Ozzy Injured- Aerosmith Idol Update- Hear Rare QOSTA Songs- My Chemical Romance Set Album Release- Kings of Leon Toilet Fight Challenge- Chevelle- more

On this day in 1967, The Doors were banned from The Ed Sullivan Show after Jim Morrison broke his agreement with the show's producers. Morrison said before the performance that he wouldn't sing the words, "Girl, we couldn't get much higher," from "Light My Fire" but did anyway. The Doors also performed their new single, "People are Strange." And On this day in 1991, over 4 million copies of Guns N' Roses' album, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, were simultaneously released for retail sale, making it the largest shipment in pop history in the U.S.Find out what else happened on this date in music history here -

Velvet Revolver Regrouping Next Month

(Gibson) Slash has revealed Velvet Revolver will be holding auditions for a new frontman this October, via an Artisan News Service video.

He also confirmed that the new singer will not be Myles Kennedy, who has been performing singing duties on Slash's solo tour (and is also a member of Alter Bridge).

"Velvet Revolver will be a 24-hour-a-day project and Kennedy is still committed to Alter Bridge," Slash recently told BostonHerald.com. "I don't want to be the guy responsible for breaking up a band. But we'll find someone. Maybe not somebody known, but some kind of local hero." - more on this story

Borat To Play Freddie Mercury in New Biopic About the Queen Frontman

Sacha Baron Cohen a.k.a. Barat a.k.a. Ali G a.k.a. Bruno has been cast to play Freddie Mercury in a film about the Queen legend that is being made by GK Films in partnership with Robert De Niro's and Jane Rosenthal's Tribeca Productions and Queen Films.

Here is part of the announcement with more details: Twice Academy Award Nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan ("The Queen," "Frost/Nixon"), is already at work on the script of the currently untitled film, which will feature Academy Award Nominee Sacha Baron Cohen who will play the legendary front man of the iconic rock band Queen, and the currently untitled drama will focus on the years leading up to Queen's appearance at the historic Live Aid concert, 1985, when the band famously took the event by storm.

Production is set to begin in 2011. GK Film's Graham King said today, "Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself. Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role coupled with Peter's screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success." - more on this story

Extreme Makeover: Rob Zombie Edition

Rob Zombie is turning into the new king of all media. Music, films, amusement part attractions and he is now set to hit the small screen on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Kezi.com reports that Rob Zomie took a special interest in a rebuild for the Oregon School For The Deaf which includes brand new dorm rooms and a renovated haunted house, which is used as the school's primary fundraiser.

"It's absolutely amazing to be able to help the school with something like this. Usually what I do does not come into play, so to be asked to come do something to work on a haunted house and make it as scary and crazy as I could to help the school was awesome. It was a rare opportunity to put some evil to good use," said Rob Zombie. - Read the full report for more info

The Charlatans Member Collapses On Stage

The End Records sent over word that The Charlatans' drummer Jon Brookes collapsed on stage Wednesday night during a gig at Philadelphia's Johnny Brenda's.

Early into the set Brookes suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing. Fortunately there was a doctor in the audience who administered first aid and got the drummer breathing again before the paramedics arrived minutes later.

Brookes was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and during the night was given a CAT scan and has been responding well to treatment. He has now been transferred to a larger hospital in the city for further tests, although his condition is said to be improving and doctors believe there will be no long term effects on his health.

Fans are advised to check the website regarding future gigs - here

Alice In Chains Release Interactive Acid Bubble Video

Alice In Chains have unleashed an interactive music video experience for their song "Acid Bubble".

The track comes from the band's comeback album, Black Gives Way To Blue, which was released last September.

The new video was produced by Spy Films and director Nick Goso created an interactive space where users manipulate their perspective and experience 360-degree environments. - Check it out here

AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Iron Maiden Up For Best Tour

Metal is once again king of road with hard rocking bands dominating nominations for Billboard's 7th Annual Touring Conference & Awards, where fans are being asked to choose the best tour of the year.

According to Gibson, this year's nominees include: AC/DC- Bon Jovi- Dave Matthews Band- Elton John & Billy Joel- Eric Clapton- Eagles- Guns N' Roses- Iron Maiden-James Taylor & Carole King- Metallica- Nickelback- Phish- Rod Stewart and more

Fans can vote at Eventful.com. Results will be announced at the Billboard 7th Annual Touring Conference & Awards, to be held in New York City on November 3-4, 2010. - more on this story

Your Chance To Collaborate With A Member of Radiohead

Philip Selway of Radiohead is looking for collaborators to the song "Beyond Reason" from his debut solo album Familial, which Nonesuch released in North America on August 31.

For four weeks beginning this week (Thursday, September 16), remixers can visit the Indaba Music site here to create their own version of the song.

From October 14-28, fans and a panel of judges-including Selway-will review the submissions. Then Indaba will announce the jury's choices of Grand Prize Winner and two Runners-Up on November 11, as well as the public's choice of ten Honorable Mentions. - more on this story

Paul McCartney To Offer Three Versions of Band on the Run

(Gibson) Paul McCartney and Wings' biggest-selling album, Band on the Run will be re-released in November in three separate versions. The #1 album from 1973 was remastered at Abbey Road Studios under McCartney's personal supervision using the same team that worked on the Beatles remasters. The album begins a re-release of special editions of all of the former Beatle's solo and Wings albums.

Band on the Run will be released in a standard version, a special version featuring nine bonus tracks and a DVD with a documentary on the album's creation and the rare One Hand Clapping T.V. special, and a deluxe version that includes at 120-page book featuring original Linda McCartney photographs.

The original remastered album and bonus audio content will also be issued in a two-disc 180-gram audiophile vinyl edition that comes with an MP3 download of all 18 tracks. The standard and deluxe versions of Band on the Run also will be available digitally worldwide. - more on this story

Roger Waters Says Pink Floyd Will Never Tour Again But Doesn't Rule Out Reunion

(Gibson) Talking about his current production of The Wall, Roger Waters said a full-fledged Pink Floyd reunion tour will not happen. "David and Nick and I might do a one-off somewhere, but there's no way we're going to do a tour," he said. "It's just such a shame that we didn't get around to it before Rick died."

His new version of The Wall has a more expansive context today than it did when he and Pink Floyd first staged the show more than 30 years ago. The 67-year-old Floyd co-founder told Rolling Stone magazine it's "basically the same show, but with a broader meaning."

"We had to deal with the fact that it was one thing for a man in his 30s to sing about his young adult life, which was sort of an echo of his upbringing at that point," Waters said. "But it's something else to go on doing that when you're in your 60s."
- more on this story

Black Sabbath Deluxe Editions Coming

(Gibson) Black-Sabbath.com is reporting that deluxe edition versions of the band's mid-'80s albums, Seventh Star and Eternal Idol, will be available in the U.K. on October 25. Released in 1986, Seventh Star featured former Deep Purple singer Glenn Hughes on vocals, while 1987's Eternal Idol featured Tony Martin in that role. In point of fact, however, the story behind the making of the two albums is not so simple.

Only a few dates into Sabbath's 1986 Seventh Star tour, Hughes was let go, and singer Ray Gillen stepped in as his replacement. Gillen stayed on to work on the Eternal Idol album, but as recording neared completion, he left to form a new band, Badlands. Tony Martin was the brought in to re-record all the lead vocals, and Eternal Idol was released in that form. A bootleg disc, featuring the original Gillen vocals, has been traded in Sabbath circles for years.

What makes the deluxe sets especially enticing is that guitarist Tony Iommi has given permission for the Gillen recordings to be released. The Eternal Idol set will therefore include, as disc two, the entire version of the album that featured Gillen on vocals. Similarly, disc two of the Seventh Star set will consist of a live concert, recorded on June 2, 1986, that featured Gillen as singer.

Thus far, no date has been set for a U.S. release. -

WeezerTube A Smash

5 million people clicked in as Weezer invaded YouTube on Tuesday to celebrate the release of their new album "Hurley".

The promotion included videos featuring the group with 14 leading YouTube celebrities. In the first 24 hours since the debut, YouTube recorded in excess of 5 million views for the Weezer-related videos.

For their Red Album in 2008, Weezer invited YouTube stars to be in their video for "Pork and Beans" - a clip that went on to win a GRAMMY for "Best Shortform Music Video." For Hurley, the band turned the tables by making themselves available to leading YouTubers for inclusion on their channels, and left the content of the videos up to the YouTube celebrities themselves (Weezer didn't view the videos until the same time as the public). - more on this story

New David 'Rock' Feinstein Album To Feature Ronnie James Dio's Final Recording

We told you about this a couple weeks ago but today we received the official word. Here you go: David "Rock" Feinstein - the former member of Ronnie Dio & The Prophets, The Electric Elves, Elf, and the leader of the legendary NYC band, The Rods - is readying a new solo effort via the Niji Entertainment Group, 'Bitten By The Beast.'

Released on November 23, 2010, the nine-track disc will be available as a deluxe digipack, and will certainly be of interest to metal fans worldwide, due to Feinstein's impressive hard rock pedigree. But also, because the album features what turned out to be one of the last-ever recorded vocals by Ronnie James Dio (Feinstein's cousin), on the headbanging anthem "Metal Will Never Die."

"I feel like it was meant for me to write 'Metal Will Never Die'," explains Feinstein. "And it was meant to be that Ronnie James Dio should sing it! Whatever power it was that brought the two of us back together musically, I am so thankful for. Now, 'Metal Will Never Die' means more to me than any other song that I have written in my whole career as a songwriter and musician. I can't wait for the world to hear it!" - more on this story

The Icicle Works Reuniting for 30th Anniversary Tour

(Gibson) Seminal Liverpool band of the '80s, The Icicle Works will reform for their 30th Anniversary Tour and play spring 2011 dates in Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London.

Ian McNabb and Co. enjoyed two major hits in 1983 with "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" and "Love is a Wonderful Colour."

They released four albums between 1983 and 1988 before breaking up after the album Blind. Drummer Chris Sharrock went on to enjoy considerable success with Oasis and is now with Liam Gallagher's new band Beady Eye. - more on this story

Grateful Dead Founder Teams With Papa Mali For 7 Walkers

Grateful Dead co-founder Bill Kreutzmann has teamed up with guitarist Papa Mali in the new group 7 Walkers who will release their self-titled debut on November 2, 2010 via Response Records.

Here is the PR with the details and also tour dates: With nearly all of its songs co-penned by Papa Mali and longtime Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, 7 Walkers is an electrifying hybrid of classic Bay Area rock and New Orleans funk.

Together with legendary New Orleans bass man George Porter Jr. (The Meters, Funky Meters) and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubbard (Willie Nelson, Fastball), the highly anticipated release features a batch of brand-new originals, a guest performance by Willie Nelson on "King Cotton Blues," and a few smokin' instrumentals. A self-proclaimed "open love letter" to the city of New Orleans, the end result is a fiery and funky collection of tunes that quite brilliantly capture a unique collaboration between these very different musical shamans. - more on this story

Illness Sidelines Merle Haggard

(Gibson) Merle Haggard has been forced to cancel his September run of concerts, because of an illness. According to the Associated Press, Haggard's publicist Tresa Redburn said that the veteran performer has a chest infection, but is doing OK.

Haggard, who is 73, went under the knife in 2008 due to lung cancer. Redburn said this infection is totally unrelated.

The country star has been touring on his most recent album, I Am What I Am. He will be honored alongside Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey in December at the annual Kennedy Center Honors. He will also be inducted into the California Hall of Fame. - more on this story

Cradle Of Filth Talk New Album in Video Blog

Cradle Of Filth have released a new video blog where they discuss their forthcoming album Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa, which is set to be released through Peaceville Records on the bands own AbraCadaver imprint on November 1st 2010.

In the new video Dani and the rest of the band discuss the recording process, the meaning behind the title, the album artwork and more. In addition to this the mini-site features also info about the album, a gallery featuring new band pics and elements from the album artwork, a link to download a MP3 of the track Lilith Immaculate, downloads and more. The site is being updated on a weekly basis with new video blogs, fan competitions, promo videos, an Iphone app, new downloads and more.

From September 22nd they will also be adding previews of a different track from the album every Wednesday. - Check it out here

The Paul is Dead Hoax Was Born 41 Years Ago Today

It was 41 years ago today that Paul died... or so the story goes. Gibson has the story: On October 21, 1969, disc jockey Roby Yonge of the New York City radio station WABC announced to mortified listeners as far away as North Africa that reports were circulating that Paul McCartney, beloved bassist-songwriter-singer for The Beatles, was dead.

The report was the culmination of a month's speculation that began in the school newspaper of tiny Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The article, "Is Paul McCartney Dead?" (published on this date in 1969 and written by staff writer Tim Harper), pointed out that the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album marked the "death" of the old mop-top, "yeah yeah yeah" Beatles and represented something completely new. His theory was that Sgt. Pepper sounded so different because one of its principal players was different. Citing a liturgy of signs on Beatles album covers and recordings, Harper theorized that the evidence was indisputable: Paul is dead.

Harper claimed the evidence was everywhere. On the cover of Sgt. Pepper, a mysterious hand is raised over his head, the death symbol in many cultures. The "grave" at the band's feet is covered by a left-handed guitar, clearly in reference to the dead Macca. On the back of the album, as the rest of the band smiles for the camera, Paul turns his back…on the living. In that same shot, George points to the lyric from "She's Leaving Home" that says, "Wednesday morning at 5 o'clock as the day begins" — an obvious clue to the time of death (Harper, incidentally, confuses this lyric with "A Day in the Life" and conveniently rolls that line together with the "Day in the Life" line, "He blew his mind out in a car." This lyrical puzzle was meant to indicate that Paul had died in a car accident during the recording of the album, with 5 a.m. being the time of death. The last sign on that album is Paul's black armband in the center spread, the sign of mourning. But Sgt. Pepper wasn't the end of it.
- more on this story

Robert Smith of The Cure Helping The West Memphis Three

(Submitted) Robert Smith of The Cure will be auctioning a new re-mastered double vinyl set of "Disintegration" autographed to raise money for the defense fund of the West Memphis Three.

The West Memphis Three—Damien Echols (who is on death row), Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr—were convicted for murdering three elementary school children in 1994.

Since the horrific crimes, DNA from the crime scene and victims was tested by the country's most trusted crime lab, and none of it matches these three unjustly imprisoned men. Damien Echols' appeal for a new trial will be held on September 30 before the Arkansas State Supreme Court, and Jason and Jessie's attorneys will soon file motions for new trials with the ASSC. - more on this story

Neuraxis Set New Album Release

Prosthetic Records have announced a February 15th, 2011 North America release date for Neuraxis sixth studio album, "Asylon."

"Asylon" was recorded at Wildsound Studio with producer Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Last Felony, The Agonist).

A major tour announcement is coming next week, in the mean time; the band is playing Metalfest at Batisse Industrielle in Trois-Rivieres Quebec on Saturday, October 16th. - more on this story

Joel Schumacher Plans Ghostly Barry White Comedy

(Gibson) Joel Schumacher, who once directed Flatliners, is set to tell another graveyard tale in his upcoming Barry White film.

But those hoping the mellifluous Mr. White might be getting the Ray treatment will be a bit disappointed. Schumacher's film will instead feature bass-toned Romeo as a ghost giving romantic advice to a teenaged loser.

According to The Guardian, the film is being pitched as a playful comedy, with White (who passed away in 2003) appearing as he had in the sitcom Ally McBeal, as the ghostly advisor to Peter MacNicol. Schumacher will apparently use that and other footage to craft White's scenes.
- more on this story

David Byrne Announces Audiobook Version of his Bicycle Diaries

Talking Heads legend David Byrne has announced a September 28 release date for an enhanced audiobook version of his bestselling Viking Press hardcover, Bicycle Diaries.

Here is info we were sent along with a message from David: Offered exclusively at www.bicycle-diaries.com , this new edition is narrated by Byrne and features music (by Byrne) and location sounds to create an atmosphere more akin to a radio show than a simple reading of the book. Presented in podcast-style downloads, the listener will have a choice to purchase individual chapters or the complete book. The introductory chapter will be free. In addition to the audio version, the paperback and a modified e- book edition with color images not included in the hardcover edition will be released on the same day."

Since the early 1980s Byrne has chosen a bicycle as his primary form of transportation both at home in New York City and while on tour throughout the world. Initially drawn to cycling by the convenience and sense of liberation it affords, Byrne found that it also provided him with a varied perspective—faster than a walk, slower than a train, often slightly higher than a person. Byrne began keeping a journal of his observations and insights in every new town he rode through, viewing cities as physical manifestations of our deepest beliefs and often unconscious thoughts. Bicycle Diaries presents these collected accounts. - more on this story

Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl's The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger Set Album Release

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, the new duo featuring Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, will be releasing their debut album, Acoustic Sessions on October 25th, 2010.

Here is the announcement with more details: The pair played, recorded and mixed Acoustic Sessions in their living room recording studio. And this will be the 4th album on their own record label, Chimera Music, run from their apartment kitchen.

Like a chimera itself – a mythical two-headed creature – GOASTT work from one heart despite having two separate minds. Each are children of unique circumstances – he is the son of two artistic icons; she is the daughter of a Southern military family and was plucked into the world of modeling and globe-trotting in her early teenage years – GOASTT draw from a scope of influence like no other. - more on this story

Nick Cave Adjusting To Electricity

(Gibson) Nick Cave says he had never played electric guitar before he launched his Grinderman side project in 2007. Grinderman, which includes Cave and fellow Bad Seeds members Jim Sclavunos, Martyn Casey, and Warren Ellis, released their second album, Grinderman 2, on Tuesday (Sept. 14). Speaking with EW.com's Music Mix, the veteran rocker/writer said playing electrically affected the direction of the new disc.

"Of course, with a new instrument it sets up a whole different way of writing songs," Cave said. "Most of my songs that I was writing on the piano were in the flat keys, for example. They were a nightmare for anyone to play. When you start playing the guitar suddenly you realize why rock and roll songs are the way they are. And that changed the sound of the band. Even when songs weren't ballads with the Bad Seeds, they're still largely written in these strange keys. Even the rock songs, you can still tell they're written on the piano. So the guitar was brilliant in that way."

Echoing a punk aesthetic, Cave added that becoming proficient on guitar can have a downside. "The better you get, the more you just start sounding like an ordinary guitarist," he said. "There are certainly guitarists that transcend that and do really find their sound and all that sort of stuff. But I think I had actually more of a 'sound' when I didn't know how to play guitar than I do now that I kind of know how to play." - more on this story

Virgin Steele To Release Four Versions of New Album

Virgin Steele will be releasing their new album, "The Black Light Bacchanalia," in four formats, three of which a standard CD, limited edition CD Digipak with a bonus CD, and digital download that will be release on November 9th in North America.

The fourth version is the strictly limited edition LP box set which will be released on November 23rd in North America. Each version will have its own unique artwork.

Virgin Steele mastermind David Defeis said the following about "The Black Light Bacchanalia": "It is a long album...close to 80 minutes...The album (to be really brief), concerns the reversal of all things...Once conquered by invading cultures, older Pagan deities become the demons...of the new religion. "The Black Light Bacchanalia" is a reversal of the sacred sexual customs, and the final desecration of the "Goddess Principle", switching from matrilineal descent to patrilineal descent, with the rise of the idea of the Mountain-Fire God.... And it also has to do with ancient fears such as the fear of the sun not rising...Lyrically it is a kind of continuation of the story I told on the last album...Musically it is quite something else..." - more on this story

Red Wanting Blue Take You Where You Wanna Go

(PR) Red Wanting Blue has released the whimsical video for its single "Where You Wanna Go".

The video has been a long labor of love for director Jenna Pace. Shooting locations included the City of New York, Coney Island, several locations in Connecticut, the Delaware Water Gap and Maryland. Pace did a month of scouting to find these locations searching in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan to come up with the backwoods scenes, old-time amusement parks with carousels and "Alice In Wonderland"-type settings that make this clip so unique and memorable. "Where You Wanna Go" is a colorful and fantastical video that further illustrates an already visual song.

The clip comes along at the right time as Red Wanting Blue is beginning to get some well-deserved national attention after a decade-plus as a rust belt sensation. Now's the chance to see what the fuss is about as Red Wanting Blue follows-up up its last sold-out Mercury Lounge show in NYC with a special showcase on Sept. 21st, 2010 at 9PM. - Watch the video here

Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Vince Gill Instruments Being Auctioned for Flood Relief

(The Jayne Gang) Dozens of guitars, mandolins and other instruments – straight from the hands of artists such as Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and a host of others – are headed for the online auction block through nonprofit organization NASH2O (Nash-two-Oh) to support flood relief efforts in Nashville.

Proceeds go to three beneficiaries: MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund for music industry professionals, Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund for those musicians that were uninsured, and Middle Tennessee fire and rescue departments.

NASH2O was organized shortly after the devastating May floodwaters receded by three longtime Music City mainstays: George Gruhn, widely-recognized as the leading authority on vintage stringed instruments; Joe Glaser, renowned luthier and fine instrument repairman; and steel guitarist/producer Bruce Bouton, a fixture on high-profile recordings and tours for decades. Their goal was to collect flood-damaged instruments from top artists, which could then be sold as presentation/collector pieces. The group secured underwriting support from Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, a major insurer of many of the affected artists and the exclusive insurance sponsor of NASH2O. - more on this story

Oceano Frontman Explains Concept Behind Their New Album

Earache Records have set a November 2nd release date for Oceano's new album Contagtion.

"Contagion surrounds the listener in a story of a highly contagious epidemic purposely spread upon the population by corrupt positions of power" says vocalist, Adam Warren.

"Contagion's concept further unfolds as the agenda of these actions are exposed and the real chaos ensues." - tracklisting and tour dates

Place Of Skulls and Eternal Elysium Tour

Place Of Skulls have announced a European tour with Eternal Elysium. Place Of Skulls will be touring in support of their forthcoming fourth full-length album, As A Dog Return.

The tour will run from October 23 to November 8 and kick off at the fourth annual Hammer Of Doom Fest in Würzburg Germany.

In addition, the band was recently added to the 2011 edition of the prestigious Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland! Said founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin of the upcoming full-length and run of dates: "The new album is ready to hit and it's a hard one to describe. While it has the heaviness and darkness expected from Place Of Skulls, no one song is indicative of the entire record. It really has to be heard and meditated on by the individual listener to judge its merits fairly. But whatever the general consensus is, as always, we've made another album exactly as we wanted to make it delivering a heavy dose of doom reality with a brighter than ever light at the end of the tunnel! - more on this story

Max's Kansas City Revisited

(Gibson) The legendary nightclub Max's Kansas City was as far away from Kansas as Oz. It was located, in fact, at 213 Park Avenue South in New York City. And for a couple of decades it vied for the title of coolest spot in the world. Andy Warhol hung out there. The Velvet Underground played a regular weekly gig there. Even abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning had a regular table there. Add to this lot Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Beastie Boys and Madonna, and you get the picture. And now you'll get several more pictures, courtesy of a brand new book, Max's Kansas City: Art, Glamour, Rock and Roll.

"Its legacy is a symbol of what could be when creative artists come together in a space and interact with each other," Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye told Spinner. "It was a special moment where the culture meets the people who will take that culture forward."

The photo book is in stores now and features contributions by Lou Reed, former Ramones manager Danny Fields, conceptual artist Lorraine O'Grady and cultural historian Steven Watson. - more on this story