Axl Rose

Axl Rose

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

News

Guns N' Roses Drop Previously Unreleased Video For "It's So Easy"

Facebook Twitter Email
Ahead of GN'R's massive 'Locked N' Loaded' box set, the band has unearthed the music video for the classic track two of 'Appetite For Destruction'
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
May 22, 2018 - 7:19 am

Earlier this month, Guns N' Roses unveiled plans for Locked N' Loaded, a sprawling 73-track box set celebrating their 1987 debut album Appetite For Destruction. Now the band has given fans a taste of the buried treasure to come by unleashing the previously unreleased music video for "It's So Easy," which is available exclusively via Apple Music.

The video, made up of live footage of GN'R from the Appetite … era, was apparently never finished and has been sitting in the vault for 30 years until now. Capturing the band in their heyday, it provides a glimpse back at the chaos and debauchery the band became know for in the late 1980s.

"It's So Easy" is the second track on the band's now-classic debut, and while it never got the same amount of attention from radio or MTV that other songs from the album with music videos received, such as "Welcome To The Jungle," "Paradise City," or "Sweet Child 'O Mine," it remained a fan favorite and a staple of the band's live set, including their Use Your Illusion World Tour, which ran 1991–1993.

Locked N' Loaded arrives on June 29, chock-full of GN'R rarities including 49 unreleased tracks on four CDs and seven 12" 180-gram vinyl LPs. Two of those vinyl LPs are the album remastered from the original analog tapes. The box set also comes packed with extras, such as a 96-page hardbound book with unreleased photos from Axl Rose's personal archive, 12 new illustrations depicting each song on the album, and replica memorabilia from the era.

GN'R will hit the road through Europe, continuing on their Not In This Lifetime… Tour from June 3 in Berlin, Germany, through the end of July. The tour was touted as one of last year's most profitable runs, and hit the top slot in Billboard's Hot Tours chart in October 2017.

The newly unearthed video for "It's So Easy" will also be included in Locked N' Loaded, which is available for pre-order via the band's website.

Getting The Latest Music News Just Got Easier. Introducing: GRAMMY Bot. Find it On KIK and Facebook Messenger

Guns N' Roses circa 1987

Guns N' Roses

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

News

Guns N' Roses To Release 73-Track 'Appetite For Destruction' Box Set

Facebook Twitter Email
New deluxe reissue of the band's classic 1987 debut album will feature 49 previously unreleased tracks
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
May 3, 2018 - 8:00 am

The most dangerous band in the world, Guns N' Roses, have announced an epic deluxe reissue of their classic 1987 debut album, Appetite For Destruction. The extensive new box set will feature a total of 73 tracks, 49 of which have been previously unreleased. Titled Locked N' Loaded, the remastered and expanded reissue is and is due out June 29.

Arriving one year after the album's 30th anniversary, the massive collection reportedly appears to be worth the wait. Spanning four CDs and seven 12" 180-gram vinyl LPs, the reissue includes the album remastered from the original analog tapes across two LPs, a pressing of the band's 1986 Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide EP, an EP of B-sides from the era, plus 25 unreleased recordings from the band’s 1986 Sound City sessions and two unreleased tracks from their sessions with the album's producer, Mike Clink. 

Packed with plenty of extras, Locked N' Loaded also includes a 96-page hardbound book with unreleased photos from Axl Rose's personal archive, 12 new illustrations depicting each song on the album, and replica memorabilia from the era.

An unboxing video was posted then deleted on the band's site, and a countdown clock has been launched for midnight on May 4, presumably marking the official announcement of the reissue.

Producer Mike Clink has also been hard at work recently on behalf of creators' rights. Clink delivered testimony on critical music copyright issues at a House Judiciary Committee meeting earlier this year. Clink's efforts helped lead the Allocations For Music Producers Act (AMP Act) to be included in the Music Modernization Act, which unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Apr. 26. Clink has also worked with bands such as Mötley Crüe, Megadeth, and Heart, in addition to his work with GN'R.

Last December, Slash also went to work on Capitol Hill, lobbying Congress on music creators' behalf in support of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act.

Locked N' Loaded arrives in the midst of Guns N' Roses' Not In This Lifetime… Tour, which kicks back up June 3 in Berlin, Germany, and treks through Europe through the end of July. Complete tour dates can be found on the band's website.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Vinnie Paul

Vinne Paul

Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images

News

Legendary Pantera Drummer Vinnie Paul Dies At 54

Facebook Twitter Email
As a founding member of the legendary band Pantera, Paul influenced a generation of rock and metal drummers
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 25, 2018 - 10:54 am

Legendary metal drummer Vinnie Paul died on June 22. Paul was a founding member of the GRAMMY-nominated band Pantera as well as Damageplan and Hellyeah.

The tragic news arrived via a post on the Pantera Facebook page, announcing, "Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away." No cause of death was revealed.

Known for his signature blend of technique and groove, Paul formed Pantera in 1981 with his brother Darrell "Dimebag" Abbot. The band became a powerhouse of the '90s metal scene with landmark albums such as 1990's breakout Cowboys From Hell, 1992's seminal Vulgar Display Of Power and 1994's punishing Far Beyond Driven, which earned the group their first GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance for "I'm Broken" at the 37th GRAMMY Awards.

After Pantera disbanded, Paul went on to form Damageplan with his brother. Tragically, "Dimebag" Darrel was murdered on stage in 2004 during a Damageplan show in Columbus, Ohio. Following the difficult loss of his brother, Paul went on to form the group Hellyeah, who he toured and released music with up until the time of his death.

The music community reacted with shock and grief to the news of Paul's death. Kiss' Paul Stanley said in a tweet, "So sad to hear of the death of Vinnie Paul. Loved when Pantera did shows with us and in later years Vinnie was always front and center at all Kiss shows. RIP and condolences to his family," while Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker tweeted, " Rest In Peace Vinnie Paul. Heaven has Dimebag and Vinnie now."

Paul's contribution to the legacy of heavy music and his influence as a drummer of will not be forgotten.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

Photo: Don Arnold/Getty Images

News

Paul McCartney Reveals New Album Plans, Releases Two New Singles

Facebook Twitter Email
The former Beatle is back again, announcing his newest project, 'Egypt Station,' and dropping two new songs
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 21, 2018 - 7:50 am

GRAMMY winner Paul McCartney has reignited his worldwide fan base by revealing plans for a new solo album, Egypt Station, due out Sept. 7. Sir Paul also treated the music world to a double A-side single, releasing "I Don't Know" and "Come On To Me" on June 20.

Every song but one on Egypt Station was produced by fellow GRAMMY winner Greg Kurstin, who has become very well know for his work with the likes of Adele, Sia, Beck, Kelly Clarkson, and the Foo Fighters.

“All I can say is that when he brings songs to the studio, it blows my mind that he’s still coming up with the most amazing songs," Kurstin told Entertainment Weekly. "I feel like he’s topping himself.”

The 14-song album will resemble a travelogue bookended with opening and closing instrumentals "Station I" and "Station II" and will also include songs titled “Happy With You,” “People Want Peace” and “Despite Repeated Warnings.”

“I liked the words 'Egypt Station,'" McCartney said in a statement. "It reminded me of the 'album' albums we used to make. Egypt Station starts off at the station on the first song and then each song is like a different station. So it gave us some idea to base all the songs around that.”

McCartney has also confirmed in an interview with DIY that the rumored 50th Anniversary edition of the Beatles White Album is on its way, and he told the BBC he has no plans to retire – both of which are bits of good news for Beatlemaniacs.

“I was talking to – name dropping, clunk – Willie Nelson," McCartney told the BBC. "I was talking about this whole retiring thing, ‘cause you know he’s older than I am! And he says, ‘Retire from what?’ and I think that just says it. You know, ‘Retire from what?’. So no, I love it."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello

Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

News

Elvis Costello Announces North American Fall Tour, New Album

Facebook Twitter Email
Costello and his band the Imposters will hit the road in support of his forthcoming new album
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 18, 2018 - 11:49 am

Big news arrived today for Elvis Costello fans: the genre-jumping singer/songwriter is heading out on the road this fall with his band the Imposters. Even better yet, Costello has teased a brand new album to coincide with the tour.

The 20-date tour, titled Look Now And Then … It's Elvis Costello & The Imposters, will commence Nov. 2 in Bethlehem, Pa., and conclude Dec. 4 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Meanwhile, Costello has signed to Concord Records and will reveal details on his upcoming album, including the title and release date "very shortly," according to a statement.

The new album follows Costello's 2013's Wise Up Ghost, a collaboration with fellow GRAMMY winners the Roots, and marks the songwriting icon's first solo album since 2010's National Ransom. More recently, Costello's audio performance of his dynamic autobiography, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for the 59th GRAMMY Awards.

Costello and his crew are currently on tour in Europe through mid-July. Tickets for the newly announced dates go on sale June 22, with presale starting June 19. Fan who purchase certain dates can also purchase a special pre-order package that includes the new album. For full details, visit Costello's website.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"