Birthdays

Steve Summers (PRETTY BOY FLOYD) - March 30, 1968
Mick Ralphs (BAD COMPANY) - March 31, 1948
Angus Young (AC/DC) - March 31, 1955
Erik Turner (WARRANT) - March 31, 1964


This week in rock history

March 31, 1967: JIMI HENDRIX burns his guitar on stage for the firs time in London.


1997: Bill Ward IS NOT playing the Sabbath reunion. Ozzy didn't ask him.

1998: THOR have reformed.
1998: OVERKILL are forced to cancel a number of From The Underground And Below tour dates because frontman Bobby 'Blitz' Ellesworth, is diagnosed with nasal cancer.
1998: TESTAMENT announces that Dave Lombardo has joined the band for their next album, The Gathering.
1998: TALAS reform.

1999: JUDAS PRIEST "pull out of Ozzfest '99 due to record company commitments."
1999: AC/DC are presented with a Diamond Award in the U.S. for Back In Black sales of over 10 million units.
1999: Spitfire Records signs TNT.

2000: Al Pitrelli is announced as the new permanent guitarist for MEGADETH.
2000: SHY ink a deal with Z Records.
2000: BRITNY FOX sign with Spitfire Records.

2001: MEGADETH''s new single, 'Moto Psycho', becomes the #1 most-added track at active rock radio in the U.S. in its first week of release.
2001: Neat Records ink a deal with WITCHFYNDE.
2001: HOUSE OF LORDS reform their original lineup and sign a multi album deal with Now & Then/Frontiers Records.
2001: IRON BUTTERFLY bassist Lee Dorman is hospitalized because of a severe heart condition.
2001: SPV signs a deal with Ritchie Blackmore's BLACKMORE'S NIGHT.

Birthdays

Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER/THE FIRM) - April 2

This week in rock history

April 1, 1980: IRON MAIDEN perform their first major headline gig at the Rainbow in London.
April 1, 1985: DAVID LEE ROTH leaves VAN HALEN.
April 1, 1994: NIRVANA frontman Kurt Cobain commits suicide in Seattle.
April 1, 1995: a former LED ZEPPELIN fan was arrested for trying to stab Jimmy Page at a PAGE & PLANT concert.
April 1, 1998: legendary drummer Cozy Powell (RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH) is killed in a car crash near Bristol, England at the age of 50.


1997: Bill Ward IS NOT playing the Sabbath reunion. Ozzy didn't ask him.

1998: THOR have reformed.
1998: OVERKILL are forced to cancel a number of From The Underground And Below tour dates because frontman Bobby 'Blitz' Ellesworth, is diagnosed with nasal cancer.
1998: TESTAMENT announces that Dave Lombardo has joined the band for their next album, The Gathering.
1998: TALAS reform.

1999: JUDAS PRIEST "pull out of Ozzfest '99 due to record company commitments."
1999: AC/DC are presented with a Diamond Award in the U.S. for Back In Black sales of over 10 million units.
1999: Spitfire Records signs TNT.

2000: Al Pitrelli is announced as the new permanent guitarist for MEGADETH.
2000: SHY ink a deal with Z Records.
2000: BRITNY FOX sign with Spitfire Records.

2001: MEGADETH''s new single, 'Moto Psycho', becomes the #1 most-added track at active rock radio in the U.S. in its first week of release.
2001: Neat Records ink a deal with WITCHFYNDE.
2001: HOUSE OF LORDS reform their original lineup and sign a multi album deal with Now & Then/Frontiers Records.
2001: IRON BUTTERFLY bassist Lee Dorman is hospitalized because of a severe heart condition.
2001: SPV signs a deal with Ritchie Blackmore's BLACKMORE'S NIGHT.

Birthdays

Mick Mars (MOTLEY CRUE) - April 3, 1956
Chris Oliva (SAVATAGE) - April 3, 1963 RIP
Sebastian Bach (ex-SKID ROW) - April 3, 1968
Josh Todd (ex-BUCKCHERRY) - April 4
Dave Hill (SLADE) - April 4, 1952
Gary Moore (ex-THIN LIZZY) - April 4, 1954
Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) - April 4, 1958
Vinny Burns (TEN) - April 4, 1965
Dave Holland (ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ex-TRAPEZE) - April 5, 1944

This week in rock history

April 3, 1979: VAN HALEN's II goes gold.
April 3, 2002: MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine announces that due to an injury to his left arm and hand he has decided to exit the band and explore other areas of the music business where he might make a contribution without being able to play his instrument.


2002: in the wake of the demise of MEGADETH, SAVATAGE decide to fire recently recruited guitarist Jack Frost in favor of returning axeslinger Al Pitrelli.

2003: OZZY OSBOURNE's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne announces she has beaten the colon cancer she has been battling for the last few months.
2003: METALLICA ink a new deal with their current label.
2003: WARRANT drummer Mike Fasano is relieved of his duties with the band.
2003: SEBASTIAN BACH is fired from the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar.
2003: BLACK 'N BLUE inked a deal with Z Records after an absence of 15 years.

2004: OZZY OSBOURNE's daughter Kelly is admitted to the Promises rehab center in Malibu, California.
2004: BW&BK sources reveal that KISS frontman PAUL STANLEY is currently recording a solo record at an undisclosed Los Angeles area studio.
2004: guitarist Paul Crook (MEATLOAF, ex-ANTHRAX) reveals that he has been chosen by QUEEN members Brian May and Roger Taylor as the (Seat 1) guitarist for their rock musical We Will Rock You. The show opens in Sin City at Paris Las Vegas in September.

Birthdays


Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O./ex-ACCEPT) - April 6, 1952


This week in rock history


April 6, 1998: Wendy O. Williams, lead singer of PLASMATICS is found in a wooded area near her home, dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. She was 48.


2002: in the wake of the demise of MEGADETH, SAVATAGE decide to fire recently recruited guitarist Jack Frost in favor of returning axeslinger Al Pitrelli.

2003: OZZY OSBOURNE's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne announces she has beaten the colon cancer she has been battling for the last few months.
2003: METALLICA ink a new deal with their current label.
2003: WARRANT drummer Mike Fasano is relieved of his duties with the band.
2003: SEBASTIAN BACH is fired from the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar.
2003: BLACK 'N BLUE inked a deal with Z Records after an absence of 15 years.

2004: OZZY OSBOURNE's daughter Kelly is admitted to the Promises rehab center in Malibu, California.
2004: BW&BK sources reveal that KISS frontman PAUL STANLEY is currently recording a solo record at an undisclosed Los Angeles area studio.
2004: guitarist Paul Crook (MEATLOAF, ex-ANTHRAX) reveals that he has been chosen by QUEEN members Brian May and Roger Taylor as the (Seat 1) guitarist for their rock musical We Will Rock You. The show opens in Sin City at Paris Las Vegas in September.

Birthdays

Izzy Stradlin (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) - April 8, 1962
Mark Kelly (MARILLION) - April 9, 1961

This week in rock history


April 9, 1978: TRIUMPH releases Just A Game.
April 9, 1995: airport police seize a loaded pistol from VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen's carry on luggage. No charges are filed.
April 9, 1997: A&M Records issues a press release stating that the members of SOUNDGARDEN have mutually and amicably decided to disband.
April 9, 1998: MOTLEY CRUE drummer Tommy Lee attends court with his lawyer for a civil suit brought against him by photographer Henry Trappler for assault and battery, negligence and interference with his civil rights. An undisclosed settlement is made, which settles the suit before the civil case goes to trial.
April 9, 2001: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN is forced to cancel a weeks worth of shows after a backstage dispute with Jorn Lande which leads to the singer leaving the band. Drummer John Macaluso leaves with him.


1984: SLAYER release their second album, Hell Awaits.

1996: SEPULTURA are met with astounding success around the world with the release of Roots. In Canada and the U.S. it hit the Top 25 (with 20,000 sold in the first month in the Great White North), whereas in England, Italy, Belgium, Argentina, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Finland and France the album went Top Ten.
1996: OZZY OSBOURNE recruits former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Robert Trujillo.

1997: it is announced that John Schaffer of ICED EARTH and Hansi Kursch of BLIND GUARDIAN are putting together a new, as-of-yet, unnamed side-project.

1998: METALLICA announces that will be reissuing their $5.98 EP: Garage Days Rerevisited, originally released in July, 1987.
1998: McFarlane Toys' says that the first Kiss dolls were "five times initial projections."
1998: JUDAS PRIEST release the Bullet Train EP in Japan.
1998: Motley Crue are dropped by Elektra. However, they become one of the few bands ever to walk away with their recorded masters and publishing rights. Nikki Sixx says that "We're so thrilled that we own and control the music that we have created over the last 18 years.
1998: TWISTED SISTER acquire the rights to re-release all of their old albums, except Stay Hungry which Atlantic keeps.
1998: DAVID LEE ROTH new project, his DLR BAND, features guitarists John Lowery and Michael Hartman, drummer Ray Luzier, and bassist Bourbon Bob. Says Dave, "These guys grew up shoplifting my early records, so there's a genetic cue there as far as how they play."
1998: the official KISS Fan Club and Web Site at www.KISSONLINE.com is launched.

1999: AGENT STEEL reform.
1999: STRATOVARIUS signs a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast.
1999: ICED EARTH release the rare Melancholy EP to radio.

Birthdays

Randy Piper (ex-W.A.S.P., ANIMAL) - April 13, 1956
Ritchie Blackmore - April 14, 1945
Daniel Bowes (THUNDER) - April 14, 1960

This week in rock history

April 13, 1970: LED ZEPPELIN's 'Whole Lotta Love' single goes gold.
April 13, 1979: VAN HALEN's David Lee Roth collapses from exhaustion on stage in Spokane, WA.
April 13, 1992: IRON MAIDEN's 'Be Quick Or Be Dead' single is released.

April 14, 1980: IRON MAIDEN's self titled EMI debut is released, entering the UK chart at #4.
April 14, 1986: 'Stars' is released from the Hear N' Aid benefit album, featuring 40 artists from the Metal community (led by RONNIE JAMES DIO), aiding in the fight against African famine relief.


1996: VOIVOD drummer Michel Langevin and guitarist Denis D'amour return from a jam session with METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted in California.
1996: it is announced that THE ALMIGHTY will be splitting up after touring in support of their latest record, Just Add Life.

1997: CMC has signed JUDAS PRIEST.
1997: the IRON MAIDEN biography Infinite Dreams is released.

1998: after 15 years FAITH NO MORE break up, the decision among them being mutual, allowing each member to pursue many side projects.
1998: Olympic Records has difficulty releasing the Legend Of A Madman - A Tribute To Ozzy CD - Ozzy's management insist that if the label "uses his name or likeness, Olympic will be sued."
1998: former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera debuts his SOULFLY album.
1998: rumours of a FASTWAY reunion are squashed - original singer Dave King never even new about it as he's busy with his own band, FLOGGIN' MOLLY, an Irish Folk Punk band.
1998: the second series of McFarlane's KISS Ultra Action figures, the Psycho Circus figures are released.

1999: MR.BIG guitarist PAUL GILBERT opts to pursue his solo career and is replaced by RICHIE KOTZEN.
1999: MICHAEL SCHENKER recruits STEELHOUSE LANE vocalist Keith Slack to replace John West.
1999: TROUBLE announce that they will be reuniting with their ex-vocalist Eric Wagner for the Stoner Hands Of Doom Festival in Washington D.C on August 14th.
1999: STRATOVARIUS ink a new deal with Nuclear Blast.
1999: former EXTREME bassist Pat Badger joins Jason (SAIGON KICK) Bieler's new band, SUPERTRANSATLANTIC.
1999: BAD COMPANY's reunited original lineup book a North American tour.
1999: MOTORHEAD release Everything Louder Than Everyone Else.
1999: the five members of AEROSMITH visit shooting victim Lance Kirklin in a Colorado hospital before their show in Denver that evening. The band dedicates 'Living On The Edge' to the student, who was one of 28 wounded and 13 killed during the Columbine High School shooting spree in Littleton, Colorado on April 20.

Birthdays

Bret Michaels (POISON) - April 15
Michael Bruce (ALICE COOPER) - April 16, 1948

This week in rock history


April 16, 1987: DEEP PURPLE's House Of Blue Light tour opens.


1996: VOIVOD drummer Michel Langevin and guitarist Denis D'amour return from a jam session with METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted in California.
1996: it is announced that THE ALMIGHTY will be splitting up after touring in support of their latest record, Just Add Life.

1997: CMC has signed JUDAS PRIEST.
1997: the IRON MAIDEN biography Infinite Dreams is released.

1998: after 15 years FAITH NO MORE break up, the decision among them being mutual, allowing each member to pursue many side projects.
1998: Olympic Records has difficulty releasing the Legend Of A Madman - A Tribute To Ozzy CD - Ozzy's management insist that if the label "uses his name or likeness, Olympic will be sued."
1998: former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera debuts his SOULFLY album.
1998: rumours of a FASTWAY reunion are squashed - original singer Dave King never even new about it as he's busy with his own band, FLOGGIN' MOLLY, an Irish Folk Punk band.
1998: the second series of McFarlane's KISS Ultra Action figures, the Psycho Circus figures are released.

1999: MR.BIG guitarist PAUL GILBERT opts to pursue his solo career and is replaced by RICHIE KOTZEN.
1999: MICHAEL SCHENKER recruits STEELHOUSE LANE vocalist Keith Slack to replace John West.
1999: TROUBLE announce that they will be reuniting with their ex-vocalist Eric Wagner for the Stoner Hands Of Doom Festival in Washington D.C on August 14th.
1999: STRATOVARIUS ink a new deal with Nuclear Blast.
1999: former EXTREME bassist Pat Badger joins Jason (SAIGON KICK) Bieler's new band, SUPERTRANSATLANTIC.
1999: BAD COMPANY's reunited original lineup book a North American tour.
1999: MOTORHEAD release Everything Louder Than Everyone Else.
1999: the five members of AEROSMITH visit shooting victim Lance Kirklin in a Colorado hospital before their show in Denver that evening. The band dedicates 'Living On The Edge' to the student, who was one of 28 wounded and 13 killed during the Columbine High School shooting spree in Littleton, Colorado.

Birthdays

Mats Olausson (ARK/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - April 17, 1961
Kelly Hansen (ex-HURRICANE) - April 18
Mick Sweda (BULLETBOYS) - April 18
Vinnie Moore (UFO) - April 18, 1964
Rod Morgenstein (WINGER/DIXIE DREGS) - April 19, 1956
Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH) - April 19, 1956

This week in rock history

April 17, 1982: IRON MAIDEN's third album, The Number Of The Beast, enters the U.K. LP chart at Number One. Rumour has it that during the recording, the band was haunted by mysterious things like amplifiers blowing out for no apparent reason and tapes losing recorded tracks and picking up strange voices. As well, producer Martin Birch was involved in a car accident just after the title track was recorded and his auto repair bill came to 666 UK pounds.
April 17, 1986: HEAR N' AID's 'Stars' video premiers.

April 18, 1975: ALICE COOPER's Welcome To My Nightmare TV special airs.
April 18, 1983: MOUNTAIN's Felix Pappalardi dies.
April 18, 1985: BON JOVI's 7800� Fahrenheit album is released.

April 19, 1980: Brian Johnson joins AC/DC.


2002: DAVID COVERDALE puts the recording of his current album on hold, due to what David calls the "current state of the music business."
2002: DOLLY PARTON records a cover of LED ZEPPELIN's "Stairway To Heaven".

2003: Knockout Talent signs ZAKK WYLDE and his BLACK LABEL SOCIETY for sponsorship of Dean Skuza NHRA Funny Car for two races. A limited edition diecast replica race car of the BLS Blessed Hellride will be made available.
2003: ROB ZOMBIE's House Of 1,000 Corpses movie takes in 3.4 million dollars at the US box office on opening weekend, landing at #7.
2003: a jury in Santa Monica, California find TOMMY LEE not negligent in the death of a 4-year-old boy who drowned during a pool party at his Malibu home in July 2001.

2004: IN FLAMES new album, Soundtrack To Your Escape, sells 10,659 copies in the US in its first week of release, landing the album at #145 on Billboard's Top 200 chart.
2004: UFO's American tour is officially canceled when the US Embassy in London refuses lead singer Phil Mogg a Work Permit Visa.

Birthdays

Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) - April 20, 1967
Abaddon (VENOM) - April 21
Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) - April 21


This week in rock history

April 20, 1968: DEEP PURPLE perform their first concert.
April 20, 2002: former ALICE IN CHAINS frontman Layne Staley is found dead at 1:42 a.m. Pacific Time. Staley's body was removed from his University District residence. He was 34 and had been dead for at least two weeks. Staley had a history of substance abuse, and in the early 1990s publicly acknowledged an addiction to heroin. Alice in Chains, formed in Seattle in 1987, was part of the early '90s heyday of grunge. The band was mentioned in the same breath as Nirvana and Soundgarden. The band's debut album, Facelift, was released in 1990, and the song 'We Die Young' became a top-5 metal track. In 1991, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal Artist. The band's last release was Nothing Safe - Best Of The Box.

April 21, 1986: ACCEPT release Russian Roulette.
April 21, 2000: METALLICA perform the first of two nights with the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in Berkeley, CA.


1996: MOTLEY CRUE's Tommy Lee's and then-wife, Pamela Anderson Lee join forces on the track 'Welcome To Planet Boom' on the newly released Barb Wire soundtrack.
1996: ALICE IN CHAINS tape an MTV Unplugged segment in Brooklyn, New York.

1998: ARCH ENEMY release Stigmata.
1998: SEPULTURA sign up Derrick Greene (ex-OUTFACE) as their new singer, replacing the departed Max Cavalera.
1998: two new Sabbath songs are revealed to be included on the forthcoming live album ( 'Pyscho Man' and 'Selling My Soul'). Guitarist Tony Iommi begins writing with Ozzy Osbourne - "It's like I never left," Osbourne states. "It's better than ever. The only problem I'm having is Tony comes up with about four songs a day, and I can't keep up with him!"
1998: JUDAS PRIEST release the Japanese-only Live And Rare.
1998: UFO breaks up once again - Michael Schenker walks off-stage in Japan.
1998: VIXEN release their comeback album, Tangerine.
1998: WARRANT guitarist Erik Turner releases Demos For Diehards.
1998: SINNER signs a deal with Nuclear Blast.
1998: QUIET RIOT join SIR MIX-A-LOT in a Seattle studio to cut new rock and rap version of 'Cum On Feel The Noize'.
1998: METALLICA performs an encore of 'unplugged' tracks including 'Low Man's Lyric', 'The Four Horsemen' and 'Motorbreath' in Yokohama, Japan.

1999: PC69 release Electrified.
1999: MOTLEY CRUE announce that drummer Tommy Lee will not be touring with the band and has given notice to leave the group. Tommy Lee says, "I wish the guys all the best of luck this summer. I will miss them and the fans, but it's time for me to totally embrace my family and my new projects." Lee will take his time away and work on a new project, the METHODS OF MAYHEM.
1999: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN cans new vocalist JOHN WEST.
1999: EXCITER recruit new Ottawa-based singe Steve Carter.

Birthdays

Steve Clark (DEF LEPPARD) - April 23, 1960 RIP
Brent Muscat (FASTER PUSSYCAT) - April 23, 1967

This week in rock history

April 23, 1988: IRON MAIDEN's Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son album is released and goes straight to #1 in the UK.


1996: MOTLEY CRUE's Tommy Lee's and then-wife, Pamela Anderson Lee join forces on the track 'Welcome To Planet Boom' on the newly released Barb Wire soundtrack.
1996: ALICE IN CHAINS tape an MTV Unplugged segment in Brooklyn, New York.

1998: ARCH ENEMY release Stigmata.
1998: SEPULTURA sign up Derrick Greene (ex-OUTFACE) as their new singer, replacing the departed Max Cavalera.
1998: two new Sabbath songs are revealed to be included on the forthcoming live album ( 'Pyscho Man' and 'Selling My Soul'). Guitarist Tony Iommi begins writing with Ozzy Osbourne - "It's like I never left," Osbourne states. "It's better than ever. The only problem I'm having is Tony comes up with about four songs a day, and I can't keep up with him!"
1998: JUDAS PRIEST release the Japanese-only Live And Rare.
1998: UFO breaks up once again - Michael Schenker walks off-stage in Japan.
1998: VIXEN release their comeback album, Tangerine.
1998: WARRANT guitarist Erik Turner releases Demos For Diehards.
1998: SINNER signs a deal with Nuclear Blast.
1998: QUIET RIOT join SIR MIX-A-LOT in a Seattle studio to cut new rock and rap version of 'Cum On Feel The Noize'.
1998: METALLICA performs an encore of 'unplugged' tracks including 'Low Man's Lyric', 'The Four Horsemen' and 'Motorbreath' in Yokohama, Japan.

1999: PC69 release Electrified.
1999: MOTLEY CRUE announce that drummer Tommy Lee will not be touring with the band and has given notice to leave the group. Tommy Lee says, "I wish the guys all the best of luck this summer. I will miss them and the fans, but it's time for me to totally embrace my family and my new projects." Lee will take his time away and work on a new project, the METHODS OF MAYHEM.
1999: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN cans new vocalist JOHN WEST.
1999: EXCITER recruit new Ottawa-based singe Steve Carter.

Birthdays

Jack Blades (ex-NIGHT RANGER/DAMN YANKEES) - April 24, 1956
Joey Vera (FATES WARNING/ARMORED SAINT) - April 24, 1963
David Sikes (GIUFFRIA) - April 25, 1955

This week in rock history

April 25, 1979: Rock & Roll High School featuring THE RAMONES premiers.

April 26, 1964: ROLLING STONES release their first album.
April 26, 1986: VAN HALEN's 5150 hits #1.
April 26, 2001: VAN HALEN's official web site posts a message from Eddie Van Halen regarding the guitarist's battle with cancer. Says Eddie, "I was told that I'm healthier than ever and beating cancer. Although it's hard to say when, there's a good chance I will be cancer free in the near future. I just want to thank all of you for your concern and support. Love, Eddie"


2000: PRIMAL FEAR re-sign with Nuclear Blast for four more albums.
2000: OZZY OSBOURNE admits that his '95 release, Ozzmosis, was "a lazy record".
2000: KISS bassist GENE SIMMONS lands a publishing deal with Crown Books to write his autobiography, receiving a six-figure advance for the deal.
2000: AC/DC shoot an episode of VH1's Behind The Music.

2001: ANTHRAX ink a deal with Beyond.
2001: WARLORD announce a comeback with HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans on the mic.
2001: SHADOWS FALL drummer and founding member David "The Knife" Germain announces that he will perform for the last time with the band on May 4th.
2001: it is revealed that bassist Lee Dorman (IRON BUTTERFLY, CAPTAIN BEYOND) is in serious need of a heart transplant.
2001: LILLIAN AXE's Stevie Blaze replaces original guitarist Punky Meadows in ANGEL for a summer tour.
2001: U.F.O. bassist Pete Way posts an on-line message regarding the tragic death of his wife.
2001: WESTWORLD sign with Dreamscape Records for a US release of their latest album, Skin.
2001: AEROSMITH's Just Push Play ships 1 million copies in just a few weeks of release.
2001: Mascot Records ink a deal with ex-MEGADETH guitarist CHRIS POLAND.

2002: DOWN's new album, Down II, debuts at #44 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart.
2002: ABATTOIR enter an agreement with Dynaquest Artists bookings and promotions.
2002: guitarist Johan Ahlberg becomes a permanent member of CENTINEX.
2002: former FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton was arrested recently following a gig at the Astoria Club in London with his band TOMAHAWK. Patton reportedly urinated into the photo pit mid-gig, nailing photographers and journalists in the line of fire. It was discovered after his arrest that he had in fact filled a plastic dildo with water and used it rather than Patton Jr. as his firearm.
2002: NEVERMORE drummer Van Williams forms a side project with multi-instrumentalist Chris Eichorn called PURE SWEET EVIL.

2003: METALLICA's website posts the band's new logo and cover artwork for the forthcoming St. Anger album.
2003: STRATOVARIUS cancel upcoming dates in Taiwan and South East Asia due to the SARS virus.
2003: KING DIAMOND complete the basic tracks for their forthcoming album, The Puppet Master.
2003: ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY vocalist Johnny Throckmorton leaves the band after four albums.
2003: BLAZE recruit former SABBAT four-stringer Wayne Banks to replace bassist Rob Naylor.
2003: GENE SIMMONS announces that original KISS road manager Sean Delaney recently passed away.

2004: DIO's website confirms that bassist Rudy Sarzo (ex-QUIET RIOT/OZZY OSBOURNE/WHITESNAKE) has joined Dio's band.
2004: FATES WARNING guitarist/founder Jim Matheos posts news at the band's official website that drummer Mark Zonder will be leaving the band following the recording of their next album.
2004: former ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello joins HELMET.
2004: TESTAMENT reveal that the band and guitarist Steve Smyth have amicably parted ways.
2004: JUDAS PRIEST officially re-sign with Sony.

Birthdays

Sharlee D'Angelo (ARCH ENEMY/WITCHERY) - April 27
Ace Frehley (ex-KISS) - April 27, 1951
Goran Edman (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KHARMA) - April 28, 1956
Alfred Koffler (PINK CREAM 69) - April 28, 1966

This week in rock history

April 28, 1978: AC/DC release Powerage.
April 28, 1983: IRON MAIDEN release the single for 'Flight Of Icarus'.
April 28, 1987: on a plane carrying returning spring breakers to Boston from Miami, OZZY OSBOURNE buys three rounds of drinks and sings 'Crazy Train' over the PA system.
April 28, 1989: JON BON JOVI marries his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.


1976: KISS perform their first European concert.

1977: following his exit from DEEP PURPLE, vocalist David Coverdale releases his first solo album.

1990: guitarist Marty Friedman officially joins MEGADETH.

1996: JUDAS PRIEST announce their new vocalist is the unknown, U.S.-bred screamer (Ripper) Owens.
1996: PANTERA release The Great Southern Trendkill.
1996: Michael Schenker reforms his MSG project with vocalist Leif Sundin.

1997: with the breakup of ACCEPT, vocalist Udo Dirkschneider reforms his solo band U.D.O. and bassist Peter Baltes joins JOHN NORUM's band.
1997: former SEPULTURA frontman, Max Cavalera, records with local band NACAO ZUMBI.
1997: JUDAS PRIEST release Live And Rare in Japan.
1997: UFO have break up once again - Michael Schenker walked off-stage in Japan.
1997: Lars Ulrich forms a new label with former METALLICA Tour Manager Tim Duffy called TRC (The Record Company).

1998: ARCH ENEMY release Stigmata.

1999: MOTORHEAD release Everything Louder Than Everyone Else.
1999: Sharon Osbourne reveals that a major Hollywood film will be made on OZZY.
1999: MOTLEY CRUE announce that Randy Castillo will replace Tommy Lee.

Birthdays

Mark Kendall (GREAT WHITE) - April 29, 1959
Greg Christian (ex-TESTAMENT) - April 29, 1966
Paulo Jr. (SEPULTURA) - April 30, 1969

This week in rock history

April 29, 1979: VAN HALEN's 'Dance The Night Away' single is released.

April 30, 1983: Both THIN LIZZY and UFO break up.
April 30, 1999: all five members of AEROSMITH visit shooting victim Lance Kirklin in a Colorado hospital before their show in Denver that evening. The band dedicates 'Living On The Edge' to the student, who was one of 28 wounded and 13 killed by two deranged classmates at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20.
April 30, 1999: Darrel Sweet, the drummer and one of the founding members of legendary rockers, NAZARETH from Dunfermline, Scotland, is found dead from a major heart attack.


1976: KISS perform their first European concert.

1977: following his exit from DEEP PURPLE, vocalist David Coverdale releases his first solo album.

1990: guitarist Marty Friedman officially joins MEGADETH.

1996: JUDAS PRIEST announce their new vocalist is the unknown, U.S.-bred screamer (Ripper) Owens.
1996: PANTERA release The Great Southern Trendkill.
1996: Michael Schenker reforms his MSG project with vocalist Leif Sundin.

1997: with the breakup of ACCEPT, vocalist Udo Dirkschneider reforms his solo band U.D.O. and bassist Peter Baltes joins JOHN NORUM's band.
1997: former SEPULTURA frontman, Max Cavalera, records with local band NACAO ZUMBI.
1997: JUDAS PRIEST release Live And Rare in Japan.
1997: UFO have break up once again - Michael Schenker walked off-stage in Japan.
1997: Lars Ulrich forms a new label with former METALLICA Tour Manager Tim Duffy called TRC (The Record Company).

1998: ARCH ENEMY release Stigmata.

1999: MOTORHEAD release Everything Louder Than Everyone Else.
1999: Sharon Osbourne reveals that a major Hollywood film will be made on OZZY.
1999: MOTLEY CRUE announce that Randy Castillo will replace Tommy Lee.

Birthdays

Bruno Ravel (DANGER DANGER) - May 1, 1964
Darrell "Dwarf" Millar (ex-LAIDLAW, KILLER DWARFS) - May 2, 1965
Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth (OVER KILL) - May 3, 1962
Andre Olbrich (BLIND GUARDIAN) - May 3, 1967

This week in rock history

May 1, 1976: LED ZEPPELIN's Presence hits #1 in the US.

May 2, 1983: IRON MAIDEN's World Piece Tour begins.

May 3, 1969: JIMI HENDRIX is stopped by Canadian Mounties nab at Toronto's International Airport for possession of narcotics. He is released on $10,000 bail.
May 3, 2000: DEEP PURPLE appear on U.S. radio show, Rockline.
May 3, 2003: bassist Rana Ross (ex-PHANTOM BLUE, VIXEN) passes away from liver failure. She was 34.


2000: STRATOVARIUS announce they'll take a break after their Infinite tour so members Timo Tolkki and Timo Kotipelto can work on their solo albums.
2000: it's announced that GENE SIMMONS is to write a book about his very active sex life. Simmons claims to have slept with over 3000 women in his career, having taken pictures of all of them, some of which will appear in the book.
2000: STEEL PROPHET guitarist John Pons leaves the band due to personal reasons.
2000: AC/DC's Stiff Upper Lip goes Gold in the U.S.

2001: KROKUS bassist Maene and drummer Peter are replaced by Markus Stephani and Marcel Kopp, respectively.
2001: POISON's Rikki Rockett is dropped from Cleopatra Records.
2001: SLAUGHTER sign with Nuclear Blast to re-issue their '87 album Strappado album and '88 Paranormal album.

2002: NEVERMORE are asked to play a few dates on the Vans Warped Tour, making them the first traditional metal band to perform on this tour.
2002: Nuclear Blast America inks a deal with HELLOWEEN.
2002: STEEL PROPHET finish recording their Unseen album.
2002: ICED EARTH's show at the Palace in Hollywood begins with Jon Schaffer standing centerstage playing the National Anthem.
2002: VH1 announces that SEBASTIAN BACH's program Forever Wild will end after episode #13.

2003: OZZY OSBOURNE announces he is leaving his record label Sony after 23 years after becoming bored with the partnership, and because of the departure of Sony's controversial boss, Tommy Mottola.
2003: PHIL NARO (TALAS, 24K, PETER CRISS) inks a deal that will keep him with Z Records for at least one more studio album.

2004: TESTAMENT announce that "Metal Mike" Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, HALFORD) will be handling lead guitar duties for the European festivals scheduled this summer.

Birthdays

Kelly Wheeler (NEW AMERICAN SHAME) - May 6
Johnny Lee Middleton (SAVATAGE) - May 7, 1963

This week in rock history

May 6, 1977: LED ZEPPELIN break their own world record for largest audience at a single-act concert by attracting 76,229 fans to the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

May 7, 1991: a judge in Georgia dismisses a wrongful death suit against OZZY OSBOURNE after a local couple fails to prove their son was inspired to attempt suicide by the song 'Suicide Solution'.


1990: guitarist Marty Friedman joins MEGADETH.

1992: the SCORPIONS bassist Francis Buscholz leaves the band.
1995: CLUTCH release Clutch.
1995: DOKKEN release Dysfunctional.
1995: MORBID ANGEL release Domination.

1996: SOUNDGARDEN set up a one day temporary radio station in Seattle to promote their new album, Down On The Upside.
1996: POISON announce their split from Capitol Records.

1998: METALLICA announce they will reissue the ultra rare Garage Days Revisited EP, adding a slew of covers to the package.

1999: W.A.S.P. release Helldorado.
1999: S.O.D. release Bigger Than The Devil.
1999: GLENN HUGHES secretly works with guitarist JOHN SYKES.
1999: DIO announces his new lineup that will record Magica: guitarist Craig Goldy, drummer Simon Wright, bassist Larry Dennison and keyboardist Scott Warren.
1999: VINNIE MOORE releases Maze.
1999: LYNCH MOB releases Smoke This.

2000: guitarist Paul Crook rejoins ANTHRAX.
2000: original bass player Jimmy Schulman rejoins HADES.
2000: AC/DC's Stiff Upper Lip goes gold in the U.S. and platinum in Spain, Germany and France.