Category : LATEST NEWS

ORIGINAL AC/DC DRUMMER PHIL RUDD SAYS HE WOULD REJOIN THE BAND, BUT NOT WITH FRONTMAN, AXL ROSE. HE ALSO REVEALS THAT HE SUFFERED A MAJOR HEART ATTACK

Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd says he’d still like to rejoin the band – but not with Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose in the lineup.

He’s gearing up to restart his music career following the addiction and legal problems that led to his dismissal from Angus Young’s outfit.

While he recovers from heart surgery, he’s argued that Geoffrey Martin, the guitarist in his solo band, is better than ex-boss Malcolm Young.

Rudd tells the Bay Of Plenty Times, “If Angus wanted me to play then that’s up to him – but I don’t really want to play with Axl Rose. I don’t really rate him. Geoffrey is a great guitarist, just as good as Malcolm. Better than, if you ask me.”

He continues, “I had a f–king heart attack, but I’m good now. I was just at home and I started to feel just funny. I had a strange pain in my chest. My housekeeper took me to the hospital where they hooked me up and did all these tests. Turned out I had a big heart attack. My artery was all blocked up, and they said I had to stay in and have an operation.”

But, he adds, “I sneaked out to the shop to get some cigarettes, then I realized I had no car, so I walked home to get the Ferrari and drove back to the hospital.”

Rudd, 62, spent eight months under home detention after he was convicted of threatening to kill an employee along with a number of drugs offenses.

He says he’s “healthy and got so much color in my cheeks,” and he’s just signed a deal to re-release solo album, Head Job, and promote it on a 2017 European tour, set to include a series of festival appearances.

“I made mistakes,” he admits. “But, I’m really good now. I really appreciate the support of the fans around the world, which kept me going through some of the dark times. I cannot wait to play music for them. It’s going to rock.”

AC/DC, who replaced Rudd with former drummer Chris Slade, complete their current tour commitments next month. The band’s future remains in doubt following the retirement of Malcolm Young, the departure of vocalist Brian Johnson and the upcoming retirement of bassist Cliff Williams.

AC/DC Rock Or Bust US dates 2016

Sep 1: Atlanta Phillips Arena, GA
Sep 4: Columbus Nationwide Arena, OH
Sep 6: Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, OH
Sep 9: Detroit The Palace, MI
Sep 11: Buffalo First Niagara Center, NY
Sep 14: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Sep 17: Washington Verizon Center, DC
Sep 20: Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center, PA

OZZY OSBOURNE SAYS HE IS “SAD” ABOUT DRUMMER BILL WARD’S ABSENCE ON BLACK SABBATH’S FINAL TOUR

Singer Ozzy Osbourne hasn’t completely given up on the chance of [original drummer] Bill Ward returning for Black Sabbath’s final show – even though the drummer himself has ruled it out.

The pair became embroiled in a war of words following Ward’s departure from the band’s reunion in 2012, and he later accused the vocalist of having created an “impassable dilemma.”

Black Sabbath are currently on their farewell world tour with Ozzy’s percussionist, Tommy Clufetos. The road trip ends with two dates in their home city of Birmingham, UK, in February.

Earlier this month Ward said it was “incorrect” to suggest he’d make a return.

Ozzy tells Rolling Stone, “Right now I’m having a blast. I suppose I may have a different head on when we do the last show. I used to resent going out on the road, but now it’s fun. Nobody gets stoned, nobody gets drunk. We’ve been doing some great shows.”

He continues, “I’m sad that Bill never came through. Every time I reach out to Bill I get yelled at for something.”

Asked whether Ward will make an appearance in Birmingham, he says, “I don’t know. If something can be worked out, great. Tommy is doing a great job.”

Osbourne has already outlined plans to make another solo album once Black Sabbath end their career, although wife and manager Sharon has said he’ll retire in the near future, adding, “I don’t want Ozzy singing Crazy Train at 75.”

He says, “I’m going to continue solo. I don’t know if I want to tour extensively much more, bit I’ll still keep my fingers in the pie. As for singing Crazy Train at 75, we’ll see.”

But he’s determined not to follow the recent trend of recording a country music album, like Aerosmith counterpart Steven Tyler.

“Not me, thank you,” he declares. “I think you should stick to what you know best. If Steven’s having a good time with it, who am I to complain? But it would be absurd for me to do that. I don’t mind country – but the Prince of Darkness with a cowboy hat? I’m a rock n’roller, not a f–king country bumpkin.”

additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com

ALTER BRIDGE RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “SHOW ME A LEADER” FROM THE LAST HERO AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON OCTOBER 7th

Alter Bridge has always worked to outdo their previous efforts in every aspect of their career. The same holds true for the newest video for their debut single Show Me A Leader that was released today.

The video is based on a concept created by Alter Bridge and director Zev Deans that brings life to the story told in the single’s lyrics. The animated video shows the world in turmoil as politicians (represented by suits with megaphone heads) are broadcasting harmful messages to the public. The band is on a roof with a satellite dish performing Show Me A Leader to counteract the harmful messages being spread. The video is visually captivating and showcases Deans’ talent and unique creative style, something the band was immediately drawn to. The video premiered on Vevo and can be seen at here.

Show Me A Leader is the debut single from Alter Bridge’s fifth studio album, The Last Hero. The album is scheduled for worldwide release on October 7th by Caroline Records in the United States/Canada and Napalm Records throughout the rest of the globe. In the US, the song has been moving up the Active Rock charts being a Greatest Gainer this week via Mediabase and was Top 5 Most Added when it was released last week. The single is currently #27 on the Active Rock Chart this week. Show Me A Leader is also streaming on Spotify.

The Last Hero is now available for pre-order through iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play. Fans who order the album will receive an instant download of the debut single Show Me A Leader. The album is also available in various fan bundles at alterbridge.com/store. In addition, a new shirt design has been made available to mark the occasion of the video release.

Alter Bridge is heading out on select U.S. headline dates in support of The Last Hero this coming September andselect ticket purchases will come with a digital album. The headline run kicks off September 22nd in Destin, FL. The tour will make stops in San Antonio, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Lincoln, NE; Charlotte, NC; and Nashville, TN. The band will also perform at a few festival dates this Fall including the inaugural Houston Open Air Festival, Sonic Boom, Louder Than Life and the Tulsa State Fair. Tickets for their U.S headline dates are on-sale now through Ticketmaster.

Alter Bridge is Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums.

Alter Bridge on the road:

September:

22 Destin, FL Club LA #
24 Houston, TX Houston Open Air Festival
25 San Antonio, TX Aztec Theater #
28 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theatre #
29 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre #

October:

1 Janesville, WI Sonic Boom
2 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life
4 Charlotte, NC Fillmore #
5 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium #
7 Dallas, TX House Of Blues #
8 Tulsa, OK Tulsa State Fair – Oklahoma Stage

# Headline show

Alter Bridge online:

Official website
Facebook

BASSIST GLENN HUGHES SAYS GUITARIST RITCHIE BLACKMORE ASKED HIM TO JOIN THE RAINBOW SHOWS

Glenn Hughes says Ritchie Blackmore invited him to be part of the recent Rainbow shows – but he refused his former colleague’s offer.

The ex Deep Purple bassist and vocalist, who shared the band’s microphone duties with newcomer David Coverdale in the 1970s, explains that he didn’t want to be part of a 21st-century lineup featuring relatively unknown singer Ronnie Romero.

And he’s also confirmed that Black Country Communion will release their reunion album in May next year.

Asked about Blackmore’s three Rainbow appearances, which took place in June, Hughes tells Hard Rock Haven, “He asked me to do it with him. And I said ‘no’ because he wanted to, funny enough, he wanted to use an unknown singer.

“I said, ‘It’s not me. It’s not me to do that.’ I’ve done that with David, and it was good. I don’t want to do it again. I said very eloquently, ‘No thank you. I really would like to see you, but I can’t do this at the point where I am right now.’”

Black Country Communion this year confirmed they’d get back together following a split in 2012 partly caused by Hughes and guitarist Joe Bonamassa failing to agree on touring plans.

Hughes reports the follow-up to Afterglow will be recorded between January 3rd and 11th, then released on May 21st and continues, “I’m not going to say we’re touring, because I don’t have a schedule of that.

Joe and I have decided we would like to play some shows, but there’s nothing booked because I’m going to be busy next year and so is he.

My first priority is my band. I’d love to play with Black Country – but let’s be real. You just never know. Funny thing is, now Black Country are getting back together and I’m solo. It’s really what I want to do. It’s the first thing for me now.”

He’s continuing work on a solo album, set to feature Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith in a guest role. Hughes says, “It’s heavy in content lyrically and it’s musically heavy, but it’s got a lot of groove. I think it’s quite dramatic and there’s a lot of light and shade. But the emphasis is really heavy grooves, and that’s what I write.”

additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com

GUITARIST ZAKK WYLDE TO APPEAR AT SELECT U.S. GUITAR CENTERS FOR FAN MEET & GREETS

Zakk Wylde has announced a select number of meet and greet appearances surrounding the launch of Wylde Audio. Fans will have a chance to meet the metal icon in-store and test out his new line of Wylde Audio guitars and more. Join Guitar Center and Wylde Audio for a special in-store appearance with the legendary guitarist.

Wylde chose to join forces with Guitar Center on a new line of guitars from his new company because he admired their commitment to encouraging new talent and supporting musicians of all skill levels and genres. Wylde’s new line of masterfully crafted guitars includes three unique models (Odin, Viking and Warhammer) that are available at Guitar Center stores and online. To celebrate, the former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist and Black Label Society founder is heading out on the road this September to meet with fans at select Guitar Center stores across the country.

Don’t miss your chance to meet with one of hard rock’s most influential guitar players.

Zakk Wylde recently debuted a new music video for his latest single Sleeping Dogs featuring Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor. The track has gone on to become the most successful active rock radio single of Wylde’s career reaching as high as #22 in the U.S. and #11 in Canada. Directed by long time collaborator Justin Reich, the video can be seen below.

Zakk Wylde is currently on the tail end of a a U.S. and Canadian tour in continued support of his new LP, Book Of Shadows II which will come to an end at The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles this Friday, September 3rd. Tickets are on sale now here, including VIP upgrades in all markets. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and Jared James Nichols will serve as support.

Wylde will continue touring through the end of October, this time with Zakk Sabbath serving as support for Clutch. Zakk Sabbath includes himself, bassist Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) and drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens Of The Stone Age) performing only Black Sabbath songs. Click here for more info.

Zakk Wylde Guitar Center meet and greet dates:

Sept. 8th at 6pm: Guitar Center Phoenix
Metro Square, 2750 W Peoria Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

Sept. 10th at 2pm: Guitar Center Arlington
721 Ryan Plaza Dr, Arlington, TX 76011

Sept. 12th at 6pm: Guitar Center Nashville
One Hundred Oaks Mall, 721 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204

Sept. 14th at 6pm: Guitar Center Rockville
12401 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20852

Sept. 16th at 6pm: Guitar Center Union Square
25 W 14th St, NYC, NY 10011

Sept 18th at 2pm – Guitar Center San Francisco
1645 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

Free to the public and limited capacity – arrive early.

For more information about Book of Shadows II, please go here.

BASSIST JEFF PILSON SAYS THAT HE HOPES THE REUNION OF THE CLASSIC DOKKEN LINEUP, WILL BE A CHANCE FOR THE BAND TO REDEEM THEMSELVES FROM YEARS OF NEGATIVE PRESS

While bassist Jeff Pilson admits that money is the motivator for Dokken’s classic lineup reunion, he insists that the band also wants to redeem themselves after years of bad press.

Though the bassist agrees with drummer Mick Brown and vocalist Don Dokken that money is the main incentive for their run of comeback shows, he still wants to do a “great job” for the fans’ sake.

He tells My Global Mind, “Because bands look like they are having a fun time up on stage, it seems like it’s the easiest job in the world or not really a job at all.

Most fans would say, ‘Why can those guys just get it together and play. It looks like fun.’ Obviously it’s more than that – it’s the time you spend together practicing and in negations making it all happen.

I will say that the notion that we are doing it just for the money – of course we doing it for the money. We are getting well paid and that’s great.”

Pilson adds, “Honestly, I don’t really look at it like that – I look at it as getting paid is a nice thing and this is a chance to put a positive spin on a band that got a lot of negative press. Now it’s just about going out there and kicking some butt and doing a great job, not to get all caught up in the controversy that we usually get.

Japan has always been great for us and I’m really just looking forward just going out and doing the music and playing with these guys.”

Pilson also recalled the last time the original Dokken lineup played together in 1997, when they were supporting Alice Cooper. He says the night ended on a “horrible note” after old tensions had resurfaced between frontman Dokken and guitarist George Lynch – resulting in the pair almost “getting into a fight” on the bus.

Pilson explains, “George’s son had to come between them. It got nasty and ugly – it was very unfortunate.

I think extreme tension is destructive and that’s what ultimately brought about the end of the band. I don’t think extreme tension was creative in any way whatsoever. I think it cut off a lot of the potential that we had.

I’m hoping we can do this with a better attitude – and I think we will.”

Recently, Brown admitted that Dokken and Lynch had begun snapping at each other ahead of the dates.

Dokken’s only planned US show is Sioux Falls Badlands in South Dakota on September 30th, followed by six Japanese dates in October. They’ll then revert to the current formation featuring Dokken, Brown, Jon Levin and Chris McCarvill.

Classic Dokken lineup tour dates

Sep 30: Sioux Falls Badlands, SD
Oct 5: Osaka Namba Hatch
Oct 6: Fukuoka Civic Hall
Oct 8: Tokyo Loud Park Festival
Oct 10: Hiroshima Blue Live Hiroshima
Oct 11: Aichi Zepp Nagoya
Oct 12: Tokyo Zepp Diversity

additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com