Avenged Sevenfold's New Drummer- Good New for Van Halen Fans- Slash and Stone Temple Pilots To Share Big Night Out- Metallica Testament- KISS School- more

On this day in 1997, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager and agent, died of a stroke in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 87. Born Andreas van Kuijk, Parker was a Dutch immigrant who changed his name as soon as he arrived in the U.S. Parker never applied for a green card and feared deportation his entire life. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Guns N' Roses US Tour in Doubt

(hennemusic) Rick Landers of Guitar International recently sat down to chat with Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. He let out this little bit of information:

Guitar International: Guns N' Roses is gonna be on the road in February, right? Ron: We're supposed to be and suddenly there's silence. I don't think it's gonna happen. Figuring February is weeks away and I've yet to see a single confirmed date. It's the kind of thing where you have a tour that's coming together, but it's so complicated at this level with managers and booking agents and different promoters and venues and itinerary and the production. The manager has to figure out how to get the gear from point A to point B all the time, without us going broke, and making sure all the crew is available.

With everything, all it takes is just one link in the chain to get weak and everything unravels. So, I don't know what the status is of this U.S. tour that I've been impatiently waiting for. more on this story

Creed Prevent Wolf Attack

(hennemusic) You never know the power of loud rock until you need it the most. A 13 year-old Norwegian boy found that out in the most surreal of circumstances earlier this week.

Spiegel International reports Walter Eikrem was listening to music on his mobile phone as he made his way home from school in the southern Norwegian town of Rakkestad on Monday.

Four wolves appeared on the path Eikram usually takes from the bus stop to his home. Eikrem said he was able to drive away the wolves by playing the song "Overcome" by Creed. more on this story

Steven Tyler Slams Simon Cowell

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler was a guest on Fox & Friends on the Fox News channel, talking about his purpose for being on the show and had a little go at his predecessor.

When asked about his love of country music, Tyler took the opportunity to clearly distance himself from previous judge, Simon Cowell.

"Well, it's not like that other guy who says 'I hate Country.' That's the one thing that turned me off about the show was that Simon passed on this kid and said, 'besides which, I hate Country.' Not my cup of tea. If I'm judging music, you don't judge the genre." more on this story

Chickenfoot Hitting The Studio This Month

(hennemusic) With Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith all productive musicians with their own careers, Chickenfoot face 2011 with plans for a new album and tour – with one man short.

Rich's Music Exchange caught up with Michael last weekend at the NAMM music industry trade show in Anaheim to get an update on the 'Foot.

"We're going back into the studio January 29," said Anthony, "and we're gonna be working on a new album." As for a tour? "Hopefully – if people wanna hear it, we're out there to play it." more on this story

Pearl Jam's Painful Documentary

(Gibson) Pearl Jam's ambitious 20th Anniversary celebrations of their debut album will see a deluxe reissue of 1993's Vs. and 1994's Vitalogy, a band-curated festival in the summer and the long-awaited release of their Cameron Crowe-directed documentary.

The documentary, called Pearl Jam Twenty, includes archive footage, as well as live performances and interviews from the past 20 years. Talking to Rolling Stone magazine bass player Jeff Ament said:

"I just saw a rough cut. It was so [expletive] weird seeing footage of stuff I didn't know anybody was taping at the time. The whole movie is Cameron's love letter to us – but it's equal parts complimentary and really painful. It shows our growing pains and some real bad times, including Roskilde [the 2000 festival in Denmark during which nine fans died during a performance]. It was just really hard to watch."

Watch Wanda Jackson and Jack White on Letterman

(hennemusic) The Queen Of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, was joined by Jack White as the two rocked the Late Show with David Letterman Thursday night.

The performance was to promote the White-produced new album from Jackson, "The Party Ain't Over" – set for release on January 25.

It's Jackson's first album in five years, and will be issued on White's Third Man Records out of Nashville. Check out video here

The Scorpions To Play Gorbachev's 80th Birthday Concert

(hennemusic) The Scorpions are set to rock former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev 80th birthday concert in London.

The German band's huge 1990 hit "Wind of Change" - which celebrated the political transformations in Eastern Europe - was massively popular in Russia during Gorbachev's presidency and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A Russian-language version of the power ballad was even released.

Perthnow.com.au reports the March 30 bash is to be hosted by Hollywood star Sharon Stone at the Royal Albert Hall. more on this story

Joe Bonamassa Sets New Album Release

(Gibson) Joe Bonamassa will release his 12th full-length solo album, Dust Bowl, on March 21 in the U.K. and on March 22 in the United States.

"I think Dust Bowl is the best album we've ever done," Bonamassa said in a statement. "I'm finding more inspiration in storytelling in my '30s, in writing songs that are about something more profound than 'my baby left me.' I like albums that are made with the right intentions and sound organic and a little rough around the edges, like a great band playing live in the room."

Dust Bowl was produced by Kevin "The Caveman" Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Black Country Communion) and features contributions from Vince Gill, John Hiatt, Beth Hart and Joe's Black Country Communion bandmate, Glenn Hughes. more on this story

Senses Fail Lose Member and Announce Spring Tour

Senses Fail has two big announcements: A spring headlining tour and the replacement of an original member.

The tour will feature special guests The Ghost Inside, Man Overboard, and Transit and will kick off on March 10 in Pennsylvania and hits secondary markets all across the US before wrapping up on April 10 in Rhode Island.

Senses Fail also announces the departure of original guitarist Garrett Zablocki. Singer Buddy Nielsen comments: "Unfortunately Garrett has decided to leave Senses Fail after almost ten years. We are sad to see him go but wish him luck in whatever he plans to do in the future. We will of course continue on as a band touring and making music. We are excited to say that Matt Smith from Strike Anywhere will be stepping up to fill Garrett's role and we're very excited to start working on new music as soon as possible." more on this story

Dropkick Murphys Announce New Album and Tour

(ILG) Dropkick Murphys will release their seventh full-length studio album, Going Out In Style, March 1, 2011 on their own Born & Bred Records.

Dropkick Murphys will also hit the road February 23 for their annual St. Patrick's Day U.S. tour. The trek, featuring Against Me! as support on most dates, will wind up in Boston for the band's run of St. Patty's Day week hometown gigs.

Also look for the Murphys to tour Europe in April and August, with additional U.S. dates planned for May and June. more on this story

The Pixies Announce New Doolittle Tour Dates

The Pixies will be taking their "Doolittle Tour" to 13 Canadian cities this Spring.

The tour will kick off April 9 at the Metro Center in Halifax and work its way across to Western Canada, ending in Vancouver on May 3.

This will be the Pixies' most extensive tour of the provinces, and will see the band visiting several Canadian cities for the very first time. In addition, the tour will make stops in three U.S. cities. more on this story

Axl Rose Dishonored

(hennemusic) Axl Rose has the distinction of making the UK version of GQ magazine's top 10 Worst-Dressed list.

In some of the laziest, cheesiest writing you'll find, GQ's lame attempt at wacky humour described the GNR leader this way:

"It's high time Rose left his clothes out in the November rain." Really? That's the best they could do? more on this story

Zoroaster Announce Tour With Weedeater

Zoroaster has announced U.S. tour dates in support of their latest album Matador.

The trio will team up with Weedeater for a month long run of live dates set to kick off on February 28 in Detroit, MI.

The group wrapped up its current U.S. jaunt with Kylesa last night in Washington, D.C. more on this story

Muse Added To The Grammys

(Gibson) Muse have been confirmed as one of the many acts that will perform at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

The British rockers will join previously announced performers Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Matt Bellamy and company are nominated for three awards this year, including Best Rock Album (The Resistance), Best Rock Song ("Resistance") and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group ("Resistance"). more on this story

Lemmy Movie To Air On Vh1

Vh1 had this big news for metalheads and Motorhead fans: The latest installment of the VH1 Rock Docs, series. "Lemmy" premieres Friday, February 11th at 11:30PM* on VH1, VH1 Classic, and Palladia.

"He is the baddest mother**ker in the world," says Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters. For five decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has been a pounding force in heavy metal, both onstage and afterhours.

With a tolerance for partying that rivals Keith Richards and bedpost notches that exceed a thousand women, Lemmy's incredible music and life story will be celebrated in Lemmy more on this story

Circle Jerks, Joe Strummer, Throw Rag, Charley Horse Super Duo

American Punk pioneers Zander Schloss (The Circle Jerks, Weirdos, Joe Strummer) and Sean Wheeler (Throw Rag, Charley Horse) have hooked up to create an album called "Walk Thee Invisible" and are holding an album release party tonight in Pioneer Town, California.

The album is billed as a hybrid of ragtime, bluegrass, folk, country, pop and gospel that includes the frenzied energy and spirit that the guys are known for but is executed with a dash of Americana charm not often heard west of the Mississippi.

In addition, the duo has partnered with PledgeMusic to raise funds for an extension of their European tour. Pledgers will receive a live, raw album recorded on the tour in addition to Pledgers-only updates which will include backstage photos, videos and blogs from the road. Fans can also pledge for handwritten lyric sheets, dinner with the guys, a guitar lesson, a signed guitar and a ton more cool things. Pledge page is here. Get more info on the album and a free download here

Jethro Tull Sex Change

(Gibson) On this day in 2003, a former member of Jethro Tull made just about the biggest life change possible. Following a successful sex change operation, Dave Palmer became Dee Palmer. Although the musician had changed names a few years earlier, the operation made the switch official.

Dee was soon outed by the British tabloids, but has maintained an openness about her sex change ever since. Former bandmate, and Tull frontman, Ian Anderson released a statement, acknowledging the shocking news, but also encouraging acceptance.

"I have known for the past two years of David Palmer's intention to undergo gender-changing procedures and, like many other people who have known David for three decades as a bearded, pipe-smoking man's man, I found it difficult to understand at first," Anderson wrote. "But I fully support his decision to undertake a new life as a woman. more on this story

What Inspires Social Distortion's Mike Ness

(Gibson) With the recent release of Social Distortion's seventh studio album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, frontman Mike Ness took some time to chat about the SoCal punk outfit's latest foray into revved-up rock 'n' roll. The album marks a first for the Les Paul slinger, as he was the record's sole producer.

"One thing that happened a lot during some of the older recordings is that there was this high level of compression," Ness explained to Premier Guitar. "When I listen back now, some of the tracks just had the life and original tone squashed out of them. With this record, there was no one else to blame, so I did what I felt was right and sounded best."

When it comes to guitars, Ness continues to follow the lead of the Wizard of Waukesha. "I always thought Les Pauls would be too heavy and restrict me when I was onstage, so I just stuck with what worked – my SGs. But once I tried the Les Pauls, I just fell in love with their sustain right off the bat. It's incomparable. And the tone of those thick, mahogany Les Pauls is something I really took on as my new sound. In a way, it reshaped Social D's sound." more on this story

Slash Sundance

(hennemusic) Slash is heading to the Sundance Film Festival this weekend to announce the upcoming films on tap in 2011 and beyond for Slasher Films.

Slasher Films is the horror film production company formed by Slash in partnership with Michael Williams and Rob Eric of Scout Productions.

On Sunday, January 23, Slash will hold a Press Conference and Party at the House of Blues in Park City, UT to discuss the exciting film projects heading for production this year. more on this story

The Naked And Famous In America

New Zealand's The Naked And Famous have set their eyes on North America with the release of a new album and tour plans.

The band is set to release its debut album in the U.S. on March 15th, 2011 via Universal/Republic Records.

Their single Young Blood currently in the Top 10 and a session on KCRW's acclaimed radio show Morning Becomes Ecletic, the band are ready to hit the road starting in Austin in March for SXSW. more on this story

Great Southern Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly / Captain Beyond member Larry 'Rhino' Reinhardt releases new CD featuring original Great Southern members.

When you speak of real classic rock legends, Larry 'Rhino' Reinhardt, founder of legendary '70s rock group Captain Beyond and former member of heavy metal prototypes Iron Butterfly, is a firmly established constituent of this elite group.

Guitarist, songwriter and producer Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt started in the Georgia based bands The Load (1967-69) and The Second Coming (1969-70), with Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley, who went on to help form The Allman Brothers Band. Rhino would join Iron Butterfly in late 1969, and recorded the highly acclaimed 'Metamorphosis' album as well as touring with the band worldwide. more on this story

Lemmy, Matt Sorum, Billy Morrison, Dave Navarro To Rock Cancer Event

(PR) Whisky A Go Go, Roxy and Rainbow Bar & Grill founder and recovering cancer survivor Mario Maglieri is pleased to present a benefit event to create awareness and raise positive vibes in celebration of breast cancer survivor Carolyne Williams.

Carolyne Williams is a 27-year-old breast cancer warrior and advocate. After months of being told that her cancer was just a cyst or an infection, Carolyne discovered the worst: that she was diagnosed with malignant Cystosarcoma Phyllodes while having no health insurance from her part-time job. Cystosarcoma Phyllodes is a sarcoma, a very rare type of breast cancer that accounts for less than 1% of breast cancer diagnosis. Phyllodes currently has no research or support for survivors from the bigger Breast Cancer Foundations, because of its rarity. Phyllodes is made of connective tissue and blood, that forms in the breast that does not respond to chemo or radiation. Sadly, many cases of breast cancer are currently being found in younger girls/women in their teens, 20's and 30's, and in many cases they are being misdiagnosed, as Carolyne was. There needs to be more awareness to this growing and sadly silent epidemic.

This benefit is to help raise awareness and spread hope in the darkness of cancer and its effects on families and friends of the infected. The benefit hopes to raise funds in order to help Carolyne with her disease. This unprecedented and special event will include appearances by Camp Freddy featuring Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol/The Cult), Dave Navarro (Janes Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers), and is hosted by Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath. Other monumental yet-to-be-named guests will be making appearances, so make sure to head out and support an incredible cause and witness amazing guest showings. The event will take place this Monday, January 24th at the Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA. Performing at the event will be Head Cat featuring Lemmy Kilmiste of Motorhead, and Darling Stilettos.

Frank Zappa Grammy Museum Event Announced

(PR) On January 27, the Los Angeles Grammy Museum will host S'Talking Zappa: a Zappa-wise and Zappa-wide view of the Composer in Residence at the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (UMRK), part and soul of the cottage industrial complex where Zappa hung his hat (the wide-brimmed pointy one, slightly crumpled at the top with the stars and comets on it) for virtually his entire adult life and career.

This inside/multi/track discussion will examine the wherefores of Zappa's statement "Music is the Best!" and include audio and visual elements and live music presented by Gail Zappa with Todd Yvega and Joe Travers. The event will be moderated by Scott Goldman of the Grammy Foundation and include an audience Q & A.

Gail Zappa is the daughter of a rocket scientist, wife of composer Frank Zappa, mother of Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Zappa. Writer, Art Director, Provocateur. Has changed a million diapers and a few minds - including her own. more on this story

Singled Out: Recs Of The Flesh

Today Max from Recs Of The Flesh tells us about "Subliminal/Delusional" from their brand new album "The Threat Remains And Is Very Real". The album is comprised of 12 tracks and will be released online over a period of one month, starting today! Here is the story:

Subliminal / Delusional was the very first song I penned with a second album in mind. It was back in 2008, Sara and I were just out of the pre-production for our debut LP, absolutely satisfied with the tracklisting but somehow still unable to stop messing with new ideas and stuff. And so we were basically piling up riffs and melodies while waiting to start tracking.

I remember walking out of bed after a sleepless night, and plugging my SG straight into the amp at something like 7 am - home alone and totally fuzzy. The moment I came up with the main riff, I knew this had to be the opener to our next album. The song structure was ready in a matter of minutes and so were the lyrics - it was a very natural process, one of those occasions when the track seems to literally materialize itself out of thin air.

Around the period I was obsessing over the Kercher murder and the way mass medias were handling the whole thing. The persons that were found guilty always behaved terribly in front of the cameras, totally careless and seemingly unable to realize the proportions of what had happened. And the cameras loved to indulge. I perceived all of it as a hint to all those destructive influences that play such an important role in our current lifestyles - vanity, violence, voyeurism and what not.

I wanted to tackle such themes and offer an alternative view to that side of the stories that news reels always seem to forget about - truth, or what really happened and its consequences. It ended up developing as the main recurring concept throughout the whole album, an attempt to solve the issue - what is true? The answer I offered, as depressing as it sounds, is most probably the only available ATM: no one really's got a clue.

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

George Harrison Wasn't Really The Quiet Beatle

(Gibson) Louise Harrison has always championed her little brother, George. Yes, that George Harrison. Born 11 years before the youngest Beatle, Louise always played the role of second mother. And even after she moved to the United States with her husband in 1963, she continued to support George's musical ambitions. Before The Beatles hit American shores, she would call radio stations to get the group's records played. And when the band started touring the States, she did "Daily Beatles Reports" on major radio stations to dispel myths and prime the enthusiastic, awaiting fans.

"I had the opportunity to dispel some of the crazy stories that were being written about The Beatles," she told the Times Record News. "The stations also realized that if they brought me in and did a radio program where fans called in and chatted with me the day before the concert, it kind of got them heavy ratings."

One of those misconceptions, says Harrison, was that George was the 'quiet one.' "George being quiet is a myth," she said. "When he came to do The Ed Sullivan Show, he had just come in from Paris and he had a 104-degree temp and terribly bad strep throat." more on this story

Duff McKagan Sings Lemmy's Praises

(hennemusic) Motorhead and, in particular, Lemmy, influenced a young Duff McKagan at a point in his life where it mattered greatly…and still does, all these years later.

McKagan writes about "Lemmy," the movie, and Lemmy, the icon, in his latest blog for Seattle Weekly. Here's a taste: When I moved down to L.A. in 1984, it was the influence of guys like Lemmy, Phil Lynott, and The Clash's Paul Simonon that steered me to choose bass, back when I was still a somewhat able drummer and guitar player. I was going to Hollywood to sort of "invent" myself, and I chose bass playing as the coolest of the rock-instrument triumvirate because, hell, it was the baddest choice back then (to me at least).

And it wasn't just my choice of playing bass that Lemmy and Motorhead influenced. Dare I say that without Motorhead, there would have been no Metallica, GN'R, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, NIN, or everything between and after. Yeah, they mean that much. more on this story

Rod Stewart Loves Him Some Models

(Gibson) In a recent interview, Rod Stewart shared some advice: "When I find myself focusing so intently on a model that it ceases to be fun, it's time to walk away, have a cup of tea and come back to it later."

No, Rod the Mod wasn't speaking about supermodels. He was chatting about his favorite backstage hobby – model trains.

The singer told Model Railroader magazine that he always asks for a table backstage to work on model buildings for his miniature railroad. more on this story