Videos From Secret Van Halen Gig Surface

The Los Angeles Times reports the hour-plus-long teaser set was jammed with solid versions of the band's classics: "You Really Got Me," "Runnin' with the Devil," "Unchained," and "Dance the Night Away," among them.

VH played three tracks from their new album "A Different Kind Of Truth" (out next Tuesday), including the first single, "Tattoo," and "The Trouble with Never" and "She's The Woman." Read more and check out video clips online

Rush Classic Butchered on American Idol

First, the good: 22-year-old Boston student Naomi Gillies, who sang Aerosmith's 1993 hit "Cryin'". Idol judge Steven Tyler called Gillies' version "nice" and "different," adding that he "loved" her voice before the panel voted to send her on to the next round.

Second, the bad: For the first time in its 11-year run, the contest had a Rush song in the process, which just happened to coincide with "Rush Day" (2.1.12). 22-year-old Idaho fast-food worker/comedian David Weed attempted the band's classic "Tom Sawyer," with disastrous results. Watch it here.

Watch Motley Crue Super Bowl Commercial

In the commercial, entitled "Drive the Dream," the new 2012 Optima Limited races through a Gen X couple's wildest thoughts as they sleep, including: Victoria's Secret� Angel Adriana Lima waving the checkered flag at a speedway; an in-your-face Motley Crue concert; mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell battling in the ring; a heroine and hunk on horseback in a romance novel setting; champion bull rider Judd Leffew taming a bucking rhinoceros; and a fairy tale ending.

On February 2, the ad is premiering on more than 18,000 movie screens nationwide; it will be broadcast during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl on February 5 Check it out here.

12 Stones Release New Video

We last heard from Louisiana alt rockers 12 Stones on their 2010 EP 'The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday,' after some personnel changes in the rhythm section the band is finally back with a new full-length record titled 'Only Human.'

The band's fifth LP hits digital outlets and stores everywhere March 27th and features two singles that will be released this month � 'Worlds Collide' drops next week while 'Infected' impacts radio February 28th. Check out the lyric video here.

Megadeth's Mustaine Trying To Get His Hands To Comeback After Surgery

Last fall, the guitarist underwent neck surgery due to Dave's specific health issue, stenosis, a neck and spine condition that is actually an abnormal narrowing of the blood vessel or organ; it's a condition Mustaine attributes to "years of headbanging."

"I'm learning that I can still play after the surgery," says Dave. "As the pain continued to increase prior to the surgery it became harder and harder to play, and now that the surgery was completed and was successful and I've completely healed, now I'm just trying to get my hands to come back." more on this story

Alice In Chains' Cantrell Smoking Message

It says: "This is Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains reminding you that smoking is allowed on the lower drive outside the building and only in designated areas� bummer, dude."

John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commissioner, explains: "Seattle has a strong music heritage. Over 32 million passengers pass through the airport each year, giving us a unique opportunity to introduce a new generation of local musicians to travellers and tourists." More rock news

Scorpions TV

The group is in the middle of their farewell tour, with dates currently booked into October 2012.

The Scorpions appeared on the show to promote their recently released "Comeblack," a new album of classic rock covers and re-recorded band hits. more on this story

8-year old Scores Guitar Endorsement

She received the endorsement after a video of her playing Stratovarius's song Stratosphere gained almost 3 million views in less than two weeks.

Her mother Colette says: "Zoe is overjoyed. For someone of her age to get an endorsement is a massive achievement. It's really nice that someone has recognized her talent." (Newbury Today) More rock news

U2 Frontman Bono Inspired Brad Pitt

Speaking with the Hollywood Reporter, Pitt explained that he "sought out" Bono after he took a trip to Morocco and experienced personally how much certain areas of Africa were hurting.

The moving trip urged Pitt to "get off the couch" and join Bono and the other superstars who use their fame to help make the world a better place.

Turning to Bono, he asked for some humanitarian advice. "I sat down with him a few times and got involved in some of the stuff he was doing," Pitt said. more on this story

Anniversary of UK's Answer Phil Spector Shooting Himself and His Landlady

Joe Meek was always different. Growing up in the British countryside, he was raised by a mother who had preferred to have a daughter and chose to dress young Joe in dresses. A music and electronics buff from an early age, one of his first ventures was to set up outdoor speakers and play music for local farm workers. After learning radar in the R.A.F., he began a business, recording local bands and singers. With his homosexuality flowering, however, rural life was far too inhibiting and conservative, so he moved to London, where attitudes, if not the laws, were more liberal.

Meek worked in recording studios, making quite a reputation for himself as an innovator. He eventually started his own label, Triumph, in 1960. The king of bizarre studio sounds, which were often inspired by a fascination of outer space and the after life, Meek's layered recordings are now regarded as groundbreaking electronic work. At the time he was seen as just odd.

Meek eventually found himself a studio, housed above a handbag shop on the Holloway Road in London. The tiny space saw musicians cramped on the stairs, recording in the toilet, avoiding the plethora of wires and cables that seemed to hang from every surface. He assembled a talented band of young musicians, including guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), drummer Mitch Mitchell (who later played with Hendrix) and bassist Chas Hodges, who became half of U.K knees up favorites, Chas & Dave.

Meek was interested in spirituality and often attended s�ances. At on such meeting in 1958 he was warned that Buddy Holly would die on February 3. Meek tried his best to find Holly when he was in London to warn him but failed in his mission. Holly died on February 3, 1959. more on this story

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