ROCK NATION Radio

2007'S BEST DJ AT WVOF

(2007 Fairfield University Stag Awards)

Tuesdays 8-10 P.M. EST

Only On WVOF 88.5 FM & WVOF.ORG

(Beginning September 9th)

E-mail Rock Nation - rocknationradio@verizon.net

(All news taken from MelodicRock.com unless otherwise credited)

GREAT WHITE OFFERS $1M TO SETTLE FATAL FIRE SUITS:
By Eric Tucker Associated Press Writer / September 2 / PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Members of the 1980s rock band whose pyrotechnics sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people have agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and victims' relatives, according to court papers filed Tuesday.
The settlement offer from Great White is the latest stemming from the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick. Roughly $175 million has now been offered by dozens of defendants to settle lawsuits over the blaze, which also injured more than 200 people and is the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. The band does not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which requires the approval of the more than 300 people suing as well as the federal judge handling the case, among other conditions.
The blaze began when the band's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, shot off streams of pyrotechnics at the start of the concert. Sparks from the pyrotechnics ignited inexpensive packaging foam the club owners had used as soundproofing around the stage. One band member, guitarist Ty Longley, was killed in the fire.
Though the band members were never charged, Biechele pleaded guilty in 2006 to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for lighting the pyrotechnics without the required state permit. He was paroled in March after serving less than half of his four-year prison sentence. The band has said it had permission for the pyrotechnics, which the club owners have denied. Attorneys for the band did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.
Biechele is covered under the settlement, as are lead singer Jack Russell and other Great White members at the club that night, according to court papers. The settlement also covers the record label, manager and management company for the band at the time of the fire. Great White's insurer is covering the settlement. The insurer has previously said that $1 million was the maximum amount of the band's insurance policy.
No settlement money has been distributed so far. A Duke University law professor has been appointed to work out a formula to determine how much money each person suing should receive. The victims' relatives and survivors sued several dozen defendants after the fire, including foam companies, the rock radio station that ran advertisements for the concert, club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and the local fire marshal who failed to cite the club for the foam on the walls and ceilings. The state of Rhode Island and the town of West Warwick each agreed to settle for $10 million last month.
The case has been settling in piecemeal fashion over the last 12 months, effectively erasing the possibility of a trial that some victims' relatives had hoped could give them answers about the circumstances of the fire. "I just feel that we're never going to get the answers we need, that would put some of this to rest for us," said Chris Fontaine, whose son, Mark, was killed in the fire and whose daughter, Melanie, was badly injured.
She said she thought the band was "getting off easy" and would have faced a much more costly jury verdict if the case had gone to trial. The southern California-based Great White rose to popularity in the 1980s, boasting a blues-inflected hard rock sound and scoring a Grammy nomination for its best-known song, a cover of the tune "Once Bitten, Twice Shy."
Besides Biechele, the only people charged as a result of the fire were the club owners, who pleaded no contest to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in 2006. Michael Derderian will be out on parole next year. Jeffrey Derderian was spared jail time and given community service and probation. The brothers have been sued but have received bankruptcy protection.
ArticleLink: www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/09/02/great_white_offers_1m_to_settle_fatal_fire_suits/?s_campaign=8315.

WARRANT FAREWELL JANI LANE ONCE AGAIN:
Warrant's official announcement about the departure (again) of frontman Jani Lane:

"It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that Jani Lane will no longer be performing with Warrant. From the beginning of our reunion talks to the last note of our last show together in Houston this past weekend we have had nothing but good intentions of bringing a quality original Warrant show to our fans and friends. We wish Jani nothing but the best and remain friends.
We are very excited that we have found an unbelievable voice in Robert Mason, an old friend of the band. We have three dates confirmed, come out and judge for yourself…we don't think you will be disappointed!
September 9th Tucson, AZ – Casino Del Sol w/ Alice Cooper
September 19th Maplewood, MN – The Myth w/Trixter
October 17th Tyler, TX – The Oil Palace w/Queensryche/Kip Winger

OLDER NEWS

DEF LEPPARD PREVIEW SPARKLE LOUNGE ON ROCKLINE BROADCAST:
Def Leppard appeared on the nationally syndicated US radio show Rockline this week to preview songs from their new album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, due out at the end of April.
Cleaver move this. The band played 7 full tracks and 4 short snippets, comprising the 11 songs of the new album. The full length previews were interspersed with a Rockline tag to prevent bootlegging and the quality is obviously radio broadcast only, but nevertheless, the tracks can be found in cyberspace for checking out at least...and that's exactly what I have done over the last few hours.
Singer Joe Elliott last week described the album as a rock album, rather than a pop album, which he likened the last original studio album X to. I have to agree. There is a definite attitude change from the slick and polished X record.
From this small and sonically limited preview, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge sounds more aggressive, rawer in it's production style - in that it has a more live, energetic feel and the songs are definitely more dominated by guitar and a certain 70s glam feel.

I've already talked about Nine Lives, which is a good fun song in fairly typical Def Leppard style.
So to the other tracks - just a quick first listen opinion. Full review of the album when it is released.
C'mon C'mon - a big pop anthem drum beat, totally 70s glam and a song with a raw live feel. I imagine this would be a good concert track as it is very simple and easy to learn.
Tomorrow - Perhaps my favourite of the songs at this early stage. I love the hook and the chorus is very catchy. A strong guitar hook...cool song and classic Leppard in style.
Cruise Control - Very modern in it's style and delivery. A darker Slang kind of vibe with effects laden vocals and production. Less appealing initially, but an interesting contrast to the "happier" tracks and perhaps a subtle grower.
Go - Another heavy and quite dramatic song with a big modern guitar riff and more production effects and programming. Perhaps the most challenging track of the new ones. Sounds like Slang a decade later. The slow tempo and heavy beat makes for an imposing track. Some fans might struggle with the direction fo this one.
Bad Actress - One of the faster and more furious rockers I have heard from the band. catchy, but not instant and a bit of a grower. More 70s glam influences and a cool flurry of guitars.
Hallucinate - A much simpler and straight forward song that mixes Yeah! with Euphoria. Uptempo again, showing that this record is generally a good time, "up" record.

One can't get as much from the brief snippets played - but in brief: Only the Good Die Young - Mid-tempo melodic 70s glam; Come Undone - Mid-up tempo rocker; Gotta Let it Go - Dramatic 70s inspired rock anthem...backing vocals sound promising; Love - the only ballad of the album, which sounds ok.
Initial conclusion - a guitar fuelled, good time record that clearly does as the band said it would - mixes the vibe of Yeah! with more traditional Def Leppard sounds (Euphoria, Slang and X).
Musically adventurous in places, but to these ears, it sounds pretty solid so far.

NEW MANAGEMENT FOR AXL ROSE AND GUNS N ROSES:
Axl Rose speaks - "I am very pleased to announce that Guns N' Roses and I are now represented by the management team of Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. We are very excited and look forward to working with them and hope our relationship proves beneficial for everyone, especially the fans." - Axl Rose 03/27/08
This is a very interesting move. Obviously this has delayed the release of Chinese Democracy (reason #2137), but ultimately, if anyone is going to get this record into the market place, it will be Irving Azoff.
I wonder if Azoff & Axl will consider another exclusive WalMart deal for the band? As Herbie Herbert alluded to in my interview with him - such a deal can be extremely lucrative for the artist, as experienced by The Eagles, who managed to ship in excess of 3 million units of the current album - a staggering number in the current retail climate.
And now the real zinger - Azoff also manages the soon to be defunct rockers Velvet Revolver, a band comprising of former members of...! 2+2=5?

Meanwhile, Axl has responded to Dr. Pepper's publicity stunt to offer free drinks to everyone if the new album is released this year. "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album "Chinese Democracy," as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him."

RIKKI ROCKETT, POISON DRUMMER, ARRESTED AT LAX:
By Jason Kandel, Staff Writer www.dailynews.com/ci_8714425
The drummer for 80s glam band Poison was arrested on a rape warrant issued out of Mississippi as he arrived at LAX after getting off a flight from New Zealand, police said.
Rikki Rockett, 46, was arrested Monday at the airport and booked into the Los Angeles County Jail, according to Los Angeles police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Inmate Information Web site. He was held on a strong-arm rape warrant stemming from Neshoba County, Missisippi, and appears to have been released from L.A. County custody, the Sheriff's Web site shows. His status today could not be confirmed.
Details about the warrant were not immediately available. Messages left with state police in Mississippi went unanswered.
According to the online Web site Wikipedia, Rockett was born Richard Allan Ream in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He has worked as a hairdresser, lifeguard, dishwasher, Emergency Medical Technician and a suit salesman. He rose to prominence in the 1980s when he co-founded the band Poison with vocalist Bret Michaels.
In late 1993, Rockett discovered that the then guitarist Richie Kotzen of Poison was having a relationship with Rockett's fiancee at the time, Deanna Eve. Kotzen was fired due to this incident.
For more news and observations about crime in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, check out Mean Streets, the Daily News crime blog.

JOURNEY SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER'S HOTTEST TOUR ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK:
March 26, 2008 ­ Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.
Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and new lead singer Arnel Pineda—is hitting the road to promote Revelation, the highly anticipated three-disc CD/DVD package set for release June 3 exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

Here are the confirmed dates for the Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick concert tour:
Wed 7/9 Denver, CO Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
Fri 7/11 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Sat 7/12 Lake Tahoe, NV Harvey's Lake Resort
Tue 7/15 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre
Wed 7/16 Irvine, CA Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 7/18 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Arena
Sat 7/19 Tucson, AZ Casino Anselmo
Tue 7/22 Council Bluffs, IA Mid America Center
Wed 7/23 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri 7/25 San Antonio, TX Verizon Amphitheatre
Sat 7/26 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun 7/27 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Amphitheatre
Wed 7/30 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Thu 7/31 West Palm Beach, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Sat 8/2 Charlotte, NC Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/3 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Mon 8/4 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Wed 8/6 Orange Beach, FL The Amphitheatre @ The Wharf
Thu 8/7 Nashville, TN Sommett Center
Sat 8/9 Birmingham, AL Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/10 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Tue 8/12 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Amphitheatre
Thu 8/14 Jones Beach, NY Nikon at Jones Beach
Sat 8/16 Scranton, PA Toyota Amphitheatre
Sun 8/17 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Casino
Tue 8/19 Boston, MA Tweeter Center
Thu 8/21 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 8/23 Syracuse, NY New York State Fair
Sun 8/24 Saratoga, NY Saratoga PAC
Tue 8/26 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
Wed 8/27 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
Sat 8/30 Bethel Woods, NY Center for the Arts
Sun 8/31 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Pavilion
Thu 9/4 Watertown, NY Watertown Baseball Diamond
Sat 9/6 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Sun 9/7 Cleveland, OH Blossom Amphitheatre
Tue 9/9 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed 9/10 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 9/12 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sat 9/13 St. Louis, MO Verizon Amphitheatre
Mon 9/15 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
Tue 9/16 Minneapolis, MN Target Center/Casino
Fri 9/19 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
Sun 9/21 Portland, OR Clark County Amphitheatre
Wed 9/24 Concord, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
Fri 9/26 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Sacramento
Sat 9/27 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue 9/30 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Fri 10/3 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Pavilion
Sat 10/4 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
WebLink: www.journeymusic.com.

(Los Angeles) With over 30 million albums sold and such hit singles as "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," "Straight On" "Dog & Butterfly," "Never," "These Dreams," "Nothin' At All" and "Alone," the band Heart, led by Ann and Nancy Wilson, is one of the most successful and beloved acts in rock music history. First emerging in 1976 with their debut album Dreamboat Annie, the group eschews resting on their legendary stature and remains an active and artistically potent unit. In addition to forging Heart's indelible mark in rock'n'roll, the Wilson sisters were also pioneer female rockers whose success and influence broke down the gender barrier for women to be bandleaders and musicians.
This summer, Heart embarks on a 40 plus date tour with fellow rockers Journey and Cheap Trick that begins on July 9 in Denver and wraps up on September 30 in Los Angeles (initial tour dates listed below). The group will also be recording a new studio album of original material in 2008, their first since 2004's Jupiter's Darling, which "proves in spades that Heart is a vital and creative rock'n'roll unit and a force to be reckoned with," notes All Music Guide, and is "easily the band's finest moment in over 20 years." The San Diego Tribune observed how it featured "some of the best songwriting ever from the group" and "is a welcome return to form," while England's Classic Rock magazine said that Jupiter's Darling is "the only album you need to buy this year."
On April 9, Ann & Nancy Wilson will also be joining Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend and Snoop Dogg on the "American Idol" charity fundraising special "Idol Gives Back" broadcast on Fox. The Wilsons will perform their classic hit song "Barracuda" with Fergie on the gala show.
With more than three decades of creating rock'n'roll behind them, Ann and Nancy Wilson and Heart show no signs of slowing down, continuing to add to their considerable musical legacy with an artistic energy that remains as strong as when they started out.
For more information on Heart go to www.heart-music.com.

KEVIN SHIRLEY TALKS UP JOURNEY RELEASE:
Producer Kevin Shirley posted another update about the pending Journey album on his diary: "Holed up mixing some live Journey stuff in preparation for their jumbo June 3rd release Revelation. Anyone interested knows by now, that it's a collection of 2 CD's and 1 DVD, but what has me the most excited about it, is the new album with eleven original tracks. Ballads, rockers, progressive pieces - even a gorgeous instrumental to close - and I think the fans, both old and new, will love hearing what I think is the best album from Journey since Escape. (I know press releases have hinted at these things before, but I wouldn't say it if i didn't believe it). Schon and Cain's playing and writing is tuned into some higher source on this one.... well, you'll see soon enough."
The CD will be released June 3 exclusively to WalMart stores in North America. International dates and details have yet to be finalized. Stay tuned...

Q+PR 2008 TOUR PRESS RELEASE:
From Queenonline.com - Queen + Paul Rodgers Rock The Cosmos 2008 Concert Tour
With a new album in the pipeline – the first new studio album to carry the Queen name since the Freddie Mercury sessions – Queen is heading back on the road for a four-month tour, once again in the company of musician/singer/songwriter Paul Rodgers who joined the band for the highly successful 2005/2006 world tour, the European leg of which ended with the band's spectacular London Hyde Park open air concert before going on to play the US and Japan. In all, the band's tour was attended by more than a million people.
Together Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers have recorded their first album's worth of material, jointly written and produced. With the title yet to be disclosed, the album is being readied for release September 1, two weeks ahead of the start of the tour.
The Queen + Paul Rodgers 28-date arena tour will take in 14 countries in just seven weeks, and take the band to Northern Eurasia, Central and Southern Europe, and the UK, and is expected to wind up at the end of the year with the band's highly anticipated return to South America, the setting of some of its most historic tours in the early 80's.
Queen's historic Latin America dates set new world records for the numbers of the audiences it attracted. At the 1985 Rock in Rio concert the band played to an unheard of audience of 300,000 and was watched on television by nearly 200 million people throughout the South American continent.
The 2008 tour kicks off mid-September in Russia with two dates at Moscow's SCO Olympic Arena, moves on into Poland for a massive free concert at the historic Gdansk Shipyard, and then follows a path through Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands before arriving in the UK early October for 6 dates including London's 02 Arena on October 13. The UK dates see the band additionally play Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham with a final UK date at Liverpool Arena on October 18 before continuing on to Spain, Hungary, Serbia, Czech Republic and Austria for seven further dates.
Tracks on the new Queen + Paul Rodgers album will include 'Say It's Not True', previously released at the end of last year by Queen + Paul Rodgers as a special World Aids Day download for Nelson Mandela's 46664 HIV AIDS charity , plus a 'first' for a Queen album – a cover version. The remaining tracks are all newly written by May, Taylor and Rodgers during the late 2007/early 2008 recording sessions.
One of these tracks, C-lebrity, will receive a sneak preview when the band make a by-demand return to the UK's ITV Al Murray's Happy Hour for the final show on April 4.
Between them, Queen and Paul Rodgers have released more than 50 albums during their long careers and sold in excess of a staggering 300 million records.
Full tour details, including pre-sale information and tour dates at: www.queenonline.com/news/657

VAN HALEN "TOURING HISTORY" ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN DISTINCTLY OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE:
Distinctly Oklahoma magazine has published a truly exciting and unique Van Halen article in their March 2008 issue. The piece is focused on the touring history of the legendary band as it pertains to Oklahoma during the David Lee Roth era. Several previously unpublished vintage 1970's-80s pictures, set lists, and concert dates are revealed in the meticulously-researched 2,000-word article, which features numerous anecdotes about the classic Van Halen spectacles.
The full article can be viewed online here.

VAN HALEN DATES LISTED AT POLLSTAR:
Pollstar.com have listed new rescheduled Van Halen dates to commence April 19 and run through June 2. Full listing at: www.pollstar.com.
Call me skeptical, but I'll believe these shows are happening when I see them underway....

BOSTON KICKS OFF GREATEST HITS TOUR 2008 ON JUNE 6:
Press Release / The legendary band Boston will headline the outdoor festival at Marina Park on Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008. The 'round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States and Canada.
Boston will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, the veteran Stryper frontman will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar. Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his Boston covers on his MySpace page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.
Many remember where they were when they first heard "More Than a Feeling" or "Hitch a Ride" on the airwaves back in 1976. Boston's self-titled first album has sold over 17 million copies to date, and was the highest selling debut of all time. It remains a rock classic, and has seen a resurgence in sales after it was remastered by Scholz, along with their second album, "Don't Look Back," in 2006. "Amanda," off 1986's Third Stage, shot to the top of the charts and held a record-breaking stay at #1, in spite of being the only hit single that year not accompanied by a TV video.
With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, hits like "Peace of Mind," "Smokin'," and "Rock and Roll Band" are still as ubiquitous on rock and roll radio as they were when they were new. Boston will be performing hits from all five studio albums, including many of their classics, and some fan favorites that have not been played live for many years. Check for show date updates in the Tour page, as well as the new additions in the Musicians' page.
Full Tour Dates online now: www.bandboston.com.

ALICE COOPER SIGNS WITH STEAMHAMMER/SPV:
Press Release / Steamhammer/SPV are proud to announce another spectacular new signing in rock icon Alice Cooper. The label from Hanover, Germany, has agreed on a worldwide contract with the legendary American star. Autumn 2008 will see the arrival of the eagerly awaited new studio album, which Cooper began recording in February. The working title of the upcoming release is Along Came A Spider. The album is being co-produced by Greg Hampton and Danny Saber in Los Angeles.
Alice Cooper ranks among the top echelon of great rock stars who first achieved success in the Seventies and who are still actively touring and recording. His spectacular live shows, skillfully staged using visual effects, elaborate outfits, his trademark make-up and props including guillotines, gallows, electric chairs, snakes, and plenty of blood, are legendary, and he has recorded a myriad of celebrated worldwide classic hits including, among others, 'I'm 18,' 'School's Out,' 'Elected,' 'No More Mr. Nice Guy,' 'Billion Dollar Babies,' 'Only Women Bleed,' 'I Never Cry,' 'Poison,' 'Bed Of Nails,' 'Hey Stoopid,' and 'Feed My Frankenstein.' He has long enjoyed a reputation as a musical enfant terrible, an artist who has been described as "a chaotic reflex of the electronic age" by the media and referred to himself as the "end product of an affluent society."
Alice's "Nights With Alice Cooper" syndicated classic rock radio show continues to air Monday through Friday on 90 stations throughout North America plus outlets in Australia, Ireland, the UK, and other countries. And the paperback edition of his recent "Golf Monster" book hits the stores in May 2008.
Cooper will interrupt the current studio production for March shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and plans extensive touring later in 2008 covering Europe, Canada, and the USA. His band features longtime drummer Eric Singer, guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, and bassist Chuck Garric.

MOTLEY CRUE READY FOR APRIL 15 ANNOUNCEMENT:
Says Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx via his web-blog: "I f-ing (edited for RockNationRadio.org) love this new motley crue album. tommys kickin ass, vince sounds insane and mars is shredding on guitars. it doesnt feel like one song is better or worse than any other.........it feels so good to be excited about something youve worked on so hard.........im so excited for you all to hear it...."

Then this curious e-mail arrives late today - "Mötley Crüe and I wanted to let you know that all four ORIGINAL band members of America's most notorious rock band will make a colossal announcement in Los Angeles on April 15 (location tbd). This will by far be one of the biggest music announcements of the year!!
I invite you to post the video below as well as the "enter to win" Rockvine link to your website in order to offer your readers the opportunity to be involved in the biggest music announcement of the year. Here's the promotion...... Mötley Crüe will fly out one lucky grand prize winner from each major city across the country for a once in a lifetime opportunity to cover this announcement in Los Angeles and the chance to interview the band and have it broadcast live. Fans can visit here: www.ivpnewmedia.com/10thst/rockvine for all of the details.
Fans can enter to win by pointing their browsers to: www.TheRockvine.com.
Go for it folks! Could this be the announcement of the huge media deal (new album, world tour) with Live Nation rumored a few weeks back?

JOURNEY SET TO RELEASE 'REVELATION' JUNE 3 EXCLUSIVELY AT WAL-MART:
March 11, 2008 -- A new chapter in the legendary career of multi-Platinum rockers Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals)—will begin on June 3 with the highly anticipated release of Revelation, a three-disc CD and DVD package to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.
The first disc will consist of 11 re-recorded classics, the second is filled with 11 new songs, and the third is a live, in-concert DVD. All of the music on Revelation was produced by Kevin Shirley (who previously worked with Journey on their Platinum-certified Trial By Fire album).
Journey will take Revelation on the U.S. concert trail later this July, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

REVELATIONS FROM JOURNEY'S LAS VEGAS WEEKEND:
As mentioned yesterday, Journey played two shows at the Planet Hollywood Theatre, Las Vegas this weekend. Below is two reviews of the event and a few pictures. In addition, a direct quote from the stage stated that the Revelations album would be a "double album" which would also include the live DVD filmed Saturday.
So, following the footsteps of the REO Speedwagon 3-Disc WalMart deal of 2007, Journey's package looks set to include the new studio album, a disc of re-recorded hits and the bonus DVD.
I'm as curious as ever to hear the new studio material - the previews from this weekend sound promising - but the idea of including the classic hits re-recorded with new vocalist Arnel Pineda in the same package is a curious move that could (in my opinion) take attention away from the new material (due to the debate that re-recording classic material is bound to attract). Interesting times these are...
As for the new songs -
After All These Years sounds like a nice typical Journey style ballad, with a leading piano line and a very tasteful guitar hook from Neal Schon.
Never Walk Away sounds like a breezy uptempo pop/rocker with a feel good hook, strong chorus and a distinct Be Good To Yourself tempo and vibe.
Wildest Dreams is another uptempo number with another strong guitar riff and a style that sounds a little like Higher Place and the Arrival album in general. Strong verse...but not sure I am convinced by the chorus at this point.
In further Journey news - the band will soon announce US tour dates set to start in early July with Heart and Cheap Trick as support.


Enough editorial...time to hand over to the reviews.
First up - Dan Clavadetscher with his personal take on Saturday night's show:


Journey / Planet Hollywood Theatre, Las Vegas, Nevada / Saturday, March 8, 8:15 – 10:26 p.m. PT
Set List: Neal Schon Solo, Any Way You Want It, Only the Young, Stone in Love, Ask the Lonely, Wheel in the Sky, Who's Crying Now, Faith in the Heartland, Lights, After All These Years (New Song), After the Fall (Deen Castronovo vocals), Never Walk Away (New Song), Jonathan Cain Solo/Open Arms, Mother/Father (Deen Castronovo vocals), Wildest Dreams (New Song) Separate Ways, Escape, Faithfully, Don't Stop Believin'.
Encore: Be Good To Yourself, Wildest Dreams (Take Two), Faithfully (Take Two), Lovin' Touchin Squeezin'.

Music, like all forms of art, is subjective. What one person finds enjoyable may be disappointing to another. The same logic holds true for concert reviews. That being said, opinions inevitably will vary regarding Arnel Pineda's United States debut before a paying audience as the new lead singer of Journey.
After keeping fans in the dark regarding the status of Steve Perry's replacement, Steve Augeri, for months during Journey's co-headlining tour with Def Leppard in 2006, the band hired and then unceremoniously fired singer Jeff Scott Soto, alienating a number of long-time fans in the process. Despite the lack of transparency, many of the diehards turned out for Journey Version 2008 on a windy night Saturday in Las Vegas.
The band that hit the stage with their third lead vocalist in as many years did not hold a candle to the Soto-led group that consistently blew Def Leppard off the stage during their co-headlining 2006 dates. Soto brought a new energy, magnetic stage presence and refreshing outlook to a band that had suffered through a high-profile controversy with Augeri and were in danger of having to cancel the remaining dates of a lucrative tour before Soto arrived. During the brief Soto era, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory and Deen Castronovo were tighter as a unit and played with a renewed sense of purpose that had not been seen for years. Unfortunately, all of that was missing in Las Vegas.
Following two February shows in Chile and a corporate gig in Las Vegas two nights before the Planet Hollywood date, the new Journey led by Pineda was not tight and many of the harder rocking tunes such as "Chain Reaction," "Edge of the Blade" and "Keep on Runnin'" were missing from the set list. The result was an uninspired and lackluster set that had many in the sold-out crowd sitting for much of the show.
Pineda, the 40-year-old Filipino who covered Journey songs in his previous band The Zoo, did a decent job imitating Steve Perry and appears to relish his role in the group. After he finished "Lights," Pineda announced to the crowd: "This is so exciting." However, he has an awkward stage presence, rarely interacted with his band members, and came in early on a few songs and sang over Schon's guitar parts (see "Escape" and "Faithfully").
After the band played six hits, including "Wheel in the Sky" and "Who's Crying Now," Pineda mistakenly introduced a new song that he said was from the band's new album Revelations. Instead, the group played "Faith in the Heartland" from the 2005 release Generations. The mistake can possibly be explained by a change to the set list.
Following "Lights," Cain introduced the new song "After All These Years" from their upcoming release by saying, "This is a new ballad dedicated to the fans who have been with us through the years." Of the three new tunes performed Saturday, this was easily the strongest and went over well with the diehard fans.
Pineda, who disappeared from the stage while Castronovo took over lead vocals on "After the Fall," returned in time to watch Schon, in a mock British accent, introduce the second new song and "Be Good to Yourself" knockoff, "Never Walk Away." After Castronovo sang "Mother/Father," Cain provided the crowd with information about the upcoming studio album before the band performed the hardest rocking of the new tunes, "Wildest Dreams."
Following the encore of "Be Good to Yourself," the concert appeared to be over after 100 minutes as the crowd of approximately 7,000 started to exit their seats and make their way up through the aisles. However, since the band was recording the show for a DVD, Journey returned and Pineda announced, "We have to do one of the new ones again because we fucked it up." Schon and company then played "Wildest Dreams" for the second time.
After the song, the band needed to fix another tune, so Cain asked the crowd: "Would you like to hear "Faithfully" again?" After the classic ballad, the show then concluded with a subdued, bluesy version of "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'."
A number of questions remain after watching Journey with Pineda. Will new fans and longtime loyalists embrace a second Perry sound alike? Was Cain's dedication of "After All These Years" genuine, or a half-hearted attempt to please the fans? Will Pineda be given the time to mature as a lead vocalist, or will he be the latest singer dropped by Cain, Schon, Valory and Castronovo? Will the band get tighter over time and return the songs to their original tempos? Will Pineda attempt to tackle some of Journey's harder rocking songs from its back catalogue? Will the new album be more of the same? Is this the last incarnation of Journey?
Those who embrace Journey Version 2008 may be happy with the group's new/old direction. However, one cannot help but wonder what a new studio album from the once-great band would have sounded like if Soto was allowed to continue his own journey. - Dan Clavadetscher


And just for good measure and to ensure complete coverage, another site regular and friend of mine e-mailed in a review also. So, over to Freddie Woods -


First off let me begin by saying this would be a night of many surprises. Being a person who has been a fan of Journey since their beginning in 1975, I saw them on their first tour here in Vegas at the International Ice Place opening for Santana. A point I would tell Ross Valory later on in the night. When I first heard that Jeff Scott Soto was no longer in Journey my heart fell to the floor. Then to hear Neal Schon had picked a guy from YouTube to be the new singer thought he had lost his mind. He has proven that his mind is as sharp as a knife.
We find our seats and notice this is not a usual "Vegas" crowd. In fact, there are a lot of Filipino's in the crowd.
The house lights go dark and the band walks onstage bathed in blue lights. Neal stands center stage ripping out a solo and then they launch into "Anyway You Want It". New lead singer Arnel Pineda is a bouncy little package of energy. I thought at first that his size would make him look strange onstage but he reminded me of young Ronnie James Dio, always in constant motion. "Only The Young" is next with no break.
Jonathan Cain comes out front on guitar and you can see that the crowd has accepted Arnel into the fold. The huge Jumbotron behind the stage shows a huge smile on Arnel's face as he says "Good Evening Vegas" and Neal starts the opening cords of "Stone In Love". Now I know this is the first shows with Arnel and the band is testing out what works and doesn't work so their choice in songs must be given a little leeway but "Faith In The Heartland" bombed big time.
The crowd, which had been on it's feet from the start sat down on this one. I'm sure 95% of the crowd had never heard this song or the CD Generations. It would be the only song from the Steve Augeri era of the night. The band grabs the crowd back with a powerful version of "Lights". Arnel is really hitting his stride now. Hitting and holding notes with room to spare.
The first surprise of the night, a new mid tempo song called "After All These Years" which Arnel dedicates to all the long time Journey fans. Drummer Deen Castronovo does a great job singing "After The Fall" but for some reason is not shown on the giant screen above him and most of the crowd is wondering "who" is singing. Another new song, a rocker entitled "Never Walk Alone" follows. Jonathan treats us to a piano solo which heads into "Open Arms" and the crowd sings every word back to Arnel.
Dean takes over lead singing with "Mother, Father" and this time he's all over the screen. Most of this crowd has no idea the fantastic voice he has and has been singing harmonies all night. The first single (I was told) "Wildest Dreams" coming from the new CD is straight out vintage Journey. All the hooks that have made Journey are in this song. If this is the direction the band is going, I like it!
The highlight of the night "Faithfully" was sung with such strong emotion by Arnel, the crowd who were singing along sometimes stopped to hear him sing. Arms waving in the air, this was the band flexing it's muscle. What you saw on Youtube could not hold a candle to him live. This guy is the real deal! "Separate Ways" thunders out followed by "Escape". "Don't Stop Believin" finishes off the set and it clear that whatever the problem was with Jeff Scott Soto, they have moved on and aren't looking back.
The crowd begs for more and the band returns to encore with "Be Good to Yourself". Arnel and boys are having "fun" now with Ross making faces at the camera's and Arnel spinning about the stage. They take their bows and the house lights come up. All in all a great show and the band has shown they have made all the right decisions.
30 seconds after the house lights come up a "announcement" comes over the PA saying the band must come back to "redo" a song for the camera's. People scramble like ants to get back to their seats and Jonathan addresses the crowd telling us that they need to redo a song for the new DVD/CD that's coming out in June titled "Revelations" and that tonights show will be the DVD.
Low and behold they redo "Faithfully" and the crowd goes nuts. If it's possible to make something better the second time around THEY DID IT! Arnel hit every note with such power and passion he had the crowd eating out of his hand. If you closed your eyes you would have sworn it was Steve Perry from the Escape tour. His voice is THAT strong. The band leaves the stage again but is called back to redo another song. This time it's the forth coming single "Wildest Dreams". Arnel ask the crowd "Do you want more?" I love this song. Then another surprise. Neal walks over to Arnel and Dean, tells them they'll play another. They start a bluesy vamp with Jonathan playing harmonica. Arnel and Neal scat back and forth for a while and then plays with the crowd a little. this morphs into "Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin". At one point in the song Arnel picked out one of MANY Philippine flags and waved it on stage. The crowd went insane. It was the loudest roar of the night. This band must play Southeast Asia. I believe there will be no stadium large enough to hold them. Finally at 10:25pm the bands takes their final bows and we head upstairs for the "Meet and Greet!"
After waiting 25 minutes Jonathan is the first to walk in and greeted by applause. He is followed by Ross and then the person I have been waiting for Deen enters the room. in 1981 Deen was in a band called "The Enemy" and I was in "Little Sister". We both played the Vegas club scene and in a Battle Of The Bands on this very stage 27 years ago. His band took first place, mine took 3rd. I stopped playing drums in 1986 and became a radio DJ here in Vegas. Deen went on to play with the likes of Ted Nugent, Ozzy, Bad English and now Journey. I made my way over to him and waited my turn. When I got up to him I asked if he remembered his old band The Enemy? Now remember, I haven't seen, talked or had ANY contact with Dean in 27 years! He looked at me and said "Freddie? Freddie F**kin Woods?" My jaw dropped. My friend Mike looked like he had just hit Megabucks.
We started hugging each other and he proceeds to tell the whole room that I was one of his favorite drummers. I was in awe! This man remembered me after 27 years. Then a little voice says "Fredrick?" It was Deen's mother. Hugs were the order of the night. Deen introduced me to Ross, Jon and Arnel (who stood on a chair to take a picture with me). Neal hadn't arrived yet. We exchanged phone numbers and he promised we would hook up next time they hit Vegas (I got the tour lowdown but am sworn to secrecy). This was a night I will NEVER EVER forget. I wish I had seen the band with Jeff. I was lucky to see them 10 times with Steve Perry, 3 times with Steve Augeri and now with Arnel. My only "wish" is that they could play a few more songs. - Freddie Woods.
Pictures from Freddie (incl. one of him with singer Arnel) -

VAN HALEN POSTPONE MORE DATES:
Van Halen have now officially postponed more dates, setting their come back date to April 19. While the band and organizers are still spinning this to their advantage, I don't believe anything is set in stone and come April 19, we might just get another revised update.
For the record, for those fearful of Eddie Van Halen being in bad shape - I have heard nothing whatsoever to suggest that Eddie is facing a battle with cancer or something sinister like that. I'm sure he will be in better shape shortly under the care he is now receiving.
This is what Billboard reported overnight -
"After postponing a handful of dates last week in order for guitarist Eddie Van Halen to undergo tests for an unspecified medical condition, Van Halen is postponing all tour activity until April 19.
Seventeen shows are affected, beginning tomorrow night (March 11) in Charlottesville, Va., and running through April 15 in Baltimore.
According to organizers, Van Halen, who has battled cancer and substance abuse, "is currently under doctors' care" and will "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment." No further details were made available. Fans are being asked to keep their tickets, which will be honored at makeup dates to be announced.
Van Halen returned to the road last fall with original lead singer David Lee Roth for the first time in 20-plus years. The tour, which features Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang on bass, has routinely sold out North American arenas."

SPARKLY ARTWORK FOR DEF LEPPARD:
Def Leppard have pulled back the curtains on the artwork for their new Songs From The Sparkle Lounge CD, due out April 29. The art is as follows:

JOURNEY'S VEGAS REVELATONS:
Well, the news from Vegas is Journey's new studio album will be released in June, exclusively via WalMart stores and will be titled Revelations.
The CD will be released in a package set to include the live DVD filmed this weekend in Las Vegas. Rumors of a third disc in the package featuring the band's biggest hits re-recorded in late 2007 are still unconfirmed.
The band featured three new songs in their Vegas set - Wildest Dreams, Never Walk Away and After All These Years. You Tube clips are all over the place - check out the new tunes: youtube.com/watch?v=4jUjljMtusc - After All These Years; youtube.com/watch?v=CxFOj9Iadx8 - Walk Away; youtube.com/watch?v=hwQ-SKnl83g - Wildest Dreams.

A full feature on the weekend shows along with pictures and reviews from a few of those gathered at the event will be online right here tomorrow.

NATIONAL ENQUIRIER WEIGHS IN ON VAN HALEN:
Don't shoot the messenger! More speculation to add to the Van Halen drama...
From - www.pr-inside.com/entertainment-blog/2008/03/06/eddie-van-halen-back-in-rehab/
Now sources tell the National Enquirer the 53-year-old guitarist checked himself into a clinic near San Antonio, Texas, so he could detox for a week after a furious backstage bust-up in Florida with his 17-year-old son and bandmate Wolfgang. An insider says, "It was the big what-if of the tour - whether Eddie could stay sober."
"Wolf hates it when his dad drinks. He knew Eddie was drunk onstage that night, and was acting cold to him, which set Eddie off. Eddie went beserk and started yanking guitar cables from the pedal boards and throwing cigarettes around onstage."
"At the end of the concert, Eddie was so mad at Wolf, he punched the amp speaker, knocking it over."

ROBERT PLANT SAYS NO TO LED ZEPPELIN WORLD TOUR AND £100M:
I'm sure many have seen this, but for the record - www.sundaymirror.co.uk. Disappointing news, as I have been hearing that a tour was planned for after Plant wrapped up his tour with Krauss. Still time for this to change....

Plant says No to a world tour.. and £100M / By Sean Hamilton Showbiz Editor
Robert Plant has turned down an extra £100million fortune to take Led Zeppelin on a world tour. The rock legend wants to concentrate on his new partnership with US country singer Alison Krauss... spelling the likely end of the famous band. Led Zep fans had been longing for a tour announcement since last year - when the 1970s superstars reformed for a one-off show at London's O2 Arena.
Surviving members Plant, Robert Page and Jones were offered a guaranteed £100m each for a tour of North America and Europe after a million fans applied for O2 tickets. But after extensive talks Led Zep - best known for the song Stairway To Heaven - decided against the moneymaking opportunity. Guitarist Jimmy Page, 64, was keen to do the tour this year and was backed by bass player John Paul, 62.
But singer Plant, 59 - already worth an estimated £70million - wants to concentrate on his new success with US country singer Krauss. The pair's duet album Raising Sand went to No 2 in America and Britain and they are starting their own tour in April. A band source said: "Despite the enormous offer, the decision did not come down to money. They always said they would do the one-off show and then see how they felt.
"Jimmy had enjoyed the concert in December enough to want to tour. He argued they still had something to offer. He likes the idea of another chapter in the band - the grown-up tour." John sided with Jimmy. He loved making music with the others again. "But Robert wanted to leave last year's concert as their legacy. They had proved they could still do it and that was enough. He has other commitments and is happier looking forward to those. Robert put the mockers on the tour."

MORE TRIBUTES FLOW:
On April 1st, 2008, Versailles Records will return to stores with Lick It Up: A Millennium Tribute to Kiss is the first all-star Kiss tribute of the millennium, and featuring current/former members of Skid Row, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper Band, White Lion, Warrant, Pretty Boy Floyd, Keel, Britney Fox, Zebra, RATT, Riot, Rainbow, Slashs Snakepit, Dio, the Ace Frehley Band, Rat Race Choir, Dads Porno Mag, L.A. Guns, Lillian Axe, Doro, Dangerous Toys, Watchtower, and as well as millennium rockers including Richard Kendrick, A.J. Caruso and Ross Stevens of Straitjacket Smile, Lee Thompson, Marko Pukkuka, Minds Eye featuring Daniel Flores, the Slashtones, Chris Heaven, Rose Reiter, Teenage Rampage ftring. Chris Catena, Snowblynd, Chuck Bonnett III, Dead End Kidz, Andrew Santagata, Supermodel Autopsy, and Katet. The release also includes a 2 CD Bonus Sampler entitled ‘Strip Club Rock Vol. 1/2, which features a variety of unsigned millennium rock bands, including One Bad Son, Dour, Inflicted System, The Meddling Kids, Alligator Jackson, Strikeforce, Ground Level, The Clear, Veritas, 7 Deadly Sins, Viper, The Jack, S.E.X. Department, Elephant Hunter, Unequaled Clarity, Beest Spawn, Disarray, Trinity, Joetown, Radiovipers, Phearus, Hell Razor, 6 AM, Cellbound, Signal 99, Lovebone, 12 Years Coming, Freebleeder, 6 Days to Nowhere, Aedose, Shattersphere, Deadly Tide, Souls on Monday, Skitzo, Schmelvis Band, and the Karen Single Band.

VAN HALEN - WTF?:
It seems the Van Halen tour rolls on...albeit with some rescheduling.
Here's an update to the update about the update. I'm getting feedback from all over the place. Like sands through the hour glass....
Yes, the Van Halen tour is back on. Why am I saying back on? Well, because I am standing by my report of yesterday stating that the tour was off. But that was yesterday! My information yesterday actually came from someone directly involved in the tour - a long time source who has been 100% accurate in all previous dealings. A completely trusted source!
It seems my initial hunch this morning was correct and I'm hearing that a massive amount of maneuvering behind the scenes has been taking place to keep this show on the road for the remaining scheduled dates.
In the words of one source: “Azoff and company supposedly salvaged a total cancellation. Seems they bought a week of down time...Too much $$$ at stake.”

I wouldn't expect any father dates to be added to the currently announced set and I'm yet to hear anything back from my best source, so expect more updates…

Clearly something is up from the statement issued by Van Halen -
"The Van Halen concerts in Dallas, Cincinnati, Raleigh, and Baltimore have been postponed. According to Eddie Van Halen's physician, he is undergoing a battery of comprehensive medical tests to determine a defined diagnosis and recommended medical procedures.
The March 3rd Dallas concert at American Airlines Center has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008; Cincinnati's March 5th concert at U.S. Bank Arena has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd; Raleigh's March 7th concert at RBC Center has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 13th; and Baltimore's March 9th concert at 1st Mariner Arena has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 15th.
Fans should retain their tickets as they will be honored at the rescheduled concerts or ticket refunds will be issued at the original point of purchase."

And Billboard weighs in -
Ray Waddell, Nashville / Despite reports to the contrary, sources with Van Halen tell Billboard the band's tour is not being canceled, though tonight's (March 3) scheduled show at the American Airlines Center in Dallas has been postponed and rescheduled for April 24.
Three other dates have been postponed for undisclosed reasons. The source says the outing picks up on March 11 in Charlottesville, W.V., and a press release regarding the tour's status will be coming within 24 hours. Van Halen returned to the road last fall with original lead singer David Lee Roth for the first time in 20-plus years. The tour, which features Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang on bass, has routinely sold out North American arenas.
The current schedule has shows booked through April 25 in Sacramento, Calif. Van Halen is also slated to perform six days earlier at Tiger Woods' Tiger Jam in Las Vegas.
WebLink: www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003718728

Well, that's the update and you can read the spin....something still stinks and I we'll get to the bottom of it eventually. Dare I say check local listings for all future VH concerts for possible updated or changes?? Right now I'm going back to resume banging my head against the wall.

VAN HALEN SHOWS RESCHEDULED:
The first sign of Van Halen getting back to business after their recent "rest period" is a couple of rescheduled show dates - announced as follows:
New dates announced for Charlottesville, Duluth, Manchester, and Hershey. The previously postponed shows in Charlottesville, VA and Duluth, GA have been rescheduled for:
Tue 3.11.08 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
Wed 3.19.08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena
Note that those new dates for Charlottesville and Duluth collided with previously scheduled shows in Manchester, and Hershey. To make room for them, the Manchester and Hershey shows have been moved to April:
Wed 4.09.08 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena
Fri 4.11.08 Hershey, PA Giant Center