Rock Daypop Archives

Former Guns N’ Roses manager Alan Niven claims that the band’s ex-guitarist and co-founder Izzy Stradlin walked away from a possible reunion with the band last year.  Vocalist Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan got back together in 2016 and subsequently hit the road for the Not In This Lifetime tour.  In a new interview, Niven says that Stradlin also could have taken part in some shows, but decided to walk away: “He did get as far as flying out and doing a soundcheck and then he left after the soundcheck – he didn’t want to have anything to do with it.” Guns N’ Roses will headline this year’s Download festival in the UK, and will play other dates across Europe this summer. 

Led Zeppelin will release a yellow vinyl single featuring unreleased versions of Rock And Roll and Friends to celebrate “Record Store Day 2018.” Two previously unreleased tracks will be released for this Year’s Record Store Day, which takes place on April 21. The single, a yellow vinyl 7″, features the “Sunset Sound Mix” mix of Rock And Roll, which originally appeared on the band’s fourth album; and the “Olympic Studios Mix” of Friends, which appeared on Led Zeppelin III. The release has been overseen by Jimmy Page.  The new single is the third release announced as part of the band’ 50th anniversary celebrations, following the news of an illustrated book to be released in October, and the reissue of the band’s How The West Was Won live album next month.

ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival co-founder John Fogerty have announced a joint US tour. The Blues And Bayous Tour will get underway in Atlantic City on May 25 and will travel to an additional 22 cities, with further dates to be added. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons says: “John Fogerty along with ZZ Top have been followers of blues and rock since the beginning and we’re looking forward to rippin’ it up together this spring. We’ve got a great show lined up for ya!” Fogerty added: “ZZ Top is one of my favourite bands, and Billy Gibbons is one of my all-time favourite guitarists. Riffs, blues and bayous… bucket list!” Tickets will go on general sale from 10am local time on March 2; Willie Nelson joining the tour on June 26 in Mt. Pleasant. For more information head to ZZTop.com and JohnFogerty.com.  A full list of dates are also in the article linked below.

ANTHRAX has canceled its plans to tour Europe this summer “due to scheduling conflicts, this according to the Facebook page of the Borgholm Brinner festival. In a statement, the band members “sincerely apologize to all of their fans and hope to see them very soon.”  ANTHRAX was one of several acts scheduled to perform at Borgholm Brinner on July 27-28 at Borgholm Castle in Borgholm, Sweden. The group will be supporting SLAYER on the first leg of the band’s farewell world tour, which will kick off with a concert on May 10 at San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center. ANTHRAX will release its long-awaited live-in-concert DVD, “Kings Among Scotland”, on April 27.  Filmed February 15, 2017 at the band’s sold-out concert at Glasgow’s historic Barrowland Ballroom, the two-hour “Kings Among Scotland” incorporates the band’s entire live show along with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage on the band’s tour bus and backstage. The DVD can be pre-ordered at www.anthrax.com.

Metallica officially announced a second series of WorldWired tour dates in North America, beginning with a Sept. 2 show in Madison, Wis.   Metallica is currently in the midst of a European trek in support of their most recent album Hardwired …to Self-Destruct, which will conclude May 11 in Helsinki, Finland.  The North American shows will be presented in the round, and the Light It Up pre-show party will feature comedian Jim Breuer and a DJ. A limited number of Black Tickets are available for $598; these special passes allow floor access to any Metallica show on this North American tour. Tickets go on sale March 2; for more information and complete list of dates, cities visit their official website.