Chris M. Junior

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office announced Wednesday that ex-Warrant singer Jani Lane died as a result of “acute ethanol intoxication,” otherwise known as alcohol poisoning.

Ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr attended the U.K. premiere of the documentary ‘George Harrison: Living in the Material World’ in London on October 2, as did the widows of their late band mates Harrison (Olivia Harrison) and John Lennon (Yoko Ono). Their presence sent a loud and clear message about their love and respect for the so-called quiet member of the Fab Four. Other music notables

The epic run of Pink Floyd‘s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ on the Billboard 200 albums chart ended long ago, and you won’t find the 1973 classic on the magazine’s current Catalog Albums chart, either. But don’t feel sorry for the legendary British band: ‘Dark Side’ still sells, at worst, an impressive 10,000 copies per week.

When Billy Joel was a young artist entertaining offers from record labels, he ultimately chose Columbia because it was “a company that knows how to build a career.” On Nov. 8, Columbia/Legacy Recordings will honor that successful career by releasing a limited-edition Joel boxed set and a two-disc version of his 1973 breakthrough album, ‘Piano Man.’

After more than 30 years together, during which time they rose from critical alternative-rock favorites to international pop superstars and eventually Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status, R.E.M. announced Wednesday they have “called it a day as a band.”

Three unreleased Nirvana tracks that are part of the upcoming deluxe 20th anniversary reissues of ‘Nevermind’ are now streaming free on the web. One’s a scorching demo, another is a rather good quality “boombox” recording and a third is a concert version of the band’s most famous song.

It’s not too late to rename it Nirvanathon. Over the course of 12 hours, local performers from Canada will take a crack at playing the Nirvana anthem ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ 144 consecutive times as part of the Scotiabank Nuit Blanche art festival in Toronto on Oct. 1.

Former Guns N’ Roses/current Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash has been part of some iconic TV moments, such as the Michael Jackson 30th anniversary special in 2001, the 100th episode of ‘South Park’ in 2003 and the Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show in 2011 with the Black Eyed Peas. It’s not too soon to add this one to his impressive list: Playing guitar during actor Charlie Sheen’s Comedy Central roast,

With his third solo album, 2009′s ‘Scream,’ Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell surprised and frustrated longtime fans by abandoning heavy guitars and exploring more pop- and hip-hop-flavored textures. So what should the Soundgarden faithful expect from the recently reunited band, which is working on its first studio album since 1996? According to Cornell, something unlike its back catalog, but not n

Last year, Courtney Love was a no-show in London at an impromptu gig by her revived band, Hole. Last week, Love served as a pinch hitter of sorts when another notable and controversial rocker, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, backed out of his scheduled pre-Fashion Week performance in New York.

Certain guitarists are known for playing certain makes and models. Jimi Hendrix was quite loyal to the Fender Stratocaster. Former KISS member Ace Frehley has made a good living with the Gibson Les Paul. And AC/DC‘s Angus Young has a thing for the Gibson SG. For Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain, the electric guitar he’s probably most identified with is the Fender Jaguar. By mid-to-late September, musici

This could end up as the oddest musical pairing of 2011 — or at the very least, the oddest song of the year. Former White Stripes leader Jack White has joined forces with the Insane Clown Posse to produce the rap duo’s new single, ‘Leck Mich Im Arsch,’ a supposed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart song with a title that translates in English to ‘Lick Me in the Arse.’