Roadhouse Rock

Gene Simmons, bassist and co-founder of Kiss, has confirmed that the band has written new songs for its upcoming avatar-based show, planned for 2028 in Las Vegas.According to Pollstar, the virtual-reality version of Kiss-introduced at the conclusion of the band's farewell tour in December 2023-will headline the new production. The show will feature digital avatars of the group created by Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects studio founded by George Lucas. Pophouse Entertainment, the Swedish company known for producing the ABBA Voyage hologram show, will lead the project's rollout.Simmons said the show will represent the band's iconic personas, such as the Demon and the Starchild. "It's going to be the iconic face personas, the Demon, the Starchild, and so on. Who you want to place into that lineup is up to you," Simmons said.Kiss co-leader Paul Stanley said, "The avatar show will have all the classics through the years and some surprises." Simmons added, "You're going to get all that stuff, and also new songs." When asked for more details, Simmons said, "Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done."Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos told Pollstar that the avatars revealed at the band's 2023 farewell show were "an early prototype of the Kiss avatar concept." She said, "A lot has evolved since then-both in terms of creative concept for the show and avatar technology. We are now deep in development with a top-flight creative team headed by Thierry Coup. The team was on set last week testing out pyro effects against a new generation of LED screens to make sure we max out the Kiss signature flame throwing. The show concept is a 4D roller coaster ride through the hits, the comic book worlds and the personas of Kiss."Stanley said the new project is unrelated to earlier experiments with hologram performances. "This has really no connection to some of the experimental holograms that were tried in the past, which were really very primitive. This will be virtually seeing us. My avatar looks just like me, not a cartoon or an artist's rendition. The great thing about being an icon is you can stay young forever."Simmons said even calling the production a "show" might be an understatement. "It'll be less of a show and more of an experience, because as fantastic as virtual reality is-it fools your eyes-but your ears can hear what's going on around you," Simmons said. "So if, hypothetically, you see a dragon that breathes fire into your face, the visuals will give you that, but you won't feel the heat, so imagine all your senses are being attacked right along with the visuals."Both Stanley and Simmons discussed the flexibility of focusing on the band's signature personas, which have been embodied by various members over the years."It's very interesting, because unlike other rock bands, we're not confined by their limitations," Stanley said. "We're basically Superman with a guitar and a Marshall amplifier."Simmons said the avatar show represents a new beginning for the band. "The fans should start to think about this as not the end of anything," he said. "This is the phoenix rising out of the ashes. As a form of life, caterpillars aren't very impressive, but they survive, and then it looks like they're dying as they go into a cocoon. But then you get a beautiful butterfly that sprouts wings and goes to places and soars above that the caterpillar never imagined. This is not the end. This is the beginning.

LOS ANGELES - Iron Maiden will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026, ending a wait of more than two decades since the English heavy metal band first became eligible.The Hall of Fame announced Iron Maiden's induction Tuesday, closing one of the longest-running absences in its history.With their induction now official, the band's manager, Rod Smallwood, released a statement on social media on behalf of the band."We'd like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees," the statement said. "Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it's always nice to be recognized and honored for any achievements within the music industry, too."The statement also noted the band's 50th anniversary celebrations and ongoing world tour."It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour visiting the Americas and beyond," the message continued. "We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now. See you all, somewhere on tour."Iron Maiden's relationship with the Hall of Fame has been complicated. Frontman Bruce Dickinson has previously criticized the institution, once calling it "an utter, complete load of bollocks" and saying he would refuse induction if offered. Other members, including bassist Steve Harris and drummer Nicko McBrain, have expressed more enthusiasm but acknowledged that induction was not necessarily a career goal.The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Unlike previous years, the event will not be broadcast live. Instead, the ceremony will air in December on ABC and stream on Disney+.Iron Maiden is scheduled to be on tour in Australia during the ceremony, with shows in Melbourne on Nov. 13 and Sydney on Nov. 15

LOS ANGELES - Phil Collins, Billy Idol and Iron Maiden are among the artists newly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2026 class.Other inductees in the performer category include Oasis, Sade, Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. The announcement was made during Monday night's episode of "American Idol."Iron Maiden's induction ends one of the longest-running omissions in Rock Hall history. The influential heavy metal band has been eligible for more than two decades.Collins was previously inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010, but had not been nominated for his solo work until this year, despite being eligible since 2007.For the second consecutive year, the winner of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame fan vote was not inducted. R&B group New Edition received more than one million votes this year but was not selected for induction.In 2025, Phish won the fan vote but was not inducted and did not receive a nomination in the current cycle.Eight other 2026 nominees were not inducted: Pink, Shakira, INXS, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Melissa Etheridge, the Black Crowes and Jeff Buckley.Five artists will be inducted in the Early Influence category: country rock innovator Gram Parsons, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Cuban singer Celia Cruz and hip-hop artists Queen Latifah and MC Lyte.The Musical Excellence category will honor producers Jimmy Miller, Rick Rubin and Arif Mardin, as well as soul songwriter Linda Creed.Legendary television host Ed Sullivan will posthumously receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which recognizes non-performers who have made significant contributions to the music industry. Sullivan introduced American audiences to artists including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Doors.The induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Unlike recent years, the ceremony will not be broadcast live. Instead, it will debut on ABC and Disney+ on a date to be announced in December.Ticket sale information will be released at a later date

Night Ranger has announced a 2026 U.S. tour, with about 20 dates already scheduled. The band will perform multiple shows in Florida, Illinois and Louisiana, and is also set to appear on the 2027 "80s Cruise," which departs from New Orleans.Tickets for the tour are currently on sale.The current Night Ranger lineup features bassist Jack Blades, drummer Kelly Keagy and guitarist Brad Gillis, alongside guitarist Keri Kelli and keyboardist Eric Levy, both of whom joined in the 2010s. Keagy wrote and sang the band's highest-charting single, "Sister Christian," which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. Blades wrote "Sentimental Street," which reached the Top 10 in 1985.Night Ranger, Cheap Trick and Winger each completed separate Japanese farewell tours in 2023, with Night Ranger's dates held in October. The band's most recent album, "40 Years and a Night with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra," was released in 2023 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover chart."Sister Christian" and "Sentimental Street" were part of a pair of platinum-selling albums in the mid-1980s. Night Ranger also reached the Top 40 with singles such as "When You Close Your Eyes" and "Goodbye."Night Ranger 2026 U.S. Tour DatesApril 17 - St. Augustine, Fla., St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 18 - Clearwater, Fla., BayCare Sound
April 19 - Estero, Fla., Hertz Arena
May 8 - Lincoln, R.I., Bally's Event Center
May 22 - Bethlehem, Pa., Wind Creek Event Center
May 23 - Berlin, Md., Ocean Downs Casino
June 5 - Baton Rouge, La., L'Auberge Casino and Hotel
June 19 - Reno, Nev., Silver Legacy Grande Exposition Hall
June 20 - Wheatland, Calif., Hard Rock Live Sacramento
July 2 - Dickinson, N.D., Legacy Square
July 11 - Fort Morgan, Colo., Bobstock Music Festival
July 14 - Mentor, Ohio, Mentor Civic Amphitheater
July 17 - Fond du Lac, Wis., Fond du Lac County Fair
July 18 - St. Louis, Hollywood Casino
July 26 - Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel
Aug. 8 - Lincoln City, Ind., Lincoln State Park Amphitheatre
Aug. 14 - Louisville, Ky., Louisville Palace
Aug. 15 - Gibson City, Ill., Gibson City Summer Bash
Sept. 4 - Du Quoin, Ill., Du Quoin State Fair
Sept. 6 - Essex Junction, Vt., Champlain Valley Expo
Feb. 27-March 2, 2027 - New Orleans, The 80s CruiseFor a full list of dates and ticket information, visit Night Ranger's official website

LONDON (AP) - The Rolling Stones appear to be preparing to announce a new album, according to multiple reports and promotional clues.The Times of London reported Thursday that the legendary British rock band will release a new single titled "Rough and Twisted" on Saturday as a "white label" vinyl exclusive. The track is expected to preview the Stones' yet-untitled 25th studio album, their first since 2023's "Hackney Diamonds."The Stones have again teamed with producer Andrew Watt, who worked on "Hackney Diamonds." When reached by Rolling Stone magazine last year, Watt declined to provide details, saying only, "I can say we did some recording together, but that's all I can say."The band's latest promotional strategy has included mysterious posters in London advertising a group called the Cockroaches-a pseudonym the Stones used for two secret shows at Toronto's El Mocambo club in 1977. Some of those performances were featured on the albums "Love You Live" (1977) and "Live at the El Mocambo" (2022).A website linked to the Cockroaches displays a clock set for 1:40 p.m. Saturday, April 11, alongside a Cockroaches record in a white sleeve and a cork board featuring ticket stubs and a postcard from Natchez, Mississippi-a nod to the band's well-known admiration for Delta blues.The site also allows users to "flip" the record, revealing a list of geographic coordinates that correspond to record stores in various countries, suggesting "Rough and Twisted" could be available for purchase at those locations.The Rolling Stones have not officially confirmed details of the new album or single. Further information is expected to be released soon

NEW YORK - Twisted Sister announced Tuesday that they will return to the road for a series of 2026 shows, with Sebastian Bach stepping in as lead singer following Dee Snider's retirement.The band revealed four upcoming dates for late summer and early fall: Sept. 4 in Palmer, Alaska, at the Borealis Theatre (previously announced); Sept. 12 in Durant, Oklahoma, at the Choctaw Grand Theatre; Oct. 8 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino; and Oct. 10 in Windsor, Ontario, at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor.Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday. Presale begins Wednesday with the code "TWISTED2026." Additional information is available at Twisted Sister's official website.Twisted Sister announced plans last September to reunite for a 50th anniversary tour in 2026, a decade after retiring from live performances. The band later canceled those plans last month, citing Snider's "health challenges" and his "sudden and unexpected resignation."Guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda confirmed in March that the band would move forward with the anniversary tour, featuring Bach as lead vocalist."Twisted Sister members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are thrilled to announce that iconic vocalist and frontman Sebastian Bach will be fronting the band for a handful of select dates this fall," the band said in a statement. "These appearances do not affect or conflict with Sebastian's current or future solo touring schedule, which remains fully intact."The 2026 Twisted Sister lineup will also include bassist Russell Pzutto, who played in Snider's solo band, and former Ace Frehley drummer Joey Cassata.Bach, a longtime fan of Twisted Sister, posted on social media, "I am in shock. I am the lead singer of Twisted Sister. I keep saying that over and over to myself and anybody else who will listen today. I am absolutely honored and overjoyed to pay tribute to the legacy of some of my favorite music and musicians of my whole life."Bach has performed Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock" at recent solo shows.Twisted Sister 2026 Tour Dates With Sebastian Bach- Sept. 4: Palmer, Alaska - Borealis Theatre (Alaska State Fair)
- Sept. 12: Durant, Oklahoma - Choctaw Grand Theatre
- Oct. 8: Niagara Falls, Ontario - OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
- Oct. 10: Windsor, Ontario - The Colosseum at Caesars Windso

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles home formerly owned by the late rock musician Ozzy Osbourne is on the market with an asking price of $17 million.The Mediterranean-style mansion is in the Hancock Park neighborhood and features six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Built in 1929, the residence offers more than 10,000 square feet of living space.According to the property's official real estate listing, the home has undergone restorations to maintain its historical architecture while adding modern amenities. Features include a chef's kitchen, private movie theater, wood-paneled library, mosaic-tiled swimming pool and an outdoor dining area with a pizza oven.Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, purchased the home in 2015 for $11.85 million from film producer Oren Koules. In 2022, the couple put the property on the market for $22 million as they considered moving back to the United Kingdom, citing California's high tax rate as a factor."We are leaving LA. We are a bit sad. But the tax is getting too much," Osbourne said at the time. "I am sad because I really, really like staying and living there."The Osbournes later took the property off the market. Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July 2023 at age 76, spent the last year and a half of his life at the couple's home in Buckinghamshire, England

Billy Idol has announced 17 additional tour dates for his "It's a Nice Day to... Tour Again," beginning Aug. 7 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and concluding Aug. 23 in Raleigh, North Carolina.Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon local time Friday, April 10. VIP presales begin at 2 p.m. local time Wednesday, April 8. More information is available at Billy Idol's official website.In addition to the new dates, Idol is set to perform a five-show "Hot in the City" summer residency at Fontainebleau Las Vegas from Aug. 28 to Sept. 5. He will also play concerts in Prior Lake, Minnesota, and Highland Park, Illinois, before the August tour dates.A documentary about Idol's life and career, "Billy Idol Should Be Dead," debuted on Hulu in late March after screening at film festivals earlier in the year. Idol released his concept album, "Dream Into It," in early 2025.Idol was nominated again this year for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He told UCR that artists like Ozzy Osbourne played a significant role in shaping his musical career."I saw Ozzy when I was 12 or 13, just before the first Black Sabbath album came out in England," Idol said. "We were right at the front, and his tassels were touching me during the gig. That was the music inspiring us, and songs like 'Paranoid' kept inspiring us into punk. We watched them put their music together, and later we did our own version in punk."Below is the current list of Billy Idol's 2026 tour dates:July 10 - Prior Lake, Minn., Lakefront Music Festival
July 12 - Highland Park, Ill., Ravinia
Aug. 7 - Scranton, Pa., The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Aug. 8 - Uncasville, Conn., Mohegan Sun Arena
Aug. 11 - Bangor, Maine, Maine Savings Amphitheater
Aug. 14 - Darien Center, N.Y., Darien Lake Amphitheater
Aug. 15 - Syracuse, N.Y., Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
Aug. 18 - Gilford, N.H., BankNH Pavilion
Aug. 20 - Burgettstown, Pa., The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug. 22 - Virginia Beach, Va., Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Aug. 23 - Raleigh, N.C., Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug. 28, 29; Sept. 2, 4, 5 - Las Vegas, Fontainebleau
Sept. 10 - St. Louis, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Sept. 11 - Grand Rapids, Mich., Acrisure Amphitheater
Sept. 13 - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Blossom Music Center
Sept. 16 - Kansas City, Mo., Morton Amphitheater
Sept. 18 - Dallas, Dos Equis Pavilion
Sept. 19 - Rogers, Ark., Walmart AMP
Sept. 22 - Tulsa, Okla., BOK Center
Sept. 27 - Albuquerque, N.M., First Financial Credit Union Amphitheate

Journey guitarist Neal Schon has responded to reports suggesting frontman Arnel Pineda was compelled to participate in the band's ongoing farewell tour.Pineda, who joined Journey in 2007 at age 40, said he attempted to step away from the group twice before the launch of the Final Frontier tour in late February. He acknowledged recent vocal challenges, particularly at outdoor venues in cold weather, and spoke publicly for the first time about personal struggles related to an ongoing divorce, which includes allegations of domestic abuse.Pineda said he notified the band of his intent to resign, writing a letter to that effect, but did not receive a response."If you're planning to do a farewell tour, you better tell me, because my issues and my personal problems are getting more intense and I don't know if I want to go with you," Pineda said. "I said to them I wanted to retire because of my personal problems. No answer. Obviously, they don't want to find another singer."Pineda said he missed rehearsals and learned about the tour's extensive setlist only after returning from the Philippines. "They can fire me any time they want, but they're not," he said.Pineda indicated he felt obligated to continue performing with Journey. In a statement, Schon said the circumstances were out of his control and pointed to the band's contract with concert promoter AEG, which requires Pineda's participation for the tour to proceed."For clarity, no one was ever prevented by me from making their own personal decisions," Schon said. "At the same time, we were all advised by our representatives that there are contractual obligations tied to touring that need to be honored."Journey has announced 60 Final Frontier tour dates in the United States in 2026, with at least 40 more anticipated in 2027. While Pineda is expected to continue, other vocalists have filled in for six songs per show during the tour, with substitute performances moving earlier in the setlist in recent weeks."Touring at this level involves many moving parts, and decisions are made collectively with our team, including management, agents and promoters," Schon said. "Like any long-running band, there are moments where people feel the pressure differently. I respect that, and I have nothing but appreciation for what everyone brings to the stage.""My focus has always been-and remains-delivering the best possible experience for our fans and keeping the music alive," Schon said

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:98ab3f1e-aca1-4bdf-b7e0-1c4ad0451f2d-0" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">Rock band U2 has released a surprise six-track EP titled Easter Lily, arriving less than two months after its previous unannounced project, Days of Ash.The new EP was released on Good Friday, continuing a pattern of timing releases around significant religious observances. Days of Ash debuted on Ash Wednesday.In a statement accompanying the release, frontman Bono said the band remains in the studio working toward a forthcoming album."We are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, 'unreasonably colourful' album to play live ... which is where U2 lives," Bono said.The EP includes six tracks, among them "Song for Hal," featuring vocals by guitarist The Edge. The song was written in tribute to producer Hal Willner, who died in 2020 and would have turned 70 on April 6.According to a press release, the project explores themes of friendship, resilience and faith. Tracks include "In a Life," described as a celebration of friendship, and "Scars," which focuses on acceptance and perseverance. "Resurrection Song" is framed as a journey into the unknown with a companion, while "Easter Parade" reflects themes of rebirth and renewal.The closing track, "COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times?)," is described as a lullaby for parents of children affected by war and features a soundscape by producer Brian Eno.Bono said the band is using the current moment as inspiration for introspection and songwriting."It's a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try to meet the moment," he said.He added that the project raises personal and philosophical questions about relationships, faith and the role of religion in a divided world.The title Easter Lily also references Easter, a 1978 album by Patti Smith, which Bono cited as an early influence.U2 is continuing work on a new album expected later this year. The project will mark the band's first release of new material since 2017's Songs of Experience. Its most recent album, 2023's Songs of Surrender, featured reimagined versions of earlier songs.Track listing for 'Easter Lily':"Song for Hal""In a Life""Scars""Resurrection Song""Easter Parade""COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times?)" featuring a soundscape by Brian En