A recap of the classic rock news from the last week of 2018:
Michael Anthony told us exclusively that he is not in talks to reunite with Van Halen for a tour this year. "I have not spoken to any of the guys besides Alex [Van Halen], who I had a brief 'hello, how you doing' conversation with a few years back, since we last played together back in 2004." Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang has been the bassist in VH since 2006.
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason became the second member of the band to be made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). David Gilmour was so honored in 2005. Queen Elizabeth included Mason on her annual New Year Honours List, which also made Mike Peters of The Alarm an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his work on behalf of cancer charities.
Tony Iommi is remixing Black Sabbath's 1995 album Forbidden, for re-release this year. The album was made with singer Tony Martin, drummer Cozy Powell and bassist Neil Murray. Iommi says, "It's been interesting to pull that apart and at least try and get some bigger sounds on it, as it should be. I know Cozy was never happy with his drum sound, and none of us were really happy with the sound of that album. So hopefully now it will be sounding better."
Journey won't tour in 2019 because drummer Steve Smith and keyboardist Jonathan Cain on working on other projects. Guitarist Neal Schon will hit the road with his Journey Through Time band, which includes Gregg Rolie and former Journey drummer Deen Castronovo. Journey may do a handful of dates at the end of year.
There is now a post office in Washington named for Jimi Hendrix. Legislators in the state voted unanimously to rename the Renton Highlands Post Office the James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix Post Office. It is less than a mile from the Jimi Hendrix Memorial in Greenwood Memorial Park cemetery, where he is buried.