Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Launches Backstage Pass Rewards Program

LAS VEGAS, March 23, 2012 -- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino introduces Backstage Pass, a unique loyalty program offering hotel guests and patrons backstage access to experience the ultimate in rewards from Las Vegas' premier rock and roll entertainment destination, now available.

The one-of-a-kind tiered program presents escalated earning potential for every dollar spent anywhere at Hard Rock Hotel and offers an unmatched collection of benefits spanning from hotel amenities, casino rewards, dining exclusives, nightlife experiences, insider privileges and personalized offerings.

Advantages include room upgrades, access to ticket presales and offers for concerts at The Joint, complimentary access and priority entry to Beachlife pool events, up to 50% off dining and spa service discounts.

"The Backstage Pass program celebrates Hard Rock Hotel's loyal guests by offering them exceptional reward benefits," said Bill Warner, President of Warner Gaming and CEO of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers this exciting extension of the Hard Rock Hotel experience."

Backstage Pass has three member tiers – General Admission, Entourage and Platinum Access. New members begin their membership with the complimentary General Admission Backstage Pass and can earn their way to higher tiers, unlocking greater rewards as they graduate to the next level.

Members may use their Backstage Pass while gaming on Hard Rock Hotel's newly-renovated casino floor, high limit lounge or full pay video poker machines to receive the ultimate program benefits per dollar spent. Guests can play the slots and receive one point for every $1 coin-in on reel/video reel machines and every $2 coin-in on video poker machines. One hour spent at the poker table will earn 500 points for Backstage Pass members. Additionally, Backstage Pass members earn 10 points for every $1 spent on non-gaming experiences including hotel services, dining, nightlife, entertainment, spa/salon and retail.

Rewards and benefits of the Backstage Pass include:

• Preferred Guest Room Rates (All Members)
• Access to ticket presales for concerts and fights at The Joint (All Members)
• Priority Reservations for unique Spa Treatments at Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa (Entourage and Platinum Access Level Members)
• Complimentary Access & Priority Entry to famed Rehab Pool Party/Beachlife Experience (Entourage and Platinum Access Level Members)
• Complimentary Bottle Service and Priority Entry to the Exclusive Vanity Nightclub (Entourage and Platinum Access Level Members)
• Two (2) Complimentary Concert Tickets every 25,000 points earned (Entourage and Platinum Access Level Members)
• Personal Host Services (Platinum Access Level Members)

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino guests and patrons can sign up for their complimentary Backstage Pass membership online or by visiting the Backstage Pass service desk in the hotel's main casino tower. For more information on the Backstage Pass Program or to sign-up, please visit call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit www.hardrockhotel.com/#/game/Backstage-Pass/.

SOURCE Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

FOURTH ANNUAL REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW PRESENTED BY EPIPHONE® SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, AT CLUB NOKIA IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

GENE SIMMONS TO BE HONORED ALONG WITH PERFORMANCES BY MARILYN MANSON, SLASH FEATURING MILES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, EVANESCENCE, SIXX:A.M. AND BLACK VEIL BRIDES; SHOW TO BE BROADCAST ON XBOX LIVE

GRAMMY MUSEUM TO LAUNCH NEW EXHIBIT: "GOLDEN GODS: THE HISTORY OF HEAVY METAL" ON DAY OF SHOW

America’s only hard-rock and heavy-metal award show is back for 2012! The fourth annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW presented by Epiphone^® will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages. Tickets go on sale today Wednesday, February 15, via Ticketmaster, click here.

“Our exclusive collaboration with Revolver Magazine on the Golden Gods event shows just how far Xbox LIVE has come as an entertainment destination,” said Ross Honey, GM of Xbox LIVE Entertainment & Advertising. “We’re excited to deliver this live original content to all Xbox LIVE members globally.”

Also on April 11, The GRAMMY Museum, next door to Club Nokia, will open its new exhibit Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal. Mounted in coordination with Revolver, the exhibit will feature never-before-displayed artifacts including instruments, stage props, handwritten lyrics, clothing and costumes, alongside original album artwork, posters and live-performance and interview footage. The exhibit will also feature a variety of interactive displays. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Revolver to tell the story of metal,” states GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, “and offer fans the opportunity to engage with their favorite artists in such a personal way.”

Hosting duties for the GOLDEN GODS awards show will be handled by FOZZY frontman and WWE pro-wrestling legend Chris Jericho, who returns for the third consecutive year. The nominees in 11 different categories, plus the recipient of this year’s prestigious “Golden God Award,” were revealed today at a press conference held at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. Host Chris Jericho was on hand, along with Alice Cooper, Munky (Korn), Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Hellyeah), James Michael (Sixx:A.M.), Vinny Appice (Heaven & Hell, Kill Devil Hill), Black Veil Brides, Mike Portnoy (Adrenaline Mob), John Moyer (Disturbed, Adrenaline Mob), Michael Starr (Steel Panther), Wendy Dio (wife of Ronnie James Dio) and pro motocross rider Brian Deegan to announce the nominees.

Beginning today, fans everywhere can cast their vote to decide who will take home the awards for “Best Guitarist” (presented by Epiphone^®), “Best Drummer” (presented by Drum Workshop^®), “Best Vocalist” (presented by Rockstar Energy Drink^®), “Album of the Year” (presented by Marshall Amplification^®), “Best Live Band” (presented by Samson/Zoom^®), “Most Metal Athlete,” “Comeback of the Year” (presented by Eagle Rock Entertainment^®), “Riff Lord,” “Paul Gray Best Bassist” (presented by Dean Markley^®), “Best International Band” (presented by Musicians Institute^®) and “Most Dedicated Fans.” Voting starts today at: www.GoldenGodsAwards.com and ends on April 1. The complete list of nominees in each category is listed below.

The Golden God Award, given to one special honoree a year who embodies the spirit of hard rock and metal, will go to KISS demon Gene Simmons, whose band will release their highly anticipated 20^th studio album, “Monster,” this year. (Previous honorees include hard-rock and metal legends Alice Cooper, Rob Halford of JUDAS PRIEST and Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH.) Simmons commented, “It’s an honor and privilege to accept the Golden God Award. A God is only as powerful as the faithful who worship him. Signed GOD OF THUNDER.”

Adding to the celebration, The 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS SHOW will feature one-of-a-kind special performances and collaborations that honor both the past, present and future of heavy music. The night’s hard-rocking musical performances will include sets by MARILYN MANSON (in his first U.S. performance in nearly three years); iconic GRAMMY-winning guitarist SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators; EVANESCENCE; SIXX:A.M. featuring Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE, James Michael, acclaimed rock producer and songwriter, and DJ Ashba of GUNS N’ ROSES (in their first performance in almost four years); and 2011 Best New Band Golden God Award winner BLACK VEIL BRIDES, who will perform their only U.S. show of 2012 so far. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Every year, the Revolver Golden Gods grows bigger and more badass. The 2012 edition is without question the most epic one yet, from the performers and presenters to the nominees and honorees,” states Revolver Editor in Chief Brandon Geist. “And this year, with the GRAMMY Museum launching its tie-in ‘Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal’ exhibit, and Xbox LIVE broadcasting the show around the world as it goes down in its entirety, the event will truly encompass the full timeline of heavy music and span the globe. Epic, indeed."

“Epiphone and I are thrilled to participate in the Golden Gods Awards Show and celebrate some of music’s best talents – including this year’s performers from our Epiphone/Gibson family Nikki Sixx and Slash,” said Jim Rosenberg, President of Epiphone. “We are excited to share this year’s event with Epiphone players and metal fans across the globe with the show’s inaugural live broadcast. Every year, the show gets better and better!”

Cast your vote now at GOLDENGODSAWARDS.COM.

Fans Determine The Live Music Lineup at Hard Rock Stages Across The World

More Than 12,000 Bands Compete for Your Vote as Part of the Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 26, 2012 -- You vote – They Rock! Hard Rock Rising gives fans the power to decide who performs at Hard Rock Cafes worldwide as the battle of the bands gears up for the local, live music phase of the competition. More than 12,000 bands have entered the Hard Rock Rising competition for the chance of a lifetime, to be on the bill with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and additional headlining performers at Hard Rock Calling 2012 in London.

The Rise of a Local Legend
Beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, Hard Rock Rising allows fans to choose the live performance lineup for local events at Hard Rock Cafes around the world. Fans can vote by downloading free tracks from bands of their choice at their local Hard Rock's city-specific, Facebook page.

After fans choose their favorites, participating Hard Rock Cafe locations around the world will host a series of live competitions featuring the local bands who received top votes. Bands will then be judged live by a panel of local industry experts and participating bands' representatives, with one winner being selected from each location. For full rules and a list of participating locations visit www.hardrock.com.

"At Hard Rock live music is at the core of our brand, in 2011 we put on more than 17,000 live music events across our properties," said John Galloway, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Hard Rock International. "We are privileged be able to offer the hottest up-and-coming bands a chance to showcase their talent on our local cafes stages and the shot to play at Hard Rock Calling 2012."

Rising to the Occasion – the Road to Hard Rock's Main Stage
Local winners will then compete against 86 bands from across the world, via an international fan voting round on Hard Rock Facebook pages. Finally a panel of celebrity judges and music industry professionals will select the top three winners.

The first place winner will be flown to London for the ultimate rock star treatment, including a spot on the bill at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Second and third prize winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, in ReverbNation PROMOTE IT credits, a revolutionary tool that creates targeted, highly effective Facebook advertising campaigns for musicians and venues promoting songs, Facebook pages and concerts.

Greetings From Hyde Park – Hard Rock Calling 2012
Hard Rock Calling, an iconic festival now in its seventh consecutive year, has established itself as one of the UK's premier outdoor music events. The 2012 festival will take place from Friday, July, 13 to Sunday, July 15 in London's Hyde Park. Headliners for the festival will include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who will take the Main Stage for their second Hard Rock Calling performance. Hard Rock Calling 2012's performers will join a long line of rock 'n' roll greats who have previously taken the stage at this iconic festival including: Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, The Killers, The Police, Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. Hard Rock Calling, produced by Live Nation and presented by Hard Rock International, is a unique and historic musical event with a main stage, second stage, renowned bands, on-site Hard Rock Cafe, as well as a variety of additional attractions. For further information on the 2012 artist lineup and ticket details, visit www.hardrockcalling.co.uk.

Visit www.hardrock.com for details on event dates and times, and head to a Hard Rock Cafe location in your city to watch your favorite local bands battle for the opportunity of a lifetime!

About ReverbNation
ReverbNation provides over 1.8 million artists, managers, labels, venues, festivals/events and other music industry professionals with powerful, easy-to-use technology to promote and prosper online. Their array of distribution and promotional solutions provide the hands-on tools and actionable insights that allow them to reach their goals in an increasingly complex music industry. The company operates worldwide with customers on every continent. Over 30 million visitors come to reverbnation.com every month. For more information, visit ReverbNation.com and follow ReverbNation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/reverbnation.

About Hard Rock International
With a total of 174 venues in 53 countries, including 137 cafes and 15 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang, Singapore and Punta Cana. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced including Panama Megapolis, scheduled to open in 2012; Cancun and Vallarta scheduled to open in 2012; and Riviera Maya, Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

SOURCE Hard Rock International

Hard Rock Rising Gives Up-and-coming Bands The Chance to Take the Stage at Hard Rock Calling 2012

Announcing Call for Entries in Global Battle of the Bands Competition

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012 -- Hard Rock is on the hunt for rock stars on the rise to take the stage at the 2012 Hard Rock Calling music festival in London's Hyde Park. Hard Rock Rising, the global battle of the bands, will give one local band from this international competition the chance of a lifetime – to be on the bill with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at one of the world's most-anticipated concert events.

Rising to the Occasion – the Road to Hard Rock's Main Stage

Hard Rock, in a partnership with online music services company ReverbNation, will host an open registration for bands wishing to participate in the global battle from Friday, January 6, 2012 through Tuesday, January 17, 2012. The combination of Hard Rock's iconic brand and ReverbNation's extensive network of over 1.8 million artists around the world, will give great undiscovered bands an international stage to jumpstart their careers.

"Hard Rock believes it is critical to support emerging artists and discover new musical talent through the Hard Rock Rising program," said John Galloway, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Hard Rock International. "We are confident our partnership with ReverbNation will help us secure world-class talent that we can showcase to the international music community at this year's Hard Rock Calling festival."

"Hard Rock is a worldwide icon of music, the perfect brand to provide this opportunity to deserving artists," added Mike Doernberg, ReverbNation CEO and Co-founder. "From day one here at Reverb, we've been all about the artist and opportunities like Hard Rock Rising extend that mission exponentially."

To register future rock stars can visit one of eighty-six participating Hard Rock Cafe Facebook pages. Following open registration, fans decide who moves on to the live performance phase of the program and can vote on any Hard Rock's city-specific, Facebook page by downloading free tracks from bands of their choice. For full rules and a list of participating locations visit www.hardrock.com.

After fans choose their favorites, participating Hard Rock Cafe locations around the world will host a series of live competitions featuring these local bands. One winner will be selected from each location by the other participating bands. These local winners will be narrowed down to the top ten bands worldwide via fan voting on participating Hard Rock Facebook fan pages. Finally a panel of celebrity judges and music industry professionals will select the top three winners.

The first place winner will be flown to London for the ultimate rock star treatment, including a spot on the bill at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Second and third prize winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, in ReverbNation PROMOTE IT credits, a revolutionary tool that creates targeted, highly effective Facebook advertising campaigns for musicians and venues promoting songs, Facebook pages and concerts.