Classic Rock News

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

BLACK SABBATH UNVEILS INCENDIARY COVER FOR NEW ALBUM 13

More details are coming to light regarding the highly anticipated and cleverly titled 13th studio album from Black Sabbath, 13. The reunited band – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler – along with session drummer Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine) released a 27-second video that shows the artwork for the album cover forming until it reveals a flaming number 13. The album is scheduled to be released June 13.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

ROLLING STONES ANNOUNCE NINE 50 AND COUNTING TOUR DATES

As expected, the Rolling Stones yesterday announced what is anticipated (hoped?) to be just the first batch of their 50 and Counting North American tour dates. The boys will launch the nine-show run at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (date to be determined pending NBA/NHL playoff schedules) and will move on to rock Oakland on May 5, San Jose on the 8th, Las Vegas on the 11th, Anaheim on the 15th, Toronto on the 25th, Chicago on the 28th, Boston on June 12 and Philadelphia on June 18. Tickets go on sale this Monday. Also, former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor will be a special guest throughout the tour.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

TAYLOR WANTS TO SHARE STAGE WITH STONES AT UK FESTIVAL

Former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor is tossing out huge hints he’d like to join his old mates onstage at their upcoming headlining gig at UK’s Glastonbury festival in June. Taylor told British tabloid The Sun, “It would be great. I really didn’t think they’d be touring again. But I hoped they’d want to recreate some of the music from my days in the band. It would be a big noise, I tell you.”

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

LED ZEPPELIN DIGITAL BOOK DUE APRIL 15

Experience the sound and fury of the mighty Led Zeppelin through the lens of renowned rock photographer Neal Preston in the forthcoming aptly titled digital book Led Zeppelin: Sound and Fury, available April 15 exclusively at the iBookstore. A just-released video trailer gives fans a sneak peek at some of the hundreds of photos (many seen for the first time) and 80 contact sheets (all previously unreleased) found within the digital pages of the visually-stunning book. Pre-order your copy today on iTunes.

YES ANNOUNCE NEW ROUND OF US TOUR DATES

Currently earning rave reviews on the first leg of their US tour, progressive rock royalty Yes has announced a second leg will get underway July 6 in Paso Robles, CA. The new run of 26 dates winds down on August 14 in Rosemont, IL. The band’s current stretch of shows in which they are performing three of their landmark albums – The Yes Album, Close to the Edge and Going For the One – in their entirety stops tonight in Clearwater, FL and wraps April 12 in Detroit.

AC/DC’S SCOTT RATED SECOND GREATEST AUSTRALIAN SINGER

Australia’s Daily Telegraph recently conducted a survey of the nation’s top singers who were asked to pick the country’s all-time greatest singers and the late Bon Scott of AC/DC came in second behind 63-year old Aussie legend John Farnham. Scott was ranked right near the top “for his take no prisoners attitude, authenticity, and the fact that his voice and lyrics are unmistakable and timeless.” And for those who simply need to know, the Bee Gees came in 12^th and Olivia Newton-John was ranked 36^th.

SIR PAUL SHARES THOUGHTS ON LATE PRODUCER PHIL RAMONE

Tributes continue to pour in following the passing of legendary record producer Phil Ramone, who died Saturday at the age of 79. In a statement posted on his official website, Paul McCartney wrote: “Phil was a great friend of mine for many years. He was a very sweet man… I’ll always remember him as a great friend that I knew, loved and admired over the many years that we worked and played together.”

MCCARTNEY TO BEGIN ‘OUT THERE' WORLD TOUR IN BOSTON

Apropos for yesterday’s Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season, Paul McCartney announced Opening Day for his upcoming out There world tour will be on July 9 in one of baseball’s most historic ballparks, Fenway Park in Boston. This will be the former Beatles’ second visit to the Beantown baseball mecca: Macca - as he is affectionately known in the UK – played a pair of shows there in August 2009.

HELM DOCUMENTARY SET FOR APRIL 19 THEATRICAL DEBUT

The Levon Helm documentary Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm will make its US theatrical debut at Cinema Village in New York on April 19, which happen to be the first anniversary of the late Band drummer’s passing. Directed by Jacob Hatley, the film documents the writing and recording of Helm’s 2010 album Electric Dirt. Helm died of throat cancer at the age of 71.

METALLICA’S MANAGER WEIGHS IN ON POP STAR’S PROBLEMS

Nearly everyone on the planet, including Metallica manager Peter Mensch, has heard of Justin Bieber and read the headlines about all of his recent childish behavior. Well now the man who handles the hard rock heroes as well as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others, is speaking out about what he would do if he was managing the troubled pop singer, telling UK tabloid The Sun, “I’d take Bieber to the woodshed and spank him. His manager Scooter Braun is scared s***less.” Mensch adds, “I don’t know what Bieber’s problem is. His career is over in three years anyway.”

NEW ALBUM RELEASES

The following is a list of some of the new albums out today: Various – The Music is You: A Tribute to John Denver; The Eagles – The Studio Albums: 1972-1979 (Box Set).

MONDAY, APRIL 1

MONDAY, APRIL 1

COUNTDOWN TO STONES TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT COULD END WEDNESDAY

On Friday, the Rolling Stones posted the following brief message on their official website: “5 Days & Counting…” Yesterday, a new message read: “3 Days & Counting…” The cryptic communiqués appear to be signs the band will finally share the long-awaited details surrounding their full-scale tour in celebration of their 50^th anniversary tour. Last week, the group confirmed they will headline UK’s Glastonbury festival on June 29.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

ZZ TOP TOPS OFF TANK TO MOUNT NEW ROAD TRIP

Texas trio ZZ Top has announced a new clutch of US concert dates, starting with a May 2 show in Newkirk, OK. The trek, designed to promote the group’s current album, La Futura, includes gigs in Memphis, Morristown, NJ, Atlantic City, Lynn, MA, Baltimore, Knoxville, and Biloxi, MS, plus stops at the Bonaroo festival in Manchester, TN on June 13 and the annual Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD on August 4.

MONDAY, MARCH 25

MONDAY, MARCH 25

LED ZEPPELIN LAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN GERMANY

The mighty Led Zeppelin were handed the inaugural International Lifetime Achievement Award at Germany’s ECHO Awards, held last Thursday in Berlin. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the band; Robert Plant was unable to attend due to a performance in Singapore that same night. After receiving the award, Page told reporters, “As long as we can be an inspiration, either as a group or individually…as far as I’m concerned, that’s my lifetime achievement: that people will be inspired by the music.”

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

THE ROLLING STONES PICK PROMOTER, PLAN ARENA TOUR

The Rolling Stones have taken one giant leap forward towards confirming a 50th anniversary North American arena tour by deciding to go with AEG Live as the promoter for the trek that reportedly will include 18 dates. According to concert industry sources, the band will command between $4 million and $5 million per performance, which translates to top ticket prices climbing as high as $500 to $650 per ticket. So far there’s no confirmation that parking will cost and arm, a beer will cost a leg, and a t-shirt your first-born child.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

BON JOVI, BOWIE BOW AT ONE-TWO ON BILLBOARD CHART

No less than six new albums debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, led by Bon Jovi’s What About Now, which entered the survey at No. 1, selling 101,000 copies in its first week on sale. Entering the chart at No. 2 was David Bowie’s highly anticipated comeback, The Next Day, which moved 85,000 units in one week’s time. Eric Clapton’s latest, Old Sock, debuted at No. 7, selling 37,000 copies, and the soundtrack to Dave Grohl’s SoundCity documentary entered the chart at No. 8.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

STEWART TAKES TIME TO DEBUT NEW ALBUM COVER, TRACKLIST

The time is almost right for the release of the first all-new rock record from Rod Stewart in almost two decades. Time will be available on May 7 and according to a video trailer for the record will feature a dozen tunes (11 written and produced by Stewart), including “Can’t Stop Me Now,” “She Makes Me Happy,” “Sexual Religion,” “It’s Over,” “Brighton Beach,” “Finest Woman,” and “Beautiful Morning.” The record’s first single, “She Makes Me Happy,” is available now, and “Finest Woman” will premiere on April 8.