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On this day in 1986, Queen became the first western act since Louis Armstrong in 1964 to perform in Eastern Europe when they played at Budapest's Nepstadion, Hungary, the gig was filmed and released as Queen Magic in Budapest. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

America's Dan Peek Dead at 60

(Gibson) Dan Peek, a founding member of the group, America, died on July 24. According to music-news.com, his website states simply: "Dan went to Heaven on July 24, 2011." He was 60 years old.

Peek formed America with Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley in 1969 and had a string of international hits, including "A Horse with No Name," "Sister Golden Hair," "Ventura Highway" and "Lonely People."

Peek quit the group in 1977 and began a solo career as a Christian musician. Bunnell wrote on the official America website: "Dan, along with Gerry & myself, formed the band America as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late '60s. It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter. We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. Dan was an equal and integral part of that early history, and I have never forgotten the good times we spent making that music and learning about life together. more on this story

Why Velvet Revolver Isn't Releasing Corey Taylor Album

We told you a little bit about this yesterday but today RockAAA has more details about the album's worth of material Velvet Revolver recorded with Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor and why the band is not releasing it:

"It was funny, because when we did [the debut album] Velvet Revolver, we had our relationships with certain singers, but we wanted to make a modern rock album, and we had to figure out a way to make that work," Matt Sorum tells Lokaos Rock Show. "We didn't wanna be like Guns N' Roses. We knew we had that in us anyway, especially because the Slash and Duff sound was the initial sound of "Appetite For Destruction," the way they played together and everything. Part of that chemistry was there, and when we added Scott [Weiland], it brought it into a more modern rock element. He came more from grunge — the Seattle [sound like] Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and bands like that. So it took it sort of forward. We became more of a modern rock band and we were on modern rock radio. Guns N' Roses wasn't even being played on those radio stations in America."

"When we asked Corey Taylor to join, that was my idea," continued Sorum. "I said, 'Why don't we get Corey Taylor from Slipknot?' And he's a great guy, number one – he's an absolute sweetheart – and he rocks. Slash just didn't see it like the rest of us did. We liked it. We had ten songs. [We] could put the album out tomorrow. It's done. I said, 'Let's go.' But Slash wasn't feeling it. If we're not all feeling it together, we can't do it." Will the band regroup any time soon?

Gene Simmons Proposes To Shannon Tweed

If the floor feels a little cold, that is because hell has frozen over... KISS star Gene Simmons is getting married after the very public feud with longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed. Was it all staged? Who knows, but at least Gene knows how to end a story on a high note. hennemusic has the details: On Tuesday night's season finale of his reality series, Gene Simmons finally pops the question and proposes to longtime companion Shannon Tweed.

The episode featured a scheme by Gene to take Tweed to Belize for a holiday, while jewelers in Los Angeles are working on creating a custom diamond ring for the occasion. Daughter Sophie helps ensure the ring is sent to Gene via courier before the vacation comes to an end. After a couple of failed attempts to propose – including once in a plane and once atop a Mayan ruin, Simmons sets up a romantic seaside dinner for their final night in the country.

"I come with so much baggage, but you're the only friend I've got," says Simmons, as he begins to state his case. "You're the only one I've ever loved. You're the only one I love and you're the only one I ever will love; I've never said those words to anybody." The rocker then drops to his knees, when Tweed bursts into tears and holds her hands over her mouth as he asks her, "Please marry me." Watch video here

Linkin Park Recording New Album

(Gibson) Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington said his band are so deep into recording a new album, he'd be "shocked" if it doesn't come out in 2012. The band are working with producer Rick Rubin, who also helmed their 2010 album, A Thousand Suns. "We're in the studio and we're well on our way to making our next record," Bennington told Rolling Stone. "I can tell you that we have a lot of good music, a lot of quality songs."

So what changed for Linkin Park, who had previously released only three albums in a 10-year period? They're now writing and recording on the road. "Mike [Shinoda] and I are out there with our studios – technology, thank God, has gotten to the point when what used to be three refrigerator-sized racks of equipment and a full board the size of a king bed can now fit in my backpack – and we're working on new music as we're driving in the car to a venue or in our hotel room, and when we come home, everybody works in their homes," he said. "So we've kind of got this groove down to the point we're kind of having our cake and eating it too."

Bennington said the plan is now to have a new Linkin Park record out every 18 months. "That would be [expletive] awesome," Bennington said, pointing to shorter touring cycles to make that happen. "Touring for two years is excruciating. When we would tour for two years even the most resilient person in the band, at the end of that, was [expletive] miserable." more on this story

The Who Plan Quadrophenia Tour

(Gibson) Despite reports from Roger Daltrey that Pete Townshend's hearing is preventing him from touring, the legendary guitarist has announced that The Who will tour next year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will perform their 1973 rock opera Quadrophenia on the road, according to a post on Townshend's blog.

"The reason I am not on the road with Roger is that this is entirely Roger's adventure, one that is bringing him great joy," Townshend wrote. "I don't belong on this Tommy tour. I wish him well, sincerely, and I look forward to playing with Roger again doing Quadrophenia next year."

Townshend went on to dispute Daltrey's comment that a tour would destroy his hearing. "My hearing is actually better than ever," he wrote. "Because after a feedback scare at the O2 Indigo in December 2008 I am taking good care of it. I'm 66, I don't have perfect hearing, and if I listen to loud music or go to gigs I do tend to get tinnitus. DON'T WE ALL????" more on this story

Radiohead Talking New Tour

(Gibson) It appears that Radiohead might be planning to hit the road once again. After pulling off a surprise appearance at this year's Glastonbury festival, the alt-rockers seem to be discussing a new tour.

"Absolutely that is what we are talking about that the moment," drummer Philip Selway told BBC6 Music, via NME. "It felt exciting doing that and it felt like we had something else to offer musically. It just felt like a new lease of life in what we are doing, and we would like to see where that takes us."

Radiohead's appearance at Glastonbury was the band's first in more than 18 months, and their first U.K. show since the summer of '09. The band's most recent album is The King of Limbs, which came out earlier this year. more on this story

Megadeth Aim For Classic Sound On New Album

(RockAAA) Megadeth bassist David Ellefson reckons the band's new album is the closest the thrashers have come to recapturing the sound of their classic 'Countdown To Extinction' and 'Peace Sells' albums.

The band returned to form with 'Endgame' in 2009 which Ellefson hails as a catalyst for a return to the metal forefront but he believes 'TH1RT3EN,' due for a November release, picks up where they left off.

Speaking to Tim Shaw of the 'Severe Auditory Trauma' metal show Ellefson said: "It (TH1RT3EN) came together really quickly as we did it in between the Big Four show in India and we went right into the studio and had to have it done before the next Big Four show which was in Germany. So we basically had this 10-week window where we had to arrange, finish any writing and basically record a whole album. more on this story

Dream Theater Deluxe Turn Of Events

(hennemusic) Dream Theater have unveiled the deluxe collector's edition of their upcoming album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events."

Set for release September 13 (US), the new set marks the recording debut of new drummer Mike Mangini, who played his first live DT gig in Rome earlier this month.

"On The Backs Of Angels," the first single from the disc, is already available online. Deluxe package details

Pearl Jam Movie Premiere Set

(hennemusic) Pearl Jam will debut "Pearl Jam Twenty," a definitive portrait of the band as told by Cameron Crowe, at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday September 10.

"Pearl Jam Twenty" chronicles the years leading up to the band's formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after being catapulted into superstardom, their step back from the spotlight with the instinct of self-preservation, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them—giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. The film celebrates the freedom that allows the band to make music without losing themselves, their fans, or the music lovers they'd always been.

"We put so much into the film – moments, pieces of footage shot by band members, audio snippets, visual bursts, new and old interviews – many different formats, all meant to present an emotional scrapbook of what it felt like to be a member of the band on this twenty-year journey," said Crowe. "The richness of the footage made our path very clear – just tell the story of the band and let the music guide us. It was a joy to make this film, and we're thrilled share it with the fans." more on this story

Rush, Tool, Primus and Police Supergroup Video

(Gibson) Rock's newest supergroup is all about rhythm. CCCP brings together three world-class drummers and one equally talented bassist, all members of enormously famous bands.

The Police's Stewart Copeland hosted a jam session at his studio in April and invited Rush drummer Neil Peart, Tool drummer Danny Carey and Primus bassist (and Copeland's Oysterhead bandmate) Les Claypool. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the result was "Count Drumula," a song with lots of lead percussion – which you can hear in the video below.

In addition to playing drums, Copeland brought along his guitar and tuba and Carey played a little trombone on the track. As of right now, CCCP have no future plans to do anything together. Check out video here

Against Me! Deliver White and Black Digital Crosses

Against Me! have reissued their 2010 album White Crosses, the band's fifth full-length studio album.

Released digitally though the band's very own Total Treble Music, the album, which was originally released by Sire Records, is now presented in two parts, White Crosses and Black Crosses, and is available through all digital retailers now.

This reissue is a 28-track collection that includes the original 10-song album with four bonus tracks, all produced by Butch Vig and mixed by Alan Moulder. The second half, Black Crosses, is a collection of alternate versions and unreleased songs. more on this story

Trey Anastasio Band Announce Fall Tour Dates

(RLM) Phish guitarist/singer Trey Anastasio has announced a series of shows with the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB).

Two Florida festival appearances will bookend the short outing. TAB will perform at the Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise, FL for the first time since 2007, headlining the main stage on Sunday, October 9.

The band will play shows in Montclair, NJ, Silver Spring, MD, Charlotte, NC, Charlottesville, VA and Atlanta, GA before returning to Florida to headline the Bear Creek Music Festival in Live Oak on Saturday, November 12. more on this story

Michael Monroe Goes Ginger Free

(RockAAA) Michael Monroe says Ginger quit the band because he wanted to spend more time with his family but they have the perfect replacement in Dregen who he says even got the seal of approval from the outgoing Wildheart.

"Dregen is our new guitar player who has joined the band to replace Ginger who decided he wanted to go and do his solo thing and spend more time with his family and stuff and we agreed when we found a replacement for.

"I could only think of one guy to replace him and Ginger agreed. Dregen has the whole thing, he's got the image, the attitude, the feel, the musical taste, guitar playing and the song writing. The guy has it all so I'm very happy that we have him here." more on this story

U2 Documentary To Open Film Festival

(hennemusic) Twenty years after the release of U2's "Achtung Baby," director Davis Guggenheim's documentary "From The Sky Down" about the U2 album and era will open the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Guggenheim (Waiting for Superman, An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud) charts this groundbreaking album with new interviews, stories and unseen footage from Berlin and Dublin.

Now a key chapter in their career, "Achtung Baby" was, in Bono's words, "the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree." more on this story

Nirvana Nevermind Anniversary Details

(Gibson) Nirvana's Nevermind will be re-released in "super deluxe," "deluxe" and standard editions this fall. Both expanded sets are due on September 27, to celebrate the seminal album's 20th anniversary, according to Spin.

The 4-CD/1-DVD "super deluxe" version includes a remastered edition of the original 1991 album, as well as the album with its original Butch Vig mix intact. These mixes have been termed the "Devonshire Mixes" and were completed by producer Vig before Andy Wallace was brought in to mix the versions that exist on the original album. The set also features B-sides, rehearsal versions of songs such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are" and BBC radio recordings. The DVD (or Blu-ray) shows Nirvana playing a full Halloween show in 1991 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.

If that's too much Nirvana for your taste, you can opt for the single CD version or a 2-CD set that includes the original album and a disc of BBC sessions, rehearsals and other rare tracks. The set will also be made available on vinyl and the live DVD/Blu-ray will be sold as a stand-along item. A full tracklist will be released soon. more on this story

New Five Finger Death Punch Song Hits Today

Five Finger Death Punch's new single, 'Under It and Over It' debuts today on radio stations nationwide.

'Under and Over It' is the debut single from Five Finger Death Punch's upcoming third album, American Capitalist, which hits stores on October 11th, 2011.

American Capitalist was recorded at "The Hideout" in Las Vegas, NV with producer Kevin Churko. more on this story

Early Motley Crue Recording Goes Online

(The Metal Den) TMD has obtained rare concert audio of Motley Crue performing the song "Merry Go Round" at the Country Club on October 2, 1981.

The track comes off their debut album entitled Too Fast For Love, which was released in November of the same year. This audio is making its debut on YouTube.

As the story goes, Nikki Sixx wrote the tune about a real life family man that lost his mind due to life's pressures. The young bassist/songwriter had actually witnessed him riding endlessly on a neighborhood merry-go-round, looking as if he had totally gone insane. more on this story

Black Country Communion Their Explain Lack Of Touring

(RockAAA) Black Country Communion put their lack of touring down to a management decision that holding off until there were 2 albums worth of material to choose from would make for a stronger set:

"[touring] would have been nice, but the management felt that it'd be stronger if we had two albums worth of material to 'cull the cream' if you would say, to put together a set and then come out a little bit stronger. I think you can count on BCC coming out every year with a new album and doing 2 or 3 months of touring"

On releasing two albums in only 12 months, Derek continues: "We play really well together and with Kevin Shirley producing, it keeps everything on track and we just stay focused, do our homework and deliver on time" more on this story

Def Leppard Guitarist Talks Hendrix Wannabes

(Gibson) Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen says that a lot of musicians who attempt to emulate the work and style of Jimi Hendrix fail to capture what was special about the rock legend. Collen talked about Hendrix's long-lasting influence with Ultimate Classic Rock.

"At the time, [Hendrix's music] was very unique, no one had really done that before. And to be quite honest, they haven't really done it since," he said. "You get a lot of these clones that totally miss the point. It was artistic expression… People do these Hendrix-style things and it's completely not valid, because I think what he brought, it was a complete blend."

Collen was hugely influenced by Hendrix's playing. In fact, his side project, Manraze, have covered Hendrix's "Fire" on their upcoming album punkfunkrootsrock. more on this story

U2 Play Tribute To Amy Winehouse

(hennemusic) Among the touring musicians who have paid tribute to Amy Winehouse are U2, who dedicated a song to her Saturday evening in Minneapolis, just hours after news broke of her death.

"We wrote this next song for Michael Hutchence [of INXS]," began the introduction by Bono. "But you will understand if, tonight, we play it for Amy Winehouse."

And with that, Bono and The Edge performed an acoustic version of "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" from 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind." See video here

Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard, Jane's Addiction Art of Drums Project

(DD) What would a picture of your favorite song look like? The Art Of Drums, a historic collection of fine art spearheaded by Los Angeles creativity house SceneFour in collaboration with ten of the world's greatest drummers, can finally answer that question.

On August 5, the flagship "Art Of Drums" collection featuring former Guns 'N Roses/Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum (to be revealed exclusively at mattsorumart.com) will premiere a groundbreaking method of capturing music on canvas. Hundreds of drum bursts are recorded, reduced to light impulses, digitized, evaluated by several photographers, graphic artists and all under the direction of the music artist.

This experienced team of creative professionals spends over 100 hours creating a unique product mammoth in size, stunning in composition. "This is something different than what people are used to seeing," SceneFour Creative Director Cory Danziger states. "It's a new medium. It's not acrylic or oil, it's light and color and sound captured. The rhythm is on display for you to see." more on this story

Absu To Continue Album Trilogy With October Release

Absu's new album, Abzu, is set for North American release on October 4th via Candlelight Records.

The album is part two of a planned trilogy of recordings from the Dallas-based mythological occult metal band. Mixed by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond/Solitude Aeternus), the album features the original works of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Watain, Behemoth, Destroyer 666, Vader).

Recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, Abzu finds drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuts the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom. Proscriptor comments, "Abzu is the first studio release to feature a co-vocalist alongside myself since our third album, The Third Storm of Cythraul. Ezezu's vocal presentation is beyond superlative and I am overly pleased with his execution and delivery. The songwriting undertakings were equally distributed between both Ezezu and Vis Crom and I must admit it brings an admirable multiplicity to the album as a whole. The last song on the album, "A Song For Ea," was composed in six movements, as it brought the entire band together as an equivalent songwriting team. Vis Crom has definitely proven to be ABSU's most proficient guitarist in the history of the band." more on this story

Ozzy The Charity Dog

(Gibson) Ozzy Osbourne surprised wife Sharon by bidding on a Yorkshire terrier puppy at a charity event on July 23.

According to People.com, the celebrity couple were supporting the 13th Annual Design Care, an event that benefits Holly Robinson Peete's HollyRod Foundation, when Sharon Osbourne fell for an eight-week-old rescue puppy.

The bidding started at $5,000 but Ozzy made sure Sharon got the pooch by upping the stakes to $10,000. Sharon, of course, has named the dog Ozzy. more on this story

House Of Lords Set New Album Release

Frontiers Records will release House Of Lords new studio album "Big Money" on September 23rd in Europe and September 27th in North America.

"I am very proud to have done four HOL CD's with the same line-up " says singer James Christian, " I enjoy working with every one of them and plan to do many more records in the future. Mark Baker has now been on board as a co-writer for the last two CD's I love working with him. We are totally on the same page when writing new music ".

"The elements we use on "Big Money" are always the same for us and that is to write and record the best songs that we can" explains Christian. "We always write enough songs for more than one CD and then we pick the best songs to make up the new record. We will always be a Melodic Rock Group. It is the music that made us want to be musicians in the first place. So we will always stay true to that art!". more on this story

New Glyder Coming

(Freeman) Glyder have completed work on their fourth studio album, "Backroads To Byzantium", for an October 11th North American and October 7th European release via SPV/Steamhammer Records.

"Backroads to Byzantium" takes the listener on a road trip that has a hint of Americana and progresses to the re-emerging troubles on the streets of Northern Ireland to being homeless on the streets of London. Other themes on the album concern the evils of the tabloid press and global warming. The album ends off in a reflective mood about mortality and how it's not the end."

Glyder's new singer Jackie Robinson has a unique rock voice that sometimes hints at Paul Rodgers and Phil Mogg. Hailing from Northern Ireland, he was recruited through an ad on the Internet and because the rest of the band is from the South of Ireland, the album was written between Jackie and the two Glyder guitarists, Bat Kinane and Pete Fisher, over email. Working with some home recording software and a few Gmail accounts, the new Glyder album took shape over Christmas 2010 and early 2011. The album was recorded in Dublin and mixed in Copenhagen. The stunning artwork was created by Mark Wilkinson. more on this story

Enemy Reign Return With New Singer

(Earsplit) Enemy Reign have regrouped after a brief hiatus with new vocalist Stevie Boiser.

Boiser replaces Sherwood Webber (Skinless), who fled the band amicably last year following a European.

Boiser comes from Calculating Geonocide and has made several fill-in appearances for various bands including Vale Of Pnath. more on this story

Singled Out: The Quill's Black Star

Today Jolle Atlagic from The Quill tells us about "Black Star" from their brand new album "Full Circle" which as released this week. Here is the story:

The first idea for the song came up when I saw The Cult in Stockholm last year. The crowd went crazy when they started out with the song ¨Rise¨ and I thought; ¨God I really need to write a song like this!¨ I came home and did just that!

The lyrics however came along in a process like it usually does with me - based on self experience. Where as most people would go to psychiatrists, I chose to write a song and the result became the lyrics for ¨Black Star¨.

The truth is I really met "a captain of a different kind" - a black star - that dragged me down. Somebody who I depended on, looked up to and trusted. But in the end this person was just playing with me and actually threatened my life in many different ways. As you see I got out of it with my life in one piece and I just felt like sharing it with you guys.

Remember - don't you ever take sh*t from nobody!

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

. Mighty Fine (Afghan Whigs/ Twilight Singers) Interview

Steve Myers of Mighty Fine has finally found his comfort zone. After spending a number of years on, somebody elses journey, a la The Afghan Whigs and the Twilight Singers started his own thing. Dawn Marie caught up with Steve find out all about it. - Read the full Mighty Fine (Afghan Whigs/ Twilight Singers) Interview