The Grammy Museum Opened the ‘History of Heavy Metal’ exhibit on April 11, 2012 to the press and METAL SHOP Rocks was invited for a preview.

Some of the memorabilia on display include hand-written songs by Ronnie James Dio and Randy Rhoads’ signature guitar. Many other instruments, wardrobe and music can be enjoyed by metal heads at this exhibit open now through February, 2013 n Los Angeles, California.

Here are a few photos… Enjoy. -Ralph

Ozzy Osbourne is holding several book signing events in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas in support of the release of his new book, Trust me, I’m Dr. Ozzy: Advice From Rock’s Ultimate Survivor, featuring memoirs of some of his most famous survival tales during his 4o-year career. The book was released October 11th and METAL SHOP's Ralph Cartel attended the first book signing at the Barnes & Noble on Edinger Avenue in Huntington, CA. Read the rest of this entry »

IRON MAIDEN and OZZY OSBOURNE lead the pack with multiple nominations at this year’s Revolver Golden Gods Awards, set to take place April 20, 2011 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

Ozzy and Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson are up for Best Vocalist and both band’s guitarists and drummer, respectively, are nominated.

Iron Maiden and MEGADETH are up for Best Live Band and ACCEPT for Comeback of the Year.

The 2011 “Golden God Award” will be presented to ALICE COOPER, while THE RONNIE JAMES DIO LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD will go to MOTLEY CRUE. The original Alice Cooper Band line-up will perform for the first time in 40 years.

Here are the nominees for all categories:

Epiphone Best Guitarist(s)

• John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE)

• Dan Donegan (DISTURBED)

• Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND)

• Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)

• Janick Gers, Dave Murray, and Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN)

• Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM)

Drum Workshop Best Drummer

• Tommy Clufetos (OZZY OSBOURNE)

• Abe Cunningham (DEFTONES)

• Joey Jordison (ROB ZOMBIE)

• Roy Mayorga (STONE SOUR)

• Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN)

• Mike Portnoy (Ex-DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD)

Best Vocalist

• Glenn Danzig (DANZIG)

• Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN)

• Chino Moreno (DEFTONES)

• Ozzy Osbourne (OZZY OSBOURNE)

• M. Shadows (AVENGED SEVENFOLD)

• Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR)

Affliction Album of the Year

• AVENGED SEVENFOLD, “Nightmare”

• BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, “Order of the Black”

• DEFTONES, “Diamond Eyes”

• OZZY OSBOURNE, “Scream”

• STONE SOUR, “Audio Secrecy”

• VOLBEAT, “Beyond Hell/Above Heaven”

Samson Zoom Best Live Band

• AVENGED SEVENFOLD

• GWAR

• IRON MAIDEN

• MEGADETH

• RAMMSTEIN

• SEVENDUST

Most Metal Athlete

• Chris Cole (pro skateboarding)

• Dan Hardy (MMA fighting)

• Toni Lydman (NHL)

• The Miz (WWE wrestling)

• Jeremy Shockey (NFL football)

• Mike Vallely (pro skateboarding)

Best New Band

• ASKING ALEXANDRIA

• BLACK VEIL BRIDES

• THE DAMNED THINGS

• THE PRETTY RECKLESS

• TIMES OF GRACE

• WE ARE THE FALLEN

Eagle Rock Comeback of the Year

• ACCEPT

• FAITH NO MORE

• MURDERDOLLS

• A PERFECT CIRCLE

• SOUNDGARDEN

• SYSTEM OF A DOWN

Ozzy Osbourne and Guitar master Slash made a special appearance Monday, January 10, 2011 at the House of Blues in Hollywood, California. Both rock Icons were in attendance to sign a 10-foot Gibson Guitar and to announce they will be teaming up for an upcoming U.S. tour. The first minute was filmed sideways, but I was able to get some video from this event. Special thanks to Angela and MSOPR for making this happen for METAL SHOP. -Ralph Read the rest of this entry »