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.
Aerosmith Album Rumored to Include Carrie Underwood Duet
At this point it’s only a rumor that country star Carrie Underwood recently dipped into a recording studio to cut vocals for the upcoming Aerosmith album, but it’s a rumor with a little sizzle.
Def Leppard Release New Versions of ‘Rock of Ages,’ ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’
In advance of the Tom Cruise movie ‘Rock of Ages,’ Def Leppard has re-recorded and re-released their song of the same name as well as another of the band’s classic ’80s hits. Both songs are featured in the musical turned major motion picture. The songs are available at iTunes now, the movie hits theaters on June 15.
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.
Guns N’ Roses Deny Hiring Models to Fill Front Row
On Monday, a story in the U.K.’s Daily Record claimed Axl Rose contacted a model agency to hire 20 women to fill the front row of Friday’s Guns N’ Roses concert in Glasgow. It’s a claim the band is now denying. Guitarist Bumblefoot says if the women show up in the crowd and backstage, he’s not going to complain, but it wasn’t the band that requested them.
Metallica’s James Hetfield Promises the Anger is Still There
The four members of Metallica realize a world of fans and haters will be watching closely when they release their next studio album. In a way they’re going back to basics, letting old music influence their new music. For his part, singer James Hetfield says that despite rehab and an artistic venture with Lou Reed, there is still plenty for him to be ticked off about.
Black Oak Arkansas’s Jim ‘Dandy’ Mangrum Recalls Being Interrogated After John Lennon’s Death
John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings all told Jim ‘Dandy’ Mangrum of Black Oak Arkansas to keep rocking like he’d been doing. The legends appreciated the loud, in-your-face style he brought to the stage, even (or especially) if he did upset more proper institutions.
Metallica Drummer Lars Ulrich Recalls Lou Reed Challenging Him to a Street Fight
While the temporary marriage of Metallica and Lou Reed seemed like a most harmonious union, Lars Ulrich remembers when things got a little testy. During a revealing interview with Spin, the drummer recalls the day Reed wanted to fight him.
Night Ranger Front Man Jack Blades Will Never Grow Tired of Playing ‘Sister Christian’
When Night Ranger tours this summer, fans can expect the hits. In fact, fans can count on songs like ‘Sister Christian’ for as long as the band is physically able to take the stage. In an interview with Fox News frontman Jack Blades says it doesn’t get old, even after 30 years.