Cruefest 2008 was a rousing success this past week. A packed house at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre got their money's worth with 6 hours of killer performances from 5 bands, topped off by amazing sets from Buckcherry and Motley Crue. Crue in particular pulled out all the stops with a huge new light and pyro show, crushing sound system... and then proceeded to deliver the finest single show I have ever witnessed from them. Vince, Mick, Nikki and Tommy were simply stunning Wednesday night. All of the bands were giddy with excitement backstage as were the Loyal Loopers in attendance. Everyone (including myself) went home completely drained. What a day!

(See Motley Crue perform "Wild Side" live at the FMBA here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=H0Wus5hgpkg)

(See Motley Crue perform "Saints Of Los Angeles" live at the FMBA here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=914xM0m_5lA)

(See Motley Crue's grand finale live at the FMBA here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6_z4rHkpV1U)

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CAUTION... THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT!

(See the video for Buckcherry's new song "Too Drunk..." here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qplBVqPhbBY)________________________________________________


If you're a regular listener to my show, you have heard what a great sense of humor the guys in Rush have. Rush made their first appearance on U.S. television since 1975 this past week... and it was hilarious.

(See Rush on the "Colbert Report" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1y2SV7fn9k&fmt=18)

All this week on my show, win tickets to see Alice Cooper at "The Venue" inside the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond August 19th. This Wednesday night I will be doing my show live from the Styx/Boston show at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. See you there!

(See Styx perform "Blue Collar Man" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JlVaC1DWrOs)

(See Styx perform "Renegade" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YVS3zgTHOsw)

(See Boston's video for "More Than A Feeling" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uZUcVFPrml0)

(See Boston's video for "Don't Look Back" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KiOqHLVxZvA&feature=related)

Caught Ringo Starr's show at the Charter One Pavilion this evening. The weather was perfect and the band was tight and note perfect all night. Ringo brought another great cast of supporting artists ("The All-Starr Band") this time around. Highlights included Billy Squier performing "Lonely Is the Night", "In The Dark" and "The Stroke"; Edgar Winter busting out "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein"; Gary Wright doing "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" and Colin Hay from Men At Work delivering "Land Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now?" Ringo was in great shape and spirits, providing the cheerfully solid back beat for the above numbers and then taking the lead vocal spot on his solo and Beatles classics including "Yellow Submarine", "I Wanna Be Your Man", "With A Little Help From My Friends" and many more. Two and 1/2 hours of huge hits, performed by the original singers (with the expert instrumental accompaniment of the others) and a fun, cool, laid-back vibe make these shows a blast and a great value for the money.

(See Ringo Starr and The All-Starr Band perform "Yellow Submarine" live at Charter One Pavilion here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=27BKHBe7wI8)

Hope you caught Klaus Meine of the Scorpions on my show this past week. Suffice to say he and the guys are pumped be coming back to Chicago to play at Charter One August 10th.

This coming week on my show, win tickets to see Puddle Of Mudd/Saving Abel/Rev Theory next Monday at the House Of Blues. Wednesday night, I will be doing my show live from the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre for Crue fest 2008, starring Motley Crue/Buckcherry/SIXX:A.M./Papa Roach/Trapt. Tickets are going fast at http://wlup.com/Concerts/Listings.aspx.

See 'ya there!

This Thursday at 9:30pm on my show, Scorpions front man Klaus Meine will be joining me to chat about their upcoming Loop show with Ratt August 10th at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. Don't miss it!

(See the Scorpions video for "I'm Leaving You" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tRZC9bC-b9o)

(See the Scorpions perform "Coming Home" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIjmCbL8KqI)

Also this week on my show, score 4-packs of tickets for this Sunday's 3 Doors Down/Staind/Hinder triple bill at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre and tickets to see Rik Emmett of Triumph's upcoming Chicagoland solo gig from me.

(See the 3 Doors Down video for their latest song "It's Not My Time" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=18pelixcmvQ )

(See Triumph's video for "American Girls" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2izRbTf9Hgk)

This Thursday from noon - 2pm I will be out in Frankfort handing out Loop goodies and a chance to win tickets to the "Richard Petty Driving Experience." All the details here:
http://wlup.com/Events/Listings.aspx.

Several months ago, my buddy Rik Emmett called me on my show to officially break the news about the reformation of Triumph after some 20 years apart. Their first "warm-up" gig since reforming was at the Sweden Rock Festival a few weeks ago.

(See Triumph perform "Never Surrender" live in Sweden here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bR3_R8ba0Tg)

Triumph will play Rocklahoma later this summer with a possible Chicago date as well. If the band doesn't make it here this summer, expect a full-scale world tour in 2009 which will definitely include a stop here. In the meantime, catch Rik Emmett doing a solo show November 8th at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

While we gained the return of a seminal hard rock outfit in Triumph this past month, we unfortunately lost an unparalleled catalyst in the world of comedy with the death of George Carlin. George guested on my show numerous times over the years and his innate ability to grasp the ridiculous facets of the human experience and mirror it back to us in a uniquely hysterical fashion was truly a gift of comedic genius that never failed to amaze and enthrall me.

(See George Carlin perform his "Baseball vs. Football" routine here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM)

After a nice week-long vacation, I'm back for more!

Just before my vacation, both Rush and Iron Maiden delivered truly inspired performances at their (both) sold-out concerts in town. Both bands fed off the contagious enthusiasm of the Loyal Loopers in attendance, resulting in some of the best shows I have ever seen from either band. Once again, many thanks to you... it was great to meet so many Loyal Loopers who came by to say hello to me during my broadcasts!

(See Alex Lifeson of Rush perform the guitar solo in "Freewill" live at the United Center here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ovTE65mSnjM&feature=related)

(See Rush perform "YYZ" live at the United Center here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hld7LVUV2b8)

(See Iron Maiden perform "The Trooper" live at the Allstate Arena here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e2NxB3SxXH4)

(See Iron Maiden perform "Run To The Hills" live at the Allstate Arena here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0yedK4MK2u8)

What a great week for concert goers! Rush Monday night at the United Center and Iron Maiden Wednesday at the Allstate Arena. Look for me both nights doing my show live from the respective venues. I'll have ticket upgrades, conversations with band members, live requests, post-concert Rock Blocks from both Rush and Iron Maiden and much more for you. Kelly the new Loop Rock Girl will even be riding shotgun. See you there!

Tom Keifer of Cinderella has damaged his vocal chords in band rehearsals and therefore will have to postpone the planned Cinderella/Warrant/Lynch Mob show next month at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Keep it locked on 97.9 the Loop for a possible future rescheduled date.

And finally, look for the Scorpions to officially announce their long-awaited return to Chicago August 10th at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. Once again, keep it locked on the Loop for all the details.

(See the Scorpions perform "The Zoo" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FEWPuo1hWr0)

(See the Scorpions perform "Dynamite" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=krXNDJBmlKg&feature=related)

After seeing Van Halen run through "I'll Wait" during their sound check Friday afternoon at the Allstate arena in preparation for that evening's concert, I was so impressed I commented on the air that they sounded even tighter than they did last fall during their stops in Chicago, and that the show would be a not-to-miss spectacle. The guys didn't disappoint. Van Halen was out for blood on this tour with something to prove. Namely, that in spite of all the personal and medical issues that have plagued the band during the last few decades, Van Halen is still one of the most entertaining live bands to ever grace a stage.

(See video of Van Halen performing "Jump" at the Allstate Arena here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NFh5rAJaxyQ)

Many thanks to all the Loyal Loopers who came by to say hello and participate in the live broadcast of my show from the arena. As always, you made it a night to remember! Don't forget to post your photos from the Van Halen show at www.wlup.com. Next Monday (June 9th), I will be doing my show live from the Rush concert at the United Center, and next Wednesday (June 11th) from the Iron Maiden show at the Allstate. See you there!

On the topic of great shows, as I promised, the Eagles have indeed announced two upcoming Chicagoland dates at the United Center, September 24th and 25th. Keep it locked on 97.9 The Loop to win tickets. All this week on my show, win tickets to Cruefest 2008, Iron Maiden and the premiere of the new Mike Myers movie "The Love Guru."

A generation before Mike Myers, Chicago native Harvey Korman and his trusty partner Tim Conway were paving the way for the future antics of "Saturday Night Live" and the many comedians (like Mike Myers) who launched their careers from it's platform. Sadly, Harvey passed away at the age of 81 this week. As a youngster, I eagerly watched the "Carol Burnett Show" each week waiting for Tim and Harvey to appear and tear the place down with their preeminent improv skills. Week after week, year after year, they slayed the audience. Thanks for the laughs Mr. Korman. You will be missed.

(See Harvey Korman and Tim Conway in the "Dentist" sketch here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PYzuchDBvCs)

And finally... look who got up and jammed with Paul McCartney in Liverpool tonight... http://youtube.com/watch?v=5yiQCgIgzNQ.