Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider On Why Lemmy Kilmister Was a Real-Life Angel
In a recent interview, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider talked about the crushing loss of his friend Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead.
I said I would always remember where I was when he passed and now I’m not remembering where I was. I’ve been traveling so f–king much… I can’t tell you where I was but I can tell you it was John Lennon level of moved in how it’s affected me. I talk about it on my podcast at length — I broke down on that thing. I don’t break down. He was that guy and my wife, she knew Lemmy and met him a bunch of times and knew how important he was.
We went to his memorial and all these people, and this is the big realization for me, is that it wasn’t just me. Not that I’m so egotistical to think that, but Lemmy was a great guy to so many bands and touched so many musicians and inspired so many people. Not just musicians, but regular Joes and Janes. I don’t know if you got to see the memorial, but the range of people that got up to speak was Dave Grohl, Slash, Lars Ulrich to his shoemaker and his drinking buddy. They were all — and his crew and he was just this great guy.
My wife said to me, my wife is not religious but spiritual, and she said I think he might have been an angel. I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ She said, ‘They say that there are angels, people who are here and they’re purpose is to guide us and help us in our own journey. I think Lemmy might have been one of them.’ At first, I said wouldn’t that be f–king God’s irony, to send down an angel, hard drinking, hard drugging, hard rocking f–king pirate and a half, but everything you hear about him in these stories just blow you away.
Izzy Stradlin Says He Won’t Be Part of Guns N’ Roses Reunion
Guitarist Izzy Stradlin says he won’t participate in Guns N’ Roses reunion shows and denies studio session rumors.
In January it was announced that Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan would appear together onstage again at two Las Vegas shows and a pair of Mexico City concerts in-between headline appearances at Coachella later in the month. Last month former GNR manager Alan Niven reported McKagan and Stradlin had been working together in the studio.
With speculation mounting at his possible involvement, Stradlin opened a Twitter account to address the rumors head-on. He tells Rolling Stone: “At this point in time, I will not be playing at any of the April 2016 GNR shows. I’ve also not been in the studio recording or writing with any of the others recently. There is so much speculation, but so very little info, that I thought I should reach out.
“I know there’s a lot of questions regarding my Twitter account – but it’s me. I opened the Twitter account. There was just so much speculation going on regarding my involvement and studio recording. There’s so much misinformation, so I wanted to clarify that I’m not in the studio recording with any of the Guns N’ Roses guys. At this point in time, I’m not involved in the actual shows. A lot of stuff fans are reading isn’t true.”
Alex Lifeson Says that Rush Doesn’t “Have Any Plans for Anything”
Rush shook the rock world to its core late last year when drummer Neil Peart had suggested that he had retired from performing live. Frontman Geddy Lee stated the words were taken out of context and now he and guitarist Alex Lifeson have offered an update.
“I think right now we don’t have any plans for anything,” Alex Lifeson told the Sound Opinions podcast, deflating immediate hopes of Rush fans around the world. Following it up with an explanation, he offered, “Keep in mind that we had a year and a half off after the Clockwork Angels tour; we didn’t talk about anything to do with the band in a year and a half. So I think we’re just in a stage now where we’re just kind of taking some time, reconnecting with our families and friends and pursuing some other interests, and having some fun, really.” Bringing a lighthearted mood to the conversation, Lifeson added, “I know Geddy and I love writing together; we’ve been doing it since we were young teenagers. And I’d like to think that we’ll do it until we’re very old men instead of just mostly old men.”
Speaking partially on behalf of his drummer, Lee stated, “I think for Neil it’s become too hard. And that’s a phrase he likes to use. To play for three hours, to play the way we feel is being Rush, the way Rush plays is a three-hour show that’s very complicated. And that has taken its physical toll on his body. During the course of any of the last few tours, he’s gone through periods that he’s having problems — whether it’s tendonitis or whether it’s some other thing.” With that being said, the frontman conceded, “So I think for him it’s enough; he can’t go through all that again. So that’s gonna dictate, obviously, what performing live is gonna mean for Rush. And whether that happens or not, I can’t really say at this point.”
David Lee Roth Now Says His New Song “Ain’t No Christmas” Could Be A Farewell To Van Halen
Inside David Lee Roth’s latest episode of his online Roth Show was a new song, “Ain’t No Christmas,” which finds Roth offering a sad goodbye against a low-key guitar accompaniment. Is he actually bidding farewell to Eddie Van Halen, ending a reunion that’s lasted since 2007?
“Ain’t No Christmas” sounds like Roth is shutting the door on the current Van Halen reunion, with lyrics that include:
“Sure looked good on paper, once upon a lie. Happily never after, and I’m not okay to drive. Let’s put the pin back in this one, and say we both survived. Last blank space on the map I think we’ve arrived…Quittin’ while you’re ahead ain’t quittin’, and I’m quittin’.”
After initially denying that “Ain’t No Christmas” was about Van Halen — telling the Van Halen News Desk that “It’s poetry. It has nothing to do with Van Halen.” — he has since released a follow-up message, saying: “On second thought, if all work is autobiographic, maybe this song is about Van Halen…”
Anthrax’s Scott Ian Excited to Fly on Iron Maiden’s “Ed Force One” 747 Jet
Anthrax will fly in Maiden’s 747 Ed Force One jet across South America with Iron Maiden next month on The Book Of Souls World tour.
Despite knowing about the plan for months, guitarist Ian says that reality only hit him after he watched a video of Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson landing Ed Force One in Florida last week.
Ian tells TeamRock: “We’re actually flying on a Boeing 747 that says Iron Maiden on the side – with Iron Maiden. I finally understand what I’ve been doing all this time. It’s all been leading up to this. I saw Maiden support Priest on the Killers tour in 1981 in New York, and 35 years later I’m flying on a jet with them.”
Ian’s looking forward to playing in front of 75,000 people in Santiago, Chile, in March, but says seeing Iron Maiden perform will be an amazing experience.
“I’ve always wanted to do that as a fan, see Maiden in South America. Ask any band where their best gig is, and they’ll say Chile, Argentina or Brazil. It’s so insane down there. From a fan’s point of view, you get to see Maiden in front of those crowds. Even if I wasn’t playing the gigs, just to be a fly on the wall on the plane and get to go to the shows would be enough for me. I’m very excited.”
Maiden are currently on tour in support of 2015 album The Book Of Souls in North America. Anthrax will join them in South America to promote their latest record, For All Kings, which is due out on February 26.
Alice in Chains To Open For Guns N’ Roses At Their Gig In Las Vegas
Guns N’ Roses’ have announced that rock legends Alice in Chains will open for GNR’s two Las Vegas shows April 8 and 9.
So far, Guns N’ Roses’ reunion is only taking over Coachella, Las Vegas and Mexico City for a total of six performances. Frontman Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan are currently the only classic members to take part, while guitarist Izzy Stradlin has denied involvement via his newly activated Twitter account.
For more info, visit Guns N’ Roses’ official website.
Def Leppard Announce 55-City Tour With REO Speedwagon and Tesla
Def Leppard will return to the road this summer for an extensive tour across North America due to overwhelming demand. The tour is set to kick off on May 1 in Orlando, Florida and wrap on October 10 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Joining Def Leppard this time around are REO Speedwagon and Tesla. Tickets will go on sale starting March 4 at LiveNation.com.
Said Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott: “I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and playing some great music with some great people for some of the most appreciative audiences in the world. It really is always a pleasure.”
Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon said: “We played some shows with Def Leppard in 2008 and it was an amazing musical marriage, a melodic rock extravaganza. We are ready to restart that fire in 2016.”
Check out all the tour dates, here.
Whitesnake Announce 2016 Greatest Hits Tour Dates For North America, Europe
Whitesnake have announced North American and European dates for their 2016 Greatest Hits Tour. All confirmed dates are listed here, with more to be announced soon.
Black Sabbath Plays Last-Ever Concert At New York City’s Madison Square Garden
Check out the Fan-filmed video footage of Black Sabbath’s last-ever concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 27.
Black Sabbath resumed its “The End” tour on February 6 in Tacoma, Washington after canceling three shows because singer Ozzy Osbourne was battling severe sinusitis. After completing the first U.S. leg of “The End” tour, Black Sabbath will play dates in Australia and New Zealand in April, with European festival shows taking place during the summer.
We’ve Got Mail – Fan Mail
Hi House of Hair !
First I want to say THANK YOU ! For an awesome show ! I love Dee Snider, House of Hair Rocks!
I love Dee’s music choices, but last night 2/13/2016 as I was driving and listening to HOH, Dee played one cool song that was just awesome to me, I had never heard it, so if you could, please tell me the name of the band and the song played right before TNT’s 10,000 Lovers song!
I will be most grateful ! Keep Rockin Dee! Love this show!
Sincerely, Tony Caputo
Hey Tony, that song was Triumph’s “Fight the Good Fight”. Thanks for rockin’ out with the House of Hair!
Horns Up!
BuzzChic & The House of Hair Team