Classic Rock
Parents Start Petition to Remove Iron Maiden-Loving School Principal for “Satanic” Imagery
A group of “concerned parents” in Canada have started a petition to remove a high school principal who loves Iron Maiden, claiming that the imagery associated with the legendary metal band is “satanic.” Sharon Burns, principal of Eden High School in St. Catherines, Ontario, has proudly displayed her love of Iron Maiden and heavy metal on her social media pages. Her Twitter handle reads, “Principal at Eden High School. Growth Mindset Practitioner. Fueled by metal & ska. & chickens.” One image she posted shows her flashing the metal horns hand gesture in front of an Iron Maiden license plate and banner. Another picture shows a figurine of Maiden’s skeletal mascot on her car dashboard with a handwritten sign that reads “Eddie 666.” Advertisement Related Video The Change.org petition, ...
Tom Morello Defends Friendship with Ted Nugent: I Have the “Right to Be Friends with Anybody”
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello has once again defended his unlikely friendship with right-wing rocker Ted Nugent. The pair make an odd couple, for sure, considering Morello’s left-leaning politics and associations with anarchy and socialism. In a new interview, the guitarist stressed the importance of keeping an open dialogue with those you disagree with. “I reserve the right to be friends with anybody,” Morello told NME. “I reserve the right to confront opinions I disagree with, with open heartedness and love, or by throwing a brick. That’s up to me.” Advertisement Related Video He continued: “In the case of Ted, I know he’s become this right-wing caricature but there have been several times where I have reached him on issues that you might be surprised about. But he ...
Alice Cooper on His New Audio Memoir, the Legacy of “School’s Out,” and Who Should Play Him in a Movie
When Audible announced its ongoing “Words + Music” audio program — in which some of rock’s biggest names combine storytelling with music — it made perfect sense that legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper participate in the series. As evidenced by his newly-released entry, Who I Really Am: The Diary of a Hollywood Vampire, Alice tells great story after great story. Throughout the audio memoir, he is comparable to a “rock ‘n’ roll Forrest Gump” — recounting experiences in which he crossed paths with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, and Keith Moon, among others. Additionally, you’ll hear new acoustic versions of “School’s Out,” “Is It My Body” (a tune from which a line was plucked from for the title of his Audible release), “Poison,” and other classics. Advertis...
Paul Stanley Sets New Timeframe for Final Show of KISS’ Farewell Tour
Paul Stanley has revealed new plans for KISS‘ ongoing “End of the Road” farewell tour, which the band now plans to wrap up in early 2023. The final outing was supposed to conclude with a July 17th, 2021, concert in New York City, but because the band essentially lost a year and a half to the pandemic, that timeframe has significantly shifted. “I believe strongly by the beginning of 2023 we will be finished,” Stanley told Ultimate Classic Rock, adding that KISS will likely stick with New York being the last city they play. “It seems only natural to be in New York. That is where the band started, and that was really the background for the band getting together and writing these songs and played loft parties and played clubs starting with an audience of probably 10 people. It seems we should ...
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Share New Song “High and Lonesome”: Stream
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss did not write an original song for their Grammy-winning 2007 album Raising Sand, and 11 out of the 12 tracks on the upcoming sequel Raise the Roof are covers. But “High and Lonesome” is a novelty: an all-new tune, co-written by Plant and producer T Bone Burnett that’s as fun as anything in Plant’s recent discography. The bluesy track chugs along on a four-note guitar riff, accompanied by crisp drumming and occasionally punctuated by urgent smacks of hand claps. Plant triples-up phrases like, “I must find my love,” and “Does she still think of me,” putting a swanky little lean into the first word. Krauss and Burnett sing backup vocals, with the latter adding a ghostly whisper and the former flickering above Plant’s topline like smoke above a fire. Check o...
Wolfgang Van Halen Marks One Year Since Eddie Van Halen’s Death: “I Miss You So Much It Hurts”
Wolfgang Van Halen has marked today’s one-year anniversary of his father Eddie Van Halen’s passing with a heart-wrenching tribute on social media. In the year since the legendary Van Halen guitarist passed away, Wolfgang’s achievements have been incredible. He scored a No. 1 rock hit with his first single (“Distance”) under his solo moniker Mammoth WVH. His debut album landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and No. 12 on the overall Billboard 200 tally. And he just completed a tour opening for the mighty Guns N’ Roses, even joining them onstage for “Paradise City” at the last two shows. Sadly, Eddie never had the chance to experience his son’s massive solo success. As Wolfgang points out in his message to his late father, there’s “so many things I wish I could share with you....
David Lee Roth Remarkably Almost Predicted the Exact Date of His Retirement Back in 1991
It appears that David Lee Roth predicted his recent retirement announcement 30 years ago, almost to the exact day. In the music video for his 1991 solo single “A Lil Ain’t Enough,” the longtime Van Halen frontman looks into a crystal ball and gazes into his future. At first, he sees a billboard that reads: “Diamond Dave And THE ABSOLUTE FINAL TOUR.” Then, a Delorean-esque vehicle pulls up, and out from the suicide doors steps an overweight, aged Roth. The date “October 10th, 2021” flashes across the screen while spacesuit-wearing paparazzi bombard the singer. Advertisement Related Video If only Roth had a waited just a few more days, he would have been spot-on. Last week, Diamond Dave announced that his upcoming five-date Las Vegas residency would be his final shows ever. He implied that h...
Ringo Starr, Chad Smith, Nandi Bushell Among 100-Plus Drummers on Charity Cover of Beatles’ “Come Together”: Stream
Ringo Starr, 11-year-old YouTube sensation Nandi Bushell, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, and Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron are among 100-plus drummers who appear on a cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together” for charity. The “Drum Together” cover supports WhyHunger, a charity that works to end hunger in the United States and abroad. The star-studded list of performers also includes Max Weinberg (E Street Band), Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Gene Hoglan (Testament), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), Ray Luzier (Korn), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), and many more. An unprecedented undertaking, the drum-centric cover successfully combines an astounding number of percussionists onto one 10-minute track. Sync’d video brings their performances to life, as each artist appear...
Wolfgang Van Halen Joins Guns N’ Roses Onstage for “Paradise City”: Watch
Guns N’ Roses welcomed their support act, Wolfgang Van Halen, to the stage for a performance of “Paradise City” at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday night (October 2nd). Wolfgang’s solo band Mammoth WVH has been opening up for GN’R since their US tour launched in late July. Last night, he was brought onto the stage at the end of Guns N’ Roses’ set by Axl Rose, who exclaimed, “Wolfgang Van Halen. You know how cool that is to say that? That’s f**kin’ cool. You don’t understand — we’re talking legacy!” With guitar in hand, Wolfgang joined Axl, Slash, Duff, and the rest of GN’R for their Appetite for Destruction hit, singing backup on the song, as well. Advertisement Related Video Overnight, Wolfgang tweeted out a couple of photos from the show, writing, “Yeah, this a...
Toyah Sings Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs” as Robert Fripp Gazes in Amazement: Watch
With Robert Fripp back at home in the UK following King Crimson’s US tour, he and wife Toyah Willcox are together again for “Sunday Lunch” performances in their kitchen. This time around, Toyah sings the Velvet Underground classic “Venus in Furs” as Fripp stares up at her with a devilish grin on his face. After receiving video messages featuring sultry performances from Toyah during the King Crimson outing, Fripp has been back for a few weeks now. Toyah welcomed him home a couple of Sundays ago by singing The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary” as he walked through the door. And last week, Toyah busted out the James Bond theme “Goldfinger” for her guitarist husband. For the latest edition of “Sunday Lunch,” Toyah sings “Venus in Furs” while dancing on the couple’s dining table. The two-angle vide...
Johnny Cash’s 1968 Cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” Released: Stream
Throughout his career, Johnny Cash was a noted fan of Bob Dylan, often incorporating a cover of one of the latter’s songs into his live performances. In anticipation for the Man in Black’s forthcoming live album, Bear’s Sonic Journals: Johnny Cash, At The Carousel Ballroom April 24, 1968, his cover of Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” from that special evening is being released for the first time. “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” originally appeared on 1963’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan as a spare acoustic number with just Dylan’s voice, guitar, and harmonica. Cash’s version beefs it up with a chugging rhythm section that gives the song an outlaw country flair — not to mention the stark differences between Dylan’s mellow tenor and Cash’s unmistakably booming baritone. Notabl...
David Lee Roth Shares Music Video for New Song “Low-Rez Sunset”: Stream
David Lee Roth has released the new solo song “Low-Rez Sunset,” accompanied by a music video featuring original artwork by the Van Halen frontman. On the new song, Roth takes up an acoustic pop sound, applying his iconic voice to a laid back groove. It sounds like those classic Roth cuts on the early Van Halen albums, with a show-tunesy vibe and humorous lyrics. The fact that Diamond Dave also illustrated the video’s Flash-style animation makes the new song even more special. The track originally appeared as part of last fall’s “The Roth Project,” an online comic narrated by Roth featuring five solo songs. Advertisement Related Video That recording sessions featured Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 on guitar and bass, Greg Bissonette on drums, Brett Tuggle on keyboards, and Luis Conte on percus...
