DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken spoke to Abrasive Rock over the weekend about the tragic murder of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Don Dokken...

SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery has issued the following statement regarding the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell:

"Recently we were suddenly stripped [of] a modern-day guitar legend. Darrell was one of the few guitarists in history that had his own unique spot. His own style, his own sound.

"When you hear someone say 'the ...

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan and producer John Custer, who are at a Raleigh studio working on the band's new album, spoke to The News & Observer about the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, a longtime friend of COC.

"It's tragic, a shame," Keenan...

A number of heavy metal musicians have paid tribute to Dimebag Darrell (DAMAGEPLAN, ex-PANTERA) who was tragically murdered last night.

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Ozzy Osbourne: "Dimebag was a dear friend of mine. I'm absolutely beside myself with grief. I can't for the life of me understand why someone would do this. PANTERA...

DOKKEN mainman Don Dokken recently spoke to KNAC.com's Jeff Kirby about his reputation for being "difficult" and ex-DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch, among other topics. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

KNAC.com: There was a report that DOKKEN...

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have tapped Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA, VAN HALEN, COVERDALE/PAGE, AEROSMITH, THE CULT, SLIPKNOT, HATEBREED) to mix their upcoming album at a studio in Vancouver, Canada (most likely The Warehouse) for a tentative October 2005 release via Nuclear Blast in Europe/USA and ...

Former MÖTLEY CRÜE singer John Corabi's authorized autobiography is finished, and is reportedly being bid over by several publishers. Expect a summer 2005 release date. In April 2005, co-author Jake Brown will begin work with HANOI ROCKS members Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy on the band's authorized autobiography. In other rock biography news, the ...

VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony's original Jack Daniel's bass, made infamous in the "Panama" video and live throughout the worldwide 1984 tour, will soon be making a special appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

By special arrangement, the legendary bass will be on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

Ever wondered what some of your favorite rock stars looked like when they were little kids? A Brazilian web site, Rock N Beauty, is currently hosting a number of childhood pictures of famous rock musicians, including the following:

Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH)
Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN)
Lars Ulrich...

Fargo, North Dakota's In-Forum.com is reporting that the Halloween VAN HALEN concert at the Fargodome ended up costing the facility $25,000 to pull off. That money was paid to the promoter, Joe Fletcher Presents, to offset his loss.

Fargodome General Manager Rob Sobolik...

LIFE OF AGONY drummer Sal Abruscato got married on Sunday, November 28 in New York. LOA bandmates Keith Caputo (vocals), Joey Z (guitar) and Alan Robert (bass) were all included in the bridal party. TYPE O NEGATIVE's Kenny Hickey was Sal's best man. Check out a ...

IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson will be hosting a new BBC Radio 2 series, called "Masters of Rock", beginning this Thursday (Nov. 25) at 21:00 GMT. The show topics that are said to be included in the series are as follows:

Week 1: KISS-tory
Week 2: Ian Gillan's (DEEP PURPLE) solo career
Week 3: Blues Rock
Week 4: Gary Moore...

LIFE OF AGONY have been tracking their highly anticipated new album for Epic Records in California with producer Greg Fidelman (SLIPKNOT, JET, AUDIOSLAVE). The band have recorded all of the drum tracks for the recording and have begun laying down bass and guitar overdubs. The drums were tracked at the legendary Sunset Sound...

Erika Martinez of the New York Post is reporting that VAN HALEN frontman David Lee Roth...

Dean Guitars announced Saturday November 13, 2004 that they have signed DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Dimebag Darrell (ex-PANTERA) to an exclusive endorsement agreement with an extensive line of USA-made and imported model "Dimebag" guitars to be introduced in January 2005.

Dimebag Darrell, named by Guitar World...

According to MelodicRock.com, EXTREME will reunite for a series of Japanese shows in January. The line-up of Gary Cherone (vocals, ex-VAN HALEN), Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Paul Geary (drums) and new bassist Carl Restivo...

Steve Penhollow of The Journal Gazette reports that VAN HALEN is a volatile band, and drummer Alex Van Halen is the first to admit it.

"We're volatile only to the extent that we're as good of friends as we are," Van Halen...

VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony has posted the following message on his web site:

"Another Sammy...

VAN HALEN drummer has tried to put rumors of the band's demise to rest, denying that internal tensions have taken their toll.

Speaking to the Wichita Eagle, Alex said, "Our disagreements are about our music."

The band plan to take a break after the tour and then enter the studio to begin work on a new album, he said.

With Sammy Hagar on vocals?

"With ...

VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar has rejected Internet rumors that he is about to leave the band and re-focus all his time and effort on his solo career. Writing to his official web site, Sammy said, "Listen here, all these crazy rumors flying around cyberspace are that. Plain and simple, I never said I was quitting VAN HALEN...

VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar spoke to Favazz of the St. Louis radio station KSHE 95 in early October about the group's current reunion tour and Hagar's future plans. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

On upcoming activities:

Sammy: "Well, all I've gotta say that the VAN HALEN...

The following message was posted at DEF LEPPARD's official web site:

"Every now and then, British magazines Q and Mojo release specials dedicated to certain bands (THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD...

Legendary Swedish guitarist YNGWIE MALMSTEEN has signed a record deal with Universal Japan. U.S. and Europe label details are to be announced soon. Doogie White (ex-RAINBOW) has just completed his vocal parts for Malmsteen's new album, and now Yngwie and Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA, VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH...

Andrew McNeice of MelodicRock.com reports: "The world of VAN HALEN is a fickle thing and the band have never been far from a headline. The guys are currently working their way through their last weeks of 2004 tour dates — shows that some never thought would happen.

"But they did, after the feud between vocalist ...

The "Bastards of Metal" tour, which was set to feature Stephen Pearcy (ex-RATT), Joey Belladonna (ex-ANTHRAX), Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS), Ron Keel (KEEL, IRON HORSE) and Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER...

According to a report at ZRock.com, VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar headed back to northern California yesterday after wrapping up a record-breaking six-night run at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas. Joined onstage each night by his beloved WABORITAS (drummer David Lauser, bassist Mona...

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash picked his ultimate compilation guitar mix CD in the November 2004 issue of Q magazine. The tracks he chose are as follows:

01. JIMI HENDRIX - Machine Gun
02. LED ZEPPELIN - No Quarter
03. AEROSMITH - Nobody's Fault
04. AEROSMITH/RUN DMC - Walk This Way
05. JEFF BECK...

ABC ePrep is reporting that METALLICA, AC/DC, GUNS N' ROSES, DEF LEPPARD, AEROSMITH and VAN HALEN are among the bands featured on Q...

The first major public auction ever conducted of heavy metal music memorabilia will be held November 6 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City and online in conjunction with Julien Entertainment.

"The sale includes original album cover artwork, handwritten lyrics and musical instruments from METALLICA, ANTHRAX and other heavy metal groups. Many of the METALLICA...

The following are a few select recent heavy metal/hard rock concert grosses, as reported by Billboard magazine:

Artist/Event: METALLICA, GODSMACK
Venue: Bell Centre
City/State: Montreal, Que.
Date: Oct. 3-4, 2004
Gross Sales: $2,457,793
Attendance: 40,277
Capacity: 40,277
Shows: 2
Sell-Outs: 2
Prices...