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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Rock News for Thursday 7th October, 2010

Gotthard lead vocalist Steve Lee killed in freak accident

(Steve Lee photo from www.gotthard.com/) 

It's certainly very tragic indeed when anyone in the rock world passes away, but when someone is killed in circumstances that can only, honestly be described as 'freak,' it's just downright wrong!

Steve Alois Lee, RIP, who was frontman of Swiss rock band Gotthard, was just 47 years old and had travelled to the US to fufil a life long dream of riding a Harley Davidson across the USA. Sadly, it was not to be.
The following statement comes from the band's website:

Dear Fans and Friends, the inconceivable is tragic reality – Steve Lee was killed in an accident yesterday

Steve was killed accidentally during a motorcycle trip in the USA on Interstate 15 between Mesquite and Las Vegas and died at the scene.

The GOTTHARD singer had flown to the U.S. with some biker friends just this weekend to fulfil a long-cherished dream for which he’d never had the time, due to his heavy touring schedule for many years. It was to be two weeks through the states on a Harley Davidson. The 21 Swiss bikers started their journey on Sunday on a total of 12 motorcycles. On Tuesday 5 October, about 50 miles from Las Vegas, the group had stopped at the roadside to put on their rain gear as it had started to rain. On the slippery road, the trailer of a passing truck began to skid. The driver attempted evasive action but his trailer clipped five of the motorcycles parked at the roadside; one of them hit Steve Lee. Rescue services attempted resuscitation but efforts were stopped after 20 minutes. At 16:13 local time, Steve Lee was pronounced dead.

Among the passengers were bassist Marc Lynn and Steve’s partner Brigitte Voss Balzarini.
All other fellow riders were unharmed. Steve Lee was 47 years old.

With Steve Lee, we not only lose one of the world's best rock voices but also a good friend who due to his sensitivity and down-to-earth personality always met the people around him with respect.
It will take some time till we fully understand what has happened.

Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family.

Letters of condolence to:  
Gotthard Music GmbH
Grossmatte Ost 2
CH-6014 Littau
Official website: www.gotthard.com/

Absolutely tragic. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Steve's family, his partner Brigitte and all his close friends. RIP Steve.

IN OTHER NEWS ...

MELODIC ROCK FANZINE AVAILABLE

Frontiers Records is proud to present the new issue of MELODIC ROCK FANZINE. The 40th release of our successful magazine is available for free all over the world through record shops, mailorders and every fine dealer carrying the Frontiers Records releases.

Here are the previews of the two MELODIC ROCK FANZINE covers:

This new issue includes reviews and interviews of Kiske Somerville, Unruly Child, Issa, Circle Ii Circle, Asia, Athorn, White Widdow, Two Fires, Bangalore Choir... and more!

Electronic readble version of the magazine is available on the Frontiers official site or here: http://issuu.com/frontiers_records/docs/mrf40

CHIPSTER PR LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND BILLBOARD MAGAZINE FEATURE

Chipster PR & Consulting, Inc. President and Senior Publicist, Chip Ruggieri, has been chosen to comment on the 'Billboard Maximum Exposure 2010 Hard Rock Top 5'. Billboard says of the feature

"There are more tools than ever to promote a new single or album. But which ones work best? To find out, Billboard presents its third annual Maximum Exposure list, which tabulates the 100 best ways to generate sales and buzz. We asked label and publishing executives, publicists, managers and branding experts to rank the most effective means to promote music. Then we compiled our list—as well as rankings for Latin music, the United Kingdom, Japan and genres like rock and hip-hop—with the input of Billboard’s editorial staff. The results identify the most powerful promotional vehicles in music today."


Chipster PR & Consulting, Inc. has also announced the launch of their new website http://www.chipsterpr.com/ designed by http://921associates.com/ The site features a news section, highlight video and a link to donate to longtime client and friend Ronnie James Dio's 'Stand up and Shout Cancer Fund'.
The 'Current Clients' pages includes a 'share' button which will allow artists and media to add a direct link to the page on their social networks. You also 'LIKE' Chipster on Facebook and follow Chipster on Twitter!

Chipster's offspring, Coverslut Cosmetics, Inc. has a page link featured, which offers artists make up and grooming services provided by Jen Farhood, who's celebrity roster includes iconic acts such as The Police, Olivia Newton-John, Halford and Jon Bon Jovi.

For more information, visit:

Eric Clapton, six nights at Royal Albert Hall already now two more with Stevie Winwood

Yes old slowhand himself, Eric Clapton had already announced six shows at the Royal Albert Hall and now he's called upon his old band mate from Blind Faith days,  Stevie Winwood to play an additional two nights with him and I firmly believe it's unlikely they'll come back together Stateside again, so catch them while you can!
Clapton and Winwood toured together in 2009 and jammed together this year at Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Illinois. Winwood toured with Santana during summer 2010.
This piece is covered at Pollstar.com.

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