Thursday, December 04, 2008

Page Attends Funeral For Michael Lee

Guitar legend at funeral of drummer

7:56am Thursday 4th December 2008

A ROCK legend was in the North-East yesterday to say farewell to one of the most talented drummers of his generation.

More than 150 mourners, including Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, braved the arctic conditions to pay their respects to drummer Michael Lee, who played with bands including the revived Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith and Guns ‘N’ Roses.

Darlington-born Mr Lee, 39, who was born Michael Gary Pearson, played with Page when he reunited with Led Zeppelin’s front man Robert Plant.

The funeral was held at Darlington Crematorium.

Mr Lee, who was epileptic, was found dead at his flat on Tuesday last week. A postmortem examination revealed he died of a seizure.

Floral tributes were left by Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, who wrote: “What a waste. Too soon. I’m so sorry, I always enjoyed your enthusiasm and ideas. Robert P”.

Tony Jepson, lead singer of the Little Angels – the Scarborough band Mr Lee started his professional career with – was among mourners who gathered for the service, which was taken by lay preacher Lesley Stegner.

John Sykes, of Thin Lizzy, and rock band the Quireboys also left floral tributes.

At yesterday’s service, Mr Lee’s cousin, 50-year-old Steve Metcalfe, paid tribute to the self-taught drummer.

“He was one of the most determined, ambitious, talented men I have ever known.”

He recalled how, despite playing with some of the world’s most famous rock and roll artists, the Grammyaward winning drummer was just as happy to spend the evening drumming at an open mic night at the Quaker House pub, which Mr Metcalfe runs in Darlington.

“I just hope the good Lord has a decent drum kit for him to play,” he added.

The service, which included prayers and a reading of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, ended with Aerosmith’s Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.

He also leaves a brother, Tony, and a sister, Janet.

Mr Lee is best known for his work with Page and Plant after he landed a gig in Plant’s solo band in the early Nineties and stayed with the singer when he reunited with Page in 1994.

The drummer toured extensively with the Zeppelin duo and was credited on every song on their 1998 Walking into Clarksdale album.

Mr Lee also drummed for the reformed version of Thin Lizzy, The Cult, Little Angels, The Quireboys, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Lenny Kravitz.

After the service, Daniel Stanton, of Coallier Entertainment, a company which worked with Thin Lizzy in the past, said: “Michael will sadly be missed by so many.

“I have received endless calls from fans, friends and family members surrounding Michael’s death.

“The guys in Thin Lizzy are crushed, I have spoken to people in the Robert Plant camp who have also expressed the same. We will all miss him.”

● The Northern Echo was given permission to attend the funeral of Mr Lee

source:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Thursday, November 20, 2008

JIM MORRISON - SET FOR ODD BIRTHDAY HONOUR

JIM MORRISON - MORRISON SET FOR ODD BIRTHDAY HONOUR


Late rock legend JIM MORRISON is to be honoured by the Los Angeles eatery where he once urinated on the bar.
The Doors frontman's public urinating episode is to be remembered with a new plaque at Barney's Beanery on what would have been his 65th birthday.
The plaque will be situated at the exact same spot of his lewd act in the late 1960s.
Morrison would have turned 65 on 8 December (08). He died in Paris, France in 1971

Source:
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/morrison%20set%20for%20odd%20birthday%20honour_1087141

{Only Morrison could get away with a public stunt like that and get honor with a plague on the spot which it was done, LOL. The original rebel of rock!! :)}

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Doors Throw A Party for Jim Morrison 65th

The Doors Throw A Party for Jim Morrison 65th

by Paul Cashmere - November 19 2008

So Jim Morrison is about to turn 65. That is retirement age in Australia and a few years past retirement in the USA. Jim isn`t retiring just yet. He is making too much money to slow down. Not bad for a dead guy.


On December 8, Ray Manzarek and Robbie Kreiger will be at Barney’s Beanery for the Morrison party.

So will Jim Ladd. Ladd will broadcast his KLOS night show from the party.

Barney’s Beanery was special for Jim. He used to hang out there in the 60s with Janis Joplin.

“We decided to celebrate this occasion because Barney’s is a place where Jim Morrison hung out often,” says Barney’s Beanery principal David Houston, who bought the place in 1999 from Erwin Held “Whatever point in time you go back to, whoever was making history in pop culture, they seemed to have a foot in the Beanery.”

As well as Jim’s 65th, there is a new Doors album. ‘Live at The Matrix 1967’ is the 4th album in the Bright Midnight archives. It features liner notes from all three surviving members of The Doors.

Barney's Beanery

{Wish I could be there! No doubt I'll be throwing my own Morrison party as well :) }

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Deftone's Bass Player in Coma

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng is believed to be in a coma after a serious car crash earlier this week. Deftones singer Chino Moreno posted the following on the band's Web site yesterday: "It deeply saddens me to inform you all that our brother Chi Cheng was involved in a terrible car accident last night. He is currently in a Northern California hospital in serious, but stable condition. I am on my way up north right now to be by his side, along with the rest of our bandmates and family. Chi is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm praying that his strength will get him through this. Please say a prayer for him as well." The Deftones have been working on their sixth album, Eros, for the past year.


(prayers, good wishes, and healing energy to Chi Cheng.)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Beatles Cut Rock Band Deal

The Beatles Cut Rock Band Deal

October 30, 2008

Through a partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a Beatles video game will invade the U.S. in 2009. This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd. and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the Beatles "Rock Band" game will offer a history and progression through the music of the Fab Four. The game was conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles LOVE project, will serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

"The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music," said McCartney. "I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out." Starr added, "It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership. The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in. Let the games commence."

"People are having so much fun playing Rock Band. Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate,” commented Olivia Harrison. "If you like the music, it doesn't take much persuasion to get you to play."

Van Toffler, MTV Networks Music and Logo Group President, stated, "Many of us have been part of a generation that has long enjoyed an enduring love affair with The Beatles and now we're looking to extend that love affair for future generations to enjoy. Our inspiration for this project comes from a keen sense of history and a place of utmost reverence and respect for the band, their music and their heritage."

Zep on Sirius XM Radio

Sirius XM Radio will broadcast a new channel dedicated to the music of Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin Radio will air on Sirius channel 12 and XM channel 39 and will launch on Saturday, November 1 through December 31. Led Zeppelin Radio will be a non-stop broadcast of virtually every song from Led Zeppelin’s catalog. The channel will also provide fans with archived interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, as well as unique content that celebrates Zeppelin’s contributions to Rock music.

(How cool is that!!)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

AC/DC Set List

This is the full setlist for the Black Ice world tour, starting tonight:

01. Rock 'N Roll Train (from Black Ice, 2008)
02. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be (from Let There Be Rock, 1977)
03. Back In Black (from Back In Black, 1980)
04. Stiff Upper Lip (from Stiff Upper Lip, 2000)
05. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (from Dirty Deeds, 1976)
06. Thunderstruck (from The Razors Edge, 1990)
07. Hard As A Rock (from Ballbreaker, 1995)
08. The Jack (from TNT, 1975)
09. Hells Bells (from Back In Black, 1980)
10. Shoot To Thrill (from Back In Black, 1980)
11. You Shook Me All Night Long (from Back In Black, 1980)
12. TNT (from TNT, 1975)
13. Whole Lotta Rosie (from Let There Be Rock, 1977)
14. Let There Be Rock (from Let There Be Rock, 1977)
15. Highway To Hell (from Highway To Hell, 1979)
16. For Those About To Rock (from For Those About To Rock, 1981)
17. Anything Goes (from Black Ice, 2008)
18. Big Jack (from Black Ice, 2008)
19. War Machine (from Black Ice, 2008)
20. Black Ice (from Black Ice, 2008)
21. Bad Boy Boogie (from Let There Be Rock, 1977)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bon Scott Statue Unveiled

Bon Scott Statue Unveiled

A statue honouring AC/DC’s Bon Scott was unveiled at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour in Western Australia on Saturday.


Although born in Scotland, Bon Scott grew up in Fremantle. Bon was born in 1946 and the family emigrated to Australia in 1952. Little Bon started out his newfound Australian life in Melbourne. The family lived in the suburb of Sunshine for 4 years before moving to Fremantle.

Bon Scott was born in 1946. He is buried in Fremantle cemetery.

The Bon Scott statue was first revealed in February this year. The Mayor of Fremantle Peter Tagliaferri did the official unveiling on Saturday.

A concert for Bon featuring original AC/DC singer Dave Evans happened in February. Immediately afterwards, Dave went into the studio to record his just released album ‘Judgement Day’.

Coincidentally, as just as Dave was starting work on his album, his former band AC/DC reunited to start work on their just released album ‘Black Ice’.

Evans was the first singer for AC/DC and sang on the band’s very first hit single ‘Can I Sit Next To You Girl’. Bon Scott sang a new vocal for the song that appears on the ‘TNT’ album.

Check out Dave’s original version

Monday, September 15, 2008

Pink Floyd's Richard Wright Joins Syd Barrett

One of Pink Floyd's founding members, keyboardist Richard Wright, has passed away at the age of 65. Wright died Monday at his home in Britain after a battle with cancer. Wright first met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Sigma 6 eventually became Pink Floyd and Wright wrote some of the band's key songs, such as "The Great Gig In The Sky" and "Us And Them." He left the group in the early '80s but rejoined Pink Floyd for the 1987 album A Momentary Lapse of Reason and also contributed heavily to latter day Floyd records like The Delicate Sound of Thunder and The Division Bell. He last performed with the group in 2005 for Live 8. Additionally, Legacy.com has set up a guest book for fans to express their condolences. You can sign a guestbook for Richard here

(This news is so sad...Richard was always so humble and he was such a great musician and contributor to Pink Floyd. He will be missed and thought of fondly. Rest in peace sweet Richard.)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

AC/DC Tour Dates

Here they are the AC/DC Tour Dates for the U.S. thus far!

As expected, iconic rockers AC/DC have rolled out plans for a massive North American tour in support of their forthcoming album, "Black Ice."

Tickets will begin hitting the box office Sept. 20, according to a press release, and additional tour dates in North and South America, Europe and Asia will be announced "shortly."

As previously reported, guitarist Angus Young has already promised that despite being 53-years-old, he will still wear the schoolboy suit onstage. "At first, when I think about 'Hey, I haven't worn it in a while,' it takes me a little bit of psychology to get into it," he recently told Rolling Stone. "But I promised myself I'm not gonna think — I'll just put it on."

AC/DC's new album, Black Ice, will be unleashed on October 20 exclusively at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and the band's Web site. The video for the first single, "Rock 'N Roll Train," will debut September 19 on ACDC.com and VH1.com.


October
28 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - Wachovia Arena
30 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena

November
3 - Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse
5 - Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
7 - Toronto, Ontario - Rogers Centre
9 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden
12, 13 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
15 - Washington, D.C. - Verizon Center
17 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
19 - East Rutherford, NJ - IZOD Center
21 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
23 - Minneapolis, MN - Xcel Energy Center
25 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
28 - Vancouver, British Columbia - General Motors Place
29 - Seattle, WA - Key Arena
30 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome

December
2 - Oakland, CA - ORACLE Arena
6 - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
10 - Phoenix, AZ - US Airways Center
12 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
14 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
16 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
18 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Arena

Make sure to get your AC/DC and other gear at our boutique!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Shirley Manson Is Terminated

Shirley Manson Is Terminated

by Paul Cashmere - May 30 2008

Shirley Manson is going into acting. The Garbage singer has scored a gig in the Fox Networks 'Terminator, The Sarah Connor Chronicles'. She will play Catherine Weaver, the CEO of Cyberdyne.


Shirley will be part of Season 2 of the show, based on the Arnold Schwazenegger movies.

'Terminator, The Sarah Connor Chronicles' is set after 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day'.

The original 'Terminator' movie was released in 1984. It is set in the not-to-distant future of 2029. Arnold Schwarzenegger was the terminator in the movie. Linda Hamilton was Sarah Connor.

The forth movie, 'Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins' will be released on May 22, 2009.

Shirley Manson has been working on her debut solo album since 2006, but it is yet to arrive. She has collaborated with Jack White, Billy Corgan and Beck, as well as James Bond soundtrack composer David Arnold for the record.

A release date is still to be decided

{ My favorite Scottish woman Shirley Manson, if she stars in this for sure it will be cool! }

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

John Lennon Artwork in Liverpool

Liverpool To Showcase John Lennon Artwork

by Paul Cashmere - May 21 2008


The City of Liverpool will exhibit the complete collection of John Lennon's artwork later this week.


The exhibition features Lennon's works dating back to 1968 and through to his death in 1980.

John's wife Yoko Ono has organized the exhibition through her company Bag One Productions.

Lennon attended the Liverpool School of Art between 1957 and 1960.

Jonathan Poole, exhibition organiser, comments:
"It is very exciting to have the Complete Collection of Lennon's work, and fitting that it should be showcased in his home city, during a year highlighting Liverpool's cultural position in Europe. I began my career exhibiting works by John Lennon and, personally, I am a huge fan of his works. This exhibition gives people the chance to see a different side of John in terms of his artistry and also his unique personality."

The exhibition will run until June 2.

Gallery Hours: Monday- Friday, 12:00am – 8:00pm.
Admission is free.

(Very cool, another good reason to get on to Liverpool)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Madonna Again a Dominatrix

Madonna Gets Slutty (Again) For Hard Candy Cover

by Paul Cashmere - March 27 2008


Madonna is going back to her old dominatrix image on the cover for her new album 'Hard Candy'.


The pop superstar, who turns 50 in August, will grace the cover of her album wearing dark blue silk underwear, leather boots and with a strap in hand.

'Hard Candy' is Madonna's 11th studio album and will be her last for long-time label Warner.

The first single from the album, '4 Minutes' featuring Justin Timberlake, was released on March 17th.

'Hard Candy' will be released on April 26th in Australia and April 29th in the USA.

Most of the tracks were written by Madonna with Pharrell Williams. '4 Minutes', 'Dance2night' and 'Miles Away' were written with Justin Timberlake while 'Devil Wouldn't Recognize You' and 'Voices' are both Madonna only compositions.

The tracklisting is:

1. Candy Shop
2. 4 Minutes
3. Give It 2 Me
4. Heartbeat
5. Miles Away
6. She s Not Me
7. Incredible
8. Beat Goes On
9. Dance 2night
10. Spanish Lesson
11. Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
12. Voices

(The song titles on her new album appear to be quite hot. I like Madonna's dominatrix image, very cool & sexy...glad she's going back to it. Curious to hear it and see the lyrics.)