Month: July 2010

The Manson John Paul Jones E-Bass model is a replica of the bass that Hugh Manson made for Jones in the early ’90s and has become John’s first call four-string ever since. Featuring a maple through-neck construction, figured maple top, Aged Cherry Sunburst high gloss lacquer, ebony fingerboard, EMG pickups and active circuit, Hipshot D-Tuner, Schaller machineheads and Badass bridge, the specs reflect exactly the current upgraded hardware of the bass John is currently using on tour with Them Crooked Vultures. Visit mansons.co.uk.

The 2010 Coney Island Cockabilly Roadshow features, "…the trashiest, dirtiest rock and roll, the most mind-bending and bizarre sideshow and the most sultry and seductive burlesque that Coney Island has to offer." The traveling roadshow will play clubs and bars across the United States, concluding over Labor Day Weekend on the boardwalk in Coney Island, New York. Check it out cockabillyrecords.com.

Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi of the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath have amicably resolved their problems over the ownership of the Black Sabbath name and court proceedings in New York have been discontinued. Both parties are glad to put this behind them and to cooperate together for the future and would like it to be known that the issue was never personal, it was always business.

The Lava Mini Coil cable has a 99.99 percent pure oxygen-free low-strand count copper conductor, right angle G&H Show Saver Plugs, and low noise due special layering and a proprietary outer jacket. The Mini Coil can stretch to between one and 12 inches. It is offered in a variety of colors including black, white, purple, metallic green, metallic red, and orange.Learn more at lavacable.com.

Take a Stand guitar stands are designed to be structurally sound, aesthetically beautiful, and flattering to your guitar and its surroundings. They are handcrafted using fine hardwoods with wood trim accents, machined metal and genuine leather.

Designed and patented by Stuart Mono, the stands provide a balanced, low center of gravity for maximum stability. Minimal contact with the guitar’s finish is an essential feature. The contact points are surgical rubber covered with genuine leather, thus protecting the guitar’s finish. The supports are secured to the neck of the stand using internal hardened stainless-steel pins.

The two models available can accommodate virtually all guitars including unique shaped guitars like Gibson Flying Vs and Explorers. For more, go to TakeaStandInc.com.

While in the midst of its 30th Anniversary tour, The Michael Schenker Group will release <em>Live In Tokyo: 30th Anniversary Japan Tour</em> on DVD this October 19. Recorded in January, 2010, the group consists of Michael Schenker, Gary Barden, Simon Phillips, Wayne Findlay, and Neil Murray. The band blasts through a track list highlighting all stages of Schenker’s career, from UFO and Scorpions hits through MSG classic tracks, to his solo compositions. The tour is ongoing.

Hank Cochran, the legendary songwriter who penned country-music classics like "I Fall To Pieces," "Make The World Go Away," "Ocean Front Property," "The Chair" and "Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me," passed away July 15 at his home Hendersonville, Tennessee, after suffering a long illness. Cochran was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1974, and honored by B.M.I. in June ’09 for his six-decade career. He is survived by his wife, Suzi, daughter Booth Calder, and three sons – Garland Perry Cochran Jr., James Lee Cochran, and Daniel Cochran.

Guitarist John Jorgenson recently returned from a musical tour of Iraq sponsored by Lone Wolf Productions, to entertain the troops. The band included members of the band Orleans and also featured Joe Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult on bass and vocalists Jimi Jamison of Survivor, Skip Martin of Kool &amp; the Gang), and Alex Ligertwood of Santana. 

Billed as "Rock and Pop Masters," the band also featured John playing his Gladiator solid-body electric guitar; which was recently introduced by Saga Musical Instruments.  At the end of the tour, this guitar was donated to the troops on behalf of John and Saga.

To no one’s surprise, the show was a huge hit with this super group of players making many new friends and playing to appreciative audiences of servicemen and servicewomen wherever they went. 
  
"Of course, we rocked all the classics from all of the bands including the crowd favorite, ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper,’ where Serviceman Kyle McKnight joined in on cowbell," said Jorgenson. "Naturally the crowd enthusiastically cried out for ‘More!’ The entire tour was certainly a once in a lifetime experience and we had a wonderful time entertaining the brave men and women out there protecting our country!"