Aerosmith - the biggest, most enduring and thrilling band in rock history will make a spectacular return to South America for the first time since 2007 beginning in Caracas, Venezuela on May 18th with the COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK TOUR! spawning what will be the ultimate music event of the new decade. America’s greatest rock and roll band will then go to Europe for 11 more knock out shows.

“Back by popular demand with more spit and fire than ever before, we’re coming across the pond and parting the waters as we go,” says Steven Tyler.

“Aerosmith is going to be rocking in South America, the UK and Europe this summer,” adds Joe Perry. “Enough BS – we’re coming and everything is going to be set at eleven.”

For more than 30 years Aerosmith, four time Grammy winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (2001), recipients of 12 MTV Video Music Awards and countless other awards have performed electrifying sold out concerts around the world for decades along with selling well over 150 million albums.

Drummer Joey Kramer says, “Aerosmith is back! Bigger, better and stronger than ever! So look out South America and Europe, cuz we’re comin’ to get cha.”

Guitarist Brad Whitford added, “I’m not sure who is happier, the band or the fans. Can’t wait to get started. We’ll see you this summer.”

Aerosmith and their shared passion and commitment to continue to rock the world with the COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK TOUR! is set to be a phenomenal and unforgettable return to the stage.

It is left to bassist Tom Hamilton to sum up: “One thing we all agree on is that we love this band and it’s time to get out there and freakin’ PLAY!”

COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK TOUR! SOUTH AMERICAN DATES:
Venezuela – Caracas – La Rinconada Hippodrome – May 18
Colombia – Bogota – Simon Bolivar Park – May 20
Peru - Lima – Peru/Explanada Monumental – May 22
Chile - Santiago – Estadio Nacional – May 25
Argentina – Buenos Aires – Hippodromo San Isidro – May 27
Brazil - Sao Paulo – Palmeiras – May 29

VIP experience packages (which may include opportunities to meet band members, backstage tours, early entry passes, premium seating and/or merchandise) are available through www.AeroForceOne.com.

Jon Bon Jovi, in collaboration with the Corporation for National and Community Service, will be the first artist to take President Obama’s United We Serve initiative to a mass audience by bringing the message of service out on the road and engaging millions of fans on the band’s “The Circle World Tour.”

On Thursday, March 4 at the Staples Center, Bon Jovi will debut a concert video before a sold-out arena. In the video, which will be shown at each venue on the US-leg of the tour, Bon Jovi makes a call to service to millions of fans. Bon Jovi also headlined a 60-second television PSA that includes images of President and First Lady Michelle Obama serving and will be distributed nationally to broadcast stations and used in online promotions. Click here to view and download the video and PSA.

“Just as Jon Bon Jovi’s music moves millions around the world, his dedication to service will inspire even more to make a difference in their own communities,” said Patrick Corvington, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership is an amazing opportunity to encourage people from every corner of this country to take action and do their part to help those in need.”

Bon Jovi, a longtime service advocate and philanthropist, calls on Americans in the concert video and PSA to use their energy and passion to help tackle our nation’s challenges. As an individual who focuses his efforts on issues surrounding homelessness, Bon Jovi’s highlights what he calls the “power of we.” The video and PSA intersperse music from some of Bon Jovi’s hit songs with a direct call to service. “The reality is – we’re all in this together. It’s time for you to raise your hand, go to Serve.gov and get involved in something you believe in.”

This is the first-ever collaboration of this scale and magnitude between the Corporation, the federal agency that leads the nation’s service sector, and a musical artist. The video and PSA featuring Bon Jovi are part of the Corporation’s broader campaign to encourage more Americans to volunteer through the United We Serve initiative. At the Corporation’s 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service, Bon Jovi and First Lady Michelle Obama launched the initiative with the Entertainment Industry Foundation before the largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from nonprofit, government and corporate sectors.

In addition to the concert video, local volunteers with non-profit organizations and members of the Corporation’s service programs will distribute information about the United We Serve initiative and Bon Jovi’s Soul Foundation at booths inside concert venues in select cities. The volunteers will discuss how concertgoers can engage in service and find volunteer opportunities in their local community by visiting Serve.gov.

President Obama has made service a central cause of his administration. Since calling on Americans to serve in his inaugural address, the momentum for service has soared and support for the Corporation’s service programs has skyrocketed – more than five million Americans volunteered with the Corporation in 2009, a 25 percent increase over the previous year. The United We Serve initiative challenges all Americans to help lay a new foundation for growth by engaging in sustained, meaningful community service to help meet our national priorities. The initiative has successfully bolstered civic engagement nationwide, helped to better our communities in priority issue areas, and leveraged partnerships with non-profits, U.S. corporations, and celebrities to foster a greater sense of purpose among Americans through service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service:

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

Jon Bon Jovi & The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation:

Musically and philanthropically, Jon Bon Jovi’s work honors the spirit of America and salutes the principles that define our nation. Self-reliance, optimism, and community are key concepts he refers to, not just in his music, but also in his charitable efforts. These common threads have resulted in millions of dollars raised while bringing heightened awareness to the issues that adversely impact humanity. Jon’s belief in “the power of we” has led to the creation of many strategic partnerships and funding of programs supportive of innovative community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in 2006 and dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need “one Soul at a time.” The Soul Foundation exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair. The foundation’s goal of recognizing and maximizing the human potential of those affected by poverty and homelessness is met through the funding of programs and creation of partnerships that provide for permanent, affordable housing with supportive services and job training programs as well as, most recently, nutritious living habits.

To date Jon Bon Jovi and the Soul Foundation have provided funding to projects that have created more than 220 units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

Musically, Bon Jovi has set the bar for more than two decades as one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Globally, they have sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. The band’s 2005 album, Have a Nice Day, featured the Grammy Award-winning song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and fueled one of the top-selling tours of 2005, according to Billboard Magazine. Bon Jovi’s most recent album, The Circle, debuted at No. 1 in the US and around the world. Beginning with the band’s North American tour launch on February 19, 2010 in Seattle, WA, Bon Jovi will spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries. Bon Jovi will draw fans around the world into The Circle, with a residency at London’s O2 Arena in June 2010 before returning to America in the fall for an additional nationwide leg, and further dates well into 2011.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company has announced a summer-long, multi-dimensional partnership with MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks  and the leading publisher of interactive music gaming worldwide.

An all-new interactive experience, called “Rock Band, Live,” will pile into the tour bus and travel across nine Cedar Fair parks this summer. In addition, a summer-long version of the show will blast the speakers at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and the Company’s flagship park, Cedar Point in Sandusky.

The high-energy, concert-like stage show features talented singers from across North America. But the cast will be missing one key piece of the show – YOU!

Prior to each show, guests will have the unique opportunity to engage and play the Rock Band(TM) video game and compete against their “band mates.” Guests will compete playing the guitar, bass and drums gaming accessories. The rockers with the top score will be invited on stage during the live show to play Rock Band songs (on Rock Band instruments) along with the live singers. (The winners will play on a gaming accessory with the singers.)

The show will feature numerous songs straight from the Rock Band video games ranging from classic to contemporary rock.

“We’re extremely excited to merge the popular Rock Band video game with a unique, interactive live show for our guests this summer,” said Jack Falfas, chief operating officer for Cedar Fair. “Rock Band is a pop culture phenomenon and we know families have enjoyed playing the game together at home. But now it’s time for them to take it to the next level – on stage at one of our parks in front of a live audience.”

Christina Glorioso, vice president of marketing partnerships for MTV Games added, “We are very excited for Rock Band to contribute to the fun at Cedar Fair parks this summer. Music fans of all ages will have an opportunity to either rock out themselves or sit back and enjoy watching other park-goers transform into rock stars on stage!”

The “Rock Band, Live” tour will kick off Memorial Day weekend at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania and will travel to the Company’s other parks throughout the summer. The summer-long shows at Canada’s Wonderland and Cedar Point will kick off in May and June, respectively.

“Rock Band, Live” is a collaboration between Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, MTV Games and RWS & Associates, a full service entertainment firm that provides custom-produced world-class events and live shows worldwide.

RWS will hold private auditions for the touring show on Thursday, March 4 at Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave (16th Floor) between 36th and 37th Streets (Press Room: 17B) in New York City. Auditions are open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Universal Music Group is pleased to announce the re-release of The Rolling Stones album Exile on Main Street with an additional 10 never-before-heard tracks. Regarded as one of the greatest albums in rock ‘n’ roll history and one of the most defining of the Stones’ catalogue, Exile will be available May 17, 2010, in the U.K. and May 18, 2010, in the US.

Upon its release more than three decades ago, Exile on Main Street innovatively wove varying musical genres, instruments and even artists into a compelling rhythmic masterpiece. This new compilation features 10 tracks originally recorded during the Exile era and only recently discovered while working on the reissue project. The unearthed tracks which include such titles as “Plundered My Soul,” “Dancing in the Light,” “Following the River” and “Pass The Wine” have undergone a unique evolution, while staying true to the essence of the 1972 album. Alternate versions of “Soul Survivor” and “Loving Cup” also are a part of the Exile bonus materials.

As a complement to the release of Exile on Main Street, a documentary, “Stones in Exile,” has just been completed for fans to view on US Network television and through BBC Worldwide internationally. The documentary features rare, never-before-seen archival film, photos and interviews as well as new conversations with the band and the artists they influence. Produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Battsek and directed by Stephen Kijak, who is known for award-winning work on Cinemania, and Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, “Stones in Exile” offers an uncommon glimpse into the lives of the band as they created one of the greatest albums of all time.

The original 18-track double-album was recorded in various stages at multiple locations, including Olympic Studios in London, Keith Richard’s mansion Nellcote in France, and in Los Angeles where the literal “Main Street” influenced the album title. These atypical circumstances surrounding the recording process greatly affected the album’s outcome which was highly reflective and influenced by the sociopolitical turbulence that marked the late `60s and early `70s. The Stones nixed the influences of a flower-child era and directed their creative process with the edgier, excessive, “more is more” approach of the `70s. Exile reveals a sprawling mix of genres with undertones of blues, country, R&B and gospel mixed with lyrics that fervently demand for release and liberation.

The album pulled together an electric array of talent including Dr. John, the late Billy Preston and pianist Nicky Hopkins. Guitarist Mick Taylor, who replaced Brian Jones in the band shortly before Jones died in 1969, is a magnificent blues player who brought an intensity and elegance to these epic tracks. At times, these musicians and others lived on the recording studio premises with the band creating an extremely open and creative collaboration for the album.

“The album’s riveting portrait of artists pushed – by the times, by themselves – to the very limits of their creativity has provided inspiration to every musical generation that has come along since Exile was released in 1972,” said author Anthony DeCurtis. “Every song on Exile on Main Street is elevated by its relationship to the music that comes before and after it. The album’s irresistible power is unlikely to diminish any time soon.”

Exile on Main Street will be available in two CD formats: the original 18 track release; a deluxe CD edition with the 10 special bonus tracks; and a super deluxe package that also includes vinyl, a 30-minute documentary DVD with footage from Cocksucker Blues, Ladies and Gentlemen… the Rolling Stones and Stones in Exile, and a 50-page collector’s book with photos from the Exile era. The 10 unreleased tracks were produced by Jimmy Miller, The Glimmer Twins and Don Was.

Source: Universal Music Enterprises

Triple GRAMMY Award winning guitarist Steve Vai will release a new album, “Where The Other Wild Things Are,” on April 13, 2010 on his own Favored Nations Entertainment imprint. The 12-track album is the second companion CD to be released alongside the 2009 concert film “Live In Minneapolis: Where The Wild Things Are,” which is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray. The DVD made a #4 debut on Billboard’s Top Music DVD Chart, went Gold in both the USA and Canada and the track “Now We Run” was nominated for a 2010 Grammy® Award for Best Rock Instrumental. This new album features songs from the DVD that were not previously released on the first CD.

Vai explains: “The original CD release for ‘Where the Wild Things Are‘ consisted of songs from the concert DVD that had never been released in a live format before. It’s a robust CD! The other songs that were performed at the concert but were not released on the CD were burning a hole in the hard drive and beckoning me for the light of day, so I thought, even though these songs have been released in live versions with other bands from the past, my new band gives them a whole new life. So we decided to release a second disc that contains all the tracks that were not on the first disc. And there you have it, “Where the Other Wild Things Are,” and it’s even ‘robuster’ than the first one.”

The live concert featured on the DVD and CDs was filmed and recorded at the historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN before a sold-out crowd during Vai’s acclaimed 2007 String Theories World Tour. Vai chose the State Theatre for its lush acoustics and equally inspiring interior–his unprecedented guitar wizardry amazes throughout the film, as do the talents of the stellar band, an ace group of players, including two violinists, Vai put together and called String Theories.

2010 marks Steve Vai’s 30th Anniversary in the music business. Vai first stepped into the spotlight in 1980 as a touring member of the legendary Frank Zappa’s touring band but his indelible contribution to music came during his solo career, which includes combined sales of nearly six million albums over the last three decades.

Vai is currently in the studio recording his next solo album for Favored Nations Entertainment. He will then embark on a World Tour that will take him through all of 2011.

For more information: www.vai.com/wildthings

Source: Favored Nations Entertainment

On the 46th anniversary of The Beatles conquering America, the world’s largest Beatles tribute festival, Abbey Road on the River, announced it would expand to National Harbor, Maryland, September 2-6, 2010. The new Labor Day Weekend music festival will bring more than 50 international bands and thousands of Beatles fans to the nation’s Capital.

The stunning Gaylord National Resort, the festival’s venue, will offer hotel rooms beginning at just $139 per night, 25% to 40% below standard rates. The four-star resort, the crown jewel of the new National Harbor, will be home base for Abbey Road on the River’s bands and attendees, hosting two indoor stages, four outdoor stages, seminars, and a Beatles merchandise market place.

Beatles fans will experience five days of peace, love and rock-n-roll at the Gaylord, steps from National Harbor’s shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and waterfront attractions. The Harbor is also a short ride from The White House, Mount Vernon, and other popular area attractions.

The 50 Beatles bands, from mop tops to Sgt. Peppers, represent a dozen different countries including Greece, Germany, Italy, England, Scotland, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and the USA. They will perform the entire discography of The Beatles from 1963’s “Please Please Me” through John, Paul, George and Ringo’s final history-making album together, 1970’s “Abbey Road.” And if you also love the music they made as solo artists, the event will feature special concerts dedicated to their careers after they were Fab. It all “comes together” on the banks of the Potomac River, giving their legions of fans the ultimate Fab Four Fan Weekend.

The Beatles, the best-selling band of the last ten years (as well as the past 46), is the one rock ‘n’ roll band that equally appeals to young and old. It was true in the 1960’s, and it’s more true now as longtime fans pass on their love for the Fab Four to their children and for many, now their grandchildren.

Room rates at the Gaylord National Resort normally ranging from $199-$379, are available for Abbey Road on the River attendees for just $139 per night. For guests staying three nights, this is a savings of over $200.

Families can take advantage of another Fab money saving incentive by purchasing their tickets by May 31st. Tickets purchased before May 31st include free admission for one 21 and under guest with each regular ticket holder. “One of the things we want to do is pass along the love of this music to others so that it can carry on,” festival organizer Gary Jacob said. “Everyone has an inner Beatle; combining The Beatles’ eternal music with this great venue is the perfect way for you to find it.”

Visit www.abbeyroadontheriver.com to see the lineup and schedule, purchase tickets, make reservations, and to get more information.

Source: GMJ Events

After legendary guitarist Pete Townshend donated his guitar to Hard Rock and helped to start the brand’s world-famous memorabilia collection, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and Super Bowl XLIV halftime performers The Who are once again making Hard Rock history. Hard Rock International is proud to announce the limited-edition The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII, designed by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, which will benefit the band’s chosen charity – City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Fifteen percent of the retail sales from The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII T-shirts and pins will be donated to City of Hope.

The front of Hard Rock’s new Signature Series T-shirt features The Who’s famous logo and the timeless image of Pete Townshend swinging his arm “windmill-style” against his guitar strings, set atop a British flag. A backstage pass dangles from the neck of the navy blue T-shirt. The back of the shirt features the words “That’s Who” with an arrow leading from the “o” to the authentic signatures of Townshend and Daltrey. Offered in men’s sizes (S – XXL), Hard Rock’s The Who Signature Series T-shirt is now available online at www.hardrock.com and at Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos worldwide.

“Roger and I have a rich history with Hard Rock International and it’s an honor to join some of music’s greatest legends for this important cause,” said Pete Townshend. “It’s amazing that our design on a T-shirt can literally help save lives.”

Since it was established in 1971, Hard Rock International has been committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. Hard Rock developed the concept of partnering with world-renowned musicians and bands to create and donate imaginative designs, which are reproduced onto T-shirts, with a portion of the retail price benefiting the artist’s preferred charity. The Who joins a legendary roster of rock icons – from Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Bono, to Jon Bon Jovi, Shakira and John Lennon – to become part of Hard Rock’s Signature Series T-shirt program, which has helped to raise millions of dollars for charitable causes worldwide, such as WHY (World Hunger Year), Crossroads Centre Antigua, Fundacion Pies Descalzos, Amnesty International and more.

“The Who is truly one of the world’s most influential rock bands and an extremely significant part of Hard Rock’s history. Not only did Pete Townshend help to start Hard Rock’s memorabilia collection, but The Who headlined the first-ever Hard Rock Calling concert in London’s Hyde Park in 2006,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International. “We are honored to have The Who become part of Hard Rock’s renowned global Signature Series T-shirt program and show our support for City of Hope and its mission.”

Located just outside Los Angeles, City of Hope is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. City of Hope is recognized worldwide for its compassionate patient care, innovative science and translational research, which rapidly turns laboratory breakthroughs into promising new therapies.

The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII, in collaboration with Hard Rock International and Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group, is a key fundraising program first announced at the 2008 Spirit of Life® event. The event honored Doug Morris for his outstanding contributions to the community, music industry and significant fundraising campaigns and his longtime support of City of Hope’s lifesaving research and treatments.

Source: Hard Rock International

Megadeth is among the more than 390 bands currently available through the Rock Band platform. With more than 1,000 songs available, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists.

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii
‪In March, Megadeth will join forces with Testament and Exodus for a month-long jaunt that will find these thrash titans crisscrossing the nation on the Rust In Peace 20th anniversary tour. Rust In Peace, the American heavy metal band’s fourth album, was released in 1990 and received Grammy® Award nominations for Best Metal Performance in both 1991 and 1992. IGN named the Platinum-certified Rust In Peace its fourth most influential metal album of all time. This album joins Megadeth’s 1986 album, Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, the entirety of which is also available for download in the Rock Band Music Store.

“This record is one of my favorites from my catalogue, and you will see the twists and turns that make Rust In Peace the quintessential Thrashterpiece that it is!” said Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine.

Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Feb. 9) and PlayStation 3 system (Feb. 11):

• “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due”
• “Hangar 18”
• “Take No Prisoners”
• “Five Magics”
• “Poison Was the Cure”
• “Lucretia”
• “Tornado of Souls”
• “Dawn Patrol”
• “Rust in Peace… Polaris”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

These tracks will be available for purchase as “Rust In Peace (Album),” as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, and as individual tracks only on Wii.

Price: £.99 UK (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
£7.49 UK (1200 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Rust In Peace (Album)”
(200 Wii Points™) per track

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Guitar Hero® cranks up the heat in February with a strong lineup of weekly downloadable songs that are sure to satisfy fans’ musical appetites. For the first time in a music video game, master tracks from popular heavy metal band Black Sabbath are hitting center stage. In addition, top bands 30 Seconds To Mars, Breaking Benjamin and Third Eye Blind lend both hit songs and new music, to the vast Guitar Hero music library with downloadable content for Activision Publishing, Inc.’s  Guitar Hero® 5 and Band Hero(TM).

Epic alt-rockers 30 Seconds To Mars return to Guitar Hero with searing vocals, imaginative percussion sequences and blazing guitar riffs in a three-song track pack on February 4. The 30 Seconds To Mars Track Pack features hit singles “Attack” and “From Yesterday” from the band’s sophomore album A Beautiful Lie as well as “Kings and Queens,” the first single off of their latest album, This Is War.

On February 11, breakout alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin makes their Guitar Hero debut with a three song track pack including “Sooner or Later” from their 2004 album We Are Not Alone and “Until The End,” off of the band’s third album Phobia. The Breaking Benjamin Track Pack will also have metal fanatics thrashing to the band’s newest single from their Dear Agony album, “Give Me A Sign.”

Heavy metal pioneer and Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Black Sabbath brings their original music to a music game for the first time on February 18. With master tracks of the hard-hitting, crunching classics “After Forever,” “Into The Void” and “Sweetleaf,” all off of their certified-platinum album Master of Reality, the Black Sabbath Track Pack delivers an unforgettable and intense music experience where fans can enjoy music they love in a whole new way.

As a follow up to their recent appearance on Guitar Hero® Van Halen with their 1997 hit “Semi-Charmed Life,” Third Eye Blind returns to the Guitar Hero stage for an encore performance with a three-song track pack releasing on February 25. The Third Eye Blind Track Pack features “Can You Take Me” off of their latest album Ursa Major, as well as new versions of “Losing A Whole Year,” originally released on their 6x certified-platinum, self-titled debut album and “Never Let You Go,” the hit single released on the band’s 1999 album Blue.

The 30 Seconds To Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Black Sabbath and Third Eye Blind track packs will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points, on the PlayStation®Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for $5.49 and for Wii(TM) for 550 Wii Points(TM). In addition, all songs in each track pack will be released as downloadable singles for 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 the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 owners can expand their Guitar Hero music library using the all-new Guitar Hero VIP Pass Music Store, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network.

For more information about Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and their entire line-up of downloadable content, visit www.guitarhero.com.

“While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was – and how much fun we were still having, in the process,” said KLAUS MEINE. “We want to end the SCORPIONS’ extraordinary career on a high note. We are extremely gracious for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we’ve always had since the beginning.” “So at some point,” added guitarist MATTHIAS JABS, “it came to us to end our career with this exceptional album.” RUDOLF SCHENKER stated, “The three year tour through five continents is meant to be a huge blowout, where we can party with our fans and say good-bye.” “When I started out, I had a lot of wishes,” SCHENKER noted. “It’s crazy, I achieved more than I ever even dreamed of.”

During their 40-year career, SCORPIONS sold over 100 million albums and received many awards, such as the World Music Award and several Echos–the German comparison to the Grammy. Today they still play sold-out venues around the world. Not long ago, 152,000 South Americans came to 15 SCORPIONS concerts between Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Their song “Wind of Change” has become an anthem for the fall of the Iron Curtain.

The tour will launch in the band’s home country Germany in May. After that, they will be touring through North America before they continue their journey through five other continents until 2012.

http://www.the-scorpions.com/english/

http://www.myspace.com/officialscorpions

Source: Universal Music Enterprises