Nearly a decade after they split, Stone Temple Pilots made a triumphant return to Chicago this past weekend in support of their forthcoming reunion album "Stone Temple Pilots" set for release May 25th. Once again fusing their Beatles/Led Zeppelin/Aerosmith/David Bowie influences into the unique "Stone Temple Pilots sound", it promises to be another must-have disc from the guys that surely will add to their canon of mega-hits. During the show at the Riv, they even gave a sneak peek into some of the new material, as well as playing the aforementioned smashes.

(See Stone Temple Pilots perform their new song "Between The Lines" live at the Riviera here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLWKRwRB2tQ)

(See Stone Temple Pilots perform "Plush" live at the Riviera here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPD7SHllLqg

(See Stone Temple Pilots perform "The Big Empty" live at the Riviera here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmTUfYyCbIY

Loop Rock Girl 2010 voting commences this Friday, as we whittle down the cast of hopeful hotties to the "Sweet 16" finalists for the crown. Your votes determine who makes it, and who doesn't. This year, we've made it even easier to cast your vote. Click here to learn more and see the 32 Loop Rock Girl 2010 semi-finalists: http://www.wlup.com/checkitout/rockGirlSearch2010aspx.aspx

This week on my show from 6am-10am on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: "10 Grand In Your Hand" continues! This time we've doubled the bounty to $200! Each morning at 8:05am, I will announce some one's name. If you call back within 15 minutes at 312-245-1234, you instantly win $200 just for listening and qualify to win the $10,000! Make sure you sign up through www.wlup.com so that YOUR name will be called out! Trust me, the odds are very good to win it all. Listen, call... win. It's easy!

Also this week, win tickets to see the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Bret Michaels show in the first 5 rows, and a conversation with Jesse James Dupree of Jackyl this Friday at 8:30am. Don't miss out!

Miraculously, Alice In Chains seem poised to pull off the most difficult and improbable rock tale, the likes of which we have not seen since AC/DC resurrected themselves after losing Bon Scott and somehow managed to become even bigger in the process. After singer Layne Staley passed away in 2002, most would have been forgiven for believing Alice In Chains were finished. Defiantly, they have found new life in lead vocalist William Duvall and are arguable producing some of their finest music and live shows ever. This past Saturday night, they demonstrated their masterful skill at moving on and yet still connecting with their illustrious past before a delirious, sold out Loop crowd at the Aragon Ballroom.

(See Alice In Chains perform "Them Bones" live at the Aragon Ballroom here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzmwKy6ZqE)

(See Alice In Chains perform "Check My Brain" live at the Aragon Ballroom here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maw_oiZBaBA)

(See Alice In Chains perform "Man In The Box" live at the Aragon Ballroom here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAImgk8OMBo)

This week on my show from 6am-10am on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: "10 Grand In Your Hand" continues! This time we've doubled the bounty to $200! Each morning at 8:05am, I will announce some one's name. If you call back within 15 minutes at 312-245-1234, you instantly win $200 just for listening and qualify to win the $10,000! Make sure you sign up through www.wlup.com so that YOUR name will be called out! Trust me, the odds are very good to win it all. Listen, call... win. It's easy! Also this week, Styx/Foreigner/Kansas tickets, conversations with JY from Styx this Tuesday at 8:30am, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon on Wednesday at 6:30am, George Thorogood this Thursday at 9:30am and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots on Friday at 7:30am.

Happy St. Patty's WEEK!!! Chicago does it up like no other.

This is the last week for "Loop Rock Girl 2010" hopefuls to enter the contest. This year we've upped the ante to $75,000! If you or someone you know should be the next Chicagoland lady to wear the crown, enter this week at: http://www.wlup.com/community/rockGirlSearch2010/info.aspx

Last week, Chicago's adopted sons Tesla tore through town for another sold out show at the House Of Blues. Sporting his classic black Loop t-shirt on stage, lead guitarist Frank Hannon once again gave ample evidence that his name ought to be included in future "Best Guitarists" lists. Prior to their inspired performance, the guys popped by to see me and play a few songs live on my show, including for the first time acoustically, "Fallin' Apart."

(See my conversation with Tesla live at the Loop studios here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzXF9I5L8pY)

(See Tesla perform "Fallin' Apart" live at the Loop here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFBahbk6ou8&feature=related)

(See Tesla perform "Signs" live at the Loop here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWTp7znvdVY&feature=related)

The recent Olympic USA vs. Canada gold medal hockey game turned out to be such a huge hit, NBC replayed it not once, but 4 times this past week! Featuring no less than four Blackhawks, it got me to thinking about our friendly, sibling sporting rivalry with our Canadian neighbors to the north. Just like all brothers, we may razz one another and are competitive at times, but should any outside person or force try to actually come between us, LOOK OUT.

(Hear the infamous 1973 diatribe by Canadian newscaster Gordon Sinclair defending his US brothers here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ_okAgAUGE)

(See Tom Brokaw's 2010 reply on NBC during the Olympics here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrA4V6YF6SA)

This week on my show from 6am-10am on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: "10 Grand In Your Hand" continues! This time we've doubled the bounty to $200! Each morning at 8:05am, I will announce some one's name. If you call back within 15 minutes at 312-245-1234, you instantly win $200 just for listening and qualify to win the $10,000! Make sure you sign up through www.wlup.com so that YOUR name will be called out! Trust me, the odds are very good to win it all. Listen, call... win. It's easy! Also this week, win tickets to the sold out Alice In Chains show this Saturday as well as tickets to see Bret Michaels.

(See the video for Alice In Chains new song "Check My Brain" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTQ7xlFFA8)

(See the video for Alice In Chains' song "Sea Of Sorrow" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbrANo-1QMQ)

The mighty Iron Maiden are returning to Chicago! Listen for more details and to hear brand new Maiden from their forthcoming album "The Final Frontier" (their first in 4 years) this Monday morning (3/8/10) at 7:30am on my show. Don't miss it!

(See the video for Iron Maiden's "Different World" from their 2006 album "A Matter Of Life And Death" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhpxWD67Qgw&feature=related)

(See Iron Maiden perform "2 Minutes To Midnight" live from their "Flight 666" DVD here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzEQ440YjUE&feature=related)

(See Iron Maiden perform "Run To The Hills" live from their "Flight 666" DVD here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVceoX-pX0I&feature=related)

Speaking of Iron Maiden, original Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno made a rare appearance in Chicago a few weeks ago. Paul checked in with me on my show to say hello and give the lowdown on his scarcity on this side of the pond. "I've been a very baaaaad boy, and had some work permit problems!" he said with a laugh. Welcome back Paul, you've been missed.

(See Paul Di'Anno perform "Murders In The Rue Morgue" live at Reggie's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5YZMCJPvqM)

(See Iron Maiden's video for "Women In Uniform" featuring Paul Di'Anno here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YiR13bmFfc)

(See Iron Maiden's perform "Runnin' Free" live on TV with Paul Di'Anno here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esH0yTfXfz4)

This week on my show from 6am-10am on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: "10 Grand In Your Hand" returns! This time we've doubled the bounty to $200! Each morning at 8:05am, I will announce some one's name. If you call back within 15 minutes at 312-245-1234, you instantly win $200 just for listening and qualify to win the $10,000! Make sure you sign up through www.wlup.com so that YOUR name will be called out! Trust me, the odds are very good to win it all. Listen, call... win. It's easy!