Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman has died at the age of 70. He was still performing with the band who received the first-ever platinum disc for sales of their 1969 breakthrough album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. He’d also continued work with side-project Captain Beyond until the death of guitarist Larry ‘Rhino’ Reinhardt earlier this year. Dorman, who had suffered heart problems for many years, was found in his car. Police believed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Tony Iommi has reflected on his first year as a cancer victim. The guitarist announced he was suffering from lymphoma soon after Black Sabbath‘s reunion with Ozzy Osbourne was revealed in 2011. Iommi says: “What a year! Certainly not the one I was expecting. Thanks to you all for your massive help and support. It was very encouraging. I’m still working on the album and managed to play three shows – not bad given the news a year ago. I’m looking forward to next year, seeing what you think of the record and touring as much as we’re able.”
Led Zeppelin have reissued their catalogue via iTunes, remastered to make best use of the digital format. It’s a separate move from the band’s planned reissue series, expected in 2013. Meanwhile, Robert Plant has re-emphasised the thought processes behind refusing to take the band’s 2007 reunion any further. He says: “You have to be creative and imaginative and move on. The great essence of Led Zeppelin is the creativity and imagination that developed with each project. I don’t see us being a stadium act, going round and round making everyone feel great playing the hits.” [CBS]
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has explained how the song Cut Me Some Slack was written with Paul McCartney. The grunge pioneers’ surviving members performed the track several times earlier this month alongside the ex-Beatle. Novoselic says in his blog: “Paul came in with this cigar-box guitar and started playing some mean slide on it. He said it was in D. Grunge instincts took over and I dropped the E on the bass to D. Pat and Dave got into it and the tune took shape. Paul flashed a riff and we picked it up. I busted another one out and everyone picked it up. Things started coming together. A new song was born! And that’s about it. That’s all it is – a new song by some players who have been doing it for a while.”
The last live Deep Purple album featuring Ritchie Blackmore will be re-released on January 29. Live In Paris 1975 features the iconic guitarist alongside David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice performing tracks including Stormbringer, Highway Star, Space Truckin’ and Smoke on the Water.
A 1969 vehicle registration document sent to Jimi Hendrix has sold on eBay for $2250. The enveloped item, addressed in type to Hendrix, was associated with a Corvette he owned at the time and is believed to have written off in an accident and replaced with a similar car. It comes with the standard California Department of Motor Vehicles statement which reads: “If you no longer own this vehicle destroy this card.” [Ultimate Classic Rock]
Classic Rock Presents Jimi Hendrix: People, Hell and Angels Fanpack is currently available for pre-order, containing the complete new Hendrix album due out next year. Find out more.
A group of scientific researchers believe successful musicians are more likely to die young than those who follow other career paths – but the chance of survival is worst among solo artists. The study was led by Mark Bellis, a UK expert of drug abuse and violence prevention. Researchers discovered that out of 1489 big-name artists famous between 1956 and 2006, 137 or 9.2% of them died young, with 39% of those deaths attributed to drink, drugs or violence. More solo artists died than those who worked in a band – In the US the rate was 23% for soloists versus 10% of band members, and in Europe it was 10% versus 5%. [New York Times]
source: classicrockmagazine.com
