Year in Rock: 2013

The Doors' Ray Manzarek Dead at 74

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:57:00 GMT

The Doors' co-founder and keyboardist Ray Manzarek died on Monday, May 20th in Rosenheim, Germany at the RoMed Clinic following a long battle with with bile duct cancer. He was 74. Manzarek was surrounded by his wife Dorothy and his brothers Rick and James Manczarek. Manzarek is survived by Dorothy, their son Pablo, his wife Sharmin, and their three children Noah, Apollo, and Camille. Funeral arrangements are pending. An official statement posted on TheDoors.com stated: "The family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please make a memoriam donation in Ray Manzarek's name at www.standup2cancer.org."

Doors guitarist Robby Krieger said in a statement: "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today. I'm just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."

Doors drummer John Densmore said in a statement: "There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words. Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother."

Ray Manzarek was born Raymond Daniel Manczarek, Jr. on February 12th, 1939 on the South Side of Chicago and was of Polish decent. In 1962 he moved to Southern California to study at the Department of Cinematography at UCLA, where he first met fellow student and future partner Jim Morrison, along with his wife of 45 years, Dorothy Fujikawa. Together with Morrison, Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore, the quartet formed the Doors in 1965 and between 1967 and 1971 released six studio albums -- The Doors (1967); Strange Days (1967); Waiting For The Sun (1968); The Soft Parade (1969); Morrison Hotel (1970); and L.A. Woman (1971) -- before Jim Morrison's death on July 3rd, 1971 in Paris.

Manzarek changed the face of rock keyboard playing, with his early signature sound being a combination of a Vox Continental organ -- and later a Gibson G-101 Kalamazoo combo organ -- with his left hand playing the basslines on a Fender Rhodes electric piano "bass unit," which featured only the keyboard's lowest notes. Although the Doors eventually added a studio bassist to their sessions, Manzarek handled the bass duties via his keyboards for the band's live appearances with Morrison.

Following Morrison's death, the Doors soldiered on with Manzarek and Krieger taking over vocal duties on the band's 1971 set, Other Voices, and its follow-up, 1972's Full Circle. Following that, Krieger and Densmore split to form the Butts Band. After a short-lived mid-'70s collaboration with Iggy Pop, Manzarek formed Nite City with future Blondie bassist Nigel Harrison, and produced and collaborated with the likes of Philip Glass, Echo & The Bunnymen, X, and poet Michael McClure, among many others.

In 1978 Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore reunited to compose and record music to Morrison's poetry for the An American Prayer album. Manzarek collaborated frequently with Robby Krieger. In 2002 the pair began touring as the Doors Of The 21st Century, which went through various name changes -- including Riders On The Storm -- until the pair settled on Manzarek-Krieger or Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger of The Doors, following a bitter five-year battle against John Densmore and the Morrison estate over the use of the band's name.

In 1998, Manzarek published his memoir, Light My Fire: My Life With The Doors. He followed the autobiography in 2001 with The Poet In Exile, which supposes what would've happened had Jim Morrison faked his death -- as many fans believe. In 2006 he published his second novel, the Civil War-based, Snake Moon.

The Doors' stats remain among the most impressive of the rock era, selling over 100 million albums worldwide, and receiving 19 Gold, 14 Platinum, and five multi-Platinum albums in the U.S. alone.

FRIENDS AND FANS REACT

Joe Perry wrote: "I am very saddened by loss of Ray Manzarek now he's with Jim. They mean as much to me today as they did 40 years ago."

Slash wrote: "The Doors represent the LA sound to me. It was the 1st band I remember hearing when I came from England; 'Light my fire,' I'll never forget."

Alice Cooper wrote: "Ok it is OFFICIAL. Ray Manzarek is dead. Mind blown. RIP Ray."

Flea wrote: "Wow. Ray manzarek. Bless his heart. One of a kind rock original. Grateful to have jammed with him once. R.I..P."

Weird Al Yankovic wrote: Oh man. So terribly sad. We lost a great one. #RIPRayManzarek

Elijah Wood wrote: "The End. Sad to hear of Ray Manzarek's passing."

When discussing the Doors in their prime, Ray Manzarek told us that whether they liked it or not, the Doors ended up being spokesmen for their generation: "There was a war in Vietnam and, y'know, that had to be stopped, and we were gonna try to clean up the environment, and do all those good things that hippies were trying to do. And everyone was angry, man, so, y'know, we tried to make the music as hard and as powerful and as exciting as possible. And when you got Jim Morrison as your lead singer, well, y'know, that's an extra plus. So that's what it was all about."

Robbie Krieger says that looking back, the Doors' short time together was relatively free of ego problems or star trips: "It was really, like, the perfect group, y'know, as far as working together and stuff. There was no ego problems, y'know, and petty jealousies and stuff like that that a lot of groups go through."

During the height of his and Robby Krieger's recent battles with John Densmore over the use of the Doors' name, Manzarek never wavered from the belief that the pair deserved to be billed as "The Doors": "We are the Doors. You're watching two guys who were in the band. The keyboard player and the guitar player are the original members of the Doors. That's the actual guys, man. There's the sound of the Doors right in front of you. That's the keyboard player who plays 'Light My Fire.' That's the guitar player who wrote 'Light My Fire.' So it's a continuation."

Ultimately, Ray Manzarek told us that as the Doors' music ages, it's probably better understood and more beloved than when it was first recorded: "I think the time has allowed them to digest the Jungian/Freudian aspect of the Doors' songs. I think they've gotten into the depth of the songs a lot more than back in the '60s, and understand it from an intellectual perspective, and are just as wild as the people were in the '60s. I'm surprised at, y'know, how uninhibited and how crazy and Dionysian they can actually be."

The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:52:00 GMT

The 2013 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony took place on April 18th in downtown Los Angeles at the Nokia Theater. The inductees to the Rock Hall class of 2013 were Rush, Heart, Donna Summer, blues legend Albert King, Randy Newman, and rappers Public Enemy. The prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Lifetime Achievement Award was given to record mogul Lou Adler and Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr.

Although the classic 1975 to 1979 Heart lineup -- featuring sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson along with lead guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, longtime guitarist/keyboardist Howard Leese, and drummer Michael DeRosier -- was inducted, Rush fans have been up in arms over the Hall overlooking original Rush drummer, John Rutsey. Rutsey co-founded the band, played on their 1973 debut single -- a cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" -- as well as the band's 1973 self-titled album. Rutsey, who quit the band due to complications from diabetes in 1974, died in 2008.

Rush drummer Neil Peart, normally the most reclusive member of the band, gave the first and most eloquent of the three members' speeches, followed by bassist/singer Geddy Lee. But it was guitarist Alex Lifeson who brought down the house with a speech consisting entirely of "blah blah blahs," changing the tone of his voice to exhibit a range of emotions -- with everyone understanding what he meant, especially when he "described" getting the call that the band was being inducted.

The night ended with the traditional jam as all the members of Rush, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Chuck D. from Public Enemy, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, Chris Cornell from Soundgarden, John Fogerty, Gary Clark Jr., Tom Morello and DMC of Run-DMC broke out "Crossroads.”

Rush bassist Geddy Lee was asked on the red carpet if he thought the acclaimed documentary on the band, Beyond The Lighted Stage, played a role in the groundswell of support for the band's induction into the Hall of Fame: "Oh, I think it probably did have an effect to a certain degree because of the way the filmmakers put that story together. I think it really showed what a vast and diverse audience that we do have and what the effect of our music has been on young players. And one of the criteria of the Hall of Fame is influence, so I think it's easy to see that in that film."

Rush drummer Neil Peart said that the band's fans had a personal stake in seeing the band inducted: "The thing is, with our fans, is that we grew up together. We always say 'the soundtrack of your life' is a phrase that I love, but it has been that case and we have evolved naturally in our music and our lyrics and our songs and all that, of our experiences from our past and our present as grown-ups, and we've expressed all that through our songs. So a lot of them have grown up with that in a very real, true way, so they share it and they feel like they're part of the team, and our team should win."

Randy Newman on whether he thought he would ever get into the Hall of Fame: "I just didn't think I would get in, 'cause when I didn't get in with the original sort of interest, then I was never -- didn't think it would happen 'til I died or something, or never. 'Cause why would I?"

Newman on how he selected which songs to play: "They suggested some stuff. I wanted to do 'I Am Dead' particularly, because it's a good place for it, and 'I Love L.A.' was the one to open with it, and it was either 'Rain' or 'Sail Away' and I thought I'd do 'Rain.'"

Chuck D. of Public Enemy said that despite being among the pioneers of hip-hop, his group was never a mainstream act: "We were always the uncool, the unpopular, matter of fact, we ain't even the most popular going in right now. We was like, we've never been on a Rolling Stone cover, we've never had a Grammy, we've never had a Top 10 record, you know, in America. Never had any of those things. Only thing we knew how to do was rock the house."

The Rolling Stones in 2013

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:55:00 GMT

The Rolling Stones wrapped their 2012-2013 50 & Counting Tour on July 13th, at London's Hyde Park. Highlights on the tour included the two trek closing spots at Hyde Park -- marking the band's first appearance there since 1969, the Stones' first time as headliners at England's Glastonbury Festival, and their brief set at Madison Square Garden for the 12-12-12 benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief.

Apart from a trio of "impromptu" club dates -- two in Paris, one in L.A., the tour garnered far more press about the exorbitant ticket prices than the setlist. Although original bassist Bill Wyman appeared for a couple of numbers at the band's 2012 UK shows, he declined to travel to North America for such a limited amount of stage time. Former guitarist Mick Taylor frequently breathed new life into the Stones' live act by reprising some of his signature licks on such classics as "Midnight Rambler," "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," "Sway," and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," -- but by tour's end was usually allotted only two songs to play on each night -- three if there was no special guest.

The tour was most notable for the amount of indoor venues, which except for the three open air British shows played to arenas seating around 15-to-20,000. For the first time in their career -- perhaps in response to the negative press regarding the ticket prices -- nearly every show featured a special guest. Although many of the cameos were newsworthy, die-hard fans complained that the guest stars were mainly a distraction from the main event -- even from the handful of guests who also came from the rock world.

Over the course of the band's 2012-2013 50 & Counting dates, the Rolling Stones welcomed the following special guests: Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Florence Welch, Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, Tom Waits, John Fogerty, Bonnie Raitt, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Dave Grohl, the Black Keys, Carrie Underwood, Taj Mahal, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Win Butler of Arcade Fire, Gary Clark Jr., Brad Paisley, and Aaron Neville.

Mick Jagger admits that although the Stones played up their bad boy tendencies in the mid-'60s, he's still amazed at how quickly the establishment chose to embrace the band: "But, y'know, in a funny way, we didn't really have a (laughs) choice, y'know? 'Okay, I'm gonna be an anti-hero now -- now I'm not going to be!' I had no real idea that our kinda slight scruffiness was going to turn into this anti-heroic act. In some ways, we were swept along with the tide, but we helped ourselves propel ourselves along with it."

Keith Richards revealed to us his standard for guitars these days -- for both his classic "Open G" as well as the normal, standard tuning: "For the five-string stuff, I use Fender Telecasters. But for the six-string, I've always been interested in trying different guitars that turn up to me. Some are given and some are found for me by Pierre (de Beauport), my guitar man. Pierre knows what interests me. So the Gibson (335), hell, the black Gibson I've been using a lot -- it's a lovely guitar. But I really like. . . y'know, sometimes you get a Gretsch, sometimes I get something that somebody's handmade themselves. I just love to experiment, really.”

Ron Wood told us that at this point, the Stones are sailing in uncharted waters: "We notice that we're cutting new ground, y'know, in that no bunch of guys have ever stuck together this long in the rock n' roll field."

Mick Taylor shed some light on "Midnight Rambler," which proved to be his star moment of the 50 & Counting shows: "It's very different from the recorded version for Let It Bleed, and it was always a highlight of the show -- one of the highlights -- in the show in the '70s, during my tenure with the Stones. Because it's a very bluesy, sort of swampy, kind of blues jam between me and -- well now, between me and Ronnie and Keith. The song was written by Mick and Keith. And it give Mick the opportunity to play some blues harmonica, as well, which he's very good at."

Charlie Watts admits that he's never even considered the Rolling Stones to be an institution: "I don't look at the Rolling Stones like that. Y'know, it just. . . they're a group of people that I know that become the Rolling Stones when they get together. Something happens around us when we play that is either magic, or (a) catastrophe -- whichever way you look at it. It always has done and I assume it always will."

Mick Jagger told us that whether they're playing a sweaty, smoky club or a 60,000 seat stadium -- about a third of the Stones' setlist has to be devoted to their legendary hits: "I figure there's about 10 songs that if you don't play them, people are gonna say, 'I wish they'd a played. . .' So, y'know, they're paying, y'know, good money to come and see you, and I don't see why you should disappoint them, just being difficult, 'I don't wanna play "Brown Sugar."' I mean, because they probably wanna hear it. I quite enjoy playing 'Brown Sugar,' but sometimes you don't want to. But anyway, there's about 10 of those."

When we caught up with Mick Taylor during his run with the band in December, he could sense that the band was starting to get limbered up for the road: "I think, uh, the Stones have always done things their own way and they will always continue to do things their own way. It's more than just nostalgia, it's, I think they just feel re-energized, possibly very enthusiastic about doing things in the future."

It seems as though the Rolling Stones' bad boy ways aren't quite a thing of the past. Guitarist Mick Taylor, who was a nightly special guest on the band's recently wrapped 50 & Counting Tour, revealed that he was actually in the process of cleaning up when "The Greatest Rock N' Roll Band In The Word" came calling again. Taylor admitted to Classic Rock magazine, "I was actually in rehab for 35 days, and I kind of got shanghai'd out of there on to the stage. I would've done it anyway. I can only say that playing with them for 11 minutes each night re-energized me as a human being and as a performer."

The Rolling Stones released their career-spanning documentary Crossfire Hurricane on DVD and Blu-ray on May 21st. The film, which was directed and compiled by Brett Morgen, premiered last year on HBO and features never before seen footage of the band spanning their 50 year career. Crossfire Hurricane features newly conducted interviews with past and present band members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, Bill Wyman, and Mick Taylor. Late co-founder Brian Jones is featured through archival interviews.

Bonus features on the disc include previously unreleased concert footage -- Live In Germany '65, the Stones' performances from the 1964 and 1965 NME Poll Winners concert in London, a new interview with director Brett Morgen, a featurette called "The Sound And Music Of Crossfire Hurricane," footage from the Stones' early-1964 appearance on British program The Arthur Haynes Show, along with the Crossfire Hurricane theatrical trailer.

After 50 years in the spotlight, Mick Jagger, feels that people still don't comprehend that despite having a family and other interests, fronting the Stones isn't the only thing going on in his life: "Sometimes people find it hard to understand that you could be all of these things at once (laughs). And y'know, people put their own image on you, y'know, like they do on an actor or actress, or any other popular figure. They put their own idea on you. And that's what you're for, just a personal interpretation."

Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman says that he passed on playing the band's three U.S. shows last December. Wyman, who quit the band following the 1990 Urban Jungle leg of their Steel Wheel tour, rejoined the band for their 2012 London dates, playing only two songs during the show -- "Honky Tonk Women" and "It's Only Rock N' Roll." Wyman told Britain's Express, "Keith (Richards) in particular made me think that I would be a large part of it but when it came to it they told me they only wanted me to do two songs. It was fun but I regretted not playing more. I was a bass guitarist, a rhythm guitarist, I have to be on the button from the moment Charlie (Watts) does that first drum roll. I came off just as I was warming up and getting into it. When they asked me to go to America for two weeks to do three shows there, I said for two songs? No thank you."

Wyman, who has just released his latest retrospective on his life and career, called, Bill Wyman's Scrapbook, explained that his ties with the Stones still run deep: "We still have a relationship. We send Christmas and birthday presents. They are like family. Jerry (Hall) is a great friend of my wife's and all the kids knew each other growing up. Our lives are still intertwined but it's social -- it's not business any more. Although I am involved in business with them because all the projects they do usually involve me so I'm always asked for historical information.”

When asked if he would rejoin the band if Mick Jagger asked him to come back permanently, Wyman said: "No. 30 years was great but I've got better things to be doing now. That time has gone.”

In November, the Rolling Stones' released their latest double CD and DVD package, Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live. The tracks on the set were culled from the Stones' two open-air London shows on July 6th and 13th, 2013. The set has been released in several formats, including DVD, Blu-Ray, two-CD/DVD, three-LP's/DVD, and a deluxe two-CDs/DVD/Blu-Ray/60-page book. Back in August, a limited edition digital version of the concert, called Hyde Park Live, debuted at Number 19 on the Billboard 200 album charts, and in the UK, placed two spaces higher, hitting the charts at Number 17.

The DVD & Blu-ray tracklisting for Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live is: "Start Me Up," "It's Only Rock N' Roll," "Street Fighting Man," Ruby Tuesday," "Doom And Gloom," "Honky Tonk Women," "You Got The Silver," "Happy," "Miss You," "Midnight Rambler," "Gimme Shelter," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Sympathy For The Devil," "Brown Sugar," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.”

The CD and Vinyl formats include three extra tracks: "Tumbling Dice," "Emotional Rescue" and "Paint It, Black.”

2013 saw the Rolling Stones remaster their catalogue for iTunes. The new remasters include the band's entire output, from classic albums such as Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main Street, Some Girls, and Tattoo You, to their earlier Decca Records era -- including both the U.S. and British versions of such albums as Out Of Our Heads, Aftermath, and Between The Buttons, among others.

Also available for download are such Stones films as Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones, Rock And Roll Circus, Charlie Is My Darling -- Ireland 1965, and the career-spanning Crossfire Hurricane, as well as the new Rolling Stones 50 eBook.

The Eagles In 2013

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:01:00 GMT

In January, Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit thanked his fans on his official website (TimothyBSchmit.com) for their support with his battle with throat and neck cancer. Schmit, who underwent surgery in November, has been proclaimed cancer-free and posted a message to his fans for their well wishes. Schmit posted in part: "I'm way past due in expressing my sincere gratitude for the outpouring of get well wishes I've received over the last few weeks. . . I very much appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers regarding my health. But, let me give you a brief update. Although my issues were disheartening, and I went through what the doctors called, 'major surgery,' the truth is I was only bedridden during my three night stay in the hospital. I was up and about right after, starting with daily walks on the streets of Manhattan. After another week I received a clean bill of health and headed for home on the West Coast."

He went on to add: "My voice is coming along nicely, and as many of you know, I was able to perform with the Eagles just before the new year. So. . . All is good. The brief synopsis is: I discovered a problem and took care of it; simple as that. So, not to worry. . . I love my work, and plan on doing it for as long as possible. I'm chipping away at a new solo album, and I wouldn't be surprised if you hear of more Eagles action in the near future."

On April 30th, the Eagles released History Of The Eagles, the band's three-hour documentary on DVD and Blu-ray. The doc, which originally aired on Showtime, features in-depth interviews with all seven members of the Eagles -- Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit -- along with co-founders Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, and former guitarist Don Felder.

The film, which includes eye-popping rare and unseen footage of the band at work and at play, pulls no punches in telling the back story of America's most successful rock band, also includes interviews with key collaborators J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne, and Jack Tempchin, along with longtime manager Irving Azoff, early label head David Geffen, and producers Bill Szymczyk (pronounced: SIMM-zikk) and Glyn Johns.

The three-disc set includes History Of The Eagles - Part One and History Of The Eagles - Part Two -- as well as Eagles Live At The Capital Centre - March 1977, featuring never-before-released performances from the band's two-night stand at Washington, D.C.'s Capital Center during the legendary Hotel California tour.

Co-founding guitarist Bernie Leadon shed some light on the band's 1975 chart-topper, "One Of These Nights" -- which was among the last songs he recorded with before quitting the band: "Cool song. This was sort of the beginning of the fourth album and the second one that Don Felder was on. Well, the band's new producer, Bill Szymczyk, came out of R&B and had worked with B.B. King and some people. So, his drum sounds were more Philadelphia. The whole attitude was more R&B. And Henley and Frey were starting to lean more in that direction. So, 'One Of These Nights' has that sort of -- well it's not (laughs) disco exactly, but it's edging in that direction, it's edging towards disco."

We asked Timothy B. Schmit if back in 1978 he had any reservations about joining a band in which two of its four original members had quit citing both creative differences and exhaustion: "No. I didn't think 'Oh, what am I getting myself into?' I totally welcomed it. Listen, I knew how strong-headed both Don and Glenn were, and I knew Joe from years ago. And in fact, Joe and I spent a whole night (laughs) together, stayed up carrying on, talking about my new. . . my new position. And we talked a lot about the band and I just kinda said 'Bring it on, I can do this.' There's a reason this band is successful -- this is what I wanna do (laughs)."

The Eagles launched their 40th anniversary tour on July 6th at Louisville, Kentucky's KFC Yum! Center with a career-spanning setlist featuring the four principle bandmembers -- Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. The tour, which will probably run through 2015, includes co-founding lead guitarist Bernie Leadon back for his first shows since quitting the Eagles in 1975. The band kicked things off on a mellow note with the 1973 ballad "Saturday Night" from the Eagles' second album, Desperado. Bernie Leadon was quickly called into action performing his "Train Leaves Here In The Morning" from the band's 1972 self-titled debut.

Don Henley spoke about the tour to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and touched upon co-founding bassist Randy Meisner, who left the band in 1978 and is now reportedly suffering from Alzheimer's Disease: "Randy Meisner, if he were healthy and willing, might have been included, too, but his current health will not permit. We are all wishing him well.”

He spoke about the absence on the tour of ousted guitarist Don Felder, who was fired from the Eagles in 2001 following monetary disputes with Henley, Glenn Frey, and Eagles manager Irving Azoff. When asked about Felder's tearful showing when discussing his exit from the group in the Eagles' recent documentary, History Of The Eagles, Henley replied: "That was a poignant moment, for sure -- if it was real. But since Mr. Felder continues to engage in legal action, of one kind or another, against us, I can't really say anything further about it.”

Henley spoke realistically about the future of the Eagles, admitting, "This could very well be our last major tour. Covering the entire globe will take us about two years. The demand has been so strong in some markets that we will have to return next year, because multiple nights at arenas just aren't available right now. Here in the States, we have to work around the schedules of the basketball and hockey teams. So, by the time we get through this tour, it'll be 2015 and we'll all be in our late-60s. It's been an incredible experience for all of us, but it may be time to say adios and bow out gracefully.”

Journey in 2013

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:01:00 GMT

Journey guitarist Neal Schon posted an olive branch to long-estranged former frontman Steve Perry on his Facebook page. Schon, who along with keyboardist Jonathan Cain and co-founding bassist Ross Valory, parted ways with Perry in 1998, posted a YouTube link to a Perry radio interview along with a warm open message to his former collaborator, stating: "Great Steve Perry interview. I hope we can reach out to each other and connect once again. We had amazing chemistry together. I love him With all the love and admiration You could even have. Steve lets talk soon Neal."

When we last caught up with Steve Perry, he had nothing but accolades to throw Neal Schon's way. We asked him to recall the first time he saw Journey perform live prior to joining them: "Neal Schon. I saw Neal Schon play in a nightclub in L.A. back in the day called Starwood. And they were with Gregg Rolie at the time and Aynsley Dunbar, they were a fusion rock band at the time. And Neal would stand onstage with a white Stratocaster, with a (Fender) Twin Reverb (amp) kicked back and a wah-wah pedal set somewhere in the middle -- and not touch it. And he would scream the most unbelievable, soaring, majestic guitar, I had ever heard in my life."

In June, Steve Perry revealed that he's successfully had surgery for skin cancer. Perry posted to fans on his official blog http://www.fanasylum.com/steveperry/ that it seems as though he's luckily out of the woods: "Three weeks ago a routine mole was taken off my face and the lab report came back Melanoma skin cancer. I've had two surgeries in two weeks to remove all the cancer cells and I've been told they think they got it all and no other treatments are required."

In the blog, Perry goes into detail about his year-and-a-half whirlwind romance with late psychologist Kellie Nash as she was battling stage four breast cancer.

Journey's co-founding guitarist Neal Schon is set to marry his fiancee, former Real Housewife Of D.C. star Michaele Salahi, on December 15th on Pay-Per-View. The wedding - TV special, dubbed the Winter Wonderland Wedding And Music Event, will be held at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. Schon explained how they came to pick the venue for the nuptials: "We searched the world for the perfect location, and finally I said to Michaele, 'San Francisco is my home. Now it is our home. I want to be married there, in the most beautiful city in the world, to the woman of my dreams.' Everyone said they wouldn't let us have the wedding there, but when our wedding planner took my passionate plea to the management, they said yes. We couldn't be more happy!"

According to the event's press release, "wedding planner to the stars, Sharon Sacks heads up this amazing 'dream team' and is no stranger to high profile celebrity weddings. Some of her past clients include: Madonna, Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez, Denzel Washington, President Clinton, and Kim Kardashian.”

The Bon Jovi Saga

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Bon Jovi kicked off its "Because We Can Tour" on February 9th at Uncasville, Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena. In addition to North and South America, the band's world tour hit South Africa, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, England, Wales, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, and Scotland. Bon Jovi's latest album, What About Now, was released on March 8th, 2013, and scored the New Jersey rockers their fifth Number One album -- and third back-to-back chart-topper.

Richie Sambora shocked the rock world after walking off the tour after the band's first 21 shows Although Sambora's substance abuse problems forced him off the road during the band's 2011 tour, according to insiders, this time it was due to deep seated issues with frontman, Jon Bon Jovi. Sambora was a no-show starting on April 2nd at Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome. Bon Jovi explained Sambora's absence by telling the crowd: "I had two choices: pack up and go home or give you everything I got. . . Richie Sambora won't be performing for a while. If there's ever a night I need you, it's tonight, Calgary!" Session guitarist Phil Xenidis has been filling in for Sambora since that night. He first filled in for Sambora in 2011 when Sambora missed 13 dates after entering rehab.

Inside sources "directly connected to Bon Jovi" told TMZ: "Tensions between Jon and Richie have been running high for years and it's finally erupted. One source tells us, "It's a classic (Mick) Jagger/(Keith) Richards blowup." Sambora supposedly has a problem with the way Bon Jovi belittles him and that the pair are fighting over money, but is hopeful that the two can mend fences.

We caught up with Jon Bon Jovi and asked him if there's any change in the situation that's split Sambora and Bon Jovi: "Same thing I've said since day one: personal issue. It's. . . we miss 'im. . . um. . . love 'im, and he's welcome back when he's ready. And that's all I can tell you. There's not a definitive date. He's going through some stuff. It's difficult for me too, but that's the story."

The band's official site, BonJovi.com, posted two messages on April 3rd stating: "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled" along with ". . . Ticket purchasers need not worry, all upcoming shows will go on as scheduled. Any ticket purchaser who would like a refund can do so before show time.”

That same day, Richie Sambora tweeted a message to fans saying: "Thank you everyone for your concern. I'm well, but had to stay in LA to take care of a personal matter. Love you all and see you very soon.”

The New York Post reported that it's Jon Bon Jovi's wife Dorothea that's behind Richie Sambora's absence from Bon Jovi's current tour. Although speculation has pointed the finger at either Sambora's sobriety issues and/or bad blood between the guitarist and the frontman, the latest insider report is portraying Dorothea as a "Yoko Ono-like" presence. The source says that Dorothea has been pushing for the band's current tour to be drug and booze free: "Jon (Bon Jovi) has been trying to get rid of him. He drinks constantly and has a stream of Hollywood bimbos around all the time. . . (Sambora) told me that he didn't believe in rehab. He really is a hard partier, and so are the women he hangs out with.”

Jon Bon Jovi shed some light on Sambora sitting out the current leg of the Bon Jovi world tour -- but stopped short of giving any specifics, telling Austin's American-Statesman: "I think Richie's doing all right, (but) I haven't spoken to him. We were surprised. It was 3:30 on show day. . . and we got a phone call that he wouldn't be there. It's a personal matter. Don't believe what you read on TMZ because it's the furthest thing from the truth."

In May, it was announced that Sambora would sit out of Bon Jovi's upcoming European and South African legs of the band's tour. A message was posted on BonJovi.com saying: "Due to a personal matter, Richie Sambora will not be performing on the European and South African leg of the tour. All shows will go on as scheduled.”

That month, Jon Bon Jovi gave some details about Sambora's absence from the tour -- but still stopped short of giving any definitive answers as to why, telling The Daily Mirror: "He's not fired, we didn't have a fight, it certainly isn't about money. We go back 30 years. He can return when he is ready to die every night the way I walk on the stage. It's different without Richie. No one's mad, no one's sad.”

He recalled how he found out that Sambora was going to miss his first show of the already launched North American leg -- and eventually the rest of the shows to date: "We were all in Calgary, Richie was going to turn up on show day but we went the night before because it's a long flight. At 3:30 P.M. on show day, the phone rang, and it was Paul the manager, and he said 'Guess what?,' and he didn't even have to finish the sentence. I said, 'You're kidding.' We went on that night. I haven't seen Richie since.”

Bon Jovi went on to tell The Evening Standard: "It's getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something. . . Because all I can say is this -- it's for personal reasons. He's been through it before, fortunately for us the same guy who filled in last time was available this time. Life goes on, so if someone chooses not to be here. . . unlike if this were, God forbid, The Edge, and he for some reason couldn't make a U2 show, (then) it would be very difficult to just step in. . . You have a choice -- you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, 'I hate my brother and I'm gonna quit the band.’"

Sambora took the bait and in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, said, "I don't have any major problems in life right now, I love my fans and I feel bad for them at the moment. Bottom line. My opinion is Jon wants to see if he can pull off stadiums by himself. He is making it very difficult for me to come back. Enough with the trash talking! Jon needs to stop talking about me publicly. I am fine working very hard on my fashion company Nikki Rich and this is a private matter.’"

In July TMZ just posted footage of Sambora in a much mellower mood addressing his and Bon Jovi's still unexplained parting of the ways, saying: "I feel bad for the fans -- I love my fans. . . It's gonna work itself out. It'll happen. . . Jon and I have had a relationship for 30 years and we rely on each other and I think that's it. . . It'll all work out in the end.”

That month, Bon Jovi made it clear that he and Sambora were all good, telling The Detroit Free Press, "I love the man to death. He's always going to be the guitar player in the band. He's not been fired. There's been no fight.”

In August, a news report from RumorFix.com, claimed that Richie Sambora had been fired from Bon Jovi. An unnamed source said that Sambora and Bon Jovi have irreconcilable differences, stating, "Richie wants to go back on stage -- that's his first love. He's really upset over the news." According to the website, in addition to his share of songwriting royalties, Sambora was earning "$2 million a month and 20 percent of the profits after each show." His live replacement, Philip 'Phil X' Xenidis is reportedly bringing home up to $10,000 a month covering for him on tour.

Also in August, Ritchie Sambora released a new solo single. The track, "Come Back As Me," which had been initially posted as a YouTube upload, was perceived to be addressing his current issues with Jon Bon Jovi and his place in the band's pecking order, with such lines as: "What do you want me to say/I gave you everything I could give/But everything just wasn't enough, so I just let live and live.”

As if the band troubles weren't enough, Bon Jovi caught a ton of flack after band backed out of its New York State Fair concert -- but only days earlier performed at a private fundraiser for Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The band was set to play on August 28th for 17,000 fans and even had its agent sign the deal paying the band $650,000. On July 30th, "a lawyer for New York's Department of Agriculture & Markets requested the contract be withdrawn -- a move that could cost the state more than $1 million in lost ticket sales and other revenue." On August 9th Gov. Cuomo was quoted by The New York Daily News as saying in upstate Watkins Glen: "An entertainer like Jon Bon Jovi is very busy and sometimes the dates of when you want them and when they're available don't line up." On August 25th, three days before the scrapped gig, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said: "The contract (for the State Fair) was pulled at the request of the band for scheduling conflicts" -- with Bon Jovi's people agreeing. Yet insider whispers are alleging that the State Fair gig was canceled, quote, "to avoid anyone seeing a conflict in. . . playing a private show for the governor and then three days later being paid $650,000 to perform at the fair.”

It wasn't all bead news for Jon Bon Jovi this year -- Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi's son, freshman Jesse Bongiovi, has earned a place on Notre Dame's football team as a walk on. Bongiovi was a star athlete at his Brooklyn, High School, Poly Prep, earning letters in both football and lacrosse. Jon Bon Jovi -- who was originally one of the owners of the arena football league team, the Philadelphia Soul -- played Pop Warner football while growing up in Sayreville, New Jersey.

The drama didn't stop for Bon Jovi, even after fans had long come to terms that Richie Sambora was not going to make an appearance anywhere on the tour. Drummer Tico Torres returned to the band's tour on October 9th in Fresno, California, after undergoing two emergency surgeries. Torres, who's now 60, first went under the knife on September 10th with emergency appendix surgery in Mexico City, and then 10 days later was back in surgery for gall bladder issues in Rio De Janeiro. Drummer Rich Scannella filled in for Torres while he recovered.

Bon Jovi ended 2013 on top of the Forbes magazine list of the 25 highest paid musicians for 2013 -- with the band sitting at Number Three with band earning an impressive $79 million.

The 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:53:00 GMT

On June 13th, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry along with long-estranged Foreigner co-founders Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at Manhattan's Marriott Marquis Hotel. Both Jones and Gramm, who parted ways in 2003 when Gramm quit the band, have suffered from health problems over recent years, with Gramm surviving a brain tumor and Jones recently undergoing open-heart surgery. Gramm, who still performs and is a born again Christian, was replaced by current lead singer Kelly Hansen in 2005. Foreigner was inducted by Billy Joel, and Jones and Gramm reunited to perform "Juke Box Hero" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" to a massive standing ovation.

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were inducted by Nickleback's Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, who performed "Sweet Emotion" before doing the honors. Afterwards, the "Toxic Twins" took the stage for an event stealing rendition of "Walk This Way."

Other inductees last night included Don Henley and Glenn Frey's frequent Eagles collaborator, J.D. Souther -- inducted by Peter Asher, '60s British songsmith Tony Hatch -- inducted by Petula Clark, and '80s songwriter Holly Knight -- inducted by Patty Smyth. The 2013 Pioneer Award was presented to Motown founder, Berry Gordy, Jr. by Smokey Robinson with a slightly self-serving and at times rambling speech. Elton John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin were honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award by an extremely horse Sting, who opened the show with a performance of "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting." Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" was saluted as this year's Towering Song.

Lou Gramm told us that he was pleasantly surprised that there even was a Songwriters Hall of Fame: "I had no I. . . Y'know, there's the Grammys, there's the American Music Awards. . . The Songwriters Hall of Fame awards is a little bit underplayed -- you don't hear about it very much. I don't know if it's even televised. When my management told me that Mick and I were nominated, I said, 'What is it? What is that award, y'know?' So, when it was explained to me, I obviously realized it was a great honor."

Mick Jones told us that the Hall of Fame honor has brought him and Lou Gramm back into a good place again: "Y'know, just having talked to Lou a few times in the last weeks; what I'm glad about is that we're talking. And there is a basis for more understanding. Y'know, we were talking the other day about our kids, kids that -- I haven't seen two of Lou's kids, because they were born pretty much the year that we broke up. (Laughs) And I'm looking forward to that. And he was asking about all of my children -- y'know, they all grew up, they were on the road, the kids, y'know, we used to have. . . it was a family thing. And just hearing his voice again, it was very emotional, y'know?"

We asked Steven Tyler how a band like Aerosmith -- which has lasted 40 years in the spotlight -- can hope to revitalize itself every time out: "Maybe in the new songs. In writing new songs, you always come up with a new you. I think you should. You can always do another 'Dude Looks Like A Lady,' another 'Dream On' -- we always tap into something new."

Joe Perry told us that no matter what goes on with Aerosmith, there's a bond between him and Steven Tyler that is almost unbreakable: "We've been together for so long that in my heart, it's never more than six inches away from Steven's, ever. Even though we may not talk for a short amount of time or a long amount of time, we've been partners, friends for so long, I always have a feeling deep inside that we're always gonna be together. And that's what makes Aerosmith as strong as it is."

Elton John told us that in his 45-year partnership with Bernie Taupin, one member has never outranked the other: "It's never been major/minor, it's always been 50/50, it's never been. . . we've never even thought of it like that, from my point of view, anyway. It's a relationship that's never, ever been questioned. It's always as a one -- it's never split. It's a complete 'one' relationship."

Berry Gordy tells us how he remembers the beginning of Motown: "We did it so fast and so good. And we did it with love and competition and a lot of philosophies that I got from my father and it happened so fast. And being a black kid from Detroit, you know. It happened so fast. And so people had to figure out reasons why it happened. And they came up with all this stuff. And therefore, we had all kinds of rumors all over the country and the world about our successes."

The Who in 2013

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:55:00 GMT

The February 28th Who Cares benefit concert in New York City by the Who and Elvis Costello & The Imposters raised over $1.6 million for the Teen Cancer America Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The concert, held at Manhattan's Theater at Madison Square Garden, featured the two bands running through separate sets of their greatest hits, with Costello closing his portion with a roaring version of the Who's own 1966 classic, "Substitute" before the Who hit the stage. The benefit, which featured the Who stretching out from their recent Quadrophenia-filled setlists, was the final show of the band's 2012-2013 North American tour.

Both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are the driving force behind Teen Cancer America. After more than a decade of working with Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, they're now committed to making a difference in the lives of teens and young adults with cancer to the United States.

Pete Townshend says that unlike most of their peers, the Who have always aimed to serve their fans rather than view them as faceless consumers: "It's what you guys want us to do that's important. If you don't want us up here, don't buy the tickets. Y'know, when we were kids, we were voted on to the stage by our peers. If they don't want you there, they walk away. You're the reason we're on the stage. We don't have to be cut, censored, we don't have to repent. Meet the new boss -- it's the same as the old boss. And that boss is YOU, not us."

Who drummer Zak Starkey was forced to sit out the band European summer tour. Once again Roger Daltrey's solo drummer Scott Devours filled in for Starkey, who was forced to sit out six gigs during the band's 2013 North American leg due to a pulled tendon.

Out November 11th the Who released their "Super Deluxe" reissue of the 1969 Tommy album. The groundbreaking double album "rock opera" chronicles the rebirth of a severely traumatized "deaf, dumb, and blind" pinball playing messiah figure.

The "Super Deluxe" reissue features both a remastered and 5.1 surround sound version of the album, also features 20 solo Pete Townshend demos. The additional disc -- which literally serves as a one-man band version of the album -- marks the first time all of Townshend's 1968/1969 demos for the album will be officially released.

The limited edition set features a hardback, 80-page full-color book featuring rare period photos and memorabilia, a 20,000-word essay by Townshend confidante and Who biographer Richard Barnes, and a rare facsimile Tommy poster.

In addition to that, despite Townshend ordering longtime Who sound man Bobby Pridden to destroy all the live tapes of the band's 1969 North American gigs back in the day, the set features a full Tommy performance from the band's October 19th, 1969 Ottawa gig -- along with additional tracks from other unspecified shows, The double disc version featuring the remastered album also comes with the Ottawa show.

We caught up with Roger Daltrey and asked him the reasons behind the Who making Tommy their first double album set: "Mostly because when we recorded the record it was going to be a single album. And then we thought: 'We can't make this really gel unless we go into two albums.' When we went into two albums -- in those days, cut vinyl, y'know, you needed to even out the sides for the cutting so you're never over 20 minutes per side of an album. And we were left with a nine-minute slot that was empty (laughs). So we cobbled together loads of bits from 'Sparks' and things like that, bits of jamming and stuff, which became the 'Underture.'"

In October, Pete Townshend revealed that next year he and Roger Daltrey are eying a 50th anniversary Who tour, which might bring an end to the band's career on the road. Townshend spoke to Uncut and explained, "We will probably just tour and it'll probably be the last big tour that we do. I wasn't going to do a tour for the anniversary. I won't say I enjoyed Quadrophenia, but it was a successful tour. It was good for me because Roger did all the creative work. No, seriously, I just showed up and wanged away on the guitar. I enjoyed it. I wasn't particularly crazy about being up on the stage and on the road."

Roger Daltrey said the Who will launch its final world tour in 2015. Daltrey reiterated to Rolling Stone that he and Pete Townshend are far from retiring the brand after the still-unannounced dates wrap up, explaining, "We aren't finishing after that. We intend to go on doing music until we drop, but. . . the touring is incredibly grinding on the body and we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. This will be the last old-fashioned, big tour. . . Our anniversary is actually right now. We were the Who 50 years ago this month. To us, 2015 is just another year.”

Bruce Springsteen In 2013

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:59:00 GMT

In November, Bruce Springsteen announced he will release his 18th studio album, called, High Hopes on January 14th. The collection -- which includes production duties by Springsteen, Ron Aniello, and Brendan O'Brien -- prominently features Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and breaks tradition for a Springsteen set, including re-recordings of older, previously released tunes, new material, and most notably, three cover songs. With some of the material stretching back several years, the album features tracks including late E Street Band members organist Danny Federici and saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

Springsteen posted his liner notes to the album on his website (BruceSpringsteen.net), which read in part: "I was working on a record of some of our best unreleased material from the past decade when Tom Morello (sitting in for Steve (Van Zandt)) during the Australian leg of our tour) suggested we ought to add 'High Hopes' to our live set. I had cut 'High Hopes,' a song by Tim Scott McConnell of the L.A. based Havalinas, in the '90s. We worked it up in our Aussie rehearsals and Tom then proceeded to burn the house down with it. We re-cut it mid tour at Studios 301 in Sydney along with 'Just Like Fire Would,' a song from one of my favorite early Australian punk bands, the Saints (check out 'I'm Stranded'). Tom and his guitar became my muse, pushing the rest of this project to another level. Thanks for the inspiration Tom.”

He went on to post: "This is music I always felt needed to be released. From the gangsters of 'Harry’s Place,' the ill-prepared roomies on 'Frankie Fell In Love' (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment) the travelers in the wasteland of 'Hunter Of Invisible Game,' to the soldier and his visiting friend in 'The Wall,' I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing.”

Steve Van Zandt told us that Bruce Springsteen's recent work isn't that far away from what first attracted him to his earliest songs: "Well, he's still writing at a very high level of quality and that's always inspiring to me. Sometimes it maybe a little more politically slanted or socially slanted than romantically or emotionally slanted -- but, y'know, I don't really judge that way. You go onstage with the script that you have and you do that as well as you can possibly do it. Y'know, that's all I know."

Billy Joel announces monthly residency at Madison Square Garden

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:02:00 GMT

Billy Joel has announced that he will play an open-ended "show a month" residency at New York's Madison Square Garden for as long as there is demand for him. In a conference on December 3rd at the famed Manhattan arena, Billy was flanked by Garden execs, former New York sports stars, and good friend Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as he announced the unique run, which also included the unveiling of the Garden's Billy Joel logo linking him with the venue's other franchises -- the Knicks, the Rangers, and the WNBA's Liberty. At press time, Billy had seven dates at the Garden booked through July. He is set to wrap up the year with a New Year's Eve (December 31st) show at Brooklyn's Barclay's Center.

Billy Joel, who's played such legendary New York City venues as the Bottom Line, Carnegie Hall -- as well as both Yankee and Shea Stadium -- explained why Madison Square Garden stands alone in terms of prestige and history: "Growing up as a young aspiring musician in Hicksville, New York, Madison Square Garden appeared larger than life. And like many other aspiring musicians, I dreamed of playing the Garden. But it was more than that -- Madison Square Garden was New York to me. It's the place where artists become stars and players become legends. In 1978, I achieved my dream of playing this iconic venue for the first time. I thought it didn't get any better than that moment. Now, 35 years later, I've had the incredible fortune to experience 46 of those incredible moments right here. Including both The Concert For New York and 12-12-12, which were so important to this city."

Billy Joel took time out to sing the praises of both Madison Square Garden, as well as his legion of fans: "I said it in '78 and I'll say it here again; there's no better venue in the world. The Garden has it all -- the best audiences, the best acoustics, the best reputation, an undeniable history that is palpable from the moment that you step out on stage. I'm just going to digress from my notes for a second -- I'm getting a lot of credit here, for how good I'm superposed to be, but I think a good deal of it is from the audience that comes to the Garden. They're a great audience. And if you have a great audience you usually give a better show. And believe me, I've played some venues, where the audience is like, 'ehhh' (claps). And the show was kind of, 'ehhh' -- but here, it's mutual. It's just a. . . it's mutual excitement. We get excited from the crowd and they seem to like what we're doing."