2009 gave us Chickenfoot, featuring Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony – both Van Halen alumni.
More recently, John Paul Jones (I think we are all familiar with his claim to fame!) teamed up with Dave Grohl – who is well known for his work as part of Nirvana and Foo Fighters – and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, deciding to call themselves Them Crooked Vultures. Seems that 2009 was a good year for bird-inspired supergroup band names.
Breaking from the bird theme, this year’s first supergroup announcement comes to us from Jason Bonham, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian, and Glenn Hughes. Black Country is born.
For those wondering where such a name would come from, it is a reference to an area of the United Kingdom that was once well-known for the pollution that resulted from coal mining and steel manufacturing.
Bonham, who has followed faithfully in his father’s footsteps as a rock drummer, may be best known for his time spent as part of Foreigner, and for his performance with his father’s former band mates at the much-celebrated Led Zeppelin reunion show at London’s O2 Arena in 2007.
The other names, although they may not be as recognizable as Bonham’s, represent some pretty serious musical talent. Bonamassa, who was said to have been playing Stevie Ray Vaughan songs note-for-note on guitar at the age of seven (wow!), has since worked with the likes of Foreigner, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker, Gregg Allman, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton.
Sherinian’s skill behind the keyboards has earned him credits alongside Alice Cooper, KISS, Billy Idol and Slash.
Hughes, the bona fide classic (another word for ‘old guy’) in the line up, is a bass player who goes back to some of the earliest classic rock in my memory – groups like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Like so many of his peers from that era, Hughes battled drug and alcohol addictions, but emerged clean and healthy in 1991, and has kept busy touring and recording.
Black Country are currently at work in the studio, hoping to have their debut album ready for release late this year or in early 2011. So far they have reportedly completed six tracks, but their work will be interrupted at various times to allow band members to honor other commitments.
January 20, 2010
Rush To Be Inducted Into Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
Filed under: Classic Rock News, Rush — Real Rock News @ 12:43 pm
Well, it is rather refreshing to see veteran rockers Rush recognized by an organization that has “Hall of
Fame” as part of its name. My only question would be, what took them so long? Admittedly, the organization was founded only twelve years ago, a relative adolescent when compared to some of the other “halls,” so perhaps I should cut them some slack.
The work of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart is set to be honored during the March 28 ceremony at Toronto’s Centre For The Arts’ George Weston Recital Hall. Well-known Rush classics “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Subdivisions” and “Closer to the Heart” will be included.
In a somewhat ironic turn of events, a Canadian classic known as “The Hockey Theme” by Dolores Claman will also be inducted. This comes close on the heels of the release of a new version of the same song by Rush’s own Neil Peart. Surely it’s a bit too early to consider Peart’s version for induction – heck, I don’t even know if most Canadians like it, or what the original songwriter thinks of it.
I’m hoping that our neighbors to the north forgive me for any inaccuracies or omissions regarding “The Hockey Theme,” whether it be the original or new version. Not being a Canadian or a fan of the sport, I welcome any corrections from those more qualified to speak on the subject.
The bottom line is that it’s nice to see Rush recognized for their decades of work, and being such humble and decent fellows, I expect they will be happy to be in attendance at the ceremony.
After being snubbed for so long by the decision makers for that “other” music-related hall a bit further to the south for so long now, I kind of wish the guys from Rush would turn down any future invites to that particular establishment that might be – by some miracle – forthcoming. Being the nice guys that they are, that probably won’t happen.
Perhaps I should work more on being a nice guy myself.
Nah, that would definitely cut down on some of the fun I have here. Maybe I’ll work on being a bit less nice instead. After all, that’s the kind of stuff that always seems to get the most attention, right?
A very old, good, near and dear friend checks in today. Ron West of the great group "Missouri" wrote me an email. But, before I share it with you, I want to let Ron know that I played his very first album in the Quad Cities on a cable access channel. Yes, the radio school where I broadcasted on the local cable public access channel. Cox Cable channel 19. We even made up our own weird air nick names. Mine was "The Amazing Phineas" SHADDUP! Anyway...here's Ron's email..."This station looks like something I can tolerate well. Sounds good. Songs I havent heard repeated over and over."... Thanks Ron.
Got this through an email..."Hey Randy, Just wanted to write a note and tell you how truly impressed I am with the music mix. Any station that plays Molly Hatchet AND Leonard Cohen has balls. Your station has allowed me to contribute to the local commerce. I went out and bought better speakers for my computer because of your station. Keep up the great work. Someone here in the hinterlands appreciates what you do. My question for you...were you ever on the air anywhere?" Sincerely, Ken B. Durango CO.
Fame” as part of its name. My only question would be, what took them so long? Admittedly, the organization was founded only twelve years ago, a relative adolescent when compared to some of the other “halls,” so perhaps I should cut them some slack.
