, Extreme, Queensrÿche, Saxon, Skid Row, UDO, Kix, D*A*D, Danger Danger, Kings X, Pat Travers Band, Nelson, The Quireboys, Pink Cream 69, The Wildhearts, Rose Tattoo, Eclipse, SOTO, Killer Dwarfs, Brighton Rock, Vain, Mike Tramp, John Corabi, Bullet Boys, Black N Blue, Tora Tora, Tuff, Lies, Deceit & Treachery, Jetboy, Michael Grant and the Assassins, and Mitch Malloy, with more performances to be announced.

In addition, the cruise will feature Return of the Shredders, showcasing renowned guitarists Richie Kotzen, Gus G, Tony McAlpine, Joel Hoekstra and Neil Zaza.

Eddie Trunk (SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation) returns as the official cruise host, broadcasting “live” daily with artist interviews from the ship’s promenade. San Francisco radio host, Nikki Blakk and Luc Carl (SiriusXM’s Hair Nation) will moderate Q&A’s and many other specially designed events crafted for this unique hard rock, heavy metal voyage. Finally, stand-up comedians and That Metal Show co-hosts Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine will provide comic relief with their irreverent brand of humor.

In addition to the band performances, the cruise will host interactive events between artists and cruisers, including: MOR Artist Photo Experiences, Artist/Cruiser Q&A sessions, Gong Show Karaoke, “So You Think You Can Shred” challenge, Bonzai Pipeline Surfing Competition, Cooking with Rock Stars hosted by Lisa Tirone of Chef it up!, Name That Monster Song, Celebrity Artist Beer Event, Themed Nights, Painting With Rock Stars, and Private Dinners With The Bands, with more to be announced.

Mariner of the Seas is unlike any ship experienced before on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise. The vessel will undergo a stem-to-stern 100-million-dollar makeover prior to MOR’s sailing, adding new dining and bar alternatives, plus an array of new features and attractions for the active crowd. Kick back at The Bamboo Room, a punched-up Polynesian watering hole that will whisk you away with its throwback vibe and kitschy cool cocktails. Bond over delicious Tuscan specialties at the super cool Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. Plus, it’s always Monster Game Time at Playmakers Bar and Arcade – where you can watch your favorite team or make your own legendary plays.

Spanning the length of Deck 5 and offering quick access to all performance venues, as well as a hot spot for cruisers to connect, the Royal Promenade on this Voyager Class ship, features restaurants, coffee bars and shopping. Other activities aboard the ship include: boogie boarding or surfing the waves at the FlowRider Surf Simulator, challenging yourself on the rock-climbing wall, soaking in one of the many hot tubs and pools, or pampering yourself in the world-class Vitality at Sea Spa. New attractions to the ship include: Sky Pad (a brand new bungee trampoline experience that launches you sky high for gravity-defying fun combined with virtual reality headsets), The Perfect Storm (plunge down three stories of twisting, turning thrills on these dual high-speed race slides until you hit the bottom), Laser Tag (grab a blaster, choose a side and gear up for a stellar glow-in-the-dark time in this Bots versus Aliens battle for the last planet), and Escape Room (team up with fellow cruisers to find hidden clues and crack secret codes in your quest to rescue a time-traveling scientist in Escape Room: The Observatorium).

The exclusive island of Labadee is the ultimate private destination for MOR cruisers, offering adventure, exploration and relaxation amongst its many bars and pristine waters. Vacationers can amp up the adrenaline on the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, a thrilling 30-mile-per-hour ride with incredible views of the island.For more action, adventurous passengers may choose to strap on a helmet and harness and soar 500-feet down on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest zip line over water. In addition, there are plenty of exciting options to choose from, including wave jet rides, parasailing, snorkel safaris, kayak tours, and much more.

Situated on Jamaica’s North coast, Ocho Rios has something for all travelers. MOR cruisers won’t want to miss Dunn’s River Falls, one of the most incredible and natural wonders in the world and a shore excursion unlike any other. This series of lush, tropical waterfalls cascade over terraced natural stairs, as you take the picturesque hike all the way to the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy the journey, taking breaks to swim in the small lagoons and grottos as they ascend the vertical sections of the falls. Cruisers can wrap up with a hike and dip into the Caribbean Sea or enjoy a myriad of activities, such as windsurfing, kayaking, horseback riding, river raft rides or sightseeing.

Monsters Of Rock Cruise is the ultimate hard rock/heavy metal cruise, where music and cruising combine for the ultimate rock ‘n roll vacation.

GUITARIST JOE PERRY SAYS AEROSMITH WILL PLAY SOME SHOWS IN 2019 TO CELEBRATE THE BAND’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Ryan Loughlin and Scott Cronick of the Atlantic City Weekly spoke with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. Highlights from the interview appear below.

ACW: Brad Whitford and Gary Cherone are both on this tour with you. When you were putting the album together, did you think it would be fun to bring out some of these guys on the road instead of just your normal band?

JP: When I did the first show out here at the Roxy, everybody who played on the [Sweetzerland Manifesto] record was able to make it, so that is kinda the vibe we wanted. Rather than have one band and do a traditional tour, we decided to get a bunch of different guys who I wanted to play with. I don’t know what we’ve got in store for Atlantic City, but you never know. It’s all about playing some rock n’ roll and giving everyone a good time.

ACW: Aerosmith is going to play Jazzfest this year. Any plans for any more dates?

JP: I think the way things are going we are going to try and and take it easy. We may do a couple more one offs — maybe some festivals over the next six or eight months. In 2019 we will be closing in on our 50th anniversary, so we are planning some dates and a tour to celebrate that. Right now we are pretty much laying low and finishing up some solo things before we start that.

Read more at the Atlantic City Weekly.

source: atlanticcityweekly.com