The Aerosmith saga just took another turn, but this one might be for the better. It was revealed at the beginning of this week that Steven Tyler’s attorney, Skip Miller, sent a cease and desist letter to Aerosmith’s management. The letter referred to the band’s efforts in replacing Tyler with a new singer as detrimental to the brand of Aerosmith, and called on the rest of the band to “immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members.”

Miller also called a meeting of Aerosmith’s “shareholders” on February 9 to discuss the future of the band, including tours of Europe and South America, and the recording of a new studio album. Today, Pollstar obtained new information that suggests a lawsuit is not in store after all. The statement from Tyler reads, “With the help of my family and team of medical professionals, I’m taking responsibility for management of pain and am eager to be back on the stage and in the recording studio with my band mates Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford.”

The singer continues: “I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false. I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.”

Aerosmith, meanwhile, has been busy sending offers for the lead singer spot to a long list of talent including Paul Rodgers, Billy Idol, and Chris Cornell. But it’s a two way street; we also learned this week that Steven Tyler auditioned for Led Zeppelin. More is sure to come in this ongoing dispute involving one of the world’s favorite rock bands.

A new release is on the way from the original line-up of Asia. First reformed in 2007 for the first time in more than two decades, John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, and Steve Howe are once again at work on new material. Omega will the the follow-up to 2008’s acclaimed Phoenix album, and is set for an April release.

For those Asia fans keeping track, the band broke its trend of titling all of its albums with a word beginning in the letter ‘A’ in 2004, the group at the time was fronted by John Payne.

Asia toured America last year with Yes (see our review and photos), and will carry on this year with a string of concerts in Europe and Japan beginning in late April. In July, Asia will play the UK’s High Voltage Festival along with ZZ Top, Foreigner, Heaven & Hell, and a freshly reunited Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). For updates, turn to the band’s official website.

West coast metal legends Ratt have been through some turmoil in the decade passed since their last studio album. Hostile exchanges led to personnel changes, including a departure from lead singer Stephen Pearcy. But now the band is ready to move forward into fresh territory as they prep for the release of a brand new CD – Infestation.

Titled “Best of Me”, the release’s first single has already been sent to radio and is available to fans on iTunes. The album itself sees a release through Roadrunner records on April 20, and is the product of unique writing sessions. “While we were recording, we actually all lived in the same compound. It was great. It was the first time we had ever done that. It was almost like when we lived in a one bedroom apartment we called Ratt Mansion West back in the old days,” said Pearcy.

Dokken is also coming out with something new. Released just days ago, “Almost Over” is the band’s first single since 2008’s Lightning Strikes Again. The song will be included on the upcoming compilation CD “Greatest Hits: Volume II”, arriving later this spring on Cleopatra Records. In addition to re-recorded renditions of Dokken classics, the compilation will include two cover songs and two newly written tracks.

Get Ratt’s “Best of Me” at this link, and Dokken’s “Almost Over” by clicking here.

In the news, TC & Matt discuss…

• Mötley Crüe – Stripped down on tour, but still kick starting hearts
• Eagles – Their 8th farewell tour is set to go
• Slash – His new solo album will drop on April 6
• Ozzy Osbourne – Is a Soul Sucka no more
• Megadeth – On tour with Slayer, and still better than Metallica?

Check out Major Geeks Online Backup and get 500mb of FREE online backup and follow them on Twitter @MajorGeeks for their support in being a sponsor of Rock Concerts Weekly.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Rock Concerts Weekly is your definitive podcast guide to all things rock concerts. Interact with the show by calling TC and Matt anytime with your questions and comments at 415-881-ROCK (7625), or find them on Twitter @RockConcerts.

BEST. CONCERT. EVER!
What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen? Call the guys at 415-881-ROCK (7625) and tell them all about the show.

The album art for Slash’s upcoming solo CD has been revealed. Simply titled Slash, the album will be the guitarist’s first true solo work, and flaunts an enviable guest list of musicians. Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, Kid Rock, Dave Grohl, Iggy Pop, and Adam Levine make the top of a diverse list of artists.

“The idea was really simple in the beginning. These are all artists I wanted to work with – that I thought it would be amazing to do something creative and collaborative. And I was so impressed with what everyone brought to the table. They were all so committed to doing a good job, and we had a lot of fun making these songs.”

Slated for a release on EMI on April 6 in the United States, the 14-song track list along with each song’s special guest follows.

01. Ghost (Ian Astbury)
02. Beautiful Dangerous (Fergie)
03. Nothing To Say (M Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold)
04. Crucify The Dead (Ozzy Osbourne)
05. Promise (Chris Cornell)
06. By The Sword (Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother)
07. Doctor Alibi (Lemmy Kilmeister)
08. Saint Is A Sinner Too (Rocco De Luca)
09. Watch This (Dave Grohl/Duff McKagan)
10. I Hold On (Kid Rock)
11. Gotten (Adam Levine)
12. We’re All Gonna Die (Iggy Pop)
13. Starlight (Myles Kennedy)

January 29, 2010 – After nearly 30 years of playing to sold-out crowds, Mötley Crüe knows a thing or two about what its audience wants to see and hear in a show. And between the ample pyrotechnics, stunning screams and rebellious lyrics, the band delivered it all to the 10,000 fans who packed into the MTS Centre in Winnipeg to witness a stop of the band’s Dead of Winter tour. With support from the Joe Perry Project and Airbourne, the bill was a rocker’s paradise.

Australian adrenaline rockers Airbourne emerged onto the stage with all the energy they could muster, effectively warming up the crowd for the night of mayhem ahead. Guitarist David Roads and bassist Justin Street took turns sprinting around on stage all while tossing their waist-length hair into a flying frenzy. Band leader Joel O’Keeffe played off the crowd to no end; at times appearing to be poised for a crowd surf. But all stage antics aside, Airbourne is a musically tight act with a classic AC/DC vibe. Energizing vocals from O’Keeffe were the icing on the cake to the 30 minute set.
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Winter getting a bit long for you? It may be frigid in Canada, but for the past week Mötley Crüe has been heating up crowds with the help of the Joe Perry Project and Airbourne as part of their aptly titled “Dead of Winter” tour.

Melodic Rock Concerts is on scene in Winnipeg for the band’s stop at the MTS Centre – watch our Twitter page (Twitter.com/RockConcerts) for live tweets from the show, and check back for the review and photos later this weekend.

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MelodicRockConcerts.com, the definitive guide for rock concert news, interviews, and photographs, and TechHotDish.com, an Internet podcast network featuring weekly podcasts on varying topics, today announced the launch of Rock Concerts Weekly, a new podcast for rock music fans.

Sponsored by Major Geeks Online Backup, Rock Concerts Weekly is a lively 60 minutes of rock talk, interviews, giveaways, and banter between host Malcolm “TC” Michaels and concert expert Matt Becker. New episodes are available at RockConcertsWeekly.com every Tuesday, along with sneak peeks at upcoming shows.

The debut episode of Rock Concerts Weekly featuring a chat with Kip Winger from the iconic 80’s rock band Winger, as well as a road report from the Guns N’ Roses tour by Sun Canada National Media Writer Darryl Sterdan is now available for listening at RockConcertsWeekly.com, and in the media player above.

In addition to conversations with music legends and other special guests, listener interaction will be a driving force of the show’s format. Fans are encouraged to leave questions about their favorite bands or comments on upcoming rock tours by calling 415-881-ROCK (7625) for a chance of being featured on the show. Each week listeners can call to describe their most memorable concert experiences as part of a “BEST. CONCERT. EVER!” segment.
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The Moondance Jam has just amped up the anticipation for those three days of rock heaven in July. REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar have been signed to play on Friday, July 16 of the festival. The duo adds to an already promising lineup including Lynyrd Skynyrd and Buckcherry. Tens of thousands of rock fans gather every year in scenic Walker, Minnesota for the 3-day festival, this year slated for July 15 to July 17.

Tickets and first-come, first-serve camping are now available by calling 1-877-MOONJAM. With general admission seating, fans can choose between watching the rock parade from a comfortable seat on the hillside, or getting closer to the action and jamming out stageside.

VIP tickets allow fans the ultimate Moondance experience with seating in the exclusive StageBox, or in the raised tent complete with full bar. Meet and greet packages are also available for those who go VIP.

Readers of Melodic Rock Concerts and listeners of the soon-launched Rock Concerts Weekly podcast will receive the chance to win t-shirts, mugs, and other Moondance gear along with passes to the festival. Details for this contest will be released in the coming weeks.

Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon are embarking on a full tour of the United States this summer, with dates becoming available soon. REO’s latest CD, the Christmas-themed Not So Silent Night, is out now for purchase.

PRESS RELEASE: Yeah, we know: last year’s Download was something special. Over 120 bands provided three solid days of the most eclectic and ferocious rock ever seen at a festival, playing in blistering hot sunshine to hoards of rock-hungry music mentalists. It was one to remember.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we’re back, in black, with a line-up so smoulderingly hot that it makes your eyes start to ache just reading it.

The rumours are true: AC/DC are returning to Donington to play Download 2010, celebrating not only 30 years since the very first Monsters or Rock festival but also 30 years since the release of their iconic album Back in Black, one of the best selling records in history.

Joining AC/DC and following two incredible sold out shows at Hammersmith Apollo before Christmas, are supergroup Them Crooked Vultures.

If that wasn’t enough we’ve also confirmed Deftones along with Stone Temple Pilots, Bullet for My Valentine, Megadeth, Motörhead, Wolfmother and Volbeat, with plenty more to announce in the coming months.

Tickets to this year’s Download go on presale to all Download subscribers at 9am Thursday – fans can sign up for membership at this link.

AC/DC plays Donington’s Download Festival on June 11 in Donington Park, UK. Last year’s headliners included Def Leppard, Journey, Whitesnake, ZZ Top, and Mötley Crüe.