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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
 

What’s My Name Again? Townshend of the Who Recalls Fight with Daltrey
November 14, 2011 - Pete Townshend recalls the moment when Who band mate Roger Daltrey, punched him so hard with one strike that he lost his memory for two days! Can you say ouch!

The fight apparently took place when The Who were finishing the last touches on their album Quadrophenia released in 1973. Daltrey was hanging out in the studio to wrap up some final mixes and Townshend already felt he was done with it.

The guitarist tells the Times: “I walked into the studio having not slept for two days after doing the final mixes. I had been in my big Mercedes limousine drinking brandy. Roger was in the studio, having waited for me for the last five hours.” ‘We’ve done it!’ I shouted at him. “Yeah? Well I’ve been here since one o’clock and I’m going.’ Roger said. “‘You can’t fucking go,’ I said. He pushed me out the way. I spat at him – and I got knocked out,” said Townshend. Pete recalls coming around an hour later and his memory non-existent for two days! Now that’s a punch!

Townshend recently put together a new edition of Quadrophenia and he personally feels it was the last great album by The Who. He also says once Daltrey gets back from his solo band tour he hopes they will hit the studios again together. – By  Shannon Edwards

 

 

 

Roger Daltrey of the Who is No Fan of Simon Cowell
November 19, 2010 – According to Roger Daltrey of the Who TV shows like X Factor and American Idol are ruining music. Check out what the singer said about the programs and Simon Cowell.

"We really need to break away from The X Factor and American Idol - that Simon Cowell thing. I really think the music industry will beat this slump and come back stronger. Groups like The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles wouldn't have made it past the audition stage, let alone be shown on TV. That's the joke of it. The music they make on the shows is absolute tripe. He's made a good industry out of it, but it's belittled the power of music. He wouldn't know what the "X Factor" was if it bit him on the bullocks. There's people who like caviar and people who like fish and chips - but most people like fish and chips." – by John Beaudin

 

Famous Woodstock Festival Re-release Packed with Never Before Seen Footage
May 3, 2009 – It’s been called the single most important music festival in history and for good reason. For 4 days (Friday, Aug. 15 – Monday Aug 18) in 1969 some of the top acts in music spread a little love, joy and song to create the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

The event was well chronicled in a 1970 Oscar winning documentary and now comes the ultimate version of that film, Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music" – the four-hour director’s cut with tons of extras, will be released on June 9th.

The limited, numbered Blu-ray and DVD Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE) will serve as the ultimate look back at the 31 artists that took the main stage in front of 450, 000 fans in Max Yasgur's 600 acre dairy farm in the rural town of Bethel, New York.

This new version will have over two extra hours of performance footage, some never seen before including 18 new performances from Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald, Santana, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker , Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Grateful Dead.

Director Michael Wadleigh said, “Based on the vast e-mails and calls I’ve received, many from young people, it’s very evident that people still relate so much to the film and view the ‘60s as an age when anything and everything was possible, mostly good. Many hope for a new Woodstock generation since what people loved back then was spontaneity, originality, innocence and honesty - even in superstars; that’s why Woodstock, with its open and natural philosophy, has become timeless.”

The UCE includes another hour of bonus material including a featurette with interviews from Martin Scorsese, producer Michael Lang, director Michael Wadleigh, Hugh Hefner, Eddie Kramer plus some rare backstage clips. – by John Beaudin

Zac Starkey Gives Props to Oasis and The Who
May 20, 2009 – As the son of Ringo Starr, Zac Starkey has a lot to live up to but the young drummer says his toughest and most rewarding gigs were with Oasis.

He calls the group, “the most inspiring band I’ve ever worked with”. Adding, “Liam, Noel, Gem and Andy are some of the smartest musicians I’ve ever met. I played with Oasis for four years and literally spent every day crying with laughter.”

Starkey has drummed for the Spencer Davis Group, the Icicle Works, Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, Paul Weller and most recently The Who. He explains that even though filling in for the late great Keith Moon was difficult, playing Oasis’ song was just as tough, “It was just as difficult as it is with the Who. It’s irrelevant that there are more fills to play in the Who. I’d get all these wanker drummers saying, ‘Oh man, I could do the Oasis gig with one hand tied behind my back.’ Well, you may be able to – but it’ll sound shit mate! More

Roger Daltrey Says Love Your Animals but Save Humans First     Bookmark and Share
March 11, 2009 – Roger Daltrey seems to be saying that loving animals is ok, but really, lets save the human beings first. The Who lead singer is mad that so much money is going to animal charities and not young cancer patients.

Daltrey said: "It is a blot on our society when, if these teenagers had four legs and fur or feathers we would raise the money in a year. It's tragic and it makes me want to fight even harder."

In 2000 the singer set up the Teenage Cancer Trust foundation. It raises money for care units to treat young adults battling life-threatening illnesses.

Daltrey also puts together a benefit show each year for the foundation. – by Kari Graham

Famous ‘The Who at Kilburn 1977’ Released Today
Nov. 18, 2008 – There has always been disagreements on the 1977 Who show recorded at Kilburn, London. Though some consider the gig the pinnacle of the Who’s career, others have called it pure doggie doo doo.

Roger Daltrey told Billboard magazine that it certainly was an interesting show, "I just remember it was kind of a weird day."  The concert was originally recorded by Jeff Stein for his documentary, ‘The Kids Are Alright.’  Daltrey adds, "We did the show in the afternoon, which is not the best time of day to be on form, especially for Keith Moon."  The famous mad-man drummer was known for sleeping through the day.

Pete Townshend also fights with the crowd during the show. Daltrey said, “I remember that Pete at the time wasn't very happy with it, and I never quite figured why. I'll have to buy the DVD and find out, I guess." The DVD shows a pissed Townshend saying, "There's a guitar up here if any big mouth fucking little git wants to take it from me."

The show is also a goodbye to Keith Moon. It was the second to last show that Moon played with the Who before his death on Sept. 7, 1978

There’s some good bonus stuff on this set as well. Expect a never before seen Dec. 14, 1969, concert of the Who playing the rock opera ‘Tommy’ live at London Coliseum. It was the first ever recording of the band doing the whole album.

The Who are scheduled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honor on Dec. 7, 2008. – by  John Beaudin