July 23, 2008

 

 

 

THE MONSTORS OF ROCK IN SPAIN - TED NUGENT

 

THE RAIN IN SPAIN:  TED NUGENT brought the 2008 Monsters of Rock in Spain to a halt after he performed a Native American rain dance donned in full-feathered headgear.  The ritual came as TED wrapped his set with his “Great White Buffalo” and the ensuing downpour destroyed all the production, staging and lighting, which ultimately forced the cancellation of the remainder of the annual music festival, including a performance from headliner Deep Purple; the July 11 Zaragoza, Spain show’s bill also featured Twisted Sister, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, Pretty Maids, Candlemass and Rage.  Now back in the U.S. on his “Rolling Thunder 2008” tour--the Motor City Madman’s 50th trek--TED is performing classics including “Stranglehold” and songs from the explosive Love Grenade, his 35th album released last fall (Eagle Rock Entertainment); he’s also touring in support of his new CD and DVD (Sweden Rocks). Next month, look for the rocker to make his feature film debut in Beer For My Horses, which stars Toby Keith and also features Rodney Carrington, Claire Forlani, Tom Skerritt and Willie Nelson.  In addition, this fall “the Human Tornado” will release his new book (Ted, White & Blue: The Nugent Manifesto), comprising 10 chapters on how to fix America.  What is Ted’s manifesto? "That logic, honesty, goodwill and decency will guide a person to a quality of life--and that if a wild guitar player like me can be an asset to self, family, community, country, mankind and the good earth, nobody has an excuse to be a liability,” says TED. “Doing the right thing is ridiculously easy and always much more satisfying."

 

 

July 12, 2008

 

TAKE A SECRET VOYAGE WITH BLACKMORE'S NIGHT

~August 19~

Brand New Studio Album Spans The Gamut Of International Renaissance Folk Rock

New York, NY (July 9, 2008)—SPV Records is proud to announce the August 19 U.S. release of Secret Voyage by  Blackmore’s Night, the award winning band fronted by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night with legendary lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Other members of the band include Bard David of Larchmont (keyboards/vocals), Earl Grey of Chimay (bass/rhythm guitar/vocals), Squire Malcolm of Lumley (percussionist), and Gypsy  Rose (violin/vocals).

This kaleidoscopic musical journey through time and space incorporates traditional folk music from around the world. The album blends haunting ancient melodies with newly-written Night lyrics inspired by nature and fantasy, partially recorded on renaissance-period instruments, and arranged with a contemporary dramatic flair that features the brilliant acoustic and electric guitar stylings of Blackmore. This cd is sure to transport you to a simpler, more magical time, away from the stresses of modern day life.

“With Blackmore’s Night,” says Blackmore, “we have the creative freedom to play any style of music we want. We can play folk, rock, ballads, instrumentals, or tavern songs. I  couldn't do that in Deep Purple. Now I feel as if I'm not in a box anymore. ”

Inspired by their international performances, and assimilating the various melodies from the continents they’ve traversed, many of the 12 new tracks on Secret Voyage have been adapted from the folk traditions of numerous countries including France (“Gilded Cage”), Russia (“Toast To Tomorrow”), Germany (“Prince Waldeck’s Galliard”) and England (“Peasant’s Promise”). Add to that two stunning covers done distinctively in Blackmore's Nights strongly identifiable style—the 1961 Elvis Presley hit “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Rainbow’s “Rainbow Eyes”—and some entrancingly poignant originals.

In addition to creating the kind of haunting sonic soundscapes that captivate your mind like your fondest memories, Night and Blackmore also continue to work for the many causes they espouse. Together with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) they’ve helped plant 6,000 fruit trees in Borneo, donated time and money to help Siberian tigers, bats in Berlin, badgers in Great Britain and, at many of their concerts around the world, have established fund drives for “No Kill” animal shelters. When not touring they continue to sponsor shelter animals and even hold a private show at holiday time every year to raise funds for local animal charities. They have also banded together with C020L  to help the enviornment by planting trees in Panama to reduce the toxins brought on by the bands touring.

 Night stars as Princess Candice at the interactive theme park Magiquest, and Princess Amora throughout the U.S. and Japan. She has also been the reigning "Faerie Queen", nominated by Faerie Magazine, at the Faerie Festivals throughout the USA and is much beloved by the children who travel miles to meet her in this role. Her film debut, House Of Eternity, is scheduled for release this fall.

 

July 7, 2008

 

BLUES/ROCK GUITARIST PAT TRAVERS LIVE ALBUM

“Stick with What You Know – Live in Europe” on Provogue Records
In Stores July 22nd, 2008


HOLLYWOOD, CA  – Revered blues/rock guitar guru Pat Travers will release a powerful live performance on his new album “Stick with What You Know – Live in Europe” on Provogue Records, July 22nd 2008.

This hard rocking blues performance is in the true Pat Travers signature style, in your face full of big guitars. The album was recorded live at the Bosuil in Weert, The Netherlands. The Pat Travers band on this live performance consists of Pat Travers (guitars, slide guitar & vocals), Kirk McKim (guitar & backing vocals), Frank McDaniel (bass & backing vocals) and Eric Frates (drums & backing vocals). The album was mixed at the Red Room Studios by Sean Shannon assisted by Brad Johnson.

Pat Travers was born in Toronto, Canada and picked up the guitar at age 12. After Travers saw the legend Jimi Hendrix perform in Ottawa he was inspired go after the dream of becoming a star like so many of his early influences. Inspired by such guitarists as Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Pat began playing in bands early in his teens. His first bands were "Red Hot" and "Merge" who played in Quebec area clubs. While the early years were hard, they would eventually pay off in the form of improved musicianship, style, and exposure.

Releasing his debut album "Pat Travers" in April 1976 with Mars Cowling on bass, and Roy Dyke on drums, Pat embarked on a tour of England. Adorned in a red and white jumpsuit displaying the maple leaf of his native Canada, Travers increased his following of fans. Trademarks of his early shows included giving away cardboard replicas of his black Fender Telecaster, playing barefoot, and inviting audience member to play "air guitar" on stage during the show. It was with this accessibility to the fans that Pat became the loved performer he is today.

For more information on this extraordinary live performance album go to www.pattravers.com or www.provoguerecords.com

Track listing:

1 Life in London
2 Crash and Burn
3 I Don’t Care
4 Heat in the Street
5 Elijah
6 Red House
7 If I Had Possession over Judgement Day
8 Oh Pretty Woman
9 PT Nutz aka Linus and Lucy
10 Snortin’ Whiskey
11 Boom Boom (out go the lights)
12 PT’s solo time
13 Born under a Bad Sign
 

 

ROCK LEGENDS THE MOODY BLUES AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES RE-RELEASE THE BAND’S FIRST SEVEN ALBUMS OF CHART TOPPING SINGLES AND BONUS MATERIAL

“The Moody Blues are still the Sistine Chapel of popular music” – Rolling Stone

(Los Angeles) – On July 15th, 2008, The Moody Blues and Universal Music Enterprises will re-release their first 7 albums, containing the band’s legendary chart topping singles of the 60’s and 70’s. Each re-release by UMe will feature exclusive bonus tracks, alternate versions, radio sessions and outtakes. All seven albums tell a story about the progression of rock ‘n’ roll, diving into further detail with the inclusion of live BBC recordings and bonus tracks. Nights in White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band), Isn’t Life Strange, and many others, paved the way for a long line of hit singles and albums, spanning more than four decades of groundbreaking music. Justin Hayward (lead guitar/vocals), John Lodge (bass/vocals), Ray Thomas (flutist/vocals), Graeme Edge (drums) and Mike Pinder (keyboard/mellotron/vocals) created an extensive collection of music which has sold more than 55 million albums, achieved multi-platinum status, and impacted music history.

The band’s first studio album, DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED, found instant success from radio and record buyers with their first hit single, Nights in White Satin, allowing their appeal to spread worldwide. IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD, topped the U.S. charts at #23 with Ride My See-Saw, while Never Comes the Day propelled ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM to reach #1 on the U.K. charts. The most noted experimental album of the Moody Blues collection TO OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN’S CHILDREN featured Watching and Waiting, which incorporated unique elements of production combined with a variety of instrumentation.

In 1970, the band took a stripped down and straightforward approach to songwriting with A QUESTION OF BALANCE, releasing the single Balance, which landed #3 on the U.S. charts and #1 on the U.K. charts. EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR produced the top 40 single, The Story in Your Eyes, and the opening track Procession intended to describe the history of music, from the beginning of time up to the release of their album in 1971. SEVENTH SOJOURN, their seventh album topped the Billboard 200 charts, remaining at #1 for five weeks with the massive single, I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).

The band arrived in the United States during the first wave of the British Invasion in the 1960’s and over the past four decades, The Moody Blues have been responsible for composing some of the most groundbreaking and innovative music, combining orchestral arrangements with their progressive art-rock style. “It’s all about the music,” says Graeme Edge. “The music is everything for us. We’ve always put the music before anything else, and that’s why I think we’ve been able to endure for so long.”

The band just completed a spring tour ’08 tour and will be touring the U.K. and Europe in September and October (dates to be announced).
 

 

SCORPIONS RETURN TO THE U.S. FOR ANOTHER LEG OF THEIR “HUMANITY TOUR 2008” STARTING AUGUST 1 IN KELSEYVILLE, CA

 

July 7, 2008 -- Fans can’t get enough of multi-Platinum rockers SCORPIONS, who are set to infest the U.S. once again as part of their “Humanity Tour 2008” starting August 1 in Kelseyville, CA through August 10 in Chicago, IL.  The band’s soaring into America for just a few shows before heading back to Europe and South America to finish up their on-going worldwide trek.  It’ll be the last opportunity for awhile for U.S. fans to check out Scorpions’ power-packed live shows, which have consistently sold out since the tour started last year.

This time around, they’ll be sharing various stages with Sammy Hagar & the Wabos, Alice Cooper and Ratt.  Tickets are currently available at all Ticketmaster outlets and on Ticketmaster.com.

As any fan can tell you, at Scorpions’ live shows, they’re always treated to the band’s quintessential hard rock signature songs, from the standards “Rock You Like A Hurricane” and “No One Like You,” to their anthems “Still Loving You” and “Wind Of Change.” 

Hailed as Germany’s most successful international music export selling over 70 million albums worldwide, Scorpions often rose far above the genre’s clichés, and continue to break new ground today with their critically acclaimed 21st album, HUMANITY – HOUR 1 (New Door Records/UMe).  A video for the track “Humanity” can be found on the band’s official website (www.the-scorpions.com) and on YouTube.

The band--Klaus Meine (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (rhythm guitars), Matthias Jabs (lead guitars), James Kottak (drums) and Pawel Maciwoda (bass)—enlisted acclaimed songwriter/producer Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, KISS) and producer James Michael to work behind the boards on HUMANITY – HOUR 1, which was recorded at several Los Angeles studios.

Scorpions till fill the biggest stadiums in the world each year, performing to hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans.  For decades, their power-packed live shows have been among the few events that broke records for sold out shows in the USA, Canada and many European countries.

Check out Scorpions and Sammy Hagar at any of the following stops:

 

DATE             CITY                           VENUE

 

Fri 8/1               Kelseyville, CA              Konocti Harbor Resort (with Sammy Hagar)

Sat 8/2              Mountain View, CA        Shoreline Amphitheatre (with Sammy Hagar)

Sat 8/3              Costa Mesa, CA            Pacific Amphitheatre (with Sammy Hagar)

Tue 8/5             Tucson, AZ                    AVA Amphitheatre

Fri 8/8               Minneapolis, MN            Myth Nightclub

Sat 8/9              Sparta, WI                     Fort McCoy Army Base (with Alice Cooper)

Sun 8/10           Chicago, IL                    Charter One Pavilion (with Ratt)

 

www.the-scorpions.com

 

 

July 5, 2008

BAD COMPANY TO REUNITE - ONE NIGHT ONLY!
 
ORIGINAL MEMBERS PAUL RODGERS, SIMON KIRKE AND MICK RALPHS TO PERFORM FIRST SHOW TOGETHER IN A DECADE AT THE HARD ROCK LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD, FL AUGUST 8th!

Bad Company original members Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke will reunite for the first time in nearly a decade. Following a huge demand from fans, Bad Company will perform one show only at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Friday, August 8th. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, July 5th.

Bad Company's hits such as "Can't Get Enough," "Feel Like Makin Love," "Rock Steady," "Movin' On," "Shooting Star," "Rock & Roll Fantasy" and "Bad Company" (the first to self title their band name in a song and album) propelled them to the forefront of the 70s arena rock movement. Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke will reunite to perform together for the first time since 1999 (founding member Boz Burrell passed away in 2006). Rodgers, celebrating his 40th year as a recording artist, recently performed at London's Hyde Park with Queen as part of the "The 46664 Concert - Honoring Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday" and will be embarking on a world concert tour in support of their new studio album September. His most recent solo CD/DVD release, Live in Glasgow, charted internationally at #1 and #3 and is certified Gold.

After the break up of FREE (best known internationally for their smash hit "All Right Now" co-written by Rodgers) vocalist and multi-instrumentalist vocalist Paul Rodgers connected with ex-Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs, FREE drummer Simon Kirke would later join that year and the trio began rehearsing. Ex-King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell came aboard a few months later and the supergroup Bad Company was solidified.  Before releasing their first album, the band had toured for months and in 1974 signed to Song Records (owned by Led Zeppelin and distributed via Atlantic Records) to release their highly anticipated debut album, titled Bad Co. Propelled by the hit single "Can't Get Enough," the album would quickly hit #1 on the charts and remain in the Top 40 for four straight months.

 

To this day, the multi-platinum Bad Co. album arguably remains one of the most accomplished debuts in rock history, reading as a virtual greatest hits set in itself.
Straight Shooter, Run with the Pack, Burnin' Sky and Desolation Angels would all follow within a five year run throughout the 70s yielding more multi-platinum awards with hit after hit, "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Seagull," "Run with the Pack," "Burnin' Sky," "Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy," making Bad Company one of the biggest concert attractions of the decade. In 1982, the band released their final recording Rough Diamonds and the single "Electricland" would be their last before disbanding. The group's multi-platinum award-winning greatest hits set 10 from 6 has become a record collection staple.
 

For more info visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com

 
 

July 2, 2008