ROCK MEETS CLASSIC 2012: world stars present rock anthems in symphonic big screen sound.
 After the sold-out arena tour at the beginning of the year, in January 2012 Ian Gillan, Steve Lukather and co. will embark on a European tour with the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague.
Five rock music legends, an orchestra and a band will play the greatest hits in rock history on one evening -
that is ROCK MEETS CLASSIC!

It is now the third time that this unique crossover project will go on tour to perform two and a half hours of pure emotion. This year's line-up reads like a who's who of rock history. Vocal heroes Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earthband), Jimi Jamison (Survivor) and Robin Beck will also be joined by Toto guitar hero Steve Lukather. The rock star legends will be accompanied by the Mat Sinner Band and the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague under the leadership of Bernard Fabuljan.

The premiere will take place on January 5th at the Saturn Arena in Ingolstadt. Tickets for the German dates are already available from the usual presale ticket offices. Anthems such as "Smoke on the Water", "Blinded by the Light" and "Hold the Line" with the original protagonists await the audience, albeit in a completely new sound - ROCK MEETS CLASSIC turns the
greatest hits in rock history into true classics.

Ian Gillan, Steve Lukather, Chris Thompson, Robin Beck, Jimi Jamison, the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague and the Mat Sinner Band combine the best of two musical worlds. They merge the ecstasy of rock 'n' roll with the symphonic power of classical music and break down the boundaries between art music and contemporary popular music with style and grace. An unforgettable concert experience!

California-based roots rock band Dawes consists of brothers Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), Wylie Weber (bass), and Alex Casnoff (guitar). Formed in the Los Angeles suburb of North Hills, the unit was heavily influenced by the gentle, acoustic-based musical trappings and rich vocal harmony of the Laurel Canyon sound (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell), as well as by the shambling, romanticized Americana of the Band.

After connecting with producer Jonathan Wilson, the group began participating in informal jam sessions at Wilson's house with Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, the Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench, and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson. The loose feel of these get-togethers informed the group's aptly titled 2009 debut North Hills. The album was actually recorded in Laurel Canyon live to analog tape, which lent Dawes' recorded sound an authentically vintage vibe. The group soon embarked on an extensive tour in support of the disc (often sharing the bill with wildman indie folk singer Langhorne Slim), bringing its spare, earthy sound to audiences across the United States. 2011 release, the sophomore album from the L.A. Folk-Rock quartet. Dawes recorded the disc at producer Jonathan Wilson's Echo Park studio late last year in between touring commitments.

"Nothing Is Wrong" is the follow-up to the band's 2009 debut, North Hills. A collection of songs that expertly builds upon the template laid by North Hills, "Nothing Is Wrong" sees Dawes displaying strong growth and evolution while still manifesting their distinctive, unforgettable voice.

Max Meazza is a singer/songwriter former member of the band PUEBLO recording artist for POLYDOR, ARIOLA, APPALOOSA.... He wrote some hit songs for POLYDOR produced by LABIONDA like MARIPOSA ,SONG GIRL, LONG KNIFE JACKSON...... From 81 he started a succesfull solo career recording many albums : SHAVING THE CAR, PERSONAL EXILE (with SKIP BATTIN of the BYRDS), BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, NIGHTIME CALL, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS, SUMMER OF 71, WEST COAST HOTEL.

Discover his new cd "Stormy Noir" at maxmeazza.com

In an AOR world exclusive, we've got all-new interviews with all four Crüe members – Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee. They consider the band's longevity and their final legacy – when not indulging in internal squabbles, airing beefs with other rock bands and evading the press. Nice to see some things don't ever change… Plus we name the Crüe's Top 10 Most Melodic Moments.

And we tell the tale of Dr Feelgood, the 1989 breakthrough album that propelled the band into the big time. We've also got a sensational 15-track free CD, titled AORmania, featuring all-new tracks from Houston, Fiona, Grand Illusion, Fate, Reckless Love, Mecca and more.

Elsewhere in the issue, we talk to Norwegian melodic rock goddess Issa about her sublime new album, The Storm. Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach comes clean about loving power ballads, starring on Broadway and the tensions caused by being the hottest guy in your band. There's a revealing chat with the legendary David Crosby. Having lost his lover to a car crash and his mind to an ever-more-wild cocktail of illicit substances, in 1970 the former Byrd retreated to the studio and distilled these miseries into his haunted, transcendent, Vatican-approved solo album, If Only I Could Remember My Name.

That's not all. There are further features on Shy, Y&T, Lindsey Buckingham, Tokyo, Doogie White, Davy Vain, Le Roux, Starship… and a six-page review of Firefest, the UK AOR scene's live event of the year, starring Jimi Jamison, W.E.T., Jeff Scott Soto, Steve Augeri, Strangeways, Newman, Coney Hatch, White Widdow, Mitch Malloy, Unruly Child… All this, plus reviews of all the latest AOR albums and live reviews of Def Leppard, Heart, the Electric Boys, The Union, Bret Michaels and more. Finally, we deliver our verdict on the controversial Rock Of Ages hair-metal musical – did we love it, or did we loathe it? Find out in issue No.5 of AOR!

Although considered lately to be a pop reclusive, Richard Marx is already working on album No. 23. The ”Right Here Waiting” singer/songwriter, known for writing a bundles of AC hits for a laundry list of big names including the Luther Vandross’ Grammy winning “Dance With My Father,” pumps out A Christmas EP as a kickstarter to his upcoming full-length holiday project for 2012.

One thing’s for sure: the sampler is a festive appetizer that stays true to Marx’s style. “Christmas Spirit” conjures the subtleties of Mariah’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” while masked with a Phil Spector Wall of Sound glisten. He even goes for reverent hymn remakes on “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” without sounding too much like a Vienna Boy graduate.

Much of the arrangements feel like tasteful performances that either would be transplanted on a best-of-Marx album or on a hipper Nashville pop set. On “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day,” the digital EP’s obvious showstopper, the atmosphere is enshrouded with serenading strings and Coldplay visuals. Although his voice never suspends to the clouds on its enrapturing chorus, Marx settles for a comfy mid-flight performance that still oozes heartthrob glamour. Even with the EP’s brevity, A Christmas EP is as good as a holiday EP will ever get.

J MATTHEW COBB

SOMEKIND RECORDS present SUMMERTIME, the new album of GEYSTER ! Geyster, aka Gaël BENYAMIN covers here some of his favourite songs, but also songs that had a big influence on him as a musician. From the Eagles to Gil Scott Heron, from George Gershwin to Michael Jackson, Gaël gives a very personal approach to these pop classics arranged here in a typical Geyster fashion...

Out on January 16th 2012 (CD & Download). The CD will be available for purchase on http://www.somekindrecords.com/ & http://www.amazon.fr/