Chuck Ruff RIP
1951 - 2011
Sad news has hit the rock world again, as it's been revealed that another classic rocker, drummer Chuck Ruff having passed away at the age of 60, after being in a coma, following a long illness.
Chuck Ruff had played alongside legendary players such as Ronnie Montrose and Bill Church in the early band Sawbuck. Montrose and Church went on to form the Montrose band along with Sammy Hagar and drummer Denny Carmassi.
Ruff had also played in the Edgar Winter Band along with Dan Hartman (RIP) and Ronnie Montrose was there too in 1972, it was that line up that produced the much loved Edgar Winter track 'Frankenstein.'
Ruff hooked up with Sammy Hagar's band in 1977 and played on 'Street Machine' and the live album 'All Night Long' re-issued in the UK as 'Live, Loud and Clear' and 'Danger Zone.'
I saw the band in 1980 at Portsmouth Guildhall (England) and had the pleasure of meeting the then band that featured Chuck Ruff, alongside ex-Montrose band men, Bill Church (Bass) and Hagar, as well as Gary Pihl (Guitars). Ruff was actually kind enough to pass over a pair of drumsticks at the end of the bands soundcheck. I chatted with the band at the time briefly and also missed the opportunity of going to play some American Football with the guys at a local field. They invited a handful of us to go with them and we were all clueless ... I was only seventeen ..., fool! What a missed moment now?!
He was an extremely talented drummer indeed and seemed a really good guy too.
Sammy Hagar issued this statement through his site last Friday, "I lost one of my old bandmates, Chuck Ruff today. Chuck was my drummer on Danger Zone and Street Machine and many many live tours together. I have only memories of great times and great music with Chuck.
My condolences to his family, friends and loved ones."
Chuck Ruff (Far left), Sammy Hagar, Bill Church and Gary Pihl - Sammy Hagar band circa 1979.
Photo credit: Alan M. Poulin
After the Sammy Hagar years, Chuck seemed play in more low key acts, a couple of those being the Michael Furlong album 'Use it or Lose It' as well as Adam Bomb's 'Fatal Attraction' album, alongside AC/DC's bassist Cliff Williams too.
Sad news again for the world of rock. My prayers and sympathies go out to Chuck's family and friends.
RIP
Chuck Ruff - May 25th, 1951 - October 14th, 2011
Indiscreet 25Live goes out on the road...
This posted over at UK rocker's FM's MySpace page:
Speculation has been rife... "Why does it say '25Live' everywhere?" we've heard you ask over the last few weeks. Well...
Hold on to your hats!!! We are excited to announce that we will be taking INDISCREET out on the road in 2012 as part of our year-long celebrations for the 25thAnniversary of its release.
Confirmed dates are:-
March 08 2012 - Glasgow Cathouse
March 09 2012 - Manchester Academy 3
March 10 2012 - London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
March 09 2012 - Manchester Academy 3
March 10 2012 - London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Tickets are on general sale from Friday October 21st 2011. Please see our Live page for the booking info for these dates.
Yes, for the first time ever we will be performing our début album Indiscreet live on stage in its entirety as part of a full concert.
We really do intend for these shows to be very special indeed. Come and be transported back to a time when shoulder pads and mobile phones were enormous and hair was even bigger! ....
Yes, for the first time ever we will be performing our début album Indiscreet live on stage in its entirety as part of a full concert.
We really do intend for these shows to be very special indeed. Come and be transported back to a time when shoulder pads and mobile phones were enormous and hair was even bigger! ....
Details here:
ANOTHER STEP CLOSER - LIVE 2010
In association with Kieran Dargan and Firefest Newman will release their first live album on 21st October (the Firefest weekend)
Recorded at Firefest 2010, Another Step Closer captures Steve Newman and his band of merry men on 'one of those nights' when the planets align, there is a full moon, a full house and a band kicking 1000 plus asses amassed in Rock City. The South coast's favourite son, delivers big style on his step up to the big stage.
More than ably assisted by Dave Bartlett (Bass), Nic Lipscombe (Drums), Paul Boyle (Keyboards) and new guitarist Shaun Bessant who rips out solo after solo and pose after pose, Newman have finally come of age as a bona fide live outfit rather than the studio project that some were beginning to label them.
Just listen to the crowd reaction to long time Newman faves 'One Step Closer' 'Heaven Knows' , it's no wonder Paul Jerome Smith from Fireworks magazine said "this was the gig that Newman the band and Newman the musician came of age" Check it out for yourself.
NEWMAN: Another Step Closer -Live at Firefest is LIMITED TO 500 COPIES WORLDWIDE.
Pre Orders accepted from Thursday October 6th at
The album will also be available at Firefest, and Steve and the guys will be more than happy to sign a copy or two for you , assuming there is still stock available and does not sell out on pre order, which given Newman's popularity and the amazing performance last year is a distinct possibility!!
Tracklist: Hero To Zero, Endless, Every Moment, Primitive Soul, Stay With Me, Tumble Down, If It's Love, Coming Home Tonight, Heaven Knows, One Step Closer, plus the ARfm acoustic sessions Endless, Acoustic Medley, and On Any Other Sunday.
You can pre-order the album here:
SGT. PEPPER GETS A MAKEOVER
ANDY TIMMONS BAND PLAYS SGT. PEPPER TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 24
ANDY TIMMONS BAND PLAYS SGT. PEPPER TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 24
New York, NY (October 17, 2011)—One of the most beloved cultural milestones of the ‘60s generation and every generation since, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles gets creatively interpreted and re-imagined in this all-instrumental rendition by a guitarist whose lifelong love of this material has resulted in an album that transcends all musical boundaries and genres.
Two years in the making, guitar fans, Beatle fans and everyone in-between will come together when Favored Nations Entertainment releases Andy Timmons Band Plays Sgt. Pepper on October 24.
“I must hip you to new music I just heard that floored me! It is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things I have ever heard…originality, as well as virtuosity, will make this the best guitar instrumental record in decades, if not ever.” — Guitarist Steve Lukather
Every song on Sgt. Pepper, including “Strawberry Fields Forever,” a tune that was originally intended to be on that album, comes stunningly and vibrantly alive. One Guitar. Bass. Drums. That’s it. Lead guitarist Andy Timmons arranged it all from memory, never once referencing the original album.
This allowed him to take artistic license to travel down some of the complex paths set forth by these masterworks’ original creators. It all culminates in an extraordinary lovefest of psychedelic proportions filled with improvisation and surprise. (The new coda at the end of “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” is absolutely jaw-dropping.) Hint: It’s so heavy.
“Wow, what a beautiful record! Andy is such a great player! It’s done very respectfully. I think his fans and many Beatles fans will love it.” — Guitarist Steve Vai
“This is an extension of what I started on my Resolution album in 2006,” explains Timmons. “I had been playing some of these songs live and they were always received very well. The concept of trying to do it with only my guitar plus bass/drums was scary but with the help of two world-class musicians in bassist Mike Daane and drummer Mitch Marine, I was able to reconstruct this music. I’m so proud of it and can’t wait for people to hear it. I feel like I’ve come full-circle. It was natural to put this out – it was fun and it feels right.”
“I love it! Brother Andy, you’ve really raised the Barre, man! It’s so great in every detail. The tones are awesome, the arrangements true, the playing is stellar… truly unique. I think it will knock people’s heads off.” — Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel
Andy Timmons has recorded nine solo CD's of intricate guitar work; has served as Olivia Newton-John’s Musical Director for several U.S. tours and has been an in-demand studio six-stringer for the likes of Paula Abdul and Paul Stanley of KISS. He’s shared stages with Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, The Beach Boys, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, and Leslie Gore.
In the early ‘90s, he sold over a million records as lead guitarist with Danger Danger.
Truly, Andy Timmons is a renaissance man whose guitar work can fit any genre.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
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