Axl Rose Voted The Best Frontman Of All Time- Queens Of The Stone Age Album Plans- Fear Factory Emergency-O Pioneers! Over?- A Flaming Good Time- more

On this day in 1969, Peter Tork quit The Monkees, buying himself out of his contract that left him broke. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Drummer Killed in Break In

(Gibson) Bill Maddox, best known as drummer for the Eric Johnson Group and Johnson's bands Electromagnets and Alien Love Child, died on Monday during a reported burglary at his house.

Austin360.com reported that the burglary occurred around 7:30 a.m. Police report that the intruder was a neighbor, and that Maddox's wife had phoned 911 to report a burglary in progress. Austin360 said a law enforcement source said the operator heard a single shot followed by a pause then several more shots. The Austin American-Statesman reports that friends and relatives of both men believe the incident may have been a tragic misunderstanding rather than an attempted burglary.

Friend and neighbor Keith Landers told the Statesman, "It wasn't a robbery. It was a paranoid schizophrenic off his medicine who believed that he was trying to get into his safe house." more on this story

Guns N' Roses Named Top Rock News Artist of 2010

(hennemusic) Music fans have named Guns N' Roses as hennemusic's Rock News Artist Of The Year.

"Guns N' Roses consistently made headlines throughout 2010, which kept hennemusic readers coming back for updates on the world according to Axl," said Bruce Henne. "Fan interest in classic GNR remains huge, as even the mere hint of a hint of a reunion of the original lineup is enough to send shockwaves around the planet: fan reaction to Duff McKagan playing with Axl in London in October was over the top."

GNR took the honor ahead of Steven Tyler, Pink Floyd, Metallica and Van Halen. Winners of the hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers – rock fans around the world – who voted with their most valuable resource: their time. Categories are tabulated by page views in a salute to the artist/fan relationship. Van Halen won the stand-alone poll, all of the results here

Greatest Concept Albums of All Time

(Gibson) Concept albums rarely fare well with critics, with reviewers often lambasting such efforts as pretentious or rife with Spinal Tap-ish excess. Nonetheless, in recent years the concept album has enjoyed a resurgence, with discs by the likes of Radiohead, The Flaming Lips and Arcade Fire sporting connected storylines or overarching themes. It's too soon to say whether these albums will rise to the level of a Tommy, but as shown by the list below, the history of the concept album is strewn with classics.

10. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973): No album has come closer to coherent perfection – both thematically and musically – as this masterpiece from Pink Floyd. Shaped by Roger Waters' sense of alienation (and "inspired," one suspects, by the fractured psyche of Floyd founder Syd Barrett), the album probed its dark themes with the sort of exquisite craftsmanship normally associated with a classic novel. David Gilmour's searing solos, especially on "Time" and "Money," remain among the most momentous in rock history.

9. Rush – 2112 (1976): Prog-rock and heavy metal were fused more brilliantly than ever on this conceptual effort, which proved to be Rush's breakthrough album. Spanning one full album-side, the 20-minute title track presented a harrowing portrait of a world in which individual expression is crushed at every level. Alex Lifeson's metal riffs gave the music a hard edge that distinguished it from the flighty tendencies of Rush's British prog-rock counterparts. Today, many of the album's themes seem prescient.

8. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars (1972): The loose concept behind David Bowie's most renowned album seems silly on the surface: extraterrestrial arrives to save a dying Earth, extraterrestrial becomes rock star, extraterrestrial is destroyed by adoring fans. But within that cartoon narrative lies some of the most exciting music ever committed to vinyl. Tethered to Bowie's exquisite songwriting, Mick Ronson unleashed soaring riffs, explosive power chords, and sustain-drenched solos that reached otherworldly dimensions. Check out the rest of the list here

Pantera Vs Megadeth

The Metal Den has published the story behind of the "Megabreath" inside joke: In 1992, Pantera opened for Megadeth on the "Countdown to Extinction Tour". As the 'alleged' story goes, drummer Nick Menza, spurred on by zany media comments made by Megadeth's attention seeking leader Dave Mustaine, who felt Pantera had indeed ripped off his band's sound, went out of his way – backstage at concerts – to tell anyone (who would listen) that Dimebag sucked on guitar and Pantera vocalist Philip H. Anselmo was full of himself and that he could kick the macho singer's ass in a fight if it came right down to it.

Well, word got around to Philip and Dimebag Darrell about what Menza had 'allegedly' stated, thanks to the now deceased Jill Marie Abbott, a close friend of the PANTERA band (and at one time Philip's actual girlfriend) that Nick Menza was "Talking all this sh*t about Pantera". Anselmo and Dimebag immediately went looking for Menza around the venue they were at and eventually cornered him outside near a fence. Anselmo grabbed Menza and said "Why are you talking all this sh*t about me and Dimebag?", and next furiously threw Menza against the chain-linked fence in preparation of a serious "Five Minutes Alone" ass-kicking he was fully prepared to launch into with the now obviously petrified Menza.

With tears streaming down his face like a frightened little child, Menza cried out to Anselmo: "Please don't kick my ass, man! I am sorry for talking sh*t and I will never do it again!" more here

Sir Keef Richards?

(Gibson) Interviewed recently by BBC Radio 2, Keith Richards said he own around 300 guitars but he's not really a guitar player. "The storage costs me more than they're worth," he said. "I don't even consider myself a guitar player. I am not a Hendrix or Clapton."

London Mayor Boris Johnson might disagree with Mr. Richards, since he's been campaigning for the Stones guitarist to be knighted. He told the Daily Telegraph: "It is a continuing scandal that Keef Richards has not been made, at the very least, a knight bachelor, and the outrage became clear to me this Christmas when – like so many other men of my generation – I was sentenced to Life.

" That is, I was given a copy of Keef's super-selling autobiography of that name; and by the end of my researches I felt the full weight of the injustice. more on this story

Jim Morrison's Family, The Doors Bandmates Say Pardon Isn't Enough

(Gibson) The family of late Doors frontman Jim Morrison and his former bandmates have called for official apologies from the state of Florida and the city of Miami over Morrison's 1969 arrest for lewd and lascivious behavior.

Morrison was officially pardoned earlier this month, but the singer's family and the surviving Doors feel he shouldn't be pardoned for anything. "His performance in Miami that night was certainly provocative, and entirely in the insurrectionary spirit of the Doors' music and message," they said in a statement. "The charges against him were largely an opportunity for grandstanding by ambitious politicians – not to mention an affront to free speech and a massive waste of time and taxpayer dollars. As Ann Woolner of The Albany Times-Union wrote recently, 'Morrison's case bore all the signs of a political prosecution, a rebuke from the cultural right to punish a symbol of Dionysian rebellion.'"

Whatever took place that night ended with the Doors sharing beers and laughter in the dressing room with the Miami police, who acted as security at the venue that evening. No arrests were made." The statement goes on to say that it wasn't until four days later that warrants were issued in Miami for the arrest of Morrison on "trumped-up charges of indecency, public obscenity and general rock 'n' roll revelry."

"If the State of Florida and the City of Miami want to make amends for the travesty of Jim Morrison's arrest and prosecution 40 years after the fact, an apology would be more appropriate – and expunging the whole sorry matter from the record," the family said.

Gibson Top Albums of 2010 List

(Gibson) 2010 was the year the album died – that is, according to music bloggers, critics and even certain musicians. Why just last week, no less a musical authority than Elvis Costello declared the end of the album era on this very website. The Beatles are on iTunes now, the three-minute MP3 is the thing and no one has the attention span for a 40-minute musical journey, right? If that's truly the case, someone forgot to tell the artists below, who made some of the best albums of this, or any, year. Just because most people won't pay for an album doesn't mean that they're not worth listening to. Here are the Top 10 Albums of 2010:

10. Slash, Slash: Although Slash has been a member of some of the biggest bands in rock, it took until 2010 for the legendary guitarist to step out as a solo musician. His self-titled solo debut paired his thrilling guitar work with some of the most famous voices in music (including Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie and Iggy Pop) and reminded everyone what a true guitar hero can do.

3. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs: Saying that it's a loose concept album about growing up in urban sprawl, or that it's Neil Young-meets-Depeche Mode (as frontman Win Butler characterized the record), doesn't due The Suburbs justice. It's a towering, sweeping achievement that loses a lot when compartmentalized or shuffled, despite each song being as strong as the next. But this is an album made to be listened to as such, made to take you on a ride that lasts from track 1 to 16. It's a big hunk of complicated feelings, of good memories and bad, of gray areas (literally and figuratively), of punk and folk and dirges and anthems. It all culminates in the synth-pop of "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)," in which Regine Chassagne, so desperate for escape, broadcasts her keening voice to the wasteland of "dead shopping malls" that envelops her existence, hoping to reach a kindred spirit. The Suburbs debuted at #1 in August and is up for an Album of the Year Grammy. Arcade Fire certainly have found their kind. Check out the full top 10

Jimmy Page The Subject Of The Top Rock News Story Of 2010

(hennemusic) Jimmy Page's comment - at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Awards in November - that he plans to play shows in 2011 was named hennemusic's "Rock News Story Of The Year" by music fans.

Page was at the event to present "The Innovator" Award to legendary U.K. band Killing Joke, but it was his talk of plans to play concerts in the New Year that overshadowed all rock news in 2010. "The mighty Led Zeppelin casts a huge shadow in the new millennium, and music fans want more," says Bruce Henne. "Everything Zep-related draws a crowd – from Robert Plant to John Paul Jones to Jason Bonham – but the master of mystery remains the elusive Jimmy Page."

Jimmy Page's comments took the hennemusic Rock News Story Of The Year honor ahead of features on Keith Richards, Roger Waters, Slash/Steven Tyler and Metallica. more on this story

Roger Daltrey, Amy Winehouse and Vampire Weekend For Jools Holland New Year's Eve

(Gibson) With Jools Holland about to host his annual Hootenanny special for New Year's Eve, the guardian of music on TV and king of boogie-woogie piano has been talking career highlights with Britain's Daily Telegraph.

"I have been incredibly fortunate in working with and observing so many amazing people, which is always strange and thrilling," Holland said. "We did a track on my new album with Booker T, playing a piano-and-organ duet by Duke Ellington in my little studio in Greenwich. My life is one of looking up from my piano and going, [expletive] me, it's Booker T!' That should be the title of my autobiography."

This year's Hootenanny will be Jools' 18th and will feature Kylie Minogue, Roger Daltrey singing Muddy Waters songs, Wanda Jackson doing Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good" and Vampire Weekend playing tunes from their Contra album. more on this story

Anniversary of George Harrison Stabbing

(Gibson) On this very day in 1999, Liverpudlian Mike Abram, 33, attacked ex-Beatle George Harrison and his wife Olivia in their home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Harrison and his wife were woken by the sound of breaking glass and, after calling police, were attacked by a man brandishing a six-inch knife. Harrison later told the Oxford Crown Court in a statement: "He stopped in the center of the kitchen and started shouting and screaming. He was hysterical and frightening in his manner.

"I made the decision to shout back at him. I shouted at him 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna!' He rushed toward the bottom of the stairs and came up toward me. I took a split-second decision to tackle this man." more on this story

Priscilla Remembers Elvis

(Gibson) In anticipation of what would have been Elvis Presley's 76th birthday on January 8, USA Weekend sat down with Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla, to reminisce about The King. The Naked Gun actress is currently (in her role with Elvis Presley Enterprises) working with Cirque du Soleil on a new Las Vegas show, Viva ELVIS. In the interview, she spoke on a variety of topics.

On what fans might not know about Elvis: "He admired other entertainers and wasn't threatened by their coming to Vegas. Elvis always felt there was room for everyone. Tom Jones, Cher, Nancy Sinatra — he was right there to help."

On her favorite Elvis song: "'Bridge over Troubled Water.' We were in Vegas when the horse he had gifted me passed away. He sang that song to me. Every time I hear it, that's what I think of." more on this story

. The Last Page: Rock Reads From Jane's Addiction- Louis Armstrong- Clapton, Beck, Page- Progressive Heavy Metal and more

Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look at another batch of rock books released in 2010 which are worth your attention. These books include the topics of Janes Addiction- Louis Armstrong- Clapton, Beck, Page- Progressive Heavy Metal and more (5 stars) - Read the full The Last Page: Rock Reads From Jane's Addiction- Louis Armstrong- Clapton, Beck, Page- Progressive Heavy Metal and more review

Day in Rock 2010 Rewind: Top Stories From November

We continue our look back at the top stories of 2010. Today we flashback to November

Metallica Child Kicking Accident

(hennemusic) There was a shocking incident caught on tape during Metallica's November 11th show at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.

It happened during the performance of "Seek And Destroy," with the house lights on and the stage filled with huge black balloons. Guitarist Kirk Hammett wandered through the crowded stage, kicking balloons at random; at one point, he unknowingly kicks a small child while following through on one of the balloons. The child is seen to be thrown backwards in the air, landing in the crowd.

Blabbermouth is reporting that the child - rumored to be Metallica frontman James Hetfield's son - was not believed to have been injured during the mishap. - more on this story

Van Halen Deny Everything

(Gibson) Although it's been widely reported that Van Halen will release a new album and embark on a huge tour in 2011, a spokesman for the band is saying that is not the case. Speaking on behalf of the band, Larry Solters told MelodicRock.com that, "none of it was true."

The official word from Van Halen is, "no new album on the books" and "no new tour on the books." However, Solters did reveal that the band's current lineup (David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen) have spent time together "working on stuff."

Earlier reports from various sources (including Van Halen manager Irv Azoff) have indicated a massive 2011 tour for Van Halen that would cross North America, Europe and Australia. But fans will have to wait from the official announcement from the band to know if this is true. -

Sebastian Bach Arrested

(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach has been arrested following an incident early Monday morning in his hometown of Peterborough, Ontario.

Local media outlet Mykawartha.com reports: According to city police, shortly after midnight, a man and several friends were at Riley's on George Street North when a dispute arose between the man and pub staff.

When asked to leave, the man started towards the doors, a glass of wine in hand. When told he couldn't leave with the glass of wine, the man threw it at the door, causing it to shatter. As staff detained the man for police, one of the pub staff was bitten on the hand. When police searched the man, 1.95 grams of marijuana was found - more on this story

Jimmy Page Tour?

(hennemusic) "I'm desperate to be playing, but it won't be 'til next year," Jimmy Page tells Planet Rock's Liz Barnes. "I'll get a good vehicle to get out there and do some concerts."

Barnes caught up with the guitar icon at Wednesday's 2010 Classic Rock "Roll Of Honour" Awards, where Page presented "The Innovator" Award to legendary U.K. band Killing Joke.

"I got a call whether I'd like to give an award to Killing Joke. The thing is, I go back a long way with Jaz Coleman and the band," said Page. "I used to go and see the band, and it was a band that really impressed me because Geordie's (Walker) guitar sound was just really, really strong. And they were really tribal, the band, and it was really intense." - more on this story

Slipknot May Never Record Again

(Rock AAA) Corey Taylor says Slipknot could tour again in the future but he's not convinced they'll make any new music after the tragic death of founder Paul Gray earlier this year.

The bassist, 38, was found in a Des Moines, Iowa, hotel room after suffering an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Slipknot immediately put all projects on hold, and since then Taylor's been working with his side-project, Stone Sour.

And he says promotion and touring duties in support of new album Audio Secrecy has kept his mind off thinking about Gray. Taylor tells Clickmusic: "Stone Sour definitely helped me, let's put it that way. We were just finishing up the album when we got the news about Paul. I was actually in Des Moines, so it was pretty brutal. - more on this story

David Bowie Retires

(Gibson) Waiting for David Bowie to make his triumphant return to the stage? Rolling Stone says you probably shouldn't hold your breath. It looks like the Thin White Duke has quietly retired. For real.

Rolling Stone's Andy Greene says it has been four years since Bowie last performed in public, with a three-song set at the BlackBall charity concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Green notes that Bowie's 2004 Reality tour was cut short when he suffered a heart attack, and that last year Bowie told the New York Times he had no plans to return to the stage.

Greene notes that many rock stars who have announced their retirements returned to the stage a few years later, including Bowie himself, who famously retired at the height of Ziggy Stardust mania in 1973. "The fact he's said virtually nothing this time around indicates he may well be done forever," Greene said, before cheekily adding, "…though in a few weeks the annual 'Bowie's headlining Coachella!!' rumors should once again surface." - more on this story

Steven Tyler Has Never Watched American Idol

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler admits he has never watched American Idol, and now that he's a judge, it's not what he was expecting, "it was more," he said in an interview with FOX40 Sacramento's Bethany Crouch.

FOX 40 caught up with Tyler in San Francisco this week during Idol auditions.

The Aerosmith frontman says he was out touring or "doing other wild things" for the last 40 years and has not watched a previous episode of the show. - more on this story

Top Riffs of the 80s

Gibson has picked their top 10 riffs of the 80s. Here are the top three: 3. Ozzy Osbourne (featuring Randy Rhoads), "Crazy Train" In the 1980s, you couldn't throw a dead cat in a music store without hitting some kid playing this Randy Rhoads warhorse. The churning, sinister opening section hurls the song forward and creates a momentum that never lets up, even as Ozzy takes it off the rails.

2. The Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up" - Twelve years after "Honky Tonk Women," Keith Richards could still conjure an open-tuned gem like no one else. This 1981 classic is so stirring that nearly 30 years later you're still unlikely see a football stadium not use it to psych their fans up for a kickoff.

1. AC/DC, "Back in Black" - Perhaps the greatest riff-oriented album of all time is the band's 1980 farewell to dearly departed singer Bon Scott. Brothers Angus and Malcolm Young cooked up some of the greatest riffs of their career on this magnum opus (including "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Hell's Bells" and "Have a Drink on Me"), but none is more memorable than the hard and heavy title track. - full list

Steve Perry Retired, Not Looking for Journey Reunion

(Rock AAA) Rumors about singer Steve Perry rejoining Journey are untrue, RockAAA can confirm – and in fact, Perry has retired from performing.

The false story is believed to have surfaced after the Daily Star misused a quote from guitarist Neal Schon, who recently said: "He's no longer the lead singer – he walked out."

By adding speculation to the quote, the Star suggested Perry had asked to rejoin the band. But RockAAA has established that event did not take place. A spokesman for the singer says: "It's just not true. The story came from London, the home of tabloids – they make up stories every day. Steve is enjoying his retirement." - more on this story

Joe Strummer Biopic Coming

(Gibson) Joe Strummer has been a popular subject for documentaries – two have been done about his band, The Clash, and a pair have focused on the man himself.

But, for the first time, the punk legend will be getting the biopic film treatment, according to International Screen Daily.

Given the working title Joe Public, the film will be a production of British movie company Film4. Screenwriter Paul Viragh, who wrote the Ian Dury flick Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, is in charge of the script. Damian Jones (Millions) and Simon Halfon (Sleuth) are set to produce. So far, no one has been cast in the lead role - more on this story

Motley Crue Shoot Down Poison Tour

(Rock AAA) Motley Crue know nothing about an anniversary tour with Poison, which Bret Michaels says is going to take place next year.

Michaels announced the event on stage in Canada last weekend, explaining that 2011 marked his band's 25th anniversary and Crue's 30th, hence the reason behind the tie-up.

But Motley singer Vince Neil says the first he heard of it was after Michaels' onstage statement. Neil tells the Las Vegas Sun: "There is no deal with Bret or Poison. It's never been brought up or discussed." - more on this story

Queen Rock the Prince

(hennemusic) Queen rocked the first Prince's Trust Rock Gala in more than 20 years, Wednesday night at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The BBC reports Brian May and Roger Taylor performed with a variety of singers, including Midge Ure ("Seven Seas Of Rhye") and Keane's Tom Chaplin ("It's a Hard Life").

Chaplin described Queen as the "heroes of my youth. I have notions of being a weirdly flamboyant frontman, and my voice is in the same register as Freddie's was - it's such a buzz to be backed by the actual band themselves." - more on this story

Dio Scores Highest Chart Debut of the Soundscan Era

(Chipster) Ronnie James Dio's popularity is greater than ever, as clearly proven by the strong chart showing of the recently released, 'Dio at Donington.'

The first-ever release from the newly formed Niji Entertainment Group, 'Dio at Donington' scanned a total of 5,836 units in its first week, resulting in Dio's best Billboard charting debut ever in the Soundscan era.

As a result, the album - which features a pair of vintage, kick-ass Dio concert performances from 1983 and 1987 - will debut at #98 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. Additionally, Dio went from #5 to #1 (with a bullet) on the CMJ Loud Rock Radio Chart this week. -

Stratovarius Member Fighting Cancer

Terrible news came from the Stratovarius camp on Thursday, one of their members is battling cancer. Jens Johansson issued the following statement: Dear Stratovarius fans, I am afraid we have some quite terrible news. News of the worst imaginable kind. It's about our friend and [German] drummer Jörg Michael.

Jörg has cancer. He recently discovered a lump on his neck, went to the doctor, they decided to operate, and found what they call 'a malignant thyroid neoplasm.' They took out his whole thyroid just to have the best chance to get everything out. He will also have to undergo a regimen of radiotherapy.

He is a fighter. We have all talked to him and it's clear that this guy is not down for the count. He and his team of German doctors are pissed off and ready to kick ass, and I would not want to be a little cancer cell on these guys' s*** list.. believe me. - more on this story

Sebastian Bach Misbehavior Denied By Witness

(hennemusic) It's interesting what happens when the dust settles on a relatively private-made-public incident: more information surfaces that can often change people's initial perception about things.

The Toronto Sun reports that a close friend of Sebastian Bach has come to the defense of the former Skid Row frontman, disputing much of what's been said about Sunday night's events in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Bach, 42, was charged early Monday with assault, mischief and possession of marijuana after a glass at Riley's Olde Towne Pub was broken and the owner, Jim Kakouros, was bitten on the hand. Judd Smoke was with Bach Sunday night and said many of the allegations against Bach - including statements that Bach demanded star treatment and heckled and cursed at staff - aren't true. - more on this story

Metallica Wrap Up Massive World Tour

(hennemusic) Metallica wrapped up their 2-year long World Magnetic Tour on Sunday, with the third of three shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

The numbers are impressive...Metallica issued the following tour summary: "The World Magnetic tour crossed 45 countries, 143 arena shows, 34 festival shows, 29 stadium shows, 4 club/theater shows, three tv/radio shows, two hall of fame shows, 3790 songs, and not a single setlist was the same."

That's 216 shows in 992 days. The tour opened with a European promo show on September 12, 2008 in Berlin, and hit virtually every corner of the globe - including

Kelly Shaefer's Velvet Revolver Experience

Our very own Mark Hensch caught up with Kelly Shaefer to discuss the first Atheist album in 17 years but they also discussed how Kelly's fans viewed him auditioning for Velvet Revolver. Here is that part of the exchange:

antiMusic: You also tried out for the lead singer position in Velvet Revolver. Did you ever worry that metalheads would accuse you of "selling out?" Why or why not?

Kelly: Initially I sent the Neurotica record to Slash (Velvet Revolver's guitarist) and he called me three days later and said he and Duff McKagan (the group's bassist) liked what they heard from my voice so they sent me three tunes to write for. I did just that and they called me back and brought me to Los Angeles to write and rehearse. They had been looking through 650 singers before getting to me. I hit it off well with Slash and we wrote some cool music together, but in the end Scott Weiland got the gig. It was amazing being able to cross to the other side and jam with what is really The Rolling Stones of our generation. I've got nothing but great things to say about all those guys.

What about me "selling out," you ask? I don't worry about that. No one is going to tell me that if Slash calls them and asks them to sing on a tune, or if Brian Johnson from AC/DC asks you to sing some tunes he wrote, that they are not going to sing. I have no regrets – for a death metal guy from Sarasota, Florida, it was a crazy experience for me and I loved it. I love trying to fit myself around situations outside my comfort zone. I highly recommend it to broaden your horizons musically. - full interview

Roger Daltrey Slams Simon Cowell

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey is the latest star to have a go at the X Factor / American Idol mastermind Simon Cowell.

The veteran rocker believes the music industry is in crisis - and he blames Simon, according to an article in the Sun newspaper. Roger said: "We really need to break away from The X Factor and American Idol - that Simon Cowell thing....I really think the music industry will beat this slump and come back stronger.

"Groups like The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles wouldn't have made it past the audition stage, let alone be shown on TV. That's the joke of it. The music they make on the shows is absolute tripe. He's made a good industry out of it, but it's belittled the power of music. He wouldn't know what the 'X Factor' was if it bit him on the b******s." - more on this story

Early Van Halen Live Recording Posted Online

The Metal Den has posted a rare master audience recording of the classic Van Halen lineup jamming "On Fire" live at Theatre Mogador in Paris, France on May 10, 1978.

This show was played only three months after they released their legendary debut Van Halen.

Van Halen sold over 10 million copies in the United States alone, proving to be an extremely explosive album that would introduce "Eddie" and his incredible heavy metal guitar talents to millions of fans all over the world. - check it out here

Slash Picks A Singer

(hennemusic) Slash plans to use Myles Kennedy on his next solo album, but – unlike the list of stars on the current self-titled project – Kennedy will handle all the vocals, according to a report by SundayMercury.net.

Slash was interviewed after receiving "Album Of The Year" honors at the 2010 Classic Rock "Roll Of Honour" Awards in London on November 10.

Kennedy appeared on some of the album, but has responsibilities with Alter Bridge, who have just released a new record of their own, "Alter Bridge III." Kennedy will continue to tour with Slash in 2011, juggling both projects - more on this story

New Van Halen Deals Inked

(hennemusic) Van Halen may be busy these days in the studio, plotting their plans for 2011, while their reps continue to deny it and admit to little of anything.

Meanwhile, lots of VH-related business is getting done behind the scenes. Warner/Chappell recently inked deals with Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony, all of the VH family.

As part of the new agreement, Warner/Chappell acquired the entire catalog of songs written by Sammy Hagar – songwriter/guitarist, and former lead singer of Van Halen (1986 through 1996) - including his work with the bands Van Halen, Montrose and Chickenfoot, as well as his music as a solo artist. - more

Ray Davies Cancels Tour For Medical Reasons

(hennemusic) Ray Davies of The Kinks has had to cancel his upcoming US tour due to an undisclosed "medical condition."

A statement was issues on Davies' behalf: "Ray Davies' U.S tour dates have been cancelled.

"Ray, personally, did not want to cancel this tour but was ordered by his doctors not to fly or travel until his medical condition has stabilized to their satisfaction. - more on this story

Unreleased Syd Barrett Jam Gets Release

(Gibson) The late, legendary Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett remains one of the most enigmatic figures in rock music, and a new anthology of his work, An Introduction to Syd Barrett, is only likely to further the myths and mysteries surrounding the iconoclastic artist, who died in 2006.

Of particular interest to Barrett fans will be the anthology's inclusion of a never-before released track, "Rhamadan," which is available as a bonus download to those who purchase the album.

The track is drawn from the tumultuous sessions for Barrett's 1970 solo album, The Madcap Laughs, and is a prime example of Barrett's most noncommercial instincts. "Rhamadan" is essentially a 20-minute, freeform jam, with Barrett forsaking melody and structure as he solos on a variety of instruments. - more on this story

Korn and Disturbed As A Weapon

Disturbed are bringing back their Music As A Weapon tour for a fifth trek which will be co-headlined by Korn. The outing will reportedly feature "special guests" In This Moment and Sevendust but Disturbed's announcement made no mention of them.

"We are thrilled to launch the Music As A Weapon 5 Tour with our good friends from Korn," says Disturbed's singer David Draiman.

"Every year we try to up the ante, and this year, by having Korn co-headline, we really think it's going to be our best tour yet. When the idea first came up, one of the main things both bands agreed upon and wanted to focus on was hitting a lot of smaller markets. - more on this story

Anniversary of Freddie Mercury's Death

(Gibson) Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of British rock band Queen, died on Nov 24, 1991 at his home in Kensington, London. He was only 45 years old. His publicist announced that Mercury had died of bronchopneumonia resulting from AIDS.

Mercury had looked terribly ill for some time over the past two or three years and there had been a glut rumors circulating as to his health. The day before his death, however, Freddie released this statement: "Following enormous conjecture in the press, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private in order to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth, and I hope everyone will join me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease."

Mercury, according to longtime companion and confidante, Mary Austin, decided to take his own life by ending his medication: "It was Freddie's decision to finally end it all. He chose the time to die," Mary told OK magazine in 2000. "He knew it was coming. The quality of his life had changed so dramatically and he was in more pain every day. He was losing his sight. His body became weaker as he suffered mild fits. It was so distressing to see him deteriorating in this way. One day he decided enough was enough and stopped all the medical supplements that were keeping him going. The overwhelming thing for me was that he was just so incredibly brave. He looked death in the face and said, 'Fine, I'll accept it now – I'll go.' But it was peaceful and he died with a smile on his face." - more on this story

Beatles Sell Over 2 Million iTunes In A Week

(hennemusic) Billboard reports that the initial iTunes Beatles sales figures are in: More than 450,000 albums and 2 million individual songs were sold on iTunes worldwide, according to Apple, since the Beatles catalog was made available Tuesday (Nov. 16).

U.S. album sales totaled 119,000 units, which included 13,000 digital box sets, while individual digital track sales reached 1.4 million, according to industry sources.

Each digital box set included 13 studio albums, the two-volume "Past Masters" compilation and the "Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964" concert film. Sources say the U.S. album sales tally of 119,000 counts each box set as one unit, while Apple's worldwide album sales tally counts each box set as multiple sales units - more on this story

Ozzy, Slayer, Marilyn Manson Make Controversial Song List

(hennemusic) A new survey conducted by PRS for Music, the organization that collects and pays royalties to its 75,000 songwriting and composing members, has revealed the top 10 most controversial songs, as voted by the British Public.

The list includes songs from Ozzy Osbourne, Eminem, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Slayer, Marilyn Manson and more with Prodigy's "Smack My B*tch Up," topping the list. Released in 1997, the un-censored version attracted a ban from the BBC and attracted criticism from feminist groups.

In second spot, The Sex Pistols' 1977 track, "God Save The Queen," attracted great controversy over the way the Queen and the future of England was portrayed. - more on this story

Drunkest Rock Stars of All Time

Metal Sludge has published another one of their controversial top 10 lists. This time around it's for the "Top 10 Drunkest (Living) Rock Stars of All Time" with Sebastian Bach taking the top prize. Here is part of what they had to say:

1. Sebastian Bach (Former Skid Row frontman & current side bitch to Axl Rose) We're proud to present the Drunkest (living) Rock Star of all time. This guy can sing like a mothertrucker, but he can drink like one too.

He also has a temper. Kind of like a tall kindergartner. At 6'3" this guy is all legs, arms and bottles. That's right, he can swing the mic like a pro, but also has thrown a bottle into the audience and hit a fans face back in 1989.

Find else why else Bach topped the list and see who the other 9 drunks are - here

Axl Rose Vs Guitar Hero Over Slash?

(Rock AAA) Guns N' Roses mainman Axl Rose has filed a $20m lawsuit against the makers of Guitar Hero because Slash appeared in the 2007 version of the game.

Guitar Hero III included the GnR track Welcome to the Jungle, but Rose says he only gave permission for its appearance as long as Slash and his new band Velvet Revolver weren't featured.

The singer is furious that manufacturer Activision broke the deal, and especially because the guitarist appears on the game's cover. Rose's legal papers say: "Activision span a web of lies to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and VR prominently in GH III, but also promote the game by emphasizing an association between Slash and Guns N' Roses, and the band's song Welcome to the Jungle." - more on this story

Metallica Smashes Britney Spears Record

(hennemusic) Metallica recently wrapped up their 2-year World Magnetic Tour with an extended series of shows in Australia, and made some history in the process.

Billboard reports Metallica smashed the ticket sales record at Sydney's Acer Arena, selling 74,244 tickets over four sell-out dates in September and November.

Metallica's feat at the 21,000-capacity arena eclipsed the previous record of 66,247 set by Britney Spears over four nights on her Circus tour in November 2009. - more on this story

Lost Randy Rhoads Solo Posted Online

The Metal Den has obtained a rare Randy Rhoads guitar solo that was part of the Ozzy show that was recorded live in Cleveland, Ohio on May 11, 1981.

However, unlike the majority of songs from that night that were ultimately used for Ozzy Osbourne's Tribute album released in 1987, Rhoads' legendary guitar solo spot in "Suicide Solution" featured on the classic live record is actually taken from another show that took place in Montreal, Quebec on July 28, 1981.

Whatever happened to the original solo from that historic night? Why was it left off the Tribute album? Did Randy Rhoads honestly ever have a bad performance? Upon closer examination, you are going to hear that the lost Rhoads solo itself is nothing short of incredible. - listen here

Wendy Dio Wants Heaven and Hell To Continue

(Rock AAA) Ronnie James Dio's widow wants his band Heaven and Hell to continue with surviving members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice.

Wendy Dio, who was also the singer's manager, understands the musicians have all struggled with his death from cancer in May – particularly bassist Butler.

But she believes Heaven and Hell should live on, although under a new name. Dio says: "I don't really know what they're doing right now. But they should do something. - more on this story

System of a Down Reunite

(Rock AAA) System of a Down will headline next year's Download festival at Donington as part of a reunion tour.

But the band say they have no big plans for new material or a long-term continuation – they're just playing some shows because they want to.

Rumours had been rife after it was said SOAD had booked an appearance in the Bercy venue in Paris on June 6, put together with Download promoter Andy Copping's comment that he'd already confirmed two headline acts for the event, which takes place a week after the Paris date - more on this story

Why Robert Plant Rejected Led Zeppelin Reunion

(Gibson) As his Led Zeppelin Experience tour prepared for a stop in Hollywood this past week, Jason Bonham sat down with LA Weekly to discuss the tour, his father's drumming legacy and his chance to sit in with his father's band at London's O2 Arena three years ago. Regarding the reunion, Bonham said the band themselves weren't quite as dangerous as one might imagine.

"They are the most normal bunch of guys you could be around," he reflected. "At one point we were in rehearsal, and this old lady turned up with sandwiches: 'Robert, here you are, I put an extra pickle on for you ... Jimmy, yours are here; John, here's your salad.' When we took a break, everyone would take a section of the newspaper and read. And I'm going, 'Where's the debauchery? Where's the upside down crosses and naked girls and sacrificial tables with virgins on them?' But, boy, when they played ... The key to me pulling off the gig was that all I was only looking for was the reassurance from the three guys on stage. I didn't care that anyone else was in the audience."

After the success of the O2 show, there was great anticipation that Led Zeppelin might continue on together. But singer Robert Plant proved unwilling to relaunch the band that broke up in 1980 after John Bonham's death. "Robert always expressed to me: 'Jason, you know I love you, I loved your dad, and I know how great you are as a player. And on the night, you were great. But to me Led Zeppelin's John, not Jason.' Although it would benefit me to go do it, I also agree with what he says. I understand." - more on this story

Early Metallica Demo Posted Online

The Metal Den have posted another rare early Metallica demo online for your headbanging pleasure. Here is what they had to say:

Ready to hear some more early Metallica? Judging from the avalanche of views TMD received when they first brought worldwide exposure to the 1982 "Hit The Lights" Demo that was featured here back in March/2010…
you die hard fans want historic metal music now more than ever before.

This time it comes in the form of a Diamond Head cover entitled "The Prince", from the original 8 song demo that was recorded in Ron McGovney's garage on March 14, 1982. - check it out

Bon Jovi Going On Hiatus

(Rock AAA) Bon Jovi are set to go on a long hiatus after completing their current world tour, with mainman Jon Bon Jovi admitting the stress is getting to him.

The band's fourth greatest hits compilation has charted well around the world, but the continued strain of delivering the goods means Bon Jovi will alter plans to keep travelling throughout 2011.

Instead, they'll stop by the middle of the year – and don't plan to return any time soon afterwards. - more on this story

Kennedy Wasn't Offered Velvet Revolver Gig But Almost Had One With Led Zeppelin

(Rock AAA) Myles Kennedy says that although there was talk of him being asked to join Velvet Revolver in place of Scott Weiland, the job was never offered to him.

But the singer and guitarist, who's currently on tour with main band Alter Bridge ahead of recording vocals and touring for Slash's second solo album, is happy with the way things have turned out.

And he's still blown away by his memories of coming close to fronting Led Zeppelin after Robert Plant refused to tour with his old band. "I got together with them in June 2008 and we just jammed some ideas. Everything went really well, but I was just flattered beyond belief to be in the same room with these guys. Everything I learned about rock I learned from Led Zeppelin." - more on this story

Rush Returning To America

(hennemusic) Rush have announced that The Time Machine Tour will visit new cities throughout North America, and play a few return engagements.

The tour begins March 30th in Ft. Lauderdale and runs through April 22nd in 2011 with dates in Greensboro, Nashville, Louisville, Toledo, Hershey, New York's esteemed Madison Square Garden, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Hamilton, Montreal and Baltimore.

The tour also returns to North America in June with performances in select markets that will include cities such as New Orleans, Austin, Vancouver - and a very special return play in Los Angeles – more information on these dates will be made available soon. - more on this story

Slash Slams Tesla Over Guns N' Roses Song Theft Claim

(hennemusic) Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon accused Guns N Roses of ripping off one their early demos for use as "Patience." News of the accusation caught up to former GnR guitarist Slash, who didn't take kindly to the suggestion.

"I heard that one of the guys from Tesla claimed GNR stole 'Patience' from them," wrote Slash on Facebook.

"I'm assuming he's smoking super crack. Or dreaming out loud . . . I didn't hear the actual interview so I won't jump to conclusions based on hearsay. I'll just make emotiphants! - Hannon went into damage control