Music Bender

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson (who looks like he’s about to sneeze in this photo!) says that he’s been considering retirement (he’s 61), but that the band won’t let him!

With the band just halfway through a 21-month Black Ice, he now says the band are even thinking of extending the tour into summer 2010, with outdoor shows in the UK.

“We were talking about the end of the tour and I said: ‘We’re finishing in May and that’s me done!’ But Malcolm [Young, rhythm guitarist] said: ‘What are you talkin’ about? We’re not gonna let you retire!’ And now they’re talking about next year. I’m going: ‘What do you mean next year? We’re finishing in May in Japan, I’ll be tired!’ And they said: ‘Well, we’ve been offered some festivals…’”

Johnson, whose autobiography, Rockers And Rollers, comes out in October, says he wants to devote more of his time to his auto racing. “The years are flashing past and I don’t wanna be sitting in hotel rooms. I wanna go racing again!”

But the huge success of the Black Ice tour has put these plans on hold. “We just keep selling tickets and I’m just going, Jesus Christ!”

Johnson says that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says: “It’s a tough one. It’s not me – it’s just my age. I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it’s not just me – Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I’m the old dog in the regiment.

“It’s a purely selfish thing. I don’t want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don’t want for people to see me on stage and say, ‘Oh, poor old f****r, the band’s carrying him!’”

But AC/DC fans don’t have anything to worry about at the moment. Right now, Johnson says he’s feeling as good as ever, and enjoying every moment on stage.
“We’ve been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring. They’re just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the f***! You’re on again and you’re thinking, ‘This is ridiculous! I’m still grooving!’”

It’s official!  Sir Paul McCartney will be returning to the Ed Sullivan Theater this Wednesday to guest on The Late Show with David Letterman!

Now, all I can tell you is that he’ll be doing the usual interview then a performance — presumably a cut from his new-ish album, Electric Arguments.

But don’t put it past Macca to run through one of the Fab Four hits, or maybe even one from his Wings days.

The interview occurs just two days before his month-long “mini-tour” begins (three sold-out shows in NY’s Citi Field, then on to Landover, Md., Boston, Mass., Atlanta, Ga., Tulsa, Okla and Arlington, Texas.

Incidentally, Paul was not mad at Michael Jackson for outbidding him on The Beatles’ musical catalogue.  Here’s his views on it:

“Some time ago, the media came up with the idea that Michael Jackson was going to leave his share in the Beatles songs to me in his will which was completely made up and something I didn’t believe for a second.
Now the report is that I am devastated to find that he didn’t leave the songs to me. This is completely untrue.”

So now you know!! And I wouldn’t be surprised if Macca were to touch on Jackson’s recent death during the Letterman interview.   Nonetheless, this will definitely be “must-watch TV” for millions of Sir Paul’s fans (and, with school still out, it’ll be a great way to introduce your youngster to one of the living legends of rock!).

THESE SHOES WERE MEANT FOR WALKIN’

As a man who loves to walk (I put in seven to ten miles a day!), I can tell you that you need some really sturdy, comfortable footwear when you’re out there on the pavement or trail.
Now, if you’re tired of looking through mounds of shoes at a local department stores, just to find them ill-fitting or too high-priced, here’s a fantastic way of finding just the right pair for you — and at prices you’ll smile about!
When you click on the link I’m about to give you, you’ll find a store that specializes in creating the finest and most attractive footwear to work with the natural form of your foot!
You can choose from selections for both men and women (and also accessories!), and even customize your search results with their special drop-down menu!
But that’s not all! If your order comes to over $59.98 (still a great deal!), your order is shipped free!
So, for the best in Naot shoes (where nature meets nuturing), just click on that link now!
Your feet are really gonna thank you for it!

Okay, yardbirds … I hadta clean this one UP a little before publishing it. Seems like the dude got a bit … er, rowdy … in the original: (HEY! Lemme just look for the word “nice” … lol)

Has (former) Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno lost his focus? (nope … that ain’t the word. Hang on …)

In a recent Argentinian interview, he compared Maiden bassist Steve Harris to Nazi madman Adolf Hitler, among other things!

Here’s what he said during a press conference (he was in the middle of a solo tour of the South American country).

First, member of the audience asked Di’Anno about his supposed drug use and asked if that was the reason he was no longer with Maiden.

The dude snapped:

“Where the nice do you people get this from? I left Iron Maiden because they were going too heavy metal, and Iron Maiden is a money-making machine, and I don’t give a nice about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that.
“Me and Steve [Harris]… I [wrote] the song ‘Killers’, Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were nice. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over… I hate that! I nicely hate that!

“And I wrote nicely 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the ‘Killers’ album because it’s Steve’s - he must have this. Nicely Adolf Hitler. I’m not interested. So there you go.
“But you need to take drugs when you’re with Iron Maiden because they’re so nicely boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]… Nicely headache.”

Ummm … just wondering: If he’s so down on the band, why, oh why does his live repertoire consists almost exclusively of songs from the first two Maiden albums?

Just wondering … that’s all …

BEDDING ON A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

I’ve always had an affinity for air beds — especially those where you can actually adjust the level of comfort you want.
And there’s one site where you can find the very best at amazingly restful prices!
Imagine … no more rustling around to try to find a comfy spot on your mattress! Just adjust the comfort level yourself by as many as 50 settings! And you can choose from mattresses that have the skin-friendly aloe vera knit covers, antibacterial bamboo top surface and so many other styles as well!
You’ll also have comparisons, a great FAQ page to answer your questions and more. And all you need to do is click on this link to find the right sleep number bed for you!

KISS guitarist Paul Stanley is gonna donate the first bottles of his new wines to a charity auction on May 30 — with the proceeds going to help victims of February’s savage Australian bush fires.

Paul has donated those and an original painting to the Australian Red Cross to be auctioned off simultaneously in Melbourne and Sydney on May 30.

Paul Roper, owner of Wines To The Stars, said: We are presenting the opportunity to bid for wines that are ‘one-off bottles’ and extremely rare and collectible. Also, the added opportunity to own a piece of art history … to hang in their home, office or where ever they desire.
It is Paul’s and our wish that we can raise as much as possible for this very special charity and Paul has personally signed each of the labels as well as the original painting … It is only fitting that we use the international and popular status of Paul Stanley as well as one of Australia’s great boutique wine producers, to create interest to attract bidders to raise as much as we can.

REZNOR FINALLY ENGAGED!

Well, it’s official: Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor is finally tying the knot!

His lady love, Mariqueen Maandig, from the band West Indian Girl, finally made their relationship public at the premiere of Star Trek last week in L. A.

For years (even during the height of his now-defeated drug addiction), Trent has kept the music front-and-center in his life, blocking out everything but that.
But, now, that seems to have changed a bit. According to Reznor,

I didn’t want a girlfriend of marriage or a kid to get in the way of that opportunity (he meant the music). What that leads to eventually is one day saying, ‘Okay, I’ve sold this many records and played this big place … I’m lonely.’

As of now, the date hasn’t been firmly set, but I’ll keep ya posted.

See ya on the flip side …

THE FORE

FIRST, THIS MESSAGE:

For you who missed The Fore interview on ArtistFirst World Radio on April 11, here’s your chance:
Just click here for the full interview hosted by the amazing Scott Z:  a Q&A with the lads … and some fab selections from their album, Run and Hide!

WE NOW RETURN TO OUR REGULARLY-SCHEDULED YAK:

Remember back-in-the-day, when baby-boomers were talkin’ about gettin’ one of our own to be Prez someday (sheesh … you’d think that, since Bush was a baby-boomer, we’d … naaaah; didn’t know him then)?

The buzz was for Morrison, Jimi or (especially) Zappa to take the plunge! ‘Course, we couldn’t do it ’cause the law says ya gotta be over 35 (and we didn’t trust anyone but record execs over that age, right?).

Well, I got an email asking what the Relic would do if he were President. Geez … let … me …. think (reflective music as screen gets blurry):

Jimi Hendrix

First, the National Anthem would be rendered ala Jimi Hendrix. Nobody could paint a musical picture better than his “Woodstock” version of the tune …
We’d close up the chapters in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring our military home — sending a Tuppperware lady, a Chippendale dancer, a televangelist and Richard Simmons over to totally confuse the enemy until all troops are withdrawn.

He’d make “idnit” and “dudnit” legal words (examples of usage: “That ol’ car’s ’bout wore out, idnit?” “Looks silly with that bald guy drivin’ it, dudnit?”). Hey — I’m in Kentucky. I’m entitled …

He’d vindicate old cars with bald guys driving them.  But not the drivers themselves. Unless they’re Relics and have Oldies 97-FM pumpin’ from the speakers … (I said pumpin’!)

People would be promoted heavily. Life would be revived. Time would be extended. All other magazines would have to stand on their own …

He would commission scientists to study the Rolling Stones to determine the cause of their longevity. By doing so, we may be able to extend life by 120 years …

(He’d find a use for this space, considering he lost part of his script)

There’d be a national ban on “Microsoft Explorer needs to close” messages.

His running mate wouldn’t know how to fire a gun …

The national food would be peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. Toasted. With bananas.

He would ban Maalox, because there is no FemalOx. Ever.

A new form of power for cars would involve zucchinis and lubricant, followed by a Congressional hearing on the lawsuit filed by the porn industry. If impeachment doesn’t occur within the first two months, we’re safe …

Maybe it woulda been better with Zap after all … or at least Morrison. These dudes were intelligent, insightful, talented … and coulda provided one helluva ride for this USA!

Well, it’s short but sweet (I’m in the midst of a coupla rockprojects as-we-sorta-speak), but stay tuned … we’ll have more rock comin’ your way tomorrow !
Until then, remember to keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side …

This is just a friendly reminder to tune in to the ArtistFirst Radio Network today at 12 Noon EST (New York Time) for a full hour of music and live interviews with THE FORE!

Following this brief announcement, you’ll find out HOW to tune in (it’s right here, on the web!).
Get ready for some serious rockin’ enjoyment!

ATTENTION: ROCK MUSIC LOVERS EVERYWHERE:

The fab UK band THE FORE will be debuting their new CD “Run and Hide” on the ArtistFirst World Radio Network, T O  D A Y!! April 11th at 12 Noon New York Time (EST).
To tune-in on your PC: - Click this link to listen: http://wms.artistfirst.fastserv.com/artistfirst or visit www.artistfirst.com

E-mail us during the show for free CD and T-shirt giveaways!

The new album from Heaven And Hell has been given a title, tracklisting and release date (finally!).

The new album from the Black Sabbath spin-off (with Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler from Sabbath) is to be titled ‘The Devil You Know’ and will be released on 27 April.
The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, U.K., where the 1992 Sabbath album ‘Dehumanizer’ was also tracked.

Here’s the track listing for the CD:

01. Atom & Evil
02. Fear
03. Bible Black
04. Double the Pain
05. Rock & Roll Angel
06. The Turn of the Screw
07. Eating the Cannibals
08. Follow the Tears
09. Neverwhere
10. Breaking into Heaven

Already, Bible Black is getting some solid airplay, and becoming increasingly popular.

The band will premiere ‘The Devil You Know’ on the April 29th edition of the U.S radio show “Rockline” at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. An encore presentation of the show will air on May 4th.

ATTENTION — ALL FANS OF THE FORE

Here’s your chance to hear the band live — no matter where ya live (and I know yer out there, ’cause the RelicMail don’t lie!):

All ya gotta do is tune in to the ArtistFirst Radio Network on Saturday April 11th at TWELVE noon EDT (New York time) for the live interview with THE FORE!
(man, it’s easy to remember: 11 at 12! Now ya can’t forget!).

They’ll be playing cuts from their new, hit album “Run and Hide”, so tune in by clicking this link http://wms.artistfirst.fastserv.com/artistfirst (hey … go on and click there now, and bookmark it for the Big Day!) They’ll be on for the full hour on The ArtistFirst Radio Network.

Oh … and check this out: You can e-mail the station during the show for free CD and T-shirt giveaways! Man, ya can’t do better than that if ya tried …

Okay … that’s it for this go’round.  But stay tuned … there’s more to come in less than 24!  Until then …
keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

The musical group Liyana has completed its U.S. tour but it’s a bit wary of returning to its native Zimbabwe.
Their great Afro-fusion melody comes from an unlikely source — the small, wheelchair-ridden body of Prudence Mabhena, a woman from Zimbabwe who has overcome her physical disabilities and the hurdles of daily life in her home country.
“Some people don’t even get you and take you as a person,” Mabhena said. “And with us singing right now, we’re not giving up — we’re pushing up.”
Mabhena is the lead singer of Liyana — a group of eight musicians who are all physically disabled and from Zimbabwe.
Their message of hope has been drowned out in their home country, which is suffering from an economic collapse, a cholera outbreak, and a political power struggle that has erupted into violence.

Mabhena was born with arthrogryphosis, a muscle and joint disorder, and had to have parts of her arms and legs amputated as a result. She said her mother was told to kill her rather than have her face life as a physically disabled woman in Zimbabwe!
Zimbabwe was once a center for disability rights after it gained independence in 1980, according to recent report on Public Radio International. It was one of the first countries to recognize the rights of the disabled, who are sometimes shunned by communities in rural Africa who fear they are touched by witchcraft.
But the gains for the disabled in Zimbabwe have been erased by the country’s current crisis, according to Dr. Raymond Lang of the London-based Cheshire Center for Conflict Recovery.

Mabhena said the group is apprehensive about returning to Zimbabwe after its U.S. tour, which wrapped up this month. But none of the members of Liyana dwells on the despair.
“‘Never give up’ – it’s one of our biggest and strongest mottos,” said singer Tapiwa Nyenger, explaining one of the band’s song titles. “We have the capability to go on stage and at the end of the day make people smile. It’s a good feeling.”

All eight band members, who are between the ages of 17 and 23, met at the King George VI school for disabled children in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The band describes their music as a fusion between “myriad geographic, cultural, and musical genres including gospel, reggae, and traditional Zimbabwean Shona music.”
Liyana means “rain” – a Shona term for good luck.
“Music makes you think of something positive,” Nyenger said. “For me, music is rehabilitation.” Mabhena has said her voice is a gift from god.

The band’s U.S. tour coincided with President Barack Obama’s inauguration, which has also been a source of inspiration for a new song, “Obama.”
“When we heard Obama was going to be the American president, the first black American president, we were so excited,” Mabhena said. “Through that joy that we had, there came a song.”
Liyana is also the subject of a new documentary, iThemba — My Hope – which is scheduled to be released worldwide later this year. The band’s singers perform in seven languages — Shona, Ndebele, English, Dutch, German, Hebrew, and Spanish – allowing them to reach a wider audience.
“We want to leave a message to everyone in the world that no matter what circumstance you are in, you can make it,” singer Marvelous Meulo said.

FOR SAFETY’S SAKE

No matter where we work, there’s a need for safety, right?  Whether it’s fire extinguishers, respirators, safety gloves, fall protection or whatever, it’s vital that we have the tools necessary to keep us safe in our workplace!
Now, the link I’m about to share with you will take you to the business that offers these tools (and many others!) with the lowest quantity pricing anywhere on the internet. It also offers free shipping on purchases over $125 and provides same day shipping on their most popular items.
Since they have warehouses around the nation, it means faster delivery to you as well.  You can also contact them by phone, email — and even by chat!
You can have all this just by clicking this link to the best in safety equipment on the market!  So do it now and feel more secure about your company’s safety!

Well, if ya haven’t heard already, guess I better letcha know so ya won’t be caught offguard:
Keith Richards, guitarist and resident gonzo for the Rolling Bones — er, Stones — is writin’ a “tell-all” book due for publication – possibly as early as next year (geez … I … I wonder if his life is all that interesting to write about??!?)

Actually, his compadre and penpal, James Fox, is doin’ the writing for him (WHAT?!?! Is that a “D-UH!!!” I hear from the audience?? Hey … don’t blame me if they don’t write books in Crayola anymore …), takin’ from the zillions of memories that Keef has unloaded into a tape recorder and tryin’ to make sense out of it all.

Still, you gotta admit that Richards has one hellacious story to tell, and the SuperRead is gonna go #1 with a bullet!

Ron Wood’s got an auto-bio already, btw … and if ya think the youngest Stone doesn’t have a lot to yak about, do yerself a favor and Google his name (But be careful; I understand that, in some religions,it’s a sin …) and you’ll find that the ex-Faces guitarist has more background than my lazy 400-lb Cousin Pearl (she who testdrove the new hybrid Ojit automobile. The car sees her waddling closer and closer and the alarm goes off: “o-JIT! o-JIT!!”).
Seriously: Ron’s gone through some very rough waters (and, if you’ve read the news, he’s still got a coupla waves to tackle; but he’ll do it!)  … and is learning some serious lessons along the way! But as far as the book’s concerned, it’s a dynamite read, 4 sure!

WHY QUIZTIME ANSWERS ARE MISSING… Actually, they’re not … they’re on “hold” while some of you are still lookin’ up names, checkin’ facts and sending in your answers. (Guess some of you are still gettin’ my July, 1994 issue, huh??) But, in a couple more clicks, I’ll start givin’ the answers … and adding a few new touches to RockTown.

SECURITY FIRST

It’s rather obvious that one thing we all look for is security within our own home and workplace.  With break-ins always on the minds of home and business owners, it’s imperative that we have the best security systems in place.
But, sometimes, these systems can be costly … and may need someone to come over and install them for you (which means “labor costs”). Now, that can be a hassle — unless you visit the folks behind the link I’m gonna give you in a moment!
They not only present you with the best selection of security systems, but ones you can easily install yourself — and at prices that are extremely comfortable.
But they do more than that:
They also offer a 60-day 100% moneyback guarantee, free shipping on all orders over $150 (and a flat rate of $8.95 on all others), super deals, secure purchasing and much more!
Listen … it’s worth it for your family’s protection … for your business’ protection … to click here for the best in wireless security systems now!

That being said, Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music, and I’ll see ya on the flip side …

No, man, I don’t mean “fired”. I meant, “boot” as in “footwear”!

And not exactly boots, either. In fact, following the success of Green Day in the venture, Metallica and AC/DC are the latest bands to be immortalized in footwear form by clothing giants, Converse.

Others who have their own “big shoes to fill” are The Who, Ozzy Osbourne and, soon, Pink Floyd. What ya see in the upper left are two of the designs for Metallica and AC/DC’s Converse trainers. I’ll letcha know when they’re comin’ out, price, etc. as soon as I do.

AXL: “SLASH IS A CANCER”

And he doesn’t mean astrological sign, people! I mean, we all know Axl Rose has a little venom in him, but … well, read what he said about his former guitarist:

“There is the distinct possibility that having his intentions in regard to me so deeply ingrained and his personal though guarded distaste for much of ‘Appetite’ ( “… for Destruction”, one of their most popular albums) other than his or Duff’s (McKagan) playing, Slash either should not have been in GUNS to begin with or should have left after ‘Lies’.

In a nutshell, personally I consider him a cancer and better removed, avoided — and the less anyone heard of him or his supporters, the better.”

Ya get the feelin’ that Mr. Rose just doesn’t like Slash much anymore? Geez …

AN UNBLEMISHED RECORD

From the time we were teens, many of us have had trouble with acne. We’ve tried different methods and potions to get rid of it, but they either don’t do the job or are too harsh on our skin.
And, of course, we don’t have time or money to keep shellin’ out in hopes of finding the right stuff for our complexion.
That’s why I’m gonna give you a link in just a moment that’ll help you find the treatment that’ll make your face have “an unblemished record”.
Y’see, the folks you’re about to meet have thoroughly researched the five most effective treatments for acne, and present them to you, along with the best online price (and a link to it!) for each one!
So, if you want to find the best for your skin, just click your mouse on the link to find the best and most effective acne treatments.
Believe me, your wallet and skin will thank you for it!

Well, that’s it for this round, but stay tuned, because I’ll have more in less than 24! Until then …
I’ll see ya on the flip side …