The official thread for Eighties music fans

[Kodos]

Loverboy has a new album out called Just Getting Started. If you still like their style of music, it's a pretty enjoyable album. Mike Reno sounds as good as ever. Lotsa melodic pop rock songs.

Other eighties groups with albums coming out in the coming months include Asia, Def Leppard, Whitesnake. Viva les 80s!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Is Chris Cornell coming out with a new Michael Jackson album?

[Kodos]

No. But Michael Jackson might have a new Michael Jackson album. There's talk of a Jackson Five reunion. With or without Janet.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Does anyone know if Michael Jackson can actually sing anymore? It'd be pretty painful if he sounded completely terrible now.

[Kodos]

It probably is difficult to sing well without a nose.

[Ksyrup]

JOURNEY SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST TOUR ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK

March 26, 2008 – Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.

JOURNEY--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and new lead singer Arnel Pineda—is hitting the road to promote REVELATION, the highly anticipated three-disc CD/DVD package set for release June 3 exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

Here are the confirmed dates for the JOURNEY/Heart/Cheap Trick concert tour:

DATE CITY VENUE

Wed 7/9 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Fri 7/11 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Sat 7/12 Lake Tahoe, NV Harvey’s Lake Resort
Tue 7/15 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre
Wed 7/16 Irvine, CA Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 7/18 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Arena
Sat 7/19 Tucson, AZ Casino Anselmo
Tue 7/22 Council Bluffs, IA Mid America Center
Wed 7/23 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri 7/25 San Antonio, TX Verizon Amphitheatre
Sat 7/26 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun 7/27 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Amphitheatre
Wed 7/30 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Thu 7/31 West Palm Beach, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Sat 8/2 Charlotte, NC Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/3 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Mon 8/4 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Wed 8/6 Orange Beach, FL The Amphitheatre @ The Wharf
Thu 8/7 Nashville, TN Sommett Center
Sat 8/9 Birmingham, AL Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/10 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Tue 8/12 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Amphitheatre
Thu 8/14 Jones Beach, NY Nikon at Jones Beach
Sat 8/16 Scranton, PA Toyota Amphitheatre
Sun 8/17 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Casino
Tue 8/19 Boston, MA Tweeter Center
Thu 8/21 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 8/23 Syracuse, NY New York State Fair
Sun 8/24 Saratoga, NY Saratoga PAC
Tue 8/26 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
Wed 8/27 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
Sat 8/30 Bethel Woods, NY Center for the Arts
Sun 8/31 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Pavilion
Thu 9/4 Watertown, NY Watertown Baseball Diamond
Sat 9/6 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Sun 9/7 Cleveland, OH Blossom Amphitheatre
Tue 9/9 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed 9/10 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 9/12 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sat 9/13 St. Louis, MO Verizon Amphitheatre
Mon 9/15 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
Tue 9/16 Minneapolis, MN Target Center/Casino
Fri 9/19 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
Sun 9/21 Portland, OR Clark County Amphitheatre
Wed 9/24 Concord, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
Fri 9/26 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Sacramento
Sat 9/27 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue 9/30 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Fri 10/3 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Pavilion
Sat 10/4 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_615300-->
<!-- THE POST -->

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm planning a road trip to Hershey for August 31!!!!!

[Ksyrup]

New albums from:

Loudness - Metal Mad
House of Lords - Come to My Kingdom
Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad
White Lion - Return of the Pride

[rkmsuf]

oh goodie, white lion

[Ksyrup]

The best part is, it's only Mike Tramp (vocalist) and a bunch of fill-ins. I don't believe any of the other guys are from the 80s version of the band.

[rkmsuf]

The best part is, it's only Mike Tramp (vocalist) and a bunch of fill-ins. I don't believe any of the other guys are from the 80s version of the band.

like I ever would have noticed

[Kodos]

Def Leppard will appear on Rockline tonight at 8:30 PST.

From DefLeppard.com

ROCKLINE REMINDER (posted 03.25)

Here's a little reminder for you that Def Leppard will appear on ROCKLINE RADIO tomorrow at 8.30 PM (PST)! Host Bob Coburn will receive all five band members in the studio for an interview, and as usual, fans are encouraged to call in with questions for the band (though, if you were planning on calling to ask how the band got their name, please reconsider your question).

The show will be extra special, as it will be the premiering of the band's new disc "SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE" (out on April 29) by playing a selection of tracks and samples from the album. You've probably already heard the single "NINE LIVES" by now, and tomorrow it's time to give you a taste of the other 10 tracks that will be featured in full on the band's first release of brand new material since 2002!

To find a station near you (or to listen to the show online) check out www .RocklineRadio.com/ListenLive.php.


Here is tour info (with Styx & REO Speedwagon):

hxxp://www.defleppard.com/news/news_item.asp?item=279

[Ksyrup]

Warrant - reunited original lineup preparing a DVD and summer tour with Cinderella and Lynch Mob, and performing at Rocklahoma in July:

Rocklahoma is the world's largest rock festival of its type featuring notable bands from the 80's and early 90's. Additional acts confirmed for the festival include LA Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Beautiful Creatures, Night Ranger, XYZ, Pretty Boy Floyd, Vain, Lynch Mob, Bret Michaels, House of Lords, Jet Boy, Triumph, Kingdom Come and Tesla among others.

[Kodos]

like I ever would have noticed


No Vito Bratta? :eek: (however you spell his name)

[Ksyrup]

This one's AWESOME!!!!


YES, TRIXTER ARE BACK!!!

With all original members the band are ready to take the Show on the road.. After all the emails and requests the band have decided to bring TRIXTER back..!!!

COMING SOON!!!! A new CD and a never heard song "Where I Stand".... Pre-sale CD's are available, here!!! (http://www.trixterrocks.com/merch.htm)

TRIXTER ALIVE IN JAPAN

1. "Rockin' Horse"
2. "Heart Of Steel"
3. "Road Of A Thousand Dreams"
4. "Bloodrock"
5. "One In A Million"
6. "On The Road Again"
7. "Power Of Love"
8. "Ride The Whip"
9. "Nobody's A Hero"
10. "Line Of Fire"
11. "What It Takes"
12. "Give It To Me Good"
13. "Where I Stand" * new song 2008

[Pumpy Tudors]

YES, TRIXTER ARE BACK!!!
who

[Ksyrup]

You know, the band I always used to get mixed up with Danger Danger back in 1988.

[Ksyrup]

Pumpy, I guess you would know...isn't New Kids On the Block reuniting, too?

[Kodos]

Wow. XYZ still exists? Must be because Don Dokken put in a good word for them.

Oh, yeah. Dokken's new album Lightning Strikes Again is coming out too. No George Lynch or Mick Brown. But George had an album out last November called Guitar Slinger.

[Ksyrup]

CROWDED HOUSE CONFIRM AMERICAN TOUR

Crowded House has confirmed its first North American tour of 2008. Instead of single dates in many cities, the band is going back to a few of its favorites to do short residencies in smaller, more intimate venues in those markets. Slated to start on April 28 in New York City, the tour will end on May 17 in Los Angeles, with four cities in between. The tour is still in support of Crowded House's first record since 1993. Entitled "Time on Earth," the band is Neil Finn - vocals/guitars; Nick Seymour - Bass; Mark Hart - keyboards/guitars; Matt Sherrod - drums. "Time on Earth" was released on ATO Records on July 10, 2007.

"Time On Earth" was recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland, NZ, RAK Studios, London, and Real World Studios, Bath, and was produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ryan Adams) and Steve Lillywhite (U2, Morrissey). Guitar legend Johnny Marr features on two tracks, lead-off single "Don't Stop Now" and "Even A Child," a song he co-wrote with Neil Finn. Another album track, "Silent House," was co-written by Finn and the Dixie Chicks, whose own version of the song appears on their Grammy Award-winning album "Taking the Long Way."

The press response to the new record was rapturous. "Paste" said, "'Time on Earth' is another batch of Finn's impeccably crafted pop gems," and the "Los Angeles Times" noted that, "Finn is a master at expressing ambiguity, lyrically and musically." "USA Today" hailed that, "the melodic gifts that allowed Finn to craft some of the sweetest pop of the late '80s and early '90s are still intact," and then continued to say, "the album's unpretentious warmth and modest wit offer a refreshing alternative to the winking and whining of some successors."

Crowded House formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1985 and first tasted global success with their massive 1987 hit "Don't Dream It's Over." They continued to have hits for a decade, including "Something So Strong," "Weather With You" and "It's Only Natural." "Don't Dream It's Over" hit #2 on the American Top 40 and won the band Best New Artist at that year's MTV Music Awards, while "Something" reached the #7 spot. They produced four studio albums and a best-of compilation.

The dates for the tour are as follows:

April 28 - 30 New York, NY NY Fillmore at Irving Plaza
May 2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 5 - 6 Boston, MA Somerville Thatre
May 7 - 8 Toronto, ONT Danforth Music Hall
May 10 - 11 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
May 14 - 15 San Francisco, CA Fillmore
May 16 - 17 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre

[Ksyrup]

Wow. XYZ still exists? Must be because Don Dokken put in a good word for them.

Oh, yeah. Dokken's new album Lightning Strikes Again is coming out too. No George Lynch or Mick Brown. But George had an album out last November called Guitar Slinger.

That's because George is doing Lynch Mob.

[Ksyrup]

Boston-based rock outfit EXTREME is reuniting for its first studio album in 13 years and world tour in 2008. The group, best known for the 1991 No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit "More Than Words", disbanded in 1996 but reformed briefly in 2004 and 2006.

Details are pending on the album, which is being produced by guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, and the tour dates. EXTREME now includes original members Bettencourt, frontman Gary Cherone and bassist Pat Badger, along with new drummer Kevin Figueiredo.

[Kodos]

That and the fact that he and Don aren't exactly pals.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Where the hell are you guys suddenly digging up all this information from?

[rkmsuf]

Where the hell are you guys suddenly digging up all this information from?

sportsdigs maybe?

[Ksyrup]

Here are some I don't expect many of you to know or like, but what the hell...


Carcass (http://www.buzznet.com/tags/carcass) - Goregrind pioneers Carcass (whom later became pioneers of melodic death metal) will be reuniting and playing several of the same festivals as At The Gates, including Wacken Open Air. These will be their first shows in fourteen years! As with At The Gates, no new album is in the works.

Forbidden (http://www.buzznet.com/tags/forbidden) - Forbidden were an overlooked and underrated member of the mid '80s Bay Area thrash metal scene. Their most well known member, Paul Bostaph, went on to drum for Slayer (http://www.buzznet.com/tags/slayer). The band will be reuiniting for a few shows with thrash brethren Death Angel (http://www.buzznet.com/tags/deathangel) later this month, with a few festival dates scheduled for the summer.

Killing Joke - original members reunite, 2008 Tour Dates (http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/03/killing_joke_or.html)
Finally, after numerous line-up changes through the years, all original Killing Joke members reunite for new album and world tour.

Drummer, Paul Ferguson, rejoins the line up for the first time since 1987 enabling a whole new generation of fans to see Killing Joke's legendary original formation. Diehard fans have been waiting for this moment for two decades!

Bassist, Martin 'Youth' Glover also steps back into the live arena after a near 15 hiatus, having not played live with Killing Joke since 1994's Pandemonium tour.

The tour will see Killing Joke take up a two night residency in most venues offering a different set on each evening. On the first night, they will play their first two albums in their entirety, 1980's self-titled album followed by the album 'What's This...For!'. Their second performance in each city will treat fans to 1994's Pandemonium and the Island Records singles of'79 to '80.

Once described by Ferguson as 'the sound of the earth vomiting', Killing Joke is anthemic and grandiose in it's evocation of nightmare visions. Taking a sarcastic jab at authority and perceived reality to a sonically charged mixture of post punk and metal,
Killing Joke's heavy guitars and pounding tribal drums conjure a primitive atmosphere of doom, gloom and resistance.

[Ksyrup]

Where the hell are you guys suddenly digging up all this information from?

My virtual rolodex.

[Ksyrup]

Late '80s/early '90s Memphis, Tennesse-based rockers TORA TORA will reunite for an appearance at this year's Rocklahoma festival.


Basically, if you're into 80s hard rock, Oklahoma is pretty much the place you need to be in mid-July.

[Ksyrup]

It probably is difficult to sing well without a nose.

I hear his voice is awfully nasally.

[Ksyrup]

This is probably stretching back to the 70s more than the 80s, but they were around in the 80s, too.

There's something decidedly ironic about Tom Scholz bitching about Mike Huckabee using More Than A Feeling at campaign stops because he doesn't agree with him politically, and then going on tour with STRYPER'S vocalist.


BOSTON KICKS OFF SUMMER TOUR WITH STRYPER VOCALIST:

March 19, 2008

Band BOSTON Kicks Off Summer Tour on June 6, 2008
Remastered Greatest Hits CD Release from Sony Legacy

The legendary band BOSTON will headline the outdoor festival at Marina Parkon Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008. The 'round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States and Canada.

BOSTON will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, veteran Stryper frontman will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar. Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his myspace.com page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.

[Pumpy Tudors]

OK, I actually like Killing Joke.

[oliegirl]

We are going to the Journey/Cheap Trick/Heart concert when they come to Atlanta...FI is as jazzed as I am, which says something about our dork factor :)

One of the best concerts I ever went to was the summer after I graduated High School...local rock station did an end of summer concert...Warrant, Trixter and Firehouse (this was 1991) all for a big $9.96 (radio station was 96 Rock). It was great, Jani Lane was at his prime, still riding on the success of Cherry Pie. So fun!

[Ksyrup]

The new Journey singer has a story similar to that of Ripper Owens, the guy who took over for Judas Priest singer Rob Halford in the early 90s and whose story the movie Rock Star was loosely based on. Apparently Neil Schon saw a video of him covering Faithfully with his band and decided to hire him.

[Kodos]

This is probably stretching back to the 70s more than the 80s, but they were around in the 80s, too.

There's something decidedly ironic about Tom Scholz bitching about Mike Huckabee using More Than A Feeling at campaign stops because he doesn't agree with him politically, and then going on tour with STRYPER'S vocalist.


BOSTON KICKS OFF SUMMER TOUR WITH STRYPER VOCALIST:

March 19, 2008

Band BOSTON Kicks Off Summer Tour on June 6, 2008
Remastered Greatest Hits CD Release from Sony Legacy

The legendary band BOSTON will headline the outdoor festival at Marina Parkon Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008. The 'round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States and Canada.

BOSTON will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, veteran Stryper frontman will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar. Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his myspace.com page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame

Boston just isn't Boston without Brad Delp. Michael Sweet? No thanks. I won't be Calling On You.

[CamEdwards]

I'm definitely going to try and go to the Crowded House show at the 9:30 Club, though I highly doubt I'll be able to get tickets.

Boston and Stryper? Now that's an odd combination.

[Ksyrup]

Bah, didn't realize I double posted that Boston blurb. Edited now.

[Lathum]

Journey isn't Journey without Stave Perry

[BYU 14]

Boston just isn't Boston without Brad Delp. Michael Sweet? No thanks. I won't be Calling On You.

+1 Scholz certainly isn't responsible for Delp's death, but he was a big cause of consternation within the band.....He should just let it go.


The only real pairing I enjoyed that featured a replacement singer was Paul Rodgers and Queen, because Paul didn't try to be Freddie, they did the harder edged Queen tunes for the most part and mixed in some classic Bad Co and Free.

[Ksyrup]

Journey isn't Journey without Stave Perry


The new guy with his old band The Zoo:

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[Fonzie]

Journey isn't Journey without Stave Perry

I tend to agree. However, Steve's voice went to hell around the mid 80's due to the abuse of relentless touring. He just hasn't possessed the voice that made Journey's sound so distinctive since their Frontiers album (IMHO). Since then his range has been reduced and his voice sounds rough.

Make no mistake, I'd rather see Steve in Journey. But I fear that seeing him perform now would be a bit depressing.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, between his feud with the band and his vocal issues, that's a definite non-starter.

[Kodos]

Isn't it funny how often bands and their singers can't just get along? It happens so much. I'm guessing musical artists in general are hard to get along with due to their egos.

[Fonzie]

Isn't it funny how often bands and their singers can't just get along? It happens so much. I'm guessing musical artists in general are hard to get along with due to their egos.

You'd almost think they were Wide Receivers or something!

[CamEdwards]

Wow, that band is shit. But the singer sounds remarkably like Steve Perry... albeit a drunken, slurring Steve Perry because of the accent.

[Fonzie]

Yeah, between his feud with the band and his vocal issues, that's a definite non-starter.

Speaking of that feud, when Perry was kicked out of the band part of the deal was evidently a gag-order on the rest of the band members regarding him and his departure. They were legally prohibited from commenting about the entire thing. However, that gag-order didn't apply to their old manager, Herbie Herbert. In 2001 he did an extended interview that provided a lot of dirt on the entire history of the band. You can find it at hxxp://members.cox.net/mrcarty/.

If you're at all intrigued by the silliness of band politics, this is a fun (although very long) read. I have no idea how accurate Herbie is, but at the very least he says some pretty amusing things (e.g., their old drummer was kicked out due to habitually fooling around with 16 year-old groupies, the bassist was a coke addict, Steve Perry once demanded drugs from a cousin and threatened to tell his mom he was dealing drugs if he didn't, and so on).

[Buccaneer]

I am seriously considering seeing the Heart/Journey/Cheap Trick show at Fiddler's. I saw Heart in Louisville on their Bad Animals tour and loved it.

[Neuqua]

This is as good a place as any to brag that I went to my first ever concert earlier this year, Bon Jovi at the United Center.

:)

[Kodos]

Ann and Nancy Wilson are quite talented. And I've always like Cheap Trick too. Should be a good show.

[Ksyrup]

I wouldn't mind seeing Heart...although not in the spirit of this thread, I'd really only want to hear their 70s stuff, and maybe the newer stuff from that underrated/overlooked album they released a few years back.

I saw Cheap Trick back in 1985. Great show, although the screaming chicks who wanted to bone Robin Zander made it somewhat painful to sit through.

[Ksyrup]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080326/capt.ea7eda5cbd304b02a44069400502cbde.people_richie_sambora_la105.jpg

This police booking photo released by Laguna Beach, Calif., Police Department on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, shows Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[Kodos]

Seriously, how dumb are these people. You can afford a limo! For god's sake, don't drink and drive!

[Buccaneer]

I wouldn't mind seeing Heart...although not in the spirit of this thread, I'd really only want to hear their 70s stuff, and maybe the newer stuff from that underrated/overlooked album they released a few years back.



I know what you are saying. A lot of their 80s stuff were made-for-MTV but so were a lot of other bands. Personally, I think the best album they put out was in 1993 with Desire Walks On. I also have their 90s Lovemongers stuff.

[Kodos]

Lovemongers had some good songs. Glad they are back together as Heart now though.

[Ksyrup]

According to Gaming Today (http://news.filefront.com/def-leppard-to-be-featured-in-guitar-hero-4/), DEF LEPPARD will be one of the featured artists on Guitar Hero 4 when it is released later this year. The songs expected to be included are as follows: "Photograph", "Rock of Ages" and "Animal".

[bhlloy]

According to Gaming Today (http://news.filefront.com/def-leppard-to-be-featured-in-guitar-hero-4/), DEF LEPPARD will be one of the featured artists on Guitar Hero 4 when it is released later this year. The songs expected to be included are as follows: "Photograph", "Rock of Ages" and "Animal".

Sweetness. Definitely a first day purchase... Photograph and Animal are 2 of my favourite guitar songs of all time.

How bad does the new album suck? After X I'm almost afraid to listen to any of the songs... Leppard have turned into Emmitt Smith with the Cardinals and I don't know if there is any way back.

[Kodos]

The new album isn't out yet, but it has been described as Hysteria-type songs with High 'n' Dry production. No ballads. I've heard the first single, Nine Lives, and it seems much more rocky than X was. You might try Yeah! as well. It's an album of covers of the groups band members listened to during their formative years. Much more rock-n-roll than X was.

[Kodos]

You can listen to Nine Lives here:

hxxp://www.myspace.com/defleppard

[Ksyrup]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 20px" vAlign=top width="99%">Poison Drummer Arrested on Rape Warrant</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>http://img.breitbart.com/images/ap.gif (http://www.breitbart.com/partner.php?source=ap)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- headline end --><!-- date/author start --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>http://www.breitbart.com/images/common/dot.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="99%">Mar 28 08:26 PM US/Eastern
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

PHILADELPHIA (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=philadelphia&sid=breitbart.com), Miss. (AP) - entertainmentminute Poison drummer Rikki Rockett was arrested on a rape warrant and his case was turned over to the district attorney's office (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=district%20attorney%27s%20office&sid=breitbart.com) for possible grand jury consideration, officials said Friday.


Rockett, 46, was arrested Monday at or near Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles police said. He was booked and released, and was awaiting an extradition (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=extradition&sid=breitbart.com) decision by Mississippi prosecutors.

A woman in Mississippi filed a complaint that she was raped on Sept. 23, 2007, at the Silver Star Casino, Neshoba County sheriff's investigator Ralph Sciple said.

"The subject, Rikki Rockett, forcibly had sex with an adult in one of the hotel rooms (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=hotel%20rooms&sid=breitbart.com)," according to a complaint.

Sciple said the woman contacted authorities several days after the alleged attack. He did not discuss details of the case, but said his office believed the woman's complaint warranted review by the district attorney.

The casino-hotel complex in Philadelphia, about an hour northeast of Jackson, is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (http://search.breitbart.com/q?s=Choctaw%20Indians&sid=breitbart.com).

Rockett, whose real name is Richard Ream, did not have a listed number in the Los Angeles area and could not be reached Friday for comment.

Rockett was booked into the Los Angeles County jail under his stage name and released early Tuesday, according to jail inmate information on the county sheriff's Web site. Sciple said there was no immediate attempt to bring Rockett back to Mississippi and a decision on extradition would await action by the district attorney.
Rockett and singer Bret Michaels founded Poison, the glam-metal band with a string of hits in the 1980s, including "Talk Dirty to Me."

[Ksyrup]

Man, no responses about this story? I simply cannot believe that a guy named Dick Ream felt it was necessary to change his name for an 80s band that dressed like women, and he chose Rikki Rockett.

[Ksyrup]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n216/Deme_rb/letsgotoprisonver3pi9.jpg

[Lathum]

sounds like a set up to me

[Ksyrup]

The moose is loose...again!

http://www.zizak.com/images/nksmc.jpg

[Ksyrup]

I, uh, "ran across" a promo of the new Dokken last night and listened to it for shits and giggles (it was raining out, so the patio table wasn't in the mood). Fairly decent...although Don's voice, which was always a bit thin, is definitely losing steam at this point. For 20 years later, it was a'ight, I guess. Low expectations and all.

[Kodos]

Is it similar to their 80s music, or their more recent crap?

[Ksyrup]

I haven't heard anything of theirs since maybe the early 90s, if that? Hard to say. The logo is kind of a throw-back, though!

http://bp2.blogger.com/_R4FT7dZkzDU/R-Z5qKLSP0I/AAAAAAAABWI/gx83hAdIknY/s400/novo%2Bdo%2Bdokken.jpg

[rkmsuf]

There's something a little ghay about 55 year old metal rockers trying to rock like the 80's still with new stuff.

When you are 15 and they are 30 and rocking out it's cool. When you are 35 and they are in their 50s rocking it's more weird than cool.

Unless they do the old stuff. That's ok I guess.

[Ksyrup]

For a lot of these guys, I'm sure it's difficult to be a musician as your career, want to continue that for as long as you can, and have the push-pull of wanting people to like your new stuff but realizing 99% of them only care about what you did 25 years ago.

I don't really have a problem with the age thing, unless they just can't do it anymore. But then again, my favorite band is still up and running and the lead singer is approaching 60, so maybe I'm a bit biased.

http://www.kingsxrocks.com/images/kingsxsmall.gif

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is it similar to their 80s music, or their more recent crap?

The tracks I've heard (about half the album) are much more like their early work than the late 90's/early 2000's.

New guitarist Jon Levin (originally Don Dokken's attorney) is no George Lynch but he definitely does a passable imitation of Lynch which is pretty reminiscent at times.

[Kodos]

It's tough to replace George, no doubt.

[Ksyrup]

New guitarist Jon Levin (originally Don Dokken's attorney)

I have a new hero.

[Ksyrup]

And hey, it's not just Don, Mick Brown is still in the band, too! Jeff Pilson is in Foreigner now (the Mick Jones version with Kelly Hansen of Hurricane on vocals, not the Lou Gramm Band version).

[Ksyrup]

The moose is loose...again!

http://www.zizak.com/images/nksmc.jpg


THIS is gonna be AWESOME!


Wahlberg said he was persuaded to get back together with his former bandmates -- Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood -- when they decided to record new music. Wahlberg said he wrote 80 percent of the new material with McIntyre and Jordan Knight.

"I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material," said Wahlberg, 38.

But he added: "We absolutely will do the old songs for sure."

[JonInMiddleGA]

I haven't heard anything of theirs since maybe the early 90s, if that?

Afterwards you didn't miss much.

1995's Dysfunctional was pretty aptly named. '96 brought the acoustic One Live Night and '97 was the misbegotten attempt at alternative known as Shadowlife.

In '99 Lynch left to reform Lynch Mob & was replaced for a couple of albums (the not too bad Erase the Slate and Live From the Sun) by Reb Beach (ex-Winger). And to be honest, after seeing them live, Beach was better than I expected, but the material overall wasn't up to par.

He was in turn replaced by Jon Norum (ex-Europe) and bassist Jeff Pilson left as well for Hell To Pay in 2004, an album I'd say was a let down after Erase. Norum left to rejoin his old & now reformed group, which led to Jon Levin taking over the guitar slot.

[Kodos]

By all accounts, Don Dokken is not the easiest to get along with. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

And hey, it's not just Don, Mick Brown is still in the band, too! Jeff Pilson is in Foreigner now (the Mick Jones version with Kelly Hansen of Hurricane on vocals, not the Lou Gramm Band version).

Unleash the f'n fury, it's a heavy metal Chinese Fire Drill ;)

{I wonder how many people other than me actually owned the first three Hurricane albums and saw them live (opening for Stryper)}

[JonInMiddleGA]

By all accounts, Don Dokken is not the easiest to get along with. :)

Ya think? ;)

I have him figured as a close race with me for being, shall we say "not everyone's cup of tea" personality wise.

[Kodos]

So what's your favorite Dokken album?

[Ksyrup]

Unleash the f'n fury, it's a heavy metal Chinese Fire Drill ;)

{I wonder how many people other than me actually owned the first three Hurricane albums and saw them live (opening for Stryper)}

Holy crap...were you in Atlanta at the time? Because I saw Hurricane open for Stryper, too! I had front row tickets, actually.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So what's your favorite Dokken album?

Album overall has to be Tooth & Nail as I literally wore out my first copy (cassette naturally) and had to buy another.

[Kodos]

We should assemble a dream band of the most difficult to work with musicians:

Don Dokken: Vocals
Eddie Van Halen: Lead Guitar

[Kodos]

Album overall has to be Tooth & Nail as I literally wore out my first copy (cassette naturally) and had to buy another.

Sounds similar to my experience. I beat that cassette to death. Played Under Lock & Key a lot too. I can't remember which tape Paris Is Burning (live) was on, but I beat that to death too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Holy crap...were you in Atlanta at the time? Because I saw Hurricane open for Stryper, too! I had front row tickets, actually.

Oh shit, Atlanta Civic Center (only concert I ever saw there).

I was in about the fifth row, slightly left of center, and got caught up quite innocently in the brief dust up that ensued when Robert Sweet tossed his sticks to the crowd after they finished up and two guys decided to display their devotion to Christian principles by fighting over the stick they both caught. Mostly notable to me because it was the only time I ever got tangled up in one of those deals of all the concerts I ever attended.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I can't remember which tape Paris Is Burning (live) was on, but I beat that to death too.

If it was live, then I presume that was on the US version of the first album Breaking the Chains. IIRC, the live version was on the US while a studio version was on the Japan import.

[Kodos]

That's it. Couldn't come up with the name.

[JonInMiddleGA]

We should assemble a dream band of the most difficult to work with musicians:

Don Dokken: Vocals
Eddie Van Halen: Lead Guitar

Ritchie Blackmore has got to be in there somewhere.

[Ksyrup]

Oh shit, Atlanta Civic Center (only concert I ever saw there).

I was in about the fifth row, slightly left of center, and got caught up quite innocently in the brief dust up that ensued when Robert Sweet tossed his sticks to the crowd after they finished up and two guys decided to display their devotion to Christian principles by fighting over the stick they both caught. Mostly notable to me because it was the only time I ever got tangled up in one of those deals of all the concerts I ever attended.

Yep. I was in the front, right of center. Almost got clocked by a Bible one of those cokehounds threw into the crowd.

[Kodos]

So is Michael Sweet still a Christian at this point?

[Ksyrup]

Who the hell knows.

[Kodos]

The Devil?

[Ksyrup]

To hell wi...

Nah, too obvious!

[JonInMiddleGA]

So is Michael Sweet still a Christian at this point?

As far as I can tell from his website (http://www.michaelsweet.com/News/News.htm), the answer would be yes.

Sadly though, just posted this week, is the news that his wife's cancer has returned & is resistant to chemotherapy.

No word yet on what that means on his scheduled tour dates with Boston (not that it matters in the big picture of course).

[Buccaneer]

JOURNEY SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST TOUR ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK

March 26, 2008 – Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.

Here are the confirmed dates for the JOURNEY/Heart/Cheap Trick concert tour:

DATE CITY VENUE

Wed 7/9 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
<!-- THE POST -->

Tickets just went on sale and I got a front section seat! I can't wait.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You purchased 2 tickets to:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Poison: Live Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008
Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
Sun, Jul 27, 2008 07:00 PM

Opening acts are Dokken & Sebastian Bach

[Kodos]

Bryan Adams has a new album 11 coming out in May. I actually am one of the 44,000 people who bought his last album, Room Service, and can attest that it was actually a good album if you like Bryan Adams. Check it out on iTunes if you like classic Bryan Adams. You might be surprised. My favorite tracks are "East Side Story" (a girl that got away song), "She's A Little Too Good For Me", "Right Back Where I Started", and the title track. A lot of typical BA stuff about chicks and life on the road.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080409/music_nm/adams_dc_1

Bryan Adams and Wal-Mart team for album
Wed Apr 9, 4:33 AM ET


NEW YORK (Billboard) - Canadian rocker Bryan Adams' latest album, "11," will be released in the United States on May 13 exclusively via Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, his publicist said Tuesday.

The set has been out internationally since last month on Universal, hitting No. 1 in Canada, No. 2 in Germany and No. 6 in the U.K.

His last studio outing, 2004's "Room Service," wasn't released in the United States until the following year and sold just 44,000 units here, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Up until "Room Service," Adams had spent his entire career at A&M Records, enjoying such hits as "Run to You" and "Summer of '69."

Like "Room Service," Adams recorded the new songs in hotel rooms and other locales while on the road. As the title indicates, it his 11th studio release.

Adams, who is currently touring South America, will play about 16 acoustic shows across the United States in May. He will return in July for nine double-bill shows with Foreigner, followed by seven opening slots for Rod Stewart.

Reuters/Billboard

[Kodos]

You purchased 2 tickets to:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Poison: Live Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008
Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
Sun, Jul 27, 2008 07:00 PM

Opening acts are Dokken & Sebastian Bach


Is CC back with them these days? Or Bret Michaels, for that matter. I know he's done some solo material in recent years. I think the last album of theirs that had anything worthwhile on it was Crack A Smile. Hollyweird is one of the worst albums I have ever listened to, and their recent covers album did nothing for me either.

[BYU 14]

By all accounts, Don Dokken is not the easiest to get along with. :)


He's a total prick actually, I still remember running into him at the Waters club in San Pedro in the mid 80's when my friends band was playing.

They had a female singer and we were all talking after they played while the next band set up. He came up, stopped, put his arms out as if to say "I am gracing you with my presence!" then proceeded to share this sage advice with my buddies band.

"You guys will never find a spot in the music business, but (pointing to the singer) I have a spot for you in my bed later." or something to that effect.

My first Wife was not into metal and had no clue who he was. Before anyone else could speak she called him a fucking jerk, a sleazy wanna be and then told him to leave before threw her drink on him.......He asked if she knew who he was and she saud "Yeah, an ugly creep!" Probably still the fondest memory I have of my Ex :)

[Ksyrup]

In the HOLY FUCKING SHIT category (at least for me), there are rumors of a Living Colour/Extreme/King's X summer tour. King's X's new album comes out May 20th (and has leaked, yay!), Extreme has something planned for "spring," and LC is probably due for something - and even if nothing new, I'm sure they'd be up for touring.

That would be friggin' awesome.

[kcchief19]

Other eighties groups with albums coming out in the coming months include Asia, Def Leppard, Whitesnake. Viva les 80s!
Wow ... had no idea Asia was back together with original lineup. The new album came out this week ... as a closet Asia fan, I have to check this out. Unfortunately, it appears that the John Payne-bastardized version of Asia is still performing under the name Asia featuring John Payne while the original line up of Wetton, Howe, Downes and Palmer are using the monicker Original Asia.

You have to hate it when bad things happen to good 80s supergroups.

[Kodos]

I sampled the new Asia on iTunes last night. It was okay, but I didn't find any standout tracks.

[Ksyrup]

Shows what I know - Dokken AND Lynch Mob ARE both going to play Rocklahoma!

Dokken will play Thursday, and LM on Saturday. Anything closer would have been asking for trouble...

[MizzouRah]

Love 80's music. I'll have to check out new Loverboy album.

Remember White Lion?

[Ksyrup]

Check the first page - WL has a new album coming out, but the band is just Mike Tramp at this point (as far as original members).

[MizzouRah]

Check the first page - WL has a new album coming out, but the band is just Mike Tramp at this point (as far as original members).

Interesting... thanks!

[Mustang]

Remember White Lion?

Back in 88, while I was in the Air Force, to get off base during tech school, some guys would rent hotel rooms and you'd pretty much just hang out there and drink.

During one such weekend, the TV was on MTV and White Lion's "When the Children Cry" came on. Didn't think much of it at the time, but about halfway through the song I noticed some guy's eyes were starting to well up.

"You ok?"

"This song" *sob* "is just soooooooo" *full tears stream* "beauuuuuutiful" <it actually came out more like Brak which made it funnier>

To this day, I can't hear that song without laughing now.

[MizzouRah]

You know, when I was in the Marines and going to Motor T school, we would rent hotel rooms on the weekends and party too. Good ol Oceanside, CA.

[Buccaneer]

You know, when I was in the Marines and going to Motor T school, we would rent hotel rooms on the weekends and party too. Good ol Oceanside, CA.

When I was in college doing the beach scene, I would avoid O-side like the plague and go further down the coast. Now I remember why. :p

[MizzouRah]

When I was in college doing the beach scene, I would avoid O-side like the plague and go further down the coast. Now I remember why. :p

Yeah.. it was a hell hole, but when you're 18 and have money to blow.. Ocenside isn't that bad. :D

[Kodos]

WoooooOOOOT! I am listening to Def Leppard's Songs From The Sparkle Lounge right now for the first time. So far, so good.

[oliegirl]

They are actually going to be on Dancing With the Stars tonight, no doubt plugging their new album...should be interesting. I wonder how old Joe Elliot looks now...

[Kodos]

He hasn't aged well. Especially when his hair is short, he looks old. They're also on Ellen this afternoon and Jimmy Kimmel tomorrow night.

I've gone through the album twice now, and I have to say it is their best album in a long time. Probably the best since Slang from the mid 90s. It's a lot more rocky than X was. More in the vein of Yeah, their covers album from a year or two ago. And only one ballady song, so they broke with that formula, which is nice. Overall, pretty pleased with it early on.

[Ksyrup]

I'm sure there are a lot of people rejoicing about this one...



Phil Collins has announced that he is retiring from music.

Having completed a reunion tour with Genesis, the multi-instrumentalist has said in a newspaper interview that he has no plans to tour or make another album.

Collins told The Times that he will continue to write, simply because he does not know how to stop.

The interview quotes Collins as saying he is more interested in his collection of memorabilia from the Battle Of The Alamo than music.

Collins said: "It's not that unusual for a man of my age, who grew up reading Davy Crockett."

Collins was speaking ahead of his appearance on Sky Arts TV series 'Songbook'.

He re-ignited an old feud with Noel Gallagher. The Oasis man famously said ahead of the 2005 general election: "Vote Labour, if you don't and the Tories get in, (Collins) is threatening to come back from Switzerland, and none of us want that.

Collins said of the comment: "I don't care if he likes my music or not. I do care if he starts telling people I'm a wanker because of my politics. It's an opinion based on an old misunderstood quote."

http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/36215

[Kodos]

I've always liked PhilCo. Even though he lost his testicles somewhere along the way. He was always better as an artist when he was pissed off.

You scared me a moment when I read that as Phil Collen (the Def Leppard guitarist). :eek:

[Ksyrup]

Like many artists, he was really good up to a point. And then he lost interest or focus or went from cutting edge to Disney soundtrack and deserved the crap he got. Bryan Adams is another one who immediately comes to mind. Everything good he did early on is overshadowed by the massive amount of crap he's put out in the past almost 2 decades now.

[Ksyrup]

Sorry about the Phil Collins/Collen thing. Didn't even think of that!

[Kodos]

I actually think BA has returned to form on recent albums. But nobody listens to those. Except me. :)

Even I ignored his Tarzan soundtrack stuff. Disney is doom for music.

[Ksyrup]

BA did so much damage for about a decade that he doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. He dueted with Streisand, for God sakes!

[Kodos]

Heh. I luckily missed that. :)

[Buccaneer]

The new Whitesnake album any good? It got a good review locally.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The new Whitesnake album any good? It got a good review locally.

I haven't bought it yet, seemed sort of iffy based on the iTunes samples. Seemed more like a track-by-track thing for me than the whole project, although I might end up getting the whole thing at some point anyway.

edit to add: But that's definitely two cents worth based on my own likes/dislikes, which could be off the beaten path a little.

[Ksyrup]

So apparently Def Leppard lip synched last night. I didn't see it. I understand selling albums is business and this is big exposure, yadda yadda, but this news saddens me.

[rkmsuf]

So apparently Def Leppard lip synched last night. I didn't see it. I understand selling albums is business and this is big exposure, yadda yadda, but this news saddens me.

It was an odd scene. The guitarist looked like he hadn't aged a day since the 80's though.

Joe Elliot, not so much...

[Ksyrup]

It was an odd scene. The guitarist looked like he hadn't aged a day since the 80's though.

Joe Elliot, not so much...

Why haven't you been keeping us up to date on DWtS happenings? I even created your very own thread for that purpose. I'm disappointed.

[rkmsuf]

Why haven't you been keeping us up to date on DWtS happenings? I even created your very own thread for that purpose. I'm disappointed.

every time you post about dwts your manhood dies a little bit

[Ksyrup]

Says the guy who watched it last night.

[rkmsuf]

Says the guy who watched it last night.

only the def leppard part


work with me here

[Kodos]

So apparently Def Leppard lip synched last night. I didn't see it. I understand selling albums is business and this is big exposure, yadda yadda, but this news saddens me.


That was bizarre. They played for real on Ellen earlier, and later on Dancing With The Stars, Nine Lives was a live performance. So why was Pour Some Sugar On Me lip-synched? It was bizarre. I have to think that it was the producer's call. I may have to investigate on DefLeppard.com.

Edit: Turns out Nine Lives was lip-synched too. I was thrown off, because Tim McGraw sings on the regular version, and his parts were clearly sung by Joe. I guess they used a different studio version that doesn't feature McGraw.

[Kodos]

Alright. The whole forum is up in arms. Apparently Joe's been battling an upper respiratory infection. They actually have cancelled half a dozen shows recently because of it. I noticed he didn't sound great on Ellen earlier in the day, but didn't think much of it. They must have decided it was better to go with the lip-synching for DWTS.

With Nine Lives, I guess they used a studio version that doesn't include Tim McGraw's vocals from the regular version. Kinda sad that they had to go with the embarrassing lip-synched version, but I guess that is a better option than Joe singing when he can't really sing and sounding like crap. I dunno. Def Leppard seems so cursed. Even when they get a high-profile opportunity for some exposure, something goes wrong.

[Kodos]

It was an odd scene. The guitarist looked like he hadn't aged a day since the 80's though.

Joe Elliot, not so much...


Phil Collen is a vegetarian, doesn't drink, and does some kind of kickboxing stuff to stay in shape. Joe gave up smoking recently, which I guess explains why he looks fat. The rockstar life has definitely taken its toll on him appearance-wise.

[oliegirl]

So apparently Def Leppard lip synched last night. I didn't see it. I understand selling albums is business and this is big exposure, yadda yadda, but this news saddens me.

They did and I was disappointed. They did Pour Some Sugar on Me as their 1st song, and it was SO obvious that it was straight off the CD. I mentioned it to my husband and he said he read on TMZ that they did really poorly in rehearsals so the band insisted on pre-recording it, which really sucks IMHO.

[Ksyrup]

That makes some sense, glad to hear there might be a legit reason for it. Especially since I'm pretty sure other acts have played live on DWtS. I know Jonas Brothers were even live (we taped it for our daughter, rkmsuf - in case you were ready to pounce).

[rkmsuf]

Phil Collen is a vegetarian, doesn't drink, and does some kind of kickboxing stuff to stay in shape. Joe gave up smoking recently, which I guess explains why he looks fat. The rockstar life has definitely taken its toll on him appearance-wise.

Joe had the whole all black, enourmous trench coat look with excessive smoke all around him.

"Look away, I'm hideous."

[Kodos]

But the shades still said "Yeah baby. I'm a rockstar!"


Disappointing night, but I guess things don't always go as planned.

[oliegirl]

My son was fascinated that Rick Allen only has one arm, we had to hit wiki during commercials so he could read more about how he drums with his feet. I felt really old telling him about how I remember when it happened, etc...seems SO long ago!

[Ksyrup]

My son was fascinated that Rick Allen only has one arm, we had to hit wiki during commercials so he could read more about how he drums with his feet. I felt really old telling him about how I remember when it happened, etc...seems SO long ago!

It was. :(

[Kodos]

At this point, I think he's been without the arm longer than he had it.

[Kodos]

Well, the Jimmy Kimmel stuff was definitely live. Sounded okay. Joe is still kinda hoarse, but he did an okay job.

[dickysty]

I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned Rush.

Rush is touring again this summer and the boys sound as good as they did back in the 80's. :D

No warmup band just 2 1/2 hours of new and old favorites. If you get a chance to see them go! You won't be disappointed.

[Mota]

You know, the band I always used to get mixed up with Danger Danger back in 1988.

I used to really like these bands too. I just ripped my Trixter CD onto my Ipod and wonder what was wrong with me.

I still like a ton of 80's music, but that's not one of my faves.

[Kodos]

Trixter is one of the rare 80s bands that I never liked.

[Kodos]

hxxp://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080504/music_nm/leppard_dc_1

Here's an interview with Joe Elliott about DL's new album.

Def Leppard's Joe Elliott offers glimpse into "Lounge"

By Gary Graff
Sun May 4, 6:45 PM ET

DETROIT (Billboard) - The title of Def Leppard's latest album, "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge," spurs an obvious question: What's a Sparkle Lounge?

According to band frontman Joe Elliott, it was a special room with recording equipment set up backstage at each of the group's 2007 shows. He says as time went on, "the crew started having a bit of fun with it, putting in sparkly lights, candles, incense -- you name it. It turned into this very atmospheric little work space."

The Sparkle Lounge was the incubator for the songs on the group's new album -- its 14th studio effort and first of all-new material since 2002's "X." Final recording was done at Elliott's Joe's Garage studio in Dublin.

Most of the 11 tracks -- including first single "Nine Lives," a collaboration with Tim McGraw that is being played on National Basketball Association telecasts -- recall a vintage Def Leppard sound, which Elliott says was not an accident.

Q: "Sparkle Lounge" sounds like a kind of default Def Leppard album, something that's almost "easy" for the band to make.

Joe Elliott: Well, yeah, I suppose that's one way of putting it. There was a thought process behind it that we wanted to deliver a specific kind of record, but that specific kind of record was, if you like, a nonspecific kind of record. We weren't going to try to theme it to the point of "Pyromania," where it's got a drum sound that was definitive in 1983 ... (or) "Hysteria," when we had a definite, like, overall '80s sound.

With this one it was a case of, "Let's just hone in on the songwriting and we'll use 2008 production techniques, if you like, to make it sound more like a '70s record." It sounds very complicated, but it actually wasn't.

Q: Did doing a covers album (2005's "Yeah") before this have any impact on "Sparkle Lounge?"

Elliott: I think a lot of it is overspill from the "Yeah" album. When we went in to do the covers record we didn't have to worry at all about one word or one note from a writing point of view; all we did was ... record these songs that made us all, (at) the age of 10 or 11 or 12, plead for our first guitar.

So then when it came to this one, it was a case of, "Alright, let's try to sit down and write some songs that, if we were out buying records, they would be the kinds of songs we (would) want to buy." So we all just sat down and wrote what we thought were meaningful songs.

Q: Was the Sparkle Lounge on the road a place where songs were written or did you already have the ideas?

Elliott: Well, we're notoriously terrible at writing on the road. We just can't do it. You can't write a song like you can build a cabinet; the best idea is you lock yourself away in a room and you just do it, and it might take three or four days until it comes to a natural ending. What we did with (the Sparkle Lounge) was we took a lot of songs that were already half-written, and it was a lot easier. We'd go in and really work on these songs, and by the time we started recording them we knew them really well, and there was not that much of a learning process ... So it was probably the best recording situation for new music we've ever had.

Q: How did the Tim McGraw collaboration happen on "Nine Lives?"

Elliott: I'll try to make a long story short. (laughs) Sav's (bassist Rick Savage's) brother Robert is Tim's tour manager. We've kind of known Tim and Faith Hill are huge Leppard fans and have been for many years. When we played the Hollywood Bowl in 2006, Tim happened to be in L.A., so we invited him down; it was one of those, "Hey, man, you want to get up and do something?" So we did "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which went down really well.

We had a good laugh that night, and lo and behold, when we came through Nashville just a short while later, he came down to soundcheck and we ended up in the Sparkle Lounge, and that's where the song was conceived.

Q: And now everybody thinks Def Leppard is going country!

Elliott: (laughs) People have been bringing that question up: "You guys have gone country?" "No! Tim went rock!" And truth be known, that's really what he did. If you listen to the record, he goes off on his own kind of twangy tangent for the beginning part, but after that, even me and him could barely distinguish one from another.... So he really stepped up to the plate in the rock sense.

Q: What kind of commercial pressure do you feel when you put out a new Def Leppard album now?

Elliott: The commercial pressure actually comes after we've delivered a record. The fact of the matter is we don't allow anybody anywhere near us when we're making records -- it's what I call the Roger Waters syndrome; nobody's going to tell Roger Waters how to make a Pink Floyd album, and rightfully so. Same thing with us.... I know some people might think that someone shoved Tim McGraw in our face, but it wasn't like that at all. That was something we chose to do, and it caused a certain ripple in the media.

Q: Who is the Def Leppard audience these days?

Elliott: I think logic would say it's a continuation of the audience we've always had. But having said that, and without wanting to extend a cliche, 'cause I'm sure you hear from every band our age that "our audience seems to be getting younger" -- it really is in our case! (laughs) At the last few shows, even the casino gig we did, there were, like, 10-year-old kids, albeit with their parents.

I just think anybody that likes a great commercial pop-rock song, or a rock song, is potentially a Leppard fan.

We just have to get them on board, and in this day and age it's very hard. There's no MTV anymore. There's none of that kind of stuff. So getting the NBA to play our song for (telecasts) is great for a band like us. It's a little bit like the Who being on the "CSI" shows or when (Led) Zeppelin got the Cadillac ads. It's an extra bit that helps get the point across that we're still around and still good at doing it.

Reuters/Billboard

[Ksyrup]

Don't think this has been posted yet:


Billy Idol Joins Def Leppard Tour

(antiMusic) That "Rebel Yell" you just heard was the reaction of some 80s rock fans when they heard the news that Def Leppard have tapped Billy Idol to support them on a string of summer dates.


Def Leppard is in the midst of a world tour and have already crossed North America twice and they return this summer for another leg of the tour. This time in support of their new album "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge".

The good news is that Billy Idol will support them on seven of those dates. The bad news, at least for U.S. fans, is five of those dates are in Canada. But it may give diehards an excuse for a road trip. Support acts for the first two dates of the outing have not been announced yet, so there may still be hope.

They have also lined up one date with Styx/Reo Speedwagon. All of the dates are below:

Def Leppard have announced that they will receive support from Billy Idol some of their upcoming North American dates.

Def Leppard's North American dates include:
08/1 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center
08/2 - Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Center
08/6 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Coliseum (with Billy Idol)
08/7 - London, ON - John Labatt Centre (with Billy Idol)
08/9 - Quebec City, QC - Colisee Pepsi (with Billy Idol)
08/10 - Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place (with Billy Idol)
08/13 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre (with Billy Idol)
08/15 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena (with Billy Idol)
08/20 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Memorial Coliseum (with Billy Idol)
08/23 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena (with Styx/Reo Speedwagon)

[st.cronin]

Maybe somebody in this thread can id this song:

There's some lines about a juke box, with a simple guitar riff at moderate tempo. The chorus goes something like:

"They don't write 'em like that anymore. They just don't write 'em like that anymore."

I have heard this song many times over the years, but I have no idea of the artist or the name of the song.

[Ksyrup]

Greg Kihn Band - The Breakup Song?

I don't remember any lyrics about a jukebox, though.

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

There is a quick reference to jukebox in that song, so that's gotta be it.

[st.cronin]

I think that's probably it, good job Ksyrup.

[Kodos]

Anyone listened to Whitesnake's new album yet?

[dickysty]

Anyone listened to Whitesnake's new album yet?

I've spun it a few times, sounds really good to me. Go to Amazon.com and checkout a few reviews, all seem pretty positive.

[Ksyrup]

EXTREME Make Much-Anticipated Return To The Stage In Support Of 'Saudades de Rock' - Their First Studio Album in 13 Years'

TAKE US ALIVE' World Tour Launches In Poughkeepsie, New York on July 29

All Tickets Go On Sale Nationally Weekend of May 16th


EXTREME will make their much-anticipated return to the stage this summer in support of Saudades de Rock (pronounced "sow-dodge"), their first studio album in thirteen years. The multi-platinum, Boston-bred band's 2008 'TAKE US ALIVE' world tour gets underway on July 29th at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and will be anchored by a hometown gig two days later at the Bank of America Pavilion. In advance of the tour, EXTREME will be a co-headliner on July 11th at the five day Rocklahoma Festival in Pryor, OK.

The iconic rock foursome – vocalist GARY CHERONE, guitarist NUNO BETTENCOURT, bassist PAT BADGER and new drummer KEVIN FIGUEIREDO – will be supported by King's X on all North American dates. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp will offer additional support .. dates.

Information on the groundbreaking new album Saudades de Rock-- which was produced by BETTENCOURT at L.A.'s NRG studios and is planned for release to coincide with the tour--is forthcoming. Fans can expect the same unwavering songcraft and diverse musical approach that made EXTREME legendary. Simply put, EXTREME's fifth studio offering– which boasts the infectious roar of "STAR," the groove-laden, swagger of "KING", a raw funk rock anthem called "LEARN TO LOVE", and the expressive ballad "GHOST"–just may be its finest hour yet.

As excited as the members of EXTREME are by their latest musical accomplishment, they can't wait to take it to the stage. "As much as we enjoy recording, for me, I've always loved playing live for the fans," CHERONE says. "We can't wait to get out there and play this music."

"We wanted to record as much of the new album as possible live in the studio," BETTENCOURT adds. "And because of it, these songs will translate easily to the stage. We're really looking forward to getting out on tour, putting on a show. That's really where the band shines."

"We always knew EXTREME was special," the guitarist says of the completion of EXTREME's long-awaited fifth album. "We always knew it was a matter of time."

The Grammy-nominated EXTREME have released four studio albums to date, plus a greatest hits set. Selling over 10 million records worldwide on the strength of multiple world tours, the group achieved a 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1991 with "More Than Words". Culled from their 1990 multi-platinum album, EXTREME II: Pornograffitti, the disc also produced the Top 5 hit "Hole Hearted."

Although these two acoustic hits brought the band great mainstream success, they overshadowed the band's trademark sound: a mix of hard rock funk in the spirit and style of their predecessors in Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen and Van Halen. Fueled by BETTENCOURT's signature guitar flights and CHERONE's resonant vocals, the band's socially conscious lyrics set them apart from their peers. In 1992, the band was asked by Queen's Brian May to perform at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert. As the world watched, the band earned considerable credibility within and beyond the hard rock fraternity.

Here are EXTREME's Confirmed 2008 Tour Dates:

DATE CITY/STATE VENUE

7/11/2008 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma

7/29/2008 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance

7/31/2008 Boston, MA BOA Pavilion*

8/1/2008 Long Island, NY Brookhaven Amphitheater**

8/2/2008 Baltimore, MD Ram's Head*

8/4/2008 New York, NY The Fillmore East at Irving Plaza*

8/5/2008 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club

8/6/2008 Cleveland, OH House of Blues*

8/8/2008 Detroit,MI Harpo's

8/9/2008 Chicago, IL House of Blues*

8/10/2008 Cincinnati, OH Union Center Blvd Bash

8/12/2008 Charlotte, NC TBA

8/13/2008 Atlanta, GA Center Stage*

8/15/2008 Orlando, FL House of Blues*

8/16/2008 Ft Lauderdale, FL Revolution

8/18/2008 New Orleans, LA House of Blues*

8/19/2008 Houston, TX Meridian

8/20/2008 Dallas, TX House of Blues*

8/22/2008 Phoenix, AZ The Marquee*

8/23/2008 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues*

8/25/2008 San Francisco, CA Fillmore*

8/26/2008 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues*



*Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp

**Living Colour

[Kodos]

Cool. I've liked Extreme for a long time. I think Waiting For The Punchline was their last album before the Van Halen debacle -- good stuff.

[Ksyrup]

Not specifically 80s, but close enough, This should be cool. I've seen The Story of Metal, it's quite good. Looking forward to A Headbanger's Journey - I've heard about it, but haven't seen it yet.



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=522 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD background=images/news_top.gif colSpan=3 height=42><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=522><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center height=42>VH1 CLASSIC Celebrates Metal With A Memorial Day Weekend Marathon - May 20, 2008 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=regular bgColor=#9c9c9c colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=10 border=0 cellpading="0"><TBODY><TR><TD>This Memorial Day weekend VH1 (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97368#) Classic documents more than 30 years of one of music's most passionate genres with "Metal Weekend". Beginning on Friday, May 23 the network "for classic music lovers" sets the stage for a heavy metal marathon including some of the most memorable concerts, chilling documentaries, and all-access looks at the artists behind this powerful and often controversial music genre. Throughout the weekend metal fans everywhere can saturate themselves with music from KISS, METALLICA (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97368#), JUDAS PRIEST, PANTERA and more.

VH1Classic.com will also join the metal madness with extensive programming online. In addition to premiering "My Playlist: Judas Priest" simultaneously with the on-air premiere on Friday, May 23, the online home to all things classic music will offer a massive amount of metal playlists including "40 Greatest Metal Songs", "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock", "Box Set: Metalica", and "Box Set: Kiss". Additional video (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97368#) compilations, playlists and video content will rollout online at the beginning of the weekend.

* "My Playlist: Judas Priest" Premieres on VH1 Classic and VH1Classic.com Friday, May 23 at 8:00 PM ET/PT

VH1 Classic's "My Playlist: Judas Priest" features the band's top ten videos (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97368#) of all-time. In a new and exclusive interview, viewers will hear from the band about the videos they loved back in the day and the ones that still get them excited today. Videos that will be featured include "Rock You Like A Hurricane" by the SCORPIONS; "Practice What You Preach" by TESTAMENT; "Ace of Spades" by MOTÖRHEAD, and "Breaking the Law" by JUDAS PRIEST.

* "Classic in Concert: Mötley Crüe - Carnival of Sins" Premieres on Friday, May 23 at 9:00 PM ET/PT

The premiere of the newest installment of "Classic in Concert" captures the original CRÜE members Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee in 2005 in a stage show that sets a new standard. This "circus gone bad" concept takes place under a circus tent stage complete with demonic clowns and a fire-breathing midget, seductive aerialists and demonic clowns that will keep you roaring for more. The CRÜE prove themselves still more than capable, playing a mixture of old favorites and new songs to a crowd of equally mixed ages as the crowd goes wild for songs like "Dr. Feelgood" and "Girls, Girls, Girls".

* "Behind The Music: Pantera" Airs on Saturday, May 24 at 10:00 PM ET/PT

In the early '90s, when hair metal was being sheared from the charts by grunge and earnest hard-rockers like GUNS N' ROSES and PANTERA righteously flew the hard-edged heavy metal flag, almost single-handedly saving the genre from extinction. On the road, PANTERA's traveling show was legendary for its debauchery. Vinnie Paul and the late "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott were known to imbibe a cocktail or ten before, during and after gigs. "Behind the Music: Pantera" uncovers the true story of this resilient, hard-rocking band.

* "VH1 Classic Rock Docs: Metal - A Headbanger's Journey" Airs on Sunday, May 25 at 9:00 PM ET/PT

The film follows 30-year old anthropologist and avid metal music fan Sam Dunn's journey into the heart of heavy metal to study the plight of a different culture, one he has been a part of since he was a 12-year old: the culture of heavy metal. Dunn sets out on a global journey to find out why this music has been consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned and yet is loved so passionately by its millions of fans. Throughout the film, fans weigh in, as well as metal gods including RUSH's Geddy Lee, Ronnie James Dio, Alice Cooper, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy, musician and horror icon Rob Zombie, MÖTLEY CRÜE's Vince Neil and IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson about the stereotypes of heavy metal music and why this music genre is still loved so passionately by millions of fans. This documentary is the first of its kind. It is both a defense of a long-misunderstood art form and a window for the outsider into the spectacle that is heavy metal.

* "Rock and Roll Picture Show: Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" Airs on Sunday, May 25 at 11:00 PM ET/PT

Award-winning filmmakers Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger (of the "Paradise Lost" films on HBO) direct "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster", a documentary about rock stars in therapy. After 20 years of heavy metal, a few members of METALLICA decide to hire psychologist Phil Towle to work out some group tensions during the making of their album "St. Anger". Band members Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett work through the difficulties of the group's dynamics, personal demons and relationship issues. The film also features recording sessions, the recruitment of bassist Robert Trujillo, the much-publicized controversies of Internet file-sharing, and Hetfield's drug rehabilitation.

* "Heavy: The Story of Metal" Airs on Monday, May 26 at 8:00 PM ET/PT

What Ken Burns did for jazz, VH1 does for heavy metal — only a lot louder. "Heavy: The Story of Metal" traces the evolution of heavy metal music and culture, from its dark, grim beginnings in Birmingham, England to the worldwide force that it remains to this day. In a series of four chronological hours, "Heavy: The Story of Metal" explores four decades of music, each hour examining this powerful and often misunderstood genre, from metal's pioneers to its love of glam and excess; from the fight for metal's rebellious soul to its storied flirtation with the devil.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not specifically 80s, but close enough, This should be cool. I've seen The Story of Metal, it's quite good. Looking forward to A Headbanger's Journey - I've heard about it, but haven't seen it yet.

It's pretty good in spots, not quite Fall of Western Civilization, Pt 2 but some good moments. I particularly like the "family tree" snippets that show how different niches led to the next, heck I think you could do at least a couple of hours just doing that sort of thing. Don't miss the Euro Black/Death/Satan metal segment, freaky beyond description complete with guys who burn churches.

[Buccaneer]

Finally, Chicago's "lost" album


(CNN) -- Some fans of the band Chicago thought this day would never come. Many have waited 15 years for it.
An album the band recorded in 1993 finally goes on sale Tuesday, long after a squabble between the group and its former record company shelved the project.
The album's release by Rhino Records has set off a wave of excitement on Chicago's fan club Web site.
"I am waaaaay excited about this," said a fan nicknamed "sprout." "I've been hearing about these songs for years, and now I'll actually get to hear them for myself! Yea!!!!!!"
"I am really glad to see Rhino finally releasing a forgotten masterpiece," another fan said.
The album, "Stone of Sisyphus," takes its name from a character in Greek mythology who rolls a heavy stone up a hill only to have it roll back down -- again and again -- for eternity.
"It's very apropos, isn't it?" producer Peter Wolf said. "It took us 15 years to see the light of day."
The album harkens back to the band's socially conscious early days, recorded in a style much different from the light-rock ballads that sent Chicago to the top of the pop charts.
The band formed in 1967, committed to the concept of a rock 'n' roll band with horns. First called The Big Thing, the group was known as Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on its debut album before taking its present name.
In more than four decades, Chicago has sold more than 122 million recordings. It had five consecutive No. 1 albums and has had more than 50 Top-40 singles.
The band became a staple of underground FM and college radio stations a few years after forming. Disc jockeys talking in low, slow tones feasted on tracks like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Beginnings."
Listeners debated the meaning of "25 or 6 to 4." Some said it was about an LSD trip, and that got it banned from some radio stations. Chicago was so hip that Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix invited the group on tour.
Yet that sense of cool was lost as Chicago launched a string of successful -- if horn-muted -- ballads in the late 1970s and 1980s. Producer David Foster (http://topics.cnn.com/topics/david_foster) is credited with resurrecting Chicago's career and shoving it into overdrive by downplaying the band's traditional sound in favor of more synthesizers and ballads.
Foster's formula thrust singer Peter Cetera into the spotlight. Chicago became a pop music juggernaut. Cetera left in 1985 after "Chicago 17," the group's biggest-selling album, and was replaced by Jason Scheff, son of Elvis Presley's former bassist, Jerry Scheff.
But little changed as the band continued to roll out a familiar string of pop ballads - topped by the million-selling "Look Away" in 1988.
By the early 1990s, however, producer Wolf was happy to oblige band members after learning that they wanted to return to their roots.
"I was always a huge Chicago fan. It was a natural thing for me wanting them to sound like the Chicago I love," Wolf said. "They have an incredibly identifiable horn sound. You have to bring that out or you're not doing it right."
The band was on a mission to bring back the old sound, said former Chicago guitarist Dawayne Bailey, who composed the title track of the new album.
"The entire project was a direct and deliberate response to what they had been releasing up to that point " he said.
Chicago brought back the horns and the rock 'n' roll attitude on "Stone of Sisyphus," but Warner Brothers Records (http://topics.cnn.com/topics/warner_bros_records_inc) shelved the project.
"It was a little too adventuresome, shall we say, for the label at the time," trombonist and founding member James Pankow recalled on A&E's "Private Sessions." "They were expecting another 'If You Leave Me Now,' 'Hard to Say I'm Sorry.'"
Wolf said the rejection had little to do with the music.
"It was only about politics and greed," Wolf said, "nothing to do with the talent."
"They heard the album and they didn't get it," Pankow said. "They asked us to go back and do it again and we said, 'Sorry, this is where we're at.'"
Trumpeter Lee Loughnane said the band was "dumbfounded" by the rejection.
"We had finished and released 21 previous recordings," he said, "so I guess the shock of our first rejection took a little time for us to get used to."
When the band left Warner Bros, they took the album with them. They shifted their focus to other projects, other songs, but the fans did not forget. They passed along rumors that the album would come out in the mid- 1990s, but that didn't happen.
A few fans obtained taped copies of the album. They would copy the tapes and trade them by mail, each successive copy worse than the one before.
Hard-core fans yearned to hear the Chicago of old -- with the trademark horn style -- but Chicago continued in the 1990s to record the type of ballads members said they wanted to get away from. That only increased fans' curiosity about "Stone of Sisyphus."
Chicago teased its fans in 2003, making three tracks from the album available as part of a four-CD, career-spanning box set.
Fans weren't satisfied.
"All the fans have been e-mailing us again and again to release the record," Wolf said. "Nothing could hold it back."
A few versions of the "lost" album became available for download on the Internet, but that was a bootleg release, and relatively few people knew about it.
Now the album is available to the general public, a varied collection with the Chicago horns up front and prominent.
The styles range from rock to pop to soul -- true to the band's Grammy-winning, genre-blending formula -- with a few ballads thrown in for good measure.
"Even though there's still some soft, fuzzy ballads ... that we were supposedly getting away from," Bailey said, "the lyric edge in (the) songs proves that we were going for more organic true expression over uninspired canned radio product."
The band hopes "Stone of Sisyphus" reminds its most ardent fans of a sound that launched the band in the late 1960s.
"Good things come to those who wait," Loughnane said.

[Kodos]

I bet the record execs are trying to say "It's Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry".

[Buccaneer]

JOURNEY SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST TOUR ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK

March 26, 2008 – Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.

JOURNEY--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and new lead singer Arnel Pineda—is hitting the road to promote REVELATION, the highly anticipated three-disc CD/DVD package set for release June 3 exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

<!-- THE POST -->

This was a fun concert, three very different styles. Cheap Trick is always a fun band, esp. the antics of Rick Nielsen. Heart? Well, I'm biased. It was great to see them again and the love the audience gave to them. Journey was interesting. The core was there but the new guy made it seem like a tribute band. He probably does the best cover of Journey songs in the world, which is why they hired him. So much energy, esp. compared to the old guys. Neal had quite a bit of technical problems but he was also trying to ignore the wild but great lead singer. I had wondered about the setup, given that we had three bands. Cheap Trick right at 7:00 and played exactly 45 minutes. Then it was a very tight 15 minutes set change. Heart then played for 45 plus after 5 minutes of encore call that never let up, they came out and played for 10 more minutes. Another 15 minutes later and Journey was on.

Now the interesting part - the audience. The place holds 15,000 (I think) but it was jammed with 20,000 people. 19,000 of those people were 30-something, 40-something and 50-something. The rest were pre-teens and teens dragged there by their boomer parents, even though I did see a number of them with Def Leppard t-shirts. Some of the crowd antics (esp. those older than me) looked like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/WaltDuncan.png

:)

My impression is that, despite most being there for Journey, they were surprised at good Heart was. I also don't think they were totally prepared for Arnel Pineda (unless one has seen him on YouTube), esp. when compared to Cheap Trick being the same 4 and Heart still with Ann and Nancy.

If you can go to this concert, I would highly recommend it, esp. if you can get great seats like I did.

[thealmighty]

I'll be at the concert Sunday evening in Dallas. Anyone else going?

[kcchief19]

This was a fun concert, three very different styles. Cheap Trick is always a fun band, esp. the antics of Rick Nielsen. Heart? Well, I'm biased. It was great to see them again and the love the audience gave to them. Journey was interesting. The core was there but the new guy made it seem like a tribute band. He probably does the best cover of Journey songs in the world, which is why they hired him. So much energy, esp. compared to the old guys. Neal had quite a bit of technical problems but he was also trying to ignore the wild but great lead singer. I had wondered about the setup, given that we had three bands. Cheap Trick right at 7:00 and played exactly 45 minutes. Then it was a very tight 15 minutes set change. Heart then played for 45 plus after 5 minutes of encore call that never let up, they came out and played for 10 more minutes. Another 15 minutes later and Journey was on.

My impression is that, despite most being there for Journey, they were surprised at good Heart was. I also don't think they were totally prepared for Arnel Pineda (unless one has seen him on YouTube), esp. when compared to Cheap Trick being the same 4 and Heart still with Ann and Nancy.

If you can go to this concert, I would highly recommend it, esp. if you can get great seats like I did.
I had a friend who saw the tour and had a very similar review -- Heart was pretty much the highlight with a great performance, and that the new lead singer in Journey was a phenomenal Steve Perry impersonator.

Wish the tour was coming to KC. We're getting Journey but only be themselves without Heart and Cheap Trick.

[DrAFTjunkie]

My first concert was Cinderella/White Lion. I was never really into White Lion too much, but hearing Vito Bratta live was nice. Cinderella put on a great show. It "snowed" all over the place during "Long Cold Winter" and then they lowered Tom Keifer from the celing playing his piano at the beginning of "Don't Know What You Got."

Cinderella are one of the few "hair metal" bands I can still listen to along with Tesla, Exteme, Skid Row (esp. Slave to the Grind) and old Crue.

I have to admit though, I was expecting to hear more talk about The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies...maybe some Missing Persons. No love?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Tonight it's Poison/Dokken/Bach for an outdoor show in Atlanta, another father-son outing for me.

Y'know what kind of sucks though? I'm not particularly amped about the show at all. Only 40-45 minutes for each of the openers and the rest is headliner which is the least interesting part of the whole thing for me. Dokken has yet to play a single song from the new album on the opening act segment of the tour and the word on Don's voice seems pretty bad. Getting old is a bitch.

Sigh.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, the show turned out a little better than I expected in some ways last night.

Sebastian opened, was a fair enough show. All the crowd pop was for the old material as expected, on the whole the lineup with him is ... serviceable.

Dokken did manage to include one new song (Standing On the Outside) in their set which was a plus to me. Downside is that Don's voice is a long way from what it once was, to the point of rearranging bits of songs trying to cover it, i.e. phrases that used to climb at the end now come down the vocal scale instead. On the whole I guess that's better than trying to hit notes you simply don't have left in you anymore. I didn't sense any lack of effort on his part last night (which seemed to be something drawing some criticism on the 'net of late) but I just don't think the body is willing no matter what the spirit is up for.

Poison are what they are. Not exactly the hardest rocking band on the planet, really in full blown entertainment mode at this point & they're actually pretty good at that. Lots of aging drunk soccer moms in full shriek at several points in the show, lots of significant others of said soccer moms tolerating the whole deal.

Not an awful night, not the greatest concert experience of my life either, just sort of is what it is. Kind of makes me sad to think that might be the last time I see a Dokken lineup in person though, as I can't really imagine they'll continue on much longer (or at least that they should carry on much longer at this point).

[Kodos]

This song really brings me back to my childhood and watching MTV all day long at my best friend Greg's house. That Janet Jones was a hottie...

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[Kodos]

I wonder how many hundreds of times I must have watched this. Around 1:51 was always a highlight.

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[JonInMiddleGA]

I didn't realize until a few days ago that the current incarnation of Foreigner has Kelly Hansen (ex-Hurricane) on vocals along with Jeff Pilson on bass.

[Grammaticus]

Hurricane, wow I haven't heard that bands name in something like 20 years. I remember that song "I'm On To You" or something like that.

[Kodos]

Going to see Cheap Trick / Poison / Def Leppard tonight. Looking forward to hearing "Surrender" live, as that's my favorite Cheap Trick song. Kinda meh on Poison (used to be a favorite, but I know a girl who is psycho about Bret Michaels and it has turned me off to them a bit). I hope it doesn't thunderstorm like it's supposed to, as we have lawn seats.

JimG: As far as Jeff Pilson being in Foreigner now goes, I guess that means that Don Dokken is the only original member of "Dokken" left at this point? Or is the drummer (Mick Mars?) still with them?

[Ksyrup]

I'm taking thewife to see Journey/Heart for a late anniversary present in August at the KY State Fair.

Dokken's drummer was Mick Brown, btw. I thinnk you are mixing his name with the guitarist from Motley Crue.

[JonInMiddleGA]

JimG: As far as Jeff Pilson being in Foreigner now goes, I guess that means that Don Dokken is the only original member of "Dokken" left at this point? Or is the drummer (Mick Mars?) still with them?

I'll just go ahead & assume you meant Mick Brown :D

He's still officially part of the group although he did not do the last tour with them due to his commitment to Ted Nugent who signed him before Dokken was asked to join the Poison tour in '08. Jeff Martin (from Racer X) filled in.

Pilson was replaced by Barry Sparks as far back as 2001 but first recorded with them on Hell To Pay in 2004 best I can tell. Chris McCarvill (House of Lords) filled in for him last summer as he was dealing with visa issues for his Italian wife.

[Kodos]

Yep, Mick Brown was who I meant. I've always been bad with names.

For the most part, Dokken fell off my radar as soon as Don did his first solo album. Although I saw them on New Year's Eve 1999, as they we supporting Def Leppard. Sadly, I enjoyed Enuffz Enuff (or whatever they were called) more than Dokken that night.

[Kodos]

Also, as an update, it is now a downpour with thunder and lightning. But, plently of time for it to pass over us I guess.

[Kodos]

Didn't see much of Cheap Trick, as we got there late due to the weather (heavy rain storm on the way up), but I did get to hear Surrender. Poison was decent, and Def Leppard was great, as always. The show will actually be on a new VH1 series called Loud and Live Fridays (or something like that) which starts this Friday night. I had lawn seats, so no danger of seeing a big green slimy guy in the crowd. ;) At least the rain stayed away until the last few songs by Def Leppard.

I'm getting old. We got home at 1:30 last night, and I was pretty tired this morning...

[Ksyrup]

Speaking of feeling old. Transcendence was a great album...RIP.


BLABBERMOUTH.NET has learned that former CRIMSON GLORY frontman Midnight (real name: John Patrick Jr. McDonald) passed away earlier today (Wednesday, July 8) from "total kidney and liver failure." He was 47 years old.

According to JON OLIVA'S PAIN guitarist Matt LaPorte, who played on some of Midnight's recent solo recordings, the singer spent his final hours surrounded by his mother, brother, daughter as well as members of CRIMSON GLORY, SAVATAGE, and JON OLIVA'S PAIN. His death occurred at 3:45 a.m EST at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

"I will miss my partner Midnight — the greatest voice and friend I've ever known," LaPorte told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. He added, "In spite of his demons, [Midnight] was a beautiful soul who constantly changed the lives of those he met and came into contact with."

Midnight sang on CRIMSON GLORY's first three albums — "Crimson Glory" (1986), "Transcendence" (1988) and "Strange and Beautiful" (1991) — before going into self-imposed exile for almost a decade. He eventually rejoined CRIMSON GLORY in 2005 but was dismissed in January 2007 following the revelation that he was arrested in Sarasota, Florida and charged with "DUI [driving under the influence] with .20 [blood-alcohol level] or higher or having a passenger under 18" years of age. Midnight, who gave his occupation as "painter" to the authorities at the time of the arrest, was also cited for driving with a suspended/ cancelled/ revoked license.

Last fall, Midnight announced plans to release a new solo CD called "All Souls Midnight" which was to feature the "Acoustic Crimson" EP (four songs) along with the lost "Midnight Mass" recordings from the late '80s/early '90s plus some other "cool rarities."

[MJ4H]

I don't ever visit this thread, but I wanted to let anyone that will listen know that I get a little thrill everytime the chorus of Toto's Africa rolls around. Particularly the little lift in the harmony part right on the first syllable of the word "Africa."

hell yes

[Kodos]

Gonna take a lot to take me away from you...

[Ksyrup]

I don't ever visit this thread, but I wanted to let anyone that will listen know that I get a little thrill everytime the chorus of Toto's Africa rolls around. Particularly the little lift in the harmony part right on the first syllable of the word "Africa."

hell yes

For you...


<OBJECT height=340 width=560>


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[MJ4H]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2713049064_a756f5dceb.jpg

[Kodos]

What? Picard doesn't find 80s music to be "Engage"ing?

[Ksyrup]

Don't worry...I'm sure it will show up on Glee at some point and everyone will think it is fantastic.

[Ksyrup]

As long as they leave off the obligatory 80s cover song (last album's Back in Black, ugh!), I'll be looking forward to this:

Living Colour readies new studio album
By Michael D. Ayers Michael D. Ayers Thu Jul 9, 12:29 am ET

NEW YORK (Billboard) – The cult of personality will be revived this fall, when purveyors of hard funk-rock Living Color return with "The Chair in the Doorway" -- the band's first set of new material in nearly six years.

Due September 15 on Megaforce Records, the 11-song set was recorded in numerous locations over the last few years, with a majority of the sessions taking place at Sono Studios outside Prague in the Czech Republic.

According to lead singer Corey Glover, most of the material came to fruition after the band was asked to re-record "Cult of Personality" for "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock." From there, the group fleshed out songs when on tour and while Glover had time off from touring duties as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar."

"We recorded everywhere. We even recorded during shows -- ideas that came up during shows turned into songs," Glover told Billboard.com. "(Bassist) Doug (Wimbish) made up a lot of grooves; we took a lot of grooves we had from soundchecks and gigs -- and he sort of codified and made a library of that stuff."

In 1988, Living Color made its mark in the rock world with its multiplatinum debut, "Vivid," an album that yielded a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for the song "Cult of Personality." In 1990, the follow-up album's titular track, "Time's Up," won in the same category. The group slowed down considerably after 1993's "Stain," but all the members have been active with various projects over the years.

Guitarist Vernon Reid has worked with Mick Jagger, Tracy Chapman and, recently, Somali-Canadian rapper K'Naan. Drummer Will Calhoun has contributed his talents to albums by Mos Def, Kaki King, Herb Alpert and Wayne Shorter, as well as recording his own jazz-oriented releases. Wimbish also has branched out to work in many genres, taking part in sessions with the Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, Placebo, Talib Kweli, BT and Annie Lennox.

Glover said the perception over the years has been that Living Color broke up and have entered a reunion stage of their career, but he's quick to dispel those notions. "Everyone sees the video and thinks we're a band from the '80s or we broke up or we're not together," he said. "But it's not a reunion thing. In some form or another, all of us have been playing with each other. Will and Doug have a band that I would sit in every now and then. Vernon had a band that I'd come in and do some stuff. Even in those times when we weren't together, we were still playing together."

"The Chair in the Doorway" retains Glover's signature, impassioned vocals, set against a mix of hard rock, funk metal and blues-influenced arrangements. For Glover, the record revolves around the theme of introspection.

"Because we are older, we got kids -- that's the impetus for the name of the album," he said. "Sometimes it's the most ridiculous things (that) are the most obvious. The most obvious thing to me is 'Yeah, we are older. Yeah we live in a post-9/11 world.' ... But we still got to eat. I can't let the world stop me from being me."

[Matthean]

I was a huge Living Colour fan back in the day, but the last album was near impossible to get into so I'm not holding out for much hope. I'll be happy as anybody if it's good though.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

[JonInMiddleGA]

New Lynch Mob album releases in Europe mid-September, in the U.S. in October.
Samples for three songs & some details of how George got back together with vocalist Oni Logan are here (http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news09/0710lyn.shtml)

Samples are kind of bluesy on 2 of 3 tracks, can still definitely hear Lynch in 'em though.

[Lathum]

I saw lynch mob years ago with Cinderella and Nelson

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, don't laugh but ... the new Winger single kicks pretty good ass. Reb Beach nails it on Pull Me Under, apparently the first track for radio from the forthcoming album Karma, set for Oct 16th release in Europe & Oct 27th in the US.

Samples of four tracks at http://www.wingertheband.com/i.php?p=HEAR

[Galaxy]

Great thread. Love the 80's (I think the sound even runs a little into the first three, maybe four, years of the 90's). From the rock guys like Guns N' Roses and AC/DC. to the very 80's-sounding music that you just grove to, all the way to the "cheesy" or soft/pop (or rock pop) music. Lot of one-hit/album wonders as well

[JonInMiddleGA]

I guess I'd been under a rock more than I realized lately.

I didn't know that Ronnie James Dio had been diagnosed with stomach cancer & was already undergoing chemo. First treatment went well according to his wife.

KNAC.COM - News - Ronnie James Dio Aces 1st Chemo Treatment wi (http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7307)

Fuck cancer. C'mon Ronnie, kick its ass.

[Ksyrup]

Go to You Tube and search for Rock Sugar. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Go to You Tube and search for Rock Sugar. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy.

Prepare To Be Blown AWAY! - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=76792&highlight=sugar)

[JonInMiddleGA]

And while I'm in the thread, some good news
Sleaze Roxx: Ronnie James Dio's Tumor Has Shrunk Considerably (http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news10/0313dio.shtml)

Ronnie James Dio's wife Wendy has issued the following update regarding Dio's battle with cancer.

"Well, now it has been Ronnie's 7th chemo, another cat scan and another endoscopy, and the results are good -- the main tumor has shrunk considerably, and our visits to Houston are now every three weeks instead of every two weeks.

Ronnie and Vinny went down to the studio to have a listen and see how the DVD is coming along, NOT to overdub anything as presumed by Hoss2112 or Shattered 73 on the Blabbermouth rants. I was very annoyed to read these comments, and if they were truly fans of Ronnie's, they would know #1) that Ronnie is a SINGER and does not need to overdub a live show, and #2) He would never cheat his fans by overdubbing a Live DVD. I will not be showing these comments to Ronnie, as I know they would hurt and upset him as they did me. He has been going to the REHEARSAL studio to sing, not the recording studio!

Ronnie's cousin Rock (from The Rods, who used to be in Elf with him) flew in from New York to visit Ronnie for a week and they enjoyed spending some time together, going to the movies and taking walks, and Ronnie and Rock went to the studio to master Rock's new album, which Ronnie sings a track on. And Craig Goldy will be coming over to start writing new songs with Ronnie next week. It will be great to see him again, as he has been away touring with the British band Budgie.

That's all I can think of right now until the next update. God bless you all and we are still reading all the wonderful cards and letters."

[JonInMiddleGA]

Also, the first single from the forthcoming (April 20) Ratt release Infestation

Here's Eat Me Up Alive
<object width="420" height="230"><param name="movie" value="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/widgets/audioplayer_swf/3016"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/widgets/audioplayer_swf/3016" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="230"></embed></object>

Hmm ... doesn't seem to want to work when imbedded, at least not for me, so here's a link to the label site that I know does work
RATT - Eat Me Up Alive | Music |Roadrunner Records (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/music/RATT--Eat-Me-Up-Alive-3016.aspx)

[Ksyrup]

Prepare To Be Blown AWAY! - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=76792&highlight=sugar)

Ah dammit.

I guess I need to either stick around or stay the hell away from here for good.

[Kodos]

How many original RATT members are left?

[Ksyrup]

The new Ratt is getting good reviews and seems surprisingly strong, from what I've read. The overdone backing vocals on the chorus and verses really strip that song of its punch, though. Would have been a ton better if it was produced like old Ratt instead of Firehouse.

[Kodos]

I'm remember an interview on MTV where Stephen Pearcy (think that's the singer's name) was comparing RATT to Led Zeppelin -- saying they were on the same level. Uh... sure!

[Ksyrup]

Actually, that's not the song I heard a few weeks ago. It's this one (Best of Me):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjEYZaG8rYQ

[JonInMiddleGA]

Actually, that's not the song I heard a few weeks ago. It's this one (Best of Me):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjEYZaG8rYQ

Yep, they're apparently treating Best of Me as some sort of unofficial preview as now everything is referring to the other cut as the first track from the new album.

I guess we're supposed to pretend we never heard the other one or something.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How many original RATT members are left?

Three - Pearcy, DeMartini on guitar, Blotzer on drums.

Juan Croucier opted not to participate so he's replaced by Robbie Crane (who has actually worked with members of the lineup since 1996) and ex-Quiet Riot Carlos Cavazo takes over for the late Robbin Crosby.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The overdone backing vocals on the chorus and verses really strip that song of its punch, though.

Echoes the comment I made elsewhere, that I'm not sure it's the vocal I'm not thrilled with so much as the over production.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Good story on Ronnie James Dio's continuing treatment & fight to beat stomach cancer. The article is short but the video with the linkage is actually a local (Houston I assume) TV news report. Tough to see him looking a bit worn from all he's going through but great to hear him so confident & resolved to do what he told the tumor "Cancer, I'll kick the hell out of you."

Sleaze Roxx: Ronnie James Dio, "Cancer, I'll Kick The Hell Out Of You" (http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news10/0329dio.shtml)

[Ksyrup]

Speaking of Dio, I ran across some great early-60s songs of his on You Tube a few months ago. He was in some doowop bands and such. Pretty damn amazing that it's the same guy. He was there at the beginning of rock and still going strong today. Do a search for Ronnie Dio and the Prophets or Red Caps.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Speaking of Dio, I ran across some great early-60s songs of his on You Tube a few months ago. He was in some doowop bands and such. Pretty damn amazing that it's the same guy. He was there at the beginning of rock and still going strong today. Do a search for Ronnie Dio and the Prophets or Red Caps.

Yeah, I've heard at least a couple of those, pretty funny to hear him do that stuff after what we're accustomed to.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not an 80's band but a very 80's vibe from Swedish rockers Crashdiet and the title track from their forthcoming CD "Generation Wild".

Very solid song, reminiscent of Kiss "Thrills In the Night" with a harder edge. Warning: video borders on disturbing (and that's being generous) with bondage, torture, & serial killer themes.

Due to that, I'll give you linkage but not embed the video here
Sleaze Roxx: Crashdiet Post "Generation Wild' Video (http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news10/0331crd.shtml)

[Ksyrup]

Just saw the news that Vince Neil was arrested for DUI - what a total douchebag, after the Hanoi Rocks thing years ago.

But that's not why I came to this thread. Anyone see That Metal Show this past Saturday? Don Dokken and George Lynch reunited. Don looks 65 years old.

[Kodos]

Wow. That is REALLY douchey of Vince Neil. Killing one guy isn't bad enough, I guess? And in the Behind The Music special, he basically admitted that he got off easy because they figured the only way he could pay the family was to let him stay out of jail and continue to perform. I like Motley Crue, but this doesn't sit well with me.

Also, I can't believe George Lynch is willing to put up with Don Dokken at this point in his life.

[BYU 14]

Also, I can't believe George Lynch is willing to put up with Don Dokken at this point in his life.

I think it is a marriage of convenience for George at this point, knowing what an egomaniacal prick Dokken is.

[BYU 14]

I know they go way back before the 80's, but since their biggest commerical hit was released then, did anybody watch the Rush documentary over the weekend on VH1? I am only a casual fan, but found the documentary very well done and quite interesting.

[Grammaticus]

Is Lynch still a roid monster?

[Ksyrup]

No. In fact, he made a few comments/jokes about how looking back on it, he can't believe how stupid he was (not about roids, but the bodybuilding). He said it got to the point where he couldn't play extended solos because he didn't have the dexterity in his arms/hands to keep them moving.

[Ksyrup]

I think it is a marriage of convenience for George at this point, knowing what an egomaniacal prick Dokken is.

Not really. They have no set plans to work together right now, although they said they'd like to do it at some point in the future and Dokken's current guitarist gave his blessing. But the one guy's in Foreigner and Lynch is still doing Lynch Mob and other projects. They didn't sound like there was anything planned at all. They just stopped fighting for a night to appear on the show (although they said a lot of that was the gimmick the record company used to sell them, and they bought into it and started living it).

It was an interesting interview.

[wahoomac]

I know they go way back before the 80's, but since their biggest commerical hit was released then, did anybody watch the Rush documentary over the weekend on VH1? I am only a casual fan, but found the documentary very well done and quite interesting.

I watched most of it on VH1 this weekend and it was very well done. I believe it is coming out on Bluray and DVD today (I'll probably be picking it up soon). Also saw that they got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame recently. Good for them!

[Grammaticus]

Took a look at the Lynch bio. I didn't realize he tried out for Ozzy's gig twice. The first time he lost out to Rhodes. No way he could win that one. The second time he apparently got the job in front of Jake E. Lee and quite before it got started. Just think of how much better the Ozzy lineup would have been if Lynch had stayed on instead of Lee.

[Kodos]

Always loved George Lynch's playing style. Would have been interesting to see what he would have done with Ozzy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Scorpions rocked, as always, at their final Atlanta tour appearance last night.
I've never seen anyone who sounds as good consistently as they do, their sound mix is always dead on. While they may have made some questionable decisions on the last few albums preceding the current one, as far as live performance goes they're exiting with their skills intact. Pretty remarkable really, considering it's been nearly 30 years since I saw them the first time.

Ratt was mostly good, I was certainly impressed by DeMartini's consistency, hasn't lost a thing over the years, and Cavazo fits in very well IMO. Pearcy's voice isn't quite what it used to be, he can still hit the same spots he used to but just not as consistently but on the whole the group is quite solid.

It was hard for me not to be disappointed with the crowd though, I'd guess about 3500-4500 tops, lots of empty seats behind me. My first trip to the Verizon Amphitheater, pretty impressed with it (although being only a year old surely helps the look & feel of any venue), especially with the amount of manpower they throw at parking & managing traffic flow on entrance & exit. I've never gotten into or out of any event with less hassle than this one.

[Ksyrup]

Looks like Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are coming to Louisville in October. I'd love to go (Seasons in the Abyss and Rust In Peace in their entirety? Fuck yeah!), but I have no one to go with. I'm pretty much the only person I know who (still) listens to metal.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Looks like Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are coming to Louisville in October. I'd love to go (Seasons in the Abyss and Rust In Peace in their entirety? Fuck yeah!), but I have no one to go with. I'm pretty much the only person I know who (still) listens to metal.

My advice? Go anyway. If nothing else you'll see evidence that you're definitely not alone. Hell, I was probably at or under the median age of the crowd for Scorps/Ratt and wasn't really out of the norm at Metallica a couple of years ago either.

Sounds to me like you need to rethink your circle of friends ;)

[Ksyrup]

Friends? I'm married with 2 kids. They are the ones I spend 99.8% of my non-working hours with. The only friends I have are the parents of our kids friends or neighbors. And they are just a random bunch of people, none of whom I even discuss music with, let alone share tastes.

I don't live anywhere near where I grew up or went to school, so it's not like I have old (real) friends around anymore. Friends these days are just by circumstance.

Although, I might have 1 guy who could meet me there if the stars align. My best friend from high school just moved to Indianapolis amonth ago (completely forgot about it until now), so it's possible he could meet me in Louisville. Otherwise, I'm not going to something like that alone. I've done it for smaller venues when I was younger, but it's just not that important to me these days. I'd love to go, but not that much.

[Ksyrup]

Damn, I missed it!

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/geofftatejuly23.jpg

OK, now this is getting bizarre...

http://www.queensryche.com/images/whipale-ad.jpg

[Ksyrup]

Appetite for...Everything

http://www.annalsofamericus.com/wp-content/uploads/axl-rose_now.jpg


or...Dancing with Mr. Cold Stone

I used to eat a little
But a little wouldn't do it
So a little
Got more and more

[Kodos]

Who knew You Could Be Mine was about Big Macs?


And I thought Joe Elliott hadn't aged all that well.

[Ksyrup]

LOL!

http://dougorama.net/images/axlski.jpg

[Grammaticus]

Wow, Axl Rose is starting to look like Hulk Hogan....only with a fatter head.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know why, but I can't leave this alone!

http://abeisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/axl-rose1.jpghttp://www.pages.drexel.edu/~wmv23/riphappy.jpghttp://www.pollsb.com/photos/o/32735-cowardly_lion.jpg

[DanGarion]

Looks like this is for people who like a different type of 80's music then me...

[Ksyrup]

Not really...it's just that no one else posts.

What, you got some Billy Ocean or Depeche Mode news to share?

[Kodos]

Debbie Gibson perhaps?

[DanGarion]

I tend to the alt/new wave 80's spectrum. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

What's left for Axl? Unleashing the f'n fury?

Sleaze Roxx: Guns N' Roses Walk Off Stage After Twenty Minutes At Dublin Gig (http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news10/0901gnr.shtml)
Disaster was in the air at tonight's Guns N' Roses gig at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland when front man Axl Rose walked off stage after only 20 minutes. Fans were left bitterly disappointed after waiting for over an hour for the band to appear on stage in the first instance.

Trouble was brewing as fans began to get agitated whilst waiting for Guns N' Roses to come on stage, only making an appearance at 10.25pm - well over an hour after the support act, Danko, had finished playing. Some angry fans booed and threw a few beer/water bottles on stage in protest at the delay.

After a mediocre start, Axl Rose stopped the band after breaking into Welcome to the Jungle - just as the crowd were beginning to be won over - after another bottle was thrown up on stage. At this he announced "one more bottle and we're going home, we're here to have fun and we hope you are too, but one more and we are gone".

The gig continued for another 3 songs and as Rose was introducing the band, another missile was thrown at the band. At this, Rose took the band, bid his goodnight and stormed off the stage at about 10.50pm.

Just after 11pm, a member of the O2 staff arrived on stage telling the crowd that there were some "technical difficulties" and they were trying to get GnR back on stage. A short while after, another staff member arrived on stage to plead with the now depleting crowd to stop throwing bottles as they were still trying to get Axl Rose to return to the stage. 11.10pm, the main lights came on and the majority of the crowd left The O2.

The night was not over yet however, with GnR returning to the stage at about 11.25pm and continued playing a set to a small but pretty irate crowd.

[Recoil]

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[Apathetic Lurker]

My friends band opened up for Tears for Fears not that long ago and should be opening up for the Tubes soon .....Old balding people doing the New Wave thing is just disconcerting....

But then I would pay to see Poly Styrene if she came to Buffalo....Seeing punk icons from the 70's would be even stranger

[Ksyrup]

Anyone remember the Killer Dwarfs?

Here's Mike Dwarf's (Mike Hall) new gig:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs992.snc4/76534_10150306502545597_337273250596_15541011_4155502_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs096.snc4/36167_10150309271380597_337273250596_15594130_4137570_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs492.ash2/76534_10150306502540597_337273250596_15541010_4257421_n.jpg

[JonInMiddleGA]

Judas Priest announces farewell tour for 2011
JudasPriest.com :: News - Judas Priest announce farewell EPITAPH World Tour!! (http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=05E3D999-903B-49F0-A8D2-C4A2431C9B2D)

[Ksyrup]

Not another "final" tour...since this is a final world tour, that just means that after this, they will tour each continent in a separate and distinct tour. Nope, no more final world tours!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not another "final" tour...since this is a final world tour, that just means that after this, they will tour each continent in a separate and distinct tour. Nope, no more final world tours!!

Eh, I figure this is really it for them as Judas Priest. They range in age from 59 to 62, the most recent album was awfully meh, and Rob has Halford as a viable side project.

[Ksyrup]

Seems to me they are doing the "final' tour thing that all of these bands are doing to drum up sales for the next tour. They might take a break, but I doubt this is it, absent a serious illness/death in the intervening years.

I might try to see this, though. Priest was always my favorite growing up, and I haven't seen them since 90 or 91.

[Buccaneer]

I came across this when reading CNN's list of Top 25 Soundtracks (where it seeems half of them were from the 1980s):

its sound track was selling 50,000 to 100,000 copies a day

This was in reference to Flashdance. It seems amazing compared to nowadays where 50,000 would be an annual total for a hit record.

[Ksyrup]

Looks like the wife has put me on notice that we'll be seeing the Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger summer tour. Could be worse, I guess.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks for the memories K.K. I hope retirement is more fun than he ever imagined.
Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing Retires - Noisecreep (http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/04/20/judas-priest-guitarist-k-k-downing-retires/)

Replacement is 31 y/o Richie Faulkner, the guitarist from Lauren Harris' band (you know, daughter of Maiden's Steve Harris). She's horrible, thankfully he's not.

[Suicane75]

Looks like the wife has put me on notice that we'll be seeing the Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger summer tour. Could be worse, I guess.

My good man, it could not possibly be any better.

[Matthean]

U2 will end up with the highest grossing tour ever when their current tour ends grossing over $500 million dollars. Last week I heard The Beastie Boys newest single being number one for the day on the local college station. Even if both bands formed in the late 70s, neither put out a major label record until '80 and '84.

[Ksyrup]

Thanks for the memories K.K. I hope retirement is more fun than he ever imagined.
Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing Retires - Noisecreep (http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/04/20/judas-priest-guitarist-k-k-downing-retires/)

Replacement is 31 y/o Richie Faulkner, the guitarist from Lauren Harris' band (you know, daughter of Maiden's Steve Harris). She's horrible, thankfully he's not.

Wow, didn't see that coming. Must have something to do with all the mixed signals coming from the band about this being the final tour and then not final we'll still be doing small tours over the next years, etc.

[Ksyrup]

My good man, it could not possibly be any better.

Would have been better if the tickets were close to reasonable. Wife said bag it when the tickets were $100+ for sitting way in the back a few rows in front of the lawn.

[Kodos]

Yeah, I hate it when bands try to rape you with their ticket prices. I don't need to see any group that badly.

[Scarecrow]

Was planning on going to the following (until I saw the ticket prices):

Yes & Styx (tickets aren't on sale yet)
Steely Dan (tickets going for $166 - $378)
Journey, Foreigner, Night Ranger (tickets going for $114 - $321)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Crossed the Journey shows off my list for much the same reason. Then again, they paled in comparison to what Bob Seger was raping people for on the Atlanta stop ($85 was the cheapest ticket, up to like $320)

For $35 I'll stick with Avenged Sevenfold/Seether/Alter Bridge on May 5th :)
(although damned if I understand how someone picked those three for a show together)

[Kodos]

There isn't a band on the planet that I'd pay over $100 to see.

[Buccaneer]

Me neither. When I saw Heart/Journey/Cheap Trick, I got 12 (?) rows back from the front for $90. I didn't think prices would go up that much in just a few years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There isn't a band on the planet that I'd pay over $100 to see.

I'd do it for Maiden, but only because my son hasn't seen them live. For me personally, not even for them. Beyond that exception, I wouldn't pay $100+ for anyone, including Hendrix opening for Elvis.

[dwardzala]

Yeah, I hate it when bands try to rape you with their ticket prices. I don't need to see any group that badly.

And at this point in their careers, they aren't nearly as good as they were in their heyday.

[Grammaticus]

I'd do it for Maiden, but only because my son hasn't seen them live. For me personally, not even for them. Beyond that exception, I wouldn't pay $100+ for anyone, including Hendrix opening for Elvis.

I'd pay $100 in a heartbeat to see Jimmy Page play.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I ought to correct something I said, just 'cause it bugs me that I misremembered it. It wasn't pricing that caused me to write off the Journey tour this fall, it was timing. Decent seats at Lakewood Ampi are on the high side, around $70 each, but you can get general admission on the lawn for $35 and with a 4-pack special they're just $25 each (incl. junk fees). It was the fact they were scheduled on a Friday night during HS football season that caused me to take it off my list (webcast responsibilities & all that).

I'm actually more interested in seeing them now, with Pineda on vocals, than I ever was back in the day. I want to see for myself if this guy is as good as he appears to be.

[Ksyrup]

Um...


MURFREESBORO — A former KISS guitarist is accused of beating his wife so badly she had to be hospitalized this past weekend, and when officers went to the guitarist’s home to make an arrest they found four sealed containers with dead dogs inside, according to a sheriff's incident report.

A booking officer at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center confirmed Vinnie Vincent, whose real name is Vincent John Cusano, was charged with one count of aggravated assault on Saturday. Cusano was lead guitarist for the rock band KISS between 1982 and 1984 and replaced original band member Ace Frehley.

An incident report on file at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office details the incident that led to that arrest.

Diane Cusano, Vincent Cusano’s wife, showed up at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Saturday covered in blood and reportedly intoxicated, according to the RCSO incident report. Authorities immediately called an ambulance to transport Cusano to Middle Tennessee Medical Center here in Murfreesboro.

Cusano explained she had been in an argument with her husband over a woman he had been talking to, the report reads.

During the argument Cusano said her husband told her to “get the (expletive) out of the house” and then got physically violent, smacking her in the face, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her on the ground, according to the report. She claims her husband then dragged her through a pile of glass from a broken plate that was on the floor before the argument started.

When deputies went to Vincent Cusano’s 101 Woodland Trail home in Smyrna to speak with him about the incident they were unable to make contact immediately, which resulted in the Rutherford County Felony Arrest Search Tactical (FAST) team being called to the home. FAST team members found Cusano and arrested him without incident.

Deputies who went to the house reported finding four sealed containers that had deceased dogs inside them. Rutherford County animal welfare officers were called to the house in response to that finding, according to police. An investigation is pending in that matter. <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[JonInMiddleGA]

WTH is VV doing living in Murfreesboro?

[Ksyrup]

There are a bunch of them in the Nashville area. They all seem to want to get in on the pop country stuff. Keel, Slaughter, Cinderella, etc. We were just discussing this on another board a couple of weeks ago.