Darling Stilettos perform at the Las Vegas Hilton on Jan. 2, 2010. TOM DONOGHUE/WWW.DONOGHUEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
By Robin Leach
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010
One moment, the Las Vegas Hilton showroom was saying a fond farewell to the smooth pop sounds of Barry Manilow, and the next, it was welcoming the rock- and sex-fueled manic music of drummer Matt Sorum’s Darling Stilettos.
(Now that his five-year Hilton contract has expired, Manilow is moving to the Strip and starts a new headline residency run at the Paris in early March.)
It was the second Las Vegas concert in 10 days for the legendary member of Velvet Revolver, Guns ‘n’ Roses and The Cult, but this time around, Sorum’s not the star attraction: He’s the manager and backup musician.
“We’re looking for a regular home in Vegas,” Sorum said. “This is rock ‘n’ roll a go-go, and it belongs in Vegas. The two were meant for each other.”
Sorum recently discussed his plans for Darling Stilettos, his girlfriend Ace Harper’s group. The band played the Palms Lounge showroom that same weekend in their first Las Vegas showcase while Matt Goss was on a short break from the lounge.
Now with the second successful showcase wrapped up, Matt is confident that they’ll have a permanent weekend home here soon. “The crowds were great, and their enthusiasm for what we’re doing was fantastic,” he said. “They love the girls, and they love the music.”
Ace, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and Matt have been dating for five years. She is joined by Gina, Lindsey and Allie for a sexy journey through 1970s and ’80s rock classics.
Matt plays drums for the shows, and guitarist Nick Perri of Shinedown, Perry Ferrell and Silvertide fame completes the lineup.
“It’s a nonstop, high-energy show, with the girls taking a breath only when they change outfits,” Sorum said. “I love what they’re doing. Some people will immediately think Pussycat Dolls, but when they actually see the show, it’s completely different because we’re focused on the journey of classic rock with ’70s and ’80s music.
“Yes, it’s four gorgeous girls singing and dancing, but in never-ending costume changes, and these are real rock stars in their own right.”
Long time musical partner Lanny Cordola and myself have formed Global Sound Lodge a new musical consciousness. Our first song entitled “Hands Together” was written for the Hatian people in this time of tragedy in their homeland. We hope to build a group of international musicians with varied humanitarian efforts based on situations around the world that need our attention. John Coltrane believed music can heal the world in his song “Love Supreme”. John Lennon had this vision as well. GSL have songs ready to record for Aung San Suu Kyi, Neda who was shot during the Iranian elections.
After many years traveling the world playing music and meeting so many people. I believe it is in us all to come together with love and music to help one another.
MUSIC NEWS
A SPECIAL PRIVATE SESSIONS: SONGS FOR HAITI
On Sunday, A&E and the BIO Channel will air a special edition of Private Sessions called Private Sessions: Songs for Haiti. On the special, the series will revisit some of its best performances, including songs by Dee Snider, Annie Lennox, Matt Sorum, Dave Stewart and others. The two-hour show will also raise awareness for relief efforts in Haiti and representatives from the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children will all speak with host Lynn Hoffman. The show airs Sunday from 8 to 10 AM Eastern and Pacific on A&E and the BIO Channel.
Darling Stilettos rocked The Barry Manilow theater at The Hilton in vegas Jan 2nd
heres a couple of shots of the girls during their glam set, me and Nick during the intro piece
and before we went on we had a great warm up from Terrisa and Company dancers from Vegas
thanks to Terrisa and her girls.
this venue hosted Elvis for 841 soldout shows in a row.
GUITAR CENTER ANNOUNCES DRUM-OFF GRAND FINALISTS AND JUDGES
Top 5 Undiscovered Drummers in the Nation Set to Compete For Title of Drum-Off Champion, $25,000 Cash and More
Judges Include PETER ERSKINE (Steely Dan), TAYLOR HAWKINS (Foo Fighters), DREW HESTER (Joe Walsh), THOMAS LANG, JASON SUTTER (Chris Cornell), KENNY ARONOFF (John Mellencamp), JOHN TEMPESTA (The Cult), TONY ROYSTER JR. (Jay-Z), NISAN STEWART (Jamie Foxx / 50 Cent) and RAY LUZIER (Korn)
January 8, 2010 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles
December 22, 2009 – Westlake Village, CA – Guitar Center today announced the top five finalists of Drum-Off 2009, the world’s largest and longest running search to find the nation’s top undiscovered drummer. These five finalists will travel to Los Angeles, where they will compete in front of a star-studded capacity crowd at the Wiltern on January 8, 2010. One talented drummer will win a prize package worth more than $40,000 and the title of “Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Champion,” making them the nation’s top undiscovered drummer.
The five drummers battling for Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Championship crown are:
Troy Molsberry (Carlsbad, CA)
Eugine McBride (Flint, MI)
Stanley Jamal Hampton (Smithtown, NY)
Ramon Sampson (Cordova, TN)
Michael McGrath (Henderson, NV)
Beating out more than 4,000 other drummers in several rounds of local and regional competitions over the past several months, the five finalists will now face the final round of competition judged by a panel of highly accomplished drum celebrities including Peter Erskine (Steely Dan), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Drew Hester (Foo Fighters / Joe Walsh), Thomas Lang, Jason Sutter (Chris Cornell), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / Sessions Legend), John Tempesta (The Cult), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z), Nisan Stewart (Jamie Foxx / 50 Cent) and Ray Luzier (Korn).
The evening includes an A-list line-up of guest performances, including “Bezerk” – an exclusive project presented by Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe) and the Street Drum Corps’ Frank Zummo, featuring Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), Abe Cunningham (Deftones), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Jay Weinberg, BANG! and others to be announced. Hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), this historic evening will also include a very special tribute to the legendary John Bonham by Jason Bonham, along with an exclusive collaborative performance by Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon).
Guitar Center will also induct drum icons Billy Cobham and John Bonham into Guitar Center’s Drum Legends as part of the evening’s festivities.
