Ringo Starr will become the two-thousand-four-hundred-and-first celebrity to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame tonight outside Capitol Records in Hollywood. He'll no doubt be flashing his trademark peace sign while saying "peace and love" in front of a number of celebrity well-wishers, including his brother-in-law, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.Ringo is the third Beatle honored with a star -- Paul McCartney does not have one. The Beatles as a group also have one.
To get a star on the Walk of Fame, the celebrity must agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years of selection, and a 25-thousand-dollar fee must be paid to the Hollywood Historic Trust. Sponsors such as film studios and record companies often pay the fee for the publicity.
Z-Z Top, Van Morrison, Randy Newman and Bryan Adams will also be made sidewalk heroes this year. The late Roy Orbison was remembered with a star last month. --Sal Cirrincione
Aerosmith Update...No Lawsuit and No Hagar
Despite numerous reports, Steven Tyler's lawyer, Skip Miller, has no intention of suing Aerosmith to prevent them from working with another singer. That's according to Pollstar, the concert industry publication, which cites a source close to Tyler who says the singer and his lawyers are not upset with the four other members of the band and that Tyler sticks to the statement he made in December, which says, in part, "I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false. I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled."
Sammy Hagar is the latest name to join the list of possible replacements for Tyler in Aerosmith. But don't look for the "Red Rocker" to hook up with his second already existing band following Van Halen. His manager denies the report, telling Classic Rock magazine, "[Having this on] good authority must mean The Enquirer because his Led Zep gig conflicts with the Aerosmith job. Seriously, Sam is very happy to be going into the studio with Chickenfoot to start the second album in April." Aerosmith's camp was not available for comment.
The other singers rumored as possibilities to take Tyler's place are Paul Rodgers, Billy Idol, Lenny Kravitz and Chris Cornell. --Sal Cirrincione
Elton John and Leon Russell Album Update
Elton John is making progress on his album with Leon Russell. Basic tracks for the songs, written by Elton's longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, have been completed with work on the vocals and overdubs about to begin. According to the blog on Bernie Taupin's website, "The trio has cut 15 songs ranging from Rolling Stones-like rockers, country-tinged ballads, gospel and even a Frank Sinatra-like weepy similar to something torn from the grooves of 'In the Wee Small Hours.' It's varied in scope and drenched in a rich tapestry of atmospherics. Don't expect to hear the old Elton and Bernie sound; this is organic recording unlike anything you've heard from our duo before."
As for Russell's health, having recently undergone brain surgery, the post on the blog says, "Leon continues to improve from the surgery that sidelined him in the initial stages and caused the media to over diagnose his condition. His playing is masterful as ever and his contribution to the project grows more exciting with the passing of every day."
No word on when the album will be released. --Sal Cirrincione
Elton John Asked Not To Go To Israel 
Elton John has received a request not to perform in Israel. The British Committee for Universities for Palestine wants him to call off his June 17th show just outside Tel Aviv. A letter from the group says, "There won't be any Palestinians from the OccupiedTerritories swaying along with the Israelis -- the army won't let them leave their ghettoes. Please read what Judge Goldstone said about the onslaught on Gaza, what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been saying for decades about the crimes committed against the Palestinians... When you stand up on that stage in Tel Aviv, you line yourself up with a racist state." A spokeswoman for Elton was unavailable for comment. --Sal Cirrincione
The Who & Steve Winwood Set For The Super Bowl This Weekend
Two legendary British acts, The Who and Steve Winwood, will be among the entertainers at Super Bowl 44 this Sunday in Miami. The Who will provide the halftime entertainment, while Winwood will get things going during the pre-game show.
Since so many of The Who's biggest songs clock in at more than five minutes, they have to settle for doing a medley of five of tunes to fill their 12-minute slot. Pete Townshend let the cat out of the bag last month when he told Billboard they would be doing "A bit of 'Baba O'Riley,' a bit of 'Pinball Wizard,' a bit of the close of 'Tommy,' a bit of 'Who Are You,' and a bit of 'Won't Get Fooled Again.'" Townshend and Roger Daltrey entertained the press corps yesterday (Thursday) with acoustic versions of "Behind Blue Eyes," "Pinball Wizard" and "Won't Get Fooled Again."
As for who The Who is rooting for Sunday, Daltrey says if he had to make a choice he "thinks New Orleans can do with a little bit of luck and it would be nice for them," to which Townshend said, "Well in that case, I'll go for the Colts."
Townshend also took the time to address the controversy surrounding Protect Our Children, the child abuse organization, passing out flyers warning parents about him and his arrest on child pornography charges in 2003. He said he was "really saddened by it..." but added, "Everything you need to know [about me], funnily enough, is out there on the Internet." Townshend, who said he downloaded the porn for research he was doing for his autobiography, was never convicted.
This appearance and a charity show next month in London, in which they will perform Quadrophenia, are the only two shows The Who will be doing this year. Townshend says he's "struggling with some health issues, which may mean that I will have to limit the amount of touring that I do in the future -- partly to do with my hearing (tinnitus), but also partly to do with me having shown off so much (by doing windmills when playing the guitar) that my shoulder is in danger of coming out of its socket." -- Sal Cirrincione
More on the Aerosmith Saga...Joe Perry says Tyler is Burned Out
Joe Perry is interviewed in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine, and among the topics discussed is the future of Aerosmith and Steven Tyler . Perry says, "We can't count on Tyler any more. He's a [bleeping] burn-out."
Perry also gave an interview to Classic Rock Revisited in which he talks about Tyler's recent appearances at a karaoke bar and a Home Depot where he sang over the store's P-A system. "Anybody's that's willing to go out there with a lead ball on their nose usually tends to get the attention. That's what he chooses to do... If it was me I would be doing everything I could to keep my band together... I just look at it and go, 'What the [bleep] is he doing?'"
In the same interview, Perry also addressed the story that he asked Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers to join Aerosmith, saying, "Him being English from that earlier generation, I don't think that it would work. I mean, it's more than just somebody who can sing... We're young kids to him. I just don't think it's the right chemistry. Technically, I know he's got the chops -- I mean, I know he can sing anything he wants -- but I think that it's a little bit more than just if he can sing the songs." Rodgers' wife Cynthia tells us, "Joe mentioned that they were considering a new singer, but he never directly asked Paul. Paul mentioned that he's not really keen to do anymore major touring and prefers to do short stints of touring, a couple of weeks here and there and one-offs." The Joe Perry Project will open for Bad Company in England in April. --Sal Cirrincione
Steven Tyler Auditioned With Led Zeppelin Last Year
Not only is it ridiculous for Aerosmith to contemplate going forward without Steven Tyler, but it was just as ridiculous to think Led Zeppelin wanted to do the same without Robert Plant. Ironically, Tyler was one of the singers they considered working with. Last year Tyler told us he jammed with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham in 2008, but now Joe Perry says it was an audition. The guitarist tells Classic Rock magazine, "It's something I've never talked about before outside of the [Aerosmith] family, so to speak, and kept out of the press. It's a kind of window into how hard it's been to keep the partnership together. It's certainly not the first time things like that have happened -- that's the downside of our relationship." Not only did Tyler not get job, but Perry says Page told him he "felt really awkward about the audition." Reports have surfaced that Tyler went into it unprepared and that he was under the impression that he was writing new material with them.
Steven Tyler Not Happy About Aerosmith's Latest Activities
All this talk of Aerosmith looking for someone to replace Steven Tyler is not sitting well with Tyler. His lawyer, Skip Miller, has sent a letter to Aerosmith's manager, Howard Kaufman, asking that the band "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members... Contrary to all common sense, you are seeing to bring about the replacement of Steven Tyler. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U-2 without Bono. While this management strategy may get the band on the road a few months sooner, it ultimately could destroy Aerosmith."
Miller is hoping to sit down with Tyler and the band on February 9th to discuss the situation and their future, including recording a new album and a proposed tour of Europe and South America this year. Representatives for Aerosmith were unavailable for comment.
Last year, Tyler expressed a desire to work on his own projects, and has since checked himself into rehab to deal with an addiction to painkillers. The other four band members want to work this year and have started to talk to other singers, including Paul Rodgers, Billy Idol, Lenny Kravitz and Chris Cornell, about taking Tyler's place. If they go forward without Tyler, his manager is prepared to take legal action. --Sal Cirrincione
GRAMMY AWARDS - Neil Young & AC/DC Win First Grammys 
Neil Young, A-C/D-C and Judas Priest all won their first Grammys last night at the 52nd annual edition of the awards in Los Angeles.
Young, who'd been nominated 13 times in the previous 20 years, won Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. His speech was perhaps the briefest ever given, as he said, "Thank you everybody."
Young later lost out to Bruce Springsteen for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance. The award for "Working on a Dream" was Springsteen's 20th Grammy.
A-C/D-C nabbed their first Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for "War Machine," while Judas Priest got their first win after four previous nominations for Best Metal Performance for "Dissident Aggressor"
Jeff Beck won Best Rock Instrumental Performance for his cover of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life." It's Beck's fifth win in that category. Jeff Beck will in Tulsa on April 27th at the Brady.
The Beatles Love - All Together Now won for Best Long Form Music Video, and The Band's Levon Helm won the second Grammy of his career, taking the award for Best Americana Album.
Billy Idol in Aerosmith? 
Billy Idol was one of Joe Perry's choices to replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith, according to Classic Rock magazine. Perry invited the snarling singer to his Joe Perry Project show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles last November to discuss the possibility, but Idol never responded to the invite. As we reported yesterday, Perry also reached out to Paul Rodgers.
McCartney Getting Married Again? 
The latest Paul McCartney marriage rumor has him asking his son James to be his best man if he ties the knot with Nancy Shevell. Reports out of the U-K say the two will get hitched this year in the U-S and that James will stand up for his father. It would be McCartney's third marriage.
A spokesman for Macca has refused to comment on his client's private life. --Sal Cirrincione
Steven Tyler Now Appearing at Home Depot 
Steven Tyler, who's rehabbing at the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, California, has been keeping his vocal chops up with impromptu performances at a nearby karaoke bar -- and again last weekend at a local Home Depot. T-M-Z is reporting that Tyler sang snippets of two Aerosmith songs over the store P-A on Saturday -- "Dude Looks Like a Lady" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." To add to his performance, he took a hit off a helium tank, and then signed some autographs. --Sal Cirrincione
The Who Fills Us In What They Will Play At The Super Bowl
Pete Townshend tells Billboard that The Who will play a "mash-up of stuff" during their performance at the Super Bowl half-time show February 7th in Miami. "A bit of 'Baba O'Riley,' a bit of 'Pinball Wizard,' a bit of the close of 'Tommy,' a bit of 'Who Are You,' and a bit of 'Won't Get Fooled Again.' It works -- it's quite a saga. A lot of the stuff that we do has that kind of celebratory vibe about it -- we've always tried to make music that allows the audience to go a bit wild if they want to. Hopefully, it will hit the spot." Steve Winwood will perform during the pre-game show. --Sal Cirrincione
Full Genesis Reunion in March, Not Looking Good
A Genesis reunion for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is looking dicey. Original member Peter Gabriel isn't sure he'll be able to make the March 15th ceremony in New York, because he'll be rehearsing for a European tour. And if he does make it, he insists he won't perform. Gabriel tells Rolling Stone, "I learned at our last reunion [in 1982] that you can't just get up there. You have to rehearse."
This won't be the first high-profile awards show Gabriel has opted out of -- he refused to sing at last year's Academy Awards after producers decided that the song he was nominated for, "Down to Earth" from Wall-E, would be part of a medley with the other two nominated songs. --Sal Cirrincione
Steve Winwood To Provide Pre-Game Entertainment at Super Bowl
Steve Winwood will provide the entertainment during the Super Bowl pre-game show on February 7th in Miami. The Who are handling the halftime duties. Winwood will then travel north to North Carolina on February 9th for the first date on a five-city tour that wraps up on the 14th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. --Sal Cirrincione
Aerosmith Looking For Lead Singer..Still
Aerosmith will continue their search for a singer to replace Steven Tyler after The Joe Perry Project wrap their Canadian tour with Motley Crue on February 5th.
Perry tells Canada's Q-M-I Agency, "Hopefully, we'll have found a new singer by the summer, and Aerosmith will be able to go back out on the road."
Tyler announced last month he was going into rehab for painkillers. Perry says, "It's kind of hard to get a straight answer about what's going on. He has to have leg surgery and foot surgery and it's basically going to take him out of the picture for about a year, year-and-a-half. So, in the meantime, the rest of the band wants to play. And I want to play with the other guys in Aerosmith... We're gonna find somebody to get in there and fill that spot. Just like when [bassist] Tom [Hamilton] was sick -- we got David Hull to come in and play bass. When [guitarist] Brad [Whitford] was sick, we got somebody else to come in and play for him. That's basically how I look at it -- we need another singer to fill in."
Perry says it's still "appropriate" for the new line-up to go out as Aerosmith.
Steven Tyler apparently is done with rehab, but not singing. On Tuesday night he showed up at the Tilted Kilt, a pub in Palm Desert, California, not far from the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, where he was reportedly treated. It was karaoke night and Tyler couldn't resist getting in on the action. After two patrons bombed on Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Tyler grabbed the mic and rescued the song as the crowd sung along. --Sal Cirrincione
Coming Together For Haiti 
Bono, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen and Sting are among the many artists coming together tonight(1/21/ Friday) for the Hope for Haiti telethon. U-2's Bono and The Edge will perform "Stranded," a song written especially for the fund-raiser, in London with Jay-Z and Rihanna. Springsteen and Sting will be performing in New York. Also performing are Sheryl Crow, the Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Kid Rock, Stevie Wonder and many others. The benefit -- being produced by George Clooney, among others -- will air simultaneously on more than 30 U-S television networks, including all four major networks. Organizers say it will be the most widely distributed global telethon in history.
All the musical performances will be available for purchase tomorrow (Saturday) for 99-cents per song through the Apple I-Tunes Store, with all proceeds going to relief funds managed by the charities benefitting from the telethon.
More than 100 film, T-V and music celebrities overall are expected to appear on the program, benefiting such relief organizations as Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, Yele Haiti Foundation, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and the United Nations World Food Program. The show will be anchored by Clooney in L-A, Wyclef Jean in New York and C-N-N anchor Anderson Cooper in Haiti.
The event will also be streamed live on the Internet -- including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, A-O-L, M-S-N, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and Rhapsody, and on mobile via Alltel, A-T-&-T, Sprint, Verizon and Flo T-V. --Sal Cirrincione & Dave Schulps
Dave Davies Health Causes Cancellations 
Kinks guitarist Dave Davies has cancelled the tour he was scheduled to kick off next month. It would have been his first since was he suffered a stroke in 2004, but his doctors have advised him to call it off. Davies was due to play in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut in support of his new D-V-D, Mystical Journey, due out on February 9th. --Sal Cirrincione
Ron Wood May Tour On His Own 
With The Rolling Stones announcing that they have no plans to tour this year comes word that troubled guitarist Ronnie Wood is planning his own road trip. A "source" tells London's Daily Express, "He's still determined to start performing live again in the very near future... He will have no trouble putting a band together. He knows his music has been overshadowed by his personal life and he wants to get back on track. Ronnie is a musician first and foremost and touring is in his blood." Woody also has a new album that he plans to release later this year called, appropriately enough, I Feel Like Playing. --Sal Cirrincione
More Musicians Sign on for Haiti Telethon
U-2's Bono and The Edge, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Kid Rock, Stevie Wonder and Sting are among 20 artists announced yesterday as performers on this Friday's Hope for Haiti Now telethon. The benefit -- being produced by George Clooney, among others -- will air simultaneously on more than 30 U-S television networks, including all four major networks. Organizers say it will be the most widely distributed global telethon in history
Bono and The Edge are expected to perform with Jay-Z and Rihanna in London. Kid Rock will join Sheryl Crow and Keith Urban in L-A. All the musical performances will be available for purchase the next day for 99 cents per song through the Apple I-Tunes Store, with all proceeds going to relief funds managed by the charities benefitting from the telethon.
More than 100 film, T-V and music celebrities overall are expected to appear on the program, benefiting relief organizations including Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, Yele Haiti Foundation, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and the United Nations World Food Program. The show will be anchored by Clooney in L-A, Wyclef Jean in New York and C-N-N anchor Anderson Cooper in Haiti.
The event will be also be streamed live on sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, A-O-L, M-S-N, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and Rhapsody, and on mobile via Alltel, A-T-&-T, Sprint, Verizon, and Flo T-V. --Dave Schulps
THE WHO: Live Greatest Hits Available 
The Who has yet another compilation out, but this one is different than all the others. The twenty-two songs on Greatest Hits Live, which were recorded between 1965 and 2007, are previously unreleased or newly mixed. Tracks include "I Can't Explain," "Substitute," "I'm a Boy," "Behind Blue Eyes," "Pinball Wizard," "Squeeze Box," "5.15," "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Baba O'Riley" and "Who Are You." Greatest Hits Live is available now exclusively through the iTunes Store. --Sal Cirrincione
Boston Update
Boston's Tom Scholz writes on the band's website that work continues on a new album, albeit at "an agonizingly slow rate." But he adds that it will have that "very recognizable Boston sound plus some surprises." There is still no release date and there will be no tour again this summer.
Scholz also addresses the disaster in Haiti, saying, "These poor people were living a wretchedly impoverished life before the earthquake, now it's worse than a Hollywood disaster movie come to life. Those that have survived the initial trauma now are faced with an almost impossible-to-survive situation. Even in this recession, seeing and hearing the stories from Haiti makes you realize how good we have it. Please dig a little deeper and donate as we have, through any of the numerous organizations mobilizing to help." --Sal Cirrincione
Jeff Beck Is Open to Working Again With Rod Stewart
Jeff Beck says he would consider making another album with Rod Stewart, but only if his former singer puts in a "genuine effort." Beck tells Rolling Stone that after Stewart performed with him at a Los Angeles concert last year, Rod called to ask about making an album. Beck says he's game, but "it would have to be a genuine effort, not a weekend blues album." Stewart fronted the Jeff Beck Group in the late '60s. Jeff Beck will be in Tulsa at the Brady Theatre on April 27th.
New Frampton Disc Coming 
Peter Frampton will release his first album in four years when Thank You Mr. Churchill hits stores on April 27th. It's the follow-up to his Grammy-winning instrumental album, 2006's Fingerprints. Frampton says the 11 songs on the new disc are autobiographical. He tells us, "It starts with my birth, which I thank Mr. Churchill for bringing my father back from the Second World War."
Among the artists backing Frampton are Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and the legendary Funk Brothers of Motown fame. --Sal Cirrincione
Aerosmith Still Looking For a Singer
Despite Steven Tyler saying he's still a member of Aerosmith, guitarist Joe Perry and the rest of the band are still looking for another singer. In an interview with Toronto's Globe and Mail, Perry says, "I don't know what's going on with [Tyler], but as far as Aerosmith goes, we're going to find somebody to sing. I think it would make more sense, with a band like Aerosmith, to get somebody who the fans might recognize. There's no sense going out there and being an Aerosmith clone band. In order for both parties to get something out of this, to move things along musically, it's important to get somebody who's a legitimate headliner on their own." Perry and his band, The Joe Perry Project, start a Canadian tour opening for Motley Crue Saturday in Victoria. --Sal Cirrincione
Eagles/Fleetwood Mac Tour Is Off
The summer stadium tour co-starring the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac is off. Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit tells the B-B-C, "It appears as though that is not happening... It was being pursued for a while."
However, after they play three dates at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in April, the Eagles will tour in the summer.
Schmit joined former Squeeze keyboard player Paul Carrack on stage the other night in London, playing "I Don't Want to Hear Anymore" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive." --Sal Cirrincione
Leon Russell Recovering 
From Leon's own website...."Leon is recovering after successful surgery on Monday to relieve a chronic condition. He is doing fine and resting in the hospital in good condition. He is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.
Leon is looking forward to beginning studio recording sessions during the last half of this month through February with Elton John, Bernie Taupin and T-Bone Burnett. He and his band will resume touring at the beginning of March.
Leon and his family wish to thank everyone who have kindly offered their prayers and support during his hospital stay."
Beatles Downloads Coming? 
Ringo Starr says there are currently no Beatles projects in the pipeline following last fall's release of their re-mastered catalog and the Rock Band video game. He says they are in favor of making their catalog available for download, but adds that "it's a problem we have with the company we're with [E-M-I], nothing to do with us." Ringo released his latest album, Y Not, on Tuesday, and it's available for download. --Sal Cirrincione
Remake of "Yellow Submarine" In The Works
The much-anticipated 3-D remake of the classic Beatles flick Yellow Submarine just got a little closer to reality -- with a tentative announcement as to who'll play the parts of John, Paul, George and Ringo. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Robert Zemeckis has decided to populate the computer-animated film with a relatively obscure cast -- including Peter Serafinowicz (as Paul), Dean Lennox Kelly (as John), Cary Elwes (as George) and Adam Campbell (as Ringo). -- David Sprague
Ringo Starr is making the television rounds in support of his new album, Y Not, which hits stores Today.
Ringo Starr is back in stores today(1/12/10) with a new album. Y Not is the follow-up to 2008's Liverpool 8, and once again he's joined by an all-star cast -- including Paul McCartney, who makes an appearance on two songs -- he sings on "Walk With You" and plays bass on "Peace Dream." Ringo produced the album himself, which was a first, and among the guests on it are his brother-in-law Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Heartbreakers keyboard player Benmont Tench, Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx. Ringo will promote the album with an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon tonight. Tomorrow night he'll be on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.
This is the first time that Ringo and McCartney have collaborated since Macca's 1997 album, Flaming Pie.
Ringo will be out with another All-Starr Band this summer. While none of this is confirmed, there are reports that he'll be joined by All-Starr Band alumni Edgar Winter, Gary Wright and Mark Rivera, along with Rick Derringer, Richard Page from Mr. Mister and Wally Palmar from The Romantics.
Ted Nugent On A Rampage!
Ted Nugent has some harsh words for a few prominent animal-rights activists. He tells Royal Flush magazine, "Because of Pam Anderson and because of Bill Maher and because of Paul McCartney, all the members of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), whenever I hear the word animal or rights in the same paragraph, I'm killing an extra hundred of something this year. I have unlimited deer tags in Michigan and Texas... I'm not just killing them, I'm [f-ing] slaughtering them and I'm going to gut them and skin them, quarter them and butcher them, and feed them to the soup kitchen and homeless shelters of America. Not because I need to, because it will cause Bill Maher to [crap] blood."
Nugent also has some choice words for Rolling Stone founder Jann [pr: YON] Wenner. He suggests that Wenner should die, saying Rolling Stone refused to do a story last year on his tour because he's a member of the National Rifle Association.
New Classic Rock Stamps in the UK
The U-K's Royal Mail are putting stamps into circulation today featuring album covers from The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Clash and others. The 10 stamps are culled from a list of greatest album covers chosen by a list of U-K music editors and writers. The stamps depict the covers of the Stones' Let It Bleed, Floyd's The Division Bell, Led Zeppelin Four, Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and The Clash's London Calling. Speaking at the launch of the stamps, Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page said, "Almost 40 years after [Led Zeppelin Four] came out, nobody knows the old man who was featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him. That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time." To order the stamps, go to Royalmail.com.
Stones Will Not Tour in 2010
Rolling Stones fans, forget it -- they're not touring this year. With all the talk of them headlining the Glastonbury Festival in the U-K and rumors of a tour, they've issued the following statement: "The Rolling Stones would like to make it clear -- there are no plans at the moment for the band to tour in 2010.'' The Stones' last tour ended in August 2007. The deluxe version of The Rolling Stones' 1972 album Exile on Main Street will be released in the spring. It will contain a few unreleased songs, including "Plunder My Soul," "Following the River" and "Sophia Loren." It's part of the re-mastering and re-release of all their albums recorded since 1971.
Group Protests The Who Super Bowl Appearance
Group Protesting The Who at the Super Bowl Two Florida-based advocacy groups are protesting the choice of The Who to perform at halftime of the upcoming Super Bowl. ChildAbuseWatch.net is pushing the N-F-L to reconsider the selection, citing co-founder Pete Townshend's 2003 arrest for accessing child porn online. The organization's C-E-O Evin Daly tells the Sun Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, "The Who is a great band. Pete Townshend is the only issue here." N-F-L exec Joe Browne says the league was aware of Townshend's arrest, probation and presence on a sex offenders watch list until 2008 -- but balanced that with the guitarist's "long history of involvement with charity work as well as being a champion of children's charities." Townshend says he was a victim of child sexual abuse and has long insisted he was only doing research for a memoir. But Daly says his and another Florida-based group, Protect Our Children, will continue to pressure media, political leaders and sponsors of the February 7th game, which will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
McCartney Releasing Solo Tunes for Rock Band
Paul McCartney will be the first Beatle to have solo tracks available for Rock Band. On Tuesday New York Pack 01, which features "Band on the Run," "Jet" and "Sing the Changes" from Good Evening, New York City, will be available for X-Box 360 and Wii, while PlayStation 3 users will be able to download the tracks starting this Thursday.
STEVEN TYLER: Another Round in Rehab
He also addressed his estrangement from the band, saying, "I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false. I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled. I love Aerosmith; I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith."
This news comes after speculation by his bandmates that he may have fallen off the wagon. He entered rehab in May 2008, saying he needed a "safe environment" to deal with meds he was taking following a series of foot surgeries.
Tyler's actress daughter Liv Tyler has also issued a statement, saying, "My family and I are in complete support of my dad's decision to seek treatment. He is a courageous man. We love him and are so proud that he is getting help to balance his pain management, not just for himself but for his family, friends and fans."
Doctor Brian McKeon, Tyler's physician at the New England Baptist Hospital, says, "Over the past 10 years, Steven Tyler has suffered orthopedic injuries and has been in severe chronic pain which will require further surgeries on his knees and feet. Managing and controlling his pain has been challenging and despite our use of alternative therapies and the creation of custom shoes built by a team of engineers from Timberland, Steven's pain has progressed. The balance between managing his pain and avoiding addiction is tenuous and difficult and his bravery in persevering through rigorous touring is admirable. As with many athletes, Steven put his performance first as he struggled with acute pain for years." --Sal Cirrincione.
Gene Simmons Being Sued
Gene Simmons is being sued by a couple who claim they were assaulted by KISS singer-bassist. Nathan Marlowe and his wife Cynthia Manzo claimed Simmons attacked them, threatened them and took their video camera at a mall in Los Angeles on December 19th. The couple is seeking damages of more than 25-thousand dollars for civil claims of assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress.
Genesis and The Hollies Among Those To Be Inducted Into The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
ABBA, Genesis, The Hollies, punk icons The Stooges and reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15th at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. The ceremony will air live on Fuse.
This is the second induction for Hollies singer Graham Nash, who was enshrined as a member of Crosby, Stills and Nash in 1997. Nash is very excited about the honor, particularly for lead singer Allan Clarke. He tells Rolling Stone, "I always thought they deserved it. They were a very influential band. The Hollies were a great live band and obviously had a long string of hits. So I think they deserved to be in there, but my first initial reaction was for my friend Allan." Nash says the band plans to perform at the ceremony.
Genesis keyboard player Tony Banks says the honor is "nice," telling Billboard, "I suppose it being American-based and all that it just concentrates slightly more on [progressive] music." Banks isn't sure if Genesis will perform due to Phil Collins' recent medical problems.
Iggy Pop of The Stooges is pleased, telling Rolling Stone, "We've been rejected seven times, and we would have set a record, I think, if it happened again. It started to feel like 'Charlie Brown' and the football. I had about two hours of a strong emotional reaction after hearing the news. It felt like vindication. Then I kind of scratched my head and thought, 'Am I still cool? Or is that over now?'"
Notably absent from the list of new inductees are KISS, the mega-successful rock juggernaut that was nominated for the first time this year, as well as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and L-L Cool J.
In addition to the performer inductees, the Hall will enshrine songwriters Jesse Stone ("Shake, Rattle and Roll"), Mort Shuman ("This Magic Moment"), Otis Blackwell ("Great Balls of Fire") and two iconic songwriting duos -- Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.
Eagles & Fleetwood Mac to Tour Together in 2010
Next summer will be a dream come true for soft rock fans, as the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac will hit the road together. We've confirmed that plans are under way for the two groups to do one-off shows in football and baseball stadiums, and multiple nights in arenas. If this happens, it will be the first time since July 1976 in Foxboro, Massachusetts that the two bands shared a stage. Stevie Nicks and Don Henley played a few shows together in 2005, the same year a tour between the two groups was first proposed.
If this tour comes together, Stevie Nicks will be sharing the stage with four ex-boyfriends -- Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley and Joe Walsh. No word on if the BOK Center will be one of those stops.
Bachman Turner Overdrive Reunites
Randy Bachman and Fred Turner will be taking care of business -- again. The B-T-O co-founders are recording a new C-D and will take that on the road, along with their past classics next summer. At a Winnipeg press conference yesterday, Bachman said, "It feels pretty incredible. It's the old getting on a bicycle thing. We got in the studio this week and it was like, wow, no time had ever passed. We're having a lot of fun." Turner added, "The great part about it is we've got new songs. That's the kicker -- that's what brought me back. I was retired for five years and I thought, 'It's over. This is done, just enjoy yourself (and) go fishing.' I'm surprised to be back. It's like being reborn. It feels really good." The guys also played samples of three of their new songs -- one featuring Bachman, one with Turner and one on which the guys sing together.
So far, Bachman Turner, as they will be billed, have firmed up just two dates, both of which are in Europe -- at the Sweden Rock Festival in Norje, Sweden on June 12th and the High Voltage Festival in London on July 25th. They promise to announce a Winnipeg date sometime after the first of the year. Their website displays the duo's new logo, which Randy describes as a "B and a T, really strong looking" and is counting down toward its official March 1st launch.
Peter Criss Writing Autobiography
Former KISS drummer Peter Criss is getting ready to write his autobiography. He tells us, "There's two sides of the street to the great band KISS and I want to write my side of the street." He says he has a literary agent and is using the ghost writer who worked on Bob Dylan's autobiography. He hopes to start on it soon.
Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer
Wendy Dio, the wife and manager of Ronnie James Dio, has released a statement saying her husband has stomach cancer. "Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio. Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up." Dio cancelled a U-K tour and entered the hospital last week. His age is reported to be 67, although some believe he is older.
Auditions for New Aerosmith Singer Could Be Starting
Joe Perry tells us once he's done with the 2009 leg of his tour next month, he'll get together with the other three members of Aerosmith -- minus Steven Tyler -- to discuss auditioning new singers. He tells us, "There's a lot of good guys out there. It's just a matter of seeing how it works... We'll try some different people out... We'll know pretty quick once we find him." Perry's Have Guitar, Will Travel tour pulls into the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California tonight.
As for Tyler, who has yet to comment on the band's desire to replace him, he performed at the Michael J. Fox Foundation benefit for Parkinson's disease Saturday night in New York. Also on the bill were Roger Daltrey, Gregg Allman and Elvis Costello.
New Bad Company Album Out In February
Bad Company probably won't be introducing new material during their U-K tour in April. At a press conference Tuesday at the Hard Rock Cafe in London, singer Paul Rodgers said, "The problem we have right now is that the people will be expecting to hear all the band's biggest songs. It's really hard to squash in something new amongst all of that." Guitarist Mick Ralphs added, "But the door is always open to that idea." Bad Company will release a concert album, Hard Rock Live, on February 9th.
New Book Out That Chronicles the history of Casablanca Recrods
Casablanca Records gave us KISS, Donna Summer and The Village People during the 1970s -- a time when the record industry was at its frenzied, free-spending, wild-living peak. Larry Harris, who co-founded the company with his cousin Neil Bogart, had a birds-eye view to the music, the merriment and the madness. A longtime executive at the label, he shares his memories in the just-published book And Party Every Day -- The Inside Story of Casablanca Records. Harris brings us along as the label signs and markets its first important act with KISS, then, while attempting to sign some German bands, the label discovers Summer, whose success leads them to ride the disco wave and then crashes with it just a few years later.
New Beatles Rockband Download All of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band will be available as a download for The Beatles: Rock Band tomorrow. It's the second full album to be available for the game, after the release of Abbey Road last month. The Pepper tracks "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," "Getting Better" and "Good Morning Good Morning" were already included on the Rock Band game disc. The next full album to be available for download will be Rubber Soul, just before Christmas.
A series of illustrations commissioned for but never used on a Beatles album goes up for bids this week. The Los Angeles Times reports the five pieces -- depicting toothbrushes tabbed with the names of each Beatle and a fifth showing all four brushes in a cup -- were created by artist Jim Dine. They were done for Capitol Records, which expected to release a Beatles L-P in the fall of '68 -- before the band took greater control of their career and formed Apple Records. Though Capitol still distributed the album, it no longer had final say over the cover art. The artwork wound up in the personal collection of label executive Sal Iannucci and his wife. Of course, The Beatles did release an album in late 1968 -- the so-called White Album, which carried no cover art
The Who Reported to be playing the Super Bowl! Sports Illustrated is reporting that The Who will perform at Super Bowl 44 on February 7th in Miami. We were unable to get in touch with the band's spokesperson for confirmation. If true, The Who will be the fifth classic rock act to perform since Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 game.Since then, the halftime show has featured the "safe acts" Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
STILL MORE AEROSMITH NEWS!
As you may have heard, Steven Tyler surprised Joe Perry and everyone at the Fillmore in New York Tuesday night when he came on stage to do "Walk This Way" and announced that he's "not leaving Aerosmith." After the show, a T-M-Z camera crew caught up with Tyler, who reiterated, "There is absolutely no validity to the rumor that Aerosmith is breaking up."
But according to Perry, the band is still very much in state of flux. He told People yesterday they don't plan to wait for Tyler. "Nothing has really changed between two days ago and today... We're still Aerosmith. We don't know what we're gonna do. We've talked about all kinds of different things. Things are still up in the air... We're just getting used to the idea that he's not going to be available for two years. Anything's possible." Perry also says he had a conference call with the other members of the band over the past week and they plan to talk again soon.
Perry says he was surprised as anyone that Tyler showed up at his show. The Joe Perry Project came off the stage before the encore, and there was Tyler, who Perry decided to ask to join them. But as soon as they were done with "Walk This Way," Tyler left the venue and did not speak with Perry.
Tuesday night was the first show on Perry's Have Guitar, Will Travel tour, with show number-three tomorrow night in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.
AEROSMITH UPDATE - Steven Tyler Speaks!
Steven Tyler surprised Joe Perry and everyone in attendance at the Fillmore in New York last night when he came on stage to do "Walk This Way." But before launching into the Aerosmith classic, Tyler said, "I just want New York to know, I am not leaving Aerosmith." After the show, a T-M-Z camera crew caught up with Tyler, who reiterated, "There is absolutely no validity to rumor that Aerosmith is breaking up." Last night was the first show on Perry's Have Guitar, Will Travel tour, with show number-two set for tonight in Sayreville, New Jersey.
The drama within the Aerosmith camp continues with Steven Tyler's daughter Mia reportedly weighing in on the situation regarding her father's reported estrangement from the band. On her Twitter page -- although the post is no longer there -- she wrote, "They are in their 60s now. Let them do what they wanna do! And can someone please tell (Joe Perry) that gossiping on Twitter is uncalled (for)!" Perry had written on his Twitter page that Tyler quit the band and that they are looking for another singer. In an interview on a Boston radio station, Perry says even before Tyler fell off the stage in South Dakota last August, he was estranged from the band -- traveling separately and staying in different hotels. Perry says, "After he fell off the stage the second time it was pretty clear he wasn't physically up to finishing the tour, even if he hadn't broken his shoulder." As for replacing him with another singer, Perry says, "It can't be Aerosmith, at least not the Aerosmith that we know. For it to be valid and have something real about it, it would have to be somebody that would bring something to the party."
Drummer Joey Kramer spoke to a New Haven, Connecticut radio station, saying, "My partners have been misquoted and their comments have been taken out of context. I'm not gonna make a statement about that on the radio. I'm gonna make a statement about it in person."
And while Steven Tyler has yet to make a comment, his manager did respond with an E-mail to a follow-up request for an interview by the Classic Rock magazine reporter who broke the story. It said, "Regretfully, Steven has had to return to the East Coast quickly and immerse himself into some time-sensitive endeavors that require his full attention for the next days leading into the Thanksgiving holiday. He asked me to pass along his regards and we'll look to bounce back to you as soon as appropriate time permits."
AEROSMITH UPDATE - Joe Perry Looking for Steven Tyler's Replacement
Joe Perry confirms on his Twitter page that Aerosmith is indeed looking for someone to take the place of Steven Tyler. "Aerosmith is definitely not breaking up. One of the members is doing his own thing and said so in the press. That's all I know. In the meantime, Aerosmith is positively looking for a new singer to work with. You just can't take 40 years of experience and throw it in the bin! [I] promise that's the last you'll hear from me on the subject till we gear up again." If the band follows through on their plan, it won't be the first time they've gone forward without an original member. Perry left in 1979 and guitarist Brad Whitford followed in 1981 before both rejoined in 1984. Tyler is still unavailable for comment.
Has Steven Tyler Quit Aerosmith? Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry believes Steven Tyler has quit the band. He tells the Las Vegas Sun, "Steven quit as far as I can tell... I don't know for how long, indefinitely or whatever... Frankly, the last few months I've not been wanting to rock the boat. I don't want him canceling anymore gigs. We really wanted to do these last four. We just kind of didn't want to call him out or anything and get him anymore pissed off, for whatever reason. So we just let things lie."
And responding to Tyler's comments in Classic Rock magazine that he wants to work on "Brand Tyler," Perry writes on his Twitter page, "That's all I know, but like I've said, he hasn't called me in months. [It's] a bit cold to forget us four guys. What about the fans, the people that also love him and put him where he is after 40 years? And I got to read it online?" Perry is already thinking about replacements. He tells the Sun, "It's not just about that, it's also four guys that play extremely well together, and I'm not going to see that go to waste. I really don't know what path it's going to take at this point, but we'll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer, and then we'll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch."
Bassist Tom Hamilton also talks about the tension in the band, telling the Boston Herald, "Steven's always mad at us... We're committed to another record for Columbia...so I guess we've got to wait until he's not mad at us. There's still a lot of love left, but for some reason he's not very happy with the rest of us. Maybe he's just too used to people jumping to his agenda."
Tyler was unavailable for comment. Perry and The Joe Perry Project start a tour Wednesday in New York.
Elton John Health Update
Elton John is still in a London hospital with symptoms of the flu and E. coli bacteria. According to a report on the fan site EltonFan.net, he has "undergone a series of blood tests, X-rays and scans to find out why his illness has proved so debilitating." The site also quotes a source who says, "The feeling is Elton will be out of action for four weeks. His voice has temporarily gone and he has been having severe coughing bouts, so there is no way he can play concerts for a while."
But Elton's spokeswoman tells us he is "starting to feel better" and the report of him losing his voice is "nonsense."
Elton was forced to postpone his Red Piano dates in the U-K and the first three shows on the year's final leg of his Face-to-Face tour with Billy Joel, which was scheduled to start tonight in Seattle.
Rock N Roll Hall of Fame News
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held the first of its two 25th Anniversary Concerts last night (Thursday) at New York's Madison Square Garden and the six-hour affair featured a who's who of inductees. While the headliners -- Crosby Stills and Nash, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, and Stevie Wonder -- were enough to guarantee a great show, it was their interaction with their special guests that made for some of the night's more magical moments. Those moments included Jackson Browne doing "The Pretender" with C-S-N; James Taylor joining C-S-N "Love the One You're With;" Graham Nash and David Crosby singing harmony on Paul Simon's version of George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun;" Bruce Springsteen trading verses with John Fogerty and Billy Joel; and Stevie Wonder playing with Sting, John Legend, B-B King and Jeff Beck. The entire night got started with Jerry Lee Lewis opening the show with a solo piano version of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." More details at here.
Frampton's Long Time Manager Dies
Dee Anthony (foreground of pic) -- an artist manager who worked with such recording stars as Peter Frampton, Tony Bennett, Traffic and Joe Cocker -- died Sunday in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 83. Anthony managed Frampton's career during his mid-'70s heyday. His company, Bandana Enterprises, also managed the J-Geils Band, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, Devo, Peter Allen and Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Clapton out for the Hall of Fame Ceremonies
Eric Clapton has cancelled his performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert next Friday to undergo a minor medical procedure for gall stones. He will spend time recuperating at home in Britain. The guy who replaced Clapton in the Yardbirds, will be filling in for Clapton, Jeff Beck and his band will take the slot left open by Clapton.
9 Disc DVD set with Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Peformances Released
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame releases a nine-disc D-V-D set today viaTime Life , with performances, speeches and backstage highlights from its more than 20 years of annual inductions. A parade of legends from Aerosmith to Z-Z Top receive rock's highest career honor -- and show their human side at the podium and artistic brilliance on stage. Paul Shaffer, who serves as musical director of the annual ceremonies, recalls them in the years before they were televised as "a totally spontaneous jam session...and an awful lot of excitement came out of it." While not every performance was vintage, each captures a moment in time. And with the passage of time, the appearances of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Maurice Gibb, Bo Diddley, Levi Stubbs and Bobby Hatfield could never again be duplicated.
Aerosmith: Same Old Song & Dance
Aerosmith re-grouped Wednesday night for their first show in two months, headlining a private gig for software manufacturer Oracle in San Francisco along with Roger Daltrey, Three Dog Night and others. Steven Tyler, minus the sling he wore after breaking his shoulder in a fall off the stage in August, led the band through a mostly hits-filled set of 16 songs. Fans writing on the fan site AeroForceOne.com say the band looked to be in good spirits with interplay between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. Tyler also joked about the purported friction within the band, saying, "We almost didn't make it here. Not because of the B-S you're hearing in the press, but because Apple asked us to play their party." And a source close to the band tells us, "On stage, [everything] looked fine to me." Tyler wasn't part of the soundcheck, but drummer Joey Kramer writes on his Twitter page, "Soundcheck went great. Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford, you rock!"
Rod Stewart: Making the TV Rounds
Rod Stewart will make the T-V rounds in support of his new album, Soulbook, in stores October 27th. The day before the release he'll be on N-B-C's Today show and C-B-S's Late Show With David Letterman. On release day it's A-B-C's The View, and on the 29th he'll show up on A-B-C's Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Kiss: 1st New Album in 11 Years Out
KISS releases their first studio album in 11 years today, October 6th. Sonic Boom, available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, is their first with guitarist Tommy Thayer -- drummer Eric Singer played on 1992's Revenge. Singer-guitarist Paul Stanley tells us that this line-up is "firmly rooted in the past" and the new songs are "right up there in terms of the quality." In addition to the disc of new music, Sonic Boom also contains a re-recorded greatest hits C-D, as well as a live D-V-D shot in Argentina during their recent Alive 35 South American tour. It retails for 12-dollars. Selling the album exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club is a marketing dream come true for the band as fans can visit the KISS Korner and pick up numerous KISS products including C-Ds, D-V-Ds, blankets, trading cards and the new KISS M-and-M's.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2010 Nominees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have announced 12 nominees for possible induction into its class of 2010. The first-time nominees are KISS, L-L Cool J, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and songwriter Laura Nyro. The rest of the ballot includes acts who have been nominated before -- Donna Summer, Darlene Love, ABBA, The Chantels and The Stooges. Only five artists will be voted in, and those will be announced in December. The 25th annual induction ceremony is slated for March 15th in New York.
AC/DC: Possible Box Set 
AC/DC is reportedly working on a box set that will come in a box shaped like an amplifier that works. If it comes to fruition, it will reportedly con
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