The big question as we enter 2004 is simply “Do you want some?” The answer will come when Liam Gallagher and elder brother Noel return to the fray with the new Oasis album later this year. Although to some the Mancunian brothers’ group may be too tied up with the hangover of ’90s Britpop to ever be a potent force again, they are still undoubtedly one of the biggest rock groups in the country. They do like to tread water, however, and a much-needed change in direction may finally come with the introduction of Death In Vegas man Richard Fearless… Read more »
Last night (October 15), Ozzy Osbourne issued a surprising press release which said that, on the advice of his personal physician, he has postponed his upcoming European tour, which was set to begin in Dublin on October 22. Ozzy said, “I have been in Boston for the last three weeks having medical tests for a tremor which has become markedly worse over the last two years. I was at the point where it felt as if this problem was practically destroying my life along with my self-esteem. I was no longer comfortable being around people, which, as you can imagine,… Read more »
Red-hot actor Jack Black says he’s the man to play Ozzy Osbourne in the long-awaited film version of the metal legend’s life, according to the New York Post. In fact, Black made the case to Sharon Osbourne herself on her talk show this past Friday (October 10), telling Ozzy’s wife that her husband “was a hero of mine as a kid and I have to say, I’ve been tracking the Ozzy film…if anyone’s Ozzy, I’m Ozzy.” Both Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell have been mentioned as possible actors to play Ozzy. Jack Black’s new movie, School Of Rock, debuted at… Read more »
In the words of one of their songs, Dancing Days are here again for fans of Led Zeppelin. Defunct for almost 23 years, the pioneering English band behind such hard rock classics as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Kashmir” has cleaned out its vaults to issue eight hours of previously unreleased live material on DVD and CD. The “Led Zeppelin DVD” contains footage from four tours spanning 1970 to 1979; the CD “How The West Was Won” combines two Los Angeles shows from 1972 to replicate a single concert. Remarkably, the band’s leader and guitarist, Jimmy Page, who compiled the releases,… Read more »
With anticipation building to a feverish pitch in advance of the imminent release of the eagerly awaited Led Zeppelin live recordings, Atlantic Records has announced that “LED ZEPPELIN DVD,” a 2-DVD set, will be shipping quadruple-platinum in the U.S. alone, and “HOW THE WEST WAS WON,” a 3-CD set, will ship platinum. “The enormous pre-release response from retailers and fans alike to the announcement of these Zeppelin releases dramatically demonstrates the enduring power, timeless influence, and undiminished popularity of this truly phenomenal band,” said Atlantic Group Co-Chairman/CEO Val Azzoli. “To have been associated with Zeppelin for their entire career has… Read more »
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney reunited Friday night for an emotional musical tribute to the memory of George Harrison on the anniversary of the ex-Beatle’s death. With Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and Harrison’s son Dhani, the surviving Beatles shared a night of musical memories with an audience of 5,000 devoted fans at the “Concert For George” at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Money raised by the concert is to benefit the Material World Charitable Foundation, which Harrison founded. The ex-Beatle, 58, who succumbed to cancer was the second from the group to die. John Lennon was shot to death in 1980.… Read more »
Rock veteran Eric Clapton has organized an all-star tribute concert for his late friend and fellow guitarist, George Harrison, with the former Beatle’s two surviving bandmates slated to perform. The benefit concert, planned with the help of Harrison’s wife, Olivia, is scheduled to be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 29, the first anniversary of Harrison’s death, organizers said in a statement issued on Thursday in Los Angeles. Joining Clapton on the bill will be former Beatles Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and two other recording stars who performed with Harrison in the 1980s supergroup The Traveling Wilburys… Read more »
Oasis will stage two huge open air concerts in London this summer, the band said Tuesday. Noel and Liam Gallagher will take the stage in front of up to 120,000 people at Finsbury Park in north London on July 5 and 6. “These are the biggest concerts they have played since July 2000 when they did a UK stadium tour,” a spokeswoman for the band told Reuters. The band will be supported by UK indie band The Charlatans and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the Californian rock group. The Gallagher brothers will hope the concerts shift the spotlight to their music… Read more »
The Who’s onstage collaborations with Eddie Vedder, Noel Gallagher and others at a U.K. benefit concert last fall are captured in a new home video due next month. “The Who & Special Guests, Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” which also features Bryan Adams, Paul Weller, Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones and violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy, will be released September 25 on DVD and VHS, according to producers of the project. The two-disc (or two-tape) set will include bonus material such as rehearsal footage and a performance of “Pinball Wizard” that can be viewed from multiple angles. Filmed at London’s famed… Read more »
Earlier this year, the Kathleen Hanna-led Le Tigre announced their first tour in 18 years. Last August, the band reunited for their first show in over a decade at This Ain’t No Picnic Festival and performed a massive 16-track set. On their upcoming tour, the band will be supported by a number of incredible acts including Dream Wife, Problem Patterns, Big Joanie, and Chicks On Speed throughout the UK and Europe. Read more: Foo Fighters Announce Six More Shows on US Headline Tour Following their UK and European dates in June, Le Tigre will return to the States and be… Read more »