CD Review: Sammy Hagar – Sammy Hagar & Friends

CD Review: Sammy Hagar – Sammy Hagar & Friends

Frontiers Records

All Access Review: B-

Sammy Hagar - Sammy Hagar & Friends 2013

The Van Halen brothers, Eddie and Alex, are reportedly not too fond of their old band mate SammyHagar. A tell-all biography that shines a not-so-flattering light on certain unsavory aspects of their time together in Van Halen tends to have that effect, although to be fair, their relationship was frosty well before “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock” saw the light of day.

That said, the affable Hagar is not without friends, as the new album of hard-rocking, bluesy, country-flavored collaborations Sammy Hagar & Friends points out. Taj Mahal, Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Journey’s Neal Schon, Ronnie Dunn and Toby Keith, Montrose pals Denny Carmassi and Bill Church, and, of course, his boys in Chickenfoot – the cast is a who’s who of musical heavyweights. In typically raucous and rowdy fashion, Hagar presides over what should be a 10-song soundtrack for a week-long drunken bender, but by the end, there’s a sense that the hangover has come early, thanks to some strangely reinterpreted covers and an overall sense of malaise.

An uneven set of ballsy, rough-and-tumble, metal-tinged originals like “Knockdown Dragout” and the slow-burning, fuzz-toned “Not Going Down,” penned by Jay Buchanan of the Rival Sons, Sammy Hagar & Friends also features the red-hot, tires-squealing, rock ‘n’ roll thrill ride “Bad on Fords and Chevrolets” – a Hagar-Dunn duet that drives recklessly like a bootlegger being chased through gravelly back roads by the Feds. By far the most exciting and infectious track on Sammy Hagar & Friends, Jerry Lee Lewis would approve of it and probably join in, although he might not be so complimentary towards the lazy, lethargic and surprisingly stiff treatment of “Margaritaville” Sammy and company sleep through here.

Given his taste for tequila and fondness for the laid-back island fun, everyone knew the day would come when Hagar would try his hand at “Margaritaville,” and it’s an utter failure, almost completely devoid of any of the sunny charm of Jimmy Buffett’s version. Turning Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” into a mid-tempo blues holy roller – complete with soulful backing singers – might not seem like such a bad idea, but in execution, it seems awkwardly arranged and anything but a religious experience, sucking the hypnotic creepiness out of the original version and transforming it into a bland, insipid Vegas-style lounge number, instead of a fiery, organic sermon. Not all of the covers chosen by Hagar are treated so shabbily, as Bob Seger’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” is a vibrant revival tailor-made for his loud monster-truck vocal pipes.

“Father Sun” and “Winding Down” come off as much more inspired works, with the bright mandolin and acoustic guitar strumming of the former drenched in Southern down-home charm and the slinky slide-guitar meanness of the latter slipping and sliding around a lyrical laundry list of societal and political ills. Recorded live in the studio, the brawny, crawling “Going Down” finds Hagar, Schon, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith grinding and tenderizing the song’s body with bruising rhythmic blows, making a big drill out of it that could tunnel through bedrock.

Sammy Hagar & Friends runs hot and cold, its country-pop warmth and heavy rock statements made all the more powerful through the instrumental prowess of articulate players like Schon and Joe Satriani, even if they feel like as if they’re saving themselves for something for more challenging than this off-the-cuff experience. What should be a colorful rock ‘n’ roll fiesta has too many grey spaces, too many periods of lifeless fist-shaking at enemies real or imagined that lack real conviction. When Hagar should be the cheery drunk wearing a lampshade on his head, he expresses halfhearted defiance, as if the beating he’s taken over the years by faceless critics has finally gotten to him. For once, the shaggy-haired Hagar shies away from being the life of the party, and that grinning, laughing personality of his is missed. http://www.frontiers.it/
– Peter Lindblad

DVD Review: Rainbow – Black Masquerade

DVD Review: Rainbow – Black Masquerade

Eagle Rock Entertainment

All Access Review: B+

Rainbow - Black Masquerade 2013

Ritchie Blackmore was done with Deep Purple. That old bugaboo “creative differences” had reared its ugly head again, as the legendary guitarist had it out once more with singer Ian Gillan, who was brought back for the band’s 25^th anniversary. In 1993, Blackmore walked out, leaving abruptly during a show in Helsinki, Finland.

The parting was not such sweet sorrow for either side, and Blackmore spent little time mourning the divorce. In 1993, he revived Rainbow, a project that had been dormant since 1984. To bring Rainbow back to life, he turned to a rag-tag band of spunky young upstarts, including singer Doogie White, his new collaborator. Hardly a blip on the radar, they stuck around barely long enough to record 1995’s under-appreciated Stranger in All of Us LP – a dark, moody record of traditional melodic heavy metal with flourishes of classical music bombast – and do some touring before Blackmore threw himself into medieval and Renaissance music full-time and turned his back on hard rock.

Largely forgotten by history, this incarnation of Rainbow deserves a reassessment, and it starts with “Black Masquerade,” a rousing live effort unearthed by Eagle Rock Entertainment now available now as a two-CD set, DVD or in digital video and audio formats. Documenting a lively performance in Dusseldorf, Germany, for that country’s “Rockpalast” TV series, “Black Masquerade” is a colorfully shot and thunderously loud powder keg of impressive musicianship and youthful hunger.

Seeing Blackmore – more restrained physically as he shuns the wild histrionics of his gloriously unhinged past – reel off a dazzling array of ruthlessly efficient, full-throttle riffs, searing leads and fleet-fingered arpeggios that he expertly untangles with ease is one thing, but keyboardist Paul Morris is a revelation, combining the vivid coloring and propulsive thrust of Jon Lord with Keith Emerson’s classically influenced gymnastics. The long solo Morris takes during the show is an awakening, creatively playful and athletic but never veering off the intricate course he has set.

More than the sum of its disparate, if well-arranged, parts, the collective Rainbow rides roughshod through a combustible mix of tracks from Stranger in All of Us and classics from Blackmore’s Deep Purple days and earlier Rainbow treasures, charging into pulse-pounding versions of “Spotlight Kid,” “Man on a Silver Mountain,” “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Burn” and a raucous “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll/Black Night” medley with reckless abandon and fierce energy. It’s as if they know their time together is going to be brief, so they let it all hang out.

And while the material off Stranger in Us All has less character and meat on the bone than past Rainbow efforts, it does shine on “Black Masquerade,” as Rainbow speeds into the night of the song “Black Masquerade” without brakes and takes a magic carpet ride through the exotic Middle Eastern terrain of the sweeping epic known as “Ariel.” Even more mysterious and ominous, “Hunting Humans (Insatiable)” also comes off here as a cinematic affair, the flowing drama of it heightened by White’s powerful, evocative vocals as it segues into Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” – one of the many classical music ambushes found throughout “Black Masquerade.” White’s personality is infectious, and he is a fine master of ceremonies, displaying charm and a masculine stage presence that almost matches the testosterone levels of Chuck Burgi’s barn-burning drum solo. 

Where “Black Masquerade” the DVD falls short is in its extras – simply put, there are none, aside from the enthusiastic, if overly hyperbolic, tribute written by Jeff Katz. A little visual history lesson on the life and quick death of this particular unit in the form of interviews with key players or a narrated featurette would be a welcome addition. Otherwise, even though this Rainbow lived its own life apart from other more celebrated lineups featuring Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet or Joe Lynn Turner that waged rock ‘n’ roll warfare under the same banner, they come off as something of a cover band – albeit it a great one with Blackmore on guitar. It’s as if they were an imitation that had its run and could not create its own identity. Therefore, it must never be spoken of again.

That’s a shame, because as this explosive, forceful and engaging outing illustrates so effectively, Blackmore might have been well-served to keep forging ahead with this group, even if it’s not the most beloved version of the band.

– Peter Lindblad

CD Review: Humble Pie – Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore – The Complete Recordings

CD Review: Humble Pie – Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore – The Complete Recordings

Omnivore Recordings

All Access Rating: A

Humble Pie - Performance: Rockin' the
Fillmore - The Complete Recordings

Humble Pie wanted to play the Fillmore East as often as they could, and who could blame them? As drummer Jerry Shirley says in Tim Cohen’s revelatory liner notes for Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore – The Complete Recordings, the lavish and expansive new re-packaging of Pie’s much-lauded 1971 breakthrough double-live album, “They had the best sound, the best lights, the best seating – everything about the place was absolutely fabulous.”

Audiences there were notoriously tough to please, but Humble Pie almost always had them eating out of their hand, as guitarist Peter Frampton remembers. Also quoted by Cohen for this absolutely staggering release, Frampton explained, “They either loved you or hated you; there was no in-between. And they loved the Pie, so whenever we played there, we went down remarkably well, and the response got bigger and bigger each time.”

Still in search of that bust-out smash-hit recording that would serve as some sort of validation for a super group so much was expected from when they formed in 1969, Humble Pie and their brain trust at Premier Talent Agency figured a concert album might do the trick. After all, Humble Pie was far from dull onstage, playing with an insatiable fire in the belly and a supremely confident swagger from the very start.

Merging the sublime talents of ex-Small Faces singer and rhythm guitarist Steve Marriott – he of the larger-than-life personality and gloriously ragged wail – and a shit-hot upstart in Frampton with those of former Spooky Tooth bassist Greg Ridley and young drummer Jerry Shirley, Humble Pie was a hot-wired hard-rock outfit onstage, cocksure of their abilities and exceedingly comfortable in their own blues smeared skin. Disappointing sales from four albums and a handful of singles indicated that not everyone was getting the message. It was time to try something different.

So, Pie set up for two nights of four sold-out shows at the fabled venue on May 28 and 29, 1971 that would be recorded for Performance – only a few hearty selections from each were poached for the original release. The headliner was Lee Michaels, but Pie was the main draw. Everybody knew it. And Pie did not disappoint, giving their well-chosen cache of covers and a smattering of originals a sweaty, greased-up workout that showcased the raw energy and wild-eyed joy that poured out of their souls when they were giving it their all.

Every one of those smoldering Fillmore East sets are included in Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore – The Complete Recordings in their entirety, unedited and sequenced just as they happened. Because of that, the set lists of all four discs are almost identical, but Pie’s raucous and reverent treatment of each song differs in such subtle and interesting ways that repetition never leads to boredom. With Frampton and Shirley overseeing the mixing, quality assurance was not an issue. The sound is pure and warm. Nothing is muffled or meek in any way, and there’s not a hint of artificiality to be found anywhere – the gritty nastiness of their prowling version of Ida Cox’s “Four Day Creep” comes off as positively carnal every time, while the seamy, stomping blues of “I’m Ready” happily wallows in its sinful nature, sometimes coming off edgy and mean and at other times rather fun and good-humored. Their slow-cooked goodness is to be savored.

Discs 1 and 3 comprise the rousing first shows from both days, and the sets lists are similar – with one exception, as the May 29 opening performance closed with a lusty take on “Stone Cold Fever” that was included on the original release of Performance, while the May 28 date has a stormy conclusion, as Pie tenaciously rips and tears through “I Don’t Need No Doctor” with righteous fury. More feverish and humid, the other versions of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” that close Discs 2and 4, which include the second shows of both days, respectively, are looser and more engaging but swing just as hard.

Though volatile at times, as evidenced by Frampton’s dissatisfaction with his shrinking role in the band and his departure prior to Performance’s initial release, Pie had an organic chemistry that was not just logical, but also transcendent and instinctual. Aside from the searing leads and lovably dirty tones, there is a preternatural interaction between Frampton and Marriott that is fascinating to witness, as the play off each other so melodically and with such ease of motion in extended jams on “I Walk on Gilded Splinters,” the old Dr. John number revived by Pie for each show that go on for more than 26 minutes. They never let precision get in the way of feeling and emotion, and when one takes a left turn, the other meets up with him at the crossroads, sometimes taking an alternate, and just as intriguing, route that parallels that of his partner but is altogether different, before they come together again and drive like bats out of hell.

All the while, Shirley and Ridley are tending their own gardens, growing a rich variety of intoxicating drum patterns and cultivating strong bass lines to form a wonderful musical root system. And when the sunny disposition of Ray Charles’s “Hallelujah (I Love Her So)” shines through hazy windows of distorted guitar, smiles appear. Omnivore Recordings has connected us again to that special quality Humble Pie had in concert settings that shook people out of their doldrums and really communicated with them – the long rambling dialogues sung by Marriott during quiet moments creating a sort of connection with audiences that someone who buys a round for the bar might engender, as Frampton’s guitar echoes his lively, jovial toasts and emotional entreaties with clear phrasing that practically beams its approval.

For all of Pie’s esteemed instrumental chops, they valued simplicity and the power of a well-crafted song, but they took them to places their authors never dreamed of, adding more color and sometimes turning them completely inside-out – never disrespecting the originators’ vision and intent. And on Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore – the Complete Recordings, Pie displays the spontaneity and daring musicianship that made them so electrifying. This collection proves you can never have too much Pie.

– Peter Lindblad

CD Review: Ministry – From Beer to Eternity

CD Review: Ministry – From Beer to Eternity

AFM Records

All Access Rating: A-

Ministry - From Beer to Eternity 2013

Al Jourgensen is, in a sense, taking old Betsy out to the woods to put a bullet in her brain. It seems Ministry, the outlaw gang of trailblazing industrial-metal miscreants he’s fronted for years, has outlived its usefulness and will now be stripped for parts. Maybe Nine Inch Nails can use a drum machine.

It’s a terribly sad time for industrial music, actually, as the AFM Records release From Beer to Eternity, reported to be Ministry’s last album, was finished in the aftermath of guitar Mike Scaccia’s death, having collapsed onstage with his old mates in Rigor Mortis late last December. With a heavy heart, Jourgensen threw himself into his work, crafting and honing material Ministry had already worked up in a spate of intense creativity until this massive sonic weaponry was ready to be launched. And here it is, Ministry’s last will and testament, and what does Jourgensen leave to his followers? These words of wisdom: “Enjoy the Quiet.”

A refreshing wall of watery white noise washes over whoever is still listening by the time the closing track to the multi-layered, ferociously opinionated From Beer to Eternity comes on and when it’s over, Jourgensen welcomes the arrival of silence. What comes before it is anything but tranquil, thanks to a cacophony of rampaging metal riffs and a wild thicket of clashing sounds both human and synthetic, as television news clips mingle with alien blips and snorts. Glitchy electronica and clanking factory noises greet those who dare to enter Jourgensen’s tongue-in-cheek “Hail to His Majesty (Peasants)” and are subjected to his hoary invitations to perform oral sex on him, as grimy, heaving guitars swing dangerously about. He certainly has a way with words, doesn’t he?

Never one to hold his tongue, Jourgensen does turn serious on the growling anti-war essay “Permawar,” which begins life as a grim, dark dirge and gradually takes on a more urgent tone, casting a wide swath of UV-powered vocals and fluorescent guitars over troubled lands. A grinding, thrashing tantrum, the torturous “Perfect Storm” predicts an apocalypse of Biblical proportions if something isn’t done about global warming, where a wiser “Lesson Unlearned” imbibes deep soul and hard funk grooves before dipping them in a wah-wah acid bath full of six-string razors. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.

Gleefully overloading the senses, as he’s done so often with Ministry, Jourgensen makes heads spin on the surrealistic mash-up “The Horror” – which segues out of his fast and furious Fox News diatribe “Fairly Unbalanced” – and the speed-metal crash site that is “Side Fx Includes Mikey’s Middle Finger (TV 4).” And just when you think he’s all out of ideas, in walks the moody, echoing dub experiment “Thanx but No Thanx,” which attacks bigots of all stripes over a bubbling bass line and eventually shifts into a driving metal opus that rides mean, angry riffage into that black hole known as the “American Dream.”

From Beer to Eternity is, not surprisingly, a dark record, and the booklet that accompanies it, with the disturbing portraits of beautifully feral women representing each of the Seven Deadly Sins, certainly doesn’t lighten the mood. That said, there’s no shortage of funny moments on From Beer to Eternity, and with a title like that, he’s not exactly moping over Ministry’s passing.

Seeing as this is Ministry’s last goodbye, Jourgensen is playfully using every tool at his disposal. That everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach has worked so well for him in the past. Mostly, these are well-plotted tracks, diverse and thoroughly engrossing; however, there are moments when the parts don’t always fit together as seamlessly as one would hope. Worse yet, there are periods of drifting and stagnation in “Side Fx,” and really, “Hail to His Majesty” could have been thrown away entirely, even if it’s childish humor makes you chuckle – not that Jourgensen cares one jot for those who don’t.

So laugh along with Ministry, or cry at the loss of Scaccia or the dire warnings Jourgensen issues here. Ministry has gone out in a blaze of glory, giving the world one last powerful fix, and they will be missed. All stories need a final chapter, and this is Ministry’s, so in that way, From Beer to Eternity is essential, even if Jourgensen’s occasional lack of seriousness indicates otherwise.

 – Peter Lindblad

Kiss, Led Zeppelin to Headline Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction

September 1, 2013
Houston, Texas

The Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction

Backstage Auctions is proud to present the annual Classic Rock and Roll Auction featuring over 500 auction lots which - for the most part - will be dominated by an A-list of Classic Rock bands, including KISS, Led Zeppelin, Boston, Styx, Pink Floyd, Beach Boys, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie and The Who. And those are just headliners, there are plenty of classic rock bands and artists that are featured in the complete line up.

Collectors and fans will have access to autographed items, artist worn attire, RIAA record awards, rare concert posters and handbills, collectible vinyl, lots of backstage passes, unique photos, slides and negatives, amazing vintage concert t-shirts, great promotional items, tour programs and so much more.

"Any auction that features collectibles from this list of artists is a celebration of music in itself and we couldn't be more excited about hosting this event" comments Backstage Auctions owner Jacques van Gool. "The diversity in artists, type of collectibles and price range makes this auction accessible and fun for every collector. We pride ourselves in offering exclusive items and this event certainly reflects that. But we also make sure that every collector can participate and with a huge offering of auction lots that start as low as $25.00 we are confident that no one will walk away empty handed".

And when it comes to unique pieces of music history, the auction will feature a John Bonham owned and worn hat, which comes with photos and letter from the Bonham family. And that is just one of over 20 great Led Zeppelin lots.

 
There is a Robert Plant issued RIAA award, an exceedingly rare concert shirt from 1973, amazing collections of promotional CDs, broadcast only shows, ephemera as well as promotional goodies, including a most desirable Led Zeppelin blimp!

Rivaling the attention that Led Zeppelin will receive is the band with fans so loyal and dedicated that they call themselves 'The Army'...or better yet, the Kiss Army! With 210 amazing lots, Kiss certainly dominates this auction in size but then again, it wouldn't be Kiss if it wasn't larger than life. With consignments from a host of reputable inner-circle people, fans and collectors can quench their relentless thirst for top-of-the-line Kiss collectibles that include recording reels, rare vinyl and CDs, autographed items, amazing photo collections, artist worn attire, ephemera and much more. Among the highlights is a stunning acetate featuring an early demo version of the ultimate Kiss anthem 'Rock 'n Roll All Nite'.

Equally impressive are the collections of American arena rockers Styx and Boston, which both contain a wide range of autographed memorabilia, unique vinyl, exclusive promotional and radio broadcast CDs and assorted ephemera.

Collectors who are less band specific and more interest in certain types of collectibles will not be disappointed either.

There's an amazing collection of over 20 original 1968 - 1971 Fillmore East concert programs featuring the likes of The Who, Frank Zappa, Deep Purple, and many others. It even includes the very last program before Bill Graham closed the doors in New York.

The auction will feature great promotional items such as the infamous Led Zeppelin blow-up "Zeppelin", a Pink Floyd blow-up chair and a Alice Cooper toy-gun.

We managed to find great concert shirts and exclusive crew jackets, including Kiss 1977 L.A. Forum, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page 1995 U.S. Tour, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen tour jackets.

There is a most unique collection of mid 1960s autographed items, photos, transparencies and negatives, which all came from the archives of a fan club agency in Los Angeles. Most of it is concentrated around the Beach Boys and Sonny & Cher but will also include other artists. It even includes a very personal letter from Brian Wilson to a fan.

And speaking of original photos, slides and negatives, collectors will have plenty to feast their eyes on. There are stunning collections with photos from renowned concert photographers Chip Rock, Robert Alford and Julian Baum. Noteworthy are the two lots with color slides from the 1975 Rolling Stones Tour of the  Americas, which include several sensational shots.

Not to be overlooked are the many posters and handbills, including vintage Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Kiss, Deep Purple and the immortal Stevie Ray Vaughan.

If you are in the market for record awards, you will be in for a treat; there are RIAA award for Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Beatles and Michael Jackson, as well as Canadian awards for Nickelback and Default.

Autographs remain in high demand and this auction has no shortage of signed mementos, from drumheads to posters and from photos to CDs and records. The list is long - and impressive - and spans 5 decades of Rock and Roll, that includes Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Pete Best, The Monkees, Carl Perkins, Dr. John, Styx, Boston, Kansas, Heart, Cheap Trick, Jethro Tull, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith and many, many others.

If you have the space for it, we once again have some great instruments and gear; from a Prince tambourine to Kiss concert used cabinets, to The Who drum sticks and even a complete Piper drum kit.

One final category that deserves attention is that of concert tickets and passes, of which the auction offers literally thousands, going back to the early 1970s. From small artist specific lots to bigger bulk lots; it's all there. But none bigger and more breath-taking than a book with over 500 backstage passes dated between 1981 and 1983. Hands down one of the most stunning single passes collections we have ever come across!

Because there is so much to see and digest, the auction will start with a preview week, beginning Saturday August 31. The auction will start Saturday,  September 7 and will end Sunday, September 15.

For more information about the auction, please visit Backstage Auctions and register for your free VIP All Access Pass.

Backstage Auctions: The 2013 Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction



Backstage Auctions is a boutique online auction house specializing in authentic rock memorabilia representing a long list of notable and very talented musicians, producers and managers in the music industry since 2003. Exclusive online auction events have featured the private collections of legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Kiss) and since then, we have represented Scott Ian & Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Page Hamilton (Helmet), John Tempesta (Exodus, Testament, The Cult), John 5 (Zombie, Marilyn Manson),  Ted Nugent, Howard Kaylan (The Turtles), Ross Valory (Journey) and Michael Shrieve (Santana), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, White Snake), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Johny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Kip Winger (Winger) as well as managers of legendary bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, KISS, Journey, Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Motley Crue, Pantera, White Zombie and more. Backstage Auctions works closely with each of their clients and incorporates their personal stories and memories throughout the online auction event. The end result is a unique, historical and unforgettable journey spanning decades of music history.

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Kiss Takes Center Stage In Backstage Auctions' Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction

CLICK HERE: PREVIEW THE AUCTION NOW! 

September 1, 2013
Houston, TX

KISS

Kiss fans and collectors from all over the world will get access to over 200 exclusive pieces of Kiss memorabilia in The Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction during Backstage Auctions' September online auction event.

'This is our fourth Kiss auction in 10 years and we are excited to once again have a most unique offering of fantastic collectibles', comments Backstage Auctions owner Jacques van Gool. 'Kiss is one of the most collectible bands in the world and their fans are exceptionally loyal - and knowledgeable. All this makes for a great event and we couldn't be more pleased to be part of it'.

The items in the auction come from a host of recognizable names in Kiss circles, such as Lydia Criss (ex-wife of Kiss' original drummer Peter Criss), the estates of Bill Aucoin and Eric Carr, former Kiss crew members Eddie Balandas and Hank Schmel, Canadian promoter Nick Panaseiko as well as reputable concert photographers Robert Alford, Chip Rock and Julian Baum.

Kiss is spanning 5 decades and so do the items in this auction, which go back to the Wicked Lester days and span all the way to the recent 'Monster' album and tour. One such item is this original 10-song Wicked Lester recording reel from 1972 from the Bill Aucoin estate, which contains a host of songs that eventually would become Kiss classics.

And speaking of classics; none as epic as the ultimate 'Rock 'n Roll All Nite' anthem....but only one lucky collector can walk away with this acetate from January 1975 that contains an early demo version of this Kiss staple.

There will be no shortage of autographed items, such as this 1975 signed photo to Chip Rock, which is just one of a few dozen autographed pieces.

Paper goods collectors will have plenty to pick and choose from; tour programs, magazines, comics, books, fan magazines, newsletters, correspondence, posters, tickets and even this exceptionally rare 1975 concert handbill from New Jersey which until now has been an undiscovered gem.

On a more private level, the auction will offer many lots of personal owned documents, letters, notes, receipts and ephemera from Kiss drummers Peter Criss and Eric Carr. An example is this massive lot of Eric Carr receipts from the 1980s which all contain his handwriting and notes.

If clothing, apparel and accessories is more your thing; this auction will not disappoint. A host of items from the Peter & Lydia Criss closets will cause plenty of excitement, including this denim jacket from 1974, which was arguably the first Kiss logo jacket ever made.

A special space is reserved for the photo collections of Julian Baum, Chip Rock and Robert Alford, all who actively photographed Kiss in their early days. These are mostly never before seen photos which could easily become one of the crown jewels in any Kiss collection.

Because there is so much to see within a very short period of time,  the auction will start with a preview week, beginning Saturday August 31. The auction will then open up for online bidding on Saturday, September 7th and come to a close on Sunday,  September 15.

For more information about the auction, please visit Backstage Auctions and register for your free VIP All Access Pass.



Backstage Auctions is a boutique online auction house specializing in authentic rock memorabilia representing a long list of notable and very talented musicians, producers and managers in the music industry since 2003. Exclusive online auction events have featured the private collections of legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Kiss) and since then, we have represented Scott Ian & Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Page Hamilton (Helmet), John Tempesta (Exodus, Testament, The Cult), John 5 (Zombie, Marilyn Manson),  Ted Nugent, Howard Kaylan (The Turtles), Ross Valory (Journey) and Michael Shrieve (Santana), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, White Snake), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Johny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Kip Winger (Winger) as well as managers of legendary bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, KISS, Journey, Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Motley Crue, Pantera, White Zombie and more. Backstage Auctions works closely with each of their clients and incorporates their personal stories and memories throughout the online auction event. The end result is a unique, historical and unforgettable journey spanning decades of music history.

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Led Zeppelin Celebration In September Classic Rock Auction

CLICK HERE: PREVIEW THE AUCTION NOW! 

September 1, 2013
Houston, TX

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is having its own "Celebration" in The Rock and Roll Summer Classic Auction.  "Over the years we have been fortunate to offer high-end Led Zeppelin collectibles and we are excited to once again have a most unique offering of fantastic memorabilia mementos", comments Backstage Auctions owner Jacques van Gool. "Led Zeppelin is one of the most collectible bands in the world and their fans are exceptionally loyal - and knowledgeable. All this makes for a great event and we couldn't be more pleased to be part of it".

There are quite a few gems in the collection which can all be viewed here: Led Zeppelin Auction Highlights

The undisputed Crown Jewel of the auction is a John Bonham owned and worn hat (ca. 1976 - 1977), which came directly from the Bonham estate and includes unquestionably provenance. Any authentic John Bonham collectible demands attention but this will make you sit straight up!

Another piece that could easily become the highlight of anyone's Led Zeppelin collection is this original RIAA re-issued hologram award, issued to Robert Plant.

Those looking for something vintage and truly one-of-a-kind need not to look any further. The auction includes the only known to exist 1973 Tuscaloosa concert t-shirt, which was printed by the student body of the University of Alabama...and subsequently confiscated by Peter Grant and his amigos. That is for this one remaining shirt!

Other desirable collectibles are autographed CDs by Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, unique promotional items that include a tour crew jacket, the infamous gray blimp, as well as the 20th anniversary release of 'Stairway to Heaven'.

 Special attention should be given to the many lots of vintage vinyl, promotional CDs and unique radio broadcast and live records and CDs. Each and any of these lots provide a fantastic opportunity to scoop up a sizeable chunk of Led Zeppelin audio that would otherwise take years to pull together.

Because there is so much to see and digest, the auction will start with a preview week, beginning Saturday August 31. The auction will start Saturday,  September 7 and will end Sunday September 15.

For more information about the auction, please visit Backstage Auctions and register for your free VIP All Access Pass.



Backstage Auctions is a boutique online auction house specializing in authentic rock memorabilia representing a long list of notable and very talented musicians, producers and managers in the music industry since 2003. Exclusive online auction events have featured the private collections of legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Kiss) and since then, we have represented Scott Ian & Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Page Hamilton (Helmet), John Tempesta (Exodus, Testament, The Cult), John 5 (Zombie, Marilyn Manson),  Ted Nugent, Howard Kaylan (The Turtles), Ross Valory (Journey) and Michael Shrieve (Santana), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, White Snake), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Johny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Kip Winger (Winger) as well as managers of legendary bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, KISS, Journey, Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Motley Crue, Pantera, White Zombie and more. Backstage Auctions works closely with each of their clients and incorporates their personal stories and memories throughout the online auction event. The end result is a unique, historical and unforgettable journey spanning decades of music history.

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