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Another loss in the world of rock…the drummer of The Doobie Brothers, Michael Hossack, died on Monday (March 12th) at his home in Dubois, Wyoming at age 65 following a battle with cancer. Back in January, the band had issued a statement saying that Hossack was “improving slowly.” He is survived by his son and daughter. Hossack’s drum and percussion work was featured on such Doobies classics as “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “Listen To The Music,” “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.”
Courtney Love believes Kermit the Frog and his gang of Muppet friends “raped” the memory of her ex-husband Kurt Cobain — by bastardizing Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in their latest movie without her permission. Courtney says she has the absolute power to approve or nix the use of Kurt’s music for commercial purposes, and she never gave the OK for the use of the song for the 2011 Muppets movie. But there’s another side to this…apparently Courtney sold off half of her rights to Kurt’s music to a company called Primary Wave Music. But wait, there’s more…Courtney also gave Primary Wave the exclusive right to distribute Nirvana’s ENTIRE catalog. As far as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” goes, not only did Primary Wave approve the use in the Muppet’s movie, they got permission from the two surviving Nirvana members — Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic. And Dave is even in the movie. Courtney…just STAY DOWN!
On this day in 1983 (March 14), Jon Bon Jovi formed the band Bon Jovi. When Jon was seventeen, his cousin Tony gave him a job sweeping the floors at his recording studio. A year later, in 1980, Tony recommended that Jon sing on a song on the album Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album. Jon’s first-ever professional recording credit (under the name John Bongiovi) was for singing “R2-D2 We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas.” In 1983, Jon recorded “Runaway,” a song he’d written during his days sweeping the floors at The Power Station studio. He enlisted the help of studio musicians for the session. After getting signed to a major label, Jon called up Richie Sambora. Richie was familiar with Jon and agreed to join him. Jon also contacted his old bandmate, keyboardist David Bryan, who at the time was studying music at Julliard; Bryan quickly dropped out to join Jon and Richie. Experienced local drummer Tico Torres and bassist Alec John Such also got the call – and on this day in 1983, Bon Jovi, the biggest-selling American band in history, was formed.
Some bits and bites:
—Stephen Hawking reportedly filmed a cameo appearance on The Big Bang Theory. GossipCop.com reported that the famous theoretical physicist will have a “run-in” with Sheldon, the scientist character played by Jim Parsons. The episode will reportedly air on April 5th.
—Rush will be honored with The Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th annual Revolver Golden God Awards in April. Rush, who will release their 19th studio album, “Clockwork Angels,” in May, join a list of past honorees that includes Motley Crue, Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy Osbourne.
—Iron Maiden have offered up a preview of their new live package, “En Vivo!” which arrives on March 27. Maiden were filmed live on April 10, 2011 in Santiago during the Round The World In 66 Days leg of The Final Frontier World Tour. You can now check out “Blood Brothers,” the first clip released from the package here.
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