Original Santana Band Reuniting

As for what sound they will be aiming for, Carlos discussed that as well. Read what he had to say here.

Bonham Reacts To Robert Plant's Led Zeppelin Reunion Tease

(Classic Rock) Jason Bonham is among those bemused by Robert Plant's recent comments about the chance of a Led Zeppelin reunion next year.

In an interview laced with as much cheeky humour as serious reflection, the singer referred to Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones when he said: "You need to see the Capricorns – I've got nothing to do in 2014."

Drummer Bonham says on his Facebook page: "I just watched Robert's interview, where he says he's free in 2014. Not sure how to read it – what do you think?" more rock news.

Slayer Deny Lombardo's Claims and Bring Back Former Member

Slayer are bringing back a former member to replace Dave Lombardo on their upcoming Australian tour and have denied claims made by Lombardo about why he won't be taking part in the tour.

The band confirmed that they will be bringing back their mid-1990s drummer Jon Dette to play on the tour. Dette will also be the fill-in drummer for Anthrax on the tour.

Lambardo made news this week when he explained that the band informed him via their lawyers that he would not be part of the tour after he questioned the distribution of the income from their touring and asked to make a new deal. (read the report here)

The band has now publicly addressed the issue with their side of the story, according to Lambgoat who published the following statement from the band:

"Slayer confirms that Jon Dette will drum for the band on its Australian tour that starts this Saturday, February 23 in Brisbane. As regards Dave Lombardo's Facebook post, Slayer does not agree with Mr. Lombardo's substance or the timeline of the events, except to acknowledge that Mr. Lombardo came to the band less than a week before their scheduled departure for Australia to present an entirely new set of terms for his engagement that were contrary to those that had been previously agreed upon. more on this story

Why Def Leppard Opted For Hysteria During Pyromania's Anniversary

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen explained in an interview with antiMusic why the band decided to perform the "Hysteria" album at next month's Las Vegas residency instead of their breakthrough album "Pyromania," which hit a mile stone anniversary this year. Below is a portion of the interview where Phil explained the decision and they also discussed some of the differences between the albums.

Morley Seaver for antiMusic: Considering that it's also the 30th anniversary of Pyromania, why the decision to visit Hysteria front to back?

Phil: Well, it was our biggest album, without a doubt. Pyromania ended up doing 10x platinum. I think Hysteria is at 20x platinum so you know it was just a bigger deal. It had more of an effect. It crossed over into pop music and it was a more pop-sounding record as well. The thing with Pyromania was that we were still very much in the rock genre and with Hysteria, we crossed over to a bigger audience.

antiMusic: I'm sure you entered the studio kind of apprehensive since Pyromania was such a world-wide breakout. At what point did the band kind of look at yourselves and breathe a sigh of relief because you knew you were confident that you could follow it up in such a big way?

Phil: Honestly, I do think the thing about being an artist is that you want to push the boundaries a bit. After Pyromania, we wanted a different sounding record. We actually hadn't achieved the sound. It had a sound, obviously, but we knew there was still a bit further we could go with it. And I think that's what Hysteria was. That's why it was such an important record for us. It did cross over and it was a big world-wide hit and it didn't stay genre-specific. It moved in other areas. It had other influences and other stuff like that. We weren't scared to show an influence if it was waaayyy off what we would usually do.

I think that's what happens with a lot of genres, people get close-minded about something. With Hysteria, at the time everyone was listening to Prince, rap music…I mean Run DMC was popular at the time and we were definitely listening to some of that stuff. Frankie Goes to Hollywood and all of those kind of sounds. I mean, it wasn't just like it was the usual Sabbath and Hendrix and every kind of heavy thing out there. And I think in the end you could tell that there were a lot of other influences that went into it. Read the full interview here.

Deep Purple Preview New Album

(hennemusic) Deep Purple have offered up an audio preview of their first new album in seven years, due this spring.

"It doesn't really come from the head," says bassist Roger Glover. "It comes from everything: instinct, the body, the fingers, the playing, the singing…it's what feels good. It's very difficult to define what a Deep Purple song is; it's whatever we do, actually - we write the rules."

In a newly-released video, Glover's thoughts are followed by audio of a partial track from the forthcoming project, which was recorded and mixed the project in Nashville with producer Bob Ezrin. Check out the preview here.

The Postal Service Launching Reunion Tour

(Radio.com) After being hounded for nearly a decade about a Postal Service reunion, Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello will finally satisfying fans with a full blown U.S. tour.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Give Up, Subpop will issue Give Up: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition on April 9. The dual-disc set will include the previously unreleased track "A Tattered Line of String" as well as other exclusives.

Gibbard and Tamborello will tour with a full band including Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley and Laura Burhenn from Bright Eyes.

In addition to the Postal Services' Coachella headlining gig, the thirty-one city tour includes five European and one Canadian date. The band will hit musical landmarks like London's Brixton Academy, Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheater and Berkeley, CA's Greek Theater. more on this story

Billy Corgan Literally Goes Commercial

(Radio.com) Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has brought his well-known love of professional wrestling to a humorous TV ad for hometown Chicago furniture supplier Walter E. Smithe.

Corgan, who launched the Resistance Pro Wrestling promotion company in 2011, stars in the comedic TV spot by Smithe, notorious for creating outlandish and pop culture-themed commercials (previous ads from the company have featured food celebrity Paula Deen and a Star Wars lightsaber battle with table lamps).

The new spot features Corgan calling on three Resistance Pro wrestlers to take on the Smithe brothers in a no-holds-barred match after a simple game of musical chairs goes awry. Watch it here.

The Union Abandon Concert After Two Songs

(Classic Rock) The Union were forced to abandon their concert in London last night after just two songs because singer Pete Shoulder was suffering from flu.

The band, formed in 2009 by Shoulder and Thunder guitarist Luke Morley, are midway through a UK tour in support of latest album The World Is Yours.

Their set at London's O2 Academy Islington had only just begun, with the band having delivered Step Up To The Plate and You're My Jesus. Soon after starting third track Tangled Up In You they called a halt in front of a roomful of disappointed fans. more on this story

Anthrax Frontman Has No Hard Feelings Over Rob Caggiano's Departure

(Classic Rock) Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna is philosophical about guitarist Rob Caggiano's surprise departure from the band, and his even more surprising decision to join Volbeat.

"I just think he wanted to produce and try some stuff on his own. I don't think there's any hard feelings – in fact, we're all in touch and everything," he said.

"He was thinking about it for a while and just finally made the decision to move on." Read what he had to say about Rob's replacement Jon Donais here.

Brain Tichy Explains Whitesnake Exit

Brain Tichy recently spoke with Classic Rock Revisited about his new band with Sass Jordan called S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing) and he explained why he decided to leave Whitesnake to focus on the new project.

Tichy explained, "Whitesnake is going out all year starting in a couple of months. It was a great experience to do the record and the tour. Having 2012 off make me fend for myself, as Whitesnake was not working. I knew they would start up the next year. I could look at it a couple of ways...I could take care of myself until the machine started back up and they go back on tour. What does that time represent in your life? It is either going to be down time and I can stay home, but I've got to pay bills every month, so I've got to work. At the same time, I am trying to get to another level of what I consider success. I don't consider that just waiting around to do sessions. Every time I sit down at the drum kit I give 100% and try to play the best I have ever played in my life.

"I put all of 2012 into S.U.N. and then the call came from Whitesnake that they were going out on tour in 2013. I looked at Sass and she was not just doing this because she was bored; she's doing it because she is into it 100%. Why am I going to stop something that we both easily believe in just to go on tour? Why wouldn't I just give this a chance? If I went with Whitesnake then I would give Whitesnake 100% but Sass would go home thinking that I was not into this 100%. She wouldn't say that but I would think that. If she did the album and then told me that she was going to go do these other tours then I would tell her I didn't want to be in this band anymore. It just made sense. I want to do more than I've already done."

"You sit with David Coverdale for a year and you learn a lot. You don't get success like that because someone threw it in your lap. You have a God given talent and you're focused and you're driven. That's David; he's a bad ass. If I looked at that and didn't pick something up from him, then I should just be happy being a drummer. I want to go to the next level.

"I want us to talk again when S.U.N. is getting to headline the Greek Theater, or Madison Square Garden. Why would I want to do anything shorter than what my dreams are? That would be a waste. "

Tichy and Classic Rock Revisited covered a lot of topics including the new band as well as his recent surgery following a major accident. Read the full interview here.

Blues Icon Magic Slim Dead At 75

(Classic Rock) Chicago blues icon Magic Slim has died at the age of 75. Real name Morris Holt, he played bass for Magic Sam in the 1950s.

Holt also toured with Buddy Guy in the 1980s and continued to release albums up until 2012′s Bad Boy.

He was missing the small finger of his right hand due to a cotton saw accident when he was young, and credited Hound Dog Taylor, who had one extra finger, for developing his career. Slim had been ill for several months. more rock news.

Hawkwind's Nik Turner Plans Special Space Ritual Event

Hawkwind's Nik Turner has planned a very special concert next month where he and his band will be performing one of the band's classic albums in full.

The concert is set to take place on March 10th at the Echoplex in Los Angeles and Turner, who was a cofounder of Hawkwind, will be performing their famed 1973 live album "The Space Ritual Alive in Liverpool and London" in full during the show.

"I'm really excited to bring Space Ritual back to America after all these years and to bring the excitement, madness and four-dimensional experience to the fans," says Turner. "The show will create the astrological sounds, colors, experimentations, dimensions and innovations from the original Space Ritual days of the early '70s for today's audiences."

Turner will be leading the band on vocals, flute and sax, and will be joined by Jurgen Engler, founder of German band Die Krupps on guitar, audiogenerator and synthesizer; Nicky Garrett, founder of the UK Subs, on guitar; and Geoff Miles, of the 1970's punk band Chelsea, on bass.

Skid Row Make Deal With Metallica's Original Label

(Classic Rock) Skid Row have signed a deal with Megaforce Records and they'll release new EP United World Rebellion Chapter One on April 16 in the US, with an international date to be announced.

"We've known the Megaforce family and their various incarnations since 1982," says Dave 'Snake' Sabo. "

They have a sincere belief in what we're doing and our vision, which is really rare today. Needless to say, this is a very exciting time for us." More rock news.

Don Felder Not Bitter About Split With The Eagles

(Classic Rock) Former Eagles member Don Felder harbours no grudge with his ex-bandmates, despite being fired in 2001 and taking legal action against them.

He was pleased to be interviewed for their movie History Of The Eagles Part 1, and says that among his very few regrets is that they didn't take a break in the 1970s when fellow ex-member Bernie Leadon wanted them to.

"I was contacted through my attorney's office – the Eagles' attorneys requested to find out if I would be part of this documentary," Felder tells Noisecreep.

"I felt this would really be a good thing for me to do, since it was a huge part of my history, as well as me being a large part of the Eagles' history after 27 years in that band. So I was more than happy to do it."

"There's no real hard feelings or grudges being held by me toward anyone, so I was very happy to go in and be interviewed for it." more on this story

Lynyrd Skynyrd Reveal Simple Man Cruise Details

(hennemusic) Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline the 7th edition of the Simple Man Cruise this fall and they announced some of the artists who will be joining them.

On Thursday, Skynyrd revealed some of the artists joining them for the cruise which include Blackberry Smoke, Black Stone Cherry, Heather Luttrell, Drake White, and The X Brothers; more acts are to be announced.

The cruise is set to take place on October 20-24 and launch from Miami, FL and travel to Key West, FL and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. more on this story

Two Bands Pull Out Of Soilwork's North American Tour

Two bands have pulled out of Soilwork's upcoming North American tour which is set to kick off on March 12th.

Both the Browning and Wretched have announced that they will not be able to take part in the tour which is also supposed to feature Jeff Loomis and Blackguard.

The Browning had this to say, "We regret to announce that due to scheduling conflicts with recording our new album and shooting a new music video we're having to pull off of the upcoming Soilwork tour.

"We apologize to any fans that were expecting to see us at these shows. We're really excited for everyone to hear our new album and thats why its important for us to get back into the studio as soon as possible. Get ready for new music!"

Wretched also announced that they are no longer planning to be part of the tour. more on this story

Joe Satriani Formed New Band For Forthcoming Album

(Classic Rock) Joe Satriani will release solo album Unstoppable Momentum on May 7 which features a new studio band.

He explains: "With 16 of the songs selected for the project, all heading in different directions and touching on a variety of musical influences, I realised I needed to assemble a new studio band."

"The idea was to crank up the energy level of the sessions, and allow for more individual expression of the material from each player.

"I pulled into Skywalker Sound with Mike Keneally on keyboards, Chris Chaney on bass and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums." more on this story

Slash Jams With Hanoi Rocks' Michael Monroe

(hennemusic) Slash was joined by former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe on stage this past Tuesday (Feb 19) in the singer's hometown of Helsinki, Finland.

"We had an absolute blast with Slash on Tuesday at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki!," posted Monroe. "A big thank you to Slash for inviting us to open the show. And for having me come up to jam on 'We're All Gonna Die' and 'Magic Carpet Ride'. It was truly magical. Good times and then some!"

"Thanks Helsinki for an awesome night!," wrote Slash after the show. "Another sold out arena show; well almost. & many thanks to @michaelmonroe & band!" Check out video of the jam here.

Video of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris Solo Tour Kickoff Goes Online

(hennemusic) Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris and his new solo band, British Lion, kicked off their European tour Wednesday night in Faro, Portugal and video from the show has been posted online.

The opening night event was a special charity show at The Moto Clube, with all profits going to the Red Cross.

British Lion's set consisted of the tracks from their self-titled album, plus new songs like "Father Lucifer," "Guineas And Crowns," "The Burning" and "Last Chance." Check out video from the show here.