NME


Coldplay's Chris Martin to auction his first guitar for charity

Coldplay have revealed further details of their "End Of Decade Clearout Sale" to help raise money for the charity Kids Company.

As previously reported, the band had announced they were giving fans the chance to bid on a range of a instruments, costumes and signed memorabilia in the charity auction.

The auction begins today (December 18) on Ebay, with the group recently posting up a catalogue of all the items up for sale.

Included in the sale are Chris Martin's first ever guitar. Inscribed 'Christopher AJ Martin' in tippex, the guitar was used to write many of Coldplay's early songs, as well as featuring on their debut album 'Parachutes'.

Also up for sale are the costumes the band wore on their 'Viva La Vida' world tour, the globe used on the cover of their debut album and many more unique items.

For those with a modest income, the band are also auctioning a collection of signed lithographs, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The prints will be sold for £10 each and will appear on the Kids Company Ebay page at random times during the the sale which runs from December 18-31.

For more information and to download the auction catalogue please visit Coldplay.com

Labels: Cold Play, Guitar News Daily

sleazeroxx.com


Randy Rhoads Blizzard Of Ozz Amplifier Being Sold For $12,500 An amplifier used by Randy Rhoads on the European leg of the first Blizzard of Ozz tour is being auctioned at www.eBay.com. The opening bid for this rare amp is set at $12,500!

According to the auction; I, being a Randy Rhoads fan, purchased it for myself when Jet Records offered it in trade on Risson LTA stacks for Steve Kara of The Electric Prunes Band shortly after Randy Rhoads' death. Jet Records was then owned By Sharon Osbourne's Dad and represented many top groups of that era.

I put it in storage some 20 plus years ago with all my other amplifier components when I closed down Risson Amplifiers and went into the Computer Consulting business. It was working perfectly when traded in and I did not use or even clean it, so as to save it as used by Randy Rhoads.

I got so involved with computers over the years, that I forgot I had this amp. I am now again, building amplifiers and found this and some other items I will also be selling. It is a real shame it has just been sitting for so long. It should be played and appreaciated for its history. I am an Amplifier Engineer and do not really play. So I decided to sell to someone who could enjoy its sound and history. It has already contributed so much to the music scene.

Jet Records stated in an accompanying letter that prior to Randy using it in rehearsal and on stage in Ozzy's band in Europe, it was used on tours of Ariel Bender and Widowmaker.

This is a real piece of Rock History, having been used by several special guitarists.

For more details, pictures and the Larry Ross letter authenticating the amp's history visit www.ebay.com

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Randy Rhoads

Ronnie is one of the classiest guys in Rock and Roll. We wish you well Ronnie!


www.sleazeroxx.com



Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer Ronnie James Dio's wife and manager Wendy has revealed that the legendary metal singer has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. Earlier this month Dio, who is known for his work with Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell and his solo career, cancelled his European tour after becoming ill.

Wendy states, "Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

Thanks to all the friends and fans around the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up.

Long Live Rock and Roll, Long Live Ronnie James Dio"

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Ronnie James Dio

gibson.com

The passing of the incomparable Les Paul in August 2009 broke the hearts of guitar enthusiasts around the world. What can never be broken, though, is the legacy of innovation and creativity that he built during 94 years of constant musicianship. Though the original guitar he designed in 1952 has informed every Gibson guitar since, our engineers were inspired anew to handcraft a guitar just the way Les demanded it nearly 60 years ago.

Never before has a Les Paul guitar been so completely designed to Les' original specifications. Until now. Anchored by a golden mahogany body, maple top and rosewood fingerboard, the Les Paul Tribute 1952 is equipped with an all-new bridge that's an exact replica of Les' original 1952 patent. Our luthiers have also added historical interest with details like stamping "prototype" into the back of the peg head and staying true to Les' preference for P-90 pickups. The Les Paul Tribute 1952 honors the most important figure in all of guitar history and the guitar he designed and loved.

Labels: Gibson Les Paul, Guitar News Daily

sleazeroxx.com

Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt To Play Guitar With Rihanna Extreme guitarist Nuno has joined forces with Rihanna and will be her 2010 world tour lead guitarist. Streaming Live from London, November 16, Rihanna and Nuno will be performing tracks from her album, Rated R, to a free online audience. Join in on the largest free music event of the year at http://nowplaying.nokia.com/join-us.

Nuno states, "Hey all.......Nuno.. here. I wanted to share some news with you... A friend and Music Director, Tony Bruno, reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in playing guitar with Rihanna. Rihanna is a regular in the Bettencourt-house playlist... And as much as I dig her as an artist... my first thought was that there isn't a whole lot of guitar in her music and therefore probably not the greatest fit for what I do.

But before I had a chance to verbalize that thought... Tony said, "before you say anything let me play you the direction she wants to go live." And when I heard it... I said wow, this rocks... it's heavy and funky... and it hit me that this is MY shit... this is my style... how I love to play... I got very excited at the possibility of playing some of her great songs with a heavier treatment. When I asked Tony Bruno why?... he told me that Rihanna loves bands like Paramore and Linkin Park and loves to push it up a notch or two live in the rock department. Hmmm... let me think? Touring and sharing the stage with a cool and talented artist like Rihanna... and being able to bring what I do passionately to the table as a musician and performer...? IM IN! And having finished the first round of rehearsals... it did not disappoint. Even better than what I expected because she also has the most incredible band, and I get the privilege to add to their wall of sound. It's gonna be fun. Come see and hear it for yourself!

And BTW... No... this is NOT the end of Extreme. We have a live DVD and CD coming out in early 2010 and we will be writing new material throughout the year. We had a great run across the globe on Saudades do Rock....and we'll be back."

Labels: Extreme, Guitar News Daily, Nuno Bettencourt, Rihanna

canoe.ca


Dave Grohl always knew his Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain would die young - so he prepared himself for his pal's early death.

Cobain was found dead in his Seattle, Washington home in 1994, aged 27, and his passing was officially ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Grohl tells BBC Radio 1, "There are some people that you meet in life that you just know that they are not going to live to be a hundred years old. In some ways, you kind of prepare yourself emotionally for that to be a reality."

The Foo Fighters frontman insists the tragedy had a positive impact on his own life - because he learned never to take anything for granted.

He adds, "Usually it takes something like that for people to appreciate life as a gift and you have to take advantage of the time that you have. Sometimes you just can't save someone from themselves."

Labels: Dave Grohl, Guitar News Daily, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana

620wtmj.com

MILWAUKEE - On distant battlefields half a world away, America's fighting men and women serve their country amid a deafening and terrifying cacophony of explosions and gunfire. The hellish fury serves as a constant, unmistakable reminder that death could follow the next sound.

Long after many of these soldiers return home, though, the nightmares still echo in their heads in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder. That's where the Milwaukee-based Guitars For Vets organization steps in.

"Our mission is to put the healing power of music in the hands of heroes," explains co-founder Patrick Nettesheim. "We intend to heal traumatized and wounded veterans with the power of music."

Nettesheim founded the non-profit organization in May of 2007 after giving a guitar lesson to Dan Van Buskirk, a veteran of the Vietnam War who said music helped him work through his pain and gave him a sense of focus and purpose. The two began talking and soon determined that other veterans would benefit from this sort of music therapy.

"Dan suggested that we take it to the Zablocki V.A. here in Milwaukee," Nettesheim recalls. "And it just sort of took off from there."

Veterans from across southeastern Wisconsin began flocking to the group, which provides them with free private lessons and their own acoustic guitar.

"The lessons obviously teach them to play the guitar, but the guitar is really just a catalyst for the positive human interaction between the teacher and the veteran. That's why we start it off with private lessons, because it's very personal when you start playing an instrument can be embarrassing and we try to make it as easy as possible. We find that in these lessons, very often the veteran will open up and start talking about their experiences."

Once they do, the healing process begins and the veterans begin taking group lessons and performing with their comrades.

"Ask any veteran who's served what they miss most, and they'll tell you the teamwork, the camaraderie, the brotherhood, the sisterhood," offers Nettesheim. "The group lessons are like a social group. The veterans come together and can share not only their guitar-playing and what they learned that week, but also their stories and the human experience. This is how we re-establish a sense of belonging and rebuild the community from which they have been divorced because of their pain."

Tonight, on Veterans' Day, that community comes together for a free concert at Mo's Irish Pub in Wauwatosa from 6:00pm until midnight. For more information or to find out how you can help Guitars for Veterans, visit their website at www.GuitarsForVets.org.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, www.GuitarsForVets.org

contactmusic.com

AEROSMITH will struggle to continue without frontman STEVEN TYLER, because guitarist JOE PERRY can't imagine performing with anyone else.
The band has been rocked by the news of Tyler's shock departure - and Perry admits the remaining members have considered continuing with another frontman.
But he fears fans won't appreciate a stand-in.
He says, "We've talked about getting someone else to sing in the band... but it can't be Aerosmith; at least not the Aerosmith that we know. For it to be valid and have something real about it, it would have to be somebody that would bring something to the party.
"It would be the four guys that have been playing forever, and using that weapon with somebody that's got (something) to bring in. But I don't know yet. We've really just kind of got knocked back on our heels, and everybody is just kind of settling back and figuring out what's going on."
Perry reveals the band has an album's worth of new material, which just needs lyrics and a voice: "We have a bunch of stuff that's been left over from past records. Some of those (songs

Labels: Aerosmith, Guitar News Daily

sleazeroxx.com

Van Halen In Depth Guitar Instructional DVD Now Available The Van Halen News Desk reports the following: For all you guitar players out there - there's a brand new guitar instructional DVD that is much more in-depth than the Guitar Method In The Style Of Van Halen DVDs that have been out for years. This one is called Phrase By Phrase Guitar Method: Classic Van Halen and it looks like it's the best DVD lesson yet for learning how to play guitar like Eddie Van Halen. Here's the full description:

A five-hour long instructional DVD that breaks down the radical guitar methods of Eddie Van Halen in an easy-to-play format.

In this Phrase By Phrase Guitar Method: Classic Van Halen DVD, you'll learn what it's really like to play guitar like Van Halen. Mark John Sternal at MJS Music Publications dissects Eddie Van Halen's inventive guitar style which redefined how rock guitar was played. Learn to play all of the leads, rhythms, and fills to popular songs from the albums Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, and 1984.

The Phrase By Phrase Guitar Method explores some of the greatest guitarists of all time, breaking their complex styles into simple, recognizable phrases. Thorough, easy-to-understand tutorials teach proper finger placement and techniques, followed by half-speed practice tempos and combined sections that are played at full speed.

Song lessons:
1: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
2: Runnin' With The Devil
3: Somebody Get Me A Doctor
4: Beautiful Girls
5: Everybody Wants Some!!
6: Romeo Delight
7: Unchained
8: Panama

Bonus guitar solo lessons:
9: Eruption (Complete Guitar Parts)
10: Hot For Teacher (Intro Guitar Solo)

If you're interested in learning to tear up the fretboard like Eddie Van Halen, then this is the DVD for you.

Get The Full DVD
10 Song Lessons - 5 hours!
List price: $24.95 Just $19.95 at Van Halen Store

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Van Halen

nme.com

Jack White has turned down the chance to appear on Slash's debut solo album, according to the former Guns N' Roses guitarist.

Slash is due to release 'Slash & Friends' in early 2010, and the album reportedly features a host of guest musicians, including the likes of Flea, Dave Grohl and Alice Cooper.

However, the one artist that Slash says he really wanted to appear was Jack White - however, The White Stripes mainman was apparently reluctant to sing on the record.

"I wanted to get Jack White to sing on something, but he didn't want to sing," Slash told Musicradar.com. "He said I'll play drums, I'll play guitar, but I don't wanna sing. He was one guy that I wanted to work with. Pretty much everyone else that I went after I managed to get."

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Jack White, Slash

pastemagazine.com

If his behemoth, 10-disc Archives set was any indication, Neil Young's made a lot of music in his day. And he wants you to have it. All of it.

Aside from releasing new albums, Young's also been pumping out his Archives series of classic live performances old and, well, less old. The latest in the series falls head on into the latter category; it's Young's wonderful Harvest Moon album performed live, in its entirety, all culled from several acoustic solo performances in 1992.

Called Dreamin' Man Live '92 and previously scheduled to come out this week, the release, now dropping Dec. 8, should be a great document of Young's mid-'90s resurgence (Remember this!?) after his sub-par and often goofy output of the '80s.

Just to hear a live acoustic "You and Me" would be great enough, but we'll get to hear the whole thing. Here’s the tracklist:

1. Dreamin’ Man
2. Such A Woman
3. One Of These Days
4. Harvest Moon
5. You And Me
6. Hank To Hendrix
7. Unknown Legend
8. Old King
9. Natural Beauty
10. War Of Man

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Neil Young

timesonline.co.uk

He once fell out with a neighbor over plans to widen his driveway. Now Van Morrison and his wife Michelle are suing Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council for failing to protect their privacy from alleged intrusion by a neighbour’s redeveloped house.

Michelle Morrison, née Rocca, lodged a High Court action last Wednesday seeking a judicial review of the council's decision not to act on a series of complaints made about Mount Alverno, a house built by Desmond and Mary Kavanagh on Nerano Road in Dalkey. The property, designed by de Blacam & Meagher, was "inspired" by film director Jim Sheridan's modernist house on Coliemore Road, known as Martha’s Vineyard.

The house is one of five in a hilltop enclave overlooking Dalkey Sound. Other neighbors include Eddie Irvine, the former Formula One driver, and Alphonsus O'Mara, a businessman who took Morrison to court over the musician's plans to widen his driveway.

The Morrisons claim that the Kavanaghs' home is causing a "serious invasion of privacy" and has a number of "unauthorised amendments" made after the council granted planning permission. The Morrisons said there were "significant levels of overlooking" from the Kavanaghs' home. They also said that a wall between the properties was only 1.3 meters high, while permission was granted for a 2 metre structure. The Kavanaghs are also alleged to have installed more windows than given planning permission.

After a council enforcement order last month, the Kavanaghs applied for "retention permission" for alterations made without consent.

The Morrisons say their loss of privacy is "exacerbated" by the developer's refusal to plant enough trees to screen their home, Kilross House, from their neighbors. They submitted an affidavit from Joseph McConville, a tree surgeon, who has created a scheme for the Kavanaghs to follow. The plan specifies which species the Kavanaghs should plant, and even their girth.

The Morrisons' submission claims the Kavanaghs have shown "disregard" for the special designation attributed to Kilross House. They add their house suffers "serious light pollution" at night from bulbs fitted to an exterior canopy.

Dalkey community council (DCC) and several neighbors have joined the Morrisons in complaining about the Mount Alverno development. DCC said the house exceeded its permitted height by more than 50cm and, if it got retention permission, it "would make a mockery of the present planning process". O'Mara has complained that the house overlooks his swimming pool.

Neither the Morrisons or the Kavanaghs would comment this weekend. The application for the judicial review is up for mention on November 23.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Van Morrison

mtv.com

'I like that we have songs that lots of different people either enjoy or dislike,' frontman Dave Grohl says.

It's hard to believe that Foo Fighters, the band that Dave Grohl admits he started "almost on a dare," have been around for 15 years and have cranked out countless hit singles. Those tracks will be celebrated on the upcoming Greatest Hits, a compilation of the group's biggest smashes, including "Learn to Fly," "Best of You" and "Everlong." The album also contains two new songs: a rugged rocker called "Word Forward" and the new single "Wheels," which the band debuted on the lawn of the White House over the summer and which just got a video release.

"On the last tour, we decided to treat soundcheck as a place to write songs and not just to practice," Dave Grohl told MTV News. "So we picked these two songs and called Butch Vig — who I haven't worked with since 1991, when he worked on Nirvana's Nevermind — and he came in and produced them."

Despite the group's devoted following, fan reaction has been somewhat tepid to the group's latest single. But Grohl wouldn't have it any other way. "We kind of took it in this direction that we haven't gone before, which, as a band, is exciting," he explained. "You do a song like 'Wheels' and people go, 'Really? That's the Foo Fighters?' People get all scared. 'Oh no, is that the direction they're going?' It's one of those songs that our biggest fans hate. I like that we have songs that lots of different people either enjoy or dislike."

Greatest Hits will be in stores November 3, and the band will appear in an episode of "VH1 Storytellers" on November 27.

Labels: Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters, Guitar News Daily

guardian.co.uk

An up-and-coming folk singer has died after being attacked by coyotes in a national park in eastern Canada.

Taylor Mitchell, a 19-year-old Toronto singer-songwriter, was hiking alone in the Cape Breton Highlands national park, Nova Scotia, on Tuesday when the attack occurred.

Brigdit Leger, a Royal Canadian Mounted police spokeswoman, said other hikers heard Mitchell's screams and called for help. "The coyotes were extremely aggressive," Leger told the Toronto Star.

Officers reached the scene quickly and shot one of the animals, but Mitchell had suffered multiple bite wounds, the emergency health services said. She was airlifted to a Halifax hospital in a critical condition and died yesterday.

Bob Bancroft, a retired biologist with the Nova Scotia department of natural resources, said coyote attacks were rare because the animals were usually shy. "It's very unusual and is not likely to be repeated," he said.

Officials blocked the entrance to the trail where Mitchell was attacked and hung signs in English and French warning of coyotes. Park rangers were looking out for the animals to determine what had prompted such an unusual attack. The last known coyote attack in the park was in 2003, when a teenager was bitten.

"There have been some reports of aggressive animals, so it's not unknown," said Helene Robichaud, the park's superintendent. "But we certainly never have had anything so dramatic and tragic."

Mitchell had just earned her driving licence and embarked on a tour of the east coast to promote her new album. On her MySpace page, Mitchell said her influences were "constantly evolving" but included Van Morrison, the Eagles and Neil Young.

Her manager, Lisa Weitz, described Mitchell, who was nominated for a 2009 Canadian folk music award in the young performer of the year category, as a "sweet, compassionate, vibrant, and phenomenally talented young woman". She added: "She was just exhilarated to be on the road and performing. We are all devastated."

• This article was amended on 30 October 2009. The original misnamed the location as Breton Highlands national park. This has been corrected

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Taylor Mitchell

sleazeroxx.com

Steve Vai Recalls Wild Days With David Lee Roth Robin Milling of spinner.ca reports that guitarist Steve Vai has a new live DVD, 'Where the Wild Things Are,' that highlights his 25 plus years of performing for sold-out audiences. Vai, who is known for his wild guitar licks onstage, was no match for the backstage antics he experienced on tour with Van Halen's David Lee Roth.

"Actually, I was never really wild," he tells Spinner. "I guess back in the '80s when I was touring with Dave Roth, that was pretty wild. I was just a naive kid and I'd been touring with Frank Zappa, which was tough enough but I wasn't ready for the Dave Roth experience. We would pull into town and every night there was this tremendous party backstage because Dave really knew how to do it. There would be food and drinks and a big PA system and lights and there was usually 50 or so chosen girls from the audience that were very happy to be at the party. The techs would go out and invite somebody backstage or if somebody in the band saw a girl in the audience he'd give a cue to the tech or would go out and give them a [backstage] pass. Back then, we were playing those arenas [and] it was 80% girls in their underwear. It was crazy. I was like a bee sitting on the rim of the cup sipping the honey. I just had a taste now and then. It was really an amazing experience."

Vai was just a wide-eyed 24-year-old when he rolled into town with Diamond Dave for the first gig, an experience that he could never have imagined. "I remember the first day on tour with Dave we got in Huntsville, Ala. or something in 1984 or 1985 and we would rent two floors of every hotel because one floor was all for us and the other floor was just a buffer floor so nobody would stay there. When we got there a few days early I was sitting in the executive lounge of the hotel and I see this smoke coming out from underneath this sink and there are two girls dressed like maids who had been sitting there for two days waiting for us to get the floor.

"That night when we came back to the hotel the entire floor was like a circus. I'll never forget -- I came out of my room and looked down the hall and saw one of the notorious techs and he's walking down the hall naked with one of these girls I saw under the sink and she was naked. That was my introduction to day one with David Lee Roth on tour!"

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Steve Vai

nme.com

Arrest papers detailing drug busts involving The Beatles' John Lennon and George Harrison in the 1960s are to be sold at auction.

The first set of papers are from the time when Lennon's London flat was raided in 1968 and police found a quantity of cannabis resin, which resulted in his arrest and a £150 fine.

The second date from the following year when Harrison's home was raided while he was attending Sir Paul McCartney's wedding to first wife Linda. He too was later arrested and fined.

Both were arrested by Detective Sergeant Norman Pilcher, the officer was famed for targeting rock musicians including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton over their wild lifestyles, but was later convicted of perjury and jailed.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, The Beatles

www.music-news.com

Bruce Springsteen cancelled a concert following the death of his cousin.

The grief-stricken rocker pulled out of an appearance at the Spirit Center in Kansas City, US, last night (26.10.09) following the discovery of Lenny Sullivan’s body in a hotel room earlier in the day.

The death of 36-year-old Lenny – who was assistant road manager to Bruce’s backing group The E Street Band – is not being treated as suspicious.

A statement on 60-year-old Bruce’s website promised the show will go ahead at a later date.

It read: 'A warm and sensitive person, he was beloved by Bruce, the band, the crew, and the entire Thrill Hill family.

'Bruce and the band deeply appreciate the understanding of our Kansas City audience and look forward to returning at the earliest opportunity."

Bruce and the E Street Band were due to perform at part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert this Thursday (29.10.09) at New York’s Madison Square Garden, but no statement has been released yet about whether this will still go ahead.

However, fellow music veteran Eric Clapton has pulled out of the show to have gallstones removed.

A statement from the 'Wonderful Tonight’ star said the 64-year-old musician 'will spend time recuperating at home in the UK and is very sorry to disappoint the fans and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.'

Labels: Bruce Springsteen, Guitar News Daily

JOHN PAUL JONES' ZEPPELIN RELIEF

Former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones claims he is glad the group didn't reunite as it would have prevented him from working with his new band Them Crooked Vultures.

John Paul Jones is "happy" that Led Zeppelin didn't reform.

It had been planned for the veteran group to reunite - possibly without singer Robert Plant - last year, but the idea was later scrapped and the bassist went on to join super-group Them Crooked Vultures with Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, a move John Paul admits wouldn't otherwise have been possible.

He said: "Jimmy Page and I rehearsed a bit with Jason Bonham and we couldn't really agree on singers and that fell by the wayside. Then this came along and to be honest, I'm really happy."

The musician admits he was already a big fan of ex-Nirvana drummer Dave's abilities before they decided to work together.

He added to BBC 6 Music: "I immediately recognized that this was a drummer that was a: really good, and b: groovy, and c: listened, all those nice things that bass players like in drummers."

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Led Zeppelin

music-news.com

Bad Lieutenant will be continuing on the back of their sell out Manchester and London shows performing as very special guests on the forthcoming UK leg of the Pet Shop Boys 'Pandemonium' tour in December. This will follow 2 headline shows in Chicago and New York plus playing support on the Pixies 'Doolittle' tour in both cities.

Founder members - New Order’s Bernard Sumner (guitar and vocals), Phil Cunningham (guitar) and Jake Evans (guitar and vocals) will be joined live by former Joy Division/New Order drummer Stephen Morris and bassist Tom Chapman (who also played on the new album 'Cry Another Tear'). According to Sumner, 'The bulk of the set will be Bad Lieutenant songs, but we’ll also play some songs from my past, some New Order songs, some Joy Division and a few other surprises.'

Labels: Bad Lieutenant, Guitar News Daily

thisisfakediy.co.uk


At 2am (UK time) tomorrow morning, Foo Fighters will stream a gig online through Facebook.

They will be performing from their own 606 studio complex to celebrate the release of their new 'Greatest Hits' album, which is out next Monday (2nd November).

If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of the record for free, we're currently running a competition where you could be able to do just that. Go here to enter.

Labels: Foo Fighters, Guitar News Daily

breitbart.com


CINCINNATI, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- What do country music singer Jonalee White, pop icon Madonna, writer Stephen King and former president Bill Clinton all have in common? They are all proud owners of Taylor Guitars. And now after much anticipation, Jonalee has been presented with her own hot-pink version of the revered guitar maker's craft. Jonalee showcased her new "pink baby" at a charity event with legendary rock band Pure Prairie League as a wrap up for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.


Jonalee's 'Perfect Angel' climbs to No. 39

Jonalee's newest single "Perfect Angel" climbed to No. 39 on the Music Row Breakout Chart this week. Listen to Jonalee White's newest single "Perfect Angel" available now for downloading online. Her sophomore album, Sugar, is forthcoming this winter!

Jonalee surpasses the 1 million unique views mark online

Along with the ascent of "Perfect Angel" up the charts, Jonalee's popularity online continues to grow, as she surpasses the 1 million unique views mark. Additionally, her entertainment series "Long Road to Nashville" has just been picked up by iSurfAmerica.com. iSurfAmerica is one of the leading city guides for more than 600 cities across the United States that provides directories, local, national, world news and entertainment.

Jonalee, Pizza Hut and Hollywood ... oh my

Jonalee's show "Long Road to Nashville" was recently signed by 7ate9 Entertainment of Hollywood, Calif., for Pizza Hut's new entertainment network "Hut TV." Pizza Hut is lining up Jonalee alongside programming such as "Wheel of Fortune" and "Entertainment Tonight." 7ate9 Entertainment specializes in branded content and entertainment marketing and has worked with clients such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, MTV and VH1.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Jonalee White

guardian.co.uk

Forget the copy of Sgt Pepper that features the faces of record executives, these Beatles albums were made with gold vinyl after a pressing-plant employee decided to 'amuse himself'


Beatles album made with gold vinyl

Magical mystery haul ... Beatles album made with gold vinyl

Never mind what we said earlier this week: we've found a new batch of "rarest Beatles albums ever". For years, during the wee small hours, an employee at a Capitol Records pressing plant created a series of magnificent one-of-a-kind LPs. And they are up for auction.

These spectacular, rainbow-coloured records were created by an unnamed former worker at a Capitol plant in Canada. After shifts at the factory, the employee "would amuse himself", according to a pair of Toronto vinyl dealers, "by creating totally unique coloured-vinyl LPs". As an employee of Capitol, this Beatles fan allegedly had access to the "original plates" for several albums. Using these, he would press his own special copies – applying coloured dye and artisanal techniques.

These copies include Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on bright baby-blue marble vinyl, the 1967-70 greatest hits compilation on swirled blue-and-white vinyl, and a translucent blue LP with side A of Revolver and side B of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band album.

However, the most beautiful item in the collection is the Beatles' Love Songs anthology, made with gold vinyl. This is streaked with an abstract expressionist rainbow, like an explosion at a paint factory. Unfortunately, the set's second LP is just plain black vinyl.

In addition to the Beatles records, the vinyl guru also pressed special versions of albums by Helen Reddy, Peter Appleyard and a compilation featuring Anne Murray. For most of us, these are ... less compelling. But all will be auctioned from 10 November

Labels: Beatles albums, Guitar News Daily

.bbc.co.uk

A mystery English celebrity living in Monaco has commissioned the ultimate in heavy metal - a classic electric guitar plated in 24-carat gold.

The Fender Stratocaster was sent to a precious metal specialist firm in Glastonbury, Somerset, for plating costing a "four-figure" sum.

Expert Graham Baker, 50, had the job of stripping the aluminium guitar down and layering it with gold plate.

He said: "This guy wants to hang it up on his wall and look at it."

'Unique look'

Bridgwater guitar-maker Kim Webber, 53, had the job of taking the instrument apart and putting it back together after the gold was applied.

He said: "This guitar has generated, without doubt, more interest than anything I have created so far."

But the instrument, although looking spectacular, has one weakness.

Mr Webber added: "It's not the best sounding ever."

Deputy editor of Guitarist magazine Owen Bailey said: "This is definitely the first time we've come across a fully gold-plated guitar.

"It's certainly a unique look, but we're not sure we'd trust ourselves to gig it."

Labels: Fender, Guitar News Daily, Strat Gold

sleazeroxx.com


The search for a missing Virginia Tech student continues.

Metallica has pledged $50,000 to aid in the search for 20-year-old Morgan Dana Harrington, who was last seen Oct. 17 outside the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., following a concert by the venerable metal band.

The reward for her safe return now stands at $150,000, the bulk of which has been put up by Harrington's parents. On Tuesday, the couple will appear on Today to make a plea for help in finding their daughter. They have also set up a website, FindMorgan.com.

The 20-year-old attended the concert with friends, but after getting separated called them to say she was outside the arena, couldn't get back in and would try to find another way home.

Her phone and purse were found the next day in the parking lot of the venue.

Anyone with information is asked to call 434-352-3467.

Labels: Dana Harrington, Guitar News Daily, Metallica

wirralglobe.co.uk

WIRRAL’S 21st International Guitar Festival opens next week with a tribute to its late co-founder.

Brendan McCormack died earlier this year and will be remembered in two special concerts taking place during the annual event, which runs from this Tuesday, November 3-28.

The first will be staged at Pacific Road Arts Centre in Woodside on Tuesday, featuring performances from the Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra, The Anne Jackson Quintet, and Modjango amongst others.

The second, which focuses on Brendan’s classical side, will be held at the same venue on Sunday November 22.

Among the all-star cast of musicians at this show will be Woody Mann, Stan Yates, Paul Balmer, Galina Vale and The Tivoli Trio, who performed with Brendan at last year’s festival.

It was during a conversation with Rob Smith, Wirral’s head of arts and museums, in 1988 that Brendan formed the idea for an annual music festival.

In recognition of his contribution and commitment to the event over the years he became an honorary ambassador, along with joining Woody Mann, John Williams, John Etheridge, Galina Vale, Lucky Ranku and fellow Wirral musician Gary Murphy.

Paying tribute to his friend, Rob Smith said: "All who knew him will sadly miss Brendan. In future years the festival will contain The Brendan McCormack Concert Series in recognition of his contribution to our Festival, but in this year's programme two special events have been dedicated to celebrate Brendan and his life.

"He was a virtuoso performer, excellent teacher and mentor, genial raconteur and a great friend to many."

As well as the special concerts for Brendan, there will also be performances from bluesman Albert Lee, rock guitarist Andy Fairweather Low and classical guitarist John Williams among many others.

The event will be staged at a number of venues, including Pacific Road Arts Centre, the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton and Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead.

Also appearing as a duo are Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross from multi-million selling Scottish group Deacon Blue, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Catfish Keith, the Dylan Project, Woody Mann, Steve Gibbons, Steve Hackett, Ralph McTell, Georgie Fame, Squeeze co-founder Glenn Tilbrook and Martin Taylor's fraternity.

Rock and roll legend James Burton, who in a career spanning more than 50 years has performed with the likes of Elvis Presley, also returns to the festival stage.

Folk guitarist Nick Harper will also perform at Pacific Road, in a concert sponsored by the Globe.

Festival director Rob Smith said: "We bring the breathtaking wizardry of virtuoso players who will dazzle the most demanding critic, in a series of concerts that deliver the most enjoyable musical experience to those looking for a good time and good company, as well as those technical aficionados."

Tickets are from 0151 666 0000. Full details and tickets are also available online at www.bestguitarfest.com

Labels: Brendan McCormack, Guitar News Daily, WIRRAL’S 21st International Guitar Festival

news24.com



New York - Having suffered more than 15 years of false starts, failures and musical disappointments, singer-songwriter Harper Simon admits he has hardly charted the ideal path to pop stardom like his father, Paul Simon.

The young Simon had always shown musical promise. At age four he sang with his dad on the Sesame Street children's TV show. He also attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Now, at 37, the son of one of America's best known singer-songwriters has finally released his first album.

"Obviously I don't have the ideal career arch," Simon told Reuters in a recent interview, adding, "I'm in the game now."

Critics say it was worth waiting for the younger Simon's self-titled offering, released on October 13.

American Songwriter magazine wrote, "Harper Simon's debut tantalises right now" and called him "a real star in the making." Rolling Stone called "Shooting Star," the first single from the album, "gorgeous." The magazine declared, "It was worth the wait."

Simon admits he was surprised at how long it all took.

"I didn't think this is how long it would take when I was 21 years old. I thought it would all fall into place, but it didn't happen that way," Simon said. "I suppose different kinds of artists find their voices at different times and when it's their moment, it's their moment."

Simon's setbacks began when he dropped out of Berklee after two years without graduating.

"You've got to be a pretty big loser to drop out of a music school," he said.

He did not respect the school, even though it has turned out everyone from Quincy Jones to Diana Krall: "Berklee is really like a trade school, it's how to make a living playing bar mitzvahs."

Returning to New York, Simon toiled to become a star to no avail, saying it was a decade of, "Trying and failing and trying again and failing some more."

He worked in the mid-1990s with Don Fleming, who produced Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, and The Posies, but he never secured a record deal. He scored some movie soundtracks.

He moved to England to escape the pressure of living up to his heritage. He joined the band Menlo Park, which never hit the big time. He recorded with his father's wife, Edie Brickell. The pair released an album in 2008, featuring Brickell on vocals, under the name "The Heavy Circles."

"From every failed project I took away something which contributed to this album being out on the world," he said.

The solo album finds Simon playing with some big names.

Guest musicians

Bob Johnston - famed for producing Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on Blonde," Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence" and many other legendary records - came out of retirement to co-produce the album.

As a backing band, Simon was joined by a group of session musicians from Nashville who had played with everyone from Dylan and Elvis Presley to Patsy Cline and Aretha Franklin.

Other guest musicians include childhood friend Sean Lennon, drummer Steve Gadd and Simon's father, who plays guitar on one song and contributed lyrics to another.

The record was self-financed, is released on his own record label and was a labour of love which took three years to finish. Diminutive and self-deprecating, Simon joked that the finished work was great, except for his own contributions.

"I am happy with all aspects of it that don't have to do with myself," he said. "I'm just not that much of a pleased-with-myself kind of person."

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Harper Simon, Paul Simon

contactmusic.com

NOEL GALLAGHER has confirmed he's planning to launch a solo career - just two months after he walked away from OASIS.
The Wonderwall hitmaker stunned fans when he quit the Britpop pioneers as they prepared to go onstage at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris, France in August (09), following a fight with his singer brother Liam.
Liam recently confirmed the band will not continue without the guitarist, and Noel has now spoken out about his plans to go solo.
He says, "I'm looking forward to doing my own thing, bringing out my own music. I'm glad that's what people want to hear. I am not thinking about much else, Oasis or Liam, I'm just having a good time."

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Oasis

dose.ca

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Country Music Association elevated the rootsy, traditional Ridley Bent to the top spot in local country on Sunday night.

After taking the Roots/Canadiana award Saturday night at the industry awards show, on Sunday Bent went on to snag the Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award, the songwriter (Buckles and Boots), single (Buckles and Boots), male vocalist, entertainer and fan's choice awards.

Last year, Bent took home his first trophy, the Ray McAuley Horizon award. A family matter kept Bent from accepting the seven awards in person.

Meanwhile, this year's Ray McAuley Horizon award went to sisters Britt and Carly McKillip, also known as One More Girl.

The female vocalist award went to the ever bubbly Jessie Farrell, while The Higgins took group/duo and their Real Thing video won for director Stephano Barberis.

Aaron Pritchett won the album of the year award.

Curtis Pope of Country 107.1 took on-air personality for the 604 area code and Kelly Moore of Kamloops' Country 103.1 received on-air personality for the 250 area code.

JRfm won for station of the year and there was a tie between Boone Country in Coquitlam and Cactus Annie's in Merritt for country club of the year.

Don Adams, the president of the BCCMA and producer of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, was inducted into the BCCMA Hall of Fame.

Other winners from Saturday's industry awards show included Ken McCoy, who won country club act of the year, while producer of the year went to John Ellis.

Humanitarian of the year went to Ginette Genereux, website of the year to Maria Higgins for The Higgins, recording studio to Armoury Studios and Nicole Hyette won country music person of the year.

Band winners included Dennis Marcenko for bass, Jerry Adolphe for drums, Jay Buettner for guitar, Mike Norman for keyboard and Mike Sanyshyn for fiddle.

Labels: B.C. Country Music Association, Guitar News Daily

therockradio.com/
Bon Jovi will kick off a two-year-long world tour in February, performing about 135 shows in 30 countries. The outing gets underway February 19th in Seattle and will include a stop at the New Meadowlands Stadium -- future home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets. Bon Jovi will perform the first shows at the new staidum -- a fitting role for the Jersey rockers. Fan club pre-sales for the two Jersey shows begin October 26th at 10 a.m. ET, and general on-sale dates are set for October 31st -- with additional info fo all other dates to be announced on BonJovi.com.

The group broke the news on Thursday (October 22nd) at special event for 5,000 fan club contest winners and construction workers in the parking lot of the new stadium. At the event, Bon Jovi performed a short set with the songs: "Living on a Prayer" "Wanted Dead or Alive," "You Give Love a Bad Name" and the new single, "We Weren't Born To Follow."

Bon Jovi will release a new album, called The Circle, on November 10th.

The new stadium in Jersey will cost about $1.6 billion to contruct.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band recently played a few gigs at the current Giants Stadium, which will eventually be demolished.

Labels: Bon Jovi, Guitar News Daily

luxurylaunches.com

If you were planning to take property on lease in the Caribbean, you might as well move in Eric Clapton's property. The ageing rocker has decided to lease out his 45 acre Antigua Island Estate for a sum of $50,000 a week. He had originally spent $14 million in 2000 for the "Standfast Point". The house consists of a 10,000 square-foot complex and looks out to the islands of Guadeloupe and Montserrat.

With a great view of the Ocean and an equally great interior decor, this house is certainly worth paying $200,000 or more a month. Eric Clapton is always known for his luxurious lifestyle and you might have heard about his Crocodile Skin Guitar Case by Hermes. He also got a shotgun made by Tullio Fabbri for $175,000. Eric is known to have amassed a huge amount of wealth thanks to a successful music career.

Labels: Eric Clapton, Guitar News Daily

sixstringbliss.com

Worldwide Launch - Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Six String Bliss, the longest-running guitar-centric Podcast on the Internet announces the release of Scales of Horror, a collaborative effort by members of their listening community. This project differs from the past Six String Bliss Albums in that it is comprised entirely of original, Halloween themed music written and performed by various listeners. Scales of Horror will feature 10 songs performed by an international community of artists, with submissions coming from 5 countries. Each of these submissions is the work of members of the Six String Bliss listening community. This is the fourth such project produced by Six String Bliss, the first being 2007's A Blissful Christmas, which was followed up last Fall with Stay Tuned (a collection of TV Themes), then this Spring with Big Screen Bliss (a collection of songs featured prominently in movies). According to PT, co-host of the Podcast: "We weren't sure what to expect when we requested original tracks from our listeners. But what they delivered was beyond our expectations. This album is a true testament to the talent of this community, and I'm sure it will be freaking out trick or treaters worldwide for years to come!"


All guitarists are welcome to join in the fun of the Six String Bliss Forum. Projects like this will continue to thrive so long as there is an active community to make these happen. So please come by, introduce yourself, and join in the next project! Podcast Episode 169 which will feature Scales of Horror will be up on the RSS Feed (http://sixstringbliss.libsyn.com/rss) and on iTunes at 11:00PM (CDT) Tuesday, October 27th, with the show notes added to the website soon hereafter at www.sixstringbliss.com.

About Six String Bliss

Six String Bliss is the longest-running guitar-centric Podcast on the Internet. Co-hosted by guitarists PT and Pipes, the weekly show caters to players of all ages and abilities, and features segments including Email of the Week, Guitarist of the Week, Guitar News and general discussion of all things relating to the guitar. Interviews have featured internationally renowned guitarists as well as luthiers, store owners, and manufacturers of pickups, effects, and recording software. The website includes an active international forum.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Six String Bliss, www.sixstringbliss.com

bravewords.com



BLACK SABBATH guitar legend Tony Iommi spoke with The Radcliffe & Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 this week about his recent hand injury. "We're just taking a break now," Iommi says about the brief HEAVEN AND HELL hiatus - the band also featuring singer Ronnie James Dio, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Vinnie Appice.

"I've had this problem with my hand and I'm having stem cell treatment on it," Iommi continues. "I have to wear a guard on my hand to prevent me from banging it. But it's coming along good. The cartilage went out on the joints, so the joints were rubbing on the joints. It was bone on bone and it was getting a bit painful. I've had pain for about 18 months and have been taking anti-inflammatories and pain killers. But I wanted to stop doing it because it upsets your stomach. This is the latest thing, so we'll see if it works."

(Note: stem cell treatments are a type of cell therapy that introduce new cells into damaged tissue in order to treat a disease or injury)

Iommi also chats about the band's vital OZZY OSBOURNE-era catalog reissues that are currently out in the UK. Iommi says that "everything will come out" as a deluxe edition at some point in time.

Regarding the 30th Anniversary of the Heaven & Hell album in 2010, Iommi promises more shows next year.

Labels: Black Sabbath, Guitar News Daily, Tony Iommi

billboard.com

After much speculation, rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures has announced Nov. 17 as the release date for its debut album.

Bandmates Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) will put the self-produced and self-titled release out on DGC/Interscope Records.

It is rumored that the first single from "Them Crooked Vultures" will be "New Fang," a song slated to hit radio on Monday (Oct. 26). The band's rep would not confirm or deny that report, however.

Them Crooked Vultures emerged as one of the year's most anticipated acts after a debut gig at Chicago's Metro in August. Though details on any recorded output have been scant until now, the band has been releasing small snippets of its studio sessions.

Earlier this month, Them Crooked Vultures played a small series of gigs in the U.S., including the opening night of Austin City Limits. NME has reported that the band will do a short in the U.K. Dec. 10-17, and January tour dates in Australia and New Zealand will be announced in the coming weeks.

Labels: Guitar News Daily, Them Crooked Vultures