Big Rig ROCK Report 1.8

AC/DC: Victims of a Dirty Deed Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC fans are mourning the loss of a piece of the band's history. The Sydney, Australia house that the Young family moved into in 1965 has been demolished, despite being on Australia's National Trust Register of Historic Houses since 2013. It was in that house that brothers

Malcolm and Angus Young formed the band in 1973.

Leon Kmita of Burwood Square Pty Ltd. says, "We regret that the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property’s background with us. Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us. We are genuinely sorry for this oversight. “On behalf of the team at Burwood Square, I want to convey our heartfelt regret … we now recognize how deeply this location resonates with the AC/DC community and fans worldwide. We feel a strong responsibility to honor AC/DC’s legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard. "While we cannot change the past, we are dedicated to celebrating this significant part of their story. To the global fan base of AC/DC, please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admiration for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right."

Despite it being recognized on Australia's National Trust Register of Historic Houses, the town council says, "As it is not heritage listed or protected under local or state legislation, and because The National Trust is a community-based, non-government organization, with no statutory authority, the property does not have enforceable protections. Burwood Council remains committed to finding new ways to celebrate the Young family and the area’s rich musical heritage."

The modest house in the Sydney suburb of Burwood was bulldozed to make way for a multi-million-dollar residential development, and the developers say they'll open a bar or cafe on the site using material salvaged from the demolition for fans to "gather to celebrate the band’s enduring legacy."

KISS: Heed the Warning

While some people joke that KISS stands for "Keep It Simple Stupid," Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are anything but. They have heeded a judge's warning to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in 2023 against them by their longtime wig stylist, David Matthews. With the

trial scheduled to get under way on January 22nd, Judge Armen Tamzarian told the lawyers for both sides last month that there are "serious risks" to the suit. "If this goes to trial, it would not surprise me if Mr. Mathews got nothing. It would not surprise me if he made a big pot of money. This is the kind of case any rational person would settle. There’s big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other. This is a tough case for plaintiff to win, but if he wins, there are deep, deep pockets there, and there could be a big result.” KISS asked to have the case dismissed, which Tamzarian declined, saying, “The issues are complicated. I don’t know what I’m going to do with this. You’re both overconfident in your positions.”

Jennifer Raphael Komsky, an attorney for KISS, argued that Mathews was an independent contractor not protected by California law while traveling on tour, adding that the lawsuit focused on alleged incidents in Illinois and South America, not California. She said the laws in those locations applied. But the judge disagreed, saying Matthews "didn’t cut anybody else’s hair. All he did for a couple years was cut the hair of these guys. He had some side gigs, but they weren’t side gigs in hair.” Matthews accused the band of not paying overtime wages or providing adequate breaks, and wrongfully terminating him in 2022 after he voiced concerns about COVID protocols. Details of the settlement have not been made public.

SANTANA: "Smooth" Sailing No More

Today (Wednesday, January 8th), marks the 25th anniversary of Santana's 2000 release "Smooth" beginning its 12th and final week atop the Billboard Hot 100. The first single off of Santana's comeback album, 1999's Supernatural, was co-written and sung by Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, who says it's had its ups and downs as far as he's concerned.

"It's taken on a bunch of different lives. It was a great summer jam and then it became something that we all got a little sick of for a while and then it came back around for a minute and then everybody was like, 'Oh, I kind of remember that. I like that.' There were moments in it where I didn't know if I should say, 'You're welcome' or 'I'm sorry.' But it is definitely one of the songs that I've ever written that I'm fine if I never hear it again, but I love to play it. I don't think it's the best song I've ever written [and] I don't think it's obviously not the best song he's ever done. It shows the power of being in a moment." "Smooth" helped propel Supernatural 

to over 30-million copies sold worldwide. It topped the charts in 11 countries and has been

certified 15-times platinum. 

RUSH: Remember Their "Professor"

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson remembered Neil Peart yesterday (Tuesday) on the fifth anniversary of his death. A post on their socials shows the Rush bandmates receiving The Order of Canada in 1996 with the caption, "Neil, you are missed..." And in a separate post, Geddy posted a photo of Peart wearing fake glasses and a big nose with the caption, "Wearing his best Geddy Lee disguise whilst on tour in the UK 1977… Miss you old chum." The announcement of Peart's death came three days later -- on January 10th -- having passed in Santa Monica, California at age 67. The cause was brain cancer, which he'd had for three years and sworn all those he told to secrecy. He is survived by his wife Carrie and his daughter

Olivia.

Bon Jovi To Release "Slippery When Wet" Deluxe Edition

Bon Jovi will release a deluxe edition of their iconic 1986 album “Slippery When Wet” next month. The new release will be available on a liquid-filled vinyl, on cassette, on streaming, and more. The deluxe edition includes seven bonus tracks, including an acoustic version of "Wanted Dead Or Alive," live recordings from their 1987 tour, and previously unheard remixes like “Livin’ On A Prayer (Thank You Goodnight Remix).” There will also be new album merch available to celebrate the album…including a banned album cover puzzle and a tie-in with Funko! Pops. The deluxe “Slippery When Wet” release drops on February 28th.

ELTON JOHN: Number Nine?

Elton John’s 2017 hits collection, Diamonds, is on track to hit the top of the U.K. chart after more than 300 weeks in the Top 40 following the release of a super-deluxe Blu-ray edition and a limited-edition vinyl version. If it gets to number one, it will be his ninth in his homeland. Its previous high was two.

Guns 'N' Roses, Sex Pistols, Lorna Shore Added To Rock People For 2025

Rock For People is adding a 5th day to the 2025 edition,which is headlined by Guns 'N' Roses. The Czech Republic rock festival is set to take place from June 11th to the 15th in Hradec Kralove. Other headliners include Sex Pistols, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot and Linkin Park. Guns 'N' Roses appearance at the festival will be part of the band's Europe and Middle East tour this summer.

KRAVITZ, SUBLIME, BEACH BOYS: Headed to Beach Life

Lenny Kravitz, Sublime and Alanis Morissette will headline this year's Beach Life Festival in Redondo Beach, California May 2nd through the 4th. The lineup on the 2nd include Kravitz, Train, O.A.R., Aloe Blacc and The Struts. The 3rd features Sublime, The Pretenders, Cake, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles and Sugar Ray. The festival closes on the 4th with Morissette, Jackson Browne, The Beach Boys, Mt. Joy, Marcus King and Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

IN OTHER NEWS

Lenny Kravitz will do a five-show residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on August 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th and 9th. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am local time.

The three-hour version of last October’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was viewed by 4.6 million people, making it the most-watched New Year's Day broadcast entertainment program in primetime since 2019. It was number-one among adults 18 to 49. Among those inducted were Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, and Jimmy Buffett.

Since Poison moved their tour from this year to next, drummer Rikki Rockett will do shows with The Rockett Mafia. Singer Mick Sweda says they’re “starting out with covers. We're kind of leaning toward a ’70s sort of vibe, things that [Rikki] and I grew up with…”

Record Store Day 2025 will be held on April 12th. It's been moved up to the second Saturday from the third Saturday of April because of a bank holiday set for many countries involved in the retail program.