KISS has postponed four upcoming shows on The End Of The Raod farewell tour after bassist Gene Simmons tested positive for COVID-19.
Concerts in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin betweem September 1 and September 5 will be rescheduled following the recent postponement of three dates this past week when bandmate Paul Stanley first tested positive for the coronavirus.
"KISS will postpone their next four tour dates,” announced the group on social media. “While Paul Stanley recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID, Gene Simmons has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms. The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9th at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA.
“All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates once announced. More information will be emailed to ticketholders directly."
KISS The End Of The Road
2021 US tour
Postponed shows
Aug 26 - Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug 28 - Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Sep 01 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sep 02 - Dayton, OH @ Wright State University Nutter Center
Sep 04 - Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sep 05 - Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater - Summerfest Grounds
The Scorpions were honored with the European Culture Prize during an August 28 gala at the Bonn Opera House in Bonn, Germany.
The prize is awarded to personalities, initiatives, artists, politicians or institutions for outstanding services and achievements about Europe and its people.
Singer Klaus Meine and guitarist Rudolph Schenker were on hand to represent the Scorpions at the event, which saw German writer and singer Heinz Rudolf Kunze declare that the band had “earned their popularity with indomitable will, perseverance and hard work.”
Meine performed the 1990 Scorpions classic, “Wind Of Change”, with the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn as part of the evening’s entertainment.
"What an honour to receive the wonderful European Culture Award 2021 in Bonn, Germany,” shared the Scorpions on social media. "Thank you so much… it was truly a night to remember."
Formed in Hanover, Germany by Rudolf Schenker in 1965, the Scorpions released their debut, “Lonesome Crow”, in 1972, as the first of 18 studio albums; the band have reportedly sold more than 110 million records worldwide during their career.
The Scorpions – who have been recording a new album during the pandemic – recently shared rehearsal video of a new track from their studio in Hanover.
David Lee Roth reportedly passed on an invitation to join the Motley Crue and Def Leppard stadium tour.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Nikki Sixx says the Crue invited the Van Halen singer to share the bill but he declined, telling the bassist: “I don’t open for bands that I influenced.”
Sixx formed Motley Crue in Los Angeles in 1981, almost a decade after Roth teamed up with Eddie and Alex Van Halen on the Southern California music scene and three years after Van Halen released their self-titled debut album.
Originally scheduled to launch last year, the stadium series – which will also feature Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - was first moved to this summer before being delayed to 2022 due to the ongoing pandemic.
The news follows recent headlines that Roth is no longer a part of the recently-relaunched KISS farewell tour, after he opened several dates last year before the pandemic shut down many things, including the live music industry.
This past spring, Roth released a new track entitled “Giddy-Up!”, one of five songs included in last fall’s The Roth Project, an immersive interactive online comic narrated by the rocker that featured five songs from an unreleased album he recorded with Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 in 2014.
KISS have announced a series of rescheduled dates for the 2021 Australian leg of the band’s End Of The Road farewell tour.
“Promoters One World Entertainment and TEG Live advise that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings and interstate travel, the KISS End of the Road Australia tour in November / December 2021 will be rescheduled to March / April 2022,” shared KISSon social media. “Tickets and VIP packages purchased for the November / December 2021 concerts remain valid for the rescheduled dates without need for exchange. Ticket holders will be emailed with their new dates and will not need to take any further action.”
“One World Entertainment and TEG Live, along with the legion of KISS fans across Australia, also send their very best wishes to Paul Stanley for a speedy recovery from COVID-19, which was reported in the media on Friday.”
KISS postponed a pair of US concerts after Stanley tested positive for COVID-19; the group’s next scheduled performance is currently set for September 1 in Clarkson, MI.
“I am overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages of love and support that I have received from my Aussie fans and want to let you all know that I now feel great and am near my complete recovery,” says Stanley. “My doctors have told me that I was very smart to get fully vaccinated as that has clearly made the difference in making sure I don’t get really sick from this virus.
“I know that Australia is accelerating its vaccine roll out but, unfortunately, it won’t be in time for our November / December tour to proceed as scheduled. So, we will push the tour back a few months but, rest assured, WE ARE COMING FOR YOU!!” KISS The End Of The Road
2022 Australian tour
Mar 19 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
Mar 20 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
Mar 22 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
Mar 26 – Perth, AU @ RAC Arena
Mar 29 – Adelaide, AU @ Adelaide Entertainment Center
Apr 01 – Sydney, AU @ Qudos Bank Arena
Apr 02 – Sydney, AU @ Qudos Bank Arena
Apr 06 – Brisbane, AU @ Brisbane Entertainment Center
Apr 09 – Townsville, AU @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Steely Dan are streaming audio of their classic hit, “Reelin’ In The Years”, as the latest preview to their forthcoming package “Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live!”
Originally released as the second single from the 1972 debut, “Can’t Buy A Thrill”, by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the song reached No. 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
“Reelin’ In The Years” was recorded at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, just one of the locations featured on Steely Dan’s first live album in more than 25 years.
“Northeast Corridor” will be available in multiple formats, including CD and digital on September 24, with a 180-gram vinyl package due October 1.
Steely Dan will launch a fall US tour in support of the project; the series will open with a four-night stand in Miami, FL on October 5.
Steely Dan “Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live!”
Release date: September 24
01. Black Cow
02. Kid Charlemagne
03. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
04. Hey Nineteen
05. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
06. Glamour Profession
07. Things I Miss the Most
08. Aja
09. Peg
10. Bodhisattva
11. Reelin’ in the Years
12. A Man Ain’t Supposed to Cry
Sixx:A.M. will release a new compilation, “Hits”, on October 22.
The project features tracks from the five studio albums issued by trio of Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, vocalist James Michael, and former Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba since their formation in 2007.
SixxAM issued their debut, “The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack”, in 2007; it was followed by 2011’s “This Is Gonna Hurt”, 2014’s “Modern Vintage”, and a pair of 2016 records – “Prayers For The Damned” and “Prayers For The Blessed.”
The 2021 collection also includes six previously-unreleased songs, including the set’s preview: a lyric video for the newly-available Rock Mix of “Skin”; the original studio version of the tune first appeared on “This Is Gonna Hurt.”
“Hits” will arrive in sync with the October 19 release of the new memoir, “The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx”, on October 19 via Hachette Books.
http://www.hennemusic.com/2021/06/nikki-sixx-to-publish-new-memoir-first.html
The project sees the rocker tell his origin story: how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx, chronicling his journey from Idaho farmboy to the man who formed Motley Crue.
Sixx:A.M. "Hits"
Release date: October 22
01. Life Is Beautiful
02. This Is Gonna Hurt
03. Lies Of The Beautiful People
04. Pray For Me
05. Rise
06. Stars
07. Maybe It's Time
08. Skin
09. Belly Of The Beast
10. Are You With Me Now
11. Girl With Golden Eyes
12. Accidents Can Happen
13. Gotta Get It Right
14. We Will Not Go Quietly
New bonus tracks:
15. The First 21
16. Talk To Me - Radio Mix
17. Penetrate
18. Waiting All My Life
19. Skin - Rock Mix
20. Life Is Beautiful - Piano Vocal
Metallica are previewing their forthcoming expanded Black Album reissue with streaming audio of a rough mix of the track, “The God That Failed.”
The May 13, 1991 production mix is featured on the 2CD “Rough & Alternate Mixes” included in the Remastered Deluxe Box Set of The Black Album.
The Limited Edition Deluxe package contains the remastered album on 180G 2LP, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs (containing rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows), 6 DVDs (containing outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, live shows), a 120-page hardcover book, four tour laminates, three lithos, three guitar picks, a Metallica lanyard, a folder with lyric sheets, and a download card).
The reissue will be available in multiple configurations on September 10, including 180 gram Double Vinyl LP, Standard CD and 3 CD Expanded Edition, and digital formats.
“Metallica” delivered the California band’s commercial breakthrough as their first record to top the US charts while going on to sell 16 million copies in the country and more than 31 million worldwide.
The Rolling Stones are sharing a video tribute to their late bandmate Charlie Watts.
The two-minute clip presents a montage of photos and footage of Watts through the years to the soundtrack of the group’s 1974 classic, “If You Can’t Rock Me”, a track from the “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll” album.
"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family,” his publicist Bernard Doherty said in a released statement that day. "Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."
The surviving members of The Rolling Stones each offered their own personal tributes to Watts on social media earlier this week; since the legendary drummer’s passing, the band’s website has remained dark in remembrance of the late rocker, who is pictured on the site’s home page.
The Rolling Stones will proceed with their fall US tour as scheduled when it opens in St. Louis, MO on September 26, with Watts’ friend and hand-picked stand-in, Steve Jordan, on drums.
The anniversary editions were fully mixed by Pearl Jam producer and sound engineer Josh Evans in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio to provide listeners with an immersive, sonic experience.
The free streaming event will be available through Monday, August 30th at 11:59pm PT.
Pearl Jam have also recently released a 25th anniversary 150-gram vinyl edition of “No Code”, marking the first time the album has been available on the format since its original release and the first time the album is being mastered specifically for vinyl.
Queen are revisiting their 1981 collaboration with David Bowie on the hit single, “Under Pressure”, in latest episode of the band’s 50th anniversary video series The Greatest.
The origins of the tune date back to a July 1981 jam session at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland, where both acts were recording new music at the time.
An impromptu phone call by Studio Engineer Dave Richards got the ball rolling.
“They were recording there and, David (Richards) knew that I was in town,” explains Bowie, “and phoned me up and asked me if I’d come down if I’d like to go down and see what was happening. So I went down and these things happen, you know, suddenly you’re writing something together and it was totally spontaneous, it certainly wasn’t planned. It was peculiar!”
“Well, I think the process was we were all drunk, and in the studio, and we were just for fun playing all sorts of old songs,” recalls Roger Taylor. “I remember a couple of old Cream songs, and whatever came into our heads and I think David said, ‘look, hang on a minute, why don’t we write one of our own?’”
“Deacy (bassist John Deacon) came up with this riff… ding, ding, ding, de de, ding, ding,” says Brian May.
“And then we went for a pizza and he forgot it. Completely escaped his mind!,” adds Taylor, “We got back, and I remembered it. David’s idea to put all these clicks and claps, and then it just, the sort of track grew.”
“And by that time, David was very impassioned with it and he had a vision in his head I think,” says May. “It’s quite a difficult process and somebody has to back off, and actually, I did back off, which is unusual for me.”
The result of that long night was “Under Pressure”, and when released in October 1981, it gave Queen their second UK number 1, and became a massive hit across the globe.
The song became a permanent feature in subsequent Queen shows and was one of the stand-out moments at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert on April 20, 1992 where David Bowie and Annie Lennox joined Roger, Brian and John for a performance of the tune, which was added to Queen’s 1982 album, “Hot Space.”
Pearl Jam have released a pair of newly-remixed anniversary editions of their 1991 debut, “Ten”, and 1996’s “No Code” albums.
Both records were issued on August 27 – five years apart – with “Ten” marking its 30th anniversary and “No Code” its 25th milestone.
The anniversary editions were fully mixed by Pearl Jam producer and sound engineer Josh Evans in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio to provide listeners with an immersive, sonic experience.
“These two albums sound amazing in the immersive format,” Evans said in a statement. “For ‘Ten’, the goal was to create the best version of the record, bigger, wider, and higher fidelity; now, it actually sounds as great coming out of your speakers as it does in your memory of hearing it the first time. Twenty-five years ahead of its time, ‘No Code’ almost sounds like it was intended to be an immersive album; experimental layers, nuance, and raw aggression are all amplified and expanded in a simultaneously bigger and more intimate experience.”
“Ten” went on to sell more than 13 million copies in the US, while “No Code” earned the Seattle outfit their third straight US No. 1 album.
Pearl Jam have also recently released a 25th anniversary 150-gram vinyl edition of “No Code”, marking the first time the album has been available on the format since its original release and the first time the album is being mastered specifically for vinyl.
Tesla have released a video for their new single, “Cold Blue Steel.”
The song “is influenced by current events of the world, just like our debut single 'Modern Day Cowboy' (1986) and touches on the subject fairly and open-minded by asking, 'What’s to blame?' when it comes to violence in the world’”, says guitarist Frank Hannon. “More importantly, the recording and production of the song and video are kept raw and real, just the way Tesla fans want to see and hear us. We are survivors and have been rocking for 35-plus years!"
"I want to thank my friend Howie Simon for stepping in to help us,” explained Hannon. “Please accept my apology for not saying anything sooner, but I’ve not been able to move all week in pain. The day the bus was leaving I woke up w 102 fever, shakes and couldn’t hardly breathe. So I stayed home. I’ve been unable to hardly move or function since. Tested positive for Covid. (yes I got the vax, thought maybe it was side efx). Howie did the 2 Oregon shows [August 5th and 6th] for me, and the guys are postponing more dates until we’re all cleared up and safe. I love you all LET’s GET REAL."
Tesla’s next scheduled performance is currently set for September 16 in Roanoke, VA according to the group’s website.
KISS has postponed a pair of shows on The End Of The Raod farewell tour after frontman Paul Stanley tested positive for COVID-19.
“Tonight's #KISS show at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, PA is unfortunately postponed due to Paul Stanley testing positive for COVID,” said the band on social media about the August 26 event. “More information about show dates will be made available ASAP. Everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully vaccinated. The band and their crew have operated in a bubble independently to safeguard everyone as much as possible at each show and in between shows. The tour also has a COVID safety protocol officer on staff full-time that is ensuring everyone is closely following all CDC guidelines.”
“I had been sick with flu-like symptoms and was tested repeatedly and was negative,”tweeted Stanley just hours before the concert. “As of late this afternoon I tested positive. The crew, staff and band have all tested negative once again.”
KISS have also postponed their upcoming August 28 show in Raleigh, NC.
“Saturday night’s KISS show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh, NC is being rescheduled,” announced the group. “All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced. More information will be emailed to ticketholders directly. Stay tuned for more info soon.”
The current US leg of the KISS farewell series is schedule to run into early October. See also:
“The Rolling Stones’ tour dates are moving ahead as planned,” says promoter Concerts West in a statement to Rolling Stone in response to the many inquiries it’s received about the status of the tour.
“It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be Charlie’s understudy,” Jordan said at the time.
Jordan has been a longtime associate of the band: he played on their 1986 album, “Dirty Work”, and joined Keith Richards to form The X-Pensive Winos, in 1987.
Featuring the hits “Start Me Up” and “Waiting On A Friend”, the original record has been remastered for 2021 as a standalone set, with most packages featuring a set of unreleased recordings and a 1982 concert from London’s Wembley Stadium. The Rolling Stones No Filter
2021 US Tour
Sep 26 – St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center
Sep 30 – Charlotte, NC @ Bank Of America Stadium
Oct 04 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Field
Oct 09 – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium
Oct 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium
Oct 24 – Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium
Oct 29 – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
Nov 02 – Dallas, TX @ Cotton Bowl Stadium
Nov 06 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
Nov 11 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Nov 15 – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
Nov 20 – Austin, TX @ Circuit of The Americas
The Black Crowes have rescheduled their upcoming UK and European tour.
“UK and Europe: due to the continuing uncertainty associated with international touring, the Shake Your Money Maker Tour is being re-scheduled to 2022,” reports the band’s social media team. “Tickets will be honored at the new dates and ticketholders will receive emails with more information. Visit theblackcrowes.com for the full listing of new dates and contact your point of purchase for any ticketing questions.
“The band is currently on their North American Tour and it feels so amazing to be back on the road. They can’t wait to come play some rock n roll for you! Until then, stay safe and be kind to each other.”
The fall 2022 series will open in Dublin, Ireland on September 21, with dates running to October 19 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The current tour sees the reunited pair of brothers Chris and Rich Robinson performing the classic rock group’s 1990 debut, “Shake Your Money Maker”, in its entirety.
The Black Crowes Shake Your Money Maker
2022 UK/European Tour
Sep 21 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena
Sep 24 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
Sep 26 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
Sep 27 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
Sep 30 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Lotto Arena
Oct 01 – Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013 Tilburg
Oct 03 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS
Oct 05 – Paris, France @ Olympia
Oct 07 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Jahrhunderthalle
Oct 08 – Bochum, Germany @ Ruhr Congress
Oct 10 – Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrom
Oct 11 – Hamburg, Germany @ Barclays Arena
Oct 13 – Milan, Italy @ Mediolanum Forum
Oct 14 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Samsung Hall
Oct 16 – Barcelona, Spain @ St Jordi Club
Oct 18 – Madrid, Spain @ WiZink Center
Oct 19 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Campo Pequeno
Led Zeppelin reconvene in January of 1971 to continue work on their fourth album in the latest episode of the band’s ongoing 50th anniversary video series.
The band set up shop at a country house known as Headley Grange for the sessions, which were captured with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio by engineer Andy Johns.
“We discovered Headley’s most dramatic acoustic features,” recalls Jimmy Page, “and this resulted in ‘When The Levee Breaks.’”
“We tried everything,” adds John Paul Jones. “There were amps everywhere – in rooms, up stairwells, in bathrooms, outside the building…”
The sonic experimentation proved to keep the sessions moving forward at a productive pace.
“It was utter chaos,” says Robert Plant. “It was a good feeling and we did it easy as pie.”
Once the initial records were completed, Page moved the sessions to Island Studios for overdubs and mixing of the project.
In early March, Led Zeppelin launched a spring tour of Ireland and the UK in support of “Led Zeppelin III”, and then played a handful of shows across Europe.
By June, the untitled album – which would come to be known as “Led Zeppelin IV” – was complete.
The Cult have postponed their 2021 tour plans due to the ongoing pandemic.
The group last performed dates on their Sonic Temple 30th anniversary tour in late 2019; when the pandemic shut down many things, including the live music industry, The Cult rescheduled their 2020 shows to this year .. and now they’re being moved one more time.
"The Cult will regretfully be postponing all upcoming shows for the rest of the year due to the ongoing flux in the world while we continue to adjust to the 'new normal'," announced the band on social media. "Our shows are a communal space where we share the celebration of live music. It is apparent that the optimism we shared in the performing of live shows for 2021 was premature. We refuse to put a single fan, whom we love and respect, in harm’s way.
"Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all in the Spring of 2022."
Last summer, The Cult shared an update on the follow-up album their 2016 album, “Hidden City.”
"In the studio with producer @tomdalgety working on the new Cult songs,” posted guitarist Billy Duffy on Instagram. “It's great to be back at the legendary Rockfield Studios where we recorded 'Dreamtime' way back in the day…"
The project will be the band’s eleventh studio record and first with Black Hill Records, a newly-launched rock-focused label affiliated with independent publisher Round Hill Music.
See also:
Metallica are sharing video of a previously-unreleased live version of their 1991 classic, “Wherever I May Roam”, from the forthcoming expanded reissue of their self-titled fifth album.
The band were captured performing the song at Estádio Palestra Itália, São Paulo, Brazil on May 2nd, 1993; the track is featured on the “Wherever We May Roam” DVD included in the remastered Deluxe Box Set of The Black Album.
The expansive package contains the remastered album on 180G 2LP, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs (containing rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows), 6 DVDs (containing outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, live shows), a 120-page hardcover book, four tour laminates, three lithos, three guitar picks, a Metallica lanyard, a folder with lyric sheets, and a download card).
The reissue will be available in multiple configurations on September 10, including 180 gram Double Vinyl LP, Standard CD and 3 CD Expanded Edition, and digital formats.
The same day, a companion package entitled “The Metallica Blacklist” will be released; it features interpretations of songs from The Black Album from more than 50 artists spanning a vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more.
The surviving members of The Rolling Stones are paying tribute to Charlie Watts on social media following the drummer’s passing on August 24.
Mick Jagger shared a photo of Watts laughing while playing drums; Keith Richards posted an image of a sign dangling on Watts drum kit that reads “closed …please call again”; and Ronnie Wood featured a photo of the pair together alongside the caption: “I love you my fellow Gemini ~ I will dearly miss you ~ you are the best.”
The band’s website has gone dark in remembrance of the late rocker, who is pictured on the site’s home page.
Watts died in a London hospital on Tuesday at the age of 80 while recovering from a recent medical procedure that was set to have him sit out the band’s rescheduled No Filter US Tour dates this fall; the drummer revealed publicly that he had asked his friend and renowned drummer Steve Jordan to stand in for him during the series.
"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family,” his publicist Bernard Doherty said in a released statement. "Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."
Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing’s new band, KK’s Priest, is streaming a video for “Raise Your Fists”, the latest track issued from their forthcoming debut album, “Sermons Of The Sinner.”
"This video is emblematic of what you can expect to experience when the band hits the road," says Downing. "This song totally rejoices in everything rock and metal, and is a clear indication that the band is raring to go, so get ready to 'raise your fists' with us when we hit the road."
Due October 1, the project sees Downing joined by a lineup that includes former Judas Priest vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens, as well as guitarist A.J. Mills (Hostile), bassist Tony Newton (Voodoo Six) and drummer Sean Elg (Cage, The Three Tremors).
KK’s Priest "Sermons Of The Sinner"
Release date: October 1
01. Incarnation
02. Hellfire Thunderbolt
03. Sermons Of The Sinner
04. Sacerdote Y Diablo
05. Raise Your Fists
06. Brothers Of The Road
07. Metal Through And Through
08. Wild And Free
09. Hail For The Priest
10. Return Of The Sentinel
The man who was photographed as a baby on the album cover for Nirvana's 1991 album, “Nevermind”, is suing the band over allegations of child sexual exploitation.
According to the BBC, 30-year-old Spencer Elden is claiming that the nude image of him as a four-month-old in swimming pool constitutes child pornography.
"The images exposed Spencer's intimate body part and lasciviously displayed Spencer's genitals from the time he was an infant to the present day," legal papers filed in California claim, and that he “has suffered and will continue to suffer lifelong damages" as a result of the artwork, including "extreme and permanent emotional distress."
Elden alleges his "true identity and legal name are forever tied to the commercial sexual exploitation he experienced as a minor which has been distributed and sold worldwide from the time he was a baby to the present day."
Non-sexualized photos of infants are generally not considered child pornography under US law.
Among the allegations outlined in the lawsuit are claims that the family was not compensated for the photo shoot; that his parents never signed a release authorizing the use of his image on the album; and, that the band failed to deliver on a promise to cover Elden's genitals with a sticker.
Elden’s suit seeks damages of at least $150,000 from each of the 15 named defendants, who include surviving band members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic; the managers of Kurt Cobain's estate; Cobain's former wife Courtney Love; and Weddle.
View the full legal filing here and learn more details via the BBC.
Elden has recreated the album cover several times as a teenager and adult - always wearing swimming trunks - to mark the project’s 10th, 20th and 25th anniversaries.
Featuring the hits “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are”, Nirvana’s second album, “Nevermind”, served as the Seattle band’s commercial breakthrough and went on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide, including 10 million in the US.
Cobain died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Seattle home on April 5, 1994; his body was discovered three days later by an electrician who had arrived to do some work on the property.
The Triumph documentary, “Rock & Roll Machine”, will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Friday, September 10.
Produced by Banger Films, the feature details the story of one of Canada’s biggest rock acts of the 1980s – from their humble beginnings as staples of the Toronto club circuit in the mid-'70s to selling out arenas and stadiums all across North America with their legendary live shows.
Formed in Mississauga, ON as a four-piece outfit in 1975, it was the addition of guitarist Rik Emmett to the lineup a few months later that led to Triumph re-launching as a trio that would see the release of a self-titled debut album in 1976 before 1977’s follow-up, “Rock & Roll Machine”, began to gain some attention from US radio.
Triumph would go on to release 9 studio albums ahead of Emmett’s departure in 1988; a tenth record, 1992’s “Edge Of Excess”, rounded out the catalogue before the group essentially disbanded the following year.
The 2021 film sees Emmett reunite with drummer Gil Moore and bassist Mike Levine to play a three-song set that marked the band’s first performance in 11 years, as well as its first as a pure three-piece power trio in 31 years.
Triumph are streaming a video trailer as a preview to the TIFF premiere of “Rock & Roll Machine.”
Pearl Jam are sharing video of a live performance of “In My Tree” as a preview to an August 27 free livestream event celebrating the 25th anniversary of their fourth album, “No Code.”
The band will stream an October 17, 2014 show from Moline, IL where they played the 1996 album live from start to finish.
The free streaming event will begin Friday, August 27 at 5pm PT and run through Monday, August 30th at 11:59pm PT via nugs.net.
Featuring the singles "Who You Are", "Hail, Hail" and "Off He Goes", “No Code” earned Pearl Jam their third straight US No. 1 album.
Pearl Jam have just released a 25th anniversary 150-gram vinyl edition of “No Code”, marking the first time the album has been available on the format since its original release and the first time the album is being mastered specifically for vinyl, by Grammy Award-winning engineer Bob Ludwig. It features recreations of their original packaging, including the set of nine random replica Polaroids/lyric cards.
Friday, August 27 also marks the 30th anniversary of Pearl Jam’s debut album, “Ten.”
Drummer Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones died in a London hospital on August 24 at the age of 80.
"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family,” his publicist Bernard Doherty said in a released statement. "Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time."
“Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation,” explained his spokesperson in a statement. “With rehearsals starting in a couple of weeks it’s very disappointing to say the least, but it’s also fair to say no one saw this coming.”
“For once, my timing has been a little off,” joked Watts at the time. “I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while. After all the fans’ suffering caused by Covid, I really do not want the many fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.”
Jordan has been a longtime associate of The Rolling Stones; he played on the band’s 1986 album, “Dirty Work”, and joined Keith Richards to form The X-Pensive Winos in 1987.
Watts got his first drum kit as a teenager and learned to played along with his beloved jazz records while still in high school; later, upon graduating from art school, he took a job as a graphic designer at an advertising agency while occasionally playing with local bands.
The drummer joined Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated in 1962, the same year he would meet his future bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones before becoming a Rolling Stone in early 1963.
The band issued their first single – a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On” – six months later, which reached No. 21 on the UK charts; a series of singles written by established artists followed, including a version of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” that hit No. 3 in their homeland and served as the lead single from their self-titled debut album upon its release in the spring of 1964.
A streak of three UK chart-toppers – covers of "It's All Over Now" and "Little Red Rooster", and the Jagger/Richards tune, "The Last Time" – set the stage for what would become their signature song and first international hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, the following year.
The Rolling Stones would release six albums in their first three years as they matched The Beatles in output, profile and influence in the mid-1960s, with the two forever linked as the UK’s biggest bands of all time.
Watts would continue his appreciation for jazz throughout his career, playing in – and leading – a number of groups and releasing a series of albums in the genre while a member of The Rolling Stones.
Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989, The Rolling Stones have reportedly sold more than 200 million albums worldwide.
