Elton John Hospitalized

Elton tells TMZ, "It feels strange not to be able to perform these 'Million Dollar Piano' concerts at the Colosseum ... I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts." more on this story

Sebastian Bach Bandmate Dies

(Classic Rock) Mark Bam Bam McConnell, who was a member of Sebastian Bach's band for eight years, has died after suffering kidney and liver failure.

The drummer was rushed to hospital early yesterday where doctors said he'd suffered brain damage as a result of the shock to his system. Bach called on fans to pray for his "amazing drummer and lifelong friend" before McConnell's family confirmed he'd died.

He was a member of Blackfoot for a year in 1996 before being sacked. He joined the former Skid Row singer later in 1997 and remained until 2005. more on this story

Aerosmith Set New Album Release

(hennemusic) Aerosmith have announced an August 28 release date for their new album, "Music From Another Dimension."

Aerosmith recorded the project with producer Jack Douglas, who worked on such band classics 1974's "Get Your Wings," 1975's "Toys in the Attic," and 1976's "Rocks"; the veteran producer reunited with the band on its 2004 collection of blues standards, "Honkin' on Bobo."

"This album cycle was the same as it was any other time," explains Steven Tyler. "We give ourselves a year to write, and we give ourselves some time to put it down in the studio, and I'm happy as I can be about this album cycle."

"You know, we got inspired to do the record," adds Joe Perry, "and then it took 8 years to decide to go into the studio and do it, but you know, after a couple of false starts, this is the record." Check out the first single here.

Slash Reveals His Final Words To Axl Rose

(Classic Rock) Slash has revealed the last words he said to Axl Rose before walking out on Guns N' Roses. The guitarist explains it took him 24 hours to decide to reject Rose's offer of a new contract in 1996. But he adds that, as far as he's concerned, he didn't leave the band he'd co-founded – he just refused to become part of a new outfit with the old name.

Talking to Piers Morgan, Slash unsurprisingly says he doesn't want to talk about the GnR split for the rest of his life. "It's a lot of attention put on a lot of negative stuff," he says. "It existed, and it might still exist – but dwelling on it… I left the band in 1996. We're talking a pretty long time."

The moment he quit was also the last time he spoke to frontman Rose. And despite what many might think, their final conversation wasn't laced with strong language. "It wasn't like that," Slash reports. "Basically it was just: 'I'm done.' more on this story

Metallica's Lars Ulrich Keeping His Day Job

(Gibson) Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich may be taking a few weeks off from hitting the skins to delve into acting, but that doesn't mean he's giving up music for good. Far from it. Ulrich says that although he thoroughly enjoyed his role in the new HBO movie Hemingway & Gellhorn, premiering Monday, May 28 (9 p.m. ET/PT), his first love is music.

"Music is my main thing, so heading away to a place like, say, Iceland for a shoot would never work for me," Ulrich told USA Today, while he was taking a break from rehearsal for summer concerts in Europe and the U.S., including Metallica's debut Orion Music + More festival. "But this was Phil [Kaufman, director], this was San Francisco, and this was six weeks total. No-brainer."

As for his HBO acting role, Ulrich plays Dutch documentarian Joris Ivens, whose work chronicling the Spanish Civil War attracted Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn (played by Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman) to the Iberian Peninsula in the late the 1930s. more on this story

Reunited Chiodos To Play Dirt Fest

(Banana 101.5) Chiodos will play their first big show since reuniting the original lineup at this year's Dirt Fest.

Recently, news broke that the original lineup of the Davison, Michigan post-hardcore outfit had reunited. Dirt Fest 2012 will be the band's official welcome back performance.

Dirt Fest 2012 features a diverse line up, including headliners Clutch along with Hurt, Otherwise, In This Moment, Royal Bliss, Dead Sara and more. more on this story

Ripper Owens, Paul Di'Anno and Megadeth's Poland on New Iron Maiden Tribute

Versailles Records plan to release their latest tribute album in July, this time around it is a 2-CD set paying homage to heavy metal legends Iron Maiden.

The album will feature former Judas Priest/Iced Earth and current Yngvie Malmsteen/Beyond Fear frontman Tim 'Ripper' Owens, former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno, Chris Poland (Megadeth), Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper Band), Derrick LeFevre (Lillian Axe), and Neil Zaza.

The tribute will also feature and a collection of the rising rock/metal groups including Leaving Eden, Chris Neufeld of Downshifter, bugBrain, Fierce Atmospheres, Noise Disorder, REACT, Sonema, Hachiman, Antiquus, American Hellbilly, Ravage, Devil May Cry, Al Solo, Threat Level, This Time Down, Electric Sister, Tattoo Frank, Skyscreamers, Dark the Sky, Martian Honey, and The Curse of Sorrow, The Furnace, Dawn of the Final Day, Satan's Host, Power Quest, Agents of Exile, and Waterlife.

Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger To Give Fans A Summer of Ska

Reel Big Fish will be hitting the road for the Summer of Ska tour 2012 where they will coheadline most dates with Goldfinger.

The North American trek will also feature support from Big D and the Kids Table, Suburban Legends (The Maxies will join the tour with RBF after Goldfinger drops off July 2nd.)

Dates begin June 17 in Toronto and wind down with July 28th with a hometown show at OC's The Grove of Anaheim. more on this story

Spinal Tap Star Checks In Following Accident

(Gibson) Spinal Tap's Michael McKean, who was badly hurt in a car accident in New York on Tuesday, has commented on his mishap and thanked fans for their support.

The comedian/musician, who played singer David St. Hubbins in Spinal Tap, took to his Twitter page to say:

"Lucky man: best wife, great kids, awesome docs and nurses, priceless friends; a little overwhelmed by the sweet tweets. Love all y'all." more on this story

Beastie Boys Want Park Renamed For Adam Yauch

(Gibson) Beastie Boys fans want late rapper Adam "MCA" Yauch's legacy immortalized in his hometown of New York City. A collection of Brooklyn Beastie fans have launched a Facebook page to help raise support to get Squibb Park in Brooklyn Heights re-named after Yauch.

Here's the group's mission statement via their official blog: "Squibb Park in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. is currently undergoing a transformation into a skateboarding facility and gateway to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Brooklyn Heights Blog community believes that it would be a fitting tribute to name it after Brooklyn Heights native, musician, humanitarian Adam Yauch (MCA) of the Beastie Boys.

"Adam Yauch Park sits directly across the street from the Harry Chapin Playground which is also named after a great Brooklyn Heights resident, musician and humanitarian. To show your support please like this page and share with your friends." more on this story

Blink-182 and Red Hot Chili Peppers Stars In The Other F Word Movie

(Gibson) Ever wondered what it's like to juggle parenthood and rock stardom? If so, take note that a documentary on rockstar fatherhood, called The Other F Word, is about to hit the small screen. The flick features famous rockstar fathers, including Mark Hoppus from Blink-182, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

The movie is based on the popular book Punk Rock Dad – No Rules, Just Real Life, which was penned by Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg. The read looks at what it means to be a father and, at the same time, a full-fledged rocker. As for big names, expect interviews with Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo, Art Alexakis from Everclear, Lars Frederiksen from Rancid and loads of other uber-cool rockstar fathers.

The Other F Word will debut on Showtime right before Father's Day, on June 14, at 9 p.m. ET. more on this story

Aimee Mann Guests On New Steve Vai Album

Steve Vai has set an August 14th release date for his new studio album, The Story of Light, which will feature a special duet with Aimee Mann.

The 12-song set continues a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc that began with the artist's most recent studio release, 2005's acclaimed Real Illusions: Reflections.

Although The Story of Light is largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann-dueting with Vai on "No More Amsterdam," which she also co-wrote. Beverly McClellan, a season one finalist on The Voice, appears on "John the Revelator," a track inspired by a vintage recording of blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, whose acid-soaked vocals are in the mix as well. Other highlights include the title track (which opens the album), "Gravity Storm," "The Moon and I," and "Velorum." more on this story

Sammy Hagar Gives Back

(Gibson) Former Van Halen and current Chickenfoot singer Sammy Hagar is helping a noble cause. According to Atlantic City Central, the Red Rocker has donated $10,000 to the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish Food Bank at Sammy's Beach Bar at Bally's in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The food bank has fed over 35,000 people in need over the past 15 years.

Hagar gave the generous donation right before Chickenfoot's May 18 show at Showboat's House of Blues.

"When I see children that aren't eating, that's when I get really touched, so my first goal is to help children as much as possible because they're the future of this planet," said the singer, who has been donating funds to the local food banks of every city on the Chickenfoot's 2012 "Different Devil Tour." more on this story

A Hero A Fake Set New Album Release

Victory Records have set a July 17th release date for A Hero A Fake's third album, The Future Again.

The effort was recorded by Jamie King (Between The Buried and Me, Wretched) at The Basement Recording, who also recorded their two previous Victory Records releases, Volatile (2008) and Let Oceans Lie (2010). Cameron Mizell completed the mixing and Joey Sturgis did the mastering.

Guitarist Eric Morgan commented, "This album started from scratch, which was quite refreshing as the previous two albums were taken from material I had written when I was 18. Evan Kirkley re-joined us on Drums and is incredible along with the addition of Chris Rosser on bass who contributed greatly to the writing process. Our goal was to make our ideas as massive, forceful, and engaging as possible and we couldn't be more excited about how the new songs turned out. It took over a year of writing and reworking before we were able to bring the new songs into the studio, and it was that extra time that helped in defining our new direction."

Lou Reed Added To Meltdown Festival

(Noble) Lou Reed has been added to this year's Meltdown Festival at London's Southbank Centre.

This year's festival is curated by Lou's friend and collaborator, Antony. Reed will perform a rare one-off London concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Friday 10 August.

Reed's concert is part of Antony's Meltdown, which also features performances from Diamanda Galás, Laurie Anderson, Elizabeth Fraser, CocoRosie, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joey Arias, Marc Almond, Hal Willner: Freedom Rides and many more. More info here.

Wolfmother's Stockdale Denies Tyrant Charge

(Classic Rock) Wolfmother mainman Andrew Stockdale says anyone who thinks he's a tyrant "couldn't be any more wrong."

The Australian retro-rocker has endured two lineup collapses in recent years, but insists he's not to blame for the departures.

He says his new five-piece lineup are ready deliver their third album after some contractual difficulties – and one song is set to appear on the soundtrack of the Iron Man 3 movie. more on this story

B Sides

Elvis Costello Jams With Russell Crowe

(Gibson) Hollywood superstar, and part-time musician, Russell Crowe was invited on stage by Elvis Costello on Wednesday night at his Royal Albert Hall show in London.

According to the U.K.'s Daily Express, Costello introduced him as "the gladiator of guitar" and Crowe performed Elvis's "Evil" and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues."

Crowe called the experience a "privilege," tweeting the next day: "It is true, sang with Elvis Costello and the Imposters at Royal Albert Hall last night. What a privilege." more on this story

Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Bridge Identified

(Classic Rock) Diehard Red Hot Chili Peppers fan Mark Haskell Smith has identified the brigde Anthony Kiedis wrote about in the 1992 track Under the Bridge.

The song tells the story of the singer's drug addiction issues, and Smith used clues in the lyrics and Kiedis' autobiography to locate a pedestrian viaduct on MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

He explains: "It links Sixth and Union, the intersection Kiedis claims he was walking toward, with the drug dealers at Seventh and Hoover. It provides a discreet location for private time with personal demons." More rock news including Metallica, Phil Anselmo and more

Marillion Legend Fish Calls Out High Cost of Playing London

(Classic Rock) Fish has called on politicians to "see the light" over cost explosions that threaten to price touring bands out of London.

The English capital, which is also the biggest urban zone in Europe, presents artists with a range of challenges not seen elsewhere, including fuel emission charges and skyrocketing hotel fees due to the budget-busting Olympic Games and Royal Jubilee.

The former Marillion singer's band played in London this week – but Fish says they had to go to extremes in order to keep ticket prices down, and the experience means they'll "seriously consider their options" before returning in the future. more on this story

Mars Attacks The Skull and Kill Devil Hill

Eric Wagner and Jeff "Oly" Olson of The Skull and Mark Zavon of Kill Devil Hill are the featured guests on the latest episode of the Mars Attacks podcast.

If the names Eric Wagner and Jeff "Oly" Olson sound familiar, they are former member of the legendary band Trouble. Among things discussed with Eric and Oly include why they decided to put The Skull together, the importance of the music they released with their previous band, what it was like to work with Rick Rubin, and if any of the rumor mentioned by others are true regarding his presence in the studio.

Mark discusses how Kill Devil Hill came together, how it evolved from a different project he and Vinny were working on, what pressures he feels (if any) playing with Vinny Appice and Rex Brown, his gear, a possible second album, and more. Listen here.