28 Established 1961

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Lifestyle Gossip Chester Bennington’s widow says she has been blamed for his death

hester Bennington’s widow has been blamed my fault, it’s not my children’s fault, it’s not the for his suicide by “cruel” online bullies. The band’s faults - it’s nobody’s fault.” Although Talinda Clate Linkin Park front man’s wife Talinda admitted it was naive, she did explain how she Bennington has spoken candidly over his suicide in thought her husband - who had been sober for six July 2017, and insisted nobody is to blame for his months - was “in the clear” with his demons. She death. Discussing mental health at the Canadian added: “My husband had had a past ... in the past, Event Safety Summit, she said: “As much as social he had attempted suicide, but I thought to myself, ‘It media has been a huge support for me, I do every was ‘cause he was wasted. He was this or that. So now and then get people blaming me - straight-up [before] he did pass, I thought very naively, we were blaming me - for him dying, for not saving him, for in the clear. We had a very, very dear friend, Chris mistreating him. Who knows why these people Cornell, take his own life. And I felt that, ‘OK, behind their devices are saying these horribly cruel Chester sees what Vicky and [their] kids’ - we’re things to me? But, you know, it is a little stab in the godparents to their children - ‘what they’re going heart, but what I have to remember is that it’s not through and this will never happen.’”

AC/DC to carry on with Axl Rose and release music? C/DC will reportedly carry on with Angus Young’s brother Malcolm Young - Axl Rose as frontman and potentially who quit the group in 2014 - passing away, Arelease a record with the Guns N’ and Brian pulling out of the tour due to his Roses singer. The ‘Thunderstruck’ rockers’ hearing problems. However, not everyone is biographer, Murray Engleheart - who keen on the idea of another legendary band penned the tome ‘AC/DC: Maximum Rock member replacing Brian. Def Leppard’s Joe & Roll’ in 2012 - has seemingly confirmed Elliott recently said he wouldn’t have the legendary rock band will continue to replaced the 70-year-old frontman with Axl perform with Brian Johnson’s replacement if he was in AC/DC, because he wouldn’t and that new music could be in the pipeline. have “dealt with” the situation in that way if In a post on Facebook, he insisted: he had been part of the group. He said: “I The Cure’s “Speculate all you want but I’ve said it wouldn’t have done it like that. “I can’t before and I’ll say it again: AC/DC will con- speak for [AC/DC guitarist] Angus [Young] tinue with Axl on vocals - new album, tour- and his team as to what their reasons were ROBERT SMITH ing, the whole nine yards. What was a mas- for doing what they did. “But considering sive gamble by Angus turned out to be an that we had a drummer [Rick Allen] lose an equally enormous triumph that has set the arm and we waited for him. The way that curating Meltdown scene for the future. (sic)” The ‘Welcome to they dealt with it was not the way I would the Jungle’ hitmaker was drafted in for the have done it, put it that way.” While he latter part of AC/DC’s ‘Rock or Bust World didn’t agree with the way Axl took Brian’s Festival 2018 Tour’ in 2016 after Brian pulled out due to place in the band, Joe, 58, thought the he Cure’s Robert Smith will year’s curator M.I.A. in the role. A hearing issues. The ‘Back in Black’ stars ‘November Rain’ singer did a “pretty good curate this year’s Meltdown month later, The Cure will mark their went through a transformation last year job”, but to him the current line-up doesn’t TFestival. The ‘Friday I’m In 40th anniversary as a band with a with bassist Cliff Williams retiring, guitarist feel like the AC/DC of old. Love’ hitmaker is thrilled to be special gig at Barclaycard presents organizing the bill for the prestigious British Summer Time Hyde Park The 10-night music event held at punk rockers have produced 30 mil- London’s Southbank Centre from lion combined sales of 13 studio June 14 to 24, and has teased that he albums and more than 40 singles Gene Simmons: Working with Bob has chosen some of the most “inspi- during their four-decade career, and rational” acts to perform. He said: “I will celebrate the milestone perform- am honored and excited to be curat- ing at the iconic landmark on July 7, Dylan was like winning lottery ing the 25th Meltdown Festival. with support from Interpol, ene Simmons has compared collaborat- “More than 30 of my all-time Goldfrapp, Editors, Ride, Slowdive ing with Bob Dylan to winning the lot- favorite artists - some of the most and The Twilight Sad. James King, tery. The Kiss rocker and the legendary exciting, inspirational, intense and Senior Vice President, AEG Presents G singer/songwriter penned the track ‘Waiting influential performers of the last 40 commented: “The Cure playing at For The Morning Light’ in 1991, and it was later years - will make sure this 10-night Barclaycard presents British Summer released on the ‘Crazy Nights’ hitmaker’s 2004 extravaganza at London’s Southbank Time Hyde Park will be an incredible solo record “A*****e’. The 68-year-old shock Centre is the must-see event of the day where The Cure join the list of rocker says that it was a matter of luck that he summer!” For the first time in its 25- other global legends who have got to work with Dylan, 76, and recalled how year history, Meltdown will cover the played the Great Oak Stage. On July after contacting his manager to ask to speak to entire venue, including the Queen 7 we celebrate the 40th anniversary the ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ hitmaker, he turned up Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room. of a truly iconic British band and it’s outside his home two days later, and the rest is Smith, 58, follows in the footsteps of an honor that they have chosen to history. Appearing on ‘The Pulse Of Radio’ the likes of the late David Bowie, share this magical experience with us recently, Simmons said: “Everybody buys lot- Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker and last in Hyde Park.” tery tickets. “What are their chances of win- ning? Not much. “So what? There is a chance you can win, and I’m like that. So I called his manager: ‘Can I speak with Bob?’ ‘What do you wanna talk to him about?’ ‘I ... I wanna write a song with Bob.’ “[Laughs] And all of a sudden within two days, an unmarked van shows up at James Bay my house and Bob gets out with an acoustic guitar in his hand, and tells his driver, ‘I’ll see teases new song you at the end of the day,’ comes up and we start strumming. I mean it was just like that.” me - and that’s in the box set - ‘So, how do Wild Love Simmons released ‘Gene Simmons - The Vault you write songs?’ ‘Well, y’know, I write stuff Experience: 1966-2016’ last year, which and Paul (Stanley) comes up with stuff. . . “He ames Bay is set to release range of influences and fusing includes a never-heard-before 15-minute clip of goes, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, and then the other brand new track ‘Wild Love’ them together. He said: “Chance him in the studio with Dylan. The ‘Lick It Up’ guys play it?’ “I go, ‘Well, I usually tell ‘em Jtoday. The ‘Hold Back The the Rapper’s ‘Coloring Book’ and singer says getting to discuss how we writes what parts to play’ - he goes: ‘You do?’ River’ hitmaker will give fans the Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’ music with the ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ star will (Laughs) I couldn’t believe I was having this first taste of his second record were really big influences this forever be a career “highlight”. Recalling their discussion. Yeah, we were talking about how with the song, his first new music time around. “I went on holiday to time working together, he said: “He was asking we write songs, and it’s still a life highlight.” since his 2015 debut LP ‘Chaos the Caribbean and must have and the Calm’. Alongside a snip- placed ‘Channel Orange’ 15,000 pet of the music video for the new times. “I know that probably makes me sound like some organ- ic guitar dude who is now deep Drake shoots video at Miami into hip-hop but I’ve always had a soulful, non-rock side. “The inter- aul Simon has announced a ‘Farewell Tour’ and con- school and donates scholarship esting thing to me was having firmed he will retire from work as a touring musician those two in my left hand, and this summer. The ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ singer David Bowie and LCD P has had an illustrious career including 18 studio albums - rake presented $25,000 dollars to a high 31, then thanked the kids for being extras in the Soundsystem in my right and five of which were recorded with fellow musician Art school after shooting his latest music video by donating $25,000 dollars to the school smashing them together.” James Garfunkel - and 12 Grammy Awards. In a touching statement, video there. The ‘Hotline Bling’ rapper and promising to design and supply them all with chopped his long hair and ditched D Simon, 76, has revealed he sees the upcoming shows as a surprised pupils at Miami Senior High School in new uniforms, according to The Miami Hurricane. his trademark fedora for his sec- “natural end” to his time on the road, citing the difficulties of Florida when he arrived on campus to shoot the The rapper also presented student Destiny ond album campaign, but knew all being away from his family as a big part of a his decision. He video for his latest hit single ‘God’s Plan’. Drake, James, whose Facebook profile says she is study- along he wanted to do something said: “I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to reach ing biology, with a $50,000 dollar university “unexpected” and become a “dif- the point where I’d consider bringing my performing career scholarship. After performing ‘God’s Plan’ on a ferent person”. He said: “Round to a natural end. Now I know: it feels a little unsettling, a raised terrace while camera’s filmed the crowd, two has been about thinking out- touch exhilarating, and something of a relief. “I love making Drake said: “I’ll tell you one thing. I’ve been to a side the box and doing something music, my voice is still strong, and my band is a tight, lot of places in the world. I don’t think I’ve ever unexpected. “As a competitive extraordinary group of gifted musicians. I think about music been to a more turnt [excited] school than this. I person, I set myself that challenge. constantly. Sadly, we lost our lead guitarist and my friend of wish you all the best in life, a lot of love, a lot of I was more than ready to cut my 30 years, Vincent N’guini, who died last December. His loss happiness for you, your friends and your family.” hair off and put my hat on the is not the only reason I’ve decided to stop touring, but it is a Representatives from Cash Money Records stand and walk out a completely contributing factor. “Mostly, though, I feel the travel and patrolled the campus with signs stating students different person this time. “Of time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts entering the area were consenting to be filmed. course, telling your team that this from the joy of playing. I’d like to leave with a big Thank You Footage on social media also shows Drake per- is how you want to play it takes to the many folks around the world who’ve come out to forming on a hydraulic crane above the crowd. courage. “But I’m confident. The watch me play over the last 50 years.” The US and Canada Meanwhile, Drake recently named LeBron James opposite of doing that is being leg of the ‘Farewell Tour’ starts in Vancouver, BC at the as one of his biggest inspirations. The chart-top- boring. So it was a no-brainer - Rogers Arena on May 16 before ending on June 20 at the ping rap star has hailed the NBA star after he go courage.” But James admitted Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. From there, Simon will passed the 30,000 career points milestone, and track, James wrote on Twitter: he was left with a “void” once he’d move onto mainland Europe with a performance at Drake has admitted he regards LeBron to be one “WILD LOVE. February 8th 2018. finished touring and promoting his Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe, ending that run in Amsterdam of his heroes. He shared: “Seems like every time #WildLove (sic)” The 27-year- first record around the world in on July 7 at the Ziggo Dome. He will call time on his leg- we look up, you’re setting another milestone or old singer/songwriter recently December 2016. He said: “Touring endary career with four UK performances - Manchester breaking another record and I always tell you revealed that he was inspired by was over. The bubble had burst. Arena, Glasgow’s SSE Hyrdo, the ROS Arena in Dublin and a that you’re one of the most inspirational people Frank Ocean and Chance The “When you’ve dispersed from the headlining slot in at Hyde Park’s British Summer Time in my life.” In fact, Drake said that LeBron’s Rapper on his new album. James tight-knit family you’ve created Festival. On the final run of shows, he added: “After this com- career achievements encourage him to go into insisted he has always had a on the road, you lose your sense ing tour, I anticipate doing the occasional performance in a the studio and make new tunes. He told Billboard: “soulful non-rock side” and was of purpose for a minute. I was (hopefully) acoustically pristine hall, and to donate those “Every time you do something like this I always excited about taking a diverse standing in front of this void.” earnings to various philanthropic organizations, particular try to get in the studio and make the song that those whose objective is to save the planet, ecologically.” would go with the moment.” — Bang Showbiz