Billy Dukes
Steve Vai Announces 2012 North American Tour Dates
Rock guitarist Steve Vai has announced 49 tour dates to support his upcoming album of solo material called ‘The Story of Light.’ The tour will begin one day after the album’s release, on Aug. 15 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and end on October 13 in Agoura Hills, Calif.
Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Bob Welch Dead at 65
Early Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch was found dead Thursday afternoon (June 7) from what police are describing as a self-inflicted gun shot wound. According to the Associated Press, the 65-year-old Welch shot himself in the chest inside his Nashville-area home.
Procol Harum Singer Gary Brooker in Serious Condition After Fall
British rockers Procol Harum have been forced to cancel the remainder of their dates in South Africa after frontman Gary Brooker injured himself. The fall came on Brooker’s 67th birthday (May 29). The band was part of the British Invasion Tour of South Africa along with the Moody Blues and 10cc.
Jimmy Page Upset by London Olympics Snubbing
Imagine how Jimmy Page — who generously promoted the 2012 London Olympics during closing ceremonies for the 2008 games in Beijing — felt when he learned that the Who‘s Keith Moon was invited to perform before he was. The Led Zeppelin guitarist says he’s very upset about being completely left off the lineup.
Steven Tyler Critiques Mick Jagger’s Impersonation of Him on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Steven Tyler watched Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger impersonate him on ‘Saturday Night Live’ last weekend, and says he got it all wrong. “He could have done the ‘yeah yeah yeah!’” Tyler tells Hollywood Life. Jagger played Tyler during a skit called ‘So You Think You Can Dance At An Outdoor Music Festival.’
Kiss Hires War Veteran For Road Crew
After a two months search that included over 1900 applicants, Gene Simmons and Kiss have their hero. As part of the Hiring Our Heroes campaign, the band hired Paul Jordan, a 27-year military veteran, to work on their road crew this summer, surprising him with the news on yesterday’s ‘Today’ show.
Original Atlanta Rhythm Section Drummer Robert Nix Dies
During a career that spanned five decades, Robert Nix held down the beat for many famous rock ‘n’ rollers while writing and recording songs with the band he helped start in 1970. The co-founder and longtime drummer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section died at 67-years-old on Sunday morning (May 20), according to a statement on the band’s Facebook page.
Queen to Bring Freddie Mercury to Life With Hologram
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Queen‘s ‘We Will Rock You’ musical in London, the band is bringing back Freddie Mercury. The late singer will appear via hologram during next week’s run of shows at the Dominion Theatre.
Bruce Springsteen Pays Tribute to Levon Helm With Performance of the Band’s ‘The Weight’
One of the many highlights of last night’s three hour Bruce Springsteen show in Newark, N.J. was the singer’s impromptu tribute to the late Levon Helm. Springsteen and the E Street Band was joined by a full house at the Prudential Center in singing the the Band‘s ‘The Weight.’
Over 7,000 Guitarists Pay Tribute to Jimi Hendrix, Break World Record
The annual Thanks Jimi Festival in Poland has set a world record for the largest guitar ensemble. Over 7,000 pickers showed up to follow Jimi Hendrix‘s brother Leon and a talented group of bandleaders in playing ‘Hey Joe.’
David Bowie to Release Remastered ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’
It will be almost 40 years to the day of its original release when EMI releases the newest anniversary edition of the most influential David Bowie album of all time. A remastered version of 1972′s ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’ will be released on June 4.
Rolling Stones Join the List of Bands Who Won’t Play the Olympics
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has put another nail in the coffin of plans for the legendary band to play the London Olympics this summer. The 70-year-old tells the London Telegraph that he was never a fan of that idea. Pink Floyd and the surviving members of the Beatles have also shot down rumors of their potential reunions at the worldwide sporting competition over the past months.
Read Mo