New Yorker writer resigns after faking Bob Dylan quotes

NEW YORK --- A staff writer for The New Yorker magazine resigned on Monday, after admitting he had made up quotes from singer and songwriter Bob Dylan in his book "Imagine: How Creativity Works".

Science journalist and author Jonah Lehrer became the latest nonfiction writer to admit making up material, saying in a statement released Monday by the book's publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, that he had lied to a journalist for online publication Tablet who had questioned Lehrer several weeks ago about the authenticity of quotes in a section devoted to Dylan.

The inquiry by reporter Michael Moynihan followed earlier allegations that Lehrer had repurposed quotes in several New Yorker blogs.

"The quotes in question either did not exist, were unintentional misquotations, or represented improper combinations of previously existing quotes," Lehrer said.

He also admitted to lying to Moynihan by initially telling the Tablet reporter that the quotes were authentic and taken from archival interview footage provided by Dylan's representatives.

"This was a lie spoken in a moment of panic. When Mr. Moynihan followed up, I continued to lie, and say things I should not have said," he said. "The lies are over now. I understand the gravity of my position. I want to apologize to everyone I have let down, especially my editors and readers."

Lehrer said he had also resigned from his position at The New Yorker.

"This is a terrifically sad situation, but, in the end, what is most important is the integrity of what we publish and what we stand for," said New Yorker editor David Remnick.

Other books - mostly memoirs - that have caused controversy for being fakes in past 10 years include James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" and Herman Rosenblat's canceled 2009 holocaust memoir, "Angel at the Fence: The True Story of a Love That Survived."

Most publishers say they rely on authors to tell the truth.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said in its statement, "In light of the serious misuse of quotations" in "Imagine,", "we are exploring all options available to us. We are taking the e-book of IMAGINE off-sale, and halting shipment of physical copies."

Among other publishing scandals, Jayson Blair famously resigned from the New York Times in 2003 amid charges of plagiarism, and Stephen Glass fabricated a number of stories for The New Republic magazine in the late 1990s before he was discovered.

source: mb.com.ph

Fiona Apple Balances Intensity, Wit at the Hollywood Palladium

Fiona Apple is a lover and a fighter who doesn't differentiate much between a strike and a kiss. The stormy dynamics of her romantic relationships, excavated in many of her songs, carried through on stage at the Hollywood Palladium Sunday, where she gripped her face, pulled on her hair and lashed her voice until it frayed. It was Apple's way of wooing a devoted hometown crowd full of fans who sang along and screamed "I love you!"

She arrived apologizing for being half an hour late, blaming her nerves. But for all her human emotions, Apple also seems to think of herself as a machine who can survive, even thrive, when pushed to extremes. She hovered on the brink of breakdown during "Criminal," standing at the microphone with her gaunt frame folded into itself as she tore into the self-flagellating lyrics. Apple kept her eyes shut, as if she didn't want to witness her own thrashing.

Fortunately, Apple balances the intensity with theatrical wit. That combination has never been more mesmerizing than on her new album, "The Idler Wheel." Influenced by her Broadway veteran parents and cabaret-singing sister Maude Maggart, Apple sometimes seems like Edith Piaf if she'd grown up watching Girls. While her backing band re-created the churn and clatter of "Anything We Want," Apple sang the song's most playful line in a quavering voice: "Let's pretend like we're eight years old playing hooky/ I'll draw on the wall and you can play UFC rookie."

The small group of musicians on stage with Apple, including guitarist Blake Mills (who opened the evening with an intriguing set of country-tinged porch music), took two tacks in supporting their little sparrow. Their playing was muscular and bruising in "On the Bound," all the better for Apple to rush to her piano and plunk out a few chords.

Other times they hewed close to the bare percussive settings of "Idler Wheel." Though the audience gamely followed either course, the more bluesy treatments of Apple's older songs sometimes made them feel out of date. For "Sleep to Dream," Mills finished the song with a blast of guitar soloing that felt more appropriate for a honky-tonk dive. It seemed like the guitar was intended as the instrumental copy of Apple's feral but controlled vocals, but the song sounded fresher when it was stripped back.

For "Daredevil," the band's muscle seamlessly meshed with the song's minimal rhythms. Drummer Amy Wood raced along with Apple, who by the end of the song had found her way to her own pair of mallets, bringing them down for the last beat. It was one of the few moments when Apple seemed a little more loose, her body not wired to explode. Throughout the evening, her tension simultaneously connected her to the crowd and kept her at some distance.

But her focus was always dazzling, as were the limber tones of her voice, from supple conversation to hoarse despair. With her low moan drawing out the chorus of "Shadowboxer," her defensive posturing seemed more convincing than ever. Apple was only 18 when the song came out in 1996 and already hip to love's tricks. But now at age 34, she's smart enough to know that spotting the dangers doesn't offer any real protection from getting ensnared all over again.

Skipping the formalities of the encore with a funny little speech about it, Apple launched into a lovely cover of Conway Twitty's "It's Only Make Believe," which she delivered with the conviction of someone who intimately knows that fantasies can keep us going through the darkest hours.

source: rollingstone.com

ABORTION LAW

MADRID (AP) – Hundreds of Spaniards protested Sunday against the conservative government's proposal to roll back women's abortion rights, including in cases where the fetus is deformed. The protesters in Madrid included one young woman who wrote the slogan ``Judges and priests away from my body'' on her belly. Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon has said he will ask Parliament to change the existing law, including implementing a requirement for parental permission in cases where 16- and 17-year-olds want to end pregnancies.

source: mb.com.ph

Dream Theater top all-time prog poll

Dream Theater have come top in a poll of Rolling Stone readers to identify the best prog rock albums of all time – leading home a list including Rush, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes and King Crimson.

The publication admits it received “a ridiculous amount of votes” for 1999 album Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory – the first to feature Dream Theater’s most successful lineup to date of singer James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, drummer Mike Portnoy and keyboardist Jordan Rudess.


Rush’s 2112 came second, followed by Close to the Edge by Yes and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. The winning record was also the most recent release, with the rest of the list made up of seven from the 1970s and one each from the 1960s and 1980s.

Rolling Stone says: “Dream Theater posted this poll on their website – a totally kosher move, but it resulted in a ridiculous amount of votes. They are one of the few prog groups to start after the seventies and gain a massive global following. Unlike the rest of the groups here, they are a progressive metal group.”

Rolling Stone’s top 10 favourite prog albums

1. Dream Theater: Metropolos Part 2: Scenes From a Memory (1999)
2. Rush: 2112 (1976)
3. Yes: Close to the Edge (1972)
4. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
5. Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)
6. King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
7. Genesis: Selling England by the Pound (1973)
8. Rush: Hemispheres (1978)
9. King Crimson: Red (1974)
10. Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Ariel Villasanta Cites Reason For Split With Cristina Decena

MANILA, Philippines - After four weddings and a year and a half together as man and wife, comic TV host Ariel and businesswoman Cristina Decena have parted ways due to what he claims as "incompatibility."

“Tinext ko ‘yung parang ano nga, sa hiwalayan namin…‘yung closure,” Ariel shared on "Showbiz Central," July 29.

“Unang-una, sa totoo lang [ay] hindi namin kayang humarap sa isa’t isa, eh,” the comedian related.

Nevertheless, Cristina gave her all in the relationship, to the point of spoiling him. “Ibang klaseng magmahal si Cristina, more than you expected. Binigay niya lahat na naging spoiled ako. Pati mommy ko inalagaan niya. Nag-produce pa siya ng show ko.”

But this, it seems, was not enough to sustain their relationship.

“Pero minsan may mga bagay na… meron kasi siyang ibang kinalakihan, meron akong ibang kinalakihan. In short, may incompatibility kami... Napaka-strong ng personality niya, eh. Ako naman, manipis lang ang dibdib ko. Siguro talagang nahirapan akong mag-adjust sa pagiging mayaman [niya] so eto, balik ako...”

A happy start

On Nov. 6, 2010, Cristina and Ariel exchanged “I dos” in Hong Kong.

“Gusto kong isigaw sa buong mundo kung ano ‘yung pakiramdam namin sa isa’t isa,” Ariel said in a previous “SC” interview.

“Ang saya-saya namin. Pakiramdam ko [ay] para bang ayoko nang mahiwalay sa kanya,” Cristina shared then.

Devastated

Cristina herself confirmed that she and Ariel have parted ways.

“Oo hiwalay na kami noong pang may 27. Umalis siya ng bahay, hindi na siya umuwi, hindi na siya nagte-text sa akin. Wednesday, meron akong launching nitong bago kong business, ‘yung Muebles de Cristina at Signatures by Cristina. Alam kong hahanapin siya ng mga tao, ng mga press. Obvious naman na wala ‘yung asawa ko,” she said.

Their separation was coursed through a text message from Ariel, leaving her devastated.

“Doon na ako nagiba, doon na ako naiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ‘to, isang text lang tapos na lahat. Gano’n na lang?’”

Ariel’s defense

Ariel disputed the notion that he married Cristina for convenience. “Sa totoo lang [ay] malupit din ang ginive-up ko dito kasi kung material lang [ang habol ko], baka inakap ko ito. Isipin n’yo pati career, eh. Siyempre may prinsipyo din ako.”

Even Ariel’s mom, Elvie, was surprised to learn about the separation.

“Siyempre medyo nalungkot ako dahil siyempre malapit na akong mamatay dahil may cancer ako, eh. Mamatay man ako siyempre meron akong pag-iiwanan sa kanya,” Mommy Elvie said.

Realization

After the split, Cristina had come to a realization. “Hindi pala basehan ang pagpapakasal sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo para magkaroon kayo ng isang matibay, matatag na relasyon,” she said, adding that a solid foundation is needed to make the relationship grow.

“Kailangang malalim ang pundasyon n’yo. Sa amin ni Ariel sa isang bagyo lang [ay] nagiba lahat, eh.”

But even when her marriage proved to be a failure, Cristina did not regret marrying Ariel.

“Wala akong pagsisisi sa ginawa kong pagpapakasal kay Ariel sa iba’t ibang bansa kasi noong ginawa ko ‘yon (ay) sobrang mahal na mahal ko siya at alam ko rin naman na during that time ay mahal na mahal niya ako.”

Plans

Cristina bares her plan to file an annulment or divorce to make their separation official.

“Kailangan kong magpunta ng Hong Kong. Kailangan kong mag-inquire dahil naka-file doon ’yung kasal namin, eh. Mag-i-inquire ako kung paano makapag-file ng annulment doon o divorce. Ganoon din sa Japan.”

Ariel is very grateful for Cristina's generosity as a wife.

“Cristina, unang-una talagang nalulungkot ako dito sa nangyari sa atin pero nagpapasalamat ako sa pag-alaga mo, sa lahat ng mga pagmamahal na binigay mo sa akin, sa pag-alaga mo sa mommy ko. Thank you. Salamat sa iyo.”

source: mb.com.ph

Megadeth frontman, bassist invite Pinoy fans to concert on Sunday

In a message to their Asian and Filipino fans, Megadeth lead singer and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine and long-time bassist David Ellefson expressed their excitement at being able to perform in Manila at their one-night-only concert on Sunday, July 29, at Hall D of the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Megadeth is one of the biggest bands to have come out of the 1980s thrash scene. With more than 38 million records sold over the years, they are also hailed as part of the Big Four of Thrash Metal that includes Anthrax, Slayer, and long-time rival band Metallica.

It was after Mustaine left Metallica in 1983, allegedly kicked out of the group over his alcohol and substance abuse, that he formed the metal quartet.

While the same relentless blueprint permeated their music, Megadeth distinguished itself by streamlining the heavy handed attack, adopting more nihilistic lyrics, a slightly faster tempo, and rounding it up with Mustaine’s signature sneering vocals.

After a grand entrance with their 1985 debut LP “Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!”, a string of popular, seminal albums followed. These included “Youthanasia”, “Rust in Peace” and “Countdown to Extinction.”

The Megadeth concert, a first for the band on Philippines shores, is organized by PULP Live World and co-presented by Colt45. It is part of the global tour in support of their 2011 studio album, aptly titled “Th1rte3n”, the first since 2001’s “The World Needs a Hero.”

Billed as a rare return to form, “Th1rte3n’s” tracks like “Sudden Death” and “Public Enemy No. 1” fuse a vintage sound with very modern metal elements in a step towards what is becoming a new, breath-taking opinion of heavy for the band.

source: interaksyon.com

Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Label Society and More to Appear on Deep Purple Tribute Album, ‘Re-Machined’

Metallica, Iron Maiden, Chickenfoot, Steve Vai and other artists will appear on Re-Machined: A Tribute to Machine Head a Deep Purple tribute album scheduled to be released September 4.

The album, which features cover versions of every track on Deep Purple’s classic 1972 album, also will feature appearances by Carlos Santana, Joe Bonamassa, Black Label Society, The Flaming Lips and supergroups featuring Steve Vai, Chad Smith, Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan and former Deep Purple member Glenn Hughes.

Machine Head, one of hard rock’s most celebrated albums, features several classic tracks, including such as “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star” and “Space Truckin’.”

“We were asked if we’d contribute to the anniversary of [classic Deep Purple album] Machine Head — we can’t turn that down,” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich told Loudwire.com. “We’re circling the Dio and Purple catalogs and hopefully we’ll come up with something that is worthy of these wonderful men.” Metallica have covered “When a Blind Man Cries” on the Deep Purple tribute.

News of the album’s falls closely after the death of former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord, who died July 16.

Re-Machined: A Tribute to Machine Head Track Listing:

01. Smoke on the Water – Carlos Santana
02. Highway Star – Chickenfoot
03. Maybe I’m a Leo – Glenn Hughes, Chad Smith, Luis Maldonado
04. Pictures of Home – Black Label Society
05. Never Before – Kings of Chaos (Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Arlan Schierbaum)
06. Smoke on the Water – The Flaming Lips
07. Lazy – Jimmy Barnes, Joe Bonamassa
08. Space Truckin’ – Iron Maiden
09. When A Blind Man Cries – Metallica
10. Highway Star – Glenn Hughes, Steve Vai, Chad Smith, Lachlan Doley

source: revolvermag.com

'Batman' Shooting Survivor Proposes After Family Escapes Death

(Reuters) - Surviving the deadly movie theater shooting in a Denver suburb was one momentous event that Jamie Rohrs and Patricia Legarreta shared on Friday - the other came afterward when they got engaged to be married at the hospital.

The couple were in a theater in Aurora, Colorado, watching a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" with Legarreta's 4-year-old daughter and their infant son on Friday when the gunman opened fire and chaos ensued.

Later, reunited and with the whole family safe, Rohrs proposed to Legarreta, who suffered a minor bullet wound, CNN said.

"He just looked at me and he said, 'I know this is not the time and place, but will you marry me?' And I said, 'Yes,'" Legarreta told CNN host Piers Morgan, discussing her fiance's impromptu proposal.

"Going through 10 minutes of thinking he was dead and I would never see him again, you never want that feeling again," she added.

Police have identified the suspected gunman as James Eagan Holmes, 24. He is accused of opening fire in the crowded theater at a mall in Aurora, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. Police said 30 people remained hospitalized on Friday evening, 11 of them in critical condition.

"There was a moment where the shooting stopped and I saw people running and at that moment I just grabbed the baby and I just grabbed my daughter and got her out as fast as I could. ... I was just thinking we've just got to get out. I just got to get out the doors and if I just fall dead, just get my kid out of here," Legarreta told CNN.

Rohrs said he lost his 4-month-old son, Ethan, in the darkness and chaos of the theater, but got out himself. Then, once outside, he could not initially find Legarreta.

"I got to my truck and I drove across the mall," Rohrs added. "I'm going to call 911 and trying to call Patricia and it's just ringing, and every time it rings I'm like they're dead, they're dead, your whole family is dead."

"I couldn't think. I got a phone call from a Colorado number and I answered it and thank God it was Patricia," he added.

source: nytimes.com

Weekend Rock: What Is the Best Prog Rock Album of All Time?

Last year we asked our readers to vote for their favorite prog rock bands of all time, and the response was overwhelming. Thousands of votes poured in, and Rush won by a landslide.

Now we have a new question: what is your favorite prog rock album of all time? Is it 2112 by Rush? The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis? Script for a Jester's Tear by Marillion? Vote for whatever album you want, but please just vote once and only for a single album.

source: rollingstone.com

Jeremy Lin outsmarts Knicks’ Dolan, maneuvers way into $25-M contract

I hate playing the race card.

It’s a cheap angle to take since writing from that lens elicits such visceral reactions from people. Sometimes, it’s justified. Oftentimes, it’s not. But using race as a central theme to a topic generally distracts the reader from the underlying message.

That being said – how can we evaluate the Jeremy Lin situation without talking about race?

The New York Knicks officially announced Tuesday they were not matching the $25.1 million, back-loaded offer sheet negotiated by the Houston Rockets for Jeremy Lin. In the negotiating framework set up by the NBA, teams have three days to match an offer sheet for a restricted free agent — in this case, Lin — otherwise the original team loses the player without any sort of compensation (e.g., other players, draft picks, cash, etc.).

Since the offer sheet was handed to the Knicks on Saturday night, the past three days leading up to Tuesday’s night deadline have generated an avalanche of commentary on the skills and potential of Lin, the basketball strategy of the Knicks, and the fiscal responsibility of Knicks owner James Dolan.

In the white noise of commentary that has filled up the airwaves and the web, one article stood out by Stephen A. Smith. Stephen A. Smith is known for his inflammatory comments and bombastic attitude, yet he’s typically on the side of the player when they’re seeking to “get paid.” For him to side with the Knicks and to say that “Jeremy Lin has been all about the money since the day he burst onto Broadway,” runs counter to his normal commentary and begs the question – what other factors are in play here?

Is this the story of an unheralded kid bursting on the scene in New York and then overstepping his bounds when seeking his reward? Is this the story of high potential player who just isn’t worth the risk? Or is this the story of an Asian kid who doesn’t belong in a black sport and should just be happy with having the opportunity to play?

Throughout the “Linsanity” experience, we’ve heard comments about his “work ethic” and how he was “deceptively quick.” A jaded person could view these through the lens of race and see how Lin was viewed as an Asian person first — with all of the associated expectations — and a basketball player second. It was easy to brush these all aside though as we enjoyed Lin’s unexpected and sometimes magical run of 25 games. We even brushed aside the comments of boxer Floyd Mayweather, that “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise” because that would have distracted us from enjoying the improbability of Linsanity.

But now that Jeremy Lin has been taken from New York (remember, the Knicks were allowed to match any offer and keep him), the insults and disparaging comments are coming fast and loose from the Knicks organization. And one has to wonder if these aren’t a product of expecting the Asian kid to shut up and be loyal to an organization, to be grateful for even having a chance, and to undervalue this worth and accept his place.

With the Rockets, Lin has the potential to blossom into a star and maybe reach the ceiling people are projecting for him. But from a marketing and fan excitement perspective, this has to be one of the worst moves of the Dolan era of the Knicks. In basketball, the marketing of individual players takes a more prominent role than in other sports. The Knicks had the “Great Yellow Hope,” and it was crazy seeing how the skinny Asian kid from Harvard energized Asians across the city and the country. This was a golden opportunity to tap into a demographic largely ignored by the sporting world. And the Knicks let him go, based mainly on petty differences and an alleged sense of betrayal.

Although we deride the organizations that pay these max contracts, we always congratulate the players on maximizing their value and extracting their full worth. Yet here we have Stephen A. Smith and other columnists deriding Lin for intelligently negotiating with the Houston Rockets and garnering the most valuable contract possible given the limited sample size of games he played. Mayweather’s comment of “black players do(ing) what he does every night and don’t get the same praise” can be turned around here. That “black players do what they do every contract negotiation and don’t get the same derision.”

Maybe I’m just being sensitive here. As an Asian male in New York City, it was refreshing and invigorating to walk around knowing a Taiwanese kid from Palo Alto, Calif., was the king of the basketball universe. And when someone undercuts his success because he wasn’t “grateful” or “didn’t know his place,” it’s hard to separate the embedded racial identity issues within those statements.

I know we’re the “model minority.” Kudos to Jeremy Lin for changing the model.

source: thefilam.net

The new issue of Classic Rock is on sale now

The brand new issue of Classic Rock is the stores now – with not uno, not dos, but tres hombres on the cover. Yes, it’s the return of ZZ Top!

There’s also a sensational free CD, The Best Of The Year So Far, featuring Def Leppard, The Darkness, Joe Bonamassa, Asia, Mark Tremonti and more… including ZZ Top’s sensational new track I Gotsta Get Paid.






Here’s what’s inside Classic Rock‘s August edition:

ZZ Top – Three years in the making and nine years on from their last album, they’re back they’re back with a new record – with Rick Rubin at the helm – and a rocket up their ass.

Riot – They were the Great White Hopes of US rock. But that was before the public ignored them, their label disowned them, and their singer quit. Then things got really bad…

Bruce Springsteen – Bleak tales of murder and despair, recorded in a bedroom and mixed on a beat box. At the wrong speed. Yet his Nebraska album became one of the artistic triumphs of the 80s.

Mark Tremonti – With Alter Bridge and Creed to keep guitarist him busy you’d think he’d have enough on. But now he’s also relishing stepping up to the mic with his solo band.

Peter Green – He was one of the greatest British blues guitarists of his generation. But his journey from troubled East End kid to unwilling superstar went horribly wrong.

Steve Vai – His new album – part of his conceptual Real Illusions trilogy – is nothing if not ambitious. But then Vai is no ordinary guitarist.

Grace Slick – Lover to Morrison. Friend of Joplin. Arrested more times than Lemmy. Took more drugs than Winehouse. “We were rock’n’ rollers, not bankers.”

The Gaslight Anthem – They’re Bruce Springsteen’s favourite new band. And they’re born to run. Is Brian Fallon the new Boss?

Brad – After 20 years they’re finally out from under the wing of the Pearl Jam and being recognised as the real deal. “We feel like we’re only just getting started.”

The Stories Behind The Songs: Asia – Originally it “was in 6/8 time and would have made a very good country song”, it became an evergreen rock staple and the band’s signature hit. That’ll be Heat Of The Moment.

Fly On The Wall: Felix Papparladi is shot dead by his wife – The combination of drugs, guns and an unhinged wife blew the Mountain bassist and ex-Cream producer away. Insiders and eye-witnesses recall the murder trial.

Buyer’s Guide: Kate Bush – A unique and wonderful talent who has always existed apart from the norm, nobody else makes music quite like Kate Bush.

Heavy Load: Jon Anderson – The ex-Yes vocalist on prog, God, good drugs and bad times.

All this and more in issue No.174 of Classic Rock, on sale now.

…And don’t forget You can get the new interactive Classic Rock on your iPad and iPhone here: http://goo.gl/z4Yhu (in the UK) or here http://goo.gl/YUnR9 (for the US).

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Bob Dylan rejects claim over first electric guitar

LOS ANGELES – Bob Dylan dismissed Thursday a claim that a woman in New Jersey has the guitar he played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, when he was infamously booed for going electric.

A lawyer for the music icon said Dylan still has the Fender Stratocaster guitar which he played on July 25, 1965, prompting boos which forced him off stage after only three songs.

The musician had until then played solely on acoustic guitar, making his name as a protest singer with early hits including “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They are a-Changin’.”

An upcoming television documentary reportedly claims that the guitar was left on board a plane which Dylan used after the show, and that the pilot took it with him, and left it in an attic.

Dawn Peterson, a 43-year-old New Jersey woman and daughter of the pilot, Vic Quinto who died in 1977, told the PBS show “History Detectives” that her father had always said the guitar was left inadvertently on his plane.

“Since I can remember a guitar had been in the attic, although no one, including me, paid much attention to it,” Peterson told the Los Angeles Times newspaper.

The instrument “remained in my mother’s attic for another 20 years until I got married and brought it to my home,” she said, adding the family had never been sure until PBS researchers confirmed the authenticity of the guitar.

But Dylan’s lawyer Orin Snyder rejected the claim, made in a show to be broadcast on July 17.

“Bob has possession of the electric guitar he played at The Newport Folk Festival in 1965,” he said. “He did own several other Stratocaster guitars that were stolen from him around that time, as were some handwritten lyrics.

“In addition, Bob recalls driving to the Newport Folk Festival, along with two of his friends, not flying,” he added in a statement sent to AFP.

Dylan shrugged off the electric controversy — in 1966 a fan notoriously shouted “Judas” at a show in England — and went on to become “the voice of a generation” and one of the most influential musicians of modern times.

The singer — real name Robert Allen Zimmerman — turned 71 this year, and is still on his so-called Never Ending Tour, which he launched in 1988. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in May.

source: interaksyon.com

Steven Tyler votes self off ‘American Idol’, returns to Aerosmith

LOS ANGELES – Rocker Steven Tyler on Thursday bowed out of his job as a judge on top-rated television singing contest “American Idol” for the coming season, saying he wants to dedicate himself to his band, Aerosmith.

Tyler’s departure comes as his fellow judge, Jennifer Lopez, also weighs whether to return to the program that once reigned supreme atop U.S. TV ratings but has seen its audience shrink in recent years.

Third panelist Randy Jackson seems a likely bet to return this fall for the program’s 12th season as either a judge or in a mentoring role.

“I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back,” the band’s lead singer said in a statement.

“I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” Tyler added, in a reference to the thriller movie, “Fatal Attraction.” “I got two fists in the air, and I’m kicking the door open with my band.”

Tyler, 64, and Aerosmith had amassed numerous hits like “Walk This Way” and “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” since gaining fame in the 1970s, but the group had reached a lull a few years back when the singer decided to join “American Idol” as a judge.

The addition of Tyler and Lopez to the judging panel in the season that began in January 2011 sparked great interest in the Fox TV network’s hit show.

But the most recent season that ended in May had the lowest-rated finale in 11 years with just 21.5 million Americans tuning in to watch Phillip Phillips win the title and recording contract that comes with it. More than 30 million viewers watched the show’s finale in its heyday in 2006 and 2007.

Mark Darnell, president of alternative entertainment for Fox, called Tyler “a terrific judge, a true friend, and great mentor” on the show.

“We are very sad that Steven has chosen to focus more on his music, but we always knew when we hired a rock ‘n roll legend, he would go back to music,” Darnell said in a statement.

Indeed, Tyler’s return to performing seemed foremost on his mind in March when Aerosmith announced it would go on a North American tour that began June 16, and release their first album in eight years, “Music From Another Dimension,” on Nov. 6.

The flamboyant rocker’s departure leaves a big hole on the “American Idol” judges panel as he has been a fan favorite. He helped create one of this past season’s dramatic moments when young Jessica Sanchez was voted off by fans, then saved from elimination after Tyler and fellow judge Jackson stormed the stage in her defense. Sanchez went on to the finals.

Still in doubt is the fate of Lopez, another music superstar, who just this morning on NBC’s “Today” show seemed still undecided about her next move.

“It’s been on my mind a lot, as you can imagine,” she said. “You know, I signed on to ‘American Idol’ to do one year, and … I wound up doing the two years. And now it’s like, ‘OK, do we continue on this journey?’”

source: interaksyon.com

Batista Ex-WWE Champ BOOKS 1st MMA Fight

It's been A LONG time in the making ... but former WWE heavyweight champion Batista has FINALLY booked his first real deal MMA fight ... TMZ has learned.

Batista has been training to get in the ring for years ... and got REALLY close to fighting in the Strikeforce league back in 2010 -- but the deal fell apart.

But now it's on for real -- the 43-year-old powerhouse signed with the CES MMA league -- and is all set up to fight on October 6 at the Duncan Doughnuts Theater in Providence, Rhode Island.

We're told Batista -- 6'6" and 290 lbs -- will square up against some dude named Rashid Evans ... not to be confused with UFC hurt-maker Rashad Evans.

Sources connected to the deal tell us ... the fight WILL be televised ... but it's unclear which provider will broadcast the fight.

source: tmz.com

Software developer shares Bloomberg’s vision for digital NYC

Want to know how many people visit the Rockefeller Center every year or every hour? Maybe you’re curious about New York’s youngest, wealthiest mayors. And just who are the Canarsies?

NYCFacets, an application that will put New York City at your fingertips, is nearing completion and scheduled to launch in October. It was created by software developer and Paranaque native Joel Natividad, 44, and his business partner Sami Baig. The app won grand prize at the recent New York City’s Big Apps 3.0 contest for the functionality of “using city data to make New York better.”

The way Joel explained it to The FilAm, NYCFacets is “data-driven web like Wikipedia, but instead of several (newspaper) articles coming up when you do a search, you get data.” NYCFacets is the initial product of Ontodia.com, the startup that Joel and Sami founded, and one of about 10 companies that are part of Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s “incubator program” likened by The New York Times to Silicon Valley.

The incubator program is for aspiring entrepreneurs, said Joel. “The idea many startups don’t make it is because they don’t have the experience, the right connections, the funding, and what this incubator does is they incubate you for two years, give you support, access to employers and investors and make sure you have a good start.”

Joel’s start had been better than most. He came to the U.S. at age 21 with a degree in computer science from La Salle. He was reluctant to emigrate, he said, telling his mother he didn’t want to be a “second-class citizen” in America.

After three months, he found work at a management systems company that developed and maintained software for all kinds of laboratories. That company would soon file for bankruptcy, and Joel found himself working for the hedge fund that took over its operations. Joel stayed there for about 20 years.

When he joined the New York City’s Big Apps contest in 2010, his company was not very supportive, so he left and founded Ontodia.com. With an office on Varick Street, Ontodia now has three fulltime people, including Joel and Sami as officers. Ontodia shares a vision with Bloomberg to develop New York into a Digital City.

Joel referred to his concept as “semantic web.” When you search, say, “cheap Vegas hotel” the search brings up multiple choices. With semantic web’s precision and specificity, the search will limit the choices to the right hotel such that “instead of searching,” he said, “you will be knowing.”

Joel finds Bloomberg an inspiring technology leader. He is the “original data geek,” he said, crediting Bloomberg’s company for organizing all data about finance until it became the financial information behemoth it is today. “What Bloomberg did for finance, we want to do for open data, a concept for all government movements that want to modernize government,” he said.

Part of Joel’s fascination with the city and its mayor stems from how he grew up. He is a child of civil servants. His parents were long-time employees of Manila’s City Hall and supported themselves through college. His father served from the time of Mayor Antonio Villegas in the 1960s to Mayor Lito Atienza in the 1990s, retiring as the city personnel officer. His mother worked for many years in the business permits bureau.

One of his “frustrations” is not seeing as many Filipinos in the area of tech startups.
“I see in the startup field not as many Filipinos as I would like to see,” said Joel, father of 4-year-old Olivia. His wife Maya is a registered nurse at the Hackensack University Medical Center. “But I see a lot of South Asians.”

Here’s a fun fact about Joel: He’s not on Facebook.

source: thefilam.net

TV5, Dolphy’s last home, joins nation in mourning

TV5, Dolphy’s last home network, commiserated with the Filipino people on Wednesday on the death of the revered comedian.

“The management and staff of TV5 join the whole nation in mourning the passing of our most cherished colleague and one of showbiz’s most revered icons, Dolphy.

“For us in TV5, Mang Dolphy forever lives as the symbol of the indomitable joyful spirit of the Filipino. May the legacy of his laughter sustain us through our trials and triumphs as a people,” the network said in an official statement.

In early 2010, Dolphy joined TV5 where he starred in the sitcom “Pidol’s Wonderland”.

“I think ABS-CBN felt bad about it. But I just wanted to work. I’ve been waiting for a job for the past three years. I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on,” he explained to the media.

For Dolphy, the transfer to TV5 represented a chance to work with his sons and old colleagues once again and be directed by his son, Eric Quizon.

For TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, it represented an opportunity to be associated with a legend he had long admired.

“I find Dolphy especially outstanding in two things—a Filipino in the truest sense, and, at bottom, a kind and generous man,” Pangilinan said in his note to Dolphy’s biography, “Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa”.

In December 2010, Dolphy played the narrator in TV5’s first film venture, “Rosario”, a well-crafted period drama about the life of Pangilinan’s grandmother.

The role won for him the best supporting actor honors at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival, a welcome bonus to the best actor trophy he bagged for his other MMFF entry, “Father Jejemon”, the last entry in his long filmography.

On July 24, 2011, TV5 celebrated Dolphy’s 83rd birthday with a two-hour special called “Talentadong Pidol”.

Dolphy also co-hosted a special segment of “Talentadong Pinoy” with Ryan Agoncillo.

source: interaksyon.com

Ted Nugent’s drummer arrested in golf cart drink-drive fracas

Mick Brown, the drummer in Ted Nugent’s band, faces several charges after police in Bangor, Maine, say he was driving drunk in a golf cart stolen from a concert venue. According to reports, there were also two females on board the cart at the time.

Officers working at Nugent’s concert last night at Bangor’s Waterfront Pavilion – also featuring Styx and REO Speedwagon – were told that Brown was intoxicated, had stolen the cart and was driving it recklessly on a foot path.

Police say when officers tried to stop the cart, Brown accelerated past them and shoved a security officer.

Two security officers then managed to extricate Brown from the cart, and he was arrested.

Brown was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was released on $4,000 bail.

Officially the most rock’n'roll story of the year so far.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Dolphy passes away at 83

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' undisputed Comedy King, Rodolfo 'Dolphy' Quizon, passed away shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, his family announced that evening.

"My Dad is now with his Creator," Dolphy's son, the actor-director Eric Quizon, said. The elder Quizon had been confined at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) since June 9. He would have turned 84 on July 25. Dolphy is survived by partner Zsa Zsa Padilla and his 18 children.

Just over a week ago, it was reported that Dolphy's health condition had improved considerably. In fact, Quizon said last June 29 that his father already wanted to go home. "Uwi, uwi na tayo [Let's go home]," the already lucid Dolphy mouthed to his family. The veteran actor even asked for orange juice, Quizon said.

A few days ago, Dolphy's family said that the veteran actor's pneumonia was under control. He had underwent another round of dialysis and blood transfusion to boost his immune system.

In its medical bulletin Tuesday night, the MMC said Dolphy died at 8:34 p.m. due to multiple organ failure, secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and acute renal failure.

"We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon and his dearly beloved family and friends. To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences," the MMC said.

Dolphy's COPD - an illness that results in breathing difficulty and worsens over time - was diagnosed five years ago. According to Quizon, his father's COPD had progressed to Stage IV.

"Five years ago, sinabihan na siya na stage four 'yong sakit niya na 'yon. When you say stage four in cancer terms, very critical na 'yon," Quizon said in an interview with a television program last June 20.

Most people suffering from COPD are smokers or used to smoke. About 600 million people worldwide suffer from COPD, according to the World Health Organization. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, which has more than 12 million people diagnosed with the disease.

News of Dolphy's death trended on Twitter on Tuesday evening, as Filipinos from all over the world paid tribute to a man for whom their universal reverence was matchless. That his deteriorating health and ultimate passing held Filipinos riveted to social media over the past weeks spoke volumes about how Dolphy's impact on Philippine culture transcended generations.

His career started from the days of on-stage vaudeville to radio, the advent of television, the spread of movies, and finally the full blooming of the Internet.

As Dolphy grew weaker, clamor grew for President Aquino to confer upon him the title of National Artist. While there are questions as to whether or not that may yet be conferred posthumously, President Aquino did give recognition to the artist with the highest medal Malacanang can bestow upon a private citizen.

Dolphy - father to 18 children by different women - left behind enduring images of the struggling but ever hopeful, ever optimistic, Filipino father. On television he was best known to generations as John Puruntong or Kevin Cosme: simple, faithful, working class fathers who made ends meet, somehow providing for his children while disarming enemies and surmounting challenges with kindness and humor.

source: interaksyon.com

Pink Gives an Update on Baby Willow – While Breastfeeding

Leave it to a new mom to be a master at multitasking!

Pink, whose daughter Willow Sage with husband Carey Hart is 13 months old, called in to Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM radio show Monday morning ... while breastfeeding.

"She's got six teeth," Pink said of her little one, but "she's not a biter."

The singer, who released her new tune "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" on Monday, told the radio host that she had just switched sides and revealed, "My left is a lot more talented than my right."

In addition to promoting her new song (which will be on an album due Sept. 18) and her participation in the I Heart Radio Music Festival on Sept. 21 and 22 in Las Vegas, Pink said motherhood so far has been "amazing."



But fans shouldn't worry about her music: Pink said being a mom hasn't made her soft.

"Some people are worried [my new album]'s going to be a bunch of lullabies. It's definitely not," she said. "I'm more aware of the cursing. It didn't stop me but I'm aware of it. It's a very, fun, dance-y, rock-and-roll record."

As for Willow, who's already walking and dancing, Pink says she "has her Daddy's looks and my attitude. She's going to rule the world."

source: people.com

Ringo Starr Celebrates 72nd Birthday With 'Peace and Love' Moment

Ringo Starr marked his 72nd birthday on July 7 with his fans at Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee. "Good morning they say its my birthday I'm in Nashville ready for the peace and love moment so to everybody out there peace and love," he wrote on Twitter.

At midday, the former member of The Beatles led his devotees to raise two fingers in the air and shout "peace and love." He additionally asked people around the globe to do exactly the same at 12 o'clock in their time zones.


"Wherever you are, on a bus, in the office, in the studio, hanging out ... whatever you're doing, at noon, just go, 'Peace and love.' That's all I ask for my birthday. Peace and love," Starr said. He also tweeted, "Yes yes yes Nashville peace and love we did the moment I hope you did too."


The music veteran was presented a magnolia tree that would be planted somewhere nearby, and got a flower pot-shaped cake with a sunflower growing out of it. The crowd were also treated to frosted cookies and given "peace and love" rubber bracelets.

Starr got the idea to hold the "peace and love" bash in 2008 during an interview, and has held such events each year ever since. At the latest birthday celebration, he was joined by Toto's Steve Lukather, Eagles' Joe Walsh and Vince Gill. The guests sang "happy birthday" and the chorus of "Give Peace a Chance". "Thank you all the people who wished me happy birthday thanks for tweeting peace and love," he posted.

The party was held ahead of Starr's performance with his 13th All Starr Band at the Ryman Auditorium on Saturday night. At the gig, he got another cake in a shape of drum instrument with "peace" sign on it. "Okay this is it to the birthday boy last picture of me and the cake at the Ryman," he shared.

source: aceshowbiz.com

Rolling Stones Famous Logo Gets Updated To Celebrate Band's 50th Anniversary

To commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Rolling Stones commissioned graphic designer and illustrator Shepard Fairey to update their classic "Tongue and Lips" logo, which was originally designed by John Pasche in 1971.

The Stones' original logo is among the most famous designs in rock music history. Fairey is best known as the designer of President Barack Obama's iconic "Hope" poster, which became inarguably the most recognizable campaign image in recent history – though it technically remained an unofficial image unaffiliated with Obama's campaign – and was declared by The New Yorker to be the "most efficacious American political illustration since 'Uncle Sam Wants You'."

source: newsroom.mtv.com

DVD Review: Robert Plant and the Band of Joy

Bands take time to find themselves. At first, they’re strangers in search of a sound — a signature that says more about them together than any individual player’s style could alone. If they don’t find it, they’ll end up as just hired hands, punching the clock for the pushiest player’s vision.

Band of Joy learned that the hard way. In 2010, leader Robert Plant gathered some well-seasoned musicians in Nashville for a project meant to follow up a wildly successful band he’d formed with Alison Krauss. Raising expectations even higher, Plant named his new fivesome after the band he played in with drummer John Bonham, just before the two got tapped for some group named Led Zeppelin.

Unfortunately, the studio CD Band of Joy concocted ended up sounding like a pale and constipated sequel to the Krauss project. Only after they went on tour did the tentative new group find itself as a band — in the most stirring sense of the term, no less.

Proof lies in a new DVD, “Live From the Artists Den,” which captures Band of Joy’s date in Nashville (where they recorded their stodgy studio work). The DVD mirrors my memory of the Beacon show from the same tour in January 2011, a performance which ranks among the most electrifying I’ve seen Plant give. And, yes, that includes the Zeppelin dates I saw in the ’70s.

Only on the road did Band of Joy learn to play in intimate synch. The rhythm section of bassist Byron House and drummer Marco Giovino lay down a deep and warming foundation for the rest to play away on. Giovino sits way back in the beat, leaving lots of room for the high-flying solos of pedal steel player Darrell Scott and ax-man Buddy Miller. Miller emerges as a full-fledged guitar hero in the flamboyant ’60s fashion.

If Miller adds the strongest rock influence, the others bring in tricked-out elements of country, folk and blues.

Zeppelin touchstones like “Black Dog” hew closer to swamp blues, oozing with voodoo beats that come straight from the bayou. Zep’s “Tangerine” exaggerates its original country twang, while “Houses of the Holy” moves from psychedelia to a roots-rock swing.

Besides the six Zeppelin songs, Band of Joy offer cuts from their studio album, but with far more grease, along with a Plant solo song (“In the Mood”) and some gospel and folk pieces. The latter cuts allow the other singers to show their mettle, including the churchy shouts of Patty Griffin on “Move Up,” and the caring moans of Darrell Scott and Miller on their leads.

Plant himself pares down his vocals from his Golden God role to become a credible country raconteur. Perhaps the only letdown is the take on Zep’s “Rock ’n’ Roll,” which returns it to rote rockabilly — exactly what the 1971 original subverted.

Luckily, in the rest, Joy wind up idealizing the very notion of a live band — one that seems both ruthlessly tight and utterly free all at once.

source: nydailynews.com

GALLERY I Night of digital rock stars at Tatt Awards 2012

“So this is what my Twitter timeline looks like in real life.”

That was Gang Badoy opening her hip and well-received keynote speech at the Tatt Awards 2012 last June 29 at the NBC tent.

The founder of Rock Ed Philippines and one of the bonafide icons of the social media era, Gang said that while she’s thankful to everyone online for the wonderful sense of community brought about by the social media phenomenon, she stressed that it’s also equally important to be “a community of reason.”

“Go on Twitter not just to be heard but to learn, learn to be nice to one another online and know when to speak up, shout out for someone and shut up,” she urged. “If we can’t yet be a community of kind people then we can at least be a community that tries.”

Gang’s words resonated loudly as Globe Tattoo broadband once again honored the digital rock stars who, like her, have influenced, inspired and touched the lives of people through their strong online presence.

Led by the ever effervescent TV host and writer Bianca Gonzalez who bagged the ultimate prize with The One award, this year’s awardees were a happy mix of top celebrities, online advocates, YouTube sensations and trending superstars.

Hosted by Esquire cover girl Georgina Wilson, YouTube star Ashley Rivera (a.k.a. Petra Mahalimuyak), Miggy Chavez of the band Chicosci, and RX 93 DJ Gino Quillamor, the Globe Tatt Awards 2012 was truly a star-studded affair.

It featured spirited performances by Arnel Pineda, Rico Blanco, Up Dharma Down, Chicosci, Funk Avy, Pulso and singer/comedian Mikey Bustos who also provided the hilarious pre-taped introduction spiels to each major award.

Now on its second year, the Tatt Awards has grown exponentially bigger as Globe’s head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo announced that this year’s 1,050 nominations are more than twice the number they received from last year.

From the 50 finalists that comprised the top nominees, winners were chosen partly through online voting and by consensus among the Tatt Council members composed of Ronquillo, Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines Vice President Pao Peña, photographer Wyg Tysmans, singer and comedian Mikey Bustos, TV host Rovilson Fernandez, National Youth Commission commissioner Gio Tingson, journalist Maria Ressa, blogger Loi Landicho a.k.a. The Professional Heckler, TV host Raymond Gutierrez, musician Francis Reyes and eventologist Tim Yap.

For being The One, Bianca received some pretty cool prizes that include P100,000 in cash, a one year subscription to both Globe’s Tattoo@Home and Tattoo Superstick, a Blackberry Playbook and BlackBerry phone bundle.

The other major winners of Tatt Awards 2012 winners who all received P100,000 cash and one-year subscription to Tattoo@Home are the following:

• Stylisimo: Cecile Van Straten of chuvaness.com
• #ThoughtMover: Kimpoy Feliciano (@kimpoyfeliciano)
• Video Slinger Award: Real-life couple Jamyhille and Paolinne Michelle, more popularly known as JAMICH (youtube.com/JamichTV).
• The Visualizer: Ryan Vergara and Garovs Garovillo, of Everywhere we Shoot (everywhereweshoot.com).
• The Advocate: PAWS (facebook.com/pawsphilippines)
• Indie Rocker: Gloc-9 (facebook.com/glocdash9)
• The Explorer: Bogart The Explorer (facebook.com/bogarttheexplorer)
• Game Changer: Jinoe Gavan of takbo.ph
• Tech Junkie: Jason de Villa, of technoodling.net

In addition to the above major awards, special awards were also given to several entertainment figures.

Vice Ganda’s primetime weekly show, “Gandang Gabi Vice” won #Trending TV; radio jocks Chico, Delamar and Gino Quillamor of RX 93’s “Morning Rush” was voted #Trending Radio; and “Becky Nights” of Divine Lee, Jake Galvez. Matt Gozun, Buem Rodriguez and Divine Lee won #Trending Podcast.

Singer-actress Julie Anne San Jose was the big winner of two special awards, namely Trending Personality and the People’s Choice award.

Journalist Howie Severino received the Safe Surfer award in behalf of GMA Network’s Think Before You Click campaign which was honored for its advocacy towards responsible internet usage.

Rounding up the special awards are “rookies” Robbie Becroft of robbieoffduty.com and food blog Pepper.ph as they tied for the Freshest award given to new blogs that created the most impact.

Another YouTube sensation, Luigi Yotoko, took home the The Prodigy award given to a social media rock star under 18 years of age.

source: interaksyon.com

51 injured in festival lightning strike

A single lighning bolt injured 51 festivalgoers when it struck at the With Full Force event in Leipzig, Germany.

Witnesses say fans were thrown into the air in the electric explosion. Three were admitted to a nearby hospital’s intensive care unit with serious injuries.

The festival featured Machine Head, Soulfy, Children of Bodom, Flogging Molly and Trivium among others. It was also to have included Lamb of God, but they were forced to cancel after the arrest of frontman Randy Blythe in Prague on a manslaughter charge.

Violent conditions built up throughout the evening on Saturday, resulting in the huge thunderstorm which struck around 2am. The web of lightning overhead was described as “like a strobe light”. Spiegel reports the bolt “left behind a wasteland of destroyed tents, panicked guests and a venue flooded with mud and deep puddles.”

Elsewhere in Germany, a lightning bolt from the same storm killed three woman and seriously injured another when it struck the small hut they were sheltering in. Another woman died when her car was crushed by a tree. Flash floods, fallen trees and hailstones the size of golfballs were also reported.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Bass Guitar Secrets Review: A Review Of The Bass Guitar Secrets Tutorial

This is a Bass Guitar Secrets review. It aims to highlight the different materials that are provided in the tutorial made by Alex Sampson regarding the different secrets that can make your bass playing a better one.

It is important to look into the different aspects of the tutorial so as to know whether or not it is a product worth-buying.

The tutorial includes a manual that outlines the different lessons you will learn in the tutorial, a software that is custom-made for it, a membership to the program provided, CDs that give you audio examples of those discussed in the manual, and a manual that acts like a guide to mastering the chords.

The Manual Of Lessons

The manual provided gives you the outline of the different lessons you will have in the tutorial. It is a well-made one and can be an excellent companion to the different CDs provided. However, if you have always been a fan of Sampson's different products, you will find out that this specific material is very similar to all the other things he produced.

The Custom-Made Software

The custom-made software is easy to use. It provides you with tracks that you can jam with. It highlights the need to have fun while doing serious practice.

The Membership To The Program

The membership to Sampson's tutorial is good as well. You are given a guarantee to have your money back if you do not think the tutorial is satisfactory enough. In here, you are provided with the three lessons that promise to give you the secrets of bass guitar playing.

The Chord Mastery Manual

The chord mastery manual is an extra manual given in order to help you practice your chords. It is a good extra since it provides you with additional things that will help you with bass guitar learning.

Conclusions

This is a Bass Guitar Secrets review. It aims to provide you with a discussion of the different aspects that have been promised in the said tutorial. It proves to be a user-friendly tutorial that you may want to purchase in order to learn more about bass guitar playing. However, the only criticism is that this particular tutorial is very similar to all the other tutorials made by Alex Sampson. If you have always been a fan of his tutorials, this particular one will disappoint you because it does not contain anything strikingly new.

Check out bass guitar secrets review and bass guitar dvd today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_M_Wilcox

Got ye! Singer-songwriter Gotye is not dead

Alternative rock musician Gotye, best known for the big hit “Somebody That I Used To Know”, is not dead.

A fake report with the headline “Gotye dead at the age of 32”, posted by a certain “MJTheDestroy” at CNN iReport, read:

“At 4:32 AM EST, it was reported that Gotye had shot himself in the head with a 9mm handgun. He was pronounced dead at 4:45 AM, and the investigation concluded that the cause of death was suicide. It was confirmed shortly after by family and friends. He was quickly taken to the Central Montmorency Hospital, but died from his injuries shortly after. His family has stated that they plan a closed funeral.”

As news about the singer-songwriter’s grossly exaggerated demise went viral, Gotye’s management team, through their official Twitter account @GotyeHQ, issued this tweet denying the incident, “We’re happy to report Wally is alive and well.”

The Belgian-Australian Gotye was born Wouter De Backer and also answers to the nickname Wally.

Fans of Gotye were immediately relieved to know that the report is a hoax.
Anne Curtis, Karel Marquez and Raymond Gutierrez were among those who wondered if the news is true.

Blogger Loi Landicho, more popularly known on Twitter as Professional Heckler, (@hecklerforever) summed up all the fuss with this tweet: “On this day Nixau died. Totoo ‘yan. And Luther Vandross. And Marlon Brando. BUT Gotye is soooo alive. ‘Di na kayo nasanay sa Twitter.

source: interaksyon.com