Rush's Hollywood Walk Of Fame Unveiling This Week
Rush is preparing to claim some valuable real estate this week. The Canadian rockers will receive their own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame at a ceremony this Friday in Tinseltown. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce reports that the band's Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson all plan to be there for the midday ceremony. The Walk of Fame unveiling falls just days before the band launches its "Time Machine" Tour with a gig in Albuquerque, New Mexico next Tuesday, June 29th.
In related Rush news, this Saturday, June 26th, VH1 and VH1 Classic will debut "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" for cable TV audiences. The feature-length documentary premiered in late April at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it won the "Audience Award." On the long-term horizon, the band is preparing to release "Clockwork Angels" in 2011. An advance single from the studio project, called "Caravan," hit the Internet on June 1st.
Slayer Magazine Cover Wins Big At 2010 Maggies
A magazine photo featuring Slayer beat out some lofty cover subjects at the UK's Maggies on Monday. The Maggies -- England's version of The Oscars for magazines -- honored a December 2009 cover of "Metal Hammer" featuring the American trash metal band in the Best Entertainment Cover category. The photo depicted Slayer's four band members with their skulls slowly eroding. This image managed to beat out a photo of U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama submitted by "Hello!" and an "Avatar"-inspired cover from "Empire." James Isaacs served as the Art Director on the high-concept image, which required prosthetic makeup and ceramic human skulls to achieve.
In related news, Slayer's skulls are not eroding in real-life. The band's on stage in Sofia, Bulgaria at Sonisphere tonight alongside fellow metal acts Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth. On Thursday, June 24th, the band will rock Sonisphere in Athens, Greece.
Osbourne Talks About The Future Of OZZfest
Ozzy Osbourne is speaking in frank terms about staging OZZfest in the middle of a recession. Billboard.com reports that the Prince of Darkness is happy, but pragmatic about the festival, which features six dates this year after a hiatus in 2009. Ozzy says, "We're bringing it back, and...if it takes off again, fine. If it doesn't, that's also fine because it's been great for us." The rocker continues, "There's not that much dough around. People don't have that much dough 'cause of the recession. But we'll see what happens. You never know. It could go, and it could not." OZZfest has attracted Motley Crue and Black Label Society among its featured acts this year.
In related news, Osbourne's latest studio album -- "Scream" -- is scheduled to be released today. The LP features the advance single "Let Me Hear You Scream" which got a high-profile debut as part of the CBS TV series "CSI: New York" in April of this year.
Vince Neil Talks "Tattoos & Tequila"
Vince Neil is talking about a new single called "Tattoos & Tequila," which is the title cut from his latest album. The singer says he came up with the concept for the song, and knew what he wanted when he pitched it to songwriter Marti Fredricksen. Neil adds that the upcoming video for "Tattoos & Tequila" will be a representation from his life. He explains, quote, "We shot stuff at my house, in my backyard, and we shot in the recording studio while recording, we shot at my club Feelgood's, we shot at one of my tattoo shops, Vince Neil Ink, so we just kind of kept everything in context, you know, so it's all about girls, tattoos, and tequila." Neil's "Tatoos & Tequila" album arrives in stores tomorrow.
Wendy Dio Talks Cancer Fund In Ronnie James' Memory
Wendy Dio is disclosing more information about The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout" Cancer Fund. Ronnie James' widow and former manager released a statement to Blabbermouth.net following a fan post that queried if the charity was her "slush fund." Wendy wrote that the Ronnie James fund is a Section 501(c)(3) organization with nonprofit status. She added that the fund's purpose is, "primarily to provide free cancer-screening programs and testing to the public regardless of any individual's ability to pay for same, to provide financial assistance to cancer patients who are burdened with the cost of health care." Wendy also disclosed that generous donations have come in from Metallica, Deep Purple, Slash, Metal Blade Records, along with fans and friends.
The fund also has a Board of Directors and is discussing cancer centers throughout the country that may receive funds. Wendy added, "I will keep you updated of where your money is going, and can assure you it will not be going into any administration costs, but to the people that need it."
Ronnie James Dio -- one of hard rock's most famous frontmen -- died after a battle with cancer on May 16th. Dio sang lead vocals for Black Sabbath, Elf, Rainbow, Heaven & Hell, and his own namesake band Dio in his long career.
Historic Promotional KISS Photo On Auction Blocks
As of Monday afternoon, if you had more than 51-U.S. dollars, you also had a shot at the leading bid on an historic photo of KISS. A seller on EBay is hawking an original January 1973 photo of the rockers from their New York club days. The original picture -- which the seller says is not a print or reproduction -- was snapped at the band's rehearsal digs on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The black and white photo depicts young, then-unknown versions of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Simmons and Stanley are the only two of the original lineup still rocking with the band to this day.
Today's Birthdays
The Turtles' Howard Kaylan is 63.
Todd Rundgren is 62.
Today in History
In 1959
Chuck Berry released the single "Memphis."
In 1961
The Beatles were in the studio in Hamburg, Germany, where they recorded several songs including "Ain't She Sweet," "Cry For A Shadow," and "My Bonnie."
In 1963
New singles included The Sufaris' "Wipe Out."
In 1967
The drug possession trial of Rolling Stone members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards began in London.
The Rascals recorded the song "How Can I Be Sure."
In 1968
The Jeff Beck Group played its first U.S. gig at the Fillmore East in New York.
The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
In 1969
Blind Faith released their self-titled album.
In 1970
Bob Dylan's album "Self Portrait" was certified Gold.
In 1975
Eric Clapton joined the Rolling Stones on stage during a show in Madison Square Garden. They performed the song "Sympathy for the Devil."
In 1978
The Rolling Stones' album "Some Girls" and Foreigner's album "Double Vision" were certified Platinum.
In 1981
Mark David Chapman pled guilty to first-degree murder charges for the killing of John Lennon.
In 1988
The Bob Marley and the Wailers album "Legend" was certified Gold and Platinum, while Eric Clapton's album "Crossroads" was certified Gold.
In 1990
Billy Joel became the first rock artist to perform in New York's Yankee Stadium.
In 1991
The handwritten lyrics to Jimi Hendrix's song "Room Full of Mirrors" sold for more than 35-thousand-dollars at an auction in New York.
The funeral for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels' Joe Kubert was conducted in Royal Oak, Michigan.
In 1992
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour joined Tom Jones in concert at a show at the Town & Country Club in London.
In 1993
Ozzy Osbourne announced that he was planning a new album and a Black Sabbath reunion.
In 2001
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts performed on the fourth day of the Experience Music Project's five-day first anniversary party.
In 2004
Led Zeppelin, guitarist Jimmy Page, the Kinks frontman Ray Davies, Love frontman Arthur Lee, former Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn, James Brown, and The Shadows were among the winners following the first-ever British Mojo Awards.
Brian Wilson released the album "Gettin' In Over My Head," his first solo disc in six years.
In 2006
Roger Waters performed in Neve Shalom, Israel. The concert was originally slated for Tel Aviv, but later change the location to show his support for a nonviolent solution to the problems in the region. Neve Shalom is a mixed Jewish-Arab community in which residents live together peacefully.
In 2007
The Bon Jovi episode of "Unplugged" made its debut on MTV, relaunching the series.
In 2009
Phil Spector was transferred to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, California, where he's serving his 19-years-to-life sentence following his conviction on a second-degree murder charge in the 2003 killing of actress Lana Clarkson.
Styx made a surprise appearance at the White House Briefing Room, stepping up to the podium after the daily briefing from the White House Press Secretary. When asked his opinion on how President Obama is handling things, drummer Todd Sucherman gave a thumbs up.
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