--Eddie Van Halen's Latest Health Scare Reportedly A Near-Death Experience

Eddie Van Halen's latest health drama was reportedly a frightening ordeal for his family.  The "National Enquirer" says the Van Halen guitarist's recent emergency surgery stemmed from a near-fatal intestinal trauma.  Sources tell the tabloid that the rocker had been following the Master Cleanse Diet, which is described as a liquid mixture of water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.  It's supposed to remove toxins from the body.  But an insider says in Eddie's case "the spicy treatment touched off an explosion in his intestines."  The "Enquirer" describes Van Halen as "clinging to life" when he was rushed to the hospital, and adds that his son Wolfgang, wife Janie, and his ex Valerie Bertinelli -- Wolf's mom -- were all "sick with worry" and afraid he was going to die.

Van Halen underwent the emergency surgery late last month.  At the time, the band said Eddie was suffering from "a severe bout of diverticulitis."  While it could take up to six months for the rocker to make a full recovery, he's not expected to require any additional treatment.


--Green Day Performs, Coldplay Wins At MTV VMAs

Green Day didn't exactly take the stage at Thursday night's MTV Video Music Awards.  Instead, the band performed "Let Yourself Go" on the floor so they could be face to face with their fans. This was Green Day's first performance since the trio was forced to cancel a show in Italy on Sunday after frontman Billie Joe Armstrong got sick.  As for the VMA trophies, Coldplay earned another Moonman in the Best Rock Video category for their hit "Paradise."  The evening's house DJ Calvin Harris also picked up some new hardware.  He won Best Electronic Dance Music Video honors for "Feel So Close," and "We Found Love," the song he recorded with Rihanna, was named Video of the Year.  The latter beat M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls," Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," Katy Perry's "Wide Awake," and Drake and Rihanna's "Take Care."

Green Day's Mike Dirnt is offering a few more details regarding frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's show-cancelling illness this past weekend.  The bassist tells MTV News that Armstrong "came down with heavy, heavy dehydration" and influenza.  Dirnt explained that the singer was "vomiting profusely," adding that "it's hard to sing while you're puking."  Green Day was forced to cancel their show in Bologna, Italy, on Sunday, but Dirnt says they plan to return as soon as possible to play a makeup show.  He adds that they take pride in the fact that they haven't missed many shows throughout their career, but admits they are human.


--Foo Fighters Play Rock The Vote Before DNC Performance

Foo Fighters are keeping a high political profile this week.  The group performed a three-and-a-half-hour set at a Rock the Vote concert in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday night before performing on the final night of the Democratic National Convention last night.  On Wednesday, frontman Dave Grohl reportedly told the audience at the Fillmore in Charlotte that they were going to play as long and as much as they wanted.  According to "Billboard," the 35-song set is believed to be Foo Fighters' longest show ever.  

The very next day, they switched venues to Time Warner Cable Arena to play at Democratic National Convention.  At the DNC, Foo Fighters started out with "My Hero" before transitioning into their 2011 hit song "Walk."  Fellow artists James Taylor and Mary J. Blige also showed their support for President Obama with performances at the DNC Thursday.


--Rush Launching Fall Tour, Looking To Block Bootleg Venders

As Rush launches their fall North American tour, the band is taking steps to make sure fans will only be able to get official band merchandise at the shows.  The "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" says the Canadian trio has filed a lawsuit to block unauthorized venders from selling knock-off t-shirts and other unlicensed memorabilia.  The group is asking the judge for a court order to make it easier for state and local police to seize bootleg merchandise from the sellers.  Rush hired New Jersey attorney Jules Zalon to handle the matter.  Zalon says concert merchandise sales are a primary source of income for bands, so it's important to keep bootleggers from selling their unlicensed goods at the shows.  He says he's been successful in getting judges to issue such orders.  The lawyer adds that when bootleggers know there's an injunction in place, they tend to stay away from the show.

Rush is hitting the road behind their latest album, "Clockwork Angels."  The 34-date trek will begin with a show in Manchester, New Hampshire Friday night.

Dates for Rush's "Clockwork Angels North American Tour" near us:

September 24 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Target Center


--Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp Establishing Permanent Vegas Home

Gene Simmons will help the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp put down roots.  The multi-day event gives participants the chance learn about the music industry directly from those in the business, and fulfill their rock star dreams by meeting and performing with some of rock's biggest stars.  Since its launch Fantasy Camps have been staged at various cities throughout the country and has even gone to London.  But now founder David Fishof is giving the operation a permanent home at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  Simmons will join Motley Crue's Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, and Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde in breaking in the Camp's new digs this fall.  The inaugural MGM Grand Camp will run from October 10th through the 14th.

Roger Daltrey is on board for a Vegas Camp in late January.  The Who frontman says the stars enjoy the event as much as the fans, explaining that it's a lot of fun to see how much the campers learn in such a short time.  Other upcoming Camps will feature Cream's Jack Bruce, the Allman Brothers Band's Warren Haynes, and Alice Cooper.  Details are available at www.rockcamp.com.


--Kroeger Not Concerned With World's Opinion Of Relationship With Lavigne

Nickelback's Chad Kroeger says he isn't too concerned about what may happen when it comes time for people to "speak now or forever hold their peace" at his and Avril Lavigne's upcoming wedding.  The rocker tells "People" he "tries not to take too much interest" in the world's opinion of their relationship.  Kroeger says the only thing that matters is that the two of them are very happy.  He and Lavigne met earlier this year while working on music for her next album.  They went public with their engagement last month.  The couple has yet to set a date for their trip down the aisle, but it will likely come sometime after Nickelback finishes their trek through Europe this fall.


--Slipknot Responds To Bassist's Doctor's Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

The members of Slipknot say they're in a "state of anger and sadness."  The statement follows news that an Iowa doctor has been charged with unintentionally causing the death of the band's bassist Paul Gray and seven other people.  The "Des Moines Register" reports Daniel Baldi pleaded not guilty to eight counts of involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday.  He is accused of over prescribing painkillers to Gray and other patients through his pain clinic in Des Moines.  Baldi, who was suspended earlier this year, has previously faced four medical malpractice claims.  Three of those were wrongful death suits which have been included in the most recent criminal charges.  Baldi's lawyer and other experts note that criminal charges are unusual in cases like these, but if convicted, the doctor could face up to 16 years in prison.

The remaining members of Slipknot said in a statement that they are "outraged" by the fact that Baldi, quote, "took advantage of our brother's illness while he was in a position to help."  They added that they plan to cooperate in any way possible to help "ensure this tragedy is never repeated, and to make sure this man pays for what he has done."  Gray died of an overdose back in May 2010.  His death followed other high profile celebrity deaths involving prescription drugs, including Anna Nicole Smith in 2007 and Michael Jackson in 2009.  Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter last year.


--Quick Bites

Elvis Presley's dirty underwear could have a new home by the end of the weekend.  A pair of the rock legend's unwashed briefs, which he wore under his white jumpsuit at a concert in 1977, is among the items slated to be sold at an auction in Britain.  The soiled undergarment is expected to fetch close to 16-thousand-dollars at the sale, which will take place in the Manchester area on Saturday.


--Today's Birthdays

311 drummer Chad Sexton is 42.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench is 58.
Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde is 61.


--Today in Rock History

In 1975
The Guess Who played its last concert before breaking up.  The show took place in Montreal.

In 1978
Who drummer Keith Moon died of a drug overdose.  He was 31.

In 1986
Guitarist Michael Nesmith joined the rest of the original Monkees on stage for the first time since the band broke up.

In 1990
Warrant released the album "Cherry Pie."

In 1991
Motley Crue signed a record setting 22-point-five-million-dollar record deal.

In 1996
Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres married model Eva Herzigova.

In 2001
The movie "Rock Star," which drew similarities to the life of Judas Priest frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens, opened in theaters.  The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston and featuring appearances from members of The Verve Pipe and Third Eye Blind.

In 2003
Warren Zevon died following a lengthy battle with lung cancer.  He was 56.

In 2004
Roger Waters released two songs -- "To Kill the Child" and "Leaving Beruit" -- online, marking the first new studio recordings the former Pink Floyd frontman had issued in the U.S. in 12 years.

In 2009
David Bowie had a rare spider named after him.  A German spider expert called his new discovery -- a large spider with long yellow hair that is only found in certain areas of Malaysia -- "Heteropoda davidbowie" in honor of the rocker.

In 2011
Buddy Holly got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.