JIMMY BAIN – Distinguished bassist Jimmy Bain passed away over this past weekend. Jimmy now reunites with his former legendary bandmates Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Gary Moore and Phil Lynott; an unbelievable list of musical greats that are now performing on another heavenly plane. Born in Scotland, back on December 19th, 1947, Jimmy Bain was only 68 years old.
Jimmy Bain was a long-time member of DIO, being featured on several of DIO’s studio albums. Jimmy Bain also recorded and toured for Rainbow in the mid 70’s. He later co-founded in 1978 the British Rock supergroup: Wild Horses.Before his passing, Jimmy Bain was the bassist for Last In Line; an all-star band of past DIO musicians.
Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, bandmates and friends of Jimmy Bain. Rest in peace, Jimmy Bain.
I’ve had the pleasure to listen to the first single, from the forthcoming debut studio album from Wishing Well, courtesy of Inverse Records. I’ll have to admit the song Hippie Heart Gyspsy Soul is a bonafide blast of Classic Hard Rock that has made my week! Wishing Well ROCKS this song to the Moon and back!
One all important reason this song soars is that Graham Bonnet shows off his distinctive and memorable vocals like the tried and true Hard Rock legend he is! Wishing Well features the great Graham Bonnet on this one song for their debut album and that alone makes this band very, very lucky indeed. Metal Be Thy Name – Stone
__________________________
From Inverse Records:
Wishing Well are a Hard Rock band hailing from Helsinki Finland. “Hippie Heart Gypsy Soul” is the first single taken from the “Chasing Rainbows” debut album to be released on 5th of February via Inverse Records. For the single the band joined forces with legendary Hard Rock vocalist Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz) and came up with a catchy and melodic Hard Rock song.
“We wanted something extra to boost the album and when we wrote “Hippie” we instantly realized that Graham would be a perfect vocalist for the song in many ways. I’m a lifelong fan of Graham myself and it’s fantastic that we made it at the end of the day. Pete (vocalist Peter James Goodman) had no problem with it since he’s a big fan too! I’m proud and pleased with the result and it’s just amazing that at 68 he’s still delivering the goods” says Anssi Korkiakoski, the song writer and guitar player of Wishing Well.
Graham Bonnet will be very busy this year since he’s releasing a new album on Frontier Records and an authorized biography later on this spring, written by Steve Wright. He’ll also play live in Finland in April after his Australian tour. “The guys got in touch and after I heard the song I was immediately ready to give it a go. It’s a catchy tune and perfect for my range. I like the lyrics too. We recorded my vocals in LA and the guys took care of the rest of it in Finland. I’m always ready to cooperate if it’s a serious band with a good song. I wish the guys all the best.”
The band is now promoting the single and CD with plans to play live as much as they can later on this year. The band consists of Anssi Korkiakoski (guitars), Rip Radioactive (drums), Richard Becker (bass) and Peter James Goodman (vocals), all experienced musicians who have cut their teeth in many other bands before Wishing Well.
David Bowie has left us. David Bowie created Alternative Rock. David Bowie was and never will be duplicated, no matter how the copycats have tried and will continue to do so. Icon? Legend? Neither. David Bowie was bigger than those labels.
I’ve chosen this music video (below) to celebrate David Bowie, due to it’s fun side of both he and the great Mick Jagger. It is obvious neither Bowie or Jagger could give a rat’s ass about being too serious in this music video and that is what Rock ‘N Roll is truly about. God Bless David Bowie.
Former Warrant and current Tuff guitarist BILLY MORRIS has signed a multi release deal with the independent label HighVolMusic. The American Rock guitarist hails from Cleveland, OH earning his stripes early on in his musical career with the band Kidd Wicked. Billy later went on to perform with several projects including as a touring guitarist for Quiet Riot (2005), and with Mr. Big guitaristPaul Gilbert. Billy performed with Paul on the Beehive Live project playing in front of a sold out crowd in Seoul, Korea.
Spending 5 years as the lead guitarist in the platinum selling band Warrant, Billy has played every state in the USA as well as in Japan, Korea, Mexico, Australia and many other countries across the world. Touring with bands like Poison, Whitesnake, Ratt and many others, has taught Billy a high level of professionalism and excellence that he brings to the stage today.
Billy performed and recorded on one Warrant release, the Under the Influencealbumon which he sang lead vocals on the cover of AC/DC‘s ‘Down Payment Blues’, as well as playing guitar on the whole album.
Billy later went on to form the BILLY MORRIS BAND who which recently supported Tom Keifer (Cinderella) and also Ratt on several dates.
BILLY MORRIS and co-writing partner Mike Szuter (Paul Gilbert, The Szuters, Magna Fi) are currently holed up at Riverside Recording Studio in Cleveland, OH working on brand new material for a summer 2016 release. Billy is working up what will be a high energy rock and roll record with a few surprises tossed in.
The deal with HighVolMusic includes several additional projects and also plans for a book release. Details to be unveiled later this year! For more information and show dates on BILLY MORRIS visit: www.billymorrisband.com
On January 8th, 1970 – The magnificent LED ZEPPELIN performed at Colston Hall in Bristol, UK. Whoa.
On January 8th, 1977 – ALICE COOPER had his song I Never Cry, ranked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on the 1976 studio album: ALICE COOPER Goes To Hell. Yup.
On January 8th, 2016 – California’s Metal warriors, EXMORTUS, have their newly released studio album, Ride Forth, ranked at #2 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell and yes.
On January 8th, 2016 – The super legendary BLACK SABBATH have their third studio album, Master Of Reality, ranked at #25 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album was originally released back in 1971. I was five years old back in 1971. Holy shit.
Eddie Van Halen – In this world exclusive, Edward Van Halen reveals all the intricacies, details and secrets behind his live rig that powered Van Halen‘s monumental 2015 U.S. Tour.
we’re calling in to wish all of you an amazing new year! 2016 will be awesome, with new music, some exciting announcements and as always lots of Rock’n’Roll! We’re looking forward to seeing all of you again to have a good time together. We especially want to thank you for the support, the amazing shows and the sheer love of music in 2015!
During the last year, there has been an overwhelming amount of ‘First times’: For example on Nov 8th, the opening night with Whitesnake in Moscow, a first for The Dead Daisies which would be followed by a long list of countries and cities visited (again) for the first time by the band including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia. We played a headline show in Paris, which turned out to be a very special celebration of joy & music, and headed for the UK and (another first) a headlining tour. We also made a welcome return to Israel. Quite a different line-up of the band played around the same time two years ago. This time around, John Corabi, Marco Mendoza and Brian Tichy were making their first (that word again) trip.
We can’t wait until we will be making more ‘firsts’ in 2016. And we would love for you to join the ride! Happy New Year, The Dead Daisies
On December 29th, 1966 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their television debut, performing their iconic song Hey Joe, on the BBC’s Top of the Pops. Incredible piece of Rock ‘N Roll history there!
On December 29th, 1973 – THE WHO hit #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in the United States, with their song Love Reign O’er Me from their legendary Rock Opera: Quadrophenia. Whoa.
On December 29th, 1973 – The amazing LED ZEPPELIN hit #20, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their song D’yer Mak’er. This song is featured on LED ZEPPELIN’s fifth studio album from 1973: Houses Of The Holy.
On December 29th, 1982 – KISS kicked off their tour in support of their tenth studio album: Creatures Of The Night. This initial concert took place at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. It was the first KISS tour with guitarist Vinnie Vincent replacing the super legendary Ace Frehley. This KISS tour would be their last tour in makeup, until their 1996 reunion tour.
On December 29th, 2015 – The beloved MOTÖRHEAD have their compilation The Best Of, ranked at #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. MOTÖRHEAD also have their 1980 studio album Ace Of Spades ranked at #2 and their 2015 studio album Bad Magic ranked at #3, on this same chart. Rest In Peace, Lemmy Kilmister and MOTÖRHEAD FOREVER.
On December 28th, 1968 – THE DOORS released their single Touch Me. This song went on to peak at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, becoming THE DOORS’ third Gold single.
On December 28th, 1968 – The iconic LED ZEPPELIN performed their first concert in Canada, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, supporting VANILLA FUDGE. Jumping jelly donuts, that’s freaking cool!
On December 28th, 2015 – The new studio album, Letters From The Labyrinth, from TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, is ranked at #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums Chart. Very cool.
On December 28th, 2015 – The debut studio album from SLIPKNOT is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Holy hair balls!
On December 28th, 2015 – The Best Of UFO (1974 – 1983) is ranked at #99, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa.
On December 5th, 1932 – Rock ‘N Roll icon Little Richard was born in Macon, Georgia. Long live Little Richard!
On December 5th, 1965 – John Rzeznik was born in Buffalo, New York. John is the lead singer, guitarist and producer for the very famous: Goo Goo Dolls. Above photo credit: Goo Goo Dolls Facebook.
On December 5th, 1970 – Badfinger peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their memorable hit: No Matter What. This was their second top ten single in the United States.
On December 5th, 1988 – The legendary SCORPIONS performed at Stadionsporthalle in Hanover, Germany. This was their Savage Amusement Tour. SCORPIONS FOREVER!
On December 5th, 1991 – The incredible SCORPIONS performed at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. This was a concert on the their Crazy World Tour. Whoa!
Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts. At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected.
_____________________________
I first learned from twitter that Scott Weiland passed away. I read the news during the wee hours of Friday morning (December 4th). I couldn’t fall back to sleep for some time, due to many reasons. Firstly, I always loved the singing voice of Scott Weiland; his vocals I’ve found to be both haunting (Plush, Wicked Garden) and incredibly melodic (Interstate Love Song). Scott Weiland was also a smart lyricist; his words always made me stop to think for a moment.
I discovered the magic of Stone Temple Pilots when I first saw their music video for Wicked Garden, thanks to MTV’s Headbangers Ball. After that, I scrounged everywhere for spare change to buy the debut album from STP on cassette. This was back in 1992 and I was solidly broke, depressed and in need of music that could (and would) carry me through. Scott Weiland and STP’s Core album was a huge dose of diverse and fresh Heavy Metal that I embraced. STP was Grunge, my ass. I’ll go to my grave arguing that STP was not Grunge.
Fast forward to the present and I will admit it is difficult to accept that Scott Weiland is gone. Hell, Scott Weiland was only 48 years old. I could and never would bring up Scott Weiland’s substance abuse history due to the facts: I did not personally know him and who the hell am I? I’ll tell you who I am: a 49-year-old recovering alcoholic that made more incredibly stupid mistakes from drinking than I could ever count. That’s who I am. I’ve lived and thankfully learned, before it was too late.
I thank Scott Weiland for giving us all a brand new path towards how Heavy Metal can sound different. He was and still is one of the greatest voices in Rock History, due to his easily identifiable tones. Hopefully, Scott Weiland can find peace now and be proud of his many accomplishments, wherever he may be. Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
On November 28th, 1964 – THE KINKS peaked at #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their super legendary song: You Really Got Me. This was the first top ten single by THE KINKS in the United States. Whoa! I was not born yet, when this song was first playing on the radio. Whoa, again!
On November 28th, 1970 – THE WHO hits #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with See Me, Feel Me from their Rock Opera studio album: Tommy.
On November 28th, 1988 – IRON MAIDEN performed at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England. This was the band’s Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour. IRON MAIDEN Forever!
On November 28th, 2015 – Skeletons, the newly released cover song album, from DANZIG is ranked at #2, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Man, someone should have told Glenn Danzig to put a shirt on, for this album cover photo. Once you start growing man-boobs it’s game over, you know?
On November 28th, 2015 – Nightmares In The Waking State, Part 1, the newly released studio album from SOLUTION .45 is ranked at #100, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup. This album was released via AFM Records. Hey, that’s some kick-ass album cover art! Whoa, man!
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH Paranoid is ranked at #9, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Sweet tater tots! This legendary studio album was released back in 1970. Yes, the song Iron Man is on this album. Geez, stop asking. I just wanna add that the talented Mariah Carey was born in 1970. Whoa.
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH Greatest Hits 1970-1978 is ranked at #24, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album was released back in 2006. Holy avocados!
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH Master Of Reality is ranked at #40, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Holy hungry hippos! This cool studio album was released back in 1971. By the way, Richard Nixon was the President of the United States, back in 1971.
On November 16th, 2015 – The debut and self-titled studio album from BLACK SABBATH is ranked at #47, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This seminal Heavy Metal album was released back in 1970, when I was only four years old. Amazing.
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH Vol. 4 is ranked at #52, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Holy huckleberry! This studio album was released back in 1972, via Warner Bros.Records.
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH We Sold Our Soul For Rock ‘N’ Roll is ranked at #56, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa and damn right! This album was released back in 1975. I was nine years old, back in 1975. The legendary slugger for the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, was born in 1975 too. Unreal.
On November 16th, 2015 – BLACK SABBATH 13 is ranked at #59, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yes, it is. This album was released back in 2013.
On November 14th, 1971 – British legends SLADE had their hit single, Coz I Love You, sitting at #1 in the UK. Holy mac and cheese!
On November 14th, 2003 – The unbelievable IRON MAIDEN performed at Stockholm Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. This concert was part of IRON MAIDEN’s Dance Of Death World Tour, promoting their thirteenth studio album from 2003: Dance Of Death.
On November 14th, 2015 – L.A.’s Progressive Metal band INTRONAUT have their newly released studio album, The Direction Of Last Things, ranked at #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup.
On November 14th, 2015 – The forthcoming studio album, Every Trick In The Book, from Boston’s ICE NINE KILLS is ranked at #26, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa! This album will be released on December 4th, 2015, via Fearless Records. Um, yeah.
Shown above: A Motörhead book I own, chronicling the classic era of Motörhead. From L to R: Lemmy Kilmister, Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor and “Fast” Eddie Clarke.
__________________________
As reported on the Official Motörhead Facebook:
Lil’ Philthy…he who once shouted ‘stop wincing about’ on an album…he who fueled many a young boy’s punk/metal hairstyles…he who played the drums with fury and intent…he who liked to call people ‘wazzocks’ once in a while…friend, Roman, Derbyshireman…rest in peace…with much love…
Stone Says:
The staff of Metal Odyssey expresses condolences to the family, Motörhead and friends of Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor.
Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor has now joined Michael Burston aka Würzel up in Rock ‘N Roll Heaven, as the only two Motörhead family members that have passed away way too young. This influential drummer played on a dozen or so (proper) Motörhead albums and is regarded as a true legend of Rock ‘N Roll by countless fans and peers. I never did get to see Philthy Animal Taylor play live and that is unfortunate. I saw Motörhead in concert after the classic era of this iconic band.
I remember my very first taste of Motörhead was a live bootleg recording of the band; a recording I cherished on a beaten up 8 track tape back around 1982 or so. I never heard anything so awful and yet so wonderful in my life, courtesy of that messed up 8 track. From then on, it has been a love affair I have for Motörhead that I can never let go of.
Above: MotörheadAce Of Spades studio album from 1980. Shown L to R: Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, Lemmy Kilmister and “Fast” Eddie Clarke, the classic era of Motörhead.
As I write this post, one of my favorite Motörhead songs of all-time has begun to play in my brain: One Track Mind. I guess I always assumed that Rock Gods like Philthy Animal Taylor would live forever, it’s always that way for me, unfortunately. Philthy Animal Taylor will live on though, through those classic era Motörhead albums and his musical works that followed.
On November 12th, 1987 – AEROSMITH hit the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in nine years, with their humorous Rocker: Dude (Looks Like A Lady). This song would peak at #14 and is featured on AEROSMITH’s ninth studio album from 1987: Permanent Vacation. Jumping jellyfish!
On November 12th, 2003 – The powerful IRON MAIDEN performed at Valby-Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark.
On November 12th, 2015 – Detroit, Michigan’s CRUCIBLE have their debut EP The Trials ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. The Midwest kicks Metal ass, once again!
On November 12th, 2015 – JUDAS PRIEST have their super-duper and legendary studio album from 1982, Screaming For Vengeance, ranked at #22, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yes, this is the album that features the great song: You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.
On November 3rd, 1986 – The super IRON MAIDEN performed at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England. This was IRON MAIDEN‘s Somewhere On Tour, supporting their sixth studio album: Somewhere In Time. HAIL IRON MAIDEN!!
On November 3rd, 1990 – WARRANT‘s huge Hair Metal song, Cherry Pie, was sitting at #10, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on WARRANT’s second studio album of the same title, released back in 1990. She’s my Cherry Pie!
On November 3rd, 2015 – The second studio album, Toxicity, from SYSTEM OF A DOWN is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa, man! This legendary album was released back in 2001.
On November 3rd, 2015 – The second studio album, Paranoid, from the great BLACK SABBATH is ranked at #2, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa, again! This album was released back in 1970!! In 1970, I was 4 years old.
On November 3rd, 2015 – The new studio album from STRYPER, Fallen, has fallen on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Fallen is ranked at #35. STRYPER ROCKS.
QUEENSRŸCHE – It’s been far too long since I’ve posted a Metal Pick Of The Day. What better way to kickstart it all once again, with the magnificent QUEENSRŸCHE! Guardian is a pumped-up and convincingly strong song from QUEENSRŸCHE ‘s recently released studio album: Condition Hüman (Century Media).
With Guardian, Todd LaTorre nails it on vocals and QUEENSRŸCHE are as powerful than they’ve ever been, in my Metal opinion! I love listening to Scott Rockenfield on drums and he is killer on this track. I can go on and on. Instead, crank the living hell out of Guardianbelow and Metal Be Thy Name!
METAL CHURCH / New Album EPK / Part 1 / “The Return of Mike Howe”! Part 1 features a behind the scenes look at the making of the new Metal Church album featuring singer Mike Howe and guitarists KurdtVanderhoof & Rick Van Zandt. Sign up for the official Metal Church newsletter at: http://www.MetalChurchOfficial.com and be the first to receive details on their forthcoming album and 2016 world tour!
JOIN METAL CHURCH ON THE MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE “SHREDDERS FROM THE DEEP”
Monsters Of Rock Cruise – the four-day, four-night voyage out of Miami this February 22nd – 26th, aboard the NCL Pearl – has announced its biggest line-up ever in its five-year history. This year’s cruise, appropriately titled Shredders From The Deep, will feature 40+ bands including headliners Tesla, Steve Vai, Extreme, Sebastian Bach, Queensrÿche; Helloween and Y&T, plus guitar fantasy camps, pre-cruise events and more.
This year’s cruise itinerary includes pre-parties on February 20th and 21st (complimentary to all cruisers with entertainment/location TBA), visiting the private island of Great Stirrup Cay and the cosmopolitan resort meccas of Nassau and Paradise Island in the Bahamas, plus a full day of Metal mayhem at sea. Cabins are available now, starting at $999 per person (double occupancy), with Special EZ Pay financing options also available for as little as $499 USD per person down (double occupancy), with the remaining balance payable over 12 equal monthly installments beginning the month after the initial reservation is completed. For booking and more info, visit monstersofrockcruise.com and connect on Facebook and Twitter.
The Monsters Of Rock Cruise: Shredders From The Deep will transport fans back to the era when Metal wasn’t just a music genre, it was a way of life. The final artist lineup for the 2016 Shredders From The Deep cruise include headliners Tesla, Steve Vai, Extreme, Sebastian Bach, Queensryche, Helloween and Y&T.
Joining the headliners is an epic array of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal artists featuring: Michael Monroe, Gotthard, Doro, Lynch Mob, Vixen, Dangerous Toys, Kingdom Come, Armored Saint,Saigon Kick, XYZ, Killer Dwarfs, Metal Church, Hardcore Superstar, Akira Takasaki of Loudness, Jeff Scott Soto, Gus G of Ozzy Osbourne, Uli Jon Roth of Scorpions, Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake, Helix, Michael Angelo Batio, Vinnie Moore, Madam X, Tyketto, Anvil, Hellion, Dio Disciples, Lilian Axe, Soto, D-A-D, Heavy Mellow, Brandon Gibbs, Paradise Kitty and The Kix.
On October 24th, 1964 – THE KINKS had their amazing and highly influential song, You Really Got Me, ranked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song was originally featured on the debut and self-titled studio album from THE KINKS, back in 1964.
On October 24th, 2015 – The newly released single Evil Twin from the almighty ANTHRAX is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 10 Heavy Metal Songs Chart. Now, that’s freaking cool!! Hail ANTHRAX! Evil Twin will also be featured on the forthcoming studio album from ANTHRAX.
On October 24th, 2015 – The newly released studio album, Soul Sphere, from Chicago’s BORN OF OSIRIS is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell and righteous yeah! This album has scorched my brain and ears to a brandnew level of scorch, due to its Metal extremity. Holy shit and Metal be thy name.
On October 24th, 2015 – The forthcoming studio album, Skeletons, from DANZIG is ranked at #7, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Skeletons is a cover song album from DANZIG. Whoa. Skeletons will be released on November 27th, 2015.
On October 24th, 2015 – The newly released studio album, Psychic Warfare, from Maryland’s CLUTCH is ranked at #62, on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Did you know that CLUTCH kicks major ass? Whoa.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.