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!
46 Responses
Well said Eddie, when I hear those questions on your show my ass tightens up and I want to slap them in the head and say, really! I will say that you always handle those boneheads in a professional manner. Although I’m guessing on more than one occasion , you just want to say to them…ARE YOU F–KING KIDDING ME YOU GODDAMN IDIOT! But you are pro, keep it it bro.
By the way, what ever happened to Rush?
Well, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the demographic that watches TMS or is interested in rock/metal from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s doesn’t know how to google. Pretty much nearly 40 on up. I’m in that age range and am usually shocked at the number of people my age or older don’t know how to use a computer effectively, beyond endless email forwards and Facebook.
Shame about Newsted though. I wish him all the luck. That remix of And Justice for All with the bass turned up is phenomenal.
You want the ultimate whatever happened to?
Rod Evans. The first DEEP PURPLE vocalist. After he launched a fake DP in 1980 and got sued into oblivion by the Purple management he went so off the grid he makes Vinnie Vincent look like Mr. Publicity Junket.
That’s a good one. Apparently, Evans was contacted by Larry Reinhardt, the guitar player for Capt Beyond, about a possible reunion, but Reinhardt passed away in 2012.
I also didn’t realize that, due to his attempt to launch a bogus version of Deep Purple, Evans no longer receives royalties for the first three albums. That’s a killer because music from MK 1 has been repackaged and reissued about a zillion times. Although half of that material were covers.
Maybe Evans will get a call when Purple are inducted into the RNRHOF………oh wait……nevermind.
Eddie,
There are some amazing hard rock artists you don’t seem to cover. What do you think about Big Wreck (Canadian band), Coheed & Cambria, Blackstone Cherry, AFI, Rival Sons, and LIVE (with Chris Shinn as new lead singer)? Would be great to see some of these bands on the show – unless they’ve been invited and can’t make it!!
I have played on my radio shows and featured Rival Sons as my Pick Of The Week twice. Simply can not do it all with 12 1 hour shows a year.
Since the rise of social internet seems more fans are out of touch than ever. A band just goes through your town and fans ask a week later when you coming to town.