The recent death of original Rush drummer John Rutsey was caused by a heart attack he suffered in his sleep due to a lifelong battle with diabetes. The following statement from Rutsey’s family was published in a Canadian newspaper: ‘Rutsey, John Howard – It is with deep sadness that John’s family announces his untimely passing due to complications from his lifelong affliction with diabetes, at age 55.’

t age 55.’

The Much Music website reports here that Led Zeppelin have booked four shows at Toronto’s Skydome/Rogers Centre this coming August. Presumably with Whitesnake as support. Meanwhile, a gardener at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show has pinned his hopes of winning a prestigious gold medal on Zep. Mark Gregory has been playing riffs from the band’s classic hits in the build up to the festival – which opens in London on May 20. Gregory said “the acoustics in the greenhouse were quite good” and that Whole Lotta Love and Stairway To Heaven were “definitely helping” his plants. No word on what Robert thinks, however.

Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum officially launched his new line of clothing at a grand opening of his Sorum Noce boutique in Los Angeles last Friday (May 14). The ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer has teamed up with designer Max Noce to put out a line of men’s clothing with (and we quote) ‘a rock’n'roll edge’.

Finnish metallers Teräsbetoni will try to emulate the 2006 success of fellow countrymen Lordi by competing at this year’s Eurovision at Belgrade, Serbia on May 24. Teräsbetoni will perform a song called Missä Miehet Ratsastaa (aka Where All The Men Ride Forth). Meanwhile, J. Ahola, the lead singer of Teräsbetoni, is involved in an album called Reborn by Northern Kings, who are apparently ‘metal’s answer to operatic vocal groups like Il Divo and the 3 Tenors’. You can hear Northern Kings performing a horrendous version of Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight here.

Gibson Guitar, sponsors of the third stage at this year’s Download Festival, are offering one unsigned band the opportunity of being the opening act on the stage on Saturday, June 14. To enter the competition, go here.

Waysted and the Tygers Of Pang Tang are the latest bands to be added to this year’s Hard Rock Hell II festival. For more details go here.