hennemusic: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Angus Young: Eddie Van Halen is an innovator like Jimi Hendrix

Legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower recently completed his second Van Halen hardcover coffee table photo book, "Eddie Van Halen,” to be released October 12.

The Van Halen News Desk has an exclusive quote from the book, courtesy of AC/DC's Angus Young.

"AC/DC played on a bill with Van Halen back in 1978 or 1979 for a Bill Graham Day on the Green show. I didn't know much about Van Halen then except that I remember seeing film clips of them, especially the one of Eddie playing the solo piece 'Eruption', and I was very impressed. I didn't meet Eddie until years later when there was a Monsters Of Rock open-air festival in England. I was shocked to hear he liked my playing, because I've never rated myself as a guitarist.”

“Eddie is an innovator,” continues Angus. “When I grew up we had a lot of guys from England who were great players, like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. And then, of course, when Jimi Hendrix came along, he changed the game. I’d put Eddie in that category of being an innovator like [Jimi] Hendrix. He changed the game for his style of playing. When Eddie came along he spawned so many imitators. Like Hendrix, suddenly you started to see people wanting to buy the same guitars he played and also play his licks. He turned the rule book upside down in terms of his approach. There was a lot of experimentation to his playing. Eddie also crosses into that avant-garde thing, which puts him in the same category as Hendrix.”

“'Eruption' is a favorite track. He’s got everything characteristic of his playing in that song - there’s a bit of everything.”

“When Jimi Hendrix came along it was like, 'Where did this guy come from?', and I think that was the same feeling with Eddie. When Eddie appeared on the scene, every guitarist I ran into said, 'You’ve gotta hear this guy!'"

For more details on the "Eddie Van Halen" book, click here.

To pre-order an autographed copy of Zlozower’s book, click here.

Still no official word on when the new VH album will be released, or even when the first single is likely to drop.

Van

Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen – Eruption
Selland Arena - Fresno, CA – September 22, 1978

Alice Cooper officially welcomes new guitarist

Alice Cooper announced today that eminent guitar prodigy Orianthi will join his band, replacing departing guitarist Damon Johnson, for the next leg of his 2011 “No More Mr. Nice Guy” world tour starting September 22,2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. Currently in progress, the tour hits ninety plus cities, covering five continents, including Europe and North America twice over.

hennemusic posted the Cooper news earlier this week – see here.

At the young age of 26, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero, Steve Vai; backed Carrie Underwood; traded solos with Carlos Santana; shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) and accompanied Alice during his live performance of “School’s Out” on the 2010 season finale of American Idol.

"It’s very difficult to find someone to match the talents of Damon Johnson,” commented Cooper, “but not only did we find someone who is more than up to the challenge…she also looks WAY better."

Orianthi will join world-renowned guitarist Steve Hunter (toured and recorded with Cooper and Lou Reed) and Tommy Henriksen (co-wrote and played on Cooper’s upcoming release); drummer Glen Sobel and Alice's longtime bassist Chuck Garric round out the band.

“I’m super excited to go on tour with Alice,” said Orianthi. “It’s a huge honor to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.”

Orianthi will debut with the band for a performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday September 9, 2011 on NBC.

Alice new album, “Welcome 2 My Nightmare” – the sequel to his classic 1975 concept album - is due September 13.

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper – School’s Out
American Idol Season 9 finale – May 26, 2010

Alice Cooper – I’ll Bite Your Face Off (2011)

Rush sign with Roadrunner US, albums on the way

Rush have changed dance partners in the US, thanks to the dogged pursuit of the band by US label Roadrunner Records.

"After years of Roadrunner pursuing the band, Tom Lipsky [President, Lipsky Music LLC] presented a deal that worked and the timing was right," Rush manager Ray Danniels said in an announcement. "We wanted to be at a label focused on the rock genre -- and that's Roadrunner."

Billboard.biz reports the group's departure from Mercury Records means the next full-length studio album, a long-gestating work titled "Clockwork Angels," will be released in 2012 on Roadrunner. The delay - a lead single, "Caravan," was released in June 2010 - was due to the success of their Time Machine Tour, which just wrapped.

A first Roadrunner release will actually be a live album culled from the blockbuster tour. According to the label, details will be revealed in the coming weeks. Anthem/Universal Music will continue to release their music in Canada only.

Roadrunner is understandably excited to bag a band that has sold more than 40 million records and - thanks to their doc "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" and the Rush-heavy comedy film "I Love You, Man" - is enjoying heightened attention and accolades across generations.

"In another life, I worked with Rush and their great management team more than 30 years ago and to have Rush finally on the Roadrunner label is a dream come true," said Cees Wessels, Roadrunner Records Chairman.

Lipsky, who brokered the deal, remarked that Rush has a "tradition of excellence and independence, both in the studio and on the live stage, and they remain as prolific today as at any point in their career. We are excited to be their label partners."

Rush's new labelmates include fellow prog rockers Dream Theater, metal heavies Megadeth and the indie rock band of the moment, Young the Giant, among others.

Rush

Rush

Rush – Caravan (2010)

Deep Purple: Jon Lord continues cancer battle, thanks fans for support

Former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord recently announced that he is fighting cancer and will be taking a break from performing while getting treatment.

Since breaking the news, Lord has been inundated with support from fans, and the music legend has posted an update on his status.

“Just a quick line or two from an absolutely overwhelmed, gratified and humbled musician,” writes Jon. “Your responses to the news of my condition have touched my heart in a way that has truly helped to make my life a better place to be than it had occasionally threatened to become these last few weeks.”

“Your wonderful messages wishing me strength and courage have given me even more strength and courage – and so much more than you can ever know. I read many of them with tears in my eyes, grateful for this cast-iron proof of the innate goodness of the human being, and grateful to every single one of you for your invaluable support.”

“This message goes out too to all the similarly wonderful folk on other websites whose support has been equally warm and strong and I want you all to know how greatly heartened and comforted I am by all this.”

“The treatment continues and I am confident and being supported by my glorious family and an amazing group of friends. See you soon.”

Renowned for his skills as a composer, performer and master of the Hammond organ the Deep Purple co-founder has had a busy 2011, playing shows and, among other events, releasing a live album from his Jon Lord Blues Project and a new album simply entitled "Jon Lord Live" – recorded in Bucharest, Romania in 2009 with a full symphony orchestra, the album includes a selection of orchestral pieces representing Jon’s touring repertoire all over the world in recent years.

Last month, Lord received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Leicester.

Deep Purple

Deep Purple – Highway Star
Live in Denmark – 1972

Ozzy Osbourne: Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy book update

Ozzy Osbourne’s team have passed along an update on the rock legend’s forthcoming book, “Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy.”

Due out October 11, “Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy: Advice From Rock’s Ultimate Survivor,” is based on Ozzy’s ongoing, Rolling Stone (U.S.) and Sunday Times (U.K.) columns. The book will include some of the best material from the columns, as well as survival stories not found in Ozzy’s memoir (“I Am Ozzy”), his answers to celebrities’ medical questions, charts and sidebars, and much more.

The publishers describe the book as 100% Ozzy - part memoir and part advice column, delivered with Ozzy’s famous wit and humor. Comprised of reader-submitted medical and lifestyle questions, Ozzy digs deep into his murky past, searching for pearls of "wisdom."

The genesis of the Dr. Ozzy columns began last year, when the wild man decided to have his DNA mapped to determine if science could perhaps explain how he survived his nearly four decade avalanche of drugs and alcohol. The “Full Ozzy Genome” contained variants that scientists had never before encountered. In fact, the findings made headlines around the world and even led to Ozzy hosting a prestigious TED conference.

“Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy” is the follow-up to 2010’s New York Times bestselling memoir “I Am Ozzy,” which landed at #2 and #3 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal non-fiction charts, respectively.

Ozzy recently wrapped up his “Scream” tour and is now rumored to be working behind closed doors with Black Sabbath on a possible new album and tour for 2012.

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
02 Arena – London, UK – September 18, 2010

VIDEO: Lenny Kravitz rocks Letterman

Lenny Kravitz released his 9th studio album, “Black And White America,” on Tuesday.

His first release of new material in three years, “Black and White America” is billed as a rich rock and funk-infused collection filled with Lenny’s signature guitar riffs, compelling melodies and the undeniable anthemic lyricism that has been his trademark over the course of his 20-year career.

“I am really excited for everyone to hear the music on Black and White America. Musically and lyrically, I feel it is the most diverse album of my career,” said Kravitz.

Lenny stopped by David Letterman’s show on the day of its release to perform “Stand” from the new album.

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz – Stand
Late Show with David Letterman – August 30, 2011

VIDEO: Motley Crue covered by 11-year-old on America’s Got Talent

Man, between American Idol’s James Durbin and America’s Got Talent’s Anna Graceman, US viewers are getting some heavy metal exposure in prime time.

On Monday night, 11-year old Graceman performed a cover of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” on the program’s second night of semi-finals.

The performance earned Graceman a standing ovation from the judges and audience.

Judge Piers Morgan raved about Anna’s "incredible voice" and "amazing talent," calling it the best performance of the night. Sharon Osbourne agreed, saying that Mötley Crüe will find the performance "absolutely amazing" and saying that her voice suits the song. Howie Mandel kept his comments short and sweet, saying only: "Wow!"

Mötley Crüe

Anna Graceman – Home Sweet Home
Original by Motley Crue
America’s Got Talent – August 30, 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

AC/DC – Bon Scott’s Mom dies at 94

Isa Scott, the mother of legendary AC/DC singer Bon Scott, has died in Western Australia at the age of 94.

Undercover reports Isa remained one of AC/DC’s biggest fans and attended a show on every tour after her son Bon’s death in 1979; she last saw the band live as a VIP guest at the AC/DC show at Subiaco Oval on March 6, 2010.

Isabelle Cunningham Mitchell married Charles Scott in Scotland in the 1940’s. On July 9, 1946, son Ronald Belford was born.

Isabelle and Charles were known as Isa and Chick; Ronald became known as Bon.

In 1952, Isa and Chick, along with Bon and his younger brother Derek, migrated to Melbourne, Australia; in 1953, they had a third son, the Aussie born Graeme.

In 1956, the family moved to Fremantle in Western Australia, where Isa lived for the rest of her life.

AC/DC – Ride On (1976)

Iron Maiden covered by Ryan Adams

Singer/songwriter Ryan Adams has a new album, “Ashes & Fire,” due October 11.

The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Factory in Hollywood and produced by Glyn Johns, renowned for his work with the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Clash, The Who and The Rolling Stones – and whose son Ethan produced previous Ryan Adams albums “Heartbreaker,” “Gold” and “29.”

“Ashes & Fire” also features guest turns from Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, as well as Norah Jones, who contributes piano and backing vocals on several tracks.

Adams is currently making the rounds doing media interviews; he stopped by BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday to chat and play a few songs, and one of them was an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years.”

Adams’ fans know him as a heavy metal enthusiast, so maybe this isn’t a surprise to them, but it’s a real left-turn for most of us to hear Maiden done acoustically.

Check it out!

Iron Maiden

Ryan Adams – Wasted Years (2011)
Original by Iron Maiden
BBC Radio 2 – August 30, 2011

Iron Maiden – Wasted Years (1986)

Aerosmith: New album expected in May 2012

An interesting update on the progress of the new Aerosmith album has surfaced courtesy of producer Jack Douglas.

The rock legends entered guitarist Joe Perry's The Boneyard studio in suburban Boston and their main studio, Pandora's Box, early this summer with long-time producer Douglas to begin recording their 14th studio album and first set of original material since 2001's “Just Push Play” and first studio album since 2004's blues covers CD, “Honkin' On Bobo.”

Douglas has shared an update on the new project.

"The new album should be out around May 2012,” reports Jack. “I know that's a long wait, but after the South American tour and Japan in October, November and December, we will just get back to work on it in mid-January. For those who are asking, this album will be raw, nasty, tough rock with a good deal of the old Aerosmith 'tongue in cheek.'"

The May 2012 date is interesting because, if the stars align, the new Aerosmith record should be released right around the time that Season 11 of American Idol is wrapping up….which could mean the Aerosmith appearance on Idol that fans have been waiting for since Steven Tyler landed his gig on the show….and one that Perry himself referenced earlier this year.

Perry wrote that Aerosmith is "looking forward to playing 'American Idol' next season when our new CD is out and we can prepare [for] a kick-ass show, if they ask us."

Hmmm…the stars could align pretty easily with just a little advance planning, so keep your eyes open for that to happen.

In other Aerosmith news, the band’s classic Columbia Records catalog recordings (1973-1987) will be available for the first time digitally on the iTunes Store beginning Tuesday, September 6th.

Aerosmith

Aerosmith – Seasons Of Wither (live)

Scott Weiland covers Bowie, Beatles, Stones on new album

Scott Weiland has released a digital album, "A Compilation Of Scott Weiland Cover Songs."

The Stone Temple Pilots singer played a few shows earlier this year in support of the release of his autobiography, “Not Dead & Not For Sale.” The concerts – and tv appearances – featured cover songs included on the album, including material by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Radiohead and others.

Scott Weiland
"A Compilation Of Scott Weiland Cover Songs"

01 - I Am The Resurrection (STONE ROSES)
02 - Personality Crisis (NEW YORK DOLLS)
03 - Frances Farmer Will Get Her Revenge On Seattle (NIRVANA)
04 - Let Down (RADIOHEAD)
05 - Into Your Arms (LEMONHEADS)
06 - Dead Flowers (THE ROLLING STONES)
07 - Waiting For Superman (THE FLAMING LIPS)
08 - Revolution (The Beatles; recorded by STONE TEMPLE PILOTS in 2001)
09 - But Not Tonight (DEPECHE MODE)
10 - Reel Around The Fountain (THE SMITHS)
11 - Fame (DAVID BOWIE)
12 - Jean Genie (DAVID BOWIE)

The collection is available via Weiland’s official store here.

Scott Weiland

Scott Weiland – Jean Genie
Original by David Bowie
The Viper Room – Hollywood, CA – May 24, 2011

Def Leppard & Motley Crue announce UK tour

UK rock fans are in for a treat this December as Def Leppard and Motley Crue team up for a British tour.

The rock powerhouses will be joined by Steel Panther for the 6-date trip.

"I can't tell you enough how thrilled I am to announce this tour!,” said Leppard’s Joe Elliott. “We always strive to make our shows an event and to have Motley Crue and Steel Panther along for the ride makes this an event that just can't be missed for rock fans across the U.K.!! Come join us on what will be the event of the year!"

"Motley Crue is excited to do some destruction with longtime peers Def Leppard on tour this holiday season,” added Nikki Sixx of the Crue. “We have never toured together so hopefully there will be some de-virginizing of each-other's fans and in the end one f**king wild party together."

Leppard are touring in support of their first live album, “Mirror Ball”; the Crue spent the summer on the road across America with Poison and the New York Dolls; and, Steel Panther are releasing their new album, “Balls Out,” on October 18.

Def Leppard/Motley Crue/Steel Panther
UK Tour 2011

Dec 06 - Birmingham, UK - LG Arena
Dec 08 - Nottingham, UK - FM Arena
Dec 09 - Glasgow, UK - SECC Hall 4
Dec 11 - Manchester, UK - MEN Arena
Dec 13 - Sheffield, UK - Arena
Dec 14 - London, UK - Wembley Arena

Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 2 at 9:00 a.m. They cost £47.50 in London and £45 regionally…buy them from Live Nation here.

Def Leppard – Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Mirror Ball bonus DVD

Mötley Crüe
Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart (2011 version)

VIDEO: Great White pay tribute to Jani Lane

A public memorial was held Monday in Los Angeles for former Warrant singer Jani Lane, who passed away August 11 under mysterious circumstances.

The event - at the Key Club in Hollywood - featured performances by fellow metal rock bands, including Great White, Quiet Riot, Enuff Z’Nuff and L.A. Guns.

Great White singer Jack Russell made a special appearance at the show; Lane had filled in for Russell with Great White last summer while the singer dealt with some health issues.

Lane’s autopsy proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests; Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said it may take seven or eight weeks to finalize the cause of death.

Great White – tribute speech by Jack Russell
Key Club – Hollywood, CA – August 29, 2011

Great White

Great White – Save Your Love
Key Club – Hollywood, CA – August 29, 2011

VIDEO: Jane’s Addiction – Irresistible Force

The new video from Jane’s Addiction has surfaced.

"Irresistible Force" is the first track released from the band’s upcoming album, "The Great Escape Artist," set for release on October 4.

Jane’s made headlines over the weekend as the group were forced to cancel appearances at both the Reading and Leeds Festivals due to frontman Perry Farrell's voice issues.

In a statement issued Sunday, the band said, "This morning in London, his doctor determined that Perry Farrell's vocal condition remains unchanged from last night. Farrell has been ordered to not use his voice until further notice for risk of vocal damage. His condition remains day to day.”

"Again Jane's Addiction wishes to convey their sincere apologies to the fans who had been looking forward to their scheduled performances at Reading and Leeds."

No word, yet, on how Farrell’s condition affects future gigs, including a show on Tuesday at Koko in London, one in Tel Aviv (Sep 1), and one in Edmonton (Sep 4).

Jane's Addiction

Jane’s Addiction – Irresistible Force (2011)

Guns N’ Roses bassist releases solo album today

Guns N’ Roses bassist Tommy Stinson releases his second solo album, “One Man Mutiny,” today.

The album was produced by Phillip Broussard, Jr. and recorded at Tommy's Bipolarbear studios in both Los Angeles and suburban Philadelphia. The exception would be the title track, which was recorded with GNR members Dizzy Reed and Richard Fortus in the restaurant of the Conrad Hotel in Brussels, Belgium on a day off from their 2010 European tour, which was documented on video on Tommy's web site.

You can preview the full disc now – it’s streaming in its entirety at AOL Music here.

A year after Stinson's online auction raised nearly $50,000 for children ravaged by last year's earthquake in Haiti, the AP reports the bassist is getting ready to help out again.

Tommy plans to donate half of the proceeds from the new project to Timkatec, a nonprofit that houses and educates homeless children in the Port-au-Prince area. “It could be a little, it could be a lot, depending on how the record does," he told The AP.

Timkatec was able to enlarge one of its main buildings and increase enrollment by around 200 children after last year's auction, Stinson said. He put some of his guitars and trademark custom-made plaid suits on the auction block last summer, along with concert passes and other items, after visiting Haiti to attend a graduation ceremony for 60 young men from Timkatec who earned trade degrees.

The school, founded in 1994 by a Roman Catholic priest, trains destitute boys to work as plumbers, electricians, tailors, shoemakers and construction workers; its sister school trains teenage girls as cooks, hairdressers, seamstresses and child care workers.

Haiti has been painfully slow to rebound, and its place in the international spotlight has dimmed, since the magnitude-7 quake pulverized the capital on Jan. 12, 2010. Rubble from thousands of collapsed buildings remains where they fell and The International Organization for Migration estimates about 630,000 Haitians are still without homes.

"I'm probably not going to get to do another auction this year because I don't have enough items for it," he said with a laugh. In the meantime, he is encouraging his friends in the music world to help the organization and hopes that the new record will create additional awareness of Timkatec and its mission, as well as more funding.

Stinson, who is also finishing up a new record with fellow Minneapolis natives Soul Asylum and hitting the road with GNR in October, hopes to find time in his crammed schedule to return to Haiti in the fall.

"There still might be a small window of opportunity for me to do that in September ... for the start of the new school season," he said, "to see the new building and especially to see the kids. The kids are what it's all about."

Tommy Stinson
"One Man Mutiny"
Release date: August 30, 2011

01. Don't Deserve You
02. It's A Drag
03. Meant To Be
04. All This Way For Nothing
05. Come To Hide
06. Seize The Moment
07. Zero To Stupid
08. Match Made In Hell
09. Destroy Me
10. One Man Mutiny

Tommy Stinson

Tommy Stinson – One Man Mutiny
Conrad Hotel - Brussels, Belgium – September 28, 2010

Corey Taylor undergoes eye surgery

I bet Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor had a different weekend than most: the rocker underwent corrective eye surgery on Sunday.

“My procedure went EXCELLENT and I am now equipped with 20/10 vision!,” posted Taylor. “Thank you Dr. Rothman! And thanks to Lasik of Nevada!! X-ray vision!!!”

The new, improved vision will come in handy for Taylor, who always seems to be juggling bands and projects.

In addition to his Slipknot and Stone Sour duties, Taylor has hooked up with Duff McKagan to work on writing some songs together.

Taylor was part of the Velvet Revolver audition process last year, and even recorded an album’s worth of material with the band, according to drummer Matt Sorum. It was Slash who vetoed Corey as the possible replacement for Scott Weiland, who left the band in April of 2008.

"I'm not singing with Velvet Revolver," Taylor said during an interview on Fuse TV's Hoppus on Music. "We were doing some writing and doing some jamming and what-not, but it just seemed like there were different ideas as to what they wanted to do. And it was completely mutual; it was all good. I just love the fact that I got to hang out with people I grew up listening to."

So no VR, but the door remains open for other projects to materialize.

"Me and Duff McKagan will probably do some stuff later,” said Taylor. “Me and him, we really hit it off, and we're really close, and we started writing songs together, and we've got some really good stuff. So, you never know. There might be a mystery supergroup out there - me and Duff and some other weird people - making some weird music that people are, like, 'What?! That's them?!' So, yeah, maybe. We'll see what happens."

Taylor recently released his autobiography, “Seven Deadly Sins.”

Slipknot

Corey Taylor – Spit It Out
Original by Slipknot
London Relentless Garage – London, UK - July 12, 2011

VIDEO: Chickenfoot – Big Foot

The new Chickenfoot video for “Big Foot” has been released.

If something in the clip looks different, you’re right: Kenny Aronoff is featured on drums, as the newly-announced tour replacement for the band while Chad Smith does his thing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"Listen, I'm living out back,” said Smith in a video explaining the situation. “Things are rough; I've got bills to pay. I've got to go to work. I've got my day job to go to. But only for a little bit — I'll be back. In the meantime a great buddy of mine, Kenny Aronoff, is going to come play the drums. He's going to tear it up. He's awesome: you're going to have a great time, so make sure you go out and see the Foot."

"Chad, I'm going to kick ass for Chickenfoot, man. I'm going to do a kick-ass job for you and the band," replied Kenny in the clip.

“Chickenfoot III” is set for release September 27.

Fans can check out 90-second preview clips of the full album at iTunes here.

Chickenfoot

Chickenfoot – Big Foot (2011)

Monday, August 29, 2011

Chris Cornell: Donate to download new song

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell has announced the release of his new song "The Keeper," lead track on the original motion picture soundtrack for forthcoming movie "Machine Gun Preacher."

Based on a true story, the movie is directed by Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland", "Monster's Ball") and stars Gerard Butler ("300", "The Phantom Of The Opera") as Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who finds faith leading him on a path to East Africa. Shocked by the mayhem in Sudan, Childers becomes a crusader for hundreds of refugee children fleeing death and enslavement.

For 24 hours exclusively on ChrisCornell.com, all proceeds from the donations generated will go directly to Sam Childer's Angels Of East Africa charity.

On Tuesday, August 30, the song will be available for sale on iTunes and the full soundtrack album is released September 20.

"Machine Gun Preacher" hits select U.S. theatres on September 23.

For more information on the film, click here.

Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell – The Keeper (2011)

Bret Michaels: New solo album to feature Def Leppard members

Bret Michaels has been busy touring this summer with Poison for their 25th Anniversary, as well as working in his solo shows to the schedule.

Now that the US tour with Motley Crue has wrapped up, Michaels is off next to Australia next month to open shows for the Crue on his own.

While all this is going on, Bret’s continues to work on his autobiography – set for release next year – and, he’s also been spending some time working on his next solo album, “Get Your Rock On,” and he’s been lining up some special guests to lend a hand to the proceedings.

The project will feature Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Stevie Nicks, possibly members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and younger groups such as Pop Evil and My Darkest Days.

"I'm in the process of doing it as we speak," Michaels tells Billboard. "When you're having other artists perform with you, it's about working with their time schedule and a lot of taking care of some of the business before you can enjoy the pleasure of just jamming together. I try to keep it pretty organic. We have to make sure everyone's good with the timing and can get into the studio to sing. But I think we're going to have a blast making this record."

Michaels already has Elliott and Collen targeted for "Get Your Rock On's" title track, while other collaborations will be determined in the near future. He says the album may also include a live version of "Margaritaville" he performed with Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band during 2010 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in suburban Detroit.

As for a timetable, Michaels is hoping to have a first single -- likely the title track -- out by the end of the year, digitally if not on CD.

Check out more of Bret’s plans from his session with Billboard here.

Margaritaville - Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (Ultmate Master Disk Gold CD Reissue)

Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville
With guest Bret Michaels
DTE Energy Music Theatre – June 22, 2010

Slash renews wedding vows for 10th Anniversary

Slash and his wife Perla Hudson have renewed their wedding vows ahead of their 10th Anniversary this October.

Slash posted the news for fans on Monday evening:

“Perla & I had a beautiful ceremony. The reception is still going. It’s been a really special evening. Thanks to all the well wishers.”

The Hudsons have been married since October 15, 2001; they have two sons, London and Cash. Slash filed for divorce from Perla last summer but the couple reconciled two months later.

Slash continues work on his second solo album, which the guitarist expects to have ready for spring 2012; he was feeling pretty good about things when he posted an update on Sunday:

“The new material, of which there's lots, is brilliant. Its going to be a really great record.”

Slash

Slash

Slash – Ghost
Rock AM Ring – Nurburg, Germany - June 4, 2010