Cliff - I don't remember how I heard, but I'm guessing on the radio (KNAC). I was worried the band would fall apart. I was lucky enough to see him play. They opened for Ozzy at Long Beach arena. I was also lucky enough to see Randy Rhoads play. Yes I know, I'm an old fart.
Rick - I don't remember how I heard, but again probably on KNAC. Once again I was lucky enough to see them play when he had two arms. I was glad to see they kept him.
Challenger - That I remember, I was entering my class at school (a flying class - what a bizarre coincidence) when the class mentioned it. After class I was looking for tv's to see the footage, then seeing it played over and over.