Music

Gunnar Nelson says that he is strongly against celebrities using their popularity to speak out about politics, explaining that their job is to “take people away” from the hardship of their lives. “Musicians — and actors, too — our job is to entertain,” Gunnar said in a new interview with “Music Mania” podcast (see video below). “That’s our job. Our job is to entertain and give people a place where they can forget about the pressures of the real world, about [how] their boss is a dick, or about what’s going on politically in the world, or some phantom virus or all that stuff. Our job in moments like this is to take people away from that, not to immerse them back in it. “When people start believing their own press releases… It’...

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne‘s guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has reflected on the passing of Eddie Van Halen, saying that the legendary VAN HALEN axeman was a huge influence on him and millions of other guitar players. Gus discussed his appreciation for the groundbreaking musician in a brand new video posted on his official YouTube channel. He said: “Obviously, it’s been way over a month since [Eddie‘s] passing, and I’ve seen a lot of tributes online. Since he died, he’s been all over the news all over the world, all the magazine covers, everything. You can see what a big of an impact this man has had in the music world, and, of course, for the guitar community. You d...

Deen Castronovo says that he isn’t sure he would have been able to rejoin JOURNEY had he been asked to return to the band earlier this year. Castronovo‘s 17-year tenure with JOURNEY ended in 2015 when the group fired him after his arrest for a variety of charges involving his now-wife (including physical abuse, coercion, and unlawful use of a weapon). Drummer Steve Smith, who first played with JOURNEY from 1973 to 1985, returned to the iconic act following Castronovo‘s departure but was fired in March after he was accused by guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain of launching an “ill-conceived corporate coup d’etat” in an attempt to gain control of the band’s name. Castronovo, who has played with THE DEAD DAISIES for the past three year...

Bonhams is auctioning off the drum kit that late RUSH drummer Neil Peart used on tour and in the studio with the band from 1974 through 1977. Although RUSH had formed as early as 1968 and had even released its eponymous debut album, it wasn’t until original drummer John Rutsey left and Peart stepped in that the band’s flame was truly ignited. It went from a blues and hard rock band whose first album was considered derivative of LED ZEPPELIN to a platinum-selling progressive rock powerhouse. Peart not only provided the basis for more complex song structures with his masterful drumming, but by taking over as a lyricist, he freed bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson from a duty they had never wanted so that they could focus on bringing the collective musicianship ...