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To End the Year we are looking back at some of the top stories of 2008 - The regular Day in Rock will return on Monday

. 2008 News Rewind: May

Rush Founder Dies - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: John Rutsey, a founding member of Rush passed away on Sunday, according to a report by Q107 Classic Rock, who cites Rush's management company as the source of the news. He was 55. At press time an official cause of death had not been disclosed but Rutsey did have diabetes. [It was later learned that he died from a heart attack. read story - Rush also later issued a statement. read that]

Here is what Wikipedia has on John Rutsey: a former drummer, most recognized for being a co-founding member of Rush along with Alex Lifeson and Jeff Jones (who was shortly replaced by Geddy Lee). He was the band's drummer from summer 1968 to July 1974. Rutsey played on the "Not Fade Away"/"You Can't Fight It" single and the eponymous debut LP, after which he quit the band, citing creative differences and health concerns related to his diabetes that may have posed potential problems with extended tours.

Rush's self-titled debut album was released in March 1974, and Rutsey left soon after in July 1974. Neil Peart joined that same month, and played his first show on August 14, 1974. In a 1989 Rockline interview, Lifeson remarked, "John's still around. I see John quite often. He gave up playing shortly after he left the band and went into bodybuilding. - more on this story

More on Rush - Rush" >Rush CDs -

Sebastian Bach Discusses Joining Velvet Revolver - 08 Rewind
Blabbermouth reports: Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach was interviewed yesterday (Tuesday, May 6) on "The Buckethead Show" on Tampa's 98 Rock radio station. During the interview, Bach was asked if there is any truth to the rumors that he is being considered for the lead-singer position in Velvet Revolver following that group's recent split with Scott Weiland.

"I've talked to Slash [Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist] recently," Sebastian revealed. "I think it'd be really awkward for me to join that band. Number one, my new record, 'Angel Down', I like it more than Velvet Revolver records. That's just being totally honest. I love Guns N' Roses material, but I've got my own old songs � Skid Row � so for me, it would all depend on music.

"I wouldn't just join the band just to join the band. If we came up with some incredible new songs, then maybe I'd think about it, but honestly, I'm very close friends with Axl [Rose, Guns N' Roses singer], and he sings three songs on my new record. I think Dr. Pepper owes me a case of free soda. [Laughs] [Referring to the Dr. Pepper soft drink company's announcement that it will offer a free can of its signature soda to 'everyone in America' if GN'R releases its long-delayed new album, 'Chinese Democracy', in 2008 � Ed.] Axl's been so nice to me � he's helped me out my whole career. - More on the story plus a link to audio of the full interview

More on Velvet Revolver - Velvet+Revolver" >Velvet Revolver CDs -

New Gay Idol Scandal With Pedo Twist - 08 Rewind
TMZ reports: A guy who once tried to get onto "American Idol" by comparing himself to Clay Aiken just got nabbed for sending sex laced text messages to a 12-year-old boy and propositioning a ten-year-old while volunteering at a Brooklyn elementary school.

Colin Leahy, who's 23 and auditioned on season three of "AI," was arrested by Brooklyn cops yesterday and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance, the DA tells TMZ.

Leahy never made it to Hollywood, and he had compared himself to Clayken because they had both been camp counselors -- oops. Simon Cowell called his tryout "as bad as it can possibly get." - Well, maybe not quite. view the video

More on American Idol - American+Idol" >American Idol CDs -

Prince A Video Creep - 08 Rewind
Jam! reports: After word spread that Prince covered Radiohead's "Creep" at Coachella, the tens of thousands who couldn't be there ran to YouTube for a peek. Everyone was quickly denied -- even Radiohead. All videos of Prince's unique rendition of Radiohead's early hit were quickly taken down, leaving only a message that his label, NPG Records, had removed the clips, claiming a copyright violation. But the posted videos were shot by fans and, obviously, the song isn't Prince's.

In a recent interview, Thom Yorke said he heard about Prince's performance from a text message and thought it was "hilarious." Yorke laughed when his bandmate, guitarist Ed O'Brien, said the blocking had prevented him from seeing Prince's version of their song.

"Really? He's blocked it?" asked Yorke, who figured it was their song to block or not. "Surely we should block it. Hang on a moment." Yorke added: "Well, tell him to unblock it. It's our ... song." - more on this story

More on Prince - Prince" >Prince CDs -

Rolling Stone Sued for Topless Photo - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: Rolling Stone has a "girls gone wild" section? Has it come to that? Here is the story from the Sun Times:It was a year ago that Melissa Solano and Ceil Stearman graced the pages of Rolling Stone magazine. But it's hardly a photo they have framed on their wall.

The Chicago women were topless, kissing a man, and they say the publication of that picture in the May 2007 issue was humiliating.

The two filed suit Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, seeking unspecified damages for the "reckless disregard" for their feelings and harm to their reputations. - more on this story

More on Rolling Stone - Rolling+Stone" >Rolling Stone CDs -

My Chemical Suicide Denial - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: My Chemical Romance have responded to claims that their music somehow inspired a 13 year-old UK girl to commit suicide. Earlier this month an inquest was held where the girl's parents and coroner Roger Sykes testified that the girl, Hannah Bond, was influenced by her love of emo music, specifically My Chemical Romance.

It was also revealed that the girl had a history of self-harm, her father said that Bond had hurt herself before and claimed that it was an emo initiation ceremony. The coroner Sykes testified, "the emo overtones concerning death and associating it with glamour I find very disturbing." The girl reportedly told online friends of her plans to hang herself and live on in the afterlife as a member of "The Black Parade" - the title of a My Chemical Romance album.

The band has responded to this story with this statement: "We have recently learned of the suicide and tragic loss of Hannah Bond. We'd like to send our condolences to her family during this time of mourning. Our hearts and thoughts are with them. My Chemical Romance are and always have been vocally anti-violence and anti-suicide. As a band, we have always made it one of our missions through our actions to provide comfort, support, and solace to our fans. - more on this story

More on My Chemical Romance - My+Chemical+Romance" >My Chemical Romance CDs -

Grammy Winner's Daughter Killed By Her Brother - 08 Rewind
AP reports: The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected. - more on this story

More on Steven Curtis Chapman - Steven+Curtis+Chapman" >Steven Curtis Chapman CDs -

Miley Cyrus Gets Playboy Offer - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: Seems that everyone wants a piece of Miley Cyrus these days. Of course, her Disney show had a rating drop after the now infamous Vanity Fair photoshoot.

But she does have other options once that well runs dry. We learn that John Travolta wants to make music with her and Hugh Hefner wants her to finish what she started with Vanity Fair.

TMZ has the Playboy story: Hugh Hefner doesn't get what the big deal is about 15-year-old Miley Cyrus showing a little skin. The Playboy founder told "Extra" (via NY Daily News) that he's open to having Miley really bare all and stop being a tease when she turns 18. - more on this story

More on Miley Cyrus - Miley+Cyrus" >Miley Cyrus CDs -

Weiland Jailed - 08 Rewind
Blabbermouth reports: According to People.com, former Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland checked into a Van Nuys, Calif., jail on Monday (May 12) to serve eight days for a second DUI conviction.

The Stone Temple Pilots frontman surrendered at 8:55 a.m., according to the sheriff's inmate web site. Weiland was sentenced on April 28 to 192 hours in jail for a November 2007 DUI in Los Angeles. The singer also received four years' probation, was fined $2,000, and was ordered to take part in an 18-month alcohol program.

He was potentially looking at a year behind bars for DUI with a prior conviction. At the time of his November arrest, Weiland had just finished a previous three-year-probation for a 2004 DUI arrested. - more on this story

More on Scott Weiland - Scott+Weiland" >Scott Weiland CDs -

Nickleback Singer Sentenced For DUI - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: Nickelback's Chad Kroeger can now write the final verse to his new song "This is how you convict me!" Chad was sentenced for his DUI conviction so the new verse can now go: "I've been wrong, I've been down / To the bottom of every bottle / Despite words in my head / Scream 'Is this all I get?'"

Kroeger was sentenced to the bare minimum when he appeared in court on Thursday. Just what is the crime of driving with twice the legal limit of alcohol in your system going for these days? A staggering $600 fine and a year without a drivers license.

He was approached by reporters on the courthouse steps and he wasn't asked directly for his reaction to this heavy handed sentence or if he was sore-y, he was asked instead what he would tell his young fans. "Don't drink and drive. Absolutely," he replied. "I don't condone drinking and driving. I don't think you should do it. Everybody makes mistakes." - more on this story

More on Nickelback - Nickelback" >Nickelback CDs -

Hendrix Camp Responds to Sex Tape - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: To say that the Hendrix estate is unhappy about the new supposed Jimi Hendrix sex tape would be a bit of an understatement. The estate, which is run by members of Jimi's family through Experience Hendrix LLC, have spoke out against the new tape being distributed by Vivid Entertainment.

"We, Experience Hendrix, the family company of Jimi Hendrix are aware of the release of the adult videotape which alleges to contain illicit footage of Jimi Hendrix. We strongly dispute the claimed authenticity and affirmatively state that Experience Hendrix is neither involved in, nor have we authorized the distribution of this film. Further, we deplore this unsubstantiated exploitation of Jimi Hendrix.

"We view the release as nothing more than a callous attempt to trade on the image and reputation of a deceased artist who is unable to defend himself against such an outrageous and baseless assertion. We are highly offended by the disgraceful portrayal. - more on this story

More on Jimi Hendrix - Jimi+Hendrix" >Jimi Hendrix CDs -

Recap of the top stories from March and April
 
 

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