Greetings from Los Angeles. Just got here from Vegas. I’m here for a TV project that I can’t reveal just yet but will soon. And no it’s not TMS related. When there is news on that will let you know for sure! I’ll be here until Thursday and just found out Maiden is playing here Friday! Perhaps Ed Force One can take me back to NJ for staying an extra day? Thanks to Maiden manager Rod Smallwood who actually was worried about me not being at recent Maiden shows and checked up on me. It’s great to be busy, but sometimes the schedule prevents doing it all show-wise. It’s great to be back in LA where we shot so many episodes of TMS. I jumped out of my car just now and a guy walked by playing “We Rock” by Dio from his phone. Awesome!
For the first time in the history of my podcast I’ll do something I’ve threatened for a while. A no guest episode! Why? Because tons of stuff is going on, everyone wants GnR news, and I couldn’t do my radio show live tonight so that will serve as the update. There are some things I know I’ve been asked by Axl and his camp not to reveal yet. So I’ll record it tomorrow night in hopes of being to share everything by post time this Thursday.
One week from today on my SiriusXM show I’ll be announcing a very cool event for hard rockers that I’ll be hosting later in the year. More on that soon.
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen’s excuse for dropping out of a biopic about Queen singer Freddie Mercury struck a major sour note with the band’s guitarist.
Brian May blasted Cohen’s claims that the long-gestating project fell apart due to creative differences between him and the band, telling Britain’s Sunday Mail that the actor’s allegations are blatantly untrue.
“Sacha became an a—,” the 68-year-old rocker told the tabloid. “We had some nice times with Sacha kicking around ideas, but he went off and told untruths about what happened.”
Cohen, who disassociated from the film in 2013, suggested on “The Howard Stern Show” last month that at least one of remaining members of Queen wasn’t interested in producing the “warts and all” manifesto about the famed singer’s tumultuous life that he had envisioned.
“A member of the band, I won’t say who, he said, ‘This is such a great movie because it’s got such an amazing thing that happens in the middle of the movie,'” Cohen told Stern. “I go, ‘What happens in the middle of the movie?’ He goes, ‘Freddie dies.’”
According to Cohen, the unnamed band member was much more eager to use the film as a platform to show “how the band carries on from strength to strength” after Mercury’s death in 1991.
But May says the members of Queen never shied away from creating a provocative film about their legendary frontman.
“Why would he go away and say that we didn’t want to make a gritty film?” he asked. “Are we the kind of people who have ever ducked from the truth? I don’t think so.”
May then said it was actually the band’s decision to move on from Cohen, before slamming the actor’s recent performances.
“We decided he wasn’t right for the role for very good reasons, which will become apparent if you watch what he’s done recently,” May said. “It’s obvious that it wasn’t going to work, him playing Freddie. It wouldn’t suspend your disbelief.”
May and company still plan to produce the Mercury biopic at some point, and they’re eyeing “Spectre” and “Paddington Bear” star Ben Whishaw for the lead role originally occupied by Cohen.
They are also still searching for a director, “We have arrived at a great storyline,” the guitarist said. “But the film’s not going out till it’s right.”
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has posted the following message on his Facebook page:
“Obviously, as you know from the post here, I have my reason for not attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award- however, I do think that they should’ve given an award to Joe Lynn Turner for when he was in Deep Purple- for his singing and writing on Slaves and Masters-a great record, one of my favorites.”
Deep Purple members who were officially admitted into the Rock Hall include: Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore,singer David Coverdale, vocalist Rod Evans, singer Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice.
The Rock N’ Roll of Fame induction ceremony took place on April 8th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn N.Y., it will air April 30th on HBO.
Huge thanks to all the great fans that attended my signing/meet & greet yesterday here in Vegas at Delano. This was done super last minute so I was worried about the turnout but you guys did not let me down! I had a line for 2 hours of people taking a photo, getting something signed, or just saying h. Just awesome! I also sold out of all of my books. Remember if you’d like a signed personalized copy of either of my books you can always order them directly from me here on this site. Just check the info under the Books tab. I’ll write what you want and send it out. I want to thank Paul Davis at MGM and all at Delano and Mandalay Bay for having me. Thanks also to Aiden Ashley for running my merch, Tammy Houston, and Jim Florentine for stopping by. Also met a ton of fans from S America and Mexico and I appreciate all the kind words and support. Lots of good wishes for TMS and as soon as we have news I will let you guys all know.
Didn’t end up going to the second night of GnR. So much going on out here. Tesla played who I love and I missed that! I went and checked out Generation Axe which features Tosin Abasi, Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. If you are a guitar player this tour is a dream. There are a lot of notes! Nuno even joked they made a deal to get paid by the note. As someone who doesn’t play but appreciates great players I still enjoyed this show very much. But I’d be lying if I said it was for everyone. It is a barrage of amazing playing for 2 1/2 hours. So if that’s your thing check it out for sure. What does make this cool is the jamming among the different guys and seeing their styles blend. Each guy crosses over with who comes out next and that makes for some cool moments for sure.
Also swung by Vamp’d late last night and caught some of my buds Faster Pussycat. They kicked off their tour here last night and are likely coming to a club near you soon. Fun night of rock sleeze and it was great seeing them as always. Good to see a strong turnout as well considering GnR was playing the same time.
Also went and said hi to Vince Neil Friday at his place here in Circus Circus. VN has been in the news some with this Nic Cage deal, but I just dropped in and said hi and met some boxing legends he had hanging out at his place for an event.
One more night here in Vegas then I fly to LA tomorrow. Have some work there Tuesday and Wednesday (details TBA soon) and then home next Thursday. Since I am traveling my SiriusXM show will be recorded. I know people are just nuts for GnR news and I will share what I can in my podcast this Thursday. More soon.
In February, Deep Purple co-founder Ritchie Blackmore announced that he would not be attending this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony due to the unwillingness of the current band to perform with him.
…Despite Blackmore’s absence, the group looked in fine spirits as they accepted their induction from Metallica drummer and Deep Purple fanatic Lars Ulrich and performed a medley of some of their biggest hits. Members David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes spoke about Blackmore’s absence, meeting Dr. Dre and finally getting into the Rock Hall.
Rolling Stone:How does it feel? What was the whole sensation like?
David Coverdale: It was a lot of fun. It’s so interesting. A lot of people are asking, “Do you think it’s about time?” It really has nothing to do with, about time. Glenn and I are busy. He’s got his solo career, I have Whitesnake, an amazing family, an amazing life. The journey almost became with the induction of me into Deep Purple. And that adventure continues today.
RS: Glenn, what’s your take on Ritchie?
Glenn Hughes: Here’s the deal: I tried to coax him into it, but I had somebody that’s on the inside of our community that he was going to show up, and I said — on Twitter, goddammit — “I hear Ritchie’s going to show. Wouldn’t it be great for the fans?” And I got such a telling off by his camp, and I said, “I’m really sorry, I really heard that he was coming.” It was a little scary for me; I just wanted to be friends, you know? David and I can’t figure out why and the fans can’t figure out why.
DC: Ritchie’s an interesting character. He’s got his own story and I think he knows that. Glenn and I share each other’s story for over four decades. And we’ve stayed very much in touch. This is the first time I’ve seen Ian Paice for over 20-something years and he worked with me in Whitesnake with Jon Lord. So it was fascinating to reconnect, but the root of a happy family is total lack of communication, I understand.
GH: I did the Jon Lord tribute at the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago. I did get to see everybody and say goodbye to Jon, which was a really magnificent evening. But the whole thing is, Jon not being here because he’s deceased, and Ritchie not being here, is a little strange. But we’ll continue. The band is important… I dedicate this to the fans.
RS: How does it feel to get in? Did you think Deep Purple, after all this time, would never get in?
DC: When I spoke to Ritchie, we’d been communicating since 2012, and that’s I think the first time we were nominated. The fans are the ones who have been really vocal about it. But I said to Ritchie, “You going to go?” And he said, “Nah…” And I went, “Well if you’re not going, I’m not going.” Obviously, I’ve changed in four years. But it’s great. It’s a family affair for me. My daughter’s in from Germany, my son’s in from college, my wife’s [here] and I’m here with Glenn. This is a beautiful night for us.”
GH: I did the Jon Lord tribute at the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago. I did get to see everybody and say goodbye to Jon, which was a really magnificent evening. But the whole thing is, Jon not being here because he’s deceased, and Ritchie not being here, is a little strange. But we’ll continue. The band is important… I dedicate this to the fans.
How does it feel to get in? Did you think Deep Purple, after all this time, would never get in?
DC: When I spoke to Ritchie, we’d been communicating since 2012, and that’s I think the first time we were nominated. The fans are the ones who have been really vocal about it. But I said to Ritchie, “You going to go?” And he said, “Nah…” And I went, “Well if you’re not going, I’m not going.” Obviously I’ve changed in four years. But it’s great. It’s a family affair for me. My daughter’s in from Germany, my son’s in from college, my wife’s [here] and I’m here with Glenn. This is a beautiful night for us.
[Dana’s note as per Eddie: We know Steve isn’t hard rock, but we love his attitude!”]
Joe Coscarelli of the New York Times reports:
Steve Miller — of all people — brought some punk spirit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The singer, guitarist and space cowboy, known for smooth 1970s hits like The Joker, used his onstage acceptance speech to tactfully allude to the Rock Hall’s opaque nomination process and poor track record on inducting women.
Backstage, he unleashed more of his feelings.
Asked to expand on his criticisms of the organization, which was founded by industry heavyweights like Jann S. Wenner of Rolling Stone and has its museum in Cleveland, Mr. Miller said, “The whole process is unpleasant,” suggesting that it be “changed from the top to the bottom.”
“They need to respect the artists they say they’re honoring, which they don’t,” the singer continued, making references to issues like licensing agreements between the show and its honorees.
Mr. Miller, 72, then turned to the ceremony itself. “When they told me I was inducted they said, ‘You have two tickets — one for your wife and one for yourself. Want another one? It’s $10,000. Sorry, that’s the way it goes,’ ” he said, adding, “What about my band? What about their wives?”
When a publicist for the Rock Hall tried to interrupt him, Mr. Miller persisted. “No, we’re not going to wrap this up — I’m going to wrap you up,” he said. “You go sit down over there and learn something.”
“This is how close this whole show came to not happening because of the way the artists are being treated,” Mr. Miller said, holding two fingers very close together.
