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It’s “Van Halen Day” on Rock History Book – Check out the New Album Today – CLICK TO LISTEN
February 6, 2012 – It’s safe to say that Rock History Book Radio has tons of Van Halen fans listening everyday and it was a no-brainer to pronounce, today, “Van Halen Day!” All day hosts John Beaudin and Shannon Edwards will feature two tracks, every hour, from the new Van Halen album, “A Different Kind of Truth.” MORE

Norah Jones to Release New Album in Spring
Jan 31, 2012 - Good news for all the Norah Jones fans out there! The singer is set to release a new album in spring called 'Little Broken Hearts.' This will be Jones' fifth studio CD and she will be joined by producer and musician, Danger Mouse who is notably the backbone for the project. He also co-wrote many of the tunes with her. MORE

Springsteen to Release "Wrecking Ball" in March
Jan 24, 2012 - Bruce Springsteen is full speed ahead with his new album due out in March. “Wrecking Ball” will be his 17th studio album and is produced by heavy hitter Ron Aniello (Patti Scialfa, Jars of Clay) and talent thrown in from Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machines) and members of the E Street Band. MORE

Paul McCartney to Perform at Grammy’s
January 24, 2012 - It’s a done deal as Paul has announced (via his website) that he will be preforming at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in L.A. on Feb 12. This is also a very special occasion for him as he’s nominated this year for Best Historical Album for "Band On The Run." McCartney is definitely no stranger to the stage and if he pulls this one in it will be his 15th Grammy win in all. MORE

John Mayer Introduces New Custom Guitar
January 23, 2012 - John Mayer has been out of the spotlight since he cancelled numerous gigs last year to undergo throat surgery. His decision to finally go under the knife was necessary after attempts to rest his voice did not help. In the meantime, John had to regroup and push back the release of his new album. MORE

Etta James Dies at the Age 73
Jan 20, 2012 - Etta James, an iconic R&B American singer known for her classic songs “ At Last” and “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me” has died today at the age of 73. MORE

Steven Tyler and Finding Mrs. Right!
January 19, 2012 - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith never ceases to amaze me. He sat in on an Ellen DeGeneres show recently and proceeded to explain why he decided over the Christmas holidays to marry girlfriend Erin Brady. MORE

Steven Tyler on New Album in the Making
January 14, 2011 - Aerosmith fans will be watching as Steven Tyler is about to get really comfortable in his seat for his second round of American Idol. Ever since he joined the panel for this vocal talent show last season Tyler says sales of Aerosmith’s back catalog has rose 260 percent. We all know he has much to talk about when it comes to American Idol, but let’s get back to your roots Steven! MORE

NEW INTERVIEWS

RETRO - INTERVIEWS - Dan Peek of America
July 26, 2011 - Although Dan Peek left the group America in 1977 he is certainly not forgotten as a member of the famous band. Peek passed away on July 24 of undisclosed causes. He was 60. The singer’s site simply states, “Dan went to Heaven on July 24 2011” and features a video of Peek performing his
America hit “Lonely People. MORE

Classic Interview with the Late Great Jim Clench of April Wine and BTO
November 8, 2010 – When I heard that Jim Clench had passed away I immediately went to my basement to find one of my favourite April Wine albums, “Electric Jewels.” More than any other LP from the group, this one really showcased his talents at such an important time in their incarnation. More

NEW REVIEWS

REVIEW: Colbie Caillat – All of You - Universal Republic
Sept, 2011 – On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun. MORE

It's Hard to Imagine a Better Outcome
REVIEW - Elton John & Leon Russell – The Union – Decca Records

October 31, 2010 – This project started after Elton John just happened to mention his chief influences on “Spectacle,” a TV program hosted by Elvis Costello and produced by him and partner David Furnish. MORE

 

A Disappointing Return for Sade
REVIEW - Sade – Soldier of Love
June 16, 2010 – There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. MORE

BIRTHDAYS (Click here for the full list)

December 1 - Gilbert O'Sullivan (1955)
December 1 - Bette Midler (1945)
December 1 - John Densmore (The Doors) (1944)
December 2 - Jay-Z (1970)
December 2 - Michael McDonald (1952)
December 3 - Ozzy Osbourne (1948)
December 5 - Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) (1965)
December 5 - Jim Messina (1947)
December 7 - Tom Waits (1949)
December 8 - Phil Collen (Def Leppard) (1957)
December 8 - Warren Cuccurullo (Duran Duran) (1956)
December 8 - Gregg Allman (1947)
December 8 - Bobby Elliot (The Hollies) (1942)
December 9 - Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers )(1970)
December 9 - Nick Seymour (Crowded House) (1958)
December 9 - Donny Osmond (1957)
December 9 - Walter Orange (The Commodores) (1946)
December 11 - Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) (1958)
December 11 - Jermaine Jackson (1954)
December 11 - David Gates (Bread) (1940)
December 11 - Chester Thompson (Genesis) (1948)
December 12 - Eric Schenkman (Spin Doctors) (1963)
December 12 - Paul Rodgers (Bad Company) (1949)
December 12 - Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band) (1943)
December 12 - Dionne Warwick (1940)
December 14 - Peter Stacy (The Pogues) (1958)
December 16 - Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) (1949)
December 16 - Benny Anderson (ABBA) (1946)
December 16 - Tony Hicks (The Hollies) (1943)
December 18 - Christina Aguilera (1980)
December 18 - Elliot Easton (The Cars) (1953)
December 18 - Keith Richards (Rolling Stones) (1943)
December 19 - Kevin Shepard (Tonic) (1968)
December 19 - Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) (1941)
December 20 - Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes) (1966)
December 20 - Peter Criss (Kiss) (1945)
December 23 - Bruce Hornsby (1955)
December 23 - Adrian Belew (1949)
December 25 - Robin Campbell (UB40) (1954)
December 25 - Phil Spector (1940)
December 25 - Little Richard (1932)
December 26 - Lars Ulrich (Metallica) (1963)
December 27 - Karla Bonoff (1952)
December 27 - David Knopfler (Dire Straits) (1951)
December 27 - Mick Jones (Foreigner) (1944)
December 28 - Edgar Winter (1946)
December 29 - Marianne Faithfull (1946)
December 29 - Ray Thomas (Moody Blues) (1941)
December 30 - Jeff Lynne (ELO and Traveling Wilburys) (1947)
December 30 - Davy Jones (The Monkees) (1945)
December 30 - Michael Nesmith (The Monkees) (1942)
December 30 - Bo Diddley (1928)
December 31 - George Thorogood (1952)
December 31 - Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) (1951)
December 31 - Donna Summer (1948)
December 31 - Burton Cummings (The Guess Who) (1947)
December 31 - Andy Summers (The Police) (1942)

Click here for the full list
 

Etta James Dies at the Age 73
Jan 20, 2012 - Etta James, an iconic R&B American singer known for her classic songs “ At Last” and “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me” has died today at the age of 73.

Recognition and appreciation has rolled in for James over the years. She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and in 2001 she was honored with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. Etta was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame in 2003.

Etta is survived by her two sons Donto and Sametto who are both musicians that performed in her band. – By Shannon Edwards

 

Etta James’ Family Fighting over Her Money and She’s Still Alive
January 18, 2011 – The money troubles surrounding Etta James sound like stories one would hear at a wake. James, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia and dementia, had her family fighting over her money; today her husband won the fight. James, who is receiving 24-hour health care at her home in southern California, needs her medical bills paid for and that’s where the fight began.

Her 72-year-old husband and son were fighting over control of the Blues legends fortune. Both, however, did want her medical bills paid.

Court documents showed that James’ husband wanted to move $1 million to a joint account so he had control and her son would prefer a third party to, "avoid future and present family conflict." Now her husband, Artis Mills, has control of some of her money ($60,000) to pay for her bills until February. – by John Beaudin

 

Where’s My Teeth - Thanks for Lip Synching at the Oscars Beyonce – That was Awesome! Bookmark and Share
Feb. 24, 2009 – Does anybody sing live anymore? I like Beyonce; she saves me money on primal scream therapy. When Etta James went all crazy-mars-bars on her a few weeks ago it almost made me take Beyonce’s side. The former Destiny’s Child member sang James’ famous signature song ‘At Last’ at President Obama’s inauguration, and after James’ crazy-train reaction Beyonce never really responded. Well, she did at the Oscar's on Sunday night. In her music lip-synched number with host Hugh Jackman, Beyonce slipped in ‘At Last.” I should say she slipped in a big “F*ck You Etta James!” Did Beyonce really have to be so petty? Sure, Beyonce played the Blues Icon in a movie but she’s no Etta James. I don’t know why but, to me, Beyonce, always comes off like she’s trying too hard. She’s like an insecure cheerleader dying to show you her happy fingers. So keep investing in those Beyonce albums, who knows, maybe one day they could be worth as much as Elvis’ movie collection. She’s so overexposed she gives gators gas.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took away all the music categories at the Academy Awards last night. In all, the foreign film won 8 awards including ‘Best Picture.’

Congrats to A.R. Rahman who won his first two Oscars for best original score and best song for ‘Jai Ho.’ The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ composer said, "The essence of the film is about optimism. All of my life I've had a choice of hate and love, and I've chosen love-and I'm here." More

Etta James: “I can't stand Beyoncé…She going to get her ass whipped”    Bookmark and Share
Feb. 6, 2009 – Etta James is getting an acute attack of “Let’s Make John Beaudin’s Dreams Come True.” She’s going to kick Beyonce’s ass. That’s right James is falling on the sword for me.

After Beyonce covered her tune “At Last” at Obama's 1st Inauguration Ball on Jan. 20th Etta was fighting mad. The grand Miss James, 71, threatened Beyonce at a concert in Seattle. She told the crowd, "Your President, the one with the big ears ... he had that woman singing my song. She going to get her ass whipped."

She added, "The great Beyoncé ... I can't stand Beyoncé.” It was all recorded by Crown City Media.

Beyonce who has built a career on bringing us crappy music at breakneck speed did however have a right to sing the tune. James didn’t even write “At Last” and she certainly was not the first to record it. Glenn Miller had a hit with the tune in 1942 and then Nat King Cole had his turn in 1957. Then came Etta in 1961 and her version is known as the one that’s stood the test of time.

Interestingly, Beyonce did play James in the movie "Cadillac Records” and she didn’t threaten to kill her then. Beyonce has not made any statements yet.

Etta might sound a little too territorial on the tune but if the result is the end to Beyonce’s reign as Queen of flesh-eating R&B then we are all for it. – by John Beaudin   Update: Etta James says she was just joking and in no way was attacking Beyonce...right!