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(Photo: Lee Millward)
Glenn Hughes gig review
(Photo: Ian Pollard)
Acoustic Festival review 24-26.05.08 and photo gallery!!
(Photo: Noel Buckley)
Arch Enemy photo feature and interview 25.04.08 !!
MEMORABILIA EXHIBITS FLOOD IN AS LED ZEPPELIN 'MEMORIES IN MUSIC 1968-2008' CATCHES THE ATTENTION OF GLOBAL ZEPHEADS!
The response to the news that there is to be a special month-long Led Zeppelin Memorabilia Exhibit - 'Memories in Music 1968-2008', held during August at Knebworth House, has been overwhelming!
Led Zeppelin fans around the world, on hearing of the event on websites and in the printed press, have been quick and eager to support the event by loaning some outstanding Zeppelin memorabilia exhibits.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of Led Zeppelin - with the proceeds of all donations/raffle-prize money going to the ABC Trust, Action for Brazil's Children, Zeppelin fans can view a selection of all things Led Zeppelin over four decades from badges to bathrobes.
Amongst the many juicy items are large amounts of handbills, tickets, rare vinyl, programs, signed photos...it's a long list which keeps growing...and you'll have to be there to experience it all! For example – visitors will see a red leather jacket belonging to John Bonham which still has the Guest Artist Pass for the Knebworth show on August 11th '79 attached to it. There's also photos by Frank Melfi, all the albums signed by the band, a rare Japanese release of LZ I, 46 singles from around the world in full colour sleeves, Celebration Day sheet music signed by band, original sheet music and song books from the 70s, tour programs from 69, 75 and 77, a rare Atlantic promotional inflatable Zeppelin (with photo of the band in front of it), 300 tickets from shows 1969-1980, 'The Object', original printer's proof of album artwork for LZ IV and Jimmy Page's robe from the 1980 tour.
Held by kind permission of the Knebworth House Education and Preservation Trust, the Led Zeppelin Memorabilia Exhibit takes place in the family library of Edward Bulwer Lytton at Knebworth House from 1 August - 3 September 2008. The Exhibition will open daily from 12.00 noon-5.00 pm (last tour at 4.00pm). All tours of Knebworth House are guided except on weekends where the House operates 'free flow.' Those wishing to spend more time at the 'Memories in Music 1968-2008' exhibit on guided tour days can be taken back at the end of the visit. Entrance to the exhibit is included in the price of the Knebworth House tour. Tickets to the House and Gardens are £9.50 for adults, £9.00 for seniors and children (aged 4-16). A Family day ticket to Knebworth House, including the Gardens (for 4 persons) is £33.00.
Do you have any Led Zeppelin memorabilia that you could loan the exhibition? It can be anything from a programme, signed pictures, plectrums or backstage passes - up to clothing, microphones and musical instruments. Please contact Annie Hollinshead if you think you can help. (ayhollinshead@hotmail.com)
The forthcoming Led Zeppelin Memories in Music Memorabilia Exhibit is offering fans around the world an online opportunity to pick up a fantastic Meridian F80 complete home entertainment system signed by Led Zeppelin's legendary guitarist Jimmy Page! The F80 is one of the prizes up for grabs in a great competition offer.
Win a family ticket and CD! 
Exhibition website (Win Jon Ellinor's painting of the band, signed by Jimmy Page, and donated to the Memories in Music Exhibit to benefit the ABC Trust).
ROCK LEGENDS LED ZEPPELIN TO RECEIVE FIRST-EVER FULLY ILLUSTRATED HISTORY TREATMENT IN SEPTEMBER 2008
'Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin: The Illustrated History of the Heaviest Band of All Time' is the very first, complete illustrated history of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, which will be available in September 2008.
Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin features a detailed history of these members of rock 'n' roll royalty from veteran music critic Jon Bream, with contributions from an elite cast of American and British rock journalists, including Rolling Stone's David Fricke, Creem cofounders Robert Matheu and Jaan Uhelszki, and famed UK music author Charles Shaar Murray. Several of rock's elite musicians, including members of Aerosmith, KISS, ZZ Top, the Stooges, Matchbox 20, the Hold Steady, and many other performers, will also reflect on the glory days of Led Zeppelin.
Unlike any book ever published on this wildly influential British foursome, this all-star tribute also contains a wealth of concert and behind-the- scenes photography from the band's first show in 1968 through to the 2007 reunion, as well as more than 200 rare concert posters, backstage passes, tickets, LPs and singles, T-shirts, badges, plus more memorabilia from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, and Poland.
Featuring an appendix detailing the band's complete discography - Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin is the most comprehensive chronicle ever produced of the band, priced £25.00, hardback.
RETURN OF GUITAR ROCK FOR TODD: UK TOUR ANNOUNCED
Todd Rundgren, the man who gave us the classic albums 'Something/Anything?', 'A Wizard, A True Star', 'Faithful', 'Hermit of Mink Hollow' and 2004's critically acclaimed 'Liars', will perform four UK concerts following the September 29th UK release of his new studio album 'ARENA'.
Tickets go on sale July 11th for four rare UK concerts including Manchester Academy 2 (Nov 6), Edinburgh Picture House (Nov 7) and Norwich Waterfront (Nov 22) and London Kentish Town Forum (Nov 23).
'Arena is a definite return to riff-oriented guitar rock," says Rundgren. "It's supposed to make you reflexively pump your fist and wave a lighter in the air. The concerts will be a straight-ahead, guitar-rock extravaganza. We can't afford the flamethrowers yet, but we'll make up for it with aggression."
The Arena Tour band will feature Jesse Gress (guitar), Rachel Haden (bass), Matt Bolton (guitar, keyboards), Prairie Prince (drums), and Todd Rundgren (guitar, vocals).
WALTER TROUT TOUR IN NOVEMBER, JOE BONAMASSA DATES AND LIVE ALBUM
Former John Mayall guitar master and singer/songwriter Walter Trout releases his first single 'All My Life' from his new album 'The Outsider', produced by John Porter (B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys, Ryan Adams).
Musicians on the album include drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty), bassist Hutch Hutchinson, pianist Jon Cleary (Bonnie Raitt), Skip Edwards & Samuel Avila on Hammond B3 with guest appearance by harmonica wiz Jason Ricci.
Supporting Walter on 3 of his gigs will be Monte Montgomery (blues based rock with some fine vocals, blistering solos & explosive power chords).
AUGUST 2008
Sun. 24th COLNE Gt British R&B Festival 7.30pm www.blues-festival.co.uk -
Mon 25th ROSS on WYE Rock n Roots Festival 4.30pm www.rocknroots.co.uk
OCTOBER 2008
Thus. 2nd Edinburgh The Old Picture Hse. 0844 847 1740 £17.50
Fri.3rd Glasgow The Ferry 0141 429 1010 £16adv/£18 door www.therenfrewferry.co.uk
Sat. 4th Newcastle The Academy 0191 260 2020 £17.50 www.newcastle-academy.com
Sun. 5th Kendall Brewery Arts Centre 01539 725133 £15 www.breweryarts.co.uk
Mon. 6th Crewe The M Club 0161 832 1111 £15 www.themclub.co.uk
Tues. 7th Cardiff The Point 02920 460873 £16 www.thepointcardiffbay.co.uk
Wed. 8th Sheffield The Boardwalk 0114 279 9090 £16 www.theboardwalklive.co.uk
Thurs.9th Holmfirth Picturedrome 01484 222444 £16 www.picturedrome.net
Fri.10th Blackburn St Georges Hall 0844 847 1644 £16 www.kinggeorgeshall.com
Sat.11th Frome Cheese & Grain 01373 455420 £13.50adv/£15 door www.cheeseandgrain.co.uk
Mon.13th Milton Keynes The Stables 01908 280800 £22 www.stables.org
Tues.14th Derby Assembly Rooms 01322 255800 £16 www.assemblyrooms-derby.co.uk
Wed 15th Southampton The Brook 02380 555366 £15adv/£17 door www.the-brook.com Special guest Monte Montgomery
Thurs.16th Wolverhampton Robin 2 01902 401211 £15adv/£16 door www.therobin.co.uk Special guest Monte Montgomery
Fri. 17th London Shepherds Bush Empire with Special guest Monte Montgomery www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk 0870 771 2000 £16.50
Album review
JOE BONAMASSA releases a live album 'Live From Nowhere In Particular' on Provogue Records, a 2-CD set recorded on his Autumn/Winter tour 2007/8.
Bonamassa will be touring the UK in November:
NOVEMBER 2008
Sat 8th Birmingham NEC ( Music Live) 0871 945 4956 www.musiclive.co.uk
Sun 9th Manchester Academy 1 0161 832 1111 www.manchesteracademy.net
Mon 10th Gateshead Sage 0191 443 4661 www.thesagegateshead.org
Wed 12th Bristol Colston Hall 0117 922 3686 www.colstonhall.org
Album review
ROCK GUITAR HERO MEL GALLEY PASSES AWAY
Mel Galley passed away on 1 July. He is one of the founding members of the multi-media rock music project PHENOMENA and former Whitesnake and Trapeze member.
At the beginning of this year he was diagnosed with cancer of the opheophages. He decided not have an operation but to try to survive his 60 birthday, which was celebrated just 2 months ago in the presence of Glenn Hughes and Chris Evans.
Rock legend Glenn Hughes comments the passing of his close friend and Phenomena participant: 'For me there was Clapton, Hendrix and Mel Galley. What a loss for rock music.'
Whitesnake singer David Coverdale gives tribute to Mel, as one of the most gifted rock musicians ever, who had a major impact with many other bands and artists career: 'Music was his life. Whitesnake celebrates every night the brilliant songs he has written for us. Mel, we salute you.'
JUDAS PRIEST ROAR BACK WITH NOSTRADAMUS AND A WORLD TOUR!
Think 'Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,' and some of rock's all-time classic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now.
Metal legends Judas Priest will be releasing their sprawling double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.
Long in the works, 'Nostradamus' takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th Century French prophet. Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.
"As in any concept piece, the lifeline needs to be of a solid source, taking the music over many levels of interest and perception," points out singer Rob Halford. 'Nostradamus' contains new frontiers explored and defined. The sense of adventure and the journey we undertook bringing the man's life alive with metal was a real labour of love."
As with all new Priest releases, the group - singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis - will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of 'Nostradamus.'
Priest will be performing at the 2008 Download Festival - on a bill also featuring Kiss - which will serve as a 'homecoming' of sorts for the group, as they performed at the first-ever 'Monsters of Rock Festival' at Donington Park in 1980.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal's most successful bands, issuing such all-time classic albums as 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' and 1990's 'Painkiller,' and such arena-rocking anthems as 'Breaking the Law', 'Living After Midnight,' and 'You've Got Another Thing Comin'.
However, Priest's influence goes far beyond their music - they were the first metal band to embrace the 'leather biker look,' a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford's powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been 'studied' by countless metal bands in Priest's wake.
"The 'Nostradamus' album - above all others - is perhaps the one I'm most proud of," says Tipton.
"Whilst in essence and character still very much Judas Priest, it has afforded the opportunity to explore areas of classical and operatic dimensions that the band normally wouldn't. As a guitarist and writer it has inspired me to greater heights and opened new doors to intrigue and passion. From start to finish, it will take you through a magical experience filled with light, shade, drama, melody and emotion that reflects this unique man and his life."
"For me, 'Nostradamus' has been a musical journey without comparison," adds Downing. "The intrigue and mystery that surrounds this revered man has expanded my perception of heavy metal to the highest plateau and enabled me to reach the outer limits of my imagination and transport unique feelings and emotions to the instrument that allows me to express myself."
In addition to the regular jewel case double CD version of the album, collectors will undoubtedly be interested in hunting down a copy of a Deluxe Double CD housed in a 48 page hardbound book package. But that's not all - a Super Deluxe Box-set version will also be available with triple vinyl, the double CD, an expanded booklet & a poster.
As to why they chose to make a concept album about Nostradamus, Tipton explains: "We didn't - he chose us. We feel it was meant to be!"
Album review!
BILLY IDOL DATES IN JULY
Billy Idol brings his Idolize Yourself Tour to the UK for 2 dates:
30th July - Manchester Apollo
31st July - Brixton Academy
He also releases a new greatest hits CD Idolize Yourself on 23rd June through EMI Records.
Album review
STACKRIDGE DATES
18th. July. The Quicksilver Mail. Yeovil
8th. August. Cropredy Festival.Near Banbury, Oxfordshire.
24th. August. Rock 'n' Roots Festival. Near Ross On Wye.
30th. August. The Rhythm Festival. Bedford.
Sept. 5th. The Boardwalk. Sheffield -
Sept. 6th. Fibbers, York -
Sept. 12th. The Stables, Wavendon -
Sept. 17th. The Brook, Southampton -
Sept. 19th. The David Hall. South Petherton.Somerset -
Sept. 27th. The New Bull & Butcher. London N2 -
Oct. 1st. The Cluny. Newcastle -
Oct. 2nd. The Robin 2. Wolverhampton -
Oct. 4th. The Boom Boom Club, Sutton, Surrey -
Oct. 5th. The Cheese & Grain. Frome. Somerset.
Gig review
DR2 RECORDS SIGN 'I HATE KATE'
DEMOLITION RECORDS imprint label, DR2 RECORDS has put pen to paper and snapped up "I HATE KATE"
I HATE KATE, from Huntingdon Beach California, will be releasing their debut album "EMBRACE THE CURSE" on their new DR2 label imprint this Autumn.
The act, fronted by former ZEBRAHEAD guitarist and vocalist JUSTIN MAURIELLO are also set to announce European tour dates this Autumn to coincide with the albums release.
The band are already receiving great reviews in both the US and Japan where the album seems to already be gathering a momentum of its own.
ERIC COOK, Label Manager of DEMOLITION / DR2 RECORDS said: "We cannot believe we were lucky enough to sign this act for Europe when so many labelswere chasing them.
Every song on the album is a winner and for us this act definitely showcases everything we are trying to do with our new DR2 imprint which is all about finding great new artist "
I HATE KATE'S "EMBRACE THE CURSE" will be released on DR2 via Plastichead distribution on September 29th.
HYDROGYN SIGN TO DEMOLITION
Kentucky based rockers HYDROGYN have signed to the UK based label DR2 (Demolition).
This signing comes on the heels of the band's success with their Billboard charting 'Bombshell' release in 2006, Strip'em Blind Live CD success in 2007, coupled with their relentless touring in Europe over 2007.
"This is exactly what we were looking for, and the label we were looking to do it with." said Jeff Westlake of the band. He also went on to say " We feel Demolition has a great focus on their future, they know what they want to do, and have the unique drive that we were looking for in a label to get the job done."
Ged Cook of Demolition stated, "We welcome Hydro to the Demolition family. It really is going to be a pleasure working with them throughout the world."
The deal is a world-wide three album deal that will start with the first of those releases, "Deadly Passions", out 23 June, worldwide.
Album review
Interview
GLYDER OPEN FOR DIO AT SWEDEN ROCKS, SUPPORT Y&T IN SEPTEMBER
Upcoming Irish band Glyder (and GRTR! Rising Stars) played Sweden Rock Festival on June 4 opening for Dio.
They support Y&T in September:
Tue 16 September Oxford, UK Carling Academy Oxford -
Thu 18 September Glasgow, UK Cathouse -
Fri 19 September Newcastle, UK Carling Academy Newcastle -
Sat 20 September Sheffield, UK The Corporation -
Sun 21 September Dudley, UK JB's -
Tue 23 September Liverpool, UK Carling Academy Liverpool -
Wed 24 September Cardiff, UK The Point -
Fri 26 September Southampton, UK The Brook -
Sat 27 September London, UK Astoria 2
More information
MERMAID KISS PLAY LIVE DATES
GRTR! favourites Mermaid Kiss play rare live dates in September and October, supporting Breathing Space and The Reasoning.
7th September 2008 - supporting Breathing Space
Robin 2, Bilston
On Stage 8pm. More details and tickets www.therobin.co.uk
The sets will be predominately acoustic (ie; no drums) and the set list will include some songs from Etarlis, some earlier material and a number of new pieces.
The line up will be: Evelyn Downing - vocals, flute, Wendy Marks - oboe, recorder, flute, double bass, backing vocals, Jonathan Edwards - keyboards, Jamie Field - guitar, Richard Northwood - bass
Additional dates have been announced:
15th October 2008 - supporting The Reasoning
The 12 Bar, Swindon (Further details to come)
16th October 2008 - supporting The Reasoning
Limelight, Crewe (Further details to come)
Rising Stars Podcast
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