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The Social Distortion album is a re-release of their self titled major label debut. It's on blue vinyl and is to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
As for VH, we'll have to agree to disagree. Dave in his prime was just OK as a singer. Great showman but lazy singer and lyricist. If he spent more time working on his vocal skills instead of playing with ribbons and batons he'd be better off.
With rock music’s evolution, women have become increasingly prominent in the genre. It’s not a boy’s club anymore, as musicians such as Evanescence‘s Amy Lee and Halestorm‘s Lzzy Hale have moved into the upper echelons of respected rock musicians.
Some women command their respective instruments in such a way that they can only be described as goddesses. From fame with the Runaways, both Joan Jett and Lita Ford went on to achieve storied solo careers. Early queens of punk rock including the Plasmatics’ Wendy O. Williams and Siouxsie Sioux also furthered their genre, creating not just popular, but unique music.
Fast forward to the present day and the rock charts are packed with talented females. Skillet‘s Korey Cooper and Jen Ledger continue to sell tremendous amounts of records, with the band’s most recent album, Rise, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Taylor Momsen also led the Pretty Reckless to success with 2014′s Going to Hell debuting at No. 5.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find more phenomenal talents in modern rock. Puscifer co-vocalist Carina Round continues to harmonize beautifully with Maynard James Keenan while she releases more quality tunes as a solo artist. Royal Thunder frontman Mlny Parsonz also takes a well-deserved spot in this video compilation as one of rock’s most powerful and soulful singers.
Some women command their respective instruments in such a way that they can only be described as goddesses. From fame with the Runaways, both Joan Jett and Lita Ford went on to achieve storied solo careers. Early queens of punk rock including the Plasmatics’ Wendy O. Williams and Siouxsie Sioux also furthered their genre, creating not just popular, but unique music.
Fast forward to the present day and the rock charts are packed with talented females. Skillet‘s Korey Cooper and Jen Ledger continue to sell tremendous amounts of records, with the band’s most recent album, Rise, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Taylor Momsen also led the Pretty Reckless to success with 2014′s Going to Hell debuting at No. 5.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find more phenomenal talents in modern rock. Puscifer co-vocalist Carina Round continues to harmonize beautifully with Maynard James Keenan while she releases more quality tunes as a solo artist. Royal Thunder frontman Mlny Parsonz also takes a well-deserved spot in this video compilation as one of rock’s most powerful and soulful singers.
Pete Townshend will be joined by Eddie Vedder for a benefit concert dubbed Celebrating the Who, to be held May 14 at the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago. Proceeds go to Teen Cancer America, a charity near and dear to Townshend and Who bandmate Roger Daltrey.
A trio of the Who’s regular touring members will also appear at the Rosemont show, including guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother), drummer Zak Starkey and bassist Pino Palladino. Teen Cancer America supports programs for young people with cancer through the University of Chicago Medicine.
For Vedder, celebrating the Who has become part of his life’s narrative. The Pearl Jam frontman once told Rolling Stone that he heard the Who for the first time as a youth, and was changed forever. “Imagine, as a kid, stumbling upon the locomotive that is Live at Leeds,” Vedder said in 2010. “‘Hi, my name is Eddie. I’m 10 years old and I’m getting my f–ing mind blown!’”
In keeping, Pearl Jam has been covering Townshend songs since back in the their ’90s hey day. Vedder eventually became friends with his idol, performing together with Townshend numerous times over the years. Vedder appeared on two songs, including a live take on “Magic Bus,” from Pete Townshend Live: A Benefit for Maryville Academy and wrote the foreword to Townshend’s biography, Who Are You. He also appeared as part of a 50th anniversary Who tribute in 2014.
Read More: Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder to Perform a Who-Themed Benefit | Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder to Perform a Who-Themed Benefit
A trio of the Who’s regular touring members will also appear at the Rosemont show, including guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother), drummer Zak Starkey and bassist Pino Palladino. Teen Cancer America supports programs for young people with cancer through the University of Chicago Medicine.
For Vedder, celebrating the Who has become part of his life’s narrative. The Pearl Jam frontman once told Rolling Stone that he heard the Who for the first time as a youth, and was changed forever. “Imagine, as a kid, stumbling upon the locomotive that is Live at Leeds,” Vedder said in 2010. “‘Hi, my name is Eddie. I’m 10 years old and I’m getting my f–ing mind blown!’”
In keeping, Pearl Jam has been covering Townshend songs since back in the their ’90s hey day. Vedder eventually became friends with his idol, performing together with Townshend numerous times over the years. Vedder appeared on two songs, including a live take on “Magic Bus,” from Pete Townshend Live: A Benefit for Maryville Academy and wrote the foreword to Townshend’s biography, Who Are You. He also appeared as part of a 50th anniversary Who tribute in 2014.
Read More: Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder to Perform a Who-Themed Benefit | Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder to Perform a Who-Themed Benefit
Get ready for the inaugural Loudwire Music Festival! We’re proud to announce that the final lineup is now in place, with Theory of a Deadman and In This Moment leading the latest additions to a festival bill that includes headliners Linkin Park, Rob Zombie and Weezer.
Theory of a Deadman are promoting their standout fifth studio album Savages, which has already spawned the singles “Drown” and the title track, as well as their current hit song “Angel.” In This Moment, meanwhile, have been tearing it up with their Black Widow album. The disc has yielded the singles “Sick Like Me” and “Big Bad Wolf” and the group is starting to see a third song, “Sex Metal Barbie,” get some radio love. You’ll also find Otherwise joining the bill, rocking their current anthem “Coming for the Throne” and other favorites from the Peace at All Costs disc.
Plus such on-the-rise acts as The Chimpz, 3 Pill Morning, The Comedown, Wayland, Righteous Vendetta, Scarlet & the Harlots, The Blackfires, Vajra, Menew, Splitfist and Zam Trip will also take part in the first ever Loudwire Music Festival as well.
They join a bill that already features the aforementioned headliners of Linkin Park, Rob Zombie and Weezer, along with A Day to Remember, Halestorm, Chevelle, Hinder, All That Remains, Nothing More, Hoobastank, Bobaflex and One – The Only Tribute to Metallica.
The three-day event takes place at the Jam Ranch near Grand Junction, Colo., the weekend of June 26-28. For ticketing and camping options, be sure to check the Loudwire Music Festival website at this location, and stay tuned for the daily lineups.
2015 Loudwire Music Festival Lineup:
Linkin Park
Rob Zombie
Weezer
A Day to Remember
Halestorm
Theory of a Deadman
Chevelle
In This Moment
Hinder
All That Remains
Nothing More
Hoobastank
Bobaflex
The Chimpz
One – The Only Tribute to Metallica
3 Pill Morning
The Comedown
Otherwise
Wayland
Righteous Vendetta
Scarlet & the Harlots
The Blackfires
Varja
Menew
Splitfist
Zam Trip
Theory of a Deadman are promoting their standout fifth studio album Savages, which has already spawned the singles “Drown” and the title track, as well as their current hit song “Angel.” In This Moment, meanwhile, have been tearing it up with their Black Widow album. The disc has yielded the singles “Sick Like Me” and “Big Bad Wolf” and the group is starting to see a third song, “Sex Metal Barbie,” get some radio love. You’ll also find Otherwise joining the bill, rocking their current anthem “Coming for the Throne” and other favorites from the Peace at All Costs disc.
Plus such on-the-rise acts as The Chimpz, 3 Pill Morning, The Comedown, Wayland, Righteous Vendetta, Scarlet & the Harlots, The Blackfires, Vajra, Menew, Splitfist and Zam Trip will also take part in the first ever Loudwire Music Festival as well.
They join a bill that already features the aforementioned headliners of Linkin Park, Rob Zombie and Weezer, along with A Day to Remember, Halestorm, Chevelle, Hinder, All That Remains, Nothing More, Hoobastank, Bobaflex and One – The Only Tribute to Metallica.
The three-day event takes place at the Jam Ranch near Grand Junction, Colo., the weekend of June 26-28. For ticketing and camping options, be sure to check the Loudwire Music Festival website at this location, and stay tuned for the daily lineups.
2015 Loudwire Music Festival Lineup:
Linkin Park
Rob Zombie
Weezer
A Day to Remember
Halestorm
Theory of a Deadman
Chevelle
In This Moment
Hinder
All That Remains
Nothing More
Hoobastank
Bobaflex
The Chimpz
One – The Only Tribute to Metallica
3 Pill Morning
The Comedown
Otherwise
Wayland
Righteous Vendetta
Scarlet & the Harlots
The Blackfires
Varja
Menew
Splitfist
Zam Trip
When I pick up dog poop in the back yard I have to put on my glasses
because I can't see sh*t without my glasses.
Ron Wood‘s entrance into the debauched world of rock ‘n’ roll excess that was the Rolling Stones arrived via a press statement on April 14, 1975. Turns out, even after proving his meddle by playing his first show as the band opened a world tour, Wood would have a long way to go in order to become a full-time member.
Mick Jagger, speaking at the time, said Wood’s earlier career experience with Jeff Beck and the Faces made him the perfect candidate to replace the departed Mick Taylor as the Stones’ second guitarist.
“I wanted someone that was easy to get on with, you know, that wasn’t too difficult and that was a good player and was used to playing onstage,” Jagger said. “It’s quite a lot to ask of someone to come and do a big American tour with a band like the Stones, you know? I mean, not that I think the Stones are any really big deal, but it tends to be a bit of a paralyzing experience for people. You know what I mean? And I wanted someone that wasn’t going to be phased out.”
Well, not from stage fright, anyway. Wood boasted an addiction to fun that dated back to his childhood. He has said that he started drinking heavily as the son of “water gypsies” at the tender age of 14. As he began constructing a new legacy with the Stones, initially as a sessions collaborator on the 1973 song “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It),” Wood had moved from beer, brandy and whiskey to cocaine.
He found willing partners in crime, at least at first, with the Rolling Stones – a group Wood had been hoping to join since seeing them for the first time at the Richmond Jazz and Blues Festival in 1964.
“I always knew I was gonna end up in this band,” Wood told Stuff last year. “I remember walking around the periphery of Hyde Park in ’69, and this big car pulls up through a whole sea of people and out steps Mick and [Stones drummer] Charlie [Watts]. Mick comes up and says, ‘Ullo, Face,’ which is what he called me then, ’cause I was in the Faces. And we talk away for a while and then they say, ‘Okay, we gotta go and play. We’ll see you soon.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sooner than you think.’ I was always confident I would end up in this band, and a few years later I did.”
Of course, it wasn’t that simple. Wood had to work his way toward sobriety while enduring what became an incredibly lengthy apprenticeship with the band. He was even still a member of the Faces when his first Rolling Stones tour got underway. But after the Faces broke up in December 1975, Wood was declared an official member of (but not a financial stakeholder in) his favorite band.
Two certifiably classic albums followed: 1978′s Some Girls and 1981′s Tattoo You. Still, for the next 17 years, Wood was only paid when the Rolling Stones toured – which, during the ’80s, wasn’t much. A former art student, he turned to painting again, something that became a lucrative sideline. Most of all, he served as the glue that held the Rolling Stones together through a difficult period when Jagger and Keith Richards were at odds with each other.
“I just looked at it like I was doing my apprenticeship, even though I might have been 50 years old,” Wood told the Guardian in 2011. “I was learning, but I was teaching as well, how to let go and enjoy life. During the Dirty Work days, that was a really bad time, I got them through that. I’d be like, ‘You stay near the phone. I’m going to get him on the phone and I’ll ring you back.’”
After that, Wood was finally rewarded with full partnership in the Rolling Stones, nearly two decades after the band first announced his arrival. Today, he takes the long view on his journey. “I wasn’t looking at the pay packet,” Wood told Stuff. “I was looking for an adventure, and I certainly got that.”
Mick Jagger, speaking at the time, said Wood’s earlier career experience with Jeff Beck and the Faces made him the perfect candidate to replace the departed Mick Taylor as the Stones’ second guitarist.
“I wanted someone that was easy to get on with, you know, that wasn’t too difficult and that was a good player and was used to playing onstage,” Jagger said. “It’s quite a lot to ask of someone to come and do a big American tour with a band like the Stones, you know? I mean, not that I think the Stones are any really big deal, but it tends to be a bit of a paralyzing experience for people. You know what I mean? And I wanted someone that wasn’t going to be phased out.”
Well, not from stage fright, anyway. Wood boasted an addiction to fun that dated back to his childhood. He has said that he started drinking heavily as the son of “water gypsies” at the tender age of 14. As he began constructing a new legacy with the Stones, initially as a sessions collaborator on the 1973 song “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It),” Wood had moved from beer, brandy and whiskey to cocaine.
He found willing partners in crime, at least at first, with the Rolling Stones – a group Wood had been hoping to join since seeing them for the first time at the Richmond Jazz and Blues Festival in 1964.
“I always knew I was gonna end up in this band,” Wood told Stuff last year. “I remember walking around the periphery of Hyde Park in ’69, and this big car pulls up through a whole sea of people and out steps Mick and [Stones drummer] Charlie [Watts]. Mick comes up and says, ‘Ullo, Face,’ which is what he called me then, ’cause I was in the Faces. And we talk away for a while and then they say, ‘Okay, we gotta go and play. We’ll see you soon.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sooner than you think.’ I was always confident I would end up in this band, and a few years later I did.”
Of course, it wasn’t that simple. Wood had to work his way toward sobriety while enduring what became an incredibly lengthy apprenticeship with the band. He was even still a member of the Faces when his first Rolling Stones tour got underway. But after the Faces broke up in December 1975, Wood was declared an official member of (but not a financial stakeholder in) his favorite band.
Two certifiably classic albums followed: 1978′s Some Girls and 1981′s Tattoo You. Still, for the next 17 years, Wood was only paid when the Rolling Stones toured – which, during the ’80s, wasn’t much. A former art student, he turned to painting again, something that became a lucrative sideline. Most of all, he served as the glue that held the Rolling Stones together through a difficult period when Jagger and Keith Richards were at odds with each other.
“I just looked at it like I was doing my apprenticeship, even though I might have been 50 years old,” Wood told the Guardian in 2011. “I was learning, but I was teaching as well, how to let go and enjoy life. During the Dirty Work days, that was a really bad time, I got them through that. I’d be like, ‘You stay near the phone. I’m going to get him on the phone and I’ll ring you back.’”
After that, Wood was finally rewarded with full partnership in the Rolling Stones, nearly two decades after the band first announced his arrival. Today, he takes the long view on his journey. “I wasn’t looking at the pay packet,” Wood told Stuff. “I was looking for an adventure, and I certainly got that.”
Record Store Day 2015 is this Saturday and the Foo Fighters will be recognizing the day with a live show at the Record Connection music shop in Ohio. The band has announced their plans to perform at 12PM this Saturday at the Niles, Ohio, record store and 150 lucky fans will get to experience the show.
For those interested, here is how you get one of the 150 spots inside the record store: Head to the Record Connection store and pre-order one of the Foo Fighters’ Songs From the Laundry Room 10” records, starting tomorrow at 10AM. The disc includes two demo versions, a cover of the Kim Wilde hit “Kids in America,” and a previously unreleased song. Pre-sale purchases can only be made in person at the store, so pack your cooler, bring your sleeping bag and get ready to chill in a nice long line to earn your place for the April 18 gig.
It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that Dave Grohl and the boys are doing such a cool thing to support the day, as Grohl was named the official ambassador of the 2015 day to support independent music stores. In a press release about his title, Grohl wrote, “I believe that the power of the record store to inspire is still alive and well, and that their importance to our next generation of musicians is crucial. Take an afternoon (and some hard earned lawn mowing money) and please support them. You never know, it might change your life forever, too.”
Learn more about the best releases coming out this Saturday for Record Store Day here.
For those interested, here is how you get one of the 150 spots inside the record store: Head to the Record Connection store and pre-order one of the Foo Fighters’ Songs From the Laundry Room 10” records, starting tomorrow at 10AM. The disc includes two demo versions, a cover of the Kim Wilde hit “Kids in America,” and a previously unreleased song. Pre-sale purchases can only be made in person at the store, so pack your cooler, bring your sleeping bag and get ready to chill in a nice long line to earn your place for the April 18 gig.
It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that Dave Grohl and the boys are doing such a cool thing to support the day, as Grohl was named the official ambassador of the 2015 day to support independent music stores. In a press release about his title, Grohl wrote, “I believe that the power of the record store to inspire is still alive and well, and that their importance to our next generation of musicians is crucial. Take an afternoon (and some hard earned lawn mowing money) and please support them. You never know, it might change your life forever, too.”
Learn more about the best releases coming out this Saturday for Record Store Day here.
This event is so going to blow my entertainment budget for this month!
Ya gotta have some fun sometimes! Heck with the budget!
It’s been more than a year since we heard anything about Richie Sambora‘s split from Bon Jovi. After a relatively busy 2013 of he-said-he-said back and forth between the guitarist and frontman Jon Bon Jovi, not much was said about the incident over the past 12 months.
But in a new interview with Showbiz 411, Bon Jovi said that Sambora “quit — he’s gone.” That doesn’t mean the two longtime friends aren’t still buddies, at least in some sense of the word. “No hard feelings,” he said. “Being in a band isn’t a life sentence.”
Problems started in April 2013, when it was announced that Sambora wouldn’t be part of the band’s upcoming tour. For the next several months, rumors flew: Sambora was fired, Sambora quit, Sambora still hadn’t gotten over Jon’s starring role in 1996′s ‘The Leading Man’ (we made that one up, but would you blame him?).
In November of last year, Sambora said that he quit the group to spend more time with his family. “I just started spending time with my kid between [tour] legs, and my spirit wouldn’t pull myself out of the door,” he said. “I just needed to be home … I think people don’t understand exactly what that means. You don’t get to come home. There’s a huge sacrifice in that. I missed a lot of my daughter’s life.”
A guitar player wasn’t the only loss in Jon’s life recently. In the same new interview, he discusses how he lost out on owning the Buffalo Bills. The incident — which included football fans who were roundly opposed to the sale – left him depressed, he admitted. ”I devoted two years to that project,” he said. “But I’m coming out of it now.”
But in a new interview with Showbiz 411, Bon Jovi said that Sambora “quit — he’s gone.” That doesn’t mean the two longtime friends aren’t still buddies, at least in some sense of the word. “No hard feelings,” he said. “Being in a band isn’t a life sentence.”
Problems started in April 2013, when it was announced that Sambora wouldn’t be part of the band’s upcoming tour. For the next several months, rumors flew: Sambora was fired, Sambora quit, Sambora still hadn’t gotten over Jon’s starring role in 1996′s ‘The Leading Man’ (we made that one up, but would you blame him?).
In November of last year, Sambora said that he quit the group to spend more time with his family. “I just started spending time with my kid between [tour] legs, and my spirit wouldn’t pull myself out of the door,” he said. “I just needed to be home … I think people don’t understand exactly what that means. You don’t get to come home. There’s a huge sacrifice in that. I missed a lot of my daughter’s life.”
A guitar player wasn’t the only loss in Jon’s life recently. In the same new interview, he discusses how he lost out on owning the Buffalo Bills. The incident — which included football fans who were roundly opposed to the sale – left him depressed, he admitted. ”I devoted two years to that project,” he said. “But I’m coming out of it now.”
BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne has responded to an "open letter" by the band's original drummer Bill Ward in which Ward said he would not consider rejoining the band unless Ozzy publicly apologized for what Ward perceived as a series of insults.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ozzy said: "I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill's statements left me no option to but to respond honestly.
"Wow, Bill, what the f*** are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during SABBATH's '13' album and tour — physically, you knew you were f***ed. Tony [Iommi, guitar], Geezer [Butler, bass] and myself didn't think you could have done a two-hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony's condition, we felt that time was not on our side.
"Bill, stop this smokescreen about an 'unsignable contract' and let's be honest. Deep down inside, you knew you weren't capable of doing the album and a 16-month tour.
"Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013. Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you've only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled. So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.
"Bill, we go back a long way, let's stop this now before it gets out of hand.
"God bless you.
"Love, Ozzy"
Although Ward was initially going to participate in the BLACK SABBATH reunion that came together in late 2011, he bowed out early and has not been on good terms with the band since.
Ward wrote in his open letter: "With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved… I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I'm looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy's statements that I felt were untrue."
Ward did not state specifically what Ozzy had said that he wanted an apology for, only stating, "Because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs… that's what I want if I'm ever going to be his friend again."
Ozzy hinted in 2013 that Ward was too out of shape to record and tour with SABBATH, saying: "I don't think he could have done the gig, to be honest… A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."
It was speculated that SABBATH wanted Ward to play only part of its live shows because he wasn't fit to perform an entire concert.
Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that he couldn't necessarily blame Ward for the way he felt about that. "I mean, if someone said to me, 'You should sing with this guy,' I'd be pissed off, you know," he said. "I mean, it's understandable, the way he feels. I'm not saying he's wrong or right, you know. But we had a mission to do an album, you know, and I mean, I think it would have taken twice as long as it did and that was long enough already, you know."
Ward said in his letter that while he had "neither severed nor discontinued" his relationship with SABBATH, he would need a "signable contract" in addition to the apology from Ozzy to make things right.
Brad Wilk played drums on SABBATH's 2013 reunion album, "13", while Tommy Clufetos was behind the kit for the group's world tour.
Ward concluded, "It's up to them. I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand."
Iommi revealed in January of 2012 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma and had to return to England every six weeks for treatment throughout the course of SABBATH's year-long tour.
BLACK SABBATH is reportedly planning to record one more album and undertake a farewell tour later this year.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ozzy said: "I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill's statements left me no option to but to respond honestly.
"Wow, Bill, what the f*** are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during SABBATH's '13' album and tour — physically, you knew you were f***ed. Tony [Iommi, guitar], Geezer [Butler, bass] and myself didn't think you could have done a two-hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony's condition, we felt that time was not on our side.
"Bill, stop this smokescreen about an 'unsignable contract' and let's be honest. Deep down inside, you knew you weren't capable of doing the album and a 16-month tour.
"Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013. Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you've only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled. So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.
"Bill, we go back a long way, let's stop this now before it gets out of hand.
"God bless you.
"Love, Ozzy"
Although Ward was initially going to participate in the BLACK SABBATH reunion that came together in late 2011, he bowed out early and has not been on good terms with the band since.
Ward wrote in his open letter: "With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved… I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I'm looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy's statements that I felt were untrue."
Ward did not state specifically what Ozzy had said that he wanted an apology for, only stating, "Because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs… that's what I want if I'm ever going to be his friend again."
Ozzy hinted in 2013 that Ward was too out of shape to record and tour with SABBATH, saying: "I don't think he could have done the gig, to be honest… A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."
It was speculated that SABBATH wanted Ward to play only part of its live shows because he wasn't fit to perform an entire concert.
Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that he couldn't necessarily blame Ward for the way he felt about that. "I mean, if someone said to me, 'You should sing with this guy,' I'd be pissed off, you know," he said. "I mean, it's understandable, the way he feels. I'm not saying he's wrong or right, you know. But we had a mission to do an album, you know, and I mean, I think it would have taken twice as long as it did and that was long enough already, you know."
Ward said in his letter that while he had "neither severed nor discontinued" his relationship with SABBATH, he would need a "signable contract" in addition to the apology from Ozzy to make things right.
Brad Wilk played drums on SABBATH's 2013 reunion album, "13", while Tommy Clufetos was behind the kit for the group's world tour.
Ward concluded, "It's up to them. I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand."
Iommi revealed in January of 2012 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma and had to return to England every six weeks for treatment throughout the course of SABBATH's year-long tour.
BLACK SABBATH is reportedly planning to record one more album and undertake a farewell tour later this year.
Ringo Starr has learned many things in his decades-long musical career, but during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech, he gave his top tip for musicians in a band: “If you fart, own up.”
The affable Beatles drummer — the last member of the band to get into the Hall as a solo artist — disclosed that nugget of wisdom and plenty of other gems from the past. In fact, his speech was heavy on memories from his time with the Beatles.
For instance, he recalled receiving the call from Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asking him to join the band. “And I said, ‘Well, when do you want me to join?’” Starr recalled. “Tonight,” Epstein replied. “I can’t do that,” Starr said he replied. “I’ve got a job — I’ll come Saturday.”
When he did join the band, however, he had an immediate influence. “I showed them some clubs that they would not be aware of,” Starr said of his bandmates. “I was sort of the cause of their downfall.”
That wasn’t obvious from fellow Beatle Paul McCartney‘s opening speech, which lovingly recalled his bandmate’s talents and demeanor. Starr was a “professional” because he had a beard and a suit, and would sit at the bar drinking a “boubon and 7.”
McCartney’s recollection of the first time Starr played with the rest of the Beatles was more poignant. “Most of the drummers couldn’t nail the drum part,” he said. “It was a little bit difficult to do, but Ringo nailed it.
“I remember the moment, standing there and looking at John [Lennon] and looking at George [Harrison] and the look on our faces was … f—ing … what is this? And that was the moment, really, that was the beginning of the Beatles.”
McCartney was just as sentimental recalling Starr’s childhood. “He was born in Liverpool at a very early age, and he had a hard childhood,” he said. “Real hard childhood. But he had a beautiful mum, and a lovely stepdad. Both of them had real big hearts, beautiful people and they loved music.
“So at some point during this difficult childhood, Ringo got a drum. Ringo got a drum! And that was it, he was now a drummer.”
Starr returned the favor and started his speech: “My name is Ringo and I play drums! I want to thank Paul for all of those great things he told us. Some of them were true.” (Later in the speech, he got his revenge — when McCartney jokingly went up to him and accused him of talking too long, Starr shot back: “After the things I’ve sat through tonight, blah blah blah … I’ve got some stories!”)
In the end, however, Starr was sentimental about his career, especially with the Beatles. “It’s been an incredible journey for me with these three guys, who wrote these songs.”
The affable Beatles drummer — the last member of the band to get into the Hall as a solo artist — disclosed that nugget of wisdom and plenty of other gems from the past. In fact, his speech was heavy on memories from his time with the Beatles.
For instance, he recalled receiving the call from Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asking him to join the band. “And I said, ‘Well, when do you want me to join?’” Starr recalled. “Tonight,” Epstein replied. “I can’t do that,” Starr said he replied. “I’ve got a job — I’ll come Saturday.”
When he did join the band, however, he had an immediate influence. “I showed them some clubs that they would not be aware of,” Starr said of his bandmates. “I was sort of the cause of their downfall.”
That wasn’t obvious from fellow Beatle Paul McCartney‘s opening speech, which lovingly recalled his bandmate’s talents and demeanor. Starr was a “professional” because he had a beard and a suit, and would sit at the bar drinking a “boubon and 7.”
McCartney’s recollection of the first time Starr played with the rest of the Beatles was more poignant. “Most of the drummers couldn’t nail the drum part,” he said. “It was a little bit difficult to do, but Ringo nailed it.
“I remember the moment, standing there and looking at John [Lennon] and looking at George [Harrison] and the look on our faces was … f—ing … what is this? And that was the moment, really, that was the beginning of the Beatles.”
McCartney was just as sentimental recalling Starr’s childhood. “He was born in Liverpool at a very early age, and he had a hard childhood,” he said. “Real hard childhood. But he had a beautiful mum, and a lovely stepdad. Both of them had real big hearts, beautiful people and they loved music.
“So at some point during this difficult childhood, Ringo got a drum. Ringo got a drum! And that was it, he was now a drummer.”
Starr returned the favor and started his speech: “My name is Ringo and I play drums! I want to thank Paul for all of those great things he told us. Some of them were true.” (Later in the speech, he got his revenge — when McCartney jokingly went up to him and accused him of talking too long, Starr shot back: “After the things I’ve sat through tonight, blah blah blah … I’ve got some stories!”)
In the end, however, Starr was sentimental about his career, especially with the Beatles. “It’s been an incredible journey for me with these three guys, who wrote these songs.”
Maybe not big name rock news, but my friend and long-time guitar teacher is releasing a new solo album. Check out the video below:
Thanks for the kind words. Ron is a heck of a player. On a whole other level than me. I learned a lot from him.
Here's yesterday's Record Store Day Haul:
Zappa 200 Motels 45 on purple vinyl
Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town on 180 gram vinyl
101ers Elgin Avenue Breakdown double album on red vinyl
Kind of Blue on blue vinyl
Social Distortion on blue vinyl
Only thing I didn't get that I wanted was the Foo Fighters EP.