Whatever happened to… It’s a question I get all the time and for a while a segment we were doing on That Metal Show. But it is also something that makes me nuts on a daily basis when I hear it from some fans about most artists. If you listen to my SiriusXM show, which is as much talk, interview and calls as it is music, you know I get calls from people all over the US with some pretty insane questions. Examples? Whatever happened to Ted Nugent, Queensryche, Jake E Lee, Mark Slaughter. And that was just last week’s show! I even once had whatever happened to Iron Maiden! I shit you not! It’s a big country and I get not everyone is as invested in this stuff as I am. I also appreciate that these people are listening to or emailing me and they are fans, and I appreciate that. But is is insane to me in the age of the internet that anyone could wait on the phone 45 minutes to ask Whatever Happened To any artist when Google is a click away. 99% of the artists I get asked about the answer is the same, NOTHING happened to them! They are still touring and likely making new music as well! Why does this make me so nuts? Because many of these artists are struggling greatly to get people to come see them and to buy their new music.It’s not 1988. They aren’t going to be on MTV, have a poster up in the mall, or be front page news. But if you are a fan of any artist there is simply no excuse for not bookmarking their site and knowing everything they are doing, how to buy their new music, and if they are playing near you. If you just check the music news on this site you will have a big leg up on everything going on daily. It could not be easier in this day and age and there is simply no excuse if you are a fan of an artist to not know what they are up to. This doesn’t mean I won’t take calls on it or sometimes engage in it on TV. I love discussing this stuff. But the bigger issues is that we have rock and metal artists dying out there to get a ticket or CD sold. So if you are wondering about your favorite artist catch me if you can and I am happy to discuss. But for the love of rock PLEASE search online and you will know everything, and you can about what they are up to. 9 times out of 10 they are active and looking for YOU to help them keep going!
PS: I am also aware there are some artists that are off the radar completely these days like Vito Bratta (who I get asked about all the time and is simply out of music), or more recently Jason Newsted (who apparently has once again checked out of music). There are some valid questions asked. But the huge majority of the questions are about artists who are 100% active and have online profiles. No excuse if you are a fan and care about them to live under a rock and not make a couple clicks on a keyboard to learn all and support them!
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I hear ya Ed, but it’s one of the things that makes you’re show so great.
Jason Newsted is a mystery though, he was touring a bit and promoting his Newsted band and then he just disappeared, deleted his Newsted websites, and went complete radio silence.
It’s curious because he was really enthusiastic about the project, it had received a great reaction all over the world, sold relatively well and had some pretty decent supports lined up.
Any chance of reaching out to him for a radio interview? or is there any word that can be shared as to why he’s left music again. Old injuries? tired of the road? just didn’t have the energy (Newsted with a lack of energy??) to build a new band from the ground up?
The problem/fact is Newsted just can’t gain any traction outside of Metallica. I feel for him. It must be maddening at some level to be with THE biggest band on the planet for, what, 15 years, and then be a musical leper after that? Sad. Really sad. I had no idea he disappeared.
Google is actually how I find out about musicians that I haven’t heard anything about in a long time. That’s how I found out not only is Bobby Gustafson is still playing music but that he’s also worked in his family’s plumbing business. Lots of bad blood between him and D.D. Verni.
Eddie, I listened to your podcast tribute to A.J. Pero this morning and it was a wonderful tribute to him. Thank you so much for doing the podcast. I feel so bad for his bandmates and his family. And poor Mike Orlando: I’m sure finding A.J. and trying to save him is something the poor guy will never get over. I know that has to be a horrible thing to deal with. Jay Jay’s interview was great to. I could tell how hard this had hit all those guys. Thank you again for bringing us this podcast so we all can celebrate A.J.’s life as one big metal family in mourning.
Couldn’t agree with you any further Eddie. I can’t believe “fans” don’t have enough interest to use Google in order to search their favorite artist/band. It’s the only way to find out what’s going on with many artists/bands nowadays. It’s not like records sales are through the roof. Like you said, it’s not 1988 folks.
Want to know what Extreme, Faster Pussycat, Jake E Lee, Sammy Hagar, Whitesnake, KISS, Motely Crue, Metallica, ACDC, Dokken, Trixter, Ratt, or Bango Tango are up to? Go to their website and have a look. Quit wasting air time with Eddie and the listeners time with dumb questions.
Right on Eddie!
Also, I apologize in advance for my comment, but the lady calling in and asking about what ever happened to Eddie Van Halen made my head spin. Seriously? Wowza!
Dana from ET.com : )
evh went on to become a deputy of the l.a.p.d.