Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Quits American Idol

"It's been a tremendous honor to have Steven--one of the most prolific artists in the world--on AMERICAN IDOL for the past two seasons," said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "He's been a terrific judge, a true friend and great mentor to everyone involved with the show, and we know he'll continue to be a huge inspiration to IDOL hopefuls for years to come. We are very sad that Steven has chosen to focus more on his music, but we always knew when we hired a rock 'n' roll legend, he would go back to the music. We all wish him all the best and would love to have him back on the show anytime." more on this story

Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie Tour

Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie are teaming up for a co-headlining tour this fall which will hit North America and Europe and will feature support from J Devil, the DJ alter ego of KoRn's frontman Jonathan Davis.

The tour will kick off September 28 when both Zombie and Manson co-headline the first day of the Desert Uprising Festival in Phoenix, Arizona and the U.S. leg will wrap in Dallas on Halloween, October 31.

"Finally! Why did the most obvious tour take so long to happen? Who knows? Who cares? It's happening now," stated Zombie. "If good taste is the chief enemy of great art, then we should be able to fill the Louvre with this f**king tour. Be prepared for something wicked this way a-coming." more on this story

Motley Crue Tease New Song

(hennemusic) Motley Crue are giving fans a preview of their new single, "Sex." The track was written when the band was together during their residency in Las Vegas last February.

"Sex" will debut today, Friday, July 13 on Sirius/XM and be available on Tuesday, July 17.

The Crue hit the road with KISS for a North American summer tour that will play more than 40 shows following its July 20 launch in Bristow, VA. Listen the tease here.

Fleetwood Mac Will Be Back

(Classic Rock) Fleetwood Mac will reunite for a tour next year, according to Stevie Nicks. Fleetwood Mac last toured in 2009.

Nicks confirmed the band's comeback plans during an interview on CBS This Morning.

She said: "It's the plan, because that's what we do. I do my thing. And Lindsey [Buckingham] is out doing his thing now."

Nicks also commented on the recent suicide of former Mac guitarist Bob Welch. Find out what she had to say here.

Lamb of God Singer Gets Court Date In Manslaughter Case

(Classic Rock) Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe will return to court in Prague on Thursday, three weeks after he was arrested for manslaughter after the death of Daniel Nosek at a 2010 concert. But even though he posted $200,000 bail nearly two weeks ago, the new hearing won't necessarily lead to a criminal charge or freedom.

A panel of judges will consider prosecutors' objections to his release. However, if they decide in his favour, the prosecutors are allowed to challenge the new decision too. Under Czech procedural law this cycle can continue for up to six months.

Prague Post reported Jonathan Crane believes there's not enough evidence to secure a conviction against Blythe, even if he was responsible for the incident that led to Nosek's death from a brain haemorrhage a month after rushing the stage three times during a Lamb of God show. "Who is to say that Nosek wasn't accidentally kicked or trodden on, or left without help by fans below the stage?" he asks. more on this story

Flanagan Speaks Out On The Cro-Mags Stabbing

(Classic Rock) Cro-Mags founding bassist Harley Flanagan says the knife attack against ex-bandmates that got him arrested last weekend was self defense.

He insists he was invited backstage and planned to settle his long-standing differences with the outfit he left in 2002 – but instead found himself the victim of a "beatdown" and feared for his life, and wound up stabbed in the leg.

He says the violence spilled out to the VIP area of the Webster Hall in New York during the inaugural CBGB Festival, and that's when he stabbed current bassist Michael Couls and William Berario. more on this story

Charlie Sheen Insults Axl Rose at Slash Event

(Classic Rock) When Slash was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame earlier this week, the guitarist was accompanied by his friend Charlie Sheen. In a speech, the wayward actor couldn't resist taking a pot-shot at Slash's former Guns N' Roses band-mate, Axl Rose.

Sheen said: "You know, it's quite fitting, I think, that Slash is getting a star on the very street that Axl Rose will one day be sleeping on."

Slash couldn't resist a sly chuckle at Sheen's comments. Sheen also quipped: "This star is going to be stepped on more than the coke we did in the 80s." Watch video of it here.

Slipknot To Broadcast Knotfest Performance

If you can't make it to see Slipknot perform at their upcoming Knotfest, don't worry you will still be able to watch it. But it will cost you.

The band have announced that they will offer a pay-per-view broadcast of their performance at their new two-day music fest at this location.

"One of our long-time dreams, is finally coming to fruition with the creation of Knotfest," says M. Shawn Crahan aka clown of Slipknot. "Our goal was to create a festival experience which screamed our vision. It means everything for everyone to see the live spectacle we're creating in the flesh, but we understand some fans around the world can't be at the show. We've now made it possible for you to be there in spirit--so join us Live on August 18th." more on this story

Historic Bob Dylan Treasure Uncovered

(Classic Rock) The guitar that shocked Bob Dylan fans at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 has been found and valued at $500,000. And the case holding the Fender Stratocaster also contained some unpublished lyrics written by the iconic musician.

Investigators on TV show History Detectives have verified it's the genuine article after the person who currently keeps it told how Dylan left it on a plane after the controversial concert.

His brief set provoked a massive backlash from the folk music fraternity, with one leading light calling Dylan's transition to electric music "tenth-rate pop-pap drivel." Recordings include booing from the crowd, although it's said the negative reaction was simply because he was only given time to perform three songs. more on this story

Allman Brothers Band Reveal Peach Music Fest Details

The Allman Brothers Band have announced the lineup and details for their Peach Music Festival which is taking place from Aug 10th - 12th.

We were sent these details: This will be the first-ever Allman Brothers Band-inspired festival in the Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) region, which will take place on multiple stages over the course of three days at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain and Sno Mountain Ski Area & Water Park in Scranton, PA Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12th. Previously-announced artists include Zac Brown Band, Warren Haynes Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, O.A.R., Railroad Earth, The Wailers, Dark Star Orchestra, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Blackberry Smoke and more.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10: Zac Brown Band, The Allman Brothers Band, Warren Haynes Band, Dark Star Orchestra, Blackberry Smoke, Trigger Hippy, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Cabinet and 61 North

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11: The Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, O.A.R., The Wailers, Rebelution, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Railroad Earth, Toubab Krewe, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, JD & The Straight Shot, Grimace Federation, Tauk and Miz

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12: Wake Up With Warren (Warren Haynes acoustic solo), Robert Randolph & The Family Band and Blind Boys of Alabama

Queensryche Angered That Geoff Tate Made Mindcrime Movie Deal

(Classic Rock) Queensryche drummer Scott Rockenfield says the band were forced to fire singer Geoff Tate as a result of ongoing violent and dominating behaviour.

Rockenfield has detailed a series of events which he says proves they had no option but to oust the frontman, including a series of spitting and punching incidents ahead of a concert in Brazil in April.

He says Tate's statement that the band didn't write songs is untrue – and that claims he taunted his ex-bandmate by saying "I've fired your family and now I'm going to fire you" is "a complete lie."

And he reveals the crunch came when the band discovered Tate had cut a secret deal to make a movie based on classic album Operation: Mindcrime. more on this story

Rolling Stones Deliver Latest Bootleg

(Gibson) Rolling Stones fans are in for a treat, as the fourth installment of the legendary group's new series of authorized bootlegs has arrived. Live at the Tokyo Dome (Tokyo 1990) offers footage from the rockers' second to last gig during their 10-concert residency in the Japanese capital in February 1990.

The shows were the first The Rolling Stones had ever performed in Japan and came at the end of their Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour to promote 1989's Steel Wheels.

Rolling StonesThe Live at the Tokyo Dome release groups together 23 songs – everything from newer cuts off Steel Wheels to the group's catalog of favorites. "Start Me Up," "Sad Sad Sad," "Harlem Shuffle," "Tumbling Dice," "Miss You" and "Ruby Tuesday" are just a few of the selections. Longtime engineer Bob Clearmountain worked on the mixes for the album, which is available only as a digital download. Fans can score it in the U.S. via the Google Play music store. more on this story

Job For A Cowboy Recruit The Red Chord Guitarist For Tour

Job For A Cowboy have recruited The Red Chord guitarist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie to fill in for bassist Nick Schendzielos on the Summer Slaughter tour.

The tour which also features Cannibal Corpse, Between The Buried and Me, The Faceless, Periphery, Veil of Maya, Goatwhore, Exhumed, Cerebral Bore, is set to kick off next week and Schendzielos is going to miss part of the trek run due to a serious family emergency.

Comments Schendzielos: "Hey friends: On June 28, immediately after landing in Boston to rehearse for Puerto Rico/Summer Slaughter, my girlfriend was in a head-on collision on her scooter. She sustained very serious head and bodily injuries. I flew right home, and we've been in the ICU for a week and are still in the hospital to make sure everything is okay. She needs 24/7 supervision for at least two weeks once we get out of here, so I'm very grateful to announce that Gunface from The Red Chord is going to help me out filling in on Summer Slaughter until I can meet back up with it. We love the dude very much and it's going to be really cool for both JFAC and TRC fans to see. Enormous thanks for understanding this difficult situation and I'll be back as soon as possible!" more on this story

Richie Sambora Sets Solo Release and Streams New Song

Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora has set a September 18, 2012 release date for his third solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown.

Aftermath of the Lowdown is his first album in 14 years. Lyrically, he tackles the universal tribulations of divorce, substance abuse, single parenthood, independence and self-reliance.

"A lot has happened in my life over the last ten years, personal stuff that's cathartic for me to get out," says Sambora. "Really things that could happen to anybody, but I just happened to be in a band with the biggest concert tour in the world, and in the glare of the public eye."

The first single, "Every Road Leads Home To You," is available here.

Gary Moore's Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show Being Released

Eagle Rock have set a September 25 CD, DVD and Blu-ray release date for Gary Moore's Blues For Jimi. Here are the official details and the tracklisting:

This release captures a unique concert featuring Moore playing Jimi Hendrix tracks, including such classics as "Purple Haze," "Foxy Lady," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Hey Joe," "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and many more. Filmed at the London Hippodrome on October 25, 2007, it was part of the launch for the Jimi Hendrix "Live At Monterey" program.

At the end of the night, Gary was joined by Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience for three tracks. The full line-up for this show was Gary Moore (guitar, vocals); Dave Bronze (bass); Darrin Mooney (drums) with Billy Cox (bass on tracks 9-11, and also vocals on the first two of those) and Mitch Mitchell (drums on tracks 9-11). more on this story

Slash Reflects On Walk of Fame Honor

(Gibson) Slash should be a happy guy at the moment, as the guitar great was honored Tuesday (July 10) with his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Now, Slash is speaking out about the honor, and he says it's reflective of how great he feels about his music at this point in his career.

"I definitely feel like I'm cresting a certain wave in my career where I'm having a really great time, I love what I'm doing, I love the people I'm working with and I'm feeling very energized," he told Rolling Stone after the star ceremony. "I haven't had that feeling since when Guns started."

He added that his current solo project, and recent #4 Billboard smash album, Apocalyptic Love, is something of a "Cinderella story."

"It's kind of a Cinderella story," he said. "I had no idea this was going to be a band I was going to do things with – I thought it was a pickup band. It turned out to be really, from the get-go, this kickass band, and now it's more like a group." more on this story

Bob Seger Comments On Metallica's Cover Of His Classic

(hennemusic) Detroit rocker Bob Seger has written many legendary songs over the course of his career. Seger was rewarded by the industry for his craft recently when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame during a June 14 event in New York City.

That evening, Seger performed one of his classics, "Turn The Page," a song that originally appeared on his "Back In '72" album. Although never released as a single, Seger's live version of the tune on his 1976 "Live Bullet" album became a mainstay of rock radio stations, and still gets significant airplay to this day on classic rock stations.

While in New York, Seger was asked for his thoughts on Metallica's version of the song, which appeared on the band's 1998 covers/compilation album "Garage Inc." "I loved it. They told me they were gonna do it and I loved it," said Seger. "I really liked the drums, especially, because our drums are really simple. [It was] a cool take on it. It's been done before. Another guy did it in Australia and won a Grammy with it." more on this story

Next Week's Riot Fest East Postponed

Organizers of next week's Riot Fest East 2012 in Philadelphia but have pulled the plug on the event for unknown reasons.

The event's homepage states that the date, which was led by Refused and August Burns Red, has been postponed and they are looking to reschedule but they are offering refunds.

They issued this statement: "Riot Fest East 2012, scheduled for Thursday, July 19 at Festival Pier in Philadelphia, PA has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Refunds will be available at point of purchase. more on this story

The Sheepdogs Set Album Release and Preview New Song

Atlantic Records have set a September 4th release date for the new self-titled album by The Sheepdogs.

The album was produced by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney and Austin Scaggs, and the first single, "The Way It Is," can be heard here.

The Sheepdogs will celebrate their new album with their first coast to coast U.S. headline tour. The trek gets underway September 16th at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, New York, and then continues through late October and will feature support acts Black Box Revelation and Buffalo Killers. more on this story

B Sides

Singled Out: Beasto Blanco (Alice Cooper)

Today Chuck Garric, long time bass player for Alice Cooper tells us about the song "Break Down" from Beasto Blanco, the band he formed with guitar player Chris Latham. Here is the story:

It was the first song I sat down to write as the new band was being formed and dates were being scheduled for tracking. "Break Down" started as most songs do - with a guitar riff. I had a riff I liked and when I put down a vocal melody, it had a percussive rhythm to it - a bounce I liked. I didn't have lyrics yet, it was more of a rhythmic scat that really started to grow on me. I wasn't sure where it was going to go after the verse, but I knew I had something I liked.

I remember having this other melody in my head. And when I would sing it back, I kept hearing a group of girls singing it. So, on the demo version I sang the melody in my best "Cherie Currie" voice, knowing that when we'd track it I'd have to find a female voice for the song.

As the song starting to take on its own life, I had a dream - one of those dreams you have where you're trying to run but you move slowly or trying to punch someone but its like your hands won't move.

That idea came to me as a chorus and lyric idea. The song "Break Down" is about trying to get somewhere and sh*t keeps happening. You get stuck, something gets in your way. Or you have to start over again. But you keep on keeping on!

The final touches came in the studio. Producer Tommy Henriksen got Glen Sobel on drums and Calico Cooper to get that aggressive female sound the song needed.

Beasto Blanco is currently in the studio writing for their new album and looking forward to a fall release with upcoming tour dates. Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!

Ted Nugent and Tommy Shaw Damn Yankees Reunion Jam Online

Video has emerged online of the Damn Yankees semi-reunion jam that occurred on the final date of The Midwest Rock 'n Roll Express tour featuring Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent.

Styx's camp sent over the details and comments: During Styx's set, lucky fans at that final stop of the tour in Bangor, ME last Sunday got what they were hoping for when Ted Nugent joined the band for a special performance of the Damn Yankees classic "Coming Of Age."

"Working with brother Ted has been a real treat," said Styx's Tommy Shaw. "Joining fellow Nugent alumni Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon guitarist) in the wings on a regular basis to watch Ted, Derek (St. Homes), Greg (Smith) and Mick (Brown) craft the perfect set for our collective audience. Night after night, it has been inspirational. Then, to finish the tour with Ted joining Styx on stage for a killer performance of 'Coming Of Age' caught me off guard how powerful it was. I swear Nugent was levitating. Damn Yankee brothers forever." Watch video of the jam here.

Free Song From We Are the Fury and Head Automatica Supergroup Romans

The Muse Box sent over a free download of "Mystery Girl," a new single from Romans, the supergroup formed by Jeremy Fury from We Are the Fury, and Craig Bonich of Head Automatica / Jaguar Love.

Backing up the two on recording are Rick Penzone, Christopher Hatfield and Los Angeles native drumming monster, Jon Safley.

Produced by L.A. based noise-smith Manny Nieto (The Breeders, Rumspringa, Health) and assisted by Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Von Bondies, Good Old War) Grab the song here.

Travis Barker Discusses His Love Affair With Cars

We received this bit of news which might be of interest to Blink-182 fans: Travis Barker recently sat down to talk about his love of cars for the most recent episode of "Sanctiond Stories" directed by famed photographer Estevan Oriol.

"I think cars and drums are two things I've always been passionate about," Barker divulges. He also discusses his appreciation for classic rides, how his kids have inherited a love for cars, differences between West and East Coast car culture and how a unique paint job reflects the personality of its owner.

"Sanctiond Stories" dive into the lives of tastemakers from art, music, fashion and more, while showcasing their passions, lifestyles and endeavors as it relates to the mission statement of Mister Cartoon's Sanctiond premium car care products. Watch it here.