Supergroup Black Country Communion Announce 'V' - Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian

Black Country Communion is back! The band has just announced the release of their forthcoming new album V, and has released the lead single "Stay Free" too. Read my review of the band's memorable performance at City National Grove of Anaheim in June 2011 HERE...Robert Kinsler

Black Country Communion in Anaheim, CA in June 2011.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

Supergroup Black Country Communion Announces Highly Anticipated New Album 'V' and Unleashes Lead Single "Stay Free"   Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian come together to release new music for the first time in 7 years   Listen to “Stay Free” HERE Pre-order/save ‘V’ HERE

Cover Art Designed by Hugh Syme

Black Country Communion, the iconic rock supergroup featuring the talents of Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their highly anticipated fifth studio album, V, available worldwide on June 14. To celebrate, fans are treated to the immediate release of the album's heavy funk lead single, "Stay Free," out today on all major streaming platforms. Watch a teaser for the upcoming music video HERE.   Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley, 'V' marks a monumental chapter in the band's storied career, embodying a renewed spirit and an evolution of their unmistakable sound. Shirley captures the essence of the band's journey, stating, "For a band that started out as a collection of the best practitioners of their instruments, they very quickly found a unique sound. This time around, it has more purpose, the riffs are tougher, and there are hooks! Yes, hooks! It’s the most cohesive record, full of soul and grit, and I think this is the one that’s going to be the benchmark for Black Country Communion." Glenn agrees, “In my opinion, we had the best time recording this record at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, tons of fun & a magical recording. Meet you inside the Music.”   "Stay Free," the lead single, is a powerhouse track that blends hard rock's raw energy with a heavy dose of blues, channeling the spirit of legends like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It sets the tone for what fans can expect from 'V' – a testament to the band's dynamic synergy and creative evolution.

Photo by Rob Bondurant

Since their debut in 2010, Black Country Communion has delivered a series of critically acclaimed albums, each showcasing the group's ability to fuse British blues-rock with American soul in a way that captivates audiences worldwide. Their return with 'V' and the single "Stay Free" reaffirms their status as rock royalty and showcases their growth as musicians and storytellers.   Kevin Shirley's insight into the recording process highlights the unique chemistry and camaraderie within the band. "When we convened in 2023 to start recording the album V, it really was like picking up the day after the most recent gig," Shirley reflects. "The camaraderie is immediately evident. Once they start playing, everyone is deadly serious, and the music sounds like this band, and nothing else sounds like it."

'V' is a milestone that celebrates the journey, talent, and vision of Black Country Communion. As the band embarks on this new chapter, they invite fans old and new to join them in experiencing the depth and power of 'V' and the electrifying energy of "Stay Free."   The news follows the announcement of the band’s upcoming performance at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Sunday, March 17th. This rare appearance will be the first live performance in America from the band in over 11 years. Presented by Joe Bonamassa's Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, all profits from the concert will be donated to support music education and musicians in need. The band is also set to appear on the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise, sailing from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico from March 18-22.   The album 'V' is available for pre-order now. For more details, exclusive content, and updates, please visit https://joeb.me/OrderBCCV.   Track Listing: 1. Enlighten 2. Stay Free 3. Red Sun 4. Restless 5. Letting Go 6. Skyway 7. You're Not Alone 8. Love And Faith 9. Too Far Gone 10. The Open Road   About Black Country Communion BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION is a powerhouse supergroup fusing the incredible talents of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), Joe Bonamassa (Blues Rock Legend), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo). Their brand of earth-shattering rock is heavily influenced by both British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock music. The reputation they’ve cultivated after 15 years since their inception, not only as amazing songwriters, but as a powerful live act, is only exceeded by their dedication to their craft and willingness to challenge each other to make the best music imaginable.   www.blackcountrycommunion.com https://www.facebook.com/bccommunion/ https://twitter.com/bccommunion https://www.youtube.com/@bccommunion https://www.instagram.com/bccommunionofficial/ https://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/black-country-communion

Eddie Van Halen Remembered

The world learned today of the passing of guitar great Eddie Van Halen. He was only 65. A flood of well-deserved tributes have come from his loved ones as well as countless fellow musical greats and fans. Former band mate Sammy Hagar was speaking for millions of us when he described himself as "heartbroken and speechless" in the wake of the news announced earlier today...Robert Kinsler

"40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you. You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang. Through all your challenging treatments for lung cancer, you kept your gorgeous spirit and that impish grin. I'm so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love."

Valerie Bertinelli

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has issued the following statement for the passing of 2007 Inductee Eddie Van Halen.

 

“Inductee Eddie Van Halen forever changed the vocabulary of the electric guitar. With blistering speed, control, and melodic feel, he perfected the art of shredding, unleashing two-handed finger tapping, dramatic whammy-bar moves, and other astonishing never-before-seen techniques. Innovative, like his hero Les Paul, Eddie reimagined the sonic possibilities of the guitar and became an inspiration for an entire generation of musicians who worshiped his sound and style. His band Van Halen kicked the American hard rock scene into high gear in the late Seventies, became rock heroes on MTV in the Eighties, and gave rise to a steady stream of shredders and trailblazers ever since.”

-Greg Harris, President & CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

 

Courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, watch Van Halen’s 2007 Induction speech and performance of “Why Can’t This Be Love” and Induction by Velvet Revolver at https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/van-halen, where you can also find Van Halen’s bio and read their official Induction program essay.

 

 

Eddie Van Halen is represented inside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio:

• Hall of Fame Gallery (L3): signature wall
• Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll (L0 & L6): Including his well-known Frankenstein guitar, Wolfgang guitars, rigs, and more
• The Garage (L2)

 

The Recording Academy issued the following statement:

"During his legendary career, GRAMMY^® Award winner Eddie Van Halen contributed to some of the world's most iconic music. His explosive guitar playing and approach to the musical process solidified him as an undeniable force in his field and forever established his place as a true guitar hero. The world is lucky to have witnessed Eddie's genius as a guitarist, and we know he will influence and shape rock music indefinitely."
 
Harvey Mason jr.
Chair & Interim President/CEO
Recording Academy 

"What a Long Great Trip Its Been..."

David Lee Roth (via Twitter)

 

"So saddened to hear of Eddie Van Halen's passing. I stood in awe and complete wonderment of Eddie's immense talent and amazing guitar ability. One of the greatest rockers ever and I will miss him."

John Fogerty (via Twitter)

From left, Joe Perry, Eddie Van
Halen and Steve Perry.
Photo courtesy of Aerosmith

"Rest In Peace @eddievanhalen You will be missed! #Legend"

Aerosmith (via Twitter) 

"I just heard about Eddie Van Halen and I feel terrible about it. Eddie was such a great guitarist and I remember how big Van Halen was, especially here in L.A. Love and Mercy to Eddie's family & friends."

Brian Wilson (via Twitter)

 

“Eddie was a one of a kind guitarist and human being. He was a master at his craft, a peer I was in awe of and a friend I loved. I am deeply saddened by this news and Marjorie and I send his family our deepest condolences.

The world will be dimmer - and quieter - without him."

Joe Walsh

"Words cannot describe how monumental the loss of Edward Van Halen is to the music community. He inspiured generations of guitar players of all genres. His playing was unrivaled in its ingenuity and its ferocity. Rest In Peace to the greatest Rock Guitarist of all time."

Joe Bonamassa (via Twitter)

"EVH! There will never, ever be another one! Hearts are breaking all over the world. We thank you immensely for always inspiring us. Love and peace to the family. RIP Eddie."

Steve Wariner (via Twitter)

"God Bless Edward Van Halen"

Derek Sherinian

Finally, MUSIC WORTH BUYING co-host TJR has posted an emotional tribute to Eddie Van Halen on his channel you can view HERE.

Supergroup Black Country Communion (Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian) announce new album

Black Country Communion is back! The hard-rocking supergroup is set to release a new album this fall. I got to see and review the band back in June 2011 and they were amazing (see my review of that show here). Can't wait! Robert Kinsler

The brand new studio album "BCCIV" from supergroup Black Country Communion is available for pre-order now

 

Highly anticipated CD and Vinyl will be released worldwide on Friday, September 22nd

Black Country Communion delivers classic rock musicianship on another level. The Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalistJoe Bonamassa, will release their long awaited and highly anticipated fourth album, BCCIV, via J&R Adventures on Friday, September 22^nd 2017. This is the band's first studio album since 2013's Afterglow.

The Pre-order is available now via the Band's website www.bccommunion.com, itunes and Amazon.

Just like its three predecessors, 'BCCIV' was overseen by legendary producer Kevin Shirley, whose catalogue of hit classic rock records for Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Journey, The Black Crowes, has made him the hottest producer that rock music has to offer. Shirley, who originally had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa in a band after seeing them jamming together onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 - is the group's unofficial 'fifth member'.

Joe Bonamassa rocking the City National Grove of Anaheim with BCC in June 2011.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Black Country Communion is an earth-shattering combination of American and British rock influences-a bona fide super group that conveys to the world a simple but important message: classic rock is alive and in good hands in the 21st century. Their communion together forms something that is greater than the sum of its parts, creating a legacy being cemented within the halls of music history.
Due to extensive tour and recording schedules for all of the band members' solo careers, this super group is hard to catch live and currently only has 3 live concerts scheduled with no immediate plans for more.  Just announced today, the group will play two UK exclusive shows at the Wolverhampton Civic on January 2^nd, 2018 and at the Eventim Apollo in London on January 4^th, 2018 - For ticket information visit: www.bccommunion.com.  BCC will also make a special guest appearance to perform on Joe's SOLD OUT Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea Music Festival sailing February 26- March 2^nd, 2018 (www.bluesaliveatsea.com).

The initiative for the new album came from Joe Bonamassa, who contacted the band in 2016 to see if they would be up for going back into the studio to write and record a fourth album.  Says Joe, "I just felt the time was right for Black Country Communion to go back into the studio and write and record a new album. When I contacted Glenn, Derek and Jason, they immediately agreed to give it shot. The timing was right."

During October 2016, when news first broke about the band getting back together, things on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, started blowing up and fan reaction was overwhelming. It was clear to see that BCC fans were hungry for another album. Since then, BCCIV is destined to become one of the he biggest hard rock albums of 2017.

Black Country Communion taking a bow at City National Grove of Anaheim in June 2011.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Black Country Communion's inception took place when front man and bass guitarist Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa fused their styles on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center's King of the Blues event. With the help and guidance of producer Kevin Shirley, they further added to their rock lineage by recruiting drummer Jason Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Taking their name from the industrial area in Britain, and the birthplace of both Hughes and Bonham, Black Country Communion released their self-titled debut album in 2010, and with that, unleashed their brand of take-no-prisoners hard rock to a world thirsting for music with substance.

Following the release of another two studio albums, 2011's well-received Black Country Communion 2 and 2012's equally impressive Afterglow, plus a smoldering live CD released in 2011, Live Over Europe, the band has firmly established themselves as one of hard rock's premier acts. The band took a hiatus in 2013 and focused on their successful solo careers.

BCC has cultivated a reputation not only as amazing songwriters, but as a powerful live act, is only exceeded by their dedication to their craft, and a willingness to challenge and motivate each other to make the best music they can.

When BCC's self-titled debut album was originally released in September 2010, Classic Rockdescribed it as "Possibly the best hard rock album of 2010," while MOJO awarded it 4 stars. Music Radar hailed the disc as "a potent and stomping collection of riff-heavy rockers that will undoubtedly stun listeners."

During its first week of release in the UK, BCC's debut album hit the #1 spot in the Official Top 40Rock Album Chart. It was voted #3 in Classic Rock's "Critics Album of the Year" poll, and listeners of Planet Rock crowned BCC as the Best New Band of 2010. In the States, former VH1 Classic TV show "That Metal Show" dubbed BCC as the Best New Rock Band of the last 10 Years.

Issued a mere nine months later, Black Country Communion 2 was darker and deeper than its predecessor.  Once again it topped the UK's Rock Album Chart. The band were also the recipients of the Best Breakthrough Act award at Classic Rock's prestigious Roll Of Honour Awards. Acknowledging that more than a single listen was required to fully appreciate its "depth and artistry", the same magazine rightly called 'BCC2' "one stone-solid classic song after another."

Now, seven years on from its inception, Bonamassa feels the time is right to bring the original BCC line-up back for album #4. "We had around 4 months to write this album, and I think the results speak for themselves," comments Glenn Hughes. "All four of us wanted to make a record that stood up to the first three albums, however, the new album is more of a progression, as we wanted to be careful not to repeat the previous albums. A lot has happened since we last recorded the Afterglow album in 2013, so, in many ways, the new album shows BCC with a much harder, riffier and bigger and bolder sound.  If you're looking for a folk album, this ain't the one."

 

The band assembled to record BCCIV at Cave Studios in Los Angeles in January 2017.  The album was mixed at Cave Studios in Sydney in March.  The songs on BCCIV will appeal to all fans of high quality hard rock, also those that admire singers of distinction. Hughes is not known as The Voice of Rock for nothing.

 

In terms of content, 'BCCIV' expands upon the progression that took place between the first three albums. With an abundance of heavy riffs, undeniable hooks, melodic flair and infectious choruses, BCCIV is a spectacular album that gets bigger and bolder with repeated spins.

 

"I wanted the new album to physically shake your soul. It's a wake-up call." explains Hughes.

L-R: Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham & Derek Sherinian.  

Photo credit: Neil Zlozower

'BCCIV' Tracklisting

1. Collide (4:07)

2. Over My Head (4:06)

3. The Last Song For My Resting Place (7:57)

4. Sway (5:24)

5. The Cove (7:11)

6. The Crow (6:00)

7. Wanderlust (8:18)

8. Love Remains (4:53)

9. Awake (4:42)

10. When The Morning Comes (7:56)

 

 

Black Country Communion: Official Website / Facebook /Twitter

Sights and Sounds: The Who, Austin City Limits episode, Tony MacAlpine benefit

It may be the end of the week, but there is no shortage of big music news to share. Have a great weekend everybody!

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE

THE WHO

LIVE IN HYDE PARK

 ~CELEBRATING THEIR 50^TH ANNIVERSARY~

DVD+2CD, BLU-RAY+2CD, DVD+3LP, AND DIGITAL FORMATS

The Who Live In Hyde Park will be released on November 20 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The formats are DVD+2CD set, Blu-ray+2CD set, DVD+3LP set and digital formats. The Deluxe Edition Blu-ray+DVD+2CD set will be out on December 4.

Filmed on June 26, 2015 as The Who celebrated their 50th anniversary, this stunning show with 65,000 fans in attendance at London’s famous Hyde Park is a triumphant return to their home city.  This massive event formed a fitting culmination to The Who’s 50th anniversary celebrations and the set includes classics like “My Generation,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Pictures Of Lily,” “I Can’t Explain,” “You Better You Bet,” “Who Are You,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Join Together,” “The Kids Are Alright,” “I Can See For Miles,” and many more! This grand scale concert, complete with huge screens surrounding the stage and an exceptional light show, holds true to Pete Townshend’s promise at the start of the set: “You’re a long way away…but we will reach you!”.

“The Seeker,” an extra song from Hyde Park, is part of the bonus features on the DVD and Blu-ray sets, as well as the stage screen films used at recent shows: a film by the band for “The Kids Are Alright” and “You Better You Bet” (both with Hyde Park audio) and “Squeeze Box” (with the original studio audio). The lavish Deluxe Edition comes packaged with an exclusive 60 page hardback photobook containing the DVD, Blu-ray & 2CDs.

This Hyde Park show was a true one-off, a mass coming together to mark this momentous moment in the history of one of the true greats, a band whose music has already stood the tests of time and will always be with us.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton and Aerosmith. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 40 multi-platinum, over 80 platinum and over 144 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Paris and Hamburg.

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EagleRockNews

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/eaglerocktv

TRACKLISTING

1) I Can’t Explain 

2) The Seeker*  

3) Who Are You 

4) The Kids Are Alright  

5) Pictures Of Lily  

6) I Can See For Miles  

7) My Generation  

8) Behind Blue Eyes  

9) Bargain  

10) Join Together  

11) You Better You Bet  

12) I’m One  

13) Love Reign O’er Me  

14) Eminence Front  

15) Amazing Journey / Sparks  

16) Pinball Wizard  

17) See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You  

18) Baba O’Riley  

19) Won’t Get Fooled Again

* included as bonus on DVD / Blu-ray

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SHOWCASES INDIE ROCK:

TV ON THE RADIO & THE WAR ON DRUGS

New Episode Premieres November 7th on PBS

Watch TV On the Radio perform "Winter" on ACL TV
Watch The War on Drugs perform "Eyes to the Wind" on ACL TV

Austin, TX—November 6, 2015—Austin City Limits (ACL) showcases left of the dial faves TV On The Radio and The War on Drugs, splitting the bill in a brand new installment.  Two of today’s most critically-acclaimed indie rock bands, both acts make powerful debuts in their first-ever appearance on the ACL stage. This must-see episode premieres Saturday, November 7th at 8pm CT/9pm ET as part of ACL’s new Season 41 on PBS.  ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings for times) and full episodes are made available online for a limited time at http://video.pbs.org/program/austin-city-limits/ immediately following the initial broadcast.  The show's official hashtag is #acltv.

First up is TV On The Radio, formed in Brooklyn in 2001 and considered one of the most influential bands of the decade.  The quartet showcase tracks from their latest and widely-acclaimed album Seeds.  TVOTR’s originality and eclectic musical spirit—encompassing psychedelia, soul, electronica and urgent punk rock—is evident in their masterful five-song set, opening with the hard-driving “Lazerray” and grappling with pain and loss in the soulful, emotional closer “Trouble”.  Witness an act that continues to make music boldly on their own terms, always pushing forward to become one of the best bands of its generation.

Philadelphia band The War on Drugs perform songs from their 2014 breakthrough Lost in the Dream, which earned widespread praise and landed the top spot on many critics’ album-of-the-year lists.  Kicking off a gorgeous set with “Under the Pressure”, the song Spin declared record of the year, the rock outfit build momentum creating lush soundscapes filled with musical craft and intricate instrumentation.  Bandleader Adam Granduciel’s Dylanesque vocals, cathartic lyrics and grand-scale guitar solos unfold to reveal expansive, dreamy atmospherics for a memorable debut.

“Indie music has been an important part of ACL’s musical legacy over the past two decades, but it’s a big umbrella that covers a vast musical landscape,” says ACL executive producer Terry Lickona.  “Both TV On The Radio and The War on Drugs stand out as virtuoso live musicians, but their songs and vocals are what caught my ear.  They are personal yet accessible to anyone who is a fan of great music.”

TV On The Radio setlist:

Lazerray

Golden Age

Could You

DLZ

Trouble

The War on Drugs setlist:

Under The Pressure

Lost In The Dream

Eyes To The Wind

In Reverse

Season 41 Fall Broadcast Schedule (additional episodes to be announced)

October 3        2015 Hall of Fame Special

October 10      Cassandra Wilson

October 17      Sturgill Simpson / Asleep at the Wheel

October 24      Don Henley

October 31      Gary Clark Jr. / Courtney Barnett

November 7    TV On The Radio / The War on Drugs

November 14  James Taylor

November 21  ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2015

The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including seven new episodes to air beginning January 2016, will be announced at a later date.  Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding future tapings, episode schedules and live stream updates.

About Austin City Limits

ACL offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. The program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL is the longest-running music series in American television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception in 1974, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that's helped secure Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic KLRU Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.

ACL is produced by KLRU-TV and funding is provided in part by Budweiser, the Austin Convention Center Department, Dell and HomeAway. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.

Rock Royalty join forces for a benefit concert for celebrated keyboardist-guitarist Tony MacAlpine

Guitar legends Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde and John 5, along with drum powerhouse Mike Portnoy, bass icon Billy Sheehan and keyboard phenomenon Derek Sherinian are joining forces to play a benefit concert for guitar and keyboard virtuoso Tony MacAlpine, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. 

The Benefit for Tony MacAlpine will take place at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on December 12, 2015, at 7:00pm, featuring performances from John 5 & The Creatures, Zakk Wylde with Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Derek Sherinian; Steve Vai and band, and culminating in an all-star jam with house band Portnoy, Sheehan, Sherinian, and featuring special guests. Eddie Trunk will serve as master of ceremonies for the night.

In addition to this extraordinary musical event, Steve Vai, John 5, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens, and Joe Satriani have all graciously donated personal guitars to be auctioned during the event. In addition, Rudy Sarzo has offered private lessons as an auction item, and Simon Phillips has donated a signature snare. Tony’s gear manufacturers Ibanez, Hughes & Kettner, EMG, Ernie Ball, Source Audio and Voodoo Lab have also generously donated equipment to be raffled.

Tony’s cancer diagnosis comes on the heels of his wife’s diagnosis with breast cancer in June, making the situation even more trying for Tony and his family.

“Tony is a dear friend, an absolutely sweet human being and one of the most talented musicians I've ever worked with,” says Mike Portnoy, “We are coming together to help raise money and awareness to help him fight his battle and come out on top!”  Adds Steve Vai, “It's a great privilege to take to the stage with my friends Zakk, John, Mike and Billy in support of our dear friend Tony. Tony has always been blessed with an exceptional talent and more so, he's an exceptionally cool guy. It's a great cause and will be a magical evening of guitar extravaganza.”

“Tony has been such an inspiration to me,” says John 5 “He is an incredible musician and an unbelievable talent. Please let's all come together and beat this!” 

"Tony is our brother. We look forward to making a historical night, and raising a lot of money to help our friend in need.” said Derek Sherinian.

Tony MacAlpine is widely known as a guitar virtuoso who is just as skilled on the keys. Edge of Insanity, his classic debut album, was recently ranked by Guitar World magazine as one of the Top Ten Shred Guitar Albums of all time. Aside from his solo work, Tony has also been part of several rock supergroups including Planet X with Derek Sherinian and Virgil Donati; PSMS (Portnoy/Sheehan/MacAlpine/Sherinian); as well as the Grammy nominated CAB with bassist Bunny Brunel and drummer Dennis Chambers. MacAlpine also spent seven years playing guitar and keys in Steve Vai‘s touring band The Breed.

Tony’s most recent album Concrete Gardens was released in May.  Tony toured the US in June to promote the album, but was forced to cancel tours of Asia, Australia and Europe when his health deteriorated.

Tickets are on sale Saturday November 7 at 10 a.m. PT through LiveNation.com, with all proceeds going to help Tony and his family.  A GoFundMe campaign will be set up for fans who can’t make the show, but still want to contribute.

Doors will be at 7 pm with the show set to begin at 8 pm. For tickets, visit www.livenation.com

xxx