Quick Takes: Rush, Queen + Adam Lambert, Kiss, Vangelis

Rush's Geddy Lee revealed that the current tagline for the band's signature beer is not the one they originally pitched. While chatting with Ultimate Classic Rock, Lee explained that although he and Alex Lifeson settled on the catchphrase “Books are for tourists” for their Rush Canadian Golden Ale — the other was actually more in line with the band's sense of humor: “Did you know the phrase 'Drinking beer is better than being hit in the head with a hammer' can’t be put on a beer can? Me neither. But that’s a no-no. We did ask.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
Queen + Adam Lambert will open Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Concert on June 4th at Buckingham Palace. The concert, which will be broadcast live, will also feature performances by Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, and Alicia Keys, along with a specially pre-filmed performance from Elton John. (Blabbermouth)
The trailer for Spinning Gold, the upcoming biopic on Casablanca Records late-founder Neil Bogart, is making the rounds ahead of being screened to potential investors at Cannes Film Festival. The decidedly low-budget clip features Michael Ian Black as Kiss manager Bill Aucoin leading Bogart and his entourage to the back of the stage as Kiss performs at an arena. Due to the fact that Kiss is currently working on its own biopic, titled Shout It Out Loud, “Rock And Roll All Night” has been recorded by other musicians and the band's iconic makeup has been changed. There's been no word as to when Spinning Gold will be released. (Variety)
Greek composer Vangelis, best known for his chart-topping 1981 theme to the film, Chariots Of Fire, has died at age 79 at a hospital in France. Born Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou in 1943, Vangelis, who will also be remembered for his score to Ridley Scott's 1982 thriller Blade Runner, made a name for himself on the silver screen by scoring such high profile projects as Jack Lemmon's Missing, the Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins drama The Bounty, Roman Polanski‘s Bitter Moon, and Oliver Stone's Alexander. Vangelis also scored the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens. (The Guardian)