Legendary alt-rockers The Replacements are set to return to the stage for the first time in more than two decades. Core members Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson will headline Riot Fest in three locales – Chicago, Toronto and Denver – beginning in late August. The rest of the band’s lineup will be announced at a later date; word is original drummer Chris Mars is not participating.

Keith Richards opened up on a wide range of topics in a just-published cover-story for Men’s Journal. The discussion included talk of his complicated relationship with Mick Jagger and his thoughts on turning 70 this December.

Gibson has a host of special activities lined up for the 2013 Sweetwater GearFest that takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 21 and June 22.

Dave Mustaine decided to steer away from topical subjects and focus more on matters of the heart for Megadeth’s new album, Super Collider. Speaking to Billboard, the veteran guitarist said he deliberately avoided material that might stir controversy.

Ringo Starr is partnering with noted illustrator Ben Cort to create a children’s picture book based on The Beatles song, “Octopus’s Garden.” The book will tell a story of five children taken on an underwater adventure by a friendly octopus. A CD featuring a previously unreleased portion of the song will be included in the package.

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Mumford & Sons are among the artists lending their talents to agit8, a music-based campaign putting the spotlight on issues associated with extreme poverty.

Rise Against rocked the Budweiser Orion stage at last weekend’s Orion Music + More festival, which, of course, was put on by Metallica. We couldn’t help but notice Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair and frontman Tim McIlrath rocking their Gibsons during the show, which included such punk classics as “The Good Left Undone,” “Re-Education (Through Labor),” “Help Is on the Way” and more. Check out a photo here!

One of our favorite metal guitarists, Zakk Wylde, is set to be honored for his work with Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne and beyond at the Vegas Rocks! Magazine Awards 2013 this summer. Specifically, the Gibson loyalist will be honored with the Riff Monster award at the show, which is scheduled to rock The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Aug. 25.

The Darkness recently supported Lady Gaga on stadium and arena dates. But to close 2013, they’re going back to smaller venues. The Darkness will play, in its entirety, their #1 debut album Permission To Land which featured the hard-rocking “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “I Believe In a Thing Called Love.”

Photographer/author Lisa S. Johnson is publishing a new book in September 2013. It’s a collection called 108 Rock Star Guitars -  intimate portraits of the cherished guitars owned by Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Lou Reed, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Rick Nielsen, Slash, Jack White, Billy Gibbons, Ace Frehley and many others.
The book has taken Johnson 17 years to complete.