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To End the Year we are looking back at some of the top stories of 2008

. 2008 News Rewind: October
Aerosmith Singer To Front Led Zeppelin? - 08 Rewind
House of Rock reports: In what must be rumor #9,999,999 it seems (and that's just this month) Led Zeppelin are reportedly lining up a megastar replacement for singer Robert Plant: they have been jamming with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

Fans of the legendary rock band have speculated there will be a world tour since they reunited for a one-off show last December (2007).

Singer Plant has frequently denied the band is to hit the road for a string of gigs, but rumors the other three members - Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham - have been rehearsing together have sent gossips into a spin. Now the comeback looks to be a step closer to reality, with reports suggesting Tyler has taken over vocal duties during practice sessions in London. - more on this story

More on Led Zeppelin - Led+Zeppelin" >Led Zeppelin CDs -

Marilyn Manson Member Found Dead - 08 Rewind
NME reports: Marilyn Manson's former bandmate Gidget Gein has been found dead, according to reports.

The bass player, whose real name was Brad Stewart, played in Manson's band from 1989 until 1993, when he was fired and replaced by Twiggy Ramirez.

Stewart was found dead at his home in Burbank, Los Angeles on Thursday (October 9) after a suspected drug overdose. He was 39. - more on this story

More on Marilyn Manson - Marilyn+Manson" >Marilyn Manson CDs -

Injury Sidelines Linkin Park - 08 Rewind
AP reports: Linkin Park is canceling its China tour because lead singer Chester Bennington has suffered a back injury.

A statement posted on Linkin Park's official Web site said the band was canceling shows scheduled for October in Beijing, Shanghai, the central city Wuhan and the southern gambling enclave Macau.

The band also canceled its show in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. The band didn't say Tuesday how Bennington suffered the injury. - more on this story

More on Linkin Park - Linkin+Park" >Linkin Park CDs -

Van Hagar Recording Album - 08 Rewind
Reuters reports: After playing together live for the first time in February during a solo Sammy Hagar concert in Las Vegas, a new group featuring the ex-Van Halen vocalist, bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is making an album.

"We were very excited about that show," Satriani told Billboard.com. "We had never played together before, and when we walked off stage, we looked at each other like, 'Wow, there's a connection here. We should do something about it.' So last week we were together for five days and we recorded nine tracks.

"As soon as Sammy and myself finish touring our separate solo tours we'll reconvene in Northern California and finish the record," he continued. - more on this story

More on Sammy Hagar - Sammy+Hagar" >Sammy Hagar CDs -

Korn Temple Pilot - 08 Rewind
BW&BK reports: Stone Temple Pilots resumed their reunion last night (October 22) in Hidalgo, Texas, and ending on October 31 in Pelham, Alabama, but it was without their drummer Eric Kretz.

Ray Luzier (Korn/David Lee Roth/Army of Anyone) will be filling in. The band has issued the following update:

"Due to the unfortunate passing of his father, drummer Eric Kretz will be taking a brief leave of absence from the Stone Temple Pilots tour dates this week in Texas and at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans. Drummer Ray Luzier will be filling in for Eric and will be performing with the band at these shows." - more on this story

More on Stone Temple Pilots - Stone+Temple+Pilots" >Stone Temple Pilots CDs -

John Paul Jones Confirms Led Zeppelin Will Ramble On Without Plant - 08 Rewind
egigs.co.uk reports: Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has confirmed reports that that he, guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer Jason Bonham � following the band's one off appearance at O2 Arena, London last year � were itching to get out on the road.

Singer Robert Plant has already announced that he has no plans to join them, as he was committed to his work with Alison Krauss, although they could be reunited with him in "a couple of years."

In the meantime, the rest of the band is looking for a new frontman before hopefully taking to the road. John Paul Jones said during an appearance at this past weekend's Mansons Guitar Show in Exeter, Devon, UK, "As soon as we know who it is, we'll let you know who it is." - more on this story

More on Led Zeppelin - Led+Zeppelin" >Led Zeppelin CDs -

Axl in Velvet Revolver? Yeah Right - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: This is an interesting way to plug an interview. Check out this promo from MusicRadar: "I heard that too. Yeah right. Anyway..." That was Slash's reaction to the news of MusicRadar's recent poll that found fans want Axl Rose to join Velvet Revolver.

Slash took time out to speak with MusicRadar to coincide with his latest signature Gibson and Epiphone six-strings being unleashed on the world. And Slash loves Les Pauls. That's for sure: "I've got somewhere between 80 and 90 guitars and I'd say 75 percent of them are Les Pauls. It's ridiculous � but they all have a unique purpose."

Visit MusicRadar on Wed (interview not up at press time but keep checking) to get the skinny on everything from his forthcoming solo album, to how he's been affected by the European smoking ban, to his favorite hat-wearing rock stars. - http://www.musicradar.com/

More on Guns N' Roses - Guns+N'+Roses" >Guns N' Roses CDs -

Dave Grohl Vs Drunken College Dork - 08 Rewind
Jam! reports: Quick-thinking security guards saved Foo Fighters star Dave Grohl from an onstage attack at the Austin City Limits music festival in Texas on Sunday night when they wrestled a fan to the ground.

Grohl's rockers were headlining the last day of the weekend festival when an audience member clambered up onto the stage and ran towards the singer.

Initially startled, Grohl played down the drama by telling the crowd, "He's just a drunken college dork." - more on this story

More on Foo Fighters - Foo+Fighters" >Foo Fighters CDs -

Artist Plans To Smoke Cobain's Ashes - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: Kurt Cobain's ashes were reportedly stolen, along with a lock of hair, from Courtney Love's bedroom back in June.

Now, an Australian artist called Natascha Stellmach claims to have "acquired" the remains, and plans to smoke them in a joint to "release Cobain into the ether from the media circus."

The infamous pile of ash is currently on display in Gallerie Wagner + Partner in Berlin as part of Stellmach's Set Me Free exhibition. [amazing what they are calling "art" these days.] - more on this story

More on Nirvana - Nirvana" >Nirvana CDs -

Bon Jovi Facing $400 Billion Dollar Lawsuit - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: Bon Jovi might be the next in line to lobby the Feds for a multi-hundred billion dollar bailout if they lose a copyright infringement case that was filed against them on Thursday. We very much doubt that Jon has a high enough credit limit on his Bon Jovi Mastercard to cover the bill he may face: $400 billion dollars. Yes, billion!

We recently told you about Boston musician Bart Steele who wrote a theme song for his home town baseball team, The Boston Red Sox, which he believed was later rewritten by Bon Jovi (see story). Steele filed a Federal lawsuit Thursday in the Massachusetts District Court's Boston Office against the veteran rockers and a host of other defendants.

The basic claim (that we could make out) in the lawsuit revolves around a song Steele wrote in September in 2004. In the suit Steele's composition is described as a "love song for his beloved Red Sox and a baseball playoff anthem fans could sing along with. He titled his song '(Man I Really) Love this Team', also known as 'Man I Love this Team.'" Steele says that through local airplay and public performances the song became well known by fans of the team as well as members of the team and their organization. - more on this story and see related follow up stories

More on Bon Jovi - Bon+Jovi" >Bon Jovi CDs -

Metallica Top Hall of Fame Poll - 08 Rewind
cleveland.com reports: The groundbreaking heavy-metal band Metallica was the top vote-getter in The Plain Dealer's ninth annual Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame poll. We asked newspaper readers and visitors to Cleveland.com to tell us which nominees on the latest official Rock Hall ballot are most worthy of induction.

"That's really nice to hear!" Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said by phone from his home in Northern California.

"It's been a great year for Metallica," he said. "There's a lot of love and goodwill from the fans, from the critics, from the peers, from all the sixth-graders over at my son's school. There's a lot of love everywhere I look. - more on this story

More on Metallica - Metallica" >Metallica CDs -

Did Oasis Rip Off Cliff Richard Song? - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: Oasis have been accused of nicking, borrowing - you know, ripping off - a bit of Sir Cliff Richard's 1976 hit Devil Woman on their new song The Turning.

Noel, Liam Gallagher and company posted the song on their MySpace page last week ahead of Dig Out Your Soul's release today (Oct. 6), and almost immediately, Cliff Richard fans began writing on the singer's website about what they say is an uncanny resemblance.

One user by the name of Rolybunny says, "This is a rip-off. What'll they do next? Remix Mistletoe and Wine?" On the other hand, some Richard fans are elated, viewing the similarities as something of an honor for the aging pop star. Janine Castle, from the International Cliff Richard Movement, says, "I'm astounded Oasis use Cliff as their muse - but delighted. I can hear the similarities. It's about time Cliff's musical genius got some recognition." - more on this story

More on Oasis - Oasis" >Oasis CDs -

Weezer Set World Records - 08 Rewind
PR reports: Even before its release, Weezer's "Troublemaker" video is a record breaker: Weezer and friends gathered to play the song together and break Guinness World Records during the shooting of the video. Guinness World Records official, Stuart Claxton, was in attendance to monitor and certify these record attempts during the day long shoot in Los Angeles, where new records were set for Largest Game of Dodgeball, Most People in a Custard Pie Fight, Most People Riding on a Skateboard, Largest Air Guitar Ensemble, and Longest Guitar Hero World Tour Marathon.

The band's Pat Wilson is also shown in the video playing the World's Smallest Drum Kit in a Video...a record the band is petitioning to get in the book as an official record. No word yet at press time. The video's exclusive 24-hour online premiere will be available on Yahoo!Music beginning at 9:00PM PDT Monday, October 6, 2008.

The "Troublemaker" video is for a song that's been steadily rising up the Modern Rock charts, currently at #2 and looks to follow its predecessor, "Pork And Beans" to the very top of that chart. "Pork And Beans" spent a record eleven weeks on the top of the chart and its accompanying video has been played over fifteen million times. - more on this story

More on Weezer - Weezer" >Weezer CDs -

The Hives Sued for Song Theft - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: Swedish rockers The Hives are set to be sued for alleged plagiarism by Los Angeles-based songwriter Jason Shapiro.

Shapiro claims his song Why You? - recorded by The Roofies in 1997 then again by Three Way in 2002 - was copied by The Hives on their 2007 single Tick Tick Boom,

Shapiro claims that Tick Tick Boom uses a vocal melody and riff from his song. He also consulted a musicologist before deciding to sue. - more on this story

More on Hives - Hives" >Hives CDs -

Moby Porn Video? - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: Back in June, Moby launched a competition that offered aspiring video directors the chance to create a promo for Ooh Yeah, a track from his latest album Last Night. Now he's picked a winner, and it looks like he wants to get his sexy on.

The clip, which was directed by Matteo Bernardini, takes us onto the set of a fictional 1970s skin flick � there's definitely a Boogie Nights vibe around the place.

The film features characters with names like Angelica La Lapin, Crystal Menthe, Foxy Candy, Bunny and Big Rob (best not to ask how he got his moniker). - more on this story

More on Moby - Moby" >Moby CDs -

My Morning Jacket Star Takes A Fall During Concert - 08 Rewind
AP reports: My Morning Jacket singer-guitarist Jim James has been released from the hospital after being injured in a fall during a concert at the University of Iowa.

A Cedar Rapids newspaper reported that James slipped and fell about 30 minutes into the show Tuesday night.

The Gazette says James apparently hit his head in the fall, which happened between songs. - more on this story

More on My Morning Jacket - My+Morning+Jacket" >My Morning Jacket CDs -

Phish Announce Reunion - 08 Rewind
PR reports: The members of Phish will come together on March 6th, 7th and 8th of next year for three shows at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.

The concerts will be the group's first since its August 2004 performance at Newport State Airport in Coventry, Vermont. The band intends to announce additional 2009 tour dates early next year.

Hampton Coliseum is a favorite venue of both the band and its fans. Phish has played a dozen shows there thus far and recorded the GRAMMY�-nominated, six-CD set Hampton Comes Alive at the venue in 1998. - more on this story

More on Phish - Phish" >Phish CDs -

Janet Jackson Postpones Concerts After Hospital Stay - 08 Rewind
Reuters reports: Janet Jackson on Tuesday postponed two concert tour dates this week after the singer was rushed to a hospital with an unexplained illness minutes before a performance in Montreal.

Jackson's representatives said in a statement the singer on Monday night "got suddenly ill during her sound check ... and had to be rushed to the hospital just before showtime."

Jackson checked into Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal and was discharged two hours later, said Rebecca Burns, a spokeswoman for the hospital. - more on this story

More on Janet Jackson - Janet+Jackson" >Janet Jackson CDs -

Did Planned X Rating Kill The Motley Crue Film? - 08 Rewind
Metal Underground reports: Writer/Director Larry Charles who has worked on such films and shows such as Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld has spoken recently about the proposed Motley Crue movie and his feelings on the band themselves.

"The Motley Crue thing I was really into and I did a lot of work on it," Charles says. "I wrote a pass on the script and everything, but it was at MTV Films which then got swallowed by Paramount Vantage which then got swallowed by Paramount. All those people were gone that developed it and it got put to the side, so I don't know what's going to happen to it. Also my thing about that which was that I felt it had to be an NC-17 [equal to an X rating] movie, and I thought, 'Well that would be ballsy to do. When was the last time they had a mainstream NC-17 movie?' That'd be a good idea."

"I don't know if you've read the book, but it's really a great read," he continued. "Do you know Neil Strauss at all? He used to work for The New York Times as their pop critic, he wrote the book and he's a really good writer. It's so much better than they deserve, the book, because Motley Cr�e is a crappy band but he wrote a really epic book about them. It's really fascinating. What's good about it is how hardcore it is. They've killed people, they've hurt people, they've crippled people, they've done all kinds of crazy things. You'd have to show that for real and I think there was a little bit of reticence about doing that ultimately. But for me, I would do it if it could be done the proper way. If it's going to be sanitized then they don't need me to do it. They could find somebody else to do that." - more on this story

More on Motley Crue - Motley+Crue" >Motley Crue CDs -

Former Guns N' Roses Members Form Guns of Destruction - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: There is the new super group that has been formed by former members of the Guns N' Roses family of bands. A member of the group tells antiMusic that the project is named Guns of Destruction and they will make their live debut later this year.

The band features former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, the Guns in the original Guns N' Rose Tracii Guns (LA Guns/Brides of Destruction), as well as Chip Z'nuff (Enuff Z'nuff / Missing Persons / Adler's Appetite).

Chip Z'nuff spoke with antiMusic on Tuesday and told us that the band is really looking forward to their first show and there might also be some very special guests in attendance. - update

More on Guns N' Roses - Guns+N'+Roses" >Guns N' Roses CDs -

U2 Penning Spider Man Tunes? - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: You'd think that Bono and The Edge, still finishing U2's new album, No Line On The Horizon, would have little time for outside projects.

But the two are writing the score for the upcoming Broadway production of Spiderman: The Musical.

Although the lavish production, said to feature state-of-the-art lighting and sets, isn't due to open till sometime next year, it's already making history of sorts. - find out how

More on U2 - U2" >U2 CDs -

A Street Named Dave Grohl - 08 Rewind
MusicRadar reports: Foo Fighter's frontman Dave Grohl has been around the block a time or two, but now he's actually getting his own street.

The former Nirvana drummer is the subject of a successful petition to get Markey Alley in his hometown of Warren, Ohio changed to Dave Grohl Alley.

The impetus for renaming the street came from Warren Police Sgt. Joe O'Grady and an area DJ named Fast Freddie. - more on this story

More on Foo Fighters - Foo+Fighters" >Foo Fighters CDs -

Jimmy Page Rejects Fans Walk of Fame Campaign - 08 Rewind
BW&BK reports: As previously reported, Led Zeppelin fans have started a campaign to get Led Zeppelin a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Campaign organizer Rocky Dickerson recently received the following note from Jimmy Page representative Joan Hudson:

"There are two letters relating to the above, addressed to Jimmy Page, which have been passed to me.

"I have now had the opportunity of discussing these with Jimmy; he has asked me to thank you for this interest, but he does not feel that this is something that he can endorse." - more on this story

More on Led Zeppelin - Led+Zeppelin" >Led Zeppelin CDs -

Big and Rich Star Brawls With Danzig Rocker - 08 Rewind
Tabloid Media Zombies reports: It was a real life battle of the bands when the lead singer from the country band Big and Rich allegedly punched another rocker in a hotel ass-kicking early this morning.

Cops were called to the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood at 4:20 AM, after John Rich got into it with Jerry Montano, a former bassist of the rock band Danzig. It appears someone got whupped, because paramedics responded to the scene at 4:28 AM. We're told one of the dudes was treated for a bloody nose but no one was transported to the hospital.

Cops say they're investigating the incident but no arrests have been made -- at least so far. Neither guy wanted to press charges against the other. - more on this story

More on Big and Rich - Big+and+Rich" >Big and Rich CDs -

Hanoi Rocks No More - 08 Rewind
Metal Underground reports: Hanoi Rocks has posted the following message online: "Hanoi Rocks have decided to break up by the end of the year 2008. Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy feel that they've taken the band as far as it can go and now wish to go their separate ways.

"All commitments until the end of the year, including the UK tour starting in London on Halloween, will naturally be honoured.

"In addition, the band has decided to say farewell to their fans by doing a final tour of Japan in the spring 2009 and immediately thereafter wrapping things up with a few nights at the legendary Tavastia Club in Helsinki, Finland where their career originally got started in the 80's. - more on this story

More on Hanoi Rocks - Hanoi+Rocks" >Hanoi Rocks CDs -

Against Me! Bus Crash - 08 Rewind
punknews.org reports: Against Me! was involved in a bus crash while traveling between dates in Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah earlier this week and their frontman has finally issued a report about what went down.

The band is currently touring with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and Future of the Left. Leo reported in via his website that the members of Against Me! are uninjured but likely delayed

Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel posted a blog about the accident and said in part, "Everyone was asleep when it happened. I didn't want to wake up. Moments before I was sleeping so deeply. I was annoyed. I woke to the sound of my friends screaming, various expletives, inarticulate gasps, the sensation of spinning, and the sound of crashing inside and outside the bus. My eyes opened to blackness. I immediately pressed my hands and feet into the roof of my bunk as hard as I could, bracing for what I did not know." - more on this story

More on Against Me! - Against+Me!" >Against Me! CDs -

Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Found Dead - 08 Rewind
AP reports: Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew was found dead in the back of an SUV on Monday, ending a frantic search that began after the shooting deaths of her mother and brother three days earlier.

The singer and actress was among seven family members and close friends who cried and held hands as they identified Julian King's body from a live image on a television screen at the Cook County Medical Examiner's office Monday afternoon.

Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the boy, like his grandmother and uncle, had been shot. The medical examiner's office planned a Tuesday autopsy. - more on this story

More on Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer+Hudson" >Jennifer Hudson CDs -

Britney Paris Lohan Sitcom? Must Skip TV! - 08 Rewind
reports: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan could be starring in a new sitcom together, if [the always reliable UK press] reports are anything to go by.

UK newspaper the Daily Star reports how HBO are eyeing the trio to star alongside one another, in a show that will be a cross between Friends and Ugly Betty. It's even said Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives) will write the script.

A source tells the paper: "The chemistry between them will be electric. They were all very close and have had their ups and downs in the LA party world. But they have overcome those problems now. And they can draw from their experiences for the sitcom." [We usually doubt many UK press reports based on "sources" but this story just might be stupid enough to be true. Then again. - more on this story

More on Britney Spears - Britney+Spears" >Britney Spears CDs -

AC/DC Rule The World - 08 Rewind
Sony reports: Released globally on Monday October 20, 2008, Black Ice tops sales charts in 29 Countries including the US, UK, Germany, Canada, France, Argentina, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and more.

In the US alone Black Ice has sold more than 780,000 units its first week on sale, marking the band's first ever debut entry at #1 on the album charts. Over 5 million copies of Black Ice have been shipped worldwide, combined with close to 5 million in catalog sold this year, the band are poised to sell over 10 million units this year alone.

In the US, Black Ice is being sold exclusively at Walmart, Sam's Club, and www.acdc.com. AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band(R) TrackPack(TM), featuring master recordings from the band's fabled 1991 performance at Donnington Castle, will also be sold exclusively by Walmart and Sam's Club in November and in Europe, Australia and New Zealand beginning in early December. In addition, Columbia Records have partnered with Walmart and MTV to create "AC/DC Rock Band Stores" in New York's Times Square and in Los Angeles to give fans in these cities fast access to the band's newest items. These pop up stores have begun selling the album, AC/DC apparel, the Rock Band video game, and Rock Band branded apparel and accessories. - more on this story

More on AC/DC - AC/DC" >AC/DC CDs -

Monster Mash Singer's Remains Turned into Jewelry - 08 Rewind
antiMusic reports: Not sure why this was sent to us but if you're looking for a disturbing Halloween story, here you go! We've heard about "blood diamonds" but "cremated remains diamonds?" Here is the twisted tale: Bobby Pickett who cowrote and performed "The Monster Mash", died at the age of 69 on April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from leukemia. His daughter Nancy Huus was at his side when he died.

After his death, Nancy had a .44 ct colorless LifeGem diamond created from his cremated remains. She wears it in a white gold solitaire ring. Pickett was diagnosed with leukemia 5 years ago, and he and his daughter Nancy talked openly about death. "I saw a show about turning cremated remains into diamonds," said Nancy, "I immediately called my father and told him that I wanted to make a diamond from his cremated remains; he loved the idea."

On Halloween Pickett used to say "They dig me up every year." This year for Halloween his daughter is wearing him as a LifeGem Diamond Ring. "Bobby was a minimalist, not elaborate," said Huus. Her simple solitaire ring reflects that personality. - more on this story

More on Bobby Pickett - Bobby+Pickett" >Bobby Pickett CDs -

Read the top stories from September
 
 

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