Former Motörhead Drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor Dead At 61
Former Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor died on Wednesday, November 11, ex-bandmate “Fast” Eddie Clarke confirmed. He was 61.
Clarke posted on Facebook, “My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes.”
“I have known Phil since he was 21,” Clarke says, “and he was one hell of a character. Fortunately, we made some fantastic music together and I have many many fond memories of our time together.”
Ozzy Osbourne Draws Big Crowd at The Alamo
Ozzy Osbourne returned to Texas last week to the scene of one of his more memorable escapades, apologizing to officials for urinating on the Alamo 33 years ago. Texans consider the Alamo hallowed ground and “The Shrine of Texas Liberty.”
Ozzy was in San Antonio yesterday to film a segment of a new History Channel program with his son Jack, arriving with a camera crew, production assistants and various security personnel, but apparently did not make a public statement. Osbourne was banned from performing in San Antonio after the peeing incident in 1982, but that ban was lifted after his donation 10 years later of $10,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the group that maintains and manages the Alamo.
Osbourne was arrested in 1982 wearing women’s clothes, because his wife, Sharon Osbourne, had hidden his clothes in a vain effort to keep Ozzy close by during a night of binge drinking. Osbourne was charged with intoxication and public urination after relieving himself at the Alamo, which holds historical significance in Texas’ war of independence from Mexico.
“He was drunk; Ozzy was super drunk,” concert promoter Greg Wilson told the San Antonio Express News. “You know, I don’t think anyone would have even noticed what he was doing except that he was dressed in pink tights and ballerina shoes.”
Gene Simmons Benefit Concert Busted Up by Beverly Hills Police
Gene Simmons’ efforts to help raise money for a children’s charity was thwarted when police in Beverly Hills were called to the Beverly Hills gala and shut it down.
“The sound from Gene’s performance traveled all over Beverly Hills,” said an unnamed source. “The cops showed up because of the noise.”
The First Annual “The Children Matter” benefit was held as a collaborative fundraiser between Simmons, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The event’s website describes it as “centered around the simple belief that the lives of children matter. From expanding access to health and food, to giving the gift of hearing, the mission is to improve lives of thousands of at-risk children around the world.”
Jack Russell Plans Documentary on Great White Nightclub Fire
Singer Jack Russell, formerly of the band Great White, whose pyrotechnics ignited the deadly blaze on February 20, 2003 at The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island, killing 100 and injuring hundreds more, says that he will “never be over” the tragedy and plans to tell his side of the story in an upcoming documentary, which is currently in production.
“It’s a story of my life intertwined with the story of the fire,” Russell told Tanner of the 105.9 The Brew radio station in Portland, Oregon (hear audio here).
“It’s really hard, you know, but it’s gonna give me a chance to apologize and say how I feel about it. I never had the chance to say, ‘I’m sorry,’” he explained.
“I was almost catatonic for three months. I couldn’t stop crying. It was horrible.
“I’ll never be over it, really, and I don’t think I ever should. It’s not something that you… I think I owe it to my fans that lost their lives to never forget them. It Was Like The 9/11 Of Rock And Roll.”
Goodbye to Gravity Drummer Dies in Bucharest Concert Fire Tragedy
The drummer for Goodbye to Gravity, Bogdan Enache, who was playing in the Colectiv club in Bucharest on October 30, died this week, according to Billboard. This now brings the death toll from the tragedy to 45, including the Romanian metal band’s two guitarists.
The Interior Ministry said that Enache was being transferred to Zurich, Switzerland, by plane for treatment for his burns, when he went into cardiorespiratory failure. The plane then headed back to Bucharest as medics tried to resuscitate him for more than an hour. After they landed in Romania, Enache died.
Early last week, Romanian police arrested the owners of the Bucharest nightclub who were charged with suspicion of manslaughter and accused of deadly negligence in the blaze.
“I Want My 80s Concert” Review features Dee Snider, Debbie Gibson, Lou Gramm
Children of the ’80s went back to the future Friday November 6 for the sing-along “I Want My 80s Concert” at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The night read like a rewind of the Billboard charts during the decade: ’80s teen queens Debbie Gibson and Tiffany; synth-pop pioneers Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls and Howard Jones; hip-hop founding fathers DMC (of Run-D.M.C.) and Tone Loc; and rockers Dee Snider and Lou Gramm, the voice of Foreigner’s biggest anthems. (The stars have combined for 51 top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hits in their respective careers).
Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn (in spandex) emceed the nearly three-hour bill, backed throughout by deft ’80s cover band Jessie’s Girl, who linked the headliners’ sets with amped-up covers including show opener “The Final Countdown” (Europe), “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (Wham!) and “Video Killed the Radio Star” (the Buggles, famously the first video on MTV August 1, 1981).
New Promo Clip Posted For We Are Twisted F***ing Sister Film
Andrew Horn recently announced the acquisition of his latest documentary film, We Are Twisted F**king Sister by Music Box Films in the US.
Says the promo, “If you think you know them from their hit songs, the MTV videos and massive stadium shows, this is the untold story of how they became that band – full of strange, and often hilarious, twists and turns. It’s about Rock ‘n Roll and the business of Rock ‘n Roll. It’s about perseverance and things blowing up in your face. It’s about finding yourself, finding your audience and doing literally anything, however wild, to connect with them. A mesmerizing, and wickedly funny story of a 10 year odyssey to overnight success. Dress like women, talk like men, play like motherf***ers!”
Check out the new promo video, below.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Launches “Janie’s Fund”
Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler announced the launch of his new signature philanthropic initiative: Janie’s Fund, in partnership with Youth Villages. The fund will bring hope and healing to girls who have endured neglect and abuse. It will also raise much-needed money and awareness to address the trauma of sexual abuse in children and to expand these services to aid even more girls.
Tyler’s hit song “Janie’s Got a Gun” was born out of his growing desire to speak up for the victims of child abuse. Launching Janie’s Fund has been a longtime dream of Tyler’s, and he is passionate about the positive results that this fund will create for young people.
“As a father and grandfather, I want to focus my energy on things that really matter and leave behind something else in this crazy world along with my music. I am starting Janie’s Fund to give a voice to the millions of victims who haven’t had one and encourage everyone to join me on this mission,” said Tyler.
Fans can visit Prizeo.com/StevenTyler to become Founding Members and register for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Tyler through Prizeo.
Aerosmith Cancel Tour Plans Due To Steven Tyler’s Solo Career
Guitarist Brad Whitford reports that Aerosmith have cancelled most of their 2016 tour plans because frontman Steven Tyler wants to concentrate on his solo career.
Whitford thinks the singer’s choice of focus is misguided, saying: “We kind of feel a little bit abandoned by him.”
Tyler – who launched the country music single “Love Is Your Name” earlier this year – admitted in June that his colleagues were “not happy” about his commitment to solo work. But he added: “This is a side-project that’s now turned into a love of life.”
Whitford tells Billboard: “He seems to think his solo career is going to go great guns. He doesn’t seem to realise, in my opinion, his fans around the globe want to see him in the context of Aerosmith – and don’t really care for whatever he thinks he’s going to do.
“I don’t know if he gets that – but, hey, that’s what he wants to do. I can’t put a gun to his head. It’s just pretty disappointing.”
Longtime Friend of Duff McKagan’s Wife: “Guns N’ Roses Is Coming Back”
Did Susan Holmes-McKagan’s longtime friend just spill the beans on a Guns N’ Roses reunion? While Brandi Glanville, who was on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, was out on the town with classic GN’R bassist Duff McKagan‘s wife, the two were interviewed, with Glanville yelling out, “Guns N’ Roses is coming back, motherf***ers!”
After Glanville’s statement, Holmes-McKagan offered a “Wooo!,” although it’s unclear whether her ‘Wooo!’ was in reaction to Glanville’s remark. However, since the two women have been friends for a long time, one can speculate that maybe Holmes-McKagan told Glanville a piece of Guns gossip that was supposed to remain behind tight lips. Or perhaps Glanville just saw the recent headlines?
Guns N’ Roses reunion rumors have seemingly been everywhere lately. After guitarists Bumblefoot and DJ Ashba both left GN’R earlier this year, a report that Slash and Axl Rose were apparently on friendly terms again sent fans into a reunion frenzy. Classic drummer Steven Adler and current GN’R bassist Tommy Stinson both hope the Appetite for Destruction lineup will reunite.
Guns N’ Roses have also been tweeting some cryptic messages to fans, causing further speculation.
AC/DC Fans Barred from Drinking Near December Concert
For those about to drink at the AC/DC show in Auckland, NZ, forget about it. A local council has instituted a temporary ban on liquor for AC/DC‘s December 15 concert at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
These kind of temporary bans have “significantly assisted in curbing alcohol-related harm and offending in public areas,” said board chairman Shale Chambers. Inspector Gary Davey also went through “the levels of intoxication and alcohol-related harm that was likely at this type of event,” Chambers said.
Ritchie Blackmore Reveals Band Line-Up For Upcoming Best Of Rainbow/Deep Purple Shows
Guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore confirmed two shows in Germany at the Monsters Of Rock Festival 2016 on June 18 and Loreley, Freilichtbühneon on June 17. A UK date has also been confirmed for Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Genting Arena in Birmingham, England.
Blackmore has since revealed his band line-up for these exclusive shows, which will include singer Ronnie Romero, keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), drummer David Keith (Blackmore’s Night) and bassist Bob Nouveau.
Blackmore recently spoke with Billboard.com about these special shows:
“I’m now 70, so I just felt like playing some rock ‘n’ roll for a few days. We’re going to do four or five dates of just playing the old rock stuff, Purple stuff and Rainbow. I’m doing it for the fans, for nostalgia, and the singer I found is very exciting; he’s a cross between Dio meets Freddie Mercury. So this will mean exposing a new singer to the masses, and I’m sure he’ll become pretty famous because of his voice.”
Vivian Campbell’s Side Gig “Last in Line” Set to Release ‘Heavy Crown’
Last in Line’s debut album “Heavy Crown” is scheduled for release on February 19, 2016. The band is a side project of Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, and includes Vinny Appice (drums), Jimmy Bain (bass) and Claude Schnell (keyboards), with whom Campbell played in Dio, and singer Andrew Freeman.
Reports are that the band has already filmed music videos for two songs, “The Devil in Me” and “Starmaker”. The first video will appear online at some point this month. Producing Heavy Crown is Jeff Pilson, who currently serves as Foreigner‘s bassist.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to put it out there if we’re not available to support it,” Campbell said back in February. “[And] I literally don’t have a lot of availability to do “Last in Line” shows. And it would be a real shame — especially because the record is sounding so much better than we all anticipated — it would be a real shame to just put it out there and let it die.”
Slayer to Reissue Four Classic Titles On Vinyl In January
On January 15th Slayer will reissue their four classic Slayer titles on vinyl – Show No Mercy, Live Undead, Haunting The Chapel and Hell Awaits.
All albums will be released as part of the new Metal Blade Originals series in which classical Metal Blade albums will be reissued on vinyl with the original layout and extras if available.
Metalheads Say The Damnedest Things!
“We’re all getting up there, but we still have drive, we still have energy, we’re still inspired, we still have things that we wanna do. Mentally, emotionally – I think that we’re not done yet.
“And if people like Keith Richards and Mick Jagger can do it into their 70s, why can’t we? That’s my attitude. And on a personal level, I’m a musician. I wanna continue to play and perform and do what I do, which is make music. I don’t wanna stop doing this. I don’t wanna stop making music. I will always be a working musician, until I can’t be anymore.”
~ Metallica’s Kirk Hammett interviewed by 103.3 The Edge.