Van Halen story … New deal signed?
Both http://www.melodicrock.com/ and http://www.blabbermouth.net/ sites have posted this latest story / piece of news. The only flaw to it, is there’s no link to any website that verifies this event?!
The Warner/Chappell Music website does not include any of this info – At this time. – on this Van Halen story, so read it as you will?!
Feel free to look for yourself as there’s plenty of news there, just not on this!
Here's what both sites have published:
"Warner/Chappell Music has extended its administration agreements with two original members of the legendary rock band Van Halen, Eddie and Alex Van Halen. Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to administer their catalog of works.
The Grammy Award-winning Van Halen was formed in 1972 in Pasadena, California and released its first album in 1978, quickly becoming one of the most influential rock bands in history. In 2007, after more than three decades dazzling audiences with their energetic performances and establishing their catalog of songs as one of the most enduring in the history of popular music, Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
With 11 studio albums, Van Halen is the 19th best-selling group of all time in the U.S., according to the RIAA, with more than 56 million albums sold in the U.S., 10 of them certified platinum or multi-platinum, six albums that reached No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and two of them, "Van Halen" and "1984", achieving diamond certification. Van Halen has been nominated multiple times by the American Music Awards and, in 1992, won "Favorite Heavy Metal/Rock Album" for the album "For Unlawful Carnage Knowledge".
"It's fantastic to continue our relationship with Van Halen, which is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships within our roster of songwriters," said Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music, and Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S. "Since its inception, Van Halen has written driving melodic rock songs performed in groundbreaking style."
During its more than three decades as a band, Van Halen has featured a number of different lineups and three different lead singers, and throughout has produced a string of multiplatinum albums that contained numerous No. 1 singles, including "Jump", "(Oh) Pretty Woman", "Why Can't This Be Love?", "Humans Being", "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Me Wise Magic". - Not too sure about the last two songs being No. 1's!?!
The most popular - and only updated site - for Van Halen news is: www.vhnd.com/
SARAYA PULL OUT OF FIREFEST
The folks at Firefest - Kieran Dargan and Bruce Mee - have just made this latest announcement, regarding the 2010 Firefest event:
'Firefest is extremely saddened that Sandi Saraya, despite making the commitment to perform at the show in December 2009 has chosen at relatively short notice to back track on her original decision. After a period of will she won't she, she finally asked for a totally inappropriate amount of money for herself personally to actually perform. Firefest had already went way beyond the original deal in an effort to make the Saraya show happen, offering much more financially than we had agreed. In fact the improved package we offered was over double what we had agreed from day 1 but apparently it was not enough. We have nothing but the highest regard and respect for Chuck Bonfante and Tony Bruno who went WAAAY above and beyond the call of duty in order to make this happen. The guys are extremely upset and annoyed that Sandi would choose to make this first time reunion about the almighty $, but sadly it appears this is the case. For the record Chuck, Tony and Barry at no stage asked for anything extra and were more than happy with the original agreement It is with great regret that we must inform you that Saraya will not be playing Firefest 2010 and a replacement act will be confirmed very shortly.'
Kieran, Bruce and the gang.
Then this also comes from the other Saraya band members:
'When Kieran Dargan first approached us with the idea of re-uniting after 20 years, we (the remaining band members) were all immediately on board. The question was whether or not Sandi, who now leads a very different and private life, would be into it. When she responded with an enthusiastic "definitely!" we were all surprised and delighted. However, nearly 8 months later and 3 months before the show it seems she requires a great deal of money to do this. This is not what Firefest is about, and neither Firefest or the remaining band members were willing to be put in such an unexpected and unpleasant position regarding the personal demands of our former singer. Sadly we will be unable to perform at Firefest and we would like to extend our deepest and most sincere apologies to the many fans travelling from all over the world to see us.'
Tony Bruno, Chuck Bonfante and Barry Dunaway
Frontiers announces catalogue reissues and some updates
Frontiers Records announces the re-release in limited edition of some of long out of print classic releases of its catalogue on August 27th. Subject to the campaign will be four albums.
WETTON / DOWNES “Icon”, the album that marked the reunion between Geoff Downes and John Wetton. Originally released in 2005, this is the album that re-sparkled the flame between the two artists and brought later two more albums and the original ASIA line-up reunion. This edition will see the addition of 5 bonus tracks: Heat of the Moment 05; Paradox/ Let Me Go (different version); The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 05; In The End (different version); There In Your Bed (which originally appeared on the “Heat of the Moment 05” EP). Details and samples available on www.frontiers.it/album/4740/
HURRICANE “Liquifury”, the third album from the amazing US Hard Rock band featuring singer Kelly Hansen (who later went on to join Foreigner) and drummer Jay Schellen (who will shortly appear on the Unruly Child reunion album). This reissue will include two bonus tracks: Push, Promises (both have originally appeared on the Japanese edition of the album). Details and samples available on www.frontiers.it/album/4741/
SEVENTH KEY “Seventh Key”, the debut album from the collaboration between KANSAS bassist Billy Greer and former CITY BOY guitar player Mike Slamer. Both have played together in STREETS, the band formed by Steve Walsh in his brief hiatus from Kansas from 1983 to 1986. This album includes some songs which were originally demoed for the KANSAS “Power” album and feature performances from Steve Morse, Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh and Rich Williams among others. This reissue adds two bonus tracks The Storm Rages On (original Japanese bonus track) and Remember You Well (US bonus track which was written by the other ex KANSAS, Kerry Livgren). Details and samples available on www.frontiers.it/album/4742/
SEVENTH KEY “The Raging Fire”, the band’s second album. From a studio project SEVENTH KEY evolved in a more stable unit which saw Greer and Slamer joined by Terry Brock and Jamie Thompson. Defined as “A brilliant album!” by http://www.melodicrock.com/ at the time of the release, this reissue comes with one bonus track “Love Train”. Details and samples available on www.frontiers.it/album/4743/
WORK OF ART update
Singer Lars Sarfsund is currently completing the vocal track recordings for the highly anticipated second album from WORK OF ART, the Swedish Melodic Rock band that took the scene by storm with the release of the self / titled debut in February 2008. The working title of the new album will be “In Progress” and Frontiers looks to release in before the end of 2010. Melodic Rock fans can expect a real step forward and the guys will deliver nothing else than a stunning release !
ALLEN / LANDE UPDATE
Frontiers Records would like to announce that the release of ALLEN / LANDE third album “The Showdown”, originally planned for September, is postponed to November 2010. We apologize with the fans for the unexpected delay.
FIRST SIGNAL UPDATE
Some very positive press results are blessing the return of ex-HAREM SCAREM singer Harry Hess fronting FIRST SIGNAL, the new project produced by Dennis Ward of PINK CREAM 69. Some of the most remarkable ones include:
“FIRST SIGNAL is a well-constructed and melodic-as-hell album that welcomes Harry Hess and melodic rock fans with open arms.” Rockeyez
“If you dig Melodic Rock and the old Harem Scarem stuff then this album is something you will enjoy.” http://www.welovemetal.com/
“For die hard fans of Harem Scarem is First Signal featuring Harry Hess a good news show, its finger liking good” http://www.furyrocks.com/
“Simply put, First Signal is one of the contenders for being one of the best melodic rock albums of 2010”. http://www.ytsejam.com/
Enjoy again the videoclip for the awesome album’s opener “This City”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSaNiJjTVRk
OUTLOUD UPDATE
The US-Greek Hard Rock unit OUTLOUD is working already on the follow up to their successful self titled debut release. RockpagesTV "invaded" Basement Studios were the band is working and talked with drummer Mark Cross and guitarist Bob Katsionis about the recording of their sophomore album, the differences with the first and Outloud's characteristics. You can read the entire interview at http://rockpages.gr/ or enjoy the interview clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eGfVyKxQGk
THE MURDER OF MY SWEET UPDATE
The very well known Japanese actor/singer Anna Tsuchiya will use the original THE MURDER OF MY SWEET song "Follow The Rain" (titled "Shout In The Rain" in her version) as the lead off single from her third album released in Japan on Avex. The song in this new version can be enjoyed in this attractive videoclip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDHJzu5uuNw
It’s very rare that a Japanese artist decides to cut a single with an already available song - but Avex and Anna T loved the track very much and the band feels honoured by their choice. THE MURDER OF MY SWEET are scheduled to appear live at the forthcoming Raismes Festival in France on September 11th.
Maiden Down Under!
Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that they will return to Australia in late February/early March 2011 to headline Australasia’s greatest Metal Festival, Soundwave. The dates are –
26 Feb 2011 - Brisbane, Showgrounds
27 Feb 2011 - Sydney, Eastern Creek Raceway
4 Mar 2011 - Melbourne, Showgrounds
5 Mar 2011 - Adelaide, Bonython Park
7 Mar 2011 - Perth, Steel Blue Oval
For full details on Soundwave and its incredible line up go to http://www.soundwavefestival.com/
Rik Emmett newsletter update
Here’s the latest newsletter update from the Rik Emmett camp:
Hi folks:
Seems like every time I get around to writing one of these newsletter intros, I say I'm emerging from a crazy hectic busy time. Story of a modern musician's life, I guess ...
Let's see: a week immersed in the Songstudio workshop at Ryerson was great fun: not only did I run workshop classes every morning, I got to accompany Jim Vallance one night, singing & playing Bryan Adams hits, and played over 4 hours backing up students on the night of Thursday the 22nd (try that some time: almost 30 songs that my bandmates and I had never heard before! - talk about flying by the seat of your pants), and ended the week by going out to a birthday party for my old friend Ian Thomas, where we sat around a campfire and played his great songs, some old Beatles songs and stuff from the '60's.
Then I went with the quartet down to Sarnia and rocked through an outdoor show there on the night of the 24th. Yahooooo. (I got a new Line 6 Wireless system for big stages, and with my trusty Les Paul and Vox pedalboard, I am one easy-to-please, happy dude ... ) It got even better in Lockport NY on July 30. HUGE crowd - biggest 'Magic Power' singalong in years.
For those who sent 57th birthday wishes and 34th anniversary congrats, thanks and thanks again. We were having a great time down Cape Breton way, after playing the Stan Rogers Festival in Canso July 3 & 4. On our anniversary night, we were staying in an amazing old B & B in Guysborough - DesBarres Manor Inn - http://www.desbarresmanor.com/ ; - and our room actually had Rob & Laura Petrie separate beds! But it was an amazing holiday: we actually were out on a whale-watching expedition at one point, north from Cheticamp, and the tour guide brought us in close to the mountainous rocky shoreline and pointed out a big brown bear way up on the hillside, foraging about. The bear took one look at us, and decided it didn't want anything to do with a bunch of humans wearing life jackets, floating down there in the ocean - so it went scrambling back up the mountainside. But that was a very cool moment - seeing a live wild bear, moments before & after watching pilot whales gently surfacing & clearing their blow-holes. That boat ride home (in a Zodiac - essentially a super-motorized inflatable raft, ripping along the tops of the waves at over 30 knots an hour) was exhilarating. It made me very thirsty for a pint of Moosehead.
