David Gilmour, 'The Piper's Call' -- Official Video

The news earlier this week of David Gilmour's new solo album Luck & Strange coming in September got me excited. Now there's a video for the first single called "The Piper's Call." It's a behind-the-scenes video, shot while Gilmour was recording the new album.

The true guitar solo kicks in at 3:45 and it goes until the end of the track. The solo is good. Really good. I could extract that part of the song and just listen to it on a loop. The guitar tone is unmistakeble - hear it and you know it's the work of genius Gilmour.

Motley Crue, 'Dogs of War' -- New Song Released

Well, the new Motley Crue track "Dogs of War" is here. It's about what I expected. No, it doesn't sound like Dr. Feelgood-era Crue. Maybe more like Brides of Destruction?

I could do without Vince Neil repeating the word "bastard" so many times, but whatever. I don't hear a lot of John 5 fancy guitar work here. The drums are definitely Tommy Lee.

I guess my reaction is mixed. I need to listen a few more times. I'm sure it will grow on me as most songs do in time. Thoughts?

Official band post with actual video (10:00 AM ET):

Social announcement:

David Gilmour Announces New Album, Single

This is not a drill and I am kind of freaking out: my beloved David Gilmour is releasing a new album! It’s his first new one in nine years and is named The Piper’s Call. The first single is “Luck and Strange” and I just plain hope there is a tour involved too. Like, David Gilmour is the number one artist I want to see perform live. He is a guitar genius and I can listen to Pink Floyd endlessly. Gilmour is 78 so I don’t foresee lots of tours in his future – so he should strike while the iron is hot!

Gilmour could really threaten me with a good time and do a handful of shows in awesome places that would require me to get on a jet plane and empty my vacation fund.

The new album comes out September 6. Stream “Luck and Strange” below!

'Witches of Salem' -- New Saxon Lyric Video

I cannot express how obsessed I am with the Salem Witch Trials period of American history. I love reading books about Salem, both historical and fictional accounts. Visiting Salem on Halloween was on my bucket list (checked it off years ago!) and I randomly quote lines from Arthur Miller's The Crucible. So to see Saxon made a lyric video for their new song "Witches of Salem" I was sold.

The song is on Saxon's new album Hell, Fire and Damnation which is out now. The band also started their American tour last night. Clips are appearing on YouTube!

And There It Is: Motley Crue Announce 'Dogs Of War'

The other day I posted that Nikki Sixx was teasing something... now we know it is a new song from Motley Crue called "Dogs of War." The track is out this Friday.

Several months back, Motley Crue did a secret show and billed themselves as the Dogs of War, so it isn't a surprise to learn we are getting a track from that name as well. Friday will be interesting.

2024 Rock Hall Inductees Announced

Ozzy Osbourne as a solo artist (he's already in as a member of Black Sabbath), Foreigner, Peter Frampton and Cher are highlights from this class for me. It took Foreigner 22 years to get in - but they finally did! Lots of artists in this class had to wait a long time for the recognition. Glad to see some oversights corrected here.

Gene Simmons On 'American Idol' Tonight

KISS superstar Gene Simmons will be the guest mentor on American Idol tonight. I'm not sure what he is going to tell the contestants about singing exactly - but he will probably have some good advice on making performances more exciting. Yes, I still watch American Idol. Looking forward to tonight's episode!