Vince Neil Announces Motley Crue's Retirement Plans

As for the reason the band are calling it quits after more than 30 years and 80 million albums sold, Vince says, "It's time, that's really it. Do you want to go out on top rather than fading away? And that's it. You know, I'll continue to sing Motley with my solo band and put out solo records and stuff and (bassist) Nikki (Sixx)'s got his radio show and (drummer) Tommy (Lee) wants to be a deejay, and so we'll see what happens." more on this story

Black Sabbath Premiere New Song 'God Is Dead?'

(hennemusic) Black Sabbath have released "God Is Dead?" as the lead track from their forthcoming album, "13." Originally scheduled to be issued on Friday, the band posted the song on Thursday.

"13" is the first Sabbath studio album in 35 years (since 1978's "Never Say Die") to reunite Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler; the guys added Brad Wilk for the sessions as original drummer Bill Ward chose to sit things out over a contractual dispute.

Due June 11, "13" was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. Sabbath kick off their 2013 world tour this Saturday, April 20 in Auckland, New Zealand. Check out the new song here.

Red Hot Chili Pepper Vs Lakers Coach

(Radio.com) Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers might "surrender and channel the gods" while he plays massive sets in dangerous sandstorms like last weekend at Coachella, but when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, the basketball-obsessed bassist is not playing around.

He is not a fan of new Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni's style, in which massive adjustments in game play aren't obvious. "Up to this point, I'm not a D'Antoni fan," Flea said. "I feel like the Lakers hiring him is the biggest blunder in the Lakers franchise."

"I don't claim to be an astute judge of basketball," he confesses. However, he's definitely at enough Lakers games to know what's going down. Last night (April 17), he was there cheering his "guts out," and this morning, Flea weighed in with KROQ's Kevin & Bean on why team members are finally coming out of their respective shells with Kobe Bryant injured. He also talked about whether the Lakers have a chance in the playoffs and if they think Bryant's ego makes him jealous his team is winning without his dominant presence.

Flea said that there are three factors as to why the rest of the Lakers are playing so well sans Bryant. The first point he made is that the other players on the team have the ball in their hands more. The second is that they don't take it for granted that Bryant is there and he will "take care of it." Lastly, Bryant is an "Alpha male basketball player" that likes to take the ball in "close situations." To Flea, Dwight Howard isn't playing any better; he's always been good just hasn't had the opportunity to shine with Bryant in the mix. A lot more here.

Original Heart Lineup Reunite At Rock Hall Induction

(Radio.com) "My name is Chris Cornell, and I'm here to induct my hometown heroes, Heart." That's how the Soundgarden frontman started his Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame induction speech.

Cornell continued by saying, "Let us now praise sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson." before mentioning the rest of the original band. "Together these people made magic."

"It never occured to us that Ann and Nancy Wilson were women existing in a world dominated by men," Cornell said. "They blasted any sexist barriers in front of them." He pointed out that Heart put the Pacific Northwest on the map "in a major way."

"Before that, no one thought that rock stars could come from Seattle," he said. "Heart was important to us, not just as musicians, but as proof that Seattle could produce something beautiful and rocking."

He continued: "When you first heard the great albums that these men and women made, you had the sense that here was a band that knew exactly what they were doing and where they were going. They naturally rocked hard, and their folkier songs seemed to show a genuine understanding of folk music. Heart felt in touch with their musical heroes in a way that is authentic to me."

...The original lineup performed "Crazy On You," followed by "Dreamboat Annie," featuring Ann playing a flute solo. Nancy then traded her acoustic guitar for an electric, and although a player of her caliber needs no support, for "Barracuda" she was joined by a guitar army of Seattle royalty – Cornell, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains. A lot more details.

Rush Honored With Postage Stamp

(hennemusic) On the day Rush will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Canada Post unveiled a new postage stamp of the music icons.

The homegrown move is actually timed to this week's Juno Awards, the country's annual music event celebrating Canadian music.

Rush are one of four acts honored as part of the Canadian Recording Artist stamp series, to be released on July 19; for the first time, the collection features Canadian bands.

Rush, The Guess Who, Beau Dommage and The Tragically Hip will be spotlighted in this fourth issue in a series created to honour musical legends.

"This year's series features Canadian bands that have shaped the music industry in Canada," says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services for Canada Post. "Each band has achieved national acclaim, along with international radio air-time and extensive tours."

Check out a photo of the stamp and read more details here.

Disturbed Frontman's New Band To Be Part of Megadeth's Gigantour

Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine revealed in a new radio interview that this year's Gigantour will feature Disturbed frontman David Draiman's new band Device.

Mustaine broke the news when while discussing Draimen's collaboration of Megadeth's forthcoming album, "Super Collider." Mustaine told DJ Joe D. on his 'Saturday Night Scream' program on Syracuse's 95X, "[We] met when we did the Mayhem Festival a couple of years ago. That was the year that my arm got blown out on the tour again and I finished the tour with just two fingers … I think that kind of impressed David a little bit. So we kind of talked a little bit and became friends."

Then he explained how Draimen came to appear on the new Megadeth album and how they were invited to join the Gigantour, "The record was done and I was over at his house listening to the new Device record. I said, 'Hey, you know what?! Would you be interested in singing this part at the end of 'Dance in the Rain' … and Dave did it, and I've gotta tell you, I think that, knowing how the two artists sound, I don't know that the other guy is even capable of touching the performance that Draiman did. So that was awesome for us. And I was so excited, I asked him to be on Gigantour this year."

But it looks like Mustaine is not yet ready to reveal who else will be joining the tour, "I think [fans] are gonna be pretty stoked, because each one of the other bands on there, they're new bands comprised of a person who was a major celebrity from a really large band that went on to do something new — another really good clue for you and your listeners." Check out the interview here.

Iconic Pink Floyd and Sabbath Artist Storm Thorgerson Dies

(Classic Rock) Graphic designer Storm Thorgerson has died at the age of 69, his family have confirmed. The visionary behind some of the most memorable album covers of all time had been fighting cancer.

He's remembered for his eye-catching work with design firm Hipgnosis from the 1960s until its closure in 1983, and then with his freelance collective Storm Studios.

Among his works are Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, Atom Heart Mother and Wish You Were Here; Black Sabbath's Technical Ecstasy; The Cult's Electric; Bruce Dickinson's Skunkworks; and covers for Dream Theater, Genesis, Anthrax, Audioslave, Muse and many others.

As a video director he created Floyd's Learning To Fly and High Hopes; Yes' Owner Of A Lonely Heart; Robert Plant's Big Log; and Bruce Dickinson's Tattooed Millionaire, among others. More about Storm including video.

Family of Deftones' Chi Cheng Holding Public Memorial Gathering

The family of Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has announced they will be holding a public "One Love family" gathering in Chi's honor this Sunday in Stockton, CA.

The family posted the announcement on the OneLoveForChi.com website: "We'd love for you to join the Cheng family on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. for a One Love family gathering at Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton, California on Eight Mile Road and Interstate 5 at the Pavilion. Parking is $6 per car. Bring your own drinks, etc. They have picnic tables and BBQ pits, if you want to bring food.

"Your outpouring of love and condolences is so very appreciated. Please come join the family as we pay a tribute of love to our dear Chi.

"Love always,
Mom J, Chi & the Cheng Gang"

Chi Cheng died last weekend after he had been in a coma or semi-conscious state following a 2008 car accident. Visit the OneLoveForChi site

Newsted Kick Off American Tour Tonight

Former Metallica/Voivod/Flotsam And Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted will be kicking off the American tour for his new band Newsted tonight in Walnut Creek, Ca.

The club tour will be hitting various markets across the west and east coast and Midwest for the rest of this month and well into May when the trek concludes on May 23rd in Asbury Park, NJ.

The American trek will be followed by a European Tour that will kick off with an appearance at Sonisphere Madrid on May 31st. That run will conclude on June 27th at the With Full Force Festival in Leipzig, Germany.

Jason Newsted has issued a new video message for fans about the tour plans, You can watch it here.

The band, which also features drummer Jesus Mendez Jr, guitarist Jessie Farnsworth, and Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, recently completed work on their debut album. more on this story

AFI Returning With New Album

(Radio.com) Big news for fans of popular post-hardcore punk group AFI. They announced through a dramatic video that they will be releasing a new album in September 2013.

The clip begins with a moody, black-and-white walk down a sparse hallway. Frontman Davey Havok spookily quotes what we presume are lyrics for a new song while wearing a leather jacket with a spiked upside down cross on the back.

Havok opens a door slowly to a rehearsal space, unveiling the rest of AFI. They begin to play and the screen goes white. After a dramatic pause, the words "A Fire Inside" and "September 2013″ appear on the screen.

It's been four years since the release of AFI's eighth album Crash Love, but Havok has stayed in the public presence. Earlier this month the vegan frontman made news from both posing for PETA and releasing a young adult novel called Pop Kids. More including the video.

Van Halen, Aerosmith and Billy Joel Hold Press Conference

(hennemusic) Van Halen, Aerosmith and Billy Joel took part in a press conference for The Stone Music Festival, which happens this weekend in Sydney, Australia.

The festival - inspired by the '70s cult biker film Stone – will see the three co-headliners joined by Kings Of Chaos, Richie Ramone, Buckcherry, Lifehouse and Illumination Road, among others.

"We loved Van Halen in the beginning but they got so big so fast that we offset each other on tour and we never saw them," said Steven Tyler. "We've been following them ever since and I'm always honoured to see them backstage. Every time I look into their eyes I see a camaraderie that knocks me over so I love those guys. Billy is my idol because he's been around forever and every time I turn on the radio I hear him. I'm an old fan of people who write their own music."

"I always refer to what Billy Joel's doing on stage with his musical dynamic and his arrangements in terms of 'look how many folks he's worked with, listen to the loud and soft, listen to the fast and slow'," suggested David Lee Roth. "I went to school at the college of musical knowledge, the Aerosmith. We were reflecting that although we didn't serve together we've all been trained in the same road work, the same hotel mill, the same cutting of the various record companies and management agencies. Even though we haven't played together we certainly got educated by the same good guys and bad guys. I see me reflected in their eyes."

"I tried to do the thing in 'Jump' but I split my pants," laughed Joel. "I couldn't do the move. The guys in Aerosmith .. we've been friends together because we're all from the same neck of the woods, from Boston and New York, and I've met them many times so we're good, good friends." Check out a video stream of the conference here.

Muse Dedicate National Anthem To Boston Following Bombings

(Radio.com) While America is still reeling from the horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday (April 15), tributes continue to pour in for those most directly affected by the tragic event from people around the world.

Celebrities and musicians are no exception, with many taking to social networks in reaction to the tragic event, including New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre, who finished the marathon just moments before the explosions rocked downtown Boston.

According to Business Insider, the British band Muse has stepped up to show their support for the city during a concert this past Monday night (April 15) at New York's Madison Square Garden, mere hours after the bombing.

"This is for Boston," shouted the band's frontman Matt Bellamy at one point in the show, followed by the band performing a rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" as the audience cheered enthusiastically. Read more and watch video of the performance

John Mayer Inducts Albert King Into Rock Hall

(Radio.com) With a flying V guitar slung around his shoulder, John Mayer was ready to play from the moment he started his speech about Albert King at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. He was wearing a flying V guitar, which King always played, slung around his body. "I first heard of Albert King in a guitar magazine from a Stevie Ray Vaughan interview," Mayer said.

When most of his friends were quoting Grateful Dead lyrics, he said he was listening to Albert King. Even noting that he quoted King in his high school year book: "The blues don't change."

"My dream of playing the blues for a living came true – sort of – but the blues is alive in all of my songs and in my playing," he said. "The way I bend the strings." He played his flying V, King's guitar of choice, to demonstrate his point, going into "Call It Stormy Monday." He mimicked different blues players playing that song before finally playing it in King's style adding, "Albert's style is the reason guitar faces were invented."

Mayer spoke about King's signature album, Born Under A Bad Sign. "It's the perfect blues album," he said. "It's got burning guitar playing. It's a magical album and it's cooler than a flying V being played while wearing a three-piece suit." more on this story

Dave Lombardo Hoping For Slayer Return

(Classic Rock) Dropped Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo says that he is hoping to return to the thrash giants but still doesn't know if he will be back.

He was dismissed days before the band toured Australia in March, with guitarist Kerry King reporting there had been a contractual argument, and later adding that frontman Tom Araya had had doubts over Lombardo's position for some time.

The move means Slayer have been on the road with two stand-in men: former sticksman Jon Dette, and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who's deputising for spider-bite victim Jeff Hanneman.

Asked about the band's planned appearance in Greece in July, Lombardo tells Rock Overdose: "I hope to be there – but I don't know.

"My fans were so supportive. The concern and sadness over what happened in Australia is more than I ever imagined. It's unbelievable. I love my fans and hope to continue playing for them.

"This is my life. I don't do anything else – music is my passion and my life." Find out what he is doing while he waits

Cheech & Chong, Carole King Tribute Lou Adler at Rock Hall Induction

(Radio.com) Lou Adler may have less name recognition than many of the other inductees, but his resume is impressive, which is evident by the caliber of artists who paid tribute to him at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

Cheech & Chong presented Adler by slipping into their familiar routine. Tommy Chong joked that he was glad that Adler was "one of the first black guys to get into the Hall Of Fame." Cheech replied, "Lou Adler's not black, man!" Chong then said, "Have you seen how he dresses, man? He's like a rapper!" They recalled showing up at his office, seeing the many gold records on the wall and some mysterious powder on the desk.

Wearing all black except for a white beret, Adler took the stage by saying, "You don't know how worried I was when they told me that these guys were going to induct me. Thanks for that touch of seriousness you brought to the evening."

...Adler also recalled sitting in a studio with Carole King, who asked him what he thought of her new song, "You've Got A Friend."

"If you asked me how to succeed as a record producer, I'd say it helps to work with three of the best singers and songwriters: John Phillips, Carole King and Sam Cooke." He also thanked his "best productions," his seven sons, saying, "Thanks for keeping me from falling into the generation gap."

With that, King appeared at the piano, performing "So Far Away" from Adler's most successful production, Tapestry. more.

Petty, Browne, Fogerty & Henley Honor Randy Newman at Rock Hall

(Radio.com) The 2013 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony kicked off with Randy Newman sitting by himself at a piano, singing the first few verses of his hit "I Love L.A." It was an appropriate choice, as the ceremony was being held in Los Angeles for the first time in twenty years.

Newman's performance shortly got exponentially more rocking when after a few lines in the spotlights on the stage revealed a potent guitar team of Hall Of Famers– Jackson Browne, Tom Petty and John Fogerty.

Don Henley then appeared on stage to present Newman, saying the induction is " fully overdue," and that Newman "has been making extraordinary music for five decades." He said that Newman's music is always dark, but also has compassion for the human condition. "No one has written better about greed and shame and the family dynamic," noting that he wasn't just "the guy who wrote about short people and that 'I Love L.A.' thing!" Henley noted that both are "fine satirical songs, but he is so much more than that."

Newman joked that he thought he would have to die before being inducted, and thanked Henley: "I just saw his [Eagles] documentary. He's very successful apparently!" more.

Alice In Chains Release 'Stone' Video

(hennemusic) Alice In Chains have released a video for "Stone," the second single from their forthcoming album, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here."

Directed by Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober; Metallica, Mastodon, Green Day), the clip was filmed recently in Lucerne Valley, California.

The new song follows the lead single, "Hollow," which was issued last December. Due May 28, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones). Check out the video here.

Anthrax's Scott Ian Sounds Off On Public Enemy Rock Hall Induction

(Radio.com) This week, iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, alongside classic rock acts Rush and Heart and singer-songwriter Randy Newman, among others. And while they aren't the first artist from that genre to be inducted – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Run-D.M.C. and The Beastie Boys are all Hall Of Famers – there are still people who don't feel hip-hop belongs in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Anthrax's Scott Ian, however, isn't among them.

A true champion of heavy metal, Ian's band Anthrax is among the "Big Four" of thrash (along with Slayer, Megadeth and Hall of Famers Metallica). His band also has a serious jones for classic rock: their new EP, Anthems, sees them covering classic rock songs by Boston, Journey, Cheap Trick, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and Rush. But Ian doesn't have the bias against hip-hop that perhaps some of his peers might.

"Hip-hop for me – or let's call it 'rap,' that's what I called it – from, say, 1981 to 1993, I was into that as I was into any other kind of music," he tells Radio.com.

Indeed, Anthrax experimented with rap on their 1987 track "I'm The Man," which was something of a novelty. A few years later, in 1991, they collaborated with Public Enemy on a thrash metal update of PE's "Bring The Noise." And while some cross-genre collaborations reek of marketing department experiments, this was a collaboration that was prompted by Ian.

"In 1986, '87 and '88, Public Enemy was my favorite band on the planet," he said. "They changed music. [Their 1987 album] It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, I compare that album to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Guns 'N Roses' Appetite For Destruction or Led Zeppelin's "IV." It you make a list of albums that changed the world, that changed the way we hear music, that album has to be on that list. It was so mind-blowingly sonically different from anything that anyone had ever heard. It was lyrically so strong. And scary – in a good way. I used to think that it was a great thing that people were afraid of Public Enemy. A band could actually make people afraid! That's incredible that they could evoke that kind of emotion." What does Scott think about the worthy bands snubbed by the Rock Hall?

Frank Turner's Punk Goes Folk

(Radio.com) If a man sets aside his hardcore and punk tendencies in favor of an acoustic guitar, has he lost his ability to rock? Not when that man is Frank Turner.

The lead single off his new album Tape Deck Heart, out April 23, has roots that are traceable down a long line of heartbroken English balladeers. But before you get the wrong idea, just because the man's singing about a broken heart doesn't mean he's written a slow jam.

It's instead one of those rollicking, barroom singalong tributes to heartbreak fueled by the kind of lyrics men spew when they've had much too much to drink and find themselves being very honest — and that Turner, in his video, seems to sing through clinched teeth.

"I like that contrast between upbeat music and dark lyrics," Turner said. "It sounds like a happy song, but it's clearly not. The album is about unexpected change and a big part of it is relationships ending."

In a rather rollicking interview with Radio.com, Turner talked about his new record (both the writing and the recording, both metaphorically and literally) and about his place in the British folk-rock phenomenon overtaking America (while giving us some accurate history of that scene in its native Britain).

"I have a theory, right, that around this point in a career, if you're at a fifth record and you reach a certain level of success, the obvious thing that most bands do at this point is they get more guarded lyrically," Turner said. "It seemed to me that I needed to do the exact opposite of that." More including a video

Joe Satriani Releases 'A Door Into Summer' Video

(hennemusic) Joe Satriani has released the video for "A Door Into Summer," the lead single from his forthcoming album, "Unstoppable Momentum."

Due May 7, Satriani's 14th studio album was recorded at Skywalker Sound in the Bay Area and produced by the guitarist and Mike Fraser (AC/DC).

The album features Vinnie Colauita (Sting, Jeff Beck) on drums, Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction) on bass and Mike Keneally (Dethklok) on keyboards. Check out the video here.