2005 YEAR IN REVIEW: AUDIOSLAVE ROCKS CUBA

In a truly historic event, Audioslave became the first U.S. rock band to perform in Cuba in a free concert that was held May 6 in Havanna, Cuba. The group, who are currently touring in support of their latest release, Out Of Exile, accommodated their touring schedule in order to give the free performance for over 70,000 fans.

It was also the first open air concert by a U.S. rock band in Cuban history and it was authorized by both the U.S. Treasury Depatment and the Cuban Ministry of Culture. Tom Morello shared his thoughts about being the first rock band to play in Cuba.

“Yeah, it was an honor to be the first American rock band to ever play a show in Cuba. We don’t take that for granted. It was unbelievable. There was a lot of bureaucratic wrangling between the US Treasury Department and The Cuban Ministry of Culture to get us to be able to play over there. But it all got ironed out and it really was unbelievable, to be able to play in front of 70,000 fans, outdoors along the Caribbean, and to be the first American band to do it was unbelievable. It was one of the greatest highlights of our musical career, if not the greatest one.”

Audioslave are currently in the studio getting ready to record their third album and once again will be using producer Brendan O’Brien. Look for the band to finish the album and get back to touring in 2006.