Looks like the Van Halen reunion tour with David Lee Roth at the helm will indeed be touring this fall. Keep it locked on the Loop for an announcement about a Chicagoland show very soon!

Chicago favorite and Loopfest alumni, Tesla have announced a date at the House Of Blues September 11th in support of their latest CD "Real To Reel."

(See Tesla's video for "Thank You" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AiU1lV4YGUU)

On Saturday August 11th the incredible band Powder will be headlining "Market Days" on North Halsted (Addison Stage) at 8pm. Voted LA's "Best Club Show" for many years running now, I can vouch that they are a band/show not to be missed. Guitarist Phil X is a stunning shredder who was tapped to replace Rik Emmett in Triumph in the 90's and has provided the snarling guitar on many a recent release, including Tommy Lee of Motley Crue fame. Fronted by a equally talented Ninette, the show is best described as... well... a psychotic barbie fem-bot, fronting a ferocious hard rock outfit that has collided with Cirque Du Soleil. Sound different? It IS. A highly infectious blend of metal/pop/performance art/fun that is quite difficult to quantify, but completely mesmerizing. The only way to really appreciate how phenomenal and truly unique they are is to see them for yourself in person. I guarantee you it will be the best $5 you ever spent! To get a taste, see below.

(See Powder's videos for "Up Here" and "Adore Me" here: http://powdermusic.com/)

Many thanks to the creative Loyal Loopers who sent in their "My Loop Rock Block" sets for "Loyal Looper Appreciation Week." All week long, 4 song blocks selected by you were played back-to-back. We had so much fun, it has become a nightly feature on my show at 9pm. Not only do you get your block played, you get to introduce your block on the air! Submit your favorite 4 song block through www.wlup.com.

Took in some great Loop shows this weekend. Saturday, Nickelback and Staind packed the house at Alpine Valley. Both bands delivered enthusiastic sets that had concert-goers on their feet for the entire night. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback was particularly polished at making the huge venue feel more like an intimate show in your living room than in a vast amphitheatre. From inviting a fan on-stage to propose to his girlfriend (she accepted setting off a roar of delight from the crowd), to making much light of a flub he made (starting the wrong song) and telling humorous stories, it was a casual and fun atmosphere that is much more difficult a task to achieve than one would imagine. Above all, the sound and performances rocked with Nickeback showing a significantly heavier side in concert than their records would indicate.

(See Nickelback's video for "Figured You Out" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XvGnCnWY5nY&mode=related&search=)

(See Nickelback's video for "Rockstar" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DmeUuoxyt_E&feature=related)

(See Nickelback perform "Animals" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7OohSKHtPNo&feature=related)

On Sunday Deep Purple played before a capacity crowd at the House Of Blues after a great set by openers Supagroup. As soon as the crowd saw me take the stage to greet them, the excitement was palpable... the legendary Deep Purple were now only minutes away from assaulting their senses. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple were responsible for laying down the foundation and blueprint for hard rock and what would become known later as heavy metal. It might be 2007, but Deep Purple sounded every bit as powerful as they did in 1972. Lead singer Ian Gillan was once again the thin, barefoot shaman of his youth, belting out the new songs and classics alike with that remarkable voice and passion we have come to know and love. Chatting with the guys after the show, they were in great spirits and very pleased to be back in Chicago. Roger Glover told me that after the current tour is complete, they will be going back into the studio to work on a brand new CD, which should be out sometime next year.

This past week was another busy one. AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson, AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams and ex-Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner stopped by during my show. They were in town to play a charity event named "Classic Rock Cares" at the House Of Blues. Much hilarity and fun were the order of the day with Brian announcing that AC/DC should tentatively have new material ready to go next year, followed by a tour. After my show was over that night, the guys whisked me over to their hotel bar to continue the fun. Over a couple 'o' wobbly pops, Brian confided in me the dollar figures being offered to AC/DC to tour next year... to say the amount was mind-boggling would be an enormous understatement!

Poison and Ratt played the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre as a part of the Loop's 30th Anniversary Concert Series. Both Bret Michaels of Poison and original Ratt front man Steven Pearcy (now reunited with the band), checked in with me on the show to say hello and have a few laughs. Poison has a brand new CD out entitled "Poison'd" which contains well known classic rock tunes being given the "Poison treatment." Steven Pearcy and Ratt have not yet released any new material since their last reunion in 1999, but Steven indicated that this was part of their plan.

As each concert in our series of shows this summer gets completed, they are replaced by even more! The Red Rocker Sammy Hagar and the Wabos (once again featuring fellow ex-Van Halen alum Michael Anthony) will be back in Chicago for the first time since Loopfest 2006 November 10th at the Chicago Theatre to spread cheer (via tequila) and a rockin' good time for all devoted "Red-Heads." In addition, Sammy and Co. have a brand new DVD out called "Sammy and The Wabos - Livin' It Up! In St. Louis" and a brand new song "Open" which you can only hear on the Loop.

(See Sammy Hagar's video for "Sam I Am" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=iAYNVDEES6A&mode=related&search=)

Velvet Revolver and Alice In Chains hit the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre August 28th.

(See Velvet Revolver's video for "She Builds Quick Machines" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LuzpeOZI6Fo&mode=related&search=)

Aerosmith and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will light 'em up September 10th at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

(See Aerosmith's video for "Baby Please Don't Go" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dL_JdOCDkQA)

Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals) will be swinging back through Chicagoland for another show September 22nd at the new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates with Alice Cooper and Queensryche in tow. This will be undoubtedly be one triple-bill not to be missed!

Tickets for all these Loop shows (among others) can be had through www.wlup.com.

The first volley in the Loop's 30th Anniversary Concert Series with Def Leppard/Styx and Foreigner at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre was a resounding success. It was a beautiful day weather-wise and Loyal-Loopers packed the place. Even though I was pretty busy that day broadcasting live from the event, catching-up backstage with the guys and bringing Styx and then in turn Def Leppard on-stage, I caught enough of the show to tell you that all three bands were in top form, performing some of the best shows I've ever seen them play. Everyone left the show that night pretty drained, but with a thoroughly satisfied grin pasted across their faces. Special thanks to all the Loop listeners who stopped to say hello to me. I've said it before, but it bears repeating... you guys and gals are the BEST!

(See Def Leppard's video for "Rock On" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pqU9Mu3JSm8)

Fans of KISS will soon want to add a new and special Chicago concert memento to their collection. During the last holiday season, lead vocalist/guitarist and KISS co-founder Paul Stanley played to a rabid, sell-out crowd at the House Of Blues while movie cameras captured every moment. Now that concert film "Paul Stanley - Live To Win... Live!" (along with an accompanying documentary) are being readied for release to theaters and DVD. Several weeks ago, the producers of the movie and KISS management contacted me to ask me to provide the "voice-over" for the movie trailer which will be shown in theaters and will be included on the DVD release. So if that voice sounds familiar... you aren't imagining things. In a related note, KISSOLOGY Vol.2 will be hitting stores at the end of August. Out just over six months, KISSOLOGY Vol.1 has already sold an amazing 6 million copies!