07/30/14
Dick Wagner, "The Maestro of Rock"
December 14, 1942 - July 30, 2014
It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we let you know that Dick Wagner has left this world. Dick had a huge heart, which is perhaps why it gave him so much trouble, it was simply too full of love, of music and life. His creativity and passion will live on forever in the legacy he has left for us, in his music and his words. We have so much of him to celebrate.
There's a reason that Dick Wagner's fans and friends call him, 'The Maestro of Rock.' Dick's guitar playing was both wild and fluid. His songwriting, guitar playing and musical arrangements were uniquely rockin', majestic and orchestral. Listen back to his monumental arrangements on Lou Reed's Rock N Roll Animal live album. He took Reed's Velvet Underground songs and turned them into ravishing and passionate arena rock.
Dick was prolific not only in the tangible realm of what we can see and hear but in the boundless energy of his spirit, which will never die. He was a fighter, but in the end his body couldn’t keep up with his spirit, and so he lays to rest. Dick said in 2013, “Love is in the air. Breathe deep.” Take Dick’s advice into your own hearts, and embrace all the passion and beauty in the world.
Please join and follow the Maestro's fans and friends to share your thoughts on Facebook:
Dick Wagner The Maestro of Rock https://www.facebook.com/groups/maestroofrock/
Dickheads https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedickheads/
Induct Dick Wagner Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame https://www.facebook.com/groups/105750622789058/
Dick Wagner personal FB: https://www.facebook.com/wagnerrocks?fref=ts
09/23/13
Thursday Sept 26 - 7pm
THE RHYTHM ROOM
1019 E Indian School Road. with the CRASH STREET KIDS
Tuesday Oct 22 - 7pm
SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL
19 Corte Madera Ave MILL VALLEY CA
BOOK SIGNING AND MINI CONCERT - free admission
Thursday Oct 24 - 6pm
GUITAR SHOWCASE 3090 S Bascam Ave SAN JOSE CA
BOOK SIGNING AND MINI CONCERT - free admission
Saturday Oct 26 - 2pm
RUMBLE SEAT MUSIC CARMEL CA
BOOK SIGNING AND MINI CONCERT - free admission
DESERT DREAMS PRODUCTIONS AND REAL II REAL PRODUCTIONS
 Desert Dreams Productions, LLC and Real II Reel Productions are proud to announce a Strategic Alliance to record and develop quality artists and to provide the highest level of professional production and recording services, songwriting, musical direction, and career advice to aspiring artists.
Marshall Block and Dick Wagner at Real ii Reel Studios, Fenton, MI aka the Ponderosa
The alliance brings together Dick Wagner, aka “The Maestro of Rock”—songwriter and lead guitarist for Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Lou Reed, KISS, Peter Gabriel, Meat Loaf, Lita Ford, and more — with producer and recording engineer, Marshall Block. Marshall has produced three "Best Albums of the Year," as well as music for major motion pictures and television shows, including the Academy Award winning film, "The Fighter," staring Mark Wahlberg. Marshall was also the executive producer for Dick Wagner's seminal album, "Rock Hitstory," which is currently being remastered for a second release.
The Ponderosa - Real ii Reel Studios
Says co-executive, Dick Wagner, “Marshall Block and I have agreed to pool our considerable talents, industry contacts, and years of experience in recording and producing music, to provide multi-faceted services to artists desiring to work with lifetime music industry veterans.”
“Our artists will record at Real ii Reel Studios, Marshall’s beautiful and sophisticated recording facilities in Fenton, Michigan, with a team of highly credited professionals working in their corner.”
"We’re not gonna focus on high budget, cost-prohibitive production that would be difficult for aspiring artists to afford. Our alliance will provide artists with the highest quality professional music production and songwriting, at modest and affordable cost.”
“Our artists will simply have to be willing to invest a little in themselves, to work hard and be dedicated to their art, and be willing to listen to the advice of those of us who are and have been there before.” says Dick Wagner.
 Co-executive Marshal Block adds, “With Desert Dreams and Real ii Real, you will find a place where an artist’s best interests are at the forefront of our thoughts… And besides, we love seeing an artist’s reactions after they hear how they sound in the studio…and their smiles after hearing a few great road stories told during the process,” Marshall states.
Recording at Real ii Reel Studios, with Marshall Block, Dick Wagner and artist Cassie Wilcox
 “I call my studio in the Fenton Woods “The Ponderosa,” because this studio is both my home and also our alliance’s work facility. This means that our artists are provided with all the comforts of home, along with the extraordinary opportunity to interact with the Maestro and his wealth of musical knowledge, as well as be regaled by stories of days with the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and the entire Jackson family by Susan Michelson, Desert Dreams partner and the Maestro’s personal and business manager.”
You are invited to come meet us and work in the wooded peace of lovely Fenton, where wild turkeys roam the grounds, where deer peek in and play at the edges of the property… and where, from the first day with the Maestro, you will learn more about musical performance, creativity, and songwriting than any commercial class can teach you.
Contact:
Marshall Block, President
Studio Land Line: 1-800-723-2448Email: marshall@realiireel.com
Desert Dreams Partners, Susan Michelson and Dick Wagner
05/27/13
We're so proud to announce: DICK WAGNER: FIVE BIG AWARDS for NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED, Vignettes from the Heart of a Rock Musician!!
• 2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Category: Narrative Non-Fiction
• 2013 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: Category: Non-Fiction: Narrative
• 2013 IPPY INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS BOOK AWARD: Category: Autobiography/Memoir
• 2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Category Winner: Music and Performing Arts Categories
• 2013 FOREWORD BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Finalist – awaiting final winners on June 29, 2013: Category: Adult Non-Fiction, Performing Arts & Music
WOW! Dick's first book knocks it out of the arena... Go Dickie!
Trust the book experts: it's hilarious, touching, quirky, musical -- a great read! www.notonlywomenbleed.com
MAY 8
We’re extremely proud to announce: DICK WAGNER’s book, NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED, Vignettes from the Heart of a Rock Musician, has been awarded the 2013 SILVER MEDAL for AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR by the INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS (The “IPPY” Awards.) More than 5000 entries competed in this year’s competition.
The "IPPY" Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving titles published by independent authors and publishers. The awards are intended to reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.. The Awards are owned and operated by Jenkins Group, a publishing services company founded 1988 and located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Press inquires please send correspondence to:
Desert Dreams Books & Music
Distributed worldwide by Ingram Book Group
DICK WAGNER CONCERTS, BOOK SIGNINGS & APPEARANCES - SUMMER 2013
Watch this space for Additions and Updates to schedule!
MAY 25: PRIVATE PARTY, Tempe, Arizona
MAY 29: NEW YORK CITY: IPPY AWARDS CEREMONY: DICK WAGNER, SILVER MEDAL PROVIDENCE ROOM 311 W 57th St. Tickets 800.644.0133 x1011. 6PM TO 9PM
JUNE 1: SCHAUMSBURG, ILLINOIS: WHOLE LIFE EXPO, SCHAUMBURG CONVENTION CENTER.
Tickets http://www.wholelifeexpo.com/
WAGNER SPEAKS ON CREATIVITY, RECOVERY, TELLS STORIES FROM HIS BOOK, PERFORMS SONGS ON GUITAR. 4PM TO 5PM
REHEARSALS MICHIGAN, INTERVIEWS
JUNE 13: LANSING, MICHIGAN:
ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS – BOOK SIGNING, Q & A
- 7PM TO 8:30PM
1100 N Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. FREE ADMISSION. Phone: (517) 372-7880
JUNE 14: FRASER, MICHIGAN: HUBER & BREESE MUSIC
BOOK SIGNING, Q & A, Dick shares stories from his book and plays some tunes on guitar. 33540 Groesbeck Hwy, Fraser, MI 48026. FREE ADMISSION. Phone: (586) 294-3950
SECRET WARM-UP SHOW: JUNE 15, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, MICHIGAN
SECRET WARM-UP SHOW JUNE 19 UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, MICHIGAN
JUNE 21: STRATFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA: STRATFORD BLUESFEST, ALLMAN ARENA.
DICK WAGNER BAND IN CONCERT: http://stratfordbluesandribfest.ca/
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL PERFORMANCES and VIP SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE. TIME TBA
JUNE 22: STRATFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA: STRATFORD BLUESFEST BAND SHELL. DICK WAGNER BAND IN CONCERT: http://stratfordbluesandribfest.ca/ FREE ADMISSION TO ALL PERFORMANCES. VIP SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE. TIME TBA
JUNE 26: WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: MOTOR CITY GUITAR, BOOK SIGNING, Q & A, Dick shares stories from his book and plays some tunes on guitar. 1565 Crescent Lake Rd, Waterford Township, MI 48327. Phone: (248) 673-1900
JUNE 28: AUBURN HILLS, MI CALLAHANS MUSIC HALL (RECORDING LIVE THIS NIGHT)
2105 South Blvd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone (248) 858-9508
Doors open 6:30pm
JULY 6: KITCHENER CANADA, KISS EXPO
Kitchener's Civic Square (City Hall lobby and front lawn.)200 King Street West, Kitchener ON.
Dick will do book signing, sell books, play one song with the KISS Tribute band
JULY 9: FLINT, MICHIGAN: CLIO AMPHITHEATRE 301 Rogers Lodge Drive .Flint Michigan
JULY 12: WINDSOR, ONTARIO CANADA: WINDSOR BLUESFEST
AUGUST 23: Dick Wagner special guest star with Jim Cummings Band at Hastings Festival
AUGUST 30: TBA. Dick Wagner Band
OCTOBER 15: Private party, Phoenix, Arizona
MEET DICK WAGNER in NYC & NJ!
BOOK SIGNINGS - APRIL 2013
WEDNESDAY APRIL 10 - NYC
7:00 PM
BARNES AND NOBLE UPPER EAST SIDE
150 E 86th St.
NYC
(212) 369-2180
FRIDAY APRIL 12 - NYC
7:00 PM
THE FRIARS CLUB
57 E 55th St.
NYC
(212) 751-7272
SATURDAY APRIL 13 - NJ
1:00 PM
BOOKENDS
211 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ
(201) 445-0726
SATURDAY APRIL 13 - CT
8:00pm
HAMMER DOWN CLUB
485 Hartford Road
Manchester, CT 06040
1 860-533-2334
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 - MA
6:00pm
SOUTH SHORE MUSIC
13 Washington Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
781-209-5774
THURSDAY APRIL 17 - MA
7:00pm
BARNES & NOBLE
98 Middlesex Pkwy
Burlington, MA 01803
781-273-3871
TEXAS FRIENDS: MEET DICK WAGNER
Friday February 8, 2013 – 6:30pm
AUSTIN TX: DICK WAGNER BOOK SIGNING
BARNES AND NOBLE – THE ARBORETUM
10000 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78759
Phone:(512) 418-8985
Like the balladeers of old, Dick will tell tales from his book and play a few of hit songs on acoustic guitar.
Event Link: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/4159265
Saturday February 9, 2013 – 4pm to 6pm
SAN ANTONIO TX: DICK WAGNER BOOK SIGNING
THE TWIG BOOK SHOP
200 E. Grayson St San Antonio TX 78215
Like the balladeers of old, Dick will tell tales from his book and play a few of hit songs on acoustic guitar.
Event Link: http://thetwig.indiebound.com/event/dick-wagner-not-only-women-bleed-vignettes-heart-rock-musician-foreword-alice-cooper
‘NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED,
Vignettes from the Heart of a Rock Musician’
***
Legendary Guitarist and Hit Songwriter Dick Wagner, "The Maestro of Rock," Releases
Rock & Roll Memoirs. Foreword by Alice Cooper
Honored by Gibson.com for one of the Top 50 Guitar Solos of All Time, legendary lead guitarist and hit
songwriter Dick Wagner releases his highly-acclaimed memoirs ,“Not Only Women Bleed, Vignettes
from the Heart of a Rock Musician.”
Wagner, the often "Invisible Virtuoso," takes readers on a literary journey as he shares a lifetime of
experience as lead guitarist and songwriter for international rock icons including Alice Cooper, Aerosmith,
Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Air Supply, and more. In his captivating, witty, literate, and often touching
memoir, Wagner delivers colorful tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional
reverberation that resonates with a wide reading audience. It’s not just "sex, drugs and Rock & Roll.” From
industry successes and failures, to personal struggles with family and relationships, “Not Only Women
Bleed” is a hard-driving, heart-driven life scripture, vividly and joyfully conveyed.
Early encounters with such legends as Little Richard, Roy Orbison, BB King and Les Paul highlight
moments of achievement in personal musical growth. Poignantly recounted stories of youthful days on the
road and years of hit recordings contrast with emotional tales of drug abuse and addiction that led to near
fatal health issues. After two heart attacks, a stroke and brain surgery leave him disabled and “drying up
in the desert,” Wagner finds enlightenment in the intensive care unit and takes the reader on a miraculous
journey of courage and commitment. His return to live performance is an inspirational celebration of packed
venues, overjoyed fans and critical media acclaim.
In his foreword, longtime collaborator Alice Cooper proclaims, “Dick isn’t JUST a guitar player... He’s
a gifted writer, and I wrote most of the Alice Cooper Hits with him.... Most of them all Top 40 Hits. My
personal and musical friendship with Dick goes on and on, and thankfully it’s not over yet.”
James Campion, The Huffington Post: “The invisible virtuoso, guitar legend Dick Wagner bears his soul
in his tightly presented new memoir, Not Only Women Bleed."
Industry professionals praise Wagner and his memoirs:
"It's witty, artful, literate, sometimes cheeky, often philosophical and profound, gentle and loving, wistful and
exuberant but, above all, musical.” Bob Ezrin, Producer (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss).
Producer David Foster (Celine Dion, Josh Groban): "Name your all time favorite rock guitar solos and
chances are at least one of them will include the legendary Dick Wagner."
“Wagner takes the reader on a highly entertaining and compelling emotional roller-coaster ride that
seemingly leaves no stone unturned.... A carefully crafted, vignette style book, that is not only easy to read,
but more importantly, almost impossible to put down.” Ryan Sparks, Classic Rock Revisited.
An Anonymous Church Lady exclaims, "It's wicked, but I loved it."
Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, the official website www.notonlywomenbleed.com, and
other fine booksellers.
Contact: review copies and interviews on request: Susan Michelson (602) 920-8115 or
smichelson@desertdreamsllc.com.
www.notonlywomenbleed.com
Thursday September 20 2012
Scottsdale, Arizona: BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER!
Dick Wagner will also perform a few acoustic songs.
BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSTORES
10500 N 90th Street Scottsdale AZ
(480) 391-0048
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Friday October 5, 2012
Tempe Arizona: BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER!
Dick Wagner will also perform a few acoustic songs.
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE
6428 South McClintock Drive Tempe, AZ
(480) 730-1142
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Friday October 19, 2012
Windsor Ontario Canada: BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER!
Dick Wagner will also perform a few acoustic songs.
Dr Disc Records
659 Ouellette St
Windsor Ontario
(519) 253-9744
6:30pm to 9pm
Saturday October 27, 2012
Traverse City Michigan: BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER!
HORIZON BOOKS
243 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI
(231) 946-7290
2pm to 4pm
Saturday October 27, 2012
Traverse City Michigan:
CONCERT and optional VIP DINNER with DICK WAGNER
The Inside Out Gallery
211 Garland Street Traverse City, MI
(231) 929-3254
VIP Dinner: 6pm
Concert: 8pm
Sunday October 28, 2012
Coldwater Michigan: Concert
Tibbits Opera House
14 South Hanchett Street Coldwater, MI
(517) 278-6029
8pm
Saturday November 3, 2012
Monroe Community College: Concert
Lazy Boy Theatre
1555 S Rasinville Road, Monroe MI
(734) 384-4272
Sunday November 4, 2012
Saginaw Michigan BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
3311 Tittabawassee Road Saginaw
(989) 790-9214
2pm to 4pm
Saturday November 10, 2012
Brighton Michigan BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER
Dick will also perform a few songs.
Barnes & Mullins Bookstore
9605 Village Place Blvd Brighton
(810) 225-4670
Sunday November 11, 2012
Detroit-Oak Park Michigan BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER
Dick will also perform a few songs.
26010 Greenfield Road Oak Park, MI
(248) 968-1190
2pm to 4pm
Thursday November 15, 2012
Windsor Ontario Canada: BOOK SIGNING
MEET DICK WAGNER
Dick will also perform a few songs.
Long & McQuade Music Store
1801 Walker Road Windsor
(519) 252-3442
6pm to 8pm
Saturday November 17, 2012
Auburn Hills Michigan
CONCERT and optional VIP DINNER with DICK WAGNER
Callahans Music Hall
2105 South Boulevard Auburn Hills, Michigan
(248) 858-9508
VIP Dinner: 5pm
CONCERT: 8pm
July 29, 2012
The Maestro of Rock Tour was a great success!
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT ONLINE
The Maestro Facebook Page
Dick Wagner's Face Book Page
DICKHEADS Facebook Fan Page
NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED eBook at Amazon
NOT ONLY WOMEN BLEED eBook at Barnes & Noble
www.wagnermusic.com
Retro Kimmer
Machine Gun Thompson
2012 CBS News Story: Dick Wagner
Gibson.com Top 50 Guitar Solos of All Time
Dick Wagner - live onstage with Alice Cooper
Dick Wagner - Lou Reed, Sweet Jane
Alice Cooper on hiring Dick Wagner
Dick Wagner: Jerusalem
|
