Mötley Crüe has reached a major milestone as “Kickstart My Heart” officially crossed one billion streams on Spotify, earning a spot in the platform’s Billions Club. The band joins rock giants including Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin in the elite group. The achievement coincides with a wave of new RIAA certifications, including “Kickstart My Heart” reaching double platinum and the Dr. Feelgood album advancing to nine times platinum. “It’s truly an honor to be standing with such amazing artists,” the band said. The milestone arrives as Crüe celebrates its 45th anniversary and prepares a limited edition reissue of its 1981 debut, Too Fast For Love, set for October 30th via BMG. Story URL
Alice Cooper has opened up about his crack cocaine use, calling it “the thing that almost killed me.” In a new interview with The Telegraph, Cooper recalled being told the drug wasn’t addictive. “This was at the very beginning of crack, and crack is the most addictive drug there is, by far,” he said. The 78-year-old reveals further details in his upcoming memoir, Devil On My Shoulder, due October 6th. Cooper said the addiction nearly ended his marriage to wife Sheryl. “We were almost in court, and I said, ‘This is wrong,’ and she said, ‘Yeah, I know.'” Cooper has now been sober for more than 40 years and remains active, with a fall North American tour launching next month. Story URL
Conrad “Cronos” Lant, vocalist and bassist of pioneering UK metal band Venom, has died at 63. The band’s remaining members, guitarist Rage and drummer Danté, announced his passing on social media alongside a statement from Lant’s son Nathan. Venom’s early albums, including Welcome To Hell and Black Metal, helped shape thrash and black metal and fueled the underground metal scene throughout the ’80s. Cronos was the band’s most consistent member, stabilizing its lineup from 2009 until his death. The group’s most recent release, Into Oblivion, marked their 16th studio album. “He has laid down his soul and his music will live on,” Nathan said. “The legend of Cronos will never die.” Tributes poured in from artists including Gary Holt and ex-Venom guitarist Jeff “Mantas” Dunn. Story URL