Today’s Rock News (Smashing Pumpkins, Kiss, Pearl Jam)
Listen at 5:50p every weekday afternoon when Sara recaps the latest in rock news!
There’s Drama with the SMASHING PUMPKINS Reunion: WMMR.com
Following the tease of a big announcement this Thursday, Smashing Pumpkins are experiencing some drama with former bassist D’arcy Wretzky. The announcement will likely be a reunion tour, but Wretzky is accusing singer Billy Corgan of blocking her out of the lineup, even though she was an original member of the band. She went as far as sharing screenshots of text messages between her and Corgan, in which he was reassuring her that she would be a part of the reunion.
After the messages went viral, Smashing Pumpkins posted a statement that says in part: “Despite reports, Ms. Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group… and in each and every instance she always deferred. We wish her all the best, and look forward to reconnecting with [the fans] very soon.”
GENE SIMMONS is Writing Another Book: Loudwire
Gene Simmons of KISS is publishing another book, this time about the phenomenon of the ’27 Club’. If you’re not familiar, that’s a list of rock stars that died at the age of 27. Simmons’ book, called 27: The Legend and Mythology of the 27 Club, question what makes “rich and famous musicians destroy themselves” at such a young age. The book will hit shelves on August 14th.
See PEARL JAM’s Mike McCready Record a New Song with Foster Kids: Rolling Stone
Last fall, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready welcomed five young men who lived in foster care as kids into his band’s studio to make a song together. You can see the making-of video below. McCready worked with the non-profit organization Treehouse, which helps foster kids prepare for adulthood.
McCready comments: “There’s nothing more important than helping kids. If we can do that in grassroots organizations, hopefully that’ll spill over into the larger picture. You act locally, and it grows globally.”
