12.17.04 (AP) A classic Gibson guitar played by GEORGE HARRISON on THE BEATLES' "Revolver" album and by John Lennon during the recording of "The White Album" sold today to an anonymous bidder for $567,500, Christie's auction house has announced. The cherry red SG Standard belonged to Harrison from 1966 through 1969, and holds a special place in Beatles history. Harrison used the guitar in recording sessions and in several of the band's increasingly rare public appearances, and loaned the guitar to Lennon during sessions for "The White Album," according to Darren Julien, whose Julien Entertainment co-sponsored the auction. The 40-year-old guitar comes with a star-crossed history, however. GEORGE HARRISON presented the instrument to a friend, guitarist Pete Ham of the band BADFINGER, as a gift in 1969. Ham committed suicide five years later, and the guitar passed on to Ham's brother John. Since then, John Ham had stored the guitar beneath a bed in his London home, where it sat until he was contacted in 2002 by Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame representatives putting together a BADFINGER retrospective. Ham discovered the guitar in the same spot then where he had placed it a quarter-century earlier. GEORGE HARRISON died of cancer in November of 2001. Among the other items purchased in the auction at Christie's Rockefeller Center location were: $19,120 for a two-page letter sent by a hallucinating Kurt Cobain to Courtney Love. The 1991 letter was faxed to her from the NIRVANA front man's Sheffield, England, hotel. Written on lined notebook paper in black ink, it contains a passage from Cobain about his life while touring: "I really do care but I'm not very convincing. He's sad. I'm sad. My throat is a swollen tumor, Blood sausage - colon. I puke air after coughing."
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12.17.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Metal Blade Records has announced the officially signing of a worldwide deal with upstate New York Metalcore monsters THE RED DEATH. Having previously released a six-song EP on Crooked Halo Records, their first Metal Blade release will consequently be THE RED DEATH's debut full-length album, which is due to hit shelves sometime this coming Spring or Summer. The band recently finished up recording at Indie Audio in Syracuse, NY, where THE RED DEATH are slated to record the upcoming debut with producer Jason "Jocko" Randall (Ed Gein). Here's what the band had to say signing to Metal Blade Records Inc: "We at The Red Death camp are proud to announce our signing with the almighty Metal Blade Records. This is exactly the label we wanted to work with, and it's an honor to be given this opportunity. It's still unreal that a band from Western New York has been given the chance to work with a label that bands such as The Red Chord, Amon Amarth, Unearth, As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, The Crown, Vehemence, and many others call home. Look for us on the road starting in February." Michael Faley, President of Metal Blade Records, had this to say regarding the signing of THE RED DEATH: "We are extremely excited to be involved with the new core of metal bands that are cropping up across America and Europe. To that end, we are proud to welcome The Red Death to the Metal Blade Family. They are a young, exciting metalcore band who are extremely talented and destined for a bright future." The Red Death hail from upstate New York in the southern tier, mostly from a small town called Bath.
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12.16.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Matador Records has announced the signing of acclaimed artist and radio personality LAURA CANTRELL to a worldwide recording agreement. The Nashville-born, New York-based "proprietress" of WFMU's long-running "Radio Thrift Shop" is currently working on the follow-up to her 2002 release, "When The Roses Bloom Again." Long-time supporter John Peel called her first CD "my favorite album of the last 10 years, and possibly my life." Cantrell's two previous albums were released by Diesel Only Records in the U.S. and Shoeshine/Spit & Polish in the U.K. Over the past four years, she has opened U.S. tours for Elvis Costello and Joan Baez, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, the Newport Folk Festival, and the Late Show With Conan O'Brien, recorded five Peel Sessions, and has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal and New York Times, among other publications. Cantrell's still untitled upcoming album is scheduled for a late Spring release and will include such new originals as 'Khaki And Corduroy,' a meditation on her experience as a transplanted southerner attending university in New York City, and 'California Rose,' inspired by the life of California country music pioneer Rose Maddox. The album will also feature a version of the Appalachian murder ballad 'Poor Ellen Smith,' which was collected and published in the 1927 book American Mountain Songs by Cantrell's great, great aunt, Ethel Park Richardson, a "songcatcher" from Chattanooga, TN who later moved to New York like Cantrell did. The new sessions are being produced by JD Foster, whose production credits include Richard Buckner and Marc Ribot, and has recorded and toured with artists including Patty Griffin and Dwight Yoakam.
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12.16.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Polish heavyweights BEHEMOTH are currently in the midst of their first tours of Central and South America. "It's killer," says an enthusiastic Nergal (guitars/vocals). "What we've experienced in Costa Rica and Brazil went far beyond our expectations. Our South American promoter, Tumba Productions, did a great job and every show was a blast. We're having an awesome time. The food is delicious, the weather as perfect as can be and the girls are gorgeous. (Thanks to Dina, Lu, Camila, Cibele, Lupa, Andreia and Virginia for making our stay here even more pleasant!) "Despite having minor technical problems on stage in San Jose (Costa Rica) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), we are fully pleased with the shows. So far, the best turnout and greatest feedback we've gotten was in Sao Paulo. I'd love to thank all those crazy freaks - almost 900 people - who attended. It was an honor to play for such a dedicated crowd! Today we play in Porto Alegre, and there are still shows in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. See you there - horns up!" In other news, BEHEMOTH have added a "last-minute" show in Pueblo, Mexico, to take place on December 23rd at La Ciric. The band then returns to Poland for a short breather before embarking on a two-week U.K. tour in early January. From there, it's on to America for a six-week tour with death legends SUFFOCATION. The group will then return to the States in April to tour with KING DIAMOND, NILE and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, which includes a stop at the prestigious New England Metal And Hardcore Festival. BEHEMOTH's new album, "Demigod," will be released in North America on January 25th.
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12.15.04 (RockAndMetal.com) For the past 30 years, vocalist ROGER DALTREY has pursued a solo career alongside his primary role as lead singer for THE WHO. To commemorate those three decades, the album "Moonlighting - The Anthology" will be issued worldwide at the end of January. The double chronological anthology album highlights the varied musical paths Daltrey has chosen over the years, compiling all his hits and near-misses plus a brand new track, 'A Second Out,' recorded in Los Angeles this Fall. From the ballad 'Giving It All Away' to the classic 'Mack The Knife' with the added bonus of previously unreleased tracks, "Moonlighting - The Anthology" amply illustrates ROGER DALTREY's willingness in adapting to unexpected styles away from his more popular "day job" with THE WHO. Considered to be one of the most powerful vocalists in Rock 'N' Roll, "Moonlighting" documents the solo career Daltrey forged in 1973 with the tracks 'One Man Band,' 'The Way Of The World,' 'Thinking' and 'Giving It All Away,' taken from his debut album, "Daltrey." The 2-disc set continues on with three tracks from ROGER DALTREY's 1975 second solo album, "Ride A Rock Horse," in '(Come And) Get Your Love,' 'World Over' and 'Proud,' moving on to the tracks 'Avenging Annie' and the title track from 1976's "One Of The Boys." After singing on the soundtrack to the movie "McVicar" (which yielded the popular single 'Without Your Love'), ROGER DALTREY picked up the pace of his solo career and released three albums between 1984 and 1987 after the first 'official' breakup of THE WHO in 1982. The album "Rocks In The Head" followed in 1992.

12.15.04 (AP) Thousands waited in line in near-freezing temperatures in an area of Arlington, Texas Tuesday night to pay tribute at a memorial service for slain DAMAGEPLAN guitarist DIMEBAG DARRELL. Security was tight; guards used screening wands on grieving fans as they arrived for the public mourning of "Dimebag," who was also the former guitarist and founder of PANTERA. Messages such as "RIP Dime" and "Honk, honk for Dimebag, Peace in the after life" were scrawled on cars in the convention center parking lot. A high-pitched guitar solo blared from a pickup. "A legend died on Wednesday night. I guarantee I'll be telling my kids about this day and the day that he died," said Skyler Smith, 18. "My heart was broken." Vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, formerly of the band ALICE IN CHAINS, said he had been at a private funeral earlier in the day, and called the service "beautiful." "Today's really been the start of the healing process," he said, adding that he was heartened by fans who came to the public memorial. "It makes me feel a lot better." DIMEBAG DARRELL, 38, whose real name was Darrell Abbott, was shot to death in Columbus, Ohio, while performing a show with DAMAGEPLAN. Three others also were killed before police killed 25-year-old gunman Nathan Gale, described as an obsessed fan. Fans cheered the arrival of flower arrangements in the shape of guitars and a display with the words "Crown the Moment, Crown Royal," a reference to Abbott's favorite brand of whiskey. Michael Schaefer, 21, of Garland, and his wife both wore black PANTERA concert shirts. "It's still a real shock, the fact that it actually happened and the fact that someone would want to hurt him," Schaefer said. Rick Cunningham, 48, former lead singer for Dallas band RAGE was among those who waited in the long line for the service. He said he'd known Abbott for 20 years. "It's terrible, man. He was the nicest fella you would ever want to meet," he said. The guitarist lived in nearby Dalworthington Gardens.
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12.14.04 (RockAndMetal.com) After taking himself out of the music business "to regenerate, get free of myself and make an album for the right reasons," BILLY IDOL has completed his first album featuring new songs in over 10 years, entitled "Devil's Playground." The album is scheduled for release on March 22nd, and is the veteran British rocker's first effort for Sanctuary Records. "Devil's Playground" features the single 'Scream,' a down and dirty love romp featuring the sinister signature guitar of Steve Stevens and Idol's rock and roll holla in the familiar vein of 'Rebel Yell.' The song will be released to radio on January 3rd, with an impact date set for January 24th. Widely credited as one of the critical artists responsible for the golden age of MTV, and an early disciple of the art of controversy on the small screen, Idol will attempt to reinvent the video art form by making one for 'Scream,' which will be completed early next year. "Devil's Playground" is a journey through the musical mind, influences and taste of BILLY IDOL. The trip begins with the visceral thrust of the album's opener, 'Super Overdrive,' followed by the punk anthem 'World Coming Down,' which borrows from his own history in The Bromley Contingent, the crew that included Siouxsie Sioux, Steve Severin, THE CLASH's Mick Jones and others who followed THE SEX PISTOLS, as well as his own early groups, CHELSEA and GENERATION X. In total, there are 13 tracks on the new album. In the last few years, Idol and his band, which once again includes long-time guitarist Stevens, as well as new drummer Brian Tichy, bassist Stephen McGrath and keyboardist Derek Sherinian, have been... [full story]
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12.14.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Versatile Orange County-based quintet EYES OF FIRE have been hard at work on their highly anticipated sophomore release, and have also lined up a few shows with DANZIG at the end of this month. EYES OF FIRE Vocalist/guitarist Dan Kaufman checked in recently with the following update: "Hey all, EYES OF FIRE are still alive and kicking. We've been writing up a storm and have a crap load of shows to do before the end of the year. We got something really special planned for the Century Media Family X-mas Ball at the Key Club on Dec. 20th, so if you don't have tickets I would suggest getting them. This is going to be a one time only thing and it will be awesome!!!! Be sure to get there early because we're the first band. It also looks like we finally have some Danzig shows locked down. We are really excited about getting out in front of a new audience. Come early to those too, once again we are the openener but it's all good for us. More time to drink!!!! We are talking to a few producers for our next record, and we already have some artwork coming along. We're hoping to have everything tracked by the beginning of February and then get it mixed shortly there after. Then we might be heading out on the road come mid-February through March and then hopefully have a release date and a title for the second record. So come on out to the shows and have a good time, and we'll keep ourselves busy with the next record. Until then, take care and keep listening." - Dan
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12.13.04 (AP) Irish Rockers U2, R&B vocalists The O'Jays and Soul balladeer Percy Sledge are among five acts to be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during the foundation's 20th annual induction ceremony next year, the organization has announced. The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation will hold its induction ceremony on March 14th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. U2, which became one of the planet's most popular bands in the 1980s with their megahit album "The Joshua Tree," are still making the charts: Their November release, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," is currently the No. 2 album, according to Billboard. The O'Jays had eight No. 1 R&B hits during the 1970s and '80s, including 'Love Train' and 'Use Ta Be My Girl,' while Sledge will forever be associated with the song 'When A Man Loves A Woman,' one of the songs that made him a figure in deep Southern Soul in the late 1960s. The Pretenders and Blues guitarist Buddy Guy will also join the organization's Class of 2005. The artists beat out an impressive list of nominees including Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, which would have been the first rap group to be inducted; The J. Geils Band, and late Country singer Conway Twitty. Also, Frank Barsalona and Seymour Stein will be inducted in the non-performer category. Barsalona is credited with creating the first legitimate rock and roll booking agency. His roster included acts like Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and The Who. Stein, who is chairman and co-founder of Sire Records, is noted as one of the most successful executives in the modern recording industry.

12.13.04 (RockAndMetal.com) Deathwish Inc. has announced the signing of California's KILLING THE DREAM to a recording deal. KILLING THE DREAM are a truly inspiring and passionate contemporary hardcore band. Embodying the same positive raw emotion found in contemporaries COMEBACK KID and BANE, the band also pays tribute to the rage of legends UNBROKEN and CHAIN OF STRENGTH. Their collective energy and heart is the definition of hardcore intensity, making even the most jaded of listeners appreciate, respect, and praise them as new heroes in the making. Born from the ashes of legendary punk and hardcore acts GUILTRIPP, SAILOR PUNCH, MILITANT INTERVENTION, EJI, and EXTRA STOUT, KILLING THE DREAM formed in late 2002 when vocalist Eli, drummer Isaac and bassist Chris hooked up with Joel (guitar), practicing sparsely in between their collective other bands' schedules. Back then, practice consisted mostly of covering KID DYNAMITE's 'Shiner,' writing songs that never saw the light of day, and Joel singing fantasy metal songs about the ancient forests of elves. In early 2003, while EMBRACE THE END (Joel's other band) was on hiatus, the band was able to practice more often and write songs that would eventually wind up on the demo. In April of 2003, KILLING THE DREAM recorded a five song demo with Zack Ohren at Castle Ultimate in Oakland. Unfortunately, Eli developed problems with his throat and the band was put on hold for a few months. Finally, after a long four months, and the addition of Bart on second guitar, Eli's throat got better and in August, the demo was finally done. Their first show was on September 26, 2003 with friends and label-mates TIME FOR LIVING, along with LIGHTS OUT and CROSS THE LINE.
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[Music News: 11.29.04 - 12.05.04]
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