Guns N’ Roses, Tool, More Join Black Sabbath’s Final Concert
Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Jason Momoa and more have all joined the lineup for Black Sabbath’s reunion concert. Momoa is hosting the event, while Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, is acting as musical director. Ozzy Osbourne also confirmed, on his “Ozzy Speaks” program, that he’s not doing a full set with Black Sabbath, but he’ll be doing “little bits and pieces with them…I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.” The rocker hasn’t put on a full concert since December 31, 2018. Two months after that concert he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The Black Sabbath reunion show is set for July 5th.
Ozzy Osbourne Confirms He Won't Play Full Black Sabbath Set At Final Show
Ozzy Osbourne is revealing what fans can expect from him during the upcoming Black Sabbath reunion show this summer. During his Ozzy Speaks show, the singer said he's not planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath but will perform little "bits and pieces with them." He said he's "doing what he can," where he feels comfortable.Ozzy hasn't performed a full set since he wrapped up his "No More Tours" tour in December 2018 due to health issues. Black Sabbath's "Back to the Beginning" is set to July 5th in Birmingham, England.
Metallica, Pearl Jam, And More Offering Prizes For Fandiem L.A. Wildfire Relief Fundraiser
Several artists are teaming up with Fandiem for their Los Angeles wildfire relief fundraiser. According to a press release, fans can donate to the FanAid L.A. initiative for a chance to win "experiences and exclusive prizes, all while supporting wildfire relief causes." Some of the artists that are offering prizes include Metallica, Pearl Jam, Phish, Goose, Mariah Carey and more. Goose is offering a trip to meet them at their Viva El Gonzo Festival in Mexico, while Pearl Jam is giving away a signed Fender guitar. Duran Duran, Graham Nash, Slash, and Sublime are also participating in FanAid L.A.
Creed, Nickelback To Headline 'Summer Of '99 + Beyond' Festival
Creed and Nickelback will co-headline the 2025 Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin. The festival lineup includes bands like Live, Daughtry, Tonic, Our Lady Peace, Lit, 3 Doors Down, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, Hinder, Vertical Horizon, and Fuel.
A Live Nation pre-sale for the festival starts on February 20th, with a general on-sale on February 21st.
The festival coincides with Creed's "Summer of ’99 Tour", starting on July 9th in Kentucky and ending on August 20th in Alberta. Nickelback is also co-headlining this year's Rock the Country touring festival with Kid Rock.
Layne Staley Journals To Be Published
Layne Staley's unpublished poetry, handwritten lyrics, and personal notes will be compiled in the new book This Angry Pen: The Lost Journals of Layne Staley - set to be released in November.
The book offers a glimpse into the inner thoughts and emotions of the late Alice in Chains frontman.
It will also include Staley's artwork, candid photos, and fan art honoring his legacy.
Staley passed away in 2002 due to a drug overdose. Alice In Chains would reform in 2009 with new singer William DuVall, and recently announced a new set of US tour dates.
John Lydon Calls Out 'Karaoke' Sex Pistols Reunion
John Lydon is not happy about The Sex Pistols reuniting without him, calling the new lineup with Frank Carter "karaoke."
The band's reunion tour began in 2024, but Lydon was excluded due to his strained relationship with the band - including a 2021 lawsuit.
Lydon said his former bandmates are "trying to trivialize the whole show to get away with karaoke."
Lydon added "I’ve never sold my soul to make a dollar."
Phish Announce 2025 Summer Tour
Phish have announced their summer 2025 U.S. tour, including stops in Manchester, New Hampshire, Austin, Philadelphia, Chicago, and more.
The ticket request period for the tour has started on Phish’s official website and will run until Monday, February 24th at noon ET, with general public ticket sales beginning on Friday, February 28th at 10:00 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.
Phish will break from their traditional Labor Day weekend shows this year and will instead perform at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado over the July 4th weekend.
The band was recently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Paul Simon Announces 1st Tour Since 2018
Paul Simon has announced the A Quiet Celebration Tour, his first tour since 2018.It will feature songs from Simon's latest album, Seven Psalms, as well as classic cuts from Simon & Garfunkel and his solo career. Simon's hearing loss prevented him from performing live after the release of Seven Psalms in 2023, but he says that some of his hearing had returned in 2024, allowing him to plan shows again. The upcoming concerts will be held in smaller, more intimate venues to accommodate Simon's hearing loss, starting in April in New Orleans and ending in August in Seattle.
Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m. local time.
Jimmy Page Is Humbled By Reaction To Led Zeppelin Documentary
Jimmy Page has posted a note thanking fans for their positive reaction to Becoming Led Zeppelin. He wrote on Instagram, "In light of your incredible responses and the demand for the Becoming Led Zeppelin film from those of you that have either viewed it at the IMAX or during its general cinema release, I must say that feedback from fans is just humbling and inspiring. Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm — and here’s the trailer for those of you who haven’t seen it yet." These are Page's first public comments on the film since it opened. Reportedly Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones boycotted the film's premiere last month in Hollywood because of disagreements with director Bernard MacMahon over the initial cut of the film, which premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. Becoming Led Zeppelin was in the Top 10 at the box office both weekends it’s been in theaters and has brought in $5.5 million so far.
Steven Tyler Won’t Be Touring Again Says Former Guns N’ Roses Drummer Matt Sorum
Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum has dismissed suggestions that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will ever return to the touring circuit. Sorum’s claims arrived just weeks after Tyler made a return to the stage as part of his sixth annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party. Despite a positive response from fans, Sorum explained that the strain of global touring would prevent Tyler from performing on a large scale again. Tyler’s recent live appearance was initially rumored to be an Aerosmith reunion, but it turned out to be a one-time performance due to Tyler’s vocal injury and his perfectionist approach to singing. Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton hinted at the possibility of future Aerosmith activity but emphasized that any decision would come from Tyler himself.
TALKING HEADS: Frantz Wonders Why Byrne Didn't Invite Them to SNL
David Byrne's performance of Talking Heads "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" with Robyn seems to have irked one person -- Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz. Frantz posted on his social media "A missed opportunity [not] giving Tina [Weymouth], Jerry [Harrison] and [me] a call." Talking Heads haven't played together since their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but all four members did appear at various events marking the reissue of Stop Making Sense over the past two years. Talking Heads performed on
Saturday Night Live only once, on February 10th, 1979. Byrne has appeared as a musical guest in 1989 and 2020.
David Johansen Shares Message Addressing Cancer Treatment
New York Dolls singer David Johansen has shared a message of thanks with his wife Mara Hennessey for the outpouring of support he’s received following the news of his cancer battle. “Hello everybody. I just wanted to thank you all for giving us a big boost here with our fundraising campaign, I guess you would call it…I’ve never asked for help in my life and lately Mara's been teaching me the beauty of, when your chips are down, asking for help. That’s what I’m doing, and it seems to be working out really marvelously” the singer shared in a video shared online.
IN OTHER NEWS
Bob Dylan is back to posting odd videos on his Instagram account. This time it's a clip of Little Feat performing "Long Distance Love."
The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told, a biography authorized by living members Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton and David Robinson and written by Bill Janovitz, will be published on October 7th.