rsp@odyssey.net
Malcolm had a stroke a while ago. He tried to play when they met up to record the new album. He just can't play now. Damn sad if you ask me.
 
Randy

That's terrible news. I only saw them play once, and I remember noticing what a damn fine rhythm guitar player he was.

On the radio here(KLOS) they were saying it's just an uncofirmed rumor and someone representing the band says it isn't true.  Possibly another rumor.  I hope all is well. 

Ozzy is an odd case.
 
Sabbath played Quebec and Montreal last week. Most of my pals who had seen Ozzy in the last 10 years were expecting the worst, but for both those two Sabbath shows, they were unanimous - he showed up in great shape. Nevertheless, he's also likely to give bunch of poor performances for a while.
 
But in the end, for my buddies, those shows were a dream come true, and I'm sure they're all glad that Ozzy hadn't retired.
 
 

I've also read about Malcolm's stroke and his inability to play - I can't imagine... That's a very sad story.
 
As for the rest - bands don't seem to break up anymore. We thought they did back in the 60s and the 70s, because things were only beginning and they needed a bit more time before they started reuniting. The Doors w/o Morrison, The Beatles w/o Lennon, Led Zeppelin w/o Bonham etc... They pretty much all reunite at one time or another.
 
That's not to mention the relatively lucrative market of tribute bands that's been flooding the scene since the 90s. Or bands who understood that nostalgia was a goldmine like Iron Maiden who are themselves re-doing stages shows from their glory days - essentially, they're like their own tribute band.
 
Back in the 90s I had the utmost respects for bands like Soundgarden and Faith No More for their integrity - they'd called it a day before they'd turned into a parody of themselves. Unfortunately, they since went on to prove that I was a bit too naïve...
 

How else can they do a comeback tour unless they retire first.. plus there is the school boy shorts... I mean how long can you wear those.
 
They may retire but we have NOT seen the last of them. They should hire them to play Superbowl halftime in 2016.
 
J

It's easy to have "integrity" when you have plenty of money.
 
When the money isn't coming in so much any more, reunions become very attractive.
 
Or do you think EVH changed his viewpoint on never ever selling EVH gear and his feelings for DLR after coming to some sort of emotional epiphany?

Rain
I've also read about Malcolm's stroke and his inability to play - I can't imagine... That's a very sad story.
 
As for the rest - bands don't seem to break up anymore. We thought they did back in the 60s and the 70s, because things were only beginning and they needed a bit more time before they started reuniting. The Doors w/o Morrison, The Beatles w/o Lennon, Led Zeppelin w/o Bonham etc... They pretty much all reunite at one time or another.
 
That's not to mention the relatively lucrative market of tribute bands that's been flooding the scene since the 90s. Or bands who understood that nostalgia was a goldmine like Iron Maiden who are themselves re-doing stages shows from their glory days - essentially, they're like their own tribute band.
 
Back in the 90s I had the utmost respects for bands like Soundgarden and Faith No More for their integrity - they'd called it a day before they'd turned into a parody of themselves. Unfortunately, they since went on to prove that I was a bit too naïve...
 

 
I used to have mixed feelings about bands staying on the road past their prime, or reuniting and touring long after their recording days were over. Not anymore. I was lucky enough to meet some big acts back when they were hot recording and touring. Some of them I've kept in touch with, and now I completely get why they are back out there on the road. It pays! Most of these guys didn't have publishing deals, or if they did, they were bad ones. They made great money back when we all thought it would last forever. It didn't and neither did the money.
 
Now days there are new venues that didn't exist back then. An act from the 60's thru the 90's that had decent airplay and a catalog of material people can remember, can do a  tour playing Native American casinos for 6 months and not play the same place twice. These gigs play good money. Really good money. An old friend of mine is touring with Huey Lewis right now. Those guys are getting 75k a night. One truck, one bus. 4 stage crew.
 
To be honest, if I had the same opportunity, I'd be out there playing and taking. If there are people out there ready willing and able to plunk down money for a ticket, why wouldn't you? Pride? Pride don't pay the bills. Granted, the Stones don't need the money, and haven't for a long time. But it's still a kick for them. They sell out the biggest venues in the world, playing the same stuff that they have for 40 years. Yeah, I get it. It's still fun.
 
Randy

drewfx1
It's easy to have "integrity" when you have plenty of money.
 
When the money isn't coming in so much any more, reunions become very attractive.
 
Or do you think EVH changed his viewpoint on never ever selling EVH gear and his feelings for DLR after coming to some sort of emotional epiphany?

I absolutely agree. Some things you take for granted when you start listening to music and identify yourself with musicians, whom you look up to as models of honesty and integrity. Uncompromising. Artists. As the years go by, it's easy to omit to revise that and keep that naive conception - which I admit I did for quite a while actually.