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KISS’ GENE SIMMONS GRANTS DYING FAN’S LAST WISH

KISS bassist Gene Simmons granted a dying teenager’s wish by visiting him in his hospital bed.

The bassist and singer spent time with 17-year-old Dilan Kohn at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Children’s Hospital of Nevada in Las Vegas last week. Dilan died a few days after Simmons’ visit, but staff have thanked him for making the youngster’s dream come true.

A statement from staff at University Medical Center, where the Children’s Hospital is based, says: “Last week, one of our patients, Dilan Kohn, got his final wish. The critically ill 17-year-old desperately wanted to meet and hang out with the rock’n’roll musician, Gene Simmons, from the band Kiss.

“Mr Simmons had not only been Dilan’s idol, but also his inspiration growing up. Mr Simmons was sent an email request last Thursday afternoon and flew into Vegas the next morning. He showed up with a big bag full of signed memorabilia just for Dilan.

“The two hung out, shared stories and laughed together for well over an hour while staff looked on with tears in their eyes. Thank you Mr Simmons for making this wish come true just in time.

“Unfortunately Dilan passed away peacefully a couple days later.”

Simmons shared the hospital’s statement on his own Facebook page.

additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com

SAXON TO RELEASE “EAGLES AND DRAGONS” NINE ALBUM BOX SET ON MARCH 18TH

Saxon have released a video trailer for their upcoming Eagles And Dragons nine album box set, watch it below.

The package will be released on March 18th through Demon Records and features nine albums recorded between 1991 and 2009. It marks the first time the albums have been made available on vinyl outside Germany, Italy and the UK.

The LPs are pressed on luxury 180-gram vinyl and include inner sleeves with lyrics, presented in a hand-numbered outer slipcase box with a specially commissioned cover painting by artist Paul Gregory.

In addition, 500 copies with a print of the cover, suitable for framing, signed by frontman Biff Byford will also be available exclusively through Demon’s online store.

Byford says, “From 1991’s Solid Ball Of Rock to 2009’s Into The Labyrinth, this is the first time we have ever had a vinyl box set of nine albums in one package – never to be done again – with exclusive cover art work from Paul Raymond Gregory. I can’t wait to get my hands on one.”

Saxon’s Eagles And Dragons Box Set includes:

Solid Ball Of Rock (1991)
Forever Free (1992)
Dogs Of War (1995)
Unleash The Beast (1997)
Metalhead (1999)
Killing Ground (2001)
Lionheart (2004)
The Inner Sanctum (2007)
Into The Labyrinth (2009)

Saxon’s latest release was 2015’s, Battering Ram.

additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com

GUNS N’ ROSES “THANK” SINGER STEVEN TYLER FOR HIS “NON-EXISTENT” ROLE IN THEIR REUNION SHOWS

As previously reported, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler told Howard Stern on his Sirius/XM radio show, that he was one, of several people, who convinced Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose, to reunite with his original bandmates. In response, Guns N’ Roses has posted a sarcastic thank-you note to Tyler.

A tweet posted on the band’s page seems to be a reaction to Tyler’s story. It reads, “Guns N’ Roses would like to respectfully thank the many people taking credit for our upcoming shows and everything in between. Especially those whom we haven’t spoken to in numerous years who, through the power of media, have somehow served a pivotal, even if non-existent, role. We and the fans thank you!”

Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan will perform together for the first time since 1993 at four concerts in April. It’s not yet known who else will take part – although guitarist Richard Fortus and keyboardist Dizzy Reed have just quit the Dead Daisies, saying they’ll be taking part in “a momentous project” this year.

additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com

BLACK SABBATH BASSIST GEEZER BUTLER APOLOGIZES TO BILL WARD

Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has apologized in public to Bill Ward for saying the ex-drummer had been invited to take part in the band’s final show.

Earlier this week, Butler stated in an interview that Sabbath had offered Ward the chance to appear with them just before they took their last bow on The End tour.

The bassist reported, “It’s been mentioned to him – but he doesn’t want to do it. He wants to do the whole tour or nothing.”

That led Ward to accuse his former colleague of making “inaccurate statements,” adding, “My management reached out to the Black Sabbath management to inquire as to whether or not they would like to discuss my participation in the tour. We were told there was no interest.”

Now Butler has tweeted, “It appears Bill Ward was never invited to do a last show – my mistake. Sorry @billwarddrums.”

His message has been applauded by some fans for its honesty, while others have reacted by encouraging the band members to discuss their differences face-to-face with no one else present.

Black Sabbath’s The End tour began on January 20th in Omaha, Nebraska. See the remaining dates below.

January:

30 Edmonton, AB Rexall Centre

February:
1 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
3 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
6 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
9 San Jose, CA SAP Pavilion
11 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
13 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
15 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
17 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
19 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
21 Hamilton, ON First Ontario Centre
23 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
27 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Australia/New Zealand:

April:

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

Europe:

June:

1 Budapest,Hungary Groupama Arena
8 Berlin, Germany Waldebuhne
11 Donington, UK Download**
13 Verona, IT Arena Di Verona
15 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadon
17 Dessel, Belgium Grasspop**
23 Halden, Norway Tons of Rock**
25 Copenhagen, DE Copenhell**
28 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
30 Prague, Czech Rep. 02 Arena

July:

2 Krakow, Poland Tauron Arena
5 Riga, Latvia Riga Arena
7 Helsinki, Finland Monsters of Rock**
9 Stockholm, Sweden Monsters of Rock**
12 Moscow, Russia Olympisky Arena

**Denotes festival appearance

North America:

August:

17 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
19 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
21 Washington DC Jiffy Lube Live
23 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
25 Boston, MA Xfinity Center
27 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
29 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
31 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theater

September:

2 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
4 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
9 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Ampitheater
11 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Ampitheater
13 Portland, OR Sunlight Supply Arena
15 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
17 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
19 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Bowl
21 Phoenix, AZ AK-Chin Pavilion

additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com