Newsbites: Baroness bus crash driver critical

Horror smash: Baroness' bus crashed in rainstorm

The driver in control of Baroness‘ tour bus when it plummeted 30ft off a viaduct in England remains in critical condition in hospital, a band spokesman has said. Guitarist Pete Adams and three crewmen have been released, but the three other band members have not. Vocalist John Baizley broke his left arm and leg, while drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni both sustained fractured vertebrae. One crewman is still undergoing tests. The driver told eyewitnesses that the vehicle’s steering failed seconds before it went off the road during a heavy rainstorm on Wednesday morning.

Iron Maiden nearly didn’t appear on Deep Purple’s official Machine Head tribute album, Re-Machined. Singer Bruce Dickinson reports: “Initially we didn’t think we’d be able to contribute anything due to our touring commitments. Then we remembered we’d recorded Space Truckin’ as a B-side during our A Matter of Life and Death album sessions, but never used it. Thanks to Kevin Shirley’s remixing skills we’re able to include it on Re-Machined.” The album is released as part of Classic Rock’s Deep Purple Fanpack on September 4 – more information and pre-order.

Meanwhile, Dickinson will take part in this year’s Sunflower Jam, raising funds for cancer treatment at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 16. The event is hosted by Jeremy Irons and also stars Deep Purple’s Iain Paice, Brian May, John Paul Jones, Mark King and others.

Jack Russell describes the music of Great White with new singer Terry Ilous as “blasphemous.” The sacked frontman says: “They don’t sound bad – how could they? These are guys I played with for 30 years. I didn’t play with those guys because they’re slouches. But the sound of the band is completely changed, and it’s not like it’s a singer that’s remotely in league with what I did.” Great White guitarist Mark Kendall recently described Russell’s own current performances as “ugly”. [Blabbermouth]

Gregg Allman has elaborated on why he hates the “southern rock” tag. He explains: “Rock’n'roll was born in the south – it’s like saying ‘rock rock’. There are four kings of rock’n'roll, two white and two black. Elvis Aaron Presley, Tupelo City; Jerry Lee Lewis, Ferriday, Lousiana; Little Richard Penniman, Macon, Georgia; Chuck Berry, St Louis, Missouri.”

Yngwie Malmsteen is auctioning his record collection and a number of personal items on eBay to raise funds for charity. Lighters, clocks and flight cases are among the lots open to bidders.

Gene Simmons‘ reality TV show won’t return after its current seventh season, producers have announced. Family Jewels is credited with turning round the fortunes of cable network A&E, which premiered the show in 2006. The broadcaster says: “We could not be more proud of the unparalleled run. We’d like to thank Gene and his amazing family for their partnership, collaboration and for opening up their lives to us.”

A Bible once owned by Elvis Presley is expected to make £20,000 at an auction in Manchester. The 1600-page book includes notes written in the margin by the King. It’s one of a number of Elvis items to go on sale at Omega Auctions on September 8. A spokesman says: “With much of the memorabilia having never previously been seen in the market, we are expecting significant interest.”

Rage Against the Machine guitarist and civil rights campaigner Tom Morello has slammed US vice-presidential hopeful Paul Ryan after the politician said he was a big fan of the band. Morello says: “I see that Ryan has a whole lotta ‘rage’ in him: A rage against women, a rage against immigrants, a rage against workers, a rage against gays, a rage against the poor, a rage against the environment. Basically the only thing he’s not raging against is the privileged elite he’s grovelling in front of for campaign contributions. Maybe Rage did plant some sensible ideas in this extreme fringe right wing nut job. Maybe he’ll fill Guantanamo Bay with the corporate criminals that are funding his campaign – and then torture them with Rage music 24/7. That’s one possibility. But I’m not betting on it.” [Rolling Stone]

Blues axeman Gwyn Ashton has presented fans with an opportunity to hear his entire new album, Radiogram, in less than 90 seconds. He explains: “In today’s fast-paced world you don’t have a lot of spare time to listen, so we’ve made it easy for you. Here is Radiogram in full – every track, playing together at the same time and at 400% tempo. You can listen to the whole album in 1.28!”