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On this day in 1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV's Ready Steady Go! (Marc Bolan was also on the show). The Jimi Hendrix Experience also recorded "Foxy Lady" on this day. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Rock Rules Top Tours of 2010

(hennemusic) Rock still rules the live concert industry, as Bon Jovi, U2 and AC/DC landed in the top three spots on Billboard's Top 25 Tours of 2010.

Bon Jovi grossed $146.5 million through 69 sold-out shows, playing to 1.5 million fans.

U2 were a close second, with $131.5 million over just 22 sold-out shows before 1.3 million fans.

Hard Rock kings AC/DC landed in third place with $122.6 million over 28 shows (including 19 sell-outs) before 1.1 million fans. See who else made the list

Dream Theater Pick Their New Drummer

(Gibson) Dream Theater have found their new drummer to replace Mike Portnoy, who left the band earlier this year to pursue other musical avenues. But fans are going to have to wait a little while longer to find out who it is.

According to Blabbermouth.net, guitarist John Petrucci has updated fans with the following message: "Hey, everyone. Wanted to quickly let you all know what's been happening lately. I know that the big question is 'Who is the new Dream Theater drummer?' I also realize that some people are getting frustrated waiting for the news. Well, auditions went great and we do have someone but we are spending some time getting everything in order before making an official announcement. Let me just say that we are all incredibly excited about our choice and just bursting at the seams to let the world know!"

Petrucci goes on to say he's working on tunes for his next solo album as well as cataloguing riffs for the next Dream Theater album, which the band will start recording next month. more on this story

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond and Tom Waits For Rock Hall?

(hennemusic) Music industry website HitsDailyDouble posted a rumor this weekend suggesting that artist reps were being contacted to confirm the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2011.

HitsDailyDouble reports that the 2011 will include Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond and Tom Waits.

The Rock Hall is set to make its official announcement this Wednesday, December 15 at 10:30 a.m. eastern. See who else is rumored to have made the cut and see who didn't

New Order Reunion?

(Gibson) Stephen Morris would not say "no" when questioned by a fan about the possibility of a New Order reunion.

NME.com reports that Morris was at the London launch of the new Joy Division box set +- this weekand, when asked if he and Bernard Sumner could ever work with Peter Hook again, said, "New Order could play a gig together again."

During a discussion chaired by the NME, Morris talked about Joy Division's early days in Manchester. "No-one in Manchester liked us," he said. "We had a massive chip on our shoulder and that made us want to be really good." more on this story

Steven Tyler Goes Camp

(hennemusic) Aerosmith's Steven Tyler was among the guest vocalists Friday night at the Roxy in L.A., jamming songs with all-star band, Camp Freddy.

Vocalists Juliette Lewis, Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and Franky Perez (Carnival Of Dogs) were on hand for the jam, but it was up to Tyler to close out the evening.

Tyler joined CF for four tracks, kicking off by playing drums on the surf-rock classic, "Wipeout." Mick Fleetwood popped behind the drum kit next as Tyler moved to center stage for the Fleetwood Mac track, "Rattlesnake Shake." Then, Tyler and band jammed the Aerosmith classic, "Sweet Emotion," before closing out the show with Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Check it out

Early Black Sabbath Recording Unearthed

The Metal Den has obtained a never before circulated 1970 soundboard recording of Black Sabbath performing "Hand of Doom".

The classic track comes off the group's legendary Paranoid album which was released in September of 1970.

The exact date and location of this newly discovered concert audio is not yet known by rock historians. However, this recording is being touted already by many as the greatest sounding Black Sabbath bootleg ever discovered. Check it out

Kings of Leon Address Video Controversy

(Rock AAA) Kings of Leon guitarist Matthew Followill says the band were furious when they discovered adverts looking for fans with "physical deformities" or who looked "a little slow" to appear in a promo video.

Last month their casting company placed notices asking for "characters with scars, pockmarked skin or physical abnormalities" to be paid $300 a day for working as extras in the clip for current single Pyro.

Followill says the band knew nothing about the adverts – and as soon as they found out they swung into action. more on this story

A Place To Bury Strangers Van Stolen

(Mute) A Place To Bury Strangers were midway through a three week long, 18 show tour across Europe when on Friday 12/3 their van, a Mercedes Sprinter Splitter van with British plates R965HSG, was stolen in Rome, Italy outside the BlackoutClub from the venue's parking lot.

The band's gear was safe in the venue, but 1000 Euros in merchandise money, plus a lot of merchandise, all of their suitcases and clothes, bassist Dion Lunadon's New Zealand Passport & Green Card, the band's Macbook Pro laptop and numerous personal items and various other gear were in the van at the time of the theft.

The items stolen from the van were worth over $15K, not including the excess van rental charges, plane fare, Passport fees, cancelled shows, etc. They have set up a paypal link for donations. Any donation, no matter how small, will be of great help. Their friends/former tour-mates in Holy f*** were kind enough to donate a download of the APTBS remix of their track "Red Lights"to thank fans who donate. Each person who donates will be e-mailed a link to download the remix. You may donate here

Behind the Video: Mary Magdalan's Dark Passenger Mini Film

Today Mary Magdalan tells us the story behind the new video/short film for "Dark Passenger". Here you go!

The theme for the "Dark Passenger" came from us pushing the envelope and make more of mini-movie than just a video. Our goal was to enter the mind of a killer from the insanity that enters their mind before the kill to the sorrow that comes after the kill.
We originally filmed the first segment for 'I Feel Beautiful' during this hellish rainstorm in Long Beach, California. The weird thing is that it very rarely rains in Southern California. We just happened to be testing some scenes and BOOM! The rain started coming down in buckets. We just started shooting, all the while covering the camera with a newspaper. We wanted to create the vibe of an inner riot in a city gone to hell. We later filmed the two other videos for 'Scrape the Day Away' & 'Heaven' with Valerie Babayan. She was able to capture Mary in a different light than anyone had ever seen. Once we tied the three pieces together our vision finally came into light.

In the end we set out to do everything we wanted to with 'Dark Passenger'. It also sets the bar pretty high for what we do on our next album.

Now that you know the story behind this video, you can watch it for yourself right here!

Bob Dylan Named Most Revolutionary Artist

(Gibson) In the history of music, there have been many great artists who have created tunes and made recordings that have been cherished by millions of people. And then, there are those who transcended mere greatness to become something even bigger. These are the game-changers, the ground-breakers, the explorers, the visionaries. These are the artists who took a look at the state of music and wondered, "Why can't it be this way?" These are the people and the groups who revolutionized music.

Gibson.com decided that these musical revolutionaries deserved special recognition for their influential and legendary achievements. In tribute, we're counting down the Top 50 Most Revolutionary Artists of the Past 100 Years – as voted on by Gibson's editorial team, writing staff and, most importantly, you, the readers.

Here is No 1) Bob Dylan: The so-called poet laureate of rock and roll sits atop this list, and rightfully so. It's unfathomable to imagine music without Dylan's game-changing approach to songwriting. It was a big enough deal in the folk community when the young performer opted not to play traditional songs, but wrote his own brilliant material about the imperfect universe we all call home. Dylan truly put music on its ear around the time when he went "electric," and simultaneously trained his artistic vision on the sort of things not typically discussed in pop singles. Some songs turned deeply personal, language became more colorful and structure crawled out the window, carried away amidst Bob's stream of consciousness. And everyone, everyone, took notice – the ones who couldn't copy his approach opted to cover his songs. Even rock's most hallowed band, The Beatles, followed him down to a place where little love ditties got complicated, story songs became more interesting and rock and roll turned into more than just teenage rebellion. If Dylan's writing is his most revolutionary contribution to music, it's certainly not his only one. He altered how a pop singer's voice could sound, changed how a music star could act and practically invented the notion of a rock and roll chameleon (traveling the path from clever folkie to sneering rocker to country balladeer in a couple of years). In the wake of his first glimpse of popularity, modern music has taken on Dylan's artistic characteristics – constantly restless, always changing, sometimes serious, sometimes goofy, and rarely dull, reflecting the world's worst tendencies and best aspirations, with the past in mind and the future in sight. He changed everything. – Bryan Wawzenek Check out the full list here

Debbie Harry Escaped Serial Killer

(Gibson) Blondie's legendary and iconic singer Debbie Harry has spoken about a close escape she alleges she had with serial killer Ted Bundy back in the '70s.

NME.com reports that Harry accepted a ride from Bundy but sensed there was something not quite right when she noticed that the car had no handles on the inside.

"The hairs on the back of my neck just stood up, I pulled the door handle from the outside," she told The Sun newspaper. "He tried to stop me by spinning the car, but it helped me fling myself out. Afterwards I saw him on the news. Ted Bundy." more on this story

Zakk Wylde Wants To Go Dancing With the Stars

(Gibson) Black Label Society ear-smasher and all-around badass Zakk Wylde is looking for your support.

No, Ozzy Osbourne's former main man isn't looking to headline Donington or crash the Big Four tour. Instead, the hirsute hellion is angling to be the latest celebrity to brave the perils of ABC's Dancing with the Stars program. Yes, according to his MySpace page, Zakk just wants to dance.

Fans are encouraged to visit ABC.comto cast their vote for what would surely be the most entertaining hour of television… ever.

Joe Perry To Team Up with Paul Rodgers

(Gibson) Joe Perry will take the stage with Bad Company's Paul Rodgers during Rodgers' April 27 solo show at the Robert Albert Hall in London, reports Classic Rock magazine. Rodgers has so far announced 11 dates for his solo tour of the U.K. next year.

This isn't the first time the two rockers have joined forces. This past April, The Joe Perry Project supported Bad Company along their eight-date U.K. tour, during which time Perry allegedly asked Rodgers if he'd consider replacing Steven Tyler as the frontman for Aerosmith.

A few months back, the Pulse of Radio asked Rodgers whether he'd ever rethink the offer to join Aerosmith. "I think not, you know, really," said Rodgers. "I've never really joined a band other than joining forces with Queen during which we were playing my songs and their songs. And I did speak to Joe at the awards ceremony in London. You know, he discussed some of the problems and we talked about music. I mean, the upshot is that he's gonna be bringing his solo band in support of the Bad Company tour in the U.K. I have enormous respect for all those guys, and I really hope that they iron out their problems and Aerosmith sticks together because they're such a great band." more on this story

Children Of Bodom Set New Album Release

Children Of Bodom will release their new album Relentless Reckless Forever on March 8, 2011 via Universal Music.

Recorded in Petrax Studios with famed rock producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet), Relentless Reckless Forever is their seventh studio album.

"We worked super hard on this album, at least for me it was pretty much no sleep or rest for six weeks," stated guitarist Alexi Laiho. "But we were determined to make the best COB album ever, so we were willing to do whatever it took. Of course, having our producer Matt Hyde kicking our asses 24/7 definitely made the results even better, so obviously we're more than anxious to get this album out there" more on this story

Bob Marley's Final Recorded Concert Set For Release

(Gibson) Bob Marley's final recorded performance is coming to CD, vinyl and digital download for the first time. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 1980 will be released as a 2CD/3LP set on February 1, according to a press release.

The show was recorded when the reggae legend was touring in support of Uprising. The collection features Marley classics such as "No Woman, No Cry," "Jamming" and "Get Up Stand Up."

"Bob's music has always conveyed a message of hope, unity and love," says Rita Marley, Bob's widow. "It has brought countless people together as it did that night 30 years ago in Pittsburgh. To hear that music today and to be able to share it with a new generation shows that Bob is as relevant today as he was 30 years ago." more on this story

Close To Home Close To Album Release

(Razor & Tie) Close To Home has joined the Artery Recordings roster and will release their debut full-length album Never Back Down on February 15th.

The album was recorded in Florida and produced by Tom Denney (formerly of A Day To Remember) and was mixed by Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, The Word Alive). "Having this team together was literally a dream come true for us," said guitarist Josh Wells. It also helped the band create and develop their vision for the album, with Wells adding "It's basically the summary of our lives and who we are in pursuit of our dreams."

"Being happy with your team is important," Wells said. "Artery Recordings have been so supportive of who we are and what we want to do, and they understand our vision perfectly. The biggest thing with us is wanting to stay free creatively, and Artery lets us pursue that." more on this story

Liz Phair Collaborates With Dave Matthews

(Gibson) Liz Phair has shed light on her recent collaboration with Dave Matthews. Matthews produced several tracks on Phair's new album Funstyle and performs on one song, "You Should Know Me."

Phair told Spinner.com, "It's just a mutual admiration that came about a few years ago. Instantly, we liked each other. His entire production was an eye-opening experience. We don't come from the same culture, but the people that he surrounds himself with, and the kind of person he is, is so inspiring that I defy anybody to get to know him and not love him."

Phair, who will tour the U.S. east coast this month in support of her album, says she and Matthews worked well together because of their mutual musical respect. "As musicians and artists, we express ourselves in music," Phair said. "When we say 'let's jam,' it's like a mutual respect for each other." more on this story

Watch Paul McCartney Pay Tribute To John Lennon

(Gibson) On Thursday's edition of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Paul McCartney performed two very different songs – a spoof on The Beatles' megahit "Yesterday" and a poignant version of his John Lennon tribute song "Here Today."

McCartney began by dueting a cappella with Fallon on the song "Scrambled Eggs," which is an early version of "Yesterday," in which McCartney used the words "scrambled eggs/Oh baby how I love your legs" as placeholders to help him remember the song's ingenious melody. McCartney and Fallon also provided the song with some additional food-inspired lyrics – regarding waffle fries and vegetarian-friendly tofu wings.

Next came a performance of "Here Today," the John Lennon tribute song that McCartney included on his 1982 album Tug of War. This week marks the 30th anniversary of Lennon's murder. Of the song, McCartney said just beforehand, "This is like a song that's a conversation we never had. I always say to people, 'If you want to say to someone you love them, tell them now,' because there may come a point when it's too late and you think 'I wish you said that.'" Watch here

Mr. Big Comeback Album Coming in Feb

Mr. Big will release their new studio album, What If… , on February 8, 2011 on Frontiers Records.

What If… is Mr. Big's first all original album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of Hey Man, the new recording is set to bring back Mr. Big on the height of the current Hard Rock scene.

Guitarist Paul Gilbert said: "This is the first Mr. Big album I have been a part of, since fourteen years and it was done in a snap. It was fun and we had really a good time in making this one". Continues Billy Sheehan "It's so great to be back with Paul, Eric and Pat too. We wrote this record like we did in the old days for the first 2 records. Jamming together in the same room to write songs". Pat Torpey adds ""Some of the recording process is different now from what we were used to in the old times. But I think this record really managed to capture the performances of the band, not of the individual musicians". more on this story

Kasabian To Play New Songs At RockNess

Kasabian revealed that the RockNess festival in the Scottish Highlands will be one of the first opportunities to hear brand new material live.

Speaking to NME, Serge Pizzorno said fans should expect some new additions to the setlist. When asked if Kasabian would be playing new songs at RockNess, Pizzorno replied: "Definitely. There may even be something out by then too. I'd like there to be. I'd love to have something out because it always gets you going when you're playing the new s***."

Pizzorno was speaking around the release of London Boulevard, the British film he has composed the soundtrack for. He said that some of the material from the soundtrack may influence new Kasabian songs. more on this story

James Moody RIP

(Gibson) Jazz saxophonist James Moody, best-known for his classic track, "Moody's Mood for Love," has died, according to the Los Angeles Times. Moody who had a long music career and worked with Dizzy Gillespie died Thursday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 85.

He recorded his improvised take on "I'm in the Mood for Love" in 1949 and the instrumental tune became a huge hit. Later, lyrics were written for the improvised melody and the song has since been recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison to Amy Winehouse. Even Moody himself began to sing the lyrics when he played the song live.

Born in Georgia, Moody grew up in New Jersey and was drawn to play music when he heard George Holmes Tate, Don Byas and Count Basie. He ended up taking up both the sax and the flute. He joined the U.S. Air Force during World War II and played in the "negro band" on the segregated base. more on this story

Joey Stuckey Sets New Album Release

Joey Stuckey will release his new album, The Shadow Sound, on December 26th. The album promises to deliver a penetrating mix of blues, rock, pop and jazz, bringing back to the forefront a time when it was the music that really mattered.

"I was truly blown away by his guitar and songwriting versatility" - mentions Victor McLean, founder of Virtuoso Music - recalling the first time he heard Joey.

"To me, he will be an inspiration to the many kids out there picking up a guitar for the first time, and also to music fanatics who are searching for something unique. We feel that Joey will have a Phish or a Dave Matthews type following when you consider his material and the caliber of performance that he is capable of delivering." more on this story

Saturday Night McCartney

(hennemusic) Paul McCartney rocked Saturday Night Live this weekend with a combination of performances of appearances in various sketches throughout the show.

Ultimately, it was about the music, and viewers were treated to four McCartney performances, as opposed to the standard two musical slots on the show.

"Jet" was up first, followed by the title track of 1973's "Band On The Run." Paul dipped into The Beatles catalogue for "A Day In The Life," which blended into John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance." When host Paul Rudd was wrapping up his thanks at the end of the show, McCartney hit the stage again to play "Get Back" as the show credits rolled. Check out all the skits and songs here

The Day Dave Edmunds Hit The Top

On this day in 1970, Dave Edmunds was at no. 1 on the U.K. singles chart with his version of the 1955 Smiley Lewis hit "I Hear You Knocking." It was the Welsh singer-songwriter-producer's only #1 hit (it reached #4 in the U.S.). Gibson takes a look back: After spending the '60s having limited success as part of numerous bands in Wales and England, it took Dave Edmunds just one single to have a solo hit of his own. On this day in 1970, Edmunds went all the way to #1 in the U.K. with his version of "I Hear You Knocking."

Growing up in Wales, Edmunds had kicked around with plenty of groups. He'd been in the 99ers and the Heartbeats with his older brother Geoff. He fronted a rockabilly-style band called The Raiders in Cardiff. He dabbled in blues-rock as part of The Human Beans, which soon turned into Love Sculpture. That band made the most impact, charting a 1968 hit with "Sabre Dance," a speedy reworking of Khachaturian's classical work. It went to the Top 5 in Britain, with support from John Peel.

But Love Sculpture wouldn't last long and less than two years after their one (and only) hit, the band members went their separate ways. Coming out of the break-up, Edmunds already had designs on what he wanted to do as a solo act. He wanted to cover Wilbert Harrison's blues song "Let's Work Together," and began creating a drastically different, un-bluesy arrangement. Edmunds plans were halted when the American group Canned Heat released their own version of Harrison's tune in August of 1970. more on this story

Eyehategod To Play El Corazon Anniversary Show

Eyehategod will kick off their 2011 tour plans with a special one-off show in Seattle, Washington at El Corazon this February.

The performance will coincide with the club's six-year anniversary. Special guests to be announced soon.

Eyehategod are currently on tour in support of nothing. Bassist Gary Mader today from the road: "We've had a blast raisin' hell and hurtin' feelings across the Midwest with our good friends, Phobia. We're looking forward to further/final damage and hearing impairment in the Lone Star State." more on this story

Nikki Sixx Plans Movie

(Gibson) Nikki Sixx's This is Gonna Hurt project just got a little more complex with news that the book and album project will also include a documentary.

The Mötley Crüe bass player and chief songwriter's new book, the follow-up to his New York Times Bestseller The Heroin Diaries, is tentatively due in March 2011. The publishers describe it as "part photo, part journal – but all Nikki Sixx. It is a collection of compelling snapshots and stories that capture the rage, love, optimism, darkness, and determination that shape his work." Like The Heroin Diaries, the book will be accompanied by a soundtrack album by Sixx's band, Sixx:AM.

Sixx told his Twitter followers, "In the middle of making documentary about my book 'This is gonna hurt' and Sixx:A.M. album of same name...This project has so many layers."