Classic Rock News Clips

Here's a roundup of this, that and whatever from the always interesting world of classic rock.

Aerosmith's Rockin' the Joint Tour has ended prematurely as Steven Tyler undergoes surgery to repair damaged vocal cords. The group's publicist says Tyler is doing fine, and the group plans to resume touring as soon as Tyler has fully recovered.

Capitol Albums Volume 2 is the second release (the first was in 2004) of a boxed set of early Beatles albums. Set for release April 11 are remixed versions of 1965 albums Rubber Soul, Help!, Beatles VI and The Early Beatles.

The Rolling Stones first toured Japan in 1990. Since then, nearly a million people have attended Stones concerts in Japanese venues. The one-millionth will be on hand as the band kicks off the Asian leg of its Bigger Bang tour in the 50,000-seat Tokyo Dome this week.

Alice Cooper is the latest classic-rocker-turned-radio-dj. “Nights With Alice Cooper” airs from 10:00PM to 1:00AM weeknights on Philadelphia’s WMGK. Coop talks about himself, interviews other artists and delivers “OffBEAT News” with co-anchor Mistress Kitty.

Roxy Music last recorded a new studio album in 1982. They are in the studio now working on a new album, title and release date to be announced. Contrary to published reports, founding member Brian Eno says he is not involved with the project beyond having popped into the studio to visit his former bandmates.

Deep Purple alumni are set to release new solo albums. Ian Gillan’s Gillan’s Inn is a retrospective of his work with DP and Black Sabbath. Ritchie Blackmore’s The Village Lanterne pairs the former DP guitarist with vocalist Candice Night in what is described as a fusion of rock, folk, new age and world music. Blackmore’s album has an April 4 release date, Gillan’s April 18.

Disraeli Gears was Cream’s breakthrough album in the US in 1968. An April 4 release from Eagle Rock Entertainment’s Classic Albums DVD series tells the story of the making of that album. New interviews with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker are featured.