The Month In Rock: April

Wolfgang Van Halen

4/1 Wolfgang Van Halen Plays April Fool’s Prank

At Mammoth’s Cincinnati show frontman Wolfgang Van Halen tells the audience he’s going to play a song he said he’d never play. After additional build-up the band plays a cover of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The audience is Rickrolled by Van Halen.

4/1 Ex-Turnstile Guitarist Faces The Judge

Brady Ebert appears in a Maryland court facing charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault for allegedly using his vehicle to injure of the father of Turnstile frontman Breden Yates, following a dispute.

The 33-year-old musician was fired from Turnstile in 2022.

4/1 New Nevermore Line-Up Makes Live Debut

Joining guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams at IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş in Istanbul, Turkey, are the band’s latest additions, Jack Cattoi (guitar), Semir Özerkan (bass) and Berzan Önen (vocals).

Lindsey Buckingham

4/1 Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Attacked

Lindsey Buckingham is attacked in Santa Monica. A woman with a history of stalking Buckingham (claiming she is the guitarist’s biological child – which Buckingham denies) tosses an unknown substance toward the guitarist/vocalist from a container as he enters a building for an appointment. Buckingham is not harmed.

4/2 Yes Postpone U.K./E.U. Tour

“The upcoming Yes ‘Fragile’ U.K. and E.U. tour has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time,” writes Yes in a statement. “This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve.”

“We are working hard to reschedule the U.K. and E.U. shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter.”

4/2 Last In Line Singer Out

Drummer Vinny Appice states in an interview that singer Andrew Freeman, a Last In Line original member, is no longer in the band.

“Finally we just said, ‘It’d be a lot smoother to find another singer.’ So that’s what we’re doing,” said Appice.

4/2 Alice Cooper’s New Guitarist Makes Her Debut

Anna Cara performs with Alice at his special “Welcome To Our Nightmare” show in Las Vegas.  Cooper’s longtime guitarist Nita Strauss previously announced that she would be taking a break to welcome her first child this summer.

Cara played with musicians in Cooper’s orbit.

Lordi

4/2 Lordi Recycles

Pantamera, Sweden’s leading recycling initiative, launches a national recycling campaign with Lordi as the official spokesband.

Lordi are known for their monster personas and theatrical stagecraft.

“The Lordi version of ‘Pantamera’ is exploring the similarities between recycling and horror genre in general,” says Mr. Lordi. “For example, Frankenstein’s monster and zombies are recycled flesh and bones.”

Tobias Forge 

4/2 Ghost Frontman Stalked

A Swedish newspaper reports that a woman in her 40s has been charged with harassment after allegedly sending repeated messages, payment requests and letters to Tobias Forge, Ghost frontman, between July and October ’25. She continued contacting him through different means after being blocked, including sending registered letters.

Bruce Springsteen

4/2 Trump’s Springsteen Tirade

President Donald Trump calls out Bruce Springsteen on social media, labeling him a “total loser” and urging his supporters to boycott the singer’s new “overpriced” tour – which is largely sold out.

Trump’s comments follow the launch of Springsteen’s politically oriented “Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour.”

4/3 xx Returns

xx perform their first show together in eight years. Jamie xx, Romy and Oliver Sim deliver a 19-song set during a show in Mexico City.

The setlist drew from each of their three albums together, plus solo work each member has released since they last performed together in 2018.

Pierce The Veil

So Far So Fake.

4/4 Pierce The Veil Scores First Mainstream Rock #1

Pierce the Veil’s “So Far So Fake” has completed a long journey. The song originally appeared on band’s latest album, 2023’s “The Jaws Of Life.” It became the band’s second #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart (after “Emergency Contact” in July of ’23). “So Far So Fake” also saw a resurgence in ’25 after going viral on TikTok.

“It’s about if you’ve ever been betrayed by somebody you felt was a friend, and the wound never really mended—where even an apology doesn’t feel like it’s enough,” commented Pierce The Veil frontman Vic Fuentes. “It feels like it can never really be resolved. So, it’s a bit angry, a bit sour, a bit difficult to think about. But I always want to write about things that are affecting my life.”

Jack White

4/4 Jack White Makes Sixth Appearance On Saturday Night Live

He performs “G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs” and “Derecho Demonico” (which translates to “demonic right’). Both are songs were released the previous day.

White debuted on SNL in 2002 as part of the White Stripes.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne

4/7 Ozzy’s Former L.A. Home For Sale

The home Ozzy Osbourne shared with his wife and manager Sharon is on the market for $17 million. Ozzy and Sharon bought the home in 2015 for $11.85 million.

Built in 1929, the six-bedroom-and-11-bathroom Mediterranean villa-style manor is located in Hancock Park.

Anton Kabanen

4/7 Beast In Black Guitarist To Sit Out Tour With Helloween

Anton Kabanen will sit out the band’s North American tour in order to focus on completing work on Beast In Black’s long-awaited fourth studio album. “I need to stay behind because it’s absolutely vital for the new album, which is still a work in progress,” states the guitarist.

Taylor Momsen

4/7 Taylor Momsen Gets Bitten

The Pretty Reckless frontwoman requires medical assistance after being bitten by a “massive” spider prior to her band opening for AC/DC in Mexico City.

It’s the second time Momsen has been bitten by a wild animal. She was attacked by a bat onstage in ’24.  

“It wouldn’t be an AC/DC tour if I didn’t get bit,” Momsen writes on social media. She gets a shot to counteract the effects of the spider bite.

“It’s venom did a number on my system so had to have the wonderful doctors in Mexico come and deliver quite the shot before the show.”

“Dear God,” the next album from The Pretty Reckless will drop June 26th. A North American tour launches in July and concludes in late September. After that, it’s off to Europe for a run of dates in November and early December,

Nick Shabatura

4/7 Touring C.O.C. Drummer Makes Live Debut

Nick Shabatura makes his Corrosion Of Conformity live debut at Hell at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA.

Shabatura was recommend to C.O.C. by Anthrax/Pantera drummer Charlie Benante.

Shabatura previously played with the Nirvana tribute band Smells Like Nirvana. and takes over from Stanton Moore.

Mat Sinner

4/8 Primal Fear Bassist To Miss Shows

Primal Fear take to social media to tell fans that bassist Mat Sinner will miss the band’s upcoming shows in South America after he suffers an injury during the group’s concert in London in early March. Gamma Ray’s will Dirk Schlächter will fill in.

4/7 Swedish Metal Band Part Ways With Guitarist

Evergrey announce they’ve parted ways with longtime guitarist Henrik Danhage.

“Evergrey and Henrik have mutually decided to part ways after working together on and off for 21 years,” reads a band statement. “It is now time for a new chapter for both parties.”

4/9 Stephen Platt Joins Evergrey

Evergrey revea; the addition of guitarist Stephen Platt, who had already been Evergrey’s secomd touring guitarist since late 2025.

Evergrey was formed in 1993 as a Progressive Power Metal band.

Elvis Presley

4/9 Bidding Starts For Elvis Guitar

This Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar that Elvis Presley played during his “1968 Comeback Special” is on the block. Sotheby estimates the guitar will go for somewhere between $1 and $2 million.

Elvis used the guitar throughout the famous broadcast on the songs “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.”

He’s also holding the guitar on the cover of his 1969 album “Elvis In Memphis. ”

“This guitar became a symbol of Elvis’ legendary comeback,” says Sotheby’s Craig Inciardi. “Guitars have always been central to his image.

I Don’t Know Where Izzy Is T-Shirt

4/9 GN’R Meme Is A T-Shirt

Longtime Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus creates a T-shirt in response to a 35-year-old meme.

In 1991 the band released a video where a fan had a sign that said read, “Where’s Izzy?,” referring guitarist Izzy Stradlin who was absent from the filming of the video.

Stradlin officially left the group the following month.

Deep Purple

4/10 Deep Purple Visit Prime Minister

Deep Purple visit Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo. Takaichi is known for her passion for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and her skills as an amateur drummer.

“You are my god,” Takaichi tells Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, presenting him with a signed set of Japanese-made drumsticks.

David Lee Roth

4/10 David Lee Roth At Coachella

“Oh my God! It’s David Lee Roth from the best fucking band of all time, Van Halen”, singer Teddy Swims declares as Diamond Dave emerges, flashing his distinctive smile. After giving Swims a hug, the iconic opening synth line of “Jump” began to play, garnering cheers from the Coachella crowd.

Triumph

4/10 Triumph Returns

Triumph kicks off their first tour in more than 30 years in Orlando, FL. The trek includes original members Gil Moore (drums/vocals) and Rik Emmett (guitar/vocals) along with guitarist Phil X (Theofilos Xenidis, a member of Bon Jovi and a former member of Triumph), Brent Fitz (drummer/keyboardist) and Todd Kerns. (bass). Original Triumph bassist Mike Levine is absent due to physical ailments.

Tom Dumont

4/11 No Doubt’s Tom Dumont Has Parkinson’s

Just weeks before No Doubt reunite for their Las Vegas Sphere residency guitarist Tom Dumont reveals he has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.

“So a number of years ago I was experiencing a number of symptoms. I went to my doctor, I went to a neurologist, did a whole bunch of tests, and I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease,” Dumont explains. “It’s been a struggle, it’s a struggle every day.”

The guitarist joined No Doubt in 1988 and despite having early onset of Parkinson’s disease, Dumont says he’ll still take part in No Doubt’s upcoming Sphere shows, scheduled to begin May 6th.

Alice Cooper

4/11 Alice Cooper Covers Nirvana

Alice Cooper performs a surprise cover version of the Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” during his headlining performance at Coop’s annual Coopstock music festival in Mesa Arizona. 

Proceeds benefit Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.

Bruce Springsteen

4/12 Respect For Trump?

In a New York Post interview original E Street Band drummer Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez. who votes Republican, says The Boss should change is tone toward President Trump. “You gotta have respect for the president.”

Springsteen has called Trump the leader of a “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous administration.”

4/13 Jack White Lays Into A.I. Trump

After an A.I.-generated image of Trump as a Christ-like healer as well as another shot of the President donning a papal hat, Jack White *White Stripes/Racanteurs) weighs in.

“Hey evangelical Christians? Remember that anti-Christ you been squawking about all these years and how he’d present himself as Christlike and bring about the end of days with a final war in the Middle East involving Jerusalem? Well…check out your boy now!,”

Iron Maiden

4/13 Rock Hall Reveals 2026 Inductees

Irom Maiden leads the artists who will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame om November 14th. Also set to be honored in the class of 2026 Performer category are Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order and Oasis.

Taylor Momsen

4/14 Taylor Momsen – Once Bitten Twice Treated

Taylor Momsen, The Pretty Reckless frontwoman, is hospitalized in Mexico due to a reaction from a recent (4/7) spider bite.

She was treated after the bite occurred but then a skin rash formed on her leg as a result of the venom.

The Pretty Reckless is on tour opening for AC/DC.

The Gems

4/14 The Gems Lose Drummer

Drummer Emlee Johansson (pictured on the right) announces her departure from The Gems.

“I enjoy playing live a lot, but it’s all the traveling, lack of sleep, pressure and stress that comes with it,” says Johansson on social media.

Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley

4/14 KISS Forever Avatar Update

During an appearance at Pollstar Live! in Hollywood, KISS founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley discuss plans for avatar shows in ’28 with new songs. “The show is going to be spectacular,” offers Stanley. “We’re your travel guides through basically KISS worlds as opposed to being limited to the stage.”

Live Nation

4/15 Court Rules Against Live Nation

A jury in a New York federal court rules that Live Nation and their subsidiary Ticketmaster have operated as a monopoly, overcharging fans on tickets for entertainment events. This comes in the wake of increased scrutiny on the company’s ticketing practices.

4/18 Slipknot’s Lost Album Released

Previously unreleased songs by four Slipknot members recorded during the sessions for its 2008 set “All Hope Is Gone” receives a vinyl release in conjunction with Record Store Day.

Look Outside Your Window is both the band name and album title. The ‘lost album’ features Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor, guitarist Jim Root, turntablist Sid Wilson and percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan.

“It’s an amazing body of work,” Crahan told Upset magazine. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”

Mötley Crüe

4/18 Mötley Crüe’s “Live Wire” Resurrected For Record Store Day

Mötley Crüe present the “Live Wire” EP as part of Record Store Day.

Out of print for over four decades, “Live Wire,” a radio-only promo EP containing the title track, was originally released in 1982. The song originally appeared ten months earlier on the band’s debut album “Too Fast For Love.”

The Strokes

4/18 The Strokes Close Out Coachella Set With Montage

The Strokes close with a performance of their ’16 song “Oblivius,” accompanied by a video montage detailing decades of alleged CIA-backed atrocities and assassinations, and culminating with footage of recent destruction in Iran and Gaza. “Who’s side are you on” sings frontman Julian Casablancas.

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4/19 Testament Share Mini-Doc

Testament issue an official behind-the-scenes mini-documentary around the first show of the U.S. leg of their “Thrash Of The Titans” world tour, which launched in Portland, OR.

The set features drummer Chris Dovas, the replacement for Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer).

4/19 The Doors Are Honored

The fourth annual American Music Honors ceremony features Springsteen playing “Light My Fire” with The Doors drummer John Densmore.

Doors guitarist Robby Krieger was unable to attend the show because his wife is ill, so Densmore accepted the award on behalf of the band. 

American Music Honors were founded in 2023 by Bruce Springsteen.

Traffic co-founder Dave Mason dies in his sleep at the age of 79. He had recently been experiencing health issues.

Mason is also known as the composer of “Feelin’ Alright” (famously cover by Joe Cocker), “Only You Know And I Know” and “We Just Disagree.”

Billy Corgan

4/20 Billy Corgan’s NWA To Be On Comet TV

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman and president of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), announces a deal to bring “NWA Powerrr” to Sinclair’s Comet TV beginning May 1st.

“This partnership with Sinclair’s Comet TV is the first step in NWA’s push into free television.

Eileen Kelly

Anthony Kiedis

4/21 Anthony Kiedis’ Amour Explains Relationship

30-year-old writer/podcaster/social media personality Eileen Kelly pens an online column for Vogue Kelly defending and explained her relationship with 63-yeer-old Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis as being more beneficial and acceptable than people may think.

Over the years Kiedis has drawn criticism for dating significantly younger women.

Kelly starts by recounting why she once told a friend with an unsatisfying history of dating people her own age to finally “try dating someone older.”

Afterward, Kelly adds that her relationship with Kiedis is “either alarming or impressive, depending on who you ask.” She also remarks: “It’s my first time dating someone significantly older, and sometimes I joke with friends that I’ve been missing out my whole life.”

After discussing how they “met at a birthday party” and bonded over their shared connections, Kelly claims that the “age gap didn’t register at first” because she’d “met someone interesting and magnetic.” In fact, she “assumed” that they’d “just become friends,” and she exchanged numbers with Kiedis so that they could get coffee together.

Travis Barker

4/22 Hulu Announces Travis Barker Documentary

According to the Blink-182 drummer, it’s an “unfiltered look at my journey after a life-changing experience and also spotlights the amazing people I have in my life who carried me through it. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to document it and be able to share it with all of you.”

The subscription streaming television service’s documentary digs into Barker’s own personal journey that includes his survival after a 2088 plane crash that nearly claimed his life.

4/22 Marilyn Manson Confesses

Manson stops during the first show of the 2026 edition of his One Assassination Under God tour in Highland, CA to address his sobriety with the crowd, in a moment he called a “confession.”

He proclaims that he was a “drug addict” before launching into “The Dope Show.”

Dream Theater

4/22 Dream Theater Is Filmed Live

The band’s concert at Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile is professionally recorded and filmed for an upcoming Blu-ray.

Dream Theater started as Majesty in 1985 after founding members met at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

4/23 It’s the Ramones Fiftieth Anniversary

To celebrate the anniversary of their debut, self-titled album, “Ramones,” the band announces a series of year-long festivities to mark the record’s generational legacy, while honoring the birth of Punk and the enduring impact of the movement that cut through the era’s excess with a brash attitude. 

4/23 Ramones Book Out

In conjunction with the Ramone’s anniversary celebration, “All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit Of The Ramones,” written by Jenn L. Beckwith, chronicles the band’s history through firsthand experiences of fans and friends as well as research on the individual band members.

The Ramones gave their debut show at CBGB’s on August 16th, 1974 with their last concert happening on August 6th, 1996 at The Palace, Hollywood.

Metallica

4/23 Metallica Honors Conductor

Following the passing of legendary conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, the previous day, Metallica issues a statement expressing their sadness: “Many of you became familiar with the man known as MTT when he worked with us as a major driving force in the development and live performances of the ‘S&M2′ shows in San Francisco.”

4/23 Sully Erna and Dorothy Martin Disclose Their Relationship

During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk“ Godsmack frontman Sully Erna publicly discloses for the first time his romantic relationship with Dorothy Martin, the lead singer of the Dorothy. 

Erna also talks about his musical collaboration with Dorothy on a track called “Set Me Free.”

“Me and her connected originally because we both went through some history and with bad relationships,” states Erna. “A lot of people kind of go through these things, but we have the opportunity to kind of voice it and vent it through our art. So we both kind of had gone through a similar situation that just felt really appropriate to kind of write about it and set it free. And the song became obvious. And it’s just a down-and-dirty good hard Rock song. And it’s not a ballad, it’s nothing sappy. It’s actually the opposite.”

Dororthy tells host Eddie Trunk that she is thrilled about her new relationship. “I love this man,” she says of Sully.

Mikey “Bug” Cox 

4/24 Coal Chamber Drummer Reveals Cancer Battle

Mikey “Bug” Cox acknowledges that he has been fighting — and winning — a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in early April of last year.

“GRATITUDE. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it hits differently for me these days,” says Cox.

4/24 Poison frontman Plays NFL Draft 

Bret Michaels performs at the 2026 NFL Draft in the Draft Theater outside Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium. kicking off the festivities before the second and third rounds of the draft.

“As a Western Pennsylvania native and lifelong Steelers and NFL fan, this is a dream come true,” enthuses Michaels.

4/25 Foo Fighters On U.K. SNL

Foo Fighters make history becoming the first-ever American musical guest on Saturday Night Live U.K. (SNL U.K.)

Dave Grohl and company perform songs from their recently released twelfth album, “Your Favorite Toy”: “Caught In The Echo” and “Child Actor.”

4/26 Joe Lynn Turner Revisits Solo Debut

The Rainbow/Deep Purple singer performs his first solo album, 1985’s “Rescue You,” in its entirety, during a concert in Oslo, Norway.
His solo band consists of guitarist Nikolo Kotzevr, keyboardist Will Oaks, bassist Ken Sandin and drummer Darby Todd.

Megadeth

4/26 Megadeth Covers Metallica

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine revisits his days with Metallica when his band performs “Ride the Lightning” live in Bogotá, Colombia for the first time.

“Ride The Lightning” was completed and released after Mustaine’s tenure with Metallica ended but he still received a writing credit for the song’s riffs.

4/26 Springsteen Gives A “Prayer Of “Thanks”

The Boss – who has been embroiled in a war of words with President Donald Trump regarding his policies – offers a moment of civility by acknowledging the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner the night before.

The Boss gives a “prayer of thanks that our President, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured.”

Phil Labonte

4/27 Philip Labonte Op-Ed Leads To Congressional Action

“The Silent Crisis: Why Society Is Failing Men And Boys,” a 2024 op-ed by the founder and lead singer of All That Remains, draws renewed attention as new legislation is introduced by Republican representatives Nathanial Moran and Derrick Van Orden that reflects growing concern around the challenges facing men and boys in America.

4/27 Steve Vai’s House Is On The Market

The legendary Rock guitarist (David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and G3. as well as extensive session work), puts his L.A. retreat on the market for $11.8 million. It comes with a recording studio – of course.

The Grammy-winning virtuoso paid $1.2 million for the Encino property three decades ago.

Kid Rock

4/27 Kid Rock Joyriding

Kid Rock is criticized for taking a ride on board an Army Apache attack helicopter at the invite of U.S. Defense Secretary (Department of War) Pete Hegseth.

This comes a month after Kid Rock posted images of U.S. Army helicopters flying adjacent to his mansion n North of Nashville, accompanied by praise for the military.

Todd Michael Hall

4/28 Todd Michael Hall No Longer In Riot V

“After 13 years, 3 albums, and over 200 live shows, I need to take a break to focus more on my wife, my family, and my family business,” comments Todd Michael Hall. He will be temporarily replaced by Valentino Francavilla.

4/29 Dave Mustaine Honored

The Megadeth leader is made a Guest Of Honor in Buenos Aires by the legislature during a ceremony in the Argentine capital. The honor is awarded to foreign citizens who “have distinguished themselves in culture, in science, in politics, in sports or who have rendered important services to humanity.” Megadeth has a Buenos Aires concert the following day.

4/29 Ghost Win Grammis Award

Ghost is honored in the “Best Hard Rock/Metal” category at the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), held at Annexet in Stockholm.

Ghost leader Tobias Forge is joined by his songwriting team of Max Grahn, Vincent Pontare and Salem Al Fakir when he accepted the award for last year’s “Skeletá” album.

Ghost was also up for the “Artist Of The Year” and “Album Of The Year.”  

Ozzy Osbourne

4/29 Smell Like Ozzy

London fragrance house Czech & Speake announces a limited-edition batch of its No.88 cologne, which was Ozzy Osbourne’s fragrance of choice for 30 years.

The batch sells out almost immediately. Each bottle costs $370, with 20% of the sales being donated to Cure Parkinson’s.

4/30 Former Turnstile Guitarist Could Get Life

Brady Ebert is indicted for attempted first-degree murder. He had previously been facing a second-degree murder charge which could carry up to a 30-year sentence, but the first-degree charge could sentence him to life in relation to an incident in which Ebert struck singer Brenden Yates’ father with a vehicle.

Alex Ligertwood

4/30 Santana Singer Dies

Alex Ligertwood, the Scottish musician best known for his lengthy run as Santana’s vocalist dies at the age of 79.

Ligertwood joined Santana in 1979.

His tenure with the band included an appearance at Live Aid in 1985 and the songs “You Know That I Love You,” “Winning,” “Hold On” and “Say It Again.”