The Blackhawks season opener is this weekend. Check out who's a fan!
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: a conversation with the "Red Rocker" Sammy Hagar this Tuesday at 4:30pm!
See Sammy Hagar's video for "I Can't Drive 55" here:
See Chickfoot's video for "Sexy Little Thing" here:
And last but not least, here's Byrd's "Peck Of The Week" from Pink Floyd. You have to see it to believe it! http://youtu.be/T6tr0Uz2uZU
Sunday, September 25, 2011
If you're a Pink Floyd fan, this is the "Mother-lode"! Floyd's massive re-release campaign begins this week. You've been hearing the previously unheard bonus tracks all month on my show. More this week!
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: a conversation with David Gilmour and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd this Tuesday at 5:30pm. Don't miss it!
As I have been hinting at on my show, Guns N' Roses will officially announce their return to Chicagoland on November 15th at the Allstate Arena this week. Loyal Loopers will be able to grab tickets before they go on sale to the public Friday through the Loop's pre-sale beginning Wednesday at www.wlup.com.
See the Guns N' Roses video for "Paradise City" here:
More Led Zeppelin goodies surfaced this week, this time the rehearsals for their 2007 reunion in London.
Hear Led Zeppelin rehearsing here:
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: a conversation with recent Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Alice Cooper on Thursday at 4:30pm!
See Alice Cooper perform "I'm Eighteen" live here:
And last but not least, here's Byrd's "Peck Of The Week"... the new Alice Cooper!:
Monday, September 05, 2011
Happy Labor Day weekend! Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn't mean the concert season is over.
Lynyrd Skynyrd invaded Ravinia this past week with their southern charms... and rock swagger. The north side may never be the same.
See Lynyrd Skynyrd perform "Freebird" live at Ravinia here:
REO Speedwagon featuring Evanston native Kevin Cronin rocked New Lenox over the long weekend.
See REO Speedwagon perform "Riding The Storm Out" live in New Lenox here:
Fellow Evanston native Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam celebrated their 20th anniversary with a pair of gigantic homecoming gigs at Alpine Valley over the weekend as well, featuring some very special guests to help them celebrate.
See Pearl Jam and special guest Chris Cornell of Soundgarden perform "Hunger Strike" live at Alpine Valley here:
A wealth of previously unseen Led Zeppelin footage has been surfacing lately, including footage of them at the Chicago Stadium in 1975:
Last but not least, here's Byrd's "Peck Of The Week"... the new Chickenfoot!:
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Rik Emmett of Triumph fame checked in with me on my show this past week to give us an update on the long-awaited Triumph reunion tour (it's still pending) before performing yet another stellar acoustic set for charity, this time for the Chicago "Kids At Risk Program" on Saturday night. Big talent, even bigger heart.
See Rik Emmett of Triumph perform "Lay It On The Line" live at the Stahl Family Theatre here:
Saturday night also saw the first ever Chicago show from the U.K.'s legendary Diamond Head, a band who profoundly influenced a young Metallica, covering several of their songs over the years.
See Diamond Head perform "Am I Evil" live at Tailgaters here:
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: conversations with Lynyrd Skynyrd this Wednesday at 4:30pm, and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon on Thursday at 5:30pm leading up to their Chicagoland concerts this weekend.
See Lynyrd Skynyrd perform "Sweet Home Alabama" live here:
See REO Speedwagon perform "Roll With The Changes" live here:
To kick off the long weekend in style with the Loop, make sure you request your favorite song so we can a) playit b) give you an iPad loaded with all 1,000 songs requested! Make your request here: http://www.wlup.com/LaborDayWeekend2011.aspx
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Another busy week on the Chicago rock scene with numerous great shows.
Stone Temple Pilots returned to the area this past Friday night, this time at the Venue inside the Horseshoe Casino.
See Stone Temple Pilots perform "Plush" live at the Venue here:
Also Friday night, Mr. Big performed their first show in Chicago since reforming at the House Of Blues.
See Mr. Big perform "Addicted To That Rush" live at the House Of Blues here:
Uriah Heep made a rare stop in our area earlier in the week at Viper Alley in Lincolnshire.
See Uriah Heep perform "Stealin'" live at Viper Alley here:
Just announced this week, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman of Yes fame are teaming up for a tour and will hit the Star Plaza Theatre on October 20. Jon stopped by my show last week with guitar in hand to share a few laughs.
See Jon Anderson "Live At The Loop" here:
Sad news this week as well. Jani Lane of Warrant fame passed away at the age of 47. When I last spoke to him just a few months ago, he was in good spirits and seemed to be in a good place in his life. Thanks for the music Jani and sleep peacefully my friend.
See Warrant's video for "Cherry Pie" here:
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: win passes each day to attend a very special "Live At The Loop" performance from George Thorogood this Saturday as well as tickets to his show at the House Of Blues later that evening!
See George Thorogood's video for "Bad To The Bone" here:
This Thursday I will broadcast my show live for "Loop Sox Night # 3" at the new bar & grill at U.S. Cellular Field. Lots of cool Loop prizes, Tricia the 2011 Loop Rock Girl will be there, and much more. Hope to see you! http://www.wlup.com/SoxNites/20110818.aspx
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Rock 'n' roll outlaw Ted Nugent stormed back through Chicagoland with original lead vocalist Derek St. Holmes in tow this past week and laid a little patented "full bluntal Nugity" on the Loyal Loopers packing the House Of Blues.
Squeezed like spandex between all those great acts was perhaps the greatest "performance" of the week from the guys in Steel Panther. From the first time I caught their act on the west coast a decade ago, I've been on a mission to bring them here and turn the good people of Chicago on to their special brand of warped humor. Killer chops, hilariously deranged songs and never breaking character result in an uproariously funny experience unlike any other. "Ladies and gentlemen... the greatest mock 'n' roll band in the world... Steel Panther!"
Who says you actually need a guitar... or even a band to shred? The U.S.Air Guitar Finals were held over the weekend at the Metro and a Chicagoan who goes by the stage name "Nordic Thunder" won it all.
Talk about "bringing the house down"! Unfortunately, it wasn't a joke and local heroes Cheap Trick narrowly avoided being severely hurt or killed as the stage they were performing on in Ottawa suddenly collapsed during their performance this week.
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via http://www.wlup.com/: win tickets to ZZ Top each day, as well as daily chances to win a trip for 2 to see VanHalen in Australia as the Loop's "World Tour" continues! http://www.wlup.com/WorldTour-VanHalen.aspx
Also this week, I will be broadcasting my show live from the Def Leppard/Heart concert this Thursday and the Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger concert on Saturday. Please come by and say hello!
As nice a guy as he is skilled guitarist, virtuoso Joe Satriani performed a solo gig this past week at the Venue on a break from his esteemed band mates in Chickenfoot.
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via http://www.wlup.com/: win $100.00 per hour and Def Leppard/Heart tickets as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
Also this week, listen each day for a Van Halentwo-fer on my show to win a trip for 2 to see Van Halenin Australia as the Loop's "World Tour" returns! http://www.wlup.com/WorldTour-VanHalen.aspx
Guests this week include Ted Nugent this Wednesday at 5:30pm, Steel Panther on Thursday at 4:30pm and Tesla this Friday at 6:30pm.
The Def Leppard/Heart show originally scheduled for this Friday has been rescheduledfor Thursday, July 28 owing to the sudden death of Joe Elliott's father. Tickets for the original date will be honored then.
U2 brought their 360 degree tour back to Soldier Field this past week with more elaborate staging, sound and lights than any other rock show ever. No wonder it's become most successful tour of all time... and the nearly 65,000 Loyal Loopers in attendance will likely never forget it. Mind-blowing!
Motley Crue and Poison rolled into town with special guests the New York Dolls this past Friday to kick off the long weekend celebrations with a bang. And what a spectacular bang! A non-stop barrage of fireworks, fun and fist-pumping rock (and one roller coaster) had the Loyal Loopers packing the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on their feet for 4 solid hours. You might say we were "Red, White and Crue-ed"!
This Thursday is "Loop Sox Night" #2 at US Cellular Field. Join me as I broadcast my show live from the incredible new bar & grill at the ballpark leading up to game-time and win tons of great Loop prizes. Cheap baseball tickets, great time! http://www.wlup.com/SoxNites/20110707.aspx
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The summer concert season in Chicago is starting to ramp up. This past week saw Peter Gabriel fill the United Center.
... and there's many more on the way! Keep it locked on the Loop to win tickets to all the hottest shows coming this summer.
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: win $100.00 per hour as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
This Wednesday just after 4:00pm, I will send Tricia the 2011 Loop Rock Girl out with 30 pairs of Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls tickets to give out, plus the chance to join Motley Crue on stage and ride Tommy Lee's "Drum Rollercoaster"!
To kick off the long weekend, I will be doing my show live from the Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls concert this Friday at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Hope to see you there!
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: win $100.00 per hour as well Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls tickets daily as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
Also this week, an additional chance to win Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls tickets each day as well!
This Thursday I will be doing my show live from US Cellular Field for "Loop Sox Night." Game tickets are only $9.79 (while they last)! http://www.wlup.com/soxNites/20110609.aspx
Monday, May 30, 2011
Robin Trower is rarely mentioned in "greatest guitarist"- type lists, but he sure ought to be. Even a cursory glance at his talents and accomplishments should confirm that. This past weekend at the House Of Blues, Robin once again demonstrated what should be by now accepted as fact... he is a brilliantly tasty guitarist.
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via http://www.wlup.com/: win $100.00 per hour and a 4-pack of White Sox tickets daily as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours!http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
A conversation with ChicagoWhite Sox legend Frank Thomas this Thursday at 5:30pm.
Chicago and Loyal Looper favorites UFO packed 'em in for 2 sold-out shows over the weekend at the House of Blues and the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Mixing in some rarely performed tracks like "Venus" along with a full compliment of their classics, they were once again in fine form.
Also this week, every time you hear a Journey song on my show, be the 98th caller at 312-591-ROCK or 312-591-ROLL and win tickets to this summer's Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger concert and qualify to win the grand prize, a trip for 2 to Paris to see Journey and Foreigner as the Loop's "World Tour" continues! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorldTour_JourneyForeigner.aspx
He says it may be his last ever tour. Let's hope not. If so, Bob Seger will be going out on top. His show in town this past weekend was a joyful, hits-laden, nearly 2 1/2 hour confirmation of his stature as the biggest and most beloved of the "heartland rockers."
We thought it would never happen again after their reunion at Live 8 in 2005, but late last week in London, the surviving members of Pink Floyd did just that. Making good on his promise to appear at one of the dates on former band mate Roger Waters "The Wall" tour, David Gilmour and surprise guest Nick Mason performed together live for only the second time since 1981. Here's hoping the warming of their relations continues.
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: win $100.00 per hour and a $50 gas card as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
Also this week, every time you hear a Journey song on my show, be the 98th caller at 312-591-ROCK or 312-591-ROLL and win tickets to this summer's Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger concert and qualify to win the grand prize, a trip for 2 to Paris to see Journey and Foreigner as the Loop's "World Tour" continues! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorldTour_JourneyForeigner.aspx
This Saturday, catch me doing my show live from the Allstate Arena between 4pm-8pm leading up to the Bob Seger concert. Said to be his last tour, I will give you the behind the scenes Loop scoop and much more. Hope to see you there!
This week on my show from 3pm-7pm on 97.9 The Loop in Chicago and worldwide via www.wlup.com: win $100.00 per hour as the Loop's "Workforce Payroll" continues. Make sure we have your name so we can give you yours! http://www.wlup.com/contests/WorkforcePayroll2011.aspx
This Thursday for Cinco de Mayo I will be doing my show live from the "Tilted Kilt" in Oak Brook Terrace. I will be giving away a trip for 2 to a beautiful resort in Mexico to someone in attendance! http://www.wlup.com/ConcertsEvents/events/listings.aspx
Also this week, win tickets to the Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger concert each day.