June 11, 2013

At the close of their second Orion Music and More festival on Sunday, Metallica indicated that they'd like to bring it back next year.

Even though they've expressed some concern that the gathering isn't turning a profit, they seemed upbeat as they left the stage after their two-hour closing set. Frontman James Hetfield asked the audience if they thought the festival should return to the Belle Isle, Michigan venue next year. After an affirmative cheer rose, he said, 'As long as you promise you'll be back, too...and bring some friends." Earlier, bassist Robert Trujillo, playing a set with his Trujillo Trio, had said from the stage that they'd "definitely" be back.

On Saturday, Metallica gave the crowd an early surprise when they turned out to be the group billed as Dehaan. They proceeded to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their 1983 debut album, Kill 'Em All, by playing it from start to finish.

June 10, 2013

Dee Snider has mixed feelings over the lawsuit his Twisted Sister bandmate Jay Jay French has filed against the Twisted Sisters coffee shop in Mission, Missouri.

Dee says, “He is very crazy about protecting the trademark, and he sues everybody. People are going crazy because it seems like this Goliath is attacking this David, this poor little David, for the Twisted Sister trademark... I said, 'You know, man, you've got to call into some of these TV shows and some of these radio shows, and defend yourself.' Because he apparently tried to work something out with the people at that shop, and their first response was, 'Who's Twisted Sister?'... Everybody's heard of Twisted Sister… For better or for worse, it's a household word."

June 10, 2013

Bill Wyman's revelations in a Rolling Stone interview may shake the memorabilia market.

The longtime Rolling Stones bassist says that to save time, he and his bandmates often forged each other's signature on such items as posters and books. These days, he says he often chuckles when such items come up for sale -- since there's a good chance the autographs aren't kosher. "We all learned to sign each other's signatures. Except for Charlie [Watts]. He wouldn't sign anything. But me, Keith, Mick and Brian all could sign each other's autographs."

Back in the '60s, the guys didn't think they were hurting anyone or committing fraud -- it was merely a function of being rushed while trying to please avid fans. "But it was the only way to do it, because you couldn't pass this stuff around. You didn't have time. You were onstage in 10 minutes."