We Will Rock You

This is Part Four of my recent in-depth interview with Lynyrd Skynyrd/Damn Yankees drummer Michael Cartellone. In this segment Michael shares his memories of making the Damn Yankees records; recording at the Charlie Chaplin movie lot; playing in his hometown of Cleveland and presenting his parents with his first Gold record; the differences between the first and second Damn Yankees albums; what it was like to experience the sudden rush of success that came with the first record; how is Ted Nugent different personally from his stage persona; why a third Damn Yankees album never came to fruition; and the aborted third album.

Click to Download

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM:

King’s X are planning to take the album Gretchen Goes To Nebraska on the road.

Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick said: “This could be the next thing we do. We like the idea of doing the whole of that record [the band's second, released in 1989] with a great light show, as part of something we’d call An Evening With King’s X. It wouldn’t be a full-blown tour, playing every hell-hole for three months. But we’d select specific, quality venues, make it special for the fans.”

The trio – Pinnick, guitarist Ty Tabor and drummer Jerry Gaskill – are also preparing both a live DVD and studio album.

“We’re editing a show we did in London for release as a DVD next year. Then we’ll think about going into the studio. What I’d love to do is get in a producer who’ll really push us and demand more from the band. Too often we’ve had producers who’ve just said: ‘You guys are great. Just do what you do.’ But I wanna get back to the situation where someone really drives us to deliver.

“I don’t wish to return to the days of Sam Taylor [the band's original producer/manager], because he was more like a coach, both encouraging and blasting us. I’m too old for that. But we don’t want the next album to be comfortable and easy.”

For further info, go to www.kingsxrocks.com

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM:

Colin Hart, former Deep Purple and Rainbow tour manager, is to publish his autobiography early next year.

Called Hart Of The Purple Rainbow, it’s been co-written with old friend Dick Allix, once drummer with 60s band Vanity Fare.

It’s be published by Wymer Books and is described as ‘a tale of excess in terms of greed, petulance, anger and devotion… counter-balanced by extremes of pure talent, showmanship  and, of course musicianship.

‘Hart was the constant “man in the middle” through all of the break ups, make-ups and revolving door line-up changes.’

Sounds like the usual rock’n’roll story, then.

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM:

Sammy Hagar has opened his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas.

Combining a restaurant and a rockin’ bar, this is located in the Miracle Mile Shops, part of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino extravaganza.

There’s to be a special opening bash on December 4. If you’re lucky enough to be in Vegas that day, free tickets are being given way from 10.30am at the Cantina. Hagar will perform that night with his band The Waboritas.

For further info, go to www.cabowabocantina.com.

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM:

Former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick releases his latest solo album through Frontiers on February 1.

Titled BK3, it features guest appearances from Kiss pair Gene Simmons and Eric Singer, Ratt’s John Corabi (who was with Kulick in Union), Steve Lukather of Toto, Doug Fieger of The Knack and Edguy’s Tobias Sammett.

Nick Simmons, son of Gene, also appears.

Apart from his solo career, Kulick is also a member of Grand Funk Railroad.

For further info, go to www.kulick.net

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM:

This news is brought to you by VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner

With Thanksgiving Thursday, here is a video for you to be grateful for.  It’s the Muppets performing Queen’s classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” 

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM:

This news is brought to you by VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner

The Cars’ Ric Ocasek may be a good singer but a good cook, he is not. In fact he told us his supermodel wife, Paulina Porizkova, does all the cooking for their Thanksgiving feast.

“Yes she does and sorta people pitch in. I think if I pitched in it would probably burn.”

Hopefully, they have a fire extinguisher, just in case. To see some of Ric’s art or check out his poetry, head to RicOcasek.com. 

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM:

This news is brought to you by VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford will take part in this year’s Warren Haynes Christmas Jam.  The 21^st edition of the annual event is scheduled for December 12^th in Asheville, North Carolina and also includes performances from Gov’t Mule, Counting Crows and Ani DiFranco.  Learn more at XMasJam.com. 

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM:

This news is brought to you by VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner

It’s always interesting to learn what some musicians are doing for Thanksgiving.  However, if you want to know what Rush’s Geddy Lee is doing for the holiday, you’ll have to be sure to ask the Canadian early.

“We’ve already had our Thanksgiving up here in the Great White North, we celebrate Thanksgiving in early October.”

Today, you can celebrate Geddy Lee and Rush by picking up the band’s first “best of” live music compilation.  It’s called Working Men and it’s out now. For more info, head to Rush.com.

FROM WWW.CLASSICROCKREVISITED.COM:

This news is brought to you by VH1 Radio’s Dave Basner

After recovering from the flu and an e-coli infection, Elton John was able to get back on the road with Billy Joel, but the tour has once again been disrupted, this time because Billy is sick.  There is no word on what’s ailing the Piano Man but now some dates on the singers’ Face 2 Face Tour have been rescheduled or cancelled.  For details on if a show near you has been affected, head to EltonJohn.com.