BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG ASKS EBAY AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS FOR SPACE AND RESPECT
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong addressed autograph seekers who sell signed memorabilia at sites like eBay on social media, asking them for a less aggressive approach and some courtesy, common sense and respect when interacting with genuine fans who are also hoping to get Armstrong's signature.
In a post on Instagram, Armstrong wrote, "Dear eBay autograph collectors, I know you want to get musicians to sign records. I understand you make a living from signed memorabilia and I’m cool with it. I’m happy to sign your stuff. But please stop shoving your way through real fans. Especially the young ones that just want to have a moment to talk."
- Armstrong added, "I love getting to know our GD fans and having real conversations. But when the eBay guys shove s**t in my face (literally getting hit in the face with a guitar) you make it near impossible to get to know real fans. Please respect my and and the real fans space. We’re just trying to get to know each other. Peace."
- Green Day has been on a break since completing the tour cycle for its 2016 album Revolution Radio. The band has reportedly been working with HBO on the film version of its 2004 punk opera American Idiot.
- Armstrong has been spending the early part of 2018 with his new project, The Longshot, which released a debut LP titled Love Is For Losers in April and has been touring.
Story source: Loudwire
CHECK IT OUT: Read Billie Joe's full post here:
JOHN BONHAM SCULPTURE ERECTED IN HOMETOWN FOR 70th BIRTHDAY
Yesterday (May 31st), on what would have been John Bonham's 70th birthday, a massive sculpture by Mark Richards was unveiled in the Led Zeppelin drummer's hometown of Redditch, England. Ultimate Classic Rock posted a photo of the monument, reporting, "It stands six feet high, is 16 feet wide and weighs more than 5,000 pounds. One side features Bonham pounding away at his kit. On the back of the gong is his full name, John Henry Bonham, his birthdate (May 31st, 1948) and the day of his death (September 25th, 1980)." The inscription reads: "The most outstanding and original drummer of his time, John Bonham's popularity and influence continue to resonate within the world of music and beyond."
FAST FACTS
- Led Zeppelin's John Bonham died on September 25th, 1980 of pulmonary edema, which is fluid accumulation in the lungs. He was 32-years-old.
- Led Zeppelin -- with "Bonzo's" son, Jason Bonham on drums -- last performed on December 10th, 2007 at London's O2 Arena. The show marked the band's first full concert since their final show with John Bonham on July 7th, 1980 in Berlin.
- Prior to that, Zeppelin had performed public mini-sets on July 13th, 1985 at Live Aid in Philadelphia's JFK Stadium, and again -- with Jason Bonham -- on May 14th, 1988 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, and during Zeppelin's 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Following the 1988 Zeppelin reunion gig, Jason Bonham went on to serve as Jimmy Page's drummer on his tour in support of his debut solo album, Outrider.
CHECK IT OUT: Mark Richards' John Bonham tribute: