The Dead Daisies Announce Cultural Exchange Tour In Cuba

International supergroup, The Dead Daisies – comprised of members from New Zealand, Australia and the United States – will be the first international band to tour Cuba since the US relaxed trade restrictions last year.

The Dead Daisies will visit the country as guests of the Cuban Ministry of Culture, Institute of Music and the Cuban Rock Agency and will be in Havana from February 22nd to March 1st as part of a cultural exchange organised by the Cuban Ministry of Culture.

The trip is the first for an international rock band since US President Barack Obama loosened travel and trade rules for the country. Along for the trip will be Dead Daisies bandmates Richard Fortus, Marco Mendoza, Dizzy Reed, Brian Tichy and their Australian counterpart David Lowy.

Also along for the ride will be Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones, Sting, Peter Gabriel), John Corabi (Motley Crue, RATT) and Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones).

“As an American, playing in Cuba is an incredible opportunity,” said guitarist Richard Fortus in a statement. “To work and learn from Cuban musicians, and to experience their unique musical character is a dream of mine. I know this will be one of my greatest experiences yet!”

“For my entire life, Miami was as close to Cuba as myself and all Americans could get and I assumed it would remain that way for the rest of my time,” added Dizzy Reed. “Now, we are all coming down to Cuba to play some kick ass rock n’ roll and soak in the culture, the food, the RUM and of course, the music. And with the long overdue changes in diplomacy just ahead, it feels like the right time to come and hang.”

As well as playing shows, The Dead Daisies will be recording tracks for their upcoming album with help from Cuban musicians and they will be visiting schools to conduct workshops with students and local musicians.

Following their Cuba visit, The Dead Daisies will return to Australia to finish recording their new album in Sydney, before heading back overseas in June for a month of European dates with KISS.

Photos: ZZ Top, Dead Daisies – The Metro Theatre, Sydney 15/03/2013. Photographed by Peter Coates

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