Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted turns 50 years old today (Monday). He says he's determined to be stronger now than he was at 40, when he was, he admits, "in a bad way," dealing with an addition to painkillers.

Jason also says that launching his own band, Newsted, and becoming a frontman for the first time at his age, is "definitely the greatest challenge" of his career. He already feels that the music he's making with the new group is an accomplishment on a par with replacing Cliff Burton in Metallica, playing Voivod's unorthodox music and overcoming his painkiller addiction and multiple surgeries.

Wednesday, January 30th marks the 40th anniversary of KISS's first performance. It was held at Popcorn, a club in Queens, New York. The original line-up was Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. They have gone through numerous line-up changes since with only Simmons and Stanley being the two constants. Looking back, Simmons says, "We've defied the odds, we've buried all the critics in our backyard -- they're now gone -- and we have persevered and grown bigger than ever. By some estimates, KISS are the four most recognized faces on planet Earth." In celebration, they are posting videos from throughout their career on their website.

Singer-guitarist Robin Zander (of Cheap Trick) is 60

Bradley Cooper has entered the race to portray Lance Armstrong in a bio-pic on the disgraced cycling champ.

In an interview with the BBC, the Oscar-nominated actor said he would "love" to play Armstrong, adding, "I would be interested in that. I think he's fascinating. What a fascinating character."

Paramount Pictures is planning to make an Armstrong film, but hasn't officially mentioned any casting yet, although Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender and Christian Bale have also been mentioned as possibilities for the role.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the first group of musicians who will participate in its 28th annual induction ceremony on April 18th at Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

• Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins will induct Rush.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Don Henley of the Eagles will induct Randy Newman.
• John Mayer and Gary Clark Junior will perform for inductee Albert King, with Mayer also giving the induction speech.
• Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson will perform in honor of inductee Donna Summer.

Also being inducted this year are Heart, Public Enemy, Lou Adler and Quincy Jones. More information on participants in the ceremony is still to come.

The film about late AC/DC singer Bon Scott started shooting last week in Charleston, South Carolina. Director J.R. Getches shot some footage with actor/singer Rob Liotti, who's playing Scott, to make a teaser film to attract more investors. The makers of Bon Scott: The Legend of AC/DC hope to start full production on the movie in the spring.

The rumors about The Rolling Stones playing Coachella this April are not coming true.

The rumors got started when the Indio, California festival appeared on the band's own official app in December under their tour dates section and festival organizers then posted a pic of a stone rolling on the Empire Polo Grounds, where Coachella is held. But L.A. Weekly reports that negotiations broke off last week "over a money dispute" while Rolling Stone cities "a source close to the band" as saying the Stones are not going to appear at the fest.

There's no official confirmation of all this behind-the-scenes haggling and likely never will be, since the Stones' appearance was never officially announced.