-AP-

In a move that's sure to stun the music world, Axl Rose, the oft ill-tempered lead vocalist of Guns N' Roses has been named the new lead vocalist of a soon to be re-launched Van Halen. When asked to comment, all Rose would say was, “Maybe now you f**kers will leave me alone. If you think I’m a psycho, you haven’t partied with Eddie!” This move apparently signals the end of the latest reunion of original vocalist David Lee Roth, who has been in and out of Van Halen several times in the past. Roth won’t comment on this latest news, but rumors that he’s been refusing to record or appear at shows on the Sabbath could explain this latest move by the band. The band is reportedly already in the studio with Rose recording a new album under the working title of “Chinese Laundry.” No release date has been set.

I'll have to see if Discorama has an early promo copy for me during today's Jimbo Lunch.

Surely Tom Jones in Black Sabbath was a better April Fool's joke years ago?

Yeah, a good April Fool's joke needs at least some degree of plausibility... fail.

Well I can't speak about Tom Jones, but don't call me "Shirley."

So David Lee Roth is refusing to perform with Black Sabbath? I didn't even know he'd joined them.

Of course Walter got it wrong (sorry, old friend) because Axl Rose did join a veteran band. Just not VH. Read below:

Axl Rose Says "Yes" to new band

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It was announced this morning that veteran progressive rock group Yes has a new lead singer - former Guns 'N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose.

No one is more stunned than the members of Yes themselves.

"When Axl first proposed the idea to me," said founding member and bassist Chris Squire, "I thought it was bloody ludicrous. But I was intrigued...more than I realized."

"Yes is a band that's always looked over the horizon," drummer Alan White declared. "And with Axl now in the group, we're not just 'close to the edge,' we're over the edge." White chuckled, but reinforced the fact that he's serious about this new change in Yes land.

Rose's joining the band comes amidst a couple of years of turmoil for the band: In 2008, the band was set to embark on a 40th anniversary tour when Jon Anderson was stricken with an asthma attack so severe that doctors advised him not to sing or tour for at least six months.

Squire, White and guitarist Steve Howe elected to do the tour, replacing Anderson with a soundalike vocalist, Benoit David. Keyboardist Rick Wakeman refused to participate in the Anderson-less Yes and the band used his son Oliver as a substitute.

Rose's joining means that Yes will have ousted it's second singer in as many years. Benoit David is currently considering his options. "I hear there's an Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe tribute band that's looking for a vocalist."

When informed of the news, former vocalist Jon Anderson burst into hysterical laughter at the prospect of this new union. Once he composed himself, Anderson just shook his head and left to go to a meditation class.

One man has been conspicuously without comment: New Yes vocalist Rose. The mercurial singer is refusing to do any press interviews for the new venture and has also yet to show up for any rehearsals for the band's summer tour.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll show up eventually," Chris Squire maintains. "Axl is a professional. I mean, he just wouldn't not show up for something, right?"

Unless it's a new album by Van Halen with Axl Rose + Paul Rodgers, I'll have to pass.

Oh, so you're one of those.