OZZY: Family And Bandmates Post Birthday Tributes

The Osbourne family and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi posted about Ozzy Osbourne to mark what would have been his 77th birthday yesterday (Wednesday). Sharon Osbourne

posted a video with birthday wishes spelled out on the Black Sabbath bridge in Birmingham, England along with photos throughout the years with the caption, "My darling husband, I celebrate the day you were born. I will never let go of your hand until I see you on the other side." Kelly Osbourne posted a collection of photos with the caption, "Happy birthday I miss you daddy! I love you more than life itself!" And Jack Osbourne is currently filming I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here for U.K. television but had someone post a video of his dad with the caption "Jack is still in the jungle, but wishing his dad a Happy Heavenly Birthday."

Tony Iommi posted a photo of Ozzy with the caption, "Thinking about Ozzy today - this is how I’ll remember him, laughing!" And Geezer Butler posted a photo as well. Ozzy died on July 22nd at the age of 76 of a heart attack.

LED ZEPPELIN: Went In Through the Out Door 45 Years Ago

Today (Thursday) marks the 45th anniversary of Led Zeppelin's deflation. On December 4th, 1980, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones announced in a press release that they decided not to continue as Led Zeppelin in the wake of the death of drummer John Bonham

just over two months earlier -- September 25th. "We wish it to be known, that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were." While their fan base continually clamors for a reunion, Robert Plant

continues to stand in the way of that happening. Their 2007 benefit show in London was the last time they played together as Plant refused to do more shows. "The responsibility of doing that four nights a week for the rest of time is a different thing [than a one-off show] 'cause we're pretty good at what we do. But the tail should never wag the dog. If we're capable of doing something in our own time that will be what will happen. We know what we've got."

That 2007 show was only the fifth time that Plant, Page and Jones played together since Bonham's death. The other four were at Live Aid in 1985; Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert in 1988; Jason Bonham's wedding in 1990; and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. At the time of Bonham's death, Zeppelin were preparing for a U.S. tour in the fall of 1980. Their last show with Bonham was on July 7th, 1980, in Berlin, Germany.

SCOTT WEILAND: New Song Marks 10 Years Since Death

A previously unreleased song from Scott Weiland came out yesterday (Wednesday) to mark the 10th anniversary of his death. The track, "If I Could Fly," was written by the Stone Temple Pilots singer in 2000 after the birth of his son Noah. Check out the track on YouTube now.

Weiland was found dead of an accidental overdose on his tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota, on December 3, 2015. He was 48 years old.

Ronnie Wood Celebrated His 50th Anniversary in the Rolling Stones By Painting Them

The Rolling Stones took a break from touring to work on new music and oversee the reissue of their 1976 album Black and Blue. To celebrate Ronnie Wood's 50th anniversary with the band, he created a series of portraits called Paint it Black. The limited-edition prints are available on his website and at a gallery in England. Wood, who has been creating art since childhood, captures the energy of the band and their live shows in his paintings. The band has written new songs with producer Andrew Watt, sparking rumors of a potential European stadium tour in 2026. Wood, who has been with the Stones for 50 years, now feels like a true member of the band.

Kiss’s Gene Simmons to testify on American Music Fairness Act

KISS frontman Gene Simmons is set to testify before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee next week in support of the American Music Fairness Act, which aims to ensure fair payment for musicians when their work is played on radio stations. The bipartisan bill seeks to close a loophole that exempts AM/FM radio stations from paying royalties to artists, unlike digital platforms. The bill is opposed by the National Association of Broadcasters, who argue that imposing new fees could hinder their ability to provide free news and emergency information. Supporters of the bill, including over 300 artists, highlight the billions in advertising revenue generated by radio stations playing music without compensating artists. The bill also aims to protect smaller broadcasters by allowing them to play unlimited music for a nominal fee.

ELTON & BONO: Still Fighting

This past Monday was World AIDS Day and Elton John and Bono, two of the music industry's most ardent supporters in the fight against the disease, have again spoken out about the need to keep aiding those in need. Elton, through his AIDS Foundation, says, "For the global HIV response, it’s been the toughest year in decades. Heartbreakingly, it feels as though the world is looking away again. "HIV is still here. Lives are still being lost. We cannot allow stigma to return to the shadows, or let funding fade, or abandon the communities who need us most.

"This World AIDS Day, we’re asking you: don’t look away."

And Bono, on behalf of the sister organizations he co-founded -- ONE and (RED) -- says, "Thinking of the staggering 44-million lives lost to AIDS and giving thanks for all the people around the world who have spent their lives fighting to end it. "Game-changing new HIV prevention will make this goal much easier. Let’s not make it more difficult by losing focus after decades of incredible public health interventions that have saved millions of lives.

"For all the derangement across this planet, this is something we know how to do, because we have been doing it. Governments left and right, north and south, responding to HIV+ campaigners, doctors, nurses, activists, corporates. PEPFAR was created, the Global Fund was created, and deaths have dropped by 70%. New interventions can now get it to zero.

"A song [U2] wrote, 'One,' was inspired by the artwork of the AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz… I occasionally hear people singing. 'We have to carry each other' when the lyric is 'we get to carry each other.' We get to do this. If we choose to. "Thankful for every ONE activist and (RED) warrior in this fight, especially the (RED)sters at Apple, Bank of america, Fiat, Salesforce, Vespa, and so many more. I know you won’t stop until the job is done."

QUEEN: Deacon Rules

The UK has produced quite a number of melodic bass players -- Paul McCartney, John Lodge of The Moody Blues, Chris Squire from Yes, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Sting, John Entwistle from The Who, Fleetwood Mac's John McVie and many others. But when it comes to who created the most iconic bassline, that distinction belongs to Queen's John Deacon.

In a nationwide poll commissioned by Sky Arts to determine that country's most iconic bass

lines for a new documentary airing on the channel, aptly titled Greatest Basslines, Deacon topped the list with the 1980 Queen song "Another One Bites the Dust." He also had three other entries in the Top 10 -- "Under Pressure" (3), "Radio Gaga" (5) and "Killer Queen" (8). Those who participated in the poll also voted Deacon as the greatest bass player of all time.

LOU GRAMM: Released Has a New Release Date

Original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm first told us his new album was going to be released last fall. Then it changed to this fall, followed by next April. He’s now moved it up to March, with the first single in February. Titled Released, the collection of archival songs that he's finished off, will be his first album since 2009’s The Lou Gramm Band. Gramm says "It's releasing these old pent up songs too. So, it's double entendre. And it's a very creative rock record. Different feels. There's some R&B feel to it. There's straight-ahead hard rock and a couple of really nice different ballad-type songs." Gramm also plans to support the album with a tour in the spring and summer. Having said since 2019 that he'll be retiring from the road, he now says he’ll wind down after that tour. And speaking of touring, Gramm starts a run of eight Northeast dates

with Foreigner again tonight (Thursday) in Port Chester, New York in support of the deluxe reissue of their fourth album, 4, in September.

BILLY JOEL: Not the Lone Piano Man

It turns out Billy Joel isn't the only well-known keyboardist to contract normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), the curable brain disorder that affects vision, hearing and balance. That's what former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman underwent surgery for last month, and Billy reached out to him, post-op. Wakeman has provided an update on his recovery, saying, “I'm doing well. This month I have the clips and other bits holding my head and abdomen together, taken out and then it'll just be a check at some juncture by my surgeon Mr. Toma, (who was absolutely brilliant), and I'll be well on the road to full recovery. I can't thank everybody enough for the multitude of Get-Well messages that have come to me through various sources, and it was a lovely surprise to hear from Billy... hopefully we will meet up for a coffee during the March tour in America. "Progress is good, although I have had to cancel most of my plans for December. I cannot travel to London and so for the first time in 25 years, I am not able to do my Christmas special with my great friend [radio host] Simon Mayo. Hopefully we can do something early in the New Year. "The only things I am able to do are those which are local and so the Saving Strays Christmas concerts in Norwich and Ipswich are going ahead and I'm really looking forward to them. "So, for the time being it's all about sitting at home being looked after by my wonderful wife, Nurse Rachel, my mother-in-law Matron Pat and the Doctor Dogs and Carer Cats..." Like Billy, Wakeman is also 76. They were born nine days apart in 1949 — Billy on May 9th, and Wakeman on the 18th.

JIMMY BUFFETT: Death Didn't Keep Him Away

Jimmy Buffett being inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 was a huge slap in the face to someone who basically created his own musical cottage industry. But, he got the last laugh. During an appearance on Howard Stern's SiriusXM show, country singer Kenny Chesney, who took part in a tribute to Buffett along with James Taylor, said Jimmy was there. “We were backstage. We were sitting back there warming up, trying to, you know, figure out our parts and stuff. So [Coral Reefer guitarist] Mac [McAnally] comes up to me and he goes, ‘Look at this,’ and it was a small urn. He had Jimmy’s ashes in his coat pocket. Jimmy’s ashes were in Mac McAnally’s coat pocket, onstage with us as he was getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. So, even after he passed, Jimmy found a way to join the party.” It was Buffett's daughter Savannah who gave McAnally her dad's ashes. Jimmy Buffett died on September 1st, 2023 from skin cancer. He was 76.

STEVE CROPPER: Influential Guitarist Dead at 84

Steve Cropper, the guitarist whose work with Booker T. and the MG's and performing on dozens of hits created at the legendary Stax Records in Memphis got him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 84. His family released a statement saying he "died peacefully in Nashville [on Wednesday] at the age of 84. “Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives around the world. “While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music. Every note he played, every song he wrote, and every artist he inspired ensures that his spirit and artistry will continue to move people for generations to come.”

Cropper was head of A&R for Stax in the 1960s, and he produced, engineered and/or co-wrote hits for Otis Redding (“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay”), Wilson Pickett ("In the Midnight Hour”) Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas and Eddie Floyd ("Knock on Wood").
Cropper’s highest-profile post-Stax gig was as lead guitarist for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s musical act The Blues Brothers. He played on the duo’s double-platinum 1978 album, Briefcase Full of Blues, and four other albums, and appeared in 1980's The Blues Brothers and its 1998 sequel Blues Brothers 2000.
His last album, 2024's Friendlytown, featured contributions from Queen guitarist Brian May and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. May released a statement saying, "We sadly lost one of the great original guitar heroes... Steve Cropper was and always will be an inspiration to all of us who bend electric guitar strings to this day... I was fortunate to meet and work with this genial and generous human being - and we all made sure he heard the words that left him in no doubt of the energy we all felt flow from him , and the debt we owed him. RIP Steve."
Cropper also played on Mark Knopfler's 2024 all-star re-recording of his (Knopfler's) 1983 instrumental, "Local Hero."

Cropper is survived by his second wife Angel and their two children, along with two children from his first marriage.

Wife of Weezer Bassist Scott Shriner Reportedly Filing For Divorce

The wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner is reportedly filing for divorce.TMZ reports Jillian Lauren Shriner filed for divorce on Tuesday, citing "irreconcilable differences."The couple has been married for two decades. She is also seeking joint physical and legal custody of the couple's two teenage children, along with spousal support. Jillian Shriner was shot by Los Angeles police officers in April. She is accused of approaching officers with a gun while they were searching for three suspects near her home in Eagle Rock and opening fire.No officers were wounded. In September, Shriner was granted a mental health reprieve, avoiding jail time.

IN OTHER NEWS

In June, England’s King Charles announced that Steve Winwood would be among those receiving an MBE -- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – on his Birthday Honours list. Winwood picked up his medal last month, saying, “I am immensely grateful that I am considered for recognition of my services to music. I am a proud upholder of British culture and values, and am extremely honoured to be rewarded in this way, and wish to thank all those who made the recommendation, and those who’ve supported my music over the years.” He posted a photo of himself holding the medal on Instagram.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush have posted on Instagram another of their humorous videos supporting their line of Rush Canadian Golden Ale. In this one, Lifeson jokes about “living” in the back of a Canadian liquor store.

Original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony posted photos and videos on Instagram of himself and his family at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra show over the weekend in Anaheim, California.

NBC has posted a look at Lenny Kravitz filming the intro for Sunday Night Basketball, which launches on February 1st. Check it out on Instagram.

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