Muse, David Gilmour, Iron Maiden, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Dr John and The Goo Goo Dolls all appear in a new 12-part TV series called Live From Abbey Road. Premiering on More4 on January 12 at 11pm, and repeated on Channel 4 each following Monday, the 60-minute programmes feature three artists per show, combining exclusive live performance with interviews.
Meanwhile, David Gilmour is releasing three songs paying tribute to his late band-mate Syd Barrett. Two different live acoustic versions of Arnold Layne, plus another track, Dark Globe, arrive via download from December 25.
Ian Gillan has published a book called Smoke This! The Warblings, Rants, Philosophies And Musings From The Singer Of Deep Purple. The 120-page paperback is available for $29.99 (plus shipping & handling) from his website: http://gillansinn.com.
Rose Tattoo release a new album called Once In A Lifetime through Armageddon Music in February. It includes a track called Black Eyed Bruiser that was penned by AC/DC’s original production team, Vanda and Young. Vocalist Angry Anderson is urging men to have prostate checks after the death of slide guitarist Pete Wells in March.
Def Leppard, who recently completed a North American tour with Journey, have denied rumours of a similar excursion with Kiss.
The reissue of the Electric Light Orchestra’s catalogue continues in February with a 30th anniversary limited edition hardback cover version of Out Of The Blue among its next batch. Jeff Lynne’s pre-ELO band The Move will also be the subject of a boxed set in 2007.
According to Iggy Pop, The Stooges have completed recording a new album with producer Steve Albini. Their first all-new work in 30 years is due in March. Says Iggy: “It doesn't sound quite like Fun House [1970], Raw Power [1973] or our first one [Stooges, 1969]. [But] put it on and right away you’d know it’s us.”
Expect a new album from Hüsker Dü/Sugar man Bob Mould in June, with a world tour to follow.
The Manic Street Preachers are trying to prevent the closure of what’s said to be the world’s oldest record shop. Opened in Cardiff in 1894, Spillers is threatened by a raise in rent. Lending their support to the endangered business, the Manics say: “Spillers was a lifeline, it gave us a musical education that made us who we are.”
