It all started in Chicago at the Loop sponsored "Chicagofest" held at Navy Pier on August 10, 1979, says Klaus Meine of the Scorpions. Klaus and the band credit the Loop and that gig for breaking them in America. Three decades later, the Scorpions have sadly announced their retirement. After the release of what will be their final studio album "Sting In The Tail" next month and one last "victory lap" world tour which will include a final stop in Chicago, it appears it's all over for the Scorpions.

Here's the announcement they posted on their website this past week:

Important Message to our Fans

It was always our pleasure, our purpose in life, our passion and we were fortunate enough to make music for you - whether it was live on stage or in the studio, creating new songs.

While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was – and how much fun we were still having, in the process. But there was also something else: We want to end the Scorpion’s extraordinary career on a high note. We are extremely grateful for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we’ve always had since the beginning. This is why, especially now, we agree we have reached the end of the road. We finish our career with an album we consider to be one of the best we have ever recorded and with a tour that will start in our home country Germany and take us to five different continents over the next few years.

We want you, our fans, to be the first to know about this. Thank you for your never-ending support throughout the years!

And now… let’s get the party started and get ready for a “Sting in the Tail”!

See you on the world tour,

Yours

Scorpions

Fittingly, keep it locked on the 97.9 The Loop to hear the new Scorpions record and when they will be playing their farewell show in Chicago.

(See the Scorpions video for their song "I'm Leaving You" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OqRR6aQz6k)

Infamous hard-rock pioneer and merry prankster Ozzy Osbourne checked in with me again on my show this past Friday morning to share a couple of laughs and talk about his new book "I Am Ozzy" which he was in town to sign copies of for fans. If you think his song "Crazy Train" was a show-biz exaggeration, you ought to read his tome. He really should have called it "I Am Ozzy... And I Should Be Dead By Now!" Hysterically funny and heartwarming at the same time, you'll wonder how he has managed to dodge the Grim Reaper time and time again. I highly recommend it. Ozzy also mentioned that his still untitled new album and summer tour plans are being finished up as we spoke. Keep it locked on the Loop to hear the new Ozzy and when he will be back in town to play live.

(See Ozzy Osbourne perform "Crazy Train" live on TV in 1981 with the late Randy Rhoads here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbPWcLode0&feature=related)

Footnote: the Megadeth/Slayer/Testament show scheduled for this Friday night (2/5) at the UIC Pavillion has been rescheduled for August 20th due to Slayer singer-bassist Tom Araya's neck surgery. Megadeth will be playing their classic "Rust In Peace" disc in it's entirety. Tickets already purchased for the show will be honored on the rescheduled date.

(See Megadeth's video for "Symphony Of Destruction" from their "Rust In Peace" CD here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq8i2i2ZRHA)

This week on my show from 6am-10am: win a fully catered suite for "Beacher's Madhouse" this Saturday and "The Music Of Led Zeppelin" featuring Randy Jackson of Zebra on February 19th at the Venue inside the Horseshoe Casino every morning at 8:05am as well as a chance to win tickets to see Tesla each morning as they return to town for a show at the House Of Blues February 27th!

(See Zebra's video for their song "Tell Me What You Want" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5I_CpoodtI&feature=related)

(See Tesla's video for their new song "Fallin Apart" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aqL2IgUsPk&feature=related)

(See Tesla's recent visit with me at the Loop studios here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8b3vUfswuE)

Got the winter blahs? How does a free getaway to a palatial resort in Mexico sound? Every morning this week, one lucky Loyal Looper will win an ALL INCLUSIVE 5 day/4 night vacation at the Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe in beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico! The getaway includes all meals, drinks, select water sports and round-trip airfare courtesy of Apple Vacations, America’s Favorite Vacation Company. Just be the 97th caller at 312-591-ROCK or 312-591-ROLL each morning when you hear "Byrd's Song Of The Day" between 6am-10am and you win! Eddie Webb will reveal the song you will need to be listening for each afternoon at 4:30pm. Listen, call... win! It's as simple as that.

(For more details and photos of the Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe click here: http://www.wlup.com/checkitout/byrdFlys.aspx)

Theory Of A Deadman and Halestorm rocked a packed house at the House Of Blues this past Tuesday night. Wowing them from coast to coast, Halestorm stopped by my show to play live before heading out of town Wednesday morning.

(See Halestorm perform their song "I Get Off" live at the Loop here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTjOQFJR1s&feature=related)

(See my conversation with Halestorm here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ofyZA_quiw)

(See the official video for Halestorm's song "I Get Off" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l14naR3dJQ)

This Tuesday from 5pm-7pm join me at Buffalo Wild Wings on South Kingery Highway and Plainfield Road in Willowbrook. I’ll be giving one lucky Loyal Looper free Buffalo Wild Wings for an entire year as well as lots of other Loop goodies!

(For more info and directions to Buffalo Wild Wings, click here: http://www.buffalowildwings.com/)

This Thursday from 8pm-10pm join me at Market Bar on W. Randolph to try your hand at the Illinois Lottery Blackhawks Cash air hockey tournament. Top prizes include an authentic Blackhawks jersey, Blackhawks tickets, and of course, CASH!

(For more info and directions to Market Bar, click here: http://marketbarchicago.com/)

This week on my show from 6am-10am: Win a trip to Mexico each morning, tickets to Great White, Yes and the Lovehammers daily at 8:05am, as well as another "Live at The Loop" performance, this time from The Last Vegas on Wednesday at 9:30am and a conversation with Ozzy Osbourne this Friday at 8:30am. Don't miss out!

This week on my show from 6am-10am: win a Burger King breakfast delivered to your workplace at 6:30am each morning, Nickelback/Shinedown/Breaking Benjamin tickets at 8:05am, as well as Blackhawks jerseys. A conversation and live performance from Halestorm on Wednesday morning at 7:30am and the chance to win tickets to see them Tuesday night with Theory Of A Deadman at 9:30am on Tuesday morning!