Aerosmith are jealous of me – Tyler

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has finally been confirmed as a judge on US TV gameshow American Idol – and he says his bandmates are jealous of his new role.

But it’s just another in a series of ups and downs for a band he says he’s been married to for 40 years, and who have hurt him on occasion.

Tyler will appear in the show alongside pop star Jennifer Lopez and producer Randy Jackson. He says: “With the band, we’re five guys who’ve been married for 40 years, which makes it even worse than women. I could go on for an hour to explain that.

“At first they were jealous. They heard it through the press and not me, but I said to them: ‘Four months ago you were looking for another lead singer.’

“I’ve been on tour with these guys for 40 years and they’ve been judging me every day. Sometimes it hurt – a lot of times. Most times I came out stronger.

“It’s a real journey with those guys and I’m they would say the same about me. But I’m sure they’re happy for me – this is going to take it all up another step or two.”

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry recently said: “Why would he want to do that instead of cruise on with Aerosmith? I’ve been with the guy for 40 years and he couldn’t even say – he said, ‘Well, they told me not to tell anybody.’ We’ve got an album we want to do, another tour, we’ve got families, we’ve got different things going on. It’s like getting hit over the head.”

And A&R legend John Kalodner, who steered the band to their greatest successes, observed: “If Steven makes a giant success as a TV personality he won’t want to go back on the road – and there’s no Aerosmith without Steven.”

Joe Perry’s Wrong About Steven Tyler, Says A&R Guru

The man who signed Aerosmith to Geffen in the 1980s has commented on Steven Tyler’s decision to join the American Idol TV panel – and he reckons Joe Perry’s got it all wrong.

Blabbermouth report that John Kalodner, who oversaw such albums as Permanent Vacation and Pump, believes the guitarist shouldn’t be criticising the frontman for making this career move.

“Joe is completely wrong. It’s jealousy. He’s ultra pissed off… I don’t know what will happen because Steven gets his energy from singing in front of 20,000 people. Sitting in a TV studio with scripted sound bites? I’m not sure he’d be able to even use his own great quips. I’ll be able to tell you in the first show or two if he’ll be his superstar self.”

Kalodner also dismisses Perry’s claim that the band might yet find another vocalist so they can carry on touring while Tyler does his TV stint.

“If [Steven] makes a giant success as a TV personality, he won’t want to go back on the road. And there is no Aerosmith without Steven Tyler. Period.”

Bono: U2 are at crossroads

U2 are struggling to choose between four very different albums for their next release, singer Bono admits. And they're aware they have to be more straightforward with a new record after the relative failure of last year's offering.

No Line on the Horizon was to be followed with a companion release, Songs of Ascent – but with the comparative disappointment of the 2009 record's critical reception and sales figures, U2 have had to think again.

Bono tells Rolling Stone: "No Line on the Horizon is not very accessible, lyrically or musically. We put out a really difficult record – I have to admit that. If I was a teenager, it would be like a European movie. It's arthouse."

There are a number of options for the follow-up, he explains: "Songs of Ascent, which is the meditative work that was ment to complement No Line on the Horizon. We've also got a rock album and a club-sounding album. Then we have the Spider-Man musical stuff.

"We have to decide how we go about releasing them. Do we release them in their groups? We're not as 21st-century as we think we are. If we were we'd be putting out more new songs online and involving our audience in the choice. Instead we're sitting here arguing about them while no one else knows about them."

Last Tour For The Stones?

Are the Rolling Stones going to do a farewell world tour next year?
There are rumours – yes, again! – that the Greatest Rock ‘N’ Roll Band In The World will go out on the road next year. And this could be the last time.

A source apparently told The Sun: “They’re likely to perform in stadiums. It’s almost certainly the last full-scale world tour. The band realise that age is creeping up on them. They want to bow out on top of their game, and not short-change their fans”.

Mind you the phrase ‘almost certainly the last full scale world tour’ sounds like a bit of hedging your bets to us.

And as if on cue, Ronnie Wood has refuted this unnamed source: “We have all agreed this won’t be the last time. Everyone’s rocking.”

Slash Celebrates 43Rd Birthday

Slash Celebrates 43Rd Birthday With Top Djs

Rock star SLASH has scored celebrity DJs PERRY FARRELL and will.i.am for his double 43rd birthday celebrations in Las Vegas.

Jane's Addiction star Farrell hosted a party in the guitarist's honour at the Bare pool lounge at the Mirage resort on Wednesday night (23Jul08) and Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am was scheduled to spin records at a second Sin City party as WENN went to press on Thursday (24Jul08).

Slash was also billed to perform an acoustic set at the second party, held at Jet nightclub.

Metallica: Death Magnetic Goes Double Platinum

Metallica’s 2008 album Death Magnetic has now officially passed the two-million-sales mark in America.

Every Metallica album – studio or live – has at least reached the double-platinum landmark in the States, with 1991’s Black Album still being the biggest, having sold more than 15 million copies.

Steel Panther Confirmed For Ozzfest

Steel Panther are the latest band confirmed for the Ozzfest in London.

The LA glam raiders join a bill so far featuring headliner Ozzy, plus Korn, Skindred and the Murderdolls with more to follow.

The event happens at the O2 Arena on September 18. And the Ozzfest is set to take over the entire O2 complex, incorporating a Village Of The Damned, with tattoo artists and fairground rides among the attractions.