Concert Review - MSG

MSG = OMG!!

Ok, so I got that from my teenage daughter...but I know what it means. It applies here.

I last saw Michael Schenker with MSG during the early 2000's (foggy as to what year...old age). What I remember from that show was his appearance...slightly chubby with a long brown beard...much like he was just rescued from some lost island.

Being the first time I saw him, I thought he was ok...nothing really to measure him against except his records with UFO and MSG (and Scorpions...if you can figure out what he played on those albums!). In hindsight now, and after reading all I have about his troubles...I can see in minds eye he was going through the motions...lost at times, but getting the job done. All of this became apparent to me only after seeing MSG (complete with original lead singer Gary Barden) at the House Of Blues In Chicago this past Monday night.

I decided a few months ago this was a show I could not miss, with Gary back in the fold and all. I had also been reading about Michael and how he is now clean and sober. This plus a very accomodating Sarah (thanks!) at the H.O.B. lead me to this evening of music.

Immediately after the band took the stage, the difference in Michael was apparent...beard gone, slimmed down, and trademark blonde hair slicked back...he looked READY! The rest of the band proved to be tight, and Gary's vocal put all the early MSG material back in it's proper place. He also did a great job with UFO material like "Rock Bottom" and "Doctor, Doctor".

On this night, Micheal showed why he is in a very elite class of hard rock guitar players, that includes others IMO like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoades just to name a few. Michael's signature riffs have always been memorable (for years I have had the "Ready To Rock" riff popping in and out of my brain without warning), and his versatility is impressive. His masterful lead work was certainly inventive on this night, to say the least...

OMG!

(here is video of a bit of his "Rock Bottom" solo from the NYC show on the tour)


It comes down to this. I thought I have seen it all over the years, but Michael showed all of us at the Chicago H.O.B. that there is indeed more to see...and hear.

~Zander
Host - The Rockin' 80's Radio Show

I talked with ROB HALFORD!!

Ok, so I am supposed to be the unaffected professional that doesn't get geeked out by talking to a famous rock star...right? WRONG! While doing this as long as I have, not many guests cause a full-blown geek alert anymore...except for this guy named Rob Halford of Judas Priest. One of the few reasons I found my way to hard rock and metal in my formative years. Uncut and unedited, we went for 45 minutes...what a great guy! I heard stories, like many have, of Rob being difficult. Not true at all during my 45 minutes of his time. We talked about the birth of metal in Birmingham, the Hear n' Aid project in 1986, and all-things British Steel. We will feature much of our conversation with Rob (and KK too!) on our 4th Of July weekend Rockin' 80's special. Make sure you are locked and ready to rock then!! ~Zander

Has it been 30 years??

Yes it has...been 30 years since the recording of one of the most influential metal albums of all time. As the follow-up to another great metal record "Hell Bent For Leather" from JUDAS PRIEST, British Steel was their first released of the decadent 1980's. We are working hard to get an exclusive interview with Rob, KK, and Glenn regarding the making of this record, song by song. We'll also discuss the tour they did for this release and the state of metal at the time.

We plan for this special THE ROCKIN' 80's; 30 Years of British Steel to air the weekend of July 4. Be listening for it!

Z

Win the Rockin' 80's STYX-MYX Giveaway!

We are off and running with our ROCKIN' 80'S STYX-MYX giveaway!

Check out the Can't Stop Rockin' Tour 2009 itinerary below and find the info for a date and venue you can get yourself too (sorry - no transportation will be provided) and then go here to register. It's that simple! The STYX-MYX winner will win two concert tickets, and a prize pack including cd's, dvd's, Styx guitar pyx, and more!

Good luck!

05/12/09 - Amarillo, TX @ Amarillo Civic Center w/REO Speedwagon 05/13/09 - Albuquerque,NM @ Sandia Casino Amphitheatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - On-sale 3/20 05/15/09 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Dodge Theatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/9 05/16/09 - Las Vegas @ Thomas and Mack Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/30 05/17/09 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/20 05/21/09 - Ontario, CA @ Citizen's Bank Arena w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/16 05/22/09 - Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/16 05/23/09 - Kelseyville, CA @ Konocti Harbor Resort w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/1 05/24/09 - Mountainview, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 05/27/09 - Seattle, WA @ ShoWare Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 05/30/09 - Sandy, UT @ Rio Tinto Stadium w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 05/31/09 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/13 06/02/09 - San Antonio, TX @ Municipal Auditorium w/REO Speedwagon 06/04/09 - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/05/09 - Thackerville, OK @ Winstar Casino w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/06/09 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/07/09 - Houston, TX @ Woodlands Pavilion w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/18/09 - Orange Beach, AL @ The Amphitheatre @ The Wharf w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/20/09 - Simpsonville, SC @ Heritage Park w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/21/09 - Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/21 06/23/09 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavillion w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/24/09 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/26/09 Atlantic City, NJ @ The Borgata w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 06/27/09 - Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/14 06/28/09 - Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 2/27 07/01/08 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/02/09 - Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort and Casino w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 3/28 07/03/09 - Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/04/09 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/05/09 - Wheeling WV @ Wheeling Island Hotel and Casino w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/09/09 - Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/10/09 - Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special - on-sale 2/28 07/11/09 - St Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special 07/12/09 - Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid America Center w/REO Speedwagon and special guest 38 Special

White Trash, Hair Metal, and The Devil You Know...

Here we catch you up on a few things to know as we head into spring...

CRUEFEST 2 is scheduled for this summer. The "White Trash Circus" tour will have MOTLEY CRUE doing the whole Dr. Feelgood album from start to finish, as this year this marks the 20th anniversary of it's release!



This makes this show a must-see when it comes to your town.


You don't have to go to west to ROCKLAHOMA to get your hair metal fix this year!

In Columbia, Maryland at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday may 30th...the M3 Rock Festival!! Ten hours of rockin' on 2 stages featuring 16 bands...like Y&T, Kix, RATT, Twisted Sister, Dokken, Bullet Boys, LA Guns, Keel, and more. Hit the link for the official fest website.




On April 28th, Rhino Records will release the first HEAVEN & HELL studio record titled "The Devil You Know". This is the first for the band under this name, however, their last recording "Dehumanizer" was released under th ename BLACK SABBATH in 1992. For fans like me of this Sabbath/H&H lineup, this should be a good one!

I Thought He Said "No Mas"?!

Am I the only one a bit surprised that the Prince Of Darkness is doing another tv show?

I guess he misses the money...er, I mean...attention?

The new show, Osbournes: Reloaded is described as "family viewing" and will feature various silly skits. For instance, Ozzy working the drive through at a fast food joint. Kind of a "new millennium" version of a variety show. Just as long as Ozzy and Sharon don't wrap up each episode with a rendition of "I Got You Babe"...it should be safe and entertaining to watch. After all, we were all hooked on their first show (c'mon, admit it!)

The first episode will air on Fox later this spring.

It's February...

We are that much closer to summer concert season! Oh, wait...check the thermometer. Mine says "11 degrees". Ah never mind. Summer seems a million miles away now. Damn.

According to spinner.com, EDDIE VAN HALEN says he has a few things to do this spring...like get married to girlfriend Janie and watch his son WOLFIE graduate from high school. After that, he wants to sit down with the band (that does include DLR!) and discuss recording new music, Which he says he has "tons of". Then, if Dave is up for it, another tour!

This May 21st marks the 5th year of The Rockin' 80's nationwide! To celebrate, we have created The Rockin' 70's! Rock radio has been a passion my whole life, and career for just about twenty years now. The time is now to expand our approach to cover the "me" decade as well. They will be two separate radio programs, produced by 4C Studios, Inc., and available through Envision Radio Networks.

For those that wanna rock...we salute YOU!

~Zander