Le'me see, Lemmy

Motorhead finished recording their new album "Motorizer" just before heading out to tour Europe at the beginning of June. That should mean they'll be playing some of the new songs and will have worked out any live performance kinks before they hit the US with the "Metal Masters Tour" this August, where they will be joined by Heaven And Hell, Judas Priest and Testament.

Photo by Robert John

There's no release date yet on "Motorizer", which was recorded at Dave Grohl's Los Angeles, CA 606 Studios. While you're waiting you could pick up the reissue of the Foo Fighters' "Hyde Park" live DVD, which was recorded June 17, 2006 and features Lemmy Kilmister singing "Shake Your Blood". Also performing on the DVD are Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen. If you're into documentaries, there's a movie tentatively called "Lemmy" due to make it to theatres in 2009. A clip of the movie, which includes interviews with Alice Cooper, Dave Grohl, Mick Jones and others, is available at http://www.lemmymovie.com/.

Motorhead - "Be My Baby"

46664 Concert To Honor Mandela At 90

Paul Rodgers, Roger Taylor, Mandelas in 2005

Many of the world's most famous people will be gathering to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday during the 46664 Concert at Hyde Park in London, England today. The concert which starts at 1:30 PM EDT will raise money for Mandela charities and raise worldwide awareness of AIDS.

This will be the sixth concert bearing the number 46664 since November 2003. Mandela was numbered 46664 by prison administration because he was the 466th prisoner to arrive at Robbin Island in the year 1964. He was held prisoner until 1990 as punishment for fighting Apartheid.

As Mandela says, "It's in our hands". To make a donation visit 46664.com. To watch the concert live click here. The event will be rebroadcast on July 18, 2008. A video taped two hour version of the concert will be broadcast in the US Monday, June 30th on VH1.

Queen + Paul Rodgers - "Say It's Not True"

Brian May and Zucchero - "Cosi Celeste" 46664 Arctic 2005

NHL's Ovechkin Day Video

Photo by Stephen J. Boitano / AP

The NHL has finally made an 'Alex Ovechkin Day' video available via their web site. June 13, 2008 was a great day for the superstar forward of the Washington Capitals and his fans. Like all the Washington, DC area reporters and several Cap's bloggers, the NHL observed the days events, as Alex and his 2007-2008 season accomplishments were celebrated.

The video shows the awards display at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, VA, including fan reaction. Also featured are the short and humorous speeches by Alex Ovechkin while receiving the 'key to the city' from DC mayor Adrian M. Fenty and at a VIP party also held that day. Among those gathered were former Capitals Rod Languay and Peter Bondra. Bondra, VP and GM George McPhee and team majority owner Ted Leonsis briefly talk about Alex in the 5 min. 35 sec. video. Although it took close to two weeks to be released, it's a fine production.

George Carlin, Gone But Never To Be Forgotten

Photo - GeorgeCarlin.com

George Denis Patrick Carlin died yesterday June 22, 2008 at the age of 71, due to heart failure. The memories I have of George will never die, though there were times while listening to him, I thought I'd die laughing.

Humor has always been among the most important things to me. It's one of the essential elements of life. So, I have to thank Mr. Carlin for all the laughs and all the joy he has brought to me and to millions of others. I'm not terribly fond of public speaking, but ask me to do one of George Carlin's classic bits, and you may have some trouble getting me to shut up. Listening to his albums like "Take-Offs And Put-Ons", "FM And AM" and "Class Clown" over and over again, influenced my sense of humor. It helped make me who I am, as much as anything else. I will never forget George Carlin.

"The Hippie-Dippie Weatherman"

"Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television"

"Make No Mistake, Mr. Rotten Loves America ..."

Johnny Rotten (John Joseph Lydon) is best known as front man for the pioneers of punk, the Sex Pistols. He also had some success with the more pop like PiL - Public Image Ltd. I doubt that there would be a huge number of people in the states that would think of him as necessarily loving our country. The man that has the looks, the energy, the history, the mouthiness, the never ending desire and the (twisted?) brains to cause some interesting controversy, is apparently claiming to be in love with US.


The following was recently posted on JohnLydon.com:


Johnny Rotten Loves America…

Isn’t it amazing what turns up on the internet these days?

A scissor-reel from ‘Johnny Rotten Loves America’ – the show that is apparently too hot to handle – has made a surprise appearance on YouTube. Naughty, Naughty, but we like…

Will the series ever be broadcast? Who knows? The producers are doggone.

Make no mistake, Mr Rotten loves America and we’d love people to see his views on Hurricane Katrina and gun control. Not to mention talking to the proud decedents of Black Confederate soldiers from the War of Southern Independence. BUT maybe it’s just a can of worms some U.S. TV companies don’t want to open…

As John commented on JL.Com in summer 2007: “I’m trying to work on a six part series and we’ll see if that comes off or not. Certainly, if it doesn’t, it won’t be because of a lack of ideas on our behalf…”

PS: Beware of plagiarism and diluted content…

"Johnny Rotten Loves America" series trailer.

My question is ... well one of my questions is ... Why aren't the Sex Pistols visiting places in the US other than Las Vegas, NV during the Combine Harvester Tour 2008?

Capitals Earn Respect With 2008 Awards

Photo - Al Bello / Getty Images

The Washington Capitals now command a lot of respect, after an award winning 2007-2008 season and 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs berth. The NHL, NHLPA, even the sports news media and local government have spoken. They have made it clear that they admire Alex Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, Nicklas Backstrom and the Capitals organization. Washington will no longer be referred to as the lowly Cap's. They now have plenty of hardware that says otherwise.

Capitals fans watched the 2008 NHL Awards Show from home and Verizon Center with joyful anticipation as Ovechkin was rightfully awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award (Player Of The Year) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player). It eased the nerves of some when the Pearson was presented to Alex at the start of the show. We already knew he was getting the Hart. Backstrom did not receive the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie Of The Year), but second place is obviously still very respectable. Coach Boudreau was presented the Jack Adams Award (Coach Of The Year), after inspiring a last place team enough to get them to the playoffs.

Alex Ovechkin had already received a few other awards. As the league's highest goal scorer (65) he earned the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Having also led in points (112), Ovechkin won the Art Ross Trophy. For the third straight year, Alex won the Kharlamov Trophy after being voted the best Russian player in the NHL by other Russian players.

Capitals teammates Alex Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin helped lead Team Russia to their first world championship in 15 years at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, held in Halifax and Quebec City, Canada between May 2nd and May 18th. Next year they may be busy going into later rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs instead.

Photo - Mitchell Layton / Getty Images

What all these accolades bring to the Washington Capitals as a team is much the same as it brings to the individuals themselves. It brings a feeling of pride and satisfaction. They know for sure that they can play at an elite level. It makes Washington a desirable organization to belong to. From pee wee league youngsters to NHL superstars, the Capitals are a team most would love to play for. They've earned some serius respect.

Well Keith, No Blue Plaque For You Mate

From The Who's web site:

NO BLUE PLAQUE FOR KEITH MOON?

The homes of famous people who have lived in England are awarded a high-status Blue Plaque. English heritage, who decide who gets the blue treatment and who doesn’t, have deemed The Who’s legendary drummer as unworthy.

‘I’m sure the 1860s screw propeller engineer Sir Francis Pettit thoroughly deserves his recently awarded Blue Plaque’, says Rob Lee, editor of thewho.com, ‘ and screw propeller afficionados all over the world will be thrilled. But why turn down Keith Moon, the undisputed greatest rock drummer of all time? It’s not as if English Heritage don’t have at least some rock fans on their panel: Jimi Hendrix was recognised with a Blue Plaque a few years back. Maybe you're only eligible if you smash guitars rather than drums.’

Keith is in good company for his rejection by the panel. Legendary writer Arthur Koestler has also just been turned down too. A case of 'Darkness at Moon'?

For more, CLICK HERE .


Come on now. Keith Moon was good people, right?

The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Chicago And Doobie Brothers 2008 Summer Tour

Two very American bands have merged their 2008 summer tour schedules. Chicago and the Doobie Brothers are set to co-headline a total of 23 concerts. They hooked up in Phoenix, AZ on June 3rd and will entertain 22 towns and cities accross the US, ending with a show in Uncasville, CT on July 4th.

Co-founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons front the Doobie Brothers, which is currently made up mostly of longtime bandmates. These guys from out west had most of their big hits and multi-platinum records in the 1970's, but seem to have plenty of steam left. They're mostly classic American rock and roll, with a little country flavor mixed in here and there.

Chicago has a very wide range of American musical styles included in their sound, from rock and roll to jazz, to the blues. This band from the country's heartland had most of their 20 top ten hits, gold and platinum records in the same time period as the Doobies. They are also currently made up of the classic bandmates, including Robert Lamm and James Pankow. The "lost" Chicago album "Stone Of Sisyphus" is due to be released on June 17, 2008.

They won't be visiting any venues in Maryland or Washington, DC. If you are from these parts you might try to get tickets to the show at Hershey Park, in Hershey, PA on June 18, 2008. Check them out while you still can. Fill all your senses with real music for a change.

Not Much Yet, But We're Gettin' There

The Baltimore / Washington concert scene is a little thin right now. However, it's starting to heat up. There are a some good bands on the schedule this summer, and a few more will likely be added. With the price of tickets these days, most can't afford to hit too many shows anyway.

Right now I'm just going to look at this June. In the Baltimore area we have ... uh ... Well there's ... uh ... Right. Well, the hot ticket price wise may be the June 22nd ZZ Top concert at Aberdeen Proving Ground, in Harford County. Opening for them will be Blind Melon and Blackberry Smoke. For $25.00, you might want to travel over here to my neck of the woods. It's not far off of I-95. If you'd rather catch up with a hot rock chick instead, visit Rams Head Live! on the 24th and see Pat Benatar.

June 2008 isn't looking too hot at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA (a.k.a. Washington, DC) either. They had Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers along with Steve Winwood yesterday, but that's about the only thing worth mentioning.

Don't worry though. The calender starts looking much better just a little further into the summer. As I said before, a few more shows may be added as well.

Pat Benatar - "Promises In The Dark"

05/05/2008 Brian May Interview On 95.5 KLOS FM

The following audio is Brian May being interviewed on 95.5 KLOS FM Radio by Cynthia Fox and Jim Ladd on May 5, 2008. He was in Los Angeles, CA promoting his book - "Bang! The Complete History Of The Universe". The six part audio (mp3 downloads) can be found in the archives of May's web site, along with the complete transcript.

Part 1: Astrophysics PHD, Sir Patrick Moore, Book, Chancellorship

Part 2: Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday, AIDS, Freddie Mercury

Part 3: Astronomy, "Bang! The Complete History Of The Universe"

Part 4: Al Murray, Queen + Paul Rodgers, "The Cosmos Rocks" (new album)

Part 5: Takes calls from listeners, Talks about book signing

Part 6: "We Will Rock You" musical still playing worldwide, etc.

Cheap Trick, Heart, Journey 2008 Summer Tour

In case you haven't heard yet, there's another multi band tour I've been meaning to tell you about. This may be the only one in the USA this summer that rivals the Metal Masters Tour for me. They're not metal, but they sure are rockin'. Most of the concerts will include (in order of appearance) Cheap Trick, Heart and Journey. The tour starts in Denver, CO on July 9, 2008 and ends in Albuquerque, NM on October 4, 2008. If you're in the Mid Atlantic area like me, you'll get a couple chances to see them in August. They will be at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA (a.k.a. Washington, DC) on the 27th and Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, PA on the 28th.

Cheap Trick - "I Want You To Want Me"


Heart - "Barracuda"


Journey with Arnel Pineda - "Open Arms"

Don't Cry, Hockey Doesn't End This Week

Right! The NHL's 2008 Stanley Cup Final will become final when the Detroit Red Wings are awarded the world of sports' most coveted championship trophy either tonight or after a Game 7 on Saturday. That's absolutely true. Sorry Pittsburgh Penguins fans. OK, so I'm not really sorry. My point is that there is so much more to come.

There's the NHL Awards Show in Toronto on June 12, 2008. New season ticket holders for the 2008-2009 season can enjoy the show while picking out their Verizon Center seats at the Washington Capitals Open House that same evening. Of course, Alex Ovechkin is expected to receive another award or two. After already claiming the Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Art Ross Trophies for leading the league with 65 goals and 112 points, he's up for a couple MVP awards as well. We will find out if he got the votes he deserved for the Lester B. Pearson Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy on the 12th. Keep in mind that Nicklas Backstrom may take the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year, and Bruce Boudreau should get the Jack Adams Award for coaching the team from the cellar to the playoffs.

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Ottawa June 20 - 21. According to the NHL, 107 of the best draft eligible players arrived in Toronto last week for the Draft Combine. What do you think the Capitals will be looking for this year? General Manager George McPhee has done very well at the past few Drafts. Will he be as successful this time? It's a very exciting time for serious hockey fans.

On July 1st, hockey continues with the Unrestricted Free Agents hitting the open market. Although it's a more expensive route in acquiring veteran players, McPhee has also fared pretty well with this avenue. However, trades are where you usually get better value for your money. It'll be interesting to see who Washington is able to resign, who we might lose, and who George decides to bring to the team.

Another thing to look forward to is the Capitals Development Camp. Many of the young prospects will attend July 7th - 12th. Coaches and management get a better idea of what they have in the pipeline during this camp.

There really isn't that much down time. Sure, there will be a few weeks in the second half of the summer where things really slow down until training camp starts. But, there's plenty going on for a while yet.

Trophy Photos - NHL, Young Guns Photo/Graphic - Washingtoncaps.com