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

August

Kings of Leon Concert Meltdown

(Rock News Desk) Members of the Kings of Leon stopped just short of slamming frontman Caleb Followill after he wandered off stage drunk in Texas, forcing the band to call off their concert.

The singer appeared to be tired and emotional as they performed at the Gexa Energy Pavillion in Dallas on Friday. After spending some time speaking incoherently, he told the crowd: "I'm going to go backstage and vomit, drink a beer and then come back out and play three more songs."

He added: "For the record, I'm not drunk – I'm just f**king hot." But he didn't return, leaving brother and bassist Jared to announce: "We are so unbelievably sorry. It's beyond out control. It's really not our fault – it's Caleb. He can't play the rest of the show.

"We love you guys so much, but I know you guys f**king hate us." - more on this story

Aerosmith Target Release For New 'Raw, Nasty, Tough Rock' Album

(hennemusic) An interesting update on the progress of the new Aerosmith album has surfaced courtesy of producer Jack Douglas. The rock legends entered guitarist Joe Perry's The Boneyard studio in suburban Boston and their main studio, Pandora's Box, early this summer with long-time producer Douglas to begin recording their 14th studio album and first set of original material since 2001's "Just Push Play" and first studio album since 2004's blues covers CD, "Honkin' On Bobo."

Douglas has shared an update on the new project. "The new album should be out around May 2012," reports Jack. "I know that's a long wait, but after the South American tour and Japan in October, November and December, we will just get back to work on it in mid-January. For those who are asking, this album will be raw, nasty, tough rock with a good deal of the old Aerosmith 'tongue in cheek.'"

The May 2012 date is interesting because, if the stars align, the new Aerosmith record should be released right around the time that Season 11 of American Idol is wrapping up….which could mean the Aerosmith appearance on Idol that fans have been waiting for since Steven Tyler landed his gig on the show….and one that Perry himself referenced earlier this year. - more on this story

Jani Lane of Warrant Found Dead

(Rock News Desk) Former Warrant singer Jani Lane was found dead in a California hotel room. He was 47.

Lane, real name John Kennedy Oswald, wrote some of the band's biggest hits including Cherry Pie, Heaven, I Saw Read and Uncle Tom's Cabin.

He split with Warrant in 2008 after a second stint fronting the band which lasted just six months. He'd left in 1993 then rejoined a year later before departing again in 2004.

He'd struggled with alcoholism for many years – a problem which he recently admitted was beginning to affect his health. - more on this story

KISS Dropped From Michael Jackson Tribute Show

(Rock News Desk) KISS have been dropped from the Michael Jackson memorial concert to take place in Wales after promoters were alerted to comments made after the pop star's death in which Gene Simmons suggested he was a paedophile.

Global Live Events, who are running the show in Cardiff in October, responded to pressure from Jackson fans and the trustees of his estate. A letter from the management team told Global: "We were especially disappointed with the announcement that Kiss and Gene Simmons were added as one of the acts. Mr Simmons made disparaging public remarks about Michael Jackson after his passing."

"I knew Michael – but no matter what my fond memories and fond images were, with one allegation of paedophilia after another and another… oh dear," Simmons told Classic Rock in 2010. "One musician quit after seeing boys coming out of the hotel room. You know, where there's smoke there's fire. There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt." - more on this story

Former BulletBoys Member Killed

Former BulletBoys drummer Johnny Giosa, a.k.a Johnny G, was killed in an auto accident on Sunday in Los Angeles, according to Noise Creep.

The band posted the following on their Facebook page: "I post this message with a heavy heavy heart...Words can not express how devastated I am to hear about my friends passing, Mr. Johnny G.

"My sincerest condolences to his family and the ones he loved. We're all going to miss you brother! RIP....Skinnard!!" - Read the Noise Creep report here

Breaking Benjamin Breakup Details

Breaking Benjamin singer Benjamin Burnley allegedly FIRED two of his long-term bandmates by email in a bitter row over a new recording of one of the band's hit-songs.

The alternative rockers have been torn apart by the feud which was detailed in the Citizen's Voice of Wilkes-Barre which is the band's home town. It quotes court documents which claim the row came to a head in May when Burnley gave guitarist Aaron Fincke and bassist Mark Klepaski their marching orders via email.

According to the Citizen's Voice, Burnley has accused Fincke and Klepaski of making unilateral and unauthorised decisions on behalf of the band – and specifically allowing 'Blow Me Away' to be remixed and re-recorded without his consent. It is alleged that Fincke and Klepaski approved the revised version of the song, for use on a greatest hits package, after their record company offered a $100,000 payment. But Burnley insists that neither Fincke or Klepaski or their representatives informed him, the band's lawyer or management that any offer was even made. -

Coheed and Cambria Dismiss Mic Todd Following Bomb Threat Robbery

(Rock News Desk) Coheed and Cambria have dismissed bassist Mic Todd following his arrest for holding up a drugstore while claiming he had a bomb.

Todd was arrested on July 10 just before he hit the stage with the band after police trailed him from the scene of the crime in Attleboro, Massachusetts to the Comcast Center venue in nearby Mansfield.

He was jailed on suspicion of showing a pharmacist a message on his phone claiming he had a bomb and it would be detonated if he wasn't given drugs. Six bottles of prescription painkillers were handed over. Todd posted bail of $25,000 last week and was freed, although it's not known who put up the money. - more on this story

Deep Purple Legend Jon Lord Fighting Cancer

(Rock News Desk) Ex Deep Purple keyboard maestro Jon Lord is fighting cancer, he's announced. But he's vowed to beat the disease and return to the live arena within twelve months, and he adds writing new material will form part of his recovery programme.

Lord says via his website: "I would like all my friends, followers, fans and fellow travellers to know that I am fighting cancer, and will therefore be taking a break from performing while getting the treatment and cure.

"I shall, of course, be continuing to write music. In my world it just has to be part of the therapy. I fully expect to be back in good shape next year. - more on this story

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant Hospitalized

(Gibson) Health issues involving Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant have forced the band to postpone or cancel a number of shows. According to the group's website, the 51-year-old singer was hospitalized over the weekend due to complications from a previous surgery.

Specifically, the site reports that "Johnny Van Zant was admitted to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN on August 6, with a surgical site infected cellulitis which required hospitalization with IV antibiotic treatment. Van Zant has a severe Staph infection and multiple symptoms related to infection. Johnny Van Zant is to remain out of work and recover until cleared by his primary physician."

Lynyrd Skynyrd plans to resume their regular tour schedule with the Doobie Brothers on Friday, August 19, in Bethel, New York, at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. - more on this story

Amy Winehouse Scores Best Selling Album Of The 21st Century

(Gibson) Amy Winehouse's Back to Black is now the U.K.'s biggest-selling album of the 21st century. Billboard reported on August 24 that after a dramatic increase in sales since her tragic death in July, Back to Black has passed James Blunt's 2005 CD, Back to Bedlam.

Since July 23, the original and deluxe releases of Back to Black have sold an extra 175,000 copies.

U.K. sales of Back to Black are at 3.26 million, compared to 3.25 million for Back to Bedlam. - more on this story

Slipknot Promise Tour and Ponder New Album

(Gibson) With Slipknot's future in doubt, ever since bass player Paul Gray's tragic death last year, there's good news for fans.

Last week, frontman Corey Taylor hinted at an upcoming U.S. tour for the band. Now, another member has all but confirmed the news. According to Britain's Daily Express newspaper, Slipknot's drummer Shawn Crahan wrote on his Facebook page: "I wanted to tell everyone straight from my mouth because you may have heard it already anyway, but SLIPKNOT will be touring by next June (12) in America only, but that does not mean things will not change, and as they do, I will, along with others, tell you, our family, first."

As for a new album? "It is too soon and there are no songs yet because the band needs to come together to write this next one... Everything happens for a reason, so be ready." - more on this story

September

Judas Priest Frontman Falls Off His Motorcycle

(hennemusic) Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford fell off the motorcycle he rides onto the stage at the end of each show during Thursday night's concert at Ginásio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil.

It looks like nothing major, as Halford had planted the bike and it was standing still at the time; Rob appears to simply fall over to the left with the bike as it goes down.

The singer quickly rights the bike and the band launch into "Hell Bent For Leather" during their encores. - more on this story

Bob Dylan Accused of Plagiarism

(Ultimate Classic Rock) Bob Dylan's latest collection of paintings has come under fire by art buffs.

The works of art for the singer's 'The Asia Series' collection went on display at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City on Sept. 20 and quickly came under question as being possibly plagiarized.

Dylan was reportedly inspired by his travels to the Far East for this paintings, but The New York Times reports that art critics are raising their eyebrows and are calling the paintings direct copies of photographs that are from the 20th century and are widely available. - more on this story

U2 Going On Hiatus?

(Gibson) Heading up the biggest concert tour in the history of rock music has to be taxing. So, it's no wonder U2's Bono is hinting at a major hiatus for the guys over the next few years.

In an interview with Guilty Pleasures (via Metro) in the U.K. at the annual GQ Men of the Year Awards, the singer first mentioned how much the gents of U2 enjoyed every blasted date of the 360° Tour: "They say every tour is 10 days too long. Not with this one. We genuinely loved every single night and at the end we were so sad."

However, the 51-year-old says he and his comrades need a lengthy break and won't be back "for a while." - more on this story

Temple of the Dog Reunion at Pearl Jam Festival

(hennemusic) Pearl Jam celebrated their 20th Anniversary on Day 1 of their PJ20 Destination Weekend Saturday night in Alpine Valley.

Julian Casablancas, Josh Homme, Glen Hansard, Liam Finn, Dan Peters, Dhani Harrison and Chris Cornell all joined PJ for the main set, whose highlight was the Temple Of The Dog reunion with Cornell as part of the night's encores.

TOTD was formed as a tribute to Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood, who passed away following a heroin overdose in 1990. MLB's lineup included guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament, who would go on to form Pearl Jam following MLB's demise. More details and video - here.

Previously Unreleased Jimmy Page Set For Release

(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page will see the "Death Wish II" soundtrack reissued on a limited vinyl edition in October.

To mark the album's upcoming 30th anniversary (the album was released February 15, 1982), JimmyPage.com will be re-releasing a special, limited, remastered vinyl edition of the soundtrack to Michael Winner's "Death Wish II," featuring a previously unreleased instrumental version of the "Death Wish" main title and new liner notes written by Page.

"In 1981, Michael Winner asked me if I would compose the soundtrack to Death Wish II," said Page, explaining the release of the album. "The songs with vocals were only going to appear in the film for a matter of seconds but I had recorded full versions of them anyway - which is how I ended up doing my first soundtrack and soundtrack album. I've re-released this because I wanted it to be available again." - more on this story

17 Rare Billy Joel Recordings To Be Released

(Ultimate Classic Rock) Billy Joel commemorates 40 years as a solo artist on Nov. 8 with two historic releases. Sony / Legacy will issue a limited edition boxed set entitled 'Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection,' as well as a deluxe double-disc version of his 1973 'Piano Man' album.

'Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection' is packaged in an elegantly designed box and houses Joel's complete catalog from 1971's 'Cold Spring Harbor through 2001's 'Fantasy & Delusions.'

All the albums have been recently remastered in 24-bit audio and the cardboard jackets replicate the original album covers and sleeves. Also included are two 60-page booklets, printed lyrics to every song and a new Q&A with Joel. The cherry here, is the bonus disc of 17 rare and non-album recordings - more on this story

Coal Chamber Reunion Announced

DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara announced plans to reform Coal Chamber specifically for Soundwave shows in Australia.

Dez says, "Coal Chamber is playing Soundwave Down Under! These reunion shows are for the fans that want to see us again as well as all the people that never got to see Coal Chamber.

"It is and always will be a very special part of my life, so these few shows are for those people and for us. If you're not from Australia, better get a ticket now to come see this event!" - more on this story

Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers Lead Rock Hall Noms

(hennemusic) Guns N' Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers lead the list of nominees for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame class of 2012.

Other rockers include Heart, War, The Small Faces/Faces, Beastie Boys, Freddie King, Donovan and The Cure.

Ballots will be sent to more than 500 voters, who will select artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 27th Annual Induction Ceremony. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2012 Nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1986. - more on this story

Man Convicted of Killing Mother Over Avril Lavigne Tickets

An Illinois man, Robert Lyons, has been convicted of the first degree murder of his mother which took place after he got into a dispute with her over tickets to an Avril Lavigne concert in March of 2008.

Rock NYC reports: "His mother Linda Bolek refused to ask her friend to see if Lyons could get skybox tickets to see Avril. He became increasingly agitated. He hit her in the head with a champagne bottle, then stabbed her repeatedly afterwards in the back. Then he called his friends and said she threatened him with a knife and struggled back to save himself.

"A few hours later he was arrested in Schaumburg, Illinois at a Hooters restaurant." - read in-depth coverage of the case here.

Steven Adler Launching New Band

(superLOUD) Steven Adler has responded on Twitter to the news that his right-hand man in Adler's Appetite, Chip Z'nuff has left the group. @StevenAdlerSite (Steven Adler) Fact #1. I luv @Chip_Znuff like a brother and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Fact #2. Chips departure was my decision due to the fact that I am working on an original band with @MichaelThomas19 and Lonnie Johnson.

Fact #3. I have a record deal and we were just in the studio this past Sunday recording our first single that will drop in the next 2 months.

Fact #4. Our first single has one of the hottest new singers in the game right now on vocals. Hint his bands initials are just like mine. - And who could that be? There is a guess here and one more fact from Steven

Good Charlotte Going On Hiatus

(Gibson) Good Charlotte are releasing a mix tape, Before the Fame: The Madden Brothers, on October 1. "It's all new artists – Machine Gun Kelly, Rockie Fresh," guitarist Benji Madden tells Rolling Stone magazine. But after that, it's goodbye for a while.

"We're stepping away from the grind of making records and touring for a minute, just to have fun and be creative like we were when we were 15," Benji says.

Good Charlotte released their last album, Cardiology, in late 2010, their fifth album since their debut in 2000. The band has released albums Greatest Remixes (2008) and Greatest Hits (2010) to sum up their career so far - more on this story

October

Axl Rose Takes A Fall During Guns N' Roses Concert

(hennemusic) Tuesday night, Axl Rose was rock-rock-rockin' on the stage floor in Mexico City after the Guns N' Roses frontman slipped and fell during the show.

While performing the Bob Dylan track, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," Axl was slowly wandering across the stage when he slipped and fell awkwardly. Rose continued to sing through the incident and, as a roadie rushed to help him up, Axl waved him off and climbed back to his feet, to the applause of the crowd.

The show was the first of back-to-back gigs at the Sports Palace in Mexico City, with another two to follow this weekend, including Guadalajara (Sat) and Monterrey (Sun). - See video of the fall here

Anthrax Singer Tackled On Stage

(Rock News Desk) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian is furious after singer Joey Belladonna was forced to the ground by a security guard during their show in LA on Saturday.

The band were 90 minutes into their show when Belladonna went to put his arm round a fan who'd managed to make his way onto the stage. A bouncer climbed onto the stage and threw himself at the fan, taking the singer down with them. Belladonna remained at the bottom of the scrum as more guards joined in.

Bassist Frank Bello was the first member of the band to stop playing as the violent episode continued. He screamed abuse at the overzealous guard as the rest of Anthrax ground to a halt. - more including video

Guitarist Killed By Bandmate

(Rock News Desk) Aleister Wild guitarist Terry Span has died twelve days after being put in a coma with one punch from his band's bassist. He was 48.

Bassist Michael Sorden, who was on parole for a violent episode involving shooting at a truck driver, floored Span and put him in a coma during an argument about loading out their equipment after a pub gig in Colorado.

The band's singer Ernest Munoz told last week how Sorden had first attacked him outside the venue. As he lay on the ground Span stepped in to stop the fight. But Sorden hit him too. Munoz said: "Blood spattered on my arms and I knew there was something really serious about this." - more on this story

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Hospitalized After Fall

(hennemusic) Steven Tyler's shower accident on Tuesday is being blamed on dehydration as a result of food poisoning.

TMZ reports sources connected to the Aerosmith singer tell them Tyler was suffering from dehydration caused by a bout of food poisoning when he collapsed in a Paraguay hotel shower .

Tyler was treated at a hospital in Paraguay's capital for injuries to his face, including the loss of two teeth and cuts to his eyebrow and mouth. - more on this story

Paul Stanley of KISS Has Vocal Chord Surgery

(Rock News Desk) KISS mainman Paul Stanley has had surgery on his vocal cords, it's been confirmed.

The singer and guitarist, 59, underwent a procedure on Tuesday and experts say he's on course to make a quick and full recovery.

He tells fans: "I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a few mint issues that come with 40 years of preaching rock'n'roll." - more on this story

Van Halen Using Backing Tapes In Concert?

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar accuses Van Halen of using former bassist Michael Anthony's talents on the road, even after they unceremoniously dismissed him and his contributions to the group and its legacy.

"Those vocal harmonies on the last tour were Mike on tape," asserted Hagar. "Mike should've reamed them for it. Wolfie don't sing like that, and Ed sure as hell don't. Go on the Internet and listen to Ed's voice live from the reunion with me. Hear him sing on 'When It's Love' and some of those songs. Ed can't sing, and his voice is shot if he can, from cigarettes and booze anyway."

Sammy didn't stop there. "I just don't see Van Halen getting together again," said the Red Rocker. "I don't know what would have to happen for it to happen. I don't think they're ever going to get together with Dave. They've been working on that record for a year and a half or whatever, and they keep postponing and postponing it." - There is yet more here

Poison Deny Song Theft

(Rock News Desk) Poison insist there's no truth behind a lawsuit which accuses them of stealing some of the songs which appeared on their debut album Look What the Cat Dragged In.

They're the subject of a lawsuit filed by two musicians who worked with guitarist CC DeVille before he joined Poison and made it big. Billy McCarthy and James Stonich auditioned DeVille for their outfit Kid Rocker, and they say the tryout included two of their songs which DeVille later incorporated into Poison tracks.

Now a lawyer representing Bret Michaels and co says the band are ready to defend their position. Mark D Passin tells the Hollywood Reporter, "Obviously, if the Poison songs that are the subject of the complaint infringed any songs written by plaintiffs McCarthy and Stonich, they would have filed their lawsuit over 20 years ago." - more on this story

Unreleased Freddie Mercury Vocals For New Queen Album

(Rock News Desk) Queen are working on a brand new album set to featured previously unheard vocals from late singer Freddie Mercury.

Guitarist Brian May has revealed he and drummer Roger Taylor are searching through their archives for material the band worked on before their frontman died in 1991. And he says there are enough songs to release a Queen record and also create an update to their 2002 musical We Will Rock You.

May tells the Daily Star the pair are "going through some old drawers" and adds: "As well as seeing what we can unearth, we want to do a new musical to follow We Will Rock You." - more on this story

Duff McKagan To Open for Guns N' Roses

(hennemusic) Former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan will open some shows for his old band, according to Axl Rose.

Rose sat down with VH1's That Metal Show's Eddie Trunk for an hour-long interview after GNR's Miami concert on Saturday night.

Following the session, Trunk posted that he spoke with Axl about the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame situation, new music, his lateness, this lineup, playing with Duff McKagan – and that Axl said [Duff McKagan's] Loaded will open some shows - more on this story

Shooting May Leave Metal Guitarist Paralyzed

(Rock News Desk) A 25-year-old death metal guitarist may never walk again after being shot in an armed robbery near his home. Tony Lorenzo of Buffalo, New York band Sons of Azrael has a bullet lodged in his spine and is currently paralyzed from the waist down.

Doctors must wait for the swelling to go down before attempting to remove the missile, and until then they can't say whether Lorenzo will make a full recovery.

The incident unfolded when an unidentified young man approached him and his friend from behind. The guitarist tells WIVB.com: "The kid asked me, 'Give me what you got.' And before I could even get my wallet out, he just shot me. - more on this story

Metallica Fans Riot

(hennemusic) A postponement of the Metallica show in India Friday night has led angry and impatient fans on site to riot. Metallica's concert in Gurgaon was postponed 24 hours [and ultimately canceled], according to event organizers.

After the news of postponement was announced on stage, disappointed fans tried to vandalize the venue; they broke barriers, climbed on stage and tore posters. Several fans gained access to the stage area, setting fire to banners and causing damage to the LED screens, monitors and other equipment. More including video here

(Update) There's more fallout from the cancellation of the Metallica concert in Gurgaon, India. The Gurgaon police said the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network for Metallica concerts, Rajesh Chandwani, and his team members - Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio - were arrested on charges of cheating people and breach of trust. - more on this story