Chicago really ought to be re-named "The City That ROCKS!" Lollapalooza 2007 was even bigger and better attended and organized than previous years were, becoming the modern day successor of Woodstock in the process. After a warm-up gig at The Vic on Friday where they played such gems as KISS' "Black Diamond", Pearl Jam took the stage at 8:10pm at Grant Park launching into a 2 hour plus set with "Why Go" from their debut album. Eddie Vedder was particularly happy to be back home, commenting on the Chicago skyline, reminiscing about riding the "L" and taking BP Amoco to task over their dumping toxins into Lake Michigan. Mixing their classics with lesser known gems, serendipity kicked in when the museum campus fireworks coincided with Matt Cameron's fiery drum solo. Pearl Jam capped off the 3-day event with a rousing, guest-laden encore cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World."

(See Pearl Jam perform "Daughter" at Lollapalooza here: http://www.pearljam.com/news/index.php?what=News#195)

(See Pearl Jam's video for "World Wide Suicide" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XLJ7C6-bYKg)

After Lollapalooza concluded, I attended a special, by invite only post-party at The House Of Blues "Back Porch" (the restaurant/bar on the main floor), where Lollapalooza founder and Jane's Addiction front man Perry Farrell thanked the organizers and the city with a buoyant set that included Jane's Addiction classics "Stop!" and "Been Caught Stealin'."

Once again, a phenomenal 3-day destination event that made Chicago look great to the music world. Lollapalooza 2007... bravissimo!

Ted Nugent swept through town with a trio of shows in the area in the last week or so, and he once again found some down-time to check in with me during my show. During his formative years, Ted lived in Arlington Heights, so coming back to Chicago is like "coming home." Ted was in an unusually sentimental mood this time, since a statue of his late mother (affectionately known as "Ma Nuge" in the Chicago area) was being dedicated on the grounds of Durty Nellie's nightclub in Palatine. Ted fondly remembered his mother's loving career/life advice (how many of the rest of us can say we were wise enough to listen to the advice we were given?) with which he credits his enduring success. Look for Ted's first studio album in five years, "Love Grenade" to hit stores September 4th.