Saturday, January 14, 2012

News update for Saturday 14th January, 2012


Tony Iommi shares message with fans


Black Sabbath / Heaven and Hell guitarist Tony Iommi, who recently shared he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, has issued the following message through his website to his many fans and friends that have sent well wishes.

Message From Tony

13th January 2012

Message From Tony

My fans, friends & colleagues -
I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much.
Well it's not what I wanted for Christmas, that's for sure, but now I can't wait for the test results to come in and get going with the treatment.
It's really good that the guys are coming over so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio.
Well, not much else to say at this time, so thanks again.
Bless you all,
Tony
I'd just like to add my continued support to Tony and his family.
Here's to you Tony, get well soon my friend from the Chambers of Rock family.
 
 
Update from Stuart Smith on Heaven & Earth new album
Heaven & Earth in the studio November 2011

L to R. Chuck Wright, Stuart Smith, Joe Retta, Richie Onori, Arlan Schierbaum.


Stuart Smith, who alongside drummer Richie Onori are the main driving force behind the Heaven & Earth project albums, has just provided me an update on how the new one is coming along.
The project this time is mainly focused around, Joe Retta (Vocals), Stuart Smith (Guitars), Richie Onori (Drums), Chuck Wright (Bass) and Arlan Schierbaum on keyboards, who all started working on the recording around November of last year.
Speaking with Stuart yesterday he told me, 'Hi Alun, The album is coming along great and I can tell you that the songs that are definitely going to be on the Heaven & Earth so far are:

1. Back in Anger
2. Waiting for the End of the World
3. No Money, No Love
4. House of Blues
5. I Don't Know What Love Is Anymore
It's really coming along well. We're really very happy with things.' 
He also told me that the song 'I Don't Know What Love Is Anymore' already sounds huge and while he played some 6 string acoustic guitar on there, guest guitarist Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers, Bad Company) added some 12 string acoustic too.
Also that Toto's David Paich is working on adding some strings to the track as well.
I have to say that based on the self titled debut 'Heaven & Earth' and second album 'Windows to the World' that this should be no less impressive!
Weblinks:

Meantime in related David Paich news


An Update from Toto's David Paich


The mastermind behind so much of Toto's great music, vocalist / keyboards man David Paich, has some news to share and this note was recently posted over at Toto's site:

David Paich wrote in to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and update everyone on his latest projects.
He is currently assisting Grammy award-winning producer Tommy Lipuma in planning the music for the event which will bestow Paul McCartney with the Music Cares Man of the Year award.  Lipuma, who produced McCartney's new album, 'Kisses On The Bottom' and David are expecting a who's-who of premiere Grammy talent to appear!
Stay tuned!

David also attended the playback party for Mike Porcaro's recent release "Brotherly Love."
Also in attendance were Lenny Castro, David Garfield, Greg Bissonnette, Larry Klimas, Joe and Eileen Porcaro, and others.
Weblink:
 
 
 
RIOT Guitarist Hospitalized Due To Complications Of Crohn's Disease

Riot founder and guitarist Mark Reale has been admitted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition due to complications of Crohn's disease. Subsequently, there is a possibility that he may not appear in the band's upcoming performances in the Northeast and aboard the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise to Grand Cayman.

Mark has been battling Crohn's for most of his life, working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for his illness. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility.

The band has agreed that the performances will take place as scheduled with the possibility that Mark may not be well enough in time to appear. Riot would also like to acknowledge that Mark has been struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of their new album, Immortal Soul, and that guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the album with Mark's creative direction while he was unable to perform.

For this reason, fans can be assured that the show will be as exciting as anything Riot has ever staged, even if Mike needs to hold down double guitar duty. Mark will be sorely missed in this event, but the shows will go on.

We ask fans and friends of the band to pray for Mark's speedy recovery, and to support the band in our efforts to bring you the Riot reunion shows that have been so long in the making. While Mark's family insists on privacy during this difficult time, your prayers and good wishes will make it to his bedside until he is able to return to the stage.

Many thanks and Shine On!
Mike, Tony, Bobby and Don

Official website:
http://www.riotrockcity.com

Editors note:

My prayers and well wishes go out to Mark and his family at this time.
Sadly this seems to be something we're hearing all too much of these days, so many of our favourite and classic rock musicians although not getting any younger, are getting hit just the same as so many people we all hear about suffering with one thing and another and while people will say, 'It's a fact of life, we all get older ...' I disagree in current times as I think it's happening a little too much more than in previous years.
Now that is a very sad fact of current life.
You'd think for as much money that goes into cancer research that we would be closer to a cure, but who's to say? Sad days ....






Something good from Eddie Van Valen this way comes ...


Over at www.VHND.com this message was just posted and I have to say, it's certainly a good gesture from Eddie Van Halen, just prior to Van Halen launching their first new studio album in what seems a lifetime and first tour since 2007.
I guess some may say, well based on ticket prices for the upcoming tour - With so many dates. - that he'll get all the money back to buy new ones!
Hmmm ... No comment!

Eddie Van Halen just donated 75 of his own personal guitars to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a national organization that promotes music education for children.
In a statement, the guitarist simply explained, “Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me.”

Van Halen also acknowledged that his immense success motivated him to give more children a chance at self-fulfillment through music.  "If I can help a kid discover a liking, or even a passion for music in their life, then that’s a wonderful thing. Music has provided a good life for me and hopefully it can help make life better for others with this donation.”

The generous gift, which will be dispersed among 7 Los Angeles schools at Van Halen’s request, is already making an impact. Michael Flores, a student at Garfield High, tried out one of the guitars and told CBS2, “I think its great … Compared to what I played in the beginning, this sounds amazing.”
Watch CBS2′s video report of Van Halen’s impact on Garfield High School and check out CBS2 for the full story.

The Associated Press reports that Van Halen instructed staffers at Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation that the guitars were to be used in schools, not sold — and the lucky schools who received them weren’t told who donated them until the day they arrived.
Hopefully the guitars will be kept secure under lock and key when students aren’t using them, as the Foundation recommended.


In this photo, Eddie Van Halen poses with his 75 donated guitars and Felice Mancini, executive director of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. (Getty Images/Frazer Harrison)


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