Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Nikki Sixx has two pieces of good news to share with fans, announcing his engagement to model girlfriend Courtney Bingham and offers an update on Motley Crue ‘s upcoming album. [ Loudwire ] – Guns N’ Roses surprised fans during the last two days of their Las Vegas residency by playing a number of songs with former guitarist Izzy Stradlin . Watch the live footage here. [ Loudwire ] – Suicide Silence will be playing a benefit show for the daughter of late singer Mitch Lucker . [ Loudwire ] – Deftones bassist Chi Cheng ‘s family is considering stem cell treatment to help the bassist’s recovery and Cheng’s mother offers an update his condition. [ Loudwire ] – Testament , Overkill and more are set to embark on the 2013 ‘Dark Roots of Thrash’ tour. [ Loudwire ] – What’s your favorite song from Metallica’s landmark album ‘Master of Puppets’? Cast your vote now! [ Ultimate Metallica ] – 2013 Jimi Hendrix album ‘People, Hell & Angels’ release date and track listing announced. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Former The Who manager Chris Stamp dead at 70. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Mumford and Sons fans caught with fake concert tickets. [ Diffuser.fm ] – Smile Empty Soul and Hurt cover Alice in Chains’ ‘No Excuses.’ [ Rock Music Report ]
Jason Merritt / Scott Harrison, Getty Images Guns N’ Roses just completed their ‘Appetite for Democracy’ residency in Las Vegas on Nov. 24, and fans who attended the final two shows were gifted with an pleasant surprise. Former GN’R guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined the band onstage for a number of songs throughout the band’s sets, including ’14 Years,’ ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,’ Used to Love Her’ and ‘Paradise City.’ It’s difficult to gauge the relationship between Stradlin and GN’R singer Axl Rose is in modern times, but there seems to be a mutual admiration for one another. In May 2006, Stradlin joined GN’R onstage in New York City for the first time in 13 years, and earlier this year, Stradlin performed with Guns at London’s O2 Arena. It should be noted that both Rose and Stradlin skipping Guns N’ Roses’ 2012 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Known to be somewhat of a recluse in his personal life, Stradlin thrilled die-hard GN’R fans during the Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 Vegas dates, playing six tracks during one show and five the following day. Check out video footage of ’14 Years’ below. Stradlin has released 11 studio albums since 1992, with his most recent musical contribution being the new single ‘ Baby-Rann .’ Could Stradlin’s increasingly frequent GN’R live cameos lead to something monumental in the future? We’ll be watching for it, so stay tuned as more Guns N’ Roses news continues to break. Guns N’ Roses with Izzy Stradlin Perform ’14 Years’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/izzy-stradlin-releases-new-single-baby-rann/” title=”Listen to Izzy Stradlin’s New Single ‘Baby-Rann'” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Dave Grohl is heading back behind the drumkit for Queens of the Stone Age , and he says one of the things the experience provides is freedom from restrictions. The Foo Fighters leader told BBC Radio 1 (via NME ) that he’s really enjoying backing up old pal Josh Homme and that the musical chemistry is undeniable. Grohl explained, “With Queens of the Stone Age, like, there were no boundaries with that band, there were no limits with them, it was like if you did something insane, you’d do more, if you did something that seemed too ridiculous — and honestly the new Queens of the Stone Age record, I’m playing drums on that, and I’ll do something so completely ridiculous, I’ll just, like, ‘There’s no way that that Josh isn’t going to let me do that,’ and he’ll say, ‘Do that for forty-five seconds, over and over again, that’s become, like, part of the song, that is a big part of the song,’ and that’s the way they work.” The drummer previously took a turn behind the kit for the ‘Songs for the Deaf’ album and he says it was definitely a unique experience. He recalls, “When you walk into a festival backstage with Queens of the Stone Age, it’s like, the record stops. People stop and they stare, and it’s like, Queens of the Stone Age are, without question, the baddest rock and roll band in the world! And they still are, and when ‘Songs For The Deaf’, when that came out, it blew people’s minds, man, for real.” Grohl is filling the void of drummer Joey Castillo, who, incidentally, joined Queens of the Stone Age after Grohl returned to Foo Fighters. The group continues to record new music and a disc is expected next year. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-no-one-knows-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Queens of the Stone Age – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Rob Zombie has two passions he’s been able to balance equally well in recent years — heading up his own rock band and growing his burgeoning career as a movie director. But Zombie is very aware of the burnout factor that may set in at some point in his life and has a plan in place if and when that happens. The rocker told Metal Hammer that there’s not any fear of having a period where he’s “going through the motions” because if that starts happening, he’ll just shut down whatever he’s doing. He explains, “I always stopped, like when White Zombie was miserable, when we were at the height of our fame, the shows were huge, it was a big arena tour, and I was just like, ‘I’m done. I can’t go onstage anymore and pretend like this is awesome.’” Zombie says of the potential for that happening in the future, “If I’m having fun, I’ll dedicate myself around the clock, but as soon as it’s not, I’m out. Kids think you’re doing things for money, but money became irrelevant a long time ago. It might be why a lot of people do it, but it’s not why I do anything.” Rob Zombie spent the fall touring with Marilyn Manson on the excellent ‘Twins of Evil’ tour , which now makes its way to the U.K. for the remainder of November before exploring the rest of Europe in December. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rob-zombie-stage-name-origins/” title=”Next: Rob Zombie – Stage Name Origins” align=”center”]
Jason Merritt, Getty Images Being sidelined after surgery isn’t exactly a pleasant experience, but Perry Farrell has made the most of it by enjoying a creative burst that has resulted in as much as 60 potential new songs for the next Jane’s Addiction album. He tells Rolling Stone , “I haven’t written this much or been this prolific since I started when I was in my 20s. It’s been coming out fantastic. I’m super excited. Everything will really start to jell and come together probably this time next year.” Farrell says that he enjoyed working on the band’s latest album, ‘The Great Escape Artist,’ and admitted that some of the themes of that record may carry over to the new material. He explains, however, that “it’s not going to be [a continuation of] ‘The Great Escape Artist.’ I had thought that it would be a great idea. However, I just came up with this other twist to doing the next record. At this point, I want to start fresh with a fresh angle.” Farrell says that he plans to begin mapping out the band’s follow-up by as early as January. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/janes-addiction-dave-navarro-joins-sons-of-anarchy-cast/” title=”Next: Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro Cast on ‘Sons of Anarchy'” align=”center”]
Tim Whitby, Getty Images Jon Bon Jovi has not spoken publicly about his 19-year-old daughter Stephanie’s heroin overdose (and subsequent arrest ) in a dorm room on a New York college campus on Nov. 14 … until now. The rock singer opened up, briefly, during an interview with Fox 11 L.A., to thank people for their support of his family during this trying time and to admit that even a difficult situation such as this is part of the cycle of life. “It’s human,” the singer said, in a measured tone when asked about his daughter. “What I do for a living, it seems glitzy and glamorous, but if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a great way to make a living. And then life goes on. Things happen. This tragedy is something… was something that I had to face too, so we’ll get through it.” The criminal charges of drug possession against Stephanie Rose Bongiovi were dropped, and she made a recovery at a local hospital, so she dodged two bullets. JBJ also made sure to thank those who were sending their good thoughts and prayers to his family. “And people’s incredible warm wishes for my family and I have been really reassuring. So, we’re good,” he finished. Watch Jon Bon Jovi Talk Daughter’s Heroin Overdose ?
Getty Images AC/DC ‘s ’Back in Black’ album is among the pack of new titles entering the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. The band’s classic 1980 disc joins more than 900 recordings that make up the Grammy Hall’s collection. This marks the 40th year of the Grammy Hall, and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow says , “It’s especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of including a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations. Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become apart of our musical, social and cultural history.” The addition of AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ in the Grammy Hall of Fame partly makes up for the band being overlooked at the Grammy Awards over the years. AC/DC have received seven Grammy nominations, but only have one Grammy statue — Best Hard Rock Performance for ‘War Machine’ in 2010 — to their credit. It is also significant as ‘Back in Black’ is one of the very few hard rock albums ever to be inducted. There is the qualification that a recording must be at least 25 years old. ‘Back in Black’ is one of 27 new recordings chosen this year, entering alongside such major acts as Paul McCartney & Wings, Elton John , Billy Joel , Bob Dylan , Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston . To find out more about the Grammy Hall of Fame, check here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/favorite-acdc-album-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Favorite AC/DC Album – Readers Poll” align=”center”]