Paul McCartney on The Colbert Report

(Photo credit -Bob Gruen)

Paul McCartney was on The Colbert Report last night. If you missed it. Here's the clip. ***Found the clip and updated Feb. 5****
http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/the-colbert-report/full-episodes/#clip133348

Tomorrow, January 30th marks the 4oth Anniversary of The Beatles rooftop gig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6ZcfJspcI

Look for Paul McCartney, U2 , Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on The Grammy Awards on February 8th.
http://www.grammy.com/

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Billy Powell Has Died

(L-R Billy Powell, Gary Rossington, Jim Crowley, Johnny Van Zant and Owen Hale -picture credit Dave Stephens)

Billy Powell keyboardist for Lynyrd Skynryd has died. He survived the plane crash in 1977 that killed Lynyrd Skynryd members, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie Gaines as well as others.
Here's more information from a Jacksonville newspaper including video of Billy playing keyboards on the classic "Free Bird".
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-01-28/story/lynyrd_skynyrd_keyboard_player_bill_powell_dead_at_56

Crooked X ...The Future Is Bright

While most kids spend hours playing "Guitar Hero" these kids spend hours actually playing real guitars and jamming in a real rock band. They're called Crooked X and they're only 14 years old.
They're from Oklahoma and really rock out hard.
Check this out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_W4BGMuxd4&feature=related
They've already opened for Ted Nugent and Kiss.
Watching this video it's hard to believe they're all only 14 years old. What were you doing when you were that age? Imagine the hours spent playing "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" and now imagine actually using that time to master a real guitar, drum, base or other musical instrument. Sign me up for a class.

Boss Is Busy

Bruce Springsteen has had a busy month. He won a Golden Globe for "The Wrestler". Here's his acceptance speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTaeq-GuChw Bruce played The Obama Inauguration Concert, his new cd "Working On A Dream" comes out tomorrow, he's playing the half time Superbowl show on Sunday and is reissuing "Darkness On The Edge Of Town". Read more here http://www.nme.com/news/bruce-springsteen/42322 .
Also, here's the track listing for "Working On A Dream" and some bonus stuff that'll be out on Tuesday. http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html

The Big Snit and Other NFB Films

Remember in school they used to show NFB films on the film projector. Movies like "The Big Snit", "The Cat Came Back"
and other classic Canadian shorts are all on line.
http://www.nfb.ca/film/The-Big-Snit/

Oscar Nominations Announced

Academy Award nominations were announced today. Heath Ledger has been nominated as best supporting actor in "Dark Night". He won a Golden Globe for that role a few weeks ago.
Here's a complete list of the nominations. http://www.oscar.com/nominees/?pn=nominees
"The Curious Case Of Benjamin Buttons" leads the Oscar nominations with 13 . It's a good movie and does have a familiar vibe to it as you'll see in this clip from "Funny Or Die"
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/1d76506803/the-curious-case-of-forrest-gump-from-fgump44

iPod Weird Apps

If you have and iPod Touch or an iPhone. Here's a list of Top 10 weird apps.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4305521/iPhone-and-iPod-touch-Top-10-weird-applications.html

And here's the Top 10 apps to have.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/3727308/Top-10-Apple-iPhone-applications.html

Also, have an old cell phone you want to get rid of? Click on this for info. www.RecycleMyCell.ca
Many different items are accepted for recycling, including cell phones, smartphones, pagers, aircards, batteries, chargers and accessories. After the device is received, it is sent to a recycling plant where it can be taken apart for scrap or be refurbished. Proceeds from the sale of refurbished phones and scrap materials are donated to numerous national and local charities. All of the recycling companies involved with the Recycle My Cell program are ISO 14001:2004 certified, meaning they have an environmental management system in place which ensures accountability and knowledge of the associated environmental impacts.

Mott The Hoople Reunion

(Picture credit Creem Magazine)

Mott The Hoople are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year by doing a couple of reunion shows. It'll be the first time the original line up has played together in 35 years.
The shows are happening at the same venue they recorded their "Mott The Hoople Live" album in 1973 ...Hammersmith Apollo.
Here's more details..like ticket info incase you want to plan a vacation around it.
Will David Bowie show up....you just never know.
http://www.ianhunter.com/tour.shtml

Here's Mott The Hoople and David Bowie doing "All The Young Dudes"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=N-9F_z0B2TA

New U2 Single Out Tomorrow

The new U2 single "Get On Your Boots" is being released tomorrow and Q104 www.Q104.ca will have the Halifax premiere at 5:30pm.
Above is a picture of the album cover for "No Line On The Horizon" done by a Japanese photographer.
Here's more details.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/148518-the-new-u2-album-cover-is-very-zen

Deep Freeze

Last few days we've been in a deep freeze with windchills of -33 Celsius. Not as cold as it is in Antarctica . Compared to the South Pole we're downright tropical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz2SeEzxMuE

Check out the conditions these guys work in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smgGCvMTG5M&feature=related

And take a look at the this cool fridge from the South Pole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8CAcKw5808&feature=related

Metallica & The Class Of 'O9

Metallica will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. They've been up for nominations a few times, but this time it stuck. Also, in the class of '09 will be guitar legend Jeff Beck, Run-DMC, Bobby Womack, and Little Anthony & The Imperials. James Hatfield's response to the honour "I think it is pretty different as in, it happens once. You know, some of the other shows and things where you're getting awards, you can continue to get those. But this, this happens once, and this is a celebration of not only us, but all the people who have helped with the vision to get there."
The induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland on April 4th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum itself and is open to the public for the first time ever. For ticket info check out ticketmaster or Metallica's website www.metclub.com

If you haven't seen the documentary "Some Kind Of Monster" it's a compelling and brutally honest look at Metallica and the issues of being in a successfull group and all that comes with that. It came out a few years ago. Here's the movie trailer.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ysbXKDk9B7g

And a clip from "Some Kind Of Monster" given the South Park Treatment.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=t_R31jqdS9Q

The Wrestler

Just got back from seeing the Q104 Halifax premiere of "The Wrestler". It's a great movie.
Mickey Rourke does an incredible job. Everyone applauded at the end of it...that doesn't happen often. Nicholas Cage was originally supposed to do this film and for various reasons it didn't happen. Thank god...'cause Mickey brought this character to life from the hard to watch wrestling matches, to some touching and heartfelt moments. He deserves that Golden Globe Award for best actor in this film. Here's his speech from the other night.
http://www.truveo.com/Mickey-Rourke-Acceptance-Speech-Golden-Globe/id/306317757

Like the fact that he did a special shout out to his dogs and went and filmed a public service announcement for Peta that would make Bob Barker proud.
http://www.peta.org/feat-MickeyRourke.asp

And here's a revelation from The Onion. Wrestling fans are fake! Oh really...I did not know that.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=x83M3_RdbJY

It's too bad Mickey has had all that plastic surgery. It would be nice to see him have aged naturally. I'm on board with the Europeans view on ageing ...you've earned every wrinkle now wear it with pride.
Here's Mickey, prior to going under the knife and or botox injections in a wonderful movie from 1984 "The Pope Of Greenwich Village" Check out the trailer and rent it if you get the chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-kCXbhcYOE

Extreme Cycling Descent

How well can you ride a bike? Check this out. Thrilling footage of extreme cycling down a mountain.
http://www.world-vtt.com/video-mondial-vtt-descente-venosc-camera-embarquee-a218

This is a great idea. A bike that marks a bike lane with a laser light.
http://dustbowl.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/light-lane-concept-from-altitudes-alex-tee-and-evan-gant/

Also, here's a trailer of a great cycling movie from 1979 called "Breaking Away". Stars a young Dennis Quaid, and Daniel Stern... his first film role and also was the voice of the adult Kevin on the tv show "The Wonder Years".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1jzs6dk4bs

Creepy Doll & An Old Ronco Ad

Who needs Chucky when you've got this creepy doll that maniacally laughs and rocks at the same time. Maybe the creators of Chucky were traumatized after receiving their own Baby-Laughs-A-Lot doll and thus inspired to make Chucky horror flicks...and maybe that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza's mom looks like Susan's favourite doll was inspired by this or maybe it's all bunk. Check it out.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=40b_1231726772

Remember this Ronco classic? The commercials were on all the time back in the day...but do you know anyone who actually owned one....or would admit to having one?

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=71yTOUicmEY

Motown's 50th Anniversary

Motown is celebrating it's 50th anniversary today. Tons of great music to plow through over the years and many musicians and rockers have been influenced and payed homage to Motown by covering the classics...like The Rolling Stones doing The Temptations, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", Bruce Springsteen covering Edwin Starr's "War", The Beatles and their version of Barrett Strong's "Money That's What I Want", C.C.R...with Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine.. the list is exhaustive and goes on and on.

Here's more on the celebrations which kick in today.
http://www.classic.motown.com/news.aspx?bid=32

And check out The Temptations with "Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qUZHIpJAw

and The Stones with Amy Winehouse and their version of the same song.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_zPJVj-0lnQ

Dream... Now An Extreme Reality Sport

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's guys in flying suits and actually flying.
I've done this before....in my dreams...I'm sure if I had an analyst, they would tell me it means something. Not sure if I would want to take it to the next level. How about you?

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1778399&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1

Thomas Dolby & The Mad Scientist Memories

Just heard in a grocery store Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me By Science". It reminded me of the guy in the video that shouts out "She Blinded Me by.... SCIENCE. Here's the video for reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoJKWR3DIuA

The guy that played the mad scientist is actually a scientist. His name is Dr. Magnus Pike. He used to do a British show that explained science and technology, but simplified it for kids..and did it in an outlandish way. Flailing his arms around, getting real close in kids faces . My sister and I used to watch the show as kids.. mainly for the unintentional comedy. It was called "Don't Just Sit There"..or "Don't Ask Me" ...not sure what channel it was on...maybe TV Ontario. Apparently, Magnus was ticked off with Thomas Dolby after appearing in the video, because people would come up to him and yell "Science"..just like the Dolby video...and it would scare the bejesus out of him. This is all I could find on video of him doing what he did best. Also check out the Martin Short, Jackie Rogers "We hardly Knew Ye" Jr look alike host in this clip.
http://www.bollyclips.com/bollywoodvideos/video/a323Tc7QTKI/Christmas-Jim-ll-Fix-It-from-1978-BBC-Jimmy-Saville-Magnus-Pike.html

According to Wikipedia, Magnus defended himself with a cane after an intruder...(hopefully, didn't say "Science") broke into his house. Magnus was never the same and died in 1992.

Neil's New Song

Still coming down from that memorable Neil Young concert at The Metro Center back in November.
If you have a hankering for some new Neil Young check this out "Fork In The Road". No word yet on a new studio album...til then we have this and the archive stuff.
www.neilyoung.com

Here's a video for the song from Neil's posting at the Huffington Post site.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-young/fork-in-the-road_b_157698.html

New Apple Laptop Gets Back To Basics

Like this from The Onion. New Apple laptop features "The Wheel"...bonus no keyboard!

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

Just goes to show ya, you can't believe everything you see on the net. Someone should let these people know that.

http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/3EFBFFFF01962AEF001700A61129/

The Boss Is Workin' Overtime

Bruce Springsteen has a busy month coming up. Here's more
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/report-springsteen-to-play-inaugural-event-1003928167.story

Remember this Bruce cameo in High Fidelity ?
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DZE7OchG3DY

And Ben Stiller is "Boss" at counting.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bV5iHgdRQRg&feature=related

Hiker's Dream Or Nightmare

How adventurous are you? Check out this trail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWcegpemjbA

Yikes...think I'll stick to The Trans Canada BLT Trail.
Here's some details on this extreme trail located in Spain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminito_del_Rey

Man's Best Friend Is Also An Elephant's Best Friend

Even Elephants know a good friend when they see one.

Here's a warm and fuzzy moment between two best friends.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qs_a98AySNk

Rock Loses Another Great One

(Iggy Pop with Scott and Ron Asheton at the Second Chance in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1981.Photo: Matheu / Retna Ltd. from Rolling Stone Magazine)

Ron Asheton, influential guitarist and a founding member of The Stooges was found dead today. He was 60 years old. Hate to pass on bad news, very sad really.
Here's more from The Detroit Free Press.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090106/ENT04/90106024/1039

Top 5 greatest Stooges' Asheton Riffs from NME
http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=10&title=the_stooges_ron_asheton_his_5_greatest_r_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

And some vintage footage of Iggy & The Stooges from 1970 live in Cincinnati.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_XCECbAEU

Musicians & Autographs..The Best And Worst

Ever ask for an autograph? How did that work out for ya? The first autograph I ever got was when I was a kid at the Toronto airport . My sister and I asked Dave Thomas...pre the Bob & Doug McKenzie success on SCTV ...for an autograph. He was super nice. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to meet all kinds of rockers and celebs, but I don't bother with the autograph thing, just saying "Hi" and shaking hands is good enough. Here's a list of the best and worst musicians to ask for an autograph.

Under the best..# 1 is AC/DC, under the worst # 1 is Robert Plant & Jimmy Page. Here's the complete list http://houndstv.com/wp02/778/best-worst-2008-music-autographs-fans-in-canada/

Gosh Darn It, People Do Like Him.

Al Franken former SNL Alum won the Senate race in Minnesota. The votes finally got counted and he won. Here's Al, before his politcal career, on Solid Gold that tv show back in the 80's... doing a great job impersonating Mick Jagger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_mwsDFm7bQ

Update Jan.25th ....He lost.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-ustran275943668nov27,0,507185.story

Grateful Dead Tours And A Lawsuit..All In A Days Work

Grateful Dead are going on the road. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-dead5-2009jan05,0,6817013.story

Also, Jerry Garcia's Estate is tangled up in a lawsuit. http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/30/ungrateful-dead-garcia-sued-by-dead-pal/

Here's a classic clip of The Grateful Dead live from 1989 performing "Uncle John's Band".

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=n4-_V__GUro

and on The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder(man I miss that show) doing "Cassidy"

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=QPxeISlpFC0

A Poet, Songwriter & Children's Author All Rolled Into One

What do Dr. Hook, Johny Cash, The Irish Rovers and Marianne Faithful all have in common? They all recorded songs written by Shel Silverstein. Infact, Shel won a grammy for "A Boy Named Sue" in 1970. He wrote "The Unicorn" as a poem and The Irish Rovers put music to it and had a hit . Shel was not only a prolific song writer having written "The Cover Of The Rolling Stone", and "Sylvia's Mother" to name a few by Dr. Hook...but also wrote children's books like "The Giving Tree".
Here's a neat reading by Shel of that classic book. Warning your eyes may become moist... a Mr. Hanky (not the South Park character) might be needed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE&feature=PlayList&p=F6784CF55815E61B&playnext=1&index=71

Robert Plant...It's Sir To You & I

We'll be remembering New Year's Eve 2008 as the day we had the big bad blizzard, Robert Plant however, will remember this date for the day he got knighted.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE4BU00K20081231

Robert Plant also has been voted #1 Vocalist In Rock. Here's the complete list
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1103932/Robert-Plant-seed-rock-n-roll-poll-Mick-Jagger-just-scrapes-ten.html?printingPage=true

I like this clip of Robert Plant on stage with Led Zeppelin. Just before Robert introduces"Moby Dick" he talks about John Bonham's son Jason who at the time would have been 8 years old and then would go on and fill in for his dad at the Led Zeppelin reunion last year.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_0RfmRuQ_dg

Neat Late Show Feud

One of the highlights from last years "The Daily Show", "The Colbert Report" and "Late Show With Conan O'Brien" was this neat crossover.

http://rawstory.com/rawreplay/?p=581

We are socked in with a blizzard that hit us last night and is continuing today on the 1st day of 09.
Great day to lock the door and throw away the key. Watch some movies or also you can listen to Q104's rebroadcast of the radio reunion on til midnight . Listen online www.Q104.ca