Newsbites: Kevin Shirley apologises for Black Country Communion

Call-off: Hughes and Bonamassa of Black Country Communion

Kevin Shirley, the producer who’s acted as the fifth member of Black Country Communion, has spoken out after the band shocked fans by cancelling their one-off show in Wolverhampton. Shirley says: “I like to leave these things alone, but I feel an apology is in order for the cancellation of the January BCC gig. When you’re thrown a lifeline, it doesn’t serve you to steal the rope! And tweeting doesn’t make it history, or true. Your call will be answered – please enjoy the music…”

Led Zeppelin‘s Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones will today attend a London press conference and gala screening of their new concert movie Celebration Day, filmed at their reunion show in 2007. It’s released to cinemas on October 17 then on DVD on November 19.

Mick Mars believes Motley Crue‘s 1994 self-titled album, featuring John Corabi on vocals instead of Vince Neil, is their best work. The guitarist says: “Musically, to me, it was my Beatles’ White Album. I’m not saying any other albums are crumby or anything. I love every album that we did – but that one just has a special thing for me.” [93.3 WMMR]

Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard and Ricky Warwick of Thin Lizzy have paid tribute to their colleague Dick Decent, who died suddenly. Campbell says: “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Dick, a super-talented musician, friend, and occasional keyboard player for Def Leppard. He was a young man and he should have lived a lot more life. Our time here is short and never fully in our control. Live well and be good to each other.” Warwick comments: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of my mate Dick. He played keyboards on my first two solo albums. A finer man and musician there is not – my thoughts go out to his family.”

Rex Brown reunited with his former Down bandmates to play two songs in Dallas, Texas. The former Pantera bassist fell out with his colleagues after frontman Phil Anselmo claimed it was impossible to stop him drinking. “I love Rex with all my heart and soul,” said the singer before the split. “He has been told he’s going to die. He will not put that bottle down for any of us.”

The Sword will release fourth album Apocryphon on October 22 in a limited-edition cassette format. It will be hand-numbered and handed out while stocks last alongside a standard-format CD or vinyl version.

BB King movie The Life of Riley is to be shown in UK cinemas. It’s narrated by Morgan Freeman and features Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Slash, Ringo Starr, Carlos Santana and many others. It will be screened on October 15 with a DVD release due later.