--Lamb Of God Frontman's Manslaughter Trial Starts In Prague

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe's trial on manslaughter charges is under way in Prague.  Richmond, Virginia's WTVR-TV reports the trial started Monday morning with a witness statement from Blythe, who has been accused of causing the death of a fan at a Lamb of God concert in the Czech Republic back in 2010.  The rocker told the three presiding judges that the fan's death is "heartbreaking."  And while he said he's not a man "who runs from his problems," he told them that he does not "wish to be punished and suffer the consequences" of an act he did not commit.  Blythe also said he never saw or came in contact with the fan in question, which contradicts earlier statements from witnesses at the concert.

In addition to Blythe, Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler and the band's manager, Larry Mazer, also testified in court on Monday.  They both explained that Randy's aggressive, on-stage persona is very different from to his off-stage behavior.  Twelve witnesses who attended the concert are scheduled to testify on Tuesday, with the trial expected to last until the end of the week.


--Metallica Design New Shoe Line With Vans

Metallica is teaming up with Vans to give fans some unique new kicks.  Each member of the iconic metal band picked a classic model from the shoe company's history and added their own touch to create the limited edition Vans x Metallica collection.  Frontman James Hetfield put his own take on the skull and crossbones image on the Sk8-Hi model, while drummer Lars Ulrich added the diamond pattern from his snare drum to the Era Laceless model.  Guitarist Kirk Hammett created an all-natural hemp version of the Slip-On, which also comes with a guitar pick in the heel.  And bassist Robert Trujillo got a little help from his artist wife to add an Aztec calendar design to the Escuala model.  The Vans x Metallica collection is available now at Vans.com/music.

Meanwhile, Vans is also set to release another limited edition shoe line based on Metallica's debut album, "Kill 'Em All."  That collection is due out next month.


--Geddy Lee, Paul Shaffer Guest Star On CBS's "How I Met Your Mother"

Rush frontman Geddy Lee is among the stars who made cameo appearances on last night's episode of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother."  The show focused on Robin Sparkles  -- the teen pop-star alter ego of actress Colbie Smulder's character, Robin -- who is going grunge.  In a "Behind the Music" parody, Lee was one of the of stars called upon to react to Robin's transformation.   

The episode also featured a fourth song by Robin Sparkles called "P.S. I Love You" detailing Robin's obsession with one mysterious Canadian star.  Robin refuses to reveal the object of her obsession, but Barney mounts an intense search that takes him North of the border to British Columbia to interview Robin's ex-boyfriends.  In his search Barney even gets into a dust up with Alan Thicke, who he believed was Robin's childhood fixation.  In the end, Robin's crush turned out to be David Letterman sidekick Paul Shaffer, whose initials appear in the Robin Sparkles song title.


--Health Issues, Age Prompting Billy Joel To Reconsider Career

Billy Joel says his life is "kinda getting back to normal" after recently undergoing hip replacement procedures on both hips, and is now at "85-percent."  The "Piano Man" tells "Rolling Stone" he "can walk OK" but "can't run" like he used to.  He adds that his health issues and age are keeping him from touring -- perhaps permanently -- because he's "not as good" as he "used to be."  He explains that his voice has deepened and he's "not as athletic" and doesn't "jump off the piano anymore" -- a move he admits likely contributed to his hip problems.  Billy also says he feels no sense of urgency to release any new music.  He describes his situation as a split with himself, saying "The singer broke up with the songwriter and the performer didn't want to work with the piano player anymore."

It's been 20 years since Joel has released a rock album.  His last effort was 1993's "River of Dreams."  Since then he has released a few live discs and in 2001 came out with the classical piece "Fantasies & Delusions."  Billy's only released two new pop singles -- both in 2007.  On Valentine's Day he issued "All My Life," a song he wrote for then-wife Katie Lee, and in December he released the charity single "Christmas in Fallujah," a collaboration with singer-songwriter Cass Dillon.


--Mick Fleetwood Hoping To Pursuade Christine McVie To Rejoin Group

Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood says the group might have a big surprise for fans on their upcoming tour -- Christine McVie.  The drummer tells the UK's "The Sun" that he's spoken with the group's former singer and keyboardist, who left the fold in 1998.  He says that while Christine "loathes flying" and has "never been back to the United States" since leaving the group 15 years ago, she's agreed to leave her UK home to spend three weeks with him in Maui.  Mick adds that during her visit he'll be working on "persuading her to return."  He admits "it'll be her decision," but says he and the rest of the band would "make her very welcome if she wanted to creep on that stage again."

Christine has lived out of the spotlight since leaving Fleetwood Mac, and just last month told "Mojo" magazine she has no desire to revive her career.  Fleetwood Mac will launch a spring North American tour in Columbus, Ohio on April 4th.  The group just announced a fall European tour, which will begin in Dublin, Ireland on September 20th.


--Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich Announce Live Shows

Thom Yorke is packing up "two turntables [and] a microphone" for a trio of shows around the world.  The Radiohead frontman sent out a tweet Monday morning telling followers that he and longtime producer Nigel Godrich will be hitting the road later this month.  The brief trek is scheduled to stop in London on February 22nd, Berlin on March 8th, and New York City on March 14th.  Yoke says more information about the shows will follow, including possible "special guests."  Meanwhile, Yorke and Godrich are also gearing up for the release of the debut album from Atoms for Peace, which also features Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco.  The record, titled "Amok," is due out February 26th.


--Coheed And Cambria Releasing New Album Today

Coheed and Cambria's latest installment in their "Amory Wars" saga is descending into music stores today.  The rockers are releasing "The Afterman: Descension," which serves as part two of their "Afterman" double album.  The first disc, "Ascension," was released back in October.  Like the rest of the band's music, the new double-disc set is a concept album continuing frontman Claudio Sanchez's "Amory Wars."  The story has also been released as a comic book series, and is reportedly in line to get the big screen treatment from Mark Wahlberg's production company, Leverage.


--Today's Birthdays

Loaded bassist Duff McKagen is 49. He's also played with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.
Spin Doctors singer Chris Barron is 45.
AFI drummer Adam Carson is 38.


--Today In Rock History

In 1969
The Beatles' album "Yellow Submarine" was certified Gold.

In 1977
Iggy Pop signed a record deal with RCA.

In 1999
Smashing Pumpkins' album "Gish" was certified Platinum.

In 2002
Kiss provided the music at the 3rd annual Lane Bryant Intimate Apparel Runway Show at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

In 2003
Metallica announced plans for the Summer Sanitarium Tour 2003, which also featured Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.

Former Doors drummer John Densmore filed a lawsuit against the other surviving members of the band and its new singer and drummer, claiming they were violating a copyright by using the name The Doors.

In 2004
Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon walked out on the UK reality show "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here."

In 2005
3 Doors Down took part in "Lynyrd Skynyrd's Super Bowl Saturday Night Special," which aired on CMT.

In 2006
The Rolling Stones provided the halftime entertainment at Super Bowl 40 in Detroit.  Stevie Wonder was among the artists who participated in the pregame show, while Aaron Neville, Aretha Franklin, and Dr. John collaborated on the national anthem at the start of the game.

In 2007
The Beatles and the Apple computer company reached a new agreement in their lengthy trademark infringement dispute.

In 2008
New releases included Lenny Kravitz's CD "It Is Time For A Love Revolution."

In 2012
Madonna was the halftime performer at Super Bowl 46.  Elton John and Motley Crue were among the stars featured in Super Bowl ads.  The event set the new record for the biggest TV audience, with 111-point-three-million people tuning in to the sporting event.