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November 6, 2009
Rush Set To ‘Roll The Bones’ Once More
As many dedicated Rush fans undoubtedly know, the term “roll the bones” is a reference to throwing dice – a vital component in many well-known games of chance.
According to Neil Peart’s latest edition of “News Weather, and Sports,” the venerable Canadian trio appears ready to roll the bones themselves, by agreeing to meet sometime this month in Los Angeles to talk about the future of the group. Fortunately, the outlook is not as grim as it may appear for Aerosmith, but there is talk of change.
This time the changes may be partly in reaction to the way the music industry has evolved in the last few years. “The importance of ‘the album’ is not what it was, and there is currently a reversion to a musical climate rather like the 1950s, when only ‘the song’ matters. Radio, downloads, and ‘shuffle’ settings are inimical to collected works,” Peart wrote.
Although Peart reveals that they are not even sure what they are going to be talking about when they convene, he does share a few thoughts he has that may end up on the table in Los Angeles.
“We could write and record just a few songs, and release them some way. Or there were a couple of film-and-music projects we had discussed in the past. In any case, there are enough possibilities for future collaboration, and I am curious to see what we’ll come up with.”
Whatever the outcome, it seems likely that the group is poised to move away from the traditional sequence of writing a new album, doing a tour, taking a break, and doing it again. It appears they are ready and willing to adapt to the shifting sands beneath their feet by veering off in a new direction.
Rush fans, as dedicated as always, will likely be awaiting news of the group’s plans anxiously.
March 3, 2009
Rockers Donate For Auction To Benefit Los Angeles County Deputy
L.A. County Deputy Robert Corrales has probably faced his share of dangerous and potentially deadly situations on the streets of the Los Angeles area, but this time the veteran deputy is facing the fight of his life.
Diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, Deputy Corrales needs is awaiting a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment against the disease. Although he has medical insurance, it does not provide coverage for some 
expenses that involved an emergency trip home for medical treatment while on a cruise. Those expenses amounted to about $30,000.
Two of Corrales’ colleagues stepped up and organized an effort to help his family raise the funds that are needed to cover the extra expenses. Deputies John Maio and Deputy Mike Ascolese got in touch with some friends in the music industry who were able to enlist the aid of some well-known artists who agreed to donate various items for an auction to help the Corrales family.
Included among the musicians who lent a helping hand are drummer Neil Peart of Rush, who donated an autographed drum head, despite his usual reluctance to affix his signature to anything.
Fellow drummer Alex Van Halen signed snare drum from his personal kit as well as a drum head that was signed by himself, brother Eddie and Eddie’s son Wolfgang.
Paul Stanley of KISS donated a autographed Silvertone guitar and the members of Velvet Revolver signed a Epiphone guitar that had been donated to the cause by Guitar Center’s Dave Weiderman. Velvet Revolver’s Matt Sorum also donated a pair of autographed drumsticks as well as drum head that he signed on which he also drew a caricature of himself.
The items were auctioned on eBay with bidding ending yesterday, and it appears that about $4600 was raised, which should provide some much-needed help for Deputy Corrales and his family.
January 22, 2009
Ron Wood Considering Move To Los Angeles
Ron Wood’s feelings about the City of Angels has changed. Once a place that he would have never considered living, the Rolling Stones guitarist is reportedly thinking about making the move to L.A. after recording there with Rod Stewart for the new Faces album.
Having recently split from his wife of two decades in favor of a more youthful Russian temptress, Wood certainly has one less reason to remain in London, and is said to have favored the warmer climate in L.A.
Regarding his change of heart about the Los Angeles area, Wood told the U.K. tabloid, The Sun, that he “would never have dreamt of living there before because I never used to like the whole vibe of the place. But it’s much more mellow now and I could definitely see myself living there.”
Wood also reported that he and Stewart made a lot of progress on the new album and he will return to Los Angeles in two weeks to complete the project.
Although the U.K. tabloids may be sorry to see Wood leave London, it may provide the L.A. paparazzi with a new target to chase after. Although it’s certainly not unheard of, especially in L.A., photos of a 61-year-old rock star and his twenty-something lover out on the town just might help sell a few magazines.
August 8, 2008
Broken Ribs Can’t Stop Alice
In the midst of a show in Redmond, Oregon, something went wrong and veteran shock rocker Alice Cooper wound up on the floor following a bad fall. Some fans may have wondered if it was all part of the show, but even Alice Cooper wouldn’t take things that far, considering the painful result.
Still, Cooper soldiered on and finished the show, while likely experiencing significant discomfort.
In the following days, Cooper continued working but the persistent pain in his side finally convinced him that he should seek medical help. An exam revealed that he had a broken rib and some amount of injury to a ligament.
Not surprisingly, Cooper was advised that he should rest up for a few weeks and give his injuries a chance to heal. But apparently, that’s not and act that’s part of Alice Cooper’s routine.
The show must go on, and that is exactly the way Cooper is handling it. He continues to perform, and who knows, being on stage in front of cheering fans just may be the best therapy for a guy like Alice Cooper.
He’s obviously a person that loves what he does and shows a high level of dedication to his fans. Remember, we’re not talking about a 25-year-old rock wild man, we’re talking about a 60-year-old veteran of the industry who is obviously not a guy that’s easy to knock out of the game. When your 60 years old, the healing process take a bit longer than when you’re 25 or 30.
A week or so earlier, Cooper was doing a video shoot in East Los Angeles when that earthquake rocked the area.
Coopers response?
"Whoa, this is more powerful than I thought! I hope they keep it! You can’t get special effects like that," he was quoted as saying.
Rock on Alice, rock on.
