Radio On My Mind

Reading about Brian May's recent efforts to save the UK's number 1 classic rock radio station got me to thinking about another one. Although they could never reach the same standards as the award winning Planet Rock, I still have a place in my heart for a fictional station known as WKRP In Cincinnati.

WKRP In Cincinnati - Pilot: Part 1

WKRP In Cincinnati - Pilot: Part 2

IIHF Hall Of Fame 2008 Inductions

The IIHF inducted seven new members into their Hall Of Fame last week. These were of course internationally known hockey people. You should recognise some of the names, if you've been following the sport for any amount of time. Igor Larionov and Mario Lemieux were among the male players. Three women were also inducted, including Tony Granato's sister Cammi Granato. Cammi is the all time leading scorer of women's international ice hockey. It's nice to see some women finally get recognised for their contributions.

Rest In Peace Jon Pertwee

In remembrance of one of the great Doctors - Jon Pertwee, who died on this day, in 1996.

From Wikipedia:

John Devon Roland Pertwee (7 July 1919[1] – 20 May 1996), better known as Jon Pertwee, was an English actor. Pertwee is best known for his role in the science fiction television series Doctor Who, where he played the third incarnation of the Doctor from 1970 to 1974, and as the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge. He also hosted the murder mystery quiz programme Whodunnit! between 1974 and 1978 for Thames Television. Pertwee also voiced the character of "Spotty" in the 1980s cartoon series SuperTed.

Death announcement via Australian (?) TV news



YouTube Tribute by Andrew Webb


Thanks for entertaining us Jon!

Russia Wins Gold At 2008 World Championship

For the first time in 15 years, Russia won the IIHF World Championship. Congratulations to Sergei Fedorov, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and their fellow countrymen for a brilliant achievement. Russia and Washington Capitals fans are very proud. It's nice to see some of our Cap's enjoying a championship win before going on holiday. That's got to make the time between now and the start of the NHL's 2008-2009 season a little bit happier and easier. They've got a lot to celebrate right now. Let's hope we get to celebrate a different kind of championship next spring. Winning at the Worlds might just add some experience that could be very helpful in that effort.

Say Goodbye To Olie Kolzig

It looks like goaltender Olie Kolzig will not be playing for the Washington Capitals anymore. After 19 years of mostly excellent service to the organization that drafted him, it appears he will be playing elsewhere if at all next season. The Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir was first to break the news. Comcast SportsNet's Jill Sorenson has since interviewed Kolzig as well. You can watch the video on Washington Post Live tonight. Also, Mike Vogel's article on the end of the fantastic Kolzig era is a must read.

The news is a little hard to take for many of us, although we all probably knew it was coming. You can't carry three goalies forever, even if all three are good. Kolzig wasn't at his best for much of the season, but don't forget that his teammates weren't much help early on. Around the time of the trade deadline, when the Cap's picked up netminder Cristobal Huet, Olie's play really picked up. Huet played as well as he has ever played in his entire career, though some of his wins came with a good bit of help from his teammates, especially in the playoffs. I'm being serious when I say that Kolzig was just as good as Huet down the stretch. However, I agree that Kolzig's effectiveness is never going to be as consistent as it used to be. At 38 years of age, you've got to expect that.

It's heartbreaking to think about how Olie stuck around through the hard times, and when the Capitals finally raise the Stanley Cup sometime within the next couple seasons, he won't be around to share in what he has rightfully earned. There have been many other great hockey players who never won the cup, and there will be plenty more. When Huet faltered in the playoffs and Kolzig wasn't even given the chance to play in one game, it became very clear that his time in Washington was over. Sad that it had to end this way, but it's "Time To Say Goodbye".

Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman - "Time To Say Goodbye"

Skid Row - "I Remember You"

Thank You Olie!

Happy 60th Birthday Bill Ward

Happy 60th birthday to one of rock's finest drummers, Bill Ward. Bill is my personal favorite heavy metal drummer of all time. He has done some great solo work, but he will always be remembered for his many years playing for the greatest heavy metal band - Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath - "Fairies Wear Boots" (Paris 1970)


Black Sabbath - "Children Of The Grave" (Reunion Rel: 1998)

Brian May To Be On 95.5 KLOS FM 05/05/2008

Listen Live to the Brian May interview on Los Angeles radio station 95.5 KLOS FM via their web site at 11:00 PM EDT.

Dr Brian May Speaks For Dr Francisco Sanchez

ASTRONOMERS VIEW ROCK STAR UP CLOSE

GAINESVILLE SUN
By Karen Voyles
Sun staff writer
May 4, 2008

Photo by Brandon Kruse/The Gainesville Sun

Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May speaks Saturday afternoon at Pugh Hall on the University of Florida campus during a ceremony for Dr. Francisco Sanchez, who received an honorary doctorate from the Department of Astronomy.

Rock fans around the world know Brian May as the star guitarist of the rock group Queen. Astronomy fans inside Pugh Hall at the University of Florida Saturday know Brian May as a professor with a keen interest in, and understanding of, the motion of dust in the solar system.

"My dad used to say to me 'It's nice that you're playing music but one day you're going to need a proper job,' " May said "I just thought 'It's never going to happen.' "

The guitarist's visit was among the highlights of a weekend of commencement ceremonies that continue today. About 6,200 students - of the 8,675 set to graduate this semester - will participate in their commencement ceremonies throughout the month, most of which were slated for this weekend, depending on the college.

With more than 2,000 students receiving bachelor's degrees, the College of Liberal Arts and Science's two ceremonies Saturday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center were by far the university's largest.

May, who completed his doctorate in England last fall after a 30-year break in his studies, is still touring with Queen. He flew to Gainesville Saturday to see his mentor and close friend, astronomer Francisco Sanchez, receive the first honorary degree ever bestowed by the Department of Astronomy.

May had been working on his doctorate with guidance from Sanchez in the mid-1970s when May's rock career took off and he set his studies aside.

VIDEO link

While introducing May to the audience Saturday, Stanley Dermott, professor and astronomy department chair, noted how pleased his own 90-year-old mother-in-law in England had been when May received his degree last fall.

"When she heard on BBC that Brian May had received his Ph.D. she said 'Oh good. That will give him something to fall back on,' " Dermott said.

Despite the years rolling by after May left school, Sanchez would encourage him not to give up on his research, serving as what May said was his primary inspiration to eventually complete his doctorate.

"Every time I saw (Sanchez) he said, 'You can still do it,' " May told the audience of astronomers and undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. "Over the years I would talk to him and feel guilty and I said to him that I felt like a bit of a fraud because I hadn't been an astronomer in 30 years. Then he told me he hadn't been doing astronomy for 30 years either - that he'd been doing administration."

Sanchez received his honorary degree in part for the work he has done to make Spain and the observatories on the Canary Islands major players in the world of astronomy.

When Sanchez began his work, Spain had a handful of astronomers. Today that country is home to between 300 and 400 astronomers, drawing more than two dozen countries who have built observing facilities on the islands of Tenerife and La Palma.

Sanchez is also credited for spearheading construction of the world's largest optical telescope. The University of Florida is a 5 percent owner and partner in the $190 million Gran Telescopio Canarias.

May has agreed to write a special piece of music to be performed with Queen when the telescope opens.

Commencement for students receiving professional degrees are scheduled for later this month.

The Levin College of Law's ceremony will take place on May 9, the College of Medicine's on May 17 and the College of Dentistry's on May 16.

The university's final spring ceremony, for graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine, is set for May 24.

Goalies Gone Wild

Here are some wild moments for NHL goalies a few years back. Remember these?

Happy 58th Lou Gramm

Just wanted to wish a great 58th birthday to a great singer and song writer, Lou Gramm (Louis Grammatico), who is best known for his time with the band Foreigner. But "That Was Yesterday".

Foreigner - "That Was Yesterday"

Skatefest '08 / Hockey Fights Cancer At Ice World

Skate on the ice with celebrities and raise money for Hockey Fights Cancer during Skatefest '08 on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at Ice World in Abingdon (Harford County), MD.

You can register online for the 2 hr Skate-A-Thon. Hockey Fights Cancer MD has lined up former NHL hockey players, Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes (a.k.a. Ace Of Cakes), champion figure skater Kimmie Meissner and others to skate with you.

At 5:30 PM, watch the Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers alumni game for $25.00 per ticket. You may never get another chance to see these guys play, or get so close to the action.

Many other things will be going on here, too. Live music, carnival rides, food and other vendors will be at the event. Included will be an appearance by The Zambonis and the Hanson Brothers (from the movie Slap Shot). Mary Alice (from Ace Of Cakes) will also be along with Duff Goldman for this fundraiser.

The whole thing runs from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Good directions are available from Hockey Fights Cancer MD and Ice World.

This Bud's For You ... Kid

Check out this little boy showing off his moves to the Budweiser Babes. No minimum drinking age in Germany.

via videosift.com

Metal Masters Tour - August 2008

Official Tour Press Release:

METAL LEGENDS JUDAS PRIEST, HEAVEN & HELL, MOTORHEAD, AND TESTAMENT UNITE FOR ‘METAL MASTERS TOUR’

WORLD PREMIERE OF JUDAS PRIEST ‘NOSTRADAMUS’ COVER ART AND FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF TITLE TRACK AT LIVENATION.COM

After weeks of speculation, Live Nation has put together a killer package that is bound to go down as the heavy metal event of 2008 - Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Motorhead, and Testament will be touring together for the first time.

Dubbed ‘The Metal Masters Tour', the sixteen date U.S. trek kicks off August 6th at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey.

Judas Priest will be supporting their epic concept album, ‘Nostradamus', which will arrive on June 17th via Epic Records, and tells the tale of the renowned 16th century prophet. A few tracks from ‘Nostradamus’ will make their in-concert debut on ‘The Metal Masters Tour', but the majority of Priest’s set list will include some of metal’s all-time classics, as well as fan favorites that span the quintet’s entire career. Without a doubt, this will be one of Priest’s most powerful sets ever. As a ‘sneak peak treat’ to fans starved for a musical taster, the first cut off the new album will make its world premiere debut as exclusive free MP3 download starting today exclusively at livenation.com/judaspriest.

Heaven & Hell will be supporting the release of ‘The Rules Of Hell’ a five-CD boxed set available on July 22nd from Rhino Records which features re-mastered versions of all four Dio-era Black Sabbath albums (‘Heaven and Hell', ‘Mob Rules', ‘Live Evil', and ‘Dehumanizer’) in a deluxe package with new liner notes.

Perennial road rats Motorhead will be touring strictly for the love of it, offering a fan favorites set spanning more than three decades worth of molar-rattling metal. Motorhead’s last album was 2006’s ‘Kiss of Death’ (released via Sanctuary Records), their 19th studio set of their long and highly influential career. A new album is currently in the works as well, which is currently being recorded at their old pal Dave Grohl’s studio with a August release date targeted. Lemmy blairs out, "Here it comes everybody, the test of your Metalness in 2008 and the years to come! Come one come all and be abused!"

Rounding out the line-up will be legendary thrash metal titans Testament, whose new album, ‘The Formation of Damnation', (April 29th,) displays Testament as the quintessential modern heavy metal band, whose experience and accumulated skill allows them to attack with reserves of anger, energy and finesse that make them more powerful than ever. Lead singer Chuck Billy says, “Uniting these bands is the heavy metal event of generations. We are so proud to be a part of it.”

Although all four bands may represent different subgenres of heavy metal, all four have one thing in common – they have stuck to their stylistic guns through thick and thin, and have remained true to the metal form. And soon, band and fan will be united as one on ‘The Metal Masters Tour'.

“As ever, we look forward to screaming out loud with our metal maniac fans when we hit the road,” enthuses Priest singer, Rob Halford. “Thank you once again for your devotion and support. The Priest is back!”

This tour will be limited to fifteen very special engagements, and Citi cardmembers will have pre-sale access to tickets through Citi's Private Pass® Program, available to all Citi cardmembers at www.privatepass.citi.com.

Metal maniacs seeking the ultimate concert experience can access unique VIP ticket and fan experience packages that offer premium seats, meet & greets, pre-concert parties and more brought to you by the band's official websites, www.judaspriest.com and www.heavenandhelllive.com. VIP packages for the first events will be on sale by 10 a.m eastern time on Friday, April 25th. Also, not all VIP packages are the same, so be sure to pick the right one that suits you best.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning this weekend at www.livenation.com.

See the official web sites for continually updated tour information and on-sale dates.


The dates are as follows:

Wed 06-Aug-08 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 26, 10 am

Thu 07-Aug-08 Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA – PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Sat 09-Aug-08 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 26, 10 am

Sun 10-Aug-08 Nikon at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 26, 10 am

Wed 13-Aug-08 Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 25, 10 am

Sat 16-Aug-08 Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 25, 10 am

Mon 18-Aug-08 DTE Energy Music Theatre, Detroit, MI
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Tue 19-Aug-08 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 25, 5 pm

Fri 22-Aug-08 Superpages.com Amphitheatre, Dallas, TX
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Sat 23-Aug-08 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston, TX
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Sun 24-Aug-08 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, San Antonio, TX
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Wed 27-Aug-08 Journal Pavilion, Albuquerque, NM
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Thu 28-Aug-08 Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Sat 30-Aug-08 Glen Helen Pavilion, San Bernardino, CA
– PUBLIC ON SALE SOON

Sun 31-Aug-08 Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
– PUBLIC ON SALE APRIL 27, 10 am

2008 Post Season Depression

It's going to take a while to get over the Washington Capitals loss in Game 7 last night. I'm so proud of each and every one of these guys. You have to be happy about how far they got this season. However, the reasons for the loss are debatable. They had some good chances to take care of it in the third period that they didn't make count. I just can't blame any of the players. The officiating was obviously the most deserving of blame, if you ask me.

As I said I'm proud of every player on the team. I'd also like to thank the players, owners, GMGM, coaches, staff and the entire Capitals organization for doing such a great job. They all deserved a better fate this season. I can't help but feel sorry for them, especially Olie Kolzig. Hopefully, he'll still be around next season. The good news is that you can be sure the Capitals will be playoff bound for years to come.

The following two songs by Queen are the tunes I reached for after the game. Music is what always gets me through life. I'll hit the sad and bittersweet stuff first. Eventually, I'll work my way up to something more cheerful. Let me know what you are listening to.

Queen - "My Melancholy Blues"


Queen - "Teo Torriatte" (Let Us Cling Together)

Flyers Vs Capitals 04/22/2008 EC Quarterfinal Game 7 Review

Flyers 3 - Capitals 2 OT

The Washington Capitals, who went further this season than anyone other than their organization and fans ever believed possible, lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the NHL's 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This was an exciting event, right from the start. The first period began with Washington's hero Alex Ovechkin putting a tasty crunching hit on Kimmo Timonen. The typically unimaginably horrible officiating started soon after with countless missed calls. In the middle of all that some good things were taking place, though. The Capitals were first to get on the scoreboard. After the officials made one of their intermittent penalty calls on Philadelphia, Washington went on the power play. Just after a faceoff in the offensive zone, Sergei Fedorov passed the puck to Ovechkin. Alex sent in a slapshot and Nicklas Backstrom was there to poke in the rebound at 5:42. It was Backstrom's fourth goal in four games. Later on however, the Flyers got a PP goal of their own, when Scottie Upshall's slapshot trickled through Cristobal Huet's pads. After watching Washington's Boyd Gordon repeatedly getting knocked down to the ice without a penalty called, the period mercifully ended in a 1-1 tie.

With the first half of the second period full of even more undetected violations by the Flyers, it became clear that the Capitals were going to have to be exceptionally amazing to come out of this battle with a win. There were some calls on Washington that were missed as well. However, there wasn't going to be any balance here. The injustice that was dealt to the Capitals next, will be talked about for decades. On a drive to Washington's net just after the midpoint of the game, Philadelphia's Patrick Thoresen pushed defender Shaone Morrisonn directly into netminder Cristobal Huet. Huet went down hard and away from the net during the collision which Morrisonn couldn't possibly avoid. With the goal mouth wide open, Sami Kapanen scored what clearly should have been a disallowed goal. Yet, referee Paul Devorski immediately signaled that it was a goal. The goal was allowed to stand.

With about four and a half minutes left in the second period, Ovechkin came to the rescue. Viktor Kozlov sent a long range pass out of the Cap's end to Brooks Laich, near the blue line. Laich dished it to Alex, who snapped it into the net so hard and so fast that Martin Biron didn't have time to flinch. Biron never moved, as he only had the breeze caused by the puck zipping by, to let him know what just happened. The second period ended with the score even at 2-2.


The third period was a total disgrace to the NHL and any fan of hockey, as well as anyone who gives a damn about right and wrong. In other words the ref's swallowed their whistles and it was anything goes. They even let play continue after the puck left the rink, bounced off the safety meshing and returned to the ice surface.

After letting everything go in the third period and the beginning of overtime, Washington's Tom Poti was sent to the penalty box for hooking at 4:15. It was at this point that I finally started experiencing the nervousness that a lot of other Cap's fans had been complaining about before games. For the last few weeks, I had remained almost unyieldingly confident. Now, with the Flyers hanging out in the Capital's end during sudden death OT, all of a sudden I was consumed with complete and total panic. At 6:06 my fears were realized as Joffrey Lupul scored the deciding PP goal, ending what seemed like everything in existence.

All Photos - Nick Wass / AP

Happy Birthday Peter Frampton

I have to wish a very happy 58th birthday to Peter Frampton , one of the greatest rockers of all time. Hope you had a great day Peter, and "Shine On".