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Classic Rock Briefs For October 29, 2008

U.K. Supergroup May Be In The Works For 2012 Olympics

There is talk of a collaboration between some well-recognized U.K. rockers in honor of the 2012 Summer Games that will be hosted in London. The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Elton John are among the names being mentioned as part of an Olympic supergroup. Others mentioned as possible performers for the event are Phil Collins, Sting, Van Morrison, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page. Full Story.

Ten Things You Probably Did Not Know About Pink Floyd

Mark Blake, author of Pigs might fly, the inside story of Pink Floyd, has taken a list of ten facts from the history of the iconic group and shared them with U.K. newspaper The Times. The most amusing tidbit might be the one concerning the “gift” that the group sent to the deputy editor of a newspaper that wrote a review of Pink Floyd’s 1971 album, Meddle, that the members of the group were not quite satisfied with. Blake’s book, from which these ten facts were taken, is available at Amazon. Full Story.

Can Kate Moss Help Smooth Over Ron Wood’s Family Problems?

As a close friend of the Wood family, model Kate Moss has been asked to mediate between Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood and his family. Wood has been estranged from his family since his decision to continue his affair with 20-year-old Ekaterina Ivanova after his recent release from rehab. Although Moss had been standing by the family in her opposition to Wood’s actions, now that his daughter is expecting a child, it has been decided to ask Moss to work towards re-opening the lines of communication between Wood and his family. Full Story.

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Tags: 2012 Olympics, David Bowie, Elton John, Kate Moss, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Ron Wood

New Book By Ron Wood’s Manager Sheds Light on Rocker’s Lifestyle

Nick Cowan was hired on as manager for Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood in 1981 following an informal “interview” where Wood reportedly hired Cowan after shaking his hand during their first meeting and announcing: ““Hello mate, so you’re going to be my new manager?”

Cowan’s new book, Fifty Tea Bags And A Bottle of Rum, will be released this week, and beyond the various tales of affairs and substance abuse that one might expect in the life of a rock star, there are a few surprises as well. Not the least of which is Cowan’s revelation that Wood was on the brink of financial collapse when he was hired on.

One does not normally associate the words rock star and financial collapse, but even very large sums of money can be mismanaged badly, similar to the stories we’ve all heard about the lottery winners who suddenly find themselves with more money than they had ever imagined, only to end up flat broke a few years down the road.

One of the more amusing passages in the book involved a drug-fueled party — apparently the norm when the Stones were on tour– where an unsuspecting participant wandered into the bedroom of the suite where Wood was staying and spotted a pile of white powder on the table beside the bed.

Only after he had snorted it with a $20 bill did the would-be cocaine thief discover that he had actually snorted dead skin from the bottom of Wood’s feet that had resulted from the pedicure Wood had given himself earlier that night.

Ron Wood has certainly been making more than his share of news these days, and it appears that the timing for this book could not be much better for the author.

Fifty Tea Bags And A Bottle of Rum is not yet available but you can sign up on Amazon.com to be notified when it is released.

For more details check out The Sun.

Tags: Book, Fifty Tea Bags And A Bottle of Rum, Nick Cowan, Rolling Stones, Ron Wood

Classic Rock Briefs For Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ozzy Says Bats Taste Like McDonald’s Food

Those of us who ever watched the The Osbournes when it was on MTV a while back will know that strange things come out of Ozzy’s mouth from time to time. This time he may have outdone himself.

Speaking of the infamous incident that took place at one of his concerts back in 1982, where he bit the head off of a live bat, Ozzy says, “It tasted all crunchy and warm… like a Ronald McDonald’s." I’m sure McDonald’s will be pleased to  hear about that comparison. Full Story.

Jack White Says There Is No Zeppelin Without Plant

White Stripes lead singer, Jack White, who is apparently another one whose name has taken a turn or two on the Led Zeppelin rumor mill, denies that he was being considered as a replacement for Robert Plant on a Zeppelin tour.

White’s name, along with Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy have come up since we started hearing rumors that the rest of the Led Zeppelin team are ready to go on tour with or without a reluctant Robert Plant.

White says, “I do not believe you can have a band called Led Zeppelin, singing Zeppelin songs, without Plant.” Full Story.

Rolling Stones Ron Wood Sticking With New Girlfriend

Having been seen recently with his new 20-year-old girlfriend, walking a dog in the vicinity of a London Park, it appears that the 61-year-old guitarist had decided to keep the newer model partner and leave his wife of 23 years. He has reportedly been meeting with divorce lawyers of late.

According to witnesses, Wood “looked more careworn than carefree.” Perhaps that’s because he’s preoccupied with the potential amount of a sizable divorce settlement that may be in his future. Generally speaking, wives don’t care much for husbands leaving them for younger women. Full Story.

Famous Pink Floyd “The Wall” Guitar Up For Auction

Although it’s just a plain-old Fender Stratocaster at heart, the one in question has some impressive history in its background. Designed by UK artist Gerald Scarfe, who worked closely with the band on the album and film of The Wall, the guitar is up for auction, with the proceeds benefitting the a homelessness charity called Crisis.

The guitar’s scratch guard was signed  by all four members of the band only weeks before Richard Wright’s recent passing, and will be accompanied by a Scarfe On The Wall Limited Edition Box Set. Full Story.

Tags: Auction, Bat, guitar, Jack White, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd's The Wall Stratocaster up for auction, Robert Plant, Rolling Stones, Ron Wood, The Wall

Stones Guitarist Possibly Facing Expensive Divorce

U.K. papers are now reporting that Jo Wood, wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, has enlisted the services of her attorneys as a result of his on-going affair with 20-year-old Ekaterina Ivanova. It’s certainly not a stretch to speculate about a possible divorce once the lawyers begin to get involved.

It may have been the recent photograph of Wood enjoying a romantic dinner with Ivanova that pushed his wife to  contact her legal team. “Jo has had enough of his behaviour. She feels humiliated, spurned and furious that her best friend has treated her like that,” a friend reported.

The good news for Jo Wood is that her legal team is said to have informed her that she is in a very good position, and stands to benefit from a potential divorce settlement that could be in the $90 million range.

There seems to be little doubt that wife Jo has dedicated considerable time and energy in her support of her husband of 23-years, and has joined the Rolling Stones on every tour, and made sure Wood was well-fed and well-dressed. She was also responsible for handling the couple’s finances.

Despite the signs that are currently pointing to a divorce in the works, Jo Wood says she would still like to remain friends with her husband, and still cares for him despite all the recent problems.

Having given so much support to her husband through the years, it certainly seems like her legal team could be quite right about her chances of being on the receiving end of a very large settlement. That certainly won’t make Ron Wood a pauper by anyone’s standards, but $90 million is sure to make a noticeable dent in his savings account.

Tags: Divorce, Jo Wood, Rolling Stones, Ron Wood

The Rolling Stones: The Doctors of Music?

60-year old Sam Carter, a retired baker in the U.K. had slipped into a coma after suffering from severe anemia. The coma had lasted for 10 weeks when doctors suggested to Carter’s wife that she slip a pair of headphones onto him and expose him to some music.

Eva, Carter’s 65-year-old wife accepted the doctors recommendation, and soon Sam Carter was listening to pop music from U.K. radio station Signal 2. Although I suppose we cannot be sure he was actually listening, however, the musical therapy may have been the key to his recovery.

It took three days, but the song that seemed to strike a vital chord with Carter was the Rolling Stones’ "Satisfaction." He opened his eyes while the legendary 1965 hit single was piped through his headphones. Although Mrs. Carter really did not expect the music to do much good, much to her surprise, her husband’s eyes opened and he emerged from his coma.

It turns out that "Satisfaction" is a song that Carter has special memories of.

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"All I can remember is that when that song came on, it took me right back to when I was a youngster. I could remember how excited I was to get hold of the disc down at the record shop. I suddenly had a burst of energy and knew I had a lot more life left in me and that’s when I woke up – to the sound of the first song I ever bought,” he said.

Given only a 30 percent chance of survival, it seems as if the Stones worked some kind of magic for Sam Carter and it’s something he is certainly grateful for. Reporting that he is now feeling quite fit, Carter publicly thanked Mick Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones for aiding his recovery.

With the recent completion of Brian May’s PhD in mind, perhaps an honorary doctorate of medicine should be considered for the Stones in light of their potential rock and roll healing abilities.

Tags: Coma, Rolling Stones, Sam Carter, Satisfaction