Bret Michaels Nude- KISS Not Allowed To Rock All Night- Music TV Coming Back?- Two Velvet Revolver Hopefuls- Misery Signals Lose Member- A Perfect Interview- more

Rufus Stone Limited Editions will release Ronnie James Dio - A Photographic Memoir on November 30th. more -

Top Guitar Solos of All Time

Gibson have put together their list of the Top 50 Guitar Solos of All Time with Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" taking the top prize (they topped the fan poll as well). Here is their run down for the top 3 entries:

3. "All Along the Watchtower," The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Although written by Bob Dylan, "All Along the Watchtower's" ownership was transferred to Jimi Hendrix as soon as the guitar god's version was released in 1968. An "overwhelmed" Dylan was all too happy to comply, saying, "He found things that other people wouldn't think of finding in there." While some of those things might be the vigorous opening and Hendrix's wild vocal delivery, Dylan also had to be talking about the guitarist's mind-blowing middle passage. The minute-long solo takes one unbelievable turn after another, drawing on blues, rock and soul, and merging Hendrix's ridiculous technical ability with his knack for melody and smart use of woozy effects. It's one, big psychedelic rocketship that blasts you somewhere else – the Vietnam War, your high school parking lot, a lazer light show, outer space, anywhere. You can get lost in that solo and, quite happily, not find your way back out for days. It's no wonder Dylan started playing the song Hendrix's way. – Bryan Wawzenek

2. "Eruption," Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen): You've heard of the Big Four? With apologies to Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax, I'm referring to the original Big Four: "Mona Lisa" (Leonardo da Vinci), "David" (Michelangelo), "The Thinker" (Auguste Rodin) and, of course, "Eruption" (Eddie Van Halen). The first time I heard "Eruption," I remember asking my friend to play it again for me because I wasn't sure what I had just heard. "Oh, it's a guitar, and it's being played by one guy!" he assured me. It was too difficult for these young ears to comprehend that the symphonic cacophony I had just heard came from one man, one guitar and no overdubs. "Eruption" was an epiphany to me as a fledgling guitarist, as well as to millions of music fans everywhere. Nearly 30 years (and a zillion guitar solos) later, I've yet to hear its equal. – Sean Patrick Dooley

1. "Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page): Haters have railed against this song for years because of its ubiquitous presence on FM playlists, but the power of Page's presence in this Renaissance-ballad-turned-hard-rock-Valhalla is undeniable. From the tender acoustic fingerpicking of the song's intro to the power chord barrage at the end, "Stairway" is the ultimate showpiece for one of rock's ultimate guitarists. After allowing the spotlight to shine on John Paul Jones' multi-track maypole-dance recorders, Robert Plant's illustrative lyrics and vocal flourishes and John Bonham's thunderous entrance to the parade, Page finally commands it for himself with the solo to end all solos. Bathed in reverb, as though they were crashing down from the heavens themselves, Page's notes bend and blur in a rising movement that blows into the final verse with a goosebump-raising speed flurry. If you ask me, what makes for a good solo is its ability to propel the song forward; not to distract from the song for the sake of technical showboating, but to actually contribute to the musical ideas put forth in the composition – and to enhance them. Page's solo on "Stairway" does just that. It takes the folkie intro piece and provides a Bifröstian bridge to the thunderous end verse. Hammer of the Gods, indeed. – Michael Wright

- See the full list and the fan poll results here

Steven Tyler Not Leaving Aerosmith

Rumbling that Steven Tyler's new gig with American Idol may leave him out of Aerosmith have been addressed by bassist Tom Hamilton in a new interview with the Boston Herald.

"Steven's been very emphatic in saying that the way his time is arranged on the show leaves room to work on a record," Hamilton told the paper. "He's been taking great pains to remind everybody of that, so hopefully that's the way it will come out."

Hamilton doesn't sound convinced though, "There's a lot of not knowing what's going to happen, but that's how it's always been for us," Hamilton said. "I'm not sitting here thinking that (Tyler on "American Idol") is not going to work for us. Steven is an incredible I-can-do-anything kind of guy. But he's taken a big bite, and I'm looking forward to seeing him chew it." - Check out the Boston Herald feature for more

24th Anniversary of Cliff Burton's Death

Today marks the 24th anniversary of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton's death. Gibson takes a look back, here is part of that report: By the time the follow-up album, Master of Puppets, was released, the band had played to massive crowds at the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park in England and at the Day on the Green festival in Oakland, California. Now a major metal act in their own right, they took to the road in March 1986 on the Damage, Inc. Tour. Initially, Metallica supported Ozzy Osbourne on the trek, but when Damage, Inc. hit Europe, it was Metallica who were the main act.

Stockholm, Sweden was the 13th stop on the European tour, for those of you seeking omens in this tale. After the show, the band climbed aboard their tour bus to head south to the next gig. For the previous few weeks, the group had complained to one another about how uncomfortable the bus was to sleep in. It had gotten to the point where the band had taken to cutting cards to see who would get the better bunk. On the night of September 26th, Cliff Burton drew the Ace of Spades (still there, omen-seekers?) and chose Kirk Hammett's bunk.

Around 7 a.m. on September 27, Metallica's tour bus careened off the road and flipped onto the grass near tiny Dörarp, in southern Sweden. Burton was thrown through a window and was crushed to death when the bus rolled over on him. The driver claimed he had hit a patch of black ice and lost control. Hetfield claimed the driver was drunk. A detective on the scene said the tracks indicated the driver might have fallen asleep. Whatever the truth was, no charges were filed.
- more on this story

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Going Broadway

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong is going Broadway. He is set to take on the part of "St. Jimmy" in the stage musical American Idol, which is based on the band's album of the same name and was co-written by Armstrong.

Armstrong will make his Broadway debut Tuesday, September 28 and will continue in the part through Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street.

Original Broadway cast member and current "St. Jimmy," Tony Vincent, will resume performances on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 following a leave of absence due to a personal family matter. - more on this story

Ronnie James Dio To Be Immortalized With Statue

The late metal great Ronnie James Dio will be immortalized with a monument in the Bulgarian Black-sea coastal town of Kavarna, according to Blabbermouth. Here is part of their report: The statue will be placed in the city's central park, as part of the soon-to-be built "Walk of Rock," a project approved by the City Council four years ago.

According to Radio Bulgaria, the decision to erect the monument was taken by the municipal administration, with the most active proponents being Kavarna Mayor Tzonko Tzonev as well as leading journalists, musicians and singers.

Dio was reportedly one of the very first heavy rock icons to play Kavarna. In fact, he performed in Bulgaria no less than five times and took an active part in the campaign for liberating the Bulgarian nurses held in prison in Libya for eight years. - more on this story

Death Cab for Cutie Working On New Album

(Gibson) Death Cab for Cutie guitarist/producer Chris Walla has said his band has been working on their seventh album since June. The untitled release will be the follow-up to 2008's Narrow Stairs. The album will most likely come out in 2011, although nothing set in stone, yet.

"We're working in fits and starts," he told Spin.com. "It's hard to say – we might be half done, we may not have started."

Walla, Ben Gibbard and Co. are taking a different approach than with their previous album. "With that one, it was live off the floor," he said. "We're in the phase where songs could be so cool with just two acoustic guitars or they could be really good with sequencers. We're trying on all the outfits with the songs." - more on this story

Rodrigo y Gabriela Cancel U.S. Tour

Rodrigo y Gabriela announced on Friday that they have been forced to pull the plug on their tour of the United States next month.

A message on their site explains: After a year of relentless touring, the wear and tear finally caught up with Gabriela. Her incredibly physical style of play involves banging out complex rhythms on the neck and body of her guitar night after night, putting great stress upon her right hand and arm as well as joints like the wrist and elbow.

It is under doctors recommendation that she rest her joints and muscles to avoid further harm and permanent damage. While the duo is incredibly frustrated to have to pull out of dates in cities they were very much looking forward to visiting for the first time, the move was an unavoidable reality that had to be made in order to ensure that Gabriela fully recovers and is able to play at full capacity for many years to come. - more on this story

Singled Out: Mushroomhead's Come On

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Jeffrey Nothing from Mushroomhead tells us about "Come On" from their brand new album Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children," which hits stores tomorrow. We now turn it over to Jeffrey for the story:

"Come On" is about us, as a people and perhaps as a Nation, have had enough... and seriously how much more do "They" think we can take? It's about rebellion and standing up. It's being fed up.

I came up with a verse, then Waylon's verse. It all just started to vibe and feel good. We merged them into "Come On, do you wanna f**k with me." Skinny our drummer and producer said it was great and we were off. Actually, my part was written from a serial killer's perspective. When you think of it, serial killers are for the most part feeling invincible and anonymous.

This was one of the last songs we recorded. We felt we had a good record going into finishing our new album "Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children," so this song was icing on the cake. In some ways it felt like "Come On" wrote itself, but there was some shifting around of parts. We just started playing it live on our new tour last week and the kids already know all the lyrics. That's always a good sign.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!

Mr. Big Recording New Album

(Gibson) Mr. Big have begun tracking their new studio album in Los Angeles, the first to feature all four original members since Hey Man in 1995.

The band is working with producer Kevin "The Caveman" Shirley, who oversaw the formation and recording of Black Country Communion, the super group featuring Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham. Shirley has also worked with Aerosmith, Journey, Dream Theater and The Black Crowes, and engineered the self-titled Led Zeppelin DVD.

According to a Twitter and Facebook post, bass legend Billy Sheehan says the album features "impossible bass and guitar stuff," and the material is said to be in a similar vein to the band's 1991 breakthrough, Lean Into It – the album that launched the #1 single "To Be With You." After Paul Gilbert departed for a solo career, the band recorded two CDs with Richie Kotzen on lead guitar before calling it quits in 2002. - more on this story

That Karate Kid Metal Show For Danko Jones

Danko Jones have recruited Karate Kid Ralph Macchio and That Metal Show's Don Jamieson for their new video. Here is what their camp had to say:

Danko Jones has introduced the second in the soon to be music video trilogy from the album Below the Belt (Bad Taste Records/Caroline). The new highly-stylized, film-like music video noir for the track "Had Enough" stars Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid), comedian Don Jamieson (That Metal Show) and is the prequel to "Full of Regret."

Described as "one-part 'Sabotage,' one-part Guy Ritchie, one-part Quentin Tarantino,""Full of Regret" starred actor Elijah Wood and actress Selma Blair as assassins with cameo roles by Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) and Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, Stooges). - more on this story

Max Weinberg Breaks Up With Conan

(Gibson) Although Conan O'Brien is headed for a new late-night show on TBS, his bandleader for the past 17 years won't be joining him. Max Weinberg has left the house band (formerly known as the Max Weinberg Seven and The Tonight Show Band).

The news was made public by in the St. Louis Riverfront Times via an interview with guitarist Jimmy Vivino, who led the band on O'Brien's shows when Weinberg was on tour with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

"Max has his big band out there that has been his dream all his life," Vivino said. "And there's a kid in Jersey that works with him occasionally." - more on this story

Hatebreed Heading Across The Pond

Hatebreed are heading across the pond for a slew of dates that have them rocking across the UK this December.

The ten day run kicks off on December 6th in Bristol, and comes to a halt on December 16th in London. Tickets for this tour will go on sale this coming Monday, September 27th, 2010.

"We're beyond excited to return to the UK for a tour in December," states vocalist Jamey Jasta. "We hinted to the fans that we'd be back to do a full headline set when we were playing with Machine Head earlier this year. Then we had a great shows in Reading, Colchester & Leeds, so we wanted to make sure we closed out 2010 with a proper headline set for all of our UK Diehards! Thanks to everyone who made their voices heard on our various websites. We'll see you in December." - more on this story

The Charlatans Recruit The Verve Star To Fill In

(Gibson) A small bit of fortune has shown on The Charlatans in the midst of a calamitous week. As previously reported, the British indie band announced that drummer Jon Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumor after having collapsed on stage in Philadelphia last week.

The group cancelled the remainder of their U.S. shows and returned to the U.K., so that Brookes could receive treatment. The group did, however, declare that the tour would continue with a "short-term replacement." That replacement has now been named.
Pete Salisbury, from Britpop legends The Verve, has volunteered to sit in for Brookes during The Charlatans' upcoming U.K. dates. The "Bitter Sweet Symphony" hitmakers split up last year, after having reunited for a tour and new album two years before. This past July, singer Richard Ashcroft confirmed to ShortList magazine, "I can't see any reason why The Verve would get back together." - more on this story

James Invade America

In 2008 antiMusic's Tony Kuzminski named James' Hey Ma the best album of the year. Perhaps they can do it again with the release of their new two-CD set, The Morning After The Night Before.

The album hit stores earlier this month and the band are on an 18-date North American tour with special guest Ed Harcourt, their first since the release of 2008's Hey Ma.

The tour kicked off on September 20 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and wraps in Los Angeles, CA, on October 13 at the Music Box Theater. James then head overseas for numerous headline and festival dates. - more on this story

Oceano Frontman Grinning From Fronting Chelsea Grin

Oceano vocalist Adam Warren tells fans what it was like to front Chelsea Grin during their recent Canadian tour.

Warren stepped in for Chelsea Grin vocalist Alex Koehler, who was recovering from a jaw fracture. Just after coming back home, Adam gave a statement that describes his excitement over his stint fronting for Chelsea Grin and beyond:

"The Grin tour went awesome. It was really fun to get to experience all the Canada has to offer. Even IF it involves paying bigger prices. Everyone (Blind Witness,Chelsea grin, Attila) were all cool and it was just like picking up on a tour that I had already started. It was a good way FOR ME at least to establish some good friendships with CG and Attila as well considering Oceano will be hitting the road with them very soon. So I'm sure there will more partying to ensue when that rolls around." - more on this story

Double The Heavy Devy From Devin Townsend?

(Gibson) Devin Townsend will probably release his next album, Ghost, as a double CD. In a series of posting on Twitter, Townsend said he had recorded 16 tracks for Ghost, and was having a hard time narrowing the track listing down. "I want to keep the ambient bits and they take up so much time... so it's either too much or not enough ambience unless it's all."

In a video update today, Townsend said, "I think I'm about 75% finished [with] Ghost, and it seems like it's gonna be a double record. The label has graciously agreed to do that."

Townsend's most recent release, Addicted, reached #2 on the U.S. Heatseekers chart and #22 on the U.S. independent albums chart. Addicted and Ghost are part of a planned four-album cycle released under The Devin Townsend Project. The first was the moody Ki, while Ghost will be released simultaneously with Deconstruction, which Townsend promises will be his heaviest, most intense album yet. - more on this story

Carl Palmer Live Album Coming

Carl Palmer of Asia, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is set to release a new live album, titled Working Live – Volume 3: Featuring Pictures at an Exhibition, on October 19th.

Working Live – Volume 3 is the third installment in a series where Palmer, with his own band, reinvents his previous bands' work. "As with Working Live Volume 1 and 2, the idea with this record was to capture my own band arrangements of these classic and rock anthems originally recorded with ELP," says Palmer. "We never attempted to recreate those legendary recordings by ELP, but, rather, to reinvent them into something completely different, with my own band, which is guitar-driven."

Rounded out by bassist Stuart Clayton and guitarist Paul Bielatowicz, Carl Palmer's trio revisits some well-known numbers, like "Peter Gunn," "Nutrocker," and "Pictures at an Exhibition." Palmer and his players infuse these tunes with flowing musical diversity, ranging from jazzy improvisation, soaring stylized guitar leads, funk bass lines, classical melodies, and hard rock shredding, completed with Palmer rounding out the final song with a dynamic drum solo. Working Live – Volume 3 goes beyond the title of "live album" – this is a listening experience. - more on this story

U2 Producer To Mentor American Idol Wannabes

(Gibson) Legendary record producer Jimmy Iovine (U2, Tom Petty, Dire Straits) has signed on as official mentor to the contestants on American Idol.

Iovine is Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Records and his role is part of a new deal announced last month between Universal, 19 Entertainment and Idol creator Simon Fuller. The labels will market, promote and distribute CDs form the TV show's finalists. Previously American Idol was affiliated with Sony.

The new season of American Idol will begin January 12, 2011 on Fox with new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez and without Simon Cowell. - more on this story

Ramming Speed Announce Tour and Split With ANS

Ramming Speed had two bits of news for fans about a new split release and a Fall Tour. Here is what they had to say:

"What's up dudes! We are very excited to announce that we will be releasing a split 12" this winter with the legendary Texas skate thrashers ANS on Tankcrimes Records. While the record is still being put together (artwork, mastering etc) we couldn't help but put one of our tracks online in its unmastered form. Our new sh*t is heavier, with more blasting, guitar harmonies, punked out d-beat, and enough thrash for all the beer-soaked psychos.

In preparation for the 12" release we'll be hitting the road this fall for a full US tour that includes a handful of shows with bands like Municipal Waste, Black Tusk and Khann and one offs with Toxic Holocaust, ANS, Indian and Buzzoven." - more on this story

Ronnie Wood Schools Rolling Stones Bandmate Keith Richards On His Own Songs

(Gibson) As Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood prepares the release of his new solo album, I Feel Like Playing, the incorrigible musician has been talking to the U.K.'s Mirror.co.uk about his long relationship with the Stones. Wood says, "I always knew, even when I was at school, that I was going to be in the Stones, too. I saw them at the Richmond Jazz and Blues Festival and I was the last one out of the tent. I knew then that this was the band for me."

Wood joined the band as a guitarist in 1976 and in 1990 became a fully fledged partner of the group. "Yes, they are stuck with me now," he said. "They have to live with it, like it or not. I even know most of the songs better than Keith does.

"He asks me what the chords are. I'll show him how to play one of his own songs and he'll say, 'Can you take me through that again?' He has a phrase: 'Just because I wrote it, doesn't mean I know it'." - more on this story

Iwrestledabearonce In Japan

Iwrestledabearonce are plotting their very first invasion of the land of the rising sun.

They will tour Japan in late November, joining Japanese headliners Fact and Australian five-piece Closure In Moscow for a run of dates starting November 26 in Tokyo. The seven-date excursion wraps December 7 in Osaka.

"Words cannot begin to describe our excitement for this tour," says IWABO guitarist Steven Bradley. "Not only do we get to experience amazing Japanese culture and meet awesome Japanese people, but we get to do it with our Japanese brothers Fact and our Australian buds Closure In Moscow! Sake and sushi time bitches! Stoked!" - more on this story

When Iron Maiden Found Their Voice

Sunday marked a milestone anniversary for Iron Maiden. According to Gibson, on September 26, 1981 Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson replaced original Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno. Here is part of Gibson's look back at this historic event: Steve Harris had almost sorted it out. Six years after he formed Iron Maiden, whose name was inspired by a film adaptation of The Man in the Iron Mask, Harris was still looking for that final piece to the puzzle. Having gone through three singers, twelve guitarists (of which, two remained), four drummers (of which, one remained) and a keyboard player, the bassist-songwriter-bandleader had almost dialed up the perfect combination. But he still needed a frontman.

When Iron Maiden signed to a major label in December 1979, it seemed like they were just about there. The line-up of Harris, guitarist Dave Murray, second guitarist Dennis Stratton, drummer Clive Burr and singer Paul Di'Anno was a pretty fearsome group. Stratton and Murray provided a complementing, give-and-take twin-guitar attack. Burr was a more-than-solid drummer. Harris was quickly developing into the best bassist in heavy metal. And Di'Anno…well, Di'Anno was something else.

Paul Di'Anno was not your prototypical singer. His voice was raspy and harsh, though he could fire off a top-shelf scream when necessary. But Rob Halford he was not. Di'Anno, though, brought a toughness to a band that was built for menace. In songs like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Murders in the Rue Morgue," you get the feeling you're hearing the story from the killer himself.
- more on this story

Yuppicide Preview New Anthology Album

Yuppicide are previewing four tracks from their forthcoming Anthology '88-'98, a special two disc collection of material recorded during the band's decade long heyday, to be released on Dead City Records on September 28th.

The four songs, Envy (First 7"), Dr. Extermination (Fear Love), Follow the Leader (Shinebox), and Meatpacker (Dead Man Walking) are now available for streaming here.

Anthology '88-98', the long-awaited reissue of classic Yuppicide tracks, features all of the music the band recorded from 1988-1998, including rare, unreleased tracks, complimented by a 24-page full color booklet filled with lyrics, rare photos, flyers, and more. - more on this story

Xasthur Announce Extremely Limited Edition Double LP

(Manic) Widely accepted as America's most influential black metal artist, Xasthur is set to revisit the most challenging and divisive work in his catalogue, Defective Epitaph, by way of a first-ever 2LP vinyl pressing (limited to 600 copies) September 30th on Enemies List — just in time for those particularly brutal fall days ahead.

With more or less a handshake sponsorship from the artist in question and the fine people at Hydra Head Records, Enemies List are pleased to present the hopelessly damaged 2007 full length from black metal home recordist and sonic auteur Xasthur.

The casual partnership between ELHR and this prolific entity could not be more appropriate, considering matters of both production method (highly private) and general aesthetic (highly alienated). - Check out the song Oration Of Ruin here

Massy Ferguson Going Soph

Southern rockers Massy Ferguson will release of their sophomore album, "Hard Water," nationally on October 19, 2010.

Delivering plenty of rock steeped in roots traditions, "Hard Water" continues where their debut, "Cold Equations," left off. Though, where "Cold Equations" owed more to Springsteen, "Hard Water" is a bit more twangy, closer in sound to Son Volt and Drive-By Truckers.

"The record content really was born from playing a ton," comments front man/bassist Ethan Anderson. "Shows are such a paradox. You're playing a packed room one night and an empty one the next. Doing international touring, you get used to being in places for just a short time, having an experience, good or bad, and then having to leave for somewhere else. It makes you see the world from a different point of view, it gets you in a different kind of headspace where you feel like a bandit, coming in and taking what you can get, getting paid, and riding off into the night. I can say it's the exact opposite of working a 9-5 job." - more on this story

Troika Music Festival

Dillon Fence, Valient Thorr and Chatham County Line are just some of bands set to play the sixth annual Troika Music Festival being held across Durham Nov. 4-6.

This year's lineup--which includes bands from more than a dozen labels from 307 Knox, Mammoth, Trekky, Churchkey and Odessa among many others--promises to continue in the vein of previous years, with the Triangle's own new-traditionalists Chatham County Line on board to play a headlining set at the brand new Motorco Music Hall while other local favorites, including fist-pumping rockers Red Collar and standard-bearers Dillon Fence are on tap to play throughout the festival's three days. Newcomers including the very buzz-worthy Cassis Orange, from the brand-new Grip Tapes label is also set to perform alongside other favorites like Old Bricks, another Triangle band that garnered heaps of praise during this month's inaugural Hopscotch festival in Raleigh. - more on this story