It's been three long years, but Scorpions fans will soon have reason to rejoice. The new Scorpions CD "Humanity - Hour 1" will be hitting store shelves August 28th. Long time friend and Scorpions guitarist Matthias Jabs e-mailed me from his home in Germany the other day to let me know that the Scorpions will be coming to play Chicago in the fall... and they can't wait! In the meantime, you can hear their latest effort exclusively on the Loop. The Loop became the first radio station in North America (debuting on my show) to play the terrific new Scorpions song "Humanity", helping push an official release here. Fitting, since the Loop and Chicago fans were instrumental in "breaking" the band on these shores back in the late '70's courtesy of the Scorpions incendiary live performances at the Loop's Chicagofest. Matthias will be joining me on my show soon to talk about the new disc and tour plans, so make sure you listen for more details.

(See the Scorpion's video for "Humanity" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=1w9AukcojEc)

Like the Scorpions before them, Buckcherry is quickly becoming a Chicago favorite. They delivered a killer show at the Pier One Pavilion at Northerly Island recently. On the bill with Godsmack, they were easily the night's highlight, delivering a no-nonsense, back-to-basics set. Gibson guitars and Marshall stacks cranked to eleven, catchy-as-hell songs administered by a punishing rhythm section, all topped off with a passionate, wild-eyed, near-madman of a front man in Josh Todd. When it's done right, good 'ole primal rock'n'roll can be simply exhilarating.

(See Buckcherry's video for "Crazy Bitch" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zu3IqpnjfUs&mode=related&search=)
(See Buckcherry's video for "Everything" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-whZO06VoQs&mode=related&search=)
(See Buckcherry's video for "Lit Up" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xOJNPdc9s2Y&mode=related&search=)

Eddie Van Halen is out rehab and looking very fit and healthy these days. Earlier this year, plans for a Van Halen reunion tour with David Lee Roth were scuttled when Eddie put the brakes on to take care of his personal welfare. Now that Eddie is better, the Van Halen camp has been quietly inquiring about available dates for a fall arena tour. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Now if we could only convince Eddie to include local, original guy (and Van Halen's "secret-weapon") Michael Anthony on bass and background vocals, it would be perfect.

Alas, as the Van Halen tour seems nearer, reported rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion tour (with Jason Bonham sitting in for his late father on drums) were once again denied by Robert Plant. A British newspaper cited reliable sources close to the band claiming a reunion tour was imminent in 2008, setting off a firestorm of elation with music fans around the globe. Maybe Robert is just being coy, but I suspect not. In the meantime, that newspaper succeeded in selling ALOT of copies that day... perhaps exactly what they had in mind.

While we may never see the day Led Zeppelin re-unites for a full scale tour or new recording, there are nonetheless some terrific newer rock releases from new bands and veterans alike that seriously challenge the notion that "there's no good new music being released anymore."

Here then, in no particular order, are some recent CD's I highly recommend:

Shinedown - Us & Them
Buckcherry - 15
Silvertide - Show & Tell
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
Green Day - American Idiot
Def Leppard - Yeah!
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Alice Cooper - The Eyes Of Alice Cooper
Velvet Revolver - Libertad
Jet - Get Born
Scorpions - Unbreakable

A few quick, random thoughts and tidbits this time around...

It looks like the tongue-in-cheek prediction I made for the Sox season on CLTV on Opening Day is coming true... the White Sox will indeed go all the way to the end... they'll play every single game of the regular season! D'oh!

Area IndyCar racing phenom Danica Patrick (raised in Roscoe, IL) will be competing at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet September 9th. Danica was impressive at the Indy 500, at times occupying the top 3 before torrential downpours called the race prematurely. Had the full race been run, she may very well have won. As it is, her ranking has risen from 12th to 9th to a current 7th place in the overall standings in her first three years as a pro. Danica has taken more than her fair share of guff from the boys in a male-dominated sport, so it's gratifying to see her making some headway. Go get 'em Danica!

Many heartfelt thanks to the Loyal Loopers who took the time to wish me a happy birthday on Friday. You're the best!

As I speculated on in a previous post, Rage Against The Machine will indeed be mounting a reunion tour that will be making a stop in our area. August 24th, RATM will play at Alpine Valley, one of only 5 gigs (at this point) on a quick tour across the country. What's next? Libertyville native and Rage guitarist/founder Tom Morello didn't count out anything when he paid a visit to me a little while back. If things go well, don't be surprised if the songs Tom and singer Zack de la Rocha were working on when they came to town end up on a new RATM record.

A local favorite that does have a new CD out is REO Speedwagon. Entitled "Find Your Own Way Home", it's a throwback and a modern-day spin on the classic REO sound. The always funny Kevin Cronin recently called my show and shared some amusing current/classic REO road-stories. Just like the new album.

On the topic of classic... humor that is, the brilliantly funny Monty Python albums (did you know they made albums, too?) have all been re-mastered and re-issued with bonus tracks. They are simply a must-have. They are guaranteed to make you belly-laugh out loud... and if they don't, they make swell drink coasters. "There, I've run rings 'round you logically!"