Web: halestormrocks.com
Contact: ashley@ashleywhitepr.com
Players: Lzzy Hale, vocals; Joe Hottinger, guitar, backing vocals
Following 2025’s Everest, Halestorm’s lead singer Lzzy Hale and guitarist (and partner of 22 years) Joe Hottinger delivered a stunning rock show at the GRAMMY Museum. Hosted by Katherine Turman (Nights with Alice Cooper, RIP Magazine), the two discussed early days, musical heroes, and the overwhelming honor of being asked to join Ozzy for his “Back to the Beginning Celebration” (the only female on the bill, she sang “Ultimate Sin” alongside Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman). Of the experience, Hale says, "my name wouldn’t be spelled L-Z-Z-Y without Ozzy Osbourne.”
Van Halen’s “Panama” blasted at home when she was young. Hale’s first purchased concert tickets were for Tool; Hottinger’s were for The Verve Pipe, Tonic, and K’s Choice. Holding a deep respect for her ‘fore sisters’ (including Janice Joplin, Heart, Pat Benatar, Patty Smith, Joan Jett)—and the challenges forced to navigate during their journey into music—Hale says, “I didn’t have to sit in anyone’s lap to get my record played.”
Moving into stripped-down versions of “Amen,” “Mz. Hyde,” “Love Bites (So Do I),” “Like A Woman Can,” “The Silence,” “I Miss the Misery,” and “I Like It Heavy,” Hale and Hottinger delivered an incredibly rich, full performance that defied expectation. Highlighting her gorgeous vocal control and power, seamless octave transitions, contradiction of gentle sweetness and gravelly rock, and her trademark belted vocals, Hale shared a fantastic rock sound and powerful projection. Hottinger added fantastic guitar stylings (a great intro on “Love Bites (So Do I)”) and beautiful backing vocals. “I Like It Heavy” delivered a bluesy guttural sound and fabulous vocal melody lines.
