The Dirt! APRIL 2010
Bret Michaels suffers a brain hemorrhage and is in critical condition!
People reports that Bret Michaels, frontman of Poison, had a brain hemorrhage and is currently in critical condition. Michaels, who has had his share of health problems (Michaels has juvenile diabetes and recently had an emergency appendectomy on April 12), is a current contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice. We will keep you posted on Michael's condition and hope he recovers soon.
UPDATE 4/30/2010: According to Bret's website, Bret's doctors have confirmed that he is awake, talking, and they are hopeful for a full recovery. We are hopeful as well, and wish Bret all the best. Fans around the world can now relax just a bit.
HELL YEAH! SOUNDGARDEN IS BACK TOGETHER AND TOURING!
We have been waiting for this band to tour together for a while now. It is confirmed they will be playing Lollapalooza. They have also launched a new website www.soundgardenworld.com. Can't wait to see them on the road. Rumor has it they will be playing tracks off of their first couple of records and their earlier material.
Peter Steele dies at 48!
Peter Steele, lead singer of Type O Negative, has died, at the age of 48. The band's official website confirms the unique signer has died of heart failure. Click here to read more. Here is a video tribute of one of the most unique singers in rock:
Chip Z'Nuff on baseball!
This one is pretty funny, check out Chip Z'Nuff talking baseball with some kids on the street. Click here to watch the video.
FEBRUARY 2010
Steven Tyler tries out for Led Zeppelin-Rumor Confirmed
According to The Pulse of Radio, Joe Perry from Aerosmith, confirmed the rumors that Steven Tyler did indeed try out for LED ZEPPELIN. The audition occurred shortly after Robert Plant decided to pass on reuniting with the band in 2008. After months of rumors, Perry finally shared the details of Tyler's "attempt" to sing as frontman for ZEPPELIN. Perry told Classic Rock magazine, "Steven disappeared and I called around. Somebody said he was in London trying out for LED ZEPPELIN. It's something I've never talked about before. It's a kind of window into how hard it's been to keep the partnership together. It's not the first time things like this have happened— that's the downside of our relationship."
Jimmy Page also told Perry, that the rehearsals were "shambolic," with Tyler unfamiliar with the ZEPPELIN catalogue of music and under the impression they would be working on new material.
Perry added: "Page felt really awkward about the audition, but ultimately it was a group decision (to pass on Tyler)."
Hmmmm...Wonder what Mr. Tyler is going to do now...
JANUARY 2010
Marilyn Manson and Rachel Evan Wood Engaged?
PopEater reports that 22 year old Evan Rachel Wood and 41 year old Marilyn Manson just got engaged! Apparently, Manson asked Wood to marry him during his performance in Paris this last Tuesday (1/4/10).
We wish these two the best of luck. Despite the huge age difference (among other things) and Warner's sometimes frightening proclamations of hatred for Wood (Manson told Spin last spring when he thought about Wood that he had "fantasies every day about smashing her skull in with a sledgehammer"), it looks like they are going to make a go of it. We'll see what happens.
DECEMBER 2009
Hey BSD fans...we finally posted our Shiprocked diary! Click here to read!
Subject: Guitar Center and Mötley Crüe Hand-Picked Artists, The Last Vegas, Top iTunes' "Rock Singles of the Year" List
Guitar Center's Commitment to Support of Aspiring Artists Comes to Fruition: "I'm Bad" Selected iTunes 2009 Rock Single of the Year By Panel of Critics
December 14, 2009 - Guitar Center, the world's largest music retailer, announced that its On-Stage winner, The Last Vegas, topped iTunes critics' 2009 "Rock Singles of the Year List" with their hit single "I'm Bad" (Eleven Seven Music). Recently, Guitar Center partnered with Mötley Crüe, the world's most notorious rock band, on its undiscovered music program Guitar Center On-Stage through which one band, The Last Vegas, received an opening slot on Mötley's Crüe's 2009 U.S. tour, $25,000 cash, $20,000 in exclusive gear from Gibson Guitar, management from Tenth Street Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music, Mötley's Crüe's management and record label. Due in part to Guitar Center's commitment to the support of aspiring artists, the band has risen to the top of the most popular digital music store in the world's annual "best-of" list in just one year. The chart topping single can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/ImBadiTunes and its music video can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/ImBadYouTube.
"We cannot thank Guitar Center enough for kick-starting our careers with its On-Stage program," said Chad Cherry, lead singer of The Last Vegas. "From the moment we won their extremely generous prize and were hand-selected by Mötley Crüe to open for them on tour, our lives have been sent into a whirlwind of rock and roll. Look at us now; we're sitting on top of the iTunes charts and it all started with Guitar Center."
The Last Vegas has been dubbed "Best Discovery" by SPIN and, since winning Guitar Center On-Stage, has built an impressive touring history throughout arenas, clubs and theaters in 2009, side-by-side with renowned acts like Buckcherry, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and Papa Roach.
Guitar Center On-Stage is just one of many Guitar Center initiatives created to foster growth and success within the music community, including its annual King of the Blues and Drum-Off competitions, among others. Guitar Center's King of the Blues is a nationwide amateur guitar skills competition with the goal of finding the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. Drum-Off is an annual drumming competition that, now in its 21st year, has been a launching pad for many drummers, including Cora Coleman-Dunham and Tony Royster Jr, two Drum-Off winners who have gone on to become highly acclaimed professional drummers (with Prince and Jay Z respectively).
"Guitar Center prides itself on helping musicians pursue and accomplish their dreams and The Last Vegas are the perfect Cinderella story," said Norman Hajjar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Guitar Center. "The Last Vegas has gone above and beyond the achievements we had hoped for when we started the Guitar Center On-Stage program and we can't wait to see where they're headed."
About Guitar Center:
Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 214 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.
AXL ROSE CAUGHT ON TAPE FIGHTING A PAPARAZZO!
TMZ reports that douchebag Axl Rose is in trouble again. We all know he is hot-tempered, and this time it was caught on tape. Check out his fight with a member of the paparazzi here. Great Dirt!!!
NOVEMBER 2009
Members of Foo Fighters pursue other projects. Get the dirt here!
The girls of BackstageDirt are gearing up for the Get Shiprocked! cruise next week (November 15-20). We will be posting cruise diaries, interviews with members of the bands playing on the cruise (Tesla, Queensryche, Ratt, Skid Row, Endeverafter, Broken Teeth, Lynam and more), and lots of DIRT! See you on the high seas!
OCTOBER 2009
Bret Michaels and Sharon Osbourne to star on the next season of Celebrity Apprentice
According to Blabbermouth.net, Bret Michaels, Poison Frontman, and Sharon Osbourne, wife of Ozzy, will be among the celebrities taking part of the Spring 2010 season of Celebrity Apprentice. Does this mean we will not have to endure yet another season of Rock of Love (We do not think we could handle "Rock of Love Airplane")? Damn, we are going to miss that (NOT!)...
Ex-Alice in Chains bassist and Celebrity Rehab alumnus Mike Starr was arrested Monday in Los Angeles on a drug charge
Radar Online reports that Mike Starr was arrested on felony drug charges. Starr has been in trouble before for DUI, reckless driving, and other drug charges. This boy really needs to clean up his act! Full details are available here.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Fred Durst to get divorced after only two months of marriage
Gee, what a surprise!! Fred Durst and his wife of only two months announced today (9/28) that they are separating. Durst, 39, and Esther Nazarov, were married last July in Las Vegas. Durst made the announcement on his Twitter page. Somehow, the news doesn't surprise us at BSD. Did anyone ever hear of living together first? Then again, two months isn't too bad of a track record in Hollywood.
Sebastian Bach to join celebrity Fit Club
Ok, we love Sebastian, and think he has a lot of talent, but doesn't it mean you are kinda washed up as an artist when you get offered and accept to do Celebrity Fit Club? Can't he lose weight in a more dignified way? We don't think the show did much for Jani Lane's career. Sebastian will join Britney Spears' ex, Kevin Federline (and his ex Shar Jackson), R&B Star Bobby Brown, "Charles in Charge" ex-hottie, Nicole Eggert, "Project Runway" Jay McCarroll, and "High School Musical's" Tanisha Thomas. Watch the premiere on VH1 February 14, 2010. Hey, BSD will be sure to watch anyway!!
Sorry ladies, Godsmack frontman is engaged! Details can be found here.
DOKKEN IN DESPERATE NEED OF MONEY? YOU BE THE JUDGE! WATCH THIS:
Justin Tranter, Frontman of Glam Band Semi Precious Weapons, co-wrote a song with American Idol Alum Kellie Pickler?
Hmmmm....This is interesting but a strange pairing of musical talents, don't ya think? We really do like Kellie Pickler. We don't think she is all that talented as a singer, but she is entertaining, and nowadays, a lot of so-called entertainers don't entertain! And, her country style really doesn't seem to fit with the style of outrageously flamboyant glam rocker Justin Tranter, but hey, we will need to hear the song before we pass judgment.
The two singers co-wrote a song called "Black Tears." Justin told the Rolling Stone that "We clicked instantly, probably because we look like gorgeous blond twins, both wearing five-inch heels, separated at birth and raised on different planets." "I have the filthiest rock and roll band in New York, and she is a Southern Belle country music princess, but we can just talk for hours like we are the same girl."
Kellie met Justin at Fashion Week in New York City and then met again after that to discuss the song. "After the show at Madison Square Garden, we went to a little restaurant and pigged out on french fries, macaroni and cheese and champagne," Kellie says. "We ended up writing a song in the bathroom!"
"Kellie is so much more rock and roll than anyone knows," Justin gabs. "But I think the world will find out soon."
So, we will have to wait and see how "rock and roll" the song really is when it comes out. No word yet on which singer will release the song on their album.
Say It Ain't So! Aerosmith to break-up?
Let's hope not. Joe Perry, Aerosmith guitarist, denies such rumors on his Twitter page, but The Boston Globe has speculated that due to singer Steven Tyler's recent health issues, lack of progress on Aerosmith's long awaited album, as well as Tyler's decision to hire a separate management company, a break-up may be inevitable. Only time will tell here. Then again, BSD thinks the Aerosmith cash cow may have a few more tours left in them. They just can't make that kind of money touring as solo artists!
AUGUST 2009
JANI LANE PERFORMS AT HOB ON 8/28
Jani Lane performed at the House of Blues on Sunset in West Hollywood on 8/28. Also performing with Jani were drummer Jimmy D'Anda (Bulletboys), bassist Kevin Baldes (LIT), and guitarist Brent Woods (Vince Neil). Jani had a brief reunion with Warrant in 2008, but the band split up 6 months later. Jani has been no stranger to trouble over the years, and he recently pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor DUI in June of 2009 after he hit a parked car. Check out the performance below courtesy of Christy Borgman and YouTube.
RIP DJ AM
TMZ first reported the death of Adam Goldstein, also known by his stage name DJ AM. He was found dead in his apartment on Friday in New York City. He was 36. According to TMZ, drug paraphernalia including a glass crack pipe was found at the scene. He hadn't been seen or heard from in several days.
A friend checking on DJ AM called police, and they broke down the door and found his body lying in his bed.
DJ AM was known for his innovative DJ techniques and also was famous for dating Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore. He escaped death in 2008 when a plane he was on crashed after takeoff killing four people (can anyone say "Final Destination?").
Backstagedirt.com sends out condolences to his family and friends.
STEEL PANTHER IN THE UK!!
If you do not know who Steel Panther is, you have to see them at some point in your rocknroll career. Everytime I get to L.A., I make sure I am there on a Monday night so I can catch their show at The Key Club on the Sunset Strip. I don't think I have ever had a better time than at their show, and I mean this, seriously (I have been to A LOT of shows)!! They are basically an 80's cover band, but they are the most entertaining and hilarious cover band in the world. Someone famous also usually shows up at their show. I have seen Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Jenna Jamieson (Porn Star), Ron Jeremy (Porn Star) and others before at their show. Check out their website here. They will be playing a few dates in the UK. And, here's a video to watch:
SL
RICK SPRINGFIELD DOES CALIFORNICATION!
Hey ladies, Rick Springfield just signed on to play himself in four episodes of "Californication" on Showtime this fall. This is David Duchovny's excellent show. We hear the role even includes some nudity and simulated sex scenes. I am sure the lunatic Rick Springfield fans will be excited to hear the news. Check out backstagedirt.com's review of the Rick Springfield Show this summer to get an idea of just how crazy his fans are!
ZAKK WYLDE IN HOSPITAL!
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne) was taken to the hospital for blood clot treatment following Black Label Society's performance in Montana on August 19, 2009. Details are on his Twitter page.
WHITESNAKE CANCEL TOUR
Kix to replace Whitesnake on the rest of the Judas Priest summer 2009 tour. An announcement was made on Whitesnake's Myspace page here.
REALITY SHOW POSTPONED
"VH1's new show "Megan Wants a Millionaire" postponed. Click here for more details.
