A VOX prototype guitar played by both John Lennon and George Harrison sold at Julien's Auctions for $408,000. The guitar was a gift from Lennon to his friend Alex Mardas in 1967, bearing a plaque on the back that reads: "To Magic Alex / Alexi thank you / for been [sic] a friend / 2-5-1967 John."
Slash thinks that Linkin Park's Chester Bennington fits perfectly as Stone Temple Pilots' new frontman. The former Velvet Revolver guitarist, a band that featured original STP frontman Scott Weiland, expressed his support for the re-vamped group via Twitter earlier this week.
Steve Hyams, most well-known for his 70s-era stint with Mott the Hoople, has died at the age of 62, following a protracted struggle with heart disease. "Steve Hyams worked in a record store on the Kings Road - the Chelsea Drug Store - when Mott The Hoople started in 1969," Mott front man Ian Hunter told Classic Rock magazine.
Ray Davies, Elton John, and Elvis Costello have been confirmed for a gig at Hyde Park in London this summer. According to NME, the trio will headline the last Friday (July 12) of the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time festival. Also on the bill that evening are Lucy Rose, Justin Currie, Tift Merritt, To Kill A King and Thea Gilmore.
Black Sabbath debuted "The End of the Beginning," the latest single from their forthcoming album, 13, on the season finale of the CBS forensic drama, CSI. The band played the show attended by actors Ted Danson and Marc Vann. "So nice to see Black Sabbath again," said Vann. "Saw them in '78 at the Spectrum in Philly."
Dan Baird, former fronter for the Georgia Satellites, was scammed out of $13,500 while out on tour with his new band, the Homemade Sin. "The border crossing was deserted and we followed the cars across it. A few hundred yards later we pulled up at our hotel, and all hell broke loose," tour manager Mick Brown told the Classic Rock magazine.
Bernie Taupin, the mind behind Elton John's biggest hits, was arrested earlier this month in Southern California on suspicion of DUI. Cops say the songsmith aroused suspicion after backing into a fence. The California Highway Patrol, however, has neither set a court date nor revealed the results of the blood alcohol content test given to Taupin.
Sting has reportedly begun seeking investors for a new Broadway musical. Word of the project comes in a report from the New York Post claiming that the "Roxanne" rocker is seeking as much as $15 million to bring the show to life. The musical is reportedly titled The Last Ship and is largely based on his 1991 album The Soul Cages.
Both Neil Young and the Black Crowes has reportedly signed on to appear at the upcoming inaugural Interlocken Music Festival. The event is set to take place between September 5 and 8 at Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia. In its first year, the fest has pulled an impressive lineup, also featuring Zac Brown, String Cheese Incident, and Furthur.
Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for the Doors, died on Monday at the age of 74 in Rosenheim, Germany where he was being treated for bile duct cancer. "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate," said the band's guitarist Robby Krieger in a statement. "Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."
KISS guitarist Paul Stanley says he doesn't mind that the band has not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Speaking with the Huffington Post, Stanley said he doesn't put much credence in the Rock Hall's opinion of great rock music. "Look, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is marketing," he said.
Rod Stewart admits that he and fellow Faces rocker Ronnie Wood had a close call with the groupie crew famously know as the Plaster Casters. The women were known for collecting plaster castings of famous rock stars' genitals. Stewart told Sirius Radio he nearly obliged them as well.
The Rolling Stones welcomed special guest Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters to the stage during their recent show in Anaheim, California. The show took place at the Honda Center on May 18 with Grohl joining the legends for a rendition of their track "B*tch." The appearance came as part of the Stones' ongoing 50 and Counting tour.
Bob Dylan was made an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters for his distinction in the creative arts. Dylan was named into the honorary category because the academy was unable to decide which category his work best fit into. Academy executive director Virginia Dejani explained: "It was decided that he is a very multitalented person . . ."
Paul McCartney missed a chance to jam with Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis because he was out of town when a telegram arrived requesting his presence at the session in New York. "We are recording and [sic] LP together this weekend. How about coming in to play bass?" reads the letter, adding, "Call Alan Douglas . . . Peace Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Tony Williams."