Yet another rock legend is gone. Paul Kantner of the Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship has soared upward from this mortal coil. He was the guitarist for the pioneering pyschedelic rock band out of San Francisco. Their music meant a lot to me in my early years and the Airplane’s After Bathing At Baxter’s remains one of my favorites. Rest in peace, Paul. At least he can be hanging out with some pretty awesome people, including his longtime manager who left before him.
The Pulse of Radio reporting today Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and the Black Keys have been added as guests at the 2016 induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which will take place in New York City on Apr 8th. There is no word yet on what either Ulrich or the Keys will be doing at the event, but Ulrich is expected to induct Deep Purple into the Hall during the ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It is not clear whether the Black Keys will be presenting, performing or both, but at the very least it seems likely that the duo will perform in some capacity.
In addition to Deep Purple, other long-overdue rock artists headed into the Hall this time around include Cheap Trick, Chicago and Steve Miller, along with rap pioneers N.W.A. Like previous years, HBO will film the ceremony and play it back in an abbreviated form in May.
I love this guy! Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor said in a new interview it would be “super greedy” of him to launch a solo career — at least for now. Speaking with Rock Sveridge, Taylor explained, “I’ve been getting questions about solo stuff forever. But it’s a good problem to have. But, at the same time, I’m in two fantastic bands. Why would I ever?” He added, “Unless I wanted to get super greedy, why would I try to split off and do something else. I’m very fulfilled by the music that I get to make with both bands. Is there a solo album in me? Yes. But it’s not gonna be for a few more years.“
Taylor told us a while back what he thought a solo album from him might sound like: “For me, the stuff that I write is, it would be like a cross between the Foos, Social D. and the Replacements, you know. I mean, real Midwestern rock. Real, just open chords, good time rock, you know. And damn the critics, basically. That’s the stuff I write and that’s the stuff I’ve always tried to write.” Corey also said how N.W.A was one of his favorites as well. Somehow, I can see him up there in the cap and baggies.
I think it’s find of funny all the people who want to say they helped to put Guns N’ Roses (Axl, Slash and Duff, at least) back together. But I say the person most responsible was Duff McKagan. He remained a good friend to everyone in the band, and Axl invited him to join his newer version in South America a few years back. THAT is where I believe all of this started. Just the pure emotion and joy of those two being back on stage together performing the music they made together. And with Slash never HATING on anyone, but perturbed about the situation, it was like, “take a feather-this could happen.” And it did. And we should ALL take credit for the reunion because not one single of those guys has been able to avoid the constant questions from friends, fans and radio folks, “When are Axl and Slash going to bury the hatchet?” So let’s ALL take the credit and enjoy it, even if we can’t afford to buy a ticket!
Foo Fighter Dave Grohl will appear at the 2016 MusiCares fund raiser on Feb 13th in LA. This year, the event honors Lionel Ritchie. Dave will be among a huge list of celebs and musicians including Florence Welch, Ellie Goulding, Rhianna, Steve Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, The Roots and Pharrell Williams. MusiCares raises money for industry folk who need assistance in times of financial, medical or personal crisises. This is their 26th annual event.
Hellyeah has launched a Pledgemusic.com campaign for their new album, which is yet to be titled. You can pre-order the album now along with a number of perks also being offered. Guitarist Tom Maxwell said about the follow-up to 2014’s Blood For Blood, “It’s taken a lot of different turns. We’re doing some new things and we’re thinking outside the box.” The album will be out later this year, although it will be preceded by a new live DVD. (The PRP)
Bullet For My Valentine frontman Matt Tuck revealed that the band is working on material for a free five-track EP to be released this year. Tuck told Kerrang!, “We would just really like to have something to keep everybody going between albums. The way music has changed and the way people listen to it is king, and you have to adapt and have something to keep people going.” The EP would follow up the band’s 2015 album Venom. (Metal Hammer) I will be getting Mr Tuck on the hotLine next week to check in on this and their upcoming tour with Asking Alexandria.
Well, it’s getting close! We will soon be able to announce the 2016 hardDrive Live Tour! Hard to believe this is our 9th year of doing these tours. Very proud of our team! Can’t wait to fill you all in!
Also, we’ve just posted a new hardDrive DL podcast! This time, it’s my conversation with Richard Patrick of Filter! Check it out on iTunes.
Celebrating life this weekend: today Handsome Dick Manitoba from the Dictators is 62! Good Gawd, I met him when he was 21! And on Sunday, Happy 60th to Johnny Lydon of the Sex Pistols.