*EDDIE TRUNK EXCLUSIVE* GUITARIST DOUG ALDRICH RELEASES AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING HIS DECISION TO LEAVE WHITESNAKE

dougalrichanddavidcoverdale400 As previously reported, guitarist Doug Aldrich has parted ways with Whitesnake. Below is his official statement explaining his difficult decision:

“As there is still some question regarding my situation with Whitesnake I want to officially clear the air.

I can confirm that on May 7th 2014. I made the insanely difficult decision to leave the Whitesnake band.

At that time, although not contractually bound, I moved forward with David starting pre- production for an upcoming WS project. Coinciding with my with the start of that project, I also had several recording and live commitments, so I needed a more flexible schedule to conclude these before going full force as normal. Unfortunately my schedule was not workable.

As usual, the results between myself and David were extremely positive and fun, so that made the decision even harder.

I treasured my 11 plus years in the band. 2 Studio records, 2 DVDs, 3 Live records and roughly 30 Coverdale/Aldrich songs!! Killer…

The privilege of being an ambassador for WS is a responsibility I took very seriously. David started the band 35 years ago with high integrity. It was an honor to maintain that standard while I was in. And now, like lots of great things, it has come to an end.

I want to thank the great WS band. Reb, Michael, Tommy, Big Foot Tichy ,Ruedy, Marco, Uriah, Timothy and the Fraz for the good times, great shows and records always kicking major ass over these years. The opportunity travel the world together with such amazing musicians in so many countries was just unreal.

For me this is a new beginning and area of my musical future. I’ll definitely be moving forward working on new music, recording and touring and will have a bit more time to pursue some offers that I never had time to fit in before. A fresh start, new ideas, and another chance to push myself as a musician.

Thank you brother DC, for the great times and for allowing me space to put my heart and soul into the history of your great band.

Forevermore DA”

Aldrich joined Whitesnake in 2003 and played on 2008′s Good To Be Bad and 2011′s Forevermore, as well as appearing on several live releases, including 2013′s Made In Japan and Made In Britain/The World records.

Alrich’s other project, Burning Rain, released their third album, Epic Obsession, a year ago.

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KISS TO PERFORM ON “AMERICAN IDOL” FINALE WITH FINALIST CALEB JOHNSON

CalebJohnson400 On American Idol‘s May 15th show, it was announced the season 13 finalist Caleb Johnson will be performing with KISS on season finale airing next week.

Johnson, who is this year’s residential rocker, was very excited to learn that he would be performing with the band exclaiming that it is his little brother’s “favorite band.”

To see some of Johnson’s performances this season, including Whitesnake’s Still of the Night and Led Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused, click here.

Watch him perform Rival Son’s Pressure and Time below.

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FORMER DIO GUITARIST CRAIG GOLDY RELEASES TWO RONNIE JAMES DIO-INSPIRED SONGS, WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO CHARITY

craiggoldy400 Greg Prato of Brave Words spoke with former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy about two new songs he recorded in honor of the singer’s memory. Excerpts from the interview appear below.

BraveWords: I understand there is some new music on the way.

Craig Goldy: “I’m going to be doing my own personal tribute to my mentor, friend, band mate, family member and often father and brother figure’ – Mr. Ronnie James Dio – the most amazing man I have ever known! I mentioned at his public memorial service that when I do some original material next, that I will use what I have learned from working side by side with the master for so many years, in such a way, that I could only hope to make him proud. When Wendy Dio heard the first draft of these two songs, the first thing she said was, ‘Wow, Ronnie would be proud of you!’ And the second thing she said was, ‘Who’s that singing?’ In a later email after listening to the final versions, she said that they made her cry, and called them ‘your beautiful songs’.”

BraveWords: How did the idea come about?

Craig Goldy: “I’ve been wanting to do my own personal tribute to Ronnie for a long time now, I recently got an opportunity to get theses two songs professionally mixed, they came out so well…that it was then that I decided to release these two songs on May 16th, the fourth anniversary of his passing. And in a further attempt to honor him and his memory, for every purchased download a donation to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Research Foundation will be made, or to the charity or cause of the individual downloader’s choice, in which to honor their lost loved ones in the manner they seem fit. As Ronnie gave to so many different people and causes throughout his whole life and career, this would be one more way in which to honor him. So if they have a preference, they would email me their choice to tgoldycraig@yahoo.com, otherwise, if not specified, I’m sure you can guess where the donation will be made. I came from an abusive family – both physically and verbally – in and out of hospitals for quite a lot of my childhood, so I took to the streets at the age of 16 to get away from the abuse. Ronnie was the voice I turned to in my time of need. He was – and still is – my favorite singer, so I listened to him all the time anyway, but I’m hoping that one of these songs can be such for any of his fans that are still hurting inside from missing him as much as I do, and they can turn to one of these when their pain is felt while during the time that missing him hits. If that happens, then this truly would be an honor and tribute to him in full.”

BraveWords: And who is the singer on the two tracks?

Craig Goldy: “The singer – whose identity I’ve been keeping in secret – is Mark Huff, and it’s been causing quite a stir that way. Mark Huff, is currently best known for his time served in Quiet Riot between 2010-2012. Mark underwent emergency brain surgery, and literally came back from the dead, better than ever and with a new perspective on life.

Read more at Brave Words.

source: bravewords.com

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GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO KISS FACE PAINT AND THOUGHT HE WAS “BLIND”

AceFrehley600 Ace Frehley says he once feared that he had gone blind when he suffered an allergic reaction to his famous KISS face paint.

The guitarist recalls a time in a Paris hotel room where he and a model friend downed four bottles of champagne after a show.

Frehley tells Loudwire: “I was in Paris, and I bumped into a model, a fashion model that I knew from New York. She was doing a photo shoot there. We ended up getting drunk on about four bottles of champagne, and I ended up passing out in the bed with my makeup on after the show. When I woke up, I had an allergic reaction from not taking the silver off, because it’s ground up metal. My eyes were swollen shut. I was blind.”

The band’s manager called for medical help, but Frehley genuinely feared he had lost his sight. He adds: “They rushed a doctor over, and they shot me up with, like, Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory that took it down. But for a minute there, I thought I was blind. I didn’t know what had happened. It was insane.”

In the rest of the interview below, the guitarist discusses his childhood and other musical projects.

Ace Frehley has a new album titled, Space Invader which will be released on June 24th through eOne Music.

additional source: classicrockmagazine.com

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5/16: RIP RONNIE JAMES DIO

Hard to believe it’s been 4 years today that we lost the great Ronnie James Dio. I remember clearly getting the call and standing outside in my driveway with tears in my eyes. I had spoken with Ronnie just a few days before and he was lifting my spirits assuring me he would be okay! That was Dio the man in a nutshell. I was so lucky to have had him as a friend for many many years and the stories I could share would be endless. I remember just having finished writing the chapter on him in my first book, then sitting down to rewrite it in light of the news he was gone. That was not easy. Over the last four years I have been supremely honored to have been a part of so many Dio related releases and events thanks to Wendy. All to help raise  funds for the cancer prevention charity she formed in his honor. From first hosting his public memorial, when he passed away, to most recently writing liner notes for This Is Your Life tribute and auctioning off items on the MOR Cruise, it has always been with great pride that I can help contribute to the mans memory and celebrate the music he has given us. Ronnie was every bit the amazing singer we all knew him to be. The proof is in the recordings that will live forever. But for those lucky enough to have met him he was truly one of the nicest and most genuine people ever. I learned so much from him in the decades I knew him and in the countless interviews I did with him on radio and TV. Many laughs too! He had a great sense of humor! One story I’ll never forget is being in England with him in 2006 when he first rejoined Sabbath. I wanted to go see UFO so bad one night but they were playing on the other side of the UK. Ronnie busted my balls non stop about how a true fan would make the effort to travel the 10 hours by train to be at that show. He was so brutal on me about it as we drank beer at the pub I actually attempted to make it, but missed my first train connection. Then when he saw me come back into the pub a couple hours later he actually offered to get me a driver to take me! At the point I just pulled up a stool with him and hung at the hotel. Looking back now I am so happy I missed that train and got to spend some great hours laughing and talking over dinner with Ronnie. Like I said, the stories can go on and on and likely will. He deserves the accolades as a musician and human being for sure. I’ll open my show tonight on Q104.3 NYC with a set of Dio music in his honor. RIP RJD.

On a related note something I promised I would do for Ronnie’s doctors. Ronnie never was one to go to a doctor and get screened or checked on. His doctor told me if he did, he very well might be with us still. So important as we get older to keep up on screenings when you can. You  may have seen me talk openly in the past about colonoscopy’s. My Dad had colon cancer and because it was caught early he is a fine. I now get screened when needed. It is nothing to be ashamed of and so important. We are all getting older so do what you can to help you beat the odds. If anything positive can come out of Ronnie’s passing maybe it’s to create awareness for keeping up on this. Especially in a male dominated world of hard rock and metal. Peter Criss has done a great job creating awareness for male breast cancer and because of early detection is fine. Dio did not get screened and sadly we lost him too soon. So do what you can to help yourself to keep rocking and best to all!

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MOTLEY CRUE’S TOMMY LEE DISCUSSES THE BAND’S FAREWELL TOUR, “THE DIRT” AND WORKING WITH SMASHING PUMPKINS

motley crue reuters630 Gary Graff of Billboard reports:

Motley Crue is planning a well-publicized farewell tour starting this summer, but it won’t be coming empty handed.

Tommy Lee tells Billboard that he’s “just finished the drums” for All Bad Things Must End, a new song the Crue hopes to have out by the time the farewell tour begins July 2nd in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and which will be attached to a new greatest hits album that will accompany the tour. “We’re just mixing (the song) and getting it together,” Lee reports. “It’s pretty heavy, but it’s really melodic. It’s definitely about this time right now with the band and what the feeling is and kind of all that wrapped into a song. I hate to say it’s like a goodbye, but it definitely references our time here.”

And it may not be the last thing we hear from the band, according to Lee. While the group is sworn to making this it’s actual last tour, he says that “making music is still an open conversation, so who knows. Maybe there’s some more music for us down there.”

Meanwhile, the quartet is getting its show together for the tour. “There’s a whole new production being built that’s pretty fucking insane,” Lee says. As for the setlist, he adds that they are talking about two-hour sets “so we can play all the hits and then hopefully dig into some deep stuff, since this is the last chance to play them.”

The group is also digging into The Dirt, the long awaited film adaptation of its vivid 2001 band biography. Lee says he and bassist Nikki Sixx recently sat down with director Jeff Tremaine for a read-through of the script that he calls “probably the most fucking insanely surrealistic experience I’ve ever sat through — probably two hours and change of literally watching people act and play through this two-hour plus movie of 30 years of your life. I was just like, ‘What the fuck?! That’s insane! This movie is insane!’ Even just the way the movie starts, you’re like, ‘How the hell are we gonna rate this thing? Triple R?'”

Lee says casting is slated for late July, most likely with unknown actors playing the band members who will subsequently join the Crue on tour for a bit of boot camp. “I can just imagine some 25-year-old actor getting the part and being sent on the road to hang out and study us,” Lee says with a laugh. “Wow, what a trip! They’re gonna definitely come back a different animal.”

Lee, meanwhile, has tried on a different musical skin lately, playing drums for the next Smashing Pumpkins album. He’s recorded demos with Billy Corgan in Los Angeles and expects to be back in the studio during the next few weeks to record the finished songs. “I think he has probably the best record he’s ever written,” Lee says. “These are like epic, goose-bump songs. It sounds like the first couple of Smashing Pumpkins records. I was fucking blown away.”

Read more at Billboard.

source: billboard.com

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