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Ian Anderson, leader of the band Jethro Tull, has referenced that the classic rock band he has fronted since its founding will be no more. Mr. Anderson, who is currently publicizing his latest solo project, "Homo Erraticus" even referred to the end of Jethro Tull in the album's liner notes, in which he wrote, "I think I prefer, in my twilight years, to use my own name for the most part, being composer of virtually all Tull songs and music since 1968.” He even told Billboard magazine&nb …

Ironic as it may be, that the day after 4/20, is the birthday for 2 musical pioneers in the genre of Alternative Rock. Now granted, the term Alternative Rock didn't really exist, as a term, until the late 1980s-early 1990s, with the onset of bands like Jane's Addiction and the Seattle Grunge style groups. However, the term has come to symbolize the entire make up of all the different sub-genres of Punk, Grunge, New Wave, Gothic, etc. So, with that, while each of the musicians who are celebrat …

Over the course of the last few days, there has been a number of rumors going around that AC/DC is retiring and will exist no longer. This has put everybody in the music community, from fans to executives, running to find out if these rumors are substantiated. Well, as they say, to every rumor, there is a hint of truth. In the case of this rumor of AC/DC calling it quits, there is a speckle of truth, but a speckle is a very small amount, as is the degree of truth to this tale. So, w …

Exactly 20 years ago today, April 5, 1994,  Nirvana's singer, Kurt Cobain killed himself, in his Seattle home, from a self inflicted gun shot wound. He was discovered, 3 days later, by an electrician who was at the rock star's house to install some security lighting. He had apparently entered the premises and found the rocker's body on the ground next to a shot gun and a note. Kurt, at the time, was the latest to enter the "27 Club," the group of musicians who had died from a variet …

So, over the course of the last couple of weeks Van Halen have had a couple of different anniversaries. One of these is to honor, and the other - well that is up to the individual, depending on who you prefer as lead singer. I'll start with the first one: 1. March 23, 2014 - this date marks the 35th anniversary of the release of Van Halen II. The album, which was recorded in the last 3 weeks of 1978, hit the record store shelves on March 23, 1979. Although the band was being recognized b …

In case you haven't already started to hear, there are some big names in Rock about to hit the road this summer for some tours of the US. The first and biggest is a co-headline tour of Slash with Aerosmith. Unfortunately, I haven't yet been notified of the dates and/or cities and venues for the upcoming series of shows, but as soon as I get word, I'll spread the good news. One thing I do know is that the shows won't begin until at least later in July, as Aerosmith will be finishing up …

Earlier this week, on St. Patrick's Day, L'Wren Scott, longtime girlfriend of Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger, was found dead in her Manhattan apartment by her assistant, from what was ruled as a suicide. As one who, in a sense, works in two different industries running Rocker Rags (those 2 industries being music and fashion), this death has hit me kind of hard. I didn't know Ms. Scott, nor do I know Mr. Jagger, however, she was inspirational to both industries.  Mick and …

This past Thursday, March 13, marked the 30th anniversary of The Cars' "Heartbeat City," their biggest album in terms of sound production and success of the 1980s.  While not as well known by name as say Def Leppard's "Pyromania" or Van Halen's "1984," "Heartbeat City" released some of the best known hits of the 1980s and for many, the ones that are often assimilated as the greatest hits for The Cars. Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, (the same producer as the recently released …

Considered by many to be a grandfather of rock 'n roll, Rolling Stones' guitarist, Keith Richards, a 5 time grandfather himself is about to have his first children's book published titled "Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar." The pictures for the book will be provided by Keith's daughter, Theodora. The story, which is about the bond between grandfathers and their grandchildren, is inspired by Keith's relationship with his own grandfather, Theodore Augustus …