Author: Tony Simerman

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Iron Maiden “Killers” Album – 42 Years Since Paul Di’Anno

42 years ago today in the UK, Iron Maiden released KILLERS, there studio 2nd  album. This was the last recording with Paul Di’Anno and the first with guitarist Adrianne Smith. All Maiden albums are instant classics but this hold a special place for us here at KnuckleBonz for a couple of reasons. The first being, it has one of our all time Iron Maiden tracks WRATHCHILD ! The 2nd and most enduring reason, is the cover art by Derek Riggs sees Eddie take on the form that we know him today. The original cover for the debut album was created by the very same Derek Riggs before Maiden had come onto the scene, so it was only natural that he would reimagine him for KILLERS. There’s a cool art book out for all the Iron Maiden cover art called Run for Cover: The Art of Derek Riggs, do check that out.

KnuckleBonz® has created (2) Ltd. Edition Statues for our 3D Vinyl® for Iron Maiden Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind. Number of the Beast is shipping now. Piece of Mind just wrapped production and is on the way to our US warehouse to ship to pre-order Iron Maiden Superfans. Next up for us in our officially licensed work with Iron Maiden will be our take on KILLERS for a 3D statue design. Sculpting start next month for  Fall 2023 release. Stay Tuned here for updates.

Check out all the KnuckleBonz Iron Maiden Ltd. Edition Collectibles HERE.

Rock Hard!

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Ozzy Osbourne Forced to Finally Stop Touring – A Day We Thought Would Never Come…

Woke up this AM to a heart felt note from the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne on his official Instagram account to learn that he has had to cancel his upcoming UK/European tour because of health reasons. He emphasized his voice is doing great, he’s just not able to take on the rigors and travel of a multi-city tour. A day all Black Sabbath and Ozzy fans thought would never come. Any true Ozzy fan knows how much he loves touring and performing.

Other than short term health issues, Ozzy has been on the road since the original Black Sabbath Shows in late 1969.  He had the cancel the final dates of his last world solo tour a few years ago. That really sucked because we had great seats for that show at the Shoreline in the SF Bay Area.  Stone Sour was the opener and he were actually on the way to show when that news dropped. Still remember the gut punch…

What Ozzy Osbourne fans can hope for is perhaps a residency in Las Vegas that has lots of great venues and removes the demands of touring travel. Rest up Prince of Darkness and let us know when you are ready…we will ALL be there!

This emphasizes the importance for all Superfans to get out there and see the great bands you love anytime you have a chance. You never know when the music will stop…

Do check out our KnuckleBonz Black Sabbath Ltd. Edition Statue set currently in production. The entire original band Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward is in production for a Summer 2023 release.

Rock Hard Kbonz!

 

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QUEEN at LIVE AID 1985 – Preparation Reduces Perspiration

QUEEN at LIVE AID – “Preparation Reduces Perspiration”

Queen was one of the few acts to put an real time into rehearsals for the Live Aid Concert at Wembley Stadium in London and it definitely showed. A recent post on the bands social media shared some clips of those rehearsals. Check it out here.

While there were many memorable Live Aid 85 performances in New York and London, fans and critics alike agree that the reunited Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon had no peer during the lobal live event. QUEEN’s blistering set opened with  an excerpt from Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Ga GA before Freddie captured the Wembley crowd and the world with Ayyyy Ohhhh!. The band then delivered a masterful versions Hammer Fall, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You before closing with the ultimate stadium anthem, We Are the Champions. What would it have been like to be there?

KnuckleBonz has completed design on a new Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue set for QUEEN from the 1975 era and will rolling it out to QUEEN Superfans and collectors soon. Stay tuned here at to KnuckleBonz Official Social Media Sites for Updates.

Check the current KnuckleBonz QUEEN Ltd. Edition Collectibles here.

Rock Hard !

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Pink Floyd Announces Animated Video Contest to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd Announces Animated Video Contest to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd is making an open call to all animators, both amateur and professional, to submit videos that capture the essence for one or all ten of the amazing songs on the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon album (Speak to Me, Breathe (In the Air), On the Run, Time, The Great Gig in the Sky, Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brian Damage, Eclipse).

Pink Floyd has a long history of collaborating with up and coming film makers dating back to their work with Ian Emes and Gerald Scarfe on the Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon and Pink Floyd The Wall releases.

Check out Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason explaining the contest here via the Pink  Floyd Official Instagram account here

More information about the Dark Side of the Moon animated video contest can be found on the official Pink Floyd Website here

KnuckleBonz is also hard at work to release (2) New On Tour Limited Edition Collectible Statues to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon. The Pink Floyd iconic Prism for the Dark Side of the Moon Album Cover. Stay tuned for those Pre-Sale Announcements.

You can see our current Pink Floyd Limited Edition Collectibles for the Pink Floyd Pig, Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here and Pink Floyd Division Bell Mr. Screen here at www.KnuckleBonz.com

Rock Hard this Week !

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AC/DC Powerage Album – The Most Underrated ?

Released in 1978, AC/DC Powerage was a “jagged edged gem,” but underrated in many years. This was the 5th studio album from the band, and the first to feature bass player Cliff Williams who would also add backing vocals. During the recording in 1977, the AC/DC w/ Bon Scott was really coming into their own. Tracks like Riff Raff, Sin City and Down Payment Blues told you all you needed to know about the band. Not a better combo of speed and raw energy, founded in the blues, existed at this time.

Powerage did perform slightly better than the previous AC/DC Let Their Be Rock, reaching #133 on the Billboard Charts.  The practice of multiple releases for different US markets was still in use with the Australian, UK and USA releases all having alternate mixes and album art.

Perhaps the best case that this is the most underrated album comes from the pinions of rock royalty, Eddie Van Halen and Keith Richards have both stated this was their favorite AC/DC record.  But the most ringing indorsement comes directly from the AC/DC camp. The album remained a favorite of AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young, who was quoted in AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll saying, “I know a lot of people respect it. A lot of real rock and roll AC/DC fans, the real pure rock and roll guys. I think that’s the most under-rated album of them all.“

The AC/DC cover art we know best features the mighty Angus Young with photo effects to make it look like he is being electrocuted. Very coo, for the pre Photoshop era where all effects were film-based. Also totally in step w/ the bands early imagery. This is a KnuckleBonz 3D Vinyl® design we have been working at on and off for about 2 years. The band has approved the design and we will be rolling that out to you for a limited edition on only 1978. This is in the 3D Vinyl format that sets the limited edition number to match the year the album was releases.

Check out all the current officially licensed KnuckleBonz AC/DC Collectibles here.

We also have a very small inventory of our Bon Scott Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue here.

Rock Hard this week!

 

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Production Updates – KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz and 3D Vinyl January 2023

KnuckleBonz® January 2023 – PRODUCTION UPDATE

Here’s a quick update on the all the KnuckleBonz productions as of this AM here from our SF Bay Area studios. Many products wrapped production  this week and new 2023 projects are gearing up. Here’s the full scoop.

Iron Maiden Piece of Mind 3D Vinyl® Ltd. Edition Statue – Production is wrapped and Maiden Piece of Mind is in route to out USA warehouse to go out to pre-orders. Inventory is limited so get in the pre-order queue to have any chance at this 3D Vinyl Limited Edition Statue. Up the Irons !!!

John Lennon Rock Iconz®  Ltd. Edition Statue  – John Lennon production completed this week and is on the way to our US warehouse. Stay tuned here for specific updates on pre-order shipping. ship date. You can still pre-order here.

Cliff Burton Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue – Cliff Burton production is complete and is in the container on the way to our US warehouse. . Pre-Order now to make sure you are part of the few Cliff Burton Superfans to own this very special ltd edition.

Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue – Mass production completed this week and Phil Lynott is also in route to our US warehouse to go to Thin Lizzy/Lynott Superfans. Stay tuned here for specific updates for shipping.

KnuckleBonz Black Sabbath Rock Iconz Statue Set – Production has been flowing well and we are beginning final painting and detailing on Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward Rock Iconz Statues. Production is on track for late Spring ship date. Don’t miss out on the massive pre-sale special pricing here…

Misfits Jerry Only Rock Iconz Statue – Misfits Jerry Only statue wrapped production and is on the way to KnuckleBonz US warehouses. Stay tuned here for landing and ship dates to pre-orders. Pre Order The Misfits Jerry Only here.

DEATH Scream Bloody Gore 3D Vinyl – Scream Bloody Gore production went at record pace and it has already wrapped production and is in route to our US warehouse. All looks good for a Spring 2023 ship date to pre-orders. Pre0Order here to have any chance at this amazing 3D Vinyl design.

DEATH Chuck Schuldiner Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue – Chuck Schuldiner’s production was done side by side with Scream Bloody Gore and has also wrapped production. All looks good for a Spring 2023 ship date to pre-orders.

Guns N’ Roses Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statues – Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagen rolled right along and actually wrapped a little early. All looks good for a Spring 2023 ship date to pre-orders. Pre-Order Guns N’ Roses here to have any chance at this amazing 3D Vinyl design.

Behind the scenes “2023 Sneak Peaks” from KnuckleBonz:

*AC/DC will be coming to the KnuckleBonz 3D Vinyl Series with Powerage. New Angus Young and Malcolm Young Rock Iconz designs are being finished and will go to the band for approval soon.

*A New Randy Rhoads KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz design has been approved by the Randy Rhoads Estate and is in pre-production for a late Summer release. This design captures Randy in the early part of his career when he owned the Sunset Strip, just ahead of his years with Ozzy. Think bow-tie and Polka-Dot Vest…

*Cheech and Chong Collectible Statues are in design featuring the comedy duo from the iconic Shred Session in Cheech and Chong’s next movie.

*KISS Destroyer Era KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz Statue designs for Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter are in sculpting and will roll-out later this Spring. Probably a Fall ship date for this new KISS Set from KnuckleBonz.

Stay tuned here for more specific updates…

Rock Hard this Weekend !

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32 Years Without Rock Iconz Steve Clarke of Def Leppard…Rock Misses You.

32 Years Without Rock Iconz Steve Clarke of Def Leppard. Rock Misses You…

Steve Clark lead guitarist and songwriter of the legendary Def Leppard was born in Yorkshire, England in 1960 and began playing guitar at a young age. After being introduced to Joe Elliott and Rick Savage, he became a founding member of Def Leppard in 1977. Steve was an amazing guitar talent but also a major song writer on the monster recordings of Pyromania and the multi-platinum Hysteria in 1987. Steve and Phil Collen immediately became close mates after he joining Def Lepp and were know as the “terror twins” during the bands rise during the raucous 80s.

Hard to believe that it’s been 32 years since we lost Rock Iconz Steve Clarke. Rock in peace…rock misses you.

KnuckleBonz hopes to working with Def Leppard on some cool stull later in 2023…sound off if you agree.

Rock Hard Today !

 

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Celebrating the “Crazy Diamond” Rock Iconz Syd Barrett on his Birthday

Syd Barrett a founding member of Pink Floyd was born on this day, 1946. Throughout his life, Barrett created music that blended psychedelia, folk-rock and experimental pop. We were yet to have the “progressive rock” moniker the would become synonymous with Pink Floyd. Syd was one of the first to suggest a music performance might be more of a “look at” event multi-media experience vs. a dance event. His solo career included two albums that included Madcap Laughs.

After Syd’s exit from The Floyd due to metal illness he became the muse for much of the Floyd themes and song writing. Roger Waters is open about Syd’s influence on his writing from Wish You Were and through Pink Floyd The Wall.

KnuckleBonz created a Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue to celebrate Syd from his solo years in 2017. That has been SOLD OUT for many months, but you can still check out out here.

We have created a new Syd Barret Rock Iconz Statue design and hop to release it later in 2023. Hard to believe the 50th anniversary for Dark Side of the Moon is almost upon us…what happened?

Check out all the KnuckleBonz Wish You Were Here, Division Bell, Animals Pink Floyd Collectibles here.

Rock Hard !

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KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz Series Wishing a Happy Birthday to ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons

KnuckleBonz® Rock Iconz® Series Wishing a Happy Birthday to ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.

Billy Gibbons, “BFG” was born on December 16th 1949 in Houston, Texas. He began playing guitar at age seven and played in several bands including Moving Sidewalks before founding the best lil’ boogie band from Texas, the 1st lounge band on the Space Shuttle, MTV founding fathers, ZZ Top. Happy Birthday Billy Gibbons.

KnuckleBonz created our first Billy Gibbons Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue in 2018 and it was a quick sell out. We have heard from you ZZ Top and Billy Gibbons Superfans and will soon be starting on a new Rock Iconz design for release later this year.

Billy continues to lay down the Texas boogie with ZZ Top as well as numerous solo projects. Check out ZZ Top on tour in 2023.

Check out all the ZZ Top products on KnuckleBonz site here.

Sound off and let us know what you would you would like to see in the new Billy Gibbons KnuckleBonz Rock Iconz Ltd. Edition Statue Design, hat or beanie, what guitar, what boots ect?

Rock Hard !

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KnuckleBonz is celebrating Rock Iconz Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott Today…Us “rockers” Miss You!

KnuckleBonz is celebrating Rock Iconz Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott today…Us “rockers” miss you!

The passing of Phil Lynott, the amazing frontman, song writer, rocker of Thin Lizzy, left a gaping hole in the hearts of rock fans around the world. Now, nearly four decades later, his legacy lives on through an incredible tribute from KnuckleBonz: The Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott Rock Iconz statue.

You can Pre-Order the KnuckleBonz Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott statue here.

Slated for release Spring 2023.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Thin Lizzy’s seminal live album, “Live and Dangerous“. Recorded over two nights in London and Toronto in 1977, the double-album captured a unique moment in rock history – the band at their most powerful, with Phil Lynott serving as their driving force. The setlist from this historic live recording is blur print for hard rock:

Jailbreak

Emerald

Southbound

Rosalie

Dancing In the Moonlight

Massacre

Still In Love with You

Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed

Cowboy Song

The Boys Are Back in Town

Don’t Believe a Word

Warriors

Are You Ready?

Suicide

Sha La La

Baby Drives Me Crazy

The Rocker

Pick up this amazing release of Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous later this month from your favorite record store this month.

Rock Hard!