The Hoax Are Back

"The last time Englishmen played Blues-Rock with such flair and conviction, they had names like John Mayalls Blues Breakers or even The Rolling Stones".
This was what Q Magazine said about the band's 1994 debut album 'Sound Like This'. They went on to win 5 consecutive British Blues Awards cementing them a place in the British Blues hall of fame.
Following the success of this album, the band embarked on a worldwide tour, including an extensive tour of the United States, where they opened shows for Blues legend Buddy Guy.
In 1995, the British Blues Connection presented them with the award for Blues Band Of The Year and Blues Album Of The Year.
A second album, Unpossible , was released on Code Blue in 1996, before the band founded their own record label, Credible Records, and released arguably their finest album, Humdinger, in 1998 with new drummer Mark Barrett.
As this album rode a wave of critical acclaim and commercial success, the band hit the peak of their powers on stage too, performing sell-out shows all over Europe, and opening for the great BB King, among others. Record deals with Warner Bros and Atlantic Records coupled with world tours encompassing 18 different countries, helped the band build a dedicated following across the globe. It was their blistering live shows which earned them the reputation of being the hottest ticket in town, securing them appearances on Later with Jools Holland and features on VH1, as well as sharing the stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, BB King, Dave Mathews Band, Paul Weller and Robbie Williams. In 1999 after a whirlwind 5 years in the limelight and nearly 2000 gigs under their belt, the young band (then still in their early 20's) decided to call it quits.
Each member has gone on to achieve a diverse array of success. Singer, Hugh Coltman, released his debut solo album for Universal France and received a nomination for the "Prix Constantin" (France's Mercury music awards). Guitarist Jon Amor has forged a successful solo career releasing 5 studio albums. Bass Player Robin Davey won the "Stanley Kubrick Award" at Michael Moores Film Festival in Michigan USA for his directorial debut, "The Canary Effect". His band The Bastard Fairies, an eclectic pop duo based in Los Angeles, released their debut album to much acclaim, leading to 1 million downloads and a win at The American Indian Motion Pictures Awards for Best Music Video. His Brother, Guitarist Jesse Davey, also found success in the film world directing music videos for the likes of Gavin Rossdale and Papa Roach receiving a nomination for Best Music Video at the Kerrang Awards. He has also remained a much sought after guitarist appearing alongside Sting, Ringo Star, Joss Stone and Mick Jagger. Drummer Mark Barrett continued to be a mainstay on the UK music scene helping to shape the emerging sound of The 22-20's as well as appearing with the hottest new blues talent.
2010 will mark the bands 20th anniversary and as a special warm up to a world tour, The Hoax will embark on a 7 Date European tour starting in December 2009. The band will also release a single, featuring their first new music in over a decade, plus a tenth anniversary edition of Humdinger, a 2 Disc DVD/CD, including The Hoax Live In Concert, The Making Of Humdinger Documentary, Promo Videos, Unseen Footage, Photo Gallery, Bonus Tracks and more.
Follow this link to purchase http://www.thehoax.co.uk/ (£10 dearer at Amazon).
Follow this link for concert tickets http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=355579&interface=

The Hoax are: Hugh Coltman (vocals and harmonica) Jesse Davey (lead and rhythm guitar) Jon Amor (lead and rhythm guitar) Robin Davey (bass) Mark Barrett (drums).

Has Steven Quit?

According to Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, Joe Perry seems to think that Steven Tyler has left Aerosmith, reports planetrock.com.
After rumours emerged last week that Aerosmith were due to have an emergency meeting to discuss their future, Joe Perry has revealed that he thinks Steven Tyler has actually quit the band.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, guitarist Perry revealed that he didn’t know much more than we do, but said:
“Steven quit as far as I can tell. I don’t know any more than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band. I don’t know for how long, indefinitely or whatever. Other than that, I don’t know.”
“As far as replacing Steve, it’s not just about that, it’s also four guys that play extremely well together, and I’m not going to see that go to waste. I really don’t know what path it’s going to take at this point, but we’ll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we’ll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch.”
Part of the problem, it seems, is that Perry can’t contact Tyler.
“He’s notorious for that,” Perry said. “That’s one thing I’ve learned to live with. I try to overlook it. I like to pick my battles. Frankly, the last few months I’ve been wanting not to rock the boat. I don’t want him cancelling any more gigs. We really wanted to do these last four. We just kind of didn’t want to call him out or anything and get him anymore pissed off, for whatever reason. So we just let things lie. So we did the gigs and, like I said, I got off the plane and saw this online. That’s how I know about it.”

ELP To Play Festival

Emerson, Lake & Palmer are to headline Classic Rock Magazine’s inaugural High Voltage Festival in 2010, reports planetrock.com.
The High Voltage Festival will take place on Sunday 26 July, and is a joint venture between Classic Rock Magazine and The Mean Fiddler organisation, and it is hoped that the event will become the biggest and best ‘adult rock’ festival in the UK.
According to ELP, fans can expect “cannons, pyrotechnics and a supreme production alongside the stunning musicianship and songs that made ELP the legends they truly are”.
More details on the line-up, location and tickets will be revealed via Classic Rock Magazine in the coming weeks.

New Songs Please

A group of increasingly disillusioned AC/DC fans have pleaded with the band to change their setlist for the remainder of their Black Ice World Tour, reports planetrock.com.
An open letter on AC/DC fansite www.acdcfans.net asks the band to change the setlist which hasn’t altered at all since the tour kicked off in 2008.

The letter reads:
“Dear Malcolm, Angus, Cliff, Phil and Brian
“We represent an extremely vocal group of your most loyal fans. Just a handful of us have collectively attended more than 157 of your concerts (and counting) since 1978 and estimate we’ve contributed more than $84,000 (and counting) to the AC/DC juggernaut. We are just the tip of the iceberg.
“Now while those numbers may seem insignificant given your touring history and estimated wealth, for us the numbers represent a passionate investment of time and hard earned money in your music. We are AC/DC fans for life, and we wouldn’t change that for the world.
“However, there is something we’d like AC/DC to consider changing…
“The set list.
“On the current Black Ice World Tour, during which some of us having travelled across Europe, the United States and flown between the two continents (with flights already booked to Australia to catch the Australian leg), we have listened to you play the same great songs each and every night. We absolutely appreciate every song you play, but we can’t help but wonder if the band is getting a little bored of playing the same songs night after night.
“Are you aware there are thousands of fans just like us who have spent months discussing the Black Ice World Tour set list, every one of them hoping that the band will play something other than songs geared towards casual fans? The sort of fans that put money in your pockets, but who don’t have the same level of passion for your music as us. They may cheer at the concerts, they may go home happy… but they only came to hear Thunderstruck. They don’t eat, sleep and shit AC/DC like we do.
“As the greatest band on Earth, we think it is a travesty that you are not playing songs that are dear to yourselves and your long term loyal fans – the songs from albums that critics wrote off, but which we both know are some of the finest from your back catalogue.
“So, we’d like you to consider changing the set list. We won’t be rude and say ‘play this’ or ‘don’t play that’ – we’ll leave it to you to decide – surprise us! Please give us, and the many thousands like us, some hard hittin’, heavy rockin’ tracks that we, the true long term fans of AC/DC, know and love.
“Thank you for your time and your music.
“Yours respectfully in rock
acdcfans.net”

Zeppelin Insect Repeller

A Nevada community has resorted to using Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones to fight a swarm of problematic crickets.
Every year residents of Tuscarora, Nevada are plagued by a marauding swarm of millions of Mormon crickets, but this year the residents fought back using an ingenious method to deterring creatures.
Using ear-splitting levels of music by Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones, played from dawn till dusk for several days (when the crickets are most active), the residents have managed to divert the swarm away from their town.
The Guardian quotes local resident Laura Moore as telling the Wall Street Journal "Crickets kind of sleep at night, so I would wake up first thing in the morning to get the music on and we would shut the music off at night."

Aerosmith Album Postponed

Aerosmith have delayed the release of their new album after illness and touring commitments caused them to run out of time to record.

The band were hoping to have the record completed prior to their US summer tour, which kicks off later in the spring but Joe Perry tells Billboard.com that following Steven Tyler’s recent bout of pneumonia the band won’t make their deadline.

"(We) realized there wasn't any chance of getting it finished before we hit the road for the summer. So basically we had to push (the album) back, and when the band gets off the road, that's when we'll pick up the Aerosmith record."

Perry also revealed that the Boston rockers will be touring with ZZ Top on their US dates and that they are also in talks about a European leg later in the year, with details to be announced soon.

And thanks to the delay, it seems that we may see a new Perry solo effort – a follow up to his Grammy nominated 2005 self-titled effort - sooner rather than later.

“I have a big chunk of time before the tour, so I'm gonna try to get the solo record done as soon as I can,” Perry says. “Chances are you're gonna be hearing that before you hear an Aerosmith record...'cause I expect the Aerosmith tour, God willing, to continue through the fall.”

Spinal Tap World Tour lasts One Night

Spinal Tap are to make their long awaited live comeback in the UK for a one-off date at Wembley Arena.

The brilliantly named One Night Only World Tour takes place at Wembley Arena on 30 June and will see the band supported by The Folksmen (fans of the film A Mighty Wind will be fully aware of just who that is).

The show is in recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the brilliant This Is Spinal Tap.

“If we're going to do a World tour on only one night, at least it's this world"

Nigel Tufnel

"This show will be dedicated to all of our drummers who have passed on, either to their reward or to middle management at Sainsbury's."

David St. Hubbins.

"One night is not enough, and it's way too much!"

Derek Smalls

Tickets for the show go on general sale on Thursday at 9am.

Beatles Website To Offer Back Catalogue?

Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are looking at releasing the Beatles back catalogue through their own website, reports Blender.
The two surviving members, along with the estates of the late John Lennon and George Harrison, have been negotiating with Apple about an iTunes release.
But Harrison's son Dhani said they are not satisfied with the offer made by Apple and they may go elsewhere.
He said: "We're losing money every day. So what do you do? You have to have your own delivery system, or you have to do a good deal with Steve Jobs."
But he says that a download is worth 99 cents, and we disagree."
Meanwhile, the Beatles edition of the Rock Band video game has been given a September 9 release date.

Hendrix Acoustic Tape For £100k

A never before heard demo tape reel of acoustic Jimi Hendrix recordings is set to be auctioned next month, reports Planet Rock.

The tape features just Hendrix, an acoustic guitar and an occasional harmonica on 14 tracks. The tape features many of the songs that would end up on Electric Ladyland as well as a cover of Dylan’s ‘Tears Of Rage.’

According to the Independent On Sunday the tape was recorded in Hendrix’s flat in London and was given to his neighbour, Carl Niekirk, after Hendrix borrowed some milk & sugar.

“It was a constant stream of people coming and going and partying,” Mr Niekirk told the Independent. “Because I asked him, he just gave it (the tape) to me. As simple as that.”

The tape then passed to Mr Niekirk’s sister and lay forgotten in a wardrobe for years before it was sold for a nominal fee to Mark Sutherland and Paul Jackson, who run the Cafe Music Studios in east London just over ten years ago. And now, after years of legal wrangling with the Hendrix estate, the pair are finally free to sell the tape.

The tape is expected to fetch between £50,000 - £100,000 when it goes to auction on 28 April.If you have a little spare cash and fancy splashing out on something rather special then head to www.famebureau.com .

Heaven & Hell Preview Single

Heaven & Hell have unveiled a preview of their “debut” single, ‘Bible Black'.

The single will be released ahead of the release of the band’s new studio album, The Devil You Know on 28 April, says Planet Rock.

The single is a chugging metal titan that sounds, not surprisingly, like Dio-era Sabbath at its peak. The band have apparently lost none of their fire and if this song is a signal of intent then the album should be something really special.

The Devil You Know is technically the band’s debut studio album, although it will fundamentally be a follow-up to Sabbath’s 1992 album Dehumanizer.

The band have already announced an extensive European tour in support of the new record, although no UK dates have been confirmed as yet.

Santana Play Silverstone

Santana has been confirmed as a headliner at this year’s Silverstone Classic, reports Planet Rock.

The Silverstone Classic is the country’s biggest rock and racing event featuring three days of rare cars, races, displays, fairs, exhibitions and, of course, a headline performance by a major rock artist.

Santana will top the bill at this year’s event, which takes place between 24 - 26 July. So far it’s the only UK date on the legendary guitarist’s European tour.

Here's the full European tour schedule:

4 July - Bucharest, B'estfest Festival

6 July - Istanbul, Kuracesna Arena

8 July - Athens, Karaiskaki Stadium

11 July - Belgrade, Youth Festival

12 July - Croatia, Varazdin Festival

14 July - Trieste, Trieste Piazza unita d'Italia

15 July - Brescia, Brescia Palafiera

17 July – Kitzbuehel Festival

18 July - Mainz, City Park Fair

19 July - Straubing, Jazz on the Danube festival

21 July - Halle, Gerry-Weber Arena

22 July - Dortmund, Westfalenhalle

23 July - Hamburg, Stadtpark

25 July - Northamptonshire, Silverstone Race Track

Woodstock 40th Anniversary

The Woodstock Festival is looking to be reborn in 2009 as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The festival’s co-founder Michael Lang is currently seeking sponsorship for the event which he hopes will be a reunion of sorts with at least some of the bands that played in 1969 returning to the stage for this year’s event.

“There would be a lot of legacy bands – the Who, Santana, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joe Cocker maybe,” he told Billboard Magazine. “And it would be people like Steve Earle and Ben Harper. There's certainly room for the (Red Hot) Chili Peppers and Dave Matthews...That would be the shape of the music.”

The difficulties faced at the moment all revolve around finance, however. Lang wants the festival to be a free event, and that means that he needs a lot of money to help fund it.

"It's free, but it costs a lot of money. That's kind of what we're in the middle of right now. Depending on how successful we are in raising that sponsorship money will determine when and how we do this event – or if we do this event, frankly.

"The festival celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1999 with a festival headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but the event was marred by complaints about facilities and access to water which eventually led to a mass riot by the festival goers.

Billboard reports that the festival will be celebrated in many other ways during 2009, including a release of a director’s cut, four hour version of the seminal ‘Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace And Music’ film featuring 18 performances that weren’t in the original movie.

Rhino Records will also release a six CD box set of performances from the festival.

Guns 'n' Roses Dates Imminent?

Guns N’ Roses appear to be preparing for something as they announce the arrival of yet another guitarist, reports Planet Rock.

The official departure of guitarist Robin Finck, who has rejoined Nine Inch Nails, was confirmed on the Guns N’ Roses website as it also confirmed the appointment of new guitarist DJ Ashba.

Ashba is a member of SIXX:AM, Nikki Sixx’s side project, with whom he co-wrote the 2008 Motley Crüe album Saints Of Los Angeles.

"DJ's a gifted, energetic guitarist that Guns N' Roses is proud to have on board!!" says Axl Rose on the band’s official website. "We're very excited to have the opportunity to work together. Guns' radar has silently been aware of DJ's presence for quite some time. He brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns N' Roses live. Once DJ's name was in the hat, the hat disappeared!!

"Rumours persist that details of a GNR world tour will be announced very soon. The appointment of a new guitarist seems to suggest that those rumours may well be true.

Purple Add Second London Date

Deep Purple have added a second date at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, reports Planet Rock.

The band will now play the London venue on 14 & 15 November after overwhelming demand prompted them to add the second show.Deep Purple are to play a handful of other shows around the country including dates in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham.

Here are the dates:

Apollo, Manchester - 10 November

S.E.C.C., Glasgow - 11 November

NEC, Birmingham - 13 November

Hammersmith Apollo - 14 November

Hammersmith Apollo - 15 November

Hendrix Film In The Pipeline

A new DVD about Jimi Hendrix and his time in London in 1969 is to feature candid “reality TV” style footage, Planet Rock has revealed.

The footage was shot in February 1969 in the month building up to Hendrix’s performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Hendrix’s sister Janie, who is the CEO of Experience Hendrix “the company who handles the publishing rights to the legendary guitarist’s music) says that a camera crew followed him for a month, yielding candid footage of him at home, about town and hanging out backstage.

The news comes hot on the heels of a new publishing deal that has been signed between Experience Hendrix and the Universal Music Publishing Group that will see Universal exclusively handling Hendrix’s catalogue around the world for the next five years.

Speaking about the deal, Janie Hendrix revealed that there is still “10 more years of Hendrix music in the vaults”, and as well as the aforementioned Royal Albert Hall DVD and album, there looks likely to be at least one other new album released this year – probably an unreleased Band Of Gypsys live album.

New Chickenfoot Material

The first new music by the Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith supergroup is now online, reports Planet Rock.

The two tracks by the band have been previewed very briefly in previous posts by the band on their official website, but the songs have now been completed and added in full.

Both songs are groove based rockers based around Joe Satriani’s simply riffs, with the rhythm section keeping it heavy and Sammy Hagar doing his best “Robert Plant” over the top. In terms of sound this is pitched somewhere between Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, with what sounds like an inordinate amount of fun thrown into the mix.

No word on an album or tour yet but confirmations on both are expected soon.

As well as the two songs more info can be found at www.chickenfoot.us

Johnny Winter UK Tour

Blues legend Johnny Winter has announced a series of dates across the UK.
Winter will appear in the UK in May, kicking off with a gig at the Glasgow Academy on 21 May.
Tickets for the shows are on sale now.

Academy, Glasgow - 21 May
York Opera House - 22 May
Shepherds Bush Empire, London - 23 May
The Stables, Milton Keynes – 24 May
The Globe, Cardiff - 25 May
The Globe, Cardiff - 26 May
Robin 2, Dudley – 27 May
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth - 28 May
The Assembly, Leamington Spa – 29 May

UFO UK Dates

UFO will play an extensive UK tour this summer in support of their new album, The Visitor.
The band, who release their new album on 2 June, kick off their UK tour in Brighton on 9 June. Their UK dates will conclude at the Bulldog Bash in Stratford-Upon-Avon in August, reports Planet Rock.

The tour, however, will come a little too soon for founding member Pete Way who is still recovering from the liver disease that prevented him from working on the new record.

Tickets for the dates are on sale now.

9th June - Concorde 2 - Brighton
10th June - The Junction - Cambridge
12th June - Spring & Airbrake - Belfast
13th June - 02 Academy - Glasgow
14th June - 02 Academy - Newcastle
16th June - 02 Academy - Leeds
17th June - Rock City - Nottingham
19th June - Wulfrun Hall - Wolverhampton
0th June - Academy 2 - Manchester
21st June - 02 Academy - Bristol
23rd June - The Brook - Southampton
24th June - Shepherd's Bush Empire
7th August - Bulldog Bash - Stratford-Upon-Avon

Trower And Bruce UK Date

Jack Bruce and Robin Trower are to play a date together in the UK, reports Planet Rock.
Bruce & Trower will play a one-off date at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday 5 August in support of last year’s excellent Seven Moons album. It will be the first time that they have played in the UK together in support of the collaboration album.
The two legends will be joined by drummer Gary Husband (Level 42), who also played drums on the album, for the one-off date.S
even Moons is the fourth collaboration between former Procol Harum guitarist Trower and Cream’s iconic bassist. Tickets for the Shepherd’s Bush show are on sale now.

Bad Company To Reunite For 2009 Tour

Paul Rodgers will reunite Bad Company for a world tour in 2009, reports Planet Rock.
While the Queen and Paul Rodgers project takes a well earned break after a hectic 2008, Paul Rodgers will reunite with Simon Kirke and Mick Ralphs for a tour later this year.
A post on the band’s official website simply says “Bad Company to tour in 2009!”.
The band last toured in 2002, although the last time the original line-up of the group toured was in 1999. Original bassist Boz Burrell sadly passed away in 2006.
Kirke, Ralphs and Rodgers played a one-off live date in Hollywood at the end of last year. That show has been filmed for a live DVD that’s due out in the next couple of months.

No Reunion Till Rod Gives The Nod

Any future Faces reunion will depend on whether Rod Stewart agrees to it, according to Ian McLagan.

Last year saw rumours circulating that the band were on the verge of reuniting for a world tour and even a brand new album, their first since 1973. The reunion would have seen the four surviving members of the band reunite with Red Hot Chili Pepper, Flea, replacing the late Ronnie Lane. However, in January both Rod Stewart and Flea denied any knowledge of the reunion.

Speaking to Billboard Ian McLagan says he had met up with Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Stewart’s touring bassist for three days of rehearsals last November and despite it being “really, really great”, he has heard nothing since.

“I'll get a call eventually, and maybe we'll do something in June or July,” McLagan says, “'cause I don't want to do anything next year. I'm not gonna wait again. It's either gonna be this year...It's now or never! I've got my fingers crossed, but I'm not going to waste energy trying to make it happen. I've worked for 30 years trying to make it happen. It's now in the lap of the gods -- or the hands of Rod, maybe.”

McLagan says that Jones, Wood and himself have a new plan to entice Stewart into the reunion. “We do a couple shows and film it. Whether Rod wants to do that...I'm hoping he'll be into that 'cause it'll be such a lot of fun. It's what the three of us would like Rod to agree to.”

McLagan is currently touring his latest solo album Never Say Never in the US with his Bump Band.

Oasis Unsuitable For China

Oasis have been deemed unsuitable to perform in China, it has been revealed.

The band were due to perform a couple of shows in the country in April, but after the dates were mysteriously cancelled yesterday the reason was yet to be revealed.

But the band released a statement yesterday afternoon that revealed the reason why the dates had been cancelled.

“According to the show's promoters, officials within the Chinese Ministry of Culture only recently discovered that Noel Gallagher appeared at a Free Tibet Benefit Concert on Randall's Island in New York in 1997, and have now deemed that the band are consequently unsuitable to perform to their fans in the Chinese Republic on 3rd and 5th of April, during its 60th anniversary year.

“Oasis are extremely disappointed that they are now being prevented from undertaking their planned tour of mainland China and hope that the powers that be within China will reconsider their decision and allow the band to perform to their Chinese fans at some stage in the future.”

In their homeland, meanwhile, things are going a little better with the band confirmed as one of the headliners at this year’s V Festival, which takes place on 22 – 23 August.

Joe's New Album Hits UK Charts

Joe Bonamassa’s latest album The Ballad Of John Henry landed in the Top Thirty of the UK charts this week.

Joe reached number 26 in the UK album charts this week, marking his best debut in this country to date following last year’s live album Live From Nowhere In Particular making its debut in the top 50.

Joe is on tour in April, and although most of the tickets have already been snapped up there are a handful left so make sure that you get your hands on some.

Bruce At Hyde Park Calling

Bruce Springsteen has been confirmed as a headliner at this year’s Hard Rock Calling which takes place in Hyde Park.
When Bruce and the E Street Band appear on stage on Sunday 28 June it will be their first ever festival appearance outside the US.
There had been strong rumours that Bruce would be appearing at Glastonbury Festival this year, but with the festival taking place at the same time as Hard Rock Calling those rumours must surely be in doubt.
Springsteen’s support at Hard Rock Calling will come from the Dave Matthews Band and the Gaslight Anthem, with more to be confirmed.
The headliner for the Saturday night of Hard Rock Calling is yet to be confirmed.
Tickets for Hard Rock Calling go on sale on Friday 13 February at 9am.

Keith Moon Recrives Honour

The Who’s enigmatic drummer Keith Moon will receive a Blue Plaque at the spiritual home of swinging 60s London, The Marquee Club.

The blue plaque will be unveiled on Sunday 8 March at the site of the legendary club, which played host to many of the bands that would go on to become legends (Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Cream, Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann, The Who, The Nice, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Genesis, Moody Blues to name just a few).

Moon is to receive the honour after Gary and Melissa Hurley spearheaded a movement with the backing of the Heritage Foundation (David Graham-Chairman, Robin Gibb CBE-President) which convinced Westminster City Council to give permission for family, friends and fans to honour legendary rock drummer.

Last year English Heritage rejected the same proposal saying that Moon didn’t qualify for the honour as the Plaques were reserved for “only the most outstanding historical figures.”

However, The Independent reports that the Heritage Foundation side-stepped English Heritage and made a deal directly with Westminster Council to place the Plaque on the site.

Moon’s bandmates Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey will be on hand for the ceremony.

Plant Explains Zep Decision

Robert Plant has explained that it was concern about the legacy of Led Zeppelin that prevented him from saying “yes” to a reunion.

Speaking to Absolute Radio, Percy said that apart from the fact that the band was “incomplete” he felt that he had to protect the legacy of the music.

"The reason that it stopped was because we were incomplete, and we've been incomplete now for 28 years,” he said. “And no matter what you do, you have to really guard the discretion of what you've done in the past and make sure that you have all the reasons in the
right place to be able to do something with absolute, total conviction.

"To visit old ground, it's a very incredibly delicate thing to do, and the disappointment that could be there once you commit to that and the comparisons to something that was basically fired by youth and a different kind of exuberance to now… it's very hard to go back and meet that head on and do it justice."

Plant is due to release his 2nd album of collaborations with Alison Krauss later this year. The duo were recently confirmed as one of the live acts at the Grammys where they are nominated for several awards.

John Martyn 1948-2009

British songwriting legend John Martyn has passed away aged 60.

Born Iain David McGeachy in September 1948, a forty-one year career has seen Martyn release 20 studio albums and numerous live records. He is regarded as one of the most influential British songwriters of all time and his seminal album, Solid Air, is regularly named in “Greatest Album” polls around the world.

Many of his albums are at times wildly experimental and, and his genre defying tendencies may have cost him the widespread commercial success that looked likely after Solid Air was released in 1973.

His erratic flirtations with folk, blues, jazz, rock and even reggae may have confounded many, but his body of work speaks for itself. In a forty year career Martyn created some of the most inventive and surprising music of all time.

During his career he worked with artists such as Phil Collins (repeatedly), David Gilmour and Eric Clapton.

Martyn was also made an OBE in the Queen’s Honours List in the New Year.

His personal life saw its fair share of upheavals and dramas with two failed marriages and a battle with alcoholism, followed in 2003 by the trauma of losing his right leg. Despite this Martyn continued to play live, with his most recent tour just last year.

The cause of death has not been revealed.

The Feud Goes On

The long feud between Martin Turner and Andy Powell is in danger of turning ugly once again after Turner told Powell to “f*ck off” in a magazine interview.

Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine, Turner said that he had tried to reunite the famously acrimonious line-up this year for their 40th Anniversary, but was rebuffed by Powell.

“We had a brilliant offer to put the band back together, so long as there were three original members. Ted Turner, Steve Upton and myself approached Andy [Powell]. A year later he was still stalling. Now he’s announced a 40th anniversary gig at Shepherd’s Bush and wants the three of us to join him on stage to perform ­ guess what? ­ The whole of Argus.”

“Wow, what a great idea,” said Turner, whose own version of Wishbone Ash has already re-recorded and released the seminal album. “Andy Powell can f*ck off. We won’t be his support band.”

Click Here To Read The Interview

Mott The Hoople Re-form

The original line-up of hugely influential rockers Mott The Hoople are to reunite for a pair of dates in October, reports Planet Rock.

Ian Hunter, Verden Allen, Dale Griffin, Overend Watts and Mick Ralphs will reunite for the first time in 35 years for two dates at Hammersmith Apollo on 2-3 October.

The 40th Anniversary shows take place at the venue where part of Hoople’s classic Mott The Hoople Live album was recorded in 1973.
Tickets for the two shows are on sale on 22 January at 9am.

The Answer Free Download

The Answer are offering a free download of one of the tracks from their forthcoming new album Everyday Demons.
‘Demon Eyes’ is available to hear and download from Spin.com right now and is a taster of the brand new, and eagerly anticipated new album from the boys from Downpatrick.
Everyday Demons is released in the UK on 2 March and is the follow-up to their excellent debut album Rise.
The band are current on tour with AC/DC in the US, and fans can also expect to see them warming up the crowd on their European tour which kicks off in February. They also play a sold out headline show at The Dingwalls in London on 12 February.
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Bruce & Trower Dates

Jack Bruce and Robin Trower have announced a handful of European dates.The duo released the excellent Seven Moons album in 2008, although they are as yet to tour the record as a duo. But that should change in February when the Cream and Procul Harum legends play four dates together in Germany and Holland.As on the album, Level 42 drummer Gary Husband makes up the final part of the band.
No word on UK dates as yet, but if any are announced we’ll let you know.Here’s their current European schedule

25 February - Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany

26 February - Kantine, Cologne, Germany

28 February - Concertgebouw De Vereeniging, Nijmegen, Netherlands

1 March - Music Hall, Worpswede, Germany

Faces Have Written New Album

The Faces have finished writing their new album, the follow up to 1973’s Ooh La La.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart wrote the album whilst holidaying together over Christmas.
The red-top says the two legends spent time in Costa Rica, Bermuda and Miami to get inspiration and then wrote the album in just three days.
Ronnie Wood told the Mirror at the South Bank Awards "I had a great time. It wasn't so much a holiday but a mini world tour."Wood also told reporters that the Rolling Stones would be heading out on another world tour in 2010.Meanwhile, the Faces are still seeking a suitable bass player to replace the late, great Ronnie Lane. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ enigmatic four-stringer, Flea, is rumoured to be in pole position for the job while his band are on indefinite hiatus.
Wood also told reporters that the Rolling Stones would be heading out on another world tour in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Faces are still seeking a suitable bass player to replace the late, great Ronnie Lane. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ enigmatic four-stringer, Flea, is rumoured to be in pole position for the job while his band are on indefinite hiatus.