Jimmy Bain plays bass on Sledge Leather's "Imagine Me Alive" CD


Former DIO members Scott Warren (keyboards) and Jimmy Bain (bass; also ex-RAINBOW) make guest appearances on "Imagine Me Alive", the debut album from Sledge Leather, the new band featuring former Chastain singer Leather Leone.

"Imagine Me Alive" recording line up:
Leather Leone - Vocals, Sandy Sledge - Drums, Scott Warren - Keyboards, Jimmy Bain - Bass & Matthias Weisheit – Guitar

In a recent interview with Maximum Metal, Leone stated about Sledge Leather, "I never lost touch with [Sandy] Sledge and I'm sure Delphine, if she was still alive, would be calling me. Sledge and I decided that we still had something to say. We wanted to finish what we started so we formed Sledge Leather. After doing a demo tribute recording of DIO's song 'Egypt', we were immediately booked to play the Keep It True festival in Germany."

When asked if the Sledge Leather album was completed and what fans can expect to hear from it style-wise, Leone said, "We're really excited about the opportunities that we're being given. It's great for me to finally have a huge say in what's written and how it's written. With Sledge, I feel like it's writing with a soulmate — same beliefs, same ideas — because we are writing what comes to us naturally and what comes to us naturally is HEAVY music. This is metal. It's just 'metal.' Heavy, metal."

Leather Leone recorded a cover version of the DIO classic "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio in October 2010 at the Freedom Studio in Los Angeles, California.

More about Sledge Leather on their website and facebook.

[Source: Blabbermouth]






New website for keyboardplayer Paul Morris


Keyboardplayer Paul Morris has sent us an update telling he's got a new website. Go check it out on www.moogymorris.com.
Don't forget to check out the photo Paul has added of his 1982 first Rainbow audition!

Paul also told that he will be starting a run with JLT in May, and he's now playing together with Greg Smith in the top Journey tribute band called Voyage.

VOYAGE has been hailed by fans and critics alike as the BEST Journey tribute in the world! Singer Hugo, an absolute dead ringer for Steve Perry both visually and vocally has brought the show to critical acclaim through the many Live Nation events performed, private and corporate shows throughout America, after party for Rock of Ages Broadway show and performing in front of 50,000+ at Meadowlands. Featuring a roster of world class New York musicians, Voyage takes you back to the 80's era when the timeless music of Journey ruled the airwaves. The talent of these five guys together has brought the meaning of TRIBUTE to a whole new level. See it to believe it!

Voyage website: www.voyageband.com




[Thanks to: Paul Morris]






Mark Boals, Bobby Rondinelli, Roy Z Join Forces In COMMUNION


Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ted Nugent), Roy Z (Judas Priest, Halford, Bruce Dickinson) and Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbth) have joined forces in a new supergroup called COMMUNION.

The band's official web site has been launched at this location.

According to a posting on the site, COMMUNION is "the new supergroup of grounded, seasoned, professional rock stars who have come together to share in the purpose of mass participation in life."

COMMUNION is:

* Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Royal Hunt) - Vocals
* Roy Z (Judas Priest, Halford, Bruce Dickinson) - Guitar
* Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbth) - Drums
* Edward Roth (Halford, Glenn Hughes) - Keyboards
* Willie Basse (Black Sheep) - Bass

[Source: Blabbermouth]






Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi on the road with new project Off The Road


Greg Smith teams up again with Chuck Burgi for a new project called Off The Road. It's a band that plays when they're... Off the Road with our various other projects such as Billy Joel, Ted Nugent, and Tommy James. You'll hear old school fun rock-n-roll, and tunes from the various bands they play with when they're... On the Road.

Off the Road consists of:

Greg Smith - Bass/Vocals (Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Rainbow)
Chuck Burgi - Drums (Billy Joel, Meat Loaf, Rainbow)
Phil Varca - Guitar/Vocals
John Cannavo - Guitar/Vocals

They had their live debut on February 10 and have more shows line-up mainly in the Pennsylvania area the coming weeks.
Click here for all the tourdates.

More info and audio samples on Reverbnation






The GodofGuitar.com 2012 Greatest Guitarist Poll


Ritchie Blackmore won the GodofGuitar.com Greatest Guitarist Poll 6 years in a row. In 2010 the site told we can confirm with much shock that Eddy Grant has been crowned GodofGuitar champion for the first time ever. After a year without a poll the Greatest Guitarist Poll returns.

From GodofGuitar.com: At last here is the poll we've all been waiting for, the prodigious GodofGuitar.com Greatest Guitarist Poll 2012. All you have to do is to vote below for your favourite guitarist out of the 25 given in our list - the rules of the competition this year are as usual very simple:

* The guitarist must be an active living player
* The 25 names were selected via a panel of rock experts, we cannot add to this list
* The order in which they appear is completely random - we can't change this either
* He/she must have released an album in the last 3 years
* We will not accept block voting from crazy fans. If your email address is seen too many times all your votes will be discounted.

This competition is likely to be our last here at GodofGuitar.com. The winner will be announced on Friday 27th July 2012 at a large festival concert in Stratford - East London at which we will be hosting a special event with a galaxy of rock/pop guitarists to perform some of their greatest hits. More of that later - for the time being GET VOTING!!

[Thanks to: John Blackburn]






Colin Hart's book "A Hart Life" out on October 3rd


About a week later than previously announced, but finally it'll be published. Colin Hart's book "A Hart Life", The life story of Deep Purple and Rainbow’s tour manager.

July 1971: Colin Hart, a Geordie lad from South Shields was on his first tour of America as roadie for Matthew's Southern Comfort. The group was part of a threeband bill with The Faces and Deep Purple. Following the tour he joined Deep Purple's road crew. Ian Gillan just knew Colin had to join the Purple entourage after seeing him pour a pint of beer over Rod Stewart! Forty years on and Wymer Publishing is pleased to announce 'A Hart Life', Colin Hart's life story as both Deep Purple & Rainbow's tour manager.

Hart devoted over thirty years of his life to these great rock musicians. This is his story and indeed theirs. A tale of excess in terms of greed, petulance, anger and devotion. It is counter balanced by extremes of pure talent, showmanship and, of course musicianship. He was the constant 'man in the middle' through all of the break ups, make-ups and revolving door line-up changes. Joining them at twenty-four years old and leaving thirty years later, he was there every step of their rock 'n' roll way. A story of two of the most innovative, often copied, rock bands; seen through the eyes, ears and emotions of their 'mother hen' (as Jon Lord described him). He was their minder, chauffeur, carer, provider, protector, father confessor & confidant. In truth he is the only one who can tell this tale of both bands as he was the only one there on the road throughout the life of, not one, but both gigantic bands.

Hart endured a roller coaster ride, working for Purple, during the band's most successful period. He was there when the casino burnt down in Montreux, and witnessed Smoke On The Water being born; the legendary concerts in Japan; the break-up of the Gillan / Glover line-up; the auditions that saw David Coverdale join the band, and the huge CalJam concert in front of 400,000.

When Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple in early 1975 and formed Rainbow, Colin went with him and continued as Rainbow's tour manager through the ever-revolving line-ups. He was invariably the man who had to break the news to many of the hopefuls that auditioned for the band: "We'll get back to you" being the stock reply!

Once again Colin was in the thick of it during Rainbow's 9 year tenure; The classic Rainbow Rising period, "the best line-up" in his eyes; the dramas during the making of Long Live Rock 'n' Roll; the departure of kingpin Ronnie James Dio; the Graham Bonnet era, culminating in the first Monsters Of Rock Festival at Donington; and the successful commercial period with frontman Joe Lynn Turner.

In 1984 when Blackmore disbanded Rainbow for the Deep Purple reunion, Colin naturally resumed his role with these rock giants as they embarked on a world tour that included the hugely successful 1985 U.S leg - the second biggest grossing U.S tour that year after Bruce Springsteen. A déjà vu situation occurred as Colin was in the middle of yet more band break-ups as first, Gillan departed, Turner joined, Gillan, returned and Blackmore departed while Steve Morse emerged to take the band into the new millennium, although for Colin his thirty years on the road with two of the biggest bands in rock history came to an end in 2001.

A Hart Life is written with life-long friend Dick Allix, former drummer with sixties band Vanity Fare. Hart tells the story of his life from humble beginnings in South Shields, to setting up home in California with Rainbow, and eventually settling in Florida, where he still lives today: Of touring the world several times over with two of Britain's greatest bands Deep Purple and Rainbow; a story that also crosses paths with Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Def Leppard, The Scorpions and Iron Maiden to mention just a few! A truly fascinating insight into the world of rock 'n' roll from the other side of the stage.

Includes forewords by Deep Purple and Rainbow bassist Roger Glover & Hart's nephew Paul Mann, who conducted the London Symphony Orchestra alongside Deep Purple at the 1999 'Concerto For Group & Orchestra' shows.

ISBN: 978-0-9557542-7-2 (Hardback - £19.95)
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-8-9 (Deluxe slipcase with bonus book - £35.00) - only sold by Wymer UK

Format: Hardback (234 x 156 mm)
Pages: 272 (including 16 photo pages, 15 b/w, 73 colour images)

Originally published in Japan in 2008 under the title 'Between A Rock & A Hard Place'.

Both editions are now available to pre-order directly from the publisher’s own webstore Wymer UK.

Update:

DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS TAKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED THE DELUXE VERSION
WILL NOW BE PUBLISHED MID NOVEMBER.

[Source: Wymer Publishing]






Colin Hart's book "A Hart Life" to be published on September 26


Colin Hart's book of memoirs A Hart Life is due to be published by Wymer on September 26, 2011. The book first saw the light of day in Japan a couple of years ago, and now will be finally available in English. This edition is co-authored by Dick Allix with forewords by Roger Glover and Paul Mann.

ISBN: 978-0-9557542-7-2 (Deluxe slipcase with bonus book)*
ISBN: 978-0-9557542-8-9 (hardback)

*) Bonus book: Hart's Life 1971-2001, 80 pages of photos and memorabilia from Colin's collection including reproduction of tour itineraries, faxes, letters and more.

Colin Hart has spent over 30 years working for Deep Purple and Rainbow, retiring in 2001 as their tour manager. He has stories to tell.

[Thanks to Daniel Bengtsson]






New Album by Jürgen Blackmore & Friends To Be Released in The Autumn


As the title reveals, a group of Jürgen Richard Blackmore's friends joined together on his eagerly awaited new album. Among them peers who worked with and alongside him during his musical career and also close friends who offered to be a part of this project which to Jürgen is a most passionate one.

The musical direction of this project is very well selected. It characterises numerous influences Jürgen Richard Blackmore has encountered during his career. In its unique way it also emphasises his very own style perfectly. The songs written for this project emerged from a mixture of the past, the presence, and the future topped with an emotional roller coaster of creativity.

The arrangements vary from serious metal riffs to melodic ballads. There are songs that feature a slight oriental touch but also sport the typical rock music sound. There are also classical elements that provide the icing on the cake. The album presents a variety of vocals with every track bearing its own characteristics having been recorded by different male and female singers.

When listening to this album it feels like being taken on a musical journey through places and times. highs and lows. Extraordinary and special - just what you would expect from a Blackmore. Goose bumps guaranteed! From now on we will introduce one of the participating friends every week and inform you about the collaboration in production and recording of each individual track.

First Friend on the upcoming Album

Since I met Paul the first time, and I did play with him in OVER THE RAINBOW, he is like a stone in my heart. He is a positive crazy and nice Guy in one Person.. also he is very talented and has a real honest soul. The work with him is so much fun and also productive that I don´t want to miss the work with him in the future. I like his style on the Keyboards, he gives the new music his special note. Sooo...i am proud to present you my first FRIEND for the new upcoming album: PAUL MORRIS ON THE KEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some words from Paul:

Well everybody, what can I say? OTR was a lot of fun, and I got to meet so many great people through out the world, and made a lot of friends as well. One of them is Jurgen Blackmore. He has become a very close friend of mine. This has helped so much in our new project. It's so easy for us when we're writing music, and I truly believe it's because we've developed a close bond.

Jurgen is one of the greatest guitarists I've ever have played with, and I know when our new album comes out it will have been worth the wait for all. I can't wait to take our project on the road and see all our fans again, and see there faces when they finally hear our new music. It will be awesome!!! Jurgen has told me that we will be playing some old favorites as well. It should be the best of both worlds. Thanks to everyone. Can't wait to see you all again.

[source: J.R.Blackmore Official site]






Rainbow Bassplayer Mark Clarke To Release Debut Solo CD


The rock world is buzzing with the debut release of legendary Colosseum, Natural Gas, Rainbow, Uriah Heep member Mark Clarke called Moving To The Moon on Philadelphia record label ItsAboutMusic.com. Encompassing all the styles of music he has worked with the past 40 years, Mark Clarke's new solo album is a must for collectors and music enthusiasts worldwide. It's a masterful collection of extremely well recorded and performed tracks that rival any from the bands he's played in.

Going from group to group until one day Mark Clark met up with his first real band St James Infirmary (a blues band) with whom he gigged and built up quite a reputation, as one Liverpool news paper said he was "Liverpool's Joe Cocker" but after a year or so of local gigs, it was time to move south to London. There he met up with many of the Liverpool musicians who had moved down south for the work and was introduced to the guitarist Clem Clempson, who had just joined one of the most well known groups at that time, COLOSSEUM. Touring with Colosseum was harsh, very, very harsh, but truly amazing and for the rest of his career has been a constant part of his life; a true love.

Ken Hensley from Uriah Heep appeared asked Mark to help out as they needed to replace their bass player, so the next day they rehearsed on the train to Scotland and Mark joined Uriah Heep. Mark recorded with them and co-wrote "The Wizard" with Ken Hensley, toured mercilessly again and then left the group to work with Dick Heckstall-Smith on his solo album.

In 1972 Jon Hiseman and Mark formed Tempest and found a guitarist of some note, Alan Holdsworth. After two albums Mark left Tempest, played with Manfred Mann and the formed Natural Gas with Joey Molland (Badfinger) and Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie) moved to America, (he still lives there) and went on to record, and tour with: Billy Squier, Mountain with Leslie West, The Monkees,Davy Jones, Roger Daltry, British Rock Symphony with Alice Cooper and Peter Frampton, and sessions with Meatloaf, Mink Deville, Cher and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.

Song samples: www.itsaboutmusic.com/markclarke.html
For more information visit www.ItsAboutMusic.com/newreleases.html

[Thanks to: William James]






Craig Gruber returns with ED3N - debut album out on May 15th


Metal Heaven are pleased to announce the signing of American band ED3N. The band was formed by bassist Craig Gruber in January 2010. After having a successful career spanning over 25 years in Elf, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Gary Moore,Black Sabbath, and selling more than 30 million albums worldwide, Craig decided to put together a great line-up of musicians to form the super group ED3N.

ED3N consists of vocalist extraordinaire Jeff Fenholt, whose resume includes Black Sabbath' "7th star" sessions as well as the original vocalist in Broadway's successful Jesus Christ Superstar show. The line-up is completed by the wonderful Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell) on drums and Rowan Robertson (Dio) on guitars.

ED3N is now preparing to launch the first CD in May 2011 through AOR HEAVEN in Europe with a world-wide tour following in June.

ED3N started as Craig Gruber's Eden about a year ago. A tribute show to Ronnie James Dio by performing Black Sabbath, Rainbow and Dio classics was held at The Market Block Party, in Syracuse, New York, on Thursday, June 24th, 2010.

The line-up was Craig Gruber (bass), Jeff Fenholt (vocals), Craig Goldy (guitar) & Frankie Banali (drums). Later on it became clear only Gruber and Fenholt were left from this line-up. In October David Shankle (Manowar, David Shankle Group) was the guitarist. Now ED3N is in the studio in Los Angeles with Vinny Appice on drums and Rowan Robertson on guitar recording their debut album that should be released on May 15th.

It seems ED3N will do a cover of one of the tracks of the 1975 Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow album on their debut.

Check Reverbnation for some audio samples.

Website: www.myspace.com/edenbandofficial

[Thanks to: Julie Barela Mills]






Bob Daisley is writing his autobiography


Jason Ritchie of Classic Rock did a short 5 question interview with bunch of musicians including Bob Daisley.

The ex-Rainbow bassplayer told: "For the past 22 months I have been writing my autobiography. It should be completed for a release during 2011 sometime. It's been a monumental task but fortunately I've kept a diary since 1976 and have many photos, so it will be accurate and truthful. After the book's published, I'll be looking to write and play more music, another Mother's Army album possibly and maybe a project with Steve Morse."

Read the complete five questions interview with Bob's answers including his disappointments, favourite albums, films and/or books
of 2010 here (scroll down to Tuesday, December 21 2010 23:17:05).

[Source: Jason Ritchie]






New My Son The Bum CD "The New Carnival" with John O.Reilly & Greg Smith


Several grains of sand through the hourglass ago, Brian Kroll went to see a band at a local club that unknown to him, featured a drummer named John O.Reilly. Several more grains of sand passed through the hourglass when Kroll received a phone call from a vocalist named Sue Veneer answering a music paper ad for his roomate's band...

Then, Sue told Kroll a great studio to use when he went into record an album. When Kroll called her recommendation, he asked for great musicians to work with and was then introduced to John O.Reilly. He led Kroll to producer extraordinaire Bob Stander who in turn recommended that Ronnie Dee Sing on a full length album without kroll having met or heard him.

To this day, Brian Kroll, John O.Reilly, Bob Stander & Ronnie Dee have recorded 4 albums together, are well into finishing one more album and still John and Ronnie have never met. And that is how MY SON THE BUM was born.

My Son The Bum have just released their latest CD titled "The New Carnival". On this CD not only John O.Reilly is present again. This time also ex-Rainbow and now Over The Rainbow bassist Greg Smith joins My Son The Bum for three special guest performances.

The complete CD (and all previous releases) can be downloaded from the official My Son The Bum Website

John O.Reilly is getting ready now to tour again with TS0 (Trans-Siberian Orchestra).

[Thanks to Brian Kroll]






North East U.K Deep Purple tribute act is looking for Keyboard/Organ player


Keyboard/Organ player wanted for North East of England Deep Purple tribute act. A love of Deep Purple and the ability to play like Jon Lord is essential. The ability to improvise is key as we intend to follow the spirit of Deep Purple, complete with 20 minute songs with long solos!!!

Excellent musicians are already in place along with a manager who will provide a massive PA and full stage set up. This is going to be immense fun for any Purple lover.

Please contact Jon on by email jmh909@hotmail.co.uk






Benefit Concert Set To Raise Medical Funds for Daughter of Stuart Smith


Stuart Smith of Sweet and Heaven and Earth was blessed with a beautiful daughter in April. Unfortunately, she was born premature and has needed a lot of medical attention, and she needs additional surgery. So Stuart's friend Robert Tuozzo, the publisher of 22nd Century Rock Magazine, has arranged a benefit concert for early next year to help raise funds for her medical care.

The Concert 4 Sophia will take place on January 6th 2010 at the Avalon Theater in Los Angeles and will feature Sweet, The Band From TV, The Howard Leese Band, Kelly Hansen of Foreigner, Andy & Tiffany Madadian, David Paich from Toto, Robert Tuozzo, Female AC/DC tribute band ThundHerStuck and many others.

Tickets for the event are on sale right now and are only $55.00 (plus service charge), so it's a small price to pay for a great night of music for a very worthy cause. If you need more information, want to buy tickets or you are not in the L.A. area but would still like to help out, you can visit - help4sophia.org.

Smith was classically trained from age seven and went on to be taught by Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore. He toured England & Europe extensively with his first professional band "Sidewinder" before moving to the States in 1983 where he joined the reformed "Sweet" and later formed the "Aliens of Extraordinary Ability" with Keith Emerson. In 1995 he put together Heaven & Earth.They were being offered a record deal by Samsung to record a solo album. The album, entitled Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth features some of rock's top vocalists such as Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora, Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Glenn Hughes.

[Thanks to Rob Fodder]






Bobby Rondinelli plays on Bob Daisley Tribute Album "Blizzards From Oz"


"Blizzards From Oz" is an international, all-star compilation tribute CD paying homage to Ozzy Osbourne bassist/producer/lyricist of 14 years, Bob Daisley.

This ten-song compilation CD features Ozzy Osbourne keyboardist of 17 years John Sinclair, guitarist Dario Mollo and renowned Canadian bassist Harrison Crotin. Also featured are guitarist Rolf Munkes, producer/vocalist Joe "Reaper" Lalonde and acclaimed drummer Bobby Rondinelli (ex-Rainbow).

"Blizzards From Oz" track listing: Suicide Solution / Crazy Train / I Don't Know / Mr. Crowley / Flying High Again / Bark At The Moon / Miracle Man / Ultimate Sin / Mama, I'm Coming Home / I Don't Want To Change The World.

Check out audio samples at www.myspace.com/blizzardsfromoz.






John O.Reilly's new project My Son The Bum offers free download of their album


Brian Kroll, guitarplayer of My Son The Bum reported us: Want to know what John O.Reilly's new project is? Well, it's a hard rocking band called My Son The Bum. Just spoke with John who is already getting things started on the road with TSO.

We invite you to check us out at www.mysonthebum.com and download your free copy of My Son The Bum - Beyond Therapy. If you'd like a regular cdas well via snail mail please let us know.

[Thanks to Brian Kroll]






God Of Guitar greatest guitar solo Poll


GodOfGuitar has another Poll - this time it's for the greatest guitar solo and Ritchie as ever is in there with a chance of winning this year.

Welcome to Godofguitar.com's 5th annual Poll to find the worlds greatest guitarist. As usual it's open to the general public. This year we have changed the format completely. We are no longer voting for a guitarist directly but for a specific well known solo. We've already been through several voting rounds with well known experts and guitar professionals to narrow the list down 10 specific pieces we have here. We have however still retained the rule that the poll only covers living guitarists. The Poll officially opens on August 10th 2008 and closes on Saturday 20th December 2007. The results will be announced by the new year.

As usual we asked the international auditing firm Pricewaterhousealicecoopers to tabulate and audit the results. The results of the main ballot will be audited by KMPG and CSNY. So, we've ended up with a list of 10 classic guitar solos which you have to choose from. We know plenty of you will complain that your guitarist isn't included, but we feel we have gone the extra mile this time with the pre voting rounds.

To vote for your favourite guitar solo fill out the form here. Please vote only once. Good luck!

Ed: Ritchie Blackmore is present with his guitarsolo in Deep Purple's "Highway Star".

[Thanks to Jim Brodie]






Ritchie Blackmore & Ronnie James Dio both to play Stockholm on June 3


It might be pure coincidence but Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio will both play live in Stockholm in Sweden on June 3. Ritchie with Blackmore's Night and Ronnie with his own band DIO that is!

Blackmore´s Night announced today their first tourdates for this year including Sweden and Finland dates for early June. Ronnie James Dio will also play in that period in the same Scandinavian countries. Check out our tour dates section for all the dates.

update:
The DIO concert in Stockholm on June 3 has been postponed to a day later now. On June 3 DIO will play Copenhagen, while the original scheduled show on June 4 in Gothenburg has been cancelled. Check out our tour dates section for all the dates.

[Thanks to: Stefan Becklarsen & Paul Deblond]






Perfect Strangers of Finland 10 Year Anniversary Party on Januari 18


Press release 11 January 2008: Perfect Strangers of Finland - 10 Year Anniversary Party

PURPLE NIGHT at TAVASTIA CLUB, Helsinki, Finland on January 18, 2008, at 8 PM till 4 AM. Showtime: 9 pm

THE BIGGEST COVER-EVENT IN FINLAND: MORE THAN 40 MUSICIANS ON THE STAGE

On Friday, 18th of January, 2008, we are celebrating our 10-year old club, and we are organizing a Purple-Rainbow-Whitesnake Marathon Night at Tavastia Club. We are very excited about the popularity of our Purple Night, there will be more than 40 Finnish top musicians on the stage.

Purple Night is party time both for the musicians, and for the audience. The aim is simply to have fun together. Deep Purple, Rainbow and Whitesnake are the favorites of many of the musicians, and they want to show their respect to these great classic bands. Tavastia Club is the biggest, the oldest, and the most famous rock club in Helsinki. Everybody wants to play there. (And Gillan and Dio have played there, too.)

Here are some of the musicians on the bill*: Miki Henneken (Sentiment) www.sentimentband.com, Ancara www.ancarasite.com, Lotta Lene Band www.lottalene.com, Fratres www.fratres.fi, Dr. Purple www.drpurple.net.
(*Changes are possible)

Our party will go on all night long! - Tickets: www.tiketti.fi.

Further Information, Comments, Congratulations etc.
Perfect Strangers of Finland (The Finnish Deep Purple Appreciation Society)
c/o Sirpa Hammar, president, Tel. +358-41-48 48 246
info (AT) psof.fi





Ritchie Blackmore wins the 2007 Best Guitarplayer Poll at 'God of Guitar' after recount


The 2007 Greatest Guitarist Poll winner is Ritchie Blackmore. Arise Sir Ritchie! This makes it 4 years in a row for our Ritchie at GodofGuitar.com.

Yes, following the internal investigations it was found that over the last weekend of voting there was an automated multiple voting program being used by a single person for Derek Trucks, as pointed out by many of our readers on this website. We have now taken these votes out and following a recount we can confirm that Ritchie Blackmore has indeed won the poll for the 4th year running.

The following are comments left by voters when choosing Ritchie as their favourite guitarist. We've not included them all as it is very repetitive; however here are around 500 of them in alphabetic order. You may recognise yours. The spellings are by the voters! Our favourite fan comment (from jcs4jbem) has Ritchie being knighted! Now there's an idea. In the meantime please vote for Ritchie to be inducted into the hall of fame here. Any comments about the poll results please contact us.

One common thread throughout the fan comments is the lack of recognition Ritchie gets. Well, there's plenty here......so enjoy!

[thanks to: GodofGuitar]






The 2007 Best Guitarplayer Poll of 'God of Guitar' Results


First of all apologies for the delay in getting the Poll results out. We were inundated in the last few days of the poll and in the end had to delay the results to ensure that all of the votes were counted. Bearing in mind the problems at the BBC and ITV of late I am sure you understand it is important to preserve transparency and fairness in this process. No thanks to Irene Carter from Southampton who suggested that we sack the "little old lady" that we were using to count the votes (we are using a Series 39 Level 35 Mainframe with VME version 2.94 to count the votes, thanks Irene).

Pre-result we had contacted Ritchie Blackmore's management to advise that Ritchie is the likely winner for the 4th year running as Ritchie had a good lead over the other contenders. To our great surprise the last few days voting changed the complexion of the whole vote and we have ended up with the narrowest ever result.

Much to our embarrassment we have to announce that Ritchie Blackmore is NOT the winner this year.

This year's winner is Derek Trucks. Derek has hardly had a mention on GodofGuitar.com over the last few years. We have tried to contact Derek but we understand he has no longer plays with the Eddie Stobart Blues Band and have not managed to congratulate him as yet.

Top 10 Results in Full (There were 103,938 votes altogether)

1. Derek Trucks (17.3%)
2. Ritchie Blackmore (17.1%)
3. Jimmy Page (12%)
4. Slash (7%)
4. Michael Angelo Batio (7%)
4. Tony Lommi (7%)
7. Eric Clapton (6%)
8. John Petrucci (5%)
8. Steve Morse (5%)
10. Eddie Grant (4%)
Others (20%)

update December 17:

We at GodofGuitar.com acknowledge that this years votes for the Greatest Guitarist Poll were very close indeed. Following a barrage of complaints from Ritchie Blackmore and Eddy Grant fans about the results of the Greatest Guitarist Poll 2007 we have decided to do a recount of the votes and are delighted to announce that Jim Brodie will be personally attending the GodofGuitar datacentre in Reading to oversee that the process takes place fairly and that no intervention has taken place to incorrectly tarnish the outcome. All being well we should be posting a video of this event tomorrow showing again true transparency in the voting process. We expect the results on Wednesday at the earliest.

update December 19:

Following the recount performed at the GodOfGuitar datacentre we can confirm that the results as per the original results database were correct and that Derek Trucks is indeed this year's Greatest Guitarist 2007 winner.

We do however have a new controversy. Many fans have written in saying that they have spotted some irregularities in the voting pattern which can be seen from the sample of results provided at the bottom of this page. For example the following from John Sherman "After reviewing your Greatest Guitarist Poll, it appears that a Derek Trucks fan stuffed ballots Chicago style. Using the guise Lyoung Pyoung etc, it appears as though a member of the Young family posted several phantom votes. I demand an investigation and re-count immediately!" It would appear that Derek Trucks might have received multiple and false votes from the same person or family which have pushed his result to a win. Certainly up to 3 days before the result Ritchie Blackmore was the clear winner.

We have therefore asked the Zimbabwean Election Monitoring team to take another look at the results and in particular at the final few days of voting to see if they can spot any trends of this nature and if we need to isolate any specific votes which were made on these last few days. We have given them five days to come back with the results so therefore it will be 24th December when the result can be finally validated. We will not accept any further challenges to the result after this. Also we will be providing the winner with a full listing of the comments left for him. Should make a good Christmas Present!

[thanks to: GodofGuitar]






The 2007 Best Guitarplayer Poll of 'God of Guitar'


The 2007 Poll at GodofGuitar has got underway at last, here. Can Ritchie make it a 4th year as the winner?

The Godofguitar website has it's 4th annual Poll to find the worlds greatest guitarist. As usual it's open to the general public. There are some new rules this year, the main one being that the poll only covers living guitarists as the poll opens in February 2007.

You can choose from this selected list: B B King, Brain May, Carlos Santana, Derek Trucks, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, John McLaughlin, Keith Richards, Mark Knobler, Mike Oldfield, Paul Giblet, Pete Kershaw, Peter Frampton, Ritchie Blackmore, Ry Cooder, Steve Morse, The Edge, Tony Lommi.

The result of the Greatest Guitarist poll is postponed till 10th December.

The God Of Guitar site adds: In terms of the result, well Ritchie might get pipped at the post this time I think as the US fans are continually voting for the shredders. Come on Ritchie fans!

Also I've made the Guitar God Delusion podcasts available as mp3's. They are pro-Ritchie most of the time I think!

update:

News today: We have under 20 days now before the greatest guitarist Poll 2007 is announced on 10th December . Anyone who hasn't participated needs to vote now. Please note that the Zimbabwe election monitoring team will be looking for discrepancies so please do not cause us a last minute hiccup and delay the vote. We subscribe to Voting by the rules of Section 5 Clause 9 of the Online Voting Subscriptions Act 2006 (one of Tony Blairs finest legislative moves). Rumour has it that the previous winner, Ritchie Blackmore, is no longer the front runner despite an early lead.

update December 2:

I've made contact with Carole Stevens to advise on the likely Poll results. I've not lied about the website (and that it is just a bit of fun) however the comments from fans are genuine and she has kindly sent them onto Ritchie. Carole has allowed me to include her quote below. Bearing in mind I get a lot of Fanclan feedback I thought the people from your site might be quite pleased that their comments had got direct to Ritchie himself. See explanation from the Godofguitar site below.

02.12.07: With only 6 days to go now until the Greatest Guitarist Poll 2007 is announced we have been in touch with the Ritchie Blackmore's management (Carole Stevens) and have forwarded some of the amazing comments people have posted on the poll which Carole has sent direct onto Ritchie. Carole says "Thanks to the open communications between the fans and Ritchie's Managment-he has received many of the comments that were posted on this poll and he is thankful to all his fans for taking the time to write in"

Here are a small sample of some of the comments from the Poll about Ritchie Blackmore that have been sent to him. We particularly liked "He is the total opposite of generic" sent in by Svilen Trifonov. We wish Ritchie all the best and good luck in the Poll! Don't forget, results on Sunday evening (9th December)

update December 11:

To all readers wanting information about the Greatest Guitarist Poll 2007: We have had to do a recount here at GodofGuitar.com as there was an unexpected avalanche of votes during the last 3 days, we want to ensure that all relevant votes are cast and bearing in mind the recent criticisms of the BBC and ITV network we thought we'd better take extra precautions. The result will now be announced on Friday evening 14th December.

[thanks to: GodofGuitar]






Re-Release for Jim Brodie's Winter Carrots Collection


You heard it here first! Great news for those people who missed it last year... Jim Brodie's Winter Carrots collection will be re-released shortly for the up coming Christmas Holiday season. It will feature a few new tracks, one of which "God rest you merry Gentleman" should be available for download shortly.

update:

Jim Brodie's re-release of Winter Carrots is well underway. One of the new tracks can be found here for free download. Enjoy! It is likely that a YouTube video will follow shortly.

[Thanks to: JJB]