Deep Purple Legend Jon Lord Dead At 71

An official press statement says: "It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jon Lord, who suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday 16 July, at the London Clinic after a long battle with pancreatic cancer." more on this story

Rolling Stones Plan Live Return This Fall

(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones will mark their 50th Anniversary by playing their first live shows in five years this fall.

"You will definitely be seeing us all together soon," Mick Jagger told the Evening Standard on Thursday at a London exhibition of photographs taken throughout their career. "It's been great fun being back together and there are a lot of memories in here. I can't believe it's been 50 years. We've been hanging out together, seeing quite a bit of each other and we want to do some gigs."

When asked by the Standard when the band would next be performing live together, Jagger replied with a wink: "In the autumn." more on this story

Fan Dies At Warped Tour

A teenage female died at Sunday's stop of the Warped tour in Toronto, Canada. Other fans reportedly discovered the 19-year-old on the grass not breathing during Chelsea Grin's set.

Fans called 911 and attempted CPR but were unable to revive her. Chelsea Grin responded the tragedy with this posting on their Twitter page: "Our hearts go out to the person who died today. We still don't know everything that happened but it's no time for jokes on our page."

According to Lambgoat: the woman was reportedly Taylor Nesseth, age 19, of Ontario. Ironically, Nesseth Tweeted the following Sunday morning: "Have to be up in 10 minutes...oh well. Warped tour today! I'd say I'm excited, but that's not enough." Read their report here.

Travis Barker May Fly Again

(Classic Rock) Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker may rethink plans to sideline himself for his band's upcoming tour of Australia due to his fear of flying.

He narrowly escaped with his life in 2008 when a private jet he'd hired with collaborator DJ:AM crashed on takeoff, killing four of the six people on board. It was later revealed Barker's injuries nearly killed him too. DJ:AM later died as a result of becoming addicted to the medications prescribed for him after the accident.

Barker, 36, recently said his reluctance to board a plane meant a stand-in would have to be hired when the three-piece played down under. But after fans pleaded with him to change his mind, he says he's considering flying after all – although he'll do it under sedation. The drummer says: "I'm contemplating getting knocked out and getting on a plane to Australia. I want to overcome that eventually for me – and my kids are scared to death to fly. I want them to witness me overcome it." more on this story

Bret Michaels Recruits Joe Perry, Ace Frehley and Michael Anthony For CD

(Gibson) Poison frontman and reality TV star Bret Michaels has put together an all-star supporting cast for his new album. Bret Michaels and Friends: Get Your Rock On will be released in September and feature guest spots from musical luminaries from Loretta Lynn and Jimmy Buffett to members of Rascal Flatts and Lynyrd Skynyrd, according to Rolling Stone.

Aerosmith's Joe Perry plays on a reworking of "Every Rose Has its Thorn," while Michael Anthony, Lil Jon and Ace Frehley contribute to a new version of "Nothin' But a Good Time."

"Ace Frehley is the real deal," Michaels said. "He laid down this amazing solo and then Michael Anthony came in, he did the backups, and I was like, 'Just play some Michael Anthony licks.' He did, and that's what made magic on the song."

And Bret's still trying to add stars to the roster. He'd like to bring in Zakk Wylde for "Go That Far" and Cheap Trick axeman Rick Nielsen for a revamp of "Talk Dirty to Me." "I think that'd be great to have him come in and put his style on a song that I remade in an over-the-top, punk-metal fashion," Michaels said. more on this story

Producer Says Queensryche Wasn't On Mindcrime II

(Classic Rock) The producer behind Queensryche's 2006 album Operation Mindcrime II claims that only singer Geoff Tate and later-sacked guitarist Mike Stone appeared on the album.

Jason Slater was hired for the follow-up to the band's platinum hit 1988 release, and worked on their next two releases. He insists drummer Scott Rockenfield didn't even appear in the recording studio during sessions, and work done by guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Parker had to be binned.

Slater's statement is part of Tate's court filing in answer to the allegations levelled on him by the band who sacked him last month. The parties are fighting over ownership of the band name and arguing over who has done most damage to the brand's value. more on this story

Eddie Van Halen Explains What Inspired Their New Album

(hennemusic) In a new Guitar World interview/cover story, Eddie Van Halen talks about what got the ball rolling on making the new Van Halen album, "A Different Kind Of Truth," the band's first with David Lee Roth in 28 years.

"Wolfgang's enthusiasm," explains Eddie. "He was going, 'Come on, come on!' We went up to 5150 and started jamming. It felt like a comfortable old pair of shoes. Working with Dave again was like we had never left each other. It was that comfortable. We've known each other since high school. When you have old friends, five or six years can go by when you don't see each other, but you just pick up where you left off."

"We started recording at the studio at my house with just Alex, Wolfgang and me," continued the guitar icon. "Basically it's the same way we start any record. We went through our archives of stuff we had already written. Wolfgang picked out a bunch of tunes. 'She's the Woman' was the first one. We started jamming on songs like 'She's the Woman' and 'Bullethead' and reworked them." more on this story

Mutemath Map Out Fall Tour

Mutemath will follow their late summer tour with Linkin Park and Incubus with their very own headlining tour this fall.

The headlining tour will kick on of September 13 in Phoenix, AZ and runs through October 25th and will feature support from Civil Twilight.

Before heading out on their own, MUTEMATH will join Linkin Park and Incubus for this year's annual Honda Civic Tour. The tour kicks off on August 11th in Virginia and will crisscross the U.S. before wrapping up in San Diego on September 10th. more on this story

Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers Lead Big Day Out

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers have been named as the headliners for the 2013 Big Day Out festival in Australia.

The annual touring festival is set to take place from January 18th thru 28th and is set to feature over 30 bands participating in the tour for the first time, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Band Of Horses, Animal Collective, 360, Foals, B.O.B, , Sleigh Bells, Jeff The Brotherhood, Off!, Jagwar Ma, Delta Spirit, Every Time I Die and House Vs Hurricane.

Alabama Shakes, Childish Gambino, Logo, Death Grips, Adventure Club and Gary Clark Jr., will all be making their Australian debut at the festival. more on this story

Wallflowers Set Album Release, To Give Away Song Featuring Mick Jones

Columbia Records have set an October 2nd release date for The Wallflowers' new album, Glad All Over.

The band's new single, "Reboot The Mission," is a Clash-inspired track featuring Mick Jones on vocals and guitar.

The song will be available for FREE beginning Tuesday, July 24th at www.thewallflowers.com. The single is set to impact radio on July 23rd.

In addition to their new album, The Wallflowers have announced a series of tour dates that will kick off in select U.S. cities in July. more on this story

Iron Maiden Issue Video Road Report

(hennemusic) Iron Maiden are on the road this summer as they bring their "Maiden England World Tour" to fans across North America.

The tour closely mirrors, in terms of production and content, the original 1988 concert video of the same name, shot on the "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Tour."

Maiden have posted a US East Coast report from the road, featuring footage and interviews with band and crew members. "It's rocking along," says singer Bruce Dickinson. "It's an unrelenting set and it goes… 2 hours…just like that."

"I think the stage show is probably one of the best kind of shows we've had, since I've been with the band, anyhow," adds guitarist Janick Gers. "It's absolutely enormous. You don't notice it when you're on the stage 'cuz it's happening around you – you're kind of in the eye of the storm, as it were." Watch the video here.

Queen Classic Voted Top No. 1 Single Off All Time

(hennemusic) Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" has been voted the UK's favorite Number 1 single of all-time.

The Official Charts Company and ITV conducted a nationwide poll in honor of 60 years of the Official Singles Chart.

Queen's 1975 classic was revealed as #1 during a 60-song countdown Sunday evening. Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" was at Number 2, while Adele's "Someone Like You" (Number 3), Oasis' "Don't Look Back In Anger" (Number 4) and The Beatles' "Hey Jude" (Number 5) completed the Top 5. more on this story

KISS' Secrets To Success

(Gibson) Gene Simmons says KISS's famous black and white make-up was "warpaint." Speaking to U.K. newspaper The Guardian, Simmons said he used to think The Beatles were a family because they had identical haircuts, and wanted to create a similar effect of unity.

"[The make-up] was warpaint. Make-up does not give it enough respect. We played a place called the Daisy. There couldn't have been more than 50 to 100 people there. When we looked across the stage, we felt as if we belonged together. I remember seeing The Beatles as a kid and thinking there must have been a Beatle mother 'cause they all looked like they were connected. There's no question that our outfits and our boot-heels and our make-up was a unique definition of who we were and helped us become who we are."

Fellow frontman Paul Stanley shared another strategy that KISS used to make the group look popular in the early days. He said they created a myth of success, even though they were struggling at the time. "We had a rule that we wouldn't play more than once every eight or 12 weeks because we wanted people to think we were busy. We were literally sitting in our loft starving and rehearsing. And then we would go out and do a show and I would say, 'It's great to be back' we've been gone!' We weren't anywhere. But it was about creating this mythology from the ground up," he said. more on this story

Absu Streaming New Song

(ESM) Absu have released a new single, "Hall of the Masters" as part of Adult Swim Singles Program.

The track was recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas and once again mixed by J.T. Longoria. (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) An official video to accompany the song will be released on September 10 directed by filmmaker Daniel Garcia. Listen here.

Absu have also confirmed new festival and tour dates for the Summer and Fall months. Late August will see the band performing at Slaughter By The Water III -- the annual fest taking place in Alameda, California aboard massive aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Hornet -- followed directly by two shows in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. November sees the band traveling to South America for a string of eight shows throughout Columbia, Chile and Brazil. More stateside tour actions are being confirmed to be announced in the weeks ahead. more on this story

The Specials 30th Anniversary Tour DVD Coming

Wienerworld will release The Specials 30th Anniversary Tour on DVD next Monday July 23, 2012. They sent over these details:

Filmed at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in front of an adoring home crowd, the show was the biggest revival story of 2009 and the first time the band had been captured in concert for 28 years. With a 30th Anniversary set packed full of energy and hits, and a set of musicians on top of their game, it's a memorable record of a band who defined an era.

Includes all of their biggest hits including 'Monkey Man', 'Guns Of Navarone', 'Hey, Little Rich Girl' and 'Rat Race'. The DVD was also shortlisted in the best live coverage category in the 2010 UK Music Video Awards. more on this story

New Jersey ATP Event Moved To Manhattan

ATP Concerts have been forced to move the New Jersey based I'll Be Your Mirror festival event to Pier 36 in Manhattan, New York. They sent over these details:

Pier 36 was the intended home for I'll Be Your Mirror beginning in 2013 - but due to unavoidable logistical concerns (along with a lack of available fan accommodations in Asbury Park), ATP has decided to move there for this year's event.

New additions to the festival today include: Philip Glass & Tyondai Braxton, Lightning Bolt, Lee Ranaldo, Chavez, Kurt Braunohler, Afterhours, Joseph Arthur, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Album Leaf, The Psychic Paramount, Braids, Tall Firs, Blanck Mass, Endless Boogie, Demdike Stare and DJ Jonathan Toubin with more to be added to all three days. more on this story

B Sides

Duff N' Slash Jam

(hennemusic) There was a partial Guns N' Roses reunion in Seattle on Friday night. On tour in support of his new album, "Apocalyptic Love," Slash rolled into town for a gig at the Showbox SoDo, where he was joined by fellow- and former-GNR member Duff McKagan for a pair of their old band's classics.

Duff and Slash rocked out on "It's So Easy" and "Paradise City" to the delight of the packed house.

"Thanks to Duff McKagan for coming down & jamming a couple tunes as well. Made it a perfect night. #itssoeasy#" tweeted Slash after the show. Check out video here.

Megadeth Guitar Center Sessions Video Streaming Online

(hennemusic) Megadeth are featured on the latest edition of DirecTV's Guitar Center Sessions.

The Megadeth episode was filmed at Guitar Center in Hollywood, California on March 22 and premiered this weekend on DirecTV's Audience Network.

The metal legends appearance was designed to promote their latest release, "Thirteen." Watch the video clips here.

Sebastian Bach's Complete Hellfest Set Streaming Online

(hennemusic) Sebastian Bach spent the spring on the road across Europe playing a series of festival dates.

In June, Bach and crew rolled into Clisson, France to play the second day of Hellfest on a bill topped by Guns N' Roses; Megadeth and Motley Crue headlined the other nights.

Sebastian is touring behind his latest release, "Kicking & Screaming." Pro-shot footage of Bach's full set has now surfaced. Watch it here.

Vince Neil Jams Motley Crue Classic With Slaughter

(hennemusic) While Motley Crue are getting set to kick off a full summer tour with KISS, singer Vince Neil stepped out to join his pals in Slaughter recently at a show in Nevada.

During Slaughter's set at the Sunset Station Amphitheater in Henderson, the band brought Neil out for a performance of the Crue classic, "Home Sweet Home."

The Slaughter-Crue connection is simple: bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff "Blando" Bland are both longtime members of Neil's solo backing band. Watch it here.

God Forbid Release Equilibrium Video

Victory sent over word that God Forbid have released a new music video for their title track of their latest album, "Equilibrium."

Filmed in Brooklyn, NY and directed by Eric Richter, "Equilibrium" takes you through the layers of life.

"It's about discovering that no matter how much you strive to achieve a goal, you become sidetracked. You look for ways to find patience and balance while becoming stable and finding a renewed feeling or belief in what may come your way." says vocalist, Byron Davis. Watch the video here.