News Roundup 2011: January
We take a look at the events of the year, kicking off with a big month here on Planet Rock
The turn of the year saw a big change on Planet Rock with a brand new website, a new logo and a handful of line-up changes.
The changes were key to a really big year for the station as we picked up another set of awards (the Arqiva and Freesat Awards) and had a big jump in listeners as the year progressed, setting us up for an even bigger 2012.
In the world of rock, Bob Dylan went and got himself a really big book deal. In the coming years we can expect a massive SIX books from Mr Zimmerman, including two more volumes of his memoir.
Less good news for Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, though, as he was sentenced to two weeks in jail for drink driving offences. While accepting his sentence he offered these words of wisdom "I have recognized that you can't drink and drive at all." His month got even worse when Crue were sued for copyright infringement over the image on the front of their Too Fast For Love album. The year would get a lot better for Neil and for Crue, though...
The Black Crowes announced their last UK shows before an extended hiatus. The three dates saw the band alternate between acoustic and electric sets, while a Mr Jimmy Page joined the band onstage in London. We'll definitely miss them while they're gone.
Towards the end of January producer John Shanks posted a simple message on Twitter that read:Â "Here we go kids... vh" along with a photo of what looked like Eddie Van Halen's guitar amp. Were Van Halen in the studio recording new material? We would have to wait and see...
And Poison's Bret Michaels underwent heart surgery as his disastrous year of injuries and illnesses came to an end. He would go on to have a relatively healthy year compared to 2010's appendicitis, stroke and brain haemorrhage.