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February 2, 2010
Scorpions Set to End Career on a High Note
At first I thought he was nuts. In the days of my youth back in the early 1980’s, I had a friend who introduced me to a rock band from Germany called Scorpions. First I’m thinking “A rock band from Germany?” It just didn’t make sense to me at the time. Everyone knew all of Europe’s great rock groups came out of the U.K., right?
Well, after riding around in his car listening to Scorpions cassette tapes for hours, I started to get it. These guys actually are pretty good. That was my introduction to the best-known rock band ever to come out of Germany. I won’t lie and say they are among my all-time favorites, but I still give their albums a listen once in a while, and usually end up enjoying their material more than I had anticipated.
After a wildly successful career which earned them a loyal fan base around the world, the Scorpions have decided to call it quits. They will, however, not be leaving quietly by any means. A new album entitled Sting in the Tail is in the works, and will be followed by a two-year tour spanning five continents.
Some fans may be wondering why they are throwing in the towel while they are still able to rock their fans like a hurricane, but as guitarist Rudolf Schenker describes it, “You can’t think about Scorpions at 70, not moving on stage, playing ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’ — but on stage it’s not like a hurricane, it’s a very small wind," he says. "There’s no stinger, and that’s not good. You’re going back down hill, from big hall to small how, small how to club…Everything has it’s end; the question is it a good end or bad end? In this case we want to do these things and make it a good end.”
Man, I just love the way those guys put things sometimes. A “very small wind.” That’s not mean to be demeaning or to belittle their English skills in any way. It just comes out sounding rather amusing, but in a good way, and strangely endearing at the same time. Maybe it’s just me.
At any rate, Schenker is also quick to point out that they have no intention of disappearing altogether, and he eludes to all the film and other material they have accumulated during their career that they can continue releasing. In fact, the upcoming two-year tour is set to be filmed for possible release as some point.
It’s hard to blame them for wanting to go out on top. He’s very right about the “small wind.” Eventually we all reach the point where we would need a hand just getting up on a stage, and perhaps even a walker to move about once there!
It appears that these German rockers don’t have to worry about turning into a “small wind,” and will indeed be departing the scene like a hurricane. Venues around the globe are bound the be filled to capacity as they close out a pretty damn impressive career.
And to think I was doubtful about German rockers.
More details are online at Billboard.
November 6, 2009
Fresh Doubts Surface Regarding Future of Aerosmith
All accounts indicate that the “Bad Boys From Boston” have been wowing crowds at shows in Hawaii and at the Gran Prix in Abu Dhabi in recent weeks. No doubt under close scrutiny after persistent rumors of a rift between frontman Steven Tyler and the rest of the band, their on-stage interactions provided no indication that the boys were not getting along.
Behind the scenes, however, there is some evidence that the end of Aerosmith, as we have known it for nearly four decades, may be at hand. According to Classic Rock Magazine, relations between Tyler and the rest of the group show signs of strain. Tyler has pulled the plug on a South American tour that was on tap for the end of the year and has expressed his desire to dedicate more of his time to solo projects.
It’s hard not to suspect that the personal conflicts within the group are a major factor in Tyler’s desire to focus more on his own career. It appears that he has had little or no contact with the other members of the group lately, except for the time they have spent on stage. It is also being reported that Tyler has put some additional distance between himself and the rest of the group by having his dressing room located further away from the others than would normally be expected.
It also seems that some of the group’s other members are beginning to have doubts about their continued relationship with Tyler. Guitarist Joe Perry seems to have been the most vocal of the group lately, and has been pretty forthcoming about his feelings regarding the situation.
Guitarist Brad Whitford is also opening up a bit now and revealing his uncertainty about the future. Talking about the possibility of an Aerosmith without Tyler, Whitford said: “Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him – he’s one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?”
As for Tyler, if one were to read between the lines a bit, one might get the impression that he has some pent-up resentment towards the other members of the band. “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but it’s definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself – Brand Tyler,” he was quoted as saying.
That surely doesn’t make it sound like he’s anxious to get back together again with Aerosmith again soon. What comes next for Aerosmith is anyone’s guess, but it seems likely that the group – in its current form – is on pretty shaky ground unless Tyler and whomever else it is in the group he is not getting along with decide to bury the hatchet and move on.
August 25, 2009
Aerosmith Breakup Rumors Triggered By Recent Run of Bad Luck
With so much going on lately within the ranks of Aerosmith, it is not unexpected to see rumors begin to circulate that suggest the band is on the verge of breaking up. A seemingly relentless series of injuries and medical problems have plagued the group lately.
Medical problems and injuries are facts of life for just about everyone – even rock stars. We’ve all made bad decisions that have resulted in some physical injury, whether it be stubbing your toe on the door frame or falling off a rain-slicked catwalk while making an effort to entertain fans. There are, however, some questions being raised about other factors that may have contributed to the cancellation of Aerosmith’s summer tour after performing just a handful of shows.
Some are questioning whether frontman Steven Tyler was drunk when he slipped and fell off the catwalk during the 
show at the Sturgis motorcycle rally – the event that led to the decision to cancel the tour. The rumors of on-stage intoxication were further fueled by a very recent photograph of Tyler that he was generous enough to pose for with a fan. The problem, it seems, was the location where the photo was taken: Inside a Pembroke, Massachusetts liquor store.
For a man whose past problems with substance abuse are anything but secret, his appearance inside a retail outlet for alcohol can be expected to generate suspicion about his sobriety. It’s not hard to imagine that the group’s recent troubles could influence someone with a drinking problem to seek out a bottle to ease both the physical and emotional pain that Tyler may be struggling with.
On top of that, there are also reports that Tyler has not been in touch with his band mates, and any statements from him are being released through his personal management, which is a separate entity from the band’s management – something that may not be sitting too well with the rest of the group.
According to some reports, there was much concern over Tyler’s ability to go out on tour. Tyler was referred to as “a liability for the band,” by an unnamed source that is said to be close to the band.
The members of the group that are talking publicly are denying that the band is breaking up. Guitarist Joe Perry insists that they are on hiatus until Tyler recovers, although others consider it more of a “strike” initiated by the other members of the group that will last until Tyler gets his act together.
The fate of the group’s new album seems uncertain as well and presumably, the rumored “strike” will put a stop to any work done on it. The group had hoped to finish work on the new album after completing the tour.
This is certainly not the first time we have heard speculation about an Aerosmith split. Despite the denials from other members of the group, it appears the matter may be out of their hands.
The future of Aerosmith as we know it seems to rest squarely on the shoulders of Steven Tyler right now. The fact that one of those shoulders is currently broken is not encouraging, but a comeback certainly cannot be ruled out. Tyler has fought his way back before and may prove that he’s capable of doing it once again.
For more on Aerosmith, see the Boston Herald.
March 2, 2009
Rolling Stones Credited With Saving Metallica From Break-up
During the summer of 2005, hard rocking Metallica was on the verge of non-existence. Drummer Lars Ulrich admits that the future of the group appeared to be “pretty bleak,” and there did not seem to be much hope that they would continue as a group. Ulrich was beginning to prepare himself mentally for “something different,” in light of what seemed to be the imminent demise of the group.
A surprise phone call from the Rolling Stones turned the tables dramatically in the group’s favor that year when the legendary rockers asked Metallica to perform with them in San Francisco. Having not been together for a number of months, the group convened and began to rehearse in preparation for their gig with the Stones.
The meeting was clearly a major turning point for the group and Ulrich reports that the lack of film crews, producers, psychiatrists, minders and babysitters allowed the members to reconnect in a way that he describes as “effortless.”
He credits the group’s decision to avoid getting into a lot of discussion about how everyone was feeling with setting the tone for the next three years and reviving a group that came to the brink of a break-up.
Metallica is currently on tour in Europe with stops scheduled in the U.K., Belgium, Sweden and The Netherlands.
Perhaps they’ll take a little time out of their schedule to stop by and see Mick and some of the other old boys and say “thanks” for helping them keep the group back together and making music for their fans.
Check out New Zealand’s News 3 for more on the story.
December 5, 2008
Brian May: No Queen Breakup
The rumor seems to have originated on an Austrian website that reported Queen and Paul Rodgers performed together for the last time when they played in Rio de Janeiro on November 29.
The site in question, www.oe24.at reported that a “cryptic message” on Brian May’s personal web site was an indication that the group was planning to split up. The reason for the split was reported to be due to dismal sales of the group’s recent album The Cosmos Rocks.
The Cosmos Rocks sold only 12,000 copies during the first week of its release and debuted at position number 47 on 
The Billboard 200 Chart.
According to Brian May, who recently posted a response to the report on his website said there are no plans for the group to part company, and he insists that they are just taking a break following their tour.
Replying to a fan from Finland who inquired about the reported breakup, May responded by saying, “Well, I don’t know where anyone got that idea – Roger and Paul and myself haven’t made any decisions whatsoever about the future … We just need a rest!”
