Dave Lifton

Eddie Van Halen Issues Health Update
Yesterday (Aug. 31) Eddie Van Halen took some time out from his recuperation to issue an update on his health. Van Halen recently spent three weeks in the hospital after needing emergency surgery for diverticulitis.

Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ Used in Baseball Playoffs Ad
A new trailer promoting TBS’ upcoming coverage of the 2012 Major League Baseball postseason features Bruce Springsteen‘s ‘Land of Hope and Dreams.’ The clip intersperses baseball highlights with footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band performing the song.

Paul Rodgers to Sing National Anthem at Mets Game
One of the greatest voices in rock history, Paul Rodgers, a founding member of both Free and Bad Company, will sing the national anthem at New York’s Citi Field on Sept. 10 before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals.

Ringo Starr, Phil Collins Top List of World’s Richest Drummers
Drummers are the Rodney Dangerfield of rock. From jokes like, “What did the drummer get on his IQ test?” (answer: drool) to the mock tragedies that befell Spinal Tap’s myriad timekeepers, drummers get no respect. However, a new list shows that many of them are laughing all the way to the bank.

Bob Dylan, ‘Duquesne Whistle’ – Song Review
Fifty years into his career, every new Bob Dylan album is still greeted with a mixture of anticipation and expectation that few can match. What’s he going to say about life? How’s he going to say it? Did he change religions again? Is there anything salvageable in his voice? ‘Duquesne Whistle,’ the first single from his upcoming album, ‘Tempest,’ has been released and, while it doesn’t answer all t

Bruce Springsteen Writes Letter to Eric Church About His Song ‘Springsteen’
The success of Eric Church‘s country single ‘Springsteen‘ has not gone unnoticed by its namesake. It was recently revealed that Church got a handwritten note from Bruce Springsteen telling how pleased he was with the song.

Ace Frehley’s Wobbly First Meeting with Keith Richards
We all have our fantasies about meeting our favorite rockers. They usually involve telling our heroes about how much their music has meant to us and gotten us through hard times. In turn, the rocker is so overwhelmed by the praise and asks us to join the tour as a member of the band’s entourage and you become best buddies forever.

Paul Simon to Release ‘Live in New York City’ Concert Film
On Sept. 18, Paul Simon will release ‘Live in New York City,’ a document of his June 2011 performance at historic Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The set, which aired on PBS last December, will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and a 2 CD/1-DVD package.

Ted Nugent Drummer Mick Brown Pleads Not Guilty to Drunken Golf Cart Joyride Charges
Last month, we reported that Mick Brown, the former Dokken drummer currently playing with Ted Nugent, had been arrested in Bangor, Maine for taking a joyride on a golf cart. Yesterday (Aug. 15) his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty to the charges at the Penobscot Judicial Center. Brown was not present at the hearing.

The Doors’ 1968 Hollywood Bowl Concert Gets Tricked-Out Audio and Video Re-Releases
For the first time ever, fans of the Doors will be able to hear the entirety of their famous concert at the Hollywood Bowl on July 5, 1968. On Oct. 23, the band will release ‘Live at the Bowl ’68′ in both video (DVD, Blu-ray, digital) and audio (CD, LP, digital) formats.

Was Kiss’ Original Lineup a Victim of Their Own Success?
Few bands in rock history have had critical appeal in disproportionate amounts to their commercial success as Kiss. However, two writers, J.M. Blaine and Chuck Klosterman, have long treated the band with genuine love and seriousness, and recently got together to talk about their face-painted heroes.

Joe Perry Ready to Tell His Version of the Aerosmith Story
Few people have lived out the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle — and come out of it with his coolness intact — as thoroughly as Joe Perry. Now, the Aerosmith guitarist is planning to tell the world about what it’s like to be him. In a new interview, Perry revealed that he recently signed a deal to write his memoir with a tentative publishing date scheduled for the fall of 2013, and he vows to