Top 11 of 11

This Thanksgiving weekend we are looking back at the top 11 stories from each month of the Day in Rock in 2011

May

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

Axl Has Three Guns N' Roses Albums Up His Sleeve

(RockAAA) Axl Rose has three albums worth of new Guns N' Roses material recorded, most of which will never see the light of day, says Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba.

"Axl has a lot of great songs up his sleeve," Ashba tells Nui Te Koha of Triple M Melbourne, Australia's Hot Breakfast. "He probably has three albums worth of stuff recorded. The stuff I've heard…I've been up in his hotel room many nights and he just sits down at the piano and plays. I'm like, 'This is amazing. People have to hear this song.' And he's like, 'Ah, this is something I'm tinkering on.'

"He's just a genius when it comes down to music," Ashba added, "and I just cannot wait to sit down with an acoustic guitar and just write. He's just got this gift that's very, very rare." -

Corey Taylor Speaks Out on Velvet Revolver

(Gibson) After months of rumors that Stone Sour/Slipknot singer Corey Taylor was going to be christened as the next Velvet Revolver vocalist, followed by that not happening, Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash admitted in a new interview that he was the main reason Taylor didn't get the gig.

Slash explained that Taylor did meet with the group, but it just didn't click, reports Blabbermouth.net: "All we were doing was just rehearsing with him and trying him out – auditioning him ... he did come in and do all that. It just didn't seem to fit right to me. And he's great, and I love Corey, but it didn't seem like the answer to the Velvet Revolver problem."

Adding to the drama, during a co-hosting stint on the May 4 edition of Canada's Louder radio show, Taylor was asked for his thoughts on Slash's comments. "We got together and we jammed some stuff and I guess it just wasn't working for him, which… He's Slash and he's entitled to have that, and I'm not gonna argue with him," Taylor said. "But it was cool to just be able to get together and jam with those guys and I made some really cool friends. Me and Duff [McKagan, Velvet Revolver bassist] are really close. It's one more thing I can say I did." - more on this story

Weiland Says Velvet Revolver Was For The Money

(Rock News Desk) Scott Weiland admits he joined Velvet Revolver purely for the money – and although he liked the band's music he didn't think it was his best work.

The singer joined ex Guns n'Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum alongside guitarist Dave Kushner in 2003, after he left Stone Temple Pilots. They recorded two albums together before the band kicked him out for his continuing drug addiction issues.

In his biography Not Dead And Not For Sale, published next week, Weiland says his first reaction to being invited to join was. "Sounds like a lot of egos – sounds like a lot of trouble," he writes. "They put some songs on a CD and my wife said, 'They think you'll like what they're doing.' I didn't; it sounded like Bad Company and I never liked Bad Company. A week or so later another CD arrived with songs custom-designed for me. The tunes had STP written all over them." - more on this story

Stone Sour Star Has Stroke

(Rock News Desk) Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga has suffered a minor stroke. The 41-year-old fell ill after the band played a show in Des Moines, Iowa, at the weekend, but he's responding well to treatment.

The band have now cancelled the six remaining shows of their current US tour in support of 2010 album Audio Secrecy.

Stone Sour say in a statement.: "It is with regret we've decided to cancel. Roy's doing great and he's expected to make a 100% recovery. We apologise to all the fans and look forward to getting back out on the road with Roy in the coming months." - more on this story

Bret Michaels Explains Feud With Motley Crue

(Rock News Desk) Bret Michaels says the source of disagreement between his band Poison and Motley Crue was when Nikki Sixx "rebranded" his outfit.

The former motorcycle buddies have been involved in a war of words recently. Michaels said bassist Sixx had apologised for previous episodes of Crue badmouthing the singer's band. But Sixx then stated: "That isn't what i said. What I did say was 'I personally never had anything against you guys as a people, but Motley just sorta though you sucked as band. But let's give the fans what they want and go out and have a good time.'"

Now Michaels says the argument arose when Crue parted company with singer Vince Neil and replaced him with John Corabi, leading to the release of an album which wasn't as well received as their previous material - Read what he had to say here

Mick Jagger Forms Supergroup

(Gibson) Perhaps still smarting from various barbs in Keith Richards' autobiography, Life, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger appears to be stepping out on his own. The New York Post is reporting that Jagger has been recording with Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart, Bob Marley's son Damian Marley, singer Joss Stone and Oscar-winning Indian musician/producer A.R. Rahman.

An unnamed source told the Post, "They just finished a record and their first video and are talking to major labels about a deal. The name for the band at the moment is Super Heavy."

"Each member has a very distinct and different style, but it works," another source said. "Mick has been recording with Dave for a while, and both worked with Joss in the past." - more on this story

Tactical Team Used For Vinnie Vincent Arrest

(Rock News Desk) Rock News Desk uncovered more details about former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent's arrest for aggravated assault: Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reports their FAST (Felony Arrest Search Tactical) team were required to tackle VIncent after his wife reported he'd knocked her down four times and dragged her through broken glass.

Deputy Joseph May says: "On Sunday at approximately 6.44pm I responded to the office lobby in reference to a female who was covered in blood and possibly intoxicated. Upon arrival at 6.49 I made contact with Diane Cusano.

"Diane stated to me that she and her husband Vincent Cusano had gotten into an argument about a female he was talking to. She stated Vincent became verbally abusive, swearing and telling her to 'Get the f*** out of the house".

"Diane stated that Vincent then smacked her in the face. She stated he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, then dragged her through a pile of glass from a broken plate. She stated he threw her on the ground a total of four times before he let her get up and she drove to the sheriff's office. - The tale continues here

Silverchair Break Up

(Gibson) Silverchair have announced they are calling it quits, at least for the foreseeable future. In a lengthy statement posted on their Facebook page this morning, the veteran Australian three-piece said that "after much soul-searching … [we're] putting Silverchair into 'indefinite hibernation'."

"Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record," the statement reads. "Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment."

Silverchair, which includes singer/guitarist Daniel Johns, bassist Chris Joannou and drummer Ben Gillies, released their last album, Young Modern, in 2007. In their statement, the band said the parting is amicable, and that they remain friends. "The three of us still truly care about each other," the statement goes on to say. "At the moment Ben's busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you'll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead." - more on this story

Bob Seger Retiring?

(Gibson) Perhaps old time rock and roll can only soothe the soul for so long. Bob Seger has said he might be hanging it up when it comes to touring and recording. The 66-year-old rocker is closing in on the end of a 27-date tour.

"I've been doing this a long time," he told Billboard.com. "I don't know if I want to do this when I'm 67, you know?"

But fear not, Silver Bullet Band fans. Seger and company are considering a final fall tour to hit some of the regions they missed on this spring's trek. "We didn't play anywhere in Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky... I could go on and on," he said. "There were states we never even got to... And it's going so well and everybody is so positive on it, we are considering maybe two months, like late October to late December, just before Christmas. - more on this story

Roger Waters Rules Out Future Pink Floyd Reunion

(hennemusic) NME reports Roger Waters has dashed any hopes Pink Floyd fans had for a reunion of the legendary group by telling the BBC that he has "no wish to reunite with Pink Floyd ever again."

"I'm really glad that I was in that band for the 20 years that I was in it and I really enjoyed it," said Waters on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs show Sunday morning. "I think we did some great work together but I have no wish to do it ever again."

Rogers' comments come just two weeks after he was joined onstage by former Floyd bandmates David Gilmour and Nick Mason at London's 02 Arena, as part of Waters' "The Wall Live" tour. The unannounced May 12 guest appearances happened during Waters six-night run at the venue, shows that were being filmed and recorded for future release - more on this story

June

E Street Band's Clarence Big Man Clemons Dies

(Rock News Desk) E Street Band's Clarence Clemons has died after he suffered a stroke last weekend. He was 69. Affectionately known as "The Big Man," Clemons spent nearly four decades playing sax with Bruce Springsteen and his band.

He'd been hit by a series of health issues in recent years including back surgery and the replacement of both knees. Before his stroke he'd been forced to cancel an appearance at the NBA basketball finals two weeks ago following a hand injury.

Springsteen has paid tribute to close friend Clemons, saying the pair had become inseparable almost as soon as they met. "His loss is immeasurable, and we're honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years," the Boss says.

"He was my great friend and my partner. With Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. - more on this story

Black Veil Brides Singer Injured After 15 Foot Fall

(Rock News Desk) Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack sustained rib fractures after a 15-foot jump during the band's show in Hollywood at the weekend.

He says: "I've shattered three ribs on my left side. I'll keep everyone updated but for now I'm resting so I can get back to rocking on stage as soon as possible."

You can see how it happened by checking out video of the incident that can be viewed - here.

Chickenfoot Vs Van Halen?

(RockAAA) Chickenfoot. Van Halen. Michael Anthony has lived in both worlds, so he's probably more curious than most when it comes to the new VH album – the band's first with David Lee Roth in 27 years, and first with new bassist Wolfgang VH - due later this year.

"Yeah, I'm curious to see what they come out with, but there's no type of competitive type thing," the bassist tells Ultimate Classic Rock. "It's funny, I go online, and see what the fans are saying, you know, 'Oh my God, it's gonna be Van Halen against Chickenfoot this year, both things coming out, and what's going to be better?' and blah blah blah. If they out put out a great album, that's great. I just know that ours is great, and I'm really proud of it."

Anthony was unceremoniously dumped as VH bassist for reasons, he believes, have nothing to do with music. "Some Van Halen fans say I left the band to hook up with Sammy, but I never said, 'I quit'," Michael told Mojo last year. "There was nothing going on in the Van Halen camp, but Eddie kinda backed me up against a wall. . . Eddie felt that I was a traitor. I helped hook Sammy back up with them for the 2004 reunion tour, but Eddie didn't want me to be a part of that originally, so I took a big pay cut. I'm not crying, I didn't need the money. I did that because I wanted to play for the fans. I signed away any legal rights I had with the name, the trademark or whatever. I did it because if that was the last time Van Halen would ever be on stage, I wanted to be part of it." -

Mountain Legend Leslie West Loses Leg

(Rock News Desk) Mountain's Leslie West has had his lower right leg amputated after suffering an infection connected with diabetes.

Doctors spent two days trying to avoid the extreme measure – but surgery was deemed essential to keep him alive as the disease began to spread through his body.

The 65-year-old star was on a flight to Biloxi, Mississippi, to perform with the respected hard rock band when his leg began to swell and discolor. On arrival he was taken to hospital where doctors identified the infection was complicated by "peripheral arterial disease and blood clotting factors." - more on this story

Glen Campbell Has Alzheimer's

(Gibson) Guitar great and country music legend Glen Campbell has revealed that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The Country Music Hall of Famer, who has scored more than 80 top 10 hits and sold more than 45 million albums, just recorded his final CD, Ghost on the Canvas, with help from rock luminaries like Jakob Dylan, Billy Corgan, Dick Dale, Chris Isaak and Rick Nielsen.

But with a final tour also being planned, Glen and his wife Kim decided to go public with news of Campbell's condition. Kim told People magazine,"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer. But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?'" - more on this story

More Pink Floyd Rarities On The Way

(Gibson) Pink Floyd are re-releasing all of their studio albums in new editions on September 26. In addition, the rock titans will be putting out new, deluxe versions of three of their most-cherished albums – The Dark Side of the Moon (September 26), Wish You Were Here (November 7) and The Wall (February 27).

Now, drummer Nick Mason has revealed that more of the special editions (which feature alternate and live tracks) will be released for other Floyd albums. Could Animals be next? "We will do some more sort of in-depth versions of other albums, but I don't know what we've got in the pipeline for that, yet," he told Billboard.com.

As for the bonus material on the first three editions, Mason said he really enjoyed a different version of "Wish You Were Here" that featured violin. "When I heard that for the first time, I couldn't for the life of me understand why we never put that on record in the first place," he said. "I felt like, 'This is great! Why didn't we use this?!'" - more on this story

Metallica Working On New Album With Rick Rubin

(Gibson) Producer Rick Rubin says the guys in Metallica are about to begin writing songs for their new album, which he will helm, of course. Rubin talked to Billboard.com about the process.

"I had a meeting with Lars [Ulrich] in San Francisco...to explore what the focus was going to be this time around," he said. "I'm still sort of thinking about what that is going to be. I'll ask a lot of questions and we'll probably listen to some of the riffs that they've been writing. Usually I'll hear something that will sort of indicate the direction and then we'll talk about it from there."

Of course, that's far from the only project Rubin is working on. He's also produced the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers album, I'm With You, which is due out August 30. Rubin shared his thoughts on the band's new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

"Josh is fantastic," Rubin said. "He played with John Frusciante for many, many years and he actually toured with the Chili Peppers before, so he's sort of part of the extended family. He's stylistically very close to John but has a completely different trip. It sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers that you've never heard before." - more on this story

Linkin Park Team With Rick Rubin For New Album

(Gibson) The guys in Linkin Park are pretty far along in the writing process for their new album. Producer Rick Rubin recently gave an update on the band's progress on their follow-up to 2010's A Thousand Suns.

"Typically we'll have a once a week meeting to go listen to the songs that they're coming up with and talk about them," Rubin told Billboard.com. "For so early in the project, they are much further along than they have been on the last two albums we did.

"On A Thousand Suns there were still a lot of irons in the fire. We knew, 'OK, we can't do this forever. Let's leave this batch and we'll come back and address it when we start up again.'" - more on this story

Guns N' Roses Guitarist In Multi-Car Accident

(Rock News Desk) Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal survived a potentially fatal car accident on Tuesday after a driver ploughed into his vehicle and forced it into another two.

He miraculously walked away from the pile-up, which totaled his Toyota – and after dealing with the associated paperwork he got straight back to work making music.

Bumblefoot, 41, posted a photo of the wreckage via his Twitter account and commented: "Thank you Toyota for the functional seat belt, air bags and crumple zone. You saved my skull." He added: "SUV just ploughed into me at full speed. My car is totalled and two other cars she smashed me into. I'm well enough to tweet, which means I'm not dead yet." - more on this story

Tool Writing New Music

(Gibson) Maynard James Keenan is on the road with alt-metallers A Perfect Circle this summer, but it seems his bread-and-butter band, Tool, aren't completely out of the picture.

"We're writing," the frontman told SPIN of the current state of Tool, adding that A Perfect Circle are also writing and "might put out a track of two" this year. "The energy is good, so there's always the potential for a future," he said.

Maynard, who runs his own wine vineyards when he's not on tour, added that recording music "is very much like winemaking. Pieces are developing individually, then you bring them together and they either fit together or they don't. "Eventually when you bring it all together, it integrates, then you spend a little bit of time working on it, and then you release it." - more on this story

David Frankie Toler of Allman Brothers Band Fame Dies

David "Frankie" Toler, former Allman Brothers Band drummer, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 2:00 PM in hospice care in Bradenton, Florida, after a prolonged illness at the age of 59.

Frankie is survived by his wife, Marsha, their daughter, Aja Kayle, and his older brother, Dan Toler. Frankie Toler's health had been in decline for several years and it prevented him from recording and going on tour, but after receiving a liver transplant two years ago he had been able to play at some band rehearsals.

Frankie Toler had an extensive and stellar career as a world-class professional drummer, and played on the world stage with legendary bands and musicians, many whom are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. - more on this story

July

Amy Winehouse Dead at 27

(Gibson) Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home. The famously self-destructive singer with the beehive hairdo was 27.

Winehouse shot to worldwide fame with her 2006 album Back to Black, which went on to win five Grammy awards, including Best Album and Best Pop Vocal Album. The album's breakout single "Rehab" took home three Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year, as well as Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Winehouse's personal troubles were well-documented over the last few years. Police confirm she was pronounced dead at her Camden Square home in northern London. Cause of death has yet to be determined. London Ambulance Services said that the singer was dead before the two ambulances dispatched to her home arrived.

Winehouse canceled her European tour last month after she was booed off stage during the tour's first show in Belgrade due to severely slurring the lyrics to her songs, making them virtually unrecognizable. "I didn't go out looking to be famous," Winehouse told the Associated Press shortly after releasing her Back to Black album. "I'm just a musican." - more on this story

Coheed and Cambria Member Arrested For Attempted Armed Robbery With Fake Bomb

(Rock News Desk) Coheed and Cambria bassist Michael Todd has been arrested on suspicion of armed robbery after an incident in a US drugstore.

He's said to have entered a branch of the Waldgreens chain in Attleboro, Massachusetts, just before 1pm local time. It's reported he showed a pharmacist a message on his phone which claimed a bomb would be detonated if they didn't hand over an amount of prescription painkillers.

The thief left the premises with six bottles of pills and hired a cab. Police investigation suggested the vehicle in question had taken the suspect to the tour bus area of the Comcast Center in nearby Mansfield, where Coheed and Cambria were preparing to support Soundgarden. Police officers arrested him just minutes before the band were set to hit the stage. He was identified as the suspect by store staff, the cab driver and by CCTV footage. - more on this story

Wolfmother Frontman Arrested

(Rock News Desk) Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale spent a night in jail at the weekend after drunkenly forcing his way onto a pub stage then brawling with bouncers.

Stockdale, 35, was drinking with friends at the Archive Bar near his home in Brisbane, Australia on Sunday, while a local band were performing a set. He interrupted them and demanded to be allowed to play a song, then sang a cover of the Beatles' Let It Be with the addition of strong language.

He had to be forcibly removed from the stage, and was told he wouldn't be served any more drinks. When security staff asked him to leave he sat on the floor and refused to move, at which point the police were called. - more on this story

Cheap Trick Narrowly Escape Stage Collapse

(Rock News Desk) Cheap Trick narrowly escaped injury when they abandoned a stage just moments before it collapsed in a heavy storm.

Five people were hurt in the drama, at least one of them seriously, following a freak gust of wind which tore a festival roof canopy apart.

The power-pop rock icons were performing a set at the open-air Bluesfest event in Ottawa, Canada, when the weather turned bad.The four-piece abandoned the show and were being evacuated from the area when the stage roof and lighting rig crashed down on the place they'd been playing. It's thought a gust as strong as 90mph forced the construction to collapse. - more on this story

Ringo Shoots Down McCartney Reunion Rumor

(Gibson) Despite rumors suggesting that ex-Beatle Ringo Starr may be part of an Olympics 2012 supergroup, the drummer has said he will not be involved at all.

According to the Daily Express, it was multi-gold-medal-winner Steve Redgrave who hinted that there could be a Beatles reunion of sorts with Starr and Paul McCartney and other iconic stars like Mick Jagger and John Lydon teaming up for the opening ceremony in London next summer.

Whatever the musical lineup, they'll have to find a different drummer. Ringo told Sky News: "I'll be touring America so I won't be doing it." - more on this story

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

Alice in Chains Working On New Album

(Gibson) Alice in Chains are hard at work on a new album, according to friend of the band and Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson. The singer told Ultimate Classic Rock that the grunge greats are making progress on the as-yet-untitled release, due later this year or in early 2012.

"I saw those guys just yesterday," she said. "I went over to visit them in the studio where they were working on some new stuff – they sound amazing! How can Jerry [Cantrell] not sound amazing, but I mean, it really does – they're a monster."

The album will be the follow-up to 2009's Black Gives Way to Blue, which was the first Alice in Chains album to feature singer William DuVall (in place of the late Layne Staley). - more on this story

AC/DC's Bon Scott Biopic In The Works

(hennemusic) We could be seeing a Bon Scott film in the future. Screen Australia, the government's key funding body for the film industry in that country, has approved financing aid for several new projects, including one about the late AC/DC frontman.

"Bon Scott" will be directed by Eddie Martin and produced by Lizzette Atkins, who worked together on another biopic, the feature-length documentary "Lionel," about a boxer. Stephen Cleary is script editing.

There remains a great deal of interest in Bon's story, at least certainly in Australia, where musician/actor Nick Barker is currently playing the AC/DC legend in the Melbourne theatre production of "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be - The Story Of Bon Scott." - more on this story

Disturbed's Future Unclear

(Rock News Desk) Dan Donegan insists Disturbed have not made any decision on whether to split or go on indefinite hiatus, despite the rumours flying around about their future.

He does admit they have no further plans after their current tour comes to an end – but says that doesn't mean there won't be any plans. And he suggests things have changed as the members have got older and started their own families, meaning the band is in previously uncharted waters in terms of their careers.

"What it comes down to is ever since the start we're always had a gameplan of what comes next after each thing. This time around we just haven't got to those discussions yet," Donegan tells The Eagle Rocks. "So I don't have a clear answer because I'm not sure where everybody's heads are at. I think we're not ready to sit down and have the discussion of when we want to get back together, or if we're going to." - more on this story

Avenged Sevenfold Warned Portnoy

(Rock News Desk) Avenged Sevenfold warned Mike Portnoy not to quit Dream Theater – especially if he was planning to stay with them, because they'd already decided he wasn't the "right fit" to become a full-time member.

The band admit they were delighted when he joined them as temporary replacement for tragic Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, who died in 2009. But they felt stuck in an uncomfortable situation when he decided to quit his own band half-way through their world tour. "When Mike first came in he was sincere in the fact he was there help us fulfill Jimmy's legacy," Guitarist Zacky Vengeance tells Guitar World. "We'll always be so thankful – and truthfully he was really the only man for the job.

"But I think he was also searching for new things to do. I know for a fact he was starting to lose his romance with Dream Theater, and that had been going on from before he knew us. - more on this story

Eddie Van Halen Nervous About New Album

(hennemusic) Back in January, Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt was in L.A.'s Henson Studios for a songwriting session when he had a chance encounter Eddie Van Halen.

"As I was about to enter the room, my ears demanded that my feet stop in their tracks," writes Nuno in the upcoming Neil Zlozower book, "Eddie Van Halen," due this fall. "What caused me to stop was a familiar sound from the room across the hall. This sound was desperately trying to break through the double-thick walls of the studio. It was faint, but even so, there was no mistaking the power of the sound that was seeping through those walls, because there can only be one Edward."

"I ran into Edward an hour later in the hallway," Nuno writes, "and after receiving a hello and a warm hug from the man who changed the world, I asked, 'How's it coming along in there?' And Ed said, 'It's cool. . . . I'm a little nervous, though.' I said, 'Nervous? You!? Eddie Van? The Master? Do you have any idea what you have done? The gifts you have given us for over thirty years? You single-handedly changed the history of how we play guitar!'" - more on this story