Back around 1987, ZakkWylde was a baby-faced, long-legged skinny guitar player in New Jersey when Ozzy Osbourne was sniffing around for a new axeman for his solo band.
On a hot Los Angeles afternoon a few months ago, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett called in to talk about his early days in rock & roll. Although Poison has been given much flak over the years for their pop-metal type of music, it cannot be denied they are good at what they do. Beloved by thousands of fans world-wide, their records sales are in the millions and they sell out concerts wherever they play.
Coming out in a red-hot Porter Wagoner-styled ensemble, upon spying cameras in the hands of a few, he coaxed them into taking as many photos as they wanted: “I didn’t put this suit on for nothing”, he quipped. He would make a disco ball-like re-entrance for the encore in a mini-mirror-plated suit shooting bolts of reflected light throughout the intimate theatre. Getting everyone in a good-time mood, his opening repertoire included “Beautiful Homes”, “Dancing”, “Somebody’s Crying” and “I Want Your Love” which had Yatovitz doing his “dance of love”. “If you enjoy him, you can take him home,” deadpanned Isaak.
There are some musicians who wear their rock star status like a golden crown twenty-four/seven. And then there are musicians who walk down the street and you’d never know they were in a superstar band. They chat with you while in line at the supermarket and wear the same old ripped-up jeans they’ve had for years. Being a rock star just never crossed their minds. Frank Bello of Anthrax is that kind of rock star.
Mark Tremonti needs no introduction. His reputation as one of the most respected guitar players of the current century has been solidified by his unique talent, something that he says has taken years to accomplish. He is humble, he is smart, he is genuine. And on a hot and humid Florida morning last month, he called to talk about his past, his present and his future.
Welcome to the world of the Black Label Society. They may look like something out of Sons Of Anarchy but their hearts are pure rock and they are fiercely loyal to their fans, many of whom travel to witness as many shows as possible; one lady in attendance , admitted before the show that she came from Tennessee just to see the band one more time. “It’s like a big family,” bass player JD DeServio told me about the rapport between the band and their fans. Meet & Greets are always friend-making soirees, enabling everyone to get to know each other before the band comes in to mingle.
If you thought last week’s musician Myles Kennedy was a busy man, then you haven’t heard everything guitar player Joel Hoekstra has on his plate. Not only has he been touring with Night Ranger on a major outing with Journey and Foreigner, but in between those dates he performs in Rock Of Ages and travels with the Trans Siberian Orchestra in the fall and winter.
Other cities have big festivals but New Orleans is New Orleans. “I don’t know what you’re stepping in when you’re down there on Bourbon Street,” joked Stone Foxes singer Aaron Mort, “but it’s been a fun time … And then the festival today was awesome."
Myles Kennedy is certainly a man in demand. When he's not on the road or recording with his band Alter Bridge, then he's typically on the road or recording with Slash.
Playing on a Thursday night as a make-up date due to the passing of Joe Elliott’s father, the electricity was humming through the crowd when Def Leppard hit the stage. “Mighty big noise you’re making out there,” Elliott said to their very vocal legion of fans. “We like that”.
