Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Gig?

The Stones guitarist also said he and Jagger had patched up any differences that arose from Richards' memoirs, published last year. "Mick pouted a bit, as is his wont, " he said. "I told him, 'It's water under the bridge. I want to talk about the future. We're larger than a little bitching.'" more on this story

U2 Not Playing American Idol Finale

(RockAAA) Hey, if Aerosmith won't do it, someone else will. U2's manager has confirmed that they will play the American Idol finale this Wednesday evening. However, the band tells a different story. Bono and Edge will be on the show but won't be performing.

Billboard reports that, backstage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, U2's longtime manager (and equal business partner), Paul McGuinness, revealed that the group would be rehearsing for the Idol finale on Monday before performing on the show two days later. In between the rehearsal and performance, U2 will perform at Salt Lake City's Rice-Eccles Stadium on Tuesday.

Here's a weird twist to this story: U2's official website posted an announcement Monday saying the band is NOT [performing] on the Idol finale. [The site says "Bono and Edge will appear alongside Reeve Carney, who plays Peter Parker, and cast members from SPIDER-MAN Turn off the Dark which is set to open on Broadway, June 14."] more on this story

Bloody Scene At Ex-KISS Star's Arrest

(hennemusic) More details are surfacing on the arrest of former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who was charged Sunday with aggravated assault in Tennessee.

TMZ reports Vincent (Vincent Cusano) allegedly smacked his wife in the face and dragged her through a pile of broken glass on the night he was arrested.

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ that on Sunday, Vincent's wife, Diane, arrived to the Sheriff's Office "covered in blood" and reeking of alcohol. Police say 44-year-old Diane told the officers how she had just escaped from the couple's Tennessee home after Vincent "smacked her in the face" following an argument about a "female subject [Vincent] was talking to." She says Vincent then "grabbed her by the hair and threw her down to the ground." more on this story

Lawyers Broke Up Original Guns N' Roses

Duff McKagan says he has never had any personal problems with Axl Rose and the cracks which formed, and eventually tore Guns N' Roses apart, were deliberately created by lawyers looking to make a quick buck.

The bassist quit GNR in 1997, following in the footsteps of Slash and Izzy Stradlin, leaving Axl as the only classic line-up member remaining. But he reveals the whole situation was created by outside influences and not by any disagreement or personal issue between the band and Axl.

"I never had a personal beef with Axl, truth be told. Lawyers and stuff in that instance, it was kind of treacherous. They make money and try to create enemies between clients," Duff told AV Club "I wish they'd teach that course. If there was a rock 'n' roll textbook, I could add some sh*t to it, real valuable sh*t. We were torn apart by people who weren't in the band, and that's really what always happens. He also said that the same thing, in a way, happened with Velvet Revolver.

Steven Tyler Ponders Another Rap Remake of Aerosmith's Walk This Way?

(hennemusic) The Sun reports Jedward - the Irish pop rap duo led by identical twins John and Edward Grimes — are in talks with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler about teaming up for a cover version of Aerosmith's classic, "Walk This Way."

A source tells The Sun: "Jedward never thought someone like Steve would join forces with them and on such a massive song. But it looks likely to happen. The excitement has sent them into a spin."

John & Edward came to prominence on the Simon Cowell-produced/judged UK reality series X-Factor in 2009, where the duo finished sixth. more on this story

Slipknot's Joey Jordison Remembers Paul Gray on the Anniversary of His Death

(Rock News Desk) On this day last year Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in a Des Moines hotel room after an accidental overdose.

Drummer Joey Jordison has written an open letter to his deceased bandmate to mark the anniversary: "Hey Paul, it was so great hanging out with you today, talking about old times and seeing you respond with some of the strongest gusts of wind I've ever felt. All the music that we've done together, all the times that we've shared, will live on forever.

"I miss you each and every day. I'll see you on stage! Let's destroy. There will never be another Number 2. I love you." more rock news

Rocker Commits Suicide- Mike Portnoy Beatle Mania- Krokus Lose Member- New Staind Coming- All Shall Perish Cancel Tour- New Album From Original Biohazard- more

(Rock News Desk) Former Legion of the Damned bassist Twan Fleuren has committed suicide. He left the band in 2006 to deal with family health issues, and frontman Maurice Swinkels says: "We lost contact but only a few weeks back we were back in touch and felt like old times were about to return" more

(Metal Underground) Mike Portnoy's Beatles cover band, Yellow Matter Custard, has released a new double disc live album. The new collectors set, titled "One More Night In New York City," features forty tracks spread over two CDs. more

(Metal Underground) Porcupine Tree vocalist and guitarist Steven Wilson has announced that he will be cancelling several of his forthcoming tour dates with his Blackfield side project. The cancellation, which currently includes four of the band's upcoming stops, is due to the passing of Steven Wilson's father.

(Metalrage) All Shall Perish have been forced to cancel their previously announced European tour due to "scheduling conflicts for the new album and the restructuring of band management," according to the band. The group was slated to hit the road in Europe in June alongside Suicide Silence and After The Burial. more

(FMQB) MTV.com will debut a Kings of Leon concert from Ireland's Slane Castle on Thursday, June 9, with select clips going into video rotation on MTV. more

(Metalrage) Staind have set "Seven" as the title of their recently completed new album, due later in the year via Atlantic Records. more

(Rock News Desk) Drummer Freddy Steady has quit Krokus. Guitarist Fernano Von Arb says: "It wasn't personal, but solely a professional decision. Freddy concluded he really wanted to play music just for fun in small clubs rather than conquering the world." more

(VDOB) In a wide ranging interview with The Big Rock Show host Tina Peek Biohazard's Billy Graziadei opens up about the new album.Their new album will be their tenth, which marks the first time the four original members —Evan Seinfeld (vocals, bass), Billy Graziadei (guitar, vocals), Danny Schuler (drums) and Bobby Hambel (guitar) — have recorded together since 1994's breakthrough CD "State Of The World Address": more

(The 1st Five) Kylewilliam Campol, the brainchild behind punk act imadethismistake, has announced in an interview with the 1st Five that he will be ending the project in 2011 more

(Rock News Desk) Shadows Fall's Matt Bachand has replaced Daniel Struble as touring bassist in Times of Grace more

Blink-182 Leads 2011 Honda Civic Tour

Blink-182 is set to head up the 2011 Honda Civic Tour, 10 years after they played the trek's inaugural run.

The summer and fall tour is set to run for 40-plus dates nationwide will kick off on Friday, August 5th and will run until October 15th when it wraps in San Diego, CA.

Support acts for the anniversary tour include Manchester Orchestra, Rancid and Matt & Kim. more on this story

AC/DC Bon Scott Story To Be Stage Play

(Gibson) The short life of AC/DC frontman Bon Scott has been turned into a play. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be – The Story of Bon Scott will make its stage premiere in July in Australia. The play will open July 12 at the Anthenaeum Theatre in Melbourne, according to NME.com.

Scott was in many bands before he joined AC/DC in 1974. He sang the band's early hits – including "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "T.N.T." and "Highway to Hell" – before dying at age 33 in 1980. After a night on the town in London, Scott choked on his own vomit.

Actor Nick Barker will play the singer, and has said that Scott is an Australian icon akin to Ned Kelly. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be was written by Andrew Barker, who has previously worked on plays based on the lives on Johnny Cash and John Denver. more on this story

A Perfect Circle Add Tour Dates

A Perfect Circle recently reunited and have announced additional North American tour dates for this summer.

The new dates take place in August and will hit Salt Lake City, Ut, Cincinnati, Oh and Wallingford, Ct.

The band kicked of their reunion on Sunday at the Rock in the Range festival. A Perfect Circle is Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Puscifer), Billy Howerdel (Ashes Divide), James Iha (Tinted Windows, ex-Smashing Pumpkins), Josh Freese (Weezer, Devo) and Matt McJunkins (Puscifer). more on this story

Rush in Space Today

(Gibson) The crew of the space shuttle Endeavour will awaken to the sound of Rush today. A one-minute clip of Rush's "Countdown" (from 1982's Signals) will be beamed from Earth to the shuttle at approximately 6 p.m. EST, according to BraveWords.com.

The song was selected by Mission Specialist Mike Fincke and coincides with Victoria Day in Canada (May 24). You can watch it happen live via NASA TV.

This is the final flight for Endeavour, and the second-to-last scheduled space shuttle flight for NASA. Rush, in the meantime, are still on their Time Machine Tour, which continues Wednesday in London and will wrap up in Seattle in July. more on this story

Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge Lead Carnival of Madness Tour

(Gibson) Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry and other heavy-hitting rockers will take part in the second Carnival of Madness Tour this summer.

Adelitas Way and Emphatic will also be on the tour, which begins August 13 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and continues for at least 25 dates.

"Theory of a Deadman is totally stoked to be doing the Carnival Of Madness tour this year," Theory singer/guitarist Tyler Connolly said in a statement. "It's great to be joined by Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and newcomers Emphatic – who all have songs rocking at radio and awesome live shows. It's gonna be a [expletive] great show from beginning to end and definitely something you don't wanna miss!" more on this story

Stump Wants Fall Out Boy Reunion

(Gibson) It may be less than two years since Fall Out Boy went on indefinite hiatus, but singer Patrick Stump says he's open to reuniting sooner rather than later.

Stump took to his blog to respond to an article in last week's Alternative Press, which claimed he said he doesn't want to play material he wrote when he was 17 when he is 40 (Stump is 27 now). "That quote is way taken out of context," he said. "As is the implication that I 'don't want to do Fall Out Boy when I'm 40' (which is literally not a quote of mine). All I meant by any of it is that I don't want to wait until I'm 40 to do another Fall Out Boy record, and if it takes that long, then I won't do one."
Stump went on to say he is confident that the band will have a new album out sooner rather than later, but that there are currently no plans. "No 'two years,' no 'six years,' no parameters," he said. "It might happen later than any of that, it might happen sooner. It is literally, as it's always been, an indefinite hiatus. We never did breakup, we're still friends, and we still would like to make music together." more on this story

New Jasta Song with Zakk Wydle Goes Online

Jasta has posted new song online which features the one and only Zakk Wydle. The song is called "The Fearless Must Endure," and video was recently shot for the track as well.

Jasta will be releasing a solo record simply titled "Jasta" this summer on July 26th, 2011 via eOne Music.

A diverse variety of guest appearances can be found on this record. Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying), pro skater Mike Vallely, Philip Labonte (All That Remains), Randy Blythe and Mark Morton (Lamb Of God) Check out the new song here

Linkin Park Announce Free Show for Transformers Global Premiere

Linkin Park will perform a special outdoor concert in Moscow to celebrate the worldwide release of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.

The concert will take place in front of St. Basil's Basilica in Moscow – with the Kremlin and Red Square as the backdrop – on June 23rd at 9PM.

The Michael Bay film will open the Moscow International Film Festival on the same night. more on this story

Robert Plant Leads 2011 Americana Awards

(hennemusic) Robert Plant and Buddy Miller teamed up to top the list of nominees for the 2011 Americana Honors & Awards with three apiece.

Each was nominated Monday for Artist Of The Year, along with fellow three-time nominee Elizabeth Cook, and the two teamed up for several nominations on their collaboration, "Band of Joy."

The record earned the former Led Zeppelin singer a nomination for Album Of The Year. The Band Of Joy – Plant's all-star group of collaborators, which includes co-producer Miller - earned a nod in the Duo/Group category more on this story

Twisted Sister's Dee Snider Comments on Conviction For Family Murder

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has released a statement on behalf of his wife Suzette (Vinny Gargiulo's sister) as well as the entire Gargiulo and Snider families on the announcement of the verdict in the trial of the man who ordered Mr. Gargiulo's killing.

"We are grateful to finally have some kind of legal closure to these crimes, but that does not change the fact we have lost a son, a brother, an uncle and most of all a beloved friend."

"Vinny believed Chris Tarantino to be a bad person who needed to be stopped; so much so he gave his life to do just that." more on this story

Mastodon New Album and Tour Update

Mastodon are hard at work in the studio recording the follow-up to their concept album Crack The Skye, and have announced tour plans as well as the widespread release of a hard to obtain ZZ Top cover.

Mastodon can also now confirm a pair of new songs -- "Blasteroids," and "All The Heavy Lifting" will be featured on the new disc which will be release later this year.

Lastly Mastodon has just confirmed that their version of ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" will be included on the original soundtrack for "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon" soundtrack. more on this story

Johnny Depp For Beatles Film?

(Gibson) Former Oasis frontman and current Beady Eye singer Liam Gallagher is working on a film about The Beatles and he wants Johnny Depp to be part of it, according to AFP. Gallagher is producing the movie, which deals with the band's Apple Corps and is based on Richard DiLello's book, The Longest Cocktail Party.

"The film script is done," the singer told Q magazine. "It's gonna blow people's minds, man. I'm just waiting to find out when we choose the actors. "I want Johnny Depp to play Derek Taylor. It's got Johnny Depp written all over i, man."

So what makes him think the Pirates of the Caribbean star would be a good fit for Taylor, The Beatles' publicist? "Derek Taylor was a dude. He's up there with Lennon," Gallagher said. more on this story

Jimmy Page Plans New Music and Website

(hennemusic) Last fall, Jimmy Page caused quite a stir among fans when he told an interviewer, "I'm desperate to be playing, but it won't be 'til next year."

In light of his comments last fall, Page was asked at the Ivor Novello Awards for an update on his plans for the coming year.

"At the moment, I'm constructing a website," said Jimmy, "because I've had the domain name (JimmyPage.com) but I've not had a website, so I'm constructing that. I think that will bring a few surprises to how things normally are. Once that's done, then I'm going to start working on the new music." more on this story

Prince To Play Three Intimate Shows In One Night

(Scoop) Prince has electrified fans in Los Angeles playing at the world famous Troubadour nightclub and multiple nights at the fabulous Forum.

He's at it again with the announcement of three unique shows taking place in one night on May 25 at intimate venues to be revealed.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 24 at 12 Noon PDT at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

Prince's Intimate Performances in Los Angeles

Wednesday, May 25 Late Night Jam – Venue TBD
Wednesday, May 25 Jazz Café – Venue TBD
Wednesday, May 25 Private Charity Event – Venue TBD more on this story

Against Me! Tornado and Storm Relief

Against Me! are auctioning off a brand new Roger Waters signature Fender Precision bass signed by all members of the band to raise additional funds for the victims of the tornado and storms that swept through the Southern United States.

Working in conjunction with Fender and hosting the auction on their official Web site, Against Me! will be donating 100% of the funds received from the winning bid to the Alabama Red Cross and their continued relief efforts.

Andrew Seward, bassist for Against Me! and former Alabama resident, said the following: "I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama - my parents still live there and my brother and sister-in-law live in Birmingham. I vividly remember when I was in 5th grade and a tornado came ripping through Huntsville during rush hour. Fortunately, my brother and I were at home with my mom. I remember her rushing us into the downstairs bathroom and making us get in the tub. The tornado didn't hit us but it hit about two miles away destroying a grocery store and shopping center. I remember Huntsville being on the national news and how huge the tornado seemed. Now the tornado from my youth seems so small compared to the twisters I have seen on television in the past weeks. The images are horrifying. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost so much." more on this story

Singled Out: The Unsatisfied's The Lovin'

Today The Unsatisfied frontman Eric Scealf tells us about "The Lovin'" from their brand new album "Songs the Belt Taught Us". Here is the story:

I wrote the riff for this song back in the nineties, and it wound up just kinda stewing on the backburner. The lyrics came about during a rough time in my marriage. My wife Lysa and I have been married for 21 years and she's stuck through all the craziness. A few years back, things were getting a little rough between us. I had a talk with her Dad one day and he said to "forget about that lovin' and take care of your family"...I went home and wrote the song and did some serious thinking. Now everything's great with us again. When she heard the final cut of the recording, she cried...in a good way!

This song is kind of an empowering song for women. The message is that they don't have to take any b.s. from some dude. All those guys out there that think they have women snowed had better pay attention too. What makes you think she won't take a walk on you? Huh?

All that aside, when we perform the song, it's more about the power-pop feel of the whole thing than any heavy messages. The lyrics are there always...maybe they'll help somebody out if they pay attention. But this song is ELECTRIC! It forces you to dance.

We recorded the entire 'Songs the Belt Taught Us' CD with Mike Pack at revolution Sound in our home town Chattanooga, TN. We had it mixed by Dave Barbe at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA and mastered by Drew Vandenberg at Chase Park also.

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

VH1 Unplugged: Mumford & Sons Coming in June

VH1 Unplugged: Mumford & Sons is set to premiere on VH1 Friday, June 24 at 11PM ET/PT and online at Unplugged.VH1.com on Thursday, June 23 at 8PM ET.

Mumford & Sons' spirited set includes performances of "Sigh No More," "Roll Away Your Stone," "White Blank Page," "The Cave," and a cover of The National's "England."

The launch of "VH1 Unplugged: Mumford & Sons," follows an incredibly busy year for the band that consists of Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, drums, mandolin), Ben Lovett (vocals, keyboards, accordion, drums), "Country" Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo, dobro), and Ted Dwane (vocals, string bass, drums, guitar). more on this story

Devin Townsend Going Epicloud

(Gibson) Devin Townsend says his next musical project will be a called Epicloud. The metal auteur, former Steve Vai vocalist and occasional puppeteer said Epicloud will be "big, heavy, romantic kind of melodic stuff.

"Pretty, ethereal and simple." Townsend wrote on Twitter, "My head's been in a new place as of the past few weeks. been biking quite a bit and learning Lynyrd Skynyrd songs on bass. Writing lots for Epicloud."

Townsend also is preparing to release Deconstruction and Ghost, the final two albums of his four-album Devin Townsend Project. The first two albums, Ki and Addicted! were released in 2009. Townsend is also preparing the next phase of his Ziltoid project, and has been auctioning off gear and memorabilia to fund the construction of a new, more sophisticated Ziltoid The Omniscient puppet. more on this story

Halestorm Take On Guns N' Roses, Temple of the Dog, Skid Row, The Beatles and Lady Gaga

(RockAAA) Halestorm singer Lzzy Hale says turning their hand to some of their favorite rock classics was a process which inspired the band in their own writing and helped them reach levels she didn't even know they could.

The American rockers have re-imagined tracks from Guns N' Roses, Temple of the Dog, Skid Row, The Beatles and Lady Gaga on their brand new cover version EP 'Re-Animate: The Covers'.

And songstress Lzzy reveals the new songs they have been working out are the perfect hybrid of road and radio ready. She told Artist Direct: "There's nothing like performing these songs because we automatically think, 'How do we get an original song to make us feel like that?' It pushed us because I didn't have any idea that I could pull off a song like 'Slave to the Grind.' Or take a song like "Out Ta Get Me," it made me think we really need a song that plays a million miles a minute so I can go to my highest note that I didn't even know I could hit! It's definitely been inspiring us." more on this story

Lou Reed Expands Band and Tour Plans

(Gibson) Lou Reed has added another date to the U.K. leg of his European tour, which will precede the release of his Lollapalooza Live DVD in July. Reed has just confirmed a new guitarist, Tony Diodore, who joins the current lineup of Rob Wasserman (bass), Tony Smith (drums), Kevin Hearn (keyboards), Ulrich Krieger (saxophone), Sarth Calhoun (processing, fingerboard continuum) and Reed (vocals, guitar).

The Lollapalooza DVD features Reed's performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2009, with tracks including "Sweet Jane," "Senselessly Cruel," "Waves of Fear," "Paranoia Key of E" and, of course, the classic "Walk on the Wild Side."

In addition to the new Wolverhampton Wall concert on July 1, Reed will play the Hop Farm Music Festival on July 2 and the London HMV Hammersmith Apollo on July 4. He also will play several shows in France, including Le Grand Rex on July 5, and will undertake an extensive tour of Italy, including shows in Milan, Rome and Taormina, Sicily. more on this story

Watch Cheap Trick Rock NHL Game

(hennemusic) As the Tampa Bay Lightning battle the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals, there was a rumbling sound outside the St. Pete's Forum on May 21, following game 4 of the series (Tampa won the game 5-2 to ties the series at two apiece.).

It was Cheap Trick. The legendary Illinois band packed in the fans outside the Forum.

They played a 12-song, 50-minute set of high-energy rock, full of classic Trick songs, with a few covers thrown in. Check out video here

Jolie Holland North American Tour

Jolie Holland has announced a North American headlining tour in support of her upcoming album Pint Of Blood, out June 28th on Anti- Records.

The tour will be kicking off in New York City at the Bowery Ballroom on June 28th and will wrap in Philadelphia, PA on August 3rd at World Cafe Live.

This six-week tour will see Jolie playing songs from her new album that embraces the live-studio rock approach of the 60's and 70's. more on this story

Primal Scream Screamadelica Live

(Gibson) Primal Scream's live performance of their seminal album Screamadelica will be issued as a live album package by Eagle Rock Entertainment.

The band performed their 1991 album in full at London's Olympia Theater in 2010, complete with a full brass section and a gospel choir.

The package includes another eight Primal Scream tracks with Rock Set. [Amazon shows the Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital album will be released May 31st] more on this story

. U.S. Royalty - Mirrors

Esquire magazine named U.S. Royalty the best-dressed band at the CMJ Festival. The fashion is what you could expect from an impeccably dressed hobo on the run from a Hollywood Hills hippie commune. That goes a long way in describing the bands sound as well. (3 stars) - Read the full U.S. Royalty - Mirrors review