The app was created by Rolling Stone, thanks in part to vjoon K4 and the integrated Adobe Digital Publishing Suite (DPS) as production tools and digital publishing specialist Managing Editor Inc. (MEI). vjoon, a leading provider of cross-media publishing platforms and a global reseller of Adobe DPS right from the start, announced that Wenner Media has now released its iPad app version of “The Beatles Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide” special-interest publication.

Wenner, the publisher of Rolling Stone and other popular magazines, is using vjoon K4 to manage the project from soup to nuts. MEI designed an iPad publishing workflow that operates alongside Wenner’s print process – Rolling Stone has been managed with the vjoon K4 Cross-Media Publishing Platform since 2008 – tapping into an all-new medium using existing content and familiar tools.

“With vjoon K4 we were able to implement a workflow that really highlights our traditional design and editorial strengths, but also helps us enhance that content by adapting it to a new platform,” said Paul Leung, system administrator for Wenner Media.

vjoon K4′s industry-leading connectivity with Adobe DPS also made this project much easier. By managing most of the project – including its interactive elements – within the vjoon K4 database, MEI enabled an efficient process for Wenner to port its print-based special-interest publication as a rich iPad app. The app was even bundled for release directly within vjoon K4, thanks to the deep integration with Adobe DPS. Another of the many ways vjoon K4 enhances productivity is by substituting automated processes for routine manual chores, such as automatically converting layout pages into tablet format. This allows publishers to focus on creative tasks.

Wenner Media looked to MEI’s team of digital-publishing specialists to help build the app using a combination of custom development and Adobe DPS. MEI guided the production process, including training on the Adobe DPS software, editorial workflow development, template creation, app construction and final submission to Apple.

“MEI worked closely with us to make sure the app captured all the great information from our print product and expanded it with immersive and visually appealing tablet features,” said Paul Leung. “Their expertise and custom development were integral to the success of this project.”

“The Beatles Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide” is a comprehensive companion to the 13 albums released by the legendary rock group. For each recording, the app provides a main article, a playlist with audio samples and a link to purchase the tracks, an extra “Testimonial” story, pictures and more. It takes the wealth of Beatles history showcased in Rolling Stone’s original print album guide and transforms it into a full-featured iPad experience, enhanced with interactivity and engaging content only available in the tablet version.

MEI engineered the specialized audio playlist, which streams song samples directly from iTunes. Not only does this make for a convenient user experience, allowing readers to instantly hear and purchase the music they’re learning about, it also provides a new revenue stream for Wenner – as part of Apple’s Affiliate Program, the publisher gets a percentage of iTunes sales made through the app. MEI also played a major role in the iPad publication’s layout by helping Wenner build templates and implement interactive features using Adobe DPS, including multi-state objects, hyperlinks and touch-activated buttons.

“We expect this app to be a huge hit, and we’re excited that vjoon K4 played a part in its creation,” said Andreas Schrader, CEO at vjoon. “During the production process the profound, substantiated and long-term integration of vjoon K4 with Adobe DPS paid off. It facilitated the production process very much.”

“The Beatles Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide” is now available in the iTunes store. Download it by visiting http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rolling-stones-beatles-album/id479662151?mt=8.

Now Fey, who dominated the concert promotion industry from the late ’60s until his retirement in 1997, pulls back the curtain of his storied career with BACKSTAGE PAST, a memoir revealing intimate, shocking and previously untold tales of Rock and Roll’s greatest legends.

With forewords by Pete Townshend and Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne, BACKSTAGE PAST takes fans into the dressing rooms and behind the scenes to expose the memories, the madness and the music – in colorful fashion as only Fey could tell it.

Says Sharon Osbourne, “He’s one of the best promoters worldwide and when combined with his naughty personality – he’s wickedly funny – it’s the perfect recipe.” Adds Ozzy, “He’s among a handful of very special people in my life.”

His stories and tales of the classic moments, warts and all, are finally revealed in BACKSTAGE PAST.

When he saw Jim Morrison inhale fumes from a vat of floor wax; when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards taught him how to snort cocaine; when he was given a jar of blood for Ozzy Osbourne, Fey knew he was living an extraordinary life.

According to President Bill Clinton, “Dozens of the artists who are now in rock’s pantheon were first booked by Barry. Music lovers all across America and all around the world have been the beneficiary of Barry’s good instincts, his hard work and his creativity.”

Fey remarks, “Nothing in my early life would have suggested that I’d become friends with Bono (introducing him to a then unknown Brad Pitt in 1987) or any of the dozens of other rock legends…I got lucky.”

On sale now at Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Amazon, and www.barryfey.com this book is sure to become a “must read gift” for the holiday shopping list.

By the end of that fateful year, the rockabilly singer from Memphis whose audience was rooted in the deep Southern states, would be the most famous person in the world.

How did it happen?  In one word: music.

“…My pelvis had nothin’ to do with what I do,” Elvis said in 1956.  ”I just get kinda in rhythm with the music, I jump around to it because I enjoy what I’m doin’, I’m not tryin’ to be vulgar, I’m not tryin’ to sell any sex, I’m not tryin’ to look vulgar and nasty.  I just enjoy what I’m doin’ and tryin’ to make the best of it …”

The rest, of course, is history.  Ten million singles sold, three million EPs, and 800,000 LPs’ worth, in just that first year. 1956.

YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT puts the focus on Elvis in 1956.  The package includes his RCA studio master recordings and outtakes in New York, Nashville and Memphis; live performances; interviews; and much more.  Taking its name from an RCA poster campaign for his debut album, the super deluxe 5-CD, 12-inch square box set (with an amazing 80-page book with timeline) is available now for pre-order at www.elvis1956.com.  Pre-order customers will also receive an exclusive replica vinyl 7″ of Elvis’ first 45rpm EP for RCA Records.  Sharing the same striking cover art as Elvis’ debut album, the EP (“extended play”) features “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Tutti Frutti,” “I Got A Woman” and “Just Because.”  This vinyl single is only available through this special website offer, and it will ship upon payment for the box set.

The actual box set will be available everywhere September 27, 2011, on RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The five CDs comprise the following, all material originating in 1956:

• CD One, Studio Recordings: 17 tracks recorded in New York, Nashville, and Hollywood, starting with the 12 songs on the debut LP, Elvis Presley (’1254′), followed by non-LP single A-sides and B-sides, and EP tracks;
• CD Two, Studio Recordings: 22 tracks recorded in New York, Nashville, and Memphis, starting with the 12 songs on the second LP, Elvis (’1382′), followed by non-LP single A-sides and B-sides, and EP tracks;
• CD Three, Live Recordings: Rare remasters of shows at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas (four songs); Little Rock, Arkansas (seven songs); and a recently discovered, previously unreleased concert in Shreveport, Louisiana, in December (ten songs);
• CD Four, The Outtakes:  Four outtakes from the first historic RCA session in January (“I Got A Woman,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I’m Counting On You,” “I Was The One”), segueing into the complete session of February 3rd (11 takes of “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy” and 12 takes of “Shake, Rattle And Roll”); plus the first of the interviews — the complete Warwick Hotel (NYC) interview by Robert Brown in March;
• CD Five, the Interviews: The Paul Wilder interview, plus his interviews with Colonel Parker and Oscar Davis; plus two segments of Elvis’ rarely heard candid monologue, “The Truth About Me,” and two advertisements for RCA Victrolas.

Over the course of CDs One and Two, YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT compiles Elvis Presley’s complete 1956 masters.  The year was fueled by a run of hits that kept radio well-stocked: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I Was The One,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Money Honey,” “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “My Baby Left Me,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Love Me Tender” topping the list.

In addition to the master takes, outtakes, and live performances heard on CDs One through Four of YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT , there is also the most extensive collection of audio spoken word material ever included on an RCA release. These extended and rare interviews are previously unreleased by RCA Records. The first of these segments, at the end of CD Four, is the complete Elvis interview by Robert Brown that took place at the Warwick Hotel in New York City on March 24th.  CD Five then presents:

• The Complete TV Guide Presents Elvis interview (Elvis interviewed by Paul Wilder backstage at the Polk Theater, Lakeland, Florida, on August 10th);
• Colonel Parker and Oscar Davis (interviewed by Paul Wilder backstage at the Polk Theater, Lakeland, Florida, on August 10th);
• The Truth About Me (Original spoken word 45 rpm disc included in Teen Parade magazine.  Recorded on the set of Love Me Tender, August 22nd);
• The Truth About Me Interview (Recorded on the set of Love Me Tender, August 22nd);
• RCA Victrola radio ad 1;
• RCA Victrola radio ad 2 (both ads never before released commercially).

In tandem with the release of YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT , RCA/ Legacy will also release (on the same date) ELVIS PRESLEY: LEGACY EDITION .  This special double-CD package will couple, for the first time, the Elvis Presley and Elvis albums of 1956.  They will be heard as they are on CD One and CD Two of the YOUNG MAN box set (with the same bonus tracks).

ELVIS PRESLEY: LEGACY EDITION (RCA/Legacy 88697 90795 2) has as its cover image the classic Elvis Presley debut LP design that has been paid homage by the Clash ( London Calling ), Big Audio Dynamite ( F-Punk ), k.d. lang ( Reintarnation ), and many others.  The Legacy Edition booklet will contain new liner notes and rare archival photography.

YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT will feature one of the most extraordinary books every created at Legacy.  The focal point of the book, spread across its 80 pages, will be a unique, meticulously-researched, day-by-day chronology of Elvis’ iconic year, including every concert, every recording date, every television appearance, personal events in Elvis’ life, and much more.  A dazzling photo array of memorabilia will illustrate each day and entry.  Concert ticket stubs, RCA memoranda, letters from fans, postcards from Elvis to his family, tour itineraries, magazine covers and articles, trade charts, fan club relics, RCA publicity photos, concert photos, candid photos, and more will be a feast for the eyes and the imagination as 1956 unfolds.  The book was assembled by Elvis expert Roger Semon.

YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT will also include five rare 8×10 photographs (suitable for framing), five original-size poster replicas, and a replica concert ticket stub.

YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT was produced for reissue by Ernst Mikael Jorgensen, the respected director of RCA’s Elvis catalog for over two decades.  Jorgensen is also the author of the essential research guide, Elvis Presley: A Life In Music (St. Martin’s Press, 1998).  He recently completed The Complete Elvis Presley Masters , the 27-CD crown jewel in RCA/Legacy’s Elvis 75 campaign of 2010-2011.  That set contains all 711 master recordings released during Elvis’ lifetime, housed in a 12-inch square presentation case which includes a coffee table-style book.

After nearly a year and a half of studio recording and singles releases on Sun Records of Memphis, Elvis Presley’s recording contract was sold to RCA Records on November 21, 1955.  Elvis arrived at RCA Studios in Nashville on January 10, 1956, with his band, guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black, and D.J. Fontana on drums.  It was the beginning of an odyssey that would not only transform the lives of Elvis and his buddies, but would also reshape the face of popular music, entertainment television, radio, concert promotion, movie production and more in America and around the world.

Buddy Holly: “Without Elvis none of us could have made it.”

Scotty Moore: “He had so much energy we had to sit up nights to wear him out so that we could go to sleep.”

John Lennon: “My crushing ambition in life was to be like Elvis Presley.”

Bruce Springsteen: “My mother was watching the Ed Sullivan Show and Elvis came on. I went out and bought a guitar straight away…”

James Brown: “Elvis taught white America to get down.”

From the master takes recorded at those January 10th sessions, “Heartbreak Hotel” (inducted into the Grammy® Hall Of Fame) and “I Was the One,” to the Million Dollar Quartet jam session back home in Memphis on December 4th, it was a year in music that will never be equaled.

Both the box set and the Legacy Edition are currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com.  Order YOUNG MAN WITH A BIG BEAT at http://amzn.to/jYSrkn; order ELVIS PRESLEY: LEGACY EDITION at http://amzn.to/izCRci .

YOUNG MAN WITH THE BIG BEAT by ELVIS PRESLEY

(RCA/Legacy 88697 93534 2)

CD One (1956 Studio Recordings, Part 1) – Selections: 1. Blue Suede Shoes – 2. I’m Counting On You – 3. I Got A Woman – 4. One-Sided Love Affair – 5. I Love You Because – 6. Just Because – 7. Tutti Frutti – 8. Trying To Get To You – 9. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) – 10. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) – 11. Blue Moon – 12. Money Honey – 13. Heartbreak Hotel – 14. I Was The One – 15. My Baby Left Me – 16. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – 17. Shake, Rattle And Roll.

CD Two (1956 Studio Recordings, Part 2) – Selections: 1. Rip It Up – 2. Love Me – 3. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again – 4. Long Tall Sally – 5. First In Line – 6. Paralyzed – 7. So Glad You’re Mine – 8. Old Shep – 9. Ready Teddy – 10. Anyplace Is Paradise – 11. How’s The World Treating You – 12. How Do You Think I Feel – 13. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You – 14. Hound Dog – 15. Don’t Be Cruel – 16. Any Way You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be) – 17. Too Much – 18. Playing For Keeps – 19. Love Me Tender – 20. Let Me – 21. Poor Boy – 22. We’re Gonna Move.

CD Three (Live, 1956) – Selections: 1. Heartbreak Hotel (A) – 2. Long Tall Sally (A) – 3. Blue Suede Shoes (A) – 4. Money Honey (A) – 5. Heartbreak Hotel (B) – 6. Long Tall Sally (B) – 7. I Was The One (B) – 8. Money Honey (B) – 9. I Got A Woman (B) – 10. Blue Suede Shoes (B) – 11. Hound Dog (B) – 12. Heartbreak Hotel (C) – 13. Long Tall Sally (C) – 14. I Was The One (C) – 15. Love Me Tender (C) – 16. Don’t Be Cruel (C) – 17. Love Me (C) – 18. I Got A Woman (C) – 19. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (C) – 20. Paralyzed (C) – 21. Hound Dog (C).

Key :

A – Tracks 1-4 live at the Venus Room, Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, May 6, 1956.

B – Tracks 5-11 live at the Robinson Memorial Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16, 1956.

C – Tracks 12-21 live at the Hirsch Youth Center, Louisiana Fairgrounds, Shreveport, Louisiana, December 15, 1956, previously unreleased .

CD Four (The Outtakes) – Selections:  1. I Got A Woman – take unknown – 2. Heartbreak Hotel – take 6 – 3. I’m Counting On You – take 13 – 4. I Was The One – take 2 – 5. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 1 – 6. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 3 – 7. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 4 – 8. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 5 – 9. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 6 – 10. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – takes 7, 8, 9 – 11. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 10 (Master) – 12. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – takes 11, 12 – 13. Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 1, 2 – 14. Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 3, 4, 5, 6 – 15. Shake, Rattle And Roll – take 8 – 16. Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 9, 10, 11, 12, 12 (Undubbed Master) – 17. The Complete Warwick Hotel Interview by Robert Brown, New York, N.Y., March 24th.

Tracks 1-4: First RCA Session Outtakes, January 10-11, 1956.

Tracks 5-16: The Complete February 3, 1956 Sessions.

Track 17: Extended and rare interview previously unreleased by RCA Records.

CD Five (The Interviews) – Selections: 1. The Complete TV Guide Presents Elvis interview (Elvis interviewed by Paul Wilder backstage at the Polk Theater, Lakeland, Florida, on August 10th) – 2. Colonel Parker and Oscar Davis (interviewed by Paul Wilder backstage at the Polk Theater, Lakeland, Florida, on August 10th) – 3. The Truth About Me (Original spoken word 45 rpm disc included in Teen Parade magazine.  Recorded on the set of Love Me Tender, August 22nd) – 4. The Truth About Me Interview (Recorded on the set of Love Me Tender, August 22nd) – 5. Victrola Radio ad 1 – 6. Victrola Radio ad 2.

Tracks 1-4: Extended and rare interviews previously unreleased by RCA Records.

Tracks 5-6: Victrola Radio ads never before released commercially.

To celebrate Poison’s 25th Anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band’s top hits and fan favorites have been gathered for Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits, a new career-spanning 2CD and digital collection to be released May 3 by Capitol/EMI.  This summer, Poison will hit the road with Motley Crue and the New York Dolls for an extensive North American tour.

Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits features all of the band’s charting singles, including the #1 smash ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Top 10 hits “Nothin’ But  A Good Time,” “Unskinny Bop,” and “Something To Believe In,” and other big hits and fan favorites, including “Talk Dirty To Me,” “I Want Action,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “Fallen Angel,” “Ride The Wind,” and many more, including standouts from the band’s most recent album, 2007′s Poison’d!.

“Between Double Dose Of Poison and the 25th Anniversary Tour, I honestly can’t think of a better way to mark this major milestone,” says Poison’s singer Bret Michaels.  ”I’m so excited to get back out on the road with the band again to celebrate – and ‘Double Dose’ is going to be such a must-have collection: All the hits in one place. This is going to be really special for all of the fans – and especially for all of those who have been with us since Day One.”

Poison’s highly-anticipated tour with Motley Crue and the New York Dolls kicks off June 7 at Dallas’ Gexa Energy Pavilion, before continuing on to more than 30 other cities and major venues across North America, including Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl on June 14, Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre on June 28, Detroit’s DTE Energy Music Center on June 29, and Chicago’s FMB Amphitheatre on July 1.

Bret Michaels has partnered with Dean Guitars to represent a line of guitars, and he will soon release a new vocal warm-up CD.  This fall, he’ll hit the high seas aboard the Bret Michaels Super Cruise. 

Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits [2CD, Digital]

Poison: Confirmed North American Tour Dates

[all dates with Motley Crue and New York Dolls]

March madness will be rocking fans and living rooms early this year with the announcement of an all-new nine song mega pack for Activision Publishing, Inc.’s Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and the Guitar Hero music library.

Available now and featuring tracks such as “Supermassive Black Hole” from GRAMMY Award winners Muse, “Sorrow” from punk rock legend Bad Religion and “Headstrong” from Trapt’s platinum-selling, self-titled debut album, the Modern Hits Mega Pack will have Guitar Hero fans around the globe shredding, drumming and wailing long after the shot clock runs out.

The Modern Rock Mega Pack, available beginning today, features the following songs:

• “Sorrow” by Bad Religion
• “Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades” by Brand New
• “She’s A Genius” by Jet
• “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse
• “Psycho” by Puddle Of Mudd
• “Little Sister” by Queens Of The Stone Age
• “Always” by Saliva
• “Hands Open” by Snow Patrol
• “Headstrong” by Trapt

The Modern Rock Mega Pack is available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 for 1320 Microsoft Points, on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 for $16.49 and for Wii for 1650 Wii Points.  All songs in the Modern Rock Mega Pack are also available as downloadable singles for the Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 system for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each.  In addition to the in-game music store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 owners can expand their Guitar Hero music library using the Guitar Hero VIP Pass Music Store, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE.

Tickets set to go on-sale March 4th!

Def Leppard , Great Britain’s premiere arena rock band, have announced that they will make their triumphant return to the US with a summer tour kicking off on June 15 in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Joining Def Leppard for this highly anticipated tour are Seattle rock legends Heart. Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums — including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria . The anthemic rock megastars have earned their stripes as one of the most enduring and successful touring acts in history. Heart showed the world that women can rock when they stormed the charts with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Alone” and many more, a stream of hits showcasing the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers, selling more than 30 million records.  Tickets for the Live Nation produced tour will go on sale on beginning March 4th at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.  Additional dates to be announced soon.

“After having had the last 18 months off, Leppard are ready to get back on the road!  Add Heart to the bill and it truly makes for a special evening,” says singer Joe Elliott.

“Nancy and I are really excited to be bringing Heart to the stage this summer with Def Leppard. It’s going to be a powerful, monster show. The real thing. The summer of 2011 will be amazing,” says singer Ann Wilson.

Citi® cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets in select cities through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

The band has partnered with I Love All Access to provide a variety of VIP ticket packages for the show, including premium seats, pre-show parties and more. For more information please visit www.defleppard.com

With more than 65 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, Def Leppard–Joe Elliott (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick “Sav” Savage (bass) and Rick Allen (drums)-continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career, the band has produced a series of classic groundbreaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows, filled with powerful melodic rock anthems, have become synonymous with their name. The band’s colossal live performances have become must-see events and have made them an institution in the music and touring industry as they continue to sell out arenas worldwide.

It was in March 1971 that bassist John Deacon joined May and Taylor’s buzzed-about London group, which had changed its name from Smile to Queen nine months earlier, following the addition of multitalented singer/pianist Freddie Mercury, thus completing the classic lineup. The four simpatico musicians proceeded to take the world by storm. The band has released a total of 18 chart-topping albums and 18 #1 singles, while selling more than 300 million albums worldwide, making them one of the biggest rock acts of all time. They’ve received seven Ivor Novello awards in the U.K., were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and even received their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in October 2002.

As live artists, Queen literally conquered the world. Acknowledged as one of the greatest stadium bands of all time, Queen performed over 700 concerts, reaching into every corner of the world. They achieved rock history by being the first band to open up South America and the Eastern Bloc, with world record-breaking concerts in Argentina, Brazil and Hungary.

This is a timeless band whose music retains such immediacy and undiminished power that new fans continue to discover and embrace it, along the way inspiring a host of diverse artists from Lady Gaga (who took her name from Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga”), and Katy Perry, through to the Foo Fighters. It’s worth noting that Queen’s videos have collectively generated well north of 300 million views online—a remarkable figure that figures to expand exponentially with the launch of a dedicated Vevo channel this spring, in yet another iteration of the anniversary rollout.

As the centerpiece in the 40th anniversary celebration, Queen‘s entire 15-album studio catalog is being reissued in a series of deluxe editions. Every note is being tweaked, every piece of artwork is being cleaned, freshened up and resourced, wherever necessary, with the legendary Bob Ludwig doing the remastering, working from the original source material. The albums will be released in three waves, staggered over the next year, with the first wave—comprising the first five LPs—coming this spring.

Each studio album will be released in a new two-CD edition, the first containing the updated, remastered original LP, the second disc packed with rarities—and we don’t use the term lightly. Some of these gems have never before seen the light of day, even in crappy bootleg form. To cite a particularly fascinating example, five first-album demos recorded at London’s De Lane Lea Studios in December 1971 were pulled from the only existing copy on the planet—an acetate from May’s personal archives. Not even his bandmates had a copy.

“A huge amount of work has already been put in behind the scenes to unleash a completely newly mastered set of the original Queen LPs and CDs,” May noted. “I know our fans will appreciate the attention to detail, bringing the early albums closer than ever to the magic of the vinyl originals, but with the benefit of up-to-the-minute quality technology.”

In other anniversary activity, the gallery exhibition “Stormtroopers in Stilettos” opens in London on Feb. 25, with plans in place to tour the exhibit around the world. According to May, this unprecedented event “will highlight in some innovative ways the growth of the ‘Early Queen.’” On April 12, Hollywood will reissue Queen’s debut single, “Keep Yourself Alive” b/w “Son and Daughter,” on seven-inch vinyl in a limited edition coinciding with Record Store Day. And on April 19, the label will issue the band’s Greatest Hits II for the first time in North America. This classic collection includes the rock standards “Under Pressure” and “Radio Ga Ga,” plus  many other classics from the second half of Queen’s run, including the worldwide smashes “I Want It All” & “Innuendo.” Additionally, the “Queen on Vinyl” reissue program will be completed this year with the release of the final five studio albums.

In the UK, Queen’s Greatest Hits 1 holds the record of being the biggest selling album of all time ahead of albums by The Beatles, Oasis, Dire Straits, and Abba.

This is just the beginning of what promises to be a treasure trove of must-have pieces for Queen fans. More will be revealed in the coming months, so stay tuned.

Bonus Tracks on the First Five Studio Albums:
QUEEN (1973)
1. Keep Yourself Alive (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
2. Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
3. Jesus (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
4. Liar (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
5. The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
6. Mad The Swine (June 1972)

QUEEN II (1974)
1. White Queen (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
2. See What A Fool I’ve Been (BBC Session, July 1973 – 2011 Remix)
3. Seven Seas Of Rhye (Instrumental)
4. See What A Fool I’ve Been (B-side Version, February 1974)
5. Nevermore (BBC Session, April 1974)

SHEER HEART ATTACK (1974)
1. Now I’m Here (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
2. Flick Of The Wrist (BBC Session, October 1974)
3. Tenement Funster (BBC Session, October 1974)
4. Bring Back That Leroy Brown (A Cappella Plus)
5. In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited (Live at Wembley Stadium, July 1986)

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1975)
1. Keep Yourself Alive (Long-Lost Retake, June 1975)
2. Bohemian Rhapsody (Operatic Section A Cappella)
3. I’m In Love With My Car (Guitar & Vocal Version)
4. You’re My Best Friend (Backing Track)
5. ’39 (Live at Earl’s Court, June 1977) TBC
6. Love Of My Life (Live Single Version, June 1979)

A DAY AT THE RACES (1976)
1. Tie Your Mother Down (Backing Track)
2. Somebody To Love (Live at Milton Keynes, June 1982)
3. You Take My Breath Away (Live in Hyde Park, September 1976)
4. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy (Top Of The Pops, July 1977)
5. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) (HD mix)

Vs. and Vitalogy will be available in new Expanded Editions (featuring three bonus tracks on each) or together in a three-disc Deluxe Edition (featuring Live at the Orpheum Theater, Boston, April 12, 1994) and Limited Edition Collector’s Box Set, on Tuesday, March 29th . Each album will also be released in new commemorative remastered Vinyl Editions on April 12th in time for Record Store Day 2011 (April 16th).

Pre-orders for the Vs. and Vitalogy Limited Edition Collector’s Boxed Set begin today at www.PearlJam.com .

Details on the new Reissue Formats of Vs. and Vitalogy are as follows:

1. Expanded Editions (CD and Digital)

The expanded editions of Vs. and Vitalogy — including the original studio albums, newly remastered, along with album-era bonus tracks — will each be available on CD and digital formats:

• The Expanded Edition of Vs. includes three bonus tracks recorded by Brendan O’Brien at The Site studio during the Vs. sessions:
  • a previously unreleased acoustic version of “Hold On”;
  • “Cready Stomp” – a previously unreleased studio outtake;
  • and the band’s cover of Victoria Williams’ “Crazy Mary” featuring Williams on backing vocals and guitar.

• The Expanded Edition of Vitalogy includes three bonus tracks:
  • the previously unreleased guitar/organ-only mix of “Betterman”;
  • a previously unreleased alternate take of “Corduroy” from the Vitalogy session (recorded by Brendan O’Brien);
  • a previously unreleased demo version of “Nothingman,” taken from the original DAT (recorded at John and Stu’s in Seattle on October 14, 1993, featuring Richard Stuverud on drums).

2. Deluxe Editions (3 CDs or Digital Download Bundle at Various Digital Service Providers)

• Deluxe Edition CD version – Vs. and Vitalogy will be available together in a CD deluxe edition which includes:
  • the Expanded Edition of each album;
  • a copy of Live at the Orpheum Theater, Boston, April 12, 1994. A special performance recorded at the tail end of the mythic Vs. tour, Live at the Orpheum Theater showcases a dream setlist created especially by the Pearl Jam crew and has for years been one of the most sought-after recordings among serious aficionados.

3. Limited Edition Collector’s Box Set (5 LPs, 4 CDs, 1 Cassette, Digital Download, Composition Notebook, Memorabilia-filled Envelope)

Vs. and Vitalogy will be available together in a limited edition collector’s box set that includes 59 unique Pearl Jam performances on four CDs, five LPs and one cassette in addition to a number of guest artist performances. The Limited Edition Box set is only available for sale at pearljam.com.

• Contents include:
  • Expanded Editions of Vs. and Vitalogy remastered with bonus tracks on CD;
  • Remastered Vinyl Editions of Vs. (single LP) and Vitalogy (double LP);
  • Double vinyl LP and CD of Live at the Orpheum Theater, Boston, April 12, 1994 plus an exclusive digital download of the concert.  A special performance recorded at the tail end of the mythic Vs. tour, Live at the Orpheum Theater showcases a dream setlist created especially by the Pearl Jam crew and has for years been one of the most sought-after recordings among serious aficionados;
  • Exclusive collector’s cassette featuring live tribute and studio performances from a number of Pearl Jam’s fellow artist friends. Broadcast on January 8, 1995, this recording is part of the legendary Monkeywrench/Self-Pollution Radio series produced by the band;
  • 80-page composition book filled with photos, drawings and artwork by Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament;
  • A glassine envelope containing a collection of Vs. and Vitalogy- era memorabilia including beautiful lithographs of each band member, postcards, posters and much more.

4. Record Store Day Vinyl Editions (Remastered) – Available April 12th

Vs. and Vitalogy will be available at independent record retailers in new commemorative Vinyl Editions on April 12th in time for Record Store Day 2011 (April 16th).

• Vs. (single LP) and Vitalogy (double LP) – both remastered

Vs.

Originally released in 1993, Vs., Pearl Jam’s sophomore effort, faced the daunting challenge of following the success of Ten, the band’s 1991 debut. Shattering all expectations, Vs., the first Pearl Jam album helmed by producer Brendan O’Brien, rolled into its first of five weeks atop the Billboard 200 at #1 with the highest first week’s sales (more than 950,000 copies) in music history; a record it would hold for the next five years.

Vs. Original Tracklisting:

Go

Animal

Daughter

Glorified G

Dissident

W.M.A.

Blood

Rearviewmirror

Rats

Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

Leash

Indifference

Vitalogy

Released in December 1994, Pearl Jam’s third studio album, Vitalogy entered the Billboard 200 at #1, second only to Vs. as the fastest-selling CD in chart history at that time.

Vitalogy Original Tracklisting:

Last Exit

Spin The Black Circle

Not For You

Tremor Christ

Nothingman

Whipping

Pry, To

Corduroy

Bugs

Satan’s Bed

Betterman

Aye Davanita

Immortality

Stupid Mop

Pearl Jam 20

In 1991, Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten catapulted the little-known Seattle-based band into superstardom. Nine studio albums, hundreds of unique live performances and nearly 300 concert bootleg releases later, the band continue to be critically acclaimed and commercially successful — with over 60 million albums sold worldwide. Over the past twenty years, the band has remained a major force in rock and roll, as much for its aggressive loyalty to its social and political principles and restless experimentation as for its rock radio staples and bestselling albums.

2011 will be a yearlong celebration of Pearl Jam’s rich twenty-year history. The anniversary festivities kicked off with the release of a new live compilation album, Live on Ten Legs, in January, followed by the March expanded reissues of Vs. and Vitalogy. Late summer brings a Pearl Jam 20th anniversary destination weekend bash followed by the fall release of Cameron Crowe’s film, Pearl Jam Twenty, along with an accompanying book and soundtrack album. Interspersed between these PJ20 highlights will be a number of additional special events and new, unexpected releases.

Spotlight 29 Casino has announced that the classic-rock favorite America, will perform on Saturday, February 26th, at 8pm, in the Spotlight Showroom.  The members of America were barely past their teenage years when they became a musical sensation and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts with their signature song “A Horse with No Name.” Forty years later, America is still making music, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their classic tunes, “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” “Sister Golden Hair” and more.

Classic-rock fans will let the good-times roll while listening to the unforgettable sounds of America. “America has so many dedicated fans, young and old, and with the Spotlight Showroom being such an outstanding venue for this type of act, this is one concert not to miss,” said Robert Barnes, Stage and Entertainment Manager for Spotlight 29 Casino.  Barnes added, “The popularity of America as a pop-icon will sell out this performance.”

Tickets are on sale now for $35, $45 and $55 each. One performance only. For tickets, visit www.Spotlight29.com or call Star Tickets (800) 585-3737.  Tickets are also available for purchase at the Spotlight 29 Box Office and Gift Shop.  Club 29 members will also receive an additional 10% off the ticket price when purchased at the Spotlight 29 Box Office or Gift Shop.

Headline anthems from Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock – Megadeth’s “Sudden Death” and Soundgarden’s “Black Rain” – have been nominated for Best Metal Performance and Best Hard Rock Performance, respectively, at the 53^rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.  Inspired by, composed exclusively for, and debuted in the game, “Sudden Death” marks the first time an original track created for a videogame has been nominated by The Recording Academy for the prestigious awards.

To commemorate these exciting nominations, Guitar Hero is offering a free MP3 of Soundgarden’s “Black Rain,” the previously recorded song that was finished for inclusion in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, exclusively to all of its over two million Facebook fans.  The free download  begin Friday, 14^th January, 2011, at 05:01 am GMT and end Sunday, 16^th January, 2011, at 16:59 pm GMT.  For more information on the free download, please visit facebook.com/guitarhero.  “Black Rain,” which debuted in a big way on both the band’s first new album in over ten years, Telephantasm, and in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock simultaneously, marked the first time an album has received RIAA platinum certification upon the day of its release. 

“From the first time I played Guitar Hero in Paris several years ago until recently getting my ass handed to me playing at an Activision event in San Francisco, this has been the most fun and most rewarding track I have ever written,” said Dave Mustaine of Megadeth.

“We congratulate and are honoured to have worked with the metal legends of Megadeth and rock icons Soundgarden on their GRAMMY nominated songs, which were both uniquely integrated with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock,” said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs, Activision.  “From reuniting the Sex Pistols with their re-record of “Anarchy in the UK” to delivering Metallica’s smash-hit Death Magnetic as downloadable content day and date with the record’s release, Guitar Hero continues to be the preeminent interactive music platform, pioneering the music gaming space by bringing new, exclusive content to axe shredders, drummers and fearless frontmen around the world.”