Martone live webcast on 25th Sept
On Sunday September 25, 2011 at 3 PM EDT, Dave Martone and Glen Drover will take part in a performance that will be webcast worldwide as part of the “Live At Metalworks” series from Mississauga, Canada. The webcast can be seen at live.magnacarta.net.
Sheryl Crow auctions Guitar and vintage Mercedes for Joplin Relief effort
Sheryl Crow has raised $143,000 for Joplin Schools Recovery Fund of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks by auctioning off her beautiful white 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL, like the car pictured below. The auction also included a signature Gibson acoustic, a replica of the 1962 Gibson Country Western, and two backstage passes to one of her gigs. Source: Joplin Independent
Richard Gere’s guitar collection to go under the hammer
Richard Gere’s extensive guitar collection is to be auctioned by Christies on 11th October and proceeds will go to fund humanitarian causes across the world. The whole collection of 110 guitars is expected to fetch in the region of $1m. It includes a 1958 Gibson Flying V once owned by Albert King, guitars owned by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, a 1931 Martin D-28, and one of legendary luthier James D’Aquisto’s archtops. Source: BBC
AC/DC launch range of wines. No “Whole Lotta Rosé”
AC/DC have teamed up with Australian vintner Warburn Estate and jumped on the celebrity bandwagon of having your name on a wine bottle. They’ll sell varieties with names inspired by their hits. Highway to Hell cabernet sauvignon, You Shook Me All Night Long muscat and Hells Bells sauvignon blanc. Unfortunately they missed what must have been the biggest opportunity by not including a Whole Lotta Rosé in the range. Kiss, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden and Whitesnake have all…
Billy Grammer dies aged 85
Solo artist, session guitarist and Grand Ole Opry member Bill Grammer has died of natural causes at the age of 85. He co-founded the Grammer Guitar Company in 1965, designing a distinctive acoustic instrument that remains popular with some players. The company was sold to Ampeg in the late 60s. His first solo hit in 1959 was “Gotta Travel On”. As a session musician he recorded with many of Nashville’s greats; Charley Pride, George Hamilton IV, Ernest Tubb and Marty…
Buddy Guy gets his own Chicago street
On July 30, blues legend, Buddy Guy, celebrated his 75th birthday. his home-town marked the occasion with a proclamation from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the honour of having a street named after him. The 700 block of South Wabash Street, where Buddy’s club and restaurant are sited, has been renamed as “Buddy Guy Way”. “They normally give this to you after you are gone,” said Guy. “My mom used to tell me, ‘Son, give me my flowers when I can…
RHCP play surprise gig
In their first show in four years, RHCP gave a debut to their new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer last night at the Henry Miller Memorial Library, in Big Sur, CA. The surprise performance was only announced three hours beforehand. The Red Hot Chili Peppers played five songs from their upcoming album I’m With You, due out on Aug. 30. Rolling Stone cover the show in more detail. Source: Fender.com
Slash finally plays homecoming gig
Slash finally came home to Stoke-on-Trent to play his first gig in the city where he lived as a young boy. Tickets were hard to come by. When they went on sale, all 1,500 were snapped up in less than two hours and the line/queue, included fans from the USA and Japan, three generations of one family, and a heavily pregnant woman who said she was hoping the guitar playing would induce birth. “I’ve been wanting to do this for…
Jeff Beck awarded honorary degree by University of Sussex
Jeff Beck has been named as an honorary doctor of music by the University of Sussex. He is one of six people who will receive honorary degrees during this year’s ceremonies which take place from Wednesday to Friday. Students who study for a degree in professional musicianship at BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) have it validated and awarded by the University of Sussex. Professor Michael Farthing, the University of Sussex’s vice-chancellor, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jeff Beck…
Leslie West (Mountain) recovering from leg amputation
Guitar great Leslie West, famous for his thime with the Mountain in the ’70s, is recovering in hospital after surgery yesterday to amputate his right leg at the knee due to complications from diabetes. According to a statement from West’s wife, Jenni West, the amputation was needed to stop a septic infection that started in his foot, which was complicated by peripheral arterial disease and “blood clotting factors”. This afternoon West’s condition was upgraded from “serious” to “good”. Source: http://www.straight.com/