Month: December 2012

Veteran rock and jazz drummer Ed Cassidy died December 6 in an assited living home following an extended battle with cancer. He was 89. Cassidy played with jazz greats Dexter Gordon and Chet Baker and later co-founded Spirit, the California progressive-rock band that charted with “I Got A Line On You,” “1984,” and “Mechanical World.” Spirit guitarist Randy California (1951-1997) was Cassidy’s step-son, and bassist Mark Andes later played with Firefall and Jo Jo Gunne.

Amptweaker’s Bass TightFuzz pedal offers extended lower range of the Tight and Tone controls, and adds a control for Dry Low. Tight varies the attack from smooth and thick to tight and aggressive, while the Germanium/Silicon switch and ’60s/’70s switch offer more tonal variety, and a special input circuit simulates the guitar so active effects and pickups can be used. The pedal also has an effects loop with Pre/Post switch to add delay or other distortion/EQs, LED illumination of controls, Battery On/Off switch, and magnetic battery door. Learn more at Amptweaker.com.

DIY Mod Kits’ Verb Deluxe pedal kit has controls for Dwell and Mix, allowing the dry signal to be blended with the processed signal. The pedal operates on a 9-volt battery or 9-volt adapter. DIY Mod Kits use point-to-point wiring and include a pre-drilled enclosure and all necessary parts. Check them out at modkitsdiy.com.

Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney are among the artists who will appear at a benefit for the Robin Hood Relief Fund, December 12 at Madison Square Garden. 12-12-12: The Concert For Sandy Relief will also include Bon Jovi, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Roger Waters, The Who, and others.

All of the proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go to serve the victims of Hurricane Sandy through the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which provides money, material, and know-how to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hit by the storm. Learn more at 121212concert.org.

Richie Sambora has released a special edition of “I’ll Always Walk Beside You,” with Alicia Keys on piano, Aaron Sterling on drums, and Curt Schneider on bass. The single is available for download on richiesambora.com and 100% of the proceeds from each download will benefit the American Red Cross and the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy. The track was written and produced by Sambora and Luke Ebbin.

Sambora will perform as the house band for “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson this week on the CBS.  In addition to providing music at the beginning and end of each segment, he will perform songs spanning his career as a solo artist and as a member of Bon Jovi, which includes 11 studio albums, one live album, one Grammy Award (plus eight nominations) and induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Alamo Music Products Rio Grande Baby Texas and Barbecue humbucking pickups are replacements for the mini humbucker offered by Gibson in various ’60s-era Epiphone guitars, Firebirds, and the ’70s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. They have oversized polepieces, a radiator baseplate, offer output measuring 10k or 12k, and are available in chrome, nickel, and toasted-nickel finish. A “no-holes” cover option is also available. Learn more at riograndepickups.com.

Real Rock Gemstone Guitar Picks are made from agates, petrified wood, jasper, tiger eye, crazy lace, and other materials. They are available in a range of thicknesses, shapes, and sizes. Learn more at realrock.us.