R.E.M. Singer Denies Gay Affair With Kurt Cobain- Judas Priest, Zakk Wylde, Thin Lizzy Tour?- Duran Duran Silenced- Queen TV Special- The Faceless Now Voiceless- more

(Billboard) Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon has developed a case of laryngitis, causing the pop band to postpone the first two dates -- Newcastle and Glasgow -- of its UK tour. more

(Jam!) R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has put to bed rumors he once enjoyed a sexual fling with Nirvana star Kurt Cobain. He tells the New York Post's Page Six, "Let's set the record straight... Kurt was a really sweet man, and we never had sex. All right? There's your exclusive." more

(Classic Rock) A major two-part documentary on Queen is to be show on BBC TV at the end of this month. Titled Queen: Days Of Our Lives, it features Brian May and Roger Taylor talking about the band's history more

(BW&BK) Cathedral have announced they will play their last ever show at the HMV Forum in London, England on Saturday, December 3rd. more

(Metal Underground) Porcupine Tree have announced that it will be re-releasing its latest concert DVD "Anesthetize" on June 21, 2011 as a special 4LP boxset. more

(BW&BK) Forbes has issued a report laying out facts that aging rockers Bon Jovi continue to be a vital entity in this day and age, out-earning Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry conbined. An excerpt is available more

(Punknews.org) Minus The Bear has posted their new EP Hold Me Down for free download. It features the title track (originally found on 2010's OMNI, a b-side entitled "Broken China," a remix of "My Time" and three tracks recorded live at the Dangerbird Records studios. Check it out here

Derek Rydquist, the now former frontman from The Faceless, tells Lambgoat: "As you Internet sleuths have deduced, I have left The Faceless. I left the band a couple months ago, and we were waiting until they had everything sorted out on their end before saying anything about it, but I guess I'll take it upon myself to break the news. I am no longer emotionally or artistically fulfilled by being the vocalist for the group, and that's how I arrived at my decision." more

(BW&BK) The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that Cheap Trick will perform a live concert for fans on the west plaza following the conclusion of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins on Saturday more

(The 1st Five) In 1983 Joe Strummer of The Clash wrote and directed a short, silent, black and white film featuring Mick Jones and a couple other friends. The film and the synopsis can be found here

(BW&BK) Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has issued the following update:"Just finished recording two more vocals for my Dee Does Broadway record. Six down, four more tracks to go. Back in studio tomorrow." more

(Metalrage) Vincent Cavanagh of Anathema has issued the following update: "This week, due to circumstances outside of our control, the full band will not be able to travel to the U.S. to perform with Blackfield. Despite making every effort and exploring all avenues to make this trip possible, we were not able to find a solution." more

(AA) Framing Hanley have announced dates for their summer tour in support of their most recent release "A Promise To Burn." more

(BW&BK) Black Omen are the new death metal band founded by guitarist Ross Feratu (The Spook, Gorthaur's Wrath, Ramonstars). The group also features Kam Lee (Mantas, Death, Massacre) on vocals, Dave Pybus (Cradle Of Filth) on bass, and Brian Forman (Unburied, Grave Wax, Infernal Massacre) on drums. more

On this day in 1960, The Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) played the first night of a short tour of Scotland backing singer Johnny Gentle, at Alloa Town Hall in Clackmannanshire. Three of the Silver Beetles adopted stage names: Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, George Harrison was Carl Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe became Stuart de Stael.

On this day in 1964, Rudy Lewis of The Drifters died aged 28 under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record "Under the Boardwalk." Former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording session.