Frank Zappa was one of the most innovative and versatile rock musicians of his generation, creating a vast body of work that encompassed almost every genre of music -- but he wouldn't have wanted to hear it. The mercurial genius actively resisted those kinds of labels and effusive public praise, focusing instead on the work itself in a career that spanned more than three decades. He died on Dec. 4, 1993 at the age of 52 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Aerosmith were coming off the peak of their success when they went into the studio for 'Draw the Line.' In the wake of back-to-back classics 'Toys in the Attic' and 'Rocks,' the group were positioned to deliver an album that would have cemented their legacy alongside '70s stalwarts like Led Zeppelin. Instead, they turned in an oddly dispirited album that heralded a dramatic reversal of fortunes in their career.
Ozzy Osbourne was in a terrible spot both personally and professionally at the end of 1982, but he somehow managed to pull it together enough to release the 'Speak of the Devil' album on Nov. 27, 1982.
Pete Townshend is undeniably one of rock music's most dynamic performers. The Who guitarist has always been notable for his energetic stage exertions -- particularly his signature "windmill" move, which consists of Townshend swinging his arm around in a furious windup before delivering a powerful strike to sound power chords on his guitar. In an interview with David Letterman, the musician says his trademark move was inspired by fellow rock icon Keith Richards.
It's beginning to look a lot like Kissmas -- er, that is, Christmas -- and the New Music Releases for December 2012 list means that classic rock releases are winding down for the year. December is always a light month for new music, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some great stocking stuffers arriving just in time to bring comfort and joy to the classic rock fan on your holiday list.
Van Halen fans around the world wound up being disappointed when the group cut their tour in support of their recent album 'A Different Kind of Truth' short after guitarist Eddie Van Halen underwent emergency surgery. But things appear to be looking up, as the band have booked three new dates for the summer of 2013 to replace the shows they had to cancel in Japan.
Jimi Hendrix may be one of the most exhaustively chronicled performers in rock music history, but a new book aims for a fresh angle on the legendary guitarist, whose life has been mythologized to the point where it often overshadows his music.
There's no denying that Doors singer Jim Morrison was one of the most charismatic front men of his generation. Unfortunately he was one of the most troubled, too. The singer had a terrible alcohol problem that played a big role in his repeated arrests, including one on Nov. 11, 1969 in Arizona that resulted from Morrison and a friend drunkenly heckling a flight crew on a commercial airliner.
Neal Schon has earned a number of accolades during his long career in Journey, but in a new interview the guitarist says he's not that interested in resting on his laurels, preferring to look to the future.
Singer Geoff Tate has certainly had a harder-than-expected road to his new solo album 'Kings & Thieves,' which releases today (Nov. 6) via InsideOut Music. The hard rock veteran began the album as a side project from his day gig as the front man in Queensryche, but by the time it was completed he had been fired from the group he helped found three decades ago.
