Rand-Halen

• No Van Halen news to report, just trying to come up with variations of the word "Random"-I think they are working on a new album though, according to my "sources" (my Van Halen freak neighbor)
• Bruce Dickinson  piloted one of the first post Hurricane Irene flights out of NY, and Sebastian Bach's New Jersey home was literally destroyed, including the loss of Skid Row master tapes and live recordings.
• Speaking of Maiden, I just listened to Ryan Adam's acoustic cover of Wasted Years.....
• Buddy Holly will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the 75th anniversary of his birth, never, ever underestimate what this man meant to Rock and Roll-the inspiration for hundreds of artists. 
• Bon Scott's mum, Isa Scott has died....

Jani Lane...

This story gets a little weirder every week. First off the autopsy was inconclusive and they will have to wait for toxicology reports to get back before the true cause of death is ruled. Then there is the note found on the body "I am Jami Lane" supposedly put there by someone who knew him, and then the hotel staff's refusal to verify if he was dead or not and/or offer any assistance in the situation. Anyways Jani Lane's appearance on That Metal Show has been moved up to this Saturday with a special introduction by Eddie Trunk, the episode had not been scheduled to air until October but they obviously felt the need to move it up in the schedule. Check out Rock News Desk for more on the above and tune in to VH1 this weekend if you feel so compelled.

Ridglea Theater

The Ridglea Theater is being restored as close as possible to it's original incarnation. The movie theater seats will not be restored but tables and chairs will be installed for live music events and theater productions. I doubt we will see some of the bands that have hit it in it's previous incarnation, Reverend Horton Heat, Flaming Lips and Spoonfed Tribe to name a few, much less the last year or two of it being a death metal haven but it will be interesting to see who they get to come along for the ride....

Ridglea Theater Restoration

Rand-DOOM

• Another person has died as a result of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse, making that the second since I posted and 7 total. Lawsuits have been filed, there are still dozens injured and limited information is being released so there could be more bad news on the horizon........
• AND-5 dead at a Belgian festival last Thursday from a violent storm that swept through the area, and there are more serious injuries involved, what the hell is going on with concerts this year.
• Two famous song writers have died-Nick Ashford and Jerry Lieber, both had song writing partners that worked with them and were a very important part of the early sounds of rock and pop. There accomplishements are too wide too mention here but I will thrown these out, follow the links above for more info:
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• Stand By Me
• Hound Dog

Randomapolloza

• Stages keep falling, people are dying and getting injured-the third such collapse in the last few months happened last weekend-I neglected to report the first at a The Cheap Trick show as we were on vacation and it was old news by the time I got back-I believe they refused to play a show after that as it was administered by the same stage company, then The Flaming Lips had an issue with one of their stages and now Sugarland-these are all weather related but wait till the lawyers get a hold of this.......
• No results from Jane Lane's autopsy-but a bottle of vodka and pills were supposedly by his bed-Johnny died one night, died in his bed. Bottle of whiskey, sleeping tablets by his head........
• The original Black Sabbath have reformed.
• Dave Mustaine is floating rumours of a supergroup-Mustaine, Ellefson, Ulrich and Hetfield-I just want a Big Four show within driving distance of DFW.....
• OK there is a shitload of shows in October, including Judas Priest that I am trying to sort through right now...

Jani Lane Found Dead

Jani Lane, former lead singer of Warrant was found dead in a hotel room. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed but Jani struggled with alcoholism, which led to his on and off again relationship with Warrant and finally his dismissal. I had the opportunity to see Warrant many times, never going specifically to see them but usually as part of a multi-bill show, the first time being with The Cult and Bonham at the now defunct Reunion Arena. Jani taped an episode of That Metal Show scheduled to air Oct. 1 on VH1, I believe they started last years season with a tribute to Dio, looks like this years season will include a somber note as well.

Janie Lane Dead at 47

Update from below

We hit two shows with a couple of our good friends last weekend-Nashville Pussy/Reverend Horton Heat at HOB in Dallas and KIX /Whitesnake in Durant, OK. Both shows were great and it was our first time for us to visit the Choctaw Casino and Event Center.While at the casino we hit the pool early in the day and hung around for a few hours and met Doug Aldrich, current guitarist for Whitesnake and formerly of DIO and Bad Moon Rising. Doug was nice enough to hang around and talk to us for a while and THEN come back and offer us backstage passes. Needless to say we took him up on this, got our passes at the show, got a Meet and Greet with David Coverdale and another post show visit with Doug. Doug is a great guy and the amount of time he spent with us as just a few fans, just talking and telling stories like any of us would do with our friends is greatly appreciated. Hopefully we will run into him again one day......

More details coming soon but....

Kings of Leon

After cutting short their show Friday night at Starplex, which some of my friends attended, the entire U.S tour has been cancelled. According to my "sources" (the above mentioned friends in attendance) Caleb was drinking the entire night. According to the article he was suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, as well as vocal cord issues. I will let you put it all together yourself......

Kings of Leon Cancel US Tour


PS-Looking at some of the fans comments people must think they are a little snobby....