This Week's Top 10

Here are the top 10 stories from this week's Day in Rock and the top Day in Rock digest stories

The Kinks Vs Van Halen

Classic Rock had this report that we just couldn't pass up: It's taken him more than 30 years, but the The Kinks' Dave Davies has finally offered his opinion on Van Halen's cover of You Really Got Me. His verdict? "I'm sure Eddie Van Halen played better when he was drunk."

Classic Rock's Rob Hughes met up with Davies last week and they got talking about Van Halen's 1978 cover of The Kinks classic.

Davies didn't seem overly impressed by the VH version. Here's what he had to say: "Van Halen's version was very Middle America. It was like, 'Hey man, look at me with my tight trousers! Here's our version of You Really Got Me!'" - He's not done, plus it ends on a rather comical note here

Rolling Stones Address Retirement Rumor

Another week, another UK press report based on an unnamed source shot down in flames. This one deals with the report that the Rolling Stones were plotting a huge farewell tour. The only problem is this so-called "inside source" forgot to tell the Rolling Stones.

Not all UK media outlets behave this way, in fact we got the real story from our friends at Rock Radio, who didn't seemed too pleased with the publication who published the original Stones retirement story. In fact, they accuse them of making it up! Rock Radio reports: The Sun – which recently lied about a Darkness reunion, even inventing a baby son for a former band member – has made up quotes which suggest the Stones will make one more trip round the world before splitting up.

It's another round of rumourmill rubbish from a paper which excels in the art – and, like the last lot of lies, not a word of it has basis in fact. Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says: "We have all agreed this won't be the last time. Everyone's rocking." - more on this story

AC/DC Make History Again

It seems only fitting that this week marks the 30th anniversary of the release of AC/DC's landmark "Back in Black," which is the second biggest selling album in music history, that we now learn that the band's Black Ice tour was the second biggest selling tour in music history.

Bryan Wawzenek of Gibson.com reports: Having just wrapped up last month in Spain, AC/DC's long-running Black Ice tour has turned out to be the second-highest grossing concert tour in music history, according to Billboard.com. With a haul of about $441.6 million, the 2008-10 Black Ice tour takes a backseat only to The Rolling Stones' 2005-07 A Bigger Bang tour, which grossed $558.3 million.

Still, Angus Young and Co. have nothing to hang their heads about. Nearly 4.9 million people attended the 168 shows on the tour. Following an eight-year touring absence, AC/DC hit the road again in 2008 to support a new studio album, Black Ice. That album also performed amazingly well, topping the charts in 27 countries. - more on this story

Slipknot Won't Replace Paul Gray

When John Bonham died, the other members of Led Zeppelin decided it wouldn't be right to carry on as a band with another member taking his place. Apparently Slipknot feels the same way but they still plan to carry on instead of breaking up like Zeppelin.

Rock Radio reports: Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison says the band will continue without tragic bassist Paul Gray, and won't replace him with a new full-time member.

Instead band members will play bass on new studio recordings, and they'll look at options for a touring musician when the time comes. But frontman Corey Taylor, who plays Sonisphere this weekend, is less clear on the band's future. - more on this story

Stone Temple Pilots Extend Fall Tour

Stone Temple Pilots have added another month of dates to their upcoming Fall Tour.

The band is touring support of their new self-titled comeback album, which hit stores at the end of May.

Their fall tour dates are set to kick off on September 16th in San Diego, Ca and will wrap up on October 16th in Pensacola, FL. - tour dates

John Lennon's Murderer Up For Parole

(Gibson) John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono will once again oppose the parole of her late husband's killer. She has sent a letter each time of the five times Mark David Chapman has faced a parole board. She has sent another letter for when he'll again face the board on August 9, according to the New York Daily News.

Chapman shot and killed the former Beatle outside the Dakota apartment building on December 8, 1980. Lennon and Ono were returning from a recording session. The convicted murderer has been serving a 20 years-to-life prison sentence in upstate New York.

In her first letter, opposing Chapman's 2000 parole, Ono wrote that if he were released, "I am afraid it will bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again. Myself and John's two sons would not feel safe for the rest of our lives." - more on this story

Ronnie James Dio Tribute CD and US Show Coming

Express & Star had big news for Ronnie James Dio fans that couldn't make the big tribute gig last weekend in London.

There are plans afoot for an all-star filled tribute album and a U.S. tribute show next Spring.

Here is what they had to say: Moments after coming off stage at the Ronnie James Dio tribute show on Saturday, July 24th at Victoria Park in London, UK, Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) revealed exclusively to the Express & Star that there will be a tribute album, "with some mega stars", to raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, as well as a major show in Los Angeles in March. - read their full report here

Bret Michaels Returns To Network TV

Sleaze Roxx reports that Bret Michaels will make his return to network TV next week. Here is what they had to say:

Rocker and winner of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice," Bret Michaels, will perform his signature song "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" on Wednesday, August 4 on NBC's "America's Got Talent."

Michaels is currently embarking on several other television projects, including the upcoming VH1 show "Bret Michaels: Life as You Know It" this fall. - more on this story

Bon Jovi Upset About Not Making Forbes List?

This isn't really news, but it was fun to read. The Silver Tongue has the tale of woe for Jon Bon Jovi: What's more important than being rich? Everyone knowing that you're rich.

New Jersey rocker Bon Jovi is apparently upset that he failed to make it onto the 2010 Forbes magazine top celebrity lists.

According to a report in the NY Post, "Jon kicked up a huge fuss and got his people to complain. He couldn't understand why he didn't make the musicians list since Bon Jovi has been touring nonstop since February. Their contemporaries U2 and Bruce Springsteen were on the list. Even Britney Spears was No. 5, and she hasn't done anything this year."

Read why he didn't make the list and his rep's response to this report - here

Chevelle Ten in 10

Chevelle are turning ten and are in the mood to celebrate. Here is the announcement: Chevelle kicks off their "Ten in 10" anniversary celebration as look back at the bands top ten greatest hits, over the past 10 years which include The Red, Send The Pain Below, Closure, Vitamin R, The Clincher, Well Enough Alone, I Get It, The Fad, Jars and Letters From A Thief. In an effort to give back to the fans that made it all possible, the band will perform two nights at the Metro in Chicago on Oct. 28 and 29th, the venue where they got their start a decade ago.

"After more than 10 years of writing and releasing records, we thought 'what better place to come back to than the place where we were first inspired,'" said Chevelle. "We saw our first real rock show at the Metro is 1988 and we thought it would be amazing to mark this point in our career with a show there."

Joining Shinedown on the road for shows across N. America, the band will not only be celebrating but promoting the third single Shameful Metaphors from their current album. The Chicago trio has supplanted themselves as one of rocks most unique, successful and relevant alternative post grunge bands of the decade, and is taking 2010 to celebrate with their fans. - more on this story

Rob Halford Says New Album May Surprise Fans

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford recently spoke with Circle Six Magazine about his new song "The Mower" and his forthcoming album, "Halford IV." During the chat Rob explained that the fans shouldn't expect a repeat of the last Halford album, "Resurrection". Here is that part of the interview:

It's kind of unusual really. It's just a bit of mix of everything. I suppose, really, where I am in my life and my musical career and everything else. I've done so much and I've covered so much territory, I think this is just me enjoying myself. It's a little bit of everything. Some of it's kind of surprising. And some of it is what you would expect from me. I suppose at the stage now where it's nice to be a musician, I don't have anything left to prove if there's anything to prove…you know what I'm saying?

You know when you start off you've got an agenda and you've got a plan and everything…and I've had such a wonderful career that I'm really just enjoying myself. So this record goes from some really early blues ideas – right up to the kind of…extreme moments on "The Mower" and everything in between. - read the full interview here

Toxic Poop Kills Kings of Leon Show

Most tickets to concerts in outdoor venues usually carry the warning that the show will go on "rain or shine." We learned this weekend that the warning does not extending pigeon droppings. Just ask Kings of Leon, who were forced off the stage Friday night three songs into their set at St. Louis' Verizon Amphitheater after being inundated by poop from pigeons living in the venue's rafters.

The show's openers The Postelles and the Stills braved through their entire sets only to emerge from the stage covered in pigeon droppings. The Kings of Leon decided to try their luck and play their set but were forced to leave after an unhealthy encounter.

Drummer Nathan Followill told fans via Twitter "We had to bail, pigeons s***ting in Jared's mouth and it was too unsanitary to continue. Don't take it out on Jared, it's the f**king venue's fault. You may enjoy being sh*t on but we don't. Sorry for all who traveled many miles." - more on this story

Saosin Lose Their Singer

First they lose their major label deal and now it appears that Saosin have lost their frontman, Cove Reber.

Alternative Addiction reports: The announcement came in the form of a post on the band's message board earlier this week by the band's guitarist, Beau Burchell.

"After 5 years with (vocalist) Cove (Reber), we have decided to part ways," Burchell stated in the post. "So it will be a new experience for us, not knowing what to expect in the vocal dept, who will replace him, or if we will even find a replacement this century." - more on this story