We honor "The Headmaster" Martin Birch on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 470 - The Headmaster

This week we opted to honor legendary engineer and producer Martin Birch. Of course we could have done some long discussion on his legacy but being FoM we had do something a little different. So we are going old school FoM with a full discussion episode as we compare what we think are the top five Martin Birch albums. Rest in peace Headmaster.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Adrian Vandenberg Guests on This Bonus Episode of Focus on Metal

Episode 466SE - Vandenberg 2020

May 29th marked the first release in 37 years for the band Vandenberg as they rolled out “2020”. In this episode We’ll talk with Adrian Vandenberg about the decision to relaunch his namesake band and the the ensuing album. Plus we’ll talk a little Whitesnake and Moon Kings too.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

A Cozy Powell Special This Week on Focus on Metal

Episode 455 - Cozy Powell Special

This one just seemed to fall into place for us. First off we talk with author Laura Shenton about her new book “Dance With The Devil: The Cozy Powell Story” and if that wasn’t enough Richie also talks with Colin Hart who served as tour manager for both Deep Purple and Rainbow. We didn't even plan for this to fall on the same wek as the anniversary of his death. That's just another weird thing that just fell into place as well.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

METAL BLADE RECORDS, SCORPIONS, AND THE RAINBOW JUST NOMINATED TO THE HALL OF HEAVY METAL HISTORY

Metal Blade Records (Celebrating their 35th Anniversary), Scorpions, and the Rainbow Bar and Grill have just joined the list of Metal Royalty who have been nominated for induction into the 2017 Hall of Heavy Metal History. The All-Star Induction Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Anaheim Expo Center, Anaheim CA.  Television and Radio Legend Eddie Trunk will host the event.  Performing at the Ceremony will be Dio Disciples featuring "Craig Goldy," "Simon Wright" "Scott Warren," "Bjorn Englen," "Tim 'Ripper' Owens," and "Joe Retta."  Ross "The Boss" (band), will also be performing, which features Iconic guitarist "Ross 'The Boss' Friedman," "Rhino (Formerly of Manowar)," vocalist "Marc Lopes," and "Mike LePond" (Symphony X).  Surprise artists will also take part in the event. Supporting bands include Budderside, and LA rockers Diamond Lane. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund (http://diocancerfund.com) Sponsors include: KNAC.COM, Pepsi, TD Bank, Promark Drumsticks, D.A.D. Riola Design, and Modern Drummer Magazine. The 2017 Hall of Heavy Metal History Inductees Include: Ronnie James Dio "Rainbow" "Black Sabbath" "Dio" (With Wendy Dio accepting the induction) Metal Blade Records (With Brian Slagel accepting the induction) Scorpions (With Drummer Mikkey Dee accepting the induction) Rainbow Bar and Grill (With Rainbow Bar and Grill owner Mikael Maglieri accepting the induction) Lemmy Kilmister  "Motörhead" (With Manager Todd Singerman accepting the induction) Ross "The Boss" Friedman formerly of "Manowar" Rudy Sarzo formerly of "Ozzy Osbourne" and "Whitesnake."  Frankie Banali of "Quiet Riot," (Along with a special 33rd Anniversary Induction of Quiet Riot, as the first band to achieve the #1 Heavy Metal Album status). Vinny Appice formerly of "Black Sabbath" and "Dio." Don Airey of "Deep Purple"  Andy Zildjian President/CEO of "Sabian Cymbals" Randy Rhoads "Ozzy Osbourne," (With the Rhoads family members accepting the Induction)    "The induction of Ronnie into the Annual Hall of Heavy Metal History is indeed an honor, and I know Ronnie would have been very proud," says Wendy Dio. "On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ronnie James Dio Stand up and Shout Cancer Fund, we thank you for your support and donation. Every penny will go to cancer research and education, to hopefully one day find a cure for this horrible disease that takes the lives of so many of our loved ones."  "Our family is so deeply honored to have Randy inducted into The Hall of Heavy Metal History," says Kathy and Kelle Rhoads." To think that after all these years since he has passed, he is STILL remembered and respected is totally awesome. His passion for music continues to inspire so many. It was always about the "Music" for him. He would be speechless about this award, and so would our Mom!!" A press conference and General Admission entrance will commence at 6:30 PM. The Induction Ceremony will take place from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A VIP Meet and Greet with the celebrity Inductees will take place after the Induction Ceremony. Ross The Boss Band, Budderside, Diamond Lane, and surprise guests will perform throughout the night. Music fans can be a part of the most important night in Heavy Metal!! Tickets are $25.00 for General Admission, and $100.00 for combined General Admission and "VIP Meet And Greet" with the Celebrity Inductees. VIP ticket includes special VIP seating, Pictures and Autographs with the Celebrity Inductees, gift bag with an official VIP Pass, an official Event poster, an official Event T-Shirt, an official Event Program, and additional sponsor items.  For tickets, please go to www.thehallofheavymetalhistory.org/store For more information, please contact publicity@thehallofheavymetalhistory.org or 973-725-5150.  Official Hall of Heavy Metal History Websites: www.thehallofheavymetalhistory.org hallofheavymetalhistory/facebook twitter/hallofheavymetal

Just posted episode 211 of Focus on Metal featuring Joe Lynn Turner

Episode 211 - Joe Lynn Turner

Joe Lynn Turner has gone Rated X. That's right JLT has a brand new band with Carmine Appice, Tony Franklin and Karl Cochran called Rated X and their debut release is out now on Frontiers. We gave Joe a call to discuss the new album and the new band and the results are what's on tap for this week.

Keep up with Rated X at: https://www.facebook.com/RatedXRocks

Stay in touch with Joe at: http://www.joelynnturner.com/

Help Karl on the road to recovery at: http://rocknrecovery.net/

Track of the week is from Frontiers artists Allen-Lande. "Down From the Mountain" is a track off their fourth release The Great Divide" Get more info at: http://www.frontiers.it

Grab it now from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

On The Turntable

These are going through my ears this week:

SAXON- UNLEASH THE BEAST.
Its Saxon. Enough said.

RAINBOW- STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES

Great songs by the man in black. With Roger Glover in the production chair you can't go wrong.

KING KOBRA- KING KOBRA

80's hard rock from a couple of years ago that sounds like 80's hard rock. The good kind. Paul Shortino on vocals.

OVERKILL- THE ELECTRIC AGE

I put this on if I need to get home quickly.

THUNDER- BACKSTREET SYMPHONY

Loved by Kerrang in the late 80's . Big riffs, big choruses topped off with Danny Bowes wonderful voice. Bluesy hard rock at its finest. Not being American hurt them in the end. Mostly retired now but are opening for Whitesnake and Journey on their upcoming European tour.

and finally......

VINNIE VINCENT INVASION- ALL SYSTEMS GO

I love some of the stuff on this. Mark Slaughter hits notes only a dog could hear. All that is good and bad about hair metal, sometimes in the same song. The less said about the band group shot the better.

Richie