Scott Weiland and Velvet Revolver just passed through town for another great Loop show, amid talk that the original lineup of Stone Temple Pilots will be reuniting for a show later this summer. Will STP do a full-fledged tour that might see them appear here in Chicago as well? What then will be the fate of Velvet Revolver? Could this set the stage for a Guns n' Roses reunion? In the next two weeks, STP lead guitarist and founding member Dean DeLeo will be joining me on my show to address these questions and more. Don't miss it!

(See Velvet Revolver's Video for "The Last Fight" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JvFnBdNhQ1E)

(See Stone Temple Pilots' video for "Interstate Love Song" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8BDQ6mQzOKQ&feature=related)

This summer, the Blackhawks will hold their inaugural "Blackhawks Convention" July 18th -20th at the Hilton Chicago. This will be a first for the Hawks and for any team in the NHL. Legendary players like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito will be appearing as well as current stars Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp, among others.

(See a Bobby Hull highlight montage here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uoCONk_jKl4, and another here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=loa3wsY_wdc&feature=related)

(See a Stan Mikita highlight montage here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_USp_Bv8Ho8)

(See a Tony Esposito highlight montage here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WZ7qqs5mYQs)

Keep up with all things hockey via my podcast "Byrd's Puck Podcast" available through my page at www.wlup.com.

The 100th annual Chicago Auto Show just wrapped up at McCormick Place this weekend. Far and away the biggest hit this year was Dodge's re-introduction of the famed "Challenger." What a car!

(See and read more about the 2008 Dodge "Challenger" here: http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles/detail.asp?type_id=2&make_id=9&vehicle_id=600)

Also garnering many ooh's and aah's were Chevrolet's Camaro "BumbleBee" concept car, and the 2009 Corvette ZR1.

(See and read more about the Camaro "BumbleBee" concept car here: http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles/detail.asp?type_id=1&make_id=20&vehicle_id=45)

(See and read more about the Corvette "ZR1" here: http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles/detail.asp?make_id=20)

A ton of new Loop concerts have recently been announced such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Police, R.E.M., Megadeth, Styx, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Dream Theatre, U.F.O, Rush, etc. with more being added every week. Keep it locked on the Loop for the latest. In upcoming weeks, look for Robert Plant, The Eagles, Triumph, Iron Maiden and more to potentially announce Chicago dates. Tickets and the most up-to-date list can be had on the "Concert Calender" page at www.wlup.com.

And last but not least... the 2008 Loop Rock Girl search is coming... details very soon on 97.9 The Loop!

Rik Emmett of Triumph fame checked in with me this week on my show to give me the scoop on the reunion of Triumph after 22 years apart. A number of factors have warmed relations between Rick, Mike Levine and Gil Moore over the last few years. Induction into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, the untimely death of Rick's younger brother (and subsequent emotional support from his former band mates), and a growing realization of their enduring popularity all contributed to a re-examination of the current status of the band. Triumph will play their first gig together this summer at a rock music festival in Sweden with scattered shows planned Stateside as well. Don't be surprised if Chicago is one of those stops. Rick said a full scale, worldwide tour is planned for the summer of 2009.

The Loop and the House Of Blues brought the 20th anniversary edition of the Laser Floyd show back to town yesterday. Both shows were packed to the brim with Loyal Loopers. After a quick hello and introduction from me, we all settled in for yet another amazing production. The show is different and dare I say it, better than previous years. If you haven't taken in the show, or haven't attended in a few years, you owe it to yourself to do so the next time it's in town. The show really does live up to its billing as the Laser Floyd "Spectacular." In the meantime, get your weekly Floyd fix on my show during "Thinks Pink" every Monday night at 10pm, exclusively on the Loop.

Queensryche once again descended on Chicago for two sold-out shows at the House Of Blues this past weekend. A mix of time-tested favorites, as well as their impressive version of Pink Floyd's classic "Welcome To The Machine" from their latest CD "Take Cover" were dished out for the rabid crowd. On Saturday night, the three finalists from the Loop's "Sing With Queensryche" contest joined me on stage to belt out their best. The winner (determined by audience response) got to sing lead vocals with Queensryche during the first encore. What a thrill for the young lady who won, and an impressive performance to boot! When Queensryche singer Geoff Tate checked in with me earlier this week, he was amped up to be playing Chicago again and looking forward to the contest. Unfortunately for Geoff, he became very ill Saturday night and was not able to manage their usual second encore. All in all though, another stellar swing through town for the band, and one thrilled Loyal Looper!

(See Queensryche perform "Welcome To The Machine" live here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NYwBtIimi5E)

And what about the Superbowl? What a spectacular finish! Whichever team you were rooting for, the final few minutes were riveting to watch.

(See the GoDaddy.com ad with Danica Patrick that didn't make the censors cut here: http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/media/play.asp?mediaID=exposure&ci=11526&tab=sb)

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers may well have pulled off the best half-time performance in the post nipple-gate paranoia era. Nicely done. By the way, The Loop is bringing Tom Petty and the band back to Chicagoland for a show July 2nd at the United Center. If you didn't win tickets to the show this past weekend from us, tickets are going fast at www.wlup.com. Don't wait!