Zombie Joins Coalition Concerts

Rob Zombie has teamed up with Korn and Ozzy Osbourne to play the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Grammys Eve. The metal lineup is one of five pre-Grammy shows dubbed "The Concerts for Artists Rights" staged by the Recording Artists Coalition to benefit the organization's efforts to assist artists seeking better deals with major labels.

The organization was spearheaded by Sheryl Crow and Don Henley, who will perform with the Eagles. They are both part of the lineup at the Forum that also includes Dixie Chicks, Elton John, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks. No Doubt, the Offspring and Weezer will perform at the Long Beach Arena. Clint Black, Trisha Yearwood and other country artists will perform at an as-yet-undetermined venue. More artists and shows are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Recording Artist Coalition is in the process of lobbying the California legislature and Congress to review industry practices that artists deem coercive and unfair. Specifically the organization is seeking to repeal the California State Labor Code amendment which made music industry contracts exempt from the "Seven Year Statute," limiting personal service contracts to a maximum of seven years.

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

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