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On this day in 1987, American blues vocalist, harmonica player Paul Butterfield, who fronted The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, died at his home in North Hollywood, California, of heart failure, he was 45. Find out what else happened on this date in music history here

Bonham Completes Unfinished Led Zeppelin Song

(Rock News Desk) Jason Bonham has completed a track abandoned by Led Zeppelin in 2008, and it appears on the new Black Country Communion album, he's revealed.

The drummer was involved with Led Zep's Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones when they started work on a reunion project following the band's one-off London show in 2007. But work was abandoned when singer Robert Plant refused to take part, and the three remaining musicians couldn't settle on a satisfactory replacement.

Now the son of iconic drummer John Bonham says he's finished the piece and recorded it with BCC bandmates Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa and Derek Sherinian. He tells the Toronto Sun: "It's a song called Save Me. Is started off as an idea I worked on with Jimmy and John. You'll notice it – there's a slight Zepesque riff – It's got a definite feel to it." more on this story

Aerosmith To Play American Idol Finale

(hennemusic) Aerosmith will perform on the American Idol finale later this month, says Steven Tyler.

"Oh yeah, we're playing the last show of the season," the Aerosmith frontman told Rolling Stone.

"When I came on board, of course they were talking about, 'Are you going to sing with the contestants?' I said I'll do a song, sure, but it was always my intention, always, to get Aerosmith on the show. I mean, Joe's [Perry] done it. I'm ready for it. I would love to play with Aerosmith." more on this story

Big 4 Want World Tour

(Gibson) From the time they first collectively melted faces at Warsaw's Sonisphere Festival last June, the Big Four have been the hottest ticket in metal. Bringing together some of the biggest names in the genre—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax—the Big Four has been a dream concert that many fans worldwide are begging to see. And now, according to a report by Artisan News Service, they just might get their wish.

"Once it was announced last summer in Europe, the whole world was clamoring for the Big Four," said Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian. "So we'll get there. That's the best thing I can say, you know? This is a really big piece of furniture to move around, with all four bands and all the logistics and schedules and all that. So we all want to do it—all 17 guys in these four bands want to continue doing these shows—and I think that's the impetus that will make this happen more, because we all want to do it."

Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson agreed: "We've got South America screaming at us and Australia and fans all around the world saying, 'Please come to our country.' So I think we have a lot of territory in front of us. Hopefully, it'll just carry on and the goodwill will continue." more on this story

KISS Promise Cross Between Destroyer and Revenge

(Rock AAA) Gene Simmons has revealed that KISS already have five brand new songs in the can for their new album which he says will be a musical hybrid of two of their most popular albums.

The Kiss main man says long-term fans of the band can expect their follow up to 2009's 'Sonic Boom' to sound like a cross between 'Destroyer' and 'Revenge' and he adds every single song was written entirely by the band themselves.

In an interview with Elliot In The Morning Simmons said: "Yes (we've been in the studio), we're halfway through it. We got five tracks done in two days so it may be the fastest record we've ever done and it really sounds terrific and Paul's really doing a great job. more on this story

Corey Unsure of Slipknot's Future

(Rock News Desk) Corey Taylor remains at odds with Slipknot bandmate Joey Jordison, and says the band could be finished if their upcoming European shows don't work out well.

Drummer Jordison insists the band will continue despite the death of bassist Paul Gray a year ago, and he's already written songs for their next album. But Taylor has remained less sure of the outfit's future.

Last week Jordison warned: "We'll go on – with or without Corey." Now the frontman says in equally frank terms: "I'm not going to spoonfeed false hope to the fans: if this tour doesn't work, the band might be over." more on this story

Steven Tyler To Premiere Solo Video on American Idol

(Gibson) American Idol judge and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will premiere the video for his debut solo single "(It) Feels So Good" on American Idol's May 12 elimination episode that will reveal this season's Top 3, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The song, which features Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger, will be played for the first time on American Idol host Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show on May 9.

Tyler, 63, shot the video on April 24 with in-demand Norwegian director Ray Kay, who's previously worked on videos with pop stars Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. "It's everything you would expect to get from a classic Aerosmith video," a source told The Hollywood Reporter. "Without giving too much away, think: pure, classic Steven Tyler in all of his rock star glory." more on this story

Radiohead To Play New Album in Full On International TV

(Gibson) Radiohead are set to perform their new album, The King of Limbs, in its entirety on television. WorldScreen reports that the BBC Worldwide will distribute the exclusive performance internationally.

The show will be titled Radiohead – The King of Limbs: Live from the Basement and will air July 1. The 55-minute program will feature Thom Yorke and Co. playing their record in a studio setting, along with behind-the-scenes footage. It will mark the first time the band have played the album in public.

From the Basement is a music series run by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, in which bands play their music in the studio. The production team includes Dilly Gent, who commissioned many of Radiohead's videos, and Grant Gee, who made the Radiohead documentary Meeting People is Easy. more on this story

Slash Adds Tour Dates

(Rock AAA) Slash has added a handful of UK solo shows to his busy summer festival schedule.

The shows featuring regular live vocalist Myles Kennedy are slotted either side of their appearance at London's High Voltage festival.

Roadrunner are set to release Starlight, featuring Kennedy on vocals, as the next single from Slash's solo album on July 25. dates

Ministry Documentary Leads To Legal Action

(Rock News Desk) Ministry mainman Al Jourgenson is taking legal action to prevent the release of a documentary about the band.

He'd cooperated with producers since work on Fix: The Ministry Movie began, but says he was entitled to have approval over the final cut, and wasn't given the chance to exercise the right.

Jourgenson argues: "It's breach of contract in a lot of different ways. It was understood in writing that I'd have approval before the film was shown anywhere." more on this story

UFO Kick Off American Tour Tomorrow

UFO will land in the U.S. tomorrow when they kick off their 2011 North American tour with special guests Mindflow at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, NY.

Guitarist Vinnie Moore had this to say about the trek, "I am looking forward to the may USA tour. We haven't played any shows since December and I have some pent up energy that needs to be released before I go mental. Also, it's been a while since we played America and I am excited that we will be hitting some of our favorite places like Chicago, NY...etc. I can't wait to see all of our f**kin' awesome fans again."

The band will be touring North America in support of their greatest hits collection entitled "Best of a Decade" which is out now on SPV/Steamhammer. UFO is also in the process of working on a new studio album scheduled for release this fall. more on this story

RX Bandits Announce Farewell Tour Dates

RX Bandits have announced initial dates for what is to be the band's farewell headlining tour. Maps & Atlases will support of most dates.

Last month, RX Bandits announced that their forthcoming tour would be their last. Their brief statement reads:

"We would like to express our love and appreciation for all that you've done for us and how much a part of our growth you have been. We have all mutually decided that this summer will be our last tour. We love each other and love you all and hope to see you at the shows." more on this story

Tony Iommi's My Life with Black Sabbath and Beyond Coming This Fall

(Gibson) With recent books by Sammy Hagar, Steven Tyler and Nikki Sixx, there's certainly no shortage of hard rock autobiographies available these days. Now comes a big one - the memoirs of Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi. The guitar god has been hard at work on the book, titled Iron Man: My Life with Black Sabbath and Beyond.

"Iron Man chronicles the story of both pioneering guitarist Tony Iommi and legendary band Black Sabbath," according to a book description. "Iron Man reveals the man behind the icon, yet still captures Iommi's humor, intelligence and warmth. He speaks honestly and unflinchingly about his rough-and-tumble childhood, the accident that almost ended his career, his failed marriages, personal tragedies, battles with addiction, band mates, famous friends, newfound daughter, and the ups and downs of his life as an artist."

The description claims that "everything associated with hard rock happened to Black Sabbath first." According to Amazon.com, the book is due November 1 in the U.S. and October 13 in the U.K.

Phil Spector Loses Murder Appeal

(Rock News Desk) Iconic producer Phil Spector's appeal against his murder conviction has been thrown out by a California court.

He was jailed two years ago over the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003, and is serving a 19-year-term. His defence lawyers had argued his conviction was based on misconduct and the use of inadmissible evidence.

But the three-member appeal panel have refuted each point in an 81-page written judgment, meaning Spector will remain behind bars. more rock news

Rare 1983 Metallica Cliff Burton Jam Goes Online

(The Metal Den) TMD has obtained rare concert audio of Metallica performing on August 10, 1983 in Baltimore, Maryland.

This year on September 27 marks 25 years that the legendary metal act lost their bassist Cliff Burton due to a tragic bus accident in 1986.

Here the listener is treated to a truly epic jam of "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth" from the four string God that leads directly into the classic track "Whiplash". Check it out here

Avenged Sevenfold Featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation

Avenged Sevenfold are part of Call of Duty: Black Ops' newest content pack. Here are the official details with comments from the band: (Fresh Tracks) Call of Duty: Black Ops is set for a second strike on Xbox LIVE online entertainment network with Call of Duty: Black Ops Escalation, the newest content pack, now available for download worldwide.

With 2 billion hours played and counting, Call of Duty: Black Ops consistently draws millions of gamers around the world online every day. Escalation's four new multiplayer maps and unprecedented Zombie experience, featuring famed director George A. Romero, Robert Englund, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michael Rooker and Danny Trejo, and an original music track from Avenged Sevenfold titled "Not Ready to Die," will continue this global phenomenon.

"We took the community's feedback to heart, and the result is five of the most creative and varied maps we have ever made," said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. "'Call of the Dead' is an homage to the great horror films that have inspired the team and represents a deep commitment to our Zombie fans. Being able to collaborate with such talented artists and musicians was an absolute honor and thrill for everyone involved. We think the fans are going to go crazy over it!" more on this story

Appice Likens Debut of New Group With Pantera's Brown To Vibe With Sabbath and Dio

(Rock News Desk) Vinny Appice says his new band's first show gave him a feeling he's hardly ever had in his career.

Kill Devil Hill, also featuring Rex Brown of Down and Pantera fame, performed together for the first time on Friday.

Appice reports: "It had that special vibe I've only experienced with a few bands like Black Sabbath and the original Dio. There's a magic combination of certain musicians that makes a real band, and that's what I felt." more on this story

Foo Fighters Donate More Than A Million Dollars Down Under

(Gibson) The Foo Fighters generated more than a million dollars to donate to the victims of this past winter's floods in Australia and earthquakes in New Zealand.

The funds come from the band's proceeds from two concerts in March – one on March 22 at New Zealand's Auckland Town Hall and another on March 27 at the Riverstage in Brisbane.

According to a statement from the band, the first concert raised $284,000 for the New Zealand Government Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and the second concert raised $837,00 for the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. more on this story

My Morning Jacket Webcast Coming

(Gibson) As previously reported, My Morning Jacket have a new album, Circuital, coming out on May 31. That same day, the Kentucky rockers will perform at the Louisville Palace Theater in their hometown of Louisville.

As part of Vevo's Unstaged series, the concert will be shown as a webcast via YouTube, according to The New York Times.

Previously, big-name directors have helmed the cameras for well-known concert acts (including Terry Gilliam with Arcade Fire, Spike Lee with John Legend and The Roots and David Lynch with Duran Duran). Todd Haynes – famous for Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven and I'm Not There – will direct the MMJ show. more on this story

Mick Jagger Exhibition Opens

(Gibson) First Mick Jagger gets a Knighthood and now he's the subject of a photo exhibition in Britain's most prestigious gallery. Sir Mick Jagger joins the likes of prime ministers, dukes, earls and other establishment figures in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

According to the Daily Telegraph, 12 photographs of Jagger in the 1960s went on display in London yesterday.

Photographers who captured the young Rolling Stones frontman include Gered Mankowitz, who was the band's first official photographer, Colin Jones, Philip Townsend and famed society photographer Cecil Beaton. Pictures of Jagger have appeared in the gallery before but this is his first exhibition. more on this story

Steven Tyler's Costly Habit

(Gibson) Steven Tyler estimate's he's spent over $20m on drugs during his life. And the Aerosmith frontman has revealed things were so bad he used to have a supply hidden on stage for use during shows.

The band came close to collapse two years ago when a drugged-out Tyler fell off stage in the USA, broke his shoulder and forced the Boston giants to cancel their touring plans. In the aftermath his bandmates tried to replace him.

Relationships have strengthened since then but at times have strained, especially between Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. The singer last week admitted the pair going back on drugs killed off their attempts to make an album in 2008. "Left to my own devices I'd probably have been dead several times over by now," he tells People.com. "I snorted my Porsche, I snorted my plane, I snorted my house in a din of drugs and booze and being lost. I blew twenty million on drugs. more on this story

Warren Haynes Streaming New Solo Album Online

(Gibson) Warren Haynes is a pretty busy guy. Being a member of the Allman Brothers Band, The Dead and Gov't Mule means that he's usually a Man in Motion. That's the title of Haynes' new solo album, which he found enough time to slow down and record at Willie Nelson's studio in Austin, Texas.

The album isn't due out until next week, but you can hear the record in its entirety right now at RollingStone.com here. Man in Motion is Haynes' first solo studio release since 1993.

Guest musicians include Faces keyboardist Ian MacLagan and Meters members George Porter Jr. on bass and Ivan Neville on keyboards. more on this story

R.E.M. To Release The Athens Demos With 25th Anniversary Lifes Rich Pageant Reissue

Capitol/I.R.S. have set a July 12 release date for of an expanded 25th Anniversary 2CD and digital edition of R.E.M.'s 1986 album, Lifes Rich Pageant.

The new edition features the digitally remastered original album, plus 19 previously unreleased demo recordings cut prior to the album's studio sessions. The commemorative release also adds new liner notes by music journalist and author Parke Puterbaugh, with the 2CD package presented in a lift-top box with a poster and four postcards.

On the same date, the remastered original album will be reissued by Mobile Fidelity on 180-gram vinyl in faithfully replicated LP packaging. more on this story

Atari Teenage Riot Announce New Album and Tour

(Girlie) Atari Teenage Riot have announced a return trip to America this coming September.

Atari Teenage Riot will be touring in support of their 4th album, Is This Hyperreal?, which will be out digitally June 7th.

Spin Magazine says of the group, "It's rare in a world now ruled by Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber to hear music that is so angry with itself and with everything else around it. But ATR's overwhelming energy is difficult to deny, and difficult not to admire — preferably from a safe distance." more on this story

The Killers' Ronnie Vannucci Going Solo

Epitaph Records have announced that The Killers' Ronnie Vannucci will release his debut, self-titled solo album, Big Talk on July 12th.

Produced by Joe Chicarelli (The Strokes, My Morning Jacket), and mixed by Alan Moulder (U2, Foo Fighters), Big Talk sees Vannucci step out from behind the drum kit of one of the biggest bands of the past ten years to show us what he's got. The album's first single, "Getaways" will be available on iTunes May 10th

As a songwriter with The Killers, whose writing is frequently approached collaboratively, it will come as no shock to find that Vannucci has a way with a genius song of his own. Vannucci is a true multi-instrumentalist and superb vocalist who has created an album that pays homage to some of his greatest influences. With Big Talk, Vannucci stays true to his roots while carving his own musical path. more on this story

Frampton Comes Alive 35th Anniversary Tour

(Noble) Peter Frampton will tour the UK this November in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of his multi-platinum-selling live album 'Frampton Comes Alive!'.

Dates include Manchester Bridgewater Hall (Friday 11th November), Cambridge Corn Exchange (Saturday 12th November), London Hammersmith Apollo (Sunday 13th November), Birmingham Symphony Hall (Tuesday 15th November) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Wednesday 16th November).

The three-hour show will feature a complete performance of Frampton Comes Alive!, including the hit singles 'Baby, I Love Your Way', 'Do You Feel Like We Do' and 'Show Me The Way', along with highlights from Frampton's extensive album catalogue. more on this story

Swamp Brother Goes From Handling Poison Guitarist to Handling Poisonous Snakes

Discovery sent over information about a new show featuring someone who went from working for Poison's C.C. Deville to working with poisonous snakes. Here is the official word:

Meet Robbie and Stephen Keszey, an unlikely pair of brothers who run one of the most unique family businesses in the country -- working with wild and dangerous animals deep in the swamps of Florida.

Robbie's a veteran of the '80s metal scene who's passionate about all things scaly, and Stephen's a former New York City bartender who's more comfortable hailing a cab than handling a snake. Together, they're the stars of Discovery Channel's new series Swamp Brothers, premiering Friday, May 13 at 10PM ET/PT. more on this story

Jam With Tom Petty

For the guitarist among our readers, Lick Library have released the latest in their Guitar Tuition series: Jam with Tom Petty double DVD and CD set.

The new DVD features over three hours of guitar workshop tutorials in a collection of classic Tom Petty tracks that covers a period of over fifteen years of solo and Heartbreakers music brought to you by top guitar tutor Danny Gill.

Also included is a CD of professionally recorded guitar jam tracks for each song allowing you to play along with a full session band! more on this story