VVN Music

Passings: Trevor Bolder of Uriah Heep (1950 - 2013)

2013-05-21T17:43:00.001-04:00

Trevor Bolder, who played bass for Uriah Heep and David Bowie, has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 62.

The band posted the following on their website:

A Statement From Uriah Heep

It is with great sadness that Uriah Heep announce the passing of our friend the amazing Trevor Bolder, who has passed away after his long fight with cancer. Trevor was an all time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced.

His long time membership of Uriah Heep brought the band’s music, and Trevor’s virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world. He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year. Prior to joining Heep he was a founder and ever-present member of David Bowie’s legendary Spiders From Mars band, performing on all of their key albums and at countless shows. He also performed with Wishbone Ash, Cybernauts and The Rats.

Mick Box said, "Trevor was a ‘World Class’ bass player, singer & songwriter, and more importantly a World Class friend. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core".

Bolder started playing in bands in the mid-60's, including The Rats with Mick Ronson. In 1971, he replaced Tony Visconti in David Bowie's band the Spiders From Mars and played on four Bowie classics, Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973) and Pin-Ups (1973).

In 1976, Bolder replaced John Wetton in Uriah Heep, with which he stayed until early 2013 except for a short period in 1982 when Heep was going through legal battles and he joined Wishbone Ash, once again replacing Wetton. He was with them to record only one album, Twin Barrel's Burning and returned to Uriah Heep in 1983.

On the side, Bolder also played in Cybernauts with Joe Elliott and Phil Cullen of Def Leppard. The band played David Bowie covers.

Brian May Calls "The Voice" An "Insult to Music"

2013-05-21T17:17:00.001-04:00

Brian May doesn't think much about TV talent shows, especially The Voice.

The Queen guitarist blasted the TV talent show which has editions across the world, including the United Kingdom, America and Australia. The 65-year-old feels that the program is disrespectful to performers because of its format.

“Sorry, hate to be negative but The Voice is the dullest, dumbest, most depressing show on TV,” he wrote on his website. “It’s the ultimate insult to music and to performers.”

The musician feels bad for contestants as the celebrity judges won’t even look at them while they belt out a tune. The brutal process makes him feel ill if he watches the entertainment show.

“Every time I catch a glimpse of young singers busting their guts trying to win somebody’s attention, who is rudely sitting with their back to them... I feel sick,” he continued.

Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine appeared on the original version of The Voice in the United States. Shakira and Usher stepped in to temporarily replace Christina and Cee Lo in the most recent fourth season.

Ricky Martin, Delta Goodrem, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden and Seal are starring as mentors on Australia’s current series. Ricky took over Keith Urban’s chair when he switched to rival American Idol.

Tom Jones, The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, Jessie J and Will.i.am appear on Brian’s home country version in Britain.

In the early stages they pick vocalists as part of a blind audition before coaching them in teams.

“I hate seeing the great Tom Jones shoehorned into this scenario,” Brian added. “I hope this vile show dies a natural death very soon.”

Hank Williams, Jr. to Tour in Support of Last Year's "Old School, New Rules"

2013-05-21T17:06:00.001-04:00

Hank Williams, Jr. will be touring this summer in support of his 2012 set Old School, New Rules.

Starting May 8 in Morton, MN and running through September 14, Williams is bringing his 49 years of hits along with music from the new album.

Williams said "I always have fun playing shows. I love to get out in front of my loyal fans and making my mark on this great country."

The dates:

06/08 - Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino
06/21 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
06/28 - Detroit, MI - The Fox Theatre
06/29 - Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavilion
07/12 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Civic Center
07/13 - Orlando, FL - UCF Arena
07/19 - Atlantic City, NJ - Caesars Circus Maximus Theatre
07/20 - Fredericksburg, VA - Job.com Pavilion
07/26 - Southhaven, MS - Snowden Gove Park
07/27 - Guthrie Center, IA - Guthrie’s River Ruckus
08/17 - Tower, MN - Fortune Bay Resort Casino
08/24 - Beaumont, TX - Lamar University
08/31 - Portsmouth, VA - Ntelos Wireless Pavilion
09/01 - Cherokee, NC - Harrah’s Cherokee
09/06 - Concho, OK - Lucky Star Casino
09/07 - Newkirk, OK - First Council Casino
09/13 - Bossier City, LA - Horseshoe Casino & Hotel
09/14 - Biloxi, MS - IP Casino Resort and Spa

Williams had his first hit in 1964 with Long Gone Lonesome Blues. In total, he has had 39 top ten country records including nine number 1's, and thirty top ten albums.

Mike Mills States That There Are No Plans For an R.E.M. Reunion

2013-05-21T16:41:00.000-04:00

R.E.M.'s breakup seemed fairly final but their fans have always hoped that it would be only for a short amount of time. The group's bassist, Mike Mills, has doused those hopes, telling Rolling Stone that it is not in the cards.

"We said we're done and we're done. If we honestly thought there was a chance of a reunion tour, we might have said so at the time."

R.E.M. broke up after the tour in support of their last album, Collapse Into Now. It wasn't discord. It wasn't conflicts of interest. The members just felt it was time. "The idea of breaking up and not reforming for a reunion tour is kind of attractive to us. I doubt you'll see us touring as R.E.M. again. On the other hand, I just played with Peter [Buck] in New York City the other night, so fun things do happen."

Also not in the cards, at least for now, are any archive releases of material outside of the 25th anniversary series and the next volume of that (Out of Time) won't be out for three years.

Preview: The Clash Sound System - Clash (11 CDs/DVD)

2013-05-21T09:54:00.001-04:00

Artist: Clash
Title:

The Clash Sound System
The Clash Hits Back

Release Date: September 9, 2013 (U.K.), September 10, 2013 (U.S.)
Label: Sony
Format(s): 11 CDs/1 DVD, 2 CDs

Sony music will bring all of the studio music by the Clash plus many rarities together for the first time on The Clash Sound System, out September 9.

The first eight discs of the set are the band's original albums in casebound pozzoli books with poster booklets along with three CDs of demos, non-album singles and other rarities and a DVD with promo videos, live footage and unseen film of the band.

All is housed in a "boombox" style case with:

"Owners Manual" 24 page casebound book.
Badge holder box - to hold badges & dogtags.
A4 folder (to hold 3 booklets + adhesive sheets).
Armageddon Times 1 & 2 (2 x 24 page booklets) / Armageddon Times 3 (36 page booklet)
1x Poster 381X381 mm
1x Poster Tube
3x stickers size 140mm x 85mm
1x A4 sticker
2x stickers size 297mm x 105mm
5x badges: 1 x 25mm badge, 3 x 32mm badge, 1 x 45mm badge
2x dogtags; 1 x 60mm chain and 1 x 10mm chain, stainless steel chains, each dogtag embossed 'The Clash'

The Armegeddon Times was a Clash fanzine. The set includes reprints of some original issues along with a brand new edition curated and designed by Paul Simonon.

A 2-CD version called Clash Hits Back will also be released the same day.

Track List:

The track lists for the bonus material:

Discs 1 through 8

The Clash
Give 'Em Enough Rope
London Calling
Sandinista!
Combat Rock

Disc 9

White Riot (Single version)
1977 (B-side)
Listen (Capital Radio EP) / Interviews (Capital Radio EP)
Capital Radio (Capital Radio EP)
London’s Burning (Live B-side Remote Control)
Complete Control (Single version)
City Of The Dead (B-side)
Clash City Rockers (Original single version)
Jail Guitar Doors (B-side)
White Man In Hammersmith Palais (A-side)
The Prisoner (B-side)
1-2 Crush On You (B-side Tommy Gun)
Time Is Tight (Black Market Clash)
Pressure Drop (B-side English Civil War)
I Fought The Law (Cost Of Living EP)
Groovy Times (Cost Of Living EP)
Gates Of The West (Cost Of Living EP)
Capital Radio (Cost Of Living EP)
Armagideon Time
Bank Robber (A-side)
Rockers Galore On A UK Tour (B-side)

Disc 10

Magnificent Dance (12”)
Midnight To Stevens (Outtake)
Radio One (B-side Hitsville UK)
Stop The World (B-side The Call Up)
The Cool Out (US 12” B-side of The Call Up)
This Is Radio Clash (A-side)
This Is Radio Clash (B-side 7” – different lyrics)
First Night Back In London (B-side Know Your Rights)
Rock The Casbah (Bob Clearmountain 12” mix)
Long Time Jerk (B-side Rock The Casbah)
The Beautiful People Are Ugly Too (Outtake)
Idle In Kangaroo Court (Outtake listed as Kill Time)
Ghetto Defendant (Extended version - unedited)
Cool Confusion (B-side Should I Stay Or Should I Go 7”)
Sean Flynn (Extended ‘Marcus Music’ version)
Straight To Hell (Extended unedited version from Clash On Broadway)

Disc 11

Extracts from The Clash’s first ever recording session at Beaconsfield Film School 1976. Recorded by Julien Temple

I’m So Bored With The USA
London’s Burning
White Riot
1977

Polydor Demos - The Clash’s second recording session November 1976. Produced by Guy Stevens

Janie Jones
Career Opportunities
London’s Burning
1977
White Riot

Live at The Lyceum, London 28th December 1978

City Of The Dead
Jail Guitar Doors
English Civil War
Stay Free
Cheapstakes
I Fought The Law

Bonus DVD

Julien Temple Archive
White Riot Interview
Promo and interviews with Tony Parsons

1977
White Riot
London’s Burning

Sussex University 1977

I’m So Bored With The USA
Hate & War
Career Opportunities
Remote Control

Don Letts Super 8 Medley

White Riot
Janie Jones
City of the Dead
Clash City Rockers
White Man in Hammersmith Palais
1977

Clash On Broadway

London Calling
This Is Radio Clash
The Magnificent Seven
Guns Of Brixton
Safe European Home

Promo Videos

Tommy Gun
London Calling
Bankrobber
Clampdown (Live)
Train In Vain (Live)
The Call Up
Rock The Casbah
Should I Stay Or Should I Go (Live at Shea Stadium)
Career Opportunities (Live at Shea Stadium)

The two-CD The Clash Hits Back

Disc One

London Calling
Safe European Home
Know Your Rights
(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
Janie Jones
The Guns of Brixton
Train in Vain
Bankrobber
Wrong 'Em Boyo
The Magnificent Seven
Police on My Back
Rock the Casbah
Career Opportunities
Police & Thieves
Somebody Got Murdered
Brand New Cadillac
Clampdown

Disc Two

Ghetto Defendant
Armagideon Time
Stay Free
I Fought the Law
Straight to Hell
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Garageland
White Riot
Complete Control
Clash City Rockers
Tommy Gun
English Civil War
The Call Up
Hitsville U.K.
This Is Radio Clash

Almanac: May 21*

2013-05-21T00:37:00.000-04:00

Births:

1904 - Fats Waller (d. 1943)
1941 - Ronald Isley (Isley Brothers) (72)
1941 - Martin Carthy (72)
1943 - Hilton Valentine (Animals) (70)
1943 - John Dalton (Kinks) (70)
1943 - Vincent Crane (Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster) (d. 1989)
1944 - Marcie Blane (69)
1947 - Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin, Chicago) (66)
1948 - Leo Sayer (65)
1955 - Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) (58)
1958 - Mike Barson (Madness) (55)
1963 - Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) (50)
1963 - Tim Lever (Dead or Alive) (50)
1972 - Notorious B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) (d. 1997)
1978 - Adam Gontier (Three Days Grace) (35)
1980 - Gotye (born Wouter De Backer) (33)

Deaths:

1931 - Charlie Poole - Heart attack (39)
1973 - Vaughn Monroe - Complications from stomach surgery (61)
2001 - Tommy Eyre (producer) - Cancer (51)
2006 - Billy Walker - Car accident (77)

On This Day:

1956 - Brenda Lee signed with Decca Records.
1968 - Brian Jones of the Rollings Stones appeared in a London court on charges of marijuana possession.
1971 - Free announced their split.
1979 - Elton John opened the first tour by a western pop star in the Soviet Union in Leningrad.
1980 - The Electric Lady studios in New York were robbed with gold records for five Jimi Hendrix albums going missing.
1980 - Joe Strummer of the Clash was arrested in Hamburg, Germany after hitting a fan with his guitar during a show.
1981 - Bob Marley was buried with state honors in St. Ann's, Jamaica.
1992 - Bette Midler appeared on Johnny Carson's last edition of The Tonight Show.
1998 - A U.S. Senate hearing is held into "impostor groups" who perform under names for which they don't have a claim. Testifying are Sam Moore, Mary Wilson and others.
2001 - Bono and his wife became the parents of a new baby boy.
2003 - James Brown was pardoned by the state of South Carolina for past crimes in the state.
2008 - Lou Pearlman, the man who created New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for cheating thousands out of their life savings.
2009 - Natalie Cole had life saving kidney surgery.
2010 - U2's Bono had spinal surgery, delaying the 360 degree tour.

Recorded:

1970 - Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Released:

1971 - Ram - Paul McCartney
1985 - Dream of a Lifetime - Marvin Gaye

Number Ones - U.S. Singles:

No U.S. Singles reached number 1 on May 21.

Number Ones - U.S. Albums:

1960 - Theme From a Summer Place - Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra (mono albums) (2 weeks (2 previous weeks at number 1))
1960 - Percussive Percussion - Enoch Light/Terry Snyder & the All-Stars (stereo albums) (1 week (1 previous week at number 1))
1966 - If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears - Mamas & the Papas (1 week)
1977 - Rumours - Fleetwood Mac (8 weeks (2 previous weeks at number 1))
1994 - Not a Moment Too Soon - Tim McGraw (2 weeks)
2005 - With Teeth - Nine Inch Nails (1 week)

Number Ones - U.K. Singles:

1964 - Juliet - Four Pennies (1 week)
1977 - I Don't Want to Talk About It/The First Cut is the Deepest - Rod Stewart (4 weeks)
1998 - With a Little Help From My Friends/She's Leaving Home - Wet Wet Wet, Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey (4 weeks)
2000 - Day & Night - Billie Piper (1 week)

Number Ones - U.K. Albums:

1983 - Thriller - Michael Jackson (5 weeks (2 previous weeks at number 1))
1988 - Lovesexy - Prince (1 week)
2000 - Whitney: The Greatest Hits - Whitney Houston (2 weeks)

Prince Takes Control of His Music With Kobalt Music Group Agreement

2013-05-21T00:10:00.004-04:00

by Claire Hennekman

Prince, who received the Billboard Icon Award at Sunday night’s ceremony, has announced that he’s created a unique new partnership with independent music services company Kobalt Music Group.

Prince’s issues with record labels are well known, particularly his long and very public feud with his original label, then Warner Bros., particularly over freedom of music releases and control over his masters.

Most fans believed that he would never sign with another label again, but Kobalt markets themselves as an alternative to the traditional label model, offering recording owners what they call a full-service solution to releasing and marketing records while maintaining ownership of their masters.

This new deal is expected to give Prince the ability to self-release music globally with a new level of flexibility and freedom.

According to Kobalt, Prince will release a slate of music by new artists, as well as his own recordings and other Prince-produced material.

The legendary performer plans to provide artist development and recording services for newly signed artists that Kobalt will market and distribute globally.

“This new venture gives Prince the flexibility and freedom he’s always sought in a label partner. We’re providing a high level of diverse services that will be particularly customized to his vision for each release, allowing the world to experience more music from Prince and his creative community,” said Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt.

Prince is nearing the end of an 18-date club tour with his highly acclaimed new band, 3rd Eye Girl, with the last two shows happening this Saturday night in his home town of Minneapolis. Prince yesterday received the prestigious Billboard Icon Award during the live broadcast of the Billboard Music Awards. His protégé, Andy Allo, was named ‘Billboard’s Next Big Diva’ and performed at the Billboard pre-party on Saturday night.

Prince will headline the Montreux Jazz Festival later this year, along with select dates in Europe and in the U.S. His latest single, Fix Ur Life Up, was released on iTunes last week, amidst talk of a new album with 3rd Eye Girl on the way.

Watch Prince and 3rd Eye Girl’s performance at the Billboard Music Awards here.

George Michael Fell From Car Going 70 MPH

2013-05-20T23:38:00.000-04:00

While his management downplayed the extent of his injuries, the fact is that George Michael could have died in last week's automobile accident.

The British singer was airlifted to hospital with a head injury following a motorway accident. Katherine Fox was driving behind the Range Rover the 49-year-old star was travelling in when she saw him fall out of the passenger door of the vehicle. She has recalled slamming on her brakes in a desperate attempt to avoid running him over.

"He was lucky he didn't die," she told British newspaper The Sun. "There was a nasty cut on his forehead and the back of his head. There was blood all down his face and on his teeth. He was breathing and conscious but in shock."

George apparently fell from the car into the third lane of the busy motorway. Many drivers had to hit their brakes to avoid running him over. Katherine was terrified George was critically injured at first and initially had no idea who he was.

"I saw blood everywhere and a man on the ground. I thought someone had run across the road and been hit. I asked what had gone on and was told he tried to open the car door and shut it again because it wasn't shut properly and apparently fell out at 70 MPH," she explained. "I was on the phone to the ambulance and said, 'You'd better come quick. This doesn't look good'."

"George was wearing a black and gold Adidas tracksuit that was ripped all down the arm and shoulder. He had no trainers on. I grabbed one from the second lane because cars were swerving to avoid it. His sunglasses were also in the road. I could hear the crunch as cars drove over them."

As soon as George fell from the vehicle the two friends he was travelling with pulled onto the hard shoulder of the road. They ran to try to help him, with Katherine using her car as a barrier between the singer and other vehicles. An off-duty policeman also stopped to help, getting other cars to drive around the incident.

"George didn't say anything, he just seemed in shock," Katherine explained. "He was sitting down against a car and in the arms of his friend. The guy holding him was quite scared. He kept saying to George, 'Are you all right mate?' I think George was lucky he didn't die."

The singer was treated for cuts and bruises but isn't thought to have suffered any serious injuries. Police are looking into the accident.

New Releases by Veteran Artists for the Week of May 20, 2013

2013-05-20T23:25:00.001-04:00

Beach Boys
Rolling Stones
Captain Beyond
Primus
Flash

The best of the rest:

CD

Dave Brubeck	Time Out - Mono/Stereo Edition
Mac Davis	A Little More Action Please 1970-1985
Alton Ellis	Mr Soul of Jamaica: Greatest Hits
Emerson Lake & Palmer	Tarkus (Deluxe Edition)
Guitar Shorty	My Way Or the Highway
Steve Hackett	Genesis Revisited 2: Selection
Helix	R-O-C-K - Best Of 1983-2012
Mick Jagger	In His Own Words
Little Anthony & the Imperials	On a New Street / Hold on
Love and Rockets	5 Album Box Set
Patty Loveless	Playlist: The Very Best of Patty Loveless
Paul McCartney	In His Own Words
Joe Meek	Telstar: An Anthology
Nektar	Remember The Future: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
New York Dolls	Too Much Too Soon (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Gary Numan	5 Album Box Set
Billy Ocean	Playlist: The Very Best of Billy Ocean
Paul Overstreet	Sowin Love / Heroes
Robert Palmer	Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Robert Palmer	Riptide (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Iggy Pop	Playlist: The Very Best of Iggy Pop
Primal Scream	More Light: Deluxe Edition
Restless Heart	Playlist: The Very Best of Restless Heart
Diana Ross	Playlist: The Very Best of Diana Ross
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes	Playlist: The Very Best of Southside Johnny & the
Donna Summer	Playlist: The Very Best of Donna Summer
Tangerine Dream	Coventry Cathedral
Evelyn Thomas	Disco Recharge: I Want to Make It on My Own/Have a
Townes Van Zandt	High Low & In Between
Townes Van Zandt	Late Great Townes Van Zandt
Wang Chung	Points On The Curve (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Wang Chung	Mosaic (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Warrant	Playlist: The Very Best of Warrant
Nancy Wilson	Sound of Nancy Wilson / Nancy
Various Artists	After Sun
Various Artists	Backbeats: Philly Gems-More Philly Disco Floor-F
Various Artists	FM (Paper Sleeve - CD Deluxe Vinyl Replica)
Various Artists	Soul City Detroit
Various Artists	Telstar: Anthology
Various Artists	Watch Your Mouth: Gems from the Warner Brother Vaults

Vinyl

Curtis Mayfield	Curtis
Public Enemy	25th Anniversary Vinyl Collection
Talking Heads	Speaking In Tongues
Townes Van Zandt	High Low & In Between
Townes Van Zandt	Late Great Townes Van Zandt
Yes	Magnification

DVD

ABBA	Maestros From the Vaults: Abba the Ultimate Collection
Beach Boys	Live: The 50th Anniversary Tour
Genesis	Maestros From the Vaults: Genesis Ultimate Collection
Moody Blues	Live at Montreux 1991
Moody Blues	Threshold of a Dream: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Aaron Neville	My True Story
Queen	On Fire Live at the Bowl
Rolling Stones	Crossfire Hurricane

Passings: Ray Manzarek of the Doors (1939 - 2013)

2013-05-20T18:38:00.000-04:00

Ray Manzarek, the man who played the iconic organ intro on his band, the Doors', Light My Fire, died on Monday from complications related to bile duct cancer. He was 74.

His website only shows a vintage photo with his birth and death years:

According to his publicist, Heidei Robinson-Fitzgerald, said that Manzarek died at the RoMed Medical Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany while his manager, Tom Vitorino, said his passing was at 3:30 PM EDT, surrounded by family.

While studying at the UCLA Department of Cinematography, he met fellow film student Jim Morrison but the two went their separate ways after graduation. A month-and-a-half alter, they met by chance on Venice Beach and Morrison invited him to listen to a song he had written, Moonlight Drive.

The two decided to form the Doors and met the other two members of the group, John Densmore and Robbie Krieger at a TM lecture. They developed an act and, in early 1966, became the lounge band at The London Fog on the Sunset Strip and, later, the Whiskey A Go Go.

The band was signed to Columbia Records but ended up asking to be dropped, eventually signing with Jac Holzman's Elektra. Their self titled debut album was released the first week of 1967 and, with the release of Light My Fire as the second single, the group's popularity took off into the stratosphere. Their entire output of albums during the life of Jim Morrison went to the U.S. top ten and they scored top twenty hits with People Are Strange, Hello I Love You, Touch Me, Love Her Madly and Riders on the Storm.

Of course, the Doors years were also full of controversy, mostly at the hands of Jim Morrison who was arrested for everything from obscenities on stage to allegedly exposing himself to the audience.

After Morrison's death on July 3, 1971, the other three members of the group decided to continue with Manzarek and Krieger taking lead vocals. They officially broke up in 1973 although the reformed in 1978 to record the musical backgrounds for American Prayer, an album of Morrison's poetry, their induction in 1993 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other events.

Manzarek went on to make three solo albums between 1974 and 1983 along with forming a band called Nite City. From 2002 to 2013, he reunited with Robby Krieger to form The Doors of the 21st Century, leading to on-going legal battles with John Densmore.

Manzarek is survived by his wife Dorothy and son Pablo.