Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits dropped 6 spots to #24 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Alan Jackson's 34 Number Ones debuted at #37.

Zac Brown Band's "As She's Walking Away" featuring Alan Jackson fell 2 places to #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits dropped a spot to #7 on the U.K. Albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon...The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 fell 3 places to #19.  Daniel O'Donnell's O' Holy Night: The Christmas Album debuted at #21.  Barbra Streisand's The Ultimate Collection retained the #22 spot.  Neil Diamond's Dreams fell 12 places to #37.  Annie Lennox's A Christmas Conucopia dropped 11 spots to #38.  Elaine Paige's Elaine Paige And Friends fell 8 places to #39.

Kylie Minogue's new single, "Better Than Today," debuted at #40 on the U.K. Singles chart.

It seems that Jeff Beck was the most mentioned name coming up for the Grammy nomination committee.  Nominations for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday.  Jeff Beck's Emotion & Commotion, Pearl Jam's Backspacer, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers' Mojo and Neil Young's Le Noise were nominated for Best Rock Album.  Neil Young's "Angry World" was nominated for Best Rock Song.  Jeff Beck's "Hammerhead," Los Lobos' "Do The Murray" and Dweezil Zappa's "The Deathless Horsie" are up for Best Instrumental Performance.  Jeff Beck & Joss Stone's "I Put A Spell On You" is up for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.  Eric Clapton's "Run Back To Your Side," Paul McCartney's "Helter Skelter," Robert Plant's "Silver Rider" and Neil Young "Angry World" are up for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.  Ozzy Osbourne's "Let Me Hear You Scream," Soundgarden's "Black Rain," Them Crooked Vultures' "New Fang" and Alice In Chains' "A Looking In View" are up for Best Hard Rock Performance.  Iron Maiden's "El Dorado," Megadeth's "Sudden Death" and Slayer's "World Painted Blood" are up for Best Metal Performance.  Rosanne Cash's The List, Los Lobos' Tin Can Trust, Willie Nelson's Country Music, Robert Plant's Band Of Joy and Mavis Staples' You Are Not Alone are up for Best Americana Album.  Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck and Oumou Sangare's "Imagine" and Elton John & Leon Russell's "If It Wasn't For Bad" are up for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.  Jeff Beck's "Nessun Dorma," Laurie Anderson's "Flow," Stanley Clarke's "No Mystery" and Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Sleepwalk" are up for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.  The awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 13th in Los Angeles and air on CBS.

Soundgarden have plans to record a live album from these recent reunion tour dates and, according to several interviews with guitarist Kim Thayil, it is more likely than not that they will work on some new material.

TMZ.com has reported that Jermaine Jackson's driver's license has been confiscated over allegations that he owes $91,921 in child support payments.  Jackson told the court back in September that he can't afford to pay $3,000 a month to support his sons Jaafar and Jermajesty and asked them to cut the costs down to $215.  He claims that his ex-wife earns more money than he does and lives for free at his mother Katherine's home.  Jackson isn't expected to get his license back until he pays off the debt in full.

Tina Turner fans looking for her latest work will need to search for a collection of Buddhist and Christian prayer and chanting entitled Beyond that was released quietly in September.

French post-punk act Noir Désir have called it a day.  Guitarist Serge Teyssot-Gay announced his leaving the band last week forcing the band to consider their future.  Drummer Denis Barthe released a statement to the French press agency AFP confirming that together the band have decided not to continue.  The band released 6 albums from 1983 to 2001.

Aretha Franklin's representatives have released a statement after having a successful surgery on Thursday.  "God is still in control.  I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country."  A prayer vigil was held for the Queen of Soul in Detroit on Wednesday night.

Willie Nelson has been charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Sierra Blanca, Texas.  The 6 ounces he was estimated to be carrying in his tour bus when stopped by Border Patrol agents would have been a felony charge but was reported in court as officially 4 ounces.  So, he is expected to receive a fine if found guilty.  Nelson's harmonica player Mickey Raphael summed up Nelson's state of mind best, "He said he feels great... he lost six ounces."

Tears For Fears' Curt Smith has released a new song, "This Is Christmas," as a new single via digital retailers.

Former Genesis and GTR guitarist Steve Hackett was in a weird situation last week.  Half and hour before a performance in Bath, England, he went to his tour bus to grab his favorite guitar and the bus door closed behind him, locking him in.  Rescue services had to be called to get him out in time for his performance.

Don Dokken will be undergoing vocal surgery in January.  He actually had the surgery postponed so he could perform at the New Year's Eve Benefit Concert for original Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore who has been fighting metastatic cancer.

Duff McKagan's Loaded have signed with Eagle Rock Entertainment for the release of their new studio album, The Soundtrack, due out in March.  A reissue of their 2009 Sick CD will follow in April.

It seems that Quiet Riot aren't going away after the 2007 death of co-founding vocalist Kevin DuBrow.  While working on an upcoming documentary about the band's history, drummer Frankie Banali felt the spark for the band reignite.  Banali has teamed up with former bandmates bassist Chuck Wright and guitarist Alex Grossi to carry on the Quiet Riot name (with the blessing of DuBrow's mother.)  To cover vocals, they were blown away by the audition of Mark Huff who had been fronting a Van Halen tribute band.  I know, not easy to replace DuBrow's vocals but maybe a live video can persuade you.  (Language may be inappropriate for those under 18.)

Owen Paul has signed on for a new theatre show called The 80's Rocked.  Meanwhile, he has been working with his bandmates in XSM on an acoustic 'unplugged' live set with a tour and new CD to come.

Keep your eyes or DVRs on the lookout for the Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session program on PBS which the network has plans to air throughout the month of December.

Motley Crue's Vince Neil survived the first round of cuts on Skating With The Stars despite being in the bottom two.  The show airs on ABC on Mondays.

It looks like some of the material that Ronnie James Dio was working on with his band Dio before his passing will start surfacing.  One particular track may be included in the reissue of their 2000 album Magica as a bonus track.

Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith has reportedly worked on a few songs with INXS vocalist J.D. Fortune.  Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has picked up one of the songs for possible inclusion in an upcoming film.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been convicted in Tauranga District Court on charges of possession of cannabis.  Although he pleaded guilty, he was fined £122 and the conviction may affect international travel -- including future AC/DC tour dates.

Mr. Big have released, "Undertow," their first official video off of their new studio album, What If..., via YouTube.  The album is due out on Jan. 21st via Frontiers Records.

John Mellencamp has created an interesting offer for fans that haven't picked up his new album, No Better Than This.  Each ticket purchased for his U.S. tour dates from February through April will include an MP3 download of the new album and a chance to upgrade to the front row. 

Michael Jackson's new single, "Hold My Hand," with Akon will be released in the U.K. on Dec. 5th digitally and the 6th on CD single.  Another song off his new album, Michael, entitled "Much Too Soon" has debuted exclusively on iTunes Ping.  Meanwhile, rapper 50 Cent has been talking up his collaboration with Michael on the song "Monster" which he calls "the 2010 version of 'Thriller'."

The O'Jays have released a new holiday album, Christmas With The O'Jays.  The album includes many classic songs of the holiday season as well as two newly-written tracks.

Barbra Streisand fans will be able to catch her in the upcoming film, Little Fockers, hitting theaters during the holidays.  Streisand returns in the sequel as sex therapist Roz Focker.

Heading to stores near you next week:  Freebass - It's A Beautiful Life, Ministry - And The Co-Conspirators: Undercover, Einsturzende Neubauten - Strategies Against, Randy Meisner - One More Song/Randy Meisner, The Motels - The Motels/Careful, Sammy Hagar - Loud & Clear and Abba - Gold: Greatest Hits

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits fell 13 places to #18 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Reba McEntire's All The Women I Am dropped 26 spots to #33.

"As She's Walking Away" by Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson fell 2 places to #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits dropped 4 spots to #6 on the U.K. Albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 fell 8 places to #16.  Barbra Streisand's The Ultimate Collection dropped 6 spots to #22.  Neil Diamond's Dreams fell 7 places to #25.  Annie Lennox's A Christmas Cornucopia debuted at #27.  Ray Davies' See My Friends dropped 16 spots to #28.  Elaine Paige's Elaine Paige And Friends' fell 8 places to #31.

It seems that Anvil's signing with The End Records won't be just about getting their new studio album, Juggernaut Of Justice, released.  Prior to the release of the new CD, the label will release a definitive Anvil anthology spanning their entire career -- going back to 1978.

Progress on the new Queensryche album is going well.  They plan to wrap up studio work at the end of January and release it in the spring via Loud & Proud.

Budgie vocalist/bassist Burke Shelley had to undergo an emergency surgery for an aortic aneurism in Poland which has forced the band to cancel their tour dates in Poland and the Czech Republic.  He was feeling sick before the tour and complaining of abdominal pains during one of the tour dates.  Tests showed him having a 6cm aneurism of the aorta that was already leaking blood and could have burst at any time.  Shelley is at home recovering and does not have an idea of what the future holds.

An official video has been released for Human League's new single, "Night People," at YouTube.  The song comes from their forthcoming album, Credo.

Spandau Ballet are gearing up for the digital release of the re-mastered special editions of their first 4 studio albums which can be ordered at SpandauBallet.com.  They are also offering a free download of "To Cut A Long Story Short" which was recorded live at Sadler Wells, London, in 1983 for those signing up here.

Jon Bon Jovi recently told StarPulse.com, "When you're going places where they don't have their own electricity, and you say, 'Don't worry, we'll bring our own,' it's time to take a break.  We have to go to bed.  But I'm not retiring -- for an old man who has no plastic surgery, still has all his own hair and wears a 30-inch waist, I'm doing okay."  The band have concert dates booked through Europe and North America until June with more dates expected to be booked through late summer.

Bret Michaels' cover of Sublime's "What I Got," off his Custom Built album, has been released as a new single.  They've also premiered a 'holiday version' of the video for the song at YouTube and BretMichaels.com.

Charlie Wilson will release his new studio album, Just Charlie, via P Music/Jive on Dec. 7th.  The first single, "You Are," is climbing the Adult R&B chart -- currently at #4.

Just after their 2010 American Music Awards appearance together, New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys have announced a joint tour that will begin on June 2nd.

A new unauthorized DVD, Kiss - Invasion will be released by Gig Visual on Feb. 22nd.  The documentary will focus on guitarist Vinnie Vincent and contain a rare unedited interview.

Garth Brooks'  hit, "Unanswered Prayers," has been made into a Lifetime movie starring Madchen Amick and Eric Close premiering on Nov. 29th.  Executive producer, Brooks helps tell the relatable tale from the lyrics of his hit examining love, faith, commitment and life's difficult choices.

The reissue of George Michael's solo debut album, Faith, has been moved to Jan. 31st and will come in a deluxe edition and special edition.  The deluxe edition has a hardbound book of photos, notes and an interview with the singer as well as other fan goodies.  The special edition and double-CD set will be released on Feb. 1st.

Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder was bitten by an Australian carpet python during the recent airing of the reality series I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!  The good news is that it wasn't poisonous and the person he was up against for immunity -- he got bit as well.  3 celebrities are gone (including the other one that got bitten) and Ryder is still in the running.  You can follow the show here.

John Lydon recently told BBC News that he's postponing the recording of the new Public Image Ltd. album.  "We were going to go into the studio but in light of my stepdaughter's death I can't be doing that at the moment."

Nik Kershaw has a new song, "If It Gets Much Better Than This," that will appear in the upcoming film, Round Ireland With A Fridge.

Ron Isley has released a new single, "No More," off his upcoming album, Mr. I.  The album is executive produced by Isley and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid and includes guest appearances by T.I. and Aretha Franklin.

Alphaville's new studio album, Catching Rays On Giant, was released in Germany last week.  The first single, "I Die For You Today," entered the German charts at #15 on its first week.

Dave Ball of Soft Cell has remixed, "Latest Fantasy," the new single by Doris Brendel due out on Dec. 5th.  The original version of the song appears on her recent album, The Last Adventure.

Billy Joel underwent a double hip replacement surgery last week at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.  The performer had been suffering from chronic hip problems for several years.  According to his spokesperson, "Billy Joel is doing extremely well following bilateral hip replacement."  Joel is hoping that, with his new hips, he will be allowed to get back to performing on the road.

Dave Stewart has been busy working on collaborations recently but he's also been writing music with Glen Ballard for a new musical based on the film, Ghost, that will premiere at London's Piccadilly Threatre in June.

'Weird Al' Yankovic recently told Mojo Magazine that, several years ago, he turned down a $5 million offer to become an ongoing spokesman for a beer company.  He said that his reason for turning it down was that "a lot of my fans were young and impressionable, so ethically I believe I did the right thing, but not a day goes by when I don't think, 'Hmm, an extra five million dollars would really come in handy'."

Wendy Dio has urged the remaining members of Heaven & Hell (Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice) to continue under a different name.  She spoke glowingly of her late husband's bandmates recently to VH1 Radio, "I mean, the band was amazing, an amazing band and they should carry on to do something.  It won't be called Heaven & Hell but whatever they call it, it will be great.  It will be amazing."  The band members announced during their tribute show to Ronnie James Dio that what fans were seeing was their last performance as Heaven & Hell.

Retroactive Records have released Mass' previously-unreleased 1982 album, Fighter, and '84 Unchained (which collects 4-track self-titled EP with a previously-unreleased bonus track, "Bones") via their website.

Rock Candy Records have announced the second installment of the Survivor catalog with remastered versions of the group's 1983 album, Caught In The Game, and 1984's Vital Signs to be released on Dec. 1st.

Hear Music / Concord Music Group have announced that "Get Ready For Christmas Day" will be the first single from Paul Simon's upcoming album, So Beautiful Or So What.  The song includes a sample recorded in 1941 from preacher and gospel singer Reverend J. M. Gates.  The album is due out in the spring but you can find the new single right now at iTunes.

Alabama, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin and Kris Kristofferson are among the artists paying tribute to late country legend Waylon Jennings on the new album, The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings, expected to be the first of a trilogy of Jennings tributes.  The first single, Alabama's "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," will be released on Nov. 29th and be their first new recording in a decade.

Paula Abdul has co-founded AuditionBooth, an online discovery platform that allows aspiring singers to connect with casting directors, producers and managers.  The beta test site surfaces next week enabling users to answer casting questions and record (and re-record) casting videos via webcams.  Fox reality series MasterChef will be among the first shows using the product to sort through auditions for their show.

Axl Rose has filed a $20 million lawsuit against Guitar Hero III manufacturer Activision.  According to Rose, he only gave permission for the appearance of the song "Welcome To The Jungle" to the company as long as Slash and his new band Velvet Revolver weren't featured.  Rose had previously licensed "Sweet Child O' Mine" to them for Guitar Hero II.  But for those that purchased Guitar Hero III in 2007, Slash was on the game's cover.  According to Rose's legal papers, "Activision began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and VR prominently in GH III but also promote the game by emphasizing and reinforcing an association between Slash and Guns N' Roses and the band's song 'Welcome to the Jungle,' "  The other sticky issue was the promotional use of the song "Sweet Child O' Mine" in the promotional campaign for Guitar Hero III and not II which it was licensed for.  Skip Miller, Guns N' Roses' legal advisor, has said, "This lawsuit is about protecting Guns N' Roses and Welcome To The Jungle, and it's about holding Activision accountable for its misuse of these incredibly valuable assets.  The relief we are seeking is disgorgement of profits and compensatory and punitive damages."  Activision have yet to release a comment.

Ray Davies has been forced to cancel his upcoming U.S. tour dates due to an undisclosed "medical condition."  According to a statement released on his behalf, "Ray, personally, did not want to cancel this tour but was ordered by his doctors not to fly or travel until his medical condition has stabilized to their satisfaction."

An official music video for "Like There's No Tomorrow" off Halford's new studio album, Made Of Metal, has been released on YouTube.

A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels returns with a special one-hour episode on Dec. 5th.

Agnostic Front's 14-track follow-up to 2007's Warriors will be titled My Life, My Way when released in March via Nuclear Blast. 

A 5,000 limited-edition vinyl run of U2's new EP, Wide Awake In Europe, is in U.S. independent record stores this Black Friday.  The collection has renditions of "Mercy," "Moment Of Surrender" and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" and is going out to select independent stores to draw fans to shops that helped them personally discover music.

I guess the best thing about mechanics are that if you weren't happy with the service, location or parts used, you can always find another one.  Well, it seems that may be where Mike Rutherford is going for the next Mike & The Mechanics album, The Road, due out in April via Arista.  He's brought in vocalists Tim Howar and Andrew Roachford (you should remember his 1989 hit "Cuddly Toy".)

I know, many of you that missed it have been wondering how Motley Crue's Vince Neil would handle his first performance on Skating With The Stars.  Well, we have some footage below but it seems the judges weren't generous with their grades -- giving him and his partner the lowest scores of the night -- a 28 out of 60.

Nick Cave recently told SpinnerMusic.co.uk, "There will be a new Bad Seeds record next year."  He went on to say that he hasn't written anything yet but he has a starting date scheduled for after the Grinderman tour.

Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV and Coil keyboardist Peter Martin Christopherson, 55, died in his sleep in his Bangkok, Thailand, home on Wednesday.  Affectionately known as Sleazy, Christopherson started his career as a commercial artist, designer and photographer with an artistic team called Hipgnosis -- who would create album covers for Pink Floyd, A Certain Ratio, Dave Ball and even Peter Gabriel's first 3 albums.  In 1976, he'd be involved in the creation of Throbbing Gristle and release albums with them until they split up in 1981.  Christopherson formed Psychic TV with Genesis P-Orridge and later created Coil with John Balance.  There were some early recordings with Psychic TV before he concentrated his attention on Coil which would release several singles including a haunting rendition of "Tainted Love" in 1985.  If that weren't enough, Christopherson was a highly respected music video director who work on videos for Coil, The Firm ("Radioactive"), Marc Almond, Erasure ("Chains Of Love," "A Little Respect" and "Stop"), Gavin Friday, Barry Gibb, Front 242, Paul McCartney, Ministry ("Over The Shoulder," "Just One Fix" and "N.W.O."), Nine Inch Nails, Robert Plant ("Tall Cool One"), The The ("Infected," "Heartland" and "The Mercy Beat"), Sepultura, Rollins Band, Van Halen ("Can't Stop Lovin' You" and "Don't Tell Me"), Yes ("Owner Of A Lonely Heart") and many others.

Chicago blues guitarist/vocalist Little Smokey Smothers [born Albert Abraham Smothers], 71, died of natural causes in a Chicago hospital on Saturday.  Known as a mentor to Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop, he played with blues legends Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Earl Hooker.  In 1989, Smothers joined The Legendary Blues Band and recorded Woke Up With The Blues.  Elvin Bishop compiled a benefit album in 2009, Chicago Blues Buddies, that collected recordings by Smothers and Bishop going back as far as 1992 with proceeds going to medical costs for Smothers -- as he had, by now, had both legs amputated due to diabetes.

Heading to stores next week:  El DeBarge - Second Chance, Bryan Adams - Bare Bones, Steve Wynn And The Miracle 3 - Northern Aggression and Ron Isley - Mr. I

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Reba McEntire's All The Women I Am debuted at #7.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 dropped 11 spots to #22.  Neil Diamond's Dreams fell 18 places to #26.  Elton John & Leon Russell's The Union dropped 22 spots to #32.

Glee Cast's "Start Me Up/Livin' On A Prayer" debuted at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.  Zac Brown Band's "As She's Walking Away" featuring Alan Jackson climbed 2 places to #32.

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits retains the #2 spot on the U.K. Albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 fell 3 places to #8.  Ray Davies' See My Friends debuted at #12.  Barbra Streisand's The Ultimate Collection dropped 3 spots to #16.  Neil Diamond's Dreams fell 10 places to #18.  Elaine Paige's Elaine Paige And Friends dropped 5 spots to #23.  Robert Plant's Band Of Joy re-entered the chart at #33.  Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite re-entered the chart at #38.

Missing Persons frontwoman Dale Bozzio has seen the release of, Make Love Not War, via iTunes (and Blue Pie Records' Electrik Blue label.)  The collection of never-before-released songs were first recorded in 1991 and have been remastered for this release.  The album includes the song, "Take Me To Your Leader," which she co-wrote with Prince.

The late Johnny Cash will be among 4 new inductees into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Jan. 24th.

Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello and Barry Manilow are among the artists that will perform at the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 11th.

According to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, folk singer Joan Baez, 69, was hospitalized on Wednesday after falling 20 feet from a treehouse on her California property.  She was treated for minor injuries and released.  Baez likes to sleep in the wall-less treehouse on nights with good weather.  "My contact with nature and the moon and the birds and the trees, they mean so much to me," she told the publication.

Yes, there is a resurgence in all things Michael Jackson.  With the new album coming out, it seems that MichaelJackson.com found it a good time to unveil a video filmed in 2003 for the song "One More Chance" which would later appear on the Number Ones album.

Flavor Flav has announced that he will be launching a few new ventures next year.  "I want you all to keep on the lookout.  It should be on the shelves by January -- I'm launching a thing called Le Flav Spirits.  I'm coming out with a cherry vodka, a berry vodka, an olive vodka, a sweet tea vodka, a bubblegum vodka and a grape vodka."  He also mentioned some other products like a Le Flav Cognac and Chateaux Le Flav.

Bauhaus and Love & Rockets member David J has teamed up with Shok for a 7" single that includes the songs "Blood Sucker Blues" and "Tidal Wave Of Blood."  The album can be ordered at Saint Rose Records.

"Kush," the first single from Dr Dre's long-awaited new studio album Detox, has been released.  Featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon, the song is being called a new "weed anthem."  Detox is tentatively scheduled for release early next year.

Patti Smith has been honored with the National Book Award for nonfiction for her book, Just Kids.

Dolly Parton's Dollywood has beat out Disney for the honor of Top Theme Park of the year during the amusement industry's annual international expo.

Sebastian Bach was arrested early on Monday in his Peterborough, Ontario, hometown after an altercation with the staff at Riley's Olde Towne Pub.  Bach was charged with mischief, possession of marijuana and assault after he allegedly bit the hand of a bartender that tried to throw him out.  Bach is to appear in court on Nov. 23rd.

Jeff Beck's tribute to Les Paul last summer, celebrating what would have been the guitar pioneer's 95th birthday, will head to DVD and CD via Eagle Rock Entertainment and ATCO on Feb. 2nd under the title Rock And Roll Party To Honor Les Paul.

Bruce Springsteen made his only scheduled live television performance this year on Tuesday night's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  But, what people will be talking about is his performance with Fallon (dressed as Neil Young) of Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair."

Blondie's Deborah Harry and Poison's Bret Michaels will be part of the 2010 Rock Stars of Science ad campaign that will run in the December issue of GQ Magazine.  Sponsored by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation, the campaign hopes to bring greater visibility to today's great scientific minds.  Meanwhile, Michaels is expected to release his new country album early next year.

Frontiers Records will release, What If..., Mr. Big's new studio album to European stores on Jan. 21st.  The first single, "Undertow," will be released at the end of the month.

Chickenfoot plan to reconvene in January to record their sophomore effort.  Guitarist Joe Satriani sent off 10 songs that he wrote to Sammy Hagar for him to add melodies and lyrics.  Satriani recently told Attention Deficit Delirium that they will have 14 songs to work with when he finishes his solo tour.

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler has announced that his band Adler's Appetite started pre-production on their new CD this week.

A newly remastered version of the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band's long out-of-print 1988 album, Almost Acoustic, and long-delayed follow-up, Ragged But Right, can be ordered at the Grateful Dead store.

Elton John will be a guest editor for the Dec. 1st issue of The Independent newspaper in London.  That issue will be focused on World AIDS Day and profits from it will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

A spokesperson for Van Halen has downplayed the earlier reports suggesting a new album and tour were coming in 2011 but did say that the current line-up have spent time together "working on stuff."

Ratt have released a video for their newest single, "Eat Me Up Alive," off their latest album, Infestation.

Hank Williams Jr. has reportedly been entrusted with the secret "moonshine" recipe of the late whiskey maker Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton.  Williams revealed earlier this month that he will be making it available to the public through a new business venture, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey.

New York City hardcore act Madball will release their new studio album, Empire, as a special red vinyl on Nov. 22nd via the Good Fight Music webstore.

Helix have signed a licensing deal with EMI in Canada for the release of a new acoustic album, Smash Hits Unplugged, in January.

Asia's Heat Of The Moment: Live DVD heads to stores next week via IMV Blueline.  The 71-minute performance sees the band revisit 14 of their biggest hits.  The set also includes some behind-the-scenes footage and official TV recordings as bonus material.

Saxon have announced plans to release their new studio album in March.  Their feature-length documentary, Heavy Metal Thunder -- The Movie, has recently been released on DVD.

earMusic released the Foreigner double CD, Can't Slow Down: When It's Live, earlier this week.  The set comes from the band's touring behind the new studio album, Can't Slow Down, with a line-up that founding member and guitarist Mick Jones has called possibly the best ever.

Dead Or Alive fans may want to catch the ABC News special, Primetime: Celebrity Plastic Surgery Gone Too Far?, on Nov. 24th.  Correspondent Nick Watt speaks with singer Pete Burns, who sees plastic surgery as an art form -- and himself as the clay.

Jazz pianist Harry Whitaker, 68, passed away from an apparent heart attack on Nov. 17th.  Whitaker is best known for his work with Roy Ayers and Roberta Flack but recorded with Mtume, the Spinners, Stephanie Mills, Randy Crawford, Phyllis Hyman and many others during the 1980s.

Releases heading to you next week include:  Atheist - Jupiter, Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent, Yngwie Malmsteen - Relentless, Lita Ford - Stiletto, Gowan - Strange Animal, Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine, Pantera - Cowboys From Hell, King's X - Live Love In London, Sting - Live In Berlin, Kate Bush - The Document, Alan Jackson - 34 Number Ones and Orange Juice - Coals To Newcastle

Neil Diamond's Dreams debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Elton John and Leon Russell's The Union fell 4 places to #10.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 dropped 3 spots to #11.  Elvis Costello's National Ransom debuted at #39.

"As She's Walking Away" by the Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson climbed 4 spots to #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 

Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits debuted at #2 on the U.K. Albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. 5 debuted at #5.  Neil Diamond's Dreams debuted at #8.  Barbra Streisand's The Ultimate Collection fell 5 places to #13.  Elton John & Leon Russell's The Union dropped 14 spots to #26.  The Pet Shop Boys' Ultimate debuted at #27.  Bryan Adams' Bare Bones debuted at #35.  Phil Collins' Going Back fell 9 places to #38.  Cliff Richard's Bold As Brass dropped 17 spots to #39.

Shakespears Sister's "Stay" returned to the U.K. Singles chart after 18 years claiming the #12 spot.

Singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty, 63, was admitted to a hospital in Bournemouth, England last week and was put on life support after collapsing at his home.  Spinner.com reported that it was due to kidney failure and the London Evening Standard reported that it was liver failure.  His fiancee, daughter and two step-daughters were told that he had little chance of survival and the life support machine was turned off.  Oddly enough, his condition began to improve and, although he remains in critical condition, doctors hope he will stabilize enough to be moved to London for treatment.  Rafferty released 3 albums during the decade (1980's Snakes And Ladders, 1982's Sleepwalking and 1988's North And South) but is best known for his 1978 massive hit single, "Baker Street."

The first official single to be released of Michael Jackson's posthumous album, Michael, will be "Hold My Hand" featuring Akon.  An unfinished version of the song leaked back in 2008 but you can pick up the real deal on Nov. 15th.  Michael is due out Dec. 14th via Epic Records.

Suicide Commando will release, "Death Cures All Pain," as the second single from their Implements Of Hell album on Nov. 26th.

Erasure plan to record a new version of their hit, "A Little Respect," next month to benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute and Cyndi Lauper's charity, the True Colors Fund.  The new version will be released as a download and will be accompanied by a documentary-style video.

Einsturzende Neubauten have released a new compilation, Strategies Against Architecture IV, via iTunes to celebrate their 30th anniversary.  A double-disc physical release is expected via Mute Records on Dec. 7th.

Jimmy Somerville recently worked with producers Jimmy and John Winfield on 4 songs for a new 4-track release, Bright Thing EP, which has been making its rounds to French radio stations as he is currently touring the area with RFM Party 80: Love & Party 2010.

The Human League have announced that they will release, Credo, their new studio album early next year.  The first single, "Night People," will be released on Nov. 22nd.

Donnie Iris & The Cruisers will be releasing a new holiday CD entitled Ah! Leluiah!: The Christmas Album on Nov. 18th.  Fans that pre-order the album at DonnieIris.com may even see it shipped a bit early.

Mr. Big singer Eric Martin will release his new solo album, Mr. Vocalist 3, exclusively in Japan.  The series has seen him covering hit songs by many Japanese female artists.  In fact, Debbie Gibson has sung a duet of the song "Sekaiju no Dare Yori Kitto" for the album.  He will be returning the favor on her first Mrs. Vocalist album.

Mr. Mister will see, Pull, their previously-unreleased fourth and final studio album (recorded in 1990) released digitally on Nov. 23rd via RCA/Legacy while physical CD packages will be made available at MrMisterOfficial.com and LittleDumeRecordings.com.

Happy Mondays leader Shaun Ryder has signed up for the U.K. celeb reality series, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.  He told Britain's Daily Mail, "I'm going to be very nice in the jungle.  People are going to see a new side to me.  I'm a 48 year-old family man now.  I won't be swearing and I'm going to miss my kids loads in there."

Drummer Lars Ulrich recently told The Pulse Of Radio that the main thing Metallica wants to do is "to get back to writing again."  "We haven't really written since, what, '06, '07, and we want to get back to kind of just being creative again."

Graham Parker will release his first-ever live performance DVD, Graham Parker & The Figgs: Live At The FTC, via Primary Wave Records on Dec. 7th.

Gang Of Four will release, Content, their first new studio album in 16 years via Yep Rock Records on Jan. 25th.

Guns N' Roses have reportedly started talking amongst themselves about a new album.  Guitarist D.J. Ashba got more than a few people excited by mentioning this at a video game release party for Call Of Duty: Black Ops last week in Santa Monica.  Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal addressed it this week on his Facebook page, "We've yet to get in a room and write as a band."  And said that he didn't "want y'all expecting anything soon."

Cleopatra Records plan to release a 12-track CD/DVD White Lion live compilation, Concert Anthology 1987-1991, on Nov. 23rd.

REO Speedwagon have re-released their Christmas album, Not So Silent Night...Christmas With REO Speedwagon, through Sony Music/Legacy.  The album features the original 13 tracks and adds 3 bonus tracks ("Sleigh Ride," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "I Believe In Santa Claus.")  Fans purchasing the album through the band's website or at merchandise booths at live shows will receive exclusive autographed copies and an additional exclusive download track, "We Three Kings."

A sample of "Being Followed," a new song off Duran Duran's upcoming Mark Ronson-produced album, has surfaced on YouTube.  Ronson debuted the sample of the song on his East Village Radio program.  The album will be titled All You Need Is Now and it will be released exclusively via iTunes on Dec. 21st with a physical release heading to stores in February.  The title track will be released as the first single via iTunes on Dec. 14th.



The song isn't the first to debut on Ronson's show.  "Blame The Machine" has also popped up.



Plans are also to film a video for each song on the album, which they haven't done for a long time.

Norwegian rock act TNT release their new studio album, A Farewell To Arms, in Japan on Dec. 15th via Avalon/Marquee. 

Janes Addiction continue to write new material with plans to enter the studio next month to start the recording process.  Hopes are to get a new album out early next year.

Agnostic Front have entered the studio to work on their follow-up to 2007's Warriors.  Nuclear Blast plan to release the album early next year.

Original Jetboy vocalist Mickey Finn has officially announced his departure from the band.  Jetboy have plans to continue without Finn and tour Europe during November and December.  Finn has urged the band to choose another name as he believes it would not be Jetboy anymore.  Meanwhile, Finn has a new band called Cold Blue Rebels that have completed work on a debut album.

Manowar bassist/producer Joey DeMaio has cleared up the confusion on why the new album, Hammer Of The Gods, seems to be in limbo.  It seems that their original drummer Donnie Hamzik has returned and they had to evaluate, re-write and, in some situations, throw out some of the songs they'd written.  The album is expected to be the first installment of The Asgard Saga -- a unique multimedia collaboration with best-selling fantasy fiction author Wolfgang Hohlbein.

Just before the celebration begins on the 40th anniversary of Queen's formation, in 1971, Universal Music Group have signed a deal that will see their Island label remaster and repackage each of the band's 15 studio albums.  The first 5 albums will surface in March.

German record label Edel has announced deluxe-edition reissues of W.A.S.P.'s first two albums (1984's W.A.S.P. and 1985's The Last Command) due out on Nov. 19th.  The reissues include the original album and a second disc of B-sides and live tracks.

Jazz pianist/keyboardist James "Sid" Simmons, 63, died from cardiac arrest on Nov. 5th at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after a long battle with cancer.  Simmons had appeared on many albums by Grover Washington, Jr. including 1988's Then And Now.  He would also appear on violinist John Blake's 1988 solo album, New Beginning.

Heading to stores near you next week:  Annie Lennox - A Christmas Cornucopia, Bryan Adams - Bare Bones, Freddie Jackson - For You, Heaven & Hell - Neon Nights, The Church - Seance, The Church - Heyday, Dwight Yoakam - Population Me/Dwight's Used Records, Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker, Fugazi - Red Medicine, Fugazi - Steady Diet Of Nothing, Jesu - Heart Ache & Dethroned, The Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro, Motorhead - Another Perfect Day, Motorhead - Orgasmatron, Motorhead - Rock 'N' Roll, Motorhead - No Remorse, Billy Joel - The Hits, Bee Gees - Mythology, Camel - Rainbow's End: A Camel Anthology 1973-1985, Dave Brubeck - The Definitive Dave Brubeck On Fantasy, Concord Jazz And Telarc, Dennis Brown - Crown Prince Of Reggae Singles 1972-1985 and Julian Cope - Floored Genius Vol. 2

Elton John and Leon Russell's The Union fell 3 places to #6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook, Vol. 5 dropped 4 spots to #8.  Santana's Guitar Heaven fell 2 places to #33.

"As She's Walking Away" by the Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson climbed a spot to #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Barbra Streisand's The Ultimate Collection debuted at #9 on the U.K. Albums chart.  Bryan Ferry's Olympia debuted at #19.  Cliff Richard's Bold As Brass fell 11 places to #22.  Ali Campbell's Greatest British Songs dropped 13 spots to #28.  Phil Collins' Going Back fell 9 places to #29.  Michael Jackson's Number Ones retained the #33 spot.  Robert Plant's Band Of Joy fell 3 places to #35.

Aretha Franklin, 68, has now canceled all of her concert dates for the next 6 months on her doctor's orders after a brief stay at Detroit's Sinai Grace Hospital for an undisclosed health issue.  Franklin previously had to cancel two shows in August after breaking two ribs during a fall.

Genesis P-Orridge sent off two emails late last month to his Throbbing Gristle bandmates and their associated managements stating that he was no longer willing to perform in the band.  He has since returned to his New York home but this has forced a cancellation of their performance in Prague the night before Halloween.  The other members of the band have started to perform live under the name X-TG for further European dates. 

According to Florida state troopers, David Cassidy was pulled over on Wednesday night at about 6pm after his Mercedes was seen driving erratically, crossing the center line and cutting off another driver.  The officer gave him a sobriety test and gave him a test for alcohol level -- which came out at .14 (which is above the legal limit of .08.)  Officers also found a half bottle of bourbon in the back seat.  Cassidy was charged with DUI, driving with an open container of alcohol in his vehicle and failure to maintain a single lane.  He was released on $350 bail after spending 9 hours in jail.  Cassidy's representatives have said that they plan to fight the DUI charge, saying that the two breathalyzer tests didn't accurately measure his blood alcohol level.

Jackie Jackson has released, "We Know What's Going On," his first new song since his 1989 album, Be The One, via iTunes.  The song includes an excerpt from a 2002 speech by his brother Michael, "Together we can change the world.  Together we can help to stop racism.  Together we can help to stop prejudice.  We can help the world live without fear."

Paul Simon plans to release his new studio album, So Beautiful Or So What, early next year.

Keith Richards has released, Vintage Vinos, his first compilation of material from his solo recording career via Mindless Records.  Meanwhile, Richards has told BBC 6 Music that the Rolling Stones plan to begin recording new material in the coming months and hit the road next year.

Englebert Humperdinck has released his new studio album, Released, in Australia.  The album includes covers of songs by James Blunt, Bob Seger and Eric Clapton.

Meat Loaf has released a new digital EP, If I Can't Have You.  The title-track is a duet with former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi (with House's Hugh Laurie on piano.)  Rocky Horror Picture Show fans will also enjoy the live version of "Hot Patootie Bless My Soul" on the EP.

Jetboy have signed a deal with Demon Doll Records to release a 'best of' collection called Now And Then.  It's available for purchase now at DemondDollRecords.com.

Robin Beck plans to release her new studio album, The Great Escape, on Feb. 11th via Sony/Neo and Cargo Distribution.

Eagle Rock have announced they've raided the Rockpalast vaults for a gem with the release of INXS: Mystify which is out on DVD now.  The concert was filmed on June 21, 1997 at the Loreley Festival in Germany for the Rockpalast television series and captures the band in top form -- 5 months before Michael Hutchence's untimely death.

Slash has withdrawn the petition for divorce that he filed two months ago.  The guitarist and wife Perla seem to have reconciled their irreconcilable differences.

Pretty Boy Floyd have decided to pay tribute to Kiss and have self-released a 15-track ode to the band called Kiss Of Death.  The album can be purchased at http://prettyboyfloydband.com/ and several samples can be heard there as well.

A limited edition 7" vinyl Joy Division box set called +- will be released on Dec. 6th.  The 10 discs contain released and unreleased tracks by the band chosen by journalist John Savage and remastered by Stephen Morris and Frank Arkwright.  Peter Saville has provided new artwork for the collection.  The set will also be available as a digital download at iTunes.

Gregg Allman will release, Low Country Blues, his first new solo album in 14 years on Jan. 18th.  Allman pays tribute to his blues roots on songs by Muddy Waters, Junior Wells and B.B. King but will also include, "Just Another Rider," a song he co-wrote with Allman Brothers bandmate Warren Haynes.

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has a new side-project with Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz) and Nigerian drummer Tony Allen.

Tim Burton presented Tom Jones with the prestigious Music Industry Trust award for his career-long contributions to British pop music.

Sodom will release their new studio album, In War And Pieces, on Jan. 11th via SPV/Steamhammer.  Europe will get the album a little sooner on Nov. 22nd in several different formats.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has announced the release of the new DVD, An Evening With Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops, on Nov. 16th.  The shows were filmed during Zappa's 1981 Halloween concerts in New York at the Palladium and was intended to be one of 3 television specials.

Bon Jovi fans will get to see the band live in the their homes -- get out the Snuggies and ice cream -- on Nov. 10th.  They will even be able to help shape the set-list for the concert.  Check out the promo video below and be sure to tune in at http://www.youtube.com/BonJovi to see the show.

Believe it or not, Dancing With The Stars is getting a spin-off.  ABC's Skating With The Stars will begin a six-episode run on Nov. 22nd.  Among the celebrity contestants will be Motley Crue's vocalist Vince Neil (who used to skate when he was younger.)

Original Britny Fox singer Dizzy Dean Davidson has announced that he is about to begin work on, Our Unlived Life, the debut album by his new band Dean Davidson & The Bedlam Hearts.  You can hear a few samples at their official MySpace page including a song called "Tequila Hotel".

Wendy Dio recently told BlairingOut.com that her late husband Ronnie James Dio finished about 75% of his autobiography and that she is going to finish it.  A book deal is already set and hopes are to finish it by June with an early 2012 release.

The new Broadway musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has pushed back previews until later this month with an official opening expected in January.  Meanwhile, Bono has recently said that he and The Edge have been trying to convince the other members of U2 to record an album based on the songs from the musical.

According to a recent interview with Classic Rock, drummer Carl Palmer has said that Emerson, Lake and Palmer's 40th anniversary reunion gig at that High Voltage Festival this summer will be their final appearance together.  It seems that that specific performance was filmed for a DVD and audio CD in the near future.

Pearl Jam plan to release a new live compilation, Live On Ten Legs, on Jan. 18th.  The 18 tracks making up the album will be culled from their 2003-2010 world tours.

Steve Lukather was recently interviewed by Spain's Rock Metal TV about his new solo album, All's Well That Ends Well, when he confirmed that he will not record any more Toto albums.

Patti Smith and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder have recorded guest appearances on R.E.M.'s upcoming album, Collapse Now, due out next year.

Neil Diamond has recorded, Dreams, a new 14-song collection of his interpretations of his favorite songs of other composers from the rock era due out Nov. 2nd.  According to the singer, "You never know how long you've got and a lot of these songs have been waiting for me to record them for 40 years."  The album includes classic songs by The Beatles, Leon Russell, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Bill Withers, the Everly Brothers, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Glenn Frey/Don Henley and Leonard Cohen as well as a reinterpretation of his own "I'm A Believer."

A documentary by Burton Chamberlain about former Guns N' Roses and current Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan and his band Loaded is in the works.  The film will be based on their upcoming album and is scheduled for release in March.

Michael, a long-awaited album of newly completed recordings from the late Michael Jackson, will be released on Dec. 14th via Epic Records.  The first full song from the album, "Breaking News," will have its world premiere at MichaelJackson.com and stream for one week only.



Meanwhile, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil have announced the official launch of Michael Jackson's The Immortal World Tour. The production combining the choreography of Cirque du Soleil and the music of Michael Jackson will tour internationally before becoming a permanent show at a currently unnamed venue in Las Vegas.

A new BBC documentary is in the works dealing with Robert Plant and the release of his new album, Band Of Joy.

Yes have signed a new worldwide recording deal with Frontiers Records for the release of their first new studio album in a decade due out before the summer.  The line-up of Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White will include newest members keyboardist Oliver Wakeman (Rick's son) and vocalist Benoit David have been performing together since last year.

Canadian bassist Jim Clench, 61, of April Wine and Bachman Turner Overdrive lost his fight with stage 4 lung cancer on Nov. 2nd in a Montreal hospital.  Clench would rejoin April Wine in the 1990s but also performed on Bryan Adams' 1980 self-titled album as well as Four Hundred & Fifty One Degrees' 1981 album, 451 Degrees.

Former Models bassist/vocalist James Freud [born Colin Joseph McGlinchey], 51, was found dead from an apparent suicide in his Hawthorn, Melbourne, Austraila home on Nov. 4th.  The Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame a week earlier and several reasons were named for his not appearing at the ceremony.  Freud released two solo albums (1980's Breaking Silence and 1989's Step Into The Heat) and 3 albums (1983's The Pleasure Of Your Company, 1985's Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight and 1986's Models' Media) with the Models during the decade.  He recorded several albums afterward and published two books (2002's I Am The Voice Left From Drinking and 2007's I Am The Voice Left From Rehab) which detailed his fight with alcoholism.  Freud had told interviewer Richard Fidler in 2007 that he'd attempted to kill himself 3 different times in the past.

Argentine drummer Ruben Basoalto, 64, of Vox Dei lost his battle with lung cancer on Nov. 3rd.  Basoalto was a founding member of the band that formed in the late 60s and would release 1988's Tengo Razones para Seguir (I've Got Reasons To Keep On Going.)  The group's latest studio album was 2005's El Camino (The Road.)

Heading to stores this week:  Charlie Louvin - The Battle Rages On, Nitzer Ebb - Industrial Complex, Reba McEntire - All The Women I Am, Quincy Jones - Q: Soul Bossa Nostra, Atheist - Jupiter, Virgin Steele - The Black Light Bacchanalia, GWAR - Bloody Pit Of Horror, Boz Boorer - Miss Pearl/My Wild Life, Bruce Cockburn - Stealing Fire, Bruce Cockburn - World Of Wonders, Lita Ford - Stiletto, Queensryche - Empire, Robert Wyatt - Old Rottenhat, Depeche Mode - Tour Of The Universe: Barcelona, Tangerine Dream - The Epsilon Journey: Live In Eindhoven, Netherlands 2008, Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - An Evening Of Yes Music Plus, Albert King/Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session, Mose Allison - The Collection, Bon Jovi - Greatest Hits and Poison - Nothing But A Good Time Box

Elton John & Leon Russell's The Union debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  Rod Stewart's Fly Me To The Moon... The Great American Songbook Vol. V debuted at #4.  Santana's Guitar Heaven dropped 12 spots to #31.  Eric Clapton's Clapton fell 8 places to #38.

Zac Brown Band's "As She's Walking Away" featuring Alan Jackson climbed 7 places to #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Cliff Richard's Bold As Brass dropped 8 spots to #11 on the U.K. Albums chart.  Ali Campbell's Great British Songs debuted at #15.  Phil Collins' Going Back fell 10 places to #20.  Chris de Burgh's Moonfleet & Other Stories debuted at #25.  John Lennon's Power To The People: The Hits dropped 8 spots to #30.  Robert Plant's Band Of Joy fell 13 places to #32.  Michael Jackson's Number Ones re-entered the chart at #33.

Call it unusual marketing or just confusing but the Beastie Boys have announced that the songs from their delayed album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 1, will now be on Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 due out in the spring.  The originally planned tracks for Part 2 will be bumped to a later release... as the Part 1 album has been.  If anything, something's coming out so... be happy.

Janet Jackson has a new book on the way entitled True You.  Jackson recently revealed that she developed body image issues back when she was 11 and filming the television show Good Times and producers thought her chest had developed too much -- so they had to bind her breasts for filming.

Nitzer Ebb have announced that their first new studio album in 15 years, Industrial Complex, will be released in North America on Nov. 9th.

Ok, Van Halen fans, I haven't mentioned a lot of interesting things that have surfaced about the band lately.  Well, there was a reason.  Most of the items were about early rare tracks that didn't pertain to the decade.  Well, it's time to send you on your own journey into Van Halen by visiting ChrisGossett.com.  It isn't just a song or two.  It's a ton of rare and unreleased material by the band that you can go crazy over.  Things like outtakes from The Wild Life soundtrack back in 1984 or a 1982 live recording of "Lucille."  I can't say anymore... just go already.

Aaron Neville plans to release his new album, I Know I've Been Changed, on Nov. 9th via Tell It Records and EMI Gospel.  The 12-song collection pays homage to many gospel legends that have influence him during his career.

It seems there are just tons of R.E.M. side-projects and it looks like Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey are continuing their The Baseball Project with Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon.  Their sophomore effort, Vol. 2: High And Inside, is due out in February via Yep Roc.

A premium edition of the Scorpions latest album, Sting In The Tail, will be released on Nov. 2nd via Sony.  The album is bolstered by a bonus DVD some live performances in San Antonio and Prague.

German industrial act Die Krupps will release their new single, "Beyond," on Nov. 11th.  The song comes from, Als Wären Wir Für Immer, their first album of new material since 1997, due out around the same time.

Congratulations go out to Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil who welcomed fraternal twin sons on Saturday.  The couple have named them Eddy and Nelson -- after late songwriter Eddy Marnay and Nelson Mandela.

Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the lone surviving original member of the Four Tops, has been sued by Tobi Walker and Ebony Benson, daughters of the late Renaldo "Obie" Benson, for failing to collect all money that is owed to Four Tops LLC.  The plaintiffs are asking for at least $25,000 and a closure of the business (and removal of Fakir as operating manager.)

Roger Hodgson will release his first album in a decade in November via Classics Live.  The new set collects performances of some of his best loved songs from different venues around the world in arrangements from a full orchestra to acoustic.

Madonna has announced that she has partnered with her manager, Guy Oseary, and New Evolution Ventures to start a worldwide chain of gyms called Hard Candy Fitness.  The first location opens in Mexico City on Nov. 29th.

A 3-disc edition of Holly Johnson's 1989 solo album, Blast, will be released in the U.K. on Nov. 22nd.  The original album and a CD of remixes, rarities and B-sides will make up a second CD.  The third disc will be a DVD of promo videos.

Taxxi have been working on their first new studio album since 1985's Expose with hopes to release it in February.

Jeff Beck's exclusive concert at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Apr. 22nd, will be released digitally in audio and video formats at iTunes on Oct. 26th under the title, Live And Exclusive From The Grammy Museum.

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler will see his mother Deanna Adler (with Lawrence J. Spagnola) publish a book, Sweet Child Of Mine: A Memoir Of Steven Adler, on June 21st.

According to Forbes.com, Michael Jackson was the top-earning dead celebrity raking in $275 million from October of 2009 until October 2010.   Expect more money to be added as GK Films is reportedly in negotiations to acquire rights to a film based on Michael Jackson's hit song "Thriller."  Meanwhile, Jackson's father Joe saw his court challenge to the administration of his son's estate unanimously rejected by a three-justice panel of the California Second District Court of Appeal.

The Flaming Lips plan to make an appearance on the Nov. 5th episode Nickelodeon children's show Yo Gabba Gabba and sing a song called "I Can Be A Frog" (penned by the show's creative team.)

A U.K. beer ad for Kronenbourg 1664 has debuted with the theme "Slow the pace."  So, Motorhead has.  They've recorded a new blues version of their classic, "Ace Of Spades," for the commercial and have made it available as a free download by signing up here.

Do you remember all that mess with the TVT record label and it going through an asset auction in a New York bankruptcy court in 2008?  Well, one thing that Trent Reznor had been begging for is a chance to remaster the 1989 Nine Inch Nails debut, Pretty Hate Machine.  Well, it seems that the rights to the album finally got into the right hands because he and engineer Tom Baker have finished work on the album.  The remastered Pretty Hate Machine -- bolstered with the Queen cover B-side "Get Down, Make Love" -- heads to stores on Nov. 22nd.

Australian and New Zealand Metallica fans have something more than that Six Feet Down Under EP they released last month.  You see... perceptive fans saw it was labeled EP One on the package.  EP Two is in the works (to be titled Six Feet Down Under II) on Nov. 12th via MetClub.com and Metallica.com.

The Outdoor Channel announced on Monday that they have entered into an exclusive multi-year endorsement agreement with Ted Nugent.  The deal will span all media, including broadcast and web, and is set to start in January.  The guitarist and lifelong outdoorsman will provide fresh content for OutdoorChannel.com and serve as the new host of the network's Tuesday night primetime programming block.

The Pixies plan to start selling live recordings via their PixiesMusic.com site for $3.99 as they continue to add new shows weekly.

Slash's new video for the single, "Beautiful Dangerous," featuring Fergie off his self-titled solo album is now up at YouTube.  Expect to have to search for it as they become aware this version is a bit more... adult.

Triumph's back catalogue (which includes 1980's Progressions Of Power, 1981's Allied Forces, 1983's Never Surrender, 1984's Thunder Seven, 1985's live album Stages, 1986's The Sport Of Kings and 1987's Surveilance) has been remastered and will be reissued via Frontiers Records on Dec. 3rd.  A limited-edition box set called Diamond Collection will collect all 10 of their albums.

Slayer fans will want to stake out their local indie stores on "Black Friday" (Nov. 26th) as, "Atrocity Vendor," a song recorded during their 2009 World Painted Blood sessions will be released exclusively as a limited-edition 7" single through Metal Club in North America.

According to a recent interview with Talking Metal, David "Rock" Feinstein asserted that a second newly recorded song with his late cousin Ronnie James Dio prior to his death will be included on a reunion album by the Rods (which both Dio and Feinstein were members) due out via Niji Entertainment next year.  The other song appeared on Feinstein's new solo album, Bitten By The Beast.  Meanwhile, Dio's wife Wendy Dio has donated $100,000 in her late husband's name to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

A video for Jackyl's new single, "Just Like A Negro," featuring DMC of Run DMC has surfaced on YouTube.  The song is a cover of the 1992 Mother's Finest song off their album, Black Radio Won't Play This Record.   

Duff McKagan's Loaded have signed a new record deal with Eagle Rock Entertainment for the release of their next studio album due out in March.

A new book, An Oral/Visual History By The Red Hot Chili Peppers With Brendan Mullen, has been released.  The book takes a look back at their 30 year journey in their own words and uses over 300 photos and ephemera.

Night Ranger's Brad Gillis and Testament's Eric Peterson make guest appearances on Vicious Rumors' new studio album, Razorback Killer, due out in March.

It seems that Steven Spielberg has been in talks with the surviving Bee Gees about a possible film about the group that would include original recordings by them.

Manowar are re-recording their 1982 debut album, Battle Hymns, for release next year.  According to them, with all the new technology available now, they are going to make it as loud as they can.

Kiss' Gene Simmons was hospitalized Sunday after passing out at the Los Angeles International airport.  He was later told it was due to dehydration and was stitched up and sent home.

Vinnie Appice and former Pantera bassist Rex Brown have formed a new band tentatively called Kill Devil Hill that will surface sometime next year.

The Cult release their next 'capsule' entitled New Blood Deep Cuts on Nov. 16th which will feature the new songs "Embers" and "Until The Light Takes Us" as well as live recordings.  It can be purchased in digital, vinyl, CD, USB and DVD formats at CultCapsuleStore.com.

Motorhead release their new studio album, The World Is Yours, on Dec. 13th via their newly formed Motorhead Music label.

Where Angels Suffer will release their debut album, Purgatory, on Halloween.  The band is composed of former members of W.A.S.P. and Metal Church.

Eagle Rock have announced that Phil Collins' Going Home: Live At Roseland Ballroom, NYC will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 2nd.

Devo guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh was injured by a shard of glass which severed a tendon in his right thumb.  He had emergency surgery and is expected to fully recover but it has forced a postponement of their tour dates this year.

The Foo Fighters have been working on their new studio album.  The 14-track release will be a little heavier and mark a mini-Nirvana reunion as former bandmate bassist Krist Novoselic will guest on the album which will be produced by Butch Vig (who worked on the Nevermind album.)

During a recent interview with Rich Rogenmoser from Heard It On The X, drummer Jason Bonham revealed that his band Black Country Communion will head into the studio in January to record a sophomore album.

Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy recently told Philadelphia radio station 94 WYSP, "I think we're gonna be on a hiatus for awhile and everybody'll do their own thing and we'll take it from there."  He also confirmed that he's been working on a book.

Frontiers Records have announced that they will release Jeff Scott Soto's new double live album, Live At Firefest 2008, on Dec. 3rd.

The official video has been released for OMD's next single, "Sister Marie Says," off their new studio album, History Of Modern.  The single will be released on Nov. 15th.

Singer-songwriter Linda Hargrove, 61, died on Oct. 24th at Big Ben Hospice House in Tallahassee, Florida from complications from a bone marrow transplant she underwent 20 years ago.  Hargrove was releasing albums and singles on the country charts during the early 70s and wrote many hits for other artists.  By the 1980s, she had married (taking on the name Linda Bartholomew) and underwent a religious conversion -- recording gospel albums in 1981 and 1989.  She was diagnosed with leukemia in 1986, would perform select shows during the early 1990s and release her final album, One Woman's Life, in 2005.

Reggae artist and producer Gregory Isaacs, 59, lost his long battle with lung cancer on Oct. 25th at his south London home.  Isaacs has released over 500 albums during his career (many of those are compilations) which began in 1968.  He would release his biggest hit, "Night Nurse," in 1982 on an album of the same name.  Although the song didn't chart, it was very popular in the clubs and on the radio pushing the album to #32 in the U.K.  (Simply Red would cover the song in 1997.)  In 2008, Isaacs released the new studio album, Brand New Me, which earned many positive reviews.

Heading to stores next week:  Huey Lewis And The News - Soulsville, Black Dub - Black Dub, Brian Eno - Small Craft On A Milk Sea, The Fall - The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall, k.d. lang - A Truly Western Experience -- 25th Anniversary Edition, Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax - The Big 4: Live From Sofia Bulgaria and various artists - The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concerts Night

Santana's Guitar Heaven climbed a spot to #19 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Eric Clapton's Clapton fell 11 places to #30.

"As She's Walking Away" by the Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson retains the #46 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Cliff Richard's Bold As Brass debuted at #3 on the U.K. Albums chart. Phil Collins' Going Back dropped 6 spots to #10. The Orb's Metallic Spheres featuring David Gilmour debuted at #12. Robert Plant's Band Of Joy fell a place to #19. Jason Donovan's Soundtrack Of The 80s debuted at #20. John Lennon's Power To The People: The Hits dropped 7 spots to #22. A-ha's 25 fell 13 places to #23. Simply Red's 25: The Greatest Hits dropped 2 spots to #25. Eric Clapton's Clapton fell 14 places to #39.

Bentley Financial Services has filed a lawsuit claiming Axl Rose still owes them nearly $74,000 in car damages on a vehicle he rented 5 years ago. They also said he went 42,000 miles over the contracted limit and returned it several months late.

According to the Associated Press, Celine Dion, 42, has been hospitalized at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as a precaution to prevent the early delivery of her twin sons.

ARIA Hall of Fame guitarist Harvey James (formerly of The Sherbs) is battling lung cancer. His family has set up a Facebook page to help support him called Send Your Love To Harvey James.

U.K. act Red Box have returned with their first new studio album in 20 years, Plenty. The physical CD is available via Cherry Red and iTunes has the digital download now.

Divinyls vocalist Chrissy Amphlett, 51, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She recently told the Canberra Times that being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago has made the treatment for the cancer "more difficult."

Nu Shooz have resurfaced under the name, Nu Shooz Orchestra, for the release of their new CD, Pandora's Box. Fans curious about the music can get a free download of "Right Before My Eyes" by signing up for their newsletter here.

Originally recorded in 1980 by former Visage and The Skids member Rusty Egan and Landscape's Richard Burgess, the collaborative R.E.R.B. instrumental track, "Shock," has been released via Blitz Club Records and is available as a digital download.

Ricky Martin has been busy working on his new bilingual album due out early next year. The first single will be, "The Best Thing About Me Is You," featuring Joss Stone. That version and another done with Spanish singer Natalia Jimenez head to radio on Nov. 2nd.

Tim Finn has started work on his 9th studio album and is working with Kings Of Leon producer Jacquire King on the project expected out in mid-2011.

Dionne Warwick will celebrate her 50th year in show business with the release of her autobiography, My Life As I See It, on Nov. 2nd. The book was co-written by David Freedman Wooley.

OMD have announced that "Sister Marie Says" will be the next single to be released off their new album, History Of Modern. A new video for the song is expected out next week. "Sister Marie Says" is actually still available (in its demo form) as a free MP3 download at their site OMD.uk.com.

Rock act Black 'N Blue were inducted into the Oregon Music Hall Of Fame on Oct. 9th.

Buddy Guy and B.B. King have a new video for their duet, "Stay Around A Little Longer," off of Guy's Living Proof album -- due out next week.

Bon Jovi will receive the Global Icon award at the MTV EMA 2010 scheduled for broadcast live from Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 7th.

Elton John's duet with Lady Gaga we've heard rumors about will be titled "Hello, Hello" and appear in the upcoming Disney film Gnomeo & Juliet.

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament has donated $40,000 to fund the construction of a skate park in his Big Sandy, Montana, hometown. Ament was at the opening last week and has been a skater since 1976. He also has plans to donate equipment to local children that can't afford it.

The Quireboys will release their new CD/DVD, Live In London, on Nov. 8th. The band recorded the performance in 2004 at the Marquee Club.

Billy Idol has been enjoying the latest line-up of his band which includes longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, bassist Stephen McGrath, guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson. They've been delving into some of his Generation X material for live shows and even started writing new material.

A new double-CD collection, '80s Romance: The Complete Belle Stars, will be released in the U.K. on Oct. 25th containing their biggest hits, rarities, remixes and B-sides.

Social Distortion have chosen, "Machine Gun Blues," as the first single from their new album, Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes, due out Jan. 18th. "Machine Gun Blues" becomes available at iTunes on Nov. 9th.

The Pixies, who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 1989 Doolittle album, will be launching their new PixiesMusic.com site and are going to give away a free 4-track live EP download there.

Bananarama have reportedly written and recorded, "Baby, It's Christmas," a new Christmas song to be released around the holidays.

INXS return with their new album, Original Sin, on Jan. 11th. The band have teamed with some amazing vocalists that include Pat Monahan of Train, Rob Thomas and Ben Harper on re-imagined versions of their songs but don't think that this is all priming fans for a change at the lead singer post. JD Fortune ends the disc with a version of "The Stairs."

Anvil have headed back into the recording studio to work on their next album, Juggernaut Of Justice, with producer Bob Marlette with hopes to release it in the spring.

Frontiers Records has announced that they will release a new studio album by Mr. Big in January.

Ministry's Al Jourgensen has a new project in the works called Buck Satan. He expects that it'll be his last one for awhile but working with him on it are Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Static-X's Tony Campos, Rigor Mortis' Mike Scaccia and Slayer's Dave Lombardo.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are reportedly about halfway through with recording their next album which is expected out in March. As for Chad Smith's sophomore album with Chickenfoot, he is expected to be able to finish recording it but will not be able to tour with them.

It has been announced that the Beastie Boys will get a new release out... but it will not be Hot Sauce Committee Part 1. Originally planned for spring of 2011, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 will come out on time. Part 1 has been delayed indefinitely.

Lenny Kravitz has been busy working in a Paris studio on his new album. Meanwhile, he has also teamed up with TNT to have his new song, "Come On Get It," used during the NBA this year.

Salt-N-Pepa have made two new tracks ("Big Girls" and "She's Killin' Me") available for digital download at online retailers. They have also announced a U.S. tour early next year.

Daniel Lanois will see the release of the debut album by his band Black Dub on Nov. 2nd via Jive Records. A title has not been announced yet but you can see a video for "Believe In You" online.

Fans that have been awaiting the second installment of, 3D, the Go West 3-part set will have to wait until Nov. 2nd. The EP will feature 4 new songs as well as a new version of their classic "We Close Our Eyes."

A new limited-edition book by former Sex Pistol and Public Image Ltd. vocalist John Lydon entitled Mr. Rotten's Scrapbook will be released in December.

Robin Trower has announced that he will release his new studio album, The Playful Heart, via his own V-12 Records and MVD Entertainment Group on Dec. 7th.

Eric Johnson will release his new 15-track studio album, Up Close, on Dec. 7th. The set includes guest appearances by Jimmie Vaughan and Steve Miller.

Bad Religion have announced that they will release a limited-edition 30 Years LP box set on Nov. 9th containing all 16 of their albums.

The official Johnny Cash website has launched Johnny Cash Radio which will stream Cash's music and content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Several of his family members, friends, former band members and others in the music industry will be involved in the programming line-up.

Columbia/Legacy Recordings plan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Billy Joel's first solo album with a reissue project of newly restored and expanded versions of Joel's complete catalog with rarities and previously unavailable studio tracks. They will also release a new 19-track compilation, Billy Joel's The Hits, due out on Nov. 16th.

U2 have been working with producer Danger Mouse. Bono recently told The Age, "We have about 12 songs with him. At the moment that looks like the album we will put out next because it's just happening so easily." The group's manager had suggested their next album -- they have 3 in the works -- would be out in the spring.

According to Billboard, that photo of The Cars playing around in the studio that surfaced on their Facebook page... was one of the initial steps to their reunion. The band are working on their first studio album in 23 years with a possible support tour. Curious as to the sound of the new tracks? Sure you are. You can go to their Facebook page and check out a video with a sample of their song, "Blue Tip."

The Pet Shop Boys' new single, "Together," will be released as a digital download via retailers on Oct. 24th. The song comes from their new retrospective, Ultimate Pet Shop Boys, to be released on Nov. 1st.

Blancmange have announced that their new studio album, Blanc Burn, will be released on Feb. 28th and can be pre-ordered via Amazon.co.uk, Play.com and HMV.com. The album will be their first studio effort since 1985's Believe You Me.

Jazz alto saxophonist and band leader Marion Brown, 79, died on Oct. 18th in Hollywood, Florida. He had been ill for several years and hadn't performed publicly in quite some time. Brown will always be remembered for his work with John Coltrane but released many albums (including 4 just during the 80s.)

Ari Up [born Arianna Daniele Forster], 48, of the U.K. punk act The Slits died of cancer on Oct. 20th in Los Angeles. The Slits released their first single in 1979 and would release two albums during the 1980s before splitting up in 1982. Ari Up and Tessa Pollitt reformed the band with new members in 2005, released an EP in 2006 and released a new album, Trapped Animal, in 2009. The group's final work was a video for the song, "Lazy Slam," from the album. Ari was John Lydon's stepdaughter.

Heading to stores near you next week: Bryan Ferry - Olympia, Nitzer Ebb - Industrial Complex, Ray Charles - Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters, Darryl Jenifer - In Search Of Black Judas, Prefab Sprout - Let's Change The World With Music, Ray Davies - The Kinks Choral Collection, Johnny Clegg - Human, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus, The Fall - The Unutterable Plus, Napalm Death - Diatribes/Greed Killing, Overkill - Immortalis/Live At Wacken, John Cale & Band: Live At Rockpalast, Michael Schenker Group - Rockpalast: Hardrock Legends Vol. 2, King's X - Live Love In London, The Charlie Daniels Band - The Essential Charlie Daniels Band, Aretha Franklin - The Essential Aretha Franklin, The Highwaymen - The Essential Highwaymen, Julio Iglesias - The Essential Julio Iglesias, Ted Nugent - The Essential Ted Nugent, Kansas - The Essential Kansas, Joe Satriani - The Essential Joe Satriani, Paul Simon - The Essential Paul Simon, Crowded House - The Very Very Best Of Crowded House, Juice Newton - Duets: Friends & Memories, Tangerine Dream - Cyberjam Collection and Zapp - Double Dose Of Funk

Eric Clapton's Clapton fell 13 places to #19 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Santana's Guitar Heaven dropped 4 spots to #20. John Lennon's Power To The People: The Hits debuted at #24. Neil Young's Le Noise fell 18 places to #32. John Lennon & Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy re-entered the chart at #34. Robert Plant's Band Of Joy dropped 3 spots to #35.