Axl Rose Rumored to Be Replacing AC/DC Vocalist Brian Johnson
A rumor suggesting that Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose will perform as a guest vocalist with AC/DC has gained traction after Atlanta Rock 100.5 host Jason Bailey claimed that a “very, very good source” confirmed that the collaboration was happening.
Bailey said, “This is what I’m being told: Axl was meeting with the AC/DC group, because it’s all but a done deal that Axl will front AC/DC for the 10 remaining shows.”
He added that Brian Johnson, who has been the band’s frontman for 36 years, was “supposed to retire after the last tour. They’re [AD/DC] in town, they were auditioning people for the job, and then they flew Axl in. Again, this is from my source.”
Rose’s visit to Atlanta, however, found him reportedly telling one fan that Guns N’ Roses were planning to mount a lengthy tour. (See related story below.)
A press representative for AC/DC told NME: “Nothing official to announce. Will update you if that changes.”
Guns N’ Roses is making a comeback tour with original members Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan at six shows next month in California, Las Vegas and Mexico.
Scorpions Cancel German Tour Dates As Doctors Order Klaus Meine To Rest
Scorpions vocalist Klaus Meine called a halt to the band’s show in Hamburg on Monday after 30 minutes, complaining of a sore throat. After being assessed by a doctor and diagnosed with an advanced viral infection and larynx and trachea inflammation, gigs in Cologne, Leipzig, Frankfurt and Berlin have been pulled.
Rescheduled dates for the gigs, including the Hamburg show, will be announced soon.
Metallica’s “Master Of Puppets” Album Archived for Posterity
Metallica’s classic 1986 LP Master Of Puppets is among the 25 albums that have been selected for induction into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for 2015.
Krokus Singer Marc Storace Offers To Replace AC/DC’s Brian Johnson
And yet ANOTHER frontman has thrown their hat in the AC/DC vocalist pool – Krokus frontman Marc Storace says he’d accept the offer to replace Brian Johnson in AC/DC – if it’s ever made.
Storace said he once declined an invitation to audition to replace the late Scott in 1980.
He said, “It’s amazing after so many years that this situation comes up again. “It’s really, really incredible. Obviously there’s my loyalty to Krokus, but the guys would understand if the offer came. I would certainly take it up this time and go for an audition.
“Then it’s up to Angus to decide. For me, AC/DC is Angus Young – no offence to Brian Johnson. I think Brian did a magnificent job with his unique kind of voice. But losing your hearing is not a nice thing.”
Political Headbangers
Internet Thinks Ted Cruz Is Secretly Michael Sweet of Stryper
This wacky theory has been making the rounds over the past few days courtesy of an internet citizen who spotted an admittedly uncanny similarity between Cruz and Stryper frontman Michael Sweet. “I’m not saying Ted Cruz might be the lead singer of Stryper,” wrote author Michael Boulerice. “I’m saying he’s DEFINITELY the lead singer of Stryper.”
Cruz, who was previously posited as the secret identity of the Zodiac Killer, seems to be a magnet for this sort of thing, and Sweet himself has joined in the fun, joking that he needs to cancel his tour dates so he can focus on his “campaign.”
Petition Seeks to Change National Anthem to Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’
A headbanger recently launched a petition urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to change the national anthem of the United States to Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs.”
“The current national anthem has served America proudly for many a year now. However … it’s time that we retire that old standard and choose a song that better reflects America and its policies and practices,” writes organizer Shannon Madden. “I nominate ‘War Pigs’ by Black Sabbath. I’m open to suggestions, but I’m hard pressed to think of a more honest assessment of where we are in 2016 America.”
Madden’s petition currently has 1,300 online signatures, with responses ranging from the bitterly sarcastic to the personal.
We just wanna know where he got that Hillz Throwin’ the Horns pic!
Steven Adler Show Canceled, Whisky A Go-Go Announces “Hollywood Roses” Show on April 1
A Steven Adler show scheduled for April 1 at Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip club Whisky A Go-Go has been canceled. The venue goes on to promise that “a big announcement” is coming soon, and tags Adler’s former band, Guns N’ Roses.
Guns N’ Roses will play six shows next month with founding members Slash and Duff McKagan alongside singer Axl Rose.
However, so far there’s been no indication that Adler will participate in these shows. Last September, Adler suggested that at least one of his former bandmates doesn’t believe he has truly sobered up enough to be trusted on tour.
Guns N’ Roses haven’t confirmed or even hinted at planning a surprise club show – however, it makes sense that they would do so at the Whisky, their former West Hollywood stomping grounds.
On Tuesday, the Whisky a Go-Go tweeted,
The show date is April 1. Are GNR reuniting at the Whisky a Go Go or is this one big April Fool’s Day joke? Stay tuned!
Axl Rose Tells Fan Guns N’ Roses Are “Gonna Do a Whole Tour”
Meanwhile, GNR Fan Mark Guglielmo reportedly spotted Axl Rose while in Atlanta, talked to the musician and got him to pose for a photo that he posted on Instagram (see below). Guglielmo, who goes under the Twitter handle notonestraw, initially posted about his celebrity sighting, which elicited a number of comments. He later went on to reveal that he wished Rose luck on “those few shows,” to which he stated the singer allegedly responded, “Thanks, man, but we’re going to do a whole tour.” Guglielmo also added in the comment thread, “I don’t want to speculate or spread rumors, but it really looked like he’s been working out a lot. His arms looked muscular.”
Ted Nugent Adds More Dates To Sonic Baptizm Tour
The ‘Nuge has added eight more dates to his upcoming Sonic Baptizm tour including stops in Las Vegas, Houston, and St. Louis.
Along with a ticket to the rock show, Ted’s Dangerzone VIP Packages include a pre-show meet and greet with Ted, a photo of the Nuge for autographing, a VIP laminate and more. Ticket info is at TedNugent.com
Def Leppard’s Collen, Campbell Announce Tours With Side Projects Delta Deep and Last In Line
Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell’s band Last in Line will play their first dates since the death of bassist Jimmy Bain while aboard Def Leppard’s Hysteria on the High Seas cruise back in January. The group has decided to continue their tour in support of their album Heavy Crown as a way of honoring Bain’s legacy. Ticketing information is here.
Delta Deep, Phil Collen’s blues and soul band with Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DiLeo, will tour the East Coast with eight club shows in the span of a week and a half, including the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, TN, in June. This summer, they will release Delta Deep West Coast Live, which was recorded during their West Coast tour this past January. Visit DeltaDeep.com for ticket information.
Paul Stanley, Don Felder and Judas Priest Confirmed for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp
Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp has lined up an impressive roster of guest stars to help celebrate its 20th anniversary this summer.
“To be part of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp isn’t just a fantasy for the people who are here, it’s my fantasy too,” said Paul Stanley. “It’s really a gift to me as much as anybody else.” The members of Judas Priest added, “We had such a blast last time with the fantasy camp, it’s time for an encore! Four of Judas Priest are primed to bang out some more metal adventures at this one of a kind experience!”
Stanley, Felder and Farner’s Rock Camp is scheduled for June 23-26, and features the chance to perform live at the Whisky A Go Go with Paul Stanley. Additional counselors listed for the session include drummer Vinny Appice, Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo and guitarist Phil X (Triumph, Bon Jovi).
The second camp, “Vol. 2 — Hell Bent for Hollywood,” is scheduled for Aug. 4-7, and features four members of Judas Priest: Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill and Scott Travis, as well as Appice and X, Tracii Guns and Guns N’ Roses vet Teddy Andreadis.
Find out more at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.
Iron Maiden Announce New Trooper “Red ‘N’ Black” Porter Beer
The new limited-edition porter, crafted by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson along with Robinsons Brewery’s head brewer Martyn Weeks, will be available to fans worldwide September 2016.
Iron Maiden Trooper drinkers will have the option of chugging the band’s new Trooper Red ‘N’ Black brew, a limited-edition porter that reportedly reaches back into the early pages of Robinsons Brewery’s recipe books. The new beer is named both for the song “The Red and the Black” from Maiden’s recent The Book of Souls album, and for the color of the beer which shifts from black to red when it’s held up to the light.
“I like tasting outside the box,” said Bruce Dickinson. “Stouts and porters were virgin territory for me so I just went by feel. Martyn and I hope we have created a new take on a classic beer and one which I hope will tickle the taste buds of ale fans in a pleasantly unexpected way.”
Sounds tasty, but it’s a long way from the Michelob, Stroh’s, Coors, Miller’s and Schlitz of our 80s hair metal concert days!
Information on pre-orders for fans will be announced on Iron Maiden Beer‘s social media accounts. We’ll be sure to keep you updated, we’ll definitely be pre-ordering a case or three…
MetalHeads Say The Damnedest Things
“I think at this stage of our career, I really don’t think we would have looked to another singer, that’s for sure. We didn’t even consider it. I mean, there’s no point. We can’t really replace Bruce anyway, so we wouldn’t try at this stage in our career, I don’t think so. But, thank God, we didn’t need to, and he’s fine. The main thing is that he’s okay, and he is okay. But the second thing is, obviously, now we can tour and we can make albums, and I’m sure he’s gonna be fine in the future. So, you know, he seems really well, and he’s singing well, so… Thank God that we are still together.”
~ Bassist Steve Harris of Iron Maiden on Bruce Dickinson’s cancer battle