Hello all, absolutely stunned and deeply saddened by all that has happen in Japan since late Friday.
It's awful, the pictures, the stories and the sheer fact of what has occurred that has taken the lives of over 10,000 is just so hard to fathom in this day and age, from a 'natural' disaster.
I have a good old mate from England, who has lived there for over 10 years now and I can recall him telling me when he first moved there, one of the toughest things to get used to was the regular tremors, on a regular basis. So clearly, people there do get used to tremors ... In their own way.
When the 8.9 quake hit though, that was something else ... At that time he said, 'Thanks for the messages, we're all fine, but the earthquakes haven't stopped and we're just a little bit south of where they're centered, the first one was one I hope I never experience again.' That was Friday ...
He then shared, later that night that, "Thanks everyone, we're sleeping in the car in the middle of a nearby car park as the after-shocks are not anywhere near over."
Yesterday he stated, "Just back after an adventure outside, only some shops were open, and those that were had outrageous queues of people buying the little of the basics that were left, all petrol station closed as they had no petrol left and not sure when the next delivery will arrive, finished with a trip to the local park for a rationed 2 liters of water with a queue like you would not believe.'
Craig and his family live just north of Tokyo, in Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan, just south of the nuclear plant having all the problems ...
He and his family are perhaps just a snapshot of all that is going on, that so many of us simply cannot comprehend. How awful ...
My prayers and thoughts of course go out to Craig, but to so many other too.
They need an awful lot more than prayers though.
My heart goes out to all there dealing with and living through that awful disaster.
I thought I'd also share this with you from Iron Maiden who had been heading into Tokyo to play live shows in Japan:
IRON MAIDEN - TOKYO CANCELLATION AND BAND MESSAGE
Published: March 12, 2011
The latest news from Promoter Creativeman is as follows-
"Following the cancellation of Saturday, March 12 show, Iron Maiden show scheduled at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 13 is now cancelled as well, due to obvious safety concerns towards the audience, the artist, and the venue, caused by the earthquake of Friday, March 11.
Your ticket for Sunday, March 13 will be refunded. Please contact Creativeman after Monday, March 14 on the refund process.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
TEL: 03-3462-6969 (12pm-6pm weekdays)
Creativeman"
The band were flying into Tokyo from Seoul, South Korea following their show there. On approaching Narita Airport Tokyo Ed Force One was advised to reroute to Nagoya as the earthquake/tsunami had just become apparent. The band stayed the night in Nagoya and following the announcement of the cancellation are preparing to fly out.
Steve Harris has the following message on behalf of the band to our fans in Japan and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster;
"We are extremely saddened by the calamitous events of the last day or so which led to the cancellation or our two shows in Tokyo. Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this disaster -- our fans in Japan, the people of Japan and those in many other places suffering from the Tsunami. We are also aware that a number of fans flew into Tokyo from various parts of the world to see a Maiden show there and we hope you guys are safe and sound. We have had a long relationship with this wonderful country and have always been made to feel most welcome - this would have been something like our 16th tour. Our sincerest condolences to all those who have suffered and to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives."
Weblink: www.ironmaiden.com
Also other's in the world of rock have passed on their well wishes to Japan.
Here's just a few:
Message from Uriah Heep
We have been distressed to read about the disasters in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Queensland, Australia. We have admired the way both countries have dealt with the problems arising. The band is very much looking forward to visiting old and new friends in Australia at the end of this month.
Our thoughts and hopes are with the Japanese people today. We have made many friends over the years in your wonderful country. Once again we were overwhelmed by your friendship and hospitality only a few months ago during the band’s last visit to Japan.. We want you all to know that everyone in the Uriah Heep family is with you, as you deal with the challenges ahead.
Mick Box, Trevor Bolder, Russell Gilbrook, Phil Lanzon and Bernie Shaw
Official website: http://www.uriah-heep.com/
From Judas Priest too:
We were all deeply shocked to hear about the awful tragedy in Japan with the earthquake and tsunami - our thoughts and prayers go out to all our fans and everyone there.
Judas Priest
Aerosmith Message to Fans and Friends in Japan
To all of our fans and friends in Japan,
We want you all to know that we’re thinking of you through this tough and difficult time. Our thoughts and hearts go out to you.
With love,
Joe, Steven, Tom, Brad and Joey
Wishbone Ash - To all our friends, fans and business partners in Japan - we are thinking about you at this difficult time. A.P. and WA.
If you know someone there or not, please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers, it sounds absolutely hellish and it is going to take a significant amount of toil to get things back together again.
Seriously, what can anyone say about this, it's terrible and tragic.
New Video Interview with David Coverdale
A video interview with David Coverdale is now online at http://www.whitesnake.com/
He talks about the making of the new album "FOREVERMORE", working with Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach as well as the newest members of Whitesnake, Briian Tichy and Michael Devin .. and hints of more surprises.
Or follow link to here:
"FOREVERMORE" has received rocking acclaim as one of the best rock albums of 2011.
Some say it could be THE best Whitesnake album ever!!!
This is an exclusive only at http://www.whitesnake.com/!
Cities currently on the 2011 tour schedule:
Westbury - Hartford - Columbia - Jim Thorpe - Biloxi - Kinder - Richardson - Pryor - Moscow - St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Oslo - Solvesborg - Newcastle - Glasgow - Wolverhampton - Manchester - Bournemouth - London - Milano - Basel - Dessel - Munich - Prague - Vienna - Belgrade - Bucharest - Athens - Sofia - Istanbul - Budapest - Singen - Kerkrade - Sault Saint Marie ---
See All Details at http://www.whitesnake.com/
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY TO RELEASE UNPLUGGED ACOUSTIC ALBUM "THE SONG REMAINS NOT THE SAME" MAY 3RD
OFFERING FEATURES UNPLUGGED VERSIONS OF MATERIAL FROM
"ORDER OF THE BLACK" AND MORE; SET CONCEIVED, CREATED AND COMPILED BY BLS FRONTMAN/GUITAR GOD ZAKK WYLDE
(New York, NY) - BLS frontman/guitar god Zakk Wylde is proud to announce the upcoming release of THE SONG REMAINS NOT THE SAME (Entertainment One Music) on May 3rd. The offering features unplugged versions of material from Black Label Society's latest album, ORDER OF THE BLACK, as well as additional material recorded during the ORDER OF THE BLACK sessions.
THE SONG REMAINS NOT THE SAME was conceived, created and compiled by Zakk Wylde himself and the title is, of course, a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, Led Zeppelin. Click here for cover art and please see below for full track listing.
In other Black Label Society news, the next single from ORDER OF THE BLACK, "Darkest Days" impacts at radio on March 21st. The track showcases Wylde's softer side with soulful lyrics, a hauntingly beautiful melody and captivating piano played by the guitar icon himself. An alternate version of the song featuring country superstar John Rich will appear on THE SONG REMAINS NOT THE SAME.
After wrapping up a series of sold-out dates in Europe, Black Label Society will return to North America in early May to headline Fuse's Uranium Tour 2011 Presented By Mistress Juliya. Please see below for tour dates.
About Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society
In the two decades since Ozzy Osbourne hired him away from his job at a New Jersey gas station, Zakk Wylde has established himself as a guitar icon known and revered the world over. Wylde has won nearly every guitar award imaginable, graced countless magazine covers and is a major influence to a new battalion of rock guitarists. Writing and recording with Osbourne led to multi-platinum success, inspiring him to create the now iconic Black Label Society in 1998. In the decade plus since, BLS has turned the notion of what a rock band should be upside down by inspiring legions of fans (known as Berserkers) all over the world to follow the mantra: Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever (SDMF for short). Wylde and his Berserkers have established a heavy metal institution true to the vision of uncompromising, unfiltered and unrestrained rock 'n' roll. To date, Black Label Society has sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide and continues to be a massive presence on the worldwide touring and merchandising circuits. Black Label Society's latest album, ORDER OF THE BLACK (Entertainment One Music), was released in August, 2010 and debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.
THE SONG REMAINS NOT THE SAME track listing:
1. Overlord (Unplugged version)
2. Parade Of The Dead (Unplugged version)
3. Riders Of The Damned (Unplugged version)
4. Darkest Days (Unplugged version)
5. Juniors Eyes
6. Helpless
7. Bridge Over Troubled Water
8. Can't Find My Way Home
9. Darkest Days (featuring John Rich)
10. The First Noel
Uranium Tour 2011 Featuring: Black Label Society. Presented by Mistress Juliya of Fuse:
MAY 2011
4 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
6 Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues
8 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
10 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
11 Houston, TX House Of Blues
13 Denver, CO Fillmore Theater
15 Des Moines, IA KAZR radio show*
17 Buffalo, NY Townhall Ballroom
18 Wallingford, CT The Dome
22 Columbus, OH Rock On The Range*
23 London, ON Cowboys
24 Detroit, MI St. Andrew's Hall
26 Omaha, NE Sokol Auditorium+
27 Madison, WI Majestic Theater+
28 Minneapolis, MN 93X radio show*
29 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma*
31 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
JUNE 2011
1 St. Louis, MO The Pageant**
3 Atlantic City, NJ House Of Blues**
4 New York, NY Irving Plaza**
5 Richmond, VA The National**
*Black Label Society only
**No All That Remains, Rev Theory
+ No All That Remains
For more information please visit:
AC/DC Live At River Plate Available May 10th!
AC/DC Live At River Plate, a definitive live concert DVD documenting AC/DC’s massive Black Ice World Tour, will be available for purchase on Tuesday May 10, 2011. Shot in December of 2009, AC/DC Live At River Plate marks AC/DC’s triumphant return to Buenos Aires where nearly 200,000 fans, and 3 sold-out shows, welcomed the band back after a 13 year absence from Argentina. This stunning live footage of AC/DC underscores what Argentina’s Pagina 12 newspaper reported by saying “no one is on the same level when it comes to pure and clear Rock ‘n Roll.” Directed by David Mallet and produced by Rocky Oldham, AC/DC Live At River Plate was shot with 32 cameras entirely in HD.
AC/DC Live At River Plate features 19 songs (110 minutes) as well as ‘behind the scenes’ footage of this massive production coming together among the excitement of anxious fans.
AC/DC Live At River Plate will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and Ltd Edition collector’s edition with exclusive t-shirt. Additionally the DVD contains a bonus feature titled “The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech & The Meat,” features interviews with AC/DC, their crew and fans among the excitement of the shows and the city of Buenos Aires.
AC/DC Live At River Plate captures the intensity and power of the band’s critically acclaimed world tour in support of their most recent album Black Ice, which debuted at #1 in 31 countries. The Black Ice World tour took AC/DC on a 20 month trek around the globe playing to over 5 million fans in 108 cities in over 28 countries. The Black Ice World Tour earned AC/DC a Pollstar Award for Major Tour of the Year in 2010.
AC/DC Live At River Plate track listing is as follows:
1. Rock N Roll Train
2. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
3. Back In Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Shot Down In Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot To Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. T.N.T.
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let There Be Rock
18. Highway To Hell
19. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
Here's a snippet / taster for you of the show:
Official Band website:
