Rolling Stones Not Playing Coachella

It's believed a financial deal couldn't be reached – but the Stones are still set to tour later this year. More rock news.

Prince Auditions Band Member At Surprise Concert

(Radio.com) After toying with the idea for a few months, Prince booked six last-minute shows at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis last week.

Wednesday night (January 16) saw Prince play two shows (8 p.m. and 11 p.m.) billed as a "sound check" audition for new drummer Ronald Bruner.

According to a report from CBS Minnesota, Prince had a ten-member band that surprisingly started right on time and played mostly jazz for about an hour and a half. Prince only played small riffs of his hit songs, and is perhaps saving those for the shows later in the week. more on this story

Dave Grohl, Corey Taylor, John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks Sundance Jam

(hennemusic) Dave Grohl debuted his new film, "Sound City", at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday and followed the event with a live show featuring an impressive cast of musicians featured in both the movie and on the companion soundtrack.

Rolling Stone reports Grohl and 17 musicians shared the stage for three-plus hours of performances from Queens of the Stone Age's Alain Johannes, Nirvana's Krist Novoselic, Masters of Reality's Chris Goss, Lee Ving, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Slipknot's Corey Taylor, Rick Springfield, John Fogerty and Stevie Nicks.

"We're not even close guys," Grohl said an hour into the performance. "Everybody do a shot." 
Divided into an evening of mini-sets backed almost entirely by Foo Fighters (who apparently learned 50 songs in 10 days) Grohl guided the crowd through a live history of the Sound City Studios (and his own musical development). Read more and watch video here.

Def Leppard Celebrate Pyromania's 30th Anniversary

(hennemusic) Sunday marked the 30th anniversary of the release of Def Leppard's 1983 multi-platinum album, "Pyromania."

The band's third studio album featured new guitarist Phil Collen and was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. The album reached at #2 on the Billboard 200, and went on to sell over ten million copies in the US, earning Leppard a diamond album as certified by the RIAA.

"Wow ..... I can't believe it's 30 years since Pyromania came out!," wrote vocalist Joe Elliott on Sunday. "It had been a labour of love to make (little did we know in comparison to Hysteria, it was a piece of cake!).... Multiple studios in London, one guitarist out, one guitarist in, equipment breakdowns, tapes turning transparent because of the thousands of times they were rewound & fast forwarded for multiple overdubs, but we found our sound on this record with the help of a great producer in Mutt Lange, the new studio technology that we eagerly embraced (unlike many of our peers) and an incredible enthusiasm to "make a record no one else had ever made" whether we did or didn't isn't important, what is, is that we had made the record WE wanted to make, it had been percolating in our DNA for 6 years!!…. we finally sounded like the "us" we wanted to be!!!" more on this story

Footage Shot For AC/DC's Bon Scott Biopic

(hennemusic) On January 14, 2013 filmmaker J.R. Getches shot the first-ever dramatic portrayal footage of late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott, starring U.S. actor/singer Rob Liotti, in Charleston, South Carolina.

This initial scene will serve as a teaser film and prelude to the upcoming trailer now greenlit and in pre-production. "Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC" was originally reported upon in August of 2012 and garnered viral worldwide attention.

"The Bon Scott movie has got legs!" said Russell Cotter of High Voltage Productions Pty. "Rob has worked tirelessly to get the movie off the ground and it has traction. More than 30 years after the death of AC/DC's legendary frontman, Rob, has promoted the legacy of Bon Scott, the man, and has been able to pull together the story, the people, and the logistics of what will soon, become a landmark movie. Fans around the world will finally get to see what they have long waited for..." more on this story

Metallica To Perform The Black Album At Soundwave?

(hennemusic) Australia's Soundwave Festival gets underway late next month, with Metallica headlining the traveling show.

Faster Louder reports Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah has revealed that Metallica will be using their famed "Snakepit" set up on the festival tour, which strongly suggests that the band will be playing their 1991 self-titled record – "The Black Album" – in full.

In a series of tweets Maddah conformed that there won't be a D at the main stage this year and that Soundwave will be using combination of Snakepit, T and Static barriers at the festival's stages. more on this story

Jack White Releasing Complete Work Of Early Blues Icons

(Classic Rock) Jack White will release the complete works of three early blues icons in a tie-in deal with Scottish label Document Records.

The catalogues of Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell and the Mississippi Sheiks will go on sale on January 29.

White's firm Third Man Records say: "The recordings we'll be presenting are the building blocks and DNA of American culture. Blues, R&B, Elvis, teenagerism, punk rock – it all goes back to these vital, breathtaking recordings. Every record collection should have ample room for these highly important and endlessly listenable albums." More rock news.

Cliff Burton Signature Bass Guitar Coming

(hennemusic) Aria Guitars will launch late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton's Aria Pro II signature bass at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA next week.

Cliff's father, Ray Burton, will be on hand at the Aria Guitars booth to do the introduction and sign autographs on Friday, January 25th at 12:00 noon.

This guitar has been a year in the making and is being made with the authorization of the Cliff Burton family and Metallica. Cliff Burton was the bassist for Metallica for their first three albums, "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets". more on this story

Sammy Hagar Looks Back At Van Halen

(Classic Rock) Sammy Hagar appeared on UK TV show Video Killed The Radio Star last month to discuss six videos he made during his time with Van Halen.

The frontman, along with director Andy Morahan, commentates on Finish What Ya Started, Feels So Good, When It's Love, Poundcake, Right Now and Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, original VH singer David Lee Roth has hinted that the band's enforced silence may be reaching an end. Read more about that and stream the episode online.

New KISS Biography To Be Published

(hennemusic) Swedish music journalist Carl Linnaeus is working on a biography about rock giants KISS, called "KISS - Den osminkade sanningen" (KISS - The Naked Truth).

Due to be released in Sweden in May, the book is a tribute as well as a critical account of 40 years of rock history, through the ups and down. New, never before heard stories and information will be revealed!

Carl has followed the group for many years doing cover features for Sweden Rock Magazine. In addition to all meetings with the band members, the story is based on many long interviews with people close to the group. Managers, producers, ex-wives, roadies, past members and session musicians, alongside Carl's vast knowledge about the group and its history, makes this an exciting and interesting read for any fan of rock 'n' roll and the American dream. more on this story

Meet And Greet Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx

(hennemusic) Dean Markley USA announces a meet and greet opportunity Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and Sixx:A.M. at 5:00PM on January 26th, at booth # 5710 during this year's National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Anaheim, California.

The collaboration between Dean Markley USA and Nikki Sixx started in late 2011 as the two set out to design a set of signature bass strings able to withstand the demands of the road and the studio while still delivering the tone and attitude that you would expect from a rock icon. The result became the Nikki Sixx Signature Series Helix bass string.

The signature sets offers the exact string type and gauges he uses on stage and are constructed of stainless steel alloy. They feature the new Helix patent-pending hyper-elliptical windings and Nikki sums it up best: "Dean Markley puts the bite back in the bass sound." more on this story

Major Labels May Help Save HMV

(Classic Rock) The Big Three music labels are in talks about offering HMV unique trading terms in an attempt to keep the high-street retailer in business.

HMV went into administration last week, but it's thought Universal, Warner and Sony want to help keep it afloat because it's the only alternative to entering price-war territory with supermarkets and online stores.

The deal is set to include reduced CD and DVD prices and extended credit terms. It's believed over 50 businesses have expressed an interest in buying part or all of HMV. more on this story

Journey Releasing Eclipse On Double Vinyl This Week

(hennemusic) Frontiers Records will release a special gatefold double-vinyl edition of Journey's latest studio album, "Eclipse."

The vinyl album will be available for purchase at all physical and online outlets in North America beginning January 22nd.

Produced by acclaimed producer and long-time Journey collaborator Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Rush, Aerosmith), "Eclipse" is Journey's 14th studio album and was originally released in the United States on May 24th, 2011. more on this story

Black Sabbath Release TV Commercials For Upcoming Tour

(hennemusic) Black Sabbath are sharing a series of TV commercials promoting their upcoming shows in New Zealand and Australia.

The band are set to launch their 2013 tour on 4/20 at the Vector Arena in Auckland, NZ; they'll perform a second show there on April 22. Sabbath hit Australia for dates starting April 25 in Brisbane.

The tour was originally scheduled to coincide with the release of the band's reunion album, "13", but the group recently announced the project will now be released in June. Watch the TV ads here.

Coheed and Cambria The Ultimate Concept Band

(Radio.com) Coheed and Cambria are known for their elaborate science fiction concept albums, rife with equally complex musicianship behind the ongoing story known as The Amory Wars, which have been adapted into a popular comic book series written by the band's frontman, Claudio Sanchez.

In an exclusive interview with Radio.com, Claudio Sanchez discussed his band's penchant for sci-fi-saturated concepts, saying it's the only way Coheed and Cambria knows how to operate.

"For me, (writing comic books) was a natural progression as a songwriter. I just had a hard time confessing myself in lyrics and letting people in," he explained.

"I would always create these elaborate parallels that I could essentially hide behind. When I created Coheed, I wanted to create this story that would connect all of the records and act as parts," the singer added in reference to The Amory Wars. "I'm not so sure I could ever envision Coheed without a concept tied to it. It's become the natural process of the band." more here.

Singled Out: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown

Today Tyler from Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown tells us about "Lipstick Wonder Woman" from their debut album "Wild Child," which is being released this week. Here is the story:

"Lipstick Wonder Woman" is one of my favorite songs on our new album Wild Child. It starts out real rootsy & stompy, and ends up rocking pretty hard.

I wrote that song about four years ago with my friend Jaren Johnston, after I had just moved to Nashville. It was fun to write. It has been a staple song in our live set since the band formed, as well as a fan favorite. The guys and I decided it was finally time to record it.

I hope to someday meet the "Lipstick Wonder Woman" that we imagined up while writing the song! I bet she's hot!

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!

Tony Harnell N' Bumblefoot To Rock The Joint

Original TNT frontman Tony Harnell is teaming up with Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal for a special one-off performance at this year's pre-NAMM show party, which is co-sponsored by antiMusic.

The 18 & over event will be taking place at The Joint in Los Angeles / Beverly Hills this Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Admission is free with a NAMM show badge.

The party will feature a full night of music beginning at 7 PM and will include a special All Star tribute to Riot and will conclude with the grand finale All-Star Jam by Happenin' Harry and Haptones which will feature a who's who of rock performing hard rock and metal favorites. Each year brings a lot of big name surprise guests, with the NAMM show in town you never know who will show up to jam and hang out.

You get more details and the latest additions for the party here.

Generation Kill For Talking Metal

Talking Metal has posted their 400th episode online with a special Generation Kill edition.

In this episode, hosts Mark and John are joined by Generation Kill members Rob Dukes (Exodus), Rob Moschetti (ex-ProPain and M.O.D.) and Jim DeMaria.

Interview topics include Generation Kill's 2nd album, Exodus, Dave Lombardo, Gary Holt, Star Wars and Ace Frehley. Check it out here.