Didn’t take long for Vince Neil to have a melt down after Motley Crue’s last show. I guess he got upset a woman asked for Nic’s autograph first and allegedly attacked her!
from TMZ:
Vince Neil and Nic Cage got in a huge physical fight in Las Vegas Thursday, after Vince allegedly attacked a woman in a hotel … and Vince is now the subject of a criminal investigation.
Law enforcement sources tell us the fight went down at around 5 PM at Aria Hotel on the Vegas strip. We’re told Nic and Vince were inside when a woman came up to Nic and asked for an autograph. Our sources say Vince allegedly got behind the woman, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground.
The video we got shows the end of a fight between Vince and Nic. Our sources tell us Nic was trying to restrain Vince and calm him down, taking him outside the hotel and into a car. Nic is screaming at Vince, imploring him to calm down.
Cops tell us Vince was cited for battery and never taken to the station.
Country legend Merle Haggard, often called “the Poet of the Common Man,” whose music reflected his hardscrabble roots and hard-living ways as well as a tenderness that made him a revered songwriter, has died at his home near Redding, Calif. He was 79.
The Associated Press confirmed his death.
Haggard along with fellow Bakersfield, Calif., superstar Buck Owens defined the West Coast sound of country music in the 1960s and ’70s.
Emerging from the central California city’s raucous honky-tonky country music scene of the post WWII-era, first recording for the local Tally label and then for Capitol Records, Haggard became a towering figure, producing 38 chart-topping records along with his longtime recording and touring band, the Strangers. Among his biggest hits were the controversial “Okie From Muskogee” — alternately seen as a reactionary Nixon-era anthem or a good-hearted spoof of heartland mores — as well as enduring and much-covered ballads such as “Today I Started Loving You Again,” “If We Make It Through December,” “Sing Me Back Home” and “Hungry Eyes.” His uptempo “drinking” songs such as “The Bottle Let Me Down,” “Swingin’ Doors,” “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” and “Working Man Blues” helped create the prototype of 1960s and ’70s country honky-tonk hits.
Two of his best-regarded albums were tributes to early country star Jimmie Rodgers (“Same Train, A Different Time,” 1969) and Western swing bandleader Bob Wills (“A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World,” 1970).
Haggard scored with several film and TV hits over the years, most notably penning and singing the eponymous theme song for the 1974 TV series “Movin’ On,” as well as chart-toppers “Barroom Buddies” and “Misery and Gin” for Clint Eastwood’s film “Bronco Billy.” “Mama Tried” was featured in the crime film “Killers Three,” in which Haggard also co-starred.
Haggard was born in Oildale, Calif., to Oklahoma immigrants who migrated west during the Great Depression, and he quite literally grew up in a boxcar, albeit one converted into a home. His father died when Haggard was 9, and in his early life he committed a series of petty crimes, leading to longer and longer incarcerations. But Haggard was also gaining a reputation in the Bakersfield area as a first-rate singer and instrumentalist. Holding his own onstage with his idol, country music great Lefty Frizzell, was an indication of the career ahead of him, once he put crime and punishment behind him.
A botched robbery, however, saw him tried as an adult and sent to San Quentin, where he spent three years. Haggard recalled that seeing Johnny Cash onstage in San Quentin in 1958 was a particular inspiration, and the two men later became close friends and mutual fans.
Once out of prison, Haggard worked blue-collar day jobs and played the rowdy honky-tonks of Bakersfield at night, which led to him cutting several tracks for Tally.
Haggard’s first released song was the minor hit “Skid Row.” A cover of country superstar Wynn Stewart’s “Sing a Sad Song” charted nationally in 1964. The following year he had his first national top-10 record with “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” followed in 1966 by his first No. 1 song, “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive.”
Haggard, in a 1999 interview with Variety, described his rise as he moved from local music sensation to national star after signing with Capitol Records: “We had this little label in Bakersfield (Tally) that we were doing pretty good on. About 1964, I think it was, we sold forty-something-thousand records out of our apartment back before the interweb (sic) and all that s—. So Capitol called us and said, ‘Don’t you think it’s time you let us help you?’
“They were also disappointed in everything but the Beatles. There was nothing in the world selling except Beatle music. Every country act in the entire f—ng world had just got fired. And it just so happened that during that really strange Beatlemania I got a goddamn hit.”
The ’60s and ’70s were Haggard’s peak period creatively and professionally. Haggard scored hits for three labels — Capitol, Epic and MCA — before turning to independent label status in the late ’90s. He briefly returned to Capitol (via its Nashville division) in the new millennium, and released a collaborative album with Willie Nelson, “Django and Jimmie,” through Sony Legacy in 2015; the latter set reached No. 1 on the country chart and No. 7 on the pop side.
For me personally, I love Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl specifically. Hes a kick ass front man and songwriter. I just am always in awe when I see them live. We love covering Foo songs. I also am really inspired by female fronted rock bands like Evanescence and even old school bands like No Doubt. Strong female voices are always inspiring.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Focus on writing great songs. Everything else will follow.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I think I took the advice eventually. It’s the same advice I just gave. Focus on the songs. Its all about the songs. Work on your craft and talent of course, but write the best songs you can that really mean something to you and make you want to play them over and over and over. That addictive feeling translates.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Greatest – opening for INXS and Theory of a Deadman at Bayfest in Sarnia a few years ago. It was unreal. Such a huge ass stage, and we just got up there…with zero expectations from anyone..and we killed it. It was one of the best days of my life and I was like yes…this is what I want to do!
Worst – ummm. We got rained out at a University show once. Brutal. It was 4 degrees, and pouring rain. No cover for the stage.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I would love to say sitting in the dark eating Cheetos lol! But no…I study psychology. Very interested in that. I’ll actually have my PhD pretty soon. So you can call me Dr. Rockstar 😉
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
I turn on the radio and get annoyed sometimes, because there is a lack of real rock bands. By that I mean real instruments and edgy loud voices. You hear a lot of “rock” songs that seem to be more electronica to me. It’s not that I have anything against different types of music. I love pop music, some r n b stuff. But what people think is rock today isn’t what I think it is. I like heavy loud guitars and drums. I do think rock is making a comeback, and I’m happy to be part of that. Our new record is full on rock, and we could not be more excited.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
I think these shows have allowed a lot of people to get the exposure to do something great, and get their music heard on a worldwide stage. So you can’t knock that. And I think being on a show like that is super stressful. You are being judged every time you sing and criticized by millions. So props to them for having the balls to do that. Someone like Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson..would they have “made it” anyway without the help of American Idol? Probably not. Cause its tough out there to get your music heard. But I do think that you shouldn’t look to shows like that as a standard of what it takes to make it in the music industry. If you stay true to yourself and work really really hard and write amazing songs and kill it live, I think the rest will honestly follow. You don’t just “make it” overnight. It takes a lot of years, a lot of work..alot of picking yourself up again and reworking songs.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
I really don’t care how you listen to my music. If you listen and spread the word about AFFINITY and come to a show, I’m really happy.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Chris – can lift 300 pounds over his head…with one hand
Mack – is secretly an amazing painter
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
I don’t know. I never watched this show. The professor?? I’m going with the professor.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
I do know what a vinyl album is haha! Come on…. But I was of the day of CDs, so I never bought a vinyl myself. My parents did have a record player and I think they had an Eagles record that we used to play when we were kids.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
No. I’m stranded on the island. I’m not really feeling the Tom Hanks in Castaway vibe. People will come look for the Biebs.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
Great voice. Strange stage show sometimes.. But killer vocals.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Real vocals. Who wants to hear the tracks? Why would I even go to the concert?
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
This band we just covered – PVRIS. They are blowing up. Great songs. Amazing voice (the frontwoman, Lynn Gunn)
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Foo Fighters are def my favorite all time.
I love Audioslave. Anything Chris Cornell does really.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I have a twin sister who lives in California. I can’t reveal if she’s ever done one of our shows before in my place…it’s a mystery 😉
Favorite movie of all time and why.
1) Seven. Brad Pitt. Kevin Spacey. Creeped me the eff out. I loooove Horror movies.
2) Spinal Tap. Dear god I love this movie and still laugh out loud at nearly every scene.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Get ready for our new record. And Turn it up to 11!
Well folks, it looks as though the internet rumors over the past few weeks are true. If Axl is indeed singing for AC/DC this is going to be either the greatest thing to happen to rock and roll since AC/DC found Brian Johnson or the biggest flop in music history since AC/DC dropped Brian Johnson…Only time will tell but opinions welcome!
From TMZ:
No one on the planet is about to rock as hard as Axl Rose, and we have the first photos of him leaving rehearsing with what could be his new band … AC/DC!
There are reports the Guns N’ Roses frontman is going to fill in as lead singer for AC/DC, which is rumored to be opening for GNR on its upcoming tour. Axl was at a rehearsal studio in Atlanta with Angus Young and co. on Friday … maybe running through the classics, maybe finalizing a deal.
We wish Tony well in his new endeavor! I am going to miss the podcast too…
3 years ago this Easter Sunday, “The Naked Adam Show” launched on WSON radio. Now, 156 episodes later, it’s time to bring an end to the show in it’s 30 minute time frame…So what’s next? …I’ll be devoting time now to finish writing a book that I began a couple of years ago. The time required in writing/producing a radio show is extensive and just wouldn’t allow the time I need to do both. We’re looking at maybe coming back with a shorter daily radio spot. I think that woul…d be more manageable.
A big THANK YOU to my announcer Danny Perkins and those faithful in supporting the show. Thanks to Ron Lyon for promoting the show in Arkansas and in Texas and also locally, Josh Gish, Mike Brune, Ruby Stone, Richard Carter, Michael Kelley Blanchard and many others. Thanks to all who tuned in each week. I hope you heard something that made your life better.
We’ll be on the radio tomorrow at 10:30am with our Easter Show. Hope you can join us.
I’ll keep you posted of things to come.
Blessing to all and have a great Resurrection
Sunday !
Following on from reports that AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson would stop touring with the band due to hearing issues, a close friend of the vocalist has come out and said that he was “kicked to the curb”.
CantonRep.com reports that Johnson told comedian and friend Jim Breuer – whose new rock album the AC/DC vocalist sung on — the news after a show at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre in Florida last week.
The band’s situation was then broadcast to listeners of Breuer’s podcast, The Metal In Me.
In the new podcast which was posted today, Breuer claims Johnson was dumped after telling Angus Young the full extent of his hearing issues.
“[Brian] said that he called and let [AC/DC and Young] know, ‘Hey this is what the doctor said, but let’s try to figure this out. I don’t think it’s as bad as he said it is.’ Literally the next day in the press, it was ‘Brian Johnson, tour cancelled, he’s losing his hearing.’” Breuer revealed.
“[Brian said] ‘I would really like to finish and do some shows. I think we can knock this out.’ Then all his luggage that he toured with showed up at his driveway. There’s been no calls. No, ‘How’s your hearing? How’s your health?’ Boom. ‘Here’s your [stuff], nice to know you.’”
Breuer said Johnson was “depressed” about the situation.
“I’ve never seen him down before. He was upset that he feels like he kind of got kicked to the curb,” Breuer said.
The 10 postponed Rock Or Bust US tour dates will be rescheduled later in the year, but it is unknown who will take over vocal duties, with a guest vocalist said to be likely at this stage.
According to his girlfriend. He was concerned about his playing at his age and having hand issues.
I have seen this time and time again. Musicians are quick to smell blood in the water. The younger ones will say the older ones are too old, need to retire, or say they are no longer “needed” for a lack of better words. I remember reading years ago that the late Del Shannon took his own life because no one wanted to hear anything new he had recorded. They only wanted to hear his two hits…
Here is what Keith Emerson’s girlfriend had to say…
from Blabbermouth:
Keith Emerson‘s girlfriend has told U.K.’s Daily Mail that the EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER keyboardist killed himself because he was concerned about the nerve damage to his right hand which had affected his playing.
Mari Kawaguchi found the 71-year-old musician’s dead body around 1:30 a.m. Friday after returning to the apartment they shared in Santa Monica, California. He had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.
“His right hand and arm had given him problems for years,” the 52-year-old Kawaguchi said. “He had an operation a few years ago to take out a bad muscle but the pain and nerve issues in his right hand were getting worse.
“He had concerts coming up in Japan and even though they hired a back-up keyboard player to support him, Keith was worried.
“He read all the criticism online and was a sensitive soul. Last year he played concerts and people posted mean comments such as, ‘I wish he would stop playing.’
“He was tormented with worry that he wouldn’t be good enough. He was planning to retire after Japan.
“He didn’t want to let down his fans. He was a perfectionist and the thought he wouldn’t play perfectly made him depressed, nervous and anxious.”
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/keith-emerson-feared-he-could-no-longer-perform-perfectly-for-his-fans-says-his-girlfriend/#3uqFYB1vbt6jpBAr.99
AC/DC has taken a few hard hits lately but is this the last straw? If Brian’s hearing is in danger, I don’t blame him for retiring. I wonder how the fans will react to a guest singer to fulfill their postponed concert dates?
From the Sydney Journal:
With Brian Johnson reluctantly quitting as AC/DC’s singer the question has to be asked: is this the end for AC/DC, not only Australia’s biggest band but one of the world’s biggest?
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
