Ali Farka Toure

In 2004 Ali Farka Toure became mayor of Niafunke. Shoot the Sh*t Velvet Revolver Fansite (http://velvetrevolver.pink-buzz.com/). Toure is noted as the mentor to popular Malian musician Afel Bocoum. As of 2005, Velvet Revolver consisted of. He reappeared in 1999 with Niafunke, a more traditional album focusing on African rhythms and beats.
. Toure usually sings in one of several African languages, as on his breakthrough album, Ali Farka Toure, which established his reputation in the world music community. 1994's Talking Timbuktu, a collaboration with Ry Cooder, sold promisingly well in western markets, but was followed by a hiatus from releases in America and Europe. In addition to this, they are slated to open for Black Sabbath in Europe this summer, before likely finishing a second album sometime this fall.

As the first African bluesman to achieve widespread popularity on his home continent, Toure is often known as "the African John Lee Hooker". For the Spring of 2005, the band has several Canadian dates lined up as well as a headlining arena tour for the U.S. Ali Farka Toure (born 1939 in Niafunke, Mali) is an African blues singer and guitarist, known throughout the continent as one its most famous performers. Already, the band have toured both the United States and Europe twice, while also hitting Australia and Japan. As of March 2005, "Contraband" had sold roughly 1.6 million copies in the United States, and the rigorous touring in support of the album has reached global scales. The prior has been remarkably successful not only in the rock circle but also on modern music stations.

Since then, the band has released two more singles: the ballad "Fall to Pieces" and the hard-rocker "Dirty Little Thing," both of which have videos featured for them. Slither, which is also the band's first music video, has also reached #64 on the Billboard Hot 100, gone top 20 in Finland and top 40 on a European composite chart, Canada, and Australia. The first single "Slither" topped a composite world modern rock chart in June, reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and #5 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The Contraband album was released in June 2004 debuting at #1 on the Billboard album charts, #11 on the British album charts, and #2 in the Australian charts.

It recorded its first album Contraband in the latter part of 2003 with recording complicated by Weiland's court appearances for drug charges and his subsequent sentencing to undertake rehabilitation. The band played their first live gig at the El Rey in Los Angeles in June 2003. The band is also responsible for a cover of Pink Floyd's "Money" featured at various parts in the movie The Italian Job. Velvet Revolver recorded its first track "Set Me Free" for The Hulk soundtrack in 2003.

Slash suggested the name Revolver for the project and Weiland suggested the addition of Velvet to the title. Weiland heard the material and offered his services as the lead singer and the band clicked. Scott Weiland had become friends with McKagan and had played on the same bill as Kushner when Stone Temple Pilots were known as Mighty Joe Young and Kushner was in the Electric Love Hogs. A number of lead singers auditioned including the Canadian rock and roll icon Todd Kerns formerly of age of electric, Josh Todd formerly of Buckcherry, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Kelly Shaefer of Atheist/Neurotica and Travis Meeks of Days of the New but were unsuccessful.

The quartet then set about recruiting a lead singer with the recruitment process filmed by VH1. The quartet were referred to under the temporary moniker, "The Project" pending the selection of a permanent name. Kushner went to school with Slash and had worked with McKagan in the band he'd played with before forming Velvet Revolver, "Loaded". When Izzy Stradlin declined an invitation, the band recruited guitarist Dave Kushner who had previously played with Wasted Youth and Dave Navarro.

They decided to form another band together. Velvet Revolver was formed when three Guns n' Roses alumni - Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums) - joined together to play a benefit concert for fellow musician Randy Castillo in 2002. It also features Dave Kushner of the 80's hardcore punk band, Wasted Youth. Velvet Revolver is a Rock and roll supergroup with three former members of Guns n' Roses - Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum along with Scott Weiland, the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots.

VH1 Velvet Revolver biography (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/velvet_revolver/bio.jhtml/). All Music Guide Velvet Revolver page (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70311071654390588&sql=Bzsd6vwvqa9tk/). dB Loss blurb, references article from Rolling Stone, 2004-01-08 (http://www.dbloss.com/2004/01/040108_velvet_revolver_taking_over_a_radio_near_you_soon.php). The Official Website (http://www.velvetrevolver.com/).

Contraband, was released on June 8, 2004. Matt Sorum - Drums (ex-Guns n' Roses). Duff McKagan - Bass (ex-Guns n' Roses). Dave Kushner - Guitar (ex Dave Navarro).

Slash - Guitar (ex-Guns n' Roses). Scott Weiland - Vocals (ex-Stone Temple Pilots).