• The long awaited reissue of Kiss' 1976 studio breakthrough, Destroyer, will be released on August 21st. The new package features producer Bob Ezrin's new remix of the album, which included such classics as "Beth," "Detroit Rock City," "Shout It Out Loud," "Do You Love Me," and "God Of Thunder."
    • The new version -- dubbed Destroyer: Resurrected -- includes a single bonus track of "Sweet Pain" with the original guitar solo. The new album cover features the original artwork, which Casablanca Record execs originally felt was too violent and eventually toned down by use of more color in the painting.

  • Lindsey Buckingham has licensed the song -- not the recording -- of his 1983 movie theme to National Lampoon's Vacation, "Holiday Road," to Twizzler's licorice. The tune, which borrows heavily from the sound of his 1981 solo debut Law And Order with a distinct rockabilly bent, was recorded following Fleetwood Mac's 1982 Mirage tour.

  • Early-'60s teen heartthrob Bobby Rydellunderwent a double organ transplant last week. The 70-year-old Philadelphia native had a full kidney and partial liver transplant -- with the remaining portion used to help a child. Rydell said doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital didn't expect him to survive much longer without the transplants.
    • Rydell, who was expected to be released from the hospital yesterday (July 18th), is best known for his late-'50s and early-'60s hits "Kissin' Time," "Wild One," and "Volare." He still tours on his own and with fellow American Bandstand alumnus Frankie Avalon and Fabian as the Golden Boys. (The Associated Press)

  • Legendary Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, one of Motown's legendary session bassists died on July 16th at a Nashville Hospice after suffering from brain cancer at age 74. Babbitt played bass on such late-60s Motown classics as the Temptations' "Ball Of Confusion," and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)," Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "The Tears Of A Clown," Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" and "Mercy Mercy Me," Gladys Knight & The Pips' "If I Were Your Woman" and "Midnight Train To Georgia," and Diana Ross' "Touch Me In The Morning," among dozens of other tracks.
    • Babbitt's non-Motown career included playing bass on Del Shannon's "Little Town Flirt," the Capitols' "Cool Jerk," "Jim Croce's "I Got A Name," the Spinners' "Then Came You," "Games People Play," and Rubber Band Man," Alice Cooper's "You And Me," Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," Engelbert Humperdinck's "After The Lovin'," Elton John's "Mama Can't Buy You Love," and many more. (Vintage Vinyl News)