July 27, 2009

Roger Taylor Turns 60

Roger Taylor with Queen + Paul Rodgers at Air Canada Centre on March 16, 2006.
Photo probably by Mark Swierszcz, who took most of the pictures that night.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor turned 60 years old yesterday. Although I can't see most of today's musicians still being active in the industry at Taylor's age, I bet Roger has a few miles left in him.

Roger has never been the main writer in the band Queen, but he is credited with writing five of their best songs. Those songs include "I'm In Love With My Car", "Radio Ga Ga", "A Kind Of Magic" , "The Invisible Man", and "These Are The Days Of Our Lives".

He has worked with many great artists and not just as a drummer. Roger plays many different instruments. He's put out a few solo efforts, and with his first full solo album 'Fun In Space', he sang all the vocals and played all the instruments (except for some of the keyboard work) for the project. Taylor fronted (lead singer and played guitar) a band called The Cross for a few albums as well. A lot of his work outside of Queen is quite good, especially with The Cross. Good enough for my personal collection anyway.

At this time last year, it looked like Roger, Paul Rodgers and the guys from Queen + Paul Rodgers would be planning another tour of the states together. That union is over with, so if we see Roger Taylor here with his old band, it'll be Queen + Somebody Other Than Paul Rodgers. If he lands here anytime soon, a small tour with The Cross or a new solo band might be more likely. Either way would be great to me. Until then, best wishes for a happy birthday, and cheers to Roger.


July 25, 2009

Science Fiction Takes Over BBC America


BBC America, you have my attention. You had me every night this week, and it looks like you'll have me for a few hours this weekend as well. With great science fiction shows like Torchwood, Primeval and Doctor Who, "Resistance is useless!".

The new season of Torchwood turned out to be a five part miniseries called "Children Of Earth". It started off Monday night, after a catch up special to get newcomers up to speed on what Torchwood is all about. The show is a spin off from Doctor Who, about a group of people dedicated to protecting Earth from aliens. They also try to learn how to use alien technology.

Each 75 minute installment of the miniseries covers one day of Earth's struggle against the alien lifeform known as the 456. The 456 have a frightening way of showing off their apparently immense power and capabilities. Every now and then, when it suits their purposes, they somehow make every child on the planet simultaneously stop cold like a statue. Then, they speak through the children in unison. The governments of the world, Torchwood members like leader Captain Jack Harkness (The man who can't die is played by John Barrowman - Doctor Who, Torchwood ) and former police woman Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles - Doctor Who, Torchwood, Merlin ) and their families have to make some tough decisions during this ordeal. The entire "Children Of Earth" miniseries will be reshown in a marathon tomorrow.


Meanwhile, this season's final episode (#10) of Primeval airs tonight. Primeval (Ben Miller, Hannah Spearitt, Andrew-Lee Potts) is a show that involves another special group of people who protect Earth, not from aliens, but from dinosaurs and other creatures from our own planet. They have been hired to study anomalies for the ARC (Anomaly Research Center). In this show, anomalies are time travel portals - gateways between the present, the past and the future of planet Earth. The entire season gets played back in a marathon starting at 11:00 AM EDT today and ending with the final episode later tonight.

This year's season of Doctor Who, as with Torchwood, is not a normal one either. It's actually a series of "specials" instead of the 60 minute episodes normally produced for this century's version of the show. The original series, which started in 1963, had each of it's 45 minute to 4 hour stories broken up into multiple weekly aired shows. Tomorrow night's 75 minute Doctor Who special is called "Planet Of The Dead". The 10th (TV) Doctor, played by David Tennant (Casanova, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire), is "forced" (Really ?) to team up with "a mysterious, aristocratic thief" named Lady Christina. Lady Christina is played by the lovely Michelle Ryan (EastEnders, Jekyll, Bionic Woman). Trapped without his TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space = Time and space traveling machine) on a desert alien planet with a double-decker bus. The Doctor finds the mysterious planet hides terrifying secrets in the sand.

July 22, 2009

AC/DC Add Two US Concerts To 'Black Ice' Tour

Photobucket

AC/DC have added two more concerts at venues in the US, as part of the North American portion of their 'Black Ice' tour. The picture above and the announcement shown below were posted to the band's web site yesterday.

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AC/DC Announce More N. American Concert Dates
07/21/09

The 'Black Ice' World Tour continues its global spread with additional shows added to the band's upcoming North American leg including an October 16th stop at Washington, DC's Verizon Center and an October 28th touchdown in Buffalo, NY at the HSBC Arena. Tickets will be available for the Washington, DC show on July 24th and for the Buffalo, NY date on July 25th.


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Verizon Center in Washington, DC: Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24 at 10:00 AM EDT through all Ticketmaster outlets. There will be a ticket lottery at 8:00 AM EDT at the Verizon Center box office only. The ticket lottery offers all fans an equal opportunity at obtaining the best seats available during the public on sale.

There is an eight ticket limit for the public, a two ticket limit for fan club members and a four ticket limit for the first 15 rows of seats.

Doors will open at 7:00 PM EDT.

Click here for information at band web site.

Concert starts at 8:00 PM EDT.

Tickets are $92.50 each.


HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY: Tickets go on sale Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 AM EDT. All tickets are $92.00, which includes $2.50 facility fee. There will be a random handbill policy in effect. Handbills are available now. Tickets can be purchased at the HSBC Arena Box Office, online at www.tickets.com, as well as all tickets.com outlets, including participating Tops Markets. For more information, or to charge by phone, call toll free at 888-223-6000. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges (no service charge applies at HSBC Arena Box Office).

July 21, 2009

Bye Bye Johnny!

Brent Johnson makes a save on December 4, 2008.
Photo by Nick Wass / AP Photo.

As much as it hurts to say it, Brent Johnson is no longer a goaltender for the Washington Capitals. The free agent signed a one year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins today, for the 2009-2010 season. His new hockey home is Mellon Arena - the "Tit in Pitt".

Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA - The "Tit in Pitt".

He played well enough to be the number one goalie in DC before getting injured this past season. Then he became the odd man out ... again. "Bye Bye Johnny", we're gonna miss you.


Status Quo - "Bye Bye Johnny" Live at the NEC

Belated Birthday Wishes For Geezer Butler And Brian May


Over this past weekend a couple of the musicians I admire the most officially got another year older. On Friday the 17th of July, bassist Terence "Geezer" Butler (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell) turned 60 years old. Guitarist Brian Harold May (Queen) hit 62 on Sunday the 19th.

Butler is currently on the road, touring with Heaven & Hell. They seem to be doing very well together these days. Geezer has kept very busy throughout his long career, with solo work, playing with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and Heaven & Hell.

May always has something going on as well. Of course he also spent many years with a very high profile band named Queen. Queen hooked up with singer Paul Rodgers for the last few years, but the Queen + Paul Rodgers venture seems to be over. Brian, who has appeared on many other artist's recordings (including many Black Sabbath members) and some fine solo work himself, always has many irons in the fire. He could show up for more "We Will Rock You" (the musical) special appearance performances. Maybe he will get back to some more solo work. If these things don't amuse him, he could just spend his time watching his actress wife Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Split Ends, Hamlet)get naked on stage with her lady friends at performances of "Calendar Girls". Mercy, so many things to choose from.

Anyway, I hope the lads both had a fine weekend and birthday celebration. Here's to many more, guys!

July 9, 2009

Washington Capitals Development Camp 2009


The Washington Capitals will hold their annual summer development camp next week. The camp runs from July 13 to July 18, 2009. Participants include some rookie players, recent draft picks and other prospects. If you're a Caps fan and want to check out the youngsters, follow the links below for all the details.


July 8, 2009

Capitals Convention Scheduled For Sept. 26, 2009


Today's Press Release (and graphic above) from the Washington Capitals via WashingtonCaps.com:


First Capitals Convention at Gaylord Convention Center Sept. 26

Current and former players highlight this daylong interactive experience

Jul 8, 2009, 2:22 PM EDT
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will hold their first Capitals Convention on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Gaylord Convention Center at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. The all-day event will feature the entire 2009-10 Capitals team as well as Capitals alumni, who along with radio and TV personalities, coaches, and team executives will participate in a variety of breakout sessions and panel discussions that will give fans a first-time look at behind-the-scenes operations as well as an insight into the lives of NHL players. There also will be interactive activities for adults and children, a display containing many of the NHL’s most prominent trophies, a locker-room store featuring game-used authentic memorabilia and the team’s annual equipment sale.

“This is a unique opportunity for our organization to engage our fans on a variety of levels,” said Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis. “It’s an opportunity for our players, coaches, alumni and front office to provide insights as well as the intricacies of our organization and our great sport.”

This will be the first chance for fans to meet the 2009-10 Capitals players as a group. The Sept. 26 festivities begin at 9 a.m. for season-ticket holders and 10 a.m. for the general public and will conclude at 8 p.m. Tickets, priced at $40 for adults and $25 for children 14 and younger, go on sale July 9 to season-ticket holders and July 14 to the general public. There are a limited number of “Golden Tickets” available for $350, which guarantees all player autographs with access to a special fast-pass autograph line and priority seating for panel discussions. Tickets will be available at WashingtonCaps.com.

Panel discussions will feature Leonsis, general manager George McPhee and head coach Bruce Boudreau and will focus on the behind-the-scenes, day-to-day responsibilities of operating a professional hockey club. Additionally, current and former Capitals players will participate in discussions that provide a glimpse of a professional athlete’s life and what they experience during the season.

There will be more than a dozen panel discussions at the convention, and in the near future fans also will be given an opportunity to vote at WashingtonCaps.com on other panels that they would like to see. Current panel discussions, which are subject to change, include:


● Ask the Coaches – Sit down with members of the coaching staff and pick their brains. See what differentiates their roles and responsibilities and how that impacts the team.

● Covering the Caps – Ever wondered what it was like to be a reporter covering the Capitals? This session will let fans see what it is like to be a member of the media. Learn what transpires before, during and after games.

● Managing the Salary Cap – Negotiating player contracts and managing the nuances of the NHL’s salary cap have profound impacts on every team. Get a look into how assistant general manager Don Fishman deals with these issues.

● Caps on the Rise – The Washington Capitals swiftly have ascended to one of the elite teams in the NHL and the architect is general manager George McPhee. Hear the firsthand account from the GM on how the plan came together and what is on the horizon.

● Kids-Only Press Conference – Players have to deal with media every day during the season, but this time the Caps are shaking things up and turning the mics over to the kids. In this press-conference atmosphere, kids have free reign to ask Caps players today’s burning questions.

● Work in Sports – Panelists from the area’s sports teams will discuss their career paths and advice for those looking to break into the sports business.


The day will include player autographs and photos with fans. Breakout sessions will be conducted throughout the day and will demonstrate a variety of hockey skills. The site will feature four interactive rinks, an interactive shooting game, two junior interactive rinks, a convention photo booth where fans can take pictures in a Caps-specific cutout and a penalty box game zone where fans can enjoy bubble hockey, air hockey and hockey video games. Highlights and feature videos will be shown on screens throughout the convention. A silent auction featuring jerseys, pucks and sticks also will be conducted. This will be fans’ first opportunity to purchase 2009-10 merchandise and special Capitals Convention merchandise. Comcast SportsNet is an official media partner of the Capitals Convention.

The convention will also include five hockey-related displays for fans to enjoy: a history of the Capitals timeline, a salute to the Original Six clubs, an NHL dressing room, prominent NHL trophies and a timeline of the evolution of hockey equipment.

The Chicago Cubs and later the Blackhawks introduced the convention concept to professional sports and they were met with overwhelming success as fans enjoyed a new and exciting way to interact with the players and organizations. Now the Capitals will provide their unique twist and give fans a full day to immerse themselves in a variety of topics and interactive exhibits.


For more details, click on this link.

July 1, 2009

July 2009 Concerts In DC, MD, PA & VA


Here is a current list of some noteable concerts scheduled to take place in July 2009, at venues in Hershey PA, Maryland, Northern VA and Washington DC.


Aerosmith & ZZ Top - July 3rd at Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, PA -> Postponed

Jay & The Americans - July 5th at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD

Styx & 38 Special - July 7th at The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD

Elton John & Billy Joel: 'Face 2 Face Tour 2009' - July 11th concert tickets, Parking tickets at Nationals Park in Washington, DC

Rock Royalty: The Ultimate British Classic Rock Festival - July 12th at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD

Def Leppard, Cheap Trick & Poison - July 12th at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA

Joe Cocker & Dave Mason - July 14th at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD

BSO "with full rock band" perform The Music of Queen: A Rock Symphony - July 18th at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD

Alan Parsons Live Project - July 19th at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD

'Hippiefest Tour 2009' - July 23rd at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD

Crosby, Stills & Nash - July 29th at Hershey Theatre in Hershey, PA

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Kid Rock - July 31st at Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, PA


*All details are subject to change!

NHL Free Agency Coverage For Washington Capitals Fans

Brent Johnson makes poke check save on Chris Drury penalty shot.
November 8, 2008 photo from AP Photo.

Now that the 2009 NHL Entry Draft is behind us, the next big thing on the schedule for hockey fans is Free Agency. Just like with the Entry Draft, fans of the Washington Capitals will want to check out the reliable local sources of good coverage for the free agency madness.

What will Washington do, if anything? Will they sign a free agent or two? Will they make a good trade instead? Will GM George McPhee bring goaltender Brent Johnson back? To see if the Capitals sign an available player you want on the team, use the links below.


NHL Free Agency Starts Up Today


The circus that is Free Agency starts today at 12:00 PM EDT for the National Hockey League. This is a time of year when available players, whether really good or just mediocre, go for the big bucks from whoever is willing to overpay for their services. Sometimes signing these guys fills a team's requirements nicely, and sometimes it just puts a team into salary cap hell. Either way, it can be an exciting time for fans of those teams looking to increase their chances of becoming a Stanley Cup contender.

TSN will have some television coverage of the first day of free agency in Canada. In the USA, you can catch the same coverage via The NHL Network. The NHL on TSN: Free Agent Frenzy show is scheduled for 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT, right after NHL Live.


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