Busy week on the show! Alex Lifeson of Rush, Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Vinnie Moore of UFO, and Carl Palmer of Asia all checked in with me to say hello, have a few laughs and chat about their latest doings. Alex Lifeson told me about his modest hopes for Rush in the early days (he hoped they would last 5 years) and about the new Rush concert CD "Snakes & Arrows - Live." Rikey Medlocke informed me that Lynyrd Skynyrd plan on recording a new album soon, and how much they were looking forward to Friday's show in Chicagoland. Vinnie Moore talked about the return of original UFO drummer Andy Parker to the band and how pumped they were as well to be returning to Chicago to play. Carl Palmer discussed the reunion of Asia after 25 years and their set list for Sunday which would also include songs from each member's illustrious past, such as E.L.P., Uriah Heep, King Crimson and Yes.

In addition to the above, I did my show live from the Sears Center Friday night for the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, took in/MC'ed both UFO and Asia at the House Of Blues over the weekend, hung out with the guys, and got a chance to meet some more great Loyal Loopers, to boot! Phew. I think I need a nap! All three shows were tremendous.

(See UFO's video for "Only You Can Rock Me" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HZzZUyD00Fg)

(See UFO perform "Love To Love" with Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham live in the studio here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VNM9YHoG1YU)

(See Asia's video for "Heat Of The Moment" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yk5tOion6F8)

As I indicated on an earlier blog, Motley Crue indeed announced their summer tour this week, which the Loop will bring to Chicagoland July 16th at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Special guests include Buckcherry and Sixx A.M., among others.

(See Motley Crue's video for their new song "Saints Of Los Angeles" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4sWpS8iSDIY)

Also announced this week, the Loop presents Poison/Dokken/Sebastian Bach August 3rd at the FMBA.

(See Poison recording "We're An American Band" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=X0bLKR5-G1g)

(See Dokken's video for "It's Not Love" here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=R5bweZNXvzY)

(See Sebastian Bach's video for his new song "(Love Is) A Bitchslap" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpUTwDP42Oo)