Vinnie Paul says Pantera became 'a business'

Vinnie Paul says he is happier with how Hellyeah is run as a band as opposed to Pantera – which he says became more like a business.

The drummer says the fun of being in a group is eradicated by the business aspect, but adds that supergroup Hellyeah hasn't yet reached that stage.

Paul is joined in Hellyeah by Mudvayne frontman Chad Gray, as well as Tom Maxwell and Kyle Sanders. He insists he is proud of what Pantera achieved but that his energy is now solely focused on Hellyeah.


Vinnie tells Metal-Rules: "You know, it's a good legacy to have but people do have to realise that that was then and this is now. A lot of people get hung up on living in the past and I'm not doing that. I'm living for today and for tomorrow.

"What I did back then was amazing, it was great and I'm hoping to achieve that again with this. It's a much different day and age, it's more difficult and harder, but I'm willing to do it.

"When you're in a band like Mudvayne or Pantera, they turn into a business after a while and the fun goes away from it because it's a lot of fucking work.

"I try telling people all the time — try being married to one person for any length of time, much less four or five other guys in the band, and you know that's what it's like. You really have to learn give and take and how things work."

Hellyeah released fourth album Blood For Blood this year, but almost quit before recording began due to an atmosphere described as "toxic." It resulted in the sacking of Greg Tribbett and Bob Zilla, who were replaced by Maxwell and Sanders.

source: classicrock.teamrock.com

Early Hendrix recordings to see the light of day

A total of 88 rare recordings by Jimi Hendrix will be remastered and released following the resolution of a long-running legal dispute.

The tracks were recorded between 1965-1967 during Hendrix’s stint with Curtis Knight And The Squires, a New York-based R&B act. Following years of litigation, the songs now belong to his family company, Experience Hendrix LLC, and Sony Music’s catalogue division.

According to Rolling Stone, the deal ends decades of legal wrangling between the Hendrix family and PPX Enterprises along with Ed Chalpin, who recorded the tracks.

The material will now be remastered by Eddie Kramer, who was behind some of Hendrix’s best-loved albums and released over the next three years.

source: classicrock.teamrock.com

AC/DC To Tour Before The Year Is Out?

Following recent reports that AC/DC have begun recording, with Stevie Young filling in for his uncle Malcolm, It's now looking like the band will also tour before the end of the year.

Frontman Brian Johnson dropped the hint in a message posted to his motor racing website, in which he thanked fans for supporting his motoring TV show 'Cars That Rock'.

The message reads:

"Hello everyone, i just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words about Cars That Rock. Your encouragement means a lot to me. This was my first ever go at presenting a TV series and even though it may not show, i was real nervous and so am very relieved that you all seem to be enjoying it.

"We hope to bring you more shows in the near future but, of course, there is the slight distraction of my day job with AC/DC – and it looks very likely that we will be on the road again before the end of the year. So stand by for more music – and more Cars That Rock. thanks – Brian"

source: planetrock.com

Santana's 'Filthy McNasty' reunion with Schon

Carlos Santana says Neal Schon chased him like a "guided missile" for 18 months over a reunion project – and the resulting music will be "Filthy McNasty."

Schon found fame as a member of Santana when he joined in 1971, at the age of 15. He appeared on their second and third albums alongside vocalist and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, before the pair left to form Journey in 1973.

But he's been talking up a new project for some time, and now Santana has told how it came about.

He tells Artisan News: "Neil pursued me like a guided missile for about a year and a half. Everywhere I went he was there: 'Carlos, everything about me tells me that I need to do this thing with you.' I'm like, 'What?'

"Next thing I know I said, 'Neil, I appreciate your diligence. I'm going to do something with you. But let's invite Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve and Michael Carabello – let's get the original Santana band who did the first three albums, and call it Santana IV."

Schon recently discussed how initial rehearsals and songwriting sessions had gone well, telling Something Else: "Musically, there’s nothing that we can’t jump on top of and make it sound really good, really quickly. We managed to get into the studio and lay nine or ten ideas down. It’s smoking. It sounds like the old band."

Santana says of his thinking behind the material: "I compiled my own playlist out of about 200 African CDs, and I go, 'Listen to this.' I call it Filthy McNasty swamp music."

There's no confirmed schedule for the reunion project, with Santana touring the US alongside Rod Stewart over the summer, and Schon committed to Journey duties.

 Santana interview

source: classicrock.teamrock.com

Bill Ward: Ozzy's not my friend

Estranged Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward says he remains in contact with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler – but believes he's lost the friendship of Ozzy Osbourne, and he's not sure how much he could trust the singer in future.

The band's drumstool is currently occupied by Tommy Clufetos after Ward bowed out of the original lineup reunion, saying he hadn't been offered a contract that was "signable."

But he says he would still be up for a return – if he felt healthy enough.

Ward tells DC Heavy Metal: “I’ll always have an open mind to playing with Black Sabbath. I love the band. I miss them terribly. If we can come to some terms and we’re all okay with each other.

“The most important thing for me is being able to know that I can play drums the way that I want to. I wouldn’t even enter into any kind of conversation with them if I knew I wasn’t back on the mark."

However, Ward says there remains a "political agenda" attached to his non-appearance. He says: "I have to be careful in overstating. I’ve definitely got an open mind.

"I miss playing with Geezer, just horribly. I absolutely miss him to death. And I miss playing with Tony just, every day. Obviously I miss Oz. With Ozzy, I’ve lost a friend as far as I’m concerned. A man that I dearly loved, and I still dearly love – but I’ve had to re-adjust just how much I’m going to trust and love him.”

Meanwhile, former Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice has admitted he'd return to the band as soon as he was invited.

Asked why he feels he was overlooked after Ward dropped out in 2012, the Ronnie James Dio era sticksman tells Radio Fireball: "We did four years with Heaven And Hell and it was Tony, Geezer and I. If I was in Sabbath it would be Tony, Geezer, I and Ozzy. Maybe Ozzy felt weird that way, or maybe the band felt weird, like it was Heaven And Hell with Ozzy, and they wanted to keep it different. It could be a number of things."

But he adds: "They know I would love to do it and I'm here for them if they need me."

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Bottleneck and Slide Guitar Playing

Bottleneck and slide guitar playing. This is a form of guitar playing which has been around for nearly one hundred years or more. Its roots are embedded in the African-American negro blues music. It is easily recognized when played by the wailing sound it makes on the fretboard of the guitar.

Bottleneck and slide are terms often used interchangeably for a style of guitar playing in which the strings are "stopped" by a small metal or glass tube held in the hand or slipped over one of the left hand fingers.

Strictly speaking, " bottleneck" refers to glass, whereas slide refers to metal, but the technique for playing is the same in both cases.

Slide guitar originated in America, around the Mississippi Delta

It was predominately negro blues music. It is thought that it's roots originated in the tradition of black slavery and therefore linked strongly and forever to the evolution of the blues.

It is also believed to be an expression of feelings through music and song. The term bottleneck is derived from the fact that the earliest slides were made from broken - off necks of beer bottles. This technique for slide playing was the precursor to all the modern slides we now have available in the music market place.
Using a slide is quite easy, and it is also easy to make your own slide from the neck of a bottle, or you can improvise a metal one from a piece of tubing. But why go through all this bother when they are readily available in all musical instrument retail shops, and very inexpensive.

Metal and glass produce very distinctive different sounds, that is why most guitarist will have both types in their guitar bag. But if you just want one, then experiment around with both types until you are satisfied with the one that gives you the sound you are looking for.

Wearing the slide on the finger is also a very personal choice. It takes time to get used to wearing the slide so you must use the finger you feel more comfortable with when playing. Usually the third or fourth finger is the choice, but like I said it is purely a personal decision. Just to give you a tip on which finger might suit best, I would recommend you try the fourth finger as this frees up the other three fingers for playing chords or individual notes.

Learn how to use the slide technique of guitar playing and play the sounds you hear the professionals play. Click below now.

Guitar slide playing

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

 

 

Bach: Skid Row are allergic to cash

Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach has accused his bandmates of being “allergic to cash”.

And he’s branded their refusal to discuss a reunion as an insult to their loyal fans.

Both parties are regularly asked about the chances of getting back together, but bassist Rachel Bolan recently attempted to end the speculation by calling it “a waste of time”

Now Bach has responded to his comment, telling Yahoo Music: “I go on my Twitter feed and I read things like it’s the 25th anniversary of the first Skid Row album – and Skid Row doesn’t give a shit.

“I would love to do something to celebrate it. My former bandmates are like, ‘Nah, we’re playing a bowling alley. We’re happy.’”

The singer says there’s “a lot of unreleased material” in the band archives which he’s sure fans would love to hear.

“I guess my band is allergic to cash,” he continues. “They’re happy not being big. It’s such an insult to the millions of people who dig our albums. It’s like saying: ‘We were just joking back then. Happy anniversary!’”

Skid Row, fronted by Johnny Solinger for the past 14 years, released the first in their United World Rebellion EP series in 2013, and are currently working on the second instalment.

Meanwhile, Bach releases his new solo album, Give ‘Em Hell, next month. He describes it as giving the fans “more of what they want and what they expect”, adding: “I don’t see how a fan could dig Slave To The Grind and not like the album I’ve just made.”

Touching on his notoriously frank media comments, the frontman says: “I can’t help it. I don’t censor what I say and I always end up in trouble, but I don’t fucking care.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Guitar Playing - The Fret Tapping Technique

The basic technique for fret tapping is relatively easy to develop. Fret tapping is based on the hammering - on and the pulling - off of notes - both techniques have been at the heart of rock and roll guitar music for many years.

Once the basics have been mastered, fret tapping equips a guitarist to play impressively and sound like a professional.

He can use this method of playing in almost any song or instrumental piece and it will sound awesome. He should play it with a very fast tempo which will make the sound crisp and clear.

Hammering on a note means you impact with your left hand finger striking or "hammering" the string and then pushing it down to make contact with the fret. This causes the note to sound.

To execute a pull - off, instead of lifting the finger directly off the string, the finger is moved slightly across the string in a downward direction just before being lifted off the string.

The right hand hammer - on, also causes a note to sound exactly the same way as a right hand hammer - on. Although there are many different approaches, most guitarists using this technique prefer to rest their right hand thumb on the edge of the fretboard to provide a steady anchor for the hand.

As the right hand moves up and down the fretboard to reach different frets, the thumb simply slides along the fretboard.

The right hand pull off technique differs from the left hand version only in that the slight movement of the finger across the string as it is lifted off is in an upwards rather than in a downwards direction.

For other approaches to fret tapping, it is also possible to use the technique in chord playing. This is done by playing two notes on the same string.

First hold down any chord, preferably near the top of the guitar where the nut is when you first try this technique.

The basic idea behind this is to play a right hand hammer - on and pull - off with the right hand finger on each string in turn.

By executing the hammer - on and pull- off twelve frets above the fret for each note of the chord, you will be playing the same notes that are present in the chord, also the notes one octave higher.

If you are playing a G chord and fingering the first string at the third fret and hammering - on and pulling - off at the fifteenth fret the hammer on sound will sound the higher G note and the pull - off will sound the G one octave lower.

Right hand tapping opens a whole new world of playing for the guitarist in that it increases the melodic possibilities of the guitar.

There is fantastic information about these techniques further down if you wish to get serious about your guitar playing, then read on.

Click below now for more great tapping techniques.

guitar fret tapping

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

Nazareth name new singer

Nazareth have named fellow Scot Linton Osborne as the replacement for singer Dan McCafferty, who was forced to retire last year due to ill health.

The veteran outfit are gearing up to hit the road once again, while their final album with McCafferty is due for release later this year.

Naz say in a statement: “Born in Edinburgh and raised near Dunfermline, 41-year-old Linton has been singing and performing professionally for as long as he can remember.

“After extensive auditions, the band was knocked out by Linton’s voice, presence and style. And he’s a thoroughly good guy! His enthusiasm and energy has been a shot in the arm for the band – a real boost after the sense of loss and sadness at the sudden retirement of our dear friend and brother Dan.”

McCafferty has given his blessing to Osborne’s appointment, with the singers sharing an interest in Little Richard and early-era rock’n'roll.

Naz have begun rehearsals for their first shows with their latest lineup, featuring sole remaining original member Pete Agnew on bass, his son Lee on drums and guitarist Jimmy Murrison.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Ginger Baker takes the Pledge

Ginger Baker has launched a Pledge campaign to fund the release of a career-spanning double-disc anthology and an exclusive photo book.

The Cream icon and his family aim to mark his 75th birthday this year with the launch of A Drummer’s Tale, with pledge points starting at £8 and running up to £95, and offers including signed books, drumsticks and VIP access to a London concert.

Baker says on his Pledge page: “Stand by your beds everyone! It’s been over thirty years since the RSO launched The Best Of Ginger Baker anthology – without consulting me about the content!

“This time I’m in charge, with no label. I’m ready to release A Drummer’s Tale and there will also be a book full of very rare, family-owned photos and memorabilia.

“With PledgeMusic the plan is to give you something very exclusive. I know you’ll enjoy it. Thanks for your support throughout the years – and remember: ‘Don’t cheer, throw money!’”

The Baker family explain: “Reaching seventy-five is a milestone for any working musician – but in the case of Ginger it’s truly worth celebrating.”

Details of Baker’s 75th birthday concert will be announced in due course, along with details of a run of exclusive drum clinics.

The Pledge campaign has reached 13% of its goal with 97 days to run.

source:  classicrockmagazine.com

Allman Brothers Band to split after 45 years

Gregg Allman says the Allman Brothers Band will split after celebrating their 45th anniversary during 2014.

The announcement comes after guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks both said they’d be bowing out following celebrations of the landmark date.

Singer, keyboardist and guitarist Allman hasn’t said whether his decision is related to his bandmates’ moves, but tells Relix: “This is it – this is the end of it. Forty-five years is enough, and I want to do something else anyway.”

He’s working on a solo album, with the intention of writing all of it and bringing in a host of guest musicians to play on it. He’s also involved in the making of a biopic based on his book My Cross To Bear, with Oscar-winning actor William Hurt in the lead role.

But as he looks back over decades since the Allman Brothers’ self-titled debut album in 1969, he won’t rule out the chances of more performances in the future.

“Who’s to say?” he reflects. “We may get together every five years and just do one play at a time.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Ian Astbury: Now rock stars are accountants, kids and rappers

Ian Astbury has compared people who create music alone in home studios rather than live with a band to those who play video games instead of being active in real life.

And the Cult frontman says he’s not sure where the idea of a “rock star” fits into the modern world, insisting the title has been hijacked by “accountants and four-year-old girls.”

Astbury is gearing up to record new music with his band, which will start with a “discovery session” in a rehearsal room, after they completed a tour on which they played 1987 album Electric in full.

He tells Esquire: “With Electric, I like the songs because they’re rooted in three chords and blues-rock elements. They’re on a dark cycle and really come from an organic force.

“They may not be current in the sense of what’s popular, but in terms of human action they’re archetypal. They’ll always be fresh.

“These songs are very physical and demand a certain amount of physicality – and that’s the one thing about live music that you’re never going to get from a bedroom production that’s a digitally-manufactured piece.

“It’s the difference between playing a fighting video game and actually punching someone.”

Astbury believes a blues connection remains essential to making rock music, which influences his speculation on what a 21st century rock star might be.

“Even a hint of soul or blues music, derivative of African-American blues, folk, spiritual, or gospel,” says the vocalist. “The original rock’n’ roll came from that well. It was meant to be played from the waist down. It wasn’t supposed to be played from the neck up.”

Which means, he says, that hip-hop artists like Kanye West and Jay Z are closer to being rock musicians than people like Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

He reflects: “Coldplay have made some wonderful records for the genre they’re involved in, but I would consider them to be more of a pop act. The music is much more cerebral than it is animalistic.

“I think hip-hop has more to do with rock’n'roll. Kanye West is, in many ways, a rock artist. Jay Z in many ways is a rock artist. In the sense that they’ve used hard rock, punk rock, psychedelic rock aesthetics and influences in their music. When you see Kanye West, he has a full band playing. Jay Z has a full band playing with Marshalls.”

He continues: “An accountant does something amazingly well on the stock exchange and his buddies high-five him – he’s a rock star. A four-year-old girl learned to ride a bicycle – she’s a rock star!

“What does that mean any more? What is the popular image of rock star? A rail-thin, overly-paid, narcissistic, average-talented individual who self-implodes in front of everybody, eternally having a party and who looks eternally youthful?

“I don’t know what it is. I do know that there is a difference between artists who are career-driven and artists who have a calling and are just compelled to make music, compelled to perform live, and the business isn’t the reason they’re doing it. In fact, there isn’t really a reason. You just do it.”

Meanwhile, the Cult have confirmed they’ll play an exclusive UK festival set at the inaugural Alt-Fest at Boughton Estate, Kettering, during August 15-17. The crowdfunded event will also be headlined by Marilyn Manson and Gary Numan, with tickets on sale now at an earlybird price of £85.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Kiss win Hall Of Fame fan poll

Kiss have won the public poll for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year.

Over 1,390,000 people voted over 16 nominees and Kiss drew 17.22% of those, a total of 239,417 people. Nirvana came second with 15.69% followed by Deep Purple (11.93%), Yes (10.88%), Hall And Oates (8.1%) and Peter Gabriel (7.97%).

But it doesn’t mean Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will be inducted – the fan choice only counts as one vote, with around 600 others to be placed by musicians, businessmen and commentators.

If they do make the grade, Simmons recently insisted founding members Ace Frehley and Pete Criss wouldn’t be invited to the ceremony in New York in April. He compared them to “cancer” and added: “How many chances in life to do you get? Those guys had three chances to be in the band. Three times they fucked it up.”

But Frehley later said: “There’s no way Gene can put a lid on it. I mean, what’s he gonna do?”

Meanwhile, guitarist Frehley’s New York home was seriously damaged in a fire over the weekend. No one was injured in the accident. Frehley is thought not to live in the building, which is instead inhabited by a caretaker, and was recently the subject of foreclosure action as a result of unpaid mortgage arrears.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame public poll
1. Kiss: 17.22% / 239,417
2. Nirvana: 15.69% / 218,155
3. Deep Purple: 11.93% / 165,828
4. Yes: 10.88% / 151,238
5. Hall and Oates: 8.1% / 112,673
6. Peter Gabriel: 7.97% / 110,839
7. Linda Ronstadt: 6.13% / 85,252
8. Cat Stevens: 5.37% / 74,638
9. The Zombies: 3.94% / 54,764
10. NWA: 2.95% / 40,985
11. The Replacements: 2.26% / 31,490
12. LL Cool J: 1.92% / 26,740
13. Paul Butterfield Blues Band: 1.76% / 24,481
14. Chic: 1.32% / 18,395
15. Link Wray: 1.32% / 18,337
16. The Meters: 1.24% / 17,272

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Spotify reveals royalty payments

Spotify, the world's most popular music streaming website, has revealed how much an artist makes from each song listened to in an effort to fight criticism it shortchanges musicians.

On a new site aimed at artists, spotifyartist.com, the company defends its business model against a raft of recent accusations, including from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, that streaming sites of its ilk leave singers high and dry.

In its first attempt to fight the criticism, Spotify said on Tuesday it paid an average 'per-stream' payout of between $A0.007 and $A0.0092, though it cautioned that royalties depended greatly on where the music was produced or listened to.

Spotify said holders of rights included the artist, but could also bring in producers, managers and a record label.

'The precise division between these types of rights holders varies by territory in accordance with local laws and negotiated agreements,' it said.

In the United States, for example, the artist receives about 21 per cent of the payout.

In other words, if a hit by a US singer is listened to one million times, the artists will receive about $US1500, Spotify said.

But the company insisted the numbers told only part of the story.

'Although much public discussion of Spotify has speculated about such a rate, our payouts for individual artists have grown tremendously over time as a result of our user growth, and they will continue to do so,' the company said.

Created in 2006 by two Swedes, Spotify has yet to make a profit, unlike its US rival Pandora.

In 2012, the company said it lost 58.7 million euros ($A87.95 million), on sales of 434.7 million euros.

In July, Thom Yorke pulled his solo work from Spotify. Radiohead producer and Yorke collaborator Nigel Godrich tweeted at the time that web-streaming was 'an equation that just doesn't work.'

source: skynews.com.au

Maiden named leading UK business

Iron Maiden have been cited by financial experts as among of the best UK success stories of recent years.

They’ve been named one of six organisations spearheading the music industry in the 21st century, and listed as one of the 1000 most inspiring companies in Britain.

And the London Stock Exchange has hailed the NWOBHM giants’ business model of working hard and touring regularly, noting that it’s turned the potential losses caused by illegal filesharing into big profits.

Iron Maiden LLP, the band’s holding firm, oversaw an online fanbase increase of five million during their Somewhere Back In Time world tour. Over the same period they scored well in terms of steady profit, strong online communication, creating jobs and securing contracts.

Greg Mead of analysts Musicmetric tells the Guardian: “The report suggests Maiden have been rather successful in turning free filesharing into fee-paying fans. This is clear proof that taking a global approach to live touring can pay off.”

And Tom Gilbert of the London Stock Exchange says relatively small firms like Maiden hold the key to future economic achievement. “Over the last few years the biggest companies have produced very few jobs,” he explains. “Jobs recovery has come from small and medium sizes companies.

“The vast majority of companies in the UK are small or medium and their success is something of an unreported story.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Peter Green, Buddy Guy, Ian Rankin in latest edition of The Blues Magazine

Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac take pride of place on the cover of The Blues Magazine issue number 10, on sale today. View an interactive preview here.

The latest instalment of Classic Rock‘s bi-monthly sister title looks at the development of Green’s ambition to create the “ultimate British blues album,” using unseen pictures and new interviews.

Elsewhere, Buddy Guy discusses why his latest record Rhythm & Blues is part of a promise he made to Muddy Waters; crime author Ian Rankin talks about his involvement with Rory Gallagher-fuelled project Kickback City; Ian Anderson tells of his pre-Jethro Tull career as a blues guitarist and Simon McBride reflects on his rising-star status.

There’s also interviews with The Cadillac Three, Wille And The Bandits, Chantel McGregor, Guy Davis, Craig Hughes, Don Cavalli, Terry Lee Hale, Brothers Groove, Left Lane Cruiser, Sunday Wilde, Moriarty, The 45s, Greg Coulson, Alex McKown and others.

Your 15-track CD No Trash. No Dogs. Just The Best Of 2013 includes music from JJ Grey & Mofro, Jo Harman, Walter Trout, King King, Rosco Levee And The Southern Slide, The Hoax, Mike Zito, Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart, The Temperance Movement, The Graveltones and more.

Plus there’s a round-up of the best blues Christmas presents and the latest edition of Charles Shaar Murray’s Cuttin’ Heads column.

The Blues Magazine Issue 10 is on sale in shops and via MyFavouriteMagazines.co.uk.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Buy a London record shop on eBay

The owner of a landmark London record shop has put it up for sale via eBay at a Buy It Now price of £300,000 – but he’s warned those interested not to expect a financial return.

Tim Derbyshire opened On The Beat Records in 1979, but says the collectable-vinyl business will close if no new owner is found.

In the auction listing he explains: “If you’re at the stage in your life where you don’t have to worry about making money, but can live a bohemian life, meet interesting people every day and the occasional rock star, here’s your chance to take over the oldest record shop in Swinging London.

“I’ve given it my heart and soul for all these years but it’s time for me to step down and let another passionate music lover take over. You can make history.


“If you’re mad about music, love vinyl and want to keep the dream alive, here’s your chance to take on an Aladdin’s cave of musical gems. The Beat must go on – keep my dream alive!”

Four offers have so far been made for On The Beat Records, which is on sale as a going concern with all stock. The auction closes on November 25.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Blues rock pioneer Bobby Parker dies at 76

Blues rock guitarist Bobby Parker, best known for his 1961 track Watch Your Step and credited as “the only musician the Beatles admitted to stealing from” has died at the age of 76, it’s been reported.

Bassist Anthony B Rucker, who often collaborated often with the pioneering artist, confirmed the news, saying: “It is with a heavy heart I thank you, Bobby, for all that you have done for me. I’m so glad I had one last chance to play with you a couple of weeks ago. See ya on the other side.”

Born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, Robert Lee Parker’s first professional gig was with Otis Williams and the Charms in the 1950s, followed by stints with Bo Diddley, Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Watch Your Step inspired the Beatles’ song I Feel Fine, with John Lennon once saying they’d used the riff “in various forms” throughout their career. Led Zeppelin made use of it in Moby Dick. The track was also covered by the Spencer Davis Group, Dr Feelgood and Carlos Santana, who once said: “Bobby inspired me to play guitar – he’s one of the few remaining guitarists who can pierce your heart and soothe your soul.”

In 2008 Parker reflected: “Watch Your Step was a culmination of blues rock guitar that nobody else had ever thought of. Mine was First. The United States was engulfed by Motown, but the whole world knew when I recorded Watch Your Step that I broke the brick wall of the sameness of Motown.

“I sent music in another direction worldwide, especially for guitarists like Jimmy Page, Santana, Eric Clapton and millions of others. Everybody who was anybody knew Bobby Parker alone penned the lick that created what’s known as the British revolution.

“I heard 600 or more blatant copycat recordings – everybody was playing my lick and trying to claim it, the Beatles included. Even now I hear copycat riffs in TV commercials.” He laughed: “I wish they’d come up with a different riff and leave mine alone…”

The track’s success led to international touring and an offer of a record deal from Jimmy Page, which didn’t work out. Parker spent the 1970s and 1980s based in Washington DC and out of international acclaim, but returned to the spotlight with his first solo album Bent Out Of Shape in 1993, followed by Shine Me Up in 1995. He remained active until his death, having played a series of blues festivals during the summer. Recently he said: “I keep doing it for the music and the people – I love the people.”

Parker has songwriting credits for a total of 55 tracks including his two other singles, Blues Get Off My Shoulder from 1958 and It’s Hard To be Fair from 1968.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Fleetwood Mac’s McVie has cancer

Fleetwood Mac have confirmed bassist John McVie is suffering from cancer.

The band have been forced to cancel their upcoming 14-date tour of Australia and New Zealand so the 67-year-old can undergo urgent treatment.

The news comes after they completed the European leg of their first world tour in four years, which saw former member and McVie’s ex-wife Christine rejoin them on stage as a guest.

The band say in a statement: “We are sorry not to be able to play these Australian and New Zealand dates.

“John McVie, one of the co-founding and original members of Fleetwood Mac, is scheduled to be in treatment for cancer during that period of time.

“We hope our Australia and New Zealand fans, as well as fans everywhere, will join is in wishing John and his family all the best.”

The tour leg was to begin in Sydney on November 10 and end in Auckland on December 7. No word has been given on the status of a show planned for Las Vegas on December 30.

During the summer Mac released their first new material in a decade, in the form of an EP entitled Extended Play. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham recently said a full-length album could only be made if vocalist Stevie Nicks wanted to do it – and he could understand why she might not.

The re-release of classic album Rumours has been nominated at this year’s Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards, which takes place next month.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Metallica: ‘Bands could buy our leftover riffs. We have spares…’

Lars Ulrich says Metallica have discussed making riffs left unused after each album recording session available for other bands to pick via an eBay-style website.

The drummer revealed the idea speaking to The National in Abu Dhabi where he also insists the legendary metallers are not avoiding making another record.

He says: “We have more riffs than we know what to do with. We talked about setting up a special riff thing, where maybe we could share some of these riffs with others, like an eBay kind of thing for leftover riffs. Some of them are actually quite decent, but we won’t be able to use all of them.”

(It’s not the first time a similar idea has been suggested: Classic Rock reported in February this year that Tony Iommi and Brian May had a similar project in the pipeline. May had visited Iommi’s studio and discovered a huge catalogue of unused material. “I thought it would be great to make a compilation out of them,” said the Queen guitarist. “The idea was to put all these riffs out in some form so people could build their own songs of them. You could make your own music with Tony Iommi on guitar.”)

Lars Ulrich, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that Metallica were leaving too long between new albums.

“We’ll always make another record,” he said. “We’re certainly not avoiding making another record. We’ve been fiddling around a little bit when we have a week here, a week there, but we realized the other day that this (Through The Never) movie will take up realistically the next four or five months. But I hope we will get to another record when this movie is over.”

Ulrich also explains it is a love of the band which has helped fuel their longevity. He adds: “Somewhere along the line we learnt to get along and somewhere along the line we learnt we’d rather be in Metallica than not be in Metallica. I think we have tremendous respect for whatever it is Metallica means.

“I’ve never known anything else. This is the only band I’ve ever been in, since I was 17. So ultimately, you want it to survive, and you figure out what works, what doesn’t work, and what’s best for the band. Somewhere along, you just figure it out and you pray you have more good days than not.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com