Rolling Stones Members Release Handwritten Christmas Messages

Ronnie Wood: Hey you Stones fans – Happy Christmas!!!" See the photos here.

Sammy Hagar Looks Ahead To 2013 With Christmas Message

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar has posted his annual holiday message to fans. The Red Rocker updates fans on several things, including his thoughts on 2012, some upcoming live events, his possible plans for 2013 and a status check on Chickenfoot.

"Joe's [Satriani] doing his thing and Chad's [Smith] just coming off a [Red Hot] Chili Peppers tour and he's not gonna wanna go into the studio," says Hagar. "So I think Mikey [Michael Anthony] and I and the Wabos, we'll just go out and do some stuff."

Chickenfoot will release a new box set, "I+III+LV", on January 25. The package will include the band's debut album "Chickenfoot", the follow-up, "III", and the limited live release "LV", released in December and limited to 10,000 numbered copies in Europe. Read more and watch video here.

Van Halen's David Lee Roth Wishes Fans Happy Appalachia Holiday

(hennemusic) Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth is sharing a holiday greeting for fans. "HappyAppalachiaHoliday! From Me & Russ," posted Roth, along with one of his sheepdogs.

Some of the first Van Halen videos and images posted in advance of the release of "A Different Kind Of Truth" in February featured Roth and his sheepdogs.

"A lot of folks have emailed us and accosted me on the street about the dog world videos," explained the singer. "These are my sheepdogs - this is Mike. We're going to the Nationals – we got invited to the Nationals last time but we didn't quite make it; we were making the Van Halen record."

The video features all kinds of herding dog moves as Mike and another dog, Ben, follow Roth's instructions while herding sheep and cattle, respectively. Watch videos and see Christmas picture here.

Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Remembers Sandy Victims On Christmas

(hennemusic) Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine posted a holiday message to fans on Monday.

"Merry Christmas to all of my Droogies! If you can, please remember those devastated by Hurricane #Sandy (still) and send help."

Megadeth are currently in the studio working on their 14th album with producer Johnny K.

Mustaine also shared an update on the new project: "Three songs tracked and almost done. New Megadeth music is coming to getcha!" more on this story

Top 12 of 2012: February

Music news is slow during the holidays, so for the rest of the year in addition to the latest news, we will be looking back at the top 12 stories for each month of 2012. Today we look back at the top stories from February and March.

Rolling Stone Turned Down Spot in Led Zeppelin (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(Gibson) Rolling Stone Turned Down Spot in Led Zeppelin was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood has claimed that he turned down the chance to join Led Zeppelin. Speaking on his U.K. Absolute Radio show, the guitarist said that his old manager Peter Grant sounded him out about joining the group when they were still known as The New Yardbirds. But Wood declined, as he thought they were a "bunch of farmers."

"Peter Grant used to manage myself and Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart and Mickey Waller and Nicky Hopkins back in the good old days," Wood recalled. "[Peter] was behind a band that was going to be called The New Yardbirds."

Wood added: "I had an offer to join, and I said 'I can't join that bunch of farmers'. Anyway, they eventually changed their name and turned out to be Led Zeppelin, and he managed them as well." more on this story

Mustaine Talks Metallica and Megadeth Supergroup Hopes (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

Mustaine Talks Metallica and Megadeth Supergroup Hopes was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine spoke with Minneapolis' 93X about his hoped for supergroup with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Metallica's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.

Dave explained that is was just wishful thinking, "Yeah, that was just me talking. I don't think [James and Lars are] interested in doing that. It would be cool, and I've mentioned it to them before. I just think that they're so busy that they don't have time to do something like that. My wife and James' wife are friends, and they talk a lot. From what I know, too, there's a lot of work that those guys do, and they're gone a lot, and they tour a lot, so for them to take on a project like that, I think it would have to really be a labor of love.

"Of course, David and I would do it, 'cause I think it would be great to play with them again. When I went up there and did the 30th anniversary thing, I thought it was really cool. Megadeth is doing really fine right now. I'm not in the place to be asking for favors from anybody. I like who I am right now, I'm satisfied with where my career's at. But don't kid yourself, if we got together and played, I imagine it would be really cool. It wouldn't be anything like Megadeth, of course, and it wouldn't be anything like Metallica. But we'll see what happens. Maybe with enough people asking them, they'll buckle."

Axl Rose Had Stage Fright Says Former Guns N' Roses Manager (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(Gibson) Axl Rose Had Stage Fright Says Former Guns N' Roses Manager was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Manager and producer Alan Niven is currently telling his side of the Guns N' Roses story in a three-part interview with Metal Sludge.

In Part 2 of the interview, published over the weekend, Niven talked about the band's big breakthrough, which came on the back of a strong live reputation and a few late night MTV plays. "MTV put the band on overnight, when you had to use an alarm clock to see the videos," Niven said. "But even in overnight, 'Welcome to the Jungle' got a reaction, so MTV started moving it up. By March of '88, it had gone gold. Then on April 7, 1988, it went platinum."

Niven also opened up about talking Axl Rose through his stage fright, which threatened to cripple the crucial tour with Aerosmith that proved to be a key turning point for the band. "He's a singer, and singers who have to go out there three, four or five times a week, they invest their spirit in what they're singing," Niven said. "The guitar players have something in their hands. They're not naked. The singer is out there naked, and sometimes that's hard to do. Obviously, Axl still has problems with it because he's still late." more on this story

Pantera Reunion Rejected (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

Pantera Reunion Rejected was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: The Metal Den says an unnamed source told them that Vinnie Paul has rejected a lucrative offer to take part in a one-time Pantera reunion to pay tribute to his brother Dimebag Darrell Abbott who was murdered in 2004.

Vinnie Paul had previously discounted an online campaign for the tribute show reunion by telling www.darkside.ru, "Dime was such a huge part of it that it would be just completely asinine to even consider that. He left an amazing legacy and it's going to be left untouched, it's beautiful, it's pristine and I want to leave it that way."

Now The Metal Den reports that they "learned from a source close to the camp of legendary ex-Pantera and current Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott that indeed a 'large sum of money' has been put on the table to reunite him with surviving Pantera members, vocalist Philip H. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown for a one-off reunion/tribute event (with special fill-in guitarists).... This source says Vinnie Paul basically laughed the offer right off the table. " more on this story

Van Halen's Roth Slams Today's Current Bands (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(hennemusic) Van Halen's Roth Slams Today's Current Bands was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: This week, Van Halen play two nights at Madison Square Garden, and the New York Post caught up with David Lee Roth for an update on the band's tour in support of "A Different Kind Of Truth."

"We're doing a lot of tunes that don't usually get out of the deck and Edward is more lucid now than any time in my memory," explains Roth. "I'm his biggest fan. I still remember the first time I saw him playing in a backyard party in Pasadena in high school. He was great then and he's great now. We've come full circle."

Roth was asked how the pop world changed since VH started in the 70s. "These days, I see too much cheerleading and not enough stagecraft, and what I'm seeing isn't worth cheering for," replies Roth. "The questions I want to ask most of my colleagues are: Can you even do the whole song from beginning to end? Can you do it onstage like you did it in the studio? Do you float like a butterfly or sting like a pre-recorded bee?" more on this story

MC5's Michael Davis Dead at 68 (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

MC5's Michael Davis Dead at 68 was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Michael Davis of influential Detroit rockers MC5 died on Friday (February 17) of liver failure, after a month-long hospitalization for liver disease, said his wife Angela Davis, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 68.

Davis joined MC5 in 1964 and played on all three of the group's studio records, including their famous debut album, 'Kick Out the Jams.' He reunited with guitarist Wayne Kramer and drummer Dennis Thompson in 2003 for a show at the 100 Club in London, and they later went on a world tour under the name of DKT/MC5. You can read an extensive timeline for the band here.

Apart from his career in music, Davis was an advocate for music education in schools and founded The Michael H Davis Music Is Revolution Foundation, according to the organization's website.

Foreigner Guitarist Undergoes Urgent Heart Surgery (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(Gibson) Foreigner Guitarist Undergoes Urgent Heart Surgery was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones is recovering after urgent heart surgery last week, according to the New York Post.

Jones is reported to have checked into the Mount Sinai Heart Institute in Miami Beach, Florida, according to New York Post gossip column Page Six. Page Six says that after the surgery, Jones was treated in an intensive care ward but was moved out of the specialist unit on Thursday night. Page Six quotes a source as saying "The surgery was more urgent because Mick had needed it for some time."

Last year Jones missed several Foreigner shows, forcing the band to play with no original members. Jones sparked fears for his health in 2011, after he fell sick and missed several gigs, including a massive concert with Journey in Los Angeles in October. A representative for the star refused to confirm the nature of his illness at the time. more on this story

King's X Star Suffers Heart Attack (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

King's X Star Suffers Heart Attack was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: King's X have been forced to put their tour plans on hold after drummer Jerry Gaskill suffered a heart attack on February 25th.

A message was posted on frontman Dug Pinnick's Facebook on Sunday that read "Jerry had a heart attack last night. He was operated on and is in stable condition at the hospital. Were all waiting for more info. I will keep you posted."

A few hours later Pinnick updated fans with this, "Julie said Jerry woke up pulling chords out, she says hes fiesty! That's a good sign! Thanks everyone for prayers and good vibes, it can only get better now."

On Monday, InsideOut Music sent out word that "after undergoing an emergency operation, Jerry was put in intensive care (where he currently remains).

"Jerry will be spending these days recovering back to full health so that he can hopefully join the band behind the drums at some point in the future."

Foo Fighters Dominate Rock Grammys (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

Foo Fighters Dominate Rock Grammys was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: The Grammy Awards have never really been about rock, America's best selling genre of music. But there were some big names in rock who performed on Sunday.

The show's big finale was led by Paul McCartney with a medley of "Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End," where he was joined by Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, The Eagles Joe Walsh, Rusty Anderson, and Bruce Springsteen.

When it came to rock awards at the Grammy Awards, the Foo Fighters ruled the night winning five of Grammys on Sunday.

The Foo Fighters dominated leading rock categories including Best Rock Album for Wasting Light and Best Rock Performance and Best Rock song for "Walk," Best Hard rock/metal performance for "White Limo," and Best Long-form music video for Foo Fighters: Back and Forth.

McCartney also performed a rendition of his new ballad, "My Valentine," from his forthcoming standards album, Kisses On The Bottom where he was joined by Diana Krall on piano, guitarist Joe Walsh, and a full orchestra.

Lost Stone Temple Pilots Clip Now Online (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(Banana 101.5) Lost Stone Temple Pilots Clip Now Online was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Stone Temple Pilots attempted to shoot two music videos for their 2010 single 'Cinnamon,' neither version was released but one of them recently surfaced online.

The third single from the album was the breezy summertime love song 'Cinnamon,' for which the band had planned to release a music video.

They were reportedly unhappy with the first attempt and went through with shooting a second video, which they also did not like. Both versions were shelved and the video was ultimately abandoned. Thanks to the wonderful interweb we can now see their second version of the video here.

Bret Michaels CD Features Def Leppard, Loretta Lynn and More (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

Bret Michaels Solo CD Features Def Leppard, Loretta Lynn and Jimmy Buffet was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Bret Michaels is filling his upcoming solo album 'Get Your Rock On' with special guests including Loretta Lynn, Jimmy Buffet, Def Leppard's Phil Collen and My Darkest Days' Sal Costa.

Bret turned heads when he did a duet of the Poison hit 'Every Rose Has It's Thorn,' with Miley Cyrus and he's going country with song again, this time teaming up with country legend Loretta Lynn.

Loudwire reports: 'Get Your Rock On' will feature several other guests appearances too including Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen lending his playing skills on the title track along with Sal Costa from My Darkest Days. The album also features a live version of 'Margaritaville,' performed with the margarita man himself, Jimmy Buffet.

E Street Band Recruit Clarence Clemons' Nephew (Top 12 of Feb. 2012)

(Gibson) E Street Band Recruit Clarence Clemons' Nephew was a top 12 rock story of Feb. 2012: Jake Clemons, the nephew of late E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons, will be touring with Bruce Springsteen this year.

Jake will be handling sax duties as part of a five-piece horn section that is joining Bruce and the E Streeters during their Wrecking Ball tour, according to Rolling Stone. It's not yet clear if Jake and the other players will perform with The Boss during his Grammy Awards appearance on Sunday.

The news resolves the speculation over how (or if) the band would attempt to fill the shoes of the "Big Man," who died last year. The horn section will include Jake, Clark Gayton (trombone), Curt Ramm (trumpet), Barry Danielian (trumpet) and Eddie Manion (saxophone). more on this story

Top 12 of 2012: March

Gene Simmons Vs Rock Hall of Fame (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) Gene Simmons Vs Rock Hall of Fame was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Despite being eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and snagging a lone nomination in 2010, KISS have yet to make the final cut... something that clearly remains a sore spot for the group.

"It's become a joke," bassist Gene Simmons told Rolling Stone at last Wednesday's press conference announcing the band's summer tour with Motley Crue. "We've been thinking about it and the answer is simply, 'We'll just buy it and fire everybody.'"

Beneath the jokes, Gene explains some of his issues with the concept of the Rock Hall itself. "In all seriousness for the fans, for something to be called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is such an insult to Madonna, Blondie and Tone Loc. Who the f**k knows what other disco act is in there? It's an insult to them because they don't get to be in the 'Dance Hall of Fame,' because that's what they do," Simmons says. "They're legitimate dance, disco artists. They don't belong in rock and roll." more on this story

Adler Slams Guns N' Roses As Axl and His Hacks (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) Adler Slams Guns N' Roses As Axl and His Hacks was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: With only a few weeks until showtime, the internal battle to reunite Guns N' Roses for the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is heating up.

Earlier this week, Slash said he'd "love to play" the event; the next day, drummer Steven Adler backed up the guitarist's words by saying he "love to do it for the fans."

Now, Adler has added to his comments by sitting down with Loudwire for an extended conversation. "He's my brother. I know he's up to it," Adler says about Slash and the Rock Hall reunion. "He wants to do it. I want to do it. Just from what I hear, Izzy [Stradlin]'s not gonna show up and Axl [Rose] will probably want to play with his hack band — his band of hacks. 'Axl and His Hacks' — it shouldn't even be Guns N' Roses. He's just driving that name into the freakin' ground. 'Axl and His Hacks.'" more on this story

Alice Cooper Robbed (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) Alice Cooper Robbed was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: The storage facility in Los Angeles which houses the Alice Cooper Archives was broken into on March 27, along with three other storage units.

Items missing include a large quantity of original vinyl records, a jacket, and the original sculpture which was used for the cover of the "Hey Stoopid" album.

With multiple units broken into, Cooper's team doesn't believe Alice's Archives was specifically targeted. more on this story

Nick Oliveri Explains SWAT Team Stand Off (Top 12 of March 2012)

Nick Oliveri Explains SWAT Team Stand Off was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: (Rock News Desk) Former Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri says the reason he's facing up to 15 years in jail after a SWAT team standoff is that he refused to open his door.

The musician was arrested in July last year following an armed police action. He's accused of holding his former girlfriend hostage for two hours, then refusing to surrender to officers, who forced entry to his home where they found a loaded high-power rifle and a quantity of drugs. He was later released on $100,000 bail.

And he's confirmed his departure from Kyuss part-reunion act Kyuss Lives after former frontman Josh Homme took out a lawsuit against them. In an extended video interview Oliveri tells Antiquiet: "Basically, at the end of the day I screwed up because I didn't open the door. I was like, 'I'm not going to open, I don't have to open.' I didn't think you have to open the door – you have to open the door. A robot came and knocked down my door."

Ronnie Montrose Dies After Long Cancer Fight (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) Ronnie Montrose Dies After Long Cancer Fight was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose died Saturday following a five-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 64 years old.

Ronnie's website has been updated with the following message: "A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose's 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn't take any of our love for granted.

"He passed today. He'd battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we're glad to have shared with him while we could." more on this story

The Osbournes Making New TV Show (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) The Osbournes Making New TV Show was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Ozzy Osbourne and family may be returning to television. Ozzy and his family star in a new stop-motion animation sitcom called "The F'n Osbournes," according to C21 Media.

Canada's Cuppa Coffee Studios is producing the series, which is currently seeking financing.

Jack Osbourne is executive producing the show with his mother Sharon and says the show will be "a radical and humorous new spin on our family". more on this story

Taking Back Sunday Singer's Leg Crushed By Falling Tree (Top 12 of March 2012)

(TMZ) Taking Back Sunday Singer's Leg Crushed By Falling Tree was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: (TMZ) Taking Back Sunday singer Adam Lazzara is lucky to be alive -- after a tree literally FELL on top of him this weekend ... shattering his leg.

A rep for the band tells TMZ, Adam was at a recording studio in rural Michigan Saturday ... and he decided to step outside for a cigarette. It was real windy, and we're told a tree collapsed on the singer out of nowhere, trapping him underneath.

The rest of the band ran outside when they heard his calls for help -- but couldn't lift the tree off him ... so they called 911, and the local fire department came and sawed the tree to pieces.

Once freed, we're told Adam was rushed to the hospital -- where doctors put a cast on his broken leg. According to the rep, Adam's expected to be in the cast for the next 4-6 weeks.

Doobie Brothers Michael Hossack Dead at 65 (Top 12 of March 2012)

Doobie Brothers Michael Hossack Dead at 65 was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Sad news from the Doobie Brothers as their longtime drummer Michael Hossack died Monday at his home in Dubois, Wyoming after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.

The band issued the following: His family was by his side. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones. We will miss him greatly.

"Mike was a one-of-a kind guy and a long-time member of the Doobie Brothers. He was a fighter and fought the big battle with cancer and he was a close personal friend of mine and I speak for Mike's family and the entire band when I say he will be greatly missed." -Bruce Cohn (Manager)

"Mike has always been a part of my musical life and the life of the Doobie Brothers; from our earliest singles, like 'China Grove' and 'Blackwater' to our most recent single 'Brighter Day. He was an incredible musician, a studio quality drummer. The last few years, he was brave and determined to keep on playing in the face of ill health, and I will always admire him for that. He was a terrific dad and family man, and we will all miss him." -Tom Johnston (Vocals/Guitars)

"When my kids were little, they used to call him 'Big Mike,' because to them he was such a big guy. But to me and those who knew him, he had an even a bigger heart. We were friends for 43 years and we shared some wonderful adventures together, times I will never forget. Thanks for all those wonderful memories Mike, and all the great music. We love you." -Patrick Simmons (Vocals/Guitars)

New Pink Floyd Milestone (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) New Pink Floyd Milestone was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: (hennemusic) Pink Floyd's 1973 masterpiece, "The Dark Side Of The Moon," has reached a new milestone on the US charts.

Currently sitting at #137 on this week's Billboard 200, the music industry magazine reports the album has extended its record-setting run to 800 weeks on the chart – roughly the equivalent of about 15 years and five months.

Floyd's chart record is far ahead of the second place album in this category, "Johnny's Greatest Hits" by Johnny Mathis – which clocks in at 490 weeks. more on this story

Of Mice and Men Singer Hospitalized (Top 12 of March 2012)

Of Mice and Men Singer Hospitalized was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Of Mice & Men frontman Austin Carlile was hospitalized on Monday night with heart issues. Carlile was previously hospitalized in 2009 after he collapsed onstage in Spokane, WA. He was born with a heart disorder and had corrective surgery in 2010 according to Lambgoat.

He told fans about the latest hospitalization via twitter yesterday. He wrote: "Thank you @ESPN for keeping me sane this evening. Been at this hospital since 3:45 am because my heart is an idiot... They are keeping me again over night to do more tests in the morning and monitor me throughout the evening. I'm exhausted."

He later wrote, "So ready to get out of here. I look like death.... But I'm alive :) Thanks to all of you for the love and support. Means the world to me and you all know it." Lambgoat link.

Pearl Jam Expanding Boundaries With New Album (Top 12 of March 2012)

(Banana 101.5) Pearl Jam Expanding Boundaries With New Album was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard gives an update on the band's currently in-the-works album, revealing that they're "not in a rush" to finish the disc right away and are instead focusing on breaking new musical ground.

"We've recorded some songs, and we're going to record and write some more. You never know, it might be that we're a song away or two, or it might be that we're going to record six or seven more songs. I think the main thing is that were not in a rush and there's no urgency to it.

"The most important thing is that we put something out that continues to expand our boundaries rather than trying to follow what we've done in the past. I think it's a good time to hopefully continue to experiment, and continue to shake it up." He has a lot more to say here.

Sammy Hagar To Reunite With Montrose Bandmates To Honor Ronnie Montrose (Top 12 of March 2012)

(hennemusic) Sammy Hagar To Reunite With Montrose Bandmates To Honor Ronnie Montrose was a top 12 rock story of March 2012: The Bay Area music community is coming together to remember and celebrate the late Ronnie Montrose, who passed away March 3 after a long battle with prostrate cancer.

"A Concert For Ronnie Montrose – A Celebration of His Life In Music" will see Sammy Hagar reunite the original Montrose band, plus Joe Satriani, to perform the group's landmark 1973 debut album...plus a variety of special guests.

"A Concert For Ronnie Montrose - A Celebration of His Life In Music" will feature the original Montrose lineup (Sammy Hagar, vocals; Bill Church, bass; and Denny Carmassi, drums), performing the landmark first Montrose album, with special guest Joe Satriani on lead guitar. The original Gamma lineup (Davey Pattison, vocals; Glenn Letsch, bass; Denny Carmassi, drums) will also be on hand, with special guest Marc Bonilla on lead guitar. more on this story