By Clarence Yu

In continuing with the “tradition” of band-centered video games in their Guitar Hero franchise, Activision has finally confirmed that Guitar Hero: Van Halen is currently in development and, according to a report from Joystiq, will be due for release hopefully by the second half of this year.

Previous band-centered games in the Guitar Hero franchise include Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero: Metallica. In both cases, the band made a ton of money from game sales, while at the same time experiencing a boost in their album catalog sales.

Arguably however, Van Halen might be a little more difficult to put down on a video game.

First of all, Activision has confirmed that the game will only feature David Lee Roth era songs, which effectively narrows down the possible albums in the game to six: Van Halen (1978), Van Halen II (1979), Women and Children First (1980), Fair Warning (1981), Diver Down (1982), and 1984 (1984). The band had also recorded two new songs with Roth on 1996’s Best of Volume I–the superb songs “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” and “Me Wise Magic.”

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By Clarence Yu

AFTER almost 45 years of wowing audiences and guitar freaks, and influencing a good generation or two of excellent guitar players, Jeff Beck has been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Finally.

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UPDATES:

(UPDATE 2) Rapper-TV host Francis Magalona died of leukemia Friday at the Medical City in Mandaluyong, his co-hosts at the GMA Network’s noontime show “Eat Bulaga” said. He was 44.

Magalona succumbed to severe sepsis as a complication of leukemia and passed away at 12 noon, said Philippine Daily Inquirer sources who were not authorized to talk to media.

Magalona had been undergoing several chemotherapy sessions since he was diagnosed with the disease in August last year but was too weak to fight the infection, sources said.

More news from our breaking news.

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FILIPINO rapper and host Francis Magalona has died after his fight with leukemia.

Members of noontime show “Eat Bulaga” led by Vic Sotto announced Magalona’s death.

Here’s our breaking news story:

MANILA, Philippines—Rapper-TV host Francis Magalona has succumbed to leukemia at the Medical City in Mandaluyong City on Friday. He was 44.

Magalona, 44, was diagnosed with leukemia last year.

Members of Eat Bulaga gave a moment of silence during the TV show, but later said that the “show must go on.”

Magalona has been a co-host on Eat Bulaga. But prior to this, he has established himself as the king of Filipino rap. Recently, he has been collaborating with former Eraserheads lead man Ely Buendia on a project.

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Twitter is now abuzz with Magalona’s death.

One user called “thedozenblades” declares: “Francis Magalona RIP. Four hundred years of tears for the brown man still managed to produce you brother.”

Another user, “juiceee” tweets: “RIP Francis Magalona. My mom and i were so close to crying.

While Magalona has kept his condition private, he was very candid in his Multiply blog, as he posted photos of himself, showing the effects of his chemotherapy.

He writes:

Good evening people. I am getting prepared for my 4th Chemotherapy cycle, and I will be admitted tonight at The Medical City. I will be doing some tests tomorrow, wish me luck. Friday I begin my 4th cycle which is a Hi-Dose kind, as will be taking 6 grams of Cytarabin a day every other day for 3 days.

I will be at the 14th floor of the TMC, as usual. I brought alot reading materials (bible included!) and dvds to keep me company while I do my treatment. I will be doing my radiation treatment by February and my PBSCT (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant) will be done by March.

I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.

God bless you, my friend.

PS: I will be needing blood donors for blood and platelets. Please go to the lower ground floor of The Medical City and donate blood in my name. For platelets Apheresis you may go have yourself screened at the Phil. Nat’l Red Cross at the Pier in Manila. I am type O positive. Thank you again.

Agence France-Presse

SAN FRANCISCO–Next New Networks and Verizon on Thursday launched a website where little-known bands and film makers can unite to create “music video masterpieces” for 99 dollars or less.

Online television company Next New Networks will stream selected low-budget productions at 99dollarmusicvideos.com with support from sponsor Verizon, a US telecom titan promoting its FiOS broadband Internet service.

The website debuted with a sepia-toned music video of Brooklyn band La Strada performing an original “The Sun Song” with backdrops including The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York City.

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By Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES — Lynyrd Skynyrd pianist Billy Powell, one of the longest-serving members of the 1970s supergroup, has died aged 56, the band announced on its website Wednesday.

Powell, a survivor of the 1977 plane crash in Mississippi that claimed the lives of six people including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, died on Tuesday, the statement said without giving further details.

“Beloved pianist for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Billy Powell, passed away last night,” the statement said. “The family and band request your respect and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you.”

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