Iron Maiden honors Paul Di’Anno during Minnesota show

PWLLHELI, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 30: English heavy metal musician Paul Di’Anno performing live on stage at the 2013 Hard Rock Hell festival in Pwllheli, Wales, on November 30, 2013. (Photo by Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Images/Future via Getty Images)

‘Girlfriend’ singer Matthew Sweet suffers stroke

Linkin Park headlining 2025 Sonic Temple; full lineup revealed

Neal Schon has officially responded to claims that Arnel Pineda was pressured into joining Journey's ongoing "Final Frontier" farewell tour. Pineda recently revealed that he attempted to resign twice prior to the tour's launch in February, citing vocal struggles and intense personal issues, including a divorce proceeding. The singer stated his resignation went unanswered, suggesting the band had no desire to find a replacement.

In a carefully worded statement, Schon clarified that while he never prevented anyone from making personal decisions, the band was advised by representatives that "contractual obligations" must be honored. Reports indicate that Journey’s agreement with promoter AEG specifically requires Pineda’s presence for the tour to proceed. To accommodate Pineda’s vocal challenges, the band has adjusted their setlists, with other members taking over lead vocals on up to six songs per night. Journey is currently scheduled for 60 dates through 2026, with an additional 40 shows expected for 2027.

#Journey #NealSchon #ArnelPineda #FinalFrontierTour #RockNews

Maynard James Keenan has taken to social media to support his longtime friend and former classmate, General Randy George, who was recently asked to step down as U.S. Army Chief of Staff. In an Instagram post featuring photos from their youth, the Tool and Puscifer vocalist recalled their time together at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (West Point Prep). Keenan shared that George was one of the few supportive voices when he ultimately decided to decline his appointment to West Point to pursue a career in the arts.

General George’s early retirement comes after nearly 40 years of service, having been nominated for his current role in 2023. His departure is part of a broader series of leadership changes within the military over the past week. Keenan, who excelled in his own military service before focusing on music, expressed his gratitude for George’s early encouragement, stating, "I'm just here to return that favor of support. We're here for you, Randy." While George moves into retirement, Keenan continues to remain active with his musical projects, including Puscifer’s latest album, Normal Isn't.

#MaynardJamesKeenan #Tool #Puscifer #RandyGeorge #USArmy

Metallica has revealed two new "intimate" tour dates at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, to wrap up their 2026 schedule. These performances, scheduled for November 19 and 21, represent the band’s only non-residency U.S. shows of the year. The 10,000-seat venue offers a significantly smaller setting than the stadiums the band typically headlines. Thrash icons Suicidal Tendencies will join as special guests for the first night, while Spiritbox is set to open the second.

The announcement comes as the band prepares for a massive year that includes a European run starting in Athens this May and a 24-show residency at the Las Vegas Sphere beginning in October. Tickets for the Mohegan Sun dates go on sale to the general public on April 10 at 10 AM ET, with fan club presales starting April 8. This addition to the calendar provides a rare opportunity for fans to see the group in a more concentrated arena environment before they conclude their touring activities for 2026.

#Metallica #MoheganSun #Spiritbox #SuicidalTendencies #Metallica2026

Gene Simmons sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) this weekend after firing back at fans who questioned his continued pursuit of profit. The exchange began after the KISS bassist shared a video promoting the upcoming disaster film Deep Water, leading one user to ask, "Don't you have ENOUGH money yet Gene??" Simmons responded bluntly, labeling the inquiry a "loser's question" and urging critics to "get out of your losers' mentality and try to win in life every day."

Defending his drive, Simmons cited figures like Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk as examples of successful individuals who continue to work regardless of their net worth. He argued that earning more allows for job creation and charitable giving, noting that he has personally paid over $100 million in taxes and supports 1,400 African children. When asked why he doesn't simply retire with dignity, the 76-year-old rocker countered with, "Retire? And do what?" The "Demon" concluded the thread by telling critics to stop looking at his "plate" and focus on their own business, reaffirming his commitment to adding value to his family and the country.

#GeneSimmons #KISS #RockNews #MusicNews2026 #SuccessMentality #ElonMusk #JeffBezos #DeepWater #KISSArmy

Today, April 5, also marks the 24th anniversary of the death of Layne Staley, the powerhouse vocalist of Alice in Chains and Mad Season. Staley passed away on this day in 2002 at his home in Seattle, leaving behind a legacy defined by his unmistakable, bone-chilling vocal range and deeply personal songwriting. From the gritty harmonies of 1992’s Dirt to the stripped-back vulnerability of the band's legendary MTV Unplugged session, Staley’s ability to channel raw pain into melodic rock remains unmatched in the genre.

While he shared a final date with Kurt Cobain, Staley’s contribution to the "Seattle Sound" was entirely unique, blending heavy metal influences with the dark, atmospheric textures of grunge. His work on the 1995 Mad Season project, Above, further showcased his versatility and remains a cult classic among alternative rock fans. Over two decades later, Staley’s influence is heard in countless modern rock vocalists, and his memory is kept alive through the Layne Staley Memorial Fund, which provides support for those struggling with addiction in the Seattle community.

#LayneStaley #AliceInChains #MadSeason #Dirt #JarOfFlies

Today, April 5, marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of Kurt Cobain, the visionary frontman of Nirvana and the reluctant "voice of a generation." Cobain passed away on this day in 1994 at his home in Seattle, leaving behind a body of work that fundamentally altered the landscape of popular music. From the world-shifting impact of 1991’s Nevermind to the raw, haunting vulnerability of In Utero, Cobain’s ability to blend punk-rock aggression with pop-leaning melodies remains the gold standard for alternative rock.

Even three decades later, Cobain’s influence shows no signs of waning. His songwriting continues to resonate with new generations of listeners, and his distinctive style—from his signature Fender Mustang guitars to his thrift-store aesthetic—remains a permanent fixture in rock culture. Fans across the globe are marking the day by revisiting the band’s seminal discography and their legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged in New York performance, which stands as a poignant final chapter for one of music's most authentic and enigmatic figures.

📸 Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

#KurtCobain #Nirvana #Grunge #Nevermind #InUtero

Daron Malakian, the guitarist and vocalist for System Of A Down and Scars On Broadway, shared a blunt political message on social media yesterday, April 3. In a video posted to his Instagram, Malakian flipped off the camera while echoing the lyrical themes of System Of A Down’s 2005 anti-war hit "B.Y.O.B." He captioned the clip by calling out presidents and politicians who start wars but "don't send their sons, daughters, and loved ones to the battlefield," adding the iconic question: “Why do they always send the poor?!!!!”

#DaronMalakian #SystemOfADown #BYOB #ScarsOnBroadway #AntiWar

Fans at the House of Blues in Anaheim were treated to a nostalgic surprise last night, April 3, as Korn bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu took the stage with Breaking In A Sequence. While Fieldy has been on a hiatus from Korn since 2021, he dusted off his signature slap-bass style to perform the pioneering nü-metal classics "Clown" and "Got The Life." The performance marked a rare public appearance for the bassist, who has previously noted a lack of communication with his longtime Korn bandmates.

The evening also served as a mini-reunion for early 2000s rock fans. Breaking In A Sequence, which features ex-(hed)p.e. drummer Ben “B.C.” Vaught, was also joined by former (hed)p.e. guitarist Wes Geer for a cover of the track "Ground." The show took place just as Breaking In A Sequence released their new single, "Meant To Be." While the band originally featured founding Korn drummer David Silveria, yesterday’s set list focused on celebrating the genre's roots with Fieldy and Geer providing a look back at the height of the nü-metal era.

#Fieldy #Korn #BreakingInASequence #hedpe #NuMetal

Flea has shared his emotional reaction to the new documentary chronicling the life of the late Red Hot Chili Peppers founding guitarist Hillel Slovak. In a recent social media post, the bassist revealed that finally watching the film, titled The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel, "filled my heart right to the top." While Flea admitted the viewing came with a "good dose of lifelong melancholy," he expressed deep gratitude that the project exists to show the world how much Slovak continues to mean to the band.

The documentary, which is currently streaming on Netflix, arrived on March 20 and has sparked conversation within the fan base for its use of AI to recreate Slovak's voice. Despite initial reports that the band had distanced themselves from the project, Flea’s public endorsement marks a full embrace of the film's tribute to his childhood friend. Slovak, who performed on the band's first two albums and the landmark The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, passed away in 1988, but his influence remains a cornerstone of the group's identity nearly four decades later.

📸 Netflix

#Flea #HillelSlovak #RedHotChiliPeppers #RHCP #Netflix

More than two decades after her viral 2004 Saturday Night Live mishap, Ashlee Simpson says she is finally ready to return to the Studio 8H stage. The singer recently found redemption as “Galaxy Girl,” the newly crowned winner of The Masked Singer Season 14. During the competition’s clues and subsequent exit interviews, Simpson addressed the public humiliation she faced at age 20, which she once feared would define her forever.

“Now it’s something I can laugh about,” Simpson told Entertainment Weekly following her unmasking. She noted that the experience shaped her into the person she is today and that she “would definitely go back” to SNL if given the opportunity. This renewed interest in performing follows her success on the masked singing show, where she impressed judges and audiences with her vocals while concealed in an elaborate galaxy-themed costume. Simpson also confirmed that she is currently working on new music, marking a significant professional comeback as she moves past the “technical difficulties” of her early career.

📸 Paul Archuleta/Getty Images.

#AshleeSimpson #SNL #TheMaskedSinger #GalaxyGirl #SaturdayNightLive

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