Rock News

A former classmate of guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore was scammed out of nearly $184,000 by someone posing as the Deep Purple founder. Over the past three years, Valerie Horwood, a terminally ill cancer patient, was conned into sending multiple Apple gift cards to someone pretending to be Blackmore. The scammer initially connected with Horwood over Facebook, and the fake Blackmore eventually began requesting money from her for fraudulent investments. "My mum is not a stupid old lady," Horwood's daughter Debbie said. "She was probably quite lonely. She was enjoying the chats that they were having. It is quite heartbreaking that she was sucked in." Debbie discovered the scam when Horwood asked the family for money to pay her bills, eventually discovering her mom’s life savings had disappeared. The case is being investigated by the U.K. police, while a fundraising page has been set up to help Horwood replace her lost money. (Loudwire)

A music fan named Stephen Shult died after sustaining injuries at Chicago's Riot Fest on September 22. The 58-year-old Shult attended the festival with his daughter, and when he didn’t show up at their planned meet-up spot following the last act of the night, she reported him missing. The Riot Fest medical team informed her that Shult was taken to the hospital, and he was in critical condition in the ICU with a brain bleed due to head trauma. Shult underwent a craniotomy and was recovering well, but he unfortunately took a turn for the worse, and after a week in the hospital he died from his injuries. Riot Fest released an official statement on Instagram regarding the tragedy, “We are heartbroken to share that a festival attendee passed away yesterday. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly challenging time. We ask our community to come together, support one another, and keep those affected in their thoughts.” (Loudwire)

In a new interview with The Guardian, David Gilmour dismissed any possibilities of ever reuniting with his former Pink Floyd bandmate Roger Waters. Gilmour was asked about ever sharing a stage with Waters again and he responded emphatically, “Absolutely not.” Gilmour said his reasoning is because, “I tend to steer clear of people who actively support genocidal and autocratic dictators. Nothing would make me share a stage with someone who thinks such treatment of women and the LGBT community is OK.”

Elsewhere in that same interview, Gilmour disclosed that he has been offered a trip into space, but he declined. “I have been invited to travel into space, funnily enough,” Gilmour recalled. “We’d played in Moscow – back when one wasn’t ashamed to – and they asked me if I wanted to go up into space. But I had seen their rockets and their capsules in the space museum in Moscow, and I said, ‘No, thank you.’ They were rickety and held together with nuts and bolts.” (Consequence of Sound)

The U.K.'s Royal Mail have announced that they will mark the 60th anniversary of the Who by releasing a series of postal stamps. The collection will feature classic images of the British rock legends along with reproductions of several of the group’s iconic album covers. The Who stamps officially go on sale on October 17, and include a total of 34 items ranging in price from a few dollars to $152 (£200) for the limited edition pieces. The Who join a number of U.K. music heroes that have been honored with stamps issued by the Royal Mail, including Elton John, Queen, the Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, and Pink Floyd. "Stamp! Stamp! Stamp! It's what I've done on stage all my life,” joked Pete Townsend. “At last, my stamping, and that of my buddy Roger [Daltrey], has been honored properly, and will help letters, parcels and birthday cards travel through time and space – just as we have." (Ultimate Classic Rock)

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Paul Simon revealed that he still hasn’t given up home to one day perform live for his fans again. The legendary folk singer/songwriter stopped touring six years ago, due to his struggle with near total hearing loss in his left ear. But Simon has a renewed sense of purpose about being able to play live shows again sometime in the future. "I'm hoping to eventually be able to do a full-length concert," Simon said. "I'm optimistic. Six months ago I was pessimistic." Simon was encouraged by his brief performance last month at the SoHo Sessions in New York City, where he played a set of seven songs for a small audience of 150 people. "I never said I was going to retire,” he clarified. "I said I was going to stop, which I did. It was enjoyable, but I wanted to find out what happens when you stop.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Three Days Grace announced on Instagram on Thursday (October 3) that they will be reuniting with the band’s founding vocalist, Adam Gontier. Interestingly, Matt Walst – the younger brother of the band’s bassist Brad Walst – will also remain in the group as lead vocalist. The Canadian rock band disclosed that they have plans to release new music and tour with the revamped lineup soon. “After performing together in Nashville around this time last year and spending time in the studio since, we’re excited to announce the official return of Adam Gontier to vocals in Three Days Grace, with Matt Walst remaining as a lead vocalist, as well,” the band shared. “It’s like we got back in a room together and picked up where we left off,” Gontier says. “We have been friends for so long it’s kind of natural to get back in the room together.” (Loudwire)

John Bon Jovi returned to Parlin, New Jersey on Tuesday (October 1) to visit his alma mater, Sayreville War Memorial High School. The 62-year-old rock legend was there to take part in a  special dedication ceremony where the school renamed their auditorium the Jon Bon Jovi Performing Arts Center. The Bon Jovi frontman attended Sayreville during his junior and senior years, after previously spending his first two years at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. Bon Jovi posted about the honor on Instagram, featuring photos of him standing proudly outside of the newly christened Arts Center, alongside students who painted a mural featuring the singer, and with Coach T who was immortalized in the Bon Jovi anthem, “Just Older.” Bon Jovi captioned his post, “So humbled that Sayreville High named their performing arts center yesterday. Thanks to the students who painted this mural and the faculty who made this day so special. Once a Bomber always a Bomber.” (People)

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl shocked the music world last month when revealed he had a baby outside of his 21-year marriage to Jordyn Blum. An inside source has revealed to People that the past few weeks have “been rough” for Blum. “Jordyn is focused on her own life and her girls," says the source. The 48-year-old Blum shares three daughters with the 55-year-old Grohl, Violet, 18, Harper, 15, and Ophelia, 10. "Her mind is not on her marriage though. She doesn’t trust Dave,” the source reveals. “She’s not wearing her wedding ring. She’s leaning on a group of girlfriends. She feels lucky to be surrounded by love and support." Grohl, meanwhile, canceled his band’s scheduled appearance at the Soundside Music Festival on September 29 at the last minute, and was spotted without his own wedding ring when he was out running errands in L.A. on Wednesday (October 2). (People)

Mötley Crüe have just announced plans for a Las Vegas residency in the spring of 2025. This will be the Crüe’s third residency in Sin City, with their 11-show run taking place at Dolby Live at Park MGM beginning in late March. The band announced details of their ‘Las Vegas Residency’ with an Instagram post on Thursday (October 3), revealing that a portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. Mötley Crüe’s 2025 ‘Las Vegas Residency’ will start up on March 28th and 29th, and continue into April (2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th, and 19th).

“Mötley Crüe and Las Vegas have always been the perfect combination of extravagance and decadence,” the band said in a statement. “We’ve always loved the idea of the Vegas residency, because we’ve always loved the idea of staying in one location to build a unique show for the fans.” Mötley Crüe’s first release with new guitarist John 5, the Cancelled EP, is out on Friday, October 4. (Consequence of Sound)

Ozzy Osbourne is going to have a star-studded tribute during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland on October 19. The Prince of Darkness is getting recognized for his solo work this year, following Black Sabbath’s induction back in 2006. “I don’t know what to think,” Osbourne told Rolling Stone. “I’m still in shock that I’m getting inducted for a second time. But at the same time, I’m very excited.” Actor and musician Jack Black will give the induction speech for Osbourne, while Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, Jelly Roll, and Billy Idol are all set to sing his songs during a performance honoring the metal icon. Zakk Wylde, Andrew Watt, Steve Stevens, and Wolfgang Van Halen will all play guitar in Osbourne’s All-Star musical tribute, backed by the potent rhythm section of Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. (Rolling Stone)

During a premiere of his new documentary at the New York Film Festival on Tuesday (October 1), Sir Elton John took the stage to give thanks to his friends, family, and fans. The 77-year-old music icon also joked to the audience that “there's not much of me left” following multiple surgeries due to health issues. “I don’t have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate, I don’t have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here.” Nonetheless, John is thankful for everything in his life, especially his family. “I can't thank you [enough], you’re the people that made me. I want to thank David [Furnish, John’s Husband] and Zachary and Elijah [the couple’s two children] for making me the happiest man in the world.” Elton John: Never Too Late will start streaming on Disney+ on December 13. (People)

During a recent appearance on Hot Ones, Slipknot singer Corey Taylor opened up about the origins of his longstanding feud with Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. During the wing-eating show, Taylor was asked to rank three bands he’s previously feuded with – Nickelback, Machine Gun Kelly, and Limp Bizkit –  in order of how much he likes their music. Taylor disclosed that Limp Bizkit is his favorite out of the three, saying his problems were with Durst, not the band. “I love that this is coming up as I’m doing all this work on myself,” Taylor said. “I would say that a lot of the things that I said were based off of my own ego, my own insecurities, my own arrogance. My issues truly weren’t even with Limp Bizkit. They were with Fred. It was just about what Fred represented at the time, the things that were being said, and the people in the band that were actually saying things about us.” (Louder Sound)

The Cure announced that they will perform an intimate record release show in London as part of the Radio 2 in Concert series at the BBC Radio Theatre. The performance will fittingly be a pre-Halloween show on October 30 at the small 550-capacity venue. The gig will come two days ahead of the release of the Cure’s first new album in 16 years, Songs of a Lost World, which is due out on November 1. Tickets to the performance are free, and will be distributed via a random lottery to registered fans. The concert will also be broadcast on Jo Whiley’s show on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on October 31, along with an interview with singer Robert Smith. The band will also perform a set for 6 Music Session: The Cure Live which will be featured on Huw Stephens’ show on October 31 and will also include an interview with Smith. (NME)

Paul McCartney kicked off the South American leg of his 2024 Got Back Tour on Tuesday in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the former Beatle had something special planned for his fans. McCartney took to his piano halfway through the show and performed the live debut of the “new” Beatles song, “Now And Then.” The track was released 11-months ago by Ringo Starr and McCartney, originating from a 1979 demo by John Lennon that was reworked by the three surviving members of the band – including George Harrison – when they were compiling The Beatles Anthology in the mid-’90s. “Now and Then” is the last song that all four members of the Beatles will ever work on together, and McCartney has just performed the track live for the very first time. McCartney’s South American tour continues on Saturday with a two-night stand at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina over the weekend. (Rolling Stone)

According to reports by the Financial Times, Pink Floyd have put aside years of in-fighting to finally come to an agreement on a deal to sell the rights to their recorded music catalog to Sony Music. The deal is apparently worth around $400 million, and the arrangement also includes Sony acquiring the rights to Pink Floyd’s name and likenesses. Back in August, David Gilmour revealed that the band was “in discussion” about a potential catalog sale at the time. “To be rid of the decision-making and the arguments that are involved with keeping it going is my dream,” Gilmour said. “I am not interested in that from a financial standpoint. I’m only interested in it from getting out of the mud bath that it has been for quite a while.” While Sony now owns Pink Floyd’s recorded music catalog, the band still retains their publishing catalog and ownership of their song lyrics. (Rolling Stone)

Dave Allison, the original guitarist for the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, has died at the age of 68. Allison reportedly died following a battle with cancer. Anvil paid their respects to Allison with a statement on Facebook posted on Monday (September 30). “We’d like to send our deepest condolences to the Allison family and friends,” the band writes. “Dave passed away this morning. He was a close friend and we will miss him. He was proud of his early contributions to Anvil, and his name and legacy live on. Rest in peace, Dave Squirly Allison.” Allison played guitar in Anvil from 1981 through 1989, alongside the band’s celebrated frontman Steve “Lips” Kudlow. Allison was featured on five studio albums from the group, including the fan favorites Metal on Metal (1982) and Forged in Fire (1983). Allison’s final record with Anvil was their 1989 live album, Past and Present: Live in Concert. (Consequence of Sound)

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will have plenty of country music flavor throughout the festivities. Keith Urban, Jelly Roll, and Kenny Chesney will each be performing during the ceremony in honor of various inductees, while Mac MacAnally will also be taking the stage. Chesney and MacAnally will join James Taylor in a musical tribute to Jimmy Buffett, who will posthumously receive the Musical Excellence Award during the ceremony. Urban will be performing alongside the Who frontman Roger Daltrey in honor of Peter Frampton, who will be inducted into the Rock Hall that night. Jelly Roll will be taking part in the evening's celebration of music, though the subject or theme of his performance has not yet been revealed. The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on Saturday, October 19, and will stream live on Disney+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET. (Taste of Country)

Slayer guitarist Kerry King has just revealed details of his 2025 North American tour with his eponymous solo band. King’s group will be joined by Municipal Waste and Alien Weaponry as support acts for the entire tour. The 28-date jaunt starts on January 15 at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco before hitting up major music markets throughout Canada and the U.S. The tour finishes up back in California on February 22 with a show at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. “Getting back on the road for the first time in five years wasn’t exactly like riding a bike, that’s for sure,” King said in a statement. “I’ve never had that much time off, but the first tours with my new band were all total blasts. We’ve got a little bit of a learning curve, so will start rehearsing the first week of November. And we might put an extra Slayer song into the set and learn a cover song or two.” (Consequence of Sound)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have expanded their 2025 European tour with the addition of eight new shows. The new dates join Springsteen’s previously-rescheduled makeup shows in Marseille, Prague, and Milan. Back in May, Springsteen was forced to postpone shows in those three cities due to “doctor’s direction” over vocal issues he was experiencing at the time. The band’s 2025 12-date European tour will start up on May 17 with a two-night stand in Manchester, England, and the trek will include a return stop to the UK in Liverpool on June 4, as well as hitting cities in France, Germany, and Spain. Springsteen’s rescheduled 2025 European dates take place in Marseille at the Orange Vélodrome on May 31, at Prague’s Airport Letnany on June 15, and at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on June 30 and July 3. (Rolling Stone)

The Offspring release their 11th studio album, Supercharged, on October 11. 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Smash, the band’s 6x-platinum selling record. Frontman Dexter Holland is justifiably looking forward to the future of the group, while also taking a look back at where they’ve come from and what it took them to get here. “We’ve done ten albums or something, so it’s like, what can you offer?” Holland said of Supercharged. “You want to do something that you haven’t done before, but you don’t want to go so far out there that it feels strange to people who like the band. I just wanted something that was energetic and really upbeat and just slamming in your face.” Holland praises the band’s DIY ethos while making Smash. “We’re really proud of it. We feel very lucky. Lightning struck and somehow we were there,” Holland recalls. “The album was made very cheaply, we didn’t have the money. We did this ourselves. No label was going to do it. We grew up that way and it was fun.” (Billboard)